Monkey Socks

KNITTING
Finally! I have some knitting to show. I'm very pleased with myself that I've been able to produce alot more knitting lately than I have for ages.

First off 1 Monkey sock! its knitted in Opal sock yarn and I love the pattern. Its so easy and looks great!! Finally a pattern I can knit without cocking it all up!!!

secondly a new jacket I'm knitting in Sirdar bamboo. now I know I said I'd never touch Sirdar again because all the yarns I've used I've hated , but this was on sale at Kemps wool for 89p per ball!! scrol down the page! I really like this yarn. Its a tape and knits like cotton, but unlike cotton it doesnt split.

I cant move the photos on here, its very strange. just the codes are showing not the actual piccies. mad Blogger!!

I havnt done any spinning as my neck and shoulders and back are too bad.


FM
on the FM front. I loved the 4 burning hot days we had. I felt so well! But the pain moved to my neck ,shoulders and lpwer back. its been really painful. I've had the TENS machine out, the wheat packs, heated blanket..you name it. The pain has been keeping me awake at night too which annoys Mr Cinders as I toss and turn and get up and down.

Some Nice Trips out

On the Friday of the heatwave, Mr Cinders had business in Hull. I have a friend up in Hull, Chezza, who I met through Stitchlinks So whilst Mr Cinders did his business I went for a visit and a natter. She lives in a one street village next to the Humber. Its lovely. We had a brew and a natter, the Mr Cinders joined us and we went for a pub lunch. Later we sat on the banks of the Humber watching the tugs going up and down, chatting. It was great to catch up with Chezza and a lovely day out.

I was exhausted the day after so I lay in the sun... Bliss! Monday Rachel took me swimming, Tuesday was hospital appts, but Wednesday I usaually go for a massage and my neighbour takes me. She wasnt around so I decided to take myself. I got on my scooter and whizzed up to the metro into Bury. Then I got a taxi up to the centre. I was very pleased with my independence. After my wonderful massage I got a taxi back Into Bury town centre and did a bit of shopping, then got the metro home. I was out for 5 hours and felt tired but good.

Thurday it rained and I felt knackered and damp again.
The weather definitely affects my FM. I need to emigrate to California or somewhere where its always hot!!!

I will post some photos of Josh's barmitzvah when I can, but for some reason my computer will not recognise hubby's web site !! so I'll have to pich his 'pooter and upload some

Books- I've just finished reading James Clavells epic Shogun. I remeber seeing my dad and friends dads reading it in the 80's. I loved this book. it was so realisitc. very gory but full of duplicity, romance, mad Samuri with death wishes!! All details of Japanese life and culture was there in detail and made fascinating reading

Finally!! some finished Knitting!!!

YAY!!! I can finally, nearly 6 months into the year show off some knitting!!
I knitted the Veronique shawl from French Girl Knits, finished Normski's socks and finished my Ivy cardi from Knitty!!!
here they are.
I cant seem to access the photos. my blogger has gone bonkers!!! Rachel is moddeling the Veronigue as I look to fat. I reasoned I didnt look too bad in the Ivy!!!

I cant do any spinning at the mo as My legs are too bad-booh--, but I'm managing to dye some stuff in between being ehxausted!!!

PLEASE SUPPORT RACHEL IN THE RACE FOR LIFE BY BUYING MY SPECIAL SOCK YARN
I have dyed a beautiful merino/tencel sock yarn in the colours of breast cancer and ovarian cancer and am asking £2 above the normal price. this will all go with rachels sponsor money to cancer research U.K the yarn is called Hope. please support us in this very worthy cause.

FM
On the FM front life is tough, but I'm cheerful. I managed to go into Manchester last Saturday with Mr Cinders to do some shopping and we went out for lunch which was v nice. I've been trawling the internet for a holiday and spent so much time on it I'm having yet another flare. I had to be in bed Tuesday and some of yesterday which is very frustrating, but thats life Jim!!- but we've managed to book a 4 day break at the end of August on a camp site in great Yarmouth. we'e in a chalet not a tent!!! Josh is coming with us which is why we've plumped for this type of holiday. If it was just me and Mr Cinders we'd go somewhere quieter. But if I'm resting in an afternoon or having a bad day there needs to be some facilities to keep a teenage boy happy, so at least on a camp site theres load to do. I'm really looking forward to it as I want to see Norfolk, particularly the Broads and North coast which I beleive are beautiful and I love the seaside anyway. we havnt had a holiday for 2 years so this is exciting

This Sunday M-I-L is 80 so we're having afternoon tea chez nous for the immediate family. Sam is coming home which is good.

