Well it's been a long time since I posted on here! I went back to work last Thursday and today is finally my day off (except its nearly over now). :( I've been quite busy at work, we've been preparing for a new client and we just found out she's not coming til January, so sleeps aren't going to be stopping quite yet. The good news is the last half of Decembers Rota is finally up and I have Christmas eve, Christmas day and new years eve off!! How cool is that? Going to be able to have a proper Christmas this year with mr A. It's extra special cos its our first Christmas since he moved in. We've found our tree, it's 7.5ft tall and is going to cost £100, we've budgeted £50 for the lights and decorations. People think we are crazy spending so much on a tree, my reasoning is we haven't got kids so why not? I ordered all the Christmas drinkables today, we've ordered enough that through January when we are all skint we can still have nights in with DVDs and post Christmas nibbles!
Finally made a start on the shopping, bought stuff for mr A's dad, not finished yet though.
Gonna do mr A's stuff on tues when he's at work and I'm waiting for deliveries, then in the afternoon I'm going to get stuff for his mum and some more stuff for him in town, have seen some shirts that he would look amazing in!
I had my eyes tested while I was on holiday and it turns out I need a new prescription for my specs. I had a feeling something wasn't quite right cos my little margaret sherry piece has fractionals in it, I'm working on 14 ct aida and I've been struggling to see them, even with my daylight bulb on. Also I've been getting a lot more headaches, ones that come on really fast and take my breath away. I've pinpointed it to my specs, so last couple of days I've been wearing my contacts more for when I'm doing stuff on here or my computer. Last night I read my book on my pad with my specs and gave myself a headache, so it's definitely that I think. They are going to have to wait til after Christmas I think, good job I have contact lenses, apparently they are more accurate because they sit directly on the eye.
Haven't done any stitching for ages, haven't had time!! Guess I'll go back to it in January when theres no money to spend and it's too cold to go anywhere! Dear summer, please come back, I love you!!!
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
The most wonderful (and expensive) time of the year!!
I have two birthdays coming up next week then Mr A and I are going to be gearing up ready for Christmas. We've finally agreed that come the new year we are both going to start putting money aside for a mortgage each month. We only want somewhere modest, just two bedrooms ATM, our budget is looking like 60-70k, we want to save 15k between us to cover 10% deposit to cover deposit legal fees and new furniture. Every day something seems to happen/go wrong with this place, I've got a list and things keep getting added to it!!!
Tonight I found a hole in the spare room wall, I'm sure it wasn't there before. I also need to change all the washers on the taps and fit a new latch on the kitchen door because it's sticking and one of us is going to get stuck (probably me, when Mr A is at work!)
Plus the kitchen sink keeps blocking up.
I don't mind all these little jobs, I guess it's part of having somewhere to live, but my landlord is a bit of a twit!! Found out today that when he had the boiler installed in the flat he didn't register it so it hasn't got a warranty on it!! Surely that's basic stuff. Not a huge issue as timer and front casing needs replacing so he's going to be getting a bill for that!! No way am I paying for it, phoned him earlier today and asked him to arrange appointment with boiler people and he said 'why do you want me to do it?' and I said 'because its your boiler and you're my landlord'. Tis supposed to be his responsibility. He's got to look at this wall tomorrow and I just know nothing will get done about it, he'll proabaly just tell me to fill the gap with poly filler!! I don't think so, the house has got rising damp and the foundations get shook every Wednesday by the brewery doing the beer delivery!!
Am getting so frustrated living here, said to Mr A today wish we could save up deposit to rent somewhere else but it's difficult with our animals, lots of private landlords won't have it and we have no chance of getting on the housing list. I only moved here cos I had to, many a time the last couple of months I've bitterly regretted not hanging in there, I loved that house, it was a proper home, unlike all the other places I've lived in.
I am quite busy at work at the moment, I am doing my nvq and a distance learning course to do with the handling of medication. I've started a new WIP even though country companions isnt finished ( think that's gonna end up a UFO), this new piece is only little it's for a Christmas card. Unfortunately I've come to realise that I don't stitch fast at all lol. Seems like I had a lot more time when I was in my old job!!
