Thursday 8 November 2012

S.M.I.L.E.

Last week I decided upon a wee break from the blogosphere. And what did I fill the empty hours with? Well, playing nurse to a cranky little girl with a chest and ear infection, and bemoaning that I too had a blocked nose and spluttering cough. Maybe succumbing to a virus has been a blessing in disguise, as it meant an enforced break, to a degree, from this here blog.

So it's time to cheer away the Autumn sniffles, return to writing, and what better way than deliberating over the many silver linings from the past few days (and coming weekend).

Restyled, therefore I am. I really should have my haircut more often. A six month gap between visits to the local coiffeurs is a gap too long. As my hair flows beyond my shoulders, it's all too easy to tie it up in a knot and forget about the tangled growth. Ashamedly, and to the tut tutting from my late Grandmother, my scalp has rarely seen the tooth of a comb. So on Saturday, I removed the hair band, sat back with an out dated, over fingered magazine, and let the hairdresser sculpt my tresses. I never seem to finish the complimentary tea and Nice biscuit, my attention always seduced by the pages of Hello. Anyway, I was delighted with the results. Three inches taken off, my hair now bounces like a newborn lamb on a trampoline. A good hair cut always make me feel good, brand new, years younger. This morning, I dyed away the grey, and with that, all my neurotic worries about ageing, and my impending *cough* *cough* 42nd birthday wafted into the ether. Now all I need is a new pair of jeans (and tops, and jumpers, and shoes, and knickers)...

Blogging Conference. This Saturday I'm attending the Mumsnet Blogfest. It was a spur of the moment decision. I really, really enjoyed Britmums Live, and when I found that a number of my blogging buddies were going, I thought why the heck not? It's a date for me and my blog. And to anyone going, please hunt me down. I'm a very friendly, approachable sort of gal. I even have a nice S.M.I.L.E. Sold? I hope so! Additionally, I'm very much looking forward to meeting the faces behind some lovely new blogs I've had the pleasure of recently discovering; Grandad Came To Tea, The Pretty Good Life.

Novel Idea. I've had bursts of inspiration for tucking and tweaking some of the plot lines of my novel, Four Gigs. I find that it's really useful to let thoughts percolate in the background, and then ta daaa, my mind surprises me with improvements to the original story lines. I've also had a canny idea for developing my characters; a scrapbook on Pinterest. Instead of a lengthy exercise of cutting images from magazines, I like the idea of quickly collating all manner of character (facial, clothes, diet, hobbies), and location (streets, buildings, landmarks) details using a Pinterest board. I'm genuinely excited at how my imagination is shaping the story, how I find myself slipping into the shoes of my main protagonist, viewing the world as she does. I'm not ready to start the writing just yet, there's still some further research to do, but nevertheless, I'm raring to unleash my fingers on the keyboard...

To buggy or not to buggy. For nearly three years now I have pushed Little A around in a three wheeled Mountain Buggy. Given that I live in London and to my knowledge there are no mountains, in fact, not a whiff of a mole hill, I never thought this was the most practical choice of pram. I don't know why, but while I was pregnant, I handed over the most important decision on baby gear - the buggy - to Younger Dad and a battered copy of Which Magazine. I was hormonal. I was completely mad. But I wasn't totally wrong in trusting my husband's judgement either. The Mountain Buggy has been reliable, sturdy, fulfilled its purpose. It's also very, very heavy. This week though, there was a new arrival in our home. I am now the proud owner - thank you ebay - of a super folding, light weight Maclaren. At last, I can manage the crowds in Westfield. At last, I can tackle The Underground. At last, the escalator is no longer the enemy. At last, a whole new social panorama has opened to me.

A new blog. Last Friday spontaneity got the better of me, and I created The Adventures of Parsley Pug. It's a frivolous space for the sole aim of writing children's stories. Many, many moons ago, I conjured up the character, Parsley Pug, and Younger Dad has been pressing me to write the stories ever since. I doubt I will post that often, I don't expect many page views, but then I'm not that bothered, as this blog is personal, for me, my imagination, my sense of wonder, and fun.

