nagged2k

2008-03-05T11:37:00.001Z

Who is that stranger?

2008-01-30T23:28:00.000Z

It's me!!!

Still alive and only on to try something ...

.. so let's see if it works ...

Oh, joy of joy. It worked. I can now post foties in the middle of text instead of all the pics at the start and without the font and text going all wonky!!!

BTW above is my latest creation - Ollie from The Magical World According to Miss Mollie - Louisa Harding. Knitted with Louisa Harding Kimono Angora and Louisa Harding Fauve (book and yarn available from Stitching Time, Hamilton). Okay .. it is a big big for the dummy, but the dummy ain't going to be wearing it!

So now I can walk and fart at the same time I should be able to get a decent shop blog going!!

Off to fill my hottie and get to bed. Been to Livi to see TAH and Elsie (yeah, yeah I do know how long it is since my last post thank you very much for reminding me! And to be fair .. you were discrete enough not to mention it this time and I did return the discretion by not mentioning your doob! Oops did I just mention it? To the whole world you say? Oops!)

Catch ya later.

ps Got a new camera so not only can I walk and fart at the same time but I can walk and fart and chew gum at the same time!!! Crude? moi?

Araucania Ranco Multi Socks - My Current Obsession

2007-11-29T00:52:00.000Z

So ... am I going over the top about this yarn? It's on here, it's on the shop blog (with more details about the .. well .. details), and it is on Ravelry.

I absolutely love it and it is all down to TB. He was left on his own with the Designer Yarns rep and he ordered it without a word to me. I don't care - I just wish he had ordered more colours.

I have just turned the heel on the first sock and I have tried it on - you almost purr when you put your foot in it. Honestly, I dont remember ever going on so much about a yarn, not even my favourites (LH Impression, LG Luxor, LH Grace, R Tapestry, etc). The colours are amazing and I am going to use them all - even the ones we haven't got in YET.

Seriously worth dying for - even if it has already been hand dyed in Chile. But I won't be chilly with these little beauts on my tootsies (and the rest of my leg-ends of course).

I'll tell you something else .. it knits up really quickly. I can't believe how far I have got on with it in the short time I have spent doing it. I keep saying it looks like a bruise cos I am using the bluey/purply one but that's my powerful descriptive skills fur ya.

I can't decide which one to use next. Hmm, decisions, decisions. Mind you, the ball looks like it has hardly been touched. I'm going to weigh it when I finish the first sock to see how much there is left.

We got the second Araucania book at the same time and it has sock patterns for the Ranco as well as some garment patterns, so you never know I may rustle up a wee thing to wear with it. but I am not forgetting I have a helluva lot of things to finish yet (that I haven't listed under any labels in Ravelry - too scared to see it in black and white, oh and colour if I put pics in too but I don't think the camera could take that much work) and start (that I haven't listed ..... )

Anyway, off to the Land of Nod. Hope tomorrow morning my phone alarm hasn't vibrated so much that it has fallen on the floor so that I am really confused cos it is ringing and I don't know where the noise is coming from cos I'm half asleep and I am feeling about like a feeler cos I don't have my glasses on yet and then find that the back has come off about an hour later when I go to wake up TB and wonder what that is lying on the floor and thank god I haven't stood on it and broken it.

Ravelry

2007-11-27T17:44:00.000Z

Well folks - I've been invited and I've joined up. Yes, I'm now a Ravelryer.

Bloody Hell! I've hardly got time to do this and I'm now in Ravelry? When do these people get time to knit never mind have a life? It's pretty good though. You can list your stash and your projects and your needles etc and there are loads of groups to join as well. You can be in there for hours and hours.

Anyway, just thought I'd put in a wee post just to let you know I haven't gone into hibernation. So now I have done that, I am off to catch up on some other blogs before I head off to see MWM and WM.

Will post some foties next time.

Byeeeee.

Dragon's Den

2007-10-23T07:42:00.001Z

How could I?

How could I forget Dragon's Den when I was scheduling my Soap Night. So change of plan. 9pm Dragon's Den. 10pm ANTM. Only next week, Prison Break might be back on and I will have to re-schedule .. again! Who said watching soaps made for easy viewing?

Anyway, had a (very) quick look for the You-doo Doll featured on last night's show. Couldn't find her website (well didn't look very hard) but it is for sale on a few wesites including this one. Good luck to her, I say!

Had a chuckle at the teacher's presentation - but who am I to chuckle? I have to do a presentation on Mon 5 Nov to a group at a local church. Oh, BTW, does anyone have any unusual yarn I could borrow to show? Not for me to knit with!!!!! I would like to show some yarn from unlikely sources. I have cotton, bamboo, soya bean fibre, crabshells and possum. I am going to see if I have time to do a wee sample using carrier bags and I have a UFO knitted with wire and beads. And if you think, at least I'm not looking for money like the teacher was, think again - they want me to take stuff to sell. Won't sell much if they have all nodded off!

Hee-hee. We were asked to a group before. We thought it was just to take a few bits and pieces to sell. Turned up at the hall .. well, to cut a long story short ... I ended up doing a half hour off-the-cuff presentation with TB looking through the window in the door, pointing and laughing. Later, after we were asked to judge a sewing competition (!!), when we were sitting having tea and cake, we were asked how much our fee was. I nearly drowned the woman with tea spray as I choked telling her we didn't want a fee and they should keep it for their funds or give it to charity.

Lesson learned - before you enter the dragon's den - be prepared!!!!!

Off to do some paperwork, continue with Muti-directional scarf done in Tapestry (soya bean fibre - guess what for), go to Hamilton and head for Livi to see TAH and get a baldie. Oh and possibly do a bit of ironing and other sundry housework stuff. Oh, nearly forgot - try to get a small bit done on shop blog????

Day off - bah humbug!

See ya, wouldn't want t'be ya!

Dangling Dangly Bits

2007-10-21T17:22:00.000Z

Good evening visitors. How are you?

TB has been watching football (the makems) and is now watching the Grand Prix so I have had the opportunity to catch up on some blogs. I can't believe how long it has been since I last visited. We are not talking days. We are not even talking weeks. We are talking months!!!!

I was going to do the shop blog but I have left my camera in the shop and photographs that were meant to be put on are either still on the camera or have been downloaded in the shop. Not much use then!! Guess I'll have to do it tomorrow and there will be a greetin' match tomorrow cos I'll get pelters for being on the computer. Oh, not because I'll be in the back shop and not in the front shop, but because someone will not be able to get into their precious football forum. I am going to join it on the quiet and noise him up. lol

Anyway, I have a cunning plan to buy a laptop and use it when he is playing on-line poker. I can sit at my Gran's bureau and tap away to my heart's content, with the telly on, and I won't have to get off to let him on cos he has a game in ten minutes. I love my bureau and I'm so glad we have finally brought it round from MWM's. Gonna have to get a French Polisher to give it a good going over - it had years of abuse from me years ago (including a big blob of Tippex which I don't want to go picking at. Pesky students!)

So - have just about finished the Freedom Spirit hat with sideburns - just have to attach the dangly bits to the sideburns. (These are technical terms for the uninitiated.) I have decided to finish a UFO every wek until they are all done but that doesn't include the stitching ones. The knitting ones are mainly finishing off, the stitching ones are WIPs. There is one stitching one I do want to finish though. I want to give it to MWM for her Christmas - well, she was meant to get it two years ago when I started it.

It's gone all quiet downstairs - Grand Prix finished? Don't hear that damned annoying Sky music so he can't be checking out the channels. Oh no. It's Star Trek. he has it on Series Link.Sorry, I am not a Sci-Fi girl, although I don't mind one of the minging ones he watches. I just don't tell him.

Never mind, tomorrow night is Soap Night. Only complaint is that River City isn't on a Monday. But ... ANTM is on at Nine and Prison Break is on at ten. Yippee. Soaps from seven til eleven. How sad am I? But soaps good for a knit-along and I have (another) cunning plan for that. More later.

Sunday night has become 'Running About Hamilton With Tables And Chairs' night while we await our delivery of new ones. Never, ever ever buy from Furniture at work. Delivery is usually 7-9 days? Looking more and more like 7-9 months, never mind 7-9 weeks. Shuda gone to Ikea but they didn't have what we needed. We need them for the Beading Group that meets on a Monday morning in the shop Craft Room.

Anyway, so while waiting for folk to get home from where they have been so we can borrow their furniture again, I'm off to make some dangly bits dangle. Catch ya later when I have my camera.

Yes, I'm STILL Still Alive!

2007-10-11T22:59:00.000Z

I can't believe it is over a month since my last post!

I haven't been in any other blogs, haven't updated the shop blog ... haven't seemed to have done much of anything really but it is now October and I haven't a clue where September went to!

Funny though, cos for not having done anything, I have been helluva busy!

So ... here is a picture I took at Stirling all those weeks ago. It is a picture of work done by an Embroiderer's Guild Summer Scholar and it is stitching done on slate. Yes, slate!

I have enough bother trying to motivate myself to stitch on fabric at the moment never mind climbing up on the roof to nudge a slate off for stitching. Although ... one of the things I have been up to is getting back to the EG (Embroiderers' Guild). Maybe I'll get one or two stitching UFO's finished. Oh, did I not mention that I have hunners of them as well as my knitting UFO's? Yep, another condition I have is CSD - Compulsive Starting Disorder. I just love starting things. (Er ... C&G. Least said, soonest mended. However, in my defence it is the sort of thing, ie education, you do over the autumn, winter, spring months and then you have a summer break. TB - we didn't have a summer though!?! Wheesht.)

So, here are some things I have to fill you in on:

Stirling
Insulin Pump
Car off the road
New ceiling in living room and ensuing coup of a home
Mad David
Noro scarf, slipovers, Baby Bamboo baby jacket all finished
Tables and chairs and a big THANK YOU God for the nights drawing in
Sundry items probably not worth bothering about ... but I like to drone on zzzzz

So I'm now off to bed - have a pile of things to do tomorrow in the shop (and that is Stitching Time, 14 Haddow St, Hamilton in case you had forgotten) and I want to be up and as fresh as a daisy (first time for everything).

Catch y'all later. Night, night.

Multi-tasking

2007-09-06T23:54:00.000Z

Just to let you know I am still alive!

Back from Stirling and off for another skive next week - I'm off to Monklands every day next week to learn how to use my INSULIN PUMP. Yippee! I will be a real woman at last cos I will be able to multi-task. Yep! I will be be able to walk and pump at the same time. What's that? Real woman, is it? That kind of humour is more akin to that of a young boy? Ach, geeza brek!

Ever done that doing something and it happens in slow motion thing? Happened to me not 15 minutes ago.

Came upstairs with a coffee and a glass of Diet Coke. Put on the light with my elbow. Leant over to put the vessels on the desk and don't know what happened next but it happened in slow motion. O v e r t o m y l e f t I w e n t, a r m s a n d l e g s a k i m b o. C o f f e e a n d C o k e f l y i n g e v e r y w h e r e. L a n d e d o n m y a s s a f t e r s h r i e k i n g l i k e a b a n s h e e. How did I get so far from my starting point? Silly sod! Now sitting in a t-shirt and my knicks cos I soaked my fleece and joggies. Not a pretty sight!

Anyway, off to bed. Just wanted to let you know I am still in the land of the living. Still doing stupid things. And ... still not caught up any blogs. I will be up early on Sunday before TB gets his mitts on the pc and doing some blog reading - looks like I have a lot to catch up on!!!!!

Catch ya later. Might get some Stirling pics on.

ps Have you seen the new Rowan pattern book for Kidsilk Haze yet? I can see my Autumn resolution being broken soon. (It was to finish all - well some - of my UFOs.) Btw, it is (the book) available from Stitching Time, Hamilton of course!

I Don't Beeeeelieve It!

2007-08-14T19:44:00.000Z

Just a quickie while the footie is on (Everton v Spurs or Spurs v Everton - Who knows? Who cares?) and before I go making notices and posters to take to Stirling. Yep! Sometimes I do take work seriously. What was that? Was that my conscience asking why I am so behind in preparations if I take my work so seriously? Ach, shut it. I've got my knitting projects ready and packed.

Well, I was taking it so seriously that I was down at the shop on my day off. We were making up fabric packs, pricing threads, making lists of what has to be packed last thing before we go, etc, etc. We were so engrossed that we didn't even break for a fag until 5.50pm, when we headed out the back door. (Yes, we have a back door now .... as well as 3 toilets. 3? Yes, 3!) So out we toddled through the communal corridor (close) to the first of the big doors and realised that all was locked and secure for the night. Oh! (or words to that effect!) Guess what. We were locked in. When we arrived at the shop, TB went back out and secured the front doors including the padlock on the storm doors. When I had to go out later on, I just used the other door. Unfortunately, amonsgst the things we are waiting for Rigsby to see to is the supply of keys to our new property - oh, and a handle to the outside of the door. Oh the building is lovely and secure - especially when you are last to leave and you don't have a key.

So ... on to the phone. Got BIL. 'Is anyone free to come down to the shop? We're locked in.' 'Oh. Do you want someone to come down and feed you chips through the window?' 'If the window could be opened we'd be out' (From their kitchen.) ... TMO ... 'Is Nan locked in the shop?' How did that happen?' BIL 'It's Nan ...she's a bit simple.' TMO 'Is she having a hypo?' TB 'Tell them it was my fault.' TMO 'They're as bad as each other!' (She's got great hearing being a teacher.) Me 'No, I'm not having a hypo. We're just locked in.' BIL 'Flora doesn't have any keys.' Me 'We'll put them out the letterbox.' TB 'How did she get in the other week?' TMO 'Hehehe' BIL 'How did you manage that?' Me 'It was David.' BIL 'Euan's just away out in my car and Gillians car is blocking Flora's' Me 'We'll wait.' TMO 'How did they get locked in?' BIL 'It's Nan - she's simple.' TMO 'Is she having a hypo?' Me 'No!' TMO 'Is the padlock shut too?' Me 'We're locked in!!!' BIL 'Someone will be down the now.'

That was the shortened version. Thank God I wasn't phoning a mobile! And how come everyone can hear everything being said?

And how come an old strange looking bloke with a collie was mouthing obscenities at me when I was driving along a road doing 30 mph (cos I was passing a speed camera but would have been doing 30mph anyway!) and he and his dug were jaywalking? Is it just me or does no-one bother with the traffic anymore and just launch across the road because the driver'll be done not them? BTW, try turning into Avon Street - nobody looks there.

Right - three fronts of slipovers to be knitted at Stirling and a sock and a half just in case. Yes, one front is the Grace slipover one - because I am sooo embarrassed taking the same thing every time I go to the Tramway. Y'never know, I might be wearing it next time. Mind you, I might get caught up in the enthusiasm at Stirling and start embroidering something. Nah! Going to finish my projuects, even if it is to prove I can!

So off to get some coffee and get on with the notices. I will have time when I get back to catch up with everyone on their blogs - I promise. Taking my camera with me this time so I will be able to post some of the work they do.

In case I forget - D - delectable? (Are you sure it was TB you met?) and SB2 - slightly cheekier? (Was that a wee implication there?)

Bye fur noo. Won't be there on Sunday. Off to Stirling. Nan in a van with a man. Oo-er missus!

PS What's orange and sounds like a parrot? Doh! A carrot! No I'm not having a hypo!

Photos as Promised

2007-08-10T09:09:00.000Z

Noro Silk Garden Lite - I feel a slipover coming on It's Silk Garden but DK! (Get that other stuff finished first - TB) TB was quite excited when about 10 boxes of different yarns from different suppliers arrived yesterday. But then he got quite 'emotional' because the one he was hyper about never came! (Emotion - hint, hint Wait and see!) Then he was going spare cos he had to find room for it all. (Ha, ha. Can't blame me this time, can you Mij?) Wait until the back orders come. lolol

There's a Stranger in These Here Parts ...

