Picnics, Lakes and an Army of Ducks!

Well well time for the weekly update (i'm sure you've all been anxiously waiting for!).

So last Monday was a good day at work because Derek Burton and his PA Janet Brown were coming to speak to us all individually. Last time it was only Derek that came in and he spoke to us as a group, but this time it was to get to us a little bit better!

They arrived in the afternoon and after providing them with drinks, they spoke to Dave and Peter for 30mins before sending us in one at a time. I was to go first (as i was just outside the door!) and it was supposed to be an 'informal' chat but yet i got the impression that it was an interview, the way they sat there and the way they asked me questions to be honest i felt a little uncomfortable. They asked me about what i did before i came to PD Architects and how i would like to progress in the future. They asked about what i do for PD Architects etc etc. I was in there for over half an hour talking and chatting away.

They seemed very friendly and they listened to all that i had to ask and say. After i had got of my meeting/interview i was elected to call everyone else down one by one!

The day went flying by but i was glad as i wanted to go home and tell Kieron what had happened (he loves gossip even if he doesn't admit it!).

Tuesday again was a good, relaxing day. I didn't do much apart from sort some stuff out upstairs for the lads. That evening me and dad were going for a meal for dad's birthday,which was the Sunday before. He picked me up just gone 7.30pm and we decided where to go.

We went to a lovely little country pub called the Fleur De Lys in Lapworth, i have been there once before and remembered how lovely it was and i wasn't let down this time. The food is really nice and not too expensive either. Dad decided to have the chicken pie and i had lamb cutlets with mash and gravy it was delicious! We had a couple of drinks before heading off home.

Wednesday i had the day off from work as British Gas were coming round to replace our electric meter, but they had advised me that an enginner would call between 12pm and 5pm so it meant i had to stay in all day! I had a shower in the morning and tidied the place up a little and then sat and started to burn some cd's for Rosey. I was getting very bored and felt very lonely so i texted Rosey and invited her round.

She got to mine for just gone 11am, we sat and had a chat (whilst Faye was trying to get Rosey's attention by jumping up at her from the back of the sofa!). We watched the tv for abit and had a baco sarnie before deciding that we would start a F.R.I.E.N.D.S marathon, and just as i got by box set out the British Gas man arrived!!!

I told him what was happening and had a look and then he started to change to meter. He was only there for half an hour (thank god) before he packed up his tools and went. I phoned Kieron to tell him British Gas had been and gone.

Me and Rosey then decided we felt a bit peckish, so we went down to Sainsbury's and bought two little apple pies and some custard and then went back to mine. Rosey set up the dvd player whilst i was heating the pies and custard.

We got through half of series 1 on F.R.I.E.N.D.S before Rosey had to go home. I tidied up a little bit more round the flat and then continued to watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S. for most of the evening

Thursday was a boring day at work, again there wasn't much to do apart from there was loads of post at the end of the day! Thursday evening was spent watching tv mainly catching up with Eastenders!

Friday went really quick at work, i had alot of small, little jobs to do which seemed to take up the entire day. I walked into town to get a couple of games for Kieron which he has been waiting ages for and i also decided to buy myslef a new pair of sunglasses. The ones i bought last year were quite sporty and i took them skiing with me, but when i got them home one of the arms broke off! So it was time for another pair, i went into Dorothy Perkins and tried some on and then i found them and also at a bargain price of £7!

Friday evening Kieron spent the night playing his new games and i watched tv/F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Saturday i got up and had a shower and tidied the flat up a bit beofre going to my mums as usual. Nan had abought a gateux for us to ahve with our afternoon wine! Gareth had returned from his holiday in Turkey, he was very tanned (git!) and he was showing us his pictures and vids - seemed like they had fun!

I left just before 5pm as me and Kieron were going out for Steve's birthday. We met up with Steve and Natalie at the Cotteridge Village Inn just gone 6pm we had a couple of drinks there before going over to the Three Horse Shoes in Stirchley to meet up with Steve's brother Andy and his girlfriend Becky.

We got there for 7.30pm and sat outside in the beer garden. Andy and Becky got there dead on 8pm but they also had a group of people with them. Andy had invited his band mates and girlfriends along! We had no idea who they were and they didn't even speak to us for the entire evening (miserable sods!)

We went to an Indian Restaurant just down the road called Bengal Chaa, which we had been to before. The evening went ok, me, Kieron, Steve and Natalie were left talking amongst, a little bit uncomfortable but we got through the evening.

