Spiders n stuff

Why does Blogger always change the order of my pictures? (rhetorical question - no postcards please). Here is the newly moulted Diego (Dolly as was). He is big leggie. As Dolly he was small, pink and fluffy and very cute. Diego gives off a different vibe completely. He is now less pink and fluffy and more big and menacing.
This is part of a Raku face wall hanging M made for our hall. It's amazing. I have requested a whole gallery full so I can faces the whole length of the staircase.
Here is Diego stretched out. One long spider!

So sad to read about Steve Irwin, he is (was) one of J's hero's. We have a talking Steve Irwin doll, we saw the film, have watched all the Croc Files and Crocodile Hunter programmes. I know it may sound trite etc - but my thoughts are with his family today. He made J love animals and animal conservation, he inspired many an H.E. project and he made us smile. Good on yer Stevo!

My light summer cold has matured into a rip snorter. I can't breath, I have an awful cough, I ache and in general feel like shit. My mouth tastes like the bottom of a parrots cage! On the upside - I finished Wilkie Collins 'Woman in White' - I was sure I had read this before - but I can't have - I would have remembered it. What a great book! I hate mystery/thriller types normally, but this was un-put-a-downable. So impressed am I, that this morning I started the 'Moonstone'. I also got lots of knitting done - but nothing finished - just progress on existing stuff.

Now here is the downside. Whenever I am ill, J is a pain in the arse. He takes the opportunity to play up, big time. He has made both of our lives hell this weekend. M is recovering from this bug, he's on call and has had a hectic week at work. Instead of a weekend of R & R he had to do the lot - as unusual for me - I was so ill I had to sleep. So J acted up. He was rude and obnoxious. He hit out at M - not acceptable. He wouldn't dare do that to me - so why do it to his Dad? I was so fed up, that I threatened him (this is rare) that if I caught/saw/heard act in a violent way to M again I would smack him and see how he liked being hit and then put him to bed. J is 9. We do not smack in this family, M has never smacked him, I have once about 6 years ago and swore never again - it felt so wrong. But I believe that if I make a threat and my bluff is called then I must carry it out - he would never take me seriously again if I didn't. (Can you see where this is going?) I thought this threat was soooo bad - he wouldn't dare...he did, the very next morning.
So yesterday, I had to smack my kids bum and put him to bed (feeling not only very ill but like the worse parent in the world). I smacked him on a buttock, firmly, in a calm rational manner. I didn't hit in temper or anger - I feel/felt awful. J is very challenging at the moment, he is pushing us, everyday has its moment of trial by parenting. I don't expect answers/sympathy/advice etc - just wanted to vent a bit. But I do wonder...what now? I hope the shock of it will at least make him stop and think if he ever feels like hitting out at M again. He's also lucky that M has such control over his temper and never lashes out but just walks away. Surely at 9 it's too soon to be hormones? - But his behaviour is very, very teenage - yuck!

So, today, I feel low. This bug is really taking it out of me. I need to rest and recover. I am going to be selfish and do just that. I have set J a load of math - no autonomous learning today - he can sit quiet and do what he is told - he is not happy but it is peaceful. I'm off to make some ginger tea and listen to an audio book and hopefully get some more sleep.

Of all the things..

here are two I didn't need.

1) We all have awful colds, with sore throats - but I have to get a stomach bug to go with mine. Never do anything by halfs, that's my moto! I feel totally 'blah' and 'bleh'.

2) Dolly (Dolores) moulted and is now the spider formally known as......another bloddy male one! So a 'Hi' to Diego. I know you can't sex a juvenile spider and this one hides its moults so we've not been able to check...but.... I thought this time. So that's 3 out 5 so far that have turned out to be male. The sad thing is once they're mature, all they do is tromp about looking for spidey sex until they conk out and die. It's hard to watch. I know that some spider breeders advocate euthanasia but I can't bring myself to put a tarantula into the deep freeze. Diego now has massive hooks or spurs on his front legs. Is bigger than Phido (Fifi - that was) and is probably not long for this world - we only got him as a juvenile in Jan 06 - oh well such is life etc and so forth.

Just because

Look at that big nose and little pink tongue - so cute!
One very worried looking Loobles - did someone mention she was a bit stinky and needs a bathy? Maybe.

Sometimes

I wish I had more hours in the day *sigh*

Here is a quick catch up.


Triopy - died on Wednesday. Their life span is 8/12 weeks - he lasted about 8 and reached a size of about 2". He went into moult and didn't recover from it. J & M were sad but philosophical about it. We have enough eggs to try again at a future date.

Big Sis has come up trumps. She has time off next week and has offered me a J break. Like most home-ed parents, child free time is a rare treat and she has my gratitude.

Finished M's socks (no piccie as I can't be asked) they are in Lana Grosse (?) monochrome stripes - bog standard manly socks.

Spinning continues - slowly.

I whopped the families arses at Monopoly - bankrupted the lot of em *hahaha*

Decided to re-visit my bookshelf - need some literature. So, am going to re-read a few old favourites not visited for a while. The problem is now....where to start? Have you seen how many books I have? Scary!

It's been math week (have no idea why) but this week has abounded with addition/subtraction, rounding, < & > and improper fractions. J has been up for it and who am I to dissuade him.

Yay! Wank holiday weekend. Love it. M is not on call either. Raku firings are planned. We wanna chill and chill some more. I fancy a night in front of the chimenea with a big glass of something red and fruity, toasting marshmallows.

