Going above and beyond the call of duty!

Today I woke up to the expected snow - more had fallen over night and, for a time, we had a real blizzard going on. It's a good job that I sent my apologies to my sewing class last night!  Mind you - 30mins after I would have set off they cancelled the class anyway!  So, what's a girl to do with the free time? Well - fear not, I never have to worry about that one - I just have to answer the phone when My parents ring!





The fist call came around 9am from Dad - he wanted to answer the nagging query - when did his Dad buy their house - before or after he got married?  Could I try ad find out for him?  Eventually i settled on applying for the title deeds of he property and so we completed the application form and they paid (we should know in a couple of days).  With that problem out of the way, I then settled to some Christmas present making and free motion quilting in the freezing conservatory.  Meanwhile the girls kept going in and out of the garden - loving playing in the snow.



After a warm lunch, and the obligatory snooze, the phone went again - this time from Mum.  Her friends have a wedding anniversary coming up - since my postbox is nearer to me than theirs is to them, could I find a suitable card, wrote it and then "pop" out and post it!  So, boots on, off I went.  Given that the next collection is due to be yesterday I don't hold out a lot of hope but I tried at least.  Back home, I settled down with a cuppa in front of the fire whilst the dogs took advantage of a lit fire.



All in all it's been a productive day, if rather cold. Even as I write this post, the snow is coming down again - falling nicely where it had started to thaw and will, no doubt have frozen - therefore making it leather tomorrow.   Last night I saw a piece on the One Show where a community nurse was visiting a lady to change her wounds and the lady said that she hadn't been out of the house for two years so these visits were her lifeline to the outside world.  After nearly three days at home I can see how I would soon go stir crazy!





As for mum's conservatory update......................  they dug out two trenches yesterday for the footings and planned to return today.  For some reason they didn't arrive!

Unexpected pleasures

Well, as expected, I woke up to a snow storm, snuggled back under the bedcovers and came to to this - not the largest covering of snow but enough to make the roads look dodgy to me!  Fortunately for me the WI walking group was cancelled and I have contacted Spindle Cottage to apologise for not going tomorrow.  Even if my end is clear tomorrow morning (unlikely according to the forecast) I would have to travel over the wolds - which may not be pleasant!  I therefore have two unexpected  free days ahead of me!




Mind you - I was sent this picture by my baby brother and his lovely wife down in Kent - I think that they may have had it a tad worse than us! 




So - what have I done with this free time - well, dusted and hoovered upstairs for a start!  I then set to cutting out some coaster kits before braving the cold of the conservatory and free motion quilting part of this wretched wall hanging. The size makes it feel as if you are grappling with a gorilla!

After a lovely HOT lunch (plus the obligatory snooze of course) it was then time to settle down to some church paperwork  and some desk tiding -essential but hardly glamorous!  And to think -today the builders are due to start on Mum's conservatory!  Rather them than me!


I will finish with something that popped up on my facebook today and which tickled me!

How is the weather with you?

Well, I woke up to enough snow to make Daisy bounce with joy!  I don't know about you, but our village seems to have its own micro climate and the snow we have here will be wildly different from other villages not ten miles away.  I was therefore apprehensive about travelling this afternoon to slimming world and , after discussing it with Jean and talking to Ev who lived "en route", we decided not to go - so no weigh in result I am afraid.  That being said the snow we had did almost disappear by 3pm but there were occasional snow flurries and the sky was full of something!

Textile group, this morning, was a good laugh as we all gathered round for warmth and continued with our hand sewing.  As I said last week, we are making the Lynette Anderson spool holder but Wendy and I are sewing patchwork hexagons together since we already have an embroidered version.  We were also given a large bag of fabric - mainly cotton with some curtaining fabric - and had a good time bagging it as it came out of the bag!  We narrowly avoided coming to blows!





Back home and the coal fire was lit - I practised some FMQ whilst it took hold - and an extended lunch turned into a snooze before watching the first episode f a new daytime drama "Shakespeare and Hathaway" - a really lazy afternoon - bliss.  I even managed to finish my Spindle Cottage embroidery homework!





