Well, hello, Monday three of the year!
Have you got a drink? I am ready for mine this morning.
(Adding a little #JusJoJan to the prompt, with the word Optimism by June. Thanks, Linda!)

- If we were having chai, I’d start by asking, “Is it me, or is the second week of the year always so meh?”
- If we were having chai, I’d tell you that school was fine. As usual. Nothing new to report. The kids are getting better health-wise and keeping us busy. But I have been very tired, so I wonder whether I need to look at my HRT dosages…
- If we were having chai, I’d say that one evening, Lil Princess and I spent time sorting out my washi tape collection. I ordered some dispensers and gave her the task of ordering them colour and pattern-wise. They look pretty!
- If we were having chai, I’d tell you that I gave in and bought Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare… Many people have opinions on this, even those who choose to read it. I found a couple of comments on my FB author page post a bit alarming. At the end of the day, it is my choice of what I wish to read, and I am not some simpleton who will be brainwashed just by reading a book. I know this is a recount from Harry’s perspective and that there are others ideas to the story, as well as the side that is the TRUTH!Nevertheless, I was lectured about the ‘lies’ I would be reading, and the best one? An assumption that because I bought a book like this, published by a trad press, I don’t buy or read anything Indie published, and that I was taking away from the poor Indie authors… Er, hello, I am and have been an Indie author and my choice to read Spare is my own! I read plenty of books written and published in all manners. I think you guys who read my blog can attest to that!Oh, and I obviously will now side with Harry. This book isn’t about taking sides for me. It’s more of an interest in seeing what he felt. He is open about his mental health struggles, and that is something that affects anyone, royalty or otherwise…
- If we were having chai, I’d have to admit to not being as good at keeping up with certain things this week, but that was due to feeling rather low. I suffered a lot of exhaustion and some headaches, so I did my exercises and blogged daily, but I wrote barely any words for book 3 and listened to only a couple of Hypnotherapy sessions. Still, I won’t beat myself up because at least I recognised that I needed to slow down and not attempt to do everything to my own detriment. I was filled with optimism after last week, but I’m not counting this as a failure, just another step to learn from.
- If we were having chai, I would need to mention my darling, Sonu Singh. He had his dreaded annual checkup and vaccinations on Saturday. Bless him, he miaowed to the vets, even with Lil Princess by his side. Last time he was diagnosed with a small heart murmur. Along with still being overweight. Thankfully, his murmur has not changed or gotten worse. And his weight? Well, blow me down with a feather, but despite all the begging for food, he went from just over 6kg to under 5kg! The vet was really happy and said that this is the weight we need to aim for, for him, as a house cat, to stay as healthy as he can… It’s his 9th birthday next week, too!

This week there is nothing different other than a couple of members of my team out, so we will need to cover all bases there. I will try to keep up with my exercises and hope to manage more words, too.
And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!
Jan 21, 2023 @ 02:25:53
Optimism is you! That’s why the children love you at school, and why you’re a great writer/mother/friend (long list). Slowing down is a good thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 21, 2023 @ 06:59:09
You are so sweet, Jennie. 🤗 Thank you 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 21, 2023 @ 14:06:59
I speak the truth. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 17, 2023 @ 22:19:54
Sorry you’ve been feeling tired. I have as well as it happens, but also with the odd bout of insomnia. Sigh. I have lots of freelance work on though so I need to put my best foot forward and power onwards. I am trying to fit fiction writing in alongside as ever. Oh, for more hours in the day 🙂 Well done Sonu Singh on a successful diet. Bertie, my cockapoo, loathes the vet as well. He shakes like a leaf from the second he realises that that’s where we’re headed. It’s all the squeezing and prodding and inserting of things and cutting comments about his ‘young dog weight’, which apparently is a thing of the past. Hope the rest of the week is good. CJ xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 17, 2023 @ 22:52:45
Oh bless poor Bertie!
I hear you about the squeezing words in when you can. That is me, right now… ,🤗
LikeLike
Jan 16, 2023 @ 23:59:53
Well I never. Someone told you what to and not to read? The cheek. I’ll be interested in your views. I don’t read enough to spend time with any royal but I’ve probably read most of it from the extracts in the papers and on the varied news apps I read. Makes my snobbery rather shallow…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 17, 2023 @ 06:28:08
I’m not a memoir person, His Geoffleship, usually.
But it feels like I’ve watch his whole life, whether I wanted to or not, because of the media, so there is much intrigue.
I’m invested so far!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 17, 2023 @ 22:57:40
I find myself unsure what to think, beyond feeling sorry for them all, living is such a goldfish bowl, thinking there are at least two sides to everything and maybe more and wishing it didn’t have to be so public
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 17, 2023 @ 23:01:17
I’ll let you know what I think 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 19:41:51
Happy Jolly Monday (evening), Sis! Yes, losing weight is also again on my agenda. Sonu did it in a great way, and had given all the cookies to you. Lol Great to hear about the progress in reestablishing health at your school. Nothing is more horrible than ill kids. Prince Harry hasn’t had a good life. We can see that also the richest are having issues. So it is, and i wish you a wonderful week ahead. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:31:48
We are so proud of Sonu!
LikeLike
Jan 16, 2023 @ 16:49:52
Wow, people can be rude and judgmental, can’t they? Read what you want to read! You ALMOST have as much washi tape as I do! My other addiction is paper. I’d have a lot more room in my studio if I’d stop buying those two things! Happy Monday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:32:28
I have have LOADS of Brush pens!!!!!
I was so annoyed by that comment, Janet!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 14:51:19
A good week in all Sis ….don’t listen to anyone read what you want it’s no one’s business but your own.
Well done with SonuSingh keep that weight it’s key! Hugs 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:32:55
Thanks, Sis!!
LikeLike
Jan 16, 2023 @ 12:05:36
Happy Birthday (in advance) to your sweet, furry muse! ❤ May your energy increase and your week be delight-filled! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:33:03
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 09:41:17
I’m amazed at people’s attitudes. You can choose what you buy and what you read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:33:19
Oh, I will, Sajde! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 17, 2023 @ 02:07:43
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 09:10:31
You are a champion of indie authors, Ritu! Re. ‘Spare’, my sister asked me to read and review it because I so often review books on my weekly blog. I hadn’t been intending to buy it at all. However, as I told my sister, ‘Soon the secondhand bookshops will be awash with copies of it’. So, I’m waiting until that event before I acquire a copy, read, and review it. I shall, of course, eagerly await your own review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:34:11
I know! I couldn’t believe the comment! But I will add my review when I am finished!
LikeLike
Jan 16, 2023 @ 08:55:39
glad you gave yourself permission to slow down as needed and glad sonusingh is doing well on his health regimen, too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 16, 2023 @ 20:34:20
Thanks Beth!
LikeLike