New arrival

He's here... Dylan James was born on 30th September at home, weighing in at a wopping 9lb 6oz. Well done me!!
We're all doing well. Big sister's getting used to the new arrival and being sometimes violently affectionate towards him. Big brother's indifferent in a typical teenage way but I've caught him giving cuddles when he thinks no-one's looking.
So, better run. This parenting lark is ten times harder than being a DSM although there's little to choose between the staff and the children! My partner goes to work to get some rest!

Ta-ta for now

This is my last blog as a DSM for a year. I'm doing the late turn tonight which, whilst not a pleasant exit, makes me glad I'm going. My daughter finished at her nursery yesterday too, before she starts pre-school in a couple of weeks, so that was emotional - more for us than her, she just takes it in her stride.
I went to see my son's band play their first 'proper' gig last Tuesday and have to say they are really good. Yeah, OK, I'm biased but they are! I had a t-shirt printed with 'The Drummer's Mamma' in big pink letters so I could embarrass him properly as only a mother can. The band are called Red Gem. Look out for them!
So, farewell to LU for a year. I'll blog when the baby comes and probably keep this up even though it may be misnamed. I'll join the District Driver as an ex-employee who still writes about the tube.
Wish me luck!

Bus thief

Some bastard's stolen the grill off the front of my bus. I'm so upset. I guess it must have happened last night as it was OK when I got home from my late turn at about 11 but wasn't there when my partner got home at 6 today.
I don't know what kind of scum would have done such a thing. Maybe they're hoping to put it on ebay and get some money. It's probably worth a bit but, because it's so unique, it wouldn't be easy to get it past without someone noticing. I've posted the news on the bus enthusiasts' message boards that I know about. I'm just really cut up. If nothing else, it means I can't drive it and getting a new one's going to be really hard. I won't be able to do any parties with the bus looking like that. If anyone reading this sees or hears anything (I know it's a long shot), please let me know.

Kiley's Moan

Did anyone catch Dispatches last night about the dreadful state of the transport in this country, presented by Bob Kiley? I won't bang on about it here as he basically summed up what everyone who uses public tranport already knows. Still, interesting viewing if you just wanted to nod and make agreeing noises for an hour.
My last post was about my other half's sickness and, low and behold, I too was struck down last night. I think mine was to do with some dodgy prawns I had at dinnertime (well they were marked down in Tesco's!), so I can only blame myself. Not much comfort as I'm doubled up over the WC at 1a.m. Luckily, once it was out I felt much better but I'm having trouble sleeping due to my phenomenal size and not being able to get comfortable in any position.
Still, I came into work for the late turn today and my bionic chair has arrived. It was only ordered about two months ago, and I'm leaving in two weeks but there you are. It is great and probably cost the company a small fortune (...because I'm worth it). It has adjustable everything so I'm so comfortable I may take it home and sleep in it. Then again, why take it home? It's another excuse to stay in the office even more.
Actually, I did do some gateline this evening, mainly in an attempt to stay awake. Two customers and several staff asked when baby was due then said 'What are you doing here then? Put your feet up'. Truth is, I need to do some standing, some sitting and some walking or my back seizes up. I went swimming yesterday, which was bliss at the time but I really paid for it afterwards with aching muscles.

Sick and at home

My partner got up at 04.30 for his first shift after his two weeks' leave yesterday, got as far as the station and promptly began throwing up everywhere, breakfast, dinner, you name it, and had to stagger back home again.
This made things somewhat difficult for domestic arrangements as I was due to take the 3-year-old into nursery at lunchtime and he was due to pick her up at 6. I went to work and he managed to pick her up even though he still felt rough. Luckily, I had a 'cover' day (spare / admin whatever) so I came home in time to do her bath and bed as the other half wasn't in a fit state.
The thing is, he doesn't go sick often and he's now paranoid his managers think he's skiving. To be honest, I can see why. If a member of my staff rang up less than an hour before their first shift after two weeks off, claiming vomiting etc. I'd be bloody suspicious. He then got even worse yesterday evening and had a fever so I rang his DMT to say he wouldn't be in today either. The DMT didn't sound too pleased that I'd rung on his behalf. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It brings up an interesting dilemma. I'm not very sympathetic towards sickies, especially as we have some supervisors off at the moment and we're having real difficulties covering their jobs. However, it's really difficult to prove to a cynical manager that you are genuine. Even GP's certificates aren't concrete evidence as all they do is tell us what you've already told us and then repeated it to your doctor. I could see (and smell) my partner being ill so I know it was real but that means nothing to his manager, who had to cover his duty and probably thinks he just wanted the extra leave. What's more, his last sick period was just over six months ago, meaning he won't get a warning, meaning it looks like he's playing the system.
It serves me right for my cynicism. That and having two whining children to look after for two days instead of one.
My teenage son meanwhile has barely been home since he broke up for the summer. I mentioned the week at his dad's in Norfolk, enjoyed by both apparently, then just about every night since has been spent at a different mate's house. I don't think he's got a girlfriend (he wouldn't tell me if he did), so I'm gauging by our rare conversations what he's up to. It's mainly band practice with his muso friends with some smoking and drinking thrown in for good measure. I have to admit, I can't come down too hard on him as I was probably doing the same at his age. Hell, where does he think he came from??
Enough on these nightmares of motherhood. How delightful to think I'm bringing another into the world in a few weeks!

Hello again

I had my two weeks' leave but didn't get much rest. The partner also had two weeks off so we spent most of it decorating the 3-year-old's new bedroom so her nursery can be handed over to her baby bro when he arrives. She turned three last week so we had a party on the bus for her and her friends from nursery school. Unfortunately, it was one of the scorching days so the upstairs of the bus was like an oven. The kids ran around in the garden mostly.
Talking of the bus, I've been quite busy, despite saying I'd ramp it down due to imminent childbirth. I took it to the Chertsey Agricultural Show over the weekend. It didn't win best in breed but kept the kids entertained whilst the adults looked at the rural stuff! I didn't make any money and the weather was appalling but, apart from that, we had fun. We were in two minds about staying on the bus Saturday night but chickened out and went home, leaving it to brave the elements alone. My partner bought me a generator for Christmas (oh, the romantic fool), and this was the first chance we've had to test it. The bus has electric sockets but has to be connected to a mains source, usually a plug in the house. However, the generator was great and meant we could have music on etc. for two days on a can of fuel. At least we know we can survive a power cut this winter!
Soooo, I came back to work this morning, to an early turn on a Monday which is never pleasant. Lots of paperwork waiting and the phone ringing off the hook. Also, e-mails to answer, though strangely few for a two week gap. I'm not out and about so much because of my physical limitations so the office stuff takes a few hours then I'm plannig all the P&Ds that are due. I've only got three weeks left but there's no sign of a replacement for me yet. Does that mean I'm irreplaceable or I'm expendable? Hmmmm.