a life more lived

It would have been easy to stay...

2012-02-06T08:38:00.000Z

I ended a relationship last week. No, I didn't leave my marriage! I resigned from a voluntary post I've had for about a year because it had just become a chore.

After much thought, I came to the conclusion that whilst it would have been really easy to stay it wouldn't have been a comfortable relationship, it would always have been the last job on the list and would consequently no longer have got the time it deserves.

And so I walked away and I am sad, but suddenly I feel so much better and I've freed up some time to explore something else... What shall I do?

Waving, no longer drowning

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000Z

I've neglected this blog for quite some time because I've neglected the balance of my life. I blogged here about how work suddenly became the be all and end all and how that impacted on my health and ultimately my well-being.

Thankfully I not only recognised the problem, but I decided to take action, hence my return to this blog.

Blogging focusses the mind, because in order to blog you must have experiences to blog about! This year I've set myself a couple of challenges, so I'll be sharing my journey here.

I hope you'll join me on both sides of the balance, here for life and at sarahcruickshank.co.uk for work. Do drop by and feel free to comment.

Sarah x

I'm not a journalist or a mummy blogger any more

2011-11-10T12:26:00.001Z

7 months ago I stopped working as a freelance journalist and before that I'd really stopped "mummy blogging", but I'm still getting emails offering me stories or blogging opportunities linked to parenting.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a parent, but I've moved on from the time where I want to make a career out of parenting.

I update this blog every now and again, but really it's now more about my lifestyle rather than anything else.

NaNoWriMo? No

2011-11-04T09:07:00.001Z

Yep, I finally decided that I just can't do NaNoWriMo this year. I hadn't done any preparation and even the thought of writing short stories didn't fill me with enthusiasm, so I'm not doing it.

To be absolutely honest with you, I've lost my passion for writing at the moment, so instead of beating myself up about it, I'm thinking about other things and using my creativity in other ways. I know I'll return to writing one day (I always have), I just don't know when or what form it will take yet.

So, no NaNo for me, just getting on with life.

Guest Blogging for Dirt Devil

2011-10-11T20:35:00.000+01:00

You'll remember that a while back I went to a fantastic event at The Lowry in Manchester hosted by Dirt Devil. Today I'm guesting on their blog

A Life More Lived Guest Blog – “I’m Not A Cleaning Machine…”

Posted on 10 October, 2011

We’re pleased to give you another guest blog from the wonderful Sarah from ‘A Life More Lived’.

Sarah chats through the perils of cleaning up after a family in autumn, see if you agree…

“Honestly I’m not a cleaning machine. In fact I hate cleaning as much as the next person (unless of course the next person is Kim or Aggie). No, for my house to get clean, I have to schedule the time for cleaning VERY carefully. Read more here...

Keeping on running

2011-09-30T13:48:00.000+01:00

Image from: computerclipart.com

As you probably know, I started running again recently and I've been struggling a bit. I suppose I didn't think it would be too much of a challenge, but I'm 43 next week and have been pretty lazy over the last couple of years.

Today I tried a new podcast to listen to from here. I really enjoyed the mix of music AND I managed to do all the running and walking intervals.

I've been stuck on week 3 of the Couch to 5K Plan for about 3 weeks - turns out that by shortening my stride and keeping my arms close to my body, I actually run better!

Tomorrow I'll be doing 50 sit ups and 50 press ups, then on Sunday I'll do week 3 again, then I'll bravely move on to week 4 next week (eep!)

Product Review: Attach-A-Tag

2011-08-30T16:47:00.000+01:00

This is a revamp old post from 2010, but I'm just about to use my set again...

With new school uniform being bought in piles, we're all going to be faced with the joys of labelling.

I've tried sew-on (ages), iron-on (fall-off) and laundry pens (long job), so when I was asked to try Attach-a-Tags I was happy to give them a go.

They are wonderful! Little buttons with your child's name laser printed on them - my son's had 19 characters - that you attach to a label or seam just like a shop security tag. They take seconds to attach, can be removed and re-fixed.

I'm so pleased to have got the chance to try this product and I'm really looking forward to using it in the future.

Visit www.attachatag.co.uk

edit for 2011: They're really easy to re-use as well, you just remove them from old uniform and attach to the new... BRILLIANT

Product Review: Dirt Devil Easy Handheld DRC001

2011-08-22T16:12:00.000+01:00

This is the handheld cleaner we brought back from the #ddevilevent at The Lowry in Manchester at the beginning of August and now - having used it a lot, I'm ready to blog about it.

I've had handheld cleaners before and they've never been that great, so I wasn't sure how I was going to get on with the Dirt Devil, but it's been fab! I've cleaned up crumbs on and under the dining table; hoovered rugs with the Motorised Intense Turbo Brush (illustrated above); I've done whole rooms, my hall landing and stairs; and finally the car.

The 12 volts make the machine pretty powerful and the promised 18 minute charge has been more than enough and I haven't noticed any loss of suction, even when the dust box is nearing full capacity, so it gets a thumbs up all round.

I do find it a bit difficult to get the attachments on and off the end, but as the Turbo Brush is the most all-round useful in my house, I don't see that as too much of a minus point.

The Easy Handheld is the only handheld vacuum in the UK that comes with Microban built into the dust canister to kill any harmful bacteria that you may pick up around the house.

The Dirt Devil Easy Handheld retails at £59.99 and is available from Argos, Tesco and all good retailers.

It gets the thumbs up in the Cruickshank household :)

Devilishly Dirty, Stinky, Mummy Blogger Event

2011-08-11T14:04:00.000+01:00

On 3rd August, J and I travelled to The Lowry in Manchester to an event for Dirt Devil, hosted by Brazen PR.

After refreshments and a welcome, J and the other children went off for lunch and an art workshop, whilst the adults and youngest children enjoyed lunch, a presentation and product demonstrations of some of Dirt Devil's latest releases.

As an afternoon treat, we were all given tickets to the excellent 'scratch 'n' sniff' production of Mr Stink (from the novel by David Walliams), how cool of Brazen to link their cleaner event with a production about stinky things! The show is fantastic and well worth it if you can catch the tour!

image from: UKtheatre.net

To round off the day, we were given one of Dirt Devil's new hand-held, 12 volt, rechargeable, Cyclonic cleaners to bring home (see pic above). Watch out for the review of that in the next few days.

A big 'thank you' to all at Brazen, Dirt Devil and The Lowry for a fantastic day.

Product Reviews - Electronic Test Tube Aliens & Paperjamz Guitars

2011-08-03T08:37:00.000+01:00

These reviews are by Jonathan, with thanks to Ane at WowWee for sending them to us.

Electronic Test Tube Alien

Really fun to hatch and feed in the early stages and proving impossible to kill so far! (and we've had it months).

The only downside is the interrogation website - it's just a bit boring. It would be better of there were more games and activities to to do as well as interrogating your alien.

My score 6/10

Paperjamz Guitar

Mum can play the guitar and she absolutely loved this toy! I loved the idea, and once you've got through the packaging it is fun.

Although 3 songs aren't really enough, you can quickly join a rock band by strumming along to the songs, but you can also learn to play real cords and then play your own music.

My score: 7/10

Hello again, hello

2011-07-25T19:08:00.000+01:00

Yes, I'm back! Having taken 2 months completely away from blogging for work I've come back to A Life More Lived (yay).

Since my last post here, I've opened up a new business and that's really taken up most of my time. I've also moved away from feature writing for magazines/websites, because - after 7 years - it just wasn't ringing my bells any more.

I'm working away on my fiction writing and also working hard on getting fit (something else that had completely fallen by the wayside), and now, I'm beginning to be asked to review things again by PR people and I'm ready to say yes.

So, while you can read my lifestyle ramblings here, if you want to catch up with my more work-related stuff, hop over to my cyber desk.

Oh yes, and don't be afraid to say hi!

Sarah x

Hello and Goodbye...

2011-05-05T09:34:00.000+01:00

This blog has really run its course and so I'm not going to be updating it any more, but keep your eyes open for me as I launch a new blog soon.

Thanks for reading

Sarah x

What is a Virtual Assistant?

2011-04-14T09:30:00.001+01:00

Recently, after much thought and preparation, I launched myself as a virtual Assistant (VA), but what does a VA do? I hear you ask.

