my family and other animals Archives - Page 14 of 14

The wedding’s off…and Summer’s coming

April 22, 2009

We’ve postponed the wedding.

This is such happy news and we are thrilled.

There’s a good reason for both the postponement and our joy.

She’s called Summer. She’s 15 months old. She’s our daughter.

And she’s coming home in about 3 weeks time.

For once I am beyond words. She is beautiful and we are blessed.

A new man in my life

April 21, 2009

Noooooo silly, all’s well with Mr S and me. But there is a new love in my life…my brand, spanking new baby great-nephew (Lord, how old does that make me feel?). His name is Jacob Michael and he’s just so gorgeous….

Jacob and his proud father, Leon

Welcome, little boy, we’re glad you’re here.

La Dame aux Camélias and a dress

March 3, 2009

0101 Miss Alice Cat is notoriously camera shy, so it’s not often she’ll sit and let you take a photo of her. And when she does she’s not necessarily gracious about it. Hence the very grumpy face here. This may have been exacerbated by having just been turfed out of bed and hoicked out of the house for the day. I’m not sure. But I am sure she’s not overly thrilled. Despite outward appearances she’s been much more affectionate of late, verging on sweet.

She must be mellowing as she creeps into old age.

On another note, if you cast you mind back through the mists of time to last September, you’ll recall that I did a short course of workshops at our local college. One of the projects I worked on was Simplicity 2798:

Well, I know that I said I needed to slow down with my sewing and produce better made and fitted garments, but really, this is ridiculous. So I finally cracked on and did the last bits and its finished:

0061 I know the photo is a bit bizarre but we were in a rush, the light was awful, Mr S came over all artistic and this was the only one in which I look remotely human. So you’re stuck with it.

Back to the dress. Whilst I’m not sure that I’ll make this again, it is ridiculously comfortable. It’s a heavy double knit jersey from Fabrix. I used the D cup sizing and this made the fitting sooooooo much easier. Why, oh, why can’t every pattern have this option? I just needed to take in a little across the yoke and a little towards the armhole to prevent gapping. But for the first time ever I have a sleeveless dress that doesn’t flap at the armhole, and for that alone I love this dress.

I think this is a good learning project for me rather than a go to pattern for the future. But on these cold days it’s a perfect dress to be cozy in.

One more word to the wise – don’t attempt the pleated sleeve with any fabric that’s remotely bulky. It won’t work and you’ll drive yourself mad trying to make it work.

An ending and a beginning

February 18, 2009

Today I’ve been busy distracting myself by burning caramel to make the Sweet and Salty Cake from Baked bakery in New York. You’re not supposed to burn the caramel but, what can I say, I’ve not made it before. I did crack it in the end. I’ll post more about this when I’ve found the replacement battery for my camera and can download the pictures.

Thankfully the preparation of such an extravagant cake is perfect to stop yourself thinking about what the social workers are up to on your behalf. Especially when Pa Stitches-in-law is on his way over and expecting great things.

But all was completed by about 2.30pm, which meant that we had a little time to kill whilst the ganache set and we waited for news.

Thankfully by the time the news came in the cake was ready to eat. And it turned out to be a celebratory cake, because the Panel said Yes.

Mr Stitches and I have been approved by the Panel to adopt two children under the age of 5.

Whilst we sometimes thought we’d never get to this day, in reality this is where the real journey begins. We are elated. And then some. I’m off to open the champagne.

Love

February 14, 2009

It’s been another of those weeks here, with Pa Stitches-in-Law in hospital since Sunday, having suffered his second Grand Mal seizure in 3 weeks. They’re not taking any chances this time and have carried out a scan to rule out a brain bleed. Thankfully this is clear.

Whilst the NHS is a wonderful thing, in reality it can be so frustrating. It took them 4 days to get him in for the scan (which given his medical history could have been very dangerous) and have kept him in for the weekend because although the Neuro consultant was in the building on Friday, the necessary paperwork hadn’t been raised. WTF! They now won’t see him until Monday at the least.

I have visions of him turning up on our doorstep in his pajamas, demanding cake and payment of the taxi. He is, as you can imagine, bored beyond words.

Our lives seem dogged by bureaucrats and paperwork at the moment. But at least we’ll get to the bottom of the recurrence of the seizures.

But what’s this got to do with love. Well, today we’ve been out and about watching the annual madness that is Valentine’s Day. Hurried last minute purchases of overpriced and wilted red roses. Racks of tacky and tasteless cards with which you can tell the object of your desire how much you love them.

I’m typing this as Mr Stitches cooks venison meatballs in tomato sauce for supper. He’s been at it a while and I’m thanking the lord for a dishwasher. But how much more loved am I that even though we’re all preoccupied with PSIL’s health and our impending Panel date, that man loves me enough to spend time and energy so I can sit and drink tea, read my favourite blogs and reflect on just how damned lucky I am.

Wherever you are, I hope you are loved as much as I, and those you love are hale and hearty.

Here we go again!

February 11, 2009

I’ve just had confirmation that our new Panel date has been confirmed for next week, the 18th, at 2.40pm. Or was it 3.20pm. Who knows? And frankly, I don’t give a damn what time it is as long as we get the OK.

Our Lovely Social Worker has assured me that she won’t be leaving the Panel until we have a yes, as she’s on maternity leave shortly afterwards and is determined to see us through to approval. And she’s one determined lady so here’s hoping.

I’m pretty sure a sense of relief is imminent. It’s been a tough three weeks during which I’ve not achieved very much except a world class talent for moping and generally feeling very sorry for my self in a rather pitiful manner.

