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.

After the coldest winters come the warmest summers

Hello There, 

Yet again, I sit here and write to you as the sun shines on. Honestly, I am about 30-seconds away from me making myself a gin cocktail and sitting out in the sunshine to write this week. And following on from last week, the positivity and hopefulness continues, if not with a little uncertainty and confusion thrown in. Intrigued? Well, I cannot reveal all at the moment but I have a very interesting decision to make in the next few days, and hopefully by the time next week rolls around everything will have ironed itself out and I can let you in on my big secret plans!

I was hoping that since Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement that from Monday 12 April 2021, non-essential retail opens as well as beer gardens, I had hoped that this weekend I would have frequented one. But alas that is saved for this weekend when I get to finally catch up with some old work colleagues from my last job and maybe even Miss Hackney and Miss SugarCoat. I cannot think of anything better than some sunshine on my skin and a cocktail in my hand.

Speaking of which, Holidays?! Are they on the cards for Summer 2021 or not? If so where? and if not then should I book a Staycation instead?! A report by the BBC confirms that whilst all foreign holidays are currently banned, and returning travelers have to quarantine in a pricey airport hotel with no windows, transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "people in England can start thinking about booking foreign trips again".

There have now been more than 33-million first dose vaccines being handed out and with many more in older generations having had both already. But what does this mean when it comes to jetting off abroad?

One way that will hopefully help travelers in making informed decisions about destinations and where is OK and where is not so OK is the idea of having a simple traffic light system. The BBC report states that details of the new traffic light system for England are expected in early May 2021 where there will be three categories -

Green: Passengers will not need to quarantine on return, but must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on return

Amber: Travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test and two PCR tests

Red: Passengers will have to pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests. About 40 countries are on the current "red list"

Where a country is placed will depend on vaccinations, infection rates, how common Covid variants are as well as testing and sequencing capacity. But with so much confusion last year on what and why a country is red-listed, the government are keen to provide peace of mind and clarity as to the scenes last time around with the short notice in changing a countries status meant travelers had mere hours sometimes to pack up and head to the airports, only adding to the panic at resorts all over the world. There will be a "green watchlist", to give people notice if a country is about to move to amber or red.

However with consumer group Which? estimates each PCR test could cost about £120 per person making holidays totally unaffordable for the majority of normal people and members of the travel industry suggesting that holidays and travel will therefore only be for the rich and privileged in society. Some, along with myself, would argue the most affected in society are those on lower incomes and if you have been so lucky to have spent your lock-downs at your second home in Devon with a full range of amenities, a big garden, and room to move freely, then you should probably be considerate to the fact there are people who are maybe more deserving or needy of a break away; nurses, doctors, carers, lorry drivers, supermarket employees and key-workers.

While the earliest possible date for foreign travel was previously given as 17 May 2021 - Timings, destinations, and protocol have not been confirmed and so Thomas-Cooking-It is off the cards, for me at least until we have more clarity. I am itching to get out there into the big wide world and see more of it before I settle down. But with a bucket list of destinations as long as my arm (and probably longer), some upcoming life changes, and yet more sunshine on the horizon, there are just so many things to be positive about and look forward to!

'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.

Dropping before your Shopping

Afternoon everyone, 

13th week of this madness we all call lockdown in the UK. At this moment in time I write to you as being only a few hours left being on furlough (or signed off sick - whichever it may be). Whilst I spoke last week and in previous weeks that the time off has been helping with my mental well-being and stress levels, although I must say I am looking back to getting back to a "New Normal" as this last week has been difficult to occupy my time since all my projects and errands had been completed, mostly anyway. 

And so things do seem to be looking up. Figures from the BBC have confirmed that just 38 people have died today from COVID-19 (Monday 15 June 2020). With the "R" rate and new cases falling in recent weeks I am pleased and hoping for this to come to a steady end very soon. I spoke last week on the comparison to other countries such as New Zealand where they had fully opened up the country due to no new cases, something which I can only hope for soon and not yet experienced an unsettlingly high spike in deaths or new cases. 

In a report from Sky News, today, Monday 15 June 2020 saw demand across England's High Streets surge as some non-essential shops reopened for the first time after a three-month lockdown. The well-known news outlet confirmed that high streets, retail parks and Malls were bustling with shoppers again as the shutters are lifted after months of uncertainty and inactivity. Gone are the posters about Easter and Mothering Sunday and with no use for the spring posters and advertisements with pictures of lambs and chicks. Oh no, we were in Summer now baby! 

