When the universe has other plans

The Garter Ripple Squish blanket

The best laid plans and all that…

I originally had plans to have a lovely lunch date today. Then we got the chance to go and visit a cat rehoming shelter - with a view to adopting a new companion for Ebby.

So one set of plans cancelled, another set made. I was going to wake early this morning, write my newsletter, do some yoga and then head out for some serious cat cuddling.

Needless to say the universe had other plans. Out of nowhere a full on panic attack hit me at around 3am (thanks menopause) and so this morning finds me with a horrible head cold and very little sleep. But I do have a cosy blanket and a cat on my knee so all is not lost. Ebby doesn’t seem at all concerned that our cat hunting is postponed for another day.

When I think about it I’m actually rather proud of myself for taking a duvet day. Years ago I would have battled on, refused to give in and probably made myself and everyone around me miserable. Embracing the fact that sometimes the universe has other plans for you today is actually rather freeing. The world won’t end if I don’t go and visit with the cats today - and that bunch of household chores can easily wait (what’s a few more days between friends 🤣).

Making me smile this week

🌿 I was really smitten with this post from

Emily Quinton

of the All Sorts of Lovely Substack - about taking 10 minutes a day every day from now up until the spring equinox to do something nourishing for yourself. Starting on 1st Feb this would add up to 480 mins (8 whole hours). Just think what good you could do - just for you in that time. I resolved to do 10 min of yoga each day. It’s been going well (apart from today).

🌿 I was also really pleased to see

Gabrielle Treanor

launch her new project - The Quiet ADHD Club.

All About The Quiet ADHD Club

I have never formally pursued a diagnosis of ADHD, nor do I feel the need to, but over the years I have come to realise that my many quirks and what I call my ‘butterfly brain’ are actually shared by many, many other women. And it has been unbelievably comforting to realise that despite what I told myself for many years - it isn’t just me 🤣. I have followed Gabrielle’s work for many years now and I can’t wait to see how this new project unfolds.

🌿 New Book Club plans. After a bit of a slow start to the year I am gearing up for new book club plans for paid members - in your inbox soon will be an invitation to a Book Swap Party. A physical book swap where you will be paired with another member to swap a book of your choice - how’s that for some happy post to look forward to.

🌿 I finished the stripy socks I was working on last week so I get to have a little ta-da moment - always highly satisfactory. Almost as much as wearing them for the first time - which I am doing as I snuggle under my blanket.

These are knit as long tubes with afterthought heels added at the end. Yes, it does involve cutting your knitting but it honestly isn’t as scary as it sounds. If you are intrigued there is a blog post here which gives you all the information you need.

🌿 And of course the best part about finishing a pair of socks? Why, casting on a new pair of course. You can’t have cold sock needles, after all. I was kindly gifted a skein of this Scheepjes Arcadia sock yarn a while ago in a green self-stripe. My youngest son loves all things green (as you’d expect from an ecology student) so I thought they would make a fun pair of socks for him in a little ‘from home’ care package.

And this means that I have the perfect ‘duvet day’ project - an added bonus. If anyone wants me I shall be having a rewatch of the Shadow and Bone series on Netflix (based on the fabulous Greishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo) and knitting some green stripy socks.

What has made you smile this week?