Lunch, more money, no nap

Fence cat thinking about jumping onto my head

I enjoyed hanging out with my friend and her two boys (9 and 6) today. We had pizza for lunch, which the boys generously declared the best pizza ever, followed by ice cream because the salami made the little one's mouth burn. They make me laugh. 

I dropped into work afterwards to pick up my salary review letter because I didn't want to wait until Monday. I was hoping for a pay rise, but not expecting one. I did get a small increase though, which I'm happy with. 

I came home and got into bed to read (Meghan Daum's Selfish Shallow and Self-Absorbed: Sixteen Writers on the Decision Not to Have Kids) and most likely to have a nap, but somehow I didn't end up napping, which I'm both pleased and disappointed about. Pleased because I'm trying to nap less, but disappointed because I love naps.

Off to Woods Point tomorrow!

JayBloPoMo: Day 3

I've been listening to Jack White's second solo album, Lazaretto, for the past few weeks. I don't LOVE it, but it's growing on me more and more. I'm loving the song Alone in My Home  though. The album version is piano heavy, but I also like this string quartet live rendition. 

(Is the woman's ukulele smaller than usual?)

I got a modest payrise. Modest like a flannel nightgown. I wasn't expecting a flimsy negligee, but I was hoping for something that showed off a bit of leg. I've been working hard. So this isn't particularly gleeful to be honest...more a case of trying to turn my disappointment into gratitude. I could have missed out on a payrise altogether. 

Peanut butter on toast. Yum. 

Busy, bonus, UK bound

Thursday was Bring a Giant 

Vegetable to Work day 

I've had a very busy week at work. I thought I would be stuck at work quite late finishing my bills, but I was out just before 6.00pm.  It's nice for the end of the financial year to fall on a Friday. 

I got a small pay increase and a bonus this week. Not as big an increase as I'd hoped for, but a few people at work have been made redundant, so I'm lucky. I know that I'm needed (even without the pay rise). My bosses emphasised the size of the increase didn't reflect their appreciation for my efforts, which I think explains the unexpected bonus. I'm going to put it towards upgrading my camera and a new pair of sneakers in time for my trip to the UK with Luke in August.  

I haven't mentioned much about the trip, have I?  We leave on 16 August and return in early September. Luke's daughter lives on the Isle of Wight and he visits her every August with his parents and this year I'm tagging along. Apart from London, we'll also be visiting other bits of England (the itinerary is a work in progress) and Paris. I've never been before. I'm researching cemeteries, libraries and trees to visit! Suggestions welcome. 

It's the white-faced heron again. When I first stopped to take this photo, it was actually looking at me. Normally it's focused on catching its breakfast when I see it. I expected it to take flight, but it only turned away. Maybe it's starting to get used to me? Or it's a different, less skittish, heron.

A relief and a surprise

There a sneaky puddle there somewhere

Gleeful relief: after struggling through a busy day at work because you're not feeling well and you've had two nights of poor sleep...after sitting on a crowded tram where the heating is turned up far too high and blowing right on you and you are developing a worsening pain in your sinuses and your back hurts from typing like a woman possessed all day...after absent-mindedly stepping in a puddle and getting two wet feet...you arrive home where it is warm and your flatmate is away all week and you put your pyjamas on (even though it's not yet 7.00 pm) and lie on the couch with a hot water bottle and have some nice homemade soup and toast for dinner.

Aaah.

The surprise

I got an unexpected pay rise during my annual review today. I had assumed the economic downturn would mean no extra money for anyone, but we're getting a minimal increase to keep up with inflation. I'm not complaining. See, having low expectations can make you happy.