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PLATINUM AMBASSADOR SEPTEMBER
A piece I wrote for the September 2024 edition of Platinum Magagzine.
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PLATINUM AMBASSADOR JULY
A piece I wrote for the July 2024 edition of Platinum.
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PLATINUM AMBASSADOR JUNE
A piece I wrote for the Ambassador’s page in the June 2024 edition of Platinum Magazine.
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GETTING INTO THE SWING OF THINGS
A piece I wrote for Good Houskeeping that was part of a four article feature about my love of golf.
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THE RELUCTANT CAMPER
My most recent article published in the July 2023 edition of Prima magazine.
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PROGRESS
Last week has been very productive. I won a commission for a short article and I am waiting on another magazine to make a final decision on another article.
Plus, more work and cleaning up in my kitchen has taken place. It’s now ready for the plasterer!! The kitchen cupboards have also been ordered. Roll on April, when they arrive.
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NEW KITCHEN
My writing has taken a back seat over the last few weeks as the kitchen rip out has begun. Whip woo! At long last. And I’ve still got a working cooker and sink!
Luckily, I have a laundry room where I’ve put all my tins and dried foods. Plus, my partner has set up temporary cupboards and a large worktop area in the conservatory.
One things for certain, walking multiple times a day down the long corridor from the kitchen to the conservatory, will certainly burn off a lot of calories.
So hopefully in a few weeks time I should not only have a brand new kitchen, but I should also be at least 1/2 stone lighter! I can but hope.
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WINTER BLUES
I hate the winter. Short cold days and long dark nights always lower my mood and my energy levels take a dip. Sadly a fractured arm towards the end of last year put paid to any golf or exercise classes (and writing) so my energy levels dropped even further and so did my mood. New Year celebrations never happened after catching a nasty cold over Christmas. Plus, a few weeks of icy conditions meant I couldn’t even go for a walk in case I slipped and injured my arm. Then just when things were getting better and my arm healed enough to drive, I caught a stomach bug. As a result my mood dipped again. Fortunately, I’m finally back to normal health so it’s time to employ the tactics I use every year to lift my mood.
Here are the 7 tips I use to lift my mood over the winter.
- Go for a walk during the day – especially on sunny days.
- Keep exercising – whether it’s the gym, golf, keep fit classes or working out at home.
- Eat healthy food – cook your own soups, casseroles or curries laden with vegetables.
- Go to bed early – snuggle down and relax in a warm bed with a good book or watch a film.
- Take a Vitamin D supplement
- Spend time with friends and family
- Sit in a room that lets in a lot of sunlight or a well lit room.
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GET WRITING
Writers need to write! That means writing most days of the week. Writers also need to be disciplined and organised. So this year I’ve set myself some goals and dedicated specific time slots for my writing projects and I intend sticking to it. No more faffing about!!!
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FRUGALITY
Living thriftily is now my new norm. As I am living on a tight budget, I must think about every penny I spend. Gone are the days when I would go shopping for a new pair of shoes and come home with a new pair of jeans and a top as well. I have budgets for everything I can possibly think of. Food, household bills, clothing, petrol, car, birthday presents, hair cuts, and the dentist, to name but a few.
My lifestyle has definitely changed. These days, most of my spending is essential, though I still enjoy the occasional treat. Basically, being frugal is all about being organised. I do a weekly meal plan, write a shopping list, and grow my own fruit and vegetables to save money on my food bill. I wear additional layers of clothing to keep warm instead of putting the heating on, and I walk a lot more to save spending a fortune on petrol.