150 word story for Writerly Corner

Flash fiction prompt provided by http://www.writerlycorner.com/writerly-prompts/writerly-wednesday-6222016

Family time

Finally we all piled into the car.  This was already turning into a traumatic event – so much for the family spending more quality time together!  It was supposed to be a lovely day and, in a moment of madness, I’d suggested a daytrip to the seaside.  Whilst the youngest two of our clan, aged 5 and 9, thought this was a great idea and bounded out of their beds, our 12 year old-going-on-teenager was less than impressed with the idea of spending a WHOLE day with his family.  Undeterred a picnic was packed and the car loaded up.  The shingle beach crunched under our feet as we found the perfect spot.  The sea was calm and the sky was blue.  I breathed a sigh of satisfaction as even zombie-teenager showed a glimpse of being human, taking off his shoes and running around, laughing and playing with his brother and sister.

Renewed energy and hopefully a bit of fizz!

Well after suffering a bug and the elections, I missed swimming completely last week.

This week I'm making a renewed effort! I even contemplated trying the gym out before swimming, then I made myself a cup of coffee, sat down and gave myself a good talking to for even thinking of such a thing!!  Needless to say, I've only made it in time for swimming!

However, this is after a trip to the local health shop in search of essential oils and Wilkos home brewing section for some citric acid (although at that point the wine making kit was looking more tempting!!).  Let me explain.  A few weeks ago I introduced the kids to the world of bath bombs. What a mistake - they love them!! Of course they do, who wouldn't?!  They also cost a bomb (another reason for their name maybe!).  After the  disappointment on their faces when I said these were treats and not for every bath time, I decided to see how hard they are to make.  If I believe the numerous 'easy' recipes, it should be a doddle!! Hence the purchase of the above to give it a go!

This is a great activity for kids, apparently, although I think I should definitely check it out first in case a) I manage to blow myself, the house, or both up (I have a strong feeling that me and anything with the word bomb in it is destined for disaster!); or b) it turns out to be far too much fun for kids!

Watch this space..................

A Very Sad Day

On Friday we said goodbye to a very special man, our neighbour of 11 years, Grampy Cliff. He was so lovely, he always had a cheeky smile on his face and was always out and about, whether he was off to the bowls club or out for lunch. He had a better social life than anyone else I know.  We often used to chat out the front or over the garden wall. He'd give the kids some of his tomatoes and once, when Faye was little, she said she had something for him too. She ran off and came back and gave him a handful of gravel, he acted as though it was the best present he'd ever had and I can still remember her beaming, so pleased that he liked her gift. He was loved by us all and he's going to be missed so much.

Rest In Peace Grampy Cliff ❤ xxx

Democracy

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Jo Cox's family.

The whole point of democracy is that we are each entitled to our own opinion. Disagreeing with someone else's viewpoint does not give anyone the right to kill them.

It makes no difference whether you're in the Remain camp or the Brexit camp. Everyone's decision is based on things that are important to them and no-one has the right to tell anyone else how they should or shouldn't feel about any of it. People are allowed to be passionate and express their thoughts, that doesn't mean everyone will agree with them, and they wouldn't be expected to, but we live in a democratic country and we all have the right to express our views.  We are all allowed to make our own decision, vote accordingly and be safe doing so.

That's what democracy is all about.

Tranquil Thursdays

As it happens......it was!

Whether people were staying away to watch the footy I don't know, but, whatever the reason, the pool was practically empty!  I even managed 32 lengths!

The highlight of the trip though was on my way in, following two women who were going to the gym.  One of whom had the littlest shorts on imaginable, I mean, they didn't even attempt to cover her bum cheeks.  Now there are some women, even I can appreciate, who would have the figure to carry those shorts off and look sickeningly great in them.  However, she unfortunately was not one of those people but apparently was of the opinion she was......

Nevertheless, I admire her bravery and confidence - and it amused me no end!!!

Euro

Without any offence to any other countries....

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!

Comments

I have been reliably informed that there have been some problems with leaving comments on my blog - hopefully this has now been sorted but, if you do have any problems, please let me know!

Wednesday - Super Swimmer's Day?

