So what are you up to this weekend?

[Sugarlump]

 
We are the champions 

Am utterly fed up cos my angigram was cancelled at last minute ... and no Plan B as yet 

[cassandra]

Bugger, sorry to hear that Sugar

            

Stay strong, we're all thinking of you, and lots of love, Cas

 

And Cariad, if you need your (well deserved 2 day break) , you take your 2 day break. Just have an excuse ready at all times. Or just say no.

Lve y'all, Cas

[cariad]

And Cariad, if you need your (well deserved 2 day break) , you take your 2 day break. Just have an excuse ready at all times. Or just say no.

Thanks , Cas! You're so right about that. I am not the best at saying no, but have come a long way since my younger years. Things did get changed round, but I'm actually nervous about the change. It started with the owner asking me earlier this week when my kids will be able to get themselves home on their own. They don't have kids, and really have no grip on reality when it comes to this. I answered that the older one already does this, but with the younger one there is just NO WAY I will allow that for quite a few years. He is a tough child, will not take crap from anyone, so it's not a fear that he'll be abducted or anything (I'd like to see them try.... it would not go well for the perpetrator I suspect). However, my little guy is very scattered and his head is in the clouds all the time, so it's a fear that he would wander out in front of a speeding car or similar. So the owner accepted that answer and then followed up with 'Didn't you say your husband gets off early on a Friday...?' I replied 'Oh, dear. Was that a mistake to admit that?' Owner responded 'yeah!'

So, now I am working a longer shift today, usual start time through to closing down for the night. The owners (married couple) left this morning for Wales for the weekend. There will only be 3 of us, and it is *gorgeous* out, so I imagine that we will be flat out for most of the day. The people I work with, one knows his stuff really well, but he's far too slow when it comes to rush times. The other is the chef, she's newer to the organization than I am, and she's just coming off a 10 day holiday. Then there's me, and I get overwhelmed easily. I am trying to prepare for 6-7 hours with no break, focusing on relaxing and doing one thing at a time when I'm deep in the weeds. On Saturdays there are 6 people on, one just to work on teas and coffees, one just to do dishes which we run out of quite easily. If we have anything like a Saturday today I just don't see how we're going to get through this. So I'm anxious over a silly job.....

I think I will just say no next time. 

[cassandra]

O o, well, Hubby and I (me?) used to own a pub in Holland. Hubby was chef for 20 yrs. I waitered for most of my kidney years, so if I may, here's my tip ( if you dare to do this with the owners gone etc) Take everything complicated or time consuming off the menu, they'll take something else believe me. And just relax. The owners will take extra money over the gorgeous looking weekend anyway. I'm sure your team-members will agree.

Good luck my darling!!

Love, Cas

[Poppylicious]

Does Terry Wogan still do the broadcast?

Gosh, no! It's been Graham Norton for a few years now instead. He's nearly as funny as Terry though so all is well.  This year Denmark gave him a little surprise party in his 'box' with confetti and everything!

 

This weekend I'm being very lazy on Saturday (completely understand cariad's need for days off ... I tend to go loopy if stuff happens to throw my much needed days off off-kilter.) Then on Sunday we're going to Wembley (again) to see our football team win promotion to the big boy's league. Hopefully. Or we'll just be crying all the way home on the train!

It's very lovely outside ... the skies are actually blue.

[cariad]

O o, well, Hubby and I (me?) used to own a pub in Holland. Hubby was chef for 20 yrs. I waitered for most of my kidney years, so if I may, here's my tip ( if you dare to do this with the owners gone etc) Take everything complicated or time consuming off the menu, they'll take something else believe me. And just relax. The owners will take extra money over the gorgeous looking weekend anyway. I'm sure your team-members will agree.

Good luck my darling!!

Love, Cas

Oh my, this is a brilliant tip! I will keep this in mind to suggest to the team should I ever find myself in this situation again.

We did it! We have approximately 16 tables, roughly half are outside, and I don't think we ever had the place entirely full but definitely the garden was full up for about 3 hours straight. It is all just a blur now and I'm not sure how we managed, but somehow it all worked out. The crazy part about this place is that not only do we have our tables, but there are constant take-away orders, we have to assist and cover for the bakery next door, and we are supposed to answer the phone within 3 rings and take orders and deal with manifold other tasks over the phone. At one point the woman working the bakery asked me for a coffee - oi! Was she completely unable to take in the scene before her? The chef madly chucking bacon on the grill, me frantically drying dishes, shoving new ones into the wash, running overflowing trays out the to the front to put away, and she wants me to remember to make her a coffee?? I forgot everything about it and then she tried to make one herself. I could tell she had no idea what she was doing, but so long as I didn't have to do anything she was welcome to have a go. At around half three I said to my colleague "I told my husband I'd like him to bring me a fresh iced tea after he picks up the kids, and what do you want to bet he's forgot!" Then almost immediately Gwyn comes up the street with an iced tea for me, Dyl in tow. I was so delighted, I insisted they sit down (one less table to worry about, anyhow) and have some cake and drinks. I made Gwyn a mocha and they tried our divine Bakewell slice (I never thought I could enjoy that dessert) and our Nanaimo which I think I've described on here before.

It only took us an hour to close down. Then I raced home, grabbed a shower, made myself look presentable and we went to the awards ceremony for Aidan's football club. He not only won the award for top fundraiser for his team, he also won the Players' Player award which is such a special honour. That award goes to the player that the boys on the team vote for as player of the year. The coaches called Aidan 'a niggling little player' which sounds like an insult to me, but Gwyn claims this means that he's constantly worrying the other teams' players with his persistence, which describes Aidan quite accurately.

