At last, after a shade over four months we are moving into our new house tomorrrow - I can hardly sit still, I am so excited!!
I am working tomorrow so I am going to pack up my stuff for the rest of the week so I can come home, collect the dog and my stuff and get over to the new house as soon as possible after work tomorrow.
Moral question????
Can I get a sense check from you guys? My boyfriend has been engaged before (15-20 years ago). His parents gave him a dinner service as an engagement present which he still has. I don't want him to bring it to the new house, he says he doesn't like it but he can't get rid of it as his parents paid a lot of money for it and when the engagement was called off his mother asked him to keep it. I'm upset because he doesn't understand why I think it is inappropriate for him to expect me to have it in the house. He says we'll only use it when his parents come but I want us to have something new for both of us. Am I being unreasonable?????
Anyway, I must get to bed, it is late and tomorrow is a big day!!
I will post when I can.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Michael Jackson
Whilst I have never had a lot of time for Michael Jackson in the recent years, I have to admit to being shocked and saddened to hear of his death last night.
He has always struck me as an extremely sad figure who was as much a victim as a perpetrator. When you look at his work in the 70s and 80s you cannot deny his immense talent. However, it appears to me that he was unable to deal with the pressures he experienced from such a young age and this manifested itself in his increasingly bizarre behaviour in the last 10-15 years. It was clear that his grasp on reality got weaker and weaker and he was unable to see and understand how he was being perceived.
I think the true tragedy in all this is how someone's life can be destroyed so totally.
I hope he now rests in peace.
He has always struck me as an extremely sad figure who was as much a victim as a perpetrator. When you look at his work in the 70s and 80s you cannot deny his immense talent. However, it appears to me that he was unable to deal with the pressures he experienced from such a young age and this manifested itself in his increasingly bizarre behaviour in the last 10-15 years. It was clear that his grasp on reality got weaker and weaker and he was unable to see and understand how he was being perceived.
I think the true tragedy in all this is how someone's life can be destroyed so totally.
I hope he now rests in peace.
Crazy 24 hours!
Well, I'm sitting at home feeling rather tender after having another episode with my cyst. This was an extremely bad episode which ended up with me being admitted to hospital over night.
It all happened so quickly it was unbelieveable. I had a friend round for coffee earlier in the evening, she left at about 8.30 and I started to feel a bit uncomfortable and then felt clammy and sick and it quickly developed into an extremely painful episode. I phoned my boyfriend who was at home - 40 miles away! At first I said I would see how it went and then I rang him again 10 minutes later and he said he was on his way over. In the meantime, I called the out of hours GP. I had to wait for them to call me back. I was feeling very frightened and knew it would take my boyfriend 45 minutes to get here so I called some very close friends of the family who live 15 minutes away and have a key so they came over. The out of hours GP said they wanted me to come into the walk-in centre. By this time my boyfriend had arrived and he drove me to the walk in centre following our friends who knew the way - I have to mention here how I now hate speed bumps with a passion, every one of them caused me further agony! The doctor at the walk-in centre referred me straight to the hospital as she was concerned that the cyst had ruptured or twisted. By the time I got to the ward the worst of it was over but I was still feeling very sore. I didn't sleep a wink all night as it was so noisy. This morning they did another scan which showed the cyst was still intact so there was no need to bring my operation forward.
I feel much better but rather shell-shocked and still a bit tender. This was the worst episode I have had with the cyst so I am really glad that the operation is only two weeks away!
It all happened so quickly it was unbelieveable. I had a friend round for coffee earlier in the evening, she left at about 8.30 and I started to feel a bit uncomfortable and then felt clammy and sick and it quickly developed into an extremely painful episode. I phoned my boyfriend who was at home - 40 miles away! At first I said I would see how it went and then I rang him again 10 minutes later and he said he was on his way over. In the meantime, I called the out of hours GP. I had to wait for them to call me back. I was feeling very frightened and knew it would take my boyfriend 45 minutes to get here so I called some very close friends of the family who live 15 minutes away and have a key so they came over. The out of hours GP said they wanted me to come into the walk-in centre. By this time my boyfriend had arrived and he drove me to the walk in centre following our friends who knew the way - I have to mention here how I now hate speed bumps with a passion, every one of them caused me further agony! The doctor at the walk-in centre referred me straight to the hospital as she was concerned that the cyst had ruptured or twisted. By the time I got to the ward the worst of it was over but I was still feeling very sore. I didn't sleep a wink all night as it was so noisy. This morning they did another scan which showed the cyst was still intact so there was no need to bring my operation forward.
