Keris Stainton's Blog, page 39
June 21, 2012
Daily Exercise June
I can’t remember why, but I decided to try to exercise every day in June. Well, I know why. It’s because I really hadn’t done very much exercise at all and I wanted to get back into it. But why I decided to try every day rather than ease myself back in gently, I don’t know.
So I set myself up a little bar chart (I love a bar chart) and I picked a few exercise DVDs that I enjoy and off I went. Harry had already programmed the Wii Fit for me and I’d done that a few times so I included that too. And I allowed myself one day off a week.
And? It’s been great. For some reason, it’s been really easy to stick to. I decided I was going to do it every day and so I’ve done it every day. The Wii Fit has definitely helped – it’s perfect for me since I get gold stars and I can beat my own high score, etc. Plus new exercises and levels get unlocked as a reward, so I don’t get bored. I also decided to do yoga every other day, which has been good since it almost feels like a day off and I can do it in the evening if I don’t have time in the morning.
If you’re interested, as well as the WiiFit, I’ve been doing Zumba, Kettlebell, Mel B (I know, but it’s good and short), plus yoga videos from Yoga Journal online and, lately, here. I told myself I needed to do at least 10 minutes a day and some days I only just scrape 10, but I’ve found that I’m doing more. Yesterday, for example, I did 20 minutes of kettlebell and today I really need the yoga.
I might even try to carry on with it after June’s over. Maybe.
Free images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net
June 20, 2012
June 19, 2012
Do you remember The Pasadenas?
No time for a proper post, I’m afraid. I want to get back to Fifty Shades of Grey. No, really.
I first saw The Pasadenas supporting Wet Wet Wet. The Pasadenas were great. Wet x 3 were not. (They did “something from our new album” which, of course, no one knew. Pellow grumbled, “Well you could be a bit more f*cking enthusiastic.” The t*t.) So I came away from that gig much less of a fan of the Wets and mad for the, er, ‘denas. I loved their first album, haven’t heard it for years. But this one takes me right back.
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(Just Wikipedia’d – they’re all still alive, thank goodness. Such a risk when reminiscing.)
June 17, 2012
52 Books: Forget You by Jennifer Echols
I’ve only read one Jennifer Echols book – Going Too Far – but I loved it, so Forget You has been on my wish list for ages. I was inspired to read it for research for the Female Fiction Fiddling list I wrote about for my blog tour.
Like Going Too Far, Forget You has some steamy moments and they’re written really well. The main boy is extremely hot and I loved the Florida setting, but the MC, Zoey, was one of the most irritating I’ve ever come across, to the point where I found myself yelling at the book (for those of you who’ve read it “He’s not your boyfriend!” was the main thing). She seemed to contradict herself a lot too and I was often baffled by her motivation for doing some (many) of the things she did. But that aside, I really enjoyed it and I’ll read more Jennifer Echols soon. (I’ve had The Ex Games on my bookshelf for years.)
June 14, 2012
Things that make me feel like a grown-up
Hanging out the washing.
Checking on the children before bed.
Taking a baking tray out of the oven.
Pouring a glass of wine while cooking.
Walking to my car with the keys in my hand.
What makes you feel grown up?
June 13, 2012
No more babies
Years ago, before I’d met David, I was really broody. Or I thought I was. One night, I dreamed I was massively pregnant and when I woke up I was horrified. And so I knew I wasn’t ready for a baby.
After having Joe, I really wanted another baby. As time’s gone on, the feeling’s mostly warn off, but there’s still that little glimmer of wondering… just one more? Before it’s too late?
This morning, I’d told Harry that we had to keep poxy Joe away from one of the school mums because she’s pregnant. When his best friend came over, I said, “R’s mum’s pregnant too!” And R said, to me, “Are you pregnant?!”
I said, “No!” but in the manner of Kevin the Teenager being asked if he had a girlfriend. Like “Pffft! Ha! Like I could have a baby! What an utterly ridiculous idea!”
Of course, I understand that I already have two children (although that still startles me since I’m, you know, about 12), but it’s clear to me now that there won’t be any more.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
June 12, 2012
Chicken or small?
I’ve got SO MUCH I want to write about – my plan to exercise every day (apart from scheduled rest days) in June, flexi-schooling (which is all over the place), our new iPad (squee!), but Joe’s got chicken pox, which isn’t actually taking up much time so far, but it has addled my brain, so instead I’ll leave you with this clip from one of my all-time favourite episodes of Friends.
Weirdly, one of my favourite West Wing quotes is also pox-related (although I think you have to see it to really appreciate it):
C.J. Cregg: Josh!