Basically, VAs are self-employed and do a whole range of administrative tasks (depending on their experience/interests), remotely from their own office. Some offer call answering; some specialise in book keeping and accounting; most offer word processing and general administrative tasks; others even organise client's social lives. The key thing is though, that we allow people to concentrate on their core business, while we do the admin.

So, you're like temps then?

No. We're business people in our own right. Our core business is the stuff that keeps you from focussing on your core business, but because we have our own offices and equipment, and because we only bill you for the hours we work, we're more cost effective than a temp. Also, you don't have to pay NI, holiday or sick pay, you literally just pay us when we're working for you!

How do I find out how to hire you?

Visit my website here, then email me to check my availability and rates.

What if you don't seem to offer what I'm looking for?

Drop me a line anyway. If I can't help you, I'll put you in touch with someone who can.

Changing Direction

2011-04-12T06:00:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking of changing the direction of my business for a little while, away from feature writing and towards offering admin services to other businesses as a Virtual Assistant.

I hadn't really done anything about it until a couple of weeks ago, when I started researching the idea, thinking about what I could offer and how to pitch and market myself.

Once I'd done the initial research, it was obvious to me that I could begin offering a service relatively quickly, without having to do too much. So, I sat down and got in with it!

Over the last week, I've been shamelessly marketing my VA services on Facebook, Twitter, online forums I use and via word of mouth and I've actually managed to pull in a few clients with real paid work!

So, whilst I wont be giving up on writing, I will be concentrating far more on doing other things to give my business the opportunity it needs to grow and develop.

Need a Virtual Assistant?

2011-04-05T16:14:00.000+01:00

Then, look at me! Visit my website to see the Virtual Assistant Services I can offer, so that you can concentrate all your efforts on the main focus of your business.

It's something I've done for a few years, but I've never marketed it as a major part of my business before. Now though, with businesses needing people to do admin tasks on a more ad hoc basis, I think it's time that I laid out my stall.

The plan is to be completely virtual, unless businesses local to me need someone physically in their office space sometimes.

I'm quite excited about the extra opportunities that this new strand of my business could open up. So, if you need a Virtual Assistant, call me.

Socks

2011-03-26T06:00:00.000Z

Or more precisely, bed socks. I can sleep anywhere in pretty much anything, but my feet HAVE to be warm and so I have a wonderful collection of bed socks.

More often than not, I kick them off in the middle of the night, but without toasty warm feet, sleep would not come.

Reasons to be cheerful

2011-03-25T08:26:00.000Z

Messy

2011-03-25T08:15:00.000Z

Today I will be mostly continuing to clear out my messy office! There's more c**p than you can shake a stick at in there!

This time though, instead of just moving the mess around, I'm actually throwing things away and donating the stuff that other people might find useful.

My aim is to actually be able to work in there next week.

Swimming

2011-03-24T06:00:00.000Z

I've started swimming again after a longish break. The Boy has decided that he wants to get good at it, so we've been going on a Saturday.

I like swimming, you just do it and no one really encroaches on what you're doing. You don't need to talk to anyone, don't need to think, you just do it.

I'm not a brilliant swimmer, but I can keep going for a decent while so I get my money's worth from the entrance fee. Up and down, thinking about nothing, suits me just fine.

Bread

2011-03-23T06:00:00.000Z

On Saturday night, having rediscovered my favourite (for favourite read "I have never made a duff loaf when following this"), recipe, I made bread.

It's very therapeutic making bread, you imagine the dough is your least favourite person on thing and bash seven bells out of it. Once you've cooked it you have the ultimate comfort food, nothing beats fresh, white bread spread with butter and jam... nothing :)

Caught in a trap...

2011-03-22T11:39:00.000Z

...Of my own making.

I'm not busy, I'm not actually doing anything other than moving bits of paper about.
I'm not organised.
I can't work in my study because it's turned into a junk room.
I've not been exercising, because just recently I've felt no motivation.
I've let myself go physically and mentally, because I wasn't sure what the point was.

Oh yes, I've been in a bad place for a little while.

Thankfully though, I'm coming out of the dark place now, maybe the sunshine and signs of spring have awakened determination in me.

I've started to exercise again and to cook real food from scratch and I'm looking for a job.

I'm writing more as well, but different stuff than before. My mojo was completely gone. I don't know how you can write lifestyle features when your life revolves around sitting inside, staring at a computer screen.

So, I would say "watch this space", but actually, probably don't. I'm going to be off-line for a little while. I'll be checking my email and this blog feeds in to Facebook and Twitter, but I wont be around much more than that.

I've got a long and interesting road ahead, but the future's looking positive and pretty exciting. Keep reading to see where I take myself.

Reasons to be cheerful

2011-03-18T12:32:00.002Z

Product Review -www.tshirtprinting.net

2011-03-17T19:35:00.001Z

Martin at www.tshirtprinting.net asked me to road test one of their t-shirts, which I did...

I've worn it, dropped coffee on it (and left it for a few days, and it still came out in the wash!), I've slept in it and I've washed it a couple of times at 50 degrees, and it still looks great.

The t-shirt is 90% cotton, 10% polyester and is excellent heavy weight fabric and the printing is great, it'll take a lot to damage it, or for it to start peeling.

The company do t-shirts (long and short sleeved), vests, sweatshirts, hoodies, workwear and promotional items (like Baseball hats). Minimum order is 12 items, but if you have a staff, or a club I think you'll struggle to find better quality.

Visit www.tshirtprinting.net to see the full range and give them a call for a quote. Excellent.

Product Review - Denkosekka

2011-03-17T11:44:00.002Z

The Lovely Ane at the WowWee press office (Jonno's favourite PR person in the world!), sent us this fantastic game to review.

Denkosekka, translated from the Japanese as "Lightening Speed" is a weighted yo-yo with a magnetic button on the end that you use to catch scoring discs, either as a game to play alone, or with friends. Sounds easy? Isn't. It is however, absolutely addictive! You put your middle finger in the loop and fire your yo-yo at the discs, but you have to aim just right and with the right amount of pressure to make a catch.

Leon, Jonno and I have had loads of fun with it and if Snoopy had fingers instead of cat paws, I think he would have had a go too.

It's also great to help Jonno with his Hand-eye co-ordination and muscle building (thanks to his dyspraxia).

Denkosekka gets a big thumbs up from this house!

Prices

- Denko Disk Pack: 3 disks of varying value and rareness, £3.99 RRP

- Denko Starter Pack: 1 catcher, 4 disks and an advanced warrior guide, £9.99 RRP

- Denko Battlemat Pack: 4 battlemats, 1 exclusive disk & collector’s poster, £9.99 RRP

- Denko Battle Set: 2 catchers, 8 disks, 2 battle mats & collector’s poster, £19.99 RRP

- Ages: 7+ / Available: from February 2011

More details here

There's always pie

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000Z

There's just something comforting about pie! This one has a thin, short crust pastry and is filled with sausage, bacon and boiled egg.

Apart from being absolutely delicious, it's also part of our drive to eat more seasonably and more home made rather than shop bought stuff.

This recipe is my own take on one from Delia Smith's "Frugal Food", her book on exactly what we're trying to do.

Follow our food adventures over the next few months here on the blog.

Planning is the key

2011-03-11T06:00:00.000Z

It's so easy when you're working for yourself and from home to get lazy and spend days not really doing anything. There's no one to answer to and no one to push you, so you can easily justify a lazy day doing nothing. That's my excuse anyway.

So, I've out a plan in place of the hours I'm going to work and I've made a pact with myself to work in my office and NOT to use my office as a dumping ground for drying washing and the homeless 'stuff' every family seems to accumulate.

The other thing I've decided to do is limit the time I give to volunteering. As most of you know, I'm in Scouting and boy is it easy to eat up hours of your time doing it, so I've set a weekly limit of the time I can spend and once it's gone, it's gone. I'm sure my new attitude will cause some fuss, but I'm not that bothered, I need to set some boundaries in my life and that's one of them.

Whether setting myself a schedule is going to work I don't know. I've built some flexibility into it so that I can juggle it around if I need to, but come back at the end of the month to see if I succeeded.

