Polly N Saturates

2007-01-31T05:39:00.000-08:00

How's this for a cute picture. This P.T Wil and new baby Oscar, although I'm not sure if Wil was listening at the breast feeding classes!!

2007-01-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

The tug-of-war continues for Jehuda - see last post
Freebie you need to give in whilst you still have your diginity!!!!
Life on the Iceberg gets more ridiculous each day. The King Penguins are very tight with their petty cash and all cheques have to be signed at THE BIG ICEBERG over the water which makes paying bills just stupid. They spend their money on things that we can't sell, for instance they sent loads of stuff over that would make the icy waters frothy. It's made by worker, religious penguins that I am not whole heartidly believe exist. It took a significant part of the Iceberg up and they wanted it on prominant display. After4 weeks we have still not sold a single one of those products. Yesterday we had an ice-mail that it all must be taken off display immediately, no reasons....brrrrrrrrrrrrr
Neighbouring icebergs are refusing to let the King Penguins step on them...maybe the Polar take over may not be as easy as they thought. brrrrrrrrrrrr Many penguins are beginning to swim off and even this penguin is fishing.

Today I was off work, I am having great trouble with knee joint. Something has gone wrong. 'They' think it's because I am so flexible that I have loose joints and something has gone adrift and locks the knee every now and again. This morning I tried to get out of bed and had a lot of pain. It was painful to stand on and almost impossible to bend. Really hoping it will get better soon. Typical.. I do my hardest to get fit...and have something that has put a spanner in the works. Have an Orthapeadic appointment Feb 12th.

2007-01-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

.
...........Well we did have a Fab Thursday. It took me 2 hours to get to Bournemouth by train because of the high winds. It must have been the 2 bowls of All Bran I had on Wednesday Night. Freebie and I watched a gorgeous film Yossi and Jaegger . This is an everyday story of Israeli soldiers stationed up in the north of country near Mt Hermon. Within that story there is a beautifully sensitive story of the relationship between two soldiers Jaegger and Yossi. It was inteanse without being blatent. I won't tell you how it ends but you will need 2 or 3 boxes of tissues. It stars the gorgeous Yehudi Levi mmmmmmm

After drying our eyes we headed off for lunch and crossword. It's so cosy I wish you could bottle it up and pour it out when the nasty people are around

After realising that the Crossword composer was a sadist we left!!

Great day, even my God cat let me cuddle her for nearly a whole minute!!

Another interesting journey home as the trains were delayed by over an hour and I had to have a hot chocolate to keep warm!!!

2007-01-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

I am so looking forward to a Fab Thursday with Freebie. I think we maybe practicing Modern Hebrew after a film we are going to watch. (Look at his blog and it tells all about the film). I learnt a little from a Berlitz tourist tape and overwhelmed the Israelis when I went to the Hotel Tourist Shop and said 'good morning' in Hebrew, hoping that they wouldn't answer me at length.

Work is crap and it looks like I have no other option but to find another job or grow a long beard and wear black. I would rather dive under a warm duvet with a big slice of chocolate cake and read Moomin books, although that could get messy!!!!If they are the 'True Faith' I don't have any and I don't want to be caught up in that kind of fakeness.

PT Wil is gone on Paternity leave so while the PT is away the trainee will play!!

2007-01-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

It's over, Christmas is finished, time to take decorations down and pack them away for 45 weeks and counting. No more tales of Moomintroll or mystical Santa gifts through the post......oh wail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a look at freedom-bound

It was lovely though. Now it's back to reality with a bump. Things on the Iceberg are cracking. The weight of the King Penguins is beginning to cause serious rifts on the ice. The black cloud over the horizon looms.

Really fed up today need something to look forward to.....

Or is it PMT.........you better believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Polly's Back Again Again!!

2006-12-30T13:35:00.000-08:00

Hello!! I have now written down my Password and Sign In information, so we are back in business.
What a year eh!!

Life on the Iceberg is most definitely dodgy. The Ice has got very thin and the Bearded Penguins are gaining territory rapidly. What's going to happen, I don't know. I can't see anything but melting snow at the moment.

Maybe 2007 is time for great changes. Hopefully I will continue to change shape and become lighter and a new job!!!!

Hope you all had a good Christmas. I managed not to do the ususal and stuff myself to a standstill.
Have a great New Year hope it's going to be really exciting .

See you next year

For Whom The Bell Tolls

2006-07-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Today I made my first trip to the Radio Solent studios. I don't think I have been so nervous apart from when I took my sign language exams. I sat outside the studio at a newly discovered time of 8 a.m. I thought I'd take a few minutes to cool down and get my breath. The Civic centre clock bells chimed. And then as I was wondering whether to make a run for it the bells chimed the notes of the hymn 'Our God Our Help in Ages Past..'

I'll put more of the details on the other blog www.dietingdaisy.blogspot.com
But at last i saw the face of the man I've been waking up with for such a long time. I must say they made us feel really welcome and soon put us at our ease. Julian Clegg (above) is the presenter of BBC Radio Solent's Breakfast Show and he is like an all seeing all knowing octopus. It's amazing with all the equipment around him, answering the phone, reading e-mails, talking to us and doing a Poll on whether bosses can demand their staff to wear proper shoes not flip flops to work, that he is as calm as he is.
We met our personal trainer and we are now on our way to being Daisy Dieters.

