Amanda Prowse's Blog, page 6
July 1, 2013
EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION!
Head of Zeus are running an exclusive on line competition from today!
We want you to send your photos to Twitter: @PoppyDayFans or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmandaProwseFans or to @MrsAmandaProwse of YOU with ‘What Have I Done?’ posters that are all over the UK!
Posters go live today and will be in location at the following railway stations for 2 weeks. There are more than one poster in each station! The best photo wins!
COMPETITION CLOSES FRIDAY 19th JULY!
National
Bath Spa
Birmingham New Street
Bristol Parkway
Bristol Temple Meads
Canterbury West
Cheadle Hulme
Chichester
Doncaster
Faversham Stn,
Gateshead
Gillingham (Kent)
Glasgow Central
Guildford Stn
Hastings
Hertford North
Ilford
Leeds
Leicester
Liverpool
Liverpool Central
Maidenhead
Manchester
Manchester Airport (Tpe)
Moorfields (Merseyrail)
Newcastle
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Central Stn
Nottingham
Southport
St. Albans
Stockport
Sunderland
Wakefield
Welwyn Garden City
Wigan
Wilmslow
Wolverhampton
York Stn
London and Greater London
Barking Stn
Brixton
Charing Cross
City Thameslink
Clapham Junction
Ealing Broadway
Enfield
Euston
London Bridge
New Malden
Paddington
Richmond
Romford
Seven Sisters
Surbiton
Sutton
Upminster
Victoria
Waterloo East
Waterloo Stn
Watford Junction
Willesden Junction
June 30, 2013
Amandababble Week Six
You know one of those weeks when you are feeling OLD – that. As part of my lose-weight-get-fit regime, I have started to exercise, well, I’m walking a lot and I kid you not, my bones have actually started creaking! I thought that was just a joke directed at those over 35, but I can say hand on heart that at 46, when I walk briskly, I sound like the loo door in my Nan’s outhouse. What is this creaking and should I get some WD40? Not sure. My husband has also presented me with a gift this week. Flowers? Chocolates? No, not exactly, he bought me a chain from which I am expected to hang my glasses! Well naturally I am refusing to use it, who does he think I am? Mrs. Vickers from the library? Larry Grayson? He explained that he is sick of me ‘mislaying’ my specs, squinting at text and ignoring family members through lack of recognition. See people, not only am I now myopic, I am also forgetful! He may be right, but I’m darned if I’m going to walk around (creaking) with my glasses on a chain, besides I don’t lose them that often…
The boys have been away for much of the week and we’ve had the house to ourselves. Now, I adore my boys, but it has been bloody marvellous! The food I bought on Friday morning was still in the fridge by Friday evening! Imagine! And I got to lie on the sofa and for the first time in years, I was in charge of the remote control! We spent days just thinking about us and not the kids and I feel like I’ve had a holiday. Although I am of course desperate for them to come home (just in case they read this!)
Its been a big week for me book wise – I was honoured to be a guest on the LBC Book Club on Friday night with the wonderful Iain Dale (my secret crush – although I guess not so secret now!) and they made me very welcome as ever. Saturday the Major and I hotfooted it up to Nottingham to participate in Armed Forces Day, we had the BEST time! Nottingham did the most incredible job of welcoming all and the atmosphere was electric!
A very long day for us, but wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I am nervous and excited today, Clovers Child is released tomorrow as an EBook and hardback and I really hope people like it, I have to say its one of my favourite – Dot’s story is heartbreaking but inspiring! 
I must share a horrendous incident that occurred in Tesco on Thursday. I can’t go into too much detail but suffice to say, strapless maxi dress, wedged sandals, a big trip, sandals caught in hem, came down to my waist and I landed on top of a doddery octogenarian who was pondering the three for two offers in the cheese aisle. Apologies Stan, I hope you recover and to Stan’s wife, again, sincerely sorry and no, Stan, I do not want to accompany you to the over eighties whist night a week next Saturday. Jheesh.
Now, where did I put those darn glasses…
http://t.co/EVnrVmvNhU – podcast of Amanda talking to Iain Dale LBC Book Club.
