"Do you like my blanket?"

said Bev, as she rummaged in her bag before pulling out this!
We were both soon in hysterics because this one tiny square is the result of weeks of crochet advice and telephone consultations. And she was rightly very proud of her one round of crochet. I then did the next round for her and talked her through the pattern, and she did the third round herself, stabbing the crochet hook through the holes and going on about how relaxing crochet was. I told her she looked like she was wrestling a crocodile to the ground. The outcome, however, was this magnificent square:
She's an actress so she finds it easy to pull the right faces. I then quickly ran to John Lewis for a peek and was over-excited to see they had a sale on! I didn't have much time before I had to get my bus home so, inspired by Bev, I bought four balls of wool and a crochet hook with the intention of doing some crochet myself.
I got the wool and hook for £8 and the magazine for free so I was very happy as I looked at my shopping bag on the way home on the bus.

Hagos is currently stuck in Warsaw waiting for a flight home, before heading to Glastonbury for his gig tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing him on Monday.

The Weekend

I finished the jumper and am fairly pleased with it. I put football buttons on as his dad, uncle and grandmother and great grandfather are football fans.
I also found this Mr Happy T-shirt for Keigan in Hennes. It made me think of him straight away as he's such a happy boy. There was also a Mr Bump T-shirt that came a very close second as he now, apparently, runs everywhere (and bumps into things!).
I had a sudden urge, when I came home from town yesterday, to make bread in our bread machine. We were given it as part of our wedding gift five years ago, and initially used it every other day, but suddenly stopped a couple of years ago and the machine has been in the cupboard ever since. Hagos used to make amazing bread with treacle and all kinds of added ingredients.
I was excited more by the shape of my bread than by its taste. I did the quick loaf recipe and it tasted a bit like cake-bread. It was okay. The house smelt divine while it was baking.
My ever-present, faithful friend, perched on the edge of the table, straining to be as near to me as possible wherever I am in the house. She's been quite well-behaved this weekend actually.
I had a fairly good weekend. Hagos was away with the car so I got the bus into town on Saturday and met my archaeologist friend, Vicky, for lunch, did a bit of shopping and looking around then came home.

I finished Paradise today. I really enjoyed huge chunks of this book. I was particularly hooked for the last third and I was moved to tears by the letter Hannah's brother had left for her in the fridge after he'd been in to tidy up her flat and replenish the food when she returned home after a bout of drunkenness/illness. He had copied her key without her knowing because he expected he would need the key to let himself into her flat when she finally killed herself through drink. It was very understated in the way it portrayed the effect one family member's lifestyle has on the rest of the family. It made me think of the responsibility we all have to our family members in subtle ways and how people strike a balance between individuality and group responsibility. I remember talking to a probation officer friend of mine years ago, and she said the difference between non-criminals and criminals was that criminals had nothing much to lose, that's how they could commit crimes. Most people feel a social responsibility and have an investment in their relationships.

However, I was really quite puzzled and disappointed by the very ending of the book. I think the sudden lurch into surreality was to portray the descent of her mind but it became very surreal very quickly and in the end I wasn't quite sure what was happening. I know she was probably an unreliable narrator anyway, but... Maybe I need to re-read it to understand.

What can I read now?

Lake District Jumper

I finally finished knitting Keigan's jumper. Now I just have to sew it together. I particularly like the little pocket that will go on the sleeve. I really love the colour of the wool. Like it's lit from within. It reminds me of driving through the Lake District when the hills are lit up and the sky is dark and heavy with cloud.

Brunettes have more fun

I have dark hair again. I've been thinking about it for a while. My hairdresser, Claudia, dyed it a shade darker than my natural colour today. I really like it. Hagos got a shock when I came home though. And every time I see myself in the mirror I get a shock myself.

Cats for Happiness

I was hoping to get a closer shot of the horses on my walk but they were determined to graze at the far end of the field.

I'm feeling very down today, for various reasons I won't go into. Part of it is a feeling of hopelessness at being stuck in Norfolk. And feeling I haven't achieved enough since I've been here. I know these feelings will pass and I'll get a plan together and feel positive again. And I know it doesn't help to dwell on failures. Most of the time I'm happy and grateful for the good things in my life.

Meg has just made me laugh. She's sleeping on my desk as I write this. Earlier I was watching the Borg vs McEnroe 1980 Men's Singles Wimbledon Final for something I'm working on, and the DVD cover is also on my desk. Meg lay down and the DVD cover was in her way, so, looking very uncomfortable, she put her paw on the DVD case and then rested her head on her paw. After a few minutes she moved, and I thought it was because the DVD case was in her way, so I helpfully shifted it for her, but she kept her paw on the case and flexed her claws, as if she was trying to hold onto it. Anyway, she just made me laugh because she's so contrary. And happily beautiful.

Sorry for the down post.

Techorama

This is me sitting in No. 33 cafe in Norwich. I feel incredibly teched-up. I took this photo one minute ago, uploaded it straight into my laptop, and now I'm posting while sitting here! It's amazing. Hagos's influence has finally rubbed off on me.

I love all my gadgets: my laptop, digital camera, phone, sewing machine, my (unused as yet but it's on my list of things to do) iPod. Great fun.