Whilst I’m at it, I’ve given the Ninny Noodle Noo site a new year ‘revamp’ and would appreciate some feedback as it’s a very different look. Not everything is back up as yet, as I’m ordering some more castle and fairytale pieces as well as some more British animals. A few new lines are also planned from around April.

I’m also hoping to build upon what’s there and add ideas for crafts, days out, etc. So any ideas or suggestions are welcome - and if you’ve bought things from me it would be great if you could leave some feedback on what you’ve bought.

Thanks!

He’s really lovely and doing really well.

The cats aren’t particularly impressed, but don’t seem to be hugely bothered, mostly because they get to gloat as he can’t jump onto windowsills or bookcases or sit on the comfy warm space by the radiator - all prime feline real estate (and subject to much internal feline bickering), so as far as they’re concerned he doesn’t really register as important as they’re far to wrapped up in their own (sometimes contentious) feline politics to much bother about him.

Currently on 1-2 hourly toilet trips outside, with only 2 accidents because of this (best to do everything possible to help his small bladder out, the trips can cut down as he gets older and has better bladder control). He’s a bright boy and toddles off to the gated part of the garden despite having only been with us since Saturday - not bad for such a small baby. I got up with him at 5am for another toilet trip (he slept from an 11pm toilet trip through to 5am) and he was fine on a blanket in our bedroom, settled down quietly, only to come and complain when he woke up and needed the loo.

He’s the recipient of lots of cuddles

Added to that I’m studying a HNC in Early Years with the hope that it will lead to a degree and am having serious thoughts about bridge-building with the LA on the HE front, amongst ‘other things’, but this is taking quite some thought as to how best to move forward - so there are some positive things happening amongst the gloom

On the knitting front there’s a lovely hooded jumper in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran on the needles. Inspired by a pattern on Knitty, but never quite being satisfied I’ve changed it from a cardi to a jumper and have had a fiddle with the hood. It should be finished soon

I also know who my Secret Pal has been - she’s here: Chickenlips Knitting - so a great big thank you to her for being such a wonderful Secret Pal!

Ned falls over, takes the chair with him, splits open his lip. Blood everywhere. Lip has ballooned (I put some arnica on, but a bit difficult with where it is).

My youngest son is determined to look as bashed up as humanly possible.

T’next one up has now got chickenpox - why can they never all be ill at once and get it over with?

I frogged the beaded lace scarf because it is impossible to concentrate on it and have started on the back of a moss-stitch and cabled jacket for Ted who’s had a growth spurt and therefore needs some bigger jumpers (etc.)

Found on on of my friend’s blog at: http://esther-reeves.livejournal.com/

He’s one today!

He’s also very spotty as he has chickenpox.

Hard to believe he’s a year old already!

Also, here’s what Gilbert is looking like now, he’s grown quite a bit:

More tags! I’ll have a think - I don’t really think of myself as doing anything *wierd*…

Name three things:

That you had hanging on your tree:
1. Glass baubles.
2. Some birds
3. A faery finger puppet.

That you’ve eaten / drunk lots of:
1. Chocolate (every year…)
2. White wine
3. Roast potatoes (yum!)

That you didn’t do this year but hope to do next year:
1. Make cards.
2. Make more presents (rather than buy them)
3. Ermmmm, that’s it really…

Favourite presents:
1. The hot chocolate in a tall glass from Sarah and co.
2. The lovely parcel of organic (etc.) goodies from Janey.
3. Two jumpers (with cashmere) I bought for myself with some money my mum sent over.

That you’re glad you didn’t get for Christmas:
No idea.

I’m not going to tag anyone, as I’m rather late on this one.

Nope, not working. Not happy. Hate sewing in sleeves (still).

Gave up and frogged.

Humph.

I hate sleeves - or rather I hate the sewing in of sleeves. I don’t mind sewing up a garment, I can do so, neatly, but it’s just the sleeves that I’m never quite happy with. I’ve been looking at yoke-based jumpers etc. as a possibility - or even picking up stitches at the shoulder and knitting the sleeve down (surely someone, somewhere has done this?)

Anyhoo, I have got a few other things finished.

A cat hat (complete with ears). I’m not a fan of intarsia and a couple of lines are a little tight. The pattern also ends up being a little short on Ned’s head, a few more lines would be better - still, I needed some practice so have also knitted one for Nin in pinks and added a few extra rows to the pattern (which worked better) - it’s still tight across the same couple of rows as Ned’s though. I’m now knitting a stripy matching scarf for Nin and when that’s finished (imminently), some mitts. Once the set’s done, I’ll take a pic and post.

Another Ned pic.

I’ve just realised I’ve not taken any photos of the corsages I’ve made recently (will have to remedy that).

LOL! As seen on various blogs on the blogring (not sure who started it).

