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Sunday 28 February 2016

Every Sunday I say the same thing

...I must start my diet and exercise routine on Monday.  However, like most women and men who say the same thing on a Sunday, it always goes wrong the minute you wake up or stress happens.  I did so well a year ago with my exercise routine of jogging plus I was not eating dinners every day which I rather miss doing but since Frank has been home, I enjoy the meal times we have at the end of the working day and of course, you have to have a desert.

The worse thing I have in my mind about my exercise is how did I ever fit it into the daily routine.  I have absolutely no energy early morning or in the evening and all I want to do is get a bit of housework done after dinner and then do my crafting.  Plus the jogging has not done my ankles and knees much good, in fact, I know I have arthritis and my ankle wakes me up in the night sometimes.  

Anyway, I thought if I write a little each week about my eating, maybe a food diary I could actually progress slowly in getting back to 80kg instead of the disgusting 90kg that I am today.  I have noticed my fuller face, chest and my hips so here goes.  I walk 4 miles a day, am on my feet quite a bit throughout the day so that should be enough exercise, I have just got to stop putting snacks in my mouth like digestive biscuits when I do not really need them.  So, I have plums, tangerines, some cereal for breakfast and I intend to have a plain cheese sandwich or a fruit salad in the work canteen.  

I know that extra 10kg is effecting my health and I am determined to not go back to the way I use to feel of breathless,  aching, tired and fatigued all the time.  I have never smoked, do not drink alcohol and am only 47 years old and I should not feel like this at my age.  So..watch this space.

Crafting time now and I finished the Tulip Cardigan for Mya....

I did not do the full length of the sleeves because the last time I made this cardigan, the sleeves were way too long and it fits Mya fine which is the main thing.  I had a tiny ball of yarn left from the skein that I used and it was perfect.  

The next photo I decided to put in the blog today because as much as I like stitch markers, I think it can be an unnecessary expense and I am not going to stop the progress of a project because I have not got a stitch marker.  So below is a photo of a no cost, home made stitch marker.  A slip knot in scrap yarn.


They work well, they do not click against the needles and did not cost a penny!


The next photo below is of a little surprise I got the other morning at 8am on my way to work.  Do you remember the little wooden footbridge I walk across, well it was a cold morning and I was looking at the water level and there was a beautiful White Heron having a look for some breakfast.

It was great to see, so tranquil and not a care in the world, apart from breakfast!


I am going to go and do some more knitting of my mitred blanket and I have finally got a design in my head for a Tunisian project.  I shall leave you with a picture of Tipsy chilling on the pouffe with Frank.





Sunday 21 February 2016

Lets get cracking....

Finally, I can write a blogpost from my laptop.  After all this time trying to write a post on my mobile phone, my son came to visit and said I needed a new browser.  Did not have a clue how to do that so he did it for me in seconds.  Thank you Scott.

On the crafting front I have done a lot of work on my Mitred Blanket and have been thoroughly enjoying it.  I counted 220 squares so far and then decided to knit a plain matching red border on both long sides.


However, there was a problem that I could not fit all the stitches,  over 300 of them, on my small circular 2.25 needle.  So I ordered one with a longer cable, it came, I casted on the stitches and started knitting the plain red border and look what happened....

The words that came out of my mouth were not lady like and I just had to put it down sulking for at least a couple of hours.  I then pulled myself together and thought that it is my blanket and I am going to knit it the way I want to.  So I got out my size 3mm knit pro karbonz and started the border again.

When I had finished the five rows on either side of plain red, I started knitting the mitred squares again with the 2.25mm needles but after 7 squares done and laying it down on the floor to check it out, the shape started distorting and I realised then that I had to stick with the 3mm needles now because of the size difference.  Never mind I thought, and undone the 7 squares and re-knitted using the 3mm.  I love it and am on my 2nd row of edge squares.  I have taken a break from it at the moment because I am joining in with the knit a long on ravelry and littleyelloweuke podcast.  

Frank bought me some Rowan Creative Linen for £4 a skein instead of £8 in a beautiful lilac shade so I have been knitting a small cardigan called Tulip by the Yarnharlot. I have already done this cardigan before in different colours but wanted to knit it plain.  Here is a photo of its progress so far...only taken a couple of evenings to do.

