Blood Drive

Have any of you ever donated blood? I did once or twice, about 15 years ago. The next time I tried to go, I was told I wasn't eligible because of a medication that I'd been taking. So - I assumed that I wouldn't be able to do it ever again, because I still take the medication. So, for around 15 years, I've passed up the opportunity to donate blood when the occasion came up, thinking I wasn't eligible.

Turns out, I am!

There's a law firm in my building that does a blood drive every year. An invitation to sign up went around the office early this week, and I sadly deleted it. Then, a friend at work approached me and asked if I'd sign up with her. I told her I couldn't because of my medications - but then I got thinking, what if things have changed? I decided to call the Red Cross and ask if I was able to donate blood with the medications I take. After a short conversation, I learned that YES - I can participate in blood drives! I was so excited. With images of the devastation in Haiti floating around in my mind, I called the law firm in the building that was doing the blood drive and made an appointment. So I marched down there today, and proudly gave a bunch of blood. Needles don't bother me, so I sat there happily for approximately 7 minutes with a needle in my arm. (I'm weird, you all know this about me.) I didn't pass out or get woozy or anything!

And now I have a bandage on my arm and a giant headache, but I like the idea that I helped save someone, somewhere, who needs blood. :)

Sabbatical

Coming back to work after 2 1/2 weeks off is... tiring. Note to self: prepare better, mentally, before coming back into the office after an extended absence.

Where I work, we get the opportunity to take up to 7 weeks off as a sabbatical, after having completed 7 years of employment. Since I completed 7 years this past November, I became eligible to take a sabbatical; but in my current position, I couldn't take that much time off without being a huge burden on my co-workers, not to mention the fact that I'd come back to not just a mountain, but a whole mountain RANGE of paper piled on my desk. So, I split my time off into two parts, the first of which I took December 17 to January 4, and the other I will take in the Spring. To say I was stressed about taking time off work is an understatement - I'm surprised I still have any hair, since I seemed to constantly be pulling it out trying to get ready to be away for over 2 weeks. I worked hard to make sure I had processes in place and people lined up to help so I didn't have to worry while I was gone. I learned that I'm a control freak when it comes to my job, who knew??

Most people do something noteworthy with their time off - travel to Europe, go salmon fishing in Alaska, take a cruise, or go on an extended road trip. But I didn't do any of that! Since it was the Holidays, I hung around home and went shopping, ate, played with Addie, ate, watched NCIS, ate, cleaned a little, ate, hung out with family, and went to the Cheesecake Factory and ate some more. For those that haven't splurged on this yet, Red Velvet Cheesecake is a slice of pure heaven - TOTALLY worth the calories and fat!

Anyhow, my time off was very relaxing and low-key - I loved every minute of it. And when I got to work today (30 minutes late, because I have to get used to being back on a schedule again!), I found over 700 e-mails waiting for me - but it took me less than two hours to sort through them all, and my desk was as clean as it was when I left - other than a few stacks of paper. I discovered that everything had gone smoothly, with few (if any) complications, thanks to Mug - she really saved me, and made my vacation worry-free! I owe you, Mug! You are the BEST!

Now I can look forward to the next half of my sabbatical. Is it April yet??!?