Christmas brought:
A scanner (so I can scan in those hundreds of photos I have of my ancestors)
4 pairs of pajamas (I did need them)
Benny & Joon DVD (have to buy a DVD player in the new year, I gave mine away to my Dad as a present. He wanted one, and mine was new but didn't do what I needed it to do.)
Socks
De-icing Scraper Mitt
A healthy amount of books (finished one of them already)
A box of Thorntons Continental
A Chocolate Orange (it isn't Christmas without one)
A huge plant pot, compost and seeds
Beads
Waterstones vouchers (hurrah more books)
A cardy (not sure about it but have the receipt)
A Pink Adidas Beanie hat (?)
A calendar
Some Oil of Ulay bath stuff (the secret santa pressie)
A little teddy bear bag (?)
Christmas Day was okay, my Christmas Dinner was fantastic though I do say so myself. I managed to convert Jo (the girl I worked with) into liking parsnips with my parsnips roasted in parmesan, she went back for seconds, depriving my of my midnight munchies. I'll let her off though as while I was cooking the meal she got one of the clients to help her wash all our cars. The clients were a little confused by our early tea, it messed up their routine, so by 7:30 two of them had taken themselves off to bed and the 3rd was yawning his head off so I had a very quiet night.
Boxing Day I got home at about 9am and went straight to bed. I woke at about 2pm and we opened our presents then I spent the rest of the day on the sofa reading, it was lovely.
Christmas has also brought the discovery of Last.fm I know it's been around for ages, but I never seemed to get around to signing up. Now I have it's kick started my obsession with ID3 tags again. I'd only just managed to break the habit, but Last.fm won't display the tracks unless the tags are correct so my obsession is back in full swing. If anyone is interested my profile is bilblio let me know if you have an account on there so I can add some friends, I feel all lonely at the moment.
Finally thankyou to everyone who sent me Merry Christmas text messages. I felt so rude not replying but I was out of phone credit. Which reminds me I still need to top it up.
Saturday, 24 December 2005
Merry Christmas to One and All!
Not that I feel Christmassy in the slightest.
Spent the day at work, mostly in the kitchen. The Turkey hadn't been taken out of the freezer so I've had it in bowls of cold water all day, the label says by doing that it will take 20 hours to defrost. I've also prepared most of the veg for tomorrow, so in the morning I only need to prepare the potatoes, stuffing, and Yorkshires, and stick everything on to cook. Which means I can concentrate on opening the guys presents up and entertaining them. We're not eating till 3pm, so it will be a lazy morning. I've also decided the other staff member can go and take one of the clients on a long walk. It means he will get tired and won't be restless from being in all day, and I'll get respite from the staff member. I can cope with being in with clients all day, but you have to have conversations with staff (as opposed to talking rubbish to the clients) and it's tiring.
I did the same today, 2 staff took 2 clients out while I made a couple of lasagne's (one meat, one veggie) both of which seemed to go down very well thankfully. While they were out the other client had a nap (the joys of being 80+) and I stuck the radio on and had a dance to cheezy party tunes. When they got back we had a session of blowing up balloons, then I used the static from my hair to make them stick to the ceiling. I managed to get 23 up there, and 21 of them were still the when I came home. I was quite proud of my accomplishment, but no one else seemed to share my enthusiasm.
Now I'm off to check everything is ready for tomorrow. Presents need putting in bags for Porl to take to his parents, the litter tray needs getting out again, and I need to find my camera and pack my sleep-in bag. Roll on Boxing Day, I'll be home by 8:30 I hope, then I'll probably go straight to bed for a couple of hours before surfacing to open my prezzies.
Hope everyone has a Fantastic few days.
Merry Christmas!
Not that I feel Christmassy in the slightest.
Spent the day at work, mostly in the kitchen. The Turkey hadn't been taken out of the freezer so I've had it in bowls of cold water all day, the label says by doing that it will take 20 hours to defrost. I've also prepared most of the veg for tomorrow, so in the morning I only need to prepare the potatoes, stuffing, and Yorkshires, and stick everything on to cook. Which means I can concentrate on opening the guys presents up and entertaining them. We're not eating till 3pm, so it will be a lazy morning. I've also decided the other staff member can go and take one of the clients on a long walk. It means he will get tired and won't be restless from being in all day, and I'll get respite from the staff member. I can cope with being in with clients all day, but you have to have conversations with staff (as opposed to talking rubbish to the clients) and it's tiring.
I did the same today, 2 staff took 2 clients out while I made a couple of lasagne's (one meat, one veggie) both of which seemed to go down very well thankfully. While they were out the other client had a nap (the joys of being 80+) and I stuck the radio on and had a dance to cheezy party tunes. When they got back we had a session of blowing up balloons, then I used the static from my hair to make them stick to the ceiling. I managed to get 23 up there, and 21 of them were still the when I came home. I was quite proud of my accomplishment, but no one else seemed to share my enthusiasm.
Now I'm off to check everything is ready for tomorrow. Presents need putting in bags for Porl to take to his parents, the litter tray needs getting out again, and I need to find my camera and pack my sleep-in bag. Roll on Boxing Day, I'll be home by 8:30 I hope, then I'll probably go straight to bed for a couple of hours before surfacing to open my prezzies.
Hope everyone has a Fantastic few days.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, 5 December 2005
Also not so happy about seeing Dukes antics.
He spent 5 minutes stood at the patio door making muffled miaowing noises at me expecting to be let in.
The miaows were muffled as he had a mouth full of mouse.
Thankfully the mouse was dead.
However, that fact did not make the sight of seeing Duke "playing" with the mouse any easier.
Especially when the playing involved throwing the creature up in the air, or at the patio window then catching it again.
The horrible little cat only got let back in when he had stopped playing and had put the mouse down.
Also when he was thoroughly wet from the rain.
Now I'm going to make sure he's not decided to sleep on my bed.
Horrible cat.
He spent 5 minutes stood at the patio door making muffled miaowing noises at me expecting to be let in.
The miaows were muffled as he had a mouth full of mouse.
Thankfully the mouse was dead.
However, that fact did not make the sight of seeing Duke "playing" with the mouse any easier.
Especially when the playing involved throwing the creature up in the air, or at the patio window then catching it again.
The horrible little cat only got let back in when he had stopped playing and had put the mouse down.
Also when he was thoroughly wet from the rain.
Now I'm going to make sure he's not decided to sleep on my bed.
Horrible cat.
3 things making me happy at the moment.
Gu (sorry can't do the silly little dashes that should be over the u.)
The possibility that Burscough might get to play Man U in the FA Cup. If it happens we have to go and cheer them on. You never know they won the FA trophy 2 years ago beating a team 2 leagues above them. Hopefully they'll do it again. Man U are 7 leagues above them though.
Another 3 day weekend where I'm avoiding the computer and the rain. I might have to brave the shops tomorrow though and get some Christmas shopping done.
1 thing making unhappy at the moment.
The fact I'm doing the Sleep-in on Christmas Day, so I'll be in work from 8am Christmas Day to 8am Boxing Day.
Christmas is being postponed by 24 hours, and Porl is probably going to his parents for the day.
Thankfully I've got the 27th & 28th off, and also a couple of days over New Year.
Bah humbug!