Next on the agenda was to ring Jet 2.  Our cruise reservation confirmed that we had flights out of UK and back in but, when I went to reserve our seats and order the meals, only the return flight showed up.  According to Jet2 it's P & O's fault for not listing us by name (going out) but listing us coming back (go figure!)  Next call was therefore to our cruise company and I am now awaiting their reply - such fun!  (Ah well - it gave me time to sort the ironing pile out at least.  It's really strange having all this unexpected free time!)  They then called back to say leave it until Sunday when the website should be updated - ah well, I am always too early!!

So, not quite the usual Monday but they do say that a change is as good as a rest!  I hope that you all batten down the hatches tonight and keep warm - I certainly intend to and will await to see what tomorrow morning brings us!  Let's just say that it doesn't look good for the WI walking group!

Clearing out the deadwood.

Around this time of the month I start to think about clearing out my email inbox.  Embarrassingly enough, my phone told me that I had 2476 emails!!! Ten minutes sat at the computer deleting "unstarred" emails (I star anything that I might want to keep) and this number had been reduced to 511.  I am sure that here are still some that could go - do I really need to keep many from 2016? - but I need more time to trawl through - "just in case"!!

This morning was church (I was well wrapped up - with the temperature plummeting it can be rather cold in church - even though they have heating under each pew)- followed by a brisk walk with the dogs.  We are still enjoying the cold sunshine although the wind can get you!  However, as I said yesterday, this afternoon was in the conservatory with my sewing machine (I treated myself to a machine case from Aldi last night - Wendy's fault!) and my "project".  Why the conservatory when it's so cold? - well, as I said yesterday, this project is growing so I need the large table when I am quilting!  I also managed to cut out my fabric for the first retreat mystery project.

This evening will, of course, be more hand sewing.  I have filled the coal bucket and lit the fire so it's nice and cosy in the lounge.  I have finished the Gail Pan February stitcheries and will iron them once they have been appliqued to their backgrounds.  For now my attention must turn to the embroidery that I need to finish for Wednesday's trip over to Spindle Cottage (if the snow doesn't stop me of course!)

"Hop, skip and a jump"

Hop:- last night, we had a great meal out (yes I stuck to SW friendly food - truthfully, I was going to indulge in a dessert but Mum sent me a text just before I left saying "be careful what you eat!" )  We also did very well at the quiz - eventually "hopping" into second place after storming the music round - there were a number of seventies groups so it made my life easier!

Skip:- this morning has been a gloriously sunny morning - one to give you a spring in your step (skip?) and so I tacked the housework before finally tacking my designed wall hanging (let's just say that this project has grown somewhat and would now cover a  double bed with ease!! I am having withdrawal symptoms from not using my sewing machine this week - so I am planning to be ensconced in front of it tomorrow after church! I even got round to washing down the wall but the front door - Daisy seems to think that she's helping me remove her lead if she stands on her hind legs and rests on the wall - but after a muddy walk?  It's not a good look I can tell you!  Talking about walks - we went up to the beach - but, at this point, I underestimated how cold it was and didn't wear my hat and gloves - BIG MISTAKE!

Jump:- Craftwise, I managed to cut another couple of retreat bag kits and prepared some sewing to take to the theatre tonight - yes, its another ice cream selling time.  This month I have done two stints - one of them was as a favour to the organiser.  It works out okay - I can't do my turn next month so will enjoy my time off!  Of course I may not get time to sew - it all depends on how long the first half is!  I also put a new mattress topper on the downstairs bed -trust me, by the time you have a deep mattress and then a luxury bed topper, you really want to "jump" into bed - it is soooooo comfortable!


I also received a nice treat in the post - my personalised cruise booklet - complete with luggage labels and the all important "dress code".  Most of it was as expected - formal / smart casual i the evening etc - but then they threw in a curve ball.  One of the nights is, apparently, a theme night!  The theme?  Well, "tropical", since you ask.  The only thing that I have that meets that criteria is a top I bought over a year ago - I will try it on but suspect that it won't fit anymore.  Another shopping trip me thinks! he he he!

