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Snow Day

         Winter let us know she was really here, and dumped snow on us, with some sleet, and a lot of cold wind and low temps. We didn't lose power here, and the trees didn't ice up like some of the pictures I've seen elsewhere. But it's going to be below 5 degrees at night all week, even negative one night, with another 3-5 inches on Saturday.

         People who love the stuff don't go to work or school, and can play in it, or stay inside and look out the windows at it. The rest of us have to drive or catch a bus when it runs. But our streets were in pretty good condition by mid-afternoon in this sun, with a high of 27. The hill where I live never dried up, so it will freeze over tonight. Could be messier tomorrow.

         We had a severe shortage of workers today. I arrived 50 minutes late. I have a shoulder injury and couldn't help much with shoveling to leave my own driveway. My helper is in his 80's, so it took a while. (Yes, I let my father shovel snow. He worked in it all day while I was gone.) My boss made a big deal about me making it in while all the slackers stayed home. He stayed in a hotel across from the hospital last night and could walk in this morning. They won't pay people sick leave or vacation pay for snow days. They have to pay overtime for others to fill in all the shifts.

         I had to fill in for the office manager and babysit the boss. I had to arrange the hotel room and his lunch yesterday, and lunch service for two groups today. They also rewarded all the employees who showed up today, who didn't attend the luncheons, with meal tickets for the cafeteria. They wanted to show appreciation for just coming in. That was a nice gesture, and a positive reinforcement. But my work was easier than my usual load. Everyone was more relaxed and more casually dressed than usual. So it wasn't a bad day to work, with no problems going or coming. It was worth not staying home.