My next project after that is a baby sampler for a friend of mine, she's having a little girl, due in February. Showed her the chart for the sampler and she loves it, plus it's fairly smalle and not too detailed so I should have no trouble finishing it. The country companions piece became a problem because of the tweeding, I think I've got really sick of it now!
Next months issue of csc looks good, it's got a Joan Elliot Christmas fairy, seems like she'd be beautiful to stitch, except she uses beads, fractionals and metallics, I'm only just learning fractionals lol, although I quite enjoy them! Really ought to get off this thing and go to bed, time I had an early night, no day off now til next weds and most of my shifts are early starts. Will post a pic of my latest piece when it looks like something lol
Tonight I found a hole in the spare room wall, I'm sure it wasn't there before. I also need to change all the washers on the taps and fit a new latch on the kitchen door because it's sticking and one of us is going to get stuck (probably me, when Mr A is at work!)
Plus the kitchen sink keeps blocking up.
I don't mind all these little jobs, I guess it's part of having somewhere to live, but my landlord is a bit of a twit!! Found out today that when he had the boiler installed in the flat he didn't register it so it hasn't got a warranty on it!! Surely that's basic stuff. Not a huge issue as timer and front casing needs replacing so he's going to be getting a bill for that!! No way am I paying for it, phoned him earlier today and asked him to arrange appointment with boiler people and he said 'why do you want me to do it?' and I said 'because its your boiler and you're my landlord'. Tis supposed to be his responsibility. He's got to look at this wall tomorrow and I just know nothing will get done about it, he'll proabaly just tell me to fill the gap with poly filler!! I don't think so, the house has got rising damp and the foundations get shook every Wednesday by the brewery doing the beer delivery!!
Am getting so frustrated living here, said to Mr A today wish we could save up deposit to rent somewhere else but it's difficult with our animals, lots of private landlords won't have it and we have no chance of getting on the housing list. I only moved here cos I had to, many a time the last couple of months I've bitterly regretted not hanging in there, I loved that house, it was a proper home, unlike all the other places I've lived in.
I am quite busy at work at the moment, I am doing my nvq and a distance learning course to do with the handling of medication. I've started a new WIP even though country companions isnt finished ( think that's gonna end up a UFO), this new piece is only little it's for a Christmas card. Unfortunately I've come to realise that I don't stitch fast at all lol. Seems like I had a lot more time when I was in my old job!!
My next project after that is a baby sampler for a friend of mine, she's having a little girl, due in February. Showed her the chart for the sampler and she loves it, plus it's fairly smalle and not too detailed so I should have no trouble finishing it. The country companions piece became a problem because of the tweeding, I think I've got really sick of it now!
Next months issue of csc looks good, it's got a Joan Elliot Christmas fairy, seems like she'd be beautiful to stitch, except she uses beads, fractionals and metallics, I'm only just learning fractionals lol, although I quite enjoy them! Really ought to get off this thing and go to bed, time I had an early night, no day off now til next weds and most of my shifts are early starts. Will post a pic of my latest piece when it looks like something lol
Friday, 21 October 2011
WIP disaster and 'almost' giving up
Well, I really thought I was on the home straight with my WIP, until I came to do some of the background on the left hand side. It was then I realised that hedgehogs body was out by what appeared to be 1 stitch. I became very disheartened and was tempted to stash it in a box and go out and buy stuff for a new project. I spoke to my friends on cross stitch crazy, and with lots of encouragement I've managed to pick it up again. Today I unpicked his head and re started on that, it's tweeding which is quite fiddly, to get round this I've pre-threaded my needles and lined them up from left to right in the order they are listed in the key. Later on I've got to take the corresponding bobbins out of the box so they are in easy reach.
It is looking like I probably won't finish until after Christmas at this rate!!
Work has slowed down a bit so I've had more time for stitching, this weekend is quite busy, hopefully I'll get some time to stitch on Sunday evening, I've also got Monday off.
Today I ordered myself a new chest of drawers as my canvas one is starting to look like the leaning tower of Pisa because the cats keep jumping on it! That's due to come next friday, the same day that my new Lino is being fitted in the bathroom!!
It is looking like I probably won't finish until after Christmas at this rate!!
Work has slowed down a bit so I've had more time for stitching, this weekend is quite busy, hopefully I'll get some time to stitch on Sunday evening, I've also got Monday off.
