New year giveaway.....

On Christmas eve I sat down to make myself a pair of crochet slippers. I receive emails from Lion brand yarn http://www.lionbrand.com/ & just before Christmas they sent an email through with free patterns for slippers. I was so excited the fact I could be waking up on Christmas day wearing my new granny square slippers..........but......

(Sorry about the rubbish photo's but I've been trying to take a photo for 2 days & couldn't be bothered to move from my armchair!!!!)

As you can see they came out really, really small!!!! The pattern said they're for a adult size 7-9 ... I don't think so.

The sole is 15cm in length.... if any of you have incredibly tiny feet or you have a little girl they may fit... please let me know. They are free to a good home, leave a comment before 7th Jan, I'll do a random number thingy & post them off.

I will try again but next time I'll use a bigger crochet hook.......

'Cozy night in' swap....

I've finally opened my swap..... I think me & Pixiedust @ Faerie Nuff are the last ones......

As you can see it was beautifully wrapped.....

I love the hot water bottle... just the right size for sitting in front the TV... I always use a hot water bottle as I don't like putting the central heating on unless it's freezing!!

Can you see the little lantern??? .. It looked so cozy on my mantle piece last night... also some soap which smelt good.... and some chocolate....sorry all gone now!!!

And last but not least some lavender cushions..... I've made so many lavender bags for gifts that I ran out of lavender to make one for me so I'm very pleased with this gift.

More gifts coming soon.........

Happy boxing day......

Merry Christmas

The gifts have been opened...(more on that tomorrow)

The table has been set......

The cats having their Christmas dinner .......

Hope you've all had a relaxing stress free day...... Merry Christmas everyone.....

Nearly there......

It's nearly time for us to put our feet up & relax until next year.
I had a lovely surprise when I got home today........

My giveaway gift from Vanessa at Just Original .... I won this box of goodies for doing 'Jamie Oliver's pass it on'....... remember???? I made the mackerel pate. Anyway I know that Vanessa's taken a break from blogging until the new year so I had forgotten about the giveaway. Look at all the things in the box......... I'm saving them until 'the big day' as this now doubles my presents!! I also have my swap gift that I haven't opened.... aren't I good!!! I was planning on opening that on Sunday but the day ran away..... I know it was the shortest day but that was just damn silly!!

I had to work early today (up since 5am!) but I did get home just after 5pm which was very nice.For the last few days I've been thinking about my late nan, at Christmas she used to make us all sausage rolls..... we used to laugh about how many she made. The pastry was a little heavy during her last few years but I always loved them. This is the 2nd Christmas without her & I would now give anything for one of Nanny M's sausages rolls........... so today I had a thought....if I can't have a Nanny M's I'll have a Josie-Mary's!!! And here they are.........

They taste damn fine.... hot straight from the oven.....mmmmmmmmm.......

I made some to take to work with me tomorrow along with the mince pies I made on Sunday. The rest I will have at tea time on Christmas day with some homemade pickled onions...... may be I'm turning into my nan!!!!!

Busy week.....

I guess like most people I've been very busy this week. It must be getting nearer as it's gone very quiet in 'blogland'!!! What with all the Christmas preparations & the terrible bugs that are going around no one has time to blog. I hope all you poorly people out there get better soon. As yet I've managed to escape it but we're dropping like flies at work so I hope it's not a matter of time.... after the year I've had I bet I get it for Christmas!!!




As you all know I went to see the pogues on Tuesday......it's was very good but packed to the rafters... very dangerous at a pogues gig!!! You couldn't move...the stairs going up & down were all full... I think the health & safety men would've had a field day. I was stood on tip top through out just to see the tops of their heads!!! They did all the old favourites including some very old ones that I haven't heard live before. They finished with 'Fairytale of NY' as always.... everyone is very drunk by this point so you just have to sing along & give a very big cheer when the snow comes down & Shane does his dance. Love it!! I didn't have that much to drink as you couldn't get to the bar & I hadn't had that much before we went in (I've done that before!!) However I did make up for it on the way home the next day!



