Blueberry cheesecake

I promised to update more often :) sitting in Starbucks in central London (the Strand), eating blueberry cheesecake and drinking latte. I've got an Open University tutorial tonight. This will be actually my last ever tutorial, I can't believe it. My course is nearly finished, one more assignment and the exam of course. But the next few weeksbefore the exam are going to be hectic, and my usual spare time will be used for revision. Ok, back to my cheesecake now!
- Post From My iPhone

Busy Busy, and Open University starts again

Another busy week over. And I've worked only on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday! I'm try ing to keep to my new routine of going to the gym 3x a week. Especially during the week I'm sort of racing from the moment I get home - tidy up, cook dinner, walk Bonnie - and than get some time to myself to either stitch, go to the gym or go on the laptop. Can I have a few more hours in a day?

Open University has started again - this is my final year, yippee. My course this year is called DD208 Crime, welfaere and society. It's a level 2, and as I'v already done level 3 before, it shouldn't be too difficult. Still, 6 assigments to go through, and the exam next year. The first assignment is due end of October, and only has 800 words. I'm not too sure whether I can go to the tutorials though. They take place in London, about once or twice a month, at 7 in the evening. As I finish my work at 4, it's just too long to wait around for another 3 hours, and than get home at nighttime. Maybe I'll just go the first few times to see how the tutor is etc. Can't believe that I'll have my degree next year this time!

I finally got my laptop back - and my home insurance paid and arranged for the repair - gosh, I'm so relieved.

The day never seem to have enough hours... I started to pick up the wedding sampler again only last week. Unfortunately, I have to set priorities with the Open University at the moment. God, I hate the course this year, I wish it was over. I have so far submitted 3 assignments, 3 more to go. 1 is due mid June, and a big project is due mid July. I have to interview people for this and write it all up with conclusion etc, so I really want (have to) get a start on it.

I have been finishing quite a few books recently and will hopefully write a few reviews in the next few days/weeks.

Bonnie is absolutley fine. She had her immunisations, and she has managed to lose some weight, she is now 35 kg which is fine for a Labrador bitch. So I must be doing something right taking her out every day.

Here is the reason - well, one of them, why I haven't been around too much. This is the latest edition to our family - Bonnie, a two year old labrador bitch. We got her at the end from a private sale. I wasn't too sure if I would keep her at the beginning. She wasn't used to walking on the lead and pulled me right - left - centre when I took her out. But she is perfectly housetrained and is as good as gold when we leave her alone in the house. And I guess everyone sort of fell in love with her quickly, she is very good-natured. I got rid of the choke chain and now bought one of those 'Halti' leads which goes around the mouth - so much better, and she doesn't pull half as much. I take her out every day after work for 1 hour, and for 2 hours at the weekend. Yes, I am dead-tired at the end of the evening, but believe it or not, it is actually quite relaxing after a day's work just to walk with her and forget about all those little annoying things in live.

What didn't help as well was that my laptop broke. I still haven't found out exactly what happened , but Imran was on the laptop (which he is not allowed anyway) and closed it with a bang. the cats were in the same room as well. When I came back and opened the laptop, half of the screen was gone. No physical damage on the outside, but all the pixels are completly messed up. as the laptop is less than 1 year old, we took it straight back were we bought it (Curry's), but they refused to help, saying that this sort of damage is not a material fault, but always accidental damage which is not covered under the warranty. To cut the long story short, my home insurance accepted the claim and I just have to see now whether it will be repaired or replaced. In the meantime, I work on half the screen only ;-))

I hardly did any cross stitch recently. There is plenty to do, but I'm just always too tired at the end of the evening. I went to the Cross Stitch Fair end of March in Olympia which was great as usual. Well, I'm a great fan of those type of Fairs. I haven't finished Rachel's poodle, of course not. So far, 1 1/2 pages done (of 6 all together). Sara's wedding is coming up in June, and I still did only, well, less than 5% I'd guess.

