Old is Gold ;)

So this week I've been working in a retirement home and so have been spending a lot of time with some pretty amazing elderly people. Let me tell you this: These guys have lead extraordinary lives!

To be completely honest, I wasn't too thrilled about working in a residential home. The thought of having to clean after people and help with their personal hygiene and other problems put me off. Please though, don't get me wrong. I am not a stuck up person who refuses to clean up after people. But believe me, being stuck in hospital on a ward full of elderly people who have no control over their bowels made me realize that, as much as I admire them, I would never be able to become a nurse. I'd rather not go into any details, but as soon as I saw a nurse wheel the commode about and those curtains being drawn, I knew what to expect but couldn't bare it at all, even though this literally happened every 20 minutes for the 3-4 days I was in.

However, I wasn't sat in bed scowling, if that's what you're thinking. I just felt sorry for the patients. I mean, to think these ladies must have lead some great lives, accomplished many things and had respected roles and to have been so independent, to then grow old and have to rely on someone for EVERYTHING. Being stripped of your dignity without being able to do anything about it. It got me really upset if I'm completely honest with you.

So anyway, you should get the picture. Being in hospital made me realise that I could never work with the infirm. However, after speaking to my (brilliant) course tutor, he encouraged me to take up a position in a residential home, where the residents don't need help with personal care so much, but just need that little extra support, company and just an eye kept on them really. So I decided to give it a go. I am sooooooooooooo glad I did!

My first day at the home I felt so sick with nerves that I thought I'd get to the front door of the Home and either collapse or cry. You'd be pleased to know, I did neither. I went in and was received by the few staff members that were there with a smile, told to take a seat with them and asked if I'd 'like a cuppa'. "Ha, they're treating me like one of them!!" I thought. I knew I'd have a great time here!

I was shown around, helped out with a few things such as handing out lunch and cups of teas throughout the day and collecting up dishes. I also had a chance to get to know some of the residents. That was THE best part of the day. Learning about one resident in particular, with her telling me all about her past career in the childcare sector and how she had stood up to various authorities and made a difference to so many children's lives was amazing and so inspiring! It made me really think about what I'd like to do in the future, because from then on, I knew wanted to make a difference just like Milly (all names have been changed to protect confidentiality).

I also met a gentleman named Norman (again all names have been changed). Before I was sent up to give Norman his cuppa, I was told that he was 103 years old (I KNOW! Can you BELIEVE it??) and that he didn't take kindly to strangers. So, with the tea shaking in my hand, my heart palpitating, nervous sweat pouring off my face (well, ok, not really, but it adds effect eh?) I knock on Normans door and enter. I give him his cuppa and ask him if he enjoyed his lunch, to which he said "well, it was nice to a point but, I was very hungry" =P. I have a bit of a chat with him and realize he is such a lovely person. In fact, I think I could go so far as to say we get on like a house on fire! So, what a great accomplishment I felt I had....accomplished? But another thing that amazed me was that he doesn't even look a century and 3 years old (it's even cooler when you put it like that in't it?). He honestly looked in his mid 60's or early 70's MAX but even that's going a bit far. I'm telling you, he hasn't even got a wrinkle on him! Whatever anti ageing he's using I want it!!

The staff are also lovely!!! You know how some people in a new workplace can be really stand-off-ish and be a bit cliquey and make you feel a little bit isolated? Well, there is none of that here! They took me in straight away and have been brilliant. They also treat the residents beautifully, just like their own family, which is VERY hard to come by these days. And it's not just a front they are putting on for me, the residents can't stop saying how well they are being looked after and how they couldn't be anywhere better.

So, I hope you've enjoyed this post. I know it's a bit different to my usual entries but I really wanted to share with you what a great time I've been having. So, if any of you are thinking about working with the elderly, I say go for it! They are GOLD (....gold, always believe in your soooooouuul, you've got the power to know........ehhhmm.........sorry, couldn't resist =P).