Rachel is in the middle of her 'A.S' levels at present and stressed and we all know about it!! My cleaner is ill today so RAch is in her element cleaning and re-organisng my untidy drawers

I had them all in tears!!!

Havnt blogged for a few weeks as last weekend was Josh's barmitzvah and the run up was a bit hectic. The whole weekend has been amazing!
josh read his portion from the Torah. it was a long one this week. he did fantastically I was so proud. His dad, grandpa and close relatives all made blessings before the Torah readings so the whole, male , family got involved. Its so wonderful to see these events. Mr Cinders Dad made it to the Synagogue so we were delighted as he's nearly 86 and very frail and it was touch and go all week as to whether he's make it or not. after all her chemo my Mum looked fantastic so all round it was a weekend of delight.
After the service we had a small buffet of cakes, crisps, fishballs etc. This is called a Kiddush and we have a small version every week after a service, but ours was the Rolls Royce version!!
Then the immediate family came back to our house for lunch. by 4pm I was bog eyed so I fell into bed and slept and stayed in bed for the whole of the rest of the day!
Sunday started early with us having our hair done, then we held afternoon tea in the adjoining Synagogue hall for 80 family and friends.
it was wonderful. Our colour scheme was bright royal blue and metalic silver, as chosen by Josh. So the invites were in those colours, the hall was decked out in those coloured balloons and the men- Mr Cinders, Sam and Josh all had on variations of blue and silver shirts and ties.

We had tons to eat, sandwhiches, finger sized buns, saoury struddle and mimi quiches followed y yummy deserts.
norman, myself, and the kids all gave speeches. The kids were very funny. sam is a natural infront of a microphone. he should be with the Footlights!!
Josh had wanted me to make a speech. I think he thought I was going to say how cheeky he was etc. But I didnt,
This is my speech verbatim . It had people sniffing into their hankies!!

Rabbis, Family and friends,

When Josh asked me to make a speech at his barmitzvah. I don’t think he thought I’d be saying the following. I hope you all don’t think that what I’m going to say is inappropriate for today.

As you all know the last 5 years in the Fryman household have not been easy, to say the least since I developed Fibromyalgia. Whilst it has been hard enough for me personally to cope with going from being a perfectly normally functioning human being , taking for granted the things we do daily, the boring stuff, washing, cleaning, shopping etc, to driving, and the fun stuff, taking the kids out , having family days out etc, to becoming semi-disabled ,and being in pain and exhausted 24/7, it has had a knock on affect on my direct family and those close to me. It is with this in mind that I wanted to say a few thank-yous.

Firstly thank you to all my wider family friends and neighbours ,which includes everyone sat here today, for phoning and enquiring about me. So many of you have helped and supported me, Thanks to my neighbour ann who regularly takes me out and has even pushed me in my wheelchair, which believe you me, since I’m no longer sylph like, is no mean feet!!

To my life long friends Mandy and Karen. Firstly thank you for today’s speech. I’m so glad you left out all my misdemeanours over the last 30 odd years!! Thank-you for phoning me weekly, , for allowing me to moan and cry, for the laughter and lunches. You truly are the greatest friends.

And now on to my family. My in-laws- Leila you make the best chopped and boiled fish this side of Manchester. Thank you for your support and for keeping us supplied with heimishe foods, picklemeat, chopped herring etc!!

My parents, Mum and dad, you have always been there to help and support me. Dad, when I was a small girl and subsequent teenager, you were my taxi service ferrying me and my friends here there and everywhere. When I grew up and started driving you were redundant for a few years. Then along came the grandchildren and you became gramps taxi. Now they have grown up and don’t need your services so much you thought you could have a breather. Oh No! I stopped driving 2 years ago and you became Dads taxi yet again! Long may you continue to be able to ferry me around!!
Mum, you have struggled with your illness and punishing treatments with an amazing inner strength, fortitude and courage. You’re an inspiration to all of us. It hurts me that I cannot physically help you as I’d like to do and I know equally, you feel the same about me, But we talk every day on the phone when we cant visit each other and support each other in this way. I wish you only good health and happiness in the future and thank you for being there for me always.

