A quick trip up to London

So today I took my son up London, but all he wanted to do was get on a train once we reached London Waterloo, wanted to have a donut and get the train back. Thankfully I got a coffee and him a cup of milk, and got two small donuts from the M&S store in the station, waited for the train to go back home, and that was it.

Now since my son was watching trains on his tablet next time wants to actually leave the station and walk again from London Waterloo to Epsom, or from Epsom to London Waterloo, which we have tempted, and then says he wants to go to Dorking. 

Kids change their minds a lot. Something you have to get used to, being a parent as it is hard to keep up with what they want to do. 

He then said he'd like to go by train from London Waterloo to Dorking, but agree we'll travel during the school holidays come up, to travel to Dorking from Clapham Junction, and just now changed it to travel from Earlsfield to Guildford. Well it will be nice to travel somewhere different. So we shall see. I did write a parenting blog today, if you'd like to check it out:https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2024/04/30/rewarding-your-children/

Tomorrow my Life Coaching Programme "Summer Project 2024" starts, and will be posting blogs on my site:

and filmed a video for it, if you'd like to check this out: https://youtu.be/-E2LmAU0xBg

We were lucky with the weather, and my son wants to play football but I have my pyjamas on now so had a tantrum. If I had known it was going to be this sunny late evening then I would have done, but tomorrow we will. I feel as a parent your always high demand. 

Anyway, I am going to enjoy the rest of Tuesday and will be back with a blog tomorrow. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting it done now it is Monday

So it is Monday once again and have completed all my tasks. Sorry not rubbing it in by any means, and found a simple system that works, as I would be fighting to get jobs done and completed. Giving myself that time in the morning has helped, along with not having to travel so much. 

Tomorrow as my son is off from school going to take him up London and be good to do something different and plan to do some writing in a coffee shop rather than indoors. It is good to have a change of environment, and will vlog, but need to clear memory stick to do so. I have been doing lots of filming and on Wednesday my Life Coaching programme starts and filmed a video for it, if you'd like to check it out: https://youtu.be/-E2LmAU0xBg   

I did my cheat sheets for my blog sites everyone one can build a castle and The Parenting Adventures Tips and tricks. So please if you'd like tips and ideas each week, to help you have a good week ahead, then please check them out, and free to download, and please check out my Pinterest as I post everything on there too: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/

I am watching Saturday's Britain's Got Talent and it is a choir singing and I am enjoying it this year. I was getting a bit bored with it, but they have really got some fantastic acts and if you got personality and charisma, you can entertain people, with talent. I like that they have all been very different. 

There is a secret I have been holding, and check out my video I filmed for my Life Coaching programme, to hear me talk about it, as I have started working on radio. 

It is so much fun and it has made me see that whatever you want to do in life then go for it, and yes it can take a while but once it has come true then all the hard work, it makes it worth it. 

There is nothing wrong with being ambitious but you have to make it happen, and that is take a risk, send that email or make that call, just taking that chance could really change you and your life.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

How I like to spend my Sunday

Today was my sons last Rugby club session for the season, and it an amazing club. It is run by volunteers, and they really are so inclusive as it is for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and one of the coaches had their own little boy joining in too. 

Everyone is so friendly and swear I have shared this before, but I just can't stop writing about it as it one of the best clubs my son has joined and he had the kit on for it today, which my mum bought for him and really suited him.

Check out Wimbledon RFC.

This was last week Wimbledon RFC 

I have planned for the week ahead, and already I feel as it is 1:37pm getting into my PJs already. 

Is it too early? 

What do you feel like doing on a Sunday when you've been out and it is raining outside? 

You can share in the comments below. 

Being a Sunday, when even though it is summer, still pretty cold, like to have a roast dinner, and then use leftovers the next day. 

I am making an apple crumble today. It is a long time since I made it, but looking forward it. This can be eaten once baked cold or hot, but realised we don't have cream or custard, to go with it but not going to fret and still enjoy. 

What is your favourite meal on a Sunday?

For me it has to a meal or a pudding that I don't always have in the week, and the same on Saturdays. Yesterday I had baked potato with lovely cheese and leaks. That is a nice meal and I had that last week with butter and cheese, and don't have all the time, but when I do I really enjoy it. 

This week my son is off on Tuesday so going to take him up to London and have a good day out.