I'm so excited and I just can't hide I'm about lose control and I think I might run away

2006-07-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry lovelies that I haven't blogged recently life has been a bit busy. Everything seems to be happening all at once. At the momentI am working on three art projects, one of which I am really excited about. Two very gorgeous friends put my name forward to do some artwork to decorate the walls of one of the rooms where they work. I love painting but I am not one of those who have paint flowing thru their veins (not a the mo anyway!!!!) I am happiest if someone gives me a project to do. So I have lots of things to think about and I feel really excited cos I'm doing creative stuff.

The other thing that is starting tomorrow - I am starting a sponsored diet for our local BBC Radio Station, Radio Solent and the Wessex Cancer Trust. There are three of us being featured on the Radio tomorrow(the interviews should be around 8.15-8.45 am tomorrow Monday if anyone is awake. I hope I am). They are going to look after us and give us monthly weigh ins and check ups and............... a personal trainer!!!! The researcher visited me at work yesterday so I could ask her loads of questions.

I have started a different blog called Dieting Daisy to track a hopefully good weight loss as it might be quite detailed.

www.dietingdaisy.blogspot.com

And It's only 54 days to go to Greenbeltt

The Great Gherkin

2006-06-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

Today I went to London. I haven't been to London for about 7 years. I used to go frequently but gradually due to quite a few reasons found it difficult to go and then with last years terroism on the underground I had no intentions of going to London for a very long time. Today though, I needed to take in a bit of art work to the Greenbelt offices in the centre of London. I already had missed the deadline as I thought it was a week later than it was, so I hot footed it up to the London office.

The Greenbelt Mother Ship is in The Wall near Threadneedle Street the banking centre of London. It's easy to get to. I got to Bank tube station and it is about 5 mins Walk from there.
I knew the big Gherkin building was around there somewhere, not sure what it's real use apart from being quite a land mark. As I walked I looked a long a side road and there it was. Not as big as I thought it would be but impressive even so.

I eventually got to the GB office which should have a beautiful glow around it. It is in quite a grotty looking building, All Hallows in The Wall. I delivered the art work to a very lovely lady and then got really excited about Greenbelt (go to link on the right if you want to know more).

ONLY 67 DAYS TO GO

Blythe Spirit

2006-06-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Part of my work is to follow authors around and sell their books for them. Tonight was the delightful Ronald Blythe's turn. He has written many books, the most famous of his writings is the column he writes on the back page of the Church Times. 'Word From Wormingford is like the church's version of the Archers . It is cosy stories from a parish.
Ronald told us one of his first jobs was working for Benjamin Britten. His anecdotes of the people he has met or worked with like Yehudi Menuin and John Betjamin were fascinating. He read some of his own works and poems from writers such as John Betjemen and George Herbert. He was lovely to work with and the event was held in a beautiful setting.

We were in a 13th century church which had been recently refurbished. The big norman, west window let in the early evening sun. It was beautiful as the colours shone onto the stone pillars. As the evening went on the sun slowly set and the light in the church changed. I went all poetic, it was all that talk of poets!!!!!!

ARMAGEDDON?

2006-06-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

We finished our grand tour of the south coast with two more trips to the sea side. On the platform at the train station there were two armed policemen. They were friendly saying hello to everyone. Part 1 of my conspiracy theory. Had this slightly disturbing idea of pushing one of them and then running to see if they would use their guns, luckily common sense prevailed.

Friday we went to lovely, sunny, Bournemouth another of my favourite places. We made the long walk down to the beach, via the gardens. The beach was really crowded, I think a lot of sickies were being pulled, and the 'Bodies Beautiful' were out in force.
We walked along the pier, the water was so clear. Then we caught the little train along to Boscombe Pier and walked all the way back which is about 65 miles !!!! On the train there were a group of Indian ladies really excited. Their laugh was so infectious, and they sang Indian songs, if you closed your eyes for a while you could imagine being in a warm Indian seaside town. Opposite the train station is Asdas, so we decided to do a bit of shopping. More Police in the shop. I managed to drop a whole punnet of strawberries on the floor. On the way home more armed police on the train.

Saturday we went to Weymouth (which is a lot further than you think). There seemed to be a lot of army hardwear driving around the town, more weight to my conspiracy theory. (There had also been a lot of tanks on the roads on the way to Swanage on Thursday) . It was also the first game for England in the World Cup. It wasn't easy to tell who was winning from the noises coming from the pubs so I asked a few friends who I thought would be watching, if they could text me the score. I had texts from London, Yorkshire, South Coast and even Cyprus

All along the sea front there were soldiers, sailors and airmen. Eventually I had to ask when the Armageddon was starting but they said it was just a special Veterans day and there were fly-pasts and parades etc.

Back home and our holiday is finished. Back to work today.

Seasides, Sunburn and The Roman Empire

2006-06-08T23:25:00.000-07:00

Hurray!! I'm on holiday away from the ever decreasing Iceberg. On Monday we went to one of my favourite places, Brighton. I love it there is so much diversity there and sea and piers and shops and little trains and seaside kitch. One of the highlights of the day was the Sand sculptures at the Marina. There are sand sculptures and there are sand sculptures some it is difficult to work out what are dolphins and what are dragons but this was the Roman Empire in sand!! Huge sculptures of characters from Roman Mythology, scenes from everyday life, orgies, a massive sculpture of the Collesium, Gladiators, Christians being fed to Lions, Vestal Virgins. It was spectacular and well worth a visit.

