I'm ranting! (feel free not to read)

Over the last six years I have been juggling two jobs.

In both jobs I have been self employed, no security, holidays, sick pay and I've needed an Accountant.

One job was low paid, low skilled, but regular hours.

The other job is better paid, more skill required, but often no work for months.

I suppose its similar to having a zero hour contract and if you listen to the media, they're GREAT.

So a few weeks ago I had an email saying not to come in the following week as there was no work. O.K I thought, its only one week!! But it wasn't only one week, I received a similar email every week in October.

 All business can go through 'low work' periods but this wasn't the case. 

The person I had been working with for six years had advertised for my replacement without having the common courtesy of telling me I wouldn't be getting any further work.

This week I returned my keys.

I do still feel very cross but this rant is the end of the matter, I have to stop going over it in my head, its done.

Luckily I have my other work and today I also have Autumn leaves and PVA glue.

Time for a cup of tea, rant over!!

Weekend work and weekend walking.

Last week we continued to tidy up our hallway.

 I've painted all the walls and before I painted the woodwork we needed to sort out the floor.

Its going to be carpet for the stairs but we bought laminate for the ground floor.

This weekend we needed to fit the quadrant piece around the edge and we have our favourite house guest here to help!!! Always just where you're working.

After lunch we headed out to the little village of Chipping for a walk.

Hoping to exhaust the dog and the children!!

The weather was glorious

The signs of Autumn . . . . . 

Beautiful views (of walks for another day)

Back towards the village, passing the once bustling chair factory.

Down the little steps to the stream. Daughter taking photos and the dog (and nearly my other half) taking a dip.

Are we a dog family? 

On a nice sunny day, ooh yes!

On the horns of a decision!! (or maybe the antlers of a decision)

So I've had a sewing project waiting in my head for weeks and weeks.

Sometimes I struggle to motivate myself to get the sewing machine out.

This week I finally started cutting fabric. 

I think the technique is called 'winging it' 

After some unpicking I could finally see the beast taking shape.

So I now have one reindeer!

The question is, do I continue and make another eight (for a quilt) or

 do the sensible thing and make a cushion!!!

Maybe just one more pet . . . . .

On Thursday evening, whilst watching nothing much on TV, my Son announces that he'd like a pet Octopus!!!

He had a look on Google and told me LOTS of  Octopus facts.

(On and on he went . . . . )

Friday morning he mentioned again about how cool it would be to have a Octopus as a pet, whats a Mum to do?

So I fashioned a pattern and found some suitable fabric and got started.

I had until 3.30 to get him/her finished.

The legs (all eight of them!!) where pretty easy, but attaching them all together was  . . . . . .tricky!

Time was rushing by. definitely not time to worry about tiding up all the ends.

Using a drinking straw, a thick needle and some doubled up thread I managed to turn the legs right side out.

Filled with stuffing (body only) and the hole sewn up, just in time.

So there you have it, a pet Octopus for a very happy boy.

Ooh and his name is Geoffrey.