Had a nice surprise this week – with a request from pal Linda Magistris. Plus some happy news of a two stone weight loss for a lovely lady using my Till the Fat Lady Slims system. And some lovely catching up with old friends plus a fab film. Sad news about Patchy dog, below, though, I’m sorry to report. Thanks to everyone who’s been sending nice messages – it means a lot.
But first more about the week’s shenanigans…
Seven Year Anni
Just before I came back to QVC (seven years ago last month) I attended a writing course in Tuscany and met my lovely group of ladies called ‘The Ladies of Posara’ and these girls and I have stayed friends ever since! Alix couldn’t come, I saw her afterwards, see below. But Carolyn Mahony, next to me, Litty and Maureen and I have written and published over 18 books in the 7 years since. Most are Maureen’s under the pen name Merryn Allingham, she’s a brilliant writer and has a wartime trilogy which was a bestseller last year, amongst other things.
It was super to meet up again with everyone, and reminisce about how far we’ve come since the one week workshop in Tuscany courtesy of Pam Hartshorn aka Jessica Hart our Mills and Boon tutor.
Seeing Alix and breaking the news
Then it was off to Devon to spend a night at our missing writing group pal Alix’s in Belstone, where we had so much fun catching up and chatting that we didn’t end up going to the Saturday night Belstone do. I had a first too – a plate full of mussels. Never had a whole one before – very nice it was too. I’ve got a bit of a seafood thing going on at the moment! Lol. We had a nice relaxing Sunday morning too – that was until Basil, her grandpog popped in from next door and decided he wanted me to take him for a walk – or was it the other way round, judging from this pic?! He’s a feisty little chap but quite funny.
More news below about the big Devon project, which Alix is thrilled about! We’re going to be neighbours!
But this week I also had some sad news about my own poggy…
If you read my updates on my Facebook page (click here to ‘like’ the page and see the regular updates I post) you’ll know by now the sad news that Patchy dog has followed her mummy Holly over the rainbow bridge. She went to sleep for the last time this week and it was as traumatic as these things ever are, no matter how brave you think you can be, you know? My brother came with me to say goodbye and she passed away peacefully into her sleep. Still she had a very good life – aged 15 and a quarter – she was with me her whole life, as she was one of my old dog Holly’s pups in 2001 and stayed with us ever since. Never any trouble either – bless her. Read more about Patch here and see some super pics.
SNIPPETS –
Assistance Dogs – which is which? Keeping with canine’s, did you know the differences between official assistance dogs, as determined by their colour of jacket? Here’s a quick guide – as featured in the latest ‘Sniff’ magazine, the magazine from MDD, for whom I’m an ambassador, which also includes all the other ambassadors – from Dragon’s Deb to Strongest Link Anne, and me!
Watch 2 – This Sunday 9th 4pm BBC1 And Medical Detection Dogs feature large on BBC1’s ‘lifeline’ appeal this Sunday 9th at 4pm, or on catch up on i-player. Kate Humble, presenter and fellow ambassador, is making the appeal – do watch and if you can, do donate too – it’s such a worthwhile charity.
Patron of The Good Grief Trust My other proud charity news this week is that my pal and QVC guest presenter, Linda Magistris, has asked me to help spread the word about the Good Grief Trust, which helps the bereaved find support. It’s such a worthwhile cause, I said yes! More about it here.
Happy Anniversary Brad and Kari! It’s now three years since my lovely son married his soul mate Kari and I was a proud mother of the groom. Now I’m a proud mother of the daughter in law too – how time flies! No, no kids yet, (that’s what people usually ask!) but they are thinking about it! I’m happy to wait a while – lots of projects in the offing!
Great Niece Literally! And at the other end of the cousins scale, and talking of babies, look at how grown up the youngest cousin is – my great niece Violet is nearly six months old and has a smile for everyone! Bless her heart!
Dinner at Lolly’s Funny this week when we went to the cinema and had supper t Lauren’s first, they were one stool short, so here’s Nick, Lauren’s BF, on a low chair. Made me laff! He’s such a good cook too – delish supper and followed by a superb film – see below!
StPancras Strange Statue how funny is he! There‘s a strange statue near Carluccio’s in St Pancras where I met up with my writing gang this week. What was he looking at? Seems they’ve put him there specifically to make everyone look up – and do you know what? They do!
Devon Project OK so some of you by now are guessing what my Devon project is – well, come back next week and I will finally be allowed to share it. But in the meantime, no, it definitely does NOT mean dropping any days at QVC! I love my job too much! But there are some super plans in the offing, which are making me very happy. PS Pythagoras’s theorem came in very handy this week – can you guess why from this pic?
Audiobook of the Week – The Day of Second Chances by Julie Cohen. Julia Roberts my fellow presenter has decided to come along to Julie’s writing retreat for published authors in March in Bristol, find out how you can book too on my RiWiSi book blog this week, and on my long journeys down to Devon the audiobook of Julie’s latest novel has been keeping me company so I’ve made it my book of the week! More here. PLUS WIN A COPY OF JULIE’S BOOK, SIGNED! Just leave a comment at the bottom of the blog. also – one of my writing pals has signed a mega deal – find out the lowdown – it’s inspirational. And vote for superstar author Jo Cannon up for Book Bag award.
Newsletter And don’t forget to subscribe to my website newsletter to get emails of all my latest news and sometimes early bird order links! The latest is here.
Another great TTFLS post! Well done to June M on my TTFLS online support group for doing so well with Till the Fat Lady Slims, my semi-autobiographical weight loss book series. See bottom of this blog for the latest testimonial and maybe come join us too? Find out how on this week’s health blog on my website, where we also feature this week’s TV show about diabetes. More here.
Facebook Funny – er, just because…
Blooper –
Watch – The Girl on the Train. Omg I just couldn’t wait to go see this film at the cinema, so daughter and I went along as soon as it opened! I really enjoyed the audiobook but liked the look of the stars in this one. I’m a big Emily Blunt fan, so had to see it. It’s superb – tense, mysterious and really well made. If you know the book, you might also enjoy the film. Emily puts in oscar-material performances, seriously amazingly brilliant. Worth seeing just for that. 9 out of ten.
Diary – November 18th, Chiswick – hear me sing! Here’s another ‘watch’ – a charity concert featuring two performances from me – that’s the plan so far anyhow. But what shall I sing? Any suggestions, if you’ve ever heard me, what would suit my voice?! Only £10, do come along on November 18th.
This week on QVC :
Fri - the fabulous Lola Rose bracelet is Today’s Special Value (#TSV,) to buy it now click here
Sat – it’s a Christmas weekend, yayyyy! It’s the Santa’s Best multi function pre lit xmas tree #TSV with natural balsam – how gorgeous does this look? AND avoid the needle drop this year! Click here
Sun – here’s the Early Bird order link for the new Philosophy 5pc luxurious fragrance layering collection – their annual big xmas bundle – don’t miss it!
Mon – Xmas Food Hall day with Green Seasons’ annual 5.3kg festive meat hamper, delivered in December
Tues – A superb affordable midi bag from Orla Kiely with matching purse.
Wed – a lace tunic from fab fashion brand Nina Leonard, great for party season and covers up your arms too – it looks fab.
Sneaky Peeks – Saturday 15th, a fab Tarte Rainsforest of the Sea Cosmetics set. I will post the early bird order link on my website qvc page here on thursday eve.
And also I will post the early order link for Sunday 16th’s new Samsung 49” 4k curved Smart TV, link will go on my website QVC page too on Friday 14th, assuming the team and I are organised enough! Lol
Next week – A trip to Devon for a decorating party! And what IS that project…? PLUS – after postponing last week, thanks to Nick at Lost in TV for being so understanding about Patchy and transferring my tickets to next Monday to see The Apprentice You’re Fired being recorded near Waterloo! More next week. It has started on Thursdays, do watch it on catch up meanwhile.
Have a fab week, and thanks to everyone who has been sending me nice messages about losing my lovely old girl, Patchy dog. Really appreciated.
Best wishes
Debs
x
PPS – Here’s another fab post from my Till the Fat Lady Slims book’s support group on Facebook –
June M says –
“I started by not having sugar in tea or coffee, no fruit squash, no fizzy drinks and no tinned soup, sauces or ketchup. It’s the hidden sugars you’ve really got to watch out for so I decided no processed foods at all and every thing cooked from scratch… Weighed in today (the one habit I can’t lose) and I’ve lost 2 stone 1 pound!!! Still got 2 stone to lose but definitely feel I can do it! All thanks to Debbie, freedom eating and going sugar free. Started this new way of looking at food mid May and now I’m here in October 2 stone lighter, never thought I could lose weight because I do have mobility issues … thanks Debbie and TTFLs group!” MORE FROM JUNE INCLUDING DIABETES SCARE HERE
Fabulous news isn’t it, from yet more ladies finding the support from TTFLS and Freedom Eating is really helping on their weight loss journey. I say to anyone who wants to give it a try, to read ‘Till the Fat Lady Slims 2.0 – the ‘When’ Diet’ book first, which is like the one which sold out in signed hardback on QVC last year. Plus book 3.0 with more tips and tales to inspire. The whole picture and links are here on my webpage.
KEEP IN TOUCH – come join Facebook groups and Twitter, links here; follow my official QVC Facebook page here and subscribe to my weekly newsletter here.
MY NOVELS, SHORT STORIES AND WEIGHT LOSS BOOKS – just go to my website for all the info on my writer page – it’s here.
My paperbacks all online –
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