As we had walked to the Marina, which incidently moves further away with every step we caught this really cute little train to the pier. We regally waved to all the people on the beach who dutifully waved back. We had a walk along the legendry Brighton Pier and brought Brighton Rock. It was a lovely typically English sea side day.

Tuesday was a family birthday celebration day and I had too huge meals!!! Fantastic!!LOL

Wednesday we went across the waters to the Isle of Wight, Ryde. It was whilst on the Hydrofoilything that a Brave Seaman saved us from a fate worse than death. I hadn't noticed anything wrong until he was digging into the corner of the boat with a laminated safety card. He was very calm and professional no one would have noticed if I hadn't shouted at the top of my voice LOOK !! HUGE SPIDER!!!! Now if that spider had stayed on board while we were crossing and I had seen it half way across the Solent there my have been a rampage on the boat, ending with 'Man Over Board'

Ryde was hot but very peaceful mainly filled with grannies on their hols. We sat and watched the boats and walked up and down the pier. Not much else to do in Ryde really, but it was a good change of scenery.

Thursday we went to Swanage on a family outing, It's a long drive and my sister is very good at long distance journeys. Swanage feels like it has been pickled in the 1940's. The best part was seeing beautiful views of 'Old Harry' a rock formation which goes into the sea. We walked a fair distance up mountains to get even better views. The Coast Guard's house was having a sale to raise money, usual old junk but apparently some very nice honey. On the walk back we stopped at the famous Ice Cream shop where I sat in martydom and watched my sister eat the most gorgeous looking pistachio nut ice cream. It's a good job she had it firmly in her sight.
It was extremely hot and Mum and I went for a paddle. We walked back, bare footed over the sharp, hot sand only to find I had left my shoes back where we were paddling , so I had to go back again over the sharp, hot sand.

So far we are having a lovely time, although I seem to be going spotty and a funny colour even though I look like something from Doctor Who when I cover myself in Factor 60!!

Asnavoice

2006-05-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

Over the last few days I developed a cold and now have been left with no voice. Wednesday night I had got to the yodelling stage. One Lovely called it my husky, sexy voice. Had Thursday off the cold got worse and so did the voice. Friday my voice sounded like the worse side of the Tarzan call. Today had absolutely no voice. It was really weird thinking it would come if I tried but nothing not even a croak. I have this long weekend to rest my voice but it so hard not being able to pick up the phone for a chat without people thinking they have a breathing nuisance call. I eventually went to town and met lots orf people I knew who wanted a chat. I apologised and pointed to my throat and quite a few started to whisper to me as we all had to chat in lowered voice. Very funny.

This picture is from the Gay Pride March that took place in Moscow today. I salute those on the march who had the courage to go on the streets in the face of adversity.

All Kinds of Everything

2006-05-19T22:47:00.000-07:00

BIG BROTHER 2006 is here. Every year I tell myself I'm not going to get involved and every year I spend countless wasted hours watching people stare into space or sleep. The first few days are quite funny when everyone is trying to make their presence felt and get that TV contract. Whilst trying

to win friends and allies in the house they are hyper with nerves and excitement and try to out do each other to win notoriety.

And the other great event The Eurovision Song Contest. I think it is slightly unfair, that to win the Eurovision Russia and Yugoslavia has divided theirselves into about 40 different countries. We could do that. ...."And now song 78 the Former Republic of East Anglia, Kings Lynn and Broadlands with 'My Grandmother's Windmill'..."

NOW HOW DID IT GO FROM THIS TO THIS

For the Eurovision , as usual our song is rubbish. I quite liked the little Slovania man but he was kicked out in the semi-finals. Finland's entry is just scarey they would be better suited to Dr. Who! I quite like the Turkish version of Kylie. Ireland after having such a good run last century are producing really boring songs. Zeljeko of Bosnia wins most good looking contestant prize.

But we shall see............

As long as we all the survive the Cyber Men of course........................

Magic Roundabout

2006-05-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I went to Bournemouth. I wanted to take some photos of waves and sand patterns for an art project I'm doing. This is the closest place I know of that has both and is easy to get to by public transport. Why on earth I decided to do it on a Sunday I don't know.. But I'm not known for my patience and wanted waves there and then. So I got up early on Sunday, which is very dangerous and got the train. I only had a few hours cos I had to be back in the afternoon for an engagement party. All was going quite well (or it maybe cos I was in a state of shock I didn't notice any different.

By the time I got to Bournemouth the sun was shining and I began the treck to the beach. Maybe not the most direct route but I got there in the end. I was really surprised how many people were out around the pier area already surely they should have been at church!!!
It was about this time I realised that the trainers I had brought were a size too small the blister had been born.
The sea was beautiful, sunlight glittered on the very small breaking waves. Of course I hadn't expected Tsunamis (bit difficult to take photos of those on beaches), but it hadn't occurred to me that the sea would be really calm.

Anyway not wanting to turn into Victor Meldrew, I took a series of pictures with my Dad's old camera, trying not to look like I was taking pictures of some very gorgeous men kicking a ball around on the beach. The little waves came in and dragged the pebbles around, twas very peaceful. I used a reel of film in no time.
Had to get back sharpish for my Nephew's engagement party. So I walked up back through the gardens. Then I had a complete direction failure. I couldn't remember which road went back to the train station. I have been to Bournemouth many times but not walked back to the train station often.