Gu (sorry can't do the silly little dashes that should be over the u.)
The possibility that Burscough might get to play Man U in the FA Cup. If it happens we have to go and cheer them on. You never know they won the FA trophy 2 years ago beating a team 2 leagues above them. Hopefully they'll do it again. Man U are 7 leagues above them though.
Another 3 day weekend where I'm avoiding the computer and the rain. I might have to brave the shops tomorrow though and get some Christmas shopping done.
1 thing making unhappy at the moment.
The fact I'm doing the Sleep-in on Christmas Day, so I'll be in work from 8am Christmas Day to 8am Boxing Day.
Christmas is being postponed by 24 hours, and Porl is probably going to his parents for the day.
Thankfully I've got the 27th & 28th off, and also a couple of days over New Year.
Bah humbug!
Monday, 28 November 2005
I love snow. However I might not be saying that tomorrow when I have to get to work.
Tomorrow is my first proper day at my new job. I went over to the house Wednesday last week and met my new clients. They're 3 very nice elderly gentlemen. One has profound learning disabilities, and the other 2 are moderate to severe. Compared with other places I've worked, it should be very easy and relaxed. The staff seem nice, there are only 3 of them at the moment plus a Deputy Home Manager, they've been coping with agency staff for months. I think they were relieved to have got someone with experience. The manager seems very laid back, and the staff seem to be on my wavelength (we work for the clients, they come first, and we should be out of the house every day possible.) The house is in a lovely area, very posh! Not like Skem where we had kids breaking the windows.
The shifts are great! I only need to do 3 a week. 8am-7pm, 11am-9pm and the sleep-in shift is 8am-8am, that seems harsh, but it gets it over with and you're technically off duty between midnight and 7am. I would be home for 9am, and if I was tired (which is inevitable) I could grab a few hours sleep and still have a decent amount of the day left. The sleep-ins where I used to be were 4pm till 12 midday, which meant you were dreading the sleep-in all day and didn't have time to do much for yourself, and by the time you got home the following day and caught up on sleep the day was over. It's still going to take me 45 minutes to an hour to get there, but 3 times a week to a job I enjoy is fine by me.
For the first month I'm not doing any sleep-ins, but I'll still only be working 3 long days, and a half day. Bliss! No news on what I'm working over Christmas yet though, please let my have some time off and get to see my parents for a change!
I've made the most of my long weekend. Friday night we got invited out to sample the delights of StalyVegas. We've avoided these delights so far because the music played really isn't our thing, but a lad Porl has been doing some recording with invited us and it would have been rude to refuse. We started at Wetherspoons, where we met Carl, his girlfriend Rachel, and all her nurse mates, then over the next few hours we went to Lounge, Pad (where I had a dance to some remixed 80's songs, unfortunatly no-one joined me). Then we ended the night in Rififfi's, which may look like the Arriba in Ormskirk, but thankfully it doesn't smell like it, the music is better, and the clientele are generally at least 10 years older. The over 25 rule in StalyVegas isn't stuck to strictly, but it does help to keep out the worst of the riffraff.
Saturday was spent nursing a hangover. I can't handle booze anymore, Sunday we fought the crowds at Tes-cos and did our usual lunch which was as delicious as always. Both days successfully managed to avoid turning on the computer, and instead spent a lot of time on the sofa sewing this.
I started this over a year ago, but I haven't done any cross stitch for months. I picked it up again a couple of weeks ago and since then I've done most of the sea. I'm hoping to get it done for Christmas. The top half is done, thankfully the bottom half is less detailed so I might be in with a chance.
I doubt I'll be making my Christmas cards this year, and I'm not sure when I'll get any other presents made. Hopefully with these short weeks I'm working I'll fit everything in.
Tuesday, 22 November 2005
Well the job is still going great, I'm feeling a bit sore because for the past couple of days we've been doing Physical Intervention, and Restraint techniques. After a year of sitting at a desk all day my body is complaining about having to use muscles again, even for the most gently exercises. It's been interesting, I just hope I won't have to use it.
Tomorrow I'm going visiting the new home where I will be based. I'm a bit nervous as no-one I've spoken to so far has been able to tell me much about the clients, I'm hoping that means they're all nice and quiet as it's always the harder ones that you remember.
I've learnt, and confirmed a few things about myself too this past week. First that this is definitely the job for me. I knew that already, but it's nice to be reminded. On Tuesday evening I was sat at the PC with a big grin and feeling so relaxed, all the tension on the past year had vanished. Also I've been coming home at the end of the day (or early afternoon) and I have the energy and enthusiasm to do something other than fall asleep on the sofa.
It's also been interesting because I can see the changes in my attitude. When I was working for Chess I was always the quiet girl in the corner. Never spoke up, kept my head down and got on with the job. I couldn't do that as much at Atlantic because there were so few of us, but I doubt any of them would have considered me confident or outgoing. I was valued in the jobs, and I was asked my opinion, but I rarely spoke up.
However this past week I've been one of the more outspoken members of the group. I've even had to force myself to keep quiet to try to encourage others to speak. It's all because I'm confident in my skills and knowledge, and I care about getting it right, and helping others to get it right.
One of the managers at Atlantic said I wouldn't make a good manager because I was too quiet, but this last week I can see I could be a good manager in this job because I have the confidence. I can even imagine going on to do further study in topics then becoming a Trainer. Which would mean doing that most scary of things. "Standing up and talking to a group". Normally it terrifies me, but I've done it so often this week without even batting an eyelid.
So in conclusion. I'm happy. Hurrah!
I've got a cold though. Boo hiss!
Tomorrow I'm going visiting the new home where I will be based. I'm a bit nervous as no-one I've spoken to so far has been able to tell me much about the clients, I'm hoping that means they're all nice and quiet as it's always the harder ones that you remember.
I've learnt, and confirmed a few things about myself too this past week. First that this is definitely the job for me. I knew that already, but it's nice to be reminded. On Tuesday evening I was sat at the PC with a big grin and feeling so relaxed, all the tension on the past year had vanished. Also I've been coming home at the end of the day (or early afternoon) and I have the energy and enthusiasm to do something other than fall asleep on the sofa.
It's also been interesting because I can see the changes in my attitude. When I was working for Chess I was always the quiet girl in the corner. Never spoke up, kept my head down and got on with the job. I couldn't do that as much at Atlantic because there were so few of us, but I doubt any of them would have considered me confident or outgoing. I was valued in the jobs, and I was asked my opinion, but I rarely spoke up.
However this past week I've been one of the more outspoken members of the group. I've even had to force myself to keep quiet to try to encourage others to speak. It's all because I'm confident in my skills and knowledge, and I care about getting it right, and helping others to get it right.
One of the managers at Atlantic said I wouldn't make a good manager because I was too quiet, but this last week I can see I could be a good manager in this job because I have the confidence. I can even imagine going on to do further study in topics then becoming a Trainer. Which would mean doing that most scary of things. "Standing up and talking to a group". Normally it terrifies me, but I've done it so often this week without even batting an eyelid.
So in conclusion. I'm happy. Hurrah!
I've got a cold though. Boo hiss!
Monday, 14 November 2005
Stupid Migraine.
First day at the new job went really well, would have been better had I not had a nagging head and felt mildly rubbish.