I feel much better but rather shell-shocked and still a bit tender. This was the worst episode I have had with the cyst so I am really glad that the operation is only two weeks away!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ups and downs!!
Well, it has been an interesting few days!
The interview went okay, they weren't too hard on me, but my presentation overran (seriously!!) and I know some of my answers weren't great. It was no surprise to be told today that I didn't get it - to be totally honest my first emotion was relief as I think the job was going to be a nightmare (the reason I didn't apply for it in the first place)!
I would be absolutely fine with that if it wasn't for the fact that the temp has been told she hasn't been ruled out of the running although they have decided to 'benchmark' her against external candidates, ie they are going to interview other people before they decide! The feeling on the team is that they are stringing her on until her contract runs out in three weeks as she has been saying how she finishes this Tuesday and they hadn't issued her with written notice so they would have to pay it in lieu. The feeling is they want to make sure she continues to work while they are paying her. Oddly enough, she was verbally issued with notice last week and handed it in writing today during her outcome meeting. It makes no sense whatsoever, this woman is seriously bad - she hasn't got a clue!! I can cope with not getting the job but to be told she is the better candidate is an almighty kick in the teeth - I wish they'd just left me alone, I didn't want the damn job in the first place! My dilemma is what I do if she does get it, I honestly don't think I can work with her!
Anyway, it is not all bad news, we have a moving in date!!! We are moving in a week today on 1st July. The sale on my boyfriend's house completes on 3rd. I am so excited! At least now I can enjoy my new home and not have to worry about charging about the country for the foreseeable future.
Also, I think the last few days have been good for weight loss - I can hardly eat a thing and I've been running to the loo every five minutes!!
The interview went okay, they weren't too hard on me, but my presentation overran (seriously!!) and I know some of my answers weren't great. It was no surprise to be told today that I didn't get it - to be totally honest my first emotion was relief as I think the job was going to be a nightmare (the reason I didn't apply for it in the first place)!
I would be absolutely fine with that if it wasn't for the fact that the temp has been told she hasn't been ruled out of the running although they have decided to 'benchmark' her against external candidates, ie they are going to interview other people before they decide! The feeling on the team is that they are stringing her on until her contract runs out in three weeks as she has been saying how she finishes this Tuesday and they hadn't issued her with written notice so they would have to pay it in lieu. The feeling is they want to make sure she continues to work while they are paying her. Oddly enough, she was verbally issued with notice last week and handed it in writing today during her outcome meeting. It makes no sense whatsoever, this woman is seriously bad - she hasn't got a clue!! I can cope with not getting the job but to be told she is the better candidate is an almighty kick in the teeth - I wish they'd just left me alone, I didn't want the damn job in the first place! My dilemma is what I do if she does get it, I honestly don't think I can work with her!
Anyway, it is not all bad news, we have a moving in date!!! We are moving in a week today on 1st July. The sale on my boyfriend's house completes on 3rd. I am so excited! At least now I can enjoy my new home and not have to worry about charging about the country for the foreseeable future.
Also, I think the last few days have been good for weight loss - I can hardly eat a thing and I've been running to the loo every five minutes!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Why am I putting myself through this?!!
I've had a lovely weekend.
We got to Exeter at about 2.30, the hotel was lovely. I did a bit of work on my presentation and then we went downstairs for a coffee and a cake. While we were there, some of the others arrived and we ended up drinking in the bar and catching up on the last five years - it was lovely! We had a great meal with everyone and then I walked back to the hotel - it was quite a distance for me but I did it without too much discomfort, which is a BIG step forward for me.