Whilst the rules of shopping and etiquette have changed it apparently hadn't put off swarms of shoppers lining the streets and as shops welcomed back customers for the first time in 12 weeks I did have to consider how I would spend my last day in furlough with little responsibilities of the normal 9-5. Sky News confirmed that the footfall on high streets, retail parks and shopping centres in England was up over 40% in comparison with last week, according to a survey by retail experts Springboard this morning. I had considered popping out to the shops today, although I use that term in the loosest of ways as you can never just "pop" somewhere now, its more of a "pooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop" - and yes with the poop emoji in there for good measure because let's be honest this is all shit. 

Despite all this, however, one customer spoke to outside (oh what a surprise a queue) the Apple Store in London had said that whilst she was happy and pleased about shops reopening, she was not so keen on all the queuing and that it made her think twice about whether she needs something from that shop - something which I think many, many people can relate to. I certainly know I can. 

I think as time goes on, however, I am still irritated with all of this Corona-queueing. I hate queuing at the best of times. I can be (only sometimes) a grumpy and impatient old lady and standing there wasting my precious time and life by queueing. There are plenty of things I want to occupy my last few months of being in my twenties doing such as travelling and enjoying life before kids and bigger mortgages. Queuing outside IKEA for a fucking lampshade in the pissing rain is not one of them and neither is any other queue I might add. Queuing for this and queueing for that. I am done with it all. I am bored with it all. Gone. Gone are the days when you could just walk into a shop and buy your crap and get out. No. Now I have to stand in the rain for 40-minutes just to try and take back some T-shirt's which didn't fit my fat-ass because of COVID eating, a trip in-store which took all of about 5-minutes, if that. So yeah, I suppose you could say I am at the end of my tether with it. It is all just so pointless. 

Regardless of this and my ranting, one of the places I considered and was at the top of my shopping hit list was my local shopping-retail-centre-park-thing in Bletchley near Milton Keynes. But on reading online from the MKCitizen I was dissuaded as it seemed the town (and the rest of the bloody county) had gone crazy as shoppers wait for up to two hours just to get into Primark with a staggering 200 people at least in the queues that stretched the length of the car-park. And Bedford wasn't any better being a smaller town centre the wait there was over the 120-minute mark.

Scrolling through my news feed, I was shocked that people were tweeting and looking down their noses at people queuing for non-essential clothing stores. With meme's popping up all over Insta and Facebook, I thought about how privileged these people must be, the keyboard warriors shaming people of where they shop, or more importantly, where they can maybe only afford to shop. The MKCitizen reported one cynic as saying that Lockdown has been going on for 84-days, which, in the grand scheme of things isn't a long time and in his words "you really have to wonder what people need so desperately that they're willing to queue for hours and hours for." 

A fair and valid comment, this got me thinking to myself and about me and my life during lockdown, but also about others I knew - People with children or who are pregnant and with a growing family. Maybe standing in those queues, should I have found myself in one of those situations, I would have thought it would be worth it. In the space of three-months children have grown out of everything and why spend a fortune in other shops on clothes they will barely get a few wears out of before having to size-up again. I myself have put on the pounds, pretty much returning to the weight I was before doing Slimming World at the back end of last year and earlier this year. For me, some new clothes would be nice. I suppose like most people I am looking for a boost of confidence, especially so and very much needed when there isn't much to be confident about in the media at the moment ...  

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Welcome to Slim-uary!

Hello, 

So as the chill sets in and everyone appears to be battening down the hatches in preparation for bad weather and a lack of social interaction due to the fact that nobody has any money for at least another fortnight or so. And here I am feeling like I have money to burn. The struggle is real and I am starting to wonder why I ever chose to not book a holiday early this year. You see after all my work colleagues had booked last minute holidays, all of them snatching up all the great bargains and good deals, leaving Mr Warehouse and I in a bit of a tizz as to why we have spent nearly seven-hundred quid on such a holiday that was barely worth half that. 

With this in mind, 2018 will probably be our last big holiday until we own a home. This is why I am looking to go on an all expenses extra kind of holiday. Where to you ask but the thing is nobody knows. Well that is until about six to eight weeks before we fly that is. I would like to go somewhere warm and ideally long haul. Maybe America, Mexico, Caribbean or Hawaii? Who knows I may end up in Thailand eating noodles from some back end bar and having to pull Mr. Warehouse away from the Lady-boys! I am sure that where ever and when ever we book it will be magical and something to treasure whilst we save like squirrels for our house. 

