Monday 21 December 2009

A Christmas Poem . . .

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the workplace
Not a creature was stirring, the doors were locked just incase.
The stockings were hung by the radiators with care,
In hopes that Andrew would try them on as a dare.

The workers were drunk, soon to stagger to their beds,
As visions of rude things danced in their heads,
While Mother in her ‘kerchief, and Father in his cap,
Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out in the car park there arose such a clatter,
The cleaner sprang from her Hoover to see what was the matter.
Away to the window she flew like a flash,
Tore open the blinds and slipped back the cash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to her wondering eyes should appear,
But Andrew in stockings, a sight with such fear!

He was a little old plonker, completely drunk on stout
And it was obvious he was the boss of Cybercheckout
With an unsteady tread, up the stairs he came,
And he whistled, and shouted each of his staff by name!

"Now Lisa! Now, Rob! Now, Dawn and Marie!
Oh, Keiron! Oh, Marsha! Oh Sarah and Wendy!”
To the top of the stairs! to the top of the wall!
With a drink in his hand he thought he could climb them all.

He was dressed all in satin, from his head to his knees,
And his clothes were all tarnished with jaffa cakes and cheese.
A bundle of presents he had flung on his back,
’Cos he was late for Secret Santa and lucky not to get the sack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the grey in his hair was as white as the snow.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And turned on his computer without even a jerk.
He opened an email and began to type,
A drunken little message that was to go with the hype.

He typed with a need of someone quite festive,
Using phrases that sounded rather suggestive.
He’d send it to staff, he’d send it to all,
Secretly having his own festive ball.

The message he wrote was intended to say
Merry Christmas to all, have a wonderful day.
But what he put never sounded the same,
It’s too rude to mention, it puts him to shame.

He finished his drink and stumbled away,
To the other little office where all our stock lay.
Fishing out the horserug Lisa intended to keep,
He curled up beneath and fell swiftly to sleep.

He missed Christmas lunch, being locked away,
The cleaner stole the keys and laughed all through the day.
The staff and customers had such a festive time,
While poor little Andrew lay shocked up 'til nine.

The moral of the poem, don’t leave things till late,
Or you’ll get stuck in the office and miss the big date.
From everyone at Gridstop, we all shout and cheer
A Merry Christmas to all, and a happy New Year.

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Friday 18 December 2009

T'is The Season To Say Goodbye . . .

`Snow is falling,
All around me,
Children playing,
Having fun...`

It snowed last night! Thick snow! Bets on for a white Christmas...

Despite the fact that it's nearing Christmas, t'is the season to be jolly, and fa-la-la-la-laa, and all that, it's still a sad day today.

T`is the day that our dear little ol' Beci leaves us.

She's decided to go back to college and begin training to become a nurse . . . a huge career move, and who knows, two years from now you may even find yourselves being treated by her. Either that or we'll see her in an episode of `Scrubs`. With her famous blonde moments, I'm sure she'd fit in perfectly as a member of the medical cast . . .

We all wish her the best of luck in her career, and hope everything goes well for her.

No doubt we will soon be seeing Vultures circling her desk - a tradition that normally takes place after someone leaves, but a word of warning to them, beware of the jackals, ie Keiron. They normally sneak in before the vultures have time to swoop down. They did after Alison left . . . I missed out on a brand new keyboard . . .

But still, it is Christmas. Who knows what Santa may bring . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd


Monday 14 December 2009

There's still time . . .

The big day is just around the corner, but don't go into panic mode just yet! If you have any last minute presents to get then visit our website and have a browse. We have lots of items that will make great Christmas pressies, and there's still plenty of time to have it delivered before Christmas. This gives you time to get wrapping and relax and put your feet up, happy in the knowledge that for once you have been organised and everything is ready.

I know there are ups and downs with Internet shopping, especially as a last minute rush. This year I have done most of my shopping over the Internet. I have made use of the web and I have surfed from one site to another, comparing prices, inspiring ideas . . . and generally spending all my hard earned cash. Luckily, with all that surfing, I haven't come across any `cyber sharks,` so to speak. I know many people are dubious about them. One bite can either leave you slightly scratched, mildly wounded, or in a life threatening state, but if you get to know your sites, then you get know where the `sharks` linger and where it is safe to surf. This cyber metaphor can be used in many other contexts too.

