Tales from a surburban housewife part two............

So the new year has begun,the weather has been slightly kinder here in the bleak North,but despite the feeling of optimism I am currently cultivating at the moment,so far life is slightly hum drum.Oh dear.

I feel that change is ahead.....but I feel both heady excitement and abject terror at the thought,hmmm.

In the meantime,I do what I do best,I plod on,I get on with the day job because it pays the bills,loving it some days hating it others,but remaining thankful for the income.I would like to know what lies ahead for me,but I simply cant,some days I wonder if I am on the right path and where it will lead.

I am aware that this year I need to be a bit more attentive to my own needs and look at the bigger picture.I need to make some choices this year,I love my Vintage business but sometimes its just darned hard work when juggling a day job and family also,but can I give it up? and Good Lord whatever would I do with all that stock?

On a brighter note...spring will soon be here,I can tend my garden,visit my allotment and eat salad.

This year I am going to actually celebrate my Birthday ( I dont normally,dont ask am way down on the agenda) I am going to learn something new(not sure what just yet)I am going to make a list of all the books I simply must read and reserve them at the library.

My 'to do list' is quite simply endless.

But top of my list is....I am going to be brave.

On Resolutions.........

Is it just me or has the New Year filled you with the kind of reckless enthusiasm usually reserved for the Top shop sale? are the Christmas shackles finally off? no more losing sleep over planning what seemed like a military operation,when actually it really was just a Sunday lunch with gifts thrown in.

Ah me! it feels good to be free.

Are you looking forward to 2011,To better weather(couldnt be worse frankly) hopefully a long hot summer,will you fall in love,find your dream job,finally learn to meditate?

Have you made New Year Resolutions ? Hmmm always tricky methinks,I do so hate mine to involve the words Diet,Detox,Gym etc. because,well life is just to darn short! wasnt it Shirley Conran who coined the phrase " Life is too short to stuff a mushroom" and I so know what she meant,so for 2011 I really feel that its time to get happy,to have that extra Martini (fear not I am not about to turn into Blanche Dubois!) to take a few more risks,follow my heart and not be afraid.Life really is a huge gift and how blessed I am,I look at my children every day and offer up a silent prayer of thanks,but sometimes,just sometimes I catch a glimpse of myself and I have to ask " Oh!...... who are you again?"

Its time to find out.

So! here we go,in 2011 I am going to........

1) Eat more takeaways!......It wont kill them to do without home cooking once a week.

2)Throw away some of that huge pile of ironing.Its the only way.

3)Stop buying trashy magazines BUT replace them with fabulous bargain books from Amazon,you know it makes sense.

4) De clutter my wardrobe and keep only items which make me feel fabulous.

5)Wear high heels every day.Why not?

6)Spend much more time with my girl friends,whether it be coffee or cocktails,these women keep me afloat.

7)Invest in a pair of Chanel sunglasses.I will do without food if I have to.

8)Watch my complete set of Sex and the city DVDs from the start.I need to release my inner Carrie Bradshaw.

9)Drink Martinis at least once a week,perhaps learn to like olives.

10)Live,love ,laugh.......often.

What do you think? is it going to be a good one?

You bet it is!!!!!!!

New beginnings................

So.....2011 is almost upon us! out with the old and in with the new! I feel as though the next year is going to be a good one and I am going into it with a hopeful and happy heart, the new year is a blank page and I hope all of us fill that page with an amazing story or two! May 2011 be everything you hope for dear friends,be healthy,be happy,be loved.

Happy New Year! xxxx

Christmas love.................

Wishing all of my lovely friends a Happy Christmas and a healthy and abundant New Year.

My wishes for all of you are that in 2011 all of your dreams come true,that you and yours remain safe and healthy.......and that you are loved and cherished every single day!

Thank you for being my friends.

Gena xxx

So this is Christmas.....

Unraveling.......

It is that time of year again.The time when slowly but surely.....I come undone.

At this moment I am indoors whilst outdoors rages the coldest whitest winter I have ever seen,I have not been able to work,my stress levels have soared and reached an all time high,the day job is impossible to do in this weather and I am panicking.

It is twenty two days until Christmas,I have not done ANY Christmas shopping,I have not wrote a single card and the thought of decorating the house fills me with no joy whatsoever.Bah Humbug.I had a big disappointment this week which made my mood plummet,but hey ho.

I am aware of course that I seriously need to cheer up,count my blessings,think of those less fortunate than me etc. and I do.Truly.Sometimes.

I read a very useful exercise in grattitude this week in a book I got from the library,it suggested that for every negative thought you have you should replace it with something positive that you are thankful for,so in an effort to become a better more festive person,here is my grattitude list,Hell before you know it I will be dressing like a sexy elf and singing carols!

I am grateful for.......

1.Epsom salts.No I am not joking,throw a box in the bath and you will feel virtuous I promise.

2.A glass of bubbly in a candle lit bath,even if it is just cava brut!

3.My new sparkly bracelet.It makes my arm green but I couldnt love it more.

4.Facebook...yes I know! but I have some lovely chums on fb and we have such fun!

5.Desperate housewives on Sunday night,I so want to live on Wisteria Lane!

6.Text messages ........thrilling! however did we do without them before?

7.Finding beautiful,stylish well made vintage clothing...it still takes my breath away.

8.Cath Kidston tea towels...nuf said.

9.Baking a big fat fluffy Victoria sandwich cake!

10.Hope.The belief that its all going to be ok....eventually.

See....I am feeling much more chipper already!

On smiling on the outside..........................

OH DEAR GOD!!!!

Yet again,Christmas is looming and I am slowly unravelling.I have not done any shopping,due mainly to lack of funds,lack of time and frankly....lack of interest.I am deeply ashamed that I do not embrace the festive season the way many people do,how I would love to be the type of Woman who had it all wrapped up in October and spent the rest of her time participating in homely,crafty pursuits.But,alas....I am not.Whats in it for me? very little,lots of running around for one bloody day! Bah humbug!

I am so busy these days,where has this year gone? On the upside,I have been sourcing some wonderful vintage goodies for the website which never ceases to thrill me,I am ashamedly addicted to 'I'm a celebrity....' (dont start me off on Gillian Mckeith!) I have developed a penchant for candlelit bathtime with a glass of bubbly and as usual at this time of the year,have sucumbed to a rather bothersome satsuma addiction. I am keeping a journal,making wishlists for 2011.....and waiting,always waiting...and smiling....on the outside at least.