Last Regional Meet of the Year!

Today was the Regional AGM, time for the new committee to be elected! I can't believe it has been a year since I was elected onto the Regional Committee.

I left my house in plenty of time to catch the train, but only just managed to get to the station on time. It took me nearly twice as long as normal to walk to there. The pathway was really icy, so I couldn't step out at my normal speed for fear of falling. I was meeting some friends and colleagues for breakfast before the meeting, it was a nice start to the day.

I managed to get voted back onto the committee even though I am not a member of the political slate that was being promoted! Huh! I don't subscribe to that sort of thing, people should be elected on merit, skills and valuable contribution.

All in all a fun time was had by all. It is great to have political debate with friends and colleagues, rather than just in the Blogsphere ;-)

Cherie's Place - Thought for the Week

I spotted this sunset whilst I was out and about today. It is taken with my mobile phone which doesn't really do it justice. The sky was full of amazing colours, and I thought it would go well with this weeks quote.

Knowledge is power.
Sir Francis Bacon

The Office Christmas Do

It was a bit early, but today was our office Christmas lunch. A good time was had by all, girls on the dance floor and guys in the bar. In between all that we had a good chat over lunch and I had a little giggle with one of my friends over a shared unfortunate circumstance.

After the do it is normal to go on to a local pub and while the hours away. Due to complicated transport arrangements and family visits it wasn't viable for me to go with them. I did feel really guilty though when I realised people were expecting me to go and that I would be missed...

Later when I visited my parents they unexpectedly gave me a special gift for helping them both out when my Dad was in hospital.

The day has left me with a warm and Christmassy feeling, so time for some Christmassy music:

An Alternative Use for Stats

I know that many of my blog friends worry about blog visit numbers, and check their stats religiously. This brief article of mine was recently published in one of the PCS magazines. It explains an alternative use of stats!

The Shropshire action group website was launched in 2004 to cover events that took place on the day of action on 5th November. However since then, it has become a major resource for PCS members in Shropshire and indeed interested parties throughout the world.

It has the latest information on activities and campaigns within the Shropshire area and has received over 48,000 hits. Interestingly it is not only PCS members that access the Shropshire action group website pages. Amongst others; major companies, schools, universities and magazine editors have visited the website. The local media also check out the pages for the latest information regarding ongoing campaigns and to see if there is a story they have missed.

The site has now gone global and has had visitors from many corners of the world including the House of Representatives in the USA!

• Shropshire Area Website.
  

A Strange Day

Part 1

Today it was a lovely cold frosty morning, which is not necessarily welcome on a work day. It means defrosting the car and getting rid of the ice off the windows. Normally that is bad enough, but today my driver's door was frozen shut! I tugged the door and it just clicked onto the latch but remained firmly closed.

*sighs* I had to clamber in from the passenger side to get the engine started and the heaters running etc. and then clamber out again to clear the windows from outside. I cleared the windows for driving, but no matter how much I pulled from the outside or pushed from the inside the door remained half open...

I decided to proceed on the way to work carefully, when I heard the traffic through the door I knew I had to pull over and the door would close!

Then there was the inicident of me trying to get back onto the road and into the traffic. Someone left me a gap and when I started to pull out they aimed for my car!!!

Eventually I got safely to work.

Part 2

Some of you know that my Dad had to be taken in to hospital (a couple of weeks ago) due to a complication over a recently diagnosed problem. It lead to a chain of events which saw him having an endoscopy (amongst other things) whilst he was there and a soon to be followed up colonoscopy when he was released. I found out earlier this week this is scheduled for Monday.

Today in the course of conversation with the people I sit close too at work, I found out that one colleague's Mum has to go in for endoscopy & colonoscopy on Friday! & another colleague's Dad has to go in for a colonoscopy on Friday and she herself has to go in for a endoscopy later in the month.

Strange co-incidence...

T is for Terraces

I am sure some of you will remember that Powis castle and gardens are one of my favourite places to visit. They have some wonderful terraces so I just couldn't resist posting a few more pictures from my collection.

Previous photos here and here.

To see the other ABC Wednesday posts check out the anthology.

The 100 Questions Meme!

Damon Lord posted this meme a while ago and I have only just manged to complete my answers!

1.EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?
Yes, twice.


2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
15 years.


3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
I have one in waiting for my Birthday, it is sitting waiting on a kitchen table!


4. EVER DROPPED A MOBILE PHONE?
Yes, once. It got scuffed and I was irritated.


5. WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
6 months or so ago...


6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
Keeping my house in order.


