A Good Book Day

Yesterday was a good day. A good book day. My big sis has set up a “Deaf Writers and Book Group”, and we had our first meeting last night. There were four of us, and we were all rather sleepy, but we trekked though and had a few moments when giggles erupted - I think that’s a sign of a good meeting! Coffee helped me, too. And the boy will be proud of me – it had no sugar in it, although that was down to the fact that there didn’t seem to be any in the cafe…waaaah? Anyway. It was fun. It was happy. It was productive. We’re starting with Isles of View by C.F. Brunner, and I’m looking forward to it. I like having things to look forward to. I hope you are all having a good week, and the weekend is nearly with us, so I think we can all do a little jump for joy? Big hugs.

365: Day 9

All of these books, apart from the one on top, were for Christmas, and they’re all sitting on my bedside table, looking mighty pretty. A lot of them are pretty to look at, and I can flick through them and gain inspiration. I like having books by my bed, especially for night time reading, or even early morning reading (although that doesn’t happen often…). Books are good, and they feed the soul. If you don’t like reading, then at least have a few good picture books – whether they be full of photography, illustration or comic-style; don’t decide you don’t like books, without even giving them a try. Even the boy, who doesn’t read, will flick through some of my books once in a blue moon. I once got a book by Stephan Fry, and he had a look through it; he is not a reader, yet it goes to show that even those who say “I don’t read” CAN be interested in books, maybe you just haven’t found the one that really speaks to you. Don’t give up on books, they can sometimes be a friend. I have many friends in my bookcase…

Day 30: 30 Things to be happy about

Yesterday, two books arrived in the post (isn’t it the best when good things arrive in the post?!), and one of them was 14,000 things to be happy about. by Barbara Ann Kipfer. It’s a big, big list of all the little things to be happy about, and I love here. It gave me the idea for today’s post, so I’m going to flick randomly through the book and find 30 things to list here. Happy days.

1~ sunshine through a window
2~ a good Monday
3~ pink-cheeked faces in knit hats
4~ childhood friendships
5~ getting up early one warm morning and watching the sun rise
6~ picnic brunch
7~ a won’t-leave-you-hungry meal
8~ a photo collage
9~ one perfect day
10~ that vacation feeling
11~ that feeling when you can’t wait to tell someone something
12~ homemade gingerbread for desert
13~ bad-weather get-togethers
14~ a favourite pen
15~ talking heart to heart
16~ having your luck suddenly change for the better
17~ souvenirs of beach walks
18~ dozens of places to curl up with a book
19~ dear hearts and gentle people
20~ when friends drop in
21~ hill climbing
22~ casual Friday dinners
23~ feeling really good, alive, aware; filled with a tingly sense of well-being
24~ the cinema
25~ dressing for pleasure
26~ being here, now
27~ chocolate milk
28~ a late breakfast
29~ food colouring and egg yolk for painting food
30~ cloudy days and sunny thoughts

The important thing is to just be happy for all the little things that make you happy, after all, it’s the little things that add together to make one big thing: life. Here’s to your happy moments, only one day left, but you can find your happy moments every day!

Gratitude.

I have an adorable little book of cartoons by Monica Sheehan; the book is called be happy. and the subtitle is “A little book to help you live a happy life.” It’s a collection of cute and inspiring cartoons and words to go with them, and it sits on my desk, to inspire me whenever I need it. I’ve found a video linked to it:

At the back of the book, it has a page entitled ‘My Gratitude List’. Well, I’m going to list the things I’m thankful for.

My Gratitude List

• My family – I know that we don’t always get along, and there are times when we would rather be tearing each others’ hair out than be nice to one another, but I love them all, unconditionally. They’ve stuck by me and I’ve stuck by them. I wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t be me, if it weren’t for my family.
• My friends; my chosen family.
• The boy; he’s a sweetheart but he’s tough too, and he stands up for what he believes in. We’ve been through a lot together, and we have the ability to allow the other to grow and follow their dreams. In some of my darkest days, he manages to make me smile again, and I love him so damn much.
• The beloved theatre company; because, although it’s changed a lot since I was a kid, the ethos of being inclusive and making beautiful theatre is still at the heart of it all. It’s a theatre company that really does change lives.
• Having a roof over my head.
• Being able to do what I want, pretty much when I want – I know that some people across the world don’t have this freedom.
• Green, lush public parks.
• Having the use of my body. I know I’m lucky to be able to walk, touch, see, smell…and, with the help of hearing-aids, hear.
• Being able to listen to music, and read beautiful lyrics.
• Having the time to relax, with candles, a good book and a cup of hot chocolate or tea.
• Time spent with friends and family, good and bad, because we get to spend time together, and help each other out…and also share our happy hours together.
• The invention of scrap-books.
• Seeing joy and happiness on children’s faces; they know how to live!
• Rainbows, they always put a smile on my face.
• Sunshine that breaks through the clouds.
• The power of humans to change things that are unjust.
• Colours – I’m glad we have colours…otherwise life would be dull!
• My cats.
• Meeting other people who want to work towards achieving the things I want to achieve. Like-minded people.
• WeHeartIt, flickr and tumblr, for providing endless inspiration.
• Books.

