Race for life starts here!

Well as you may have noticed, my little widget is back for this year's race for life! And this year is special..... oh yes!

This year I will (just) be 40 by the time I take part. I know that 40 is nothing, but the ever increasing aches and pains, and the length of time it takes me to get up if I should be so silly as to lay on the floor with my nephews or the dog, tell me that the passing years do have a little effect!!! For those of you who were reading here last year, you will remember that I ran half the 5km distance (in run/walk/run intervals) and completed it in 38 mins.... Not bad, but I felt I could have done better. So having done it once and now being more aware of what is involved, I am training with an aim to run the whole 5km this year, and in so doing gesticulate in a very unladylike manner at 40!!!

So far I have realised that I am nowhere near as fit as I ended up last year - but I am starting my training with plenty of time to ....... errrrr...... get into my stride!!! I found a great training schedule called Couch to 5km in two months. Which seems to suit me better than the race for life training schedule. I am also mapping my training routes on http://www.mapmyrun.com/ so that I can monitor how far I am training. I am hoping that by June, I'll be able to do the 5km in 30 mins !! (I'm so far managing 3.5km's in 30 mins so only another 1.5 km's to fit into the same timescale.... easy!!! LOL)

I have also been awarded an award by Gilraen and Terri

How lucky am I? Thank you both so very much. I love reading each and every one of the blogs in my list over there on the right (the exceptionally long list) and whilst I don't comment as often as I used to, I do read each and every post! so if you're name's over there then I hereby present you with this award.... 'cos you all make my day!

There's not much else to fill you in on at the mo.... I've actually been working a bit (really!), and I've started knitting this hoodie in some DB merino that I purloined off the blogless Pictish when she was bargainously de-stashing!!!

Spot and the chickens are doing well... Spot's been in a funny mood lately, whenever I enter a room she disappears into another, when I go in there she re-locates to where I've just left!.... she seems happy enough though so perhaps she's just like a teenager who needs her own space! She doesn't go anywhere she's not allowed, doesn't go upstairs or anything, just likes to be in a different room to me.... Funny little girl! (perhaps I should check my deodorant is working!)

(as an aside in just putting that link in for the deodorant, which I have used avidly since I was a teenager.... as it actually isn't an anti-perspirant, which I am passionate about!............ I've noticed the difference in price in the USA - I pay £4.55 here..... I don't mind 'cos it lasts ages and works well, but perhaps I should try buying from the States while the exchange rate is so good!)

Right I'm off now to watch "The Lakes" on ITV3. Hope you have a good evening, and a lovely rest of week....... Oh and they forecast snow - YAY!

How lucky am I?

Today I received my dishcloth(s) for the swap on the CTNY Forum. Aren't they special?! Can you see the pictures on them, my swap-partner knows me well!!!

Finally Mavis Modelled!

Ok, Ok, it took some time - but honestly 3 days of the wait were for it to dry, and then I had to wait for someone to take the photo........ really, truly!!!

Mavis from the Naturally Noro book by Jane Ellison (for link see previous post)

Knitted on Boyes interchangeables ('cos I can't knit on straights anymore!)

Knitted in Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed. Smallest size. Notes on Pattern: Really easy knit, could have done with the sleeves being a tad shorter. Took only 10 days to make!

Mavis

Now you can't tell what it looks like, 'cos it's soaking in the bath with plenty of hair conditioner!!! So you'll have to pop back in a day or two when it's dry!!!

2 in one day - Eco-Cleaning!

Just a quickie. As many of you have heard before, I use copious amounts of bicarb of soda in my cleaning regimen (ha ha who am I kidding - cleaning regimen????? - what I mean is I sprinkle it liberally on the dog when she gets a bit whiffy!) I also use white vinegar for most household cleaning, and in the rinse cycle of my washing machine in place of fabric conditioner. So am very pleased to have found this online store:- Summer Naturals who stock vinegar in 5 ltrs. P&P is quite a bit (I guess 5 ltrs of vinegar is pretty heavy) but as you can get all your other stuff there; bicarb, borax, soapnuts etc.... it evens out eventually!!! Just thought I'd mention it for anyone else that live down south in the "hard water" areas and for whom a bottle of vinegar from the supermarket is lucky to last a weekend.

