October 2016 & November 2016

I'm back!!

The last 2 months have been very stressful...... my Virgin internet was cut off at the end of the October ready for when I leave, I've had nothing but problems with the new internet & already I've over spent by £75 so hence why I'm staying away!!

So October came & went, autumn is my favourite time of the year but with all the things going on at the moment I didn't have time to enjoy it.

The biggest thing in October was the terrible fire in the Cathedral green, it was so upsetting to see the Royal Clarence destroyed. 

November was all about knitting.... wearing my fair isle jumper & finishing 2 dog coats for the boys.

An evening with the family seeing the Coca Cola truck & spending time with the cats.

I was also lucky enough to see New Model Army & The Beat, nice to let my hair down & forget about my troubles.

I'm still looking for somewhere to live but as it's getting so close to Christmas it will have to wait until the new year now. So many places but none that I can afford or will take cats.

Fingers crossed 2017 is better for us all.

April 2016

Yep another month as gone.

Lots of making this month, 2 vintage pot holders, lace socks, Land Girl for my Etsy shop, green bow scarf & started my second Victory jumper in a summer colour way.

I aso brought a new cardigan, celebrated the Queen's 90th birthday, saw Mike Peters & drooled over the knitwear in Home Fires.

I enjoyed a few days at home with the cats & tried very hard to eat healthy, since I was told by the hospital I have to lose over 5 stone before they will operate on my Gallstones :-( 

It's not going to happen so I guess I'll have to live with the pain but I'm very aware I've put on over a stone in a year so it doesn't hurt to try to lose that. I'm 1/2 way through my 'Saints' food box from a local lady, all Slimming World friendly & very tasty.

Wish me luck!

April 2015

Funny how I only seem to find time to get on here once a month now!

Like many bloggers I prefer Instagram as it's some much quicker.

Another month of 2105 has come & gone........ April was a month for making. I finished my Victory jumper, knitted a land girl for my VE day window display, made a 1940's brooch & knitted a jumper for a poorly ferret.

I also enjoyed the Easter break, spending time with my friend & her new baby, sunny days & seeing Paul Young.

Apart from that is seems to have passed in a blur :( 

Let's see what May brings.

November 2014

oh boy oh boy I've been away for weeks!

November started really good..... I sold lots of poppies to raise money for The British Legion, decorated our charity Christmas tree, spent an afternoon travelling around the city on old buses & went to see the fabulous Amsterdam.

It then went pear shape on the 11th when water started coming through the ceiling :(

An emergency roofer was called & I was told I needed a new roof.

After weeks of phone calls & roofers not turning up I've finally got it sorted.

The end of the month saw me celebrating my friends 40th birthday...... I can't believe we met just after her 18th!!

I also had 2 craft fairs at the end of the month. The 1st one was at Exeter library, although I only sold 1 brooch I did enjoy the talk given by Amanda Prowse. Have you read any of her books? I haven't but I might be tempted now.

Crikey was a real success for me this year with my bow scarves being the best seller.

I also have a number of orders from the fair so unfortunately my Christmas jumper is on the back burner..... maybe next year!

Only 2 weeks until the big day...... why does time go so fast?

Happy Halloween

What plans do you have?

I'm going on the ghost walk in Exeter…. yes, yes I know I've done this lots of times!!

Last year we had to cancel because the weather was so bad & this year doesn't look good either.

We'll be heading to the pub after for a Halloween quiz!

Re Big Country…… I had a great time!

However I paid for it yesterday…… I'm never drinking again!!!

Enjoy your day

Excited…...

Just popping in to tell you how excited I'am about seeing Big Country tonight!

Who's old enough to remember them?

After the death of Stuart Adamson in 2001 the music lives on with Mike Peters (from The Alarm) taking over as lead singer.

It's no secret that I love Mike Peters! He plays once a year in Exeter & it's always a fantastic night however this year he's touring with Big Country so won't be doing a solo tour.