"Meet and greet"

Today I went to the groomers with daisy left her there to be groomed and returned an hour later to a pristine young lady.  It's trouble free, she does a god job and Daisy has been used to it since being a puppy so she doesn't mind it.  I wish that I could say the same for my Dad's dog - Maisie.  Maisie is a border collie and has a fantastic life - with a 45 mins walk every morning (come wind, rain or shine) and loads of treats.  the only thing that Dad is squeamish about is brushing her and removing the matted clumps that form.  Hence, today, I took Maisie to a groomer for the first time for a "meet and greet" before they commit to grooming her.  I have to say that Maisie coped well, but they were a little horrified at some of the clumps they saw and have already removed them.  Needless to say - I have booked her in for the full works (the earliest data available is 27th March - must be a good sign if they are fully booked!).  It was a tad embarrassing(!!!!!) but I am hoping that this becomes a regular occurrence so that we don't have this problem in the future.


Taking Maisie back to Mum's, Dad had found some school reports of mine - which, again, could be a tad embarrassing.I like the one when I am 7 - apparently I am a "confident, capable child who gets on well with the other children in the class" yet, apparently, one year into the grammar school I have "gained much in confidence" - I always said that the grammar school affected my confidence!  However I do recognise myself in the comment "Lynda must try to work a little faster" (Needlework) or "Practical work causes some problems" (Home Economics).  Some things never change - do they?

Tonight it's the monthly book club meeting where we are discussing the book "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine" by Gail Honeyman - let's just say that I loved it and can recommend it!!

An emergency phone call .....

So, last night went well - or at least our teacher said that we did well.  This morning I ached (and nearly fell through the front door but hat's another story entirely!) so it must be doing some good - right?  However she has warned us that we could feel even worse tomorrow!

This morning, I was minding my own business and enjoying an almost free day - when the phone went.  It was Dad.  Now I should say, at this point, that he NEVER rings up!!  So, what was the emergency?  He wanted some family tree research!  Sensing that this could be an ongoing issue, I packed the pooches into the car and drove up there for a cuppa - and to give Dad a lesson on how to use the ancestry website to help him - we didn't see him for the rest of my visit!



Mind you - it gave me a chance to have a good look at Mum's new 3 piece suite - and try out the electric chair!  There are some issues that they need to get the engineer back to look at but it fits well in the room.  I am also pleased to say that the sofa was christened - by Daisy.  Their dog had avoided jumping on it, as had Millie.  But Daisy just went for it!!  I told her off, of course, but then she jumped on my knee and went for a ride on he electric chair - such fun!




Back home, it was a late lunch, a snooze in the sun and then a quick drink before going out to a late WI meeting (4pm) - hence the late publication of this post.  This was one of the regular committee meetings and should have taken place at 2pm this afternoon - but the chair had to go to her Pilates!  It must be catching.

So, yet again, no sewing - what is happening here?  I will try to make up for it tonight and work on finishing this month's Gail Pan stitcheries.  I am also trying a new SW recipe for tea - quite a radical one for me -Jerk chicken with Caribbean slaw -as ever, wish me luck!

Another day, another meeting!

Rather than boring you with details of a sewing day at Belchford being cancelled due to an important church meeting in Louth (think advert for new vicar) I thought that I would share two recent "posts" on facebook that seem to sum up my life!!  It would appear that I am suffering from both of them!

