Hospital

Forgive my current lack of creativity and interestingness. Monday was stomach biopsy day.
Today I am achy and headachy, but OK.

I probably couldn't tell you want I did yesterday in any real detail. I had the procedure done under sedation,they use a stronger strain of Diazepam and they give you an local anaesthetic (Which tasted like bananas- after the nurse had explained the procedure and said I could choose to have the anaesthetic she left us to fill in the forms, Jay was like "You should take the anaesthetic- I wish she'd spoken to me first- I'd have made her leave out the banana bit, I know how much you hate them").

 I thought I was pretty OK afterwards and insisted that because it was sunny I could walk 3 miles back to my house.
We stopped off to get a drink in Yates's and I realised I was probably wrong.

Whilst we were waiting about, the nurse offered to fit the cannula in my arm. I'm a bit squeemish about needles and having been "nil by mouth" since the day before I was also really dehydrated. I asked if they could fit it just before (it took them almost 10 minutes to find a vein!) and I said to Jay I was dreading that almost more than the procedure itself. He replied that the worst thing about hospitals is when you're lying down on the bed and there are loads of people just looking down at you. Gee, thanks for making me more anxious- I hadn't even though of that.

After the procedure It  took ages for my hands to get warm, when I came to properly in the hospital two nurses were stood over me looking a bit worried because although my blood pressure was "perfect" my hands and lips had gone  blue.
Cue oxygen. I didn't really get what was going on at the time, but was totally fascinated by the spongy bits on the end of the tube for the oxygen tank.
Being a bit hazy I was interested in them because everyone else was looking and the nurse mistook my interest for concern and spent ages being like "I'm sure it's really nothing to be worried about" It hadn't occurred to me until she said it that it might be any cause for concern.

I spend more or less all afternoon watching snippets of things on netflix, eating ice cream and then sleeping on my duvet on the living room floor. I don't know what we watched. I couldn't tell you what we talked out. it was a very weird way to spend the afternoon.
I have been well looked after, and I suspect I was probably a bit of a pain in the bum.

It's pretty weird as an adult having to ask someone to come and get you from the hospital. It's that dawning realisation that we are- to other people at least- all now responsible adults.

Project bags

Today I made 3 more project bags from fabric scraps to keep my crochet projects in- and it makes my front room look a whole lot more tidy!
No more sandwich bags and raining miles of yarn for me!
:)

I'm using the big spotty bag to hold my massive autumnal colours blanket and all the yarn I'll need to finish it- It's such a big project that it's taking a long time, by leaving it out I remember to do a few rounds when I'm watching TV but the yarn was starting to get unravelled and dusty so hopefully this will keep it a bit cleaner.

The flowery bag (I know, it's so ugly! Jen and I bought that duvet cover to make up a toile for a 50s style dress- it's vile!) is for squares.
When I finish a ball of yarn and there a bit left over I make double knit 4 round granny squares. I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet but I have loads.

The pumpkin bag (I bought that fabric when I was about 14 to patch and flare a pair of jeans) has all my tatting stuff in it- Tat's and I have been doing tatting lately as a way to practice new stitches- it was originally a way for the lower classes to recreate the lacework they couldn't afford but was fashionable with the rich- usually it's done with a very thin cotton thread, but I'm using a 5mm crochet hook and double knit and making some interesting things!

Summer tote bag

I'm not sure this photo does it justice, but in the same vein as the project bag I made myself a summer slouchy shoulder bag.
:)
It's made from the fabric remnants from my prom dress and I'd forgotten how much my sewing machine hates this fabric. in theory I shouldn't need a ball point needle for this but in reality as it's not quite a silk and not quite a jersey so it's stretchy and slippery and moves everywhere you do if you want half decent tension.

Thankfully that is the last of it used up!

Same again- two squares of fabric, zig zag the edges then sew them together, the only differences ate that you hem the top and don't leave a gap and sew on a sturdier non strctchy fabric for the handles.
:D

Crochet project bag

Tats has a project bag for every project she has on the go- I currently keep all the bits for all my projects in a freezer bag. this leads to disaster more often than not...

