We made it!

We have survived our first week of DD's early shifts. And extra. She came home on Friday saying she'd been asked if she'd like to work yesterday too! She said she'd do a few hours. So guess what shift they gave her? 6am to 10am!! So another early start! 

So, me being me, after checking the weather forecast, suggested to DH that it might be a good opportunity for us to get out early for a walk. I don't think he was too impressed with the idea to start with.......

But we did it. We set off early yesterday and parked up at Rydal Water before 9am, just the second vehicle on the carpark at that time in the morning. And off we went. And it was lovely - hardly anyone around at all for the first few hours. Beautiful views, and very changeable weather. 

We started up on Loughrigg terraces, looking out over Rydal Water then Grasmere.....

Then we made our way to Loughrigg Tarn .....

......and then back on to Loughrigg Fell and across to Lily's Tarn and views of Windermere ......

The weather was so changeable - from sunshine and not quite so windy one minute, to hailstone and gales the next. You could see the change coming towards you! 

 We then headed back over the fell towards Grasmere, and more hail showers! 

We even saw a brief rainbow!

We'd managed to stop for an early-ish lunch in between the showers ....

....and arrived back at the carpark by 1.15pm after a fabulous 7.6 miles. 

We had time to call in the garden centre in Ambleside before heading home - it's huge! I could have spent hours there!

And as we were so tired last night, I let DH take me out for a meal instead of cooking. DD was out anyway on her leaving do from her last job, so it was just the two of us which was lovely. 

I think today will be a bit of a rest day - a bit of housework and a bit of crafting. And an early night. Ready to start these early shifts all over again this week .....

Early starts

So.  We're half way through the week on a week of early starts for DD. Monday was a good start. Oscar found it quite exciting that everyone was up at the same time and was really bouncy at 5am!

DH took DD to work as he was going to be spending the day at the same place (yes, they now work for the same company again).  So, as I was up too, I set up some lights and got my camera out to take some photos to add more items to my Etsy shop. Not quite what I thought I'd ever be doing at 7am, but it was too good an opportunity to miss. I just had a quick stop for lunch, and was still going when DD and DH arrived home in the afternoon! 

DD had an appointment at the hospital later on, and as I took her, and they were running late, I didn't go line dancing at night (although I was really too tired to go anyway).  

And then yesterday I was back at work. So when DH left home for his normal few nights away, and DD left for work, I ended up doing some ironing before setting off for the office! The joys of being up mega early! It was very strange getting home after work to find DD already there. 

Half way through this weeks early starts now. And we're still doing ok. DD is still loving her new job which is fantastic. And she still looks really happy too. No ironing for me this morning, but this was Oscar taking advantage of the time .....

He didn't want to move and get in his bed before I left for work!

And I've taken a few more photos for Etsy tonight. 

One more day at work to get through this week. And maybe, if the weathers ok, we might get out walking this weekend. Fingers crossed. 

Craft Fair weekend

I've done it! I've survived a three-day craft event! Yay! 

It's the first time I've had to set up on my own at a craft fair, as DH was working on Friday. I set off early with all my stuff and got to the garden centre in time to set up ready for our 10am start. It was a bit different to normal craft fairs as we all had to take our own tables, and the garden centre had a clear idea where they wanted everyone. Also, not all the stall holders were doing the full three days.

It was a really good atmosphere over the weekend, and I've been able to chat to some lovely people. It felt a bit strange not packing everything up at the end of the day and just covering everything up overnight though! 

This was my stall for the weekend .....

I did quite well on Friday, but not as good yesterday and today. A lot of people seemed to be coming in for the cafe in the garden centre and bypassing the stalls. But it was still a good experience and I'm glad I've done it. My mum came yesterday to have a look which was lovely, and DH called in after work on Friday, and again yesterday after he'd been to visit his mum. It's nice to know I have my family supporting me. And there are rumours we may be going back there again later in the year ........

So that was my weekend. All accounted for. Although I managed to finish off a few pieces last night ........

 

....and I also ended up buying DD some plants from the stall next to me .....

....and I also managed to fit in some ironing tonight. 

This week we have the joys of mega early starts - DD is on the early shift at her new job, which she seems to be really enjoying - no retail, no customers! So this week she's doing the 6am-2pm shift for 5 days, then 3 days off, and back on the early shift again. I figure if I get up at the same time I can get some early crafting done......(that's the plan so far.....). 

#crafts #craftfairs #handmade

Days off!

Yay! I'm not back at work until Tuesday! But I know I'm going to be mega busy. 

