Thursday 13 August 2015

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.

Idea 102 Wardrobe: Write about a fashion model or what's currently in your closet or drawers.


As a plus sized woman the past few months have been very interesting as the world was introduced to the first size 22 model to be signed to a high profile modelling agency.  There have been arguments over her intentions, what she is promoting and her true dress size. Personally, I think she is an inspiration to many, and a cause of concern to others. 
Image result for tess holliday

This is Tess Holliday and she is currently the most well known plus size model on the planet. She is both loved and hated. Tess is proud of her body but many people believe she is promoting an unhealthy lifestyle however that is not the case. Tess is promoting positivity, self worth and celebrating the person you are and the skin that you live in. She is proving that you don't have to be skinny to be sexy or love yourself. She doesn't cast negativity on those who are slim or skinny. That's not her philosophy. Tess looks after herself and goes to the gym. It's understandable that her being in the public eye would cause an outcry by some claiming that she's making it 'ok' to be at risk of a variety of health conditions. They are missing the point. What Tess does is show that the world is made up of people who are different shapes and sizes and that we need to start accepting ourselves. She's not telling people to be fat. Neither is she encouraging people to be unhealthy. Simply, Tess accentuates the positive and eliminates the negative. 
 #effyourbeautystandards 

   Image result for tess holliday  

Find out more about Tess in this interview with Marie Claire

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Wednesday 5 August 2015

Once Upon A Time......

Idea 96 Fairy Tales: Rewrite a fairy tale. Give it a new ending or make it modern or write as a poem.

There was a girl called Cinderella,
Who had her eye on a Princely fella,
She went to the ball,
In love she did fall,
With a cake made completely of Nutella.



There were a family of 3 little pigs,
Who made houses from bricks, straw and twigs,
The wolf they did best,
When he puffed out his chest,
Now all he can eat is figs.



Snow White was a beautiful maid,
From her step-mum she had to be saved,
Then 7 little guys,
Who were ever so wise,
Got a Prince to wake her where she lay.




Oh Little Red wore a beautiful Hood,
She saw her gran whenever she could,
Then a wolf she did meet,
When taking gran some sweets,
Now she never goes back in the woods.





Priorities Change

Well the past week has been a bit of a whirlwind since our new addition to the family arrived. As someone who has never had a dog in the house before it has been a huge learning curve. 



So here she is. The reason it's been so long since my last post. Our beautiful girl Maddie . At almost 1 she has a lot to learn but she is the most loving, wonderful dog. There is a lot of training to be done but hopefully that will help with the nervous side of her nature. 
The title of this post says it all. My priorities have changed for the foreseeable future. There will be plenty of ups and downs, but I wouldn't want it any other way. The Dogs Trust are amazing and such a wonderful support. I am so pleased they are around for all the other dogs like Maddie who need a forever home

   Image result for dogs trust

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Here's one I wrote earlier

Idea 270 Map It Out: Create a mind map of words, phrases, and ideas that pop into your head or spend some time browsing the many mind maps online. Write a poem, story or journal entry inspired by the mind map.


I Googled mind maps and this caught my attention. It made me think of the children's book I started writing 5 years ago while recovering from an operation due to an ectopic pregnancy. The initial idea for the story had come about 7 or 8 years before that. I've never got round to completing the book and probably never will, so this is the perfect opportunity to share what I wrote. I completed 4 1/2 chapters. Let me know what you think in the comments below :-)

Time Brings Roses (first draft)
Chapter 1
Time waits for no-one

The sun shone brightly through Florrie-Bea’s window, illuminating those all important words on the open page of her exercise book:

Write an account of the work of John Snow
2 pages to be handed in on Monday.

Tomorrow was Monday and Florrie-Bea didn’t have two words let alone 2 pages. She sighed and rocked back and forth on her chair. Science homework was always left till last. Florrie-Bea wasn’t a big fan of Science lessons. In fact you could say she would much rather run through the school corridors shouting ‘Let me out of this asylum’ while wearing a chicken on her head, than take part in a Science lesson. It wasn’t that Florrie-Bea didn’t like school. On the contrary she loved it. Just not Science and especially not the ‘Microbes and Diseases’ topic she was currently studying. Give her Shakespeare; give her quadratic equations or a day in the life of Queen Victoria. But please don’t give her something that had anything to do with Science. Especially a topic that involved germs!

