Check out Baldy's Blog

If you've seen or read about him, you've probably already visited Baldy's Blog. If you haven't, I strongly recommend that you read on....http://baldyblog.freshblogs.co.uk/
Inspiration guaranteed.

Cold-calling at its very very worst

Honestly, it's hard enough trying not to turn into a Grumpy Old Woman when you turn 36, without the world and his mother giving you perfectly valid reasons for doing so! Today I received possibly my millionth cold-call since going into business, from a man trying to sell me advertising. I was ready for him (or so I thought) when he said "hello, this is the police calling". My silence made him think that he'd got me worried - and he was clearly hoping to worry me, so that he could then sell me advertising whilst I was in the throes of relief when he said "don't worry, you're not in any trouble". I knew exactly what was coming, because this particular organisation had already tried to sell me advertising in a police awareness magazine a few months ago (with a very similar opening line), so as he launched into his spiel (after asking if I was the business owner) I politely said I wasn't interested. At this point he said "you sound far too young to be a business owner, put your mum on please". I nearly fell out of my wheelchair. I said "I am 36 years of age and the owner of this business". He said "no you're not love, now put your mum on". I'm seeing red in a big way. I said "how dare you cold-call my business number and proceed to insult me". He said "stop messing me around and put your mum on the 'phone". I am starting to wonder if I've slipped into the twiglet zone - surely salesmen, however annoying they are, don't really talk to people like this? But no, he was real enough. Failing to see why I should try to carry on convincing him once it became clear that my dog is more intelligent and much more polite, I put the 'phone down.

Now I don't mind people thinking I'm younger than I am (who in their right mind would?!) - I am quite small because of my disability and this means my voice sounds young on the 'phone. But when a man I never even asked to call me in the first place accuses me of being a liar again and again, well, that just takes the rusk.

Sparkly flip flops

Today I have hit the grand old age of 36 and, as my brother would put it, am now as old as dirt (yes, he's a charmer). Excellent gifts so far, which include the aforementioned footwear, new jeans, vest tops (sun is out and I've got an annoying operation scar to get some sun on), book on Florida (for I hope to go there later in the year), gift card, glamorous feather-adorned pen with notebook...They all ease the pain slightly of being just 4 years away from another scary landmark birthday. And in light of that, I probably should sacrifice the sparkly footwear next year and ask for cosmetic surgery vouchers and/or a supply of Tena Lady.....

Wedding rage

As this blog grows you will discover I have many pet hates and things which I consider unnatural - chicken on pizza, mexican food, 'special' schools, wearing navy and black in the same ensemble, Carol Vorderman....I now have another pet hate to add to the long list - men in wedding dress shops!

This weekend we had the great honour of going with my future sister-in-law to look at wedding dresses. It was fab. The only thing that drove us all mad was the (slightly older) bride who for some reason thought it would be a good idea to bring her fiance to give his view on the various bridesmaids dresses she was trying on (intending to get married in one of them....yes, we know what you're thinking). He sat there, holding forth not only on her various choices, but on my future sister-in-law's choices of dress, hair style etc etc. When I gave him an annoyed glance, he told us he knew what he was talking about because he'd been a hairdresser - as he sat there in his shorts (in May) and trainers with socks. Clearly a fashion expert I thought. I really wanted to shout "but you have no place in this room, go away" but am much too well brought up. Frankly, it felt to all of us like he was intruding on a female ritual. The complete inappropriateness of him sitting in the middle of a room full of women discussing things including underwear, how well the dress holds you in etc, seemed to be completely lost on him. I wish the bride well with her wedding, but if there was a shop where you could try on different grooms, I'd be giving her a lift.