Where did January go?

I cant beleive how fast this month has flown and I havnt managed to blog.
My dyeing and advertising on the internet are taking up all my time. Its surprising just how much extra there is now Ravelry is there other than dyeing and putting it on my Etsy sittte. I advertise on ravelry but also I'm allowed to put new stock posts on various other froums on Rav. to do this I have to upload my piccies to Flickr then resize ,cut and paste the links to each Rab forum I want to update on. Well my concentration isnt brill at the best of times so you can imagine after clicking and pasting 10 yarns or rovings once or twice my eyes are whizzing around in my head!!!!

Below is a piccie from December of our Chanukah candles looking lovely.


Happy New Year everyone. I know its a bit late but I havnt managed to blog.

KNITTING
On the knitting front I've finished all of the knitting for the Ivy Jacket and have blocked it. I need to sew the shoulders together so I can finish the cable collar then sew it all up.I started a sock or even a pair of socks for Mr Cinders using my own Alpaca Merino. Not the most sturdy of yarns for a mans sock I know but it was a mis-dye. Now knitting up with it I'm wondering why I put it in the mis-dye pile as it looks fine to me!!! Ah well, I've finished one sock and have started the other. I've also signed up on Rav to knitting ahat for a peruvian chilkd for the Alpaca, Mirasol campaign. I've felt so ill I've not managed to do it yet so I'd better get my finger out.

I took part in my first ever Secret Santa on RAvellry UK Sock Knitters Forum. I sent my recipient my own yarn and roving and thankfully she loved it. I received a wonderful basket of goodies myself from knittynutter. Here is a piccie, there was yarn from Yarn Pirate, needle protectors, sewing up neeles, a Lantern Moon Bee tape measure, Lush soap and tons of other bits and bobs . It was a fab haul and I shall def be taking part in other swaps.


I bought myself nancy Bush's Knitted Lace of Estonia and also a brillinat American Book with Pictues called Teach yourself Visually sock knitting. its a series like the 'Dummies' series. The pictures are clear and the instructions concise so it'll be toe up socks for me next.


SQUIFFY MARK 2!!!
Here is a picture of the 'squiffy' otherwise known as a skein winder to you and me, as built by Mr Cinders. its called squiffy as when I was describing to Mr Cinders what I wanted him to make I talked about swifts and skein winders . Mr Cinders, not being of the knitterly persuasion got all mixed up when he excitedly announced that he had an idea of how to make 'That squiffy thing you asked for'!!! so the name has stuck. This is the improved model with longer pegs so my skeins dont drop off and tangle and a larger handle to wind the yarn with.
Note Cinders herself, the feline version, had to get in on the act and pose for the shot!!!


FM

Oh Boy!!! Where do I start. suffice it to say that the exhaustion has been worse than the pain recently and I HAte that. sounds silly but I'd rather the pain was dominant as I can at least physically do a bit more.
The last month I've been in bed by 5pm many nights and not stirred until the next morning. Last Friday I litterally was on my knees and couldnt get up the stairs so Mr Cinders had to push my legs up whilst shoving my bum at the same time!!! I spent all of Saturday in bed and it really frustrated me as it a lost day.
Then I'm feeling angry and frustrated over not being able to od what I want Josh's Barmitzvah 12 weeks away. I ranted about this on the Stitchlinks forum so I dont feel like repeating myself. Suffice it to say that I thought I was coping with my fucked up life. But then something comes along and knocks me for six again and I'm mourning for the old me that didnt need nursemaiding and could drive, walk and do stuff. ah well.

My business is going well this month thankfully so I hope I can maintain the momentum. I'd love to be able to dye enough stock to hold a stall at a craft fair or attend a knitting event. But its beyond me. I'm off to catch up on all the blogs I've neglected now

Seasons Greetings

Wishing all my readers a Happy Christmas/Chanucah and a healthy and Happy New year.
Hope you all get lots of lovely pressies.

not much news here I'm afraid. The Cinders family have all had the flu.and I mean Flu! People day they've had flu when all they've had is a nasty cold but this was awful. I will spare you the deatails. Mr Cinders was like a bear with a sore head! he hates being ill and stuck in bed and we all knew about it!! funnily enough Sam had exactly the same in Leeds at the same time. so hows that for family closeness!!

I didnt even pick up a knitting needle for 5 days!!!! Sacre Bleu!! heavens above. Now you know how ill I felt!!!

Thats all folks.- I have a lovely new printer/scanner which was my Chanucah pressie so I'm off to play. See you all in the new year.

In which I get a New Spinning Wheel and 'mr vain' gets a cold shower!

My Jaywalker socks
Mums jumper
My spinning wheel
first hand spun dyed and felted

KNITTING/SPINNING

I got a spinning wheel!!! Its second hand from HGVPilot on ravelry. It was made in Holland and is like a Louet 10. Its a bit big and clunky, but for a first wheel its O.K until the day I make so much money from dyeing that I can afford the wheel I want!!!!

I've been busy playing and trying to sort out the tension on it which I'm finding a bit difficult, but it all comes with experience. Claire, who sold me the wheel also sent me loads of fibre and fleece to play with so at least all my spinning faux pas can be done on fleece that isnt really important. Having raw fleece  also meant I had to buy some hand carders too so I found some small ones on e-bay as I dont think my hands could cope with the big ones.

I've also started some more spindle spinning as I can do that when my legs are too bad for wheel spinning. I'm pleased to say that my spindle spinning is a bit more finer and better controlled this time round so Its improving. 

NAME THAT WHEEL!!

Here is a piccy of my wheel . I havnt named it yet so If any names jump out at you give me your suggestions!!! here also is my first spinning, dyed and felted ready to be sewn into A purse or something!!

Where are all my readers?

Where have you all gone? Nobody loves me these days!!! I used to get lots of comments after each blog, but they've trickled out. have i bored everyone so much?

