The Cupboard Was Bare

This is a before (left) and after (right) on my yarn stash.

It all went on ebay apart from a few bits and pieces now in the bottom of the cupboard. Thanks to those of you who bought from me - there were lots of bargains! It was quite stressful packing it all up and I am quite sad when I look at how little is left - but less this be a lesson to us all! Aimless stashing is pointless. You never know when you'll need to flee the country or be flooded or something else. It's not a bargain unless you are going to definitely use it. When I think of all the money I spent on what has gone....ugh. Never mind. Lesson learnt.

I did take a break from parcelling things up to go to a lovely Tea Party at Rachel's house. She and Mr K had baked up a storm.

That wasn't even the half of it. The highlight for me was the jam I had with the scones which they had made themselves. Raspberry, and seriously the best jam I have ever had (hope Mater doesn't read this but it's true). Cucumber sandwiches, gossip, scandal and knitting - lovely! I took my Pop Spots along and since then am just one final repeat from finishing the border.

I think the lace is supposed to go around the whole thing but the outer edge is enough for me. Not the most interesting thing to do - knitting on a lace edging - although quite meditative. Getting back to the tea party...Rachel has recently moved into the loveliest flat and made it amazingly chic and comfortable. It was a proper, adult home.

They have proper furniture that they own that was really nice and not flatpack. I admit I haven't read the book or seen the film but I rather suspect I am Lixie Ripley to Rachel's Dicky except she is the talented one. I have to keep remembering it's not sexy to be jealous and decide to simply admire her instead. If Mr K turns out to look like Matt Damon though...wait, that doesn't work. He'd have to look like Gwyneth Paltrow, and that would just be odd for all concerned.

Discussions continue about moving to Japan for Pooch's new job later this year. Still no date but I do know that when we come back (after 12-18 months) I shall be looking to start my own version of a home. I am feeling very done down by the economy. I earn too much for most schemes, too little to get a mortgage without tens of thousands of pounds as a deposit and it will take me years and years more to get to anything like that. I never thought I'd be 35 and still renting with no end in sight. Ah well. No sense in wallowing.

Things could be a lot worse.