Halloween to Guy Fawkes, Carnival to Christmas and Winter Wonderland ...

Halloween to Guy Fawkes, Carnival to Christmas Winter Wonderland ...

It's all starting, quite a time of celebrating in one way or another. I have to say, from being a person who hasn't really been a great lover of anything Halloween, maybe it has just been the commercialization of it all. Seeing lots and lots of kids all walking the streets, knocking on doors and asking for treats, being a bit picky about what you have to offer, as sometimes one doesn't always have all the goodies on hand. I have to say it was a real eye opener for me Thursday evening, walking the streets in Bath, I saw "families" taking their kids out, they were all dressed up, some quite impressive in their artwork and creativity in face paint etc, not so much on the fancy fancy clothes, they were quite underrated, so they really looked like they were celebrating the dead! I still think they need to perform for their treat lol apparently in time gone by, they were meant to perform a song, or resite a poem or act out a little play before thy were given a treat. I can't see that happening these days, can you?

This night coincided with a night out after work, saying goodbye to one of my work colleagues who finished up on Thursday and Karla is a young woman about my Son's age, so I felt quite chuffed that I was in with the young crowd, as only a selected few were invited! As you will see by some of the following pics, we had a nice drink or two firstly at the Star in Bath and then onto the Bell, so Cate and Simon, I am looking for the "in" places to be, for a drink over Christmas, when we go in to the Wonderland or Christmas festivities. We walked the streets, as I said before, I couldn't take any pics of any of the kids or families, as it was raining when we were heading to the Star, on our way, we stopped at a street food vendor making the most amazing roast pork, apple sauce and brown sauce burgers, when lunch seemed like it was a mere memory! After our bellies were full and we had taken shelter long enough for the rain to subside, we all wandered further along the streets, till we found The Star Pub :) a very cute little English pub. Going inside, instant thought was, god, have to shed the clothes! It was lik an oven in there, they had a fire going in the little room we went into, so off goes the coat, the gloves, the scarf, we all ordered drinks and what better that to share conversation with like minded friends :)

Karla celebrating over a Bailey's

 

Emma and Karla

My fellow Aussie offsides at work Alex (on Left) who is a Melbournite with Chaya :) Both work in the Bath office.

Moi, Emma and Karla - the young and the beautiful :)

After a great night, aware of a mid week outing, around 10ish Karla and I decided it would be best to head home, she had a date the next day and I had a very busy work day, I already was past my bedtime, these nights I seem to have to go to bed much earlier. It being dark at 5.15pm might have something to do with it too, you feel ready for bed by 9pm. I had a lot to do Friday, I have heaps of work to complete and a new starter, whom I have to do the Induction for, set her up with her laptop, phone, make sure she has got access to all programs etc, thank heavens for Juan in IT :)

Finally made it through my Friday at work, Induction training and sending out 167 pamphlets to young people, kept three of us busy for the last hour or so of the day. It felt so good to get home and put my feet up, I deserved a well earned rest this Friday night. :) think I was asleep by 8.00pm, that was whilst trying to watch the movie, can't even remember what it was about now!

Saturday morning woke up early, had a wild storm through the night again, I actually had to get up in the middle of the night, could hear beeping, thought I was dreaming it to start with, until it was about to drive me insane and then finally realised it was my oven clock, which had gone off in the storm and needed to be reset, normally it just flashes, but obviously it flashes for hours until it has had enough of that and then decides to annoy me and then beeps continually until you have to get up and fix the new time!

Finally got up, sitting having my morning cuppa, looking out my loungeroom window to what looks like quite a mild day outside. I know just because I feel warm inside my flat, that it's likely to be quite fresh and crisp outdoors. As I sit writing my weekly shopping list, I am thinking of my neighbour Rani and wondering how she is, as I haven't seen her all week, was in the process of sending her a message when she messages me and said "want to go to Wells today?" Which was exactly what I had typed to her, but not sent... Talk about In sync!

It was raining as soon as we got to Well, for the markets, so we both had to duck in an out under cover to stay dry. I took my library books back, we then ventured down to the markets, mmmmmmm such wonderful smells of all types of lovely hot foods, lots of fresh herbs and we stopped at the beer tent, just to stay dry, suppose I aught to try one or two while I'm here lol we have a bit more of a look, but start ducking in out stalls till we reach the end of the stalls alongside the Council offices. There is a magnificent Italian Restaurant, so we decide to go in and kill two birds with the one stone, so to speak. Inside the door, mmm yummy aroma, smell garlic cooking and all sorts of lovely herbs and spices. Time to offload wet coats, scarf, wipe glasses so I can actually see the menu. Didn't take much perusing, time to share our favourite homemade classic pizza and a Latta and we were much warmer and dryer and the rain had even stopped in time for us to have a wander around the remainder of the markets and then do some retail therapy in the dress shops, Rani has this favourite dress shop, that, we HAVE to frequent :) I must say the clothes are much more hip here, much more modern, but the prices in here, phew!

The start of Wells markets

Wells Cathedral in the background. It was so lovely when we came out from lunch, the church bells in the tower were ringing all through the markets, there is a special feeling to be walking through the main streets of Wells, listening to the church bells, smelling all the divine aromas and listening to all the conversations, doing a bit of people watching, all adds to an interesting morning. We did length of the Main Street, with a trip in to Boots and then into Johnson's for drycleaning, checking out boots in all the shoe shops along the way. With winter coming, all the more reason now to look for a decent pair of boots, but I think they will be Ankle ones, I need new ones for work.