If you read my blog, pleeeeeeazzze leave me a comment

FM

On the FM front life has been mixed. I had a good few days the week before last and even managed to walk around the swimming area without my wheelchair. There I was telling my carer how I was going to improve and maybe even not need her in the future!!!! oh boy! My good day was limited to that Wednesday after which my legs decided to feel as though someone had broken them with a sledge hammer!!! I also became totally exhausted and ended up taking tramadol on top of the Morphine and spending hours in bed. I'd get up about 11am and be back in bed for 4ish and stay there till the next morning. I find it very frustrating and a waste of knitting and spinning time when I'm bed bound as I'm usually too ill to even sit up and knit, I just sleep.

It improved yesterday and I'm o.k today so lets hope the flare is dampening down. I went swimming on Monday, actually it was hydrotherapy and 2 baby lengths of the pool. I stayed in yesterday as it was Mums birthday and I was making Dinner for her. Today I've been with Ma and PA to Bury Cancer Support. they are a marvelous charity based organisation offering support to anyone affected by cancer. So as mum is suffering and I cant help her I qualify to go. I had reflexology today. I must admit my legs hurt and I feel sick after it so we shall see what happens.

MR Vain

Josh decided 2 wweeks ago that he needs a shower in the morning instead of a bath at night as he thinks his hair is greasy in the morning. so he asked Norman to wake him up earlier so he can shower before school. Now we alwys have terrible trouble getting Josh out of bed for school and he usually falls out 20 mind before they leave the house. His answer when we saked him how on earth he thought he's get up on time was..... 'If I cant get up tell dad to say to me,... remember the girls..'!!!!! so this last 2 weeks he's been up and showered, no fighting in a morning . great!!! That is until last week. It snowed Tuesday and Wednesday morning we had NO HEATING!!!  we still had hot water. we were shivering. By Friday the water went too. So telling Josh he couldnt wash his hair friday morning was a nightmare. I offered to do it with the kettel. Some times I wonder how dim Josh really is he wailed... 'You cant wash my hair using the kettle. You'll burn my head!!!' ..'er, said I..'I might be putting cold water in the sink first!! gawd that child is blond at times!!! anyway he was threatened either he let me washi his hair or he went to school with it greasy, either way he was going to school. So eventually he aquiesced

Having no heating reminded me of my student days, living in damp grotty houses with no heating and a 1 bar electric fire in the bedroom. I used to have the hotest bath possible and charge from a freezing cold bathroom into my equally cold bedroom and try and warm up!!! I often slept in my hat, socks, dressing gown, fleece etc!!!! but we all survived. sam's house might look like the Young ones but its centrally heated!!!

we got quotes for silly money for a new boiler until genious husband found a little shop that sold the old pumps for our boiler and he fitted them himself. oh he's a clever lad!!

My First Hand spun and I'm def a yarn snob!!

KNitting-Spinning

On the knitting front I've started a jacket for my Mums birthday in 2 weeks. Its a super chunky revolting yarn by Sirdar. Its half wool, half acrylic called Big Softie, and I cant stand the feel of it. Plus it keeps splitting. The jacket is knitting up very quickly. I shall have it finished within 1 week. But I really am a yarn snob! I cant stand anything that isnt pure animal or vegetable. You can keep acrylic thankyou very much!!

Here is my first spindle hand spun all dyed up. rather luminous, but I'm going to knit an square and felt it then see. perhaps I'll make a small bag or purse or something. I'm very proud of this spinning.

Now the exciting bit. I'm getting a spinning wheel!!! Its second hand of course as they're horribly expnsive. But thanks to Ravelry I'm getting one off HGV Pilot. Its a bit like a Louet 10 and is bobbin led. The rest of the technical stuff I dont understand and will have to read some books and fathom it all out! But I'm soooo excited.

FM

Its moaning time again so skip this bit unless you want to be bored!!

I've actually had a mixed few weeks. From going to Leeds twice in 1 week I was exhausted for a whole week. I even slept on the following Sunday/Monday from 4pm Sunday until 11 a.m Monday with a little break for a it of supper.

Then these last 2 weeks I've not been able to sleep and have been awake at 5am!!

You think you're coping with the FM and then whammo, something happens to make you feel down again. Last Saturday Rachel and Josh were both out in the evening so Hubby and I thought we'd go out for a meal. no babysitting problems. In the afternoon we went to Dunelm to buy some soft furnishings now that the lounge is nearly finished. I decided I'd walk round Dunelm for a change. I walked round and my legs started to ache and give way. I came home and went to bed intending to get up to go out. when the time came I was so exhausted I ouldnt move. I crawled downstairs and sank into the sofa. I was so fed up and I could see Norman was too. we ended up having a take away, which was nice. But the night was spoiled as I was so exhausted. its times like this when I get really pissed off with the whole FM thingy.

mind you this week I went to my art class and stayed to have accupuncture. and On Wednesday I went swimming finally! huray!!! My carer is back. I really enjoyed it. saturday we went to pick blinds for the lounge and then went to Bury shopping. The plan later on was for us both to take Josh to the piccies and then out for a bite to eat, but I went for a sleep at 4pm, exhausted and didnt surface out of bed until this morning. I even ate a bit of supper in bed rather than come down for tea. I usually have cereal when I fel like this. Today I've kept going even though I'm shattered. I did a bit more dyeing.

I think thats it for this week.

I managed to Dance!!!and Black Cat Fibres is launched

General Musing

At the weekend we were invited to my cousins sons Barmoitzvah in Leeds. We went up on the Satuday for the service and a buffet luncheon afterwards and Sunday night they had a dinner dance. The theme was halloween and the hall was dressed up with balloons and candelabras all halloween themed. We had a meal and then disco dancing. Despite feeling absolutely dreadful I was determined to have a dance and managed a wiggle on the floor with norman to 'Valerie'. I was very pleased with myself. Josh was also invited as he's a freind of my cousins son. He was most embaressed at his parents dancing. I've promise him I shall do lots more dancing at his Barmitzvah disco!!!

