Verb: pootle
poo-t(u)l To move in a leisurely unhurried way,
with no real purpose


Sunday 25 May 2014

10 things that made me smile this week and one that made me cry ....

 
Thing 1.
My Victory wrap is finished - and I love it.
I think it is my favourite of all the wraps I have made.
It was so simple to make, growing very quickly, and the way you add the border is so clever.
I will certainly use the pattern again.
The pattern is by Erika Flory and can be found here in Ravelry.
 
 
Thing 2.
When we were staying in Fowey with friends last weekend a fair bit of retail therapy was undertaken.
One small purchase was this beautiful little peg doll that just caught my eye.
She now sits happily on the shelf in my kitchen.
 
 
Thing 3.
This is the view from our bedroom window and I am loving looking out each morning and seeing how everything is flourishing.
We even have a flower on our Wisteria for the first time, and very happily, it is white as hoped.
 
 
Thing 4.
On Tuesday my bestest friend in the whole wide world came to stay for a few days.
Jane and I worked together for 18 years and when she left Bradford-on-Avon last year on her Narrow boat to head off on her travels with her husband it was one of the hardest things ever.
My blog was started as a way of continuing all our day to day chats.
We have been through such a lot together over the years from working together, to raising our families, and best of all we share the same passion for all things yarny ( as well as passions for tea, chocolate, shoes, a good chat, laughing etc, etc )
Before she left we both had a little rebellion and decided right there and then that matching tattoos would be the coolest thing.
We designed one together and decided the words 'Best of Times' just said it all.
The dandelion clock symbolises the passing of the years, and consequently became my main reason for including it in my Just Pootling header.
( so as not to confuse with random body parts... mine is on my foot and Jane's is on her arm.)
 
 
Thing 5.
Whilst she was here we treated ourselves to a bit of pampering at a very gorgeous new
hair salon that has just opened in Bradford-on-Avon.
 
 
Thing 6.
I have a new little pile of squares getting ever taller.
The plan is that when sewn together they will become a baby blanket for a soon to be
new arrival.
 
 
Thing 7.
Very contented animals on a wet and rainy Saturday morning.
 
 
Thing 8.
One warm Chihuahua, who kind of wants to know what's going on outside of the blanket.
 
 
Thing 9.
A naughty Saturday evening treat.
 
 
Thing 10.
I am having so much fun putting together my Bloggy Birthday Giveaway.
Here's a very little sneaky peak - not quite there yet but all will be revealed soon !

 

 
 
Those were the happies.
 
The one sad is that our beautiful cat Angel was run over this week.
It was right outside our house.
 He was a real homecat and very rarely went out the front, but for some reason that day he did.
Its not a particularly busy road being in a small village but he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.


 
 
I have friends who are going through some awful times with their families right now and I do keep telling myself that he was just a cat, but he was our cat and a part of our family for the past 11 years and we loved him very much.
He had a very big character, always head-butting you when you least expected it - usually when you had a cup of tea in your hand, he kind of quacked instead of meowed and he snored as loudly as any person. He also had a habit of doing 'bunny legs' on the kitchen table,
 
 
and stealing Lilou's bed.
 
 
He had a particularly special place in our hearts because he was from a litter of kittens that belonged to my Sister-in-law, Tracey. We lost her in a car accident a week before the kittens were born and we were determined that we would have one of the kittens and call it Angel.
In actual fact, because the girls managed to persuade Dave that there was no way we could have one and leave the smallest one behind all on his own we actually had two...
 Cosmos and Angel.
 

 
 
 
Having lost Cossy last year I have absolutely no doubt in my mind at all that they are now both
 sat on Tracey's knee, purring very loudly and happily.
Angel will almost certainly be snoring a bit too.
 
 

36 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry about Angel. Pets become such a big part of our lives, and the connection to your sister-in-law must make the loss even harder.

