tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48757748194259873862024-03-13T14:38:33.214-07:00Carry on being ClairePersonal Ramblings of a writer.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-47949076935757368982012-07-01T14:37:00.001-07:002012-07-01T14:38:34.204-07:00Fifty Shades of Boredom Currently topping the charts is this ridiculous novel called Fifty Shades of Grey. I'm sure you're all familiar with this and I don't need to explain what it's about. I haven't read it all so perhaps it's unfair of me to criticise it so harshly but, to be quite honest, the first few pages of Chapter one (as previewed on the Waterstones website), were, quite frankly quite enough for me.<br />
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<b>Criticism No 1:</b> The sentence <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'he cocks his head to one side'</i> was used several times in the one scene. If I'd been editing this I'd have made the author rephrase this sentence or think of another way to show his body language. How about ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">an inquisitive look</i>’ or ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">his eyes filled with sympathy</i>’? Or something along those lines? I actually laughed out loud when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'he tilted his head to one side'</i> was used! What on earth? I want to tear this book to pieces so probably just as well I read it online!<br />
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<b>Criticism No 2:</b> Without the hype surrounding this book, it wouldn’t have taken long to know where the story was headed. The first scene is our hopeless heroine trying to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'tame'</i> her hair. Instantly we are presented with a hopeless young woman and the physical object being described tells us this book will have physical content. Oooh my hands tremble with excitement. NOT.<br />
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<b>Criticism No 3:</b> This book is written in a basic style. Of course everyone is going to read it. It is suitable for the lazy readers and even those who don't read at all. People have told me they’ve read this book in a day because it’s so good. Erm, no love, you read it in a day because it’s written for people with the reading ability of a child. <br />
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<b>Criticism No 4:</b> The man in question works in a place that is clean and 'clinical'. He makes the heroine nervous etc. Yes, if the rest of what I've mentioned hadn't been that obvious already, now we really know what is going to happen. PREDICTABLE!<br />
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I have questions:<br />
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Is the fact it's so easy to read for those who don't read, are reading it a good thing? (Hope this sentence makes sense). <br />
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Do the publishers know exactly what they're doing? I.e. keep saying the word 'cock' and readers will get so excited they'll just want to read more and more? <br />
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Is it necessary to mention 'grey' and 'gray' over and over again in the narrative?<br />
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I didn't proceed to chapter two, I couldn't waste any more of my time. I'm writing my own novel which I hope will embrace an intelligent readership who desires something more from a book than smut. Perhaps I'm being too harsh and setting myself up for a fall being a writer myself, or maybe, like every other human being, this book just comes down to personal preference and not reading ability. Alas, most people I know who are reading this watch TOWIE and love Katie Price. Trying not to judge, honest!Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-18738127415612934462011-12-31T08:54:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:19:38.336-08:00Moving Blog SitesAs of tomorrow I'll be posting my stories on Wordpress as well as acting as Guest Editor for <a href="http://www.lancashirewritinghub.co.uk/">http://www.lancashirewritinghub.co.uk</a>. So please continue to follow me <a href="http://csharples.wordpress.com/">http://csharples.wordpress.com/</a> if you can but I will continue to provide personal updates via this page. <br />
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Much love and all the best for 2012<br />
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Claire xxClaire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-51695238384832840132011-12-15T15:24:00.000-08:002011-12-30T12:21:47.762-08:00The Kindle Klub!My previous blog about suprises (or lack of them) has reminded me of a little bundle of joy I received last week which I must share with you.<br />
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Last week I met up with my friend and another lady we know for our annual Pre-Christmas get together. We drink, eat takeaway and exchange gifts. Usually we buy token gifts - something to make each other smile. This year I was gobsmacked when the paper fell away to reveal a Kindle! Both Kerry and Louise bought my gift this year, as a thank you for my help with Kerry's books. I would never have expected anything in return but this was quite a suprise. With the iPod in the foot rest (see previous blog if you haven't already) and now this, I am Miss 21st Century! All I need now is a Smart Phone!<br />