Fabulous Belated Birthday Pressies

I was feeling decidedly down last week when two parcels arrived to cheer me up. They were from my friends Leigh and Chezza. here is what I got;

from Leigh, lots of Knittng magazines that I've not seen before- American- a quilting set, hand lotion, some lovely yarn which has mohair and just my colours, browns and kahkis which I'm going to make a scarf from and some crystal candlesticks and a bracelet. Phew!!! Plus of course leighs signature-Bentley the Monkey! if you havnt read Leighs blog you must. Its hilarious esp the adventures of her toy knitted monkey Bentley!!!

From Chezza a lovely bag which I've got my spindle and badly spun yarn in!!, a manicure set and a Knit Today mag.

Thanks girls You are truly great friends.

must post a piccie of this card my hubby sent me for my b/day

It shows a toddler swaithed from head to toe in knitted garment with this lovely caption on top!!! Hope you can read it. It amused me greatly.

Knitting Front

Nothing to report this week. I've been rough and hardly knitted or spun.

BLACK CAT FIBRES IS LAUNCHED!!!!

I've changed my name to reflect the fact that I also sell rovings so no longer sell just knitting yarn. Some GOOD NEWS on the dyeing front . My yarns are now also being sold by Stitchlinks. The site is for people who use stitchcrafts of any sort to help overcome pain and mental health problems. Betsan , who set it up is researching into the benefits of stitching therapies.

FAME AT LAST!!!

I am going to appear in an interview in Womans Weekly!!This is through Stitchlinks. They interviewed Betsan and she asked if I would also do an interview. Which I did. explaining the benefits of how knitting helps my pain and helps with the isolation of being fairly house bound. My ugly mug shot will be in and I've made sure I got the web address of my shop in !!!!

FM

Things on the fm front are , as ususal, crap!!! I'm having a flare right now and I think the change in weather is making me feel down. Must get my SAd lamp on the go. Because we were going to Leeds on SAturday and SUnday I knew I needed to rest. so what did I do Friday? Dyed some more yanrs and roving!!! I hardly slept Fri night as I knew I had to be up so I was knackered. We left at 9am. When we got home at 3pm I went staraight to bed and emerged briefly from 8-10pm and that was it. Sunday I had to be up again as mum had arranged to get mour hair blown, but my cousin who does our hair could only come at 10.30am. By the time we left for Leeds I was so tired I just wanted to go to bed!! I'm still suffering now. Ysterday I did somemore dyeing but was in bed again for 5 pm. I only came down at 8.30 to parcel up some yarns and clear the dyes away! I've missed art class today as I am so knackered. I hate the exhaustion. Which reminds me I have some yarns soaking now so I'd better go and do them.

More bad Spinning

KNiTTING/SPINNING/ DYEING


On the knitting front my Ivy continues to grow. I've finished the sleeve and have started the right front. I was so tired last night that I messed up the second row of the pattern so I'll have to tink back..


On the spinning front, I bought a top whorl spindle for £3.35 from Forrest Fibers on E-Bay. Which is rather a good price for a beginner. My spinning is ropey to say the least, but it'll improve I hope!






here is a photo of my badly spun BFL which I think I'll dye and felt for the satisfaction of having done something with my first handspun. here also is some Grey Gottland that I dyed and am trying to spin, but it is very soft like mohair and keeps breaking. I am so impatient. Really I should carry on spinning the undyed BFL until it looks better then move onto dyed rovings.








The Etsy shop is really quiet at the mo so I hope business picks up. Its a bit worrying.
I had a really good afternoon out on Saturday with my pal Woolydoodles. There was a craft exhibition on in Rochdale at the museum and you could try diff stuff. There was dyeing with Debbie from DT crafts. , crochet, spinning and knitting a huge circle with loads of circs ,using elastic and diff materials.


FM

I went to see the consultant at the pain clinic last week and I've now got a date to have my SI joints injected which I am not looking forward to. I have to have it done in theatre with x-rays so they hit the right spot. I s'pose when I jump off the bed they'll know they've hit the right spot!! I beleive I'm sedated for it, but still!! Anyway if it works and I can walk without all my hip muscles going into spasm and my hips neing painful and I can sleep without the pain in my hips waking me up then it'll be worth it

I had a virus lat week and they always affect me badly. I am absolutely exhausted. I feel like a dish cloth .

Anyway Enough Moaning

THE FURTHER ADVENTUES OF JOSHUA MOLE AGED 12 AND 1/2

Its half term for my kids and guess what captain sensible has been up to this time? I found him and his pal in the garage with a box of matches and an aerosol can!!! the silly buggers were trying to light the spray as it came out of the can!! After I'd flipped, sent his pal home and grounded Josh for the week, I calmly explained what might have happened had the can exploded!!and what the exact meaning of 'do not expose to naked flame' means on the can!!! Can he get any sillier? The best of it is Josh cant see why he's grounded if nothing happened. So does he have to wait until I have no roof on my house and he has a face like Freddy Pizza face till he' gets it? no wonder I have grey hairs!!!

I've joined the Spinning Fraternity

Knitting

On Sunday I had a wonderful day out when 'Mr Bluefaced' aka Andy had an open day at his place of work. 'place of work' just happened to be a gorgoeus farm owned by one of his partners, in the Cheshire countryside. The farm house looked amazing, not that we got to see inside it, The open day was arranged in the stables and courtyard. There was loads of yummy yarn from Andy himself, plus dyed yarns from Jenni at Fyberspates and Amanda at the Natural dye studio. Debbie was there from DT Crafts. I got to meet lots of people from ravellry including Ambermoggie,Laal bear , Cae and Murdoe, Plus I finally got to meet my friend Woolydoodles. we've been chatting on the phone for about 12 months and get on really well. ms Wooly is a lovely friendly person. We'd always planned to meet only living about 1/2 hour away from each other, but it never happened somehow. So i was delighted on Sunday that we finally met and got on like a house on fire as they say.