The first 2 weeks are training. Today we've done boring things like General Inroductions, Policies and Procedures, and Confidentiality. Also scary things like Fire Safety (I'm thinking about putting doors on the rooms downstairs, and I'm NEVER having a real Christmas tree again.)
Later in the week we get to do the fun things like First Aid, Breakaway Techniques and Challenging Behaviour. I've been working with people with Learning Disabilities for 10 years and I've never had training on Breakaway Techniques or Challenging Behaviour... although I have managed to train other people on them. So I'm quite looking forward to that.
I've also found out where I'll be based. Gatley. Which isn't great, but I don't care. It's not an office job and I'll not be doing it in rush hour. Annoyingly all the homes they had in Tameside are being sold off in December to a different company, so there's not much chance of being moved closer to home. Apparently it's a really nice easy home though, and the manager is very flexible so it should be good.
In the interview I said I'd like to work Part-time, but they obviously didn't make a note of that, so I'm Full-time. I'm pleased though, Full-time means that when the maternal instinct gets too strong I can have time off and get a decent wage, we'd struggle if I was Part-time. It also means more money if I want to try for a secondment and do a nursing course. But they're both thoughts for the future.
The main reason I wanted Part-time was so that I'd have flexibility with holidays, but thanks to Agenda for Change I've ended up with 27 days + 8 bank holidays. That's 7 weeks! That'll do me fine.
Now time for bed to sleep off the headache. I don't start till 9 tomorrow. Which means I get 2 whole hours extra before the alram goes off than I did this time last week. Luxury!
First day at the new job went really well, would have been better had I not had a nagging head and felt mildly rubbish.
The first 2 weeks are training. Today we've done boring things like General Inroductions, Policies and Procedures, and Confidentiality. Also scary things like Fire Safety (I'm thinking about putting doors on the rooms downstairs, and I'm NEVER having a real Christmas tree again.)
Later in the week we get to do the fun things like First Aid, Breakaway Techniques and Challenging Behaviour. I've been working with people with Learning Disabilities for 10 years and I've never had training on Breakaway Techniques or Challenging Behaviour... although I have managed to train other people on them. So I'm quite looking forward to that.
I've also found out where I'll be based. Gatley. Which isn't great, but I don't care. It's not an office job and I'll not be doing it in rush hour. Annoyingly all the homes they had in Tameside are being sold off in December to a different company, so there's not much chance of being moved closer to home. Apparently it's a really nice easy home though, and the manager is very flexible so it should be good.
In the interview I said I'd like to work Part-time, but they obviously didn't make a note of that, so I'm Full-time. I'm pleased though, Full-time means that when the maternal instinct gets too strong I can have time off and get a decent wage, we'd struggle if I was Part-time. It also means more money if I want to try for a secondment and do a nursing course. But they're both thoughts for the future.
The main reason I wanted Part-time was so that I'd have flexibility with holidays, but thanks to Agenda for Change I've ended up with 27 days + 8 bank holidays. That's 7 weeks! That'll do me fine.
Now time for bed to sleep off the headache. I don't start till 9 tomorrow. Which means I get 2 whole hours extra before the alram goes off than I did this time last week. Luxury!
Sunday, 13 November 2005
The last day at work went surprisingly calmly. On a Friday you can usually guarantee BT will cease one of our customers lines, but thankfully it didn't happen. Instead one of the problems which had been lurking for weeks got resolved, which was a nice ending to it all.
I got a lovely card off everyone, and assurances the if I change my mind about the NHS they'd be quite happy for me to come back... please... preferably next week.
But that's not likely.
Also got a big box of chocolates and a bottle of Rum... they seem to think I like it.
Which I do, but not as much as Porl does. I rarely drink much nowadays, but as Porl likes rum when I do drink that's what I end up with. Porl was most upset when I took this lovely bottle home and told him I was under strict instructions not to let him have any.
Yesterday I went shopping in Stockport, I finally got around to buying some jeans as all the ones I have now are either too big, or too small, it's lovely wearing trousers that actually fit.
I was also very good. I went to Hobbycraft and bought.... nothing! I've decided I'm going to save up for a £300 model Dolls House to make for my little girl.... when I have one... if not I'll adopt one.
I couldn't resist spending money in Borders though. I bought my Dad a birthday present, it's today so Happy Birthday Dad! A bead magazine, and another book which is going to be my main inspiration for Christmas Presents. Obviously I can't say what it is until I've decided who I'm making them for.
Last night I got all dressed up in my new jeans and we went into Manchester for Adam's 30th birthday. Adam was our lodger back in Ormskirk. He moved in for a couple of weeks while he looked for somewhere else, and he left about 18 months later to move to Manchester. It is partly thanks to him that out cats are as fat, and as friendly as they are.
Unfortunatly after about 5 minutes of driving in the dark my head started hurting. By 10 o'clock it was pounding and I was feeling sick so we had to leave. We got home I took 2 ibuprofen and was in bed for 10:30. I woke a couple of times in the night but fell straight back to sleep again until 12:30 this afternoon. I still feel woozy, achey and tired, but at least the headache has gone for now. I hate Migraines.
The only other thing I've done today is dig in my compost bin. In the dark. Moonlight gardening. My grandad would be proud of me.
I got a lovely card off everyone, and assurances the if I change my mind about the NHS they'd be quite happy for me to come back... please... preferably next week.
But that's not likely.
Also got a big box of chocolates and a bottle of Rum... they seem to think I like it.
Which I do, but not as much as Porl does. I rarely drink much nowadays, but as Porl likes rum when I do drink that's what I end up with. Porl was most upset when I took this lovely bottle home and told him I was under strict instructions not to let him have any.
Yesterday I went shopping in Stockport, I finally got around to buying some jeans as all the ones I have now are either too big, or too small, it's lovely wearing trousers that actually fit.
I was also very good. I went to Hobbycraft and bought.... nothing! I've decided I'm going to save up for a £300 model Dolls House to make for my little girl.... when I have one... if not I'll adopt one.
I couldn't resist spending money in Borders though. I bought my Dad a birthday present, it's today so Happy Birthday Dad! A bead magazine, and another book which is going to be my main inspiration for Christmas Presents. Obviously I can't say what it is until I've decided who I'm making them for.
Last night I got all dressed up in my new jeans and we went into Manchester for Adam's 30th birthday. Adam was our lodger back in Ormskirk. He moved in for a couple of weeks while he looked for somewhere else, and he left about 18 months later to move to Manchester. It is partly thanks to him that out cats are as fat, and as friendly as they are.
Unfortunatly after about 5 minutes of driving in the dark my head started hurting. By 10 o'clock it was pounding and I was feeling sick so we had to leave. We got home I took 2 ibuprofen and was in bed for 10:30. I woke a couple of times in the night but fell straight back to sleep again until 12:30 this afternoon. I still feel woozy, achey and tired, but at least the headache has gone for now. I hate Migraines.
The only other thing I've done today is dig in my compost bin. In the dark. Moonlight gardening. My grandad would be proud of me.
Thursday, 10 November 2005
1 day to go.
I'm starting to wish I'd given myself a few days break before starting the new job, but I need the money. Working part time means I'll have plenty of free days once the training is over and the new job starts.
