I'm here again

 Decided that the time was right to make another post here. 

If you took the time to read through all of my last offering and contact me - either directly or by commenting here - thank you. I did not intend to make anyone cry - it just helped me at that point in time to set it all down. Now onwards and upwards! 

My stitching over the last 2 to 3 years has been varied. I created things to hang in my caravan, things for home or gifts and embarked on 2 very large Heaven and Earth designs. Today I'll concentrate on some of the smaller pieces.

A friend got me hooked on the Hootie collections of owls. I bought several patterns and have been stitching them in between other things - they were often what I took to hospital for appointments! To date I have finished 4 nautical Hooties (which are hanging in my caravan) and several of their Christmas Jumper Hooties. When I have done all of these I intend to sew them into a Christmas lap quilt. 

Nautical Hooties stuck to a cupboard door above the sink in the caravan. 

These I stitched onto plastic canvas instead of fabric.

The finished Christmas ones to date!

Also hanging in my caravan is a canvas with a Rosina Wachmeister cat design on it. This is taken from an artist who designs these peculiar shaped cats. I have a collection of some of her small designs and a few other pieces. 

  These are some of my miniatures

 

and this is the finished piece before I stretched it

  

Frog Pile - a Design Works kit I finished during our first national lockdown last year. I have to admit that I haven't yet got round to finishing this (I'm thinking maybe a cushion?)!! But the bright cheerful colours were just what I needed during those initial days when I was told to isolate because I was clinically vulnerable.

Yet another piece which was definitely destined for my caravan was Emma Congden's Beside the Sea design. I found the perfect frame to match my crossword piece, then spent some time looking for things to add to the framed picture. I made paper bunting for the top and bought some shells for the base. 

The last piece I'll add today is my Ying Yang design which again was completed during lockdown (before I started making thousands of masks like every other crafter!)

    This piece now hangs in my hallway at home, reminding me of our obligation to the environment.

Anyway enough of my waffling for today. I'd best get on and actually do something! Somehow the screen on my Samsung tablet has gone black. I've tried the recommended "fix" but still nothing. So I've located someone who will look at it and see if it can be replaced. As the shop is only about half a mile away from me, I should be alright to go there. I've had my first vaccination and always wear a mask, so precautions are still in place!

Until next time - take care, and keep safe everyone.

Long time - no see!

First of all I must apologise to any of you who are still trying to follow this blog! Life kind of got in the way of normal thinking as you will see if you read further! I must warn you however that it contains mentions of death and grief, so if you wish to turn away now - I won't be offended!

When I last wrote, I was about to find out what was going to happen to me post mastectomy - what further treatments I'd be given etc. Well, I had to have 6 rounds of chemotherapy followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I made it through all of the chemo sessions (including a brief stay in hospital after the first round) and came out the other side. Meanwhile I had to become the pivot of Mike's world - I was not only his carer (in effect), but his nurse too and I'm sad to say that our relationship suffered. 

But LIFE had decided that I didn't have enough to deal with, so it threw me a real curveball and Mike died on March 2nd 2019 from his bowel cancer (which had also spread to his stomach and liver). He died 5 days before I was due to start my radiotherapy sessions, so I had that to cope with too - all the side effects, plus dealing with registering a death etc! Life was definitely throwing rotten tomatoes at me at that point. 

I made it through that year, with the help of family, friends and a wonderful counsellor from Macmillan, all of whom told me how strong I was being - but the truth is I'm not strong - I just had to get on and deal with it - there was no-one else. Later that same year I made the decision to also remove my other breast - I wanted to be flat not lopsided. And luckily my counsellor and surgeon both agreed, so in November I went back into hospital for a second mastectomy. And I was relieved to be told that there was no evidence of cancer cells present in any tissue. 

Those first anniversaries are the real pits - birthdays, Christmas, wedding anniversary - everything set me off, but by the time the 2nd March 2020 came around, I felt I could just grieve his loss, and with all that has happened subsequently with the pandemic I am glad in a way that Mike didn't have to cope with that as well, as I know he'd have been classed as extremely clinically vulnerable. With my treatment finished too, and suddenly no hospital appointments or check ups - it felt like I'd stepped out of a plane without a parachute - there was no-one who had my back to tell me that I'd be ok and get through this in those early morning hours when I couldn't sleep. 

So when we were placed into the first lockdown - here I was - alone - my daughter and her family were miles way, I was told that I was vulnerable and must shield, so my four walls became my entire world much like many others across the world. All I can say is that my crafts took an upturn in production, but I'll talk about those in a later post! 

