Hair today gone tomorrow

Today is the last day of Movember, which means that tomorrow I shave off my Mo. I couldn't be happier about it. It's not that I haven't enjoyed supporting a great cause and growing my Mo. It's just that my Mo has now become so irritating and my lips so dry that it's driving me insane.

So from tomorrow it's back to fresh faced.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Black Friday

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America, which means today is Black Friday, the biggest pre-Christmas sale day in America. Up until now this only happened in America, but it has now spread to the UK. My Mother-in-law works at a large British supermarket, and today she had reason to be scared at work. They were holding a Black Friday Sale, and the public were behaving disgracefully. Fighting over TV's, rushing down the aisles, knocking over staff and in one case a small child. When there was a fire alarm, people were refusing to leave without their chosen bargains.

I'm no saint when it comes to coveting material things, but there is nothing on this earth that would cause me to behave so disgracefully.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

1250

Sorry for the delay in yesterday's post, it was a bit of a hectic day. My Father-in-law had surgery yesterday and as we are closer to the hospital we had my Mother & Brother-in-law here so they could visit. The surgery went well and subject to a sensible rehabilitation from him my Father-in-law should be relatively pain free for the long term.

As well as that we had an important visit at work yesterday. Every year over November & December they run a big incentive, with a fabulous holiday as a prize, this year it's Hong Kong and, the Vegas of the East, Macau. As part of the incentive the senior management, Area manager and above, go round to every store in the country on several big buses. As we were closed when this happened, we didn't get the bus, but we still got the tour.

There are 2 parts to the tour, store standards and enjoyment. We nailed all the questions and got full marks for store standards. As for enjoyment, we staged a boxing match between our 2 fitness freaks, with one of the other guys dressed as a referee, followed by some sparring for our Area manager. Our referee then transitioned to a roulette dealer, and our Area manager had a bit of a, pretend, gamble.

With all said and done we got a perfect score, 1250 points.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

We found love in a hopeless place

Today my wife closed the book on a chapter in our lives. She handed her notice in at the company we both worked at when we met. I personally could not be any happier! She is now going to be staying home looking after our beautiful baby, and I couldn't think of a more rewarding job for her. Or for that matter a job that she'd be better at.

I just hope that she's as happy as I am about it.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Almost like Marvel

Tonight my wife and I watched Smallville. Half way through our second episode our Tesco delivery arrived. While we were waiting for our shopping to be unloaded, I commented to my wife that I liked the episode we were watching, as it had Green Arrow, Cyborg, Aquaman & The Flash in it in addition to Superman. She replied to this by saying it was almost like Marvel. I understood what she meant, she was thinking of either the Avengers or the X-men, but I still couldn't help but be horrified.

Other than that it was a fairly ordinary day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Meat Deficiency

A week after first planned, we went for our Toby Carvery. I was not impressed. We entered and were greeted, informed there would be a 25-30 minute wait and given one of the flashy, vibraty table notifiers. While we waited we got ourselves some, very expensive, drinks. My wife ordered a Pepsi and waited for them to change the syrup over and flush the system through. While waiting she noticed the bartender had an uncovered cut on his hand. When she went to pay for the drinks, she pointed it out to him, he nonchalantly told her he needed to have it stitched. How about a plaster in the meantime.

The meal itself wasn't too bad although it did feel like they'd tried to fit too many tables in. The only other complaint was the deficiency in the number of meats available from their 4 meat Carvery, there were only 3. I'm glad we had a 2 courses for £6.50 voucher as if not I don't think it would have been very good value.

In future I think I'll stick with the Mermaid.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Who's the Dr?

As we were entertaining last night I missed the 50th anniversary special of Dr Who. So today I watched it on catch up. It was fantastic. My wife and I continue to have our debate over who the best Dr is. My wife thinks David Tenant but I absolutely adore Matt Smith. After watching this episode, I have to say there's not much in it.

Tomorrow is another day off. I do love having days off together.

Thanks for reading.

Adam Edward Grant

Mr & Mrs

Tonight my in-laws came round to celebrate my father-in-laws birthday, which is tomorrow. My wife made a cake, which she tried to pass off as our sons after it went wrong, and a lovely chilli con carne. After dinner I took care of the entertainment. We played Mr & Mrs and it was a lot of fun, all 3 couples did really well, some better than others, and it was funny seeing some of the answers they gave.

The best part of the night is that I now have 2 days off.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A Brief Brief

Last night I was our stores representative on an area conference call, so this morning I delivered our team brief. There were some very good points to feedback. I also made it a bit more fun. I started by playing 'I believe I can fly' to inspire the team to dream big, I then played 'dirt off your shoulder' mid way through to tell them to leave the tough week behind them, finally I played TNA wrestler AJ Styles entrance music 'get ready to fly' to encourage them to go out and achieve.

I don't know how much of it was to do with my brief, but we had a better day for new business today than the last 3 days combined.

I'd like to think it was down to me.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A plate of peas

Today was another very quiet day at work, that's 3 in a row now, and it's starting to get frustrating. It's not that we're not getting people through the door, but we don't seem to be able to seal the deal. Tomorrow is another day, with another set of customers and another set of opportunities.

