Jaye’s Week… Grazing…

January 5, 2023January 4, 2023 / Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 30 Comments

For most of 2022, I had been flitting from one job to another, spending a few futile moments with each. I was desperately hoping for inspiration, but none of these jobs inspired me, so no progress there.

I am still not quite back to normal life after covid and have discovered a collection of non-functioning cells in my head, masquerading as a brain. A brain that seems to have forgotten how to switch on and get on with anything. I have my fingers crossed that this after-effect of covid will pass, and the sooner, the better!

All through 2022, I honestly thought my writing days were over, as I hadn’t had any inspirational moments in what seemed like forever, and this was starting to seriously upset me.

I didn’t give up, though; perish the thought! I persevered, spending all my spare time re-reading the words languishing on the page. Trying desperately to trigger a little inspiration, something I could work with.

Finally, I had a breakthrough and managed to write several chapters for the WIP, and it felt so good to be back in the saddle. At least, I hope that’s where I am at the moment.

If last year has taught us anything, though, there’s no point worrying about anything anymore.

The house gets grubbier every day, and going out has definitely lost its appeal. There are still plenty of germs out there, just waiting to grab us!

The weather has been appalling, and we haven’t set foot in the garden for ages.

Our health is the worst it has ever been, to the extent that we now need another carer to take care of us. Seriously though, we are managing to take care of each other. Not very well, I must admit, but it’s better than nothing.

We hope that 2023 is ready to take on our expectations and find ways to cheer us all up…

We still haven’t had any snow, and it doesn’t look like we will.

I still haven’t had time to assess our progress or decide the best way forward this year. Basically, I just want to curl up on the couch and sleep.

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2022December 31, 2022 / Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 19 Comments

Time for a Change?

December 30, 2022December 30, 2022 / Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 18 Comments

Image by John Hain from Pixabay

At this time of year, we usually talk about the new year and what we might expect or plan to do with it, but honestly, for once we cannot be asked. We will carry on as normal, rather than waiting to see if it will be worth getting out of bed. I mean, the New Year could simply be waiting to start being brilliant!

Since we began blogging in 2012, we have done rather well considering how much there was to learn. However, we have the feeling we won’t progress any further until we find new areas to develop. We also need to figure out what else we need to know, for we haven’t sold a huge amount of books. Luckily, the writing is going well so that is something to build on.

Maybe our goal for 2023 should be to stop worrying, slow down a bit and smell the roses?

I usually feel sad on New Year’s Eve, but I have a feeling I won’t this year, for it has been a right old mixed bag of pain, frustration and depression, with hardly any good bits!

I normally open all the doors as Big Ben chimes at midnight to allow the old year to limp away. This year I will be sorely tempted to help it on its way with my foot!

Come on in 2023 and show us all a little more peace and joy, pretty please?

Christmas Passing…

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 / Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes / 11 Comments

Image by Angeles Balaguer from Pixabay

Christmas Eve is always a busy day in our house, although these days, it is a very different kind of busy.

I have fond memories of the good old days when our family came to our house for Christmas dinner. In the beginning, it was comfortable, but as the family grew over the years, it really took some organising.

The cooking was never a problem, as I can cope with almost anything in the kitchen, big or small. Fitting everyone around the table proved hilarious at times. We never had enough chairs, so there was always one person perched on something precarious.

These days our house is too small (and we are getting too old.) We don’t have anywhere near enough chairs or even a big enough table, so we have been succeeded by a granddaughter, one with a large house and a fantastic cook for a husband.

When this arrangement started, it was a strange novelty, eating a meal that I had not cooked, and I didn’t expect to like it, but I did, and now, I always look forward to having the day off.

We wanted Christmas to be special this year but could not have foreseen what 2022 had in store for all of us. Would the ghost of this dying year spoil the holiday?

It feels right for the first time ever that the year is slowly dying, slipping away unnoticed among all the chaos and misery.

We feel the same way as the ghost of Christmas present hovers in the doorway like an unwelcome guest, unsure as we all are as to what will happen next.

2023 is just a few days away, a brand-new year.

A year we are beginning to think will be the same as the last.

But does it have to be?

I woke up this morning with the overwhelming desire to send all the misery, worry and complacency packing along with this dreadful year.

To rekindle the spark that will make us all feel alive again.

At first, we will probably have to ‘Fake it until we make it,’ and push the envelope like crazy until life feels better.

We wish all of our friends and followers a Wonderful New Year, a year full of promise and possibilities, and in a few days, we will be sending out the first of our 2023 newsletters, looking forward and planning a much better year…