Quickie

Just before I start work I thought I'd update this blog with a few shennanigans that have been happening in my life.

Work's Christmas do was fun including the dodgems. Highlight was free meal for my lovely spontaneous fiancee who was invited last minute. The afternoon was rounded up with a lovely evening of decorating our tree and fire place. It's looking really christmasey now.- a little taster on the left.



We have also completed most of the christmas shopping. On our left is a photo of Craig taken us shopping. It was also a good day.

Other news is that I am madly busy packing as we have found someone for my room. It is a mixture of sadness and happiness that I move out of my lovely flat in Chortlon. A rather rushed end to living with the wonderful Sally D. I am going to miss her tremendously as a flat mate. I am however looking forward to my new house and housemate! A new start, a new challenge and a lovely man, house and dog to boot. Just a little stressful all just before Christmas! But then have I ever done anything like moving in a logical manner....

Also have a start date for my new job 8th Jan 07. Not great but seeing it as an opportunity to have a good 2 weeks break. (well God has convinced me that that is what I need rather then worry about the loss of finance)

Cars

I think I have set a new record today- how many different types of cars/transport you can go through within 4-5 months:

here is the List:
Fiat Punto
Vespa
Volkswagen Polo
BMW 320 i
Fiat Punto
Ford Fiesta (courtesy car)
Fiat Punto (same one as above the Ford Fiesta)
Ford Focus (courtesy car)

In between my own cars and courtesy cars I have also taken advantage of an Audi A4 and a Toyota Prius.

Yes I'm on my second courtesy car since getting my new Punto. It has now decided not to start at times, random, unpredictable times I hasten to add......!!

Rant

Here I go, I need to rant about the following. Work and mis-communication. It really feels that you are punished for being honest these days. This is a bit of a long story I'll try and start from the beginning. (It also has two parts.)

Part 1) The problem with being honest: About a week ago I was offered a new job dependant on references. Now most people wouldn't tell their current employer that they have a new job as you haven't had the official offer as yet. But because I'm an honest person I thought I would tell them straight away. Now being this close to Christmas I can't really start the new job until after christmas. My contract at the moment doesn't officially end on the 9th January. So in theory I could work there until then and hand in my notice in the last week. But no I have now been told I have to hand in my notice at the end of next week. Which means I will loose 1 days leave entitlement and about a week's worth of pay due to pay day being when it is. And all this around Christmas. I mean if they were out to make a profit I could understand but they are a non-for-profit organisation!!!! What really annoys me is that I have worked my guts out for these people and now because of money and me being honest I'm going to loose money I cannot afford to loose. So if I lied and not discussed notice periods and things with managers I would not be loosing anything but gaining 6 days. How frustrating is it. I know that I should go with the opposite spirit but right now I just feel angry.

Part 2) My chief exec over the last couple of days has made me feel like an idiot because she was under the impression that my role should be 100% office based. But my line manager and senior have kept telling me and the housing officers' I assist to make the most of me having a car so to get out. And I have even sat infront of her in a liason and explained what I do and how many miles I drive on an average month. And now suddenly I am made to feel like I misread the job description, when I saw the job description for the first time- YESTERDAY. Ohhh it's so frustrating.

The most annoying thing about both scenarios is that I lack assertiveness. I wish I had the strength to sit down with managers, colleagues and even friends (only sometimes with friends) and let them know in a rational and logical manner how I feel. Without going bright red. I think that's where most of my anger lies about this, my own lack of assertiveness. But all hope is not lost because I have enrolled in a self help group focusing on assertivenss. Course should start in January. So I already have a New Year's resolution- to find my assertive self again. I know you are down there somewhere!!!!

Advent

1st Sunday in advent and I have been to church, remebering the reason for the season. And boy am I glad I did. I spent a couple of hours in town and got so depressed, feeling rather insecure at the moment and Christmas is really, really stressful when you have no money whatsoever. It's like you want to buy presents from anyone so the urge to just stick it on your credit card is huge!!! But you know that you will be paying it off until next christmas. So you can't. Horrible. therefore it was wonderful to be reminded that even if we get a scrawny looking tree and the cheapest tinsel around the reason why we are celebrating isn't going to go away. Amazing reassurance.

Holding

I'm holding at the moment to speak to my bank, call centres are so annoying. But at least I can do banking in the comfort of my own home.
To start with I have some sad news- My sharky has died. Even bought him some medicine but nothing has helped. Very sad, I buried him in our backgarden and said a few words. Never having fish again.

Other news is that I have found out that the HA that I am meant to be starting work with failed it's Housing Corp inspection and therefore is not getting new funding to upkeep their properties- several things could happen- they fold completely as a company- total redudancies; their have to join another organisation=major restruction or they get a grace period. My line manager found this out and is a bit concerned for me as with redundancies it's usually last in first out. It could all work out positive for me or I might have to look for another job. Suprised that they didn't tell me about it. So I have this weekend to think about it all and what to do. I think I'll just keep applying for other positions at the same time- If I could just find the time to do this. Stress. Change, change, change that seems to be the motto for my life.

So appreciate prayers for wisdom and finances.