Dress Stress & Wedding Bells: Part II

Afternoon All, 

Continued ... 

Frustrated I spoke with someone who had suggested some other dresses however she had clearly not looked into what I had ordered/rented as she was suggesting dresses that were far far too small. I am a UK size 22-24 and the dress suggestions were a UK size 8-10?!?!?! Being still at work I was unable to speak and so she promised me she would contact me after 5pm to sort this out once I had finished work and assured me no one would be going home until this was sorted. She didn’t call. I had to call on the number she had called me on approx. 5.10pm and got through to someone, who tried in vain to help, despite not really having any answers or explanations.  

During the subsequent 2-hour nearly long phone call which was constantly being disconnected, the young woman was able to let me know I would have a pre-10am delivery of a selection of dresses that I could choose from. Whilst appreciated this did not really help as the fascinator, shoes, bag and my manicure were all now pointless and would not have gone with any of the dresses sent through. I explained multiple times that I am a UK size 22-24 and the baby blue Cherry Midi Dress  I knew would fit and so any other dress being delivered would need to also fit. There would be no point in sending a UK size 18 or 20 as they simply wouldn’t fit. This did however happen.  

 

In the meantime my wonderful fiancé had driven to our local post office to check if the dress was there and just hadn’t been sent back yet, to which they claimed it was not. After 90-minute on the phone, I had reluctantly selected 4 dresses to be sent out, despite 2 of them I knew would not fit due to having no choice but ordering a smaller size. I was assured that delivery would happen pre-10am however as I am sure you can imagine this only added to the stress I was already experiencing and distress caused. 

Waking on Saturday morning I had barely slept, panicking I would miss the delivery and have fuck all to wear. Looking out the window the 7am street was foggy and misty, although we prayed for it t clear to blue skies and sunshine. After dropping Mr. Warehouse to his brother's house that morning, I returned home and awaited the dresses. Dress number one, a floor-length, baby-pink SELKIE Ritz dress did not fit, as expected and as told to the call handler the night before. Dress number two, the Fairy Tong dress I tried on also and again, did not fit, as expected. 

The other dresses were simply not appropriate for the English country garden summer wedding I was attending. One was a garish tropical print dress which made me look like some sort of African Tribal Queen (I have nicknamed this the Babatunde dress) and the other was a heavy dark green velvet long-sleeved high neck dress which would have made me look like a victorian nanny from 1824 and much more suited to a winter wedding or cooler time of year event. Even the gesture of goodwill necklace and earrings set was incomplete as the necklace was missing/not included and I only received the earrings which were incorrect to what I chose and sadly looked cheap, despite their nearly £200.00 price tag. 

I was in floods of tears yet again by this point as I was left in an impossible situation. I had no choice but to go into my own wardrobe and pick out a dress that was almost identical in color and style to the bridesmaid dresses which as I am sure you can imagine was highly embarrassing and awkward considering I was meant to be wearing something else entirely. 

Despite the wedding going without a hitch and it was a beautiful day with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky, it was totally marred by this so maybe HURR Collective can redeem themselves with the Ivory SELKIE Puff Ball Dress  I have planned for my Hen-Do this weekend. What is going on? I have no effing idea. All I know is that it is going to be a weekend of debauchery and naughtiness, and maybe a few willie straws thrown in for good measure!

'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.

Dress Stress & Wedding Bells: Part I

Hello, 

Is it even possible to be this tired? After a full week of back-to-back planning and wedding prep, I wish we could have had a weekend to relax. But sleeping is for the dead - Right? With last Monday being bridal drinks for my brother and sister-in-law's upcoming nuptials (Saturday 18th September 2021 - Yes my birthday). Tuesday was nail manicure, Wednesday was eyelashes, Thursday was my final dress fitting for my wedding dress (Eeek) and with Mr. Warehouse out every night too busy with Turkish trim's, Suit fittings and collecting and the church rehursal we were mostly like ships passing in the night, barely seeing each other to share dinner and most nights falling into be totally wacked. 

You see as before, my brother and sister-in-law had just so happened to book their wedding on my birthday and as such I kept forgetting throughout the week that it was actually my special day too. I do wish it hadn't been though as it would have been much easier to focus on one event. Arriving at work on the Friday morning I was shocked and surprised to see a huge bunch of flowers on my desk accompanied by a pricey bottle of champers and a sweet card from the guys in the office. I was so overwhelmed I nearly lost it. I had only been there a matter of weeks and already I had more here to welcome me on my last day as a *insert age* (tehe) than I did on my last day at a job I had worked at for over four-and-a-half years. Lunch consisted of sushi, sashimi and gyoza's closly followed by another colleague of mine coming in from her annual leave just to drop off another bunch of flowers. Honestly so sweet. 