Happy New Year everyone!

More pics, here and here. Well, it appeals to me as a festival anyway :0)

It was really nice pottering about with a friend, looking in various shops. I bought a nice present for my Mum in Kindom (and admired the glass that I’m hankering after to go in the living room if we get planning permission to extend) and looked in a great shop of retro/customised clothing (my friend is looking for an *interesting* wedding dress). We had a late lunch at El Piano, bought some books (as listed in the previous post) and a funky hairbrush for Nin (to try to encourage her not to insist of ‘wild thing’ hair ) I managed to find two nice v-neck light wool jumpers (I’m a bit low on the top front as my size keeps changing atm - post baby an’ all that). Nice to have a quiet day out with some good conversation and a bit of (mostly window) shopping

I’ve knitted two sweet rose corsages and have also finished the matching mittens for the balaclava I made for Ned, so will get some pics up of those when I remember to transfer the photos onto the PC.

I bought a few books (always a good thing). The first, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges is fab! It lists basic jumper and cardi styles but in multiple guages - so rather than buy the yarn for the project, you can make from the yarn you have. Patterns are listed in multiple sizes (from child through to large adult). It’s great - I’d heartily recommend buying it!

Next on the list is a bit of eye-candy, Childhood Treasures: Handmade Gifts for Babies and Children. It’s beautiful to look at and some lovely ideas, but some of it caters more to my ‘fantasy home life’ rather than any sort of reality. Mind you, I did note some Haba wooden toy food that I sell in my toy shop pictured in the book I plan to sit down again with a cup of coffee and enjoy dreaming over it again some time this afternoon!

Although nothing particularly new if you have a few pattern books - I do like the colourways chosen for Great Knitted Gifts and have already earmarked a couple of ‘must-make’ patterns.

This one’s purely functional. I keep thinking about having a bash at dye-ing and it seemed a good basic book to start with: The Fabric and Yarn Dyer’s Handbook

I also bought a selection of Julia Donaldson (illus. Axel Shaeffler), some of which are showcased (along with the various books mentioned above) at my A store, all of which come very recommended!

Shy? Nervous? Would anyone who knows me ‘in real life’ like to comment on this?

Right, this is a bit wierd. I’m not known for my Christmas spirit - well, for a start, I’m more Yule orientated - but I do get very peed off with the over-commercialism of it all and would prefer it if more people got into the true spirit of Christmas (peace on Earth, love for one’s fellow people an’ all that). Anyway, I see a blog quiz, I can’t resist. This one was first seen at: I Think You’re Bonkers.

I’ve knitted Ned a cat hat, but it’s a bit short (could’ve done with a few more rows before shaping) and a couple of the rows are a little tight (intarsia - not one of my favourite techniques - I carried some of the yarn a la fairisle and pulled a bit tight, but it’s not that noticeable).

One of the nice ladies in the wool shop in town photocopied me a pattern for a balaclava, so I’ve been making one of those for him instead - which has been *interesting* as it’s a rather old pattern and I’m using an entirely different yarn (pattern specifies 3ply, I’m using DK) but still, it’s making for a quick and easy knit. I’ve decided to stripe it in chocolate and blue to ‘update’ it a bit and I’m hoping it might be an answer to the hat-throwing problem (that’s common to most small children). Should it fit I’ll make some matching mitts and a scarf (and feel all smug). I’ll take some photos when the balaclava is done.

Ned’s still not entirely 100% and isn’t eating up to usual standard, which means he’s still a bit runny. Bfeeding such a boon when a baby has gone off solids a bit - although he does like toast (but man cannot live by bread alone, an’ all that )

The nursery paperwork came through a couple of days ago (because I thought I might as well apply to keep our options open). TBH though I don’t want Nin to go. It’s confirmed in my heart that I want her to be HE-ed from the offset and further confirmed that I really must learn to drive if I’m to have a hope of doing half the things I want to do with her (and Ned). I’m going to have a word with the toddler group parents to say that either we change Tuesdays or they find someone else to open up/organise on that day as I really want to start getting over to Sheffield a bit more regularly (well, at all, as I haven’t been of late). It’s a pity Bradway isn’t still running as that would’ve been a bit easier, I think, than Highfields (as I’ve got littlies).

Nin was also offered a further day at pre-school/playgroup with a view to going 5 sessions later on in the academic year, but she’s not going to go any extra days, two is quite enough with everything else we do in the week - sometimes it’s seems like I’m an everywhere-but-stay-at-home-mum!

