This website will count how many time you've typed EVERY word in your essay, story, poem... whatever you've written. My outcome 'Scrabble Pieces', my 'work in progress', was kinda boring at the top of the word list, but as I got down to the words used less than 10 times it became a much more eloquent list! 

The nerd in me loved this. 

I won't be making any changes given my top 12, but it did make me consider more about which words I choose to use. Interestingly though, my two protagonists (female twins) are  6 spots apart from each other, Rachel having her name 40% more.

If you're writing something at the moment I thoroughly recommend having a play with this tool. You only need ot paste your text body into the text box on the website and it's analysed instantly. 

Lou x

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So, our house move didn't go ahead on Friday. We had 36 hours notice of it being postponed, so most of our stuff was and is still packed. Who knows what this week will bring... Certainly more trips to Wales (twice daily) for the nursery drop-off... It's not far, but it's something I'd like to have canned by now!

Added to this stress, I've been worried about my daughter who's had a dicky belly, battling to keep my weight even at the highest I'm semi-happy with, and working HARD in my day job. Baking has been put off for a while until we move, but that's stressful because I'm losing money now we've not moved on time! ARGH!

The worst bit? The unknown. It's a hard thing to deal with, in any situation. I remember feeling similarly out of sorts at the start of lockdown, when things were all unknown and worrisome, when we didn't know how we'd cope or for how long. Thankfully Covid-19 isn't on my 'stress list' at the moment, although it didn't help yesterday not being able to see my mum. I just want to know when we'll be moving FOR SURE and just get on with it!!!

I've started today with a bit of a clearer head. A chat with my friend certainly helped, a good night's sleep (but I always have them!), and a renewed resolve to stick to no carbs before 2pm has definitely helped me shuffle away from the crappy feeling I had this weekend. 

Today's blog was a bit of a rant, apologies, but I really do feel a little better having written it down. Ever felt like that??

Lou x

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Four Podcasts Which Could Boost Your Mental Wellbeing
​
I admit, I was late to the whole ‘listening to podcasts’ thing and struggled to find ones I liked for a long time. However, I have found some awesome wellbeing podcasts, and I’m sharing in the hope that someone reading this finds a gem too.
​

1. The Therapy Edit – my favourite of what I’ve found in recent months, not least because it’s only 10-20 mins long. My stamina for podcast listening is quite short, but this one ran through Lockdown (1) and is still available. So helpful and I always feel better after listening to Anna Mathur, who is ‘taking therapy out of the therapy room.’

 

1. The Happiness Lab – a relatively long listen on Spotify, but I find breaking it up using the advert breaks useful. The most recent episode I’ve tuned into was ‘For whom the alarm clock tolls’ – appealed to both my sleep loving and Metallica loving self! – and was really insightful about ‘time confetti’. I really have this concept featuring daily in my life and had no idea! #workinprogress
   
   
2. Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place – another Spotify gem, even if you don’t know exactly who the celebrity guests are. A really wide, honest spectrum of experiences, and often an eye-opener. From Tom Daley to Joe Wicks, Dawn French to Tom Kerridge, learn what makes these celebs happy and maybe pick up some tips yourself.
   
   
3. Finally, the Mindful Mix on BBC Sounds. This is a classical, calming mix tape, and it really takes the pressure off trying to think of relaxing classical music to chill out to.
   
   

Enjoy!

Lou x

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I'm going to plant an apple tree in our new house, once the move FINALLY happens (the last week of Feb, I'm hoping). It's a birthday present from my parents, and though they laughed when I said I wanted it to bear fruit within the year - impatient non-gardener that I am! - planting even a single tree has got to be a good thing. And not just for apple crumbles. After some research, I found some awesome environmental benefits a single additional tree can do for the world. Here are 8 ways trees help the environment. 

Obviously, the first one is...

1. CLEANING THE AIR - apparently this can take up to 25 years to be effective with a mature tree, but little by little, as the tree grows, it has a positive impact on ammonia, sulphur dioxides, ozone etc. 

2. ABSORBING CO2 AND CREATING OXYGEN - In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles. My front lawn is hardly an acre, but still! That same acre of forested land can provide enough oxygen for 18 people for a whole year.

