Boxing Day

Boxing Day

Hi there,

Happy Boxing Day! I hope your holidays have been pleasant? Had Dave’s family over today. It was lovely. Little children – no, actually – unicorns in the house. How lovely was that?! Prepared a big old bowl of German Potato Salad, served up with – yep, you guessed it – T U R K E Y ! Dee-lish-us!!

And that brings the Christmas festivities to a close in our home for another year. Grace is off back to the States mañana early doors, and I have a meeting with Paul to make a plan. New building. Move. Our TV shows 5th and 6th January. All that good stuff. So it’s back in the saddle tomorrow. Which is fine by me.

I am happy we had a few lovely days with the family, and I am happy to be going back to work, too. Excited actually. There’s so much to do !! Parked it all for a few days; ready to get the key back in the ignition now!

Somebody asked me whether I was scared of this Big Move, the expansion, the financial pressures that it will create. Let’s consider that….

Scared. Synonyms for scared: frightened, worried, intimidated. Nope. If I were scared, frightened, worried or intimidated – I wouldn’t entertain it, would you?! No, no, no. Dave and I both agree that this is not only a good move, but a necessary one. This will open doors; this is exciting, not scary! It’s change, but it’s healthy change. I will probably pedal even harder for the first few months, just to make sure we don’t get anywhere near the cliff edge – but that’s just a built-in workaholic kinda safety mechanism.

We aren’t gung ho business people. Any business carries with it an element of risk – that is the very essence of being an entrepreneur. You can control the controllable for sure, but there will always be unforeseen circumstances, things that you never factored in, which will throw you a curveball, create disruption. And THAT’s when you find out how good you are at running a business, and how good your team is.

I reckon we have a formidable team. We also have a pretty epic, unique and VERY strong Clarity community. That’s YOU !!

So am I scared? Nah! Am I scarey? Now that’s a different question! And the answer is YES. I can be if I have to be. It’s all part of running a business.

Time to go find that little girl of mine and spend our last evening together before she goes back to America.

Love always,

Barb xx

23 thoughts on “Boxing Day

  1. Very well said Barbara. Nothing ventured, nothing gained ! I have a motto, “if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got”. This is my approach to life, craft, or whatever….even at age 83, dare to try something new!
    Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous Year to you and all at Clarity!
    ,

  2. If anyone asked me the definition of a workaholic I would say Barbara Gray, but a funny, joyful one!!! You work so hard all year round and we really appreciate all you do.
    So pleased you managed a few days off with Grace and Mark, make the most of this evening.
    The move is an exciting venture and with the support of your fantastic team it will be a great success. No doubt about it.
    Stuffed full of cold turkey and feeling sluggish now so it’s feet up with a glass of wine then it’s back to the grind tomorrow. Love to all,
    🍒🍒🍒

  3. Safe travels Grace.
    It’s so nice to have the kids home for Christmas, family gatherings are so special.
    Wishing you all the best for 2020, I hope all goes well with your planning.
    Much love
    Emma xx

  4. My word that week with Grace has flown by hasn’t it. Enjoy your last evening together for a while. Love & best wishes to all.

  5. Glad you had a wonderful family Christmas family is important we too had a great couple days was hard but we all went out way to make it special. Think it’s exciting times coming up for you yes very busy but be great when all set up cannot wait to see all you will be doing cannot think if anyone who has worked so hard and deserves it all have wonderful Erving with Grace give her our love safe flight for them tomorrow big hugs to you all love Joy x

  6. Safe travels Gracie and Mark.

    The future is Clarity and it’s bound to be rosey too! Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeves so to speak, have an awesome New Year too xx

  7. Hi Barb,
    Glad that you’ve had a good week with Grace and Mark , it doesn’t seem like a week ago that they were arriving. I hope they have a safe journey home. I’m sure that the move to the new premises will be a good move for Clarity. If I lived closer, I would offer to help you out with it. You will make a success of it – you are too good a businesswoman for it not to be! Sending love and hugs,Alison

  8. Safe journey back to the states Grace. Glad you have had some time with your family and have recharged your batteries ready for the new year and all it brings. I’m sure the move will be a great success, your Clarity elves will make it so! xx

  9. The very best good luck in the world, with your work ethics and your amazing amazing team. And all of your steadfast customers and your Grace Mark and the amazing Dave. You cannot go wrong, much love

  10. Enjoy every last minute with Grace. Hope everything just falls into place tomorrow for all of you. If you think businesswomen are scary, watch a mum whose child is threatened..

  11. Enjoy the time before Grace leaves. You have exciting times ahead and I look forward to being a small part of it and to seeing what evolves ! X

  12. I hope you had a lovely last evening with Grace before she and Mark are back off to The States, and hope she has a safe and easy journey back tomorrow. The move will go well I am sure as you are an ace planner Barbara, and together with Dave and the team to help you everything will work out swimmingly. Exciting times!! x

  13. I hope you all enjoyed your evening and wish safe travels to Grace and Mark today. All the best to Grace for the opening of the New York office in January. Exciting times for all of you!
    Hugs. Annette X

  14. Glad you had such a great time with your family, Barbara. Safe journey home Grace. Good luck with the move now and continued fun and success! Yes, you have an amazing team. Here’s to you and your team. Xx

  15. Hi Barb, that is what Christmas is all about (apart from the Religious side), it should be spent enjoying the company of family and friends. Good Luck with the big move, it must be daunting, but I am sure with the Team you have behind you and Clarity, it will go smoothly. Take care all. Bx

  16. A house full of unicorns sounds like the perfect way to finish off your Christmas festivities! John & I were having a little play with alcohol inks and yupo paper, my gel press plate and new texture stamps yesterday. He wanted to create some abstracts to overlay onto photographs – not sure how that will work but it was a fun afternoon! X

  17. Hi Barbara,
    Glad you had a brilliant time over the holiday period.
    Missed you Christmas shows,so sat last night after the family had gone and watched.
    Thank you for that still learned a few tips and loved it.
    Sorry to say I am not joining the die club this year due to a few things happening.
    But no worries I will still be buying from Clarity as your designer papers are second to none.
    And I will need to place an order in for some things I need in the new year.
    Have a wonderful new year, and as I know you your new business venture will be a great success.
    Lots of love.
    Lynn xxx

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