Today, we got up late as the blackout blinds were a bit too effective! We drove to Scorriton which is where some friends of my boyfriend have bought a pub. It was great to see them as we haven't seen them for almost two years. We stopped for lunch which was delicious and then we left to come home at about 2pm.
When I got home I looked at my presentation again and am now in a major panic that I've got it all wrong and they are going to think I am completely inept! I have two versions of my presentation, one a shorter version of the other with an extra slide. My stomach is turning somersaults. I don't really want the damn job if I'm honest so why am I putting myself through this?
I just have to grit my teeth and get on with it - hope I don't make a total idiot of myself and that they decide not to appoint either of us!! Mind you, then I will be cheesed off that I am not good enough!!
I just want to run away........!!!!!!!!!!!!
We got to Exeter at about 2.30, the hotel was lovely. I did a bit of work on my presentation and then we went downstairs for a coffee and a cake. While we were there, some of the others arrived and we ended up drinking in the bar and catching up on the last five years - it was lovely! We had a great meal with everyone and then I walked back to the hotel - it was quite a distance for me but I did it without too much discomfort, which is a BIG step forward for me.
Today, we got up late as the blackout blinds were a bit too effective! We drove to Scorriton which is where some friends of my boyfriend have bought a pub. It was great to see them as we haven't seen them for almost two years. We stopped for lunch which was delicious and then we left to come home at about 2pm.
When I got home I looked at my presentation again and am now in a major panic that I've got it all wrong and they are going to think I am completely inept! I have two versions of my presentation, one a shorter version of the other with an extra slide. My stomach is turning somersaults. I don't really want the damn job if I'm honest so why am I putting myself through this?
I just have to grit my teeth and get on with it - hope I don't make a total idiot of myself and that they decide not to appoint either of us!! Mind you, then I will be cheesed off that I am not good enough!!
I just want to run away........!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Busy Bee!!
Well, despite taking today as a flex day, this is the first chance I've had to blog!
I have been working hard all day on my presentation and also having my hair coloured. Of course there is also the abundance of time I have wasted playing Bejewelled Blitz on Facebook - OMG that game is seriously addictive!
My interview is on Monday. The presentation is all but done, I just need to put the finishing touches to it. We are away tomorrow night in Exeter so I have printed it off to take with me so I can make notes. I just hope I'm barking up the right tree, otherwise I've wasted a day's flex!
I am really looking forward to tomorrow, we are meeting up with some people I used to work with a few years ago. Some of them, I haven't seen for four or five years. We are also staying in a nice hotel.
I don't think I have given you a health update recently. I am booked in to have my cyst removed on 13th July. There was much tooing and froing about whether my band needed to be emptied. The nurse at the Obesity Service said it was up to the anaethetist and he said it was up to them!! Eventually, I had a long discussion with the anaethetist and he said it was not really an issue and he was happy for it to remain inflated. The only risk is of vomiting and that is quite low. I'm quite glad really as Bertie seems to be doing his stuff at the moment - I seem to have had quite a big loss in the last week or so, but it is hard to judge on my parents scales as they are not digital and they weigh me lighter than my own anyway so I have to adjust the figure! I really can't wait to be in our new house, for lots of reasons including having my own scales to weigh on!
The house is looking good, we have got the new staircase in - WHOHOO!! I haven't seen it completed yet but it was looking great last night when it was only half done. My boyfriend was pleased with it and he tends to keep things low-key so it must be good!
Have a good weekend!
I have been working hard all day on my presentation and also having my hair coloured. Of course there is also the abundance of time I have wasted playing Bejewelled Blitz on Facebook - OMG that game is seriously addictive!
My interview is on Monday. The presentation is all but done, I just need to put the finishing touches to it. We are away tomorrow night in Exeter so I have printed it off to take with me so I can make notes. I just hope I'm barking up the right tree, otherwise I've wasted a day's flex!
I am really looking forward to tomorrow, we are meeting up with some people I used to work with a few years ago. Some of them, I haven't seen for four or five years. We are also staying in a nice hotel.
