Little Dogs and Birthday Boy

Here is the cake!  It was very smokey after the candles were blown out with one puff!

Here is the lovely 'Mr G'. I am his Auntie Luce.  This is Gandalf and he really is incredibly cute, even though he is so big he could wear a saddle.  He is a Deer Hound.

He likes his Nanny to get him a biscuit when he arrives.  My boys love him.

Here is the Birthday boy, we enjoyed a Sunday Lunch at my Mom's where she cooked the 'Lamb Chops' he requested.  He is having a happy day!  

St Swithin's Day - Birthday Boy

This has to be my favourite photograph of my St Swithin's Day boy.  Bless him.  I have seen that cheeky look a million times.  This photograph was taken at Roll Right Stones we used to go there a lot.  I must try to go again this summer.  There is an ancient stone circle and two lots of standing stones.  We love the energy up there, very mysterious.  I am sorry for the quality of the picture here, I tried hard to get it to go nice but it wouldn't!  

              15th July, St Swithins Day is Henry's Birthday, tomorrow he will be sixteen.  I really do not know where the time has gone, but really this child has been a pleasure (most of the time).  He is great and feels like a soul mate to me.  He is a very special boy.  Sadly I miscarried my first 'baby' on the 15th July 1995, I was between 12-15 weeks pregnant.  It is a very sad time for any family.  This little man arrived a year to the day later and went a long way to taking the heartache and sadness away.  I see him and his timely arrival as a gift from the universe.  A very special coincidence to be born on that day.  

              Tomorrow we will be going to my parents for lunch, Henry has already requested what he would like his Nan to cook, then one of his buddies will come round in the evening.  We do not go crazy for big celebrations really.  Henry's needs are fairly simple, Marvel Zombie Books and X box games and he is happy.  Henry was 5 days from being 8 years old when his brother was born, so he had been an only child for years.  He told me one night he looked out of his bedroom window and he wished upon a star for a brother.  He believes his wish was granted.  Many a time he has said to me 'Mom, why did I wish on that star?'  'I should never have wished on that star!'  In reality though even with the age gap, Henry and Euan are the best of buddies, real partners in crime.  Brotherly love.  Often Euan is the more sensible of the two and he keeps Henry in line! 

                My Dad has suggested we have had St Swithin's Day Rain before St Swithin's Day this year, because legend has it if it rains tomorrow it will rain for forty days!  Please. . . no more. . . we have had quite enough rain already.  The garden is like a wet sponge.  I found out when I was running down the garden last night in a storm, I had to put three silly chickens to bed. . . I slipped right over onto my butt, I got very muddy but the old Lavender bush broke my fall.  There is a long muddy skid on the lawn as evidence of my accident and the poor Lavender is looking a little squished!  Please no more rain!  

You can read about St Swithin's Day at this link  here.

St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day (15 July) if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.

Aqua Zumba - The Verdict is Still Out

Well, well, well. . . the results of Aqua Zumba were . . .  it was actually quite fun.  Almost.  In a strange sort of way.  I am left today with an ache between my shoulder blades probably from trying to hard to do something or other.  Jogging around a pool with thirty others creates quite a strong current. . . I thought it was hilarious when my friend almost disappeared. . . it was not quite as funny when I almost disappeared on the next round though.  We used 'Swimming Woggles' and 'paddles' to help with nifty little exercises.  Half the class was Cardio and half was body toning.  We had to jog, run, sprint on the spot while punching with our paddles.  The woggles were used as resistance 'weights' and they were also used to float with while you did moves that would normally be done on the floor.   Some of the exercises I just did not get the hang of, thank goodness we were underwater and nobody could see!  The verdict is still out on Aqua Zumba for me. . . I think I might have to try it again though!  

Oh Lordy - Wish Me Luck...

