Review

I have a few minutes to relax, review and write. This last week has been busy. My job has been challenging of late, trying to restaff many client schedules as many caregivers have been approved for holiday time off. I need to be a more authoritative boss and say no to their requests. That is challenging however, as my team of 80 caregivers are quite wonderful and giving. We want to make them happy. This creates multiple more phone calls for me, and more paper to be pushed when substitute caregivers are scheduled. 2011 will be starting with a heavy hand as my co-supervisor, of 11 1/2 years was given her pink slip a couple of weeks ago. This is due to the WA state deficit of 4.6 billion dollars and the state's need to cut back social service programs. Some of these programs foot the bill for our agency's income. I cannot imagine what the office will be like without her. The Director and Human Resource Coordinator had a meeting with us a few weeks ago to break the news. We were utterly shocked that they could cut back more staff. We already lost a supervisor in early 2010, who career laddered to a different position within the agency. Her position was not replaced with anyone else. I will be managing 80 employees and 140 client cases on my own, with some assistance from other office staff, "floating" in to help me. My Director assured me, she will be spending a lot more time there also. I still am stunned and concerned about the office processes and the upcoming challenges. However, I am grateful I was the one not chosen to be laid off. My co-worker does have a husband who earns a handsome wage, they have a rental, but I know the loss of her salary will shift their lives tremendously. She has been a true trooper this month, even in knowing her dooms day is January 6, 2011. I applaud her for her support and concern for me manning the place alone. We have had a solid working relationship for the most part, but we did but heads often in 2008. That was rectified and we have been a good team since, again. (smile here)

I am enjoying time with my daughter from Houston, and my two sons will be joining us for Christmas Day and the day after. I purchased a nice prime rib roast for that evening's dinner, ham did not sound good, this time. We are looking forward to relaxing in the evening after a visit with my mother. I have not relaxed on a holiday in some time, as I usually host the holiday gatherings. But, no hubby, no ex family to worry about this year. Ah....

I have scheduled a "generation sitting" at a friend's photography studio after Christmas. In part, a gift for my mom and daughter. My mother is also 94, and this will be a good thing to have done, as it may be her last photo taken with us. She still amazes me with her sharp mind, and strong heart. Her physical stamina is decreasing, however. I have not had a professional photo taken of my self since my kids, who are now in their twenties, were about 9, 8 and 6. This will be a good thing all around. My friend will also take a couple of head shots for my social networking sites and of course, my Toastmaster website. I am excited.

If my children are not around on Sunday after Christmas, I will attend the Boxing Day lunch at my friend's.

Thank you to my Blogger friends for your time reviewing my posts, and for your uplifting comments this year. May you have a wonderful holiday season and a bright new year.