Sunday, December 23, 2012

I've finished my wavy shell blanket at last!


It has taken me months to complete, but the blanket I started soon after taking up crochet again is finished at last :)

As I needed to make it fit a double bed, I decided to make it in 4 quarters, especially as I knew how heavy it would be and, as I only worked on it in between other projects, I must admit I thought I'd never complete it - but complete it I did, and last night!



I used a 6mm crochet hook, and around 2.75 Kg of terracotta, yellow and dusky lilac DK wool to complete it and, as usual, I used 100% acrylic, due to my wool allergy - but I think the colours go really well with those I already use in my bedroom and, even though I say so myself, I think it's worked a treat - it certainly brightens up the room, without it being too much :)







As you may imagine, the minute I put it on the bed my cat, Kushka, adopted a corner of it for herself, and nothing seems to have budged her from her chosen spot, except food - and toilet breaks, of course {grin} 







As I've finished the blanket, and haven't started on my next project yet (a pair of leg-warmers for my daughter's friend, who admired the ones I had made for Brex), I decided to start on the blanket I had promised to make for Brex as soon as I finished my own.

I'm using Royal Blue, Emerald green, and a lovely Turquoise as my daughter's colour choices, and I decided to use a 5mm crochet hook for this one, to make the weave a little tighter than my own blanket, so that it will be warmer for her, as she doesn't have central heating as I do.

Here's a photo of the colour choices - I think it's going to look lovely once it's finished :)



The turquoise doesn't show up as well as the actual colour, in this photo, which is a shame, as it's a gorgeous shade :/ 

I'm going to make Brex's blanket in two sections, I think, just to make it easier to crochet the sections together, as mine was a pig to do! Lol

I'm also hoping to finish it a lot quicker than my own - which I'm sure Brex will appreciate with the cold weather we're having :)

I'll post up a photo of it, once it's complete, before I post it off to her :)

And, in the meantime, I'm sure there'll be other projects to work on - after all, I don't want to get bored! 



Tuesday, December 11, 2012

. . . and the gifts were well received! :)

I've had a lovely phone conversation with my daughter this evening :)

She got home from work, and her landlord handed her the parcel I'd sent her. She opened it as soon as she got in her flat, and she tells me she's over the moon with everything I sent her - and it all fits perfectly as well!

She apparently did a little fashion show for her friend who lives in the same house, and she is really happy to be keeping so much warmer now!

I'm really pleased about this, as I've just finished another couple of bits for her - a pair of mittens that convert to fingerless, so that Brex can text without having to take her gloves off, but keep her fingers warm otherwise. I made them with a colour-flecked, cotton-rich, yarn, and I used a small square of Velcro to keep the flap closed when she wears them. I also made another pair of leggings, made with the emerald green 100% acrylic wool that I like to use:)

The gloves are a first attempt at a mix of a few patterns I'd found around the internet - they're a bit rough around the edges, but I'm hoping to improve on them with some more practice :)




I really enjoyed embellishing the leggings with some buttons I'd got from eBay - a place where I tend to purchase so much of my yarn as, being housebound, it's the easiest, and more cheaper, way to get the amount I'm using at the moment :)



One thing Brex, my daughter, did say to me, though, is that, if I can make a steady supply of stuff like I've made for her, it's possible she could sell it for me in Bristol.

This is something I'll definitely think of, as I'm hoping I could at least recoup the cost of the yarns etc.

I'll definitely not be stopping making stuff, so I guess this is the next road to travel - and I've already thought up my own label, as the change in name for my Blog shows - I've been a night owl for years, so I might as well use that name for my own logo! Lol


Sunday, December 09, 2012

Sending gifts is always nice :)

Even though I don't do the Christmas thing - or maybe because I don't - I do enjoy sending surprises to my daughter. I normally get her things I know she needs, which she says is even better than when we used to do birthdays and Christmas as, instead of saving the gift-giving to specific times of the year, she now gets what she needs, when she actually needs it :)

I mention this, because I've just sent her a parcel of stuff I crocheted for her - a parcel that ended up weighing 2 KG! Lol

As it's got really cold in Bristol, I've crocheted her a selection of different hats, a scarf, 4 pairs of gloves, and some leg warmers - these are the things I actually completed in time to put into the parcel. I've now just finished a pair of mittens that convert easily into fingerless gloves, and I'm in the process of making her another pair of leg warmers - apparently, you can never have enough of these . . . 

