tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/Various adventures of a business woman, mother and would be bestselling authors as she juggles her way through corporate, children and trying to stay in shape!Read how her book takes shape, a guide for girls to get what they want out of lifeMokoFeed2009-11-21T16:37:11+01:00tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-11-07:/2009/11/07/parrent-teacher-association-that-should-come-with-a-health-warning-7324261/Loupie-Lou2009-11-07T09:22:35+01:002009-11-13T16:07:09+01:00 <p>As any of my readers will know I am blessed with 5 fabulous children, who as individuals go to 4 separate places of education and I have been doing this school thing for 14 plus years so well versed one would think. My youngest has started at the most delightful village school, I love the uniform the headmistress but OMG the PTA should carry a serious health warning. I heard warnings about the botox mafia but it so much worse below is an example edited for their privacy of one of the 8 emails I recieve every week.(I have changed the names)</p> <p>Remember this is from the PTA not the school</p> <p>Dear Parents,(<em>Nice and warm that)</p> <p>The following information has been prepared by our star Mum, (Tina Big Tits totally enhanced and can write)<strong> and it will also appear in the weekly notes. However, so we can be on the ball, I am sending it out to you now as well. Because of the amount of information, I have put each section in a different colour, so it's easier to see where one bit ends and the next begins. I was going to use neon colours, but decided I looked stupid typing with my sunglasses on!</p> <p>A) Thursday we are asking children to come into school dressed in Mufti, with a Book Character theme to tie in with Book Week. For this privilege we are asking people to bring in donations for the Tombola. Donations can be of an adult (e.g. wine, pair of socks, wine, chocolates, wine) or child nature (e.g. pencils, game, soft toy, sweets), or indeed both, if able !</p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0">During half term: IDEAL ACTIVITY TO KEEP THEM BUSY: children to decorate their Jazzy Jars with a Xmas theme, and bring them in on Monday 2nd November after half term. Jars may be filled with sweets, bath salts, hair accessories,or any other imaginative ideas. It would be helpful for those with boys to perhaps bring in a boys themed jar, as we are traditionally short of them! Please label the jars with your child's name and class, clearly, on the bottom !</p> <p>The jars will be judged on Friday 6th November, and children are limited to entering a maximum of 2 jars each !! The winner of each class 'best dressed' jar, will receive a chocolate Father Xmas, and their helper/carer/Mum or Dad will recieve a bottle of either red or white wine (is there a theme emerging here?)!!</p> <p><em>MIMI Won I never recieved the wine but do have to buy the jar as she had threadworms and I bet the marshmallows are infected!</p> <p>CFriday 13th November, we are asking children to come into school (apart from reception and Kindergarten as they have a school trip ) in mufti with a SPOTTED theme. In return, again, we shall be asking for donations..... for the Secrets room.</p> <p>This is returning due to popular demand from the children !</p> <p>To try and avoid the difficulties we have had in the past, and to make this an enjoyable experience for ALL the children involved, we will be requesting that EACH child who wishes to take part, contributes TWO gifts to the room. Ideally one desirable to a female and one to a male...whatever that may be!! Gifts should be NEW and to the value of a minimum of £5.00, and CANNOT BE ALCOHOL. Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Boots already have their Xmas, buy three get one free offers on...so get shopping !!</p> <p>We shall, like last year, therefore, be keeping a list of all those who have donated. (Just so they can be nosey) For those who feel that they are able, we would greatly appreciate receiving more then two gifts per child, as these will cover for the children who come from outside of Pretty little village school. </p> <p>The list will allow us to be fair to the children who have donated. It is only fair that children who only donate one present (which is fine) can only shop for one gift on the day.</p> <p>The Year 2 mums will be able to make sure that everybody's child is treated fairly, as afterall it is the parents' responsibility to provide the gifts, not the child's. (Parents Police YEUK)</p> <p>Gifts should be sent in a tied/sealed plastic bag, with your child's name and class clearly marked on the bag.</em>So we can all see the cheapskates hmmm.</p> <p>It is REALLY important that people follow this instruction so as to avoid confusion and disappointment. Donations should be taken to the gym on that Friday November, where members of the social committee, will be waiting to take delivery of said goods!!</p> <p>And someone should tell them other schools do this with the same great effect without all this red tape. Am considering asking by friend who make executive silver vibrators for two samples to send in guess they would be queueing up for this!</p> <p>AND, PLEASE remember that the children absolutely LOVE shopping for their presents themselves, and get really excited about it, so, lets make sure they have a good selection to choose from!!! AND remember, your donation could appear under your Xmas tree!!!</p> <p>THANK GOD FINALLY, Monday 16th November we shall be asking for Raffle donations !!!</p> <p>They can be of any variety (wine, plants, beauty products, gift vouchers, wine, glassware, dinner vouchers, wine), although feedback from last year was that we ran out of childrens prizes (games, toys)! NO knives! But we can bring alcohol- what a relief</p> <p>E) AND Now actually FINALLY <em>(Thank Christ)...on Thursday 19th November we shall be asking for Cake donations for Receptions Cake Bake event!!!</p> <p>SUPER SARA SOMUCHBOTOX she can't breath has very kindly and generously agreed to run this new style cake stall, with the idea of the children having lots more fun, rather than just buying a cake from a stall. The children will pay to enter the game and the winner will get to choose their cake. With music and stuff, it sounds brilliant and hopefully will make lots of money as well as being far more enjoyable for the children and adults too!! </em>I soo cannot wait for this one.</p> <p>Cakes should be of a cupcake variety as opposed to a BIG cake, as they will be given as prizes to the winner of the games played. </p> <p>On top of this I have given £100 in teacher present donations.... a friend has been asked to contribute money for showjumping lesson fund... der these kids are 5 years old. I need at least another £100 in my pocket for the Bazzare to buy back all the items they have taken in over the past two weeks.</p> <p>I will of course have to adhere to the PTA Party rules that were emailed to me and although I can't attend the coffee mornings I love the minutes and rulings.</p> <p>So have decided to set up the NMAS Normal Mothers At School Group, for people who like a bit of plastic party tat, do know that kids get threadworms and like to show their friends, but most of all are mothers who share the same worries of other normal mothers. (These worries are not that a certain shop is out of pink cashmere shrugs they are the real ones about the real world.)</p> <p>No offence PTA but I won't be putting my name forward as I live in outer Beirut, or you would think so when I say Bagshot your noses fall to the ground quicker than a fledgling swallow.</p> <p>Come on girls this could be so much fun.</p> <p>NMAS rebel<br> </strong></em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/11/07/parrent-teacher-association-that-should-come-with-a-health-warning-7324261/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-07-12:/2009/07/12/ruda-bay-and-beyond-6499385/Loupie-Lou2009-07-12T20:08:04+02:002009-07-12T20:08:04+02:00 <p><u>This Weeks Good Byes</u></p> <p>How quickly a year has gone, all the children have finished school. I waved goodbye to Hurst Lodge after 14 years of school runs without so much as a tear a day later, I had huge waves of emotion as I waved over 8 years of the wonderful Woodcote House in Windlesham school goodbye. Woodcote the place where my boys were able to be boys, building bonfires, climbing trees and learning about life for men. I will so miss the match tea,s Kevins fantastic spread, the huge teapot so professionally wielded by Mrs Mark and the all weather attitude to sport. As a family we enjoyed the ski trip adventure, yes someone did blow up a toilet the frantic day at L'arc and the annual play where boys dressed as girls. Woodcote parenting is a tough job, but sending my boys to you was a good decision you have set them up for life.