nine sleeps to go...

Counting down the days, today I am thankful for the fact that I have completed the purchasing component of the Christmas gift extravaganza.

Now all I have to finish off is the last of the knitted face-washers/dishcloths (seven to go, but it can be cut back to four if necessary).

Hey, I got mail last week that I have not even had the chance to show you!


I made a humble contribution to a friends' latest 'zine, "Have wheels, will go.", and she kindly sent me a copy of the finished product, along with two of her and her partners' beautiful cards. You can check out Gracia and Louise's work out here. I just love the polar bear tangled up in the Christmas lights, and those star fish are so very spectacular!

The photo I submitted included my dog, Hesse (named after Eva, not Herman, before you all ask), and a few weeks ago she had to be put down after her liver failed and a tumour became inoperable. Because of this, I am grateful I chose to send this image, now my beautiful friend has been immortalised in print, with her name in the credits. She was a beautiful, (and beautifully- natured) German Shepherd x husky, who had schlepped her way into the hearts of many, and she'll be missed.

Enough before I tear up, already. Moving right along, I also got the great news last week that I was successful in my application for a new job - I'm kissing retail goodbye after way too long, and will now become an Admin. Manager/PA in a small firm in the new year.

You quite possibly have no idea how exciting the thought of this being my last Retail Christmas is! Next year I will be looking forward to winding down in the week prior, instead of escalating to the point of nervous breakdown, and on Boxing Day, I will be sleeping in with my girl, waking to a lazy breakfast, perhaps a BBQ with friends, instead of the alarm going off at the crack of dawn so I can race in and open the shop at seven am*, for all the ungrateful fuckers who desperately need to exchange whatever their aunt/friend/brother bought them cos they don't like it...

adios, amigos - good bye and good riddance!

*yes, my retail hell is open 7am-11pm Boxing Day - sucks really, doesn't it? and sorry to any I've offended with my bitterness - I know not everyone at the shops on Boxing Day is an ungrateful fucker! It's just sometimes hard to remember on the day ;)