I don't really know what I've been so lazy as these are really easy to make and use up fabric scraps which are too small to really be useful for anything else.

You need two squares of fabric, Zigzag the edges all the way round to stop fraying, put them right side to right side, sew round the edges.
turn the top over and make a channel to thread the ribbon/cord through (Remember to leave a gap!)

I tie the cord to a pen in order to thread it more easily- or if its elastic I tie it to a crochet hook.
that is my top tip for preventing elastic escape.
:)

What am I good at?

I was thinking about this yesterday- it's something we ask at work "What are you good at?" and expect an immediate response.
I thought about this for a good 30 minutes and only concluded that I am very good at eating cupcakes.

I know what I'm not good at (Cooking, Driving, french plaits, drawing... That list seemed endless!)
But identifying what I can do well turned out to be pretty hard.
I think that sometimes you can't see what your skills or talents are because they're often things you do all the time- it's only when you see someone else struggle with it or just learning to do it you realise how far you've come.
And I suspect that most people are intrinsically modest. We're brought up not to "boast" or "show off".

Then I started to think about what my friends are good at- That was pretty easy! I did this for about 20 people but I'm just going to post a few of them here.

Traff: He can sleep anywhere, any time in any position- that is a talent of his I have always envied, He's really bendy and has awesome balance so is immediately brilliant at yoga, paddle boarding, gymnastics and almost every sport, He's organised and really self motivated, He makes the best home made pizza I've ever eaten. He also makes an awesome Spag bol. He's always calm and happy, nothing ever phases him at all. He knows all the facts about football and 90s bands- he just seems to be able to remember facts! He's much better at english than I am, in fact he's probably much cleverer than I am all round, he has really good taste in books, He always finds obscure documentaries for us to watch, he always looks effortlessly cool- I wish I could look so good with so little effort. He's funny, Charming, affable and everyone loves him immediately- this leads to him always landing on his feet.

Kirstie: She always knows exactly the right thing to say, She's get a really good eye for pattern clashing and always managed to be on trend, Amazing ability to walk in high heels, Flawless make up (She taught me how to apply eyeliner when I was about 13),Creative, Really good dress maker, Dedicated to her causes, Self motivated enough to go take loads of exercise, She gives brilliant advice (I just need to be better at acting on it because I know she's right), Awesome taste in unusual films (I loved Ghost town), Amazing baker- no-one else makes a better cake or has persuaded me to eat a grape salad. Maths Guru. Plans the best days out.

Abi: Always has perfect hair. I wish I could make my hair look effortlessly styled like she does, She can wear whatever she likes and she makes it look awesome, She's creative, good at drawing, arty and writes really good letters. She also writes really awesome papers- Whenever I've read her academic work I've been impressed. She loves Frida Khalo as much as I do but can explain her art to me, She always reads really interesting non fiction books for her research which I always ask to borrow. She makes spaces her own in a way I never could. She plays an aggressive game of monopoly deal!

Hayley: Is super creative and crafty, she's got a really good eye for colours and how to put them together, Brilliant taste in vintage/retro clothes and always manages to make them look classy, She is a calm and patient listener. Always sees something good in everything and everyone. Always on the go looking for a new experience. She's an explorer! She always finds the best places to visit (Like the stone circle or the camp site) and she sends the best parcels (No more rocks through please- I hope you were joking about the brick!) She is always so calm and patient and kind, she looks after everyone. Excellent taste in cake and night clubs (Alcohol, flamethrowers and tattoos, what could possibly go wrong?!). Makes drug dealers leave us alone with her cheerful but firm tone of voice "No thank you, we don't want any Ketamine, we're going home".

Jay: Always gives really good advice, Is a brilliant drummer and guitarist and has awesome taste in music (He always has something new or different to show you or recommend). He's so easy going and happy to let other people take control (I really envy the ability to do that!). He's quick to learn new skills and easily inspired (- I was really impressed by the picnic bench you made, I wouldn't even know where to start!) He is easy going and can talk to anyone, he's charming and fascinating when he meets new people and they always love him immediately. He's always has time for people and enjoys peoples company- he never seems to run out of things to say. He has no fear! Whenever I go out on the bike with him I am simultaneously terrified and impressed.

