Family fun Summer Party June 2023

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Suzanne Schultz Pick

Evening, everyone.

I’ve just looked at a middle-grade book titled The Private Blog of Joe Cowley and it started with, “I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting you, blog.” Yup. this is exactly how I feel most days. Usually, I get five or ten minutes to myself and I veg out in front of the TV instead of being constructive but, alas, that’s Mum Life for you.

But, today is another day and it’s another reason to post an update. We had a fantastic time at Steve’s work family summer party. It was a rainy day in Stockton-on-Tees but there were a lot of lovely people to meet and Jack was happy to have cake. There were some fairground rides and a petting zoo as well, plus the atmosphere was nice with a big party tent next to a lakeside park walk. Very pleasant indeed. 

I made sure that Jack was included in some of Steve’s group photos with his colleagues because one day he may look back on his video gaming career (if he so chooses) and can say, “See, I was there when I was this young!”

In fact, I felt it was really good that we went as a family and did something other than the regular go-to activities of swimming, soccer, shopping, etc. 

We still have holidays on the horizon, so I’m excited for that as well. It always seems really daunting to take a toddler out of the normal routine but when it’s a worthy cause such as having time off for family, it’s worth the effort.

Aside from that, it’s cooled off a bit more and jackets have gone back on. I’m feeling better after being sick for a couple of days from the heat and lack of sleep. (No, we do not have air conditioning in houses here.) That and the cool rain makes for a more positive outlook on life.

At work, I’ve done some Health Literacy training that I’ll have to share with the library staff. I’ve also been working extra Saturdays because that is the easiest day for me to snag a few hours. Jack is in a new, privately run soccer group because I think the large groups run by big companies just made it way easier for him to be overwhelmed and distracted. He’s a leader, not a follower, so he does what he wants to do if there is no direct attention. 

My mother’s birthday is today and I’m super grateful that we’re still able to celebrate even from afar. I’ve tried to talk her into having a day fit for a princess with food, shopping, and a nap because that’s what I like to do on my birthday.

I’ve also decided to just act as if with my writing. If I mentally believe I’m working on one of my young adult series, I’ll be more apt to actually work on it. Again, it’s just time I do not have, so the delusional belief is strong. But it has to be.

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Updates for June 2023

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Suzanne Schultz Pick

Okay, guys, I’ve finally done it: I upgraded my site. I could have dropped the WordPress.com hindrance altogether and just gone for my own hosting but, alas, I’ve used this blog on this platform for so long that I may as well just make it a little snazzier.
That said, this means that Mister Pick will have to work on a new theme for me as the current one is outdated. We now have an extra cat, a dog, and our little Master Pick to make out happy family complete.

As the picture above indicates, it’s been raining lately and cooling off the super hot summer days we’ve had recently. Today it was quite warm and Jack and I went out to see the fire engine at Dream Big Role Play. That was a first for both of us and we really enjoyed it. Jack was shy about the fire engine and gets so involved in what he’s doing that he doesn’t want to be interrupted (can’t imagine where he gets that from) but we played with all of the toys, had a nice visit, and took some photos with the “nee naw.”

I’ve been reading again, which seems silly, but I am so tired at night that I can’t keep my eyes open, so getting into my Little House on the Prarie books has been a nice, comforting way to ease back into a before bedtime reading routine. I really think it’s because my brain can’t handle anything more than middle-grade and high-school books right now. Not that they aren’t complex and interesting on their own but anything that I can’t just submerse myself in won’t keep my tired brains to attention until 10PM each night.

I also updated recently that I got another Passion Planner after swearing I wouldn’t bother anymore since I don’t have time to plan. It’s been nice to get back to my hobbies and activities that I enjoy doing because for so long I put them aside. Baby brains and tiredness do not work well with solitary whims.

With that said, I’m still losing on Slimming World as well (Hallelujah) so I can be more comfortable when we go to Florida, which is my main aim. And as I speak, Mister Pick has put dinner on the table so it’s time to sign off. I’m excited to have my new upgraded blog options to work with soon.

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A reminder to get back on track

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Suzanne Schultz Pick

When I went into town the other day with my workmates (past and present), the topic of my writing came up.

