what a difference a typo makes...

A few posts ago, I mentioned the fact that my spleen was stupidly enlarged and that it appeared that it had got much much bigger during the last 18 months. I went back to hospital not long ago for a check up and raised this issue with the consultant. Sypmathising with the situation, he had a look at the results and compared the most recent ultrasound scan with one done 18 months ago and also with an MRI scan that was done at the same time. Judging by the MRI, it appears that there was a typing error in the ultrasound that was done at the same time. The result given was that my spleen was 16cm back in Feb 2010 and 24 cm in July 2011. Looking at the MRI however, showed that my spleen extends right down to the pelvis and was certainly much bigger than the 16cm given by the ultra sound scan indicating that it had, in fact, been 26cm in Feb 2010! Whilst looking at the MRI images was quite scary- I could see exactly where my spleen stopped being protected by the rib cage and how the surface of the liver was bobbly, scarred and slightly shrivelled looking- it was quite reassuring to know that there has not been that much of a dramatic change in the size of the spleen. The concern was that had there been a dramatic increase in size, it would mean that the spleen was being worked much harder than it should have been and could have meant that a liver transplant may be needed sooner than expected. Since everything seems to be pretty stable at the moment though, it is still very much in the future. For now.

Jen x

Shop til you drop

I was going to write a coherently argued piece about the rioting that took place in cities across the country 2 weeks ago but have found that there was just far too much for me to get my head around!

So I will just continue as I have been...

The weekend of the riots coincided with a trade fair in London that I went to with Mum to look mainly at stock for Spring/ Summer next year. Last time mother and I attempted trade fair shopping together, it ended in complete disaster! There was a lot of shouting and a lot of tears and I ended up doing it all on my own. This time, we weere both a little more prepared for how the show works and I also had more of an idea about how much I could spend and what I wanted to spend it on. I am more confident in talking to the sales people and in getting better deals for myself and making sure that I get what I want. Not only that, but I am learning the art of saying 'no'. Something that is very new to me, especially when it comes to pretty clothes. Mum has calmed down too and is beginning to accept that the business is not a play thing for her but is my way of life, my job and my source of income and so has learned that there are times when her decisions have to be overruled. This didn't stop her looking at stands that had one pretty item and asking if we could have it despite the company having a minimum order of £1000... or something along those lines!

3 days of solid shopping later, we went home empty handed (except for the new shoes I had to buy because my feet were hurting so much), but with some fantastic new suppliers for the shop... New designers and new collections the likes of which have never been seen south of London!! Very exciting times for the shop. All that's left to do is sell the lovely new pretties! :)

Jen x

That's Entertainment

As a small, independent retailer, I am often targeted by publications that want me to advertise with them. Last week, I had a phonecall from someone representing a publication for the local cinema. I seem to remember being very brusque during the first phone call as I had a shop full of customers and better things to do than to have someone trying to sell me advertising space. After asking if they could call back another time I hung up and presumed that they wouldn't bother again. At the end of the day, I was relieved not to have heard any more. The following day though, I was called again and this time they said they should come in and show me the publication and the deals they could do.

Later that afternoon as I was flitting around the shop barefoot wearing short shorts, a youngish man comes in. He says what a lovely shop this is and how his daughter (who is 2) would be swinging from the chandeliers. We sit down and chat about the advertising options and make polite conversation. He asks how I got into the job and if I enjoy it etc. all very polite, standard conversation. He asks if I work many hours (yes!) and comments that my boyfriend must find that a pain. No boyfriend, I tell him- men are too much time and effort. A customer has walked in by now so I check that she is ok and help her find a few things whilst mr sorts out the paperwork side of things. Once done, he gets up and shakes my hand to say thanks for the advertising. After trying on a few things, my customer is now back to browsing the rails and I'm standing behind the counter with this bloke in front of the counter. Hands have been shaken, papers signed, and I have a customer who needs some attention- that's his cue to leave. Instead, he asks what I'm up to that evening. A bit taken aback, I may haave told him that that was a bit forward but in my shocked state I couldn't think of anything I might be doing. Then he asked for my mobile numer... my customer is still lurking behind the rails trying not to interrupt the situation... I politely told him that, no he couldn't have my number and he left. At which point I started laughing and my customer came our of hiding and said that she didn't think I looked that desperate!!

