Shambolic Living

What’s In Your Handbag?

By 7 Comments

My favourite part of the last Harry Potter movie was Hermione's handbag which managed to magically contain every item they needed in their great battle. It was the moment when we knew Hermione had grown up to be a woman. Lugging around thousands of items which might, one day, be needed to save the day. … [Read more...]

New Beginnings

By 1 Comment

When you are young new beginnings are full of hope and promise.  Your life is flexible, you believe that changes can bring rewards. As you accumulate the baggage of life new beginnings require much more thought, negotiation and planning.  Where once you only had to consult with yourself, now you must consider the needs, wishes and wants of a group … [Read more...]

Project 44 – One Woman’s Overcrowded Wish List & One Year To Do It All

By 25 Comments

It's one month until my birthday.  As I head towards my 44th year on this planet I am conflicted.  Having seen my skinny, fit husband survive a double heart bypass at just 42 years of age I understand life is precious.  But it doesn't mean I have to enjoy the wrinkles - and why didn't anyone tell me eyelid droop was part of aging? I'm sure I didn't … [Read more...]

Cooking With Gwyneth

By 5 Comments

Just a disclaimer to start, cooking is not my strong point.  Dinner party guests at my house have been forced to flee to the local Mexican takeaway when the fettucine bore a strong  resemblance, and taste, to Glag Glue. I once tried to feed six people with one potato (in my defence it was a big potato). And the first time my then boyfriend (now … [Read more...]

Grey stairs.
Father with two daughters.