“Didn’t you publish a book?” “Didn’t you use to have a blog?” “What about your Substack?”

This got me back to the idea that I had to make an effort to keep up my posts. I had told myself not long before that Saturday that I would never ever have time to work on another book, or do another podcast episode, and there certainly was no reason to post to my blog anymore. But, alas, I still want to and that’s the important part.

So I came back to my online platforms. Actually, I tried to do a podcast episode the other day, only to find that my wireless earpods picked up only the background sounds of the cafe and not my actual voice, so it was fifteen minutes wasted. I should have done a sound check but I was in public and felt conspicuous and just dove right in. Lesson learned, I suppose.

My current status has been that of keeping afloat. Jack takes up most of our energy and time so I dip in and out of “me” things when I can. I’ve gone to Slimming World regularly and had my night out in town. Mister Pick and I had a couple of nice days together in May but it won’t be until September when we’ll be able to do that again. I haven’t watched much TV or read any books, so I’ve listened to lots of podcasts including the Wilder one by iheartradio. 60 Songs That Explain the 90s is amazing too, and my guilty pleasure is Every Outfit on SATC.

I’m working most Saturdays too because it’s the easiest day for me to get extra hours.

The weather has gotten increasingly warm so being outside with the paddling pool and a cold drink is usually where you’ll find us. I’m so grateful to have a house with a back patio to hang out in when the weather is nice.

I even bought a new Passion Planner just to feel like myself again and back to planning, organizing, and being interested in what’s going on each week.

Not a fascinating post but a post nonetheless. I’ll put a sticker in my new planner to say I updated my blog.

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Winter in March

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Suzanne Schultz Pick

Even though winter had its chance for the month, it’s decided to give us its last hoorah and snow this week again. Luckily for us, our days are busy at the top end of the week and our stay-at-home days are at the end. That means it can snow all it wants after today and we’ll be fine because there’s no commuting, no nursery, and no rushing about.

I’ve happily just purchased Meg Cabot’s recent Princess Diaries book. I always tell myself that I don’t have the time and patience to read, which is true for most days, I’ll gladly dip in and out of this ebook. The Princess Diaries series is just the best and I’m so glad the story lives on. I would love to write cute, funny, smart, awkward, royal, teenage books. One day I’ll get there.

But anyway, nothing much to report for me. I’ve neglected my Boogie Bounce exercises last week, so that’s on the agenda during our snow days. I’ve had high hopes for outdoor walks and even bought some new trail shoes for the occasion but then this cold and snow turned up, so that will have to wait.

I’m like Olaf over here, anxiously awaiting summer.

Mothering Sunday is around the corner too for us in the U.K. so I’ve decided to not be boring and eat lunch in the mall, as I’d originally planned. Instead, we’re going for an afternoon lunch in town and hopefully going to the museum. That’s the plan. We’ll see how the weather holds up.

Writing-wise, this is about it for me. I just haven’t had the energy to do anything other than get to bed early because now I’m sleeping better (touch wood) and not as zapped of energy throughout the day.

Incidentally, if anyone needs help getting to sleep, the Headspace app has helped me a lot.

And on that note, it’s time to see if the snow will hold off until tonight while we’re still getting ourselves back indoors. I hope everyone is having a nice March so far.

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Leaving February and heading into March

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Suzanne Schultz Pick

Ah, the end of winter and the beginning of spring. That’s the hope, isn’t it? It seems like the weather took a bit of a turn and began sleeting with a touch of hail on Saturday.

I’ve worked a bit on the blogs and even dipped back into working on a couple of book projects just because I kind of don’t know what else to do with myself. When Jack is sleeping, I am at a loss for what to do with my time because it’s been so long since I was productive in a creative “me” sense.

I usually listen to motivational podcasts on my way into work and one of them said that we know what we’re meant to do with our lives if we really feel strongly about it. Writing and having lots of cute young adult books to my name has been the only other dream for myself that I’ve felt strongly about.

Every time I see authors with girlie books that delight the heart, it makes me think deep down, “Yes! That’s what I want too!”

So, here I go, jumping back into the field that I leave behind all the time because I never feel I have time to sit and concentrate for very long. My first task, other than the writing, of course, is to read more adorable YA books to get inspired.

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