Rest assured Cybercheckout is completely free from sharks. Imagine, if you will, a small island with blue, tranquil waters, crystal clear skies, and nothing but friendly dolphins, tortoises, and beautiful, fancy fish accompanying you while you surf . . . okay, I may be going off on a strange little tangent here, but I can assure you that you still have time to place your orders, and with our free delivery and 24 hour courier service, you'll still get it before Christmas.

So get surfing! The water's lovely. . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Xmas Countdown: 11 Days . . .


Pressie Idea:

Poker Table / Casino Table / 8 in 1 Games Table

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop ltd

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Monday 7 December 2009

Sweet and Sour . . .

There's no pleasing some people, I hear Drew exclaim from his corner of the office.

You can reach and stretch and bend as far backwards as you can for someone, but they're never happy. I hear you asking me what I'm talking about. Well, with five minutes left of my working day, I suddenly remember I have a blog to write, and what should happen to prompt me? Someone complained.

Now, I put this question to you. If you're on a healthy diet, what would you prefer in your tea, sugar or sweetener? Sugar, on one hand, is fattening and too much is bad for you. Sweetener, on the other, is supposed to be the substitute for sugar, but with all the chemicals in the ingredients is this any better?

I think not. But Marsh . . .

With all the sweeteners used up and finished in our kitchen, our poor Drew was sent on a mission to the shop to pick some up. He carefully selected what he thought to be the best brand off the shelf, a brand that he thought would keep his staff happy and the quality of work to its normal high standard, paid for it, brought it back, and what did he get in reply?

"I don't like that brand! Go get some more!"

Oh, what Drew has to go through to keep his staff sweet. And while he's on his shopping mission I might get him to buy us some chocolate fudge cake!!!

It's all to keep us happy, and happy staff provide a happy service . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Friday 4 December 2009

Xmas Countdown: 21 Days . . .

Pressie Ideas

Horseware Newmarket socks

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/p-1499-horseware-newmarket-socks-pack-of-3-mixed-free-pp.aspx


D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

And Now For Something Completely Different . . .

As I sit here and wait for this dreaded `seasonal bug that has no seasonal joy` to depart, I can't help but feel myself struggling for inspiration about what to blog about. My humour escapes me . . . so I thought I'd steal someone else's, and found it fitting for a product that we have sitting in our office and waiting to grace our website.

Rabbit hutches.

So, the question I put to you is: Why buy a Rabbit Hutch? (Have you guessed whose humour I'm going to steal?)

(Quote: Follow. But. Follow only if ye be men of valour, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived. Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

Am I making my point clear yet?

(Quote:
Tim: There he is!
King Arthur: Where?
Tim: There!
King Arthur: What? Behind the rabbit?
Tim: It *is* the rabbit!
King Arthur: You silly sod!
Tim: What?
King Arthur: You got us all worked up!
Tim: Well, that's no ordinary rabbit.
King Arthur: Ohh.
Tim: That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
Sir Robin: You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Tim: Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!
Sir Galahad: Get stuffed!
Tim: He'll do you up a treat, mate.
Sir Galahad: Oh, yeah?
Tim: I'm warning you!
Sir Robin: What's he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim: He's got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones!
King Arthur: Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Sir Bors: Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin' right up!


And as Sir Bors went to slay the killer rabbit, his death was swift and quick, leaving the others completely stunned.

The humour is stolen from `Monty Python and the Holy Grail` (I won`t quote the part about the holy grenade of antioch) However, I bet none of the Python crew ever researched the deep psychology of their killer rabbit. Why was this rabbit so mad? Why did this rabbit feel submerged with it's deep, dark anger?

Why?

Because he didn't have a decent rabbit hutch like ours. Have a thought for your rabbit . . . watch our website for their arrival . . . and don't have nightmares.

(Quote: What an eccentric performance . . .)

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Thursday 3 December 2009

Xmas Countdown: 22 Days! . . .