Sah: Is always really calm, She's a problem solver and a peace keeper, She's a really calming influence because nothing ever gets to her, She's really reliable. She has really good taste in music (We like all the same bands), Knows her 80s films, always up for an adventure- especially if it's muddy. She always has time for everyone and is usually the first person to get on board with something (Night out/impromptu camping holiday/ house party). She always makes her point without ever upsetting anyone. She makes the best ham and cheese toastie I've ever eaten, and deals with fires really well (Flaming bacon? out of the kitchen window! Set fire to the flex for the kettle on the gas hob? turn it all off calmly whilst everyone else loses it) She just laughs at everything.

Soph: Is a brilliant baker- she makes the best mars bar cheese cake on the planet.

Ray: Is really quick witted with an amazing sense of humour, Really good at baking (especially Chocolate Torte), She's determined and just never gives up on anything, She can drive anything, Does an awesome BBQ, Has excellent taste in books- She always has a fiction book on the go and never has to resort to trashy chic lit, She's brilliant at drawing anime cartoons. She works really hard- She really is brilliant at her job because she makes it her point to be the best person in her office.

Then I got into a bit of an abstract chain of thought, I bet that if I asked those people to tell me what they're good at:
1) They probably wouldn't think of those things
2) How good you think someone is at something is -in terms of skills- measured against your own ability- you go to someone for help or advice with something because they're better than you, but they probably go to someone with an even greater skill set, so they probably don't realise how good they are at it!
3) In terms of admirable qualities, they would be relative to your relationship with that person- For example, I may find someone to be a good listener, because we know each other really well, where someone else might not find them so helpful.

So, I've concluded that what people think I'm good at probably wouldn't be what I could have identified.
And as the concept so difficult to define I'm just not going to worry about it.

I'll just assume the my friends, family and loves ones think I have some skills, talents and qualities in something.
I still have no idea what I'm actually good at and Analysing this any further makes my brain hurt, but it's been an interesting philosophical musing.

* Please don't be offended if I didn't list your skills, talents and qualities- Just ask, I give compliments for free.
Although, probably not anywhere near as often as I should or as people deserve.

Fun day

Crochet

Paddle boarding

It was a late one today 7:30-9pm, we got on the water as the sun was getting low, and the swallows and house martins were feeding on the insects just above the water around us.
That was a pretty cool experience!
I also saw the swans nesting- they've fished their nest now so they can hatch their eggs- it's on the left side of the island - we'll have to remember to stay away unless we want a swan to the face.
I wish I had taken the camera if I'm honest, but it would have impeded my paddle progress.

It was windy, and therefore quite a good work out, but in the wind shadow on the right of the lake Emma taught us step back turns.
I fell in.
and turned the board over trying to get back on- so fell in again by default.

I'm impressed she's still paddling as she's only got 6 weeks to go until she has her baby! She had take her own wet suit from a rash guard top and cutting the legs off an old wet suit to make trousers. a creative solution.
They worked well, until she tried to teach us how to Bondi race.

I have to now concede that the blue wetsuit I wear most of the time is too big, it's a 14 and really I should wear a 12- but it's a biiiig 14, all stretched and comfy. Like paddle boarding pyjamas. When I fell in, it filled up completely with water and where my boots stopped the water escaping I looked like I had elephantiasis of the legs. I had to empty the water out before I could go and have a shower.

Heres and oldy from the Brogborough site though- I didn't realise I was on there! This must have been taken about a year ago at my SUP taster day.
Check out the ninja turtle shorts.
:D

Even more presents! :)

More appreciation form work!
:D

The Cemetery

I'm sure by now you've realised that this really is an interest of mine- I like walking round really old church yards and cemeteries.
My very favourite is in Cathays in Cardiff.
I really love the victorian grave markers- prior to the victorians, you rarely marked graves because it was expensive and because families were huge. you get the odd lord/lady/MP/Knight/Reverend etc but otherwise not a whole lot.
I like medieval headstones (With the scull and crossed bones) because of their simplicity, but the victorians really went to town. They know how to mark a resting place.

