Boats, Planes and Toads....

Good grief, nearly three weeks have passed almost since my last blog. I just don't seem to get time to sit and type these days, which isn't so good for someone who is aiming to at least keep up with the writing. After all, it's only just over a year since I stopped writing full time! What a change. I put a lot of it down to my iPhone! I no longer have to switch my laptop on to check on Facebook or Twitter, I can check my email on my phone in fact do pretty much whatever I need - so the computer is sitting here redundant! But I must change that....I do miss my writing and I really need to find a way for it to fit in with the 4:30am alarm calls!

So what's been happening......well, lots I suppose..... Harry has now broken up for the Summer holidays.....amazingly he will be in the juniors when he goes back, how the heck did that happen then? He's loving the time off so far and I'm really looking forward to the week off I have with him in August.

Work wise, well it's all happening. Last weekend I spent in Hull working with BBC Radio Humberside on the Clipper event. It was a fantastic day, just great to see so many people out to welcome the boats back and the atmosphere was really something. On the Sunday, Harry and I went toad spotting - yes, you read it correctly. There are toads all over Hull city centre at the moment to commemorate the 25 years since the death of poet Philip Larkin. Harry loves them, we've found 12 so far and will be doing more toad spotting very soon!

This coming weekend I'm up in Sunderland covering the air show for 103.4 Sun FM. Please do pop over and say Hello if you're up there, we'll be outside the Roker Hotel on both Saturday and Sunday. It should be a really good weekend - let's hope for some lovely weather to top it off.

If you are on Facebook, my friend Paul has been ever so kind and set up a little page for me, which you can find by searching for 'Jayne's Giggles'. I'm really flattered and would hope that we can have some fun on there so if you fancy it then please do search and join!

One final thing, I'm coming to the end of my psychic development course now, I will write a more detailed blog on that at some point - it's been AMAZING. As I practice I am offering to do some free distance readings. If you would be interested then please either drop me an email or contact me via Facebook or Twitter.

Think that's it for now - MUST NOT let another three weeks creep past. I'll be sure to take some good photos of the planes this weekend!

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!

Dejected and Fed Up

I'm having one of those 'It's hard to stay positive' days. It's entirely work related as the impending loss of my biggest contract is weighing heavy on my mind. I've spent the last few days subbing lots of articles, fillers, you name it to magazines and, of course, I'm not hearing anything back. It's the silence that's hard to take. A straight rejection is, in some ways, easier. You can pick yourself up, dust your idea down and start redressing it for another market. The waiting is impossible. Every time I log into my computer I'm hoping for an email with some good news. I'm just not getting emails at all and I know, I need to be a lot more patient, but when you NEED the work it's hard going. It's bad enough when you only want it.

I have two application forms in the dining room for 'normal' jobs. I've filled one in so far. It's not that I wouldn't enjoy it. It's not that it probably wouldn't do me some good. It's not that I'm lazy and don't want to work. It's just then I won't be a working writer any more. At least not in the same way. I've been so proud to be able to make enough money doing what I love and I don't want to let that feeling go. It's hard and it's with me every hour of every day at the moment.

I'll keep plugging on, maybe some miracle will come along and I will find regular contracts to make up for the one I am losing. I'll keep you updated. Until then, I'm going to put the kettle on and have a cammomile tea.......whilst I search through the jobs online.....

I'm sure I'll soon feel more like myself again. This is the reality of freelance working. Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to get the work done and some times there's not enough work to fill the hours in the day. It's swings and roundabouts, snakes and ladders....right now I'm looking for a ladder as I slide down a snake!

Sunday's Shenanigans

The Bean had his first riding lesson yesterday morning! He looked the part too in his new boots and once they'd lifted him up onto his pony he looked like he'd been riding for years, bless him. I couldn't help giggling though as apparently he talked about trams the whole lesson and wanted to know all about the car tyres that make up the track in the arena! lol In fact I think they'll have to tell him to shush at some point, he rabbited his way through the whole 35 mins he was riding! Roxy the pony probably had a headache for the rest of the day!

