Client (an organisation, not a business or person) dropped off their papers on Tuesday saying they need accounts by end of September. Client uses Quickbooks, exports it to Excel spreadsheet and has done the final accounts in that spreadsheet. All looked OK at first glance. Starting to look at it and have discovered that on one of the 4 bank accounts used they've only posted the entries for the first half of the year, and there are missing entries for the latter part of the year on 2 of the other accounts.

 

It won't take a long time to sort it out but I've left a message with the client about this. Unless it turns out he's given me the wrong data disc, I'm not impressed.

 

Good morning!
A much calmer start here today- I do believe that I may be back to some kind of normality
The kids are all back at school now, phew! We now usually get a rush of people who avoided the school holidays and then it'll go quiet for a while.

Mr summer is attempting to get me tickets to the live strictly tour- they're coming to Newcastle just after my birthday in the new year. Fingers crossed

El, sounds like a bit of hassle, I hope it's not too awkward to rectify and all done in time for your brother visiting this weekend

What are everyone else's plans?

It certainly does sound an awful hassle EL.  I hope they have just forgotten to give you one disc.

 

I am glad that things have calmed down now Summer and hopefully you can enjoy the end of the week better than you enjoyed the first half.

 

I am going to be struggling a little with Excel soon, I am so out of practice but I want to create a database to print up my Christmas labels and it will need a database to take all the details from.  You would think there would be some product out there to make it super duper easy but I haven't come across one.

 

Our housegroup start up again today so it will be nice to get back together again with everyone, and my car goes in tomorrow for a new window motor.

I use excel too squiggle, I hope you can draw up your spreadsheet without too much trouble. There are elements of excel that I wish were simpler

What does your house group do?

Hi Summer, we are studying parables at the moment, which we are all enjoying.  I'm sure it will be simple to set up, it's just a bit daunting but I am determined to do it, it seems such a simple thing I don't want to let it defeat me.

 

I meant to say Yogi I am having to have new vinyl because the new washbasin has a smaller footprint than the old.  The sample that looked so nice on the web - sort of white marble with a hint of pink - turned out to be beige in the sample book.   So I have chosen plain white.

Squiggle, I have a client database in Excel for when I need to send circulars etc.

The first row is the description of each column. For instance A1 would be Name, B1 would be First line of address, C1 would be Second line of address, etc.

Then I would have Mr A Smtih in A2, the first line of his address in B2, second line of his address etc

Then I would have Mrs B Brown in A3, the first line of her address in B3 and so on.

 

Then I use the Mail Merge in Word 2003 (as my computer is quite old).

Document Type - Label

Label Options - choose from the available list which type of label you are using

Select recipients - this is where you select the excel file with the database and also choose the recipients

Arrange your labels - Address Block. I need to click on Match Fields and then make sure that the default selections tie in with the headings I have used in the database. In my example Last name should show Name, Address 1 should show First line of address, Address 2 which is under Optional Information should show Second line of address, and so on.

As I am doing this for lots of people, not just one person, I click Update all labels so that the Address Block is replicated for the other people.

The remaining steps are straightforward.

 

I hope that helps though different word programs may have a different way of doing Mail Merges.

 

 

What a shame the sample wasn't what you expected but I'm sure the white will look nice and fresh.

Enjoy your house group meeting.

Woohoo, I hope Mr Summer manages to get you the Strictly tickets, Summer.

 

I bet you are relieved that the kids are back to school now, enjoy the peace while you can.

I hope you get it sorted out and they get the data to you pronto

Your floor sounds nice squiggle! I bet the room will feel so different after it's fitted

He's got them, he's got them!!!!!
It's going to be the best birthday treat ever!

Yogi, was Keira in a sulk after Harvey went home? And has he stopped his Houdini tricks?

Yay, well done Mr Summer! After you've been, remember to give us a full account of the show.

 

Keira did her sad face, then went to sleep. Mr Yogi's chicken wire seems to have halted Harv's Houdini routine - thank goodness!

That's very helpful EL thank you I am using Word 2003 too so I can consult that.  It is a bit baffling when you are first faced with the 'delineator' question but I am sure when I actually start doing it it will all fall into place.

As the client wants the accounts by the end of September I don't need to have done the work by tomorrow so it won't have any impact on my brother's visit. I've emailed the client for instructions - do I pass the papers back to him to do the work or do I work out the adjustments myself and charge for the extra time.

I think it's unlikely that he's given me the wrong data disc.

 

Summer, I hope Mr Summer is successful with the tickets

Squiggle, colours can be so deceptive between how they appear on the screen and in real life.

 

 

I would give them a call and ask them if they want you to work out the adjustments (at an extra cost), or would they prefer you to pass the papers back and do the work themselves.

Good thinking Yogi.  Summer how wonderful that you will get to watch the Strictly stars up close and personal.  Which stars are on the tour, and are any your particular favourites?

Yogi, that's what I've said in my email to the client. I haven't heard back from him yet.

 

Bits of news related directly or indirectly to various television shows or people I've spotted yesterday and today.

 

Firstly the 100th episode of Midsomer Murders will be partially filmed in Denmark with the assistance of the producers of The Killing. Two Danish actresses will feature in the special episode - The Killing's Ann Eleonora Jorgensen and Borgen's Birgitte Hjort Sorensen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23949527

 

Secondly, the Agatha Christie Estate has sanctioned a new Poirot book to be written by Sophie Hannah, the first official novel to continue Agatha Christie's work. It's due to be published in a year's time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23945362

No details of title, story, at what age Poirot will be portrayed, no mention if it might be filmed at some point in the future and if so would David Suchet be Poirot and if so what would ITV do with Curtain.

