Hen's, Headaches and Getting Hitched!

Heyyy, 

I. Am. Tired.

After nearly 160 miles, two nights of drinking, and approx twelve hours of sleep the whole weekend I am well and truly knackered.

It was my future Sister-in-laws's Hen do / Bacholerette party this weekend and after traveling to Nottingham for a spa weekend of partying and drinking with some close friends and family. Being the land of Robin Hood I can definitely say that we were less about robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, more like we came rich and left poor ... mainly for the sake of alcohol and spa treatments! I thoroughly enjoyed myself with some incredible company and a good lot of people to while away the weekend away from husbands, kids, and responsibilities, however, if you think that this blog post is going to be spilling all the beans and providing the inside scoop, you will be sadly disappointed. I am afraid a lady never kisses and tells (not that anything like that happened at all I must say) and what happens on Hen Do', Stays on Hen Do's!

I have started the second week of my new job as Operations Coordinator in Milton Keynes at an Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Heating company and am enjoying it so far, slowly slowly but getting there with the lingo and terminology. But with 8-weeks to go until our wedding things are getting to the point now where bills are going to need paying in the next few weeks by the end of the month and plenty of things that still need doing including tonnes of DIYs and wedding stationery that needs doing. I just hope things stay as they are and we finally make it this time to our special day.

Monday 19 July 2021 in the UK marked the ending of lockdowns and an end for all COVID restrictions including nightclubs reopening, no face masks, and big festivals and events beginning to start. Bozza Jozza's plans for the final unlocking of restrictions in England were pushed back from the 21st of June and maybe rightly so. But can Prime Minister Boris Johnson really go back on his word yet again, U-turning? Now BoJo's lifted all legal restrictions in England but he has urged the public to remain cautious, saying the pandemic is not over.

The BBC outlined today (Monday 16 August 2021) that there have been nearly 6.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK with nearly 131,000 people have died from the deadly disease that has ruined and spoilt life for over a year now. Government figures show however that almost 90% of adults in the UK have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and nearly 77% have had their second.

Public Health England estimates that, up to 6 August, the UK vaccination program had prevented nearly 85,000 deaths and more than 23 million infections. Impressive and certainly the hope and faith we need and less of the doom and gloomy crap the news is mainly made up of. The BBC news article continues that more than 47 million people of all UK adults have had at least one vaccine with everyone over the age of 18 across the UK can now book a vaccine, so hopefully, the uptake continues and we can hear less and less about the stupid idea that you have a microchip implanted in your arm or that it makes you a magnet?! And with the most recent government figures show at least 5,894 people with coronavirus in hospitals in the UK. A week earlier that figure was 5,816. Although numbers climbed in recent weeks, they are far below the peak of nearly 40,000 people back in January. I am desperate to hang onto any piece of positivity as we break the 2-months-to-go mark! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

Wedding planning is stress free; Said no Bride ever!

Evening All, 

And so after nearly a fortnight of being a lady of leisure; shopping most days, lunching some others and most of my other free and spare time dedicated to wedding stuffs, today I started my new job as Operations Coordinator in Milton Keynes at an Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Heating company. A breezy 20-mins from home I was very glad to not have the ninety-minute commute I used to have to Hertford, plus the staying away.

With just over 9-weeks to go until our wedding things are super stressed at the moment, so much so after the fourth phone call one day I had to screen my Dad's call. I know that he goes at 100-Mph but honestly, the whole GO GO GO thing at the moment is getting a bit much! Last weekend my Dad, his wife, Mr. Warehouse, and I all went to view the village hall again where we will be having our reception after the ceremony. This wouldn't have been such a trial if it weren't for the fact that every single time we come to view it we change the damned layout and floorplan meaning there is something else to do or buy or think about. And on this occasion, there were no exceptions.

Lunch afterward was intense, as it always is as there are two very strong personalities in me and my father round the table with his wife trying to battle through and butt-in once in a while and poor old Mr. Warehouse being completely left out of any thoughts or feelings he may have. I always knew wedding planning was going to be tough and stressful, but this is on another level. 

Luckily, the last few days off has lent itself to some serious life and wedding admin which has been much needed - Confirming all the details with vendors, organizing meetings with suppliers to go through things, order of service, and other wed-min items. I have even been proactive in chasing all the RSVP's in advance of the end of August deadline date which has helped us in being able to possibly make a head start on the table plan and more. I must say it does make life easier knowing most of the guestlist is now coming and as such I know how many kiddo's I need to make PAQ's for (PAQ standing for Peace and Quiet) which will include coloring books, crayons, toys, sweeties and other fun stuff.

So along with a trip to the local pound shop for those kid-friendly bits which I picked up some of last week and will collect the remainder tomorrow, I have also completed a few other things off the list as long that last week was as long as my arm. Crafts and DIY's that need to be finalized and completed are not all fully there yet however some of the simpler tasks such as blankets to wrap and flip-flops to tie have all now been finished. However, that being said the bogroll list cant be put away just yet as I still need to find time to make signs, create table centerpieces, design a table plan and manufacture pretty, bathroom baskets not to mention having to relabel everything that has our old wedding dates on including the confetti boxes. But now I have a full-time job to occupy me and weekend time is limited. With Hen-Do's, Stag-Do's, BBQ's and Parties booked in the next few weeks I have no idea when this will get done but somehow it has to. Eeeeek!!!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

Locked in and Left Left High and Dry: Part II

Heyy, 

After a poor night's sleep for fear of being trapped and locked into my accommodation if there was a fire or emergency due to the door being locked following the handle breaking the previous evening, I awoke startled. The morning after the night before was different from what I had been expecting. I had expected my first night at the garden studio at The Mills Guesthouse, with its big glass bi-folding doors and waterfall shower to be a bit more natural and easy-going, maybe even with coffee in bed thrown in for good measure. But no, my day started as it meant to go on, intense, stressful, and unexpectedly abrupt.

