Another year coming to an end...

Well, we have all survived another year... even though it has kinda been a sucky one!  2015 has thrown some serious crap my way this year, and I know that I am not the only one who has had a naff year.  What with one thing and another, the second half of the year at least, has been ridiculously long and has had so many problems that I think I have lost count.  Anyway, other than the on going situation involving Hospital visits, tests and antibiotics, the rest has just about sorted itself out, there is just the matter of rebooting my life in January!  

The one thing that I have learned this year, that I am going to keep in mind for the future, is that the whole Jekyll and Hyde idea is very much real.  Metaphorically of course.  Everyone is a Jekyll in the sense that they portray a version of themselves to the world, a version that they think others will like.  Some people are more honest about their version of themselves, others create a persona that they use against the world.  The Hyde in people is the side of them that is more honest, the side of them that is true.  And sometimes, that part of a person can be extremely ugly, again metaphorically.  What I'm trying to say is that you should never trust the façade that people show to the world.  I did, and it bit me in the ass!  Never again!  We all have two sides; the difference between good and bad people is just how we choose to use those sides of us!  

Moving on... Christmas is upon us... Though ours is going to be seriously higgledy piggledy this year due to Grandma taking up residence in the Hospital, it is still the festivities that we are all looking forward to!  I have to work tomorrow... the last shift before having a few days off over Christmas...  I am totally going to work in my Santa outfit - Photos will be posted to Instagram!  I don't care what anyone says, we all need a little Christmas Spirit now!  Then it's all about Christmas!
I have so many plans... Who'd have thought it was all going to fit into three days!?

Then of course we have the New Year... I have some ideas for Resolutions... Along with a lot of to-do's!  But we'll get to them after Christmas.  One of my main ones though, s to try and keep this updated more - I think I need a new purpose for it!  Any ideas?!  My general life story just can't be entertaining!  So, all ideas welcome!

Till next time,
Have an awesome Christmas!

Love Louby x

Leaving the past behind us...

Well, as a fine young meerkat once said, 'You gotta put your behind, in your past!'  But more importantly, a very wise old monkey once said, 'The past can hurt.  But you can either run from it, or learn from it.'  What have I learned?  Well for a start, not to trust anyone as far as you can throw them...  As far as work goes, that's all it is ever gonna be - there is no such thing as friends!  'Cos they will stab you in the back the minute they get a chance.  There are only a few exceptions to that rule, and they know who they are; there are some people that you truly connect with, and they are the ones who will stick by you through anything.  The others, not worth your time!  

But anyway, onwards and upwards so to speak.  I have decided to leave all the crap in November, and as of tomorrow it is a fresh start!  It's over.  I can now concentrate on the future and move on with my life; after I've picked up the last few pieces and worked out what I am going to do that is... But that is what the New Year is for!  A completely fresh start!  And I say, bring it on!!

*Quotes are of course, Timon and Rafiki from The Lion King - no copyright intended*

In other news... The new story is well on it's way now... There were two winners of the competition that was running on Angel's Facebook and they know who they are - they're kind of the only ones who took part properly!!  So their characters are being developed and they will find themselves in the acknowledgements when the book is published!  (Which I hope will be Spring/Summer time next year!)

If you don't already have your copy of The love that binds us then go check it out on Amazon now!  In January I plan to release the book as a whole with bonus material, and in a way that means you can buy it as a hard copy!  And I will even consider signing them for my close friends and family that have supported me every step of the way through this adventure!

Till next time...
Louby x

What is Disney coming to?!

*** SPOILER ALERT FOR MANY DISNEY FILMS - INCLUDING NEW RELEASES ***

Okay, I have to say it - the writers for Disney are getting worse!!  Talk about dark and upsetting.  I know Walk Disney wasn't exactly a saint.  There was plenty wrong with his films when you look back on them with an adult mind set, and to be honest it is quite worrying when you think that it is what we were exposed to as children, and are still exposing children to now.  

