A list if you will...

• Twittering - I installed Tweetdeck on my phone so I use it more now, although it really is a timewastingdevice and I look like a geek on the bus every morning now instead of someone who is sitting sulking (see: trying to wake up) whilst listening to terrible modern music (see: Harry Potter read by Stephen Fry (who I am following on Twitter))
• House - I made an effort - I bought a shelving unit which is awesome and fits yarn and fiber on it. I was going to buy a rug this weekend too but frankly I think I should just move. I don't like it here. Landlady does not engage brain before speaking and comes out with classics such as 'You can sit downstairs tonight because I am going out' Actually, I pay to use all rooms in the house except the other bedrooms - If I want to sit in your company I can do it at any time, I just choose not to. I have avoided spending time downstairs because occasionally I will be wandering around the kitchen, cooking, and she will be FOLLOWING ME from counter to fridge to toaster and its just a little too much. I love what I have done with my room but I really don't want to stay in here forever so I am looking to move.
• Gym - I cancelled my membership - partly due to the achilles tendon issue, partly due to the busses meaning I can never really get there and partly due to it being a waste of money since I never go.
• Money - A little low this month considering its the shortest month, but I blame IKEA and its only 2 days until payday (ish). My savings are growing but I am scared to spend them on a car in case I need them for something else.
• Dye - I dyed yarn at Clare's house and its awesome. I want to dye more but can't in this house.
• Quilting - Stop me now! I really want to make a quilt. I am insane.
• Blanket - I am knitting a sock square blanket - anyone want to send me yarn?
• Life - Not sure how its going. I went to counselling once, it was OK but nothing special. Maybe I should go back but really I know what the problems are I just don't want to admit them to myself.
• Knitting - I am doing 11in2011 this year and have decided to make 11 pairs of socks. I am 5 down and already have the single sock of another 5 pairs. I cast on yet another sock yesterday and I love it :)
• Dan - can be a complete bastard sometimes and lovely at other times. He wanted to do something for Valentines which was bizarre considering our 'situation' (ie we are not in a relationship) but we didn't really in the end. I did spend my day off at his house (whilst he was at work) cooking things to freeze for work dinners. Can't really cook at my place due to possibly making a mess and being murdered by the landlady for it.
• Hair - I might cut my own this weekend because I am getting ridiculous about it now. Its too long and in no kind of style, and I am getting a grey streak in the style of Cruella DeVille (I secretly think its awesome and hope it continues!)
• Dating - I dunno if I should. I dunno if I want to!

Thats probably it for now. I have been feeling very boring lately. I am not in touch with anything new and exciting. I need a project to get involved with. I want to learn something new! What should I learn?

On Reflection

I have an assignment to hand in tomorrow evening. I took today off to get it done. Which means that today I joined the gym (temporarily), washed clothes, and went to the Cinema. And now I am posting on here because jeez I am so stuck and I don't know where to start.

So anyway, I thought I would reflect on the list to the right of this that I wrote in January about what I wanted to get done this year...

Go Places
I have been to London, Cornwall twice, and Builth Wells for Wonderwool. Thats not going too badly.

Buy a house
This one is more difficult. To be completely honest I don't know whats going on with me and Dan, we are having this sort of break at the moment. Difficult since we work together but either way its horrible and icky and it does not look like we will be buying a house, or indeed living together again, or maybe even being together again. This upsets me more than I dare let on.

Meet some people
This year I have met some absolutely lovely people through knitting groups and I look forward to seeing them on Saturdays and Tuesdays and its really nice that they involve me in sporadic yarn shopping trips and knit flick nights and stuff. I have never really had friends before but I love having these people around.

Complete 10in2010
Getting there!

Travel more
Along with go places, I have been a few places this year. I have a passport now and had hoped to go to Greece at the end of the month with Dan but thats not looking very likely now. We were also going back to Newcastle to see his gran. Again, no idea if that will happen now.

Spin more
I did for a bit, I haven't had time since starting this OU course.

