tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64215182946219511222011-12-20T07:46:20.364ZTo be,or not,to be a writers wife.Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.comBlogger651100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-58425657584598131262011-08-31T21:00:00.000+01:002011-08-31T21:00:35.731+01:00

We've been moving along with the whole 'Let's Promote Arthur Through Social Media' thing- There's now a Facebook page, should any of you luverly peeps wish to have a little peep, and 'like', if you are inclined to do so- https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Real-King-Arthur/211609635563213 As Sy's burrowed further and further into the writing of 'Arthur', i've obviously seen a lot less of him.

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-43802115352819880142011-08-28T13:09:00.001+01:002011-08-28T13:13:29.035+01:00

Hello to One and All! The more astute of you will notice there's been a year and a month between blogs-but i live in hope that if you look quickly at the dates, the lost year will fade into the background.. So, what have you all been up to? I've got loads of reading and catching up to do. My world you ask? Let me list, in no particular order, I'm doing an Open University course in Social Policy

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-9031434308502438752010-07-04T21:26:00.000+01:002010-07-04T21:26:36.419+01:00

Well- The Writer spoke to his agent a few days ago. Nothing is moving in the publishing world. Apparently. So Arthur and Will are having a bit of a holiday. But- some rather promising news looms large on the horizen. Sy has a meeting with Hilary Salmon, a brilliant exec producer at the BBC in a weeks time- he sent her a couple of ideas and she likes them very much. Seeing as part of her portfolio

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-11157632657568054642010-06-15T22:29:00.000+01:002010-06-15T22:29:31.411+01:00

London. Hellhole or ace place? Sy lived in London for 10 years. He started life as a city boy, and has lived in cities most of his life- Birmingham, Glasgow and Bristol being among some of the many.I did wonder how he would adapt to living in the countryside and to be fair, he's settled in really well. Sy's new agent, of course, lives in London. Nice chap, part of a lovely old school type agency,

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-49410246990537853832010-06-05T12:32:00.001+01:002010-06-05T12:37:12.744+01:00

......for those of us old enough to remember Hughie Green and that fab show. But that's not the opportunity knocks i'm on about. When you're married to a writer, you have to take charge of all social occasions. This is mostly because they have no idea of time when they are writing, whether that be time of day or time of year- the latter being decided by; 1- Amount of clothes worn ('Sprouty, how

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-80933115530354303952010-06-01T21:44:00.000+01:002010-06-01T21:44:59.596+01:00

Sy's desk for his writing is set up in the sitting room. It really couldn't be in a worse place. Apart from the bathroom maybe- There was a time this actually worked quite well. Darling Daughter and me would set off at 8.30 in the morning and not be back until 4.30 in the afternoon. Trouble now, is that DD is on 'revision leave' or 'skiving' or 'don't give a flying fart about my exams, so i'll

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-72622013622240453692010-05-23T21:22:00.000+01:002010-05-23T21:22:59.791+01:00

The things i get talked into. Actually, this one is all my fault. I take the blame. In good old Stratford on Avon, there is a rumbling. No, that's rather misleading- a rumbling isn't the right word.....more of a ....clinking. The clinking of trowels on stone as Shakespeare's last home is dugged. That's a made-up word from Sprouty's dictionary, in case you were wondering. And the lovely people

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-25662393776695506052010-04-12T22:45:00.000+01:002010-04-12T22:45:36.823+01:00

......'Cos, bugger me back'uds, i don't post for six months and find i've gained half a dozen followers. How the bloody hell does that work then? So- a couple of things. 1- Sorry. I should have done loads of posts in the last few months, but circumstances and lack of enthusiasm had conveened to make sure that i was not going to write a thing. Apart from on Facebook, but, hey... 2- Please don't

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-90585101598948141432009-10-27T13:02:00.000Z2009-10-27T13:02:24.385Z

What a brilliant occasion this is. Me and Sy have been a couple of times- him being a writer and all that-and would have loved to have gone this year. But funds, sadly, dictated otherwise. Loads of interesting people, writers well known and unknown alike, all mixing and sharing information and tips on the industry. Hi-lites on past visits for me, include being at a fantastic lecture by Jimmy

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-67198201927519451022009-10-08T11:49:00.000+01:002009-10-08T11:49:23.141+01:00

The Writer took me out last week. Yes, that's right. Don't go fainting or anything silly. 'There's this rather interesting meeting with a talk i'd like to go to Sprouty, about happiness.' 'Aren't you happy then?' i ask The Writer. 'Of course i am, but i think that it may be useful to hear what the chap says...research and all that. Will you come?' I pondered this for a minute or two, and weighed