The most exciting thing was I got to try spinning. Cae showed me on her wheel , then mel got her wheel out and I practised on that. Everyone was very generous esp Cae who gave me roving to practise with. Well I took to it like a duck to water. I loved it! It was so soothing.

here is my very first ever hand spun yarn!! it may not look very profesional but who cares. The trouble is I want a wheel now! mel had a louet Julia with a double treadle. I didnt think I could ever work a wheel with my legs, but this was quite easy to use. I went for the next best option and bought a drop spindle-a low one.

When I tried using it at home I promptly forgot what to do!!! so I've been watching videos on U tube and I've ordered some books that were recommended on ravelry.

Norman was obviously with me on the day and looked on in faint amusement at all this 'unravelling' before his eyes! he was looking at me as if to say'Dont you do enough with knitting and dying and running the Etsy shop?

If you want to see piccies of the open day-gorgeous surroundings and a piccie of me spinning go to Ambermoggies Blog.

On the knitting front my Ivy front is coming along slowly but surely. I've been in terrible pain recently so havnt beena ble to knit for too long, plus I get side tracked with running my Etsy store, ravelry, chatting on forums and various blogs, plus now spinning!!! I wish I wasnt so tired so I had more hours in my day to fit it all in.

On the Dyeing front I've done some Aran and some Roving for the shop. I ordered a lime green which has turned out a little bit florescent!! but I rather like it

I dyed a yarn what I thought was shades of brown, mustard and orange but the shades didnt show so it looks like a chocolate orange

I enjoye dying the roving and think its come out O.K. I was scared of felting it.

One in the Eye for The 'Dim Witted Pratts'!!!

I had my tribunal on Wednesday for my DLA claim. I was dreading it. In fact Tuesday Night I hardly slept and had palpitations which were horrible. Anyway wednesday morning loomed and we arrived on time. I went in my wheelchair. I've heard loads about how awful these people can be on the tribunal but I have to say mine were O.K. One of them was a bit fierce and really grilled me about what I'm like in the house and kepot picking up on things i'd said and challenging me. But at the end of the day I was honest so I cant lie about anything. its not as if I'm making this all up. They asked me things like if I needed help getting out of bed at night to get to the loo why didnt I have a commode by the bed!!!! PPPLeazzze! How old do they think I am!! If I need help getting in and out of the bath why dont I have a seat in the shower? I answered that one though. I need a bath to help with my pain releif so there MMer!! anyway the upshot of all this was that I got my Higher rate Mobility but remain on Lower rate care. I feel vindicated as I felt as though the DWP (dim witted Pratts) were making me out to be a liar another Andy Pipkin!!! The award is only for 2 years though back dated to Feb. so in 18 months I'll have to go through all this bloody rigmarole again.

I've been in the most waful pain again in my lower back and hips. The G.P gave me some Baclofen to ease the spasms. Its very strong so I only take it at night. The other day the pain was so bad I took 2 Tramadol nd a baclofen on top of my patch. I was out to lunch!!! I felt really sick and was so woozy, but I was scared of sleeping incase I didnt wake up!! I got on the bed at 3pm and got off again at 8pm when my head cleared a bit!!! TeeHee!!

i managed to get into Bury today on my scooter with rachel. I decided I'm in awful pain anyway so I may aswell carry on living as best as I can.

My neighbour lent me along handled grabber which is very handy when I cant bend down. I managed to get the washing in the machine this way!

i am finding it all a bit soul destroying though all this pain and I think Norman is getting fed up too as I'm up in the night taking pain killers and he has to go down and make me a brew abd some cereal to take the tablets with. he hasnt had a good nights sleep for over a week!

Other musings

an entry about books.

I have just read John Fowles The Magus. it was a really good read and threw up all sorts of questions and scenarios which would be really good to discuss in a reading gropu. I also realised again just how awful my brain fog is as I posed questions to myself but found myself unable to think and analyse things too deeply. where as at one time I'd've relished a meaty discusion about the book.

I-Knit and I Won a Prize!!

Ivy-except its black

I- Knit

I cant seem to click and drag these photos so this is my prize yarn and above bad photo of YarnHarlot

I had a fabulous day at I-knit. we drove down the night before. the journey was a nightmare. We couldnt leave until 5.30pm because Norman was working. it was absolutely lashing it down and we hit rush hour traffic. It took us 2 hours to get to birmingham! we stoppedvoff at the service station and decided we'd have some tea. There was only a burger King open. YUK!! it was disgusting. why cant they have decent food at service stations? In France the food at the services is fabulous. you can have a 3 course gourmet meal instead of the burger and chip rubbish we get offered here.

ANyway we got to our hotel at 10.30pm and collapsed in a heap! 

Norman was up early as he was worreid about parking , but he found a traffic warden who said you can park for free 24hors a day with a disabled badge. There have to be some benfits from being disabled. Parking is one esp round London. It was so easy!

The other is not having to queue for the loo!!

Getting around the Horicultural hall where the i-knit day was wasnt so easy. There were loads of steps and little levels of floor space that I couldnt visit. I had to go in the back through the fire doors as it was. As I was in a minority of one on my scooter dont s'pose I can complain really! There were a few wheelchairs but only me on scooter.

I found a lift so I could get to the loo, but the coffee shop was another story. I finally found it a 4pm!! Then there were steps to get up to the counter, now I could've got off my scooter, but there was a long slow queue which I couldnt stand in so I waved at a woman behind the counter and explained so she took my order and brought it to me!! One way of queue jumping!

ANyway moaning apart It was a great day. I met my pals Chezza and Orysia whom I've met through Stitchlinks-link at side- and Betsan who runs Stitchlinks. Then I met Feltboots and Saira from Rav and Angel yarns forums. It was nice to introduce hubby to chezza and betsan so he knows that they're real and not just names in the ether!