Oh and a side note, on my first day I was having such a great time talking to the residents that I honestly COMPLETELY forgot about having my lunch! It was about 2.30pm when I ended up having it and that was only because a member of staff asked me whether I'd had my lunch yet. And you guys KNOW how much I looooove food, right? So, it must be good!

Keep smiling folks!

Ditzy xXx

P is for Party!

So, I was invited to a house party last Saturday. Yep! A party! Wooooooooo!!! This may seem like a bit of an overreaction but, bear in mind that due to illness I haven't had a social life in about 3 months. That's 91 days!!! So as you can imagine, I decided to go all out for this one.

So I tried to plan what to wear the minute I got the invite. But that was difficult. What does one wear to these such events? I could wear a dress with heels. But then I thought that could lead to some embarrassing situations on the dance floor if I'm completely reckless. So, after much deliberation and texts to my friends, I decided on the whole 'party top, skinny jeans, heels & enough jewellery to permanently blind someone' look.

So after painfully waiting, the day of the party eventually arrived. I had my haircut that morning, which I was really happy with. I then picked a few bits and bobs up from Morrison's and got home. I was sitting on my bed, all ready to apply my fake nails when suddenly, out of absolutely NOWHERE came this wave of utter exhaustion. It was 2pm and I had to be at my friends to get ready in 2 hours. In this time, I had to pack my stuff (there was a lot of it!), apply my nails and paint my toenails (paint them black, might I add, so this would have taken about an hour since I'm sooooo clumsy when it comes to nail polish =S).

Anyway, I thought, "I've been looking forward to this party for so long, I'm not going to let tiredness get in the way!". So I decided to set my phone alarm for 2.30pm and have a bit of a catnap.

I was suddenly awoken by my mum barging into my room saying "Are you not getting ready darling??" I sleepily look at my phone and realise it's 3.15. My stupid, temperamental phone alarm didn't go off! So, as you can imagine, I rush doing my nails and pack and eventually get to my friends, 40 minutes late, but heyho, better late than never!

So, I slip (or squeeze really, with great, great difficulty. In fact, I can't bear thinking about it a moment longer) into my black skinny jeans, put my coral orange top on and my coral heels. Then a friend does my hair, another one does my make up amazingly and then I deck myself out in my jewellery. And there was a lot. I wore big gold hoops in my ears, loads chunky gold bangles and a ginormous ring on each hand, big enough to deck someone if they get weird on the dance floor =D.

So we arrived at the party, all ready to get to know new people. It was great, awkward at first but then got better. Well, the reason why I say it was awkward was because I was starving. I hadn't really eaten much the whole day and when I got there was too nervous to go up to the food table. So, the first hour was spent with me talking to people and coughing a lot because I was trying to cover up the sound of my stomach rumbling =(. But then I spotted a friend go sit right near the food table. So I went to talk to him, stuffing myself with pretzels in the process! It worked a treat! A good game plan for you fellow party-goers who find yourselves in this situation!

I caught up with some old friends, met a couple of new ones and generally had a great time. We danced, talked, laughed, took pics, reminisced, learnt to samba and just laughed a whole lot more.

A great night, finished off with an amaaaaazing kebab and a film after....couldn't get any better than that my friends!!

Oh and on a side note....I didn't take my heels off alllllll night! Sorry, but I can't help but be proud of myself for that ;) Girls reading this should understand my joy, hopefully =P

Ditzy xXx

You're Fired

Hello Ladles and Jellyspoons! How are you all???

Right, I'm not going to beat around the bush. I have a huge apology to make, so.........I'm sorry. I have been soooo busy and soooo ill that I really haven't had a chance to write notes in my calender, let alone a blog post =S. I know I have neglected this blog for far too long but I hope this will be the first and last time that this happens.

So, today I have decided to write about....."Young Apprentice". Anyone who is reading this outside the UK, I'm sorry if you have no idea what "Young Apprentice" is. So that you're not left in the lurch, I will try and fill you in a little.

