Perseverance 5 Sentence Fiction

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

Perseverance

She sat, frustrated with the blank page in front of her, taunting her to come up with something wonderful, out of this world, amazing, daring her to press the keys so to begin the process of transportation to another world. But with every opening sentence, the frustration manifested into a deep howl and the abrupt use of the delete key until the page was blank again, again and again.

Stepping away from the desk, Bailey rummaged through the freezer for the tub of Phish Food and stood by the window, eating each spoonful with relish as it cooled and calmed her thoughts, gazing at the life outside, looking for inspiration and the reason to get back to the art of writing and creating. Lost in thought, Bailey didn’t even hear her boyfriend walk in until he flopped on the settee with a heavy sigh, his hair dull and dishevelled from the commute, eyes tired from the long days of overtime and right there she had her reason to carry on.

Carl, her soul mate, had told her to give up work and write that book she had always wanted to write because he could support them and do what it takes to make it happen; she kissed him gently before walking purposefully back to the blank page which now wasn’t so daunting at all.

Scarlet 5 Sentence Fiction

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week: Scarlet

And there she was, sitting alone beside the river; her full, plump lips as red as the blood coursing through her veins, causing a stir of desire to erupt deep within him.  The journey to find her, the one, didn’t take long despite the throng of people going about their business, not noticing Louie as he glided through until he sat next to her, the opportunity of his find over whelming him.

Her smell was intoxicating, her skin pearlescent with beads of sweat from the Louisiana heat and when her eyes met his, he knew she was his; dark pools of emptiness and despair waiting to be rescued and he felt obliged, as well as excited, to do his bidding.

The music became louder, an underlying throbbing beat, matching his heart and hers as they became one; sinking his teeth into her slender neck and drinking until her body became limp; he had had his fill.

Best Friends

  

I love my job! Unless you’re a movie star or Paris Hilton, where else can you get so much time off from work other than working in education; six weeks off now and hopefully the sun will join us. But I am sad. The first few days of the holiday always make me sad. It may be the calming down after so much fun; it may be the end of an era what with people/children moving on. It could be that I have nothing to look forward to as no holiday booked this summer. (Well I do have plans but the no holiday thing depresses me if I think about it too much especially when everyone else is buggering off). But the real reason is that my lovely friend- The Mad American- is off home for the summer.

I will miss her! But she never fails to keep me informed of what is going on . . . .

1.     I always get a text about her ‘companion’ on the plane. I can just imagine her sitting there with that empty seat next to her, watching as people get on and walk towards her, then heaving a huge sigh of relief as they walk on by. I can also imagine her screaming silently inside as the seat is filled, wishing that person had walked on by! And she has eight hours to go! She doesn’t sit with her Hubby for that long at home! This time, however, she is sitting with her kids but I’m sure there will be someone that catches her eye and I will get a text despite the fact her mobile should be switched off at that time!

2.     With Facebook, The Mad American can keep in touch! Yay! But it is not as easy as that. Her parents do not have access to the internet. So as she takes her bright pink laptop with her, she stands on her parents drive, waving her laptop around until she gets the signal. There is someone out there who has not secured their signal! And it would be rude not to take advantage of that. I wonder what the neighbours think that this strange woman is sitting on the drive rather than in the house or the garden by the pool! Obviously, The Mad American visits plenty of family and friends with internet so she gets to use it in the comfort of their home and rarely needs to stand on the drive and then it’s only in an emergency. . . . Is that ok honey? Don’t want to get you in trouble!  

3.    The internet (whose ever it is) has meant that The Mad American has been able to get in touch when she needs. And the distance between us is nothing as I’ve been there for her when needed over the years and hopefully been a huge help in her hour of need. xxxx

4.    There is never a simple journey for The Mad American. There have been delays. There has been lost luggage! There has been surprise ‘lets-keep-this-trip-secret-so-I-can-surprise’ despite her advertising the fact on Facebook and telling the whole world. And there is always the luggage weigh in which is always way over what it should be and that’s just going out! Never mind coming back with cases full of goodies for people. Which brings me on to . . .

5.    She is the most generous person I know. She goes around asking everyone and anyone ‘would you like me to bring you something back?’ She is a shopaholic. She loves to spend! Her cases on the return home are full of purple skittles, Peanut Butter M&Ms, Twinkies, T shirts, jewellery, watches, cereals and other bits that you can only get in America! Obama should give her recognition for her single handed efforts in restoring the economy with her spending!