I have a friend who works at one of the big churches and I remember coming out of one of those roads and turning left up to the station. So I walked up to the church and turned left. But it was the wrong road. Feet hurt, quite hot, in a hurry. I got to a main road and asked someone and they pointed me back to one of the main shopping roads. Still couldn't find the road. Asked someone else and had a Fat Fighters moment I really couldn't understand what she was saying. I found a sign that pointed to the Train Station and walked that way only to walk back again realising it wasn't the right way and the sign could have been pointing in the direction of either two roads. I asked someone else and they said I was a long way off.....I DON'T BELIEVE IT..

It was time to phone a friend. I tried not to cry as I sent a text 'I'M LOST AGAIN' ..'again' cos this happens some times, sense of direction and geography are not my best features. He came to the rescue and I was pointed in the right direction. Then I got to the roundabout which you walk under. In the middle is a great big pole with a wheel looking thing on top. It all became clear. It's obvious that every now and then God reaches down and grabs this pole and turns Bournemouth round so all the roads change places.

After my great discovery I felt comforted that it wasn't my sense of direction at all. Got to the train fell over and bruised my ankle. Lessons learnt,
1.Get a map
2.Don't be so impetuous
3.If you want waves look at the weather forecast.
4.Remember Bournemouth is nice really.

I find this picture a bit worrying >

NEWS FROM THE ICEBERG
We are just floating around melting slowly

POLLYTHIN
Needs to get her act together

Icebergs with Bridges

2006-04-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

AN UPDATE FROM THE ICEBERG
HQ have said they will do all they can to make sure the shops are given as much help as possible to stay open. They cannot promise to have a long term involvement but are willing to help in any bridge building projects.

Polly Pings

2006-04-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

I did have 3 blogs but it is hard finding time to keep them all going so we are regrouping into just one Polly N Saturates. Pollythin will have her own bit on this page instead. Sorry to keep moving about.

News From The Iceburg

All is strangely calm at work. Word is getting round that we may be closing and ideas maybe being formed in various brains for a rescue plan. Not sure what shape or form if any it will take. It's hard deciding whether to jump the Iceberg or wait till pushed. But best be prepared for either. We shall see. The dreaded stock take is approaching.
Thank you for all the really lovely texts and e-mails sending love and support.

POLLYTHIN
Trying not to fall into comfort eating at the moment. Have had 4 good days on the run which means I'm back on the trail again. Weight Watchers is on Wednesdays so hopefully I'll have some good news soon.

Today, for tea had 6 quorn sausages, a mountain of roast veg. Fromage Frais with strawberries and orange and it was only 6 points the lot.

Have started frightening the neighbourhood again by power walking with Will Young in my ears. I put my Cd player in my rucksack so the wires are all behind my head. This evening I was walking merrily along and got my wires caught up in a the branches of a bush in someones garden, and did a comedy ping back.
Sorry I just had to have an excuse to put this gorgeous fellow on my blog......Sigh

This week's Oscar goes to those who ran yesterdays Marathon in London. Each with their own story. So inspiring Especially the poor bloke dressed up as a Darlek!!

Shocked by the Cannon

2006-04-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

Today I went to Alton, a nearby town, to visit relations and got caught up in the Civil War!! I don't usually like this kind of thing but found myself really getting caught up with it all. There were various exhibitions and 'living history' displays. The people who were dressed up were in character and got quite upset with me when I asked what is it worth the loss of life for a point of theology.

As we were wondering around a camp set up in the grounds of a church, there were a group showing how musketts worked. I was standing next to a Parliamentarian soldier and he got the shock of his life as I got the shock of my life when they fired a round from their guns. I jumped about 6 foot in the air and grabbed the soldier's arm on the way up. Luckily he laughed as he was holding a rather long spear.

Later they acted out The Battle of Alton on a big field. The noise and smoke created the atmosphere, and it was pouring with rain. There were also times of quiet on the battle field when they discussed tactics. At the beginning the two side's spokesmen came together and see if they really wanted to fight. The flag would be waved to say they would fight to death. It was all like a well planned out game except in reality, thousands of people lost their lives

The Preacher was constantly whipping up the Roundhead army to motivate them.It was a bit sad cos in this battle he was marching out in the front line and was first to be killed.

I felt really moved to think these people were killed in their thousands some of them previously had been neighbours. Just a reenactment with a fraction of the people who took part was quite frightening. It must have been so terrifying

NEWS FROM THE ICEBERG

The company that were going to take us over have now pulled out. So it looks like the shops (24 around the country) will all close or have to find their own survival plan. Not sure what will happen to our shop. Pretty certain that it will have to close or move.

PPPPPick up a Penguin

2006-04-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a bit of a bad day at work. No one seems to know what is going on. We are gradually being detached from the main company with, at the moment, no certain outcome for the future. It feels like being a penguin on a melting iceberg. Morale and motivation are quite low. A rep came in yesterday and told us that the managers of the shops that were taking over had no intention of changing to incorporate our style and stock.
Still, the customers keep me going some are mad, some bad, but most really lovely. A gorgeous man came in yesterday to say he had noticed that I had lost weight and said lots of nice things, which is lovely cos I had put some on and am working at taking it off again ( see my alto ego Pollythin) and really needed some encouragement. The men on the scaffolding opposite keep us entertained with their running commentary on how to put more scaffolding up.

Went to Basingstoke today shopping. I managed to lose 10 pounds, unfortunately not weight, have no idea how. I was at Sainsbury's till and I had two ten pound notes in my hand , i am 100 per cent positive and one disappeared. I know I had it and unpacked all the shopping in case it went into my bags but it had vanished.. But there was a strange character behind me looking shifty but I was too scared to confront him.!!

