Holed Up for the Day

Today I didn't bother to get dressed at all. Peter manfully went out and got the papers and a few bits and pieces we needed in the pouring rain whilst I curled up indoors. The weather didn't really let up all day so we spent the day watching an old war film and catching up on some reading.

Spoke to mum on the phone, she was subtly sounding out if we wanted to go to a village fete tomorrow. I wouldn't have minded but the forecast for tomorrow is just as bad so I don't see the point in driving a 40-ish mile round trip just to stare out at the rain from a different location. Felt a bit mean saying no as I think they just wanted to see us really.

I'm ploughing through the Shadow of the Wind at a rate now and should finish it this weekend. I've such a huge pile of things to read that I'm not sure which book I'm going to choose next.....

The stillness of the lambs

Oh dear, I didn't want to go into work at all this morning - I was feeling really glum, it was dark and raining and Peter had the day off which sort of made it worse. Had a couple of weird experiences on my way to work - firstly I pulled into Sainsbuys to get some petrol (it opens at 7.ooam normally but the entrance was coned off, myself and a van waited for about 5 minutes but then we gave up. When I drove past I saw that there was police tape across the forecourt and a car with all it's doors open. I do hope they haven't been raided too. )

Then I drove into work. On the way in I passed several fields associated with the College and one of them is currently full of some beautiful sheep - I'm not sure what breed they are but they are white with little black faces (and very neat as they've just had a hair cut! ) Anyway, as I drove by them I noticed they were all standing absolutely still - dotted around the field, facing the same way in the rain - not one of them was moving - it was quite surreal and rather lovely in a strange sort of way.

Dragged myself in and got stuck into work and actually the day went quite quickly.

Sorted a bit of personal stuff out at lunch time, paid the final installment for our cottage in Hay on Wye in August (oh gosh, I really can't wait to get away), wrote to the DVLA as they have weirdly sent a registration document to us for a car that is nothing to do with us - yet our address is printed all over the form (I hate that sort of thing so they've got a very stern letter from me saying "disassociate our address now"). Also chased up a couple of non paying Ebay customers - I really hate time wasters who don't pay - it's a real bind chasing them up - particularly as one of the sales is only for £2.99.

As blogged yesterday, I had been due to go out with some friends this evening but I am so tired and poor company at the moment I didn't really fancy it at all - particularly as it was going to be a late night with an overnight stay. Anyway, I decided I was still going to go as it was a belated birthday celebration for my friend. However, much to my surprise (and relief) she phoned up this morning to cancel as she said she is exhausted this week and can't hack a late night. This tiredness thing must be spreading ............. it's funny how things work out isn't it.

So I came home - tackled the house work for a few hours and now I'm relaxing on my own in front of the box which is just what the doctor ordered. Peter has just texted to say he is still up in London on his day trip out so I think he'll be back quite late - by which time I'll probably be out for the count.

Ladies Who Lunch

Today all the Central Services team (all women) had their photograph taken on the steps leading up to reception. The picture will be presented to our much loved Central Services Manager, Bridget, who is leaving shortly, and whom we all love dearly. She has supported us all through thick and thin; listened to our moans, kept our confidences, brought in help when we have been swamped with work and been a thoroughly lovely person to boot. Bridget is moving up to Lincoln and I have promised to go up and visit before Christmas (with Peter too of course).
After the photo we went out to the local pub for lunch which is an extremely rare event but it was nice to chat to everyone. Of course, everyone talked about all the uncertainty that is going on at work at the moment and I did wonder how many of us would be sat around the table in the pub come Christmas - a sad thought.

Filled in another job application today but I'm not going to post it until Saturday because of the damn postal strike. Talking of post offices - the local post office in the village near the college got raided yesterday - three retired ladies run it on a rota basis and the evil git who raided it threw a brick at one of them and hit her with an iron bar. Two plucky locals gave chase on a horse and a bike but the 'bar steward' got away. Words fail me - it's such a tiny post office - if two people are in it it's crowded so the money on the premises probably ran to a few hundred pounds max! The college was the first port of call for the Police as the offender was between 16-18 but as far as I know it wasn't one of our students.

This evening I am shattered - I'm supposed to be going out on a pub crawl tomorrow night with two girl friends but right now I feel like phoning and cancelling but I'd feel very guilty if I did so I'll see how I feel tomorrow. I need to stop being such a home bunny and get out more I know - but I can't help it if I'd rather be at home with a glass of wine and a good film or a good book rather than pubbing it - work is just so mentally draining at the moment I just hanker to curl up in ball under the duvet and shut all the problems out.

