Decision made

OK – time to put the past few weeks to bed I think. I’ve decided to ride out whatever storms arise at work, thanks to this strange positivity that’s arrived over the past couple of weeks I now feel a lot more positive and optimistic about the future – just hope I can keep it up!

Moving on to other things of a more domestic nature. Matt seems to have settled in Brisbane, he’s been there for about a month now and has his ‘white card’ to enable him to work in the ‘construction’ industry, which seems to be a generic term for odd-jobbing here and there. Apparently there’s a large music festival in Brisbane in a couple of weeks and they need people to work on the site and stuff. We have a regular weekly phone call with him and he seems to really be enjoying himself – which is a huge relief after the first few days.

Yesterday, I had a select ladies who sew day, not intentionally select but only a few people could come – bad me took not a single photo! The reveal of the day was that Isabel has lovely hand sewing skills! She was rummaging through my purse frames and picked one with greeny coloured bobbles for the clasp, the challenge then was to find some fabric to go with it and here is her photo of her bounty!

It’s the small purse from issue three of ‘Molly Makes’

I made another frame purse yesterday, I’ve decided to just make a few so I have some to hand for that impromptu last minute gift so set out several matching fabrics – they only take about a quarter yard of each fabric which helps to mitigate the cost of the frames!

Finally, here’s some of the bags I’ve made lately and haven’t got around to sharing yet…

I’ve moved away from my safety net of plain lining for this one!

I’m off then, time for a quick shower before I phone Matt!

You have mail….

Dear Blog,

I’m sorry that I’ve ignored you for so long. No excuses, well perhaps a few. We had a lovely holiday and I promise I’ll let you see the photos eventually (just need to get around to editing them a bit). Matt seems to have settled a little more in Australia. He’s been to Sydney and is now in Brisbane, he’s taken some great photos (I’ve pinched this little gem from his Facebook album – I’m sure he won’t mind)

He seems to have made some friends now, having met up again with people he met in Melbourne and Sydney, so he’s looking for a job and plans to stay a little longer.

Then there’s work. What can I say? Not good. I truly believed that I would work in the NHS until I retired. Apart from a three month stint temping a few years ago, I have only worked for one other company in my whole working life. Now I’m faced with making a huge decision about my future. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m 100% behind improving patient care, including all the things that have hit the headlines lately but non-clinical staff are essential to make sure that the clinical staff can deliver. With the cuts that have also made front page news lately I just can’t see how anybody really expects things to continue, let alone improve. I feel sad that I am now faced with making probably the biggest professional decision I have ever made – do I stay or do I go? Watch this space.

I have found time to make a couple of bags which I gave away without photographing – my mind’s just not with it right now – and I’m sewing my hexies every evening, it very true that sewing is therapeutic.

So I suppose that about sums up why I haven’t written for so long, I hope to get back to business as usual as soon as possible and regain my wonderful sense of humour.

I hope you forgive me,

Love

Me x

Long time no chit chat

Where does the time go? Apart from the obligatory memes I haven’t posted anything general for ages. It’s been busy chez Sparkle, John has returned to work after six months of leisure. He’s joined the staff bank at the hospital  and has spent the last two weeks working his socks off in the medical records library – it’s really hard graft, he’s used to a more sedentary work life so it has come as a bit of a shock to him. But I think he’s enjoying himself – if that’s the right word to use.

This of course means that I’ve lost the housework fairy – he was really getting quite good as well *sorry John – no offence meant* which results in a mad rush at the weekend to catch up with everything – sadly the reduction in income means that I can’t commit to having a lady who ‘does’ again!

I’ve spent most of the afternoon setting auto posts for Alphabe – Thursday (it’s the only one where I know in advance what I need to do!) as we’re off on holiday again next weekend and I don’t want to get into Mrs Matlocks bad books for not handing in my homework (yes, I can hear you all, I know I’m mad!). I did however spend a little time in the garden giving it a bit of a spruce up before we go away. Last year I sent off to the daily paper for a 'Free for every reader’ offer of ten dianthus – they arrived as tiny little plugs of plants that I didn’t notice the postman leave on the front door step. I managed to resuscitate them but only had a space to plant five of them – I wish now that I’d put the others into pots and grown them on. The photo below shows why – I am amazed that they have grown so well from such humble origins.

I decided to cut all that were blooming because they would be gone by the time we came back anyway, the darker pinks have been in flower for about six weeks already. The Salvia in the background have been in the garden for about five years but this is the best year I have had from them.

And I just have to share this beauty with you – it greeted me first thing this morning, yesterday it was just a tight green bud, such a shame they only last a day or so – especially with the strong wind we’ve had here today!

I think these must have been gifted to me by a very generous bird as I have never had this colour poppy in the garden before, I normally just get a gorgeous pink.

In case you haven’t already entered (or even if you have) don’t forget to enter the giveaway that I am hosting for a £50 voucher – click here for more details – please enter, I feel silly only choosing from a few people plus you don’t want to see Janet winning again now, do you?? (Sorry J – only joking!!)

