Day 98

Wednesday, first day back at work.  BOOOOOO!!

I know I struggle to get out of bed most mornings, but today was a particularly hard day.  A crap night's sleep thanks to the fecking mouse that's still in my bedroom, kamikaze mouse that takes the bait but doesn't get caught, little shit.  Opened the door to find a hard frost on the car, couldn't be arsed with the scraper, so opted for some lukewarm water instead.  A quick stop off at Morrison's fora loaf & bought some crap from the Christmas sale!

The morning was a real drag, more so than anticipated, so couldn't wait for my turkey sarnies that were waiting for me in the car.  The afternoon dragged as much as the morning, especially as I came back from lunch early as it was so bloody cold.  On the plus side, I managed to get on to of most of the desktop, down to single figures finally and I break up again tomorrow for a 5 day weekend again.  Home to the hounds, turkey & chips for dinner & the rest of the turkey shared between the hounds & the cats, more farting to put up with, lol.  Off to Tesco to collect my order, already frosty, so glad I covered the car as soon as I got home.  Looking forward to my bed & hopefully a decent night's sleep.

Day 96 & 97

Woohoo, another lie in!!  Boxing Day has arrived & plans for a lazy day with the hounds.  So, the hounds got pate on toast for their breakfast, a little Christmas treat for them.

Following breakfast I decided that as my DVD player had broken on Christmas day that I would try to get a new one, so headed out to Asda.  I was surprised to find that they weren't that busy, had a quick look down the sale aisle to find a sugar skulls double duvet set half price, so that'll do for starters, the Christmas stock was pretty much sold out, but there were a few Christmas cards that people were snapping up.  Bagged myself a DVD player for £25.

Home to walk the hounds & then test out my new purchase watching Peter Kay, so I nearly PMSL especially when he sang Danny Boy after sucking helium from a balloon.  Another Christmas dinner for me & the hounds before jumping in the shower before my mate's gig in Tipton.  It's been ages since the duo, Rock of Ages had a gig.  What a fantastic night, brilliant crowd & fab music, home for 2.30 am.

Tuesday, last day of my holidays, again, no plans for the day, but another much needed lie in.  Decided to order an action camera for the hound walks as they don't tend to provide much other action, lol.  Had a quick tootle round B&M and Wilko too & got my secret santa gift for next year in the sale.  Back home to walk the hounds & spend the rest of the day bumming around the house & consuming alcohol.

Oh well, that's the end of the Christmas holidays!

Day 94 & 95

Saturday morning, Christmas Eve, my only plan of the day to do nothing.  Took the hounds for their walk before getting the Christmas meat in the oven, the smell of it cooking tantalised the hounds, but I saved the juice to pour on their kibble, so they were happy about that.  A day bumming around the house with the hounds til I got tagged on Facebook to say Badger had won a prize for getting second in the Jollyes Christmas outfit competition, so off we trotted for him to collect his prize, a 2kg bag of food & a candy cane treat.  A dash to Poundland for a few odds & ends before heading home.

Shower time to get ready for an evening out with my mate singing as herself in Rowley Regis, a great evening it was too, the crowd seemed to really enjoy it, so all good.  An early finish so time to have a chat & a drink at the end.  Home to the hounds & in bed before 1 am.

Sunday, the big day, got woken up by the rugrats next door shouting at the top of their voices at 6.30 am ffs, managed to get back to sleep for a while & rose when Lady barked at 9.50 am.  A cuppa & time to open my presents, to say I was overwhelmed by what I received is an understatement, I'm truly blessed to have some amazing friends.  The hounds had loads of presents too & were keen to try out their treats.

An extended walk as they'd shared my bacon sarnie, it was really quiet too, so no barky barks from Willow, all good.  A visit to the crem to light some candles on Ray's grave then home to prepare dinner for me & the hounds.  Enjoyed dinner (so did they), their's was washed down with some dog beer, while I had a bottle of Rudolph's Reward, very nice too.  My DVD player decided to break halfway through Polar Express, so had to demolish it to remove the disc.

Shower & onesie on (reindeer of course), a turkey sarnie to be followed by some Winter Jack to wash it down.  A strange night for me as I'm staying in, normally I'm out on Christmas night.

Day 92 & 93

Thursday, last day at work before the Christmas break, at least the phones were quiet, so got loads done.  The cake & chocolate supplies are finally starting to diminish, thank goodness.

More gifts again today, flowers & a bottle of wine.  My good deed of the day was to deliver a food hamper to the penthouse for the Mayor's charities, it had been sent in by a MH doctor who does our assessments.  Popped to the crem in my lunch break to drop off flowers for my hubby, it was mighty cold up there.  Also, a quick five minutes to stop off at home to let the hounds out for a wee before heading back to the office.

