Ice, Ice baby ...

Please be careful not to drive with:

Snow on your roof
Part frosted windscreen
... as these are traffic offences
Makes sense really.

Gill

Networking ... Don't be late ...

When your face is at the windscreen and your head is nearly through the roof, it doesn't mean you'll arrive at your destination any sooner!

That was the ditty I was chanting in my head when, this morning, I was once again on the last minute, zig-zagging my way through short cuts, trying to get to a Creative Perspective Patent and Trademark seminar slash network meet. Arriving at the correct street without the aid of a satellite navigation system and with ten minutes to spare calmed my psyche for a nano-second.  The street had been re-defined and was now barely a component of the newly styled one-way system. At the car park [two sets of traffic lights and a pelican crossing later], I had to alight from the car, make an olympic dash to a visitor desk, provide identification, sign a form, collect a badge and car park pass - to be placed on the dash in the car which was now resting comfortably in an iced puddle at the other end of the car park. Skating to the car, I slipped, [knew it was coming] pasted the badge on inside screen, then teetered to the opposite end of the university campus to gain access to the reception.

And no, the story doesn't end there. The three day industry convention was clearly the university's best kept secret. Even the receptionist didn't know about the lecture theatre's onslaught [I was hoping the inclement weather had made everyone else late too]. The secret, proven by the fact that I had been despatched to a specific circular lecture theatre and arrived mid song in the darkened venue with 30 tuned drama students raising their arms to the midnight. In true Miranda style, I looked back at the swing doors - as if it had been their fault but for the sake of the students, avoided an aside. A large woman with a badge and a friendly face [don't let the facts get in the way of a good story - she was only a size 12] ushered me from the building and pointed to another. Any. But not hers. Great, another icy fandango across the quadrant to what looked like my pre-war infant school of days gone by. Inside, a light aircraft on display. A light aircraft on display? Yes. And another man with a badge. Perhaps he could help? No. He was ingratiated with some sort of archive. A light at the end of a tunnel shone onto an A4 poster belittled by it's size 10 font:

Creative Perspective Convention  

Hoo - ray! I had arrived. Ten minutes late. I snook into the silenced room where a quiet man with a grey voice was telling his story. It was a good story. The man had created a truly successful hi-tech business. He proffered plenty of advice, motivating tips and suggestions. And then ... in a flash ... it ended. Everyone may have lived happily ever after, but I would never know. The audience scrambled out as if a school bell had rung for a fire alarm or the summer recess. I was left on my own at the back of the room. The quiet man whispered to another man with a badge then left.

So the moral of the story is ... Don't be late if you want to network.

And:

• Find out about transport, location and parking before the event
• Know exactly where you're going [phone up or email first for details]
• Estimate how long your journey will take - including parking time
• Always allow yourself extra time for delays

* Don't let the stress of traffic delays affect your driving or speed.

Happy networking,

Gillian

Just to cheer you up ...

Just to cheer you up in this somewhat weary dreary January ...



Looking forward to chirpy Spring and a sizzling Summer ...

Multi-tasking .. random post

Good Morning everyone ~
As multi-tasking goes, it's a yes from me.  As my deadline for printing approaches, [Early Intervention: Interactive Activity Resources for School Student Support ~ Let's Identify the Difficulty], I'll be editing most of this week. With occasional time off to update the Happy Days website text/images/font/colour/shop ... and an evening relaxation time dedicated to my little support book for children and young people,  'Stick People Have Feelings Too', that's the week pretty much wrapped up. I will however try to venture outdoors to see what  the rest of the world is doing ... and maybe take a little exercise ... unless I can get out of it.

... and whilst I'm editing, typing, planning, sketching, organising, doodling, walking, my mind keeps wandering over the idea of showcasing my work and products at educational and/or care service exhibitions/fairs being rolled out this year throughout the UK. Attending the exhibitions would allow me to present my products and share my ideas with teachers, student support, care centres, support workers ~ much sooner ~ and of course, I would be  practising the concept of early intervention at the same time. More multi-tasking. It's got to be a Yes from me.

