Saturday 11 February 2012

Busy? Moi?

There is  a price to pay for being able to stay at home and craft all day.  I'm officially a partner in the business.  I know, grown up, right?  Well, I do ordering, and all the book-keeping and VAT and stuff, and I try to control the production schedule so that I see something of Mr Dunnit, and very frequently, I do the deliveries.  Until recently, that has been the deliveries that will fit in the tiny green rocket. I drive a Toyota Yaris...it's bigger than it looks, but be serious, I can't get a staircase in it!
So the solution...a white van.  Here he is, collecting it.  The photo was taken through the window of my car. I'm no fool, it was very cold.  The grin on his sweet face is about how excited we were to be in a position to buy a van, and the hand in his pocket is holding tight to his wallet...the next move was to pay for it!
So since Wednesday, I've had a couple of lessons for driving in bad weather.  Scarey.  But the guys on site think its very funny to see a middle aged fat woman jump awkwardly from the driver's seat, so they feel compelled to help with unloading.  Thank goodness.   I've also had a lesson in how to 'diesel up'.  This, gentle reader, is 'whitevanman' speak.  I suspect rather deeply that at some stage it was meant to impress us non-hunter gatherer types. It means putting fuel in.  It's strangely the same as putting fuel in your car, they just dont want you to know that.  Although you may need physical help to get across the forecourt to pay for the fuel...my goodness, these vans have HUGE tanks. Ow.  FYI our American friends...we buy fuel in litres.  It's £1.44  ($2.28) per litre for diesel(locally) and there are 4.54 litres to a gallon.  I know the cost of fuel is an election issue in some States, but not here! 
So I've been out and about. I've learned a lot about driving a bigger vehicle too, and I erm, forgive some of the white van men I've cursed in the past...now I know why you pull into the wrong lane when turning left..and why you get angry if people cross the road behind you while you're trying to reverse...oh em gee, the all round vision isn't good!  The best part, and remember, I'm a WOYWWer, so this is in character: You can see so much more from the elevated position.  I'm loving that! 

49 comments:

Mrs A. said...

Could you tell us which routes you may be taking!!!!! Lol. Have fun in your new toy. hugs Mrs A.

Jo.C said...

Enjoy being the white van woman - not sure I envy you - when I have had to drive a minibus for school I invariably had some sort of hairy experience so when they changed the rules I said no :0)

Jacqueline said...

LOL!! Congrats on the new addition!!

Love the way that post was written...made me smile... :)

have fun!!

Jackie x

Angie said...

Wow ...a White Van Lady ... what next ...lorry driver ??
Enjoy the new vehicle ...I dont have one ...I dont drive lol xx

Gwen said...

So funny...you had me laughing there.
I hope you enjoy your white vanning. I shall look out for you:)
xx

Glenda said...

I can totally relate....somewhat! My husband and I owned and operated a hand-wash car wash and picked up vehicles to wash. I was given this task. Now our vehicle was fine, but I never knew what I was picking up! Sometimes a sweet little car, others the most huge SUV you could imagine also huge 4 wheel drive trucks! So I'm right there with you sister~!

fairy thoughts said...

very funny, I love the idea of you 'dieselling up'. I think you are very brave, I have trouble reversing my KA LOL
janet

Cardarian said...

Ha, ha I had a good laugh reading that! Driving a van now aye?? I guess I won't be able to curse van drivers anymore as my WOYWW Queen is driving one now!Huh! Enjoy but take care!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Helen said...

Cripes, I don't even liking driving a car.... Hope Mr D will take us some pics of you behind the wheel - go Julia!! Please be careful!

donnalouiserodgers said...

to this I can relate,
when i 'help out' (because of course we help we; do not work in our own right), I insisted the van be black - huge van (yes it scared me to the day it was last driven) said black van has recently been swapped for two moderatly sized vans - one white, one red

I was cross I was not consulted and huffed that I would not be seen sitting in the white one (he said try driving it from the back if you can dear)- but, i said, I might consider the red (who minds being mistaken for a postie?)

and then the debate degenerated into the although it scared the holy whatnot out of me, I did find the back one with the lovey liverage we designed together rather aesthetically beautiful and artful, why couldn't we do the same with the two new little offspring?