M booked his holiday time for Sept. We're not going away as such this year like we normally do. I have a suspicion we may go off and camp though ;)

Loads of other stuff - too much to catalogue. It's been a good (so far) I feel a lot happier - all good babe!

Missing pictures

Here are the links - sod Blogger!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/219866721/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/219866719/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/219866722/in/photostream/

Enjoy!

Puff n stuff

I have pictures to go with this post - but Blogger, yes s***t for brains Blogger will NOT upload them grrr.

Where has this week gone. Whoosh!

Here are a few highlights - too much to include everything.

Stephy from the Knittyboard phoned me all the way from the USofA. How cool - is that?It was her 21st birthday as well. She is a sweetie.

Blackberries and apples - yum. Our tree has moth again - but we managed to get a few gooduns from the top of the tree and I made a strudel style crumble - M loves crumble. Then the boys went blackberrying. In they came with long faces - telling me they hardly picked any, haha, they had picked loads. Says I, "What shall I make with these then?" The resounding reply was 'Crumble!" So apple and blackberry crumble with custard was the order of the day.

Inspired by the Daddy Long Legs and Volk, J and I have been looking at the history of Brighton. I remember doing a project on this at his age. He has all sorts of plans and ideas of places to go and explore..... I feel a busy week coming on. He finished his book and we finished the one I'm reading to him. We are now reading 'The Railway Children', I wasn't sure if he'd like this, but he's really enjoying it, which is cool. Friday he sprang an impromptu poetry afternoon on me. He read me his favourites and then I had to read mine to him. We ranged from Spike Milligan and Edward Lear to Stevie Smith and Wordsworth. He also wangled it that we rescued Monopoly and Cluedo from the attic - Cluedo has lost a lot of pieces - including Col Mustard - I am devastated. But the Monopoly is fine - he has yet to pin us down to play it. M and I always, always fight over it, hence it being put in the attic. I played the SpongeBob board game as penance instead. But I know we will not elude him for long!

Cycling and skateboards have played a large part of the week as has garden golf.

Knitting - Started socks for M. Completed one kiddie wristwarmer as a gift and that's about it.

Spinning - Yay! Got a new spindle (piccie to follow - when Blogger gets its head out of its arse). Got lots of new spinning fluff (fluff is not part of yarn diet). Spent good part of yesterday playing with aforementioned fluff and spindle. I can't wait to weave with this stuff.

Weaving - one reason for less knitting is I finished weaving a rug for the bathroom. Very plan and simple but perfect as a bath mat. I used dishcloth cotton and then starched it. I've never used old fashioned dissolve in the sink starch before, I can only say "Mundo weirdo". Gloopey stuff - but it did the business.

Animals - Poor old Phido lost a leg. He pounced on a cricket in an awkward position and off it dropped. Advice tells us to put Vaseline on the wound (which looked clean and is now healed) - no way Jose - he may be an old spider now but he is still feisty as fuck and I am not putting my hand in his tank!

Stick babies - we cleaned out all the eggs - but the buggers had hidden some under the greenery so we have another baby - and no-one wants them - so I now have (I think) 4 adults and 4 or 5 babies - how sweet.

Triopy has moulted again (really creepy picture to follow).

Today we are having a quiet traditional Sunday with a roast dinner (we don't normally bother with them in summer) but as it is cooler - it has to be done. I intend to eat enough that I have to waddle away from the table.

Well M's sock await my attention. Hopefully Blogger will stop being a fuckwit soon and I'll post the pictures that go with post.

Mittens and socks (again).

Sickie, sockie wockie doo-dah. Here is a close up (piccie courtesy of J) of my finished Pomatomus sock. The yarn is Opal dye your own - coloured with KoolAid.
J's wristwarmers/mittens made from scraps of Regia 4ply sock yarn.
One Geisha and one Pomatomus. Both are Opal dye your own - with KoolAid.

It's not that I'm sock obsessed or anything....it's just that I'm a sock-a-holic and I can't help myself!

Fruits de Mer

A bit of rock pooling seemed to be the order of the day. It was grey and rainy but low tide was just after brekkie and an expedition ensued. Isn't this pool lovely and clear - not really what you'd expect from a beach so near to Brighton.
Can you see the squarish slabs in the centre of the picture? Brighton used to have a kind of railway called a Daddy Long Legs (see link below).These are the tracks. It ran from the Banjo Groyne and the tracks were under water. It seems a weird thing to find when rock pooling. This is a view back to Brighton. The white cliffs are alongside the Undercliff walk, which runs from Brighton Marina to Saltdean.
Lots of lovely slimy seaweed.....yum.

http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/daddy_longlegs_images3.htmJ had dressed for Artic conditions (in August) I know UK summers can be a bit dodgy but this was a bit OTT. He had on joggers, waterproof trousers, socks and wellies. On top he had a long sleeved T, a fleece, a storm jacket, scarf and wooly hat!The view looks the other way and the buildings are Rottingdean seafront. We live 5 mins (by car) from this village and we love the beaches here.
Fruits de Mer. Crabs, Blennies and prawns - quite a haul. Rain eventually stopped play as it started to hammer down, but a good time was had by all. Today he has decided to research the crabs he found and to see what other crabs are native to the UK - that might keep him quiet.

Ahhhhh sweet boy.