I didnt buy a single thing!! Arnt I good. This is because I've always aimed for sock and lace yanrs. no point now, I dye my own!!

But i did enter the MIrasol raffel that Andy the Bluefaced man was running. I got a phone call off him on Monday to say that I had won a prize!!! I was so excited.

I've won 2 skeins of Artists pallette alpaca lace weight in a lovely mix of pale pinks and greens. Its so soft, but I'm not sure what I'm going to knit with it yet as my brain isnt doing lace at the mo.

In the evening we found a fabulous Greek taverna in Ealing. the food was gorgous and there was so much of it. In fact all we did all weekend was stuff our faces!! On the way home on Sunday, not able to stand motorway services food again, we came off the motorway at Coventry-not a very nice city what we saw of it, all 60's concrete-and drove towards Birmingham. we found what we thought was a pub for a snack lunch, but it turned out to be a carvery. We had the biggest sunday lunch you've ever seen for £6.50 each!!!  anyway we're home now and its taken me a good few days to recover!!

Knitting

On the knitting front my Ivy is coming along. I've finished the back and started the left front. The photo has come out charcoal for soem reason, but its black! I took my Jaywalker socks to London and knitted the foot so I'm now ready to shape the toes. who knows I may finish them soon!!

FM

 well apart from the struggles aof getting around London, although parking with a disabled badge is a doddle, I have done something to my back and am in agony!! I think this has to do with holding a heavy light fitting whilst Norman put it up in the lounge!! I have now realised that all my muscles in my back and belly have gone into spasm from the waist down. It is increadibly psinful. so much so infact that I've been taking Tramadol on top of my Morphine patch. dunno if you're supposed to do that, but one of my FM friends is prescribed both so I thought what the heck, needs must!!

I now have a carer to take me swimming once a week in my wheelchiar. Well I obviously dont go into the pool in my wheelchair!! you know what I mean. except she's had her bunions done so is out of action for 6 weeks!!! great! She's a volunteer with the Jewish social services which is called The Fed.  

They do the most amazing worek within the Jewish community and have a volunteer section which provides help for all sortsd of people anbd ages. When I was very ill with the depression they sent 6th formers to play with Josh a couple of nights a week. Rachel has joined the 6th form scheme and will be volunteering with someone soon.

My Tribunal is in 2 weeks so I'm getting rather nervous to say the least.

HOME FRONT

They're all back at school and Sam has gone back to his new house in Leeds ready for Uni so I've got my quiet days back again. The dynamics within the house always change when Sam isnt around as he and Josh cant fight! he came home last night for the dentist today and is going back today so it was a fleeting overnight visit. Of course I miss him, but we've got into a routine at home , the four of us,. Eachel is already finding the jump to A level huge and is bogged down with homework. She has been very tired, stressed and incredibly grumppy this past week and isnt even hormonal!! She's taking over where Sam left off!

Norman seems alot better thankfully. 

Blog award and a curious co-incidence.

I've been nominated for a blog award byBearium. if I can work out how to link to it!! which I cant so I cant show it!!!

now on to the curious incidences;
Sam was 19 on 28th August 1989. he was born on bank Holiday Monday at 9am, at 36 weeks. I was niggling on and off with sharp but irregular pains for 36 hours before I finally gave in and went to the hospital. I knew I wasnt in labour because of the contractions and also being a midwife I'd managed by some amazing feet on contortion to find my cervix and knew it wasnt dialting. ANyway On the sunday night I was at home, niggling with pains with a hot water bottle on my bump watching 'GoodMorning Vietnam' with Robin Williams. LAst Sunday 2008 I noticed on the TV at exactly the same time the same Film wsa showing!! boy did that bring some meories back!!!
Another curious thing. Mum lent me a book, 'The Pirates Daughter' by Somebody with a long double barrelled name!!! Not a very good book in my iponion, very overated. But the main characters were called Ida and May which was the name of my late , beloved grandma.

Knitting- I'm working on IVy still. I'm a very slow knitter. I'm off to i-knit today cant wait.

FM Front
The lastest 'fun' not-thing to happen is that I've got stuck in the bath twice now and been unable to get out!! its a good job Norman was home on Monday as I had no phone by me and would have sat there cold and wet for 4 hours until someone came home from school!!
I've now learnt to take a chair, phone, phone book and towel in incaes it happens again. I hope wwe dont end up with a bath contraption for lowering me in. my body is falling apart!!!


Home
school has re-started and Josh seems o.k. he seems to have got through his first week without any detentions or IRIS points!!! Its hilarious watching Rachel as she's started the sixth form and doesnt wear uniform, so every dau its adifferent poutfit and does this amtch and does that go with this etc, then its 10 mins for the make-up, so amny minutes for the hair etc!!! She's going to school when all said and done, not a fashion parade!!! its been very entertaining. Josh is back to straightening his hair and spraying aftershave all over the house!!! still at least he's clean.

Proud Mummy!!!!

Family

its family first this week! we're 'Kvelling'(yiddish term meaning glowing with pride). Rachel acheived 7A* and 3 A's for her GCSE'S!!!! obviously we're just a little bit proud of her!! After having a career a day for several weeks ,at least now she's finalised her A level subjects!!! Shes going to be studying art, history, english lit and biology.

I'm also very proud of Josh this week. He wins 'young carer of the week award'!! this is because we've been in St Annes all week with the grandparents.( I get the ' Endurance for putting up with parents for a week' award!!!!)

josh has been absolutely fantastic with me, wheeling me around in my wheelchair. he never moaned coz i couldnt do stuff. he seemed grateful for the time I did spent with him. he made a friend and when I needed to rest he went off around the hotel with his pal and amused himself. Rachel was with us until Wed Night when Norman picked her up to come home and get her exam results Thursday.

