back in the saddle again

Well, it's been a week, I have access to the kitchen, and look where we are:

This is an amazing amount of space for me compared to what I had.

Look at my lovely long, clear work surface.

And my sexy under-the-cupboard lights.

And here is where Mark can put his crap when he comes in, so no more tripping over shoes and rucksacks.  Oh joy is mine.

He really has done an incredible amount of work in just seven days.  Taking down a whole wall, securing a supporting beam in its place, bricking up a doorway, plastering to cover all the yuck bits and both sides of the bricked up door, putting in new worktops and cupboards, installing lights, installing the cooker hood, and on and on.... I'm very proud of him and the way he applies himself. 

The less said about this end, the better tee hee.

There but for the Grace of God

I would like to share a couple of things with you which I chanced upon today, both of which moved me to free-flowing tears for very similar reasons.

The first was an email from Samaritans Purse about Operation Christmas Child, for which I have made up two shoeboxes of gifts/other items every year.  I stopped to read the story of some of the children who receive these shoeboxes and felt quite overwhelmed by the thought that for some kids, this was the only gift they would receive at Christmas.  For some kids, living in poverty, this represents the only toys they will have throughout their entire childhood.  And the fact that someone somewhere has bothered to put some things into a box for them seems to really be a thing of wonder for them.  Never again will I moan about the financial cost of putting these boxes together, I will be glad to do it.  In fact, I intend to do four boxes next Christmas instead of the normal two, and I will fund the cost somehow. 

The second thing was disturbing, and squeezed at my heart. 

This link was on a blog, and once I read it, and got a little concept and persepective on this lady's life, I felt lost for words.  Then this link completes a heartbreaking tale.  Don't read it unless you are prepared to cry.  I post it because I personally want the reminder on my blog that I am living the dream.  It wouldn't hurt me once in a while to stop and fucking appreciate it. 

!

another day another dollar

Wall down day 4.  Still dust, dirt and teeth-gnashing stress every time you want anything to eat or drink, but galloping along well - nothing much exciting to look at, but big steps in such a short time.

The ceiling supports came down this morning following installation of a new supporting beam.  That tardis in the middle is my fridge freezer btw. 

This is the sort of view that nightmares are made of:

Gave me a bit of a start in the small hours as I stumbled down the hallway for a wee.  Actually, I had a view from a hotel window once which was not unlike this......

For the crochet square swap,  (the very title of which caused Oliver much merriment and giggling) is up and a-running and here are my squares thus far:

The third one was a bugger I can tell you, and required assistance in the early stages. (thank you Kim). 

Finally got XBox live working - what a bloody hassle that turned out to be.  I'm sure it should be an easy process, and it's just me, but there was much swearing and fits of rage over that little debacle.  Also bought Just Dance 3 on Kinect - it's fabbo. I am still unbeaten, though Lordy knows how.  I am obviously just really good at hiding my worst errors and hitting the pertinent points at the right time, because, according to Oliver, I look more like I am 'having a fit' than auditioning for Pineapple Studios. In my minds eye I am a lithe and supple creature in slinky black with funky moves, but for the sake of reality, just picture the polar opposite.  And I ache all over.  Wonder if you can get a refund if you don't resemble Arlene Phillips after two days.

It reminds me of a time in the distant past that I popped into Tesco after a netball match one evening, all tight leggings, trainers and ponytail, bouncing along all skippy and fame-like, then I caught sight of myself in a full length mirror.  Blimey, the audibly shocked intake of breath had assistants running from all corners of the store to see what was wrong with the midget fat-arse in aisle 3. (yep, that was me, that was). 

Dirty Monday

I knew there would be disruption, I knew there would be dust.  Bugger me, there has been both in the last 24 hours.  I have come to realise that anything involving a kitchen is a nightmare.  I think even doing the bathroom and having to face the prospect of a piss in a bucket would be preferable to having no access to the kitchen sink or fridge.  I kid you not.  The kitchen is my domain and I feel cut adrift. 

But - stop the whining - here we are on day two and look how good the boy is doing:

Don't know how long I can keep fobbing the family off with fish and chips and pizza though.  I started work last night in my new (ultra busy) role.  I could feel myself glazing over at 8pm, and at 9pm we had a staff meeting.  9pm!!!!! I was thinking of going to bed at that point......

Anyhoo, at least there is one big fan of my crochet cushion.

Laters.

Calm before the storm

My cushion is finished, and I am still a little dubious about it, but the faint glow of satisfaction that appeared with a finished project under my belt is still wafting around.

Tomorrow this wall is coming down:

It is the connecting wall between the kitchen and the dining room (which was the living room up until just before Christmas). 

Kitchen side:

There will be a lot of dust and bad temper flying around.  But I suppose at least the dust can be dealt with by a slap around with a damp cloth.  But the end result will be oh so worth it.  I will have the open kitchen/diner I have always yearned for.  When Oliver is at the table 'doing stuff' I will not have to leave the room to do 'kitchen stuff' - we will have a relaxed, family environment to live in.  Or else.

I got in on the crochet square swap, so watch this space....

Do I like this?

The jury is out.  I think I do, I feel a bit chuffed I can just start a project like this and roll with it.  AND it's done 'properly', none of that usual skim reading and missing bits out that I don't like.  I have not really been a fan of the crochet cushion - it all seems a bit pointless, but I quite like the look of this and I do really enjoy the thrill of the chase with crochet, so I will be finishing this.  I even went out and bought a cushion innard, so it's all looking a bit rosy here at crochetmylife.com. 

Mark remarked that it was 'bloody horrible', which is a teensy bit harsh I feel, but I think his revulsion stems from his fear that he will be seen by his friends in the presence of The Cushion,  and by default the next step will be a Cosy Slipper.  When he came out with this tripe I threw my head back and guffawed.  The thought that one of his friends should suddenly appear, at the living room door unannounced at gone 10pm and mock The Cushion just made me lol.  Quite literally. 

An update on the HE schedule - well, I am stunned to report that in terms of sometimes grating, sometimes gliding - boy, we are a-gliding.  Things are really Getting. Done.  Oliver is upbeat and keen, and it's gone on for over a week.  Unheard of, and a joy to behold.  We have tons more time available somehow by just following a light timetable, and learning together is an absolute treat when it's like this. 

Got a meeting at work today, to discuss a back to work role/shift pattern.  I am positive about this, although a little suspicious that I am being fobbed off.  It's the fact that I know they are breathing a sigh of relief that the 'problem' of me will be temporarily dealt with which grates on me - because I think they think I don't know.  Well I do.  So there. 

In my suddenly free oodles of time I have first thing in the morning, I have been blog-hopping and ooh, what joys I have discovered.  I came across this pattern for a little felt scottie dog, which appeals to my sense of rustic crafty easy-make desires.  I think Oliver will like this too. 

And this blog has a swap!!! I do love a good swap.  Best of all, this has a real point to it as you will end up with the makings of a unique blanket, assembly only required! (it's a crochet square swap if you can't be arsed to follow the link!)  I have emailed the host(ess?) and await her reply with bated breath.

I am very keen on this monthly make for 2012 too, and although we have passed the halfway mark in January, I reckon I can count my cushion in this month, as it will be finished in time.  Still mulling this one over.