Perhaps now the fog in my head will clear a little and I can finally get something done.

Slowly losing my mind

February 2, 2009

There’s not a great deal going on Chez Stitches at the moment other than trying to sort out more documentation for the adoption (thoughts of moving goalposts spring to mind) and the accompanying grinding of teeth.

My head is so full of the waiting for our new panel date that I’m having trouble concentrating on much else. On the knitting front, I’ve managed a couple of beanie hats for homeless people and finished the sleeves on Mr Stitches’ French sweater, only to find I have insufficient yarn to complete the neckband. Pick an expletive and I probably used it when I figured that one out.

All is not lost – I can get another ball shipped in and it won’t matter if it’s a smidge out on colour. But really, I could do without it at the moment.

On the sewing front all has ground to a halt. I replaced a couple of zips in jeans over the weekend and roundly cursed myself for procrastinating on that task. How ridiculously easy are they to do? Idiot!

So please bear with me if not a lot happens here for the next couple of weeks. Hopefully (keep everything crossed for us here) normal service will be resumed after the 18th.

Oh, and it’s snowing. Not enough to be gorgeous and photogenic. Just enough to cause havoc on the roads.

Another month, and last minute trousers.

January 22, 2009

Well, yesterday we finally arrived at Panel. Can I just say it was like taking the worst Russian Grammar exam in the world. Having done no revision at all. Horrid.

We waited for some time for the Chair to come and collect us. There were about 14 people in the room and us. I’m a pretty confident person but even my nerves wobbled a bit. They grilled us, in a very gentle way, for about 20 minutes and then sent us off to wait. And wait. And WAIT. Oh…and then wait some more. The allocated time for a Panel review is about 50 minutes to an hour. Ours took an hour and a half.

Needless to say the result was not what we’d anticipated. Our approval has been deferred for a month. Not because they think that we would be bad parents. Not because our relationship, at almost three years is particularly new. And certainly not because of any medical issues.

Nope, it’s been deferred because we were TOO IMPRESSIVE (their words, not mine) at our Panel interview. They feel our report (which is what other social workers looking to place children will see) doesn’t reflect adequately our personal strengths and the strength of our relationship. Cue much grinding of teeth. They could have approved us yesterday, but would rather wait until the report has been rewritten, and then approve us at the next Panel meeting.

Which is in a month. On the 18th February.

We are not downhearted. Well, maybe a smidgen, but that is mostly adrenaline comedown after the buildup of the last couple of weeks.

This is truly a good thing. Whilst it means a further short delay whilst we finalise the documentation, it means that the paperwork will be the best it can possibly be when it goes out into the world. And that should mean that we have to wait less time for our children. And THAT can only be a good thing.

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Still on the subject of our adoption panel – thank you to everyone who sent us kind words and good wishes. The last few days have been a flurry of texts, emails and phone calls (and lemon cheesecake), which have without doubt kept me sane.

My friends and family, you are wonderful, and we are truly blessed.

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And last, but by no means least – the last minute trousers. Did I get them finished???????

Drumroll……………………….

Yes I did! And I’m rather pleased with them overall.

As you can see, I have no waist to speak of, a flat behind and more than my fair share of front. This all conspires to make trousers all but impossible to buy that fit well. This pattern, Vogue 8483, was the pattern I used on my Janet Moville trouser fitting course last year and I am more than delighted with the fit.

We did a flat bottom and a full abdomen alteration. We lengthened the leg and shortened the waist length. And this is what you get.

Now, you’ll note I’m not showing you the waist yoke here. That’s because it’s not perfect. I did a fly front zipper that I am pleased with, but the overall yoke is a little hinky….mainly because I sewed these up so quickly. But as I always wear a top over the yoke, this isn’t really a problem. And I can do better next time.

The odd thing was that when I put them on I couldn’t work out why they felt so different from other trousers I’ve worn in the past. Then it came to me. It’s because these fit!

The 12.10 to parenthood.

January 15, 2009

Yesterday I drank too much wine. Those of you who know me also know this is may have happened on the odd previous occasion. You’ll also know that the reason for last nights overindulgence was that I was going slowly out of my mind waiting for a date for our adoption Panel. And yesterday should have been it. Only it wasn’t. Hence the wine.

Today I feel decidedly shabby. Normally a cue to lie on the sofa drinking tea and watching shockingly bad TV.

Not today.

Today I am, despite the self inflicted shabbiness, on top of the world. No need for sofa or TV, although tea is always a good thing. The reason for this departure from the norm?

We have our Panel date. It’s next Wednesday. At 12.10. By this time next week we’ll know whether they’ve recommended us as adoptive parents.

I can’t quite decide whether I should be elated or terrified, so I’m going with both. It’s been a long year of interviews and meetings and we are now so close I can’t quite believe it’s true. But it is.

We have everything crossed they say yes. And then our already wonderful live will change for the better.

Wow! Maybe I do need that sofa after all.

Feeling blue

November 21, 2008

Yesterday the lovely Paula and I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate. Wow!!! is all I can say. Marvellous company and a superb show. I’ll photo the lovely goodies I bought (and there were many) and post about them soon.

Today I’m feeling blue. We’ve just learnt that we aren’t going to make it to Adoption Panel this side of Christmas. We’ll be able to submit the application before the Holidays but the earliest date we’ll be at Panel will be the 7th January. Boooooooo!!!!!

However, we’d much rather Social Services did the rather marvellous job that they are doing at the moment and we get a perfect placement, than rush and it all go horribly wrong.

I promise to be more chipper at the next posting, which will also be a feast of pretty things.