Wos goin’ on Phil?

This subtitle is especially for my lovely friend, Sam. It’s one of the little phrases we used every time there was some kind of crisis or drama at work or in the news…We’d do our best gruff cockney voice and deliver the line:

Wos goin’ on Phil?

Not that I’ve watched Eastenders for years. I think Den and Angie Watts were running The Queen Vic when I was a regular viewer! It all got a bit too depressing for me. Mind you, I caught an episode the other day and had to do a double-take when I spotted a blast from the past wandering through Albert Square. ‘What’s Bonnie Langford doing on Eastenders?’ I shouted to Richard (Just to clarify, he was in another room, not next to me on the sofa). It was pointless asking Mr T, though, because he’s more of a Wheeler Dealers/Top Gear kind of guy.

Bonnie Langford!

On Eastenders!

I hardly think Bonnie Langford shrugging off her puffa jacket and breaking into a dance number is going to be enough to lift the huge cloud of depression hanging over that little corner of Soapland.

Bonnie Langford, singer, dancer pictured here in happier times, before she moved to Walford.     Source/Attribution: Joe Siegler (“Dopefish”) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Maflingo News Bulletin.

Where was I? Oh, yes, I decided to do a news bulletin post. Why? It suddenly occurred to me that I have a habit of telling you I’m going off on holiday, or telling you I’ve been nominated for an award and then I don’t have chance to give you an update. Before I know it, it’s old news. Then I think, ‘No one will want to hear about the holiday now because it was ages ago!’ Then I think, ‘Maybe they never wanted to hear about the holiday in the first place!’

However, I’m going to pretend you all desperately need to know about my Norfolk adventures and my progress (or not) in the Interior Blog Awards.

So without further ado, here’s a little summary of my news:

1. Back to school.

Beth and Emily returned to school and ‘normal service resumed.’

This year I made up for my ‘mum fail’ of last year when Emily had to wear plimsoles on the first day of school because I’d forgotten to check whether her shoes still fitted. This year, Emily had some shiny new shoes for her first day back….and they were from the Clarkes Outlet (bargain!)…and I got the next size up too (Smuggy McSmugface)! I didn’t have to worry about eldest, she went out to buy her own shoes (with our money).

Didn’t the Summer holidays fly by? We had such a lovely six weeks, but I was ready to get back into a routine and have more time to tackle my blog and all the neglected housework. Unfortunately, within a few hours of waving the kids off at the school gates, I remembered this term is the CRAZIEST term of the school year and in some ways it’s even more of a manic juggling act than the summer holidays.

For a start, all of our family birthday’s (and the kid’s parties) are crammed into October and November. How inconsiderate is that?  In October we have our nephew and niece’s birthdays and Beth and Emily’s birthdays, (which are only a week apart). In November, we have even more family birthdays: brother-in-law, mum, me, niece, auntie.

So, yes, we have a crazy term ahead of us and I’m not even going to mention Christmas…Oops!

2. Our Norfolk Adventures.

After nine months of intensive blogging and working ridiculously long hours (for nothing!), I was ready for a break. To be honest, my family were more than ready for me to take a break too.

Before we set off for Sandringham in our touring caravan, I made a point of automating a few blog posts and letting everyone know I was dipping out of blogging and social media for a while to spend quality time with my family.

It was hard to let go of the blog. Not because I wanted to blog rather than be with my family, but because I’d worked so hard to get all the delicately balanced blogging plates spinning, (social media, networking, content, linkys, and the rest). I worried the plates would all come crashing down whilst I was away.

Fortunately, the plates kept spinning and, what’s more, I had a lovely, relaxing break.  More to the point, I left my phone alone (mostly). In fact, even if I was tempted to peep at social media or mess with my blog, Norfolk struggles with the concept of 3G and WiFi so I couldn’t get a signal for most of the holiday anyway. It was bliss, especially as we were blessed with fantastic weather, miraculously choosing the hottest week of the summer to go away.

During our Norfolk break, we got up when we felt like it, went on lots of lovely day trips to the seaside (Wells-next-the-sea, Sheringham, Hunstanton, Holkham) and got our National Trust ‘fix’ at the wonderful Holkham Hall.

Here’s a taste of our adventures:

3. The Amara Interior Blog Awards.

A few months ago I was nominated for Best Craft and DIY blog in the Amara Interior Blog Awards 2016.

Last Wednesday the shortlist was announced.

I didn’t make it.

I’m not going to lie, I was disappointed….Okay, I was gutted! I’d crafted and DIY-ed my butt off over the last few months! But, the competition was fierce and I’m still only a newbie blogger with a small (albeit wonderfully supportive) band of readers.

Despite not making the shortlist, I am very grateful for all of the votes and kind words I’ve received from all of my family, friends and readers. I really do appreciate your support and I feel very blessed.

4. Ikea Hackers.

I’m excited to say my Children’s Ikea Hack Desk Tidy is featured on the Ikeahackers website. This isn’t the first time I’ve featured, my Dining room to Den Ikea Hack Study makeover was published on the site earlier in the year (see link below).

As you will probably know by now, I love a good Ikea Hack and the Ikeahackers website is a fantastic resource for ideas, tips and inspiration. I encourage you to pop across and have a look for yourself, (HERE). You’re bound to find something to make your life easier with such a huge range of clever, inventive hacks to inspire you.  But be warned, it’s easy to spend hours browsing through all the fabulous ideas.

Here are the Ikeahackers links to my projects:

Space-saving Ikea Hack Desk Tidy/Organiser.   

Complete Workstation Desk Home office Ikea hack.

4. Blog-on MSI, Manchester.

I’m off to Manchester this weekend for a blog conference and I can’t wait! As well as learning lots of new things and meeting brands, I’ll get to meet up with some of my blogging friends again. My sister lives nearby, so I’m driving up the night before and staying with her, which gives me chance to have a good old natter and see my gorgeous niece and nephew.

5. ‘Creative Inspirations’.

If you enjoyed my interview with the wonderfully talented Mike Matola of LinebyLine Posters in the first in my ‘Creative Inspirations’ series, I’m hoping you’ll love my next interview.  I can’t wait to tell you all about him, because I know you will be ‘blown away’ by his talent. He’s a hidden gem, destined for greatness. Watch this space.

6. It’s our 18 year wedding anniversary today.

How Richard has put up with my many quirks and foibles over the last 18 years, I’ll never know, but here we are, celebrating 18 years of marriage. I know, we look far too young to have been married that long, but it’s true! We hastily wrote our cards to each other this morning (we did go in separate rooms to write them!).

Later tonight, once the taxi service to and from rowing and gymnastics is finished, we’re going to have a celebratory meal…with the kids.

I don’t mind at all, though, because they are the best gifts this last 18 years has given us.

That’s all folks!

That’s my news! If you have news to share with the group, spill it!

I’d love to hear from you.

*****