So the rest of the week went by so fast.... the normal thing... work/bed/work/bed!!

It's now my last day off before Christmas & I'm trying really hard to get things done..... I've had to finish last minute presents & do loads of housework as I haven't been here all week. See what happens when you go out & enjoy yourself!!




I've made 30 mince pies.... don't look as well as I thought but they taste good.... well I had to try some!!!



Still need to wrap my gifts.... I hate that job!!!


I've decided not to decorate the house this year, it'll be the first time I've not done it. I always think it's a bit of a waste of time as we don't have visitors over so it's just us that sees it. It puts a lot of pressure on you to get the right tree, make sure it's up in time, make sure it's down in time etc. I'm not missing it until I see all your loving decorations.


Back to work tomorrow...... late nights this week to set the shop up for sale.... it starts on Boxing day this year so on Christmas eve we can't leave the store until it's all ready.... we close at 4pm & then rush like hell to get it done. Every year I say this will be my last in retail but I can't really do anything else so I guess I'll be saying the same thing next year. I have 2 days off for Christmas, going back on the Saturday then working until new year.... it's really sad that we have to do housework over Christmas but to me it's a normal day off......... Oh but I forgot you do get yummy turkey with pigs in blankets & bread sauce...... my favourite!!


I'm looking forward to starting work on things for myself now all the gifts have been done.... I've starting thinking of all the things I can make.... I'm getting a sewing machine from mum & dad & the crochet flower book from a friend....... I need to finish my granny square blanket that I started in March..... aahhhhhh so many things to do! I'm also thinking of selling somethings as I keep being asked, maybe this will be my ticket out of retail........ sitting at home knitting with my cats .... bliss!!!


I plan to be back before Christmas....... hope you're nearly done with the shopping etc & you can all put your feet up & relax... yeah right!!!

White Christmas.....

Did you know that White Christmas is coming to the big screen????

It's only being shown in 77 cinemas throughout the country, unfortunately no cinema in Exeter is showing this but hopefully some of you will be able to catch it. It's one of my favourite films, I love the bit on the train when they sing 'Snow, Snow, Snow' I try to watch it every year but to see it on the big screen would be something else.

But we are getting 'It's a wonderful life' at the picture house in Exeter... it's being shown on Sunday 21st at 2pm & Tuesday 23rd at 8.15pm. I'm going to ask around to see if anyone would like to go on the Tuesday evening.... don't like going alone. Can you believe I've never seen this film!!! People keep telling me I would love it & I was given it on DVD about 3 years ago but missed placed it in the move, I found it last week & it's on the side ready to watch but I think I would prefer to see it at the cinema.

Please let me know if you get to see theses film .

Thanks for the award Mel, you're too kind.... I won't pass it on at the moment because I know how busy everyone is..... I'll wait until the new year.

I'm now off to try & make some Stanley's.... I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for all your comments about my bank.... I'm checking everyday just in case it goes in early.

Bad to worst......

Just thought I'd share my bad week with you ... it won't take long!!

Sunday morning very early I received an email from Paypal saying there was a problem with my card & as I'd just done my first transaction I thought I better check it out....... so I clink on the link..... yeah OK I know what you're all thinking..... I've been saying that to myself all week!!! I put in all my personal details & then hit save........ nothing happened.... 'oh poo' I said to myself!!! I sent the email to Paypal & they confirmed my worst fear.... yes I'd been had!! Someone out there has all my details. I've cancelled my account so fingers crossed.

Wednesday morning on my way to work I stopped at the cash point to draw £250 out to pay bills, my card came out & it said the transaction had been cancelled. I tried again at another ATM & it said I had drawn out my full allowance for today....... ooooohhhhhh no!!! I ran to work & called the bank. Yes they confirmed that £250 had come out of my account but should be back in by the end of the day.

Thursday morning I checked my bank & nothing..... I rang & was told that it wouldn't 'just' go back in & I had to complete a dispute form. It will take 10 working days to go back in (if I get it back!!!) so won't be this side of Christmas. I now have to use my going out/food/present money to live on. I don't have a overdraft or any credit cards, so can't fall back on anything.

