Retail, retail, retail !

Well I have finally done it. I have made the move to being the 'Christmas Retail Elf' at a well know retail outlet (not to be named). I had so much fun on my first day - the usual health and safety videos and welcome by the MD. Introduced to a company canteen, which served not just canteen food but ***** canteen food (no points for guessing). Day two of my weekend was on the floor, stocking shelves, cashiering, handling and hanging up loads of pretty dresses, skirts, tops etc that I positively drooled on them that they are probabaly unfit for re-sale - and the piece de resistance - being the fitting room lady and counting the number of garments that went in and punching a number into the machine - and counting them when they came out. Great fun but my poor 'little' unift body was aching from head to toe from all the PE !!
Back to the other side of retail, and the drudge goes on :0) Nipped out to do a bit of Chrissy shopping at lunch time.
Tomorrow my adventure in life continues as the 'budget queen' takes to the road on public transport. Yes, it is the Ramsey to Douglas express for me tomorrow (that is if I don't miss the damned thing) I have got my ticket and am ready for a new and exciting adventure.
Watch this space !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smudgie

I cannot believe how time has flown since my last entry, and so much has happened. I suppose that is why - some days I barely have time to sit down and watch a bit of telly.

I have settled in as best I can for the moment with all the coming and goings of the past few weeks. The cats were settled nicely and happy in their new environment, and a cat flap was put in for them to go to and fro. I was initially a bit worried about old smudgie wandering out and not finding her way back as most elderly people are apt to do, but she seemed to want to stay in the comfort of my bedroom and not go too far.

I was poorly all of last week and she clambered into bed with me - sometimes being hoisted up onto the bed as it is awfully hard work for a geriatric. She would snuggle right into me and started going under the covers again like she did when she was younger and those moments were to become even more precious in hindsight. In the early hours of Saturday morning she had a massive stroke which left her weak, disorientated and her sight was affected. She lay in the bed with me her paws gently on my chest where she could feel my heart beat and it kept her calm and still. Later on in the day she lay beneath the radiator for the warmth and I sat on the floor stroking her and talking to her. That evening she went peacefully and with dignity.

I buried her in the garden not far from the front door so I can still greet her, and when it is suitable will go and buy a lavender bush to put in the place. The reason for a lavender bush, is that she was a substance abuser when it came to nice smells, like lavender, Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, catnip and the smells of Christmas in candles. She would roll on every lavender bush that I ever bought and come in smelling very sweet, having left a trail of destruction behind her.

Never once did she kill anything as cats do (except lavender bushes), her three greatest prizes being pork chop off somebodys barbecue, a dove that was petrified (as in dried out) and a bird wing that fell out of a tree.

When I first encountered this little fluffy thing, I vowed I would not let her worm her way into my heart. She was a strong and very determined little cat with so much character that even non cat lovers eventually were turned around, so what hope did I have when she was with me every day.

She has enriched my life, given me years of unconditional love and most of all some wonderful memories.