The house has been in an uproar the past 2 weeks due to our latest addition. He is a lilac point Ragdoll and was 8 wks old when we got him. He is so bold and full of life and its taken the other pets a while to get used to the continual ambushing and tail attacks. His name is Smokey but we tend to call him Flea as he never stops leaping.


My migraines have been much milder and we actually managed to get to Florida for a week - first holiday in 4 yrs due to my health. We had a wonderful time, Luke especially and have lots of happy memories. This photo of Luke and pointy bird really makes me laugh. The apprehension!


I've generally got my life back and its great! Haven't got much spinning or knitting done though as I seem to always have my nose in a book. I've discovered the 34 book Dynasty series by Cynthia Harrod Eagles which I'm really enjoying. I'm also reading 'Sarum' by Edward Rutherford which is about Salisbury over the ages (its only about 40 min drive from here which adds to the interest). Its not the best written book but very interesting all the same

On the fibromyalgia and migraine front - migraine have been less frequent, mild and managable and fibro is slowly improving. I've started a drug called Cymbalta and it has been fantastic for muscle/ joint pain. Really made a difference.

I could hear our blackbird giving his alarm call this morning and wandered out to see what was happening. There was only a man cutting down the hedge that Boris and his wife have a nest in.
I wondered whether I should say anything or ignore it but decided I couldn't live with my conscience if I didn't confront him

So I've had a right morning of bird protection issues. Luckily the man was very polite and happy to listen to me. He had cut right up to the nest but stopped when I got a bit assertive with him and happily tie wrapped some branches back over the nest to give them some protection at my suggestion. Poor Boris has been going absolutely potty with the worry.

I rang the RSPB and got some advice and have since joined them (only £3 per month). They have some very useful advice regarding hedges and nesting birds which I printed off for the man.
He agreed to leave the rest of the hedge alone as we don't know if there are any other nests in it . . . and I pointed out that if he actually touched a nest I was within my rights to call the police as it is an offence under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.

I am so angry about this I'm spitting tacks. Why can't people just give wildlife a chance?


In the middle of all this, I've been to work to discuss my employment. Luckily, it was with 2 managers who I've known for over 10yrs. They are going to get my contract reduced to 5 hrs per week which suits me and the chronic fatigue pain and see how things go. So fingers crossed!

first post for ages but blog is being reactivated at my Mum's request so she still knows I'm alive!
I've had a hairy few months with my migraines and chronic fatigue but are in a good place presently, although it looks like I may be losing my job soon due to illness. Its sad as I love being a chemotherapy nurse but life will go on.

new things are:
on the bottom of my right leg. He's Boris, named after the blackbird in our garden who comes when I’ve an unbearable migraine and gives me hope to keep on keeping on. The sketch is from an 18C drawing I found in an old book
the text reads ‘I shine not burn” because I strive to make sure my migraines don’t overtake me and is also a quote from my favourite series of books ‘Outlander’ by Diana Gabaldon
He is on the side of my right leg and is about 6” tall


Humphrey the hamster. I'd never had a hamster before and say how much Luke and I adore this little man. He lives in the corner of our living room so that he can join in with family life and watch TV when he chooses to. He is quite the escape artist and has been discovered snuggling in my spinning fibre



the last thing I spun was some soft singles in 'Pallid' colourway by Hello Yarn. I adore this colourway and love the outcome

I got the most amazing present through the door just before Xmas. A big parcel from my Mum in NZ containing the most beautiful handmade (by her) appliqued and patchworked quilt. Its perfect for snuggling on the sofa with. I put it on the floor to take a photo, turned around to get my camera and by the time I'd turned back both cats had invaded. Then a turf war ensued with them both chasing each other off the quilt until they kissed and made up! Thanks Mum!





and a photo of the fabric for my quilt. I sewed the first circle on square today so its full steam ahead now!

This is the fabric I'm collecting for a quilt. Its called Hushabye and is by Tula Pink for Moda:


the picture comes from a great site called cross-patch.co.uk where I've bought both x stitch and quilting supplies from with very good communication and service. I've also collected fat quarters in the same series from Bramblepatch.co.uk and seamstar.co.uk with good service also.
Luke and I have decided to do a circles on squares design. I've hauled my old sewing machine out of the cupboard under the stairs and cleaned all the dust off it. I am going to put natural coloured calico sashing between the squares.

I've had quite a rough couple of months with restarting work and stopping anti-convulsants which were making me really ill but I'm back!

I've got completely addicted to reading the 'Outlander' series by Diana Gabeldon. This is the best series of books I've ever read. I finished the last one I have (snow and ashes) and have started reading them from the beginning again while I wait for Echo in the Bone to arrive (hopefully next week). I just adore the characterisation and story lines. Sparky is getting used to being called 'me wee cheetie' slowly (funnily enough I had a Scottish Aunty who used to call cats 'cheeties').

I've managed to do a bit of spinning again but nothing really to show for it. It was just so lovely to sit and spin again. Its so soothing and meditative. A lovely friend in the US managed to acquire some Hello Yarn 'Thrive' which I've been lusting after so its next on the wheel:



I finished my Bent Creek Blackbird Sampler and have started Awake the Dawning Day by Blackbird Designs. I've almost finished the house and just about to start the vines and flowers:



I seemed to have acquired loads of cross stitch charts since Xmas, some already kitted up and ready to go!

The ones on my urgent to do list for 2010 are:

Angel Cat by La d Da. I'm going to do this in a deep vivid ginger colour in honour of the dearly departed Oskar J Cat:


Bittersweet Moon:



When you see this by Blackbird Designs:


I also was lucky enough to get £30 in vouchers from www.thread-bear.co.uk so have also ordered more charts and some threads. The charts I've bought are Mocking Bird, Garden Angel and Delivering Posies.

And I may have got carried away today to buy the new chart from Tralala!! called à la belle étoile. My present to myself for having the mother of all migraines today:


and also Morning Bird from Plum Street Samplers and the threads to make it.


So I think I may have more than enough to be getting on with at present.

Luke had a wonderful Xmas and 2 weeks off. He is growing like a weed and is very content and amusing at present. The animals also seemed to have a good time. Photos to follow.

Happy New Year everyone. I'm hoping 2010 is going to be a really good year for us all.

Will write a longer post soon x