Floods and Errors

Another overcast day weather wise but I thank god that we aren’t suffering like the poor souls up country who have the ground floors of their homes totally under water – it must be absolutely terrible. I am such a home bunny I know I would be devastated if our little burrow was flooded – the worst we have is a dripping leak in the back lean-to on the house which only happens if the rain is torrential.

Have finally finished revising my CV and had considered it ‘perfect’ until Peter spotted a spelling error in the last word on the last page – so annoying (I was very cross with myself for not spotting it). It totally breaks the rules of my ‘Perfect CV’ book too which says spelling errors indicate “you don’t pay attention to detail” and “are lazy”. Needless to say I have now changed the offending word and it now really does look as perfect as I can possibly get it.

This evening we watched the new Jasper Carrot game show called Golden Balls. It’s ok, but a bit too drawn out for our liking and rather ‘low tech’ – quite a bit of the set looked like it was made out of cardboard! Anyway, quite a bit of lying and back stabbing go on in the game so it is quite entertaining from that point of view.

Later I tuned into Tycoon which is like The Apprentice meets Dragons Den - unfortunately I nodded off before the end so don’t know who got thrown off this week. I will check with my work colleague in the morning.

Utterly Roofless!

Long day today at work and I was glad to get away at the end of the day. Spent most of early evening writing a covering letter for a job application (I do so hate it when they ask for a handwritten letter as it’s so hard to get it to look perfect).
Peter was in a lovely mood this evening (not that he’s normally grumpy you understand, he’s not, but he was just extra lovely which improved my mood too).

Later in the evening I did some more CV updating (based on the excellent little book I have obtained on writing the perfect CV – which has some excellent tips in it).

Then a pal I used to work with phoned and we had a good chat about her new job which, after a wobbly start, she is now enjoying which is great news.

Rang the third roofing contractor who came out to give us a quote two weeks ago and who still hasn’t sent it. The receptionist confirmed that she hadn’t typed it and didn’t recognise the name or the house address (frankly I feel like totally discounting them now as if they can’t even manage to get a quote out – what hope is there for doing a competent job on our roof!).

Soggy Sunday

Didn’t venture out at all day because of the rain – spent the day house tidying, reading and watching the box. Peter went out to get the papers and came back with some shopping bargains and some delicious ice-cream.

Shopping and Slobbing

Funny old day. Went to Marks and Spencers this morning to get there as soon as it opened at 8.00am. I bought a skirt a few weeks ago to wear to interviews but decided I don't really like it and never did wear it to my last interview. Anyway, I managed to swap the £39.50 skirt for 6 T-Shirts and a summer Skirt (not bad at all!).

When I got back I watched The Bourne Identity with Peter, after which we decided we should venture outside for a bit - so took our lunch outside to eat - 10 minutes later the heavens opened and we scurried back inside. So it was on to the next film The Bourne Supremacy after which I'm ashamed to say I was really tired - all the work goings on are really knocking me for six I'm finding so I went up to bed and slept for 2 hours. When I awoke the rain was still hammering it down so we watched Paycheck which was another thriller.

I actually cooked something from scratch for tea - mince and onions and fresh cabbage out of the garden - delicious.

During this very rainy day we've also watched a bit of the Glastonbury Festival on TV - I love live music but I draw the line at all the squalor (can you imagine camping in all that mud and I dread to thing what the toilet facilities are like - nope I couldn't cope with that at all - give me a hotel anyday)

I applied for six jobs yesterday (some online) and two applications forms have come in the post today. Oh my god - one of the posts (which has a similar title and salary to my own) is just out of this world from the point of view of what they expect you to do - they need at least 3 people to cover the work they describe in their job description - they might as well call it 'slave wanted'. Needless to say I won't be going for that one!

Early Blog / Short Blog

A very early blog today as I won’t be home much this evening as I’m going to see my friend Wendy who’s 43 today. Happy Birthday Wendy!

Gosh today has been a looooooooooooooooooog day – just had a coffee with some colleagues to break up the afternoon which was fun.

The weather has been amazing – thunder, lightening, sheeting rain – it’s been quite spectacular to watch from my office window. Unfortunately, now Peter and I are gardeners we know all to well that this sort of rain makes the garden grow like mad – especially the lawn – more mowing coming up in the next few days I’d expect. Oh, for a glorious period of intense sun when the grass shrinks away to conserve itself!

Sorry for such a short blog today - there really is nothing to report...................

The new 'proposed' admin structure out today. Now we have the opportunity to say what we think. Then it goes through revisions, if necessary, then job descriptions get released, then people get the opportunity to apply for their own jobs (or other peoples or newly invented posts) then it's interviews and then it will all finally come to an end (by 1 August I believe).