My children, Sam, I am so very proud of all that you have achieved in life so far. You’ve grown up into a handsome, intelligent young man I love your acerbic, sharp intellectual humour. You remind me of Steven Fry in that respect. You’ve always helped me at home even during studying for you g.c.s.e’s and A levels, you would always drop what you were doing and take on your role as heavy pan lifter, carrier of washing up and down stairs ,opener of difficult jars and bottles and repairer of my computer. Now you are at uni I miss your help and witticisms. Thank you for being a wonderful son and I wish you every success in your future. BTW when we get home can you have a look at my computer please? !!

Rachel, my wonderful daughter. You have grown into a beautiful, intelligent, kind and thoughtful human being. You’re the best daughter a mother could wish for. your incessant chatter makes me so happy. I love the house being full of all your friends and listening to your laughter. I love our trips out together. You have always seemed so mature and level headed and have approached the changes in the household in a very practical way. You’re a fantastic cook and luckily for me you’re on a health kick so we get some gorgeous, healthy meals at home. You’re not only my daughter but my friend .I count myself a lucky mum as not every one can say that. Thank you so much for all you help and support

And now the Barmitzvah boy, Josh!! I’m so very proud of you this weekend. As dad said, you read your maftir and haphtarah beautifully.
Dad has said much about your gorgeous looks and cheeky ways so I wont dwell on those. You can make me laugh so easily with your antics and chatter. We’ve always been very close, you and I. you were very young when I became ill and I know you found it very difficult and bewildering as the fibro is invisible. I look fine. There was no bandage or plaster cast for you to see and you couldn’t understand why a few months ago Mum was fine and now she was finding it hard to do stuff. Believe you me Josh, it was equally as hard on me having to say no I couldn’t come out and play football, I couldn’t take you to the park or the cinema etc. We’re still training you in the helping around the house department…The’ but I’m a teenager, I don’t set tables or empty dishwashers’ routine doesn’t wash any more!! But you’re getting more and more helpful as you grow up and mature. You are the best cup of tea maker. I love it when you bring me bedtime drinks and get in bed and cuddle up to me. I’ve always enjoyed my loves and cuddles and I hope you are never to old to come and hug your Mum.

And last but not least my wonderful husband of 21 1/2 years..Norman. You’ve always been there besides me no matter what I’ve thrown at you. These last 5 years have been incredibly difficult for you and you’re truly amazing. Not only have you had to cope with running a business single handed, but also taking over many household tasks and the child care as I’ve become less able to do these things. the shopping , a lot of housework, a lot of the cooking until Rachel stepped in to help and since I stopped driving, ferrying the children here there and everywhere. You’ve also had to become my carer and help me with tasks as though I was a 90 year old woman. Last year you wore yourself ragged trying to decorate and garden as well as everything else and could often on a Sunday be seen scurrying around the house with a paint brush in one hand, a lawn mower in the other and a sweeping brush up… oh , er,.. in your mouth!!!!

Norman not only are you the best husband a woman could wish for husband, and a wonderful father, you are also my best friend and soul mate.. I Love you xxxxxx

100 Plus Sales!!!

100 plus sales!
Ta, DA!!!! I'm so happy. I passed the 100 mark for sales from my Etsy store. I cant beleive 100 people have my yarn and most seem to like it! some times I have to shake myself when I think that it was am idea I had 10 months ago and I just plunged in. The last 10 months have been a steep learning curve in terms if what people like and in running a little business.

I want to say a Huge Thank you to all of you whove supported my shop in the last 10 months. and long may you continue to do so!!!

KNITTING
You know I am such a slow knitter that I have not even finished anything since the start of 2009!! Well I did finish that hat for the Mirasol project when somebody ruined it, but I have nearly finished my shrug. I need it for my firends sons Barmitzvah this weekend so I'd best hurry up.

FM and life in General
Well My upward swing continues and I'm getting back to 'normal'. its Passover which is a time that I hate but SAm has changed all the kitchen pots for me and done alot of cleaning and Rachel did tons of baking and cooking. We had 2 Seder nights which I managed to stay up for. I was pretty exhausted on Friday but rested. Saturday I went with Hubby into Manchester to change a DVD. U2 dvd's were on offer at HMV so I bought 2 that I didnt have. I couldnt beleive that I duplicated one!! My brain! so yeaterday I went back and exchanged it for the one I should've bought in the first place!
LAst night Rachel and I went to see Marley and Me. I've read the book so I thought the film was o.k. Light and frothy, but it didnt capture the essence of how naughty Marley really was or his more tender moments. still a good bonding night with daughter and the first time since January that I've gone out in an afternoon AND Out the same evenign . Usually I end up in bed after goign shopping for the rest of the night so good on me!
its Easter weekend and its beautiful outside. A dull dreary weekend was predicted, but its been warm and sunny and we've been sat out in the garden. I've been dyeing some Merino/silk lace again in between and we've enjoyed ourselves apart from neighbours screeming kids. I do try and be tollerant. Mine screemed and carried on too when they were younger as they played, but I've gone passed all that now and just want to sit out in the peace and quiet of the garden! Plus my i-pod has dyed so I could drown out the noise. still...