A recent study has indicated that fabrics give off certain pheromones that hypnotise women and cause them to purchase ungodly amounts of fabric. When stored in large quantities in enclosed spaces, the pheromones in the fabric causes memory loss and induce the gathering syndrome, similar to the one squirrels have before the onset of winter.
Sound tests have also revealed that these fabrics emit a very high-pitched sound heard only by a select few, known as stitchers. When played backward, the sounds are heard as chants...'Buy me! Stroke me!' Furthermore, pheromones seem to cause a pathological need to secret the fabric purchases away when one takes them home and blend them into the existing stash. When asked by a significant other if the fabric is new, the reply is, "oh, I've had it for a while!"
In order to overcome the so-called feeding frenzy effect that these fabrics cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility, and use ear plugs to avoid being pulled into their grip. It is also beneficial to enter these storage facilities without the presence of cash or credit cards.
Sad to say, the addictive qualities of this compulsive behaviour are cumulative, and are ameliorated only by the purchase of more and more and more fabric .
No cure is known at this time.

Tonight it's my first pilates session - wish me luck!!

Am I retired or still working?

Being serious - what is the definition of retirement?  It certainly isn't a life of luxury - doing nothing!  This morning I had a church meeting and this afternoon a WI meeting - I've had less meetings during a normal day at work!  Of course - my definition would involve choice.  I chose to be on the church PCC - and so needed to go to this morning's meeting.  Fortunately, I was asked to chair the meeting and set a time length of one hour to aspire to (we made it in 1 hour and 5 minutes).  Back home, I therefore had time to start sorting (and bin bag filling) through the bags / boxes removed from the lounge so that rubbish wasn't simply put back in!  I even found time to empty a sewing project box(the pen case) and put the components back in the right box.

After lunch, there was then the WI meeting - this time a group meeting to discuss our Aunt Sally entry for the Lincolnshire Show. We had chosen to meet at Appleby's so could enjoy a cuppa over our chat.  As it was, only members of our WI turned up but we enjoyed a lively discussion and arrived at a plan.  I was also approached by the owner and asked if I would be interested in selling some of my wares through their newly opened craft area - we had a tour around (although some imagination was needed at this stage - it is due to be opened at Easter!)  Oops - what have I let myself in for?

Back home and it was more sorting and tidying.  I have nearly finished sorting through everything that was dumped in the craft room from the lounge and need now to start on the conservatory!  I even found time to sort through my "smalls" drawer - decluttering / matching socks etc!  Wouldn't it be nice to stat a new trend - one where you wear un-matching socks! Tonight I am going to try and make a SW Chicken Korma using a SW curry sauce and a coconut yoghurt - "such fun"!!

Like I said - "retirement" is hardly a rest!

Life is just one huge patchwork quilt!

Well - that's what it feels like - doesn't it?  Today is the usual Monday routine.  First up was the Textile Group where some of us had moved onto the second project -a Lynette Anderson spool holder.  I had made the original one last year and LOVE it!  However I have that many spare spools that I needed a second one - and so am constructing one using patchwork hexagons rather than the embroidery version.  It should be a quicker construction - one hopes!  Talking about spools, we have sourced some from a local company who are able to make them a little cheaper - so I have stocked up!  At this rate I will need a third spool holder!




Home and it was a phone call to "Mucky Mutts" to see if they would take Maisie on for me.  She is a lovely dog and has a really shiny coat - but she doesn't like being groomed by Dad and, therefore, has clumps of fur hanging down - a matted coat is never good for a dog!   Dad has agreed (providing he doesn't have to take her and watch the process) that I can take her for a short visit to see how she gets on - so I have made the appointment for Friday lunchtime - ironically after Daisy has been groomed!  I also managed to layer up (just need to put some tacking stitches to give it extra hold) my designed wall hanging.  It has got a little large - and I needed to iron some fixing tape to join two pieces of wadding!  Every time I think about getting rid of this large table in the conservatory I remember how useful it is for large projects!

By now, it was time to head on out for Slimming World.  As it happened, I managed to lose 1.5lbs - although I wanted another couple for my efforts, I have to be resigned to this being one of those weeks where my body just didn't want to lose weight - I have certainly tried my best!  I did, however, win the raffle and now have a very full fruit bowl - including a grapefruit - something that I enjoy but rarely buy.  I also managed to drop a couple of raffle prizes off at the local pub - they are holding a fund raining event for the church but I can't go since it's a "pudding evening" where you eat three puddings - far too tempting (even for "treat night"!!).  Mind you - I then came back to a package from an online clothes company with some items for the cruise in it - they were all two sizes smaller than I started off with - and fit perfectly (although it won't be long before I need the next size down) so all of this effort is certainly worth it!