This the main well in the centre of Wells, where all the fresh water drains off down each side of the road, looking a bit strange in this pic, as a wood carving stall has taken over the entrance to the Markets.

Headed to Shepton for our weekly shop, then it was homeward bound, probably just in time, wasn't long before it was pitch black and the heavens opened up, bringing thunder, hail and almost a night watching the bedclothes lol couldn't be bothered cooking, so got something light, and then watched telly for a while, whilst listening to the storm through the windows. In the background could hear the fireworks going off in Shepton, I suddenly felt a little sorry for all the people who had braved the weather to go down to the Shepton Oval in their Wellies and Raincoats and umbrella's, all to see the fireworks! I am waiting for Tuesday night, where I will join in the Guy Fawkes Celebrations, for the first time since my baby brother was born, some 49 years ago, so I'm hoping to celebrate his birthday with a Big Bang! The last time we had a Bon fire was the night he was born and Dad was burning everything that was rubbish in the driveway of our Kellerberrin home, I do remember that we were around sparklers, I remember the hot fire, not the best thing for the middle of summer in the wheat belt! So I'm pretty excited to set off some fireworks. We got all organised yesterday when we went for our weekly shop, they were selling them in Tesco's but under lock and key and you had to purchase them on leaving the building, not going into the building, I guess they didn't want anyone blowing up Tesco's!

Sunday morning, I have made Minestrone soup and I have made chicken curry with kale and lots of other veggies. It is cooking day, that way it gives me lunches for the week :) saves some money as well.

Just had a video call on FaceTime with some of the family back home :) was so nice to see them. I couldn't hear them all properly, but it was so nice to hear .them all talking over each other, laughing and joking with each other, made me miss them heaps, but at the same time, I do know that they are only a phone call or a video call away and I can see them. It was a celebration for Shirley my older sister, who turned 65 and younger brother Steve turning 49 I think? Haha only 1 more year and it's all downhill from there! Only joking, I actually think your life starts at 50 xxxx

On a final note, all excited about having Cate and Simon here for Christmas :) and now Rob says that he might be coming in March next year :) that would be awesome :)

Well my lovelies, it's time to relax for the evening, before starting a new week, I'm hoping I can plan a trip away in three weeks time for my birthday, will keep you posted xxxxxx love to you all xxxxxx

 

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Stormy stormy night .....

Good evening my beautiful family and friends xxxx I'm changing tradition this week and attempting to do my blog a night and day earlier, because to tell you the truth, not sure hour much power will be available tomorrow and my iPad runs out quick when it's not on the battery! I'm sitting in my loungeroom at the moment, listening to the wind howling outside and I know tomorrow it is expected to be much worse. I actually love storms :) as long as I don't have to be out in them! Something that is quite strange with all this wind and rain coming, it is not actually cold yet, it's still 16.5 degrees in my flat and I haven't had to heat it at all yet, I'm hoping I can get away without heating it for another month, depending of course how cold it does actually get, but I have noticed quite a change to the weather and it has swung into autumn quite quickly and considering we are only eight weeks to Christmas, the weather is still very mild for England :)

Yes I said that dreaded Christmas word! Lol but this year when I thought I was going to be on my lonesome, I now have something to look forward to, one of my adorable niece's (Cate and her boyfriend Simon) are coming to spend a few days with me over Christmas, which I'm very excited about as it will the only family close to me at Christmas.

I had a chuckle to myself today in Tesco's, as I did my shopping, had a bit of a browse through the clothing section, look was I see in front of me..... First thought that jumps into my mind "Mr Darcey" out of Bridget Jones lol I kept looking around hoping I might find him amongst the menswear, but sadly I think, my Mr Perfect, "He thinks I'm perfect, just the way I am" may have exited the building! You know Christmas is close when everything Christmasey is on the shelves that you could possibly want. Well all I want for Christmas is joy and happiness :) for me and all my beautiful family and friends :)

I'm hoping though we can face time or skype with family at home, so that will bring us all together for the festive season xxxx. This day and age, we are so lucky aren't we? It made me think of a conversation with my Dad, before I left to come away, we had a discussion one day about how much technology has changed, he was saying that fifty years ago, or even longer than that, when he was a boy, he dreamed of rockets strapped to someone's back, rockets have come along in leaps and bounds, how computers which were great mainframe computers which use to take up the whole office, now we scroll up and down on our iPads or even check out the internet on our mobile phones or have thousands of pics on one little portable USB 8g or more memory stick or the tiny SD cards in our Camera's, just pull it out, put it in the machine down the chemist or photoshop, print of pics, or connect it to your IPad and share your photo's with the www. These days we get to see and hear each other on free apps such as Skype and face time from one side of the world to the other! I am sounding "old" now myself, when memories of me travelling to New Zealand with two of my girlfriends, when I was a mere 17/18. We didn't have mobiles, nor internet, we didn't even have international dialing in everyone's home. I remember having to ring reverse charges to Mum and Dad's. So can you imagine how far technology will go in another 50 yrs, I won't be here to physically witness it, but my kids will. My prediction is that all babies born within the next fifty years will be tagged electronically like they tag animals now with microchips, I think it is only a matter of time, before that becomes a reality and a form of identification, that no one can forge.

Slightly changing the subject, I have had a lovely week here this week. Last Saturday I went into Bath for a late afternoon get together with some workmates for a send of for Victoria, the young lass who is leaving to have her baby. We met at the Cosy Club, which was absolutely packed with people, seems to be the "in" place to be in Bath. I met up with some old staff members and got to meet some new ones that I had only met over the phone, mostly women, a few brought their little ones along, I decided I was well and truly out of practise! Helen and Rob, don't rush Mum, not quite sure Nanny is ready lol I am sure I will be when the right time comes along for either one of my kids to decide to have a family :) I will get the chance to spoil them and give them plenty of my loving warm hugs xxxx

The lovely Victoria, whom I have taken over from at work. This was her birthday a couple of weeks ago. The office has a special hat that all birthday bearer's have to wear for the day!

