TallGirl's getting back on track diary

TallGirl

Managed to get DH's car insurance down from a renewal of £406 to £209 with his new three points. He was paying £61 for breakdown got that incl for free. Nice one I think.

Also fixed a pair of jogging bottoms where the waist band had twisted around making them unwearable. Also turned down and made a new waistband on a pair of yoga pants plus took in a skirt quite MSE as I couldn't wear those items before and they were quite new. Not done a lot else though and still not bought a new iPhone.

TallGirl

Still no iPhone I am so tempted but will wait until after Christmas.

Had FIL down for lunch yesterday, his renewal for car insurance is £700 so will try to do comparisons for him as well.

Signed up to play two games of golf next weekend plus we have a silver wedding that start at 3pm and carries on all night. Oh well at least it was a very chilled one this weekend.

Work is going to be manic all well I am now part of the interview panel so that means I won't get much else done. Never done it before so will be a interesting experience and something to add to the cv. Wednesday I have got DHs doctors appointment I am looking forward to getting some answers hopefully and then make up my mind about what I want to do.

We are getting on better now, played a game of Yahtzee something we used to do a lot. I need to ask the doctor some questions about his future if he carries on like this and then see. Might have to bore you with that one here though.

Still not spoken to my sister but did manage to speak to my mum. Also tidied up the green house and made some pesto so not totally lazy.

TallGirl

Recruited for our admin person internal candidate well she volunteered for us but left about 5 month ago. Lovely girl starting out on her career a bit like me on my first job with the organisation. One candidates wasn't right and the final one over qualified and had three months notice which is a lot. One month to cope now so that's good hopefully we fill the other post Wednesday I don't think I shall be part of the panel I don't feel I was that great today.

Also got an unexpected offer of help today from another bureau from a person I had helped in my prev job so that was lovely. Our next two adverts are out let's hope we get good candidates or at least apcandidates. Also got the re-advertised job on again so fingers crossed.

There was another job at our local Council who I used to work for. It's an assistant to a post I know quite well and I fit the person spec perfectly. However I am not going to apply one it's a assistant job and I should aim higher really also secondly the person I would be assistant to is horrid and really irritating in how she is professionally. It is nicely paid and better conditions but I am happy where I am.

Anyway enough boring stuff about jobs onward and upwards so tired I won't last long this evening.

bugslet

Hi TG

Phones - meh! I had my last one for 8 years, have a Sony Experia now. Sadly I like things that are different, and all phones look and feel much the same now, so any old thing does me!

Well done on the sewing, I find it quite satisfying when I can salvage something and save having to buy. In the middle of convering a cusion to a dog bed, by taking out half the stuffing and re-covering it in some material that I got cheap from a market stall, cost £4.00 versus a new dog bed at £15- 20.00:)

I work for myself, but have 20 staff, though only one in the office, the rest are either at a different location or out on the road, so I'm not entirely on my own.

Good luck with the interviewing, i hate doing it and my technique is generally to have a chat and see if I think they are half human and go for three months probation.:o

Good luck with the doc, I guess the best they can do is make vague predictions; everyone's body chemistry/physiology is different, it makes it difficult. But I suspect that you have a good idea, but would rather hear it from a professional?

TallGirl

Thanks for popping in Bugslet sounds like you have a nice job working for yourself but with staff.

Lots has happened since I last posted. Doctor visit didn't go according to plan as we didn't have an appointment nor had we missed one or come too early. Not sure what happened but annoyed was I as I had taken time off.

We were told me could get a phone call from our doctor but that was all. Went to have a chat in a pub (I know) and DH has agreed some ground rules regarding eating and drinking so that was a very good thing. Dr did call us and his blood test were rubbish compared to August and liver cirrhosis no time scale but he is young she said. I said he will cut down so she asked for 6 weeks blood test to see if it improves. So far so good so will wait and see. Party on Saturday and brother coming over next week so who knows if he can stick to it.

Work been manic we got two new people in post one starting next week which is fab another in 4 weeks. We still have 3 jobs up for grabs plus we need volunteers so play an was for me and manager to be at jobs fair today. Problem was supervisor phoned in sick so manager had to run bureau on her own with the volunteers and I did most of the fair but left early. Got six potential volunteers and a couple interested in the jobs. We have a recruitment evening for volunteers on Monday so at least I got some candidates today or we would have no one as the person who left were so rubbish.

Back in the office I lost it twice I feel out of control but I know it's only temporary so fingers crossed

Final bit of news my friend who I helped with her application form has got an interview. I am so pleased for her even if it means she won't be helping me at work on Tuesday.