They really started our morbid fascination with death- but whilst we see it as a very taboo subject, they were reasonably open about it- I suppose death was something people saw first had more often, and it was just an accepted part of life (now we go to every length to avoid even looking our age, let alone thinking that our lives won't go on forever just because we bought the worlds most expensive face cream..)
The markers the victorians used were a sign of respect, but also wealth and status. The markers were used to convey something about the person (E.g cut off columns show a life cut off in it's prime, Virgin mary's for mothers lost in childbirth, Anchors for sailor and lots of poetry to show exactly how devout the person was in religious terms)
The other thing I like is that they will often try and tell you that person's life story(- There was a brilliant one in Bradbury upon Avon which tells of a woman being mauled to death by an escaped circus tiger) They use their nicknames or just give you more than their years of birth and death.

The Kite Festival

Today was Bedford's Annual Kite festival- we'd never been before so we didn't really know what to expect.
It was interesting, and there was commentary and judging by the man in the ribboned boater, lots of rides and stall and crafts. There was also a "make your own kite" tent which Traff wouldn't let me anywhere near!

 I really wanted to buy an octopus kite, but I managed to restrain myself, I've taken Hayley's advice and just took photos...

 I also really wanted to buy these pop up paper art cards- how amazing are they?! and some frog mittens, although, It's not really the weather for frog mittens.

And in honour of the warmer weather I wore my Vera Wang "dishcloth dress" and got a sunburnt face!

Hypothyroidism

I've been frustrated lately by my experiences at the hospital (see last months very self pitying rant) and by my bodies recent refusal to
a) lose weight- or just stop gaining it!
b) Stop being tired

I stayed at a friends recently and they were joked that spending time with me was a bit like spending time with a junkie- Half asleep all the time and not totally in the moment. It's true but it smarted a bit to be told.
It's an issue lots of people experience who take levothyroxine- it balances your T4 levels but not your T3, which is just left to do as it pleases.

I know a few people who also have Thyroid conditions, including family members (This tends to be genetic) and they say similar things- I was sent a link to this blog yesterday by one of them.
Usually I ignore links on the net- and I don't agree with her recommendation to use "natural remedies" to normalise thyroid hormones (For a start, it's a bit unethical to use ground up pig thyroids, for a second, it's not going to give you a similar dosage every time- all living things are subject to hormone level variations!) however, it's good to see that my experiences aren't me going mad.

For me the worst symptoms have always been the insomnia, fatigue and weight gain (it's just so rapid!) but I know I'm luck that I don't experience the skin pigmentation issues or dermatological issues other women often have, I'm lucky my hair isn't falling out (One of my friends experiences this and it upsets her greatly), bone density issues and I'm really lucky that Traff and I are in no rush to start a family- This will affect fertility and make it more difficult for us to have children. I always feel extremely sorry for people on support sites who are desperate for a baby but just cannot conceive (There seems to be a link between hypothyroidism and preeclampsia so it's not just getting pregnant but everything after that too!) I also know that I'm lucky not to have experienced many of the mental health issues associated with this- Largely because of the support of my partner, friends and family when things have been tough and because of a speedy diagnosis if not speedy medication to replace the hormones.
This must be especially tough on people who are not given a diagnosis or do not have a good support network for friends and family.

I can really relate to the feelings of fragility and hating the lack of control- I don't think they're traits that can be easily associated with me!

http://hypothyroidmom.com/how-thyroid-disease-has-completely-changed-my-life/
 I would like to talk about how thyroid disease has completely changed my life, sometimes for the worse, but others definitely for the better. Why, you may ask? Considering this disease has at times brought me to my knees, it seems hardly unlikely that there have been any plus sides; I’ll try explaining best as I can.

You will all be aware of the havoc thyroid disease inflicts upon our bodies, and my story will have little difference to that of your own. Like many of you, this began as a teenage complaint, and I had little knowledge of what was actually going on with my body. For example, I had no clue that my chronic sun allergy was of any further medical significance than a condition in its own right.

Another ‘big deal’ problem for all of us is that of body weight. When you are simply not responsible for the amount of fat your body chooses to adorn your bones with, and no matter how many fad diets you allow to become the next strict eating regime following the failure of generally healthy eating plans, you soon become all too aware that you actually have zero control over what is taking place within your body.

