Jack The Rat

This morning at Hula, I was greeted by a new face in the Small Animal House... Jack the rat!

Jack seemed a rather inquisitive sort of rat as he watch me clean and feed the hamsters and waited patiently for his breakfast, which was a rather odd mix of mini shredded wheat, rice cakes, monkey nuts and some fresh carrot and apple, he seemed to like it though.

However I didn't manage to find the courage to pick him up for a cuddle, so I opted for just a stroke, that will do for now!

Hula Tuesday

I had a quick morning cleaning out and feeding the small animals, as the numbers are still very low; one duck, four hamsters, three rabbits and the tortoise. So I'd finished my morning by 10.30. But I was back there for 1.30 for a little bit of cat time.

My main task for the day was socialisation of the four new kitten, as they are so tiny and nervous it is so important to get them use to people. It was a lovely task! And I'm sure they've grow since last week!!

We also have a new addition, a little tortoiseshell called Honey, who I totally fell in love with, as tortoiseshell cats are my favourite as they are so friendly and affectionate! All honey wanted to do was sit on my lap and cuddle, unfortunately though she was a little camera shy, so I didn't get too many pics of her, but I did get some lovely ones of the kittens.

I had a huge break through with Boris, he stayed out of his pen for about 30 mins and only went back in when I left, but more importantly, with a ton of patience I gradually got him to venture into the outside pen and once he was there, bless him, it was like he discovered a whole new world he never knew was there. I'm so proud of him and myself for investing so much time with him. He will definitely make the right person a wonderful companion.

Monday Night Soup Run...

This week I met two new faces in the group, two guys who do the run once a month, which made us a group of five this week. The whole evening seem a little somber, not sure why, think it may have been the drizzle.

I met some interesting people on the street this week, some sad stories but as always a very grateful bunch. Wolfman was out selling the Big Issue outside Waitrose, so he popped over for a soup and a chat. I've since found out he is suffering with cancer but the hospital wont treat him unless he stops drinking, it's a very sad situation. He asked if next week we could bring him an extra blanket, I couldn't wait that long as I was cold myself that night, so after the run on my way home I stopped off at his den to drop off the spare blanket I had in my car, he was grateful and I felt happy knowing I had helped.

Monday so far...

Hula asked if I could help out this morning with the full clean out of the small animal house. The number of animals have really dropped since the weekend, we now only have three rabbits, the tortoise and four hamsters.

I was dreading cleaning out the hamsters, because usually I only do a tidy up clean, which doesn't involve picking them up! I've never held a hamster before and when I usually stroke them they sometimes look like they're going to bite me!! However, I managed to pick Hammy the friendly looking one and all went well, the next one Clare, a large rusty coloured girl, I manage to scoop out with her hamster wheel and the other two I picked up with a handful of their bedding so that I didn't disturb them too much... I survived!!

After Hula, it was off to the doctors for my final jabs, Hep B booster and Typhoid, the nurse who gave me my jabs was really interested in what I'm up to and wanted to come and help out with the soup run and Alzheimer's clubs, which is really amazing!

Then I went off to Stony Stratford for the Alzheimer's Memory Storybooks session, but sadly due to bad weather there was a no show, so I sat with Shabs, one of the full time staff member and talked to her about how long she has worked for the Society and how she deals with the emotional side of the job, over a coffee.

Then, as I had a little time on my hands, I decided to have a look round Oxfam in the high street and picked up a lovely cardigan and shirt for when I go to the orphanage, for the bargain price of £7.

And in half an hour I'll be heading off to the soup run, busy, busy Monday!! Roll on 9.30!

Friday Morning...

Arts and Crafts with the Alzheimer's Society. Continued with my Knitting while Jean told me all about her childhood in Israel and growing up in London.

Not too sure how my knitting is coming along or whether the scarf I am making is going to be ready in time for the Christmas market, so I think I'm going to try my hand a cross-stitch instead and see if I have any skill in that area!!

