It's Christmas :-) Repetition, repitition, repetition.....

[SAMBS]

I've Just had an interesting experience because I hadn't realised just how bad my short term memory is! As you know/remember.........I have a local bar/cafe up the road from me and Marie, the owner, runs it on her own, employing someone as and when necessary to help with serving meals. For me it's somewhere to go for some company and a lovely big hot chocolate to the occasional glass of rose if it's after 6pm!

.....I'd drop the plates or glasses, so don't offer to help out (unpaid) in that respect, but there she was Friday evening folding paper serviettes in preparation for a week of hectic large bookings before Xmas. Good quality and nearly as thick as linen ones!

So I offered to help. Shame she only had red and cream - red and green would have looked better, given their shape because when finished, they looked like little booties for Santa's elves!

All I had to do was all the straight line folds, 5 of them, ready for her to fold over to make the final shape. She showed me how to start.....then I tried my 1st one - aaaagh by time I got my hands on it I'd forgotten! She showed me again very patiently.....I always used to find it easier to learn by doing rather than reading.....so after 2 or 3 patient reminders, I was well away. She'd already done about 25 when I started, of the 120 there.

We hadn't done all she needed - 240!

Yesterday afternoon I went back to start doing the other 120. Started on 1 st one, oh no I'd forgotten again,,but after that I was well away.

The concentration level was astounding, and yes repitition, repitition, repition, understandably boring, when I let myself be distracted by either, talking, looking up at TV (French) on the wall, or customers coming in to buy a drink, I almost forgot order of the folds again.

I'd always said over the years, I wouldn't want to work on a factory production line, too boring - but thats the whole point, repition and concentration is necessary for us, because before our BI problems, things came more naturally and without thinking too much!

So there I was learning my own very valuable lessons, patience is a virtue and 'if at first we don't succeed, try, try and try again' . I was happy to help someone out because it made her life a easier as well for that time! - it took me 3.5 hours but I don't care and neither did she, she got her pixie boots, with regular breaks to serve customers and have a chat while I continued, and she could come back to piles of folder serviettes waiting for the final comlletion - we finished together and did a great big high five

The brain IS an amazing organ!

HAPPY XMAS EVERYBODY and A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!

Joyeux noël et bon année à tous

ESPECIALLY TO OUR LOVELY PEOPLE AT HEADWAY

x x x x x x x x x

From Shirley.

PS - I'm spending Xmas day from midday, with her and her v large family! :-)) she'd invited me 2 weeks ago and I've been forbidden to take any gifts with me. Their family Xmas is celebrated Xmas Eve, Xmas day will be my day! Must remember to record Downton!

Entente cordiale - loving and living - sharing and giving!

[StrawberryCream]

Happy Christmas Shirley. So pleased to read that you are spending some time in the company of others to enjoy Xmas. Your patience and persistence with your helpful task is admirable. xx

[SAMBS in reply to StrawberryCream]

Hi Caroline, sorry I haven't phoned in ages, memory again! We'll talk over Xmas! S xx

[StrawberryCream in reply to SAMBS]

Was starting to think maybe I'd upset you?! We are away for a week from 23rd so over New Year would be good xx

[angelite]

All the best to you too, Shirley : )

Well done on your napkin marathon - I'd have probably lost the plot and ended up making paper aeroplanes !

Enjoy your Day with friends and Downton at your convenience : )

Angela x

[SAMBS in reply to angelite]

Hi Angela, yep, planes I could have thrown around, lol x

[Kirk5w7]

Fantastic Shirley and Merry Christmas, so good to hear things are going well.

The company and friendship must mean a lot. Take care Janet xxxx

[SAMBS in reply to Kirk5w7]

Yes it does to above Janet, as well as the support and friendship here xxx

[aqua4]

Hi Shirley, Have a great day. Happy Christmas. Kx

[SAMBS in reply to aqua4]

...and you Aqua! Xx

[malalatete]

Joyeux Noel to you too. Glad to hear you get to spend it in company . See if you can get your friends to watch Downton with you....such things always leave the French amusingly baffled by our interest in the bourgeoisie and calling for Madame Guillotine!

[SAMBS in reply to malalatete]

Hi Mal, thanks, believe it or not Downton is popular over here, in French! I actually caught an episode the other week and found it quite amusing myself, it didn't have quite the same kmpact for me though, the voices weren't the same Have a good time yourself. x

[MXman]

Hi Sambs,

Totally agree I love doing repetition stuff it really helps me and I don't like change. I didn't before Bi and its even worse now. Happy Christmas to you. XX N