Improvability Blog

The things I sign up for! Sometimes I think I must be completely daft. I start out by just wanting to help and then, before I’ve had time to think it through, I open my mouth and out comes, “Yes, I’ll do that!”

This time I’ve signed up to be a guinea pig for a workshop at Mrs Mac’s Emporium which apparently includes me making a Dupion silk vintage rose corsage. I don’t even know what one of those is, never mind how to make it!

Let’s face it – I’d rather shell out for a replacement shirt / coat / jacket than have to sew a single button on… but it’s too late now.

Mrs Mac says, “Don’t panic – you’ll only have to cope with threading a needle (which I will definitely help with) and running stitch – all the rest is cutting, twisting wire and gluing – and some fun with hot petal forming tools!” Eeek!

Mrs Mac sounds so calm about it all. I’m beginning to think I might have to run off to Spain and pick oranges next Monday…

Oh, all right then… I’ll take some photos and will let you know how it goes though I’ve already warned Mrs Mac that I’m taking a large packet of plasters with me!

Well, must fly. I’m off up the M1 today to my monthly mastermind meeting in Leeds.

This month we’re taking Ethelburga’s business to bits and re-building it from scratch to see where we can get rid, make improvements, and make lots of money for her.  I can’t wait to get stuck in!

Do you know that I have been offered loads of pennies to work on a date this year that would mean I would have to miss one of the my mastermind meetings? And I turned it down. I couldn’t possibly do without my monthly fix.

I wouldn’t know where to begin to put a price on all their help and support. It’s fantastic and a real privilege to have objective insights from such generous business-minded people who have nothing to gain from Neil and I doing well except, of course, my admiration, my respect and my eternal gratitude.

Normally, deliveries to the USA take approximately 5 working days from UK dispatch to delivery, subject to prompt processing by the US Customs Office (which can add significant delays).

However, starting from 16 November 2010 the USA began increasing Security measures for items sent to the United States in response to restrictions imposed by the U.S Department of Homeland Security.

What are the implications of these additional Security restrictions?

• Some items will not be permitted to travel on passenger aircraft and will only be allowed to travel on cargo aircraft
• We anticipate mail transit times may be extended by 4 or more additional working days

The above delays are in addition to those imposed by US Customs whilst processing packages, and in addition to the delays created by the increase in mail volume as we approach Christmas.

Prompt delivery is entirely dependent on the US Customs and the efficiency of their new security procedures.

Source: Royal Mail