Still, before all that, I made this:

It had been a cardi I’d knitted out of Noro Kureyon - but amazingly it was too big and as I don’t plan on gaining weight to fit into it, I thought I’d take a gamble and throw it in the washing machine on a hot wash. It’s come out rather nicely felted - shorter than it was, so now jacket-like and is, I’m guessing, a size 14 as it’s a bit bigger than a friend who is a size 12 (it’s too small for me atm) - still, rather pleased and I’ve hung it in the wardrobe for when I’ve lost a bit more weight to do a bit more with (like add some fixings etc.) The photos don’t do it justice (I am a self-confessed useless photographer) and it looks rather nice (on my friend, who it’s a tad too big for).

Whilst Ned was throwing up and therefore attached firmly to me, I made this (whilst he was sat on me either dozing or munching):

I needle-felted the base to give her some features, but also a base upon which I could needle-felt the hair on through the cotton knit ’skin’ I put over the base. There is a better picture, but for some bizarre reason PSP is refusing to save any change to it… Anyway, not bad for a prototype. I’d change a few things, but do think I’ll make some new ‘improved’ ones - and some clothes

Also, in the depths of my throwing-up-ness, this arrived:

A present from my lovely Secret Pal - which did cheer me up through the murk, although I’ve still not felt quite good enough to try the chocolate included in the parcel (a true indication of my level of yuckiness-feeling). The whole parcel smelt divine, thanks to the soap and candle and I’m really looking forward to sitting down and sorting my circulars into the case. Thank you so much Secret Pal - it’s such a lovely parcel!

“No you’re not.” Says Nin.

“I am.” Says Rik.

“No you’re not, I’ll hide your keys so you can’t unlock the door. You won’t be able to find them.”

“Where?”

“I will get a ladder and put them on top of the cupboard.”

“Which cupboard?”

“That one.”

Ok then…

And so life has been and still, to some extent is.

I’m a bit of a crap blogger in that there’s lots I want to say, but I’m not really a heart-on-my-sleeve kind of person so sometimes I struggle to put it all into words and the more words there are whizzing around my head, the harder it gets.

R. starts school 3 mornings a week from the 29th. He’s really happy and wants to go full time, something that everyone else who is involved doesn’t think he is quite ready for yet… True to form however, I’m going to whinge about me (it’s my blog after all, he’s got his own if he wants to ramble on).

I’ve found it really, really tough – predominantly my hard concealed fury with the local HE ‘advisor’ who basically took us saying that we had concerns about R.’s progress in maths to mean that R. wasn’t receiving a ‘suitable’ education (etc.) and doubtless (and this is conjecture on my part) that our refusal to show any ‘evidence’ of education as a cover-up for a lack of education.

This is, of course, balls, as I said at a meeting a few months ago (and I have an independent witness and it’s also noted on the ‘advisor’s’ follow-up letter) that, “R. has some difficulty with maths that we are supporting him with.” R. was then asked about this and R. said that he didn’t like maths and would much prefer to read a book. This was noted on the follow-up letter where, despite not seeing any ‘evidence’ (as requested) the advisor concluded that upon visiting us that education was clearly ‘satisfactory’ (yes, yes, I could pick a million holes in this, but I’m trying not to get sidetracked from my main point). And that R. is a very polite, articulate young man and that we should be very proud of him (well yes, tempers aside, he is, we know that already). In addition, the EWO commented that IHO a child couldn’t fail to learn in our home environment.

Right, so we (R. and I) acknowledged at the time that maths is a difficult area.

As part of the Statement of SEN we requested (as R. wanted to return to school) R. was tested by an Ed. Psych. We agreed to this as it contributed to the Statement and we were endeavouring to get good support in place. As part of this test (WIAT-II for anyone that’s interested) R. was ranked at percentile 4 (i.e. the bottom 4%). He scored average in mathematical reasoning, so this particular ranking is a very localised area of difficulty.

Again, this is not what was actually said, but rather me doing some simple maths (excuse the pun) BUT at the multi-agency meeting, after having expressed concern about R.’s difficulty, bearing in mind that WE requested the statement, R. WANTS to go to school, the HE Advisor says that we have admitted that R. isn’t receiving a suitable education.

Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Now hang on a sec. This is one part of the test – clearly the advisor finds it very convenient to ignore the other parts of the test. Aside from this one low ranking, R. ‘scored’ (yes I know, but again, I’m trying to stick to the point) one ‘average’ ranking. Every other ranking was ‘above average’ (i.e. over and above the 90th centile). In fact, on the WISC-IV Comprehension Scale the results suggested an age equivalent of 16 years and 10months (he’s 12). Ok, he struggles with long division, but when asked to explain why the internet might be considered a threat to dictatorship (or some such, I know it was worded better), he not only explained why, but gave an example of China.

Hmmmmm, something tells me this HE lark works…

So, quite understandably I’m a tad tetchy about what I perceive to be the very condescending way the ‘advisor’ (and I do use the term loosely) spoke to me. This meeting happened some weeks ago and I’m still, to be frank, furious.

