A Modicum of Success!

I received an email this morning from Chat magazine who have accepted the anecdote I sent to to them with the Bean's photo last week - BIG thanks to Womag's blog for giving me the push to send them out! OK, it's not going to pay a huge amount but it's a start and to get a positive email is just fantastic - especially at 9:30am on a Monday morning!!!!

The Wii fit is going well - I think! I'm certainly enjoying it anyway, SO glad that it's finally here. I'll be writing my WeightWatchers blog this morning too, it's so good to finally feel that I'm getting somewhere. When other parts of life are uncertain it's good to feel that there is one area that I can keep control of.

There's a lot going around my head at the moment, work wise, as I try to decide whether or not to head back to University. It's a huge decision, one that is overwhelming at times. There are pros and cons to both sides but, for now, I'm just going to keep thinking it over. I've registered for more information so I'll be able to make a more informed decision soon.

I am a loser! I am a loser!

Woohoooo!! I lost 2lbs this week! Go me!!! I'll be very excited to write this week's weightwatchers blog! It's so much fun when I'm imparting good news :)

Not a whole lot else to report really. I have dropped my two application forms in at the relevant places this morning, so we'll see if anything comes from them. One had a closing date today, the other is next Friday I think. Nothing else is coming up trumps on the work front at the mo. I'll keep on digging away and hopefully something will show up soon. It's amazing that one contract can have so much sway in so many different ways. You'll hear me dancing on the roof if I manage to replace it!

I had a lovely trip into town this morning. I quite often go in on Friday mornings. I don't meet up with anyone, just have a bit of a mooch around! I had a coffee and muffin in Starbucks (both skinny I might add!) and then headed up to the library. I ended up buying a book/garage set that I've put away for the Bean's birthday and I bought a couple of T shirts for myself that I really like too. Good trip all round!

The Bean has finished his punishment in school now, I'm hoping it doesn't happen again any time soon! We'll be making sure he gets lots of rest over the weekend to try and get him back from being run down. He's got his second riding lesson tomorrow as well! I hope Roxy the pony is ready!

Coffee and contracts.

What a strange day it is today, one of those that just feels.....odd. Do you have them? I dropped the Bean off at school and headed into town this morning thinking a good walk would clear my head and make me feel better. And it did, eventually, but I spent most of the morning stamping around feeling sorry for myself and trying on clothes that I didn't like or didn't fit. Anyway, by the time I got back to the car I had stomped it all out and felt better.....

.....which was when I came home and checked the email. My contract with VisitBritain is finishing in March. This is my biggest, regular contract and brings in a substantial amount of my income. My last payment is in April. There is an exciting side to it, it's the joy of being freelance, new doors, new opportunities and all that, but financially it's scary - especially with holidays booked and bills coming through the door. I have until April to figure out a way to replace the income each month.

Last night was my monthly meeting of my local writing group. I enjoy our get togethers although I frequently don't write anything to read out to the group until the afternoon of the meeting. I don't know why, I just seem to work better that way. Yesterday I wrote a short piece on an idea I had a while ago. I've always thought of it as a novel, although I'm not sure it's got the legs to go 100,000 words really. Anyway, I wrote out the first chapter and read it to the group last night. I was really pleased with the reaction it got. People said they would look forward to hearing more and seeing where I go with it! 'So will I' I replied as I actually have no idea where it's going yet but I have some interesting options!

This morning's trip into town offered another part that will fit into the story perfectly too after an encounter I had with one of the members of staff at Starbucks! Is it wrong to include someone in a book? Do I have to change details of this person? I don't want to - it would work perfectly just as it is!

Well, I'm off to look for work :( Oh and log my weight on the WW site too - I've lost this week - not much but it's better than nothing! hurray!

Exciting prospects...and too much food!

I'm back. We had a lovely time down in Cardiff over the last few days and I've come back on year older. It doesn't feel too bad.......thank goodness!

I came back to an inbox of 27 emails...we were only away for 3 days, I ask you! A couple of them were very interesting as it seems the publishing company are interested in my CV from last week. This would be my first book, if I get it. It's a factual one rather than fiction and is very exciting - and rather scary! I'll be sure to spill all the beans if it comes off! Keep your fingers crossed for me :)

I've got some more work to do for a consultancy business on Monday as well.......that should be fun since I've also booked for my friend to do my hair as well. My priorities are all upside down! Ooops! It's a nice feeling to come home to some work though - 12 months ago I never thought I'd get this far. Only 1 day to go to Nanowrimo as well! I really don't have any idea how far I will get. I haven't done anywhere near as much planning as I wanted to have done....it'll all be a bit by the seat of my pants.........eeeeek! We did stop off in a lovely tea room in llandeilo where I would happily sit and write the whole 50,000 words if they kept plying me with their latte and lemon drizzle cake - just scrumptious!