More of the same during the afternoon, prepared & sent out my weekly reports before heading home an hour earlier than normal.  A relaxing evening with a bottle of Ruddles Best to start off the holidays.

Friday, so I was supposed to have a lie in, but woke at 6.35 am!!  A trip to the RGT kennels to collect food for the hounds, a stop at Lidl which was manic to get treats for the kennel hounds & dropped off a donation from a colleague.  A diversion via Morrisons at Bilston to get some Fever Tree tonic water, chaos in there too, a 15 minute wait for the self service check outs.  On to RGT Dudley to drop off some pillows & some treats for the hounds.

Home to walk the hounds, started a job application on-line & feed my face.  Soon be time for a shower & head out to the Spread Eagle to see my mate perform as herself.

Day 91

Wednesday, another day closer to the long weekend.  Today started with a trip to the penthouse to collect copier paper as we had run out, thanks to the bloody finance system causing my orders to get held up.  Then back to the office to discover someone had used the trolley & not returned it.  A cuppa & some crumpets first job of the day.

Did loads of the desktop today, but still nowhere near caught up, hopefully I can catch up over Christmas.  My new laptop didn't turn up either :-(

Nipped into Morrison's at lunchtime for the hounds Christmas breakfast, it was shockingly quiet.  Actually left on time, so stopped to get my pork joint on the way home & some frozen stuff too.  Dropped off my niece's birthday card/present & a trip to Bentley Bridge for some Christmas booze, home to relax, eventually.

Day 89 & 90

Monday has arrived already, hoping for a better week than last week.

Soon after arriving at the office my week seemed to be carrying on where last week left off.  Loads of work to catch up with & getting nowhere fast, everyone seems to want a piece of me, can't get anything achieved.  So pleased when the day was finally over!!  Not much more to say about that.

Tuesday, bring & share day so a stop off at Lidl to collect the crusty bread.  Managed to crack on with some finance and some of the Safeguarding desktop, so not too bad a start.  Helped set out the food for the buffet lunch, can't believe how much food there was, especially cheese!!  The only day of the year where we get a two hour lunch break.  So food, secret santa and a quiz, our team came second - Team Rudolph!  Not long to clear up as quite a lot had been eaten, but still enough for lunch tomorrow.  More catching up during the afternoon, although the desktop is starting to fill up again. Home again to the hounds & to do a bit of knitting, another order, this time for a Jack Russell.

Day 87 & 88

Saturday morning started with an early alarm so me & Badger could meet Cathy & Izzy at Attingham Park,  Not much traffic on the M54 so we arrived after about half an hour, my boy was so happy to see them both, he loves meeting his houndie friends.  We had a lovely walk around the WW2 walk and the deer were also quite close, so I managed to get a couple of good clear images.

A chilled out afternoon followed, then a night out in Birmingham to see my mate performing as Pink at the Sportsman's Rest.  A great evening, crowd were a bit rowdy though.

Sunday, another early start for the RGT Greyhound walk at Cannock Chase, 76 sighthounds and their humans joined the walk which was a bit muddy under foot.  Mulled wine followed for the humans and sausages for the hounds.  Lady joined me on the walk wearing her santa saddle.  A quick dash home for a shower before heading over to Darlaston Conservative Club where my mate was performing as Annie Lennox.  Had a great catch up & a few drinks.

Weekend over :-(

Day 85 & 86

Thursday, Board day.  Half an hour extra in bed due to a request for a fasting blood test, so an early trip to the doctors before work.  Why is it you always wake starving when you can't eat.  Luckily not too much of a wait before I could get my breakfast biscuits and a cuppa down my neck on the journey to the city centre.  Arrive at the car park to find neither ticket machine working, so a hastily written note for the dashboard before towing my laptop across the city.

Not too bad a meeting to be fair, more attendees than usual for the December Board.  Early finish to take back some hours I'm owed.  A couple of cards and presents delivered on the way home.  Hounds walked and fed so a bit of a chill out for me.  My mate was singing in Derby, so texted me to see if I wanted to tag along, of course I did, needed a break from the crap week I'm having.  This time she was performing as herself, this doesn't happen very often, she was great but sadly the casino was very quiet, home early for a change at 1.00 am.

Friday, at last.  Just when I thought this week couldn't get worse I was told we have had an Information Governance breach, just what I needed.  My planned meetings for the day had to go out of the window so I could sort this out as nothing had been done to rectify it.  Looks like I'm in for a bollocking on Monday, like their actions are my fault.  Really feel like thumping someone!!  Surprisingly got some Xmas gifts from my staff, I was most surprised when they told me I was the best manager they've had, that might change on Monday!!

A night in with a can of JD & coke with the hounds and an early night.  Rock & Roll.

