Children in Need 2011

I wanted to share with you the achievements of my knitting group, Yarn of Ale.

On the evening of the 19th November my friends picked up their pins and knitted, none stop for 12 hours. They were not only being sponsored for Children in Need but they were knitting for Operation Christmas Child boxes.

A few of us went along to support them throughout the evening which was only able to go ahead with the support Laura and the rest of the staff at The Royal Exchange in Stone.  The locals were so generous and almost £300 was raised on the night, one local business man even bought us Pie and Chips at 1am.

A massive thank you must go to The Royal Exchange for letting us loose in the pub overnight.  Also thank you to George and everyone at The Blue Rooms for the beautiful pie and chips. And thank you to everyone who donated and made the night a success.

To Claire, Jo, Jeanette, Alison, Janine, Sheila and Rachael, well done, I am so very proud of you.

My final word go to Cheryl, the landlady of The Royal Exchange.  Cheryl was so 'up for it' when we told her our silly idea back in June, but sadly, due to ill health wasn’t able to enjoy the evening with us.  Thank you so much for your support over the years, we know you were there with us somewhere.

Turning 30 and all that goes with it.

Last Saturday I turned 30.  It was a rather emotional build up but actually the day itself passed by without too much trouble.

My birthday weekend started with a lovely curry with my knitting girls. They bought me some beautiful gifts which were most unexpected. It was such a lovely evening.

Saturday, which was actually my birthday, was quite a quiet day.  My knee was so painful and stiff all day, typical!  I went to get my hair done in the afternoon, they're so ace at Franceso's, they always look after me.

My Mum made me a cake and my Dad iced it.  It was his first attempt at icing a cake and I think he did a fine job.

The cake my Mum and Dad made for me.

In the evening we went to Granvilles in Stone.  What a laugh ! My mates were on form and great fun. Granvilles always have a live band on so most of my pals were throwing some shapes and taking it in turns to come and sit with me.  My friends try and include me all the time which is great but I want them to have a good time and not worry about me all the time.  Dancing is the one thing I think I miss the most.  Being a musician I love live music.  When a band are playing stuff like Stevie Wonder I find it really shitty that I can't have a dance with my pals, although I have for very good at wheelchair dancing at gigs etc.

My biggest concern with turning 30 is that I don't feel my life has moved on since I was 20.  I'm still living at home, I have no family or career.  I know things have changed since I was 20 but it just doesn't feel like it.  I went and got myself a masters degree.  I worked so hard to get some kind of career but life didn't take me down that path.  I've traveled, all be it mostly with my Mum and Dad but hey I've seen some amazing places so every cloud and all that!

Another little bitesize cake my friend bought for me.