I can safely say that the last few years at work have been hell. I've been used as a trouble shooter, being sent into areas that had major problems to 'sort' them out. I don't think I've done a bad job on the whole, but I know there are some areas that I could have improved upon (no I'm not perfect!!).
If I said that I didn't get fed up with having a reputation for being a 'sorter' I'd be lying. Just for once I'd quite like to have an easy job, I'd like to get to hide under the radar instead of constantly being in the spotlight.
In my experience I have been given the recoignition for some great work that I've done, but all too often I've been criticised for the little things that I've not done quite so well, or the very rare occassions that I've not been on par.
So this last year I have slogged my guts out, I have been managing an area that has been in complete crisis - to say it was a shit tip is an understatement! I had several months sick leave in the summer and since September have been working reduced hours - so things haven't progressed as smoothly or as quickly as I had hoped and yes, I have been criticised by management for not performing as they had expected. What do they want - blood?
Now, the area I manage is very high profile and had so many issues it seemed like an impossible task had been given to me. Given the issues that have arisen, every man and his dog has had a piece of my area.
Yesterday I had a visit from a member of the management board. She put me through my paces and wanted to know the ins and outs of everything I have done since taking up the post last year. She not only wanted to know, she wanted to see - everything. If I say I was nervous, I'd be lying - I was petrified!
However, at the end of her visit, she turned to my boss and I will quote what she said:-
'Where does someone like Mrs M get her knowledge and skill from?, This remarkable young lady has demonstrated today (and over the last year) that she practices at a level so high I'm sure no University has it on their curicculum!'
She then added:- 'Myself and the board have had our concerns regarding this area and we have been preparing ourselves for the fall out that was expected by all, however after today I can go back to them and tell them that there are no worries, there will be no fall out. For that, young lady, I commend you'.
So there you have it, Officially- I'm Freaking Fantastic!
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Toxic friend
I try to be a good friend, really I do. I consider myself to have a very small circle of true friends and for these ladies I would walk on hot coals time and time again.
I tend to think there are two types of friends (and I use the word loosly) there are the friends that I could not (but thankfully do) see from one year to the next, but if I were to pick up the phone they'd be there in a shot - you know the true friends.
Then there are the other friends, you know the type - they phone you when they have a crisis, expect you to drop everything without so much as a kind word or how are you? Unfortunately I have several of these types of friends and I just can't find it in me to end the friendship (agin I use the term loosly).
I can see that you are wondering where this post is going?
Yesterday I recieved a telephone call from one of THOSE friends. Now I have not heard from or seen her since Easter last year and to be honest, I was kind of hoping that we'd run our course and I'd never have to have contact with her again. Lord, I sound such a terrible person, but let me explain.....
I met Mavis on 4th September 1996 - we hit if off instantly and for the next 3 years were inseperable. We shared each others major life events, marriage, divorce etc. Then I met Mr M and she met husband #2 and everything changed. She changed from the Mavis that I knew and I soon found her to be selfish and controlling.
When she left husband #1, after he found out she had been cheating with husband #2, I was there for her. I didn't judge her, I was just there for her. I gave her and husband #2 somewhere to live. Within a short time she married husband #2 (we didn't get an invite to the wedding) and very shortly after she had her only child, whom I opened a trust fund for with a substantial gift (we didn't get an invite to the christening), yet it was me who drove over to do her washing and ironing, it was me who batch cooked food for her freezer, it was me who did all the running around - because I wanted to, because I was her friend.
When Mavis had no money, I bailed her out, when Husband #2 left her (after he found out she had cheated on him) I was there for her, I didn't judge her, I was just there for her. Again I bailed her out more times than I care to remember. I thought after she had sorted herself out, she'd be the Mavis that I had grown so fond of.....
When I gave birth to Lola we didn't even get a phone call, never mind a card or offer of help. She would turn up at really inconvenient times - usually tea time - and I'd cringe when she would say to her child 'it's ok, Mrs M will make tea for us'. Like I didn't have enough to do?