I arrived to work ready to tell my tales of woe from the previous evening, all sprinkled with some light-hearted humor of course. Come 10.30am I was ready for the day's meetings to begin and by 1pm I was back at the garden studio at The Mills Guesthouse, packing up to come home.

Why you may ask? Well, I had come to the decision that this whole thing simply wasn't working out as I had hoped. Now as avid readers of my blog will understand and be familiar with, I do not normally talk about work-related matters or employment. Not that this is about to change, as I am still sticking by this stance, mainly for privacy and professionalism, however, what I shall say is that I am absolutely gutted it didn't work out in the way I had hoped.

That being said, I have a new job to venture into, one a lot closer to home and where I don't have to confirm my room number every day. I will be soon joining an Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Heating company as an Operations Coordinator in Milton Keynes. The company is somewhere I had looked at prior to my Hertfordshire working holiday, so I was familiar with the company and the setup. I now have a few days to prep myself for my new role and a new job, a breezy 20-mins from home.

And I could certainly use all the free and spare time I have at the moment as with less than 10 weeks to go until our wedding things are super GO GO GO at the moment! With last weekend and this weekend chocked full of wedding stuff including viewing the village hall again, confirming all the details with vendors, organizing catch-ups with suppliers to go through things, order of service and other wed-min items, RSVP's, and more, honestly I am stressed and shattered. I must say it does make life a little easier knowing most of the RSVP's are back now and I know how many kiddo's I need to make PAQ's for (PAQ standing for Peace and Quiet) which will include colouring books, crayons, toys, sweeties and other fun stuffs.

So along with a trip to the local pound shop for those kid-friendly bits, I have a list as long as my arm of crafts and DIY's that need to be finalized and completed. I have blankets to wrap, signs to make, table centerpieces to design, table plans to create, flip-flops to tie and make pretty, bathroom baskets to make, confetti boxes to reprint labels for and that is before I even think about all the other bits I have forgotten to include. I mean I knew weddings would be stressful but this is bordering on breakdown!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

Suits you Sir!

Heyy Ya'll, 

As with last week, here I am again writing to you from my chain-hotel room in Welwyn Garden City and after completing my first week as an Operations Manager I am back and kicking ass. Nerves now well and truly behind me, I am really getting my teeth stuck into the role with many of my different ideas and implementations already being rolled out and put into action. There is so much to unpack and unpick that I have found myself contemplating the move but I am determined to sort this out and turn this into the blossoming business it once was. 

After working away all week though I was certainly very pleased to get home, something I never thought I would feel, but thundering up the motorway, foot to the floor I was eager to get home and see everyone, dogs and future husband included. Letting myself through the door, first, one to greet me was the youngest, my two-year-old Jackapoo, who after a little barking at the intruder soon realized it was me and was overcome with joy so much so he piddled. 

Next was our eldest who after shuffling her way through from the living room was more than happy to see me, something that is not common for her. Unfortunately, she had been poorly in the week since I had been away. On Day 2 of me being away when Mr. Warehouse returned from work to find a pool of blood (and "contents"), he was concerned, to say the least. With minimal sleep and a poorly dog on his hands, he wasn't sure what to do other than bundle her into the back of his tiny tin-can of a car and take her to the Vets. It was unclear if she had been sick and vomited up blood also, a thought process of ours since she had been coughing and making noises akin to having a hairball for the last few days, although more likely to have come from the "other end". Confirming it was just a simple tummy bug, the pooch was shipped off back home with some antibiotics and instructions to rest easy. 

And finally, there he was, my big bear. Mr. Warehouse wrapped his arms around me like he had not done so in a while, telling me how much he missed me and that I can't ever leave again. In a joking way, not in like a domestic violence way. Just thought I should point that out. Anyway, After eating out of a hotel room with basic provisions and takeaways all week all I craved was a home-cooked meal and so we did what we do best, made dinner together. Before I knew it I was back in my spot cuddling into the comfiness of the armchair and scoffing a cookie dough ice cream from the local dessert man. This is where I have wanted to be. 

As Saturday morning burst through the blinds it was time to start the day, and first on the agenda was a suit fitting for my father. After scoping out a couple of places a few weekends back with my future brother and sister-in-law, the boys had settled on a small independent formal hire place in Leighton Buzzard. Entering the premises we didn't really know what to expect, however, the previous experience of a high street suit shop located within a busy shopping mall had not thrilled us as there was nothing to try on and the lads weren't feeling the love when it comes to our pre-booked appointment. 

So when all four of us walked into the establishment, taking note of the high ceilings, bespoke garments, and glistening crystal chandeliers I was more impressed with the offerings. Within minutes the two brothers were undressed and in cubicles, suited and booted staff running rings around us, flying off to find a bigger shirt or whizzing in with a smaller jacket, swapping out one waistcoat for another or knotting up a matching tie and pocket square. I was blown away. This was something I was more used to as a bride in a bridal appointment with sashes and sleeves and veils being thrown around left, right, and center. 

But I was glad of it. It showed willingness and eagerness to please, making sure that nothing was too much trouble and anything and everything was possible. Even fitting my father with a huge gut and a determination for wearing his damned kilt was not a bother for them. Every question we asked was a yes and encouraging Mr. Warehouse especially to feel confident in what he was wearing. I was certain this was the place to hire the suits from and the brothers agreed. Paying deposits and with promises of further fittings and appointments to measure up, we booked them in. I was just so glad and happy that my groom got just a special treatment as I did in being a bride. I just cant wait for the big day now ...

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

If you want to achieve greatness then stop asking for permission

Hello all, 

I write to you today from a hotel room just outside London in Welwyn Garden City. I have just finished my first day as an Operations Manager back in the Security industry. There is certainly a lot of work, but I am ready and raring to go. Giddy with excitement I jetted off this morning just after the morning rush hour, whizzing down the M1 and banging out the tunes. Arriving at HQ, based on a sleepy industrial estate in Hertford, and walking through the office, I smiled at all the new faces and desperately tried to remember their names. Nervous, I was certainly glad I had taken the opportunity for this role and was anxious to get my teeth into the job. 