Well, I could keep on going, but then this would turn into a mammoth blog post…! There are a lot of things to be thankful for. It’s important to remind yourself of these things whenever life tries to pull you down; positivism all the way. Uh huh. Uh huh. So take Monica Sheehan’s advice; make a gratitude list. And smile.

Happiness…now.

Well, I’ve gone and got myself a new book: Happiness Now! by Robert Holden. I’ve come across it before, but the other day, I picked it up again in Waterstones…I wasn’t feeling low, or down, or in any way unhappy, but the book seemed to resonate with me. I believe that we do have the power to be happy, if we want to be; and Holden is known as the ‘Happiness Guru’, the man who teaches people that happiness is within them. I’ve only read the beginning of the book so far, but there’s a lot of mention about how we are conditioned to behave in a certain way, to approach things in a certain way, whereas Holden believes that inside us all, we have our ‘Unconditioned Self’, and it is this Self that is full of happiness, joy and love.

It seems that there’s also a lot of religious references, but to a lot of religions, not one ‘superior’ religion, and the way religion is used is in terms of helping readers to find their inner self, inner joy… Sometimes religion is there to show people light in hard times; I am not a religious person, but I can understand how religion can help people, and at the end of the day, if you do not follow a religion, you can be your own religion, because we all hold our own values and morals – these are the things that help us, and are quite possibly our religion. Eek, don’t want to get into a religious debate here…

I think the book just seemed to call out to me, because the past few weeks I’ve been trying to live in the here and NOW, not in the past, not (too much) in the future. Holden believes that happiness is not an elusive thing that can be chased, it’s not something that will come in the future; you have to believe that you can have happiness now…and that you have the ability to have happiness now. Maybe my raves about this book will change as I keep reading it, but either way, I think the idea is a good one, and it’s a doable idea, a doable concept. It’s all about perspective…

Just be happy, even if things are incredibly hard, find it within yourself, because it is there…somewhere. Smile.

Nerves

“… You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.” (Mrs. Bennet)

“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.” (Mr. Bennet)

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside…

Oh, I do like to be beside the sea…

Went to the seaside yesterday, was a lovely day – I actually enjoyed the cold weather!! For some reason, I think I prefer the seaside in the autumn/winter rather than the summer. It seems as if in the summer, the beaches are PACKED, whereas when it’s colder, not many people seem to go, which means you can enjoy the beach…all to yourself…almost. Got some good photographs, they may find their way onto here…but I’ve still got plenty of photographs from the summer/September to put up… *sigh*

October, so far, has been good. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for my lovely boy. He’s been disliking his job all summer and keeps having bad days/weeks, and I don’t know how to cheer him up. He’s been thinking recently that he should pursue a degree (he was originally going to do a degree but after going along to an interview day, he got put off the idea and went into the world of work instead). Possibly in Architecture…he’s really good at maths so I suggested the idea to him and he seems to like it, it could be an interesting one. A writer/photographer/jewellery designer and an architect…we’ll be a funny pair! I hope he can find his path soon; maybe I should make him some cupcakes…? Multi-coloured ones of course.

Meant to be starting the course this week but have been busy so far so haven’t really had much of a chance to get going with it, I really should though. My big sister is now doing the same course and she’s already done a bit of work this week so I must catch up!! For some reason, since I went to Uni, I’ve been so unorganised…I really don’t understand it. Surely, if you go to work/university, you’d become MORE organised? Maybe it’s just me, I’m an abnormal one I think. I’m still thinking of making a photobook with my writings in it though, when I can find the time…

Didn’t feel the sand between my toes yesterday, next time I’ll take my shoes off and walk in the sand. I was wearing boots though, when it’s cold you do need to wrap up warm! The whole way there and back, I was listening to Bloc Party – old style, on my CD player. The three songs I’m obsessed with at the moment are: Blue Light, This Modern Love and So Here We Are. Yes. I love them. And Bloc Party of course! I’m going to see them with the boy this month, it’s Bloctober…and it’s meant to be their last tour before they take a break for a year or so, bad times! But Kele is publishing his written work, so at least that’s something to look forward to. I’ll take loads of photographs at the gig. And then hold out for the next one, whenever it may be.

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside…
Oh, I do like to be beside the sea…

Work and play

All work and no play makes Sarah a dull girl.

Wow, the last few weeks have been really busy at my end! Had a bit of a panic with the course I’m starting on Monday, there was a mix up with the registration and course fees, but luckily it’s okay now. Going to be doing Creative Writing as part of an English Literature degree, getting quite excited about it! Will hopefully be doing something with photography as well but will do this in my own time, there’s too much going on at the moment to do evening classes in that as well.