After I had Dora she continued in her now selfish manner, she would visit my home (often for hours on end), watch me struggle with a breastfeeding newborn, toddler and two boys and never once offered to make lunch, a cup of tea, drinks for the kids. She never once asked how things were with Cruella, how I was coping with the kids -she just talked about herself and latest boyfriend, or the drama she was having with husband #2.
When I was really ill during the summer she never volunteered to help, instead she expressed her discontent that I hadn't driven over with her childs birthday present - WTF? I could hardly walk!
So you get the picture, I found Mavis to be toxic, yet I still couldn't find it in me to end our friendship - I'm just not like that!
So when the phone rang last night and I was gteeted with 'Hi Mrs M, it me'! my heart fell. She now wants to meet up as she has yet another crisis and it's far too complicated for her to go into over the telephone........
I really wanted to tell her how I felt, I wanted to say 'find some other sucker to drain' but instaed I have arranged to meet her. I just can't not be nice to her - it's just not in me!
I tend to think there are two types of friends (and I use the word loosly) there are the friends that I could not (but thankfully do) see from one year to the next, but if I were to pick up the phone they'd be there in a shot - you know the true friends.
Then there are the other friends, you know the type - they phone you when they have a crisis, expect you to drop everything without so much as a kind word or how are you? Unfortunately I have several of these types of friends and I just can't find it in me to end the friendship (agin I use the term loosly).
I can see that you are wondering where this post is going?
Yesterday I recieved a telephone call from one of THOSE friends. Now I have not heard from or seen her since Easter last year and to be honest, I was kind of hoping that we'd run our course and I'd never have to have contact with her again. Lord, I sound such a terrible person, but let me explain.....
I met Mavis on 4th September 1996 - we hit if off instantly and for the next 3 years were inseperable. We shared each others major life events, marriage, divorce etc. Then I met Mr M and she met husband #2 and everything changed. She changed from the Mavis that I knew and I soon found her to be selfish and controlling.
When she left husband #1, after he found out she had been cheating with husband #2, I was there for her. I didn't judge her, I was just there for her. I gave her and husband #2 somewhere to live. Within a short time she married husband #2 (we didn't get an invite to the wedding) and very shortly after she had her only child, whom I opened a trust fund for with a substantial gift (we didn't get an invite to the christening), yet it was me who drove over to do her washing and ironing, it was me who batch cooked food for her freezer, it was me who did all the running around - because I wanted to, because I was her friend.
When Mavis had no money, I bailed her out, when Husband #2 left her (after he found out she had cheated on him) I was there for her, I didn't judge her, I was just there for her. Again I bailed her out more times than I care to remember. I thought after she had sorted herself out, she'd be the Mavis that I had grown so fond of.....
When I gave birth to Lola we didn't even get a phone call, never mind a card or offer of help. She would turn up at really inconvenient times - usually tea time - and I'd cringe when she would say to her child 'it's ok, Mrs M will make tea for us'. Like I didn't have enough to do?
After I had Dora she continued in her now selfish manner, she would visit my home (often for hours on end), watch me struggle with a breastfeeding newborn, toddler and two boys and never once offered to make lunch, a cup of tea, drinks for the kids. She never once asked how things were with Cruella, how I was coping with the kids -she just talked about herself and latest boyfriend, or the drama she was having with husband #2.
When I was really ill during the summer she never volunteered to help, instead she expressed her discontent that I hadn't driven over with her childs birthday present - WTF? I could hardly walk!
So you get the picture, I found Mavis to be toxic, yet I still couldn't find it in me to end our friendship - I'm just not like that!
So when the phone rang last night and I was gteeted with 'Hi Mrs M, it me'! my heart fell. She now wants to meet up as she has yet another crisis and it's far too complicated for her to go into over the telephone........
I really wanted to tell her how I felt, I wanted to say 'find some other sucker to drain' but instaed I have arranged to meet her. I just can't not be nice to her - it's just not in me!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Who is Trixie Lee?
