Happy Monday to you all! It’s the start of week three back at school, and plenty is going on around us!
If we were sipping chai together I’d start by telling you that I am still standing! Yes, the aches and pains are drifting from here to there, but they are not bad. My knees still hurt, but not as extreme as the week before. My shoulder aches. But, over all, it’s not too bad at the moment. I ran to the hospital on Tuesday in my lunch break to have the next set of bloods taken. So now it’s waiting until this Friday for the next Drs appointment.
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that my dear Beauts in my class are such a lovely bunch! They are still enjoying our Superhero topic, and they love dressing up in capes and masks, and rescuing everyone! And the idea that if they are Super helpful and Super friendly, they have more of a chance of getting on the class rainbow, has worked a treat! They aren’t allowed to tell me themselves, but if another classmate comes and says someone has been Super in any way, to me, they get to be my Superkids for the day!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that on Wednesday, we were all dreading our twilight evening. It would mean 2 hours after school, not actually training, but meeting with other teachers in our age group from our academy, and comparing classes and attainment. Thankfully, our Reception meeting didn’t take as long as we hd anticipated, so that was a result!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the weekend arrived, quick as a flash, and it was a busier one than the last few weeks. We spent Saturday evening with the in-laws, and the night, I was up most of the night with Lil Man, who was sporting a raging temperature and a really sore throat. As he is prone to tonsillitis, I took him to our local walk in doctors surgery and after a two hour wait, we were told that yes, his tonsils were mildly inflamed, but not infected (thank goodness). So, no antibiotics, but lots of salt water gargles and keeping his neck warm.
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that Lil Princess had a great afternoon as she had arranged a visit to one of her new secondary school friends’ house. We both had a lovely time, as I got to have a cuppa and chat with her new friend’s parents and the girls spent the afternoon esperiementing with makeup and hairstyles. Makes me feel happier, that I know some of her new friends.
If we were sipping chai together I’d not forget to mention that I have mad a plan to do a cover reveal for THE BOOK soon, possibly this week, so if you haven’t already, make sure you follow my author blog, http://www.ritubhathal.com, so you don’t miss out! I have been very busy, editing crutch words out of the manuscript this week, and from a list of arounbd 10 words, there are 2 left to check. That means I have been through the manuscript 8 times in the last 3 weeks, adjusting and deleting! Once I finish this time consuming task, I need to spell check and read myself to make sure it all makes sense, then I can send to my editor for the final read through! OMG, so nervewracking….! I still have to write a proper blurb yet!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that today and tomorrow I will be at school until late as it is that time of year again… parents evenings! I actually quite enjoy them, speaking to the parents about how their darlings are coming along! But it’ll be tiring.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that obviously, Friday I will have my Dr’s appointment, so fingers crossed there will be something to discuss, after all the blood tests.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d let you know that I already can’t wait for the weekend!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanks for that Spidey. How did you know that I have been struggling with making a padrticular decision recently?
You all know I have been writing, or rather, editing the last few months on and off. My novel manuscript is almost as polished as it can be, give or tale a few crutch word tweaks.
I made a crunch decision a few weeks ago, to self publish, and join the ranks of Indie authors out there.
I have self published already, but that was my poetry book.
My initial dream was to get a traditional publishing deal, but I know that is a tough call. A few positive rejections and I thought “Hey, it can’t be that bad, if the comments I got have been pretty positive.” so I made a little decision, in my mind.
If they aren’t going to do it, then I’ll do it myself!
I haven’t been working on that book for nigh on 19 years for nothing.
And so, my decision has been made, and I have had huge encouragement from various sources too.
I have also made another decision, that within the next week, or so, there will be a cover reveal on my author blog!!! Eeeeek!
Yes, I have a beautiful cover. And I can’t wait to share it!
So if you haven’t already, follow me there on www.ritubhathal.com and you’ll see my pretty cover first, when the post is up!
I’m nervous as anything, but can’t wait to hear what you all think!