Today should have been weigh in day for weightwatchers but, thank God, they don't have scales in hotel rooms! I've eaten like a pig while we've been away, just so much more than I would have done at home. Don't get me wrong, I didn't completely lose the plot, I turned down dessert every night except my birthday and that was only a kulfi in the Indian so I haven't gone crazy but I still feel yucky and I am dreading getting on the scales in the morning. It will have to be done though. I have to record another WW blog to submit on Monday so I need to confess and clear my conscience so that I can move on and get back to where I was asap!

It's open!! whoooo!!!

Hurray!!! Remember I blogged weeks ago that they had closed the road at the end of our estate for roadworks?? Well, it's been closed ever since, until this evening! They have finally reopened it and I can't tell you what a relief it is. It's been a very long 10 weeks....we've been pretty much cut off from the town centre and the supermarkets, it's taken longer to get everywhere and has cost a lot in extra petrol. I feel like dancing now that it's been opened!

I've had a productive day today, all things considered. Got the supermarket shopping done this morning and then knew I had two deadlines to hit at lunchtime; one for this week's WeightWatchers blog, the other 3 pages for a client's website. I managed them all and got the invoices off too so that put a bit of a spring in my step...... :)

I've spent most of the evening reading with the Bean which has made my voice a little hoarse! We've read a big book on Mega Machines.......(he loves all things tractor and these look just massive) then we moved onto Spike Milligan's Children's Treasury.....just hilarious! We both laughed and laughed. There's nothing so precious as the sound of his hearty little laugh, I adore it.

Tomorrow will be more of the same. I'm trying to get as much writing done as I can this week so that I don't have much work to do during the half term holiday!

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments yesterday about my mum. They all meant a lot to me and it does help knowing how many others feel these same emotions. The photos are of us both; one on my wedding day and the other my 15th birthday :D

Writing this, writing that, writing t'other!

I've not stopped this morning....just don't ask me what I've done. I have no idea. The house still looks like a bombsite........

I'm getting that overwhelming feeling again with my writing! Help! I'm drowning in the stuff that's piling up! I have no end to the articles I need to write for VisitBritain, all with photos -which are all too large and need downsizing before I can use them.

I have 1 short story that I think is ready to go, but I'm not sure where to. I have another that needs rewriting and ideas for two more that keep going round and round my head until I have time to do something with them! Also going round my head is my novel for the Nanowrimo - not long til November now!

I have just written my WeightWatchers blog - week 3 - even though Week 1 isn't up on the site yet, apparently it won't be long now. I also remembered to email my tutor on the Writers Bureau course to apologise, again, that he still hasn't received assignment 6! It's been well over a year now! Truth is I'm too busy writing other stuff. Apparently, this is good though as I have now qualified for my certificate of competance (ooh - Get Me!). I have also just had a lovely email from the lady who edits the monthly E-zine for them asking if I'd like to feature as one of their success stories! Me? A Success? Who'd have thought it eh? (I can feel me mum smiling down saying 'Me, of course!' and yes, she always did :))

So, much to do, not enough time to do it...and yet I'm sitting here blogging! Typical! Oh and the photo is me and the Bean, taken on Saturday at Llyn Brenig......his face is hilarious although I don't know how clearly it will show up on here - I recommend clicking on it to get the full size! lol

And the scales said.......

I'm having a grouchy day today....so I'd stand well back if I were you. I woke up feeling like this and my mood certainly didn't improve after stepping on the scales. This morning, you see, was WeightWatchers weigh in day, a day that I have been dreading all week. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I'm just not 'in the diet groove' at the moment. If you've been on a diet, I'm sure you know what I mean by that. It's a state of mind I suppose, more than anything but once you're there, things fall in to place and the world seems a rosy place. When you're not there it's like swimming through a large bowl of thick custard..(hmm, that choice of analogy speaks volumes too).