2007-08-09T18:38:00.000Z

... yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's been over a month. What can I say? Well, there was the world cruise to start with, then every single yarn producer that ever lived came to visit me and left me samples to try out and then I finished all my UFOs. It's my blog and I'll lie if I want to. In fact, you would lie too if it happened to you. (Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo do)

Actually I have managed to sneak on to show you my pictures of some of my new stash. (I'm not going to tell you how excited I was yesterday cos even I'm not that crude!) But ... guess who left their camera at work. Yep! However, let me just say Lang, Louisa Harding, Debbie Bliss and Noro (I'll not mention the others in case there are any yarn snobs reading this - you know who you are, India oh that slipped out lol.)

I'm not allowed to take any of it to Stirling with me - I have to take a bundle of UFOs to do while I sit between classes. TB is such a spoilsport. Mind you with no car and too far to walk to the bus stop there's not a lot else to do. I suppose I could go and take some of the EG classes but since I haven't bothered my *rse doing any of my C&G stuff yet I don't feel suitably artistically enthusiastic and especially not for stitching! So will get some stuff finished to save me going stir crazy.

Hmmm. Could always take your C&G stuff? Aye, right! Well, I might stick in my Drawing for Dummies book if there is room.

DAFNE and I are not hitting it off. So, I am going for a pump. And yes, my sense of humour has not matured any. Probably Septemberish. At least I won't have to worry about that at Stirling.

Have to go and do some more preparation work but before I go here is a worrying thought ...

TB and I set off for Stirling Uni on Tuesday morning. We stopped in Bridge of Allan for some lunch. Sauntering back to the car, we saw this old bloke with a stick trying furiously to get into the drivers door of a huge black Mercedes saloon parked by the pavement. We looked at each other with that look that asked a thousand questions, the main one being 'Whit?'.

On spotting the black Fiesta behind with who we supposed was the old blokes wife pointing like a looney to the inside of the car where she was a passenger and mouthing 'This one', we guessed he was trying to get into the wrong car. Now ... Mercedes - Fiesta. Both black. Easy mistake? Wife in passenger seat - old bloke driving? Yet again we looked at each other, but with a different look - the one that makes a thousand comments, the main one being 'Scary!'

Will catch up on blogs as and when. Adios for now!

PS Here is a big hello to my new friends from over the pond. 'Hello!'

Show-Off and Nothing Much Else

2007-07-03T21:31:00.000Z

So I've not been on for a while so here are a few things to show what I have been nagged to knit recently.

First is a trainer sock, knitted with Regia - a blogland special.

Next is a cricket slipover knitted in Rowan Pure Wool.

Finally, a baby jacket knitted with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and the wee hoodie knitted with the Debbie Bliss Astrakhan.

All of these yarns are, of course, available from Stitching Time, Hamilton.

At some time, I will have time to muck about with the html and get the pics spaced throughout the blog but until then you will just have to make do with this layout. Also, when I put pics on, the line breaks get lost so that is crap as well.

Was looking forward to going to Woolfest with Heather on Saturday, but decided against it (with the DAFNE 'n all). Damn! Bet it was great.

Went over to Motherwell today and took the risk of not carrying my passport! lol Met two friends and ex-colleagues for lunch. Caught up with some goss and found out Stephen finally got the promotion he should have got when I left. So ... congratulations Sooty!

TMO is off to Edinburgh tomorrow to have tea with a VIP. I'm not invited but my handbag is gatecrashing for me. See if the security spot that one.

Heard a joke today about the recent Glasgow Airport 'incident'. Should I tell? It's not pc. Tough, it's my blog and I can cry if I want to. They did it on Saturday cos it was Ramavan. (Shortened version)

Going on to the Purlescence site to buy some needles cos it is the summer sale. Was going to buy needles yesterday but kept getting disturbed and got an e-mail to day about the sale. Yippee! Wasn't that lucky?

That's all for now. Got some shopping to do and some checking out of blogs.

Byeeeee!

For D

2007-06-27T15:32:00.001Z

On Sunday at the KnS I was wearing a top I had knitted (yes and finished!). D asked what the yarn was so here is a photo and the details:

Filatura Di Crosa 'Orchidea'

50g

35% viscose, 25% cotton, 20% acrylic and 20% polyamide

75m

8mm needles

Sari Ribbon and Kipping

2007-06-21T09:19:00.000Z

Take a hank of Louisa Harding Sari Ribbon, wind it up into a ball and then knit a sleeve ... that is what I did yesterday.

Sit outside the shop and knit in public for WWKIP Day. (I don't reserve my kipping for special days - my usual spot for kipping outside the shop is across the road on the church wall, but only when it is sunny and, especially, warm. There is a dent that my bum fits into very nicely.) I knew these photos weren't deleted!

Must dash - TB will catch me.

How come when I haven't had a chance to check out blogs everyone has being going nuts with the blogging and knitting/other crafty crafts?

Felted Crochet Bag

2007-06-14T17:07:00.000Z

At last, the crochet bag is finished - and felted! Not bad for a first attempt, even if I do say so myself!

Over at Livi last night for a baldie. TAH didn't believe I was learning to draw until I started to show Elsie how to draw a Wuzzy-Woo (don't ask!). She did it very well, so I am sure there are going to be Wuzzy-Woos all over the place.

Over to Monklands today - they are not talking if I get a pump, but when I get a pump. Hotdiggety!!

TB is sooo tired - wee soul - because I have to set my alarm for 3am to check my blood. Funny the things we can do on automatic pilot though.

Got a new book from Amazon. It is Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby. It looks fantastic and I am certainly going to have a go at at least one of the patterns. Just flicking through it, I can see there is a bit of knitting history in it too, so that will be fascinating as well. Think Kathleen will love it - if she doesn't have it already. You should have seen the size of the box it came in - TB just gave me that look and asked if I had been ordering from Amazon again. 'Looks like it,' I replied, ''but I didn't think it was a big book.' To give you an idea of the size of the box ... I got four bags of Freedom Spirit in it... for one book?

Can't decide whether to iron and then knit, or knit and then iron. If I iron first, I will get carried away and no knitting will be done, but if I knit first, no ironing will be done. Decisions, decisions. Maybe I'll just do some knitting and then go to bed. After all, I have to get up at 3 o'blooming clock again!

Okay, decision made. Finish here, visit a few blogs, make some coffee, have a wee look at my new book, feel all inspired so have to do a wee bit of knitting, go to bed early. Okey, dokey, evening sorted.

Worldwide KIP Day

2007-06-09T23:32:00.000Z

Hey Folks ... how'ya diddlin'?

TB took some foties today. I was sitting outside the shop knitting in honour of WWKIP Day (and because it was roasting in the shop!). However, only one appeared when I was downloading them. Must ask tomorrow if he deleted the others. Like the t-shirt? Was washed when I came home tonight so I can wear it tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow I make my return to the Tramway for it is KnS day. And, indeed, I will be kipping. Here's hoping there will be no drama (haven't been since that incident). However, I have returned from the planet DAFNE and I am controlling my diabetes admirably. Not! Still at the tuning stage - fine-tuning will come later. (She said optimistically.)

I have started a new blog, DAFNE Disciple, to get the boring medical stuff away from here - for this is my knitting blog and all I seem to do is talk about my health (or, lack of it). Haven't posted on it yet. Lucky to get two mins to post on here - trying to get some nagged2k projects done as well as my crochet felted bag (remember that one?).Oh ... and ... giving it ZZZZZ on the couch - am knackered after last week.

So Heather is going to have the abbreviation SB2, because I have two SBs on my list. Don't worry SB2 - it does not stand for Senior Bitch - and I will not crumble under pressure to change it to CB to avoid confusion!!

So, off to bed - if I can get to sleep for singing about coloured outer garments. D ... AL-W is Andrew Lloyd-Webber (and since he has been in my living-room every Saturday night for weeks now, I have dispensed with the formalities of titles!) and I was referring to 'Any Dream Will Do' or 'The Josephs'. Lee won and Keith was second (as I predicted). However, I thought Ben would get through, as the punters favourite, and come third. But my faith in the Lord was restored last week when he booted Ben out - so just as well I had no money on it. (Ben was a nice cheeky chappie type but he couldn't hold a note in a bucket.)

Anyway, off to bed. Will have a wee sticky-beak on some blogs first. Have to get up at 3am (yes, 3am) to check my blood. The way I am, and will be, going, I will be able to hold my needles a new way - am testing my blood so often I will have holes in my fingers so I'll be able to put the needles through them (think Edward Scissorhands). Oo-er, hope I don't get piles.

Nightie, night.

Quick Catch Up

2007-06-05T17:49:00.000Z

Just a quickie....

... finished DB hoodie and it is in shop. Will take a fotie when I am back in.

... not in this week cos I am on the DAFNE course. It's soooo cool - we get to play with plastic food!

... almost finished front of Rowan slipover and got back out, just to see how it looked - as you do. That's funny. Yes, had misread the pattern for placing the cables on the back. Finished front. Frogged the back when I got home today. (Croak, croak.)

... you girls and your jealousy. Murrrrrrder for him most likely, if he was even to remember, and I was only 11, so had no basis for comparisons thank you very much.

... TAH - too much information!

... D - and you're an accountant! Cool!!!!

... Heather - haven't got an abbreviation for you yet (softlee, softlee, catchee monkee). I can so empathise with Al. Nice to know these things don't just happen to me.

... omigod - cos there is one - AL-W booted out Ben at last!

... off to to prepare for River City after a wee quick look at some blogs.

Catch ya later

Added later (after reading D's list of 8 things) - I repeat, and you're an accountant! Cool!!!!

8 Things About Me

2007-06-03T11:59:00.000Z

1 Most unusual place I've knitted.

Wired up in Law hospital ITU where I spent three months. Well, a girl needs something to do.

2. Scariest thing I've done.

Arranging to meet someone I've met on the internet. We're still together after three and a half years and I love him to bits.

3. Most famous person I've snogged.

Jim MacPherson (Taggart) when I was 11.

4. Biggest gamble(s) I've taken.

Opening my wee shop, extending it and then extending it again.

5. Most important thing to me.

Aside from the obvious, the shop's reputation. It's probably the worst thing about me too cos it is worth more to me than money (sorry accountants) and makes me the worst businesswoman in the world.

6. Most stupid thing I've done.

Decided to go for ... breaking my elbow in Lanzarote between checking into the apartments and actually getting into the apartment.

7 Most surprising thing I've done.

Getting my diploma in maths while doing my degree cos I am really, really crap with numbers.

8. Furthest away place I've visited.

Thailand. Went there on my own for a holiday.

Okay D, you are het.

Lucky Dog!

2007-06-01T19:07:00.001Z

So ... at the weekend, I only got as far as Newcastle while D got to NY (lucky dog!). But .... look what WM got up to!! Now that is one lucky dog!!

Up to Hairmyres today. Saw doc. Being referred to Neurologist. She said there is always a long waiting list for Neurology - unless they suspect cancer. Guess who is not looking for an appointment anytime soon.

Anyway .. what about this ... left car park at 11.50am. Sun was splitting the trees. Window open. Radio on. Shades on. Jacket off. Blower on cold. Gorgeous. Back to shop. Couple of customers came in at 1pm. Just down from East Kilbride - where it was hailstones!!!!! Imagine that. What a change in an hour!

Remembered to lift Addi Turbo so off to finish DB Cashmerino Astrakhan. (Remember - they are all available from Stitching Time, Hamilton.) And it is Friday so I have a date with Ugly Betty.

Catch ya later!

Boring Post About A Load of Old Codswallop

2007-05-31T20:55:00.000Z

Ello peeps.

Just to let you know I am still in the land of the living.

What has been happening? Too much for me to relate in one sitting but I'll give you a wee taste.

Unlike D jetting off to to NY, I hit the road to NC (Newcastle). Didn't pass Jimmy Nail, but did pass several people speaking Geordie. (Howay the lads! Whereye ganin bonnie lass? Away man woman!) Actually the last is TB's customer banter and I hear it all the time. Got the DB hoodie all but finished - 'oh dear I don't have a 4.5mm circular needle so I'll have to get an Addi turbo' (she lied). Guess where I got one - yes, you've guessed, Stitching Time, Hamilton. And guess where it still is. Yes, you've guessed, Stitching Time, Hamilton. Keep forgetting to put it in my bag.

C&G folder came - yippee. Was a bit daunted at first but I am getting into it now. The art and design bit was the bit that terrified me but I am feeling all artistic now. Anyway, I have loads of the materials for that from when I started doing the same course for machine embroidery (but had to stop cos I broke my elbow and couldn't drive through to Cardonald - yes another long and boring story - eh, TAH? lol). But it is all laid out so you know what you are doing.

Down at NC I went swanning into Borders with my list and got nothing on it but did get Drawing for Dummies and a cool knitting stitches book (like I don't have a million of them). Sat sketching in the car on the way home as I started working my way through the drawing book and TB was getting mad at me cos I kept shoving my sketch pad out shouting 'Look what I've drawn. Look. Look.' Am in the process of planning a logo for my designs. (lolol, aye right!)

Went to Monklands to see about this insulin pump. Spoke to the Sister and the Dietitian (both very nice) and then to the doctor (very nice too). You have to go through a lot of processes before they even consider you as a potential candidate to be put forward for one!!! There are only ten, yes ten, in the Lanarkshire Area per year so they are very careful about candidates, as you can imagine. Anyway, I was given a a folder to record food, blood sugars etc and an appointment for three weeks time. Then I went into the doc. She was sooo young .. and a consultant! (Must be getting old.) She was lovely. And not just because she thought I had the medical credentials (hah!). There is a course they run eveery so many months and there is an 18 month waiting list for it. She wanted me to have priority so guess who is going on it from Monday (all day Mon - Fri). A cancellation had my name on it. Yippee. The course is about DAFNE. On Friday we finish at lunchtime and go to the pub for lunch cos part of the course is dealing with eating out. lol oh .. pub lunch is not on NHS! They reckon that some candidates manage so well with this way of managing their diabetes that they can manage without a pump, so maybe I won't need one. Going onto a pump is the next step after DAFNE cos you pretty much manage your diabetes the same way except without having to inject.

Anyway, blah, blah, enough about that.

Off to Hairmyres tomorrow to see about my leg (the nerve thing). Was there a fortnight ago and the doc I saw there (also very nice) seemed to be interested in doing something and she has put her money where her mouth is by phoning me on Tuesday herself to tell me she wanted to see me and the receptionist phoned a couple of hours later with the appointment for tomorrow. I can't believe it. Are things changing for me?

Heather posted a comment on my last post telling I was het. So I have to list 8 (interesting) things about myself. Harumph! Only eight? lol Still thinking about that one (or how will I whittle them down?) Heather has done it and so have Kathleen and India. Wonder if D has done it yet. Maybe I'll tag her if she hasn't.

Soon be KIP day. I'm working so the only KIP I'll be doing is sitting knitting at the table in the ST:designer room (in BH) in front of the window if it gets quiet later on. TB is threatening to get a red light above the table but I don't know why. Have started some try me samples in there - so far got some LH, DB and Rowan on pins - some on bamboo and some on metal (not aluminium). As for Stitching Time, have the Sirdar order in and have ordered some the Baby Bamboo.in it. Aw, it's sooo soft. (The rep looked like an undertaker, lol)

Okay, enough is enough. Going down to do an hour of knitting, or perhaps some sketching? Maybe I'll just have a bath and contemplate eight interestings facts (right now I'd be pushed to think of one - oh wait, I can get a pint glass in my mouth, does that count? And there was that incident in the toilets of the church hall when I ... nah! That's just gross. Well, what about the time when we were on a cycling holiday up the Trossachs and we hitched a lift in a van up The Rest and Be Thankful and ... hmm, TAH, would that count as interesting?) Nope, will have to think about that assignment.

