Musing on Books and Brain Fog!-and litterary snobbery

My reading this year has been rather interesting and reflective of the state of my mind and concentration. recently I surprised myself by enjoying Dan Brown books! I avoided them like the plague when The DaVinci Code came out as I dont like thrillers. I scoffed at the thought of reading such books as beneath my intellect. But Fibromyalgia is a strange beast. It affects your concentration and ability to take anything in. Commonly known as Brain Fog. I think I'm having a peasouper at the mo!! Rachel is studying English Lit at A level and wants to do it as a degree, hopefully at Cambrigde- I really hope she gets in-but thats another story!
back to books. Rachels school reading has been wide and varied. I own most of the books she has to read. We've been discussing classics as I love classical books. I have quite a collection. Recently I tried to read The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. I couldnt make sense of it! My brain is so foggy I cant decipher and process the language! oh Boy!! We both want to read more DH Lawrence. I really enjoyed him when younger. Rachel has started on Lady Chatterly and I fancied Women In Love. But at present my dim brain is on stike!!
Back to Dan Brown. The Film of the Da Vinci Code was on TV recently. I like Tom Hanks and esp as in this film his hair is like Bono'S During the Vertigo era!! so I decided to watch it and see what all the fuss and hype had been about. I enjoyed the film although I guessed the who the baddie was straight away!! So I decided to read the book out of curiosity and enjoyed it. It has intelligent facts in and I like history. I then moved onto ANgels and Demons which I thought was a bit lame, but I enjoyed Deception Point. Although, again, I guessed who was behind it all at the very beginning. Its easy, pick out the goodie boss. Its always the one you'd least susspect!!

Anyway I've picked 4 books up in WH Smiths at the weekend which are more intelligent i Hope!!! at least my brain isnt so foggy I'm reduced to reading Womans Own which has happened in the past!!

Been AWOL!!-plus Etsy sale!!!

Where did the time go? Actually I havnt blogged because the pain in my neck and shoulders has been so bad that by the time I've read my e-mails and sorted out my business I've been in too much pain for the peripheral things.

So what has been happening in Cinders Land?

Mr Cinders Turns 50
Yep hubby reached his half century on 7th July. He wanted a party which was a bit like 'This Is your Life' with freinds old and new dreged up from all over the place!! in the end about 40 people turned up. Mr Cinders bought a cheap Gazebo and as it was dry and warm lots of people spilled out onto the garden so we wernt squashed. Mr Cinders did all the catering himself. he made curried meatballs, chinese chicken, veg chilli with rice, salad and baguettes. I farmed the desserts out to kind friends who'd offered. My contribution was setting the table, blowing balloons up and putting the nibles out!!! We had a great time. I bought him a fabulous cake. I must get the photos off him. The cake was a camera with a model mr cinders sat on top.

On his actuall birthday I made him his favourite meal. Pickled brisket and chips!! I'd had the peice of brisket in the fridge pickling away for 2 weeks, then I cooked it on The day of his birthday. I'm very pleased with myself as I've not pickled a brisket for years. the secret is that M-I-L manages somehow to get hold of saltpetre which gives it that red colour. I can never get hold of saltpetre as is an explosive and the chemist wont give it to me any more!

Knitting Front

I'm still making the bamboo cardi. I've finished the back, 1 front and have nearly finished a sleeve. I cant sit for too long at the mo so knitting is very slow.

Spinning is virtually non existent. legs too bad. boo, hoo

Etsy SAle

I've been trading just over 1 year so I'm having a sale on at my Etsy store. pop in for a 10% discount on everything and grab a bargain I'm just re-skeining some Organic MERINO Aran, so look out for it appearing in my shop soon.

I'd like to thank everyone who's bought off me in the last year and esp those of you who have returned to buy more. I feel very flattered that you like my yarns.

FM

Oh boy!! same as usual I'm afraid. days of extreme energy followed by total knackeredness. The lack of energy is driving me mad again. But I did manage 5 hours on Manchester a few weeks ago shopping with Rachel.!! I must be mad!! I ent to the Trafford Centre with Hubby yesterday and we had a bite of lunch out which was very nice. Other than that its the same old struggle and frstration. E.G. the week of Mr Cinders Birthday. I had to get my neighbour to take me to choose the cake as the shop is about 4 miles away. then my S-I_L picked it up. I get so frustrated having to rely on people to take me errands. If I could only drive again . But theres little chance of that. ah well.

At least My condition, whilst irritating isnt a fatal one. My MUms just commencing her 5th lot of chemo on as many years so if you're religoius please say a prayer for her. Its puts my pains into perspective really.

And on a lighter note my tickets for U2 finally arrived. I am sooo excited I cant wait. But I have a few weeks of school holiday to contend with first. hey ho!!!