Gentle nudge - 50 things that make me happy...

Totals...Twitter 2 so far this morning - obviously only because I am avoiding doing anything actually productive...Facebook...one status update but many comments on friends threads once again a ploy to avoid any actual work!...Actual productive writing...nothing (hangs head in shame) studying and wedding planning eating all of my time.
Cups of coffee...2...cupcake...1 (home made gluten free with mini dinosaurs on it!!)
Mostly on Spotify this morning...Birdie, James Bay, John Mayer.

So in an attempt to once again re-kindle my motivation for blogging I have been sent a proverbial kick up the rear by a friend https://peachjones.wordpress.com/2015/07/05/50-things-that-make-me-happy , thank you so much! But here goes with my list...

Wilbur

Archie invasion

Milo rocking his bow tie

1. I am going to steal this one! (sorry Peach!) but my pets no matter what the day brings they can make you smile in an instant! Archie (the tabby) thinks that my writing cave is his own and that when I enter it gives him licence to lay across everything ensuring that nothing actually gets done. The fact that he is currently asleep gives me chance to do this!

My Dad

Me and my fiancée!

2. My family, friends  and my husband to be!
I don't have many family members that live close by apart from 

My Mum and Milo

an aunt, uncle and cousin the remainder of my family live
in Devon. Since moving here I have made some amazing friends and they fulfil the role of surrogate family and I truly value the friendships made.  But I don't think I have really appreciated how far away my family live, that is until recently on one of my many  'Bridezilla' mega meltdowns! The fact that by default I get to become part of another amazing family very soon makes me feel really happy.


3. PENGUINS!!! obviously! I can't help it and think as the years pass I may actually love these little creatures even more, and besides my pets they also have the ability to make me smile even on the most rubbish of days!

4. Baking.
There is nothing better than coming home from a stressful day than baking, at the moment I am trying to perfect my decorating skills in readiness for tackling our wedding cake for October. I guess I am basically a feeder, but people seem to like my cakes and I get the practice - what's not to love?!

 5. The Water, growing up almost a stones throw away from some of the most amazing beaches in the UK I think I was spoilt, so nothing makes me happier than being next to the sea or any body of water. I could sit for hours and am sad that
I haven't done that as much as I would have liked recently. Definitely something I intend to change.

6. Norwich, my new (or not so new) town. I have been reliably informed that you do not become a native until you have lived in Norfolk for 30 years + so having been here for a little over five years I guess I have a way to go yet!

7. My paid  job, I guess I am in a lucky position in that I really enjoy the job I do and like Peach this is in the NHS and I feel privileged that I get to play a small part in our patients recovery.

8. My unpaid (at the moment!) job, as much as I hate to admit my writing has really taken a back seat to studying and wedding planning at the moment. My first novel has been completed for some time I am just waiting to finalise the cover then make the decision on self publishing or not. There is no doubt in my mind that I am a happier person when I make time to write so I am going to have to make a conscious effort to fit more in.

9. Making things, many of the things I have been making recently I can't post on here yet as they are top secret until the wedding, but making things remind me of my Nan who is sadly no longer with us. I always remember her making something!

Hummus & avocado waffle  

10. Books/reading, I can't believe I have not put this earlier but books make me really happy, I have a kindle ap - I don't have an actual kindle. I love books too much and guess it come down to wanting to see  my book in a physical form.

Chocolate mousse waffleyloviness

11. My writing cave, it's kind of my little sanctuary, no boys allowed!

12. New York - my favourite holiday ever, and hoping to go back in the new year.
13. Dinosaurs! I haver n no idea about the why or the origin of this but I am the proud owner of a triceratops called Trevor who sits on my bookshelf in my cave.

14. Fairy lights, not just at Christmas!


15. Tea, I drink lots.

16. Noodles made from courgettes my new favourite thing.

17. The Waffle House in Norwich.


18. Music, I can totally be without a television but would be miserable without music or a radio.

19. Wagamama's enough said!

20. Spin classes (needed to balance out the food!!) is it wrong to enjoy 45 minutes of being beasted by a fitness instructor?21. Walking home in the rain.