©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084
June 22, 2013
Amandababble Week Five
Did I mention I was on a get-fit-lose-weight-feel-better regime? Well I am. This is my third week and I’m doing great. I already feel less wobbly and more energized so all heading in the right direction. Trouble is I’m bloody starving! I realised that most of my eating was a habit. Every time I popped into the kitchen, I’d eat something. I don’t have a bath every time I pass the bathroom, so why? Anyone that has seen me knows I’m a girl that has known the love of a good pasty or two, but I don’t want to get to 50 and be unfit and I don’t really know why, but I feel the time to shift my blubber, is NOW! So I have ditched dough and fat and I shall keep you posted. 
The boys continue to loaf around the house, (see I can’t help writing a bread-related word, deprivation manifests itself in funny ways!) and have been driving me bonkers since their exams finished. I suggested they might like to mow the lawn or paint the fence – that was four days ago. They are still laughing.
I’ve been a bit of a media tart this week. Three new Huffington Post articles, LBC radio – Nick Ferrari’s breakfast show on Wednesday. Daily Mail and various other bits and bobs.
It’s impossible to ignore the pictures and commentary splashed all over the front pages of every news paper at the beginning of the week, Nigella Lawson, in an alleged situation that made my heart lurch. Domestic violence knows no boundary its not specific to gender, race, postcode or sexuality and it takes many forms. It doesn’t have to be a punch or a kick, as many of the people I spoke to while researching What Have I Done? confirmed, fear comes in many shapes and sizes. A word or a controlling action can be just as damaging.
Gawd, this is all sounding a bit depressing, so on a lighter note – the boys went out to a sedate BBQ on Thursday night that started at 6pm – of course they didn’t take keys, ‘cos we’ll only be a couple of hours.’ At 1am, barely able to keep my eyes open, I crawled to the front door as they the knocked gingerly, one of those knocks that says, I am trying to wake you up without waking you.
My first surprise was that 2 boys had turned into 4! They had mates O and C in tow. Son 1 stepped forward and threw his arms around me, ‘you make lovely sandwiches!’ it was a compliment of sorts. Son 2 then wobbled forward and said ‘I love you mum!’ Now, this was incredible for three reasons, one, he doesn’t talk to me, two, he hasn’t told me he loves me for eons and three, he did both in the presence of his friends! As if this wasn’t clue enough, they all bore that glassy-eyed, pale-skinned, hue of those who have thrown up on the way home.
They tripped into the house, looking and smelling like Berlusconi’s entourage. I hastily made up spare beds on their floors and came down to find boy C walking around in his pants with a balloon tied to his head. Boy O had found a bag of popcorn and was conversing with it and my two had fallen asleep on the kitchen floor.
I left them to it. I was up bright and early the next day, walked into the loo and for a split second I was back in a Portaloo, Glastonbury, 1993. Boy C had apparently been poorly because he ate some bad chicken, well, we’ve all done that haven’t we?
I did what any self-respecting mother would do. I made bowls of porridge and put a frankfurter in each and delivered them to each boy at 6.30am. I threw open the curtains and I put my Mamma Mia DVD on VERY loudly and I began to sing as I vacuumed!
My boys wailed, shouted, placed their heads under pillows and shouted some more! And I shouted back, ‘next time don’t get sloshed and take a bl**dy key!’ the little darlings…
http://t.co/VopuOOK5Ct – The Mummy Factor.
http://t.co/iIxTsVX5N4 – Computer says NO!
©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084
June 20, 2013
The Twitterary Genius of Mrs Prowse!
We have the pleasure of reading Mrs Prowse’s novels, her exclusive blog posts here and also her wonderful articles in the Huffington Post. She continues to surpass herself in literary excellence. However, we feel that her tweets also deserve much more coverage! This woman makes us laugh on a daily basis and for that reason we have compiled some her most recent hilarious tweets that are well worth reading again. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
“Just made yoghurt, blueberries, muesli & a big squeeze of onion relish (not honey) Next time i’ll pop on my specs when making breakfast yuk!”
“Apologies to all in Tesco Amesbury for my scream – I just got asked at checkout if I was over 18 – I know he was only being polite but, YES!!”
