MY BLOG
Dip in and out of my recent thoughts on writing, web design, family and lifestyle
Our Search for a Pup – Part 1
I adore dogs. There were very few years when I was growing up that we didn’t have one. Our beautiful white lab Toby was already there when I was born, and a couple of years after he died, we adopted Nicky – a very energetic border collie, crossed with something else...
Three Quick New Year Updates for your Business
The extra school inset day put me off my stride a little this time, but I’m now back in the game - and at this time of year, there's lots to consider. Goal setting, business plans, networking, or just doing the work you love – it’s all happening now, and while it's...
Please: Try The Chocolate Game this Christmas!
There's no better time than Christmas for games, and adults having the time to sit down and play games is one of my best childhood memories. But as wonderful as board games are, they are not for everyone; and for those who really can't face the trial of a full-blown,...
Three Happy Headlines that have nothing to do with politics
The day after an election is a strange one - especially this one. Some people have woken up to the news they've been waiting to hear for years; others have woken up feeling like the country has failed a vital exam. But enough of this! Whatever your feelings today, I...
Who is Father Christmas?
This year, our older son (8) understands how the magic of Father Christmas really works. Yes, we’ve reached that time, and while I’m a little sad about it, I’m also quite relieved that we’re now working with the truth. As part of explaining the whole thing, and...
Fascinating Christmas Trivia!
I love a fun fact, and I’ve got loads about the festive season - and now it is, inescapably, just over the top of this coming weekend. I have been astonishing Mr RLC Words with this same Christmas trivia every year we’ve been together; but now that we're celebrating...
Christmas Weekend! What it is, and why…
I know, it’s not Christmas yet. It’s still November, for goodness’ sake – yet no sooner is Halloween over, than the shops, the TV and social media are all extremely keen to persuade us that it is, in fact, time to start getting organised; and I’m not wholly against...
Old sayings in full – have you heard them?
Sayings are passed down through the generations and we're all familiar with them - and many probably entered the English language hundreds of years ago. They’ve been used down the years for adding weight to all sorts of points, usually cautionary ones – “curiosity...
The Crab and Lobster – the restaurant that’s worth travelling 200 miles for
Five years ago, we moved from North Yorkshire to Milton Keynes. We love it (and you can read all about why here: Five years on – my love letter to Milton Keynes) and we’ve never looked back…apart from the longing glances over our shoulders, at the Crab and Lobster...
How to Make Roman Wax Tablets for school – and Stay Sane
Those following the blog will know that the older boy’s current school topic is the Romans, and in particular the Roman invasion of Britain - which I am very much enjoying (see What did the Romans ever do for me?). This week, his homework was to produce an account of...
Dear Becky of 1999: let me explain about blogging
This is me, just before leaving school at the end of the 90s. No idea what the world beyond a tiny cathedral city was all about, shy and introverted, and never for one minute imagining that at age 41, she'd be doing what I did last week - standing in front of 60...
Project of the Month – Handmade by Abbi
I’ve been running a Project of the Month feature on my site Portfolio page since July, and it was the excellent idea of Mr RLC Words to start making more of the bigger projects I’ve done. I also suggested this as a potential idea to everyone at a Blogging Workshop I...
What did the Romans ever do for me?
Much excitement this week – a school trip of my dreams, to the ruins of a villa built by the Romans, including encounters with an actual centurion, and a wealthy banquet recreation, all on the doorstep, right here in Milton Keynes. I jumped at the chance to go as a...
Becoming a School Governor – what you give, and what you’ll get
Next month, my four-year term as a School Governor comes to an end. I loved it. It's been challenging, interesting, and a privilege to learn so much about the place where our children spend so much of their time. Looking back, I wanted to share with you all the...
Phrase My Son Got Badly Wrong (And Some Others)
(My apologies if you are currently eating - you may want to come back later.) My older son announced to me this week that his friend’s dog had been ill. “He says that his dog had verbal diarrhoea – it was coming out of his mouth and nose!” There were clearly a few...
Four things I’m changing on social media
Whether you use social media for business, pleasure or both, you probably know that your posts aren't guaranteed to reach everyone who follows you - and sometimes, it feels like hardly any! The algorithm that they apply to every post – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and...