Going downstairs - TB has some sci-fi rubbish on. Gimme strength. Byeeeee.

ps Taped the Josephs when we were away. Sad or what? Ben, Keith and Lee for the final. Lee to win. Want Keith to win. Still wondering why Ben is still in.

IT'S HERE!

2007-05-23T08:58:00.000Z

It's here!

On two pages I looked at - OMG!

Taking it to Monklands to look at while I wait to see about a pump. lol

More later (on both subjects.)

Catching Up

2007-05-16T18:58:00.000Z

Three posts in one day. Get a life or what? What's a girl to do when there is football on the telly (WBA v Wolves) and there is broadband lying idle? Will go down for a cosy bit of quality time (lol, TB watching football and me knitting, - at least we will be in the same room on the same settee!).

So, Sunday. As I said before, Carol's crochet tutorials went down very well. Even TAH had a go at crochet (she won a crochet bag kit on the tombola and thought she'd better learn how to do it) but sorry besie mate, you looked as if you were in pain and I did have a wee inward snigger to myself. Mind you, I noticed she had her tongue out while she was doing it - I do that too. Hmm .. strange .. nobody mentions in that in the 'Learn to Crochet' books. Nor are there wee pictures of a mouth with a tongue hanging out. Wonder if your tongue hangs out longer, the longer the stitch. lol double trebles and you're licking your elbow. lol

Heather was there with her daughter Rosie. She was having a go too and Heather started on a jumper that had a crochet ..er.. bit and was getting on with it like a house on fire. Rosie is lovely, and so is Rowan. I had the pleasure of meeting Rowan last week. Heather brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers for us for the shops birthday. It was gorgeous, what am I saying, it is gorgeous. Thank you Heather. What a wonderful gesture.

On Monday, I trotted over to Stonehouse to have a consultation with Dr Zoma (Rheumatologist) about my Lupus. Oh, have I not mentioned that little beauty? Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (aka SLE or Lupus). Now there's a story and a half, but it is boring and I do so want to get down for the quality time I mentioned (ie I want to get on with my knitting - DB slipover in Donegal Tweed Aran) Anyway, I'm not convinced I have it. Well .. a very small percentage of Lupies test negative for it, but get a false positive test for Syphillus. Guess who falls into that lucky group!!! Yep, my life sucks! lol So, appointment was 11.10am and when I did I go in? Yes, 12.50pm. Guess when I sewd up TBT? It was done a bit too quickly for my liking but I kept thinking I was going to be called. More blood taken.

Tuesday, Day off. Oh, what work to be done inside and out. So, sat in the garden in the glorious sunshine with my Jamieson's Cobweb Ultra and got tore into the free pattern from Heirloom. I have only ever worked from a chart when working with colour so that was a new experience for me. But, I quite enjoyed it and managed to get through it okay. I did up to the 40th row on the chart as I couldn't be bothered thinking about counting and watching patterns etc. Might have a go tonight after I have watched The Apprentice. (Recorded - footie on)

Wednesday and back at work. Took some photies. Kathleen, I cannot tell a lie. TBT was photographed on the table in ST: designer room (imagine it in Bradley Hand ITC font) - not on my work surface. Wouldn't have to worry about a flash reflection there. lolol Went to shops to see if new Knitting magazine was in yet but it wasn't. If TB reads this - I popped down to the Post Office to post a parcel and there was a massive queue. When I got back I had a hypo so guzzled some Lucozade. Yuck - gave me wind. (TMI) Came home, had tea, did some books stuff, came on here.

Have decided I must finish some UFOs. God, I hate sewing up and especially when it is nagged2k stuff. It's a dirty job ...

Quick look at some blogs. (Hark, I hear a midget with coffee and biscuits. Back of hand to forehead - I feel faint!!) See what tricks Kathleen has pulled out of the hat this time. Will give Mhairi's a miss - she's going to NY soon and will be rubbing it in and not even offering to take shopping lists with her when she is going to be having sex in NY anyway. (Only kidding Mhairi - have a great time!)

No time to mention others ... only got 8 mins before I go downstairs and shatter TB's peace. Oops, I mean share some quality time with my beloved.

Catch y'all later.

There's Always Something Better To Do ...

2007-05-16T13:12:00.000Z

Well ... I was at home and I was in the garden and it is for the shop (ie work), so does that count as housework and gardening? Jamieson's Cobweb Ultra (yes, it's available from Stitching Time, Hamilton).

Coffee and fag break time. And it's raining. Perhaps I'll go out the back now (ie now we have one lol)

Mini Shawl

2007-05-16T11:04:00.000Z

Jamieson's Ultra mini shawl posted while I have a piece ... oops, sandwich. Looks like there's holes where there shouldn't be holes, but it's a shawl and shawls are meant to be holey and it is for the shop and shop things get holey ... enough with the excuses!!!

Coffee time. Byeee.

Home and Garden

2007-05-15T10:35:00.000Z

Well, here it is .. the LH cardi completed and on display in the 'ST: designer room'. Yes, the new bit is open to the public and has been christened 'ST: designer room' (but in Bradley Hand ITC font that I can't seem to copy and paste onto here). There are a couple of wee bits to be sorted but we have to wait for Rigsby to get his finger out for that! Have been trying to get some (decent) photos to post but since my camera doesn't have a wide-angled lens, you will just have to take what you get for now!

Today has started well - have managed to get my fingers covered in super glue so far. Hmm .. must remember to be more careful in future.

Going to do some housework and some gardening. The house is a manky tip and the garden is an embarrassment to the neighbourhood - the weeds in the drive are going to do some serious damage to the car never mind the state of my normally lovingly tendered borders. Grass? My garden is giving back what the rain forest is losing! But .. I've been busy.

TBT is finished but haven't taken a photo yet - there was a big shadow over it so I'll wait until the sun moves round a bit. I've noticed that some bloggers take to artistic outside shots, but with the state of my outdoors setting, inside will have to do.

Sunday was our big UFO day and it was .. different. The crochet tutorial seemed to go well. Carol Meldrum is sooo nice. I will make sure we invite her to take some classes once the meeting room is up and running - probably after the summer.

TB is glued to the telly cos big Big Sam is joining The Magpies today. The news conference isn't until 1 o'clock but, as always with football, the build up is just as important. I reckon with Big Sam and Fat Freddie they will have to strengthen the ground. lol

Okay, off to do some work. I am upstairs and the dandelions are tapping the window. I hate dandelions. Oh .. and slugs. I really hate slugs.

Quick Skive

2007-05-11T10:08:00.000Z

Just making some coffee ... and the computer is quite close by. Watched pots and all that...had a quick look at some blogs. Jeez, everybody has been going nuts with blogs and knitting, crochet, patchwork, dressmaking,etc. Not me tho'!

Just wanted to say - Paris Hilton, beauty and excitement. I have been trying to think of what to say on this for days but words fail me. End of.

Kettle boiling. Byeeee.

Sunday Morning Quickie

2007-05-06T08:20:00.000Z

Just a quickie before we head off down to the shop.

Going to do a bit of painting and cleaning and moving stuff about.

Last night, I managed to finish the centre of TBT and the second sleeve of the LH cardi. Need more wool for the peaks of TBT and just the sewing up and edges of LH cardi to do. I'll see how I am after today. But, yippee, two UFO's nearly done. Thinking ahead, I don't know whether to finish something lurking in one of the bags of UFOs or start something else! Decisions, decisions!

Don't feel guilty about going to shop and not doing garden - it's raining. But .. the garden has never looked so bad in all the time I have lived here. It is really really needing work done. BIL borrowed the lawnmower and hasn't returned it yet (it better still be working - they have a huge garden with lots of lawn to be mown .. and .. I reckon one of the boys has had the dubious task of doing the mowing and they aren't the most careful). I emember when I moved in here, I used to .. wait for it .. clean the lawnmower very carefully after each cut with a cloth and hot water so it was as good as new. Now? TB cuts the grass so I daren't even look at the state of it!

Okay .. off to the shop. Bank Holiday weekend? Well, I suppose I don't work in a bank. Mind you, I reckon we all work for a bank in one way or another!!

ps You know I don't do politics on here ... but ... what a fiasco last week? Cor blimey!

No Fork n Hoe, Just a Fork

2007-05-02T00:09:00.000Z

Well, day off and work, work, work but then no-one said self-employment was going to be easy!!

It is the shop's fifth anniversary this month (five years!) and we have been sorting out the special prices we are doing for May. This is a sort of thank you to all our customers for their custom, loyalty and support over that time and as a welcome to new customers. See the prices listed on the shop blog.

Did 4 rows of TBT after breakfast and then picked it up again at lunchtime. Did 2 rows, no problem, did the third until the end and discovered I had 2 stitches left to do instead of 1. Aaargh, not again. TB laughed and 'Not again!'. I placed it gently on the carpet and left it there. I will have to start marking down the rows as I do them. 1, 2, 3,4. 4 rows, 4 rows! This is getting beyond a joke. It will not beat me. If it is the last thing I do (and it might just be that,cos it is going to be the death of me) it will not beat me!

Sat out in the garden for lunch (before I picked up TBT) and it was lovely. So warm. But .. I was horrified at how much work is needing done out there. I love my wee garden. It is where I get lost in my own wee world. When I did the 9-5 routine, I would go out at the week-end with my headphones on and work away quite oblivious to what was going on around me. Now, I like to do it mid-week on my day off when lthe neighbours are at work and it is nice and peaceful. No music blaring, no grandkids screaming and no having to stop for a blether. (Miserable sod that I am!) I don't use a hoe for the weeding - I get down on my kneeling pad and use my wee fork and give it laldy. I live at the top of Hamilton and we have bad drainage problems - the water streams down from the higher up fields - so the weeds thrive with their own private watering system. But, they don't reckon on me with my Frustration Fork. Oh, how therapeutic!

There are loads of cats about and they all use my garden as a shortcut (lazy things) so when WM comes for a visit, she gets the scent and goes nuts. But she is a wee porker and can't get throught the fence like the cats do. Thank Goodness! I also have to lie the wheely bins on their sides so she can't get throught the gate at the side, otherwise she'd be off and I'd have to go chasing her. She loves that - thinks it's a game - she turns back and laughs at me and then runs away again. Honestly, the ways she runs and jumps about, you'd think she thought she was a wee lamb. But she is my baby, ma WM

So no knitting today apart from the bit I mentioned earlier, TBT put me right off for the day. maybe I should just leave it for a while and finish the LH cardi. But, I like it (when I am not *rsing it up) and I'd like to see it finished. Going to display it with my wee baby doll.

But for tonight, I am off to bed with my hot water bottle. I reckon I will be out for the count as soon as my head hits the pillow. So nighty, night.

Whodunit? - TBT!

2007-04-30T20:26:00.000Z

No salutations today - straight in! Must get this off my chest ... guess what!

Didn't touch that blasted thing all day. Went to MWM's after work. Told her about Saturday (sorry - the sad tale of poor Agnes) and last night. She laughed. I started to knit (after double checking what row I was on). MWM laughed again as she asked if I was doing the correct row. 'Oh, ha, ha. Very funny.' After about 20 stitches, I had a nagging doubt about what I was doing. Checked again. Yes, I was doing the wrong row ... AGAIN!!! MWM went into one of her giggling fits and TB just shook his head and carried on with his sudoku as I had to take back the stitches and start again.

That blasted thing is going to be the death of me. One thing I have never had bother with in my sordid medical past is high blood pressure but believe you me, that blasted thing is going to have it going through the roof.

So, my beautiful mini-shawl is forever more going to be referred to as TBT (that blasted thing). If they are looking for a script for a new episode of Taggart, they can tell my story and when the cry goes up 'There's been a muuuurder', no-one will ever guess that TBT did it.

Four stitch, four stitch, repeat. Four rows, four rows. No shaping, nothing. Just a square. How can it be soooo infuriatingly damned hard to get. Bloody hell! You'd think I'd just knitted garter stitch scarves for the past hmm, hmm years and this was my first foray into the world of pattern and that maybe I should have attempted stocking stitch first!!

City and Guilds. City and Guilds? Aye, if each module is to design and knit a garter stitch scarf on 25mm needles in different types of yarn!

Rant over. Going back to get TBT out and give it Hell. I am trying sooo hard not to go there as far as the peaks are concerned. Cross that bridge when I come to it. (Will probably zip through it only to run out of wool two rows from the end. Calm down, Nan)

Oh, oh! Reading 1 - Newcastle 0.As if TBT wasn't giving me enough grief, TB will give me a post-mortem when I go downstairs. My life is the pits.

Teaching Your Granny to Suck Eggs - Part 2

2007-04-30T00:46:00.000Z

Will I never learn?

Slept all evening then went downstairs for supper. The mini shawl was winking at me, so I picked it up and did a row. Did it wrong. Did the row one pattern instead of the row three pattern. Took it back. Did the row again, then knitted a row. Took some coffee to TB (on the computer, as usual!), came back down and knitted a row. Er ... hadn't I knitted a row before I took the coffee up? Yes. Took it back.

Did three rows and had to take two of them back!!

What was I saying about painkillers and heaters? (Okay, it wasn't a heater - it was a hot water bottle ... but ... a rose by any other name ...)

Going to bed in disgust!!!!!

Teaching Your Granny to Suck Eggs

2007-04-29T15:57:00.000Z

Don't empty the shredder without unplugging it first. You may accidentally switch it on.

Check documents before shredding. The reverse button doesn't join up all the shredded bits.

Don't do this ...

A reader's story. She has asked that her identity be changed to avoid a (bigger) rid neck.

Agnes woke up on Saturday with a really painful leg/back. She so wanted to stay at home to feel sorry for herself but manged to get dressed and get to work. The painkillers were taking longer than usual to kick in and although she had been trying to keep busy, the pain was foremost in her mind. As a result, she decided to do some knitting to see if that would take her mind off it.

Feeling cold and shivery, despite the weather being a bit warmer, Agnes switched on the heater, sat as close to it as possible and continued with the little project she was working on. It was a pretty little thing - a mini baby shawl. Agnes had chosen the pattern carefully, something simple with a little texture. A little sample of knitting to show customers the beauty of Jamieson's Ultra (Scottish, woollen and fine). The pattern was simple - a texured square centre with a band of peaks around the edge - and Agnes was working on the centre square as she knitted. A four row pattern (two of which were knit) and a four stitch repeat (the first and third row wre identical, except the third row started four stitches along). Just the thing .. not as boring as stocking stitch but just enough to have her thinking while not thinking.

However, Agnes should have known better. As she knitted, she could feel her eyes rolling then closing.Oh no! Not the lethal combination of strong painkillers and direct heat from the heater? But yes! Agnes had forgotten her bad habit of falling asleep anytime, anywhere without warning and that the application of heat was a particularly nasty catalyst. She had not even considered the evil 'drowsiness' side effect of the tablets she was taking to help her through the day.

As she knitted, she snoozed. As she snoozed, she would come too with a start. As she came too with a start, she would check her knitting, make any adjustments necessary, then carry on knitting ... but the cycle would begin again .. and again.. and again. Finally, there was no option but to proceed with the antidote.

On her return from partaking of some fresh air, Agnes decided that perhaps it was not a good idea to knit while she was capable of sleeping on the job. In addition, she had almost been caught a few times. Thank Goodness for old-fashhioned shop door-bells.