I kissed his fluffy little belly - I just couldn't resist it.
Fingerless mitts or wristwarmers - (own pattern) HipKnits Cashmere sock yarn. Perfect for kite flying days!
A very superior looking kitty.
A lacey version of the wristwarmer - this is in Opal glittery sock yarn - courtesy of Gundel (Susann) from the Knitty Coffeeshop.

Feeling a bit more jolly today. I slept well the last two nights, which I'm sure has helped. I've also sorted out some stuff that was bothering me. I still feel restless and dissatisfied - but not as much.

On the knit front - I haven't knitted much in last 24 hours - but what has been accomplished has been sockish - a bit on my geisha socks and a bit on the lace ones - nothing earth shattering. Just ordered some sock yarn as well - starting to think of Xmas sock stylie presents.

Triopy has moulted twice again since I last mentioned it. We fished it out. It was all gelatinous.

J has been reading fit to burst this week - every time I turn around he's curled up with his nose in a book (I love it). He started this new book on Monday and by today he is on chapter 17 - which for him is brilliant. He also is reading a book called 'Oh Yuck' which is factual and covers everything from boggies to pus - lovely :)

We also say goodbye to the Russian girlies this weekend - the time has flown by. There was a tea party for them - which involved a lot of swingball. J and the cousins all made the girlies feel part of the family. I think it was good for him to interact with people who have such a different life/culture and to find ways to communicate without much spoken language.

M is on call - so we will have a quiet weekend - might toddle off to the farmers market tomorrow.

I'm enjoying having some quiet time (probably a good thing as well with the way I've been feeling) it's been nice but I'm starting to feel that I need more, just don't know what - I'd like a job but with M's call and J's home-ed finding one that fits with that might be a tad difficult. There's no particular hurry but still............I miss working sometimes.

Oh and I've busted another iron - how do I do this? What is it with me and irons? Married 19 years (almost) and I must have had about 15 irons - it's awful. This one was purchased in Jan this year and it's buggered! The steam system keeps disconnecting. It's not cleaning (I do that) I use proper ironing water - I coil the flex - I clean the plate. The plastic plate where the switches are keeps lifting and this disconnects the steam, Grrrrrrr I am fated to be the black death of irons. I have the receipt and warranty - but you have to post back the iron (with a receipt of posting) which will probably cost as much as the bloody iron itself. Why me? Why do I have bad iron karma?

Anyway better run - I need to find more electrical appliances to destroy on my mission to rid the world of ironing *insert evil cackle here*

Splish-splash

T'was a bit warm yesterday arvo, so the boys decided on a swim and a new round of lilo wars. You can see the lilo of dreams and desire behind M - at this time a truce was called in battle for lilo supremacy as J had climbed onto M and they'd both fallen off.....I laughed.
Lilo abandoned it was time for who can splash the most - you'd expect this from the 9 yr old, but the 44 yr old well I'm not so sure. I think M won this round - I departed before it got out of hand.
Apparently this is grass (?). It is all that remains of the lower part of the top lawn - a kind of rush/straw matting with the old bit of vetch, luverly.

I am just so bad tempered (still the same temper from previous posts) I don't know why I'm feeling like this and I can't stop it. It's like I have all this anger inside and it keeps spilling over and I don't understand it at all. All family members have had to re-attach their heads as I keep biting them off. I am one scary mama at the moment. I just want to snap out of it and for all this black despair (yes black Johnny) to pass.

Knit-wise. 2 pairs of wristwarmers. 1/2 pair of J sized wristwarmers. 1/3 of a lace sock and that's about it. I did spin with my drop spindle yesterday - it was ok-ish. All my get up and go has got up and gone at the the mo.

I'm not getting out much - I can't inflict my bad ass attitude on the world and as I feel close to tears alot of the time, it's probably best I hide away until I'm past this.

Right - better go and apologise to J as I grumped at him a while back - he did wind me up - but I snapped a bit hard.

Later dudes.

Under-rated and under-valued.

*Rant Alert!*

Some of you may remember that I toyed with the idea of a tattoo. Well I've made a decision I'm gonna get one....the word 'Mug!' right across my forehead. I have well and truly had enough.

The title of this post describes exactly how I feel right now. Add pissed off and angry to the mix and we're pretty much there.

No specifics, no details. But if the world doesn't stop shitting on me, I'm going to start shitting back - and that would be bad for all concerned.

I know others have it worse. I'm not starving, I have a roof over my head etc - but I am as entitled to be angry, pissed off and have feelings of being put upon as anyone.

No more Mrs Nice - no more favours, no more kind acts, no more giving a shit - it endth here.

It appears more and more people take advantage of those who are kind and who try to make a difference and they take advantage with less guilt than I've ever come across. It might be something small but I cannot abide being taken for granted. All my life I've always tried to think of others first. If I make wish (on a shooting star or a birthday cake candle) I try to never make a selfish wish - pah why do I bother? No-one gives a flying fuck. As the world is becoming such a selfish 'meme' place than that is obviously the path I need to take to keep up and not get shat upon.

I'll take my first step today. No I will not go to the family do just because I feel it's the right thing to do - I'll spend today doing what I want and fuck the lot of them.

*Rant over - normal service will resume when I've had a chance to cool down*

Pixelated no more.

Yesterday the last of the original cat gang of 4 passed away. Peacefully in her sleep, in her favourite bed after a good lunch.

Pixie was Mums cat, she was a 15 year old blue/cream British Shorthair.