Logging into my PC after an hour or so chatting with the office manager and MD's Daughter, I felt as though I knew what this place was about and had a good idea n what they needed and were looking for from me. It helps already that I know the systems that they use from my previous roles within the security industry and almost certainly I have been used to using them to a much higher level than they currently use. I think even just from today's observations and previous discussions I will be able to teach and provide some invaluable knowledge into the system and how to use it to its full potential. 

I am calling the first five months of this year my "secondment" from the security industry and although I had left, most of what I had retained in terms of information came flooding back quickly which was also impressive not only to my peers and new colleagues but also to me. As well as becoming familiar with the office bod's, my aim was also to dig a little deeper and really root out the issues and problems so I can make a bit of an action plan going forward of how I would fix things. 

Having had no experience as a manager (only managing engineers' diaries and on the odd occasion booking the car in for an MOT, some holiday, or maybe the odd doctor's appointment) I was worried that the large price tag attached to the job would be something unmanageable and the expectations unachievable. But if today has proven anything is that people were willing to listen and almost be guided a bit by me. Most if not every other job I have had, I walked in and was told where to sit and who to report to and where the water cooler was. Now I am the one that is walking in and I think everyone is almost expecting me to say "my gosh, isn't the way you're doing things here inefficient" and start implementing changes. 

Personally speaking, I don't feel as though this is a good management tip and certainly not the way you get people onside and willing to be open to ideas and changes. I think that this week alone will be challenging, hence me staying away in a chain hotel room with limited facilities and virtually no catering so as to dedicate myself to the role, ensuring that the implementation and onboarding process is as much success as possible. I have lots of different ideas and things I would like to change or implement but I need to take it easy and learn how things are being done at the moment rather than going in all guns blazing. I don't think I need a management qualification to tell me that won't help and will only get peoples back up. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

The future depends on what you do today: Part 2

Heyy, 

As a continuation from last week, I explained that positivity and hopefulness were continuing in way of a new job. After smashing not one but two interviews at an environmental solutions company (installing and maintaining heating, air-con, solar panels, and other eco-equipment for schools, care homes, and other public type buildings) I was offered the job. However, due to the difficulty of deciding which person was right for the job in managing a schedule for over 40 engineers, a curveball was thrown my way because I and another candidate interviewed so strongly they wanted both of us to come on board and work as a team. Giddy with excitement I accepted. 

As previously, out of courtesy I called round the interviews I had left, one of which being the security company I had on the following morning - A Saturday. Wishing me luck in my new role I thought nothing more of it and carried on with my day, however, within 5-minutes I had a call back. They had increased their salary by £9,000. NINE-GRAND! Nine-Thousand pounds. I thought about it for like a hot second and whilst I had obviously accepted an incredible offer to work for an amazing company (so it seemed at least) and doing a job I loved and knew well. I mean it wouldn't hurt to go to the interview and see what it was all about - Would it?

And so I went. I woke up at the crack of dawn, even earlier than I would on a normal weekday at work, dressed to impress, and drove the hour's drive to an industrial estate on the outskirts of Hertford. Walking into the building I was nervous, intimidated by the huge price tag this job had but intrigued to know more and what they wanted for that cashola. I met with the MD and we entered his office on the first floor to where I spent most of the morning listening to what this company director had to offer me. 

Honest and truthful, the MD admitted he had not interviewed anyone else, nor did he want to as I had come following some blinding references from my previous employer (much appreciated considering they failed to give me my bonus and took nearly three months to pay me my final allowances). But why me? Well the benefits for them were simple - I knew the systems that they used from my previous roles within the industry and probably to a much higher level than they currently use, therefore being able to in a way teach and provide some invaluable knowledge into the system and how to use it to its full potential. I had just come away from the security industry and albeit taken a "secondment" into another sector, the industry knowledge I had gained over my nearly five years was also impressive. To say I was interested was an understatement. Wanting to know more I dug a little deeper. I wanted to know what they wanted and if I could provide it. The money was a lot, the most I had ever earned in my life. It would be like doubling my and Mr. Warehouses' household income overnight. 

I have no experience as a manager, only managing engineers' diaries and on the odd occasion booking the car in for an MOT, some holiday, or maybe the odd doctor's appointment. I have never been involved with the hiring or firing of anyone. The closest I ever came was putting out a job advert and sifting through crappy CVs looking for the good ones. But how hard could it be? Take a couple of courses, add in some firm ways of doing things and add a sprinkle of empathy or compassion and surely that is good management in its bare basic of formats? 

Agreeing to meet the MD and his daughter (seemingly office manager who is trying to keep a lid on everything) a few days later on the following Tuesday to look around the Milton Keynes base they wanted me to run out from, we called it a day. I was anxious about accepting, but I wouldn't be there if I wasn't fascinated by the opportunity.

The lock-up was cold and in desperate need of some love and care, but it would do for starting up. Walking around and struggling not to shiver due to the chill from the building being empty for so long I thought to myself that I could work with this and in the past had worked with less or worse. After chatting with the MD's Daughter at length about the struggles of the system and how the lack of procedures and proccesses only add to the problems within the company I felt at ease knowing I had a huge amount to offer the company. But now I a massive deliberation on my hands. 

Did I take the safe route with a job I know (and had already accepted) or do I take a huge risk and jump headfirst into a role where I am managing not just diaries but people too, with no training and very limited experience. As Operations Manager at the security company, I would be expected to lead the Service Team and provide much-needed support in organizing new works, repair callouts, and planned maintenance, working with a team of engineers and support staff. It was a big decision and one I battled over the coming days. 

