christmas party 2011

This year with so many staff, some part time, some full time, some with kids….you get the idea…..we decided to try a new format and closed the Practice for the day. The Xmas do became a two part affair with a day at Cheltenham Races followed by a later dinner at Monty’s in town.

The races were a success, particularly for Lisa who had the gift that day winning something in just about every race. I won a race at last, a ten year drought over? Lost the next 4 races….

The evening bash started in the bar basement of Monty’s, with some very tipsy people dancing to the wailing tunes of the guitarist singer. Really bizarre as the one lass and two chaps were dancing about 12 inches from the singers face which must have put him off his performance, certainly sounded like it. The dancers were not only 12 inches from the singers face, but their butts were 12 inches from our faces – I thought Kim was about to have serious words when mercifully we were called to our table.

Very nice food, plenty of vino and a good time had by all. The old folks amongst went home for a cup of tea and sleep, the less old ones ventured into the night world of Cheltenham and its clubs…….and I gather sobriety was not on the agenda…..

This time, no work next day so everyone had a good 3 day break.

willow….RIP….December 2011

Very very sad. Willow became ill and Lorraine took her to the vet last Wednesday afternoon. As I was busy with a client, they stayed there for two hours until I could get there and after a short consult with Toby, it was clear what the advice was and we agreed to prevent any suffering and let her go.

Toby was excellent, very professional and kind towards Willow. No drama, no discomfort, just a quiet passing on. Best dog in the world who will be missed by everyone. Except the others who do not seem to have noticed the extra space on the sofa……..

we are winners!

As well as reaching the finals for the Elite Practice awards, we also made the shortlist for the best dental website in the country. These awards are famous in the dental world and to reach the final was fantastic. So much so that I bought a table at the presentation evening and ten of us got dressed up for a black tie evening, including Steph and Natalie from Twice Creative who are the web designers. We had a fabulous night and it was topped by us winning the Best Website Award. It was like the Oscars. Presentations and photos of the whole team, interviews from the dental press…….surreal.

Everyone had a great time and the girls were very sweet and bought a bottle of champagne for the table to celebrate.

I was particularly pleased to have Steph and Natalie there to see their hard work rewarded as they very much deserve it.

It was a late run home in the bus, and with an early 8am start at work on the Saturday there was precious little time to catch a sleep. Sammie and Claire decided not to wait and save some time by getting into their nightshirts and dressing gowns on the bus, so that they could just collapse when they got in…see photo, hilarious.

The Award is in the lounge by the computer for all our clients to see and the feedback has been tremendous.

Before the big event

After the big event

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panic with wilby

Thursday after work, Wilby very weak and unable to jump into the car so I lifted her in and rushed to the vet. As usual, Honeybourne Vets were fantastic as I arrived without an appointment.

Turns out she was dehydrated and had intestinal problems but thankfully no lumps or chest issues, although throat lump now getting bigger again. (it has been 18mths since her radiotherapy in Cambridge Vet School).

Back to the cooked rice, poached chicken, antibiotics and rehydration liquid with plenty of TLC and she bounced back yet again…amazing

breathe business retreat

As you all know, I am a regular attendee at courses and conferences to advance the Practice clinical knowledge and guide our investments in new equipment and technology.

What you may not know is that occasionally, I invest in some brain training and recently went on a four day coaching session in Trelowarren in Cornwall. This was a course on leadership using NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and putting some time aside to think and revisit the vision for the future. Interesting stuff but really hard work as you have to think a lot…..it also involved an analysis of Henry V…….

Lorraine opted to stay behind as Willow was not well.

The week was spent in an Eco cottage, sharing with others, Paula, Ben, Siobhan, me. Much wine and dental chat first evening followed by day of coaching in Trelowarren library, with big chairs and a large open log fire. A lovely atmosphere to relax and take on board the subject.

Early up first day as still had my safe adult online training to do, then cooked breakfast for 15 whilst half of them left at 7am for a 5 mile walk to the keyside and back……..they looked knackered as not exactly a flat walk…I would have never made it, much more important I look after the food.

So after the four days of coaching, a long evening drive home (4hrs) and back to work Friday 8am….dedicated.

Roaring fire to warm up

Library

practice busy!

Thank you to all who kindly refer your friends, relatives, and those you know who would appreciate our approach to dental health.

A busy practice is a healthy one, giving us the confidence to plan and invest through the recession. We have more to do to make the Practice even better, all planned for the Xmas and New Year season.

 

sunday project

Decorating finished, it was time to put all the pictures back and re-work the lounge to accommodate better, the new milling unit. It was like some interior makeover show with me moving chairs and bookcases around until it felt right…..did a good job actually.

The original plan was to hang one of the new Doug Hydes in the stairwell but after much planning, decided it would be a suicide mission with me in a heap at the bottom with broken legs. Final decision was to place them on the conservatory windowsill, much safer.