back to work

Tuesday

I really didn’t want to go back to work. I didn’t feel up to it. But I needed to go back or go on medical leave. If I went on medical leave, I would get no paycheck and possibly forfeit a bonus check. When I was home business manager, I earned 3% bonus on everything I sold. I also earned $100 or $300 bonus if our department made the month. I asked Tracy how home did in July. She told me we were 28% up! This meant I would earn the $300 bonus. My sales were up so I guessed that I might have another $300 in sales bonus. I didn’t want to give up an $600 by missing work. So I went in today. I should have stayed home.

I am finally feeling almost OK standing and walking for short periods. There is pain in my back but it is manageable. Walking and bending all day work was awful. I thought it would be a slow day but we had over 1000 markdowns in the area in men’s where I have been assigned. Markdowns in men’s is way easier than home but it was still more movement than I was ready for. Our intern, M, was helping from 12:00. I let him scan and I put on the tickets because I was much slower. I had to keep stopping and just breathe through the pain. I couldn’t wait for 1:00 when I could go to lunch. I was hoping that sitting would help but the pain, but it was too bad at that point. When I went back to work, I sat in a chair and put on tickets whenever I could.

I was only scheduled until 5:00. I was ready to leave at 4:30. I talked to J and asked if I could work a shorter shift on Wednesday.

Wednesday

I worked 2-9 on Wednesday. It was much like Tuesday but without the markdowns. My back hurt so much. I started to clean up the denim and sat in a chair while doing it.  I mostly sat the final hour before the store closed. I had to ice my back for about an hour for the pain to subside once I got home. 

Thursday was just as painful and I was glad to leave at 5.

I was feeling better on Friday. I had a job interview in the morning that was probably a waste of time.  But every interview gives me more experience and confidence, right? I also went to the chiropractor for another adjustment.

I worked 2-9 but started feeling pain right away. I wasn’t sure if I would last until 9. Thankfully, the pain didn’t get worse and even felt better at times. It was a slow day filled with tasking. At home, it took several ice packs to calm the pain so I could sleep.

Saturday

I finally felt some improvement on Saturday. I didn’t need to sit so often and even worked an hour longer than previous days. Good sales also helped my mood.

Sunday

I was so glad to have today off. Working five days in a row after having almost two weeks off was just too much. I also found out that I could have taken more days off. I should have called HR but believed K when she told me that I could only take one week off. Another associate was told that she only had 4 days of sick time but called HR and found out she had 80 hours. Why does K feel the need to lie?

I napped quite a bit today. And my back hurt less. I only took one naproxen at 6:00 am and at 3:00 pm. The pain is manageable. I hope the improvement continues as I have to work 8 hours tomorrow.

back to work

I have to wear all black. Am I a ninja?

I finished my first week of work in 15 years. It was better than I expected and a lot tougher, too.

I got a seasonal job at Macy's working on the recovery team. We put clothes back from the fitting rooms, we straighten up the racks and refold the clothes. I never realized what slobs people can be until last week.

I signed up to work 5 days. Then I found they increased my hours. My first day was 7 hours. My back and feet hurt after 2 hours. I made it through and was glad to have Monday off. It took until Tuesday for my legs to stop hurting. I worked Tuesday and Wednesday and was sore all over again. The work is not difficult but I am not used to being active and on my feet. It is good for me and hopefully the pain will stop soon. 

I worked in juniors and men's and women's. I felt most comfortable in men's clothing. Finding where clothes belong is not too difficult and it is quieter. The male employees work in the men's so I moved back to juniors. I do not know nor understand fashion. I do not recognized the brands. 

The people I work with seem pretty nice. Most are younger, in their early twenties. One older woman has another job and one is returning after a long time at home like me. It is difficult to really talk to anyone when we are meant to keep moving. 

My step count has really jumped. I walk over 5 miles on the days I work. I am grateful that I can wear sneakers. I didn't know that the first day and wore some new Børn shoes that weren't as comfortable. 

I had signed up to work Saturday but then decided to advertise the shift. This means anyone else can pick it up. Someone did and I was glad not to have to work three days in a row. I did end up with just under 30 hours for the week. We are supposed to work twenty hours or more. 

I pack my own meals and snacks. For the 7 hours shifts, we get two fifteen minute paid breaks and one 45 minute (unpaid) meal. We have to clock out for the meal. It is weird to eat at odd hours. (I like my routine.) I try to eat some at each break. I find that I adjusted well enough and am not as hungry at certain times like I was before. 

I had hoped to ride my bike to work but when they extended my hours, I decided not to ride home in the dark. I am still riding in the morning before work. I don't go in until 11 which leaves time. I find I am more productive on the morning before work. Even when I am achy, I find riding makes me feel better. It gets the blood pumping to heal the tired legs, feet and back. I have lost 4 pounds this week.

I cannot keep up with Twitter. I tried the first couple of days. It is just too much work. I stopped trying to visit Bike Forums on the day I work as well. It is a good thing to step back from social networks but I miss it. I really miss being home for the boys. Andy came home on Friday and was upset. Andy told me about it. I asked dad about but he didn't know much. He isn't as perceptive about their moods as I am.