Feeling Down.......

I am sorry to be a total whinge bag - but I am so fed up this weekend - it has been a difficult time recently and this shows no signs of stopping ... money is tight, my mum is unwell, my grandad is unwell and my nan is in respite and I feel that I just cannot be bothered anymore. All I want to do is sit on the sofa in my joggers and not leave the house!

But the truth is I can't - I have to go shopping, pick up my Dad, fetch my nan some things from home and take them into the home for her, walk the dogs, do the tea, finish off the washing and have a tidy round.

However I always find that my knitting relaxes me, calms me down and while it isnt going to shift those blues it does help to relieve some of the anxiety I am feeling. So once I have got through my list of jobs for the day.. I shall have a nice soak in the bath, put on my pj's and then I am going to dig out my crochet hooks and give that another try.

Long Time No Post!

Oops I have been very mean and not added anything to my blog lately - one reason is because I have been so busy with work, joining Weightwatchers again, dance class twice a week, and helping my Grandad out as he has not been so well and he is the main carer for my Nan since she had a stroke last year. My mum has been unable to cope so have been dashing backwards and forwards wherever possible.

I also had a birthday this week which was lovely - and so of course I had to go out but we kept it local and enjoyed the company of our friends.

Knitting wise I finished my lace scarf ages ago - I have finished a cardigan in Sirdar Yo Yo but it needs sewing up which I hate! I also have a pair of socks OTN and have just finished my first dog coat for K9 Knitters. I just have to dig out some buttons to finish it off!

Then all I need to do is sort out some pics - anyway must dash am off to a firework party tonight.

Blue faced Open Day

Morning bloggers - been a busy week I am afraid - hectic at work and have now finally decided I need to shed some load so have been back to Weight watchers this week - scarily since leaving the NHS and being constantly on my feet and going to a more sedentary job working from home I have put on two stone in a year and a half and feel awful for it - so thats it no more!!

Today we are off to the blue faced open day so hoping to get some yarn for dyeing and maybe pick up a few bargains!! will take the camera and try and take some pics.

Lace scarf is coming on nicely but am still a little worried that I don't have enough yarn - will see how it goes.

And my boys are both curled up asleep on their bean bags - poor Digger is slowing down on our walks and can only manage 10 minutes - he also had to have a bath yesterday as he was smelling none too sweet - the only problem is he will not tolerate me grooming his legs and he gets quite knotty - may need to call in expert help!! Anyway off to shop for yarn mmmhhh!

Poor new car

Had her first bump yesterday as someone drove into the back of her luckily it was only a minor bump and amazingly there was no damage .. phew.

I am getting so excited - we are going to the bluefaced.com open day on Saturday - I am really keen to have a try at spinning and maybe dyeing my own yarn - some of the girls are taking their wheels to let us have a go - natural dye studio will also be there and I have bought from them in the past so it will be nice to meet them - oh and its payday so will have some spends - whoo hoo cant wait!

Bye Bye Beetle

Gav and myself do not own our cars - Gav leases his car and I have a company car - well yesterday he said bye bye to BB Beetle and hello new sporty polo! Gav was initially a little bit sad as BB was his first car but soon forgot her as he drove around town in his new sporty number - smelling all new and looking shiney.

We are enjoying beautiful weather today so once the chores are done and Digger has been bathed and groomed - I am off to sit in the afternoon sunshine and do a bit more work on my lace scarf - I am now on the border. It is the first time I have tackled something like this and so far I think it is looking good. Have made a couple of mistakes but nothing that was not repairable. Will put up pics when finished!

Knitting and yep more rain...

Am feeling down today - why I just don't know .. the weather continues to be dreary and I have to go up to Liverpool today for work, the housework needs doing, we need food shopping and all I want to do is sit on the sofa and continue my knitting. Its mornings like this when I wish I had won the lottery and could be a lady of leisure with no money concerns and decide to do things when I want to do them. However I dont think I am ever destined to have that luxury - I always believed that you make your own luck in life and that if you want something you put the effort in and it will come WELL I WANT TO WIN THE LOTTERY!!!! and no matter how many times I faithfully put those numbers on it just doesn't happen.

Still on the upside my scarf is coming on nicely and I did fall into my local yarn shop yesterday and buy another ball of sock yarn (which I really did not need) - however I have convinced myself that it will form part of someones christmas present once knitted!

