April Fool

Did you have that same suspicion as I did: that this whole Corona thing was just a very elaborate joke played on us by politicians? But today is April Fool and I don't think it is. Yesterday the measures taken originally until April 6th have been prolonged to April 28th. But our prime minister said that 'he wouldn't advise anybody to make any plans for the May holiday' (which is around that time). 

Which means that for the foreseeable future, we will be in the house trying to pass our days. Yesterday I spruced up my Mice for Mama site and added a few more things, including some made by my mum. Today I plan on continuing with a little cardigan I am making. It looks really lovely right now, but I can't wait for it to be finished. Probably another week or so.

I have taken out all my DVD's as well. I still haven't found 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks', which I thought I had, but it might be my sister who owns it. We have watched a couple of other films though as there is no sport to be had and at a certain point you do get a bit fed up with all that Corona news. 

I watch one episode a day of Doctor Who and have plenty of other series to help me through (Last of the Summer Wine, Dinnerladies, Sherlock, M*A*S*H, Eureka). So for the time being I am doing okay. 

My mum has a question though. She wants to see a film about a couple and their two daughters. Those girls are quite free and fancy. There is a housekeeper and also a crocodile that eats a broom (that last bit is important apparently). It's not animated, it's not horror or thriller, it's just a fun film. She thinks Dick van Dyke might be in it, but she is not so good on names (she does know Dick van Dyke though). Anybody any ideas?

Knitting, knitting, knitting

Recently I have been knitting like mad to get stuff made for Mice for Mama. I had started a lovely bear back in 2019, but had not finished it yet (it is now), I bought plenty of yarn in Northern Ireland I was dying to get started with (I did) and of course I have plenty of yarn myself to make more than enough things with. 

Then last week my parents came home and asked me about something crafty. Apparently the choir my dad sings in (Great Zwolle Men's Choir), is organising a sort of fair where people can sell their crafty stuff. It wasn't official just yet, but will be pretty soon. Hm...

This sounded interesting, especially as they assured me that all proceeds were to be mine. Another good thing is that it is about a month and a half away, giving me plenty of time to make more things. I still have some mice and other things that I made last year and haven't sold, and now I can make even more. 

I think I might say yes to this offer. Better tell them at work that I am not available that day!

Good thing

Well, after two whole weeks off (paid no less) and an extra day to recover from all that off-ness, I was back at work yesterday. I was on time, the journeys went well and all was good. But all that work (I finished one book and started another), did require a recovery day apparently. 

Which means that today I have a day off. Basically we are back to 2-3 days a week, the way it looks now. Not the best, but it will have to do, at least until the end of March, when the tourist season starts again. 

These buttons were bought a few years ago and are still waiting to be used

Mind you, today is filled with those tiny things I need to do: buy buttons. I bought a lovely Christmas cardigan while at my sister's, but the buttons are a. too big and b. not red, but a dull grey/black. Which means new buttons. I also want some buttons for a hat/mittens/scarf combo I just knitted. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see how they came out. Show and tell will be done once finished. They will be for Mice for Mama. 

Talking about Mice for Mama, last year's total came to 77,45 euros, which I doubled to 154.90 euros and sent to MIND, a Dutch charity for mental health. I hope they can do some good with that money. 

This year's charity is one that deals with sports for the mentally and physically disabled. Very often those people are (not able to be) accepted by regular sports clubs, making it harder for them to build friendships in their own community. The charity's main aim is to make provisions for those children/adults to actually go to the regular clubs. A ramp might be enough to get people through the door, so to say.

A bottle cosey in the making

In turn this means that I will be making and selling mice this year as well. I have also branched out a bit into other things and occasionally my Mum Janneke will put some items forward to be sold as well. 

This all means a busy day today. It's a good thing they gave me the day off then...

Oh wow!

Oh my goodness! It's been nearly four weeks since I last wrote! Where has the time gone? It's not as if I have been away from the computer at all. After all, I have to scan my work reports every time I work (two to three days a week), I still play games and I have been adding to Mice for Mama. For some reason however, I never got around to actually blogging.

So, first let's catch up a bit. Yes, I have been working a bit. Albeit only two to three days a week. Sometimes those days will go up to about 10 hours and with three of those, that can add up. Next week I am on the list for only two days, but I hope to get at least one if not two more. 

There is some news on the job front though. I recently dropped off my cv at the local public transport company, knowing they were looking for people. A couple of days later I was called by somebody who asked me to submit my cv again as they were indeed looking for people. It looks promising, but fingers crossed of course. 

I have been knitting and sewing a bit. Well, a lot really as I don't work that much and even when at work, I can take stuff with me. I have added some Norwegian inspired work, including some of my own. That is to say: the patterns for the individual parts were there, just not the combined bit I went for. If they work, they look great! Albeit very very fiddly at times.