Running just to stand still

2011-03-10T06:00:00.000Z

I'm absolutely AWESOME at being busy; volunteering for things; going from one meeting to the next; helping people complete projects. Oh yes, I'm AWESOME at avoiding being still when I really need to be.

I don't mean doing nothing (though I'm quite good at that too), I mean slowing down enough to take a long, hard look at myself and my work and decide where to go next.

These sorts of questions raise their heads pretty frequently in the freelance life and even more so in the life of the mum of a pre-teen (how did The Boy suddenly become 12 this birthday? Where did those years go?)

This time though, when I stop, instead of just making plans, I'm going to actually carry through on them, so that I can make the most of my work and my life.

What have you given up for Lent?

2011-03-09T06:00:00.001Z

As a Christian I'm now in that period of reflection, leading up to Easter, the most important festival in our calendar.

When I was at school, we were always encouraged to give something up and then give the money to a chosen charity, but as I've got older I've come to understand that it's much more challenging to take something on during Lent.

I'm taking on stillness. I don't spend enough time just being still and listening, so that's what I'm going to do. I have no idea where it's going to lead me, but I'm going to give it a go.

International Women's Day

2011-03-08T09:12:00.000Z

Celebrates its 100th year this year. Have a fantastic day. xx

Shouting for Scouting

2011-02-22T06:00:00.000Z

I started Scouting when I was 40 and it was one of the best things I've ever done! It's given me opportunities to learn new skills, try things out (like archery, which I love), and a passion for camping.

When I started, I was just going to be on the Executive of my son's Group - a monthly meeting and a bit of fundraising. It wasn't long though before I was helping at the weekly Cub nights, in uniform and training to be an Assistant Cub Scout Leader. Then the District Commissioner asked me if I'd be willing to use my journalistic skills and be the Media Development Manager for the District!

My latest move is to become Group Scout Leader of my group and take over the management responsibility for the Leadership Team and development of the group overall. It means MORE training and more opportunities to use my skills in my local community.

Has my hobby become a huge part of my life? There's probably not a day goes by without something Scout related needing to be done. Do I regret getting into a new hobby at 40? No way, getting in to Scouting is one of the best things I've ever done.

Hooray for Half Term!

2011-02-19T06:00:00.001Z

Next week I'll mostly be taking the week off as The Boy is on half term.

I've never felt guilty about taking time off to spend with him, I did however, feel super-guilty when I had to go back to work full time when he was just 3 months old, and I found a part-time job closer to home as soon as I possibly could.

Now, as he gets older and needs me less and less, I relish holiday times when I can down-tools for a few days and spend time with him doing things we enjoy. It seems no time at all since I could lie on the bed with my arm around his shoulder and his feet tucked against my knees, now he's almost taller than me!

And so, although I will do a little bit next week to keep my work ticking over, I wont be working every day, and I certainly wont be apologising or feeling guilty for spending time with The Boy.

Reading to write

2011-02-18T06:00:00.000Z

This was my work yesterday

It took me a long time to realise that this image isn't a guilty pleasure, it's work. I went through this pile of magazines and newspaper sections looking for inspiration and places to pitch ideas and I came away with a page of potential markets.

I'm not saying I'll pitch every one, or that all the pitches I send will be successful, but I came away from the half a day I spent reading with a lot more than when I started, so it was definitely worth the time.

Being a writer involves a lot of odd stuff that really is work; reading magazines, listening to people talking, watching TV, going for walks, painting, taking photos; and not necessarily an awful lot of writing (depending on what you're working on). The trick is not to feel guilty that your work day doesn't necessarily involve doing any actual putting pen to paper/finger to keyboard.

Obviously, I've now got another half day of chasing up the potential markets to see if they're worth following up on. I'll let you know where it leads me.

I'm not a monkey...

2011-02-17T06:00:00.001Z

so don't offer me...

I signed up for one of those sites recently where people post copywriting jobs and then writers do them. I wasn't planning to do much that way, but I thought it's be a nice way of earning a bit of extra cash.

NO!

Writing 500 words about frankly really obscure things (tea ceremonies, what it takes to be a sales person, and any number of electrical appliances), for 10 quid a pop is a no go! In order for that kind of money to be worthwhile, I'd have to write the piece in 20 minutes and - wide as my knowledge is about all sorts of weird stuff - it doesn't run to that.

I guess I was sucked in by the idea that the site was offering easy money, a quick fix to a bit of a lull I've been going through lately.

Anyway, I came home from a day away from a blank screen, with a pile of magazines and a few ideas of things to pitch to earn myself some real money. So here goes to a positive day today!

Rant of the growing boy ...

2011-02-16T16:34:00.000Z

On Saturday, the DH and I were treated to the joys of helping The Boy select Valentines gifts for a girl he likes. After much dithering, he chose a small bear, a little felt red rose and a card.

These were handed to said girl on Sunday, wrapped, with strict instructions that the package should not be opened until Monday.

Yesterday, I asked The Boy if he'd seen the object of his affections?

"Yes I have! And she didn't say thank you and she's probably thrown the things away! Six quid I spent on her, six quid! A whole week's pocket money..."

I gently reminded him that he'd also spent about eight dollars on funky socks for her when we were in NYC in the summer...

"That's true, I did. That's about ten quid I've spent. She didn't say thank you for those socks either. Girls!"

Apparently, he'll not be spending any more on the girl and next Valentines Day is planning to find a new girl to blow a week's pocket money on.

The DH and I, happily together for 17 years, have both had a good chuckle with him. Oh well, I suppose at least she didn't break his heart.

It's work Jim, but not as we know it

2011-02-11T08:34:00.000Z

This week I made a pom pom! Obviously that's not all I did, that would be seriously weird, even by my standards ... I also made some salt dough, a paper daffodil, some fingerprint animals and a beanbag pancake. Yes, I've been writing a craft feature, and when I wasn't doing that, I was writing about a school farm and entering lots of dates into the District Scout Diary.

Yesterday I took some time out and went and had lunch with a bunch of other freelances from Lancaster and Morecambe. We met up through Twitter and thought that it would be nice to meet up in real life (more about that in another post). It was just lovely to have a meal and talk about things with people who knew where I was coming from.

Taking 2 hours out of my day yesterday did impact on my work and mean I had to do some stuff in the evening, but it really re-energised me and I came back to my office buzzing with ideas.

I never really expected I'd be living such a wacky life when I started writing for a living, but I can't say I ever regret taking the plunge.

RIP Gary

2011-02-07T09:28:00.001Z

Gary Moore

Product Review: The Art Of Conversation Children's Edition

2011-02-04T11:24:00.000Z

Thanks to Katie at Golden Goose, we've been trying out this wonderful little game for encouraging conversation skills.

Quite simply, there are 100 cards, each with two questions (one a bit more challenging than the other). Children take it in turns to ask and answer questions, thus practicing thinking, talking, eye contact, turn taking and listening.

I have to admit that when I first saw the game, I wasn't sure it was going to work, but it really encouraged Jonno to talk and engage in conversation. He pronounced it "really good", and was reluctant to stop answering questions.

Useable as a one-to-one, or a small group tool, it's definitely one I'll be using again and again.

Product Review: Carex hand wash & no water needed hand wash gel

2011-01-31T10:55:00.000Z

Nikki from the Carex press office invited me to try their hand wash and no-water gel and I'm sold on both!

The hand wash went straight into the kitchen and is great for dealing with grease, hands covered in baking goop and gardening or cycle cleaning mess. It smells nice, doesn't seem to be at all drying to my sensitive skin, even the tiniest squirt gets hands clean and it kills 99.9% of bacteria.

The bottle of no-water lavender and rosewood, relaxing aroma gel, is fast becoming one of the favourite products in my bag. I'm a mum, cyclist and Cub Leader, so often end up needing to wash my own or a small person's hands when I'm out and about and this does the job well and leaves a nice relaxing smell behind. It also kills those 99.9% of bacteria.

All in all, two wonderful products that will definitely be regulars on my shopping list from now on.

Exhibition Review - Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures

2011-01-28T10:08:00.000Z

Museum of Museums, Manchester
10.00 - 6.30 (last admission 5.00)
Extended until 26th March 2011
Adults £14, Children (5-16) £7, Concessions £12, 4 person family ticket (max 2 adults) £36

More details here

We were lucky enough - thanks to Rosalyn at bjl - to visit this exhibition just before Christmas.

