Looking at him wielding that knife, its just as well he went into the Law rather than Surgery!
It was a happy and relaxed evening though. Doesn't he look happy?
Friday, March 30, 2007
Not Sean's Birthday
The night before Sean's birthday, he came to see me and have the Fruit Cake he requested.
Looking at him wielding that knife, its just as well he went into the Law rather than Surgery!
It was a happy and relaxed evening though. Doesn't he look happy?
Looking at him wielding that knife, its just as well he went into the Law rather than Surgery!
It was a happy and relaxed evening though. Doesn't he look happy?
Melanie's Wedding
Melanie my sister in New Zealand, is planning to come to England to get married. Her fiance who also lives in NZ is English and they want to get married here because Peter's mother lives here and she would like to see her son getting married.
It has been a nightmare trying to organise everything from NZ and there are zillions of British bureaucratic regulations that have to be complied with. Mel says it has rather taken the romance out of the occasion. Still, I am sure they will make the best of it. Here is a snippet from her latest email:
We leave on the 7th May arrive early morning the 8th our wedding date is now the 2nd June at 11.30am and we leave England for NZ on the 16th June
Lets wish them both well and hope that the arrangements and hassles will all work out well. It would be great if they could really enjoy their wedding instead of being swamped with stress.
It has been a nightmare trying to organise everything from NZ and there are zillions of British bureaucratic regulations that have to be complied with. Mel says it has rather taken the romance out of the occasion. Still, I am sure they will make the best of it. Here is a snippet from her latest email:
We leave on the 7th May arrive early morning the 8th our wedding date is now the 2nd June at 11.30am and we leave England for NZ on the 16th June
Lets wish them both well and hope that the arrangements and hassles will all work out well. It would be great if they could really enjoy their wedding instead of being swamped with stress.
Sean's Birthday
Today is Sean's Birthday.
Happy Birthday Sean
Wishing you good health and happiness in the year ahead.
Happy Birthday Sean
Wishing you good health and happiness in the year ahead.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
More new house pics
Sean calls this one 'Woozle Rabbit' because, like Peter Rabbit who went straight into Farmer MacGregor's garden when he was told not to, Woozle made straight for the very place she ought not have been. That child is determined and moves very fast. Anyway, her dad has been working in that room to make it safe for her. Nigel is very good like that.
Few pics of worrying things in new house
I was shocked at the state of the floors in the house. The upstairs doors won't close and that is a problem in case Wendy gets out because the stairway is unsafe for babies. The ceilings had fallen down and the landlord had had builders in and there is plaster everywhere - including, I suspect, in the pipes draining the sink in the upstairs bathroom. Wendy's room has a place where a boiler and airing cupboard was but there is unsafe looking pipes and a hole on the floor. Not to mention some weird looking creamy coloured foam stuff on the wall.
Main Bedroom
Main Bedroom
Funny foam stuff coming out of hole in wall in Wendy's room
Doorless ex airing cupboard on Wendy's room
Floor of cupboard in Wendy's room.
Stairway is not safe with a crawling baby
Main Bedroom
Main Bedroom
Funny foam stuff coming out of hole in wall in Wendy's room
Doorless ex airing cupboard on Wendy's room
Floor of cupboard in Wendy's room.
Stairway is not safe with a crawling baby
Pics of the Day
Just out of the bath - proof that she WAS clean at one stage!
Oven manufacturers take note: This is the reason why it is a stupid idea to put cooker knobs where a child can reach them Cookers always used to have knobs on a board above the hot plates on top where they are easy to view and control and where kids can't do what Wendy is doing here!!
Wendy thought she would help with the cleaning too.
Wondering if the oven mitts would look good as a scarf
Oven manufacturers take note: This is the reason why it is a stupid idea to put cooker knobs where a child can reach them Cookers always used to have knobs on a board above the hot plates on top where they are easy to view and control and where kids can't do what Wendy is doing here!!
Wendy thought she would help with the cleaning too.
Wondering if the oven mitts would look good as a scarf
Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down
Thumbs Up:
1. Mark and Dawn, friends of Caelyn and Nigel. They arrived early, got packing, lifting, moving and cleaning. And at the end of the day, they fed all of us a roast dinner. Their help was invaluable and greatly appreciated. Huge debt of gratitude owed to them.