However it wasn't to stay that way. I had decided a while ago that rather than buying a dress for the newly-wed's special day, I would rent one. I found one I fell in love with but after dithering around it was unavailable so I rented a similar one - The LIRIKA MATOSHI Cherry Midi Dress. A baby blue and cherry gown the website decscribes the $490.00 outfit as "The perfect head turner dress featured by a midi dress silhouette covered in glittery cherries. The tie up detail and the puffy sleeves make the dress even more fabulous. The dresses length from waist down is 33 inches. Made of 100% polyamide tulle, pvc glitter, environmental protection glue." 

Renting it seemed easy as I had dne a few weeks earlier just to make sure it fitted and that I knew how it all worked, logistically. Hiring was from the website HURR Collective, specialising in peer-to-peer and direct from the designers clothing and accessories rentals. The beauty was due to arrive on Friday 17^th September 2021 however, come 3.30pm (the day before my brother and sister in laws wedding AND my birthday) it had still not arrived at my fiancé’s work place. Panicking he searched high and low for it and was not able to find it.  

I tried finding a phone number to call, there was none – UNHELPFUL! I went on the chat bot on the website to ask for help only to be met with an automated response – UNHELPFUL! I then attempted to email the last human I spoke to, again with no response – UNHELPFUL!  Finally I decided to head to twitter as a last ditch attempt to try and get ahold of someone although it was another 40-mins nearly before I got a reply of any value or worth. I then received an email stating that “it looked like the item may not have come back after the last rental”. I was now in a state of panic and shock. How can a £400+ dress go MIA for nearly a fortnight with no one checking?!?!  

 

After taking some time away from my desk to cry in the toilets (because I was still working at this point) I was devastated and panic-stricken that I now had nothing to wear to  my BROTHER AND SISTER IN LAWS WEDDING the following day! I had ordered and bought a fascinator to match the Cherry Midi Dress, and planned to wear my wedding shoes plus matching the cherries on the dress to my manicure, designed especially for that dress. All of this was now wasted. All the money I had spent on them and time cultivating my outfit for such an important event that I had told everyone of the service and sang HURR Collective’s praises for were all lost. I was doing a reading in the church and I had been telling everyone about my outfit and the dress and was so excited. Now all gone. What an earth was I going to do?! At this rate I was turning up there tomorrow wearing my fucking birthday suit?! 

To be continued ... 

'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.

As the weeks turn into days ...

Heyy Everyone, 

Back and well-rested, sort of, from our trip to Skeggy last weekend, Mr Warehouse and I have been thrown in at the deep end of full-throttle wedding planning.

First things first - The caterers! As of Thursday of last week, over a fortnight on from our original caterers basically bailing on us and pulling out of our wedding and still, there had been no contact made. After having yet to receive a reply to my countless voicemails or emails or phone calls, I sent a final email. Whilst I have tried to understand the compromising position they must be in, my sympathy and empathy were wading and after absolutely no communication AT ALL Mr. Warehouse and I wanted our money back. 

Multiple discussions with friends and family all scrabbling around to help, I am not alone in believing that this is highly unprofessional. Whilst gratefully we have found other caterers now who have basically matched identically what we were quote from the old company (if you can even call them that), I am still pissed off at their absolute lack of communication and seemingly professional or sympathetic approach to our situation.

With optimism running high, and just over 4-weeks to go I am honestly so freakin' excited. I think that the public knows that Prime Minister Boris Johnson can't really go back on his word yet again U-turning. Most recently COVID has not been at the top of the news bulletins. The troubles and unrest in Afghanistan, wildfires, and commemorations for the September 11th terror attacks have all been higher on the media's agenda than this damned virus. In recent weeks, it has even been reported that we have had many days where there have been zero COVID-related deaths.

However, all is not in the clear as the BBC has confirmed today (on Monday 13 September 2021) that whilst still, low numbers are creeping up. The numbers today are only sixty-one. A huge difference from what we were seeing several months ago and the vaccine roll-out really has been our savior. Despite the new Indian variant labeled the Delta Coronavirus, 89% of people aged 16 and over in the UK have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and more than 80% have had their second. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted all legal restrictions in England in July but has urged the public to remain cautious and vigilant in the fight against COVID-19, saying the pandemic was not over. BoJo is due this week, tomorrow I think, to unveil his plans for Autumn/Winter 2021 on how we can survive this winter period "living with Covid" and not overwhelming the NHS. The BBC continuing with their report, all those aged 16 and over can now get a Covid vaccine, as well as children with underlying health conditions who are aged 12 and above. 

Controversially the government's Chief Medical Officers recently recommended that all children aged 12 to 15 should be offered one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which was in stark contrast to some of the things which were coming from Westminster previously, with the government's vaccine committee had said there was not enough benefit to warrant it on health grounds alone, but that ministers may wish to take other factors into account. I think considering the situation and the roll-out of the flu-jab being given to more and more of the population this year than ever before as well as a COVID top-up, the BBC's article confirming that the Chief Medical Officers suggest that given the virus is set to keep spreading over winter, vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds would give the best chance for face-to-face education to continue with the least disruption. I just hope everything stays true and we can finally get hitched!

