At last - the start of draft 2

Writing

That's it - I've crossed that bridge, I've made that step, I've started the second draft.

I've changed the line spacing to three, printed the first chapter and then I've gone back to the comments my by my writing group girls, marking all editing needed onto my new print. On the plus side, I've managed to put in a couple of jokes and funny lines, so maybe I'm the sort of writer who does her comedy on the re-writes.

I can only take small steps at a time, but as it's taken me this long to even put my shoes on, I'm feeling quite happy.

Knitting.

I've got so many things on the go - a draught excluder for Brenda, a pair of socks for me, and a bathmat, and I've also worked out how many stitches I will need for the back of a waistcoat. Just call me Mrs Productive!

Life

Feeling a bit out of control at the moment - so much to do, so little time. I'm spending an awful amount of time on ravelry, joining and reading forums (fora?) etc, instead of getting on with real life. Is this a natural hibernation type behaviour? Resting to prepare myself for the next onslaught?

Or am I just a lazy cow?

Tired bunny/Closing down LYS

Writing

I did some yesterday! I had an hour to kill in Starbucks in Great Portland St (as you do) so I got out my writing down book, and started writing! Not sure how many words I've done (I finished the scene off on the train home). Although I was glad to be writing, I wasn't necessarily pleased with what I've written. It was so unfunny. :=(

Still, you can only edit what's on the page/screen, so I've got something to work with - and I'm back in the flow a bit!

Life

Knackered.

Knitting

Am I a bad person?
1) For buying yarn - I can barely fit it into my stash cupboard, but it was half price, it seemed rude not to, and who knows, I may even go back.
2) For going to the closing down sale of a shop I've never been to before. I hadn't even realised it was there. It's one of those old-fashioned shops that sells yarn and baby things. The range of yarn is not necessarily the best (mostly acrylic, and rather ordinary, but good store cupboard stuff), but I did manage to get some 100% wool at 60p/50 grams, and the lady even apologised that she had to charge 60p for that, rather than the usual 50p! It's closing down because she's retiring, so my previous lack of custom hasn't put her out of business. And I'm giving her less to tidy up now.

If I keep talking I think I could justify anything!

The saga of the gas flame cushion

My eldest sister bought herself a new Fiat Panda 4 x 4 in Red.

This became known as the Postman Pat van, and so I knitted her a black and white cat for it, courtesy of an Alan Dart pattern.

Unfortunately, she was coming home from work one day, when a 19 year old jumped some lights, and hit her car, writing it off.

The most important thing is that everyone is okay (a few muscle strains aside). The second important thing is that the 19 year old was insured, so big sis could get herself another car. Unfortunately, these models are rare in the UK (she'd had to wait ages for the red one), and so the only one she could get was blue.

Consequently, it is now known as the gas van (as you can see, my sister enjoys the unconditional support of the whole family). She still has the black and white cat, but this is no longer appropriate. My beloved suggested I make a gas mask for the cat (he's always there with the useful suggestions), but my niece had a far better idea of making one of the gas flames from the British Gas adverts.

Hence the cushion is made. I just hope she likes it!

Is it me?

Am I the only person who doesn't give a damn about Britney Spears?

There are people dying of starvation in Kenya. God only knows what it's like in downtown Baghdad at the moment. All over the world there are sad, funny, uplifting or downright shocking stories going on. So why on earth is the third item on my TV news that fact that some barely talented US chav who got lucky can't see her kids anymore?

Sorry - I'll stop ranting now. I guess I'm just not a celebrity watcher!

Knitting

I've started making a gas flame cushion for my sister's car. So far so good, will post a pic once it's further along. Basically I got a picture of the logo (isn't Google images fab?) and printed it onto graph paper, then traced round with a pencil to get my stitch numbers etc. Time and knitting will tell if it's any good. If not, frogging is always an option.

Writing.

Nothing actually done, but I have now sorted Ursula out into some proper files, all ready to start cracking next week (we'll just get Grandad's funeral out of the way first).

Life
The postal service is not fab. On New Year's Day (Tues), my Dad put a photograph in the post to me, which is to be used on the front of my Grandad's order of service for his funeral. We already had another picture, but apparently a better one had been found. Sadly, thanks to the postal service, it didn't get here on time for me to scan it in and use it. (Dad's not online, so we were relying on the snail service). There's nothing wrong with the picture we've got to use (Grandad is smiling and standard bearing - he was a military man), but it's not what we wanted, and therefore disappointing.

It's always the small stuff that irks, isn't it?

Happy New Year

Hi all,

Happy New Year. A time for sorting out (13 bags of books to the charity shop on Saturday), reflection and prediction.

Reflection.
So, what did I achieve this year? Here's a brief list:

1. Started a blog!
2. Read 28 books (must do better)
3. Finished a novel (first draft)
4. Made 25 knitted/crocheted items.
5. Lost no weight /ate far too much chocolate
6. Saved no money (must do better).
7. Disliked my job intently (see no 5)

Predictions?

1. Will forget to add to the blog every now and again.
2. Won't read as much as I would like to (that whole sleeping thing gets in the way)
3. Will finish the second draft, and will punt it out to publishers and agents. The rest is in their hands. Will also do work on creative writing course, and try to get articles published.
4. Will make more knitted items. I've made a semi-promise to myself not to buy any yarn for at least six months. Let's see...
5. Will probably not lose any weight, although that may change (see no 7)
6. Must save some money, while I'm still earning it.
7. Will train for a new job, and then be self employed. Scary but exciting.

Knitting

I've already saved some money - rather than going out and buying a fancy pants address book, I found a very ordinary one in a cupboard, and using wool from my stash made a gorgeous little cover for it (see under patterns). It's already somebody's favourite on ravelry, so I'm happy.

Whatever your dreams, may they come true.