After the meal the four of us decided to head back to the flat, we sat around talking and laughing (about what i can't remember but at one point Kieron was crying with laughter!!).

It was getting late so Steve and Natalie got a taxi home.

Sunday was a relaxing day, me and Kieron both felt a little queezy after the indian the night before. We sat in the living room watching tv before going to Sainsbury's to get the shopping done. It was quite quiet in Sainsbury's which was surprising but it also meant that we got the shopping done faster.

When we got home we started cooking a Sunday lunch. My nan had bought us a shoulder joint of lamb so we had that with the usual stuff - it was delicious!

Later that evening i went down to nans for tea, we watched tv but i was very bored and still not feeling that good!

I went home and sat with Kieron for abit before going to bed!

Monday (yesterday!) the last Bank Holiday this year!! Me, Emily, Jim and Rosey we going out for the day. We decided we would take a picnic and go to Shustoke Reservoir, near Coleshill.

I got over to Rosey's for 11am and we headed over to Emily's. As we were going past Solihull Ice Rink, Emily texted Rosey to say that they wouldn't be able to make the time of 11.30 and would see us at 12pm!!! So we continued on our way over to Emily's and decided to go down to the lake just down the road from Emily's house. We got there for 11.20 and walked down the side of the lake. We watched the ducks and geese and then found the Swans. We sat and watched them for a bit but were getting abit cold so headed back towards to the car.

We also decided to ring Emily to see how far away they were, unfortunatley they were still running late and said they would back at home around 12.30!

We got back to the car and listened to some music, as we sat there we suddenly noticed a bunch of pigeons walking towarsds us, followed by geese and seagulls. It felt like we were under attack!

It wasn't long before Emily and Jim met us at the lake, so we quickly nipped back to Emily's to drop my car off, jumped into Jim's car and then we headed over to Asda to pick up the food! Well that was an adventure in itsself as Jim kept throwing random items into the trolley, it was really funny (although i don't Emily was too impressed!). We soon at the self checkout and away we were.

We got to Shustoke Reservoir and found a picnic table, it was a really nice picnic, we had bought a fresh cooked chicken from Asda so we had that, with cheese topped baps, salad, crisps and then we had chocloate chip cookies, muffins and mini chocolate topped doughnuts which we saved for later. We also had a bottle of Rosé wine and lemonade to make spritzers as well!

We let our food go down and then decided to walk around the reservoir. It's very pretty with the boats and swans, which we watched for awhile before going back to the car. We decided it was getting a little bit chilly so we sat in the car with our spritzers and goodies! We stayed for about 30mins and then headed off home!

We got to Emily's for about 5.30pm, we collected our things and me and Rosey left. I dropped Rosey home and then got back myself for about 6.30pm.

For the rest of the evening i watched Kieron play his xbox before watching tv and then going to bed!

And i think that is it for this weeks blog, so until next time 'taraa-a-bit'

Never Say Never

Hello there peeps

Well another update for you all and i'm sorry to say it's only going to short as i haven't had a lot happening this!!

So last Monday at work - nothing happened. No really, nothing. The phones were quiet, the work was slow so i pretty much sat at my desk doing sod all!

Monday evening me and Kieron watched tv and that was about it!

So on with Tuesday (i told you this would be short). Work was the same, not alot happening, so i just sat at my desk trying to look busy (i don't know how i get away with it!). At lunch i walked into town to get my grandad's and dad's birthday prezzies!

Tuesday evening was another evening watching tv - i know so exciting!

Wednesday was a really really really really really BORING day at work (ask Rosey!) - there was absolutley nothing happening, the phones were quiet, the filing had been done, the lads hadn't got anything for me to do so i had to do random things like sharpen my pencils, water the plants and make a family out of blue tak!!!!

Wednesday evening was nice as it was my grandad's birthday. We popped round for a couple of hours to give him his birhtday prezzies. Nan had bought some cakes and Grandad opened the drinks. Me and Gaz bought him a nice watch and mum bought him some aftershave! We had a giggle and a chat and left about 9pm as Gaz was going out.

I got home and Kieron was watching Big Brother so i sat and watched it with him before going to bed!

Thursday was still quiet at work, I couldn't wait for 5.30pm to come! I got home and Kieron had done my favourite - lasagne and chips.