Florrie-Bea could hear her sisters’ voices coming from the bedroom next to hers. The voices hadn’t knocked politely and said ‘Do you mind if we disturb you while you try to avoid your homework?’  Instead they had bulldozed their way into Florrie-Bea’s peace and quiet. Lyddie and Nollie were twins who usually got on extremely well. Today was obviously an exception. From what Florrie-Bea could gather between the screams and thumping around was that a poster had been torn and that meant the end of the world! The twins both adored the latest pop sensation – your typical teenage American boy, all wholesome and cute, who sings songs of love and happiness while raking in the money from his rollercoaster ride to fame. As for Florrie-Bea she didn’t have the same taste in music as the twins, nor the obsession for such ‘superstars’. She just liked music no matter who had written the lyrics or was singing the melody. Florrie-Bea just liked a good tune. No doubt Lyddie and Nollie would have a different obsession in a couple of weeks and the torn poster would be in the recycling bin, long forgotten.

Florrie-Bea tried to ignore the ruckus and concentrate on her homework. Ten minutes passed and she was no further forward. Her sisters’ quarrel seemed to have subsided, but now the peace was shattered by the music coming from the bedroom of Hattie, the youngest of the four sisters. Hattie took street dance classes and had a show coming up in the next few weeks. Practice makes perfect, or so they say but why did she have to practice now? Florrie-Bea was beginning to get rather agitated. As much as she hated this particular piece of homework, it needed to be done and all this noise wasn’t helping. ‘Turn that racket down Hattie!’ Mum, too, obviously needed some peace as she didn’t usually shout but would instead politely knock on the door and request a reduction in volume. The music became quieter. ‘Thank you dear,’ came Mum’s cheery call.

The clock tick-tocked as Florrie-Bea read through her notes again. It didn’t seem to matter how many times she read them, she couldn’t get her head round the information. As she stared hopefully at the page longing for a light bulb moment of enlightenment, the fingers on her left hand began to stroke a rose on her wallpaper. Florrie-Bea had always loved this wallpaper. It was vintage and had been in that room when they had moved into the house. It’s cream background and pale pink roses brought a warmth and happiness to the room. She stared even more intently at her exercise book. Suddenly a strange feeling began to wave through Florrie-Bea’s body. Her fingers continued to stroke the flower as if they had a mind of their own. A strange spinning sensation began and Florrie-Bea couldn’t work out whether it was the room spinning or her. She felt herself free falling, surrounded by whirling colours and lights. With a sudden bump the strange feelings and sensations vanished. Florrie-Bea blinked a couple of times and scratched her head. She looked around and was amazed by what she saw. For she was no longer in her bedroom, in her house, in the leafy suburbs of Surrey in the year 2010. No. She was in the middle of Soho, London in the year 1854.


Chapter Two
Time to smell the roses

Baffled, confused, bewildered. Florrie-Bea took a few slow, deep breaths and tried to work out what had just happened. She went through the event in her mind.
“How did I get here?”
Unbeknown to Florrie-Bea she was thinking aloud and had been overheard.
“Unfortunately, I’m unable to answer that my dear. Judging by your appearance, may I presume that you do not reside locally?”
The man who had addressed Florrie-Bea seemed familiar, yet how could he be when she had never met him before? Where was she? When was she? Nobody talked or dressed like that in 2010. Did they? She looked at him carefully. He was dressed smartly in a white shirt, waistcoat, black bow tie, pale trousers and a black frock coat. Florrie-Bea gazed down at what she was wearing. When it came to clothes, Florrie-Bea had a style all her own. She wasn’t influenced by the latest fads and fashions; she knew what she liked and she liked what she wore. When she had got up that morning, she had taken the comfortable option – baggy faded blue denim dungarees and a white t-shirt with a pink rose embroidered on each sleeve. She loved her trainers best of all. She had customised them herself when she was feeling creative one day. The combination of sequins and fabric pens had created something you would never find in any high street store. They were her design and Florrie-Bea loved them.
Comparing the stranger’s appearance to her own she could understand his presumption.
“You could say that” she replied.
Florrie-Bea looked at the stranger intently. There was still something so familiar about him yet she couldn’t put her finger on it. Who was he?
The stranger spoke.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is John Snow and I’m a doctor. There are some very sick people around here and I’m concerned for your health my dear. You really shouldn’t be visiting London when there is a cholera epidemic.”
Then the penny dropped. Now she knew why the stranger seemed so familiar. The man from the photo in her text book. The one person who could actually help her with her homework. Dr John Snow.
Florrie-Bea’s head was buzzing, questioning how and why this had happened. She looked at Dr Snow.
“I’ve heard a lot about you Dr Snow and I know people don’t agree with your theories. Could you explain them to me?”