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-31350797189360705382009-09-09T21:31:00.003+01:002009-09-13T13:26:20.335+01:00

I can't believe i've been doing this blog for over a year now. What worries me, is that now i've written about most of the trials and tribulations that affect a writers wife, i'm afraid there won't be anything new to write about. So, i'm playing it a bit by ear at the moment, and picking out bits and pieces that i'm generally musing about. Today, i'll mostly be writing about Perception. I asked

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-84639525126617738052009-07-22T11:33:00.004+01:002009-07-22T12:01:37.953+01:00

....The chances of anythiiiing coming from Mars, are a million to wuuuun- but still they cummmm....dah dah da...dah dah daaaaa.Totally off topic really, but last night jolly good old BBC radio 2 played a live recording of Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds.I went to bed at 10.15 pm (horifically early for me, particularly as i don't need more than 6 and a half hours sleep- i was awake again and

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-92174700301343124672009-06-28T09:24:00.003+01:002009-06-28T10:11:38.627+01:00

How many writers use a pen these days?Mine doesn't.But he calls his new laptop his New Pen..'Are you going to give it a name?' I ask.'Not sure, Sprouty.'If he does, he won't tell me. It will be something fitting like Delilah or Cerys.I can't remember the last time i saw him so excited about something-he hasn't brought it to bed with him yet, but i feel it's only a matter of time.In fact, i'm sure

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-62033199237729658102009-06-06T10:21:00.004+01:002009-06-06T14:43:40.292+01:00

God, i can hear you screaming from miles away.But no, not what you think. I've been a bad girl and not blogged. At all. In fact, sadly, i haven't even been near my blog.There are a number of reasons, the main one being i've been too godamned lazy.Sorry- that should be busy.So first of all, let me apologise profoundly to all you lovely people out there who have been enquiring as to whether i have

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-6815172933460405862009-05-03T14:20:00.007+01:002009-09-13T13:27:30.157+01:00

It came. The book i've been looking for for the last ten years. Just when i thought all was lost, and i would never find others out there in the same situation as me, this wonderful piece of literature appears via the good old postie. I sat looking at the cover for ages, turning the book over and over in my hands like it were some sort of priceless artifact. For me, it is. My Holy Grail.

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-11000071678195507172009-04-15T11:07:00.003+01:002009-04-15T11:31:05.128+01:00

So, during our few days away with Sy's mate Sid, we decide to have a little jaunt to the seaside. Brighton, to be exact.Never been there before, and it was FAB. we went on the pier, listened to the most abysmal kareoke you can imagine, walked round 'The Laines' and i was given a potted history of the Brighton Pavillion.Never knew it was such an interesting place.Sid had booked us into a lovely

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-37219960225242223952009-04-13T12:29:00.002+01:002009-04-13T12:47:12.587+01:00

Things i have done this Bank holiday weekend.1-Spring cleaned our bedroom, and moved all the furniture. (Sy actually fell out of the bed the first night of the changeround...that's another story.)2- Spring cleaned the bathroom3- Spring cleaned the sitting room (even The Writers' desk...and i haven't even lost one scrap of paper on it, although i did manage to lose a couple of pages from a Very

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-23633381542746298822009-04-08T12:06:00.003+01:002009-04-08T12:51:44.790+01:00

I haven't been here, you may have noticed.But i'm back.And everything is not all happy in The Writers camp.Sy and i went away for a few days, to Sy's mate Sids place, down south.That was lovely.It was what happened either side of that break that's crap.As you all know, Sy has two books he's working on at the moment.Through years of research, he has discovered who the 'Real' King Arthur was, where

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-23052241833929581102009-03-22T21:41:00.002Z2009-03-22T22:11:00.604Z

..never been 43 before.Yes, the birthday has been and gone.Thursday to be precise, but i was a bit traumatised and went a bit mad, so i wasn't allowed near any electrical equipment.But back to normal now, and i have come to terms with what, after all, is only a number.just a feckin' big one, that's all.I did have a nice day though and had some lovely pressies.Darling Daughter bought me a new

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-28756355202757669722009-03-17T20:53:00.003Z2009-03-17T21:47:35.578Z

Listen very carefully...i shall say this only once.I have eight housekeeping jobs, varying from doing 'a bit' for some lovely elderly people, through to keeping on top of a couple of gorgeous holiday homes in the Cotswolds.But i only do these jobs in the mornings.In the afternoon, i do something very different.Do you recognise the car above?The good old Ford Capri- the must-have car of the mid