So who is the lady that I've shared my blog with? Why did I feel the need to Blog about her?
Let me tell you a few things that make Trixie a true gem:-
Shes..........
A- Articulate
B- Brill
C- Calming
D- Devoted
E-Earnest
F- Funny - so bloody funny
G- Godmother to Dora (thankyou x )
H - High maintenence (She's glamorous, what do you expect? lol)
I- Inspirational
J- Joker
K-Killer heals - even if they are odd!
L- Loyal
M-Mother
N - Naughty (yes you are!)
O - Organised and obsessive
P - Prankster
Q - Questioning
R - Right - all the freaking time!
S - Supportive
T - Truthful
U - Unbelievable
V - Vulnerable
W - Wonderwoman
X - xtraordinary (ok, I cheated - but she is!)
Y - Yummy mummy
Z - Zealous
She's all of the above and so much more. You are a great friend, role model and so much better at hair and make-up than I will ever be - thank goodness the girls have you!
Let me tell you a few things that make Trixie a true gem:-
Shes..........
A- Articulate
B- Brill
C- Calming
D- Devoted
E-Earnest
F- Funny - so bloody funny
G- Godmother to Dora (thankyou x )
H - High maintenence (She's glamorous, what do you expect? lol)
I- Inspirational
J- Joker
K-Killer heals - even if they are odd!
L- Loyal
M-Mother
N - Naughty (yes you are!)
O - Organised and obsessive
P - Prankster
Q - Questioning
R - Right - all the freaking time!
S - Supportive
T - Truthful
U - Unbelievable
V - Vulnerable
W - Wonderwoman
X - xtraordinary (ok, I cheated - but she is!)
Y - Yummy mummy
Z - Zealous
She's all of the above and so much more. You are a great friend, role model and so much better at hair and make-up than I will ever be - thank goodness the girls have you!
To you from me Trixie Lee!
I've taken the plunge and shared my Blog address with my dear friend Trixie. I've kept my blogging to myself since I started - my dirty little secret, but today I decided the time had come for me to let those nearest have a peak.
So Trixie - I'm sure you'll find out one or two things about me that you didn't know (no jokes about the Bagpipes ok?), please don't be too critical - you know how sensitive I am! Oh and remember the stage names, protect the innocent at all costs!
Love ya Trix
Mrs M
So Trixie - I'm sure you'll find out one or two things about me that you didn't know (no jokes about the Bagpipes ok?), please don't be too critical - you know how sensitive I am! Oh and remember the stage names, protect the innocent at all costs!
Love ya Trix
Mrs M
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Ask your mum
Crys reminded be of something i'd like to share:-
When I was pregnant with Lola the boys would love to sit and look at my pregnancy books (my bible) and see how big 'bump' was, or what 'bump' was doing at that stage. They were really excited and we tried so hard to make sure they felt involved - they were 9 and 7 at the time.
One morning on the way to school Charlie pipes up 'How did 'Bump' get into your tummy?'
I (almost crashed the car) didn't answer quite quick enough - trying to get my birds and bee's story to sound convincing - Woody saved me the bother with his answer 'Dad and Mrs M had sexing, that's what put 'bump'into your tummy isn't it Mrs M?'
I (almost crashed the car again) and copped out with 'Yes, Woody, Dad and I love each other and we created 'Bump'.'
All was quiet and thinking I'd dodged that one, I prepared myself to answer any further questions with 'Ask your Mum'. Terrible I know!
being the thinker that he is, Charlie then chirps up 'So if you and Dad put 'Bump' into your tummy, how does 'Bump' get out?'
Feeling very smug with my pre-decided answer, I almost get the 'ask' out of my mouth before Woody (the font of information) volunteers 'Bump will have to come out of your doofler wont it Mrs M?'
This time (very much in fear of crashing the car) I pulled over, 'Ask your mum' wasn't going to wash this time. The conversation was as follows:-
Woody - It does doesn't it Mrs M, Bump comes out of your Doofler?
