The times - are they a changin'?

I may have implied in my last post that I was about to fall off the earth for a month.  Not so.  It's just that there wasn't much I wanted to blog about.

Then lots of pressies arrived in the post.

This was the surprise from the lovely Julie, which I showed you all wrapped up.... my very own Little Knitted Cupcake!  You won't be surprised to hear that the workmanship is just perfect.  Adorable.  As some of you probably know, I have a thing for cupcakes, like a lot of us do.  Knitted, sewn, and also...

in pincushion form!

From the lovely Tamy, along with lots of other goodness in my first swap package from Round 3, and Julie also donated yarn for the newbie knitters at the Picknit tomorrow (surely extremely good learner-knitting mojo must come from yarn used for Little Cotton Rabbits?)  Tamy sent beautiful bright fabrics and also something that will come in handy for tomorrow - will put pics on the Flickr group.

This is a belated birthday present from an old friend who I saw last week.  I have been thinking "I must get a milk jug" and then put it out of my mind along with notions like "I must change over to my summer wardrobe', 'My life would enriched by matching napkins", "Making a souffle sounds like fun" and so on.

But it's perfect. 

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway on Helene's blog: a copy of Marie Claire Idees.  Yes, I know you can allegedly buy it here, but I've never actually had my hands on a copy before.  Dangerous stuff. I could convince myself that I'm buying it just to improve my French.  Pas une mauvais idee... (zut, je dois plus practiquer - ou bien apprendre encore?) and Helene sent the most marvellous package of goodies along with it - thank you so much!

I went down to Cockpit Arts today to see Ruth - lots of lovely things on show from her.  I spent a while talking to Lissie Baldwin, who is just moving out of one of the studios there, and I completely fell in love with one of her Dolly's Dollar Pin-Up works.   Lisa Marklew's ceramics are utterly whimsical and covetable.  They can both go on the 'When I Become A Patron Of The Arts' list.

I've been thinking far too much recently - mainly because tomorrow would have been my second wedding anniversary, had we lasted that long.  I got copies of the decree nisi from the solicitor on Friday and being reminded of it again, in black and white, 'adultery with unnamed woman', 'irretrievably broken down', still hurts.  Horribly.  Actually it never goes away.  The corresponding drain on confidence which ensues - which is a lasting legacy for many women, I believe - that comes back to hit you in the teeth over and over. I actually got to the point recently where I started to think that maybe it's time to hang up the towel and move home.  Like, HOME home.  Ireland. Jesus Christ almighty.

Live in the country, like this lovely pillow from MCI. 

My mother,  bless her heart said something along the lines of 'sure, come home if you want, I just think you'd be mental to do it.'  She is almost certainly right.   I am getting the fear about buying 'my' lovely little flat but Mum tells me that it will all work out ok, so I choose to believe her.

So tomorrow I'll be in Regent's Park with a six foot knitted sheep, rather than a six foot husband.  I won't be swapping cotton gifts, I'll be knitting with it.   Swapping wedding cake for cupcakes.  Better get baking.

Comments

[Jenny]

Gail, sometimes a six-foot sheep is much, much better than a six-foot husband. Speaking of which, please post photos of said six-foot sheep ASAP! I am dying to see it!!!

[Thimbleanna]

I second EVERYthing Jenny said. And mums are always right, you know. It WILL get better -- it just takes time. Hope you're having a smashing day in the park today!

[Helen]

Ah Possum! but just remember you're going to NYC and you're fabulous with or without a 6 foot bloke (or sheep).

[Rebecca (living sustainably and felting in rural Ireland)]

Hey I got the same cupcake from Julie, aren't they wicked! I still can't resist putting it out on a plate with real buns whenever we have guests ... it never fails to entertain me!

[Lucy]

It is a frightening fact (mainly because I now fall into the category) but mothers are always right. It will get heaps better, and probably faster than you imagine right now. I'm not sure what you do about the confidence, having just had a blow myself, but I'm hoping it all comes right in the end. Happy knitting!

[carol]

My mom passed to a better life over a year ago, but when I come to bumps, jolts on my road of life I find myself thinking of her confidence in me (she thought me smart and efficient--I thought I had her fooled!)and how loving she was. When stressed, I revert back to the things she taught me--reading, sewing, baking, knitting...etc., It soothes me and brings me back to center, helps me think more clearly. MY POINT being, you will prevail and your mom is right. When you get the lesson, you don't need the experience.

[Di]

What a great week of packages and what a great mum! Sounds like she knows best!!

I am dying to see the photos of a 6-foot sheep!

[julie]

Hope you're having a great time wherever you are right now - looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back