With the weather in England as unpredictable as my my hair colour (Blue, pink, orange, red - You name it we've been there) it is far too early to start thinking about summer yet. Now I am sure that you are just as eager as I am, ready and waiting to strip off, ready to hit the beach in a new bikini and have everyone turn to look at you. However the only reason that I think anybody would be looking my way on holiday is to see what a state I was or to clear the road to the buffet cart. 

OK so I may jest a little about my weight and in no uncertain terms and I taking the piss out of people that heavier or larger. You are beautiful each and everyone of you. Your bodies do fantastic things like keep you alive and bore you children. You should appreciate them and all that they do for you. So why am I hear bashing myself about my own weight you may say. Well, that is because I'm not happy with myself in the dress size I am. For what seems like year after year has now started to turn into decade after decade and despite being only in my mid-twenties, I feel like I dress like somebody ten-years older than me. I want to feel beautiful and for people to compliment me for once and actually mean it. 

Rightly or wrongly I know that people, sadly mostly my family, make passing comments about my weight and have done for many years. My family has always been big especially on my father's side and with the recent deterioration of my grandfather and his health, I can only assume that his lifestyle choices will probably be the end of him. And sadly I have no sympathy for him. Don't get me wrong I fully empathise with his situation and following retirement from what was a very active lifestyle jumping in and out of lorries all day he is now fully bed-bound and in need of round the clock care. It is sad and upsetting to see him in this way especially when he has had such a huge influence on my life. We are not very close by any means but that does not mean that I do not care for him very much and it worries me to think that this time next year he may not be with us. 

Maybe this is why I have joined a local gym and started a better and more healthier eating plan. I have signed up to you and been attending personal training sessions for the last few weeks with some astonishing figures that even I did not expect. In the last 6 weeks I have lost over ten-centimetres off my waist along with over seven-centimetres off my hips and sadly one-centimetres off my bust! Sad Face! And I don't want to be down to a size stupid, pottering around with a head bigger than my daily intake of calories and a waist the same circumference as a tangerine (Which by the way I would not able to eat since it was not vegan friendly, gluten free or multivitamin infused). I would however like to enjoy my summer prancing around in the sunshine, wearing a kitsch tea dress and looking as curvy and cute as I did back in college all whilst cramming down a hot-dog or two. 

I want to enjoy my food as well as my figure and wardrobe. I don't really think that I should have to compromise on either in order to have a good time or indeed enjoy life. I would like to say that by the time the annual family fun day at work is in full swing and Mr Warehouse and I are preparing for another year celebrating a pool and darts tournament in aid of his grandfather I would like to be at least one dress size smaller than I am now. Hopefully I can get there however it will probably be quite a lot of hard work, determination and willpower. Now where did I put my kale and avocado smoothie ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

The Comedown is Hard!

Olaa!

Driving Mr. Warehouse to his doctor's appointment on Friday morning I could feel the blues setting in already and it has not even been twenty-four hours yet. As the chill of autumn crept into my bones and the spitting rain settled on the windscreen of my car only to be wiped away with my automatic windscreen wipers. I remember the comedowns from the other holidays that I had, and on recalling just how bad coming back to reality after Las Vegas, I knew that I would soon change my tune. Besides, the leaves are now falling and Halloween is well on its way. Fireworks will soon be in the shops and cold winter nights will replace the long summer days. And then before you know it it will be Christmas!!! 

But enough about what the next few months entail, I know that you really want to know what the rest of our holiday in Tenerife was like you nosey-beggers! So the last time we spoke Mr Warehouse had become exceedingly drunk, and to what I recount, ate a family sized bar of chocolate only to vomit it back up moments later. After we cleaned up (and when I say we I actually just mean me) and awoke the next morning, Mr. Warehouse feeling a little bit worse for wear, we decided on a relaxing day by the pool. Now you may think that lounging  by the pool all day would sound like a blissful dream, however there are always those aforementioned parents that do not think their children need to start school at the same time as everyone else and as a result are encroaching on my holiday space, taking up sun beds and generally being a annoyance when trying to catch some rays! 

On said afternoon as I was lounging by the pool on a bed which can only be described as made from flimsy plastic, barely able to hold up my posterior. Enjoying the sunshine and enjoying exactly how hot it was in comparison to what was previously a very cold office on a Monday afternoon. Thinking about the constant ringing of the telephone and customers calling in with problems and issues put a smile on my face all in the knowledge that I did not have to deal with it for another week (and as wonderful as that may have seemed I think I was more than happy to get back to the daily Grind today). Plugging in my headphones I was loving life jamming away with my toes to Dizzee Rascal or something by Calvin Harris pretending I was at a cool party in my head, all the while covering my head and face with my large beach hat so as not to burn my forehead and nose again. 