Today I ordered myself a new chest of drawers as my canvas one is starting to look like the leaning tower of Pisa because the cats keep jumping on it! That's due to come next friday, the same day that my new Lino is being fitted in the bathroom!!
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Crawling out from under the rock...
Well, stitchy bug appears to have returned from it's vacation! Started again over the weekend, while I was ill with a bad cold. (I want to know, how come I never just get a sniffle?)
I'm enjoying it again, but at the same time I want it finished. Tis all half cross stitch now and that gets boring after a while. Am considering stitching some smaller designs to break up the tedium, say, do a week on wishing well and a week of small designs.
Guinness is settling in very well, he's happier coming in the flat now and will eat his food in the hallway. He's also learned to ignore my two!! I think fudge is a little scared of him because she backed off today.
He's learned a naughty trick though. He usually hangs around the back yard or in the local area. Went out today to get my laundry off the line, wasn't particularly looking for him, he comes home when he's hungry. Got in the flat and all the way upstairs when I heard 'MRAOW!! MRAOW!!'I've worked out it's Guinness-speak for 'I've been out all day and am hungry. Let me in, NOW'. He's definitely got his paws under our table. If he's about and hears my voice he comes running!
I'm enjoying it again, but at the same time I want it finished. Tis all half cross stitch now and that gets boring after a while. Am considering stitching some smaller designs to break up the tedium, say, do a week on wishing well and a week of small designs.
Guinness is settling in very well, he's happier coming in the flat now and will eat his food in the hallway. He's also learned to ignore my two!! I think fudge is a little scared of him because she backed off today.
He's learned a naughty trick though. He usually hangs around the back yard or in the local area. Went out today to get my laundry off the line, wasn't particularly looking for him, he comes home when he's hungry. Got in the flat and all the way upstairs when I heard 'MRAOW!! MRAOW!!'I've worked out it's Guinness-speak for 'I've been out all day and am hungry. Let me in, NOW'. He's definitely got his paws under our table. If he's about and hears my voice he comes running!
Monday, 12 September 2011
Welcome to the family....
Nope, I haven't dropped a sprog!!
Mr A and I have adopted a stray cat. Or rather, I've adopted him and Mr A fell in love with him.
He started coming round the pub and my landlord started feeding him.
The upshot of it was he needed a permanent home and I decided to take him in. He had a serious case of fleas and an allergy, which thank goodness is now sorted! Cost of sorting his skin out and worming him has cost me over £100, but it's been worth it because he's such a happy cat, very placid and chilled out. I am starting to introduce him to my two, who get very hissy and growly, so I think its going to take time. I've got a pic of him on my camera but the batteries have died, am going to sort that out tomorrow I think!!
Still haven't managed to get much Stitching done, it's well and truly gone on holiday!!!
Mr A and I have adopted a stray cat. Or rather, I've adopted him and Mr A fell in love with him.
He started coming round the pub and my landlord started feeding him.
The upshot of it was he needed a permanent home and I decided to take him in. He had a serious case of fleas and an allergy, which thank goodness is now sorted! Cost of sorting his skin out and worming him has cost me over £100, but it's been worth it because he's such a happy cat, very placid and chilled out. I am starting to introduce him to my two, who get very hissy and growly, so I think its going to take time. I've got a pic of him on my camera but the batteries have died, am going to sort that out tomorrow I think!!
Still haven't managed to get much Stitching done, it's well and truly gone on holiday!!!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
No stitching because....
I have been playing with my new toy!
At the weekend I bought myself an iPad 2 with some of the money I had from my tax credits. It is definitely one of the best things I have ever bought, even though it was GINORMOUSLY expensive. Part of the reason for getting it was because my htc mobile is failing, and vodafone won't replace my handset, even though I've thrown money at them for the last five years. I kind of need to have access to the Internet at work, believe it or not sometimes it helps me with my job!
The other thing that sold me was the iBooks app, I've never been one for kindles etc, you can't beat the feeling of going into a bookshop and smelling that new book smell. IBooks has lots of free books, one book I've always wanted to read is 'The count of monte cristo',so I downloaded a sample and really liked it. It's on my 'classics to read' list. I'm currently 300 or so pages in and really enjoying it, it makes reading on the move so much easier!
