Apparently Victoria Day weekend being the first long weekend since Christmas is the official start of the Beer Season. This long weekend has had some gorgeous weather, all in the low 30's or very high 20's.. Today I will finish mowing the back lawn and plant some Peas, Peppers, Leeks and spring onions. The Raspberry patch is growing well (I can hear Julie shouting "it doesn't need any care!") and the blackberry bush is the same (Jules again "ditto, as the raspberries").

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We have put up the pool and started filling it, the flowers are all coming through and I'll post a couple of photo's when they are out. ALSO the bluebells we planted 4 years ago are flowering for the first time!

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Gemma is now driving herself to work after learning the wonders of gear changing, clutch control and hill starts. Here is a photo of Gemma and the giant Lexie (stolen from her facebook profile photos).

Kathryn is staying with us for the weekend with Mille the poop machine. It is good to have the family all around for the weekend

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Work is busy and going well, our new office building should be opening on June 15th. This week the Department of Education asked for my advice on setting  up a Project Management Office with the controls necessary for progress monitoring. It is good to know you are being appreciated and nothing to do with the fact that having a British accent makes you sound more intelligent

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We are all studying for our Canadian Citizenship exams that are on the 31st May. We now know more about Canada than most of the residents of New Brunswick (that is probably true). This is enable us to vote in the coming provincial election..... I hate to admit this but I'll probably be voting Liberal. The Conservative opposition hasn't given me any reason to vote for it (sound familiar?).

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Life goes on and I have to go out in the sun and suffer the blackfly.

I just wanted to wish my youngest sister Nicola a happy birthday  have a great day.

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Tuesday was the day I handed in my notice, to be honest i've had my fill of that company and it's broken promises not just to me but to all the staff.

I have seen alot of backstabbing to all its staff from lower end of the scale to the upper management.  Is it really a company I want to progress in, no it isn't.

I don't know who many managers are off with stress leave and i've herad alot about staff walking out.

So I handed in my notice and my boss says she doesn't understand what I meant about me not being experienced.  I replied with I don't know you said it, I remember you saying it and so does my husband who has reminded me every day since.

My boss has the habit of trying to turn things around onto you so you think it's you that has the problem.  She said she thought she has sorted everything out and everyone makes "mistakes"

To be honest I've lost all respect for her then she started pushing me.  "Why don't you like me what's your problem with me?"

Let's freeze for a moment, why don't I like her.  She as been using me as a human tennis ball since I started there.  Lets put Cassie here, now lets move Cassie here.  When the back room leader left she hinted and hinted that I might be able to take it.  Now I'm not a back room leader but they are using me like one.  I'm first point of call for them all, they take instructions from me I plan the day out even the boss asked me for a plan for the week I was away and asked me what the focus should be.  Of course they don't want to give me a title because that would be more money, Cassie don't be stupid!

Whenever there has been a problem I have gone to the boss and sometimes she may as well have stamped her feet on the ground and screamed out i'm not listening because she would rather sweep problems under the carpet than sort them out.

I find the way she gives instructions annoying as she doesn't fully understand anyones jobs in the back room.

So lets go back she's looking at me and saying "what's your problem with me"

I say "I don't want to answer that"  she says so your not going to tell me I say no she asks over and over and then says "You're very bitter Cassie"

I laugh at her and look at her  "Oh I'm bitter am I, is there any wonder?"

I look at her firmly in the face and reply "The problem with you is you don't listen!"

I said I don't want to fall out with her as I am going to work my two week notice she then replies with "are you sure you can work you're notice"

I reply not forgetting to look her in the face "I can be professional"

She then finishes with "Cassie I have total, total respect for you"

To which I look at her with such a stare and say "well the feeling isn't mutual" and walk out the room with my head held high.

Apparently when she walked out the store she was so pissed off.  Well good, now she can feel how I have been feeling for the last month.

The reaction I'm getting from my fellow workmates is amazing, no one wants me to go because I'm such a hard worker.  I'm going out for lunch with a few of them on Friday and one of the young sales associates is baking me a cake, how sweet.

The other day the Assistant manager backed me in the corner, I had written something for one of the sales associates to do in the evening daily planner.