Wednesday

I did the clean and feed in the Small Animal House at Hula this morning, all was good there, they have asked if I can also help out on Monday mornings too, which is great. I'm also thinking of going there tomorrow for the afternoon dog walking session.

Then I dropped off a disc of photos I'd taken of the Memory Walk on Sunday to the Alzheimer's Group, they absolutely loved them and were so happy that I'd taken them, so much so, they are sending them onto the Head Office to request they go on the main website and are also printing them out to make a collage to go on the wall at the Stony Stratford centre, can't wait to see that!

Hula Tuesday...

At 8.30am I set off to clean out the rabbits and small animals at Hula. Two rabbits have been re homed since last week, Marmite and Rusty and a new addition to the small animal house was a little Hamster called Hammy (of course). Being two bunnies down meant I managed to clean up a little faster than usual which left me extra time for cuddles!

I spent the afternoon in with the cats, letting each one out in turn to have a stretch, groom and fuss. I have made real progress with Boris, he now climbs out of his cat bed when I call his name and today we got are far as the entrance to the cattery, which is so amazing as he is now no longer the cat that wont get out of his cat bed, I am so proud of his progress.

The exciting new at Hula today was the addition of four 5 week old kittens, who were so very tiny and a little bit scared, but I'm sure that after a few days they will settle in. They were so cute I couldn't resist taking a couple of pics! It wont be long until they get a new home, of that I'm sure. Diane has been re home after only one week at Hula, she is so irresistible, good job she's been re homed as I had my eye on her!! (only joking Mum...I know the two I have are enough).

Monday Night... Soup Run

Last nights soup run was really great! When I arrived there were four new faces in the group, these four were joining us for the night to experience the Soup Run with the intention of setting up there own group. Four extra pairs of hands meant the sandwiches were made and bagged up in record time.

We set off on the run, following the usual format; Station, Theatre District, Wolfman's Den and finish at the library.


All the regulars were out plus a few unfamiliar faces. The station was a little quiet but when we got to the Theatre District, not only were people waiting, withing 5 mins we had quite the crowd which meant by the time we got to the library we completely ran out...of everything; soup, sandwiches, tea, coffee, chocolate bar and crisps. A very successful night!

Memory Walk 2010

Today thousands off people will have taken part in the the annual Memory Walk across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society to help them support the fight against dementia.

I took part in our local event organised by the Alzheimer's group I volunteer at. It was a great little event, the Mayor of Newport Pagnell turned up to start the walk which was one lap of Willen lake. There was a good turn out and the group managed to raise £1000 for the charity from raffle tickets and donations given while we walked, sponsorship monies will be added on later.

Arts & Craft Friday...

Friday morning I went off to the Arts and Crafts Session at the Alzheimer's Society, I'd been practicing my knitting all week and was looking forward to showing off my new skills.

When I arrived I was greeted with some familiar faces from last week plus a few new ones, everyone was happy to see me. The group is so friendly, they have really made me feel so welcome and part of the team.

We spent our time knitting, chatting and drinking tea. Fridays are definitely becoming my favourite day of the week!

Day Off...

Thursday was my free day this week, so I decided to meet up with my old college buddy Wendy, hi Wend! Wendy is also a photographer and invited me to go with her to the Sally Mann exhibition at The Photographers Gallery in London. I'm not the biggest fan of Sally Manns work, but I'm always up for visiting an exhibition... I find that I get really inspired seeing originals up close and then there is always the book shop with so many wonderful books to flick through which also get my creative juices flowing.

After the show we went on the Highgate Cemetery with our Digital Canons and our 120 film Holgas. Highgate Cemetery is somewhere I've wanted to go for such a long time as it's so beautiful, I'm so thrilled that I finally got there (that's another thing ticked off my 101 list). Wendy and I ending up spending 4 hours there, it was such a great day! Thanks Wendy! These are a couple of my favourite shots from the day... of the 264 shots I took!

Look Who Needs A New Home...