All of this has kept me particularly busy but, now the pressure is off, and I don't meed to worry that she'll feel the cold so much, I decided to get back to finishing off the blanket I've been making for myself, while also crocheting a crochet hook holder, which I desperately need, as I've got so many different hooks now.

I managed to find a couple of free patterns on the internet, but I went with my favourite crocheter, Claire, or BobWilson123 as she's known as. I used her pattern from:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTHUfNjBFm4&list=PL39C531267927A347&index=64&feature=plpp_video

I used her basic pattern, but I converted it into more of a purse than a roll, as I wanted to keep all of my crochet stuff together in one package.

I used a multi-coloured yarn that my daughter had given to me, although, as there wasn't a label, I'm not sure exactly just what it is called, and I also used a yarn I already had in stock, a Foxy DK in an emerald green 100% acrylic, which I've enjoyed using for various projects, including my daughter's first set of fingerless gloves, and the leg warmers I'm completing right now :)

The crochet hook holder is in 2 layers - the outer layer all done in SC, with the inner layer done in a lovely dusky lilac acrylic wool, and crocheted in DC, so that the hooks can slide through the gaps and be held.

I sewed the two layers together, then folded the resultant piece into 3, so it formed into a large clutch-type bag, which measures around 29 cms wide, and 22 cms high. I then fastened it together with a chain made of the multi-coloured wool, sewn on to the front opening, and held closed with a loop sewn onto the bottom-front.

I've been able to fit the zipped pouch containing my very first set of crochet hooks, some of my spare hooks (with more being added very soon), and some sewing needles and other bits and pieces into the pouch section that I created when I folded the work into 3, so I'm really pleased that I can now keep everything together in one place - and it'll be great if I ever need to travel any place, too :)

I took some photos of the finished article, and I don't think I did too badly for my first attempt, so I hope you like what you see? :)

Front view
Back view

 













Inside view 





I think this whole thing could easily be converted to hold knitting needles, or sewing equipment, too :)


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Ugly - and compassion. . .

I came across a link to this Blog today and, having read this entry, sat there crying like a baby for a while. 

I'm not ashamed of my tears, as I know that it never hurts to be able to feel compassion for any of God's creatures. 

Unfortunately, the kind of treatment this poor cat had suffered from the people around it, both of injury, neglect, and disinterest is, sadly, more the norm than an exception in the world we live in today, so it was nice to read that somebody had given this poor creature a few minutes of compassion before he died.



http://jotter-journal.tumblr.com/post/19738385573/ugly-everyone-in-the-apartment-complex-i-lived


Ugly.


Ugly.


Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat.Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love. The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat!!”All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought.Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear – Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat.

Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love. The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly.

To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner. His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs.

Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat!!”

All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave.

Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.

One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.

Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought.

Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear – Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled-scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.

At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.

Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. To give my total to those I cared for.

Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.

And the crocheting goes on . . .

I don't know why, but I've become almost addicted to crocheting. 

It's got to the point where I don't even read for pleasure any more, as I'm just itching to get back to whatever project I'm doing :)

I have to admit, I've been a real little busy-bee since I last posted - mainly with crocheting stuff for my daughter, so she's got plenty of warm woollen stuff to wear, as Bristol, where she lives, is getting very much colder as the winter deepens:)

So far, apart from the ear-warmer/headbands I'd already done, I've crocheted her a Slouchy Mesh Tam O'Shanter (the instructions posted by simplycrochet2021, at the following: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiZ2PPZ25eQ).

I've also done an extra slouchy Beanie, also posted by simplycrochet2021, and I needed the extra room, so that my daughter can fit all her dreads in it, while staying snug and warm.

I've also made a chain scarf, and I got the pattern from YouTube, from my absolute favourite crochet instructor, Claire, who goes under the name of BobWilson123 - to be found at:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APDUf2bpQQQ

I've also crocheted a Scoodie for her - a mix between a scarf and hood - and I've also completed one pair of leg warmers for her, with another half finished, and a third pair planned for after that :)

Then I'm going to be making a pair of fingerless mittens to go with each of the leg-warmers, so she's colour coordinated {grin}

I've just this minute finished making two 3-strand headbands (the pattern for these is at BobWilson123 once more) - one of these for my daughter, and the other for her good friend Shosh, known as the Flower Fairy. 

