Sunday 2 January 2011

Happy New Year







I am only too glad to be saying goodbye to 2010 and starting a new year afresh. The last twelve months has seen us sadly losing two family members and a major health challenge for me. I am not normally one to make resolutions but this year I have broken with this and resolved to face the year ahead with optimism.

Christmas turned out to be very stressful as my Mother was taken seriously ill on Christmas Eve. What was originally thought to be a heart attack turned out to be blood clots on her lungs, a complication from recent surgery. Luckily it was caught before it could become life threatening and she is receiving treatment. She was a bit annoyed at being forced to spend the Christmas period in hospital but to my delight she was discharged on New Year's Eve. The hospital staff were great, doing their best to make Christmas fun. She enjoyed lots of festive food and even went to a carol service on Christmas morning in the hospital chapel. She will need many months of treatment and careful monitoring but she is on the mend.

I had been looking forward to time off over Christmas after a long and stressful three months at work. I had a list of projects to make and things that I wanted to do. Instead I found myself on an emotional roller coaster. The result was that I didn't achieve anything. I feel as if I need another week off to recover!

It has not been all bad. I have had some quality time with my OH and time with friends. On Boxing Day we went for a walk by the sea. The pictures above don't really give a sense of how cold it was. I was well wrapped up but my face was completely numb by the time we finished walking. However, it did give my OH an opportunity to play with his new camera and it gives you a good view of my hand knitted hat. It is 'Rose Red' by Ysolda Teague, knitted in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend yarn. It is super cosy as I can pull it down over my ears so I have been wearing it very frequently over the past few weeks.

I know it is usual to take some time to look back over my achievements during the past twelve months. I am not going to do that instead I want to draw a line under 2010 and look forward rather than dwelling on the past.

3 comments:

Chrissy said...

I am so pleased that your mother is on the mend. It must have been terrifying. I hope you manage to squeeze a kiosks recovery in before work starts back.

By the way the hat looks amazing. I think one of my resolutions must to be use that yarn in 2011 as I have lusted over it since I started knitting.

I ish you the best for your coming year.

Where the nodding violets grow said...

I am glad that your mother is on the mend.

I have just knitted Rose Red for my daughter and it is such a lovely pattern. I have also just finished the scroll lace scarf in Manos del Uruguay silk blend. It is a lovely yarn to use. I hadn't thought of doing the hat in it but it looks really snuggly.

I wish you all the best for the coming year.

Sue said...
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