Sorry I have not been blogging for a while – this is caused by multiple things…. Work being busy as people are off on Annual Leave, (Maria and Pat) and I am covering the till. I have another bloody UTI and Radio stuff. However, I am still alive, (just) and will be back to full blogging mode soon.
However, I will quickly show off my new desk at work… It’s at the end of the Sort Table and allows me to do what I need to do, without having to hog the kitchen table. I am even getting a new chair soon, which is the chair in the office. (Once Bethan gets a new one sorted)
Of course, Splodge is doing my head in… She won’t leave the chains alone on the Cuckoo Clock, but you still have to love her. 🙂 Speaking of the Cuckoo Clock, I am going to email the clock repair man in Blackpool and book him to come and fix it.
Today was very busy. I finally got round to clearing the top of the lockers. Unfortunately there was loads of cardboard and other rubbish up there, as well as the costumes for fundraising and the Resussi Annie Doll. The costumes got boxed and put on top of the lockers, along with the Resussi Annie Doll. It looks alot better. It took ages to sort out and it meant taking loads of cardboard this down to the bins. This took several trips.
We also managed to tidy the Work Room. This took quite a bit of work as well and meant taking loads down to the bins. Our bin shed is now full to the brim. Thankfully tomorrow, I will be putting the bins out, so we will get getting rid of loads and loads of rubbish. The Work Room won’t stay tidy for long, as we are always getting donations and I am sure that we will be getting a delivery of more stuff in the coming days!
Tidied Stock Room
I did manage to do some work on the shop floor, as well as my normal cleaning duties and sorting out the locker room. I served customers and tidied up the shop floor at the same time. We also did all the Health and Safety Checks, which included the Fire Alarm Test.
Then, I managed to make Lucy crease herself with laughter. While I was cleaning the toilets, (at the end of the day) Dirty Blondes kept coming on our radio channel. The 1st message was about an order for table 23. Then when I was downstairs, I heard them call: “Hello hello hello?”
I could not help myself and had to sing Adele down the radio. “Hello, it’s me, I’ve ordered a Pepperoni Pizza and I’m sat at table 23!” This made Lucy almost wet herself with laughter! For me this was very quick whited and extremely hilarious. I wonder what Dirty Blondes thought or if they realized it was us having some fun with them? 😂😂😂😂
It just proves, we have far too much fun at the British Heart Foundation! 😂😂😂😂😂
Today, we all dressed up for Halloween at work. I was Winifred Sanderson, Bethan was Mary Sanderson, Maria came as Binx, (The cat in Hocus Pocus) Lucy was Freddy Kruger and Pat came as a cat.
Me as Winifred SandersonLeft to Right: Pat as a Cat, Lucy as Freddie Kruger, Maria as Thackery Binx, Bethan as Mary Sanderson
I have been on the shop floor most of the day and my feet kill from wearing heels all day. However, it was all in good spirits and our customers loved the banter. Especially how I really got into character as Whinny!
I just had to share this picture of us all at the shop. This is just a few of the brilliant people I work with! They are all as crackers as me, apart from Mary; who is probably one of the sanest at our shop!! 😂😂😂
Tomorrow is Halloween and we are all dressing up, so if your local, come in as I will be dressed as Whiney from Hocus Pocus. Bethan is also dressing up Sarah Sanderson, Maria is being a cat (Thackery Binx) and hopefully, Lucy is dressing up as Adele. (Hello it’s me)
Left to Right: Lucy ( Deputy Store Manager) Mary (Books and DVDs Coordinator) Bethan (Store Manager) Me & Maria
Today at work has been fun, as it was only myself and Lucy in. Of course, we found ways to keep ourselves entertained, bouncing off each other with rubbish jokes and plenty of laughs. I spent most of the day on the shop floor and even may have convinced Lucy to dress up as Adele for Halloween. I even got asked by a customer, to come down in my high heels that I am going to wear with my Halloween costume. Of course, I didn’t mind parading round the shop in them. (That and a bit of Kenneth came out – OH MATRON!)
Once again, I left late, as I had a backlog of jobs to do before I left. – Hoover upstairs, wash up, clean the toilets, put the bins out and generally tidy up. However, I did manage to get the 5.30 bus, so that wasn’t too bad.
I grabbed this mug at the end of my shift. I payed a decent price for it, along with 2 bathroom mats. (Under a fiver) I love this mug, it has the Periodic Table of Text Messaging on it. This is a list of short codes used during texting. IE: WYL = Watch Your Language) It also has the codes for different similes. It is proper cool and I love it! 🙂
I have had a few brews out of the mug. (Coffee, 3 sugars and very milky) Sadly, my bathroom mats are not a full set. It was missing the mat for around the toilet. This is why my boss sold it to me for a mere £2 for both mats. I may be able to get a mat that matches online. At least now I don’t have to stand on the cold Lino, when I get out the shower!
