Tuesday 31 January 2012

the end of january

Well I'm so pleased that it's the last day of January!

I have not made any New Year's Resolutions (I never do really) but I have decided that I'm going to try my hardest to accept as many invitations to go out. I'm quite lazy. Well no, not lazy but I do like to hibernate in the early months of the year and love to return home from work and the school run and get cosy and comfy and not stray too far away from the sofa (a couch potato, I hear you say!) So... tonight I'm off out for a trip to the cinema with the girls from the BBC (Burton-Book-Club). We're going to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (with Daniel Craig). The other girls in the Book-Club have read the book and it was one of the rare books that was enjoyed by all. I have been passed the book to read but I'll probably not bother to read it after I've seen the film tonight!

I have a few things lined up for February too. I have lots of craft projects on the go and really need to get some things finished that have been lingering around for months (I'll post some photo's soon). I have accepted yet more invitations by encouraging/pushing myself to get off the sofa and I've even signed up for an Embroidery Workshop!

Here's hoping for a fabulous February! A February full of frosty but delightfully sunny days. A February full of fun and joy...

Saturday 28 January 2012

chore no more

At this time of the year I usually find that I spend a couple of hours over the weekend to tackle my ironing pile.

Ironing is one household chore that I really don't mind at all. I think it's because I use the time to watch a 'girlie' DVD. I'm usually by myself so I can watch anything that takes my fancy, I don't have to be concerned about what the rest of the family think of my soppy lovey- dovey choice of films! It really helps me to whiz through the huge piles of ironing.

My sister lent me a couple of DVD's last time I visited her. I watched Eat Pray Love (with Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem) last weekend and still have The Lake House (with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves) to watch. Have you seen either of them?

This weekend I watched Great Expectations (with Gillian Anderson and Ray Winstone). I recently joined LoveFilm and the Great Expectations DVD was delivered just in time for me to tackle the latest batch of ironing. Did you see it on TV during the Christmas holidays? I only caught the first and second episodes and was frustrated to find that I was too late to see the final episode on BBC iPlayer. I haven't read the book so I was keen to see how the story enfolded. I wasn't disappointed when I finally got to see the end today - I loved it!

Birdsong is another beautiful film. It was shown in two parts over the last couple of Sundays but again, I caught it on iPlayer. We don't have a TV in the bedroom but I do enjoy watching a film in bed with my headphones on - it helps me to concentrate and really get into the film. I'm always a bit fidgety when watching a film in the living room as I feel that I should be doing something with my hands - writing, stitching, sewing or something!

What shall I watch next time? Any recommendations?

positive note

On a more positive note. I have decided to start a new blog. I think I need to give myself a focus and try to think of all the positive things in my life. The fun things I do...baking, making, crafting, creating, shopping, chatting, eating and drinking.

Thursday 26 January 2012

january blues

Well, it's actually much worse than the January blues.

I've had the most awful January imaginable. My Mum passed away on Friday 13th January. It has left me feeling totally shell-shocked and I alternate between crying my eyes out to feeling numb. It really is the most awful feeling.

My Mum hadn't been ill for long, in fact her condition was only diagnosed on 14th November. She died just two months later. One month after her 67th Birthday.

Mum spent her last two weeks at the hospital. As she was very poorly she had her own room and our family were able to visit any time. My sister and I were also able to stay with her overnight. The nursing staff were wonderful and never made us feel that we were in the way - they have my heartfelt thanks and admiration for caring for Mum so well. It has really helped us deal with Mum's death as we can take comfort in knowing that we were there for her whenever she needed us. We spent some special moments together in the hospital and I will always be grateful that we were able to stay with her.