Bank Holiday Weekend

So i worked Saturday through to Sunday morning, kindly my colleague let me leave early as they knew i was going out on Sunday with my brother, wife and baby.

Off we headed to Ragley Hall, the intention being to see the hot air balloons, grounds and house. The day didn't pan out as expected, we decided to do the house first, what a farce:

Couldn't find a pram friendly entrance and ended up having to go round the back and ask kitchen staff, apparently there is a lift that has to be requested from the main entrance.
I left Dave, Lisa and Beatrice behind and went in, and was greeted by a very posh (and rude) elderly woman who when i asked for the lift screwed up her face and was obviously so put out by me asking that she stated there would be a long wait - we were prepared to wait.
Then i asked if we actually were able to take a pushchair round, the scorn and disgust was apparent on the woman's face, she told me no, it was a family home, pushchairs had to be left in the area where she was - i advised we were not prepared to leave the pram ( it is expensive, we had baby accessories, coats, cameras etc) carrying a 4 week old baby is not appropriate. She then told me that she couldn't make one rule for me and another for everyone else - i stated that wasn't what i was asking - at this point i noticed a woman in an electric wheelchair - so they're allowed then. !!!
I then asked how i would obtain a refund as we had paid to view a property which was not possible - she then said '' if you want to make an issue of it'' ----------

WOW, this woman was / is rude!

I advised her we wanted a refund, and suggested they advertise properly on their website.

The visitor manager was very apologetic, and did give us a refund and also advised us that on days when it wasn't busy pushchairs were allowed.


Ragley Hall .............not worth the effort !!!!




On Monday I went to Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove, fantastic, peaceful, friendly, informative staff, you must go. WOW

2s company and 3s a crowd

Well what a day,

I work in a small office with 2 colleagues.

Often we are all in the office together all day and i do find it very tiring and difficult. We have all strong and different personalities, to make the team work there has to be a lot of give and take

Sometimes i just want a time out, to get away and be on my own.

My job isnt very stressful and i am under very little pressure, i have worked in far more stressful situations and in large teams but working in such a small team is one of the hardest things to do.

Work, Work and more

I'm so busy at the moment: i work full time Monday to Friday and if I can get work at the weekends then I will also work Saturday and Sunday too. I have just signed on with an agency too so hopefully that will keep the work rolling in. The credit crunch I must admit has put me slightly into panic mode - i have always worked 2 jobs but I'm just trying to line up as many jobs as possible so if need be i can max out the work to survive.

It does mean my social life is not spontaneous and does have to be pencilled into my diary and i have to make sure i don't put extra work always first to the detriment of my friends - its a tough call sometimes when the work mode is switched on i become like a rat in a maze and have tunnel vision.

The work i tend to do is Social Care and hostels, as some the residents are not a problem and quiet this means i can read a book or dip on and off the net whilst keeping an eye on the CCTV and the door open - obviously if someone has a problem they are the focus and the shift then can be tiring and stressful.

I will endeavout to be more regular with my Blogging.

Happy Weekend.

Welcome to the World...

Beatrice Lily............ was born this morning at approximately 1am.

What can i say, except isnt she beautiful?

Mum and baby are fine and I think my brother is in shock, he has stated she has very soft skin,aah and he's held her which was scary as she is so small - Dave is 6ft + and a big guy.

Hasnt she got cheeks that you want to squeeze.

I wont be able to see her until Sunday or next week, thats down to the hospital and I do think its important that they have time with her.

Anyway, here she is

Soon....

Just had a phone call from my brother, Lisa is in hospital her waters have broken and he has been sent home. So she's moving, hopefully there will be a beautiful baby by the morning.

It seems so weird speaking to my baby brother (10yrs my junior) about his baby soon to be born... Wow.

I'm sooo excited

Waiting........................Wishing

My brother David and his wife Lisa are expecting their first baby, she was due yesterday and has yet to make an appearance, we are all waiting.

I believe she will be the only baby for our family, my sister is 40+ and has fertility problems and i am late 30s in a relationship but my partner has been sterilised for 18 years so i don't think there's any likelihood of a baby.

I have been in relationships before and not wanted to have a child with that person, i don't believe that having a child should be considered unless you are with the right person ( obviously 'right changes sometimes ') and until this point i have not been with the right person.

I resigned myself a long time ago that i wouldn't give birth to a child but every now and again when i look into my partners eyes i just wish things could have been different.

This little girl will be so precious and i cannot wait to see her little face and see my brother who is 10 years younger than me, and i still see him as my little brother, as a Dad, a proper grown up !!!!!

The Power of Bed

I have treated myself to some new bedding, 2 quilt covers a luxurious Purple satin and a Sea blue Pin tuck quilt and spare pillows covers and sheets. I love having a fresh new bed with matching quilt and pillows.

There's something so calming about getting into a freshly made bed and rewarding about making a bed, standing back and viewing the luxury.

Anyway getting out of bed now !!!!

Cycling in Tissington: Happy Birthday to me

It was a beautiful day, we hired bikes for 1/2 a day - i was a bit wobbly to start with as i haven't ridden for a long time - sooooo many years.

The ride is slightly up hill but if i could manage it then anyone can - believe me. We cycled about 4 miles to Tissington village, ate a small picnic and cycled back - the way back was all downhill i only had to cycle about 4 times - it was so refreshing and relaxing to hear the birds singing and feel the wind on your face and the smell of wild flowers and the damp sweet smell of the earth .

If you are able ..............treat yourself and take the time to cycle The Tissington Trail.

The Day before........

my birthday, tomorrow i am 39. That means there's only 1 more year until my 40th. I have not worked on my birthday since i started work at 18 so tomorrow i am spending the day with my partner, we're planning to go to Derbyshire, hire bikes and cycles round the Tissington Trail, an old railway track now cleared for walking and cycling.

I hope to take lots of photos and will post them here.

In the evening we're going for a meal - i don't know where somewhere near home and hopefully a bottle of champagne to finish the evening ?

The Public

I've heard so much about the new Art Gallery in West Bromwich that i went across today for the opening weekend. I seemed to get there in between entertainment shows so didn't stay long. I hoped to walk around the gallery however it was by times ticket only and at 1.30pm the next one was at 4.30 - that's a long wait, hence i didn't.

To be honest i felt a little disappointment by the place as much as i saw, and that really wasn't much, i love the overall 'pink' of the place and the reflective surfaces however when it opens properly it will be £6 approx for adults, i wasn't excited enough to think that i will pay to go again. Shame.

The Gym

Went to the gym this evening, its been a while, i had a great workout and don't know why i don't go more - it feels great. I'm getting my bike from my dads tomorrow - it's been wrapped in a shed for hmmmmmmmmmmmm 8 years, so tomorrow the bike is released and will be used !!!!!

The Power of Words

I was on a training course today, the training was good, informative, however during the course of the session the facilitator continually referred to survivors of domestic violence as victims, and the women, when are 'we' going to wake up and realise the power of our words and assumptions?

DV can happen to all sexes and all partnerships, women to man, man to women and man to man and women to women, and those in this position and Survivors NOT Victims.

This isnt a rant about being politically correct, it's a soap box issue of mine that we as individuals have the power to make change by being aware of the language we use and the labels we give.