As an additional aside, bear in mind that his younger brother who chose to return to school last year, was also HE-ed for over 3 years and guess what, they did maths together. Said child went straight into the top maths set when he returned to school and shortly afterward, excellent SATS results.

Now I *KNOW* it’s not about results, I am not results orientated in my opinion of my children, but I’m putting it across in traditional National Curriculum speak (something else we went nowhere near whilst HE-ing) and well, clearly HE really did work for Erk too and also, quite obviously, demonstrates that maths is something that can successfully be grasped in this house.

In which case, clearly, R. and I have a difference in understanding in that I explain, but don’t explain in a way that he understands with much success. Clearly Erk and I understood each other and therefore Erk (who also really enjoys maths as a concept) has little difficulty with maths and demonstrates that learning (and therefore a suitable education etc.) is happening in this house but that we have come across a particular stumbling block for R. That being the case, it is very likely that he would have also have had difficulty in this are had he been attending school.

HOW DARE HE MAKE THE HYPOTHETICAL JUDGEMENT THAT R.’S DIFFICULTY IN A TINY AREA IS DOWN THE FACT THAT I LIED THAT HE WAS RECEIVING A ‘SUITABLE EDUCATION’ AND THAT FURTHER MORE THIS IS BORNE OUT BY THE FACT THAT WE REFUSED TO OFFER UP ‘EVIDENCE OF EDUCATION’ AS PER THE LAW AS HE PERCEIVES IT.

And before anyone dives in at this point, we know the lae, hence our confidence in refusing evidence that R. was not comfortable in offering up for judgement (and it was his choice not to). However, even at the recent multi-agency meeting I was *still* told by said advisor that I was wrong and that by law he MUST be provided with evidence of education – oh and BTW folks, EO and HE-UK (etc) are also wrong in perpetuating the ‘myth’ of a right of refusal (etc.), one of the reasons why EO info. is not given out by our local LA

So this is my mantra: “R. has chosen to return to school, so therefore I must not let the narrow-minded man annoy me.”

Except…

He really, really, really does and it’s not just me. I may no longer have to deal with him (atleast temporarily, although, upon my polite comment that we’d be seeing him again in a few years when Nin ‘comes of age’ he replied that he didn’t expect to be in post at that point), other people do. He carries on believing that he is right and we are wrong and that he is justified in his opinions that people who are ‘difficult’ are really hiding something.

It’s all very well saying that local HE-ers should stand together on this point – but they don’t.

I was one of a (very) small group standing up to the LA on this point and, until R. returns to school p/t on the 29th, I am the only one left who has not shown an example of work, or whose child hasn’t subsequently returned to school – and of course, as R. has chosen to return, that doesn’t even leave me and there is a rather large part of me that really, really hates the fact this and I think (and of course, again, it’s purely conjecture on my part) that he is smugly patting himself on the back at ‘dispelling’ the thorny lies that we spouted about HE-ers rights etc.

I am not criticising other people for their family choices, but ‘being the last one’ was bloody exhausting folks and near bought me to tears on numerous occasions and near bloody crushing when, after more than 18 months of what I would consider harrassment by the LEA, my son, who in preferring not to ‘provide evidence’ or even, at one point, meet the HE advisor and my determination to support him in his legal choice to do so led to the long back and forth of letters and arguments, chose to do a complete U-turn on the “I’m never going near school again” to “I want to go to school asap” .

Sometimes this supporting children’s rights can be a real downer, because, as his mum I love him and want to support him (within reason – we’re talking sensible choices here folks, I do bring in some adult consideration here), but sometimes I feel like I’ve been the full distance and back so many times (bearing in mind the court cases against his nutter of a biological father, which, incidentally, the second of which I had to represent myself as we couldn’t afford legal representation, even with some Legal Aid).

I’m so very, very, incredibly tired.

No, exhausted.

And then I have two more children. Two children who, after my experiences with the older two and school, I don’t want to ever set foot in a school at age 5.

But then I didn’t want them to attend pre-school either and yet Nin goes twice a week (and loves every minute of it).

It’s really hard to HE when you feel really set out on a limb. It’s not like there aren’t other HE-ers in the town, there are. They’re nice people, but I don’t necessarily connect with them and therefore I do feel rather alone here. I can’t drive and TBH I think I need to drive to get out somewhere else if I’m to successfully HE Nin and Ned.

I don’t feel really like I ‘fit in’ at the next nearest HE meet (there certainly isn’t one locally and part of me wants to set one up, but then the other part of me knows about all the crap that can go along with HE meets and I really DON’T want to be dealing with that – and I know I’m not alone with saying 98% of it is other parents, not their children). Oh and Fiona, Sarah and Kris will know what I mean when I say, yes, I still am anal enough to be really, really wound up about it all

I know I’m cynical, but d’you know what, we don’t live in a wonderful Utopia where we can all get on and agree – HE is diverse as any other group of people and sometimes, although my politeness generally means I smile sweetly, I really want to thump someone on the head with a heavy implement (not a good urge!)