My work colleagues :) from left, Victoria, whom has left now :( Ali, and Ceri. Ali is an Engagement Worker and Ceri is a Personal Adviser for youth between the ages of 13 - 19.

 

Smiley Ali :) I was sitting next to him, but now have progressed to sitting opposite the Line Manager Mary and unfortunately am sitting on the radiator! They tell me I will appreciate it through winter. I don't at the moment, still want summer clothes on, it's darn hot, next to it!

At the Cosey Club in Bath, Victoria, Cheryl and ex employee Emma :)

Not the most flattering shot Ali lol but I had to have one with Victoria :)

Now on another subject, I just want to remind you of the hazards of walking in the British countryside. Some of you know that I have been doing quite a bit of walking and the consequences of that mean that I quite frequently have to dive into a hedge or bush on the side of a narrow lane. So if you ever come this way I want you to be watchful for this horrid bush!

Looks harmless enough, but on closer inspection, or just a slight brush up against, you will be Stung by Nettles! Which let me tell you is not a nice feeling, much the same as being stung by a wasp or a bee :( but if you look very closely around the bush for a plant that resembles this one...

Grab it quick and rub it all over where you have the stings and the red skin and it works it's magic. I haven't found out why, but it's called the Doc leaf! Maybe it saves a trip to the doc's lol I now carry one with me, Incase I have to lee pinto bush land without notice! I am loving walking and I am such a gorgeous spot around where I am, but now with working such long hours, it's too late to go at night or too early in the morning, so I go in my lunch hour, which is great :) I often get lost, but I carry my gps on my phone now.

Oh I wouldn't mind living here :)

Such a lovely horse

 

He or she come up to talk to me at the fence when I walked past on one of my walks :)

I am sorry I don't have lots of interesting places to show you at the moment, I am afraid the weather here is starting to become a bit gloomy, but I am thinking of going to see Amanda's mum in a few weeks time if I can, as I just found out a while ago that we both share the same birthday, so that's pretty amazing! So I might just have to go visit her and her hubby and have a bit of a celebration for our special day! I'm finding the social life here a bit light on, I would like a bit of interaction, but I think that it will come in time, when I get into a few more things. I'm actually considering joining a photography class which starts again soon, but the guy said they might hold off till next year now. I'm also thinking of learning some Scottish dancing :) a friend from work, was going to let me know the where and when of it soon, I think I would enjoy any kind of dancing to be truthful, I sooooo miss dancing!

Well I had some interaction with the opposite sex today, but not in the way your probably thinking lol I had a visit from the Pest Control man, yep had some pests to get rid of! Darn field flies by the hundreds, or what you call cluster flies. Anyway you have never seen anything quite so funny as the guy trying to show me up the ladder, to look into the loft, tiny torch, clinging to the ladder with all my life, I hate ladders! It was one of those ones with round slats, so uncomfortable on your feet! Anyway the outcome was good, we set a few bombs (smoke) in the loft and he treated all my sash windows and hopefully the buggers won't come in now to hibernate. It was nice to have a chat with Tony, we chatted about Canada as he had travelled there and of course my Aussie accent, had a cuppa and he helped me get my dining room table up the stairs for me, much better than where it was sitting downstairs at the front entrance lol I just need to get some chairs now Cate and Simon, and we're set for Christmas, only eight weeks on Wed :)

 

Well my lovelies, it is way past my bed time, well and truly now, although the clock has just been set back an hour, so I guess that means it will start to be dark at 4.30pm soon. I know it's very late now, but I wasn't tired, I can sleep in tomorrow in the storm.

Lots of love to you all xxxxx oh. And a very big happy 65th birthday to my sister Shirley on the 31st xxxx

 

 

 

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Injecting some warmth into my home!

Warm greetings and blessing to all my family and friends this wonderful week. Well this first week of full time work has proved to be tiring, but one well worth it. It is such a nice feeling to know that have a job to go to every day and I know the people, or at the very least have learnt the names of at least 8 to 10 names of my fellow work colleagues who I work alongside in the Peasedown St John Office. Working life has been full on, learning learning learning until my brain feels a bit like mush some days, I'm sure there must be a cut of point at which the brain says "no more, not enough room today to take on anymore!" I have certainly hit that a few times this past week. The other thing, which I dare not mention to my colleagues is my age lol especially when most are around 28 35, a few around 40's but I think I may be there most senior person, apart from the Line Manager, which I cannot tell her age. I dare not forget a thing, Menopause? What is that! Lol

This week, has had be doing a bit of a clean out of the wardrobe and rethink the clothes attire. I don't know if it was Monday or Tuesday night, but boy where did that cold wind come from? Yep you guessed it, off the Artic! Geez Louise I actually got down to the car with my scarf on, which I have been doing, but didn't have my coat, only had my raincoat and my hands were almost stuck together, as I tried to open the car door. Poor little "Lizzy" I have now affectionately decided to call my little Fever Peugeot 206 :) Lizzy needs a few words of encouragement in the mornings to get going, she coughs and splutters (bit like me really!) but once warmed up there's no stopping her, until she sees the big hills and also like me, has a bit of a groan getting up them!

