Storytime

This week is the week when I run the last of the children's programs. It means a lot of Christmas earrings and jingle bells, candy canes and letters to Santa. Lots of goodbyes from the kiddies moving onto Kindergarten and those heading to school. And even though there are still a few weeks till the end of the year, it's this moment when (at work) we look back to see what worked, what didn't, and even though we are prepped till after the Easter holidays 2020, we are working out what could be tweaked and adjusted. This time of the year is chaos. (Had to laugh at one Mum who told me I could now have a 'well deserved break' ) Some of you may find it organised chaos, but to me it's strictly I-HAVE-NO-IDEA-WHAT-I'M-DOING kind of chaos. Today, in an effort to find my Christmas Spirit,  I did some wrapping of presents (while watching ELF) and have been singing Santa Clause is Coming to Town loudly (cat only giving mild glares) And no matter how determi...

Yep, it's that time of the year when Halloween merchandise is battling Christmas stuff and the end of the year is looming. Frankly I'm sure it was Easter only a few weeks ago. But no, the truth is facing us. Unavoidable. We have 78 days left till the end of the year. And of course I started 2019 with a clear head. I knew what I wanted to do (kinda) and knew exactly    supposedly how I was getting there. But I have no idea what I have done! Realistically there have been 288 days in which I have done...something. Often I don't know what. That is over 6912 hours of something being achieved. Some days getting out of bed counts! Going to work....being with family....actually writing something is a HUGE achievement. So...basically I set off with goals and have meandered. Perhaps this should be me next year... Perhaps not. On the positive side I still have about 1872 (plus or minus a few) hours left to accomplish great things. Starting....hmmmm...

My writing group has a different member hosting each month, which is a great way of running a group. There is variety, different perspectives etc. I was the host for our January meeting. January and November/ December meetings are different to our usual monthly meetings. The end of year one is a celebration of all that has been achieved. We look back on the year, reminisce over goals met and unmet, celebrate the successes and the near misses. Our January meeting is the one where we try to focus on what we would like to achieve for the upcoming year. Some members already have their goals planned and waiting to be achieved. Others, like myself, have no bloody idea...   The year is a blank page and I have to think on what I would like to do for the year. What I want to work on, continue with, experiment with etc... Often in January we do a goal setting exercise or three. This year I wanted to begin the year on a positive and (hopefully) beneficial vibe. I wanted us...

To start the new year - 2019 - I thought I would share my A - Z of Writing. ACCOUNTABILITY Yep, there is no one else to blame. No matter what is happening around you or to you...if you want to write you will. Whether it's a few minutes here, ten minutes there...there is always some precious minutes you can use. It all depends on you. So before you blame anyone else for having NO TIME, look at yourself first. Too much phone, internet, television...put that time into your words. BALANCE Follows on from the above. There has to be a balance between family, friends, work and what life throws at us. But once again, we can moan and groan about it all..or do something about it. At times we will want to write, at other times we won't...accept it without the guilt and move on. CRITIQUE Find that perfect reader (or readers).  Someone you trust to tell you the truth. It's lovely if family/ friends tell you that 'it's the best thing I've ever read'. Great...

Some folks will know that I enjoy baking. In fact, daughter (whose skills far surpass my own) and I often venture to cooking classes. I do like a challenge (although life does seem to be offering lots of those lately)...but I enjoy a challenge where I can learn. Even if it is a total failure, you learn. I'm sure I read an article the other day talking about Flearning, which is when you have a failure but learn from it. This week I attempted  created my first vegan cake. I have made vegan cookies before (we have vegan work colleagues, so only fair to share some of the baking love)...but this was my first cake. Of course my first thought was to contact said great-baking-skills-daughter who has created vegan goodies before...and ask for her best recipe. My girl has her own baking blog ---Hurricanesnozbakes- YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT - and she suggested this recipe for Lemon Coconut cake. I must admit to being terrified , worried about cooking with ingredients I have rarely / make t...

This year has been a bit of a doozy. A lot of obstacles have popped up, some avoidable (accepting bigger work load and more hours)..some unavoidable (death of family member). So without me noticing it, March has arrived. Summer is gone and we have autumn, and not a lot of writing has been done. But here we are and I'm determined to get myself organised and on focus. I have made a goal sheet for 2018, which is a great start. It only has two things on it but heh, they are two BIG things and hopefully  I intend to get them done.  Last night I attended my YA / Children's writing group. What an inspirational group! Just when I needed a pick up, a kick up the pants (please supply any number of cliches) I was reminded of what can be achieved with lots of hard work. Fellow member Pauline   is about to launch her second book in her Cinnamon Stevens series. There will be a launch at Belgrave Library, Tuesday 10th April 2pm.  Copies can be purchased ...

Another year, another list. Yep, that's me a list maker. Do I ever finish everything on my list... SOMETIMES....   OCCASIONALLY...  hmmm perhaps seldom would be better. But a lot does get accomplished. It is often, I have noticed, the real I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS AT ALL items that remain. I am making the effort to do these first. Ring the doctor, dentist etc then something a tad more fun afterwards. One of my recurring items on my list is TIDY MY DESK. Being true to character I have tidied my small (tending to be overgrown) potting area. There are plans for a proper potting shed like structure...but until then, this small area outside the laundry is it. I got Other Half to sort through his collection of t-shirts and old jeans. Bags for rubbish, a few to be donated. Two drawers tidied up. After reading a 'Five minute wardrobe hack'...I did the easy option of turning all my coat hangers around the other way. It seems, that in a year's time you will know ...

Lately I've done a lot of thinking and understanding about how I motivate myself. Or don't as I fear is the major factor. Through work we've had the opportunity lately for some workshops to discover what motivates us, and how we set goals. This of course, flows on into our personal life goals and ambitions as well. Not only have we looked at how we are motivated but also our values. Now this won't be a surprise to many but one of my top five values is tradition (it isn't my top value though). Actually one value stands out amongst the others - Universalism. For these particular workshops this equates to having an understanding, appreciation, tolerance and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature. Then the next three values- tradition- respect, commitment and acceptance of the customs and ideas provided by traditional culture or religion benevolence - preserving and enhancing the welfare of those with whom you are in frequent personal contact...

January, to those who work in public libraries, means school holidays. This means lots of people, lots of kids. It means programs and fun activities...it means creative chaos. It also is when we look at the year ahead of us and hmmm and hah over what we want to achieve. To look at what's working, and then what isn't, and try to figure out why. As I said last blog I'm great with coming up with personal goals and ambitions, for myself and my home. Have even completed one goal already....(insert smiley face). The writing goals always take longer to plan. One that I have decided on is to get back to all those works in progress. (Well perhaps not ALL...I mean there is a lot,   hundreds  thousands of them) The garden bed under the Bay tree is one of my many gardening works in progress. I was very hesitant about putting in the bromeliads...but they have thrived. Have flowered each year and born pups. Then I decided to add a succulent. You can see a tiny piece behind ...