Nearly the weekend... sort of

I'm much happier today thanks to various things happening:

1. Lovely messages on my blog that were not only helpful but also made me laugh - thank you very much.
2. I had my hair done and have gone a little blonder again - I thought I should tone it down a tad last time and...well, it just wasn't me. I now feel more like my old blonde self again.
3. I booked a girls lunch for next Tuesday to catch up with four close friends for one of our get-togethers. So much gossip to swap!
4. A box was delivered from Amazon. My mother who lives in South Africa sent us a gift voucher & I have to admit that on closer inspection of the contents I found that dh had two CD's (we differ greatly in our taste for music) ds only had one CD, dd had three dvd's and I had the following: The Chalet Girl by Kate Lace (a LBD book - I'm loving these), Jilly Cooper's Emily & Bella and Jackie Collins Drop Dead Beautiful. When I did a quick mental calculation - very vague, never been mathmatically inclined - it turns out that I have spent far more than the others (quelle surprise) especially poor ds who really lost out on the ordering stakes.

I don't think any of them are at all bothered, they just seem content that old grumpyguts here has cheered up.

Killing basil & happy places

I usually have a basil plant on the kitchen windowsill - I find the smell of the leaves makes me feel happy, Rosemary always does this too - however I keep killing the basil. I'm not sure if they are supposed to have a short 'shelf' life or if it's my ineptitude that causes the demise but I've now replaced the most recent plant with the blue Hyacinth as you can see from the picture.

I woke in a wonderful mood this morning, full of the joys of...well, not Winter, but you get my drift and then my day deteriorated down a slippery slope and despite doing my damnest to be positive I'm in a thoroughly foul mood now. It won't last, it never does thankfully but today there are two grumpy's in my house.

I'm off to the shed to focus on my editing, it will take me back to 1941 but right now that will be a pleasure. Grrrrrrr!

Re-reading, school run & making notes

I was mooching through my bookcases the other day - again - and came across a much loved book that I originally read in 1984. My copy of Octavia by Jilly Cooper has the older cover and looks quite dated now but these entertaining books have been re-released (see new cover) and I have to say that I'm thoroughly enjoying reading them now. I have another two on order through Amazon and can't wait to receive them.

Back to the school run this morning, groan. I spent most of my time at a standstill on a hill behind a bus. Ds has now informed me that tomorrow he has to be in his classroom by 8.20 for an extra lesson as he has his AS level exams this week and by the looks of things has done very little revision - too busy on the ski slopes -though I can't say I would have been any different.

I'm making so many notes at the moment and am in post-it note heaven, or hell depending on which way you look at it. I am redrafting Truth & Other Lies - again - and can't get over the stupid mistakes I've found. Quite staggering especially as I've gone through this process several times before. I do annoy myself sometimes.

Bad things, good things & being a little strange

Several bad things have happened:
1. I went to my sister's party and ate pasta. I know this doesn't sound so dreadful but when you think that I had only managed to refrain from eating wheat for a sum total of three days it isn't very encouraging.
2. It turns out my new heater is pretty loud for such a small item.
3. And this is the worst thing as far as I'm concerned - I ran out of Midget Gems and couldn't find any more to restock my jars!!!!!!

The good things:
1. I enjoyed the party despite my lack of self-control.
2. I spent hours in the shed writing today - even turned down lunch with dh and the boys and managed to forget about the noisy fan once I had got going.
3. I did find a replacement packet of sweets to fill the jars. They're like wine gums and only black or red ones - not as enjoyable but will keep me going until I manage to find more Midget Gems to satisfy my addiction.

I usually drink Earl Grey tea/herbal teas but when I'm in the shed I love a good honest to goodness mug of Tetleys. As you can see the pic above, I have a small tin tray, on which I load my mug (I have two with peppers on) coupled with two chocolate digestives (I don't always stop at two you understand, but thought I should for the sake of the photo) and a hobnob for his grumpiness. I take these out with me when I amble down the path to the shed and for some strange reason they help me get into my writing mood. Strange habit really, though I suppose it could be worse...

Grumpy is not amused!

As you can see from the pic, Grumpy was clipped yesterday and has spent since then either shivering (even though dh keeps putting the heating on, which he doesn't do if I'm cold I notice) or sulking. He hates being clipped and I'm grateful that this drama only occurs every eight weeks or so. He'll have recovered by tomorrow no doubt and for a dog who appears to be suffering so harshly, I've noticed that it hasn't affected his appetite or penchant for begging for chews!

Step-sons No 2 & 4 go back to England tomorrow and my two will be returning on Sunday so it will be back to homework, lunchboxes and racing against time in the mornings - eugh - and a more organized routine. It's a shame that the youngsters have hardly seen each other this holiday as they all get along so well and now have to wait until Easter to see each other again.

I've been making notes on RP and am looking forward to getting on with redrafting. I'm so excited that it's the weekend and I've only had to cope with four days at work this week. How I'll cope with five continuous days in the office I can't imagine?

Reading, Editing & Heating

I am about to start reading Story by Robert McKee, which the children kindly bought for me for Christmas. I can't wait and only hope that at least some of his knowledge sinks into my exhausted brain and stays there ready to reappear at the most appropriate time.

I have started editing Truth & Other Lies and am loving reading it again. I only hope that one day an agent out there likes it enough to take an interest but I know that the only way to find out is to send it out and give it a go. I'm about to redraft Reading Paige and hope that when I look at it again I don't find that it is complete and utter drivel. I'm delighted to be a member of the Novel Racers this year and can't wait to get started on the redraft.

I treated my shed to a new smaller heater as the one I've been using is ancient and takes up valuable space. Also, tomorrow is the day that Grumpy will be taken unwillingly to be clipped and without his woolly coat will be unusually cold. Trust me to book the coldest day we have forecast for this treat.

Resolutions, Diets & Rewrites

Look what I found sitting as if it were still August in my garden! I ambled out to the shed this morning to...well, to see it and found this poppy looking so colourful and cheery in an otherwise rather barren garden and thought I should share it with you.

I have a wonderfully positive feel about 2008. I've no idea why but I can't shake the feeling that 2008 is going to be truly fabulous. Here's hoping!

Well I have allowed myself one of dh's specialities, a superb cooked breakfast with all the trimmings but after today I'm on a diet. I am aiming to cut out wheat and dairy as I know from tests - and from not having them in my diet - that I feel far better without them. I also weigh less!!! I also intend exercising more and let's face it it isn't as if I don't have someone to walk with.

The main part of 2008 is to concentrate on my rewrite, scrub up my other manuscripts and start sending them out. No one is going to know if I can pruduce decent work if I keep it stacked in the shed!

So here's to a happy, healthy, safe and productive 2008. xxx