I've been putting in a lot of hours at Timeless Treasures, lately. Tis the season, right? It's a good thing, making money and all. But damn do I need a break. I worked on my birthday last month too. Grandda noticed how much time I'm putting in, so he's letting me take off the first week of January. He's that awesome.

I need to figure out how to fill that time. I was thinking having a night out for karaoke! Who's with me?

I started decorating the shop today to get it ready for Christmas. The best part about working with family is getting to decorate together. It's fun to decorate for all the holidays. Well, not all them. All the hearts and pink for Valentine's Day give me the hives. Christmas and Halloween have to be the best at the shop. You can go all out. Customers expect you to. I put up a tree in the display window and charmed it to juggle its ornaments. So far it's been a big hit, bigger than the wreath on the back of the cash register. But that's cause the wreath bites at customers when they get too close. What a festive theft deterrent.

I have dueled with swords and by guitar, but I haven't by voice. Yet.

I CHALLENGE ANY WILLING PERSON TO A KARAOKE DUEL!

I almost peed my pants in front of a customer today. The customer inquired about a trunk we've had shoved in the corner of the shop for a while. They asked me to open it so they could fully inspect its condition. A reasonable request. Well, out popped a boggart. It turned into a giant wasp carrying a watermelon. Damn thing flew right at me! I screamed. Like a little girl. And I ducked behind the front counter.

Joke's on me. Guess that's what I deserve for making so many children cry at George's haunted house.

Sometimes I don't mind the fall. Certain things aren't in season. That's good news for me, especially where flying insects with stingers and watermelon are concerned. I'm deathly allergic to both. So now there's not so great a chance I will encounter either. I feel safer. I get to live another year. Thank you colder weather.

I'm ready to watch the Harpies crush Pride of Portree in two days. It's kinda sad though. It's the last game of the regular season! What am I going to do with myself when Quidditch is over? How can I go on living when there'll be nothing good to drag my sorry self out of bed for?

Word on the street is that I inspired a WWW product! I hope this means I will get a sneak peek, a preview of sorts before the public gets to see it? It involves head squishing. This should be great.

I had a helmet try to eat my head the other day. True story. I even got a Healer's excuse saying it nearly squeezed my head off. How many of you have gotten out of work for nearly getting your head squeezed off?

That's what I thought.

I've gotta be more careful when I do restorations. The helmet seemed pretty damn harmless. I've never had to restore anything that was cursed before. First time for everything, eh?

I need to stop puking every damn time I go down into the Gringotts vaults. It's pathetic. I have an iron stomach and can drink like a sailor, but those carts do me in. At least I brought a barf bag with me. But, you know, when a client sees you heaving your guts into a bag... it kinda takes away from your professional image.

Days like today remind me why I prefer to work with swords and not people. If I'm doing you a favor and restoring your family heirloom don't whinge if I can't get to the task that very day. Rowena's left sagging tit, I juggle multiple restorations at once. I'm not gonna do a shoddy job. The Hopkins name means quality. People need to get over themselves. Smug self-righteous customers need to blow it out their asses.

-- Ward: Hannah --
Time's ticking. Figured out Wayne's birthday gift yet?

A bloody cactus. I killed my cactus!

Er, Wayne and Hannah, don't think this means I'm incapable of taking care of my future nieces and nephews. I so totally can keep them alive. Just you wait and see. But really, people tell you what they need... not plants.

I, Georgina St. Elthelburga Hopkins, the Eater of Babies, am in the mood for an epic guitar duel! Anyone man enough to challenge me and my faithful guitar Excalibur?

I need a percussionist or two and some paint. That's right, I want to rock out to some paint drumming. Anyone interested in this at all? Either playing or watching?

-- WARD: Hannah, the best sister-in-law ever! --
I'm going to Gringotts tomorrow with a client into his vault to appraise some valuables... that damn rickety cart makes me want to vomit each time. Got anything I can take? Nausea and projectile vomiting are occupational hazards. I'd like to avoid them.

Send the kittens my love.

-- WARD: Wayne, the best brother ever! --
Hey... I'm going down into Gringotts tomorrow... can I borrow one of your dress shirts? I promise not to vomit on it

I have myself a new pretty, and sadly I didn't have it until after the Pirate Party. Argh.

( SPELL-O-TAPED PHOTO )

My newest baby belonged to Eargit the Ugly. It's 14th century goblin steel! It's silver gilt with a whimsically carved ivory grip.

Chin up, Harpies. You're still my favorite team!

-- Ward: CAPTAIN MURCHADH DOUGLAS MONTGOMERY --
I hear we are squaring off again, oh INFAMOUS DEFENDER OF SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE! I know to bow to rank. You may walk away the victor from our demonstration.

-- Ward: Weenie Wayne --
You'd cover for your little sissy if one of our patriarchs noticed a few swords missing at the shop, right?

GEORGINA ST. ELTHELBURGA HOPKINS, THE EATER OF BABIES, THE TEMPTRESS OF TIMELESS TREASURES, THE RAVISHER OF GUITARS, AND THE VANQUISHER OF ALL THINGS PINK, CALLS OUT THE SAILOR FOR A SWORD FIGHT SO EPIC THAT IT WILL BE RECORDED IN THE HISTORY BOOKS AS THE MOST RIGHTEOUS BATTLE OF TIME. EVER.