Since Akra started working away from home and I knew we’d be moving house, I’ve felt somewhat in limbo. I haven’t really made any plans, didn’t want to commit to anything, put everything on hold for that distant “when we’ve moved” date.

Now, all of a sudden, the move date is not that distant any more. As a result, my brain has gone nuts and come up with all these plans and projects that I really really want to do. That might sound a good thing, but I’m not very good at seeing things through and the amount of things I want to achieve just isn’t feasible with the amount of time I have. I need to narrow my focus, but at the same time I’m loathe to drop a single one of my plans. I’m doomed.

I’m enjoying messing around with photos at the moment. I know I’m a dismal photographer and I think half of that is I’ve never bothered to take any pictures other than family snaps. It’s something I’d like to have some fun with and I’m happy enough to just reach a level of “fairly competent” rather than achieve any brilliance. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but the 26 Things – the International Photographic Scavenger Hunt that starts tomorrow really appeals.

I’m getting itchy fingers – I want to get writing. I’ve proved to myself that I can make a consistent commitment to daily writing with this blog and actually enjoy myself too. I’ve been doing a Writer’s Bureau course for a little while now but was put on hold until after The Big Move[tm]. However, that’s mainly focussed (at the moment) on non-fiction articles and suchlike, which I’m finding a little tedious, so the motivation isn’t quite there. I do want to complete it, though, and it probably won’t take long to get to a more interesting module.

I also like the idea of the National Novel Writing Month which takes place in November. The idea being that you write a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days – going for quantity over quality of course. I just like the idea that I could say “hey, I’ve written a novel – yes it’s utter utter tripe, but it’s written by me all the same.” According to the FAQ, you can do preparation work before November – just no actual writing of the book until then. Ideally I should be spending the next couple of months looking at genre research, characterisation and plotting. Eeep – that works out at about 1700 words a day. That’s a lot. Could I do it? Maybe. Maybe not. Do I want to try anyway? Hell, yes!

Then I’d like to do some more navel-gazing soul-searching. There’s a druidry course that I’ve been looking at and wondering whether to do. The more I look into this path, the more it feels right, and I’m really drawn to this course as something more tangible and committed (or maybe it’s me that needs committing… dunno). I have been faffing around on such a superficial level for so long, maybe it’s about time I did something about that. At the same time, I don’t want it to end up as being the whole focus of my existence. How to give more time without crowding everything else out?

Also, there’s the piano that’s been untouched for years, the half-formed idea of doing a psychology A-level as an evening course, the ever-expanding reading list, the so far unfulfilled determination to exercise more…

… I think you get the drift. I need about 20 more hours in my day.

We’ve now exchanged up the chain, so we have a house to move into on the 9th July!

Now all we’ve got to do is organise removal men, mail redirection, cancelling utilities….

Well I’ve finally got around to the project challenge Ed set me, and have done my 800 x 600 Project (and submitted it!). The quality isn’t particularly good, I forgot to take the date stamp off the camera before I started, and I probably could have ordered them into a much groovier pattern, but nevertheless, I had fun doing it. I think that’s what counts.

Memories of a House

Well … actually it’s of the area about our house too but that sounded less catchy. It seemed a fitting project for the week we finally sold it! What I loved most about making the collage is the thought that it’s a side of Croydon people don’t really know is there – they see the concrete jungle in the centre and don’t realise the beauty that’s only 5 minutes walk away…

Oh, Jag … the legs picture from that collage is on its way…

…I think I’ve found the camera of my dreams! Slight problem, it’s a little out of my price range (what price range…. *sigh*). Looks like I have some saving up to do.

If you’re reading this in the States, you are probably already aware of Amber Alerts – the system where TV programs and radio shows are interrupted and roadside information boards updated with descriptions of a missing child. Apparently, in abduction cases (although thankfully rare) the window of opportunity for rescue is extremely small – 6 hours at best, so every extra pair of eyes counts.

Now in the UK, a similar scheme is being set up called Child Rescue Alert with a slight twist. They are asking interested people to register their mobile phone number with them. In the event of an incident (they also intend to use it for other serious incidents such as sexual assault, power failures, environmental disasters, etc.) an SMS providing details is sent out to all registered phones within a radius as small as 100m and up to 100km from the incident.

Originally set up in Sussex, it’s due to go nationwide this month and, in my opinion, if it saves just one child’s life then it’s going to be worth it. Now, I dislike spam SMSes as much as anyone, but these look like they’re going to be tailored to a very specific area and have a strict criteria when the procedure is invoked. It’s completely free to register and your details will not be used for anything else.

Please seriously consider being an extra pair of eyes. You can register your phone on the Community Alerts website. Also, feel free to put this link on your own blog.

Thanks.