If I took on and continued with my already accepted job offer as a scheduler at the environmental solutions company then looking at my CV it would seem as though I have either been lazy or just simply passed up opportunities to grown and climb that career ladder. Equally, I worried about if the Operations Manager at the security company was just too much of a gamble as it was a lot of responsibility and right before getting married and hopefully starting a family soon was it just a case of the right thing, wrong time? Loved ones I spoke to only seemed to give opposing views and most of my ex-colleagues who were still in the industry said that I should go for it, not wavering or hesitating in the slightest my ability. But I did. For so long I have thought I wasn't capable and worried that I wasn't good enough. I mean sure the money was great, all the holidays we could have, the nice car I could upgrade to, and that four-bed detached house in the next village over was a little closer and achievable than before. But was it worth the risk? Could I do it?

Picking up the phone I dialed the number on my job offer paperwork. I was nervous. Was I making the right decision? Someone answered. I explained the situation and they accepted my apologies however I could hear the frustration and disappointment in their voices. They thanked me for letting them know and wished me luck in my endeavors. The decision was made - Say hello to the new Operations Manager in Security. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

The future depends on what you do today: Part 1

Heyy, 

So ... Last week, I explained that the positivity and hopefulness were continuing in the life of Moi all mixed together with a little uncertainty and confusion thrown in for good measure. Intrigued? Well, I can now reveal that the very interesting decision I had to make in the days following was about a new job.

Since I first started at my "new" job in early January this year, I knew it wasn't really the job for me. The role was very quiet and slow from what I was used to at my last company with it feeling as though I had jumped from the burning firey flames of the frying pan right into the chill of a freezer. As a result of not really using my skills to my full potential and not really understanding or knowing the industry (which I have later found out is pretty much essential for the role) I was extremely on edge and anxious about everything. 

I tried to contain the feelings and gain more industry knowledge and grow as an employee but it just wasn't the job I thought it was. As I have said to a few people over the last few weeks, I very much felt I was sold Tomato Soup but when I opened the can, it was Cream of Chicken. I felt as though the rug was well and truly been ripped out from beneath my feet and I was left questioning myself; second-guessing every move I had made. Was this the right decision to move jobs? Was now a great time to start somewhere new? Can I do this? Am I able to learn a job fully remotely and continue working from home for what could potentially be the next quarter? Will I be furloughed? Will I be laid off? 

With all of that spinning round in my head and combining it with the lengthy lockdown and the constant grinding thoughts about the wedding & starting a family it was no wonder I struggled. A few weeks ago I had an honest conversation with management and made it clear how I felt about the onboarding and training processes and it was at this point I went back to the drawing board. Essentially I was now in my worst-case scenario - Moved jobs and I hate it/it's not worked out. 

After contacting multiple agencies and interviewing for several jobs over the course of the three weeks I was searching the inevitable would happen. It was an interview I had put everything into. Like I literally pulled out all the damned stops for this. I don't know why but it really appealed to me. It was working for an environmental solutions company installing and maintaining heating, air-con, solar panels, and other eco-equipment for schools, care homes, and other public type buildings. After smashing the first interview they asked me back for a second one to whittle it down. The second interview a few days later I aced it as well and amazingly was told by the guy conducting the second interview that "he regrettably had to end the interview" but that over the last however-many-odd years he had been in business my interview was one of the most fun and enjoyable he had ever had and that in over 7,000 employees he had interviewed in his time, I was his favorite. 

It was amazing to feel like that and I was super excited to hear back as I thought I had a really great chance at this job where I would be managing a schedule for over 40 engineers! Forty! But life always has a curveball and soon enough the phone was ringing for another interview. Since I had no job offers on the table yet I took everything I could get my hands on, one of which was for a security company I had been head-hunted for. They wanted someone to do the managing of some engineers and possibly some back-up on the marketing front. 

The end of the week was nearing and as I pottered around in the kitchen on my lunch hour my phone rang. It was management from the environmental company. They wanted to offer me the job. But there was a catch. Because I and another candidate interviewed so strongly they simply couldn't decide between the two of us and since the work was clearly there, they wanted both of us to come on board and work as a team. Giddy with excitement I accepted and looked forward to finally being able to get my teeth stuck into something bigger and better. 

Out of courtesy I called round the interviews I had left, being the security company I had on the following morning, the Saturday. Wishing me luck in my new role I thought nothing more of it and carried on with my day, however, 5-minutes later I had another call. It was the security company again. They had increased their salary by £9,000. NINE-GRAND! I mean it wouldn't hurt to go to the interview and see what it was all about - Would it?

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

When it snows you either grab a shovel or make snow angels

Heyy,  

The snow began falling on Saturday, however, it was never going to be enough for a full-blown snow day. Settling in for the night and heading to bed it had yet to stop, but the light sprinkle was enough to get excited about. I mean what can I say it has been nearly a year of being in and out of quarantine and lockdowns so this is about as exciting as it gets.

By Sunday morning the flakes were getting bigger and a thin layer was forming on the ground outside. With some tasty chilli cheese bread in I reached for the butter, only to realise it was empty and instead reached for my car keys. Venturing out into the blizzard I was glad to have de-iced the car ready for the Monday morning commute which would, I am sure, be more arduous than normal. On returning the snow was getting heavier and as Mr Warehouse and the pups come out to greet me we chatted with neighbours and did a bit of prep work for the morning to follow. All-day it floated down from the sky as we split our time between playing in the garden with the dogs and snoozing in the warmth of some blankets on the sofa. Even when night fell and Mr Warehouse and I snuggled into bed, we could still see the snow coming down from the dark night as we wondered what the following morrow would bring.

A lot of fucking scraping I can tell you that much. Frozen car doors were the first obstacle. The second of which was a feeble process of sweeping the light dusty snow from the car and scraping the remainder which looked like snow clumps but seemingly had all ganged up to create a massive ice ball which engulfed my car. Twenty-minutes later I was ready to drive to work, if not running late and almost certain I would be told to grab my laptop charger and fuck off home where it was safe. Alas, however, I got into the office in one piece and was told I would be in all week, if it was possible, due to further training - something I lapped up readily.

