Happy Sinterklaas :0)

I have some good news and I have some bad news!!

The good news is that I have been given an extra hour at work and a pay rise. Yippeeeeee!!  I will now be doing 2 mornings which is great.  The bad news is that as I suspected the idea to work 30 hours on the flexi plan was not a goer - there just isn't enough work for that many hours. The other bad news is that I am getting another new case worker as my 'new' case worker is moving to another job.  Honestly talk about getting the run around.   I'm starting to think it's me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November has just flown by probably because  I've been very busy.  I suddenly had a large number of custom orders to fill - it was really exciting actually.  I had a large order for NZ themed cushion covers for one customer - who emailed this week to say they were very happy and will prob want to order some more.  For another customer I made 2 dresses, and for a third customer I had to remake a Christmas stocking she had purchased but that I had sold the day before to a Rawleigh customer and had forgotten to remove it from my Felt store.  Thankfully I still had fabric and I was able to whip one up for her quickly.  Rawleigh sales have also gone up which is nice.

Noah came to stay for a weekend recently as Aimee and Richard had a work do to go to in Wellington.  We had an awesome time although he was a bit under the weather with a runny nose and cough.  I have yet to have him come and stay when he is well.  He is starting to talk a lot more with words that I can understand.  He actually talks heaps I just have no idea what he is on about, but he is happy when I agree with him.  While he was here we had a Skype session with cousin Asher and another the next morning with cousin Inge.  He will be seeing both in the next few weeks so it'll be interesting to see how they get on.

The next few weeks leading up to Christmas are going to be pretty full on with 2 trips a week up to Palmy to look after Noah as Aimee is working extra pre Christmas and working at work 2 mornings a week.  Next week Ryan, Ineke and Inge are coming to stay for a few days and the week of Christmas Tim, Yvette, Asher and Noah will all be staying.  Busy but exciting times.  I have to make sure I get enough sleep or I'll be a right off come Christmas.

To be honest I have been feeling a bit melancholic this past week - in fact I had it so bad that I haven't even read this weeks junk mail yet, something I usually love to do.  I think it's a combination of being over tired, the weather which can't seem to make up it's mind, my (not) 31st wedding anniversary that is coming up this week, Christmas and just feeling lonely.  Probably watching a romantic movie this past week didn't help either, it makes me so aware of what is missing in my life.  I guess sometimes you cope better than other times.  I've shed a lot of tears this past week but I have been doing a lot more praying too which I think is a very good thing.  I need to focus more on the Lord and trust in Him, but sometimes the shadows in the valley are so overwhelming.

Today's therapy was a day outside in the garden since the weather was so nice.  It has helped and I feel much better - mentally. Physically I'm tired, but I guess that'll mean I sleep well tonight.  Actually sleep isn't usually a problem as I sleep very well.  I just need to make sure I get enough of it by going to bed on time as I tend to stay up a bit too late at night but am also waking up too early thanks to the birds who are just oh so cheerful at 5.30am - NOT!!!!!!!

Well on that note I'm calling it a night - time for a cup of tea  and an early night I think.

This Christmas may you know Him more fully through the love and grace He so richly bestows.  May Jesus always be your joy, your hope, your song.  And may this Christmas and each day of the new year be directed by His guiding hand of love!

Till next time.

Love and blessings

Jolanda