'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.

Viva la Skeg-Vegas!

Heyy All, 

The last few weekends of stress, not one but two fastly approaching weddings and last weeks catering catastrophe; a weekend away was very much needed.

As yet, it is now over a week on, and still, there has been no contact made regarding the previous caterers. So unfortunately when detailing in last week's blog post that come today I was sure there would be more tea to spill and yet there is not. I have yet to receive a reply to my countless voicemails or emails or phone calls. I have tried to understand where they are coming from and the compromising position they must be in, however, whilst I can appreciate this I really don't think this is good enough and to have had no communication AT ALL since that moment on Bank Holiday Monday. Mr. Warehouse and I had just arrived and seated ourselves at the table ready for the meeting with them, only to then discover that email, and that was only by sheer fucking luck that Mr. Warehouse asked about the bar prices, otherwise I wouldn't have seen the email at all and we would have been sat there like fucking lemon's waiting. 

At no point have we had any phone calls or anything, despite being in contact with them very regularly over the last few months and weeks. After a full week of no contact and being ignored, I am struggling even less now to appreciate their predicament and my sympathy with the situation is slipping. Multiple discussions with friends and family all scrabbling around to help, I am not alone in believing that this is highly unprofessional.Whilst gratefully we have found other caterers now, I am still pissed off at their absolute lack of communication and seemingly professional or sympathetic approach to our situation.

So when few weeks ago it was Mr. Warehouse's birthday I couldn't think of anything more perfect than as part of one of his presents was a romantic weekend away. Paris? Venice? Rome? No, even better according to the future hubby-to-be ... The great British seaside with plenty of arcades, 2p's and a large helping of fish and chips on the beach. However, with places like Paris, Venice, and Rome still under Coronavirus travel restrictions, a lot of people were thinking the same and that a 2021 Staycation was the one!

So finding a reasonably priced hotel in Skeggy was hard, so I needed to search further afield. That's when I stumbled across The Kings Arms in Boston. No, not Massachusetts. Located just over 20-miles from Skegness, The hotel provided us with everything we needed including a restaurant and free WiFi, although we never actually used either. On Booking.com, the description goes on to say that guests can relax in the garden at the property, and with Grantham 31-miles away and Woodhall Spa is less than 15-miles there was plenty to do. The nearest airport is Humberside Airport, 43.5 miles from the accommodation.

But my fiance and I had plenty of things planned. After packing up the car and leaving home (albeit over an hour late due to Mr. Warehouse being essentially forced out on the road due to the lack of drivers in the warehouse) we headed to Momma's house just outside of Huntingdon in the Cambridgeshire countryside. Dropping off the dogs and making a swift departure we continued the two-hour journey to our final destination, The Kings Arms in Boston. FINALLY, I would have a weekend without Mr. Warehouse's damned fan blowing cold air throughout the night. I joked, pulling into the car park of the hotel, both Mr Warehouse and I exhausted from work and travelling that if there was a fan in the room he would be sleeping in another bed. I never thought he would take it literally though!

The bed and breakfast offered comfy rooms all well equipped with large flat-screen TVs capable of Netflix, Youtube, and catch-up. A small and if I am honest, dated en-suite private bathroom also said it came with a hairdryer and free toiletries although I never saw these. The shower was a little limescale-ridden, however, there were plenty of pillows for us only being a couple and sharing a quadruple room. The novelty of not having to share a double bed was appealing though and so we parted ways and headed to our separate beds. 

Waking on Saturday morning without the pitter-patter of tiny paws forcing you out of bed to let them out for a wee at 6am was a relief and I don't think it was until gone 9am when we eventually both rolled out of bed and downstairs for breakfast. Our table looked out over the river, one of the many waterways that peppered these parts of the Fens and directly opposite the hotel and filling our breakfast window was a beautiful windmill. But we couldn't stare at the beauty out the window all day; we had stuff to do. 

Located on North Parade, Skegness's Natureland is a Sanctuary dedicated to treating and returning seals to their natural habitat! On its website, Natureland says that since opening they have dealt with, and returned to the wild whenever possible, many unusual animal visitors including dolphins and whales, a “lost” walrus and pelican, plus numerous oiled seabirds and injured birds of prey! 

On our visit, walking around like it was a romantic date, that every year, particularly during the breeding season, seal pups are washed up on the beaches around Skegness, abandoned or separated from their mothers by the tides! The lucky ones are brought to Natureland’s Seal Hospital where they are cared for by dedicated staff members. However keepers tell tales of the real problem which is persuading the pup to eat, the pup suckles differently from other animals (such as cats and dogs) and they cannot be taught to suck from a bottle. With a little help for a week or two, they can swallow a few whole fish (known as sprats) which are about 3 inches long, something we were lucky to see on our visit in the warm sunshine. If all goes well the pups are moved into the Rearing Pool where they are taught to feed on fish in the water and gain the body weight they need to survive in the wild. Some months after joining us when the pup is fit, fat and healthy, it is returned home to the sea!