I wasnt looking forward to the week away at all. I was very depressed before I went. we have alot of personal stuff going on at the mo and I felt under tremendous pressure and I felt as if I was to blame because of my disabilities and illness. But being away has done me, (and hubby) the world of good.

I really enjoyed the change of scenery, going out every day. not worrying because I couldnt cook a meal or do stuff in the house. It was liberating!! I can understand why some older folk live in hotels when they retire!! The hotel we were in wasnt brilliant. It was shabby and in need of decorating and the hygeing wasnt the best, but there was a small pool and a games room for Josh. If you had little tots it was brilliant. constant entertainment for them.

We spent a day in the 'Sandcastle'-huge indoor pool and slide complex. I had fun with Josh whizzing around the Lazy river. I couldnt climb any stairs to go on the water slides but Rachel kept josh occupied.

The next day I was fit for nothing and Rachel took Josh out and about for a few hours whilst I slept. The last few days after Rach came home I managed to go out with Josh in my wheelchair and even played a game of crazy golf. When we went bowling I only managed to lift 2 balls before my body gave out, so Josh played for both of us!!

I'm getting back into the swing of things slowly now I'm home.

KNITTING

On the knitting front I've finished my rasberry choc ripple socks

I did cast on for Ivy, but I was doing the twisted rib on holiday and cocked it up.

I'm beginning to wonder about my foggy brain at the mo as to whether I can manage anything more complicated than plain knitting!! I'm carrying on with my Jaywalker socks to get them finished instead, then I'll frog the Ivy and re-start. Its going to be in a lovely Alpaca, merino blend from JojoLand on e-bay in black.

Talking of socks I saw on Minders blog that she has knitted some Pomatomus socks in MY YARN!!! I must say that when I dyed the 'green with Envy' colourway I didnt like it, but I've sold 2 so far and had requests for more so it just goes to show you. I think the yarn has knitted up beautifully. not that I'm biased or anything!!!!

I've not dyed any yarn for a few weeks but started again yesterday. its all drying at present so more photos next time.

FM

not too much to report. I covered most of it my bit about the holiday. i'm busy writing my extra evidence for the tribunal at present which is tremendous fun-NOT!!!!

the fog is bothering me a bit . I do and say the silliest things- E.G theres been a series on BBCcalled 'Britain From the Air' in which a reporter flies around in various helicopters and planes telling us all about Britain. Its been very interesting apart from whne they do the timelapse bit. Then I cant look as I cant tollerate any fast whizzy TV like that. ANyway , there we were watching the Programme when genious me pipes up..'doesnt he spend alot of time hopping from one helicopter to the next'!!! Duh this is a programme about britain from the air!!! I read an Item on a menu onholiday as 'granny's wild biscuits'!! and wondered what made them so wild!!! It was ofcourse Granny Wilds biscuits!!!

This is just me being me though.

Talking of TV programmes and nothing to do with FM I've got into The Tudors lately. Its so historically inaccurate and the costumes are sexed up but I rather like it.

My First Clapotis-And a sock from my own yarn

KNITTING

i've actually manage to find time to knit!!! here is my first Clapotis finished

and a sideways view

it actually isnt mishappen. its how i've laid it on the floor!!!

its knitted in Noro Silk garden and I'm going to moan about this bleeping Yarn!!!

There are loads of places in the yarn where its not twisted, or is plied the right terminology? it was like fluff and just came apart in my hands. There are quite a few joins and knots in this Clapotis that shouldnt be there! Grrrr! I'm not impressed with Noro overall to be honest. I adore the colourways, but I've knitted with 3 of their yarns now and the same thing. the areas of fluff just pull apart. i wouldnt knit a jumper in Noro. I can imagine it being ruined by knots where you've had to tie the yarn back togehter! Although I do like Kureyon for felting.

And now... Ta, Da!!! A sock knitted in Yarn from My Etsy shop!!!

This colourway is Rasberry Choc ripple and I'm pleased to report no pooling.

Personally this is one of my fave colours.

The yarn is gorgoeus BFL from my fave suppliers Hammonds-

its only a plain sock but with Etsy shoppers asking for samples heres the first one! i have 2 more dud skeins to knit up, a 4 colour hand dyed and a 2 colour, half and half as and when I can. so August is a plain sock knitting marathon for me to get 3 pairs done. I was just going to knit one of each as samples but thought.. no go the whole hog and at least knit pairs so I can wear them.

Shop Updates

I've been busy dying again of course. I've nearly used up my undyed stock now and I keep on thinking eeek!!! i'll have nothing to do until I've sold more and can re-stock!!!

anyway-latest up dates;

Merino-Yak! A great combination .

Some BFL DK-

aran Alpaca, merino Bamboo- this is actually a custom dye and stinks when wet. the whole house have been moaning about the smell!!!

and finally a sock BFL-

FM

life on the FM front is the same as ever. yesterday we went to B&Q and when I came home my legs went and i went to bed and slept and slept. I couldnt move when I woke up. we need a system where I can alert the household when I need something when I'm stranded in bed.. I thought of a baby monitor so I'm going to ask around and see if anyone has one to sell. Theres quite a list of things I need now to help me . Must chivy hubby to sort them out. I need a handle fixed to the back wall of the house so I can get up the step to the back door, I need a folding step so I can climb into hubby's car. he has a Freelander which is high up and I cant climb in.

I'm psyching myself up to right the letter containing my evidence for the Tribunal. My brain just doesnt seem to be able to focus.

The weather is damp and rainign and dull again. it really affects my mood and my body. Oh for some sunshine.

On Monday I went on my scooter to the post office to post some orders from my Etsy shop. The blasted scooter ran out of juice just near the post office!!! I managed to push it into a nearby car park, went to the post office, got my phone out to ring for a taxi and the phone battery went dead!!!! There was a working pay phone at least so I rang for a taxi and got driven home!! so much for an outing!!

