How much would you pay for dignity?

Well I had a wonderful time.. even though Bournemouth was like a waiting room for the grim reaper. Jokingly the other Unison rep I went with referred to the hotel as "The Hinton Firs retirement village" and we had to buzz up the night porter to let us back in after returning at the decidely late time of 9.30pm.....

Colin was disappointed at the lack of eligible gay men and decent curries whilst I was pining for a proper cold beer and for my speech to go down well.

Yep I did it... got up and made a speech in front of the tv cameras and 3000 people slagging off British Gas for offshoring their back office functions to India and getting rid of 2000 North West /Midland jobs. I got three rounds of applause and was mobbed on my return to my seat by the west midlands delegation.

Alas, dear readers, no chance of my head getting too big for the remainder of the week I was greeted by people saying "I really enjoyed your speech, can't remember what it was on but I enjoyed it".... hummm.

Dignity.Period.

High light of the week was meeting Thabitha Khumalo from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Unions. She is a remarkable woman. She has been been arrested 22 times, tortured , gang raped had her teeth smashed into her nose and had a machine gun pushed inside her her vagina so far she bled... her crime? Speaking out about the Mugabe regime and trying to save her fellow country women's lives . What by organising riots??? I hear you say..no by buying and distributing sanitary wear.

Due to the economic collapse in Zimbabwe female life expectancy has dropped to 34. Essential hygiene products are unaffordable. Women, mothers and girls are having to spend up to half their monthly wage on sanitary wear or whether to buy food. Invariably they buy the food an so have to opt to using newspaper cloth or even bits of bark pushed inside them to stem the flow of their periods.

This brings the additional problems with horrendous internal infections with no access to medical supplies- this in a country ravaged by HIV for these women getting an infection can be fatal in more ways than one . As a result of infections, women have been murdered by their husbands who think the infections are caused by them being unfaithful. Women with period flow are kept away from work and school one week in four thereby making their economic situation even worse.

Action for South Africa (ACTSA) is working with Thabitha and they need you to support their campaign "How much would you pay for your dignity?". British Trade Unions have already sent a million packs of sanitary wear to Zimbabwe. However this has incurred a tax charge of $23,000 at the border. Please check out ACTSA's website for details of how you can help save womens lives by providing something we take for granted every day as a basic human right to be in control of our bodily functions.

Currently reading.....

I have just read the humerous novel "Narrow Dog to Carcassonne"- about a staffordshire couple and their pet whippet Jim who travel across the channel in a canal narrow boat!

It was brilliant. Now, as I am currently living only a few miles away from Stone where these intrepid explorers set sail from I was delighted to read about their exploits (especially Jim).

Any book that starts off by decribing how whippets smell of buttered toast deserves a mention here! I am chuffed that it is on the amazon best seller list and is readily available from all good bookstores and supermarket book aisles!

Right I'm off ..... for a few days

Right I'm buggering off for a few days down to Unison National Delegate Conference. If you want to have a nosey at my hotel its here...

As my tan from Croatia has disappeared I decided to invest in some decent fake tan for the jaunt as my white legs looked pretty awful. After the suncream disaster in Croatia (slapping on the cream like no tomorrow then realising it had fake tan in it and being all streaky) I decided to invest in a good one for my trip to Bournemouth. Guess what all streaky again even though it "claims" no streaks on the bottle. Oh well at least this time I can cover up my stripy bits. At least I can console myself in that I am stripy like a tigerdog (Note Eric my hounds inclusion).

Healthy eating?

Today I ate a nice healthy breakfast of 2 four finger Kit Kats, then I had a nice healthy lunch of two more four finger Kit Kats... wonder what to have for tea?......

All hail chocolate.... womans best friend... much tastier than diamonds.

Blinking Gutted!

It seems Paul and Helen from Big Brother have finally split up. Helen is a fellow welshbridgetjones whos favourite hobbies include blinking.

Dippy hairdresser Helen - famed for saying: "I love blinking, I do" - ended the five-year romance. Millions of viewers were gripped as the couple fell in love on Big Brother 2 in 2001. After the show they set up home together in Barnet, north London, but have now sold up and are living apart.

Paul, 29, told Heat magazine: "The last couple of months have been hell.
"But deep, deep down we know we're making the right decision.
"From the day we met, we've never had time apart. We need to find ourselves again. I love Helen to pieces and I always will, but I don't think we're in love with each other any more."

Helen, 28, said: "I felt like the Wicked Witch because I was first to say something. But then Paul said to me, 'Would you want to marry me?' and I said, 'I don't think I would' and he said, 'Well, I don't want to marry you either'. And we laughed.

"Once we started being honest, we realised we get on better as friends."
She added: "We'll always be friends and Paul will still help me with long words."

Helen,you may not love Paul anymore but the world still loves you!

Captured!

The runaway hound has been captured alive and well. He has turned out to be a she and the capture ended up involving the local fire brigade!!! For photos of the latest Greyhound Gap arrival go here.

Spot the dog!