Tonight I had my dinner reheated as we have decided it is better for my wife to eat with our son, it was still a really nice dinner but it did beat me when I got to the entire plate full of peas.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Oversleep and arrive early

My alarm went off at 6am as usual today. It woke me up and I silenced it as usual. Not as usual however was the fact that I fell back asleep before I could even turn it off. I eventually woke up about 7.30, and spent the next half an hour rushing around getting sorted to leave for work. At 8 o'clock I left the house. At 8.30 I arrived at work, 2 hours early! What a start to the day.

The day itself was average at best, but thoroughly productive. My evening from seeing my son, to spending time on the sofa with my wife was fantastic.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Out of love

Tonight England are playing Germany. I could not be less bothered. I don't know when it happened but I have fallen out of love with football. At the same time I seem to have fallen back in love with wrestling. So instead of watching the football I'm watching my recordings of TNA from this past Sunday.

I still hope England win, but I will only know when I see the headlines.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A breakfast adventure

This morning we had a lay in, well it felt like that anyway. My wife and I both woke up just after 6, but neither of us got out of bed before 7.30. My wife then washed her hair while I did the previous days washing up. Then at 8.33 our son woke up. By 9.30 we were on our way out for breakfast, my wife's suggestion.

We were going to visit the new Toby Carvery, as there Facebook page said they opened today, they Infact open tomorrow as we found out upon arrival. The Harvester was also closed, The Mermaid doesn't do breakfast during the week, McDonald's doesn't do anything suitable for our son. We eventually got breakfast at Frankie & Benny's, it was worth the wait.

After breakfast we had a few errands to run and then spent the rest of the day busily chilling at home.

I really love my days off.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

What do you get if you cross a sheep with a kangaroo?

My wife went with her parents to lakeside today while I was at work. She takes the trip almost every year and always enjoys it. It's nice to hear about her day and to know that she had a good time. It's even nicer when she buys me presents, especially ones that I really need. I have been getting so cold recently in the evenings that she bought me a nice wooly jumper.

The only downside to her trip is that we have only just put our son to bed and haven't had dinner yet. I am starving.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

3 hours late

Another day off today, and a rare Saturday off too. I was up early and to prove to my wife that I didn't need to take cold and flu capsules, I got on straight away. By 8.45 we had done all of our morning bits and were sitting waiting for the range to open. Once it opened we got a few bits and then we headed to my parents.

My oldest sister wasn't there, so we were 5 people less than usual, but it still felt very manic. After a lunch of homemade butternut squash and sweet potato soup, we had to dash as my brother in law and his girlfriend were coming over for my wife to do her hair and then have a takeaway and an evening in front of the TV.

They were due to arrive at 2.30, they actually arrived at 5.30. I've never been one to be late so I struggle to understand how someone can be, let alone how they can be 3 hours late. Once they did arrive and once my wife had rearranged cutting and colouring her hair, we all sat down and had a lovely evening.

Tomorrow is back to work before another day off on Monday.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Finally 2

As I write my wife is putting her clothes into her new wardrobe. It's been a long wait but it was worth it. They look gorgeous, I have enough space and hopefully my wife will too. Even today was a long wait for them. We were expecting them between 7.30 and 1, we were scheduled to get them at 10.20, but the delivery truck took a tumble into a ditch last night and had to be repaired this morning.

Even if they were 5 hours late, I'm still happy that we finally have them.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

2 days off? Don't mind if I do

Tomorrow I have the first of 2 days off and while I love my shiny new store I'm very much looking forward to them. It's almost like having a weekend.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Shop proud

Our new shop is so lovely and I feel so happy and proud to work there. I'm so shop proud that when a bird pooed on our window today, I went straight out to clean it. It feels so good.

I also feel very house proud at the moment, as my wife has made Wednesdays her cleaning day. The house is now getting very clean and tidy. I really appreciate everything she does, especially when she makes me flapjacks too.

I feel so blessed right now.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Shinilicious

It's good to be home. Today we had our, not so, grand reopening. Without any ado and with very little fanfare, we are back and we had a good day to prove it. Now the hard work really starts if we want to win our peak incentive.

Bring it on.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Homecoming

Today I returned to work at my normal store. We reopen tomorrow so today was spent getting everything back to normal. There was a lot to do. Even with 7 of us working it took all day. By the end of the day the store looked beautiful. I on the other hand didn't. I hit my head and have a nasty lump, a slight cut and what feels like a concussion.

Thankfully it's fully back to normality at work tomorrow.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Poo-poo in the potty

A few months ago my wife and I were in Toys'r'us and my son showed an interest in the pottys, so we bought one. Since then we have been putting him on the potty at night before he has a bath. A few days ago he had has first wee on the potty, he has had two more since then, and tonight he has had his first poo. I'm so proud of him, especially as it's the first time I've seen him do anything on the potty too.

It was a brilliant end to a lovely day off. We spent the morning out, my wife cut her friends hair, and then we took our son to a play area. He enjoyed his first go on the swings. This afternoon we have just been at home, my wife cut my hair.