I don't think I have given you a health update recently. I am booked in to have my cyst removed on 13th July. There was much tooing and froing about whether my band needed to be emptied. The nurse at the Obesity Service said it was up to the anaethetist and he said it was up to them!! Eventually, I had a long discussion with the anaethetist and he said it was not really an issue and he was happy for it to remain inflated. The only risk is of vomiting and that is quite low. I'm quite glad really as Bertie seems to be doing his stuff at the moment - I seem to have had quite a big loss in the last week or so, but it is hard to judge on my parents scales as they are not digital and they weigh me lighter than my own anyway so I have to adjust the figure! I really can't wait to be in our new house, for lots of reasons including having my own scales to weigh on!
The house is looking good, we have got the new staircase in - WHOHOO!! I haven't seen it completed yet but it was looking great last night when it was only half done. My boyfriend was pleased with it and he tends to keep things low-key so it must be good!
Have a good weekend!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Happy Birthday Dear Blog!!!
Never mind a week going by in the blink of an eye, it is a year today since I started this blog - how the hell did that happen!!
It is great to have a record of my journey over the last year, I enjoy reading back to how I was feeling a few months ago.
Thank you to all of you who read my blog - I'm so sorry it has got a bit sparse lately, I promise I will post more frequently once we move in and things settle down into a proper routine.
Thank you especially to those of you who submit comments to my posts - I love getting your feedback, suggestions and ideas so please feel free to comment away!
Here's to the next year!!
It is great to have a record of my journey over the last year, I enjoy reading back to how I was feeling a few months ago.
Thank you to all of you who read my blog - I'm so sorry it has got a bit sparse lately, I promise I will post more frequently once we move in and things settle down into a proper routine.
Thank you especially to those of you who submit comments to my posts - I love getting your feedback, suggestions and ideas so please feel free to comment away!
Here's to the next year!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Another week romps by!
Well, I've blinked and another week has gone by - I just don't know where the time is going at the moment.
The house is looking good - the carpet is perfect, I am absolutely thrilled with it. When I got to see it on Friday, my boyfriend had (without telling me) got his mate to come over and they had moved all the furniture in so it looked amazing - I just can't wait to move in.
I had a fantastic time with his mum shopping on Saturday. We got to the mall just after 10 and didn't leave until gone 3 - the time just flew by! I've ordered the curtains but the material is out of stock so there is going to be a slight delay.
The stairs are going in Thursday/Friday, they were supposed to start tomorrow but there is a slight delay.
We are away this weekend otherwise I think we would have moved in but it is imminent now.
Work is busy, my interview for the team leader role is next Monday with the Head of HR and Director of Employee Relations - no pressure there then!! I have to do a presentation with a question and answer session for 30 minutes and then a 60 minute competency based interview. The other permanent member of staff has withdrawn due to her pregnancy so it appears to be between me and the temp. I think she has dealt herself a fatal blow as she had to do an update with the Head of HR yesterday and I don't think she prepared properly (a huge mistake with this woman!), she must have got a roasting as she came out looking on the absolute verge of tears. I almost felt sorry for her but she is really bad at not preparing for meetings/phone calls. She was off today to attend an interview with another company. I feel quite ambivalent about it, I feel as though I had to apply for the role or risk being overlooked in the future. I am anxious about how the role will develop so I almost hope they don't appoint either of us and go external - mind you they have just declared a recruitment freeze which would make that virtually impossible!
I have to work on the presentation over the next few evenings as we are away for Saturday night - meeting up with some work colleagues for a reunion, haven't seen some of them in four years, should be fun!
My poor mum is finding it hard being so far away, I had a phone call tonight at 6pm (that is 1am their time!!) to find out how the interview went - bless her! Originally, we were told it would be today or tomorrow.
Bertie is being a bit of a bugger, I am struggling to eat much, it must be the stress. Let's hope that equals weight loss!
