Demon Crocheter At Large

So much for keeping on top of the blog.... I have been crocheting like a demon for the seemingly long arrival of the newest baby Mistry. Amari was born at 3 am on February 22nd, 8lb 2oz. Welcome to the world baby girl!

I am one of three fairy godmothers. I have a feeling that over time I could very well evolve into the aunty (everyone has one), that gives all the awful jumpers! I'm trying to keep within the parameters of taste. This month I have completed a lovely soft green and pink baby blanket, a cerise princess cardigan, numerous pairs of baby booties, a great little hat with ear flaps and pom pom ties, and a jumper. I'm very pleased with myself.

I'm hoping that my foray into crocheting baby garments will give me the courage to attempt some adult clothing. I subscribe to Crochet Today magazine and have a great pattern for a shawl that converts into a shrug ( it lies across the back and buttons up under the arms to make sleeves). I bought some lovely beige yarn from the market last week that will be perfect for it. I can really see myself wearing it in the Summer with my brown vest top and my khaki linen wide leg trousers. I love to wear natural colours.

What else? Hmm, oh yeah, I made a clutch bag from The Happy Hooker, 'cept its a bit floppy. I was thinking that if I inserted a denim lining it might give it a bit a substance and stiffen it up. The bag is crocheted in a lovely Summer skies blue boucle yarn that I had in my stash draw.

I've progressed into level 2 pilates now. It's a real challenge and I've ached all week from the new exercises. I can't believe how much better I feel now though. It has really made a difference to my life.

I watched a few DVDs over this weekend: The Da Vinci code - Quite good, but I don't think Tom Hanks is growing old attractively. His nose has grown. He just doesn't look right. I guess we all change as we age, it is just that he has lost the boy next door cuteness that he always possessed in earlier films. I also saw Fracture, a thriller with Anthony Hopkins. Quite frankly, I thought the plot was disappointing. Lacking in suspense and edginess. The last film I saw was the biopic of Edith Piaf, La Vie En Rose. This was excellent. Marion Cotillard was tremendous in the title role. She is only 32 and her talent is awesome. It is the Oscars ceremony tonight and she has been nominated in the best actress category....I really hope she gets it, the award would be very much deserved.

TOP OF THE WORLD

"Something in the wind has learned my name

And its tellin me that things are not the same

In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze

Theres a pleasin sense of happiness for me"


Well, it must be windier here in the north east today than it was when Dorothy was spirited off to Oz! I've nearly been knocked off my feet - and I'm a big girl (6ft)to blow over for sure. I'm so happy. I had my dreaded occupational health review this morning. I had gotten myself into an awful state about it. Straight away, the doctor said how fantastic I looked...what a difference from when he saw me (in tremendous pain) at the beginning of December...Lost weight...Posture & body awareness so much more obviously improved(he could tell that I had kept up the pilates). I'm so pleased. So, so, very,very pleased...

I get to go back to work a week on Tuesday. I'll be phased in, as the first week or so of shifts are going to be exhausting. My god, it nearly killed me getting up at 7am, getting ready for my appointments this morning. I had coffee with a friend at 11am, then we did a little window shopping. I was back home for 3pm, ashamed to say that I had to lie down and have a nap....I'm a little, obviously, nervous about how my back will hold up in the long term when I return to my full capacity job role, but I'm sure if I carry on with the pilates I can only get stronger.


Joining the pilates studio was the best thing I have done during the whole back problem time. Pilates has corrected my posture, made me more body aware, totally chills me out (I always feel fab & euphoric after a class), it is amazing. I cannot recommend it enough. So, if you have back/mobility problems, or know someone who suffers, get out there and find a pilates class right now! I am learning Body Control Pilates. If you want to find out more, I bought this great book from WHSmith (they also recommend it at my pilates class):

'THE OFFICIAL BODY CONTROL PILATES MANUAL'
-ROBINSON.L., FISHER.H.,KNOX.J., THOMSON.G., (2000)
-MACMILLAN BOOKS, LONDON

No crocheting today...I decided, post cat nap, that my blog was more Artful Dodger than Artful Adorner and decided to kick my ass into touch with organising myself within and around it. There is so much I want to put down here. Just give me some time before you pass this over as a humdrum bore, it's a learning experience after all. I am making a concerted effort which I'm sure will improve when I return to work.

This whole time off sick has forced me to be unnaturally anti-social. Who wants to know exactly which airings of 'This Morning' or 'The Jeremy Kyle Show' were responsible for turning my brain to jelly froth? Nobody really wanted to know exactly how intricately I had to plan my days in order to fight off impending mind vegetation and always have 'something' to look forward to.

Thank God for the time spent with my parents looking after me.....you can always depend on your Mum to give structure & daily activities of living discipline...no duvet days there! Thankyou Mum. Thankyou Dad. Thankyou for putting up with & taking care of me & not letting me get depressed or spoilt. X