Things are movnig on.

Friday was another day in Cambridge for work. Then back to Norwich for a short stint of out of hours work on Saturday morning. Everything went fine which is a great relief.

After that I met my sister and niece in town. We had a good old stomp around getting dresses sorted for the big day. I love the one my sister has got but she would like something a bit more gown like rather than an evening dress that could be worn for work sort of thing. I’m all for getting the most use out of things. Anyway, it was lovely and I enjoyed it loads except after a few hours my foot started to swell up again. After getting home and letting the kids play on the PS3 for a while my sister left and I got ready to head to the dress maker again.

All is looking very good in that department too. It is all starting to take shape and look very beautiful indeed, even though its all just mocked up in cotton right now. What with the foot pain and running around all day I struggled to stay chirpy and it rather hit me that I want and need my mum there with me for this. I love my ideas but I just want someone Else’s opinion on my dress and the one that counts more than any other for my wedding dress is my mums opinion. I’ve spoken to her about it and we will try and arrange a fitting around her.

Because of the swollen foot and general lack of good quality sleep over the past week I spent Sunday at home trying to achieve something, anything. Eggy bread brioche was a great start, warm, comforting and very tasty. I got out my felting kit and started on my flowers. I now have most of my stems pre-cut. around 1/3 are 1st stage wrapped. 1 is finished and one is near finished. The rest are still wires just dangling about. The good thing is I can weave them all in and out of each other and they will strengthen each other up and provide a handle without any other support. I wish I could explain better or show you but that would spoil the effect on the day. Then I made a Sunday roast with roasted veg and garlic and onions and peppers, mushrooms, potatoes and broccoli. Lashings of gravy and a quorn roast thingy. Heaven.

Finally today I paid off the honeymoon *ouch* and I found the favours which I think are just the right thing for us, and not as expensive as elsewhere I have found them on the net. Seed sticks will hopefully go down well.

cats and spiders

YAY! now on to something much more light hearted.

Knitting:

socks are failing. I started a pair of Colinette jitterbug socks. I just cant get the gauge right. I will have to undo again and start again. I also cant decide on a pattern because I want to design my own. Overall I’m not too worried about doing them as I have lots more other things to do.

knitted shrug: I started a shrug with Colinette Tao, having spent around £80 on the 6 balls of pure silk. Its Delicious to work with and very enjoyable knit. So far I started with a pattern but greatly changed it as I went along. Its top down raglan and I am still yet to take photos of the progress. I have one ball hanging off the waist band and two hanging off the sleeves so that I can try it on as it is knit up so that it will fit as I knit. It gets very complicated keeping all 3 sections live and swapping over needles to work on each section. I’ve done the sleeves like I do socks, splitting under and over arm over two needles doing both at the same time so that they match.

started on my flowers

I’ve wrapped 7 wire stems in wool. That is all. I made some felt at the weekend, the hard work starts soon with double wrapping the stems with fiber and creating the petals ready for construction. Looks like Glue will be my friend in parts of this process but hopefully not that much that you will ever see it.

Now on to our darlings.

Last night I was just about to go to bed and brushing my teefs, I spotted a spider. Jasper was in the shower as usual cooling his nethers on the floor tray. Otis was looking around but missing it. I picked up Otis because he is the faster and more alert and pointed him at the spider. He missed it, I made the spider move, wished it a few good prayers and then pointed Otis at it again.

Otis chased it in to the corner and played with it. Sniffed it and used it as a toy, pouncing but being gentle enough that it was still able to try and make an escape. By this point Jasper’s interest was piqued. He came to join in and took over. He waddles and is quite clumsy with his size. He played a little but because of his very indelicate touch, soon dispatched the spider. pushing it around and then under the bath mat, he sat on it. I released the now soul bereft carcass of a spider from under the mat. Otis took over and tried playing again. On realising it was no longer he did what Otis always does and eats it first before anyone else gets a chance. They still looked for it after, giving me the look of where has my toy gone? These cats are great. I just love them and although I’ve never loved spiders I do not intentionally kill them myself but I will let my cats do it. It may sound mean but they are meat eaters and deserve a live toy or two occasionally because we don’t let them out. I’m very very glad I never get presents brought to me, and I suppose hopefully this will mean what presents they could bring will be eaten first before they have the chance.

One final thing, One of my LOVELY work colleagues whom I can definitely call a wonderful friend is arranging my hen party entirely for me so I don’t have to think about it. How cool is that? Vereh.