I like going up to London each week, and this week we have the General Election, and so going to be voting, not going to say who, but do feel as a UK citizen that it is important to vote, as it is my right and for a party that really is going to make a difference to the country. 

Also we have a bank holiday coming up and I did a video talking about, please check it out: https://youtu.be/Yi_BSUErQck

So going to continue to enjoy my Sunday to be all fresh for a new week, 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

The Weekend is coming

Oh I am tired it has been a long day but glad I got all I wanted to get done and that is important. I plan my life so I don't get overloaded by doing so much, and I feel such a buzz as I walked to my sons school again today which is a far distance and is such a nice walk, and yes it rained but wasn't bothered. 

Taken on walk yesterday to my sons school

It is another day I was so tired in the end yesterday, and so it is the next day. 

Now it is the end of the week and glad the weekend is near as it is good to not have to not worry about my son getting ready for school and means we can venture out and not necessarily, be anywhere. 

I like to be away from my laptop and so I use the weekend to spend more time with my son and this weekend we are going to do our monthly task of buying food for the local foodbank, and love doing this and helping others out. 

Then there is TV. I am will be watching Britain's Got Talent but next week and then there is football on so will watch Match of the day on Sunday morning and then my son has his swimming lesson on Saturday and rugby club on Sunday. 

It is good to have things to look forward to. I will be sorting out my bedroom in Wimbledon and going to have a potter of cleaning things out, and will film. 

So yes so going to take a shower and will be blogging next week.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

Changing your habits and environment

Hi and I took a trip up to London and just got back as I have done some good walking and having a mooch around the shops vlogging in Victoria and saw some good bits I'd like to buy, I will be taking another trip next week.

I got on the bus just now in Epsom after travelling back by train from Victoria and the bus diverted to the high street again and terminated the journey so went around one big circle, how annoying. 

Anyway apart from that it was a good trip and had a nice lunch in a restaurant Itsu and had Thai noodles with chicken and green beans, and my mum had a Coconut Soup, and do nice tea there too. They are in Victoria Street and there are two along the high street, as you walk straight ahead out if the  big entrance from the overground station, where you got more shops, and restaurants and stalls. 

I did film so will be in a vlog coming. (vlog channel: (4) Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube). It is good to have a break from the same environment and take a trip on the train and bus and looking forward to when the weather warms up here in the UK and have a picnic and work outdoors.

One of my favourite things is reading in the park and eating outdoors with the sunshine and blue sky. 

This morning I published a new vlog: https://youtu.be/c0euxNq6XM8 so please check it out. 

I have continued to get up early if you have read my other daily blogs and it really has been the best thing I have done. I am realising that just by changing one habit a day can do wonders to how you feel each day. Yes I know it isn't for everyone, getting up early, but it doesn't have to be that, it could be cutting down on drinking coffee in the morning. There are days where I will take a break from it. Too much of anything can take its toll. 

It is what makes you want to get up and enjoy the days ahead. Its is what suits your wellbeing and having self belief that you can make positive changes in your life, and that there is a whole world outside waiting for you, it just takes that one change that can divert your feelings and thoughts of your life, so lets grow our lives and on the 1st May 2024 my Life Coaching programme starts, Summer Project 2024 Check out my Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/summer-project-2024/ and is to help you have a better life to have a better year, and yesterday posted my work book for it, check out my blog: http://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2024/04/23/my-life-coaching-programme-summer-project-2024-helping-you-have-a-better-year-and-a-better-life-is-coming-at-the-start-of-may-2024/

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Variety Act on TV

Hi there and happy Saint George's day, and I did wear the colours today and do it for my dad and in laws, who would celebrate it each year. The last couple of years I have forgotten and so wanted to make the effort as it only comes round once of year, and we should celebrate where we come from. 

Talking about being from England do acknowledge that I am British too and watched Britain's Got Talent and oh my word,

Sydney Christmas was brilliant and have not stopped watching it, and watched Sunday's episode and this years is good, and so will be watching more next weekend and really love that they have had some real surprises. Not going to say too much as many may still have not watched and hate spoilers. 

As a kid I loved the Variety show and never missed a year and it still going on and like the different acts you get like Attraction who did a Shadow act and it was so clever and gave me goosebumps. 