The Open University is keeping me busy as well... I think I have said before that I really really don't enjoy this year's course (Social Psychology). I just don't get a lot of it, because it is based not on Cognitive (experiments etc), but more on qualitative approaches such as discursive and influenced by philosophy - which is absolutely not my thing, sorry all philosophers out there. Anyway, I just try to get through with it. 2 assignments done so far - only 4 to go, and the examn in October of course. The next assignment is a preparation for a project, and the literature research for this kept me busy, and I hope I can at least write up parts of it tomorrow.'

Reading wise - currently I am reading two books, which is very unlike me, as I would normally always finish one before going on to the next. Reason is that 'A suitable boy' from Vikram Seth is over 1400 pages and not always easy to read. The other book is a German book from Johannes Mario Simmel 'Wir heissen euch hoffen'. This is an Austrian author, and I quite like his style of writing. I first read this book as a teenager, and now re-reading, I find that I understand many things much better. for example, he descripes a mental illnes and psychosis.

The weather has been awful so far here this year - no sign really of spring. Rain almost every day. I finally had my garden fence done, but didn't manage so far to do any planting.

This is a smallish Christmas picture I started last year. But as I only stitch Christmassy in December, I'd put it away last January, and finished it off now (almost, only a bit ob BS and French knots left. The kit was supplied with a (cheap) red plastic frame in the shape of a house, which actually does not look too bad

And this is the other Christmassy piece I'm stitching at the moment. Its from Heritage Stitchcraft, John Clayton 'Holly'. I received this kit as a secret santa present in an exchange a few years back, and loved it, only slightly annoying bit is the 14ct Aida - never mind, as it is going to be completely stitched out (even the background) I guess it shouldn't matter.

Apart from this, I am trying to get some studying in. My results for D315 came back - I've passed my exam with a 'Pass 2' - as this is a level 3 course, this result really matters and I'm quite glad.

My material for the new course DD307 'Social Psychology' has arrived, and I started to work through the first block.

Chapter 1 Social Psychology - past and present

Chapter 2 Methods and Knowledge in Social Psychology.

Today is Ruby's Christmas play and I took the day off - bliss. I'll try to work through the books this morning, and hopefully get plenty of stitching time in later on. Back to work tomorrow, but the week before Christmas is hopefully a bit relaxed, trains will be hopefully less crowded, but with regards to our line of work it will unfurtunately not make a difference - if anything, it is more dreadful to deal with death around Christmas.

Oh, I admit it, I haven't been a very good blogger in the past few weeks. Don't now... nothing really happened, just life, work and pre-Christmas stress I guess.

Ruby's birthday went great on 24. November - now my little girl is 9 years old. We went to the cinema with a few of her friends and watched 'Stardust'. I hadn't looked forward to it, as I'm normally not one for children and/or fantasy movies (sorry folks, Harry Potter and LOTR doesn't cut it for me) - however, I really enjoyed Stardust. Robert De Niro has a part in it - oh, he is just such a great actor, and .. well, you gotta see it, it's another first class performance. The new 'Take That' song features as well in the movie, I think it's called 'Rule the World'. I don't say this often, but I would pay again to see this movie. Not sure though if my 8 and 9 year olds got some parts in it. Not sure if I'm allowed to show the picture here, if there's a problem, let me know

Workwise - I don't get time off over Christmas, but do have off on 25. and 26.12. Nafess is off for more then 2 weeks, and the kids of course, so I'm well jelous.

I got my brand new and shiny OU books for the new course and started reading and writing up. I know it's going to be a hard year, the course is called DD307 Social Psychology, and it's based a lot on philosophical theories etc, and I don't really get philosophy - never did.

I managed to stitch a few Christmas cards, as they went off to friends who might read this blog I didn't do pictures - I should have really. Tomorrow I'll show pictures of the gifts I received so far from my cross stitching friends.

nothing much happened this week, i'm just to tired to go on the computer after work. Danial started to go to Army Cadets. I wasn't too sure first, it's just not my thing. but I realised that he loves it, and even if it's not for me, I ought to give him the chance to check it out. Didn't know a lot about it, but from the first looks they offer a lot for children in a safe and structured environment, and I'm glad he is not 'hanging around' in the streets.