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I've always had mixed feelings about the Kindle, being a book lover and a sucker for pretty covers I wasn't sure I could agree with the concept, but it is a cracking idea. They're really smart, and make books interactive. Plus I can spend less on them (especially the monthly books for my book group). I am now open to the idea and now I actually have the Kindle in my hands, I'm really impressed. It's state of the art technology and means I'll be spending even more money on Amazon (they should give me free shares). I can still buy the books that make my shelves look pretty (and clever) but this handy portable little device will be accompanying me to work (along with the iPod). I must treat myself to a bigger handbag.......Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-63414427195690492872011-12-15T15:07:00.000-08:002011-12-30T12:28:14.698-08:00They say I can be read like a book...All through life, my closest family members have accused me of being a crap liar - particularly when it comes to the naughty little white lies. "I can read you like a book" my dad always says and now, after living with my boyfriend for 6 months - he says the same. It isn't just lies but when I'm feeling on edge or worrying about something, I repress it and replace it with yet another problem - a silly one. On Monday I was stressing about a potential expensive problem with my car but instead I told James Asda had run out of the Christmas Trees we wanted and that we weren't having a tree now. It was an irrational, childish statement but it was simply hiding the real cause of my anxiety. Eventually when I explained, he told me to just tell him about the real problem instead of creating new ones.<br />
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It isn't just lies I have trouble with, keeping a suprise for someone is a difficult task for me. For the first time since leaving the family nest, I can safely say my house feels like home. Although I share it with James and his friend - it's mine. Well, ours. I can put things where I want them, clean up when I'm ready to clean up and have friends round whenever I feel like it. So this Christmas will not only be our first Christmas together (we've always found it easier to go to our own families before now) but our first Christmas in a place we can both truely call home. <br />
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We won't be hosting a family meal - we're visiting both families on Christmas Day for all that but we'll have the rest of our time off in our home and I want it to be perfect. We can have friends round and we've got all kinds of wines, spirits and snacks to offer our guests. I guess this is one of the reasons why I got in a state about the Christmas Tree.<br />
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Moving on from the tree saga, I have just realised how living together makes it darn hard work to hide presents from one another! Most of mine have come from Amazon this year. I have taken advantage of the free postage option and have spent every other day ordering stuff. I'd have done it in one go but I do my shopping gradually instead of using up a whole month's salary in December. James wanted a particular kind of light for the tree (which Asda had also run out of). In the end, the tree came from Argos and lights from Amazon. Then I remembered the book I wanted to get him (best not mention what it is just yet) so ordered that too.<br />
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So safe in the knowledge that tree and lights are on their way, I started wrapping all the presents. I feel like there is no element of suprise for James because he knows what I've got for him, so I've bought a few other bits of pieces. In return, I know what I'm getting because I went to the shop and picked it out for him. He told me he has sent it to Santa, so, while he's at work I must not look for it. Like I would..........yes, I would. I've had to spend many Christmas mornings pretending to be suprised because I had spent weeks rooting around mum's bedroom. I'm still like this now - in fact, I'm at mum's house this evening and I've just been rooting through parcels. <br />
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Anyhow, while James was at work, I decided to chill out and watch tv. I pulled the foot rest towards me - it's one of those that you can keep things in but we never bother. As I pulled it, the lid came up and I saw a carrier bag. "Don't tell me he's been using this as a rubbish bin!" I say to myself and peer inside (when you live with two blokes, nothing should suprise you). No, not rubbish, just the bag containing my iPod. Oops.<br />
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Obviously I've taken great delight in fidgeting with the foot rest every time we sit down to watch tele together. "Stop fidgeting!" He will say. A wicked person has suggested I hide it! Can you imagine the horror he would feel? No, I can't do that to him. I just can't believe he hid it in such a rubbish place. What is he thinking?! I hope he isn't reading this.<br />
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Just as James got home this afternoon, my latest Amazon order arrived. Hooray! It was tightly wrapped, I couldn't find the scissors (probably under the pile of baubles in the middle of the living room floor) so James gave me his keys. I'm still not getting in this box so pass it to him. He opens it and pulls out the lights and then horror suddenly spreads across my face. I leap up from the sofa, snatch the box off him and look at his shocked, offended face, "what else did you see in this box?" I demand, hugging it tight, "nothing" he says. Phew! I'd forgotten about the book. He rolled his eyes skywards and sighed at me. As if! Mr Hide It In the Foot Rest Man! He still doesn't know I know.<br />
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I proceed to order yet another item from Amazon and a gift for a friend in London. I've chosen her address for the delivery to save paying more postage than necessary. Tonight, I've realised she'll get the receipt and then she'll know how much I've spent! I've had to text her and insist she throws it away without looking at it. I'm so stupid! I just wasn't put on this earth to keep secrets about presents or myself. I really am a book. A book in a library for all the public to read...<br />
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Since writing this she's text me back - she ordered her boyfriend's present from Amazon, using his laptop. He logged on today, and had an email confirming his order! At least I'm not the only one who can ruin the element of suprise.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-30420884768249438422011-08-25T10:37:00.000-07:002011-08-25T10:40:59.579-07:00Barely a BloggerI have to say, I'm rubbish at this blogging lark. I have been so busy over the last year that I now face my 31st birthday thinking, "how did that happen?"<br />