I'd recommend it to any bookworm!
Mr A and I went to Birmingham today on the train, it went better than last week because this time we knew where we were going!! Somehow I managed to spend over £100!! Mr A said to me 'I don't know why you're so shocked, you spent almost £500 the other day.'
I simply said that was different, although I couldn't have said how. I think it's because I rarely have money to spend so I don't tend to spend large amounts.
Plus, because I'm not used to having money I've got this horrible fear that one morning I'll wake up and it'll all be gone. I'm 50% better off since Mr A moved in six months ago, but still I can't seem to spend money, Mr A was egging me on today.
I did get some nice things, a lovely teal mac in New Look, plus a screen protector and a case for my iPad. I also managed to spend £5 on pick'n'mix sweets lol. Have said that I can't spend any more money although I do need to get my hair done 2moro!!
At the weekend I bought myself an iPad 2 with some of the money I had from my tax credits. It is definitely one of the best things I have ever bought, even though it was GINORMOUSLY expensive. Part of the reason for getting it was because my htc mobile is failing, and vodafone won't replace my handset, even though I've thrown money at them for the last five years. I kind of need to have access to the Internet at work, believe it or not sometimes it helps me with my job!
The other thing that sold me was the iBooks app, I've never been one for kindles etc, you can't beat the feeling of going into a bookshop and smelling that new book smell. IBooks has lots of free books, one book I've always wanted to read is 'The count of monte cristo',so I downloaded a sample and really liked it. It's on my 'classics to read' list. I'm currently 300 or so pages in and really enjoying it, it makes reading on the move so much easier!
I'd recommend it to any bookworm!
Mr A and I went to Birmingham today on the train, it went better than last week because this time we knew where we were going!! Somehow I managed to spend over £100!! Mr A said to me 'I don't know why you're so shocked, you spent almost £500 the other day.'
I simply said that was different, although I couldn't have said how. I think it's because I rarely have money to spend so I don't tend to spend large amounts.
Plus, because I'm not used to having money I've got this horrible fear that one morning I'll wake up and it'll all be gone. I'm 50% better off since Mr A moved in six months ago, but still I can't seem to spend money, Mr A was egging me on today.
I did get some nice things, a lovely teal mac in New Look, plus a screen protector and a case for my iPad. I also managed to spend £5 on pick'n'mix sweets lol. Have said that I can't spend any more money although I do need to get my hair done 2moro!!
Sunday, 28 August 2011
WIP update 28/8/11
I have made a resolution. (we'll see how long it sticks though...) When I start my next WIP, I am going to try to post weekly updates.
Not that I need motivation to stitch, I just struggle to find the time some days, between working and living life in general. Today I've managed a grand total of forty minutes tops, and that's with finishing at 3pm this afternoon!!
Grr...
Plus I want to get my butt in gear, my fingers are itching to finish it, just so I can put a big post on CSC going 'DOOONE IIIT!!' LOL. Even if it doesn't get framed straight away.
I've been having a little think about what I want to do next, I got some lovely evenweave from Jenni on cross stitching.com , so I was thinking of stitching the little butterfly that came with an issue of CSC to get the feel for it. My next large project is going to be an AOY chart or a Joan Elliot piece, I want to do the fairy that was featured in CSC a few months back but it has fractionals eek!!
Anyhow, here's my latest pic.
Thanks for looking!
Not that I need motivation to stitch, I just struggle to find the time some days, between working and living life in general. Today I've managed a grand total of forty minutes tops, and that's with finishing at 3pm this afternoon!!
Grr...
Plus I want to get my butt in gear, my fingers are itching to finish it, just so I can put a big post on CSC going 'DOOONE IIIT!!' LOL. Even if it doesn't get framed straight away.
I've been having a little think about what I want to do next, I got some lovely evenweave from Jenni on cross stitching.com , so I was thinking of stitching the little butterfly that came with an issue of CSC to get the feel for it. My next large project is going to be an AOY chart or a Joan Elliot piece, I want to do the fairy that was featured in CSC a few months back but it has fractionals eek!!
Anyhow, here's my latest pic.
Thanks for looking!
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