I wake up at 7:30 am. All is quiet in the house – that makes a change! We’ve got two grandchildren (and their mum and dad,of course) staying with us at the moment and more often than not the little boy is outside our room at some unearthly hour playing with his Thomas the Tank set. But today is quiet. Bliss. Let’s turn over for another few minutes shut eye. Half an eye on the clock now. Don’t need an alarm clock, as I soon hear the little guy “chuff chuffing” outside the door.
8:00 am the phone rings. A tenant needs an original Tenancy Agreement for the Council. She’s lost hers. I tell her I’ll pop one in later today. She locked herself out the other day. Luckily I was home and able to give her the key. Must remember to ask for it back just in case it happens again.
Before I go for a shower I wake up my daughter who is enjoying later mornings now she has finished her exams. She has a panic because she has lost an expensive book that a teacher lent her. She’s sure she’s returned it . She says she remembers giving it to her when she was in her car. Quick scour of bookshelves to see if tidied it away (unlikely!). Daughter will see if it’s in school. Hope its found otherwise I can see yours truly forking out for it.
Phone goes again – good job I’ve got a later start at work today – it’s a colleague from a children’s charity I’m on the management of. Can she pop in to collect some donations I’ve been given for the charity. We’re in quite dire straits as we’re finding it difficult to raise funds in the current economic climate The credit crunch means that everyone has to be careful and donations are not easy to come by at present. I must se if there are any grants that we can apply for. I went on a course recently that explained how the grant givers want to hear what the outcomes of programmes are. So I’ll have to ask our employees to explain how our project will change the lives of the children we reach out to. I say my morning prayers and bring another load in the washing machine, have a cuppa before setting out to work. I have a good half an hour journey in my car and I turn on the radio – more silly phone-in programmes. Maybe I’ll put a music cd on instead. That’s much better. I sing along. No-one to tell me what a rotten voice I’ve got – Brilliant!
My working day begins. I have three appointments, two about children issues. Often it’s not just a question of fixing times for the non resident parent to see the children but also how and where contact takes place, who washes the school uniform and what type of food the children should be given. The first client came alone, her ex-partner will be in next week. They prefer to mediate apart but it does slow down the progress of the mediation. The other appointment was for both Mum and Dad – who are still speaking. In between I manage to speak to another client’s Solicitor about the wording on a Consent Order that was agreed on in mediation. A Consent Order has the authority of a Court Order except that it has been reached by the consent of both parties and not had to be imposed by the Courts. It can only be changed by the consent of both parties. When my clients reach an agreement I feel like dancing. I am so happy for them. They can now move on with their lives. I always tell them that if they have any issues in the future they can always come back to mediation and they shouldn’t think of returning as being a failure because in fact it’s a strength to want to make an agreement and not allow matters to fester.
I get good news today. I’ve found a lovely room in Whitefield where I can see clients from north Manchester. That’s good. I did feel bad for my clients coming sometimes on 2 buses to see me – well hopefully they found it worthwhile!! Just e-mailed Tracey to confirm that I want the room from next week.
One more client today. This is a financial and property issue and reaching an agreement will save my clients literally thousands of pounds in court and legal fees. We’re going to have a look at their pension schemes and value their three properties – not easy in this day and age. There are also ISAs and shares. Lots of number crunching. Yum! I’m looking forward to helping these clients to make decisions which enable them both to be independent in the future.
Before I know it, Tracey is telling me that they’re locking up the office in 5 minutes so if I don’t want to be locked in I must grab my bags and my keys … and don’t forget my mobile.
Back in the car and all the news on the Beeb. This journey helps me move back into home mode. A quick foray into the local corner shop for some groceries and home again. And guess what? He’s still playing with his Thomas the Tank figure!
My daughter’s made a delicious soup and I do a quick stir fry. My family always say there’s one good thing about my cooking – it’s always fresh, euphemism for cooking supper just minutes before it’s served!
If I’ve got any strength left after clearing up the dishes I might go swimming at 10:00 pm tonight. On the other hand I might just curl up with a good book ……a crime thriller of course!