<br> Thank You.</p> <p><u>Holiday!</p> <p>The car is packed to the hilt, there are five spanking new wet suits, surf boards and brolleys. Tom is designated navigator as we head off for this years adventure tomorrow. I cannot wait for the peace and fun we have, no email, hey no male yes husband is staying at home.(less said about him the better) I must remember the bottle of champagne for our arrival celebration and photos of the gang en mass as we cross the threshold. We have traded up and are at a Park Dean site which looks terribly middle class maybe this year we won't be the 'Royal Box' from ascot. </p> <p>We have booked the kids a private surf instructor called James for 3 hours a day, I am imagining a tousled hair mid twenties blonde, bronzed and beaten by the weather. We shall see.</p> <p>I will have to re-pack the car in the morning as Male packing is useless- the surf boards are under three cases ! DERRRRRR and what will five kids want to the minute they see the beach.</p> <p>So all pray for sunshine for our summer adventure, just me, Jo, children and the obligatory bottle of bollinger. Cheers.</u> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/07/12/ruda-bay-and-beyond-6499385/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-05-14:/2009/05/14/imaging-the-lovely-dresses-and-cold-champagne-6117095/Loupie-Lou2009-05-14T21:18:59+02:002009-05-14T21:18:59+02:00 <p><span><br><img src="http://www.uploadlibrary.com/SquareMeal_RestaurantsAndBars_News/images/may14_13/perrier.jpg" border="0" alt="Laurent-Perrier" width="273" height="105"><br><span>Imagining the lovely dresses, fantatic food and fragrances of the the Sunshine ball.<br></span>So budget is tight am watching 7 dresses on ebay... off to the spirit of summer at Olympia tomorrow to do a little bit of executive shopping and of course work.<br>Hoping the weather cheers up for saturdays village day, will be interesting to see what Bagshot does for village day <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p></span></p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/05/14/imaging-the-lovely-dresses-and-cold-champagne-6117095/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-05-13:/2009/05/13/eurovision-time-6110957/Loupie-Lou2009-05-13T21:25:41+02:002009-05-13T21:25:41+02:00 <p>It's Eurovision time! That's right, brace yourself because the party kicks off this Saturday. Stock up on sequins, dust off the hair brushes and make sure your ready for Europe's cheesiest TV show. Check out your 'boom bang-a-banging' and grab a bottle of Lambrusco.</p> <p>Here is chateau chaos, the limestone floor is down the optiplan kitchen nightmare is shaping up, 3am tuesday I was redesigning the units now colin the fantastic chippy has worked cutting them down and it is looking better but not WOW I wanted and I will having an interesting conversation with the granite supplier. Sinks are in and tap is central<img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>So with still no cooker, kitchen electrics, dishwasher or table so a picnic in the main room infront of euro trash is this weekends plan.</p> <p>Now if you really want to dance the night away to decent music get your tickets for <a href="http://www.sunshineball.co.uk.">www.sunshineball.co.uk.</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/05/13/eurovision-time-6110957/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-05-11:/2009/05/11/the-sunshine-ball-27th-june-fabulous-food-6097701/Loupie-Lou2009-05-11T17:02:37+02:002009-05-11T17:02:37+02:00 <p>Its not every Saturday i drag myself into the shower and off to a tasting, but Lee arrived on time and off we set to Ascot racecourse to at 09.00am taste the summer ball menu.</p> <p>Escorted in the back way we head to the wonderful setting of the Ascot Grill, where Rebecca the executive chef shares with us her vision of a summer menu.</p> <p>The Pate although smooth and tasty just to filling for a summer evening in june. The specially designed salad with wonderful little tomberries, light balsamic dressing and mozzarella balls. A Fusion of flavours.</p> <p>Then at just after 09.15 we embark on the choice of main course, the presentation is a work art the portion size is filling enough for your average male. The potato gratin dauphenoise is straight out of roux brother repartis, melt in the mouth heaven.</p> <p>All this followed by chocolate fountains.</p> <p>If you have not got tickets yet, visit the website <a href="http://www.sunshineball.co.uk">www.sunshineball.co.uk</a></p> <p>£40 will get you a night to remember </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/05/11/the-sunshine-ball-27th-june-fabulous-food-6097701/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-02-18:/2009/02/18/brand-launch-success-5603848/Loupie-Lou2009-02-18T22:18:22+01:002009-02-19T08:59:50+01:00 <p>I should be high as a kite, in 12 weeks working just three days a week I pulled off miracles, few mistakes some luck and 16 hour days. But I come home to stark reality a house and an atmosphere I hate. A husband who cannot even look me in the eye and kids who are not happy.</p> <p>So I googled the post code I want to live in, and as anyone who reads my blog knows I believe in fate a five bedroom farm house I can afford on my own. I could keep chickens and would not have neighbours.More importantly I would not have the husband.</p> <p>My happiest days were in my old house in Windlesham, with just me and the kids yes only me doing all the school runs and chores but decibels more laughter ok so maybe not so much cleaning. To be honest I have had it with the husband regime, he has a problem and it is getting worse.</p> <p>The new kitchen will be lovely here but it will not mend all the things that are broken in this family just help sell it.</p> <p>Just tired I guess, need to sleep, just wish I had someone to phone, my nan. Hey well done me!</p> <p>Sorry bit low, cannot believe I am here in this house with this husband. Sometimes life is so unfair. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/02/18/brand-launch-success-5603848/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-02-03:/2009/02/03/working-from-home-and-4-year-old-helper-5497580/Loupie-Lou2009-02-03T10:14:29+01:002009-02-03T10:14:29+01:00 <p>So I get up at 6.30am to speak to new colleague in Australia who wants to run through a presentation, please note it is 4pm in the afternoon there far more sociable than 6am in the UK. The sun is shining.</p> <p>Dial in and four year old appears in the door way, mouthing who is on the phone. I mime go away, she does not want to go away, would like to sit on my knee. With my elbow I am controlling the slide deck and trying to talk about branding while, my meetings book is being coloured in and smiley faced out aggggghhhh. Where is my husband when he is needed!</p> <p>Four Year old spots a big opportunity here, wakes up six year old sister, they both now appear in the door with a kellogs variety pack... I nod yes of course they can have this and off they go. </p> <p>So call over I enter our kitchen, the kittens are on the table each with a bowl of cereal... smudge has cornflakes and smokey ricecrispies. All 8 empty packs are strewn across the table and six pints of milk has been divided been a variety of mugs, bowls and utensils for breakfast while mum works.</p> <p>Teenager surfaces and finishes off the rice crispies the kitten did not eat... oh my god I am such a rubbish working parent!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/02/03/working-from-home-and-4-year-old-helper-5497580/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-01-22:/2009/01/22/business-solution-buy-donuts-5427182/Loupie-Lou2009-01-22T22:24:04+01:002009-01-22T22:24:04+01:00 <p>If you read my earlier entry I was having a chocolate teapot of the day. Until I took the advice of one of marketing guru's Arjan Dijk. When under pressure, see who needs to work to take off the pressure and schmooze them. So actually three departments need to work together, the challenge was with no starbucks within 20 miles and on a business park with only fountains to look at I had to be creative.</p> <p>Jump in the go get it galaxy of a vehicle and head to sainsburys. It turned my mood totally around leaving the building was like an adventure.