Something special about snow, especially this time. The fact it brought neighbours together for the first time in months, everyone peaking out the window to watch the next snowman or slip on the ice. Kids screaming down the street announcing a snowball fight as grown adults and kids waged a war on forced isolation. Watching the dogs play in the snow, Frankenstein's first encounter with the white stuff, I recalled a couple of years ago the dreaded  Beast from The East and how we had not really had a snowfall since at least not here in the comfy Home-Counties. Back in 2018, just mere months from mortgages and house deeds, Storm Emma brought the Beast from The East. 

The colder weather coming across from Russia being blown by Siberia and picking up some icy chills on the way the temperatures soon plummeted to rival the sinking of the Titanic and blizzard snow's hampering travel plans as well as all manner of daily activities life for some across the British Isles in March of that year, just weeks before Easter. Rather than getting excited about springtime sunshine, flowers, bunnies and lambs; Storm Emma forced the MET Office to issue a red weather warning foreboding a loss of life should people be caught up in the outside winds of 70mph coupled with the already existing polar vortex from Beast from The East with forecasts for -15C wind chills and snowdrifts nearly as tall as you. Yes you! 

But if that cold snap proved anything, it taught us that things will be brighter once the (snow) storm clears. As reports today through the BBC confirm, it seems the daily death toll is lessening with only 592 being recorded today (Monday 25 January 2021), down seven on last Monday's figure. Yes, I know, just seven, but it is still heading in the right direction - Although that doesn't take into account all the "false data" which means that anyone who has passed away within 28 days of a positive COVID19 test, despite the cause of death, will be recorded as a COVID related death even if it was unrelated.

The downturn in figures for people becoming infected seems to suggest that the virus is n the decline and probably with much thanks from the vaccination programme which so far the latest government figures show that 6.5 million people have now received the first dose, up 2.5-million from last week. My, My they have been busy! Reporting by the BBC confirms Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying almost four in five of the UK's over 80s have now had the vaccine, with nearly 500,000 people having had a second dose of the wonder-drug. It is said that the government needs to give about 380,000 vaccine doses a day if it is to reach the 15 million most vulnerable people by the middle of February and with the current seven-day average is almost 360,000, I am sure the end is in sight soon.

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Think Positive & Positive Will Come

Heyy,  

The sparkle of positivity about 2021 that was first ignited last week is still burning bright and getting hotter and hotter as the days and weeks progress. just hope Boris doesn't have a bucket of water for my fireworks waiting for me around the corner. I have now settled in quite nicely in my new job and know a bit more but all is going well and whilst it is strange not having the normal introductions and training I seem to be doing well.

Whilst I said last week that since the country has been plunged into an official 3rd Lockdown it makes for difficult work trying to see the positivity in things, especially all things weddings and celebratory.

As reported today through the BBC, only 599 deaths were recorded today (and I say only but obviously we know that even one death is too many). But is this the beginning of the end? The downturn in figures for people becoming infected seem to suggest so and with fewer people becoming infected, the less likely people are to be hospitalised and die from the disease which has wreaked havoc on our lives for nearly a year! This is equally positive when you hear scaremongering stories in the press and media about this "new variant" of the virus thought to be much more easily transmissible than other strains, although not believed to be more deadly - Something I already have, controversially, voiced my concerns and thoughts on.

Despite my confidence, I am a realist - Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned on several occasions that easing of restrictions on daily life, mask-wearing and social distancing is all heavily reliant on the vaccine rollout being a success as well as there being no further concerning variants of the virus. Another article from BBC asks about whether a vaccine, regardless of its roll out allow us to return to normal as we knew it before? I myself as I am sure many of you are desperately hoping that the coronavirus vaccines will transport us back to our pre-Covid lives.

Whilst it is amazing we have several brilliant vaccines already approved for market, not to mention the many more that will be coming through in the coming months I am sure, but it could take months or possibly years to vaccinate enough of the global population to make the whole interconnected world safe and reach a point where we can all return to fully normal. Prof David Salisbury, a former director of immunisation at the UK Department of Health says that in his humble opinion "suggestions that vaccines will be able to take us back to where we were pre-Covid by Easter have given people an unrealistic expectation's", and such an outcome, in the absence of the interruption of transmission, is "unlikely".

But I am valiantly subscribing to the sunnier broadcasts and whereas the days where Number 10 press conferences were a monotonous deluge of horrendous figures and numbers I have now begun to tune into the hope and positivity from them, even if I have the fortune of driving home from the office during their broadcast, therefore, missing out on all the standard doom and gloom. Thankfully Mr Warehouse is always on hand to update me on my arrival home.

In the news article from the BBC, the latest government figures show that four-million people have now received the first dose, and just over 450,000 people have had a second. It is said that following the vulnerable and OAP's having their jabs, the NHS and partners will move onto the next category including the over-50's in their sights as well as the aforementioned groups not picked up first time around. With Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government is aiming to offer all UK adults a vaccine by September I am more than hopeful that we will get married this year - I just hope we don't need to postpone it to Autumn?!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain

Hello All,  

A fortnight into the new year and I am starting to see just a sparkle of positivity about 2021. After practically crying through the fireworks on New Year's Eve (albeit 2019's - See last weeks blog post) I have finally finished wallowing in self-pity and I am starting to see what I can do with all the wonderful time I have now free on my hands. Alas as much as I wish it were true Couch To 5K is not on that list. It may be a new year and a new job but I am far from a new me - I am still the same old same old you have all grown to love, I hope.

The new job is going well and whilst it is strange not having the normal introductions around the office, desperately trying to remember everyone's name without offensive adjectives in front. There is no banter around the coffee machine or getting to know colleagues. I will be honest though as the tin of Quality Street the size of my car that is being passed around is soon becoming a 3pm habit.