6.    And finally, today is the last day I will get to see her for six weeks. We are meeting for a last gossip, giggle and hugs. It has become a bit of a ritual now; the goodbye/happy holiday drinkies after work are not enough and we need our little time.

In the mean time, I have Hubby’s birthday, a wedding anniversary to remind my Hubby of, lay ins, books to read, flash fiction to write, a sun lounger needing my attention, days out, a trip to Suffolk and catching up with friends. I do love the summer holidays really but just wish for once I could spend it with the Mad American . . . Maybe next year I’ll be the one sitting next to her on the plane and her squeals of delight will break the sound barrier.

Safe journey!

Love, Me. xx

Back off Kitty!

Here are some pics of my cat who seems to think the goodies from school are for him! He'd already attacked the necklace and the teddy, thinking them cat toys! Not this time Kitty. The generosity is over whelming and the hand made cards are cute.

If I sit here, she can't see me. . . . .

Just checking out the necklace. . . . .

                                                 

 So a big thank you to friends, colleagues and parents and children for your gifts and cards which are gorgeous! I hope you liked your cupcake from me.  Just one thing remains; I hope you all have a wonderful summer. Oh and one other thing . . . . . .Back off Kitty! They're mine!

 

Composure 5 Sentence Ficiton

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week: Composure

 Face to face

The sweat trickled slowly down Sally’s back, making her feel more uncomfortable than she already was; if that was possible. Her palms were clammy and her mouth claggy like a whole chocolate muffin had been shovelled in but Sally hadn’t eaten since last night; her nerves wouldn’t let her which was silly as she’d done this a thousand times before.

The clock hand headed slowly towards one and she stood up, adjusting her shirt and tucking a stray hair behind her ear as the large wooden door opened. Imagining Audrey Hepburn (her idol) she walked in purposeful and tall, her soft shoes not making a sound but her breathing fast and heavy as she afforded a glance around the room and her eyes locked with the reason she was there; his steel blue eyes still vacant of any expression, remorse or even life, staring through her like he did that summer’s afternoon when she turned up on his door step. . .

A moment later she was rolling around the floor; the last words she heard fading like the light of day . . . ‘Urgent assistance required, officer down’ as PC Sally Smith had just been doing her job; just like now in  court room number five.

The Final Countdown!!!!!

There are times when you have a fab idea for a blog post and the words just flow which is fantastic. There are, however, times when you do not have an idea but you know you want to write as you’re in the mood to share and this is one of those times. It’s not that I do not have an idea. It’s just I have already written two blog posts on the subject so I thought about what else is happening in my world. And it just so happens that it is coming up to the summer holidays which means winding down at work and indeed is the final countdown to summer (if the sun can join us, that would be awesome).

So here is the Final Countdown to the glorious six weeks off . . . . . .

1.     We had our end of term works do last night and it was a pub quiz which was awesome. Now loyal and regular blog followers will know that the pub quiz is a mixed bag for my team because we were sad at coming second from last and not getting the booby prize but gobsmacked at coming third and second because we’re usually so dire. Well last night we had high expectations as last year, we actually won! We argued, debated, over though, laughed, drank, ate and argued some more. We had the advantage of having The Mad American on our team so when we asked about the biggest state in America, she said Texas which I said too. But I’m not American. Someone else had their wits about them and said Alaska which actually was right. There were some other dumb arse questions about America and we got them all wrong! In fact, if we didn’t over think most questions, we would have probably won as we were second by only three points! The drink didn’t help either!

2.    Change! A part of life but I hate it. And every summer, we have this huge change of kids leaving, moving class, new peeps to work with and tying up loose ends. It’s a funny few days filled with parties, gifts and tears during the leaver’s assembly.

3.    Preparing to cook up a storm. There is a whole new world to the end of the summer term. The generosity of the gifts from the kids is amazing. And the shops have cottoned on; filled with Best teacher/Teaching Assistant for at least a month now. Being a baker, I like to be creative this time of year and give a treat handmade by me. It says so much more. Especially when Hubby sees the state of the kitchen. Which brings me to . . .

4.       Hubby! He is not happy at No 1 Son being around for six weeks and worse, me being around demanding the usual day’s out, pub lunches and togetherness! He likes his ‘me time’ of which is going to be nonexistent. Obviously No 1 Son will be doing his own thing and will come home when hungry or skint or both! So Hubby, on your days off its ‘Hasta la vista, baby’ to the Xbox 360!  