Its 2 weeks till the big day now and theres stuff to do, a table plan to be made and last minute things to sort out. Josh is 13 tommorrow \he's starting to shoot up and getting gangly and his nose is grwoing. teenage boys noses grow before the rest of them. Poor boy is going to have a hooter like mine- huge!!

I'm feeling Happy!!!

Yes it makes a nice change!!!But I feel good despite the old body!
I've had a reasonably good week. Monday we had free tickets to go to the Apollo theatre in manchester to see Michael Mcyntires comedy roadshow. an new programme being made for the BBc. I was in my wheelchair. Now normally josh hates to be seen out with me in my wheelchair. but this night I was his best friend! Why? because we were seated at the front with the 'celebs'! they'd asked people from Corrie St and Waterloo Road. Noddy Holder was in the audience and the Man from the post office ads. I cant think of his name. he was really nice to us. At the interval I was sat right next to the Hospitality suite so I got crowded out by these kids form Waterloo Road who obviously think they're 'it' now they're on tv. He made a space and helped Norman turn my wheelchair around. Then spoke to us after the interval.
The show was very funny. But 4 hours in a wheelchair killed my body. I was in agony. I was sat in a burning hot bath at 1a.m! so those of you in the U.K look out for us on telly when the show is screened.

Saturday I managed to go out and about with Rachel to get her outfit for the barmitzvah. Finally we're sorted!! I'd cancelled my arrangements for the Wednesday and Thursday so my body could recover. Infact Wed was a bad day and I shloched around in my Jimmyjams all day.

This week now -last one in March- has been even better. last night we went out for a bite to eat. we ended up in TGI Fridays which is very expensive. but we enjoyed ourselves.

KNITTING-
On the knititng front I'm continuing the shrug I'm making for my friends sons barmitzvah. It's 3 weeks away so I hope it'll be ready. I'm such a slow knitter.

IV'E MANAGED TO DO SOME SPINNING!!!! Yeehaa! the first time in about 6 weeks and its not put me in bed!! I do so hope I'm on the up again.

thwarted dreams and ambitions

In january I was in a dyeing and pushing my business mood. The sales that month were good and I pushed myself to dye even more. What happened? Yup, I ended up in bed! yes this is going to be another fibro rant so switch off now!
I had my head full of great ideas. I would do craft fairs, I'd love a stall at Woolfest,I would love a stall at i-Knit etc. Someone contacted me regarding wholosale supplying. But after trying to increase my output and failing I've realised that I cant do any of that stuff because of the Fibro.

The exhaustion is unbeleivable at the mo. I was very down about it all a month ago, but I'm more comfortable with my limitations now. I know I'll never be more than a Little Etsy seller doing a hobby really. it still gets me when I read of fellow dyers opening shops, stalls etc. I still think I'd love to do that. I'd love to have more enregy to just do what I want with my life. I have to plan so much.
E.G this weekend...Yesterday I went hunting for a hat for Josh's Barmitzvah. I must have my head covered for the Synagogue. We went to a local village RAmsbottom to a hat hire shop, only said hat hire shop is no more..recession and all that!! so we came home and looked on-line and found another hat hire place at a farm near Blackburn. Mr Cinders didnt mind driving, so we went back up the motorway the way we had just come and found this hat hire shop. beautiful hats but not the right one for my outfit. There was one to buy. a 'snip' at £159 !!!! yeah, I'll have one in every colour! Needless to say the said hat is still in the hat shop.
we got home and I fell into bed at 5pm. I slept till 7.30pm then had some supper and went straight back to bed. I was supposed to be taking M-I-L to manchester today to help her choose her barmitzvah outfit. I had a terrible night and really felt to ill to go but didnt want to dissapoint her. In the end we didnt have time to get there on a Sunday before the shops shut which I'm glad of, but tommorrow I usually go swimming, but tommorrow night we're going to see a comedy thing for the BBC with Michael macyntire.
so I have a dilema, do I risk going swimming? I might not be well enough to go out tommorrow night. If I had have gone shopping today I'd have been in bed all of tommorrow and not made it out tommorrw night.
I'm so sick of having to alot activites and spread them out and postpone one in favour of the other just because of this Fibro.
Just typing this has worn me out so I'll have to go and rest on the bed and not promote ny business on Ravelry which is what I wanted to do. I have tones of dyeing to do.... aaaaaarghhh!!! My f'ing body drives me bonkers!!!
I could've taken the dyeing so much further but...... All my dreams and ambitions have been thwarted