Charlie - Don't be stupid Woody, how can a baby fit through a ladies Doofler?
Woody - It does, doesn't it Mrs M? Tell him!
Mrs M - Yes Woody, the baby does pass through a ladies Vagina when it is being born. (why didn't I think to tell them the belly button cover story?)
Charlie - But how - are ladies Dooflers really THAT big?
Mrs M - Ladies have Vaginas Charlie and no they are not THAT big.
Charlie - so just how does the baby fit through then?
Mrs M - (Ask your mum???) You've seen the film the 'Incredibles'
Boys - Yes
Mrs M - and you know that each of them has the ability to do something incredible
Boys - Yes
Mrs M - well, ladies vaginas are incredible.
Boys - Oh, THATS how the babies come out?
Mrs M - Yes.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I'm just about to pull out to continue our journey to school when Charlie pipes up:-
Charlie - So grown ups have sexing to make a baby and then babies come out of the vagina?
Mrs - Yes mate something like that.
Charlie - Do men have vaginas?
Mrs M - No mate, only ladies
Charlie - Phew, I thought I was going to have to have sexing with a man when I'm older!
Good job I was still stationary I think I'd have crashed the car!
When I was pregnant with Lola the boys would love to sit and look at my pregnancy books (my bible) and see how big 'bump' was, or what 'bump' was doing at that stage. They were really excited and we tried so hard to make sure they felt involved - they were 9 and 7 at the time.
One morning on the way to school Charlie pipes up 'How did 'Bump' get into your tummy?'
I (almost crashed the car) didn't answer quite quick enough - trying to get my birds and bee's story to sound convincing - Woody saved me the bother with his answer 'Dad and Mrs M had sexing, that's what put 'bump'into your tummy isn't it Mrs M?'
I (almost crashed the car again) and copped out with 'Yes, Woody, Dad and I love each other and we created 'Bump'.'
All was quiet and thinking I'd dodged that one, I prepared myself to answer any further questions with 'Ask your Mum'. Terrible I know!
being the thinker that he is, Charlie then chirps up 'So if you and Dad put 'Bump' into your tummy, how does 'Bump' get out?'
Feeling very smug with my pre-decided answer, I almost get the 'ask' out of my mouth before Woody (the font of information) volunteers 'Bump will have to come out of your doofler wont it Mrs M?'
This time (very much in fear of crashing the car) I pulled over, 'Ask your mum' wasn't going to wash this time. The conversation was as follows:-
Woody - It does doesn't it Mrs M, Bump comes out of your Doofler?
Charlie - Don't be stupid Woody, how can a baby fit through a ladies Doofler?
Woody - It does, doesn't it Mrs M? Tell him!
Mrs M - Yes Woody, the baby does pass through a ladies Vagina when it is being born. (why didn't I think to tell them the belly button cover story?)
Charlie - But how - are ladies Dooflers really THAT big?
Mrs M - Ladies have Vaginas Charlie and no they are not THAT big.
Charlie - so just how does the baby fit through then?
Mrs M - (Ask your mum???) You've seen the film the 'Incredibles'
Boys - Yes
Mrs M - and you know that each of them has the ability to do something incredible
Boys - Yes
Mrs M - well, ladies vaginas are incredible.
Boys - Oh, THATS how the babies come out?
Mrs M - Yes.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I'm just about to pull out to continue our journey to school when Charlie pipes up:-
Charlie - So grown ups have sexing to make a baby and then babies come out of the vagina?
Mrs - Yes mate something like that.
Charlie - Do men have vaginas?
Mrs M - No mate, only ladies
Charlie - Phew, I thought I was going to have to have sexing with a man when I'm older!
Good job I was still stationary I think I'd have crashed the car!
Like hell I will
BM bash 2009 continues:
Friday night at 21.30hrs we get a telephone call from Charlie, telling us that he has a football match on Sunday. Not really sure why he called as there is never an issue with us taking him to football. During the conversation I remind him that he will have to make sure he brings everything he needs on Saturday, as there wont be time Sunday to run round picking things up from Cruella's.
