That weekend was when I started taking real walks. By that I mean I would drive to a nearby town and park. And just walk. It was nice, I had my camera but didn't use it yet. It was just nice to be able to do some light hills.
It is a bit boring to always walk in the same place as I had been doing. A near by town was on the water. Had some hilly spots. Figured it was a good way to start testing myself further. Why not I thought. I'd survived my very first week back.
It was still a warm September, and I took it slowly. Delighting in every step. Seeing new things in new ways. Even found out that a local community center had an outdoor ice rink, kind of a neat thing. It is literally not far from the harbor, you can see it from the rink even. I loved it all.
Work was slightly different, isn't it always when you've been away even on a vacation. Things change and you just have to get acclimated. One pronounced change was definite. I'd always get supplies for the winter for the office. Hand cream, tissues, hand sanitizer and the ilk. I'd ask my manager and he'd just say bring me the receipt. This time when I asked, the reply was, if I wanted to I could. No mention of paying for it.
It was obvious that we now did for ourselves. I got over it, bought a small bottle of hand cream and cube of tissues for my desk. I really couldn't blame him. Seemed everyone enjoyed the perks but never made an offer. I used to buy hand cream and everyone would use it. That was how it became a department expense. He felt bad about everyone using my stuff.
There were little changes in jobs done that I just had to go with. Nothing major, just rode the wave. My second week ended and I called to see if I could go back to a 40 work week. Wholly Shit!
Apparently they'd just left me at the regular time and never adjusted my hours. I felt badly and told my manager. He just said don't worry about it. And that was that. First 2 weeks a light schedule and paid a full 80 hours. And it continued from there.
People were very glad to see me back and that was nice. One of the maintenance crew and his wife even had a mass said for me. That was touching. Of course not everyone was so gracious.
A girl, she'd worked in our department for 5 years, known her since she was 19. We'd not really continued the friendship after she left the department. She stayed tight with my manager though. Anyway.
She'd come down, manager was on the phone. I thought she came to say welcome back and hear how I was. As I got up, she shook her head. Said no let him know I stopped by and left. Kind of rude, but what do you expect I reckon.
I was still exercising and just enjoying the Hell out of life. Still am. I even incorporated a new area to walk in. As winter hit I was cold. But not that other kind of bone cold. I was back to myself.
Still watching what I ate sodium wise and being careful. Enjoying the friendship and camaraderie. I had what I asked for. My life back.
