This week, I have been mostly working. When I started this job, I worked temporarily 12 hours a week and that was nice. Once my contract ended, they kept me on and increased my hours to 22 hours a week. The extra money was well received, though some days it is tiring. Over Christmas and New Year, we worked an awful lot of extra hours, and were then advised that there was no more overtime. Many of us received that news with a sigh of relief. Not long after that news, the overtime started to pile on again and last week, I worked 8 hours overtime, making a total of 30 hours. It was exhausting! This week I have another 6 hours overtime scheduled, then I’ll have a 4-day weekend to use up some leave before I lose it. I’m looking forward to that.

All this while, a few of us have been asking about contracts. As far as I was concerned, can’t speak for others, I was kept on after New Year on a temporary basis and didn’t feel secure in my job. I’ve asked about a contract, even mentioned it to our union, and last week it was confirmed that I am on a permanent contract now (nobody told me) and that our new contracts have been in the office for ages now, just waiting for us to sign them. Well, that’s a load off my mind, though really, somebody should have told us this weeks ago; I’ve been looking at other jobs thinking if I’m not good enough for a permanent contract after 9 months, they can get… Anyway. Search over for now, at least :)

Feeling more secure in my job now, I can start to look at some purchases that I’d like to make. I have a sight test tomorrow, and if I don’t have to spend mucho bucks on new glasses, then I have my heart set on a new microwave. Ours is so noisy, and old now, and I’d really like a combination microwave/grill/oven so that if we want to oven just a small amount of food, then we don’t need the big oven on. We’ll see…

Work has been okay; not too many rude customers, one or two screaming kids. Man, how we love those. I had planned to get more dog food after work, however the queues to get into the out of town shopping area has been ridiculous, as has the number of customers in the store over the weekend. Schools are back today, and I can’t help but wonder if people are ‘panic’ buying again, in case this causes yet another lockdown. Or it could just be that the sunshine had bought more people out. Hopefully people are being careful, and this lockdown easing will continue over the next few months.

Several us oldies in work have now had our first vaccination, and most have reported similar symptoms to mine – chills, and a sore arm that lasted for days. After more than a week, mine is now starting to feel better. When the second one is booked, I think I’ll try and take the following day off so that I can rest. My job is quite physical, and I don’t think that helped.

The only ‘downer’ this week is that some git has damaged my car bodywork and has added to the long list of damage done since moving to the Midlands. Of course, they left a note on my car with car insurance details and an apology, not! Honestly, the drivers around here have been the worst I have ever come across!

I’ve been ‘comfort’ eating recently; beef stew with dumplings, bacon sandwich for breakfast today, and later, I plan to make paella. My son has tofu in his, though I ‘sneak’ a few shrimps and peas underneath mine. Lovely!

Take care, be safe, and have a good week.