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I've finally moved to Manchester but I'm still working in Garstang. The daily commute is a grind and I can't tell you how much I spend on petrol because it makes me want to cry. It's also preventing me from saving any money towards the proof-reading course I'm desperate to do.<br />
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I seem to have developed a knack for editing stories and various texts for people. A skill I developed while at university. Recently I have been able to put my skills into practice once more for my good friend Kerry Wilkinson and his debut novel <i>Locked In </i>(available online via iTunes and Amazon). He's had some good press about this and now I find myself writing reviews for it (again see Amazon and iTunes and of course, <a href="http://www.lancashirewritinghub.co.uk/">www.lancashirewritinghub.co.uk</a>). The second book has been released in digital format this week, Vigilante (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005IY5X3C">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005IY5X3C</a>), so another review is to be composed by yours truely. It's an absolute honour to review and proof-read a friend's book although like anyone else in my situation, you do fill with dread at the prospect of the book being awful. How on earth do you tell a friend it's rubbish? Thankfully, it's bloody good! Both are.<br />
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I think my current job as an Admin Assistant is fine for paying the bills but proof-reading is where my heart is. I need to qualify so I can start freelance proof-reading. If the work is plentiful, I'd be able to quit the 9-5. But alas, I have no spare cash to save up for the course I want to do while spending a fortune getting to Garstang everyday. A circle I need to break out of but it's easier said than done. Proof-reading career is on hold. I'll crack on with my novel instead...Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-48629892822553759562011-02-07T13:29:00.000-08:002011-02-07T13:29:37.259-08:00So the resolution lasted all of a week!But I have my reasons why. <br />
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It started with my dad being ill. Thankfully he's better now but one scare put a lot of things into perspective. Not just for me but for my whole family. Before he was ill there was some resentment and things being taken for granted. Now we're back to how things used to be :)<br />
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My new job is going really well, it's a doddle really and everyone is so lovely. Got the contract to sign now so probation period is officially over. Hooray!<br />
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I have been reading loads, so much I'm well behind on the book reviews aren't I? In fact I'm still to sit down and concentrate on one properly but the paperbacks keeping beckoning to me.<br />
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And finally I've been working on the same short story for ages now. Can't seem to get it right, finally seeked advice off friends but I'm still not happy with it. I certainly don't think it's competition material or even worth submitting to a magazine or anything. I'm quite cross with myself for producing drivel. Think I'll start another - it involves tea. Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-22342391005154116922011-01-06T14:49:00.000-08:002011-01-06T14:49:15.065-08:00The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Book ReviewAgain, this was another novella so you're getting the short version. You're probably sick of Twilight stuff, I know I am. I was never a big fan to begin with but I was curious about the fascination with it all so I read it. I must say, she's clever, she has taken lots of cliches that grasp the affections of teenage girls all over the world and put them all into a story. The good old fashioned love triangle darkened with fantasy creatures mixed with traditional values with some violence thrown in. War, peace and love. Yawn. <br />
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Having finally read the Twilight saga it only seemed fair to read, what I hope is the final installment. All sagas must come to an end afterall. I can't help but feel that Stephanie Meyer only wrote this to cash in. I would have been much more gripped by Victoria's tale of woe. Imagine the pain she felt when the Cullens killed James? Imagine her dispair and then rage. It would have been fantastic to get into her mind instead of a newborn who was in the story for all of 5 minutes. I hope we see the end of this vampire phase soon. Bring back Dracula and his blood sucking ways. I want old fashioned monsters not contemporary creatures with ethics!!!! Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-57938437300819623802011-01-05T12:24:00.000-08:002011-01-05T12:24:24.642-08:00The Small Hand, Susan Hill - A Book ReviewLike the novella, this review is short and sweet. I haven't written a review in a while and this is only from the top of my head, a month after reading the book! Let me know if it's okay, I've been both complimentary and critical. I have also read other reviews on Goodreads.com. Either I'm a harsh critic or simply honest - I can't decide. The reviews on there all rave on about how good the book is etc but I couldn't help but feel the description 'chilling' was an exaggeration. What? Anyway, read the review, read the book and make your own mind up.<br />
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I've never read Susan Hill before and chose to read this after rave reviews of her previous books - often saying she's great at writing scary stories. This story was the complete opposite despite it being a ghost story. It came across as friendly and paternal almost. Although the mood of the story wasn't what I expected, I found it to be beautifully written. As it's only a novella there are parts of the story that left question marks engraved on my mind. I felt some parts could have been developed further but as with all short stories, they must move quickly. Although I was disappointed it didn't give me goosebumps I still enjoyed the story as a whole. It was predictable in places and the time the story is set isn't clear until further in. However it makes a lovely light read when you want to pass the time of day. <br />
