From the goldfish bowl.

Sunday again....already! The office move is complete and I am typing this from a new desk in our new office, in front of a new computer screen and new microphone (whilst dialled into Radio Cumbria but don't tell anyone.....sssshhhh). The new place is nice...I think. It's all a bit strange after 9 years in the old place but I'll soon get used to it. Our office is within another office....if that makes sense and we're surrounded by a glass wall! Honestly, if the bigger office had wanted a goldfish bowl I'm sure there were cheaper options! Having said that, there is no one working in there on Sundays so I don't feel watched! Oh and there's a Subway 5 mins walk up the road so all is good!

I had a chuckle at the Bean on Friday when I picked him up from school. As we got into the car a lady walked past.

'Oooh look, there's Sandra,' he said, 'She works in school. She does lunches.'

'Oh right,' I replied, 'SO she helps to cook the school meals then?'

'Oh no, Mummy,' came the reply, 'She doesn't cook lunches she just does rubbish and opening packets.'

I have no idea whether 'Rubbish and Opening Packets' is this lady's official job title, I'm sure it's not quite what her parents would have hoped for!

Yesterday we had a lovely walk up at LLyn Brenig. The weather wasn't great but we followed the nature trail and spotted lots of hoof and paw prints in the mud along with a couple of tiny little frogs, climbing over blades of grass like they were the himalayas. It's always good to get some fresh air and although we walked for an hour it honestly felt more like 10 minutes. We stopped off at an Indian restaurant for a takeaway on the way back too. It was GORGEOUS! I only ate half though to save WeightWatchers points and I'm having the other half tonight when I get home.

I've had some ideas for some more short stories so I'm going to try to get them started this week, or at least one of them! I've shared one of my stories with friends and on a writing forum that I belong to and have only had good reviews which is fantastic, but being a member of the zero confidence club I'm convinced that people are just saying it to be nice. I suppose I should take the plunge and submit it!

Walking, a bit of sunshine and a courgette.

Another Sunday in work, and amazingly the sun is shining outside.....doesn't happen very often in North West England! Also another day with a sore throat. I've been taking these antibiotics since Weds and not much seems to be improving so I may be back to the doc later on this week. I honestly hate taking tablets though.......I'll be glad when I'm back to normal.

So far this coming week is a fairly quiet one, at least I hope so. Last week ended up very busy one way and another. SLA is on a school trip for a few days so it will be strange not having him around for those but I'm sure the time will soon pass with the Bean to keep me busy.

One exciting thing from this weekend is the harvesting of my first veggies! I've pulled up my first carrot and now my first courgette too! Yummy! I took photos of them both (don't laugh!) and I'm looking forward to eating the courgette in the next day or so.

Yesterday we had a really lovely day with a walk on the mountain, a walk around a local heritage park, a game of crazy golf and a walk along the sea front, all topped off with an Indian takeaway by the sea. Just perfect :) I really need to figure out how to be more active. Bottom line is that it's just not safe for me to go walking on my own in the country parks, sad but true, but I really detest most other forms of exercise and can't realistically see me sticking to any of them........hmmmm

OK, I'm off to ponder that over a brew......ciao

Writing, Scarecrows and Sick....nice!

Finally, time to sit down and catch up. It's been a manic few days one way and another.

I don't think I mentioned my 'smug' moment from my writing group on Thursday night. Aled, who runs the group, had brought along an article from writing magazine about time management for freelance writers. As we started reading I noticed many people not really interested and giggling and I soon worked out why. They love to write, but they don't really aim to be published or to share their work. There was only Aled, another gentleman and me who actually get paid for our writing. It took a while to sink in but it's true! Me - a paid writer. Really! I'm still feeling a little smug even now. One day I hope to even get paid for the writing I really enjoy as well as the website writing that I do now. One day........one day!

On Friday I spoke to someone at a rather big weight loss organisation and I will find out on Monday if they like me! If they do then I will start writing for their website regularly :) They have some writing samples at the moment that they are reviewing. Fingers crossed. Of course, the downside of this is that I will actually have to eat healthily...hmmmm. It will be a challenge but would certainly do me the world of good...did I mention that I ate that vanilla slice???

Friday night (well 3am Saturday morning actually) came the shout that makes any parent's stomach contract. 'Mummy, Daddy! I've been sick!' and he had, poor mite. Everywhere. bed, carpet, toys, drawer unit.....you get the picture. I managed to get him back into bed (after changing it) and we got a bit more sleep but a good section of yesterday was spent cleaning, scrubbing and washing... And if anyone has a magic way of getting rid of the SMELL please let me know!

After spending all morning scrubbing we finally went out and had a lovely time. The sun was out, for a change, and so we went for a walk up the mountain. Well, no actually, that sounds much too energetic. We drove up the mountain and had a walk on the top of it. It was lovely. Beautiful views and so many creatures.....a little lizard, lots of dragonflies and some wild cows! Cows are, without doubt, the most beautiful animals. I just adore them and there were about 5 or 6 in this field, 2 of them were paddling in the lake to keep cool. The others seemed very tame. I will share the photos once I've uploaded them.

We then headed over towards the coast, stopping to take in a scarecrow festival on the way. That was great fun - more photos to come from that. We had a game of crazy golf, had a lovely takeaway by the sea and then had a walk along the prom. Just a lovely day all round. Except for the cleaning,that is!