Please check this out ....

http://craftywhiskerscrochet.blogspot.com/


... it contains most of my latest projects, in case you need a present for somebody :-)

Love & Peace

All's well again ....

After I phone the PDSA on Monday and following their advice on the chicken/fish & rice diet for the cat, he miraculously recovered after a couple of days. I am still feeing him cautiously though and not as much as before. He seems happy again ... and so am I.

I have had an amazing experience again yesterday afternoon. I was due for dogwalking and thought about going my usual late afternoon round. However, something in me kept saying to me: 'Go to the little second hand shop on Broadwalk!' And although I didnt have money, I started walking into that direction with the dog. Normally she is quite scatty when we walk along the main roads, but yesterday she seemed to really enjoy it. Before you get to the charity shop, there is a nice little park. So I decided to go there after the shop. I didnt really find anything there, but I had a good look around. I thought something might jump out at me due to the strong feeling I had to go there. But no, nothing! So Isis and I went to the park and ambled around it. Then we took the road towards home. Suddenly as we turned a corner I saw the most beautiful sunset. I have not seen anything like this in England before. The most amazing vivid blues, reds, purples and orange. I wish I had had a camera to show you it. But as usual my mobile was having time out at home :) Anyway, I suddenly realised the purpose of me going to that shop. I was blessed by the sunset, because had I gone my normal route, I would have been long indoors by that time and would have missed it.

Namaste'

Ill cat and other things ....

Well, Franky (that's what I call him although he is also known as Toe Rag or Mister or Pusskin) has had problems with his bottom for quite a while. Quite often he lost small amounts of poo all over the house. But only for the last week it has been bloody poo and today there is simply just blood running out of his behind. Being on benefits, I can't just go to the normal vet as the initial consultation costs £29 plus the medicines and procedures. Strictly speaking he is not my cat either, but the neighbours, he just spends at least 80% of his time here. I guess it's more quiet and relaxed, in his normal home there are 5 other cats and maybe the food is better over here too. AND he gets a cuddle here, which might account for something. I am not on speaking terms with the neighbour, so a bit stuck with what to do with Franky. Anyway, I phoned the RSPCA this morning and asked if I could bring him down. I explained the situation and they said they would treat him as a stray animal, which would mean they keep him and give the 'real' owner a chance to get in touch and reclaim him ... obviously for a fee. If she doesn't, then he would be put up for adoption as soon as he is healthy enough. I enquired if I could claim him in that case, but was told that they do not re-home a cat into the area where it came from. I seriously thought about this option, but this household has grown attached to Franky and he does have a good home here. I then phoned the PDSA and knowing what I know now, I told them that it was my cat and that I was on benefits.I registered him there and was told to feed him either cooked chicken and rice or tuna and rice for a couple of days. If his condition doesn't improve during that time, to phone and bring him in. So I have decided to opt for that for the moment. He seems relatively comfortable now, sleeping on the sofa. I shall keep a close eye on him and not let him out. Fingers crossed he will get better soon.

On the other hand, it looks as if I might not be able to go over to Germany for my daughter giving birth after all. Originally she offered to pay for my flight (about £100) but says now, that she hasn't got the money as she spent all the repayment she had from the benefits office. As her husband is still doing an apprenticeship, they really don't have much anyway. I certainly am not able to find this sort of dosh, trying to live on £25 a week is hard enough, saving from that is impossible. I am still hassling the housing benefit office to up their payments to my full rent amount, but they just dont contact me back. If I haven't heard by Wednesday this week, I will pay their office a visit. Although it isn't a public office, I will make sure they listen to me. My daughter, as usual, doesn't understand that I don't have the money. Strange, as she in particular should know the situation!

I miss my friends from London terribly. I could so do with a personal chat! Or just a shoulder to cry on. But I hate telephones, so I wont do it over the blower. And I can't even run away with having the animals to look after LOL. Seems I am a lot more sad now that I have managed to cut down on the anti-depressants. Or maybe I am just able to feel again? The strange thing is, I feel happy as soon as I am out and walking, being close to nature, the sadness only hits me indoors. If it wasn't too cold, I would sleep out in the garden in the tent for a few days. ;-)

Just had to ....