</p> <p>Hit the biscuit and cakes aisle, and begin 'biscuit' profiling people and this is what I decided:</p> <p>Head of Legal- double chocolate fingers- branded - cadburys of course<br> Head of IT- 20 sugar donuts to share<br> Product- Chocolate digestives in the tube with reselable lid- they will like the design.<br> Website- chocolate finger.<br> Channel- rich tea fingers,no fuss ability to dunk and no guilt attached.</p> <p>So armed with two sainsburys carrier bags and with a spring in my step i head to business park heaven.</p> <p>Suddenly the two biggest problems were resolved over a cup of tea, the biscuits went down a treat and the mountain of a project feels human again.</p> <p>Friday tomorrow, if your morning started like mine did then get off to the supermarket and do some executive biscuit profiling <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0">It works. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/01/22/business-solution-buy-donuts-5427182/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-01-22:/2009/01/22/work-is-challenging-5422754/Loupie-Lou2009-01-22T11:15:12+01:002009-01-22T22:14:47+01:00 <p>I am trying so hard to succeed with this current project I know it means being willing to fail; I am trying not to let a fear of failure hold you back. But today so many set backs, a boss who totally disengaged and deluded we times are suffering so many setbacks due to his total incompetence. I do remember, it takes commitment and persistence to achieve your goals. I'm not going togive up, I can succeed no matter but there are so many in my way.</p> <p>While my current boss swans about talking about painting a wall I am managing every other aspect of this global project.</p> <p>I would like to go home and never come back, but I won't!</p> <p>Off to make tea or coffee, or find vodka.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/01/22/work-is-challenging-5422754/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-01-20:/2009/01/20/little-chef-ceo-ian-needs-to-get-in-touch-5411593/Loupie-Lou2009-01-20T13:05:50+01:002009-01-20T13:05:50+01:00 <p>I dont watch much television but I wanted to see how Heston the perfectionist would approach the Little Chef demise.<br>I have fond memories of Little Chef, cups of tea and as a teenager the ultimate hangover cure. What a treat little Chef was, I don't remember a 4 fold menu with ridiculous sudo european offerings, it was just platefuls of comfort food.</p> <p>Now having a family of my own we have dived into one for a meal, and found the staff miserable, the restaurants filthy even though they are empty. Heston you are so right they are serving up the cheapest food, it may be fast but it is tasteless.</p> <p>Ian Pegley has supposedly been given this second chance to help the ailing chain, from what I saw last night he is hammering nails into the coffin of Little Chef. Where has he been for the last five year, some one should send him the DVD's of Gordon Ramsays kitchen nightmares, as his chain is perpetuating a great number of mistakes. The menu is to big to ambitious, the ingredients cheap and the settings miserable.</p> <p>Little Chef food, is overprocessed muck. Start again, serve real chips, good sausage see what Jamie Oliver did with Ministry of Food. Send all your staff on basic cookery courses, put in ranges so they can cook. Hoover, clean up and repair restaurants.</p> <p>Jamie Olive or Gordon Ramsay may have turned this around, Heston deserves a prize for taking on the challenge as Ian Pegley really is out of the retail loop.</p> <p><span>Old School Cafe Longcross</span></p> <p>Ian get in your car go down to longross, to the Old School Cafe, I worked with the fabulous owner Miepe Boyd to market this small cafe where she serves the best bacon sandwich in Surrey, dare I say south of England. She keeps it simple the ingredients are local, fresh, the specials are on the black board and you can have your eggs anyway you want.</p> <p>Ian and team, my advice:<br>Visit Fego's chain<br>Visit Old School Cafe<br>Make you restaurants more welcoming- stay on brand, red booth seating for families, table for grown ups. <br>All of you to work one week in a Little Chef and talk to your customers, eat from the menu every day! Maybe then you will concentrate on what is important.</p> <p>I will be watching tonight, how can a management team not have their ears on the customers.</p> <p>Good Television, shame the it may completely kill off little chef, Ian Pegley you are the weakest link.</p> <p>Loupie</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/01/20/little-chef-ceo-ian-needs-to-get-in-touch-5411593/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-01-19:/2009/01/19/cath-kitson-cupcake-bunting-is-flamable-5404446/Loupie-Lou2009-01-19T10:42:35+01:002009-01-19T10:42:35+01:00 <p>This weekend we had a Sunday lunch party for Auntie J, the girls and I pinked out the kitchen table, pretty table cloth, very kitsch kitson table runner, lilies and candles and pink balloons. The final touch was the bunting which we hung from the uplighters looked fantastic.</p> <p>Lunch went well the freerange, had a very nice life saw sunshine chicken (that had a security tag) tasted great the gloopy chestnut and mushroom stuffing tasted suprisingly good.<br> The candles on the cake ingnited and extinguished in a birthday fashion.</p> <p>We all retired to the sitting room to play Britains got talent the chocolate version that is now £1 in M &S well spent £1. I had to play mercy on a saucepan, Uncle J had to an irish jig while singing happy birthday the teenies had to do a cha cha all very lively.</p> <p>Then Scarlet save the day, literally the house, she goes into the conservatory and rushes back in there is a fire... well as she has spotted badgers and deer in out 10ft square courtyard the husband gets up to check really to keep her happy. Oh yes the lightbulb was now on it had burnt through the bunting and the flag was on fire. Scarlet is the heroine.She is saying it was the kittens that alerted her. The smell is still with us, but luckily so it the house.</p> <p>Husband now has to put a smoke alarm this week on the ceiling of the utility room as this part of the house is remote and this could so easily happen again.</p> <p>Update on weight loss, I took the weekend off so I did eat Chocolate Caterpillar cake and the gloopy zillion calorie chestnut stuffing and I didn't exercise so today it is back on track. Monday is Special K Monday.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/01/19/cath-kitson-cupcake-bunting-is-flamable-5404446/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-01-06:/2009/01/06/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow-not-5333057/Loupie-Lou2009-01-06T18:00:31+01:002009-01-06T18:00:31+01:00 <p>I don't want to be bah humbug, but why did the snow wait until the day we all have to drive to work. The M4 grinds to a single lane of hell. My Galaxy takes over 40 minutes to start to warm up so have resorted to a blanket on my lap, my ski hat and fleecy gloves so I can get off my home drive. GREAT just loving this snow.</p> <p>Shoes, even my sensible heels become a death trap on the slippy bits that appear just out side the office window so the whole of development can witness me fall on my amply padded bottom region.</p> <p>Snow should stay in Europe, where they are used to it. I love ski-ing, well lets just say I am very good at apres ski, quite possibly not so hot on two planks of wood facing downhill.</p> <p>Also this flaming cold is not helping my diet one jot, a piece of celery on a cold day has no worth whatsoever. A hot cheese and onion pasty from the cornish retailer however would go down fantastically well at this moment. Happy to say I am 20 miles from any such<br> retailer on a business park in reading.. so those cornish calories cannot get me.<br> Signing off now and hoping for a defrost.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/01/06/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow-not-5333057/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2009-01-04:/2009/01/04/chicago-rib-shack-rip-off-hyde-park-fun-5322310/Loupie-Lou2009-01-04T21:09:52+01:002009-01-04T21:09:52+01:00 <p>Friday 2nd January</p> <p>As per my new year resolution we go en mass, 2 adults, 2 teenagers and three children to Hyde Park to the Christmas Fayre ( the outing was idea of husband mine was more retail orientated but got a zero vote.)</p> <p><span>Hyde Park Winter Wonderland</span></p> <p>I was sceptical about the whole thing, but on coming into the park we are greeted with authentic european looking cabins selling various german sausages and hot wine. The hot wine certainly defrosted my hands and mood. The teenagers did not thaw out and managed to have that look for the entire time in Winter Wonderland.