Well it’s that time of year again. I’ve just returned from the last Post Office trip of 2017, and the final few straps of the year are now on the way to their new homes. To celebrate I’ve made myself a strong coffee and warmed a couple of minced pies which I’m enjoying while writing this. I’ve always seen the last Post Office run of the year as a major event in the Toshi Straps calendar – a time to reflect on the past twelve months, and look forward to the year to come.
This past year has been an interesting one to say the least. There were some major challenges that had to be overcome at the beginning of the year, but fortunately things worked out well and I now find myself in a much healthier position than before. Those challenges certainly illustrated just how very lucky I am to be able to make my living doing something I love, and how none of this would be possible without the support of so many people around the world who appreciate the straps I make. This year your support has been even more important than usual, so I want to say “thank you”!
For the rest of today I intend to put my feet up, relax a little and contemplate what a great year 2017 has been. I still have most of my Christmas wrapping to do (including a couple of new straps I’ve somehow made time to build for myself), and so this evening I’ll open a bottle of wine, smoke a cigar or two and wrap the presents – no doubt as I watch the cats trying to completely trash the decorations again (something they are both becoming experts at doing)!
Tomorrow work starts again for me with a day of “housekeeping” – not something I particularly enjoy but it needs to be done. I have the annual stock-take to do, my website needs some updating, and there are numerous small jobs that I want to get done. It looks like I’m going to be pretty busy over the holidays too (there are a lot of straps I’ve got scheduled to post on January 3rd – if yours is one of them, don’t worry, I won’t let you down!), so I’ll pick up my tools again on Friday. I’ll be busy in my workshop over the weekend and most of next week, so if anyone needs any help or suggestions for their next strap feel free to get in touch.
All there is left for me to do is to wish all my customers a very “Happy Christmas” from all of us here, and I sincerely hope 2018 treats you well. Thank you all again for your continued support, and I hope to hear from you soon. Seasons greetings!