Learning to laugh again

 Well, despite a broken night's sleep, I tucked the cats up in the house (making sure Pippi was in as I saw her on the lane yesterday . . . which always worries me so).  Getting fuel was not as straightforward as expected as with the small Asda shop and accompanying garage still closed due to the flooding last weekend, demand on fuel at the garage opposite had resulted in them being right out of Diesel and only two Petrol pumps still functioning.  I had 1/4 of a tank left, which should see me to Llandovery, but fortunately on the way I passed the garage at Garth, and quickly turned round and put some Diesel in on the principal that then at least I had enough in the car to get me to Tam's this week too, and I could top up at the cheap garage on the way to hers.  I didn't want to get to Llandovery and find out that I couldn't top up there (unlikely though that was).  I also passed the normally-expensive garage I'd forgotten about in Llanwrtyd Wells and it was the same price as everywhere else.

It was lovely seeing Pam again and we exchanged Christmas gifts and cards and had a good natter. She's pleased that she will be seeing me regularly again when I go to my quilting group.

I had my arms full of stuff to take into the group - a big bundle which was Gabby's quilt top, soft cotton batting and extra-wide backing, then my quilting bag full of accoutrements, and then the rather stiff folded-into-4 Victorian quilt, which everyone loved.  I've left Gabby's quilt top with Alex and will pick it up in the New Year.  Today I worked on measuring up the diamond template for the Victorian quilt, and extras as the quilt had the backing put on whilst the card templates were still in place.  Hence it is rather stiff to work with and I have to be careful that the velvet fabric I am sewing into does not pull away.  It's going to be very slow and steady.

It was lovely to be amongst old friends and meet new ones - there are three of us Jennies in a row!  I said I'll have to be called JenJen like I was in one of the offices I once worked in. The atmosphere was a happy one and several times I found myself laughing out loud - laughter has been somewhat in short supply this year.  In fact, I relaxed so much I became the person I was when I lived up the road and went every week.  I have definitely made the right decision going back. It was lovely to see people working on different things, some quite technical but when people say it's difficult, Alex always says, no it's not, it's EASY! and we believe her.  She has built up my confidence just in the short time I was there today.

I left early so as not to be driving back in the dark, and as the cats had been left since 10.30.  The first class of 2025 is 8th January, and I can't wait.  I think I will FINALLY start my William Morris heirloom quilt.  I've had the fabric about 6 years - the girls took me to Calico Kate's in Lampeter and bought all that I needed, bless them.

Now an evening of embroidery ahead and probably another Hardy film on iPlayer.  

I may go into Hay tomorrow, to get the last little bit of Jon's Christmas present and of course, to have a look around Booth's craft corner . . . Watch this space.