Friday, December 4, 2009

Taking a breath

Thanksgiving has come and gone and that means that Black Friday has come and gone. The phrase Black Friday sounds so ominous to me, like it should be a day of mourning or something. I did mourn when I had to get out of bed at 12:45am in order to be at work by 2am. That means I got maybe 1 1/2 hours of sleep, shorter than a good nap. I was home by 11am and justifiably wiped out so I slept a good part of the day. I worked 8 days in a row and have a brief respite today with way too many things to do! I don't want to complain about having the hours, but man, I feel burned out.

I am trying hard to at least be helpful and pleasant dealing with customers, but suddenly there are many many needy shoppers out there, asking us to do what seems impossible at times. And the phone calls, OMG. I have to answer the phone while waiting on customers, but first I have to find the phone beneath the piles of returned merchandise. I am sure I sound impatient and rude when I ask to put someone on hold while they are in the middle of a long winded explanation about how they bought something but forgot to get the gift receipts and could they now get the gift receipts? Yikes!

I am stitching a little and still so excited and inspired about it. This is my recent finish which I was furiously working on at Camp Gottastitch. Ran out of 3 colors of thread and had to wait for 1 color that I had forgotten to buy in Berlin at the little cross stitch shop there. Hoping I can get this "finished finished" and sent to my mother for Christmas.


Birds of a Feather Bitter Flower
32 count BOAF barn owl linen
WDW and DMC

Speaking of my mother, she sent me a touching birthday gift last month. This is a letter sent to her by her mother after I was born. I was so touched by receiving this letter. I had no idea mom had saved all of her letters. My father dragged my mom around from state to state when I was young. I was born in Texas and my grandparents lived in Minnesota where my parents were born and raised. I wish we had stayed in Minnesota or in Iowa, which I really liked. There really is something to be said for having roots and family nearby.


Last but not least by any means, here is a snap of this cute Prairie Schooler ornie that was given to me by Lake Stitcher Lee. Thank you ever so much Lee! You are the best!!!



4 comments:

Carol said...

Barb, you must have the patience of a saint to work with the public in retail at this time of year! I can't even imagine working all night like that... Hang in there!

I love your finished sampler--your mom is a lucky woman. And how sweet that she saved those letters from your grandmother :)

Lee's ornament is so cute! She and I met for lunch yesterday and even got to visit a real live cross stitch shop. I hadn't been in one in probably 15 years so it was a real treat...

mainely stitching said...

Oh gosh, I just do NOT miss working retail during the holiday season!!!! Did it for a few years, and am ever so relieved I don't do it anymore! Best wishes - I hope Santa fills your stocking right to the top with patience and good cheer!

Siobhán said...

What a beautiful sampler! Congratulations on the finish. Even more special is that letter--what a treasure! I have a few letters that my paternal grandmother (whom I never met) wrote to the grandfather that I adored. I also have a few that he wrote to me. They're priceless.

What an adorable ornament from Lee! So gorgeous. :)

Karen said...

Love your Bitter Flower! I just got the design and can't wait to stitch. Loved looking at your blog.