Sunday 29 January 2012

Order in disorder

It has taken me a very long time to start making any inroads into sorting the clutter of my home. It seems one of the main reasons has been because I have been doing it all wrong!

My idea of the process was all about getting things neat and orderly and in the right place. But there was no place to put anything. I turned to the 'Net for advice. I just love it that there are folk around the world that talk into cameras and let one see into their cupboards and drawers and then tell you how you too can have such order. I could not do that. The shame of it all and my mother would never recover if she saw me either. But anyway, one little voice of reason that rang true for me was before I get organised it was time to get rid of stuff.

So, in the last few days I have dumped loads of out of date drugs and cosmetics. Made up a box of smellies given to us girls for re-gifting if anyone needs a quick pressie to wrap. Sorted through ALL our linen and found some lovely bed sets to donate to charity that fitted a bed that we no longer have in the house. I have ruthlessly tossed other items and find that now we all have sheets etc neatly folded in about 1/4 of the space I was using to store everything before.

(PHOTO COURTESY OF zuzafun.com)

I love linen tablecloths and use them when I can. I buy them too on occasion from the charity shops. I now have a long flat box under the bed for my collection and that has grown a bit of late with a lovely new linen and lace runner.

I can honestly say that as the bags make their way to the charity shop or even to the garage (to be taken at a later date to the fabric collection point) my spirit feels lighter.

Another reason for feeling light in spirit today is a lovely long chat with Big J from his flat in Hong Kong. Less than two weeks till we see him and I can hardly wait.

Tonight we are having 'soup from leftover veg that was found in the fridge/veg basket' done in the slow cooker.

I am unpicking the last bit of lace on a sweater from the charity shop - which was lovely enough and did not need bits of cream lace on it and we are having a ironathon and I am going to work some more on my crochet.

Be happy everyone.

Wednesday 25 January 2012

No escape

'the curse has come upon me', cried the Lady of Shallot. (Tennyson)

Indeed it has come upon me too. Moods, sweats, headaches, nausea and more sweats. Suddenly it seemed as though 2012 was not only the year of the OLYMPICS, but also the year of my MENOPAUSE. As the chimes of Big Ben faded into the air at New Year, this bod of mine started its own countdown with a vegence. Not a patient soul and not the type to be held up by anyone or anything I sought solutions.

This is not one:


Bit too much makeup for my liking.... Pincushioning ones face will help anyone forget their other woes! I jest though, as I have had acupuncture in the past and it is surprisingly soothing. Only this time I needed more radical action.

I sought out medical advice and was steered towards herbs, but hey! I wanted results NOW. I am pleased to say that me and my patch are getting along fine.

I am able to smile, eat, work out, and better still, CROCHET, and I have a little item on the go now that should be ready to reveal soon.

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Adjusting

Big J has been gone for a week now, he is in Bangalore. The week since he left has been odd and it has taken time to get used to him not being here.

Han has had a fabulous 17th birthday party, fancy dress with a DJ and we all had a great time.

I have been looking for inspiration, and in the meantime, made this for my friend Nichola's 40th....


The fourth one I have made, only this one has little glasses that I made with wire and then covered with embroidery thread! She was very happy with it. It is a bit of a rubbish photo, but you get the gist.

I have had a horrendous but highly beneficial session on WEIGHTS in the gym with Ivor. Not sure how I will get around tomorrow, but it was interesting to note that I nearly passed out and when I run or do other aerobic exercise I rarely work up a sweat or get all that breathless.

Now I am off to print a crochet pattern as I have some ideas beginning to take seed.

Lovely to be back, but missing my man.

Thursday 5 January 2012

Common threads

The Christmas decs are down and I am loving the reclaimed space. It just gets to a point when enough is enough!

Was fascinated to read what Penelope had on her L is for Love blog about Shauna Richardson's crochetdermy (some on display at the V&A now) as last night I was reading the blog of the very same artist and loved the bear when we saw it last month. Although not as prolific creatively as many of the bloggers I follow, it makes me feel happy to read that there are lots of you out there with lots of interests and that we all share many common threads.

It is one of the best things about blogging, finding kindred spirits. In the next few months with my significant other away in the far east, I am hoping to make the time to tap into my own space more and come up with more to share with world...yes more....more cyber fluff!

Right now with Dada here, the girls being so involved with him, my m-i-l having just left after a week and Big J packing to go, just getting on with the nitty gritty of life is enough.

Monday 2 January 2012

Les Miserables

It is Big J's birthday today and we are all off to London to do some sightseeing with Granny and to go to the theatre. Dada (the girls' father) is here from Japan and will join us tonight. The girls are spending the day with him beforehand.
I am secretly rather pleased and proud that we can do such a thing as go to the theatre together. It is not in everyone's comfort zone and I admire both Big J and Dada for getting on with it, but it means a great deal to the girls and shows that on both sides of the world they are loved and valued. They have two very good men in their lives.

Sunday 1 January 2012

Happy New Year of the Dragon

新年明けましておめでとうございます
Happy New Year to one and all.
This year we say goodbye to the Rabbit and hello to the Dragon:


Here is our little pair on the mantlepiece. Bunny will be put away now, for another 12 years!!

So how was it for all of you? I am very glad we are here in 2012. There are many plans afoot, including some travel. Big J heads off next week for up to four months and with Ads only here one or two nights a week, it will be a much smaller household.

I am thinking that it is time to look after me a bit better. Health wise, work wise, creatively and emotionally. Last year was very tough.
I am going to work on my dream of buying a flat somewhere.....on being more economic with car use and food wastage. Drink less, yes folks, here in black and white. Party time is all well and good but I have had a LOT of party time of late. Let us see what lies in store and what we make of our time.

Hope you all have a great year.