Everyone is so glum around here now, but the situation is also pulling everyone together and a lot of kindness and supportiveness is coming through within the teams. I sat in the meeting when the structure was being announced and thought to myself, I actually like and respect everyone around this table - which is quite something really, particularly as we are quite a large team.

Peter brought the papers home tonight and I have spotted 3 'opportunities' in there so all is not lost and I feel hopeful again.

Our post delivery at home seems a little strange at the moment. We are people who without fail get at least a few items of post every day and over the last 2 weeks we have had 3 or 4 days with 'nothing' which is rather odd. I have a sneaking suspision that our local sorting office is storing up stuff as after a 'non post day' we suddenly get an avalanche. Not good really, particularly when I'm waiting by the mail box like a thing possessed waiting for interview letters to come through. Plus there's the possible strike on 29.06.07 looming of course which will cause a backlog. Ho hum.

The weekend is nearly here and we have 'nothing planned' which is quite unusual so I'm looking forward to that...........

Calm after the storm

Had a good chin wag with a colleague who is leaving in a couple of weeks time (one of the many escapees!) - there are so many leaving cards circulating at the moment it is really hard to keep up. She's a very level headed person and she was able to calm me down after I had to sit through a particularly infuriating meeting this morning (bless her).

This afternoon I was largely left alone to get on with things which was another blessing so I just kept my head down and churned out my minutes and listened to the Travelling Willberies on my computer headphones.

I have made myself up a little plan of what I am going to do if x, y or z happens with my job and now I've done that and made my decision for each scenario I feel a hell of a lot better. It's amazing how much better one feels when you realise that, even if something is out of your immediate control, that you still have choices in the aftermath of that decision that can make you feel empowered again. All very cryptic I know, but all will definitely become clear in the next few weeks.

Fourth call to Sky tonight and STILL not resolved. Got my balshy head on then and threatened to send their box back. A senior techie is now supposed to work on it remotely to try and resolve it and they are refusing point blank to send out an engineer to actually look at our Sky box, phone line etc (what crap service!!!).

Went to Fat Club this evening and I've stayed at exactly the same weight - I didn't expect to lose much as I'd lost so much last week but I did think the stress of this week might have burnt something off (maybe it will show up next week!).

Peter is at Band tonight so I'm about to have a rest now and watch In Cold Blood with the extremely creepy Matthew Kelly in the murderer role (his performance really is chilling).

Thunder Bolts and Lightning

What a day! I can't say too much about work today - but lets just say I read something that concerned myself and my colleagues and it was like receiving a punch in the stomach - for about 2 hours afterwards I was fighting tears but then turned the corner and just got really really angry. That's me you see - I go through a licking my wounds phase but then in a very short space of time I come out fighting. As I drove home from work the sky was black, it was thundering, there was a hot wind blowing and lightening - it so exactly suited my mood is was uncanny - I think I must have summoned Beelzebub himself !!!

When I got home the weather had started to break and the rain was throwing it down - I texted Peter and arranged to pick him up from the station - I couldn't bear to think of him having to walk in such weather. We had a good old chat this evening which helped me to calm down and formulate a sort of strategy for the way forward if certain things happen at work.

Had my third conversation with Sky TV tonight and still they haven't rectified the problem and I feel like a parrot repeating the same old thing to each different operator. I now have to wait 'another' 24 hrs to see if they have cured it this time.

Sky's the Limit

So on Sunday we decided to watch a film from Sky Box Office but when we punched in our access code a message came up saying 'credit limit reached'. Now since having Sky installed in January we have been debited £15 a month for the service but have never been billed any extra for the movies we rent. Apparently they give you a certain amount of credit balance and each movie should be charged to our phone bill WRONG! So we couldn't see the movie and we have a nice large bill to look forward to. I phoned Sky twice today - once before I went to work at 6.45am (I figure I might actually get through at this time) and again at 4.30pm when I got home. Anyway, after going through the usual unplugging of box, using the remote to find hidden menu's etc it still isn't working but I've been told to leave it 24 hrs to see if it rectifies (hmmm, how much confidence do I have in that happening? not a lot). So tomorrow at 4.30pm I will give it a go.

Peter is being messed about at work (it's one big club in our house really). He recently had a job evaluation where everyone in the Council has had to basically write down everything they do in their job (hmm, shouldn't his employers already know this?). Anyway, now each of the 1,000's of employees have received no less than 9 pieces of paper in an envelope telling them how many 'points' they have. I immediately said - what do points make? Prizes? Anyway, everyone in Peter's team is going to appeal against their points value - more money for the Consultants running the exercise I dare say - what an absolute waste of time and money. Anyway, if the Council decide to down grade anyone's salary they can't do so for 3 years, so by the time any unhappy employees will have moved on anyway. I'm sure Peter will blog more but I had to get that off my chest too.

