A Day Of Goodies!!

Pleasure is spread through the earth
In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.
~William Wordsworth, 1806~

Stray gifts have made their way to me over the last 24 hours. Life is wonderful that way. Let me backtrack for a moment.....

...... I work for a small organisation and at present have two (soon to be four) bosses. My office is in a beautiful country estate and I overlook peacocks, rabbits and an array of beautiful birds. It's peaceful and beautiful. The work has always been challenging and interesting but lately has become more and more stressful.

The company is going through a transition and one of my bosses has asked me to take on some work that at present, his PA does (who works for another company). I was told it was going to be seldom and low priority. She was told it was going to be urgent and all-encompassing. Perhaps she was having a bad day of her own but she approached me with guns blazing and everything went from bad to worse.

I came home, bedraggled, stressed and wondering where I go from here .... and found not only my wonderful cat ready to let me pat him (a cure for stress in itself) but a surprise parcel from a friend filled ....

....this book by Val McDermid. She's a bookworm like me and really enjoyed the story and knows I also like thrillers. The thrillers I normally read are set in America so it will be a nice change to read one set here in England!

She also included some Dove Dark Chocolates (individually wrapped). (Now you know she knows me really well - I LOVE chocolate!) With the day I had under my belt, I scoffed them pretty quick and was surprised to find a lovely thought written into every wrapper! I have added these to my list of things to buy when I am next in America - not only was the chocolate lovely but I really like the idea of the promise in every chocolate. It's like a surprise gift.

As well as the book and chocolate, she also sent me a really cute I Love My Cat magnetic photo frame (which is already on my 'fridge, just waiting for a picture of Marshall).

It was such a surprise and a real boost to boot! The gifts were all wonderful and I loved them but knowing I have friends who care is worth so much more.

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.

~Author Unknown~

A good friend is cheaper than therapy.

~Author Unknown~

So feeling lighter and loved, I had a lovely long soak in my bath listening to Big & Rich's "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" and vowed not to let myself get bogged down by stress. After all, everything works out in the end. So I chilled out, in my PJs and watched JUMPER.

A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them.

Let's just say it at least passed the time ;)

I knew my other boss, Steve, was coming into the office today and bringing his brother (one of my new bosses) and I needed to stop at the store on the way to work to get essentials (milk etc). While browsing the aisles, I stumbled upon the same DAB (Digital Radio) and iPod docker that my Dad has (and is awesome) .... and reduced in price.....
Hello people?! It's a sign, right?! I HAD to get it...... never fear, I DID buy it. Eventhough I bought it for home (to use as my clock radio / alarm clock) I have it plugged in and turned on now and can I say ..... it's the new love of my life ;) It's fabbydoo! I love it.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
~Berthold Auerbach~

You'd think that was enough for any gal .... but the gifts keep coming! My boss Steve arrived (introduced Andy who was really nice) and then gave me a belated Birthday present!!!!
Dr Hauschka's Daily Body Care Kit!!! In it is Quince Body Moisturiser, Rose Body Moisturiser, Hand Cream, Blackthorn Body Oil, Rose Body Oil, Lemon Bath, Rose Body Wash and Blackthorn Body Wash. How nice is THAT??! He hasn't given me a Birthday Present since my 30th (which is more than OK) but it just meant it was a complete surprise .... He said he thought it would come in handy on all my travels but I plan on trying it out tonight :)

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure,
but I don't know many of them.
~Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar~

So all in all, in spite of the stress, it's been a wonderful 24 hours!

P.S. I also applied for a new job today that sounds really amazing.