About Me

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I was motivated to start a blog by reading all the wonderful talented individual's who have blogs out there. So, I want to make this blog about everyone who reads it. My family and God always comes first in my life. I want to share my experiences and in turn, hope to get feedback and ideas from you. I love unique things, I adore anything that sparkles (not over the top though) I love decorating, cooking, gardening, photography and shopping. My number one passion is photography! To me it becomes more than a picture, it can become a piece of art, or a beautiful memory. Decorating, though I am not a professional, and don't claim to be, has been a part of my life since I was very young, and just love searching and shopping for new ideas and incorporate the old, such as Mid-Century Modern and Hollywood Regency with contemporary. Living close to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, and being of Hispanic heritage, I love cooking Mexican food, and love to share my authentic recipes. Though I live in Florida, my heart is in the desert southwest, and hope that my family and I will return there very soon…keep your fingers crossed that my prayers are answered SOON!!!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Have been away for awhile, and sure feels good to be back....





To start off, I have some catching up to do with reading all your wonderful posts.  I was not feeling well with some type of horrible late summer flu...everyone I know (well not everyone, but a lot of people), had it, it just lingered on.  I was so run down from it, that I didn't feel like doing anything for almost two weeks.  Then as I began to feel better, the not so smart me, decided to go out all day and work in my backyard.  Cutting the palms fronds, weeding, planting fall flowers, pressure washing the ENTIRE backyard (tile)...and I was feeling so good.  Big mistake, it was just too much...I started not feeling well again.  Went back to my doctor and got my B-12 shot and he told me that this I need rest, I was totally run down.  There is a lot more to this than just the flu...some serious work related stress.  I really don't like to get too personal on here, but this was bad.  About 12 weeks ago, I was physically attacked at work, by a co-worker.  Long story short, she wants my job,  and lost it with just a simple e-mail I sent out, for which is my job.  I'm sure there is an underlying problem with her that would cause anyone to behave such as that in the workplace, but she has done this in another department that she worked in, but  neither her supervisor or mine did anything to protect me.  As she came at me with hands flying and fists in my face, they sat there, two adult men, and did nothing.  I've been with this agency for almost 30 years, and I love it here.  But, I am not a push-over by any means, I guess I try to hard to get along with everyone, try to go out of way to assist where I can, and sometimes that makes you look weak in their eyes, and they feel the strength to attack.  Understand, I work with all men, except 4 woman, and there are a total of 120 employees.  Though she didn't physically hit me...she was within an inch of my face...I had no reaction, I just stared at her, and I didn't back down.  I know, I took the high road, and am glad I did.  As we all know this is called "violence in the workplace", and it is against the law.  To  make matters worse, she made verbal threats.  Now the good part...management has done nothing in the way of discipline.  So, I have had to take it to a legal level through work.  I am a very strong Latina woman, and wasn't going to let this go, it was just wrong.  The next time her anger flairs up, she could physically harm someone and I would feel terrible.  I am so glad that I have a wonderful husband and a very bright daughter, who has been so supportive and has given me the strenght to do what I need to do, and love is the greatest power a family can have.  So, after going to my doctor again last week, and will be getting my B-12 shots every two weeks...I am feeling almost human again.  It is quite amazing how stress can wear one down, I will never allow it to take hold of me again...I do a lot of praying and I know that God is walking with me through this whole process that could take quite some time...but I have faith.  I hope I didn't bore anyone too much, it actaully felt good to put it into words.  The words I tell my husband and daughter is that, I may be quiet and enjoy the beauty in life, and never interfer in others lives,  I am no push over, I will stand up for myself and others, if they are wronged, but not in a violent way, in a peaceful way, with God on my side.  There is too much hate and violence in the world today, we just don't need it in the workplace as well.  I will continue to be me, for I actually like the person I am.  Thank you for listening.


6 comments:

  1. Oh Joni, I am so very sorry. I went through something at my last job that I would describe as severe emotional/mental abuse, but it was never physical. It wore me down to the point of severe anxiety and exhaustion. Why are people not kinder to each other, more peaceful like you say?! I just hate this for you and I'm glad you shared this and got it out. It does help to write it down sometimes. I hope the meds and the rest will make you a lot better soon, and that whatever means you need to take to get this resolved at work, that you are able to do so. You are a wonderful person and have a beautiful spirit. Don't let anyone take that away from you. HUGS and prayers coming to you!

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  2. Nicolle, thank you so much for the sweet kind words of encouragement, they mean more than you could imagine. It was something I really didn't want to write about, but it's life, and that's what we share on here. I've been going through so much with management for over 13 years, because of being a woman...I just put up with it, because I am a strong person, but you know after so many years and then this, it was just my breaking point that I had to speak up. And, hopefully speak up for any other women who are going through something similar in the work-place. As I said, God is walking with me through this, and now that I am over the flu, I think I will become mentally stronger each day, not to allow it to bother me until there is a resolution. I've heard some people say in the past before this "they don't like being so happy and upbeat". That's sad for them, and I won't change for them. You know I'm doing better when I've already decorated the house for fall, and getting totally excited about Christmas...now that's early. Thank you for your prayers, I need them. You are such a wonderfully sweet woman, and it's a joy to know that there are so many people like you out there. God Bless

    Joni

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  3. My heart goes out to you. I have been verbally attacked when I was working and I don't miss a day of not working since I retired. No one in management did a thing and I just turned the other cheek. I let it go and let God.

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  4. Hola Amiga!

    So glad you are coming out of this dark situation. What a nightmare, and thank goodness for your family to support and be there for you. I've had similar situations and it is tough to see when people are so mean and nobody wants to get involved and do what's right. We have so many trainings to do the right thing and support one another but it rarely happens these days in the workplace. STAY STRONG!

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  5. Sizzle and Laura...thank you both as well for the encouraging words. It was a pretty bad time, though I am a very strong person, I still can't understand the hate in this world and why others want to bring you down, I would much rather make another person feel good, afterall, isn't that what life is about. Actually, I guess we should feel sorry for people such as her, they must be holding so much anger inside that they feel the need to lash out for no reason. I come to work with my head held up high, and do have so many wonderful other people that I work with, and that know exactly what happened and are so supportive. As I said, with the upcoming holidays, that has really helped me stay busy and stay happy! Again, thank you both so much!!!!! Have a wonderful weekend. Hope your weather is better than ours, it's almost October and we are still around 90 degrees and the humidity is back, but it's about over....

    Joni

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  6. Joni,
    Just read your story. I haven't been on here in awhile. So sorry for what you have been going thru. I so totally understand, people are full of anger. Thats why I walked out of my last job with a Doctor (female) that would just stand and curse me for no, reason. I took it for a year, and finally said enough is enough.
    I believe with all of my heart that you did the correct thing. I know God will honor that, and will uplift you and you will be the winner in this situation. When we stand firm with God and do the correct thing, God see's that.
    Remember you have friends praying for you, and uplifting you in prayer. With God all things are possible.

    So glad you are feeling better.
    Lisa

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