Just had to post this little fellow, which I finished today. He is so cute and adorable and very fittingly named Pengu LOL. Current project is a turquoise octopus. These Arigurumi toys are just such fun to make and finished in a tick. So, two Yule presents are done already. Making good progress :)

Tomorrow morning I am supposed to hand myself into Bristol Magistrate's Court for non-payment of fine. I will however phone them first thing and explain, that I am still not well enough to attend court. They did threaten with arrest, but hopefully somebody has a merciful soul. Don't know how to pay the £211 that are outstanding anyway. Maybe it would be quite a money saver being in prison, providing I can take all my wool with me, I wouldnt get bored!!

Going out to lunch with a forum member tomorrow. I have not seen her since my birthday and she is on treatment now. It will be great to catch up, sompare notes maybe and have a nice chin wag. So as I am going to have to face the public, I will now go and catch some needed beauty sleep.

Beautiful ....

I know now that the dream was about spiritual guidance. I am being led to my own spirituality and happiness. I have started to see my life as beautiful, not as I used to a string of unfortunate events. Now I realise that anything that happens to me occurs for me to learn from it. What I might perceive as something negative the moment it happens, is there to teach me something, which will become something positive in due course. So, you see, my life is therefore filled with positivity. I can do anything and I am in control of my life, my happiness, my sadness, my fate and my destiny. I feel humble today and very grateful. I am in awe of the sudden revelations and I am not even questioning why they are happening now.

I was looking for a yoga class near me this week. Unfortunately I cant find anything on the old Google, the only thing that kept popping up was the Bristo Bhuddist Centre which has meditation drop ins. So I reckon, I should go to that instead at the moment and other things will come from it I am certain. I have such a good vibe from this. They run an early Tuesday morning drop in 7.15am - 8am and a Friday evening drop in 7pm - 9pm. Not sure as yet, which time does agree best with me, maybe I will have to try both and then decide.

I was also looking for a stitch n bitch in my area. Again ... nothing. So, maybe this is telling me to start one? I wonder if there is interest at all in Knowle. I mean it is full of women of all ages, which should mean a few people who are still into knitting or crochet. I know my local NHS walk in centre has rooms for free hire, so that is a possibility as I couldnt hold it at home. Pete would tear the rest of his hair out LOL. Maybe I will print a few leaflets to stick around the local shops with my name, mobile number and email address on it. See who registers interest.

I have finished my first Arigurumi toy this morning and it is soooo cute. Sista Kitty, you got competition :D Unfortunately I can't show a picture of it here as it is meant as a Yule present and the person it is intended for might just read my blog. One never knows ....

Well, I am off to the park with Isis now although it has started to rain quite heavily. Never mind, it will save on dog shampoo and bubble bath hahaha.

I wish everybody a very happy day, whatever you are doing. Love, peace and understanding ....

I had a dream ...

I was travelling around somewhere with my friends Kittie and Humble. All the scenery was spectacular and I was feeling really happy about being there. Kittie seemed to know the area, so we let her take the lead and show us where to go. There were whiter than white houses, although it was dark, little bridges to cross and ladders to climb, both frightened me a bit, but I felt safe with my friends. Suddenly we turned a corner and we saw the most beautiful Aurea Borealis in the sky ... all purple and sparkly, lighting up the constellations in the clear sky too. At that point I fell to my knees and started crying with joy.

What was that all about I wonder?

Then I got up at 5.30am, woken by dog paws and licks, went downstairs and let Isis out the back. And I found a very clear sky with Cassiopeia almost directly above us sparkling away. Gosh I love the night sky! I greeted the morning and told it how beautiful it was. All day I was very happy, relaxed and super-aware. Thank you wonderful day :-)

Hate Bangers ... Love Mash ....

... and I don't mean sausages, or in my case veggie sausages. No, it's bonfire night and the named bangers have been going off for weeks. 'Twas bearable up to a couple of days ago as it didnt start until after dark, but all day yesterday and today they started early in the morning. And the fireworks too! I mean: What is the point of letting fireworks off in the middle of the day? You can hardly see them, so I can only presume it is to annoy people like me and dogs like Isis and the local cat and rat and bat population ^^ I can only hope the run out of shooting material by about ... errrrm ... 7 o'clock tonight.