2. Susie Triffett at Christians Against Poverty for running herself ragged to sort out the electricity problem with EDF. They would still be in darkness without Susie. Excellent work, Susie, and also greatly appreciated. CAP do excellent work in debt counselling and they are not rip-off artists either. There are NO fees to pay and you do not have to belong to any faith at all to qualify for their help. Neither do you have to become a Christian although they would be happy if you did, but they certainly don't put any pressure on. Visit them at http://capuk.org/ They have taken terrible pressure off some people I know who landed in debt through no fault of their own and had less than £4 a week f=to feed their families. They are bringers of hope to thousands of people.
3. Rays Rentals in Dover for helping with the use of their Van for a very low fee with no notice in advance as the original van didn't show up. They didn't have to and it was very kind of them.
4. Denny at Sedgewicks for faxing endless documents to EDF.
Thumbs Down
The Van that didn't show up on Moving Day
EDF who would turn the electricity on if Kate and Nigel would agree to pay the previous tenant's arrears or then offer 2 working days, then offer to come for a £52 call out. Scandalous, callous and disgraceful. Boo! Boo! Boo!
1. Mark and Dawn, friends of Caelyn and Nigel. They arrived early, got packing, lifting, moving and cleaning. And at the end of the day, they fed all of us a roast dinner. Their help was invaluable and greatly appreciated. Huge debt of gratitude owed to them.
2. Susie Triffett at Christians Against Poverty for running herself ragged to sort out the electricity problem with EDF. They would still be in darkness without Susie. Excellent work, Susie, and also greatly appreciated. CAP do excellent work in debt counselling and they are not rip-off artists either. There are NO fees to pay and you do not have to belong to any faith at all to qualify for their help. Neither do you have to become a Christian although they would be happy if you did, but they certainly don't put any pressure on. Visit them at http://capuk.org/ They have taken terrible pressure off some people I know who landed in debt through no fault of their own and had less than £4 a week f=to feed their families. They are bringers of hope to thousands of people.
3. Rays Rentals in Dover for helping with the use of their Van for a very low fee with no notice in advance as the original van didn't show up. They didn't have to and it was very kind of them.
4. Denny at Sedgewicks for faxing endless documents to EDF.
Thumbs Down
The Van that didn't show up on Moving Day
EDF who would turn the electricity on if Kate and Nigel would agree to pay the previous tenant's arrears or then offer 2 working days, then offer to come for a £52 call out. Scandalous, callous and disgraceful. Boo! Boo! Boo!
The Dreaded Move
We all knew that THE MOVE would be stressful but we didn't anticipate half of it. Where shall I start?
1. Wendy was unsettled so she kept the house up till gone 2am the night before the move so everyone was tired. Wendy was fractious and niggly because she was tired too and couldn't understand what was going on. I took her out in her pram twice and that was good. The first time I took her out she fell asleep and woke up in a much better mood. Later when I took her out she didn't sleep but came back happier.
2. The moving Van didn't materialise BUT Peter and Patrick from Rays Rentals who rent Kate her tumble drier and something else very kindly moved some of the big stuff in their van for a nominal charge of £10. That was fantastic - thanks, guys! In the rental agreement for the tumble drier it stipulates that Rays Rentals have to move the equipment they rented you when you go to a new house so they were going there anyway but it was so sweet of them to help out like that. If you need to rent big white appliances or TVs etc their phone number is 01304 204194
3. There was no electricity at the new house. EDF said at first they would turn it on IF Kate and Nigel paid the previous tenant's arrears. Kate said she didn't have the money for that. Eventually after Susie Triffett from Folkestone CAP (Christians Against Poverty) phoned them (every half hour or so!) they agreed to come and turn in on within 2 working days. Not good enough, said Susie. Then they could do it for a call out fee of £52. Not good enough, said Susie. Eventually she got them out and there was light just after 7pm. No gas though, and the gas runs the cooker, hot water and heating. Still, they had light, which was more than they thought they would get. What a day of arguing and tears over electricity. Needless to say, Kate and Nigel plan to change supplier. They have a chesty young baby and Kate is on a disability allowance because of her kidney disease and I heard her explain that to EDF.
