Let me just quickly tell you ......

.......that I am so pleased with myself. I finished seaming Manhattan and she looks rather good as she is I have to say. But not only that - I have started the crochet edging - I have actually managed to do double crochet all around the edges and I've started the crocheted fringed edge - I know it isn't that difficult, but I have been really worried about doing it. I thought what is the point of spending all that time on a carefully knitted garment only to muck it up with a totally naff edging because I couldn't do it ? Also this cardy is not for me - it's a gift, what if it looked awful and the recipient hated it and would never wear it - oh it's all so stressful - the good news is Sam that it's looking good - it seems to be working ok and I'm feeling much more relaxed about the finished item ! I wish I could show you a picture, but I just can't from here - so that will have to wait until the cardy is finished and I' ve got my pooter back - just wanted to let you all know that I can crochet !!! Well sort of anyway !

Service Interupted

I am afraid to say that our computer is sick - it has gone off to the hospital to be nurtured back to life - but it's touch and go - they think they can rebuild it, but it will take some time. So you know those posts that have been somewhat irregular ? they might get even more irregular if that is possible !

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Lizzy - I love her - she was an easy quick knit and looks like she was hard work because of all the colour ! A real good cheat and to boot, I feel glam in her !

I am very happy today for two reasons - firstly I have made progress with Manhattan - I actually picked her up finished the buttonhole band and collar and sewed them on and the sewed on the first sleeve - you have to be so careful when finishing moss stitch I find, because any mistakes in the sewing show up right away - anyway first sleeve looks good, now all I need to do is get the second sleeve on and tackle that terrifying crochet.

Secondly, last night whilst we were out looking for shoes for Jacob (I'm very worried about his feet, you can't get any fitted shoes here at all - everyone just tries on any old pair and if they look OK go for it - no-one care whether they fit or not ! - I think bulk shoe buying in the UK may be required), I came across a little shop that sells cotton yarn, buttons and all manner of bits and pieces - I was so excited - unfortuanately I didn't get to stop and have a look and I think that may have to wait until after Christmas when I have a little time to myself, but I can hold the knowledge close to my heart and bring it out every now and then and know that there is at least a degree of haberdashery and yarn here that I will have acess to - all I had seen before that was 100% yuk neon acrylic !

Right I had better go - it's late and I need to go home, I'm in an internet cafe in case you were wondering !

I've been so bad

I know - I've been away for far too long - my excuse, I don't get much time on the computer at the moment, because I only have access to the laptop at night, and what time I do have has been taken up with house stuff - we are due to complete in less than an hour - it's very exciting, I so hope it all goes through smoothly - it should do, but you just never know until it's all over and done with. On the down side, because we had taken out a two year low rate mortgage with Abbey and we have redeemed it one month before the two year period is up, we have had to pay a fine of more than £7,000 - buyers beware - I think this is totally outrageous and I shall be complaining vigorously to both the Abbey and the Ombudsman - just word of warning.

On the plus side - I have finished Lizzy and I am so pleased with her - she is just goregous - she turned out better than I could have hoped - I wore her out last night to a Lebanese restaurant and felt gorgeous in her - well if I could loose three stone I might feel gorgeous, but that is another story. Anyway, here she is in her full glory.



I think she looks a bit squiffy in the picture, but she isn't in real life - she's lovely. Excuse the look of me, this was my, we have just got back from the beach, but I must get a photo of my new jumper look ! My hair is a total mess and matted with sea water and sand - nice - I'm just off to have a shower.

Also, I have been tagged by Anne so thank you Anne - sorry it has taken me so long to get it sorted, but here it is :

1. Seven things to do before I die
2. Seven things I cannot do
3. Seven things that attract me to my spouse
4. Seven things I say most often
5. Seven books (or series) I love
6. Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over if I had the time)
7. Seven people I want to join in, too


Seven things to do before I die:
1. Have another baby.
2. Find a haircut that suits me
3. Loose weight
4. Visit Edinburgh
5. Learn to paint
6. Learn to play the piano
7. Learn patience

Seven things I cannot do:
1. Play the piano
2. Draw or paint
3. Crochet
4. Dive
5. Keep my house tidy
6. Resist the urge to help
7. Stop eating chocolate

Seven things that attract me to my spouse:
1. His bum !
2. His eyes
3. His kindess
4. His easygoingness (if that's a word !)
5. His willingness to do the ironing and the washing up as well as the tidying if it needs doing
6. His way with Jacob
7. His excellent taste in women !

Seven things I say most often:
1. "Hello Baby" - to Jacob
2. Jacob Maximillian Smith - in an exasperated voice
3. "Are you listening to me ?"
4. I'm nearly finished
5. Just let me finish this row and I'll be with you
6. What shall we have for dinner ?
7. I'm so fat

Seven books (or series) I love:
1. The Time Travellers Wife
2. The Girl with the Pearl Earring
3. A Room with a View
4. Whit
5. The Colour of Change
6. Oscar and Hoo Forever
7. Lost and Found

Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over if I had the time)
1. Spy Game
2. Room with a View
3. Out of Africa
4. Anything with Doris Day
5. Bourne Identity
6. You've Got Mail
7. French Kiss

I think that just about covers it !

We are doing well over here - life is good, but rather wool less - I think I'm going to ask someone in the UK to get me some more Hip Knits silk, because that seems to be just wonderful for this weather and I love it - my Clapotis is so lovely and I've used it loads already. I'm going to wait until I've got my pattern books here to decide on anything else to knit.

I've got to finish Manhattan and then get on with Ballerina, so that should keep me busy for a while.

Do come on over to our other blog at http://oman3.blogspot.com and see how we are getting on in Oman - somehow we seem to be posting on there more regularly.

I'll try to post here more often, but as I say computer access is limited and to be honest, knitting progress is a bit slow - also stash acquisition is non-existant !