The cover was absolutely stunning but £9.99 is still rather pricey for a small hardback - thank retail for discounts!!!Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-68612275899483927972011-01-05T11:25:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:25:54.218-08:00Magnum - Dragons Are Real (2007)<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VrF-iSggUVQ?fs=1" width="480" frameborder="0" height="295"></iframe>Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-3216882492847282502011-01-05T11:24:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:24:27.559-08:00Brothers Grimm tribute - Story teller's night<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ImrSPIiZA74?fs=1" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-70540006530766972892011-01-04T14:22:00.000-08:002011-01-04T14:22:58.380-08:00Cuppa Cold Tea?At work we are in the process of getting a new computer system. The old software is 'read only', new data is being hand written, prescription requests are disappearing into a big black hole and patients are frustrated with our temporary 'book on the day' procedure. Staff are taking turns leaving the ship to attend training sessions for the new software and in the midst of all the chaos there is one major problem brewing, or not brewing should I say? <br />
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The kettle in the downstairs kitchen has broken down. For some reason it won't work. Perhaps the fuse has blown in the plug? No one has bothered to check because they're too busy worrying about where their next brew is coming from. The lost prescriptions and angry patients have soon been forgotten. All of a sudden they are no longer a problem. The lack of brewing facilities in the downstairs kitchen is the biggest nightmare of them all and even the Assistant Practice Manager has joined in with the shrills and cries in the back office. They can't have the kettle from upstairs because the upstairs boiler thingy isn't working. They must switch on theirs and wait for it to warm up before they get their thirst quenching brew. Hard times.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-75848527951863288512011-01-04T14:07:00.000-08:002011-01-04T14:07:56.526-08:00If we take it too seriously the pump would be the real thing!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXltDMDR7GF_qss5m7JGV1xHjAbiZGKW4wd-_I5mImW39ElT_oURm5w4Bejfp-3ZkHqMkAtXa00R2vAWGGz2HQyR1gS6i8nOWL9MV4zlgO_T6LmbAPC6kfitpraFpSOEFfxDiRe4VqVqI/s1600/raise-of-petrol-price.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXltDMDR7GF_qss5m7JGV1xHjAbiZGKW4wd-_I5mImW39ElT_oURm5w4Bejfp-3ZkHqMkAtXa00R2vAWGGz2HQyR1gS6i8nOWL9MV4zlgO_T6LmbAPC6kfitpraFpSOEFfxDiRe4VqVqI/s320/raise-of-petrol-price.jpg" width="302" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-78533844397628635412011-01-03T11:20:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:20:57.705-08:00Preston's Newest Book Group!I'm sure we're all guilty of never reading enough. The broadsheets take up all your weekend, the local rag's tittle tattle just happens to be nearby when you're on your coffee break. The television seems comforting after a hard day at the office and all your friends are on Facebook at the same time. STOP this madness! It's time to read more. <br />
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Or perhaps you read loads but from the same old genre and you need an excuse to try something new but you need some friendly encouragement?<br />
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I think all these reasons combined with missing uni is the reason I wanted to set up a book group. My mum wants to make new friends and sometimes we just need a good excuse to get out of the house on a winter's evening.<br />
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It was easy to do, pick a place, pick a time and pick a book. Text some friends the details and voila, book group up and running! <br />
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We had our first meeting in December which wasn't the best time really, everyone had festive madness to contend with but a small number of us got together to talk about Susan Hill's latest novella, <i>The Small Hand</i>. The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover. Before you slap me for being so naughty, my boyfriend saw me admiring it and told me he'd read the author's other work and said she could write some really scarey stories. As this was a ghost story I was keen to find out more and so I chose it for our first book. <br />
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I won't let on any details in case you plan to read it yourself but it wasn't quite what I thought it would be. I still enjoyed it though and found Susan to be a beautiful writer. <br />
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After discussing the book over drinks we caught up on each other's lives and went on to discuss other books. We've all got a long list of stories we want to read and authors we want to try and genres we're yet to experience. One member, my good friend, Christine has picked Phillip Pullman's <i>Northern Lights</i>. Many people I know adore the Dark Materials collection and respect Mr Pullman himself. I am yet to experience the 'delights' of his stories so I'm really looking forward to starting this. First thing is first though, I must complete the Twilight Saga and read Christine's copy of <i>the short second life of bree tanner</i> before she thinks I've stolen it! <br />
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Review of the books we read are to follow.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-70991577944329299012011-01-03T11:01:00.000-08:002011-01-03T11:01:17.870-08:00New year, new challengesIt's probably too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year - whoops I just did anyway. Apologies, you're probably fed up with it all by now. I know I am if I'm quite honest!<br />