I have been looking forward to three things a lot. Firstly, my Mum and I will make our way to see 'We Will Rock You' tonight. It is a try-out, but it is with Anastacia and we think it's going to be great. Secondly, my friend Pepperfly and I will go to the Eurovision Party in two weeks. It's not the official Song Contest, but there will be lots of old winners, some recent 'I loved that song, why didn't that one win' and some Dutch favourites. 

Thirdly of course is my holiday in Northern Ireland at the end of the month. I will be spending Christmas and New Year's at my sister's. We will do nothing, we will go see a Panto in Belfast and if the weather is good, we might finish our drive that we started two years ago! Plus there might be other stuff.

So, that's me caught up. Now, where was that knitting book again...

November

It's November already. Doesn't time fly? This time last year I knew I was going to leave Northern Ireland, but was still hopeful to find a full time job and a place to live by the time the move came. Not so much! I do have a job, which has been continued now, but it is not full time. And my own place to live is for now a fantasy.

But, not all is bad, I do work and I do live somewhere which is not my car or a cardboard box, so blessings and counting and all. I have also gotten back into the crafting part of things with a vengeance. I have so much yarn and fabric and then my mum comes out with more yarn that she has gotten from somewhere. The choices of what to make are endless. 

Find the lizard...

On November 1st, I put a fair few items up for sale on Mice for Mama, four of those were made by my mother, who is a keen lace maker. She didn't expect anything from it, but someone left lovely comments about her work and actually bought two of them! My mum is pleased as punch I can tell you! I have now started on the other big batch day, which will be soon. As I said though: endless choice...

Right, off downstairs to start on my next project now. 

Work

I have been hard at work. Both at work and at home. At work I was due to finish today, but I am working tomorrow and several days next week, that may turn into more. I had better contact the temping agency to hold the holiday money pay-out!

At home I have also been working hard. Knitting, crocheting, sewing. And the results will appear tomorrow on my Mice for Mama blog. If you don't know what that blog is: it's a blog where I sell home made mice (and other things as well), part of the earnings going towards charity. 

But, not only did I make things myself, I also got my Mum to help out. She makes lace and there will be several of her works up for sale as well. So go on, have a look! And perhaps you spot something you like the look of! 

There are only a couple of things to remember: 

A. Always use the contact form and make sure you state exactly what you want, using the code from the title. 

B. First come, first serve! If three people want the same thing, it will go to the first person who 'wanted' it.

C. Factor in packaging and posting costs, as those are extra! It goes by weight and where to send it, but it can add quite a bit to the price. 

D. Payment will be in Euros using PayPal.

So, remember to hop on over on November 1st and perhaps you find a nice Christmas present... 

Mice for Mama teaser

As you know I knit mice. My grandmother made them (around 2,500 of them) and I have been at it for a couple of years now (not even 10% of 2,500 yet). There are however so many other nice things to make as well. Not just knitting, but crocheting or sewing. I am not the best at the latter two, but the knitting is okay. I can do that. 

Back in the winter I was a bit bored with the mice and wanted to make something else. As I was making a few small Christmas tree ornaments, I thought I could adapt one of them into making a nativity scene. 

So I got going. The first I thought of making was Mary, baby Jesus and Joseph. And they looked alright. Next were a king, then an angel. Then I made the rest. A shepherd, more kings. I made several sets in the end. And yes, they will come up for sale on Mice for Mama. In November! Just so you know. 

Charity

As you probably all know I raised money for charity last year by selling mice on my other blog Mice for Mama. The charity was the Stomach, Liver and Bowel Foundation in the Netherlands because of my mother who was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. 

The total amount raised was 233 euros, which was sent to them at the end of last year and I also sent them a mouse. Which arrived this week. Dave (one of the fundraisers) sent me a few photos which I would like to share.

The top photo is of the mouse next to one of the collection cans they use to go door to door to collect money. The second photo is a close up of the cheque. I did not send them that, they kindly made it themselves to show the amount. And the last photo is the complete image of the second photo, showing several of Dave's colleagues.

Hopefully I can raise a similar amount for this year's charity.

Mouse for Mama

See this little mouse? It's not for sale. It's a give-away mouse. And it's being given to 2017's charity: the Stomach, Liver and Bowel Foundation in the Netherlands. Right now it is on its way to the head office of the charity. A total of 233 euros (about 275 US Dollars/205 GB Pounds) was sent as well. Through PayPal, not through the post!

Thanks to everybody who bought a mouse (or more) for either themselves or to give away to somebody else. 

And coming to the end of this year, we needed to find a charity for next year. And (drum roll) that will be 'Guide Dogs for the Blind, Norway'. So, once the new mice arrive on January 1st (and onwards), you get the chance once more to get yourself a good friend and help that charity as well. And just in case you have lost the address: click on Mice for Mama and it will take you right to the site. There you will find all the details you need.