This is a hard concept to grasp for anyone, no matter what age we are when this blight descends; the harsh fact is we have little control over the outcomes and unique experiences this disease will create for us. I am not saying for one minute that we as sufferers will never regain our health, I am simply trying to illustrate the fact that we will at times have very little control over what transpires, and at times such as these, we begin to realise how frail and vulnerable we actually are. In my opinion, this has to be one of the most negative aspects of this cruel condition.

Problem is, we have grown up within a culture whereupon if we should suffer with any simple ailment, we can walk a few steps to the medicine cabinet and usually find a simple remedy. If our ailment is a little more complex, we can visit our family doctor who will scribble the magic remedy on his writing pad and thus provide a suitable cure. Most of our lives have been shaped with the idea that our doctor, or at worse times still our hospitals can usually fix us. Until the loud knock of thyroid disease descends and raps boldly at the door.

I imagine we are all very similar in terms of our experiences of thyroid disease; beginning to feel ill on a low level with little things starting to go wrong. Perhaps our skin is beginning to dry out, or we are starting to feel chilly on the warmest of days. Maybe we have begun to suffer with the embarrassing problem of constipation, or started to endure regular onslaughts of infections upon the body whilst our body weight steadily rises.

To begin, we rely on our previous knowledge and start to look for remedies; antibiotics from the doctor, laxatives from the chemist, emollient lotions from the store, wearing warmer clothes etc etc, but then the signs and symptoms hike up a notch.

We often begin to feel exhausted and find that previous day to day activities are now proving somewhat difficult if not impossible. We try caffeine products for energy and many kinds of diets after we discover the usual reduced calorie and exercise plans fail to work, but nothing changes. In fact weight remains on the increase whilst at the same time feelings of fatigue accelerate.

Perhaps if you are female (and thyroid disease sufferers generally are) you will also be suffering from excessively heavy menstrual periods and this has now become the cause for frequent trips to your trusted doctor. Tests are undertaken and you probably end up donating armfuls of your liquid red stuff as a means to detect the cause.

As you sit in the chair at your following appointment, dressed for the harshest of winters on a mid-July summer’s day, you soon become alarmingly aware that the ‘professional’ on the other side of the desk appears to have the littlest of clues as to what is actually happening to you. No matter how you describe and discuss your lorry load of problems which are in fact beyond your control, the man in the coat smiles in an often patronising manner and goes on to tell you that you are in fact fine, or more appropriately perfectly normal!

Nothing can prepare you for the feeling of utter despair that ensues following the non-diagnosis of a condition that is beginning to take over your life in a devastating manner. Worse still is the emotion that takes place when the doctor goes on to offer you a prescription for anti-depressant medication because he now believes that all of these struggles are in fact in your head. He will also sometimes offer the number of a dietician to further reinforce the notion that this is largely of your own doing whilst you raise from your chair in utter disbelief.

And for me, this was the worst part about the disease itself; although hypothyroidism was a killer to manage, the fact that my trusted doctor would do absolutely nothing to help me proved an awful lot to get my head around.

And this is where the feelings of vulnerability begin to creep in; It’s a scary notion trying to accept that a doctor does not have the wherewithal or knowledge to make you well again. I mean who on earth do you turn to to make this all stop? How on earth can you stand up and fight whilst your energy levels are dwindling rapidly somewhere around the very floor you stand on? Well my friends, there is often and unfortunately no one but YOU to get YOU out of this mess! Or so it feels at the time.

So you begin to research; you read and read and read each and everything you find that discusses a similar pattern of symptoms to those of your own. Each and every time, the search bar leads you to pages discussing hypothyroidism. So you begin to focus your studies on this particular disease and find that the stats read like your own life history. Can it really be that simple? And if so, how could your doctor have missed it?

But then you read a little further and discover there is one blood test being used by most mainstream doctors which is in fact often useless in detecting this disease, and thus if you don’t tick the box at the lab, you are highly unlikely to be gifted with a diagnosis or any treatment whatsoever.