Yesterday OH (Other half) and I decided to take Eric (my lurcher) to Cannock Chase for a walk however it was too bloody hot and we ended up having a picnic under a shady tree there after having a minor row about melting ice creams!

When we came home I logged onto Lurcher Link and saw a note on the message board saying that a muzzled white greyhound was loose in Stoke (where I live) and can anyone go and look for him? (Obviously yesterday was boiling and this poor lad was muzzled so couldn't eat since thursday when he got lost). OH and I went out at about 4.30pm drove to the other side of Stoke (not a nice part either) and went wandering around hunting in bushes for this dog. At one point I saw a large white dead animal in the lake and heart in mouth I poked it with a stick until it revealed itself to be a Pike

Giving up and getting a reply to our message from Lisa founder of Greyhound Gap we met up with them at 8.00pm after driving back home and having a quick tea and cuddle for Eric.

From 8pm til 11pm We were trampling round and driving round one of Stoke's dodgiest areas putting up posters and lurking in bushes looking for this dog. At least we found the muzzle so the poor dog can eat now so has a fighting chance.

I wonder how dodgy we must have looked three estate cars crawling through a known kerb crawling patch and lurking in bushes on a saturday night... all typical welshbridgetjones innocent behaviour that could be easily misconstrued.

Will keep you posted on the "Brat" as the elusive greyhound has been nicknamed. Why do I have to be searching for the fastest dog alive? I think I should be involved with Pug rescue at least with little legs they can't escape far so catching them must be a doddle.

Today I will mostly be...

avoiding the football.... everytime I see those England flags on the cars I get the urge to snap them off. Not that I have a problem with England flags, just thought they were inappropriate when I was home visiting the parents in Wales!!! Do the drivers not realise that WALES is not in England????

Everyone loves the Hoff !

Over the last few days in preparation for the World cup work have been doing a team dress up the desks theme each team has been designated a world cup team as the unfortunate supervisors we have been given germany. So as we are owned by a german megacorp we can't use war references (pc ness gone mad!) so we made a shrine to Germanys cult hero David Hassellhoff - imagine the coincidence when I spotted this article this morning-

What was originally intended to be an online joke may actually become a reality - David Hasselhoff at No.1!

Yep, the Hoff is being tipped to top the UK pop charts over the coming weeks, without any radio play, promotion or even positive reviews.
The former Baywatch 'hunk' is the subject of a major internet campaign to propel his single to No.1. Emails have been sent to thousands of homes across the UK, reminding 75,000 registered punters that Hasselhoff's new single, Looking For Freedom is released Monday.
The site's creators told The Evening Standard: "We are not making any money from this. We are doing this purely from the good of our hearts. Think what he's given to the world. Knight Rider; Baywatch; the reunification of East and West Germany; untold laughter from forwarded emails of him in hotpants. It's time we gave something back. Let's get Hoff to No.1."

Looking For Freedom was a originally a No.1 hit in Germany and he famously performed it on the Berlin Wall to help locals 'celebrate' the end of communism. You can download the track from iTunes from Monday.

I haven't got room in my house for principles!

As you may have guessed by now I am a crazy animal person. I am totally against testing on animals. As such I support charities which don't test on animals. I was clearing out my wardrobe on a late spring clean the other week and ended up with a large bag of clothes which due to my changing tastes and ever expanding waistline needs new homes.

I am too lazy to put these items on ebay and thought they should go to charity. Alas though at the moment they are taking up needed space in my bedroom as I never seem to make time to deliver them to the local animal welfare shop. They do not appreciate donations left on their doorstep in the evenings when OH is back from work. I do not want to lug the bag on the bus in the daytime.

Out at the local DIY store last night I notice a bin to deposit unwanted clothes for charity ahah....the answer to my problems! Alas no, it was a recycle bin for The British Heart Foundation who do test on animals. I will wait I say.

Today I get a bag through the post for Marie Curie charity, requesting old clothes great me thinks.... alas a quick search of the world wide web and alas they too test on animals. So tomorrow I shall lug a bin bag on the bus and with me to the doctors surgery in my vain attempt to hold the moral highground whilst doing my bit for charity. (and to empty my wardrobe!!!).

Dear readers, if you think I care more for animals than humans you are probably right however I do support some human charities as well as animal ones. Such as Macmillan who are my employers nominated charity. Last year the staff (including myself) managed to raise over a million pounds for this worthwhile cause. I also remind you of another notable charity, The make-a-wish foundation that my mum managed to raise over a thousand pounds for last year!

You know you are a dog person when...

