Later......

Fabric warehouse no longer exists. No bad thing actually because I am keen to look in the attic and discover what I already have that can be recycled. Went to Dunelm Mills and bought 4 fleece blankets for £12 which I am going to appliqué for various children ready for next Christmas and 5 cushions for £10 which I will make new covers for, again as gifts. I then found a fabulous pink Alex and Co jacket in Oxfam for £8.99 - perfect for work. We had lunch in an interesting Socialist cafe and then the adorable Pumpkin decided she would come home with us, leaving 7 year old Pie to enjoy his mother's undivided attention.

So, here I am on New Year's Eve watching Nanny McPhee, the Big Bang, with a Pumpkin, a cup of tea and a mince pie... does life get any better? No, I don't think it does. In this moment I can honestly say that I am totally contented. When Pumpkin is in bed, I will spend the evening with sons and husband, enjoying some games, mulled wine and nibbles.

Happy New Year World. I wish you love and light and peace.

Last day of the old year, otherwise known as the year from Hell! I shall be delighted to see the back of this year and to embrace the new. Resolutions to revolve around what I will do rather than what I won't. As Gandhi said "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Thus I am resolving to change myself and to stop worrying about others. I am ever the aspiring Buddhist, but I fall dismally short.
I will try to be more frugal.
I will try to be more healthy.
I will try to engage my brain before talking.
I will try to be more compassionate.
I will try to find ways to love myself.
I will have a life outside of work.
I will spend less.
I will use up the food in the larder/freezer/fridge before going shopping (I am a hoarder).
I will (finally) de-clutter my life! (In spite of some peoples' comments, I am NOT like that poor man on the telly who hoards absolutely everything, but I do hang on to things I no longer need). This is the year to act on William Morris' adage not to own anything that that is neither useful or beautiful.


Okay, that will do to start with..... the list may be amended as we proceed! I am going to meet my sister in Norwich today to go to a fabric warehouse.  The idea being to rekindle my love of all that is home-made. I intend to make next year's Christmas presents through sewing, knitting, baking .... and I am going to learn to crochet. When my beautiful daughter was on the way (she is now 24) my fabulous neighbour, Tommy (aka Mrs Thompson) taught me to crochet and together we made baby blankets. However, she would start them off and I was left to continue, so I never learnt to start or finish pieces myself. This amazing lady was well into her eighties then, but still managed to bring me soup and cuddle the baby when she realised I was struggling as a new Mum... she was an angel. Wherever you are Mrs T., I think of you often and my thanks to you are heartfelt.


So, project number 1 is a pinafore dress for my utterly delightful 5 year old niece, Pumpkin. I also want to see if there are offcuts I could use to begin quilting.

Countdown..

This year is going to be different - I am going to be different. What I mean is that my intention is to do things differently. I want more time to do the things I love, spend with people I care about, be healthy and happy, live more simply. I am seeking balance. I am going to journal my progress - the ups and downs of a flawed human being......