This week's Oscar goes to Graemee for a funny blog of his adventures, it always cheers me up. Keep it going lovely.
.............................................................This one is for you!!!

Easter

2006-04-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely Easter

On Good Friday we went to the Cathedral to take part in the service. We got there a bit late the building was cold and stark, we just did the last hour and then went for a walk by the river. It felt so traditional and springlike.

Then on Sunday we went to the Cathedral again (they'll be giving me something to carry soon LOL). The service started with the new Dean banging on the huge West Door with his staff. And then the doors are opened (never seen them opened in all the 29 years of being here)

The choir and the clergy walked in procession amongst the banners and the easter decorations. Visually stunning and then I lost interest a bit after that.We went to my sisters for lunch and they all (11 of them) came over for tea. We watched ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' together. It was funny to see everyone gradually becoming quieter as they were drawn into the story.

Back to work today no more news on the take over although there seems to be a sticking point around the buying of the shops. But today was cheered up greatly by the building opposite us having a floor to roof scaffolding put up. Loads of workmen in hard hats working very hard. So difficult to work in such cirmstances.

About 3 years ago I tried to find the film 'The Object of my Affection' on DVD I couldn't find it anywhere. Now it seems it's on every week on some channel on the TV...such a feel good film watching it AGAIN now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reading your Palm

2006-04-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Today was Palm Sunday. I missed getting my Palm Cross today. After having a bad night my brain decided to switch off at 5.30 am and then turn back on at 11 am, so I missed church. I think it is the first year I have missed receiving my Palm Cross.

We sell the Palm Crosses at work and in spite my interrogating Ministers, Church Wardens and Vergers if they have enough for their church there are always one or two who suddenly remember on Saturday afternoon. Well....there is so much else going on this time of year. One minister in a nearby village said he had 7 funerals on this week. You'd think people would time their deaths a bit better .LOL.

I have just been thinking how I always find Palm Sunday a strange day. Jesus knowing that he was going to be executed in the most horrible of ways was still able to take people shouting 'Hosanna' at him as he entered the gates of Jerusalem. It would have been so easy to turn the donkey around and made a run for it (well as much as you can on a donkey). He was totally focused and dedicated to the work he had to do. Each night of the week leading up to the crucifixion, it is thought he went back to Bethany. I went to Bethany and we walked from Jerusalem and there is an enormous hill to climb to get to the village. It must have been so tiring on top of everything else to walk back each night knowing how the week would end. How amazing.....he went on......

Bethany Today

In our kind of shop.....this Easter week is the busiest week of the year. We must be the only shop with the busiest week at Easter that sells nothing made of chocolate.

The shop is soon to be taken over and their signs of the umbilical cord being cut as things are being closed down.

Cloning Diversity

2006-03-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

In the shop where I work, a Christian Book Shop, we are undergoing a take over bid. Although our shop is part of a network of 23 shops we are all unique and quite diverse in our presentations. The group that are taking us over have 44 shops around the the country and would like to make a 66 'One Stop Shop' chain. This would mean that this group more or less have the monopoly. The aim to create a type of branding that would make all the shops look similar. And to go to the safe, evangelical middle of the road market-WHY!!!!!
It is a kind of rescue plan because without this take over all of our shops would be closed by Christmas
BUT. . . why is it a contemporary philosophy to make everything the same to try and stregthen it. A clear marker of this is in the retail trade and some forms of the church.
BIGGER - STRONGER- SAFER - BLANDER. Where are the risks, where is the passion.

Part of the sales pitch of this take over bid is that they take the 'risk' out of buying.

There is no asking of radical questions such of 'WHY?', just what 'look' do we want to achieve. Branding for instant recognition. Conversion by monopolisation. Why is it such a battle to be diverse

'See that Emperor over there HE'S GOT NO CLOTHES ON!!'.

This week's Oscar goes to Freebie for a consistantly challenging, assuring and heart-warming Blog. Particularly good, keeping us all going through Lent.

Seedlings and Sympathy

2006-03-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

Cadfael and I am happy to announce that we have sightings of the first shoots of our baby herbs. It is so exciting that little black and brown dots can produce beautiful, fragrant plants that can be used on top of all sorts of dinners. It never ceases to amaze me. I worked in a famous horticulture centre for three years and despite my clumsy efforts I saw wee cuttings develop into the most amazing plants.

How amazing creation is. I've been thinking a lot about creation recently. I've been through the 6 day (24hr days) ideas and that was hard to leave, as friends will know I couldn't see what the problem was with it. But now I believe in such a bigger God who creates far beyond our comprehension.... but where did that first coriander seed come from...........

Lost another 3lbs at Weight Watchers.......Hurray............. I travel around three groups in my town and they are all lovely. Making some really good friends and it's so good to have the mutual support. We all know the reasons why weight goes on and off and all the excuses but there is always support and sympathy. Some people are having a really rough time and they turn to food for comfort, and I defy anyone to say they don't use food as some kind of comfort it's just the amount. So it's good to have that support. Although sometimes it bares a whispering resemblance to Fat Fighters.

During a very uncertain time and a bit of a scarey time at work(we are going through a take over bid from a larger company). I have decided, to keep positive and to build up confidence by making a real effort with the diet and dare I say exercise.

Under Cover

2006-03-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

Today in the shop I had a very the therapeutic task of taking off old plastic dust jackets from boxes of books, from a library, which we brought for our second hand department. Some of these books are very old and valuable.

