Boxing Day in retail

I work for a large grocery chain, and today I was at work.

Several things struck me about the changing times that we live in, for a start today was reasonably busy. People were buying all sorts, including the snacks in the sales. That always puzzles me as its just rampant consumerism, nobody needs that many snacks or even that much chocolate. 

Apart from that it was strange as people didn't seem to realise it's Boxing Day, they were surprised that we closed early. 

The job itself has also changed, there's a lot more to do as there's the start of all the sale things, and the start of food for new year. It was busy with a lot to do, and of course it's double time so there's only two people in and one of them is on the till. 

I miss the days we were closed, and people made their piles of food last two days, but sadly judging by the sales I don't think we will go back to that anytime soon.

Third week of December, it's beginning to feel like Christmas

On Saturday I put my tree and decorations up, I go with the whole 12 days before thing like my mum does. I have a large 7 foot white artificial tree, which goes together by poking each individual wire branch in it's hole. It's pretty time consuming, but looks nice when it's done, and at least last year I put it away neatly so I didn't have to sort the branches first. Apart from the tree I just hang some tinsel around the tv and fire place, and then put up my snowman and mouse. The mouse is a bit poorly this year, it sings and jiggles to "let it snow" but you can now hear the whirring noise of him moving. 

Last Sunday was a relaxing affair as I was off work, so I pretty much just sat around catching up online. 

The rest of the week was a mixture of work and getting the last of my Christmas shopping done. The highlight of it was posting my brother's presents to France, and it only taking 5 days to get there. 

On the Friday I went out with my dad, but with the damp weather we just went and had a look around the shops in Morpeth. I didn't even take any photos. 

Overall it was a good week, I got some jobs done, although not as many as I'd like, but overall I'm happy.

Second week of December 2014

Last week was a busy week, as you might expect in December. 

On Monday we went to have a look at what was for sale in the auction in Newcastle, they had some lovely things, although the general sale was pretty empty of things. There was nothing we wanted to buy though.

On Tuesday I went to Seahouses with my mum and dad. My dad is paying for me and my mum to go for a pamper day at their leasure centre, it's our Christmas present, but we won't be going until January. It was a nice day and we had a walk around the harbour. 

Wednesday saw us going across to my parents so my husband could have a look at their outside light. It was completely broken so they've bought a new one, and my husband will fit it when he gets the chance. 

Thursday was my works night out. We went to greyhound racing at Newcastle, it was really good fun. It was also a cheap night, as my work gave us money towards it, and we won a little bit of money, so I came back with £7 more than I went with :). I did end up paying for it on Friday though as I felt ill all day :). I might have over done it, although I only had two and a half pints of cider.