Dr Snow seemed a little bewildered himself now, but kindly proceeded with Florrie-Bea’s request. She sat there in awe as he explained things in a way she had never understood in class. How he didn’t believe cholera was airborne but that, in fact, it entered the body through the mouth. Also, that he had been investigating his theory and they were standing in the street where he believed the source of the disease to be.
“We are standing in Broad Street. That water pump over there is the source. I’m going to have the handle removed and continue my investigation.”
Florrie-Bea had never dreamt that Science could be so fascinating. She wanted to learn more from this famous Dr John Snow. She wanted to know what it was like assisting Queen Victoria when she gave birth to her son Leopold. She wanted to know why so many people didn’t agree with his theories. Florrie-Bea was about to ask him for more anecdotes when Dr Snow turned and offered something to her. It was a pink rose. It looked just like the roses on her wallpaper. She took the rose from Dr Snow.
“It’s time,” he said softly.
Florrie-Bea wasn’t sure what he meant. She lifted the flower to her nose and began to smell its enticing fragrance.
Suddenly, there it was again, that strange spinning sensation, the whirling colours and lights. Free falling faster and faster. BUMP!
Florrie-Bea opened her eyes to discover she was back in her room, sitting at her desk just as before. She rubbed her eyes and glanced out the window. That must have been a dream, surely? Florrie-Bea’s gaze moved from the window to her right hand. Her fingers tightly grasped a pink rose, whose enticing scent began to fill the room. Florrie-Bea smiled broadly, placed the rose on her desk then began to write furiously in her exercise book. There was nothing stopping her now.
  


Chapter Three
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn

Florrie-Bea was what you would call very comfortable in her own skin. She was confident and assured in a good way that meant anyone who met her was instantly drawn to her quirky creative ways and her independent thinking. That’s what made this week so strange. For the first time in a very long while, Florrie-Bea had encountered malicious comments and prejudice. All because of that new girl. All because of a lack of understanding. All because of Charity Agabah.

Monday morning had started so normally. The usual battle with her sisters for the bathroom, rushing breakfast and making those last minute additions to the homework that was due that day. Her best friend Lucy was patiently waiting for her by the oak tree at the end of the road; their usual meeting place. They chatted away about their respective weekends and the homework that had been left until the last moment. Once at school they joined a group of classmates and made their way into the building as the bell trilled through the playground. It was then that Charity made her first appearance.
It was Charity’s first day, having been expelled from her previous school for persistent bullying. The teacher introduced her, omitting the information about the bullying, but saying how Charity had joined them for a fresh start to her learning. She offered Charity the opportunity to share a little about herself with the class. Charity looked the teacher up and down, kissed her teeth, then slowly turned her head away and glared at the child who just happened to be looking her way.
“Yes, well, um, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time throughout the day to make Charity feel welcome.”

The teacher went to continue speaking but the school bell’s familiar trill stopped her in her tracks.
The class filed out and trudged to their first lesson. It was obvious that Charity had no intention of changing her ways and having a fresh start. By break time she already had two detentions and the majority of the class were keeping well out of her way. It was out on the playground that Florrie-Bea had her first encounter with Charity. It was a sunny day and Florrie-Bea and her friends were sitting on a bench enjoying the sun. Charity marched up to the bench and growled
“Move! I wanna sit down!”
She grabbed Sarah, the smallest of the group, and flung her from her seat. Charity then promptly plonked herself down on the bench.
There was much protesting by the girls about Charity’s treatment of Sarah but Charity was having none of it and threatened to start throwing them around too. The girls were on their feet ready to move to a quieter part of the playground. Florrie-Bea went over to Sarah, offered her hand and helped her to her feet. Charity stared fiercely at Florrie-Bea.
“What’s wrong with your face?”
It had been a long time since Florrie-Bea had been asked that question. Although she had lost count of the number of times she had heard it, it still tied knots in her stomach.
“It’s a scar.”
“Someone give you what you deserved did they? Tried to shut you up for being such a goody two shoes swot? I’ve been watching you this morning. Thinking your better than anyone else. Giving all the answers like the teacher’s pet you are. Pity they didn’t do a better job and shut you up completely. Save us getting earache from your know it all mouth!”