</p> <p>The mirror maze was the greatest fun I have had for ages, possibly the mixture of mulled wine and no glasses mixed with moving floors, spinning pipes and mirrored mayhem. Good old fashioned fun. I watched the various other rides, the roller coaster, the wurlitzer, the reindeers, and the really high slide. All the rides were good and the atmosphere great, just the cost with five children £80 of tokens lasted precisely 20 minutes, then hotdogs set us back another £26.00.</p> <p>As I was totally frozen we moved on to Harrods.</p> <p><span>Harrods- New Pet Kingdom<br></span></p> <p>Now that I work in Theale on a business park with only a sainsburys for company I don't get to indulge my relationship with retail at the higher end. So just breathing the air of the perfume department and seeing the fantastic new Armani make up counter was a hit for me. The kids headed straight to Toy Kingdom and Tom purchased a remote control car with his christmas money. (Vehicle 19 in his collection, expected life of vehicle 2 weeks before it has fatal accident and then joins the various other bits of christmases past remote control cars in the garage.) Pet Kingdom, where do I start, it is now bigger the accesories for cats are not wackier, we purchased three very gorgeous collars for Big Cat and the kittens. Their is a whole department for 'animal outfits'  furniture from beds to waderobes and of course the puppies and kittens on view to purchase if you have several thousand to spare.</p> <p>Cost Zero- entertainment value 100% Harrods wins again!</p> <p><span>Chicago Rib Shack</span></p> <p>Having followed the resurrection of this eatery I thought It would be a great place to take the kids to regale stories of how it was, when I had a curly perm, wore Laura Ashley with double string pearls and spent many an hour at the bar during the promotional time. (well I was a student nurse)</p> <p>Firstly it is not in the same place, it is up the alley and next to Mr Chows. The familiar pigs are on the wall and the greeters were happy and that is where my memory stop. The bar is not humming it is friday and it is fairly dead, but it takes the bar tender 10 minutes to serve, 1 tap water, 1 diet coke, 1 San Miguel in the bottle and a very mediocre mohjito... the smoothie and chocolate milkshake comes from the kitchen and takes a further 10 minutes for the chocolate milkshake and the smoothie is only tracked down after five requests and we are seated at the table.</p> <p>Everyone is really polite the waiter the duty manager, but the place is dead and the food is ordinary the chips not even as good as McDonalds..and that is saying something.  The tap water even takes four requests to come, and the kids have drawings but the pencils are blunt and there is now sharpener.</p> <p>The highlight of our Rib Shack experience was the very beautiful, and she is that in the flesh, Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts entering with friends for supper. (No security, no press, no fuss just a lovely girl with friends.)  I am very proud to say my kids recognised her and did not do anything to infringe her privacy that is how it should be.</p> <p><span>Weight Watcher-revisited</span></p> <p>Having purchased the wi fit for Christmas I had a go a last night, and it told me I weighed 9 stone plus a bit, god and I am not pregnant. So tonight I have enrolled on the online version, which it totally whizzy fab, I put in my points for the day and no wonder the pounds have appeared without dinner and tonights wine I have consumed 45 points, to those of you who don't ww thats over double the 18 points I will survive on for the next three months. So I best stop blogging and go consume the red wine plus the remaining champagne truffles.</p> <p>After all tomorrow is the first day of my three month diet... need to get into a dress for the child-line ball on 13th Feb.</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2009/01/04/chicago-rib-shack-rip-off-hyde-park-fun-5322310/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-12-29:/2008/12/29/happy-families-5293391/Loupie-Lou2008-12-29T14:15:50+01:002008-12-29T14:15:50+01:00 <p>Well hello friends, I hope you all had a great christmas, I am pleased to report I did not cooking... with the exception of almost incinerating a teddy bear in the microwave on Christmas Eve.</p> <p><span>Christmas Cooking (Bear gets burnt in Bagshot Microwave Incident)</span></p> <p>The teddy is one that is lavender and meant for nuking, sadly not the entire teddy is meant to be placed in the device just the bag of ceramic beans that sit in his tummy. I can report that if you do place the entire teddy in the microwave for 3 minutes on full, he catches light, and produces thick black putrid smoke.</p> <p>This is easily remedied by a bit of Mummy dancing, with associated swearing the usual s**t and b*ggar chant.</p> <p><span>What Small Children Say (And Parents totally ignore!)</span></p> <p>En route to Manchester the girls are drawing and in a very clear voice, Scarlet says that Mimi has drawn testicles! Mimi corrects her saying they are balls, and they are red and yellow baubles. The two parents in the car pretend this conversation is not happening.</p> <p>On Christmas Day Grandad Keith somehow focus the three boys, aged 10, 11 and 12 on the word Dildo, I was rather expecting no response from them but the youngest one said it was boys bits, meat and two veg with batteries, to which my son adds they are sold in Ann Summers and girls use them to get happy. Three sets of parents sit in silence as Grandad laughs his socks off.</p> <p><span>Brownie Points</span></p> <p>You would think I would be up in the Number 1 spot with husband, he is now the proud owner of his BMW, gunmetal grey X5 with every extra gadget boy must have it gadget, we spent Christmas with his family  affectionately known by us non blood relatives as the mafia and I got him all the small items on his Christmas list. <br>But no it seems this does not warrant a thank you.. dam man.</p> <p>Well I can tell you next year we will be at home on Christmas day, I will wear my new Lulu Guiness slipper (huge thank you Lady Howard for these) put on my false eyelashes, open the Veuve Cliquot, have the cheesiest christmas music playing all day and I may even eat my lunch on a tray infront of the queen while the kids share a KFC bucket. A totally fuss free affair with not a christmas paper napkin in sight.</p> <p>(I had my first experience of one of these yesterday, and it was life changing I could be a KFC addict if it did not repeat on me for the remainder of the day)</p> <p><span>Did you see</span></p> <p>The Royle Family, I nearly wet my pants, cuppa soup and the turkey, but hey they looked happy! Gavin and Stacey I so loved the discovery of the gran behind the bar.</p> <p><span>New Year Resolutions</span></p> <p>Go to Gym regularly</p> <p>Arrange social life to be just that.. social</p> <p>Get published- Bright Girls Guide to Business</p> <p>Cook at least once a month something more challenging than fishfinger sandwich</p> <p>So it leaves me to say have a great New Year, 2009 is the year to do something different. Go get it girls.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/happy-families-5293391/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-11-12:/2008/11/12/ikea-thurrock-5025269/Loupie-Lou2008-11-12T18:56:04+01:002008-11-12T18:56:04+01:00 <p>I needed to get out today so Lady Howard in her pink, yes it really is pink car took me retailing in Kent. I slept alone again, bemused by a husband who cares one moment and hates the next.Ikea bag full of tutt.</p> <p>I brought a dress to go dancing in.. laughing as unlikely to go dancing this year and ever with husband. He is off to Milton Keynes to leaving do with lovely girl from office and is staying over... yeah well its pah for the course. Girl from office is sucker for cheap charm.</p> <p>I am actually going to the Groucho Club on business tomorrow, great wine, fantastic steak so will have a nice time.</p> <p>Life feels fairly bleak at the moment. thank god for my girlfriends most are unaware that my marriage is falling apart just think I am fed up and they are being great. Husband totally sucks.</p> <p>anyone thinking of marrying a mummies boy who is 42 and self centred don't they only get worse and worse and worse and worse.