Ethics

Hi all,

More a bit of a rant today, I have a friend who has just started a new job, she has been there a few weeks now, after having been out of work for a long time. We were all really pleased for her getting this new job and it all seemed positive. Now we have passed the first payday and she has not been paid, when she asks her boss, who is also the owner of the company,he tells her to ask someone else and no-one will give any explanation or answer to the situation, this is putting her and her family in a really difficult position. On speaking to some of her co-workers, it turns out this is a common situation, but what gets me is how someone can hire someone knowing they will not be able to pay them, what ethics is that? How does that person sleep at night, knowing their staff are struggling financially but still working for them, 9, 10, 14 hour days and not to even seem concerned about it or to give any explanation. It should be against the law, probably it is against some union law or explotation, that is what I feel my friend is being....exploited and it upsets me to see after going though a tough time that what should have been the end of the difficulties have just bought more. But I get the impression from what she has told me that this has been going on so long, that both the owner and the staff just accept it as normal, but it is not right. Most people are primarily motivated by money, its one, if not the main reason we choose a job and go to work, but if you dont even have that basic motivation, how should you be motivated? I dont believe it can produce a sucessful business because the staff are not motivated. But what can she do, with no other job to go to, if she leaves she may not ever get paid but if she continues, she doesnt not know if or when she will be paid, so now like all the others she is caught like a fish in a net.
But I couldnt look myself in the mirror if I was this person or even in my staff's faces unless you have no morality or ethics.

Hmmm...

A little off a year ago, I fell pregnant, everything seemed fine, but at my 12 week scan we found I had miscarried. We were very sad obviously and it was a difficult time. After that we decided we would not have any more children, yesterday a friend of mine had a baby and put the pictures on facebook, so beautiful and now I feel broody, very dangerous.

Today I was out in the supermarket and saw a very small baby and for a moment, I felt a pang! Now I have Sophie looking at a pregnancy book and Grace is looking at a 'baby care' book, is the universe trying to tell me something............
probably not, probably more the changing of phases, Grace is no longer a baby, but really becoming a toddler, my baby is no more

Time to play up?

How is it that all children seem to have a special gift of knowing when to play up when you are stressed, ill or tired. They always pick the days to act out when you have the least patience, it's like a extra super sense they have in order to drive you crazy! On the days when things are calm and quiet, they are the best, when you least need them to play up, is always the time, its uncanny how they can react so negatively when you are not at your best, even when you may not realise it in yourself.

Or else they just make you feel that way, even without being stressed, tired or ill.

Oh, the joys of parenting......

Carnival time

So next week is Carnival in Portugal, time for big parades and two days holiday. Almost every town and city in Portugal will have some kind of celebration, and if the weather is good, it means a mini-break for many who use the long weekend. The biggest carrnival here is in Loule, near Faro, people come by their thousands to see it and I think it goes for the two days. Something I have never gone too, mostly due to having two small children would be a nightmare with a pushchair and also I dont like big crowds. Tavira on the other hand is having something more low-key, this friday they have most of the local schools doing a parade in town. The theme at least at Sophie's school is fairies and elves, so today I am out looking for a reasonably priced fairy suit, should be fun!

The next question is whether I will see the parade, I would love to, but Im worried if Sophie sees me she will not want to go back to school, as she can be quite clingy, especially outside her comfort zone (as some children are) and I would hate for my presence inadvertently to ruin her nice day, what to do?!

Sunday Drive

I live about 12 miles from the Spanish border, and almost everyone I know goes across to fill up on petrol, not something I did before but now I am using my car more with my husband's new job it makes sense. So today me and girls took a little trek across the border and it is worth it. And in the petrol station there are more portuguese cars than spanish!! But the price difference is crazy, 20c minimum per litre so to fill up you save at least €10. But everytime it amazes me how many people do this, it is full of portuguese cars but that is alot of money being lost to the portuguese economy, if only they would lower the cost of petrol abit.

Stupid friday

I have just got back from a property vist out near Messines where I was following a handrawn map, (unfortunately for me,unlike the others I do not have a Tom-tom) ended up taking a wrong turn down a muddy track and couldnt get back up!! Had to be pulled out by a 4x4, very lucky for me they were there at the time or else, could have been much worse and with an 18mnth old in the back or at night, would not be good. Will be more careful next time in rural algarve.

www.totstotravel.co.uk
www.holidayhomerentalsite.com

A new step in family travel

Finally the travel industry is waking up to the lucrative young family market, personally I will take the break in Cyprus, a week of sleep and relaxation in the sun.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/katy-holland-a-new-arrival-is-not-such-a-tie-wake-up-to-the-babycation-2219838.html

www.totstotravel.co.uk
If you fancy the break in Tuscany or any other child-friendly breaks

Five ways to a better life!

1. Get more sleep
2. Relax more doing the things you enjoy
3. Spend more time with people you care about
4. Eat better
5. Believe in the good things, worry less about the bad

Also worry less about money and people who are bad for you.

Life comes at you!

Hi All,

When I was younger, in my teenage years I knew what I wanted to do, I knew I would not do A'levels but something more vocational, of course I had my crazy dreams of being a film director etc but in reality, I knew I wanted to go to university and travel and work abroad, those were my dreams, nothing too spectacular, but I did them all. After that things went off track a bit, and life ended up in a place I never imagined but good anyway. But I have learnt that that is how life is and now I dont make plans anymore but more take things as they come and deal with them as best as we can and move through life with the resources with have at the time.

Sometimes life can be so hard and give such challenges that you feel will never end, but if you stay positive and strong and keep the faith that you will come through the other side you can.