Ideas for exhibitions, fairs, towns, cities, schools, care centres ... on a postcard, email or comment ~ Thanks.

Oh and by the way, I didn't talk or type my way out of it. I actually went for a walk, a swim and another walk! I even cut out chocolate for 4 days and began replacing it with fruit! And yes, I'm feeling rather smug about it all ~ and yes I do feel  much better.

What was that? I have to repeat the exercise for it to make any effect on my body?

Gillian

Goals, Golf and BOGOF ...

Hello Daughters - in - distress and absolutely everyone else ... Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, Successful and Enjoyable  New Year and All Year!

You're probably thinking I've been neglecting you ... and to be honest, you'd be 100% correct in thinking that - as it's probably true. However, it's all been for a good cause. By now, you've probably seen my posts for Happy Days Interactive Pages to help children and young people express difficulties, you've probably been pestered about Happy Days talking and doing prompts, memory joggers and day planners and you've most likely been poked and prodded about new books, resources and materials for self care.

It's clear then, that I've been writingwritingwriting. I now have a swollen hand, bad posture and an aching neck - but it's all been worth it. [yes, yes, I know I should take breaks, get fresh air and drink plenty of water]. You know how it is ... once the writing's flowing, you just daren't stop. Then you can't stop. then you can't sleep. I think this is what happens to men when they play golf [oops, sorry that's sexist; men and women when they play golf]. They just don't seem to know when to stop. And now, neither do I. Ideas for new topics, themes, colour schemes, metaphorical ways to present sensitive issues keep me awake most of the night.

No time to cook or even pick up a few ready meals, my husband has had to take over evening meal arrangements. So, over the past twelve months, I've enjoyed a wonderful and weird assortment of Lancashire tapas - which has mostly included bread, cheese, bread, mushrooms, bread, tomatoes bread BOGOF biscuits and one pound yellow cakes in various shapes. I've still not got my head around one of his 'specials' though, a fish finger and basamati rice combo. Hmmm. Also, I'm not sure what we were doing with fish fingers in the freezer - we're not quite old enough for grand children [oh ok, maybe we are - but we haven't got any yet]. Ahh - must have been another BOGOF. I really, really shouldn't complain - even though there's been no red wine reduction, balsamic something-or-other or sight of a vegetable in months. No, it would be unfair to grumble. Slimming World will be the financial beneficiary as I make my weekly donation in an attempt to regain something that resembles a waist.

So, what I was about to say was this:
During the past fifteen month journey, I have read, researched, networked, sketched, cut, stuck and painted miniature shapes and text, travelled, attended meetings, interviewed, presented at conferences, attended regular art classes, joined a choir, fathomed out computer jargon, missed sleep, felt the heat, laughed, scribbled, typed, cried, scanned, printed, laminated, [especially laminated] to develop an assortment of new activity pages including strategies and plans for goal setting, self care [maybe I should pay some attention here], serious issues, fun stuff, journal writing just for you, and caring for others ...

And the reason for the blog post is this:
Please email, facebook tweet of comment any ideas or requests for topics to be covered in the new book of pages for ... YOU ... to help you work a few things out ...

Where Am I Going?
What Do I Really Want to Achieve in Life?
What Needs to Change?
How Do I Feel About That?

I look forward to hearing from you ... I'd hate to think of having a night off - Besides, I'd end up cooking dinner!

Gillian
www.happydayspublishing.co.uk
happydayspublishing@yahoo.co.uk
www.facebook.com/happydayspublishing
https://twitter.com/HappyDaysPages

Just had to share this with you all ...

Good morning everyone, just had to share this - would have been mean to keep it all to myself:

... She's doing it again ... and just a teeny weeny itsy bitsy bit proud ...

Follow your dream.

Gillian

Successful Woman: a guide to achieving success in six life areas ...

Hi everyone, well in particular, Successful Women or to be more precise, women who want to be successful. Check out my friend's new kindle offering ...

Successful Woman; a guide to achieving success in six life areas by Kim Chamberlain:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Successful-Woman-achieving-success-ebook/dp/B00AEMF1US/ref=sr_1_21?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1355240933&sr=1-21

I would definitely recommend Kim's Successful Woman: A guide to achieving success in six life areas. Not only is this fast pace easy-to-read for women on the go, I find it a treasure to dip into when I'm feeling fractionally negative. Kim's tips, ideas and prompts help me to stay positive and challenge myself to higher levels of achievement.
Great Christmas present and terrific value. [I'm sending it to my friends' kindles for Christmas - but don't tell them]

Check it out - at 77pence, it's Great for Christmas presents!

Gillian

Bubble & Squeak

What could be better in the midst of winter in the depths of the credit crunch, than good old bubble and squeak. Save time, save money.

So, you've had a massive roast dinner and there's still some veggies left over...

DON'T throw them away !

Chop up all your veg. Roughly mash the potatoes - yep, you can even call it rustic style
if it makes you feel on trend.

Mix and mash up together with an egg and some pepper.

Pat down into a pastry cutter to make a patty shape. Chill.

When ready: Fry both sides in hot butter [yes, I did say butter] till golden brown.

Good with home-made burgers, sausages or fish ... practically most foods.

Enjoy !

Gillian

Body Language ...

Can you believe that body language makes up for anything between 60 - 93% of our language?

Imagine this scenario: You and your partner aren't speaking ... step back and really watch the situation. The quantity and dramatic effect of the body language will amaze you. Maybe that's why 'not speaking to each other' can sometimes feel exhausting. Watch people on the train, in queues, selecting their shopping, hierarchy or lowerarchy in groups ... Often a fascinating insight into a person's character, it's not always what they say - but how they say it.

So my thoughts are - avoid 'not speaking' - as it could drain your energy levels. Instead, get the offending topic out in the open, sort it out and feel the release of energy surging back towards you.

Info below courtesy of Wikipedia.org:

Body language is a form of mental and physical ability of human non-verbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously.

James Borg states that human communication consists of 93 percent body language and paralinguistic cues, while only 7% of communication consists of words themselves;^[1] however, Albert Mehrabian, the researcher whose 1960s work is the source of these statistics, has stated that this is a misunderstanding of the findings^[2] (see Misinterpretation of Mehrabian's rule). Others assert that "Research has suggested that between 60 and 70 percent of all meaning is derived from nonverbal behavior."^[3]

Body language may provide clues as to the attitude or state of mind of a person. For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness,boredom, relaxed state, pleasure, amusement, and intoxication, among many other clues.

Keep talking,

Gillian

Teaching, PSE, Carers Support Workers Resources ...

Good Afternoon everyone,
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to display Happy Days Interactive Activity Pages and associated products to members of the caring services who support young carers. Chief Officer, Michelle Smith of The Blackpool Carers Centre, presented the 'Children Who Care' one day conference at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool.

After two hours sleep, I loaded the car up with Happy Days books, samples and pro to-type products and found myself at 7.30am prompt for what turned out to be an interesting, exciting and fruitful day.

Professor Saul Becker; University of Nottingham, presented his MACA findings and explained the 'how to' and 'how not to' to an absorbed audience which included myself.

I'd like to thank Michelle Smith for the opportunity to share my early intervention resources and to the many people who took the time to view, enquire and consider my resources which help to identify the broader needs of children, young people and adults.

It was truly wonderful to meet everyone and discuss the benefits of the Happy Days Pages, how the simple-to use interactive pages can complement assessment frameworks; how the Happy Days Pages can help to identify broader needs, how the easy-to-follow system can be designed to suit your Care Centre, school or community requirements:

All About Me
My Caring Day
Identify Needs
Identify Feelings
Change and Reconstruction
Motivation and Goals
Achievement
Self Care

* Also available: Bullying / Cyber-bullying / Exam tips / Social issues plus more.
* Pages can be made to suit your request, sensitive issue or social topic.
* Activity Pages and Life Story Jotter for Care Homes.

Please contact me by phone or email if you wish to discuss anything in detail, specific requirements, place an order or book a visit,
Gillian
Gillian Hesketh MA
Happy Days Publishing
www.happydayspublishing.co.uk for contact details.