Use up more stash
I don't really have one :)

Only buy really nice yarn
I have been doing this, and I have mostly been buying for projects :)

Make jewellery again (in said house)
Lets not go there. I wish...

So thats me, mostly very sombre but hopefully things will pick up and I will get this assignment handed in and all will be well. I hope.

Notes

I need to learn where to put the bust shaping in the sweater I am making, or at least be prepared to frog if they all go wrong.

I went to a gig last night where we know the drummer. When we got there, the stage was empty and I was marginally panicked that I may have got the wrong night. It turns out that they had to cancel the gig because the singer is stuck in Ireland thanks to the 'Volcano Issues' but instead, the drummer DJ'd and we had a great night anyway, getting in sometime around 2am.

I watched Alice in Wonderland yesterday which was good in 3D, if not a bit fuzzy. It wasn't the best film in the world but I will probably watch it again.

We are currently 'watching' Short Circuit on TV. Its so bad!

I haven't knit anything in forever! Without knit nights I would never get anything done. I think I will spend an hour on my Cookie A sock.

In the last month...

I went to Stitches N Ho's and met Karen who I have known on Ravelry for a few months now
Me and my old friend Eli have started a new SnB in our local village.
I went to Brum knit night.
Me and Dan have been approved for a mortgage.
We have booked house viewings.
I had a birthday and am now 28*.
Dans mum had a 65th birthday on Mothers Day (yesterday).
My mum had a birthday and I managed to get both birthday and mothers day presents and cards sent to arrive on time.
I love love love 'How I met your mother'.
I have started new socks and a jumper for myself.
It snowed again.
Our kitchen has been innundated with ladybirds.
I made fish pie, twice.
I could not finish a piece of cake.
I have realised what its actually like to have a life, and I have NO time to myself. I have not knit for 4 days!

*I got flowers, chocolates, lots of Burts bees things, a big lush giftset, Cookie A's sock book, a Stitch n Bitch design book, Homespun handknits book, a book with the coolest muffins ever, Harry Potter films 1-5 (I got 6 for Xmas), and a subscription to spin off magazine, yay.

10in2010

• Super Funky Bulky Mitts
• Clapotis
• Kalajoki Socks
• Jaywalkers
• Thuja
• Bitterroot
• Modern Mermaid
• Magic Mirror Socks
• Leyburn Socks
• Garter Yoke Baby Cardi
• Gathered Pullover
• Felicity Hat
• Aquaphobia Socks
• Raspberry Bed Socks
• Celestine star
• M.J.s
• Falling Leaves Socks

I am aware this is more than ten, but these are my plans for the year (plus whatever takes my fancy from the various knitty issues of 2010. I dont have any order of preference and probably wont make more than ten of them. If you want pics, see my ravelry queue here.

Happy New Year

Shall I start with resolutions? Ok then...

Nothing unrealistic this year (or ever really) but there are a couple of things I want to get done this year.

Firstly, we are definitely going to buy a house this year. Hopefully by around April (I will be slightly disappointed if we haven't got one by June). I am going to make a mortgage appointment for a Saturday in January and once we are approved (which I am positive we will be, but at a ridiculous rate, which is fine in the short term) we will start having a good look around for the perfect house for us - 2-3 bed semi/end terrace with garden and parking in a not terrible area.

I am going to spin some socks - well spin the yarn then knit them. And I hope to give my wheel more attention this year.

Both me and Dan are going to work on being healthier, starting with cutting down on cheese and dairy, especially in January, and when the prices drop we will get a Nintendo Wii (maybe not this year). We are also going to start walking more on weekends, even if its around shopping centres.

10 in 2010 - the list will follow.

My resolution for January, apart from making that mortgage appointment, is to finish the sweater I am halfway through for Dan.

Happy New Year everyone, I hope your resolutions are realistic and that you acheive every one of them.

