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| Thank You Gift from Neighbor |
Today, I didn't want to go to the office in the morning! I really, really wanted to call and ask if I could work from home, instead. But I made myself go in to the office. Partly because, after a brush fire in the neighboring city, yesterday, our air quality was bad - very hazy and smoky even though the fire was put out. I knew it would be better for me to be in the air conditioned office than at home. But it took me awhile to actually get dressed and go! I did call my supervisor before I left the house to let her know that I was coming in and when to expect me.
I went in a bit late, but, by doing so, I was able to skip a mandatory fire drill that took place this morning. I have participated in several fire and earthquake drills at the office and I know the routine - how to exit the building, where our designated meeting place is, and so forth. So missing it this time shouldn't be a problem.
In the afternoon, I took a break and went first to the pharmacy to get my antibiotics prescription filled and to visit with my friend who is the pharmacist. After that, I went to the bank, finally! Today, I chose not to go to the farmers' market and they were taking down the tents when I went on my break.
My daughter emailed me in the afternoon to ask my opinion whether she should choose to take compensated time (or "comptime") off or choose to receive payment for overtime worked. One would give her more time off, the other would give her more money. I suggested she chose time off because then, she could extend her Thanksgiving break and winter break (they have to take a mandatory week off between Christmas and New Year, using vacation or comptime, as the entire office is closed during that time). She told me she went with my suggestion (apparently, she needed to fill out payroll paperwork specifying how she wanted her overtime compensation, for the next fiscal year). I love the fact that she still asks me for my opinion about such things and is willing to be guided by my suggestions.
I had planned to do the dusting and vacuuming this evening, but the air quality was still bad enough that I could smell the smoke in the air. I decided that the dusting and the vacuuming could wait for another day or two until the air quality improved. I didn't want to risk getting an asthma attack. I also didn't go out to water the garden, for that reason.
Later in the evening, my neighbor called and told me to check outside my door, that there might be something there for me! I looked and I found the lovely planter I've pictured above, with an orchid in flower, a parlor palm, and a variegated pothos. It is from my neighbor and her daughter as a thank you gift! I'm not sure for what, exactly; the card attached read, "Thank you for everything!", but I suspect it was because I was able to help her out, last week, when she had a bit of a problem. I told her she really didn't have to, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but I love their gift. I placed it on the mantel only long enough to photograph it. After that, I placed it on top of the entertainment center in the family room, well out of reach of a certain kitty who likes to chew on plants. Orchids aren't poisonous to cats, according to what I've read, but pothos is (I've another pothos plant on top of that entertainment center, out of his reach).
Today, I am grateful for:
- A productive day at the office once I got there!
- Being able to visit with my pharmacist friend
- Friendly tellers at the bank
- A lovely gift from my neighbor
- A cooler day (only in the 80s)
Thursday's To Do List:
- Office - DONE
- Bank - DONE
- Pharmacy - DONE
- Dust and vacuum living room and dining area - NOT DONE!
- Water the front garden - NOT DONE!
Friday's To Do List:
- Office
- Note to gardener friend with a Garden To Do List
- Dust and vacuum (can do over the weekend, too)
- Water the garden
How was your Thursday? Are you ready for it to be Friday? Are you ready for June to end? Can you believe that the first half of this year is already just about over? (It is already June 30, when I am tying this!)
Oh, that smoke smell must be horrible. Good idea to stay in for a little while. The flowers are beautiful. Seems like you have a good neighborhood as you are always helping each other.
ReplyDeleteIt does make for some lovely sunsets, though.
DeleteI do have some nice neighbors. There are a few neighbors on my block whom I don't know, wouldn't even recognize them if I saw them, but I know those in the houses closest to me.
What a nice gift from your neighbor. Will you eventually move it outside?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the brush fire and poor quality air.
Being retired it makes no difference to me what day of the week it is. I needed to make a quick run to the Dollar Tree this morning and the traffic was really heavy. Perhaps a lot of folks have started the holiday weekend already! I just take each day as it comes and do not wish for months to end. Having said that I have had one or two thoughts about Christmas.
Take care.
No, I will keep it as a house plant. It gets too hot outside for this type of orchid and pothos. Actually, the last time I had an orchid, it got too hot inside, too!
DeleteI am starting to think about retirement, myself, Sandy. I'd like to work for one more year, I think, but increasingly, I am thinking it would be nice to stay home and not have to go to the office. My daughter thinks I'll be bored after about a month or two, but I think I'll be quite happy working on my crafts and things. Maybe I just need a nice, long vacation! I never did take any real time off between the end of my treatments and returning to the office!
Ha, ha, it is never too early to start thinking about Christmas, is it? I used to prepare for Christmas throughout the year, because I made a lot of my gifts. Last year, I didn't make my jams, etc., and most people got gift cards. It was more costly, but much easier in terms of time and energy!
What a lovely gift from your neighbour. Very kind. It's always nice to be appreciated.
ReplyDeletePlease be careful to not bring on an asthma attack. I do hope the air is clearer for you by now. X
It is a lovely gift, isn't it? The air is cleaner today; still hazy but I don't smell the smoke. But I am going to wait another day before I dust and vacuum. Today I did grocery shopping on my way home and now I am tired!
DeleteAw that arrangement is so pretty! That was nice of your neighbor to do this for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that your daughter should take the time off vs the money. If she were to get a big sum, she's more than likely be taxed on it at a higher amount. Sure, she could recoup it when she files her taxes, but why lend the government money for free?
Speaking of money, I see that you said you wanted to retire in a year or so. I don't know how old you are, but I hope you do know that your Social Security benefit will be reduced if you plan on taking it sooner than later. Also, if you were married at least 10 years prior to your divorce, you can collect half your ex-husband's Social Security benefits, although there are rules, of course. So if you're considering retirement soon and are younger than the retirement age (which is probably 66 for you), make sure you talk to an advisor to avoid doing something that would reduce your payments unwittingly.
I hope that forest fire abates soon, Bless. Have a great weekend!
It was very nice of her Nathalie. Completely unnecessary, but very nice and much appreciated.
DeleteHa, ha, great minds think alike! Getting taxed on the overtime pay is something I also mentioned to her! :)
Thank you for bringing up the things to consider prior to retiring. I will be attending a retirement seminar in the near future (although I haven't signed up for one, yet). I am not rushing into anything but I do think I'll want to retire in about one year's time. I am 61, by the way; I'll be 62 later this year. :)
The gift from your neighbor is so pretty! I am sorry that your air quality is so poor right now. We battled that last Summer with the horrible fires around here that had me basically trapped in the house or I could not breathe.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely, isn't it? The air quality was better, today, but I still took it relatively easy. Hope all is well with you, Debbie.
DeleteWhat a very lovely gift. Your neighbour must have been most appreciative. Does your weatherman give warnings in his broadcast about air quality and when it is unadvisable to do anything strenuous? Our weather reports do. In the summer it is generally to do with air quality. Winter has frostbite warnings, as in unexposed skin could develop frostbite in XX amount of time.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely gift, isn't it? The weather forecasters do give air quality status reports, but I don't always watch the weather reports. In general, the summer air quality is worse than the winter air quality (lots of smog in the summer).
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