Oooh Hello!

Well it's been a while hasn't it? Summer has arrived, well kind of, one day glorious then the next chucking down with rain. But it's lovely to see the sun, however long it decides to stay out! So what have I been up to? I finally finished my STR Firebird socks from last years club kit which are fab and fit just perfectly.

I managed to start a 'proper' pattern and have finally finished the back of Joy from Kim Hargreave's Nectar which is an amazing book and am almost finished with the struggle of the first front. I'm finding the pattern a bit of a challenge, brain fog/tiredness and the inability to follow a pattern properly has lead to rather a lot of frogging! But I'm plugging away at it. It is a gorgeous design though definitely does not come natural to me, especially right now. Of course had I chosen a plain SS pattern I'd have been fine I expect, but I didn't. I fell in love with Joy so thats that and I'm so glad I actually managed to find a book to buy for the spring/summer season. Hope I get a chance to wear her though before it gets too cold!

Being part of the Socks That Rock club has continued to be great with the most amazing colourways arriving in the latest and previous kit. As I only just got the latest kit will post a pic next post (ha ha!) but will tempt you with pics of the previous one. As usual purples never photograph well and it is much much nicer in the flesh. I was almost tempted to start them but this is one season of the year I can live in flip flops so usually give sock knitting a little break. Not for long though!

I've been to the docs and the homeopathic hospital and both are pleased with my progress. I feel better in myself, brighter and more confident. It's a good feeling! The tiredness still continues, but we're all hoping that will catch up with my brain. I always keep myself busy and occupied as its great to feel like you're accomplishing something. Whether its online competitions that I'm currently addicted to or becoming self employed so I can earn a few pennies here and there, much of it from home.

The main reason for becoming self employed is that I start to pay Class 2 NI contributions and so qualify for benefits in due course in case I should need to. Working part time unbelievably meant I could claim nothing. So even though I was able to claim Incapacity Benefit, I wasn't entitled to it. Being short of money when you're ill isn't a great combination. We're not in dire straits but my wages used to pay for all the extras and of course my yarn addiction ;)

So our annual holiday to somewhere exotic in May was off this year. Not helped by the fact that I wouldn't have the energy to get to the airport never mind anything else.........but still, I missed that we weren't going anyway. So it cheered me right up to win a 2 night break with Premier Inns. I've wanted to go to Monkey World forever so we're going to Bournemouth next month and will get to visit Monkey World. I'm really looking forward to it ;)

Thank you all so much for the lovely birthday wishes. I did indeed have a lovely time and could quite get used to being pampered all day and got some lovely gifts, some of which you can see. I surprised myself by enjoying the sauna and aroma room though couldn't stay long the first time lol! But the massage........ooh........was to die for ;) Our meal that night was perfect in our favourite indian and I got lots of lovely pressies. And finally got to wear my gorgeous eternity ring that DH had bought for me for my birthday. Lucky me eh?

Lixie Knits It tagged me ages ago and I did say I'd do it so here goes:

1. What I was doing 10 years ago
Blimey. I can't remember 10 days ago but here we go. Living in Finchley, North London in my gorgeous garden flat. Had recently split up with seriously bad news part-live in boyfriend. Decided I needed to get my head round things so went to Maldives for the first time where I had an amazing time. Was working in the City of London for a commercial bank that was part of the HSBC group. Yes, those were days when I earnt good money and got great benefits......

2. What 5 things are on my to-do list for today (but won't get done)
DH's self-employed accounts
Dusting - ha ha ha!
Catch up with online comps
Check online accounts
Sort out old DS & PSP games to sell

3. Snacks I enjoy
Kettle Lightly Salted crisps.......oh yum yum! I did love the Chilli flavour but it gives me blisters and other unwanted side effects :( Oh, yes and Hula Hoops. Perfectly portable in case of an energy boost. And peanut tracker bars. I have one with a banana for breakfast. Or that would be lunchtime by everyone else's standards.

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire
In view of umm the current political climate in a certain African country I'd rather like to hire an assassin. Really necessary me thinks and can't understand why it hasn't been done yet. Also, would travel all over the world and either fund or set up an animal sanctuary, or several. And build a eco-friendly home with solar panels and other lovely gadgets.

5. Places I have lived
Hornsey, Finchley, West Hampstead, Kilburn, Kentish Town, Finchley (again!), Bristol & Weston-Super-Mare.

Thats it folks. I will try post quicker next time though I'm finding if I over do things workwise (yes again) I go backwards and absolutely nothing gets done and it takes ages to try and catch up. But I will make an efffort, especially as I need to show off my lovely STR kit AND the goodies I bought in the John Lewis sale. Noro Kochoran for £2.70!!! Yup, you read right. So obviously I HAD to get it. I mean at that crazy price. They'd just reduced it again and I knew the sales assistant and she told me. I hadn't even spotted it. And she told me about the 90p a ball Rowan 4ply Cotton that may or may not have jumped into my shopping bag! It's been a while since I bought some stash and boy did it feel good.

Oh yes, and now we have fish. Yes I persuaded DH that yes we did NEED a tropical fish tank as I was fed up with the 'yes you can have one when we move' response. The fish are great, I'll try and sort out some semi-decent pics soon :)