I have a little bit of knitting left on the first sleeve, then all I have to do is the second sleeve and the i-cord neck and tie.  I think it will only take that last little bit of yarn left which is great.  

I am intending on making a dress for my Grand Daughter called Kelsey from ravelry and as soon as I have finished the cardi, I shall cast it on.  I am however, getting the need to do a crochet blanket again but this time crocheting it in rows and not rounds so watch this space if your interested.

My pets are doing fine, Tammie has overcome having her teeth taken out and only has a few left, it has solved the smelly breath too and she seems to be eating and back to her normal self.   The other weekend she was not herself on the Saturday, we was going to Southend for a few hours but she was so non-coherent, and was doing things that were strange.  Not able to walk up the stairs, get down off the bed or sofa, tail between the legs and dazed.  I knew these were signs of the liver shunt playing up so I stayed home with her but the next day she was back to her mad self again.  Thank God.



Tipsy is doing fine, she has been very cuddly lately and Frank was not feeling too good a few days ago and she sat on his lap and looked up at him as if to say I will take care of you.


I started work back at the distribution centre as a Transport Administrator a few weeks ago and I have been walking through the park called Goresbrook Park.  These photos were taken the other morning and I just had to take a picture of the tree.  I love trees and the branches look like they are ready to hug you.

 I also have to walk over a small foot bridge that creeks with every step but is a joy to walk over.  I must remember to look at the history of Goresbrook Park, maybe for the next blogpost.

Oh well, I am off to enjoy my Sunday with a bit of housework, a bit of cooking and lots of crafting. I shall leave you with a photo of some beautiful crocus flowers that Frank saw whilst a work the other day. Spring is on its way...







Sunday 14 February 2016

Sunday repairs

I say repairs because I have had a cardigan that has been in need of a bit of sewing on the sleeves.  It's a favourite cardigan and after a few washes the cuffs have become frayed.  So after my ironing and walking the dog, I started the first repair of the day.   Here is a photo of what I have to tackle.

It's rather annoying because it cost £27.

Anyway I stitched the tear best I could.

Then I turned the cuff under and stitched around. It is now much better and hanging out on the washing line.  I'll post an update shortly when it is dry. 

Next I wanted to do something about my Downton Hat made from merino wool.  I love this hat but after only one wash it stretched and is now very close to being blown away in the wind on a winter's day.   This yarn was not cheap and it doesn't always pay to use expensive yarn.  I only soaked it in the sink in luke warm water and it got huge.   So today I found my elastic thread and weaved it in and out around the colour change rim as per the photo below. 

Then I cut a 6 inch tail length and put hat on my head and pulled at the elastic to get a snuggly fit that won't blow away in the wind.   

Then I double knotted it and sewed in the ends.  You won't see the elastic because the design means you roll up the rim.  I am happy girl now. 

So I've had a nice productive day of repairs and then I thought of baking some cakes.


They are rather yummy and I'm going now to have a cuppa with a cake before my grandchild comes visit.


Tuesday 2 February 2016

Sunday addiction knitting

On my memories mitred blanket.   I have done so much and enjoying every minute
 Here's a photo of it on my bed ready for the next stage..
 I have done a narrow border either side in one colour and a now working on the next border.   I've done my sums and marked it out and do far, so good.  

Am update on Tammie is good 
 She is back to her normal self, eating good and wanting to play.   I'm glad I've been home to keep am eye on her. 

I'm still having trouble writing a blog post on from my laptop and if the layout is a bit odd, I'm sorry.   

On the work front I am back to being an administrator in a distribution centre from tomorrow.  I finding it hard to settle down anywhere and after panicking about being layed off and having no income I thought about going back to working in care as a quick solution.  However when I was asked to go back to the distribution centre, I decided to never work back in care again.  I've out grown it emotionally and it's time to move on.  

I spent Monday and Tuesday watching a lot of podcasts and I realise that I have lost the interest in TV completely.  In fact I only watch a few things on the odd night. Mainly Countryfile on Sunday and the odd nature programme.   

Of well, I'm off to bed to be bright and cheery for work tomorrow.   Have a good evening and hope you get to do some crafting.