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-59214039640858286602009-03-12T20:29:00.003Z2009-03-12T20:58:31.410Z

...this came from the lovely 'Comedy Goddess'. I can't do links, but she's there on my followers and you must visit her if you haven't already.You're missing a treat.I think it's a 'meme'.But i'm going with the flow here, so bear with me.The idea of this is to google your name and post the results.'Shakespeare's Housekeeper' came up with a result i wasn't expecting.Apparently, in Shakespeares day

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-67343736450593333172009-03-03T19:36:00.009Z2009-03-03T20:05:07.488Z

Well- I've been nominated by Abruptly Calico to state five reasons why life is grand for me.After racking my brains and counting my blessings, here they are;1; I've got work.So many people haven't, and i've still got more than i can cope with. But that's good.2; My Darling Daughter hasn't gone off the rails. Yet. I might need to do this again in a years time and see if answer is different.3; I've

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-37046377221505662552009-03-02T19:58:00.002Z2009-03-02T20:25:52.647Z

It was The Writers birthday on Saturday.He's now 42.Which is still a year younger than me.It was quite a quiet weekend all in all, mainly because he had a bottle of wine, a bottle of port and a bottle of scotch bought for him. Not by me, i hasten to add. So he spent a lot of the weekend sliding either off things or under them.We went to dinner with the out-laws on Friday night and i spent the

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-43242424413450763382009-02-18T21:16:00.005Z2009-02-18T22:49:20.005Z

Well, after much hooing and haaing (are they words? Must look them up in Sprouty's Everyday Dictionary) i am interviewing The Writer.I am doing this live, so i will write the answers as they are given to me.Imagine the scene-I'm in the kitchen, at the laptop- he's in the sitting room, at his altar, with David Attenborough telling us both, rather loudly about a salmons journey.That actually may be

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-73345761570441383022009-02-08T16:20:00.003Z2009-02-08T16:41:01.757Z

Why, six nations rugby of course.Today- Scotland versus Wales.As you already know, I'm the one with Scottish roots.What you may not know, is that The Writer is of Welsh origin.It all started amicably.It always does. We settled down with beer, our favourite rugger shirts, dug out from the back of the wardrobe, and a 'do not disturb sign' blu-tacked to the front door.But it didn't take long for it

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-14552949186401578782009-02-01T17:01:00.012Z2009-02-01T17:54:41.436Z

I know it was a week ago, but i had to wait for the pics. Being of true Scottish heritage, i get a bit 'precious' about Burn's Night.And i had every reason to be worried.You will see the motley crew- well the men-folk anyway. Braveheart has a lot to answer for.Their attire left a lot to be desired, ranging from a Frenchman who wore trousers under his kilt, to my mate John, who looked more like

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-6942243926779044122009-01-28T11:37:00.005Z2009-01-28T12:17:38.401Z

Ok, it looks like it my turn.I've been tagged by Completely Alienne to tell you all ten honest and interesting things about myself.Well, you did ask....1;When i've lost enough weight, the first thing i will do is dance around my sitting room naked.2; I'm so proud of the fact that Darling Daughter's first proper boyfriend is black.3; On a film shoot once, an actress was contracted to bathe in a

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-68187177129039935932009-01-28T11:13:00.002Z2009-01-28T11:18:29.134Z

Thankyou, Mme Kat.It's a pleasure and and honour to accept this award from your good self.I will not be telling the writer, as he is still pissed off about me getting the last one.Love to you all.Mwah xx

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-80388505136654623912009-01-23T20:03:00.002Z2009-01-23T20:13:37.882Z

...Just a quickie, actually.Two wonderful, powerful men have new jobs this week.One has the power to change a nation for the better, to look after his people and get dressed up in his finery to meet other very important people.The other is now in charge of America.Who is the first one then, i hear you cry?My lovely Father in Law has been voted in as the new Mayor of Solihull.As long as i don't

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-56763653611318125962009-01-16T11:03:00.002Z2009-01-16T11:53:24.703Z

..Parents evening last night.Me, Sy and Darling Daughter's Dad trooped off to the school.(click on 'school' under the label section, and you'll see why this is always such an adventure.)Five minutes late for the first appointment, and we had 4 teachers to see.The school is heaving.We find the English teacher and take stock of the queue of parents waiting to see her.She is running 15 minutes

