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Sunday 28 December 2014

Flu, Christmas & Oxlea Woods

Hi,  I ended up with Flu so bad that I didn't get out of bed for 2 days and it sucked.  I went to work on the Wednesday and worked till 1pm and just had to go home, then I came in to work on the Thursday and by the afternoon I was a zombie.  I hadn't slept the night before, coughing and throwing up, absolutely no appetite for two days and by 3pm on Thursday I told my boss I was going home.  I went straight to bed and on Friday morning the Flu had hit hardest.  I rang my boss at 06:45 just barely speaking and spent the rest of the day in bed.  My son Ross was really good, he panicked when he woke up about 8.30am because he noticed I was still in bed and said 'Mum, your gonna be late for work' but I told him I was rough.  He then brought me up drinks through the day, tidied up and by 3:30pm I got up and came downstairs.  I spent an hour or two downstairs, no appetite and I couldn't even take Tammie out for her walk which I felt really bad for her.  I then went back upstairs because I had the terrible chills and stayed in my dressing gown and thick socks and went back to sleep.

Saturday morning came along and I felt so rough and was crying (I know so stupid of me) but I felt so miserable and low.  I wanted to see Frank because it was the first weekend neither of us were working and I couldn't go out.  I just didn't have any energy for anything.  I had the shakes because I had not eaten for almost 3 days now and tried a bit of toast but that started me coughing and the toast came back again.  I spent most of the day in my pj's and just could not focus on any of my crafts.  I had to get Frank's scarf finished and was hoping to pick it up on Sunday.  

Sunday came and went in a blur and I did go back to work on the Monday.  I honestly needed a week off work but  not getting sick pay, I just couldn't afford to be off.  I managed to get some knitting done on Monday evening and by Tuesday night I had finished Frank's scarf.  Here's a picture of it.


I wanted an easy and quick scarf to knit that involved a two tone effect so I used some black and a greyish acrylic and casted on 400 stitches.  I knit every row and changed colour every row leaving a length of yarn for tassels.  I ended up doing 20 rows to complete it and then just trimmed the tassels to the same length and wrapped it up.  

On Christmas Eve I went to work still not feeling that great and thought I would get out early but unfortunately, stress levels were so ridiculous and I promised myself that next year I am not working Christmas Eve.  Every year it gets ruined by the stress at work so if I am still working there next year, I may have to re-think it.    I eventually got out at 4pm and went straight home.  Frank had been waiting for me at Dagenham Heathway and we went back to the house, got Tammie and my clothes and went to his Mum's for four days.  It was absolutely brilliant.  His Mum wouldn't let me do anything and I felt guilty but it was so nice to relax and to be with Frank.  We ate loads, got loads of presents and I will be showing them on my new year post, and on Boxing Day we went for a walk to Oxleas Wood right near Shooter's Hill, Greenwich.


The first two pictures were taken about half way through, the colours of the leaves on the floor and the colours of the trees were breath taking.  I just love walking through areas where you can hear the birds and just enjoying the peace and quiet.  We were chatting about different things, and people walking past were saying 'good morning' which was really nice.  No way would that happen in Dagenham!!

The picture below is at the top of a hill and you can see for miles and miles.  It was so cold and Frank knew there was a tea hut so we got a hot chocolate and coffee and just looked at the view.  I wish we could have stayed there for hours but it was getting rather nippy so we headed off to see a castle that is hidden.


The next photo is of a tree that Frank call's 'The Ghost Tree' and you can see why.  It look's lonely to me and I guess it must look better when the springtime comes but if you look close enough you can see faces.  Can you spot the green parrot on the left side of the tree at the bottom.  He's got his back to us.


We then came across Severndroog Castle and it is small and has had a lot of refurbishment done to it.  Frank read the sign outside the gate and it actually has a tea room that is open from end of January so that might be another place to try.  Here's a few pictures of it...



I love the shape of the windows and the main door has studs all over it which makes it look really old. Although, I think that's classed as a modern design now!!

Anyway, we carried on walking and Frank showed me a walled garden with loads and loads of rose bushes and we then carried on through towards Shooter's Hill.  We then put Tammie back on her lead and walked back to Ma's for a lovely dinner.

By the afternoon we were both tired and Tammie was absolutely knackered.  Here's a photo of her saying to me 'Mum, you've worn me out'.


That's it for now.  I will be posting pictures of my pressie's in the New Year so for now, I am going to leave you with a photo of Jane, one of Ma's jack russell dogs who would not get out of bed.   Don't be fooled by those innocent eyes...



Sunday 14 December 2014

Not much going on other than podcasts

Hi,

I haven't got anything to show for this podcast as far as knitting or crochet goes, in fact, I haven't done much crafts at all.  I've been feeling rough and low and lost enthusiasm for it all.  I haven't even bothered with Christmas Decoration's at home either which will be the first time ever.

I have been trying to design a new blanket and keep thinking of ideas but there's never enough time in the day.  I am also trying to set a target from the new year to have a long term project for 2015 but am undecided as to what it will be.

Tammie had a check up yesterday at the vets and she is doing well.  She is still on her tablets but has reduced them slightly, her weight is fine but I have got to find a lot of money to get her teeth done as soon as possible.  She has bad teeth and loose teeth and although it doesn't seem to effect her eating, it will give her a better quality of life if she has it done.  I treated her to a new toy when we were waiting to be seen and she loves it, here it is...
The great thing about her new toy is - there is a button to turn off the squeaker....pucker!!

I'm off to get a cuppa now and hope you all have a good week and not stressing too much about Christmas.  

Monday 8 December 2014

Lost in the yarn

Hi,  I'm sorry I haven't posted on here.  I have been really busy what with work, overtime and just trying to relax in the evening.  The dark mornings and early dark nights have not helped with the routine of the day but (touch wood), I am kicking myself up the arse most of the time and just trying to get on.

I have worn my Dragonflies Hat and it's definetely not a winter hat.  More like a springtime or autumn hat.  It's slightly stretched a bit so I am worried if it rains how much longer it will get.  Anyway, it's done and that's the main thing.

I finished Ross's socks...here they are on his size 11 feet.

I had about 20g left which I have saved for a sock blanket that I would like to have as a long time project.

I also lost the will to carry on with a crochet blanket that I was doing with random acrylic yarn and I ended up finishing after about 7 rows and turned it into a funky scarf which is quite warm and the colours are so bright.  Here's a picture of it.

I also wanted to knit the Capucine hat again but with a chunky yarn and it has come out very well, it's much warmer too which is what I wanted.  Here's a photo of it......

I also started and finished within 24 hours another toy which is the pink bunny.  Here is a photo of her and she is all wrapped as a present for Lilly. 
I am now off to see what I can make next because trust me...the tv at night is so boring I end up going to bed with the lamp on around 8pm and just knit, crochet or look at my craft books.  Thanks for reading....