I've been to Court many times in the past 20 years as a "professional" - Juvenile Court, Magistrates Court, Crown Court and the High Court. Prior to this I'd also been on jury service 3 times.
I've given evidence; prosecuted Breach of Order cases; provided social work support and pre-sentence reports; sat in the cells talking to people convicted of very serious crimes - so why am I so nervous?
This time it is personal - whatever the outcome, I hope I learn from the experience.
My thanks to those of you who've sent messages of support - they have meant a lot to Matt and I.
Knitting content is zero - I can't even cope with a garter stitch strip without creating a bias - think I'll go and read the Mason-Dixon book that arrived this week!
.... not drowning!
Life is hectic, the past two weeks have been manic but I managed to escape for a few days to Centre Parcs (Sherwood Forest) for Mum's 75th birthday weekend. I think this was the first time that the entire family have been together for years. My 5yr old niece managed to lure me into the water slides at the dome and I think my body is still in shock from the experience. I enjoyed spending time in the forest, we lived near there when I was a child and it was my favourite play area. Seeing it again through my nieces eyes was a great experience.
It was back to work for a few days and then Monday sees the start of the trial, we are all hoping that this will allow us to experience some sense of closure.
After the trial comes a few days holiday - no plans as we don't know how we will be feeling. I'm hoping there'll be some knitting to show at the end of it.
The boys did good!
Great venue - light and airy - lots of natural light so you could really see the colours of the yarn.
Great choice of stock from the vendors - so much so that I was indecisive to the end and only bought a few of skeins of alpaca ( some chunky, some Suri!).
Great entertainment in the main hall with the 3 fashion shows and the poetry readings.
Fantastic company - so good to see so many of my knitting friends from around the UK and Europe. I really loved being able to introduce Ravellers / bloggers to each other, even more fun to introduce knitters to the designers/ dyers of their favourite yarns.
Superb support from KCG members who volunteered time to help me with the stand - especially to those who covered for me so that I could go and see the guest of honour and to those of you who stopped by for a Lucky Dip, to raid the patterns and stash pile and bid on the Silent Auction.
I still can't believe that I went to hear Stephanie talk without taking my hearing aid or camera - especially as I'd taken the precaution of packing extra batteries for both! The bits I did hear were funny, insightful and inspirational.
This photo was taken at 7pm - the end of the event and she was still signing books, taking the time to talk to everyone.
My last conversation with her was later, out in a nearby street in the pouring rain when I was trying to find a cab and she was looking for somewhere to eat. I was successful, thanks to Stephanie who spotted a cab for me - I hope she was!
After the excitement of the Olympics came the slump.
It's been a difficult couple of weeks at home with yesterday being the first anniversary of Mydi's death - there's still no real sense of closure as we're still waiting for the criminal trial of the driver.
There's been quite a bit going on at work and some health issues which I really must try to get sorted out in the next few weeks, my bones ache as if it's already mid-winter.
The knitting front has seen a new development - I wanted simple and soft knitting and have found it thanks to Liz and finding some skeins of DK Knitwiches Cashmere in the stash. There may even be photos after the weekend.
The need for quiet solitude is beginning to wane so I've been to my LYS twice this week and I'm spending Saturday with a few friends in London listening to some Canadian woman talk about knitting - think that will help me get my mojo back?