One Week. This week, virus permitting, I've been gearing up for One Week, which begins next Monday. I've edited my photographs and somehow managed to pen a few words through the barricades of a fuggy head, tiredness and heaps of snotty tissues. So come to think of it, I haven't strictly had a break from blogging. Anyway, if you are at a loss for inspiration, please join in!


Now that was a shameless plug!


I'm linking up this post with Reasons To Be Cheerful, it's been a while!

38 comments:

  1. Wow girl! That was one manic week 'off' lol! Sometimes I find when I am not well my best ideas come alive - I scrabbled around in the dark of night trying to find a notepad (or the memo function on my phone that I have recently discovered!) to get them scribbled down before they are lost forever! See I told you when you come to write it all down you would be surprised by what you have achieved in the week! See you on Saturday!x

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    1. Yes it was in the end! I've been known to scribble down ideas in the dead of night too! And you are so right - if you don't, they have disappeared by the morning! See you Sat (hopefully!). X.

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  2. I agree with Lynsey - that wasn't a week off at all! Lovely ideas. Glad they are all coming to fruition. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday - if I can recognise you! ;)

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    1. It wasn't quite the week off I'd anticipated :o). Don't worry, you'll still recognise me - my hair is just several inches shorter! :o).

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  3. Blimey, look at what you achieved in a 'week off'! Enjoy Saturday, would love to know how you get on and I look forward to seeing all of your lovely Autumnal pictures next week :)

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    1. It didn't turn out quite how I planned it. Does it ever? I'm very much looking forward to Blogfest - I'm taking my camera! And I'm looking forward to one week! ;o).

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  4. really enjoyed reading your post, agreed a nice hair cut does make you feel good, I had one of those big mamma's and pappa's prams when my son was little, couldn't get on the busses lol,i switched to a maclaren and loved it, have a great time saturday xx

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    1. Thank you. I love my new hair! I'm loving the Maclaren - it makes travelling about so much easier. I am very much looking forward to Blogfest! X.

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  5. I look forward to reading all about Parsley Pug, good choice, pugs are everywhere! Enjoy the Blogfest, look forward to hearing about that too.
    ps I have a magnifying glass! Happy impending birthday xx

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    1. I've always had a thing about Pugs - I just love everything about them! Ha ha ha about the magnifying glass - I tried to hide my age as best I could! X.

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  6. Glad that you are feeling better!
    Looking forward to meeting you too. ,Anne we can inspire each other on the children's stories, I often tell stories of a fairy called pep, but so far have only committed one to paper.

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    1. Thank you. I'm rubbish when I'm ill. Looking forward to meeting you too! The name Pep is lovely - children's stories are a different art aren't they?

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  7. Lovely post and a very busy week! I'm hoping to join in with One Week this time. I agree about the hair cut - I had mine cut a couple of weeks ago and got so excited about it that I've booked an appointment to have it coloured next Monday - red, or reddish anyway. "Happy Birthday" in anticipation of the event. Polly

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    1. Thank you Polly! Much busier than I bargained for - but then I did make it this way. Will be fab if you can spare a moment in your busy schedule to join in One Week. You can't beat a good haircut - your new colour sounds like it will be lovely. I've always wanted a more reddish tone to my locks!

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  8. oooh I will pop over to parsley pug....I loved Maclaren buggy's best...have a fab weekend x

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    1. I'm loving mine too! Have a good weekend yourself. X.

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  9. Glad that you're recovering - next time try and have a more relaxing break if yuo can manage! Happy birthday in advance (Nice try at deflecting attention on that one...)

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    1. I'm on the mend - huzzah - and next time I will have a more relaxing break! I thought it was a good attempt at deflection :o).