I mean, let us look at the facts...  The Princess stories taught us that talking to strange men was okay if they were handsome, and that you can fall in love with the first man you meet.  It wasn't until the more recent films; the likes of Brave and Frozen, that Disney made a stand about 'not marrying the man you just met' and proving that women don't need a man to find true love or to survive.  Personally, I loved the message in Frozen about there being other forms of love that are more powerful than that of a Prince and a Princess.  (I have a little sister, and I know that feeling of doing anything for her!)  
Beauty and the Beast displays a clear message that Stockholm Syndrome is acceptable; she falls for the Beast even though he is her captor.  The Little Mermaid taught us that it is okay to change for a man.  Snow White ran away to the forest and lived with seven men.  The Hunchback of Notre Dame told us that the nice guys never gets the girl, no matter how much he tries.
Many of the films are upsetting before you even get anywhere near the end... The death of Mufasa in The Lion King was

a devastating blow and I still don't think we have gotten over it.  The hunters that killed Bambi's mum made us all weep like babies, the death of Tod's mother and then the moment that Widow Tweed has to leave him in the game reserve was heart breaking, and the captivity of Dumbo's mother when she stands up for her son and tries to protect him made us all cry - and the song 'Baby Mine' still makes me tear up!  And slightly more recently - the beginning of Finding Nemo when the barracuda kills Coral...  Disney has a serious issue with parents clearly - how many do they have to kill off??
Another tear jerker is when Jessie sings 'When she loved me' in Toy Story 2.  Tackling the idea of abandonment in childhood toys... tell me; who still has their childhood teddy? I know I do - he still sleeps in my bed!
Let's review the bad guys too - how scary were some of them?!  Scar (The Lion King), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), The Wicked Queen (Snow White), Jafar (Alladin), Ursula (Little Mermaid), Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) - but let's be honest... the scariest; has to be Rasputin from Anastasia.  He frightened the living daylights out of me as a kid!!  No joke!
And to top off all of that - the sexual innuendos in the early Disney films were not exactly sparse!  Walt Disney was a strange man indeed.

*** SPOILER ALERT FOR NEW DISNEY FILMS ***

But the new Disney Pixar films seem to be taking things to a new level; they are just getting worse. More dark, more upsetting... What with killing off main characters... I absolutely cried my eyes out during Big Hero 6 - and I know that they brought him back to life in the end, but they still killed him off in the first place... You just don't do that!!
The in Home they led us to believe that they had killed Oh, and after the escapade with Baymax, we believed it!!
More recently, the storyline in general with Bing Bong in Inside Out was so upsetting, but then his self sacrifice to save Joy's life was enough to bring even the adults to tears!  

But to top it all off, we went to see The Good Dinosaur tonight... Oh my God, what an emotional roller coaster that was.  It was horrific... Somebody had taken inspiration from The Lion King and we had some parent loss again, then it was just accident after accident and the poor little dinosaur got injured so many times it was awful.  Then it had such an upsetting part in it that even the little lad sat behind us was absolutely sobbing his heart out.  And he was lucky if he was ten.  If it could effect him like that, imagine how me and Sammy were - in absolute floods!!!!!  No make up left job... It was heart wrenching!  

Disney are changing the goal posts and their films are getting more and more adult like - deeper, like Inside Out, scarier, more upsetting.. and what on earth is the idea of killing main characters - You just don't do that!!!

Anyway, rant over... all opinions are my own and not endorsed by Disney or any other company.  There is no copyright intended on anything I have said or quotes I have used, and the images are all pulled from Google Images - No copyright intended!

Apologies if I have offended anyone haha,
Louby x

Competition Time!!

Just a quick one... 

Over on Angel's Facebook Page there is a competition running for a chance to get your ideas for a character in the new book!  A murder mystery style story filled with supernaturals.  All you have to do is pop over to the page, pop your ideas in the comments and wait and see.  The winners will get their characters developed into the book, and get an acknowledgement when it gets published.  I also intend on making this one available to purchase as a hard copy - If you're really lucky, I will sort out signing them too!!
Competition will close on the first of December as it is getting to a point in writing where adding new characters would be difficult.  So get your ideas in quick for a chance to be included!!

So, go take a look... I can't wait to hear some of your ideas.  

For those of you who haven't yet got your copy of The love that binds us head over to Amazon now and get yours now!  Again, I'd always love to hear your ideas - pop back over to Amazon when you're done reading and leave a review, and of course feel free to leave comments on Facebook!