I ordered Della Galton's book yesterday so I'm really excited about it arriving! I'm really enjoying writing at the moment, although I'm not actually coming up with anything that's going to make my any money short term, which is waht I need to do. This week I really need to get a plan together.

I've applied for one writing opportunity since hearing that my biggest contract wil be finishing in March, so fingers crossed for that. I've also had a word to see if there is any more broadcasting work around but there's nothing that's going to make enough difference to be honest. This week will be spent making plans and sending out query letters etc etc.....Wish me luck!

Also, my Wii fit should be arriving early this week! VERY exciting!

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!

Of doors and Opportunities

I hadn't realised how long it is since I last blogged! Ooops! I must admit to having fallen off the wagon in many ways over the last few weeks....the blog wagon, the WeightWatchers Wagon, the tidy house wagon....almost every wagon I had climbed aboard. Still, as we are now into the New Year I am slowly beginning the climb back up and hoping I've not lost too much ground!

It is with mixed feelings that I start 2009. I always love the New Year, I embrace the new start that it offers and new opportunities that it will undoubtably bring. I face it with hope, optimism and excitement. However, in the current financial climate I can't help but feel just slightly tinged with anxiety and worry. I found out a day or so ago that one of my major contracts has finished its contracts with some other writers and this is certainly preying on my mind. It has been a big help, both financially and professionally and I would certainly be sad to see it end. I am hoping that this will not be the case, at least not in the short term, but as I say, it is certainly on my mind at the moment.

Having said that, even if one door does close there are still many there to be knocked upon, many of which will open. I may not like what I find in some, I may not feel at home. Maybe I will learn to love these strange, challenging, new places and behind some doors I may find places that are instantly homely and comforting. One thing is for sure, a New Year brings new chances to find new places and new people and, as a freelance writer, that is an essential part of any possible success.

On the family front, all is well. The Bean and SLA are both fine and ready to head back to their respective schools. Christmas and the New Year went well, although very quickly and it's hard to believe that tomorrow we will take the decorations down again, it feels like we only just put them up!

I'm planning to blog more regularly again now and I can't wait to share 2009 with you :)

Fireworks and NaNo

I'm just taking a short writing break to erm...well write this, so I guess it's not much of a break from writing! Hehehe

I've made a good start on my NaNo novel, well by my standards anyway. I'm just over 3000 words now, don't know if the widget on here is keeping up much or not! I'm enjoying writing and making most of it up as I go along, I have some ideas and plans for the characters but nothing is set in stone so who knows where they may end up?!!!

I'm going to break off a little bit now as I need to get 3 articles done for VisitBritain and I need to finalise copy for a website I'm writing for a Chef. It's easy to get carried away in my new novel but I have to remember the stuff I'm actually getting paid for!

Tonight, we're heading on over to my in laws for a little fireworks party. We've got 22 to let off, all nice and quiet ones I think and I'm going to call in at Sainsbury's and pick up the stickiest loaf of parkin cake I can find although I've never found one that betters the one my Grandma used to make. Just scrumptious. I won't be having much though as weigh in day is looming once again!

Have a happy and safe bonfire night everyone!

Hwyl :)

Tic Tacs and Steps

It's another Sunday, another 12 hour shift - they come around very quickly don't they?!

I'm hoping to get some of my writing work done in the quieter times today, I've emailed it all to my work address....my theory being that if I can get the money earning stuff done now I can actually make a start on the NaNo.....I'm falling behind already and we're only one day in!