 

Thirdly, a new series of books based on a story being written by Gerry Anderson prior to his death but never finished. Gemini Force One is about a secret organisation that is "involved in rescues and averting disasters and terrorist events (so could be a bit like Thunderbirds). The series is to be written by MG Harris.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23969811

 

Gloucestershire have just beaten Leicestershire in the 4 day cricket match in just 3 days. It's a crushing victory by Gloucestershire (though Leicestershire is firmly at the bottom of the league). It's just as well they did it in 3 days as I doubt if there could have been any play tomorrow because of rain.

I wonder if you can work out who the man of the match might be by having a look at the scorecard.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/o35467

I'll help you as you have little interest in cricket. In Leicestershire's first innings, which of Gloucestershire's bowlers took most wickets.

Which of Gloucestershire's batsmen scored most runs in Gloucestershire's innings.

In Leicestershire's second innings, which of Gloucestershire's bowlers took most wickets.

 

I'm looking forward to the new Midsomer episode but not so much the Poirot, written by someone other than Agatha Christie.

Of all of the Poirot stories televised, the one I rate highest is the 2003 version of Five Little Pigs. The original novel is also highly regarded. That's the one where Poirot is asked by the daughter of the woman who was found guilty of murder 16 years before to investigate the case. He interviews each of the suspects in turn to recount what happened and eventually finds the truth.

I found the adaptation was exceptional and the story and acting had great depth. Rachel Stirling played the woman who was found guilty and she was exceptional - she clearly has inherited her acting ability from her mother Diana Rigg.

A clip I found which has some of the music used in Five Little Pigs with still images from it. The second piece is Erik Satie's first Gnossienne which was used superbly in the adaptation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJQybhBY29U

 

That was an excellent episode and Rachel Stirling was very good.

Signing out now. Goodnight Summer and any other night owls.

Hoot hoot! *night owls*

Sweet dreams yogi I'm pleased to that Harvey is no longer able to escape and I hope Keira isn't sulking any more

I've had the most relaxing evening in quite some time I did a little yoga, had a bath, caught up on some TV from the sky planner and started to make pro type arrangements for my christmas cards

And on that note, I shall wish you all sweet dreams & leave you with this very unusual Christina's tree, it made me smile...

Good morning everyone

 

Has been raining here, very cloudy and cooler, I think Autumn has arrived.

 

Summer, I'm glad you had a relaxing evening after the hectic last week.

That's an unusual tree - I counted 10 owls though there may be more on the other side.

 

I've had the go-ahead from the client to work out the necessary adjustments and bill extra.

 

Good morning everyone. A cloudy start to the day. Up here, it has been autumnal for the last week.

 

Brilliant owl tree. Like El, I can see 10 owls - any advance on 10?

 

Glad the client got back to you, you can crack on with the work now, El.

 

Summer, what is your theme for your Christmas cards, this year?

 

I have hardly slept a wink for the last two nights, so I think an afternoon nap may be required. If I can't sleep tonight, I might have to get Mr Yogi to whack me on the head with a mallet.

Have a good day, everyone.

Good morning

A very wet night here, the rain is due to stay all day too!
Bramble doesn't mind it though

Yogi how come you're not sleeping well? I hope you're ok
My theme this year is...

Candy canes!!!!!! I'm even going to replace my usual bows on gifts, with a real candy cane I will of course, take photos for you all to see!
I have found a little tree that my mum likes it'll be her first tree in about 15 years! I just need to find her some easy decorations to go on it now

El, I'm pleased the problem at work has been ironed out.

Squiggle I hope you slept well- how's your back lately?

Yogi, I hope you can get to sleep tonight, we don't want you being whacked on the head, you would be like a bear with a sore head

 

Summer, I hope your candy cane preparations go well.

Good morning everyone, I have just run my car down for them to fit the new window motor.

 

Yogi poor you not being able to sleep.  I hate it when that happens.  I hope you can catch up on your sleep tonight   I loved the owl tree but could only count 9 owls so I'm going backwards not forwards.  I think your new Christmas theme for the cards sounds lovely Summer, I hope your Mum will really enjoy having a tree again.

 

I am glad your client has agreed to pay you for the extra work involved EL.

 I'm sure I have been called that once or twice before.

 

Summer, I thought it was a candy cane theme, but my memory is rubbish atm, so I thought I had better ask.

Squiggle, I hope the work on the car is done quickly and isn't too costly.

So do I

Me too car bills are horrible

Thank you everyone, the motor alone costs £170, plus VAT, plus fitting, but I am so dizzy with the thought that they actually still have one for a 24 year old car that I am going to whack the cost on my credit card and pay it off in huge chunks as quickly as possible.  I prepared the car as usual for her visit to the garage by a hand wash and polish plus a high gloss top coat, she has to look her best before those mechanics get their hands on her

 

Thank you Summer my back is much better thank goodness, I am very careful around flexes now.

Squiggle, I'm glad your back is much better. I hope your credit card gets better quickly too from the shock Do you expect to get your car back today?

 

Ouch Squiggle, that's around £200 for the part alone! Have they given you some idea of the labour costs?

That's quite a chunk of money to find in one go squiggle, but I would do the same because of how long you've had your car. She's worth looking after luckily, interest rates are so low that you stand a very good chance of getting it paid off without having to accumulate much interest

They won't rip me off, in fact John said whilst running me home that he had tried to negotiate a discount for me but it's all 'the computer says no' nowadays.

Sorry EL missed your post, yes they have said they will get it back to me today, they will probably combine it with roadtesting another vehicle, so the driver of mine can get a lift back.  They are a cracking local garage and I know they will do their best to keep my lovely old car running for as long as possible.

Squiggle, you are lucky to have such a good local garage