The house is looking good - the carpet is perfect, I am absolutely thrilled with it. When I got to see it on Friday, my boyfriend had (without telling me) got his mate to come over and they had moved all the furniture in so it looked amazing - I just can't wait to move in.
I had a fantastic time with his mum shopping on Saturday. We got to the mall just after 10 and didn't leave until gone 3 - the time just flew by! I've ordered the curtains but the material is out of stock so there is going to be a slight delay.
The stairs are going in Thursday/Friday, they were supposed to start tomorrow but there is a slight delay.
We are away this weekend otherwise I think we would have moved in but it is imminent now.
Work is busy, my interview for the team leader role is next Monday with the Head of HR and Director of Employee Relations - no pressure there then!! I have to do a presentation with a question and answer session for 30 minutes and then a 60 minute competency based interview. The other permanent member of staff has withdrawn due to her pregnancy so it appears to be between me and the temp. I think she has dealt herself a fatal blow as she had to do an update with the Head of HR yesterday and I don't think she prepared properly (a huge mistake with this woman!), she must have got a roasting as she came out looking on the absolute verge of tears. I almost felt sorry for her but she is really bad at not preparing for meetings/phone calls. She was off today to attend an interview with another company. I feel quite ambivalent about it, I feel as though I had to apply for the role or risk being overlooked in the future. I am anxious about how the role will develop so I almost hope they don't appoint either of us and go external - mind you they have just declared a recruitment freeze which would make that virtually impossible!
I have to work on the presentation over the next few evenings as we are away for Saturday night - meeting up with some work colleagues for a reunion, haven't seen some of them in four years, should be fun!
My poor mum is finding it hard being so far away, I had a phone call tonight at 6pm (that is 1am their time!!) to find out how the interview went - bless her! Originally, we were told it would be today or tomorrow.
Bertie is being a bit of a bugger, I am struggling to eat much, it must be the stress. Let's hope that equals weight loss!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Life is good!!
Well, lots has happened since I last posted!
Our bedroom has now been decorated and the carpet is being laid tomorrow - WHOHOO!! This means that, theoretically, we could move in! The new staircase is being fitted next week - starting on Wednesday. So I think we will wait until that is in before we move in but I can feel that we are almost there! I am going curtain shopping with my boyfriend's mother on Saturday which will be great - she really knows her stuff.
Work has been full on. I've been in training all week for the new role that we are moving across to as of 1st of July - this is all tied into the restructure that happened at the beginning of the year. I believe the interviews for the promotion will be held next Tuesday or Wednesday. Interestingly, the other permanent member of staff - who I think would do an excellent job - has just announced that she is pregnant and is going to withdraw as she wants to concentrate on other things in the coming months - I don't blame her! So it appears that it is between me and the temp. I've had a lot of positive encouragement from the other team members (who aren't based in Bristol so I don't see very often) - they would be reporting in to me if I got the job.
I had a lovely moment today, one of the team members from Lytham (who had just told me she hoped I got the job!) turned to me as we were waiting in the coffee queue and said 'So, how much weight have you lost?' I nearly kissed her! I don't see her very often - last time was about 6 months ago - so she really noticed but she is the first person who didn't know anything about Bertie to mention it to me so I know for sure now that it is really showing - Bertie rocks!!
It is such a good feeling - I know my weight loss is slow but I am really feeling the benefit. I can walk a lot more comfortably, I don't get so much back ache and I am wearing trousers again in public without feeling like the Michelin man - I am so glad I had this done!
Our bedroom has now been decorated and the carpet is being laid tomorrow - WHOHOO!! This means that, theoretically, we could move in! The new staircase is being fitted next week - starting on Wednesday. So I think we will wait until that is in before we move in but I can feel that we are almost there! I am going curtain shopping with my boyfriend's mother on Saturday which will be great - she really knows her stuff.
Work has been full on. I've been in training all week for the new role that we are moving across to as of 1st of July - this is all tied into the restructure that happened at the beginning of the year. I believe the interviews for the promotion will be held next Tuesday or Wednesday. Interestingly, the other permanent member of staff - who I think would do an excellent job - has just announced that she is pregnant and is going to withdraw as she wants to concentrate on other things in the coming months - I don't blame her! So it appears that it is between me and the temp. I've had a lot of positive encouragement from the other team members (who aren't based in Bristol so I don't see very often) - they would be reporting in to me if I got the job.