Pressie Ideas:

Horseware Baseball Cap with Light

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/p-1493-horseware-baseball-cap-with-lights-in-navy-one-size-free-pp.aspx


D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Seasonal Cyber Virus . . .

Wow! What a week it's been.

I apologise for the lack of blogs just recently. It's hard to get your mind round things when your body is being invaded by a horrible little seasonal bug.

Yes, it attacked me, and it got me good and proper. First it attacked my throat, my nose, my ears, then my head. Obviously it decided early on that it didn't want the rest of me. It just hovered in the top part, clouding everything and making my head feel like it wanted to explode.

It hasn't been a good week. But luckily today is the first day that it feels like this little bug is leaving. My immune system is finally getting the better of this seasonal beast. And - call me selfish - so far it seems that I haven't shared it either . . . which is good.

One thing I could have done with whilst I was curled up on my sofa at home, engrossing myself in a good film and feeling miserable about myself, was one of our electric blanket/throws. Ah, it would have been heaven to have been snuggled up under one, savouring its warmth instead of shivering, and maybe helping my defense system in battle at the same time, but no . . . I was out of luck.

There's still a chance for you though! If you find yourself coming down with this seasonal virus, you need to fight it before Christmas! When you have no energy, and all you want to do is curl up and keep warm, this blanket is the perfect aid! Kill that bug!!


However, despite the fact that I feel in good spirits today because I believe this virus is finally departing, I still feel disappointed in missing out on office birthday cakes. It was our very own Marsha's birthday last week - 21 years old (everyone's 21 these days) - but I wasn't up to eating the wonderfully delicious cakes that she brought in. And one was a Chocolate Fudge Cake!!!

Curse this bug to hell . . .

D. Ilott
CyberCheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Monday 30 November 2009

Xmas Countdown: 25 Days . . .

Pressie idea of the day:

Electric Rotating Buffet Server



D. Ilott
Cyberckeckout
Gridstop Ltd

Friday 27 November 2009

Xmas Countdown: 28 Days . . .

Pressie Idea of the Day:

Zone 40
Interactive Wireless Gaming Console

Thursday 26 November 2009

Xmas Countdown: 29 Days . . .

Pressie Idea of the day:

Football / Soccor Travel Pack / Kit



D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Cyber Trap . . .

It was kept very quiet. I hadn't even heard the faintest of whispers regarding this, and quite frankly I am shocked that it managed to sneak by without any mention what-so-ever! But there's no denying it, and there's certainly no escaping it! As everyday goes by, it creeps slowly closer. Never should you feel safe from it, and never should you let your guard down. It lurks around every corner, and in every shadow. Even if you think you managed to sneak by without alerting it, you will still feel shocked when it catches up with you and bites you on the . . . nose.

Yep, you guessed it! There's no escaping the dreaded Birthday Blog!!!

A very happy birthday to our very own

Father
.

The big day was on the 21st (I believe) and he was the same age as mother.

21


I'm sure you'll join everybody at Cybercheckout in raising your glasses once again to toast belated birthday wishes to father. I hope he had a wonderful day.

And on another note, all fans of our Facebook page and twitter (yes, we are making our presence known) may have noticed that I have started a Christmas countdown and daily suggested pressie ideas for those struggling as we get closer. So, you will also see, on the bottom of every blog, this same count. I hope it comes in useful for many customers out there . . . and help to build Christmas excitement at the same time. (I know I'm getting excited!)

Xmas Countdown: 30 Days! Today's Pressie Idea: 3 in 1 Games Table http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/p-227-3-in-1-games-table-football-table-pool-air-hockey-free-pp-.aspxfree-pp-.aspx






D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Monday 23 November 2009

In The Furthest Corners Of Gaa Gaa Land . . .


We've been very cozy in the office today. Beanz, the fish is a permanent resident in here (unfortunately his partner, Baked, departed from us about a month ago), and most days we are graced with the presence of Missy the dog. She usually spends her day running riot around the office, hunting for food, pleading to everyone with her big, beauful eyes, and generally doing doggy things in the only way a doggy knows best.