That being said, COVID hasn't helped the job transfusion and since the country has been plunged into an official Lockdown (lost count at which fucking number we are on now - 4 I think?!) it makes for difficult work trying to learn a new job. According to that Jock-Strap of a Health Secretary, Matt Hancock the UK is at the "worst point" of the pandemic.

As reported through the BBC, Number 10 press conferences have now just become a monotonous deluge of horrendous figures and numbers about how many have got the COVID-19 Coronavirus and how many so far have died from it, a figure now close to 85,000 Brit's. The begging and pleading for people to abide by the rules, washing hands, wearing face masks and keeping space I am afraid has come too little too late and should have been heavily enforced with the like of Dominic Cummings as his flouting of said rules has only made the rest of us think what is the point.

So far 2.3 million people in the UK have had a first Covid vaccine shot with many of them already completing their course of the two shots, giving them full immunity. But with millions still yet to vaccinate, the delivery plan is expected to take until spring to give the first dose to all 32 million people in the UK's priority groups, including the over-55's and those who are clinically vulnerable. The BBC continues to report that, on a positive note, a good percentage of those at higher risk of an ITU bed (the over-70s, older care home residents and staff, frontline healthcare workers to name a few) will have had their first jab in the arm by mid-February meaning they are 70% immune from the deadly virus. 

Now don't get me wrong - I ain't stupid. The Governments earlier published plans to immunise more of the nation by Easter seems ambitious, to say the least, however, I am hoping that after all the cockup's and conundrums last year, Boris Johnson can finally rally round his posh-twat friends and get things sorted. Someone once said - Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results, let's just hope it isn't positive for COVID - But with a third American vaccine now approved and on backorder into the UK, I am feeling more optimistic than I have been in the last few weeks about the upcoming year and all it has to bring with it - Weddings and parties included! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

More Sleepless Nights

Evening,  

Going into the new year I was less than positive about 2021. Sat there on New Year's eve, probably for the first time in my adult life, tucked up in bed and watching the fireworks, albeit last years London skyline performance.

So the story goes (yes I know going off on a sideline but trust me this is both worth it just for the laugh and also to confirm that I am still as ditsy as when I first started this blog nearly a decade ago), numb-nuts here figured that since it was quarter to midnight she would watch a couple of nail art compilations and then she would just type into Youtube and find a live stream of the celebrations in the capital. Sure great idea. Only the video I chose to watch was very worrying with people crowding the banks of the River Thames and marshalls and police doing nothing to disperse the gatherings and seemingly enjoying the dancing and celebrating too. Swaths of people lined the streets and amidst my dismay, for lack of social distancing, I felt lucky to have tuned in with just ten-seconds to go. Beckoning our little pup to my chest I sat up in bed as Mr Warehouse slept soundly next to me. The skies suddenly lit up outside in the street with colourful fireworks and loud pops and bangs. Blue laser's flashed through the dark night as I stood at the window, pup in arms watching and telling him to "shh" at every sound. He seemed fascinated. Mr Warehouse on the other hand was unimpressed with being awoken in such an unsavoury manner.

Feeling successfully fulfilled I switched over to some videos about horror stories or Amazon finds before settling down and falling asleep. Waking in the morning I informed my fiance of the farce that was the fireworks in London I had witnessed the night before, and, watching it again on demand this time for his benefit I soon realised that this was not the same thing I had watched last night. Even then I did not notice the error of my ways and instead thought I had watched something maybe from Channel 4 or another live stream randomly on the internet. It was not until I noted looking through my Youtube history showing Mr Warehouse what I had seen that I realised, stupidly that I had been watching the fireworks and celebrations from New Year's Eve - 2019. Apparently, 2020 wasn't that bad and my sub-conscience would like to relive it again, please.

I must admit I felt silly and low and behold it has not improved much in the four-days since then as just hot off the press, Boris Johnson has called a press conference this evening confirming that despite Christmas being cancelled, despite most of the UK going into the most severe of tiers (Tier 4) and despite a vaccine being rolled out with mass inoculating taking place (apparently) we are going into yet another nationwide Lockdown. And there was me complaining several weeks ago that many areas including London, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire amongst other in the South East in basically fucking lockdown number 3 and how it was going to be the first time in my entire life that I would not be spending Christmas with my family. If only I knew then what I do now - Although to be fair another Lockdown was absolutely on the cards and almost inevitable and unavoidable as case numbers and deaths have sored over the festive period because people can't fucking keep it together. 

But the frustrating thing is that I get it. As I mentioned last week, with everything that has happened in the last twelve months and how much has been stolen from not just me but my family as well, missing out on BBQ's, parties, seeing loved ones, birthdays, new babies, holidays and our damned fucking wedding (which I still and almost even more-so now don't feel totally optimistic about going ahead at the moment) would anyone blame anyone else for wanting to act out?

After starting my new job today and soaking up as much as my little brain (and I emphasize little referring you to the earlier mishap with said NYE celebrations) could take, I am extremely on edge now about everything. The rug has well and truly been ripped out from beneath my feet and I am now second-guessing every move I have made. Was this the right decision to move jobs? Was now a great time to start somewhere new? Can I do this? Am I able to learn a job fully remotely and continue working from home for what could potentially be the next quarter? Will I be furloughed? Will I be laid off? And that is what is spinning round in my head right now and that's without the constant grinding thoughts about the wedding or starting a family or just organising the spare room. No wonder I can't sleep at night. I just don't know how much more of this I can take.

* Breathes *

Despite all my hopes and the need to keep at the forefront of my mind that things will get better; That this for it is only a temporary measure, a small blip on what will hopefully be an extensive lifetime of amazing things - I just hope that this is all worth the wait, worth the purging for and worth the sacrifices we have all had to make so that we can all get back to a bit more normality.