Day 83 & 84

Tuesday, a day in the office today.  So, left the house early as I needed to call into Morrisons, got within a mile of the office and realised I'd left my laptop at home so had to go back for it.  All in all the morning journey took 35 minutes as I got caught in traffic.

My day didn't get any better, still waiting for Board reports for Thursday, so the first job was to chase those as they needed to go onto the internal meeting system.  Only half a day to get everything done as I'd got more training during the afternoon.  Being chased for a set of minutes that I haven't even started & being dragged into everyone else's shit.  Everyone seems to want a piece of me at the moment, but they're nowhere to be seen when I need support with anything.

So my day finished eventually with me feeling absolutely knackered with a banging headache.  In need of alcohol, but head hurting too much.  Couldn't wait to crawl into bed.

Wednesday, another full day of training in the city centre, so another early start to make sure I arrived on time.  So, today's training is Dealing with agression, might come in handy.  My first visit to the Yoo Recruit Boardroom, very pokey especially as there was 15 of us plus the trainer.  It was very hot so we had to keep the windows open to be driven mad by a bloke constantly playing jingle bells on a kids flute for 6 hours.  I think by the end we all wanted to shove his flute up his arse sideways.  Found the course a bit boring compared to the one on Monday, but at least we managed to finish a little earlier than planned, although it took 45 minutes to get home.

Time to chill with the hounds...........

Day 82

A rare chance for a lie in on a Monday & what happens?  Yep, I wake up at my normal time, over half an hour before my alarm goes off.  So, today I've got Restorative Practice training, what on earth does that me I wonder.  Off I tootle to the local swimming & fitness centre for my training session.

A couple of colleagues were on the same course, one sat by me (thank goodness).  The first session of the training was good, we even got sweeties, so all good.  The trainer was good & made the session fun, only downside was that the tea was rubbish, so I had to have two cups of coffee, dread taking my BP today, lol.

The rest of the day was very good, the trainer kept our interest all day which is rare on a training course, we opted for half hour lunch to enable a 3.30 pm finish (shh, don't tell anyone).  A stop off at Aldi for cat food then home to the hounds.

The only downside to the day was some aggro on social media (again), hopefully we can nip this in the bud quickly, planning on staying away from social media as much as possible for a bit.  Boy I need a drink or three.

Day 79, 80 & 81

Finally Friday, it's been such a long week.  A day of training on the updates to our finance system, oh joy.  At least the two training sessions weren't too long, not much will be changing, worst luck.  It has to be the most unfriendly system I've ever used.

Home to the hounds, so I was supposed to be going out, but was so knackered I fell asleep after I'd eaten.  Doh!!  Woke up & went more or less straight to bed.  Rock N Roll.

Saturday saw a trip to the shops to try to finish off my Xmas shopping, nearly there thank goodness, even managed to pick up the turkey crown.  Just got a few bits to get now.  Really not feeling it this year, it's worse than ever this time.  Got a text from my mate to see it I wanted to tag along to her show in a hotel in Stoke.  Quite a nice venue, but a bit (a lot) old fashioned, don't think it's changed since the 1970's looking at the decor.  The show was fabulous (Cher), the crowd seemed to enjoy it, even though they didn't seem to have much Christmas spirit for a Christmas party.

Sunday, tweet up day.  I'd decided after last month's walk to hold a raffle to make some money for charity.  Wow, I was truly overwhelmed at the response, we had masses of prizes and made £110 which we are sharing between two Spanish rescues who have recently been flooded, hopefully it will help them a little.  Back home to sort the bins out and walk the girls.  Finally got something to eat as I'd only had some biscuits at the tweet up.

Day 77 & 78

Woken up a couple of times by the bloody mouse in my bedroom, poxy thing takes the bait but doesn't get caught.  Reluctantly dragged myself out of bed to sort out the hounds dinners, breakfast & loo visits, love to see my babies in a morning.  My hour and a half with them before work soon flies by.  The thought of seeing them again at the end of the day helps me get through it.

Today started with my appointment with the podiatrist who thinks most of the pain I'm getting is from my back (sciatic nerve), the last couple of weeks have been agony, so I'm now discharged from the podiatrist and have to wait for physio.  On to work & straight into a team meeting, my first for a year, nice to be included again.  Don't know where the rest of the day disappeared to, a quick catch up regarding Board papers and before I knew it, it was home time.  A quick diversion to Aldi before getting home for some time with the hounds, bliss.

Thursday, started the same as Wednesday with the bloody mouse waking me up during the night.  Not a good night's sleep as I was in a lot of pain with my back too.  Most of the morning was taken up by a supervision and appraisal, all this crap takes so long.  The afternoon began with a meeting which took a bit longer than anticipated followed by another meeting and sending out Board papers.  I don't know why but everyone seems so needy at the moment & feel the need to talk to me about any old crap, which I don't really have time for.  Getting frustrated as I can't get anything done.  Today feels like I've worked three days straight, so glad when it was home time.  Really needed to relax tonight, collected an order from Tesco then vegetated & stitched up the first pair of socks I've made.  Off to bed very shortly.

