Still got a long way to go

This morning I was contemplating putting my washing out, but then the sun went in (surprise surprise) and I cant believe how much the temperature has dropped! Its been trying to snow all afternnon, so I guess Spring is still some way off!
Its been another mixed bag this week . Work is going well, Im starting to get the hang of things and getting to know the ladies I work with. Im still not sure about one or two of them, but I guess Im gonna get that wherever I work.
 There have been a few financial hiccups tho, the DWP still havent released my final JSA payment (its only been 3 weeks!!!) or my P45 so Im paying emergency tax (boo). Ive been trying to get through to the DWP all week, but get so fed up of being held in their queueing system that I give up after about 20 mins - this has happened 4 time so far. No wonder they get shouted at so much! Weve sat down and crunched the numbers and had to rebudget as Im now getting paid weekly and its a pretty grim picture. We desperatley need OH to get some work (tho his brother is currently not working himself so theres not much chance of anything in the near future) or we really need him to get the Etsy shop going. He is working really hard getting his stock built up, but as hes making stuff on a budget sourcing materials can be a bit hit and miss. So the tough times are with us for a while yet. :o(

On the gardening front, I can almost see the Spring bulbs growing each day and it never fails to make me smile....

Daffodils in the front garden

Snowdrops (and tulips) in the front garden (ignore the weeds)

And Ive also noticed a poor broccoli plant that I put in last year (that got hammered by slugs) has produced a wee floret :o) Not enough for a meal tho!

Broccoli (almost)

Im itching to get going on the veg garden, but its still a bit too cold yet. Im tempted to get some seed potatoes to start chitting them but the budget might not stretch to any compost for my containers (and mine isnt ready yet). Im pondering wether to ask the Mother in Law if I can have some of hers (shes been making it for years but hasnt used much over the last couple due to mobility problems), but not sure if this will offend her or not. Hmm, not an easy call that one. 

 Elsewhere, on the craft front, I have some orders for Owls from some ladies at work and have been working on another card. Ive finished off the Mother in Laws for her Birthday next week (but still have to think of a gift for her).

Mother in Laws Birthday Card

Also, the wonderful Jen of Make Do And Mend Year Fame posted the second part of my guest post on her fabulous blog, so that was quite exciting!
So, thats really about it for happening this weekapart from the usual working, cooking, cleaning and vegging out in front of the telly of an evening . It has been a week of online comment chats with lovely people on Twitter, Facebook and Pick & Mix and great to catch up with some peeps I havent chatted to in ages. I still, however, have some emails to write and then start thinking about putting some food on the table this evening.
I hope a great week is in store for us all, and thank you for reading. Btw, I think I might have solved the problem that some of you had when trying to comment, you could always try and see if it works now!
Have a good one,
Jojo
:o)

Its Blog O'clock

Well I guess its time for another update.
Tbh the last couple of weeks havent been very exciting. Ive been trying to settle in to my new job (going quite well I think) and get back into a routine. With the recent snow I have discovered if I do have to walk to work, it takes me just under an hour (its about 3k), so thats quite do-able. Im also now being paid weekly so am having to juggle the budgeting around a bit, which is taking a bit of getting used to!
So, Ive not really been doing much, rather than going through the motions.
Craftwise, Ive been x'stitching, working on some Birthday cards.....

 Gardenwise, Im loving seeing my bulbs coming through, and cant wait to get going on my veg garden. The veg patch was on loan to my Mother in Law for a good few years and she was growing beans on it. However, its kinda sat idle for the last couple of years, so she has decided I can have it back. Its got three compost bins and a wooden coldframe (which is rotting) so I can only use just under half of it, but its a start. Ive marked it out and reckon Ive got about 1m x 2m to play in. So thats lettuce, radishes and possibly carrots, with peas in the flower border and potatoes in tubs. Not much, but will keep us in salad leaves for a good part of the Summer. :o)
Ive also had my first Blue Dwarf Iris come out this week, and so far (touch wood) the slugs havent found it!

The only other thing worth mentioning this week is that I have finally taken the Halogen Oven out of the box and decided to give it a go. It was purchased last June by the Mother in Law as a replacement for a small oven she had which broke. However, she decided it was too much for her (new technology to master etc), so we bought it off her, and its sat in the box ever since. Ive read some great things about them and as they are a great electricity saver, decided it was high time to give it a go. Being the adventurous, rock n roll, live by the seat of my pants type of gal I am, my first experiment was to make chips! Oven chips in 15 mins with only a splash of oil - and they werent bad at all.

So, the quest is on for more recipies etc, who knows I might even start (gasp) baking in it!

Well, thats about it for the mo, Ive hung some washing outside for the first time this year (its been great to see the sun this weekend), so Id best go and get it in. You cant beat the smell of line dried towels I reckon.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Take Care.
Jojo

Rollercoaster Week

Wow, what a week its been! Im not sure even where to start.

Monday - found out that the job I had an interview for last week (and really, really wanted) had been given to a friend of someone who worked for the company - I was gutted and more than a little upset. I started freaking about not being able to pay Januarys bills.

Tuesday - got a possible lead on a temp role and spent another day waiting for the phone to ring (the agency had to confirm some details with the company).

Wednsday - Agency confirmed that company wanted me for a trial day on Friday and managed to find funds to cover months bills, things starting to look up.

Thursday - spent the day sewing. Got the quilt pieces put together, now waiting for some supplies before I can get the next phase done.

Friday - days trial @ Single Point of Access (an NHS service dealing with referrals from Doctors and Hospitals). All went well and I am going to be temping with them until November, and then we shall see what happens.Yay - I have a job!!!!!!
Also on Friday, my first ever guest blog (part 1) appeared over on the lovely Jen's blog my make do and mend year . Jen and her family are not buying anything new for a whole year (apart from food that is). They are 5 months in and are doing a brilliant job of making gifts etc, and finding some great bargins in Charity shops. etc.  Shes a real inspiration.

Saturday - spent the afternoon shopping for a new kettle with the Mother in Law, and the rest of the day trying to get myself organised for going back to work. :o)

Sunday - its 2 years since my lovely Father-in-Law passed away, so today is a bit emotional. Still really miss him.
Also, today is the Pagan Sabbat of Imblog (Chrisitan Feats of St Bridgid), its all about celebrating the first signs of Spring.  Im really enjoying seeing the first snowdrops in my garden and the other bulbs (Tulips, Iris', Narcissi, Bluebells, Crocus',and Hyacinths) poking through and am thinking about what veg Im going to plant this year.

Things are on the whole feeling more positive (having a wage coming in is such a relief), and its certainly not as cold outside (tho that wind has a bit of a bite).

Onwards and upwards I reckon!

Jojo