Till next time,
Louby x

Information Dump!

~~~  Halloween  ~~~

This year I did something very different for Halloween - 

Firstly I got to spend it with Dean :) I did something I've never done before, dressed up in a costume that I've wanted to do for years, and had an amazing weekend in Blackpool!  Thanks to Kimberley and Paul and The Bridge Inn Blues, we went to Blackpool for the weekend to go and see the Football match!  We saw Chesterfield play Fleetwood on Saturday afternoon :)  I can now cross something else off my never done list!!

After an epic coach journey we arrived in Blackpool and headed off for lunch (a belated Birthday party for Dean's 30th!)  We had a blast - cocktail making, party hats, lovely food and more cocktails!

Look at the concentration on that face!!

Later we headed into town for a night out - Blackpool Style!  The booze flowed freely and we made our way around some of the bars... Dean even made a friend in Roxy :p  (and he sang with her!)

On Saturday we dressed up for Halloween and headed over to Fleetwood for the match - my costume was one of my all tie favourites - Harley Quinn!  And Dean dressed up as Batman to go with me hehe!!  We had some lunch in a lovely little pub called the Strawberry Gardens and met Sid Little!!!  

Then only minutes after arriving at the grounds, I got hit in the face with a stray ball!!  Sod's law!  I think it knocked my last brain cell loose!  Was good though, and I even enjoyed it!!  

The Spireite's won one nil!  Even better!!

That night Dean and I went out to see the Illuminations (Awesome by the way!) we went to play on the pier, spend some money in the arcades, had a wander down the sea front - it was lovely!  Then we went back to the room and watched a scary film!  Well... I watched it - Dean snored through some of it!!

And Sunday morning before getting back on the coach in the early afternoon - We went for a lovely breakfast went for a walk around Madame Tussaud's!  We had a laugh, took some silly photos (I've never known Dean be so up for having his picture taken!!)  I can't believe how much it had changed since I was there at the beginning of the year!  New models, old ones gone or changed...  New sets and places to investigate!  

I loved the entire weekend!  It was exhausting and I made up for it in sleep for about three days... I was so lazy before work haha!

~~~  Bonfire Night  ~~~

I have done Bonfire Night in two parts this year.  On Wednesday I took Sammy to Clifton Park for the Bonfire, and we spent the night just me and her!  It was nice for some sister time!  We went on the Fairground rides - The same ones we always aim for of course - The Twister, the Crazywave and of course, the Waltzer!  And my God, the Waltzer nearly killed us!  The lads working it knew what they were doing and there were loads of them, so the cars never stopped spinning!!  Madness!!  We watched the Bonfire be lit, had sweeties from the pick 'n mix stall and watched the beautiful fireworks display before heading home to get warm!

Last night, I went with Dean to their family Bonfire night!  The bonfire there was everlasting - I've never seen so much stuff to burn, just when it was dying down, there was more to throw on it to warm it back up again.  I sat nice and close to the fire to keep warm!  And then after sparklers, there were fireworks!!  Rich took charge and there were loads, I thought it would go on forever :)  I don't know what it is about fireworks, but they make me so happy - I think it's the colours!  And the crackles, pops ad bangs of course...  They're just so expressive.

Right, I think that's about all folks!

Check out the competition running on Angel's Facebook page and get involved in the next book!

If you haven't already got yours, head over to Amazon and by your copy of The love that binds us - I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions!  Leave your comments on Angel's facebook page for a reply!

Talk soon,
Louby xx

I am the wolf!

My blog has been undeniably quiet of late, so I decided that I needed to do an update, and maybe even try to explain my reasoning for the silence.  
The main reason, if I'm totally honest, it pretty simple!  I've been struggling for something to say.  I think overall, baring in mind everything life has thrown at me recently, that I am doing okay; I'm staying reasonably positive... but there are also plenty of dark patches.  I do a good job of disguising them, or at least I thought I was, until some people started pointing out things like how quiet I am (and we all know that's not like me at all) or how distant I've been lately.  Now the latter is not that unusual, I've always joked about being in my own little world because of my reading and writing habits.  But the distance currently hasn't been a creative one.  My imagination seems to have gone on strike!  So even my new stories that I started have gone on hold for the time being, as I just don't seem to be able to get into writing them.  The most imaginative I have gotten recently was messing about via text with Dean the other night, throwing a story back and forth.  It got pretty good to be honest (I'll throw it onto the end of this post for anyone interested in our joint efforts!)  But other than that, diddly squat!  