Agnes put her knitting away with a sigh, but as she did so, she had a quick check to make sure all was well with the rows she had completed during this time. They looked fine!

The workday finally over, Agnes headed home, looking forward to an evening of relaxation. She would watch Monarchy for an hour, then the Josephs and then Casualty and do lots of knitting all the while. The evening went to plan, surprisingly for Agnes, and by the time she was ready for bed, the centre of the mini shawl was half-complete.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning and after breakfast, Agnes had a wee peak at her knitting in the sunshine streaming through the window. One glance was all it took to see the awful sight of a mistake half way down. Probably, this woud have gone undetected, but Agnes knew it was there! So much for the easy pattern! And, with the sound of 'Croak, croak' ringing in her head, the task of frogging was undertaken. Right back to where she had started the day before.

Agnes vowed then, never again to knit full of painkillers right in front of a heater.

So ... don't knit when you are likely to fall asleep while you are doing it - unless it is stocking stitch or a pattern where any mistakes are glaringly obvious.

Hmm. Something similar happened to me! Anyway, I have a sore leg/back too. Yes, just like Agnes.

I was sooo looking forward to the SnK today. It was in a different venue and I hadn't been for a while. However, I'm afraid the sore leg won the 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' debate. I wouldn't have enjoyed it and I'm finding it harder to put on the 'face'. You know, the 'I'm fine' look. I think my eyes are giving me away. However, the reason I wanted to go despite the leg was that I had offered the shop as an alternative venue while the Tramway was unavailable and I didn't want anyone to think I was in some way peeved at not being chosen. Plus, what if people thought I wouldn't have turned up if the the shop had been chosen and they were left hanging about outside. (Er .. I would have been there with bells on and a smile cutting my head in two). But TB said that they'd understand and no-one would think anything of the sort. If I went today, I'd feel the worse for it later and it would do me good to have a rest. So .. stayed at home and slept through it. Painkillers are taking longer to kick in - usually about 11am but afternoon now. IMHO, I'm sure I have a urine infection again and by coincidence have the nerve thing too. Gonna take some p** to the doc tomorrow if I remember.

By for now ... and remember the wise words above.

Balls for Shawls

2007-04-26T22:42:00.000Z

Look what arrived today. Yippee! Don't want to put it out yet - want to wait until we are putting stuff through in the 'Designer Room'. BTW, I think I am using that name so much that TB is coming round to it. lol Got Ultra and Cobweb Ultra. It's lovely. No sign of Yarn Forward magazines though!

Have taken a ball each of Ultra and Cobweb Ultra and I am going to knit two wee mini shawls with them for display. 'What, not full size ones?' Aye, that'll be right! And they still wouldn't be finished by the time I retire, so no way. I have decided what I am doing though. I am going to use the Cobweb Ultra to do a mini Heirloom Knitting Daisies Shawl using 4.5mm needles. I had a wee go at starting it tonight but got to 30 rows and noticed a wee hole where there shouldn't have been a wee hole, so .. croak, croak. Wanted to get the LH sleeve done anyway, so wasn't too bothered. In addition, I want to use my rosewood 4mm needles to do the Ultra mini shawl (using them for LH). I am going to use a Patons pattern and cut it down to about 30 x 30 (cms, not ins! lol) It has a plain-ish centre and just one border (of peaks), so it shouldn't take (too) long. TB suggested I use one of the (Heirloom) patterns that came, but I think the glare he got was enough to let him know that that was pushing nagged2k just a bit too far! Anyway, I have my eye on one for myself and that will keep me busy for a wee while.

I have knitted one shawl in the past. I did it for MBN when she was expected. I was too busy f*rting about knitting this and that that I left it a bit late and had to go like the clappers to get it finished before she was born. Luckily she was 3 weeks late and it was finished in time. However, it put me off shawls for life - especially with all that pinning and stretching nonsense - so MB and SB didn't get one of their own. But ... now I feel guilty and am considering doing them one each now. 21 and 18? They won't think I'm mad, they know that anyway!!!

So, I'm off - just a little one tonight. Actually, I'm off to get rid of this eye make-up. My eyes are gowping. Must be needing a new mascara.

Nighty, night.

ps (Added later) Have put first Blogland Special on shop blog. Worth a look! ... and thanks Heather!! Link sorted.

Eats Shoots and Leaves

2007-04-25T20:09:00.000Z

Don't worry - it's not the awful panda joke. Instead, I'd like to introduce you to Toonie. This is Toonie the big one. Jamesie, the wee one, is too busy posing beside the Wendy Pure to have a tea-break, do some knitting and have a photograph taken!

Because my two new little friends are black and white, there was only one way to go as far as names were concerned and that was down the Newcastle United road. Toonie is after Toon Army and Jamesie is after St James' Park.

I thought I would get a little assistance from TB, since he is a Magpie, but, no. All I got was a shrug of the shoulders, a shake of the head and some inaudible muttering. Well, inaudible apart from the words 'crackers', 'getting' and 'worse'.

So, Toonie is knitting a little something with the Wendy Pure in a beautiful soft shade of pink. He should have gone for one of the other colours, because the wee cross-over cardigan is in that shade, but once a panda has made up it's mind ... Perhaps, when the rest of my Rowan bamboo yarn (eventually) comes in, he will knit something up in that. Mind you, it is sooo long since it was ordered that I can't remember what colours were ordered. Meantime, there is a lovely beige-y shade sitting on it's ownsome thinking it has been stood up!

At shaping of LH cardi right front. Was so pleased with my progress, I had to go and get a new dummy so it would have something to wear it when it is completed. Hope the dummy fits it! Never mind, if it doesn't there will be a bit of clothes swapping then I can knit up somthing else to show off.

CG update - nothing back from Fiona yet. Honestly, it's like waiting for the exam results coming (well, like it was in the days when the exam results came in an envelope through the letter-box). Mind you, since I don't know if I will hear by post or by e-mail, I am jumping on my mail-box every two minutes, so, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose! lol

India is going to be doing it too, so there is a wee gang of study buddies (is there a collective noun?) building up. So, in the words of he who shall forever remain nameless, d'ya wanna be in my gang? C'mon Kathleen, you know you want to!

Designer Room update. Opening through is completed. Wall lights to be removed, then room painted and carpet cleaned. There are sheets of sticky stuff on the windows and I am dying to get it off. I had a wee poke about at it and it is going to be a marathon task. However, I have a few bottles of Sticky Stuff Remover at the ready. (Right, how can this question not deserve a pure sarky answer. 'What's that for?' Not once, but twice, TB set himself up for 'Removing sticky stuff.')

Got my new stick-y out signs put up outside (not much use inside) and it's great. It feels even more like a good old-fashioned, wee wool (and not forgetting, sewing) shop. I love all these 'American' style shops, they are wonderful, but they are not me. I see the 'Designer Room' in that sort of vein but I wouldn't put any money on it being like that after a wee while. lol, when I think about how the shop was when I opened. lol Goodness, I thought then that if in five years time and things were going well and the chance to get next door came up, I would expand. Wow! I would never have thought that I would have been in next door and going in next door again!

That's all for now folks. Off to watch The Apprentice and finish the right front and, hopefully, start the sleeve. (But not before I have done a wee bit blogging and seen what has been going with people who have lives.)

Missing you already!

Capital Afternoon Out

2007-04-24T20:38:00.000Z

Hi there!

Not long back from Edinburgh and what a beautiful afternoon it was. Sun was shining and it was warm. In fact, it was warm enough to sit outside for lunch and then again for a light refreshment on the way home. Lovely!

Popped into HK Handknit.co.uk. What a lovely shop! They didn't have the Addi Turbos I was looking for so I'm afraid I didn't buy anything. However, every cloud has a silver lining - I manged to get a panda at last!! In fact, I was so exited about getting one that I bought two. One big and one small. I have done every shop in Hamilton to no avail and was even considering Ebay but - yippee! - job done. All I have to do now is give them names and I can get them knitting and posing with the bamboo yarn in the shop. Little one posing and big one knitting. (Will have to cast on for it though!)

We were heading home and I decided that, since we were in the vicinity, I would go back the other way ie via the airport. It was rush hour but didn't seem too bad. We had seen a nice wee pub on the way there and thought we would pay it a visit going home so that we could miss the traffic but since the route was changed we thought we would stop somewhere else.

The traffic was getting heavier and heavier and by the time we had reached the Gyle, it was necessary to stop for a comfort break. I was driving (and I'm not drinking these days anyway) so I was happy with a coffee but someone wanted a pint. The guy at the Information Desk (hee-hee) pointed us in the direction of The Ritz across the way from the shopping centre. So it was there we sat outside in the sunshine having a wee drink (and me doing my knitting).

Time to leave, traffic all gone and a quick jaunt over the M8. Wrong! Roadworks! Onto the M8 and a quick jaunt home. Wrong! An accident at Harthill and a tailback a mile long. Football traffic.It took an hour and a half to get from The Gyle to Hamilton. Guess we shouldn't have stopped but then don't think TB could have kept his wee legs crossed all that way. Mind you - could have popped into TAH's. Ah well, it was a lovely afternoon until the journey home.

So, up to armhole shaping of first sleeve of LH cardigan. It was meant to be the right front but when I was decreasing the ribbon stitches to start on the angora, I discovered I had cast on too many stitches. However, luck being on my side for once, the number of sttiches I had corresponded with the sleeve pattern, so the right front became a sleeve. Will finish that tonight and sew up what can be sewn up. I'm now looking for a wee black velvet dress for the lucky dummy that is going to be wearing it. (It's going to be too small for TB, too bad!)

Actually, HK .. had some beautiful ladies garments on display. Must ask Carol if they borrow them or have them knitted up. I tend to stick to baby/toddler things because they knit up so much quicker but ... I know some suppliers lend display garments but I like to knit with the yarns and wash them etc so I can give a better account. I have had people knit for me in the past but it's not the same. Well , for a start it's not my knitting! (Does that sound .. hmm .. d'you know what I mean?) I do have some customers whose work I really admire, but they are always busy doing other things and then there is the horrible, horrible issue of how much to pay. Aaaarrghhh!

Getting tired now. You can tell, cos the garbage is even more garbage-y than usual.

Night, night. Sleeve will just have to wait!

PS Kathleen - you can start the C&G course any time and take as long as you like. Don't wait for us to finish, jump in and have a couple of study buddies for morale support.

City and Guilds - Watch Out, Wee Minty About!

2007-04-22T20:14:00.000Z

Here is the back of the LH Cardi. It is growing on me cos it looks stunning under the light when I am knitting at night. Getting through the left front and would have finished it by now if I hadn't had a hypo and fallen asleep afterwards. Ah well, c'est la vie!

If you happened to read the comment on my last post, and even if you didn't, Heather and I are going to embark upon a journey of discovery aka City and Guilds 7922. This is a certificate in hand-knitting. Just at the registration stage at the moment but really looking forward to it. Prepare yourself for highs and lows of that one! Actually, I'm a bit nervous of being Heather's study buddy. She is sooo modest about her work. Check out her blog and compare it with mine for FO's. I am a 'does exactly what it says on the tin' kinda knitter while she is creative! In my defense though, if you are being nagged2k you have to knit the pattern as is (okay I might change the colour for the less imaginative) but I'm a lazy old cow and it's a brill cop out!

So, I hope to blow the cobwebs away and get the brain working again.(Again? - didn't even know you had one - TB)

BTW, had a nice long soak in the bath accompanied by this month's Knitting magazine. Had had a quick flick through when I got it, spotted the LH cardi and started it and also saw a couple of knitted beaded necklaces that I thought I'd go back to after the cardi. So, looking for something to read in the bath, took the mag with me. Before I even got to the necklaces, I couldn't believe it, the editorial told me that the necklaces were designed by Fiona Morris. Fiona Morris is the lady who is running the C&G course. Fancy that! Oo-er well spotted though ... here was me planning a bit of plagarism before I had even enrolled. lol

You will notice that I haven't got round to looking at the html yet - massive paragraphs!

Off to get on with the cardi (didn't even look at the wee bonnet - Tuesday methinks!)

Catch you anon.

ps Have started a sensible blog for the shop. Sensible? Me? Yes, well, it doesn't do anyone any good playing the fool all the time - sometimes you just have to put your hair up and hang tight for a while.

But Why No Gloves?

2007-04-21T19:54:00.000Z

Well, there it is - the New Lanark Aran slipover. I apologise for the model. She doesn't like having her photo taken and the photographer wouldn't take the shot if he had to cut her head off.

Another one has been started (4 rows of rib done) using the Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Aran sitting on the model's right shoulder.

Almost at the shaping of the Louisa Harding Kimono Angora Cardigan now and would have finished it by now if I hadn't fallen asleep on the two occasions I was working on it. Sometimes I look at it and think I don't like it and sometimes I think I do. Will reserve judgement until after completion.

I can't get the hang of the download images palaver. Mhairi does it by altering the html. I am going to have a go but I will wait until one of the long weekends so that I have time to spend time on it. However, I have decided that the website must be published and soon, so I guess I will be working on that a fair bit. Various reasons for it not being done yet .. blah, blah .. but when we started to populate the software we had (and had spent a bit of money on - software, maintenance and training) it just wasn't what I wanted so we are going to start again from scratch. (Cor blimey, not all that again!)

Meantime, how do you like my t-shirt? Available from Stitching Time, Hamilton in all the usual t-shirt sizes and, unusually for these sorts of t-shirts, great quality for the super-duper price of £10. Have your own 'she'd have to be drunk to knit that' photo in place of the groooooovy little Aran effort for only an extra £2. Indeed, why not go the whole hog and have the text changed too if you fancy it. I am going to get a 'nagged2k' one done - I have a 'Stitching Time' one already. (Must look it out now the weather is improving.)

That's all the excitement you're getting from me this evening - don't want the blood pressure getting too high. Found a wee baby bonnet needing finished and want to get the LHKA cardi back finished tonight, if not a front started. Have a pile of things needing knitted for display in the Designer Room (kinda slips off the tongue!) so I'm being nagged2k again.

So, it's goodnight from me, and it's goodnight from her (up the top).

ps Some of those Josephs are a weeee bit grating.

Beegone With You!

2007-04-20T23:51:00.000Z

Bee was disposed of with all the great dignity befitting the Rasputinesque murder of said bee. Rubber gloves, empty fag packet and picky up stick thing with pincers (technical term). Amen.

Hole update. Waiting for plaster to dry so painting can be done. New towels and a various assortment of toilet requirements in place in (third!) toilet. (Add to snagging list - toilet is not flushing. Er .. thank you whoever brought that to my attention, although a written message may have been more appropriate.) New Designer Yarns stand has arrived. Candelabra is staying as a fitting fixture and probably as close as I will get to my vision of how I would like the room to be. Soz, girls! Still going for the Designer Room sign - akin to 'Ralph's Room' in Slaters.

Knitting update. Have now completed 4 rows of Debbie Bliss slipover. Put it aside in favour of the Louisa Harding Kimono Angora girl's cardigan as featured in this month's Knitting magazine. The magazine has a new look which is very nice. The Miss Millie pattern book and Louisa Harding Kimono Angora and Kimono Ribbon are all available from Stitching Time, Hamilton. This project is a nagged2k project. The garment in the photo is done in the blue colourway, both shade 2, as used by Kathleen for her gorgeous scarf, but I am doing it in the lilac colourway, both shade 4.