Did a lot of cross stitch this week - just because I can! No OU before December or so when I receive my new books, and the new course does not start before January 08, so plenty of time for cross stitch without feeling guilty. I worked on Spring Queen all this week, will show my progress tomorrow. Now though, I will do all my Christmas Exchanges, started a hanger today which I cannot show of course, as the intended recipient might read here.

And I started to go swimming again *sigh*, otherwise I'm just totally getting out of it and all that hard-last weight will just creep on again.

Oh Boy, were shall I start, it has been a busy week.

Ruby managed to chop one of her fingers off!! She was at Casey's house, and Casey shut the door on her. Her finger was on the side where the metall hinges are. she came screaming down the road, I nearly collapsed! Once in,Nafees quickly told her to close her eyes and she calmed down. All I saw was finger hanging off, and I was frozen. Anyway, to cut a long story short, we first went to Darenth Hospital (very unfriendly!!) , and we were transfered to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead which has a special plastic surgery unit and specialises in hand/finger plastic surgery. She's had surgery were they managed to sew it all back together again. She's been so brave, can't believe it. Now she seems to enjoy the bit of attention she's getting. I took her to Alexandra Palace (Knitting and Stitching Show) yesterday, and everyone asked what she's done with her big sling! I'll write more about the show later, maybe tomorrow.

We've got to go back to East Grinstead on 23.10. to remove the bandage and see how its all healed. My boss Tracey had given special leave this week (without even me asking), so that was second to none and I'm very very grateful. Ruby went back to school today for a few hours, and I hope to go back to work on Monday.

I also had my exam on Wednesday! at the end, I just wanted to have it over and done with, I knew as much as I would ever know. I did Questions 1 (crime), 8 (the realists) and 12 (shaming). I would guess that it is enough for a pass, but at what grade -- no idea. Have to wait for 14th December to get the results!

Ok, I'd like to show of my latest finishes. The 2 trees are from Fremme, one was done already and the other I stitched in hospital last week. The autumn leave heart is from Elisa Tortonesi-Siess and stitched with Tentakulum overdyed thread, it's such a pleasure to stitch. as you can see, I decided to take a break from my big projects to finish some smaller designs. the rosebud heard is also from Elisa and I;m doing it 'over 1' thread only - its the first time I'm stitching 'over one', enjoying it but it won't become a regular thing I guess. But it looks so fine!

I'm up to mm neck in revision - and procrastinating! Yesterday, Dan was on the laptop in my bedroom, Iwent upstairs and just sat on the bed to wait for him. Well, that was it, I fell asleep and next thing I know it's 5 in the morning and time to get up! I did some revision on the train though in the morning.

For those on the D315 course - this is what I am revising ( and sort of hope this is sufficient):

1. what is crime

2. media and stats

3. positivism / radical / realists

4. dynamics of shaming (Braithwaite/Katz etc).

Cross-stitch wise - I finished the Langenzenn sampler - it will take it's place next to the one from 2005 to remind me of the fab time.

I am halfway done on the Autumn Leaf freebie from Elisa Tortonesi-Siess. It's only small, and I should have finished it ages ago, but.... see above! It is fun to do. I feel a bit unsure about Elisa's designs, because she does not colour-code, so you have to / can chose your own colours, which doesn't always come very easy to me. However, I have used varigated thread (Tentakulum - German brand)

Great news - Candy has come back, after 1 week. Imran called me in the morning when I was on my way to the station. She was wet (? no rain in the past 2 weeks) but otherwise absolutely fine, she does not even look particularly thin. I don't believe in keeping cats indoors, and it wouldn't be practicable here anyway - in the summer I always have the backgarden door open when I'm at home. So I can only hope that whenever she goes out, she will come back again in the morning. As I'm sitting on my bedroom window, Raja, Candy and Honeyare out. I called already, but Peckham sisters didn't make an appearance so far. I'm convinced they are going over the motorway bridge into the wasteland which is opposite our house. The area is currently being developed, is used to be a meeting ground for bunches of teenagers drinking and messing around.

1 more day and it's weekend. I will definitely have to start making a revision plan for the exams - 10th October is getting ever closer. I have good ideas what to revise, but don't have the energy during the week. And next weekend I'm at Kimmy's already - boy, I can't wait! I'm going to meet up with my cross-stiching friends in Germany.