The panic has set in at work. Everyone is trying to get everything up to date before I leave. I worked through every lunch break this week, and most of last week. But I've refused to stay late. I doubt I'd get paid for it.
Tomorrow I am Definately not. 4:30 I'll be out of there.
I have a leaving interview at 4pm tomorrow. It could be interesting. I'm curious what I'll be asked. I haven't decided yet how honest I'll be in my answers.
It depends who does the interview.
I've been avoiding the PC all week, I've been so tired and I'm fighting the beginnings of a cold, so I've been curled up on the sofa doing cross-stitch and trying to get early nights. The cross-stitch is coming on well, but I've not perfected the early nights yet.
I'm starting to wish I'd given myself a few days break before starting the new job, but I need the money. Working part time means I'll have plenty of free days once the training is over and the new job starts.
The panic has set in at work. Everyone is trying to get everything up to date before I leave. I worked through every lunch break this week, and most of last week. But I've refused to stay late. I doubt I'd get paid for it.
Tomorrow I am Definately not. 4:30 I'll be out of there.
I have a leaving interview at 4pm tomorrow. It could be interesting. I'm curious what I'll be asked. I haven't decided yet how honest I'll be in my answers.
It depends who does the interview.
I've been avoiding the PC all week, I've been so tired and I'm fighting the beginnings of a cold, so I've been curled up on the sofa doing cross-stitch and trying to get early nights. The cross-stitch is coming on well, but I've not perfected the early nights yet.
Friday, 4 November 2005
11:15am
It took all of 15 minutes for the 2 delivery people to put this up. I think the fact that it was chucking it down with rain may have made them more eager to complete the job swiftly. (The pictures are taken several hours apart really, hense the fact that the first picture is dry.)
Finally I have a space to put junk like pots of paint and tools, and my poor - probably rusty - bike.
My poor bike has spent the last year chain to a bench and covered with a slightly pathetic cover. I might have spent the rest of eternity in that state, but thankfully I've found the key to the lock so it can be released.
This also means the taunts about my Bike/Bench, or Bike with Sidecar, can be ended now... Jimmy.
I've had a lovely day off work today, meaning I have just 5 more days left. I've done very litle except play Caesar... I'm still stuck on the same level though.
Wednesday, 2 November 2005
I just got ID'd at the shop!
For buying cigarettes!!
Now I know I don't look 28, people usually peg me as early 20's, the look of shock when they find out I'm 28 pleases me every time.
Normally I blame my youthful look on the pigtails, but I didn't even have them in tonight.
I haven't been ID'd for a couple of years, so I thought those days were past, but getting ID'd for cigarettes is just silly. There's no way I look under 16... is there?
Maybe I have some wierd gene which is going to make me look younger as I get older. If I have I want to bottle it then I'll never have to work again.
Work today was interesting.
The guy who does the same job as me has been asked to leave. I haven't a clue why, he's a great guy and brilliant at his job. He's been there about a year, but I think they've just decided his face doesn't fit. My managers knew I was leaving before the decision was made, but it made no difference.
After that was announced, the team were then told that I was leaving. We were the only people who knew how to do our job, and it's a pretty key role. So that fact we're leaving within a week of each other has caused chaos. Rumours are flying around the other teams, Managers are in a blind panic, and if I wasn't stuck in the middle of it it might be quite fun to watch. I feel bad for the people I'm leaving behind, but the company knew the score so only have themselves to blame.
Thankfully no-one is being off with me. They've all heard me talk about how much I loved working for the NHS, I'm not going to the competition, I'm leaving for a more worthwhile cause.
I'm so pleased my notice period is only a week not a month.
For buying cigarettes!!
Now I know I don't look 28, people usually peg me as early 20's, the look of shock when they find out I'm 28 pleases me every time.
Normally I blame my youthful look on the pigtails, but I didn't even have them in tonight.
I haven't been ID'd for a couple of years, so I thought those days were past, but getting ID'd for cigarettes is just silly. There's no way I look under 16... is there?
Maybe I have some wierd gene which is going to make me look younger as I get older. If I have I want to bottle it then I'll never have to work again.
Work today was interesting.
The guy who does the same job as me has been asked to leave. I haven't a clue why, he's a great guy and brilliant at his job. He's been there about a year, but I think they've just decided his face doesn't fit. My managers knew I was leaving before the decision was made, but it made no difference.
After that was announced, the team were then told that I was leaving. We were the only people who knew how to do our job, and it's a pretty key role. So that fact we're leaving within a week of each other has caused chaos. Rumours are flying around the other teams, Managers are in a blind panic, and if I wasn't stuck in the middle of it it might be quite fun to watch. I feel bad for the people I'm leaving behind, but the company knew the score so only have themselves to blame.
Thankfully no-one is being off with me. They've all heard me talk about how much I loved working for the NHS, I'm not going to the competition, I'm leaving for a more worthwhile cause.
I'm so pleased my notice period is only a week not a month.
Monday, 31 October 2005
The day started badly. The problems I'd had on Friday with BT hadn't been resolved, one of our customers had been without phones all weekend. So the usual routine started of me phoning BT, bosses phoning me, me writing emails to everyone under the sun began. At 11am we got their lines back up, but by that point another customers lines had gone down (2nd time in 2 weeks for that customer) and I'd started the routine over again. I'd also had some ominous news about someone I worked with which had put my head in a spin, and I didn't know whether I was coming or going.
Sitting under the table and crying seemed like a good idea.
By dinnertime things couldn't have got much worse.
So I told my boss I was leaving.
Seriously...
The exciting news I've not been able to say anything about is that I have a new job. I'm going back to work for the NHS as a Residential Support Worker, exactly the same job as I had before moving to Stalybridge, just working for a different NHS trust. I was offered the job in June, and it's taken all this time, 5 months, for me to get all the paperwork sorted and to get a start date. My last day at this place will be 11th November, and I start my new job on Monday 14th.
I have many reasons to be pleased about.
I do feel bad about the way I've left work, but I didn't have much choice. This company only requires 1 weeks notice, that works both ways. I knew getting the paperwork ready would take a while, last time I worked for the NHS it took 3 months for me to get a start date. That time I told my employer straight away that I had been offered a new job, I had a Temp working with me at the time so they extended her contract, but it dragged on for that long that it got to the stage where they couldn't afford to pay us both so I quit. Luckily within days of handing in my notice the NHS gave me a start date so I was okay. I didn't have a mortgage then, I do now, I couldn't risk it this time. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I'll be able to convince my boss of that, I tried explaining that at the time, but he was in too much of a daze to take it in.
So I'm feeling a mixture of bemused, excited, worried, and ... I'm not sure. The butterflies in my belly are doing somersaults.
I think I've just got time to write my resignation letter before bed.
Oh one last note though, the new edition of Magknits is out. I know it's Halloween but I didn't expect to be scared by finding a Doppleganger.
Oh one other last note. We've have about 12 trick or treaters, in about 6 groups. But the lad who came round twice earlier on in the week with his "Halloween is coming, the witches are coming" song hasn't been round at all.
Sitting under the table and crying seemed like a good idea.
By dinnertime things couldn't have got much worse.
So I told my boss I was leaving.
Seriously...