I'm particularly happy with these, as it allowed me to let my creative streak run wild {grin}






I'm still really busy with all the different things I need to complete - and I've also got to finish off the blanket I've been crocheting for myself, in a gorgeous Wavy Shell pattern, which I'm hoping to finish fairly soon - well, at least before the cold weather really strikes, anyway :)

I do tend to have 2 or 3 projects on the go at once, as I've found it stops me getting bored, especially when I'm having to do a repetitious pattern :)

I've got so very many projects I want to do, which means I'll probably be busy with things for the next 5 years!

A very nice way to pass the time, though, don't you think? :)



Tuesday, October 09, 2012

It came at last! :)

I got my certificate through at last and, although I was excited that it had come, I was also a little disappointed at how flimsy the paper was that it was printed on :(

But, at least it's here at last, and Hubby immediately went out to get a suitable frame for it, and it's now hanging up on the living room wall :)

As I told you before, I've taken up crocheting to while away the time, and I have to say that I'm really delighted with how well I've taken to it. I know my work is still a bit rough around the edges, so-to-speak, but I'm really enjoying creating stuff that's going to be useful to loved ones.

The first things I made were a series of headband/ear-warmers for my daughter, in a variety of colours, so she can keep her head and ears warm this winter. As she's got a head full of dreads, she's finding it difficult to find anything suitable to wear around them, and my stuff has really fit the bill, I'm glad to say :)
Here's a picture of one of them:







This is made with a Dusky Lilac DK Acrylic Wool, and a 5.00mm hook.
The Yellow rose was made with the same gauge of wool and hook.
I got the patterns free from:
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=HJLIsyyn_CM&feature=player_detailpage 
&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gqvaSFEYOg

The Rose pattern can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94vYpcZ3W64&feature=relmfu



I also made her my first crocheted pair of fingerless loves, which she was really happy to get, as she had just given away her only pair to a Jamaican friend she'd met up with at her latest mini festival, and who was freezing cold in our so-delightful weather. Lol

They're not perfect, but I didn't think they were too bad for my first attempt, and Brex loves them, so that's all that counts really :)

Here they are:


These were made with an Emerald Green DK Acrylic Wool and 4.00mm + 4.5 mm hooks.

I got the pattern from:

http://www.woolcrafting.com/crochet-gloves-pattern.html

On the subject of crocheting, I've been searching the internet for projects to make, and have come up with enough stuff to keep me busy for the next 5 years! :)


I've also come across Plarn - yarn made out of all those useless carrier bags that take centuries to break down!

I actually made a big ball of it, just out of the bags we've got stored at the moment, and I plan to make a pair of long-sleeved fingerless gloves for my daughter, which she plans to use with a costume she's making for her stilt-walking/fire dancing work. We're both looking forward to see how they turn out, and I'll put a photo of them on here - that's if they turn out okay, of course! :)



It was our 29th wedding anniversary yesterday (8th) and, as most of our friends have to work, we decided to invite them over for a meal this Saturday just gone. A good family friend makes an awesome Rogan Josh curry, so we based our meal around that. The food turned out well, and we all had a great time. 

One of our friends, Hannelore - a fantastic craftswoman, had made me the most gorgeous jewellery set I've ever seen - a torc necklace that fits me perfectly, and a pair of lovely dangley earrings to match. 

My daughter took a picture of me wearing them, so I'm posting them for everyone to see (although the picture doesn't do them the justice they deserve) - and also a link to Hannelore's shop, where she's got some awesome stuff up for sale, in a variety of mediums, and prices - you really should have a look, as I think her stuff is amazing!:


http://www.etsy.com/shop/AstridsJewelGarden?page=1

Here's her Blog, where she shows how she makes some of her stuff, and also shows some of her artwork, which is also fantastic to see:

http://paperbeadsinspiration.blogspot.co.uk/

You can also 'meet' her at the following places:

https://www.facebook.com/AstridsGarden


http://twitter.com/AstridsGarden


I'm just going to finish off with a couple of pictures of my girl, waiting to do what she does best - dancing with her fire wings at the Burning Man Festival, which has just taken place in the USA :)

Brex getting ready to perform her fire dance.
Brex performing in front of the Burning Man




I'm so very proud of my girl! :)

Monday, September 10, 2012

And I'm still waiting . . .

