I had been looking forward to being well enough to go to the office again, but when the time came, I felt a little stressed about it, too! I felt I wasn't fully prepared, as I hadn't done half the things I had planned on doing before I went back to work! Including getting some new, better fitting clothes!
It was raining when I went to sleep last night and raining when I woke up this morning. I got up at 6:00 a.m., but stayed in bed a few minutes, listening to the rain. Then, I had my tea, watched a bit of news, and got dressed in the clothes I had picked out the night before: a pair of black pants and another purple sweater I had knitted, a long time ago (in 1986, with a wool blend yarn I had bought on a visit to London; it was my first - and so far, only - proper visit to London, other than overnight in transit, and the yarn was my souvenir of the trip; back then, I weighed just a little less than what I weigh now; the sweater got too snug when I put on weight, but I couldn't bear to give it away, so it stayed in the back of my dresser drawers; I think it fits quite well again, now; I'm wearing a purchased sleeveless knitted blouse underneath, for layering).
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| Purple Cable Sweater |
It looked a bit too plain, so, I put on an infinity scarf I had sewn some time ago:
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| With Scarf |
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| Dressed for Work |
Yes, purple is a favorite color of mine! Still a little saggy and baggy, but not too bad. I did put on shoes after the pictures were taken! :)
I had packed my breakfast (half a bagel to be toasted in the office, with a little butter in a separate container) and my lunch (leftovers from dinner - rice, corned beef, cashew curry, sauted zucchini) along with snacks (a tangerine, a container with homemade trail mix), last night. It was only a matter of putting it all into my tote bag, along with the gifts for the office (a big jar of chocolate covered raisins for my colleagues to share, a couple of emoji mugs my daughter had painted for one or two others at the office).
The freeway was clogged as usual, and the drive took a little over an hour, but the hills in the distance were lovely and green after all the rain.
My supervisors and colleagues were happy to see me and I had a very pleasant first day back in the office. The layers I wore kept me warm and I had taken a crocheted lap throw with me as had been suggested, which kept my legs warm! My hands got cold as the afternoon wore on - I am tempted to cut off the tips of a pair of dollar store gloves and turn them into fingerless gloves!
I left the office a little earlier than usual, with my supervisor's approval. Also, it was decided that I will work from home tomorrow and Friday (which will be the 13th! Eek!). Then, Monday is a holiday and I have doctors appointments both Monday and Tuesday, so, I will be going back to the office next Wednesday. That will give me plenty of time to shop for a couple of pairs of pants.
I've spent a quiet evening since I came home. I had a cup of tea and dinner (hamburger patty and corn from the freezer, plus a salad). Chatted on the phone with a friend, a cousin, and an aunt, all of whom called to check on me; and video chatted with my daughter.
The rain stopped in the late morning, but we are supposed to get another shower of rain around midnight, tonight.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Office work
- Take down the rest of the decorations
- Tidy the living room
- Clear the dining table
Today, I am grateful for:
- Going back to the office
- A warm welcome from colleagues and supervisors
- A safe drive to the office and back
- Phone calls from family and friends
- Being able to work from home for the rest of the week.
Today $6.50 today to re-join the office water club.
How was your day? What have you planned for tomorrow?
Does your drive to work always take an hour? Glad you had a good first day back. You'll be back in the swing of things before you know it.
ReplyDeleteThe drive time varies from about 45 minutes on a good day to an hour on regular days. All bets are off when it rains, however, or if there is an accident along the route. It is only about 20 miles, but the roads are congested. I say my devotions and listen to music (or, occasionally, the news on the radio) and my commute becomes part of my "me" time. :)
DeleteI'm so happy for you Bless. It must have been a little bit scary going back after such a long time away. I'm glad it all went well. Love the purple! X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. I felt a little stressed the night before, because I didn't feel quite as prepared as I would have liked, but it worked out OK. I had a lunch packed (could have bought a lunch, too, if I didn't take my lunch; plenty of eating places near my office), had the office gifts wrapped and tagged, had an outfit to wear, and the car was gassed up. What more did I need? Ah, yes, purple is my color! Has been since I was 17! :D
DeleteCongrats on your first day back at work! You look lovely. Purple is a favourite colour of mine too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! My daughter was laughing at me when I told her that I took pictures of my outfit. She thinks I'm worse than a teenager! :D
DeleteYou look really smart in that outfit you picked out. Very professional but really fun with that infinity scarf and the hit of purple. I am so glad your first day went so smoothly and that you received a very warm reception. I don't envy you the commute into work however, but the view of green hills must have been quite spectacular. Congrats on surviving the first day back to work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan! I do like my scarves!
DeleteIt really was nice being back at the office. I enjoyed the social interaction, although I found myself easily distracted by all the conversations going on around me. We all have our cubicles, but it's all one big room (only the head of the section has a private office with a door that can be closed), so we hear each other's phone conversations and sometimes we talk over the partitions. I used to be good at blocking out people's conversations, but I've got used to the quiet at home!
I'm glad you had a decent day back at the office.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jess. It makes a big difference, doesn't it? How are you and Bubby doing? (((HUGS)))
DeleteDepends on the day. But we'll be alright. Thanks for asking
DeleteJust take it one day at a time. Keeping you in my thoughts.
DeleteYour outfit looked nice! Aren't you glad you kept that sweater?! I have a lot of clothes that no longer fit me but that I would be happy to wear again when I do. So I won't be decluttering that, nor get rid of my "fat" clothes because I've been on this train long enough to know that thinking the weight will never come back on isn't true. As with you, there could be health reasons why I put weight on after I lose it.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to hear about your coworkers welcoming you back and probably wise for you to work a short day. You had to dip your toes back into that pool and you did but you still need to rest. And now you have another week to get ready to go back! Where do you think you'll go shopping?
