This week has been HECTIC I tell thee! Lots of late nights, a bit of falling asleep on the sofa and waking up stiff, freezing and disorientated at 4.30 in the morning, a trip to London & being custodian of the school class bear for a day. His name is Dave and he needs a good wash. I’ve been so busy trying to juggle the groundhog day-like school associated activities like the drop offs/pick ups, dress like a sodding bear day, fill out the home-school book, listen to reading, money for school clubs and all that jazz that there doesn’t seem to be any energy left for anything else once I’ve done my actual job too. Nobody told me school would take up so much of my time and my head-space (and my money!) and I wasn’t at all prepared! I’m also feeling pretty down in the dumps, I don’t know whether it’s hormonal, to do with my bloody eyes that are a constant pain or the weather or everything! I am trying to do something little for me each day but even finding time to do that is hard but I am trying! We’ve got something planned every weekend up to Christmas more or less, which gives me lots to look forward to, and I’ve finished the kids Christmas present shopping too, which is one less thing to worry about!
Last weekend we spent Saturday night at a friends playing games (Cards against Humanity, and the new Trivial Pursuit which has the most confusing rules ever but easier questions!) and they’re coming to ours tonight for more of the same! I have a chilli in the slow cooker and the sprogs are napping after a lovely walk round Swanbourne Lake in Arundel this morning, I took my new camera lens out to experiment with and I think I am in love! It’s an 18mm and takes amazing portraits! We all got very muddy too…
I think I am also in a bit of a rut with my blog and not having enough energy to give it the attention it deserves, but I am really hoping that changes as I spent the day with a whole bunch of inspiring and knowledgeable people at the Mumsnet Influencers day and came away with ideas, plans and knowledge from people who know what they’re talking about! We had a talk with someone from instagram, not just someone who thinks they know what they’re talking about – she was called Whitney and has promised to help me get to the bottom of my issue where I don’t get ANY of the new instagram features at all despite having an updated app and all that jazz. Apart from that she’s also really clued up about what works well, what instagram like and don’t like (hint: they like video- and prioritise it over photos!) We also had a session about building a business – so thinking as a business rather than a person and that session was packed full of useful tips! I also got to play with the new Canon cameras – my ancient old 1100d looks like an old lady in comparison to this new range! The funky Selphy printer is pretty ace too, you don’t have to worry about ink as the photo paper is what holds the ink- and you can print a 6×4 print instantly from your phone or pc via wifi or from an SD card. The print quality is amazing and it’s now at the top of my birthday list!
Anyway amongst all the learning in an absolutely awesome venue (does your office have a relaxation yurt in it? no, didn’t think so!) I got to spend the day with a bunch of ladies that I have come to know really well over the years, lots of whom I’d not met in person before – not that it felt like it at the time! The ladies in this photo are: Sarah – Toby Goes Bananas, Kate – Lesbemums, Katy – , Kate – Counting to 10, Lucy – Mrs H’s Favourite Things, Chloe – Sorry about the Mess, Lisa – Mummascribbles
Plus I got to meet awesome Nyomi – Nomipalony (who you NEED to follow on instagram because her stories have me cackling daily) which was a highlight! And a shoutout to my taxi buddy Clare at Mudpie Fridays, especially as I stupidly missed my first train (I literally had a foot on it but then realised I didn’t have my purse or ticket so had to go home to get them!) as she and Kate waited for me so I didn’t have to get a cab on my own – beauts the pair of them!
Anyway, I am switching off again for the rest of the day to enjoy my family & friends. If you’ve got any good board game recommendations chuck them at me and any easy ways to pull yourself out of a glum mood though I know it’s easier said than done!
Aww thanks for the shout out! Meeting you was a highlight for me too. I’m pleased you thought I was the same as my stories too. It was such a good event wasn’t it?!
I love this. It sounds like an awesome weekend. And it was brilliant meeting you too lovely. Although I still can’t believe that we were only meeting for the first time. I feel so inspired after Saturday’s event. I hope that continues. Hugs Lucy xxxx
Great. Seems like they have had their best time.