Ive lost my blogging mojo .....

So I have been blogging for a few years now. At first it was all new and a bit weird but then I got the fever and went for it hell for leather. I was keen and ready to prove there was life in the old dog yet! I had no idea of rankings or chart positions other than the top 100 music charts, and frankly I was out of date with that as well!
I was shocked that people enjoyed reading and interacting with me, and delighted when I started to creep up the rank charts. I had no idea why or how I was achieving that but I was pleased anyway.
Then I started to get the bug and wanted to push on up further and further . Well I think that is where I went wrong ! It seemed the more I tried the worse my position got and I dropped and dropped. I have ( and still have) no idea where I was going wrong. One month just as an experiment I posted something every single day for a month and still dropped.
I guess in the end it comes down to content and not how many times you post. I have had to sit myself down and remind myself of why I stuck it out at the start.
It was more my online diary , a place to record my life in words and pictures not as anything other than that.
I still enjoy doing that and if some weeks I do not feel like posting then that's fine too, if I tumble away to the rock bottom of the rank lists that's ok too.
I am doing it for me and It has got to be fun and not something I feel I have to do .
Don't get me wrong I would like to climb back up and even reach the top 100 but if that never happens then that's ok as well.
If you are lucky to be up there I say " well done" its takes a lot of work to get there and more important to stay there.
I am here waving from the bottom lol.

Image from franswaine.com

Silent Sunday:29/03/15

My Blog World

So its Monday and time to link up again with everyone over at The Oliver's Madhouse. To be honest I have had to push myself to do a post because the last few weeks have been stressful. My very granddaughter was sick and in hospital and it was double worry for her and my daughter. Thankfully she is home and I hope on the mend.

So I was sitting thinking about my blog. I have not been as active as I would normally as there has been so much going on. I hope to pull that back up but if not then I will carry on and think why I started this journey in first place.
My niece is a very creative and good blogger and I credit her with getting me started. She was telling me about her blog The syders and said I should try. I thought she was mad because what did I know and who on earth would read it.

She set me up and off I went ! I have made mistakes are probably will still but in general I have kept it going and learnt so much. I have "Met" so many kind and nice people online and lots of cyber sisters who are always around.
I am shocked that this year I have had the courage to be going to Britmums live and even more shocked I have a sponsor!! Who would have thought. My sponsor is Life Story Bank which is a wonderful way to record and store you life stories for your relatives. I am slowly tying to get mine down for my family, and I so wish my parents had done the same. So I am excited but I have to add very nervous about it all. I am also looking forward to meeting some of my "Cyber" sisters that I chat to, and more important do a good job for Life story bank.

So its been a rocky road these last few weeks but I have much to look forward to this year

Silent Sunday:- 22/03/15

2am I am still awake

So its 2am and I am sitting here on the computer when I should be sleeping! I spend most of my days feeling sick and worn out, then when I should be sleeping I am wide awake. So is the life of someone with chronic pain and Fibromyalgia. I have learnt to cope with the pain , I have to live with the weight gain and lack of fitness but its hard. Just recently I have had a problem and getting past each day has been a struggle to say the least. I may look healthy from the outside (apart from being fat) but its far from the truth.
So I will carry on but its so not easy or fun as I am a total worrier as well.
See you after I try to get some sleep ...........................

Cake and Bake Show 2015

I am very excited today as I bring new of a fab Cake show for later this year. It will be held in a few venues so plenty of chances for you all to go. I am lucky to be able to offer a great money off offer for tickets saving you a whole £3 off the ticket price , now you have to admit that is a fab deal. I will be bringing you lots of info over time about the event but you can also find out loads on the web site. So if like me you love to Bake buy your ticket today!


“The Cake & and; Bake Show, in association with NEFF is an experiential live event for baking and cake fanatics. The event is set to turn up the heat with 4 new exciting shows in Harrogate, London, Manchester and Edinburgh. These events have capitalised on the popularity of all things baking and host the perfect mix of live demonstrations, expert classes, market stands, live competitions and so much more to develop your home baking hobby! Book yours before 30th March and save £3 on tickets!

PLUS! See and meet renowned baking stars, patisserie experts and the industry's best cake decorators. From demonstrations on the Super Cake & Bake Theatre in association with NEFF, to do-along classroom sessions and book signings - there will be lots of opportunities for you to learn from the best! Tickets are now on sale! Just quote CAKE-BAKE3 when purchasing to receive £3 off tickets!”

Ticket offer t&cs- please list if/where possible:*Offer valid on Adult full price advance tickets only. Offer ends 30.03.15. Ticket terms and conditions apply. Information correct at time of print.

www.thecakeandbakeshow.co.uk

Mother love

So Sunday this week was Mother's Day for us in the UK. It's always a bit bitter sweet for me as it is also the day my mum passed away. It's been a long time now so I can think of her without sadness and instead happy memories. My mum was my best friend and I adored her. She was a strong independent lady and did so much with her life.  Even when I moved away I would walk up a steep hill to a telephone box (no mobiles then lol) just to talk to her.  She was a keen writer and I think if she was alive today, would be a blogger. I hope that I have been just as good a mum to my two children as she was to me. I love the above picture of my mum (in the front) , my nan next to her and a great aunt and aunt behind. A wonderful group of strong ladies .

www.theoliversmadhouse.co.uk

Sient Sunday:15/03/15

The Long Lost Post

Those who come along to read my blog often, will notice this week there have been no posts. I am really sorry for that but its been one of those weeks. I firstly have been that worn out I could not even get my fingers to the computer, let alone think of something interesting to say. I live with chronic pain and for the most I fight it, but the last 7 weeks I have been sick with one minor thing after another. That can drain your energy,
This week I also got the chance to sit at the feet so to speak of a wonderful cake artist called ~Carlos Lischetti and learn how to model in sugar. It was a wonderful gift from my husband and even though I was sick I loved what I learnt.

Sadly the week didn't end as well as it started with my new 7 week granddaughter getting sick and having to go into hospital. She seems to be doing much better now so we are hoping they are finding answers to help her. Its still a worry when they are so small as she was five weeks prem.

So please please bare with me ok. I will be back and normal service with resume when I get my head in gear xxxxx

Silent Sunday:8/3/15

Monday blessings

So its Monday again and time to count my blessing with The Oliver's madhouse again. The last year has been a bit mad in one way or another. I have to say in a very good way its been mad lol. Last June we became grandparents for the first time. Our grandson Nathan Charles was born on the 8th and a whole new world began for us. It really seems only seconds I was that very young bride or young mum, now I was a grandma!!! Was I really that old ...... sadly yes! He is a dear little boy and he in turn is growing up so so fast. I love this picture of him as its so cute and funny it makes me smile.

Nathan being cool

Matthew and Karen with their new son Nathan

Then just a week after Nathan was born our daughter told us she was expecting. So in the space of a few days we became grandparents to one and one on the way. Mind blowing stuff! My daughter had a tough time during her pregnancy and then went into labour 5 weeks early. On January 22nd 2015 our granddaughter Grace Rose was born weighing just 4 lbs 14 and so so tiny. She was tough and soon was on her way home with mum and dad. She too is growing and we are truly blessed not only to have wonderful children and their partners but to also be lucky to have two beautiful
grandchildren.

Ian and Natalie and their new daughter Grace 

Natalie and Grace

So even though I am clearly not old enough I will be waiting for the first time they call me Nanny!

Nathan and Grace

Silent Sunday:1/3/15