We all need to be heard for a little while.

whitewing

We do postal voting so have already voted.

Elections always made me feel insecure but I am currently okay about this one - more as a measure of how much better in general I feel.

We'll probably have the voting on later but I doubt we'll do an all-nighter. (I watched so much in the run up to the last time that I started to develop a crush on Nick Robinson. I am glad to say that sanity is prevailing this time, lol!)

Yes, I wondered about the speech jammer for your voices too, WaS. Better not experiment on you without medical supervision though!

If all I do today is get some washing on the line and get the house aired (it was sunny but is slightly cloudier now), it will be a good day.

I loved Jilly too.

Solarjunkie

Georgie, go ahead with the ceremony, save a few of the ashes that uncle can carry and scatter a bit later on. Choosing a special day gives your mam something to cling to. Joking about your dad's feeling towards anniversaries will probably help, if not now, later on.

Perhaps Cruse can give you some tips for helping your mam.
http://www.cruse.org.uk/about-bereavement/how-to-help

Georgiegirl256

Solarjunkie wrote: »

Georgie, go ahead with the ceremony, save a few of the ashes that uncle can carry and scatter a bit later on. Choosing a special day gives your mam something to cling to. Joking about your dad's feeling towards anniversaries will probably help, if not now, later on.

Perhaps Cruse can give you some tips for helping your mam.
http://www.cruse.org.uk/about-bereavement/how-to-help

Thanks Solar, will keep that in mind. In general she (we) is coping fairly well, obviously (and extremely understandable), people have off days, and sometimes you just don't know what to say/do for the best.

It was a good suggestion, but I don't (and I don't think my Mam would) like the idea of separating the ashes really.

It wasn't a joke as such, more a statement of how (some) men don't place as much importance on anniversaries. Just trying to think of ways to make things better for her about not being able to have that day.

We do always make jokes in our family though (well me, my Dad and Aunty!) about some things that others might not. My Dad was always doing it, and I'm the same! :rotfl: I sometimes have to stop myself and remember that my Mam and my husband quite often do not have the same sense of humour! :rotfl:

I always remember when my Dad made a joke about something when one of my Mam's brothers died....that one was quite close to the bone! :eek:

I guess it's how some people deal with things? I'd rather be laughing than crying. That's one (of the many things) that made me so proud was to read in the sympathy cards about how he was not only a gentleman, but how everyone loved his brilliant sense of humour!

Anyhow, she's feeling better now, just had to get things of her chest, as we all do every now and again!

Think I've swallowed a chatty pill today! :rotfl:

Hope everyone else is doing ok? Was it Brownies last night tea? If so, how'd it go?

Birdie85

My DH and I are a bit like you Georgie, we make inappropriate jokes as a way of dealing with difficult-to-deal-with situations! DH is the worst for it.

Just had a 'mare of a trip around town looking for a birthday present for a friend. I just wanted to nip into a couple of shops and see if anything jumped out at me, yet every shop I went into had a super pushy owner telling me about every little thing I touched/looked at/walked past and I just wanted to shout 'Stop talking to me!' I wish there was some kind of way of signalling that I really, really, don't like people 'hassling' me in shops, my current method of avoiding eye contact and going 'Hmm' when they speak to me just isn't working! I know that this is just my issue, but I just don't like having to make inane conversation, then feel pressured into buying things! I actively avoid going into one of the nicest shops in my town because the guy who owns it is so in-your-face, following you around and asking loads of questions 'Are you local? Where do you live? Where do you work? What do you do? What's your Mother's Aunt's name?' and gives a massive story about everything you look at. I just peek through the window and if I like anything I see if I can buy it online!

Georgiegirl256

Glad it's not just me then Birdie!

Re the going into shops and getting pounced on by the assistants, I hate it too. I mentioned the other week, that I'm back into buying Lush, but their assistants are bad for it I find. You've hardly got a foot in the door and they're on you. Their enthusiasm about the products is to be applauded, and some people might appreciate the help/advice, but I just want to be left alone and make my own choices....let me browse in peace please!

When I worked in retail, we were told we had to approach the customers and get involved in a conversation with them. We had to ask open questions and get involved. I (and most of my colleagues) used to hate it. I can talk to people no problem and sell no problem, but I don't agree with that method of virtually jumping on the customer....let them approach you I think, if they want help they'll ask for it. That's how I prefer it, and how I think most people prefer it, but we'd get into trouble if we didn't engage with the customer straight away.

One guy had numerous sales people approach him and he blew an absolute gasket and stormed out of the shop f'ing and blinding! He was a kn*bhead anyhow! but I can't say I blamed him.

calleyw

Another day and not another dollar :rotfl:

Today did not start so well. Was awake at 6.30ish but then went back to sleep and did not get up until 10.30. Oh well.

