Well, it has been a busy week, completed the  furniture move around, then finished the Shalom cardigan. Such a contrast from the hexipuffs, large needles and chunky yearn against very fine sock yarn and fine pointed needles that dug into my finger necessitating an elastoplast.

A view of the room from the bed and another from the doorway below..

I am pleased with the cardigan, will need to find a button for the single fastening, once that has happened I will model it and expect criticism, or otherwise, meanwhile here is the garment now it has been pressed.

Although I have hexipuffs to knit on buses, trains and at Home Group, I need to consider another project. There is plenty of yarn hidden away so a decision needs to be made. Maybe a cushion cover, some socks or I have Spud and Chloe yarn to make a cowl. Suspect I won't need a warm cowl if the weather forecast I heard for the rest of the week is correct for it is supposed to be warm. It would be so lovely not to feel chilly all the time and to be able to wear summer clothes for a change.

I have been thinking about how to handle that uncomfortable feeling of knowing that persons in a group situation don't like you. No criticism of the persons concerned, they are pleasant enough on the surface, no actions could be construed as nasty yet is it me that is sensitive to an underlying dislike and irritation that I am around? Do I quit going, but then I lose the friendliness of others in the group; I would never meet it face on as it may be my fault that I don't feel comfortable with some people , indeed do not know what to say to them.

There is a shop where I have the same feelings, the owners are pleasant enough as they need the business but I don't feel comfortable in there, however good the stock is so in future will be going elsewhere so I am not stressed.

We have been to events where, although we know people there, it is clear they would not speak to me, or us, if they could help it. Makes me wonder about continuing to attend one social group for I try to be pleasant to all, whatever I think about them inside my soul.

Perhaps I am better at one off things, like the Who do you think you are Fair at Olympia where nearly every one was a stranger. Not everyone is a people person full of bonhomie, jokes and brilliant repartee, others can be happy with their own company or just one or two close friends. I have to make an effort to go out, mix and socialise, it would be easy and pleasant to stay home, practice the domestic arts, read, knit, in short I could become a recluse, especially whilst Ian is studying.

More philosophical and domestic ramblings next time, meanwhile your thoughts and opinions are so welcome.

Daybook again.

MONDAY, MAy 14, 2012

Simple Woman's Daybook:  14th May 2012

Outside my window ... it looks cold, windy and has been raining. Not sure I want to go out this evening, AGM time at the local history society, am aware I would be letting my friend down with whom I go and it gives Ian a chance of peace and quiet for his 'sums'.

I planted the 'bee friendly' plants in the front garden yesterday the gentle rain of today is probably a good thing in spite of the soaking I gave the plants and soil. Thank goodness for the water butts, they are full still.

Here's a view of the front garden, shews the gaps for which we have hollyhock and morning glory seeds.

Eventually the poor quality grass will be replaced by plants, but as we have spent over £200.00 so far, augmented by gifted, transplanted and freecycled plants and seeds it is not a project to be rushed.


From the learning rooms ... Ian is working hard on the last few details of his Maths TMA, in between relishing the extra space obtained by moving out some of the furniture and repositioning the table into the centre of the room.

I am thankful ... that I have a new battery in my 5 year old Toshiba laptop. thought it would have been a difficult project, we had asked at John Lewis as we'd had purchased it there, they gave us details of a company who specialise in Toshibas, we phoned, we found the right parts number, paid the amount requested - far less than a new machine - were told the battery would come some time this week. We were blessed with delivery on Saturday, there were no instructions but I found the original pristine manual and was surprised how easy it was to remove the old and install the new.

I am wearing ... my faithful old jeans, so pleased I can fit in them again and a warm White Stuff top. Will need to change before I go out though.

I am creating ...  a sleeveless Shalom cardigan, the pattern was downloaded from here
http://involvingthesenses.blogspot.co.uk/. I has been quite a learning curve form me, a little frogging has been necessary, not the fault of the designer I might add but my lack of attention to detail. So much to learn, so little time.

This is how far I have come, it's a top down pattern, no seaming as knitted in the round, am just below the armholes, am pleased it was designed for some one tall so I know it will be long enough for me. I dislike a gap at my waist (well where my waist was) when tops are too short.

I am reading ...  Songs of blue and gold by Deborah Lawrenson, have completed part 1. Needless to say this is a reading group book, am keen to keep going as it not a heavy or blood thirsty read. Well not so far, I don't know what happens next.

I am hoping... Martha's cats 'take' to me, which reminds me, they are brother and sister, not sisters. the declaration about this on Facebook prompted over 70 comments, many of which involved much discussion about choice of name now that Tabitha was not. He is now Tabs so the poor soul is not too confused. Toby was a runner up in the naming stakes.