She asked why I had done that as I'm not a shift leader.

I said the last time I looked at my pay check it said I was a Shift leader.

Then she replied "on duty".  She made this comment in front of everybody, i'm in no mood for any of the management there now to be someone so respected which now it seems because I said yes to everything like an idiot.  I was being used and there probally wasn't any promotion coming for me they just say that to keep me quite for the next three months.

I've been like a donkey with a carrot in front of my face like a fool I fell for it.  The staff that work there know the truth why i'm leaving and i'm making it perfectly clear that the management messed me about.  I'm not leaving with my mouth shut, alot of them are shockedwith how I've been treated one of my work mates nearly cried when I told her I got a new job.

I'm glad i'm leaving, and what an experience it's been!

As any one who has followed my blog for anytime will know the trials i went through while studying with the OU, the amount of stress it caused me the doubts of self belief and all the problems i encountered. But all that was forgotten when i donned my graduation gown on Saturday the 8th of May at Harrogate international centre. I felt in awe at those graduates who had done masters and were being given doctorates, i was just getting an ~Open~ BSc nothing fancy compared to them.

But when my boys just said we are so proud of you, you got a degree an are very clever mummy, i chocked up. My husband just said this is your special day because you have worked hard against the odds and you did it, you got a degree before your 40. That was on of my goals i set myself when i started studying.

This is the gown that i wore with pride, it was a brillent looking around a room to other people of all ages wearing similar gowns. I also had help in choosing a special dress for the occasion, in a colour and style that at one time in my life would never have worn

Now im a graduate, still cant believe that i am, i have to think about what my next challenge will be. For me  i think more studying in Darwin is on the cards which will lead to a new career. I know i am capable of it and i sort of know what field i want to work in, just got to find the best way to achieve it.

Any way back to being mam ive got 3 hungry boys waiting for tea to finish cooking   

But not in New Brunswick  here it is Mosquito Season is in full swing (and their other companions - Blackfly). We still haven't resorted to chemical warfare (defence) yet. 

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A lot has happened since my last post, Gemma has finished her first year at University with good grades (A, 3 B's and a C+), she has brought a car (Hyundia Accent) chosen for it's colour (and now I have to teach her how to drive with manual gears).

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Jules is busy in the garden pulling up dandelions with her dandelion puller! Digging up the veggie patch in preparation for our veggie growing efforts. Plus making a fancy chiffon dress.

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Work is busy, progressing well and my boss seems reasonably pleased with my performance. So all is well. We have booked our summer holiday (Florida) with a week in a house boat and a week by the beach .  I am really looking forward to it, and I am glad we didn't choose the Gulf of Mexico side....

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I am sure I told you that we had applied for Canadian citzenship in April 2009, well yesterday we received our letters informing us to attend the citizenship exam at the end of the month  so now we have to swot up on Canada and citzens rights and responsibilities. If we get citizenship then we will have achieved another of our goals.

I cant believe how time seems to be evapourating away from me. Easter was a blur of going to Scotland, down to Humberside and up to Durham visiting various relatives. We had friends come and visit us. In between all that i managed to get a gorgeous dress for my graduation ceremony on a girly shopping trip to the metro centre. i was so chuffed when i got into a size 12 at M&S that is a first for me ive never been in clothing that small.

Benji has had his first visit to the vets for his blood tests and to start flea treatment etc. He was not a happy doggy with us.

The kids finish school on the 11th of May, the 12th of May we are off to Manchester as ive got to see my consultant and team for my finl review and to get my docs, i think they are going to be really impressed with me. I know i am , ive reached my goal weight of 63 kg, sometimes it goes below that number and a few times the scales have weighed me at 63.5 but im happy with my weight for the first time in a long while.

We will be taking the kids up to Scotland to stay with the grandparents as this will make things easier when the packers come. The 16th of May is when Benji gets picked up to start his journey to Australia.

I am also doing the race for life on that day as well, V is going to hand the dog over as it would be too upsetting for me to hand Benji over, as he is so close to me it would difficult to get him to leave me.

So instead with my friend i shall be in Gateshead running the RFL, the last time i did it i walked/jogged the 5k in Durham and it was hard enough, but as im so much fitter than i was in 07 and my freind is a runner, i will do my best to keep up with her.