Bank account still in credit and payday next Wednesday so doing quite well.

Tahlullah

Hello Tall Girl, have been away for a while and now back to see how you are doing. Sorry to hear that you have lost staff, never a good thing when it leaves you struggling. But, on the up side, it allows you to build the team you want.

Sorry that you didn't enjoy the interview process, but definately one you should keep doing as it is a skill you will need in management. Was the interview an 'equal ops' one or a competence based one? Makes a difference on enjoyment of the process in my mind.

At least you are getting some support from other bureau. This is part of the joy of being in the service, you are never truly alone.

And you losing it. Don't we all at some point? I can imagine you feel bad because the stress of having to be all things to everyone, but you have to stand back and think, how bad was your losing it? Did you swear or call the vols names? Or did you speak abruptly because you were trying to focus on one thing whilst being pulled another way? Sometimes, people forget that we are human and think because we work with volunteers, we should be saintly. We are not. We are fallable and make mistakes and get tired and irritable like everybody else. The least you should do is cut yourself some slack. You are doing a difficult job under difficult circumstances. At least the clients are still getting the help they need. Remember that.

TallGirl

Tahlullah wrote: »

And you losing it. Don't we all at some point? I can imagine you feel bad because the stress of having to be all things to everyone, but you have to stand back and think, how bad was your losing it? Did you swear or call the vols names? Or did you speak abruptly because you were trying to focus on one thing whilst being pulled another way? Sometimes, people forget that we are human and think because we work with volunteers, we should be saintly. We are not. We are fallable and make mistakes and get tired and irritable like everybody else. The least you should do is cut yourself some slack. You are doing a difficult job under difficult circumstances. At least the clients are still getting the help they need. Remember that.

Thank you so much Tahlullah for those wise words totally spot on and so nice for me to read when I was feeling a bit low last night. My manager said the person I was snappy at didn't seem to notice and yes it was a case of trying to concentrate on one thing and she interupted. I am finding it hard to look after the other group of trainees (9 in to total) as well of the 9 I have myself.

I did actually enjoy the interview process it was the prep for the technical pre test that was hard. I have done four now and I feel far more comfortable about it. Hopefully I shall be involved in the next three but we shall see.

Doing a training session with a retired training officer who is fantastic. I have helped with the prep but I feel unprepared so will go in early.

Car finance has come out and my isa will come out tomorrow so I estimate I will be about £200 in the red plus have a credit card bill of £250 which I can clear in full.

DH still being good remembered to fetch his perscription and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner.

bugslet

Wise words Tallulah! We all have days when it gets to us, as long as your normal mode is professional, I'd not worry too much.

Hope DH can manage to keep up the good work over the weekend and that reflects in the blood test results.

I'm trying to have a relatively quiet weekend after the last one, everyone enjoy themselves:)

TallGirl

Thanks Bugslet survived the week and had a couple of drinks out last night didn't get home until 9pm but I did drive back. There was four of us, learned one is on her fourth marriage and looks like he is cheating. Prev been subjected to domestic violence and drunken husbands, wow I thought how different am I at least I only have to cope with the drinking and only had one husband.

Another one have a drunk brother and a husband who gambled £300,000 away and has now left her for a younger model also all sorts of other horrors. Almost got too much for me but these people are such nice genuine people.

Done a bit of gardening today DH been to Makro via the pub possibly eventhough he deny it. I think he was ok yesterday but he had gone to bed by the time I got home. Today we got the party so we shall see hopefully he will just walk home and I Can stay if I want too.

Finance wise payday Wednesday £220 overdrawn and a credit card bill of £250 for next month. Had to put a couple of hundred on my card for next month but will get that back in expenses.

Need to go to the post office and bank but I think it might have to wait until Monday so lazy today.

TallGirl

Party was ok quite big and noisy but good to see people I normally just play golf with. Our houseguests were quite glamourous we went home at 11 ish they came in at 3am.

Golf was ok yesterday lost to the men but good none the less. Not sure how much I will play in the next few weeks need to watch it as if I stop I won't get out until the Spring. It's me that gets out of the habit.

DH has been ok did have more than four beers Saturday but he spoke to loads of people and lasted to past midnight.

Busy week again this week work wise but hopefully we will get it all done. Payday Wedenesday which is fab. Going to go in early and get a few admin tasks done got training later and an evening for prospective volunteers.

BIL and SIL should be coming tonight but who knows will be good to see them if they do come over provided I get back from work.

Take care all have a lovely week.