The other day I got thinking about my unquestionable absence in blog land, and was about to write a post, but ended up with a 'why bother' attitude - barely anyone reads it anyway.  So, out of curiosity - I want to know who my audience is these days... I want to know who is still reading my random rambles, and what, if anything, you'd like me to blog about?!  (Book/film reviews, stories and tid bits from my writing, adventure and photo updates - name it on my Facebook post for this update, and I'll give it a go!)  Who knows, maybe this is the push I need!  Other than that, give my Facebook post a  like if you're still reading, let me at least know who I am writing for nowadays!  

Anyway - wolves!  This post comes from Dean giving me a kick up the ass without even knowing it.  He was actually trying to be funny, bigging himself up as the alpha of our relationship... but it hit home in a way I needed.  
This is what he sent me...

(Image taken from the Internet - no copyright intended)

Get it now?  I always said I was a wolf!!  After all my talk in previous posts about staying strong, I've been letting stuff get to me these last few weeks.  I need to stop letting what someone else says and thinks of me rule me.  I know who I am, and I believe in me.  No-one can change that unless I let them, and I'll be damned if I let anyone change me!  I reread some of my posts about staying strong and have given myself a good talking to.  I have family around me, Sammy by my side, Dean's support, and friends that I know are there for me if I need them.  What else does a girl need, really?  

So now it is time for bed with my little lion, in my new pyjamas that are mega comfy...  Positive thoughts - tomorrow is a new day!

