Don't panic

I panicked today at work. Not a little "oh my god, how am I ever going to get this done" but a full, in your face "I can't be here at the moment". Let me explain.

Today was just a normal day, up early, wake the children who can't get up on their own, Bren takes the boys to school and I go to work, get there about 8:15. We are moving offices at the moment, right across town, so I mix some of the things I have to do with some of the things I ought to do and a bit of packing. Chris, my boss, rings in and says he is going to be late. The day is full of the usual interaction between colleagues, mixed with the excitement of a move, even though I am sure many of us don't want to move. 

I actually get quite a few things started with the prospect of getting many more things done. I pop to the canteen and get a cup of tea and return to my desk at about 10:00. At this point Chris, my boss, arrives. Chris is a brilliant, ebullient, ex serviceman of Danish origins for whom I have infinite affection. He has always been very good to me and I hope I return the favour. Anyway he begins telling us (me and Mike) why he was late. "Denny (his wife) was sick last night. I was sick a couple of times as well. Might have been something that I ate. So I overslept. I feel fine now". And off he walks, straight in to a meeting. I should say at this point Chris works in a small two desk office and I am next door in a small two person office. We are often in each other offices.  

What Chris doesn't realise at this point is I am doing a hypochondriacs equation in my head. "Why was he sick, food poisoning? Is it Norovirus? Is there a chance I could bring this home?" You see for me the point is am I going to walk out of work and take this home to my wife, putting her in hospital for a week or worse. So I let myself stew for a minute and phoned Trace. I already knew my only option was to come home and keep away from him, leave him till he is not infectious. Tracey agreed. So I made my mind up to leave and work from home for the day. As he was still in the meeting and I didn't want to risk further exposure I told Mike what I was doing and left, writing Chris an email when I got home. As soon as I got home I had to wash my hands before I was allowed in the house, I changed my clothes and washed them all, just in case. Chris phoned me up later and we had a chat about it. I am going to work tomorrow but am in a meeting all day so will keep my distance.

For me the point is that Tracey, although she seems fine, is just about as susceptible to infection as she will get. Any chance of illness should be avoided. This is the careful time, wash hands, don't touch, no visitors.

I suppose my question is did I over react? I would be interested in your views.

Anyway, that panic aside, the pictures are back and working so I can show you a few things that have been happening.

Firstly my warrior has managed to get a good black eye. An elbow during a school match. Sorry about the picture being a bit blurred. My daughter has been handling a baby and I managed to get some seasonal photos.


Look at my eye girls





Can you see the panic





Autumn



Can you see me?



And finally, right in the middle of this picture is Ethel, or granny or great granny, or even mum, whatever you want to call her. She continues to look over and protect Tracey. (Some people say she is Jupiter but I don't believe them.)



So that's all for now
Chris x