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Shattering the glass ceiling

Hello All, 

And so the moment has finally come. No not the lockdown ending (although I won't lie, that is certainly peaking my mood), no not the fact I am less than a day from my pork scratching advent calendar and no not the fact that I am less than a few days away from seeing my nail lady for my Christmas inspired tallons. No. Now is the moment we discuss moving on ... 

Arriving at work, it suddenly hit me that this was it. There were no second chances and that once it was done there was no turning back. Up until getting out of my car that crisp Tuesday morning last week it hadn't even really seemed real. But now it was very real. The next time I stepped into my car the dynamics would have shifted and all would have been laid bare. I was nervous. Trying to think of the perfect moment was awful. I mean I had some time to think since it had nearly been a fortnight. Nevertheless, I thought I would let management grab a coffee and settle into emails before telling them my news. 

But then started the normal morning rush and before I knew it lunchtime was upon us. After telling a few close colleagues I knew I had to seize the moment and if not now then when. And so, alone in a quiet meeting room I slid the white envelope across the desks (you know COVID-safe and all). Smiling, my manager asked what it was. I explained as best I could without taking up any more of his valuable time although I felt as though I was rambling and not really making much sense. I blathered on about this and that but when it really came down to it, what was there in his hands was quite simply the final nail in the coffin. My resignation. 

I joined the company over four years ago and in that time life had changed immeasurably. I had got Clifford, my big red car after my beloved Vivienne was written off. I have gotten engaged and planned a wedding. I got my best ever freebie, my little pup Frankenstein. I even managed to get myself on the property ladder after years of wondering and dreaming about if it will ever happen. Yes, there had been many a happy time shared amongst my office space and colleagues. However, in recent months and even going back as far as last year, I have not been happy. 

Standing there in a silent meeting room with my manager I explained that it was a decision I had made not lightly, given the situation the team would be left in and considering the pandemic. But I knew in my heart of hearts that now the wheels were in motion I couldn't turn back now. Who knew that walking through those doors all those many moons ago that I would not only acquire the skills for dealing with difficult customers and colleagues but also that I would learn things about myself, my values and my value to others. 

I never expected that I would get a taste for anything more than just a job to pass time and fill up the years before I settled down to have children. I know now that I want more than that for myself and my future. I want to have a job my children can be proud of, doing something that I am good at with people whom I enjoy being around. But there is more to life and I needed to spread my wings and fly off for a new adventure. 

So where am I going and what is next?! Well, following a successful interview I had a phone call one Friday morning before I started work. Switching on the grinding coffee machine in the office kitchen I listened to the voice at the end of the phone tell me the news I had been hoping for. I had bagged the job. But which one? I remembered interviewing for the job, but couldn't find anything on my emails as I desperately scanned through. The lady explained she would send everything over and looked forward to working with me soon. 

The following week I finally received all the finalised paperwork, information and new starter forms. Working normal office hours I will instead be heading in the opposite direction to the other half in the mornings come the new year and into the hustle and bustle of Milton Keynes. Along with the normal benefits package the offices are super easy to get to and is right by the lake, so the "healthy-me" is thinking it would be a great idea to invest in a bike or for a walk or maybe even a run (haha) around the lake maybe two or three times a week. The "fat-me" thinks about all the amazing places I can order food from in the city and how it will be delivered to me by a man on a bike or even better - A robo-delivery-box-a-mijig! 

To say I am excited is putting it softly, but despite my enthusiasm, my heart still aches for my situation and the reasons which have lead me to where I am now. I hope that one day I can talk openly about them, however as most of you know who have been reading along for a while now (can you believe it has been nearly TEN YEARS!) I don't talk about work or employment and keep them and blog very distance. 

And so I suppose this is probably the most honest or open I have ever been about my work-life, but with the next few weeks until Christmas laying ahead of me, things are changing all the time and who knows what curveball or spanner will be thrown into the cogs of my life next ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Second Wave Scaremongering?

Heyy, 

Last week I wrote about the benefits of having to postpone our wedding and cramming in more holidays and living our even better lives, however, after some not-so-good news regarding a new opportunity I write in the same way I always do every week - Trying to look on the positive side of things. 

Week number thirteen and it honestly seems as though this will never end. Facemask for this. Queue for that. Cant go here and not allowed in there. It is getting boring and I am well and truly fed up with it all. Despite how tiresome I and many others are starting to or already finding lockdown and quarantine, I don't think we are near to the end as yet, especially so when figures from the BBC released today (Monday 10 August 2020) confirm that the number of new cases of coronavirus is rising and the death rate, though still in the low number in comparison to previous months, today is more than double last weeks reported nine. 

But is this scaremongering as the papers and media would have us believe or is it all comparative and respectful of one another? If you test more then you find more, ergo meaning the more that you test and trace this horrible virus, the more people will come back with having contracted it or be known to be infected, asymptomatic or not. It is a statistic that the more cases of detected COVID-19 the more deaths there will be as the Government grapple with the science and the research as we learn new things about it day by day and as the months go one we will be sure to learn even more. 

Is a second wave likely to happen? Well if the media outlets and news channels will have you believe, its definitive, and Mr Warehouse agrees. A keyworker himself, Mr Warehouse has some key insider information that makes us a little happier we postponed the wedding, although begrudging that an end is not in sight for no facemasks. BBC News confirms that whilst some countries are still dealing with large epidemics, but even those currently controlling the virus fear "the second wave" and that health experts in the UK are warning ministers to prepare for one following the decision to further ease restrictions in England from early July.

A conversation last weekend with my uncle over a much-needed coffee and break from the house we discussed this and the possibility that, much like the second phase of Spanish flu a century ago, the second wave was far deadlier than the first. 