The exciting news I've not been able to say anything about is that I have a new job. I'm going back to work for the NHS as a Residential Support Worker, exactly the same job as I had before moving to Stalybridge, just working for a different NHS trust. I was offered the job in June, and it's taken all this time, 5 months, for me to get all the paperwork sorted and to get a start date. My last day at this place will be 11th November, and I start my new job on Monday 14th.
I have many reasons to be pleased about.
- I'll be doing shift work again, I hated 9-5.
- I'll be working in a home drinking tea and cleaning up, instead of in an office, answering the phone and sitting at a desk all day (I'm looking forward to losing the weight I've put on.)
- I'll be contracted to work 25 hours a week, instead of 37.5, but there are always extra hours giving me lots of flexibility, bring on the 4 day weekends.
- I'll be closer to home, probably Stockport which is about 25 minutes away. They have a home close to here, so if I'm really lucky I might have a 10 minute walk to work. Either way it has to be better than the 1 hour+ commute each way I have now.
- I'll be working with people with Learning Disabilities again, and while they can sometimes be as frustrating as sales people, they're generally far more entertaining, and much happier.
- Plus a billion other reasons.
I do feel bad about the way I've left work, but I didn't have much choice. This company only requires 1 weeks notice, that works both ways. I knew getting the paperwork ready would take a while, last time I worked for the NHS it took 3 months for me to get a start date. That time I told my employer straight away that I had been offered a new job, I had a Temp working with me at the time so they extended her contract, but it dragged on for that long that it got to the stage where they couldn't afford to pay us both so I quit. Luckily within days of handing in my notice the NHS gave me a start date so I was okay. I didn't have a mortgage then, I do now, I couldn't risk it this time. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I'll be able to convince my boss of that, I tried explaining that at the time, but he was in too much of a daze to take it in.
So I'm feeling a mixture of bemused, excited, worried, and ... I'm not sure. The butterflies in my belly are doing somersaults.
I think I've just got time to write my resignation letter before bed.
Oh one last note though, the new edition of Magknits is out. I know it's Halloween but I didn't expect to be scared by finding a Doppleganger.
Oh one other last note. We've have about 12 trick or treaters, in about 6 groups. But the lad who came round twice earlier on in the week with his "Halloween is coming, the witches are coming" song hasn't been round at all.
Friday, 28 October 2005
Thank Crunchie it's Friday (Hmm not had one of them in years.)
Also thank Crunchie (or someone) that my partner in crime is back in work on Monday. So someone else can share the task of shouting at BT, and being put on hold by them for hours on end.
I've missed him, not just because I've had to do twice as much work at a job that I'm still learning how to do, but also because everyone else who sits near me in the office is so quiet, I also sit with my back to them, so it's been quite lonely.
No doubt by about 11am Monday I'll be back to telling him to shut up as normal though. He has one of those voices that carries.
Last night Shell came round. We did some knitting, talked a lot, looked at books, did a very good impression of Threadbared whilst looking at my Mum's old Knitting Machine patterns, and lost an hour.
I have to either work out how to fix the time on the video recorder (which is supposed to set itself as soon as you plug it in... but doesn't) or make a point of telling people when they come round that the clock on the video recorder is exactly 45 minutes slow.
So this weekend I plan on sleeping.
Lots.
Maybe some other things too, but sleeping is definately in the top 5.
Also thank Crunchie (or someone) that my partner in crime is back in work on Monday. So someone else can share the task of shouting at BT, and being put on hold by them for hours on end.
I've missed him, not just because I've had to do twice as much work at a job that I'm still learning how to do, but also because everyone else who sits near me in the office is so quiet, I also sit with my back to them, so it's been quite lonely.
No doubt by about 11am Monday I'll be back to telling him to shut up as normal though. He has one of those voices that carries.
Last night Shell came round. We did some knitting, talked a lot, looked at books, did a very good impression of Threadbared whilst looking at my Mum's old Knitting Machine patterns, and lost an hour.
I have to either work out how to fix the time on the video recorder (which is supposed to set itself as soon as you plug it in... but doesn't) or make a point of telling people when they come round that the clock on the video recorder is exactly 45 minutes slow.
So this weekend I plan on sleeping.
Lots.
Maybe some other things too, but sleeping is definately in the top 5.
Monday, 24 October 2005
Congratulations if you made it this far. I should have probably given some warning about this move, but I do like to keep people on their toes. Please remember to reset your bookmarks, change links etc, I don't want anyone getting repetitive strain injury by having to click a link twice. This address is much easier to remember, but the redirect page will be there for as long as my kind hosts allow me to keep it, unless it gets deleted by accident, or someone else decides to write something better.
Anyway, please bear with me for the next couple of days, I didn't realize quite how many files there were to be moved, so I apologise now if you find any broken links or dead pictures. They will be back online at some point soon.
Anyway, please bear with me for the next couple of days, I didn't realize quite how many files there were to be moved, so I apologise now if you find any broken links or dead pictures. They will be back online at some point soon.
Sunday, 23 October 2005
I'm in the mood for posting... and I've got to do something to stop me from playing Caesar again...
LibraryThing has added a recommendations feature. It's a bit hit and miss at the moment, suggesting books which I already own, but other suggestions are spot on... There seem to be a lot of Classics in the list that I've just not got around to reading.
1. The Leopard (Everyman's Library Classics) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa Never heard of it, so I'll keep an eye out for it
2. Bleak House by Charles Dickens I was actually looking for a copy of this in the charity shop the other day. I've never read it and I want to before the new BBC series is shown on telly
3. Lady Audley's Secret (Penguin Classics) by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Never heard of it, so I'll keep an eye out for it
4. Belinda (Oxford World's Classics) by Maria Edgeworth Never heard of it, so I'll keep an eye out for it
5. Possession : A Romance (Vintage International) by A.S. Byatt Classic I've not got around to.
6. The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald Classic I've not got around to.
7. Jane Eyre (Signet Classics (Paperback)) by Charlotte Bronte I own 2 versions of this already, I love it, but don't need a 3rd copy
8. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton I keep trying to read The Buccaneers by Wharton but can't get into it.
9. To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee Classic I've not got around to.
10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling Already got
11. A Journal of the Plague Year : Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, As Well (Penguin Clas by Daniel Defoe Sounds interesting, I'll keep an eye out
12. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Classic I've not got around to.
13. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Never read any Woolf, should do
14. Aspects of the Novel (Pelican S.) by E.M. Forster I'll keep an eye out for it
15. Sense and sensibility by Jane Austen Already got, and love, studied it for A-Level so know it inside out
16. Literary theory : an introduction by Terry Eagleton No No No! I like reading, I hate Literary Theory
17. Alias Grace by Margaret Eleanor Atwood I'm sure I've already read this
18. Babel Tower by A. S. Byatt I'll keep an eye out for it
19. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot Classic I've not got around to.
20. A room with a view by E. M. Forster Classic I've not got around to.
21. The handmaid's tale by Margaret Eleanor Atwood Read it, loved it, studied it at uni. Where is my copy?
22. The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit Already got
23. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling Already got
24. Adam Bede by George Eliot Classic I've not got around to.
25. The plague by Albert Camus Classic I've not got around to.
26. Shirley (Wordsworth Collection) by Charlotte Bronte I'm sure I bought this a couple of weeks ago, not read it yet though.
