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Saturday 28 May 2011

Just got to get on with it....knit

Decided now that its time to stop worrying and just get on with it all. I am off work for a week now so today, I went out with my friend F and daughter H and we went to Romford. Had a good browse over the market and showed H a good make up stall which I think her Mum's purse is going to regret, had a breakfast in Gingham Kitchen and then went off to Tesco's. Went back to friend F's house for tea and cake and then came home.

I got home about 3pm and took this photo of my back garden. Its coming on a treat, especially now the rain has fallen. Had forecast of more rain tonight so the flowers will love that.
This is a close up of my Ceonothus Shrub, wouldnt believe it was bought from Woolworth's about 6 years ago to hide the old concrete washing line. The butterflies love it and the cat hides underneath if it pours down.

On the knitting front.... this is panel 4 of the Capriliga Wedding Afghan, its my own design as far as the little house and the heart either side. The rest of the pattern signifies 'flying geese' which means 'family always fly's home'. I dont want to put too much of the afghan here because the bride to be may be reading and if she is 'Oi you'..

I also have a picture of a blanket my friend has been making for her soon to be born 'grandson'. I taught J how to knit 'basketweave' stitch and she has picked it up really quickly. Well done J.I was thinking the other day how long I have been knitting and crocheting and I worked it out about 30 years so thats a hell of a long time and it explains why my right thumb hurts and cant grip properly. I think its a touch of arthritus setting in so I have been watching 'continental' knitting on youtube and have been practising that. Feels strange but at least I will be ambidextrous should I need to be in the future. Right, I am off now to do a bit more clearing up, have a good evening everyone and remember, knit 1, purl 1, sip of tea and carry on...

Friday 27 May 2011

They dont care

After myself and sister in law fighting Barking and Dagenham Council for just one room so brother R can put his head down safely every evening, we were then hopefull that a local Hostel could help. Well, we were wrong because unless your an alcoholic or drug addict living on the street and want to come off the street, they wont help either because their words were (your a fit adult and you dont need help). Funnily enough thats the exact words the council said to brother R. So after contacting Citizens Advice, Sally Army, Shelter and god knows how many other places, there is a waiting list as long as japanese wall. Sister M found a flat for R but they want two months deposit and one months rent which works out to £2,100. How the hell can an unemployed bloke with £65 a week to live on have that kind of money.

Basically he has nowhere to go. Brother S has a spare room which sits empty every evening but is not willing to help his own blood, so on Sunday brother R is sleeping on my sofa and hopefully for only alternate 2 weeks. Yes it will be nice to have a bit of company but was getting use to my own space.

We are all guilty of saying it 'theres no council places left cause the foreigners are in them all' and yeah, I reckon a high percentage are and also, a high percentage are living in private accomodation. But what does it feel like having no place called 'home' to a person who was born and brought up in the same area that he cant get a room.

Just so fed up right now.

Friday 20 May 2011

What, why and dont understand

I've been hunting for an image to post on this to show how angry I am but just cannot find one for the sheer level of anger I have now. It's not a violent anger, I have never done that, but mere frustration.

My brother is going to be homeless from Friday 27th May because his money grabbing landlord has evicted him. To cut a long story short, council wont house him because he is not priority even though he has learning difficulties and unemployed. He also has access to his 5 year old son every weekend which he will lose because he has nowhere to go with him. I just dont know what he is going to do. I am going to ring him later to see if he has had any luck.

He cant go to YMCA because he is too old (46) and his only other option is a hostel which is not very nice when you consider the horror stories of living in a hostel.

Sunday 1 May 2011

Ideas and decorating

Don't the tiles look 'cottage' like. I am really pleased with the way they came out, just need to varnish them tomorrow when the two coats of paint have had time to dry. Plus, whoever invented the 'grouting pen' is a genius. I just need to sort out the cupboards in my kitchen and paint the walls magnolia. I am hoping my brother will help me move a couple of cupboards for me so will be 'sucking up' tomorrow when I see him.

I have also been busy knitting a wedding afghan for my friend Jo and decided to do it in panels and use different 'cable' or 'traditional' stitches that are copyright free. I may even put the patterns on here for people to see and have a go at but, lets get one panel finished first.