22. Snow.

23. The fact that I graduated completing a foundation degree while working full time and actually enjoyed studying!

24. Plymouth Hoe, one of my favourite places when I go home.

25.  Ice cream.

26. Getting my nails done.

27. Lazy days off with nothing planned.

28. Being spontaneous.

29. Crazy golf (my new favourite thing!)

30. My pj's!

31. Meeting and making new friends - took me a while when moving to a new place.

32. Old friends and the fact you may not speak often but when you do it's like nothing has changed.

33. Train rides.

34. Things that are spotty and meant to be that way!

35. Crazy cousins.

36. Unexpected gifts.

37. My Dad on Facebook.

38. Knitting - when its all going to plan.

39. My obsession with Ryan Reynolds (sorry David).

40. My obsession with Sandra  Bullock (not sorry!)

41. Not having to work nightshifts anymore.

42. Brussel sprouts

43. Yoga.

44. New notebooks and my fountain pen (normally means I have found some time to write).

45. Purple.

46. My bath tub its huge!

47. Laughing so much it makes you cry.

48. Covering my grey hair (thanks to my Dad's faulty genes)

49. Cinema trips.

50. Peach Jones the  person who nominated me  for this!

Trying...

Totals...Twitter 0 Tweets (REALLY bad!)... Facebook...1 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...nothing so far I worked a 13 hour shift, there's still time!
Cups of coffee...1 Cupcakes ...0 (sadly lacking in the cupcake department, will remedy this tomorrow!)
Music mostly on my itunes this evening...Florence and the Machine, James Morrison, Alanis Morissette (forgot how good she was!)

Hello June! Wow it's halfway through already, I have no idea where the time is going, but it's going somewhere pretty quick these days. So my good intentions of increasing blog posts has kind of failed but still here I am!
The title of today's blog means many things and kind of sums up life at the moment, trying to study, trying to blog, trying to write...trying to get fit (not sure my bottom has recovered from the three spinning classes I attended last week!!) and generally things that come up day to day. I sit here this evening enjoying a nice glass of wine (red of course!) thinking about the last couple of days in the day job, which have been somewhat trying for a number of reasons. What is great to see is the support from colleagues and how a team really pulls together when things get difficult, my job is rewarding on so many levels but can be very difficult. I'm not sure if any of them will be reading this out there but I would just like to say cheers!

In terms of life outside of the day job, it has been interesting to say the least. I am waiting for the next part of my first novel to be returned from the editor which is both exciting and terrifying - receiving feedback on my 'baby' and acknowledging that he is helping me on my journey. Picking up a new project which I'd not bargained for! Having already decided I would re-visit a project that is halfway through now that I have completed the second draft of my second novel. Instead of which I am now three chapters into a follow on to second novel, this thing seems to be taking on a life all of it's own so I figured it was only right to go with it and see where it leads...only time will tell.

At the same time 'trying' to feed the inner creative being I took myself to the movies, thankfully this time I was not plagued by compulsive talkers.

Cosmopolis, I've read the book - I found it an interesting read and will admit I had to read a few bits more than once but I stuck with it and loved it. I think there has been mixed reviews for the films and to be honest I usually make my own mind up if a film looks interesting and I enjoyed it. There were no special effects, huge explosions or the like as much of the films takes place in the back of a limousine but I thought it was great! I suppose the fact that Robert Pattinson has been cast in the lead will cause interest for some female fans, but rest assured for those who are not fans this is nothing like it! Hopefully it will prove to some out there that he can actually act? Who knows, but I enjoyed it.
Aside from the cinema this week I will be going to the theatre to see Carmen, something that I have wanted to do for a very long time. I love the music and it's the first time I've been to see and opera so I hope that I am going to like it. Perhaps I can let you know next time.