Other than that the weekend was eaten up entirely by long hours and many coins frittered away in the arcades, long walks down the beach sharing fish and chips (along with Mr Warehouse's first experience of scraps - Basically all the bits of batter and tiny chips that bubble around in the fat of the chip-shop), a trip to a local market and a very long journey home. We had fun and now with the new caterer sorted plus a few more things ticked off the wedding to-do list, it's onwards and upwards in the final few weeks countdown until I become a wife!!!

'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.

A Catering Crisis

Evening Everyone, 

With the last few weekends either spent relaxing in a spa & dancing the night away or riddled with anxiety that my future husband is out in Birmingham somewhere having lapdance's and who knows what else I was ready to have a more relaxed and laid back approach to wedding planning this weekend. Being a bank holiday in the UK, Mr. Warehouse and I had planned a productive weekend in which we would meet with most if not all of the remaining suppliers and vendors for our big day.

Saturday I treated Mr. Warehouse to breakfast at my favorite place in Bedford, Cibo Deli. Opening earlier this year, Cibo Deli and Kitchen takes a modern and contemporary approach whilst harnessing their passion for food and Italian heritage. Offering a diverse range of freshly made artisan sandwiches and locally sourced produce including quality cheeses, cured meats, dried pasta, and gorgeous wine from the deli, but let's be fair the only reason I'm going it for the Cibo breakfast club on the weekends. Entirely unique to Bedford and offering a range of naughty but nice treats the cinnamon french toast with fresh yogurt and black cherries is my absolute win!

After which we hung out with my future brother and sister-in-law's before heading to see the florist. Again, as before, she made us feel comfortable and at ease with everything, positive that this would be the last and final occasion we would have to postpone. It is always a bitter-sweet feeling when people say that as I feel as though I can't quite believe them as at any point it could and has changed with enforced government lockdowns happening almost on a minute-by-minute basis last year. But she seemed upbeat and was helpful in narrowing down what we wanted and what would be possible within our budget as well as what would be in season.

Sunday was the bar which again made us feel super at ease with their level of professionalism. They came across very well and seemed confident in being able to handle aunties that had too much or uncles that wanted "just another one Jagerbomb". We agreed that Tequila Rose just HAS to be on the menu and that we would come up with some ideas on cocktails and other drinks to include behind the bar. Arrival drinks were decided as well as location and set up requirements. On leaving the meeting at our local Garden Centre yesterday I felt confident and excited about our upcoming nuptials. Nothing was going to get in the way now! Or would it ...?

Waking this morning Mr Warehouse had a lazy morning in bed, playing with the dogs, scrolling through social media and watching telly. Soon enough though we were on the road again to another one of my fave places for brunch, The Cherry Tree at Olney. Overlooking the main high street lined with boutique shops and cute cafes, the stunning Grade II listed building is the heart of the village and directly opposite the famous market square. Named after the Olney Cherry Fair it dating back to the 14th century, a time when the town produced a large, annual, commercial cherry crop from the vast orchards that surrounded the area.

Seating ourselves after following the waiting staff to the table I was excited for my fiance to try this place with me. After placing our food order and awaiting the arrival of our caterers (who should be arriving in less than an hour) Mr. Warehouse asked if the bar had sent through the menu or price list for the drinks since we had requested it yesterday. Pulling up my phone and my emails I began to scroll through to check. To my horror, I found something very unexpected:

Good Morning, I am contacting you regarding your catering for the 16th October 2021. We have this weekend had some devastating news, which will unfortunately not allow us to be able to cater for your event. We are deeply sorry to let you both down, however, one of our team will not be in a well enough position to cater. Her treatment plan has been set out over the coming months and put us in a position we never imagined. We do have your deposit, and we would like to return it to you as soon as possible, if you could kindly send me the details of the account it needs to be made out to, we can arrange for it to be paid. We obviously are heartbroken not to be able to help on your big day, we know you've waited a long time, and got through the pandemic, and had a few date changes. We know it leaves you in a panic, but we can recommend a few caterers that could be available for you, and that will be able to supply the same menu and support. We can understand your disappointment and possible annoyance, but our team's health now becomes my priority, she was up until yesterday adamant she would be well enough to still go ahead, and I have had to overrule her. If you could let me have the details ASAP, I'd be really grateful. Kind regards.

I had barely got to the end of the first sentence before Mr. Warehouse had taken the phone from me and read it for himself. There we were about to meet our caterers and this is what we got. No phone call. No text. No prior warning, considering we were both driving to this place conveniently halfway between the two of us. Nothing. Absolutely sweet Fuck All.

