Off Topic Forums

Posted: 10 April 2008 at 9:05am | IP Logged

Well ladies Joe is off to Afghan in a few days.  So this last week, has been hectic to say the least.

Ive sorted out the new job, and start with them on the 21st.  Ive got two days off gash this week with old job...and mon-tue off next week.  Wednesday is well, hectic manic mayhem to say the least.  The big boss wants us to meet at New Street for 9am...but Judy fought the corner and said no chance, we'll get there for 2pm and take it from there.  So the plan was...get up about 8ish on the wednesday, load the car up with kids, dog and bags, set off from here at 9ish to get to mums for half 10, 11ish..for mum to drop me at station for 12 to get to new street for 1 and loiter til 2 when judy gets there, then off to bristol etc....

So needless to say, my head is sorted out for dealing with Joe going away.  Im a tough cookie, but even I need to have distance time if that makes sense.  I need to prepare myself and the girls for him being away, and the only way of doing that is by building walls so it doesnt hurt so much.  Dont get me wrong, it does hurt and its not nice, but its part and parcel of the territory, so its a defence mechanism.

Joe is more or less sorted to go, just wants to get out there, get it over with and come home.  Hes not allowed to take any personal items with him, no mobile, no wedding ring, no photos, no momentos, which is going to be rough. 

So mum was going to come over on the sunday afternoon to have the girls overnight, we were going to drive over to mums sunday afternoon, stay at mums for the night, then I drive him to stafford for 4am....then drive back to here, flop back into bed and wake up after a few hours sleep.  Then mum would go home and leave us to it.

Last night joes phone starts buzzing, he got a few messages.  Apparently his flight has been delayed by 48 hours, so you could say that put us both in a bad mood.  Yes, its good that hes home for another 48 hours, but both of us are geared up and prepared for monday...not for the wednesday if that makes sense. 

Hes going to phone work today and find out exactly whats going on flight wise.

Its going to be a nightmare if it is still delayed...as wednesday is going to be  really really long day for me.  Not sure how we will work it, but very probably all of us go to mums on the tuesday night, then i take him to stafford for stupid oclock in the morning, back to mums, few hours sleep then off to bristol.  Just a case of wait and see.

Til then, im going to gut the house as it needs doing, and fair one hes been on leave all week...ive been at work...but still...hmmm the hoover is in the cupboard..its not the hardest thing in the world lol.

Posted: 10 April 2008 at 10:40am | IP Logged

Awww Steph! It never stops does it. I can understand about building walls, I think if you didn’t it would be extremely difficult as it must be for joe, not to take any personal possessions or even his wedding ring it sounds so harsh but I suppose in the long run it’s to protect him. Hope he can receive some sort of explanation as to why it’s all been delayed…..

As for work and trying to fit and juggle it all in on Wednesday it must be like planning your very own mission! It’s a good thing your organised hun.

How’s the insurance company claim etc coming on? Did they remember to call you back on Monday? Good luck gutting the house, don’t wear yourself out too much you’ll need your rest to battle the hectic juggling act on Wednesday!

Posted: 10 April 2008 at 10:57am | IP Logged

Could say that planning is my forte in life I think lol.

Thing is once I get my teeth into something...I have trouble 'sharing' with the other boys and girls.  With the office move..I sorted all that myself and just recruited a few of the porters (bribed with biscuits) to move the furniture..but as for organising and unpacking etc I did all that.  The girls turned up once or twice to help...but in the nicest way I shoooed them out as they were driving me up the wall and getting under my feet..they could come back to new offices when I was finished...and they did..and were shocked..you name it, id done it and sorted it, so all they had to do was turn up and switch the computers on.  So there was no OMG wheres such and such.  As it was all done for them.

Yesterday was a quiet (but busy day) the girls were out all morning on some wards (had to shut them for 48hours etc) so they were just checking on stuff.  By the time they came back id done all my handover notes for whoever comes after me..a basic noddy how to guide.  The trust has just started to run with the CleanYourHands campaign (youll see posters everywhere for it), they were flapping the day before over how to or even where to start.  By the time they came back id downloaded all the letters that needed to be sent out, adjusted them to the Trust, downloaded the check lists, posters, powerpoint presentations the works and adjusted them to the Trust.  Sorted out with IT for them to load a screensaver Trustwide for the campaign and that goes live....erm today.  Also sorted out with our delivery guys where the campaign bits and bobs were going to be delivered to, as well as setting up delivery points across the trust at the larger health centres so that the girls are not bogged down car wise with the stuff.

So they were shocked to say the least.  They let me go early yesterday with a big bunch of flowers and the promise to stay in touch.  Ive told them ive got all their email addys in my head and when set up at new Trust will email them etc. Theyve said theyll probably send me stuff to do if im not busy...ive told them that itll cost them lots of choccie biccies lol.

Once ive got it in my head that such and such is going to happen I dont like to deviate from the plan, but with the forces there are so many things that can happen to chuck a spanner in the works, but thats the nature of the beast.  Ive already told Joe that I will have his wedding ring on a chain round my neck for while hes away.

I know why hes not allowed to take anything, a case of just in case, so they are not allowed personal items just in case the 'wrong people' try to use it against him if the worst should happen.  Mobiles are a big no no as to many peoples families were getting phonecalls or texts from not nice people who managed to intercept the numbers...which isnt hard to do, and theyve got the kit to do it.

I for one dont fancy getting horrible texts or phonecalls so im alright with that one.  His contract runs out in May anyway, so will just cancel it outright and get him a new one when he gets back later on in the year.

So all fun of the fair. Just roll with the punches and adapt at each stage...all you can do.

I think id be bored stupid if I didnt have shedloads on my plate

Posted: 10 April 2008 at 11:20am | IP Logged

Bless you hun......

I think sometimes it's easier when you know the reasons behind why they are so strict, i'm fine with most things as long as i know why it's happening (ok not always possible) and what the hoped outcome or reason is.

I hope you don't get too many spanners thrown in and the rest of your plans go to plan and you can have fun setting up and organising the new place!

Take care hun x thinking of you and the week ahead! lol

Posted: 10 April 2008 at 1:45pm | IP Logged

You do live a hectic life steph! lol! I know what you mean about distancing. Hope Joe gets off as planned and no more hold ups - better to get it overwith and you and the girls can settle into your new routine for the next few months. Will be thinking about you!

xxx