Suddenly I felt a large drip on my belly. "Surely it can't be rain, its barely clouded over all week" I thought, "probably one of those annoying kids spraying water at me whilst their parents try to ignore them as much as everyone else" I questioned as I prepared to sit up and check. Looking around there was no children in my vicinity and not a water gun to be seen. "Hmmm" I pondered as I lay back down to crisp up. But just as I laid my head back under my massive sombrero I felt a splash of cold water hit me on the stomach and legs. There was only one person that could be. Gasping for air as the shock hit me just as much as the water had done, I whipped off my shades to look up and see Mr. Warehouse standing on the balcony clutching in empty glass and looking fairly pleased with himself. Angry, cooled-down and humoured all at the same time I dashed in and wrestled Mr. Warehouse into a tickle fight. I suppose that this is what holidays are meant for the silly occasions where you are able to be yourself and have fun. 

Tuesday Mr. Warehouse and I headed out early to get one of the first buses to the local water Park. Obviously when I say local water park it probably brings to mind silly little rides for kids, dodgy plasters floating around in the pools and nearly slipping over at every turn. But this was different. This was Siam Park. Siam Park is the best Water park in the entire world, at least according to TripAdvisor anyway. Spending most of our day on the lazy river getting burnt further, Mr. Warehouse and I did venture into the Beach area where we were knocked head over heels in a man-made tidal wave which is every combination of emotions from hearing the horrified screams of people waiting to be hit by the wave, to the excited squeals of children (OK and me as an adult) as they watch it hurtling towards them, ready to sweep them away. Mr. Warehouse braved a few rides with me as well including a dreaded "red ride". The Park as a whole follows a very simple traffic light system whereby the rides are labelled from Green which is very plain and simple family friendly rides, all the way up to read which is death-defying, exciting and wet all at the same time. I attempted a few videos of some of the rides and experiences we had in the park as well as the other things we did about the week, however despite being on the continent where buying drugs on the street is seemingly readily available they still take health and safety very seriously and as a result I was not allowed to film on most of the rides in Siam Park. 

Our last full day on the island I planned to spend in Paradise on mine and Mr. Warehouse's little private beach we found, however the boyfriend thought that it would be a good idea to gain some cultural knowledge about the island and Discover some of the delights surrounding the resorts. In a last ditch attempt to find something to do we booked ourselves on an excursion to tour the volcanic mountain range of Teide national park as well as visiting the mountains it's self. As beautiful as it was it was nothing in comparison to the Grand Canyon, for I am afraid to say that once you have seen one rock you have seen them all. When you look at the fact that Mount Teide national park could fit into the Grand Canyon national park over thirty-times, it certainly gives you a bit of scale. Travelling across the mountain range we headed to some little seaside towns where we got to have a spot of lunch before soaking in the beautiful island of Tenerife in all its tropical glory. Tackling the treacherous roads that lead up and down of the mountain range I was certainly glad of getting a coach and not hiring a car as I am not sure that I would have been able to hold my nerves whilst going round some of the hairpin turns we had to manoeuvre. 

Alas though our holiday had to come to an end at some point. We had our pooch to come back to and our lovely little flat which Miss Tweedle-Dee had been looking after the both of them whilst Mr. Warehouse and I were away. Since being back I think people are accustomed now to thinking that Mr. Warehouse and I are constantly holidaying and are planning next years already. Whilst I would love to have a job of simply writing reviews and going on trips to just write and blog and vlog all the time, that is not reality and thus I need to return back to my normal office job in order to save up for the next time we go away. Where Mr. Warehouse and I will go nobody knows;; Prague, Budapest, Krakow, Bratislava. But one thing is for sure that the next few weeks I will certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for a good deal through one of the budget Airlines. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

You cant pick 'em, But I wouldn't want to!

Evening, 

Sun shining, cousins playing in the garden and all my family around me, the only thing that could have made this better was a glass of wine and someone to drive me home. Alas, Mr. Warehouse has yet to learn to drive and as such I was driving so no White Zinfandel from me! But as the temperature rose to a pleasant English Summer's day I soon realised that, no offence of course, but my family is old! Sounds strange but Mr. Warehouse and myself were the youngest adults on the patio, and not that this is an odd occasion, as it was the same when we visit Mr. Warehouse's brothers and their respective families. 

