Getting closer

Getting closer, in fact my great nieces tell me that it is only 13 sleeps until Christmas. I have decided that next Thursday will be my last day for posting orders before Christmas, I think it is far too risky to post after that date. Therefore any orders received after 9am on Thursday will be held over until the new year. I must say Royal Mail seem to be doing a good job, I have only had one parcel held up and it arrived fine the following day (although it is always a worry when something doesn't arrive on time). I keep hearing about a 'weather bomb' up north but certainly where we are (just above London) the weather hasn't been too bad at all. Most of the week has been quite bright and even sunny. It was 5c when I went out in the car yesterday morning, not exactly sunbathing temperature but at least not freezing.

I haven't had a lot of orders this week so I have spent my time rearranging things in the bug room and trying to simplify things for Christmas. This is not an easy task as I have way too many animals. I have failed miserably at cutting down before the festive break this year. It really wasn't helped by the large number of African bugs that turned up a couple of weeks ago. They should have been with me in September, arriving when they did left no hope of selling a significant number before Christmas which is always my slowest time of the year for sales. Things start to pick up again in January and February/March is generally one of the busiest periods of the year for me. It is strange because the weather can be very cold at that time but I suppose it is the time when all the schools and exhibitions start gearing up for Easter.

My beautiful Madagascan Fishing spider has laid a second egg sac. Just like before it is suspended by a thread (I should take a picture). Who knows I may actually learn how to put photos on my blog one day! (2015 could be the year). I am continuing in my quest to improve my website and get more into the technical side of things. It is on my list to sort out my Facebook page and join Linkedin. I'm groaning at the thought, I just don't get it unfortunately. I was daydreaming in the car yesterday and thinking if I could bribe someone into helping me (payment in bugs perhaps?). They would need to come here and physically show me on my computer, iPad, iPhone or whatever, oh yes I have them all. It is just working them that's the problem!

I had an email 'conversation' recently about a lady bug collector from the 1930s. Her name was Evelyn Cheesman and she went on to become curator at London Zoo. I have heard bits about her over the years as we share the same surname (different spelling) but it was really interesting to read the newspaper cuttings that a guy sent me. He sounds very interesting himself, he was carrying out research on Evelyn Cheesman and thought I may be interested, which was very nice of him. Reading about this extremely brave lady venturing out into the tropical wilderness alone, collecting never before seen bugs was both awe inspiring and terrifying to me. She had only local natives to help with her missions and was away from home for over a year at a time. It does all sound fantastic and I would love to read more about her when I have time (I will put it on my list).

I am finally off to see an ophthalmologist this afternoon about my damaged eye. It has only taken me three months to get this appointment! Wish me luck, I hope there is something that can be done about the scarring on my cornea. All I want for Christmas is my contact lenses back!