The girls looked on in horror as Charity sat there stretched out on the bench with a smug look on her face. It was clear that she took great delight in what she had just said, especially when she saw the tears in Florrie-Bea’s eyes. Florrie-Bea tried to steady herself. She took a deep breath and turned to walk away.
“Got nothing smart to say now have ya!” Charity began to cackle with laughter as the girls made their way across the playground.
“See you in class Scarface!” she cried after them.
Her heart sank as she walked slowly across the playground with her friends. Florrie-Bea knew that her scar would always attract some unwanted attention, but the malicious words seemed to hurt more this time and she didn’t know why.
“Pull yourself together girl. It’s not like you haven’t heard it all before” she thought. A solitary tear rolled down her cheek. She swiftly wiped it away with the cuff of her blazer and tried to collect herself before the next lesson began.
  


Chapter 4
Thorn in my side

Twelve years ago Jackie and Sam Halliday welcomed the arrival of their first child, a daughter named Florence-Beatrice. They were overjoyed at becoming parents for the first time and loved their daughter with all of their hearts. Florence-Beatrice caused quite a stir with family, friends and the local community. Many shared the joy while others didn’t know where to look. Florence-Beatrice was a very special baby. Not just because she was Jackie and Sam’s firstborn, but because she was born with a cleft lip. Her parents love for her was stronger because of it and they were thankful that it could be treated.
“During the pregnancy separate areas of the face develop individually then join together. A cleft is a split or separation. When some of the parts of the face don’t join together properly, a cleft occurs.”

The doctor had been amazing explaining things to them and as time went on Florrie-Bea spent time in hospital receiving treatment. The doctors did a great job. It was obvious that Florrie-Bea had had treatment, but it made her look more ‘normal’ to the general public. But to Jackie and Sam Halliday, she would always be they’re beautiful Florence-Beatrice.

Most of the kids at school had grown up with Florrie-Bea and knew that she looked a bit different. Yes there had been problems over the years, but unfortunately that was to be expected. Everyone knows how cruel people can be when someone is different to them, no matter how small the difference. Florrie-Bea’s personality outshone any obvious differences she may have and her friends loved her for it. Those friends had stood by her through thick and thin and this time was no different. Lucy had informed a member of staff about the incident in the playground and Charity would be ‘dealt with’ as the teacher put it. This didn’t make Florrie-Bea feel any more at ease, but she took comfort in the fact that she had her friends around her and they would cheer her up.

The next few days were tricky at the best of times. Charity was out for revenge and made completely sure that Florrie-Bea’s life was hell. It all came to a head when Jackie and Sam visited the school. This time Charity went too far and the incident resulted in the police being called. Charity would have to find yet another school for a fresh start to her learning.

Florrie-Bea sat at the desk in her bedroom, staring out the large sash window that overlooked the back garden. The view was usually stunning as the garden was Jackie’s pride and joy. Today, however, was cheerless and wet, and this tainted the customary view. The weather mirrored Florrie-Bea’s mood. The events of the past week had knocked her for six and she couldn’t shake the feeling. It was very unlike her to be so morose. She usually took it in her stride then rose above it. Not this time. Her left hand moved towards a rose on the wallpaper. It was the same rose she had stroked before; the time she met Dr John Snow. That was about a month ago and Florrie-Bea had dismissed the whole escapade as a dream. After all, what else could it have been?
As before, her fingers started to stroke the rose. Before she realised what she was doing she was overwhelmed by the feeling she had experienced a month ago. First the spinning, then the free falling through the whirling colours and lights. This time she landed in an old abandoned cinema. There was the scent of stale popcorn in the air. She picked herself up, brushed herself down and began to look around. It was dim and gloomy. There was a light on in the projection booth at the back of the auditorium.
“Hello. Is there anyone there?” she called.
There was no immediate reply. Florrie-Bea felt uneasy about the whole situation. Surely this was just another dream. Stress! That was it! Stress! The last time this happened she was stressed out with homework. This time she was stressed out because of the bullying. It was obvious. During times of stress she had weird and wonderful dreams. Might as well make the most of it.

