Monday, April 23, 2007

Life Gets A Bit Weird

You know things aren't going great when you come home from a manic morning at work to have your lunch to find the police have sent you a summons. Yes, apparently I went through a red light somwhere in Leicestershire at 8.15am on a Tuesday morning. Bit difficult when my car was outside my house at the time before I trundled off to work. In Weston-Super-Mare I might add. This kind of thing just sends your stress levels haywire. You know it isn't you, but the summons form didn't have an option for that. So then begins the fun of trying to ring and speak to a person.....

I did manage after several tries to leave a message and thankfully a few hours later was called back with an apology as it had been an error. I'm really glad I managed to get it sorted the same day. It would have played on my mind terribly.

Good news at work though. We interviewed 3 people in the morning and I rang and offered the position to our favourite in the afternoon. And even better, she accepted! Usually the manager does interviews but he's on holiday and the new person would be working with me and the other office administrator so it made sense we chose and interviewed. Though timewise we could have done without it, it all went well and finally there's a little light at the end of the tunnel.

I did more hours overtime over the last month than hours I work per week which is fine for the extra money but not good for my sanity and definitely not good knitting wise. Though I've said no more o/t or not much now as we'll shortly be off on our hols and no way will I get stressed from work before we go. I'm behind as it is without work stress. Is it just me that sorts everything holiday related out or does anyone's DH help out too?

I've also realised going away the day after my birthday is not actually a great idea. Not sure if I'll feel like a meal out as I'll be running round like a headless chicken trying to get everything ready. Oh well, we'll see soon enough won't we?

Added to the fun of receiving the summons we're having trouble with our burglar alarm and have been let down by a recommended company 3 times out of 4. Not good before you go away. Neither is having your electricity meter stop working again. Its lasted a year! If that hasn't been enough I've had an absolute nightware with the edging of Tulip. The knitted on edging is fine, but the edging knitted separately has been horrendous. The pattern isn't clear and the instructions make little sense. If you look at both pics of it in Rowan 41 you can see the edgings have been done completely differently on both tops - 1 has the ws edge facing and the other rs facing. It gets worse. The sleeve edging isn't long enough to go around the armhole. I've tried and failed to get it right countless times. Frankly, I'm sick of the sight of it. The main body edging is done and I don't care how it looks anymore or even if it wants to stick out a little. I shall bash it about with the iron a bit. No way will I redo it!

I will start again with more stitches for the sleeve edging though after sewing up the sides and deciding how long the edging really needs to be. Then finish the ties one which is almost done. Amazing how long that takes too. I really hope its worth all this trouble in the end.....

All this ranting might make you think I wouldn''t have much to show for my recent efforts, but surprisingly I have quite a few FOs to show. DH scared me last week when he said you realise its only 2 weeks till we go away and it dawned on me the amount of finishing I had to do. So rather than start a nice new calming project I've done non-stop finishing.

And first FO is the lovely Monsoon sock from my Blue Moon Feb Sock Kit. I haven't managed to start the 2nd but hopefully will get around to it once all this finishing is out the way ;) I've really enjoying knitting the sock and though it had lots of firsts for me, I found it all relative simple and easy to follow and lots of fun. The shape still amuses me no end ;)

Next FO is the Halterneck Top in Rowan Calmer. Officially it is the last 2006 FO as that was when it was knitted. It always amazes me how long a crochet edging or tie can take. DH loves this top and asked if I'll be taking it away with me on our hols. Praise indeed!

Third FO is After Dark in Rowan Summer Tweed which is a really pretty top. The Rowan beads look fabulous and I'm really glad I got them. I will try something else for the ties though as I'm not totally keen on using the same yarn for the ties. It looks ok but think they could look better. It'll do for the time being though.

Last but not least are my Mango Speed Demon Sweet Georgia socks. Boy are these lovely & warm and oh so comfy. Perfect house and bed socks especially for those cold spring evenings.