Well I am not a natural born Weight Watcher that is for sure!  0.5lb off today.  Not bad as I have indulged in 'Birthday Cake' and chocolates, oh and wine and a Chinese Take Away!  For some unknown reason I have agreed to go to an 'Aqua Zumba' class tonight with my friend.  I would rather have someone stamp on my toe!  I am going as a form of self punishment as I have eaten too much chocolate.  Running has been postponed, I aint  exactly Forest Gump!  Swimming has also dwindled.  The last time I went I was minding my own business doing breast stroke when I was suddenly mounted from behind by a large lady wearing a menacing looking noseclip.  It was much too close for comfort and now I know how whales feel in the mating season!  There is always a bigger fish.
                I am not a dancer and it is very hard for me to find my groove!  I tried Zumba at the weekend with a DVD my neighbour has lent me.  I was five minutes in to trying to co-oridinate wiggling my hips and flinging my arms around when my partner walked in!!!!  Eeeek!  I quickly turned the dvd off and stood by the kitchen sink with a red face, puffing and panting and looking generally hot and sweaty...I tried to just act normal and not look guilty of anything!  Me and exercise just don't seem to be gelling!
                 In less than an hour I will be off to Aqua Zumba.  I am really concerned I am going to make a complete spectacle of myself.  I have always been prone to uncontrollable, childish fits of the giggles...well more like loud hearty cackles that come from my ample belly!  Seriously I am out of my comfort zone and anxious.  I will of course return and let you know how it went!   Wish me luck!

An Idea is Born

Poor old dusty crib!  I will do something about it!  The crib was my Mom's dolly crib when she was a child, the doll is mine that I showered with love when I was a child.  I really really loved this dolly (actually I still do)!  She doesn't really have a name.  I think she might have been Rosie or Victoria...whichever floated my boat at the time.  She is a 'Teeny Tiny Tears'.  She has survived the years.  She spent a long time in the loft and I was overjoyed to see her again so she now lives in my wardrobe!  She used to have lots and lots of clothes and blankets, bonnets and booties, lacy dresses and winter woollies.  I also had a lovely dolls pram and she would go for walks.  My Grandmother kept her supplied with pretty knitted outfits.  My favourite outfit was the 'Rompa Suit' she is wearing.  It is very practical for a busy baby doll.  She still has her original dummy and somewhere I have her bottle.  The best thing about her is you can give her a bottle of water then she cries real tears if you lift her arm and she does real 'wees' if you squeeze her tummy.  Tonight she has come into her own again and she is very happy to be making her debut in Blogland!  She is modelling my first 'Premature Baby Hat'.   I read all your lovely comments about yesterdays post (it seems a lot of us had 'tiny babies' some were not so tiny).  Thank you for all of your comments.  Euan is still coughing his head off but has gone to bed exhausted after having a lovely birthday.  He has had a great day.  Henry has been the best big brother and played with him all day.  Strangely today Euan did not want his photograph taken.  Not to worry.
               Today is a rest day in 'The Tour De Fleece' so I decided to put thought into action and as a tribute to the birth of my 'early bird' make my first item for premature babies.  Oh yes, what with baby doll and pretty little hats this broody hen is starting to cluck!  I just have to keep reminding myself that babies = hard work and less crafting time!  I would also need to find a 'new man' as my existing one would have a fit if we ever found out we were expecting again!
                  Teresa Kasner (my lovely Blog Buddy) left a comment suggesting an 'In the sky' style call to arms and an 'Idea was born'.  I would be truly delighted if you would join me in this idea.  If you would make and share photographs of items to donate to your local hospital for premature babies, or I would be 'over the moon happy' to receive any items and deliver them on your behalf to 'The Worcester Royal Hospital' where Euan was born and I will dedicate a page for the 'Gallery' and it would be fantastic to review this on July 10th next year.  I wonder how much we could achieve together in twelve months?  I appreciate many of you are prolific 'Charity Crafters already, if you don't have time to join me, just keep up your good work!  xxx
                    I will build a Blog Page with links to patterns too.  There seem to be far more knitting patterns for premature babies than crochet patterns.  If you have any favourite, tried and tested crochet/knitting patterns please share.

