Merry Christmas to me!
Today is strange at work. Some projects are being cut in light of shifting priorities in the new operating plan. Some folks have either been laid off or reassigned. I went to one farewell gathering today that was a little emotional.
The rest of us received sealed envelopes containing our 2008 salary statements -- and I got a 15.83 percent raise!
Mind you, most of it was a "market adjustment" because, according to my employer's recent compensation study of similar employers in this market, I have been underpaid (which I knew). Combined with a 3 percent across-the-board cost-of-living increase we all got last July (to make people whole because we change our fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year), that adds up to 18.83 percent for the year!
This was extremely welcome news.
In other news, physical therapy is kicking my derriere, but the shoulder is getting better. Seems I had fractured the "greater tuberosity" of the humerus (the "ball" part of the arm that goes into the shoulder socket), and inflammation of the nearby muscles and ligaments still causes me pain. PT involves stretches to increase range of motion, and we'll get to strength training later. Still, I'm grateful that I can do more and more every day with gradually decreasing discomfort.
R and I are having our Christmas celebration this weekend because we will each be with our respective families of origin for the holidays. I might have joined him, but my entire family will be here this year -- a historic occasion! He'll return next Wednesday and will get to meet the rest of my family before they leave.
I haven't been great about sending out cards this year. Maybe it will still happen, but life has been intervening in different ways. I am getting busier with preparation for the surgery next month and for my new life thereafter.
The rest of us received sealed envelopes containing our 2008 salary statements -- and I got a 15.83 percent raise!
Mind you, most of it was a "market adjustment" because, according to my employer's recent compensation study of similar employers in this market, I have been underpaid (which I knew). Combined with a 3 percent across-the-board cost-of-living increase we all got last July (to make people whole because we change our fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year), that adds up to 18.83 percent for the year!
This was extremely welcome news.
In other news, physical therapy is kicking my derriere, but the shoulder is getting better. Seems I had fractured the "greater tuberosity" of the humerus (the "ball" part of the arm that goes into the shoulder socket), and inflammation of the nearby muscles and ligaments still causes me pain. PT involves stretches to increase range of motion, and we'll get to strength training later. Still, I'm grateful that I can do more and more every day with gradually decreasing discomfort.
R and I are having our Christmas celebration this weekend because we will each be with our respective families of origin for the holidays. I might have joined him, but my entire family will be here this year -- a historic occasion! He'll return next Wednesday and will get to meet the rest of my family before they leave.
I haven't been great about sending out cards this year. Maybe it will still happen, but life has been intervening in different ways. I am getting busier with preparation for the surgery next month and for my new life thereafter.