21 Years Being A Mum

Happy 21st Birthday, Ben - my first born, who made me a mummy! 

So I'm celebrating 21 years of being a parent. 

I can still remember the moment you were born, laid out on my tummy, blue eyes staring back at me.  

I'm incredibly proud of the young man you've become. 

Don't get me wrong, you still drive me potty at times, taking your time to do things, as you did coming into this world (33 hours of labour!) but I love that you have your own style, loving to dress up to the occasion. 

As well as liking to get dressed up, even in fancy dress, you're also happy to rough it camping, surfing, walking, also being outdoorsy. 

(Obligatory new born photo - one of my favourites)

You'll even entertain your old mum in things not deemed 'cool' (by your younger brother.) You're good fun and always happy to participate in whatever we suggest. 

I love that you'll even share a bottle of wine with me. 😍 (You'll make a great date when the right young lady comes along!)

I'm so proud you're working hard in your apprenticeship, training to be a construction engineer. 

I love that you like the finer things in life and know to work hard to achieve them. 

Keep being you, keep working hard, have fun and enjoy life, and maybe tidy your room occasionally...

Lots of love, 

One very proud mum. 

Xxx

(I scheduled this blog post to go live the minute you were born... 6.36am)

This Little Man Is TEN

Ten years ago, when I was thinking of getting a budgie, I never realised what an impact such a little creature would have. 

And I never imagined he'd be with us for ten years either. I thought he'd be like mice or gerbils and only live for a couple of years! 

I wanted a pet in the house, but I didn't want a cat or a dog. My house is too small, and as a single mum on a budget, I knew I couldn't afford the extra direct debit of pet insurance. And all the other extra costs an animal can bring. Cats and dogs cost a lot more to feed than a budgie! 

After some discussion with a friend on Insta who owned budgies, asking about their upkeep and doing some research, I bought him as a pet for the boys but I did say he would be mine. Then I didn't need to nag them to feed him or clean him out. He would be my responsibility. 

I chose Rio, because I knew I wanted a turquoise blue colour budgie, but the boys did name him. I remember clearly, as if yesterday, we were walking to school (because they were that young!) and we were discussing naming our new pet and what was the blue bird called in the film Rio. He was called Blue and we decided that wasn't really original, and at the time, my son (Ben) said, 'Why don't we call him Rio.' 

And that was that. On the 7th October 2015, as a birthday present to me from me, I bought Rio.

For such a little bird, he is a big character in our home - and can be noisy! (Only during the day.)

Budgies live till ten years old, so I do know our time maybe limited now with this little fellow. But there is so much love for this cheeky chappie. 

My Manuscript Has Left The Building

So could we please have all fingers and toes crossed! 

I've resent my manuscript off to two publishers with some edits suggested by one of the editors. 

I've weaved in more of the post office and the scandal - that's another blog post - as well as changed the prologue. 

But I'm still not confident it's enough. 

This story is not different to the style of my other six, but I'm struggling to get the attention of a publisher (or an agent.)

I write warm, fun, and uplifting romances. I try to keep it real for the reader within reason. It's escapism but I like my heroes to be in real situations, so the reader can feel like they'd bump into them on the street. 

I love all the heroes I write, but this one may well be my favourite. So it's frustrating that I can't get him out in the world! 

Actually, all the heroes I've written are always my favourite at the time of writing them, and if I had to choose which was my favourite book I'd written, I don't think I could actually choose.

Plus One is one of my favourite tropes. One Fine Day has Superman references, and is inspired by Bradley Cooper, and whilst writing Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage I was picturing the gorgeous Henry Cavill who I had a huge crush at the time. (Still have, it if truth be told.) 

But this particular hero is not as traditional as the ones I usually write. He's a little darker, distant, rough around the edges. Yet, he's got such a kind heart. He's looks a complete mess, covered in oil as a motor mechanic, but scrubs up hot hot hot! I can't even imagine telling you who my inspiration is for this hero, or what show he comes from as it is far from romantic. 

Anyway, my out of office is on. I'm going to bury my head in cocktails and Cypriot food for the next week. I have decided, as this book has been two years in the constant writing and editing, I may well self-publish it, just to get it out there, while I find a publishing home for it. 

Watch this space. 

Plus One is a Lucky Number - Book Birthday!

You know how your first child makes you a mum (or dad). Well, my first book made me officially an author. 

Obviously, you're always a writer if you write. 

But it's not until you're holding that book in your hand (if you're lucky enough to get it into paperback) or seeing it on a good ebook seller site - published! - that you don't really feel like an author. (Well, I didn't, anyway.) 

Plus One is a Lucky Number was published on the 29th August 2013. (Yes, I know I'm a day late.)

And I became an author! 

The paperback came out on the 8th May 2014 - which was the best feeling ever too! To hold your paperback! 

This is my FAVOURITE romance trope. I love the whole fake dating, pretending to be a relationship. My favourite rom coms are The Wedding Date and Just Go With It and even The Proposal. 

Plus One is a Lucky Number had a new book cover last year. 

Here's the blurb: 

A swoon-worthy, fake dating romance perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and The Proposal!

Sophie Trewyn is going to a wedding where the invite is strictly Plus One.

But with her single-girl status not quite complying with the dress code, and the best man being none other than the shady ex she would rather forget, Sophie needs a wedding favour and she needs it fast…

Enter dreamy co-worker, Adam Reid. But after the wedding weekend, on the sunny Cornish coast, Sophie must decide… is their relationship real or is it all for show?

Buy here :)  and at all other great eBook sites. 

Me holding my paperback for the 1st time!

Happy birthday, Plus One is a Lucky Number! 

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday we celebrated my dad's birthday. He was 80! 

He doesn't look it or act it, mind you! 

He can out cycle me and walk for miles and miles. He doesn't ever get tired! 

We were planning on a trip to visit the steam trains (Bishops Lydeard to Minehead) which was the day out we used to do when the boys were much smaller, Dad's birthday falling in the school holidays. 

But they no longer run on a Friday - which was his birthday!  

So we did our next favourite thing, other than visit a National Trust place, and visited Slimbridge, The Wetlands.

The last time the boys and I went, we were coming out of lockdown, and Dad didn't come with us. (I used to have membership.) 

It was FAB to get to feed the birds again, especially one very confident swan. 

Ben, never a lover of dogs, is not afraid of swans!

Slimbridge did not disappoint. There had been some further updates and new bits to explore.

It brought out the big kids in us, although we didn't venture into Wellyboot Land - they grew out of that area years ago!

But it was a tranquil day bird watching, with a canoe safari thrown in for fun, too.

The cutest thing was watching one of the otters sunbathing and playing with her stone. 

And finally, after all the years we've been visiting, we saw the water voles! Hurrah! 

Plus we picked up a couple of Gromit Unleashed sculptures, as came home via the A38 (rather than M5) and stopped at Thornbury, too. 

All in all, we had a Grand Day out! 

Happy birthday, Dad! 

My garden would not look as awesome as it does without your assistance. 

I am always grateful the help you've given me over the years. Not sure where I would be without you.

Here's to more fun days out!  

Love Teresa x x x