It feels like an age since I found out I'd got a 2:1 degree, and I have spent the time since then waiting, fairly patiently, to receive my degree certificate. Unfortunately, it still hasn't arrived through the post, and I'm beginning to wonder just when it will :/

I know that, in the great order of things, a piece of stiff paper with a bit of writing, and a pretty picture of the University's motif on it, isn't that great a thing to be worried about but, if I'm honest with myself - and I do always try to be honest with myself - I guess I need that paper proof, just so that I can look at it, and think back over the 6 years of tough striving it took me, to get it in the first place.

My hubby was very proud of my determination to continue with, and then complete, my degree as he, more than anyone else on this earth, knows how hard it was for me to do, and I guess that's why I love him so much, as he was, and still is, my full-time carer, as well as my husband, and it fell to him to look after me when the studying caused my health to deteriorate. I guess, if anyone deserves this degree, it would have to be equally my hubby, as well as I - it's a pity that can't be written on the certificate, isn't it? :)

On the writing front, I've barely done anything since my final course finished, as my health was so bad by then, that it has taken all this time just to get to a place where I can even think of doing anything.

I had planned to start the research needed for a story idea I've had in my head for a couple of years now, and I had also planned for my children's book to be at least completed enough to start sending it on the rounds of editor's slush piles but, unfortunately, my daughter has been so busy with her work, doing stilt-walking, and fire wing exhibitions, that she hasn't had the time to finish the illustrations I need. I'm hoping she'll have a bit of time this winter to do them, before all the various festivals start once again in the spring - I can hope, anyway :)

I had also planned on using some of my spare time in finishing off a cross-stitch pattern I've been working - on and off - for my daughter but, unfortunately once again, my hands have been so bad, I've been unable to wield the sewing needle to do so. 

Because my creative side has been so very frustrated, I've decided to take up crochet work - something I haven't done since I was a child, when my great-grandmother taught us all how to do it. I can't manage knitting needles, but I figure a crotchet hook won't be so bad, and I'm hoping it'll keep my hands a bit more mobile than they've become recently.

I'm going to start off by crocheting a throw-over for my bed - something to put a bit more colour into the room I spend so much of my time in. I'm going to use shades of medium and light terracotta, some yellow, and some white, to make granny squares - an easy pattern for me to re-learn all I've forgotten :)

Once I've completed this - or maybe in between - I'm going to attempt a little wrap-around bolero top for my daughter - I know! I'm probably getting wildly ahead of myself {grin}

I'm just hoping that this will keep me active - in the times when I am actually awake - over the winter months and then, if we actually have a decent spring and summer next year, where we're not water-logged all the time, I may even be able to get back to my much-loved cross-stitching again!


Friday, August 03, 2012

And my final results are in . . .



I received an email from a student friend yesterday, telling me that she had just received her exam results for her final module, and that she had also accepted a First Class Honours in Literature!


I was just so delighted for her, as we have been studying together through all but this last, sixth, year with the Open University, and I know how hard she had worked :)


Before I sent her a congratulatory email, I quickly signed on to my Open University account, and checked my results!


For a few minutes I felt quite down, as I saw I had only received a Pass 3 for my final module - which was the first time I'd got one. But, after thinking about it, I realised that it wasn't that bad a result, considering thatif you've been following my blog, you'll know this last year has been absolutely awful for me, due to my many, and varied, health problems :(

But, for some reason, I got it into my head that, with this result, it would mean that I wouldn't pass my honours degree!


It was only on reading further that I saw, to my huge relief that, far from failing, I was actually being offered an Upper Second Class Honours in Literature - which wasn't too far short of my friend's result!


(I do hope you'll pardon me, for the momentary sin of pride?) 


             YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Once I'd calmed down a little, I quickly followed the instructions to accept my degree - and so, now all I need to do, is to wait for the certificate to be sent to me through the post :)


When I first started this learning journey in earnest, I had occasionally wondered if I could, or would, ever get a degree, and had daydreamed occasionally about walking on to a stage, in front of my fellow students, to accept it. This daydream often had lots of pictures being taken of me, in my OU gown, grinning triumphantly, and grasping my degree in my sweaty hand - but, of course, the reality of my situation always burst that little daydream - after all, if I can't get as far as my nearest town, which is only a mile and a half away, how on earth did I think I could make it to an awards ceremony right across the country from me!

It took me a little time to accept this would never happen, and I kidded myself, for some time, that it didn't really matter, knowing in my heart of hearts that, yes, actually, it did matter! 


But, six years after starting this adventure, it is really, and truly, the fact that I have kept on going with it, despite all the hurdles I've had to face, that is, I think, my best achievement!


So the idea of an awards ceremony is something to smile about now, and something I really don't regret missing out on, as the reality of my achievement gives me so much more pleasure :)


There was a little blood, a lot of sweat and, in this last year of study, a lake of tears has been involved in my achieving what I set out to do six years ago but, despite all of this, I'm just so glad I did it!


Not bad for a 50-year-old, broken-down, bookworm! :)










Friday, June 08, 2012

And it's all over . . .

That's it. The end.


I sent off my very last EMA, a 3,000-word essay, where I had to choose 2 texts, using no more than 500 words between them, and then find the creativity and literariness within them, using at least two of the theorists from each part of the module, using 3,000 words, with a 10% leeway.


I managed it in 3,259 words of complete and utter waffle, but at least I managed to mention the more major theorists, along with their theories!


It wasn't my best essay of the module, but I don't think it was my worst, either. But I guess I'll find out in August, when our results come back, as to whether I've passed or failed. It won't be my tutor marking them, but someone else, who won't know me, my style of writing, or the health problems I've had throughout the module, so I'm just hoping I've done enough, even if it's just to get a bare pass! 


If I've failed, then I'll be offered another chance to sit it, which I'm hoping and praying isn't the case.


If I've passed, then it means I'll be the proud owner of a BA (Hons) Literature with Creative Writing.


I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with myself after 6 years with the Open University. It's going to be very strange, not to be constantly surrounded by piles of course books, paper, files, and the odd sweet wrapper (study has always driven me to snacking).


But at least I'll be able to start tackling the ever-increasing pile of novels waiting to be read :)


Tuesday, June 05, 2012

I'm almost at the finishing line . . . . .

I'm coming towards the end of my Open University life now, so there will probably be changes to both title, and contents, of this Blog, once I've been presented with my degree. I'll keep you all posted though, to let you know when :)
___________________________________________________________________________




 . . . and I'm really, really, having a difficult time getting there!


I have exactly 48 hours to go, with this painfully short time being all that I have left, as I need to write my very last, and final, end-of-module essay!


I have to admit that I'm struggling so very badly at the moment, and I think I'll be ending up sending in an uncompleted essay :(


Because we've been doing the course from TMA to TMA, I had forgotten the sheer amount of theorists, and their theories, that there actually was, and so now, when I need to be clear about who I need to use, and who not, in my essay, it's all about as clear as mud :(


I've spent every minute awake over the last week or so, trawling through the multitude of module books, trying to search out all the elusive and pungent quotes needed to get anything like a pass for this. 


I'm now at 2,296 words, out of 3,000, and I've barely made a start on the analysis of my first text choice! Because of this, I know that, even if by some miracle, I complete the EMA, it's going to take me hours to edit it back enough to keep within the word-count which, with the 10% lee-way, gives me 3,300 words to write.


I'm just hoping and, frankly, praying, that I manage to stay awake long enough to do this! Mind you, because of all the stress, I'm in so much pain right now, I've been kept awake for the last 24 hours - I just hope it lasts until the essay is done, because at least then, it won't matter if I collapse for a few weeks!


So, in the meantime, I've just finished another blog of mine and, once I've sent this one, I'll have to stop procrastinating, and get back to the grind!


Thank you Jehovah God, that it's almost over :(



Monday, May 21, 2012

And it's my best score yet!

For a change, I got my TMA 06 results back within a week, so it was a huge surprise for me, to see the email informing me that I could upload my marked essay. To add to the surprise, when I got to the relevant place, I saw that I'd managed to score a whopping 80% for this final TMA!