“My nephew is first one in our family to own a coveted RED Mini Cooper, we are all jealous. The fact that he’s one & its plastic is irrelevant!”
“My son has just tripped and showered me in diet coke – I’m covered! Roll on bed time – for him!”
“Three hungry boys – big box of cereal – only half a cup of milk left – oooops! let the games begin! X”
“Husband sent me txt saying ‘expect parcel delivery today!’ Me ‘Ooh how exciting is it my b’day present?’ ‘No, its a new rugby ball for kids’”
“British Army, next time you send my husband off to a hot dusty place, could you make sure he’s cut the grass first. A whim away = my garden! “
“Fret not residents of Larkhill we’re not having a foam party. My 17yr old son has put quote ‘maybe a handful’ of laundry tablets in machine! “
“I just showed a random lady in Tesco a potato that looked like a Womble – she ignored me! Come back! I’m not a weirdo honest!”
“Something has pooped on my window – judging by the size – it was a pterodactyl (I had to google this spelling!)”
“SHOP LOCAL,EAT GOOD! just had chat with my fruit & veg man who is so passionate about his produce he might actually have named his carrots!”
“I’m listening to the rain falling on the scaffolding (don’t ask) & it’s playing a tune – think its BoneyM – Daddy Cool. How lovely!”
“My 16 year old just asked me ‘do you think ducks know that we’re people?’ I honestly don’t know how to respond…”
“Who dug out their vests & flip flops yesterday ? This rain is YOUR fault!”
“Just heard a mum say to little boy ‘remind me when we get home, you are going straight to bed without pud’ think he might forget to do that”
“My day only starts right if I can have my first coffee in my special mug. When I read this I can see that it’s not normal”
“Note to my boys – writing HELP ME! on the mirror so I see it when the mirror steams up is not funny – it STILL scares me a lot. Grrrrr….”
“My neighbour just asked my plans, I told her it was my nan’s funeral on Monday. She replied with ‘oh no! Did she die?’ …err, speechless!”
“Tonight i ran – for the first time that i can remember without a bus or the police involved! New get fit regime is working – yeeha!”
“Oh My God, I just kicked a gnome – whats wrong with me?”
June 16, 2013
Amandababble Week Four
If I fall asleep half way through writing, someone give me a nudge, I am beyond tired and it’s my own fault. I know I’m at least an eight hours a night girl, so why oh why do I think I can manage on any less at my age? I have only myself to blame.
Monday night we were invited to the film premier of ‘Summer in February’ – a fabulous film produced by my very clever friend Janette Day – it was wonderful, beautiful, captivating and the acting was BRILLIANT! Go see it when it comes out. We hung around the great and glamorous, there was me, with my Claire’s Accessories diamonds twinkling and my Fred & Florence frock, as I chatted to lots of lovely people – I felt very self-conscious at first, but once I got into it, it was a great evening. …even if I did say to Dan Stevens, you look like that car crash bloke out of Downton, he replied, “I AM that car crash bloke out of Downton.’ Oooops! Apologies, your Lordship. 
We drove home late as the boys had a GCSE the next day and after this one night on a couple of hours sleep and lots of early starts, it’s thrown my week. I keep thinking I might catch up and feel sprightly but I haven’t yet. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz…. Thank you for the nudges.
I had a couple of articles in the Huffington Post this week. For all the heartfelt comments and feedback that I have had, thank you so very much.
My new novel is coming along nicely and I’ve been sworn to secrecy on the title and so do not whatever you do tell my publishers at @HoZ_Books that you know its called ‘a Little Love’ - do not do that! I fall into the pages of it every day and resurface hours later for a glass of water and a loo visit and then straight back to my lovely Pru and her world. Writing her story is a reminder that we all lead lives that are sometimes thrown off track, and its okay to lay down and catch your breath for a while, and then when you are ready, get back up and continue with your journey. I think about events that have shaped my life every single day, but that’s okay too, its part of the fabric of who I am.
