A Guest and a Gripe.

Ben's BFF Dolly has been at the vet's, she is just over 2 years old and her owners decided that it was time for "that operation", no more twice yearly worries and definitely no chance of a surprise litter.

As her partner in doggydom, Archie, is such a live wire he is staying with me for a while. Just until her incision has had a little while to knit back together and she is back on her feet. The last thing that she needs is for this chap to be bouncing all over her.

Oh Look Post!

I did receive some post, I have just been a little preoccupied and have only just got round to sharing. Note the important word up there ,sale, don't you just love a good sale. I must say that there was a pile of fabrics that were not to my taste, and I was committed to only paying a maximum of £3:30 a metre.

These two will be used in bags I believe, although I quite fancy some PJ's in either of them.

This glorious loud print will be for Kaitlyn.

What about this overload of cuteness.

Just too cute for words.

Tah Dah, Fran's shawl is done, I blocked it last night and it will on it's way on Monday. I don't particularly love it, not my colours, but it will be perfect for wearing to work and back.

I have almost finished the sock and have done some work on the grey waistcoat. Some gardening, housework and sorting out has happened along the way.

Some of the blogs that I read have a monthly goal page, I think that is a great idea, I do like a list, so I decided to scribble one for myself.

This months is pretty simple and straightforward,

A finish list,

The ww11socks, the grey waistcoat and 2 quilt tops to be layered and quilted. There is also the Autumn Quilt to do, it is cut out and I have started to sew the four patch blocks.

A sort and remove list,

A shelf of books to donate. They are bagged up ready to go.

Some surplus furniture to rehome. Done, it all went to the Barnardo's shop during the week.

Things to make,

A skirt, pattern and fabric picked out and ready to start. this is to replace one that I managed to rip open when tangled up in a blackberry cane.

The Spindrift Shawl, wool selected and in project bag. This is a little single skein shawl, but will wait until the socks are done.

I hope to work my way through this comfortably, I am continuing to work my way through the freezers and am slowly sorting unloved things for the CS.  A bag of clothing went off yesterday and has left a feeling of space in my wardrobe. None of the things had been worn in 12 months, there are some other things that have 3 months on the clock and if not worn in that time will be going.

I still  have the cookery books and craft magazines but do not plan on touching them this side of the next spring. I hope to get some mileage from then during the winter months.

I have passed on a few quilting mags to one of the knit and natter group, she wanted some inspiration.

And now for something completely different

Life goes on as normal, I do wonder about the mentality of the powers that be though. On one hand we have GP's who are stretched to the limit, Junior Doctors who want to strike for better contracts and schools with far too few places for the children in their catchment area.

On the other we have groups campaigning to allow more and more refugees in to the country. Yes it is a terrible world that sees people risking their lives to flee the country of their birth. Yes the pictures of small children living in the squalid camps are heart wrenching.

I also read of people lying on gurneys in hospital corridors for ages, waiting to be seen or be admitted into a bed that is none existent.

Families with young children living in sodden and mouldy accommodation that they can not get warm, as the windows and doors may as well be made of cardboard, even if they could afford to.

It will take a deal more than the hot air billowing round the house of commons to address these few long standing issues, never mind all the others.

I am not a political person and I know that there is no easy answer. maybe a building program of  really affordable housing would be a good place to begin. What about dealing with the landlords who happily take their rent each week and let the properties rot around the tenants ears.

Oh yes, I can hear the mutterings about irresponsible people having children that they can not afford and single mothers who are barely more than children themselves.

My Granny always said that it was the good girls who "got caught" as the bad ones knew better. There have always been children born out of wedlock, the percentage does not alter much, it is just the numbers that escalate.

Enough, I have fallen off the soap box and am off to walk Ben and Archie.

Put it down to Cabin Fever, it has been hammering down all day and I need some fresh air.

               TTFN                                                       Pam