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So towards the end of 2010 I finally got myself a fairly decent perm job. Hooray! It's been a good year all in all - graduating, getting employed again and of course the start of my book group (more on that in the next blog). So enough reflection and more on future thoughts.<br />
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I must confess all this job hunting has proven to be quite a distraction and little writing has been done since completing my degree. I must not fall into this trap again. So I've every intention on re-working a short story I have drafted for a competition which I missed. That way when another competition comes my way I'll have something ready and waiting for submission!<br />
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Reading - again I have lapsed on this so less television and more reading!<br />
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Facebook - I'm spending less and less time on this stupid website and intend on spending more time on here reading blogs and writing my own. I didn't spend 3 years bettering myself to regress back to social networking to while away valuable time. People need more one to one communication. I spent yesterday catching up with my cousins, I got off my ass, dragged James with me and spent a few hours with them, in person! Lavinia has made me promise James and I will go out to Majorca to see her. She no longer lives in Magaluf anymore (which James would hate and to be quite honest, I've tired of). She's living up in the mountains in a pretty idyllic Spanish village which sounds lovely. If she ends up moving to Dubai we'll just go and visit her there instead, oooh what a shame!<br />
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Blogging - as mentioned above, time for more blogging and less facebooking (repetition alert!).<br />
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MANCHESTER - I will, I will, I will, I will, I will finally move in with James. Parting company on Sunday evenings is becoming increasingly difficult :( The problem is money more than anything. There is never enough of it to go round is there? I got a bit of a shock when I got my first pay cheque on Friday, once the pension, national insurance, tax and bills have been paid you're left with very little to be getting on with.<br />
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So there you have it and lets face it, they're all pretty easy goals to obtain after what I've achieved recently. I will also be doing the usual, trying to lose weight hopelessly, be more tidy, eat less chocolate etc. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4qT6Izt3OZSFR3YjT49L0bwWzMcA0OAmErYyO-Ba2bFi6PJmIz1coseJEtqaZqTwQwkEk_mQtfmlA-6hrD-xyF7x-AIWgl8U9_0MlJDYKcH-tTHMfbJWDHAPjkwsGzxq2xiM2HZ9miA/s1600/Challenges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4qT6Izt3OZSFR3YjT49L0bwWzMcA0OAmErYyO-Ba2bFi6PJmIz1coseJEtqaZqTwQwkEk_mQtfmlA-6hrD-xyF7x-AIWgl8U9_0MlJDYKcH-tTHMfbJWDHAPjkwsGzxq2xiM2HZ9miA/s1600/Challenges.jpg" /></a></div> Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-41628860279626357822010-11-13T11:04:00.000-08:002010-11-13T11:04:12.796-08:00A quickieWell I'm skint. I'm working for pittance at the NHS on behalf of the agency. Boohoo. I miss all my uni friends and what makes it more frustrating is that they're all still working within the comforting happy learning walls of UCLan and I'm stuck working next to the old derelict spooky mental asylum in Whittingham. Oh joy!<br />
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Still the old building fascinates me and has inspired a story so we'll see what comes of it. I'm also entering a short story writing competition - 1000 words to be exact - in fact you may have heard of it as it's for the Lancashire Writing Hub. So I won't be sharing any details of that just yet - can't have anyone stealing my ideas can I?<br />
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I'm starting a reading group with friends which I'm really excited about so I better hurry up and choose our first book! It's looking like a ghost novel - there are 2 by good authors in that genre that have got my attention so far....I better hurry up and finish Nick HOrnby's Juliete, Naked. Not a bad story but it hasn't bowled me over just yet but I am only up to chapter 10 so there is still time to be impressed. <br />
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Must rush, night on the town planned with my best pal, Louise. We'll be home and tucked up in bed by midnight because neither of us can handle the pace anymore. I prefer supping real ale in olde worlde towns like York. I was there with James a few weeks back and we're going again in December. Also going to Sherwood Forest in 2 weeks too. All my xmas presents are coming from far and wide this year!!!<br />
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Catch up properly soon<br />
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CxxClaire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-77452652568583828362010-10-19T10:56:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:03:25.023-07:00Common SenseWhile sitting with friends in the Mystery Tea Shop one afternoon it was brought to my attention that the final year at uni has well and truely fried my brain. I once had a reasonable amount of common sense which seems to have been in the section of my brain that was cooked earlier this year. Thank you degree, for making me an idiot on various occasions. <br />
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Most recently for letting me destroy a table display in BHS. It was one of those 'knocking over the pyramid of baked beans' moments. Only salt and pepper mills. Thankfully they weren't made of glass so nothing broke but the shop assistant wasn't best pleased. This accident followed the one on Satuday when James gave me a can of beer to hold (I was on the bed watching a DVD) when chaos broke out. The power in my laptop was running low so I paniked and we had this comical moment as James tried to find the power lead amongst the wires for my hair straightners and hair dryer etc. Once calm had restored I saw the can, sitting on it's side on my bed and leapt up in the air shrieking. Oh yes, beer soaked duvet. It was on his side of the bed so it wasn't a complete disaster ;) I never used to be so accident prone but according to my friends other things have happened to prove my loss of 'C.S'. <br />