The 17th packers arrive so it really is all go for us over te next few weeks.

Saying goodbye to certain people has been very difficult especially those relatives who are very elderly, as i doubt very much they will be around when we visit the uk in 5 years. It would be nice if they were but im preparing myself for the not to be.

Id best crack on with tea before the kids start complaining they are starving.   

The winter this year has been a mild one(unlike the UK), yes we had snow, but nothing like the amount we have received in the last 3 winters. I think I used the snowblower about 4 times this winter.  I have already started preparing the Snowblower for summer storage and been thinking abou servicing the Lawnmower  I enjoy this divide between seasons were preparation is needed, it creates a rythmn in your life.

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Yesterday I cleaned the Chainsaw and sharpened the chain, in preparation for Jules annual tree reduction request. In fact I quickly cut down a couple of small ones to check the saw and the sharpening had worked. Mainly to check I had reassembled it correctly.

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The snow has nearly all gone, the crocuses are nearly finished flowering. I think we are about a month ahead this year. The sump pump came on and pumped water for about 3 days and nights rather than it's usual week or two.

The view down towards the shed from the Deck, hardly any snow left for this time of the year. Just the bit that is the veggie patch (extra moisture I suppose). The remnants of last year's bonfire is visible

4pm April 3rd 1982 Jules and I were married, and we are still together despite all the challenges that head your way (especially being married to me ).

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Since writing this on the 4th of April, the snow has all gone, the mosquito's are out and so are the Northern Spring Peepers (little frogs that sing in the evening making it sound like the tropics).

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Work is extremely busy and the new organization is proclaimed and created. First part of the project is a success. Tomorrow payroll services will be delivered to two departments (another major milestone met).

Last night we had my best mate round for his tea, i remembered from years gone by that he loved spagbog, so i cooked that in his honour. He is going through a tough time at the moment with his marriage collapsing before his eyes V and i have been supporting him the best we can. Tommorow my best mate leaves for a 6 month tour of Afghanistan. When it was time for his taxi we tried to make the goodbye seem normal, telling him to hurry up and visit us in oz and telling him to keep his head down.

As he got in the taxi the tears were running down my face, and im praying that he does indeed have a safe tour, as do all the soldiers. I look forward to the phonecall that he is back safe and has booked his flight over to Darwin and telling us to pick him up from the airport with a time and date.

Yesterday, the boys had their own painfull goodbye to make as Hammy the hamster went to his new home, one of the school teachers has found him a home with her neice. J found it especially difficult, even though we have bought a gogo hamster for him to fuss over.

Ive spoken to various relatives and close freinds and it seems our idea of just sneaking away was not recieved very well, it seems there are a few people who are insisting we have drinks. So now before we go to Scotland we will stay in a local hotel and those who want to will come and have a few drinks with us then. So far my parents have not shown any interest in any of our plans, no help has been offered what so ever, so at the moment my parents are not aware of our leaving drinks.

Having spoken to an old freind earlier on this evening , she has also told me she will come up and visit us before we leave the UK, ive not seen her in god knows how many years, but speak on the phone at least every couple of months or so. I was thrilled when she said you aint going anywhere before we see you.

I guess im going to be keeping kleenex in business over the next month or so.

Benji my gorgeous dog sets off for oz on the 17th of May and ims ure that will come soon enough, i find it hard enough when i put him in kennels so god knows what i will be like when he goes.     

I know I have moaned before about the poor quality of electrical goods in North America, but I couldnt resist another one.

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Last Monday the baking element in the bottom oven in our Maytag Gemini double oven failed. We brought the Maytag from new in Dec 2005 when we moved into the house. In the last 2 years we have needed to have replaced three heating elements.

1. One in the top oven,
2. now this in the bottom oven and
3. one on the top hob.

In the UK we had a Hotpoint cooker from 1996 - 2005 and never had a single problem with heating elements. I think the only problem we experienced was the door spring went a little slack in 2005., but it still shut tight.

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The only plus point for North American appliances is that you can access the detailed manuals with all the components and instructions how to repair/replace them. I simply ordered online (paid about $55) and the element was mailed to me. But why did it fail in the first place .

