Happy 14th To This Boy

Seriously, where is the time going? I have two big teenage boys!

And this one is shooting up! Worried he was going to be short, he's now catching his brother up. He's almost the same height Ben was at 14! (I'm so glad I started measuring their height in my new house. Lord knows what I'm going to do if I have to move. But it really put a smile on Kieran's face when he saw this!)

Although he will give me the teenager attitude, he is always thoughtful, buying gifts for either me or his dad when he goes away. He is the tidiest of the two and does help me around the house. (I don't need to nag too much.) For example, he doesn't leave wet towels on his bedroom floor, like his brother! Grrr!

He's a fantastic footballer, and although he hasn't been able to play much this past year, he's been dedicated to his fitness. He does well in school, the teachers always praising how good he is. So I have to be doing something right. He likes his routine, but lacks a little bit of confidence at times, when he really shouldn't! But we'll work on that. 

Although he still has no fear, and will always be my Kamikaze Kieran! 

Happy 14th Birthday, Kieran! 

I'm extremely proud of the handsome, young man you're turning into. Just be a little kinder to your brother, hey? You love him really! 

Enjoy the TV bed! Although now I don't see you so much as you disappear off to your bedroom like a typical teenager. Come and see me occasionally! Please! You'll always be my little buddy and little joker!

Love you to the moon and back x x x 

One of my favourite photos!

My Lockdown Reflection

I did post something on my Facebook about how I was feeling the other day but I thought I would expand on it in a blog post (as I haven't blogged in ages).

On the 8th of March, my kids will return to school. *fingers crossed* And I have mixed feelings about this. 

I'm not worried about them going back to school with regards to safety or anything like that. I really do believe they need to be in school, not just for learning, but for the social element. However, in some mad, deranged and demented way, I'm going to miss the bickering.

What many may not have realised is that, over the course of a year, their last day in school having been the 17th March 2020, my two boys have only attended 2 full terms in a year. TWO out of six. And even then, those two terms had been disrupted with year groups having to go home to self isolate for 10 days.

For pretty much a year, we've been used to the kids being home. This makes it a habit that we've got used to. So, them returning to school is going to feel weird.

I haven't missed getting packed lunches ready, and the mad dash out the door in the evening for the school clubs and trying to fit dinner in as and when. I've enjoyed all of us having lunch together, our evenings in front of the television as neither have after school clubs to attend, and their continual bickering. (I'm lying about that last part... that is sarcasm!)

I am lucky. At nearly-14 and now-16, both of my boys have home-schooled themselves. I have just checked that they are actually doing their school work and not watching YouTube videos, and have made them cups of tea or coffee - another positive, that they've got into drinking hot drinks! 

Although Lockdown (1, 2 and 3) and the past year have not been easy, and I have more grey hairs - mainly due to not being able to see a hairdresser, and the stress of being a keyworker - there are things that I will always be thankful for.

I am grateful that I've had quality (ish) time with my kids. My two boys are growing up and will soon be of an age where they won't want to sit with their dear old mum to re-watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe of the Avenger films in timeline order. Or binge watch The Mandalorian, Shitt's Creek or How I Met Your Mother with me. We've had walks, we've baked cakes, they've helped with the garden, cooking dinner, and during Lockdown 3 helped with the decorating of my kitchen (it was technically half-term). 

And I've discovered my eldest is a dab hand at building flatpack furniture! (Totally forgot when I arranged the delivery of a new kitchen table and chairs that he'll be back at bloody school!) I have my very own handyman about the house now! 

Therefore, from a woman who isn't very maternal at the best of times, I'm going to miss my kids.

But not the bickering. The school can have that one. 

My 3 Positives A Day Advice

Way back in January, or around the beginning of the year, or at some point, I said I'd talk about my 3 positives a day.

Now, I originally blogged here when I first started doing this : Original blog post can be found here. So feel free to read that post too. 

Basically, back in 2017, I found myself with very low self-esteem after a relationship I thought to be healthy ending very suddenly. I took myself off to counselling because I wasn't really sure I could do this on my own and I'm grateful that I did.

Over 3 years on, and I'm still doing the one activity she set me: to write three positives for that day before I went to bed. 

I now find it's easier to have a page to view diary, so I've got plenty of room to journal (because sometimes I have more than 3 things or I want to write about them more deeply) and I can't lose track of the days!

What does this do?

It means I don't dwell on the negatives, and at the end of the year, I only look back and see positive things. EVEN in a year like 2020! (And I think my self-esteem has improved).

So it's not too late. It's the beginning of February! (Sorry I'm late at posting this.) Grab a diary, journal or a notepad. Put it by your bed with a pen... And write three positives a day.

