Crop, Bang, Wallop...

...and the awful sound of broken glass.

There was I, merrily on my way to Diane's when it happened...
This is what my car looked like before - now it's rear-end looks a little sorry for itself :o(.

As I was saying, there I was off to Diane's via the duel carriageway (going through the 'village' at that time of the evening usually means a long wait at the level crossing) when it happened. The end of the duel carriageway joins one of those roundabout/flyover thingees so there I was sitting (stationary, still, NOT moving), indicating, perfectly positioned for taking the first exit once there was a gap in the traffic when BANG!!! and the sound of lots of broken glass.

Now I don't say that I ever want things like this to happen but if they must, why is it when it is raining that fine yukky drizzle???

Engine off, Hazard lights on, get out of car...GET SOAKED!!!

The car behind me didn't look too good (that was the source of the broken glass sound) but luckily the damage to my car seemed to be mainly to the bumper - no broken lights (yeh). The other car was occupied by four lads, only the driver got out and he seemed to be really sorry for what he had done (I don't think he was speeding otherwise I would have been shunted onto the roundabout, I think it was more a case of not really paying attention and misjudging his stopping distance in the wet conditions).

Details exchanged and on our respective ways...

Didn't get much scrapping done as I spent most of the time on the mobile notifying insurers etc. Can I just say that Royal Sun Alliance are to be congratulated, initial contact was easy, the operater was very helpful and they had the car hire folk contacting me within 20 mins to arrange for delivery of a replacement car...way to go!!!

The impact has caved the centre of the rear bumper and actually split the metal so I am informed that this technically means the car is not 'road-worthy'. It doesn't look too bad but the insurers want to check that the sub-frame hasn't been damaged.

Phonecall to work, this morning, to book a day off...

So here I am, waiting to take delivery of a replacement car and waiting for a call from the bodyshop to let me know when they can collect my car for repair.

No-one was hurt and cars are only 'things' but it's still a pain in the rear...no pun intended :o)

Highly technical terms...

...every crafter will be familiar with (or something similar, lol).

We all do it *eyebrows raised at those muttering "who me???"* we have words for things that we can't remember the names for, or just don't know...

Super words like - whatcha-ma-callit, thing-a-ma-bob, ooja-ma-flip, thing-a-ree - and so on...

For years I had a favourite - 'doo-dah' or sometimes 'doo-dad', then last year I was introduced to the delights of Quickutz and low & behold they have a number of dies that are called 'doo-dads' (various shapes with holes in the middle) well that spoiled my fun... hurumf.

I'm sure if you all stop to think for a while you can think of loads more examples, so why not share all those oojie-whatsits...they say that crafting has a language all of its own...................

Shushhhhhhh...

...don't tell British Rail.

Don't tell them 'what' I hear you mutter...don't tell them their trains have been running on time (mostly).

I have managed to miss the few real stints of disruption over the last week or so and most of the time the only thing running late has been me, LOL.

However, I can't let them off that easily...(yes, I can hear you all groaning *thought it was too good to be true*). The trains may well have been running on time but they haven't been providing an exactly wonderful service. I would say that about 50% of the time the trains that have arrived in the evenings have been shorter than they should have been, creating that 'oh so cosy/friendly (not!!) environment' for the travel-worn commuters...tempers do become a little frayed >:o

Still, the likelihood of falling over and hurting yourself is next to zero. Afterall, where can you fall when you are crammed in tighter than the contents of a sardine can....

A very BIG Thank You...

...to the folk who have recently purchased scarves from me to help raise money for my Mum's local branch of the MS Society. She has asked me to pass on her best wishes to you all, your contributions are very much appreciated...

Isn't this lovely...

This card and pretty bracelet was from Megan to say thank you for her scarf...I love them both :o)

Megan - I am wearing lavender today so will be wearing my new bracelet...

I was so surprised when Nicky gave me the things last night, it was a lovely thought. Thank you so much and I'm really glad that you liked your scarf.

You must tell your Mummy that the goodie bag was absolutely fabulous but she is very naughty and she really shouldn't have... (yes Emma, Nicky did pass on the message about it "not being negotiable" lol).

I think I will take my card to work so that it can sit on my desk. It is so pretty and it makes me smile......

Beautiful colours...

...strange yarn.

A strand of pink soft yarn wrapped with a strand of rainbow, short tuft, ribbon yarn

The ball-band said 'Super Chunky - 8mm needles recommended', I didn't think so but I tried it...

Yuk, hard as a board, so I tried 10mm needles - better but not great. This was supposed to be a soft fluffy scarf for a little girl - not on 10mm needles it wasn't...

So as a last resort I tried 12mm needles - success :o)

I'm not sure what the manufacturer was intending to create from this yarn but certainly not on 8mm needles. It makes me wonder sometimes whether this is why many folk try knitting and then give up because they don't like the results - it takes a bit of experience to have the confidence to play around until you find the finish that meets your requirements. In this case, a different needle size made all the difference.

The finished scarf was soft and hopefully is just what Megan wanted. With luck, Margaret should get her scarf back from her granddaughter fairly shortly............(fingers crossed Margaret)

Reasons to be...

...grateful.

I know Chrissie is right when she says there are so many good things in our lives that we need to take account of...but it can be very difficult when you feel that you have been knocked back/down again. Still, the challenge has been set and I have been tasked with listing all the good things about my life, here goes................

I am reasonably healthy - in fact, I am the healthy one in the family (think I had my share of stuff as a little'un - broken arms, measles, chicken pox etc).

I have a niece who thinks I'm the next best thing to sliced bread (she can't eat normal bread - she's coeliac...).

I have a warm secure house that I love for it's character. It also has a place in local history even though it is not quite 100 yrs old yet.

I live in an age where women (on the whole) have freedom of choice.

I live in a country that offers free healthcare for all.

I can travel to almost anywhere that I want (just means a little saving...lol).

I can try foods from every corner of the world, without having to step foot outside of the UK.

I can drive and I have my own car.

I was lucky enough to receive a Grammer school education.

I can indulge my love of crafts.

I can communicate with folk all around the world, just at a flick of a switch, tap of a few keys (phone or PC).

I have people who rely on me (mixed blessing???).

Yes I have a lot to be grateful for and I will try not to let the grotty things make me lose-sight of this fact...