Life after a few days of good sleep

As the month has worn on my stress levels have risen. I have a lot of work, losing my laptop was stressful (I got it back with a broken screen), I have had several Guiding meetings this week with late finishes, my husband has been away again......but I eventually decided enough was enough. I haven't slept well and it was a vicious circle (less sleep = more stress = less sleep). So I decided to focus on getting a good night's sleep. I am not a good sleeper at the best of times so this is never easy. I went to bed early having had a glass of milk. I tried to relax before I went and I made myself as comfortable as possible. As my husband was away there was no-one to disturb me. Result - a reasonable night's sleep. The next night was better and last night you would have struggled to wake me. I feel so much better. I have more energy and next week at work looks manageable even though it is still packed.

PS - If you want to go to the Railway Children then I have 14 names but I need to confirm the booking and pay next Friday so let me know asap so I get enough tickets.

Lost laptop

Yesterday I had a meeting in Liverpool from 8am until 4pm. When I left I forgot to pack my laptop. I thought my bag was a bit light but I had handed out a lot of paper so that was what the difference was, or so I thought. On the train back I decided to do a little work - that is when I found out. Fortunately the laptop was located and is going to be couriered back to me tomorrow morning. It means a day off at last! I will catch up tomorrow.
UPDATE; - the Courier failed to collect the laptop as the lady who had it wasn't there. If they pick it up on Monday I should get it on Tuesday morning but I will have to start having things sent to my hotmail address as I can't afford to lose anymore days of work. There are times when you wonder if it is worth it!

Back to proper Guiding

I have at last cleared out my car of almost all camp things. The tent is hanging in the kitchen and everything else has been put away having been washed.
Camp was very cold (at least -3 the first morning I would estimate) but bright and sunny which was lovely - until Tuesday when it rained. Rain is miserable - no escape and gloomy. It rained on Tuesday night and the wind accelerated down Herons Wey and hit my tent and the walls were close to horizontal. It also drove rain in so I was wet. At least it was warm so I didn't need the blankets. Miraculously the rain cleared to give us a dry strike - that is why my tent has been in the boot for nearly a week and I haven't hurried to get it out.
Don' think it was a miserable camp, though, lots of camaraderie and activities. The team whooranised it did a brilliant job. Thanks, everyone.

Off to camp

On the 19th October I went to the 1st Weybridge Guide unit's 100th birthday party and this weekend we are off as a District to camp and celebrate 100 years of Guiding. I think 1st Weybridge is the oldest existing unit in Surrey West and is still thriving in a District where Guide units are also doing well.
The camp will also involve Brownies and Rainbows visiting. Let's hope for fine weather and no rain or frost. However, even poor weather won't spoilt it for me because I really need a break from clients and phone calls. Fortunately mobile reception in Herons Wey can be very patchy....
See you in November!

Vision

Tonight I joined Woking East and Woking West for their Vision event closing the Centenary Year. I would like to thank them very much for their hospitality as I did rather invite myself. I would also like to congratulate them for the successful link up with the Community Channel. I hope everyone else had the same success and, if you didn't, that you had a great time anyway. It is lovely to remeber that we are all part of a massive worldwide family who can change the world if we want to.

Census all in - at last

Well it took bit of time but we have finally achieved 100% payment of census. What is more it appears that in the middle of July the count of Surrey West members exceeded 9,500 which is rather more than I thought. The downside of that is that Margaret has 9563 badges in the office that need to be got out to Divisions and Districts by the 20th. No mean feat I think you will agree.

In case you were wondering.....

BTW - Stars and Sparkle, our planned Gala Dinner, has been postponed as we felt everyone needed a break after the exertions of the Centenary Year. We will let you know when the new date has been confirmed.