You have a kiddie wading pool in the garden, but no small children.
You have baby gates permanently installed at strategic places around the house, but no babies.
The rubbish bin is more or less permanently installed in the kitchen sink, to keep the dog out of it while you're at work.
You refer to yourselves as Mummy and Daddy.
You can't see out the passenger side of the windshield because there are nose-prints all over the inside.
You have 32 different names for your dog. Most make no sense, but he / she understands.
You like people who like your dog. You despise people who don't.
You carry dog biscuits in your bag or pocket at all times.
You talk about your dog the way other people talk about their kid.
You sign and send birthday/anniversary/Christmas cards from your dog. You put an extra blanket on the bed so your dog can be comfortable. You'd rather stay home on Saturday night and cuddle your dog than go to the movies with your sweetie.
You go to the pet store every Saturday because it's one of the very few places that lets you bring your dog inside, and your dog loves to go with you.
You open your bag, and that big bunch of poo bags you use for pick-ups pops out.
You get an extra-long hose on your shower-massage just so you can use it to wash your dog in the tub, without making the dog sit hip-deep in water.
You and the dog come down with something like flu on the same day. Your dog sees the vet while you settle for an over-the-counter remedy from the chemist.
Your dog is getting old and arthritic, so you go buy wood and build him/her a small staircase so they can climb onto the bed by themselves. You don't think it's the least bit strange to stand in the back yard chirping "Eric, pee!" over and over again, while Eric tends to play and forget what he's out there for (but what your neighbours think of your behaviour is yet another story).
You have your dog's picture on your office desk (but no one else's).
You lecture people on responsible dog ownership every chance you get. You skip breakfast so you can walk your dog in the morning before work. You are the only idiot walking in the pouring rain because your dog needs it's walk.
You don't go to happy hours with co-workers any more because you need to go home and see your dog.
Your weekend activities are planned around taking your dog for a hike (both days).
You keep an extra water dish in your second-floor bedroom, in case your dog gets thirsty at night (after all, the other dish is way down on the first floor...).
You shovel a zigzag path in the back yard snow so your dog can reach all her favourite spots.
You avoid vacuuming the house as long as possible because your dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner.
You keep eating even after finding a dog hair in your pasta.
You make popcorn just to play catch with your dog.
You carry pictures of your dog in your wallet instead of pictures of your parents, siblings, significant other, or anyone else remotely human.
Your dog is the star of your World Wide Web site!
Your parents refer to your pet as their granddog.
You hang around the dog section of your local bookstore.
Your house isn't carpeted - the fuzzy fur balls under your feet are soft enough...
You don't give a second thought to using the brush you just used on your dog to give a quick run through on your own hair.
At your dinner parties, you always double check the butter before putting it on the table.
You have dog hair stuck on tape on wrapped gifts.
You have dog toys and treats in your briefcase.
You have several albums filled with the 8 by 10 pictures of your dogs but you can't locate any pictures of your kids to send to grandma.
You show up at the car dealers with a ruler, to measure and see if your big dog crate will fit. Before the actual purchase you make the dealer cringe by insisting that you load both crates and dog into the shiny, new vehicle to make sure it works!
You can't get the shopping in the car because its A) already full of dog food B) you have that big old crate in there.
You visit relatives only if there is a dog show nearby.
You remove all the seats from the car except the two in the front so you have room for crates... The passenger seat is full of dog stuff.
You cringe at the price of food in the supermarket but think nothing of the cost of dog food or treats.
When you get your latest roll of film and there isn't a single picture of a two-legged person in it

Recent shameful events

This can only happen to me-

A couple of weeks ago I home dyed my hair. I do this regularly, however I went a darker shade so the day before going off on my"Shirley Valentine" holiday to Croatia. It turned out a mild shade of green. I panic and look on the internet for ways to restore..to late to get emergency appoint at hair salon and too embarrased to don my lurcher bobble hat in may to go (on bus) to tescos for more dye. Anyway find cure on beloved internet.

Pour tomato ketchup on head and wrap clingfilm round head leave 30 mins and will take out green. So yes I was sat here on the computer and packing my suitcase with heinz finest sauce and cling film on my noggin. Unfortunately postie called round at the time. He is decidely uncomfortable now delivering my ebay items. At least it worked thank gawd!!!

shameful event number 2-

I am currently off work with work related stress. I asked to see the company Occupational Health doctor. Company Doctor was very nice however because of me being a gormless muppett now seems to (wrongly) think im a drug addict!!!!!.

When anyone says drugs to me, I instantly think prescription medicines

He asked me if I took drugs- silence (trying to think of the names of my medicines) then a few seconds later I say "no course not" when realised he meant drugs not medicines... doctor says" you answered too slow". Then 25 mins later blah blah blah im chuntering on and at the end he goes "drugs aren't the answer". Well I'm still thinking about medicines so I say something like"no doctor I'm doing my best to cope but I still need them at the moment in fact I need stronger ones" (referring to my prescription medication). Only twigged later whilst picking up doggies doo's in the garden . He was on about the "other" type of drugs not medicines!!!!........ So not only do work think Im a lunatic, but a druggie one at that!!!

Hello from a new blogger!

Yes I have finally been bullied into creating my own blog. SHAMED into it by my mad delinquant 50 something year old mum author of the "Coffee to go" blog. Not like I have a life to blog about. I am too busy being a mad dog lady addicted to Lurcher Link