I am hearing ... very little, the house is quiet, no planes and even more lovely no building, drilling or cutting noise from next door's building works. Is the work nearly complete? Will we be able to sit in our garden without being deafened or covered in dust? These are important questions chez Pixie Mansions.

One of my favourite things ...  old documentary films, a recent find was this, http://film.britishcouncil.org/london-terminus . It was fascinating that the trains to Reading and Camberley stopped at our local station at this time (1944) but nowadays we are told that South West trains cannot do this. I know it was war time but the passengers all seem to look smartly dressed and no one appears overweight as life was physically tougher then. (Using a manual typewriter used more calories than an electric one so when the latter cam into service apparently typists put on more weight)

A few plans for the rest of the week ... little planned, except for volunteering at Local Studies and maybe knitting group in their new venue. Oh, yes, it is Christian Aid this week so I shall be smiling at everyone near a pedestrian crossing in the High Street on Saturday. Give generously folks so others may have life before death.

October Monday

Simple Woman's Daybook: 4th October

Outside My Window ... greyness, rain, mugginess

I am thinking ... that I survived very well as I didn't eat from 7.30 last night till nearly 1pm today. Reason was a fasting blood test, have these tests twice a year, very efficient GP monitors our health.

I am thankful ...I made my first time attending a knitting and chatting gathering at a yarn shop. Won't be able to go this week as people will be coming to look at front room fireplace. We wish to add a gas fire, replace grotty tiles and keep oak surround.

From the kitchen ... drying up to be done

I am wearing ... black trousers, white short sleeved Laura Ashley blouse and mauvey-pink Talbot cardigan

I am creating ...Socks. I feel this should be shouted from the rooftops as I have completed my cardigan. First time I have knitted on four needles.

I am going ... to Borough of Twickenham Local History Society meeting this evening. Will go early if possible as members will be renewing subs. and membership secretary is glad of assistance.

I am reading ... The colour by Rose Tremain, it is our reading group book. Have just finished Dewey: the small town libary cat who touched the world. We were owned by a cat who read feelings and knew when a family member was upset.

I am hoping ... we can really clear and tidy house, come to a decision what we keep and what goes. Why are we keeping old books that we will never read, if we want to they are out of copyright and can be downloaded. This is why 

Around the house ... the study is still chaotic with piles of books, photo albums to be put away but the rearrangement of the room will help. The futon is in a good position to be used as a double bed, one of our many Lloyd loom chairs is in the bay window, the wooden linen box houses the printers, we have my laptop on the table, Ian can work the other end as his PC is on shelf nearby. Decisions will be needed to be made about the big desk top PC, it takes up much space.

Study will be photographed when we have uploaded software as cannot use my camera memory card yet as Martha's Sony card stuck still.

Hurray, next day and upload has worked! So am going to give all you lovely people out there another view of our landing, bedroom door and me modelling cardigan as photographed by lovely daughter.

One of my favourite things ...the pink chrysanthemums in a pot outside our French windows

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ... Prayer and meditation tomorrow at church; first ever visit to the Rose Theatre for a Noel Coward play. Local venue; local playwright. We are going with Ian's brother.

A Picture Thought I Am Sharing ... well I hoped to share picture of my cardigan but this site doesn't seem to let me.

Find instructions and links to other daybooks at The Simple Woman

Knitting again.

I am so pleased with myself! Yes I know all those saying about pride and falling, and self praise is no recommendation and about boasting but I am pleased.

After what may be 20 years, I have started knitting again. Not only knitting but I am finishing the cream cardigan I started way back in the long past when we lived in another house. (All of 100 yards away around the corner).


 I am working on the decreasing of a raglan sleeve, yes the first sleeve but the front and back are done. The pattern is fisherman's rib so not actually straightforward stocking stitch so have to watch what I'm doing.

Did have to undo a few rows, but soon worked out where I was and am enthused to continue and will photograph. Amazingly, given the pattern comes from the dark ages the daughter said the cardigan would look good with her skinny jeans. A compliment to my good taste in knitting patterns me thinks.

Once I have finished I am so looking forward to knitting with all the new fun yarns and may do silly stuff, not just clothes. There are so many knitting and craft blogs that I want to be part of it all. No one has mentioned the revival of knitting and craft stuff in The Archers yet, obviously not one of VW's issues/ishoos.

Right, will leave my luvverly lap top and go downstairs, knit and watch TV. It will be last Monday's  "Who do you think you are?" I don't recognise or know the person it's about so all the better.

Bye bye, Madeleine