Bought a new dummy today. It is still too big for the Wendy Mode crossover cardigan display but I am going to undress Wee Baby Bowie, (yes - all the 'good' dummies have names) and dress it in the said cardi and cute wee dress,

Mhairi slipped into her blog that she is off to New York and in between seeing the sights she is going to indulge in some SEX. There's an idea for a telly programme - Sex in the City. Major cities and the best places for sex. Wonder if Hamilton would qualify for an episode. I like Mhairi's blogs but she is such a tease. She slips in little titbits and leaves you gagging for more. She has a Secret Project on the go and was giving nothing away. Then, she had it with her at the last KnS, the one I couldn't go to because of my leg, and afterwards posted a picture with just enough detail to keep me guessing. Naughty girl, but just shows you - accountants get an unfair 'boring' reputation.

Sky+ goblin ran away with my recording of Ugly Betty and put it down a well. Too many goblins running away with things and putting them down wells.

Time for beddie-byes. No Yarn Forward magazines have arrived yet ... but maybe tomorrow?

Oh, Mhairi. Here is a wee story about knitting for your stateside visit. A customer story and I promise not to embellish. Said customer was over in New York for a long weekend. She was doing the sights although it was really cold. Up the Empire State Building she wrapped her Jet Whisper scarf around her head and neck and put her hat on top. (In case you don't know, Patons Whisper is an eyelash yarn and Jet is a lovely black, white and grey mix) A woman came over to her and said 'I hope you don't mind me saying, but I was just admiring your beautiful ... beard.' lol (Oh! And guess what she was in to buy when she told me the story - yep, more Jet Whsper to knit her friend a scarf.) lol Moral of story? Pride comes before a fall? Who cares, it's just funny.

To Bee, Or Not To Bee? That Is The Question.

2007-04-19T22:22:00.000Z

Been to Livi and had a baldy. Also had some strange conversations with topics such as 'How do insects have their babies?', 'Cats don't have belly-buttons' (Buster was used as an example - much to his disgust), 'How should Nan refer to Andy (TAH's husband) on her blog?' and 'Hamsters and the life expectancy of'.

Elsie liked her birthday presents - didn't mention the original one but will fess up next time I see her and I don't know if TAH happened upon the topic before the Blog Goblin ran away with it .. it will all come out in the wash as they say even though it hurts me to use such an (in)appropriate cliche. However, Elsie is a Suicide Bunny devotee and into rings n bracelets n stuff so probably alls well that ends well.

The choice for Andy was between TAHP (the auld hoor's pimp) and MTM (Malcolm the Monkey - don't ask). Outcome? Forever and ever, Andy will be known as MTM. Lol - when I was leaving I did say 'Cheeriebubs, Malcolm', much to his horror and much to the delight (at his reaction) of TAH and Elsie.

Was going to post the picture of me in my New Lanark slipover but the camera batteries were needing recharged. Oh, thank the Lord! TB wouldn't cut my head off in the photo and I hate having my photo taken, so I look like a tube. Anyway, will get the charger out and leave it to work overnight. Not because I am desperate to have my pic published, but I want to take some more pics.

Managed to knit 2 rows of my Debbie Bliss slipover at Livi. Yes, 2 rows. 2 more than I usually manage. lol. Elsie has a pair of fingerless gloves (or Hobo gloves as the fashionistas call them) - I think I will knit her a pair. She was talking about stripey ones. So I will raid my stash and see what I come up with. Yeah, yeah. We'll see if that materialises. It did make me laugh though because she sniggered at mine when I took them over when I had finished them. I'm such a trendsetter!!

So ... what's with the title of today's drivel? Oh, my giddy aunt, I'm still getting shivers up my spine with the thought of it!)

We came home from work last night and I spotted a huge bee beside the drain in the wee sinky bit in the middle of the sink (technical term). 'Oh! Look at that bee!' The reply was not 'My! It's huge!' (or words to that effect) but a swift turn of the hot tap. 'Oh! I only meant look at the size of it, not kill it!' 'Too late now.' The hot water was getting hotter and I left them to it while I took my jacket off. 'Oh for goodness sake' (or words to that effect) 'It's away. Turn the tap off.' 'No. It's still there.' Sure enough, the scalded bee was still there and clinging onto the edge of the drain for dear life. then ... down it went. Shook my head and headed off to powder my nose. On my return, the tap was still running and the window was starting to steam up. 'Aw, come on.' (or words to that effect.) 'Honestly, it's still there. Look.' Sure enough, the bee was back. Ten minutes later and no hot water it was decided that the bee was indeed a goner this time

24 hours later....

Dropped TB off before I headed off to Livi. Went into kitchen to take a couple of painkillers before setting off and TB went to fill the kettle. 'It's back.' 'What is?' 'The bee' 'What bee?' 'The bee from last night.' 'Aye right!' (Or words to that effect.) 'It is.' 'Aye right.' (Or words to that effect.) 'It is. I'm telling you.' 'Stop winding me up.' 'It is.' 'Oh move over and let me see then. You and your wind ups.' (Or words to that effect.) I looked into the sink and (there go the shivers again) the bee was, climbing out of the drain. It was pure black and about twice the original size. 'Aaaaaarrrghh! Get rid of it.' On went the hot tap again. Would it go? Not bloody likely!!! Then, from someone who was only commenting on the size of it originally and was horrified at the cruelty then bestowed upon it, came the shout 'Pour bleach on it. That'll get the wee b.' Bleach was duly poured along with the hot water and I went to powder my nose before the journey.

So, ready to leave, I went to get the car keys from the kitchen and have a look at the empty sink. Ha ha. Got you this time. 'Aaaaaarrghhh! It's back!' It was on the top of the drain. 'No, man. It's deid! I told you.' My stomach churned all the way to Livi.

Anyway, came home and went to check that TB had got rid of the body. Had he? No.He had been on the computer all the time I was away. 'Could you not get rid of that?' 'Ach, man! Just get some kitchen roll and put it in the bin.' 'Aye that'll be right.' (Or words to that effect.) You do it.' 'Just scrunch up some kitchen roll.' 'No. You do it.' 'No you do it.' 'You do it.' It is still there (cos TB quickly went to bed and I'm, sure as Hell, not doing it). And if I go down the stairs tomorrow morning and it is NOT there, I guarantee, no matter where you happen to be, you will hear me scream!!!

Boy, I had some strange dreams last night, but if I dream about bees tonight ....

Candelabras v Fluorescent Tubes?

2007-04-18T23:10:00.000Z

Ouch! Back to work today and what a bad move that was!!!

Joiner was in and put up wooden bit (technical bit) to support the hole and a wee ramp because the passage through the hole is uneven. I say passage because the hole is about 30 inches (yes, inches not cms!) deep. Plasterer is due tomorrow.

I took some photos with my phone (and that still makes me giggle) because I forgot my camera but they still come out a bit grainy so I'm not going to publish them. Will mind camera tomorrow. However, there was one I couldn't resist taking (much to TB's disgust - but he's a man and what does he know?). It is the light in the new new bit of the shop. Guess what. It is a candelabra!!!!!!!!!!! Should I leave it or go for fluorescent tubes? Hmmm! Still having dreams about my 'Designer Room' so it might stay. But .. light may not be so good for serious study of yarns etc. On the other hand ... realaxing background music, coffee, chocolates, fragrant pot plants, no children, elegant furnishings, ... candelabra. What do you think? Should it stay or should it go? You must be 18 or over. You must ask permission of whoever pays the bill. lines will close at 9pm, 19 April 2007. You may be charged for any thoughts after that time.

Going for a baldy tomorrow. Hurrah! Now here's a funny thing. I'm growing my hair a bit longer again ... but ... can't wait to get it cut. Strange? No. What is strange is that I'm a woman and I can't fathom out the logic of a woman. lol Anyway, off to Livi and wil see my besi mate (TAH) and Elsie. Yes, Elsie will get her birthday present a month late. Hope she likes it. Well, even if she doesn't, I think she will like it more than the original pressie. (Note to self: get those felting photos back on - the Blog Goblin ran away with them and threw them down a well.)

Yarn Forward magazines are being despatched from 18 April. Hurrah! Should have them by end of week at latest. Can't wait - I really like that magazine.

Must get a wee photo of my New Lanark slipover. I really like it. I am thinking of doing another one in Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed (available at Stitching Time, Hamilton) but I can't decide on which colour to use. Fancied the green but I'm doing my Louisa Harding Grace (also available from Stitching Time, Hamilton) in green so ... going for the pink. BTW, like anything else, the photos on the link don't do justice to the actual colours of the yarn. Oh, I know what knitting I am taking to Livi tomorrow. (Another note to self: look out pattern and needles and put in - another - bag to go with me tomorrow.)

Must get a van - the number of bags I take with me every day - handbag, briefcase, lsd box bag (those M&S food bags are just the berries!), food bag, washed towels and mugs bag, thngs to go to MWM's bag, dry cleaning things bag, things I have been working on at home bag, knitting bag, .. blah blah .. etc. Yeah, yeah and TB will say the biggest bag is driving. Oh, ha ha, very funny, I don't think!

Fell asleep and missed The Apprentice tonight. Snoring woke me up in time to watch the You've Been Fired bit and it was the quantum physicist, Sophie. lol Not a wise move to say how you don't like selling .. to Sir Al. They are doing the buying and selling 'Art' next week. Must set it on the series link. Missing 'Life On Mars'. I was quite emotional last week when it finished. (Saddo!)

Anyway, off to bed. Long day tomorrow.

See ya. Wouldn't want to be ya.

Gosh! A Galosh! A Posh Galosh!

2007-04-17T23:03:00.000Z

Evenin' all!

Here is what I've done of the first Tofutsies sock. It looks massive. Might have to give them to MWM cos she has massive feet. The pattern is from the last issue of Yarn Forward magazine. (And guess what! Stitching Time, Hamilton is going to be stocking it. Hurry, hurry, hurry before they are all gone!)

Remember my dilemma about measuring my feet? Tried using a ruler but I still had my trainers on so I thought that was a bad idea. (Mind you, could probably get them on over my trainers - ooh, galoshes!) Decided to go for the smelly foot in the knitting option. Yeah, a bit loose above the ankle but my feet and legs do swell up a bit and my poor wee leg-ends look like fancy table leg-ends when I take my boring old shop bought socks off so they might just be being kept. Soz MWM!

So after I did that I happened upon the comment Kathleen left on my last post re the measuring lark. It seems she found out that her bamboo needles were from a bad batch when she was trying her sock on her foot so I should be careful. I wondered and wondered what on earth she was doing with the needles over her ankles - I just slipped my little tootsies in and the needles just came halfway up the sole of my foot. Was she trying them on upside down? (Toeless socks? Nice for sandals, I suppose) She couldn't put them on from the top down. Could she? (As far as I know she has two legs and isn't a contortionist. Is she?) Nope. Couldn't fathom it. Oh, wait a minute!! Maybe, she hadn't turned the heel yet and was measuring the length down to the heel from the top, not from the heel to the toes. Honestly, I shouldn't think. It hurts my head- even with these painkillers. Sorry Kathleen, but my imagination and limited thought processes allowed me a good laugh at your expense. Think of it as Care in the Community.

Back still sore but going back to work tomorrow. Probably shouldn't, but needs must n all that. Was supposed to be meeting some friends from my previous existence for lunch today but had to take a rain-check. Amongst other things, I want to see how my hole is. There are some chairs and tables through there and I wonder if Rigsby (the landlord) is chucking them out. I know where I could find a wee home for them. They would be useful in the back room where I hope to hold classes. I'm not going to do them all myself. Good Lord! But if anyone is interested in holding classes or meetings, I know where there is a good-sized room to let (reasonable rates). And .. there is a secret passage to a scrummy wee wool and embroidery shop which could be made available in or out of shop opening times!! Seriously though, it would be a grand way of making a few extra pennies if anyone was interested.

Also want to know if my copies of the afore-mentioned Yarn Forward magazine will be there. Yummy! We are going to be getting some other magazines in too - Simply Knitting. Knitting, Vogue and whatever else I can get my mitts on. Yippee! I can hear TB now 'There will be no work from you then?' when the new issues arrive. 'You have to know your products, Sweetheart!' lolol

So, I am heading off to bed now. I've climbed the wooden hill and I'm not going back down until Morning Time. (Rockin', rollin', ridin' ...lol Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart has a lot to answer for!)

I have said it before and I'll say it again. I can't thank TB enough for looking after me the past week. Especially since I know now that he is in a lot of pain himself after all the work he did on Sunday. The only reason I know is that he took painkillers today and he doesn't do painkillers. I think it was the window grills that did it. They weigh a ton. Honestly, they are seriously heavy. It is bad enough taking them down, but trying to get them back up (especially on your own) is not recommended.

So nightie, night. Sleep tight. Don't let bugs bite.

I've Got a Big Hole!

2007-04-14T23:44:00.000Z

Howdie!

Well ... moaning over yesterday - will try not to bring it up again. I was doing this for a laugh not for a sounding board after all!!

Anyway, managed to do a bit of my sock. No, make that socks. If I say sock I might not do the second one. I hate doing things in pairs cos I know I still have to do another one once the first one is done. Maybe I should have done just one big sock for both feet (like the ones Billy Connolly used to go on about although I don't suppose the ones advertised in the Sunday Post were Tofutsies ones!) I have turned the heel and am dreading the 'do it long enough' bit. Do I use a ruler? Do I use one of my existing socks? Do I put my big smelly foot in my knitting? Will post a photo of the first one when it is done and that might spur me on to do the other one. Well that and a frozen foot. Although ... cotton .. lacy pattern .. frozen foot and one not so frozen?

Fancy doing some wooly ones for next winter but only after I knit some fresh new fingerless gloves. This winter's got a bit scabby through mega use. Boy, do they make a difference! (Or was that because I wore a pair of fingerless gloves under a pair of fingerless mitts? Better do at least one pair of each!)

TB was up at the crack of dawn and headed off to the shop. He returned about 20 mins later. Forgot keys. If I hadn't been so out of it with my leg I would have lmao. Anyway, hurrah, I've got a big hole but it is covered with a huuuuge plastic bag to stop the stoor escaping. The joiner is coming back tomorrow to put up some wooden bits (technical terms again). TMO took me down to see it - only after I said if she wouldn't I would get a taxi. She had seen me earlier in the afternoon and diagnosed me as unfit to view holes - mine or otherwise. I did feel a lot better - honestly!

What a hoot! We started putting wool back in the cabinets and she was complaining about how long it was taking her and how hard it was. I told her no-one said it was easy working in a wool shop. I had to show her how to do it. Fill the boxes from the back. Put the wool out so you can see how much you have of each colour before you put it in. Don't wear jaggy rings or bracelets. Don't wear fingerless gloves. Turn the labels to the front. If the labels are sideways, have them facing the same way. Don't put the balls in upside down. Be careful with the doughnuts - they are a bugger cos they fall to bits. Put the newer lot numbers at the back. Blah, blah. Let her off with quite a few things - just wanted it out for tomorrow. lolol

TB has nearly done all of the outside painting including the grills on the windows. I hadn't seen the windows with both grills off before. They weigh a ton. He couldn't believe I had taken them off and put them back myself - I did ask why he thought they weren't off very often.

He has been a wee gem this week.I don't know what I would have done without him. I couldn't have gone to the shop and he was a cracker. I don't know how my leg will be tomorrow but I really have to get in there. However, if I can't, I can't.

Felt quite guilty for making the comment about my neighbour yesterday but when I looked out again and saw her I felt it was deserved and then I saw Heather's comment and I thought 'Yep. You know where I am coming from.' BTW, loved the bit about 'what a bummer' - I hadn't even mentioned that the pain goes through my buttock. lolol

So off to peeps. Hope I get a good sleep tonight.

Catch y'all later.

ps Didn't get to SnK today. Bet the staff were checking the loos in pairs!

Getting On My Nerves

2007-04-14T11:43:00.000Z

G'day!