The dust jackets had done their job they were tarnished and torn. There were bits of sellotape hanging on to them. Categories had been stamped on to them, and their placement numbers drawn carefully on. Taking the plastic covers off was very difficult. They were stuck to a protecting blank cover and then on to the books dust jacket.

Someone at the library had definitely not wanted these jackets to come off very easily. Underneath the books own jacket was hidden the security tag to start off all alarms if the book was taken out of the Library with out being swiped on the de-security tagger swiper machine.

Underneath all this protection was the original cover of the book. Some had obviously faded but many revealed the true and vivid colours of the artwork and graphics on the covers.

Then I thought how true this is of us. In life we protect ourselves so much, put categories on to ourselves and even more on to other people. Some may have, in all best intentions tried to protect and shield us making sure the cover stuck on hard. Some of it is with insecurities and all sorts of fears we feel it best to stay under cover. But under that cover there is a vibrantly coloured me/us waiting to be revealed.

What harm would become of us if we took off our covers. We would be more vunerable but a lot more colourful, expressive and attractive. If, when I walked to work looked someone in the eye, smiled and said 'Hello',would they run down the street screaming, (well they might and so might you if you saw me in the morning LOL), they may ignore me, or they may just might crack the first smile of their day.

Oscar of the Week

2006-03-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

The Oscar of the week goes to my friend Mary who is a Reader at our church.

Everyday at 12 o'clock a group of men from a certain church stand opposite our shop and preach or more like Bible bash. It's in a place where not that many people walk past at that time. It doesn't matter they will still carry on. They look miserable and preach a gloomy message. If you happen to rush past them at dinnertime you may get soundbites such as.......'where will you be after you have died'..or 'will you escape the firey pits of hell'.

Anyway last week Mary went up to the Brothers and said that they looked miserable and should cheer up.

Well Done Mary.

The Art of Drop and Roll

2006-03-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

Had a lovely day off sparked off with a visit to Weight Watchers. I lost 7 lbs this week so now I can take on the world LOL. Favourite cliche this week 'If you think you can't, you probably won't'.

Our leader, Jan - (who should recieve sainthood I think.....three times a week she delivers the equivalent of a sermon and continues to motivate and inspire various groups), made us close our eyes and think about June 1st , think about smells in the garden, the light, the warmth and then to think where we would be in three months. It was all about goal setting and motivation but it was a very interesting idea.

So I need to step up into exercise I have no intention of going to a gym as a i think money can be better spent unless it's for social reasons, I don't think I would attract any friends in a gym because it would be a sight to give sore eyes.

Yesterday I went to our Cathedral to look at an art exhibition.
I managed to drop and roll past the grumpy women asking money to go into the cathedral. The art was by Paul Alexander Forsey. He has illustrated one of the books we sell at work.( you can find out more about him at www.stepintothepicture.co.uk . )
I met an artist friend also looking around the exhibition so it was so good to talk about arty things again.
The paintings were gouache on paper and told the life of Jesus. His style was like what would have happened if Rublev and Picasso had shared the same studio.

Paul Alexander Forsey

Holiday Day 8 Family and Flypasts

2006-03-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

Today I was taken out in my Bath Chair by my nieces to watch the anniversary fly past of the Spitfires. We stood in a country park by the Solent for about half an hour. Gradually the beach filled up with sight seers.

There were many false alarms with ferries and speed boats making the sound of the Mitchell engine. Then there was a dot in the sky followed by 4 other dots. They came closer and then turned to go over the city,

Luckily they came round again and we got a closer look. I got goose pimples to see them in formation just like those old war films.

I then couldn't but think of all the people that died that were in association with that little plane. Even after the first Spitfires were finished the factory was bombed and 150 people died in Southampton. Young lads as young as 18 took the planes up and had dog fights in the sky sometimes dying in the most horrible way or landing and scratching another mark in their plane of another German shot down.

But when you hear the veteran pilots speak they never speak in bravado of competition, just of a job that they were asked to do and put their lives in danger for.

To be honest I'm not sure of the pacifism/war argument. My Dad was in the RAF for 35 years and I used to love talking about and watching various aircraft in air shows with him. I'm not sure what would have happened if the 'Battle of Britain' hadn't happened.

But there is no denying that those who went up in Spitfires were very brave.

Anyways it's back to my place of work tomorrow which seems to be crumbling around my knees. See what has happened since I've been away....

Holiday Day 7 Brother Cadfael on the Windowsill

2006-03-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

Today, as my holiday comes to an end I have been pottering. One of the jobs I have been meaning to do was to plant herb seeds in a oblong windowsill flower pot which I brought on my trip to Basingstoke earlier in the week. I have this image of a windowsill brimming with herbs which I can snip away at as I make tasty and healthy meals. Also making medicinal herb compounds for those who are sick and happen to pass my way..........ah no that is my Cadfael fantasy ....... Cadfael was a Benedictine monk (Book by Ellis Peters) of the 11th century who specialised in solving crimes and growing herbs for medicinal purposes.

Go to this www.steveconrad.co.uk/cadfael/index.html if you want to know more about Cadfael.

I have Coriander, Basil, Parsley, Thyme, Chives and something that's been growing on the windowsill for a while, i think it might be Fennel.

A quote from the great man (sorry I believe he is real)

"Sometimes I like to put the sand of doubt into the oyster of my faith."