[cassandra]

Wow Cariad, congrats for all your conquests! Pretty impressive you've managed to go to Aidan's ceremony too.
Well done. I hope you have time for some rest soon.

Love, Cas

[Sugarlump]

Home from hospital so a little pottering about in the garden,some sweetcorn plants to put in my raised bed and some celeriac too...

[cassandra]

Glad, glad, glad to hear that!! You, and Drew must be so happy. Enjoy the lovely weather, and your home,and stay well!

Lots f love, Cas

   
           

[Sugarlump]

Thanks Cas 
How was Portugal?

[cassandra]

Portugal was absolutely fantastic. We went to same area as where we went with dad's kidney, and with pd, and in-centre D (in Faro few times, great clinic, but long drive, and Portimao Fresenius clinic which I found incredibly awful) so Nxstage premiere. Apartment fantastic, like 5 meters above the Atlantic

           

Deliveries went great, the sound from the Atlantic is empowering!!! Breakfast with seaview, the incredible temp, every day sunshine, the friendly Portuguese people have uplifted us no end.
Maybe tip for an extra honeymoon?

Keep well honey, lots of love, Cas

[Sugarlump]

Portugal was absolutely fantastic. We went to same area as where we went with dad's kidney, and with pd, and in-centre D (in Faro few times, great clinic, but long drive, and Portimao Fresenius clinic which I found incredibly awful) so Nxstage premiere. Apartment fantastic, like 5 meters above the Atlantic

           

Deliveries went great, the sound from the Atlantic is empowering!!! Breakfast with seaview, the incredible temp, every day sunshine, the friendly Portuguese people have uplifted us no end.
Maybe tip for an extra honeymoon?

Keep well honey, lots of love, Cas

Whereabouts did you stay? Last time i went to Portugal (pre-kidney failure) we stayed at Carveiro which was lovely. Sardines grilled literally on the beach and the wonderfully warm sea...
I have thought about going back there...

[cassandra]

Go back!! That's where we 'always' stay. Because of the plane (extra energy zapping, time waste, and this time there was hassle because of the machine ( I always told customs, and staff about the EU law that I can take the machine with me in the cabin, I recently discovered no such law exists, but before 9/11 it was no prob) so next time we might try the boat to Bilbao, and than drive to Carvoeiro.
BTW this was the first time we stayed in the centre (on top of the cliff), and I'd never have guessed how much easier that is (for coffees etc)


   
 

[cariad]

Oh, I so want to go to Portugal some day soon....! I shall be asking you two for tips.

Half term starts again this weekend. I know, weren't we just on break? Yes, this is a strange term, with only four weeks between Easter holiday and summer half-term. Gwyn and I are both taking all of next week off (bliss!!) and there is a street dance event in Brum that we shall attend with the boys. Even though street dance is not exactly my thing, it looks like an amazing show. Boys have football practice, and that's pretty much it, for now anyway.

[Sugarlump]

We are going to Exmoor for a weeks's holiday in June in a lovely little cottage in the middle of nowhere.
You have to walk across the garden to the front door... a babbling brook alongside garden and wonderful
birdsong (no other noise) and a footpath from the cottage to walk to local pub... It is heaven.
Yet Taunton (with HD facilities) less than half an hour away.
Stony beach, wild ponies and riverside walks ... bbq in garden with nice glass of wine!!! 

[Sugarlump]

Go back!! That's where we 'always' stay. Because of the plane (extra energy zapping, time waste, and this time there was hassle because of the machine ( I always told customs, and staff about the EU law that I can take the machine with me in the cabin, I recently discovered no such law exists, but before 9/11 it was no prob) so next time we might try the boat to Bilbao, and than drive to Carvoeiro.
BTW this was the first time we stayed in the centre (on top of the cliff), and I'd never have guessed how much easier that is (for coffees etc)


   
 

Drew said maybe we should hold next year's IHD meet at Carveiro in Portugal!!! Not as impossible as it sounds.
Very reasonable priced hotels/villss and flights from Southend airport £50 each way!!!!
And think of the beach.....and Richard can show off his swimwear!!!!! (Sorry couldn't resist! )

[cassandra]

Great let's set a date!!!!! No reason to wait longer. Of course its poss either of us,wanting to come, is 'unwell' or something, we might as well try!
And with early booking from whichever airport its gonna be cheap. And make it a real holiday. So we can all meet up ........ As many times as.

And think of the food too.....

[Sugarlump]

Grilled sardines off the boat, green salad, bread and cheese with a glass of vinho verde oh yes....

[richard88]

It all depends on how much sicker I'll get after a hard workout followed by alcohol.

[Jean]

Hmmmm grilled sardines??? I have never seen the dinky little things except once in a can and reeking of garlic, and oil of some type. And, but, you like them, eh?

[Sugarlump]

Fresh sardines, grilled are VERY VERY VERY different to the tinned miniature variety which are ugh!!!

[cassandra]

They are truly different allright, and do taste lovely, but its the bones that sort of spoil it

[okarol]

Loving summer mornings, it's great to walk before it gets too warm.
Hopefully I can replant some of my succulents this weekend.
What's up?

[Pod99966]

Well, my wife and kids got back from a week long road trip Thursday night. Friday I had a kidney stone (how do you have a kidney stone without kidney???)

So tonight Grandma is watching the kids and the wife and I are going on a date.

[Sugarlump]

getting very wet in not so sunny England!!!
Been to Ikea and besides two new kitchen chairs, managed to spend a lot on a little!!!