It's been a completely chilled, stress-free day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Annular disruption with a broad based disc bulge and a focal paracentral disc protrusion

Today after a reasonable day at work, and a nice night at the in-laws, I arrived home to find a letter from the hospital. It was the results of my MRI. The letter was very scary, it told me that I had annular disruption with a broad based disc bulge and a focal paracentral disc protrusion. I had no idea what this meant.

Thankfully my father is well versed in anatomy and physiology and he was able to break it down for me. I have bulging cartilage in my lower back which is causing compression of my nerves and in turn causing not only my back pain but also potentially my knee pain.

It amazes me that the NHS would send a letter with this much jargon in it. I mean they could have sent me an appointment and explained it too me face to face. No wonder we don't have faith in the health service.

I will be making an appointment with my GP, and I will be asking 2 questions. What does it mean? And how do we treat it?

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Uninspiring

Today was not a great day. The highlight of my day was getting to see my son before I left for work. I won't get that highlight tomorrow as I have to leave the house before he wakes up.

Thankfully it is my last day travelling.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Boredom

Today I had a day off, I spent the first 6 hours of it alone. My wife had to run some errands before going to her baby group. She left the house at 8.30, having asked me to do 3 things, 4 if you include her instruction that I must shower. By 10 I had completed them all. By 10.05 I was bored, I'm just not used to being on my own.

I tried to entertain myself by playing FIFA, it didn't work. I tried watching TV, it didn't work. I tried playing on my iPad, it didn't work. Infact the only thing that did stop my boredom were washing up, peeling the potatoes for dinner and drying out the steriliser.

Thankfully they got home around 2 and I was no longer bored. When did I lose my ability to occupy myself.

I won't get an opportunity to be bored tomorrow as it's another day travelling to work. Only 2 to go.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Found wanting

Today I was once again in Cambridge and it was my challenge day. I decided to amp up the challenge by sending a Facebook message to the store manager, wrestling promo style. Unfortunately I didn't have the day I'd hoped for and while I was by no means destroyed, I also didn't win. There's always next time. Sometimes I'm a glutton for punishment.

Tomorrow is a day off and I'm so glad, I'm exhausted from 3 days of travelling and I'm having an early night tonight to refresh me.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

I hardly ever buy fairy liquid

Today was another day of travelling. I was working in Bury St. Edmunds, so I had to leave the house at 7.15, having had a quick cuddle with my son, and didn't arrive home until 6.15, just in time for bed time. Once he was in bed it was then time for dinner in front of the TV, as always Tuesday is Smallville night.

Having watched 2 episodes, I suggested to my wife that we go to bed, only for her to remind me that I hadn't done the washing up. I hate washing up. After 5 minutes of hoping it would go away, I then got on with it, moaning, whinging and stroping the whole time. I hate washing up.

I got it done eventually, though it seemed to take forever. Now it's time for bed ahead of another long day travelling tomorrow

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Never back down

Today I was working in one of the busiest stores in our area. I had to go to do some training as it has already been refitted. While there I somehow managed to get myself into a challenge for when I am back there on Wednesday. It's a challenge that I may not win, but I have faith that I can deliver. Even if I lose it's still better than backing down in my opinion.

Despite working over an hour from home I was still lucky enough to see my son and wife before I left and once I got home. I even got home in time for dinner with them. On the downside though the early mornings and travelling are starting to get to me and leave me exhausted. So it's an early night tonight ahead of another day of travel tomorrow.

I'm glad for the opportunity to prove myself in other stores, but I'll be very pleased to be back in my own store next week.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A sandwich filling day

It's always hard not seeing my son, so I always make sure that I make up for the missed time. Today was one of those days. After not seeing him yesterday, he was still asleep when I left for work and was back asleep by the time I got home. So today I made sure I was the first person he saw this morning and the last person he saw this evening.

I made sure to spend as much time as possible with him, even while I was in the bath. He sat and played and I read some Harry Potter to him.

Tomorrow is another one of those days, I have to leave the house at 7.15.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Silent Assassin

Today I returned to work, as my store is still closed I was working in Norwich. This meant that I had to leave home at 7 to get the 7.44 train in order to get into store on time. Once in store I wasted no time in showing the guys what I'm made of. The store manager decided I was a silent assassin.

5.30 rolled around after a fabulous day and it was back to the train station to get the train home. My wife and son picked me up from the station and we got fish and chips on the way home. We followed this up with a couple of glasses of wine while watching X-Factor.

The hardest part of today was not seeing my son awake, but I have a day off tomorrow so I can get my fill of him.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

My wife is Awesome!!!

Today we picked up our new car, well my wife did. I was at a meeting for work. She had known for ages that she had got a special registration for me. When we ordered the car we discussed with the guy from Peugeot how a good registration number means everything. At the start of September he had one come in that he thought I might like. So he phoned my wife and she agreed, so he put it to one side for us. When my wife picked me up from my meeting I looked at the registration and I was very happy.

The last 3 letters were AEG!

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

P.S. Please visit http://uk.movember.com/mospace/7088913 and donate!