Leper of St.Giles by Ellis Peters

Holiday Day 6 Here's Looking At You

2006-03-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

Today we went to Birdworld where not all birds are sparrows or ravens. The colours of the birds are spectacular. We stood within a safe distance of ostriches and Emus. Watched the penguins break the ice on the water and Flamingos do their balancing act on one leg.
The parrotty looking things had obviously had a lot of people talking to them as they had picked up a few words in between some very strange sounds.

It struck me that some of these birds had picked up the rhythm and sounds of the English language but they were just one step away from verbalising words and being understood. Like so many things in life it sounds right but makes no sense.

After walking past a full scale argument in the pelican pen and escaping the vultures we came to the ravens (cawiously!!).... They're huge and make a noise like no other bird I know. A bit like a pen being run down a comb. They are very impressive.

One sweet moment - we were looking at birds in cages when a little robin perched itself on the
fence in front of us. That was just as exciting as seeing peacocks and parrots.

My sister and I were then thrown back to our childhood as we followed my mum for what seemed like hours around the garden centre there. We stopped ourselves doing a big sigh and saying 'Are we going home now' LOL

have to think of something to do for nothing tomorrow as the holiday fund is empty. I wonder what I shall do.....................................

Holiday Day 5 Weight Watchers and War of the Worlds

2006-03-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

It was a quiet afternoon in the town when I turned the corner and gasped........... It was there, faceless, sinister and deadly. It turned towards me, was that it? Was I about to die, to be eradicated as part of the plan? .........

This morning I was due to start afresh at Weight Watchers, but I was feeling tired and decided to phone the friend who was giving me a lift to the class and give various excuses of why I couldn't come. Bless em, the council had different ideas, at 7.45 , three men and a strimmer decided to use their giftings of topiary on the hedges under my window. So I had no choice but to get up and face the music.

Jan, the leader of WW is a true inspiration and very supportive. It's a very friendly class and we chatted about the Glycemic Index and other survival tactics. Feel very inspired and ready to go....

In the afternoon I thought I would go to Basingstoke to drop in a film on the one hour processing and do a Sainsbury's shop while I waited.

I got on the train found a seat. As the train moved off the announcement came over the tanoy 'This is the 13.46 to London, Waterloo the next stop is Woking' . I thought they had made a mistake so I asked the conductor as he walked through and he said it was right, the next stop was Woking. I only had a ticket to Basingstoke.... and the conductor wouldn't stop the train for me. He gave me a wry look and wrote me a note to give into the ticket office at Woking to pay the difference. I have never been to Woking.

Woking seems to be the place of joined up shopping malls and car parks. I walked around a bit , dropped off the film and then followed a sign which just said H G Wells.
Busily looking in windows and texting people, (to let them know where I was if Crime Watch Missing Persons section flashes my picture on the screen), I noticed some steel poles in the pavement that were at a funny angle. My eyes followed the poles up to see I was standing below one of the Martians from 'War of the Worlds'. I shrieked ( a phenomena I seemed to be getting used to this week..LOL) and backed into an elderly lady who wasn't phased at all. Maybe she was an agent or just used to walking under Martians.

I managed to escape down a side road without being death rayed only to come face to face with a Cylinder , the type that brought the Martians to earth.

I don't know the story of The War of the Worlds very well which probably just as well because I might have run down the roads of Woking screaming of the invasion

Got the film...... but had a feeling I was being followed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Day 4 Ashes and Snow Flakes

2006-03-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

Today I had a lovely day in Bournemouth. I went to the Ash Wednesday Service which was taken by a young good looking and extremely gifted vicar. The service was, as one of the congregation said, very intimate and deep. A sign of the cross is drawn with ashes on each persons forehead. Later we went for a drink in 'Coffee And The Rest'(such a fab name for a coffee bar) . After getting confused between Frappacino and Lattes I had a gorgeous Frappacino made with skimmed milk and vanilla. Yummmmy. Well worth a visit if you're in Bournemouth.

In the afternoon it snowed proper snow, well for a few minutes till the sun came out and melted it. There was a wee black cat who was fascinated by the snow as if seeing it for the first time. Sooooooooooo sweet.

In all it was a lovely day, spending it with precious friends.

Holiday Day 3 - Goldfish and Shopping Malls

2006-02-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my dear little goldfishy died. He has gone to the big tank on the sky. So I had to clean the tank out and counsel Aelred, the remaining fish, who looked very sad and lonely.
This morning, first thing I went up to the local garden centre and got two new gold fish....they are named BLING because he is very gold and BLOG because he looks like he has a lot to say and may deserve his own blog.

Aelred was so excited to have new friends he actually got off the bottom of the tank. So they are all swimming around sussing each other out.

In the afternoon I went to that great cultural centre Basingstoke. Festival Place is a one of the cloned Shopping Malls in England. Good place to people watch. I saw a lady do a hum dinger of a fall throwing her shopping all over the floor. It was sweet cos loads of people went to see if she was ok, but she was laughing hysterically. Tried to get up once and fell down again. Her laugh was so infectous I thought you don't hear people laugh like that these days!!!

It's amazing how much influence programmes like Nanny 911 and Super Nanny have on today's society. So many children were on the 10 to 0 countdown. 'Get up of the floor..10..9 ..8..6....5....5...3...2.. 1/2 ...1 good boy' There was even one little girl who was on a make do naughty step in the Mall.....good job it wasn't one of the four escalators!!

About the pancakes best not to mention them..... but don't think I'll bother next time. LOL

It snowed today not enough for a snow ant let alone a man

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and I'm off to Bournemouth.