Louby x

~~~~~

The story

Me: Gravel crunched underfoot as I crept carefully down the path towards the mansion that sat back from the road.  An old wooden shutter banged eerily as the wind whipped around me and I pulled my coat tighter around me to keep my body heat.

Dean: The moon was full, highlighting the shadows on the ground, playing tricks on me the leafless branches looking like fingers on the ground.  The more I walked, the further away the door seemed...

Me: I crept closer, the noise my shoes made echoing despite the howl of the wind.  When I finally reached the the door, my heart hammered wildly in my chest.  What was I getting myself into?

Dean: I knocked twice... no answer.. maybe I didn't knock hard enough?  I knocked again this time hurting my knuckles a little!  As I pulled my hand back I heard footsteps behind me, maybe my mind playing tricks on me?  As I turned the door opened slowly... the creak of the old door sent shivers down my spine...

Me: Could the stories really be true?  Technically this house was supposed to be empty, it sure looked derelict enough.  How could anyone actually live here?  But the stories... Was she real?

Dean: She can't be real can she?  The stories are older than I remember.  The door had opened just a little, the cold of the house gently blowing on my face.  I quickly looked around but could see nothing but the path I had walked down... Should I go in?  Or run away like I always do?

Me: Taking a deep breath and balling my hands into fists, I pushed the door open fully.  The loud creak rang out like a gun shot in the night and I jumped.  Hold it together.  What was it my father always told me?  The first step was always the hardest...  Another deep breath and I put one foot over the threshold to the rickety old house.

Dean: I was in, to say I was out of my comfort zone was an understatement, I realised I had closed my eyes... I was stood there in that big cold house, fists clenched and eyes closed... I needed to be brave... I needed to do this!  I opened my eyes slowly, I wish I hadn't... I stood there frozen...

Me: Her breath rattled as she breathed in, and the air in front of her clouded when she breathe out.  Her eyes were dark, almost black, and her long wiry hair fell limply to her shoulders, the withered grey making her look almost witch like.  Though weren't they the stories?  The witch, the scary old hag that lived in the abandoned house at the end of the lane...

Dean: Neither of us blinked... we stood there for what seemed like an eternity, I don't think I took a breath as we stared at each other!  I was in shock however she seemed calm about me being there, how would I feel?  A stranger in my house?  She seemed comfortable almost as if she was expecting me.

Me: 'You took you time dear,' she finally croaked out, a sound so hoarse that I knew she hadn't spoken aloud in a very long time.  I stuttered, she couldn't have known I was coming here.  I hadn't known I was coming here until I'd found myself at the crumbling old gate at the start of the path.

Dean: She walked over, her feet barely leaving the ground, an almost shuffle with her heel rubbing the ground every second step.  The noise was the only thing I could hear echoing through the house.  She moved closer, louder and louder the shuffle got, her eyes fixated on the door.  As she brushed past me I got the smell of lavender... I stood there all of a sudden feeling warm and comforted by the smell, like it was familiar to me somehow...  As I stood there trying to understand she had closed the door and one back through the to the other room... Should I follow?

Me: I knew the stories, I knew the horrors that had supposedly happened in this house.  Every part of me screamed that I should run, I should get out of this house before I became the next story, but there was something about that smell, something that made me follow her without even making the concious decision to stay.  I must be crazy...

Dean: I followed her... I had never walked so slowly.  Clumsy old me didn't even make a sound in this big old house!  As I got into the room I didn't know what to expect... But nothing, she had gone.  How could she disappear like that?  All that was there was a box on a table covered in dust, as if no one had been in that room for years...

Enjoy x

Steampunk Dreamz

So, I know it has been a while, but when I saw that the theme over at Fantasy Stampers this fortnight was Steampunk, I decided that I would give it a go.  I love the ideas that Steampunk involves, and when researching it for some inspiration, loved the look of the projects that I found, so following this, decided to make something for my bedroom rather than just do a journal page.

Here is what I cam up with...

Different?!  That is what I was going for - I have used an idea I found on Pinterest - I'm afraid my imagination for coming up with these things is not great, but altered it to fit the theme and my bedroom!!

 The stamping is mainly on the cover of the book that creates the base of the project.  The background was created using inks and then the cover was created with a variety of stamps that I borrowed from Mum's stash!!

 The quote was from the Creative Impressions - Steampunk dreams set.  The giant set of cogs were also from this kit.  The smaller set of cogs in the bottom corner was from another Creative Impressions kit called Steampunk flowers.  Then there were two sets of 'freebie' stamps from the magazines that Mum buys, both of these kits are beautiful stamps and I used several from there, including the tiny set of three cogs that are in the background, and on the stars in the tree, the ruler on the spine, the ink blots and the image of the hand on the bottom of the spine.

I absolutely loved creating this project - even Daddy got involved.  The tree is made of copper wire, which Daddy provided and then tarnished after it was bent into its desired tree shape.  
The ornaments that hang from the tree are all taken from jewellery that I rescued from a charity shop when I went on a mission to find all the bits and pieces that I was going to need.  Overall, I think it was a success.  It now stands on the top of my bookshelf looking alternatively pretty!!

This project is being entered into Challenge #46 - Steampunk over at the Fantasy tampers Challenge Blog.  I hope you all love it as much as I do - or at least a little bit anyway :)

Louby xx

It's Official!!

