Tomorrow marks a special event ~ 100 days until I am due. Now of course we all know that it is unlikely (not impossible, just unlikely) I will deliver on my due date (which I am saying is March 15), but I am still excited! I have started to purchase essentials for the baby and me (post pregnancy) each pay cheque ~ things like diaper wipes, breast pads, etc. I started packing my hospital bag, which although that might shock some of you, those who know me well will say it is very typical of my personality. I like to feel organized and since I cannot yet set up the nursery, or rearrange my room to accommodate the bassinet, this was the next best thing.
This week had many work highlights. Yesterday I attended the WCB Basics seminar which is a full day class offered to explain basic WCB principals including how they calculate your rate. Although I went in thinking it would be dry, it was actually super interesting. I feel confident explaining what I learned to our industry and why a safety program will benefit them. We are always gearing our messages to the “WIIFM” (What’s In It For Me) group, and now we will have another resource to show them safety pays.
I am in the middle of designing the December MRFA (Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservice Association) newsletter which will be printed and mailed late next week. I will also start working on our electronic December newsletter next week.
I have made many changes to our tool kit which is a free resource we provide to restaurants (within our WCB rate code) to assist them develop a workplace safety program. When I first started at MTEC, this tool kit redesign was one of my priorities. I knew restaurant owners, managers, supervisors, and workers would have a limited safety background (as I did) and this guide was supposed to lead them step by step to building a full safety program. After reading it my first week (and yes, I think it really did take me a week to read it cover to cover), I knew we had to reorganize it, simplify it, and make it much more user friendly. I asked Christine if we could make this our priority for the year, and she loved that I was willing to make open suggestions to how we could improve it. (It was created before she started here and knew it needed work) This week I just completed edit number 3 of the book, and we hope to launch it for the beginning of January! (Both online and paper based) Our new tool kit, although far from perfect, does provide industry specific examples, sample forms and checklists, and is more of a step by step guide on how to build a safety program. You literally could pick up the book and if you followed each section until complete, you would have a solid safety program. Of course, we did not include everything, but for our industry this would be considered an advanced program. We are still a far way away from the construction industry, but are starting to see some real growth within our program.
We hosted our first in house free WHMIS training session last Tuesday! We had 12 participants attend from various organizations/industries. (This was not specifically designed for restaurants, although the MSDS example is for a dishwasher chemical) Christine hosted a similar session in Thompson yesterday and had 9 attendees for the course. We have scheduled more classes for January – March.
MTEC has hired someone to replace my maternity leave that will start working with me one day per week in late January or early February. I have agreed to continue supporting MTEC with producing and distributing their monthly electronic newsletter as well as any website changes or maintenance while away for the year.
Enough about work.....
This weekend Joel will move the dogs downstairs on Sunday after my mom completes a few touch ups on the basement. It is fully painted, and carpet has been scheduled for December 22nd to be installed. Joel should receive the linoleum this week to put in the puppy room, but for now their crates will just rest on the subflooring. (Pictures coming soon)
My mom is also planning to paint the nursery ceiling tomorrow. Once it is dry, she will start on the walls and hopefully all will be complete for next weekend. If it is, that means I can start setting up the nursery! I am starting to get a little impatient with the mess in our house, and feeling some pressure to get it done before Christmas (only because that is my preference), but seeing an end in sight is really starting to lighten my mood.
Saturday evening we have plans with family. Since Sarah, Jay and Martin will all be celebrating Christmas in Mesa Arizona (so jealous!); we are having our family dinner and gift exchange. Barb is making dinner, and although I offered to bring something she declined. This is actually a huge relief as I would like to clean the house, finish laundry and get a few things organized.
Sunday will be a relaxing day I think. My parents will be over as they have another open house from 2-4pm.
Monday I will attend my workout class for the research study, Tuesday I have the MFPA (Manitoba Food Processors Association) Christmas dinner to attend with Christine, Wednesday we have a doctor’s appointment (probably our second last one with Dr. K before I start going to the Boyd Medical Group for appointments), and Friday I have the MTEC Christmas lunch as well as Joel’s Christmas party to attend. It is shaping up to be another busy week!
That’s all for now ~ enjoy!
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