I've made some lovely freinds through FM mostly from Stitchlinks . I cant recommend them enough for anyone who crafts and is in pain or sufferes from mental health problems.

Chatting on the phone to my pals is so important . we all understand each other and know what its like to feel so awful all the time and struggle with our lives.

So a huge thank-you to Mel, Chezza and Orysia for your friendship and support.

The continuing Saga of The waring brothers and the return of Little Miss Sunshine

Rachel came home on Wednesday. Thank god. I missed her so much. Immediately the house felt balanced again. She was chatty, funny, liveley. all the things her miserable elder brother isnt!! She'd enjoyed herself, but felt that 14 days with the same people is too much. I agree. Personally I'd never go on holiday now with friends. I'm too anti-social and like to do my own thing! I also think 14 days is a long time. 10 is enough for me. Mind you I'd like the chance to go on holiday and find out!!!

Sam and Josh have continued to kill each other. Life is so jolly when they're together!! Sam actually nutted Josh yesterday and got sent away from the table. Oh for a family meal when he stops sniping at Josh.

we always said , even when Sam was little , that if they ever made 'Victor Meldrew, The junior years' he would've got a staring role!!!

Josh is off on a residential 3 nights in the Lake District with Bury Young Carers tommorrow. he's very nervous bout going away, but it will be good for him. and me for that matter!!!

On the 18th we're going to St Annes on Sea with my parents. We're staying in a nice hotel with a pool. At least theres loads to do in nearby Blackpool. I loath it but the kids love it, all bright lights, noise and slot machines-yuk!!! St Annes is a bit more genteel. Rachel is coming up for 2 nights. I made a booboo. I didnt realise her GCSE results came out on the 21st! Norman is picking her up on the Wednesday night to come home and get her results. I wanted to be there when she gets them but she'll phone me straight away.

I'm worried my body may give out and I'll be no good on the Thursday and Friday to entertain Josh. we shall see.

anyway this is the last blog until I return.

And The Winner is......

Congratulations, mazeltov, to SHARE!!! You were picked by the fair hand of my 12 year old Josh who shut his eyes and put his pen on my list of names to win my comp. I will find you on ravelry and convo you.

A HUGE Thank-you to everyone who left a comment about my Etsy shop. I have taken all suggestions on board and have and am making changes as I go along and learn

I've altered some of the shop announcements so hope they make easier reading,

I've re-categorised the yarn into types rather thatn just sock and lace,

Photographs are being worked on as we speak

I'm dying some semi-solids to make lace/paterend socks so whatch out for them.

On the shop front I have some Gorgeous Alpaca,silk,cashmere lace weight in in semi-solid pastels

Just a few of the colours. just realised I need a pink and an orange/yellow. off to work on that!!!

I've been busy dyeing more sock yarn too

These are machine washable BFL -gorgeous soft stuff.

Glacier

Rhubarb

Honeysuckle Boating

This one is Bamboo/merino

below is also a new line of BFL DK

Colourways Rachel and Disco fever.

its funny what inspires me with colours, for instance, one morning my daughter rachel came downstairs wearing bright pink pyjama bottoms, an orange T-shirt and a rred dressing gown. Instead of going 'Hi, good Morning' etc I went 'oh they'd make good colours for a skein!!!! caring mum that I am!:-)

Knitting

The Clapotis is nearly finished but I cant photograph it as Rach has taken my camrera to Spain and hers seems to be broken!!

FM

What can I say- business as usual. I was only thinking the other day that life is shit with this syndrome, but I do try and be cheerful if I can. It was a really mixed week. Saturday I felt dreadful. But we'd promised Josh we'd take him out for the afternoon to the coast. Norman put my scooter in the back of the car and I tried to look awake and lively. Nearly at the seaside Norman turned to me and said did I have the key for the scooter?-Deadly silence punctured by -Oh Shit- and other expletives. I wanted to cry!! so we turned round to head for home to pick up the key!!! I felt so ill and exhausted that I decided to stay home whilst norman and Josh headed back up the motorway-good job its only 1 hrs journey!

I fell into bed. I'm not sure how I crawled up the stairs and I slept and slept.

We were invited out to a Bar B Q at night and I phoned my cousin at 6 as I was still stranded in bed and didnt think we'd make it. It was awful feeling the way I did on Saturday as the house was empty and I needed a drink and couldnt go down to get one. I do wonder how people who live alone get on if they're bed bound. any how by 8pm I forced myself to go out. I'm really glad I did. In a perverse way I'm glad my friends and cousins saw me so bad. I only tend to go out If I'm O.K so I dont think they can really understand how awful FM can be. Norman had to help me up all the steps and to the loo upstairs.

on the social side though I really enjoyed myself. my cousins wife is a marvellous cook and we always get an amzing meal there. She even manages to make simple things like bar-b-q burgers and sausages different!!

The reast has been mixed. it was burning hot here for 3 whole days and I sta in the garden. the heat really helps my pain. My joints finally dried out from all that rain!!

yesterday I took Josh into manchester for some shopping. we enjoyed ourselves.

Home Life

rachel is sunning herself in Spain and I really miss her. I miss her lively chatter and her mad sense of humour plus all her friends constantly coming round. The house is very quiet. Plus sam and Josh dont get on and friday night dinner last week was murder with those two killing each other and the snidy comments and jibes at each other. I tell them to stop it and you get ' well he started it' no he started it' on and on -'no you started it. You invaded Poland!!!' etc/ I could cheerfully bang there heads together.

Sam , much as I love him, is irritating the hell out of me and Norman since he got home from Uni. he's done nothing in the house apart from sit on his bloody computer and play some on-line fantasy game to which he subscribes! he's working for the summer only because Norman secured him a job where he works.

that child is so lazy! At nearly 19 I'm shouting at him to get off the computer and help, go for a shower, etc. he's driving us potty. I worry about hubby as he's stressed at work, he's caring for me, he shops, cooks wahses up etc and in between he's trying to decorate the lounge and dining room and garden. Theres only so far a person can stretch themselves and I'm very worreid about how far he can go before he breaks. he's constantly exhausted. I wish we could afford a holiday but its out of the question.