27. Ulysses (Oxford World's Classics) by James Joyce I'm sure we had a copy of this being used as a doorstop... the size has always put me off
28. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys Heard of this, never read it
29. The Woman in White (Penguin Popular Classics) by Wilkie Collins Whenever I see Wilkie Collins I think of Jackie Collins so I've never read any.
30. Romola by George Eliot Classic I've not got around to.
31. Nice work by David Lodge Never heard of it, I'll keep an eye out
32. The remains of the day by Kazuo Ishiguro Never read this, but the other A-Level class studied it
33. Orlando: A Biography (Penguin Popular Classics) by Virginia Woolf I'll keep an eye out for it
34. Maurice (Penguin Modern Classics) by E.M. Forster Classic I've not got around to.
35. Sons and Lovers (Signet Classics (Paperback)) by D.H. Lawrence Classic I've not got around to.
36. The bell jar by Sylvia Plath Never! I've read bit of Plath and hated it all
37. Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell I'll keep an eye out for it
38. The vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith Who? I'll keep an eye out for it
39. Moll Flanders (Oxford World's Classics) by Daniel Defoe Classic I've not got around to.
40. An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears hmmm heard of the author, I'll keep an eye out
41. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh Classic I've not got around to.
42. The god of small things by Arundhati Roy I used to pick this book up in Smith's every week when I was commuting, but I always ended up buying something else
43. Beloved (Plume Contemporary Fiction) by Toni Morrison I'll keep an eye out for it
44. The Age of Innocence (Modern Library Classics) by Edith Wharton More Wharton... I'll try
45. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy I'm sure I've read this already, where is my copy?
46. The English patient : a novel by Michael Ondaatje I'm afraid to say the film put me off
47. A portrait of the artist as a young man by James Joyce Classic I've not got around to.
48. The Jungle Book (Penguin Popular Classics) by Rudyard Kipling It might ruin the film reading this :)
49. The Moonstone (Penguin Classics) by Wilkie Collins More Jackie Collins... I'll try
50. Washington Square (Penguin Popular Classics) by Henry James I'll keep an eye out for it
51. A Song Of Stone by Iain Banks I thought I'd got this book
52. Vineland by Thomas Pynchon I'll keep an eye out for it
53. The name of the rose by Umberto Eco Classic I've not got around to.
54. Villette (Wordsworth Collection) (Wordsworth Collection) by Charlotte Bronte Already got
55. Ethan frome by Edith Wharton Classic I've not got around to.
56. The waste land and other poems by T. S. Eliot Not really a poetry fan
57. White noise by Don DeLillo I'll keep an eye out for it
58. Lake Wobegon days by Garrison Keillor I've tried to read this so many times, can't get into it
59. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Classic I've not got around to.
60. Barchester Towers (Oxford World's Classics) by Anthony Trollope Classic I've not got around to... but the surname has always put me off, I think of Joanna
61. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson Classic I've not got around to.
62. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams Not interested
63. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling Already got
64. Behind the Scenes at the Museum : A Novel by Kate Atkinson I've read some Kate Atkinson, not overly bothered.
65. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier I love this book, studied it at uni, where is my copy?
66. Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper I'll keep an eye out for it
67. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell Read this loads, studied it at uni, my copy is at my parents
68. Madame Bovary (Bantam Classics) by Gustave Flaubert Classic I've not got around to.
69. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley I love this book, studied it at uni, where is my copy?
70. Oliver Twist (Penguin Popular Classics) by Charles Dickens I love this book, studied it at uni, where is my copy?
71. The crimson petal and the white by Michel Faber I'll keep an eye out for it
One good thing, if I get through this little lot then I'll be a lot further on my way to completing The Booklovers Quest.
LibraryThing has added a recommendations feature. It's a bit hit and miss at the moment, suggesting books which I already own, but other suggestions are spot on... There seem to be a lot of Classics in the list that I've just not got around to reading.
1. The Leopard (Everyman's Library Classics) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa Never heard of it, so I'll keep an eye out for it
2. Bleak House by Charles Dickens I was actually looking for a copy of this in the charity shop the other day. I've never read it and I want to before the new BBC series is shown on telly
3. Lady Audley's Secret (Penguin Classics) by Mary Elizabeth Braddon Never heard of it, so I'll keep an eye out for it
4. Belinda (Oxford World's Classics) by Maria Edgeworth Never heard of it, so I'll keep an eye out for it
5. Possession : A Romance (Vintage International) by A.S. Byatt Classic I've not got around to.
6. The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald Classic I've not got around to.
7. Jane Eyre (Signet Classics (Paperback)) by Charlotte Bronte I own 2 versions of this already, I love it, but don't need a 3rd copy
8. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton I keep trying to read The Buccaneers by Wharton but can't get into it.
9. To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee Classic I've not got around to.
10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling Already got
11. A Journal of the Plague Year : Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, As Well (Penguin Clas by Daniel Defoe Sounds interesting, I'll keep an eye out
12. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens Classic I've not got around to.
13. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf Never read any Woolf, should do
14. Aspects of the Novel (Pelican S.) by E.M. Forster I'll keep an eye out for it
15. Sense and sensibility by Jane Austen Already got, and love, studied it for A-Level so know it inside out
16. Literary theory : an introduction by Terry Eagleton No No No! I like reading, I hate Literary Theory
17. Alias Grace by Margaret Eleanor Atwood I'm sure I've already read this
18. Babel Tower by A. S. Byatt I'll keep an eye out for it
19. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot Classic I've not got around to.
20. A room with a view by E. M. Forster Classic I've not got around to.
21. The handmaid's tale by Margaret Eleanor Atwood Read it, loved it, studied it at uni. Where is my copy?
22. The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit Already got
23. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling Already got
24. Adam Bede by George Eliot Classic I've not got around to.
25. The plague by Albert Camus Classic I've not got around to.
26. Shirley (Wordsworth Collection) by Charlotte Bronte I'm sure I bought this a couple of weeks ago, not read it yet though.
27. Ulysses (Oxford World's Classics) by James Joyce I'm sure we had a copy of this being used as a doorstop... the size has always put me off
28. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys Heard of this, never read it
29. The Woman in White (Penguin Popular Classics) by Wilkie Collins Whenever I see Wilkie Collins I think of Jackie Collins so I've never read any.
30. Romola by George Eliot Classic I've not got around to.
31. Nice work by David Lodge Never heard of it, I'll keep an eye out
32. The remains of the day by Kazuo Ishiguro Never read this, but the other A-Level class studied it
33. Orlando: A Biography (Penguin Popular Classics) by Virginia Woolf I'll keep an eye out for it
34. Maurice (Penguin Modern Classics) by E.M. Forster Classic I've not got around to.
35. Sons and Lovers (Signet Classics (Paperback)) by D.H. Lawrence Classic I've not got around to.
36. The bell jar by Sylvia Plath Never! I've read bit of Plath and hated it all
37. Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell I'll keep an eye out for it
38. The vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith Who? I'll keep an eye out for it
39. Moll Flanders (Oxford World's Classics) by Daniel Defoe Classic I've not got around to.
40. An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears hmmm heard of the author, I'll keep an eye out
41. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh Classic I've not got around to.