Unlike at some exhibitions, the audio headset comes as part of the package so that you immediately have access to the story of the exhibits. Some of the voiceovers are a bit long, but you can always skip forward once you've heard enough.

As well as replicas of the treasures found in Tutankhamun's tomb, there are two short film presentations putting the whole story into context and also a reconstruction of the grave treasures and tomb, as they were discovered by Howard Carter and Lord Caernarfon.

The replicas are beautifully made and displayed and a visit is definitely a worthwhile one if you're interested in the story of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Where did the week go?

2011-01-14T10:08:00.001Z

How can it be a week since my last post here?

I'm pleased to report that I've spent a large part of the week reading and listening to the radio and NOT feeling guilty about it.

I'm coming away from this week full of ideas and inspirations, I woke up at 2am and nearly (just managed to stop myself), shouted "Akhenaten", which would have frightened the life out of the DH. Let's just say this was an inspiration for a story I'd been thinking about yesterday and not because I've finally gone completely bananas!

My plan is to give the rest of today and the weekend to reading, listening and watching and then to get back to writing next week, and on that note ...

I've tried, oh how I've tried to write straight on to my beloved laptop, but I just can't. I love writing longhand too much, so I'm going back to my notebooks and I've cleaned out my fountain pen and I'm raring to go.

A big up for Writing Magazine and Mslexia for being my constant companions this week and leaving me feeling well and truly back on form!

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-07T13:25:00.000Z

So, the Christmas decs have gone away until next year (well, I think J still has his tree up), which means it must be time to think about goals.

I'm eating more healthily and exercising more, which is making me feel A LOT better.

I've given up coffee! Those of you who know me well, will know that I love coffee, but increasingly over the last few years coffee has stopped loving me. Anyway, tea ahoy!

Work wise, I pretty much have two resolutions, firstly to take my career more seriously and secondly not to be apologetic about reading (particularly magazines). Reading isn't a luxury (well, it is actually), it's an important part of my job, so I shouldn't feel guilty about spending a whole day reading.

Family is easy, we're working on spending more time together doing the things we enjoy.

And hobbies? I'm going to make more cards, do more crafting generally and develop my Scouting skills over 2011.

All in all, I'm seeing 2011 as a positive year of moving forward and getting things done, I hope you drop by every now and again to see how I'm doing.

Guest Blog by me on Have A Lovely Time

2011-01-06T10:03:00.002Z

As you'll remember, we decamped to New York City for a week in the summer of 2010. Here's my guest post on Have a Lovely Time on out top 10 experiences.

The Soundtrack to my life - Part 6

2010-12-20T10:52:00.001Z

Every Christmas ... This one ... Almost always the original video, but I love this live version, so this is the one I'm sharing

Christmas...

2010-12-14T13:49:00.000Z

This is last year's tree, this year we've gone for something around 7 feet.

Jonno is in his last week at school and the DH is winding down in work, I finished my last commission yesterday and so I'm cleaning and ironing and getting activities ready for next week (crackers, a chocolate log, gingerbread for the tree, a gingerbread house and paper chains).

I love Christmas and getting ready for the celebration with my family, so here's to all of us having a wonderful holiday and here's one of my favourite Christmas songs ...

Things I Am Learning At 42

2010-12-07T11:20:00.000Z

There are many things I've gone my whole life without knowing, most of them I've started learning since I became a Cub Scout Leader; how to light a fire, how to put a tent up, how to tie knots, archery, that I can live without walking up rivers for fun!

Well today, I've topped even those things ... I've discovered how to recharge a dead car battery!

Those of you who know me well, will know that having failed my driving test 6 (yes 6), times, I gave it up as a bad job! It's as a consequence of that though that I've now got a new skill.

The DH was away last week, when it was colder than a polar bear's freezer here in Lancaster. Consequently our car sat on the drive unused and when he tried to use it yesterday the battery was a bit dead. Obviously, if I knew anything about cars, I would have started the engine a few times and let it run a bit (I can do that much). So, this morning, I've muddled my way through setting the battery charger up to charge the engine and I've only set the car alarm off once (yay).

I'm all for lifelong learning, I'm just not sure this is a skill I want to employ too often though.

Me, guest blogging at the Writers Bureau

2010-12-03T11:17:00.000Z

Read it here

Breathe

2010-12-02T12:16:00.000Z

Something I've determined to do more! Well, okay, I do the breathing thing, but the taking the breath in and stopping to appreciate what I've got is what I'm planning to do more of.

I've recently cut my focussed working days down to two a week (thanks to the inspiration of the lovely Linda Formichelli), which means that I'm working smarter and I've gone back to following the routines set down by the wonderful Marla Cilley, the Flylady. So, today as I sit here writing my blog post, listening to the washing machine do its thing, I'm not feeling guilty about not working, because it's not a work day :) and I've got my house chores done.

With 2011 creeping up on us, I want to get myself into a healthy place and I AM getting there!

This week my prompt for the Sleep is for the Weak writing workshop is "Breathe", by the utterly awseome Midge Ure, for those of you who don't know it ...

Imagine ...

2010-11-25T11:02:00.000Z

Imagine life without the internet getting in the way. Not just social media sites, but the whole email and news on demand and every conceivable bit of information you could "want". Well I'm going to do more than imagine it, I'm turning my internet connection off for 23 and a half out of every 24! I'm only going to check my email twice a day and I'm only going to turn my computer on at all when I've got work to do.

Imagine all the time I'll have to do things!

(Sort of), picture prompt 7 for this week's Writing Workshop on Sleep is for the Weak

Let's work it

2010-11-23T21:22:00.000Z

NaNoWriMo has taught me an important lesson this year and it's not about writing, it's about my life in general ... Life is NOT work and work is NOT life. What do I mean by that? Simple ...

For a long time I've had no distinction between work and life, I've presented myself as a "Mummy Blogger" and written about teaching and childcare when I was doing that as a 9-5 job. There were no boundaries between the work "me" and the family "me" and that's been a bad thing.

Doing NaNoWriMo has taught me the importance of those work/home/family boundaries though, because I could easily lose myself in writing my novel draft, but if I did that I wouldn't do any housework or cooking and I wouldn't spend quality time with my family, so I've had to really plan my time, so that there's time for everything.

So, come the end of November, I'm going to be deliberately looking for new writing markets outside my comfort zone to stretch my brain and my writing talent, but that'll also leave the private me as just that. My novel may not get beyond the first draft stage, but at least writing it will have given me the confidence to take the next step in my writing career.

Buried

2010-11-18T06:00:00.001Z

I was.

Under big rocks of nothing.
Being slowly suffocated by doubt and insecurity.

Constant kicks in the teeth,
And promises of better things that never materialised.

Not any more though,
Reality has kicked in.

There's only Me.
Things only happen when I make them happen.

Waiting for others is wasted time,
There is only Me.

For Prompt 5: "Buried" - Perhaps you have something you'd like to put to rest, or something you need to exhume? On the Writing Workshop by the lovely Josie at Sleep Is For The Weak

Is exercise the key for me?

2010-11-17T08:25:00.000Z

On Monday, I started the day with a brisk walk around my local park, followed by some sit ups and I had my most productive day for ages. Yesterday I didn't do any exercise and had a pretty non-productive day. Today I started with sit ups and stretches and now, I'm up and at 'em again and feeling really good.

Obviously, it's early days, but if it's true and exercise is the key to getting my work rate up, it's fine by me. Thankfully, being self-employed, I can manage my own time, so I can do exercise when it's right for me.

Anyway, watch this space.

Life, it's like falling off a blog

2010-11-12T11:10:00.000Z

I've been a bit lost lately (maybe I was holding the map upside down!), anyway I pretty much stopped blogging because I thought I didn't have anything to say. Thankfully I took some tome yesterday and did a bit of planning and now I have a list of things to blog about over the next few weeks.

So, when a few people I know are calling time on blogging (for lots of reasons), I'm hoping to give mine a new lease of life.

Catch 22

2010-11-11T10:43:00.000Z

Inspired by Prompt 1 (sort of)

I had a brilliant 9 days away in Wales over half term and came back refreshed, but sadly pretty un-motivated. I'd got to the stage in the house and work that I'd let things slip and didn't really know where to start to sort out the mess.