Wednesday morning was spent at Hula, the usual cleaning out of the small animals pens and a few more pics so you can see who's looking for a new home.

Meet Peppa, Emily & Florence and Marmite.

Busy Tuesday!

Tuesdays are such a lovely, fun day... busy and smelly... but fun! There was one less hamster and rabbit this week, both have gone off to new homes, which is such great news.

My morning started with cleaning of all the small animal pens, luckily Peppa (who usually trashes her pen) hadn't made too much mess today, which I was so grateful for, I had begun to dread cleaning her pen which is why I do it first to get it out the way. Whilst I clean each pen I let the rabbit have a little run about the shed and outside rabbit garden, then once I'm all done it time for a quick cuddle before I move onto the next rabbit.

I spent the afternoon with the cats, spending one on one time with each of them, grooming, cuddling and playing. I still have my soft spot for Boris but I have also grown a huge fondness for Diane and tiny tortoiseshell who is so full of life and very inquisitive. Lovely afternoon.

My days at Hula have been swapped about, so I'll be going there again tomorrow morning to clean out and feed the small animals, instead of Thursdays. Which leaves me free this Thursday for a me day, can't wait!

Monday... Soup Run

Monday night came around so quick, Trudy couldn't make it so Sue stood in as her replacement. Sue and I made up the sandwiches, half cheese half ham, out of the four loaves John bought, whilst Steve made up the chicken soup.

We set off for the station at 7.30, Phil was already there and waiting for a coffee and a chat, we did make him up a bag with a tuna baguette (Pret left overs) crisps and a banana in it for him to take with him, apparently he's quite the reader, so I might take him some books next week. We hung around for about 20 mins and two more homeless people turned up, they were ever so grateful for the soup and sandwiches. We continued on to the Theatre district, Wolfman's den and lastly the library. We had a good turn out and not many left overs to drop off at the YMCA at the end of the evening.

It wasn't raining like last week, but it did feel a lot colder, manly due to the wind. Can't imagine how cold it's going to feel in winter! Or if there will be more of a turn out or less of homeless and helpers. Just have to wait and see I guess!

Life Story Books

Monday afternoon I headed off to the Alzheimer's Society for a 'Life Story Book' session, where the group comes together to help people suffering with Alzheimer's to put together a scrapbook of old photographs, poems and memorabilia.

I spent my time with Muriel and her daughter Fredia, we looked at lots of old black and white photos of Muriel when she was younger, old wedding photos, old houses she lived in and her family. We spent most of our time talking and listening to Muriel reminiscing. We didn't make up many pages, in fact just two but it was more about evoking memories than building the book. It was a lovely session and inspired me to get my photos out of their boxes and build a book myself, something for the 101 list I think!

Sunday...Get On Your Bike

This Sunday was the annual 'Get On Your Bike' MK 2010, the sponsored bike ride around MK to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research.

The day begun at 9.30 am in the grounds of the Milton Keynes Hilton Hotel, there was a breakfast BBQ, acrobatic displays, face painting and bikers warm up all before the race set off at 11am. My job for the event was to marshall the cyclists and assist as they crossed a main road on the route, a job which was originally going to be done by eight cadets who unfortunately pulled out at last minute. Lucky the organiser managed to get help from his family and friends (and myself) to cover, we were still a few people short, but we seemed to manage with no problems.

To help encourage families to take part in the event there are two cycle routes, one 7 miles and the other 15 miles for people feeling a little more energetic. The event was a great success, raising over £20.000 from sponsorship and donations. It was a really enjoyable event to take part in, it's quite a small Cancer Research event, which meant it has a real personal touch, everyone knows everyone and everyone involved and participating really feel appreciated.

Knitting For Alzheimer's...

This morning, 10-12.30, I went to the Alzheimer's Art's & Craft Befriending Group which is an arts and craft group for people suffering with dementia and their carers, based in Stony Stratford.