So… tell me, what decision have you made that you will never regret?
Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤
Happy Monday to you all! I hope your week treated you well. Back to school is nothing short of exciting, every time!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the start of school went really well. The kids seemed to have a relaxing break, and enjoyed relaying details of their week off, and celebrating Diwali too! We had a Diwali day at school, where the children learned some Bhangra dancing too! And we had a Halloween disco, which was a baptism of fire for some. The first time they have been left alone somewhere when it is dark outside and loud music. But we all had great fun! The topic this next few weeks will be superheroes, and they love acting like real life superheroes. I have told them they are all super kids and when they do super kind things, they get on the class rainbow. One way to get some great behaviour!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to mention my health. Things haven’t been great over here. From Tuesday evening, I started to get strange pains in my knees. On Thursday morning, when I woke up, they were so sore that I could barely walk down the stairs at home. I got ready, and went to school, promptly bursting into tears with my phase leader. She ws so worried, massaging my knees, telling me to go home, but I don’t think I would have been any better at home either. The pains didn’t go away all day, despite taking anti-inflammatories and painkillers. I was even given a hot water bottle to help me. I got through the day, and the only thing that really relieved the pain was a hot bath. I woke on Friday with lessened knee pain (though it hadn’t gone away totally) but more pain in my shoulder. Now, when I went to the doctor last week, he asked me about pains, but at that time I had none. When I was chatting to Pops during my few days back home, he mentioned that he had been diagnosed with fibryomalgia around twenty years ago. I was totally unaware of this. The recent pains made me realise that over the last few months, I have actually been having a lot of strange pains, including in my wrists, elbows and knees, but they were never as severe as the ones on Thursday. They are pains in the bones and joints. As I sit here typing on a Sunday night, my shoulder still hurts, and knees are still painful as I bend them. I have had shooting pains in my legs, ankles and toes too.
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I went to the Doctor for my initial blood test results. The results have ruled out Vitamin B12 and D deficiencies, iron levels are normal, as are all my blood counts in general, including blood sugars and hormones. We discussed the pains I had this week, and over the last few months too, as well as the migraines I have had over the last few years, bad skin which has started recently (never suffered with spots), weight gain and the tiredness. So, guess who is back for more blood tests next week? This time to rule out inflammation and rheumatoid artheritic pains. The next step would be either treatment for the above, or looking at other auto immune issues, such as Fibryomalgia. Wonderful!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention the other elephant in the room… NaNoWriMo. I had actually signed up this year, knowing full well that I probably wouldn’t be able to keep up, but the intention to start writing book two properly was there. Now, with this stuff going on with my health, I don’t think it is likely. Never mind, I shall spend time erasing crutch words from my existing manuscript. Who knew I used the word ‘that’ so much??
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that we did get a chance to go out on Friday evening. The local fireworks display was on at the Prom. Last year it was cancelled as there was a stray beluga whale who had swum into the Thames Estuary, and taken up residence in the Gravesend waters. Our fireworks are usually set off on the river, so they were cancelled, so as not to disturb poor Benny. He was with us for quite a while, actually, then managed to find his way out. This year, we thought the same would happen, as a humpback whale strayed into the Estuary a few weeks ago. Sadly, he died, of malnourishment, and being hit by a ship. Then another dead whale was found, this time a Sei whale. Apparently a mixture of Global Warming and the threats of polluted water in certain seas might be responsible for these poor creatures straying so badly. But the waters were finally whale-free, so we trotted off to watch the fireworks. I had the class teddy with me too, so he watched with us!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the rest of the weekend just melted away into a mixture of bed and books… or sofa and books. Perfect recuperation time for me!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that we have our first moderation evening on Tuesday. This is when we get together with the other schools in our academy, and compare our judgements on the children in our classes. It is always interesting to see how their children are doing, as well as how they are approaching any difficulties.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I will have to squeeze the blood tests in to one day too, as the Phlebotomy dept is only open from 9-2pm Monday to Friday… Need to get that booked in with my Head teacher asap!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that Monday might be ‘interesting’ as one of my teaching assistants is not around as she has to take her daughter to a hosiptal appointment, my one to one teaching assistant for my special Beaut, has to go on a school trip with another one to one child she used to work with, and my other Teaching assistant will be late as she has an appointment… So, I might be all alone!!!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I am hoping for another quiet weekend… please!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Dr. Seuss
I just love this quote, Spidey! Thank you for popping it up on here today!