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Anyway today is a beautiful day, here in Canada 20th March is the first day of Spring not like the 21st in the UK (I am guessing it is because of the lower latitude than the UK). The longest day is 20th June and Sept 20th is the First day of Autumn also 20th Dec is the shortest day.  We are just enjoying the sunshine, and opportunity to open the windows and freshen the house. However 4-5cm of snow is forecast for tonight

Well it is March 12th already, and the winter snow is thawing (we have a relatively mild winter this year). The flowerbed by the deck has a crocus that has opened it's purple flower up today! So Spring is sprung  

Good news, we have recovered from our spring colds

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Everyone is busy in the Whelbourn household, my work is interesting, demanding and I still enjoy it. This week has been one of those weeks were I have been working long hours (Jules asks me "so why did we emigrate to Canada"). But that said, I still get home for dinner around 7:30pm (most evenings). 

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Jules is busy making some amazing dresses. I promise to get some photo's loaded on my next blog entry. Gemma is in the middle of Mid Term exams for her Uni courses. She is turning into a right boffin (A, and 4 B's)  I'm proud of her, she has worked hard and deserves it. She of course is disappointed and says she could have done better  I guess she could but I'm happy with her progress.

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Kathryn is still settling into her home and looking forward to spring and lower heating bills.  Both Gemma and Kathryn are also working hard with Lexie. They are looking forward to getting out on some hacks this spring and the stable will let Kathryn take a horse out for the day.

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Well this will have to do, I am watching TV and thinking about the work I have lined up for tomorrow (Jules, wants me to lay a hardwood floor in Gemma's bedroom)

Well the sun is shining and the thermometer is hovers around zero and doesnt go much below -3c in the night. Spring looks like it is early this year. The winter has turned out to be a mild one this year, we still have about 1 cord of wood left (famous last words, watch March be a flipping return to winter).

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Work is keeping me very busy (still having fun with the challenge of it), and I am working with a great bunch of people too. I had to present to a management communications conference last Thursday (about 140 people) and I cannot imagine how the simultaneous translator was coping with my Nottingham accent. Luckily my team were spread around the tables to help others understand my deep vowels (apparently they had trouble with the word Flood, which I pronounce Fluud).

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Jules is busy creating another amazing dress and I will post some photos when she finishes this one.  She is constantly challenging herself by picking increasingly difficult patterns. I brought her a couple of design books for her birthday and she is starting to think about make her own original designs!

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Gemma is busy with her University studies and working hard to make money so she can buy stuff! She is growing as a photographer and artist, I'm proud of the way she is developing (even if she is stroppy occassionally).

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Kathryn is working hard, learning to turn down the heating in her home. I know she is enjoying walking Millie and meeting new people through that. She will be here tomorrow for a family Sunday dinner

I wont be there for my 40th but will be flying a couple of days afterwards.

Just sorting out the stuff needed for the dog, tried to measure him for the animal company but it was impossible , will have to wait for V to get home and help me.

Been told to get in touch with pickfords to sort out the furniture removal, its all coming together now.

Whoo hooo

Got the golden email this morning, i had to read it twice before it sunk in. We are aiming to be in oz some time in May now as i had only just booked my graduation ceremony for the 8th of May. Typical really but who cares, we've got the visa now and can finally start the planning to move to Darwin.

I had arranged to meet up with my little sister today so V and i could take her out for a meal to celebrate her becoming a qualified nurse. She has been offered a job on a renal unit and im so proud of her. She has worked so hard to get to where she is now. She was never academic at school and really struggled with all the essays she had to do as part of the diploma course, how ever having worked as a senior care assistant for around 12 years she has bags of experience and would have her on my team any time.(That is if i were still a qualified nurse and not lapsed).

So today we had a lovley meal out and toasted to the future of us all.

My parents were a little shell shocked when we told them, especially when i said i wanted to be in oz for my 40th. At least they will get a chance to see the boys around their birthdays.

V's family were really pleased for us, we are going up for the Easter hols and then back to Catterick for my ceremony then we expect to be moving out by then and will go back to Arran till its time to leave.

