And I don't just mean the weather. Baby, it's cold outside! It's been a funny old month here in central England. Unseasonably cold and unusually snowy too until late last week. Caused no end of problems for many people, due mostly to the fact that the municipalities simply refuse to deal with it effectively, or make a half-assed go of it, then leave the rest to nature and whatever the traffic can do. We've reverted to the norm of perpetual overcast skies and periodic rain that's more typical of the British Winter. Christmas is still fresh in my mind, so it's odd to think February is just around the corner. Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year. Both of which incidentally, fall on the same date this year.
I'm waiting for my Art of Crochet guide to arrive. It's one of the those how-to-materials-included thingys that comes in installments; you can buy it weekly from any good newsagent or bookseller. Or like me, you can sign up online and have it delivered by mail. I've always found knitting too complicated for my craft-challenged brain. Crochet I was told, is simpler and results come quite quickly once you get the hang of it. Fingers crossed! I'm going to make a very serious effort at it as a) I don't make a habit of wasting my tiny budget on whims and fancies and b) I simply can't find the soft decorating items I want in the stores. I figured if others can make their own, surely I can manage an afghan or two. Watch this space.
To add to my already loaded bookshelf, this week I got a copy of
Beauty Bible Beauty Steals. If you're in the U.K., I can highly recommend this little volume for looking (and feeling) good on a bijou budget. With the exception of some of the anti-ageing stuff, none of the products recommended are over £10. And even those are usually £20 or less. Not bad in a market that's increasingly expensive. Everything is tried and tested by ordinary Janes who presumably, like most of us, haven't the money or patience any more for a cabinet full of useless product.
The job continues good. There was a full time opening for a skincare consultant in the store, but unfortunately I didn't get it. However, I did get another extension to my temp contract so that takes me to the end of February. If the budget is kind, come March, I'll be offered a permanent post. Another fingers crossed and watch this space. The thought of having to try to find another job in this part of the country, in this recession is too depressing to contemplate.
And finally, a new photo of the grand-baby in Canada. Miss Amelia will soon be three months old (born October 28th, premature but healthy thank goodness). Coming along like a house on fire too. Isn't she GOR-geous!