I live in a mining village where those people that know me think I’m a bit odd and I do struggle to find common ground with people, even without the breastfeeding (yes, even breastfeeding is viewed with surprise, it’ll be interesting what they say next year when we’re likely to still be going and thereon ), slinging, cloth nappies, eating organic food (why waste your money on that?) and well, you get the idea.

I really need to learn to drive, but to learn to drive I need some work coming in and that is something I’m rather short of atm. I need money to plough into business to make business successful, but perversely, needing business means that I don’t have the sort of money needed – catch22, so continuing to learn to drive not much of an option atm.

DH is making noises about me having to drive to HE too and that IHO I will be isolating this children if I don’t get out amongst the HE community with them.

I’m going to stop ranting now.

I’m not really very happy atm.

You are The Empress
Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.
The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents, beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.
The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Seen at Ethically Speaking - a blog worth reading

Nin’s princess costume.

Nin’s fairy costume

I made a gluten and dairy free brownie cake with dark chocolate ganache (plus loads of gluten and dairy free fairy cakes to decorate).

Also a none gluten and dairy free cake (for those who didn’t want to OD on chocolate - the brownie was VERY rich!)

And a bonus Nin pic:

It really is a fabulous book and really helps when I feel like I might be ‘missing out’ by not having dairy or gluten!

One Skein from my wishlist on Amazon, some bamboo circulars, some lovely yarn, some fabric that R. wants to have for his own use, some light green yarn that I have just the project for (when I’ve finished my Noro cardi). A rose scented candle (that I had a good smell of ) and some beads to add to me stash of beads and other ‘little bits’ that I periodically look at and they make me smile Thank you Secret Pal!

It’s been a really busy time. My grandmother had a mastectomy on the 13th and is recovering well. I’ve been involved in various childminding things - no work on atm, but I like to ‘be involved’ with general happenings on a local level. Nin is 3 on Friday so I’ve been trying to organise a (rather last minute) party and we spent time making decorations for the toddler group’s Halloween party, whilst also trying to remain organised to do something for Samhain in the evening.

My gluten and dairy free bread is slowly getting better:

Only a short blog, as I’m still really rushed off my feet but I will take time to sit and blog at the weekend.

My grandmother went in for a mastectomy today (she was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago). I desperately wanted to go over and see her before she went in, but as she’s in Norway and Ned doesn’t have a passport, there was no way of organising it quickly enough. So not particularly happy atm.

R. going back to school (not that he’s there yet) has really knocked me for six. He says that he wants to be there but we (Rik and I) have severe reservations about whether this is the best thing, not least the fact that it wouldn’t be our first choice of school for him - but every concern we had was hushed down by the HE ‘advisor’ and the SEN bod at the recent multi-agency meeting, because local provision for young people on the autistic spectrum is ‘excellent’ (cough, cough).

I know what they said was bollox (to put it politely) and this has been backed up by a number of people (not just HE-ing folk, anyone with an ounce of common sense who knows R. will be rather cynical about school for him).

However, the fact of the matter is that I have reached the end of my tether with him here (and part of me wonders whether he is being so incredibly obnoxious atm to drive home the point that HE wants to go to school). TBH as he is atm I’m rather thankful that he is going because I certainly don’t want him here 24/7 (not least as he winds up and thumps his little sister, which is very far from acceptable and there’s barely anywhere I can take him where he won’t end up throwing a screaming tantrum or shouting very loudly at me, or other people for that matter). Of course he doesn’t see at all that we are simply very worried about him and just rants and raves louder.

If he was my partner, I’d leave.

Not kidding. We’re talking a certain level of abuse here and I am really at the end of my tether.

But he isn’t my partner, he’s my son and regardless of the fact that he is convinced that he is ‘head of the household’ and that everyone should do what he says and if they don’t they are contravening his human rights - of course, he spares little thought for what anyone else might feel or need - I have to keep on trying.

So the headache continues and I’m very cynical as to whether it’ll improve once he is at school - I have grave doubts that it will - still, I’ve been proved wrong before… All we can hope for is that it is a welcome break and that he really enjoys it and that maybe he might come home a bit happier.

Isn’t that the best that any parent can wish for?