Yesterday was OU dayschool - exam preparation. I'm so glad I went, the tutor was 1st class and now I'm clear on what to revise and how to get started. So next week I can start in the evenings to put some summery sheets together. I will revise 4 topics: what is crime, crime/statistics/media, cause of crime theories, Braithwaite/Matza. With this, I will be covered to answer the 3 questions.

Moonlight.
o
I don't know what's going on. Our cat Moonlight has been missing since middle of July now. No clue whatsoever. And now Candy is missing as well, since about Wednesday. I can't believe it. Now Moonlight has been missing before, a few years back, but never so long. And Candy has never been missing, she goes out at night but is always back in the morning. I have a very bad feeling and start to get desperate.

Imran had his first day in Secondary School today, and I couldn't be there... I am an call, and after a weekend on call, there is no way I can take Mondays off. And Ruby went to Leogland Windsor today with Casey, lucky Ruby! I'm still waiting for them to return, they are somewhere on the M25 now!

Worked the whole weekend to get TMA06 ready. It's done now, just have to reduce the wordcount a bit. good thing is that now that I don't have OU reading to do, I can read for pleasure in the train.

I'm getting tired and exhausted at work, I find difficult-ish people really get to me - I think I desperately need a break. and the good news: only 2 more weeks at work and I'm off JIPPEE!

I bought myself a brand-new laptop - my new pride and joy. Nafees installed a router, and now I've got Internet on my desk upstairs - it's great. I'm even trying to get my writing started again. Not much x-stitch done over the last few weeks, well, not a single stitch really. Too tired, too busy studying. TMA05 is submitted, and now I have to prepare for the final, big double weighted TMA06. Today I went to OU dayschool in the LSE in Aldwych. I dragged my laptop with me in the hope of doing some work in the break, however, the break was only 30 mins, the laptop so heavy, and it was raining on top of it. And I'm more confused about TMA06 than ever.

here's some pictures from Imran's year 6 production - Alice in Wonderland. Imran was a card, he didn't have any lines to say, but it still looked like he enjoyed himself.

An update on the cat picture - from about 2 weeks ago. Only black is a bit boring. I have been 'on call' this week, but it wasn't too busy. Submitted TMA04 on Wednesday - another one bites the dust. next tma is due on 11 July, but it looks like there is not too much reading to it. The next book is based on 'theories of criminal justice' , quite similar to the previous theory book. One of the TMA questions is on Restorative Justice, and I think I quite like the concept and will probably go with this one.

Finally got myself a good pair of goggles today (goggles as in - swimming), it really does make a big difference. Can see and swim under water now - yeah! Apart from that, we'll have to get Imran's bag ready, he is going on his big trip to Wales next week.

I've got this week off, it's great just having some time to myself. Spend a lot of time working on TMA04 (currently 1400 words and counting, I need 2000 words).

Well, all the kittens are gone now, and here is the last picture of the little 'Blackies'

A family responded to my ad in the local newsagent, and in a way I'm quite pleased they went to a local family (they just live 5 mins from us), they seemed really nice. And they took 2, even better that two of them can stay together. And that leaves us with Thomas, of course, who turns out to be very cuddly. he follows me during the day wherever I go... up to the computer, to the loo etc. And Candy and Honey finally had their operation on Monday, now both are neutered and definitely no more babies! I'm glad it's done and went smoothly. Both now have a big square patch missing by the side where their fur has been cut - they look more than bizarre! from the top: Honey (incl. missing fur patch), Thomas, Raja

Here's an update on Monet from last week:

Not much to see I'm afraid, 'cause of the pre-printed fabric I guess. There isn't actually too much left to stitch - I never thought I'd see the end of this one.

I'm always too tired in the evenings during the week to do anything, most days I just get home and sort of collapse on the settee! No stitching, certainly no studying. sometimes I can get myself to tidy up, but often by Friday the house resembles some sort of warzone... get's me frustrated.