Oh wow!

You will probably know (I have been banging on about it often enough), that I knit and then sell mice. I always have a lot of fun making the small mice: picking the colours, trying (and often failing) to put everything on straight and eventually taking a photograph for them to be shown on my other blog Mice for Mama.

I am not too fond of making the large mice. They are exactly the same as the small ones, same amount of stitches, same everything. Just thicker thread and they turn out bigger. I just don't like making them. The thing is though: not many people like buying them either! So, I decided to only make them to order from now on. I still have two left for sale, but other than those: order only. 

The third type of mice I knit are the special mice. The seasonal ones. I made two for Halloween and I made two for Christmas. I love making them. Picking out a theme, thinking of what special attribute or look they should have and then finding everything I need to make that special mouse. So far, I have made a clown with big feet and pompoms, a Mouse of Frankenstein with spiders all over. A Santa Mouse with sack and teddy and an angel mouse with wings and halo. These however, I will NOT make to order.

As of today, all I have left for sale are two large mice and the two Halloween mice. Everything else was sold. The one colleague today who wanted a mouse couldn't choose between the five small ones I had left and took the lot! Which means that I basically have to get away from this computer and start knitting the first of next year's batch! 

Give-away and charity

It's the last stretch! Only a few more days to have a chance of winning one of the two desk-top calendars. Make your way over to THIS POST and leave a comment. That's all you need to do, if you haven't done so already of course!

In other news: several charities have been mentioned to me for next year's Mice for Mama charity, either through this blog or through Facebook. If you know of any other ones that fulfill the criteria for next year, please leave a comment with the link. 

The ones so far: Guide dogs for the Blind (Norway), suggested by yours truly. People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (UK), help sponsor a sick animal when the owner him/herself can't afford it, suggested by Yamini. Dueker Ranch Therapeutic Horse Center (USA), suggested by Christine S and Paws to People (USA), finding cures for illnesses that hit both humans and people, suggested by Sue S. More are welcome. 

The criteria for next year's charity are: 

• Interaction between animal and human. 
• It can be any type of animal (dogs, horses, cats, guinea pigs, elephants, spiders to name but a few)
• It does need to be a trusted charity, location is of secondary importance. 

The final charity will be picked out by my Mama (and yes, Papa as well) at the end of the year. 

PS: if you have any trouble opening any of the links to the charities, please let me know.

Animals and humans

A human (well, me) and a pussycat

I am looking for a new charity for next year. For what you ask? Where have you been? For Mice for Mama* of course! The first two choices have been made: out of animal, vegetable or mineral you chose animal. And then the majority of you picked option C: animals and humans. So, that's what it's going to be! 

There are however so many charities out there, that I find it hard to find one, let alone pick! There is a horse riding for the disabled charity in the UK, pets for vets in the USA, dogs for the blind in Norway (and a lot of other countries in the world). But... what is your suggestion? 

Yamini sponsored this beauty called Isaac to be a fully fledged guide dog

So, here's what I am asking of you this time: the name and location of a charity (preferably one you know personally and trust) that deals with animals and humans. It can be anywhere in the world, local, national or international. 

*Mice for Mama: where you can find a mouse to share your bed/travels/life. Or somebody else's for that matter! Half of the price of the sold mice goes to the chosen charity. This year's charity is a Dutch charity called the Stomach Liver and Bowel Foundation. Very close to my parents' hearts (and mine), since my mother (hence Mice for Mama) suffered from bowel cancer earlier this year. Fortunately she has been given the all clear a few months ago. 

Detail of one of the special Christmas mice

If you want to order a mouse, here are a few pointers: the last batch will come out on December 1st. The batch will include two special Christmas mice. If you want the mouse/mice to arrive before Christmas, it would be wise to order before December 5th. Just so you know!

More updates

First let's start with the give-away currently going on. You may not have seen it yet, but you still have a chance of winning one of OUR calendars. Yes, our, since none of us had enough photos to use for either his or my calendar. We had to steal a photo from Yamini as it is! Oh, you want to know how to get hold of one? Well, easy: go to this post and leave a comment. And by doing that you have a chance of winning one of two calendars that I We give away. 

Secondly: have you picked between A, B and C yet? You don't know what that is? Well, you had better skedaddle over to this post then! At the moment, C is out in front (4 votes to one each for A and B), but perhaps you haven't put in your vote yet? Better do it soon!

Thirdly: I have been beaten. He then tried to break my neck and he eventually decided on electrocuting me. Now before you send me 'get well' cards and try to console me on my misfortune, don't worry: I was at the physio's. I have to keep track of when and how bad I get headaches from now on (yes, again), but it should be getting better: longer periods of nothing and less painful headaches. Next week will be my next appointment, where he will probably beat me again. And try to break my neck and electrocute me again. 