This first weeks pay cheque (well half a week) has had to go on a few things to help warm up my little home, as I feel Jack is moving in (Jack Frost!) I went with my neighbour Rani and we took off for Wells Markets , unfortunately, it was rather dim, it was drizzling rain the entire time we were walking around. We did did our weekly errands and had a coffee at Nero's, when we came out though the rain had gone and the sun had decided to shine upon us. Oh what bliss! We then had a bit of a stroll along the Main Street, listening to a busker playing an accordion. If you closed your eyes for a second, you would have been convinced you were somewhere in Europe, Venice maybe or somewhere in Italy. It had an air of romance about the street, well that was until I nearly went ass up over this beggar's hat, sitting way out on the pavement! how to spoil a moment, how dare he, I was in my own little world then! Having a little daydream, waiting for my Prince Charming to come round the corner and sweep me off my feet. (That wasn't quite the picture I saw in my minds eye!)

We got back to the car park, it was now lunch time and Rani and I decided to go for a drive to Bristol. I was on a mission to find a nice warm rug to try and make the loungeroom a little cosier and warmer for winter and to make my place feel a bit more like home :) We were off to Ikea, so set the postcode into the gps and off we set. It was so lovely driving out in the country :) I saw some villages and countryside that I had not been through on the way to Bristol. Went through a gorgeous little village called Pensdown ( I think that is what it was called, so quaint. Then we got closer to Bristol and realised why I hate being in City's :(. I'm sorry to say, Bristol is not one of my favourite places, pretty grim, there are some pockets of the place, that have some lovely houses, but only pockets. The traffic was mayhem! I'm glad I wasn't driving.

We eventually found Ikea!!!! I don't believe it, what a drama that was to get here! Huge great big store, just like the one I remember back home, we had a great look around and bought a few nick nacks, but I had to put my blinkers on, because I was on a strict budget, I had only budgeted for my rug and maybe 20 pound extra on misc items. Yayyyyy found my rug! It's a bit in your face and bold, so I warn you now before I show you the pics, but I wanted something to bring some warmth to my loungeroom and at the same time be a soothing colour, I went for blue again :)

Close up :)

my warm little lounge room now! Also my bargain coffee table for £13

Getting there :)

For the life of me, do you think this pic would rotate in blogsy :( you will just have to twist your neck for this one!

It's Sunday I don't have Tom Cruise coming for dinner, would much rather it were Hugh Jackman ( oh yes please!)I would celebrate his birthday which was yesterday Happy birthday Hugh, your also celebrating along with Dawn :) I hope both have had a wonderful weekend. I'm celebrating still having a full time job and I am counting my blessings, I have a wonderful Beef crock pot going on in da kitchen, want to join me.

That's meals, dinners and lunches for the week, along with mum's recipe Heli Min (unsure of spelling) that's another six meals and and bought some loin pork steaks, which will make a few stir fry's or go in soups or just grill with veggies, another six meals, so I got a bargain this week with meat, don't usually buy it but got it all for £10, so have to use it wisely. Same way I buy a side of fresh salmon sometimes, that has been boned and I cut that into portions and then freeze it, lasts me for ages! All that talk of food, I think I might have to make some soup for lunch soon!

While we are on the subject of keeping warm. I can now say I have also progressed from my mattress on the floor, to now having a proper bed! I am purchasing this bed frame from a friend, so that is one less thing I will have to buy from the shops.

I feel a bit better about not sleeping so close to the carpet as well, sure that wasn't doing my asthma any good!

An interesting fact this week that I have observed, globes have been blowing out in my house and in my car! what's that all about? Gail I know I have had this before, probably all my energy being used up lol

Well it's pretty cold and miserable outside today, so I'm cuddled up on the couch with my cuppa for the afternoon. Might do a spot of reading on my library books, get a few tips on Excel and word, to keep me in top form for my work this week. Tomorrow I'm off to head office with Victoria to meet all the big wigs. So it's time to have a bit of a relax now for the rest of the day/night and watch my Downtown tonight (yes I know, I'm hooked).

Hope you all have a wonderful week xxxxxoxooxox until next post. Love to you all xoxoxo xox

 

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Yayy I'm employed!

Hello to all my beautiful family and friends, welcome to the world of the 8.30 to 5.30pm worker! Yes, I am now employed for the next six month's!! It is such a good feeling to know that I can actually put away my CV and not have to brush up on my interview skills for at least another five months, oh what a relief! If you haven't heard the news via the F/book, I now am Business Support Co-ordinator for a company who look after youth from the ages of 13 a 19 who are unemployed or in transition, looking to begin courses in colleges or disadvantaged groups (disability etc) there is much more to what they do, but that gives you the gist of what they do. My job is one of the main administrator basically, all the office admin, organising meeting rooms for youth and youth workers and monitoring and maintaining databases, mixture of HR tasks, monitoring staff records - sickness and holidays and also organising expenses and forwarding to head office. It's a varied role and I think I am going to find it quite rewarding. I might say something different in two weeks time, when my mentor has left on maternity leave and I'm left there on my own lol. The work that I have to do is fine, I will have the next couple of weeks getting use to all the Bespoke Programmes they have, just trying to remember how to get into them all!

The other great thing about my job is, that I don't have to bore you week after week with me still looking for work!

I know it's a bit too soon to celebrate with rewards to myself, but I think I went a bit overboard this week :( I think after the realisation that I was actually going to have a regular wage, I splurged a little and of course now at the end of the weekend, paying for that breakout, (note to self, Alana, you haven't got that wage yet!) but in saying that, I do think I derserve to have a reward after all the hard work over the past 4 months of looking for work etc. Another fantastic reason to having my hair done it's given me the confidence that I need to overcome anything this week. I will feel fantastic when I go to meet the head office colleagues this week, so for that alone it will have been worth it!