So anyway, this morning I got on the scales. They went up. Bugger. That would be the second week in a row that I'd have gained, not good with my WW blog due to go live any day now. So I picked up the scales and moved them to the right a bit. I took a deep breath and expelled every last puff out of me. Then I got back on. They went down. Only 0.2lb but a loss is a loss. I then got off quickly before they changed their mind. So, I can now record a loss...with a clear conscience but I SO wish I was getting the 1lb or even 2lb losses that I need.

I was strong again this morning taking an elderly Auntie shopping as I resisted the offer a cream cake as a 'Thank You'...they're lovely too those vanilla slices.... I opted for a few of the weekly magazines instead to do a bit more research. My writing this week has been non-existent and I'm throughly disappointed in myself!

I came home and got a bit of exercising done....I got the rebounder out and put one of Steps CD's on and bounced and boogied around a bit. It's better than nothing I suppose but I don't feel fabulous and lean after it!

Then I had the wonderful idea of digging my colour additions hair kit out - mistake! These are highlights that you stick/glue into your hair. Except they are old now, haven't used them for years. So I decided to shove a few purple ones in. First one was OK, the second one went horrifically wrong and I now just have the glue stuck to my hair......but not the purple extension. Not quite the look I was aiming for. I tried to get it out but I've not had much luck so I think SLA will have to help with that later! I did manage to put one in the other side so I'm not too lopsided but I wish I hadn't bothered now!

So, that's the day so far today. Thank Crunchie (Mmmm) it's Friday - that means Subway for dinner tonight! Yummmy! Maybe I'll try to save enough points for a McFlurry on the way home too......

The sun has got his hat on....hip hip hip hooray!

WOW, the sun is out. AGAIN! It's almost like Summer, except the mornings are really cold and I am reminded that I still don't know how to keep the windscreen demisted...if only I'd listened in physics classes. I still have to do the 'drive with one hand and wipe the windscreen with kitchen roll with the other hand' manoevre. I'm sure there must be a safer way. If I sneezed we'd be done for!

I've had an update on my WW blog this morning as the editor is working on my masthead! How exciting! I've OK'd the text and found a suitable headshot so we should be up and running soon. Maybe once it's up there I'll manage to stick to the diet a bit more successfully! Tomorrow is weigh in day, so fingers crossed I've done enough to at least register some kind of loss this week.

SLA is working late again tonight....his school has the finals of a talent show they have been running. It starts at 7pm and I think he said they have 24 acts to get through!! Sounds like a late one to me! The dentist appointment yesterday STILL didn't solve the problem and he has another one next Thursday for an extraction. Ouch. Poor thing.

Busy, busy, busy

Having a busy day today so far and am ecstatic to have seen the bottom of the washing basket for the second time in a week! Whooop! I do seem to mention the washing a lot in my blog....I'm not obsessed - really!

Just finished writing 3 articles for VisitBritain, still no sign of my blog on WeightWatchers but I'll keep logging in! Speaking of WW, had a shock this morning after baking a second batch of their double chocolate brownies and realising they are actually double the points I thought they were! Could explain why I ended up gaining weight last week as I wolfed the whole lot in just over a day! Ooops! I'd better show a little more self control with this lot!

Getting more and more ideas for my Nano novel although I am still petrified at the thought of 50,000 words in one month! If you have no idea what I'm going on about then you could nip to http://www.nanowrimo.org/ if you really want to - but hurry back, you hear!

I got my short story typed up yesterday that was stuck in my notebook and I still like it - which is fairly unusual for me. I'm going to do a bit of work on it and then have a think where to send it to after perusing the guidelines for a few mags.

Diet is going well so far this week (although I've only had one day to mess it up so far!) I really hope I come in with a loss this time. I really must try to work out how to get some more exercise into my days really.....I do keep getting a rather worrying urge to go for a 'run' and I put in '' as it wouldn't class as running for most people! I've had another look on the Couch25K website though and it's put me off again. Mainly because it sounds painful and they keep stressing how important it is to buy good running shoes - I can't see myself spending money on running shoes anytime soon so I think I'll just stay home. I've got an exercise bike and one of those little trampette things in the garage somewhere....maybe I should dig them out?

Writing and Washing

Where's the sun gone? I'm sure it was out this morning as I traipsed into Sainsburys but now I want to hang my washing out it's nowhere to be seen!

The photo is one I took on Saturday up at Valle Crucis near LLangollen. It's a special place and I love this photo. I wanted to have our wedding here but it wasn't licensed to we couldn't. It would make a beautiful setting.

I've just been in touch with the WW team and they confirmed that there is a delay in getting my blog up onto the site so I'll just have to keep checking in to see when it appears! I've just submitted week two's piece so that's one box ticked for today's work.

