Board Meetings
I’ve spent the last five days exhaustively working with the board. It has been hard going and we’ve been closeted away in this massive board room. I was up against some tough negotiators – the two toughest negotiators known to man.
Separately they’re tough cookies. Together, they’re brutal.
It’s been relentless. It starts over a full English (or, in our case, Welsh breakfast). These two drive hard bargains. It starts over coffee and juice and commences from there.
Of course, not only did I have to negotiate, but I had to cook said breakfast. On an Aga.
Which she may tell you is a piece of piss but I – who used to want an Aga but no longer does – can confirm that it’s hard work. Like the mornings when I wanted to make eggs and sausage and the eggs would be done in twenty seconds while the sausages were more like three days in the cooking.
Fortunately I was able to occasionally look outside the board room window and see a sunrise over Wales. It definitely takes the mind off.
Really spectacular sunrises.
Which is good as the days were spent lugging the weight of the company around on my back.
On my back, on my knees…it was relentless with their demands.
Luckily, the other programme manager was there to help carry the agenda along.
And when the going got tough, the tough did team building along with our guide, who frankly was a little bit useless.
And he was no help whatsoever in negotiating the road signs.
And Christ were the traffic jams dreadful.
But the day out pub lunches were brilliant.
The days were worth it as we gathered round the table once again in the evenings to discuss strategies.
Aided by a cool and kooky fireplace.
And team building got much more fun once the liquids flowed.
Although sometimes I got to enjoy a little me time, which was nice.
And we would all let our hair down and dress business casual in the evenings.
And we concluded the business meetings happily, peacefully, and the strategy is set.
All is well.
Truly.
-S.
Ahhh…love the sunsets, beautiful. LOVE, love, love the photos of you and the Lemonheads…most of all, I love the genuine smile on your face. Your eyes even lit up and that’s how I know you felt it from the tips of your toes to the roots of your hair. So happy for you…ALL of you.
Oh and that last photo, of the kiddos holding hand. Yeah, I felt my ovaries explode and those bitches have been in retirement for years. Just sayin’.
These photos brought tears to my eyes. Fabulous series. I think the one of you in the tub with the twins will be my all-time favorite of anyone anywhere. It’s good to see you all smiling.
I love the bath photos. Looks like a wonderful way to spend some time. Congrats on achieving that. xx
Glad you had a great time. Wonderful pictures of all of you.I think it was a much deserved break for you! well, other than cooking on the aga that is.
You all look so joyously happy. The last one of the kidlets holding hands is gorgeous. Sounds like it was a blissful escape.
It’s good to see that lovely smile back.
What wonderful pictures of all of you! Sound like you had a great vacation–so glad that things are beginning to be well again.
my day of grey grim wet London was brightened by the fab photos and sensing the undercurrent of some sunshine even if metaphorical for you !
Happy happy joy joy!
Au contraire, my love! The new electric & gas ovens are slightly easier to tame, but the older, solid-fuel ones are absolute bastards, every one. My MIL has a solid-fuel Rayburn (the poor man’s Aga) that’s a truly malevolent fucking piece of work; every time they go away it gleefully misbehaves and smokes out the entire house. When we were building our house I said I didn’t want one (in a manoeuvre of breathtaking fiscal stupidity, as it turned out my MIL was actually prepared to pay), mainly because I thought they were silly money. After 5 years of cooking on the shittest range in the world, I now wish I’d had one after all. Doh!
These are delicious and fabulous photos. I particularly love the one of the twins and Alistair sat on the sofa: Nick is pointing to Alistair’s wine glass with a ‘WANT!’ expression and Nora is sat wiggling her ear with a total ‘Jeeez… they’re Mental!’ look to her. Love those kids.
Warms my heart, this does! Wales AND babies? What more could you need in the world? :)
This post brought tears to my eyes. Its so good to see you smiling & content, I am really happy for you!
Prayers & best wishes always.
~J
Awe, really and truly, that warmed my heart!
It looks lovely.
It looks like such a fabulous and relaxing time. Plus that smile on your face just makes my heart so happy for you! It is so nice to see, but I know it is even nicer to wear.
Hugs.
Gorgeous. All of it. The scenery, the sunrise and most of all, the smiles. Congratulations.
I’m very happy that you and your family are happy again.
OK, that fireplace was AMAZING. Almost makes me want on in my house, but only if I can get it in a gas version.
Pictures were great. Sending tons of positive energy your way to keep those smiles on everyone’s face!
Beautiful! And I can’t get over the architecture of that place — wow!