Then there was Jonathan and Charlotte that sang Let this be our prayer and so yes it been more serious now and a lot of the acts seen so far have raised the bar and will support Variety acts out there. 

As a child was more confident than I am now and loved doing ballet and tap and then Ballroom Dancing and love dancing acts, comedians and magic, and that lifts you off your seat. 

Let me know who has been your favourite act from when it started to now. You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Learning/Building your knowledge and skills

Yes another start to the week. It means getting stuff planned. It means planning dinners and my work on books, blogs and videos and training. I train myself all the time to listen and learn, on different topics I am interested in, that is going to help push me forward to my dreams and aspirations.

I like to learn everyday and so will spend time watching others on Youtube that are already doing the things I want to do and reading books. Seeing other people make a success of their lives is inspiring and that there is plenty of success going around, that I know I am able to also be happy successful in my life.

When it comes to life you have take on risks, and test the water I always say, to see what suits you and if it is what you want to do in your life and learning from experts in that industry, or already doing it, is the best to learn to build you knowledge and understanding.

Going out into working world suited me, as it helped support myself instead of relying on my mum and dad and making money of my own. It was something I could be in charge of and I made mistakes, but that is how you learn aswell in your life, and find your skills you have and it can take many jobs and life experiences that can lead you to do what you want. 

My son is doing swimming lessons and he is good at swimming on his front rather than going back, and not an easy skill, and he was scared at first but loves the water now as one point he wouldn't even sit in the bath and so learning everyday and learning new skills each day can do wonders. 

I encourage to do self learning if you don't want to do a course with the internet now and books available.

There is Youtube University and Ted Talks, and go to the Careers Service and if you are on benefits then there organizations that offer free courses and I have done a few and if you are under the mental team in the UK there is what is known as the Recovery College. 

So lets live and learn, as you be amazed at what you find out.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Investing in Sport

Happy Sunday! So going to plan my week, and their is some football on the TV today and FA cup match, Coventry City vs Manchester United. Watched Chelsea get beat yesterday by Manchester City and was disappointed, being a Chelsea fan, and they played well we just couldn't hold on. 

At AFC Wimbledon Ground watching the London Broncos 

I will understand if you aren't a football fan, to not be interested, but wanted to share, should some of you felt the same. How far away are Chelsea fans these days, now the Premier League is a popular league and how many players play in it all over the world now?

Football has changed so much, which is an understatement I know but it is very commercialised and feel that sponsorship and money get in the way, of the football now and not just what goes on, at the training grounds and on the pitch. I love Chelsea but visiting the Chelsea Shop at the ground, the prices are through the roof and I begrudge it. 

I like investing in sport as I enjoy it so much but I also have boundaries on what I want to spend on supporting it and feel robbed when I have to pay over hundred pound on a jacket and just buy a blue one without the logo. My son wants a Chelsea shirt but the thing is he will grow out of it and may change his mind, which he does a lot, so would be a waste. See when it is his birthday then decide. 

When it came to sport I would buy the shirts, badges and programmes when I went to Chelsea ground, because they are collectable items, but I can't afford it now, and I am not going to spent money knowing that this could encourage clubs to increase their prices even more. 

If you want to buy sports merchandise then that is fine, it is up to you I just don't feel good about it and feel that clubs should lower their prices as there a lot of people struggling to put food on the table, and I have just as I write had a brainwave of if you have got old shirts that are in good condition, then donate them to a family, and wished I had done that, now thinking, and I did give my programmes away, and so if you do have sports gear and clothes, you can recycle and donate. That's if you want to. 

This is the reason why I support lower league clubs, as the prices are lower and still good matches, and not a fortune. 

I just like to go to see a match so, I will book tickets to AFC Wimbledon, which is just down the road from where I live, the food is still expensive, so we eat before or after, at home and feel we have had a good afternoon and support other sports, like Rugby League. When the London Broncos, who I used to follow a lot, play at AFC Wimbledon's ground gone and it is in warmer weather, and last time we went we got free tickets, and at my sons school were offering free tickets to go to see Leatherhead Football club, which I have take my son too. 

It is all about is it worth while? And do I feel ripped off?

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Trying to find a good school for my son

End of the week. I am feeling the tiredness of a busy week. Yesterday I shared my apprehension of my son going to an afterschool club and I did walk there. It was a fare distance but glad I did it and my son was happy and the teacher running the afterschool club said that he is very good at football and so feel relief and looking forward to the same next week. 