But today has been special. Today is a day that deserves celebration - and I'm talking BIG celebrations!

Welcome Back Sarah!!


Yes, today is Sarah's first day back from maternity leave. And not only is it Sarah's first day, but also little George's! He's been brought in for visits before now, but he hasn't had the joy of spending the entire day with us, and boy has he run amok! During the lunch hour he danced around the entire office. All my paperwork got kicked about left, right and centre! The only way to calm him was to feed him, and this was when we discovered the real persona of our Spiritual Guide. All that we knew about our Drew is a facade. He really speaks in `Goo Goo` language, and lives in the land of Gaa Gaa. Yes, yes, I know. It's shocking . . .but the proof we have here should have warned us all along time ago. This is where he likes to go and hide when he is having a bad day.

Another visit we had - something else to add to our little professional menagerie - was from two members of the Sylvanian Family. Flopsom and Jetsom (not their real names, but something that was quite fitting for the moment) were purchased from our good local pet store by our very own Beckster during the course of the day, and the fact they've already tried to make a break for it doesn't reflect on the way we work in this office.

Still, it all helps the world to revolve a little easier . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Friday 13 November 2009

Beam Me Up Halogen Oven . . .


It's true! It's official! I warned everyone in a previous blog that they were invading us, but they all just laughed in this office. No one took me seriously, and now it is too late!

There's another one among us.

Another Halogen Oven!

It's smaller, but claims to have the exact same abilities as its other. And where as the other merely beamed my pasty away, this one looks pure evil. I'm going to wake up in the middle of the night with a halogen oven just glaring at me from the corner of my room!!

I'm frightened now! I know these Ovens are a much healthier cooking option, and I know my pasty was full of fat, but I only had the one! That's no reason to hunt me!

But despite the fact that I'm running around screaming "Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it in for me!", these ovens are worth serious consideration. They are healthy and energy efficient, and allow your food to keep its original, wonderful taste. They're friendly to the eye (they don't shoot laser beams that turn you to stone, promise), they're quick to cook, and easy to clean.

What more do you want in your kitchen . . . a robot!

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Wednesday 11 November 2009

In Honour . . .

At the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, the nation stood still and donated two minutes of silence in memory of those fallen, for those who gave their lives to shape our future, and for those who are still giving their lives today.

We in the office were no different. As the handle on the clock inched ever closer to eleven o'clock we were all standing and giving our two minutes silence in honour. You'll even be surprised to hear that our very own Bexter contributed too.

I was supposed to add some humour to today's blog, like I usually do, trying to make reading it less painful than what it already is, but it's hardly surprising that my humour escapes me. Instead I've found a poem that I thought I'd share on behalf of Cybercheckout, aka Gridstop Ltd in memory.

We Shall Keep the Faith
by Moira Michael, 1918

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the faith
With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valour led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

And now the torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honour of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.





D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Happy Birthday Blog . . .

The Cybercheckout aka Gridstop Ltd blog only normally graces you with its prescence three times a week but this week is an exception. Yesterday's blog was a very sad blog indeed, so today's is designed to try and cheer everybody up. We always like to break the rules when it comes to birthdays!

A Very Happy Birthday to our very own

Mother Redstone!

Yep, she's 21 today (I feel it rude to ask how old she really is . . . but 21 is a good age!)

So I'm sure you'll all join me in raising your glasses to toast a very happy birthday to Mother Redstone!

Yay . . . !!!

Except Farva . . . he may burn the kitchen down with his toast . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Monday 9 November 2009

A Remembrance Sunday to Remember . . .


Forrest McWolf


12th July 2000 to 8th November 2009


Beloved dog of Marie and Jim had been suffering from an immune system disorder for a few weeks, but even after many tests and blood transfusion, he wasn't responding to any treatment. His health deteriorated and it was decided that he wasn't strong enough to continue his fight. After a trip to the vets, he died peacefully in his mummy and daddy's arms.

Forrest will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, but he has left us all with many happy memories and he will be forever in our hearts.

Rest in peace, my little man

x x x

Friday 6 November 2009

To Boldly Go Where No Pastie Has Gone Before . . .