1. Wendy was unsettled so she kept the house up till gone 2am the night before the move so everyone was tired. Wendy was fractious and niggly because she was tired too and couldn't understand what was going on. I took her out in her pram twice and that was good. The first time I took her out she fell asleep and woke up in a much better mood. Later when I took her out she didn't sleep but came back happier.
2. The moving Van didn't materialise BUT Peter and Patrick from Rays Rentals who rent Kate her tumble drier and something else very kindly moved some of the big stuff in their van for a nominal charge of £10. That was fantastic - thanks, guys! In the rental agreement for the tumble drier it stipulates that Rays Rentals have to move the equipment they rented you when you go to a new house so they were going there anyway but it was so sweet of them to help out like that. If you need to rent big white appliances or TVs etc their phone number is 01304 204194
3. There was no electricity at the new house. EDF said at first they would turn it on IF Kate and Nigel paid the previous tenant's arrears. Kate said she didn't have the money for that. Eventually after Susie Triffett from Folkestone CAP (Christians Against Poverty) phoned them (every half hour or so!) they agreed to come and turn in on within 2 working days. Not good enough, said Susie. Then they could do it for a call out fee of £52. Not good enough, said Susie. Eventually she got them out and there was light just after 7pm. No gas though, and the gas runs the cooker, hot water and heating. Still, they had light, which was more than they thought they would get. What a day of arguing and tears over electricity. Needless to say, Kate and Nigel plan to change supplier. They have a chesty young baby and Kate is on a disability allowance because of her kidney disease and I heard her explain that to EDF.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Michelle's Last Day - Industrial Relations
Michelle was happy when she got home after working her last day at a local insurance company. She was looking forward to a few days off before starting in her new job in a company that specialises in caring for adults with learning disabilities such as Downs Syndrome.
Then it was all ruined for her. The manager at the insurance company phoned her to say that although he and she had totted up her hours of overtime together and they both agreed that she had worked 46 hours overtime, they were going to pay her for just 20 hours. Not only that but the promised Tesco shopping vouchers would not be forthcoming either.
She shouldn't have been surprised. Isn't it typical of an insurance company to look for ways to wriggle out of paying? Their stance will probably invoke some loophole or other and be perfectly legal, but it wasn't wise. Whenever Michelle thinks about them or they come up in conversation, she is going to remember this shoddy treatment along with the fact that her sales targets were set unrealistically high and impossible to meet.
The wise thing to do would have been to say "Here's the 46 hours pay we owe you, but we've rounded it up to 50 hours as a parting gift and we wish you well in your future". It really would not have cost them that much and they would have had decades of good wishes from Michelle who would have told people what a great company they were to work for. This is why they were unwise:- Their small-minded penny-pinching ways has created an ex employee who feels unfairly treated and angry and who could talk about it in negative terms for years.
And it did not have to be like that.
Then it was all ruined for her. The manager at the insurance company phoned her to say that although he and she had totted up her hours of overtime together and they both agreed that she had worked 46 hours overtime, they were going to pay her for just 20 hours. Not only that but the promised Tesco shopping vouchers would not be forthcoming either.
She shouldn't have been surprised. Isn't it typical of an insurance company to look for ways to wriggle out of paying? Their stance will probably invoke some loophole or other and be perfectly legal, but it wasn't wise. Whenever Michelle thinks about them or they come up in conversation, she is going to remember this shoddy treatment along with the fact that her sales targets were set unrealistically high and impossible to meet.
The wise thing to do would have been to say "Here's the 46 hours pay we owe you, but we've rounded it up to 50 hours as a parting gift and we wish you well in your future". It really would not have cost them that much and they would have had decades of good wishes from Michelle who would have told people what a great company they were to work for. This is why they were unwise:- Their small-minded penny-pinching ways has created an ex employee who feels unfairly treated and angry and who could talk about it in negative terms for years.
And it did not have to be like that.
Monday, March 26, 2007
A dog's life.
Terrie and Brakkie on the top of the Cliff
Terrie and Brakkie at the bottom of the cliff
Ooh, isn't he enjoying that roll around in the springy grass? A dogs life, thats for sure.
Terrie and Brakkie at the bottom of the cliff
Ooh, isn't he enjoying that roll around in the springy grass? A dogs life, thats for sure.
Folkestone Leas
The Council has been improving the Lower Leas for some time. It was a nice day today so Terrie, Brakkie and I went to see what they had done.