I've never seen Big Country but I was a fan in the 80's so I'm looking forward to a good old sing song!

I enjoyed my time off & my cold seems to have gone….. touch wood…… !!!

It was a shock to go back to work yesterday & this week being 1/2 term should mean an increase of customers in the shop.

We'll be having Halloween fun in the shop from Thursday with pumpkins, treats, lucky dip etc

The staff are going to dress up too…… photo's to follow!

April 2013

So another month as gone...... do you remember at the beginning of the year I said I was going to slow down & not let the months slip away?

Well it hasn't worked!! I feel once again this year is slipping through my fingers.

April was a funny old month...... teaching crochet at Make, Do and Mend, drinking rather too much, seeing The Wonderstuff, seeing The Beat, watching Jean roll & making tea cosies.

It ended on a bad note...... as you all know I've been struggling with work for some time now & last week I hit an all time low. 

I went to the doctors & I've been signed off with stress..... I think enough is enough!

I've been told not to make any decesions at all but just chill out & do what I want to do.

So far this week I've done nothing!

I need to focus on getting myself together for the next few weeks...... I have lots to make for Crikey so I need to have an action plan.

How does it work if you work from home? 

I need routine & structure otherwise I'm Mrs Lazy!!!

Back soon to do my April book review.

My Week....

So I haven't been about for a week...... not much has happened.

Working..... trying to appeal my disciplinary action..... going out too much.... much of the same really!

Jean enjoying a good roll

Watching The Wonderstuff at Exeter Phoenix

I'm looking forward to the weekend..... I'm off to see The Beat again with my friend.

Another late night then!

Back soon

March 2013

March was a busy month even though I haven't blogged much!

It started with the first Crikey of the year, followed by Matthews birthday party, yarn bombing, a week off, granny square making, Birdsong at the theatre, The Men They Couldn't Hang & lots of hot cross buns!!!

It's been a good month.

I've also read another 2 books, I'll be back with reviews later.

Hope March was good for you too

Giveaways!

Hope you've all had a good week.

It's been a bit eventful for me. A call from the company on Monday re the job I didn't get..... one of my friends had made comments on their FB page about why we thought I didn't get the job. They traced it back to me & called.... *gulp*..... be warned people big brother is really watching you!

It gave me great pleasure to unlike their FB page!!! I won't mention any names in case I get in more trouble but if I say it's my favourite shop you'll know who I mean!! I'm very surprised & disappointed by them :(

OH came back from Majorca on Tuesday..... at least I've eaten well this week!

On Friday in a fit of madness I finished work & we ended up in Bristol to watch a band! It seemed a good idea at the time but getting up at 6am the next day for work was not fun!!!

So it's been an odd week but I also won 2 giveaways...... yes that's right 2!!

No 1

A lovely Body Shop lipstick..... thanks Betty Bee!

No 2

A fantastic bundle from 1940's Style For You

I've wanted this sewing tin for a while so jumped at the chance to enter.... I never thought I'd win for one minute!! The book is lovely & the brooch...... wow... it's great! Also include was some chocolates.... all gone now!!

Thank you Lucy :)

 I've been a really lucky girl!

Have a good week - Back soon

PS The new blogger layout is getting some use to!

September 2011

Another month has flown by & once again I only managed 2 post!

In September I lost my job after nearly 17 years but did get to spend nearly 4 weeks doing nothing..... ah bliss!

I also celebrated my 3rd blogging birthday...... made lots of rabbit slippers, took part in The Big Knit with Make, Do and Mend ..... 94 hats were made. Went to Bristol to see The Men They Couldn't Hang..... a birthday present from OH. Visited the Creative Stitches show in Exeter & saw the lovely Downton Abbey costumes. And to top it all off last weekend I visited Castle Drogo to take part in their WW2 weekend..... more about that another time.

So September was a good month & the weather has been lovely :)

Just in case you want to see more of the Downton Abby dresses.......

Beautiful but very tiny!!!!

