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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Nov 20, 19 8:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

At least seeing everybody's point of view means that you don't argue with people. I am afraid I tend to have views, but try to be tactful about putting them to people with the opposite view. Sadly, I sometimes fail to be tactful. Like Cassandra, I am afraid I don't suffer fools gladly.

Cassandra, it sounds as if you are better out of it. When she goes home, your good sense will be a welcome contrast to her. Keep as far away from her as possible, and retain your sanity while others are going round in circles.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Wed Nov 20, 19 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Haha, I took your advice today which was 'hall cleaning' day, called by modom. I had already pointed out to her that her interventions have left me a week behind in my preparation and as tomorrow is a total fire ban with 31 degrees and strong winds, I concluded I had the perfect excuse to get out of it as I was reducing the fire hazards in my yard. Unfortunately I am just as exhausted by that as if I had been involved in the clean up. I never knew the hall floor was that colour before, so clearly they did a good job. In line with the pettiness however, the crepe paper flowers, balloons and streamers I had provided to assist with decoration have not been used, so a friend is calling round tomorrow morning to provide moral (and physical) support as I scurry up ladders to install things. Unfortunately I have to transport patients for medical appointments on Friday which was the day I was supposed to go down and collect our 'afternoon tea' supplies. Their appointments basically make it impossible to collect things en route, and get me home too late to go back down and collect them, so I will have to get up at the crack of dawn Saturday to drive down and get back in time to assist in setting up the movie screen etc. The movie people and I have agreed the blackout curtains will go up after the dance to avoid further conflict.

Meanwhile she persists with the idea she is treasurer which is going to cause serious problems on the day unless her mother can convince her otherwise.

After all the drama (of having to stop cutting grass to respond to the latest demand for tools and equipment), I took myself into Oatlands and treated my self to coffee and cake, and having now also cleaned the bank, I will find some dinner (or open a can of beer to wash down some chips).

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Thu Nov 21, 19 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well the can of beer and the crisps were not a good idea. Not being prone to drinking, between them and general emotional drainage I found it difficult to bounce out of bed this morning to get the decorations up before it became too hot. I blew up balloons and tied them in bundles, looked at streamers and crepe flowers, then texted a friend and asked her to come tell me what to do. My brain simply refused to work and the thought of clambering up and down ladders to check what things looked like was too horrible to contemplate.

She arrived cheerfully a few minutes later, accompanied by another friend and between us we got all 40 balloons blown up, streamers streaming, flowers adorning, and concluded the remaining four flowers could wait till the screen installation on Saturday.

They were absolutely spot on with the forecast - 30+ degrees and the wind is still hitting the wall of the house hard as the gusts wind themselves up. Hobart has dropped 10 degrees in response to the sea breeze, but no relief here.

Very early night for me as I would like to get something resembling rest before I drive my patients to the doctor tomorrow.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Nov 21, 19 6:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well you have got most of your jobs done. Go carefully in that heat. At least if you are going down into Hobart, it might be cooler there for you. Sounds as if you have got the hall nicely decorated anyway. If madam doesn't like it, just take deep breaths and stay out of her way.

I have gone down with a cold, not helped by getting very cold yesterday. The temperature was a bit higher, but there was a cold northerly wind, and I had to meet some people to discuss access for Pylon work; in the coldest part of the wood.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Nov 21, 19 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sorry to hear of your cold, MR, wrap up warm! They say starve a cold and feed a fever, not sure I agree with the starving one!

Well done Cassandra for achieving as much as you have in what seemed a short space of time, the can of beer and crisps were just a premature reward!
I don't think I could cope with your weather fluctuations and temperatures variations. We are just entering my favourite season, late autumn. Cool, not cold, during the day and a good frost or so at night, but little snow so that I can get out in the morning to work. 30 degrees is well past my comfort zone, in your shoes I would opt for Hobart!
I am lucky in that I have a boss who tells me when I have made a mistake, and I like it that way as he doesn't harbour a grudge. But he does have the habit of taking stuff off me and showing me how to do something I have done before, and then moans when I go off to do something else! He also rips parcels apart and so useful packaging for goods going out is ruined. I find I get all the jobs others don't want outside my normal "stuff"-Can you just pop up town and post this or that; when I am busy doing something else for a.n. other?-it does make the days go faster and today was payday too!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 19 7:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks Gregotyn. I stayed in bed nearly all day, as it is a rather nasty one, and rather unusually has gone to my chest I think. No doubt I will be better again in a few days. In consequence, nothing of interest to report.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 19 8:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Oh dear MistressRose. Do make certain you wrap up warmly!

