Well, half my working week is over and I've managed to get a lot done today. We had a meeting with the people who want to rent out the gym space from us (it's the Church people again) so hopefully by April things should all be sorted and we can breathe a sigh of relief that it's been sub-let. Being in business at the moment is hard work, I must admit. Nothing comes easily and we have to be constantly thinking up new ways to get people through the door.
Tomorrow we're off to a Trade Show in Warwickshire, one that is specifically aimed at our industry so it should be better that Leisure Industry Week in September which normally covers the whole range of leisure including gyms, swimming pools and farms. I'm looking forward to getting out and meeting people we know from the business.
Sophie and her friend Elise walked over to work after school and stayed with me until it was time to leave. The weather today has been foggy and overcast and the promised sun never really materialised. At home I sat down with a glass of wine and watched the racing at Cheltenham. Keith had three bets and one of his chosen horses, Hurricane Fly, won the Champion Hurdle which meant that he'd covered his money today! My horse, Khyber Kim, came nowhere so I'm glad I only had a £5 each way bet on him!
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Wiped out!
I was shattered when I got home last night. We'd had a busy day cleaning at work but the previous night I'd slept really badly, so after taking Keith to the pub I went and had a long soak in the bath. He'd booked a table for us for dinner, and on reflection it was the worst thing I could have done as it just made me even more sleepy!
Dinner was lovely, though, and we had a good meal. It was heaven to get home, get ready for bed and have an early night!
Dinner was lovely, though, and we had a good meal. It was heaven to get home, get ready for bed and have an early night!
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Girlie day!
We had a very pleasant day at Milton Keynes with no stress about parking or crowds, a delicious breakfast and some headway made on the holiday shopping. The girls went off after we had something to eat and we later bumped into them in John Lewis where they'd been winding up the sales assistants by trying on hats and "pretending we were going to the Royal Wedding," the little monkeys. Sophie had spent all her money and managed to get some more out of me for something to drink.
We left early-ish, took Susie home and then headed back in much better weather than we set out in this morning. The grey, lumpy sky had given way to fluffy white clouds and sunshine which was a treat. I suggested to Sophie we go and try and catch the sunset on our cameras, but by 6pm we were both settled at home so we stayed put.
It's been a real relaxing three days and I think this new working week will definitely be here to stay!
We left early-ish, took Susie home and then headed back in much better weather than we set out in this morning. The grey, lumpy sky had given way to fluffy white clouds and sunshine which was a treat. I suggested to Sophie we go and try and catch the sunset on our cameras, but by 6pm we were both settled at home so we stayed put.
It's been a real relaxing three days and I think this new working week will definitely be here to stay!
Saturday 12 March
Yesterday was pleasantly busy. After a relaxed start and a family breakfast (for once we all sat around the table together) Sophie and I did some cooking. Following a new recipe always sends me into a panic, but our sticky toffee pudding worked out really well and was moist and light. We also made a chocolate mousse a la Raymond Blanc for dessert on Sunday night. While Sophie went to get ready for her sleepover at Susie's house, I tidied up the front garden which was full of dead leaves. I strimmed the grass verge and it gave me a nice opportunity to chat with Sarah and Liam who shocked me with the price of their son's car insurance. He passed his driving test last week and one quote was for £9000! Ye Gods!!! I'd better start saving now!
Mum and I dropped Sophie off at Susie's house and went to a nearby garden centre for a cup of tea. We managed to resist buying baskets of primroses and pansies and wicker baskets full of daffodils that will probably only last a couple more days. It's still too early to think of spring bedding plants - that will have to wait until late April after we come back from our hols!
Mum and I dropped Sophie off at Susie's house and went to a nearby garden centre for a cup of tea. We managed to resist buying baskets of primroses and pansies and wicker baskets full of daffodils that will probably only last a couple more days. It's still too early to think of spring bedding plants - that will have to wait until late April after we come back from our hols!
Friday, 11 March 2011
Hewlett Packard - their Customer Service sucks!
Following on from the problems I've been having with Sophie's laptop, I called HP's Head Office today to see if I could get any help from them. The laptop was just 14 months old and even though I'd bought it in November 2009 for a Christmas present, the warranty ended in June 2010, which was the first problem.
After being sent around and around in circles I ended up speaking to a very nice woman called Alexa who listened to my story and put me through to the Complaints Department. On hearing that the laptop was out of warranty (I didn't really stand a chance with that, did I?) she told me there was nothing she could do. I calmly explained that I wanted it repaired free of charge, which by law I was entitled to as it was not of satisfactory quality. Nothing would budge her. When I asked if I could speak to her supervisor she said the person wasn't available and wouldn't take calls. We then had a long conversation with me asking why no-one else could take my call (even in Head Office) and her droning on like a robot that as the machine was out of warranty there was nothing she could do. I promised her that I would be taking it further and then called the Citizens Advice Bureau who put me in touch with a very helpful man from Consumer Direct.