So it is a glorious Saturday afternoon and why am I at home and not at work? And if it is so glorious, why am I not taking advantage of being at home and working in the garden?

Well, folks I am off because it seems I damaged my femoral nerve whilst passed out on a toilet seat in the Tramway the other week! It is so painful that I can't do anything - can't stand too long, can't sit too long, can't lie too long and can't walk any distance. I've said it before and I'll say it again - my life sucks!! Should change the name of my blog. Anyway, all this health nonsense is getting on my nerves. Wouldn't mind so much if I could knit for a wee while but I can't. Won't stop me trying later though when the painkillers kick in. Have to wait about two hours then I get about an hour when the edge is taken off then I I have to wait until I can take the next lot.

I have to take another tablet before going to bed. It does something to the messages being sent along the nerve and the idea is that I can get a sleep. Yes, I haven't been able to sleep and since I can sleep anytime, anywhere, it will give you an idea. Funny thing is ... when I was reading the gumph that comes in the box, the tablets are also used for children who bed-wet. So, no problems there then. lol

So ... the wall saga. The builder came in on Thursaday to start and the landlord has told him to use some sort of saw (too technical for me). I expect because it is quicker and cheaper. However, TB knows about the mess and stoor these saws create so he had a wee word with them. Could you imagine the yarns when they come round to this side to start cutting? Doesn't bear thinking about. There was no mess the last time we cut through, so here's hoping the wee word gets through. TB will be staying late tonight to pack up the yarns and then has to be down at the shop tomorrow at 9am for the work being done.

I am more bothered that I probably won't get to the KnS tomorrow. Oh dear! My one and only place of solace.

Oh well, must go and change position again. Stand or lie this time? Decisions, decisions. Just glanced out of the window and have seen my over the back neighbour out wearing shorts and a halter neck. Aaargh! That is such a scary sight. Since my chosen place to stand is in the kitchen at the back door, I think I will go and have a lie down. I wouldn't be able to see her from there but just knowing .... groan ....it's enough to make you heave!

So ta-ta for now. Hope to be a bit cheerier next time!!

ps Big thank you to TB and TMO for their help and caring over the past few days.

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T12:44:00.000Z

Happy Easter!

Hope the Easter Bunny was good to you.

This is the wee crossover cardi I started at the SnK last Sunday before my major hypo. (The dress I did not make - lol - it is George at Asda.) The wool is Wendy Pure, available at Stitching Time, Hamilton. It is the Wendy bamboo yarn. It was lovely to work with and it is nice and soft.

so why is it being displayed on a minging coathanger and not on a dummy? Well ... for display garments I usually do the largest size with the fewest number of balls. This saves me breaking into a ball for a few rows. You know how irritating that is!! I knew where I was going to put it, had been to Asda and picked this cute wee dress, got it finished and couldn't wait to get it on display. Cut all the labels off the dress. Got a dummy. Unbuttoned the dress ... too wee for dummy. I know .. I will leave the dress unbuttoned and put the cardi over it and no-one will be any the wiser. Wrong. Cardi was too wee too! Best laid plans and all that. Coat hanger jobs. I hate them. They look nasty and cheap but there isn't room for loads of dummies - especially when the biggest one of all keeps moving about (TB, lol)

So what is going on with the extension? Er, that will be a big zero. Not a happy chappie at the moment.But, every cloud has a silver lining .. no extension, no rent due!!

TB might just be coming round to my way of thinking for it though. Wait for this one. We were down at Homebase buying paint in anticipation and TB said that maybe we should get some plants for through there. I had a wee vision of my 'By Appointment Only' room and added a couple of standard lamps, occasional tables and jardinieres. A chaise longue appeared but then I came back to reality when I heard "Magnolia or white?"

TB has started painting the outside window frames. Unfortunately, the weather has not been too good over the weekend so the job isn't finished yet. However, it seems that someone was telling customers to kick the ladders as they went past. Hmm. Wonder who that was?

Not had much of a rest this weekend. Been doing a bit of work, stood ironing all day yesterday and doing some nagged2k knitting. Two beanies - one in Patons Moonglow and one in Wendy Moiselle. That's because they are both on special this month as well as Gedifra Inizio, but there is already something knitted up in that. Have also finished the New Lanark slipover. Yippee! It fits me so TB has had it! lol Will wear it tomorrow. Going to finish the Gedifra Filrosa scarf today so that will be another UFO completed!!

Oh well ..things to do, places to go, people to meet n all that.

See ya.

2007-04-03T18:05:00.000Z

Day off today - yippee!

Managed to have a long lie before starting on work. Yes ... some day off. However, it has to be done.

TLA left last month and pretty much I can't do 6 days a week. So we have decided to close the shop on Tuesdays. I would have closed on a Monday to have 2 days off together, but since we don't take a holiday during the year it seems better to close on a Tuesday and get a few long weekends when there are Public Holidays.

Anyway, it was gorgeous today and managed to get some washing out to dry. It is so much nicer when the washing has dried outside. Toddled down to Asda and got some messages and a lovely wee dress to show off the bamboo crossover cardigan when it is finished. Headed across to Homebase and got some paint for the new bit in the shop and some heavy-duty screws to hang up our new sticky-out signs,

Came back and got some more work done and now I am doing this while TB makes the tea.

Had a mini hypo while we were out and Snack Size Mars Bars are so handy to carry in my bag. Mind you, they are not so tasty when you have to eat them!!

Oh well, couple of minutes and tea will be ready. Better go and check blood and spike up.

Might get back of cardi done tonight.

Catch y'all later.

Drama At The Tramway - Director's Cut

2007-04-02T23:42:00.000Z

Was at KnS yesterday. KnS is SnB's new name.

Made to leave just after four and went to loo first as usual.Next thing I was aware of was my name being shouted over and over, but not Nan, Agnes. Turned out to be two paramedics. Had had a bad hypo and was unconscious. They had already given me a glucogen injection which I didn't know about and were feeding me hypostop (yuck). Was then fed a Mars Bar and Coke. Sugar was still below 2 at this point.

Turned out, the staff from the Tramway were checking the toilets before closing for the evening (7pm) and heard me snoring. They called an ambulance and had to use a screwdriver to get the toilet door open. I didn't want to go to hospital so they kept me in the ambulance until TMO turned up to collect me. TMO and BIL went back later to collect my car while TB looked after me at home.

This is not the full story. I just wanted to get this down so I would have a reminder because although I have had serious hypos before, this is the first where I have been as bad and not been at home or in a comfort zone and not had someone with me.

However, me being me, there is always something stupid in a story but I will wait until I am ready to laugh about it before I put that in print! When I started to come round and they were asking how I was, I was unable to speak coherently, but what I wanted to say was that I felt awful for the trouble I had put everyone to. But .. now I have time to think about it, I am sooo grateful to the staff at the Tramway and the paramedics couldn't have been better. They knew what they were doing, they were kind and patient and they made me feel safe. I am quite scared about the whole thing because I now realise how far into the hypo I must have been to pass out like that but I wasn't aware of what was happening. I must have thought something wasn't right because I had eaten chocolate but I didn't know. Even scarier is that if I had left 5 minutes earlier and hadn't gone to the toilets ... I would have been in the car.

Perhaps now my doctors will take notice and get me the help I need?

Yep, my life sucks!

PS Before this all kicked off, I managed to get the front of an 18 inch crossover cardigan knitted. It is in Wendy Pure (bamboo tape) and available from Stitching Time, Hamilton. Perhaps this was a warning that Nagged2k knitting should not encroach on on my me knitting time?

Year Ends Suck!

2007-03-27T17:59:00.000Z

Hey Folks!

Just to let you know I'm still alive!

End of year in shop - stocktaking, payroll year-end, accounts-up-to date, blah blah! Wall still not down - getting a bit p'd off with that - want to get new bit sorted NOW!

I'd like to have the new bit called 'The Designer Room' with a door bell and 'By Appointment Only'. Nice tables and chairs with a coffee machine and nice thin biscuits individually wrapped, soft music in the background and try me samples. Lovely and warm with a big thick carpet. Somewhere to relax and enjoy a truly marvelous knitting shopping experience. (Gorgeous yarns, books and notions etc goes without saying!) 'Away man, woman. Dream on' TB

Feel I will be entitled to a bit of Not Nagged2k knitting after the next few weeks.

Catch you when I can.

Byeeeeee.

Extreme Knitting (or Kill Two Birds With One Stone)

2007-03-15T20:22:00.000Z

Ola!

Just a quickie - got paperwork to do and can get on the internet just now while Newcastle is on the telly. Must get broadband networked for the house - The new pc with internet is in the spare bedroom and the old pc without internet is in the kitchen. I like the kitchen one for my paperwork because there is loads of room to spread all my stuff about but I can't access the internet on it. Will check out AOL when I finish here.

Have got a few rows done on my New Lanark slipover and another new project has prompted TB to conduct a little survey in the shop. It goes along the lines of 'Do you finish one item before starting another?' 'Do you have more than two projects on the pins at one time then?' 'Do you always do a tension square?' ... and finishes with 'I don't understand you women.' while I just stand there with that 'look' on my face. Well ... have you ever tried to look at more than one person at the same time with a different look on your face for each one? For example, during TB's survey. I am trying to look at him with the 'I told you so' look while looking at the customer with the 'I know exactly where you are coming from' look. I usually end up looking like I'm one ball short of a jumper.

Haven't had to use foldy up stick yet. Could always buy another, take the rubber feet off them, sharpen the ends and use them for one of those extreme projects. Mind you .. I would have to make a gigantic stitch holder in case I had to use the stick for walking. Oh dear, I now have an image of me walking up Quarry Street with a walking stick with 'big' knitting on it flapping about in the wind and all the wool tucked into a bag. I suppose I'd have to knit it up pretty quickly or people would be shouting 'Have you not got that finished yet?' if they saw me a few times. Hope TB doesn't read this or he will get me to do it as a good advertising stunt.Watch the local papers. lol

Oh dear - Newcastle being beat 2-0 at the moment (4-4 on aggregate, but losing on away goals). Tears at bedtime. lol

Okey-dokey artichokey - off to visit AOL Broadband. May be visiting from the kitchen soon!

I'll Get Stick For That.

2007-03-14T21:28:00.000Z

Hello and how's yer bum fur lovebites?

Got Tofutsies socks back on track and they are coming along swell. MWM has her eye (cos she only has one eye that kinda works) on them. We'll see. She is MWM after all.

New Lanark Aran is 100g ball - yippee! Enough for slipover. Couldn't be bothered getting the postal scales out so I just got out the 30 year old Weightwatcher scales I have planked at the back of a drawer in the back shop. I wonder if the new WW scales would tell me how many points a ball of wool would have if I fancied eating one. I know someone who has a set and I am going to try it next time I visit. Might have to enter it as lamb though.

Went to shops for Elsie's replacement pressie. Can't tell you what I got her yet but I hope she likes it.

Was hurrying back to the car (yes I took the car!) and it did it again. The leg thing. I wish someone would tell me what it is - I hate surprises! Anyway, was doing the dragging thing up the shopping centre and spotted Boots. 'Right', I thought. 'That's it. I'm going to do it while the bloody thing is on my mind.' The fact that it was on my leg escaped me at that time. I wandered about Boots like the proverbial fart in a sieve and finally had to ask at the counter. 'Do you have a folding up walking stick?' Didn't have any. Drat! Tried to walk away like I was Marilyn Munroe (thinking about the item on walking on the news in the morning) while pretending it wasn't for me because I am far too young for such an aid but failed miserably. Looked more like Jake the Peg with his middle leg missing (remember Rolf and his wee dance?). However, was passing Moss and popped in there and got one. A folding up one to keep in my bag for emergencies. It's huge folded up! Will have to start using my knitting bag for a handbag to carry it about.

To add insult to injury, my toe was giving me jip. I had a look when I got back to the shop. Not a pretty sight - shoe and sock off in the back shop trying to examine the middle toe of my right foot. It looks like the nail of the next toe is digging in and that is why I can't put wight on it. So much for getting my toenails cut by the chiropodist last week!

My life sucks!!

So, just going to treat myself now - coffee, digestive, hottie (no cover!!!!! that image will haunt me forever), telly and a few rows of my New Lanark Aran slipover. 'What? Another thing started before anything else is finished?', I hear you ask. Oh yes indeedy. And, I don't care if I get stick for it cos I have foldy up one already!

See ya!

Felting Is Not An Exact Science

2007-03-12T20:31:00.000Z

This is the picture of the knitted garden at the SECC. Isn't it cracking? It was all knitted (with a bit of crochet) - the grass (and daisies), the flowers, the rocks, the crazy paving, the deck-chair , ..... It looks better than my real garden. Hmm .. wonder if I could knit one for the summer.

Here's an interesting story. TB went home to Geordieland this morning. He got off the train and went into the pub for a pint and a bite to eat. There was a deal on for a pint and a burger for £3.50. So he ordered politely asking for no relish or coleslaw and was asked for £4. 'Way no, bonnie lass. It's £3.50,man' (... so you can imagine the accent.) 'It is, but it is 50p extra to take the relish and coleslaw off.' He was gobsmacked. I am gobsmacked. Have you ever heard the like? You don't expect to pay less when you ask them to hold something but now they expect you to pay them for taking something off the plate that they haven't put on to start with. Guess who went to Marks for lunch.

I think I must be ultra naive - is that burger thing normal? Am I missing something? Someone put a dodgy new member on the SnB and was looking for something more naughty than knotty. Who are these people? On a knitting meet-up site? Come on. Am I missing something? Is that computer generated like the spam crap we get on the shop e-mail addresses (and, btw, more is getting missed by the Norton junk mail thing) or is some sicko/perv/bored teenager/etc going in and intentionally doing things like that? Now, I know a few folk who need a reality shot but I am beginning to think that I might I might be one of them. Heavy bit over.

Finished the 'need to know' project last night. Yippee. Actually, not yippee. More 'oh for f..' Oops. 'oh my giddy aunt!'

Since I can't get the hang of putting more than one photo on, you will just have to wait until tomorrow to get the full sp. Let's just say that 'felting is not an exact science' and I will now have to find time to go birthday present shopping.

Leg is not so bad today. Socket is a wee bit tender. I like to amuse MWM by letting her her see it now and then but I amused her more tonight by showing her the 'need to know' project. Found a pattern for a plain v-neck slipover for my New Lanark Aran. Just going to weigh it to see if I bought 200g or 400g. Did I ask at the time? No. Will I have enough? We'll soon find out. No bets on this one! If I can get a hat or a pair of fingerless gloves out of one ball of the Jamie Possum wool, I am going to give Lynnette the other one cos she held back when she was at the SECC on Saturday and I think she wished she had got some. Fingerless gloves, methinks.

Off to get the scales out. Might bake a cake while I have them out. lololololol Fat chance!

See ya later alligator.

ps If the blog shows a big long paragraph - it wasn't like that when I was typing it. Forgive me?

SEX at the SECC

2007-03-11T17:17:00.000Z

Was at the SECC today and met up with Fiona, Catherine and Mhairi from the SnB. We had knitting with us but didn't get any done - too busy having SEX (stash enhancement experience).

I spent a FORTUNE (that isn't a knitting acronym - just a big load of money spent on wool and stuff). But I also made some contacts for the shop so I feel it was money well spent. (Just in case TB reads this!) Got contacts for Jamie Possum and New Lanark wools. The Jamie Possum wool is a mixture of Merino and (have you guessed yet?) Possum and comes all the way from New Zealand via Kilbarchan. Gonna knit a hat .. or gloves .. or a scarf .. or something with it. The New Lanark wool I got is pure wool and I would like to have it in the shop because it is spun locally (er .. Hamilton is in Lanark - shire plus I was born in Lanark which isn't New Lanark but ... oh stop now and put in a link).