Picture on my walk I did to collect my son from school

I feel so thankful, that I can walk and that my son has now joined a new club that can cater for him as he has learning difficulties, and will help him make more friends and he still wasn't super tired and wanted to continue to play, so had to prompt him a lot to sit down and chill.

Today my mum and I are checking out a secondary school as we've been advised to choose one this year before he is in the sixth year at his Primary school, he goes to now. 

It can be daunting and being that I have only one child, because my son has changed primary school, three times because they couldn't cater for him and his needs. 

If you have tips, please share. You can leave a comment below. 

At his school now, they really do what they can for them to get so much more out school, like doing swimming lessons, he was awarded star moment on some sentences he did on World War 2, and religious studies and now an afterschool club. They really cater to the children's wellbeing. 

Teaching children is hard, because all children are different and require different needs, and have a lot of patience. My son not now at his school, was holding back and not showing what he can really do, and shied away from some of his teachers because he wasn't spending time with other children, when he would get 1 to 1. Now he is taught with other children in smaller size class, and its taken three schools for this to happen. 

It wasn't our choice, it was the schools and the local authority. His EHCP wasn't updated for his second school by his previous one and so when we read over it with my mum who works in education, they changed it and found out that his teacher at his second school hadn't sent it from his previous school. 

Now though he is progressing in the right direction and in a school that has matched his ability and feel somewhat better about his education. 

So will see, and if you have experienced the same and wouldn't like to share then please do. 

Have a good weekend. I will be blog again on Monday. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Apprehensive about my son Starting a new after school club

Sorry for not blogging yesterday, time and tiredness took over and so chilled for the rest of the day. I uploaded a new vlog for the week: https://youtu.be/yEv1YJHExW8

I filmed and uploaded a video on my other channel: https://youtu.be/5Y_QP95Cc7o

Most of my tasks are done I just got to collect my son from school today as he is starting an afterschool club and feel apprehensive about it, because it is not straight forward in getting there, so gonna leave early and walk there and get the bus back. 

He was very excited about it and will help with his communication and interaction with other children and pray that it goes well and he enjoys it. It is only for 5 sessions, but often that is enough as he also has swimming lesson at school today too, so he will be so tired tonight but he has so much energy so will help him to chill when we get home. 

Usually he wants to play on passed 7pm when I want to be winding down, and him not wanting to go to bed. When children have still got so much energy in the evening and hungry when he gets home from school, they can start to bounce off the walls and not sure what do with themselves so it is going to be good to do physical activity in the day to help with that.

Is it a boy thing? Please give me feedback. You can leave a comment below.

My son has ADHD and development delay, check out my parenting blog: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com and it is challenging. He likes it when he has a set routine, so he knows what to expect, and can get upset if something is different to his normal routine. 

Kids like fun and the school my son goes to, is a LAN School, as he wasn't coping when it came to large size classes, and so now he has changed to a more of a special school he can do group learning being in smaller classes and is his third school, and now we got to start looking for secondary schools. It will be another LAN school and been told that because of he is under SENCO he can go to private LAN school, so going to be finding this out. 

If you have any advice on this then please let me know, I welcome it.

So going to concentrate on drinking my cup of tea, being lunchtime and will blog tomorrow too.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

The Cost of living lets work together

Hello Hello! Being up since 5:30am I have completed my daily tasks and this not to make anyone to feel bad, its been a long time to find a system for me to stick to and now going to retire and do a workout indoors and then chill until my son returns from school and I have got dinner almost sorted. 

I have a slow cooked meal today, Beef Casserole and just got to do the potatoes for it. 

It isn't as warm as you think and have been feeling cold and so got a few layers on today and hope we can have warmer weather. I find it hard to work in the cold and my husband not happy that I have put the heat back on, and do wish that I didn't need to but I was freezing.

I do feel for those that are having to be in the cold and feel afraid to put their heating on because of the cost of the heating and those sleeping in the streets, with no place to go. 

When I have gone up London Victoria, seen people laying on the streets and it is heart breaking. It does make me see that I am lucky and have a roof over my head, but limited too and I do respect those I live with who pay for the utilities, so I only put the heating on if I am super cold which I was and so it won't be on for long. 