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  10. Spooky! I was having a play around with my 50mm lens which I am finding hard to get to grips with and took some lovely autumn pictures earlier. So glad I have a reason to share them and link up on Monday! xx

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    1. Brilliant - it would be great if you could join in! I was having a look at some of your photography on your blog - and it's really good! X.

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  11. Loving your positivity. A good haircut can give such a lift, and sounds like you've been really busy cogitating ideas for your novel and Parsley Pug. How exciting.

    Maclarens are fab. I couldn't wait to get Pip into one. It's so much easier than humping around a heavy buggy x

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    1. Hello MP! I really should have my haircut more often! And yes, a lot of cogitating - I love that word - has been going on in my head of late! And I'm totally lovin' the Maclaren - how easy are they? X.

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  12. Haircut always seems significant for women I think. Loving your diverse reasons. Enjoy the weekend and tell me all about it as I can't go this year.
    So much creativity. What a lady!

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    1. Thank you Kate! You can't beat a good haircut. Blogfest was good, but a different experience to something like Britmums.

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  13. Errr... that was your week off? I'm exhausted just reading about it! Well done you for Parsley Pug, loving the idea and the design too :D And you're right having a hair cut is a great way to lift your spirits. Have fun this weekend x P.S. The Maclaren ROCKS!

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    1. Yes, quite, that was my week off - not really :o)! I just couldn't help myself. Glad you like Parsley Pug - it's a little bit of fun! This weekend was fun. And I'm lovin the Maclaren!

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  14. See what happens when you take a week off? You feel so free you end up brimming with positivity and ideas and getting more done! A little break really does help to recharge the batterries.

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    1. I couldn't agree more! A little break makes a huge difference - and it really did this last week. I always enjoy coming back to the blog after a break!

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  15. OMG, we are leading parallel lives... got haircut myself for first time in months. I too have been guilty of the below-shoulder-length hair scragged back in a bungee look. Just sold Ma Puce's stroller on eBay, we've not used it really for three months, was a sad moment seeing it go, but so nice to have the space back. And I am on the verge of starting up a new blog.... a photo journal of my daughter's footwear from birth onwards!!!! Hope you enjoy / enjoyed BlogFest, you are a braver woman than I to head into the Mumsnet fold!!!!

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    1. Ha - isn't that a coincidence. Another blog? And I really like the idea of it - sounds like fun, and I'm sure there will be a few stories behind each pair of shoes! Blogfest was good but a different experience to Britmums. I'm no Mumsnetter but I am a blogger! :o).

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  16. Wow, you sound busy! That's not a 'week off'! You have reminded me that I haven't had my hair cut since I was pregnant, and Alpine Girl is 6 months old tomorrow (haven't brushed it much in that time either...). Hope Little A is feeling better. And think of me in the mountains with my (very English, very townie) Silver Cross pram - I dream of a three-wheeler!

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    1. I know, it wasn't a week off really :o). I got a little carried away. I am terrible when it comes to getting my hair cut - I always leave it too long. Little A is on the mend. Oh no! you are in the reverse situation to me - The Mountain Buggy would be ideal for you! :o).

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    2. Ha, if the postage wasn't the price of a brand new Mountain Buggy we could have swapped! ;)

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    3. Now that would have worked!

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  17. You have been a very busy lady for one having a 'week off'! lol

    So many superb tings happening, enjoy.

    Mich x

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    1. Perhaps a little too busy - might explain why I still have a lingering cold! :o).

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  18. You are officially superwoman. And you got your hair cut, but hopefully, not in a lois lane kind of way, as that would be too eighties. I will be checking out Adventures of Parsley Pug as I too harbour notions of writing children's stories, oh, and novels, and a blog ... x

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    1. Er no, not really, crazy woman more like - I'm biting off far more than I can chew. New hair cut rocks in a very un-Lois Lane kinda way! Don't hold your breath on Parsley - think those stories will be few and far between! X.

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