7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
The last mouthful was Broccoli.


8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Personality, then eyes and smile.


9. ONE FAVORITE SONG?
Stairway to Heaven.


10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Hobbiton.


11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
AbDab.


12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER:
Recently changed to T Mobile


13. FAVORITE SHOP:
Shire Games.


14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD:
My current one.


15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
More than a pair, I have a whole army.


16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?:
Never.


17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED?:
Last year.


18. FIRST FRIEND YOU’D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY:
My family :-)


19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND(S):
I don't see them often, but we are in contact regularly.


20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT:

Mmm! That Italian place in London. I can't remember the name...


21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD?
I hear plenty!


22. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Can't I just say 'Dark & Handsome'?


23. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL MOST OFTEN?
Mum & Dad.


24. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Amending publications.


25. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS SURVEY?
Emailing a friend.


26. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I just wouldn't!


27. WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS SURVEY?
For fun :-)


28. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Depending on the person, I get complimented about different things.


29. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Drink herbal tea.


30. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
None, I love my nephews.


31. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
I make wishes yes.


32. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Only when I write slowly...


33. WHEN DID YOU LOSE YOUR VIRGINITY?
That is my secret ;-)


34. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Yes.


35. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Looks no, but appearance yes.


36. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
Have a little rant and then I am back to normal.


37. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
My computer room.


38. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
Usually.


39. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Not usually.


40. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT?
No.


41. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
CherryPie, Cherie, Cherrelle and Cherry.


42. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Mint/chocolate chip.


43. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE?
None, but my friends think I am very wise. Wonder what will happen if they eventually appear!


44. CAN YOU COOK?
Yes.


45. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?:
Fabia.


46. BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON?
The inpromptu ones are the best.


47. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?:
Yesterday.


48. MOST DISLIKED FOODS:
Gribbly bits!


49. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?:
I haven't really.


50. FAVORITE MOVIE(S)?
Moulin Rouge, LOTR trillogy and Indiana Jones.


51. CAN YOU SING?
Yes, Soprano.


52. LAST FIGHT?
Never.


53.ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT:
My handbag!


54. FAVORITE ITEM:
I don't have one


55. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?:
Desktop for everyday and laptop for emergencies or for when you just can't do without ;-)

56. DO YOU SMOKE?
No, never.


57. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
With (night) clothes.


58. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?
Me!


59. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?
Some do, some don't. Same as non long distance relationships.


60. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
Never!


61. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?:
Yes!


62 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
Fried or scrambled lightly.


63. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?:
Not the stuff published in the papers...


64. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?:
M!


65. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECIEVED?:
From T Mobile - how sad is that?


66. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?:
One.


67. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?:
Skirt and top.


68. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?:
I am a demon at it ;-)


69. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
Love them.


70. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?:
Autumn.


71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?
6.45


72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?:
The snow and frost, so very beautiful.


73. LAST TIME A COPPER GAVE YOU A TICKET?:
Never.


74. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?:
Argh! Me Matey!


75. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Visitors are stopping over again...


76. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE:
Me!


77. WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST REGRET?
I rework my regrets so I can move on.


78: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Yes :-)


79. ARE YOU SMILING?:
Yes :-) :-) :-)


80: DO YOU PREFER TO SMILE WITH A TOOTHY GRIN OR A CLOSED MOUTH?
Smile with a closed mouth and laugh with an open mouth.


81. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW?
More than one yes...


82. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE?
Mostly to visit my friends, so that is not just one place ;-)


83. DO YOU HAVE A HIGH SEX-DRIVE?
You tell me!


84. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?:
No.


85. NIGHT OR DAY?
Night Owl!


86. PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Clarinet, recorder and bamboo pipe.


87. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?:
Yes.


88. DO YOU HAVE SISTERS/BROTHERS?
Yes,


89. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO JAIL?
No.


90. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
More than one person, yes.


91. FAVORITE SPORT?
Nah, don't do sport!


92. YOUR HAIR COLOR ?
Dark brown with silver highlights ;-)


93. YOUR EYE COLOR ?
Blue.


94. DO YOU WEAR GLASSES?
Yes when I am not wearing contact lenses!


95. YOU LIKE SUSHI?
Not tried it.


96. LAST THING YOU WATCHED:
I can't remember...


97. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Usually Christmas Day.


98. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
I am not to shy to flirt ;-)


99. STRANGEST PLACE HAD SEX?
Classified information!


100. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY?
Hopefully sleep!

Come on, give it a go ;-)