This was my life, and I can tell you it was a scary knowledge. So at this point I figured that I had two options, I could stay ill and vulnerable and simply accept this to be my future path, and believe me, the fatigue I suffered with back then made this option all the more alluring, or I could learn how to make myself well again.

The latter was my choice; at 39 years of age I decided that enough was enough, and that I would have to be my own best advocate.

Websites such as Hypothyroid Mom, and online support forums came to the fore, and soon became my lifeline. I was directed to a more knowledgeable doctor in the UK and I learned about asking for all of my previous blood test results as a means to baseline my health.

I then discovered which vitamins and minerals were lacking from my body and thus began to repair from the bottom up. At this point I began natural thyroid medication and slowly but surely began to regain my health. This was not a simple process, but definitely a liberating one!

I then became more vocal about all that I had learned, realising that so many others were in fact in the same position as me. All I wanted to do therein was create awareness in my own way. I began with the sharing of information provided again by sites such as Hypothyroid Mom, and then I began creating little info bites of my own via typical e-card sites.

The culmination being the attempt at my own story!

Thyroid disease has created mammoth struggles for me, and at times I still slip back into poor health and thus have to work again at trying to put things right. I am reminded of my own fragility at times like these, however, I am now attacking this problem from a completely different perspective; the fact that I am in charge of my own health is an entirely empowering notion. I listen to my body and act accordingly. I have definitely gained strength from taking control, even though I feel that I shouldn’t have had to!

For this reason I will always remain an advocate for thyroid disease, sharing and creating information with others which will hopefully bring about the necessary changes in order to gain us all the help we so richly deserve. It’s a cliché I know, but we must never give up. We have a voice, and we must use it; I have always believed in strength in numbers, and in turn experiencing empowerment when you become your own best advocate!

Paddle boarding

Today we headed out on the lake-It's been windy all week but today was perfect, a bit breezy but really sunny and warm.
A little too warm for a wet suit tbh, it's almost T shirt weather again.

I'm really gutted, I put the camera in my bag but it fell out in the car! It's a shame because today was like being on a nature trail- We saw woodpecker, yellow hammers, wag tails, mallard ducks with ducklings and it was so sunny that we could see all the pond weed on the bottom of the lake. It was beautiful.

We paddled out into the wind out onto the lake- it took forever so I'm sure I will have beautiful arms by the summer! we got out as far as the markers or the end of the wind surf square and then moocked about.
Traff spent a while trying to sit on the buoy/ marker without much success- on his final attempt he launched himself at the buoy from standing and missed it completely!

May, Tina and I lay flat on our stomachs on the boards and were blown back to the shore- it was much more relaxing than usual!

I've been having a bit of a look online- I've  really wanted a life vest/impact vest from O'neals for ages. whilsy looking online they finally have one which is an ace colour (I/e a women's one and not pink!) They also have a wet suit without arms which I like the look of, and a long sleeved swimming costume which blocks UV! yayyy no more sunburn. one day. when I can afford all this- each item is almost £100.
Lottery win please!
And then for my own board!

The Unit by Nini Holmgvist

Following a discussion at work about cloning and someone suggesting that there was a risk that clones would be made as "spare parts" in the way that some designer babies have been (Have a baby, it's sick, have a "designer baby" who is a genetic match and can donate blood/ organs/ bone marrow... is it ethical?).
One of my collages said she'd been reading a really interesting book, which dealt with a future where the elderly with no dependants were treated as "spare parts" donors for blood, tissues organs etc, used in humane experiments and medical testing.
Scary thought, no?
I was curious so she brought the book in for me to borrow and I haven't put it down since! compelling reading!

Traff wants to read it next- he thinks it sounds like it has the potential to become a reality, perhaps not for the elderly but for the poor, to make them "earn" their state support.
I think he's being overly cynical. Unless we reject Europe and the Human Rights bill, in which case everyone run for the hills!
I digress, it's an awesome book, not too graphic not too sentimental, thought provoking enough to make it a talking point I think.
If anyone needs me I will be reading. Probably somewhere inconvenient.

Parcels from Polly Love

Right on time to cheer up a weird day!
:D

I have now decorated my phone and work diary with dinosaurs. And written a thank you letter, of course.