In terms for the next few weeks, I am hoping to really be able to concentrate on the storyline to the latest novel and develop it into something worthy of a sequel. Often sequels are a huge let down so I am determined a continuation of a story has got to have enough of a spark to captivate a reader to want to spend time with my characters once again, at least that's what I am trying to do.

Hi there!

Writing...Twitter (9 tweets so far...including re-tweets) Facebook...1 status update ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...0 words (does opening my notebook count?), Cups of coffee...0 Cupcakes ...0 (but my lovely housemate gave me a panacotta dessert not sure this counts will try harder tomorrow!)
Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Maroon 5 How, Marcus Foster I was broken, Birdy Skinny love, Christina Perri Penguin, Florence and the machine No light no light.


Videos that made me laugh today...

Amazing! I have my very first comment. I am so pleased, I didn't actually think there was anyone out there so Hi if you are reading this, it's nice to know there is someone out there.
I'm trying not to be to hard on myself but it's been a pretty rubbish start to the week as far as writing is concerned but as it's only Tuesday I'm not going to feel bad about it. I now have two days off from my day job so my aim is to get up early and walk into the city and find myself a nice corner in one of my favourite coffee shops and park my bottom and write until my fingers hurt!
It seems that the closer I get to finishing this book, the harder it is to write...is that normal? I know exactly where it's going to end it's just the actual writing I seem to be struggling with! Still I have just over a month until my self imposed deadline so I'm really hoping I will make it. I already have planned what I want to work on next and the idea and characters are starting to take shape but I've promised myself I won't start until this one is completed.
I had planned on writing this evening but after a busy shift at work, almost torturing myself to the point of exhaustion at a spinning class, and being fed the most amazing chickpea and butternut squash curry by my housemate I think once I'm done here I'm going to take the night off. I'm already contemplating a Ghost Whisperer marathon (I can't help it. I love it, it's so sad it is no more, though don't get me started on the last season!!!!!!)
So at the risk of repeating myself, I'm going to take a deep breath relax and not be hard on myself knowing tomorrow is another day and without the distraction of Facebook or Twitter (I think I need help I'm sure I'm developing an addiction to Twitter!) my day will be much more productive...and perhaps then I will deserve my cupcake!!!
Goodnight.

Sleep deprivation

So last night was not great! For some reason my brain just did not want to switch off and normal routines did nothing! At this precise moment in time this is pretty much how I am feeling...



I tried everything I could think of, turn off computer - check, hot chocolate - check, going to bed movie in the dvd player and tv sleep timer set (does anyone else have a going to bed film? My current film is Twilight I make no apologies...why shouldn't I go to bed dreaming of sparkly vampires?) check.
But no sleep, I even tried turning off the television and putting some nice music on and reading for a bit which never fails to make me sleepy...but nothing! Why?!!! I just wanted to sleep, but apparently my brain did not.
Finally, I gave up - turned the computer back on and played about on Twitter, thanks to that I now find that I can cyber stalk many people who's lives appear to more interesting than mine...certainly at 0400hrs, have increased my followers quite substantially and hopefully virtually met many people who will keep me company next time the insomnia strikes!
I think I looked at the clock at 0430hrs, felt annoyed at why the birds chirping outside my window sounded so happy and finally closed my eyes. Consequently slept until 10am and got grumpy because I'd not woken up in time attend my spinning class...thank goodness for not having to go into work today and having a home study day which meant I could lay about in my pyjama's and drink copious amounts of tea!
Now having been totally side-tracked and perhaps a little addicted to blogging (I will promise to try and be a bit more interesting) I decided to share this with the world...or anyone!

Thinking about it, perhaps its time to dig out the yoga dvd for tonight (would that work as my new going to bed dvd?) maybe one class a week isn't enough? Something had better work because I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to get through a 13hour shift tomorrow on no sleep!!!
Here's hoping, keep your fingers crossed.
xx