I’m off now *sigh* another week at work beckons, but at least it’s the last one for a while. Have a good week all!

All done

My period of acting up is all over. You might remember if you're a long term sufferer of my ramblings that I wrote here about my boss leaving and stepping in to her shoes for a while.

Well, that while is up now. The time has passed very quickly and, whisper it, I've enjoyed it! I was very worried about what to expect and had a bit of a wobbly start but all in all it's gone well. I've survived, not gained any extra grey hairs and my normal sleep pattern may have actually improved – not greatly but a little.

So now the questions. Will I regret not applying? I don't think so. If I'm honest the time wasn't right back in November – if it were now after gaining the experience then possible I would have applied. No regrets though, the new boss starts on Monday and I know her well as she is internal to the organisation. Just in case she reads this I better say some nice things....ummm, where shall I start? Tell you what, I'll give her a week and let you know!!

I will confess though, to feeling a little flat yesterday as I returned to my usual desk, having the space of my own office for a few weeks has been very nice – a little lonely at times but my usual office is only next door so I didn't have to go far for company.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. If a job comes up in the future I think I'll apply for it – trouble is I really love the subject matter that I work in currently. That's Women & Children's health. I have a great relationship with the rest of the team – we are an achieving team, all of us working to the same goals which really helps. I'm also reluctant to move to a different hospital. Where I work now is a short walk to work and as I'm getting older I can't face the thought of a drive to work – it would be at least 45 minutes each way to the nearest hospitals.

I should also mention that none of this would be possible without the support that I received form my colleagues - thanks guys, you've been great!

Here's to the next challenge!

Burst pipes and the tumble drier

Brrrrrr – it's flippin' freezing! No need to tell you that the cold weather and abnormal amounts of snow have captured all of the headlines this week, meanwhile life has had to continue as normal as far as possible.

Work has been mad (I'm feeling obliged to share this with you!). Lots of very sick people needing lots of care and attention, there's something about the camaraderie that this type of pressure engenders. We are all exhausted but in some sort of mad way things have been on a high this week. I think generally the public are more understanding and most of the staff go that extra mile to make things happen in such adverse conditions. We've had some staff arrive at work with overnight bags and making up beds so that they don't miss their shifts – that's what makes the NHS great!

On the home front, John's temporary contract came to an end at the end of the year so he is currently a house-husband which has meant that, after finding a cleaning fairy, he is now in charge of all things domestic (with a guiding hand from moi of course). He has been a hero getting up early in the morning and clearing the car to take me to work and also cleaning son 2's car so that he can get off quicker.

When he got home on Thursday morning he was greeted by our neighbour who was wondering what he could hear against our shared fence. It was water. Our garden tap had frozen and burst – the water was coming out at full mains pressure and bouncing off of the fence. Our neighbour fortunately can turn his hand to almost anything and despite the freezing temperature helped John to stop the flow. That was after they managed to turn off the stop cock in the kitchen cupboard. It was stuck fast with limescale and took them ages to move it. The pipe had to be capped and will need to be repaired in the warmer weather. In the ensuing melee John panicked to turn off the tumble drier – I have no idea what he was thinking but he has walloped the control switch so hard that he has pushed them so far in, the drier no longer works – the stupid thing is all he had to do was turn the switch off at the wall or simply open the door! Ho-hum, men eh?

So now I have no drier and have resorted to using the 'clothes horse' method which is OK for small amounts of laundry but not several loads a day. I asked him to call a repair man yesterday – you know what's coming don't you? Yep – he forgot!

So what does the weekend hold in store? Well, the forecast is for more snow. I don't intend to go anywhere. I need to motivate myself to do something other than sit here either crocheting or surfing. I'm tired so don't feel particularly inclined to do much – I do feel though that I may go stir crazy if I don't get out.

Ok, enough of this sitting and surfing – except for finding a man to repair the drier, what chance have I got of anything happening to soon?

Long time no blog

It's been a mad week! Preparations for the boss leaving and actually saying goodbye on Wednesday took up the first half of the week and getting down to work took up the second half!

Although it's been mad it's also been good – I know that the next couple of months are probably going to be the most intense work-wise that I have ever encountered because it's budget setting and business planning time (bad timing, huh?) but saying that if I can get through that I can probably get through anything. I have been hampered because the plans I put in place to take my old job have fallen to pieces due to sad unforeseen circumstances, the mother of one of my right hand people has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and understandably, V needs to be with her Mum at this difficult time. The best laid plans and all that...

On the home front son 1 and FDIL are close to finalising their move – completion takes place this coming Friday so it's a hive of activity at the moment. Trouble is he can't have any time off work between now and Christmas and is working nights the week leading up to Christmas so we're not sure when they will be able to move in. I think it will probably be piecemeal – one box at a time!

Another busy week ahead as well for all sorts of reasons, work diary is bursting, I haven't even started writing Christmas cards or wrapping presents, I need to make my mince pies (one tradition I can't swap for shop bought) and ice the Christmas cakes (minimal effort required for this one – ready rolled marzipan and fondant icing just need popping in place and trimming!!) – I'm already exhausted just thinking about it!