Funny Old Day

Woke up to a very black and cloudy sky and toyed with the notion of whether to go to the local car book sale or not. We decided to go and to our surprise there were quite a few stall holders there - so we had a wander around and I bought a Stephen King book and a George Foreman Lean Green Grilling Machine which was 'as new' and cost £4! Afterwards, we stopped and got the papers and then headed home.

After an early lunch of burgers, cooked on the George Foreman of course, we watched a DVD that I'd had for my birthday ages ago. It was Al Gores an 'Inconvenient Truth' and it was very interesting, informative and frightening on what global warming is doing to our planet - gosh, what a better President he would have made than Bush! I did miss a bit towards the end by nodding off (not through boredom but through tiredness - I've been feeling whacked this weekend - probably due to all the stress of last week I guess with interviews and the like).

Phoned Dad to wish him happy Father's day (he had his present last weekend).

This afternoon the weather brightened up considerably and we got out and did a bit of gardening, Peter planted some pumpkins and I mowed the back lawn and Peter later mowed the front - so it looks all lovely and neat (for about a week!).

This evening I'll probably slob out in front of Britains Got Talent and Talk to Me.

Books, Planes & Choc Treats

This morning we went to our favourite second book sale - bought a stack of books and then went to our favourtie charity shop (we know how to live!). Then Peter wanted to see some French planes that were coming over to Popham Airfied, so we shot up there and I waited in the car whilst he had a wander around (he got rather wet!).

We had intended to then head back on the M3 towards home and call in at Costa Coffee at the Services but there were big tail backs so we went a different route and called in at a Garden Centre (that didn't have a coffee shop we discovered - I thought they all did these days!). Anyway then we took a bit of a detour and went to a larger Garden Centre that we had visited before and had a lovely lunch of baked pototoes and mugs of hot chocolate. You were supposed to get cream OR marsh mallow topping on the hot choc but they did us a 'special' and gave us both - yum! The Garden Centre also had a minature railway so we sat and watched that for a bit before heading home.

This afternoon I've been doing a bit of the dreaded housework which just seems to pile up out of no-where, caught up with the papers and delved into my book which I haven't picked up for a week.

This evening we watched Britain's Got Talent (some of the people that they put through to the final round are quite frankly BAD and there were so many more deserving people that could have taken their place). However, the Opera singing Carphone Warehouse employee guy continues to be brilliant.

Oh, had a 'no' letter from one of the jobs I have applied for (not even an interview this time) which is a bit pants as it's another very local company and they were paying loads more than I'm currently earning. However, at least they replied to my application (two other companies haven't even bothered which is very annoying indeed).

Rude People and Fun Weddings

This morning we had a big external meeting on in one of the meeting rooms downstairs which I had helped to organise, ie sorting our guest parking, arranging the lunch, making sure the IT worked etc. Anyway the delegates confirmed to me the exact number for lunch the day before, including a veggie option delivered to the meeting room for 12.30pm. So, when I went downstairs at 12 O'clock today to check everything was ok and discovered that they had all left because their meeting had finished early I was just amazed. How can people be so inconsiderate and rude? Not to mention the waste of food which I ended up hawking round the corridors to try and get rid of it.

The afternoon was much better - I was going to be on my own all afternoon but then one of the many consultants we have in at the moment came in and asked to use the desk opposite me for the afternoon. Compared to some consultants who, what can I say, don't have much of a sense of humour - he broke the rule and we had some interesting conversations. He told me he is getting married in three weeks so I was obviously interested in what sort of 'do' he and his partner are having - as Peter and I have been engaged since Christmas Eve 2003 and still haven't got around to arranging our own. Anyway, hows this for a novel wedding. Bob and his partner are starting the day with a trip to the registry office in a gypsy caravan. After the small ceremony it's down to the village pub to be joined by loads of guests. Then a pagan 'hand fasting' ceremony which involves jumping over a broom and stuff. Then whilst a hog roast is cooking there is an Elvis inpersonate and a bucking bronko for everyone to ride on amongst other things - oh and everyone is required to dress up in medievil costume - how cool is all that!

I started look at wedding venues and came up with this one http://www.cleywindmill.co.uk/cley-windmill-gallery.htm but it probably doesn't cater for enough people unless we kept the guest list amazingly small. This one also looked amazing http://www.forbetterforworse.co.uk/venues/friday-island.shtml (but so were the prices - sorry but £37.50 per head just for the buffet is a little steep isn't it?