As you will see on the tracker, my total stair climbs since 1st January is now 412 - the equivalent of climbing Scarfell Pike - just saying!

Another busy day!

Let's start with last night and Avenue Q.  Somehow the thought of watching people talk and sing with a puppet on their arm just shouldn't work - but it did.  More than that it was brilliant.  Normally, when I watch a musical, there will be someone who is a little weaker than the rest - but each and every performer was brilliant!  It was a little racy in parts - but very funny and well worth a watch if you get the chance!



Back to today and, with the sun breaking through and the temperature reaching the heady heights of 7 degrees, I should have sent all day sorting the bedroom and lounge out (they look wonderfully bare at the moment but the rest of the house is cluttered with the stuff that I took out.  However I want to replace and sort at the same time (well, that's my excuse at any rate).  So, although I did spend about half an hour on the bedroom, I also completed the top of my quilt creation.  Being a quilt, the next step will be to layer it up and quilt it - not my favourite part of the process!  I am actually not quite sure if I have backing large enough in my "stash" so it may have to be pieced (see - you expected me to go out and buy now didn't you!!)  With the fabric out, I cut some pieces to make the "dilly bag" (yes I have no idea what that means either) project that came with Gail Pan's January stitchery and created a kit - there are now far too many for a three day sewing retreat but it's always useful to have something prepared that you can pick up and finish when you are at a loose end!



The dog walk was a lovely affair - it is so much nicer when you are not walking into the icy wind with your head down - and, when I got back, I even managed to prep and trace February's stitchery from Gail Pan.  Today was shaping up to be a busy but productive day!  My final task was to trim and border the Gail Pan wall hanging so that I "just" need to slip stitch it and then create the Suffolk puffs to sew on.  This list of UFO's is diminishing - slowly.

Now, it occurs to me that I haven't mentioned the diet much this week - particularly after the weight gain last week.  You may recall that I asked for a food diary to complete and gave the consultant carte blanche to give me grief if I put weight on.  Well, I can honestly say that I have been 100% on plan and have written everything down for her to scrutinise.  The result with one day to go?  My scales say a measley one pound off!!  Let's hope that they are wrong / I lose half a stone overnight!!

Hi - di - hi - Dobbo style!

As I said yesterday, today someone came to clean my carpets - but, erm, I didn't quite finish clearing the rooms last night - too tired!  So I set the alarm for 7 am and set to - hoovering before shutting the door so that the dogs couldn't undo my good work.  Consequently, by 9am I was finished and ready (she had an appointment elsewhere at 10am -what was I thinking?).  So -what's  girl to do with this free time?  Well, with my entertainment manager's cap on (I have self promoted myself for the sewing retreat) I started to wrap the prizes for the "games" - I will say no more!!!
 

Next on the agenda was the dreaded pen case that I started last year and was working on last Sunday.  Was today the day that it could be finally finished?  With the lady working on the carpets, it was easier to stay in the craft room, with the dogs, and work on something useful.  Mind you - after the machine had created loops where there shouldn't be loops and then I caught the zipper when I shouldn't have - I really felt like giving up!  The final "nail in the coffin was when I twisted one of the three zips"!  This is one UFO that looks destined never to be finished!!

I will also admit to getting distracted and buying some more clothes online - plus a new bedding set.  Now that I am permanently sleeping upstairs, a duck egg blue duvet set with red curtains just doesn't cut it!

So -did I give up on the pen case - is my name Dobbo?  Not on your nellie!  At 4pm, having started at 9am and walked away several times, I finished it. 

Is it perfect - absolutely not!

Would I be proud enough to sell it / give it away - no chance!!

Woudl I make another one? - not in this decade that's for sure!

