Happy New Year
Er, okay, we're nearly a fortnight into it, but who's counting? (I am, clearly.)
The last few months of 2024 were a bit chaotic. I didn't talk about it as it was happening, but one of my magazines was closed, so I spent a while 'in consultation', waiting to learn if I was being made redundant. That was not fun. And we had the kitchen extended as we needed the whole thing redone anyway, so took the opportunity to make it bigger. I'm not good with disruption, but figured I could cope with two months of it. Only what was supposed to be done by the end of November is still in progress thanks to wonky Victorian mill workers' housing with shonky foundations, and up to a week before Christmas we weren't actually sure if we'd have anywhere to cook a festive meal. Also not fun. And you can chuck in some health issues as I managed to throw my back out so badly I could hardly walk for a week. Augh!
But those were the bad bits. I was kept on, and while I'm still making Edge, the rest of my time is as part of the subbing team on a batch of home magazines, including Ideal Home, Style At Home and Country Homes & Interiors. After eight years of pure videogames it was a sharp switch of subject, but I've taken to it really well, and the people I'm working with are so welcoming and friendly it's been really enjoyable. The kitchen is nearly done, and already the extra storage space is enabling us to keep other parts of the house tidier. We went to Toulouse for five nights early in December, during which time my back sorted itself out (though I'm still having to be careful with it). In the long run, I think things will be better.
I'd been thinking of closing this blog as I've been so bad at updating it in recent years, but I looked back over it at Christmas and realised there's all sorts of good memories here, so I don't think I shall. Things have been very stressful for me for some years, but the homes mags look like being lower-stress, so I'm going to see how things go.
But those were the bad bits. I was kept on, and while I'm still making Edge, the rest of my time is as part of the subbing team on a batch of home magazines, including Ideal Home, Style At Home and Country Homes & Interiors. After eight years of pure videogames it was a sharp switch of subject, but I've taken to it really well, and the people I'm working with are so welcoming and friendly it's been really enjoyable. The kitchen is nearly done, and already the extra storage space is enabling us to keep other parts of the house tidier. We went to Toulouse for five nights early in December, during which time my back sorted itself out (though I'm still having to be careful with it). In the long run, I think things will be better.
I'd been thinking of closing this blog as I've been so bad at updating it in recent years, but I looked back over it at Christmas and realised there's all sorts of good memories here, so I don't think I shall. Things have been very stressful for me for some years, but the homes mags look like being lower-stress, so I'm going to see how things go.
So 2025, be better!
Happy New Year, Mim! I've followed your kitchen story on Facebook and having lived on a building site for a year when we bought Stonecroft could sympathise with the trials and tribulations.
ReplyDeleteToulouse must have been great and I'm glad the people at the homes and interior magazines have been so kind. xxx
Happy New Year to you too and hopefully all the drama is now left behind. I do understand why people stop blogging and I have been just as guilty of not posting as life got challenging but I for one am glad you are still here.
ReplyDeleteWaiting to learn if you would be made redundant sounds very stressful and I'm glad to hear you were kept on and are enjoying your new role.
ReplyDeleteI am not good with disruption either - and that's quite an understatement - so I'm totally hearing you on the kitchen extension. And the thing with old houses is that there are always hidden surprises, so I'm glad to hear the end is in sight!
I'm sure 2025 will be better, it would be sad if you closed your blog! xxx
Oh Mim, that's a LOT to deal with. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better and still employed, but the stress must have been terrible. the kitchen will be great as you actually cook and will use it. I never understood people that re-do a kitchen and never use it.
ReplyDeleteFrom time to time I think about closing my blog as well, but don't because social media is such a cesspool-a blog feels nicer.
-Goody
Please, keep on blogging!. I'm encouraging everybody to keep their blogs, even if I'm one of the worst bloggers ever (erratic timing, no commenting for ages, etc), but blogs are still Fabulous!
ReplyDeletebesos
I know what you mean about blogging - it's a big commitment when there's so much going on but it can be a great memoir as you say. The discipline of writing/reading/taking photos/researching etc for the blog can be a boon as well; especially if there's disruption in your life as it remains a constant. I'm glad yo hear you weren't made redundant; that the new magazines aren't causing you so much stress. Great news about the kitchen extension and glad to hear your back is improving. Long may it continue!
ReplyDeletexxx
I only just found you! Please don't close your blog. So much archive for me to troll through.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago my husband and I relocated from one side of Australia to the other. We took several months to do the move as there was no planned destination in mind. All our lives were packed into two 40' shipping containers - one the contents of a garage, the other our personal effects. Sadly, there had to be a cull and I reluctantly donated a box of 1940s/50s knitting patterns [sob], along with a stack of fabric and general crafting materials.
One thing I noticed about wartime, particularly in Britain, was that the yarn used for knitwear, where available, was the fine ply. No double knits for you; everything was fingering or lace weight, with the odd sport. I noted on your blog post regarding Foyle's War's final series (I agree; three episodes a series doth not make!) about the observation of one of the garments a cast member was wearing.
I often wish someone would be able to put together the patterns from these programs for those of us interested in making. We now have All Creatures Great and Small to coo over.
Love your work, as seen so far! :)
That sounds like a lot of moving to do - must have been thousands of miles!
DeleteThe reason a lot of British wartime knits are fine-gauge is that darning wool was not rationed, but knitting wool was. That's also the reason for the popularity of colourwork then, because people had access to short lengths of fine yarn in lots of colours.
I hope 2025 is being a better year for you.
ReplyDeleteMy Pinterest email led me to your blog post about the end of Foyle's War. I can't believe how time has flown, as the series is on rotation here in Australia on one of the 'satellite' channels of one of our networks, so it always has a quasi current familiarity about it. Like you, I love the fashion of the era and the creativity of people who were faced with having so little for so long, and the creativity of those who are attempting to recreate those times.
The other television series of more recent times to have a wartime setting is All Creatures Great and Small. I look at some of the knitwear on display and wonder if we have seen some of those items before.
Not knowing how these things work, I am wondering if there is a wardrobe repository that the industry draws upon, thereby recycling woollies from one series into another. As we know, a well-cared for garment that is stored correctly will last indefinitely.
Anyway, I hope your kitchen is giving you joy, your job isn't a drag and that your back problems a thing of the past.