We've had some monstrous items in just recently. One of these is a halogen oven - yes, you heard right - a halogen oven!

For those who are taking the healthier route down life, this is perfect for you. It cooks via a hot halogen light at the top, and it allows you to grill, bake, steam, roast . . . and much more that I can't think of off the top of my head. It's great for those who suffer with high cholesterol too, as it reduces the amount you intake. It's very healthy and easy to use, and it cooks at lightning speed. The catchphrase is "Get that Oven taste at Microwave speed . . . "

However, I don't think cooking food is all this machine is capable of doing. The fact that it looks like a little robot from outer space instantly gave me food for thought. It conspired against me yesterday - yes, it did, I tell ya. It stole the Cornish pastie I was going to have for lunch - a Cornish pastie fresh from the Western shores - and hid it so that I couldn't get to it. The halogen light doubles as one of those `transporters` from StarTrek, and it just beamed it right off my plate!

And then it recorded a strange image of me and stored it in its database! It's obvious that it's got a photographic memory, and it stored my profile for later use. God knows what it's got in mind for me. If there are no blogs next week, you'll know where to find me. I'll be squished inside it's glass bowl. But at least I'll be reunited with my pastie.

Other than that, I imagine that it can cook up a rather good meal . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Blazing Competitions . . .

Well, as many people have asked me, the date today is the 4th of November. Tomorrow is the 5th - bonfire night. It's not as good as Halloween in my eyes, though. Being a horror writer, it is the only time of the year when I can freely let my imagination run wild without people giving me strange looks (but they still do that anyway, so why should Halloween be any different?)

But not only is tomorrow bonfire night - or Guy Fawkes - it's also the day that gives you just 10 whole days left to enter our competition. Again, rules are simple with no hard questions to answer. All you have to do is subscribe to our news letter. It's free; it's simple; and it gives you a chance of winning one of our fantastic sunrise alarm clocks! (They're great! I swear by mine)

So, go on. Go on, go on. Go on, go on, go on . . .

And on that note, I'm going to leave you with a little rhyme in celebration of Guy Fawkes:

November the 5th has come and gone,
But thoughts of it still linger.
I held a banger in my hand,
Has anybody seen my finger?

Regardless of whether you are celebrating on the 5th or at the weekend, have a safe bonfire night.

Enjoy . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Blowing Ones Own Trumpet . . .

Every now and then it's nice to flick through the `Customer Feedback` left on our website. I've blogged about it before and published some really nice comments left by customers about us. Afterwards it was rather difficult for some members of staff to fit through doors as their heads had swelled to extreme sizes. Having sat back and watched them struggle, taking amused delights from seeing them trying to squeeze through small spaces, I thought I'd give it another go. I can do with a laugh today.

Thank you! Excellent service. You deserve success with that customer service attitude.
Best of luck.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thank you so much for your help and efficiency - and always with such a happy voice!
Much appreciated.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Thanks very much.
Full marks for customer service throughout. I will check your site next time I'm shopping
for anything similar.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Your customer service is fab and I'll be recommending you over and over again !!
Thanks from a satisfied customer

Our customer service team should be proud of the level of service they provide, and believe me, they've evolved immensely over the last year or so. So many changes have happened in here, and things are running so much more efficiently now. Well done to all involved. Unfortunately we are out of trumpets now, so I can't blow it, but if you have one, please do so in our honour.

And here we have photographic evidence of our graphic ingenious paying homage to Cybercheckout. We are that great . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd


Friday 30 October 2009

Halloween Special . . .

The unexpected darkness came suddenly. It stole away the sight of the office before me. The desks in front were engulfed, the monitors vanishing. I felt blind and paralysed with fear, but it wasn't the blindness that frightened me. It was the silence that came with it. Shrinking in my seat, my eyes glared from left to right, patiently waiting for them to adjust. Gradually the monitors came back into view, looking like hazy ghosts in the shadows, and the whole office began to reappear. I knew it was the same room, but everything looked and felt so very different without the lights on. Why had I offered to work late tonight?