3. TREES COOL URBAN AREAS - releasing water vapour into the air and creating shady spots, also PROTECTING US FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS. Placed strategically, they can even lower the need for air con in the summer, if you have it installed, thus becoming tools in CONSERVING ENERGY USE. 

4. Almost immediately, my humble tree will become A HABITAT FOR INSECTS, AND LATER, BIRDS and have a positive impact on SOIL EROSION. This also helps with flood alleviation - very welcome, when we're buying a new property!

5. TREES SAVE WATER. It's simple: Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. It's a positive even when measured against how much water a newly planted tree needs. 

6. I've even read that TREES REDUCE VIOLENCE! Neighbourhoods and homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of fear.

7. Aside from apples for my crumble, TREES PROVIDE FOOD FOR ANIMALS AND INSECTS through fruit, seeds and even bark. 

8. TREES ABSORB DUST AND THE STRENGTH OF THE WIND, REDUCING SOUND POLLUTION , AND REDUCING GLARE.

Oh, go on then, one more... This isn't environmentally-related but it's fascinating all the same...

9. TREES AID RECOVERY FOR SICK PATIENTS - Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Fascinating!

I wish I had more space for more trees!

Lou x

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Our dining room isn't even that cluttered really, but I hadn't seen this draft, this precious gem for months. I remember writing a few words in the last couple of days before I had a baby, but it was so uncomfortable to sit down for long I didn't manage much. And that was over 18 months ago. I think I've been hiding from my manuscript. 

Unfinished. Ignored. You can hardly call that a 'work in progress'! 

Sure, I'm busy, who isn't. Even in lockdown. I have a baby, a dog, hobbies like cycling, reading and travelling, a part time job, my baking business 280 Bakes, and a (Covid limited) social life. But I am a firm believer in if you want to get it done, you'll find the time. 

I am getting better at finding a few minutes for myself, as my baby has got a bit older. Around 7pm is prime 'me time' as El Husbandio often calls his parents and plays on video call with Rox. I mostly use this time to have a shower and potter about upstairs for around half an hour, maybe paint my toenails or unwind to a podcast... but I think I will try to make that time a time to write. A shower can wait until Rox is in bed.

What do you reckon, 500 words in 20-30 mins, that's do-able right?! The main bones are there on the page; I have a structure, a great into, a satisfying end, the bulk of the story... It's just the dreaded 'middle part' I need to flesh out. The book is called 'Scrabble Pieces' at the moment, but I am sure I can come up with a better title than that, even sat here today. One small step at a time. 

​Instead of blogging I should write my book!!!

Maybe this should be my new year's resolution for 2021. I'm not big into them normally, but sometimes you have to have something to drive you along! Who knows, this time next year I may have another book under my belt...

Lou x

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El Husbandio couldn't disagree more. He thinks receiving a book is an insult, almost! He'd much rather be gifted 'something useful' like socks or a gift voucher. And not a Waterstones one!

Personally, I can't wait to get stuck into these two novels: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale (which I really liked, read earlier this year - not yet seen the TV series), and The Shadow King, by Maaza Mengiste, a new author for me, an Ethiopian-American writer. Thanks mum and Lou G!

Keep reading, 

Lou x

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​Quick facts about Roald Dahl, my favourite childrens' writer...

     - He was born in Cardiff to Norweign parents. 

     - Dahl wasn't just a story writer - he was also a fighter pilot in World War 2. 

     - He would have been 104 years old if he was alive today. 

     - And my favourite book? The BFG!

I believe in magic, but there was certainly none of the Dahl magic here on Mermaid Quay.

​The quick trip to Roald Dahl Plass may have been a let-down, but I did however enjoy a tasty cookies and cream cereal bar from Lidl that happily I found in my handbag, and I did find (an appropriate memorial of) Ivor Novello. All was not lost. And then the heavens opened and I got soaked! What a random, curious, disappointing and wet 20 mins! Back to the car I went!

Lou x

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Really, returning to work post Maternity leave felt like a release from Lockdown. Of course, I am still socially distancing and respecting the 'number rules' for meeting people, but having a new focus of going back to work after 13 months of Mat Leave felt like a big change. It wasn't unwelcome, just because of the freedom it felt like, however much I wanted to stay being a full-time mum. I also enjoyed using my brain in a new way!

Also, Lockdown had moved on a bit since then. Gone was the three month total Lockdown where we were not supposed to leave the house apart form a daily walk and medical/food supply runs. Things definitely felt more normal. I only really have missed the cinema, and only a little. When I was pregnant I basically slept for nine months (!!) so we didn't go out at all really, and when baby arrived we had other things on our plate, obviously. I'd like to say I'm missing gigs and theatres, but experiencing that part of city culture was rare for me, however enjoyable they were before Lockdown.

I think how I'm feeling now, like many other people, is we are firmly in a 'new normal'. And this 'new normal' isn't temporary, like the 'normal' we were subjected to in the early summer. Thank goodness that didn't last an enormously long time (and that the weather was so great!), and let's hope national Lockdown doesn't happen again.

I appreciate many people are fearing job losses, suffering health issues, and worried for their children mixing at school, but for us, we're feeling lucky. This form of Lockdown isn't so bad. It's all relative, isn't it; comparing these days to days back in April, it's a totally different situation down here in Bristol. London and the north is struggling in particular, and comparing my situation to people who have family members with Covid or who need to shield isn't really fair, but we're doing ok. What has really helped is all the socially distanced dog walking with a friend or two, and having one of my closest mates support bubbling with us. She lives on her own, so it's totally legit, but honestly, I feel like the support is more for me!!!

What has been quite different in the last three months is my day job. I work part-time as a PA in a government department, and every day, in normal times, I'd take the Park & Ride into the city centre, working in an open plan office with over 1000 desks. Now I'm working from home indefinitely, which is totally different. There's a whole blog on that subject alone, but it's mainly a good thing, and I feel much safer than having to use public transport and mix with people I have no idea how well they are following the government safety guidelines. I am blessed to have a job I can work from home with, keeping a routine is so helpful. 

Two weeks ago I started a new role (same department). This was a strange process with a video interview and starting work on day one in my spare room. El Husbandio and I both work in the same room Tuesdays and Thursdays - I think that'll be the biggest challenge!! We're already kind of on top of each other day and night.

Of course, I'm saying "roll on that vaccine!" and I miss my friends and family - and the warm weather!!! - but honestly, I'd love to keep working from home. It's so easy to fit in walking the dog, receiving deliveries, managing nursery drop offs/collections, it's (mostly) quiet, I have my home comforts... I even managed a haircut on my lunchbreak back in August! I do miss the company of my team some days, but it's fast becoming the new normal that we catch up on video and have social check ins. And if my work situation stays this way for a while, I shan't be complaining. 

My lockdown buddies and I are staying safe. We're not being risky (nursery being the only wild card really) and we're hanging in there. 

​Stay safe yourselves! 

Lou x

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A friend of mine is running an anthology submission competition and she asked me to contribute. It was on a subject I'd not normally write about - sex - and, being a personal story, I chose to write in disguise under a different name. Initial feedback on my honest piece is more than encouraging, so I hope it makes the final cut of the book. 

​How did I choose my (secret!) pen name? I could have used a pen name generator, but that's so impersonal, I think. I still wanted to hang onto a bit of me, even if I was in disguise.

There is a former footballer with a sexy, strong sounding last name, so I pinched that. I think my married and maiden names were both strong, so that was pretty important to me. I always thought Louise XXXX sounded good, so I've kept my first name featured in my pen name, just changing the surname. It still feels a bit like me that way.  

Other ideas I had: 

1. Something inspired by a favourite film or actor of mine... Perhaps Louise Trinity (The Matrix), L Miller (We're The Millers), Louise Everdeen in homage to the awesome Jennifer Lawrence in Hunger Games...

2. I'm a country music fan so Louise Cash, Osbourne, Rogers or Swift? 

3. My favourite book for a long time was Rebecca ~ Daphne Du Maurier - I'm not so keen on Daphne but Rebecca  could have worked as a first name. 

4. Maps have always been fascinating to me - a true geographer! - so I considered incorporating something from my local area. The area of Bristol I'm currently living in is called Lawrence Weston, but that would make me a man. A step too far for a disguise??

5. Wildlife inspired - how about using Lark, Wren, Daisy, or Poppy as a first name? I did quite warm to Lark, being another strong sounding name, but I'm not sure how plausible that is, not having known of anyone named that. 

How would you go about choosing a pen name?

Lou x

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