Flibbertygibbet

No pain, no gain

I've done a number of exciting* things while I've been away for a while (bad Flib, bad blogger).

It started with one of my 43 things - I started running again. I've been down this path a few times but now I have a simple schedule, and a real commitment to it.  It will take a while, and there will probably be some pain along the way! Creaking bones and inflexible muscles.  But it's both to help me get healthier, and also because I miss running so much.  So I'm going to try to get back into it gradually.  I set off with my iTunes playlist which is 30 mins long, 2 minute songs alternating with 4 minute songs, so it's run for the short ones and walk the long ones. Simple, non? 

• Personality Crisis (Live) - New York Dolls (Death Disco - The Club Soundtrack)   
• Got To Have Your Love - Liberty X (Thinking It Over)
• A New England - Billy Bragg (New Waves: 45 Original 45s From The Post Punk Era)   
• Mr. Robinson's Quango – Blur (The Great Escape)
• If Only - The Kooks (Inside In/Inside Out)
• My Doorbell - The White Stripes (Get Behind Me Satan)
• Four Kicks - Kings Of Leon (Aha Shake Heartbreak)
• Planet Earth - Duran Duran (The Business OST)
• Theme From Inspector Morse - Pheloung (Classical Chillout (Disc 2))   
• Bitch - Meredith Brooks (Brit Awards '98 (Disc 1))   

A somewhat eclectic mixture, I know.  Another of my 43 things was to release a Bookcrossing book, so I sent Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island out into the world - well, to one of the CrossingZones in Bethnal Green, a great pub called The Camel, which does fantastic pies for lunch (went back the following day with DH) and left it there - and scored 'Hip to Knit' which will help with another of the 43 things, to knit something!  Can you see how it all comes together sometimes, folks?

The planned excursion which I had mentioned was... well, somewhat truncated.  I went to see (loud sound!) Wicked which I've been looking forward to forever.  Hmmmm.  So I might as well spit it out: I left at the interval.  I think it's because I adore the book so much, but what's wonderful about the novel is the satire, the dark humour and its slightly tainted heart.  I felt that it was overly homogenised, even Disneyfied.  Don't get me wrong, the costume design and sets look great, Idina Menzel has a fantastic voice but it lacked the spark that I had expected.  I'll stick with the book, thanks.  I'm sure others - well, practically everyone - will differ. 

I'm working on getting a lot more routine into my life at the moment:

• the get-running schedule - walk/run 30 mins four times per week, over eight weeks, building to 30 mins running;  safe and steady
• a commitment to yoga - even if it's only sun salutations and stretches each day
• researching my novel - preparing a reading list on Sunday and spending a day at the British Library next week
• preparing for Nanowrimo 2006 as I am determined to win it this year
• starting The Artist's Way again - although a three month commitment seems a bit daunting, particularly with Nano in prospect, but I think it's worth it

It's all good really.  A lot of stuff to do and keep me occupied but I'm hopeful that I will achieve great things out of all these aspirations.  I'm hopeful generally, in fact.

I recently read something that Diane Setterfield said following the publication of (*beware of loud sound) her novel which I first read in manuscript form, when the publishing house I used to work for was one of the underbidders for it.  I want to read it again to see if there have been any changes since the first draft. The Thirteenth Tale is sublime, one of my favourites of all time and it will become a classic.

"I thought authors had to be orphans, or have a drug problem, or be out having lots of sex – and none of those things were me!" says Diane. "Once I realised that the only difference between everyone else and writers is that they write, I felt I had cracked it."

Simple and yet true - half the battle is allowing yourself to start.

And here are some pics of the WIPs and the fabrics.  I'm working away on the quilt today, as it's being delivered tomorrow (hah!).  I'm using the very last of my pink gingham which is a stash-buster measure, as there should be just enough to bind it.  Here's hoping there won't be any need for a late dash to John Lewis for another half metre... 

* what can I say, this is my idea of a good time...

Wait until you see...

...all the fun stuff that I'm up to.  Lots of stuff to help myself and get my life in order (ah, what a lofty ambition) plus various WIPs - including those competition prizes, sorry girls, they are under way!  There will be photos later.  On a major health kick too, lots of yoga and walking, trying to gear myself up to get running again - how terribly scary, and potentially painful, but bubblingly exciting.  Scored a ton of great fabric at the local market - £1 per metre, and it's just been washed and it's about to go out on the line.  There's a fun day out planned for tomorrow, will post afterwards.  There is a lot of stuff going on in my life but at the same time, things are going well. 