Have made a jewellery blog for our pieces, so if you want to have a gander at that, the address is:

www.starsandrainbowsjewellery.wordpress.com

We’re getting our items up on etsy.com now so will post the address of the shop in due time.

Been meeting up a lot recently with an old friend, we’ve managed to keep in touch over the years. We went to primary school together but went to different secondary schools so I feel very lucky that we’re still friends. We also went to different colleges, and different universities. She’s just starting her art degree at university, so it’s quite an exciting time for her!! Having said that, need to go along with her to a few art exhibitions soon…must get on to her about that. We’ve been up to many silly antics lately, we went to the pub the other week and then we also went into central London for some fun…and then last night we went to the pub for a meal, was lovely. Afterwards we sat in her garden with her dog, who is adorable, I think she’s a spaniel… I’ve recently said to the boy that I want a spaniel when we live together. Which will mean that we’ll have a dog each because he wants a jack russell…lets see how that goes then!

Got a massive task to complete today. My room is overflowing with “stuff”. I’m not sure where to put everything! Still have boxes from Uni that I need to unpack…and my bookcase is full to the brim so I’m really not sure what to do. Therefore, today shall be dedicated to sorting my room out. Oh, what joy?!

Phew, that’s a lot of blogging!

Hello again…I think this is my 4th post of the day… Have just spent a bit of time tweaking my blog page, so you might notice the differences – don’t panic, it’s not a new blog Couldn’t decide which photograph to put up as the header, in the end I settled for this one, taken in Amsterdam in April. We were on a canal boat trip at the time and I was snapping away with the camera, this one came up and it was only afterwards that I realised there was a cat in the photograph – purrfect!

Finally got round to baking the cookies earlier (got the mixture last month) and they are delish, I must say. I took a few photographs (the camera seems to come everywhere with me, I even have a photograph of a friend on the toilet from a while ago…) so they will most probably find their way onto here. Not sure how many I got out of the mixture, but it was definitely over 20, so it was well worth buying I think! Maybe next time I can make it from scratch – does anyone have any good recipes?

Today I ventured upstairs to the big sis’ bedroom (well, her and her partner now) and sought out a few good books to flick through. I came away with: The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Brooker, Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H.Lawrence (have been meaning to read that for a while but kept forgetting to get my hands on a copy – jackpot!) and a few other books on creative writing…sorry! You shouldn’t leave temptation behind though, so next time you’re off to the Highlands for the summer…make sure you put a padlock on your door. Otherwise…well, I’ll just snoop through everything!

Can’t seem to stop gnashing away on those cookies now…yum yum yum in my tum tum tum! I think the Dr Pepper may have pumped a little too much sugar into me! I currently have several lists of things, one of which is a “To Do” list, so I’d better get a move on. Especially since the mother returns from work in approximately an hour…and she’ll be inquiring about what I’ve been up to today, somehow I don’t think “blogging” will be a satisfactory answer in her books.

September Wish-List

Alright then, I think it’s time for a wish-list!! These are things that I might not even get (at least not at the moment, the funds are running dangerously low) but I shall keep my eye on them for the autumn/winter (they may appear on a Christmas Wish-list). I have just been poking my nose into a few websites…and these beauties popped up:

(1) Blue 1950′s Sweetheart Swing Dress

Isn’t this just gorgeous? I’ve always wanted a dress like this and I’ve yet to get one (although, I did have a pink dress in a similar style around 2003/2004 – the year that the big skirts were fashionable?) Unfortunately, this is WAY out of my price bracket at the moment, it totals as £69, which is just a nice way of saying it’s just under £70. No effing way I’m afraid…unless, as I said, it goes onto my Christmas Wish-list…in which case, money money money please…? *Sighs* and I’d also need the petticoat if I want this dress…I really do think it’s a bit on the pricey side…maybe I can find something similar elsewhere eh?!

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Blue Bow Button Wedges

Another pair of wedges this summer…somehow I don’t think that’s going to happen!! I can barely walk in the first pair I’ve got – still getting used to them at the moment, I almost had a disastrous ankle-twisting accident with them; I was walking down the street, when I suddenly twisted not one, but both ankles…luckily I didn’t hurt myself but it gave me such a scare! Haven’t worn them since and I’m a little scared to – need some gentle guidance here, help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3) Alice in Wonderland Handbag

Wow, it’s not often that a bag can take my breath away! This is inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and it’s absolutely lovely. I’ve not seen anything quite like it before…and I want it… Look at those amazing little details on it…what’s not to like? Unfortunately, again, like the dress, the price tag is a little too much for me! This one totals £65…just a bit less than the dress – and for a little more, that’s what you could get, a DRESS! Hmmm, not sure what to make of it now. Should a bag be more expensive than a dress? Or should a dress be more expensive than a bag? I don’t know personally but both of them are too expensive for my liking…lower it down to the £20s and then we’ll talk some more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s all for now… All images are from www.dollydagger.co.uk