Month's goals

I feel a million times better after talking to Dan about moving in with him. I just need to find a job now. So, by the end of May I would like to:

• have applied for at least 5 jobs in Birmingham
• have lost the 5lb I put on on holiday
• finished my Queen of Spades shawl
• have chosen and purchased the yarn for Dan's birthday sweater*
• have seen my lovely Dan play in his band for the first time on May 29th at the Black Horse
• see it stop raining!
• apply gradual tan every night after my shower (for a week anyway)

*I didn't want to buy any yarn or craft items this month due to being incredibly poor and still needing to pay Dan for our holiday, but I need to get his sweater started asap as his birthday is early August and I don't want to rush.

3 things

I started my course - my brain is laughing at me
I joined twitter, my username is xampx
Squee is going to the vet tomorrow for his oversized manparts removing. Wish us luck!

I have a week off work

This is what I want to achieve this week (I will bold the stuff I have already done):

• order wood for front deck
• take delivery of wood for front deck
• build front deck (partially) - just need to paint it and fix the screen tomorrow/this weekend.
• get some tyres
• start building tyre wall
• take Escort for MOT
• take Rover for old mudflap bolts removing
• take Rover for front wheel judder problem fixing - we did this and it wasn't as bad as we thought. Just need to get the wheels balanced tomorrow.
• watch some jousting
• watch some ferret racing
• watch some tractor pulling
• block all outstanding unblocked items
• knit some more Samus - sleeve 1 almost done
• silicone seal the gaps in the cabin bedroom
• seal the bathroom sink
• take Squee to the vets to be registered and ok'd for his snip - gonna do this next month
• paint kitchen floor - weekend?
• plant my tomatoes out
• visit Tewkesbury - decided not to as its too far and is probably flooded from all the rain.
• visit Newent
• visit Littledean Jail - decided against this after looking at the website :s May go to Clearwell Caves instea
• go to some garden centres
• go food shopping
• spin something
• (NEW) Knit a LOT

My First Meme!

I have been tagged for a Meme by Sarah at Babylonglegs. I saw this on Bells blog last week and was thinking of stealing it so this is all the better.

Rules:

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. Ten years ago

I had just finished sitting my GCSE's, had applied to college to do an Advance GNVQ in Art & Design, and had no idea that you could MAKE jewellery. Doh!

2. Five things on today's "to do" list (in no particular order)

As its 8pm on a Saturday, I am pretty much done for the day, but I still need to have a shower, put all the washing away, sort out my shoe pile, turn the dryer on, and spin up the last of this hand carded wool thats sitting on me.

3. Snacks I enjoy

Cheese, Chocolate, Cake and things involving Pastry that are bad for me :(

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire

Pay off my and Morvens debt, buy him out of his mums mortgage, buy some land somewhere and build a huge log cabin house and we would both have our businesses, his in webby stuff, mine in jewellery, fiber and general crafts

5. Places I have lived

Barnsley (South Yorkshire)
Newcastle
Gateshead
Mansfield
Nottingham
Swansea
Gloucestershire (Forest of Dean)

I don't really want to force people, but I would say that:


Senora Fuerta
Laurie Ann and
Frank

Can all fill this out if they so wish.

Random Saturday List

• I feel crappy today
• Its FREEZING here - I got a tan last weekend - WTF?
• I love this robot top
• I'm already a member of etsy but I was going to sign up to sell today but it needs a Visa/Mastercard. I went to register my newest egg card but forgot my password. I think I worked out my password but now their site isn't working. Grr I don't want to use my other credit cards because they are all empty and egg is my favourite because they email me when I owe them stuff instead of the others which happily let me pay late and then blacklist me!
• I really have an urge to make something big, like a sweater, but I have no yarn (lie - I don't have enough of any particular kind to make a sweater.
• I will spin up all of my grey australian merino to see how much meterage I get, just not yet because i'm cold.
• I am going to bake today - either lemon cake, lemon muffins, blueberry muffins or coffee and walnut loaf. I only have 4 eggs right now or I would make all of em.
• The latest Knit 1 magazine (Spring Summer 08) is REALLY good. There are a ton of projects that I want to make (but probably never will because I suck at doing what I say I want to do) unlike Spring Summer 07 which only had 2 things I wanted to make.
• Im still pissed off at the crappy cost of everything in this country.
• And finally - very cool - we had a powercut a couple of nights ago and I had to reset the clock on the oven, but none of the computers were on and our phones were in bags and pockets so I randomly guessed the time (I think it set it to 8:37 or something) and so Morven just checked it and I was 1 minute off! Its 12:43 here now and the clock said 00.42 (I didnt even realise it was a 24 hours clock) So I rule!
• I have no pics today. I did dye some merino silk the other day and spun it last night. I plied it this morning with some more damson merino and I need to take it off the bobbin and set it so pics to come...
• I dont like this current layout but it was the best I could do when I was in work procrastinating so I will see what changes I can make now im home

