Weekending.

I have been feeling a bit rough the past week have had to take some time off of work, I have done little else  but poddle around at home, I did manage to get the hound out for a very small walk, sometimes you just cant predict him, he took the lead and we did a bit of zig zag walking, he seems to have an inability to walk in a straight line, he seemed intent on his direction though and it was if he knew the tide was high

Once he had gone in and had a quick paddle play, that was it he had to go home, sadly not the way he came, I have learnt with Max that as a rescue dog you really cant make him do anything he doesn't want to do as his permanent anxiety will just go through the roof, so if he stops you stop and wait, we have just learnt to follow where he wants to go, and go at his pace. Its the first time in a while that I have been able to take him for a walk on my own . 

Time at home has been spent knitting as I really didn't have the energy for much else, I have been working on my socks and my newly cast on shawl

both of which have grown significantly, will update about that in a separate post.I treated myself to a couple of knitting mags, something I have not done in ages, but as I am currently a knitting fiend I thought why not. So pleased I did some great patterns in them that I now want to knit, including the pale green gilet on the front cover of the knitter, the pattern is inclusive of the shawl/scarf neck.

I also needed to get some new stitch markers and progress keeper type things, especially as I am now challenging myself to attempt more complex patterns, they are so cute

a set of sheep and a set of Harry Potter themed ones, they are heavier than I thought so wont be able to use on the lace weight, but ideal for my other projects. She has some great little stitch markers [as well as yarn] in her shop if you want to go take a look, Little french meadow. 

Feeling a bit stir crazy by Saturday hubs took me down to the harbour side for a little walk, and it was a little walk I have to say, we stopped  for a cuppa and I stupidly ate a panini which set my stomach off again, why do I never learn. so it was a quick turn about and back off home,. The weather was amazing, the sky was ominous and it went from bright sun to rain in seconds, then back to sun again, typical of the weather by us at the moment. I managed to grab a few snaps on my phone, no filters other than the 3 black and white ones, which I took in colour then changed. 

 

Very little has been done house wise, I did mange to go get some food so the teenage locusts will not starve but housework has been off the agenda, I'm still home from work, am hoping I will feel better soon as I only have a few weeks left until I leave and have a caseload of work to complete before I go ! 

TaDa....

Here is the final end 'dried 'result of my first 'back to hand dyeing yarn' happy weekend project !

from this

To this

I can tell you the happiness from dyeing it last weekend is bringing joy to this weekend because I am going to ball  up one of these beauties and start knitting it!! whoop whoop.

It's OK I have an empty project bag to fill with a WIP...

Hello March.

Am I glad to see March, whilst there were some great highlights in February, it felt a long dark month. It's so nice to be having longer days, what a difference going to work in daylight and coming home in daylight makes.March feels like a turning point, its my last 4 weeks of working my notice at work, half way there, 8 weeks is a long time to keep your brain focussed! I have only had 1 wobbly and that's more related to leaving such a great team of nurses rather than leaving the job itself. 

My work life balance seems to be improving, probably because I am no longer willing to do more hours than I am actually paid for, working notice is actually quite liberating for me. My craft life has erupted, I am knitting like a maniac and thoroughly enjoying it, to celebrate its return I treated myself to a new project bag, because yes, I do have more than 1 project on the go ! it is an absolutely fabulous little bag, so well made, I have a really old similar one that's still in use and just love the size and shape, not to mention the beautiful fabric

If you're a knitter/spinner  then pop over to take a look at her shop, Picperfic

I even picked up my camera the other day as I have not taken any photos, or felt inclined to do so, for quite a while now, I feel the stirrings of exploration mode resurfacing, I am hoping some calmer weather may suit the hound as he is still refusing to go out more than he actually does.Luckily we have a large garden that he can romp around in, we gave up trying to achieve a pretty garden years ago, its functional now, no flowers to be seen unless they are planted in pots and he still manages to kill those!

There are no plans made for March, its very much a ' lets see what happens' month, and after having such a busy February I am looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. I have gone and bought a ' proper' swim suit, a functional one that I can actually swim in and do a couple of aqua aerobics classes, my last skirted suit was ok unless you actually wanted to swim or move about in the water then it ballooned up, so I spent more time trying to keep it down than I did doing the exercises. I really enjoy swimming so I have decided that is a goal for this month, to try to get back into the routine of swimming again.  I am resisting the temptation to set myself more goals as they then feel like a chore rather than  a treat, and it will be far more satisfying to see what I have achieved at the end of the month rather than measuring against a pre set, usually unrealistic set of goals.

So here's goodbye to February and a hearty hello to March.