If I can’t do a lot of creating, which I am finding to be the case at the moment, with health issues etc., then reading is my next go-to!
And I honestly find that the more books I read, the more my world expands.
I am able to visit places I may never get to in reality, experience lives that I may not cross my path otherwise, escape in to fantasies that would otherwise always remain just that.
And the big one – I can dream that one day, my own book will end up taking readers on a similar magical ride one day too!
So, tell me, which book really helps you escape from reality?
Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤
I enjoy spreading the word about books written by friends of mine, and it gives me great pleasure to allow my dear friend Geoff Le Pard to the stage today. Now, His Geoffleship and I have a lovely, comical relationship going back a few years now, and I have always loved his quirky short stories, as well as his fully formed novels.
Here he is presenting me with an award at the 2019 ABBAs, in his wonderfully dramatic way!
Today we are lucky enough to hear a bit about His Geoffleship’s newest novel, a sequel to his Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle, following the story of hapless teen Harry Spittle during the summer he really grew up. In the Last Will Of Sven Andersen, Harry is back, as a fully fledged lawyer, and there are still plenty of crazy goings on!
I’m going to step back and allow His Geoffleship to take the stage now.
Fantastic cover, don’t you think?
The first book in the Harry Spittle Sagas, Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle took its inspiration from a summer I spent, back form university working in a country house hotel in the depths of the New Forest. I took the time (summer 1976) the age and sex of the main character (19, male), the setting (New Forest, working in a large hotel) and carved a story of love, loss, a psychotic cat and a fair few bodily fluids. But the rest was made up, all my febrile imaginings. There were times I took an anecdote and dragged elements into the story, but I was very careful to ensure none of the characters could ever be identified as real people.
When the call came from my characters to write the second book, I knew I had to follow the process I’d adopted before: I kept the main character and some of his closest friends and rivals and put them in the time, place and situation that I found myself in. The clock wound on to 1981 and Harry, like me, is finishing his training as a lawyer in a small three partner firm of solicitors in the West End of London. He shares a flat on the south of the river near Wandsworth Bridge and commutes to work on his bicycle. So far, so me. But Harry’s life is inextricably entwined with a gangster’s affairs and his life takes on a more bizarre life than mine ever did. Thank heavens.
Once again I really wanted to avoid having characters from my past leaping off the page but, boy is that difficult? Some, such as the senior partner in that small firm will now be dead but, boy did they deserve a story of their own? I’ve done my best to avoid the pitfalls of writing any real people into my book but, having embraced a second instalment in the Sagas, I realise that becomes more difficult. And with Book three, already written and being edited, it’s even harder. Maybe if I hadn’t taken any elements so overtly from my own life I might have avoided that risk but, well, the scheme is set now and we will just have to see if anyone thinks they’ve found fame if not fortune on the upcoming pages. I just hope, they being lawyers, they won’t sue…!
Here is the official Blurb for The Last Will Of Sven Andersen
When
Harry Spittle, nearly qualified as a solicitor, is approached to write a Will
for old acquaintance Sven Andersen, he is somewhat surprised but rather
pleased. That pleasure sours after he finds that the Will Sven actually signs
is very different to the one he has drawn up, with Harry as the executor.
Disappointment turns to horror when he discovers that Sven has been winding up
his late father’s criminal empire and a number of not very nice people are
interested in the Will’s contents.
Set
in 1981 to the backdrop of punk, Thatcherite politics and an upcoming Royal
wedding, this is a book for those who like their nostalgia served with a side
of humour and a dash of optimism all wrapped up in a compelling mystery.
If
he is to remain in one piece, able to continue his career in the law and save
his on-off relationship with his girlfriend Penny, who is unfortunately under
suspicion of murder, he needs to find out what’s happened to the money and
distribute it according to Sven’s wishes. The trouble is Sven has not only
hidden the assets but also the identities of those who benefit. Harry will have
to solve a fiendish puzzle Sven has left behind with the help of his sister
Dina before his world comes crashing down. With so many people depending on
him, Harry knows it’s time for him to grow up – it’s just that he really,
really doesn’t want to.
And the Blurb for Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle, which will be FREE for a few days, check out the details below to find out!
It’s summer 1976 and
hotter than Hades. Harry Spittle, nineteen, is home from university, aiming to
earn some money to go on holiday and maybe get laid. He expects he will be
bored rigid, but the appearance of an old family friend, Charlie Jepson, his
psychopathic son, Claude, and predatory wife Monica changes that. As his
parents’ marriage implodes, Harry’s problems mount; before he knows it he’s in
debt up to his ears and dealing in drugs. Things go from bad to worse when he
is stabbed. He needs money fast, but now his job is at risk, his sister is in
trouble and he has discovered a family secret that could destroy all he holds
dear. Will Harry have to join forces with the local criminal mastermind to
survive the summer and save his family? Can he regain some credibility and
self-respect? Most importantly will he finally get laid?
Dead Flies will be free from 30th October 2019 to 3rd November 2019
And if you want to know a little more about Geoff Le PArd and the other wonderful works by His Geoffleship, check out the details below.
Geoff Le Pard started writing to entertain in 2006. He hasn’t left his keyboard since. When he’s not churning out novels he writes some maudlin self-indulgent poetry, short fiction and blogs at geofflepard.com. He walks the dog for mutual inspiration and most of his best ideas come out of these strolls. He also cooks with passion if not precision.
My Father and Other Liars is a thriller set in the near future and takes its heroes, Maurice and Lori-Ann on a helter-skelter chase across continents.
Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle is a coming of age story. Set in 1976 the hero Harry Spittle is home from university for the holidays. He has three goals: to keep away from his family, earn money and hopefully have sex. Inevitably his summer turns out to be very different to that anticipated.
Life in a Grain of Sand is a
30 story anthology covering many genres: fantasy, romance, humour, thriller,
espionage, conspiracy theories, MG and indeed something for everyone. All the
stories were written during Nano 2015
Salisbury Square is a dark thriller set in present day London where a homeless woman and a Polish man, escaping the police at home, form an unlikely alliance to save themselves.
Buster & Moo is about about two couples and the dog whose ownership passes from one to the other. When the couples meet, via the dog, the previously hidden cracks in their relationships surface and events begin to spiral out of control. If the relationships are to survive there is room for only one hero but who will that be?
Apprenticed To My Mother
describes the period after my father died when I thought I was to play the role
of dutiful son, while Mum wanted a new, improved version of her husband – a
sort of Desmond 2.0. We both had a lot to learn in those five years, with a lot
of laughs and a few tears as we went.
Life in a Conversation is an
anthology of short and super short fiction that explores connections through
humour, speech and everything besides. If you enjoy the funny, the weird and
the heart-rending then you’ll be sure to find something here.
Let me tell you that The Last Will of Sven Andersen is a fantastic sequel to Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle. I was honoured to be asked to beta read and I can vouch for it being a great read! I have read all His Geoffleship’s books, and have never been disappointed, and I can tell you (off the record) that there are more Harry stories to come, and a couple of other projects that he as up his sleeve… Including a full length novel about Pearl Barley, a modern day exorcist, who featured in a few of Geoff’s short stories: a character I love!
So? What you waiting for? Go, get your free copy of Dead Flies and pre order the Last Will! You’ll have a giggle, promise!