Josh Lyman: Yes ma’am?
C.J. Cregg: There’s an article I want you to read in the New Yorker.
Josh Lyman: What’s it about?
C.J. Cregg: Smallpox.
Josh Lyman: The disease?
C.J. Cregg: No, the dessert topping Josh. Yes, the disease.
June 10, 2012
52 Books: Pea’s Book of Best Friends by Susie Day
I was saving this book for closer to the publication date (5 July), but the most recent book I read isn’t published until 19 July and though I’m pretty sure I read another book in between, I can’t for the life of me remember what it was (I’ve had a busy week…) so Pea it is!
I absolutely adored this book. I’m friends with Susie Day and I love her writing anyway, but from the first time I heard about Pea’s Book of Best Friends I knew I’d love it.
When Pea Llewellyn’s dizzy but dazzling single mum becomes Marina Cove, author of the bestselling Mermaid Girls books, everything changes. It’s time to leave their tiny flat in Tenby for a proper house in London, and a whole new life.
Pea likes the red front door, and the attic bedroom all to herself. She even likes her hideous new school uniform, in a masochistic Malory Towers sort of way. But there’s an empty chair beside her in every lesson, and no one seems to want to fill it. In the absence of volunteers, Pea is going to have to acquire herself a best friend . . .
It’s just utterly gorgeous. The characters are funny, sweet and charming and it frequently made me laugh out loud and do excited little bounces. A must-read for children from about age 8, I’d say. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
It’s already been compared to Hilary McKay and Noel Streatfeild (as well as The Penderwicks – in this lovely review by Stephanie Burgis – which I haven’t read, but really must).
June 9, 2012
Emma Hearts LA launch party
The first thing I saw in Waterstones!
It was all rather overwhelming really, so I was tempted to just let the slideshow speak for itself, but I’m going to pull myself together and write a bit.
The display in Waterstones was fantastic and I wish I’d taken the time to really take it in, but as with the launch parties I had for Della Says: OMG! everything happens so fast and it all goes by in a blur. A lovely blur, but a blur all the same. I met Iffath (@lovereadingx) who has been so supportive and lovely since before even Della came out and I was thrilled that I finally got to meet her (and her friend and her auntie!).
Much like the Della launch, people arrived and I said hello and then other people arrived and I either ended up rudely abandoning the person I’d been speaking to in order to greet the new people, or rudely ignoring the new people so as not to be rude to whoever I was talking to. It’s very tricky. Again, like the Della launch, there were a couple of people to whom I only said “Hi” and “Bye” (Sorry, Zoe and Andrea!). I took my camera, but forgot to take photos. I had wine (of course), but didn’t get around to having any food (not even the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – fool!).
Oh and I totally failed to give a speech. Again. But that was okay really, because I’m rubbish at speeches. So I’ll say my ‘thank yous’ now, if that’s okay.
Thank you to Waterstones Arndale Centre – particularly Holly – for offering to host the launch in the first place and for doing such a brilliant job of it.
Thank you to everyone who came. I’m so thrilled and touched that you made the effort and I hope you could tell by my slightly demented grin that I appreciated it. (Special thanks to Laura and Tanya for coming all the way from London.)
Thank you to everyone who bought books and I’m really sorry if I wrote something random (or spelled your name wrong).
Thank you to Tanya for the lovely presents, Laura and Tom for the amazing cake, and Jacqui for the beautiful flowers. You’re all super-lovely.
Thank you to Orchard for the refreshments and gorgeous posters/postcards. I totally meant to nick some and completely forgot.
Thank you to David for looking after Harry and Joe (most of the time!), for taking them back to the hotel and putting them in bed while I went off to the pub, and for going back to the shop the next day to take a photo of all three of my books on the shelf (something else I forgot to do).
Click to view slideshow.
I really did have the most brilliant time.
June 7, 2012
Emma Hearts LA – out today!
My third novel – Emma Hearts LA – is officially published today (it’s been available on Amazon and in shops for about a week now).
I’m very excited about this book in particular and also about having had three books published. I can’t quite believe it. In fact, my little ‘My Books’ shelf is starting to look quite cheery.
(That’s the Della original title cover, three proofs, three books and then Perfectly Plum, in which I had an essay. Why yes – my Brooklyn Bridge bookends are thick with dust, thanks for noticing.)
So today, you’ll find me over at Girls Heart Books, talking about leaving my tree comfort zone and then tonight you’ll find me out of my tree comfort zone at Waterstones, Arndale, “launching” Emma Hearts LA. I can’t quite believe how lucky I am.