After only having two weeks to read all the relevant chapters, work through the various assignments on each chapter, and then write my TMA, it really was a shock for me to get such a high mark - especially as I posted it, thinking that I'd be really happy with just a pass mark :)


As usual, my tutor wrote in depth where I hadn't expanded the information that was needed, or I'd missed the opportunity to write about this subject, or that one and, as usual, I wondered where I could fit in all she asked of me, with the limited word count we had - and that's without the fact of her being lucky that I remembered enough of the facts to write anything at all!


I'm really pleased with my result, albeit puzzled as to how I could get such a high mark when I can't remember what I'd written, at least, not without having it in front of me! But, as I go about getting everything together, ready to begin writing my EMA (End-of-Module-Assignment), I can't help feeling relieved that the torture that is this module, is soon to be over and done with! 


As usual for this stage of my writing an essay, my mind is a total blank, and so I'm, once again, having to trawl through all of the course books and study guides, along with watching and listening to the CD-ROMs, in the hopes that something will spark an idea for me to write about.


I really do feel that every TMA I've written for this module, has been a rehash of the one before and, with the instructions given for this final essay, it looks to me to be exactly the same kind of thing again :/


One of my fellow students got it very right when she said that E301: The art of English, can be likened to Marmite - you either love it, or you hate it. I'm afraid, unlike Marmite, which I've always loved, this module is definitely on my hate list!


But, provided that I can get a 70% pass rate for the EMA, by August, I should be the proud possessor of my degree and, as the OU have kindly renamed my degree to reflect the work I've put into it, I'll be awarded a BA (Hons) Literature with Creative Writing :)


It has taken me 6 long years to get to this point, and there have been a lot of ups and downs along the way but, all-in-all, I'm so very glad I started studying with the Open University. It has opened up my whole life in many ways but , more especially, it has enabled me to be in contact with like-minded people from across the UK, and even Europe. This has been vital to me, as I live my life stuck between four walls, a prisoner of my own body. But, with the aid of my trusty laptop - another gift from the O.U - I am able to roam all across the world in my search for knowledge, and the companionship of others in the same position as myself.


When I weigh it all up, I have to admit that I wouldn't have changed this experience for the world - but it is definitely time for me to move on, and for me to start to use all the things I've been taught!





Tuesday, May 01, 2012

My Life Travels :)

I've just been sent this by my Cuz, and couldn't resist posting it here, as it is just so me at the moment! Lol



I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.
Apparently, you can't go alone. 
You have to be in Cahoots with someone else.
 
I've also never been in Cognito. 
I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. 
They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. 
I have made several trips there, thanks to my 
friends, family and work. 
I live close, so it's only a short drive.
 
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. 
That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
 
Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.
 
One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! 
It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! 

At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not.

People keep telling me I'm in Denial but I'm positive I've never been there before!

I have been in Deepoo many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there. 
I actually kind of enjoy it there.

So far, I haven't been in Continent; but my doctor says I'll be going soon.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Yay! 78%, and nearly at the end!

I was both shocked, and delighted, when my score came in for TMA 05. I managed to get a score of 78%, the highest score so far for this course!


I'm both delighted, and very nervous now, as this raises expectations for the next, and final, TMA, which I know I won't be able to match :(


Not only am I 2 weeks behind with this next one, but I won't be able to have an extension to catch up, as that would eat into my End of Module Assessment, and there's definitely no extension's allowed for that!


So I'm going to have to skim-read a couple of weeks work, and hope I absorb enough to be able to write at least a coherent TMA 06. But, whatever happens with it, at least I would have tried! :)


____________________________________________


I've also had some great news from my daughter, who is a professional stilt-walker, based in Bristol. 


She's had the chance of getting to the 2012 Burning Man festival, in the USA, as she's teamed up with the Fireworks Collective, a group of around 40 performers who use fire in their acts, and who go out there regularly to perform.


They've just launched an appeal for funding, which will pay for developing and building the props they'll be using, the cost of fuel and safety equipment both here in the UK while they practise their routines, and in the USA for the performances, the costumes for the performers, and the cost of transporting the props and gear to the USA, and back again.


All of the performers will be paying their own fares and living costs, so the money raised will be going just for the above. 


