Happy New Year!

My 2012 review.....

January:

• A New Year's rebate check from the electricity company allowed us to get ourselves a new flat screen TV and an Xbox.
• I attempted Slimming World 'again' but didn't stick to it 'again', so I'm still where I was a year ago weight-wise.
• My 2nd eldest son, Jordan, turned 18. Also Brandon turned 14 and Ethan 10.

March:

• A devastating month that we're still not over. Our beloved Chester was killed. We miss him all the time, he was a legend!! ♥

April:

• I FINALLY learned to crochet, very pleased with myself and I've hardly stopped since!
• My Godfather, Uncle Don, passed away :(
• Baby Pollyanna was born.

May:

• My great-nephew, Cole, had his first birthday.

June:

• We had the Queen's Jubilee.
• Gavin and I celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary ♥ 
• I hadn't had a cigarette for a whole year!!
• Baby Jake had his 1st birthday.

July:

• Jack and George moved in with us!
• I got a job!!

September:

• Brandon started Lady Manners School.
• I attempted Slimming World 'again' but didn't stick to it 'again', although I am a stone less this time!

December:

• After 25 years of back pain, I finally found out the cause... just waiting for relief from the pain now!

There hasn't been a whole lot of good this year, it has been fairly stressful to be honest.  I'm ready for a New Year, well I was until I got up this morning, the TV is on the fritz! Hope it's not the start of the year to come :| But seriously, I am SO ready for a few positive things to come our way in 2013.

As I was looking through last year's calendar (to make this post) I became aware of the number 13. Gavin, Cole and Jake were all born on the 13th. Jack and George came to live with us on the 13th also, so I'm hoping it's going to be a good year!

Happy New Year to my followers; I hope 2013 is good to you!

Nelson the Owl

The crochet pattern that Gavin bought me for Xmas is done! So say hello to 'Nelson the Owl'.

I really like the 'ridged' look, which is done by crocheting into the back loop of each stitch rather than both. It's a little more time consuming but I guess I'd get used to it if I did it all the time. 

It's a great pattern and very easy to follow; I would definitely consider buying Fresh Stitches again.

xoxox

Well that's it for another year!

CHRISTMAS 2012... OVER!

Thank goodness for that! I wasn't looking forward to it, I never managed to get in the usual Christmas mood, I didn't have the greatest day so I'm well and truly glad it's over!!

I would really love to manage to save up and go out for lunch on Christmas Day next year. There is always too much stress and emotional roller-coastering at home for one reason or another. It's either that or start drinking at 7am!

On a positive note. I had some lovely presents off my wonderful husband...

I had an owl sewing basket (it's way bigger than it looks). A lovely watch. Some M&S fluffy bootie slippers. A crochet blocks book and a crochet pattern for an owl... yes another owl!

 

The boys all seemed happy with what they had too...no complaints at all! (Like they'd DARE!)

It was nice to see some of presents being used consistently throughout the day actually, that's when you KNOW you've got it right :)

Right, now for the saving for next year's events :| Does it ever end??!!!

I SO miss family and friends at Christmas :(

Anyway. Happy New Year everyone! I hope you have a fab 2013, I'm certainly hoping for improvements.

xx  

Bahhumbug!

Well I never thought I'd see the day that I wasn't looking forward to Christmas; bit it's arrived.

I have been so organised, bought presents, wrapped the majority of them, written and posted cards early and booked a Christmas shopping delivery slot. I would normally have my decorations sorted and hung at the start of December too... but no; not this year.

We have two additions to our family this year in the form of kittens! Jack and George are nearly 7 months old now, so the hope of having a nice Christmas tree up this year completely disappeared early on. This did not help my 'Christmas mood'.  I love them to pieces but there is really no point having a tree up with lots of dangly, jangly, sparkly things on it to entice their kitten-like activities for me to then get annoyed with them.

One area of my life has been very stressful over the past month or so and I know this is the main reason I can't focus. I have no excitement, I haven't done any baking, I'm not bothered about my Christmas cheesy music that I usually blast through the house, I don't even know what we're having to eat on Christmas Day yet! I seem to have lost my Festive OOMMPH! ...and I don't like it. To top it off, I'm working all day on Christmas Eve when I usually do all my food prep!

If it wasn't for my 10 year old, it would be cancelled this year... completely! I just couldn't do it to him ♥ 

I'm waiting for January so it can all be over!!