As of this morning, The love that binds us - Part 5 became available to purchase on Amazon as a Kindle copy, thus completing the journey of Anna-Marie and Lily.  I would like to put out a massive thank you to all of you who have supported me in this, it has been an experience and I have learned loads ready to start all over again with a new story!  Those of you that have read the story so far, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions, and your reviews on Amazon would be greatly appreciated.  

Visit Angel's Facebook Page to leave any comments or messages on the books or the characters, any questions will be answered!  And get your copy of the newest and last part of the story here :)

The love that binds us - Part 5


For anyone who has missed a part or hasn't kept up, here are the links to the other part of the story.

The love that binds us - Part 1

The love that binds us - Part 2

The love that binds us - Part 3

The love that binds us - Part 4

You can also visit Angel's Author Page on Amazon where the details of the books are available.

Thank you again for the continual support!  

Love Louby xx

Believe in yourself!

Life is meant to test us.  If it's easy for you then you're living a lie; you're not trying hard enough to fulfil your potential.  You have to work hard, chase your dreams and never give up on what you truly believe in.  You have to learn to navigate the obstacles that life throws your way and always make the best of any situation that you find yourself in.  It's a state of mind, one that you have to work hard at.  
That's what I am doing.  I am chasing the dreams that I have, and I will not be defeated.  One day I will see my name in print, with a reputable publisher by my side!  But I know that it's not going to be easy, I know that I have to work for it, and fight every step of the way .  Something else I know; life isn't going to make it easy for me either; what with knock back after knock back and then having false temptation put directly in front of me.  

But all of that aside, life in general is never going to turn out exactly how you intended it to.  What with Fate and Mother Nature having their say, and the infinite other factors and people that have their effect upon your life; there really is no wonder that things always seem to me coming at us from left field. 

Your only job when this happens?  Face it.  Deal with it.  And then move on. 

Sounds so easy doesn't it?  Well honestly, it really can be that simple.  

Step one: Face it!   I'm talking straight up - investigate the details (and I mean really investigate  - find out all sides to the story, all the details, find the loopholes and sort the facts from the gossip.)  Then allow yourself some time to process it all.  This is a personal thing; every one will be different - my way?!  I give myself the night...  It usually involves alcohol (in varying amounts dependant on the situation), some family time and often some tears...  For example; my  most recent one was a night in a fort with Dean playing Lara Croft on the PS4, having a drink and generally laughing.  And there weren't any tears... well, apart from the ones from laughing too much.  For me it works - for others is won't.  Find your own escape!

Step two: Deal with it!   This is the part that sounds so simple, but really it is all about perspective and your state of mind.  So it can be that easy; you just have to look at it properly.  Train yourself to see the best in every situation, to find the silver lining to every dark cloud and it will slowly become second nature.  Deal with it in your own way, find a way that suits you.  Some people will choose to dwell on it and keep revisiting it over and over until they find a different way of seeing it that they think is better.  But honestly, there's no point.  There is nothing that can be changed about something that has already happened, and nothing you can do once something serious has been set in motion.  Deal with it, accept it for what it is and concentrate on all the good things that you have going for you and the people in your life that make each day worth living for.

My Mommy's supportive gesture - pulled from the internet - no copyright intended.

And then, Step three: Move on!   Once you've accepted everything for what it is, pick up the rest of you and move on with the rest of your life, because there is more to each of us than the bad situations that we find ourselves in.  That one bad thing you're thinking about (yeah, that one) it doesn't define who you are.  What defines each of us is how strong we are when the world seems to want to show how weak we are.  What defines us is how you face each of the situation that you find yourself in, how you deal with them, and how many times you get back up again, no matter how many times you fall down (or are pushed in some cases)  You know what they say - You only have to get back up once more than however many times you fall.  Only you can do that, only you can show the world how strong you are.  

You're always stronger than you think you are - believe in yourself so much that the rest of the world has no choice to believe in you too.  Don't let anyone else define you, choose your own path and work for it.  You can't dwell on the negatives and the 'what ifs'.  You have to look at the positives in your life and seize every moment.  Live your life your way, and do it with pride.

I know I uses this a lot, but it resonates with me... I like wolves and I truly believe that I am stronger than others give me credit for.  I have an amazing support network in my family and close friends, that's the key.  Without them I'd crumble.  They believe in me, they give me reason to believe in myself.

Mommy, you wanted to know how I did it, how I stayed strong, how I dealt with it - There's your answer :)

Louby xx

Check it out!!

We're nearing an end now... Part 4 of The love that binds us is now available on Amazon as a Kindle copy!  There is only one more part to go up before you've completed the journey with Lily and Anna-Marie!

Get your copy here - The love that binds us - Part 4

Again, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the events so far.  What do you think of the characters and what is happening to them?  I'll also ask again, anyone who has read them, would you please go back to Amazon and leave a review for others to read.  It is all about word of mouth at the moment, so any shares, either on my posts, Angel's Facebook page or the Amazon links would be greatly appreciated - all the support is I have received so far has been amazing.

