Maybe they were right

Okay, so maybe my co-workers had a point about the co-blog. Bear and I were up last night debating the merits of alternative therapies. Nothing was resolved of course. He's such a skeptic:) I will say that after the debate was pretty wonderful!!
I have come to a conclusion of sorts though. Differences between spouses can be a very good thing, as long as there's respect and a willingness to listen. Our relationship is definately blessed with both of these.
A healthy sex life doesn't hurt either.

Happy Yet???

Got a letter in from my company. In short, saying due to attempts to streamline the organization, raises are being withheld until 2/09. That's 6 months!! after they are due. Not that raises are spectacular anyway, normally about 2.5%. Still, how much money is the company going to make holding on our funds for that long??? Not that they won't compensat us at all. We are getting a 1.5% cost of living raise. Now considering I have to drive 35 minutes to get to work and the rising cost of gas, I'm not exactly doing cartwheels (not that I could--just not that talented)
And it's not just the raises. Every year since I started there has been a day at a local amusement park.. Tickets for emplyees were complimentery, family tickets had to be purchased. That's been eliminated this year.
My "work wife" and good friend organized a picnic for our unit. She took care of purchasing most of the food, arranging for the shelter at a local park, buying prizes for the kids. (I did help to but the majority of it was her). Our manager re-imbursed her for some--out of her own pocket.
My point is, is it any surprise that so many experienced nurses are flocking away from health care when the appreciation just isn't there??

What was I thinking

So, a while ago the possibility of an advice column was mentioned to my DH. I laughingly suggested a he said/she said format. Laughter and smiles ensued. The suggestion was forgotten. At least I thought it was. How was I to know that Bear, who forgets, well to be diplomatic, a lot, would remember this.
Well he did. And now I find myself part of an "advice" column. It's a cool idea. I just know me and I hope I don't get defensive when someone challenges my opinions. The whole world of blogging is new to me but I'm grateful that I've learned some about it. It's given me a new insight into Bear.
I used to think that I knew most if not all of the major things. WRONG!!! Being able to read his blog has opened me up to side of him I never knew existed. It sure has made our pillow talk interesting.
I've told a couple of my co-workers about the co-blog and it's funny, they are both worried about it. Worried that it could lead to problems for my marriage. Maybe I'm naive, but that really hasn/t occurred to me. I've told them, it kind of reminds my of our pre-canna teaching. We went for a weekend retreat. At the start we were each given a steno pad. There would be a discussion by the hosts followed by questions that we were to write our individual answers in the pad. Then we would exchange pads, read our partner's answers and discuss them. It was a wonderful experience and I left that weekend with a much stronger relationship.
I believe that as long as we keep talking to each other and have an honest respect for each others thoughts and ideas, that we'll be okay. I'm actually looking at this as an opportunity to make our marriage even stronger. I will say this, considering the things we do disagree on, our sweet pea will definately get a well rounded education ;)

Where's the Happiness

So, I was at the picnic for my unit (which was completely arranged for by my co-worker, not the hospital--more on that later) and I overheard my boss speaking with another higher echelon person about a shift in policy being pushed for by our new head of operations. In short, it's a new way of figuring productivity which will supposedly bring about greater patient satisfaction scores, greater employee satisfaction and increased revenue for the hospital (Which do YOU think is their highest priority?) Now I did not get all of the details, however, one key point that i did get is that our hospital will be shifting away from 12 hour shifts in favor of 8 hours.
I used to do 8 hour shifts. Hell, a great deal of the country does them. But I ask you, if you have worked a 12 hour shift, gotten used to working 3 days a week and every 3rd weekend, would it make you happy to have to work 5 days a week and every other weekend. Maybe it's just me but I think the idea is ludicrous and I don't understand how it will in any way increase employee satisfaction. I actually asked my boss at this picnic when health care stopped beign about taking care of people and became about how much money we can make. She couldn't answer me. Sad isn't it.