10K why not came the reply,

oh ok

white it is then....

Dxxxx

Kirsty.A said...

Keep safe, White Van Lady

Kirsty.A said...

I've awarded you a Versatile Blogger Award!

Chelle said...

Wow..have fun with the big white van..so it does take gas not diesel? We pay 1.20/litre here in Ontario, Canada. So I go into the states because it works out to be cheaper.

Ann B said...

Well if you are not happy driving a white van you know what to do - alter it!!!
Would pay good money to see it decorated with pretty papers, alcohol inks and grunge-paper roses.

Catriona said...

I loved this post- when I bought myself a 4 x 4 every laughed because I am only 5 foot 3 inches tall . Scotland then had it's worst winter since 1985 and everyone wanted to drive it because it never let me down !!

Annie said...

I'm wondering how long it will stay white :-)
Have fun making it girly hehehe.
Hugs,
A x

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Your furry dice and Yorkie bar are on order, LOL!! Please can I be your driver's mate one day...then there'll be TWO middle aged fat birds for the builders to laugh at!!
LLJ xx

Di said...

Oh Julia - how mean of me, I'm ROFL here!! You did paint a very funny picture - talking of painting, could you paint something pretty on the van - it's a big white blank canvas right now :)) Di xx

Craftychris said...

Respect!!! I don't drive, I did pass my test and drove for a short while but hated it. I am in awe!! xx

fairyrocks said...

Well Congratulations Julia, and thanks for the smiles this morning.
I can just picture you merrily going about your designated tasks in your new White Van {Does the artist in you just want to do something with those white side walls?}

May said...

I have enough trouble Julia driving my car!!! Keep Safe white van lady x x x x

voodoo vixen said...

Oh gawd... she has become a white van woman!! All kudos to you for getting in and giving it a go though, cos I know I would have been a chicken and not done so!!
WOYWVWD... what's on your white van woman desk...

Janina said...

LOVED reading your post! and I'm ashamed to admit that I hardly ever read a post, I honestly just look at the pictures *blush* Your writing absolutely made me laugh out loud! Good luck with the driving and I hope your new van brings you many more fantastic (and funny) experiences to share with us!

Anonymous said...

I'm with Di also ROFL.....great tale, and I think you should defo paint summat on the side!! xx

JoZart Designs said...

What a laugh your post gave me! WVWWW (White Van Woman's Wedesday) could be a whole new blug phenomena to storm the world.
I'm with Ann... this could be your biggest blank canvas and an excellent method of publicity for MrD and the business if you were let loose with a crate of Alcohol inks, a few stencils and a few spray cans. Go for it!
JoZarty x

BumbleVee said...

I drive an old Chevy Astro Cargo van.... so I know what you are talking about....all of it... no windows in the back doors either...can't tell if yours does or not...it's all use of mirrors...and you will get pretty adept at it... although, it scares the bejeepers out of your passengers when they are drivers and look around to help when they are in the van...hahah...

one girl said last week... how do you see behind you there aren't any windows....erm...mirrors? ... just like any trucker..... and I love my van for the reason you mentioned.... high above the cars...sigh.... love the view...

our gas.. which mine runs on... is $1.06 per liter at the moment here in Canada ... no complaints .... it has to cost something for the pleasure of driving ......

Bridget Larsen said...

Blimey and I thought ours was expensive at $1.65 a litre

Sue from Oregon said...

Oh good for you girl!

Kath Stewart said...

ooohoo...is there no end to your talents...now you are white van woman...hugs kath xxx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I am not familiar with the "white vans" as you describe and show them in your post. In fact, I'm not even sure I've seen a van that looks like that. I once drove a US mail truck from town to town. I owned the truck and was paid by the mile. I did NOT get help unloading, since I usually got there before any postal clerk. All I had were the keys to the kingdom (so to speak). So, I'm very proud of you. And that elevated position is perfect for you. BTW, your fuel is even more expensive than ours in the states.

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Ohmygawd! I'd run people over in that thing for sure. I used to drive a compact car and now have a medium sized pick up truck. I love the elevated status! I mean seat... I also know that we here in the US have very decent gas prices when compared to the rest of the world. Happy delivering!

Kathy said...