Gosh, it is only 20 to 3pm and I need the light on to type. I hate winter ... not the actual weather, coz I dont mind rain and snow, but the dark. Seems my goth years are well and truly over :)

Bought more wool today and downloaded 133 pages of Arigurumi patterns. 5 balls of wool will go to London though, I hope I can bring a little bit of brightness to somebody's life. Hehe, I am sure they know who they are ... nudge nudge wink wink say no more! I will finish my current project of a multicoloured boys hoodie and then start crocheting the little fellows. I need Yule presents and Yule tree decorations as I have no money for such this year. But no worries, that's sorted now.

I have had a lot of liver pain and fatigue again these last few days. Worried that might be recurring HepC, but trying to convince myself, that it is part of getting better. Got to sit tight until January and the PCR anyway, so mustn't make myself crazy (that should really be MORE crazy) with mulling it over.

Still suffering from weekend ...

The Dead Parrot Sketch

Monty Python



The Pet Shoppe

A customer enters a pet shop.

Customer: 'Ello, I wish to register a complaint.

(The owner does not respond.)

C: 'Ello, Miss?

Owner: What do you mean "miss"?

C: I'm sorry, I have a cold. I wish to make a complaint!

O: We're closin' for lunch.

C: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this parrot what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.

O: Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian Blue...What's,uh...What's wrong with it?

C: I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. 'E's dead, that's what's wrong with it!

O: No, no, 'e's uh,...he's resting.

C: Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.

O: No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!

C: The plumage don't enter into it. It's stone dead.

O: Nononono, no, no! 'E's resting!

C: All right then, if he's restin', I'll wake him up!

(shouting at the cage)

'Ello, Mister Polly Parrot! I've got a lovely fresh cuttle fish for you if you show...(owner hits the cage)

O: There, he moved!

C: No, he didn't, that was you hitting the cage!

O: I never!!

C: Yes, you did!

O: I never, never did anything...

C: (yelling and hitting the cage repeatedly) 'ELLO POLLY!!!!!

Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o'clock alarm call!

(Takes parrot out of the cage and thumps its head on the counter. Throws it up in the air and watches it plummet to the floor.)

C: Now that's what I call a dead parrot.

O: No, no.....No, 'e's stunned!

C: STUNNED?!?

O: Yeah! You stunned him, just as he was wakin' up! Norwegian Blues stun easily, major.

C: Um...now look...now look, mate, I've definitely 'ad enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased, and when I purchased it not 'alf an hour ago, you assured me that its total lack of movement was due to it bein' tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk.

O: Well, he's...he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords.

C: PININ' for the FJORDS?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that?, look, why did he fall flat on his back the moment I got 'im home?

O: The Norwegian Blue prefers kippin' on it's back! Remarkable bird, id'nit, squire? Lovely plumage!

C: Look, I took the liberty of examining that parrot when I got it home, and I discovered the only reason that it had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been NAILED there.

(pause)

O: Well, o'course it was nailed there! If I hadn't nailed that bird down, it would have nuzzled up to those bars, bent 'em apart with its beak, and VOOM! Feeweeweewee!

C: "VOOM"?!? Mate, this bird wouldn't "voom" if you put four million volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised!

O: No no! 'E's pining!

C: 'E's not pinin'! 'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker!

'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies!

'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig!

'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!!

THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!

(pause)

O: Well, I'd better replace it, then.

(he takes a quick peek behind the counter)

O: Sorry squire, I've had a look 'round the back of the shop, and uh, we're right out of parrots.

C: I see. I see, I get the picture.

O: I got a slug.

(pause)

C: (sweet as sugar) Pray, does it talk?

O: Nnnnot really.

C: WELL IT'S HARDLY A BLOODY REPLACEMENT, IS IT?!!???!!?

O: Look, if you go to my brother's pet shop in Bolton, he'll replace the parrot for you.

C: Bolton, eh? Very well.

The customer leaves.

The customer enters the same pet shop. The owner is putting on a false moustache.

C: This is Bolton, is it?

O: (with a fake mustache) No, it's Ipswitch.

C: (looking at the camera) That's inter-city rail for you.

The customer goes to the train station.

He addresses a man standing behind a desk marked "Complaints".

C: I wish to complain, British-Railways Person.

Attendant: I DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS JOB, YOU KNOW!!!

C: I beg your pardon...?

A: I'm a qualified brain surgeon! I only do this job because I like being my own boss!

C: Excuse me, this is irrelevant, isn't it?

A: Yeah, well it's not easy to pad these python files out to 200 lines, you know.

C: Well, I wish to complain. I got on the Bolton train and found myself deposited here in Ipswitch.