Things I need to show pictures of:

My gooseberry bush has started making gooseberries!!
My Louet arrived Thursday
My first Louet yarn - 110yd purple merino worsted
Gordon the Panda I crocheted
My sparkly evening bag that I will never ever use
Other stuff.

I also need to upload loads of pictures onto FLickr so I can add them to Ravelry.

But my Louet arrived and I love him, and he is keeping me busy. Also, we got internet back today, not from the same company WHO SUCK. We got a cheaper version of the plug thing from Maplin.

Yesterday I watched Strictly Ballroom, Half of the Birdcage since the DVD was scratched, and Brassed off. Oh and Ratatouille care of Love Film which was actually really good. The rats were so cute! I also watched the last of the knitterati podcasts and the make: and craft: podcasts that Miro had been saving for me. We just about survived without internet for a whole week! Terror!

Some things

I went to the gym for 4 months. Since quitting the gym in Feb/March I have lost 9lb without trying. Excellent!

I built a shed and put everything out of our bathroom in there (well, the tools, not the bathroom stuff) and now our bathroom looks like a bathroom. Yay!

I made a needle roll for all my needles and crochet hooks. There are more that I can't find, but this thing is huge. Il post some pics when I remember to take some :s

Carrot is not exceptionally fat. In fact, Pea weighs 14 1/2 oz and Carrot weighs 15oz. Barely and difference. Here are some pics for size comparison. Pea must hide it well because HER belly doesnt touch the floor...

Carrot

Pea

I got out of the office at work last week and I LOVED it. I went snagging at a block of flats, which is basically looking around and being picky. Noting defects and damaged items and stuff that needs cleaning up and replacing. So much fun. Plus I was out of town so I went for a look around the town that Morven works in and met him from work. We got home much earlier than usual, plus is was a really warm day.

I need a new job that doesn't have me sitting in the office all day.

I have a sore back and had to take Friday off because I got very little sleep Thursday night. Its not much better today but I am sleeping ok.

I have to buy fruit today.

Sunday check in

So I had my doubters. And they were right. I'm not going to get a chance to do most of the things on my list.

Before the end of today I may find the Caron SS in lime green, as I was going to have a sort out. Then I will work on the binary hat and maybe start a space invader.

Last night I started making slippers since my feet were freezing. I finished one this morning (approx one hour in total) and have started the second one which should be done real soon. Pics to follow, pattern can be found here or on Ravelry.

I'm kinda irked at the moment as all our belonging have been dumped on us in the log cabin. This was never the plan, but someones mother is being 'difficult' again and has pretty much evicted us from her house. Fine by me!

So currently this place is a total mess, there is only one place to sit down, and thats in front of the Wii where Puzzlequest is being played in a procrastinationary manner.

I'm tired

Strike that, I'm exhausted.