We got Pixie the year my Dad died. Mum was down in the dumps (one of her dachshunds had passed away earlier in the year as well). I thought she might like a kitten to cuddle and love and she was persuaded. We trogged down to Hastings and there she was. A bundle of blue/cream woolly fur with massive amber eyes. Her proper name was Petavon Violet....that should have been Violent. Re-named Pixie because she had a little pixie face, she was kitten evil personified. She was not cuddly or cute, she was a cat with attitude. Her and Mum had a relationship of sorts, but it was all on the cats terms and she often used cat language unbecoming for a lady.

Over the years Pixie, always standoffish to some extent, did come to be more affectionate. She'd come up and see me and rub her smelly little cat salami on any part of me she could reach. She'd rub, roll and dribble whilst exercising her rusty little purr but always on her terms, when enough was enough she'd depart and go back to treating humans as if they didn't exist.

She hated Buster, he spent many happy hours looking at her, I swear just because he knew it would piss her off, she'd swear, spit and quite often scratch the hell out of his pretty pink nose. She ignored Kodo (the Siamese) and he ignored her. She'd beat up on her bed mate Poppy. She was happiest when being grumpy.

The day I bought Lou-Lou home was the best. Lou-Lou was 11 weeks and spent a lot of this time with her best mate Trevor a Dalmatian loving, massive grey fluffy cat. She saw Pixie thought she was Trev, bounded up to play and got a rip in her ear-flap, that she still has today. The battle lines were drawn from that moment. Lou-Lou would bounce, bark and chase Pixie. Pixie would swear, spit and lash out - happy in her grumpy-ness. This continued right up until this week. And although Pixie (riddled with seized up joints and vertebrae) was old, she'd still swear and hiss, but she could no longer run away. Lou-Lou no longer chased her but the game was still on.

The last few weeks Pix staggered, her back legs had terminal understeer and she looked like an out of control supermarket trolley on her good days, on her bad her legs would give out, she'd sit and wait, gather her strength, jack herself up and hobble a few more steps. Was it cruel? The vet said "No" she had meds, she ate well, she'd still attempt a toddle in the garden, sniffing the flowers, chittering at the birdies. She swore at Lou-Lou, hissed at Conner - I think she was happy. She slept an awful lot and snored like an old tramp, passed out drunk under the pier.

Mum didn't have to make that tough, awful choice this time (like we did with Buster and Kodo and she did with Poppy). Pix went her own way, as she always did. I think that was best.

We've lost the entire gang of 4 in just over a year. They were all born in the same year. It's sad.

If there is a cat heaven - I'm sure Pixie and Buster are happy to take up where they left off and he probably already has a bloody nose to prove it!

Me knit socks? Never.

Here are Hedera (pattern from Knitty) they're the yellowish lacy ones and the rib socks made from the luscious yarn from Helen. J took the photo - quite well I thought.
Not a sock...but Blogger published the piccies in a different order than I expected. Anyhoo, here is Triopy - following his previous moult - he has moulted again, yesterday pm, since this was taken.
J's yellow peril socks - cheese coloured sockies for cheesy little feet! This is some DK I coloured with Easter egg dye last year - I can't stand the colour and had buried it in my stash but he loves it - no accounting for taste - as the old women said as she kissed the cows bum!
Oh no....the dreaded 'C' word! Two crochet bags from 'One Skein' nice and easy, purty too. These were both made yesterday afternoon. Dinky.
What's in the box? Conkers McBonkers! Here he is subduing Chirpy - his chirping toy mouse who was inciting insurrection in the toy cupboard and needed swift chastisement. He was dragged chirping pitifully into the playbox where he received his just desserts.

Is it art?

Raku wall hanging.
Naku pot (Naked Raku).
Inside of a spider moult.
Sand sculptured crocodile.

Quick Catch-up.

Mega, mega, mega weekend of fun and frolics - swimming and bbqs.

Big play with cousins - more fun and frolics.

Chemistry set experiments - all around the house - it's like living in a lab!

Triopy has moulted 3 more times - he's a strange looking critter but oddly fascinating.

Knitting - finally finished Hedera (whilst listening to Persuasion on audio book - the time and the rows flew). Finished my rib socks in the yarn that Helen (Purlpower) sent got an adult pair out of just over 1 skein - so lots of yummy yarn left. Finished 1 geisha sock - 1/3 of its partner is done. Finished 1 sock for J cast on and completed the rib of its mate. Finished the left from of my cashmerino wrap around top - so lots n lots of knitting completed since Saturday.

We had long-tailed tits (boggle) in the garden. Never seen them before but they are very pretty - black, pink and white. The family must have been on a stopover - they had a bath, a quick scoff and off they flew. It was lovely to see them. I also spotted my friend the wren the other day, she is shy and elusive and I hadn't seen her for ages.

Sloworms were basking on the stone path the other afternoon and the Loppy (lop-sided frog) was boinging about near the pond. He is lop-sided because he got trapped under the winter cover of the swimming pool and must have been swimming in circles for weeks - now his head is on a permanent tilt.

Have raging and I mean raging PMT this week - feel sick, got a headache and am so bad tempered it's scary - so I am off to knit and read and get mega arse bound for a couple of days until the dam bursts.

Triop

*fanfare please - oh and a drumroll*

Here is the single remaining Triop (he ate the other two) known to us as ......wait for it......highly original name..............Triopy. He's an active little son of a gun, very hard to photograph but M managed this one. He has already had one moult (the Triop not M). J is ecstatic that one actually hatched this time and checks on him regularly throughout the day. We are using him for ease as I am informed by M that they are both - but as he has already turned cannibal I felt he had a more masculine energy about him *hehe*.

ps; the spell check wants to change Triop to tripe!