The boys had their final GCSE this week and so for them summer has begun! And that apparently means sleep and raiding the cupboards! They surface mid-afternoon, forage for food and crawl back under their duvets. I keep shouting up the stairs, ‘It’s sunny!’ or ‘who wants to go for a walk?’ no response. They say it’s them restoring their batteries, growing and taking stock. I say ‘get out bed you lazy s*ds!’ I can’t spend the next three months with them hibernating like bears, only coming out swoop through the kitchen locust-like. Although thinking back to the summer when my O Levels finished (I salute all those who are nodding, ah yes, O levels, when exams were REALLY hard and we couldn’t take one in basket weaving or street dance!) I spent the entire holiday with my friend in her parents vacant shed, watching The Breakfast Club on Betamax over and over and over, drinking Pomagne illegally through a straw, practicing smoking (I could never do it, I was rubbish!) and piercing each others ears with a needle and an ice cube, while listening to Heaven 17. Second thoughts, maybe its better I just leave them to sleep…
©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084
June 8, 2013
Amandababble Week Three
“To feel their chubby little hands inside mine as we waddled at a snails pace back to the car…”
It’s funny how little things can cause a sob to form in my throat, more and more so recently. (Yes, I know, I am without a doubt menopausal and if it weren’t for evening primrose oil, I’d have been sectioned a while ago.) Yesterday as I returned my trolley to the row outside Tesco, a young mum was standing by one of those ghastly automated rides that gobble up coins faster than The Major at an all you can eat buffet. She had one arm slung across her stomach and the other, propped on it, held her fag out, on which she puffed nonchalantly. Her little boy was being jogged back and forth, while his head lolled and distorted fairground music filled the air.
At that precise moment, I would have given anything in the world to be standing by the side of that machine, while my boys sat grinning and singing along. I remember hating the event, wishing the train/tractor/car would go quicker so I could get on. I even lied that I had no change or that it was broken. But now, as my boys wade through the treacle of teenage-hood, how I would love to see that small thing that made them so happy! To feel their chubby little hands inside mine as we waddled at a snails pace back to the car, which was covered in stickers, handprints and discarded snacks. I wanted to say to her, enjoy him because you will blink and he will be changed and you will long for this day, or like me, just one minute of this day.
Sentimentality was soon re-calibrated when I struggled through the door with a thousand carrier bags and a dozen boxes. (No-one was available to help me as there was football on the TV – der!) Although son number 2 did look up, briefly and say, ‘got any crisps?’ Bless. I bit my tongue as we are in the middle of GCSE’s and I am not doing or saying anything to upset or cause friction. This however, will not always be the case. I am saving up a long mental list of all the things they are doing/have done that require rebuke and after June 14th, I shall help the boys understand the error of their ways through the medium of screaming and shouting at them. I’ll let you know how THAT goes. Earplugs will be delivered to the whole of Larkhill, or better still, I could coincide my rant with the Royal Artillery firing those really big guns that make my teeth rattle and no one would hear a thing – I’ll work on it.
My short story Something Quite Beautiful has received wonderful 5* reviews and I am over the moon! Thank you everyone that has written such kind words, it means more than I can say.
The army have scuppered two of my plans this week, I was unable to make a concert on Thursday to see the incredible Project Zulu which you can learn more about here http://www.projectzulu.org and I had tickets to see Billy Ocean, but as my other half was stuck somewhere, talking about how to get stuff back from a hot, dusty place, that was not going to happen. Ggggrrrrrrr….
The Major and I have been invited to film premier on Monday night! I know right, wow! There are three things worrying me about it, one, I have nothing to wear, two, I think I might feel really out of place and three, I have nothing to wear! So I shall give you the low down, if I don’t get chucked out for wearing Primark, and generally lowering the tone!
And I know I shouldn’t say this but I’m LOVING the novel I am writing, I get lost in it every day. My heroine Pru, falls in love for the first time at 66 and her adventure and strength are inspirational.
…and finally, a little note to send love and luck to anyone who is facing a challenge this week. I have a friend who is going for surgery and another who is nursing a broken heart – to all women I say, we can find strength in the sisterhood, support each other, help each other because singularly we are amazing, but together we are INCREDIBLE! X
©Amanda Prowse – all enquiries PFD ajhughes@pfd.co.uk. +44 (0)20 7344 1084