Quotes of the Day

2006-02-28T04:41:00.000-08:00

Here are two quotes from a delightful children's book 'Hello Is Anyone There' by Jostein Gaarder

...When two people meet, and one is
upside down, it isn't always easy to tell which of them is the right way up'
.....

...'An answer is always the stretch of road that's behind you. only a question can
point the way forward.'...

Holiday day 2 The Shock of the Stone Age

2006-02-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

Today we went to Guildford about 1 hour 50 minutes bus drive away from me. Usually we just go shopping in the Friary but as I am on holiday I thought I'd do a bit of culture. The bus journey was interesting. I forgot, being a wee but slimmer and wearing slippery under wear ,how difficult it is to stay on a bus seat if you're not harnessed or velcroed in. The bus we went on, I think, had less suspension than an old wagon. So at one sharp turn I shot off the seat and said a close hello to someone on the opposite side of the aisle. My mum just laughed till she went a funny colour.

We arrived at Guilford and the map wasn't exactly clear where to find the museum. I made a point in asking a very gorgeous young man which way to go. We had a very enlightening time in the museum. Learnt lots about Guildford. There was a group of school children dressed in Victorian costume rampaging round the museum. I met them by a miniature clockwork carousel which worked if you put 10p in. I said I would put my 10p in but it didn't work. One bright spark said that it needed to be switched on at the plug so I turned it on. We all stood there in wonder for a few seconds and watched the carousel light up and turn with horses moving up and down and a mechanical band playing.

The museum has won lots of prizes. In the Stone and Iron Age sections there were cleverly concealed life size models of ancient people. They got me everytime..I jumped and shrieked everytime I saw one much to the amusement of the school children.

Lewis Carol is buried in Guildford

P G Woodhouse also lived there.

Then we went on to a bit of retail therapy.

Tomorrow is pancake day and for the first time I am going to have a go at making one......I'll let you know how it goes.

Holiday Day 1 Rainbow Warrior

2006-02-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

It's time to get back to the healthy life style I have lost half the weight I need to but got stuck bouncing back and forth in the Stone Wars. Going to use this holiday to Kick Start the diet and exercise again.
So today I donned the trainers -and what is beginning to be my trade mark in the city where I live, my rainbow scarf. One of the ladies in Sainbury's says she knows me as the lady with the rainbow scarf. One little boy pointed me out in the park, slightly worried about what he was going to say, as I have various features that could be pointed at, 'Look' he said 'Mummy, a rainbow'. Phew!!!!!I smiled and waved. The scarf was new when I wore it to meet a friend and we went to a well known gay bar in the south and I suddenly exclaimed to him that it was so embarrassing that I was wearing a rainbow scarf in a gay bar, how naff. I might as well have had FAG HAG written on my forehead .LOL

Anyway off I set on today's a power walk. I had my head phones listening to a CD of highlights from the musicals and a determined look upon my face which is quite scarey for the natives.
Mothers pull their children out of the way and those of a nervous disposition run for cover. The walk was very springy lots of catkins and snowdrops along side the river banks. Felt really good. On the way back met an old friend from a college where I used to work. I was bright red a little breathless and the worst thing, he said I hadn't changed. Maybe I was always red and breathless especially when he was there!!

I walked through the town and brought some stuff at Boots. So tonight as part of my health Farm Effect I shall do the face mask, turn my hair back into a more natural colour, rather than fluorescent orange they call light natural auburn and bath in lavender.

The Polly Oscars

I thought once a week I would award a Polly Oscar. So this week it goes to the awesome little lady Osca for services to wallet preservation . See Freedom Bound's Blog

This is Osca taken by Graeme (another very good blog to read) at her vantage point.

Hurray Hurray it's a holly holiday

2006-02-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

Hurray I am on holiday from now on for a week.
A week away from worrying about work.
What shall I do ?
Apart from long lie-ins......

Could go swimming !!

Well, I'll let you know!!

Birthday Boys and Curling Stones

2006-02-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

Today I've been watching the Winter Olympics with the family, I am now completely worn out in the spectators sport. But there is one sport in the Olympics I still don't get. Curling......someone throws something that looks like a Henry Hoover('the Stone') on to the ice, obviously not reading the instructions, (you have to plug it in first and attatch the hose). Because they haven't understood and to get the required effect they have to hire two manic cleaners to do some frantic sweeping in front of the Stone.

Not sure if it's a sport or something to get therapy for.

Yesterday was Freedom Bound's(bestest friend) birthday.
FB is one of life's heroes. very special and inspirational. Read his blog it's out standing.

http://freedom-bound.blogspot.com

I took his presents down on the train I had made a painting for his birthday of the beloved Osca, the cat that owns FB and the lovely B, and my God cat an, (honourary title, because they wouldn't let me take her home when she was little!!!! but she was soooo cute). Unfortunately it was quite big and so I had some interesting times on the train. It was too big to go on the floor without being knocked about and the train was very full, so I couldn't put on the seat next to me. So I put it on my lap and it was right in front of my nose, completely obliterating my view. I think a lot of people thought I was hiding and felt sorry for my complex . When I arrived I tried to gracefully get out of my seat standing on someone's carrier bag. I heard the crack but I don't think the owner noticed.

Got to FB and B's house where I met Graeme (of the Graeme's Blog fame) and Laurence who are both lovely.

FB and B looked really good

So far 103 lb weight loss

Hello Polly

2006-02-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

She's back