Excel - lent

After yesterdays frantic goings on – today has been more of an oasis of calm by comparison. I woke up at the unearthly hour of 5 O’clock and thought I might as well get up so trotted downstairs to find that Peter had brought home some flowers the previous evening (I was in the land of coma when he got home so didn’t really register much and just managed a grunt of hello). Anyway, that was a nice start to the day. By way of a thank you I made his sandwiches to take to work.

Got into work dead early to tackle some work before I went on a training course but was foiled, yet again, as my boss was already in and kept interrupting by chatting and talking about new work which I think is a little unfair as I had specifically come in early to ‘catch up’ not to have more stuff piled on me before my official work start time. Anyway, managed to tidy a fair bit up by 9.30am and then it was off across the campus to attend my Excel intermediate training course. It was great – the others attending were all people I like and we even had a ‘proper’ coffee break half way through in the college restaurant – pure bliss! I learnt loads and lots and lots of ‘save time’ tips. I should receive some notes via email later which I intend to keep for ever as they contain lots of useful formulae and the like.

This evening we have our fortnightly shop and then we’ll be catching up on last night’s Springwatch and trying to cram in tonight’s too. Looking forward to not having to do much actually (hence my earlier than usual blog). This week’s been too busy.

A full day

Arrived at the interview about 10 minutes early and was seen a bit early too which was a bonus. Was interviewed by two potential bosses in a room with a huge board table in it - me sat one side and both of them the other (felt like I was in an episode of The Apprentice). Anyway, as I'd already had the preliminary interview to talk about my skills, the salary etc etc - this one was largely them telling me about the company itself, what my job would be etc etc. The more I heard the more I wanted the job. I asked what I hoped were intelligent questions and really underlined my previous history of working within the construction industry as a Secretary/Administrator for 16 years. The interview lasted about 45 minutes and I came away feeling that I really couldn't have done any better - so that's it now - I've done all I can and I just have to wait and see if I've been successful. They said they would let me know by Friday so I will be on tenterhooks until then. Words cannot express how much I want this job so it's difficult to think about anything else.

I whizzed straight into work afterwards and couldn't find a darn parking space (it's student interview day so the car parks were packed). Ended up parking on a yellow chevron area - sorry but if I can't flipping well park I can't come in - so tough luck if anyone minded!. Anyway, dashed into the office with 15 minutes to spare before the meeting I minute was due to start so had time for a quick breather. My opposite number had a very near miss row with her boss this morning so was bursting to 'offload' when I got in. She'd just been really brave and tried to tell him that lots of staff were really unhappy etc etc and he had taken it as a sign of disloyalty and gone white with anger apparently. Not many people would have the guts to say it and, as usual, the messenger gets shot. Unfortunately I couldn't be that supportive as I had to dash across to minute my meeting and by the time I had got back she'd taken half a days scheduled leave. We should have a chance to talk tomorrow I hope.

Dashed home at 4.00pm and tidied round a bit until the roofing contractor turned up to do our third, and final, quote for the roof. He was a bit aloof frankly (the sort that doesn't think a woman knows a thing about anything to do with building - wrong! I'm a builders daughter after all). Anyway, I do have to say he was thorough so we'll just have to see what his quote comes in at.

Finally, it was off to Fat Club at 6.30pm as I'd missed the Monday session and joy of joys I have lost 4lbs!!!! So that's 2 stone and 6.5 lbs now - I'm really rather proud of myself.

Peter has gone off to Band Practice and I'll be settling down to watch the final of The Apprentice which should be fab.

I feel like I've achieved a lot today - lets just hope my end of week ends up on an equally positive note.

Result!

God I was in a bad mood this morning, bemoaning how I had put so much time and effort into CV's only not to hear at all from three companies and the one I had heard from, not letting me know if I had a second interview. I was just in the process of compiling an email to the latter company to say, "I presume I haven't been successful but could you confirm", when miracle of miracle at 1pm an email came through inviting me to an interview at 9.00am tomorrow (nothing like a good bit of notice for me to get time off work then!). However, I am thrilled. When I rang up to confirm I had the cheak to ask how many other candidates I was up against (it's 3 apparently - 2 who could start right away and another, like me, who would have to give a months notice). Sort of wish I hadn't found out that last bit of info really as I think I will be at a disadvantage. Nevertheless I'm hopefully going to give a good interview, I don't get nervous at interviews anymore which is a bit strange. The only thing I'm nervous about is failing to secure the job cos I really really want it!

