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Saturday 22 January 2011

All good things come to those who wait!

And what a wait it has been! I've just looked and realised that my last post was on 17th October 2010...that's last year...3 months ago...oops!

I can't even remember much of what has happened in the last 3 months, but I suppose I'd better try and put something on here. Our new television (remember Hollie broke the last one) is working well, and at present, remains in one piece, this is normally the result of Debbie or I shouting "Hollie! NO!!", although she has developed a response to the NO word now by just blowing rather wet raspberries at us, such a delightful girl...I'm sure that her manners come from her mother's side of the family! lol

I am still working at the shop, and things are going very well. The website is now fully live with two forms of secure payments available, both WorldPay and PayPal. I keep adding more products to the site as we continue to develop our stock range. We have recently added a range of Fairtrade Clerical shirts to our available products.

We also have a few new vestments in now and a selection of Chalices, Patens, Pastoral Sets and Presence Lamps from Italy. I'm hoping that very shortly Roy will have some time available with his camera so that we may photograph these items in order that I may list them online.

Back in Novemeber both Hollie and I had birthdays, her's was on the 5th and mine on the 15th. I have noticed that due to the proximity of these dates my supply of gifts has decreased, yet Hollie's has increased...I sense age discrimination here!

The lead up to Christmas was ok, the shop increased it's performance in line with this, however, the snow spell that we had did affect trade, and even led to us being closed for a couple of days as the trains were invisible and the roads not much better. However, online orders kept coming in, so it kind of compensated for the closure.

Christmas Eve a bunch of us from Church went for a meal at Deeson's in Canterbury, and then followed this with Midnight Mass. Debbie came along with me, although I suspect that the meal was the deciding factor there! Church was pretty much full, as a newish chap, Robert, came along with his family and some of their friends. It was a really good feeling to have so many people there, and I'm sure that the Bishop was rather chuffed!

Christmas Day itself was fine, the kids loved it, got far too much, but that's the problem with family and friends...especially grandparents! I had a bit of a cold Christmas Day, so wasn't feeling 100%, it even put me off of my food a bit. Boxing Day (St Stephen's Day), the cold really hit me...I'm convinced that I had swine flu, or even worse, man flu...but did I get any sympathy??? Of course not!!!

the shop was closed from lunchtime on Christmas Eve until 4th January 2011, so it was nice to have a little break, although I did come in halfway through to dispatch some internet orders...that was through my own choice and pure dedication to my job though! : )

My studies are continuing, as is my desire to follow God's calling. It probably wont be much longer before I submit a formal application to the Board of Ministry.

We have decided at the shop that we wish to sell Communion wine, etc. In order to do this we have to be licensed. We need two licenses, I have to have a Personal License in order to be the DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor) and we also have to have a Premsies License. In order to get my Personal Licence I had to obtain a National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. This meant attending a course and sitting an exam. Luckily I passed with a score of 95%, so it's all systems go now. We have started the ball rolling, so hopefully it wont take to long before we are fully licensed.

I've not got much planned coming up, except I am waiting to have an operation on my hand. It was meant to have been a couple of weeks ago, but a pre-op blood test revaealed that I had an increased white blood cell count, which suggests an infection somewhere, so the surgeon cancelled the op. It is possible that it may be done next week, but I wont hold my breath.

Apart from that, Debbie and I have got a few nights out lined up, minus the kids. Next month we are seeing Jimmy Carr one evening and then John Bishop on the next. In March we are going to see Simon Evans...so all in all we should have a laugh or two!

That's about it for now, I think that this brings me pretty much up to date, you'll have to forgive me if I've missed anything.

I really will try and keep the gap between this posting and the next one a bit shorter!

Until then................