Things that take your mind off work....

Work is not good, it's public sector so no funds equals less jobs. It will be very unpleasant for the rest of the summer and is affecting me sleep wise. However I am trying not to be pulled down by it, so am filling the space with stuff.

Tuesday youngest took a break from revision and we went to see a film.....here's a clue. Guess? indeedy those four lovely ladies from NYC. We loved it despite the reviews and the ridiculousness of the tale. We ate popcorn and laughed a lot. Do go for a giggle, nothing heavy.

Yesterday we promised ourselves a trip to the coast. I had imaging a lovely picnic on the glorious sands, youngest sunning herself with a nose in a text book. Me with i pod and hooking, surrounded by gorgeous yarn and Herb with his binos, bird watching and bringing us ices and cold drinks. But of course this being blighty it was raincoats, scarves and woolly hats. Still we had the beach to ourselves apart from some nesting plovers and oyster catchers ( its rubbing off.)

we had a wonderful time and finished with a quick trip to Chelsea on Sea, sorry Burnham Market, (this gorgeous pad would do me)for a cream tea before rushing back for youngest to do her shift at the posh peoples supermarket. (note 25% off wine and champagne this week-well worth it)

Today has been doing what I love best, pottering round the house. I sat in the little sun we've had today and with the Archers on ipod carried on with the four way bargello. A little experiment, fun to do but am not sure I like the effect. .........and started a new crochet granny using old bit of yarn. I have sorted my threads and finally sewn the last end in the blanket finished last year. Altogether a productive crafty day.

Finally we have this at the front of the house....classily done with black tape dont you think? but Herb insisted. ........its the only flag in the street!.........

beautiful flowers in the garden......enjoy the rest of the weekend folks

I'm dreamin of a white christmas........

just didn't want it tomorrow. .......we have lots of the white stuff here tonight in the small town. Tomorrow we are off to Yorkshire to collect eldest child from uni. if there's anyone up north could tell me what its like up there I would be truly grateful.

Herb just mentioned the fact that eldest said on the phone last night she was very excited it was going to snow here......she wasn't concerned we might be about to do a 6 hour round trip in a blizzard......ahh i replied that's what parents are for, to do all the worrying about practical matters.

Tree is up tonight but awaiting its adornment when eldest returns...its a family tradition, girls do the tree while mother sips a Harvey's Bristol cream or two. (father watches a football match somewhere in another room!), at least these days when they've finished I don't have to redo it when they've gone to bed....decs are emerging from hibernation......I'm a sucker for a reindeer or moose, anything with antlers really

I love the snowflake curtain here I found here and have made my usual snowflakes for the doors. unfortunately half were destroyed when herb opened said doors ripping some of my hard work to shreds. ho hum...wish us luck tomorrow!

No I haven't been away........

nor have I been any busier than usual with work, but the reason I haven't written is that i didn't know what to say. Life here in the small town has taken on a strange atmosphere, preparations for university have stepped up a pace. There has been a trip to Primark for towels and bedding, I am buying all the deals on toiletries I see....all with more than a little disbelief and dread. Herb is keeping his feelings very close to his chest but I am becoming agitated and there is a certain tension in the house. This was compounded this week with a visit to the university open day in Leeds for youngest child. We did the 3 hours drive up north to see what Leeds has to offer for a 17 year old wanting to study fine art. We loved it but to be honest I think she was a little overawed by the campus and the course and it probably isn't for her. (Her with the purple bag)but again on the drive back, I pondered on the fact that this time next year the nest will indeed be empty.....and that doesn't make me happy. There was an article in the Observer last week whose tone was that this was an ideal opportunity for a couple to refind each other, to pursue new interests etc. Of coursed I pounced on this but it didn't make me feel any better. We have a lovely life which I appreciate very much , we enjoy each others company, have lovely friends, a nice home, a good work life balance , it will just seem a paler shade without the girls. that's all.

Enough.....its going to happen onward and upward.......I have plans to fill the space.

I'm going to turn the spare bedroom(it's so bad now i can't even bear to show you a picture) into a bit of a craft room.

I will go to the handmade craft fair in Cambridge in December and the knitting and stitching show at Alexandra Palace in October for inspiration.

I am thinking of starting a stitching group in the small town.

I have Herbs landmark birthday to sort.....and of course youngest will still be here for another year. No need to wish that away.

Speaking of crafting.....a little bit of crewel..I have run out of wool for the university blanket, so took the time to finish the black and green one. I absolutely love it. I know its a bit contrived colour wise but that's me I'm afraid. Only a few hundred ends to sew in!