So the question I have to ask is.....can anything else go wrong???

I'm sooooooo looking forward to Tuesday 16th when I go to Bristol to see the pogues.... sod the money I plan to have a good time (even if I have to eat baked beans for Christmas lunch!!!)

aaaahhhhhh feel better now for getting that off my chest. Loving all your Christmas trees etc, so nice to see your houses.

Christmas party

As you know last night was my works Christmas party, it wasn't that bad although it did have it's moments!!! Why do some people get so loud after just 1 glass of wine??? We did get told off for being noisy...... not me I'd like to add as I was outside smoking.


We went to the anchor inn in Cockwood, about 20 mins drive from Exeter. It was lovely, this was my first visit but I'd heard the food was good. There was sooooo much food.... we were all stuffed & I couldn't manage the cheese board which is very unlike me!!


We didn't have the tradition meal, I was a bit disappointed because I love roast turkey, but I changed my mind on the night... it was gorgeous!!!


If you live locally do go.......

http://www.anchorinncockwood.com/

I'm planning on going again in the new year & we're arranging a summer work night out as it has a terrace & as you can see a lovely view. I preferred it at this time of year because it had loads of Christmas lights outside with singing snowmen!!!

Hope you're all having a good weekend......

Dear little deer....

Look what I got today.......


It's Santa's little helper... I purchased this from Michele at COWBOYS & CUSTARD on Sunday to make me feel better & it arrived today.... excellent service!! She also included a card which I really liked on her blog but couldn't afford it so thanks again Michele.

See how lovely he looks on my mantlepiece.........

You can just see my other deer which is made from pink flock..... there's a red one the other side of the candle holder. They're supposed to be for Christmas but I think if you like something you should be able to look at it all year round.









I would love to say that this made me feel brighter but it didn't.... I just can't seem to shake this off. Normally when I feel down it only last a few days but I just feel grumpy all the time!!! Another day off doing housework today but I did manage to get the sewing machine out for an hour.


Not sure why I feel like this.........could it be Christmas??? Work??? Lots of changes going on at home so maybe it's all too much. I feel so put on at the moment & totally taken for granted, someone left me a comment saying I should spend more time with the people who truly love me but do know what..... the way I'm feeling at the moment I'm not sure who that is.


Sorry to end on a downer..... 13 hour shift tomorrow.... yippee!!!!

Didn't go to plan....

I'm having one of those weeks..... I've had enough of being nice to everyone!!! So I'm going to have a rant to let it all out.... sorry!!!

On Friday I had a really bad day at work with someone moaning at me all day.... everything I did was wrong..... the funny thing was I was in charge that day, that's how soft I'am!!! I had a moment where I thought I'm just going to sit down & cry but I managed to pull myself together.

Yesterday was my friends birthday & as I mentioned we were going to Bristol to TGI's, her favourite restaurant, I booked the tickets for the train last Sunday only to get an email back confirming we would be doing most of the journey by bus!!! I didn't want to travel by bus that why I booked the train. I emailed my friend who was also not happy about this so I tried to get a refund.... something I'm still trying to sort. As it was her birthday I decide to just get on with it & make the most of the day. Her mum agreed to drive, although she really didn't want to. My friend can drive but she wanted to have a drink. Anyway I've spent all week sorting out the tickets, trying to order her birthday presents from amazon.... every year 3 of us buy a present together so I had to send several email to sort this.