This evening the heavens have opened and the garden has just had a much needed soaking. I'm just going to do a bit more research online on my potential employer and then I'll settle down to watch Springwatch and try not to think about tomorrow morning too much (which will be hard as I'm really hyped and raring to go!).

Watch this space as they say!

Moaning Minny

Today was not good at all – came into work early and discovered there had been a power cut at the weekend so none of the servers had been rebooted so my computer home drive, internet and email were down until ICT deemed to come in at about 9.00am. I have been saying for ages there should be a rota so that the IT systems are always covered and some sort of ‘call out’ in operation at weekends but so far no one has done anything and we suffer the same problems every time.

The second annoyance of the day was the third roofing quote guy saying it couldn’t make it this evening to visit our home and give us a quote and could we make it Wednesday – I reluctantly agreed but Wednesday is the worst night of the week for us so frankly it’s not really convenient – his firm have got a black mark before they even put pen to paper I’m afraid.

There were loads of meetings going on in our adjoining offices today that people were crowding into our office and standing gassing around our coffee machine – which meant that a) I could hardly get to my chair b) I couldn’t hear myself think c) they kept bumping the back of my chair – very rude and very annoying.

Had to work a bit late to finish off a structure chart and that meant I missed my Weight Watchers class so I will have to go to the repeat on Wednesday now so that’s another thing buggering Wednesday night up.

Finally, when I got home the niggle in my back that had been lurking all day started seriously hurting and so I was hobbling about and I am also worried about not hearing about the job interview I went for last week. I have thought about it a lot and have decided I really really want it – so I’m going to be gutted if I don’t get called for the second interview this week.

What a day of moans indeed – I was in such a bad mood. The only nice thing was that Peter looked after me at home and we watched Springwatch and Britains got Talent together which was nice. Hopefully I will be in a better frame of mind tomorrow.

Selling and Sunshine

Today we went off to Popham Airfield to try and make some money on our stall. From the outset it was burning hot and despite slapping on the greasy sunscreen I've still come home with a shiny hooter darn it! It was a quiet day at Popham, not many aircraft flying in - despite that though we took £42 which isn't bad.

We left the airfield at about 3.15pm as some rain clouds were moving overhead and in fact we got caught in a shower on the way home. However, at home everything was bone dry and no sign of rain. I had a shower as I was a sweaty mess and then curled up on the bed to read some more of Shadow of the Wind which is brilliant - it's totally drawn me in and I can visualise all of the characters and the scenes like they were in front of me - terrific descriptions. I'm only a quarter way through and really don't want this book to end. About an hour into my reading I nodded off for about half an hour before waking up and realising I should put something in the oven for tea - afternoon naps at my age, I don't know!

This evening we shall be watching Britain's got Talent for a laugh. Last night there was an hilarious guy with a miming toy monkey and a mobile phone salesman who wandered on the stage and who looked like he was going to embarrass himself and then opened his mouth and sang like Pavarotti (I had a tear in my eye during that one) - he got a standing ovation and you could tell, it was his dream come true just for that 5 minutes of recognition of what he could do that set him apart from his normal life. There's also a new drama on starring Max Beazley which looks pretty good (although not Peter's cup of tea).

It's been a good weekend but could do with another day off to recover from the busyness of it all.

Family Day

Today is my dad's 73rd birthday - happy birthday dad. Mum and dad came around at about 11.30am and we sat in the garden and I gave dad his present (a huge canvas garden umbrella which mum had tipped me off that he wanted). We had lunch (fish cakes, salad and minted new potatoes - followed by strawberries and cream) and then drove up to Lakeside Country Park and had a walk around there and came across a very cute family of geese (including 7 baby goslings). For once, I'd actually remembered to bring some stale bread so we had fun feeding them and got really close to them. Lakeside has a great little train that runs around the park so we sat for a while watching people jumping on and off that and had an ice-cream (diet not doing well today!).

When we got back we sat in the garden and mum helped us with The Times Crossword (the quick clues which were actually really difficult!) which we managed to complete with some Internet cheating and I'll be sending it off to try and win some Inspector Morse DVD's. Had tea in the garden and gave dad an early Fathers day present (a huge Yorkie bar) and card as we probably won't see them next weekend. Mum and dad went home around 7.00pm and I've just been making our sandwiches in readiness for going up to Popham Airfield tomorrow where we will be running our stall. Peter is also getting organised and I can hear him loading up the car which will save us a lot of time and effort in the morning.

Going to watch the new Ant and Dec Talent show tonight which should be something light and fluffy to watch!