The main thing to remember is that even if you've bought something and it's out of warranty you have up to six years to either have it repaired or replaced or get a refund if what you've bought is not of "satisfactory quality". (Sale of Goods Act 1979) I'm also covered by my credit card company as well, so that's another thing to remember. I reasonably asked HP for a repair, they wouldn't hear of it and wouldn't help me at all which I find is unacceptable for a company of their size.
So, my next step on Monday is to write to their Head Office, tell them I have rights and ask for them to repair it. If they can't do that then I'll ask for a replacement or, failing that, a refund taking into account we've had just one year's use. I've already spent £90 on a repair and I certainly can't afford to replace it at the moment. Why should Sophie suffer? Grrrrrr!
After being sent around and around in circles I ended up speaking to a very nice woman called Alexa who listened to my story and put me through to the Complaints Department. On hearing that the laptop was out of warranty (I didn't really stand a chance with that, did I?) she told me there was nothing she could do. I calmly explained that I wanted it repaired free of charge, which by law I was entitled to as it was not of satisfactory quality. Nothing would budge her. When I asked if I could speak to her supervisor she said the person wasn't available and wouldn't take calls. We then had a long conversation with me asking why no-one else could take my call (even in Head Office) and her droning on like a robot that as the machine was out of warranty there was nothing she could do. I promised her that I would be taking it further and then called the Citizens Advice Bureau who put me in touch with a very helpful man from Consumer Direct.
The main thing to remember is that even if you've bought something and it's out of warranty you have up to six years to either have it repaired or replaced or get a refund if what you've bought is not of "satisfactory quality". (Sale of Goods Act 1979) I'm also covered by my credit card company as well, so that's another thing to remember. I reasonably asked HP for a repair, they wouldn't hear of it and wouldn't help me at all which I find is unacceptable for a company of their size.
So, my next step on Monday is to write to their Head Office, tell them I have rights and ask for them to repair it. If they can't do that then I'll ask for a replacement or, failing that, a refund taking into account we've had just one year's use. I've already spent £90 on a repair and I certainly can't afford to replace it at the moment. Why should Sophie suffer? Grrrrrr!
Oh dear!
Hmmm...I haven't updated this since Tuesday which is a bit naughty of me! I did sit down to write something last night but inspiration wouldn't come and I would hate to write something that was boring so I left it and went to bed. The main reason that nothing has really happened is that I've been busy working, cramming my hours into four days so I can have Friday off. I must admit it was great to wake up this morning knowing I had the day off, although I have been busy with housework!
Sadly, we heard last night that Keith's sister was taken ill yesterday and this morning she passed away. Although she hadn't been well for some time, it was still a shock for Keith and his brother that she's gone. I expect the funeral will be some time next week, and again, it only seems that we meet up with our families at sad occasions now. It will be a long day for us as all Keith's family live near Durham in the North East of England but we will go and support Keith's brother and his nephews and niece.
So, today has been spent catching up with housework - changing all the beds and giving the bedrooms a really good clean so I don't have so much to do over the weekend. Sophie wants to do some cooking tomorrow and then she is off to a friend's house for a sleepover. On Sunday we're planning on going to Milton Keynes for breakfast and some shopping as this holiday is looming ever nearer! Mikey needs some new clothes and shoes but I think I'll have to take him with me as he is growing so fast I daren't buy clothes without him there. I can see my bank balance getting a bashing over the next few weeks! Let's just hope I win the Euromillions Lottery tonight!
Sadly, we heard last night that Keith's sister was taken ill yesterday and this morning she passed away. Although she hadn't been well for some time, it was still a shock for Keith and his brother that she's gone. I expect the funeral will be some time next week, and again, it only seems that we meet up with our families at sad occasions now. It will be a long day for us as all Keith's family live near Durham in the North East of England but we will go and support Keith's brother and his nephews and niece.
So, today has been spent catching up with housework - changing all the beds and giving the bedrooms a really good clean so I don't have so much to do over the weekend. Sophie wants to do some cooking tomorrow and then she is off to a friend's house for a sleepover. On Sunday we're planning on going to Milton Keynes for breakfast and some shopping as this holiday is looming ever nearer! Mikey needs some new clothes and shoes but I think I'll have to take him with me as he is growing so fast I daren't buy clothes without him there. I can see my bank balance getting a bashing over the next few weeks! Let's just hope I win the Euromillions Lottery tonight!
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
New hours
This week I've started my new hours at work - four long days and then Friday off. I'm hoping it will give me more time at home to do things. I suppose you could call it more work/life balance!
We've had beautiful weather today, but it's been cold and everything was frosty on the way to work this morning. It just reminds me that Spring is not really here yet although a lot of daffodils and tulips are starting to flower and things are looking much brighter. Another month and things really will be different!
We've had beautiful weather today, but it's been cold and everything was frosty on the way to work this morning. It just reminds me that Spring is not really here yet although a lot of daffodils and tulips are starting to flower and things are looking much brighter. Another month and things really will be different!
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