That was certainly a first, and a very entertaining one at that! Although he wasn't mr smooth or mr hot, it was still flattering and maybe it won't be the only time I'm asked out by someone trying to sell me something. Lets just hope that if there is a next time, he's hotter!

Jen xx

Good Riddance

After over a week of not seeing South Africa due to birthday celebrations, I thought that I ought to see him at some point (especially since he'd given me a birthday pressie... moving too fast anyone???). We arranged that I would drive up and see him and sort out further plans from there. I had also been invited to go surfing the same day which I was expecting to be in the morning so when I heard that the plan was to go in the afternoon, I had to decline. I should probably have taken it as a sign that I would rather have gone surfing... but I went ahead with the 'date' anyway.

When I got there, South Africa was not in the best way after a rather late night. Still, we went upstairs and you don't need details! We then had lunch with his parents. His mum is a great cook but a little full on crazy! After lunch, we chatted about what we might do with the afternoon- watch a film, go for a walk on the beach, do something! We didn't really come to any decision but went upstairs and lay down chatting away. South Africa then says to me 'do you mind if I have catch 20mins sleep'. No worries, you go to sleep, I'll have a bit of a lie down and watch a bit of T.V. Not how I'd usually spend a dya off but hey ho. Over an hour later I had dozed off a little out of sheer boredom. I checked my phone to seee the time- 5:30pm- and got up saying I was going to head home. I got very little response and once I'd sorted my stuff out let him know again that I was leaving and started to head out of the door. It was only at this point that he said he would walk me to the door- no questions about why I was leaving and no effort to keep me there. Seriously! I do not have time for someone who doesn't want to fight for me so left feeling pretty angry. I got a phone call as I was driving home to apologise and had excuse after excuse thrown at me- he thought maybe I had to be home for something, he was hungover and not in the mood, blah blah bull shit! I gave him the option- Did he want me to come back or should I go home? From this I got no straight answer so said I was going to go home and wouldn't be coming back. Since this got a similarly non-commital response I drove off with absolutely no regrets. Clearly we are never going to work. That's the thing with online dating though- it's always going to be difficult to find someone who is right for you because there is, in many cases, going to be so little common ground.

I had one more message from him the following day which was a kind of apology but also a whole load of excuses which only served to piss me off even more! So, it's goodbye South Africa and onto the next challenge!!

Jen xx

Surprise!!

It was my birthday a few weeks ago (11th July) and Mum had planned a weekend up in London for the family. She organised it months ago and told me that I just needed to make sure I had taken the weekend off from work and had someone to cover for me at the shop. With this all sorted, we drove up to London. Since Mum and I are pretty good at knowing what the other will like, I wasn't too aprehensive about the surprise she had planned and suspected that it was either a show or a concert. I did overhear a conversation with my brother at one point that confirmed that we would all be going to a concert. As usual during the summer season, there were plenty to choose from that weekend most of which I would enjoy so I was still fairly in the dark. We found where we were staying- a block of holiday apartments in which we were given an extra room because there was a 'maintenance issue' with the twin room my brother and I were supposed to be sharing- then went off for food. After food it was a taxi down the road to the gig venue. Still not knowing who we were going to see, I was actually pretty excited. As we got closer to the gates of Somerset House, it became a little tricky for it to stay a surprise so Mum handed me my ticket. It was to see Stornoway- cue blank faces from Dad, Paul and most others... They are amazing and I love them!!! They are a band from South London who are similar to Mumford and Sons in that they have a very folky influence. They're songs are a bit more mellow than Mumfords but they are definitely an equally talented bunch of blokes. Waiting for the gig to start there were so many instruments on stage that we wondered where anyone else was going to fit. This was Stornoway's biggest headline gig to date with just 3000 people filling the courtyard of Somerset house. It was a beautiful evening in a lovely setting and the music was amazing. I absolutely love seeing bands who know how to play the intruments that make good music and these guys certainly know how to do that! If you get chance, they are well worth checking out- especially their song 'Battery human'- love the song, love the lyrics!

