Miss Dismissed

Monday morning I spoke with my boss regarding my desire to flex some of my work time a few days a month. I requested the ability to work from the house so that I could spend some time in Florida. I would not be missing any time away from the office and would be in the office 4 days a week. She stated her boss would not go for it and really didn't say much else.

So, today I put together an e-mail, circling the topic back around. I stated my case, where we are with the contract etc. and that as I am dedicated, and have made the department quite successful, I wanted to see if my plan could be given some consideration and a trial period. I included a calendar of what a typical month would be like. I stated what I would be able to do to help the department with the transition to the new contact and be able to mentor someone to do the things that I do etc. It was a well put together e-mail and I had even had another director look at it. They felt that I had a compelling argument for what I wanted.

I was totally dismissed. I mean no consideration, nothing. All my boss did was reply to me "sent it to _______ (her boss). She didn't pick up the phone, vouch for me, given an opinion, nothing. The e-mail I received this afternoon was what she had exchanged with her boss. When she forwarded my e-mail all it said was "What do you think?" The reply? "This is a full time in house position". DUH! That particular statement was my second sentence in the whole thing. I acknowledged that from the beginning. My boss then forwarded all of that to me stating, "FYI. We have been told consistently all managers and directors need to be full time in house." THEN she said, "Do what you need to do but give me as much notice as possible". Period, end of story. I didn't know if I would get a yes or no, but the five years of work running this department, excellent reviews, bonuses, awards, etc. were totally discounted like a child who wanted dessert before dinner. I feel betrayed by a boss who has always told me how much she valued me and how much work I have taken from her shoulders. (Which by the way is exactly where this entire department will be landing). She wants notice? She can't even have a conversation and be an advocate for me but wants me to give her notice? She will get all the internal reference checks. That will be her notice. I find it difficult to believe that bending to accommodate someone on a short term basis far too much trouble than totally sending away an employee such as myself. It is not the company philosophy that is for sure. There are many other departments that do exactly what I am asking and I cannot even get a few minutes of someone's time. So... I am totally disenchanted. I will be seeking some sort of advice from HR in the morning. One, to verify that I am not being unreasonable and two, to see what I can do in order to find another position within the company.. One where I might be valuable enough for at least a conversation.

I'm Awake!

For anyone who really knows me, the fact that I am awake at 11:30pm EDT is some sort of record. I am the sleepiest person I know. I can sleep propped up in a corner. Basically if I am still for longer than two minutes I could probably catch a few z's... This Predisone I have been on for the poison oak I contracted is really kicking my butt. I am wide awake at hours I generally never see, and I eat so much that you would think I am training for some sort of competitive eating competition. It's actually quite disgusting. I have had some sort of obsession with food over the past two weeks and I am sick of it. Thank God the last dose of the medicine is tomorrow morning. I can't stand eating like this and I have no way to control the urge. I had little will power with food to begin with and all bets are off on this medication.

I talked with my boss about the potential of telecommuting a few days a month. She was less than encouraging. I am refusing to take no as an answer without some sort of valid, rational reason why even a trial basis cannot be considered. I will take it as far as I can. If I get no where, then I guess I post out. Then they are stuck with all of the work. I don't know how the transition would go smoothly without someone who knows what is going on but if I can't get someone to at least give this a trial run, I will be forced to make a more drastic decision. I hate to do it while we have the two mortgages but I will do what I have to do. The boss is suppose to talk with her boss about it all. (I reminded her I do not report to him, I report to her). We shall see.

Southwest airlines is having a killer sale for it's 40th anniversary that ends on Thursday. I really want some of those tickets. I will probably plan out a scenario calendar for the boss and show how I envision it all working. And then buy tickets regardless. LOL! The company isn't on the hook for anything except a friday monday working from florida instead of from Louisville. How can that be so bad?

Government Work

A lot of people have a lot to say about government work. I happen to work for a contractor. It's a great job and I like it a lot. We have been in option periods on our contract for a few years now. We have been in a contracting phase and we have retained our contract so that is great news. That means we get to work for another 5 years or so, at least until the next contract comes around. Say what you will, working under a contract is more of a work guarantee than anything else you can come by.

With all of that said, that leaves me with a need to get some clarity surrounding work. If you have regularly read this blog, you know that currently I have houses in two places, with my CC in our Florida home and the Son and I here in Indiana for the time being. I would love to keep my job but it will take convincing of the powers that be to allow me to at least telecommute part time. I don't mind paying the money, I don't mind the travel. I still have to get my son through school for another year and I am a rare person that actually finds her job enjoyable and is quite good at it. Conservative parties may not agree with the "work from home" thing only because it is new and our company is slow to move around. Half of my staff telecommute at this time. I personally do not see a reason why I cannot do it part time at least for a while. I guess it will all depend on where they want to go with me and this position. I will be chatting with my boss next week after we get some direction on moving forward with our new contract. At that time, I guess a decision will be made as to my fate.

And Time Marches On... So Slowly....

Here I am, another day in Indiana. Showed the house again today. It's like the third time this week. Not much to keep up for a showing considering most of our stuff is in Florida. I can't stand the fact we are starting all over with all of this. It really is quite frustrating. Although the summer is flying by (and I'm here), the time between visits with CC is DRAGGING!!!! I mean there is not enough to keep me busy to try to make the time go by faster. I go to bed early, I get up early so that I can work more. There is nothing to do here so time at home drags. I read, I try to watch some t.v. but the time just drags on... I am not scheduled for another flight until 6/30. It seemed right at the time. Now, there is just WAAAY too much time between visits. We are hoping the GAO will pass some sort of judgement on our contract this week. It will help where the work situation is concerned. I will be speaking with the boss about working from home at least one week a month. That will be a start until we can determine what can be done about my job. Lord knows I can't do too much about it until I can unload this house. Too much money going out to make too big of financial changes. All of this is just killing me. I miss CC so much. I know it will all work out in the end but getting there is really rough. I need to be with him. Sorry, just whining....

The Weeds Fight Back

Measles make you bumpy
And mumps'll make you lumpy
And chicken pox'll make you jump and twitch

A common cold'll fool ya
And whooping cough can cool ya
But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch...


Unfortunately there isn't a song about poison oak.... I have a raging case of it and although the song Poison Ivy isn't about the plant, there are a few lyrics that are appropriate.

Saturday I pulled a bunch of it under my pine trees by the driveway at the house in IN as now they have backed out on buying it and all the landscaping needs to be tended to NOW THAT ALL MY EQUIPMENT IS IN FLORIDA! UGH! By Monday morning I was itching and by this morning my face neck ears chest and arms were covered and red and swollen. I ended up in urgent care getting a prednisone shot, a dex pack and vistaril. Stuff affects me worse every year. CC told me to stay out of it, next time it might require an epi pen. I hope he is wrong. I would post a picture but how embarrassing would that be... Scar you for life!