"Young Apprentice" is a T.V show in which about 15 girls and boys aged between 16-17 years old compete to be the young apprentice of the year. Now these young candidates are picked from thousands of entrants. They need to have outstanding qualifications and skills and preferably have their own business. During the show, they are split into two groups and are set a different business task each week. This could be making and selling ice cream; creating a phone app; creating, pitching and selling a mother and baby product; etc. They have to get the maths, market research, creativity and everything else, perfect. The team which sells the most, wins. They then get a treat. However, one of the candidates from the losing team must be fired by none other than Lord Alan Sugar. If you don't know who he is, Google him. I really can't be bothered to explain who he is =S. When Lord Sugar fires someone he always uses the phrase "you're fired" with an assertive point of his index finger.

So anyway, I find this show really interesting and also quite a laugh. Some (or most) of the candidates are sooo opinionated. Some think their ideas are better than everyone elses and really won't let them go. They sulk. They cry. They shout. They backstab. They argue. They boss each other about. Do you see now why it's sooo great to watch??

Now, as I said earlier, these candidates are between the ages 0f 16-17. Most of them younger than me. Now I'm no dope but, these guys have done a lot to be proud of, and let me tell you....they are! But it just made me wonder, If I really wanted to, could I achieve what they have? I mean, these guys have built businesses from scratch. Sure, some of them could work on their vocabulary a little. And some could learn to LISTEN rather than talk and talk and talk. But they have done really well, so a big pat on the back to them.

But back to my epiphany (if I can call it that...maybe it's not the right word. But do you know what? I'm not really bothered! I've been dying to use this word in my blog and so there.....I've done it!) So yeah, back to my epiphany. If I really wanted to build a business from scratch, what would I do? And then it struck me, like a doughnut thrown against a window. I would start a chocolate factory!! I would make the most amazing chocolate know to man. I would create chocolate that tastes amazing, doesn't make you put on weight, is suitable for coeliacs, diabetics and the like. But the most amazing thing about it would be.........................................................................................................................................................
every time a man has a small piece, it would trigger a thingy in his brain to make him WANT to buy his wife or girlfriend or sister or mum, a pair of shoes!!!! Just IMAGINE!!!!!!



Then I awoke from my daydream, had a piece of nestle white chocolate and thought "Ah what's the point? Heaven in a bite is right here beside me and I'm thinking of replacing it with a newer model. Pfft! How dare I! I should just sit back, relax, and enjoy my unhealthy friendship with chocolate.... and worry about the weight, well, when I can be bothered. It's at this moment that I realize, I could never be on the Apprentice. I give up too easily. Dieting.................dieting.....................dieting................ooh is that cake?? See, it's never worked for me!

But for now, gym is a distant memory, exercise is a swear word, and chocolate is my therapy =D.

So until next time peeps! Keep eating =P

Ditzy Polka Dot xXx

You Make Me Wanna.....Munch!

It's been a while since my last entry so I thought I'd better write one soon. The thing is, I had no idea what to write about....I think they call it "writers block". But now the ideas have come in waves! It's always the case, isn't it?

So, you may think the title to this entry is kind of weird. Well, I'm pretty sure everyone knows at least one person who is, quite frankly, an immature....individual (the key here is self control!!!). If you haven't already noticed from my other posts, I like to eat. I love food! Now, when someone comes along and looks down on people who eat, they just spur me on even more. They make me wanna eat even more! I don't understand people who judge. Before mentioning the rafter in my eye, remove the rafter in your own eye first. Then perhaps we can focus on me.

To be honest, I admire people who are big and proud! Miranda Hart, for example, has had to endure so much criticism over her weight, when she is an amazing comedienne. Why do people focus so much on looks and not on the actual talent?!?!?! (NB: If you don't know who Miranda Hart is, PLEASE Google her!!! She's amaaaazing!!!)

Now, it must be said, I'm not one of those people who say things like " to all you haters out there....." (not that there is anything remotely wrong with that. It's just not my style). But for this entry, it must be done.

So, to all you haters out there... Hate all you want. Stare all you want. Laugh all you want. Gossip all you want. I have my mates. I have my family. I have my unending love for small, insignificant things. You clearly don't have that. And, really and truly, you make me wanna munch! 