Cooked some lunch, left over sauce from spag bog last night and steamed veggies. Very filling and yummy.

I read this and I thought it was interesting. Its a blog that I sub to. The article is called 3 things that psychopaths can teach your about being a happier person. And think the 3 things are probably very right.

Feeling a bit better the last few days. But its baby steps and early days.

Right I am going out this afternoon so need to put my face on. Will be a good girl and walk for my exercise today. And watch a dvd I bought.

Oh and yesterday made a claim of £20 of amazon vouchers:j and from another survey website a DVD of a Guardians of the galaxy thats a brilliant film and love it.

Everyone have a good day.

Yours

Calley

Pyxis

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

I know this sounds selfish, but when I get upset, I tend to cry for a few minutes max, that might be on and off during the day, but even though I'm a very emotional person, I'm not a big cryer iykwim? My Mam does tend to be and of course I know that everyone deals with things differently and in their own way. I just don't know how to handle situations like that sometimes. I worry for people, it plays on my mind. I hate to think of her sitting there sobbing her heart out, I don't know what to say to try and help her? I'm struggling enough with my own emotions at the moment, I don't know how to deal with other people's too.

If you're with her, just put an arm around her, and when she's all cried out, she'll be exhausted, so bring her a cuppa and a biscuit. Even if she's not a cuddle person, I think she'd appreciate an acknowledging arm around her while she's crying.
There isn't anything else you can do. But it may help you, too.

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

When I worked in retail, we were told we had to approach the customers and get involved in a conversation with them. We had to ask open questions and get involved. I (and most of my colleagues) used to hate it. I can talk to people no problem and sell no problem, but I don't agree with that method of virtually jumping on the customer....let them approach you I think, if they want help they'll ask for it. That's how I prefer it, and how I think most people prefer it, but we'd get into trouble if we didn't engage with the customer straight away.
One guy had numerous sales people approach him and he blew an absolute gasket and stormed out of the shop f'ing and blinding! He was a kn*bhead anyhow! but I can't say I blamed him.

On the other hand, there's nothing worse when you do need to ask things, and there's no-one available, or worse still, chatting on the phone or to other assistants!
There's always the middle line. I like it when an assistant approaches and asks if he/she can help, but if I say I'm just looking around, tells me that they're just over there if I need any help, then leaves me to it. In my opinion, that's the perfect assistant.

tea_lover

I hate being accosted in shops too. I don't mind if they ask if I'm ok once then leave me to it, it's when they won't go away it really gets on my nerves.

When I was buying a new flute earlier this year I went in one shop and they refused to acknowledge me at all - can definitely go too far the other way! Their loss. Went to a different shop and spent a lot of money that day.

I have spent pretty much the whole day planning the spare room on pinterest... not much work has been done! On the plus side though, I have a beautiful idea for what it's going to look like. Just need to get FOH to move and take his awful pine furniture with him now.

Bought a new toaster and kettle today (thanks aldi specialbuys ) so will graciously announce to FOH that he can take the old ones :rotfl:

onomatopoeia99

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Re the going into shops and getting pounced on by the assistants, I hate it too. I mentioned the other week, that I'm back into buying Lush, but their assistants are bad for it I find. You've hardly got a foot in the door and they're on you. Their enthusiasm about the products is to be applauded, and some people might appreciate the help/advice, but I just want to be left alone and make my own choices....let me browse in peace please!

Can I just add a "me too"? One of the reasons I like John Lewis so much (apart from all the nice things they have) is that the assistants leave you alone unless you approach them, at least the ones in the Bristol branch do.

Pyxis

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

Can I just add a "me too"? One of the reasons I like John Lewis so much (apart from all the nice things they have) is that the assistants leave you alone unless you approach them, at least the ones in the Bristol branch do.

Humph! My local John Lewis annoys me! There are very few assistants about. I can hardly ever find one, and when I do, it's 'not her department' and I have to wait for another assistant to finish with another customer.
On three occasions, I've been given the wrong information. I was sold two expensive computer items that weren't suitable for my system, (I had to go back to return them). Another computer item, I was told wasn't suitable for me, but when I rang Apple later, I found out it was just what I needed! So back I had to go again!
I was told they definitely didn't have some bedding I wanted, told they didn't sell that kind of bedding, so I had to point out there was a shelf labelled with that kind, so they must do! She looked it up and found they did, but if I hadn't seen the shelf label, I would have left the store without what I wanted.

Yet another time, I was trying to decide between some wifi speakers. The assistant was very good, but then it became apparent that he wanted to deal with another customer, and suggested, very nicely and politely, that I go away and think about it. I didn't want to, as I wanted to buy one that day, but I felt a bit humiliated, so I did, and then went to Curry's and bought it there!

They definitely aren't the store they used to be. A great shame.