I have an acylic hat and photos

This is the lovely wool for my new bed cover-so far I have managed 2 rounds of the first crocheted square. I have difficulty facing the fact that it really is not happening. The pink walls and yellow dressing table are remnants of my daughter's teen years which I am really rather fond of.

This is part of the reason for the delay.This scarf and hat is for Becka a truly fabulous friend of my daughter who is gloriously loud and American. I adore her. She asked me to make her a scarf and hat. This is made from strands of machine knitting yarn I inherited when my friends mother died. I really like inheriting stuff that was valued and no one wants anymore and giving it a second life. I like the idea of this yarn from an attic in Kenton will now be around the neck of a young woman in Jerusalem.

Even more this makes me think about Nick Hornby's 'About a Boy' (trust me this will make sense) In this book Marcus, the boy, talks about how it used to only be him and his Mum and that we all need a circle of friends. People come and go from our circle and that's OK. Knitting is a wonderful way to be part of someones circle. What better way to tell a 22 year old that this 51 year old thinks she is pretty darn special.

This is the next cushion cover for the much beloved couch below. Sock wool is great for cushions covers. Also so much of this yarn is too nice to be hidden in my boots all winter.

This is the perfect knitting couch. It has it's own DAB radio and a floor to ceiling window looking out on the back garden. It is perfect on a cold rainy day with Radio 4 and a blanket. This was the cat's all time favourite place.

Anyway time to iron, Tesco order and rewrite my pitch and then when I have used up all avoidance options attempt a web site

Cat died, new job and knitting neurosis

I'm back. I went back to Social Work-bad bad idea and lost the plot to do anything. My G.P and I now agree that it is time to move on. As part of that I want to blog regularly and ask any readers who find this to haunt my dreams if I do not get to this blog weekly.

First the cat as this leads on to my second point. Izzy the most neurotic unfriendly 17 year old cat had to be put down on Sunday and my God do I miss her. We have had pets the last 20 years and the house seems very empty. I keep looking for her on the stairs in the morning and wondering where her food bowl has gone. Towards the end she was very messy. I cleaned the couches and cushions and Clive cleaned the vomit and poo on the floor. Now she has gone the 2 handmade cushions are back on my scruffy old couch in the backroom-the one designed for knitting. However 2 of the cushions need knitted cushion covers and I bought lovely cheap Texere yarn for a bed blanket. WHAT DO I DO FIRST? Why would I never even consider buying covers or a blanket.

Sadly I cannot knit all day and do need to make an income. I have decided to go with what I do well-that is being over organised.I have helped friends to sort out paperwork, edit and sort their wardrobe and arrange kitchens. I am now building this up as a business. I made this decision 2 weeks ago and already have 2 definite bookings and 3 more in discussion. I call it lifestyle management and will do all the jobs people do not have time to do from booking workmen to organising filing systems. I am about to enter the world of websites and business cards. I have a lovely sense of calm excitement about this one.

Are you all enjoying the leaf rain of Autumn? I saw brown and gold leaves on the dark grey pavement last night and sadly thought -I could knit that.

I am using my husband's computer to do this and he will feel really annoyed if I add photos to it so I will log off now and add photos next time

Why buying the boxed set of the West Wing was ok

1. It was only £50 quid and my friend got £250 for referring me to the Social Work agency I got my job through and he gave me half.
2. Anne wants to borrow them so there not just for me
3. Lots of the West Wing is people walking quickly down corridors talking a lot so you get the story if your not really watching-i.e knitting. Therefore owning the WW is good for my creativity.
4. The extras DVD is really good and includes a Documentary about the real WW that features amongst others, Carter, Clinton, Ford and Kissinger-how cool is that?
5.The husband is away from home 2 nights a week and the WW is a comfort (and to be honest Clive hates it).
6. Social worker need an escape and it is better than chocolate or alcohol

child has gone

I am back in my daughter's old room and she is home in Israel by now. I am back with my cavemem type son and husband. Hannah has a strong and vibrant personality that fills a room and it feels really quiet.
Bot to look at the good-she realy enjoyed being in our house but realised that Israel not London is home now-I am proud that she has been able to build her own life at 20-I always wanted independant kids and I do have them. She also spend a lot of time with my son that was really nice to see-he has also said he will go to see her in Israel-all so very very good.
Knitting helps I am making her an Alpaca cardigan and it is a real sense of connection.
and to be honest I do like my space-it took a serious clean-my child is not the world's most obsessive duster-but here I am back in my knitting space with radio 4 and not at work-life is not all that bad!

Long time no write

Well I am not that self disciplined when it comes to writing but in my defence I have now been back at work for 2 weeks-4 days a week at Hillingdon Children's Services and my daughter is home for a month from Israel.
So important lessons since I last wrote.
1 weight loss and working
The only way to keep up the weight loss is to take lunch-the world is full of calorific yummy crap and I am weak. The only way to take lunch is to make it the moment you get home from work-trust me on this one.
2 Travel comfort
Uxbridge tube station is a schlep but a very empty train as most people are travelling in the opposite direction therefore entertainment is important-knitting, sudoku and a book. Therefore a comfortable bag that will last and hide the dirt is essential. I am now the proud owner of a good quality back pack from John Lewis and it is wonderful-no more sagging shoulder and I march along the road like some aging Girl Guide.
3Clothes
My child does not do tact just like her father-thank god for my advanced levels of diplomacy. But there are times when this is useful. She sat on her bed and passed judgement on my entire wardrobe-the result is that everything left fits well and choosing clothes in the morning is so much easier. Did my checked shirt really make me look like a butch lesbian?
4. Breakfast
Starting the day with tea from a tea pot is essential

job hunting

I got rejected by the second team that interviewed me at Westminister and Chelsea for a lack of experience-it is amazing how blah this makes me feel. I have been put forward for other work so we shall see. The daughter comes home for a month next week so as least as things stand I will have more time for her.
I take amazing comfort from the fact that I have almost finished the wrap around from Big Girl Knits-I started it in 2007 and made a complete mess of the front shaping-very very complex. Somehow it is extremely satisfying to finish the back of the cupboard reject. I have knitted this in a lovely cotton silk mix and will really enjoy wearing it a sense of achievement amonsgst all this getting no where in particular job hunting. -which lets be honest is a remarkably unpleasant process of selling yourself.

being nice warning

I went for a job interview on Tuesday-the office was in Kings Road-past the Saatchi Gallery with lovely park and trees and Peter Jones and various other gorgeous shops i.e what a pretty amazing place to work. This is almost too good to be true and it was-the job had already gone and my agent failed to pass on the message. Ho hum.
I comforted myself with a picnic dinner outside the Southbank Centre. I got to thinking how rare it is for women to feel really good about themselves and as a consequence I have decided that if I see a woman who looks really good I will tell her.
Sitting there watching the boats go by I saw this amazing woman wearing a long hippy dress really really well; a good belt and great jewellery. Anyway I told her she looked fabulous and she was really pleased. But sitting on the bench next to me was a rather batty looking woman who got incredibly annoyed that I had not complimented her on her clothes. I really truly despair