I had my op in August and at my heaviest was creeping into a size 22 in clothes weighing between 95-97 kg , i was miserable as i could not lose the weight .

Now im happy to say i feel fantastic, im down to around 66k with my goal only a few kg's a way, the dr said to get down to anywhere from 63-60 kg. Im wearing a size 14 now and was almost doing cartwheels when i got a size 14 jeans on and there was room to tuck into my jeans a thin jumper.

My confidence has increased, ive more engery and people tell me im good to be around as im so positive about life.

It looks like we will have to put our move to oz back a littl as the visa is still being processed so its looking more like May or even June. I so wanted to spend my 40th in oz so im hoping we are there before June. Please visa god grant us the golden ticket.

Well id best crack on with some housework aswe have freinds arriving at the weekend and ive got a lot of rooms to sort out.

Newfoundland is in the midst of a blizzard that is started yesterday and is still raging today. Washington is set to get 70cm of snow and we are just cold with a dusting of snow forecast. The high pressure system is pushing the "Snowmagedden storm" hitting DC across the Atlantic towards the UK

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Haircut day today. It seems a shame to spend $10 on somthing that only takes 5 minutes to do. Julie said it reminded her of when I was a soldier (although it is a bit thinner and grey) So here is a blast from the past photo.

I am the squinty eyed, good looking one in the middle of the back row. I did complain about the sun in my eyes at the time but I was ignored.

Back row: Ken Childs (Kinder), David Whelbourn (Wellie), Sgt Major (Smiler) Miles

Front Row: Victor Vaz (Vic), David Blackler (Blackie) and Philip Milner (Millie)

1st Regt Horse Artillery Best Command Post competition 1983-ish (I think, could be 1984)

We were the crew of H2 Command Post - E Battery

I can almost hear your amazement at our imaginative nicknames.

Wooo.... finally got my act together and completed my RN3 paperwork, handed it in in September and am now officially deemed 'PROFICIENT'.  Not only that, I have a little tin badge to prove it....  It actually means jack shit but i get paid slightly more now and it made me get my portfolio organised.  For all you non-nursing peeps, a registered nurse is obliged to have a ongoing portfolio covering all their recent training and how they keep their practice current.

I was offered the co-ordinators position which was very gratifying but after a lot of deliberation I finally turned it down.  By the time I knocked off the penal rates etc I would be getting paid $600 a year less and only have one weekend off in 6 with Phil as I would work mon - fri and he would still be on the 4on - 2off roster.  But at least they offered it to me, so it's all good.  Most of the time I really enjoy my work - apart from one colleague.  She is a passive-aggressive sour faced git but I guess every work place has one eh?

And summer finally seems to be here!  I'm looking as brown as my Maori collegues and just loving the heat.  We went to the bach on our last days off and took the kayaks out - it was simply glorious! 

The girl has gone back to school - I still struggle to get my head round having the Xmas holidays in summer!  She is noe at least half an inch taller than me and don't I hear about it...

The house is pretty much all done now.  The lounge was a sore trial though.  I papered it myself and where it goes down the 3 shallow steps it is nearly 3 metres high - by the time I had just about cut and stuck one end, the other end was drying out - a real pain in the arse job but it looks brilliant now.

And I have a glass garden.....  When we walk the dog down the beach, I usually collect all the bits of broken glass that wash up.  I like the way they are all smoothed off, years of rolling about in the sea does that I guess...Anyway, I had such a big collection that I lined a little bit of the garden that is neither use nor ornament for anything else and started chucking it all on there.  I quite like the ways it looks now, its like little glass pebbles.  Hhmmm, makes me wonder what people might think though - Hi, I'm Karen and I collect broken glass....Not something you tell people when you first meet them perhaps?

Well we have been here since November 5th 2005 and we have been missing UK Style Heinz Baked Beans in tomato sauce. We tried all the Heinz baked beans variation and other brands but they all had a much stronger flavour than UK Style Heinz 57.

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A week ago Kathryn called home all excited but she had discovered a can of beans that tasted like the UK variety!!!

Heinz Deep Browned Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce

We tried them this evening with a simple Chicken and Chips, and they were GREAT!   No more expensive imports or visitors packing 4 packs in the luggage

 SO ALL YOU EXPATS IN CANADA LISTEN UP. If you crave some UK Baked Beans here is the substitute that fits the bill!