I have a bucket list if you like now :) for not only things I want to see and places I want to go, but also just a few more things to make my unit a little more cosy for winter, without going overboard. I have felt like a million dollars this week having my microwave lol it's the little things that count now most of all!

I am being shown signs and messages all around me now that I AM on my right path, and I do believe that you can go and do anything that you set your mind to do, you need to follow your dreams, we all have a few hiccups along the way, but they are there to make us stronger and to keep our motivation to keep on striving for what we want in life. A lot of you know me very well now, the long journey it has been for me. I no longer have to think about the negative aspects of what was in my life, what didn't work? I know that there is always tomorrow, I know that all there is is love! what I may have yearned for for so many years, I was looking at things from the wrong angle. I believe every being deserves joy, happiness and love and I actually for the first time in my life, have realised that I am love, I need not look for it, for wherever I go, it is around me, like minded loving people draw near, it doesn't matter where I am , around the world. It has made me love and appreciate my family and friends even more. I love you all very much xxxx

While I'm on the subject of love, something else that I have grown a great appreciation for is, the countryside, wind in my hair, something I never did in Aus, it was too bloody hot, even with the window down! The only thing that stops me from having the window down is the poo aroma, (well yes, I do smell it a bit around her, and it's not because people are full of shit! Lol more that I do actually live in a rural area, so you get use to pulling in behind a tractor, that has dredged through something foul, you have never seen me put that window and put the internal air on so quickly! But apart from all that, I just loveeeee the countryside and not actually living in suburbia. The fact that I'm only 15 minutes or 30 minutes away from two cities, makes it even more appealing. Where else would you have the experience I had during the week, coming home from work, getting out of the car, putting on my coat, getting my bag and Brolley from the back and I turned around and there standing on the grass, was our resident deer, that usually is much further away behind the estate, in the open fields, not up near the storehouse near the car park. Talk about a Mexican stand off, I completely froze, I was so amazed, but a little petrified as I had never been this close to a deer in the wild before. We both just stood there looking at each other, I don't think I even breathed for the entire time lol then suddenly the deer thought, if your not moving woman, I'm off! so then he turns and starts running down towards the woods right next to my flat.

Front view of my deer friend :)

The first signs of Autumn :)

Another little pleasure I had this week after work, I was in the car park and noticed some ripe berries, woohoo nice stash of blackberries, I picked a couple, being very careful not to be attacked by the nettles lol hmmm wonder if I can bring a container down here and pick some more. I adore all the fresh raspberries and blueberries and raspberries here :) omg it's fruit heaven!

Well people it's almost time for Downtown Abbey, so I'm sorry, I will have to finish up lol but before I go, those that didn't see it, the new haircut this week :)

 

I look forward to possibly going away again soon before the end of Oct, so I will keep you all posted, so until next post. love to you all xxxxx

 

 

 

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Bites, and sharp pointing things ouch!!!

Helloooo to all my beautiful family and friends :) had a bit of a rough start to the week, but you will see all gets forgotten ....

Monday 23rd, hmmm think I need a trip to the Dr's, nothing major to worry about, but when I was at the Yoga Workshop or either when I came home that night, I got bitten by something :( I had a huge welt on my leg and a massive lump, when I woke up, huge red area :( and looked like it had a centre core. It was quite painful, couldn't really lay on it and walking even hurt, so thought I best get it checked out? I was able to get my Dr to check it out and she was quite surprised, we both a a bit of laugh as Brits have this thing about coming to Australia and being met with all nasty kinds of things i.e. Spiders and snakes etc and here I was, never been bitten by a spider, come to England and get bitten by one! Now I'm on huge horse tablets for a week, you know the ones that make you gag as soon as they hit the throat and smell fowl!

Monday afternoon, all my pain was forgotten when I received a phone call for an interview, yayyyy I knew that I may get one, as the Agency had forwarded my CV, so I was thrilled to actually get the call saying I had an interview wed 10am :) I also had a phone call from one of the Temp role's asking me if I could go in for an interview and yes you guessed it, both the same day!

Wednesday was interview day, not only for one position "Business Support Co-ordinator but also in the arvo for Sales Administrator, so all went well with the morning interview, met up with a lovely woman who's position I was to take on, as she was going on maternity leave. For confidentiality reasons I can't tell you the names of the company's but I felt very comfortable meeting the first team of people, they seemed very down to earth, friendly. One of the ladies made me smile, she was wearing a wedding vail (not sure how you spell that?) with her normal work clothes haha it was so cute, she wasn't that young either, but I just loved how she had it on and all the staff were teasing her, but in a playful way, making her last week a memorable one.

Looking around the office, spot two tins of lollies lol I can see that they have a few morning and afternoon treats :) note to self, "on the positive side - close to home, friendly staff, good pay and Lollies!"

