runaway train.......

That is how life feels at the moment, it speeding away from me like a runaway train. The op went well, I feel great though I have yet to get my appetite back, I mowed the lawns yesterday and had a day with the grandgirls on wednesday and I've done a big shop. The doc did say no heavy lifting and to take it easy for 6 weeks.  But if I don't do things myself they won't get done at all.  I have a thing about asking for help - I don't do it, I muddle on as best I can. 
My car broke down yet again, needed a new radiator, took the old radiaor out and the son discovered the alternator belt was missing, so that was another job and then some other little part broke down a  day after i was back on the road again, this resulted in a trip halfway down the mountain to meet No.3 son to pick up the part he got for us from the city which turned out to be the wrong one. No.1 son ran around trying to get parts. Finally I was back on the road again - I lasted one trip in to town which resulted in the new radiator overheating, this time I discovered a hose had split and the fan was sticking.  The universe is conspiring against me, why on earth it wants to keep me off the road I have no idea.  My friends car is in for a service and they keep finding little things that need doing, it might not be back by this arvy so we might have to go in my car, we won't be able to fit everything in but just take the essentials we will need for the night markets.  Do we want to risk my car even though the son assures me its going fine now. 
I have been busy making things for the christmas markets, crocheting my little fingers to the bone.  Last week was the worst weekend ever, only one sale.  This weekend looks to be a wet one with storms all around us, we have 3 markets to do which will be the last for the year.  Not sure wether I want to continue with all the markets or maybe just do the one big one a month - its at the bottom of my street so theres no travel time or petrol involved but they are putting the stall fee up. Or, do I go with an etsy or madeit store. 
I really want to just sit down and crochet with no pressure on me - I have four orders to get out and I can see me rushing around at the last minute.  There seems to be so much I have to do and I have lost that passion for creating.  I have made some bracelets which I love and I did make some cute rabbits but I seem to have hit a brick wall with my creativity. Not really sure which direction I want to go in.
Oh well, this has turned out to be a whinge post. No photo's even.  I need to edit the ones I took recently and I can't even be bothered to do that.
I promise the next post will be full of pretties.

Jan

Countdown....

Monday is getting closer and closer. I went to the library yesterday and got a stack of books that should see me through for a while - funny they are all easy novels to read about life in general and FOOD.  Another family of snowmen has gone to their new home this week and judging by the delight of their new owners I should imagine I'll have a few more to do by christmas.  Rabbits bred ovenight in the craft room, a photo will be posted later today or tomorrow. Got to dash into town soon to get the rates paid and another library book that they didn't have at my library here, a quick shop and then home again, pack up my craft box for the night markets at another town tonight and then another market tomorrow if the rain holds off. Last night it was nearly midnight by the time I finished crafting, sewing hair ties onto flowers and arms.legs and ears onto bunnies.  I have to get my grandgirls dolls done yet and a few tea-towel toppers for christmas presents - everyone is getting handcrafted MWL's (made with Love) for chrissy this year. 
All this hard work, its a good job I enjoy crafting because I'm not making any money at it, I'll have to seriously think about wether I want to continue with the markets or find another outlet, not sure wether I want the commitment of a shop. I have set up a Made It shop and I think I have one on Etsy but not got either of them going yet.  So perhaps the next few weeks will be spent weighing up all the pros and cons and wether I can be commited or not (my family and a couple of friends would tell you I am ready to be commited  LOL) to get everything up and running. 
Better get a wiggle on before the day runs away from me again.

Jan

Whooooohoooo....

I have my first follower for my new blog.....Delena please email me your snail mail addy (cos I threw away the envelope with your address on) and I will send you a little something for being the first to follow.  Let me know your colour likes and dislikes - muted, brights, pastels etc.
 A week tomorrow (28th) I get my gall bladder out, my house is all clean and tidy, the spare room ready for my friend to stay over, I'm making a baggie up with a little project in it (cos I am the worlds worst patient) for while I'm waiting to go to theatre and after when I'm waiting to go home. I'll mow the lawn the day before I go in and give the garden a good watering as well.  I'm busy crocheting up a storm so that I will have plenty of stock for the christmas markets and I plan to recover at home by taking it easy and crafting away. 
Did two markets this weekend, its a good job I don't rely on them to earn a living, lots of lookers but they are not buying anything other than cheap veggies and plants. I covered petrol, the stall fee and coffee with a little bit of profit both days.  Doing a night market this coming week and our village one on Saturday.  Got one snowdoll family all finished and ready to be posted off and another that just needs sewing up. I'll try and get the pattern down for the little grub dolls this week, I haven't got time to be sick.


Jan

Welcome to my world

My world - hooks, yarn, needles and threads.  Since my crochet seems to be taking over my other blog I thought perhaps it was time to have one just for my hookings.  Somewhere where I could post patterns.  I am sure my family and friends (unless they are that way inclined) are getting bored with the crafty side of things, in fact I think hardly any of them read my blogs anymore since my life went back on track.  If you are new to my blogs and have no idea who I am you can always check out my profile and read my other blogs if you have a week or two spare or I can give you a quick rundown on my life so far.........
50 something widow, mother of three grown up boys, grandmother to two little girls, live in a beautiful part of far north queensland in Australia, I love crochet and embroidery at the moment (I am very fickle, it all might change someday), I lost my husband (I know, careless of me) 5 yrs ago after caring for him for many years, I then had a heart attack and a triple by-pass, was diagnosed with a thyroid problem, then diabetes, got all that under control and just before my birthday in August of this year they found gallstones so next week I get the gallbladder out.  What keeps me sane throughout all of this - my crocheting and crafting of course, I've crafted throughout all the hard times in my life, it kept the bailiffs from the door in times of financial strife, it provided money to have decent christmases, its put food on the table and now my life is on an even keel it soothes my soul and is an outlet for my creative side.  I sometimes get my work published in Handmade magazine which is a big thrill. I have a little old dog - a mini foxy and together we are growing old disgracefully.  I occassionally garden, I take long walks by the lake and I lunch with friends.  Not much more to add. 
So keep yours eyes out on this blog, if you have seen any of my work on my other blogs and you would like the pattern, let me know, I tend to make things up as I go along and have only jotted down a few of the patterns. I am discipling myself to jot them down as I go along but I tend to not bother in the vain hope I will remember the pattern next time.

I waffle on as well, sometimes about inane things, so this blog will just be about the crocheting, if I get boring please let me know.

Hugs

Jan