February roll call (and a bit of a vent)

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

Marie in Holland checking in. Before I forget, I really want to thank everyone

for their support to my January roll call. Coping with a hideous work schedule

and terrible atmosphere (things have got worse since I last wrote) and a whole

new way of life learning to cook in accordance with Hans' new 'arthritis diet'

requirements have kept me on my toes this month. Just knowing that there are

such great people out there in " Internet land " is a really good support

mechanism.

 

We have some wonderful Maltese friends who visit Holland about 4 times a year to

attend weekend conferences. They usually come to us for dinner on the Monday

after the conference. I am truly at my wits end trying to think of something

for dessert for their next visit at the end of February. As well as the

restrictions of Hans' diet (no sugar/sweeteners, no dairy products from cows, no

refined grain products, no alcohol [we don't use alcohol anyway so that isn't a

huge issue LOL]), I also have to contend with the fact that Hans doesn't like

anything bitter (including chocolate), no gelatine (all 6 of us are

vegetarians), one of our friends doesn't like cooked fruit of any sort and

another one of our friends doesn't like anything too spicy. Added to that

little lot - it will still be very cold weather the next time they are here, my

kitchen is teeny tiny with virtually no bench space and I will be making a 3

course meal for 6 AND I will be arriving home after our guests arrive and you

will see why I am scratching my head trying to come up with something suitable.

At this stage it's looking rather like a cheeseboard with a selection of

goat/sheep cheeses served with fresh fruits, dried fruits and mixed nuts. If

anyone has any truly brilliant inspirations of what I could serve for a " proper "

dessert, please let me know. Your " prize " will be my eternal gratitude!!!!

 

I mentioned work getting worse - here is a little example. One Friday (Friday

13th actually!!!!!!!) I was given less than 30 minutes notice that I had to work

compulsory overtime. One of my colleagues only works 4 days a week and she is

always free on Fridays. Just after 5 PM a HUGE box of work relating to December

arrived at our office from a branch office. It was actually work for the person

who is free on Fridays but, as she has a big backlog of work I have been helping

her out one day a week (Wednesdays). The supervisor therefore insisted that it

was MY work and that it had to be completed that day. Quote - " If you put your

mind to it, it won't take more than an hour " . One of my other colleagues

offered to help and, with the two of us working full pace, we finished at 8 PM.

(Would it surprise you to know that the supervisor didn't pitch in and help?) I

happened to say to my supervisor that if it had been the previous Friday I would

not have been able to stay late at such short notice as we had tickets for a

concert. His reply was " well, you would have missed the concert wouldn't you " .

He then went on to say that he was in charge and that he would have absolutely

no hesitation in cancelling holiday approvals if we were needed in the office

that it would make no difference to him if tickets etc had already been booked

paid for. What a hero (LOL). The man and his attitude are like relics from the

nineteenth century. Unfortunately we have no higher authority to appeal to as

the general manager has made it abundantly clear that he does not wish to get

involved in any personal (or personnel) issues. My supervisor virtually has the

last say and we have no avenue for complaint. There isn't even a union we can

join for protection - unions in Holland are only active in selected industries.

This little experience is just a tiny example of why I want " OUT "

 

Thanks for 'listening' folks - I just needed to share.

 

Cheers from Marie