While she had been contemplating the effect stress was having on her, the curtains on the stage had retracted and crackly black and white pictures were being projected on to the vast screen. When she became aware of this, Florrie-Bea turned to face it. She was amazed by what she saw. It wasn’t some old movie playing on the screen but old home movies of her family and friends; nothing but the good times. Florrie-Bea plonked herself in the nearest seat and began to watch. It made her feel warm inside, watching herself playing with her friends and having fun with her three sisters. She couldn’t tell how much time had passed; she had got so involved with the pictures on the screen. Suddenly the screen went black and then still photographs began to flash up on the screen. Florrie-Bea didn’t comprehend it at first but slowly she began to see how the people in the pictures related to each other; she could understand. For the images projected onto the screen were of people who were different. Famous people, ordinary people, all with something in common - their differences. Even if she didn’t know who the person was, she knew their story. She could see their difference and had they had overcome it; adversity had not beaten them. Florrie-Bea gasped as the last image flashed into view. She was the subject of the photograph and it was a photograph she recognised instantly. She was about eight years old dressed up as Dorothy from the ‘Wizard of Oz’. It was for book week at school and the rest of the class had to vote for the best costume. The thought of winning had never crossed Florrie-Bea’s mind as she was having great fun just being dressed up. She also knew, deep down, that these competitions were won by the most popular boy and girl in the class, so yet again Shantelle and Ben were bound to win the prize. But Shantelle didn’t win the prize that year and boy was she mad about it. This year it was Florrie-Bea’s turn. She looked at herself standing at the front of the class, bursting with pride. Not because she had won, but because she felt accepted for being her. Suddenly she could feel that sense of acceptance running through her veins. She thought of her friends and family and all the things she was able to do. All the things that she wanted to do. Everything she wanted to accomplish.

Florrie-Bea rose from her seat feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She turned to look for the exit. As she did she inadvertently kicked something with her right foot. The auditorium was still rather dark so she bent sown for a closer look. She picked up a familiar item from the floor. That enticing scent tickled her nostrils and from the projector room she heard a voice say “it’s time!” She drew the rose closer to her face and inhaled the scent deeply. Moments later she was back in her room and sitting in her chair at her desk by the window. The difference now was the view from the sash window was as bright and sunny as the way she felt inside. She took a key from her pencil case and unlocked the top drawer of her desk. Carefully, she opened it and placed the rose neatly beside the one given to her by Dr John Snow.
Florrie-Bea gazed out the window and decided she didn’t want to know if what had happened was a dream or a reality. She just wanted to know where she would land next time.
  

Chapter Five
A Rose By Any Other Name

Florrie-Bea was really looking forward to her English lessons over the next few weeks. Shakespeare. At last she could finally get her teeth stuck into the text. Florrie-Bea had been introduced, briefly, to the works of Shakespeare while at primary school. That brief encounter had given her a thirst for hearing and reading more about this great writer. She loved the sonnets, the comedies, the tragedies and wanted to enrich her understanding of the text. Typically not all her classmates shared her enthusiasm for Shakespeare; however that wasn’t going to deter Florrie-Bea.
“The text we shall be focussing on is Romeo and Juliet.”
There were mixed feelings to the teacher’s announcement. Florrie-Bea was filled with anticipation and excitement. She had hoped this would be the play they would study.
“Does that mean we get to watch the movie directed by Baz Luhrmann, Miss?” Lucy enquired hopefully.
There were a variety of murmurs around the classroom. Many hoping the movies would mean not having to read any Shakespeare, while others were more concerned with swooning over a young Leonardo Di Caprio. Lucy was a big fan of Mr Di Caprio, especially his earlier work.

