I've been away... and now I'm back

I haven't blogged for a while.  There has been quite a lot going on.  As I had mentioned in an earlier post I was about to go back to work; or was looking to discuss my return to work... Well on that case, I returned to work and due to restructuring I was made redundant. I know, close to Christmas many would consider this to be a bad thing. However, I am taking the positive stance and considering this instead to be a chance for me to try something new. So my something new is I am looking to get into teaching - secondary schools. Watch this space!

On the knitting front, the knitting has been keeping me going.  I have completed a hat; and I have completed a coat for a Chihuahua!

On my personal feelings front. I'm a little up and down to be honest. For the first time I saw my diagnosis written down in black and white. "Anxiety and Depression" it never seemed real until that moment and it shocked me. I feel a lot of the time I am writing what has already been written by someone else, but at the same time I don't know how to really put into words how I feel. Confused I think covers it!

A day closer to the weekend

I went to bed last night with anxious anticipation of going into the office today for the first time in three months. However, I did check my emails just before bed last night, to discover that I was not to go in as  other issues had arisen at work! Part of me was relieved, however the other part of me was slightly peeved as I had worked myself up a little in preparation to go into the office. I also missed a review with my doctor today; so I do feel a little all over the place. A little out of control and I don't like it.

Today was weigh-in day at my lovely Slimming World group. I'm not ashamed to say, that today, I gained a pound. Shock... horror... gasp... I'm ok about it, I'm not one of those to loose continuously... and to be honest, I don't have the easiest lifestyle in which to fit SW in sometimes.  I know that in theory it is easy to do, I also know that in practice it is easy to do.. however, with arrangements as they are now, it does make it difficult, and to be honest, sometimes it is like fighting a loosing battle. I love my SW group. They are the most amazing group of people, everyone is so supportive, and everyone is truly happy for you, or commiserate with you.
On the slimming world wagon, I started off promisingly well... Last Friday we did make the most amazing meal, which I was proud of "Thyme Lamb" and it was beautiful. If I can find a link to the recipe I will be sure to add it. But it seems that after Tuesday, I just didn't feel the mojo for it.

Knitting wise - considering this is a knitting blog!! I have started a beret hat... I am struggling a little with my knitting at the moment.  I am very keen to try all sorts of different things, and I think I start projects, and then can't get on with them, so they get shelved. Today I reluctantly frogged my skye cape. It had started quite well, but then with the pattern, I think I must have gone wrong in one area and then this caused me to be out of sync forever more! It sits off the needles in my basket, waiting for me to bobbin up the wool...

So onto the weekend. We're off to Somerset to stay with M's aunt.  It should be a great weekend. I'm nearly packed. I've just got to zip everything up, and then tidy the room and I'll be ready to go.  I just hope that I do not forget anything. I'll be annoyed if I do!

Oke poke. I'm off to get some sleep.

Another week closer to Christmas

Ok... The realisation hit... we are just five weeks away from Christmas (eek). An "eek" of not only excitement (I do love Christmas); but also an "eek" of realisation that having been off work, I have very little spare money to buy any presents... Therefore, this year, everyone is getting hugs... or something knitted... which relates to another unfortunate problem all together...

I had quite a good week this week. The yarn had arrived for me to finish my snood... (picture attached), and just coming up to the end I had a little friend come and enjoy the fruits of my labour... (picture attached).  But I did finish it and have worn it nearly every day since. No one has really complemented me on it aside from my mum and M himself! But I haven't been out properly, so here's hoping (well - we all need nice compliments from time to time don't we?). So with the snood finished, I was excited to return to my cape... But I picked it up, and I could not get into it at all... It was frustrating an upsetting... And, since then, everything that I have tried to do I have not been able to "get into" I just can't find that rhythm. I keep finding projects and making a start, and I get so far and then :-P it just goes. I'm hoping today will be a better day for knitting.

Like I said, I had quite a good week... I've been discussing with work about returning, and I'm hoping to do this before Christmas... get myself back into some kind of routine whilst it's quiet. Work have suggested that I speak with my doctor again to seek advice, as they are happy for me to take what ever route to return is going to be best for me. If anyone finds this blog and has got this far - and has any advice about how to return to work after a long period of illness... please let me know. As although I feel well supported by friends and family, I've never been in this situation before, and I hope to never be in this situation again. There is very little advice that I can find that speaks about the after effects of Viral Meningitis.. but the information that I have found has come from some very good sources.  Continuing briefly on the subject of meningitis, I heard on the Radio yesterday that the government are planning to implement the immunisation of meningitis into the routine immunisation plans for children Link to Telegraph News Article .  I sincerely hope that this is a true plan for our government, and will be following these news stories with interest.

Continuing the theme of a good week, I returned to Slimming World; my lovely lovely Thursday group who I truly love dearly. It was good to be back, and I'm looking forward to getting back on the wagon.  Although the weekends do prove a struggle for me, as I stay with M and his family each weekend, it is difficult to implement SW needs into a whole family diet.  The furthest I have got is the introduction of FryLight, the low-cal oil spray.... I guess with SW it will be a case of "Watch this Space". I'll try to find some kind of ticker to track my losses (and let's face it.... gains)...

It's looking to be a beautuful Sunday. Might pull on the wellies and go stomping in the woods... might drag some inspiration into me to knit!!!