I’m guessing you’re all sick to death of moving house updates by now, I know I am, so I thought I’d do a foody entry as they’ve been a bit thin on the ground recently.

This recipe is a family favourite in that I love it, Akra quite likes it and Akra Jr is learning to like it! It’s really easy, especially if you have a food processor that can take all the hassle away from chopping the veg.

I swiped it from my mother and I have no idea where she swiped it from, so if I’m infringing any copyrights do let me know and I’ll put in a proper source acknowledgement.

Vegetable Lasagne

Ingredients

225g carrots
225g courgettes
1 onion
100g celery
1 chicken stock cube (or vegetable stock cube if catering for vegetarians. I prefer the flavour the chicken stock cube gives though)
25g butter
2 level tablespoons of flour
½ pint of milk
salt and pepper (I tend to omit this as I forget, and it’s probably healthier without and there’s salt in the stock – still tasty)
175g lasagne (although this depends on the dish size – get the quick cook stuff not the one you have to precook)
175g grated cheddar cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F Gas Mark 5)

2. Place the chopped vegetables in a saucepan with the stock cube and ¼ pint boiling water. Yes, I know that doesn’t look enough fluid, but trust me, it is. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and cook gently for one minute, stirring. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the milk. Bring to the boil and continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, then add seasoning to taste. If too thick, add a little stock from the vegetables.

4. Put layers of vegetables, lasagne, and only two thirds of the cheese (alternatively!) in a shallow, oblong or square, 3 pint dish, finishing with a layer of lasagne. Pour the sauce over the top and cover with the rest of the cheese.

5. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.

6. Serve with salad and/or crusty bread.

Serves: 4. Unless you’re us where 2½ people get through the whole batch because we go back for seconds…

Enjoy!

*drum roll please*

WE HAVE EXCHANGED CONTRACTS! Well, underneath us anyway. That means that we’ve staved off bankruptcy and managed to commit our buyer to actually buying (which seems like a minor miracle as is).

All we have to do now is exchange contracts above us so we have a home to move to on the 9th July. However, we have been assured that everyone up the chain is happy and ready to exchange, it’s just that a couple of solicitors at the top of the chain buggered off home early today. Oh well, half way there.

I know it’s a cliche saying that I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, but I fully understand the root of the phrase. I really do feel like I’m standing another inch taller at the moment; it is going to happen, we are going to move. Of course, there’s a whole new set of issues now like organising the removal men, sorting out mail redirection, etc., but all that can wait until tomorrow.

Tonight I am drinking Archers, heating up a birds eye roast beef dinner, scoffing the last remaining cornettos and watching the Angel Season 4 Finale on Sky. Okay, that may not sound that exciting to you, but to me it’s a small slice of heaven.

Have since confirmed that it’s our buyer’s buyer who’s pissing about now (how I hate property chains, let me count the ways) so have agreed £2,500 off the price of the property if we exchange by end of tomorrow.

So, back to the telephone hovering all day tomorrow too. I so have to find another project to keep me occupied…

Waiting by the phone
Hoping to exchange contracts
No news is bad news

I am not patient
Imagining more delays
Why is there no news?

How hard can it be?
Three months have been and gone now
Naff solicitors

I’m trying to write
But my focus is elsewhere
Anticipation

Ah now there is news
Want a sudden drop in price
She can fuck right off

And exchange delay
Despite our warning last week
Time to remarket

Balls Balls Balls Balls Balls
Balls Balls Balls Balls Balls Balls Balls
Balls Balls Balls Bollocks.

I have a headache. Well, maybe not quite a headache… a precursor… that nagging pressure behind the eyes and frontal lobe of the brain that’s saying “in an hour or two you’re going to know *all* about the meaning of pain…”

I’m not sure if they’re migraines or not. Have never gone to the doctor with them or anything (he thinks I’m a hypochondriac as it is, I’m sure), so maybe they’re just killer headaches with interesting visual effects. They tend to come in cycles – can go for months without them and then I’ll have a week where I have 2 or 3.

Then again, it could just be one of those “I’m tired and a bit stressed and you’ll just ache for a while but it won’t develop into anything” type things.

I refuse to succumb and take myself off to bed. It’s only 7pm and this is my time off now – Akra Jr is in bed if not quite asleep yet (she says, listening to him dropping bob the builder toys off his bed… *thud* *thud*) and this is my time to chill. I shall not be ill and ruin my leisure time!

So I’ve taken some nurofen plus and am slowly sipping water. I shall go delve in the freezer and rescue a cornetto in a minute, just in case my blood sugar is feeling a bit droopy you understand. Then I shall forego the computer and slob in front of my Angel DVD instead, where I don’t have to be interactive.

Hopefully I’ll be back in full prattling form tomorrow.