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink - nope, never had the money to do that
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain - yes, my mum lives on the side of one
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive - no driving license
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables - it just tastes better
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars - not my own
20. Changed a baby’s diaper - I’ve 4 children, so more than a few here
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne - although I’m not that bothered by it - cheap bird me
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment - this was a real big bad too
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb - well, my mum does live on a sheep farm!
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking - it’s called vodka!
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day - various stories here, from having my own eclipsed whilst at a Teddy Boy do in Skeggy (because pretty much everyone I was with was from around Sheffield and without realising it I was copying them *blush* and also regularly when I was on the streets to sound like I was from somewhere else than I really was - don’t ask (rolls eyes).
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk - and then some
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs - actually our vinyl used to be in chronological order within alphabetical…
57. Pretended to be a superhero - not pretended, I am, all mothers are.
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football - what’s this?
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight - what’s this?
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children - well, raising
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking - I always sing loudly in the car, drives everyone mad
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds - how much is 100pounds in English money?
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback - of the LSD kind, yes
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours - but not ‘naturally’
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - almost, but keep losing interest
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions - so far
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
ATM I is mostly loving soft, soft yarns like cotton angora I like all sorts of yarns save for plasticky squeaky ones. I’m not a fan of novelty yarns either.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A cardboard tube that formerly held hazelnut coffee.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learnt to knit when I was 17 – that is, I learned to do a knit stitch, not purl or cast on or off or anything… In 2003 I finally learned to cast on, off, knit and purl and haven’t looked back!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Oh yes, yes, yes: my wish list

5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Roses – I love the smell of roses and ???? arrrrgh, can’t remember the name of the flower.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I like chocolate (I’ve met very few people who don’t) but I shouldn’t really have any dairy, so it needs to be dairy-free/suitable for vegans.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I do a bit of sewing. Recently I made a Waldorf doll for my daughter and I now want to expand on that and make some dollshouse dolls. I keep meaning to sew up the pieces for a shirt for my son - I need the sewing machine practice, years ago when I used to make clothes I made them by hand, but I don’t have the time to hand sew everything with 4 children. I’ve also been collecting bits to start making jewellery again (something I haven’t done for quite some years).

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Trash/garage/garage punk (NOT the dance stuff, proper trashy guitars garage), 60s/Texas Punk and psychobilly, but I also like various things in the charts, think the Killers and stuff like that. Soul – gotta have a bit of soul in my life . I play the recorder (and can play a few other related instruments) so also like listening to renaissance etc. music, but I’m a bit of a philistine, so if anyone wants to educate me

9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I love greens (not peppermint green though – y’know the particular ‘baby yarn’ colour), deep pinks and browns.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have 4 children: ds12, ds10, dd3, ds8mnths. I also have two cats, an Ocicat called Fern and a Korat called Gilbert.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves and mittens, occasionally hats, never ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I don’t have any particular favourites, I just knit what I fancy.

13. What are you knitting right now?
My first ‘proper’ attempt at a simple lace shawl. I’m also knitting a cabled jumper for Ned.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer things with some points to them, so although I do like the smoothness of my Addis, I really would prefer a bit more point (especially with the lace!) I do like the bamboo needles I have – but only have some 4mm in bamboo. I do need to expand on my collection and have thought about buying some plain wooden ones and prettying them up.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I frog UFOs older than a certain amount, because if it’s a UFO for long enough then I’ve lost interest in knitting it.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I’ve got a handle on the US terminology now I don’t have a particular favourite holiday, I have a bit of a block over holidays which I struggle to get over, although I’m getting better at them now.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn I also like buttons (as in the ones you do up in button holes) and beads – I think it’s a ‘treasure chest’ thing, it gives me a joyous little girl happiness to have ‘sparkly things’.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I need to renew my sub. to Rowan (must get around to that), aside from that I’m not subbed to any knitting mags, not for any particular reason, it just never occurs to me (although I do enjoy looking at friend’s mags).

I do want to expand and buy some more bamboo needles and some pointier circulars.

21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I’d like to learn to crochet, but need to pin someone down to teach me that (I’m not very good at learning things like that from a book). I’d like to expand on my sock knitting skills, but again, I’m a monkey see monkey do sort of person.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have knitted socks. Yea, I have enjoyed knitting socks. I can’t remember my foot size – and they are very wide.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
Not until next Spring.

I also fixed Nin’s button jointed doll (the legs had come off) and have embroidered a face onto the first Waldorf doll I’ve had a bash at making (I bought some black mohair to knit a wig when I get a spare mo’). I sewed up the rip in Woody’s trousers (and restuffed him a bit).

Continued WIPs are:

The Waldorf doll (needs that wig knitted and some clothes made)
A pink lace shawl (which is knitting up quite fast really)
A blue ‘pram blanket’ - with textured trees and houses on it (from a Lucinda whats-her-name book)
The cowboy print shirt that has been cut out ready to be sewn for Ned
I *still* haven’t finished embroidering the rosette I felted about a year ago…

There’s a lot going on here atm and at some point I will blog about it, but it’ll be a bit of a marathon (or should that be Snickers) blog and it’s just getting it written down in a bit of peace.