Knitting, kitties and new friends

Only a cat can sleep this soundly in such overwhelming heat - but why choose the computer chair?
This is my test scarf for the lace pattern I'm adapting to use in a shawl. The yarn is from BlueSky Alpacas and is 50/50 mix of alpaca and silk (I think).
Close up of the pattern and stitch definition. The lace weight shawl version in coming along but very slowly due to my inability to cope with the heat.

Earlier this week my SIL introduced us to the two girls who are spending the summer with them from Belarus. SIL does this most summers and spends a good part of the rest of the year fund raising etc for the charity that organizes this. We all did a sponsored walk for them in April. Anyway, I digress, the two girls who are 12 came for a visit. One speaks a little English the other doesn't. J and I had looked up Belarus on Google and also had found a Russian translator so we could say 'Hi' and 'Bye' in their language if nothing else (SIL has a good smattering of Russian as she is learning the language). I know these kids come from great poverty and suffer all sorts of health problems - Chenoybl, but I have to say these two girls are great. Sweet, pleasant and oh so polite. J was a stunner - he found ways to communicate which led to a riotous game of basket ball - he was helpful and friendly and made M and I very proud (yet again). The girls love animals and met the whole L family menagerie - spiders included - I had to draw a picture as SIL didn't know Russian for Spider (shame on her).

The next day J decided to make them a card and we found how to write the message in Russian - he worked really hard designing it so it had a picture of all the pets - including stick insects and Triop.

Hopefully, we will meet them again before they head home.

Other stuff.....................it's just too dang hot! I hate people who moan about the weather...but enough is enough. On the plus side saw the most amazing lightening storm last night, out over the sea. Never seen it like that before, spectacular!

Lots of swimming - lilo wars (supplemented with water guns) continues.

Lots of reading - me and J. He's discovered James Bond - films and the novels by Charlie Higson on Bond as a kid (Bloodfever), he is engrossed. As for me, I'm reading a book by Kate Hickson about Courtesans - from late 1700's to Edwardian era. Very well written and a fascinating read. I'd forgotten I'd bought it - found it hidden away - like lost treasure.

Very little else - housework is minimal - I don't do 'sweat/chores' in this heat. Still did the ironing though - phew I had to have a 2nd shower.

So that's me up to date. Life continues is a quiet phase, which is appearing to suit all 3 of us. J in engrossed in allsorts of stuff and seems quite content to potter about, interspersed with swimming. He and I have been playing Shuttles - he's very good - I struggle to out-think him these days and winning is not a foregone conclusion anymore. I also don't have to let him win - he does that all by himself ;0)

Picture catch up.

Blogger just won't upload picture for me today. So either go to Flickr thingy at bottom of blogg or use the following links.

Warning!!!

Cat, spider, and knitting content!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/196009473/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/196009472/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/196009468/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/196009467/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/196009466/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/196009474/in/photostream/

All up to date now.

Life abounds.

I've been weaving quite a bit recently. What is being made is still on the loom. So I thought I'd put up this piccie of the throw/wrap I made for Gundel (Susann) when she was my SP.

We have babies :0)

Baby stick insects. Two to be precise, number three has either escaped and Conkers has got it or the adults turned cannibal before we got them out into a separate tank. We have loads of eggs, I've put some by for Sis as she fancies some stickies but the rest will get flushed as we have decided that once ours live out their natural lives than it's a big bye-bye to stickies.

Baby Triops! On our 2nd attempt we hatched out some Triops (we can see 3 at the moment). J and M are over the moon as this has been a joint HE science project. We also hatched out some Daphnia and Fairy Shrimp (by accident - in 1st Triop attempt) these will become Triop grub. Once they are big enough to see clearly I'll attempt to post pictures.

It's been a quiet week. I just don't do heat. M sorted out the swimming pool (which has been abandoned for the last 2 summers) which is lovely to flop about in and cool down. Lilo wars have commenced - J & M battle it out for lilo supremacy.

J knitted his 1st complete object this week (with a little help) he made a little blue knitted fish - very cute. He's called him Fishy and he eats chips! This inspired me to knit a piglet (photo to follow) who I've called Figgus. I've also started on a new lace pattern - which will be for a shawl eventually - but I am trying it out on a scarf 1st to see if I've got the math right and the pattern works. So far so good.

Feeling a bit more cheerful -thanks to my Bunny - chief problem solver and shoulder-to-sob-oner.

Yesterday we went to friends for a long afternoon/evening scoff and socialize - very jolly, very good company. The boys played nicely and the grownups sat in the garden, eating, drinking and making music. Lovely.

This week is another a quiet one - they are the kind I like best.

Today is whiz through the chores then chill and knit.

Fan-bloomin-tastic!

Back from camping. The site we intended to go to was full. So we went further along the coast a bit and camped at a fantastic site in West Wittering. We got a pitch with lots of shade (phew). The site was CLEAN - so clean, great toilets/showers, clean level pitches and friendly people. There was a big play area (not slides and stuff) but just space for footie, frisbees and kites, safe space, the kidlets could run free and they did. There were farm animals for petting - goats and their kid, big fat piggies, wonkies, ponies and Dexter Cattle (I love them).