Just a quick entry to say it is bloody freezing today. Apparently it is a Stansfield day. The local forecaster uses Stanfield rating as a temperature gauge. Today is a 3 Stanfield Day. Oh yes they make lady Stanfields too

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Minus 20 with a windchill making it feel like -26c and if you think this is bad there is a windchill warning for Northern NB and Gaspe Bay Peninsula -40c to -45c. The cold temperatures are forecasted for the next week (well below the seasonal norms) But the west coast is above normal and they are worried about snow for the Vancouver Olympics!

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Apparently when it gets down to those sort of temperatures the air in your tyres contract so your tyres deflate and freeze with a flat bit at the bottom. Square wheels.... I bet that makes for interesting driving until they warm up!

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OK time to go to work, layers of clothes is the answer and vanity takes a back seat to being warm.  Unfortunately I do not own a pair of Stanfield's, but I am rapidly rethinking that. Also I swear the silliest hat you have is the warmest! Mine is a trapper style hat (I do not look as cool as the guy in the photo on the link), when I wear it Gemma refuses to be seen with me

It's winding me up at the moment, here's why.

When I was asked to work at that certain store there were various others I could have gone to, one being round the corner from me another about 10 mins away or the other two which are about 20 min drive from home.  I narrowed the other out because the drive would not have been very nice in winter so that's how I came to the conclusion of where I am now.  The store looked promising even though it was 17 km's away.

One of the reasons they employed me is because I'm hard working, can do the work of about three of their useless employees and I knew how to merchanidse well.  Work on my own initiative, unlike most of their employees.

I was promised after Christmas there useless employees would be re-training but the problem now is they have to do a lot of cut backs due to the lack of payroll and sales.  This means that the people they have employed continue to be allowed to be brainless.

You ask them to re-stock and they do it for about an hour but the motivation/passion/goal just isn't there, it's bloody fustrating.  I can get a full back log of boots and shoes out in one day and to get that level of productivity out of one of them members of staff would take three days.  No joke, I've been witness to it, you feel like saying don't bother I'll do it myself!  You have to trust them apparently, cut them some slack and the excusses are made for them by my manager why they can't do it.

I know some young people are very hard workers but the ones she has hired are so useless, it's like we have z list celebrities in the store and we are paying them just to be here.  Paris Hilton does more work when she shows up at a party!!!

This is one of the problems, we have a back room line and their jobs are to stock the store but they have never put any shoes out, they don't bother.  I find this very annoying.  So in affect I'm doing a shift leader job, restocker and also trying to train as an assistant manager.  It's hard bloody work.

I'll come in one day and they'll say, Cassie please concerate on the shoes/boots today.  So I'll have the big back log gone by the end of my shift.  Then the next day they will put me somewhere else even though if I kept going and reduced the shoes on the shelves and emptied it even more when the new stock comes in it would have a home straight on the shelves.

Another thing that annoyed me is this story and yes I know it could only happen to me.

When I came in the other day the toliets were blocked, full to the brim.  I thought nothing of it apart from in inconvenience but thought someone was dealing with it.

One of the staff came to me at 6pm to tell me that the drain was over flowing in two places at the back of the store.  I thought, ok......... I'll  phone the manager.  I asked them to move stock out of the way because like I said they just don't think!

I asked if she had contacted anyone and she replies "oh, the blockage, I forgot about that"  I thought she was joking at first then I asked "what do you want me to do?"

I was to call a plumber she had on her white board anyway I phoned him and he was fagging it over the phone and told me he may be able to get someone out by 8pm.  I said "right. ok but you do realise we shut at 9pm so just bear that in mind before someone comes"

It gets to 8pm and still no one had turned up, in Canada nothing is ever seen as being important or rushed.  That's unless you are driving because everyone seems to be in a rush and up your arse, lol.

He does turn up at 8:20pm so I show him all the drains and he gets on with putting a hose down the front of the store drain, I had to move fixtures and clothes.

It gets to 9pm and the plumber is still sucking water out and the store stinks!  I mean really smells.  I have a customer at the front asking what time we close and I said 9pm he asks if it was alright if he could look at jumpers I said sure. 

