Well 2011 came in without much fuss really. Watched the usual ‘Hootenanny’ with Jools Holland. When I say usual, I refer to his guests, who tend to be the same guests as previous years. Makes me wonder if he records more than one years show together !

     Eldest, not at home for the first time. He now has a job, working as a ‘Guest Assistant’ at the local cinemas/leisure complex. Literally local for him, as it is only 5 minutes walk away. So he was working until 22:30/23:00 on New Years Eve, and he felt it was not worthwhile coming back here at that time. I also think the problems we are having with the youngest may have swayed him a little.  Of course, Mrs H not at all comfortable with this, as it is the first time any of us have not been around at New Year. We may have to get used to it now though.

     Youngest woke up and had an ‘episode’ at 03:00 on NYD. I don’t think he really went to sleep, but he eventually settled down at around 04:00. So not a good nights sleep. at least the fireworks did not seem to upset him this year.

     So … work.  On the surface, not a lot seems to have changed. We have a recruitment freeze, but that’s been ongoing for about a year now, in some form or another. There seems to be a squeeze on spending. Management is now actively looking at what people are spending and what they are spending it on (which is about time) and if they are getting the best value for money from the current contracts. It can be quite frustrating to have to buy something from one supplier, as per contract, when you can get the same thing cheaper from a different supplier !!! Procurement are going to have to get their heads around problem.