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My mind seems to go blank and I'm unable to do the simplest of tasks - it's very strange and frustrating. I've just read the above paragraph - paniked is wrong but I can't for the life of me remember how to spell it!<br />
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Anyway - despite this lack of brain cell I will carry on being Claire, hence the new name for my blog.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-8103067175563853102010-09-13T13:22:00.001-07:002010-09-13T13:22:01.989-07:00I Write Like...<!-- Begin I Write Like Badge --><br />
<div style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -x-system-font: none; background: rgb(247, 247, 247) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 2px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #555555; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2; overflow: auto; padding: 5px; width: 380px;"><img src="http://s.iwl.me/w.png" style="float: right;" width="120" /><div style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); padding: 20px; text-shadow: 0pt 1px rgb(255, 255, 255);"> I write like<br />
<a href="http://iwl.me/w/b3a26720" style="color: #698b22; font-size: 30px; text-decoration: none;">Stephen King</a></div><div style="color: #888888; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><em>I Write Like</em> by Mémoires, <a href="http://www.codingrobots.com/memoires/" style="color: #888888;">Mac journal software</a>. <a href="http://iwl.me/" style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: rgb(255, 255, 224) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; color: #333333;"><b>Analyze your writing!</b></a></div></div><br />
<!-- End I Write Like Badge -->Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-76227451026857164372010-08-23T05:26:00.000-07:002010-08-23T05:26:05.109-07:00Interview InterschmiewI can't recollect how many interviews I've had. Actually wait, I can because I've hardly had any because life sucks. I've had about 4. 4 interviews, 1 offer, 2 cancelled interviews and several epic agency applications. The rest of my job applicating experience has involved hundreds of rejection letters, calls and emails. And those the ones who bothered to let me know at all......<br />
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Finally I sign up with an agency that seems promising. They're keen to get me work as I have an interesting CV. My clerking experience certainly gets me kudos but I've learnt to stop telling people I'm a writer. I'm now pursuing a career in Office Management by working my way up.....blah blah blah. I just want a job with a decent rate of pay. Is that much to ask? Unfortunatly so do the thousands of other graduates and now to add to this A Level students aren't getting their places at college and are now going to add to the list of unemployed people. I can't stand this unemployed malarky. Okay, so I do have a job to go on to now but it isn't ideal - it's a 'stop gap'. <br />
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Last week I had an interview for what would be my ideal job. I thought, 'yeah, this will be an awesome opportunity, even if it's only a fixed term contract' but still, it seemed great. I spent hours on the application form and was over the moon to get an interview. I went to a lot of trouble to photocopy all the necessary documentation I had to take along with me. I put together my portfolio, dressed up in my smart suit and walked into the room bearing my most confident smile and posture. <br />
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Faced with a panel of 3 people, 2 of which I'd never be working with, I answered a whole FIVE questions. FIVE questions. Wow. What a way to tease out the best from a candidate huh? I felt patronised if anything. I just wanted to explain how I would be perfect the job, not list 5 things a good customer advisor needs to have to carry out good customer service. That is high school stuff for goodness sake. The interview was unfair in my opinion, I had gone to a lot of trouble to find out more about the organisation, remembered facts and figures, had examples of my previous experience all thought out etc. There was an opportunity to sell myself at the end, which I did but come Friday morning I was tearing up the rejection letter. What do these people want? My blood?<br />
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So perhaps this part time job is the way forward. At least I'll have the opportunity to prove myself. Who knows, ongoing may turn into permenant and 15 may turn into 35 hours. I hope so. Otherwise I'm gonna have to claim housing benefit and I'm not altogether sure if I'm entitled. I'm never entitled to anything like that. Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-5380984355492791442010-08-23T05:09:00.000-07:002010-08-23T05:09:25.485-07:00On the road to somewhere (just not sure where)...Oh how I heart money when I have it and hate it when I have none which more than often the case. I think I'm destined to work hard and never have any. <br />
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Today is one those days. It's pouring down with rain outside and quite frankly, matches my mood. I woke up bright and early, tidied up my room - I've just moved and my belongings are in a state of chaos. I don't think I stored enough in dad's shed. I left the house to take a few things to the post office. <br />
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Item number one is yet another epic job application form for a position with the Open University. I haven't a cat's chance in hell but I'll waste 2 first class stamps sending it anyway.<br />
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Item number two is a parcel. I ordered some bits of jewellery on asos.com only for them to send me the wrong thing. These are Xmas presents so fair enough, no immediate rush but still - you'd think they could get the order right. Thankfully I don't have to pay for the postage for this.<br />