This will be my last post till we're back from our hols. Its my birthday at the end of the month and we're off to Kefalonia the day after for 2 weeks. Fingers crossed we get warm weather! Being used to the tropics and not going to the Mediterranean for 20 years we could be in for quite a surprise. I'm sure it will be lovely though doubt much time will spent in the sea ;)

PS Sad news I'm afraid. Our beloved hamster Custard passed away on Sunday in his sleep. I know he was 3 years and 1 and a half months old but it was still a shock and we both really miss him. We gave him a little burial and hope he's happy in Hammy Heaven feeding on a never ending supply of organic sunflower seeds.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about Custard, despite his age it's still a shock isn't it? Hope you have good weather for your holidays - sounds like you need a break.

blueadt said...

Sorry to hear you've lost Custard but what a fantastic long life for a hamster! I picked Vince up today from rodent kennels & she's aged :( Still eating well but looks older all the same.

Curly Cable said...

Crikey sounds like you've had a very stressful time, what with one thing and another. Well done with the finishing, Your halterneck top is lovely, and I love After Dark, and another pair of gorgeous socks, they look lovely and soft. Really sorry to hear about Custard, what a happy life he had though, but must have been a dreadful shock, but I bet he his up there with his organic seeds looking down and keeping a beedy eye on what Thunder, Roxy, Roo and Chilli are up to;) Hope you have a wonderful holiday, away from all the stress of work etc... If I was you I'd save the meal out til you get back, something to look forward too and a good excuse to celebrate twice ;-) Have a nice time anyway!

artyfartykat said...

Sorry to hear about Custard. He had a long and happy life with you.
Well done with all the Fo's. I just love the halterneck top and the Monsoon socks.
Hope you have a hot, relaxing holiday, sounds like the break will do you good. My DH leaves all the sorting, packing etc for me to do too.
And an early 'happy birthday'! Hope you have a lovely day, despite the holiday prep!

Piglottie said...

Oh Roxy, I'm so sorry to hear about Custard. I know he had a long and happy life, but it must still hurt so much to lose him so sending big hugs to you and the gang.

Sounds like work is getting easier, although holiday preparations maybe not (and btw, I do all the holiday preparations in our house too). All your finished objects look great, especially After Dark (I love the beads too). I hope you have a wonderful holiday and look forward to lots of pics when you get back.

Linda said...

Oh, I am sorry to hear about Custard. Big hug to you. x Your finished knits are all gorgeous. The pink halterneck is nice and will be great for the holiday. have a lovely time.

Diane said...

I'm glad you got the summons sorted out. What an upsetting mistake.

The tops and socks look great. I don't crochet much so any time I pick up a hook it takes me FOREVER to get thru anything.

What a shock about Custard. That's got to be some kind of hamster record.

And finally, no my hubby doesn't help out for any holiday planning. I use to do all the planning, reservation making, packing for myself and 4 kids, etc and then he'd complain about packing his one sticking suitcase of stuff. UGH!!

Chris said...

I'm sorry to hear about Custard, but I'm glad he had such a long and loved life with you!

And I'm really glad you got that ticket sorted out - how annoying! Cute tops and the Speed Demon socks are fabulous!!

Madge said...

So sorry to hear about wee Custard. It's always hard losing a furry friend, and I hope you're doing okay.

Wishing you a wonderful vacation away from the frantic day-to-day of regular life. And you have gorgeous handknits to take and wear with you - lovely FOs!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about Custard (great name btw). Your Blue Moon sock is lovely, as well as your other recent finished socks. I love the brightness of your Georga socks. Have a wonderful holiday.

KnitMe said...

Ouch-what a day. Sounds like you've earned yourself a holiday! So sorry to hear about Custard.

Your DH is right about the halter--it's a showstopper.

On your RSC inquirery about foot measurement. For Feb's Inside Outs, Kaci mentioned knitting to about 4.375 cms (she typed 1.75 ins.). This was for a Short Row Heel.

In April we're doing a Widdershins heel (a regular flap heef, just from the toe side). Take the total length of your foot and subtract 7.5 cms. or 3 ins. Sock on!

MandellaUK said...

I was really enjoying your post and all those FOs, then I got to the really sad bit at the end about Custard. I'm sorry that you lost him, but happy he had a good life.

Chris said...

I can't comment on your most recent post!! :( Guess I'll just have to comment here instead.

The Noro jacket is STUNNING - wow, that will be a luxurious wear this winter! And your summer top is so cute!! Belated happy birthday and glad to hear you had such a wonderful vacation!!