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Friday 6 June 2014

rebooting...

I could wax lyrical about how shameful it is that I’ve not updated this thing in months, but I don’t want to be a Negative Nancy. 

The last few months have been stressful but wonderful. I’m currently on the hunt for a new job which is a slightly soul destroying process. On the other hand, the kittens are well and truly settled and are the funniest, most affectionate little creatures, so our little home in South London feels very happy and full of love. 

In spite of my happy home life, the process of searching for a new job, the seemingly endless cycle of interrogation, rejection and false hope, has worn me a bit thin. It’s horrible when you realise that you’re not yourself, and that you haven’t been for a while. I’ve decided that I need to need to give the creative part of my brain a jump start, and after a week or so of looking at potential projects online I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. Here is my very rough and ready action plan:

  • Get the craft room organised (it’s currently a dumping ground)
  • Take baby steps towards getting the craft room redecorated (cover a desk here, spray paint some brackets there)
  • Get going on what I have decided Project Quiltzilla again
  • Make a summer dress
  • Start writing more, and not just the weekly favourites that I can never seem to keep up
  • Bake something

Now that it’s there, in black and white, it looks like a lot, but I’m hoping they’re the kind of projects I can dip in and out of, and I think they’re all going to be enjoyable (otherwise what is the point?).

Sunday 19 January 2014

this week.

  1. Going to visit the kittens - oh my word they are absolutely precious.  8th February can't come soon enough.
  2. Game of Thrones - M and I started watching this on Monday and we're already on season two.  I think I can safely say we're hooked.  
  3. Early nights - we're both trying to be good at the moment by going to bed earlier than usual.  I'm really not a morning person, especially at this time of year when it's so dark when I wake up, so anything that helps me feel a bit more perky in the morning can only be a good thing.
  4. Blueberries in my morning cereal - I'm trying to shift a bit of weight at the moment, and I've found that a handful of cereal with some blueberries is a great way to start the day.  
  5. bluebellgray fabrics - they are current selling some duvet sets by bluebellgray on John Lewis and I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to resist.  Absolutely gorgeous colours.


double trouble.

In twenty days' time these two little darlings are coming home to live with us.

I.  can.  not.  wait.

Sunday 12 January 2014

this week.

  1. Receiving parcels for the cats - M and I are bringing home two kittens in February, and we've started to buy the necessities for them.  I don't think I've ever been so excited about finding well designed litter trays before.
  2. Stargazing Live - M and I have become rather hooked on this this week.  It's so refreshing to have something science based on mainstream TV that doesn't pull any punches.
  3. The art of JeeYoung Lee - I saw an article about JeeYoung Lee on This is Colossal this week, and I've gone back to gaze at the pictures at least once a day since.  Gorgeous work!
  4. Discovering a great new anime series - we treated ourselves to the complete box set of Elfen Lied this weekend and are already hooked.  Nothing quite like immersing yourself in an exciting new story.
  5. The arrival of winter - I have become seriously sick and tired of the wind and rain that has been battering the UK recently, so I'm relieved that it looks like winter is in the doorstep.  About bloody time.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

bring it on 2014.

Well, 2013 was certainly eventful. It will always be the year that M and I bought our first flat, and that's good enough for me.

Here's how I did with last year's goals:

  • I go in for my *touch wood* final surgery on 26th January, so for the first five or so months of the year I'm going to be getting well acquainted with some physiotherapists and will become a physio machine.
    > Well it's nearly been 12 months, and I'm pretty happy with how everything has gone. I can hop again. Hop! 

  • The boy and I are hoping to dip our toe in the home-owner pond in the Spring.
    > Done and done!

  • I'm contemplating tackling a double bed sized quilt - I really miss the one I made last year, so I'd like to make one for myself. 
    > Well, I've made a start at least!

  • I've promised myself that I will read From Hell and Gormenghast.
    > Well, not such a success - this will be remaining on my 'to do' list.

  • Hopefully this will be the year that I manage to contribute to the Crafty Photo Scavenger Hunt every month.
    > Again, didn't manage this one what with the move and all.

  • I'm going to finally man up and wear in my DMs.
    > We've not really had the weather for this year, hopefully this blasted rain will stop!

  • I might be starting a post-grad professional diploma in the autumn - eek!
    > Well, this has all changed a bit. More on that in a bit.

  • My wardrobe really needs a good de-clutter.
    > Managed to do this as part of the move, score!

  • I really need to start writing again, even if it's just staying up to date with 'this week'.
    > I did a bit when I was off work with my knee, but I do need to get back into this properly again.

  • We need to do more gaming.
    > We both failed at this, but have agreed it's on the books for this year.

  • I need to take Vera out to play more often.
    > I've failed this one in spectacular style. I'm thinking of getting some more lenses this year, so I definitely want to brush up my skills again.

  • I'm going to be brave and try out a few recipes from the Wahaca cookbook.
    > This has been done, which much success! We cooked my parents the pork pibil for Boxing Day and it went down a storm.

  • I want to start saving up to buy Persephone/Percy (a MNF Mirwen).
    > I received a pretty little bonus with my Christmas pay, so I think I may have to put some of this towards bringing Percy home.

Now I know that last year I did '13 goals for 2013', but if I carry on in that way I'll end up with a list as long as my arm, and the likelihood of me actually achieving them will be slim to none. So I'm going to stick with ten, which seems like a nice round number.

  • Polish off my CV and start to look at new employment opportunities.  My managers feel that I've outgrown my current role, and seeing as there is no way for me to progress in the company, I need to look further afield.
  • Redecorate at least one room in our flat. It's been refurbished to a good standard so it's not like it needs to be modernised, but I'd like to start to put our stamp on the place.
  • Finish at least the top sheet for the double quilt - once I start the actual quilting process goodness knows how long it will take!
  • Get back into playing the cornet. I've already started to build my lip up, I just need to fight through the frustration and persevere.
  • Take Vera out to play more often and buy her some pretty new clothes (otherwise known as 'pick up my camera more often and buy some new lenses).
  • Do more gaming, both with M and on my tod.  I have some really good 3DS games that I need to get stuck into.
  • Write more often.  If only short bits and bobs.
  • Start going for a weekly walk.  We have a lovely lake just down the road, so I don't have any excuse not to really.
  • Bake something and try at least one new recipe at least once a month.
  • Read more often.  I'm now using a rucsac everyday rather than an across body bag, so this one should hopefully be relatively easy!