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/11/12/ikea-thurrock-5025269/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-11-01:/2008/11/01/saturday-and-it-is-raining-4966406/Loupie-Lou2008-11-01T16:00:15+01:002008-11-01T16:00:15+01:00 <p>I wont let the husband put the blame on me for their problems.I can't take responsibility for their behaviour. Yes, I do want to relieve him of his pain, but it won't help our relationship to be the fall guy. I am tryihng to prepare myself to express my anger in a calm, collected way or my comments will be swept under the rug and our problems will continue. I nearly throttle today, I have just cut up all the veg for supper and made myself a cup of tea, he is correct I did not offer him one, why did I not offer him one because I actually want him to move out. It's up to me to be the adult here. I must hold firm to my principles. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/11/01/saturday-and-it-is-raining-4966406/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-10-27:/2008/10/27/facebook-strange-feeling-4942395/Loupie-Lou2008-10-27T22:55:06+01:002008-10-27T22:55:06+01:00 <p>People say don't google yourself and dont facebook your husband, but as we are not linked and unlikely to be I did. How sad but when your trust gets this low you do. And there she is a blonde in a too tight dress Jane Hall, he is so transparent another fan.</p> <p>Do I really want to be with this man for another ten, maybe twenty years. Very difficult to answer that question tried to write a list of what I'd miss if he left, only one thing tea, tea every morning. Not a great reason to stay together. </p> <p>A friend asked me when was the last time he made me smile, i can remember August at Disney twirling me around in the hire buggy and I smiled. She said August is a longtime ago, has he not made you smile since. I looked at sincerely and said no, he makes me cry.</p> <p>Tomorrow thank god I go to work, a sanctuary where the coffee is fresh, the people listen to me and having lunch with one of my oldest friends. Distraction to keep me sane.</p> <p>I hope all of you are having a better time. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/facebook-strange-feeling-4942395/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-10-22:/2008/10/22/truce-and-thinking-time-4910952/Loupie-Lou2008-10-22T07:59:59+02:002008-10-22T07:59:59+02:00 <p>So I asked very quietly that the Husband leave, and I meant it. There is only so far a person can go. The car conversations, the furniture conversations all stopped and for once the penny dropped this was not a game.</p> <p>Currently we are talking and not about his new car, this morning we are taking the girls to look at a new school and this friday we may take an hour to go to a new bar together. These are all breaking news in our relationship.</p> <p>Its a calm place to be and their may even be future but it is very early days, can I cope with the husband long term I still can't answer that question. But for today it looks as though I can.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/10/22/truce-and-thinking-time-4910952/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-10-20:/2008/10/20/end-of-the-road-4901509/Loupie-Lou2008-10-20T15:33:14+02:002008-10-20T15:33:14+02:00 <p>I think anyone who reads my blog, will know I am in a loveless marriage. Well things got a whole lot worse recently:</p> <p>The husband, spent money from joint savings, moved money, went to test drive a new car with the girl from work, and paid his portion of our summer holiday from the savings pot, went to a gentlemens club and a friend dropped it into conversation, I picked up his cab bill from a night out. </p> <p>Our wedding anniversary came and went, with a card and some flowers.</p> <p>I have been overworked and undervalued for too long.</p> <p>Today at 6am husband was involved in a minor crash and did not tell me until 11.49 on an email where he was obsessing about the car he wants to buy.</p> <p>So I have asked him to leave, quietly and quickly.</p> <p>Even a new pair of shoes won't make this feel better.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/10/20/end-of-the-road-4901509/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-09-15:/2008/09/15/so-this-is-disney-electronic-response-a-bit-like-the-service-4732526/Loupie-Lou2008-09-15T20:49:38+02:002008-09-15T20:49:38+02:00 <p>Thank you for contacting us at the Walt Disney World® Resort during The<br> Year of a Million Dreams! </p> <p>Listening to your feedback is an important way that we sustain and<br> enhance the magic, and we thank you for taking the time to write to us.<br> We appreciate your comments and will make sure that they receive proper<br> attention.</p> <p>A member of our Executive Correspondence Team looks forward to<br> responding to you in the near future.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Executive Offices<br> Walt Disney World® Resort</p> <p>And so it goes on..... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/09/15/so-this-is-disney-electronic-response-a-bit-like-the-service-4732526/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-09-15:/2008/09/15/disney-bloody-disappointment-total-report-4732519/Loupie-Lou2008-09-15T20:47:55+02:002008-09-15T20:47:55+02:00 <p>So am back and have two minutes to cut paste my complaint...<br> The Polynesian</p> <p>A very dated 80's property on arrival we had to seek help with our baggage from the group of gossiping porters.</p> <p>Concierge</p> <p>3pmRooms not ready on arrival- waited over an hour with five children, all very hospitable given upgrade to 'Hawaii's gold cards. Gave credit card details here for blue cards then again for gold cards. We are given ‘First Timer Badges’ sadly no information on the hotel restaurants or anything of use to us in our visit. The girls who celebrated a 4th and 15th birthday sported badges</p> <p>Approx 4.30pm<br> Arrive at Hawaii concierge, cards do relate to booking wait another 1 hour and 30 minutes no record of upgrade, wait for new cards were offered orange juice.<br> They had no record of our Dinner booking. Our rooms in Hawaii were clean tidy but very dated. The lounge service is complimentary because in honesty its so bad you could not charge for it.<br> Becky on concierge was very pleasant, one of her colleagues went on about the fabulous chicken satay we could have in the lounge. The other colleague lectured the children at length about NOT leaving their toys in the bed, as they would go missing in the laundry.(Not terribly Disney) At no time did any one offer us information on dining for that evening. No information given about Character Breakfast! We did lose on the transportation bus to Disney a pink dolphin that has never been returned.</p> <p>Once in room at 6.30pm we missed out on the complimentary snacks in the lounge, could not get a dinner reservation in the hotel until gone 10.30pm ended up in the fast food area where again our cards did not work.</p> <p>Saturday 9th August</p> <p>PLEASE NOTE: Felicity’s 15th Birthday and we had 5 adult guests joining for the Polynesian Dinner Show. </p> <p>Saturday all up at 8am to get to Hollywood Disney to do rides early! </p> <p>Arrive at park 9am gold cards were not loaded with park entry so we queued this time in the wet for 45 minutes, more phone calls and computer we are given park day passes and one ride complimentary fast passes we eventually enter the park at 10.45am. (Total time on Park 5 hours! Four rides only for the older children) </p> <p>When we go to pay with dining plan in Hollywood we are overcharged our 7 meals register as 14 and no one sorts this out. </p> <p>We leave the park at 5pm as we still not have had confirmation of the Aloha meal. I am at the concierge desk for another hour, pay the guests 4- table of 12, explain we have 2 birthdays in the group am told to be in the 'line' at 7pm. </p> <p>I go up to shower at 5.30pm and get a knock at pm to sign another credit card slip and to be reminded to get in line early.</p> <p>Ridiculous concierge advise meant we queued with our guest with no drinks for an hour. We got in line at 7pm we went in at 8pm and our table had restricted viewing, the show was running late and the food was not hot. The audience departed before the end as the fireworks had started. The acuostics and sound are too loud and the show very dated.The food and show was not suitable for a 4 or 6 year old, one slept throughout the other ate nothing and was bored, the acoustics were appalling. Our guests from UK and Cuba were disappointed and I was embarrassed. We would have been better off at Planet Hollywood. </p> <p>The Photo though is fabulous! in Focus and of all our best friends. We enjoyed the hammocks on the beach and just being with friends.