Yes I really should stop mooning over other people’s talent and get off my bum a bit more and do some more for myself, but it is so much easier drooling over other people’s work

Funnily enough, yesterday I had a mini splurge at Ottakars yesterday and bought R. and me (as R. wants to have a go) a book on Feltmaking and a Beginners Guide to Stumpwork. I also bought Vols. 11, 12 and 13 of Ultimate X-Men

R. had an appt. with an Ed. Psych yesterday and I will be complaining She asked questions as if R. wasn’t sitting next to me and at one point told me that: “Children cannot be taught at home.” When I pointed out that R. had been taught at home for a good few years now, she said, “So the LEA has arranged a tutor.”

NO! NO! NO!

Arrrrrghhhh!

So I quoted some law at her, but don’t hold out much hope on the report at the multi-agency meeting next week.

Ho hum.

*Still* I know that the two of the people who will be at the meeting are supporting HE, although a possible p/t attendance at school is possible (and tempting at times). It’s all so up-in-the-air atm.

Still, grrrrrr to bloody annoying psychs.

Yet MORE chillis (grown by Rik):

I finished a sock (just need to do the other one now) made from lovely handpainted yarn:

I’ve also been busy knitting this:

The boys have also asked me to post this:

A large bubble - well, we thought it was impressive.

Over the past few days I have made some bramble and apple jelly (and have more apple juice waiting to be made into jelly on the hob), re-organised my paperwork (on the children’s info./OfSTED front) and been helping with the clean up effort at the local closed-down school which is where I’m hoping to take the family-learning centre project forward.

It’s looking increasingly likely that there will be space available at the ‘closed-down’ school for the family-learning centre to use which means that there will be space for a HE group if other local HE-ers are interested, space for the Pilates class a friend and I are trying to organise (not to mention the Indian dancing her daughter is keen to see take place), a possible location for Donny Nutters to work from (on a community level) and the various other classes that I’m hoping to organise. At the very least it is a venue that can be written into the feasibility study that I’m, now we, are applying for. Should that come back positive we will have a good base to apply for further funding from.

I’ve a meeting on Thursday to show the funding-support bod who has been working with the group the possible venue and then the week after next with the lease-holders to try to negotiate a good deal on taking on space. Signing the paperwork for the bank account on Thursday afternoon and from there we can go for the funding for the feasibility study - really excited!

Once things have moved forward a bit more I will put together a website with information on the project.

I forgot to gloat:

After a hard day:

I made the header myself - that’s R. up ahead, followed by Nin and Erk. Ned isn’t on it as yet.

There’s loads more links etc. still to go up, but as I’m on dial-up I think I’ve hogged the phone-line enough for a while.

Erk and his friends regularly visit some friendly horses and ponies across the river:

I made jam with the blackberries (adding some apple to it) and these are going with the stash of pickled beetroot and squash chutney. I need to pickle some more beetroot and get down to what is now probably a rather pitiful allotment, as the rain has put me off going down there. I need to put in some kohl rabi, but have recently started making enquiries about finding a small piece of land instead. The plan is to share it between a few local families and the hope is that we can have a few goats, another family want some bees and the idea of a couple of pigs has been tossed around, amongst other things, so enquiries are being made. It’s a big step, but I’ve wanted goats since I was a girl (I really love them) and so, for me it would be better and I would transfer ‘growing stuff’, which has sort of put the allotment up in the air atm as I’d prefer to share a space that I could keep animals on.

Also HEADS UP on an order. I’m planning to place an order with Kate Quinn Organics (the clothing that I included a few posts ago) again. If anyone would like to add anything in particular to the order (size or colour-wise) do have a look at her website and let me know and I’ll make a note to add it.

Thank you so much!

“That’s very kind of you. With what?”

“Your toothbrush.”

Maybe not so kind then…

I’ve taken delivery of some lovely organic children’s clothes for Ninny Noodle Noo. I sold one of the dresses pretty much straight out of the box as a friend turned up as I was checking the delivery. Below is a pic. of the tees, although I only have a couple of colours - however, if there’s any colour or size anyone wants, I’d be happy to order, I’ve already got a few enquiries for different sizes, so it looks like I may place another order soon.

I realise it’s been a little while since I blogged anything of substance, but it is because we’ve just been so very busy! My mum came to visit for a few days, bringing Erk back with her (he’d been staying with her on the farm for a few weeks). We visited York, the first time the children and I have been. We went to the Jorvik Viking Centre, which the children really enjoyed.

Mum & Ned

So many wonderful shops to look in and it’s only 25mins away on the train! I’m really keen to save up for some glassware I saw in a shop, statuettes of Odin and Baldur and also a piece called ‘Two Souls’ - also the most lovely glass plates, I’ll have to dig out the link as I took the details for their website.