This tiny hat took no time at all.  It is a prototype so I will work on it and get the pattern written up.  I pinched the idea for the 'Daisy' from Chalky's World where Linda has written a really easy to follow tutorial for this pretty little flower.  I know hospitals prefer not to have cotton or wool garments for premature babies and have a preference for acrylic.  It is warm and washable.
               I have one more favour to ask of you on this fine July 10th.  This 'project' could do with a name.  All suggestions would be gratefully received.
Thank you.  xxx

My July 10th Baby

This is my little July 10th Baby!  Not bad as my due date was September the 4th.  Yes this little fella was in a rush to come in to the world and he has not stopped since, 8yrs old!  Where does the time go?  His early arrival was quite a shock but somehow we were ready for him.  I can remember my partner telling me something particularly funny (I can't remember what) I laughed so hard my waters broke!   Then it suddenly was not funny anymore!  I was 'blue lighted' in the back of an ambulance to a hospital 20 miles away.  It takes me about half an hour to drive there, it took the ambulance crew about 10 minutes.  Euan's birth was about as pleasant and trouble free as birth can be.  He spent three days in 'Special Care'.  He was 5lb 2oz.  Quite a good size for a prem baby.  I will always be incredibly grateful for the 'charity knits' that were available at the hospital, tiny hats and woolly cardigans that looked like they were made for garden gnomes.  That is another debt I really should repay.  I must knit some tiny baby things to donate to the hospital.  Trouble is I will get broodier than my hens and we don't want that do we?  Babies seriously interfere with crafting time!
            It is very tricky dressing a tiny baby, nothing fits them.  Early babies have trouble maintaining their temperature so woollies are essential.   He was tube fed for a couple of days until he was strong enough to suck his bottle.  Then boy oh boy did he love his bottle.  At six days old he was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital to have a Plaster cast for his 'Club Foot' this was from his toes to his thigh.  This again was a challenge.  His Dad and my brother had to take him to hospital as I got rushed back in to hospital with a 'Pulmonary Embolism'.  His Dad had to take care of the new tiny baby and my parents had Henry while I was hospitalised for a week.  I then had three months of blood tests and blood thinning treatment!  Euan needed his plaster cast changed each week.  We had to soak it and remove it at home and then drive to Birmingham to get a new one put on.  I don't know how we did it.  It was very stressful at the time.  It all seems like a very long time ago thankfully.   It is amazing what you can cope with if you have to.  He had casts and boots on a bar until he was four.   At the Children's Hospital I would often think if all the parents could put there troubles in a heap, I would happily take my own troubles back, they were slight compared to most.   He had his first Op at 10 weeks old.  I will have to sort out some photographs and tell the story of his foot, I like to think telling the story might help somebody somewhere.  He has had three or four operations to date and spent his 6th Birthday in Hospital as his last operation (to literally move muscles and tendons) was the day before his birthday.  Credit to the Nursing staff, Euan remembers the whole things as a great experience.  He had fun.  He is now one of the youngest in his class at school but one of the biggest.  He has caught up well.  The foot is also all good for now.
              His older brother has his Birthday on the 15th of July and when I was expecting he kept asking 'Will his birthday be after mine?  His birthday will be after mine won't it?'  He has not quite forgiven him for getting in there first.  We gave Henry the chance to pick a 'Middle' name for his brother, he wanted to choose 'God', 'Cool Boy' or 'Ganesh' needless to say Euan has no middle name!  Sadly Euan is off school with a horrible cough.  (He was determined to get out of 'Sports Day' somehow, even if it meant getting ill)!  His Daddy has the day of work tomorrow so it will be a 'lads' day.  I am hoping to see Euan open presents before I go to work. . . I will be sad if I miss him!    I know there are plans for a manly, cooked breakfast.  My parents will come for tea when I get home from work.  There will be Birthday cake and balloons.  
               Now on with 'The Tour De Fleece', Euan and I have been drum carding tonight to make batts of Merino.  He loves drum carding with a passion and behaves like he is my boss telling me what to do and what not to do.  I used some scrap fibre and some Merino that was a dye experiment that went wrong.  You can read about my Adventures in Dyeing Here.

Thanks for reading and most of all thanks for coming back again!  
Lucy xxx