So I nearly didn't have any SEX - can you feel a story coming on? Called in at the garage on my way to the SECC. Filled up with petrol, got some goodies and went to pay. What did I have? No purse. Rid neck. Delved into bag to hunt out emergency £20 note, into pocket for car-park money (£3.50. Yes, £3.50! Always keep it in pocket in case I over-indulge) and found some snash in bag and just made it. Thank you for not being completely empty you lovely little petrol tank you or I would have been most embarrassed. Back home for purse and into SECC. Thank Goodness I had to go for petrol though, I would have been really embarrassed if I had got there and zilch in the pot! What would have been the point of going and just window shopping - I was there for SEX!

Anyway, after we had lunch (mm tuna salsa melt and coffee - oh and I had also forgotten my insulin which I didn't notice when I went back for my purse but I did notice that there was a Diabetes UK conference going to be on there - hah! an omen?) the consensus was that it was all over bar the shouting. Stood up to go and put bags in car before checking out the wee hall and one last look at the big hall and - eeeek! leg thing!!! So, I hirpled out to the car dragging my leg behind me and like a sensible person I got in the car and went home. But wait ... I am not a sensible person. Put the bags in the car and dragged my leg all the way up to the middle of the SECC, limped around the wee hall which was really busy and full of card-making stuff in which I am not at all interested and should have known better than to go there anyway, limped back up to the big hall and went round there again then headed for home.

My leg is now gowping like a really gowping thing! Anyway, there was a display of a knitted garden and I got a picture of it so I will post that tomorrow.

Met half of my customers there, btw, so I guess it will be quiet this week. We will all be recovering from SEX at the SECC. lol

Catch y'all later.

A Vision of Lovliness - Where?

2007-03-08T20:00:00.000Z

Hey folks!

Well ... it has gone. Or rather, they have gone - the tooth and the temporary thing that wasn't a temporary crown but looked like a deformed stump. Was quite calm about the whole thing and even managed a few witty comments. What a horrible job. Imagine the gobs that dentists have to deal with. No way! I like my dentist. She is young and pleasant and probably the best dentist I have had the pleasure of being numbed by. Boy, have I been treated (and I use the term loosely) by some butchers in my dental past. Er .. eg ... root treatment without anaesthetic? Not nice!

Anyway, I got the day off because there was no way I was going out of the house without my plate (had to leave it at the dentist yesterday to get the new tooth put on). So .. long lie. Grabbed joggies, t-shirt and fleece and wrapped my big Rowan Tuft scarf round my face to take TB to the shop. Remember, this is straight out of bed - unwashed, sleep in eyes and hair like straw hingin oot a midden (at least the make-up was off). Idea was drop him at corner and head straight home for breakfast. No contact with anyone. Ah ... no!

Got to shop and who was waiting? Tom, the Lanartus/Lang rep. Oh dear (or words to that effect). TB 'You do the till and speak to Tom and I'll go for milk' Me 'That'll be right' (Or words to that effect.) TB 'Well, you go to the shop and I'll speak to Tom and do the till' Me 'That'll be right' (Or words to that effect.) Guess who went to the shop. Big riddy.

Could hardly scarper and had to go back and see Tom. TB thought it was sooo funny to tell him why I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards. (Which reminds me - I will get my own back, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day). Tom thinks I am mad anyway and I have a feeling today confirmed it.

However, nice new yarns but waiting until wall is down. It would get in the way and covered in stoor. I know what I am defo gonna get though. Lang have Addi needles in Lang packaging. They are Addis but I understand they are cheaper than Addis in Addi packaging. Have to check price lists to confirm. Yippee.

Had ordered 60cm 5mm Addi Turbo circular needles so I could use them for my 'need to know' project. Well, what's the point in having a wool shop ... you know ... They came when I was at the dentist so I grabbed one and as soon as I got home I put my knitting on them. You know, they are sooooo good. They don't stick and I didn't mind working with them. Usually I hate using a circular needle, or any needles shorter than 35cm for that matter, but these are heaven. Yep, defo for the shop.

Looks like I am getting absolutely no sympathy despite my petted lip and little whimpers, so I am going to do some ironing. Will give myself an hour and then do some knitting. Newcastle seem to be winning by the sound of it so TB will be in good humour.

Catch ya later.

Cable Needle Holder - don't do this at home!

2007-03-07T23:41:00.000Z

Oh, the things I was going to do today. My day off. Did I get any of them done? No, I didn't. Ended up in Kwik-Fit. New catalyst and tyre for the car. That was good wool money too! Will just have to go rummaging about in TB's piggy bank for Sunday at the SECC.

The only thing that I did do that was planned was go to the dentist. Back tomorrow to get the temporary thing and tooth removed. Boo-hoo. Mind you, every cloud has a silver lining ... I'll have a great place for keeping my cable needle when I am not using it. It will beat putting it behind my ear and losing it down the back of a cushion.

Managed a few rounds of the 'need to know' item when MBN came up. She gave me a sample packet of Fruitellas and a sample tub of the new Mentos chewing gum (really yummy, btw). No wonder I have to go to the dentist.

TB has started nagging me to knit a few things up in our tastier yarns (Rowan, Debbie Bliss ...) for display when the shop is rearranged. Think I will research knitting with feet!

Off to bed to prepare for the jags up the front of my mouth tomorrow. My life sucks! (And that is pretty much what I will have to do with my tea tomorrow night. Soup anyone?)

Toodle-oo fur noo.

Days Off Are For Knitting - We'll See!

2007-03-06T23:42:00.000Z

Howdie Doodie!

Was contemplating my navel tonight (as you do) when a text came. Ooh, who can this be? It was TAH. What's the volume of a cylinder? Jings! Who'da thought I'd be using my degree while contemplating my navel. It's one thing knowing what it is but have you ever tried to text it? Sent it off. Then ... lack of confidence tapped on my shoulder. Looked for a maths book. Up the loft. Phoned SB (the 1st year Physics student). He said half what I said. Half it? That's not right as I thought of a drum of Glenmorangie. Shouted up to TB. He said the same as me. Meanwhile, the texts were flying. But ... I was right and Elsie had got the right answer. Yippee. Treated myself to a few more rounds of my Tofutsies socks. Dementia, maths degree and canny count. Who ya gonna call? Wee Minty's a better bet.

Elsie (as she will forever be known) is TAH's daughter, LC. Well, it's Victoria but I won't bore you with the details (not now anyway).

So, so much for not starting anything until the UFOs are done. Since I started nagging myself I have got four, yes, count them, four new things on the pins. Grace slipover, Filorosa scarf, Tofutsies socks and another project (no details yet - need to know basis). Not to mention the crochet bag to be finished. Mmmm - might do that tomorrow before I go to the dentist. Eek! Extraction on Thursday.

Kathleen was in the shop today. She brought in a book for me to borrow which was really nice of her. Will study that tomorrow and tell you a bit more about it then.

Went in next door to see the new bit again. The room that is going to be part of the shop is a lot smaller than I remember. Sort of like seeing TB again after he has been away home. (Tsk. I mean because he is a wee midget!) Anyway, it is still going ahead. Just hope we can get all the sewing stuff in there. Should do with a bit of jiggery-pokery.

Was in Mhairi's blog (flavaknits) and she has a picture of a beautiful salad with a lovely free-range egg. Hmmph! We had egg, chips and beans cos I haven't managed to get the messages yet. Another wee job for tomorrow.

Looks like I've got a few things to do tomorrow then. Plus I've got paperwork too. Holy Moley. Better get to bed so I can get up early.

Night, night.

My Aunt is Aff Her Heid!

2007-03-04T18:20:00.000Z

Hello bloggers and blogees. Howzithingin?

Not been doing much blogwise this week - too busy hypoing and sleeping. However, having a wee blog now to break me back into the swing of it.

Have put on the picture of MBN, MB and SB wearing their lovely Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles jumpers that I did for them way back. Aren't they gonna love me for that!! lol If they only knew the trouble I had to go to for that pattern book (which has long since gone and, like soooo many others, I wish I still had) and plan them all (the TMNTs) so they would fit on their sizes of sweaters and knit them for Christmas. It would bring a tear to a glass eye.

TB is dising (is that you spell it?) the customers as usual. (eg 'Nan, the Chief Bitch is here' when our interim GSnB Organiser came to visit the shop for the first time!) BTW, that is her blog at the side, dollydimpleknits. And you should see the stuff she does! Check out Kedkrafty for her finished items. Mmmm! (Guess who has learned to do links now! lol)

My voice is getting a bit croaky with the added bummer of a sore throat. Yippee, maybe I will lose my voice and get a few days off work. Aye, right!

The wall is coming down in the shop between us and next door so we will have a bigger shop and that is happening this week. Yuck, all that stoor! Will have to go and beg, steal and borrow some sheets etc. But .. it will all be worth it.(?)

TB is making the tea, so I am off to prepare for the gastronomic feast.

See ya, wouldn't want to be ya!

Hypochondria - I fancy I have that.

2007-02-26T22:08:00.000Z

Only two more peeps till my wee fat baldy Geordie midget is back. And oh what a night we will have. Yeah right .. he is going to watch football and I am off to Livingston to see my bezie mate, TAH (the auld hoor, Loraine).

Not much blogging tonight - am going to go to bed early. Well you see, MWM has to phone every morning at 7am to wake me up. I then have to flush the loo to prove I am up. (yes ... you read that correctly!) However, this morning she had to go to the next stage of the procedure. The one where she can't get an answer and I may be lying in a coma stage. Remember - diabetic. So what did I wake up to this morning? TMO pounding up the stairs, (teachers voice at full teacherness), my alarm clock (still) going off and my mobile snooze giving merry Hell. Yep. Slept through the phone ringing about twenty times, the alarm clock ringing for forty minutes and my mobile snoozing every ten minutes. What woke me up. TMO. Yes, the next stage in the procedure is phone the emergency service. I should record her voice and have that played at 7am - that would get me up in a hurry!

Of course, what made it worse was that I had zonked out in my joggies and t-shirt and there were piles of ironing lying everywhere. 'Are those clothes or night-clothes?' 'Don't leave those lying there. That's dangerous.' ' Have you phoned Mum yet?' (On phone) 'No, she's just lying down again. Her eyes are shut.' 'Nan. GET UP! Speak to your mother.' Of course my eyes were shut. I couldn't open them cos I had zonked out before I got my make-up off and the mascara was like superglue. Could have been worse though, last time she sent BIL.

Boy, you couldn't make this up!

I am soooooo tired. In fact, I feel a dose of hypochondria coming on. But I am not going into that just now. (Well, not when there are medical sites to visit and I already have the medical dictionary downstairs for a little light reading.)

So, it's goodnight from me.

ps Hey Scottie. Mind and leave a comment fur yer auntie.
pps On my next blog I will tell you about the goodies that came today. yum, yum

TMO - spot the teacher

2007-02-24T20:05:00.000Z

Good day to you all. Hope you are well.

When TMO came into the shop yesterday, I showed her my blog. Comments included - 'What a load of rubbish.' 'That doesn't make sense.' and 'Went. I went. Not I go. I went.' I told her it was a blog and it was blogspeak. 'Tut!' and off she went to the shops. Guess which one of us is the teacher.

TB phoned 4 times and text once while I was sleeping last evening. Never heard a thing. Bliss! Getting a bit worried about how deeply I am sleeping in these stints though. What if I didn't hear TB saying 'Here's fifty quid. Go and treat yourself.' Mind you I would have to be sleeping to hear that cos I would be dreaming.

MIL (TB's mum - mother-in-law) is doing much better. She is not so wandered so the infection(s) must be clearing up nicely. There is talk of her getting out next week but going into respite care. So ... TB will be coming back up. Crikey, better get a move on tomorrow and get the rest of that wool sorted and put away. Maybe he won't notice it. Fat chance!

GSnB today. Good crowd. Good discussion. Good decisions made. Had chips and a coffee. Shortbread and Diet Coke. Didn't go the chips much but had to eat them cos I had had my insulin. Got a bit of my slipover done and a bit of the scarf. Spoke to Kathleen about my comment on her blog and she laughed about it. Oh, thank you!

Afterwards, when I was coming home, all fired up and full of enthusiasm, I got out my knitting and clicked away as I headed over the M8. Next thing a police car pulled up beside me, one of the policemen wound down his window and shouted 'Pull over'. Quite indignantly I shouted back 'No. It's a slipover'.

Going to get changed, make some coffee and get the ironing board out. Might even do some ironing too. Can't watch 24 or Lost cos haven't seen last week's yet. Still to watch Life on Mars, so might watch that. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. No wonder I suffer from stress.

Au revoir for now.

ps Got last square attached to bag - only handles to do. Yippee!

I Don't Beleeeeeve it!

2007-02-24T10:08:00.000Z

Haven't done much knitting in the past week cos I have been sleeping. Yes ... that much. Fall asleep at Mum's, go home, have tea, fall asleep, wake up, then go to bed.

So last night, I woke just after eleven and decided to check out the GSnB message board. Put on a post and thought I would check out Kathleen's and Mhairi's blogs. (That's theirs listed on the side bar.) So, go into Kathleen's and saw that it had been her birthday. The next one was a picture of the scarf she had finished and she mentioned that she had got the wool in the shop and mentioned my blog.

I thought I'll go back to the first one and wish her a happy birthday and then go into the second and thank her for the mentions.

So .. in I go. Happy birthday. witty comment, compliment. Did I read it again? No. Did I preview it? No. Why should I? I don't have to do such things - I am just perfect. Publish........

.... up comes the comment with 'you are younger than you look' staring back at me. OH MY GOD! I don't believe it. Back in. Publish an apology. Er. You are older than you look. Into second post. Apologise again.

Guess what. Kathleen, please forgive me. In my defence, if you continue to read my blog, you will see that that one was a mere bagatelle.

Posted a picture of MBN at the side. She is lovely and certainly takes after me.

There was a coffee morning in the church across the road and TMO brought in a bag of goodies. She said to take something from the plate. Er. Don't know if she meant me to have it all, but she can't get it back now. (A fairy cake, 4 pancakes and piece of shortbread. Lunch? TLA had the other fairy cake - honestly. BTW, don't think fairy cakes are on the Scottish Slimmers list Anne!)

Back to work. Hey ho. Have to stay awake tonight - ice-dancing and Casualty!!

See ya.

While the cat's away ...

2007-02-22T14:19:00.000Z

Oh, yummy, yummy, yummy! Been on the Purlescence site and treated myself. While TB is away I should have just got the glass needles but decided to go for the birch cable needles, a magazine and a sweater keyring! See what a good girl I am!

Also while TB is away, I have ordered stacks of new wool but only told him about a wee drop of it. I'll have to go like the clappers reorganising to get it out before he comes back. Ach! Life is to short to worry about whether you have enough room for ... errr, how many? ... new yarns. lol

Oh, yes. And while TB is away, he is still managing to nag me about knitting not one, but two beanies. A brown one and a green one - to match his scarves. Fashion victim? Sad person? Who knows? It won't be this week sweetheart.

How was the birthday meal? A pleasant evening spent in the company of my family, all of us stuffing our faces. I had Caledonian Chicken. Mmmm. Breast of chicken, pan-fried, resting on a bed of haggis with a creamy Drambuie sauce and served with a selection of fresh vegetables. It was wonderful and the portions were enormous. Garlic bread before and no sweet after. My God, the starters were massive. I had been warned the servings were big, but ...

SB (Scottie Boy, MB's brother Scott) was sitting munching away on jalapenos (oes?) It seems he can eat a jar of them at one sitting. Yuck. Strange family I have.