I got ready to go out, as i was taking Natalie to the pub with Rosey and Dan. When i saw Natalie last week she was telling me about how she can't go out very much 'cos of the kiddies so i promised her that i would take her out one evening! I picked Natalie up at 7.45pm and then made my way to the Red Lion in Earlswood (we decided to go somewhere different instead of the Reservoir!). Natalie was a bit nervous and i was a bit worried that she might not get involved with the conversation as she can be a little shy at times. But the evening went well, Natalie was having a good old laugh with Rosey and a good night was had by all. In fact we having such a good time that we were there till closing, Kieron rang me to see where i was! We left at 11pm and i dropped Natalie home, she had a good time so i said i would invite her again when Emily and Jim could join us!

I got home for 11.25pm and Kieron had already gone to bed - bless!

Friday was a little bit more lively at work but nothing fantastic. On my way home i picked up a bottle wine for me and Kieron. Kieorn was on his xbox for most of the night but i decided to watch Scarface! I had never seen it up until this point - it's one of the most famous films ever and i just wanted to watch it to say i've seen it! Kieron warned me it would be violent and he wasn't wrong but i still enjoyed it. Al Pacino once again plays an amazing part and i think if it wasn't for him i probably would have turned it off!

Saturday me and Kieron tidied and cleaned up the flat before i went round to mums as usual to see nan and grandad. Gaz wasn't there as he had gone to Turkey for the week. We had a natter and had our afternoon wine. I don't know how but nan, grandad and mum were discussing pubs they used to go to and where they were - of course the discussion ended up in an argument and me on the internet finding out where the places were to end the argument.

Whilst doing so Kieron phoned me and asked me if i fancied goin gout somewhere for a meal and then randomly suggested we find The Gate Hangs Well (just after we had been discussing it!). I found the address and directions on the internet no probs. So i said my goodbye's and went home to get changed and we set off. It took us just over 30 mins to get there and it's not that hard to find. It's a nice little country pub on the corner of a crossroads. We got our drinks and found a table to sit at. The menu is a very long menu and the prices aren't what you would expect but for what you pay you get large meals and excellent quality. For starters we both had chilli nachos and then for main, Kieron had the fish and i had steak and chips. The food was excellent and really delicious. We both very full so we stayed for another drink and then headed off home.

I watched tv for a bit while Kieron logged onto his xbox, when randomly someone knocked the door, i was already in my pj's by then so Kieron opened the door for me. It was Rosey and Dan! Rosey wanted to drop round some blank cd's for me to copy a load of albums for her for when she goes down to Gloucester in two weeks!!!! They stayed for about an hour before they headed off as it was getting late.

Kieron came to join join for a bit but then went to bed!

Sunday it was my dad's birthday - me and kieron went shopping in the morning and then we went over to Choices in Cotteridge for Kieron to have a look at any games they had, but there was nothing Kieron was interested in and we went home. We unloaded the shopping and then i went down to my nans where dad was to give him his prezzies, it was bout 3pm when i got down there and i decided to stay there for the afternoon as i was only going back alter for tea.

We watched some tv for a bit before Aunty Jan, Lydia and Rachel came down as well.. We had a nice evening, most of it was me and Lydia catching up on stuff as we haven't seen each other for ages!! It was almost 9pm and i decided to call it an evening so i said my goodbyes and went home. Kieron was watching the Bourne Identity which had just started so we watched some of that before going to bed!

And that was my week, sorry it wasn't very fulfilling but i have more things happening next week so i will see you then!

Too Much Alcohol?.....Never!

Hello, hello

Well it's that time again - my weekly update!

So last Monday and i thought work would be dull - but it wasn't. The day went by very quickly, Dave didn't come in until the afternoon and Pete was busy upstairs for most of the day. I had a few bits and bobs to do but i was on the phone all day!!

Monday evening i came home and Kieron was in the garden with Faye. Our little cat has been vaccinated so she is alllowed outside but she hasn't been "done" yet as she is too young and we don't want a kitten litter on our hands so we still keep her indoors, but have recently been spending some time with her in the garden so that she can get her scent on everything.

Tuesday was a great day at work - it was one of the guy's (Tony's) 60th birthday and he bought cakes in for everybody. I did some filling for the morning and then lunchtime came and Tony announced that he would take people to the pub for a drink -excellent! So we all went next door to the Tarnished Halo, we were all nattering away with our drinks and Mike told us it was 2pm (end of lunch) so we all finished our drinks but as we were all getting ready to go, Peter (who's now Chief Executive) said "Does anybody fancy another drink?", we all turned and looked at Pete as if he had lost his marbles and then we started looking amongst ourselves as nobody knew what to say until Paul decided to break the silence by sitting down and said "Yes!" who was follows by me and Adam and everybody else. So Pete went up and got another round in. We were all still speechless - Pete has never done this before!!!