Total honesty.

I’ve been hesitating at writing this post. Its a difficult one to write. I’d like to fill it with frivolities but sorry I cant. I do have a lot on my mind and those who read often know I have a trying time ahead. Not just the wedding, this is about mum. If you don’t want to end up in tears or deeply upset by my honesty and hers please go read something else and come back when I eventually can fill this blog with cat or knitting content.

Mum called on Tuesday night, she had some fresh results back. The cancer has spread to many parts of her body including her brain. Our chat then was reasonably brief. Mum had an appointment with McMillan care and they have been through what needs to be done. Because of these changes mum is now back on chemotherapy and much thanks to the McMillan care, they and her doctors have secured her a drug which is usually used for ovarian cancers which will hopefully ease things for her. They have also booked her in for radio therapy on a part of her neck that is causing discomfort and radio therapy for the brain as soon after the wedding. The reality hit, its not will they ever cure it any more. It never really was. Now it is how long she has left and making that time quality time and as enjoyable as possible.

Mum has been totally and completely honest with me, my brother and my sister. Both my parents have gone through the decision making process for what is entailed in mums imminent future, care and support have been arranged. They are very glad to have this option, I am also as supportive as possible and the one thing it has done is bring our family even closer together. We all know what is coming, it is slightly comforting to have knowledge of what is coming. It is also heart rending and worrying and very very scary to hear the treatments mum is having to go through. Morning injections, struggling for breath, watching her body deteriorate and give up on her as she remains fully cognisant and still very sharp of mind. She may rattle with drugs but she is still able to slowly sew my bolero for my wedding day. She wants to, she needs to and it is another thing to keep her going. We are all trying to ease her burden but some things are to her achievable and to be supported.

Last night we spoke again and she was breathless but sounded upbeat because she has full choice of her actions in to her last months. I fully appreciate her honesty and it is nice to be able to show her my full love without any boundaries whilst discussing the eventful future. Yes it has upset me and yesterday was one of the hardest days at work I have ever had to deal with. Telling people in my office because I feel like I need to share and also it means some point soon I will want and have to take some compassionate leave, I feel better for discussing it and making them aware of why I will be up and down. I’ve not told everybody but I have been honest and responsible with sharing.

The chat last night helped calm me and make me understand that we are all doing everything we can to be everything she could ever have wished for in a family, as her children, and as loved ones. Still no matter what they do to her body she is happy, she says shes had a charmed life and is very grateful for what has been given to her, and she will fight for every last second of joy that can be bestowed upon her. I support her in this and will sing her praises for her amazing strength in dealing with the cards given to her and dad, I will never forget my wonderful very loving dad who is her rock in all storms.

mc limpy reporting for duty.

Thursday I drove over to Cambridge and managed to do a whole days work and still borrow a colleagues bus pass to get in to Cambridge. I needed to get to the mac store. My mac is now fully fixed with a new working battery YAY! and all for free because it was on a re-call list. Knit night seemed too much of a bind and I needed to rest.

Friday was a bit frustrating. I had to drive in to the office and drive home. It was easier than walking. I really did myself some damage. At least not enough to stop me working or doing much. I went to the walk in center on Thursday night and they confirmed it was ok but would take 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Just a bit worrying as I’m getting married in 6 weeks now, or is it 5… I’m confused.
Saturday was spent on the sofa bimbling about and achieving very little. The whole day rest was worth it because after hurting my toe it swelled up and this gave it a chance to calm down a little.
Yesterday I visited mum and dad, stole some lettuce and played with the twins. Tried on my bolero and sat out in the sun in their garden. Much fun.
I wish I had more to say but I’ve got to get my head in to my work. I’ve got Cambridge to look after still, and I must get serious about finalising weddingy things. I’m a bit flummoxed by it all right now. Almost scared that its all going to go tits up. I’m lost, confused and just cant wait for my honeymoon. I need the holiday now!

who feels like a big pillock?

*raises hand*

Oh yes. Firstly before I tell you why I’m a pillock, let me inform you that I found my bottle. It had wedged itself in a cavity between a wall and the kitchen cupboard. The bottle had broken on the bottom and propelled itself upwards in to the cavity. Very impressive. The bottle has been retrieved all in one piece.