I've already donated my bit towards it all, and am looking forward to receiving a sticker designed by a top London Graffiti artist as a gift for my contribution :)


The link for their site is:


http://igg.me/p/96902?a=574885


Hope you go to the site, and see the wonderful photos already posted, and you'll be able to read up all about what's happening so far - and see how awesome it's going to be! :)


Monday, April 16, 2012

Getting there, once again . . .



Well, I've managed to get back up to 2,717!


Not as far forward as I'd hoped, due to fighting the usual bad health :(  
But I'm really pleased with it, as I've also managed to tighten up my writing, to add even more details to the essay, so that's an improvement for me :)


I've now got until 26th April, 10 more days, to get it finished and posted off to be marked, but I'm really hoping to have it done before this week is out, as TMA06, and the EMA, are looming horribly on the horizon :(


As there's no substitution on 05, I really need to get as high a mark as is possible for me so that, if 06 is disrupted by my health problems, I can then have the substitution marking used for that one.


I just need to get the energy together and, really soon, I'll be free of the whole course!


Yay!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Disaster strikes again . . . .

and once again, it's through my own stupidity!


I'm in the throes of reading, and writing my TMA05 still - that is, I'm now 6 days over the posting date, and into yet another extension :(


Due to the effects of my many and varied maladies, and especially the migraines which, while curbed for the moment, still give me the effect of fuzzy eyesight when I'm fighting them off, I had become almost 8 weeks behind in the course :(


Despite all my good intentions in my March 10th post, I've been taking one step forward, and 2 steps back, and yesterday afternoon was a case in point.


This TMA is a double one, with an essay of 3,500 words to write, and with no substitution allowed, which means I really do need to do as best as I can with it. Yesterday, I woke up in the early afternoon, which made a change from the early evening and, as my head was fairly clear, and the fuzziness had left my eyes, I set to on my essay. I'd got as far as 1,385 words, but I saw a direction to go in, so I eagerly started to read a bit, write a bit, read a bit, and write a bit, which is the only way I'm able to do things nowadays.


I'd managed to finish the introduction, the explanations, and the summaries, and I'd really got into discourse structures, linguistic indicators of point of view, and schema refreshment - I was on a roll!


I'd just got to speech and thought representation (anyone who's done E301, will recognise these Short chapters!), and was starting to even understand what I was reading, when the disaster happened. 


I'd got to 2,780 words, and I'd started feeling really tired, and my eyes were fuzzing up again, so I decided to close down all the extra word documents I'd had open for references, and to work out diagrams, when I clicked what I thought was the spare diagram document, and the link came up for 'Yes, No, Cancel' - to save the work.


As I'd copied my diagrams to the Appendices, I clicked 'No', to not save it - and as my finger raised up from doing it, I realized to my horror, that I'd just deleted all the hours and hours of work I'd just written!


Never mind, I thought to myself, my auto-save would have caught a copy, so I'm only bound to have missed a few words!


It didn't.


I phoned computer-savvy friends, I asked in the forums, I contacted everyone I could think of, but there was no go.


By this time I was crying - with anger at myself, and with frustration that I'd let myself get so tired, that I wasn't thinking straight any more. Once I'd phoned a good friend, who calmed me down somewhat, I realised that, yes, I'm going to have to do this all over again tomorrow.


The problem with this, though, is that my memory is so poor, I know I'll never capture those same words and phrases again. What had been a great, and inspirational day of work, was totally wasted :(


I think, beyond anything else, this has shown me just how badly my ailments are affecting me now and, to be honest, I'll truly be grateful to see the back of this course, and the ending of my University life.


But, when later today comes, and I start all over again, this time, I'm making sure I save every single paragraph I write - with copies!





Saturday, March 17, 2012

Awake at Stupid O'Clock . . . .



I'm awake at stupid O'clock again, and am too fibro-fogged to be able to study, but I thought I'd look in on the various forums for my course, just to see if anything's new.


What I did come across is the following, and it tickled me so much, I thought I'd share it:

A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day. 

"In English," he said, "a double negative forms a positive. In some languages though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. 

However," he pointed out, "there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative." 

A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah. Right." 



I know, I know - but it's funny, you've got to admit that? {grin}