I had a lovely moment today, one of the team members from Lytham (who had just told me she hoped I got the job!) turned to me as we were waiting in the coffee queue and said 'So, how much weight have you lost?' I nearly kissed her! I don't see her very often - last time was about 6 months ago - so she really noticed but she is the first person who didn't know anything about Bertie to mention it to me so I know for sure now that it is really showing - Bertie rocks!!
It is such a good feeling - I know my weight loss is slow but I am really feeling the benefit. I can walk a lot more comfortably, I don't get so much back ache and I am wearing trousers again in public without feeling like the Michelin man - I am so glad I had this done!
Friday, June 5, 2009
It's all about perception!!
I just had to share this with you! I went out for a meal last night with my boyfriend and another couple. We went to a lovely Thai restaurant in Cardiff and had two set meals for two. The food was amazing and we were able to have a little bit of everything. Now, I felt I'd absolutely pigged out but on the way home my boyfriend said, I don't think either of them noticed that you hardly ate anything!
It just goes to show how my perception has changed, what I now think is pigging out is not so by other people's standards!
I've been off this week and we have done loads for the house - picking paint, ordering carpet etc, etc. I can see the end (or rather the first post - we have a long way to go before we've completely finished!!) in sight. I reckon we will be in within the next two weeks - as soon as the bedroom carpet is down, we'll be in!!!
It just goes to show how my perception has changed, what I now think is pigging out is not so by other people's standards!
I've been off this week and we have done loads for the house - picking paint, ordering carpet etc, etc. I can see the end (or rather the first post - we have a long way to go before we've completely finished!!) in sight. I reckon we will be in within the next two weeks - as soon as the bedroom carpet is down, we'll be in!!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
It cannot possibly be June!!!
Where is this year going?!! I can't believe Bertie band is almost a year old (next month) and that this blog is a year old this month, time has just flown by!
The house is so close to being habitable, it is looking lovely. The bathroom is finished apart from the flooring and toilet - they should be done this week. The lounge and bedroom are looking good!
I have this week off work to get some housey things done and hopefully we will be able to move in before the end of this month.
We had a lovely day yesterday, we took my parents to Heathrow as they (as I type) are on their way to visit my brother in Australia. We stopped for lunch in a place called Speen near Newbury. If you are ever that way and want a good meal in a friendly place, try the Horse and Hounds. We sat outside with the dog and they couldn't have been nicer to us and her! The food was fantastic. We had plenty of time so we went to Twickenham (where I went to college) for a look around - my how it's changed (mind you I graduated in 1989, so I guess it would have!!). We then sat on Richmond Green for half an hour, it was packed but so lovely seeing everyone enjoying the nice weather.
Have noticed that my watch (which is on a fixed bracelet strap) is very loose on me now, it spins around and flops down by my hand - I love it!!!!
The house is so close to being habitable, it is looking lovely. The bathroom is finished apart from the flooring and toilet - they should be done this week. The lounge and bedroom are looking good!
I have this week off work to get some housey things done and hopefully we will be able to move in before the end of this month.
We had a lovely day yesterday, we took my parents to Heathrow as they (as I type) are on their way to visit my brother in Australia. We stopped for lunch in a place called Speen near Newbury. If you are ever that way and want a good meal in a friendly place, try the Horse and Hounds. We sat outside with the dog and they couldn't have been nicer to us and her! The food was fantastic. We had plenty of time so we went to Twickenham (where I went to college) for a look around - my how it's changed (mind you I graduated in 1989, so I guess it would have!!). We then sat on Richmond Green for half an hour, it was packed but so lovely seeing everyone enjoying the nice weather.
Have noticed that my watch (which is on a fixed bracelet strap) is very loose on me now, it spins around and flops down by my hand - I love it!!!!
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