My lovely break is nearly over as I start work on Monday with Laura Ashley.... wish me luck!!!

June 2011

Another month has past & what a funny one it was! 

At the beginning of the month I was feeling positive about my new job & by the end I'd lost it!!!!

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post..... at the moment I feel like Moaning Minnie, nothing seems to be going well for me :( But I'll try & remain positive & carry on!

I've applied for 4 jobs so far..... 2 of which I'm very excited about.

I'm trying desperately to find out more about John Lewis as that would be perfect for me. I'd love to leave Habitat very soon with a large pay off...... take a few months off to focus on me, Make, Do and Mend & Josie-Mary then start work in the haberdashery section in John Lewis..... now don't that sound good!!!!

If anyone knows anyone connected to John Lewis please put my name forward :)

I was off yesterday so made the most of the sun by catching the train to the coast before returning to Exeter, to Belmont park to see Billy Bragg

Excuse the poor photo! It was really sunny & hot with good music & great people.

We then headed to the pub to finish the day off...... seems to be the norm for me at the moment!

Today being the 1st of July made me think there are worse things that happen in the world....

The battle of the Somme 1st July 1916

See I'm trying to see the bright side :)

Back soon

It's coming around fast.......

Hello everyone, well the days are ticking away..... are you nearly ready?
I've been so busy I haven't really thought about the big day! I only need to get a few presents but I'm leaving it til the last minute which is not a good thing!

So Friday saw me head off to the local pre school Christmas fair..... it was cold, icy & raining..... not a good combo when you're asking people to come out to spend some dosh!

Well they didn't come :( Last year this fair was so good I decided this would be the only one I would do....... I'm wondering if people are getting fed up with craft fairs? About 18 months ago you couldn't find a good fair anywhere in Exeter but how times have changed! They're popping up everywhere & I think shoppers are thinking if they miss this one it doesn't matter. 

What's your thoughts on this?

I was lucky as I did sell somethings.... other people didn't have a customer all night & started packing up after an hour.

This is still my best seller after all this time..... they've been selling really well on Folksy too :)

These have also been popular.....

So I've been a busy bee re stocking :)

Last night was the Make, Do and Mend Christmas party....

I came so close to cancelling as my back has been playing up over the last week but with the help of some good friends & lovely Make, doers it went ahead.....

and what a great time we had :)

Every month we seem to get busier & busier..... I can't tell you how happy it makes me! I'm getting lovely feedback saying how good it is & how it's inspired people to make all their presents...... I feel like a proud parent :)

Last night we had a mini fair so people could purchase presents.... I was very happy with my take but it all passed in a blur as I was drugged up on pain killers.....
at least I was smiling!!!!

Thanks to everyone who came :)

Friday sees me heading off to the big smoke to see The Men They Couldn't Hang....

I'm very excited!!!! This will be their last gig at The 100 club in Oxford St as it's closing in the new year..... have you ever been? I love it, it's like stepping back in time..... so sad it's closing :(

I'm trying to keep up blogging but it's getting hard..... please bear with me & I'll be back when I can :)

Show and Tell Sunday

This month is your Favourite Holiday Destination hosted by Justine.

Mine is C'an Pastilla in Mallorca.
We've been visiting the little fishing village since 1997 since we stumbled across it by accident.

We never stay for long, the longest time was 10 days, it's always a bit of a flying visit...any thing from 2 - 4 nights. I always find it really hard to find someone to look after the cats so never go away for long....it also means we used to go more often.

It's not everyone's cup of tea but for us it's perfect, like slipping on an old pair of slippers! From landing we can be at the hotel within 20 mins, this is the view from the hotel we stay in.

There are lots of ex pats but it does have a nice mix and I feel safe to walk the street alone.
Over the years we have made friends with several bar owners so we always get a warm welcome.

To celebrate my 29th birthday we had a lovely meal in the Spanish restaurant over looking the bay.....

Blimey that was 10 years ago!!!!