A night out and old friends.

Last night I went out to the Preston Cross hotel for a one off jazz night. They always have jazz on a Sunday afternoon, but it's not the most convenient time of day to give up, so a Friday night is perfect.

The reason I went is that the band playing (The fantabulous Sheepwash playboys) is made of (among others) two brothers, Richard and Russell Bennett who I have seen play for many years, but recently haven't toured the UK to the extent they used to. Consequently this is the first time I have seen them in well over 2 years..... and oh it was so good to see them again. The pair of them front the band playing trombone and trumpet - and it's a bit like watching a musical Morecambe and Wise show!!! I can't find any samples of music with both of them, but here is the kind of thing - featuring Richard Bennett on trumpet



I tend to forget how very much this music changes a day's mood! - I went out in a typical Friday mood, needing a bit of a pick-me-up and this was it. We chatted, laughed, sang, and jiggled!!!

..... and I'm still smiling!

Knitting - Finally

Well here it is:

I'm not hugely happy with the way I've made it - I had to change the sizing quite a bit cos it was too big, and I made it longer...... what with putting it down and making all my little Christmas knits in the middle, i think it all went a bit pear shaped (should keep better notes) Notably the top of the sleeves were a tad wide for the armholes so they've gathered a bit - a la 80's !!!! But as it was only ever for snuggling at home or dog-walking it will suit it's purpose well. (It's very warm) I'll try to get a modelled shot soon - it does look a little better on than draped over the arm of a chair! I am however really chuffed with the finished steek:



I crocheted up either side of the center stitch before cutting it, and have folded the edge down and trapped all the loose ends in and stitched it.



Next on the agenda is Mavis (from naturally noro ) knitted in DB Aran Tweed which I bought from Murdo . back almost done!

Edited to add: a link for Naturally Noro above for Queenofthefroggers!

Bad Blogger!

I'm sorry it's been so long - did you miss me????

The tummy bug was swiftly followed by a cold, so i've been self-nurturing for a while! I am so rarely ill these days that it all caught me a little by surprise, but I'm definitely on the mend now, and to be honest it wasn't so bad. I'm really Lucky that I can rest up as soon as there's a sign of anything untoward and that coupled with a few gentle dog-walks to keep the fresh air around seem to send most germs on their way pretty quickly!

So did you all have a lovely Christmas and New Year? I did, i got some fabulous presents and we all had a really lovely Christmas day at my Mum & Dad's.

So now we are storming into 2008! I have finished my Sunday cardi and will post pics soon. it's not the best knit I've ever made, but it is fine for a house cardigan, which is what I wanted. I just need to find some buttons for it......

i have plenty of knitting plans for 2008.... a jumper (started last night) a hoodie or two, and some socks. Plus I really fancy having a go at a sock yarn Clapotis to wear as a scarf.

In other news, the rest of the family are fine! - Spot disgraced herself slightly over Christmas by squeezing through my Mum's wrought iron gate that keeps the pooches in the kitchen and away from the new baby nephew..... not once, but three times!!!!! i have no idea how she did it, I would say the bars are less than 12" apart, but she did..... I obviously need to feed her up a bit! the chooks are good too, but the rodent problem has become more of a "problem" as the cold weather has struck and the rodent population of Guildford seems to have heard that there's free board and lodging at Noo's!!!! - There are definite signs of rats as well as mice - and i have woken up this morning to find that a mole has dug his way across my garden ! GRRRRR! I hate to be cruel, but they will have to be dealt with now before the weather warms up. :( i want my garden back!!! - Oh and pigeons have eaten my entire purple broccoli bed while I was away for just 2 days at Christmas - absolutely scalped it!!!!! (I know I should have covered it, but it's easy to be clever in hindsight!)

I also have another part time job. Working from home (Yay!) and for people that I have known for many years and have worked with in the past, so all is good..... but it does mean a little less time for blogging and internet surfing. So please bear with me! There may be fewer comments on your blogs as I pay flying visits, but I will still be reading! (so no talking about me!)

Sorry there's no photos today - I've run out of battery!!!! (well my camera has, although that phrase probably does describe me these past few weeks!) but I will get some taken for the blog soon - honest!