Now, three lockdowns later, I am going to post this on March 2nd 2021. It will be two years since Mike died, and finally I feel that I have some of my old self back. 

For many months after Mike died, I felt resentful - I had cared for him during all of his treatments, but there was no-one here for me - no-one to make a cup of tea when the fatigue or pain hit me. No-one to tell me to stay in bed when I felt so bad - to bring me a sandwich for lunch or even heat a bowl of soup. Now, in lockdown, I had no-one to organise shopping - I either had to go myself or organise a home delivery. No-one apart from my daughter or friends to talk to - and that had to be by phone or text. No-one to hug! No-one to even say good night to. I have never felt so alone as I did during these two years, especially initially. I also came to the conclusion that while I still loved him (and always will), I did not like the person that cancer had turned him into - and perhaps that had been the basis of my resentfulness. 

But today I feel that I can finally be grateful for the years we had together - we met in June 1973 and were married in Feb 1975, moving in to the house I still live in. We both retired in 2007 and were able to go to lots of the places we had always wanted to visit. So for the last few years we were together almost 24/7 and knew each other inside out. And now finally I can get out the photos and scrapbooks of our life together and not cry too much - remembering all the happy times we had. I have learned to be happy with my own company and the ability to eat or sleep when I want to! 

For anyone who has lost a loved one during these awful times, whether through Covid or any other reason - you have my deepest sympathy. It may not sound like much, but I now know that although Mike has gone, he is still here with me - in the home we built together and in my heart. I hope you may be able to feel that same comfort when your grief finally passes. 

And I promise to be more upbeat and try to keep this blog going more regularly again! Until then - stay home, stay safe.

I AM here ... Somewhere!!

Well the unforseen fairy struck again! I'll make this a short "lifestyle" blog, and come back later to do a crafty one. Hopefully I can keep my brain intact long enough to do that!

So many months have elapsed, but the good news is that I have had my mastectomy and my surgeon told me that he is confident he has removed everything. However he discovered 7 tumours ranging in size from 4mm to 22mm as well as 3 out of 13 lymph nodes being tested positive for cancer. Having got over the shock of that quantity, we talked over next steps, and decided that their recommended course of progress was in my best interests. So I had an appointment with an oncologist to discuss those next steps.

As a result I have a pre chemo chat due on 1st October to be followed by my first session of chemo the next day. I have been told of all the possible side effects, but probably the worst one for most breast cancer patients is the loss of hair. So I have been busy researching how to make chemo hats and caps, I've found a few patterns and hopefully today I can make a start on that.

There have been so many friends and people who have backed me in this journey - both real and virtual friends. I have been sent cards, emails, Facebook messages, heart shaped cushions (to pop under your arm when sleeping), and and knitted knockers. I even made myself a couple of those too! They look a bit like knitted pyramids, stuffed with fibrefill. And they are so comfy to wear. Then today I received a card from a friend, which mirrors the strapline from my email. "When Life gives you Rain - put on your Wellies and Play in the Puddles"

He certainly lifted my spirits this morning when he arrived.

So I shall end this short update, and hopefully be back soon with a post about my "normal" crafts!
Until then - take care and hug the ones you love

Sandie XXX

One step forward and HOW MANY back??

Afternoon everyone. Finally our weather looks like it's beginning to think it might be time to warm up a bit. The daffodils and primroses on our front garden are beginning to look quite pretty, so I'll show you a photo - actually it's a photo from last year!!

We (or rather I) decided to start with a gardener this year as I knew I wouldn't be able to keep on top of it with hospital appointments etc. So we now have a lady gardener who comes for a couple of hours once a fortnight. She came last week and made a start on the front, so next week I hope she'll get that finished. Then I might be able to see what needs to be replaced as the frost killed it!

Health wise? Well, I'm doing okay on the medications I was given, except for my night sweats and aching joints. Reminds me how I felt going through the menopause! Thought I'd finished with all that but apparently not! The extra MRI they took of my spine revealed nothing more than a degenerated spot. So my cancelled operation was really cancelled over nothing, but if the meds I am taking helps to shrink the cancer, then I'm happy to continue taking them. My next appointment will be in the beginning of June, so we shall see what the specialists suggest then. 

