Stepping Out

I'm not disappearing, not really. I'll still be around to pop by, and I have every intentions of still posting up the odd piece now and then. I'm simply stepping a little back for the time being, that's all.

I have a few projects I want to play with and devote more time to, but to give these justice something has to give. Blogging has entered my bloodstream, and like most addictions, it's demanding more of me than is healthy - things have slid - particularly with my creative writing.

mostly, I wish to be virtuous and focus on finishing up that not-quite-yet-a-book of mine that's been languishing for so long. There are also a dozen or so other ideas floating around in my brain, and like wasps around a wine-glass they keep buzzing in my ear, I feel compelled to chase them down if only to see where they land.

For those dear friends who wish to touch in, know my email is always open and very much yours, please do feel free to call by at any time, I shall certainly love to hear from you.

So there we have it, Shrinky is taking a sabbatical! 'Til the next time, have fun my friends, but do still remember to behave, eh? I'll be watching you..

((x).

Guess Who Got a Camcorder For Christmas?

And yes, I did remember to make a wish!

Actually, we all do between christmas and New Year, we write it down and hang it on the tree. Mine is to take Jake for a walk on the beach with all the family. Sam's is to have his dad and I take him out for a walk after dark around our neighbourhood, to spot all the trees and Christmas house decorations. Matt has decided we all should go out for a Pub lunch (rolling eyes).. and so on, and so forth.

Guess I won't be around much for the next few days. Hope you and yours are also having a great holiday.

Time For a Break

I've got some stuff that needs to be done, trouble is my laptop always seems to get in the way of it. Sheesh, I know I'm I am amongst friends here, most of us are the same, I dip on-line for what is meant to be an hour, and before I know it another day has slipped through my fingers.

I've produce in the garden to turn into chutney and jam, an unfinished novel tugging for attention, not to mention this late summer sun inviting me out to play. The house is begging for a lick more care, and Jake is tired of being short changed with these shortened walks of his on the beach. Yes alright, I'm starting to ramble now, but you get the picture, huh?

I'll be back soon enough and I'll still pop by for the odd visit or two, I simply want to dust down the cobwebs so I might come back a little more refreshed and enthused. Have fun you guys, just remember I'm watching you..

It's That Time of Year Again

I can delay no longer, today I pack (ugh).. I am such a grouch when it comes to our annual family holiday, I pretend it's not going to happen until the day before we leave, then I run around like a headless chicken in a mad scramble to get everything together.

Oh sure, I have a fine old time of it once we get there, it's just the thought of getting there that gives me the screaming heebie-jeebies. How the hell do I know which shoes I'll need over there? They all come. My eldest daughter agrees, all hers come too. After huge negotiation, I've overruled the majority decision to leave my laptop behind, but have conceded to take the old, clunky one (with the screen that freezes every ten minutes) along instead. Not that I expect to get a signal mind (sob), but I might manage to squeeze in a little writing now and then.

It's going to be hot, hot, hot (far too hot) in Greece, but as the drinks will be free on tap I guess I'll survive. (Note to self: don't forget to pack the Alka Seltzers.) Anyways, eight days is a long time to suck your tummy in by the pool, I'll need to escape to the sanctuary of my room every couple of hours just so's I can breathe out again..

So, watch this space, in those immortal words, "I'll be back!".

When the proverbial hits the fan

Yup, I hold my hands up, I should have known better than to use my real name and location in blogland. I guess it was a tad naive to say the least. Ah well, I'm trying to close the barn door - despite the horse having already bolted.

How do you like my new site? Much as it pains me, I've taken my old one out of action. Those who know me are probably aware my family are not exactly comfortable about me broadcasting their little peccadillo's to all and sundry. I didn't see much harm in it myself, but then what I hadn't figured on was what a small island it is we live on. Word got out. Teacher's, work colleagues and neighbours started peeking in.

Then Nutty Nora tripped over it (sigh). Well, she's not a happy bunny, is she? She's even less of a happy bunny now. I could kick myself, I always meant to remove that post, (I've copied it over if you want to see, it's the one directly below) but you know how you get caught up in things and stuff? Anyways, Looking on the bright side, I hardly see anything at all of her now (giggle).

Oh gosh, I've not been around for months, have I? So much has happened - where to start? Okay, first up, if any one of you ask me about this sodding not-quite-yet-a-book-of-mine, I'm banning you from ever coming back in here. Two thirds in and I've hit a brick wall. Wee Karen (my main protagonist) and I have fallen out big time, I hate the little brat. I'm sure we'll patch it up eventually, but I really don't want to talk about it, so please quit with the nagging.

Swiftly moving on - (tee-hee) - I managed to escape the family last weekend, and flew over to London for a couple days of reckless fun with my bestest, bestest friend. Ahhhhhhhh, I do miss her. But as she says, it's probably just as well I now live where I do, otherwise we'd both wind up dead inside of a month. Her rotten brother was supposed to pick me up at the airport. Hmph. The unreliable little sod cried off just as I was about to set off. Man-flu, so he said. (I so hope he didn't suffer TOO much..)

Now, even back when I did live in London, I haven't negotiated the underground tube system in well over twenty years. Have you seen what they've done to it since then? Bloomin' heck, I normally get lost simply crossing the road, I just wanted to die when I got down there. What happened to all those little ticket booths with real people behind them, you know, the ones where you pay your fare and get those helpful directions from? Don't forget my massive over-the-weight-limit suitcase I had in tow (a girlie always needs to be prepared).

A word to the wise, don't ever trust your credit card to those thieving machines down there. I keyed in for a single to East Croydon and wound up with a day return for London. I wouldn't have minded so much if, when I did finally find my way to East Croydon, the dummy guy at the gate hadn't torn it up as I passed it to him. I was too knackered to argue the toss by then.

I don't know East Croydon. My dear mate assured me I'd find her office no problem, just ask - everyone knows where Croydon college is. Well I'm sure she's right, it's just a pity none of them speak English. I knew it was a bad move to wear my high heels.

I finally staggered through to reception gagging for a fag (you can't smoke anywhere these days), so as I waited for my absent friend to work her way down from the fifth floor and sign me in, I limped outside to join all the fifteen year olds out on their ciggie-break. 'Course, I had to lug my meggacase with me in case it had a bomb. I looked the oldest runaway in town.

It was all worth it in the end, her boss is great, he obligingly sent us off to enjoy an extended lunch. At the end of the day her work crew piled off to the pub with us, and a very fine time was had by all. Thankfully, my mate's partner had the good sense to finally come and collect us (we were meant to be going out that evening).

I can't handle staying up all night anymore. My head hurt like hell in the morning. But still, I had a great time, and it was good to play catch up again.

It truly is a crying shame what happened with me on my flight home (still cringing). But that's a story that will have to wait 'til next time. (Wink.)