lured to crafts

My mom's birthday was on the 9th of January. I would have loved to blog on that day but I was besieged by a colossal series of coughing (until now). It's the cold weather. I miss my mother. I miss her insights.

Surrounded by haberdashery and crafts growing up, my mother could crochet. I remember her projects i. e. bedspreads and table covers. She also loved to cross stitch. Cross stitch is not that hard but a finished craft needs commitment and framing. I miss her framed works in Bacolod. It seems we have to starve ourselves to be able to go home this year.

Now, about crochet. I've been trying to learn since I was nine. Of course, there were always other stuff to do, in the past 30 years. There wasn't a gargantuan push to pick up any kind of craft for the sake of relieving stress. Life and earning one's keep takes precedence. Then here we are, in this decade, this millenium.

I remember learning about crochet tension from Lola Cel (my mom's maternal aunts were uber cool but I'm biased). There was my mom during those wide-eyed existence but guiding me now in my journey through the stitches and patterns is youtube, a saving grace, a very helpful, handful device.

I chose crochet over knitting as the influential personalities of my childhood were into crochet, as I've said. My lolas were also into embroidery, I was in awe of their work as I grow up, all I did as a kid was stare into their delicate creations, that in addition to being talented seamstresses.

Actually, I thought about crochet when I saw the fascination with looms on celebrity instagrams. I just concurred that crochet is more useful. So far, I have no complaints.

ever yet so again

It's another year. We're halfway through January and it's the first month in the Gregorian calendar although in the work calendar, there's still February and March to sort out the year and April is the month for beginnings and resolutions in real time. I can't wait for the sun shining in April. We're so dependent on artificial lights during January and it hurts the electric bill.

For some sort of trivial exfoliation of old, annoyingly archaic habit of procrastination, I've read somewhere that not a few have read a hundred books in 2015 alone and I haven't finished at least one, so embarrassing. I read so slow, one can't even laugh about the fact. I haven't been to the theatre to watch plays or the theatre to engage in new motion picture releases. I used to watch every Jennifer Aniston movie screenings whether it's at an Odeon nearby or all the way to Marble Arch, because it's the only cinema in the entire London that fits my schedule. But the past two years, I haven't even bothered on Sky Premiere.

I'll take stock and reflect, definitely. Read, learn, remember.
Eat more carrots. Cook (as befits the photo above, my daughter's toys). Move.

Let's check this list next week.

before we leave 2014!

I love Lego!

In order

1.


2.


3.


Christmas produces way too much clutter. But the spirit of praying, of being good, of being kind is still there, in earnest.

unwrapped

it's a very commercialised Christmas in these shores. the hubby dug deep in the gifts provisions. of course, it's not like it's a new car. we both lack the license to drive and I would need high-powered contact lenses, as I'm hindered by my poor eyesight. but presents are presents and they would rock (!), as I expect them to be, let's wait for Christmas Day. the ones with his family are done. was I disappointed with the scarf? the thing is I'm that important, my sweet little daughter is the key to happiness. and she's quite prudent in her dealings with wrappings. let's see, pink dress? yes, please.

wrapped in blues

I felt so down while I was occupied with wrapping presents and signing cards the past few days. I didn't know whether it was because of the cold or the season just pulls me down due to too much commerce. Until now I have no cards to display in the allotted slot. Maybe the pseudo smiles in the corridor are enough to lift the gloom. Who knows, days pass us by without us noticing. I've hosted a get together where everybody knows everybody, which is fun.

I've discovered crochet. I've yet to polish my baking and cooking techniques. I don't cook that much yet but it's damn good amazing to consume what one has prepared. I read the papers daily. I've observed cultures and behaviours. I view social media with a bit of derision. Mostly, I just want my toddler to go to bed early.

the toddler phase

Now that it's December, the prams are upon us. Too many prams in the shopping centre just today at midday, as I was in a rush to procure presents for kids in my circle.

On Friday, (minus the pram), I brought my toddler to the centre, hoping she would behave. We were made to vanish while her dad was dusting and hoovering. It was a nightmare, my sweet two year old couldn't yet comprehend the concept of "no touch, no screams, just look." This phase of "lying on the floor" in protest when she doesn't get what she wants is not amusing. Nor is her screaming non-stop. For the screeching noise, I got dagger looks in the bus.

Children grow up as DR (who's DR?) pointed out to me in September (childcare issues, wth?). But this page and the paragraph above is for keeps, as next time next year she'll be more prudent and won't just choose all the pink dresses in her wardrobe.