Ok time to head into Bath, as I just headed to Odd Down Bus Park and Ride, about to run to the Bus, grabbing my purse, quick quick, need £3.20, bugger not a penny in my purse lol not getting the bus then am I! I was going to head into Bath, relax and have some lunch and then head back out and to next interview which is in the industrial area. Ok plan B, I will have to start driving into Bath, I get to one of the main roundabouts, oh good, there is the Red Lion Pub, I shoot in around the back which has free parking (perfect!) I go inside, it was 11.30ish about this stage and there were a couple of guys talking and running around trying to sort things it seemed, looks like they have just taken over. Hmmm maybe not the best place to stop for lunch? I sit down and then I found myself talking to one of them and I appears that he is an area Manager and he was checking the walls and he says to me "do you know Bath very well?" I had to have a bit of a giggle inside, I am starting to look like one of the locals :) anyway he was looking for an Argos shop, or a similar furniture shop, I was actually able to direct him to the main mall in Bath :) most impressed with myself! Then when he was moving around the room, I pulled out my iPad, did a quick check, found the address for Argos, in about 30 secs and when he came past, I said oh if you won't to know wher Argos is, it's .... He was well impressed. So I took advantage of this moment, as I knew they wanted staff :) next minute, he calls the Bar Mnager over to meet me, then he got him to reel off all the vacancies. He was happy for me to go back and have a chat with him. He knew I was about to go for another interview, so he said good luck with your interview.

I had a good interview in the afternoon as well, so it was really good day all in all. I was glad to get home though, put my feet up.

I was called on Thursday morning for a second interview for the first offer :) I was to meet up with the Line Manager. Yayyyy I was feeling quite relaxed and when I got into the office, they seem such a nice bunch :) had a really great interview, to the point of being offered the job in the interview! I was really shocked! As I was still waiting to hear about the other job, I asked if I could give them my answer tomorrow as I had explained to them, I had been for two interviews and I needed to make sure I was making the best decision for myself. The line Manager was very glad that I was very honest and she was happy to give me a little time.

I tried ringing the other firm, emailed them, and the next day, tried contacting her, but she was in a meeting, so I had to make a very quick decision. Sooooo the outcome is, I am now employed!!! I made a decision to go with the first offer and the company are over the moon that I have accepted :) My position is "business support co-ordinator", which is a varied role which I think I will love. It's only for six months, but it means I will not have to walk the streets, looking for work through the colder months and have to worry around Christmas, which is a huge relieve!

After making the decision, it was such a relief and it was a great end to the day :) I actually went shopping and celebrated by buying myself dinner, went home and poured a cider and relaxed with a nice soak in the bath :)

Friday morning, note to self - 1 bottle of cider, too much Alana, feeling head, decide to get up, make myself a nice cup of tea, nurofen and guess what? It's back to bed for this black duck! Three hours later I emerge, ready to start the day over again, this time ready for anything :) it was so refreshing to not HAVE to look for work, so I had a great walk today, had a nice chat to the neighbours.

I'm hoping very soon I can capture some pics of our resident deer, which live on the other side of the estate. With the weather getting a little cooler some mornings, you can sometimes see them outside our windows down near the edge of the carpark, my neighbour says they often come closer when it's snowing. I am about to embark on a photography group soon, I want to explore my camera more and learn some more tricks, so I can get even better results with my camera.

Saturday morning, first stop to the Dr's surgery, having a flu shot. (Another sharp painful thing!) actually I managed to relax the muscle in my arm enough, as the dr was jabbing the needle in, which I might add seemed to be thick as a darning needle lol Left dr's and headed off to Wells to meet a friend to head to the weekend markets and then have lunch and then head to how local shops at Shepton Mallet.

I'm celebrating today, a bit premature as I don't actually have my wage coming in as yet, but I think it's time to buy a microwave :) no longer will I have to boil things on the stove or heat things up in the frypan. I can microwave my porridge finally! I was using the boiled kettle and occasionally heating milk, but that was a painful experience every time, messy saucepan lol I prefer less mess.

I went all out, bit bold with the microwave, but I think it brightens up the kitchen

I also bought myself a slow cooker for a low price of £15 which I thought was a bargain. After shopping got home to set up my new purchases :) such small things, but I was really chuffed.

I have arranged to go out with Rani for dinner, we thought we might go back to Wells to Suss out the nightlife and see what was happening, but more importantly to celebrate my new job. We walked around the town a bit, to see where the action was, then picked the busiest pub and stayed there for a meal. I don't know where all the young people go, but we never found them, I think they might have been relieved not having us cramping their party! We enjoyed a nice meal and a drink and then we were probably ready to go for a wander down the street, doing a spot of window shopping. I never realised that Wells had 4 shoe shops all within a block of each other. Now how can I decide which boots I want? Too many to choose from!

Sunday morning, sleep in :) think I might have had a little too much Baileys last night! But I get up and feel very productive, put a selection of veggies in my new slow cooker, chicken on top and herbs and spices for a nice curry for tonight. I watched some tv, caught up with some friends on f/b and then decided to go for a walk. I remembered to take my phone and put my tracker on for a change, most days when I do walk, I forget to put it on. Ok I want to increase my 2 miles to 3, that was the target at least. I headed out Fosse Road, past all the gorgeous farm houses , a lot of them are made of stone, very old, very historic. I'm walking down the narrow main road, I get to 1.5 miles and I thought, I better turn around soon and head back, but then I find a little lane and see a sign for Nettlebridge, so off I walk down this lane way, but I didn't read the sign properly did I? It was 2 miles to Nettlebridge, I'm walking and walking, and then I find this public footpath which gets me off the lane and next to the fields, which was fine for a while, until ... I stumbled on a rock underfoot, next minute I grabbed a bush aggghhhh not that one!!! Too late, I had been stung by nettles, yes once again. I frantically look around for the Dr leaf, which is the leaf that takes the sting straight out and you don't feel like you have been stung by a wasp! If that weren't enough, I get to the end of this path, only to find I can't get out of the gate, look over in the field, cows, where is the bull? Open gate, bloody open! There is string caught up around the barb wire, I'm wrenching it, there is a small gap to get through gate but there is a massive nettle bush right there, so I can't fit through there, so I try and climb up on the gate, which I might tell you is about six foot high! I stand on the first run and see the the weight of me pull the fate down, which is not good, just imagining me half over the thing and my rear end for all to see and the gate come crashing down, me responsible for cattle getting out, not the best solution :( so I start pulling on the string again, bit by bit and eventually it leaves enough room for me to squeeze through, 100 calories burnt right there, with the stress of trying to get through the blasted gate! I eventually get back to the lane and then back to the A367 to head back home, last mile was the slowest, but wow I'm so thrilled with myself, I walked 4 mile today.