It sounds strange but you never really think about your family getting older. You always imagine them being there for you, throughout everything both good, bad and ugly. As a family from my Fathers side we have been through a lot including my father in the military and going to war with the later addition of my parents divorce and the eventuality of me being kicked out of the family home also, not to mention one uncle living in Southern Ireland and working away in Africa, another with a busy life involving a young family and my grandparents facing care issues with my Grandpa. But every family is different and I am sure that similar problems arise. 

My Aunt and Uncle had come over from Southern Ireland and we all in my Grandma's Garden and I cast my thoughts to the day where I would one day be the Grandma and I would be hosting a BBQ with my family and my grandchildren. Lemon Cake on the side and with pretty flowers adorning the garden area (not sure how though since I fucking hate gardening) my family would surround me for hopefully some of the happiest days of my life to come. Bringing myself back into the moment though, with most of my Aunts and Uncles drinking we all revelled in each others lives and what was going on and what was up with work, home and family life. However, there was a point in the Sunday rays as the smell of the BBQ sizzled in the background, I wondered how much longer I have with them. 

Sounds morbid I know, but looking around at everyone, laughing and joking with one another, trying to take a dig at someone else I was grateful for the family I had. As the younger one of the family, you don't really think of the people in your life getting old or growing tired of life. But there were more wrinkles and grey hair than I remembered from last time we were all together. I wondered about the next time we would all be together, would it be another family BBQ or something bigger and more of a special occasion. Each and every person round this table I had a special connection to, whether it being my Uncle and Auntie with their two active boys who were kind enough to open their home to me when I had none of my own or my other Aunt and Uncle who would always be there should I need to them, be it an escape to the quiet Irish countryside after a messy break-up or just someone to talk something through over the phone. 

Not that it was a bad thing, but I realised that one day this would end. I would be one of the only family members left and the generation before me would just be a talking point and in photo's. This made me sad, but determined not to let a single moment or opportunity be missed with family in the future. Without them you are nothing, but with them you are everything. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

New Year, New Ventures ...

Heyy, 

So there is was. Christmas. All over and done with for another year. Hard to believe that you have such a long build-up of anticipations for the months and weeks leading up to the big day, all enveloped with who has the best Christmas advert when do you put the turkey in and did you remember to buy Aunt Agnus a gift. And so begins the heavy hangover that is New Years. Back to work,cold and sometimes wet with little or no money it is a bleak outlook. It seems like Summer is such a long way off and nothing really to look forward to I cant help but look at summer holidays and spending countless bank holiday weekends with the other half and the dog. 

First place to hit up will be around Valentines day and whilst you would think that Mr. Warehouse and I would prefer a weekend to be together spending QT indulging in some romantic activities, we wont. Instead we will be heading (hopefully) to the Peak District right in the heart of England. It will be February and so therefore cold, probably very cold, although I am quite looking forward to a cosy AirBnb cottage in Bakewell, surrounded by miles of AONB Countryside, and fingers crossed a few flakes of snow. I suppose that yes it would be nice to go away for a couple of nights with Mr. Warehouse, just us and a nice hotel room somewhere, it just wouldn't feel right without pooch. We love her as much as we love each other and that is what is most important, spending time with the ones that you love, be it human or otherwise. 

Next on the agenda is ideally somewhere hot and exotic for a mine and the boyfriends first beach holiday. I know I can hardly believe that in all our travels we have yet to go to a proper beach holiday resort and tan until our hearts content. I have found a couple of nice ideas in the form of Agadir in Morocco and whilst they are not a million miles away they will still provide us the sort of holiday we would both be happy with. I had tried originally the Caribbean or Mexico but that is a little too expensive, especially if we are looking to go away in April's Easter Break. A ten-day holiday in the sun for the price of seven annual leave days from work and all for under the price of a normal week in the sun with the Girls I usually have I think is a bargain, I just hope Mr. Warehouse see's it that way. 

Maybe later in the year we can have another mini-break to Newquay or somewhere by the sea so Pup can feel the sand between her toes and maybe even as Autumn rolls round we might even be able to squeeze in another trip to Europe for a Christmas Market or even Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Although one step at a time, I think if I was to spell all this out to Mr. Warehouse right now he might have a stroke, and not the good kind. 