    I have a couple kindred spirit friends like you are describing. We are both lucky to know what it's like to have such close friends, or, as Anne of Green Gables would say, kindred spirits.

    The picture of your Chihuahua made me laugh out loud. We have a miniature dachshund that does the same thing. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its such a funny picture isn't it ? I have quite a soft spot for Dachshunds at the moment .
      Have a great week, K x

      Delete
  2. Oh Kate, I'm so sorry that you lost Angel and the very special meaning that he bought to you and your family. Having lost our family cat earlier this year I do understand how very much a part of the family they become and they are indeed missed very much when they are gone. On a more cheery note your makes as always, are beautiful. Love and hugs Sarah xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sarah, we have lost so many cats to various roads wherever we have lived and it doesn't get any easier :(
      Thank you for your lovely words,
      K x

      Delete
  3. A beautiful post, Kate, happy and sad but full of love in every way! Giving you a big virtual hug, Chrissie xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Chrissie - that was the best virtual hug ever xxx

      Delete
  4. Beautiful photos - but so sad to here about your cat... Everybody who has animals at home and who reads this post, will understand very well how you must feel at the moment... So sorry for you....
    A big hug from Belgium....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your hug from Belgium Ingrid xx

      Delete
  5. I'm so sorry about your cat, he sounds like a very special character, it's such a shame. The things that made you smile this week would make me smile too - such a beautiful view, and a lovely kitchen shelf. Your wrap is very pretty, I'm searching for a project at the moment, but I fear this is a little beyond my skill level! I hope you have a good bank holiday Monday. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you CJ, enjoy your half term week, K x

      Delete
  6. So sorry to hear about Angel. Pets are members of the family so I know how you feel. Our cat has a dangerous habit of crossing the road whenever she feels like it and although we also live in a quiet village we do have boy racers occasionally. The shawl is stunning, you clever thing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cats and roads just do not go together do they ? Our other cat Itsy is always running across, I think its only because she white that she's still with us !
      Have a good weekend,
      K x

      Delete
  7. I'm so sorry about your cat, Kate. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Kate a post full of mixed emotions. Firstly so sorry to hear about your cat. He may of been just a cat to some but he was very much a part of your daily lives for the past 11 years.I know when the time comes and we loose one of our four paws it will be a very sad day. I think you're right though he'll be snuggled up with Cossy on Tracey's lap for sure.

    I think this wrap is my favorite of all the wraps you have made it's absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see the baby blanket. I think we must have started blogging around the same time my blog anniversary will be the beginning of July, You have certainly got me thinking about a little give away too. Very intrigued by your giveaway looking forward to seeing what it's going to be.

    Hope you won't spend too much time crying and can smile at all the best times just like you're tattoo says.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi MItzi, thank you for your lovely words. The smiles this week have kept me busy and distracted.
      Looking forward to revealing my Giveaway next week, K x

      Delete
  9. I am so sorry to hear about Angel and the story behind how he came to live with you. I am afraid that I am always rubbish at saying what I feel about these sorts of things, but do know that I am thinking of you and sending you all good thoughts and love. xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am sorry to hear about Angel, as anyone with a pet will tell you, they do become a huge part of your life and family and it is really upsetting.
    I do like your wrap and love the colours of your blanket squares - look forward to seeing the finished article!
    Take care Caz xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Caz, yes, he was a very big part of our home :(
      Blanket squares are coming along very quickly today !
      have a great week, K x

      Delete
  11. Oh, I am sorry about Angel - pets are a huge part of any family and their loss is not to be diminished or underestimated.

    Your wrap is stunning, it really is, but I am loving your tattoo! How cool are you?! Brilliant. x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you Gillian - and we did feel a bit like naughty school girls sneaking off to get our tattoo's :)
    K x

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sending you big hugs Kate... Angel was a very blessed cat to have lived a happy life with you.

