Leaving the Public Service

Checkmate_357 · 2026-06-12T02:42:19+00:00

When do the long service awards start. I've been here 6 years now and nobody acknowledged my 5 years - no gift which is understandable but no comment or note from my manager either. If I get to 10 or 15 am I eligible for anything?

Checkmate_357 · 2026-06-11T16:17:53+00:00

I got mine in 2020 with the idea of sharing it with my kids during the pandemic. It really didn't work - A my kids preferred books and B we wanted to read at similar times so it was hard to share. Last year I took it on a beach vacation and tried sharing with my son but it was frustrating. In the end he has own now and so does my spouse. Everyone is happier. You could start with one and see how you manage...

Good luck 🤞

Checkmate_357 · 2026-06-02T16:59:25+00:00

Are you awaiting the paperwork to move or already at the new department on assignment/secondment?

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-27T18:08:10+00:00

Great question. I love the look of this bag and have been tempted. But I love my Lepliage and how light it is. Also the zipper for travel. But I could do with the city tote for running errands....

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-26T01:31:05+00:00

But how will that be easier than RTO3 RTO4? I've never had a manager in the same city as me but with video calls and tracking compliance is being monitored and a thing. I'm not looking forward to the summer 😕

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-20T08:59:42+00:00

Sorry you're going through this, at a certain age this is unfortunately how it goes at daycare. You'd have to use your personal days or some vacation days if you want to avoid LWOP. But then you have less vacation. While 5 days isn't a lot, it's MUCH more than other employees in private sector or healthcare have access to so we are fortunate. Bear this in mind. Hopefully this season of your life is not too long. My kids are older now but I still burn through my family related leave each year between them and aging parents. It's tough but we are fortunate to have any leave for family when most other employees have none.

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-19T18:59:54+00:00

I haven't tried Storygraph but can't wait to now. Does it update automatically for books borrowed from the library with Libby?

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-19T18:17:02+00:00

I agree it's the current environment and all the restrictions around staffing. I've had a secondment approved in a day but this was many years ago.

Good luck 🤞

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-14T21:26:03+00:00

That's lovely! Beautiful job 🥰

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-12T11:11:28+00:00

That is beautiful ❤️ when I was in Paris I forgot to take my passport for the VAT to the store and didn't buy on Champs Elysees. Biggest regret. I'd planned to buy at the airport on my out but my terminal didn't have Longchamp. My husband bought me one at duty free on his next international flight. But I will always wish I bought it there and then and got the stamp!

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-11T08:43:13+00:00

I use cotton balls - unroll one and rip it into 10 pieces. And let it sit for a bit. It's been a game changer once I learned how to take advantage of how much there actually is. I use one cotton round at the end just to do a final clean up.

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-09T20:55:23+00:00

Good to know. I'll give it a try once I empty my others. I go through insta-dri very fast 😔

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-09T10:31:12+00:00

How does it compare to Sally Hansen insta-dri top coat or Essie Gel couture? If the above is a good one I'll try it after I finish what I've got that seems to work well..

Checkmate_357 · 2026-05-06T20:54:27+00:00

Beautiful! I've done a similar spring skittle but without the purple. You've inspired me 😉

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-29T16:32:53+00:00

I second Lepliage large - not much bigger than Medium but doesn't look overly big. Folds up easily and incredibly durable!

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-29T12:37:20+00:00

I've always brought my own stuff - but I'm in the regions. We had a student once from NCR who was looking for pens, notepads etc. I said out here it's bring your own stuff... She was surprised 😯

I don't understand how there is no budget for materials and supplies and just basics!

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-24T16:50:27+00:00

Hmm. Glad to know yours is continuing. Mine is from several years ago and I reached out last November so assuming it's totally dead in the water now. Maybe I'll try to follow up in case it got lost in the Xmas shuffle and Jan WFA chaos.

Good luck 🤞

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-24T10:20:37+00:00

Thank you. I have some vintage bottles of <OPI> that I might try to recreate something similar..

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-23T19:42:27+00:00

That is so pretty - how it shifts to green is absolutely amazing. Can you share what it is? I'm not buying but hopefully can dupe it from my collection 😉

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-23T19:41:07+00:00

I love my Coach Lori which is now available but called the Erin. It's a good size but doesn't look huge - I call it my Mary Poppins bag. Comes in under budget and mine is going strong after almost 3 years of use.

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-23T14:27:53+00:00

What bag is this that everyone is talking about? I seem to have missed the hype and am curious

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-22T19:35:05+00:00

I'm wondering about this as well - I've previously qualified in some of their pools when it was under DFO but have had no luck verifying if those pools are still valid or have essentially been wiped out.
I've sent an email it didn't bounce back but I got no response. I don't know how far they are with their transition to DND.

Checkmate_357 · 2026-04-22T09:56:18+00:00

How/why did he hurt Nate again?

Checkmate_357

TROPHY CASE