Anyway, it's been a pretty good week:
1. WW on Wednesday - I couldn't believe it, I lost 3,5 lb, and now have only3 lb left and I'm on goal!!
2. Nafees got his 1st wages from his new job, and as he got paid for 1 1/2 month, it was a .. nice sum.
3. Had my PDR talk today with my manager, and it went incredibly well. makes me feel very happy with the job.
negative:
1. hardly did any studying, I'm behind again. Tutorial on Tuesday was cancelled, so I haven't go a clue where to start with the next assignment which is due middle of June - and there is still plenty of reading to go tru.
2. weather is suppose to be really shi...y for Bank Holiday Weekend.
I just occured to me that I can turn those two negative points arround and use the bad weather to catch up on studying.

I have just been so so lazy this week! Nothing particular going on, no TMA (TMA03 was finally posted on the due day Wednesday). Nafees started his new job, and it seems to be going quite nice. Only the travel to Maidstone is a right pain! Once I come home from work, it takes me about 1 hour to clean up after the kittens. As cute as they are - I can't bear this much longer honestly. And they are all over the house, and Nafees insists on closing our bedroom door at nighttime, can't sleep with 9 kittens running up and down and playing upsailing with your bedcover.

Here is my update from Spring Queen last week, not much done. This week is Monet, but I hardly did a stitch. Have been mainly reading in the evenings.

I'm frantically trying to finish TMA03 - no choice but to leave my Spring queen this week, so there won't be much progress. TMA03 is due next Wednesday, and I've never been so late with an ansignment. And yesterday was Nafees' leaving due. I joined in, we came home about 10, not too late, but still had sort of hang over this morning. And I still can't believe he's leaving his job in a BOOK SHOP!


Imran managed to do with his 11 years what I haven't managed in 38 years - he's getting published! Well, not a whole book, but it turns out that he did a drawing in an 'After School Club', his school submitted some work into a competion, and my Imran's work was chosen to get published in a book! The topic for the drawing was 'My Family' and I had horror visions of him having done a drawing of me - but turns out he did a drawing of Sugar - our HAMSTER!


Here is the link: http://www.afterschoolclub.net/default.htm

The 3rd plate of the pixel art is ready. It's a nice relaxation between reading those heavy articles on marxism etc, but it won't replace cross stitch for me ;-)). Here are plates 1,2 and 3 put together. it does look very realistic, but on the original (and I guess on the photo as well) you can see the dividing lines. I will have to stick the finished thing on sticky paper or similar.

The weather was gorgeous today, and for the first time this year I sat outside in the garden, soaking up the sun. Would love to read for pleasure, but have to restrict myself on articles from the course readers. Next week, it's on to left and right Realists, and this is also the topic for my TMA, next one is due in just about 2 weeks so I will have to get down to it from next week onwards.

I can't help it, here are more piccis of the kittens.... they are all over the place now, there seems to be no difference between Honey's and Candy's kittens (despite the age difference of 1 week), the hop and sleep in each other's baskets and even share mums. They are really fast and we try to keep the bedroom door closed. I guess we can introduce solids soon, but then there is the issue of the tray !

Here is my progress for Spring Queen last week:





I finished a large block of the yellowish-beige colour in the bottom right. They are such a pleasure to stitch , large blocks of colour, but it still doesn't get boring. This week, it's Monet in my rotation.


This is how the second plate of my pixel art giraffe looks at the moment. its quick to do, and I do it 'in-between' when I sit upstairs studying.


I've got a day off work today, it's so wonderful having a long weekend. And next week (Easter) all over again - this got me in a right good mood over the weekend. I managed to finish a few chapters in the Theories book, finished with Psychological and Social Criminologies. this week it's on to Radical Criminologists which include Marxism - plenty of articles in the reader on Marxism, hope I can get it finished this week. Hey, good news as well, I passed TMA02 with 85%!!! This is the highest ever mark since I started with the OU. I think I'm on the right path with Criminology, even though I had my doubts as I miss the Psychology.
On another note - Nafees has now finally decided to change his job, he will start his new job on 23 April. I'm not sure if I should be glad or not, after all, as a book lover ('Leseratte' as they say in German), having a husband work in a book shop was just fantastic. Well, what can I do... it is a sort of career progression for him, his new field is more related to his study subject (Software Engineering). He is going to work for a firm of Solicitors as IT Technician. I have the usual worries about probation-period etc. Keeping positive!