Day 76

Tuesday started pretty much the same as Monday with me not wanting to get out of bed, or should I say not wanting to go to work!!

Quick ear scratches with the hounds whilst they ate their treats before I had to leave.  Time to grab a cuppa before the first meeting of the day.  Pretty uneventful apart from the opportunity for us to moan about the pilot we are trialing.  Time to stick my bread in the toaster for breakfast on the go.

Excited to get my hands on my end of year finance report early, yeah, ok I admit I'm anal when it comes to that stuff.

A bit of a hiccup on our social media stream, so reported it to the Comms Team, how exciting. I don't know when the day went to as I no sooner had lunch and it was home time already, I did have another catch up meeting with our new boss though.

Home to feed & fuss the hounds then a mad dash to Bentley Bridge to get a couple of birthday presents.  Back home to order tickets to see Kiss in May with my bestie, can't wait, excited I am.

That's all folks, not very talkative today.

Day 75

So, it's Monday morning & I found it soooo difficult to get up today, not because I was tired, I just can't seem to find my mojo of late.  Managed to drag my butt into work on time though (just).  My morning started with a catch up, it's amazing how many emails there are after just one day off.

A fairly uneventful day, not many of us around at the moment for some reason or another, certain people not answering phones, so hard to get anything done.

So glad when 5pm finally came around.  BORING DAY!!

Can't be bothered to do anything this evening, I really need to go to Dunelm, but really can't be bothered.  Also, need to write Christmas cards, but can't be bothered with that either.  My Christmas tree is definately staying in the loft this year.

BAH HUMBUG

Day 73 & 74

Saturday, not much of a lie in after my late night last night, but that's how I roll, lol.  Have been know to do a day's work on 2 hours sleep.  Today's fairly early get up was to go on a history walk organised by someone I used to work with, I'd not seen him for 18 years.  So, I bundled Lady into the car to join me for our trek over Wren's Nest, I was a Wrenna virgin!  Arrived early to find the car park locked, however, someone turned up eventually to unlock the gate.  A fab walk, great to take in the cold winter air & learn about the history too.  A stop off halfway for ten minutes to do a bit of fossil hunting, I found a few and brought four of them home to keep.  Lady was shattered & enjoyed some tuna cake whilst I had a well earned brew.  Back home to walk Badger & Willow.

A bit of a rest before getting showered as my mate was collecting me on her way to her gig in Blackpool, had a great evening at her Cher show, sadly the crowd at these casino's don't show their appreciation of talent very much, tonight was a bit of an exception as they did applaud the show. Helped I think by a couple of Christmas parties that were on.  I ended up with a rather drunken man hanging round my neck, makes a change from a woman I guess, lol.  Returned home at 3 am.

Another fairly early start to collect food for the hounds from the kennels, forgot to take the dog treats though, doh!  A very quick shopping trip & home for a shower before a couple of hours with my mates for a Sunday afternoon drink, something we don't often get to do.  Enjoyed having a proper catch up & a laugh, I really do have some of the best mates I could wish for.

Home to clean up after the hounds, sort out the bins (oh joy) and a much needed rest in front of the first log fire of the winter, bliss.  Not much else to report on Sunday, can't believe how short the weekends are.

Day 71 & 72

Really don't know where the time went to on Thursday morning, I'd no sooner got up (on time) & it was time to leave for work.  Another frosty morning, so more window scraping to do.  The hounds kept their bed coats on cause it's bloody freezing.

So, today was the first day of an unmanned reception trial, what a bloody day too.  We have less than half staff on duty as they're on training courses, an extra member of staff (the receptionist) who needs an induction & a new senior manager who's line manager is no where to be seen.  Most of my day was spent inducting the senior manager in between running between the office & reception like a blue arsed fly.  Can't say I wasn't pleased to see the day end.  That's enough about that.

After a visit home to feed the hounds & myself I went to see to my mates dog in Dudley as they had left her for the day, a quick walk around the block followed by belly rubs & dinner (the dog not me)!!

Friday, a much needed day off and a bit of a lie in.  Today was Christmas shopping day, gotta start some time I suppose, decided to jump on a train to Birmingham as parking will probably be a nightmare.  Headed out to Tipton park & ride to get the 10.28 to New Street.  So two & a half hours around the shops & a cheesy hotdog from the German market saw most of my presents bought, need to do a stock check & see what else I need to get now.  Sore feet & an aching back & I was glad to be back on the train home.  A stop of at Poundstretcher for a few bits then home for a sit down & brew before walking the hounds in semi-daylight.

Dinner & another sit down before I'm off to see my mate's Cher show in Sedgley.