I've lost my crojo.

 One of the things I have learned to do over the past 2 years is crochet.

When we lived in Bonbeach I used to go to a craft afternoon at the local community centre where I cross-stitched, knitted, learned how to make stuffed animals (made 2, a cat and a polar bear, that's enough) and tried so hard to learn to crochet but decided in the end I was never going to be a hooker.

Fast forward to the end of 2018. I had stopped work and was still knitting and cross stitching. I joined a local craft group on facebook and half-heartedly read the posts. By February 2019 I was desperately lonely - I had hobbies but none of them involved socialising and I realised how hard it is to move into a new area at this stage of life. Himself encouraged me to go to one of the get togethers of the craft group in a local cafe and with my anxiety through the roof, I did. What a lovely bunch of women. I said I would never be able to crochet but they assured me I could. One of them lent me a hook and I was directed to a couple of you-tube channels and that was it. I was hooked.

This was the first thing I ever made. It sits on MILs bed.

I made beanies for the grandkids.

 I made ponchos for them as well.

Even after carpel tunnel surgery I kept at it

I learned amigurumi

I learned to make bags

I learned to read patterns and made blankets. Lots of blankets

I made shawls

I made a poncho for myself and cowls, berets and a couple of jumpers. 

I learned filet work and made a baby blanket for our niece.

Crocheting helped keep me sane during the first lockdown. Halfway through second lockdown I lost my crojo. I have 4 projects on the go and yarn and patterns for another 7 projects as well as sundry yarn that will make a nice shawl or blanket or something. AND I have become a yarn snob so none of this yarn is particularly inexpensive. I can't work with acrylic (hurts my fingers) and prefer pure cotton or merino blends. A friend gave me a pattern for my birthday which is another skill to learn and I bought the yarn for it but just can't. get. going.

Once I have finished the paintings for the grandkids for Christmas and things settle down I shall take some time to just sit quietly and crochet again.

I miss it.

Finally there is a light at the end of our Covid tunnel

 

Our premier announced this morning further easing of our restrictions. The border between NSW and Victoria will be opened. As of midnight we no longer have to wear masks outdoors as long as we are socially distanced. We can have more people to our homes. We can visit cafes (as long as they observe certain conditions) and hopefully by Christmas we can have 30 people a day in our homes. Not that that is an issue for us - we don't know 30 people to invite!

Speaking of Christmas, it's becoming more and more of a hassle each year trying to get the boys and their families together. Because One and Three married into divorced families their Christmas gatherings have been spread out over days (and One and Ebs go to Bendigo because that's where her extended family is). I understand this but have got so pissed of that no one seems to take into consideration that THIS side of the family would like to spend time with their kids, wives and children on a day close to actual Christmas Day. I know I will never have them for Christmas Day but Boxing Day would have been nice. 

This year we are celebrating on the day AFTER Boxing Day - the challenge will now be for One and Three to work out who will host it as they both want to. 

This time last year I threw my hands up and said I would go on a cruise for Christmas from 2020 on. Well I guess that will never happen! You would have to pay me an enormous amount of money to even consider setting foot on a cruise liner. Ditto overseas flights at the moment, too.

Because of the years of angst around this time of year and the fact that Himself has always hated it my stress levels are currently heading skywards. Add to the mix that I now have to start looking for work again to keep being eligible for the benefit I'm on which supplements Himself's aged pension and I am not in a pleasant place at the moment. I have another 2.5 years before I am eligible for the pension and am applying for jobs but dumbing myself right down. And that really feels weird.

And on that note I shall go and peruse the job sites. 

A story of a haircut

 

Just over 3 years ago I decided that I wanted to go short and blue/grey. So I found a new hairdresser and proceeded to go down that path. I really enjoyed the blue (and pink and purple) but eventually went back to brown. It felt more appropriate seeing as I was working and all.

Then I stopped working and decided last year to go back down that path. I loved the result. The only downside? A hairstyle like that needs regular maintenance. In July after on and off again restrictions I had my hair cut short(ish) and didn't go with a colour waiting to do it the next time.

Then in August we went into severe stage 4 lockdown. Hairdressers couldn't operate. My regrowth was getting beyond a joke. So one evening I took a glass of wine and a pair of scissors into the bathroom and cut my hair. It was SO liberating. I cut it really, really short. Think "is that your scalp" short! Himself, bless him, tidied it up as best he could with his clippers. 

The bliss of getting under the shower in the morning and not having to worry about drying and styling (not that I did - I just looked damp and untidy).

