Friday Funny

This 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting.
When she went before the judge in Cincinnati he asked her, "What did you steal?"
She replied, "A can of peaches." 

The judge then asked her why she had stolen the can of peaches
and she replied that she was hungry.
The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can.
She replied, "6."

The judge said, "Then I will give you 6 days in jail." 

Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment,

 the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something.  

The judge said, "What is it?"

The husband said, "She also stole a can of peas." 

Turn around

So after my whining and moaning yesterday, something happened today which brought me back to the place I need to be.

This afternoon, I had a meeting with one of my newer staff members (he joined my team in January).  We were discussing some work he recently completed; the challenges he had encountered, what he had learned, and whether there were any learning or coaching needs identified in the process.  At one point in the conversation, he shared with me a conversation he had with another team member at lunch today.  He told me they considered me a "very good boss", and he said they both appreciate that I genuinely want to see my team members succeed.

It was in that moment that a shift occurred.  It doesn't really matter whether my employer appreciates what I do, it doesn't matter if my boss (and his boss, and her boss) acknowledge the work that I do. That the people I work with appreciate my efforts means so much more than any other form of recognition.  In my work world, my team are the ones who really matter.

Do you ever find when you're in a funk, that something happens to change your perspective?  I look back and see this pattern in my life and I wonder.  Maybe I'm an optimist at heart?  Nah, that's not it!  :-)  Perhaps it's the good thoughts you send my way that brought this speedy resolution.  In any event, I'm grateful for the support you provide!

I hope everyone had a wonderful, appreciative day!

Lost for words

I generally don't find myself at a loss for words.  But today is one of those days.

You may or may not recall that I work for the federal government of Canada.  I am a public servant.  I am proud to serve my fellow Canadians every day.  I hope in some small way I make positive contribution to the way life we enjoy.

This week, the government announced that some of the benefits available to the public service are unsustainable.  This includes sick leave and the current disability program.  We currently earn 15 days a year, and if we don't use them, we accrue the time since the disability program does not kick in for 13 weeks.  If an employee becomes seriously ill, he or she must exhaust their sick leave credits before the disability program is available to them.  At least that's the theory.

Many employees use their sick leave regularly.  But many of us don't.  Personally I have close to 26 weeks banked over 16 years. Some employees take advantage of their bank before they reach their retirement by finding a doctor willing to sign off on a stress leave.  (I'm thinking the thought of leaving would lessen the stress...not increase it but what do I know).  

Most do not abuse the system.  One of our employees will retire with over a year of accrued sick leave credits in his bank.  Despite the perception of the general public, there is no payout.  What we don't use is gone when we leave our employer.

A couple of weeks ago, the government also announced a new performance management plan for the public service.  According the same minister who made today's announcement "There's simply no way, I refuse to believe, that virtually every single person that the federal government hires is going to perform to the standards we expect,"

The new plan is "aimed at boosting productivity and efficiency while weeding out workers who don't meet the grade".  The plan will bring in annual performance expectations, mid-year reviews and annual written assessments.

He is right in one respect, not everyone is cut out to be a public servant. It's not easy to be denigrated because of the work we do, and the benefits we have earned over the years.  He is incorrect, in that we've always had performance management, and while it isn't as easy to cut someone loose as it is in the private sector, it can and has been done. 

All of this is the lead up to National Public Service week.

From the Government of Canada website:

Since its launch in 1992, National Public Service Week (NPSW ) has celebrated the work and achievements of the Public Service of Canada. The women and men of the Public Service of Canada are among some of our most precious resources, and it is important that we recognize their accomplishments and the positive role they play in Canadian society.

Today, we were served doughnuts and coffee by our senior managers.  Uh, thanks...I really feel my work is appreciated now.

Not-so Productive Saturday

It's been raining pretty much all day, making for a good day to get a few things done around the house.

That's great in theory... :-)

I got a few things done, ran the dishwasher, did a couple of loads of laundry, and cleaned the kitchen.  Yesterday I bought a big package of ground beef at Costco so today I made up two-thirds of it into patties and the other third into taco beef for wraps or salads. The hamburger patties I put in the freezer, they are individually wrapped, and easy to grab and throw on the grill for quick dinner.

I also boiled a few eggs and some quinoa.  The eggs I'll chop up for egg salad for sandwiches later in the week, and I intend to make a salad of the quinoa.  Doesn't this look good?

I'll let you know how it turns out, but the reviews I read were very good.

Later in the afternoon, I curled up on the couch for a quick nap with the cats.  When I woke up they were gone, and my son was feeding them their dinner.

For my dinner, I put together a taco salad.  I quite enjoyed it along with a glass with wine.

The rest of the evening I plan to relax...like I haven't done that most of the day...and watch some television. Perhaps tomorrow will be a more productive day.

Hope you all had a wonderful Saturday!

Friday Funny

And some days.....

It seems to be working!

I'm not talking about the wine (if you read yesterday's post) although it did help me sleep!

As you may recall, I've been having problems with birds flying into the front window of the house. Usually they simply bounce off the window and fly away, but every once in a while one is killed.  I just hate that when it happens.  I suppose if I closed the blinds, they probably wouldn't be attracted, but on the other hand I'd be sitting in the dark and the cats wouldn't have their giant television.

I'd thought about putting stickers on the window, but I couldn't find anything I liked.  Then, I was in the dollar store the other day and I spotted these little windchimes.  I knew I had a lightweight shepherd's hook at home that I use to hang the chimes.  AND I mean lightweight...I tried a small hanging container on it and it nearly bend in half!

I placed the hook directly in front of the window and hung the chimes from it.

One thing about Saskatchewan weather, is there is a breeze/wind blowing almost constantly.  So while they don't make much noise, there is a gentle tinkle.

From the interior they don't look that bad either.  I must admit the movement makes me look at the window a little more frequently too.

But so far, so good, there hasn't been a single bird hit the window since they've been there.

I don't feel guilty and no lives have been lost.  Not a bad outcome for less than $10!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

The size of the "wine glass" is directly proportionate to the size of my level of frustration.  AND I'm almost out of wine!