MANY THANKS

to Kerrie and blogless Michaela for organising and hosting twelve more fabulous stash auctions for Oliver's Fund.
Go and have a good old rummage through these instant mini stashes. There are some delights and treasures in each one. A not insubstantial amount was excavated by me prior to builder invasion ! [ sometimes only a double negative will do ! ].
Know that we will be extremely grateful for each bid,and that everyone's generosity is much appreciated.
We are still saving up for a hoist to get the electric wheelchair into the car. We bought a ramp for the current car as the lease company who own Allan's company car [ the car scheme is so complicated,to minimise tax costs for company and staff,it makes my head hurt] wouldn't permit installation of the hoist. Boo!
Allan is changing his car a year early to rectify this. The company have very kindly said they'd pay most of the rather large early return fee. So, next week we'll be travelling in a Ford Galaxy ! Big enough [with two seats removed] for hoist,manual and electric wheelchairs and luggage ! We'll be able to take the electric wheelchair and the trike on holiday with us !
Another benefit,not to be underestimated,is that I'll be able to just step out of the car. No more hauling myself up,at an odd angle,onto my ''bad'' [as in worse than the other] knee. I'll also have room to move my feet and legs about. Oliver will no longer be kicking the back of Allan's seat from his car seat. We're all very excited.
An awful lot of changes in a short period of time. I feel slightly breathless !

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Another change is that, a few months ahead of my next check up date, I need new glasses ! Decrepitude approaches apace !
I'm having new lenses put in my old glasses, and have bought a second pair. I really can't read without them, and have felt the logistical need for a second pair for some time. Maybe even a third pair for my handbag ?!
These teal framed glasses were 50 % off. What's not to like ?

I do look tired !
Allan agreed to come to the optician after he needed to borrow my glasses to read something ! Men can be so pathetic. As the optician said "It's time !". He has a very nice,titanium framed [lightweight but hard to break] framed pair, that really look good on him. He won't model for you.

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I started knitting a scarf, in Misti Alpaca chunky [ some of which was a gift from my Favourite Colour Swap pal].

Although it was knitted to the correct tension [gauge],using the suggested 5.5 mm needles [too small ! ] I knew it wasn't right. Too dense a fabric. Not long enough for me. I almost finished it. Then ripped.

It's an interesting, but not at all challenging, pattern to knit. I'm sure it will be fab when knit on 7mm needles. When I can face it !
I've started something else.
That,like the intended next post,will have to wait until next time.

I'M AMAZED...

at how stressed I was during the whole building episode ! I'm normally so laid back and calm about things. A character trait for which I am grateful. I think it was the sense of having one's home,one's space,invaded that really upset my equilibrium. One day last week reduced me to tears. The floor to floor lift installers were in,and noisy. Not just work noisy,but lots of loud and somewhat dodgy banter. The builder was in the bathroom,with the plasterer. Two men were laying slabs of concrete to make a ramp into the garden, and during the morning the building inspector dropped in,followed by the architect. Neither of them knocked. Just walked into the house. Various men were in and out of the front door every five minutes. There was drilling and banging. They kept turning the electricity off. The air was thick with dust. My home was a building site,and I couldn't get to use the bathroom or get to the bedroom to change into my decent,seen out in public,clothing [I wear designated ''slob gear'' around the house ! One of my many foibles.]. Allan had to come home early to collect Oliver from school,then take him somewhere to eat. It was all too much.
It is pretty much finished now. The electrician commissioned the shower late last thursday,to much rejoicing ! We are a family that likes to wash ! It's been hard !
The dust isn't so evident. The Dyson has had quite a workout !
I'll talk about all the work,and show pics,once I've cleared the decks,so to speak,and caught up with my list of things to post backlog.

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I participated in the Knitters' Tea Swap 2,and very much enjoyed it. I received a fantastic package from Sallee.

She made me a fabulous douple pointed needle case,and some stitch markers,in my favourite purple. There was a lovely skein of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in shades of purple and blue. It's already wound into a ball and ready to go ! I have a plan ! Last,but not least,is a superb selection of teas. I love the Earl Grey white tea,in the light purple tin. I'm so looking forward to drinking my way through the huge bag of Adagio Earl Grey.
Fab !
Many thanks to Sallee for the lovely things. I very much enjoyed this swap.

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I also received my surprise from my Hot Socks swap partner.

Fabulous Lornas Laces yarn [I'm running out of link stamina ! You'' have to google !], Darjeeling tea and some hand balm. There was also some stationary she hand stamped for me. Many thanks Sarah. Everything is much appreciated.

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O.K., I've run out of steam. My next post will be about our first week away from home,and the pitiful amount of knitting I did.