We went for a picnic in Sandal Beat Woods today. Lots of blackberries everywhere (really must go back and have a picking session, was kicking myself I didn’t think to bring anything).

There were loads of fungi of various sorts:

I’d love to go on a guided mushroom walk to learn more about them (or rather I’d like to know which ones are edible so I can eat them!)

Anyway, dinner is now calling!

1) ONE HOMESCHOOLING BOOK YOU HAVE ENJOYED
The Christopherus Waldorf Curriculum Overview for Homeschoolers from Christopherus.

2) ONE RESOURCE YOU WOULDN’T BE WITHOUT
T’internet – it’s great!

3) ONE RESOURCE YOU WISH YOU HAD NEVER BOUGHT
None, but then I didn’t rush out and buy I took my time and sort of ‘came to’ what feels right atm.

4) ONE RESOURCE YOU ENJOYED LAST YEAR
All the art & craft stuff we have – and we’ll continue to enjoy them this year.

5) ONE RESOURCE YOU WILL BE USING NEXT YEAR
T’internet (again). For the Roman block we will be using: “Famous Men of Rome” which is online at the Baldwin project.

6) ONE RESOURCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY
Live Education, it does look lovely.

7) ONE RESOURCE YOU WISH EXISTED
Languages – I’d love for my children to learn a different language in a way other than software and tapes. I’d like them to have the opportunity to learn songs and stories, etc.

8) ONE HOMESCHOOLING CATALOGUE YOU ENJOY READING
I didn’t know they existed. I admit to getting a lot of books from Amazon. Again, I find Christopherus books really good for suggesting further resources.

9) ONE HOMESCHOOLING WEBSITE YOU USE REGULARLY
I don’t really need to. I would recommend Education Otherwise, HE-UK and Muddle Puddle (for younger children). A great resource for waldorf-inspired home-education is Waldorf Homeschoolers.

I’m putting together a website for Pagan families, called Hearth and Home Education (submissions welcome – plus I’ve added a forum, which needs people to be ok-ed to join and the topics should be visible to members only for privacy).

10) TAG FIVE OTHER HOMESCHOOLERS
Sarah (I Think You’re Bonkers)
Rosie (Knitting Yoghurt)
Tech (The Woodland Path)
Elderfaery (Growing Wild Like a Tree)
By Other Means.

This site has some wonderful doll patterns - but it’s worth just looking at the pictures too (under patterns)!

Like Heather Bailey. Jealous? Moi? Humph

I’ve been wasting a goodly amount of time (that I could’ve spent finishing a sock) having a look and being very inspired by some of the fab blogs that are out there. Do go and visit her blog, it’s not only lovely to look at, but interesting too!

Linked to from there is: Wee Wonderfuls with some truly wonderful wee creations!

Enjoy!

Hmph!

More potatoes and shedloads of beetroot today, so will definetely be pickling beetroot tomorrow and MUST make some pumpkin marmalade out of the squashes Kris brought round.

I bought some more books from the market - an encyclopedia of the British Countryside, an atlas of historical maps and some children’s books.

I’m still knitting a sock (eventually to be 2 socks, but I’ve got to finish the first one yet) using some lovely yarn from the Knitting Goddess (I’ll post a link when I’ve got a photo of the yarn). It’s a distraction from the pram blanket which was boring me a little and I *still* need to finish the rosette I’m making from the Rowan Yorkshire Tweed I felted.

I’ve sewn the front and back of some denim trousers for Ned, my first attempt at making some trousers ever. The machine stitching isn’t wonderfully straight, but doesn’t look too bad. I’ve cut out the pieces for a shirt (using cowboy fabric - again I’ll post the link when I get a photo) and when I’ve some red thread I’ll sew it up.

I’m feeling rather domestic and would be feeling even more so if the vacuum cleaner wasn’t packing up.

I’ve ordered the Romans Unit Study from Christopherus because even *if* R. does go to school (part-time) there’ll still need to be things we do together. I like Donna’s books because they’re no-nonsense and realistic about home-ed and reasonably priced too If you look on the Main Lesson inspiration pages (under Norse Myths) there is a picture that R. drew, currently the third one down on the left-hand margin - of the Eagle chasing Loki and Idunna (also transformed into birds). So I’m looking forward to receiving it and having a think.

Gilbert is still convinced that cornflakes and kiwi-fruit are normal cat fare and Fern has moved into the boys’ bedroom in protest.

He’s a bit of a menace and has already landed in a plate of egg muffins, shoved his head in Nin’s icecream and her breakfast, R.’s cranberry juice, almost landed in R.’s dinner and tried to make off with some kiwi fruit. He managed to go missing for about an hour on Thursday until we found him in the coffee table drawer (there’s a small gap at the back of the drawer which he fits through) and I’ve had to rescue a metal scouring pad which he must have walked