I've lived in New Zealand since 2002, having moved from England, via Sri Lanka, and settling in Devonport. I took over ownership of my wee wool shop the following year, knowing only the rudiments of knitting, and having absolutely no business experience...

  We are counting down the final days and hours until that rather relatively new, and rather curious phenomonen, known as the The Black Friday Sales. Many of us will feel a gradual rise in panic and anxiety, money is tight and Christmas, with all it's self inflicted physical, mental and financial pressure  is just around the corner. You aim to be strong willed and resist all incidious Black Friday marketing, BUT can you honestly afford to NOT purchase a sofa bed for the spare room, a second  vacume cleaner, just in case your current one stops working, and, if you purchase your 'other half' a leaf blower, then of course your entitled to a new lipstick. Hmm!

'Thank you for the (HUGE) donation you made online'

"Fran, I Didn't Expect To See You Here"

BIGGEST WOOL SALE EVER
all proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

 

One  rainy and miserable Saturday morning earlier this year, my husband and I  drove over the bridge to Mercy Hospital. We had  an appointment with Maria, an oncologist. We got drenched in the dash from the car park to the hospital entrance, hadn't a clue as to where we had to be, and having finally found our way, we tumbled into the  waiting room, which was  empty. (I had requested the  first appointment, I had a wool shop to open at 10.am) The lady, seated behind the reception desk looked up to greet us. The welcoming smile rapidly fell from her face as  she recognized me, (she's one of my  lovely customers) and blurted out "Fran I didn't expect to see you here."...

  I am a Luddite (someone who fights against progress). My family prefer to use the term imbecile when referring to my ability to navigate a laptop, a mobile phone and the remote control for the TV. I also have to admit that for half the year the clock in my car is an hour 'out'. I can't make head nor tail of my car manual, so as the hour changes, my clock remains at the old time.

  Starting this Thursday at 10 am, and continuing through 'till  4pm on Sunday, I will be holding our biggest Wild and Woolly Sale ever. As usual, all the yarns on offer will be of top quality but at rock bottom prices. Most will be in the region of one third of their  original retail price. I will outline the details further into this newsletter but first, here's a few 'ramblings'...

Her Majesty Is Having A Birthday Bash

Happy Birthday Your Majesty
 

   As many of you know, technology just isn't my thing. Sending out this newsletter takes a great deal of time, energy, and nerves of steel. Olivia, my amazing 'technology girl' has written me a point by point idiot proof guide titled 'How To Do A Newsletter'.  I still, occasionally, drop a clanger. (silly mistake) I mix up photographs, fonts change of their own accord and page layout is a law unto it's own. The worst  of all,  is when everything I have painstakingly written, disappears. Olivia mentioned something about a 'save' button...it's all a bit beyond me!

 

  I had absolutely no intention of sending a long and rambling newsletter. All I need to do is let you know that our opening hours are a little 'Topsy Turvy' over the following week. Now, if I had my way I would stipulate that all shops remain shut on Sundays, and that on Wednesdays and Saturdays the doors firmly closed at lunchtime. That way I could spend some lovely quality time with my family, Yeah Right!  Actually I would far prefer to hide myself away with my knitting and get some much needed peace and quiet. 

  DO NOT PANIC! I am not going to suggest you grab you knitting needles and whip up a knitted nativity by the 25th of December. There really is enough pressure on us all at this time of year as it is.

  Now, this really is the shortest newsletter I have ever written, my husband will heave a sigh of relief, he's my chief proof reader, and rather than pointing out catastrophic errors and ambiguities in grammar and spelling, he normally gives a snort and mutters under his breathe "you do go on rather a lot"!