Ho! Ho! Ho! No! No! No!

Hi, just thought I say a quick hello. Seem to be really busy at the moment (isn't everyone!) and haven't had much time to do anything crafty, apart from on Tuesday when I dusted off the sewing machine to make a card for my old Textiles teacher, as I was popping in to catch up with the girls that had gone on to do the Level 2 course this year (had intended to do one for everybody there but ran out of time so had to do ordinary ones for everyone else). It was lovely to see Anita, Carol, Annie, Jill and Shelley and have a look at their sketchbooks and see what they were doing this year. It was lovely to catch up with them and have a good natter, but I felt quite sad when I came out that I wasn't doing it again this year, they are all so lovely and nice to spend time with.

Having a meal tonight with the 'Film Club' (the girls from work and Lyndsey and Eleanor that have gone on to work elsewhere). We started the Film Club to make sure we kept in touch when they left - but although we started off seeing a film every couple of months, sometimes we just been for a chat in the pub or a get together at somebody's house. It'll be really great to see them both and have a natter and a gossip!

After feeling really quite laid back about Christmas this year, it suddenly hit me last night that I don't actually have much time to get everything made, bought, finished off, wrapped and delivered (especially as I thought Christmas Day was next Friday and not next Thursday) and got into a bit of a strop with poor old Ian, who has done something to his leg and was limping around badly last night. We went for a run on Sunday in the dark and he misjudged a dropped kerb and come down akwardly on his foot and thinks he may have done it then. I'm feeling a bit happier today, having posted (almost) the last of the cards - pheww! although I do still have a couple I want to make, and feel a bit guilty about being such an old grouch last night. Anyway, lunchtime is over, better get back to some work!!

Ya Hey! Have done something!!

Well on Tuesday I was determined I wasn't going to waste the evening, so had an attempt at another scarf. Tried to lay the wool out much thinner and added some very strands from a dyed silk mawata square to embellish it. Was quite pleased with the end result, but it still wasn't as fine as I wanted it....

Last night decided I really must get down to writing some cards and had to drop Niall off and pick him up from Kickboxing so the evening was a bit disjointed, but did get quite a few cards written (yippee! one of my pet hates!!).

Tonight I was fired up with enthusiasm again, and despite having an extremely fruitless trip to the local shops (we are lucky to have quite a good shopping centre 15 minutes walk away) that usually has late night shopping on a Thursday on the lead up to Christmas - but didn't tonight, and resulted in me having an unhealthy tea in McDonald's which means I will probably put back on the 2 pound I lost at Slimming World on Monday (yes I know, I only have myself to blame!), had another go using a slightly different technique at another scarf. It has turned out very fine (possibly too fine in places), but I feel I am getting somewhere and am having fun trying - Sonja, you will have a handmade scarf for Christmas!!

Gorgeous Sunday

We got up early on Sunday and had a hearty breakfast, as the plan was to go to Southsea first so, (weather permitting), Niall could fly his kite, then we would go on to the race headquarters at about 12.30.

When we got there at about 9.30 am there was not a breathe of wind and it was gorgeous!!! Perfect blue sky, cold and crisp - but no wind for the kite, so we had a quick walk then stopped for a coffee in one of the cafés. Niall did sort out the lines on one of his kites and tried to fly it, but there wasn't enough wind to keep it up. Mind you, Ian and I were hoping the wind would stay down for the race!

We had another cup of coffee and Ian and I shared a flapjack (I said this would be slow release energy!) then made our way to the Sports Complex where the race was to start and finish.

We met up with Ian's workmate Alan who was also racing and had a warm up (was a bit worried as felt quite worn out after two laps around the track), then the race started. I stayed right at the back and tried not to keep up with anyone else as it is easy to run much faster than you would normally. I was doing quite well up to one mile and decided that I would try and make it to the 2 mile mark before I stopped for a walk, which I did. The rest of the way I ran and walked and with about a mile and a half to go started running with a very nice lady who was doing the same, and we finished the race together - it was a real help having someone to go along with -hopefully I'll bump into her again at another race. As I did a better time than I expected to, I've decided to run another 5 mile one in a month's time!! Ian was really pleased as he knocked off 10 minutes from his time last year, so we were both happy.

Came home, had a bath, had tea and watched the results of Strictly Come Dancing. Felt justified in having a rest, even though zero housework done this weekend!!

Losing those negative blues!

My cold developed over last weekend and I was very wheezy Monday morning and ended up having a couple of days off work. Watched a lot of daytime tele and dozed a lot on the settee but the last couple of days I have started to feel a lot better. Ian and I are supposed to be running a five mile race tomorrow at Portsmouth. It's the farthest I have run and even though I could have entered on the day I said I wanted to enter before to make sure I trained up for it, but because of my cold have done nothing since last Wednesday when I went for a run on the treadmill at work. I will see how I feel tomorrow, but hopefully I will be able to get round with a combination of running slowly - (which is all I do anyway) and walking. The course is supposed to be 'flat and fast' so at least it might not be too bad as all our training around here is pretty hilly and up and down.

Last night was late night shopping in Romsey and Santa arrived too!! I was really keen to go as it's a really nice place to go anyway and is particularly nice at Christmas with all the lights on and the tree up in the town centre. Had a glass of mulled wine (purely medicinal), a hot chocolate with whipped cream, and a pot of tea, interspersed with looking round some great shops and even though Ian and Niall had been a bit less than enthusiastic about going, we all agreed that it had been a really good evening.

Went back to Winchester today to dispel my negative feelings from last Saturday. I felt a lot better as nearly over my cold and weather fantastic. Could hardly move as the market was so busy, but enjoyed it a lot more and hopefully they are doing great business! Didn't do very well on the pressie front again, wondering around rather aimlessly with not much idea of what anyone wants, but it did give me an excuse to look at some nice bits and pieces. I'm getting a bit worried that I feel so laid back about getting everything done, but then I do thrive on a bit of panic, so hopefully it'll be all done in time!!