I sat with the group chatting and made the teas for the elderly suffers. The people in the group were knitting, drawing, doing embroidery and cross stitch. I chatted to a couple of lovely ladies and it wasn't long before I found myself with a pair of large needles in my hands having a refresher lesson in knitting from Jean!

The crafts which are being made are to be sold on fund raising days to raise money for children born with Cerebral Palsy.

It was such an enjoyable morning that I now have an overwhelming urge to go and buy myself a pair of needles and some wool, to practice before next weeks session!

Colourful Finds...

Was up I the crack of dawn, cleaning out the bunnies, Guinea pig, tortoise, hamsters and duck at Hula, with my brand new dust pan and brush, as the ones they have there were in such a state that I decided to spend a little of my work collection money to buy Hula some new ones! They were really grateful...sometimes the small things make all the different.

After Hula I headed to Watford to visit my favourite charity shop The New Hope Trust and I picked up a couple of bargains for myself.

Check out my finds...pink dress £1.75, matching bag 75p and funky purple suede trainers (never been worn) £2 not only do they add a little colour into my wardrobe but all the monies go towards helping and supporting the homeless in Watford.

Meet The Bunnies...

Today was another lovely day, but I'm feeling properly shattered! My morning started with the cleaning out and feeding of three hamsters, one tortoise, five bunnies, one Guinea pig, one duck... and a whole lot of mess! However the afternoon was a little less cleaning and more about fussing and grooming and ended with the evening feed for the cats.

I took time out at lunch to contact the Alzheimer's Society again, this time got through and had a great response, they are more that happy to have me help out and it looks like my Fridays are now to be spent with them. I'll be based in The Stables, Stony Stratford helping with the Arts and Crafts sessions for people with Alzheimer's and dementia.

My First Soup Run...

Well, I was advised not too expect too much, prepare myself for the organisers to not be overly thankful and the homeless to not be grateful... how different my experience was!

I was met by John at 6.30, followed by Steve and Trudy. A very friendly bunch who have been doing the run for the last 18 months, we made up cheese and ham sandwiches from four loaves of bread and four flasks of tomato soup, we also collected and huge box of leftover sandwiches and wraps from Pret.

Our first stop was MK train station where Paul was waiting for us, soup, sarnie packet of crisps and a chat about football, we then headed to the theatre District where after a short wait a group or four or five arrived, all very jolly, happy to see us and they hung out with coffees and tea whilst filling there bags with sarnies and chocolate bars.

Then an impromptu stop to the den of The Wolfman... the unofficial mascot of the MK Dons, who lives in a kind of ramp in the middle of a duel carriageway in the City Centre. Apparently I was very lucky to see him as he's not often about.

Last stop was the library where a large group were waiting, they finished off the soup and the handmade sandwiches, we fed about 20 people in the end and the left overs we dropped off to the YMCA.

The night ended with a quick stop off back at base to do the washing up, then home by 9.30. A totally rewarding night, I met some really interesting people and can't wait to do it again!

First Day...

Great first day... was up early confirming my place as a marshal for the upcoming Bike MK 2010 which is being held this Sunday for Cancer Research. I also spent time trying to get in touch with the Alzeimer's Society in Milton Keynes to see if there is anything I can do to help them, unfortunately they do not have a charity shop in the area and when I called it just went to answer phone but I will persevere, even if I just go out and shake a collection box for them one day a week.

In the afternoon I went to Hula for a little bit of cat time...grooming, playing and trying to build the confidence of the more timid cats, there was one in particular that I spent a lot of time with, he's called Boris, he's only been there a couple of weeks and all the times I've been there he hasn't got out of his bed or pen. So I sat with him and encouraged him to come out for fuss and after a little time he did. He's a very big but friendly cat, we fussed for a bit until Caramel, the cat in the neighbouring pen frightened him, then he quickly took himself back to the safety of his bed, but least he came out for a bit.

I also played with a little kitten called Tula, who accidentally put a claw in my hand instead of the toy we were playing with, my God does it hurt, I've got a bruise and everything... thank goodness I had my Tetanus! Hasn't put me off though...back there tomorrow!