My current days look a little like this:

6:30 alarm goes off
7:00 think about getting up
7:30 get up and dressed
8:00 leave for work
9:00 arrive at work, try to look busy
12:30 go buy sandwich - current favourite is ham, beetroot, salad & salad cream, no butter on brown bread
13:00 knitting/internet
13:30 return to looking busy
16:00 realise I ought to have done more today, work harder
17:30 clock off, continue working
18:00 knitting/internet
18:30 Morven comes and picks me up
19:15 arrive home, go straight to cabin, eat something quick
19:30 stain the god damned floors
22:00 go back to house, let rats out, sit, knit
23:00 take shower
23:30 fall into bed


I bought a mattress today for the sleeping area of the cabin. I didn't spend much because a: I don't have any money left, and b: its not gonna be slept on every day of the year so it didn't need to be amazingly expensive. It should be here Friday. Oh and Morven invited the Cabin people around Friday to take pictures, so tomorrow night we are painting the last of the floors and making it look more finished. Also, we're gonna sleep in there on the new mattress. My mum should be getting here at 2ish on Saturday. I still have to dig out and make the outdoor steps because if it rains, no ones gonna be able to get to and from the cabin. I'm gonna sleep so well next week.

Yay to weeks off work!

So anyhoo, im fully aware I haven't posted any pictures in forever. It will happen - one day.

The idiot list!

After reading Senora Fuerte's most recent post about how we make plans that are impossible to achieve, I thought I would share what my plans were as of leaving work on Friday afternoon:

• Buy floor varnish
• Buy fridge/freezer
• Have electricity working in the cabin
• Go to Swansea to collect sofas
• Pop into my favourite LYS whilst I was there
• Finish knitting a hat
• fit kitchen cupboard doors
• make bed (literally)
• find mattress to buy
• dig out steps
• make steps
• finish painting outside of cabin
• varnish internal floors
• clean bath and sink
• put frosting on bathroom window
• do all laundry
• move building stuff from front of cabin
• fit all trims inside cabin
• buy food

it goes on... What I actually achieved was:

• I bought floor varnish
• I have electricity
• I cleaned the bath
• I did one load of laundry
• I frosted the glass in the bathroom
• I collected sofas
• I fitted the kitchen cupboard doors.
• I bought enough food to make one meal last night.

The rest of the time was spent either driving, or just complaining that I ached so much.Oh and I didn't even call my mother on mothers day because I completely forgot! I did send her a card and present last week though. So I am forgiven!

The guise of 'Here is a van, go get the sofa's from Swansea', actually took 8 hours, since we had to take loads of stuff to the dump for Morvens mum. She didnt tell us this beforehand, and we had planned to get the sofas, get back as soon as possible, connect the electricity, and get some stuff done. Very annoying that we wasted the whole day.

My mum arrives Saturday, we are going to hope it doesn't rain beforehand, and we will work on the steps on the Saturday, otherwise the side of the cabin becomes a quagmire and access is impossible.

For all of you who read this because you want to see the knitting. Sorry, I have no photos. There has been limited knitting, and my wrist is currently strapped up, so there probably won't be any for a week or two

If you are reading this, I feel your pain!

I just read over my last couple of posts and dear lord they are boring! I'm suprised I have any regular readers. So in the form of a list, here are some things...

• I knit 2 hats. If I had photos, im sure that would be more interesting. I will work on that. Meh.
• We moved offices at work, the helpers were useless, we were all knackered, some people still complain CONSTANTLY, but my only gripe is that I have nowhere to charge my phone now. Boo.
• The flipside is that I am next to the kettle, so I get asked if I want a drink making everytime someone else makes one. Yay.
• I cannot stop eating. This always happens the week before my time of month. Boo.
• I don't go to the gym anymore. I found the owner way too annoying. I will cancel my bank payments, but I dont want to phone them because they will try and get me to stay and despite the fact that I dont usually care what I say to people, I dont really like to hurt peoples feelings... Meh!
• The drill bit didn't come today. We won't have power until next Thursday now. Irritating. I will get the name of the company and shame them as best I can, as its been 2 weeks and they havent even despatched it yet! Boo!
• I bought fabulous new red shoes from ebay with my £5 voucher. The shoes only cost me £12. Again with the photos. Yay.
• I have bought lots of house stuff and I have no money left. Never a good thing. Boo,
• Our car is back from the garage, our pockets are £120 lighter. The car has new brake calipers and brake pads, and we don't need to use the overly thirsty Prelude anymore. Yay.
• I have no motivation at work lately. Boo.
• Its