BTW, my Winifred Costume comes on Tuesday to work. I am going for the whole hog on Halloween, to be Winifred Sanderson (from Hocus Pocus) at work, this Halloween!
This week is going to be fun, as Maria is supposed to be off and Pat is off all week, so more than likely, I am going to be on the shop floor loads. I don’t mind, as that’s where all the action is. Our customers love me, as I am so entertaining and random. From my Fireman Sam (“Oooooh Boyo! Now then Norman, it’s not good to play with matches”) and Kenneth Williams Impressions, “(OOOOOH MATRON!”) To telling rubbish jokes (“Why can’t Dalmatians play hide and seek? Because they are always spotted”) and singing and dancing round the shop. Yes, I am nuts and proud of it!!! Just stand clear when I let out a loud fart on the shop floor! (Frrrrrrrrrrph – “More Tea Vicar?”) 😂
I just wanted to write a post on why I love my job at the British Heart Foundation. I may only be a volunteer, but without us “volis”, nothing would get done. That is why thousands of people up and down the country, give up their time to volunteer at the charity.
I enjoy volunteering at the shop, because it gives me something positive to do. I also get to work with a brilliant team, especially Bethan, my “work wife” – Maria, Pat and the many others that are the literal ‘beating heart’ of the shop. We have plenty of laughs, we, we work hard and we help to raise money for vital research into heart related illnesses. No day is ever the same and our shop is vibrant and welcoming.
Vinnie and Renee – Charity Shop Workers in the BBC Sketch Show: The League of Gentlemen
We also have plenty of fun, especially when Maria and I get on our Walkie Talkies) We often call each other over the radio and can be rather silly at times, but serious when we need to be. there is a real sense of community, where you are never alone. As Volis, we support each other, no matter what live chucks at us. We have a Whatsapp Group too for many of our shops, so you will always be in touch with your local shop team. (No Tubbs and Edward do not work at our shop, neither do Vinnie and Renee!)
This is a reference to The League of Gentlemen. (Which is one of my favourite sketch shows) “Nooooo need to be rude dear!” (I can do a brilliant impression of Renee btw!)
If you want to come and join a brilliant team, (which cares about each other and have a lot of fun while we are at it) Come and join the BHF. Our Shop Teams are made up of volunteers from all walks of life, different ages and skills. You will be made most welcome, get plenty of brews along the way, get training in your role and get a cheeky 25% off when you buy something from one of our shops. (Even if you are on holiday and visit another store!)
There is so much you can do at your local shop. You can sort donations that come in, do what I do and help keep the shop clean and tidy, work on the shop floor – serving customers, (yet another thing I do) You can put stock out and dress windows, sort out books and brica-brac and so much more.
If your interested in volunteering at your local shop, go online to https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteer or pop in and speak to one of our lovely Managers. Most towns have a BHF Shop, either Clothing and Brica-Brac, electrical and furniture and much more. You can find your local BHF Shop, by clicking here.
Time for bed, I am back in our store tomorrow, working with Bethan, Maria and Pat. It’s going to be another fun but knackering day, I am sure. However, I like days when I come home tired, because those are the days, I know I have made the most difference. 🙂
Before I go to bed, I must mention that I have been watching Shameless. I love Shameless and it’s thanks to my neighbour Steph, that I got back into watching it. Below is the intro to the show, if you have never seen it before.
It has been another busy day at the shop today. I have been an apprentice till operator, so my ‘Work Wife’: Maria, has been showing me the ropes. I got the hang of it quite quickly! So for once, I was on the shop floor all morning!
At lunch, myself and Maria managed to miss each other again, as we were both going to Macci’s for lunch, but managed to both be in the wrong place at the wrong time!!!!
Then I ended up using my deck brush to scrub the lino in the loos, locker room and the kitchen as part of my daily clean. The Lino has never looked so clean! You can click here, to view my post on cleaning Safety Lino.
I did manage to pick up a bargain though – a really nice hoody, with staff discount. (£1.50, which is a real bargain!!)
I have had a few brews out of the mug. (Coffee, 3 sugars and very milky) Sadly, my bathroom mats are not a full set. It was missing the mat for around the toilet. This is why my boss sold it to me for a mere £2 for both mats. I may be able to get a mat that matches online. At least now I don’t have to stand on the cold Lino, when I get out the shower!