Mike had quite a few issues over the Easter period with keeping food down, so we asked for another gastroscopy. Because of the Easter holidays that didn't happen until this week. Also this week he had an assessment for the chemotherapy cycle. We have been told it will be over 6 months, with sessions of about 2 hours every 2 weeks. And we've also been told that it's not quite as bad as some regimes, so hopefully he shouldn't suffer from it too much. He was due to start that yesterday, but because his bloods showed an issue with his kidneys, it was cancelled, with repeat bloods being taken next week to check on it again. Hopefully if they show an increase in kidney function, then the chemo will start a few days later.

Cross stitch wise? Well I decided to make a cushion for my granddaughter. She managed to fracture her arm just before Easter - not a bad break, but enough to mean it had to be put into a cast. BUT being a 7 year old, she managed to crack the cast 3 times and on the third occasion, they redid the x-rays, decided that it was in the correct position so she could just wear a tubigrip bandage. So to cheer her up I stitched a unicorn for her. 

I found some unicorn fabric, so that's the next job - to finally finish it off for her. My HAED Storykeep was rather unloved for a few weeks, so it's not much further on that last time, although I have picked it back up again. Here's where I am now. 

Sorry about the quality of the photo there, but it's under artificial light now! He's finally finished his face, and the claws, so all the rest is stocking (red) and background (brown)! So it might be slow going now!!

I also made a picture from Scrabble letters to take down to our van, to personalise it. It took ages to work out the placing of the letters! I don't think I have a future as a crossword designer!

It took ages to find small things to add to it. The mermaids were cut from a sheet of scrapbook paper, the mini shells and starfish were also scrapbook embellishments - so not real ones. The "plant life" is actually a plastic floristry product, and I found a few mini bottles with cork lids, so added one of those. I must admit it's not perfect, so I'm quite pleased with it overall. 

Well I'd better get on and sort out some dinner for tonight. 

Until next time - everybody please take care

Sandie XX

On our travels ..... AGAIN!

Evening all.
Not much has been happening on the cross stitch front for a few weeks now. It may be something to do with the cold weather, but I've also been suffering a bit with my health. For some years I've had issues with an intermittent pain in my left leg. I've come to the conclusion that it's similar to sciatica, but not exactly the same - so I've been doing some Googling! Fatal really if you're a hypochondriac! But luckily I'm not! I think I've narrowed it down to something called "Meralgia Paraesthetica" - but as I'm due for a doctor's review of my Blood Pressure meds next week I shall ask then. It's basically when a nerve gets trapped near the hip, and subsequently pain shoots down the outside of the thigh. It comes and goes, but when it strikes - BOY!! It's a burning pain or else it feels like someone reached in and is twisting the muscle! When it strikes, there's no way to alleviate it either. And when it wakes you at night - it's all I can do not to scream sometimes. Still hopefully the doc will have some suggestions for me to help.

Last month Mike and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary!

Our wedding day in 1975! (I made that dress myself!)

We decided to make a special trip to celebrate. Since we went on the Nile cruise back in 2010, we have always said that we would like to go back and relax on board rather than getting up at silly o'clock to dash off to visit all the sights! So that's what we did. We took one of our friends with us who has never been to Egypt. We stayed 3 nights at the Makadi Spa hotel, then were driven across to the Nile where we met the boat (MS Grand Rose). After 7 nights on board, we then went back to the Makadi Spa for another 4 nights. Now I shall bore you with some of the photos we took!

From here it's a bit photo intensive, so I shan't be offended if you want to skip these!

Front of the Makadi Spa hotel at night 

View of the Red Sea from the Makadi Spa hotel

Edge of the infinity pool at the hotel

The infinity pool looking out to the Red Sea

The beach

MS Grand Rose reception

Karnak Complex

Pillars in Karnak - this location was used in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me"

Avenue of Sphinxes which is believed to run from Karnak to Luxor Temple 

Entrance to Luxor Temple 

Luxor Temple

3 views of Nile boats 

Komombo Temple 

The Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan - Agatha Christie wrote part of "Death on the Nile" here.

As you can see we didn't go on many trips off the boat. Maybe next time I write, I'll add a few of the photos from our previous trip too. The only one we went on this time was the Karnak and Luxor temples - in 2010 it was getting to dusk when we arrived, so I wanted to see it in daylight! 

Well after that whistle stop tour of Egypt, I'd better let you get on with your daily life! Next time I'll bring you up to date on my stitching!

Take care

Sandie

Full of cold

Glad that cold germs can't come through the laptop! I know they have PC viruses, but hopefully cold germs don't count!