    Your wrap is superb and I'm going to have to visit ravelry to take a peek :-)

    With love, Tracey xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Kate, I am so sorry about Angel. Pets can be a huge part of our lives. I too have lost two cats to the roads. I remember I did not stop crying for a week when my first cat died. We now have three dogs. Two Jack Russell Terriers and a long haired Dachshund which we have adopted from my parents. He is 15 years old, has bad breath, bites my husband, but absolutely adores me. Love your wrap. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vanessa
      Cats and roads just do not go, do they ?
      K x

      Delete
  15. Oh hello lovely Kate, first of all I want to say how very sorry I am to read of the loss of your cat. This is such a hard thing to go through and yes you have every reason to feel unwell by it all. Our animals form such a big part of our lives and loosing one is just like loosing a member of the family. I hope and pray that you will find some comfort in Angel's memories that will no doubt be lingering all around the house and I am sending you a big hug to comfort you sweetie. Now on to your happies, I am so happy that you got to spend some time with your bestie, there is nothing quite like it and it sounds like she left a big void in your life when she set off on her travels. I hope you both enjoyed your time together it sure sounds like you did. I am loving your shawl and I can see why you will be making more, it really is very beautiful, as is the view from your bedroom! I have just read this spring that you are suppose to give wisterias a really good trim at the end of July to ensure they flower, so I will be doing that to mine, who are both now two and three years old respectively and see what happens next year. I hope you have a lovely week and I must say I am just a little in love with your Siamese cat, how very gorgeous!! Much love xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Hannapat, thank you so much for your lovely words, and you absolutely hit the nail on the head describing Janes going as a void. We had the best time catching up.
      Thank you for the top tip about cutting back the Wisteria, we shall definitely give it a try.
      Have a great week,
      K x

      Delete
  16. Kate I'm so sorry about Angel. Our pets are such a big part of our lives and he obviously spent 11 very happy years with you and your family - that looks like one very contented cat on the kitchen table! We lost our cat Ollie on the road 2 years ago and I think it's the suddenness of it that is so awful, but you have your memories of him to cherish.

    I loved your 10 smiley things, especially your wrap. I have to confess when I saw the link to it in one of your previous posts I downloaded the pattern - the white with the dark edging looks lovely. Cute Chihuahua nose in a blanket made me laugh and tatoos, you brave girls you! Take care, love Jane xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Jane, I agree, I think it is the suddenness and you're right in that we do have lots of happy memories.
      Not sure if we were brave or just plain foolhardy with the tattoos !
      Have a great week
      K x

      Delete
  17. Our pets bring so much love and joy into our lives - that little nose poking through the blanket is just too cute - and leave huge holes behind them when they go ... I'm so sorry you've lost Angel, what a shock and sadness for you all x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Kate such a lovely post thank you for sharing your ups and downs. So sorry about Angel, my sister's dog was run over this week so I can imagine how sad you feel. On a happy note I love your tattoo how cool I've wondered about having one, in fact was or maybe still is on my bucket list - such a cool hippy chick you are. Hope you have a fun weekend xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am so sorry at the sad news of your sweet Angel.....losing a pet is heartbreaking.
    I enjoyed seeing your happies this post too, and the wrap is very pretty.
    Sending love.
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sorry you've lost your cat, weird how he changed his habits that day? It's good to count the happy things in life, sounds like you have a whale of a time with your friend. BTW I love the peg doll, she's so pretty! Sam xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. I was reading this thinking "first your tea post, now friendship tattoos! How cool!" (my best friend and I just got matching tattoos a couple of weeks ago as I will be emigrating soon!) but then I read about your poor cat. So sad, but never feel bad for being so upset about a pet. I really believe that people who do not love their pets should not have them. Your love for Angel proves that you deserved him, and your sorrow at his loss is like any other grief. I hope that it's true that the cats are somewhere having cuddles with your sister in law :)

    Dxx (sorry I'm not good at this type of thing...)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for dropping by - I LOVE receiving your comments and get really excited when I see a new one has been added. I read every single one and try to send a reply whenever I can. ♥