5.       The sun! And I don’t mean the Murdoch rag. I’m talking about the biggest star in the sky and its shyness so far this summer. Generally by now, I’ve been wilting in the heat, even melting. This time I’ve been getting soaked nearly every day either walking to work or walking home and don’t even get me started on the stress involved in trying to dry the washing out on the line! Usually by August, the rain comes and makes for a rather miserable summer. However, seeing as we have that already, I am hoping that the sun will come to the great summer party of six weeks off and I am counting down the days and counting on that jet stream to bugger off! And do you know why we have the jet stream hanging over us? America has a heatwave which is causing it. So for us to have our summer, America needs to lose there's so the jet stream does bugger off. Sorry Mad American. The garden needs my sun lounger and I need to finish reading Wicked and try to cope with the 50 Shades drivel; in the sun!!

6.       My lovely friend will be leaving me again. Every summer, The Mad American goes home to New York State and every summer, I see her before she goes, get really sad and become a Facebook-a-phobe because she has better things to do.  She’s counting down the days to glorious American sunshine and I’m slowly counting down the days until she goes. L However, she does bring back peanut butter M&M’s which are awesome. I so should have been born American although Hubby said if I was, I’d be the size of Alaska- which is the biggest state my Mad American friend, not Texas. (See above pics).

7.       The 30 day #BlogFlash for August 2012! I said YES!!! 100 words each day on a different prompt! Will I do it? You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled to find out . .

And that is it, I think. My little countdown to lazy summer days, busy family fun and becoming ‘Ladies what Lunch’ as we get together for relaxing summer gossip over a Spritzer and a Pimms.

Happy summer all and let’s give a big shout out to that beautiful, much needed summer accessory; the sun!  

Love Me xxxx

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Pirates

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

 I’ve missed a few Five Sentence Fictions as other aspects of life have taken over. Shame on me for letting the writing side dip when it is so important to me! Anyway, who could resist this week’s prompt; Pirates! I’m now all at sea thinking of Jack Sparrow! And may have to watch him in action later. . . .

Pirates

There was not an ounce of respite from the unforgiving sun as its rays beat down as the palm trees surrounding him stood motionless like soldiers on century duty. Their leaves teased Luke that they could give some shade but as he dug deep in the fine golden sands, his skin began to blister in the searing heat despite the bronzed glow he had from months at sea. Desperation took hold as the hole became so deep, Luke could not be seen; if he couldn’t find it . . . he would be digging his own grave.

“That’s a fine whole you’re a digging’ came the unmistakable voice Luke had feared; looking up, his fear confirmed as the Captain stared down through masses of black, matted hair matching the unruly beard.

With resolve disappearing fast, Luke swung the spade knowing it would be his last act on this earth but it resisted as it hit the sand, making an unmistakeable clunk; the Captain’s cracked face broke into a wicked smile showing teeth as black as his beard as he murmured ‘Lucky . . . . . for now Master Luke, lucky for now.’



Sunshine Award! Yay!!

Thank you to  Afsaneh K (Dreaming of Stories) for awarding this beautiful sunshine award! I need a bit of sunshine (like the rest of the country) and this is perfect right now.

Here are the rules:

1. Include the award logo in a post or on your blog.
2. Tell 10 things about yourself.
3. Nominate 10 other fabulous bloggers.
4. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blog letting them know they are nominated.
5. Share the love and link the person who nominated you.

Ok, so ten things about myself. Mmm. Tricky! Some maybe already known and not a surprise but hopefully there’s one or two that will make you smile. And exclaim ‘ooh, I never knew that!’

1: I absolutely hate losing! I can’t help it. All that time and effort and then boom! My heart sinks. Hate that feeling.

2:  I passed my driving test first time! Yay!!! And in London. The saying goes that once you drive in London, you can drive anywhere! Well I have driven across and around most of the country!

3: Whilst in Cornwall, my friend lost the person we were meant to be staying with and we didn’t know where they lived so we had to sleep in my car all night.

4: I met footballing legend George Best along the Fulham Road when I was a teen and he winked and smiled at me! Just too cute!!

George Best

4: I’ve never had any broken bones.

5: I thought (up until recently) that the Dead Sea and the Red Sea were one and the same! Yes, I can be a bit of a dumb arse.