I'm in U2 heaven!!

Its been a great few days for U2 fans. Their new album No Line on The Horizon was released yesterday so for weeks theres been this build up. But it all took off this week in England. Its about time U2 came to England. I feelt hat considering they cut their teeth here they deserted us for America years ago and everything they do seems geared towards America. Anyway Firday I was in Heaven!! at lunch time U2 did a live concert in the radio1 live lounge which you could watch on line. then later on they were on Chris Evans.(I hate that man so it must be special for me to listen to his show!!) on radio2 being interviewd and later on still they did a live gig from the rooftop of the radio2 building which was televised. At 10.30pm they were on Jonathon Woss and The Culture show showed an extended interview with them. Sigh!! All that Adam oggling. Hubby wasnt impressed!
The BBC is showing all the events all day long on BBCi so I can watch repeats of it all the time! Then on MTV2 they showed an interview with Zane Lowe and lots of hits and old U2 videos. My CD arrived yesterday, though I'd already heard it on the U2 fan site. I'm enjoying it more with each play. Theres some beatle-esq moments and You can hear Brian Eno's influence over it, but I'm enjoying it particularly 'Magnificent' which seems to have caught alot of fans attention. Could this be the new 'One'?
next week Tour dates are being announced on the fansite so i'm all excited. I WILL be at the next U2 concert if I have to be wheeled their on my bed!!!

We've bought tickets later in the year to see Michael Macintyre. I think he's very funny. And Hats off to The Lowry- we're also going to see Bill Bailey in June. At the Lowry they let your carer in free if you're in a wheelchair which has enabled us to take Rachel as were getting 3 tickets for the price of 2. so much as I hate my wheelchair it is useful sometimes.

KNITTING
Here a the piccies I hadnt taken last time.
THe ruined hat;





The lovely French Girls Knit book and the Mohair shug I'm knitting from it. This is the first book ever that I've knitted from where I've wanted to knit every sinlge, bar one, item from it. Usually theres one or two that you like. If you havnt got this book yet I'd strongly recommend it.



THE FIBRO FRONT
just the same I'm afraid. I do a little bit, then spend a day in bed. But I have been a bit better some of the time. This week I didnt go out of the house at all from Monday to saturday. Oh ,tell a lie, I got my dad to drive me around on some errands on Tuesday. but yeasterday, Saturday, we went to Manchester city centre shopping. I found the Jacket to go with my dress fro the Barmitzvah. its turquiose and looks great. I was very pleased. so now I'm mostly fixed up. I'll go for my hat next week. because I need wide fitting shoes as my feet are a bit wider and also paniful, I order my shoes online from Viva La Diva.

6 weeks until the Barmitzvah and counting down. I'm so excited. The invites will be posted tommorow and its all go!!!

I did manage some dyeing this week which I'm pleased about . they are now dry and need re-skeining before I can put them up in the shop.

DAFT THINGS I'VE DONE THIS WEEK
1, someone contacted me quierying the yardage of my sock yarns. I assure them the yardage was correct as I'd used an online converter to convert the metres to yards. When I looked again silly old me had actually been putting the measurments in the wrong boxes!!! SEe I cant even use an online calculator!!! Doh!

2, I put some Germolene on a part of my body. I decided to look at the expiry date as the tube looked a bit old. I began reading the bumf on the back which read 'for rectal use only'!!! I'd picked up a tube of Germaloids (pile cream!!!) so my body wont have piles now!!!

3, today I went to phone Mr Cinders on his mobile and wondered why the number wasnt being recognised until I realised that I'd punched in my debit card number instead of the mobile phone number!!!

oh boy, just call the white van with square wheels!!!!! ;_)