A: No, this is Bolton.

C: (to the camera) The pet shop man's brother was lying!!

A: Can't blame British Rail for that.

C: In that case, I shall return to the pet shop!

He does.

C: I understand this IS Bolton.

O: (still with the fake mustache) Yes?

C: You told me it was Ipswitch!

O: ...It was a pun.

C: (pause) A PUN?!?

O: No, no...not a pun...What's that thing that spells the same backwards as forwards?

C: (Long pause) A palindrome...?

O: Yeah, that's it!

C: It's not a palindrome! The palindrome of "Bolton" would be "Notlob"!! It don't work!!

O: Well, what do you want?

C: I'm not prepared to pursue my line of inquiry any longer as I think this is getting too silly!

Sergeant-Major: Quite agree, quite agree, too silly, far too silly...


I just had to post the old parrot sketch ... couldn't shift it from my brain since watching people having to kiss the parrot last Friday. Still giggling about it, and glad nobody got hurt.

Otherwise, still suffering a bit, tired and lazy, sniffly and coughey ... think I might have caught summat in the overheated coach returning home. The heat was bad, but worse was the chap going to the loo in the bus to relieve himself of his stomach contents (5 times in 2 1/2 hrs ... he must have eaten a lot) and then leaving the toilet door flapping, so I got wafts of not so yummy odours. Why did I sit in the back of the coach?? Thought nobody would sit next to me. But just my luck, about 10 people had their double seats to themselves - not me. I got company!! Luckily the young lady spoke hardly any English, so no conversational exchange required. However, she snored rather loudly and liked my shoulder as a pillow. Motherly instincts prevented me from waking her up!

And now I miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiss my friends in London *sob*

Little fish in a big pond ....

... although it felt more like a big fish in a little pond. Everything in London was so familiar and that is including the people I hadn't met before, or had met, but can't really remember (winks @ Kitty).

Wednesday night and Thursday daytime I spent with T in Tooting. We went parrot and deer watching in Richmond Park with her beautiful Saarloo dog, chatted loads over the 24 hours and did some energy work. By the end of my visit there, I was almost floating ... and floated over to the central London area to meet up with Kitty. After a few hours of talking, laughing and realising that we are 2 peas in a pod, we went to an 80s night. Shame we couldnt really take advantage of the free-flowing vodka, but with a sensible head I must say that that was probably better LOL. I think we both would have had a wild night as we were quite elated hehe. Then we stopped off in the Crowbar on the way back. That was quite good fun too ... watching young, dumb blondies is always good entertainment. Around midnight we headed back to the flat, with nibbles and in my case still wide awake. More nattering ... until about 2am, by which time we both crashed. My gorgeous friend had to drag herself to work in the morning, I slept in until 10.30. I haven't done that since treatment!!!

The next day I was supposed to go to East London. Unfortunately I nodded off on the very comfy sofa and woke up again around 1.30pm - feeling rather tired and ill. So I arranged meeting my friend C, who I had met at the infamous wedding in May, in the evening and at Kitty's flat. C arrived at 5.30pm and we had a little catch-up before Kitty returned from work at 6.30pm. Gosh, did she look tired!!! But still we managed to go out to the Pirate's Party at The Ship, all dressed up and joined by K's wonderful fiancee and C's mental German friend F. To cut a long story short, a good time was had by most of us and we returned to the flat via the chip shop. Finally got round to eating something ;-) I think there might even be some photos from that night, but not sure if they are suitable for public display.

I had to leave yesterday at 1pm and Kitty came to Victoria with me, even sponsored a cab. Thank you!!! Saying bye-bye wasnt too bad, we both know we're going to see each other again real soon. Still I had tears in my eyes when the coach pulled out of the station. I so didnt want to leave!!! But let's think forward and start planning the next get-together. I promised I will have a look at the bands playing Bristol in the next couple of months! That is the only positive thing about winter here ... lots of gigs.

Yesterday evening and today all day I felt absolutely knackered. I am wondering if this is still after-effects from the treatment or simply just OLD AGE? Went to bed at about 10.30pm last night, got up at 6am this morning, but was back in the fart pit by 10am *rolls eyes* And I think it is going to be an early night again today. Hopefully will have recovered tomorrow though.

Thanks my friends for having me, making me so welcome and feeling loved. Big cyber hugs and soon the real McCoy again :-D