6: I can’t prepare a whole chicken or turkey as I hate the feel of it. When I had to, I wore rubber gloves and I still didn’t like it!

7: Jelly Beans are my favourite sweet, followed by Tutti Fruttis and Fruit Pastilles.

8: I don’t wear makeup unless I’m going out, out.

9: Michael Caine is my favourite actor of all time! (Marilyn Monroe is my favourite actress, icon, celebrity).

Sir Michael Caine

Marilyn Monroe

    







10: I don’t own a hair dryer.

So now to share with some wonderfully gorgeous and talented peeps of which ten is nowhere near enough!!!!

1: The 1970s Diet

2: Janelle

3: superearthling

4:Zena-Marie

5: Lisa Shambrook (The Last Krystallos).

6:Karen of 365 Pearls of Wisdome

7:bernadette davies

8: JessSturman- Coombs

9: Ann Mullen

10: Ruth Long (Lady Bullish).

Apologies if you already have received this award; hopefully twice as nice. xxx

Love Me


PS. Have just seen that the lovely Zena_Marie of the Fabulous Moms Guide has also given me the award. Big apologies for not seeing earlier and huge thank you for thinking of me in the first place! xxxxx

The (Un) Domesticated Devil

The UnDomesticated Devil

A little blog from an obsessed carb Queen!

I think it’s finally happened! I never thought it would in my life time and I’m not talking about a Brit reaching the Men’s final at Wimbledon or the weather people actually getting it right (unfortunately!). I have actually become (to the sound of fanfare) domesticated!  

It wasn’t the plan and never was. Always getting home from work cream crackered, dinner never stood a chance. The ironing pile looked like it was breeding, the dining table had all but disappeared under ‘stuff’ and the hoover was looking more like an antique.

But I then started a new eating plan courtesy of the Harcombe Diet. Basically for five days you cut out all sugars. This includes fruit, carbs and diet drinks as well as dairy (apparently you can get milk sugars). The only lucky ones to get the go ahead were porridge (made with water) and natural plain yogurt (in small quantities). The rest of my daily intake was made up of meat (not processed), eggs and veg of any kind (not spuds, pulses). Oh and caffeine was to be knocked on the head but as a social leper (non drinker of tea and coffee) that didn’t bother me. Although how I was to survive without my Pepsi Max was worrying.

The reason for this drastic action was because for years my Hubby has called me ‘hyperglycaemic’ whereby I would bite his head off if my dinner wasn’t ready as the hunger gripped me like a vice.  Well these five days (if followed correctly) would rid me of this and I wouldn’t be such a slave to my stomach. And also to lose some weight!

Five days. Easy peezy! And Hubby was going to do it too, to support me and make meals times easier.

So in a nutshell here are the days.

Day 1- I as sooooo hungry! I was also filled with disbelief that bacon and eggs would help me lose weight more than a fruit salad. But I stuck with it despite No 1 Son waving a bag of Whispa bites under my nose.

Day 2- The worse day ever!!! My hunger would not go away despite eating as much meat and veg as possible. I had a headache, felt sick and could have killed for a bowl of cereal! Or strawberries with half a ton of sugar on them. I was not happy! And everyone knew it! Even the cat steered clear!

Day 3- Wow! I woke up a new person. No cravings, no hunger pains and no grumpiness! I even came home from work, pottered about and then had dinner. There was no raiding the fridge, no teaspoons in the chocolate spread and no vegging on the sofa.

 Days 4 and 5 were pretty much the same and I was enjoying being free, from what appears to be a carb stooper, that I continued for another five days.

Conclusion

Everyone is happy! I’m happy because I am no longer a slave to my stomach, food tastes great and I’ve lost 10lbs. Hubby happy because I’m not a rat bag he wants to kill with a wooden spoon, the house is clean and I’m pulling my weight. He’s also pleased to see that I am actually enjoying shopping again and buying new clothes. Yay.

From years of dieting with a slimming club where I became reliant on cereal bars and low fat (high sugar) foods and always hungry, I have finally found what is right for me and a healthy eating style that hopefully won’t be hard to maintain. When I’m ready I can start introducing carbs as long as not processed. And once that’s mastered, I can then introduce the odd chocolate bar etc. Which is awesome as No 1 Son bought me a 1 kilo bar of Dairy Milk from Cadbury World.  

Right, this Domesticated Devil has some ironing and washing to attend to before I go to the gym and then try some clothes on. And that’s something I thought I would never say!

Love me!