Seeing a wave is simple - It is a prolonged period that rather than going down, cases and deaths continue to rise, hit a peak and then come down with each cycle being one "wave" of coronavirus. Yet there is no formal definition. "It's not particularly scientific: how you define a wave is arbitrary," Dr Mike Tildesley, from the University of Warwick, told the BBC News. For the scientists and virologists, the answer lies almost entirely with the decisions we make as members of the public and what our Government impose in terms of restrictions or easing thereof, so it could go either way. The potential is clearly there - the virus is still around and it is no less deadly or infectious than at the start of 2020. Only around 5% of people in the UK are thought to have been infected and there is no guarantee they are all immune.

Lifting lockdowns too soon and localised outbreaks not being dealt with in a serious and prompt manner could cause a second wave to start and ultimately if not dealt with swiftly can even help the steep rise in that wave. 

This all being said though, a news article from the express details quite the opposite, and that was released only just today. The risk of a second wave hitting the UK this winter has been quashed by a top doctor as the UK may soon have herd immunity he claims to the express. 

Official data from NHS England points to a huge drop in the number of coronavirus patients being treated in hospitals compared to during the height of the pandemic with one top doctor, Dr Ron Daniels, in Birmingham (one of the country's hardest-hit areas) noted last Thursday there were only three critically ill coronavirus patients across three hospitals which serve half of Birmingham's one million residents. "Comparing this with a couple of months ago, when we had almost 200 patients ventilated at any one given time, and this is a huge downturn," Dr Daniels says positively. 

Stating later on in the article that Britain is "almost reaching herd immunity" it is certainly some better news. And what he speaks makes sense. The pubs and restaurants and shops have been open well over a month now and as such the virus historically from records is that if you contract the virus and you’re going to end up in hospital, it is more than likely that this will happen within 15 days of contracting it initially. The drop of 96% since the peak of the UK's epidemic should ease fears of a deadly second round of the crisis details the express report, with some hospitals last week marking a huge milestone, declaring there was not a single COVID-19 patient on their wards. Hopefully, soon we can have more of that so we can all get back to fucking normal!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Things Will Be A Little Different This Year!

Hello,

I always knew that this Christmas would probably be the hardest that I had in a long time. Not only will Christmas Day be spent with the family missing one important member in particular, my grandfather, but also that I am without my best friend who is over five-thousand miles away in LA. 

On Friday, before of debauchery of our Christmas parties with our work colleagues, Mr Warehouse, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I met at a local restaurant for dinner. You see our normal tradition of going out on Christmas Eve to celebrate the final few hours before the big day was not possible this year as Miss Tweedle-Dee was flying out to LA to spend Christmas with the American newlyweds Mr and Mrs Tweedle-Dumb. As such our normal Christmas Eve meal had to be brought forward as she flew out today and so we now found ourselves in a quiet corner of a gorgeous fine dining restaurant in a posh end of "The Shire". Exchanging gifts felt as though we were missing someone out of the loop. Obviously this was not the case as I had already wrapped and packaged Mr and Mrs Tweedle-Dumb's package to post out the following day as Miss Tweedle-Dee was not able to take with her. 

With one thing or another taking over as life normally does I had found myself at the post office this evening and after being rather disorganised making myself several days late for posting the precious Christmas parcel, I was then informed that the parcel itself was quite heavy and large therefore would cost quite a bit to post out to the states! Devastated I asked for the damage and nearly fell over when I was informed by the post office clerk that it would be nearly £80.00! Deflated I returned home to Mr Warehouse only for him to ask why I was still carrying around the Christmas parcel. After explaining my difficulties to him he suggested that we should open it up again and split it down into smaller and lighter packages that would be much cheaper to transport. 

This was certainly not what I wanted. I already had visions of my parcel that I had been hugging since I had finished wrapping it being delivered to the sunny Los Angeles apartment that she and her new hubby occupied, opening it with glee and excitement, probably not even anticipating any presents that were not being handed through Miss Tweedle-Dee. I had already imagined what the Skype or WhatsApp video call would have been like whilst Mrs Tweedle-Dumb read out the clues and jokes that accompanied each and every little present. Disappointed I decided to have a look into other courier companies that may be able to ship for a little less, however after a short search online using the trusted Google homepage I was unable to get any quote less than £50.00. 

Almost bordering on giving up I started to search on Amazon and eBay for more Christmas presents I could purchase for Mr Warehouse, maybe even hoping for a last minute deal on a game he has been after for months. But that is when it suddenly occurred to me that Amazon is a worldwide company and whilst eBay may have difficulty in delivering a parcel to the US when the billing address and card are registered to the UK, I was certain that I would not encounter the same problems with Amazon. And so I gave it a go and low and behold it worked, at least I think so anyway?! Fingers crossed it actually arrives with the recipient! 

Whilst I was sad to see my best friend off to a whole new world and life in sunny L.A, I do sometimes feel upset that she isnt here. I am sure that Mrs Tweedle-Dumb feels the same and when I bought my first home and gave house tours and threw my first house party and got engaged and all of that she wishes she was back here as much as I would be to be out there. Nothing will ever replace my first ever best friend. I felt ashamed and guilty of my selfish thoughts before when I thought about Mrs Tweedle-Dumb moving away with her new hubby, partly because I would not have given a flying fuck about who was left behind or what they were feeling - I would have been long gone, but partly because I wanted her to do the same. 

Since Mrs Tweedle-Dumb left, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I have been just fine back here because we know that despite how hard it will be finding a good connection for WhatsApp Video calls or messaging at odd hours of the day and night; Our friendship will be OK. As much as it makes me feel devastated to think of my life here in England without her, I need to remember that it is not all bad and I am sure Mrs Tweedle-Dumb will be home soon, in the flesh rather than the fun that we will all have trying to successfully achieve a (three-way) Skype session or FaceTime . 

But this year is different. I suppose that this past year there has been quite a few changes in my life which has made Christmas a little different. Granddad will not be here and neither will my Tweedles, off living their best lives in sunny L.A. But this year has brought many good things too - I have a new Fiance and a New Job as Marketing Coordinator but most of all, I have a swanky new home to hang my stocking and hope Santa fills it with all that resides on my ever growing wish list! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx