Old So Soon?

I'm sorry I've not updated my blog just over a month. But the school summer holidays have been super busy. Working, spending time with my brother while he's home and working some more.

I've come to a conclusion. I'm working too hard and not playing hard at all. I came across this conclusion this past weekend. When you haven't seen a friend, a really good friend I might add, for months and not weeks. You know that you have to do something about.

I love both of my jobs. I really do. I just have to put as much effort into making time for my friends as I do my work. After all your only young once. And I really don't want to be that person who keeps letting her friends down. That's just not me at all.

I also need a non work related hobby. So I've started knitting again. I know, I know I'm starting to sound like an old lady. I'll tell you what though its actually very therapeutic and relaxing.

Channel Flicking & Teen Pregnancy!!

Every so often I like to channel flick. Mainly on a rainy day. Today though I was just board :). Sure I had over a dozen things saved on my sky+ box that I could have (should have) watched. But oh no I decided to annoy the hell out of myself and channel flick. The result on this (rather boring) Saturday afternoon was a series of really terrible 'reality television'.

(Image: www.mtv.co.uk )

Now then I have never been a huge 'Big Brother' fan. And I personally cannot stand 'Jersey Shore'. But what is really bad is the fact that these are not the worse ones out there. As anyone who has endured the c**p that is '16 and Pregnant' or 'Teen Mom' then you will understand what I have just put myself through. But this really got me thinking that who are these people who think that being on these type of programmes is acceptable and responsible behaviour. I remember a time when a teen pregnancy was seen as taboo and now it just seems more 'normal' and I think that is the wrong message being sent out to people. But who is really at fault here. Is it the people who appear and produce these programmes or is it 'us' the viewing audience. I mean if we didn't tune in to watch this c**p then they'd stop making them.

Anyway rant over!

Inspections Oh my!

I've spent the best part of the weekend head down going through paperwork with a fine tooth-comb. Why? You ask because yesterday I had my dreaded Ofsted inspection. I passed with flying colours (not that I expected not too) but I was still nervous. Anyway now that, that is behind me I can blog back to normal.

So look out for my next post on Friday. I have a Top 5... post all ready :)

Out & About

Was out for a walk with mum and the kids today and saw these three funny looking tree stumps. Thought I'd share them with you :)

I'm Back

I've been an absent blogger recently. I'd love to say it was because I've been too busy. Which would be partly true, but it's not. The truth is I've been suffering from major blog block. Everything I've attempted to write has sound more than a little rubbish. So rather than update my blog for a couple of weeks with rubbish I decided to just take a brake. And save you guys from taking a few moments out of your time on blog posts that would have sent you to sleep.

So what makes me think this blog post is so great. I don't. I spent this afternoon watching '(500) Days of Summer'. If you have not watched this film. You are missing out. Taking a new look at the rom-com genre. As the film warns you from the beginning this is not going to be your typical love story. Yet it is still a story about love. It's my favourite type of storytelling. A story about the characters. Characters you care about. Characters that you are rooting for the whole way through the film. It also has a killer soundtrack.

Zooey Deschanel is great in this film. She turns a character you don't think your going to like and makes her likeable. This is one star definitely to keep an eye out for.

This not a lovey dovey film by any means. But if you have ever truly loved someone you will definitely be able to understand the film. So what are you waiting for. Go out and rent/buy this dvd right now!

What I've been writing lately

Things have been a little crazy over the last couple of weeks. Things are really coming together, quickly, at work. More importantly though I'm just happier. (Probably because I'm financially more secure than I was this time last year.) But one of the things I'm happy about is that I've managed to get some different types of writing done.


Over the last fortnight I've managed to get my first guest post done. I'll tell you more about that later. (Its not being posted till July.) What I can say for now though is once I knew what I was going to do it became easy to write.


I've also been writing a private diary. Something I've not done for many years. Took me right back to feeling like a teenager again. (Without the moods :) and homework though.)


I've also been able to find my love again for blogging. At the end of last year and start of this year I was really starting to fall out of love with my baby, my blog. But I've been enjoying it a lot lately and I think I think it shows.


Hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday. I'd love to know what you guys have been writing lately.

X-Factor Tour Pics :)

Yesterday I spent a lovly afternoon with my mum at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, watching the X-Factor tour. Here are some of my pics :)

Do you tell people you have wrote/blogged about them?

(Photo credit: photosearch)

Carrying on from last week. 'Writing Wednesday' is here again and how quickly a week comes round. I was thinking this week (I know a dangerous thought) about how to answer this weeks question. It came down to how much did I want to reveal. About my friends and family. But more importantly myself. I came to the conclusion that the whole point of this blog is for me to be truthful. Like 100% so otherwise what's the point.

 

I have been writing stories (mainly for myself) for the best part of 17 years (and that fact has just shocked the hell out of me). I still have every story I have ever wrote since I was at school (though not for school). Needless to say that in my earlier writing the characters I was writing were on the whole from my imagination. It was as I got older that people I met and events around me started to have an influence both good and bad. There are certain people who have had a huge influence on my life and will always have a special place there. I feel that by putting a characteristic of there's in one of my characters is my own little shout-out to them. (Even if they don't know it.) With some friends and family it can be a tiny and probably unrecognisable characteristic. With some it's a hell of a lot more obvious. As a rule I don't like telling friends and family that I have based someone on them. I've had some friends who have asked and I have lied. Mainly because I don't want them to get person x and themselves mixed up. They are not the same entire person. Sometime it might just be a name I use.






As far as my blog goes friends and family can usually tell if it's about them or not. My friends know I have a blog, but I would never ask them if they had read it. If they have liked or not liked something they are more than happy to tell me. But its not something I expect. One ex wasn't happy that I had blogged a rather negative post about him (his name wasn't even mentioned FYI) and the truth is I didn't really care what he said 'cos at the end of the day he was a terrible boyfriend in hindsight. There are one or two men I feel very fond of and protective of and it's rare that you will ever hear me mention them by name. Namely because I respect there right some degree of privacy.






So my question to you guys is would you ever tell a friend or family member you have wrote/blogged about them or would you like to keep it to yourself?






Happy Wednesday everyone :)

February 14th – My Valentines Day Rant

(Photo credit: Photobucket)

I'm so glad valentines day has fallen on a work day. As anyone has read my blog knows I'm a sucker for romance, but even when I've been with someone at valentines I've still hated this day. Its such a money making 'holiday'. Its a day that makes guys feel guilty if they don't do something special for there girlfriend. Companies are able to charge more money for chocolates and wines etc than they would do normally.







I was in work with a male colleague and he made such a valid point. That everything being sold for valentines is aimed at women. All the chocolate hearts, pink wines, candles, stuffed bears are all presents you'd get your special lady friend. Do guys really want any of this shit? I doubt it. You shouldn't need a 'special' day to tell the person you love that you love them.






Any way so rant over. See you Wednesday for my new writers Wednesday post :)

What Inspires you?

Its a new year and some new ideas for my blog. Over the coming weeks etc Wednesday's will become writing Wednesday. So to kick off this weeks writing Wednesday I've been asking myself this very important question. What inspires me?

You can look at this for many different ways. I was inspired for this blog series on a coach trip home from visiting my youngest brother at Uni. As a blogger. Life in general is my biggest inspiration. Things going on in my surroundings.



As a writer (in my stories I like to write) my biggest inspiration is my friends. Not so much for stories as events, but definitely for the characters in my stories. Over the years different parts of many of my friends (an enemies lol) have shared character traits with the people in my stories. Its probably why I get so attached to some of the characters in my stories.



So my question to you is this. Who inspires you? Be it as a creative outlet (blogging, writing, drawing etc) or just life in general. I hope you all have a happy Wednesday. I'm off to the pub soon for my Wednesday night pub quiz with the girls.

Bad Friend/Bad Blogger

Ok so happy belated new year. Since my last blog post Christmas has come and gone. New Year was celebrated with two of my favourite girls. And worse thing ever my laptop had failed on me not once but twice in January. With the help of my lovely friend P I am now a hell of a lot happier.

So in one week two friends both needed me. Normally I am a very good friend and will drop things the minute the people closest to me need my help. I on the other hand this week feel I have let both of my friends down, and even more so, myself. One of my great qualities is my ability to listen to my friends when they need to vent. I was not without my reasons though. The problem with being that person to everyone is that when you need to be the 'venter' as well, is finding that other person to go to. So while the problems I have been going through, for the best part of 2 weeks, are nothing compared to other peoples, these are things that are getting to me.

As if being a bad friend wasn't bad enough. I also feel like I have been a a bad blogger too. When I saw that I have not posted a new blog post since 12 December I was shocked to say the least. I mean that was LAST YEAR. Anyway I am now back, with a fully functioning laptop. I will be back with my (semi-regular) and fave series on Friday. My Top 5... series.

So see you soon! ( Hopefully before Friday :) )

Is it a sign your getting old?

We've all had those great nights out. Those where we have drank too much. We swear we are never going to drink again. Until we start the vicious circle all over again. Well my sign of getting old didn't come in the form of alcohol. Oh no. MUCH WORSE. In work yesterday I noticed my first few grey hairs. Right at the top of my head for all to see. At 27 I'm far too young to be getting grey.


So my question to you guys is this, are you showing any signs of getting old? (Or is it just me :(  lol).

Have a good Sunday guys :)

39 Days Till Christmas!!

As I mentioned a couple of month ago I am starting to go into Childminding along side my mum. Well this last week I had someone who wanted me to start looking after her two children asap. This couldn't have come at a better time. With Christmas just around the corner, this extra income is really gonna help me out.

(Albert Sq - Manchester Centre German Market - Image from manchestereventsguide.co.uk)

I'm glad to say that I've got around half of my friends and families Christmas presents. I have always LOVED Christmas. It's the only time of the year that I love the cold weather :). I love walking through Manchester (our nearest city centre) in the winter. With the German Market, being all wrapped up from head to toe and Christmas music playing in the shops and on the street.


I may have turned 27 (I know I'm getting old lol) last Monday, but I still enjoy some of the same things from when I was younger. How are you guys doing with your Christmas shopping? Do get into the spirit of Christmas? Or are you a Scrooge?
Speak to you guys soon and remember its only 39 days till Christmas :)

Sometimes It's More Fun Being Single!

As my 27th birthday is fast approaching (next Monday FYI :) 8th Nov), I have come to the conclusion that my life is not all bad. I'm certainly in a better situation than I was 12 month ago (although not financially) and happier. - On the work front.

(Pic from a night out with old work friends for another friends b'day Oct '08 I think)

Unlike some of my friends I'm not tied down in a relationship that's going nowhere. Sure I'm single and would love to have that special guy in my life, but I'd rather be single than settled and unhappy.


For the first time in a long time I'm in a job that I actually enjoy and I'm happy to be working part time. Because this leaves me we some spare time to do the other things I enjoy like blogging and writing. - I find I'm much more creative when single :)

I'm seeing my friends more often. Be it just hanging out on a Friday night, Wednesday night quiz night or as something different this past Monday (as well as tonight) going to a comedy club in Manchester (more on this later in the week). - When in a relationship this is usually one of the first areas we tend to miss and we shouldn't, at the end of the day our friends have been there long before and will be long after any guy.


So next time you think everything in your life is pulling you down think about three things that you are able to do that you couldn't do before, or can now do 'cos you have so much more time.


-x-x-x-

Chester October 2010

Yesterday I spent the day in Chester. Was visiting my brother for his birthday (only 2 weeks late woopsie and only a 3 hour drive away). We had a great time I miss not having my youngest brother not at home. Here are some photos of our day.

xoxo

F is for Freezing

I'm currently sat freezing my ass off in my living room. We have no heating or water 'cos my parents decided to have a new boiler put in, when its ffffreezing. So I decided to update my blog.

I realised that I've not posted on my blog in almost a month and was starting to miss it. A lot. But I will keep this post short and sweet. As you will be aware I have recently started some training to go into business, Childminding, with my mum. This has resulted in me having to do a hell of a lot of paperwork, a five week pre-registration course, as well as a paediatric first aid course. Needless to say I've been a busy bee. Added onto that I've also been working part time, which has resulted in some things slipping. Mainly my blog. But with only a risk assessment of the house left to do I'm glad to say that by the end of the week all should be finished.


So thanks for sticking around and baring with me :)

xoxoxo

What Does Your Fave Shows Say About You?

My mum turned to me the other day while I was watching tv. She asked me if I watched anything 'Normal'. It got me thinking about my favourite tv series. I'm definitely a fan of the crime solving drama. Here are some of my favourite programmes that according to my mum means I am NOT normal :(

Criminal Minds

Bones

The Closer

(New Edition) Dexter

NCIS

Lie To Me

If you look at my favourite shows it either looks like I'm really sick and twisted :) or as I like to think of it, I like a good who done it. As I mentioned above my mum thinks my choice in tv is not normal. But this is coming from a woman who's favourite show was 'The Golden Girls' lol.


What are your favourite tv shows? What do you think it says about you?

Looking For Mr Right... Now!

I was recently watching something on the tv, and it got me thinking. Why do so many people settle for people they are too good for. All around us we have tv programmes, movies and books throwing at us unrealistic expectations of finding 'Mr/Mrs Right'. In most movies the girl and guy always end up together. In life though that's not always the case. You grow apart, the things you had in common seem to change and you become different people. I too have fallen into this trap. It doesn't make me big headed to think that I'm too good for someone. More learning from my mistakes. After all as we get older isn't this what is suppose to happen?


We all deserved to be wooed by that special someone. We all deserve to be happy. Sometimes though do we need to have different interests than that of our partner? After all we all need our own space. Next time you are looking at a guy stood at the bar, listening to someone who is making you laugh. Just look at them a little more closer. Instead of thinking 'is this the person I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with?'. Think 'is this person gonna be a fun person to be around?' We should all just live in the moment and not get so caught up in the future. After all living in the moment can be so much more fun.

Ok so I'm writing this post after having a thought the other day. I was thinking how six years ago I mentally made some thoughts of where I would be in ten years. Who I would be with. In this dream scenario I was happily settled down and professionally stable. But somewhere life got in the way and my wants and needs changed too. Someone you think might be great and the love of your life, might disappoint you. Suddenly your Mr Right has gone. So what I'm saying is this. Enjoy your life as it is. If some guy/girl is good to be around now just enjoy it. Eventually . 'Mr Right Now' will turn into Mr Right. And you won't have missed out on any of the fun along the way.

New Chapter, Onwards & Upwards

Today marks a new and exciting time in my life. After being in unemployed for the last four months or so things are now starting to look brighter. A lot brighter.

Today I attend my first 'Childminders Briefing Session'. Nobody was more surprised than my very close friends that I was choosing to go into child care. I have always been very adamant on the subject of not wanting any children of my own. Not to say I don't adore other peoples kids. Including my best friend KG's child. Now I have had time over the last two months or so (when I first decided this was something I wanted to do) to go with it or not to go with it. And I feel more than ever that this is something I am going to love to do. At the end of the day I'm going to be self employed and working from home.

With my mum already a registered childminder I see that I'm going to have a slight advantage here. I already know what I'm getting myself into (paperwork wise etc) and I know that if I have any questions she'll be a great help. After all she has been a registered childminder herself for over 15 years.

So here's to the start of a new chapter.

My Top 5: Things To Do On A Lazy Afternoon!

This weekend boy have I been lazy. Like really lazy. So while I was twiddling my thumbs Sunday night it got me thinking. Why not write a blog post about it. So I have decided to do a series of Top 5... blog posts over the coming weeks or so.

After all everybody does it. Some people do it alone. Some people do it with their boyfriend/girlfriend. And others do it with their pets. But at the end of the day its something we all do. So find below 5 things I love to do when I'm having a lazy weekend:-

No 1.) Sitting around watching a dvd box-set.
Its not something I do every weekend but every so often I love to just lounge around watching one of my many dvd box-sets. Sometimes it can be a new one (Criminal Minds). Sometimes it can one I haven't watched for ages (Prison Break).

No 2.) Surfing the net looking for new blogs to follow/clothes to buy.
I spent this Saturday just gone looking for new blogs to follow. Before I knew it most of the day had gone by :). I also like looking online for clothes as well and absolutely love looking on the ASOS website. They have some great variety of clothes weather your looking for something to wear during the day, or a new dress/shoes etc for a night out with the girls.

No 3.) Reading a new book or an old book off my bookshelf.
I am a huge bookworm. I have long lost room on my bookshelf for some of my newer books. I've currently got on my to read pile: 'Poor Little Bitch Girl' – Jackie Collins, 'I, Alex Cross' – James Patterson; and 'Club Dead' – Charlaine Harris.





No 4.)Watching really old movies either off the tv or from my DVD collection.
Its true what they say. They really don't make movies like they used to. I love sitting in front of the tv on a lazy/rainy afternoon watching old Humphrey Bogart/Alfred Hitchcock. There is a reason why its hard to find a film today that you would call a 'classic'. I think the main reason is because movies today you have to have special effects and what not to even get made. Back then though it was all about the characters and the story.

No 5.)Listening to my music collection while reading through magazines.
This is something I have not done for a while. Maybe the next time I decided to have a lazy day I'll do it. I have a pretty wide variety in my cd/i-tunes collection depending on the mood. Sometimes I'll listen to Rat Pack/Frank Sinatra collection, sometimes I'll be more in the mood for something along the lines of my Dashboard Confessional collection.

I'd love to hear what anyone else likes to do when they have a lazy day/weekend :).