I fell up the stairs. At work, in socks, very slippery new knee socks which are shiny and slippery. I banged up my big toe so well I was worried there for a moment that I might have broken it. Now already I can see the bruising coming out. Do I feel stupid? YES. Do I look stupid? YES. Is the office laughing at me? Most likely yes, but they are accountants and I’ve learned over the years they are great at laughing quietly and great at hiding things in numbers.

KABOOM!

Had a long day yesterday. Visited Cambridge for work early which is a much nicer trip in our Civic than it ever was in the Jazz. Anyway, what I wanted to talk about was the evening. But this proves I was tired for a reason.

Firstly I went to pick Scotty up from the train station. The train was late, I forgot my phone so I just had to hang about until he turned up. No biggie, just another waste of time.

I decided to make Chile con quorn when we got in, to have with Jacket spuds. Our microwave has some odd jacket spud setting which makes nice spuds. We got that going.

I started making the Chile con quorn and as I turned to face the bottles of Elderflower that I had made one of them exploded, right in front of me. Thing is, even though it exploded, its gone, vamoosed, disappeared. We now have 4.5 bottles full of elderflower but not a bottle top, or plastic casing or any part of the exploding bottle remains. Absolutely nothing. Its a complete mystery and I’m at a loss to how me, the window, the blind, the wall, the floor, the kitchen cabinets, coffee machine, cooker, and even the sink 3ft away could be covered in slightly yeasty booze which appeared to be a whole bottles worth and the bottle has gone *poof*. I stood there bemused for a good 3 minutes, dripping. There are dark forces here at work.

So, the Chile con quorn was placed on hold whilst we cleaned up and the bottles are now ensconced in the down stairs bathroom shower. They cant escape any more. We had jacket spuds with stuff from the fridge and after eating I started cooking all the Chile con quorn that I had prepped earlier. I’ve left it half cooked on the cooker, sealed in the pot by condensation. Tonight it will be heated until it all becomes a wonderful amalgum of proper veggie Chile con quorn flavours that have marinated over night. Nothing is lost, except for that bottle.

another one gone quickly

Friday night was FAB. One very nice party, relaxed and very enjoyable. The theme was an Oscars style party with everyone dressed up smart and spangly. I thoroughly enjoyed my self and Scotty looked like he had a good time too. Both of us wore our wedding shoes to test them out and make sure we could stand on them for our wedding. It worked well and we both feel comfortable with them. See flickr for photos of us, they were taken by prazzi.com

Saturday was a day of recovery because we stayed up late. Scotty had a little hang over and I drove because it was easier and cheaper than getting a cab. I had another dress fitting. I’m loving how things are coming along. I feel like we may be a bit behind but it will all come together.

Sunday I was meant to go and see Mum again but with no material to take her and a list as long as my arm with chores and things I needed to get done I canceled. Scotty and I went in to town for lunch, I handed over my engagement ring to the jewelers I bought it from so that it can be cleaned up and made beautiful to match the new wedding ring. Plus the wedding ring can now be sized to match the engagement ring so that they sit flush on my finger. I told them exactly what I want and I have to wait now for a quote. My finger feels so bare! I nevr thought I’d get so very attached to it but now I am without I miss it.

Once we got back I started felting. I made 4 A4 size sheets of felt with varying degrees of success. I think I may have left it a bit late to complete my flowers. I’ll just have to wait and see!

I’m also stuck with a pair of socks after toe completion. I’m loath to follow anyone elses pattern and my pattern making mojo seems to have left me standing. I’m chock full of good ideas but unable to get them in to the fabric of the sock the way I want them. Oh well, they can wait.

whole lotta things

on my mind at the moment. Wedding is starting to get serious. I’ve booked the last registrar’s appointment. My car insurance was sorted over 10 days ago but I’ve only just received no claims discount confirmation which I need to forward on, so there is that too. Then This weekend is very busy. Tonight is knit night and I’m loving going along, even missing heroes for it. I’ll just buy it later.

Friday night is the office summer ball and I get to wear my other new dress (CANT WAIT!!) Saturday I have another wedding dress appointment (expensive, well comparatively) Sunday I’m going to see mum to help her sew my bolero to go with my wedding dress. Um… I suppose I should be paying off Dragon hall and the honeymoon some point soon. I need some bottles for the elderflower champagne sitting on my stove in my 8L pan. It’s not full but I did get an organic lemon last night and added that and a bit more sugar. It is fizzing away very nicely indeed and I can smell the alcohol forming.

