Hmmmm

Oh joy, we have a leak in the roof so there is a gentle drip through the landing ceiling into the bucket below. Only one word - Horlicks!

Life is 'interesting' as they say in China

Work-wise things have been a lot better senior management seem to be spending all their time positioning themselves for the future. Politics are rife and co-operation/teamwork minimal. Frustrating as hell trying to get things approved/done. Still got plenty of diverse things to do; a major grievance to deal with; small redundancy programme plus the performance management of the sales team and the on-going resource planning system upgrade. Problem is they're not really what I want to do. Kind of hope the new CEO is going to turn things around and there'll be something for me with where I am. Perhaps I’ve just become too comfortable where I am because I know so much about the business, it’s customers/ competition plus half the senior management but I feel I know what needs to be done in the field I work in & desperately want to make the necessary improvements. So far I've been held back to some extent by people who don't 'get it' :o/

So I tentatively thought about looking around only to be approached by someone I used to work with. I've been offered a role with a FTSE 100 company job as Head of Resourcing for a major Division, good money, car allowance, bonus, 25 days holiday. Decision whether to jump ship is difficult. I need to feel its right to do something but with my analytical/intellectual head on, it's a bigger more financially stable company, challenging role, opportunity to travel internationally and more money. On the negative side it would impact on the kids as I'd be away more than I am now so extra curricular activities may suffer for a lack of taxi. Lists of pros and cons normally works but when I get to the 'do I REALLY want to go' question it stays blank. Question is am I being nïave/daft?? Maybe I should sleep on it for a while and hopefully let the answer bubble up...

Sax education

Spent half an hour freezing my bits off waiting for Miss Sensible outside her sax teachers...brrrr. The good news is they think she's ready to do her next grade which she's dead chuffed about...& better still I get a new set of pieces to listen to :o) Although no doubt I will be equally bored by them in a few weeks...

What is slightly worrying is that a 14yr old is discussing how many UCAS points she will get if she passes. It's mad how the government policy on Universities has made things so competitive that kids are focusing three years ahead. I think when I was her age I was more interested in whether I could see the boys playing rugby when I was in my cookery lesson! (mis-spent youth) I do think there are so many things that make them grow up too quickly.

OK the novelty's worn off now...

Another few inches of snow overnight. School closed yet again so attempting to supervise kids whilst working from home...easier said than done! Got some respite when Miss Sensible went out sledging but she managed to lose her phone whilst on the slopes. Luckily someone had the decency to pick it up and was kind enough to not only answer it, but arrange to pass it back to her.

The Hills still look beautifully picturesque and the local main roads are passable with care, but anywhere off them is still un-gritted & pretty treacherous. I guess it's good news my meetings in Hampshire tomorrow are all cancelled/ postponed. Had enough of this cold wet stuff now...want to consume hot soup & mulled wine then hibernate please.

Trip down Memory Lane

Watched 'Letter to Brezhnev' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089477) today whilst trying to plough my way through the Himalayan mountain range of ironing. I can hardly believe the film's 25yrs old! I worked in Liverpool at the time it was released and have such fond memories of that period. I used to walk past many of the locations every day which made the whole thing seem real. The story line's a bit of a predictable chick flick, plus slightly naff at times, but it's great looking back on the 80's fashion and seeing the scene at the State Ballroom which is where I sometimes went to party, probably wearing not dissimilar outfits & hairdos (she says cringing). So much has changed since then...I've been back a few times and found the City's been totally regenerated with the development of the Albert Dock area, and then significant further investment having been voted City of Culture 2008.

And who'd have thought that Peter Firth would go on to be Harry in 'Spooks'!?!

Snow bound!

It's been impossible to move the car off the drive for the last couple of days. The snow itself was the first issue but, even once that had been cleared, I discovered the car doors were firmly frozen shut. Yesterday morning was spent trying to prize them opening using de-icer and hot water to no avail. Today brandishing a hair dryer a successful outcome was achieved, and the precarious descent down the drive (pictured) to the road completed. In the midst of this I received a text from my friend in Sharjah, UAE informing me he was fixing his mates pool in temperatures slightly more than 20º higher. Hmmm..not really what I needed to hear at the time...

The morning after the night before

having partaken of a few alcoholic beverages with which to see in the New Year a walk on the Hills was required to clear the head and reinvigorate the brain cells. Dragged the kids & mutt out for a walk up the North Hill from the Clock Tower - not too challenging and very picturesque.