When I lived in Southampton I started a Silver Jewellery course however after just two weeks I had another accident with my back, which meant I could not drive to the college, in fact I would not have even been able to stand or sit at college.
Then life moved on and I relocated to Swindon ... when looking through one of the college’s prospectus I was really pleased to see that they also ran a similar course – jump 4 years – I have just managed to get on the 10 week beginners course, it is an extremely popular course, with a waiting list – now I am jumping with excitement.
Last evening was my first class, my tutor, has moved to Swindon from ... Southampton, the lady I sat next to, is one of my closest friends colleagues at a local primary school, where they both teach. A lady across the other side of the class knows Hamble-le-Rice very well as she has done lots of sailing and finally a lady on the other side of me (but one), has the same first and last (maiden) names, as my close friend who is the teacher. What a small world.
The class seems to be very friendly, which is a good start ... nothing worse than a class that does not gel.
We all had to measure our finger that we would want to make the ring for, so that we could order some silver and a cabochon stone, an exercise in calculations and the forerunner of making our rings next week. The stones were very cheap and it seemed silly the 9 of us doing separate orders and each paying £2.95 P&P, so in typical Jacky style, I offered to make the order on behalf of everybody and then they can all pay me back next week – there is always one though, isn’t there, she could not make up her mind, so ordered over £20.00 – she did offer to pay there and then, (so no worries about getting the money) but it did make me giggle.
Just one problem, I put all my tools into a rucksack so that the weight was distributed evenly over my back, but it has still made it ache plus sitting in the college plastic chairs. So I think I am going to need a trolley tool box and remember to take a cushion to ease the pain in my hips/back for next week.
I have decided to join in many challenges for 2008.
Race for Life
On the forum I have pledged that I am going to try and jog this race.
This time last year, I was given the all clear, in October 2006, I found a lump, which the doctor wasn’t happy about and the consultant wasn’t sure of either. So after many tests and quite a long wait due to Christmas, I was given the fantastic news while in America. As a family we were all concerned as my Mum had had breast cancer at the age of 33, which I believe she has had to have quite a lot of surgery for. I was not mentally up for running the Swindon Race in 2007 and but I really hope I can over come asthma and the pain in my hips and back to manage this years local race.
I did my first run / jog / wobble round Wroughton on a cold Thursday morning (03/01/08), this is my bench mark:
Age: 45 1/12
Height: 5’ 5”
Weight: 13 st 0 lbs
Size: 16
5 km = 46 minutes
I had lots of support from Noel and the dogs. I made my route by using this run map maker, thought it might be helpful to other ‘bods’ wanting to do the same.
I got home with a face the colour of beetroot and huffing and puffing, not a pretty sight, but I did it.
The next day my ribs and tummy muscles hurt, so I couldn’t laugh – you know that feeling and all you say to people is “please don’t make me laugh”, so what do they do, they make you laugh, LOL.
Now I am being very very brave letting you all know what I weigh etc, but I need to be honest with myself so that a) I can lose weight b) drop two dress sizes and c) get fitter
All I need to do is improve …
The Sock Yarn Project 2008
To knit an item a month using sock yarn.
This follows on from the Sock-A-Month 2007 challenge; I managed to complete just 2 pairs of socks in the year; however I did also knit 3½ non matching socks!
However, I have made a start on my third FCS, using one of the purple coloured balls of Trekking that I purchased from Get Knitted.
Quilt-A-Long 2008
To produce a ‘quilt block’ a month, so that if I did manage to complete 12 blocks, I can make a bed throw.
Any body joining in this challenge can suggest a ‘subjects’, which will be picked randomly each month.
January is: Snowdrops
I did a search for images and chose this picture as my inspiration
I have got a couple of the correct colour fabrics in my stash, I just need to get fat quarters in two more green's, a white and a cream.
The Tiny Round Robin Bag Exchange
To make a small bag, to be filled with, little bits and bobs, anything from, a jar of jam to freebies from magazines, to a handful of nice sweets. All to be sent to a friend on the list with a little note book, showing that I made the bag and what I put in it, this will then be filled in by all other recipients of my knitted bag.
In January, I will send to the person ONE below me in the list.
In February, I will send to the person TWO below me
and in March I will send to the person THREE below me.
The original pattern is here.
Finished measurements of the original bag 4 inches/10cm high; 3.25 inches/8cm across at base, however you can make it 4"/10cm from the eyelets.
I have the yarn, just now need to knit the bag and purchase a small notebook as it will be my bag's Travel Journal. Filling the bag is more of an exercise in gathering and imagination than in making, the bag most not be over filled; nothing popping out the top of the closed bag and it should also be almost free, no more than £2.00 plus postage.
Will I succeed? No worries if I don’t but it is really exciting to set myself these challenges.