I now have another 6 articles to write for VisitBritain so I'll be working on those tomorrow and I have a short story scribbled in my notebook that I want to get typed onto the laptop too. I don't know about you but I really do prefer writing with a good old pen and paper. Somehow I find it flows a lot better.......it's just I can't always make out my spidery writing at the end!

I'm feeling a little better than I was yesterday about my articles and short stories. I'm still a member of the Zero Confidence Club, you see. I can convince myself very easily that everything I've ever sent out to anyone has been binned and there's really no point in sending anything ever again.... In a moment of madness though I'm sure I will be strong and send out a few pieces. I think getting my new copy of the Writers and Artists' Yearbook will spur me on a bit.

Off to hang my washing out under the clouds (hummph) and shove some soup in the microwave for lunch before I get tempted by all things sweet and delicious.......

The demise of Traffic Towers......and Bye Bye view.......

Two hours and 17 minutes to go until the end of my shift.......my last shift before the office move.......my last shift with this beautiful view over the city centre of Manchester. I've sat at this desk, on and off, for the last 9 years and seen the seasons change through this glass frame. And it's a gorgeous day outside today, I can see the blue sky disappearing on the horizon over the green of the pennines and in front of them the city skyline with its mixture of rooftops, chimneys and cranes.

.....Two hours and ten minutes to go now


Thankfully my throat is holding up well so far! Finally! A day without pain! WHoooooo!!! (Yes, I am touching wood just to be on the safe side).

...Two hours eight minutes........

I'm feeling totally overwhelmed and disheartened by some of my writing at the moment.... I know I'm lucky....I write and I get paid and I do enjoy the stuff I write. It's the other side that's getting me down and I only really have myself to blame for it.

I have completely lost track of the articles and short stories that I have written. I can't remember what I wrote when, I can't remember which piece I have sent to which publication ...it's all just a disorganised mess and I have no idea where to start to sort it all out.....any ideas gratefully appreciated.......

.....Two hours one minute........

I'm also failing miserably with the diet this week. That mental spark that gave me a real push seems to have deserted me. It all felt so easy when I first started again but this last week I've felt out of control ........I'm over my WeightWatchers points and I need to sort myself out. Where do you get that motivation from? If only it was just a button that you could switch on and off as required....... Sadly, it's not and I'm going to have to find a way of getting myself into a 'healthy' mindset.... I'll be sure to let you know how I get on....hell knows I'll be moaning and groaning on here until I do!

One hour and 54 minutes.........

Friday's musings...

Friday already, wow the days just fly by. Still, I'm glad today is Friday as it means my SLA comes home from his school trip this afternoon. YAY! It will be lovely to have him back home :)

I've got a fair bit done this morning as I didn't let myself switch the laptop on until I'd got an hour of housework done. And it feels good, sitting here now, knowing that I'm not typing on stolen time. The sheets are drying beautifully on the line in the garden, the floors are hoovered and the kitchen sink is empty. Life is good!

So far, my blog has not appeared on the WW site. I'm not sure why although I believe the people who upload the pieces are based abroad and were on a national holiday until Tuesday. I suppose this must have put them back a bit. I'll have to check when the next blog is due since the first one hasn't been published yet. Maybe I won't have one to do for this coming Monday....which is just as well since I've managed to GAIN weight this week. I blame my sore throat, antibiotics, school trips and chocolate brownies!!! I'll blame anything but myself!

Today I need to get writing....I have 3 articles lining up for Visit Britain so I'll be attacking those first. I'm still looking forward to the NaNoWriMo in November. It'll be nothing short of a miracle if I manage the 50000 words but I'll give it a good go! I started Julia LLewellyn's book 'The Model Wife' last night and I'm really enjoying it.

One funny thing that the Bean came home with yesterday..... In school they had to write about things they like doing and things they would like to practice so that they can get better at them. He wrote that he liked riding his bike and playing cars and that he wants to practice OPENING PACKETS so that he can get better at it..... I don't think it's quite the answer they were looking for but, hey, he's practical! lol

Hwyl fawr!

Feeling all grown up

Finally, my thoat seems to be feeling a little better! Whooo! Typically it is the day that I finally have all the medication I was prescribed to help it and the day I can phone for the test results too. Marvellous.