No stitching done yesterday, pile of ironing to do tonight and MBN is coming up to see me. Maybe she will bring a few samples from work. Fruitellas. Yum. Will watch Tuesday's Life on Mars when she goes and do a bit of this crochet bag. I must get it finished. (Nag. Nag.)

So, did you get it? What's brown and sticky? A stick. lolololololol

Don't put any money on the bag being done, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.

'Til tomorrow. Chin, chin.

Cliffhanger Blog

2007-02-21T12:55:00.000Z

Up to Mum's after work yesterday. BIL (brother-in-law, Colin), MB and TMO (the mad one, my sister, Flora) were in. Oh and, of course, WM. MWM (ma wee mammy) ended up sitting with her eyes closed and her hands out for us to put more presents on. She's mad. My gran was mad, she's mad and TMO is mad. I more than suspect MBN is mad too! Lucky me! It missed me and went down her side - that is why I refer to my sister as the mad one.

Anyway, I had put on my new corsage (oooh, get her. Corsage.) and MWM noticed and asked what it was. I told her it was another wee flower and she said, quite indignantly, that it was nicer than hers. I asked her she wanted mine and before the 'Oh aye.' was out of her mouth, she had her hers off and the hand out waiting for mine. She can get a spurt on when it suits her - the besom!

Meanwhile, BIL had said that he had taken WM out for a walk. I love that wee dug to bits but my feet were killing me and the last thing I wanted to do was take her out. But it transpired that BIL had only got to the end of the path when WM decided that she didn't want to go for a walk with BIL and about turned and headed back into the house dragging BIL behind her. She is one determined terrier. As a result, WM gets to go for a walk with her favourite big sister. lol WM winds TMO up something rotten. It was actually quite a nice night and got some fresh air into the bargain.

TB is away home now. Hate that he is not here and hate the circumstances but ... However, every cloud has a silver lining and TLA and I are taking advantage of his departure - skiving! And I will be able to do all sorts of things I can't do with him around getting in the way too! lol Will speak to him later.

Off out for a family dinner tonight. MB's 21st. Should be a laugh and the food will be yummy. Won't be able to move tomorrow!

Nearly forgot. What is brown and sticky? Oh you can just wait until tomorrow to find out.

Bunty's Birthday

2007-02-20T13:12:00.000Z

Did another wee crochet flower for me cos I gave my mum the first one. Told her it was her birthday present. lol. This one is done with Louisa Harding Impression (guess where I got it - Stitching Time, Hamilton). I had some left after doing my fingerless mitts - one in picture. They are a wee bit scabby now cos I wear them in the shop (brrr) but they are still yummy.

It is Mum's birthday today (83). How did she manage to have a daughter as young as me? Maybe she went to that Italian doctor and he sorted her out. Oh dear! That sounds a bit naughty. Especially talking about my mum.

TB has to go home tomorrow because his mum is seriously ill. She was taken into hospital last night and it seems that her kidneys are failing. I wish I could go with him to give support but I have to look after the shop. Perhaps I can get down at the weekend.

I started this blog to do something different and have a laugh. I don't do politics and I don't do religion. But I can't not mention the SnB and what is going on there. All the members with blogs will be posting something - probably heavy and psychological, philosophical and meaningful. I only mention it because I would like the SnB to be a long term thing for me.

So ... talk to each other!!! (With your mouths and ears.)

There - heavy bit over.

MBN is away doing her new job and is enjoying it so far. MB (ma boy, AKA my nephew Euan) is 21 tomorrow. Think he has just about recovered from his party on Saturday. Showed him TB's hat and asked if he wanted one, but he said he doesn't do tea-cosies.

Off to do some work. Don't particularly feel jokey today. Maybe tomorrow I will tell you my favourite joke of all time.

See ya.

After Casualty, the piles are nearly gone.

2007-02-19T16:00:00.000Z

Howdie doodie!

Did my first crochet flower on Saturday night before Casualty. My input to 'bring a flower to SnB' .

Aw, isn't it sweet!

Watched Casualty and did some bag crochet ... and ... the piles are gone. Only the last (big) square to be attached.

Thought it would be done by now but you know what thought did! (No? He stuck a feather ... maybe we'll leave that for now.)

After addition of square, handles, and edging ... blah, blah. My goodness, this waiting is even boring me!! I will do it this week. (Sounds suspiciously like nagging!!)

Went to Glasgow SnB yesterday. Had a lovely bowl of Broccoli and Stilton soup with some yummy bread and parsley butter and a cup of coffee. Mmmm. Later, I had a piece of (melt in the mouth) shortbread and another cup of coffee. Mmmm. Oh and yes, did some knitting. I take two things to do and split the time between them. I make sure I take something that doesn't need a lot of concentration. This week I had a Rowan slipover patter which I was knitting with Louisa Harding Grace (a wool and silk mix) and some Gedrifra Filorosa for a scarf. (Both yarns avaialble at Stitching Time, Hamilton). Of course, took flower. Only three were brought, but mine was the lovliest!

Got to go. TB is booked for on-line poker and his masters voice n all that.

Catch ya later!

Have Felt Piles Friday

2007-02-16T14:03:00.001Z

Thought I could show you my piles but the batteries in my camera went flat. Yep, my digi camera is that old. However, the piles of crochet squares are ready to be put together, then handles on ... oh and the fancy bit of edging I managed to miss on the pattern ... and then into Feltingland. Yippee!!!

Will get a picture of my already felted hat on my phone before I stick it in with the bag to felt again and before I attempt the badge.

So .... here he is .... what you have been waiting for ... Les and the sweater! (lolol) Oh no it's not - couldn't get the image to appear. Hmm. Will have to have a look at this later. And ... you'll just have to wait. Oh the anticipation!

Had to change the pic of TB wearing his sweater to him wearing his beanie cos he said he looked ridiculous (and the difference is?). So his latest wheeze is .. why don't you knit up some beanies in Patons Essence. He doesn't get it yet - I hate being nagged to knit.

See ya later ... off to do some work. (Yes, I do work sometimes!)

Sky+ and knitting - who needs the real world?

2007-02-15T20:25:00.000Z

Crochet bag is coming along nicely. Yippee! Got one big square to do and the handle. Then wahing machine time! Managed to suss out what I had done with the two squares that weren't right - all by myself. I am soooo good. So, camera tomorrow for before picture, Mr Zanussi's wee box tomorrow night and Saturday .. the big unveiling! Will take to SnB on Sunday. (Oo-er still have flower to do - might cheat and take one I prepared earlier!)

Today passed quite uneventfully. Unusual for me. But then .. it isn't bed-time yet. Jack and I spent a cosy hour on the couch last night and I knew his Dad was going to be a baddie. Poor Jack - and I think my days don't go too well!

Talking about TV progs - I just love River City and America's Next Top Model ... oh and CSI(Las Vegas - don't like the other two .. maybe New York if stuck) and Casualty. Er and the soaps of course. And Life on Mars is back on and I think it's brill. Hmm .. I really need to get out more. But then, if I do I can't knit as much. Could take it with me I suppose, but I did all that nearly 30 years ago and who am I to follow a trend? Maybe I started it. lolol Anyway, I'm not as young as I used to be and I have to mark everything down now and concentrate more.

We have a pattern in the shop and I swear it is Les Battersby modelling a luverly sweater. It makes me laugh every time I see it. I say to all the customers 'Look, it's Les Battersby' and they look and then look at me and then they smile that smile at me. You know that 'Care in the Community' smile? TB just shakes his head and gives them the 'I know, I know.' look and walks away. I'll put it on tomorrow and let you decide.

MBN (my beautiful neice Gillian) got a new job today. I told her to stop changing jobs - I can't afford all these good luck cards. She starts on Monday. Gets a new car and she doesn't want to get rid of her wee Jiminy. Aw she got it just before Christmas. Gonna ask if she will model some knitted items for me. I know how to take the photos cos I watch ANTM! Must convert her - she wouldn't be seen dead in a knitted item. lolol I'll blackmail her with her Postman Pat and Ninja Turtle jumpers photos. lolololololol

Off downstairs to finish crochet bag. lolol - still thinking about her with her wee intarsia jumpers. lolol

Catch ya later.

Felt better ...

2007-02-14T21:02:00.000Z

Did today go to plan? Of course not!! Who thought St Valentine's day was Thursday and left my pressie in the shop so he could wrap it when I wasn't there? And when he was dropped off at the shop and wrote my card and presented the said pressie, who found they had been given the same (beautiful) ornament as last year?
I ask you!!

So .. toddled off home (to relax, knit, telly ..) only to have a hypo (yep, diabetic). Plans on hold. Okay, sorted washing, put in machine and did some paperwork. Logged off pc and made coffee. Yippee knitting time. Oh, hold on .. washing done. What's that? Oh, no! Only my gorgeous Louisa Harding Kimono Angora beanie hat looking like a former shadow of itself! Yep. Managed to put it in with the wash and felted it. Mixed emotions. Swore a bit, tried it on for a laugh and then .. flash of inspiration! Why not throw it in again and use it to make your felt badge? Every cloud ...

And there is always knitting to do to cheer you up. Oh, first of all, better look out those cross-stitch charts you promised a customer. Hundred of magazines later, had found two. Two! Never mind, got them all sorted. Got knitting magazines sorted and found a knitting pattern I had been looking for (for months) for a customer. Where was it? Folded in half in an embroidery magazine, of course! Every cloud ...

Well, off to dentist. La la la. Sun shining. Quite warm. Gorgeous day. Feeling quite good for once. Temp crown. Impression taken. Come back for new one. WRONG! Temp blah bl blah blah (not temp crown) Come back for impression and extraction. First appointment I could make? - a fortnight! Gone from Jaws in James Bond to an extra in Shaun of the Dead in 30 minutes. Oh, and the bank balance was a lot lighter too!

Ho hum! Not so bright now, are we? Will phone TB. Forgot phone. Home for phone. No time to go to Mum's, so head off to shop. Park car. Head to shops to see if new knitting magazines in yet. Nope. Buy a crochet book (well, I had a voucher!) Head to Marks for bread and milk. Oh dear, have to pass through Per Una. Nice trousers. Turn round and just about go my length and save myself by holding on to a display rack. Very, very lucky. It didn't quite crash to the floor. (I get this thing in my leg. I call it 'the leg thing'.) So, go staggering up to the Food Hall. The leg thing is here to stay. Look like I have been on the Buckie and in for a terr. Trousers flapping, nose now running and milk squashing the iced buns. Meanwhile, have dropped glove and have to retrace steps to find it. Phone TB to pick me up. No reply. Stagger back to the shop.

TB: 'Have a good day off?'
Me: 'Felt better.'

Home. Couch. Hot water bottle. Zzzzzs. Tea made. Blog land. Some lovely comments. Feel loads better. Gonna watch 24 and knit for a while, then go to bed. No plans for tomorrow - just see what it brings.

The Tooth Is Out There!

2007-02-13T12:30:00.000Z

Was rushing around this morning at the last minute as usual so went hell for leather with the toothbrush. Out came my crown and down the plughole it went! Managed to get an appointment at the dentist tomorrow. 2.20pm.Two thirty would just not have been funny!! Well ... maybe I would have sniggered a wee bit. Can't disguise that it's missing so will just have to grin and bear it. (Groan! - will stop before I get carried away with the dentist and teeth jokes.)

Oh, joy of joys! Ordered some felting needles and they came in yesterday. Can't wait to have a go.My first attempt is to make a name badge to wear to the Glasgow StitchnBitch. But not for this Sunday (at 1pm, The Tramway) cos we have to knit or crochet a flower in honour of St Valentine. Haven't decided what I am going to do yet. There is a lovely corsage to knit in the Louisa Harding Accessories book (TLA is going to do it with Sari Ribbon - yes, both available at Stitching Time, Hamilton) but I thought I might attempt a crochet one. Oo-er, maybe a bit too early - my crochet skills are still a bit limited. However, the worst thing is trying to decide if doing the flower would be classed as being nagged to knit. My life is so complex. Should I get out more?

So the scarf is done for TB and he wasn't too chuffed when I suggested that it could be his St Valentine's present. I thought a card would be enough but the big wean likes to get presents. Aww! I'll make sure wee Minty gives him a big kiss (well, it will save me.)

I'm off tomorrow and apart from the dentist, I am going to spend the day doing what I want. So I am going to force myself to get up early. I might wait until I get my breakfast in bed - lol, I'd never get up. Have a leisurely shower, get dressed and then relax on the sofa with coffee, my scrumptious box of St. Valentine's day chocs - okay a hob-nob- and my knitting. Will finish a UFO and wear it on Thursday.

So until the next time.

See ya.

Hats that!

2007-02-12T13:30:00.000Z

Well, the hat is done and the scarf two thirds done. Would have been finished but I slept most of yesterday away.

Hat is beanie and was done in Patons Inca on 7mm needles and took about 75g. Got wool in Stitching Time, Hamilton. Used the brown mix, it is lovely and it is warm. Wore it watching Casualty to see if TB would notice it when he came downstairs. Did he heck as like (and I'm blonde) ... too busy looking for a coffee and was that all I had done of his scarf? I ask you!! Nagged to knit? Aye, that's me. He's been wearing the hat all morning in the shop. Think he is quite proud of it - but as usual he is telling everyone he knitted it himself.

Well, the living room is starting to look more like a living room again but only cos I bought one of the big Marks and Spencer bags on Saturday and put lots of bags in it! Mind you it is hiding a multitude of sins. lolol What TB cannot see, TB cannot moan about!!

So .. lunchtime over again. It was cut in half cos someone was on the internet for news on his footie team. I could give him the news - they are rubbish! Okay so they won on Saturday against Liverpool but we all have our off days. lol

Back to work. Catch you soon.

Nagging Myself? That Can't Be Right!

2007-02-10T11:45:00.000Z

Yes ... I'm nagging myself! Must finish all my UFOs. I said I was going to leave them in the living room to shame myself into doing them but they are breeding. I want my living room back. And it's not as if I can move them to the spare room cos they'll just get lost amongst all the other stuff to be done. Plus ... if I put things up the loft I can say goodbye to them cos that is like a black hole of things to be done later as it is.

Anyway, had a couple of bright moments at the end of this week the Lana Grossa man was in. Mmmm. Oh and the new yarns were mmm as well. So not only was he in on Thursday but he was back yesterday to show us some cracking Italian buttons.

Anne ( from now on referred to as TLA) was most disappointed she missed him and I was most disappointed that TB was here!

TB has a list of things he is nagging me to knit (wish he would learn to do it himself!) - a scarf; a hat; a teddy bear and another jumper. That is for starters. The worst thing is he tells the customers he does them himself -and they believe him!!!

So the picture of him shows him wearing a jumper knitted from a King Cole pattern but done in Stylecraft Raffia. Both of which are available in Stitching Time, Hamilton. The Raffia was lovely to knit with and it knitted up really quickly - well, it is a chunky. It has a sort of rustic look and feel to it.

In the process of learning to crochet and am doing a felted crochet bag. It is made of eight granny squares and I have done five so far. However, the first three are great all the same size but the last two are miles bigger. ??? Have to do them again - I am using Twilley's Freedom chunky and it's a pain to take out. Might use them again - will put in the bag of bits.

Better finish - TB has gone to the Post Office and will be back soon and I don't want to be accused of skiving. (lolol - as if!)

Bye for now.

Virgin Blogger

2007-02-08T12:20:00.000Z

My first time .. will I remember it with fondness?

TB (the boss) is nagging for me to do some work but I want to take my time. Mind you, my tummy is rumbling and I tend to give in to that sort of nagging.

Ok. Off for some pasta and some thoughts on my first proper post.

'Bye for now.