I was happy we were going to John Lewis because as you know I was planning on getting the sewing machine.... this will be my Christmas present from my parents.... please note another present I had to sort. Anyway the day came & I was collected, I had my camera with me to share the day with you, I felt like a real blogger!! We set off but they were not happy as they'd had some family problems in the morning. My friend had to drive so this meant she couldn't drink anyway. We arrived at TGI's to discover it was packed, 2nd thing to go wrong. We only had to wait 1/2 hour for a table so not bad. Her mum waited in the car as she had decided she didn't want to eat. I ordered something different off the menu & I didn't like it... it tasted like sick!!! (sorry!!) We stayed for an hour then popped to John Lewis.... please let this day be saved.....but it was so busy & they had moved the wool to the top floor!! I felt a real pain because they were just walking behind me & I could tell they didn't really want to be there. So we left empty handed!!! After just over 1 1/2 hours in Bristol we headed back to Exeter, the journey to Bristol takes 1 hours 10 mins each way!! Have you noticed there are no photo's??? Yes that's right I didn't get the chance!!

Because we got back so early I had a chance to go home for 2 hours to relax then it was back out for round 2..... the evening meal. Some people had pulled out, including her mum, so there was only 5 of us. The food was lovely, which was good, but after the meal they wanted to go for a drink in an area of Exeter I hate on a Saturday night....... I felt like an extra in one of those TV programmes about booze Britain.... it was awful!!! I'm just not that kind of girl, it's not that I'm too old I was never like this in my teens.... don't get me wrong I like a good party but not with these people!!! At 11.30 I decided I had done my duty for this birthday..... roll on next year!!!

So today is a new day & I was hoping to get some crafty things done but after doing the shopping & housework it's already mid day. I didn't think I had that much housework to do but when I looked at the kitchen I realised it needed a really good sort out. Oh well another day off wasted!!!
When will I every get time for me??? I think in the new year I'll have to address this or else I'll go crazy!!
Back to work tomorrow & so it starts again.... working 13 hours on Thursday & I have the Christmas party on Saturday.... god how I hate the party... sitting with people you don't really like trying to have fun. I always end up drinking loads just to block it out.... at least with the smoking ban I can stand out side all night!!! I'm the only one who smokes.... what a bad person I'am!!!
I went for reflexology on Monday & she told me that I was not very good at letting things out... eg I don't show anger.... hope this has helped.
I'm now off to have roast chicken then I'm going to bed to watch a lovely old film.... what a nice Sunday afternoon. I now don't care if I don't finish my Christmas gifts, sod it!!!..... maybe I'll cancel it this year.... I'm not even bothering with a tree.... bah humbug!!!

Rant over!!!!!

Hope you're all having a great Sunday......

20% off at habitat.....

Yes we're doing it again.... I have another friends & family email for 20% off......valid 4th-7th Dec. You can use it in any habitat store so if you fancy a treat or need to buy some Christmas gifts give me a shout & I'll email you one.

I was hoping I could be clever & put it on my blog so you could help yourself but my skills don't stretch that far!!!!

Hope you're all having a good week..... looking forward to the weekend & my visit to John Lewis.... thinking about getting the red sewing machine like Mel's. What a treat...

Thank you Lesley for this award & the 7 tags....

I found this really hard to do...... not the 7 favourite food bit!! - hope it doesn't make me sound too sad!!!

7 Things to do before I die

See the Northern light

Visit Lapland

Visit Las Vegas

Be less stressed

Own a Bernese mountain dog

Start my own knitting business

Buy a house

7 things I do now

Spend to much time on the computer

Live my life by lists!!


Try & make everyone happy

Battle with my weight!!!

Buy things I don't always need

Drink to much

Put thing off


7 things I can't do

Draw

Drive

Ride a bike

Swim

Stand up for myself

Spell

Do anything sporty

7 things that I find attractive in the opposite sex

Make me laugh

Looking after me

Putting up with my love of cats

*After being with my boyfriend for 20 years I've forgotten what I look for in the opposite sex!!! I've tried to think of my boyfriends good points......I leave it at that!!!

7 things I say most often

I'm sorry

Can I help you??? (yes I do work in retail so I have to say this all the time!!)

I'm such a goon!!

I'll do that

It's not bad weather just inappropriate clothing

It's like Blackpool illuminations in here

I need to go to the wee.......!!!!!!!!!!

7 celebrities that I admire
I don't really admire any celebrities, I don't do that celeb culture so I've put some real people.....