I was pissed. Whilst I could sympathize and emphasize with their situation which must be difficult, if this was the case then plans should not have been made to meet us, which were only set in stone at the beginning of last week. I had been in contact with these people for years and certainly, in recent months, weeks and days, no one had suggested anything other than what we had signed the contract for. Completely unprofessional to not call ahead or speak directly in order to explain the situation and firing off an email less than an hour before we were meant to meet is unacceptable, regardless of the situation.

Fuming I tried to call but, of course, I couldn't get through, more likely than not that they had screened my calls considering I was trying to contact them a mere ten minutes before they were meant to show up. I had no choice but to reply to the cold email:

I have just tried to call you but unfortunately not been able to reach you. Whilst we appreciate the email that has been sent I really don't think this is good enough. We have just arrived and seated ourselves at the table ready for our meeting only to then discover this email. At no point have we had a phone call or anything, despite being in contact with you very regularly over the last few months and weeks. I appreciate your predicament and sympathize with your situation however I really think this is highly professional and I expect a phone call today at some point to discuss this matter further. Regards

Over nine hours later and still no reply either to the email or the voicemail left simply reinforcing their unprofessionalism and inability to unbury their heads in the sand. I may seem like a bitch for being like this and feeling this way but they have not even done the leg work in finding another company to cater for us, just giving us a list of names that are all either unavailable or too pricey. Despite the clear health issues or problems they are facing which I totally understand, I am now left in a position where I have no food, cutlery, plates, evening catering or basic structure for my wedding day. This is not a birthday party or baby shower or some fucking fun day - THIS IS MY WEDDING DAY!!!

Right now I feel completely deflated. I haven't been able to stomach anything since then and even a crisis meeting with my Dad earlier only seemed to make things worse by compounding the fact that with less than seven-FUCKING-weeks to go everywhere is either fully booked and unavailable or are extortionate. What I do now I don't know, but by next week I am sure there will be more tea to spill ...

'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.

What happens on Stag ...

Afternoon All, 

Last weekend I indulged in a relaxing weekend of spa's, supper, and shots, but now it was the Stag's turn. Talk was established early on, as it normally is about the stag do and hen do, and Mr. Warehouse and I were no exception. The future Hubby has never really been the centre of attention and so having him being the limelight was his idea of his worst nightmare. So when his older brother (who gets hitched just four weeks before we do) suggested a joint one. Considering that they would have literally been inviting all the same friends and family, it made sense. It also meant the pressure was off of one brother or the other and hopefully would be distributed evenly the pranks and stitch-ups.

And so the moment soon came round as Mr. Warehouse packed up his suitcase with fresh creps and clobber. I was pleased we had even just reached this stage of wedding planning to the point he can enjoy his stag do. It meant that we were a little closer to our special day. Sadly though the relaxing nature of our girls away weekend the week before would not necessarily be happening as there was plenty of DIYs and wedding stationery that needed doing.

I can't lie though, I was a little anxious about my fiance heading off for a boys weekend jam-packed with activities. A typical stag-do of course meant a trip to a strip joint or gentleman's club, of which there is actually a difference (Mr Warehouse explained it as plainly as a strip joint is just that whereas a gentleman's club you can pay for "extras"), still not making me feel any easier about the plans. But I didn't want him to worry or think I was being a psycho bitch of a future wifey, so I tried in-vain to play it cool.

A BuzzFeed article written by an American called James details it perfectly, and most of it seems odd to him and he's a yank. Aside's from the obvious it was quite a good read, but I feel as though some things were just not touched upon. The dressing up - OK yeah I get it. The pranks, dare's and rowdy drunken behaviour - Fair enough. But I don't think it told the whole story of what actually happens on a stag do's. Cosmo to the rescue! The article from the popular women's magazine details that just the mentioning of the words 'stag weekend' and brides to be are filled with fear. But it's not just the girls about to tie the knot who worry – it's any girl whose man is set to disappear for the weekend to celebrate their mate's last night of freedom.

One brave guy, unnamed in the article detailed how he ended up going to a strip club. "I don't know the reason behind why we went, but I guess it's what most stag dos end up doing. Unless the stag is a doctor, it'll be the last time he'll see a woman – other than his wife to be naked." Claiming that not a lot actually happened when in the strip club (a likely story I think not young sir!) the mystery man concluded simply by confirming what women already know; That most men are lazy stating that the "lap dancers spoke to us, trying to get us to have a private dance but I just think guys like going because they know that girls will flirt with them and they don't have to try even though they know the girls are only doing it for the money."

I don't mind Mr. Warehouse going to strip clubs or seeing boobs or fannies. but what I draw a line at is being unfaithful. I suppose for me, in my heart of hearts I knew my other half would never do anything like that, it still didn't stop me from wondering or having thoughts about what would happen if he did and what life would be like in the aftermath. Even despite me being very secure in my relationship and not the needy, insecure, or self-conscience type that (usually because of poor treatment from other men and relationships) needs the constant reassurance and compliments of their partner, I still had a wobble and a few times had to check in to know we're OK as a couple - And maybe to remind my Beau of how good he has it here!