“We may get the opportunity to watch a performance of Romeo and Juliet in order that we can make comparisons between that and the text. However, that is not a definite and we will be concentrating on the text for the majority of our study.”
There were a few groans around the room, but most seemed reasonably content with the possibility.

Monday 27 July 2015

Oooh fruity!!! ;-)

Idea 305 Fruit: Write a poem that is an ode to a fruit.

An Ode To Mangoes
Mouthwatering mango,
So juicy and sweet.
The thought of your taste,
Makes my heart skip a beat.
Your tender flesh,
Entices me so,
As I take the first bite,
Your juice begins to flow.
Oh mango you are fruit divine,
Manna sent from above.
Oh mango you,  yes only you 
Are the fruit I truly love.


An Ode To Strawberries
Strawberry juicy, strawberry sweet,
Strawberries are a fruit that I love to eat.
Strawberry jam on a hot piece of toast,
One of the breakfasts that I love the most.
Strawberry milkshake delicious and cold,
To choose such a beverage you are never too old.
Strawberry ice cream or strawberries and cream,
A lovely desert of which some may dream.
Strawberry juicy, strawberry sweet,
Strawberries are a fruit that I love to eat.



An Ode To Weird Fruit
Sugar Apple, Mammee Apple,
Cherymoya,Platonia,
Cocona, Breadfruit,
Duku, Safou,
Jabuticaba,  Rambutan,
Noni, Marula,
Salmonberry, Salak,
Bael, Star Apple,
Star Fruit, Horned Melon,
Pitaya, Miracle Fruit,
Oh weird and wonderful sounding fruit,
Your delights escape me!
I've only heard of one of you,
And tasted none at all.
I'm sure you're all delightful,
In your own special way.
Maybe one day you will be weird no more.

Sunday 26 July 2015

Did you hear the one about the........

A bit disappointed that I didn't get to write anything yesterday so was hoping to pick out a great idea I could really get stuck into today. That didn't happen!

Idea 49 Joke Poem: What did the wall say to the other wall? Meet you at the corner! Hahaha

This is going to be painful. But hey, it's good to go outside your comfort zone every now and again. I wouldn't class myself as a funny person, but I do have the ability to make people laugh. Jokes, on the other hand, are not my forte so I won't be promising any belly laughs. I visited http://www.ducksters.com/jokesforkids/silly.php for some inspiration and then tried to make it poetic! 

The little lad said to his bro,
Where should 500lb aliens go,
His bro just stared and was very quiet,
Suddenly he shouted "ON A DIET!"

One morning in the month of May,
The girl turned to her dad and was heard to say,
"Why do dragons sleep through the day?"
The father thought with all of his might
And replied " So they can fight knights!"

The soldier longed for something to quench his thirst,
"Oh why am I so tired on this April 1st?"
His friend looked at him in an astonished way,
"You've just finished a March of 31 days!"

If you know the answer I'll have you to thank,
Why did the robber take a bath before he stole from the bank?
I have the answer, I know what to say,
He wanted to make a clean get away!

That's as good as it gets I'm afraid ;-) here's hoping I pick out a cracker of a challenge tomorrow :-)

i know this isnt a quote but it was to funny not to put on XD

Friday 24 July 2015

Spontaneous is an understatement!

Today I won't be choosing an idea from my creative writing box. Instead I shall be commenting on the amazing day I've had.

It started off as a regular Friday. We had made plans to do a bit of shopping, visit my mother in law and perhaps chill out a bit at some point. How is it then that I'm sitting here staring at a brand new dog bed, toys, treats and goodness knows what else I bought in Pets at Home tonight? Well the answer to that is spontaneity. We have been considering the idea of adopting a dog for a while and today, out of the blue, we decided to go and have a look. Not only did we have a look, but after meeting 2 different dogs we choose to give one of them a forever home. Considering today was the first day I had ever walked a dog, it's amazing to think that in less than I week I will be sharing my home with one. I have to admit I am very proud of myself as the first dog was a bull mastiff - I don't do things by halves! The second was a crossbreed. A beautiful girl called Maddie who is almost 2. It's Maddie who will be the new member of the family. I'm so looking forward to bringing her home. You can't beat a bit of spontaneity.