Am here for a long overdue catch up - and what do I find? Julia is now a whitevanwoman! That van looks ripe for a crafty makeover, I reckon. Far too white.....

Bethan said...

Aah he looks so sweet with his new van! Isn't that the point, that you do look (if only pretending!) to jump down awkwardly from the said van, so that the 'men' do come running to help. By god, you don't want to strain your crafting arm manouvering staircases!!!!

P.S congratulations..am made up for you that things are going well!

Elizabeth said...

Way to go, Julia! I'm totally impressed - the only time I ever drove a van that size, though not that colour (it was dark blue), wasn't a complete disaster, but not far off it ... I couldn't get it out of second gear :( Elizabeth x

505whimsygirl said...

Wow - that's a bit bigger than your current car. Have fun driving!!!

hugs,
Kay

Lavinia said...

Well this a coincidence Julia? Mr Lavinia has just purchased a van exactly the same as yours! Yes LDV yes white too & yes its too expand the business we own & its seems we do some of the same tasks too as well as crafting! Small world eh! He picks ours up tomorrow, but I wont be driving it! I will stick to my Alpha :)they would need to clear the roads if I went out in that!
Lavinia
x

misteejay said...

**giggle**
Only you could write something like that - made me smile.

I don't have so much of a problem with 'White van persons' other than they shouldn't be on the phone whilst try to drive around (that tends to be the main problem with them here).

Enjoy your elevated position LOL

Toni xx

PaperArtsy said...

I am the one responsible for van hire when we go to shows. As Mr PaperArtsy always has to have the biggest of everything, I receive clear instructions to get the high top, long wheel base. Of course, because i sign all the paperwork, i end up being the only one authorised to drive it...HA boy does he squirm, but i LOVE IT!! I love that i am big boss mama of event transportation!!! think i might need to trade the espace for my own white van. NB. i do prefer to drive them loaded, they get a bit skitty when empty on icy roads!

Morti said...

Wa-hey! I don't envy you, Mrs! When me and the ex lived in France, we had a 4m Sprinter, and it scared the bejesus out of me whenever I had to drive it. It's hard work driving without a rear-view mirror, and reversing is a particular nightmare. Good luck! Totally get what you mean about seeing more though... LOL

Simple homemade living said...

I can't imagine you driving a van!!! I love that he is holding onto the wallet - typical man!!

Have a great day my lovely

Laura x

Shashi Nayagam said...

Congratulations for the van. Enjoy your driving and be safe.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Oh my a white van woman! Love driving ours when we hire it... and as I am the only one who can drive it.. (dh has an automatic licence)I get to sit on my own quite comfy! oh yes the high view is also rather nice! see you on the motorway soon then.. give us a beep!
x

Anonymous said...

Heh, that's about the size of the average American pick up truck! Have fun with it, I'm glad I'm 3700 miles away and not on the same roads, lol! Go on, decorate it, I dare you! What would Mr D say!!!

Hugs
Brenda

PS. Trying to figure out what time the WOYWW post will go up today/tomorrow!!

HeARTworks said...

Moving up in the world in more ways than one! I haven't even learned to drive a small car! Patsy from
HeARTworks

sandra de said...

Congrats on joining the diesel drivers. Mine is not a van but I do have to queue at some service stations with the truckers to get my diesel. Felt very grown up on that day!

Sarah said...

White vans would definitely make the top ten of things blokes are obsessed with. I still don't get the "you can see a lot more from a van" thinking and my hubby tries to convince me on a yearly basis - you would love a little van....perfect for your crafting. A staircase is a different matter, had one delivered last year, so I get it, so you must be in roomy heaven! Looks really fab and people will think you are a "real" business dame now! Don't forget to pick up a copy of The Sun and leave a pasty on the dashboard....

Dragon said...

OMG you really are a hoot, woman!!!
Wish we could meet, I bet we would never stop giggling!!!
Frankie
xx

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Fun post Julia!! Have fun with it. They come in handy for those BIG SHOPPING days. I tend to by Antique furniture if I have the BIG vehicle
with me..as I have a little Nissan and it don't hold much.
Enjoy

Self Sagacity said...

grabbed your badge for my Blogger Broadcast Blog Parties. :-) thanks for hosting.