Things I'm pleased about this week

Time to Celebrate The Small Things again. Rather a quiet week, but here goes:

1. Finished the Winnie The Pooh jigsaw I started weeks ago. It is 1,000 pieces, but each one has a tiny picture on it (in 'minature', as the lid annoyingly puts it) and it was ridiculously hard.

2. Think I might actually sell my pine bed on eBay this time. I have a bidder!

3. Sent off a story for the CheerReader comp.

4. Managed to proofread most of the March issue of Logistics & Transport Focus. (What larks!)

Who has something bigger to celebrate?

Hair today...

When I was in town the other day, I was approached by a young lady who asked me if I'd like to have my hair cut at Tony & Guy for £10. Further investigation revealed that she wasn't just some random loon picking on dishevelled middle-aged women, but was a student who needed some heads to practise on. Since it's been a while since I'd had a 'do' I took the plunge.

Norwich canary, pic from pets.adflyer.co.uk

Despite the fact that Abby (for that was her name) only looked about 12, she made a lovely job. My hair is very thick and tends to be a touch unruly, if I let it (which I have just recently - who mentioned Hagrid?), so she did well to tame it. There was a worrying moment before she finished my fringe that gave me a look of a Norwich canary, but by the time she'd done I was much improved.

***

I've just overheard my son talking to his friend via Mumble saying: 'You can't keep a fish in a dog-food container.' I can only imagine what led to that. It reminds me that his brother once told me: 'You can't make an omelette without grating cheese.'

***

Not my mother's legs!

I had a thorough workout yesterday helping my mum into her Ted socks, those examples of sexy hosiery that guard against post-op clots or, as Wikipedia puts it: '. . . are designed to remedy impaired musculovenous pump performance caused by incompetent leg vein valves.' I love the idea of incompetent leg valves. If only they'd try harder there wouldn't be a problem!

Friday's news

So what am I celebrating this Friday?

1. My mum has had her new hip installed and is due home later today. She is slightly indignant that it has taken a week. (She's 83.)
2. Number two son has passed his driving theory test. Phew! At £62 a go, you don't want to be failing.
3. I've passed another module of my anatomy course.
4. Bit of a slow work week, but I managed to enter the book review comp in Freelance Market News. Two months, two competitions entered. New Year resolution going well so far!



Pic from yogajournal.com

5. Taught a lovely yoga session last night where one of my students showed me a simple way to get the arms right in Eagle pose (Garudasana).

How are things with you?
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One for the writers

For those writers amongst you, I've just had the following email from Ecover, the green cleaning products firm:


Ecover are looking to find two aspiring journalists to report on a ground-breaking new project that we are launching in March 2013. If you are a team player with excellent writing skills and a 'can-do' attitude with good understanding of social media, then this might be your opportunity.

As the Ecover Citizen Journalist you will report on the pioneering new project, attend the press launch and conduct interviews for The-Splash magazine. You will also have the opportunity to attend Glastonbury Festival 2013 (with a friend) to report on the public's reaction to the project and soak up the unforgettable festival atmosphere. What's more, you are invited to attend RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2013 to conclude the project. 

We'd also like you to attend the project launch on the 6th of March!

Responsibilities will include:

Conducting face to face interviews at various events before writing up articles, and blog entries, for 'The-Splash' and promoting the project through personal social media channels. (NB The Project runs from March 2013 to July 2013)
The chosen candidate will be given two tickets (one for themselves plus a friend) to Glastonbury 2013 - Ecover will subsidise project travel costs
Details: www.the-splash.co.uk/offers-and-competitions/citizen-journalist

I've not read the small print, but it sounds interesting.

Three of the best: yoga, walking and soup

There is always the risk that turning a hobby into a job can take the joy out of it. I'm trying hard not to let this happen with my yoga, and with this in mind spent yesterday with a lovely group of people in Lincolnshire at a yoga event just for fun: no note-taking, no handouts to read, no pressure to take anything away and apply it in my own teaching, no being there just because I needed some CPD points: I went because I thought it sounded like a good day out - and I was right.

Castle Hill, Welbourn

The event was organised by the East Midlands Region of the British Wheel of Yoga as a 'Yoga & Walking Workshop'. First we had a lovely slow practice focusing on hips and legs. Then after a quick cuppa we strapped on our walking boots and headed off up a hill - yes, there are hills in Lincolnshire: who knew! - to put into practice our newfound connection with our feet (!). It was very muddy, but the sun was out and the sky was blue.

After slithering our way back to the village hall, we were treated to some delicious homemade soup, lemon drizzle cake and flapjack, which was just what was needed. The afternoon session saw us all blissed out with a lovely relaxation.

It was a fabulous day and really lifted my spirits after what had been a rather trying week. Huge thanks to organiser and soup-maker supreme Julie, and our excellent workshop leader Liz Underwood.

And relax.

How can it be Friday again already?

I'm very aware that I haven't posted anything since last Friday (slap on the wrist for me). Been rather preoccupied. But here are the small things I'd like to celebrate this week.

1. I've written a completely new short story and despatched it for a competition. Before I finalised it, I gave it to my son to look at (Creative Writing graduate). He suggested that as well as reading it aloud myself, I should give it to someone who is rubbish at reading aloud so that any lumpy phrases really stand out. He also suggested running it through a speech program such as Microsoft Sam or even Windows Narrator, so that it has no emotion at all and the words have to do all the work. Couldn't fathom out how to do this, but will put it on my to-do list.
2. I've revamped a piece of flash fiction and submitted that to another competition.
3. I've pitched an article to The New Humanist (but I'm not holding my breath).
4. Had a really good choir practice on Tuesday. One of our members brought in some African drums for us to have a bash on, in an attempt to get us in the mood for something we're singing for the forthcoming local eisteddfod. Great fun!
5. Bought a massive bar of fruit and nut chocolate and didn't eat it all in one sitting.
6. Had twice as many students at today's yoga class as I did last Friday.

 Onwards!

Time to celebrate

If it's Friday it must be time to Celebrate The Small Things.

1. Someone else has downloaded my story 'Linda's Lucky Break' from Ether Books.
2. Managed to get a tricky proofreading job finished on time.
3. One son has a new job and the other has been given more hours.
4. I have use of my legs. I'm not being flippant, but having tried wheelchair basketball at the weekend, I have newfound respect for anyone who can get around in a wheelchair.

 What are you celebrating?