Soon there will be an election and I not confident about it and hope that whoever is in charge of the country, England make a real difference in helping people who are having to rely on every penny they have because of the cost of living, and are homeless. They do have hostels now, but still the only thing they have is drink and that needs to change. 

Every month now I will buy food or donate money to the local Foodbank in Wimbledon and want to do more, because I want to play my part in looking and supporting others and feel to help us all, is to give to those less fortunate and stop people having to be cold and not affording food and personal products.

So lets work together in building peoples lives so they aren't struggling and have more to go round as everyone can live and be happy and not having to scrimp and scrive, and not having enough of what they need to get by. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Building my energy and making the most of each day

So here we are a new week and my son has gone to school and I went out and got soaked. I do like to go out early as I have the rest of the day to play around with and getting all tasks for the day done. I am listening and watching, Behind the Diary on Youtube and just got to do some reading and then that means I have completed all I had planned to do, today and so can chill out. 

It is good to be productive and getting up early really helps me, and be on my laptop to edit a book I am working on and wrote down what food needs to be cooked and when by. It gives me such a good burst of energy and going out early can help too, Your body is made for you to move and think, and making the most of everyday. I think of my nan, on my mums side. She would always go out and sometimes twice, when she wasn't in the kitchen cooking or baking. 

I was caught out in the rain, and just posted on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/typicallondongal/?hl=en

In Epsom there are some good places to go for a walk and looking forward when it doesn't rain to do a bit of work outside and read, after a walk and just explore.

Since this morning the sun has come out, typical. 

Not going to let it get me down and still enjoy the day. 

I am going to start on a new series of Race Across the Road on BBC and yesterday watched the last one of series 1 and so going to start on series 2 and really good. 

If you have recommendation on good TV to watch then please leave a comment below. 

So going to end it here but will be back on this site tomorrow.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Last of the Easter Holidays

It is another weekend and been up bright and early catching up on Youtube and wanted to watch a UK football programme on BBC 1 Match of the day and completing a blog for my site: Building Self Confidence- The Ugly Duckling (buildingselfconfidencetud.blogspot.com)

I also edited a bit of my book that I am working on, and planning for the week ahead. I didn't want to travel anywhere so went to a farmers market and then took my son to a local park and went around it on his scooter, while I sat enjoying the sunshine. 

At the Wimbledon Rugby RFC 

This morning my son went to his rugby club, Wimbledon RFC which is a brilliant club and teaches children of all ages and abilities and learning disabilities and so inclusive that it is a joy to be there. I coached children football and it was tricky as it was just me coaching, with help from other coaches on some sessions, but you would be on your own most of the time. At the rugby Wimbledon rugby club youth training they have 3 or 4 coaches which makes a huge difference and there were a few players in my sons group that were moving onto being in an actual team. 

There is a clubhouse their which serves food and drink, toilets and benches to sit on and everyone is just so friendly and there was a new child who started today, called Ben who is Autistic and was shy at first but within 5 minutes of him starting, he really got into it, my son was a bit distracted because he saw a drome and so lost his concentration, but still will take him as there are others who also have learning difficulties. There is a girl named Matilda and every time she sees a dog, she wants to go over to them to stroke, but she is lovely she was holding hands with some of the smaller children and its just so enlightening. I would like to thank my mum because she is the one who found it, and my brother who plays rugby came, as he is doing a lot of work for the sport.

I followed a rugby league team called the London Broncos and I loved it. I still go to a few games, but at one point would go to every match, home and away and was a huge part of my life. I loved the banter and the atmosphere and at one point was helping with face painting and wrote supporters club newsletter with my friend who introduced me to it, called What ever happened to  Fulham, as they were initially the Fulham Rugby league team, and when I began following them they played at a ground called Barnet Copthall and were called the London Crusaders. 

I got to see them as a local side who had a small following to then becoming a Super League club, who moved to the Stoop in Twickenham, Charlton FC ground, Brentford and even as far as Crawley. 

Many of the people I knew from those days have passed and sad about that, as they were so welcoming and we would have sing offs, we, my friends from the club would go to a yearly dinner and dance in Blackpool and got to see then get to the Challenge Cup final and were beaten by Leeds. 