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-49427671007695205882009-01-12T17:04:00.003Z2009-01-12T17:52:59.481Z

Yesterday, i thought i would have a day to myself.Darling Daughter was going off to do something with mates, and Sy is in the middle of a very busy period with 'Arthur'.He hasn't had time to even pass the time of day with me (to busy with Authonomy...and those bloody forums!)So, i thought i would take myself off to Stratford and browse the charity shops.I cooked the two of them a huge breakfast,

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-52336351769518542842009-01-04T09:43:00.003Z2009-01-04T10:49:59.813Z

I experienced a rather different me last night.As i mentioned a while ago, one of my ladies is in hospital with a broken elbow, the consequence of a rather nasty fall.The elbow is now mended, but she has other complications, so she is still in hospital, over two months after the original fall.The last time i visited her was New Years Eve, and while i was there, i asked her if there was anything

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-13295651814658983042008-12-31T12:16:00.003Z2008-12-31T13:01:30.836Z

A little while ago, i read 'Hotel Babylon'.I'd seen it on the telly, thought it was ok, but never got round to reading the original book.Bearing in mind that i have been in the hotel industry, on and off, for over 20 years, i could certainly identify with a lot of it.I've worked in hotels where i've had to send the chambermaids off on a cockroach inspection before guests were allowed to their

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-63459338057047354132008-12-26T20:51:00.004Z2008-12-26T21:54:32.415Z

Thank God for that.The stress and worry is now over for another year.Don't get me wrong- i love Christmas on the whole- and i'm always the first one up, every Christmas morning.This year it was a 6.00am start.The stress and worry was because i didn't know for sure whether i would get Sy away from his computer long enough to eat Christmas dinner with us.This year, for the first time ever, we had

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-71413398012099584312008-12-16T08:52:00.003Z2008-12-16T09:46:16.092Z

Well.As you know, Sy has had His 'Arthur' book out in the publishing ether for quite a while.But, with the sale of books in general being a bit precarious at the moment, Sy has decided to try and give it some publicity, in the form of the Harpers Collins Authors site;http://www.authonomy.com/He posted details of the book five days ago, and the result has been pretty phenomenal.Although publishers

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-20150970685802525242008-12-11T12:02:00.002Z2008-12-11T12:41:22.316Z

Massively busy week.Although i'm sure there are women all over the globe up to their eyes in it at the moment.One of my ladies is in hospital and it's looking a bit on the black side for her....Broken elbow has turned into being fluid on the lungs and no mobility at at all, so lot's of hospital visits.Another one has a husband with Alzheimers, so i'm trying to keep an eye on them too.There's more

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-10762754254031614632008-12-03T09:25:00.005Z2008-12-03T17:31:20.018Z

Brilliant programme on tele last night.Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe.Sy loves this, i can only assume, because it hurls scorn on the world of television.I watch it with him, if only to keep an eye on The Writer, and make sure he doesn't die of a coronary while he's either laughing or jumping up and down in agreement with what's being said.Last night it was about writers.Russell T Davies, Tony

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-29870786659946448172008-11-25T09:36:00.009Z2008-12-02T12:19:46.406Z

One really fabulous thing about being the significant other of a succesful writer, is that i get to meet people off the telly.Not very often, but when i do, it's a real experience for a sprouty like me.People who, in a parallell world (ie, if i had not met Sy),would still just be people off the telly, and i would just be watching them, thinking, 'I wonder what they are like in real life?'The

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-25764759212825238492008-11-19T08:56:00.003Z2008-12-02T12:18:46.049Z

Last night, i watched the second part of a BBC2 Horizon doumentary entitled 'How Mad Are You?'A group of people, half of them with a diagnosed mental health problem, lived and worked together for a period of time and were watched by three experts in mental health issues.The idea was to see if the experts were able to tell who, in the group, had the mental health problems.At first they seemed

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-32265466660619261742008-11-13T20:39:00.004Z2008-12-02T12:17:14.339Z

Big news in small village (actually villages, three of them).We are in line to have a wind farm built.We have had meetings.The communities in each village are split.If it all goes ahead, we are to have up to 10 turbines, each being of about 125 metres tall.Wahey!Sy and me are all for it.But we are rapidly losing friends along the way.But then, so are many others.By some random act of random

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-6510271199491939892008-11-13T20:02:00.004Z2008-12-02T12:16:26.658Z