Ditzy Polka Dot xXx

Shoe-aholic Much???

Looking at my profile pic you'd probably have guessed that I love shoes. The quirkier the better. Ever since I was allowed to wear high heels, I let rip. "You can never have enough shoes". Those 6 words are the wise words on which I cling, to this day. It's true though, isn't it? No matter how many pairs are rammed in your wardrobe, you never stop looking at the shoe section in a shop. You just find yourself there, even when you swear to yourself that you will steer well away from the "racks of temptation". Then you see the most gorgeous pair that you simply can't go home without. And what usually makes it even better is when they're on sale. You see, me being the cheapskate that I am, I don't spend more than a tenner on my shoes (mostly!). I take pride in those pairs that cost me no more than three quid, brand new on sale from a respected shop... I kid you not. And, annoying though it is to some people, I can't help but blurt out the price of my bargains when complimented on them. Only because I'm proud of how little I paid for them. 

But anyway, there's something about the shoe that just....completes you. We all have our favourite pair of shoes, I'm sure. There's that one pair that, sort of becomes a friend, more dependable than any man. That pair promises to complete an outfit. Elongate your legs. Make your feet look nice. Make you look taller and therefore more slender. Carry you all day, even in the rain. They'll never leave you for a better looking foot. They'll make you feel good. And they'll support you all day, as long as you want them to.

Yes, the shoe is a dependable creature, if one can call it that. Yes, nice shoes and women are the perfect combo, for anyone involved. Like cake and icing, salt and fries, fish and chips, strawberries and chocolate, boats and water, Romeo and Juliet ....do you get the picture?

So, if there are any guys reading this blog, take this entry to heart. Remember it for years to come. Buy that special someone a pair of shoes. =p

They say the way to a mans heart is food. Well, the way to a girls heart, is shoes!

Ditzy xXx

(Please note: This is just a material side of things. Shoes are not all there is to life, I'm not implying that. And shoes are definitely NOT the most important thing in a relationship. Just thought I'd better clarify before anyone thinks of me as a shallow, materialistic lemming =))

Forbidden Words at the Gym...=S

For those that know me, it will be a tremendous shock to you that I, Ditzy Polka Dot, who loves food more than people, have joined a Gym. Yes, the place with scary machines that put a fear and nervousness in you that you didn't realize you would EVER experience. The place in which people go to lose weight and tone up, even though the only ones I have seen so far are so toned and slim, you wonder why they are even there! Yes, ok, so they want to stay the wonderful shape they are, but it is kind of.....soul destroying, to put it lightly. But hey, I take consolation in the fact that they may have been slightly on the larger side before they got where they are today...perhaps....maybe....hopefully =S.

So anyway, the first time I went was as a free guest with a friend, to try out the facilities. That was interesting. It was like the blind leading the blind. But we had a great time, even if we did make certain people feel slightly nauseous with our poor attempt at stretching. So I had finished all my water 10 minutes into our "exercising" that I had to refill my bottle. I then get this unexplainable craving for KFC. So i announce to my friend, rather loudly, that I "fancy a KFC". Well, let me tell you, THAT was a mistake of gargantuan proportions! A girl passing me (the size of a twig, might I add) gave me the dirtiest look I have ever seen! I then realize where I am and regret my choice of timing and food choice. I also realize that the mention of any takeaway foods is simply forbidden in the gym... be it KFC, Burger King, McDonalds, or Pizza Hut.

So after a tough workout at the gym, I announce rather loudly that I fancy a poached egg with spinach, wild rocket, avocado, watercress, and other leafy green rabbit food for dinner when I get home. I also look out for the girl that passed me to give her a smug look implying " I may be slightly large, but I can also eat like a rabbit, just like you love". But I can't see her, much to my dismay. So with that, I leave the gym with my head held high, and my stomach sucked in and have my dinner...


It isn't quite the salad....its a 3 piece variety meal from KFC.....but don't worry, I had coleslaw!

Ditzy Polka Dot xXx