Rugby is a great sport, League and Union, and last year I managed to get free tickets to see the Broncos at Plough Lane, at the Cherry Red Records Stadium (AFC Wimbledon's ground) as they handing them out in Wimbledon and my son loved it. Sport like music can really bring people together in a positive way that it is good to invest in it by watching local teams especially rugby. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Being on time when it is okay and when it is not

It is Friday. The end of the week and got up when my alarm went off at 6am. I would have liked to have woken up sooner so going to as of next week set my alarm to 5:30am, just that extra bit of time makes such a difference. 

When I would work in a call centre I would make sure I set myself enough time to grab a drink, set up my computer and my notebook and other tools I needed, way before my shift began and would walk to work living in Epsom and Wimbledon, which would grow my motivation to make sure I got things done and rarely late. If you are looking for work remember time keeping is so important, and that you are reliable. 

There are those that would turn up twenty minutes late and then get a coffee and it would really bother me because it meant I had to cover for them, and would take the mickey with their time and not thinking of their co-workers which for me is so important. 

With children it can be hard, but even if I hadn't slept well would still show up and get what I needed done and if there was a chance I'd be late make sure I called the relevant person to let them know I was running late and make up the time. 

It is on the flip side good to have people in your life who are always late if there is no specific plan as it is good to not have to rush and just have a round about time. Example meet between 1 to 2pm, and let those waiting for you know, that your gonna be late. If you are meeting outside a pub and they contact you to say, that they are running late, go in and find a table before they arrive with a drink for them for when they arrived, and enjoy the evening. 

I would make sure that I had food on me when working or meeting friends if not eating out and buying food out, all the time, it can get expensive, so would take a sandwich, a tinned fruit or crackers, because working on an empty stomach found that my concentration would be affected, and so would save me time so I wouldn't be late and do it the night before. 

Time is money and so remember that your being paid to be there and by customers who would call and it is not fair that you have taking call after call because of someone being late and it is unprofessional and you will be fired for it.

It is stressful on your part because your getting told off, when if you are on time you will be left alone to do the job you are there to do. With friends just keeping touch and if you need to make changes to the time and place, to keep them informed and more notice the better. 

What is your view? Leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting to the end of the Easter Holidays

It is Thursday and up at 5am, and having my first cup of tea of the day. and feeling a little tired and thinking it was only, quarter to 6 it is quarter to 7 and so meant I had less time to get ready and make my son a packed lunch as he is off to a holiday club again. 

My son playing Basket ball Yesterday

The Easter Holiday's are coming to the end. 

How many Easter eggs have you still got? My son has quite a few and so will need to use these up so perhaps he can have a bit of one tonight. I was going to put a bit into his packed lunch today but forgot so tomorrow I am going to make sure I remember. 

I like to take it easy as it gets nearer to the weekend and end of a holiday and congratulate myself that I got through it. I love my son to bits and we have a lot of fun and tonight also. He's got so much energy that I can't always keep up, with him.

Later after my son has finished at the holiday club we're going to get a McDonalds and see if we can go back through South Park gardens before we head on back, which is a local park and my son and I spent some time there yesterday. 

It is so nice to have the days lighter now and feel you can do so much more. 

I have been watching Race Across the road, and watching first series and watched the celebrity one they did and so watching the non celebrity one and it is really good.   

Not sure if I'd ever do that, but would be good to do, as I have this fear of being stranded. Perhaps it would help get rid of this fear.

I was a bit annoyed with myself for going back to bed this morning as I felt worse for it so going to keep on getting up early as I do feel so much better when I do. 

Anyway enjoy your Thursday and will blog again tomorrow. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Spending time in London

It is now Wednesday and it is early but I have had a good nights sleep and got up to have my first cup of tea of the day. I have always been a tea girl, until I reached my 30's and moved onto drinking coffee.

Inside the Natural History Museum

Visiting the Natural History museum I was desperate for a coffee so after visiting the museum, went to Pret a Manger which is opposite South Kensington station, and there was a guy near to us, that was talking to himself and got up dancing, but doing no harm, but the Police turned up, which was disturbing. 

I do feel for those who have mental health issues, like I have had and have nowhere to go. He was not shouting or swearing, he was cheerful and I was a bit offish at first but then felt for the guy as some are just lonely and he seems to have a see through bag of belongings and why I donate to the food bank each month as a lot of people are struggling and do need to support people like him. 