Well it's taken a few days but I finally made it back to the pool! Not only to swim,  but to SIGN UP! I now have a full gym membership (but daytime only, they don't want me scaring the 'proper' gym people away obviously!!).  What have I done??!! Groan. .... Ok, I'll admit it, I have only signed up on a non-contractual basis because, while I'm off work and free in the daytime, it was the cheapest option! I do now, however, have full access to the gym, pool, and sauna  (within my times of course) and my joining fee was waived ad long as I liked the pool and shared a post on Facebook.  So, all in all, it's a win-win! Now though I actually have to go there at least 2 to 3 times a week to make it worthwhile! Who knows, maybe I'll even try out the gym one day.......

There was an additional problem of the previous company not cancelling my prior membership properly and when I was asked if I was a 'frozen member', all I could think of was Disney and I just stood looking blankly at the poor lady with the lyrics of 'Let it go' going round unhelpfully in my head!!

Anyway, it all got sorted and I finally made it into the pool, 45 mins later than planned but optimistic I could still get a few lengths in. It was busier today, mainly with the pensioner elites who were whizzing up and down the pool at a speed which did nothing for my self esteem.  Neither did the gentleman who very politely asked "are you still resting love?" as I was doing goldfish impressions getting my breath back at the end of pool, because he didn't want to push in ahead of me. Push in as much as you like I thought as I tried to smile sweetly and waved him past.  I didn't think I'd been 'resting' long enough to warrant the still in the question though!!

Hopefully I'll get chance to go again tomorrow before the football starts - maybe Thursdays are quieter!!

My first '81 words' entry

It was actually much harder to do this than I thought it would be!! Give it a go!! www.81words.net

The Dress

“Buy me!” the gorgeous dress in the little boutique seemed to say again as she walked past, but she had nowhere to wear it. She sighed as she continued on to the bar for a much needed glass of Pinot Grigio. She noticed he was here again. He looked nervous. As he passed her table he slipped her a piece of paper. She read it and smiled, leaving the bar and practically skipping back to the boutique to claim the dress.

Help!

I need help!  Something many people have probably thought for a long time but I actually mean help with this blogging lark!

If anyone else blogs then maybe you could give me some tips.

If you don't blog and just have the misfortune of coming across mine, then maybe you can inspire me on what to blog about!  My life really isn't all that interesting and I don't want to bore people!

I started this thing as I want to start writing - so if there are any writers out there, maybe you could help me with tips on how and/or where to start?

Hope to hear from someone soon!!!

Swimming

Well, after more than 6 months of inactivity I decided to go swimming today. I've not been swimming properly for, I don't know, must be over 2 years! Our local pool had been revamped and I felt quite nervous on the way but it turned out to be a much better experience than I expected! It was lunchtime so it wasn't too busy.  There were 3 lanes and I, obviously, chose the slow one! Even then I was still overtaken by a gentleman almost twice my age! But I stuck at it, stopping every two lengths to get my breath back and happy that most of the other swimmers were doing the same! I was obviously 'resting' a lot as I seemed to have the same "Oooo the water's cold!" "Oh don't worry you'll soon warm up!" conversation several times! I made 20 lengths before my mind started trying to make excuses to get out, you need the loo, no I don't, you're tummy's rumbling, you need to eat, No, I  don't! However tempting it was to give in and get out, by this time I was determined I was going to make 30 lengths - and I did! I was stupidly chuffed with myself!  At which point I really did need the loo and learned 2 important lessons 1) always check the loo roll situation before sitting down, and 2) never go to the loo in a wet swimsuit as once down,  it ain't going back up! I was more knackered wrestling myself back into my swimsuit than I was doing the 30 lengths!! I even considered risking it and legging it back to my locker half 'dressed' but decided that would only end even more badly! I finally made it to the shower and discovered it took a minimum of 20 presses of the button to get the shampoo out of the frizzy mop that is my hair. Hardly a power shower!  Lesson 3) the shower gets increasingly hotter with each press of the button......😕  With all my lessons learnt, I'm now actually looking forward to going back next week!

Why I'm doing this!

I'm 43 years old and live in Leicestershire with my family, my daughter is 9 and my son is 3. I'm currently off work and one day,  when complaining about being bored, my best friend told me to write a book. I laughed at the idea, but it kept coming back to me and I thought "why not?".  Having no idea where to start I turned to my ever handy phone and Google. There were lots of sites to submit short stories to etc., all providing links to add to your blog. Hmmmm.... a blog. I didn't have one. I didn't know how to get one. I didn't know how to use one and I still don't! And so it was back to Google I went again! I have now, somehow, managed to create this! What I'm supposed to do with it now I have no idea! I guess I'm just going to have to play it by ear and see what happens! If anyone ever actually reads this, any tips would be greatly appreciated!!