I know why I'm suffering though - this time last week we were sat in temps of 36C - today it's 19C in Colchester, but it's been raining and horrid!

Where were we last week? Egypt! I got an email of last minute deals from Red Sea Holidays, and we decided to opt for a week of sun before the cold winter blues sets in!

This is the Makadi Palace - on the Red Sea coast. Most days we spent the morning on our balcony when the sun was not too hot. After a stroll down to the Sunset Bar for lunch, we spent the afternoon in the bar near one of the pools, before returning to our room to shower and change for dinner! 

While we were away, DH celebrated his birthday. As usual I had left it late to make a card for him. This year I was stumped for ideas. A week before we left I spotted an entry on Avis's blog Sewing Beside the Sea where she'd sewn a card with a ukulele on it for her daughter. I asked her for a copy of her pattern, and I set about making it look a bit like the one my DH bought in Hawaii. Here's his 2 ukes, and here's the card I finished.

 

What else have I been doing? Well I finished the Hansel to go with my Gretel angel I mentioned last time and also a Mill Hill Santa which we bought in Hawaii last time we were there.

And I promised last time that I'd also let you see the birth sampler I made for my best friends' daughter. Myles was born on August 15th and I had the image stitched, ready and waiting for the details to be added. As his bedroom was to be decorated in cool beige/browns I decided to opt for a soft image, rather than the bright colours of many birth samplers. I decided to stretch it over a canvas rather than putting it into a frame. I edged the picture with a pale blue ric rac binding to give it a finishing touch (which doesn't show up very well in the photo!). I was delighted that both parents seemed to be delighted and it's already hanging in Myles's bedroom.

 


And finally I started to stitch the Advent animals free designs from Brooke Nolan Although so far she's posted animals 1 - 7, the intention is for the series to be completed by Christmas 2015, so even I should be able to complete that deadline! Once I have a few done I'll post in the next blog post perhaps.

In the meantime my daughter and her husband have moved house and our granddaughter's bedroom will probably have an owl theme when it's decorated. Needless to say, some of those owl patterns which have been dominant in magazines etc recently might find their way into my sewing pile! Stay tuned for the next instalment to see which make their way to the top of the pile.

'Til then take care - (and stay free of colds!)
Sandie

Always look on the bright side......

Hi friends! It's been a while I know - but I'm finally back!

Excuses aside, I just haven't been in a good place to post recently - my mind has been elsewhere, but hopefully I'm back now and will try to post more regularly. I've had a few health issues lately, and have discovered that the older you get, the more pills you seem to have to take! Luckily as an OAP I can claim free prescriptions!

What's been going on stitchy wise? I decided that I needed a break from large pieces at the moment. My stitching mojo took a walk somewhere and didn't reappear for a while, so I took some time for other crafts. I finished off those hearts I had completed in December. Here they are with my new candle bridge which we bought this year. (Along with that new tree!)

I finished knitting the pieces for my cardigan - it's all sewn up and awaiting the buttonband to be knitted so I may get it done in time for the final arrival of Spring. I altered a few bits from my wardrobe which had been lamenting in my sewing pile for months. Nothing really worth photographing here though.

In Britain, we have had some severe weather over the first few months of the year. Luckily in the East of England, we did not have the terrific downpours of the West of England and Wales, or even just west of London, where some communities were up to their waists in water, and even entire villages had to be evacuated. However we did have some strong winds and on two separate occasions we had to have fence panels replaced in our garden. On the second occasion we even replaced those which had not been damaged, so now we have completely new fencing on both sides. I would take photos but at the moment it's a bit of a mess out there as I didn't get round to finishing my autumn tidy-up, so when I finally manage to get out there again I'll post some new photos.

As we celebrated our 39th anniversary this year, we took ourselves off on another Hawaiian cruise - the same one that we have done before, although this year it was on a different ship - the Star Princess from Princess Cruises. Nothing like a spot of sunshine to refresh the soul - and the body eh? While away I finished 2 cross stitch pieces - a free Shamrock design from Brooke's Books - scroll down past the alphabet to get the pattern for this. It's actually stitched in a dark purple rayon thread, so it shimmers a bit when you see it.

And the other piece I stitched from a colouring book page. I hope to make this the centre panel of a wall hanging for my GD Jessica. Last year while we were away I bought her an alphabet wall hanging from Hawaii. So I'm thinking that I should try to make a number one to complement it. I was thinking 1 airplane; 2 suitcases; 3 swimsuits etc to tie in with the holiday theme of this piece. Jessica loves anything with Hello Kitty on it, so I should be on to a winner here!

