Remember me?!

Ah, I’m so sorry folks. I’ve really neglected this blog and you guys recently.

What can I say, life has been busy and as Leo has grown from a beautiful baby into a terrific (and occasionally testy!) toddler, the days have whizzed by so quickly, I’ve barely had the chance to even sit down and think about blogging, let alone actually blog.

Plus, I have a book to finish. No small thing I’m sure you’ll agree.

Anyhow here we are and today, for a change, I actually do have the time to sit down because Leo has gone for his first day with the childminder today.

He didn’t have a clue what was going on when I passed him over this morning and I bawled (like a baby) as I walked his empty pushchair back to the car when he was gone, but this is motherhood. As they grow, you have no choice but to loosen your grip on them little by little, as much as it hurts like hell.

And it’s not all bad I guess. I’ve just had a hot, yes hot (what a luxury!) cup of tea, I’ve worked on two chapters of my book and the house is peaceful. Although admittedly a bit too peaceful for my liking. I can’t wait to pick the kids up in an hour or so.

Anyhow, let’s crack on whilst I’ve got the chance! Besides Leo starting his new childminder routine, here’s what else I’ve been up to recently.

A TRIP TO THE THEATRE

Last Monday night, I left a screaming Leo (he didn’t want his mummy to leave, cue major mum guilt) with his Nana to hotfoot it across to Sheffield with the husband for a night at the theatre. Sheffield Theatres very kindly invited us to watch One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest at the Sheffield Lyceum and seeing as it’s one of our favourite films, there was no way I was going to turn that opportunity down.

The production was excellent and surprisingly, considering the play’s topic (for those who don’t know, we’re talking mental health and incarceration here) was also thoroughly enjoyable. There was some drama, pardon the pun, beforehand. When we arrived we learned that one of the actors in one of the key roles, Nurse Ratched, had injured herself a few days previously and so a new actor had had to be drafted in quickly against the clock. However, all was well as the new actress Jenny Livsey did a sterling job, even with the lack of time and preparation against her.

Poignant and powerful, horrifying but also occasionally surprisingly funny, it’s one hell of a show to see if you get the chance. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is on until the end of the week.

WRITING MY BOOK

I know I keep harping on about it but as I’m basically living in ‘book world’ at the moment it would be nigh impossible for me not to mention my book to you all!

The good news is that it’s really progressing now. The cover is almost there and I’ll well into the nitty gritty of the content, so all being well, the book should be out in the autumn, fingers crossed.

The bad news is that bar the kids, the book is taking up all my energy at the moment which I guess is totally to be expected and how it should be. But if you’re a friend whom I’ve cancelled on recently or you’re wondering why I’ve suddenly disappeared of the end of the earth when it comes to social media, now you know why! Rest assured, normal friendship and social media service will resume in a month or so when the bulk of the work has been done.

And for those of you asking me how you can get your hands on a copy, I’ll have all the pre-order details for you very soon.

TURNING BLOG COMMENTS OFF

Yep, I went there. I’ve been considering turning the comments off on the blog for months but the whole GDPR nightmare gave me the push I needed to finally go and do it.

I know this may be a little bit disappointing to some of you, but here’s the thing. Hardly anyone comments on blog posts anymore! Times have changed, as they do. These days and for quite some time, I like many bloggers, have found that most people much prefer to reach out and connect via social media instead and I totally get this, because I do too!

So yes it’s goodbye to blog comments but hopefully you’ll still be inclined to come and say hello on social media from time to time or via email if you prefer, instead. Please do.

GETTING READY FOR AUSTRALIA

Remember at the beginning of the year when I told you we’d just booked our flights to Australia? Well guess what, the time is nearly here! Cor blimey.

All of a sudden our big trip is almost upon us and I think it’s safe to say, we’ve still got quite a bit of organising and planning to do! (Not to mention the shopping.)

When I mentioned the trip, a number of you got in touch to say you’d be keen to hear more about our trip to the other side of the world (!) as a family of four, so I’ll definitely do my best to write a few planning posts before we go and will also be blogging a little from ‘down under’ when we’re there too. Exciting huh? Let’s just not talk about the length of the flights…

So there we have it, the quickest round up of my life, as it is right now!

I do hope all is well with you guys. Thanks so much for hanging in there with me, as I try and keep my s**t together. Speak soon.