'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.

Fear is interest paid on a debt you might not owe

 Evening All, 

And so it has happened. I mean it is not like I knew it wouldn't, it is written into my contract. It is pretty unlikely that things would not have gone back to more of a normality, or whatever this new bullshit is now especially since shops are now open not to mention the restaraunts and pubs as mentioned last week. But as I sat in the hairdressers today on my day off, scrolling through my social media pages, flooded with back to school pictures, the anxiety I felt peaked. Why? Because tomorrow is my first day back in the office.

Week number seventeen and whilst the virus has no end in sight yet, we are being told from media outlets and Government alike to 'Get back to work'. On 17 July, Boris Johnson announced that from 1 August the Government’s advice for England on going to work would be changing and instead of telling people to work from home where possible and if they can to contain and cntrol the virus, employers were given more discretion and in turn asked the country to return to work safely. Workplaces up and down the country started to make decisions about how staff can work in a clean and COVID-secure enviroment. 

"Whatever employers decide, they should consult closely with their employees, and only ask people to return to their place of work if it is safe" said the Prime Minister. However, on 31 July following some local outbreak of the Coronavirus in the Midlands and North West, the postponement of some planned lockdown easing in England had to be halted and ergo the 'Back to work' chants. Since then the Government have updated the 'Working safely during coronavirus' guidance, but with the changes to the relaxation of restrictions and the potential for regional restrictions to be put in place should a spike appear continuing, is it sensible for businesses to consider beinging staff back, even on a part time basis? Everyone will need to have the capability to move quickly from one scenario to another as local lockdowns and quarratining from foreign countries changes by a daily, sometimes hourly even basis. 

This virus is still out there and figures from the BBC released today (Monday 07 September 2020) confirm that whilst the number of new cases of coronavirus is continuing to rise, the death rate is just 3 in the last 24-hour period; A stark cry from the blog post I wrote my first few weeks working from home in late March when the figure was already at over 1,400 which has already been dwarfed by the 41,500 deaths the nation has seen and it is still being added to. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had yet to update us since the 23rd of March with the rolling news and science or the growing number of deaths or what it would mean for Mr.  Warehouse and I as a family and all of the summer fun and activities and parties we would miss out on not only then but looking forward to the rest of the year also; Halloween, my birthday, Christmas, Christmas parties, New Years Eve and not to mention the effing wedding. This being said, however, his strict curb on life in the UK to tackle the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus has certainly shaken things up 

I spoke right at the beginning of all of this madness stating that whilst the last few weeks in the run-up to the UK's lockdown had been strange, the whole working from home situation had started off feeling odd. Slowly getting better as the days turned to weeks and weeks turned into months I became more and more settled. I had my own little morning routine and even during my lunch half-hour and breaks I would occupy myself with putting the washing on, cleaning or sticking the dishwasher on. I have enjoyed my time working at home all in the knowledge that I could organise a oven clean or some workmen to come round and I would be in. I could order something and know I could open the door to receieve it myself. I could look after the dogs and have cuddles whenever I wanted. It was bliss. 

I, like many workers will be concerned and anxious about even the prospect of being in the workplace. Thankfully I dont have to worry too much about travelling there and back as I don't have to use public transport. But alas it had to come to an end at some point I suppose. Now some of you may already be feeling this way and will want to know that your company or  organisation is retaining the support for physical and mental health as well as its current thinking about flexible and remote working both for now and for the future. Now whilst I accept that we all need to start getting back to our (post-apocolyptic it seems sometimes) new normal, discussions about returning to the workplace, be it a shop, bar or office should be at the heart of any decisions and plans that business makes and every effort should be made to make sure people feel safe and secure in an enviroment they spend more time at than at home, at least pre-COVID. However this is something I feel people aren't talking about not nearly enough. 

The last time I stepped into that office was back in May 2020, before summer, before heatwaves and before any thoughts about postponing the wedding. Even then I only went in to collect a few things from my desk to make it easier to work from home, or WFH as some people are now referring to it. And even before that optional visit it was back in March before lockdown when we were all back, crowding round the doughnuts someone had brought in or queuing for the coffee machine. But I have been assured it is safe with weird heat detection systems, air-cirulation units and socially distanced desks, I am sure it will be, but the communication out is a little sparse for my likling and I cannot, at the moment at least, hold my hand on my heart and say I feel confident and safe returning to work just yet. 