IT Stress

I knew today was going to be a hassle day and it truly was. There was a large meeting of all the local College Principals going on at 9 O'clock, at 10 O'clock this group turned into splinter groups who went to other smaller meetings around the College, all running simultaneously. It starting going wrong at about 9.15 when the secretary of one of the attendees phoned to ask if the college had 'another' room for yet another meeting to take place - so I had to find an unoccupied classroom (somewhat difficult during exam time) and arrange catering etc. Then I went over to one of the other rooms to check that the IT equipment had been set up correctly by our ICT department - it hadn't! I got there at 9.30am (meeting due to start at 10.00am) and IT guy was there still fiddling with the laptop - when I asked if the Internet connection was working he said "oh, I didn't know you wanted that" - arhhhh it was booked weeks ago! Anyway 20 minutes later and he still hadn't got it working. Then at 10 minutes before the meeting was due to start, and with the delegates starting to come into the room, the ICT guy checks the wireless connection box on the wall and discovers a major component and wire has been ripped out (presumed stolen). Off charges IT guy and returns with metal briefcase containing wire and pliers - at this point I was more than a little concerned as nearly all the delegates had arrived and they were looking a bit anxious to - at 10.02am he got it working - eureka. When I got back to my office it took me about an hour to calm down .......... Luckily the rest of the day was much calmer and I got through a heap of dreaded filing.

Got home around 5 ish and had tea with Peter, after which we both blitzed the house and garden. One and a half hours later we had cracked it and settled down with a smug glow and watched a taped episode of Springwatch which we enjoyed loads as usual. A pity the footage of the wonderful Glasgow foxes is coming to an end though.

Fell into bed far too early - tired but pleased with things achieved today.

Frazzlement

Had an interview this afternoon which went very well indeed. I met with the existing post holder who did the preliminary interview and if I’m successful I’ll get an interview with the bosses next week. The job will be very very busy (the signs were all there when I saw the job description!) and I would be working for 6 bosses of varying seniority plus receiving enquiries from site staff. The office is quite small (probably 6 admin people I think) and in a lovely old building and it is only 3 miles from home – money is more etc – so, all in all, a good job I think and I could see myself working there – just have to wait and see what happens now.

When I got home I was still a bit ‘hyped’ – for some reason, getting through interviews gives me a buzz. Anyway, manically mowed and strimmed the lawn in about an hour flat which wore me out a bit and brought me back down to earth.

Caught up on watching a Springwatch programme we had taped and also The Apprentice which was fab. The evil Katie has gone at last – hoorah!!!

Went to bed pretty exhausted…………… what a week! And we have my parents coming for lunch on Saturday so there will be manic tidying and cleaning going on tomorrow night to add to my frazzled state.

Friends and films

Another busy day at work – not too much time to think about anything really which is a GOOD thing!

Dashed off pronto after work into Andover to pick up Wendy and Julie and then it was off to Basingstoke to see the film we had chosen Zodiac. It was based on a real serial killer who went on a killing spree in the United States in the late 1960’s / 1970’s and the police’s attempts to capture him (he liked to leave encoded clues and always kept one step ahead). I won’t spoil it by saying the outcome but the film was excellent largely because of the brill actors and also the accuracy of the period. Remember the days when the Police had to pull their cars to the side of the road to use phone boxes to call into the Station and offices relied on telex and fax.

The cinema was pretty empty – only about 10 people in there which is how we like it. When we got back to Wendy’s I was starving having not eaten since 1.30pm and it being 9.30pm so we raided her fridge. Got home at about 11.00am and just fell into bed.

Frantic Tuesday

Wow - what a busy day today was! So much happening. Work was very busy so hardly got time to breath. Then I received an email asking me for an interview for one of the posts I have applied for (RESULT!), now I just have to sell myself.

When I got home suddenly had a panic moment as I realised I 'didn't have a thing to wear' to said interview. Utter rubbish of course, I've got loads of clothes, but everything seems either too summery and not formal enough or formal and would be too hot to wear. On the spur of the moment I drove down to my nearest large M&S in the hope of walking in and bagging the right outfit without a problem. WRONG! I spent two hours in there just wandering around - everything was either lovely but not in my size, lovely and right size but wrong length, jackets were ALL the fashionable 'end at the waist' style - no hip length ones to be seen - I could go on! Eventually I found something that is smart and will do the job but I wished I 'loved' it a little more - I just didn't have time to go anywhere else.

Got home around 9.30pm with apologies to Peter who had got a little worried I think and I'd forgotten to take my phone. We sat and watched our hedgehogs who had just come out to feed (we are not sure but we think we now have three). As well as their usual unsalted peanuts; we had bought them a treat of some proper hedgehog food (which looks and smells basically like cat food). Anyway, they munched away on the nuts but only briefly sniffed at the new food and turned their noses up and moved along - ungrateful little critters me thinks - bless em!