Anyway this is where the fun really starts bearing in mind I had to be cashed out and locking the door at 9:30pm.  It's currently 9:10 the customer is still looking around so I asks if he need any help, one question is leading to another now.  My level of customer service is going down very quickly as it is now 9:20pm.  He now proceeds to ask if he can look at the ladies clothes I said sure, our company has a policy where we can't ask the customer to leave it's stupid.

The plumber informs me that the problem is blockage of used tampons and there is a collection of them residing on the floor, nice.  He informs me that this happens every year and they call the company out and they can never do anything.

So not knowing now what to do, I try to call my boss again, but no answer on her home phone or her cell phone.  Feeling rather left in the learch I phone the assistant manager.  She tells me there is nothing I can do about the plumber and I ask her for her advice on the customer I can't get rid of she says there is nothing I can do about it.  I have to wait for him to leave.

I sign for the plumbers bill, one hours work for $375 isn't bad........not!  Then I proceed to go to the customer which at this point it's 9:30pm thinking that I should now be going home I am really getting annoyed.  I asked if he need any help and he said he was looking for something for his mother.  I thought right and then replied but I don't know how to help you because I don't know this womans size.  He then replies with she used to be very big chested but now her chest is very saggy and she weighs xx amount.  I thought this was a bit odd and made me feel a little uncomfortable.  He raises a ladies top and put it right up to me and says she's about your size.  I back away and walk off to the other girl that was with me and told her that I felt he was very creepy and wanted to get rid of him.

It's now 9:45pm and still can't get rid of him, lucky for us the plumber is still here.  I go back to call my assistant manager again as now I just want to go, she said be professional and tell him the store is open tommorrow without saying can you piss off now please.

In the end my co-worker got rid of him saying "sir sorry I am going to have to tell you to leave as we are having drain issues"

He goes to the till with all his products and most of them he said he didn't want creating a mess at the back of till.  He then asks my co-worker to put a top up next to her, then says pull it tighter around her waist.  Luckly she is a girl with an attitude and told him no and he finally left at 10pm an hour after closing with the plumber.

I spent the next 20 mins cashing up the last till and filling my paperwork out etc etc.

I was due to open that morning and was dreading what I was going to find.

Our back room manager says we have a problem, I reply I know I have a problem but what do you think it is.  She said she tried to plunge the toilet and now the drains are over flowing.  I thought great 8am and I have to phone my manager.

This time she answers, I explained the situation and she tells me to call head office.  I call head office and she tells me to call drain doctor I ask for their number and she tells me to look it up in the Yellow Pages.

I'm looking in the Yellow Pages and not finding it, so i'm getting fustrated as we only have me and another front floor person.  I grabed all the directories and get two of the back room staff a copy each and tell them to find drain doctor.  I can't use the web at work as the pages are blocked so one of them calls her husband.  Apparently the only Drain Doctor is in Calgary, I don't think this is right.  I told the stupid woman we were in Edmonton!

I call head office back and she then tells me to look in our Yellow Pages and pick one.  Not liking this even more and the need to "cover my arse" kicked in.  I call my manager back, she's getting anoyed now and tells me to call the guy we lease the building off to get a referral.

This is going on over a few hours, I get the referral and he reccomends someone when I call them they want cash on delivery or credit card.  So I have to call my boss back, which to this she isn't happy about and takes the situation off me with a statement of, "someones head is going to roll in a min"  I replied "as long as it isn't mine I'm not bothered!"

A few days later some of the people are now aware of the crazy night I had at work but nothing is said as to how I was to best handle that sort of situation again for the next time.  It's the not knowing what I'm surposed to do which is the annoying part.

My manager does not thank me about the plumber mess, to be honest nothing is said!  Apart from the fact the bigger company that was called in that day couldn't do anything to sort out the blocked drains either but now there is a $2,000 bill for there time.

I get given this task to change the prices on the outside of shoe boxes on our most popular syles of boots.  Because they are going up in price it means getting a sharp knife and cutting the price off, opening the shoe boxes and taking the price tags off very time consuming and I get this great task. 

