Still here

Yes, I'm still here. Still plodding along, like a dependable donkey, draped with jolly bells, trudging back and forth along the seafront at Cleethorpes beach, lugging ornery kids overstuffed with fish and chips and ice-cream. Rumours of my taking off to a tropical island with a handsome billionaire who wants to 'take me away from all this' and feed me those delicious little French cakes and pour wine while we discuss knitting patterns, have been grossly exaggerated. I have been busy. It's my mantra.

But it's not all drudgery and endless chores...there is some fun stuff. Really. Among other things, I have started on an exciting project with my friend, Helen. We are both keen knitters and she came up with the idea of our collaborating and creating knitting patterns and hand-dyed knitting kits to sell on the web (and perhaps in stores). We have a website (which I will link to this blog...eventually). It is www.stitches-studio.com...check it out! We will be putting knitting patterns up there, as well as interesting articles. And we're blogging about the creative process. It's a lot of fun, and great to collaborate with Helen. I have been doing a fair bit of dyeing and have become very interested in the whole process. There is something quite satisfying about dyeing your own yarn. Also, it means I can move all my knitting chatter over to the other blog.

I have also been trying to enjoy my last weeks before I start work. On Monday I begin work as the Assistant Preschool Teacher at the local preschool. I am looking forward to it for a number of reasons; making money, having an activity outside of the home...called a job, getting to know other people and, of course, working with a very sweet group of children. My first job in over 5 years; part-time and not terribly lucrative, but in the teaching field and incredibly convenient. I am hoping it will be a good bridge between not having paid work for 5 years, and whatever I do next (become rich and famous, obviously). There will have to be a few changes around here once I begin work. But I can't see it happening without a struggle. The donkey is growing wings and becoming Pegasus...outta my way! Okay, not quite.

We've had a few sunny (but cold) days here and have managed to get down to the beach a couple of times. Here's a couple of pics of the kids.

Yeah, we build sandcastles...even when it's freezing!

"Thanks for taking me to have so much fun, mum" awww

Nothing like hitting a log...

Who needs shoes?

Perhaps footwear is a good idea after all

Aint we bootiful!