So where do you go on a very hot sunny Saturday with 3 kidlets? Here http://www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk/ all I can say is "Wow!" I saw fish in the sea, swimming around my legs - never seen that before in the UK. The sea was 3/4 of a mile away when we hit the sand (soft silky sand - not bloomin great pebbles) we walked down to it through the tidal puddles, fossiling as we went (found a few as well). The water was clear and warm......yes warm. We spent most of the afternoon swimming by the time we left the sea was about 15ft from our base up near the top of the beach. The kids and Mike made sand sculptures - including a very impressive beach crocodile. It was a bonza day and although we were sticky, sandy and hot the walk back to the site went quickly. We all indulged in refreshing showers and a huge hot chicken salad tea - yummy.

As we left the beach - all sorts of rescue crews - incl helicopters arrived. We later discovered a little girl had gone missing - it was busy and the current was deceptively strong. She was found still on her lilo at Hayling Island - she was alive. I don't like kids and inflatables on a beach - it's so dangerous. If J plays with something like that one of us is always with him and holding on to it so it doesn't drift. This kind of thing brings home the dangers found on the beach.

A nice early start Sunday - I love the quiet mornings camping when everyone else is asleep. We stayed on site and the kids played whilst we did a gradual pack - a large picnic lunch and then home. You didn't have to leave your pitch until 6.00pm. It was nice (as it was so hot) to do the pack up at your leisure and the kids enjoyed the extra time to rampage.

Not much knitting took place. I finished a sock and a wristwarmer and that was about it. Still it really was a great weekend. We fully intend to go back there soon - the beach and the site.

The cat and dog were pleased to see us and M did the unpack and started the laundry as he knows how I flag in the heat. Yesterday was spent recovering and chillin, today well who knows....

Clap hands for Clapotis

Here it is.........at last. It must be about a year since I cast on for this. I got fed up in the middle section and abandoned it for a good few months. Also although I lurve HipKnits silk, this particular colour sheds, like crazy. I wear a lot of black - so this project could only be knit on non-black days - few and far between.

It's a lot bigger than I realised, but I am pleased with it. It won't be blocked (I did block my smaller version) this one is too big for any blocking surface we have.

So, in 2 days I have finished 3 projects....not bad. This is due to having a week off from study (I need a break - have a large, boring essay looming in my very near future). And as I'm still in the doldrums. I thought I would utilize my down time into 'finish-it-off' time. What shall I tackle today.......packing actually *rolls eyes*. I'm sure I will still find a itsy-bitsy smidge of knitting time as well.

PS - the spell check just suggested replacing the word 'Clapotis' with 'slapdash' - hmmm is its opinion of my work? *hehe*

Here is the late news.

I decided a change was as good as a rest and now have red hair, bright red hair.
Here is the Snuffalator- still lop-sided after his ear infection in the winter. But he is healthy in every other way and is happy, squeaky little piggle.
Deep, down in a dark corner there lurks a newly moulted Boris. This is his 1st appearance in over a month. His colours are amazing, bright red layered with purple on his abdomen and legs and bright light green on his carapace or cephalothorax.

Knitting news. See Flickr at bottom of blog for two...yes 2 new FO's. Both completed yesterday. This was my Tour De France marathon knit yesterday.

We're off camping again, with the cousins, this weekend. Forecast looks good and we're camping close to the sea. I could do with some R & R as still not feeling just the ticket. Have decided to go and see Doc in the next couple of weeks, because this kind of 'down lethargy' is not normal for me.

Loving this years Tour. Robbie McEwan is sprinting like a dream, everyday out of nowhere he hits the line....wow. Tour moves to the mountains for the 1st time today, can't wait, love the mountain stages.

That's about it for now. Sonny Jim needs my attention. We are looking at monarchs this week with a local focus on George lV and William the Conqueror.

How to kill by Keith Douglas (1920-1944)

Under the parabola of a ball,
a child turning into a man,
I looked into the air too long.
The ball fell in my hand, it sang
in the closed fist: Open Open
Behold a gift designed to kill.

Now in my dial of glass appears
the soldier who is going to die.
He smiles, and moves about in ways
his mother knows, habits of his.
The wires touch his face: I cry
Now. Death like a familiar, hears

and look, has made a man of dust
of a man of flesh. This sorcery
I do. Being damned, I am amused
to see the centre of love diffused
and the waves of love travel into vacancy.
How easy it is to make a ghost.

The weightless mosquito touches
her tiny shadow on the stone,
and with how like, how infinite
a lightness, man and shadow meet.
They fuse. A shadow is a man
when the mosquito death approaches.

Scorch-eee-ooo

Here is Mr Sleepy-Head - M and I had been up since 6 - sluggabed here didn't appear until 7 - how lazy can you get? (He's cuddling a Giant Microbe of HIV - don't ask.) Very early morning campsite - about 6.15am - most quiet the site was all weekend.
Ahhhh the babbling brook. M & J had mega fun racing twig boats and paddling - where was I? Reclining in the shade with a good book.

We had a fabbo time. Miles too hot for my liking. I miss the sea breeze. Great site, a bit regimented but very clean. We were lucky that our pitch had a good deal of shade because it was sweltering.

We walked in to Bath. The site map said 40 mins - Hah! We walk at a good pace and it took us at least and hour and half. We were melting. The towpath needs some love and attention as does the river. I counted at least a dozen sunken shopping carts.