For those of you a little behind, you can get copies of all the other parts by following the links below...

The love that binds us - Part 1

The love that binds us - Part 2

The love that binds us - Part 3

Thank you again to those of you who have bought and read my books, I hope you're enjoying them.

Louby xx

Fight Song

Well, recently I have had some stuff going on in my life that was a serious curve ball for me.  Don't get me wrong I have managed to do what I do best and find the silver linings and keep going, but it was a serious blow at the time.  It took me a while to pick myself up and keep going like everything was okay.  I have several people to thank for helping me pick myself up and for keeping me going all this time, and I hope that they know who they are!  I wouldn't have stayed this strong without my family and friends.  

But anyway, the main point of this post is to share this video for anyone who hasn't heard this song yet.  I heard it not long ago and now I can't get enough of it.  (I currently have it on repeat while writing this!) It just seemed to resonate with me and said everything I was feeling, and  think it probably will for others too.  So if you haven't already heard 'Fight Song' by Rachel Platten then watch it here :)

Video is from Youtube - no copyright intended.

And for now, that is all you're getting.  I am off to take on the world and prove that nothing and nobody can get me down!  This is my life and I won't let anyone else control it... So don't get in my way!  

Louby xx

Overload!!

Where to start?!  I have so much going on right now I'm surprised my head hasn't exploded and that would only serve to make a mess, which I would have to clean up - hence only adding to the things that I have to do.  Let's start with work - my little eight hour contract with some overtime has turned into a full time contract by default. There aren't many of us there anyway, and now what with students returning to University/College, people going on holiday and some people off sick, it is left to a couple of us to cover the shifts, and no joke, I have been there near enough every night so far.  This week I am working a seven day week, I am even going in to cover the end of a shift today, which should have been my day off.  It is bedlam I tell ya - if anyone wants a job, feel free to swing by and see the boss!!  And likewise - if you want me, you're most likely to find me there, swing by and say hi!!

Aside from work I have my writing and my online course that I am supposed to be concentrating on - I am not going to lie, they have both had to take a back seat this week, I just haven't had the time, other than the scribbling I do when I'm on lates at work!  They all just want typing up and putting into order; I probably have nearly a whole book written there haha.  Next week I need to put some time aside to get my head down and get some writing done on the new story I have lined up for Amazon!  And the course, well, I had a go at one of the tasks at work too, nights can be very slow and boring when there are no customers, so you will often find me writing in my little book :) But again, I need to get it all written up etc.  Oh to have the time.  

I am now playing taxi for Sammy five mornings a week for her exciting new venture into the world of Teaching... I am up before seven most mornings to take her to her friend's house so that they can get off to work... then I am up and ready for the day - I tell ya what, it's a good job that I am up so early otherwise I would never get anything done.  Then most days I am at work till eleven... There is no wonder I am ready for the weekend (Not that it means no working!) I think I may be burning the candle at both ends so to speak!  

Anyway - I am trying to keep up with as many people as possible, if you text and I don't reply you can pretty much guarantee it is because I am at the Co-op!  I will be in touch as soon as I have some free time hehe.  I think even my Mom has started to forget what I look like, I am just someone who sleeps in her house at the minute lol.  It will be nice to get to spend some time with her later, Sammy, her and I are hopefully off to the cinema when I get home from work later today :)  Girl's night!  I have so may people that I want to see ad catch up with, but finding a free day, or even an afternoon at the minute is ridiculously hard work - I hope it calms down when we get some new staff in at work.  Then I can concentrate on all the other aspects of my life - at the  minute I am wondering whether to just take a sleeping bag to work and camp out!  Customers keep laughing and asking if I ever go home!

I know it's a regular comment now, but it is my dream coming true - if you haven't already, get yourself over to Amazon and get your copy of The love that binds us today!  There are three parts available now, part four will be available next weekend!  If you have already bought and read them - please head back over to the site and leave reviews on each part :) 

And amidst all the chaos, let's not forget the date today and take a moment to remember the thousands of people who lost their lives fourteen years ago today when the twin towers fell.  And keep the hundreds of thousands of lives that this devastating event effected, and still effects every day.  I can not even begin to imagine what the families went through, or still go through with such a horrific mark on their lives.  Never forget!

It's that time again!!

Yup, you got it - Part 3 of The love that binds us is now available to purchase on Amazon as a Kindle copy!  Go get your copy now :)

The love that binds us - Part 3


And for those of you who may be behind schedule and are yet to catch up - here are the links to the first two parts so that you can get caught up!  


The love that binds us - Part 1

The love that binds us - Part 2

Keep up my friends :)  It is exciting times!  And I still wanna hear those reviews - If you have bought them already, or when you have bought them and read them, please go back to Amazon and leave a review for others to read.  I would love to hear your opinions through social media - you can now find Angel McGregor on Facebook by following this link or by searching the page in your search bar!