So we all had another drink and a natter, but when we had all finished we went back to the office and it was nearly 3pm!!! Woohoo! I had a load of messages on the answering machine. So i made everybody teas and coffees (mainly coffees to sober us all up!) and got on with the rest of the day.

On my way home from work i called into Bullring and had a quick look round the shops for Kieron he wanted a new shirt for Friday as we were going with my work for Dave's retirement party and he wouldn't have time to come into town. I found him this white, fitted shirt with thin blue lines on it and some light pair of jeans to go with it. I got them home and Kieron loved them. We spent the night just chilling and watching tv.

Wednesday Tony came in with left over birthday cake - which was great and really delicious! Even though i hadn't got alot to do at work the day went by quite quickly which was really great! I got home and Kieron had cooked me my favourite - lasagne and chips! Mmmmm it was delicious!

Thursday at work was boring i still hadn't got anything to do! I found odd little things but it wasn't enough to keep me going all day. So the day dragged on and on i couldn't wait for 5.30pm! That evening me and Kieron decided to have something from the chippy 'cos he couldn't think what to have tea. We both had chicken meat and chips - it was lovely although Kieron felt a little bit sick after it!!

Friday was another good at work nobody did anything all day!!! We were preparing for Dave's retirement meal that evening (well semi-retirement!). We had got a card which we all signed and put some money together. So Malcolm and Tony took a trip up into town to get him something and they came back with a small bottle of champage and a really nice Parker biro. We also had the idea about doing a photo so Adam took the change that was left and went back into town to get a photoframe (oh and yes Pete was in the office and he didn't really care what we were doing!!). He came back with this wood frame and it had grooves going around it, very swanky! So we all decided, to make it more special, we would all sit at Dave's desk it was a really nice photo as you will see from below!

Yes that is PD Architects (minus Dave) from left to right we have: Malcolm, Tony, Mike, Me, Adam, Peter and Paul.

We then printed of some paper from our plotter and Paul had put our logo dotted all over it and then it was left to me to wrapy the prezzies up. Peter also let us go 30mins earlier so we could get home and get ready.

I got home for just gone 5pm and Kieron was already ready!!! I dived into the shower and got ready. We left out flat 6.50pm so we could get some petrol and then we headed for the hotel. We were going to the Eaton Hotel on the Hageley Road. We got there for just gone 7.30pm and most of the crew were already there. We sat down and had a drink in the bar for a bit before going into the restaurant. The food was excellent and the drinks kept coming. Malcolm made a speech on the staff's behalf, Peter made a speech about the future for the practice and finally Dave made his speech. We presented Dave's presents to him and he absolutely loved them (i think he was on the verge of tears!) and then he came round the table thanking us all individually.

It was a really good night and we all had a laugh but me and Kieron left at 12am as we were both tired, as soon as we got back we went straight to bed.

So Saturday morning i made me and Kieron a good English Breakfast as i was a little hazy from the night before. I wasn't planning on doing to much apart from going to see my mum, nan and grandad later. It was about 12pm and Kieron's friend Alex called him up to see what we were doing. He and his girlfriend and her sister who had come over from Ireland wanted to go for a pub lunch and wated to meet up with us, so we got ready and met them at the Red Lion in Kings Heath . We got there for 1pm and Alex had already got our drinks in! We had some food (which was very tasty!) and a natter. Jay's sister was hilarious, she was telling us stories of some of nights out in Dublin!! As we were chatting away Kie's phone rang again and it was his mate Steve asking what we were doing later. So we arranged to meet Steve and Natalie at the Cotteridge Village Inn and the nwe would have a bbq at their house. Alex and Jay were going into town at 4pm so we decided we would meet up with Steve then.

We got to the Village Inn just gone 4pm but Steve and Natalie were still on their way but it wasn't long before one of the their kids (Lucy) came running up to us. We were at the pub for a couple of hours before heading back for the bbq. I took Natalie and Lucy home in the car whilst Kieron and Steve took Phoebe to the shops for the bbq stuff.

It wasn't long beofre the lads were aguing over the bbq and who was doing what but we had a lot of fun. Steve and Kieron were both pissed and were both messing about, very funny! But again it was getting alte so me and Kieron went home.