42. The god of small things by Arundhati Roy I used to pick this book up in Smith's every week when I was commuting, but I always ended up buying something else
43. Beloved (Plume Contemporary Fiction) by Toni Morrison I'll keep an eye out for it
44. The Age of Innocence (Modern Library Classics) by Edith Wharton More Wharton... I'll try
45. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy I'm sure I've read this already, where is my copy?
46. The English patient : a novel by Michael Ondaatje I'm afraid to say the film put me off
47. A portrait of the artist as a young man by James Joyce Classic I've not got around to.
48. The Jungle Book (Penguin Popular Classics) by Rudyard Kipling It might ruin the film reading this :)
49. The Moonstone (Penguin Classics) by Wilkie Collins More Jackie Collins... I'll try
50. Washington Square (Penguin Popular Classics) by Henry James I'll keep an eye out for it
51. A Song Of Stone by Iain Banks I thought I'd got this book
52. Vineland by Thomas Pynchon I'll keep an eye out for it
53. The name of the rose by Umberto Eco Classic I've not got around to.
54. Villette (Wordsworth Collection) (Wordsworth Collection) by Charlotte Bronte Already got
55. Ethan frome by Edith Wharton Classic I've not got around to.
56. The waste land and other poems by T. S. Eliot Not really a poetry fan
57. White noise by Don DeLillo I'll keep an eye out for it
58. Lake Wobegon days by Garrison Keillor I've tried to read this so many times, can't get into it
59. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Classic I've not got around to.
60. Barchester Towers (Oxford World's Classics) by Anthony Trollope Classic I've not got around to... but the surname has always put me off, I think of Joanna
61. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson Classic I've not got around to.
62. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams Not interested
63. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling Already got
64. Behind the Scenes at the Museum : A Novel by Kate Atkinson I've read some Kate Atkinson, not overly bothered.
65. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier I love this book, studied it at uni, where is my copy?
66. Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper I'll keep an eye out for it
67. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell Read this loads, studied it at uni, my copy is at my parents
68. Madame Bovary (Bantam Classics) by Gustave Flaubert Classic I've not got around to.
69. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley I love this book, studied it at uni, where is my copy?
70. Oliver Twist (Penguin Popular Classics) by Charles Dickens I love this book, studied it at uni, where is my copy?
71. The crimson petal and the white by Michel Faber I'll keep an eye out for it
One good thing, if I get through this little lot then I'll be a lot further on my way to completing The Booklovers Quest.
Saturday, 22 October 2005
What a difference a few days off work can do.
Wednesday was Matt's birthday, & Thursday was Porl's, so after work I drove straight up to Ormskirk for celebrations. I had to pick Porl up at Burscough Train station first, I arrived there early and exhausted, so I fell asleep in the car while I was waiting, I slept for about half an hour, but it went dark in that time so I woke up utterly confused, and feeling like I'd slept for hours. Once in Ormskirk we went out to order Chinese and then a night of many pints began.
It was a great night, the gang back together, and everyone was in good spirits. Maybe one day I'll learn not to drink though. I haven't drank much this past year, and my tolerance for it has plummeted, so by the end of the night I was feeling a bit poorly sick. Luckily I woke up stupidly early the next morning, took some painkillers and went to bed until a more reasonable hour, at which point I felt mostly okay, and a walk round Ormskirk made me feel even more human. I'm jealous of Ormskirk's new Oxfam Book Shop though. I leave Ormskirk and they get a decent craft shop and then a 2nd bookshop. It's not fair!
The unfortunate thing about Porl's birthday being the day after Matts is that Porl always has a hangover on his birthday. So it was celebrated by going to his mums and doing very little. At tea time we went out for a meal, which perked us both up, then we headed back home to 2 angry cats who don't like being left alone overnight.
Friday I had a lazy day pottering around the house, giving it a good clean, I was supposed to be going shopping with Shell, but my lack of organisation and laziness let me down again. Shell is too much of an early bird for me, but after Wednesday night I really did need the extra sleep.
Today Mum & Dad came up and inbetween the rain showers we weatherproofed the decking. We're getting a shed delivered in about a weeks time, so the painting had to be done today, rain or shine. Tomorrow I might actually remember to take some pictures of it, I've been meaning to all week. Then Porl and I drove off to Ashton to pick up a Freecycle table for his room, and on the way back we stopped at Ashton market to get picnic goodies to eat. Mum had given us some money for a Birthday take-away, but we were craving healthy food.
I can't believe I've only been off for 3 days. I feel like I've had a holiday, and I've still got 1 more day of the weekend left.
Oh the baking went down well. The response from my boss (who rarely speaks to me) as he passed me back the empty box at the end of the day was "Yes, very good, same tomorrow if you please". From Matt I had an email titled "MMmrrffphh prrrfll" which was the sound of him eating cake.
Wednesday was Matt's birthday, & Thursday was Porl's, so after work I drove straight up to Ormskirk for celebrations. I had to pick Porl up at Burscough Train station first, I arrived there early and exhausted, so I fell asleep in the car while I was waiting, I slept for about half an hour, but it went dark in that time so I woke up utterly confused, and feeling like I'd slept for hours. Once in Ormskirk we went out to order Chinese and then a night of many pints began.
It was a great night, the gang back together, and everyone was in good spirits. Maybe one day I'll learn not to drink though. I haven't drank much this past year, and my tolerance for it has plummeted, so by the end of the night I was feeling a bit poorly sick. Luckily I woke up stupidly early the next morning, took some painkillers and went to bed until a more reasonable hour, at which point I felt mostly okay, and a walk round Ormskirk made me feel even more human. I'm jealous of Ormskirk's new Oxfam Book Shop though. I leave Ormskirk and they get a decent craft shop and then a 2nd bookshop. It's not fair!
The unfortunate thing about Porl's birthday being the day after Matts is that Porl always has a hangover on his birthday. So it was celebrated by going to his mums and doing very little. At tea time we went out for a meal, which perked us both up, then we headed back home to 2 angry cats who don't like being left alone overnight.
Friday I had a lazy day pottering around the house, giving it a good clean, I was supposed to be going shopping with Shell, but my lack of organisation and laziness let me down again. Shell is too much of an early bird for me, but after Wednesday night I really did need the extra sleep.
Today Mum & Dad came up and inbetween the rain showers we weatherproofed the decking. We're getting a shed delivered in about a weeks time, so the painting had to be done today, rain or shine. Tomorrow I might actually remember to take some pictures of it, I've been meaning to all week. Then Porl and I drove off to Ashton to pick up a Freecycle table for his room, and on the way back we stopped at Ashton market to get picnic goodies to eat. Mum had given us some money for a Birthday take-away, but we were craving healthy food.
I can't believe I've only been off for 3 days. I feel like I've had a holiday, and I've still got 1 more day of the weekend left.
Oh the baking went down well. The response from my boss (who rarely speaks to me) as he passed me back the empty box at the end of the day was "Yes, very good, same tomorrow if you please". From Matt I had an email titled "MMmrrffphh prrrfll" which was the sound of him eating cake.