</p> <p>Sunday our card worked to get into Magic Kingdom but we supposedly had only 3 light meals and 5 snacks left so we paid for all our meals.</p> <p>All the staff were polite and smiley but we queued at conceirge or guest services for over 5 hours in just a two night stay.</p> <p>At no time to concierge offer ideas or help.</p> <p>We had our room keys changed no less than 4 times, my credit card was imprinted on no less than 5 occasions and now having received my credit card statement we did indeed pay for meals in the park that should have been in out dining plan.</p> <p>With five children and two birthdays I wanted this experience to be magical and it certainly wasn't.</p> <p>Sunday Evening Accommodation</p> <p>For room only we were quoted $604 a night so for our two rooms a total of $1,208- we went to the Best Western for $67 dollars a night, bigger swimming pool, happy helpful conceirge and not great feeling of rip off.</p> <p>Situation to date </p> <p>I have received the $500 refund from the concierge at Polynesian for the 5 hours of queueing and the problems with rooms/reservations. Having received my credit card statement I am now looking</p> <p>This two night stay cost us in excess of $4,000 dollars, our guests and my daughter were totally disappointed by the show on her 15th Birthday. Cold food, late start, missed the fireworks. </p> <p>Advice to people visiting Disney and staying on a resort hotel:</p> <p>Take your booking paperwork everywhere with you.<br> Book restaurants before arriving unless you want fast food every meal.</p> <p>Advice to people who have not booked save $500 dollars a night and stay off the Lake.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/09/15/disney-bloody-disappointment-total-report-4732519/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-08-04:/2008/08/04/family-holiday-in-florida-4539466/Loupie-Lou2008-08-04T06:44:15+02:002008-08-04T06:44:15+02:00 <p>It is 1am local time in sunny florida, would love to say have just got in from a night of dancing and fun, but hey ho am 44 married to 'the husband' and have five children. I can't sleep had some work emails to catch up with and after 10 days am ready to go home. Tomorrow I may get the retail i requested but it has been diluted to an afternoon not the whole day I asked for, bit like how I feel a diluted version of myself in this marriage.</p> <p><u>Haven Weymouth Bay<br></u><br>Pre US we headed off to Haven at Weymouth with the Browns, a much smaller camp than last years Devon experience. It was an easy five days we gave most of the entertainment a miss as the main room contained the stage, bar, shops, photo outlet and fast food outlet, once you had got over the chip smell, the sticky carpet and untalented performers aided by a bottle of the house plonk you could pass an evening their!</p> <p>We had a great time with a Kayak, in that we i mean the kids and Jo I have never been in one and have no intention of getting in one ... the see was a bit choppy. Our Gala dinner was very pleasant at the spyglass inn and we had an entertaining hour at Fantasy Island the pleasesure fun fair at happy hour where the kids did helter skelter, fell out with the men on the bumper cars and I played the 2p slide machine with the little girls.</p> <p>The most amusement was the hours hire we had of a decripit cycle 4 seater car thing, with a dodgy break only one set of working peddles and two screaming mothers in hot pursuit as the kids did their very best to ground the vehicle on the dips and curves of the park perimeter road.</p> <p>I was in touch with my gypsy in the caravan keeping it neater than a pin, after 4 nights I was glad to say good bye to the uncomfortable mattress, unpredicatable oven and erratic shower that scalded or froze me against its plastic sides.</p> <p><u>Miami</u></p> <p>I would love to write I wore my nice clothes and wandered the art deco district, sadly that is not the case my highlight was the hotel Miami Mojhito and the kids playing the piano in the foyer. The kids had a great time in the pool with all the inflatables and the newly purchased crocodile! </p> <p><u>Fort Myers<br></u><br>How could I have forgotten the monotony of Route 95 the endless everglades that go on for miles, 127 of them in total with not a croc in site. The kids got totally bored and the husband ranted at all on regular intervals.</p> <p>We find the house immediately it is a refurbed canal side, the pool is half the size it looked in the photos and the location is not really in the swing of things.</p> <p><u>Times Square<br></u><br>Tacky and dirty, overpriced fried food and tourist souvenir tat, guess who wore their white linen trouses and nice top far to sophisticated for muffin top central. Mmm not at all what I expected.</p> <p><u>Parrot Key<br></u><br>The one highlight to date this fab bar with live music touched all the holiday buttons, food good, cocktails live entertainment and other people.</p> <p><u>Hum drum holiday<br></u><br>The husband does not get it, yes he drives but here I am up in the morning loading the washing machine, unloading the dishwasher, feeding the kids, so far he has slapped some burgers on the BBQ and a couple of chicken breasts. I have rustled up no less than 6 cooked meal, breakfast every day and lunch at home. Tonight we went to passable beach resterant Anthonys - it had table cloths and was clean, the waiter was polite and service was good. Even the bill was not a shock. Husbandis worrying he may not have time to drink the 12 pack of beer he brought, i am worrying I may commit homicide before we get back to the UK.</p> <p><u>In my Dreams<br></u>I would like to get dressed up have the pedicure I planned, get my hairy legs waxed and hair done. The quick turnover from Haven to Miami meant I have had no me time for 4 weeks now and wall to wall family, way tooo much. I had planned to pick up some new glasses but the husbands total allergy to retail is stopping that.</p> <p><u>Tomorrow<br></u>We will all get dragged to the beach which in itself is beautiful but 6 of us dispite liberal spraying of every known insect repellant to mankind get bitten to death, I have now over 30 red whelts screaming at me.</p> <p>Only 4 days here then we are on the downward stretch to going home, at least i get to wear nice clothes to work and people appreciate me there.</p> <p>Feeling very sad today which is so silly for a woman of 44.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/08/04/family-holiday-in-florida-4539466/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-06-26:/2008/06/26/rubbish-service-john-lewis-4369131/Loupie-Lou2008-06-26T22:00:15+02:002008-06-26T22:00:15+02:00 <p>For some unknown reason this week was going to be a week of complaints. Now just 4 weeks ago I was totally delighted with my serious investment purchase of cream <strong>American Aid Saucepan</strong>, they looked fantastic. Within two weeks they were scratched but more worryingly the non stick was coming off. So this monday I phone John Lewis, after a fairly positive call, me not budging wanting a total exchange I jump into car to drive, please note any High Wycombe employee the 47 mile journey to your store. On arrival the manager agrees they are faulty so far so good, no apology but politeness.<br>Move into the frame 50+ head of kitchen area who is to help me select a replacement (NOT). </p> <p>Interogation begins, did you put them in the dishwasher yes, pointed out box clearly states they go in the dishwasher, did I stack them, did I use cheap oil, come on Mrs bloody bouquet they are saucepans to be cooked in. I stop the interogation and explain the husband saw some with a strainer lid effect, Assistant says never seen any here out stock changes weekly, points me to Le Creuset that weigh almost the same as I do. I wander around and have a yippee you silly old bat moment when I spot the Meyer saucepans I had described. I am then marched across the store carrying old and new saucepans to be interrogated again.</p> <p>Please note John Lewis, I do not make a habit of complaining, nor do I drive 90+ miles with a boot full of faulty saucepans for fun. Please note I also needed to buy a Kettle and Iron, but as the assistant in this area could do no more than point to a shelf in the distance and continued to talk about a BBQ at the weekend. YOU lost a sale. I got in my car and purchased both to the tune of £75  from Ed a very likeable helpful man at Asda.</p> <p>This John Lewis experience was not my first you may remember the miserable assistant in Peter Jones who tried to squash three fascinators into a carrier bag, and who was most put out when I pointed out she had one charged me too much and two I wanted a box!