Some days are harder. Some days it might be the sun was shining and at least I got out for a ten minute walk. But do not - and this is very important - do not note or dwell too much on the negatives. Really try hard to only put the positives in, even if you've had the shittiest day on record. Just think about the positives... 

And then come tell me what you think and feel in a year... 

*I've finished reading The Miracle Morning, and Hal Elrod recommends scribing/writing (it's one of his Life SAVERS) in the morning. I've decided that mine can easily wait until the end of the day, as I wouldn't want to stop this process. But Hal is right, it is good to have something to look back on. However, sometimes, I don't even need to do that. I just know my year has been a good year, or has had many positive points to it. 

Latest Newsletter is out...

If you haven't subscribed already, here's my latest newsletter.

And in other news, I've just seen that One Fine Day is available in Kindle Unlimited! Download here!

Below is the blurb! While we're in lockdown 3, I recommend that you stay home and curl up with a good book on the sofa. 

Just a boy standing in front of a girl…

Actor Steve Mason has it all … gorgeous looks, the perfect starlet girlfriend hanging on his arm and his name on every Hollywood producer’s lips. That is, until it turns out the ‘perfect girl’ is actually a perfect PR stunt! Dumped and with his name plastered across every tabloid headline, Steve decides to head home to England, questioning if he’ll ever find a woman who genuinely loves him for who he is, and not just his place on the Sexiest Man Alive list.

It’s been fifteen long years since Ruby last saw her big brother – but the new LA version of Steve complete with designer wardrobe, California tan and an American accent is too much to bear – Ruby hardly recognises him and decides it’s time to get her brother back!

With Ruby’s help, Steve goes undercover as he plays the part of a regular guy who leads a regular life. And then one perfectly fine, ordinary day he meets lovely, funny, down-to-earth Lydia. But when Hollywood comes calling, will Steve be able to leave both Lydia and his little sister behind?

Happy New Year, everyone!

I don't know about you, but I'm not going to hold out too much hope for 2021 (yet) but like many, if not all of the planet, I think we can safely say we can't wait to see the back of 2020!

I will be spending New Year's Eve on my own. So, sadly, it's going to be a pretty lame end to a pretty lame year for me. 

I'm wondering if it is worth waiting up until midnight. Big Ben will chime, but there will be no fireworks. (I am thinking this will save a lot of money, and considering the economic climate, can we really afford to blow up millions of pounds? So I am pleased with this decision.)

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I'm not very good at these. I have some goals set for my new business, targets I would like to reach. But other than that, I suppose I want to exercise a bit more (once the hamstring is sorted), network more, sort the boys' bedrooms out - as I have two mini-adults in the house now - and to catch up with old friends, as well as make new ones. I want more mini-adventures - they were pretty scarce this year!  

I should have two books coming out in 2021, so I suppose I want to make them the best they can be. 

But my real goal this new year will be to build my business. I have seen that it has the potential to improve my life, give me the financial independence I need to continue writing, help my sons' through their educational paths, and enable me to live a life I wish to live. But it's not a get rich quick scheme. I need to put the work in, share my new venture. This is a long term goal.

The great thing about my business is that it is about helping people save money, and/or they too can do what I do, and set themselves on a different path. One of being their own boss, in charge of their own time management, and finding financial freedom. 

Earlier this year, I read a book as part of my self-development for my new venture. It's called The Consistency Chain For Network Marketing by George Campbell and Jim Packard. 

The book looks at the 20%ers and the 80%ers. 

Now I'm definitely a 20%er when it comes to health and fitness. I'm already getting up earlier every morning to exercise. And my diet isn't bad (although I could try to squeeze in more fruit and veg). I rarely break that consistency chain. It is now a habit. So I need to take this mindset towards my business and my writing, and become a 20%er in those areas - and I will benefit in results! 

You may not be in Network Marketing, but you might be looking at how to lose weight, or you own your own business, or you may even have something else that you're good at sabotaging. Do you need to finish that book you're writing? 

This book WILL help you. It's about consistency. I really can recommend it.

I can honestly say, even with the shittiest year on record, (it started great but about March is started going wrong for everyone) I'm in a really good place. I'm happy, and single. And happy for it to stay that way. Next year will be about more self-development - because I love reading books - and just growing as a person. I still have so much to learn. 

I do love this! My nickname is Patsy after all.

Happy New Year, everyone. I seriously believe a party is what you make it. Life is tough, and it's easier said than done to stay positive. But try. Xxxx 

(I will write more about my three positives a day and how this has changed my life.) 

Love, happiness & good health to you all, 

Teresa