Erm..how does this work?

Hi – I’ve been wondering about how to start a writing a blog so I guess the first thing to do is to introduce myself.

My name is Nicola, and I am unemployed. I’m not sure what title to give myself now. Am I a housewife (sounds far too old fashioned!), a homemaker (I’m certainly not baking daily or crocheting doilies) or full time mum? The last one really annoys me. As if I was a part time mum when I was in work?! It’s like one of those decision trees on which Disney Princess you’re most like you find in a trashy mag. Snow White? I’m certainly not cleaning up after 7 little men (unless one regular sized one and a 6 year old equals 7 little men?). Sleeping Beauty? I don’t burst into song every time I see garden birds or forrest creatures. Maybe Merida? She’s kinda sassy, seems to enjoy the outdoors and I do only live a hop, skip and a jump from the Scottish Borders. Yeah, think I’ll go for that.

I had been working since the time I was 14. I made a big switch last year, deciding to leave a massive company I’d been working for over 11 years for, to go to a small company business 10 minutes from my house. It was a massive leap into the unknown and unfortunately it came to an abrupt end on the 6th December 2018 (yes, the memory is still a raw one). Anyone know’s been through redundancy knows how utterly horrible it is. I was the only one being made redundant and it came out of the blue. One minute I was being told I was doing a brilliant job, next minute there wasn’t enough money to keep me on and could I please go and collect my things and head on out. Brilliant.

So what now? My immediate action was to see if I could get my old job back. In reflection, a total knee jerk reaction due to my utter terror of being unemployed. It didn’t work out and I’m kind of glad that it didn’t. I have a wonderful husband who said he would support me whatever I ended up doing. So for now, it’s about reflection, spending more time outside in this beautiful part of the world (I’m talking about Cumbria of course), keeping the house clean and tidy (so maybe there’s a little Snow White in me) and working on the allotment. Oh, and starting a blog! Not sure if anyone will read it, find it relatable or perhaps funny but hopefully those of you who do will find some enjoyment in it. Also, if anyone has any good tips on what to watch on Netflix that would be appreciated. Not that Homes Under the Hammer and Bargain Hunt aren’t entertaining, but a little variety helps for those days when it’s not an outdoors day.

Later alligators x