Just before we left on holiday, I noticed that Brother had released a new cutting machine which also operated as a scanner. In the UK the only distributor is Create and Craft, so after we came home I treated myself to a complete set-up. Here is the page to see what I'm talking about if you have missed the hype about it all. The machine arrived last Friday afternoon, and I've been spending a bit of time getting to grips with it. Like all new technology, it has a learning curve, but I can see it being so useful in all areas of my craft. It will be very useful for cutting all those appliqué pieces for Jessica's number quilt! I foresee more on this little beauty in the months to come! 

Well, if you have stuck with me so far, I'll wish you all a good afternoon. I need to get the dinner on, and then I can settle down to try and sort out that buttonband on my new cardigan while I watch Hawaii Five-0 tonight on Sky One. (We did drive past their studio in Honolulu but didn't have time to stop and see if they were filming!)

Until next time

Take care

Sandie

Back again - September Wipocalypse as well!

Hi everyone
I know I keep saying it - I've been missing in action recently - and I think I've finally worked out why! For the last few months I have had a series of doctor's appointments - nothing serious - but following a Health Check, they discovered I had High Blood Pressure. Over the last 3 months I have been on a series of tablets trying to find one which succeeds in bringing down the BP but which doesn't have other side effects! Over that time I have had swollen ankles and hands, a cough, a kind of skin rash - AND a feeling of lethargy!

Now I finally have it sorted - I'm on another different tablet and this time (touch wood) everything seems to be fine. I've had so much blood taken from me to test that it's okay, and last week I had to have an ECG - scary in a way as I've never had to have one done before! But all the tests came back positively fine, so I now have a 3 month trial of this prescription. All I can say is thank goodness over 60's get free prescription drugs here as it would be costing me a fortune by now! My doctor is off on her maternity leave next week, and she's happy to leave me in the care of their Practice Nurse, so - hopefully everything is back on track.

And now I don't feel so lethargic I'm picking up the stitching again on a regular basis.

So what have I been up to? Well I've decided to pull out the stops on Egypt. It will be 2 years in November since I started it, and I want it done by my birthday (which was when I started - on our Egyptian Nile cruise!)

Here is the original picture from the pack -

and here is where I am today -

I had done all the details of the centre panel and to the left of the mask before I lost my mojo - but since picking it up again I now have done the bottom border (you can just see it poking out from the frame), and I'm busy doing the 2 figures. So far I've managed to get in a couple of hours each day since I picked it up again, so toes crossed (I can't stitch with fingers crossed - silly!) I can get it done soon. 

We also had my DH's 65th birthday last week and had a friend over for a meal. She was widowed last December and it would have been her husband's birthday a few days before my husband's, so I was a bit dubious about asking her as I didn't want to bring up too many unhappy memories for her, but she was happy to come and a good evening was had by all I think. I even started baking again (something I hadn't done for quite a while). I made Sauerbraten and served it with homemade red cabbage, broccoli and potato scallops, followed by a cherry clafoutis and cream. Then I baked some scones, and a raspberry and white chocolate loaf cake. Needless to say there's nothing left so I can't show you pictures! 

I've also decided that I am going to try and sell my old Brother knitting machine. I just don't have time to get on with it these days. So I've gathered all the bits together - from the shed, the loft and the bedroom, cleaned it all up and sorted it out. I've advertised it on Gumtree, so if anyone in the UK knows someone who wants to start up - or is looking for a new machine, ask them to have a look. 

Now I had better get back to my "other duties"! I'm trying to organise my pdf cross stitch files via calibre - the programme I use for my Kindle books. It's been quite easy, but does take time away from sewing - so I limit myself to an hour a day on that! You know (I'm sure) how computers eat up the time you have available!

Til next time - love to everyone - and keep safe

Sandie

Checking in - Mother's Day

Hi all, just to let you know that we're back in the land of the living - a Far East cruise is exciting, but EXHAUSTING! We haven't even looked at photos yet, but must have about 1,500 to sort through when we're both feeling better. Yes - with temps ranging from -13C to +32C and a boat full of people coughing and sneezing everywhere, it was inevitable that we caught some bug or another! DH was full of cold and sore throat for the last days of the cruise and I managed to come down with it on the last day - an overnight flight from Singapore when you're blocked up with cold is no fun let me tell you!