Jen xx

Stoopid Liver

A few weeks ago, I took myself off to what felt like the millionth hospital appointment in a few weeks. This was an ultrasound so nothing invasive or painful but pretty informative. After lying down covered in goo for a while, the doctor informed me that my spleen was 24 cm. This meaning very little to me, she then told me that last time I had an ultrasound (about 18 months- 2 years ago) it was 16cm and was enlarged then. This sent me into a bit of a panic as it essentially means that my spleen is taking on far more of the liver's work than it ought to and than it used to. The ultra sound doctor couldn't really give me much more information about what this might mean in terms of treatment and so it's a case of 'wait and see' until I next see my consultant. Thankfully that's not too far off so I'll be more clued up. Until then, I will not think about it, will not worry about it and will do my best to look after myself. There's no point worrying about things you can't change!

Jen xx

just like buses!

After quite some time of being out of relationships and getting pretty much nothing by way of decent attention from men, it has all come along at once...

After the hilarious, disastrous date; there was the second date with 'South Africa'. We started chatting waaaay back in November, just before I went to Australia. As we got closer to Christmas, and to the stage at which we were going to meet, he told me he'd met someone blah blah blah so I did what any sensible girl does and deleted him from facebook. Which is why I was very surprised to find a message from him when I got home from Lanzarote. I was a bit unsure as to whether he intended our first meeting to be a date or a business meeting (he contacted me saying that he wanted to start up a business in the clothing industry and needed some advice). After a bit more conversation, I figured that it was definitely a date and that his business plan was just a way of getting conversation started again.

Back to the point. Saturday night was disastrous date, Sunday was a day with South Africa. We get on pretty well and I really enjoy spending time with him so have carried on seeing him. It does seem to be flying into 'relationship' status though which is a little bit scary. Whilst at his with his best mate, he referred to me as his girlfriend. I let it pass (don't want to appear crazy), but having been single for such a long time, the idea of actually being someone's girlfriend is a little bit daunting. It also doesn't help that whilst the guy is attractive and we have fun together (lot's of fun!), I still have 'sailor boy' in the back of my mind. There was just something about the very small amount of time we spent together that has kept me thinking about him. To me, this just shows that even though I have a great time with 'South Africa', I don't want to be his girlfriend. There is something missing that means that I don't want a relationship with him. Mum reckons that maybe I need to get to know him better before I make any decisions and that I shouldn't let 'sailor boy' affect the decision I make.

But the story doesn't end there... It was my birthday on Monday (thanks for all the messages!) and on Friday night I went out celebrating with the holiday girls. We had a great night oggling the band in uniform in Annabels and also had a few of our much loved 'confession times'. This led to me sending sailor boy a would be drunken message at some stupid hour of the morning to let him know I would be in London over the weekend. As expected, I had no reply despite checking my phone every 30 seconds whilst in London 'just in case'. I wasn't expecting to hear back at all which is why, when I checked fb on my phone for the last time before I went to the land of nod last night and saw the 1 new message sign, the last person I was expecting it to be from was 'sailor boy'. But there it was. 1 new message from sailor boy. Not only that but the response was very positive. I'll be back in London in a few weeks time for work and possibly even the week before for the Vintage festival so watch this space.

In the meantime, I'm going to have to be very careful with South Africa who, having only known me for a few weeks, got me a birthday present and calls and texts frequently... eeek!! gonna have to back this one up a bit and any advice on how the kindest way to do this is would be very much appreciated!!

xx