On a side note: I have been using 'Vicks First Defense' nasal spray, whenever I feel as though a head cold might be imminent and always before flights and *touch wood*, I have managed to avoid the regular head colds I normally get. I don't know if it genuinely works or if it is merely a placebo but so far so good.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 19 8:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I too love Autumn with its mists and lovely colours and that feeling the world is going to bed - much more restful than Spring, especially as Tassie does seem to be exhibiting advanced signs of incipient climate change.

I had a rather dreadful start to the day with my rebel threatening to hijack the fundraiser tomorrow by turning it into a public meeting to have a show down with me (illegal as well as stupid) and spent the day on the phone to various advisers to see how to deal with it. Meanwhile I was also driving Patients to Hobart, but at least had an hour or so to spare for phone calls.

The upshot of my wheeling and dealing is as follows: The Public Officer will contact the rebel and reinforce what I have been telling her, her mother has been absolved from responsibility until we have a solution, but remains as President (due to clear conflict on this issue), and I have spoken to the local Mayor (whose campaign I supported) who is keen on preserving old halls.

Several years ago a past President tried to persuade Council to take the Hall on, but they refused. I took over but the whole sorry story above unfolded and things continue to go downhill in terms of being able to function simply because passion without knowledge is leading us down a very dangerous path.

Instead I am proposing we suspend or dissolve the committee, and Council they auspice a working group which can administer the Hall for 12 months during which we sort out a business plan, financial and marketting plan and building program (with reference to available grants and prioritising works which enhance our income (eg solar panels as we have a large north-facing roof). Funds currently held to be placed in an account requiring two signatures - one from Council, one from us. In the mean time I have identified some willing and able accomplices to form the working group and am moderately. Once the planning process has been completed, another Extraordinary meeting would then be held which would elect a new committee (position applicants being required to write in and submit a CV), of which I would not form a part to avoid suggestions of incomers telling the locals what to do.

But frankly the assumption a low socio-economic, aging community of 100 people can not sustain the hall and we need to be getting a bit more imaginative than people of such backgrounds can manage.

Rug up MR - it's not going to get any better, haha.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 19 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Gosh Cassandra, it sounds like you have your work cut out for you.

It sounds like your rebel has rather narcissistic outlook on life - likes to be the centre of attention. Reasoning with people like that generally doesn't work. They are however, very susceptible to embarrassment.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 19 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It doesn't sound as if that one is. Sounds eminently sensible solution Cassandra. Not being on the final Committee will be an advantage to you, although if they continue to make a mess of things, I can't see you being out of it for long.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Nov 22, 19 2:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cassandra, I think I would just go home and leave it to the rest of them to waddle about in the mire, until it gets too deep for them and then go in and save them from a fate worse than anything they might imagine. I would concentrate on you, raising a hand as you go! Then as MR says you will be welcomed back with open arms! As Shan says the downfall will give embarrassment when they fail, even if they claim it won't be their fault, all the rest will know where the problems are, and point it out-but importantly not down to you!
Apart from that I hope the rest of your life is going well.

MR, keep warm and sweat it out, I have avoided all nasty things so far, and been lucky, thought I was heading for a cold but the symptoms seemed to have gone away today, touching wood as we say!

I've just had a minute away-we have a lady who brings into the library her black Lab dog. He is lovely, a quiet, sensible dog who likes fuss, but doesn't push himself at you so I have to give him some fuss! I may well get a dog when I finally retire, hang the expense. I want one that is already my age and looking for a home, rather than a puppy. A soft Labrador would be good company and gentle exercise for me; alternatively an retired police dog would be good, I've had one of them before.