DD arrived home early Monday evening from her weekend away. I think she'd quite enjoyed having two nights away instead of just one. And I went line dancing at night as usual. 

And then yesterday was DD's first day working away from retail. And she came home smiling! The last few months have been quite difficult for her so it was lovely to hear her enthusiasm for her new job. It might not be her first choice as far as careers go, but for now it will give her a welcome relief away from the pressure of selling in a shop environment and give her some breathing space to decide which direction she wants to go in. 

So, as DD had arrived home from work at a far more sensible time, we were able to eat a little earlier and I also managed to get some crafting done - two more wedding countdown plaques finished. 

 I also had a bit of a play with my new display stands before the craft fair this weekend ......

I'm hoping it's going to be ok. I'll have another play around with everything tomorrow. 

I've also had a lovely afternoon tea today with a couple of friends. We went to the same little place that DH took me to for my birthday, but they had a slightly different menu this time ....

It was all very yummy! 

And it's my big weekend this weekend,  which is scary.  A three day craft fair at a local garden centre. I have no idea how it's going to go, which is why I've been making so many extra pieces to take with me. 

Wish me luck! 

Snow!!

So yesterday we went walking.  Eventually. I wasn't feeling very well at all when I got up so we didn't set off as early as we'd planned. But we set off and headed for Rydal Water. 

We set off on the path to lead us to Loughrigg terraces. The views were amazing - snow on the hills and blue sky. 

Unfortunately there was so much ice around that it made it too treacherous to carry on with the walk we'd planned. Not having any ice grips for our boots meant we were slipping too much to feel safe carrying on. So we sadly turned back and walked the shore path to Grasmere ...

The blue sky seemed to disappear and it started to cloud over ....  

and then this as we reached Grasmere it started to snow! We found a bench to sit on for lunch .....

.... and then headed back to the van .....

Not quite the walk we'd planned, but interesting all the same! 

On the way home we called in to say hello to DD on her last day in retail. She's worked in shops or building societies for nearly ten years so it was very strange knowing that as from Tuesday she won't have to deal with customers face to face. We stayed with her until she finished as we took her leaving presents home while she drove to her boyfriends for the weekend. 

So we've had some time on our own. And what have we done? Well, I've been crafting and DH went to work today for a few hours! I've been quite busy and managed to finish off more hanging decorations. Just two wedding countdown plaques to finish before next weekend and then I'll be happy.

Back to work tomorrow - a short week this week of two and a half days! And DD comes homes tomorrow. 

And it's 5 weeks to our holiday (not that I'm counting..) ........

Long week ...

It feels like it's been a really long week  this week, despite the fact that I only went back to work on Tuesday. 

I spent Monday doing more crafting, and then haven't done anymore until today. I've managed to finish another cute little flower ....

...... a pretty house .....

.....and some more hanging hearts ......

..... along with my sheep family! 

It's been quite fun making them all. 

What's not been as much fun is being back at work. There are lots of changes and moves going on at the moment which means I won't be working with the same people in a couple of weeks. Which is quite sad as they've mostly been lovely people. Last minute changes have also meant that some of us won't be moving to where we thought. Still, I guess at the end of the day we'll still be doing the same work, just at a different desk with different people. That's life I guess. 

And DD has her last day in her current job tomorrow! She only changed jobs in September last year but is so disappointed with the company that she's starting a new job next week! There's one thing about my daughter - when she makes her mind up to do something she makes sure it happens! 

And this weekend we're hoping to get out walking. Finally. The weather forecast is looking ok (no torrential downpours, hopefully) so we'll be heading off to the Lake District. At last. 

Christmas Part Three!

I think we've finally managed to complete the times we give and receive Christmas presents today. It might seem a little late, but we do Christmas in January with DD's Auntie in Sheffield. We don't see her very often, so it was lovely to go and visit and exchange gifts with her and her husband (and we were fed very well too!).  

While we were there it also got us chatting about our girls holiday in October. So, being mega organised this year, we've sorted out dates and possible locations! Unheard of for us as we usually decide in July that we ought to book something. 

I've spent the last few days trying to finish off some new pieces to take to my three day craft event in a couple of weeks time. I think I've done ok. I've revamped some ....

...... added some letters.....

....some freestanding shapes ....

.....and a few more hanging items....

It's a lot of work but I've really enjoyed it. 

I've also let DH take me out for lunch a couple of times, and we even went out last night for a meal with DD which was lovely. 

Back to a different routine from tomorrow though. DH is back at work, and I'm back on Tuesday. 

Only another 6 weeks to our next holiday .........(not that I'm counting....!).