Sunday, 08-11-26

Morning, all.  It's a bit murky out there but yesterday it cheered up no end so maybe today will too.

I got a bit frustrated yesterday.
I do like to keep up to date with what's going in and out of my bank account and keep a spread sheet updated that tells me how much actual spendable money I have after all standing orders, etc, have gone out.  
For some reason, I hadn't checked since last Sunday so it was time I did.  However, while I could get into the app, no worries, and I could see everything else, my account just wouldn't load.  
That would have merely been a niggle except that I had received two emails about my TV licence that I was pretty sure were scams because I had received a warning that a company I used to use several years ago had had a data breach but I just wanted to check that this month's payment had actually gone out - and couldn't.
Irritating.
I got in finally and everything was fine, of course!  

As threatened, I have brought down all my red and green yarn (I have green because I 'had' to buy more, of course) and have started a Christmas blanket.  If it comes to the worst and we have winter outages, etc, at least I will have colour in my life!
And I will 'have' to buy some yarn for joining and borders . . . 

My name is Joy and I am a crochaholic.  Or yarnaholic.  Or both!!
(just in case you hadn't already guessed!)

I've started my usual Sunday loaves for Lindsey and for Beth and they are currently both on their first rise.  Apart from that there's nothing in the diary which is nice because this coming week is a bit busier.  I will lounge about, get a bit of washing done, plan meals and generally have a lazy time.

Wishing you all a very happy and easy day too.  Take care, stay well and love life.  xx

Saturday, 07-11-26

Good morning, every, and welcome to the weekend.  It's chilly and a bit gloomy and feels damp (I think we had overnight rain) but it might cheer up and, anyway, I'm grateful for a nice warm home.

Yesterday happened.  I can't say exactly what the difficult thing was but it is over now, hopefully, and I am relieved that it is now a new day.  OK, so I ended up face-planting into a pile of 'comforting' carbs but I had accepted that's just how I deal with stuff and I can now move on.

Today, I plan to do a bit of food experimenting (sweet potato wrap, anyone - and I mean a wrap made with sweet potato rather than filled)?   And I need to think what I am going to do with the wreath ring that I covered and decorated with leaves.  Sadly, most of the extra bits simply haven't worked or don't look particularly good so I might abandon crochet and use natural stuff such as cinnamon sticks or even mini baubles from the bottom of my bauble box.  It's a shame but not to worry - you live and learn and what I have already done will not be wasted.

However, as I find I NEED some crochet to occupy my hands in the evenings, I have made this.

You now how you start a something to use up spare yarn and then find you need to get more to finish it.  Well - that!  Ooops.

I didn't have a pattern, just a picture, and I have definitely made an error as there should NOTbe two big squares touching - I think I sewed one strip on upside down - but I am not fussed.

Seeing as I have only just noticed and it's all sewed up and the border took ages, there will be no frogging!
I made it just for me, it feels nice and cosy and it is big enough to wrap round me, should I want to.

Now I want to make another, learning from the mistakes I made with this one (I might 'design' my own) and using up my reds and green - very festive!  I think I have some sparkly yarn too - I could incorporate that, couldn't I?

In the time it has taken me to type this, the sun has tried to break through so we may be in for a nicer, brighter day.  That would be great.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.  Stay warm and stay well.  xx

Friday, 06-11-26

Morning, all.  No proper post today - I have an important meeting, my brain is packed with information and advice and I can't think about anything else at the moment.
Back properly tomorrow . . .  xx

Thursday, 05-11-26

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Thursday.  It's still dark so I have no idea what the weather is doing but it doesn't feel all that cold really.  I'm sitting at my desk, sipping my hot coffee and feeling so, so much better.  Everything's breaking up now, I sound awful but don't feel anything like I sound.  Happy days again!

The naughty calendar (maybe I need to rephrase that) - the indulgent calendar arrived yesterday.  Of course, I had a quick peek, just at the layout and it's lovely - simple and exciting!  I'll show you properly on December 1st which isn't all that far away now.  I'd better start gathering together my Advent music.