Harry Patch - or is he a celebrity??

My late grandmother

Anita Roddick

Anyone who stood up & fought to make the world a better place

uummmmm this is a hard one....think I may have to leave it at that


7 favourite foods

Fish & chips

Pasta

Anything with sausages!!

Crisps

Roast Dinner

Bacon Sandwich

Pie & mash

(can you see why I battle with my weight!!!)

7 people to join in the fun..

HenHouse

Attic24

Faerie Nuff

SAL'S SNIPPETS

The Vintage Magpie

At home with MelMel

Vintage Tea


Think I should add 'can't blog' to the list... it's taken me 2 hours to do this post!! Everytime I save the changes to the post it comes up with big spaces .... does anyone else have this problem??? It drives me mad!!!

Sorry I haven't been about so much, now I'm back to work I find it really hard to post anything. I'm looking forward to the weekend because I'm off, I'm going to TGI Fridays in Bristol for a friends birthday..... I'm hoping to pop to John Lewis.

Have a good week.....

Last day

Hello again, hope you've all had a good Friday & are looking forward to your weekend off. It's my last day at home today....I'll be returning to work at 8am tomorrow....aahhh, how will I cope???

I went to the physio again today, the exercises seem to be working but I still have the numbness in my right hand.... I'm suppose to have a 20 minute break every hour to complete the exercises, stretch & have a sit down... yeah right!!! I'm sure we're going to be busy tomorrow because there's a 20% off voucher in a magazine hence why they needed me back because there isn't enough staff!!! The physio did have a good poke around my neck & she did say it felt very sore & had to agree as I had tears rolling down my face!! Anyway fingers crossed it will get better soon.

I've managed to finish one of my Christmas gifts...yipeee!! This was always going to be the one that took the most time so I'm hoping I can start ticking more things off now..... Do you remember her????

This is what she looked like the last time you all saw her & I was unsure if she was going to be a cat or a girl. Well I decided on a girl & she's called Amy....this is what she looks like now...

All her clothes are removable & she even has a nappy on. The box will be her bed & I decided to make a blanket the same colours as her clothes. She will be going to my friend's little girl, she called Liv, she's 4 now & every year I make her a toy. Her mum won't let her play with them so the shelf in her bedroom is quite full. She also has a box of all the clothes I've knitted her over the years. I was so pleased to find the fairy wings in a teddy bear shop as I've brought Liv some paper wings herself that she can colour in. These will go in her stocking.

I must admit I do like her, she's taken a while to complete because I wasn't in the mood but I'm pleased with the end result. She looks like something my mum would've made me in the 70's, so much nicer then the Bratz toys!!! And I know her mum will agree.

I thought I would share a picture of my cat.....now this is an honour for you all as she doesn't get seen very often....it's because she very old, 19 now, & I hate looking at photo's of her because she looks like an old lady. I normally shut her in another room when people come around so no one will say I have to take her to the vets, she walks funny as her back legs are very bad but she's happy & I'll know when the time is right......As you can see she's sporting a lovely crochet flower!!! I was trying to take a picture of the flower but it was too small & my camera is not good with small things....she kept poking her nose in so I thought she could wear it...she's not very happy!!!

I got the pattern from attic24, Lucy's blog is excellent I look forward to her post about crocheting.

Well that's me done for a few days....... how will I cope not reading your blogs all day??!! I'm hoping tomorrow won't be that bad... I did get a text today from one of the other managers saying he couldn't wait to see me tomorrow & he's brought me a present.........it better be good!!!

Another award.......

Thank you MelMel....I'm not sure what this means..... I'm real to you or I'm a real person? Because I'm real... promise!!!

Anyway I've got to pass this on to 7 people, that's going to be hard because some people are going to get it more than once...

The first person has to be......

At home with MelMel

....because she is real to me, I agree Mel I talk more to you then any of my friends I work with etc.

SAL'S SNIPPETS

...because she is real, I know I've met her!!