Of course I didn't know his story, but he wasn't swearing or shouting. 

My son and I then went on a bus ride back home to Wimbledon and going passed places where I spent my childhood as it goes through Earls Court, Fulham and Hammersmith, where I was bought up. 

That is the one thing I love about London you can jump on a bus to a lot of places, like yesterday we got on the 74 that starts from Marble Arch and ends in Putney, and then we got the 93 bus from Putney bridge to Wimbledon, and then bus home, which was the 200 from Raynes park to Mitcham.

I find travelling by bus you get to see so much more than a train and there are tour buses which you can get on and off, and we did that a couple of years ago, or travel by Uber Boat. This was so much fun last year so on my bucket list of things to do again this year. 

So today we have a few plans. I am vlogging this week out TypicalLondonGal, so will be up soon. 

Anyway happy Wednesday and more blogs coming. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

What we have been doing so far this Easter Holidays 2024

Sorry if I haven't blogged for the last two days, it has been the Easter holidays and been a busy couple of days. Friday I did some training for a voluntary job. I will say what it is, once the training is done. Let me just say it is something I have wanted to do since a kid and very excited about it. 

I took my son to have his hair cut and then, on Sunday I took my son to see the new Ghostbusters film. It was okay but a bit too silly in parts I thought and I feel we have missed a film, and it was on BBC 1 and so feel we should have watched that one first. 

See picture above my son went to his rugby club which I'd recommend. It is at Wimbledon Rugby club. 

Its been a long time since I've seen a ghostbusters film, the last time was years ago and so couldn't wait to see this new rendition of the ghostbusters film, and glad we did and was good to see the original cast, from the first films back in the 80's.

Then there is TV, and I watched The Dropout on BBC iPlayer and it was very good. Not saying that I liked films where someone has committed fraud, but of the way it was played out and was good. The actress playing Elizabeth Holmes was fantastic and would recommend. 

I have been watching The Apprentice, even though each year I say I am not going to do so. It is okay but feel it is getting a bit repetitive, but still I like watching it, but not bothered of who wins, and like to see what tasks they have and this week it is the interviews and not sure how I feel about it. I will watch it but I do get if you run a business or want to, then you need to workout realistically if it is going to be good or bad, but then part of me feels uncomfortable when watching the interviews they have to do to get through to the next stage. I wonder how many other people feel the same. If you'd like to share you can by leaving a comment below. 

Stacy Solomon does a programme called Sort your life out is good and she is doing another show on Channel 4 so going to see if I can register and watch it. Yesterday I watched some shows on BBC 2 which were interesting, and Tom Kerridge has a new show where he with a group of people get fit and healthy again. I never always been a lover of BBC 2 but I enjoyed watching those programmes and will watch again. 

If you have any TV programmes that you'd recommend watching then please share below, or even films. I would like to go the new Garfield Film. I know for kids but I like children films. So may pay another visit to the cinema, so more daily blogs to come, and hope you are having a good week so far.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Walking around Surrey and London

Hello and welcome to my daily blog. So yesterday I was up early again as my son had an accident and so had my cup of tea in the morning and wrote notes for my new video on my Youtube Channel My Way Of Living  then had a shower, then started a blog, which I have completed and  posted: http://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2024/04/04/being-lazy-does-it-have-a-purpose/

Epsom Downs, Racecourse

I had a productive morning. I love being productive and did a long distant walk which I am super happy about and part of me were tempted to get the bus, but the sun was out, and wasn't cold and really helped stop fatigue, that I can get in the afternoon. I was feeling hungry and so got something to eat and a coffee and was on my way.

Walking helps me save money on travel, and I know I have said that you should not wear earphones, but I take that back as it can help. Everytime I approached a road I took my earphones out and listened to an audiobook. I am currently listening to: This girl is on fire by Andrea McLean. 

If you like audiobooks and have any recommendations then please share. You an leave a comment below.

I will be doing more, and hopefully if it doesn't rain do some more walking today, as will be spending the day with my son. He's was having fun at a holiday club yesterday, but will be keeping him entertained and don't have to be anywhere until the evening, so I am doing some training, and if it works out I will be sharing what it was for. 