We had a fantastic weekend there about 5 years ago just before Christmas.....it was so perfect, I had 5 days off from work the weekend before Christmas (very rare in retail!), we travelled to London on the Friday to see The Men They Couldn't Hang before flying out on Saturday morning. We spent Saturday & Sunday relaxing it the warm....unheard of in December!..... before flying back to London on Monday to see The Pogues. It was the best Christmas present ever.

I've was unable to go back for 3 years due to the cats being old & ill but last October I took the plunge & went for 2 night......

You can read about it here.

I must confess this wasn't the best time, I was very worried Zoe wouldn't be here when I got back so never really relaxed. May be it's time to go back now she's gone but I still have Nanny to worry about!!!

OH is planning on moving there in September, he'll be there 3 out of 4 weeks.....and who can blame him! At least I'll have a holiday home!

So that's mine......what's yours?

Next month Show & Tell is Sunday 5th September......does anyone want to host it?

I'll be back later today to announce the winner of my giveaway.

Show and Tell & Crafty Sunday

It's the 1st Sunday of the month so it's Show and Tell time!!

This month is hosted by Justine & she has chosen your favourite CD/Song......this was going to be hard!!!!

First up......my favourite CD.....

On the 2nd July 1985 I brought this LP for my sister's birthday.....not sure she wanted it but I sure did!!! 25 years later & I still have it & in lots of different formats......record, mini disk, tape....(remember that??!!!) CD, IPod & IPhone.

In 1985 I had tickets to see them play in Exeter, I was hoping to sneak in & stay at a friends house so my parents wouldn't find out......they did & at 14 they wouldn't let me go :(

In 1988 when I met OH I found out his band had supported them at the very gig.......how odd is that???!! I did finally get to see them in '89 & they were great! I tried to break into Beautiful Days festival about 6 years ago to see them but could only make it to the fence.......my sister at that time was heavily pregnant but she came with me & it poured with rain!
They did play Exeter Art's centre a few years ago but they mainly play in America now or festivals.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - The Night

Always reminds me of a happy time in my life...... I was young, footloose & fancy free, just enjoying life :)

But no you can't choose just one........music is the sound track of your life so of course you have more then one favourite song. Others include......

The Men They Couldn't Hang - Parted From You

The Men They Couldn't Hang - Iron Masters
Always fantastic live & a bit wild!!!

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Geno
One of the first singles I brought age 9....I was always ahead of my time with music!

Fun Boy 3 - Tunnel of Love
Cynical love song.......fantastic!

Billy Ocean - Red Light Spells Danger
Sister Sledge - Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me
Scooter rally days :)

ooohhhh I don't want to stop! This has been such fun & I have so many more but I think I'm being greedy. Have you noticed that I've chosen nothing after 1985???
mmmm I don't do modern music.......and see no Pogues!!!

It's also Crafty Sunday so here's a few things I've made over the week.....

Not the cardi!!!! This is my friends birthday gift, I love the cardi but I thought it would look really nice on a crocheted hanger with a lavender heart. She wanted a ribbon corsage to go with her new coat .......this one is very patriotic!

Yet another lavender heart.....

This is for my other friend, I also made her some Granny square slippers but I forgot to take a photo before wrapping! I'm always rushing at the last minute!!!
You can see what I made them both last year here & here......thank goodness for blogging....now I can remember what I gave last year!!!!
I've also been working on a gift for my friends baby due on the 24th but I'll save that for the next Crafty Sunday.

Today is my last day at work for 1 week..... I can't wait!!!! It will be my first holiday without Zoe which does mean I could go away but I've no money :( I'd love to go to London just for one night but it's cheaper to fly to Spain!!!! Why do we charge so much for trains & hotels in this country???? It's so silly :(

Tuesday is Make, Do and Mend & on Saturday I'm hoping to do something very special, something I've wanted to do for years.....I'm very excited but I won't say just yet in case it falls through.

Back soon