Taking a deep breath, I stood from my seat. Was this a general power cut, or was there a problem in the building? I knew I should have walked to window to peer into the darkness outside, but fear prevented me from doing so. I was alone. Cursing myself for being so stupid, I forced myself to step away from my desk, and cautiously walked to the window. Parting the blinds I looked out to see the street lights glowing bright orange outside. The problem definitely came from within.

Well, that's it, I thought to myself. There was no point hanging around waiting for the electric to turn itself back on, and I couldn't do anymore work without it. Maybe it was time to call it a night and go home. Turning from the window, I walked through the darkness back to my desk to grab my belongings. The car park downstairs called for me, and I couldn't wait to be out there. The feeling in here was just too eerie for my liking.

As I began to make my way towards the exit, a suddenly noise brought me to a stop. My heart pounded frantically in my chest as my ears strained to listen. I stood in the middle of the office, feeling vulnerable and terrified. Could it be the electrics turning back on? I waiting for the buzz of life, but it didn't come.

The noise did, though. Heavy breathing and coming from around the door area - the area I needed to pass in order to leave. Someone was here with me. Controlling my breathing, trying to be as silent as possible, I stared in the direction the breathing came from. How had someone managed to get in while I was here? I hadn't heard anyone come up.

Feeling extremely frightened, I stepped back, intending to go back to my desk. I had no idea what I was to do - hide, maybe - but just as I turned I heard the click of electricity. The office buzzed back to life, filling my wide eyes with sudden light - and the horrific image of the figure that stood behind me. I screamed.

It was Andrew . . .

May the spirits of All-Hallows Eve come out and play tonight . . .

Happy Halloween.




D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop ltd

Wednesday 28 October 2009

Looking After Nature . . .

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I'm quite fond of nature - all creatures great and small, and all that (except spiders) - and this quality does come in handy when you live in a small village. It's kind of hard to get away from it. It was one of those things that was drummed into me as a child, growing up within a small menagerie. My dad used to like birds. He still does, and still owns a parrot that he brought his mum when he was 17 (did you know parrots can live to be about 150 years old when kept in captivity, and still give a bone-crunching bite? I'll probably end up inheriting him). Because of this, I'm quite familiar with a lot of wild birds. I can tell the difference between a Great Tit and a Blue Tit, or a Crow and Rook, and so on and so forth.

And yes, during the winter I am partial to buy some wild bird food and put it out in the garden for them. During the summer, I don't do it as often. There is plenty of food for them to survive off, and it helps to encourage the young birds to hunt and forage for themselves, but during the winter food can become scarce. It's always nice to give them a little helping hand.

Up and coming to our stock, and soon to grace our website, are some fantastic bird stations. They can hold numerous bird feeders and trays for water, and are rather attractive in their designs too. They'll make a lovely addition to your garden, and if you like sitting back and watching the birds, then this will encourage them to flock back time and time again, as long as they know it's where they can find a reliable source of food and water. They'll love it.

And another thing I've always liked is seeing their little footprints in the snow . . . sweet . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Cyber Virus . . .

We're in need of a Florence Nightingale. We have some poorly members of staff and friends in today.

The first is Forest, our much loved Husky friend belonging to Marie. He has spent the last week in the vets, and even though he is now out, he is still poorly and undergoing tests. Because of that he has been brought into the office for the day so mummy can keep an eye on him and give him his tablets when he's due.

Bless him. He's got bald patches all over him where the vets have been busy. He is so down, and even though we have all tried our best to cheer him up today, he just turns away, uninterested and not bothered . . . or is he trying to tells us that we're a boring bunch in here?

The second is Father. He is still recovering from the nasty cold he had last week. Even though he has managed to come from his nice warm home in Manchester, all the way down to Stevenage to see us this week, he still isn't 100%. However, we can't help but laugh at the fact that this cold has left him unable to hear a thing.

Now we've all started to act like the terrible children that we are. The jokes that are flying around this office at the moment are unheard of (boom boom!!! Did you get that then? Unheard of? Yeah?)

*Sigh . . . never a dull moment.

I just hope our need for a Florence Nightingale isn't going to last long. May everyone feel better soon . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd