Still working!

I’m such a good girl; adding layers of gilt to my already sparkling halo…. well, not quite. This is really just an affirmatory exercise to ensure I get the entirety of Christmas off next year. I’ve put my effort in and I will the year after next too. If I’m going to suggest guidelines then I ought to be prepared to stick to them!

We’ve got Christmas #2 at mum’s this evening and tomorrow which I am really looking forward to. Roast pork instead of boring turkey, a few glasses of vino and some much-needed bonhomie… and Mouse loves his nana and papa; he’s been talking about nothing else for days.

Joking aside I’ve got plenty done in the days I’ve worked over the holiday; the tables are now straight for the big push for the audit at the end of January. We’re bringing on two new product areas which have to meet planned arrangements or they won’t pass, and we have to make sure that the lumbering behemoth of the rest of the office loses some bodyfat and gets trotting to keep up! Quality Management, such a drama. If you don’t have a moderately well-developed sense of humour it can slay you, really. I’m lucky in my colleague MJM, who is au fait with the whole oeuvre, if you can call it an oeuvre - it’s more of a midden really; but he’s got the lurks. I’m learning them, and fast.

Managing expectations is what it’s about - managing the auditor’s expectations to the point that he doesn’t notice he’s outside until the door slams into his butt. Undoubtedly the most useful skill I’m ever likely to acquire, and so applicable. Just imagine how useful it’ll be at parties….