Josh is having a mixed holiday. He is signed up for a local shceme that gives free travel to loads of free activities, but he would've had to travel salone this week and didnt fancy it. his friend is here next week so they'll travel togehter. he's also part of Bury young carers and is having a couple of days out with them plus 3 nights way in the lake district!!

Then My MUM and dad are treating us to a week in St Annes again.

Blogaversary Competition

COMPETITION
I cant beleive its 12 months since I started blogging so I've decided to hold a joint competition with my Etsy shop.
To win a prize what I'd like you to do is check out my Etsy shop-link at the side - and leave me an honest comment either here or on Etsy conversations , about what you like and dont like, colours you'd like to see, yarns, etc. Be honest, I can take it!!!! if you think something is revolting and will never sell in a million years let me know!!!!
in 2 weeks time I'll put everyones names in a bag and pick a winner.
The Prize? A skein of BFL machine washable sock yarn custom dyed to your choice. So get commenting!!!!!

Knitting
On the knitting front Mr Clapotis is coming along slowly. Thats because I'm a slow knitter! I've done lots more knitting so my fingers and my left elbow know about it!! I cant win.
I was on the verge of cancelling i-Knit in September because of the state of ym body, But I've persuaded hubby to accompany me and we're staying over an extra night too!!

FM
on the FM front I'm much the same. I did lots of dying again yesterday so I'm exhausted and in pain today. thats life .
i've just had somebody round from the Jewish social services to get me a volunteer to take me swimming in my wheelchair once a week. so I'm looking foirward to that.
I've also been given my tribunal date 1st october. The day after my birthday. Thats going to be a jolly birthday isnt it? at least I have time to prepare my case.

I Actually Managed some Knitting!!

KNITTING

its been so hectic with the Etsy shop that I've hardly had time to knit Or blog for that matter!. But thanks to Wimbledon,Nadal, federer etc I actually sat down and carried on with my Jaywalker socks. ! finished and 1 on the heel flap so it wont e too long. I'm now suffering from a sore left pinky from pushing the end of the DPN's back and forward for the pattern. I've also started Clapotis finally. I'm about 2 years behind everyone else with my knitting list. I joined a KAL for IVY on Angel Yarns forum 2 years ago! needless to say the yarn is still in my stash!!!

The yarn I'm using for Clapotis is Noro Silk garden. I got it reduced in a sale. No wonder!!! its really dull. Not what I expected from Noro at all!! It was obviously one of my many not thought through impulse buys!! Still I have a black coat so it'll be O.K for the winter

DYING

On the dying front, I've done a little bit more. I bought some Merino-Bamboo mix which has dyed up like washed denim as of course the Bamboo hasnt tken the yarn. I rather like the effect myself and 1 has already sold so hopefully my slowly growing customer base will too.

I've also dyed up some alpaca-Merino which is gorgeous and soft. One of these has already gone too so I'm very pleased.

Here is this months latest dying;

Bamboo-Merino

Bamboo-Merino

o

Alpaca-Merino-colour-Elecrical Storm-SOLD!

BFL 4Ply

Bamboo-Merino-colourway-Citrus Zing- SOLD!

I've done a load more dying on Friday messing about with different colours and ordered more yarns to play with ,including DK and ARAN so watch out!

FM

Life on the old FM front is the same. I seem to have levelled out again, but not back to where I was 7 months ago. It just seems that with each flare I go down just that bit more considering FM Isnt supposed to be degenerative. Think I've said all this before.

I'm doing less than I was though in terms of going out. I can no longer manage to go swimming on my own. so that means where as i was out of the house 4 days a week I'm only out once now for my art class IF I make it! its at 10.30am and that time is just impossible for me usually to be up and out for. Having said that the Etsy shop, dying and sorting it all out is keeping me busy, plus going on line- Ravellry is a real time consummer!!

Norman was given some care vouchers to use for me so I've contacted the Jewish social services to find me someone who can take me swimming with my wheelchair, or if I feel that I can walk, to carry my bag which I cant manage.

At the mo we're having great fun fighting the DWP over my DLA. They make me sick! Bloody beaurocracy. They've granted me lower rate Mobility and care indefinitely which is better than nothing, but they're not taking the FM into account . My GP gave a report. I dont know what bleeding planet she was on! No mention of my wheelchair, difficulty walking needing care during the day etc! Thanks a bunch. They asked me to go before a tribunal which basically is a group opf bastards making out you're a liar!! I played merry hell with them as they'd not asked my Rheumy for a report. Luckily I saw my Rheumy a month ago and went over my claim and what I can and cant do so I'm placing all my hope on him. If he doesnt deliver and I need to go to the tribunal heaven help me I dont stand a chance.I've enlisted the help of the CAB so some ones coming to the house this week.

yesterday I spent mostly in bed again as I'd been dyeing on Friday!

Books

I've been doing plenty of reading lately, some good, some rubbish. Good- The Kite Runner -Khalid Aziz. I loved this book. What struck me about some of it was how closely Judaism and Muslim religions are. E.G he describes and Eid tradition of slaughtering a sheep and I've conveniently forgotten its name now, but it was something like Eid Qhorban. the hebrew term for a scarifice is Korban. The term Tzedakah is hebrew for charity. I think Muslims spell it Sediqa or something similar. So where do they get the virulent Anti- Semitism that is ingrained in them?

Any way back to books. I also enjoyed Jodi Picoults-My Sisters Keeper.

I didnt enjoy Kate Mosse's Sepulchre. I thought it a weak story and just an excuse to ride on the back of the sucess of Labrynthe. A bit like Barbara Erskine. She found a formula and churns it out time and time again.