Pirates!

The aren't just in story books. The reason there are so many tales about pirates is because they did exist, and still do in some parts of the world. This story from Yahoo, is one of modern day pirates.
The myth is alongside the one of highwaymen, who are all now seen as ruthless but "romantic" characters, when all they really were was very cunning thieves usually oozing charm.
Today's pirates don't seem to have the charm, just desperate times seem to require desperate measures. Isn't it funny how people's perceptions change?
I do hope the couple are soon released.

Back to work tomorrow

I think I managed what I promised myself I would do this holiday. I'd promised myself I would rest as much as possible, due to the fact I seemed to pick one bug up after another before Xmas.
I've done lots of knitting, mittens, and will add photos when the finishing touches are added to the last pair. I experimented making mittens from the "fur" type wool, and ended up with slightly "magic" mittens. You know those that stretch when you put your hand in.
I have also sewn the re-usable shopping bags I had ready to sew, done quite a bit of reading. So, I think I have managed to relax. The only problem I have had is one with sleeping, but last night I slept 12 hours, after having 4,( or was it 5?,) nights badly disturbed sleep.
Have caught up with housework......nearly, but the tree and decorations are NOT coming down until 12th night. Although not religious I do like to keep the decorations up until then.
I just have a tiny bit of ironing that needs doing today, then I can relax for the rest of the day.

Oh! I forgot, I got a lovely late pressie from Blue, a knitting calendar, and two books. I had to laugh when browsing the calendar at one of the patterns. It's a skull and crossbones dog coat, better not let Sam see that, or she'll have me turning the dogs into pirates.

Quiet week and weekend

It's been pretty quiet this week and weekend here, but then the week started with Edwin not being so well, tonsillitis, then I picked something up, nearly lost my voice and kept having choking fits, and now Sam has it. Coupled with that Sam managed to scratch her eye taking her contact lens out.
It was entertaining to see that PIRATES! had hijacked a supertanker. Anyone who reads my blog will know that my three are pirate mad. I love this adaptation of Kenya from Weebl's stuff on the pirate theme. (By the way they don't seem to be "growing out" of the pirate stage, suppose they never will. Perhaps I should join them and dress up as pirate myself next time they decide to.)

Flowers, but no parrot

My room looks like a flower shop.
Flowers from my sister, from the kids, from work.
But, I'm on crutches, hopping around.
I keep expecting the next ring of the doorbell to bring a parrot, cos I'v already got an eyepatch, then I'd be set for any fancy dress parties this yule.
So long as it abandons it's post to answer the call of nature, I'll be fine,

Pirate Sam! and Drummer Oliver!

Sam has gone to work dressed as a pirate wench tonight, as the bowling alley where she works are having their Halloween celebration tonight. Had trouble getting her to stand still, as she was on the last minute, as usual.

Oliver has come home for a few days after some mid semester tests on his Uni course.

I can tell he's home, the drums have been drummed, at least two short bursts so far.

The picture is courtesy of Sam, she does a whole range of "Stick-pic" portraits of people.

One Pirate costume later

Well, I had the costume ready for Sam well before 9pm, but she is sad, everyone who would normally go with her has returned to Uni. I suppose that is the downside of doing Open University.
Still, I am getting on with the mental list of tasks I set myself. No! I'm nowhere near the end. I made Sam one pirate-y top. I think she likes it, but the pattern is the oddest I have ever used in the whole of my time sewing. I hope she likes it, except the design is basically designed to be twisted! Have enough fabric left to make another top for Sam, and will do.
Did my swim today, 1/2 mile again, and made proper roast tea, and homemade soup for dinner.

Shock, horror!

I think something very odd might be going to happen before long.
Why? I hear you call.
This morning my daughter washed her car!
She washed all the mud from underneath her wheel arches, bet the car will go faster now. The mud was from her visits to Download and Leeds festivals, working.
I got her to leave the stuff out, and washed mine as well, and my neighbour wanted to know why I was washing it, as "it's not even dirty" he said.
It was, it had bird poop on it.
I finished off the skirt I made for Samantha, now I have to work out how to make the top she would like. And if possible, finish it by Tuesday evening, as it's fancy dress at Rock Nite this Tuesday. And Samantha wants to go dressed as a pirate wench.