Crazy Cat Lady

Sunday Morning I was up and at Hula for 9am for my cat induction. It was totally fab! I met all the lovely cat awaiting a new home, all totally adorable! I also met some lovely like-minded volunteers who I could ramble on about cats too without getting the odd looks that I usually get when speak about my cats!

My jobs for the morning were to clean out and replace all of the litter trays, food and water bowls, plump up the bedding and hoover the pens, for the 15 cats they have staying there currently. Then it was time to feed, fuss and play!

It was perfect, I felt so happy just being there, had such a huge grin on my face the whole time! So I booking in for Monday and Tuesday this week. On Monday I'm covering cat socialisation followed by evening feed and on Tuesday I'll be starting at 9am to clean, feed and fuss the small animals, mainly bunnies! Can't wait!

Soppy One!

And that was my last day at work!! What a day!

So many people have come and spent time chatting with me today, asking about what I'm up to and wishing me luck, it's been so nice! Everyone has something new to say about it and advice and ideas to give which has been really great getting other peoples views and opinions on what I'm about to experience.

I have so many people to thank, I don't know where to begin. I have felt so supported today! Thank you to Paul for insisting we do lunch today and kindly paying for mine, and to Sarah who organised lunch even tho she couldn't make it and for the card that everyone signed and thank you for all the lovely things that everyone wrote. Thank you to all the people who came to lunch and to everyone who kindly made donations for my charity causes, so kind of you all! Thank you to Kulshik for his very generous donation for the orphanage. Thank you Cathy for your card, blankets for the homeless and support always! Thanks Sarah and Ellie for your thoughtful gifts, I love them. Thanks Phil for listening and supporting me when I freaked out many times doubting I could do this, you always made me focus and believe in myself when I needed it. Same to Mum and Dad for making me believe in myself and encouraging me to follow my heart. Thanks again to Paul for organising a great night out and to everyone who came out to drink with me, especially Katie who had a long way to come and had to drive. We had a great night, I felt very loved and I'm feeling very positive about the upcoming weeks!!

The support of everyone has really lifted me and I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many lovely friends and family, whom have all had only positive things to say about what I am doing. Sorry if I haven't mentioned everyone, it's been a crazy day, my head is buzzing!! But i think you get what I'm trying to say!! Thank you!

Only 1 Working Day To Go...

I can't actually believe tomorrow is my last day at work for 10 whole weeks. It feels like it was only the other day when I dreamt up this little plan, but actually it's been nearly nine months of planning, emailing, web surfing, jabbing, day dreaming and getting excited about...and now it's finally here!

My emotions are all over the place, one minute I'm feeling very excited and know that the ten weeks will fly by so I need to make the most of my time and then the next minute it's the complete opposite where I feel really nervous and unsure about the things I'm going to see and experience .

I'm also a little worried about tomorrow... when planning this I never once thought about leaving work and the lovely people I work with, the people I see everyday, the people who know everything going on in my life! Obviously I will still be seeing and talking to those people as many are my close friends, but not everyday like I do now!

These ten weeks are going to be amazing, I know that, they will be life changing and emotional, but I know they are going to be so worth it and really make a difference to the lives of the people and animals I meet along the way!

The Handmade Bunny...

My handmade sock bunny arrived today as a little thank you for supporting the Rabbit Welfare Association. They are listing one of my rabbit prints as part of the official Handmade Bunny website, which is now up and running http://www.thehandmadebunny.com/ with lots of bunny things for sale with the proceeds going to RWA, go take a look!

Very Inspiring...

A work colleague of mine is taking part in an amazing sponsored bike ride starting this weekend. He will be traveling 800 km between the Hock of Holland and Oxfordshire on a 1936 eagle tandem with one of his team mates. Raising money for Diabetes UK, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and the Dyslexia Association.

To make a donation to help raise money for these great causes and to read more about the ride check out http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/PMAD2010

Good luck John!