Anyway when we get a bit more sorted I'll post a few pics so you can join in the vicarious fun of travel! I'll also try and get a photo or two of what I've been working on while we were away, and of a very special present which we bought in China - no clues except that it's VERY special!

On Mother's Day (in the UK) I just have to add a quick word to my Mum. She died many years ago; my own daughter was small, so Mum never got to have the privilege of being called Great Grandma. Most of my friends are in a similar situation where their own mothers have died. But we all agree that no matter how long ago it was, today is the day that we all wish they were still around for us to call and wish a "Happy Mother's Day". Mothers can be awkward; they can be determined; they can be exasperating or domineering; they can be loving; they can be interfering. But above all they are the one person we could turn to no matter what who would love and support us through anything.
I still miss my Mum. When she died they lived over 200 miles away from us, and I never got to say a final goodbye to her; but when Mother's Day comes around I always make a silent prayer that she forgave me that oversight.

With love to Mothers everywhere - even if it's NOT Mother's Day where you are.

Love and sniffles!
Sandie

Stocking start

Hi :)) 

I've made quite a good start on the second side of my stocking.
I changed my mind quite a bit about this before I started to stitch it out luckily!
Remember? This is what it's supposed to be -

I was going to use a pale blue lurex thread aida - but that was too scratchy.
I was going to leave the white background for the snow, but I think the holes in the fabric detract from the pattern, so I'll stitch it all! It's only time after all!
So because of that choice to stitch ALL that white, I came up with another idea.

For the white in the sky - which I take to be the light of the moon and some snow flakes - I'm using Light effects thread in 5200 - it's now all in place even if it doesn't show in the picture.
For the snow on the ground, I'm using plain old white.
For the snowmen I'm using the Rayon thread - S5200.

With those changes it should add a bit of texture to it, in spite of there being so much white. I'll let you know if I change my mind again!

Jessica's birthday is coming on fast, so I made the party bags for her little friends to take home - at one year old they won't be expecting much I hope as they're only small bags I've made! (Thanks to SheryK Designs here. )

I've also made an Elmo bag for the boys and put small tags on each with the character, so that my daughter can write their name on it. On the back of the bags I "wrote" 'thank you for coming to my party'. They're just about big enough for a packet of raisins, a small pack of organic baby rusks and a cupcake (which I can see the mums eating!). I had to make a few extra - not in case of extra mouths to feed, but so that Jessica can have one of each to put in her memory box!

Apart from that we've not been up to much these last couple of weeks. My daughter was due to have an arthroscopy on her knee at the beginning of the month, but they cancelled the op the day before it was due. All being well it's re-scheduled for tomorrow morning, so she'll be on crutches for a few weeks I imagine, depending on what they do. Her consultant had told her that she really needs a replacement op, but she's far too young for that. He's not quite sure what he'll do during the op tomorrow, but hopefully whatever he does will at least bring some relief from pain. She's going in as a day patient at 7am, so hopefully all will be well by the end of the day. Her husband is taking some time off work, so that he can look after both her and the baby for a few days until she is more mobile again. It's worrying when your children are going to hospital, even when they're old enough to have children of their own - so please, if you pray, include Erika in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Until next time, when I'll post a pic of the birthday girl - her party is on the 27th - the Saturday following her birthday, so pray for good weather too - a BBQ is planned!
Sandie :))

Life throws you a curve ball

Today we met up with some friends for lunch who we haven't seen since February. When we phoned to make the arrangements to meet up, we discovered that the husband (who is four years younger than me) has been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. It has spread too far to be operable, so he is having to have chemo to try and manage it. I have been complaining about my ankle not healing after spraining it in Edinburgh, I now realise how little I have to complain about - LIFE SUCKS SOMETIMES!! Although he has lost two stone in weight in the last six weeks, he is actually looking quite well after his first chemo session, so we just have to hope and pray for him.

I completed the Somebunny sampler - as much as I'm going to do anyway. All I need now is the baby! Then I can finish it off!

I also completed another dress for next time we see Jessica - refashioned from a smocked dress which Erika didn't like. I had a scrappy bit of the cream fabric left over from a blouse I made for myself, and finished it off with a daisy which I'd bought in Munich last year.

And now I'm furiously trying to stitch the Beatrix Potter sampler so that I can pass it over. It's not something that I would have chosen myself to stitch, so I'll be glad when it's out of the way.

Hope your weekend has been productive and I look forward to chatting to you all again soon. XX Sandie