Poker

Well what can I say - I came 25th out of 178 people - BUT .... my OH who scraped in at the last minute managed to get 10th and has now secured his place in the National Final in March 2009 - whilst I am very proud of me there is a teensy bit of me that is feeling slightly green and envious.

On another note I have promised my self I will add some pics of my knitting this week as I feel you all need some progress pics ... he he aren't I good to you!

xx

Will the rain ever stop?

Wow - I am finding it hard to believe the amount of rain we are having - the poor dogs are having to do quick runs around the block when ever it stops for a short time as Drew just doesn't do rain. Still there is always an upside so I get to cosy indoors with my knitting, put my comfy squizhy joggers on and some lovely vanilla scented candles - bliss.

I have finished my teardrop scarf - but unfortunately it isnt as big as I would have liked - and I have now started the first scarf with border out of Victorian Lace Today. Its the first time I have had a go at charts - the lace chart itself is easy to read and I have had no probs with it but finding out the construction of the pattern has been a bit tricky and it isnt really explained anywhere but as usual the girls on Angelyarns forums have been stars and helped me out. Anyway am off to meet my mom to take her to Ikea!!!

Oh and I hope you haven't forgotten where I am off to tomorrow..... its the Poker Final !!!

Getting to Grips with Lace Knitting

Have been doing quite well with my teardrop scarf - I am adding more rows to it so I can wear it more as a wrap. I will try and post some pics of my progress so far a little later. I am really amazed at the beauty and intricacy of lace knitting so following recommendations from my friends on the angel yarns forum I have just bought two new knitting books - the first is Victorian Lace Today - which is beautiful laid out and shows victorian style lace knitting in modern projects. It also the first knitting book that I am actually 'reading'. The second book I was recommended is Heirloom Knitting and whilst I have only had a quick flick through - it looks more like a work book that you can use to help produce your own lace heirloom projects - all in all I am really pleased with my purchases - and its all thanks to the girls at Angel Yarns! Now all I need is a nice stormy afternoon with an old black n white film so I can snuggle on the sofa with hot chocolate and my books!

Just because...

whilst watching the pedigree dogs programme on the Beeb both Gav and myself sat cuddling the boys so just because here are a few pics of my little ole fellas - yep I am totally biased but I think they are my best in shows!!

BBC Pedigree Dogs

I finally managed to watch this last night and I have to say - I was appalled. But morally it puts me in a difficult situation - I have friends who are breeders and I have been involved in rescue volunteering for years and I can honestly see both sides. Most rescuers take a dim view of breeders believing they breed purely for money and vanity and most breeders believe that 'bad breeders' are a minority and most pups bred are loved and wanted and bred for the goodness of the breed. Sadly I think both sides are not wholly correct - Dogs were once 'man's best friend' and my own dogs are like family - their welfare always will come first and not aesthetics. From my volunteering I know that there are many bad breeders who are indeed in it for the money - don't believe me? ? - Take a look at the Many Tears website - it is guaranteed to break your heart. But I also have fallen in love with Bedlington Terriers a breed that thankfully does not come into rescue very often and was thinking about my next dog being a pedigree pup - I have built up my knowledge of the breed and sought out breeders and I believe I have found my ideal breeder - I have seen her dogs in action and would be happy to buy a dog from her in the future - but is that selfish - should I wait and offer a home to a rescue dog who needs me?

Teal Toes from Knit Today

These are now finished and blocking ready to give to my Nan next week for her birthday - hope she likes them!

A Day of Relaxation

Yesterday was a hectic day as we took off to Alton Towers for Thrills n Spills - how exhausting can riding rollercoasters actually be !! Well the answer is very ... and my throat feels rough from trying to be cool and prevent myself from screaming.

So today is one of those rare days dedicated to relaxation ... but first I have to tidy the front room and kitchen, then I have to go fetch the ingredients for the chicken and spinach curry I am making for tea - then I need to walk the boys... then I need to make that curry.

So maybe a day of relaxation is not what it seems... or is it? - the fact that I want to do these things rather than having to do them makes them relaxing, the pleasure I get from cooking something that is enjoyed, seeing the happy trotting of the boys and then being able to start my lace project tonight guilt free knowing that the housework is complete and being able to shut the front door to the world is in itself the perfect way to relax!