I've been "thinking" about doing something about it all week and then today my friend Rin posted this on her blog, which gave me the gentle kick up the a**e I needed, so - once I've finished writing this, I'm switching off the computer and going off for an hour to do this. Then, I'm going to make some time later to sort out my office and hang up my clothes in the bedroom.

I've already got a work direction mapped out, well, some stuff I actually want to do. And I'm pushing on with the novel, even though (according to the NaNoWriMo stats thingy), I'm not going to finish until March 2011 (oops, get a**e in gear again!).

So, I'm feeling better for climbing out of the rut (I think I might be standing on the big pile of misery I've built up just recently). I'm also feeling better for re-starting the 100 Rep Challenge (one day I might actually do 100 :))

Anyway, can't stop now, I've got cleaning to do.

NaNoWriMo 2010

2010-11-01T06:00:00.001Z

It's that time again!

This year I actually have a plan, a fully-fledged novel development to work from and a determination to actually get as near as I possibly can to that magic 50,000 word total by 30th November. Realistically, that means writing around 1700 words every day for 30 days, a challenge, but not an impossible one.

Wish me luck and I'll keep you informed of how I'm getting on.

Hitting the ground running

2010-10-25T06:00:00.004+01:00

I was recently appointed as Media Development Manager for my Scout District (Lonsdale). It's a job that involves press and PR work for all the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Adults in Scouting in the Lancaster and Morecambe area.

I've made a start by creating a newsletter that gives people an opportunity to share their news with other Scouts in the area, and my next job is to get us into the media, so people outside of Scouting can see what we get up to.

I was incredibly honoured to be asked by Pat Griffin, the District Commissioner, to take on this role and I really hope that I can live up to her expectations.

It's an exciting role and a great way to bring my work and my hobby together. So, watch out world, I'm going to help put Lonsdale on the map :)

Holiday

2010-10-24T18:20:00.003+01:00

As it's half term, and Jonno gets an extra long break - not returning to school until 4th November - we're off back to Wales for a spell.

I'm planning to treat this as a break from work, but I do have plans to do some writing. Oh, and there will be posts on this blog, just to keep you up to date with what's going on.

Horribly Compelling

2010-10-21T10:08:00.001+01:00

Hi, I'm Sarah, and I'm a Horrible Histories nut. It's the songs that do it for me, but I love the whole concept really, the books, the TV. It's just so watchable and my son and my Cubs are avid fans too, so it's a regular topic of conversation.

So, say hello if you love it too and if you've missed out on this gem visit the website to see what you're missing. My fave songs are Charles the Second, The Vikings and The Four Georges.

History was NEVER this cool when I was at school.

Let us never speak of it again.

2010-10-18T14:45:00.000+01:00

Negative stuff that is. The last few posts on this blog have been fairly wallowing in self-pity. Yes, I've had a few knock backs and disappointments recently, but nothing life-threatening and nothing that I can't bounce back from. So, from here on it's positivity all the way!

I'm starting by clearing out my office. I don't know how anyone is supposed to work in a room where you can hardly get from the door to the desk.

Also, because my office had got into such a state, I'd moved my laptop and some of my work books into my bedroom ... NO ... Bedrooms are for sleeping in thanks, so that also needs to be addressed.

Is it any wonder that I've been feeling physically and mentally pretty c**p recently, when I've let so much negativity pile on top of me?

I got a great nights sleep last night and I'm ready to come out fighting today.

Me first!

2010-10-13T11:00:00.001+01:00

I was phoned recently by the secretary of someone I was supposed to meet in 15 minutes, to cancel the meeting, because something more important had come up. Obviously, she didn't actually say that, but that's what was meant.

It would have been a relatively short meeting, half an hour at most, but it wont take place at all now, because the person I was meeting will forget to re-schedule and I wont chase it, because I'm worth more than that.

Actually, I'm not feeling my best at the moment, so I'm not going to make any knee-jerk reactions and, in all honesty, I might leave it until November before I make another move in that particular direction.

N ... N ... N ... N ... N ... No!

2010-10-13T10:56:00.000+01:00

Why is such a little word such a hard word to say?

Thankfully I'm getting better at it now, because an overwhelming desire to want to please everyone has got me into some right pickles.

So, "no", basically.

It's All About Me

2010-09-30T08:35:00.000+01:00

Yep, for once, my biggest priority right now is me! And, for once, I'm not apologising for that fact.

Regular readers will know that having watched The Boy settle happily into secondary school, I'm now looking to get back into a regular workplace.

I've been freelancing as a journalist for 6 years, for the last 3 it's been my only paid work, since we moved to the North of England and it's been a very "feast and famine" existence, well more "famine and food crisis", really.

Anyway, I've applied for a few jobs with blindingly little success. After the 1 interview I did get I was told I "didn't fit the profile of the person we're looking for".

Thinking about it afterwards, I realised that most of my experience is at least 3 years old (some if it 15 or 20), so I need to get some work experience to freshen up my CV.

Further research convinced me that my best bet for getting back in to work is to update my teaching skills and get back to the classroom. I enjoy teaching, every day is different and it really does lift my heart when I see a kid finally grasp something they've been struggling with.

Anyway, here in Lancaster I don't have nearly as many contacts as I had in Wales, but I've fired off an email and now I'm waiting. I can't really contact anyone else until I've had an answer to my original email because that'll just make things even more complicated for me.

And so, here I am, in the familiar position of waiting on other people to make decisions about my future. Still - for the moment at least - I'm my number one. Selfish? No, very necessary for my survival.

In response to Prompt 1: What's your biggest priority right now?

Haven's Fun and Fitness Packages

2010-09-28T12:50:00.000+01:00

are available to pre-schools and nurseries all around the UK. They're designed to encourage under-5's to get the fitness bug early.

The great thing about this scheme, is that you don't need to buy anything or collect vouchers you just need to register here.

So, if you're connected to a pre-school or nursery setting, pass it on.

Taking Stock ... Where Am I Now?

2010-09-23T22:45:00.000+01:00

Prompt 3 for me this week.

I've written endlessly recently about getting back into the workplace by doing some voluntary work. My CV is pretty outdated, as I haven't done a job outside working for myself for the last three years and I haven't done any training or anything either.

I did have a job interview a little while back, but I knew as I sat there that I wasn't going to get the job; that I was relying on experiences from over 10 years ago in some cases to back up my answers ... Old news.

Anyway, over the last couple of weeks as J has settled so well into secondary school, I've been looking around for some voluntary work, but I've drawn a blank. There is voluntary work around, but none of it is what I want to do; I don't want to work in a shop, or with old people, or be a youth worker. I wanted experience that's relevant to what I want to do.

Also, I've been doing some research in to what comes after the voluntary work; finding and actual paid job. After doing lots of reading and thinking about the reality of our family life, I decided that my best chance of getting work doing something I really enjoy is to go back to teaching. So, that's what I'm doing. I'm contacting some schools at the moment to find some voluntary classroom experience and so that I can get an up to date reference and I'll take it from there.

If all goes well, I'll be back in school doing supply work (and getting paid), in the middle part of next year. Will it be hard work to get back to work? yep, but I'm up to the challenge.

FlyBaby Me

2010-09-13T13:20:00.000+01:00

In my on-going quest to sort myself out now that The Boy has settled in to high school, I've gone back to cleaning my house the FlyLady way.

Although I occasionally chuckle at the American cheesiness of the site, it is absolutely invaluable as a tool for getting your home sorted and organised.

Anyway, I'm taking the babysteps approach that the FlyLady advocates and am finding it really helpful. I've recommended the site to a few of my friends and I wouldn't have any hesitation to recommend it further.

New Rules...

2010-09-10T08:42:00.000+01:00

So, the end of The Boy's first full week at high school and he's cast off completely independently, that's how I find myself sitting at my desk working at 8.30am!

Having spent his primary years largely taking him and collecting him from school every day, I really hadn't expected to get time back so quickly. Suddenly my baby seems so confident, I'm incredibly proud.

Anyway, here I am at my desk, preparing to settle down to work. What I don't want to do is fall into a rut of lazing about and achieving nothing, so I'm getting myself properly organised.

I've made a decent 'To Do' list of all the writing I want to achieve this week, I've started exercising and I'm de-cluttering and cleaning through the house. I'm also cutting down on hanging around on the internet.