You see as a new years resolution this year I really want to travel more. Its been a good few years since Vegas and whilst the Miss Tweedle-Dumb and her boyfriend accompanied Miss Tweedle-Dee and her family on a trip back there just before Christmas last year it is something that I am now craving. And why not?! Mr. Warehouse and I have no other commitments other than his (and my adoptive) dog which Miss Tweede-Dee has kindly said she would dog and house sit whilst we were away. I now have a car so am not pressured to start learning anymore. I have a new job with better money so I want to afford the luxuries life has to offer. It is something I have come to realise is all to fragile and can be taken away at any given time without warning or planning. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

X-cellent Christmas

Ho Ho Ho - Merry Christmas, 

Waking on Christmas morning as I normally do in my old room at my Dad's Girlfriend's House. Cold winter sun peeking through the window I awoke with the sound of Mr. Warehouse's pooch running up the stairs and wagging her tail furiously against the door. Letting her in we had a cuddle before I realised just what day it was ... IIITS CHRIIIISTMAAAS!!!

Heading down stairs I was greeted, not by the Santa ambush I had always anticipated as a child, but by the mountain of presents sat in a pile all for me. Sitting on the floor yet more doggy cuddles ensued and Mr. Warehouse and I took some time before my Dad and his Girlfriend came down to join us. I soon realised that our Kanine's stocking had more presents in it that some of the gift bags for close, human family members. Nevertheless our Pup seemed to enjoy her biscuits, treats, dog chocolate, toys, squeaky things and tit-bit's. Even the Christmas jumper was a hit and she stayed in it all day comfortably. 

Seeing the gifts my Dad, his partner and Mr. Warehouse had bought me I was more than happy to get started. After settling down with the "adults" and a cup of coffee, I started to unwrap the beautifully glittered and shiny paper. Hair accessories, beauty gifts, make-up, nail varnish and pamper treats I was certainly in no way going to run out of things and ways to pretty myself. Mr. Warehouse's car smellies (AKA air fresheners), sewing kit, clothes and my main pressie was a beautiful, new Lenovo Tablet/Laptop. I can hardly believe how spoilt I was by everyone as well as my Dad and other family members. More gifts included gift vouchers for different restaurants so Mr. Warehouse and I can have dinner somewhere nice, Candles ... Yankee of course, copious amounts of chocolate and biscuits. 

Now was the big time though, for it was Mr. Warehouse's time to unwrap his final few gifts. He started with some flat box shaped presents. Unwrapping them I apologised for the format, knowing full well what was to come. 
"I thought it was for Xbox 360 love, sorry. I will have to take them back to the store next week and get the right ones. So sorry Hunny." I said sympathetically. Looking at Mr. Warehouse's little face though I was just buzzing for the next few minutes to pass by. This had been over a year in the making. I had wanted to buy Mr. Warehouse an Xbox One (The new Microsoft game console) last Christmas in 2015, although by the time it came out I had already purchased the flight tickets to Dublin, and although I had really given it some serious thought into selling them and buying the console I decided against it. We obviously had a fantastic time, and I pondered that it would probably be cheaper come his birthday in August. The difference being is that in April, Mr. Warehouse left his job and had a few of his fingers in different pies for a while, some of which never worked out and as a result finances were very, very tight as I kept our little family afloat throughout the summer. As Autumn came and the leaves began to fall I started to pay more attention to the prices of the consoles and games, even more-so than I had before. But passing my driving test, buying a car and a career move I thought would have taken a toll on my bank balance but in fact has had the slight opposite effect. In spite of this, come Black Friday I awoke earlier than Christmas morning and logged online to see the deals that were about. Finding a corker I nailed it down, purchasing a Xbox One S with Fifa 17. In the following weeks I bought some bits here and bobs there as well as two further games. 

But now came the moment that my loving boyfriend was sat in PJ's with a furrowed brow wondering if I am just that stupid to buy the wrong formatted games or if I have been playing him for months. Opening the large box found down the side of the arm chair he was sat in, his face sunk. 
"This is a cruel joke. This is horrible. You haven't?! You couldn't have!?" Mr. Warehouse exclaimed, excited yet dubious. Opening the box, still not sure if it was just something heavy weighing it down rather than the actual real-deal. However after disguarding the remaining packaging there was nothing left but a white Xbox One S and Fifa 17. There was no hiding now. It was true and the dream had come true. 

Still in shock throughout the rest of the day we muddled through Christmas Dinner, more presents, visits to friends and family, wine, arguments and unimaginable amounts of food. Even now as we sit in Momma Warehouse's Boyfriends house in the Cambridgeshire countryside I don't think he really believes it, that is until we get home tomorrow and have a good play on all our toys. Jokingly I said I wouldn't see him until June 2017, but now I am not so sure that it is wrong. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx