Treat Day

Since the company mandated four days per week be worked in-office, I have declared for myself that Thursdays are Treat Day. I made it to the 4th day, I deserve a treat.

Treats can be whatever I want them to be... sweets, fancy beverages, trinkets that I don't need but really really want... but they're usually coffee shop chai.

The fourth day of my workweek is exhausting. I'm tired from getting up early to dress, do hair & makeup, and commute. I've had my fill of people interactions. I just don't wanna do it any more this week, you know?

But Treat Day makes it okay. I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow. 

I'm considering making Mondays a Treat Day as well. It might help combat the Sunday Saddies. 

Office Work Mandates

You know how some people are so sad or depressed they can't get out of bed?

I think I'm so sad or depressed I can't sleep.

After 6 years of hybrid work arrangements, my employer mandated a 4-day in-house work week this month. No one is happy about it. The first week, many departments were empty all 5 days in protest. As I walked through the building, any time I came across two or more people together they were talking in whispers. And those who continued their conversations after seeing me approach were talking smack about the new policy.

At 5pm Friday after that first week, I already started dreading the next Monday. Sunday Scaries began immediately. 

I'm typing this Sunday morning because I haven't been able to fall asleep yet Saturday night.

The few days I had to recuperate and recover are being wasted with feelings of sadness and loss.

Yes. Yes. I *know* four days in office isn't as bad as 5 days in. And yes, yes, it's not as bad as other people's working conditions. 

Someone else's two broken legs being worse than my one broken leg does not negate the pain of having only one broken leg, though.

This sucks, and it hurts, and it's weighing so heavily on me that I cannot rest properly.

And I *like* my job, you guys.

I'm just so tired and sad.

Stupid Things I Complain About...

... since my employer took away work-from-home options:

1) My skin doesn't like wearing makeup every weekday.

2) I don't have time to refill the birdfeeders before work anymore. They're gonna go hungry until Friday.

3) Now I've gotta recharge my electric car *every* weekend.

4) My cat misses me.

5) I can't watch TV during lunch anymore.

6) Speaking of food, my snacks are limited to what I take with me. What if the thing I carefully pack the night before isn't the thing I have a craving for the next day? 😭

Nighttime Quiet

The Husband went to bed early. As we kissed goodnight, we had this conversation...

Me:  I'm going to wash my hair, so if you hear water running, that's what it is, and you don't need to be concerned. 

He:  Well, I'm going to sleep, so if you hear nothing, that's what that is. And you don't need to be concerned. 

Adventures in Supplements

Every morning, I take thyroid replacement medication along with a companion iodine supplement. The routine goes: shake one thyroid tablet into my palm, shake one iodine tablet into same palm. Quite often, more than one iodine tablet tumbles out, and I have to tip my palm to dump the extras back into the bottle.

A few weeks ago, while trying to tip extra iodine tablets back into the bottle, the single thyroid tablet tumbled into the iodine bottle, too. I left it there figuring it'll tumble back out eventually as the bottle empties.

The iodine tablets come in a bottle of 90. So, after three months of shaking, tipping, and other regular handling, a noticable layer of iodine dust forms at the bottom of the bottle.

It's been several weeks now, and every morning as I've shaken an iodine tablet into my palm, the lost thyroid pill has remained hidden.

And I imagine the day it'll finally emerge, having seen things no other thyroid pill has seen, it'll be covered in months of iodine dust, wearing an ammo belt across its finely chiseled buff chest like Rambo on a rampage.

Little guy is on an adventure.

Sharing Is Caring

Yesterday at work...

Coworker 1:  Oh my god, I am SO congested!

Coworker 2:  You guys, I'm all out of tissues!

Coworker 3:  (no words, just continuous snorking indicative of someone trying to clear phlehm from their throat)

Today at work...

I have a cough, sore throat, congestion, and a double case of ear ache. Surprise surprise. Thanks, guys.

Party Guest Fee

Question:

Your employer sends out an invitation to the company Holiday Party. Drinks, dinner, dancing, door prizes.

You can come for free, but if you bring a guest, they pay $20. 

Is this standard, now?

Do you go? And if you go, do you take your life partner?

Halloween Scenes 2025

Random scenes from handing out treats last night

***

One family wore a Spaceballs group costume. Mom was Dot, Dad was Barf, little daughter was Yogurt, and another random adult was a white uniformed ball-headed A$$hole.

***

Most kids said thank you. Most of their parents weren't paying attention and asked, "Did you say thank you?" right after their kid had just said it.

***

A half dozen adults accompanied a tiny toddler.

"That's a lot of chaperones for one small person," I said.

"Can you tell she's the first grandchild?" one grandparent asked.

"Either that, or she's very dangerous."

***

One little boy protested as his mother put his little sister in the wagon next to him.

Said Mom, "She's not going to steal your candy."

But, as soon as the sister was in, her hand went right into the boy's bucket.

The boy squawked. The mom scolded him and took his bucket away "to protect his candy."

As they walked away, he was crying,  Mom was pissed, and the sister couldn't have cared two sh!ts about anything.

***

Three teens were dressed as Gru and a couple of Minions.

***

One kid with a pillowcase for a candy receptacle, after being told he could take two pieces of candy, picked out five.

"Don't be greedy, buddy," said Dad.

Replied the snarky voice in my head, "Then don't set expectations by giving your kid such a gigantic bag for candy, dude."

***

It was nice to see groups of tweens roaming together, squealing, and having loud fun.

***

One tween girl with her parents asked if she could go join her friends who were in a pack on the sidewalk just up the block, but Dad said no. She tried phrasing the request several different ways, but the answer didn't change. "I know you're bummed, but we talked about it. Next year," Dad said.

They did let her run over to the group of friends to say hello, and she came running right back.

Some families communicate very well.

***

Inflatable costumes are fun! We saw an alien carrying a kid, a big blue egg-shaped character that I'm not familiar with, and a cowboy riding a raptor.

***

Three young brothers came dressed as Superman, the Flash, and Batman. Superman was the oldest, and he tmade sure each of his brothers got a candy and said thank you. Sometimes heroes DO wear capes.

*** 

Younger Son came over with a package of special Pokemon Halloween cards to hand out. Those were very popular and went fast.

***

We have friends who gave kids the choice of Candy or Potato.  They were delighted that 8 of their 32 visitors picked a potato.

***

I didn't recognize anyone who came by our house. They all, obviously, live within walking distance of our home, but nope, no idea who anyone was.

Apparently, we don't socialize much 🫤

Carpool

The HusBand and I are heading out to run Saturday errands.

Me: Which vehicle are we taking?

He: We're gonna use the travel van, if that's okay.

Me, dramatically: Nooooooo!

He: Let me put it this way. *I'm* taking the van. *You* can sit in whichever car you want.

🤣

October Butterfly on Late Blooming Lilac

Thought you'd appreciate this October 9th burst of spring.

I know. It's technically a moth. Sue me.