Finally I could see some grey. I have been wanting to go grey for so long. I hate the inbetween stages and I really hate grey regrowth so my plan was to colour it grey as soon as I could. I also hate the look on (mainly) women who keep colouring their hair the same shade year after year after year without realising that their skin tone has changed and their hair looks unnatural (says she who went blue) and often harsh.

Anyway, Himself tidied it up again after a couple of weeks (it was rather uneven - whoops) and then today he did it again with new clippers (it was so long - easily a couple of centimetres). I love the look. I love the feel. And for the first time in my life I don't fucking care if someone thinks I look odd. At 64 I shall sport short hair and enjoy the freedom.

 

Finally

 

My mother in law loves dogs. Always has. More than people. I think she grieved the loss of her dogs more than those of family and friends. When we took her out from the ACF and there was a dog she made a beeline for it (not always with the best results as she could ever understand why a dog wouldn't want to say hello and being blind sometimes missed the obvious indications).

We had made an appointment to go and see her today and take her out to the carpark to meet Jinx. When I went to book in I was told that as of today pets were allowed inside. So with much delight we took Jinx in. It took a while to get to MIL as everyone wanted to say hello and have a pat. She was probably the first pet in the place in over 6 months. And she is rather cute. 

Finally we got to MIL and the pictures say more than words could. 

And when we got home there was an email from the facility to say we no longer have to make appointments so Himself can take Jinx in far more frequently for quick visits. This will make MIL very happy.

Finished!

This is one of the paintings Mads requested for one of the granddaughters. Little did I realise that this one lacked a lot of detail so I did the painting by the numbers then added my own bits. A LOT of my own bits. The garden at the bottom, the eyes of the unicorn, the sky, the fairy's dress and face and hair and the trees. OK - I basically changed the whole thing! I am pleased with how it turned out and have bought some glitter paint to make it more magical. 

I now have two more fairies to do but I'm hoping they are a bit more detailed so I won't have to wing it as much. I love paint by numbers because you can switch off to a degree but still get pleasure out of adding your own touches.

Today I caught up with my English student and we went to Spotlight then back to her place for coffee. It's a very basic flat but it's her own space. She told me of the challenges she had staying with relatives when she first came here (on a Humanitarian Visa) for four years until she was able to rent her place. She is obviously happy there. 

There is nothing like listening to what so many of our refugees and immigrants have gone through (and are still going through) to make one appreciate what we have here.

Beef stir fry tonight (Jinx will be happy - she gets the offcuts) and then tomorrow I am catching up with my crochet friends for a browse at our favourite yarn shop followed by lunch. Then we will be taking Jinx to finally meet MIL. The residents are now allowed to leave the facility after many, many months. We won't be going far - just to the bench at the front! I shall try to remember to take some photos of the much anticipated meeting!

Bits and bobs

 

When I went to collect Jinx I took a soft toy (sorry Sally). The breeder gave her a soft squeaky toy and I have bought another one since but this grey and white cat is still her favourite.

We went and saw MIL this morning. She wanted more moisturiser - to add to the 4 bottles she already has! And jam donuts. She was pleased to see us and not agitated like she was last week but she is still obviously all over the place with her thinking - some of which is really weird (imagine someone with an accent like Queen Elizabeth saying "I can NOT accept people having sex with animals").

Himself rehung the doors for me (they still need a clean up and paint but I can close the room off now). I rearranged everything and now have a desk area, a nice place to sit and watch the world go by and have my craft bits and pieces all to hand.

Yes, that is a painting of Elsa from Frozen! It's for Sally for Christmas.

I am loving my $30 desk.

Somewhere to sit and crochet or read or just be. With the rehung doors.

My all purpose table currently set up for painting. 

I took Jinx for a walk to the local off lead park where she had a wonderful time with another dog. They raced around and really enjoyed themselves. I am so pleased that she is getting the opportunities to interact with other dogs and appears to really get a kick out of it. I would hate to have a timid or overaggressive dog. When I got home, Two was here which was a lovely surprise. It's always nice to see a kid. Especially on their own. 

Himself is making a chicken curry for dinner. I am having a glass of wine and will now go and spend half an hour on the current painting. 

 

I pinched this from Chris. It really sums up how just about everyone must feel about 2020!

There is a sense that things are getting better here in Victoria but the northern hemisphere is facing a terrifying resurgence and the prospects of a very grim Christmas and winter. 

We took Jinx to the local dog park this morning for a good run. She has a friend who is another shepherd about the same age and also loves running with the big dogs. This afternoon we might take her to an off lead beach and see how she goes with the sea.

I couldn't get hold of MIL at all yesterday. The ACF rang just now to let us know that she is more settled today with less confusion and no hallucinations. The doctor saw her yesterday and ordered bloods to see if there is anything happening that can be treated to explain the increased confusion.