New Monday- New Focus

      After a good long weekend, Monday came as scheduled. As I type this, I'm mentally preparing to start my work week. I don't know if I mentioned this last week, but I've been partially redirected back to Covid testing. This came up very suddenly on Wednesday, and suddenly I had three meetings added to my calendar and 1/2 dozen emails forwarded. I'm not sure what specifically I'll be put in charge of, but I'll be spread thinner again. Fortunately I have both my fifth position on my team in place, who has been awesome so far, and we have an office support staff to ease many day to day time sucks. Neither was here summer and early fall 2020 when I last was part of the testing team. Covid is hitting schools and childcare hard again, so going back to last year's testing strategies and perhaps manage the spread better.

     I wasn't thrilled but since my job works in both child environments, several of thems in authority thought I'd be the best person. Of course my current work and projects don't go away. I'll try not to whine in this space, but in my head I need to prepare for long days again. Regardless of our part of the enterprise relocating, all offices are pushing back the return to office/new teleworking plan to keep even those ready to go back in the office by January, working from home a few more months. Quite frankly, as an employer, we can't bring the risk of too many people needing sick time when so many are going to don additional hats again. Of course we can work remotely if quarantined, or mildly symptomatic, so this move preserves the work force. I got to say, I'm ok with yet another delay. I still have one team member that needs to pack her office space though. 

     I made a sort of meal plan yesterday but in preparation for too many meals with ultra rich foods, snacks at every corner, and cookies galore, I'm going to focus on my portion control, time of day eating, and calorie count on regular days. Regular means those non- event or gathering days. I don't want one more pound in my body or any further shifting of weight to places that make clothes tight. With the cold weather, I need to force myself to get outside longer. Pup loves it and needs it. He struggle's with voiding issues if he doesn't get enough exercise. Inside, particularly if I'll be working more hours at my desk again, I need to add more stretching, more strength to my too little exercise routine. My daughter is building a good home gym worth of equipment. I may borrow some things from her, or to break up my separation from work day to evening, pop over to her house if she has no objections.

     I was disappointed, and annoyed with him that we couldn't connect online with my son this weekend. We had lined up Thursday- never really knew why it didn't work, I suspect he was at friends late, then we lined up for Saturday. He was gone Saturday, part helping a friend, part side job, and it didn't work. He didn't inform us though until well after we were supposed to talk, he still wasn't home, and by the time he would get home,  we'd all be ready to call it a night. We talked a bit by text during the Vikings game, boo. He's always been a spotty communicator. However once we all do talk, it's for a long time. However, he never thinks about the inconvenience of having plans and changing last minute.  OK, in case you thought I think my kids are perfect, this whine gives you the other perspective. 

     Later tonight we'll pay the last of November bills and set cash aside for Christmas. I have a few gifts to buy and need to pay my SIL for our portion of MIL's gift. November should close as expected, and other than groceries and special food items, December shouldn't be excessive. We prepaid hotel and all concert tickets. I'll do a retirement update to end the month. I hope your November ends in the black. 

It's Monday for pup too,
waking up with just us
after having one of his 
girls to snuggle up to.