What to say?

What to say? I usually have a theme in mind but I seem to have so much on my plate at the moment that nothing jumps out at me as a major topic. I had a lovely email sent as a result of my blog last week, regarding Winter postage (do I charge more or not? Indeed can I charge more, even though it costs me considerably more in the cold weather?). I have been given permission to put it in this week's blog. I think it is very nice and I always appreciate people taking the time to let me have their view on a topic. "Just read your recent blog and thought I'd give my opinion on the question you asked about postage costs. Personally I feel that it's irresponsible and senseless to worry about the postage costs as a buyer - it's great to see that your mortality rates seem to be lower than other sellers. Having a 'percentage of acceptable losses' highlights the fact that some people are in it for the business rather than the animal care, which I'm sure is why myself and probably many others will (or should) choose to buy from yourself. Another point that comes to mind is that even if you're buying a bug worth £3 and the postage is maybe triple that, you are receiving a new pet for pocket money prices compared to all other pets (even though it could seem like you're paying too much). If it's a tarantula, it will live for years anyway (so you'll get your money's worth), and even if it's a short lived species it's unlikely to be difficult to breed and therefore maintain for as many years as you want. So the postage at any sensible cost is a very minor investment as far as I'm concerned and I sincerely hope the majority of buyers agree with me."

I haven't heard anything from my web guy regarding the upgrade to my website. Should I be worried? I don't think so. I appreciate how busy he is and I know what it's like to run a one man band. He was on holiday last week so I will give him a call on Monday if I don't hear anything over the weekend. I haven't had any more reported problems with the payment system so I'm in no hurry for the upgraded site. There will obviously be changes to get to grips with and you all know by now how much I hate changes (especially technology changes). Everything seems to be changing for me at the moment my beloved gym is still under threat of closure, my monthly competitions magazine that I have subscribed to for years has just published its last issue (vital for information on where to find the latest competitions). A local cafe had Hissing cockroaches posted through its letterbox on the day before it's opening last month. It was in the local papers and even made the national press. Our gym is within a school, I did think the new headmistress might like a few Giant Hissing cockroaches in her office! I think they might just guess who did it though! (I had nothing to do with the cafe I hasten to add).

It's been quite a slow week sales wise so I have been sorting out things in the bug room, that keep getting put off. I found my half male/half female Jungle Nymph stick insect and it has grown considerably (almost 7cm). I'm pleased to report that he/she is still looking good and has obviously been moulting ok. I did take a couple of photos but as usual I will need hubby's help to upload them to the blog (he's off work on Sunday). I say 'found', the tank is very large and I have bought in a lot of new Jungle Nymphs so he/she took some finding and a complete clean of the tank.

I have put another special offer code on my site this week it is 10% off millipedes. I find millipedes are popular pets these days, they are easy to keep and I am doing pretty well breeding them now. I managed to get some beautiful Giant Train millipedes this week, they are by far the most popular species that I sell. Unfortunately I haven't managed to breed them for ages but I will keep trying. I have had another Giant Asian Forest scorpion give birth this week but no luck as yet with the other scorpions and my Corn snake eggs have not hatched. I did a Google search and found that they take around 65 days and not 55 as I thought. Patience is a virtue, their new due date is next Thursday. I will just be pleased if one or two hatch, I don't really know what I would do with them if they all hatch. I really can't send them off in the post! Many people ask me why I don't sell reptiles, when I obviously love them so much. The simple answer is I couldn't bear to sell them, I have sold a few reptiles but I don't like it. I have enough trouble parting with some of my favourite tarantulas. I sometimes find myself trying to put someone off buying (not very sensible when it's my business).

We had yet another power cut this week. I have never lived anywhere with so many power cuts. It was very short but long enough to put out all the electric clocks in the house and all the timers in my bug room. It drives me crazy - the joys of living in the country. I've said it before "we never had power cuts when we lived next to Heathrow airport"!

Anyway better get on, I have to go birthday present shopping today (I know women are supposed to love shopping, I am not a fan). I have five close family members birthdays in September. They are so close together that we are having one giant party next weekend.

One last thing, a few days ago I was just about to sit and watch some telly when my hubby called me over to look at 'an interesting spider on the wall'. I couldn't believe it, he never shows an interest in my spiders! (it looked very small and not that interesting to me).

Another last thing, I forgot to mention that I am going on a 'Beasts of the night' walk this evening. Dragging hubby along and my nephew's three kids, we will be looking for moths and bats with a local wildlife group. The only trouble is that we have had wonderful weather this week and today's forecast is for nonstop rain. I hope they have got it wrong because I have to go, Julie the wildlife warden has managed to get me two sweet jars. I desperately need them for posting, so unless the event is cancelled I'm duty bound to go (even if it is on my own, in wellies and a raincoat). If it doesn't rain, I'm sure it will be great fun, if only it had been yesterday evening instead!