Before I forget, some of you know that I was feeling a bit under the weather and had blood tests last week – good news is that they all came back well within normal range, bad news is I guess I have to resign myself to the fact that I'm just getting old!

I'll leave you with a picture of our Christmas tree – we went very minimal this year and haven't put anything from the ceiling but I think the tree looks good! I even managed to get some peppermint candy canes!

Acting up

I've started the build up to my 'acting up' period at work – no, silly, I don't mean a period of having mad tantrums and generally misbehaving (although it may well come to that!)

As I'm writing this I am not sure whether or not I will hit the publish button, but I'm going to continue anyway.

As I've mentioned before, my boss is leaving and that momentous day is now only 10 working days away and for five of those days she is on annual leave. So it's up to me to now start assuming the mantle, we're making joint decisions and sharing the responsibilities for day to day stuff. She has a wealth of experience within our service having worked professionally in health all of her working life, which, compared to my mere eight years, is quite a feat. She always seems to know the right answer, to make the right decision, to use the right words – she has a real presence. I on the other hand feel technically competent – by that I mean I can manage the targets, manage the budgets, think on my feet to get things done now, I think can motivate the team, I can empower others – but I still have this little niggle of doubt that I am competent enough to deliver the whole package.

This is by far the highest level that I have ever worked at in my whole life. I have a milestone birthday coming up (which doesn't take a genius to calculate given the ages of my offspring) and that alone scares me. I could hopefully retire in 10 years time if my occupational pension will pay sufficient and I am starting to doubt my sanity in even agreeing to act up.

Regardless of all of the above I have agreed to do the job so I need to make a go of it. The interviews for a replacement were held yesterday and from what I've heard, boy, I'm so glad I didn't apply. There were some really tough questions and presentation requirements as befits the level of job.

I don't know how often I'll blog for the next few months (although it may only be a matter of weeks if they appointed yesterday, information that I am not privy to) but I might, at times, need to pour my soul into cyberspace just to get things off of my chest – remember my theory, I only write this for myself and the friend that I call Julie, so if you're reading this and you're not Julie please bear with me!

So, as I sit on Saturday morning, 21 November 2009, all snug in my pink pyjamas (albeit with icy cold feet – still no slippers) I'm ready for it. I have a feeling of anticipation, expectation and dread. I have an incredibly full diary for the next two months thanks to the lovely V (it's that time of year when all of the fixed meeting dates are issued!) who has agreed to take on half of my role for the period – the other half will be covered by the equally lovely I.

Thanks for reading – if you have – I really appreciate everybody's visits.

Here we go again!

The count down is over and we're off on holiday today! I'm so pleased that the day has arrived. For the last four weeks I have been anticipating the arival of a cold and, yep, you guessed it, yesterday it arrived. I just have to hope that I don't have a temperature because I understand that the Egyptian authorities are stopping people with a raised temperature from entering the country for fear of swine flu, I really do not want to spend a week in an Egyptian hospital! I honestly only have cold.

This holiday has to set me up for a challenging few months ahead at work - I've agreed to act up while the recruitment process is in place to replace the boss, am I mad or what?

I've posted a map of the region below, I'll let you imagine where we'll be! I've even posted the Sunday Stealing meme as scheduled to test if it works - sad or what??

I think I'm just about to write about nothing - again! Hold on, there must be something that has happened since the last time I wrote about nothing...

Work - work has happened a-plenty! It's been really manic these past couple of weeks, for anybody reading this who hasn't already worked it out, I work in a hospital. Quite a large hospital with an even larger population, which is growing. Daily. In keeping with most hospitals we struggle at times to find enough room for people who desperately need our services - this week has been one of those times. I'm sure that nobody this applies to will read what I'm writing but everybody works so hard to make it happen - nurses, doctors, radiographers and everybody else - they all pull out all the stops at times like this and somehow it all happens. Makes you proud of the NHS.

On the boss front - decision is made. I am not going to apply for her job. I thought long and hard and made a suggestion to the powers that be about a 'trial run' but that went unheeded and I really don't think that I've got the confidence to go straight for it. Fingers crossed that the person they appoint is somebody I can get on with otherwise I may end up looking for another job!

Tomorrow sees me off for a very challenging day in a beautiful location - lots to take in, I went to the same event last year and it all went right over my head!

Well, that's quite a bit about nothing - day off on Friday (first for four weeks as I missed the last one) perhaps I'll feel inspired to be more creative!

Just a quick post

I have had a tough few days work-wise this week, I've had to deal with a very unpleasant situation which still isn't resolved and seems to have evolved daily. I don't think any management course would have prepared me for this one and I'm really hoping for some divine intervention from somewhere. At the moment I have one very unhappy member of staff who feels that her world is falling around her ears and however hard she steels herself against it there's no protection.

I hate conflict - life is far too short and at the end of the day, work is work and shouldn't rule your life. Perhaps I'll have some inspiration during tonight's sleepless spell. Heaven knows I need something!