Despite all of this and how tiresome I and many others are finding this lockdown crap, regardless of its "easing", I am glad to just be getting some sort of news and clarity on what the future may look like, even if it is just up until the end of the year. But things are not over and to say that I am scared, anxious, worried, daunted and generally overwhelmed by the whole experiance now as I write to you all less than twelve-hours to go, is an understatement but I know it is for the best and hopefully it wont be so bad ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

My Least Favourite C-Word

Evening, 

The lapping ocean shores and lazy days of Cornwall were long gone and now after a rocky few weeks of uncertainty and unease, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Entering our Twentieth week of lockdown in the UK the 100-day mark has well and truly been surpassed and seems like only a distant memory now. However, with shops now all reopened, pubs and restaurants flinging open their doors and schools gearing up to go back in September, figures from the BBC released today confirm that while the number of new cases of coronavirus is rising, government-announced deaths have continued to fall since a peak in mid-April. 

As explained before, the disease COVID-19 (CO = Corona + VI  = Virus + D19 = December 2019 = the month and year which was it was discovered), was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January 2020, however, the number of daily confirmed cases and related deaths only began to soar significantly by the second half of March and after lockdown restrictions came into force at the end of that month, numbers came to a peak mid-April, falling steadily ever since. Though the downward trend has slowed recently today  (Monday 03 August 2020) only nine deaths were reported in the last 24 hour period, however, reported figures on Sundays and Mondays are often lower than the those for rest of the week as there is a delay in deaths being reported over the weekends. 

the BBC details that the "UK currently has a number of local 'hotspots' of cases, many in the north of England, and specific restrictions have been imposed on these areas. Millions of people in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire are banned from meeting separate households in private homes or gardens." In a statement released recently, Public Health England is now producing a "coronavirus watchlist of areas, based on an assessment of incidence rates, and other indicators such as trends in testing, local responses and plans, healthcare activity and mortality." Bedford, Luton, Northampton and Peterborough (near where Momma Warehouse lives with her boyfriend) are all classed at the moment as 'areas of concern' and should be monitored closely to make sure there are no spikes in cases or deaths and with places such as Leicestershire and Manchester being areas of grave concern, UK Government has introduced strict conditions and a local lockdown to control the virus. 

Now whilst deaths may be falling allowing people to frolic off on summer holidays and off out on most of their pre-COVID activities, the confirmed cases continue to rise as more and more people are being tested and with this comes concerns around a second wave. The likelihood of this happening and a second lockdown in the space of a year happening isn't impossible but with Boris' new announcement released at the beginning of July which finally included some information on weddings and that small wedding reception starting to take place from 1st August, we are barely three-days in and it has been revoked due to the climate, something I feel better about knowing I don't have to worry about my imminent Autumn wedding. 

For us, the decision to postpone was not an easy one. Crunching the numbers and having to contend with no singing in the church, no father walking his daughter down the awkward aisle of about twenty odd chairs sat socially distanced and no choir (namely in our circumstances due to age and health issues which would consider them in a COVID-vulnerable category, not to mention being unable to learn 2 new songs by the time our day rolled around). And it was on that sunny Sunday in our local pub beer garden that we took the decision to postpone our bid day to Saturday 12th June 2021! 

I think I am certainly more relaxed about it now all the re-invites have gone out and I can start to chill out since I have another additional ten-months to plan more stuff. And by god am I having more STUFF! Back a few months Mr Warehouse and I spoke about a photobooth or some entertainment for guests that was different and to be talked about for years to come. Unique and quirky - Just like us. But the answer was always the same; "If we have a spare couple of hundred quid then yeah we'll book it but not until closer to the time". But now we have time and time earns money so fingers crossed with another few months and maybe a good Christmas bonus coming we can book book book. Besides all this extra free time, I hope to be booking in a holiday or two - Coronavirus can suck it!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Uncertain Times

Heyy, 

What a different world in which I report to you this afternoon. Since last weeks frolic's in cocktail bars and fancy restaurants things have certainly not been the same. Here in the UK we have just had a public address from our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, stating a national emergency against what can only be described as Pandemic upon unfathomable proportions. 

Several weeks ago we heard whisperings from the East regarding COVID-19 - A new illness that can affect your lungs and airways caused by a virus called Coronavirus. However, Coronavirus isn't by itself a new thing as MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which, having killed more than 1,500 people between them since 2002 is slowly being caught up by its new cousin on the block, COVID-19. 

The source of the COVID-19 coronavirus is believed to be a food market in Wuhan, China which sold both dead and live animals including fish and birds. The risk of viruses and cross-contamination from animals to humans is more likely in places such as this because hygiene standards are difficult to maintain as well as them being typically densely packed. Whilst there is speculation that the original host is thought to be bats who may have infected live chickens or other animals sold there, the animal source of the latest outbreak has not yet been identified. That being said, Bats are host to a wide range of zoonotic viruses including Ebola, HIV and rabies, which seems unfair given how cute they are! 

Quickly spreading across China the first European country to be affected was Italy. Hitting the headlines every day with its mounting death count suddenly it went from a bit of a laugh about how someone should let Ozzy Osbourne know, to now being a little more worried that it was getting closer to our doorstep. Soon enough the UK government announced some advice, although not at all helpful considering that it is typically cold and flu season. The NHS website states that a high temperature whereby you feel hot to touch on your chest or back and a new, continuous cough (coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours). The Italians seemed OK though, they were still out partying (literally), getting their hair done and visiting restaurants and cinemas, everything was fine apart from a few small northern villages. But things got worse ... 