Angel McGregor - Facebook

All feedback is welcome :)  And I can't wait to get writing and get more of my books online!!

Speak soon,
Louby x

September already!

Well September came around all too quickly, though when I sit and think about how much I got up to in August I suppose I can't really complain too much...  I have been all over the place and still have some left on the to do list before winter sets in for good.  According to the guy on the radio this morning, we are due some more hot weather before it breaks up for good!  So that's good news; plenty more adventures to be had yet :)

With September comes back to school, Mom went back yesterday for inset and has gone in this morning ready for the children to be in.  I got up this morning to take Sammy to Charlotte's so that they can head off to University together for their first day of Teacher Training!  Exciting times - Sammy was up and raring to go this morning - very unusual for her I must say :)  And me, I am sat on my bed having been running for the first time in forever after I'd dropped Sammy off.  I do have to go into work in a couple of hours, and by work I am talking about the Co-op!  Yes, I have opted out of schools so that I can concentrate on getting my writing out there for the world to see!  I have recently had some interest in my book, so there is some hope yet, and I am on it in the next few days to get some more copies out into the world wide web to see if there is any more hope waiting around the corner.  Despite all of this to look forward to, I can't say that I am not sorry that I am not returning to school today, I will miss it.  But, onwards and upwards, the Co-op is fuelling the pennies while I get started, and we'll see where I go from there - wish me look eh?!

That's it for today, apart from to say that you should check out the Facebook page for Angel McGregor - like it - share it - let's get the world involved :)

Over and out,
Louby xx

MIA

I'm Home!!  A weeks holiday up the East Coast at the caravan in Flamborough, a week of sun, sand, sea, adventures and so much laughter!!  I have had an amazing week, but boy has it been exhausting!  If you follow my Instagram then you will see some of my adventures with Sammy Jay, and I will throw a handful of the best ones in the bottom of this post, and then I am sure some others will pop up somewhere, sometime, possibly, I don't know... I'm rambling; I know - It has been a long and tiring week and I am looking forward to crawling into my own bed tonight, and then spending the day with Dean tomorrow :)  Then it is back to reality on Sunday when I go back to work - I need to make a plan for my life!  

Step one - Sort out my books - I hope you've all bought the first two parts of The love that binds us, the third part will be available next weekend!  If you haven't yet then follow the link below and see what it's all about!
Amazon - The love that binds us
I'd love to hear some of your thoughts and opinions - who is your favourite character?  What do you think to the story?  Etc...  
I have several new ideas in the making - We'll have to wait and see which one takes off.  I need to dedicate some proper time to writing.  When Mum and Sammy go back to work next week, I am going to work hard to make sure that I fit everything into my days.  None of this being lazy and wasting time like I have done for the Summer - it is time to make a writer out of myself!  To do that I need to make sure that I am writing at every available opportunity.  I want to make sure that I make the time for my writing, my course that I signed up for as I think that it will help with generating ideas and brushing up on my skills and techniques.  

I also want to do several other things - I am feeling a timetabling session coming on - I need to write this stuff down and be sure that I can fit everything in.  I want to start up jogging again - properly this time.  Every day if possible; though I may have to work up to that as it has been a while again - but I do need to get back into shape!  There is work and family time and Dean time that are going to occupy my time and I also signed up to be Sammy's taxi service in a morning - best way to get me up and out of bed every morning!  I might even roll the jogging into the morning routine and then it is out of the way so that the rest of the day is mine for the taking... I do feel the need for a possible new planner :)  ANy excuse right?!  

Anyway, here's the pictures I promised - some of the best bits :)

Sammy and I went exploring Thornwick with Dean and Jacob...

 The cafe at North Landing proved to be a favourite :)

 Sammy and I spent a lot of time down in Thornwick Bay - or more specifically, in Little Thornwick, and trying to get into the secret cove through the walls... We managed it - this morning!  Haha, nothing like last minute - it only took us about four attempts!  Talk about issues!  Mother Nature was just taking the mickey out of us I think - tide was ridiculous!  But we had fun none the less, exploring and taking pictures - and Sammy totally fell in the sea whilst doing her exploring!  Lmao - I'm not going to lie - I laughed, hard!!

 We visited the Lighthouse at Flamborough Head at night so that we could watch the lights :)

All in all - an amazing holiday!!

And now - it is bed time!  

Goodnight readers,

Louby xx

Book progress!

Afternoon all, I bring good news on this reasonably sunny day!  The second part of my book is now available on Amazon... So follow the links below to head over there and get them now!!!


The love that binds us - Part 1

The love the binds us - Part 2

Mega excited doesn't even cover it - the first part already has two amazing reviews so thank you to the readers who left those!  I hope that anyone who has read it has enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it and you will all hopefully be interested to know that I have a new idea in the works for a new short story...  

I owe a big thank you to all those people who have supported me through out this new venture, ranging from the obvious (My mom and my sister) to those of you that have purchased and read my story so far, and to all of you hat have been excited for me when I have spread the news.  Please feel free to pass on my news to others if you think they'd enjoy my book, share my blog or my facebook posts so that others can read my book too!

Till next time,
Louby xx