I started it at 3:30 and was due to finish work at 8pm, just 15 before the end of my shift the other shift leader comes up to me and informs me about having to do the garbages, coat hangers and debit bin.  I said out loud, "they must think I'm wonder woman!"  Why couldn't one of the others that hasn't been doing anything all night have done it.

After I've finished I realise I don't have next weeks shift in my diary, to my shock next weeks shifts haven't been printed.  I mean on a Friday evening and I have no idea what i'm working next, wtf!

I leave a message for my boss letting her know what I've finished and asked her to contact me with regards to next weeks shifts.

All day yesterday there was no call, so this morning I had to phone work and find out.

I'm extremely annoyed with work at the moment.  I know I won't be able to get my wage anywhere else so my hands are tied.  My hours have been reduced to an average of 20 and is now making driving to work pretty stupid.  I'm fustrated, maybe I should have a chat with my boss but I feel she has the habit of pacifying situations.  I was brought in with two other people to help change the running of the store and since going there nothing has really happened.   Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

January has gone by in a blink of eye. My work is keeping me really busy and days seem to fly past when I am that busy. Things are still going well, the teams are amazing and I am so pleased with how much we are achieving. But the deadline of April 1st is looming (8 weeks) and I need to keep them focused on producing stuff rather than worrying about the date.

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OK enough of work. Gemma has been been keeping a record of the month and I have some of her photo's to share.

Kathryn and Lexie - isnt she looking marvellous (I mean Lexie of course )

Kathryn went and brought herself a dog from the local SPCA. She was looking for something to keep her company in her new mini-home and found Millie. Apparently she didnt want a German Shepherd dog ....... Looks to me like Millies mum or Dad would have understood the word Hund and know where Berlin is on the map. She is a very smart, high maintenance. Much like her owner.
Another shot of Millie who is very playful and loves to fetch things and chew them to pieces.

Now for some winter shots - oh, and for those of you in the UK, Gemma has captured one of a Snowplow (canadian spelling). I thought you might be interested to see what one looked like.

This comes past at least once a day when the snow is falling and then again about 6am, and we do not live on a main road. The only problem is the bloody wall of snow they build across your drive entrance!

The next few are snow shots from the nursery across the street from us.

Very Narnia like isnt it?

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So there are the usual winter shots, and this afternoon we are going for a walk around the nursery. It is about -12c but beautifully clear and sunny.

We haven't had much chance to go cross country skiing this year, and only one snowshoeing expedition. Despite that I think it is fair to say we are all pretty happy.

Julie and I were at the Lunar Rogue last night for the monthly Pub Night and met several more new arrivals from the UK. I think we all had a good night (we left at 11:50pm), many of the Newcomers club still see each other despite the club being dormant. We seem to enjoy the social aspect of meeting without committment of organizing lots of events.

Hopefully we shall have our visa soon

I cant believe January is nearly over, just where is time going to i wonder.

Christmas is now just a blur its great looking back on the photos and remembering the fun we had. The kids said it was the best one ever. They didnt get a great deal of expensive pressies for a change. However being active and in the tropical pool nearly every day certainly made them happy.

At the moment our lives seem to be in limbo, unable to make plans as we are hoping by April to be on our way to Darwin.

Ive been giving a lot of thought to how i want my future plans to go. I know i want to go to uni and get a qualification that will enable me to work till i retire.

My options are do the easy route and possibibly familar route and re do my Enrolled nurse training and have a diploma after 2 years. In some ways it would possibibly be a step back as i qualified some 20 years ago as an EN

Do the degree nursing course of 3 years which would give me a long term job, the hard work dosn't put me nor does the studying but unsure if i want to go back to nursing again.

Thirdly i could do a humanitarian and welfare course lasting 3 years again i would be registered with the association of welfare workers but im not sure of the job avaliabilty at the end of 3 years studying.

Im 40 in June so no spring chicken and want to work with people and use my life expereinces as well as my current qualifications to secure a decent life for myself.

I dont think V is too keen on me going back to studying again and would rather i just get a job, so i had a look at some of the jobs that interest me and they all need formal qualifications in either nursing or welfare/social work. So either way i think going back to uni has to be done.

Not much else going on.