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
I'm pretending to be a Domestic Goddess. Scarily this is the 2nd batch of cookies I've made this week. The last batch were half the size, I was supposed to be making them for work, there were only 2 trays worth, and by the time the second tray had finished cooking we'd eaten the first tray. So I made my apologies at work and this time I've doubled the quantities. I don't mind taking this lot into work, they're not as nice as the first ones. Cookies are supposed to be made with soft brown sugar. I didn't have enough last time so I used half soft brown sugar and half muscavado. They were sooo rich and delicious. When I went to the shops to buy more sugar for this lot they only had demerara which doesn't melt properly, so there's lots of crunchy sugar crystals in these. Oh well they still taste good... just not as good.
Last week at work was the week from Hell. I got none of my normal work done, instead I spent 4 days on the phone to BT trying to sort out the fact that they had cut off someone's lines a week early. But not just anyone's lines... no, they cut off the lines to a £400 a night Hotel. I stayed late every night trying to get it resolved. Eventually I found out at 5:30 on Friday that it was fixed. I got very drunk Friday night and forgot about it all.
When I went back into work Monday I was told that BT had done the same thing to one of the customers other sites on Sunday! Thankfully BT contacted the customer and got the problem resolved themselves that time.
Today we had our "High Points" email listing the good things which had happened last week. I was given a special mention for my battles with BT.
I'm worried... if my week from hell is a high point what is a low point?
Tuesday, 11 October 2005
I'm almost fed up with Christmas already. I love Christmas, but I hate the fact that it starts earlier each year. The shops are full of decorations, the main topic of conversation at work is the Christmas Do, and on the news they were telling us yesterday "it's only 10 weeks till Christmas".
I had a little rant:
It may be just 10 weeks till Christmas, but there are only 52 weeks in a year which means Christmas is still a fifth of a year away!
I try not to think of Christmas until December, or at the very earliest my Dads birthday which is 6 weeks before Christmas, I'm certainly not thinking of it now...
However in complete contradition I am thinking about New Year's Resolutions. I don't normally make them as I never stick to them, but there are a couple of changes I really want to make next years.
First, cataloguing my books has made me realize I don't read enough. So I want to try to read 50 books next year (Matt how are you doing with that this year?)
Second, I seem to talk about crafts more than doing them, so I'm going to aim for 50 completed objects next year, hopefully it will be far more.
As a boost towards starting this I'm going to take up the ArtByTheInch challenge again this year. There doesn't seem to be any movement on the website, but the LJ Forum is still alive so I won't be alone in my challenge. Also Matt is doing NaNoWriMo again this year with his own added challenge (email him if you want to keep him in check and read each chapter as he writes it) hopefully we can encourage each other.
Also, way back in July I had some news which I couldn't share. I still can't... yet, but hopefully it shouldn't be much longer now!
I had a little rant:
It may be just 10 weeks till Christmas, but there are only 52 weeks in a year which means Christmas is still a fifth of a year away!
I try not to think of Christmas until December, or at the very earliest my Dads birthday which is 6 weeks before Christmas, I'm certainly not thinking of it now...
However in complete contradition I am thinking about New Year's Resolutions. I don't normally make them as I never stick to them, but there are a couple of changes I really want to make next years.
First, cataloguing my books has made me realize I don't read enough. So I want to try to read 50 books next year (Matt how are you doing with that this year?)
Second, I seem to talk about crafts more than doing them, so I'm going to aim for 50 completed objects next year, hopefully it will be far more.
As a boost towards starting this I'm going to take up the ArtByTheInch challenge again this year. There doesn't seem to be any movement on the website, but the LJ Forum is still alive so I won't be alone in my challenge. Also Matt is doing NaNoWriMo again this year with his own added challenge (email him if you want to keep him in check and read each chapter as he writes it) hopefully we can encourage each other.
Also, way back in July I had some news which I couldn't share. I still can't... yet, but hopefully it shouldn't be much longer now!
Saturday, 8 October 2005
OW OW OW OW OW!
I've just broken my thumb nail while re-arranging the bookshelves. Lots of people are envious of my nails, they're very strong, so I can grow them long very easily without any problems. They rarely break, but when they do it really hurts.
I was trying to get a book off the shelf, the books are squeeeezed in tightly, and I managed to bend the thumb nail right back. It snapped about 2mm below where the the nail parts from the skin. I couldn't find any superglue, so the only option was to grit my teeth and rip it totally off.
I now have a very short nail and a throbbing, bleeding thumb.
The bookshelves look good though.
I finally succumbed to ebay last week and made my first bid. I didn't win, but I tried again, and I now have this boat shuttle and bobbins for my sewing machine. It was the bobbins I needed as the machine only came with one, but the shuttle may be useful. Now I have to resist buying anything else. I'm "window shopping" instead, adding things to my watch list to see how much they sell for.
I'm watching lots of boxes at the moment.
Must... not.... buy......
I've just broken my thumb nail while re-arranging the bookshelves. Lots of people are envious of my nails, they're very strong, so I can grow them long very easily without any problems. They rarely break, but when they do it really hurts.
I was trying to get a book off the shelf, the books are squeeeezed in tightly, and I managed to bend the thumb nail right back. It snapped about 2mm below where the the nail parts from the skin. I couldn't find any superglue, so the only option was to grit my teeth and rip it totally off.
I now have a very short nail and a throbbing, bleeding thumb.
The bookshelves look good though.
I finally succumbed to ebay last week and made my first bid. I didn't win, but I tried again, and I now have this boat shuttle and bobbins for my sewing machine. It was the bobbins I needed as the machine only came with one, but the shuttle may be useful. Now I have to resist buying anything else. I'm "window shopping" instead, adding things to my watch list to see how much they sell for.
I'm watching lots of boxes at the moment.
Must... not.... buy......
Sunday, 2 October 2005
I've just finished cataloguing all my Mr Men books on LibraryThing, and I've hit exactly 500. I still have 2 shelves of books to do downstairs, they're mostly craft books and old hardback books so they might not be easy to search for, then there are the books upstairs. I think the final count will be about 700.
Not nearly enough.
Feel free to have a browse, or there's a link on the side menu.
Today has been spent rearranging bookshelves, obviously, and pottering around the garden while Mum and Dad built some steps. The deck is looking great, next week they should finish building the steps and put the top on, then we have to go shed shopping. Once that has been done we have to build a (strong) railing to stop people falling off and breaking their necks. It's very high up.
I can then start digging up the grass and putting plants in instead.
We've decided it'll be much easier to look after, the plants will hide the front of the deck, and there's so little grass there that it's hardly worth having. I hate gardening most of the time, but I am enjoying browsing through books looking for plants I can put in.
Not nearly enough.
Feel free to have a browse, or there's a link on the side menu.
Today has been spent rearranging bookshelves, obviously, and pottering around the garden while Mum and Dad built some steps. The deck is looking great, next week they should finish building the steps and put the top on, then we have to go shed shopping. Once that has been done we have to build a (strong) railing to stop people falling off and breaking their necks. It's very high up.
I can then start digging up the grass and putting plants in instead.
We've decided it'll be much easier to look after, the plants will hide the front of the deck, and there's so little grass there that it's hardly worth having. I hate gardening most of the time, but I am enjoying browsing through books looking for plants I can put in.
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