Skywatch

I've not done Skywatch for a long time. 

In complete contrast to the gusts of wind and showers we are having today I've chosen a picture from a recent journey we made up the A1 to Newcastle. This rainbow was in front of us for a long portion of the journey. 

#skywatch

100 Happy Days - Day 2

The daffodils started blooming at the allotment about 3 weeks ago. Nothing like a flower in a cheerful colour to brighten the mood. 

I'm pretending those docks aren't there but I can see a major invasion of them this year. Along with the nettles and dandelions.

Speaking of dandelions - I got the bed dug this morning that I started yesterday and most of the bed where I had some peas last year. That one wasn't nearly as bad as the first thank goodness apart from a bramble that seems to have come from nowhere but I got the root up so hopefully it's gone now. It's a mess but this photo shows the two days and 1 hour total time digging. That next one which looks very grassy had root veg in which I left over winter. Next on the list once the second one is finished. 

#100happydays

100 Happy Days - Day 1

This has been doing the rounds and basically it's to find a bit of happiness in each day and upload a photo of it. I did it a bit haphazardly on my Instagram page but I've decided to document it properly on here starting today. 

So on day 1 my photo is of some digging I did at the allotment this morning. I am going to try and do a little bit each day rather than a lot at once and that way I won't burn out. Half an hour this morning was plenty. My back was really hurting and my body was telling me to stop. I did half a bed and filled a 70l empty compost bag with tap roots which were just starting to bud. When I stepped back to see what I'd done it wasn't much but it was an achievement and a start. 

#100happydays

Plus Size Bloggers And Being Honest

I've been sitting on this one for a very long time and kept quiet but after reading the same sort of post on several plus size bloggers blogs lately I can't sit on my hands and not type anything. 

First of all I'm overweight. It's no secret. I am a size 18 and am about 4 stones overweight. I like clothes and discovered a plus sized blogger by chance which led to links to several others and they were all promoting being body confident and their love of clothes. They were all bigger than me with the exception of a couple. 

At first I was shocked especially at the way they posed for underwear shots but at the same time admired their confidence. One thing that really struck me though was despite the body confidence they weren't being honest about the outfits they were blogging about. Again with the exception of the couple who were on the smaller side of the community. Comments such as 'I got a 24 but I could easily have fit into a 20' when it is so obviously only just fitting them across the bottom. Or things like 'it was too big across the bust so I would downsize next time' when in actual fact the said garment is stretched so badly that it's a wonder the buttons haven't pinged across the screen at me. 

Now that isn't what bothers me. What is rather concerning is the number of health concerns these ladies seem to be having lately. Bad backs, heartburn, dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy, diabetes to name just a few. Every single one of them with health problems claims to eat healthily in moderation and exercise three times a week and say their health issues are definitely not attributed to their weight.  I'm sorry but I beg to differ. It doesn't need Einstein to explain that eating healthily in moderation and exercising three times a week would result in a healthier body and weight loss.

Yes this isn't just appropriate to fat people (plus sized is fat by the way no matter how beautiful you are and try to dress up the wording). Lots of thin people who eat crap and don't exercise are just as prone to health issues. Carrying that extra weight doesn't help though and I do have to ask if a person can't be honest about how a garment fits when the opposite is so obviously true then how honest are they about the food and exercise lifestyle they lead? 

Food for thought so to speak. 

#plussizebloggers

Why Hello There 2014

Ok so it's 29 days into the month and I'm only just saying hello to any readers (if anybody is out there reading) for the first time in 2014. Suffice to say a daily blog post wasn't a goal.

My first 2014 post is joining in with Yarn Along. 

I'm knitting a scarf from this pattern by Red Heart in some James C Brett Marble Chunky. It has to be seen in person to appreciate the richness of the colours. 

I'm reading Addicted by Zane. I'm only just starting so I can't tell you much about it yet. Fingers crossed next week I'll take part again in Yarn Along and be able to say if it is a recommended read or a don't bother taking it off the book shop shelf.  The last *top shelf* book I read was 50 Shades Of Grey and I only got part way through before being bored out of my brain so I'm hoping this is an easier read.  It's definitely different from the mystery books I've been favouring lately.