I got home and then I had to face the stairs, oh no! Got to the top, then could hardly walk, so I decided to get on the floor and do some yoga stretches, because I was in a bit of pain, I thought that to stretch would be a good idea :) yes that was a great idea, but whose smart idea was it to lay on the floor? Now I actually have to be able to get up. I have actually perfected this roll, I hear you laugh, but it's quite useful for us (mobility challenged) lol I do a quick roll over then onto all fours and then I can push my legs back to standing position. It's something I have had to do, to get in and out of my bed, seeing as that is on the floor lol

Well it's time for my bath to soak and then I'm going to fall into my bed. I start work this week on Wednesday, so it's going to be a short week this week, I'll keep you informed and let you know how it all goes.

Q

Until then xxxx love to you all.

 

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Stretch, stretch, stretch & Relax.......

Well hello to all my beautiful family and friends :) I apologise for the wait for the blog, have had a rather busy couple of weeks, where my attention was turned towards work, agencies and shuffling all the bills around, robbing Peter to pay Paul so to speak! I had a couple of really good temp jobs, that makes up for the one that went pear shape :( but not to give it anymore energy, I am now looking forward to a really great week next week. I have two interviews :) one of the temp jobs I did about a month ago for an afternoon, I really loved and the HR and receptionist I was taking over from, talked me into applying for a couple of positions that were going with the company. Well I hadn't heard anything, being a bit busy, it had slipped my mind, so I thought I would send the HR Manager an email to see if she would be a referee for me and just mention that I hadn't heard anything. Next minute my phone rang, it was the HR Manager and guess who has been shortlisted for an interview for a contract position :) yayyyy I was hoping on the permanent position, but wouldn't say no to three or six month contract if I were offered it at the moment. Plus...... The day before was asked if I wanted to go for a six month contract, so that's another interview this week! So I'm getting a wee bit excited, this week is looking up.

Now to change the subject.. I've had a weekend close to home this weekend, but one to cleanse my soul you might say. Saturday I was up early and off to Glastonbury to the Ashram, for a yoga workshop. I have to say that I was a little out of my comfort zone at first when I saw everyone sitting on their little matt's, (one to myself, need to take a BIG cushion next time!) Thank god for My friend, could have kissed her she pointed to these half chair things, which I was able to use during the talk and the Meditation. I could see me laying down within a few hours otherwise! Our instructor was very thorough and explained everything so well, he explained it was all about the breath firstly and then movement (whilst breathing of course.) it was fine with most of the body stretches when we were working on the arms and torso, then it started to get very interesting, (I wish he would stop coming down the back and leave me to it!) Then.... We were doing these squats lol we had to pick a partner and we had to take each others weight, holding each other's arms and squatted together, if that wasn't hard enough lol down comes Steve to help me with the next move haha yes similar to the squat, this time we have to sit on our bums whilst holding onto our partner. omg I'm thinking, he's gonna land on top of me, he was all of five foot and the "perfect" yogi body not an ounce of fat anywhere, thinking to myself, this is not a good balance here, we are both going down, down and I know that there is a point of no return for me, lol I say I can't sit on my bottom from here, so he says sit sideways down on one leg, next minute, legs going every which way, all ways except the correct way! It was a great day, but it was rather a long day, We decided the Ashram needed some lessons in Vegetarian food, it was pretty ordinary, Sam and Jez if your reading this, nothing like your wonderful feasts you put on xxx Time to get home and run a bath relax and might have a bit of a meditate. Dinner time, pj's on and time for a bit of TV and I can't keep my eyes open, where are the match sticks when you need them. I'm not winning, starting to slump in chair and dribble, time for bed! Get into bed and then realised I haven't set alarm, tomorrow, going to the Challis Well, it's free to get in between 10 - 12, as they have a special meditation.

What is that awful noise at this time of morning, doesn't everyone know your aloud a sleep in on Sunday! It goes on and on and on, still same song? Oh silly, it's my alarm in the Loungeroom :( I won't put in the bedroom, as it's too loud and I don't like the iPad on and close to my head when I sleep. Moving a bit slower this morning, a bit stiff, but not too bad considering yesterday's workout. I can't seem to get moving today, but eventually am ready to head off to the Challis Well for a free meditation today.

Driving over towards Glastonbury, The Tor in distance.

The gardens around The Challis Well

The Challis Well

What a beautiful day :)

A nice end to a weekend, drive around the countryside, stop on the way home for some essentials from Tesco's and home to relax and a night in tonight watching Downtown, yes it started again tonight and tomorrow night is the new series of Dr Martin, I know I'm hooked!

Hopefully by the next blog, I will have a contract and it will give me a bit more time to spend away on the weekends. The weather is starting to get a bit cooler, but it would be nice to have a weekend away, might go north to Scotland, or Ireland or even south somewhere, decisions decisions? Until next blog, love you all xxx

 

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Friday 6th September 2013

Hello to all my beautiful family and friends, it is Friday night 6th September 2013 and I'm relaxing on my couch with a glass of Thatcher's Gold, Somerset Cider :) Is the only thing I have in the alcoholic variety in my fridge or cupboard, so it will have to do this fine evening!