Holiday week

Yay - it's holiday week we have both taken the week off to chill and what happens - I get major panic attacks for the past three days - I have found it difficult to sit still, to concentrate or settle and my chest has felt like it would explode - I still feel a little unnerved today - so I dug out my needles and continued knitting socks for my Nan's birthday - I can't believe how after the 20 minutes of knitting I felt calmer and more relaxed and the pressure had lifted from my chest. I don't know whether it is the rhythm of the needles or the focus on something that requires concentration that helped but whatever it was - it worked and gave me a few hours respite from this horrible feeling.

Anyway its Poker night again tonight and the start of the new season - the good news is .... I have made it to the regional finals !!! Gav is in the play off for third place to come with us - I hope he gets there it would be so nice if we both made it this time... well wish me luck!

Back to work..

The weekend is done - and still no lotto win - am feeling fed up as everyone I know is going on holiday and we simply cannot afford one - It annoys me as we both work so hard and seem to be getting no where fast - is this just me or is it the same for everyone?

Still at least the weather is holding but last night was so hot in our bedroom that we decided to sleep downstairs on the rug !! The boys are struggling with it too - we only have one walk and we go out quite late when its cooled down a little. Still we have waited a long time for some decent weather so am trying to enjoy it while we can.

Gorgeous Day

The weather is superb today - have been and watched my ten year old nephew at footie training - I took Digger my beddie with me - and was amazed at how well behaved he was. It is definately Drew that sets him off - there were loads of dogs there and usually with the two of them they start pulling and barking but Mr Diggs just lay in the sun and watched the world go by - What a Star! We are now off to the cafe for breakfast cum lunch and then I am going to tackle the jungle of a garden and catch some rays - perfect start to the weekend!

Still need to pick up that camera though!

Looking to the Weekend...

Phew its almost here - am quite tired today and have some reports to write and the house to clean and then out tonight possibly will have a game of Poker. Am also going to try and get a new camera so I can take some pics. We are hoping to go to a championship show at Leeds on Sunday and catch up with some of my bedlington friends we are thinking about taking the boys so baths all round tomorrow - my dogs can not be shown but we don't want them being outsmarted do we! I also need to spend a bit more time on my blog as its a little basic and I still have my cable socks to finish for my nans birthday - its all go at the moment so back soon !

Sunshine

At last - have woke up this morning and the weather is warm and the sun is shining. I always feel better when the weather is good and it makes me want to be kind to myself. Have been needing to lose some weight for a while but put it off - too busy, too tired, no motivation but have decided I am going back on my weight watchers plan on Monday! Food is always an issue for me and I am typically a yo-yo weight gain/weight loss person. But since taking a new job where I am sat down a lot and the boys arthritis meaning less exercise for me I have put on a horrible stone and a half!!!

So Monday is the day I have chosen to begin - I will eat properly I have set myself an achievable exercise plan healthier living here I come. Oh and if I don't start until Monday - I can have KFC Saturday!!!

Poker Night

Well folks last night was poker night - I play in the Red Tooth Pub Poker League and....... I won! I was very much in need of the points as there is currently a bit of a battle going on for 2nd place between me and my friend Pete. I am not sure yet if I have done enough to secure second place and go to the Regional Final but will keep you posted. I went last season as I won our pub league and had a really great day - I came 28th out of 200 so that was not so bad either but ended up very drunk - am definately not an all day drinker.

Anyway plans for the week so far are ..... waiting for pay day (top priority), needing to go on a diet(will start tomorrow) and must go out and get a new camera so I can add some pics to this blog and spice things up a bit - after all it is called Bedlingtons and Knitting and all I have managed to put up is a pair of the socks I knitted for Gav. Oh well I am still new to this at the moment.

First Day

This is the first day of my Blog - so please bear with me - it is a bit of a work in progress. But if you are a fan of bedlington terriers, knitting, poker and wine then this could be the place for you.... If you are not then it still may be fun so stick with me.

Firstly my dogs... Drew is a 12 year old whippet that we adopted 3 years ago - he is my soul dog - my best friend and looks to me for everything.

Digger is my first Bedlington and is 15 years old we adopted him 2 years ago - and he has me hooked on bedlingtons. He makes me laugh everyday and is simply the most easy going dog I have ever met. He is deaf, has a heart murmur, has only a few teeth, has arthritis, smells and pees up his own legs - but I adore him and will always have a special place in my heart for this dog.