Early last week things started to move and move quickly. On Tuesday 17 March, moneysavingexpert.com explained easily how banks had agreed with the Chancellor that they will offer 'forbearance' (tolerance and help) on mortgages. This means they all should offer those struggling a three-month 'holiday', allowing customers a temporary break from having to make mortgage payments during this time. Something which helped when Mr Warehouse called me from the bus home explaining he was being sent home sick because he coughed when asking about sick-pay during this period of uncertainty. For us, keeping up with bills and putting food on the table was never really a challenge - until my Fiance's salary went from £300 per week to £70. 

Realistically it should help and maybe get us out of what could have been a very tight hole in the next few weeks and months. Although after spending four-and-a-half hours on hold to our mortgage company on Thursday and then a further 3-hours on Friday morning I was finally able to speak with someone. Feeling embarrassed I mumbled my way through the phone call with a lovely women who explained that there was nothing to be embarrassed by and that everyone is in the same boat and to not worry or panic. And so, for the next three months, we won't pay anything, then when our mortgage repayments resume, the total we owe would be spread over the following remain years on our term, realistically seeing a very small uplift in future payments.

Several days later, the UK Government announced a continuity of the COVID-19 Coronavirus package to help people affected by the pandemic which including a sweeping pledge to pay 80% of employees' wages if they are not working due to illness. Boris and the Chancellor said that they will make sure there are measures in place to cover 80% of the wages of 'retained' employees (Retained being those who would otherwise have been laid off due to the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic). Obviously, there is a limit to the amount paid will be capped at a maximum of £2,500 per month / per employee, all to be issued through grants which can be paid out to any employer.  moneysavingexpert.com confirms that the Chancellor says the scheme will be open “before the end of April”, and wages will be paid backdated to 1 March. Hopefully, this will help many people who would have otherwise lost their jobs. 

Although it seems that these measures did not go far enough as soon enough Boris and his Pals in Parliament had announced that as of Friday 20 March, all schools will be closed, though they'll remain open for the children of 'key workers' – for example, NHS staff, police and delivery drivers – as well as the most vulnerable children. Then came the entertainment cull - Tens of thousands of pubs, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and restaurants across the UK shut their doors for the final time as after Boris Johnson imposed a nationwide lockdown from Friday evening. 

What with all the panic and pandemonium I am hardly surprised that the supermarkets and shop shelves were empty. With a huge surge in demand from shoppers, many of them unnecessarily stocking up on essentials and products such as toilet roll, hand gel and paracetamol, it was becoming increasingly hard to get in some places and find just the normal day to day items to feed your family. it quickly became out of hand, to the point of which normally I would be joining Mr and Mrs Jones in buying out 40+ bog rolls and 80 boxes of pasta shells, but I didn't, because I am not a fucking idiot. Sure enough, the stock became less and less to the point of which Mr Warehouse had become aware we had not seen a fresh loaf of bread or toilet tissue in weeks. 

Going back to basics, we thought like our grandparents would have and headed to the local markets and butchers in search of fresh fruit, veg and meat. But there was nothing. Arriving at a local butcher, calling earlier that day and being promised that shelves would be stocked, there was nothing. A pack of sodding bacon and sausages, by which point, when we came to leave, were snapped up by another desperate customer. Heading to Lidl up the road I thought we would chance our luck. Mr Warehouse and I were able to pick up a few little bits to see us through, mainly some meat for meals and that all-important pasta and bog roll. It is sad to think that as a result of peoples lack of empathy and greed that Supermarkets and shops have been forced to bring in significant restrictions. Limiting shoppers to buying a certain number of the same item, restricting opening times and in some cases stopping accepting online orders altogether. But with shops and stores like ASDA and Iceland introducing the "silver hour", a priority shopping time (usually the first hour of the day) for the elderly or vulnerable it certainly does something to restore your faith in humanity. 

The last week has been strange, to say the least, especially working from home - Now that was odd! But with a live televised statement from Downing Street from Boris Johnson stating a new strict curb on life in the UK to tackle the spread of coronavirus, things certainly look like they are going to change even more. As the UK death toll has reached 335 (as of Monday 23 March 2020) the prime minister has announced that from this evening people must stay at home except for shopping for basic necessities, once-daily exercise (as if I did any exercise anyway), any medical need and travelling to and from essential work. Announcements include that all shops selling non-essential goods such as clothing and electronics are being told to shut and gatherings in public of more than two people who do not live together are to be prohibited. And what if people do not follow the rules? The UK police will have the powers to enforce them, including fines and dispersing gatherings. Scary measures when I am less than six-months off being a Mrs ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx