by Maggie Fogarty | Jan 21, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I’ve always been a bit of a list enthusiast – I usually start the day with a ‘to do’ list and love it when they get ticked off.
It’s not just about every day work either. In life as well I’m an avid goal setter. The trick is to be realistic – have just a few achieveable aims, a workable time scale and keep a regular note of how you’re doing.
Studies have shown that people who set goals are more likely to get what they want than those who just muddle along, hoping for the best or for a fairy godmother to wave her good luck wand.
Maybe it is just the simple act of writing it down that can help to seal the deal.
Back in 2004, I set myself 4 big goals.
1) To move to a beautiful part of the country by the sea.
2) To spend some time living abroad.
3) To write more, including journalistic pieces and a novel.
4) To own a dog.
Well, guess what?
All four have been achieved with a move to Cornwall; a brilliant year spent living in Bermuda and writing a regular column for one of the island newspapers; two novels completed and a third underway along with a couple of published short stories.
Oh, and not forgetting Bonnie the dog.
So what next? Let’s just say there are still more goals and I think I’ll go to my grave with that ‘to do’ list!
Of course, you can never plan your life too rigidly – expect the odd curve ball and things to go off track. But focussing on what you want to achieve and making that all important note does help.
And I’ve still got that 2004 list to prove it.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest take on things…
‘Hiya folks,
Ain’t I just loving those winter beach walks? Yes, it’s a bit nippy and sometimes I need to wear the new doggy coat I got for Christmas.
There’s been the odd windy and rainy day too but hey – a beach is a beach whatever the weather.
My favourite thing is to grab bits of seaweed and run around with them like a demented geezer. The smellier and soggier the seaweed the better.
It’s a great meeting ground for mutts, where we can have rolling in the sand and digging holes parties.
It’ll all change in the Spring when us pooches are banned from the beach but in the meantime it’s doggy paradise out there on them beaches.
Yee ha! Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Jan 9, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Now for a confession.
I actually like January. Repeat – yes like January.
I know it has a bad reputation as a miserable month, Christmas decorations all gone, bills coming in and terrible weather.
So time then to celebrate the upside of poor old Jan and in typical British fashion, I’ll kick off with the weather.
Here in Cornwall it’s been pretty damn good so far – hell I know I’m tempting fate here – with unseasonably balmy temperatures and even ‘T’ shirts getting a winter look in.
My car ‘soft top’ has been down several times this week and somehow Spring doesn’t seem that far away. OK, it’s not the same story all over the country but we are sure enjoying the early January days down this way.
Then there’s the start of a new year and the chance to begin afresh. Whether you call it ‘resolutions’ or ‘plans’ or simply ‘thinking ahead’, January is the month to get them going.
For me it’s starting my second Novella. I’m aiming to be at least three quarters of the way through it before I launch the first one of the series at the end of February. A tough deadline but it’s looking promising.
January is also a great month to take up those offers at local eateries, before they hit busier times.
Many have post Christmas deals and if your resolution is to lose weight, you can always be virtuous and go for the healthier options. Or make sure you combine it with a good walk before or afterwards. Simples.
Finally, January is the month when TV companies show case their big dramas and best factual programmes.
There is some fantastic viewing at this time of year and it’s a treat to settle down to a cracking bit of goggle box watching – in our case in front of a cosy wood burning stove – with a nice glass of tipple in hand.
Yes here’s to good old January. What’s not to like?
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo….
‘Hi there folks,
Well didn’t I do well for my first Christmas?
New fleecy bed, over coat and plenty of tasty treats. Lots of people dropping by too and extra walks on the beach. Hey, this is a brill time of year!
The rents have been muttering about me getting another hair cut. They’ve been saying that I’m starting to look a bit like that Boris Johnson chappy again, the cheek.
So it looks like I’m in for another trim soon, with the lovely Pip at ‘Just Pet Care’. Can’t say I’m looking forward to all that clipping away at my lovely coat but hey ho – if I play along and look hang dog, I can always bag myself a new toy.
Meantime, I’ve been trying to be a good gal and help the rents with the house cleaning – see the pic of me with a duster to show I’m not making it up. Woof and out…’
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