Walking is my medicine and I love it, building my steps and paying attention of my surroundings, and in London and in Surrey there are some nice places to walk. Check out the Epsom Downs, such a lovely spot and in London, love walking along the river and check out places where I haven't be too for a long time and love being in the city. 

It can do wonders and there are London Walks you can do and charity walking events, like the Moon Walk, which raises money for Breast Cancer Research and Thames Path Challenge, and would like to do these again as they are such great events to do. 

So I hope you like this blog and will be writing more and have a wonderful Easter Holiday.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

Having a good routine that boosts your energy

So I am loving my new routine, in that I am up by 4am in the morning and I edited a vlog this morning whilst my son was in bed and got a vlog edited, check it out here: https://youtu.be/nEt0X33sGB0

I watched Youtube of videos saying getting up early around 4 or 5am is what many successful people do, and thought I was a night owl, but no and I am amazed by this change and many use it to exercise or meditate. 

For me I like to use this time to work on my content and getting other things done, take a shower and get ready for the day. I will have a cup of tea and now finding I am so much more productive.

I found now that I am less lazy and did get that voice telling me I should get the bus,, because I had to go to a appointment at my GP clinic but I just naturally walked. The "Inner Critic" will try to stop me, Check out this blog: http://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2020/05/04/dealing-with-the-inner-critic/ It was raining but I had a baseball cap on and a hood, so didn't allow it to stop me in my tracks and enjoyed it. I like walking and like to do a bit each day. This helps with my mind and be present, living in the moment and now feel I am more aware of what is around me, and not daydreaming all the time. There has been times where I have daydreamed, all day and all night, which would make my mind so active I would not sleep. 

It is good to have a good routine that builds your energy rather than talking yourself out of doing different tasks and putting them off and just wanting to be back in bed. There is nothing against who do that, because everyone is different and there are people who love napping. I am not that sort of person and where I can get depressed and so like to be getting on with something. 

My mum never stops and rarely rests and goes to bed around ten to still get up at 5am to get ready to go to work. I no longer on my laptop in the evening and read. I sleep at the same time as my son and again feel so good about that.

On the Tuesday he went back to sleep and got an extra 45 minutes of sleep as he did have a long day on Monday, because we had family and friends over, and it was a good Easter and today he is at a Holiday club.

I hope you all are having a good half term so far. My son has a lot of easter eggs to get through, and am limiting chocolate, as this can affect sleep and also want him to eat healthy foods and that he finishes his meals.

I do have a parenting blog site, well two actually if you’d like to check them out please do. Check out these links here: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com

https://theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.com

Many thanks for reading,

 

Carrie X 

Are you a quiz master?

It is another Easter Weekend over and it has been good just to chill and play outside, thanks to the weather. It is good to spend time with family and it was a good Easter Egg hunt, but I found the questions hard, one of the reasons that I feel relieve that Henry has no longer has homework because my knowledge is not always good. I am bad at quizzes. Sometimes I get a question right, when I watch The Chase, Tipping Point or Pointless. I can see why when it comes to University Challenge, that it is bright University students because I have trouble with pub quizzes. 

My son's writing saying Happy Easter 

Noone would ever want me to be on their team. Sport yes, dancing yes and TV, depends. 

There are people who for a living like the chasers, are professional quiz masters and study a lot of subjects. 

I was good at the Wheel of Fortune, Family Fortunes and so a game show I am a lot better at, but anything where you have to think fast like The Chase I struggle. I would be alright with the second round as I am better with multiple choice. Quick fire questions, no. 

One of my friends has actually been on The Chase and didn't win, but someone who is super confident, she says she was nervous wreck and I would be. I can't do catchphrase, I never get it, and I remember as a kid there was a lady knew who got to a letter to say that she got a place to be on Catchphrase. I am not sure if she actually got to be on the show, as often with quizzes and game shows there is a selection process as so many people apply to go on them, but I think it is inspiring when someone you know does go on a quiz or game show. I would be a nightmare. 

I remember their used to be a quiz called Blockbusters and were students and targeted a young and old audience and I would be amazed at these youngsters on there because I was not academic and would say to myself "How do they know that?"

Are you good a quizzes? and have you been a quiz show on TV? Please share, I love hearing these stories. You can leave a comment below.

My son is off to a holiday club, but still a sleep which is rare and so will need to wake him up soon, but it was a really busy day yesterday so glad he is getting more sleep which is not often.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X