After two lethargic days, I felt loads more energetic yesterday and got downstairs tidied and cleaned plus a load of washing done.  It was a relief to sit in a tidier room again.

I'm off to personal training at 7:45 for an 8:00 start.  Lindsey asked to put it back as the other two people who have early sessions are both poorly.  Not just me then!

Once that is over, I will be going to Chris' for our usual coffee and chat and then I have copious amounts of paperwork to read for tomorrow.

And ironing - I really must do the ironing.  Fortunately, downstairs is relatively clean and tidy now but we won't mention upstairs, OK?
Thanks!

That's about it really.  I hope your week has gone really well, if you are feeling rough, get well soon, and have a great day.  xx

Wednesday, 04-11-26: I've been bad!

Good morning, everyone.  It's Wednesday already and it feels as if the week has barely begun.  I suppose it has for me, seeing as the last two days were rest days!

Thank you, all you kind people, for your messages over those two days.  I'm feeling loads better this morning.  The cold has broken and, while I sound terrible, I'm feeling pretty much normal now that the aches, the hard cough and the headache have gone.  You never know whether pushing on through or resting up is the right way to go until afterwards, do you?  I felt quite wimpish yesterday but it was right to have another rest day, judging by how things are this morning.

There's nothing in the diary for today but I'm really behind with stuff so it will be pretty busy (between sit downs - no point in pushing too hard).  I'll feel happier when certain things are done and dusted (quite literally dusted in some cases).  None of it will take too long; it just needs doing!

Confession time.
A few weeks ago, I was rambling on about Advent calendars, etc, etc, and expressed a wish (only a wish) for a certain ouchily expensive calendar but had decided not to splash out.
Well (you can guess what's coming, can't you), after two months of nice little premium bond winnings (nothing amazing but it's all extra money in the bank), I did some thinking, looked at the numbers and . . .  well, it is arriving today.  Ooops!

Part of my self justification was that, given what have I spent this past year on Jo Malone products which I use every day, it will partly pay for itself through 2027.  Another is that I had a good look at what was in it and there's nothing that I won't use which is unusual for that kind of calendar.  And another is that they will make nice little birthday gifts for people . . . maybe!
And, frivolous me, I feel happy!

But that's all waffle really.  It's sheer self indulgence wearing a Christmas hat and, if you want to look up the price, make sure you are sitting down first, OK. 

And I'm telling you now so you know before Advent posts start.  :-)

My conscience is definitely active at the moment (not that it stopped me) and I will make up in other ways - you know, giving rather than receiving.  And on that subject, I'm expecting my Advent of Change to arrive in the next few days.  I think it is a great scheme.

Better stop rambling now and get the day started.  Viv, and anyone else I hope you are feeling OK and the sore throat has gone away.
Take case, stay warm and safe.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Tuesday, 03-11-26

Morning, all.  Just a quick one because I'm still not quite right, woke very early and am going back to bed shortly to try and catch up.  No Groove today, sadly.  

Hope you are all keeping well.  Stay warm and be safe.  xx

Monday, 02-11-26

 Good morning, one and all, and welcome to a new week.  It's still dark here but doesn't feel all that chilly, thankfully.

Thanks you all so much for your kind comments on yesterday's post.  The day went OK, I rested between coughs and sneezes and slept like a log overnight - that was a real blessing after Saturday night!  I was sorry to miss lunch with my friends but they were very understanding and we have set a date in December for a 

I have two things in the diary.  One is circuits and I've pulled out of that because of too much coughing.  The other is Alex coming over for a roast dinner.  I'm happy with him to come but have let him know and he might not want to risk catching it -I'll leave it up to him.  Either way, it is fine.

Apart from that, I will rest up and chill and should start feeling loads better very soon.

Take care, everyone, and if you have this cold that's doing the rounds right now, get well soon.  xx