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Item number three is something I sold on ebay and didn't charge enough postage for because I'm a jackass. I better get good feedback.<br />
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While standing in the never ending queue I remembered the last of my bursary is due in my account this week. After sorting out the parcels I checked my balance. Not in yet. Damn it. I need this money to live off, don't these people realise how crucial it is for us jobless graduates to get our bursaries asap? Especially us hard working jobless graduates. Stuff the lazy ones! I bet all the lazy ones have got theirs now and they're all living at mummy and daddy's house so they're all spending it on clothes. Another thing to annoy me today. Grrr.<br />
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Then I went to the old house to pick up the two last possessions residing there. A plant and a push bike. Now getting a push bike into a citreon saxo is a skill. I managed to get in there when I picked it up but can I do it again? There I was, in the pouring rain, my jeans getting wetter by the second as I tried to get the bike into the car. The chain fell off so the option of riding the bike to my new residence went right out the window. In the end I took it back inside and rescued the plant J's mum gave me.<br />
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The plant is meant to be planted in a flower bed and left to creep up a trellis. It's a honey suckle plant. Because I didn't know whether I was coming or going I left the plant in it's pot and is has done rather well considering. As I stepped into the garden I realised the rest of the garden life had done well too. The wet grass was up to my knees....jeans are well and truely soaked by this point. <br />
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I got the plant into the car without too much trouble and carefully transported it to mum's house. She has a trellis in need of coverage, I think she'll love the honey suckle. Did I mention I don't warn my parents about these things? They're not in today, they're at the hospital learning about Type 2 Diabeties. I wish I could have been there too - I'd like to know more about it so I can look after my dad when mum goes away in October.<br />
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While at mother's I'm checking my emails and writing this blog. I have no internet sorted out yet. I think I've persuaded my ever suffering parents to buy me a laptop for my birthday or at least half of one to put with the money I'll attempt to get for my PC but one cannot assume things can one? So a writer without a computer and without the internet is a frustrated writer who is going to forget everything that is stored up in her little head. I do write things down but I feel lost without my spell check. My stories take forever to write by hand and then I'll have the tedious task of typing them all out. Yes I can copy type over 65 words a minute but that isn't the point is it? <br />
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So there you have it, I'm all angsty and annoyed. I've also forgotten the point of this blog. I have got a job. A crap part time admin job. A crap small number of hours for a crap hourly rate. Crap. My word of the day. Still, people keep telling me that it wouldn't do me any harm to get my foot in the door at this place so I guess it's worth a try and hell, it's better than nothing and I won't have transport costs because it's a stone throw away from my new home. So if I don't get that laptop for my birthday, I guess I can always sell the car but then that restricts where I work in the future and I can't get to mum's house and I'll need it when I look after dad.........you see, I hate money when it isn't on my side.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-11994290865559804892010-07-29T11:29:00.001-07:002010-07-29T11:29:15.091-07:00BittersweetThis week has been one of the most emotional weeks I’ve ever experienced. The fact I’ve graduated has finally sunk in as we finish off our intern projects, and the rest of the office prepares for its closure tomorrow. Thank you and farewell cards have been signed, hugs and words of encouragement have been exchanged and tears have been shed. <br />
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I have no idea what I’m doing for a living until I get a job. I’m applying for all sorts of things, I have the intention to write articles and send them off in the hope someone will publish them. I want to build up a portfolio so I can start getting paid for my work. I will get work experience in publishing houses – keeping my hand in an industry which may move up to the North West in the next coming years. I’m waiting for the BBC to commence recruitment for the Administration section of their Salford Quays development, and somehow, among all this, I will save up for my flat with James and keep writing fiction (again, submitting stories until someone publishes me. I will get published!). <br />
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Now the majority of my work for the Lancashire Cookbook has been completed, I’m taking a moment to reflect on the last few years because in all honesty, I haven’t had much time to and putting it into writing helps so I have something to look back on.<br />
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I’ve grown in confidence as far as my writing is concerned and as a person. I am more confident because I believe in myself and know that I am capable of anything. Learning to love myself is probably the highest hurdle I’ve had to overcome but once I got over it, the rest was a doddle. So many friends, old and new have helped me along this amazing journey. I’ve watched some of these friends on their own journeys, becoming mothers, wives and successful in whatever they’ve done. <br />
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I’ve fallen in love with the most amazing man in the whole world – in fact he has become my world. <br />