HenHouse

...because I always look forward to reading her post

Diary of a Tinyholder

....because she was the first person to leave me a comment

Just Original

...because she helped me cook

Attic24

...because I love her crochet patterns

Help!!!! I'm running out of ideas!! There's not that many people I speak to day to day so I'm not sure if they're real!!! Think I'm going to cheat & just have 6 people. Enjoy your award you're all brilliant!!!!

A special treat.....for me & you

Thanks to everyone who left a comment about my shoulder, I'm still off from work but plan to go back on Saturday as we're short staffed. I visited the physio yesterday & she did point out that my back & shoulders were very stiff..... why did she think I was there?? for a cup of tea & a chat!! I've got some exercises to do, the neck ones have to be done 10 times an hour!! I'm now waiting for a call to confirm that I can have a MRI scan to find out how much damage there is.

Anyway the special treat...... I have 5 30% off at Gap vouchers that are valid until 16th November. If you would like one leave a comment & I will email you, remember I only have 5 so be quick. I think you do need to sign up to get the voucher but they send out lots of vouchers through out the year. It's for friends & family of the staff.

I went to Tesco's today & this is what I found......

Sorry this picture is a bit blurred the print is very small, not sure if I like it.....but hey I had to have it. There was a big pile when we arrived, we went for coffee & when we returned the pile had gone down so much we couldn't see them, we rushed from till to till trying to find them....

Thought I'd share my lovely new clock with you all, it has a timer on the bottom. I found one years ago in a shop in Totnes for £20..... when we returned to buy it for my birthday they had sold out....... you'll never guess where I got this from....

Lidl...... can you believe it, £4.99!!! They went on sale on Monday so I was there at 8am to get one...not sure if they would've sold out but I couldn't risk it. I'm lucky that I live across the road so I can always get a bargain.

I also got this.....

I've never had a Christmas cacti before so I'm not sure how to care for it & I didn't know they last for ages. It's on the window sill in the living room...... it was really sunny this morning & when I returned from Tesco's it was all across the floor.......naughty Nanny had been laying in the sun & knocked it off....

This is what he does when he has the devil in him...... can you believe he's 14, he acts like a kitten.

Hope some of you got the chance to watch the service this morning on TV. I must admit I did shed a tear. Harry Patch is amazing, has anyone read his book??? I would've love to have gone there to see them, it may never happen again.

I've been so bad this week, I had the prefect chance to make all my gifts & I've done nothing!

Remembrance Sunday

'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We will remember them'

Stop press.........

I got some flowers..... after 20 years of being with my boyfriend he finally brought me flowers!!

As some of you know I've been signed off from work for one week with a bad shoulder. At first the doctor thought it was a trapped nerve & gave me some pain killers nearly a week ago. I continued to work but had to go back yesterday as I've had a numb feeling in my right index finger since last Thursday. I've now been given some very strong muscle relaxers as the pain killers weren't working. I have to return to the doctors on Friday to arrange a MRI scan as they think my muscles have displaced. As you can imagine I feeling pretty poo from taking so many tablets so the flowers were to cheer me up.

I've been looking at...

http://attic24.typepad.com/

Lucy has posted instructions on how to make a crochet hexagon.....so I thought I'd give it ago.....

It doesn't lay that flat...what am I doing wrong Lucy??? Don't think it's bad for a first attempted...I try again tomorrow.....not sure if I'm getting confused between doubles & trebles.

After looking at Lucy's blog I thought I'd show you my crocheting. My gran taught me how to make a granny square when I was really young, she passed away when I was 6 so I was really young. Any how I'd forgotten how to do it until a lovely lady came into the shop & showed me. With her help & the internet I've managed to do this.......

These squares are for my 2nd bedspread that I started in March......

I've made a bedspread before which is one giant square, it took me a year to complete but I still love it now.....every time I put it on the bed I smile 'cos 'I made that'!!

I've also made one for my cats...

I got the lovely basket at the car boot sale for £2...

And no they don't use the basket....sometimes they look at it!!!

I'll get back to my crocheting now & try to keep the cats in away from those noisy fireworks..