BUT

Is it fit for purpose?  Well, it does have three zipped compartments that all work and the pens / pencils are now stored together in one place  -so, yes, it's fit for purpose and will be well used

JUST NEVER AGAIN!!

Tonight I am off to the theatre with Wendy to watch "Avenue Q" - I think that I deserve the break!!

Cruise momentum

Last night went well - the WI craft group started their personal squares with a whole range of ideas and crafting techniques.  If we continue in this vein then I have high hopes!







Today was an early start to go to Meadowhall and meet up with Trisha and Julia.  I took Mum and Dad as well - and they had a ball ferreting out bargains and clothes shopping.  I managed to pick up a bargain or two ( a tee shirt for £4.28 for example) before heading towards the m & S cafe for our meet up. I also took a gift for Trisha and Julia - remember those wash bags?

After much discussion, we managed to agree the itinerary for the cruise and decided upon the variety of excursions available to us.  As we were due to go to the Cruise shop anyway to show them our passports, we took the opportunity to book and pay for the excursions - now the next time we meet will be in the dead of night as I pick them both up to travel to the airport!  Exciting!!

Tomorrow I have splashed out and arranged for someone to come and clean my carpets - so tonight will be spent furniture arranging / moving!  Watch this space!!

The sun has got his hat on ......

Happymum commented yesterday "If music be the food of love , play on" - oh how apt that was for the RSC play last night.  Not only was it a marvellous production - funny and poignant in equal measures - but they had composed original music and the characters kept breaking into song - it was almost like a musical.  Since the play was set in Victorian times, the music was a mixture of music hall and Gilbert & Sullivan type - very enjoyable!

I woke up to a windy but very sunny day - isn't it nice how the sun can lift your spirits?  I had decided to try making my black and white clutch bag today and opted for the XL version (the sizes range from S to XXL) - it was just as well - my hone fits in - just!  However the sew along video made the bag go together like a dream so, apart from taping the paper pattern pieces together, I won't mind making another if I decided on a larger version..  However - what do you need on a boat?  As long as you have your phone and room key card - any costs can be charged to your room and settled at the end!

Any new pattern takes longer than it should - as you check and recheck - so I didn't finish it until lunchtime, by which time the pooches had found their sunny spots and were enjoying their snoozes!  It was a shame to wake them up to go for a walk!







After lunch it was time to start thinking about tonight and tomorrow.  Tonight it's the WI craft group and we are starting an exciting venture - the creation of a table cloth for the president's table.  I am encouraging every member to create / give an idea for someone else to create a square which identifies what WI means to them.  I am looking forward to seeing the range of ideas that people have come up with.  Tomorrow I am meeting up with Trisha and Julia to discuss the cruise - so spent some time this afternoon downloading the cruise excursions to see if anything appealed or whether we will simply plan to get off the boat and stretch our legs / have a cuppa n cake!

Success - at last!

Today was scheduled to be a sewing day at Belchford - but, for reasons too numerous to mention, I didn't go.  So, instead. it was a sewing day at home.  Remember that wall hanging that I was designing?  Well, today was the day that I wanted to put it together (and modify if needed).  I am delighted to say that it all fitted together and I am super proud of some of my seams ( I sewed each seam until 1/4" from the end so that these three awkward angles fitted together).  The downside to this success is that this will be the last picture for a long while - now I know that it works, it will turn into a present for some poor soul!!



I also managed to squeeze some free motion quilting for the Gail Pan wall hanging (at last you say!!).  Unfortunately the Suffolk puffs that I thought had been done hadn't - there is a bag of them but they are in the wrong colourway and waiting for another UFO.  Oops!

Being at home has other advantages, of course.  The bed has been stripped and bedding washed, the dogs walked and general tidying around completed. Lunch was "an all day breakfast spaghetti" (rather than reheated soup) and tea will be a beef stir fry.  One of my new year's resolutions (yes there were quite a few) was to cook every meal from the Slimming World calendar and the stir fry is February's meal.  To be truthful I even had to ask where the fish sauce and oyster sauce was in Tesco's but "in for a penny, in for a pound".  Next month is an ameretto cheesecake - mmmmm!