Now it's time to don my apron and finish the hoovering... back later!

A Year of Color - Wisteria

       

Time for tea

My partner got her tea cup today, hurrah!  She seems pleased with it - I'm really happy as it's my first swap.  Still waiting for mine to arrive (it's like waiting for Christmas!)

Here's what I sent.  If someone can tell me how to photograph a silver spoon without capturing my own reflection, that would be useful.

Crochet, or knit?

Now the thing is, I'm not very experienced at either.  But for some reason, even though it's an incredibly hot day today, I seem to be developing an obsession for making wristwarmers.  Eh?  Crochet or knitting, what's it to be.

Interestingly, just got an email about an organisation which I'm a member of, which is hiring again. I applied for a job there about five months ago and was relatively confident that I was going to be offered it, but eventually withdrew myself as they needed someone to start in ten days and I couldn't leave my job with such little notice.  Not only are they rehiring for the job I was interested in, they are also offering a marketing/pr manager role, concentrating on events.  If it's part-time it would be perfect.  I'm not working at the moment so could start immediately.  Something very interesting to consider...

Guess what's on its way...

Quilt number 2!  Some of you might notice the similarities to this because I used its left over blocks,  along with one new one.  The binding will be the same, pink gingham, the backing is different - actually the leftovers of the backing from the first quilt became part of the new block.  D'ya follow?

And overall the whole world looks sunnier.  Don't worry, haven't been on the happy pills, or indeed the martinis, just found some perspective and a touch of optimism. Life's too damn f***ing short to be negative, frankly, so onwards and upwards.  Also have some freelancing which is excellent. Been kept busy with the second quilt and some new bags (not entirely happy with them yet but it's easily sorted and good practice on zips) and various other ideas.  The devil* makes work for idle hands, in addition to creating an explosion of paranoia within a black hole of communication.  Ok, sermon over.

Being surrounded with pretty things, and cutting, sewing, glueing, pressing, stamping and designing makes for a happier Flib.  I hope that the recipient of the quilt will feel the same way.  Actually, she's only turning one next week so she probably won't hugely mind or indeed notice, but I'm pretty sure her mum will like it.

House stuff moving on apace, the final steps coming along as the front door is done now (new glass - not sure it's private enough but we'll give it a while and see - you can probably notice we have a street light just outside) and the doorknobs et al will be done on Monday, mainly because I saw the psycho joiner skulking past our house earlier and gave him a cheery wave which obviously guilted him into calling me to schedule the work - result! Just the wardrobes, and fixing the bedroom ceiling, and then putting everything away - it's not paltry but it's the end of an even bigger list. I know these things are never done - actually even as I think of it, I remember there's hanging all the paintings, the cupboard and shelving and mirror in the bathroom, the office reorganisation, collecting and hanging the curtains, making the throw for the bed - ahem.  I'll just stop there, tra la la la ...

Competition people - your wee prizes will be coming soon, trying out some new things!  Leslie, ya better email me back and tell me what you'd like... x

*see disclaimer on the potential offensiveness of this link, kids, should you be of a sensitive disposition x

Things to think about

Lots of stuff happening - some work related, some personal.  Some which will require careful consideration, not all good.  So I might be away for a while, or take some time to respond to emails/comments.  Hope to be back soon though. x

Off to the seaside

We're going to Devon with some of our closest friends for the weekend, which I've been looking forward to for ages. But DH got in rather late last night - or indeed this morning - so I think we'll be setting out much, much later than anticipated.  And I'd really just like to curl up on the sofa with a hot water bottle.  But I know it will be fabulous when we get there.

Enjoy your weekends - see you Monday. x

Winners!

The winner of the "Guess the baby's age" comp was Danielle - closest at 38 days as the baby was 24 days old when she got the quilt. So there will be a little something going to Danielle, Leslie and Penni for winning and/or playing the game!  Girls, send me your postal addresses (I've emailed you/left comments on your blogs about this so hope to hear from you soon!)

x