What is the Office Water Club? Do you buy fancy water?
I hope you had a nice day today as well. How is your shoulder?
Thank you, Nathalie! Yes, I'm very glad I kept that sweater, and a couple of others like it, too. I put too much effort, knitting panels of cables, into those sweaters to just give them away! I gave the purple sweater and a beige sweater like that to my daughter; she kept the beige sweater and returned the purple one, saying she didn't like how it felt (she has broader shoulders than I). There are a few other "slimmer days" outfits I kept - should probably pull them out and try them on!
DeleteI am thinking of going to Sears for the pants. There's a store less than 2 miles from my house and they usually carry my favorite brand of pants and they are usually on sale for $19.99.
The Office Water Club - a group of us pitch in to buy bottled water (in 5 gal. containers) and to rent the dispenser. Participation is voluntary. There's regular tap water for any one who doesn't want to pay for bottled water. At home, I drink tap water that I have first boiled. Our tap water doesn't require boiling, but this is a personal preference of mine. I don't like to drink the regular tap water at the office and I really don't want to buy gallon sized bottles of water to carry to the office (although I've done that at times). So, I pay to participate in the office water club! :) I don't participate in the coffee club, though, since I don't drink coffee (or tea) when I am in the office.
The shoulder still hurts a bit, and I was wondering about that, this morning. But it's not quite 1 week since the fall and I keep forgetting I am 61 and these things take longer to heal as one gets older! :D
Forgot to ask... did your daughter ever have that talk with her boss about her contract getting renewed?
ReplyDeleteNathalie, you are so sweet to be concerned and remember to ask about it! Yes, she did speak with her sort-of-immediate supervisor. I say "sort-of" because daughter's supervisor, on paper, is someone higher up, but this is the person who over-sees her day-to-day assignments. She has no authority over hiring and so forth, but she seems to think that daughter's contract will be renewed. However, she will make inquiries. Daughter had told her that she needs to know because her apartment management wanted to know whether she'll be renewing the lease (so they'd know in time to advertise a vacant apartment in time for fall semester). Since daughter's work place is affiliated with the UC system (and not a private company), hiring practices are subject to various rules and regulations and funding availability, etc., but it seems likely that her contract will be renewed. If not, she can always come home! I, for one, shan't mind that at all! :)
DeleteI hope it all works out, one way or another!
DeleteThank you, Nathalie. I'm sure it will. :)
DeleteYour outfit looks very nice! Glad the first day back was manageable.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. I took up your suggestion to take a lap throw - I took a crocheted blanket and it kept my legs nice and warm!
DeleteI'm so glad your first day back went well and that you survived the cold. Your idea of making thrifty fingerless glove is a good one and makes me think I should do the same as I do get white fingers sometimes when I'm sitting and the house is cool.
ReplyDeleteI chuckled when I saw your purple sweater as I have a favourite handknit purple sweater, too! You look very smart with the scarf and jacket.
Good that you have a break from the office now, then you will be all set for another go on Wednesday.
Bushlady.
Thank you, Bushlady. As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fashion plate, but I do try to be somewhat pulled together! :D
DeleteThe first thing everyone commented on was my short hair! It's the first time anyone in the office has seen me with short hair! My hair is naturally wavy and it's sort of growing out in all directions; I haven't done anything to trim or style it, but I was told it was very sassy! :D
The purple looks so nice on you! But it's 80 degrees here today, so just seeing all those clothing layers is making me sweat! Lol. Great that you were comfortable on your first day back. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. Oh, send me some of your warm weather! It's been pouring with rain, here, and I have the heater on!
DeleteI'm so pleased your first day back at work went well. I can imagine how you felt a little stressed and nervous about returning after being away for so long. Your colleagues and supervisor sound lovely people and I bet they were thrilled to see you again. Good that you are easing yourself in gently as well.
ReplyDeleteYour outfit looks lovely and so is the cover on your bed. Did you make it yourself? xx
Thank you, Suzanne. Yes, they are lovely people. Very kind and considerate. I am going to continue to ease myself to the work place, next week, too. It's the getting myself there that is the problem for me - waking up early, being on the road by a certain time, etc.! Once I am there, I am fine! :)
DeleteYes, I knitted the cover. It was a project to use up leftover yarn!
You look very pretty for your first day back to work. So happy it went well and every one was happy to see you..I know it was stressful to return after the long time off, and the fact you have fallen recently.. Proud your supervisor is helping you with your work schedule..This is such a blessing. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy. Yes, I was happy that the first day back went off well; I had been a bit worried about the drive, etc. Everyone was very kind. Pays to have worked there for over 32 years! :)
DeleteI'm so glad that your first day back went so well! I love your sweater. Purple is my favorite color and one that I have way too many sweaters in that color of according to my hubby. ;) Oh well, there are worse things in life than having too many pretty sweaters in my favorite color. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie. I'm sure you get plenty of use from all your pretty purple sweaters, too! Keep warm!
DeleteI didn't realise you had been in the UK - you are very well travelled. I hope people were kind to you when you visited. That is an awesome looking sweater. You look great! x
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed my visit, although it was too short. I couldn't fit in all the places I wanted to visit, but I did as much as I could in the 10 days I was there. Yes, the people I met were very kind. :)
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