Tonight I am off to watch "Twelfth Night" as part of the RSC live series.  You may recall that my retirement ambition was to watch every RSC live production so that I have seen all of Shakespeare's plays (most of which are for the first time).  According to my records this will be number 19 out of 36 so there is still much to look forward to.  This evening's production stars Ade Edmonson and Kara Toynton so promises to be good.

On a totally different note - and pertaining to the blog title - as I sewed, I had the radio on and did the pop master quiz.  The first contestant was given the option of Diana Ross or The Osmonds as his bonus questions - you must know what I was shouting at the radio!  My score was a respectable 21 - I answered only one non-bonus question but all three relating to The Osmonds - go me!

Putting one foot in front of the other.

Yesterday was a gloriously sunny day here.  This morning is dry, and the sun is trying to peep out - but it's flipping freezing.  Why the weather forecast?  Well, today was the first walk for the WI walking group.  At least it was dry - but the sheepskin mittens were found and used!!  Mind you -  I started with a "traditional breakfast" - sweet bacon "pancakes" - a kind of sweetened omelette with cooked bacon embedded in it - I saw someone in America eating bacon / pancakes and maple syrup! Whilst it was SW friendly, it was ,erm, different!  I also downloaded February's BOM from Gail Pan - what a lovely surprise to wake up to!





As we walked around the village, I picked up my dogs (others had taken theirs but I wasn't sure whether we could or not) and we continued walking - in the end it was nearly three miles (and I wasn't the last to finish - I didn't know that I was so fit!).  Mind you I did take a rest when I got home - a cuppa and time with the jigsaw - finishing it at last!!



Lunch was some lovely warming butternut squash and sweet potato soup (by which time I will confess to stiffening up and therefore enjoying an afternoon nap!) .  After my, erm, gain yesterday I am determined to have a 100% week and Susan (the consultant) has agreed to give me grief if I don't lose this week!





Ever one for milking the situation, I then used my "sitting own time" to clear the desk in the craft room - honestly even I can't find a thing!!  Mind you - I came across some "treasures " so it was worth it!!  Daisy tries to hide cutlery under her bed so a quick shake down whilst I swept the room revealed this week's stash! 





But then I moved on to focusing on the upcoming cruise.  Trisha, Julia and I are meeting up on Friday to discuss the final details so I wanted to check details such as the time of my parking spot at the airport, reservation details to take with me to the agent on Friday etc. I also need a clutch bag for the smart evening functions and started to look online to buy one.  However I then came across a cute pattern and thought - why not make it yourself?  So, this afternoon, I spent some time cutting it out and preparing it.  Gee another sewing project to add to my list!!


All that's left to do is to make tea, cook a "scan bran" cake whilst the oven is on and then to make some oat pancakes to have for dessert with sliced banana, thick yoghurt and drizzled chocolate.  It's life in the fast lane for me!! 

Well - it turns out that you can't have your cake and eat it!

Yesterday I spent the day sewing at Scamblesby.  There really wasn't much to tell you - hence the no posting yesterday - I didn't even finish the pencil case.  However I will "big up" Pat's "Shipping forecast" quilt - it is nearing completion and looks fantastic!






Today there was no Textile Group (with it being half term) and so I took the opportunity to get prepared for the WI craft group this week - we are making a table cloth for the president's table and so I cut up and backed 7" squares ready to transfer designs.






With a detour to Tesco's for the "big shop" , it was then onto Slimming World.  As you know, I had a great start to the week but it turns out that a Stilton and cheddar scone, a piece of bakewell tart, a sausage roll and a piece of birthday cake at Scamblesby all result in a weight gain!  Who knew!!  Ah well, I have asked the consultant for a food diary to fill in and then she has to be horrible to me if I don't lose - she agreed far too quickly for my liking!

Right - off to food plan and then settle in for the evening.  Onwards and upwards!