I have had a good week, had a relatively quiet weekend, went to the markets on Saturday in Wells and wandered around. I bought two screwdrivers and a little torch and some batteries, last of the big spenders!(all for a mere £5) I did shout myself a coffee and a Thai fish cake, whatever change I had left after buying a few fresh vegies :) I actually enjoyed just sitting and listening to the chatter around me, the sound of a busker down near the Town Hall and there was a wedding taking place at the far end of the Town a hall, so that was fun watching, as the photographer was up on the first floor taking shots of all the guests down near the markets (different!) I find it quite relaxing sitting and taking in all the surroundings, there were a few families with their pets, walking bye and some stopping for some lunch or a coffee at the markets, I must say the coffee tent at the markets do a roaring trade, make a lovely coffee as well! The Thai lady ave me a couple of prawns as well, yum I was in heaven :)

Time for grocery shopping now, so off to Shepton Mallet, I head down to Tesco's to do my weekly shop. Yay I actually remembered to take my bags for a change. I have a list today Alana, so stick to it! Why is it, so god damn easy to go over budget whilst shopping? Far too many distractions and far too many yummy things to buy! Ok, blinkers on, you have a purpose, so just get on with it and do it! So I hurtle down the eisles hunting for my list items, desperately trying not to see all the specials jumping out at me. I did buy two things off my list, but I had been wanting a stockpot to cook my soup in and saw a very good bargain on a bath mat, couldn't resist that. Time to get home and relax a bit.

Sunday morning, feeling great! Happy Father's Day Dad xxxxxx Also to all my brother's and brother in law and to all my friends whom are Father's, have a wonderful day.

i just called my dad but he didn't answer, at a guess, he might be out at my sister's or he might be snoozing.

This is a pic of my gorgeous Dad who is 89/90 in Jan, with my lovely sister Suzie and myself, which was taken at the airport before I left, we were all smiling then, but there were a few tears when I left :(

I rang dad later to give him a surprise for Father's Day and it was about 5pm, Perth time and he was really happy to hear from me, apart from the obvious problem of not being able to hear me properly :( i found myself yelling down the phone!

No money for travel this weekend, so plan to have a day of cooking some soup to last me the week, doing the domestics, washing and all that :) yummmm soup smells devine, pork, veg and red lentils, sounds a bit odd, but tastes awesome.

I was about to sit down to some soup when my neighbour called in and asked if I wanted to go for a drive to Dobby's (a car wash place) near a garden centre, we decided to both put our car's in for a clean and we would go and have a cream tea (Devonshire Tea) to those that are wondering what a cream tea is, like I was, until I found out. We had a great time wandering round Dobson's Garden Centre, they had really lovely homewares and all sorts of stuff in there, I just had to switch off though after a while, good to look, but can't buy! It will be so nice to actually have a full time job, so I can catch up and start to buy a few nice things for home, but I don't need a great deal really, I would much rather, save that money for a trip somewhere :)

Monday morning i had an appointment to visit an Agency, it was only when I rang from Bath, that they decided that I wasn't meeting them Monday, it was actually, Tuesday! So I was actually a day early :( Now I could have spent the day window shopping, as Bath has some awesome shops, or get back on the Bus back to the Odd Down Bus Park and Ride on the outskirts of Bath. The latter won, as I opened my purse and a few moths flew out, so I thought the safest thing was to go straight back home, do not pass go and don't buy anything! Wish I could pick up $200 lol

Got a call from Juice Recruitment when I got home, could I work, Friday, Monday, Tuesday 8.30 - 2.00pm yessssss of course I can! Samantha the Manager, then rang me back with the details and said I would have to go on Thursday for 3 hrs for training and they were going to pay me :) I really like Samantha, I have actually only met her on the phone, I only met her offsider, but she really looks for suitable work for me :) she says that I'm there favourite and on the top of the list :)

After being in Bath Monday and Tues morning, I decided to stay home Wednesday and relax and read and apply for a few jobs. went into the library, took my book back and renewed it and then used the computer to update my cv and saved it to my USB storage. Feels so good to actually put some local businesses on my CV, now I have Nash Partnership (Architect's), Rotork (engineers/actuaries) and now Altran (critical software for aerospace and trains in uk which is only some of what they do) all really well known companies to Bath, so it will help with the job hunting I am hoping.

Well I have survived a day at Altran and managing about 8 Meeting Rooms, 8 car bays, organising train travel, pay for tickets, organise incoming and outgoing mail, organising visitors, booking them in and supplying them with security entrance etc and answer calls, make coffee and organise lunches, gee where did the day go! Oh and did I mention the MD came in and I didn't realise who he was lol but I was very pleasant and did my job properly :)

I have been walking a lot this week, most of the time, I manage to put my Runmaster on, but half the time, forget to turn it on, on my phone, walk a mile or so, realise I haven't turned it on! The good thing though, I'm Walking! Working in Bath is good too, because I often have a decent walk to and from work to the park and ride. It won't be long and the days will be getting shorter and darker, I have noticed the temps dropping a bit at night and early morning, while Perth is going into spring, I'm going into Autumn :)

It's time for me to relax a bit now and have a read of my book, before bed, might finish off that cider, might help me sleep :) Hope I have lots of pics and much more ad adventures for you next post, so until then xxx lots of love Alana xxxx

Ps Happy Birthday Suzie for tomorrow xxxx

 

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