Sunday i decided i was going to do naff all as i had had a busy couple of nights, i watched a bit of tv before we went to Sainsbury's to get the shopping, and we bought Faye her first collar. We thought she would have to get used to it soon and we bought her a couple more toys to play with. The rest of the afternoon i did some washing and a little bit of tidying up before i sat and watched tv again. That evening i went down to nans for tea as usual, i was a little bit late as we were watching Billy Elliott but i still think its funny!

And that's that for my update so until my next blog cheerio!

We are Limited!

Hello once again fellow bloggers

It's time for another update so last Monday was a very interesting day at work. For the past 6 months Peter and Dave (the Partners) have been having long, secret meetings with each other. We all knew something was going on but what, we did not know, however all was revealed on Monday.

For the past year Dave has wanted to retire, and at Christmas 2006 one of the guys that used to work for us was going to take Dave's share, although there was a big argumetn and they fell out and the guy left - leaving Peter ad Dave in a bit of a situation.

So nothing was done until now, they gathered everybody in the meeting room at 3pm and we were told they had sold the business. We were now officially PD Architects Limited (which is new) part of Armstrong Burton Group. But even though we were part of a Group we were still PD Architects, working in the same offices with the same people. Dave was to be a consultant and would only be working 2/3 days a week and Pete was to be Chief Executive. On the plus side we get a few more days holiday, we get private health insurance and 5 times a year we would be going on team building exercises and activites (which we have never done before and they're on a Friday afternoon!). We were all happy with the decisions and that was that. We were all to meet the director of Armstrong Burton later on in the week.

So on to Tuesday, not alot happened at work although i went into town and got my new phone. I now have the Sony Ericsson K810i which i'm very pleased with. In the evening Kieron had made Spag Bol and he even got wine and lit candles, which i thought was sweet. He was apologising for the night before as we had a little argument but it was all sorted.

So Wednesday, 1st August - the official day of change at work. It was also the day we were to meet the Director of Armstrong Burton, Deerk Burton. He arrived at 2pm and just went through what Dave and Pete had already told us. He explaing more abouth the company and how we would fit in etc etc. He mentioned that in a couple of weeks he and his office manager Janet, would be coming back in to talk to us individually!

Dave bought us cakes for afternoon tea and then we went out for a drink after work. We closed 30mins earlier, Dave's wife Dianne came with us aswell. We popped next door to the Tarnished Halo and celebrated Dave's retirement and the new PD Architects Limited. I stayed for an hour and then went home. I was really hungry, Kieron had sorted himself out so i done myself Sausage, Mash, Onions and Gravy it was delicious!!!!

Thursday went unusually quick, i didn't seem to be doing alot when it was already 4pm - i was really amazed! I just watched some tv in the evening while Kieron was playing his xbox, although he turned it off really early as he was annoyed some of the lads on there!!

Friday again went really quickly. Dave wasn't in the office (it was one of his days off) and me and Pete spent most of the day typing up minutes from one of our site meetings. Friday evening was spent with a nice bottle of wine and I watched Big Brother the eviction which was hilarious and then carried on watching some more Friends.

Saturday was a good day, me and Gaz were taking mum into town so she could choose a birthday present. We got into town for just gone 10am and slowly going round the shops. Gaz also wanted to pick a few things up for his holiday to Turkey. We had a good look round, Gaz managed to find some nice shirts and light trousers for his holiday, mum bought a top and trousers from Evans and a CD from HMV which she bought using her birthday money and she also found some shoes in Clarkes. She had the choice of two pairs and couldn't make up her mind so me and gaz bought her a pair each which were her birthday prezzie!

We left town about 2pm and went back home. I had to quickyl go back to the flat to get some electricity but i then went down to mums as Nan and Grandad had come up as usual. We had a cake and our afternoon wine and we sat around chatting. I had to leave at 5 as i was going out for a meal. I got home and had a shower and got ready as i was to meet Rosey, Dan, Emily and Jim in Solihull for 7.30pm.

We went to the Indian under Solihull Ice Rink, Spicewoods. It was very nice and the prices were very good as well. I had a chicken Dupiaza which was nice and mild and a garlic naan. We were there until 10pm and afterwards decided to go back to our cars for a chat. We stayed for a little while watching the chavs drive their cars round and round at a stupid speed, but we said our farewells and i got home just turned 11pm, Kieron was still up watching tv so i joined him for a bit before going to bed.

Sunday we went and got the shopping and mowed the front lawn as it was getting into a bit of a state. We had lunch, watched some tv and then i went down to my nans as usual for tea. Gaz didn't come down as he had gone out somewhere, where i don't know so i'm waiting for him to update his blog so i can find out!!!

So that's it for another week from me, see you laters