I'm hoping that organising my working time and making sure I'm not just sitting around outside of working hours, I'm hoping that I can grow myself as The Boy starts on his new learning journey.

The wheels on the bus ...

2010-09-08T12:00:00.000+01:00

Having survived The Boy's first day at high school and his first day catching the bus to school alone, today I face the heart-stopping event of him catching the bus home by himself.

This shouldn't be too stressful, as there's a bus that leaves from outside the school gates and stops just up the road from our home, but there are challenges to negotiate ...

First, he has to get on the right bus. We've talked about what bus this is, the number and destination, but there'll be lots of buses lined up.

Second, he has to remember when to get off the bus and when to ring the bell. We've talked about that too.

He's also agreed to give me a call to let me know he's on the bus and on his way. Should disaster strike, we've also agreed an alternative service bus route home. Thankfully, the school also promise that if a child gets to school, they will get them home.

Obviously, I'll be on pins until he's back with me again.

Starting a new school absolutely is stressful for kids, but it's no piece of cake for parents, thank goodness I already had grey hair!

What a difference a day makes

2010-09-07T18:12:00.000+01:00

I, like many of my journalist friends, have been struggling lately with the fact that work has gone extremely quiet. When this kind of thing happens - and it does pretty often - I get really down and think seriously about getting a real job, but then a bit of blue sky shows through the clouds and everything starts to feel ok again.

Yesterday the blue sky came back, I got a commission. I'm so pleased, because it means I can write about a subject I enjoy and make some money doing it.

Because finding that somebody actually wants me cheers me up, I spent the day writing today and bashed out a good few hundred words of fiction, much of it might well get edited out at the end of the process, but at least I've got something to work with now and am feeling much more positive about carrying on writing into the future.

Flying Free

2010-09-06T10:37:00.005+01:00

This morning was the most stressful of my life EVER. I took The Boy to the bus stop for his third day at high school. This is the first day we've got the bus, as we walked last week. Anyway, we got the the bus stop, hung around, there were plenty of other kids from his school there, so at least we knew we were in the right place. At 8.20 a bus arrived and he got on shouting "meet you where we met Friday, I'll phone you", and he was gone. THAT WASN'T THE PLAN! I'd planned to get the bus with him, but he's clearly a bit more independent than I thought!

It's 10.30 now and they haven't phoned to say "where is he?", so I can only assume that he got safely to the school gates and found his Form Room ("Are you sure I have to go there mum, it doesn't say that on my timetable" ... The joys of dyspraxia, I shall have to doctor the timetable so that it does say that!)

Anyway, roll on 3.05, when I'll get a phone call to say he's on his way to our agreed meeting point ... That's if I can take the stress of my Boy flying free.

Edit: Boy arrived safely and got to our meeting point this afternoon. Only "lost" his coat twice and managed NOT to lose his bus pass!

Blogladesh

2010-08-19T06:59:00.003+01:00

Next month my friend Josie from Sleep is for the weak, along with Eva from Nixdminx and Sian from Mummy Tips ,is going to Bangladesh with Save The Children to find out about the reality of motherhood there.

They'll be blogging, tweeting, making videos and photo galleries to raise awareness of the issues the mothers they meet find important.

The challenge set to these three mums by Save The Children is to "keep Nick Clegg in check as he takes the global stage for the first time at a UN summit in New York during Cameron's paternity leave."

How can almost nine million children a year die before their fifth birthday and what should the UN be doing to stop it? Hopefully listening to the voices given to the women of Bangladesh by Josie, Eva and Sian will help to focus their minds.

You can follow their trip on their blogs on twitter @porridgebrain, @nixdminx, @mummytips and Liz Scarff, Save the Children's Digital Media Manager and the brains behind the trip @lizscarff and @SaveChildrenPR.

Grab a badge for your blog or website here, a twibbon for your twitter avatar here and sign the petition and Press for Change here

Blabber mouths beware

2010-08-18T13:43:00.003+01:00

News here from Google boss Eric Schmidt who says that young people should be careful what they put on the internet because they might have to change their names in the future to escape their "fast-living" pasts.

"Racy" pasts are nothing new, it's just that in the old days people knew about things and didn't repeat them (that's how family skeletons stayed firmly in the cupboards and why researching family history is so compelling). The trouble now is that people put their whole lives out there on the internet to share with friends and family hundreds - if not thousands - of miles away. Our globalisation has opened up our lives to mass scrutiny over methods of communication that are easily viewed by all and sundry. Yes, you can protect your posts on social networking sites and try and delete things; but the truth is, once somethings on the web, it nearly always sticks in some backwater somewhere or develops a life of its own as it gets passed around by "friends" you've never met.

I never put anything on the web that I wouldn't be happy to be known about me by people who might be deciding my future one day, it saves a lot of worry.

You make your own luck ...

2010-08-18T07:33:00.004+01:00

...But you need other people to play the game too. Last week I had a job interview, but I didn't get the job.Then I'd contacted someone about the chance to produce a monthly newsletter for a website, yesterday, she emailed to say that other priorities had taken over, so the site was going to lie dormant for a while.

My DH says part of my problem is that I'm a "potterer", I'm out of practice at working under pressure, so I'm happy just to bumble along. I know what he means. In the interview last week, I was really aware that some of the experience I was drawing on was 17 years old, and I've not had a job that involves working with other people for three years. How are people supposed to take you seriously on that situation?

So, at the moment, as well as looking for paid work, I'm looking for volunteer opportunities so that I can renew and refresh my CV. I'm determined that I'm going to make my own luck and get back work.

Inspired by Prompt 5 "Luck" on Josie's Sleep is for the weak Writing Workshop

Cooking up a storm with kids

2010-08-17T17:23:00.005+01:00

Making chicken and leak pie with The Boy

Cooking with kids is featured here in the BBC news online magazine. We've cooked with The Boy since he was quite small, always believing that cooking is a lot of fun and also a valuable skill. Yes, it can be messy (not as messy as when the DH gets into the kitchen though; why do men use every pan?), but it's also fun.

As a consequence of early cooking fun, The Boy can now knock up a variety of decent dishes, including scrambled eggs, soups and lasagne, all from scratch.

The Boy making magic bread (with chocolate in the middle)

Of course, there's much more to cooking than just the cooking too. There's talking about what you're doing; there's maths in all the measuring of the ingredients and science as you talk about what will happen when you mix dry and wet ingredients and heat and cool mixtures; not to mention the creativity and craft skills that are encouraged.

The Boy's 11th birthday cake - a TARDIS that's been through a lot!

And obviously, at the end, there's the sitting down as a family and enjoying the fruits of your labours. So, come on families, get in to the kitchen today and cook up a storm!

On the road again

2010-08-16T18:22:00.002+01:00

After the bump in the road that was last week - not getting the job I interviewed for, not hearing from an editor about some writing work - I had a busy weekend of spending time with my boys and de-cluttering the upstairs of our house and now I'm facing this week with a more positive outlook.

I went swimming today with The Boy and then chased up some work with editors (with a modicum of success). I also set up a Facebook page for this blog, which you can find here.

Tomorrow I'm planning to get back to my lovely monks and planning my novel, as well as tackling one of the writing prompts from the lovely Josie at Sleep is for the weak.

Then, come Thursday, I'm shutting down for a fortnight and a well-earned break before coming back in September ready for anything.

1000 Words A Day ... Update

2010-08-12T07:33:00.003+01:00

This is proving to be a bit more tricky than I thought! I haven't done a lot of professional writing over the last few days, as I've been preparing for a job interview (so I have done some writing linked to research about that). I really must crack on and make the effort to hit the 1000 word target, I'll be able to do it if I really put my mind to it.

I need to move my novel planning on so that I can actually get down to writing it and I've got some short story ideas that I want to develop.

So, my challenge for the week ahead is to start developing the habit of writing 1000 words a day ... As ever, watch this space for an update.

The 1000 words a day challenge can be found at inkygirl.com

The Mom Song

2010-08-06T14:05:00.000+01:00

Simply because I LOVE IT and The Boy HATES it!

The Soundtrack to my life - Part 5

2010-08-06T13:51:00.003+01:00

I was about 10 when I first heard "Forever Autumn", sung by Justin Hayward, I thought it was a fantastically beautiful song and I was rather taken by My Hayward too.

It was many years before I heard the whole of Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds", but I was struck by the fact that what with Richard Burton telling the story and Justin Hayward's gorgeous singing, I'd be far too distracted to run away from the Martians.

Anyway, this isn't the song as it was on TOTP, but the way it should be heard.

"I would like to invite you to attend an interview ..."

2010-08-05T14:37:00.002+01:00

So, last week I applied for a job, not a writing job, but an actual admin job in an actual office. I spent a long time writing my supporting statement and agonising as the DH looked over what I'd written and made a few changes. Then I filled in and emailed the form and promptly forgot about it.

Yesterday I got an email inviting me for an interview next week. After I'd picked myself up off the floor and phoned to confirm I'd attend I started to get panicky ...

It's seven years (SEVEN), since I had a real job interview and three years since I've worked outside in the real world. Don't get me wrong, I really WANT this job, I don't enjoy working alone, and although I have lots of virtual freelance journo/writer friends, I miss the buzz of going out to work and interacting with people face to face.

So now I've got a week of trying to work out what to wear, what questions to ask so that I don't look like a wombat, what answers to give to the questions I'm asked.

The thought that someone other than my family think I'm worth talking to in more detail about something is really rather exciting, so I'm going to make the most of the opportunity and hope that I show the interview panel that I'm just what they're looking for.

Relentless

2010-08-05T08:10:00.003+01:00

Life ...

In the last few weeks I seem to have been on the go and getting nowhere. Primary school finished for the DS and then we went to London for a few days, which was great, but so very busy. Then we came home and I applied for a job, then my parents came for a long weekend, which was lovely, but busy! Then the DS and I started buying uniform for secondary school, then I heard I've got an interview for the job I applied for.

On top of all that, I'm trying to keep writing and keep the house in order! I don't seem to be stopping, but I don't seem to be moving either, life is just a whirl. What I need to do is STOP and do nothing for half an hour and then reset my life clock. So, today, I'm going to have breakfast with the DS, then take some time to pamper myself (face pack, long shower, bit of meditation, the works). Then I've got to get back to life ...

Inspired by prompt 4 - What has felt relentless lately

Why breast wasn't best for us

2010-08-03T19:09:00.004+01:00

I expect model and mum Gisele Bundchen thinks she was being clever by saying there should be a law to make mothers breastfeed for six months, the truth is, she'll just make the whole breast vs bottle debate uncomfortable again.

When I was pregnant I had every intention of breastfeeding and when my son was born I got straight down to it. We had no problems with the mechanics of feeding, but it soon became clear that in order to satisfy his needs I was going to have a baby on my breast for 45 out of every 60 minutes throughout the day and night.

I tried and tried, had midwives and health visitors check that we were doing everything right, but after 5 weeks I phoned my health visitor and said that if I didn't start bottle feeding my son, I was going to be on anti-depressants and of no real use to anyone. After 4 weeks of breastfeeding first thing in the morning and last thing at night with bottles of formula in between, my son simply refused to breastfeed any longer. I was glad, because I was at the edge of my sanity.

I honestly felt like I'd failed for a long time, but then I realised that I'd done my best by breastfeeding for as long as I could and then by making sure that I was well enough physically and mentally to care for my son.

When I worked for Sure Start, I always made sure that families were given the information about breast and bottle feeding. I heard far too many families tell me how they felt demonised because they couldn't or wouldn't breastfeed. I believe that people deserve to have all the information and facts so that they can make their own minds up about what's right for their family.

Nothing in this world should be offered on the "one size fits all", idea, simply because it just doesn't work and that's why, whilst I respect Ms Bundchen's right to an opinion, I also think she should keep it to herself.

1000 Words A Day

2010-07-29T13:12:00.005+01:00

Isn't it strange what you come across when you're surfing the net? I was reading a post on someone's blog, responding to Josie's Writing Workshop on Sleep is For The Weak, when I came across a badge like this

I was intrigued, so I clicked on it and found the wonderful inkygirl.com. The thing I love about this challenge is that you can do 250, 500 or 1000 words a day, so you fit the challenge to the time you have. I plumped for the 1000 words challenge because I have a reasonable amount of time at the moment, but I can imagine a time when I might have to drop right down to the 250.

Anywho, I'm hoping that challenging myself to write a 1000 words (two thirds of a short story), will give me a focus for my writing.

Prevarication

2010-07-29T10:46:00.003+01:00

Inspired by Prompt 4 - Tell me what your worst habit is ...

I'm doing it now; prevaricating, I've got loads of chores to do around the house and garden, and here I am writing a blog post instead.

The problem is that I know I'll be able to do the jobs I have in a couple of hours, so there isn't really any rush. The fact that if I started the jobs now I'd have time to do other things later (like make some cards or do some gardening), isn't really penetrating my thick skull.

I really need to do the chores as well. At the moment I'm looking for a job and once I get one I don't want to be battling with re-adjusting to going out to work and trying to get the house sorted. If I got it sorted now, so I just had to keep on top of things it would be MUCH easier. But no, here I am prevaricating by writing about prevaricating.

And that's another thing, because I'm a writer, I can convince myself that I'm not prevaricating, I'm working. Hah, stitch that brain!

So, that's my bad habit, putting things off until I'm under pressure. It's a habit I'm determined to break, any minute now ...

All in one place

2010-07-26T15:56:00.002+01:00

So today I acted on something I've been considering for a while and have closed down three of the four blogs I was writing. It just seemed daft to have four different sites running when everything could just as easily sit in one place.

Ans so, here it is, A Life More Lived, my place to write about anything and everything that I'm up to. I hope my regular readers will join me here and also that I can drum up a few new ones.

Please feel free to drop by and leave a comment.

There's no place like home

2010-07-26T10:18:00.001+01:00

And this is it.

From today onwards, all the content from The Home Corner, A Whole New Boggle and Notes From Sarah's Desk will appear on here - one home one voice.

Sarah x

Wordle

2010-07-13T22:48:00.000+01:00

Pulling my blog together

The Soundtrack to my life - Part 4

2010-07-13T18:56:00.002+01:00

This is a real blast from the past, but I played it so much. I taped it off the radio (I know, but we all did in those days). I loved the song and I was pretty taken with David Essex at the time too.

I've never seen Evita, I'm not that bothered, it was just this one song that sparked my imagination. I haven't listened to it for years, then I saw a picture of David Essex in the paper, so I took a chance on You Tube coming up with goods - which it did of course, it always does. It was so great to revisit this bit of me past.

Happy Birthday Baby

2010-07-09T13:56:00.002+01:00

My DS was 11 yesterday, where did those years go?

He's off to high school in September and I'm proud at ow independent he's become over the last couple of years. I know there are going to be challenges ahead, but I also know that he's more than capable of meeting them.

Light

2010-06-25T10:38:00.003+01:00

I can see it now, at the end of the tunnel.

I've been floundering for absolutely ages, getting myself into a real pickle.

Anyway, instead of running away from the situation, I decided to just grab at what I wanted and see if I could rescue myself.

Flapping around in the dark is pretty rubbish, but now I've worked out the direction I need to go in, I can move towards the light.

Anyway, keep an eye out over the next few weeks, I'll be the one moving with purpose towards the light.

In Sarah's Garden, Pt 2

2010-06-25T10:33:00.003+01:00

The tomato seedlings I thought were on their last legs have got their second wind and have started growing again (yay). I've transplanted them in to individual pots and will encourage them on before planting them out.

The pepper seedlings also seem to have decided to have a growth spurt.

I think I'm going to have to harvest the salad leaves and plant some more.

The chard, carrots and spring onions are looking a bit sorry, but the beans are pushing on.

All in all, I'm hoping for a reasonable first harvest in Lancaster.

Craft Sale

2010-06-21T09:31:00.002+01:00

I came back exhausted and £18 better off. I didn't actually sell any of my paintings (boo), but I did sell necklaces, 3 pairs of earrings and 10 cards. I also came away with some useful information. Next time I'll focus on making cards with my original artwork on and also more jewellery. The £18 will go back in to buying materials to make cards and things.

All in all a worthwhile day I think and certainly something I'll do again.