The fire wood is going too fast as I have said-I guess it is time they put the central heating on-giving me a rest. It is getting good wood straight grain and dry. My new drying shed does the job, but needs to be twice the size at this time of the year. I am going home to chop wood and also bring down a load of wood at the same time as I come for fish and chips-its Friday and I indulge in weight maintenance!

See you all tomorrow.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 19 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There's a problem with your theory Gregotyn, they wanted me on the committee to sort out their problems and now view my solutions as a threat. There's no pleasing some. The Mayor is keen to help, and I do at least now have control of our funds once more thanks to the intervention of the Public Officer, but he warns me she is still firmly convinced of the legality of her unlawful meeting and that she should be treasurer despite us having a lawfully elected treasurer (currently on leave of absence which is why I am doing it) and living 2 hours away and not being able to make it to most meetings. I despair.

Our fund raiser failed to meet our target with the result that they decided to include funds from our last market to make it sound good. It still leaves us two hundred short of our Insurance Bill (January) so I am hoping Council can come to the Party with partial coverage of our Fire insurance which they apparently once did (I have been talking to some of my old committee members).

On the plus side, a financial adviser I know is in Tassie at present and has offered to spare the time to see if he can work out the earlier financial management.

I am exhausted by a day of pretending to be bright and cheerful despite it all and having been up since four to drive to Hobart to collect catering supplies, and having just had to shovel another commitee member off the doorstep as he had run out of bread and the shop was shut, and he thought he remembered me leaving with one (he did, and I sent him on his way with sustenance eventually). He is on powerful pain killers so conversation can be lengthy and repetitive and it is cool out there.

Shan I will bear that in mind, but rarely take pleasure in humiliating people, so will have to find the right moment. I suspect this one would just get nastier.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 19 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Remember to take care of yourself in all of this Cassandra.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Nov 23, 19 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I hope you are feeling better today, MR. keep inside and keep warm. Don't-well try not to, go back to work until you are properly better.

With the sort of folks you appear to be dealing with, Cassandra, I would emigrate back to the UK, or at least to mainland Aus!
However, I think I would by now have been very rude to the gang of mother and daughter, in hope they would disappear - anywhere! Knowing you, you will persevere, but take care of yourself in all this. I would be looking for a new treasurer preferably from a firm of accountants, if one is available in the town where he/she could be able to bamboozle the mother/daughter duo into realising they are not suited to the position. Your statement that they wanted you to sort it out should tell them that they are incompetent! Take care of yourself in all this.

I have been this morning to the mechanics who has replaced the rear light on the trailer and it is now road legal and will be getting in a load of timber tomorrow, I hope. As soon as I get back home it is firewood all weekend, as it is disappearing at such a rate, I may have to have some holiday to get to the level of stock I need to survive the Christmas "panic buy", which is just round to corner. Why they don't just switch the heating on like any one else I don't know, but I am very grateful they don't!

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sun Nov 24, 19 3:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

On the up side I think I can demonstrate their incompetence without resorting to accountants as the state of the Receipts book alone is evidence enough. As for the 'treasurer's reports', well suffice to say they don't specify which balance relates to which account, nor reference the existence of grant funding in the restoration account, nor do the balances tally with reality as at times they include the overdraft!

A friend from Facebook has offered to audit things for me as he happens to be in Tassie at present, and I know his family though have never met him previously. They are one of the 'old families' of commerce so he is well versed in financial matters.

The Minutes for the last several years confirm they have on more than one occasion conducted the business of the Committee in the absence of a quorum - sigh. The closer I look the more I hyperventilate.

Needless to say the fundraiser did not raise sufficient funds to meet our next bill, let alone set us up for the year, so there's a hard row to hoe ahead. I am fortunate in that I have various supportive friends who are willing to allow me to vent, and whose knowledge of process has confirmed my own views, so yes, I am looking after myself to some extent but probably need to emigrate to do that successfully. If you weren't in the middle of Brexit I might even consider the UK.

Hopefully my meeting with Council will be fruitful and we can bring a Council rep to the meeting to chair the meeting in December which will otherwise be bedlam.

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