Work Shmerk

I have the best job ever, just ask the BWSRN. He takes great pleasure in teasing me about how his hard earned tax dollars are being spent to fund my 'business' lunches at cool new restaurants, team 'meetings' in funky gourmet coffee shops and all-expense paid trips across the country to shop, er ... attend conferences. To be honest, I don't blame my friends for being a teeny tiny bit jealous of all the perks I receive - I marvel daily at my good fortune! Besides all the above-mentioned benefits, I also have complete flexibility to work around my kids' schedules and more importantly, I get to spend time with people that I truly respect, admire and enjoy.

I've been in the workforce long enough to know how rare and wonderful it is to find a position that utilizes my technical skills and feeds into my personal interests and passions, and I vow never to take any of it for granted. I was hired to work part-time hours, but most weeks you'll find me here daily, simply because I'm interested in the work we do and I love the camaraderie. If I didn't need the financial compensation -- to well, feed my children and put a roof over our heads -- I'd probably work here for free. That's how loyal and committed I feel. Nuts, huh?

Like most people my age, I've paid my dues over the years working long hours, doing menial tasks, in low-paying jobs, for people who weren't appreciative, with co-workers who were incompetent and/or lazy. Now that I think about it, I can hardly wait to exercise my parental right to bore my kids to tears with the 'when I was your age' stories. "Do you know how much I made at my first job? $3.25 an hour, that's how much - and you know what else? I had to buy all my own clothes with that money ..." On and on I'll drone and rant until their eyes glaze over and they tune me out completely. Makes me smile just thinking about it.

Whoa! Would you look at that?! 2:30 on a Friday afternoon, my boss is long gone and I'm still sitting here 'slaving' away. Guess I should finally pack up and start my weekend! *laughing as I wait for an eyeroll and virtual swat from the BWSRN*

Omnes aequo animo parent ubi digni imperant.