Dilemma

2010-06-18T19:33:00.002+01:00

I'm Vice Chair of the school PTA and tomorrow is the Summer Gala, which I'm not going to because I'm doing an art and craft sale.

Today though, all the setting up needed to be done and - honestly - I didn't have the time to do it. I had to organise all the pieces I want to sell tomorrow and get some chores done about the house and make a start on getting my writing career back on track.

So, the dilemma? Well, it was the old chestnut of being selfless or selfish again. Do I put myself and my own needs aside, or do I just focus on the job I need to do?

Actually, I already had the answer. It's taken me until I'm almost 42 years old to realise that the reason I've pottered through life being moderately to not at all successful is that I'm simply not selfish enough! I almost always put other people first and then I get frustrated and upset when I get nowhere with my dreams.

So today I said "sorry, I'm not able to help today, I've got some work on". I felt a bit bad for a while, but knowing that I'm doing something for myself, to promote Sarah, is something I'm not going to apologise for any more.

"She"

2010-06-16T22:39:00.002+01:00

Prompt 5 again for me this week.

She is wife, mother, writer, artist, Cub Leader, Mrs ...

She is the one who sets the alarm.

She is the one who gets up first and makes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

She is the one who knows where the clean clothes are and how the dishwasher works.

She is the one who knows what day it is and what everyone has scheduled.

She is all these things and more, but she is hardly ever Sarah.

Time

2010-06-10T08:35:00.003+01:00

In response to this week's Prompt 5: Time

Today I have time to be me. The Boy is away this week on an outward bounds week with school and the DH isn't back from a day of meetings until around 11.30pm, so I have time to be me.

What should I do though? I've already had a late breakfast, kiwi fruit and coffee, I could take a luxuriously long shower, maybe do a face mask first and really pamper myself.

I've been threatening for ages to start going into town to work again, I used to get lots more work done when I made myself go out of the house a few days a week. My feature writing career seemed to be picking up, but now it seems to have completely slowed down again. Part of the problem is that stuck in the house, I don't really see what's going on, so although by staying home I don't spend money, I also don't connect with the world I want to write about.

Time, it's a scary thing, because you feel like you've got loads of it, that it's always there, but then, it disappears in big chunks and you can never get it back.

Having decided that I want to make a real and successful go of this writing gig, I have to give it the time to develop; I have to give myself the time to take it to where it needs to be, to take myself to where I need to be to get the best out of myself.

And look at me now, am I just rambling to make the time pass, so that I can say 'I worked really hard today, I just don't know where the time went'.

So, time now to say goodbye and get on with the business of making time count so that I can get to where I want to be.

Moonlight Walk, 5th/6th June 2010

2010-06-04T16:27:00.002+01:00

This is the second time I've done this 9 mile fundraising walk for the local hospice. Last year I was rather complacent and didn't do any preparation beforehand and I ended up limping most of the way thanks to my dicky hip.

This year, I've done the walk route twice in the last couple of weeks and am actually generally fitter than I was last time, I shall take my hiking pole with me, just in case, but wont plan to use it. I reckon to be on the Promenade at Morecambe at about 1am on Sunday morning, so I'll try and take a picture.

Striking Out

2010-06-03T17:42:00.003+01:00

The other day I took a major step for myself by deciding I'm NOT going to do the school Summer Gala, I'm Vice Chair of the PTA who run the show, so it's a bit radical. I'm going to have a stall at the art and craft fair at the college where I go to art class to try and sell some of my work.

I've always been rather good at being selfless, putting the needs of others before myself, but I realise that if I want to make a serious go if my career I've got to start being a bit more selfish.
I got two knock backs recently, not because my work was bad, but because the editors in question simply didn't have the money in their budgets to commission me. In the past I would have been gutted and thought myself a failure, but now I know I've just got to keep working and pitching and pulling in writing and making gigs so that I can make reasonable money.

It's been easy to let little failures distract me in the past, but now I'm staying on track and working at building up that client list.

Success here I come!

Goodbye Electronic Existence - pt 1

2010-06-03T17:28:00.003+01:00

Friday 31st May 2010; 17.05

I've turned off my computer. The plan is to live a social network and email free life from now until Thursday morning. I'm not saying that I wont be writing about life, or that I wont be using the computer, I'll just be doing the very minimum.

I'm not giving up my mobile phone, that probably would be a step too far, but at least I only have a phone that phones and texts. My DH keeps trying to convince me to get an iPhone (he adores his), but I don't want to be able to do everything I do at my desk wherever I am. I leave my desk precisely so I CAN'T email and surf the interweb and suchlike!

Anyway, what I need is good old pen and paper for a few days to recharge the old soul.

18.30

I'm itching to turn my computer on, I'm going to stay away from it as long as I possibly can. Being "switched on", all the time has turned my brain squidgy, I can't focus on the really important things, like moving my career forward.

Sunday 30th May 2010

So, I turned my computer on yesterday to so some work for the DH and I looked on my social networking sites, but I didn't comment or engage in any conversations, so I reckon I'm doing well.

Monday 31st May

Oh Lord, I WANT to post on my social media, but I'm not going to.

Today we went to our local park as a family and did a work-out and some jogging, then we cycled to the Crook O' Lune and visited the incomparable Woodies for bacon butties. After that, we did a bit of the Lune Valley Ramble, cycled home and did some gardening. I painted my nails bright red!

Tuesday 1st June 2010

What computer?

Wednesday 2nd June 2010

I'm back, a day early I know, but not too bad and plenty achieved.

In Sarah's Garden, Pt 1

2010-05-26T10:52:00.002+01:00

We planted some beans, carrots, chard, spring onions, tomatoes and salad leaves. We also planted some beer traps to distract the slugs and snails.

I mowed the grass for the first time this year as well (I can't call it a lawn, it's just not that high quality).

I love gardening, it takes my mind off other stuff and gives me a chance to be creative in another way.

Hopefully we'll have some nice stuff to eat and also I'll make some more progress on sorting out my slightly neglected (by the previous owners), kingdom.

P.S. Beer traps REALLY work, thanks Dad x

Learning for Life

2010-05-21T16:30:00.003+01:00

Today marks the end of Adult Learners Week. Hopefully, this will have been the start of a new adventure for many adults, as they've checked out learning opportunities in their local areas.

I'm a big fan of learning, apart from stumbling through life generally, I'm currently doing an art class at The Adult College in Lancaster, the Comprehensive Writing Course with The Writers Bureau and the Adult Training with the Scout Association to get my wood beads.

All these courses are fun and challenging and give me the chance to hook up with people I'd probably never meet.

If you want to find out about adult learning, check out the link here and have some fun

I feel rubbish today

2010-05-14T14:53:00.002+01:00

I don't know why. I'm not at the wrong time of the month and I'm not feeling particularly physically unwell or anything like that.

Work-wise things are picking up too, with commissions, people asking me to feature things on my blogs and the possibility of taking part in a craft fair.

Why then am I feeling so bad? I honestly don't know, I just know I've felt quite incapable of doing anything useful this morning. Instead of doing any writing, I've been working on my latest painting.

Thankfully painting doesn't really require me to do more than look at shape and colour. It's also really easy just to get lost in spreading paint onto the board or paper.

I'm also glad to say that it has helped me to feel a lot more positive, so I'm hopeful of being able to put a few hours work i this afternoon.

Art for art's sake

2010-05-05T11:16:00.003+01:00

I started going to art class in September 2009, just as a way of getting out really. I never thought I'd be that good at it, or that it would lead to inspirations for other parts of my life.

Doing some drawings of a particular piece of church architecture inspired my plans for a novel in my writing course, I take much better photographs than I used to, because I prefer working from my own original shots and, best of all, I can draw or paint for a couple of hours and think about nothing but shapes and colours.

Yes, I'm glad I took the risk and took an art class, it really has changed my view on life.

The soundtrack to my life - Part 3

2010-04-29T18:20:00.002+01:00

No Regrets

I loved this song long before I had any concept of what regrets might be.

Thankfully, I don't have any real regrets in my life. Yes, I've made some bad calls and crappy decisions; I've accepted disappointing jobs and gone out with blokes who were absolutely no good for me, but I've always taken something positive away from my life expereinces.

This song sounds so sad at the beginning, but with the soaring guitar riff, there's a real note of defiance. There are no regrets