The Bean gave us a bit of a fright yesterday. He's a fairly sensible type really, older than his years in many ways and forever asking questions about life, the universe and other unaswerable subjects..... Last night, however he reverted to the 5 year old head he should have and decided it would be a good idea to stick a tic tac up his nose. Why? I have no idea. I've asked repeatedly but have yet to hear an answer that makes even the slightest bit of sense. He was in the back of the car when he did it, maybe he was bored.....it led to a sharp swerve onto the pavement where I thankfully managed to remove the small white mint from his equally small right nostril. Amen. And no more tic tacs for the Bean!

The other Bean development over the last few weeks is that he has found a real love for the music of 'Steps' - the group that is. I'm not sure if American readers will have heard of them, they did support Britney on a US tour once but I don't think they were that well known over the pond. They were big here in the UK though, albeit they were never 'cool'. They did real pop music, loved by children and those of us who are children at heart and aren't afraid to admit and accept it!

I was always a huge Steps fan, as was SLA, much to the amusement of many people, but we never cared. I was lucky enough to meet all 5 members of the band over the years through work and really don't have a bad word to say about any of them. Maybe I'll blog more about that in the future but for now I'm just delighted that the Bean has inherited such good musical taste! :0)

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!

Strange Old Day!

It's been a strange and surreal kind of day in many ways... I got quite a lot of work done this morning, polishing off 3 articles that needed writing by the end of the month. With next week being half term I wanted to have them out of the way early!

Then I made a brave start on an piece entitled 'Regret'. It's a request from someone on one of the writing forums I am a member of who is looking for pieces from female writers on the subject of regret. She wants them between 1500 - 2000 words.

I have been planning to write something for a few weeks now but I knew it would be about Mum and I knew it would be hard to write. So I put it off....and off.....and off.....until this morning. It was hard going, and I spent much of the time trying to type through the tears (ooh, I like that as a phrase!) and I haven't finished yet. I think I'm about 1200 words so I've saved it and I'll come back to it later in the week to try to put the finishing touches and edit it. It's not a job I'm looking forward to really.

Then I went to pick the Bean up from school...all seemed fine until I got talking to him about his day. I won't go into it all here but I think I will be rejoining the ranks of home education. It's all a bit raw now, he's fine, it's nothing to worry about, but once again we are not happy with certain things. This is three schools now. Enough is enough. SLA has left messages on the school ansaphone so no doubt I will have them on the phone first thing tomorrow. Not looking forward to that much, I'm not much good at confrontation or standing my ground but I'll have to. I've already arranged a play date for later in the morning with some friends who home educate so hopefully we will have a nice day.

SLA is bogged under with work from school. He's got so much that he needs to get done and is still not feeling 100%. 8 weeks is a long half term, I'm hoping a week off next week will make all the difference - that and a whole lot of birthday cake!

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

Certificates, cash and conkers.

I admit to hitting 'New Post' and wondering what I was actually going to write...which is why I am rambling like this I suppose!

I received my 'Certificate of Competance' from the Writers' Bureau this morning which was lovely. Sadly, it hasn't inspired me to get much done today as I've wasted most of my morning on Facebook :( I never learn! I've got nothing worthwhile done in terms of writing or cleaning so far...and yet here I am typing this. Is there no hope for me?

I also received details in the post from Action Aid, a child sponsorship charity. I'm in a quandary now and almost wishing I hadn't requested details at all. Bottom line is that I have always planned to sponsor a child. But money is tight, I know I have more than these children do and for that I am forver grateful, but still there's is veyr little leaway between what goes into the bank and what comes out. This information this morning was very specific, complete with a photo of the child who needs a sponsor, his name, his details and an address where I can write to him. But there is still the issue of the finances. I don't know what to do now. Can I not sponsor him and justify that decision or do I fill out the form knowing that it may make things more difficult for us at home...and yet even as I write that I realise we will never know the difficulties that this little boy faces every day.

I don't know which way we will go. I will talk it over with SLA later on and take it from there.

After school I'm taking the Bean into town today - we're going to have a mooch around the shops and go looking for conkers under the trees near the library - I love Autumn!!!

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

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!

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......

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!