Earning my crust

Being so short staffed in the not so super shop, I was so stressed on Monday that I almost walked out of my job. I had to complete the quarterly stocktake, and I was sure I wouldn't be able to finish it in time what with the all the other tasks I have to do in my working day. I did manage to finish it and then spent all Monday evening at home working out the columns of figures to give the result. I wanted it all done and dusted in one day. Well, as always my stock results were good though I had been a little concerned.

I can't spend as much time on the shop floor as I'd like to and recently we have had a shoplifter returning daily to help himself to our stock. I caught him red handed one day, did what I had to do and challenged him outside the shop. He became aggressive and I worried for my safety so I let him go. Well he was back again a few days later, so I asked him to leave. He replied "Bollocks" at the top of his voice. My reply was "Bollocks to you too, now get out you're a thief". This was to much amusement from the other customers. I haven't seen him in the shop since thankfully.

It's Sunday, hooray

I haven't given up on blogging. The fact is it's been work, work and work since before Christmas.

I know I should be grateful for my job, but it's been tough. I have been covering for sickness and holidays without a day off for the last five or six weeks with still no end in sight. I have booked a week off next month as quite honestly I am desperate for a break from the place. I do have Sundays to look forward to, but even those aren't guaranteed. I let it be known that I can't work seven days a week.

I know that Britain is now in recession and retail sales are being hit hard. Our company's message was to get as much money through the tills as possible, it's going to be a tough year, and if any of us isn't thinking and doing then we can visit the job centre as we don't have a future with them.

Not for the first time I have had to reduce the shop hours which meant a change to our contract hours. We have all agreed to this, but the reality is I am working fifty plus hours a week with less staff cover. The pressure is mounting and I am tired.

At least I was guaranteed the Bank holidays off and we had a lovely Christmas Day. A bit of a houseful with daughter, son-in-law and their two dogs. The day was rounded off perfectly by meeting son and his girlfriend on-line via the webcam. Seems ages ago now.

The last two Sundays daughter and son-in-law have visited. The first, they joined a doggy meet- up a few miles away at Talacre beach. We could have joined them there but I had things to do. This is what we missed, I've borrowed a photo...

Then last Sunday they decided to have the vast expanse of beach all to themselves with Eric and Tinker and call in on on parents afterwards. Annie doesn't mind and here she is sharing the sofa with Tinker

Our relaxation time is spent working our way through all four series of House we have on DVD.

I want to end this post with a photo of Vivian who has now returned to China and son is missing her. Hope you don't mind Barry.