Fast forward to Saturday afternoon. Mr M picks the boys up, I get home from work and I unpack their bags. When I get to the football bag I am greeted with a shirt, shorts, socks and shin pads. Just as I start to rip into Charlie about forgetting his stuff, he begins to explain.
It turns out that the football boots that Cruella bought him (after returning the ones I had bought him) don't fit. He also has no warm gear or waterproofs. I ask him what he has been wearing and he replies 'I've been borrowing stuff from the other boys, but I've been told that I've got to have my own from now on'. We had no idea that the kit he has used before was borrowed, we (wrongly) thought Cruella had provided it.
The penny drops - I am expected to go out and buy him new boots (again), new training top and trousers (warm kit) and new waterproof kit.
Like hell I will. If Cruella thinks she can manipulate and dictate she is in for a shock!
So today he has gone to football with the boots he uses for school, make-do warm kit and waterproofs (that will remain here) and I have told him that after the way his mother behaved last time, any new kit required for football or other sports will have to be provided by her - from the child benefit payment that she recieves monthly and we don't!
Up yours Cruella - like you said, you don't need me to buy things for your son! - what goes around comes around!
Friday night at 21.30hrs we get a telephone call from Charlie, telling us that he has a football match on Sunday. Not really sure why he called as there is never an issue with us taking him to football. During the conversation I remind him that he will have to make sure he brings everything he needs on Saturday, as there wont be time Sunday to run round picking things up from Cruella's.
Fast forward to Saturday afternoon. Mr M picks the boys up, I get home from work and I unpack their bags. When I get to the football bag I am greeted with a shirt, shorts, socks and shin pads. Just as I start to rip into Charlie about forgetting his stuff, he begins to explain.
It turns out that the football boots that Cruella bought him (after returning the ones I had bought him) don't fit. He also has no warm gear or waterproofs. I ask him what he has been wearing and he replies 'I've been borrowing stuff from the other boys, but I've been told that I've got to have my own from now on'. We had no idea that the kit he has used before was borrowed, we (wrongly) thought Cruella had provided it.
The penny drops - I am expected to go out and buy him new boots (again), new training top and trousers (warm kit) and new waterproof kit.
Like hell I will. If Cruella thinks she can manipulate and dictate she is in for a shock!
So today he has gone to football with the boots he uses for school, make-do warm kit and waterproofs (that will remain here) and I have told him that after the way his mother behaved last time, any new kit required for football or other sports will have to be provided by her - from the child benefit payment that she recieves monthly and we don't!
Up yours Cruella - like you said, you don't need me to buy things for your son! - what goes around comes around!
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Bargains
Remember this?
I had a lovely day on Thursday just moseying around the shops with Dora (Lola was in nursery). We were just browsing and had no intention of buying anything - honest!
Well until I stumbled upon the sale rail in 'Bench'. Still determined not to buy anything, I innocently searched (like the seasoned bargain hunter I am) the rail end to end. Before I knew it I had a hand full of coat hangers and was making my way to the check out. OK - I caved!
But,in my defence.... I only bought items that I genuinely needed and they were bargains. In total I bought the following:-
I had a lovely day on Thursday just moseying around the shops with Dora (Lola was in nursery). We were just browsing and had no intention of buying anything - honest!
Well until I stumbled upon the sale rail in 'Bench'. Still determined not to buy anything, I innocently searched (like the seasoned bargain hunter I am) the rail end to end. Before I knew it I had a hand full of coat hangers and was making my way to the check out. OK - I caved!
But,in my defence.... I only bought items that I genuinely needed and they were bargains. In total I bought the following:-
- 2 designer dresses
- 1 pair of designer jeans
- 1 designer knitted jumper
- 1 designer cardigan
........all for the grand price of £20.00. Yes, that's not a typo, I paid £20.00!
So although I have only loosely convinced myself that I have not broken my resolution, to be honest I really don't give a monkeys - some bargains are too good to miss.
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