The photo I took of a 'twiggy' style tree I decide to put up is far from perfect but better than nothing, and along with more lights and tinsel around the lounge we look a little bit twinkly.  It's a far cry from my usual décor though.

** Bahhumbug **

:(

Switching Colors in the Middle of a Row

I found this video via Pinterest and thought I'd share as it's one of the best explanations I've found...

 CLICK HERE

♥

Diagnosis at last!

So, after approximately 25 years of back problems I finally get a diagnosis! 

I've been told it was growing pains, pregnancy strain, the result of four pregnancies, lifting wrong, needing more exercise, the work I was doing, being over weight etc... all wrong! I finally got referred to physiotherapy by a practice nurse not a doctor... and RESULT!

My left leg is 2-3 cm shorter than my right one; which was spotted within 2 minutes of my physical examination. This explains the constant pain in the lower left side of my back, my left leg and knee.

Now we can finally do something about it and ease it or hopefully get rid of it. I have a physio exercise plan to follow now and some good advice, as well as some muscle/nerve relaxant tablets from the doctor. I also have another referral with a podiatrist to see what they can do to help too.  

I feel as though a weight has been lifted in a way. Everything had always pointed to 'me'. I was the one that had to do something about my back pain if anything could be done at all! I knew it was more than that deep down, especially since I remember having back ache when I was 14!

Things can only get better now... surely!

12:12:12

Well it's here 12:12:12. The beginning of the end of times as we know it, and the beginning of a new cycle of evolution for planet earth, humanity and the cosmos... according to the ancient Mayan calendar and gossip on the Internet!

True? Who knows?

Do I care? Not really!

If the world is going to end on the 21st we're all going together aren't we? That's my theory anyway. I do like to see how people get their knickers in a twist about it though,  just like at the turn of the millennium... planes dropping out of the sky and all that palaver!

Anyway. 12:12:12. It's a pretty cool date to write and make note of in my opinion.  I may as well make the most of it as I doubt I'll see it again, not unless I live to be 139!!

Happy days! :)

Owl fetish maybe?

I'm absolutely LOVING my owls at the moment. They are so easy to make yet very effective. This is my collection so far, I wonder what will be next...

 

:)

The Christmas Craft Collective: The Simplest Scarf

The Christmas Craft Collective: The Simplest Scarf:   Regardless of whether you're a complete beginner or an old hand, this scarf is not only very simple and straightforward, it's also very, very fast: you can easily finish it in an evening.

I made mine in about 3-4 hours (on and off) and here's my result...

I wore it out today it was a life saver in the blustery sub zero winds! Check it out it's SO easy x

Blah...

Oh my days, this sciatica is killing me today! I don't know whether the sub zero temperatures have had anything to do with it but my paracetamol and ibuprofen have NOT helped all day!

 I'm booked in for physiotherapy on December 14th but it can't come quick enough! 

It's getting closer...

29 sleeps until Christmas!

Already?! Where has this year gone?!

Well, my cards are all written and ready for distribution. All presents (except Gavin's) are bought and ¾'s of them are wrapped.

Tesco's Christmas delivery slot is booked and Christmas lunch decided.  I think I'm going to be able to relax this December and enjoy the final countdown to Christmas without worrying what I have left to do this year...nice!




 

Seamless and symmetrical join

I came across this fab technique for a seamless join in a round crochet piece HERE; definitely going to try it!

:)

Oswald Owl

Well I've finally finished a little project I've been working on. 

A few weeks ago I treated myself to a couple of crochet patterns on Etsy from Aterg Crochet. One of them being an owl cushion. Now I'm thinking it wasn't originally supposed to be as big as I've made mine but I LOVE it! I've even hand stitched ... yes, HAND STITCHED (and I have the bloody plaster to prove it) a removable inner cushion so I can wash the cover when necessary.  I hate cushions that don't have separate covers... really difficult to clean. 

Anyway, I would like to introduce you to...

'Oswald'...

Hidden treasure

George LOVES milk bottle caps. Jack LOVES rubber wrist bands. This is the stash Gavin and I found today after moving out the fridges, cooker and the living room furniture whilst cleaning. 

They didn't know what to do there were so many!!

Here's another great pics of the boys.  They were sat on our bedroom window sill in the warmth of the morning sun :)

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

Big Mama's Home Kitchen: Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes:
I am SO going to have to try these!

:)