</p> <p>John Lewis get it sorted please, love your merchandise but your service sucks.</p> <p>On a positive note, we purchased a retro baumatic cream fridge from Harrods and two of the shelves broke, what a delight when I called they were polite apologised gave me a number. The girl who answered was fantastic, apologised and has organised the replacements to be dispatched for monday if they don't arrive call!</p> <p>Well bloody done Harrods and Baumatic you could teach John Lewis a lesson in service!!!!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/06/26/rubbish-service-john-lewis-4369131/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-06-24:/2008/06/24/jordan-processed-sausages-and-wellies-at-4356608/Loupie-Lou2008-06-24T13:45:19+02:002008-06-24T13:45:19+02:00 <p><u>Royal Ascot 2008 Opening Day</p> <p></u>Wear does a girl start. Ascot this year was superb. On the tuesday I was highlighted, nails applied and St Tropez plastered over all visible body parts. Squeezed the parts of my body that have not seen the gym in weeks were incarserated in my Suzanne and Trinny trim pants. Karen Millen swished overhead a bit of negotiation with the zip/flesh and i was fit to trot.</p> <p>Picnic in Car Park 7 with friends and then off to see the Queen. The stand is very civilised the expanses of wobbly flesh and breasts on high wires have been banished. The crowd is a vision of elegance and decorum.. but we are in the Royal Enclosure. The husband is exchanging betting tips with Eddie Jordan in the queue for a real bet!</p> <p><u>Friday 20th- Ascot at its Best</u></p> <p>6am I am up as I have an event for 180 at Thorpe Park, conference then on park team build. The car is loaded with champagne, first aid pack, picnic rugs 12, Cushions 65 red large , toiletries for the delegates and flowers. 7am check in the northern coaches have left to head down, all present and on board. Mini Exhibition set up , meeting pod inflated,sound system checked at 10.30am I dive into car to head back to Ascot.</p> <p>Friday the weather has turned cold so I drag out a dress and coast ensemble with sprigs of flowers. We have a table in the Ascot Grill which is a fantastic watching point for the day, our first celebrity spot is Jim Davidson so really didn't count, then we hit the big time Michael Owen well turned out and pleasant. Jordan has many personna but on Friday in the enclosure she looks beautiful in shades of brown silk and chats to my teenage daughter about Versace lip gloss a shared passion. The food is the real disappointment of the day, the ascot grill that last year had fabulous local produce beautifully presented on the plate, this year is a processed disaster the sausage is grey, 100% cereal the one sad tomato that has been tortured by the grill, my mustard mash looks like something dog walkers have to deal with on a daily basis.</p> <p>No Points Ascot Grill! To the rude Manageress go back to McDonalds they are missing you.</p> <p>However cakes and tea served in the Mill Reef Bar were great as was the company, Mrs Adam Helliker wearing a fabulous pill box hat and silk coat, entertained us no end as she critiqued the fashion of the day. </p> <p><u>Saturday the Last Day</p> <p></u>This was always set to be a little bit of a challenge, go to Windlesham pick up eggs from the farm, pick up boys, be ready for cab at 11am in time to meet guests at the Course. It had rained and our garden was sodden and the clouds looked full with more of the damn wet stuff. So emergency 'Wellie' mission to longacres:</p> <p>For Felicity- Designer Smartie <br>For Paula -Lovable Hearts<br>For Ellie- Cutsie Scottie Dogs<br>For Georgia- Scrummy Strawberries<br>For me- out of Africa Giraffe print</p> <p>When we arrived quite unexpectedley we had our five minutes of fame, photographers clicking like mad interviewed by the BBC. (Only regret my gold suit not on trend and I was suffering bad day hair)</p> <p><a href="http://gallery.sportinglife.com/Gallery_Detail/0,17732,13260_3718750,00.html"><u><a href="http://gallery.sportinglife.com/Gallery_Detail/0,17732,13260_3718750,00.html">http://gallery.sportinglife.com/Gallery_Detail/0,17732,13260_3718750,00.html</a></u></a></p> <p>So here I am four days later reminissing about a fantastic three days of friends, food and five whole minutes of fame! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/06/24/jordan-processed-sausages-and-wellies-at-4356608/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-05-23:/2008/05/23/time-for-a-change-or-am-i-just-to-tired--4213782/Loupie-Lou2008-05-23T21:20:27+02:002008-05-23T21:20:27+02:00 <p>I went into this relationship, that grew into a marriage with high hopes, now I think may be I need to accept it's a match not meant to be. We are disappointed in each other and can't meet on an emotional or spiritual level. </p> <p>I have worked my butt off today, but a customer needed a proposal, so managed to pick up kids feed six for lunch, then 9 for tea, pizza then pudding, then sweep up wash up then two curries from scratch Korma for the kids and Jalfrezi for us. For your information husband all of the vegetables did not peel themselves.I washed the floor once, swept it 11 times for my own amusement I kept score today and wondered how many calories I burnt off.</p> <p>When the head of the household came home he spots one grain of rice on the stair carpet, the carpet which for your information we inherited and is knackered. Husband goes into one, doesn't notice how inspite fo 7 children in the house its clean tidy the table is laid pretiily with candles and napkins, glasses for supper not a bloody grain of rice or smear of chocolate from the childrens tea in sight. He ignores this and sets about scrubing at some old dry paint on the table as I am dishing up. I ask him not too, but hey he is being reasonable he can do this and ruin my table setting, mental note not to bother.</p> <p>Would be nice if he noticed ME, you know the person he married... oh but I forget that was all a set up. I am crying this evening not for him or us, but because tonight when he did his ridiculous I am the head of the household shouting in his bullying way at the kids including two guest children Flissy stood up for me, and he shouted at her. I am living with a selfish nighthtmare of a man. I am past caring about him but I have five children to consider I am being pushed into taking action.</p> <p>I am very easygoing and flexible , I don't hurt at his treatment so used to it now seven years and I feel numb.</p> <p>Do I continue this charade that's long past its sell by date. Will I be doing myself a big favour by accepting it's time to move on. </p> <p>We moved house to make it better, and guess what its not its not different not a jot.</p> <p>I am taking the kids to my Dads in Manchester this weekend I just need to feel this mess can get better .</p> <p>Sorry to be so wet on a friday X Heres hoping all of you have a great bank holiday weekend.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/05/23/time-for-a-change-or-am-i-just-to-tired--4213782/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-05-14:/2008/05/14/work-can-be-so-offensive-at-times-4171435/Loupie-Lou2008-05-14T08:18:15+02:002008-05-14T08:18:15+02:00 <p> I know that It isn't the end of the world if a boss misunderstands you in every decision that you make. The occasional difference of opinion can add zing to your performance but this is becoming a pail, I need to look at the way you communicate and work out why I am by this one person being so often misunderstood. It is entirely possible that I am not relaying messages well enough for others to perceive me as you I wish them to.</p> <p>Well take yesterday, I checked out Thorpe Park Conference Centre, sorted the AV requirements, drove from there to the Chessington Holiday Inn which offers exceptional value and standards. Then drove from there to Langley, so nicely nicknamed asbo central to sort several design projects with an agency. On return I am priveledged to an email that tells me a project has been taken off of me, so the new person can write a plan, I had one but as the event is November felt we needed to get the foundations right first.</p> <p>Only the consultant in all this and now officially 18 days in this role. Believe me I have made a difference.</p> <p>I have a day off so am going to the gym as I still have these 13lbs to shift that crept on and made themselves very comfortable around my waist!</p> <p>Determined not to stew about the situation at current work place will focus on doing what is in my remit and exceeding all expectations! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/05/14/work-can-be-so-offensive-at-times-4171435/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-05-12:/2008/05/12/monday-bloody-monday-probably-not-allowe-4165826/Loupie-Lou2008-05-12T22:20:04+02:002008-05-12T22:20:04+02:00 <p>This is how the day went, wake up 6am normal, put on washing machine make tea. Wake up kids 6.30am motivate to eat cereal, chase the young ones into uniform, have shower without injuring myself. (Dodgy shower head..prone to falling on me) Drop off Windlesham, Suninngdale and Ascot then catch train miracle 8.23 get seat, air conditioning working but guess what the signals are playing up.... or is it just that half of Network south threw a sick day as sun was shining. Arrive office 10am not happy.</p> <p>Then it as if  the new boss tries to burst my bubble every time I share a new idea or how the plan was meant to be. I have tonight tried to get to the root of the problem. Phoned and then spent the whole evening justifying a project that was unsupported from the offset.</p> <p>I am a Consultant coming to end of current contract, have a few concrete successes to state in next role but can already feel the scape goat mode, L was doing that, I told L, hey come on guys I have recruited three people to replace just 'me' who was doing it all plus managing several conferences along the way. </p> <p>Now will stop moaning, this role has introduced me to some fabulous people all commited to success but along the way I have met some sloathes, snakes and fly by nights.</p> <p>I guess that is why I started writing the Bright Girls Guide to Business.</p> <p>Rule One: Address a problem head on clearly with a solution. This is what I did, the goal posts moved significantly and I adjusted my plan of action to deal immediately with the issue. NO rudeness, the facts where we are, why no blame, and where we are now heading.</p> <p>I had to count to ten at one point as it did become playground, like he said, she said I didn't know. Why is it business people in a new situation behave like the three wise monkeys see no, hear no, say no...<br>fear I guess. </p> <p>Tomorrow is Tuesday, Venue Check Thorpe Park, got to get my gobos in order, and yes I am up at 6am again.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/05/12/monday-bloody-monday-probably-not-allowe-4165826/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-05-06:/2008/05/06/muffin-top-alert-4140454/Loupie-Lou2008-05-06T21:22:39+02:002008-05-06T21:22:39+02:00 <p>The sun took me by surprise this weekend, it meant revealinga  rather larger me to the general public than in previous seasons. I would appear to have developed a dough like extra waist band, so politely referred to by Johny Vaughn as a Muffin Top. I am bemused as to how the post christmas kilo has morphed into a significant muffin roll of dough that does over shoot the top of my jeans and creates mounds in my t-shirts where mounds should not be.</p> <p>Diet Day One</p> <p>Plan<br>Special K<br>Jacket Potato at Pub<br>Home Made Vegetable soup</p> <p>ACTUAL<br>Cheerios ( size zero resident teenage daughter had eaten the Special K and replaced the empty box)<br>Pub Lunch no jacket Potatos- Club Sandwich with chips not a lot of salad, did walk to the pub...and fed some of the chips to the ducks.<br>Chocolate Eclair- did not eat the shiny chocolate this was stuck to packet<br>Two slices of toast with crunchy peanut butter.</p> <p>Tomorrow</p> <p>Plan<br>Cheerios<br>Gym Spinning Class<br>Soup <br>Lots of water</p> <p>I am embarassingly a gold member at Weight Watchers but after 15 plus years of membership I should not have to be weighed in and then listen to some woman holding up miniscule bags of portion sizes and giving tips on how to make celery interesting, please god celery and salad is boring.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/05/06/muffin-top-alert-4140454/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-03-31:/2008/03/31/fabulous-lunch-against-all-odds-3977004/Loupie-Lou2008-03-31T21:29:18+02:002008-03-31T21:39:08+02:00 <p>Last friday had been booked and in the diary for months, the husband was meant to be doing childcare and I was  to be going to work then for a business lunch at The Capitol in Knightsbridge, 2 well deserved mitchelin stars of gorgeous hotel, right on Harrods doorstep. I had almost memorised the menu, asparagus with soft egg, chicken with double fried chips, fabulous wine list.</p> <p>And then the day before:</p> <p>The husband has to go Kent...Grandma to the rescue.<br> Late night long call Uncle John who is very poorly has now got pneumonia and its not good... friday morning he has rallied around<br> There are serious problems at Clapham Junction ... I used the underground.</p> <p>Determined to make the office and the lunch date, I shower jump into my puccini bright blue dress and fishnets with boots, my killer cannot be worn in the rain shoes are in one of my best boutique show off carrier bags.</p> <p>I am bouyant and excited. I get to work just after nine, and keep my coat on you see I am not a coloured dress type of girl at work, I have and wear 16 varieties of formal black dress. Last fridays number was embellished with large black sequins, I was also drenched in Prada classic perfume, the fishnet tights caused to my total amusement,excitement in some of the older office males.</p> <p>Jump into cab, change jewelry and slip on my killer heels. It feels like playing truant from school, my two colleagues are as giggly as I am and out every stylish boss is waiting for us in the small bar. The champagne is chilled to perfection, the rose are gorgeous, the food looked great and was fantastic.</p> <p>It was so lovely to escape for just three hours of lunch in lovely surroundings with wonderful people, I could hear myself laughing.</p> <p>Like cinderella the dream ended 4pm dash for tube, grab car pick up neighbour head to camberley to see Fliss in Cats. Seated in the front row of the theatre with my fishnets, killers heels and obviously best going out dress I felt like a star of Sex in the City who landed slap bang in the middle of an episode of shameless. Overdressed of Bagshot.</p> <p>Flissy danced fantastically, Jane and I clapped for her the classiest kitten on the stage, in fact so loud the woman next to us made embarrasing noises. I threw her a my daughter will be star look. (backed up by the knowledge she gets it all that rythym from me.)</p> <p>So Friday was a success, and I read today that yesterday is ones reputation, so I was a lady that lunched and today is ones future, well the future is looking a bit bleak but my reputation is immaculate</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/03/31/fabulous-lunch-against-all-odds-3977004/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk,2008-03-25:/2008/03/25/silly-old-bag-all-of-a-teenage-quiver-3940030/Loupie-Lou2008-03-25T22:09:38+01:002008-03-25T22:09:38+01:00 <p>Now not sure whether it is the Ex's wedding, but am in a bit of  a strange reflective mood. Was based in an office today with no internet access which in itself made me twitchy. Listened to various conversations relating to one of the girls weekend, broken phone, lunch with friend and how we should use existing badges for staff with the old company logo on.</p> <p>So my mobile rings, nothing strange in that the voice at the end of the phone says its Dean, I immediately go teenage wobbly, you know the its him feeling. (How totally stupid) The first love of my life over 30 year ago was called Dean . I asked the caller to ring back at 2pm, it was 10 minutes while I luxuriated in the fact that possibly (NOT) he had still carried a flame for me all these years, of course he hadn't. The Dean on the phone was a sales guy trying to sell me team build activity for a meeting I am planning. Illusion shattered back down to earth BUMP. BUMP. Fourty four years old ...mmmm.</p> <p>Today was a day of low productivity, the spot on my face seems to be the only thing that has grown and could be productive. I signed off the design for a new badge, wrote 100 words of copy, spoke to several suppliers and discussed at length why I don't think that supplying an office with matching polo shirts will improve the moral, work ethic and god forbid productivity. </p> <p>Advice of the day stock up on good wine before the budget hits the shelves. (Am seriously off South African red to high in alcohol, to fruity and gives me a killer headache)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://womanofwindlesham.blog.co.uk/2008/03/25/silly-old-bag-all-of-a-teenage-quiver-3940030/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>