I'm feeling very grown up today. SLA is away now until Friday on a school trip. It's cold and blowing a gale and yet he has to take his students to the middle of Welsh nowhere to learn how to make rafts, climb walls and generally get colder and wetter. Actually, it sounds like a lot of fun although so does curling up with a good book and a milky coffee.

So it's me and the little chap at home til then and I'm feeling all grown up and in charge! I don't spend much time home alone and it makes me proud that I can! I know that probably sounds daft as a lot of people spend time home on their own but I've never lived alone and it's still a bit of a novelty to me. I even bought some flowers this morning which I can see now...gladioli. I've never bought them before but they are beautiful.....good choice, me! I also bought ingredients for baking and so that's tomorrow morning sorted out. Can't wait.

I'm very excited that it is now October. The little girl within me always gets like this as my birthday is later this month. I REALLY want a Wii, and eventually Wii Fit but we'll have to see how the finances go and what the birthday bunny can manage. It looks such good fun. I love computer games of all kinds and I hope that combining that enjoyment with some of the more active games will help me along the road to weight loss.

Having said that, we're off for a pizza later on. Oh dear.......

Tablets and Parties.

Whoo! I'm almost up and running with my new writing project, or one of them at least! I've been asked to do a weekly blog on the UK Weightwatchers site! YAY! Of course the down side to this is that I also have to transform into a shrinking and increasingly healthy being....hmmm. I HAVE to stick to it this time. Wish me luck. I submit my first piece on Monday!

I ended up at the docs yesterday morning after deciding two weeks is plenty long enough to be suffering with a sore throat. OUCH! I'm now on the delights of antibiotics and feeling like a fish out of water.....with a sore throat. I hope it goes soon! Did I mention that yesterday? Oh well, see what I mean? Feel rough!

The bean has a birthday party to go to this afternoon so I'll have to remember to get a card....honestly I am so unorganised. I do have a present, just not sure there's enough wrapping paper to wrap it...and we've no cellotape... Hmmm, I think I'd best head down to the shops!

Oh and it's time for my antibiotic now too.....which means I can't eat for another hour after taking it. Oh joy, and these things are supposed to be an advance in healthcare? Honestly? lol

There's an squatter in my fridge....

Sssshhhhhhh.....I've got a vanilla slice in the fridge. Don't tell anyone. I'm pretending it's not there but I can hear it whispering to me. I don't really know how it got there...no, that's a lie I do, I put it there but I wasn't planning on letting it move in. I take an elderly auntie shopping every Friday morning and she was buying one for herself and wouldn't take no for an answer. And I did try to say no, honestly.

But here I am. And there it is. I've been doing well now that I'm back on Weightwatchers too. I weighed in at 2lbs less this morning which I was over the moon about! whooo! I'm not sure where that leaves my sticky friend in the fridge.

Last night's writing group went well. I enjoyed it. The only thing is that the toilets are locked - and we are there for two hours! I was asked to read my short story first and by the time I'd finished I could have done with a quick trip to the loo......no chance, so I sat there with my legs crossed for an hour and a half listening to the others read. Thankfully there weren't too many water references......what a relief to get home! lol

Amazingly, the sun is out again today. The washing is nearly ready to hang out and everything feels rather summery. Plus it's Friday! I'm always in a better mood on a Friday.

I'm still thinking about that vanilla slice.....oh dear.....

I'm a writing loser.

I've started! Writing my new ideas down that is. Only about 20 words so far but hey, it's a start right? I was awake for an HOUR in the early hours of this morning thinking about these ideas that are running around my head. Enough is enough! I'll get more done this later this week but I'm happy that I've at least taken the first steps in what I hope will an exciting project.

The Bean went into school a little better this morning, thank goodness. I don't think I could have coped with another morning of tears! Anyway, he went in without looking back and promised to try to talk to some of his class mates and try to ask them if he could play with them. I hope it's going well! Having said that it has rained all the way through lunch time so they won't be out on the school yard anyway.

Another feel good point of the day was stepping on the scales this morning. I'd put about half a stone on over the Summer holidays. 6 weeks of eating, eating and eating. Well, last week I signed up for a free two week trial of the Weight Watchers online course. I've done weight watchers on and off for a few years now. It does work when I stick to it but I'm not good at the whole consistency thing. I get bored, I grind to a halt. Well, according to this morning's weigh in I have lost 4.5lbs of what I had put back on! YAY! I'm over the moon and determined to keep it up :)

OK, off to run round with the hoover and tidy up a bit before my Neighbours and Home and Away fix in 45 minutes!