July so far…

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I’ve started a new day job. It’s nothing fancy, just a part time temp job to get some pennies in over the Summer before I visit my family. A wedding is happening and I’m quite excited! So it has been back to the daily routines of making my way to and back from an office, coming home and trying to find the creativity that was sucked out during the office hours hiding somewhere in a closet. Added to the usual ‘everybody needs to work’ and the stresses which come from that, over the years I am pretty sure the traffic here has increased drastically.  Now days instead of getting to the office by car (or scooter in my case) in 5 minutes – there are actually incidents of road rage and the unspeakable 15 min sits in traffic queues amongst the locals. Ah, the days of 2 hour (plus) commute are but a distant memory for most living here and we forget how ‘lucky’ we are to only have to endure short traffic jams. Walking to work takes 10 minutes and is a healthier stress free alternative which I often take, especially if my Tilly (my scooters name) is too scared to come out in the rain. But, even though our commutes are short, it does still create stress, especially if combined with road diversions which extend the commute time even more. If you’ve ever been to Guernsey you will know that this small island has many roads that need fixing it would seem. There is always a road blocked off and traffic diverted at any point of time down very narrow one way roads that take you along impossible to get out of routes, sometimes headed in the opposite direction of where you need to go. I often wonder who is in charge of the diversions and if they’ve actually been on the roads they reroute the public on or even if have a map in front of them, or if the person is sitting with a cheeky grin rubbing hands together plotting out the worst possible maze saying things like “good luck suckers”. These diversions can add up to 30 minutes to your journey and if you weren’t aware of them on the day that you first travel down the unknown, your stress levels quickly jump to super high. I don’t recall any day without at least one road blocked off somewhere on the island in all my time living here. I’m pretty sure the powers that be only do these road closures to keep the general public in a constant state of “where am I?”…

The mysteries of Guernsey Road diversions

Then there’s the running. Having had complex surgeries on both feet, one in 2015 and the other in September 2016, I have had over two years break from my other love. I’m trying hard to get back into it, slowly. I’ve got to take it slow, especially for my right foot which has only had under a year post op recovery. Having the extra weight from the two year slump I can’t say that I’m doing as well as I was before, but I am getting there and working on increasing the time of running compared to walking, very very gradually. I was told prior to the operations that I should not expect to be running again, especially not before at least 2018, but I’d say it’s going pretty well and I’m super proud of myself. Granted,  I’m not as fit as I was prior to the first op, so it is more of a walk run walk process at the moment, but my fitness is increasing and my weight slowly dropping. I’ve been given strict instructions not to overdo things, so I’m very happy just to have had the ‘ok’ by my dr and just to be out running again. I’ve managed to get myself in a routine – running 3 or 4 times a week. Restricted mileage mind you, but I don’t plan to take part in any competitions again. I have rediscovered my love for the outdoors with taking snaps of the beautiful Summer displays along the way. It’s been very good for the head and given me some ideas for crochet projects at the same time. Happy days.

As for crochet projects. I’ve been working on a few *Card pouches. One I’ve given away to my customer mentioned in my previous post and three are custom orders. The only one ready for my shop for now is the *Owl Card Pouch, but there will be more coming as I get adjusted to the new routines.

I’ve sold a *Bunny who has gone to a new born baby. I love hearing about new babies and it just so happened that I was reading a crochet magazine which had published a pattern for baby booties by Dedri Uys. I thought they were gorgeous and had to give them a try. I’ve made these and posted both bunny and booties off to the new baby girls parents.

I’m also working on a crochet hook case. I don’t have a pattern for this, but used the daisy square pattern by  Tillie Tulip which I used for May’s blanket. I’m putting in a lining but I just need to find a zip at the local haberdashery first before I continue.

The mystical lantern blanket has also been staring at me from the back of my WIP cupboard which I’ve taken out again this morning. It may go back to its slumber as I’ve just received a request for a custom purse!

I hope your routines and lives have had a wonderfully harmonious July so far and that you’ve managed to get in a few quality positive and creative hours.

Nina

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