To say Anne's career has been varied is something of an understatement! She trained in catering in France and went on to manage some of the country's most prestigious restaurants. But starting a family changed things...

Read Anne Dawson's full biography

Blog Warmers

Hi folks,

Apologies as it’s been a wee while since I last checked in. Anyway as I was browsing through the most recent blogs from my fellow bloggers, I have to say some of them really hit a chord with me. Particularly Pipa and Kathy.

Pipa’s fascinating account of her recent visit to Canada and her husband's search for his roots, I found quite incredible. I can’t imagine what it must be like to discover suddenly close members of your family that you have never met before. It reminds me of something you’d see in a film! Amazing!

When I read Kathy’s blog about children and reading I have to say I was transported immediately back to my own childhood. My father was an extremely clever man and indeed a lover of books, and although I can only remember a handful of occasions that he read to me, I have very clear memories of Sunday afternoons going for walks and ending up in some bookshop for at least a couple hours.

My own love of books

It was from here that my own love of books developed. As children we were always encouraged to get books from the library and I would trot down on a Monday after school to get my weekly fix. I recall that at even six years old I was allowed a maximum of 3 books. This seemed at the time grossly unfair as adults could take out up to 6 books in any one week.

My QVC spending spree!

Hi folks,

Hope you're all well and having a good week.

I have just been thinking about my purchases last week on QVC. There were a few!!!

After reading the reviews on the G-Tech Sweeper I decided to go for it. It is at present on full charge getting ready for a bit of a blast later on today. I also went for the TSV on Wednesday - the Monster Antibacterial Steam Cleaner. But the big purchase was… the Samsung 46" telly! Which was the OTO on Wednesday evening which sold out in about 13 minutes!! I can't wait to receive it!! Perhaps I should get some overtime in with all this spending?!
 
What I did think was great was that two of the above purchases could have been bought with a morning competition win, the £50 prize money. (not that I can enter it!) If you won the prize money folks, what would you have used it for this week? There has indeed been quite a lot to choose from!

Take care and catch up soon,
 
Anne xxx

My lack of organisation

Hi everyone,
 
Felt it was really time to check in and say just how wonderful it is to be fully back to normal (whatever that is!) here at QVC. The timing is perfect as there is soooo much to look forward to in the next few months. We have some cracking Today's Special Values in the beauty department from some of our biggest brands, so that's right up my street.
 
I do love this time of year. I love the weather when it's sunny but just a tad nippy first thing in the morning. I love it when you get all those cracking colours on the trees when the leaves start to fall. I even love it when the clocks go back and it's darker earlier (apart from the fact you get an extra hour in bed!!). It's all part of the run up to my favourite time of year.

I'm coming back to QVC!

D-day is almost here - the 18th July!! And no, it's not just because it's Beauty Day, which of course is in itself fantastic, but it is indeed my official return to the wonderful world of QVC!!!  And what a day to return!!
 
Things are sooo much better now (by things I mean my shoulder). Isn't it amazing how much we take everything for granted when the body is functioning properly? Simple things like washing your hair, getting dressed, filling a kettle and even opening my own front door! All of which require two arms normally.

Hello again...

Hi everyone,
 
Just wanted to say thanks so much for all your regards and best wishes. I was really quite touched that so many of you have been enquiring after me.
 
The standing comment (joke!!) at the moment, because of my building work, is 'did I fall off the scaffolding?!'

I have to say though that it's definitely interesting when your're in the process of recovery and there are walls collapsing around you and rubble and dust everywhere. I know the general consensus of opinion is that home improvements can be stressful, but I think we've just taken it to a whole new level here at 'Chez Dawson'!!
 
Actually things are fine really and my builders have been brilliant. I am just really frustrated at being stuck in and not being able to move properly or drive (I may need to re-sit my test at this rate!!). And I can't wait to get back to QVC! Hopefully, fingers crossed I should be back at the end of June.
 
In the meantime I'm joining you all in being a full-time viewer and probably indulging myself a little too much!

Still… it's allowed!!

Love to all of you and thanks once again for your kindness.
 
Anne  xxx

Hi there...

Thank you for all of your lovely comments. I've had a bit of an accident and hurt my arm, so I'm at home convalescing. I'm not able to do much at all really, apart from read - I'm even having to dictate this blog for someone else to type!

I'm very much missing work, and cannot wait to get back. I will hopefully return in June.

Thank you again for all your kind and lovely messages, I hope you are all well.

Love Anne x

My building 'project'...

I don't think I've mentioned exactly the extent of my project - my hubby always likes to refer to the work as 'my project' thus absolving him from all responsibility should there be any problems!!

Anyway the new central heating system is up and running and is an absolute dream. No longer are we either sweating buckets or freezing in the Dawson household. The loft conversion is complete except for the bathroom, but unfortunately we are still waiting for the stairs to be built so we can actually access it!

The delights of renovating your home in winter

Hi everyone,
 
Hope you're all well and keeping warm in the last few days of a cold spell.
Well, maybe it's just me who thinks we're going through a cold spell, but I do have good reason.
 
Back in November we started major renovation works in the house (seemed a good idea at the time!). As I write this I'm sitting in my living room with my coat, boots, scarf and fingerless gloves on (obviously other necessary garments as well!!).

Chilly nights with gas fires and takeaways

The reason being yesterday we started to have a new central heating system installed. As always, although we were assured that hot water and heating would resume late afternoon, we are now approaching our second night of huddling together round the tiny gas fire with a takeaway. The kids think it's great! My youngest, Jonathan, especially loves it because he gets to go to bed with a hot water bottle.

My busy Christmas

Hi all,
 
I'm just starting to catch my breath after the busy festive season. Like Julia, there are lots of birthdays for me to celebrate over the Christmas and New Year break.

Jonathan, my youngest boy's birthday is on New Year's Day (happy New Year 1997 - I don't think so!!!). He was due on Christmas day so I'm thankful for small mercies that he waited! Actually I really like his birthday being on New Year's day as we always go for lunch and it means we have a double celebration.

Then six days later it's my eldest son Matthew's birthday. He reached the ripe old age of 20 last week. Thank goodness Phil's isn't until May!

My confusing opera experience

Hello everyone,

As I finally enter into the blog world of QGossip, I throw myself on the mercy of those more knowledgeable than my uncultured self.

My hubby and I just spent the most amazing Christmassy weekend in Prague. While we were there we discovered that the hotel we were staying at was once frequented by none other than Mozart himself! Being typically me, I decided it was time for us to immerse ourselves in a bit of culture and visit the Mozart opera Don Giovanni.