Appreciation :)

I have been very much appreciated today- and I really am grateful for the love!
:)
Sometimes you just need to know that you're doing something right.

One of my colleagues brought me a very cool cupboard to use as part of a display in my workspace- I haven't quite finished it but when I do I'll post some photos.
It was really good of her as the cupboard was quite expensive looking and pristine! I wasn't expecting it to be so neat and tidy.

Then another of my colleagues gave me a thank you present for helping her to pass her course- I will be working with her next year but I won't be her mentor. She seemed a bit upset about it which was really sweet as I'm not always convinced I'm the most attentive trainer of new people and the person she's going to work with next year is so much nicer than I am! (I'm getting a new trainee, it's a long story but it worked out more sensible this way round).
Look how cool these are!!
She's never been to my house so I'm impressed and think she might be secretly psychic! I love the throw- I might try and put it up as a wall hanging or use it over the headboard of the bed.

One of my brownies also made me a cupcake, but I ate it before I had a chance to take a photo! :) Yes, please do complete your hostess badge, I do enjoy good hospitality (in the form of chocolate fairy cakes!)

Crochet

Today tats chose the pattern from the book of beautiful things. I think it looks like a snowflake!
I also had to learn the "double treble"stitch. I've ben doing those by accident for ages! I never knew they were a real thing!
so may loops!

The Forest of Marston Vale

Traff has been promising to take me here for more than a year! every time we try to go we end up getting lost- well, 117th times a charm!
It's surprisingly simple to locate with the correct postcode.
In fact, it's very well signposted.

Traff got a bit tetchy when he realised there was a "visitor centre, tea room and gift shop" but I managed to restrain myself from buying any tat.

We walked all over the place- we didn't use the map we just tried to stay out of the rain- as a result of using a "path that is not a path" I have a bleeding ear. brambles! argh!

We ended up walking along the side of the railway line, where we found curly plants:

We also found a teepee made of sticks:

And some interesting views:

Round the lake we saw a kingfisher and baby moorhens, We also saw lots of baby bunnies and blackbirds.
Well worth getting covered in mud for!

Traff took some photos of me- Although, his pictures do make it look like the weather was really miserable! I've made him promise me totem poles when we have our own garden.
:D

How to cook vegetables

OK Kirstie, you can stop laughing any time... I'm an awful cook. I can manage toast. or bacon sandwiches.
Actually, thats selling myself short, if someone who was really special to me came for dinner, and we had all the ingredients I could make them a lasagne (With proper béchamel sauce), Turkish Pancakes, Enchiladas,Chicken Satay Skewers, couscous salad, risotto or roasted vegetables, but it would really take me all day- If I've ever cooked you dinner or attempted to I must really love you!
I also do a mean roasted ham, but you'll have to give me 2 days notice!
That said, my pineapple upside down cake is a legend for all the right reason, as are my fruit pies (Karl's mum requests them now! and my parents love my vodkas).
If you want anything more complicated you'll have to take over and do it yourself (in the "complicated" category falls anything I don't eat- Rice, eggs, spaghetti, sausages, oven chips, pancakes- unless they're gluten free- which for some reason always come out lovely, cupcakes, cookies- mine are always the size of the fucking tray- etc etc).

I always wish I was a good cook, but I lack the time and inclination to practice (Traff worked out that usually I work a 60 hr week, and he does nights 3/4 days a week every other week, so we're usually cooking for one!) Add to that my current stomach chaos and his crazy vegetarianism and it's just easier to warm up a can of soup!
All my friends are wonderful cooks (Even you Jay with your magic oven and breaded dinosaurs) which means I should really up my game. I can't be almost 30 and have to be rescued from a kitchen full of smoke by my long suffering other half every time I try and heat a pizza! especially not now we have a smoke alarm as it means all the flats in the block get evacuated....

So, my aim for the summer will be to do more cooking- I'm already on a lasagne promise with lentils rather than mince- I could probably fit in a more challenging meal!
It would be nice to be able to have guests and not have them tell me "not to bother" about cooking for them because I'm too hopeless!

Suggestions please!

Tie Dye madness!