I’ve got to check the invites list at the earliest opportunity and confirm who we have and have not got coming and contact those we have missed so far and there are a few who we penciled in earlier which we have not got around to sending an invite to. Very bad of me… Still not the end of the world, the family all got their invites.

I’ve also got to get my mac to the mac store in Cambridge next week. My colleague is on holiday so I will be covering his office every other day and taking the opportunity to wonder in to Cambridge of a lunch and see to the battery problem.

And this is just the things I’ve remembered. I’m sure I’ve got more to sort out including cleaning and tidying and washing and all the usual stuff. I’ll let you know the other side of the weekend if I cope with all the excitement

OOOh and (I get a lot of these, I think its becoming a feature) I MUST get some photos and blog about our lovely kitties again soon. They are becoming incredibly loving and good fun. I’d like to share that with you.

the makings of drinks to come

So, Saturday Scotty and I took the walk in to town and we took his lomo film to be processed. The photos came out great, go and take a look. (link on bottom right of this page)

are you back now? good. I made him buy a Tuxedo for our work party this Friday night. Two suits in as many months, what have I done to my man!! I’m sure he will cope. We know it is an investment because if it lasts two years we get our money back in rental alone.

Sunday morning we went to my brothers house. They were having a village fete on the green near his house, well not that near but as norfolk villages go it was cute and a nice walk along back roads. The fete consisted of no more than 10 stalls, a tea room made of the town hall which was a very old corrugated iron shack. We sat out with the whole family and had a picnic. Good times. We all hung about for a bit then when we went back to my brothers house they showed me the elderflower champagne they were making. I picked some flowers on the ride home, pulling up where possible to pick a few heads. Got home, nipped back out to the shops and tried to get lemons and sugar. I got the sugar but for the life of me could not find any lemons. I bought limes and a pink grapefruit instead. I made around 5 litres of champagne to be, and also added a bit of ginger for a nice more rounded brew, as it has fruity limes and pink grapefruit. I think its nice that I’ve tried something different by making a beverage that will be ready in a couple of weeks, but also that it will not be the same as my brothers!

So, the quest goes on, when will I ever follow a pattern or recipe properly? most likely never.

OOHH and we booked our cats in to a cattery for the duration of our honeymoon. It has been reccomended as one of the very best in Norfolk. They will be spoiled!

what knitting content?

ok I’ve been holding back. I’ve not taken nearly enough photos of my knits in progress. I will hopefully rectify that over the weekend. I went to knit night again last night. I stayed till 10pm! That is so late for me on a school night, I’m such a sleepy bear if I’m out past 10pm. No matter, it was enjoyable and much nattering ensued with a start of a new pair of socks. The scarf I was working on for a work friend has been completed and she has taken it from me before I could wash and block it. She loved it just as it was and I just could not hold it from her. She knows it is hand wash and must treat it with care. I will miss the smooshy softness of the silk cashmere posh yarn. I need to get hold of some more but recently it has been too popular to be able to press my buttons quick enough to buy. Plus everyone who knits deserves to have a chance to get hold of some posh, so I wait, miss the sale and kick myself later.

Ah, for those of you who know about our wedding and have a much coveted invite, on the back is a web address. Firstly I added a user name and password to hide the details from the general Internet so that we could make sure nobody uninvited turned up and gate crashed. Scotty has not set up that side of the web site so all user names and passwords can be ignored. The web site however has some info in it now. I’ve added a couple of little snippets of basic information and asked all attending to let me know if they need any more information. Please feel free to visit. I put out the same request here, IF there is ANYTHING at all you want to know about my wedding to Scott Jon Matthews (studlet and general swoonworthy manbeast) Please feel free to ask via comment or email or any other form of communication. All those who got invites also have our phone number, our address and a myriad of ways of getting in contact. I’d also like to hear from anyone who would like to come whom we have missed off our very short list of guests. As we are arranging a 3 stage entrance system I’m sure there is a time and a place for you if you let me know. I just cant be trusted to think of EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. I’m just not that brainy.

Finally on to Mum, I had a good chat with her this morning and she is a bit better and due for an appointment with a Macmillan nurse. She is fit enough to have a break from Chemotherapy for a while and is able to potter about and sounds better on the phone too but it is still a case of see how things go as the cancer is a triple negative aggressive cancer. Anyway I hope you all have as good a weekend as I am intending on having shopping and seeing my family. See you soon.