Bath was beautiful , hot and packed. We went to the cathedral square etc. Did the tourist bit. I missed the Jane Austen Museum (again) because it was sooooooo hot and we were soooooooo tired by then. We revistied the lock of doom but I forget to take a piccie. It still made me shudder though. Caught a bus back to the campsite (now that was fun - our bus driver almost crashed the bus 4 times and spoke no English). Lucky for us a kindly gent told us which stop we needed - proves there are decent people still alive then.

The people on the camp were a friendly bunch which was nice. We cracked open a bottle of wine, retired to the brook bank and chilled.

Very hot journey home but no traffic problems. Most of the unpacking is done. Now it's just the giant mound of laundry - yuck!!

Off to Bracklesham in a couple of weeks for the next jolly camping jaunt.

Other news;

Both Humbug and Boris have moulted over the weekend. Not seen Boris yet but little Bumhug is not little any more!

Yay Tour De France Time - come on Big Maggy win a sprint for me! No Lance Armstrong this year so the race is wide open. Tres exciting.

I've been claimed by my Summerfling SP - woohoot.

Purlpower rocks. http://purlpower.blogspot.com
She sent me a RAK cos I couldn't make it to Woolfest 2006 and she didn't want me to feel left out. Lovely soft, muted colour sock yarn from The Natural Dye Studio http://www.thenaturaldyestudio.com
Thank you so much sweetie, you put a big smile on my mug!

Rosie Red Encore

2 in 1 day - gosh! Look what my darlin M bought to cheer me up. A new Blythe! The post title is her given name - but I don't like Rosie (know too many pets with that name) but her clothes are monogrammed with a diamonte R - so we need an R name.......stumped.....any suggestions?

My grumps have been getting worse. I know I have PMT as well but honestly. No family members remain with their heads intact. I am trying hard to shake it off but honestly again the slightest thing and I blow. My painful back does not help.

Anyway enough grouching. J has had a fabbo day. Lunch at his fav restaurant. Loads of pressies - with a dash of Dr Who stuff. Money to spend in the Lego shop. Time to trash his room and build said Lego - the guy who owns the shop where I buy my Blythes even gave him a little Lego kit (so kind). We are going to have a traditional stylie birthday tea and cut the Dalek cake.

As an extra birthday treat we have booked to go away camping this weekend in Bath as J loves it there (so do I). So something to look forward to. I will revisit the lock of doom *shudders* very scary - but that's another story (I'll take/post a piccie - it's the deepest lock in the UK). The site has the best rating in the AA guide and the online reviews are glowing. So here's hoping I come back recharged and a damn sight more jolly.

Happy Birthday Bratling!

Nine years old and full of fun. All squidgy like a currant bun!

Elastic bands, pricked balloons and depression.

I awoke this morning and realised all is not well. I feel like and overstretched elastic bank that is about to snap - bigtime. I have no idea why - there is nothing wrong. My grrrrr factor is on overload and I don't understand it at all.

I hurt my back after camping and have been in agony all week - I feel like I have all the energy of a deflated balloon.

I could place my face in my hands and weep.

And I don't know why.

It's been years since I suffered with this kind of depression. The last time was when my Dad died. Is not good.

I intend to spend this weekend quietly - chillin (huh chance would be a fine thing). J winds M up all weekend. It's like "Oh Dads home - I'll be a mouthy little arsehole for 2 days." M gets angry and they bicker. I feel for M - he works all week, he's stressed sometimes and J knows what buttons to press to get a reaction. I'm caught in the middle. I understand that J wants attention and M does give it - they just set sparks off each other. I sit there sometimes planning what to pack - as I swear one weekend I'll up sticks and spend two days in a B&B just for some peace. This may sound selfish but I need some me time.

They've gone trampolining now - so I have an hour alone (Ma is out too). So I'm off the utilise this quiet - very precious hour - when I don't have to do anything for anyone - and nobody needs me for anything. Very rare indeed.

Finally, J is 9 next week. Where has the time gone? Birthday post will follow in due course.

A mixed bag.

Here are some piccies of our day at Bodiam Castle. The kiddlets loved it, especially finding baby bats in one of the towers. The Koi are massive. I saw one see off a duck for a bit of bread, the carp capsized the duck, never seen that before. The weather was boiling and the castle interior had lots of cool places to rest while the bratlings explored. A jolly day all round.

Sadly though the campsite we went to was awful. Skanky doesn't even come close. We almost drove straight out again. We'd had good reports of it and the website looked great, relaxed, on a farm, open fires, newly done-up loos etc. It was full of permanent pitches filled with the skum of the earth (personal opinion here). Dogs roaming and shitting everywhere, kids on quad bikes and loud music playing (through a PA by the sound of things) until 3.00am....not good! So we cut out break short. Such a shame. The location and setting was nice but the loos and showers were disgusting - I wouldn't wash a rat in them!

We shall make up for it in a couple of weeks and head out again. The kids were gutted that we had to cut it short. The next place we go - we will be more careful and check it out first!

Had an ace haircut from new hairdresser today - a male hair genius. I looked well coiffed. Lots of study this week again. Anyhoo, must get back to the books.

afk

So I'm off camping for a couple of days - nice long weekend! Weather forecast is good - hurrah.

Grandma is animal sitting and Connor (Conkers McBonkers to his close friends) decided to help organise the church flowers - that she was storing in her bath (??!!?? - strange women). He loves plants, grasses and flowers and considers himself an expert. I was a bit concerned about the Floxgloves but he ignored them.