Didn't sleep very well and got up at 5.00am !!! Just too excited about possible future prospects I guess.

Clumsy

Today started off badly, my bag of stuff I bring to work fell off the kitchen table and scattered everywhere - then I stubbed my toe on a chair and when I got into work I promptly jammed our photocopier and had to call out an Engineer! Me thinks I wasn't really awake this morning!

Work was pretty much 'as usual' so not going to comment too much on that for now. Went to Weight Watchers on my way home and 'disaster' I had PUT ON 2lbs!!! That's the first gain since January - I told Peter when I got home and he gave me the 'knowing eye' meaning "what do you expect when you ate ice cream at the weekend and chocolate biscuits". He's right of course, so it's back to counting all the Points and writing everything down for me. Determined to get back on track by losing the 2lbs I have gained and a bit more by next Monday.

Peter had been very kind and bought me two books from W H Smiths today as part of The Times offer, but unfortunately I already had them both. Never mind, we are going to put them on readitswapit to see if I can get a good swap for them.

We watched Spring Watch this evening - it's nice to find a programme that we both enjoy and can watch together. It's not all fluffy creatures though - the owls are cannibals and are eating their smaller brothers and sisters 'live' - nature at its cruelest!

Bands and the Red Panda!

We both sat in the garden all morning, me reading my book and Peter on the laptop. Peter made us scrambled eggs on toast for lunch - yum - why do things always taste better when someone else makes them for you I wonder.

After lunch I got a bit bored, I don't usually suffer from boredom but in the last few weeks I have suffered two bouts of it. Peter is starting to recognise the signs now - the fidgeting about, asking how long he's going to be with whatever he's doing and generally getting on my own nerves really (let alone Peter's!). Anyway, Peter suggested we go out and finish the geocache we started yesterday so I decided that sounded like a good plan. So back we went to Romsey and had a lovely walk alongside the water mill and across the water meadows. The cache was located across a field up quite a steep incline so that was a bit tough going on a hot day but we made it.

We had parked the car alongside the park that we had discovered yesterday and there had been a brass band playing in the really quaint band stand when we arrived but sadly they had packed up when we got back to the car. We still sat in the park for a while though and read the papers. It really is a beautiful park with a bowling green, a permanent kiosk for ice-creams and drinks and loos (the park warden was just locking up the loo's and came across to ask if we wanted to 'go' before he locked them up - it really was like going back to a politer era sitting in that park).

We got back and flopped in front of the box to watch a new BBC programme about village fetes. I love village shows and try to go along to the one in the village where I was brought up every year. I'm hoping Peter will enter some vegetables this year - it would be great to win a prize.

Peter has just walked in the front room and called me 'panda eyes' - I have been out in the sun rather a lot today with my sunglasses on so I think I must have some white patches. Oh well, I'd rather have a bit of colour than not.

Not looking forward to work tomorrow - this weekend I haven't really thought about it at all which has been great.

I've started reading Shadow of the Wind and so far it's great.

A Mixed Day

As Peter has put in his blog we had planned on doing lots of things today, most importantly visiting Peter's mums grave but were prevented from doing so as the roads in the area were gridlocked due to an accident on the M27. Such a shame for Peter, I'm very lucky to have both my parents still around and in good health and it made me think about how grateful I should be about that.

We made the best of the situation and got as far as Romsey and had a wander around the town, ate our lunch in the grounds of the Abbey, and then did a bit of geocaching. On route we discovered a park we did't know existed which was a nice surprise.

We then headed back home, gave the grass a mow and then relaxed in the garden. It's been really hot today - 29 degrees!

Watched the 2nd episode of the Scarecrow Doctor Who tonight and I've finished my Joanna Trollop book so time to pick up a new read - think I'm going to choose Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Sun and Songs

Dropped Peter off at the station on my way to work, he's got the day off today and he's gone up to London town.

Work wasn't too bad today - had a nice chat about books with the HR Manager, Clare; we share a passion for books and often compare notes on what to read next. She recommends Winter in Madrid which I've got somewhere in my book pile to read.

Caught up with lots of work today and completed another job application in my lunch hour. It's a local one which, again, would be ideal for me - no mention of salary though so no idea what the pay is.

Had a lovely sunny drive home from work listening to my song of the moment 'Country Girl' by Primal Scream.

Sat in the garden for a bit this evening and then came indoors to catch up on some computer stuff. Peter has just texted to say he is on his way home so not sure whether to get stuck into watching a film or not as he may want me to drive to the station to pick him up - dilemma dilemma