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And best of all; I’ve made my friends and family really proud of me and the fact I have no job lined up just yet hasn’t stirred any judgements, accusations or negative feelings within any of them. They’re just proud of what I’ve achieved and that will always mean a lot to me. <br />
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It’s the end of an era and I’m a quivering wreck of emotion which is sadness, anxiety and happiness.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-14347084175252730472010-07-28T10:13:00.000-07:002010-07-28T10:13:47.539-07:00Chicken SoupJob seeking aside, I'm loving this cooking malarky! With 3 days til pay day and cupboards all bare I wondered how I was going to make 3 chicken breasts last me. I say bare cupboards but I still had left over barley, a box of cornflour and plenty of stock cubes sitting around. So I've thrown the lot together with some chopped parsley and voila, a thick chunky tastey chicken soup to last me until pay day.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-51946943749950503782010-07-28T10:10:00.000-07:002010-07-28T10:10:23.162-07:00Down in the DumpsThe dept I have been working for these last 18 months or so is being dissolved. It only had funding to run for 5 years so we all knew this time would come. What we didn't know was that jobs were going to be hard to come by. The jobs are there, it's just harder to get an interview. It's frustrating and we're all rather unhappy with our lot. So we'll be marching to the nearest temp agency in order to avoid joining the ever increasing special brew crew in the Peace Garden near the Media Factory. <br />
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I do have an interview on Monday at long last, just getting an interview has made me feel happier. Interviews I don't have problems with, it's the job applications that seem to be the problem. I hate doing everything online, I'm sure my cv is just lost in a big black hole somewhere. And when I do get acknowledgement, it's usually a rejection. It is actually a horrific experience this job seeking lark but I'll be damned if I have to sign on. I've never signed on in my life and I don't want to start now.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-49810866727426321882010-07-28T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-28T10:03:26.956-07:00PainPain comes in different forms, shapes and sizes. Some people think their pain is worse than someone else's, others think someone else's pain is worse than theirs. Whether pain is mental or physical and no matter how severe or slight it may be, I don't think you can compare one person's pain to another's. <br />
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Apologies for the 'deep' blog but it's a thought on the forefront of my mind today and I wanted to share it.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-67274795995616097562010-07-24T06:43:00.000-07:002010-07-24T06:43:00.055-07:00Roasted Vegetable SoupAfter the Cook Off we had quite a few ingredients left over. As the girls like to bake they kept the flour etc and I took away the left over vegetables, stock and herbs. What was I to do with all these things? What all eating establishments do at the end of the week. Make a special! So I'm in the process of roasting the vegetables (covered in olive oil, herbs and seasoning) and simmering some barley. By the end of today I'm hoping to have a rather tastey roasted vegetable soup simmering on the stove - my personal chef will be here later to taste it and give me his verdict. <br />
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Homemade soup can be frozen and heated up easily so in future, don't throw out your left overs - throw it all in a pot and see what happens! <br />
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<strong>FYI</strong><br />
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The veg I'm using is an unusual mixture of courgette, carrot, kale cabbage, celery, onion, chesnut mushrooms and garlic. I'm using fresh rosemary and parsley with the added assistance of olive oil, salt, pepper and vegetable stock. I'm going to crumble some tangy Lancashire Cheese into the bowls before serving.Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875774819425987386.post-24089839786518031272010-07-24T06:36:00.000-07:002010-07-24T06:36:42.853-07:00Lancashire Cook OffSo I've been heavily involved with the editing of UCLanPublishing's Lancashire Cooking book. It's going to be a cracking little book, to be sold in Waterstones, Preston with all proceeds going to the homeless charity, Shelter. With the Hairy Bikers, Paul Heathcote and Nick Park on board we've also been in touch with local food suppliers, merchants etc for exclusive interviews, recipes and features. We delve into the history of food with a look at both the shipping and industrial revolution and how those had a great impact on food. Obviously I cannot divulge any trade secrets-you will have to buy the book when it hits the shelves in Autumn. <br />
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Last week we organised a Cook Off in order to test the recipes that have been contributed and invented. The recipes were all fun to make and include variations of hotpots, cakes, puddings and other tasty treats. Spending an entire day rolling out pastry, chopping veg, baking things, cooking things and doing a lot of washing up; we found ourselves hitting exhaustion! A photographer took photos, her dog liked our chicken so much she ate it when our backs were turned for one second! <br />
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I appreciate what my boyfriend does for a living alot more than I did before. He cooks for hundreds of people 5 days a week - sometimes 7! Now I know why he likes a very long lie in at the weekend. <br />
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We took our meals and cakes into the office where they were greatly received. Everyone loved every morsel and myself, Vic and Fiona are extremely pleased. Claire Laurrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11145371798195190469noreply@blogger.com0