My luck is in!

I've finally got a new role with the same employer so should be safe for another year. (As far as anyone can be). I've moved into the job and am getting used to a new routine. Outside of work I seem to be in mega organisation mode and getting nowhere as something always comes up which takes precedence over what I actually want to do.



A few months ago I spotted these drawers in a landscape designer's office and asked for first refusal if he decided to sell them. I was amazed to get a call last week offering them to me for a very reasonable price. I've wanted some haberdashery drawers for years but knew I could never afford them so decided to go for it!



The drawers have a little divider about 6 cm in so you can fill the front bit with lovely bits and hide all sorts of stuff behind. I have a list of things to put in all the drawers but haven't had chance to fill them all yet. Can't wait!



I have started with a couple though - wooden cotton reel and doilies



I might have to save one for scarves. I've always worn scarves and tend to hang on to them. On my charity shop run last week I found a shop where somebody had clearly disposed of a collection which covered from 50s onwards.



As you can see I bought quite a few although I won't keep all of them. They cost the same whether they were polyester, acetate or silk!



Sorry about all the pictures - I loved them all!



Not sure I can wear this seventies one - but I am tempted!



Hope your Christmas preparations are going better than mine!

Love Wend

I recently found a bag of knitting patterns at the car boot and realising they were all pre decimal bought them. I've had great fun going through them all (I know - I should get out more) and having had a good laugh thought about those who had modelled for these patterns. These folk, ladies, are probably still amongst us. So I thought it was time to out all those models of yesteryear and ask



Is this you?



Did you marry either of these men?



Did your mother knit you a natty cowboy cardigan?



Did your brother own these knobbly knees and have to go through the indignity of knitted knickers?



Why the pointy hat?



Is this your bemused looking grandfather?



Scary eyes



Did you knit your child this?



Clearly all the rage there were several patterns for these two piece horrors...



I know vintage patterns are loved by many and I can see the appeal although can't see myself picking up my pins to recreate any of these.



I love the balloon heads here with paper curls. Were these used because no self respecting child would model them? No, probably not the reason - in those days we were encouraged to be seen and not heard and definitely not to venture an opinion on sartorial excellence...I remember being required to wear a similar beret.



More balloon heads!



This lady is smiling though gritted teeth - somebody has knitted her hats from old candlewick bedspreads.



And I love these black and white patterns for hats...



I can feel the envy coming through now - you want to knit these don't you?



What - all of them?



Shouldn't those children be sharing that nougat?



And last but not least - the prototype for the teletubby costume - gorgeous!



Anyone owning up?

Love Wend

Wells

A couple of weekends back I visited Niobe and on the return leg stopped off at Wells. I'd never been before but will certainly return. It is the smallest city in England with a fabulous cathedral (although I didn't get to see inside as I'd missed the start of the service - maybe next time).



Liked the name of this porch - nobody after alms last weekend!



I'm always amazed by the way in which our ancestors managed the feats of getting these huge statues raised so high without the help of todays engineering. Ropes and pulleys - wow!



The cathedral had a delightful clock where its two sentries ring the bell on the hour. A local advised that it was well worth watching so I was glad I was there in time for 12!



Around the perimeter of the cathdral area is a moat with a drawbridge! Absolutely lovely.



Autumn light shining through the trees ...



And a view through the wall of the Bishop's Palace...



What a lovely place - where the grass actually looked like grass. Look at the colour! The greenest grass ever! It's beige where I live!



Wells is also home to the oldest continuously inhabited street in England (from 1340)



Not a satellite dish, not a dustbin, or a TV aerial in sight! Delightful! Like stepping back in time. Of course a quick walk round the back revealed all those things! Need to spend longer in this place!

Oh and Niobe's doing great! What a relief!

Unwanted item in the bagging area...come back Niobe!

With massive queues in Sainsburys I was persuaded by the self service monitor to try the DIY till. This was with a heavy heart. I have on several ocaasions embarrassed Niobe with my performance at these checkouts and she has banned me from using them saying its not fair to others! I must not use them unless she is there to supervise!

I only had a basket with a few bits so decided to take the chance and live dangerously. As ever despite my efforts the robotized tones came across with the "unwanted item in the bagging area" not once but several times. The gent who had persuaded me was very attentive and kept rushing back to me every time this happened. "Don't worry I'm with you" he kept saying and swiping his magic card across the screen. Mortified I continued with my efforts, becoming more and more grumpy. "God, you must have the patience of a saint hearing that noise all day" I grumbled as I tried desperately to find a barcode. "Why do you think they gave me the job?" he said. I paused and looked up to see he was wearing a clerical collar. Oh, the embarassment! I apologised, paid and scuttled out quickly, inwardly vowing not to use these checkouts again. They do do away with jobs for people after all don't they? I was relieved to get home and unpacked.

Have a great weekend!

PS - Moonlighting clergy as the austerity cuts start to hit?