Monday, February 23, 2009

2009 - FO No 6

Okay knitting first -
Pattern: Little Daisy Swing Coat, size 1-2 years
Yarn: Dazzle acrylic for easy washing, about 100gm and a little extra
Started: 20th February, Finished: Today
I knitted this for Paul's cousins new baby girl, Evie, who was born at the start of February. I thought I would use a different color this time and add the bright pink button for a hint of color too. This pattern was a nice and easy one and I can see some more being made up for any future little girls around here.
So hopefully by Wednesday I should have some of the squares to show you all. The ladies who organised it now have a blog about the blankets being made. Blanketsoffriendship.blogspot.com is a great way to keep up-to-date and also some news of the bushfires too.
Isabelle is doing much better. We had an awful stressful weekend when she developed a headcold, you know the kind where you cant breathe through your nose and then it decides to turn bright red after you have to keep wiping it. We had to pull out the humidifier to allow her to be able to breathe somewhat better, and we used 2 big boxes of tissues in 2 days. She is now back to her normal self and we actually had a much better morning without me having to take her into the classroom. Fingers crossed that it works that well for tomorrow.
I really do feel as though I need a few days extra sleep. I havent been sleeping properly due to Isabelle being sick but there have been financial problems lurking over my and Paul's head. Paul changed jobs last October because the other job he had was so stressful and sometimes there wasnt any work so he had to go and try to get work for a week or so to fill the gaps in between. When he left he had no idea that he was going to earn quite a bit less money than before, so now we have been struggling with a few bills and the mortgage payments. We got into a bad loan a few years back and I wont name any companies that got us into that situation. Suffice to say that when they lowered interest rates we were still way above the normal rate. Now we need to go and see a financial counsellor on Wednesday night to see if we can do something to stop from losing our house or whether we have to sell it up and rent for a year or two to get out of so much debt. I do have to say that having such money problems is a huge stress for both of us, and we havent been sleeping very well. I have been job hunting but no such luck as yet which doesnt really help out much at the moment. I am very thankful to say that the internet and my knitting keep my mind occupied for a few hours throughout the week. I am just explaining my situation so that I can try and destress a bit on my blog. Doesnt everyone feel better when they have someone to talk to about problems like that. Let us hope that by the end of the week there is light at the end of the tunnel so to speak!

27 comments:

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear that Isabelle was so sick. I have been lucky that my kids haven't caught the nasty bugs around here. I hope that you will be able to find a way to make it through your finacial hardship. My husband just took a sizable pay cut and I don't have any income...we are starting to feel the pinch and I'm afraid it will get much worse befoe it gets better!

Kate said...

Hi Sue - I hopw you have good news on Wednesday or at least can get a good plan together. Money is such a stressful thing.
Love that swing coat - is that the sublime one - I was just talking to my sister about how much we love all those patterns.

Lynne said...

Oh-oh! I hope the visit with the financial counsellor is productive. All the best.

Lou's Mum said...

good luck. I hope it all works out the best for you. these are stressful time. thank goodness for knitting and stashes!

Anonymous said...

11 years ago when I left my husband I bought him out of the house and took out a fixed interest loan for 5 years. Of course as soon as I did that interest rates tumbled, and only went back up again after my 5 year term had finished....

Those were tough times, but the boys and I stuck together and we got through it, just as you will. Whatever ends up happening, you have my best wishes and strong scrunchie-faced good thoughts.\

(We knitters have to stick together!)

Carol said...

sweet little sweater :)

TROIS OISEAUX - Kimber said...

I love this daisy sweater (it has been in my "que" for a while). As soon as you get that up in Rav I am going to fav that!

Gillian said...

I hope that the financial counsellor can offer you some useful and sound advice. In the meantime I send you my love and thanks for your support of me when I needed it badly. Thinking of you and hoping for the best result.
Cheers Gillian

Harpa Jónsdóttir said...

Yep - I know exactly what you mean about de stressing and blogging. I hope you get help with your financial situation and that you can make some kind of a plan some you can sleep a little better.



The coat is really lovely!

Oiyi said...

I love that sweater. I finally got that book recently, so I hope to make one for my little one.

I am so sorry to hear about your financial situation. I understand how hard it is to be a one-income household. Everyday I am so thankful that my DH has his job. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

The little jacket is precious! Beautiful as always :)

I'm sorry about your stress. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you receive some good advice on Wednesday and get the help to create a plan that is more workable so you aren't so worried.

PlumStitches said...

you're little sweater looks great! no wonder you aren't sleeping so well - good luck in getting everything straighten out. that sounds like a really stressful situation.

Anonymous said...

Oh Sue,

I nearly cried when I read this! You poor poor things! Surely someone can help you not loose the house? They have all those ads on TV that suggest you go see someone... can any of the banks help?
What sort of work are you looking for? Maybe you could contact the Knitting publishers and do some test knitting - maybe call Patons or Cleckheaton? Put a note on your blog and say you'll do consignment knitting? I don't know! If you were closer you could be my second Fregie sewing person... bugger!

Did you ever find out what was worrying Isabelle at school? Was she being bullied?

Let me know if there is anything we can do to help!

Warm thoughts and hugs coming your way!

Rebecca

Wanderingcatstudio said...

The sweater is lovely and I love the pink button. They just announced they are doing layoffs at my work, but haven't said who yet, so I uderstand your feeling of stress.... but you've got to stay positive, it's been my experience that even though you may struggle for a while things always work out in the end

opportunityknits said...

The Daisy swing coat is so sweet. Hehee I would fancy an adult sized version for myself too :)
Hope things work out with the financial counsellor. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

That is very cute!

I wish the best for your family. I hope everything works our for you.

Amanda said...

I really feel for you. I sincerely hope things will work out well and soon too. Living with stress is a hard thing.

sweetp said...

Really sorry to hear of your $$ situation. Money IS such a stress. I will cross my fingers for you xx Big Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Oh Sue I'm so sorry to hear your having such a hard time there. I really hope you can find some solution on Wednesday. There is such a lot of stress around at the moment. Feel free to keep de-stressing here

x

Hilary said...

Sue, I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope that Wendnesday brings some good news and a clear path forward. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Isn't knitting a wonderful distraction sometimes? That little swing coat is absolutely adorable, and I am in love with the color combo of the yarn and button. Fantastic!

Jodie said...

Firstly, I LOVE the cardi Sue... Once again your knitting amazes me.... As for your situation, I really do feel for you and your husband. It must be placing enourmous pressure on both of you. I hope all goes well with your counsellor on Wednesday noght and you don't have to sell the house...
Keep up the knitting if it takes your mind off it all I say... :)

Take Care
Jodie

Sarah said...

That is the sweetest little sweater!

I hope you get some good news today and that your financial situation starts to look better soon!

Sam said...

I hope you find someone who can help you with a sound plan that will alleviate the stress.

Beautiful jacket btw.

Anonymous said...

A lovely jacket. Great combination of yarn and the button.
Hopefully your financial advisor is a good one and can help you back on the right track.

Corrie said...

oh sue sending you some cyber hugs...money troubles are the pits. hope it all sorts itself out and hope your knitting is keeping your mind off it!

love the high school reunion picks! we had a 10 year one and I'm hanging out for my 20 year one! I just love them!

Corrie:)

Kellie said...

Sue I am sorry that I had not read this before now. I am sorry about your situation. I hope that things work their way out for you both. Times are hard for so many at the moment and sadly I fear that they will get worse before they get better. I hope you are able to weather the storm.

Ann said...

Gorgeous coat - love the color & the pink buttong really finish it off nicely. Hope you will be getting some good news soon! Good luck!