Michelle: Your phrase "I accept the blame and embrace it as my own" is one that I must mull over. Not the sentiment, just the wording. I, too, work on projects as the PM and I accept that the buck stops with me. Problem is that (a) say it too often and management may begin to think that I am incompetent (b) I believe that a good manager always looks inwards and accepts that the fault lies with him/her even if the cause was genuinely obviously with that X$j&!#* over there. Learning curves, risk management and all that.

Joanna: I love your honest self-assessment! Re the books, I reckon that the icy conditions are a valid reason, but all has been clear for several days now so if they have not been dispatched by Monday (tomorrow) I reckon a reminder email to the vendor is quite in order.

S.O.L: I love the concept that those book(s) expound upon. Good communication eases an awful lot of issues but it can take time. Time that can be used to pack more orders and ease the backlog, for example. It can be a judgement call at times. Like your idea about an express delivery option. I may consider that.

Excellent feedback, Thak you all.