Loobles hates the suitcase and is sulking in her pit. The spiders are fed and ignorant of whether we are here or not. The guinea pig is nibbling grass and squeaking and the sticks - are exsisting in their own wibbley wobbley world.

I've packed all but the food. Plenty of yarn and red wine, lifes little essentials ;0)

So, see you after the weekend. Be good. Enjoy Conkers and the flowers. xx

Torvesta revisited.

A while ago I made a Torvesta bag (Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton - 2nd Noro book) I love that bag and use it everyday. Sadly it's getting a bit sorry looking and worn. So, I made myself a new one. This time I used Debbie Bliss Maya (took 3 and a bit skeins). I'm very pleased with it.

I've finished other stuff and have put piccies on my Flickr - thingy (see bottom of blog - if you want a look) this includes a Stuffie (Ysolda's pattern), a longest swatch - coutesy of Wendy B at The Garter Belt and you guessed...........sockies.

Hmmm

I am here but I'm just very distracted by life right now. I feel out of focus with so many things and time is eluding me. Physically I've a bit off the mustard and feel tired and drained - just a phase. I need to spend some time taking stock of what I want etc and to also chill as my grumpy chip has been on overload for the last couple of weeks.

Some knitting time might be nice - though I've finished two pairs of socks, including my jaywalkers - at last. But that's about it. Most things I cast on, knit a bit, decide it's not what I want and frog it. A knitting slump no less.

My wrap.

Here is a link to the pictures of my wrap design.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/152404259/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72153171@N00/152417953/

I am making a variation of this in Knitpicks Andean Silk (colour pool) as a gift. I have changed the lace and dimension slightly - piccies follow when finished.

I'm back and I survived!

Here is photo-proof that I - yes me - went camping - 1st time ever!! And even though we had gale force winds and it pissed down - I did it! Not only did 'I do it' but I enjoyed it as well. We had such a good hank. The kids had a blast and didn't fight. The tent stayed put and didn't leak. I proved I can pee in a bucket (something I never thought I'd be able to do - or would admit to and be proud). I can survive without 2 showers a day (this one was a bit harder) though the showers at the site we stayed at were very private and very clean. We cooked sausages and bacon on throw-away bbq's for brekkie which tasted soooooooo good. We explored the site nature trails which were full of bluebells and so peaceful and beautiful. We got fish-n-chips from the local chippie and ate them out of the paper. We played footie and frisbee (in the rain). We got caked and I mean CAKED in mud. We built a fire and told ghost stories. We drank loads of hot tea and we had a laff - a real laff, so much so that all of us are off again in the middle of June.

I think J had so much fun with his cousins - they slept well - all the fresh air and charging around. They were enchanted by the horses who roamed the woods and would suddenly appear behind the tents, gently whickering. The grey looked like a unicorn coming out of the misty rain - he let me stroke his soft velvety nose - snorted and wandered on - a magical moment.

I did knit but not as much as I thought I would - still I was having so much fun - I didn't mind. Talking of knitting I've finished the wrap I was designing - so pleased with it. I took it camping and the 1st night was so cold I wrapped myself in its wooly warmth. I'll post piccies later.

Now it's back to the grind. I need to get ahead on my study as M has time off next week and we're having a little family break. So back to the books I go.

SP 6 Goodies.

A big thank you to Little-Hobbit-Feet my angel sp who rescued me from being flaked upon. This is her last parcel (No 3) full to the brim with goodies.

No longer M.I.A

Tardy little blogger aren't I?

Been busy. Been away. Been studying. Been planning. Been everything but blogging. But I'm back now - kind of - we're away again soon and then again - gallivanting about.

News - well it's been so busy, much of it is a blur. But here are some highlights.

Weald and Downland Open Air Museum - Food Fayre. What can I say but "Wow!" and "Mmmm Yummy!"
It is such a great place to visit. We went with family and the kids had a total blast. From hog roast to ice cream and from woodland adventures to gi-humungous Shire horses. Oooo and a litter (is that right?) of tiny Tamworth Piglets foraging in the woods with their Mum - so sweet - straight after J had eaten hog roast - love the irony.

Fossil hunting, beachcombing and rock-pooling - wicked!

Tent purchasing *shock, horror*. After 23 years my DH has persuaded me to try camping. And I am actually really looking forward to it. We are going next week (with family - so cousins for J to play with). It's been 'a laff' already - from meeting the 'Tent Man' - who has to be seen to be believed - at the local tent shop - we've given him a catchphrase - "You wanna a toaster with that?" . Then finding a site, planning what we need to buy/take. Practice tent erecting - now that was funny - find a flat spot big enough with the minimum of dog poo - not easy!

WARNING**** Mini Rant!
As a dog owner I close my nostrils, bend over - gagging - and scoop the poop. It's not hard, it's not rocket science - it needs to be done! So why can't all dog owners just do it? It is so unfair - kids/adults need green open spaces to run/play/explore - not green open spaces dotted with big brown shits!!! Grrrrrrrrrrr. Ok rant over.

There has been load of other stuff going on - but I can't be asked to type anymore. Just take it as red - that there have been busy times filled with fun and frolics.

Not much knitting to report as all WIP's and nothing finished. Watch this space. Oh I did dye 700g of Opal sock yarn last week - scrumalicious colours (thank you Siress) - now I am planning a sock knitting bonanza when camping - perhaps that is why I'm looking forward to going, that and the fact we chose a site with 2 pubs within 400m and a fish n chip shop - sorted!