Animal

You picked animals? Fantastic choice!

Well, the choice has been made: an overwhelming majority said animal. In fact, apart from the one social (which I class under animal, but the human animal), there were no other picks! Mice for Mama will go animalistic(!)

Be wise now. Like me!

On to the next stage now. You have picked animals, but what kind of animals: the furry, scaly, feathery, creepy, cute kind or the two-legged kind who think they know everything and somehow get it wrong so incredibly often. And with those I of course mean us humans.

Do you need a Bongo to help you pick?

So, conservation of tigers versus a homeless shelter. Save the fishies versus a breast cancer charity. Or perhaps you think that combining the two might be great: working dogs (like guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs), a charity to help homeless and/or poor people care even better for their animals or horses that can be ridden by children and adults with (learning) disabilities. The list is endless of course.

We know you will make the right choice!

Back to the choice:

Choice A: animals

Choice B: humans

Choice C: animals and humans together

Animal, vegetable or mineral?

This large mouse found a home in Norway

As you know I have been knitting mice this year. So far I have made around 50, a long way off from my grandmother's total of around 2,500! However, she started in 1973 and continued until her death in 2005. So, I have a few years yet.

Like my grandmother I make the mice for charity. She also gave them away to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (and friends of...). My choice of charity this year is the 'Stomach, Liver and Bowel Foundation' in the Netherlands. Close to my parents' hearts, especially after the scare earlier this year of my mother having bowel cancer (she is clear now). 

This small mouse lives in Scotland now.

For next year however, I want to donate to a different charity. Which one though, since there are literally hundreds of thousands out there! So, the first thing to do is decide whether it will be an animal, vegetable or mineral charity. And here's where you come in, because I want you to decide!

An animal charity could be a local, national or international charity that deals with animal welfare. A local shelter, World Wildlife Fund, the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals are just a few examples. I will also include human charities; cancer, pre-natal wards, alzheimers, care for veterans etc. 

This cutie made his home in the Netherlands

A vegetable charity could be (again) local, national or international. The environment, parks, clean-up of the sea or anything else like that. 

And finally the mineral charity. The upkeep, maintenance and restoration of houses, factories, ships and anything else that has historical value. Local, national, international. 

And this is Mouse, Brom's friend

Up to you now: which one do you pick? You just have to state animal, vegetable or mineral. Once I know that, we will go further and in the end there will be a charity that will receive money from Mice for Mama at the end of 2018. 

PS: You think you might be able to give a mouse a good home? Why not go to Mice for Mama and see if there is a nice friend for you! New ones are added each month.

Andrew

Right before I went on holiday (like a life time ago), I got an order for two of my mice from a guy called Andrew. Brilliant! So, I got the ones he wanted, put them in a box, wrote his address on it, stuck a sticker with my address on it, got a stamp and sent it off. 

Then, earlier this week, I got a message from a friend of his: whether I knew what happened to those mice, since he never got them! I must admit, I did feel bad about that, because I don't use track and trace, which would make sending mice even more expensive.

Forward to yesterday and a box was waiting for me. Addressed to Andrew. With a sticker from Royal Mail on top. Saying it hadn't been collected. And therefore being sent back to me. 

From what I could gather from the stickers and such: the box had arrived within a week of me sending it, but it was never collected. I know Andrew has been extremely busy lately, so a Royal Mail notice might have slipped his notice. But, three weeks after sitting on a shelf, the mice were sent back. It then took a further three weeks to get to me for some reason. 

Those are adventurous mice I can tell you!

The mice

The original lot. One small and three large left at this point.

My time lately has been pretty much taken up by mice. Not the real ones (Miss O would soon put an end to that), but the knitted versions for Mice for Mama. Sales have slackened somewhat, which in one way is kinda sad, in another way it's kinda good: my stock was running low and I very much needed to make some more. 

The twin mice

Along came a colleague. Who wanted two small ones for his twin grandchildren (one of each type). And then he wanted two large ones that I had already sold. So, an order for two similar ones came in. Then there was the colleague who is a fan of a certain football club and could I make one in their colours? And then the colleague arrived who had already bought two 'off the rack' as it were, but kept giving them away to her bonus grandson and now definitely wanted one for herself!

The 'exploding head' mouse. 

That kept me busy for a while. But apparently not busy enough, because once they were done, I started on a few that are not the norm. They are a bit different. With some extras, some embellishments. Because I am making a couple especially for Hallowe'en! I have made one right now and there is another one in the make. Plus plans (but no time this year) for at least six more. 

Detail of the feet of the first Special one.
For sale on October 15th

I still have to make two regular ones for November and then three regular ones for December and I want to make a couple of specials for Christmas as well! Guess I will be busy...