The pathways are nicely done. Further down they are a bit steep and uneven. My mobility scooter, a TGA Breeze coped with it very well, but most mobility scooters wouldn't. They would have stability problems and be underpowered. Well, they ARE cliffs, and most scooters are to help people get around town.
They have put seating areas in the cliffside caves. There is a lot of seating so although the walk is a bit tough going, there are plenty of resting places. No litter problem either.
Terrie and Brakkie having a rest
The path as it nears the bottom of the slopes.
The pathways are nicely done. Further down they are a bit steep and uneven. My mobility scooter, a TGA Breeze coped with it very well, but most mobility scooters wouldn't. They would have stability problems and be underpowered. Well, they ARE cliffs, and most scooters are to help people get around town.
They have put seating areas in the cliffside caves. There is a lot of seating so although the walk is a bit tough going, there are plenty of resting places. No litter problem either.
Terrie and Brakkie having a rest
The path as it nears the bottom of the slopes.
Only One thing left to Do
There was only one thing left to do after she enjoyed her ice-cream so much that she ended up wearing a lot of it, and that was to bath her. We did, then she settled down for a nap. A lovely end to a lovely afternoon, enjoying simple family pleasures. You don't have to spend huge amounts of money to have fun or to "do" anything "special". Most often, happy memories are made when people just enjoy each other's company.
Whatever we do, we create memories. This Blog is a kind of Family memory bank and if you browse through it you will notice that although there are special occasions, most of it is the mundane, ordinary stuff on which the fabric of family life rests. It is great having something to celebrate but I think that day- to- day simple joys are woven together to make life what it is. We are not only making memories but forging bonds and creating a habit of happiness that runs through even sad and difficult events such as bereavement and worry about the health of beloved family members. It is worth tending family bonds because when trouble hits - and it does in every life - the shock is absorbed by the whole group so it is much less for one person to bear.
Whatever we do, we are making Memories. Memories of love always involve living things like family, friends and animal companions, and Memories of Love are what life is based upon.
Whatever we do, we create memories. This Blog is a kind of Family memory bank and if you browse through it you will notice that although there are special occasions, most of it is the mundane, ordinary stuff on which the fabric of family life rests. It is great having something to celebrate but I think that day- to- day simple joys are woven together to make life what it is. We are not only making memories but forging bonds and creating a habit of happiness that runs through even sad and difficult events such as bereavement and worry about the health of beloved family members. It is worth tending family bonds because when trouble hits - and it does in every life - the shock is absorbed by the whole group so it is much less for one person to bear.
Whatever we do, we are making Memories. Memories of love always involve living things like family, friends and animal companions, and Memories of Love are what life is based upon.
Track the Changes
She started out clean and tidy
Then she began her Strawberry Sorbet ( she has sorbet because she reacts badly to cows milk)
She certainly enjoys her food
Mummy enjoyed hers as well
Its all gone!
Then she began her Strawberry Sorbet ( she has sorbet because she reacts badly to cows milk)
She certainly enjoys her food
Mummy enjoyed hers as well
Its all gone!
What happened next
When Josie and Nigel left and Michelle and Caelyn went for a Sunday afternoon snooze, Sean and I took Wendy out.
Showing her the daffodils
Outside the famous Folkestone Italian ice-cream shop.
Showing her the daffodils
Outside the famous Folkestone Italian ice-cream shop.
Playing with the brick trolley
Daddy saying goodbye to the youngest lady in his life as he was on his way to visit the oldest lady in his life, his grandmother.
I wish this photo was better quality but I have put it on the Blog because it is the only one we have got so far of her walking. She moves so fast and there is quite a delay on the digital camera so it is very hard to capture a moment before it passes.
Helping Mum eat her lunch. Wendy had some too of course and here she is about to eat a sugar snap pea. She had her own plate but food always tastes better off someone else's plate.
Daddy saying goodbye to the youngest lady in his life as he was on his way to visit the oldest lady in his life, his grandmother.
I wish this photo was better quality but I have put it on the Blog because it is the only one we have got so far of her walking. She moves so fast and there is quite a delay on the digital camera so it is very hard to capture a moment before it passes.
Helping Mum eat her lunch. Wendy had some too of course and here she is about to eat a sugar snap pea. She had her own plate but food always tastes better off someone else's plate.
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