When i was a little sprouty, i had a famous dad.Not famous in the conventional 'i know you, you're on the telly' sense.More like ' i know you- your dad took me to school'.My dad was the most famous coach driver in the whole of the West Midlands- he would always put Radio one on in exchange for a cache of Mars Bars, and had been known to strap children to the roof rack, if behaving too badly.I am

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-67317600137943105082008-11-04T19:54:00.005Z2008-12-02T12:15:00.229Z

Darling Daughter has gone off to beat the hell out of several full grown men (aka Kick boxing), and Sy has gone off to band practice.A couple of hours to do as i please.I do like it when Sy has band practice.Several reasons.1; It means he gets some fresh air (even if it's only the walk to the car.)2; He gets to interact with some other blokes, real men. (Not that Sy isn't what i'd class as real

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-30553127077307432202008-10-27T21:41:00.005Z2008-12-02T12:14:16.926Z

The very first present i ever bought for Sy was a pair of wellies.He'd never needed any before.But i knew he would never cope with the cowshit and the floods if i didn't deck him out with the proper kit.More recently i have invested in;A garden fork.Organic slug traps.Thermal pants.All for the writer, who actually does seem to like gardening.Weirdly, it would seem that he prefers to work in the

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-19274782848886630412008-10-22T08:58:00.004+01:002008-12-02T12:12:51.463Z

From time to time, i think about how Sy and i met.It's funny how fate deals us a hand that we may not understand at the time, but i believe everything happens for a reason.Meeting Sy has catapulted me into a world that i knew nothing about, and have had to learn about as best i can, as fast as i can. I previously wrote a blog entitled 'Things i have learned about my writer.'That was a couple of

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-28052041677717621902008-10-15T10:02:00.003+01:002008-12-02T12:11:23.935Z

Darling Daughter is studying Romeo and Juliet at school.The conversation around the kitchen table last night, while i was cooking tea, went like this.'I don't like Shakespeare mum. It's really boring for someone of my age.''But wasn't Juliet the same age as you? That's something you can relate to.'' Yeah, but, like, she had those god-awful in-laws to be to cope with. I don't have to worry about

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-48253267146200480412008-10-11T18:07:00.005+01:002008-12-02T12:10:37.126Z

I have turned my thoughts towards Christmas.It's not because of the Christmas trees that are already up in half of the shops in town.It's not because i have heard on the radio it's only about seventy days away.And it's not because the X-factor has started again, which is always televisions countdown to Christmas.No, it's because i have had a list from Sy of the books he would like for his

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-67855420165505074832008-10-05T16:13:00.005+01:002008-12-02T12:09:32.246Z

I've done two things this week for the first time ever.1; I went to see a comedian in a theatre.2; I visited a Waitrose.Now, going to see a comedian probably wouldn't have happened if it were not for the generosity of the comedians wife, who got me and Sy comp tickets.If you haven't had a chance to see Rich Hall outside QI, Never Mind The Buzzcocks or his fishing programme, then find the time to

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-20790395385466085972008-09-30T20:28:00.006+01:002008-12-02T12:07:21.529Z

Sy loves quizzes.Mastermind and University Challenge have him rubbing his hands with glee, as does the arrival of a new soduko book or, can you believe, the quiz pages in 'The Lady'(??!)His absolute favourite though, is The Pub Quiz.There is a yearly one at our local- a grand affair with about twenty teams taking part- and we have won it three times in the last five years.I use the term 'we' very

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-14214771837599133862008-09-28T15:09:00.003+01:002008-12-02T12:06:18.518Z

Sy has gone to Stratford today.I'm sure he will visit Will's grave (again..), peruse some obscure book shops and possibly pop in to say hello to the lovely people at The Falstaff Experience.At some point he has to do a stint at his brothers art gallery in Shrieves Walk.He doesn't do this very often- it depends when his brother wants a day off. Today, Alton Towers beckons, so Sy has done the

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-14896950931971506122008-09-25T21:58:00.005+01:002008-12-02T12:05:33.188Z

I was given an award for blogging today.Somebody actually took the time to say that they liked my blog and that i deserved an award for it.Bloody hell.So, thankyou again, (Very) lost in France.It really did make my day.I told Sy about it.'I've got an award for my blog.''Which bit?''All of it, i suppose..'He doesn't look too thrilled. He say's he's really pleased, but i know different.You see,

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-28669440193106612022008-09-22T20:53:00.005+01:002008-12-02T12:04:57.233Z

...Well, i did actually. Six years ago last Friday to be precise.But it was such a feckin' awful day last Friday, that it has taken me till now to be able to write about it.I think i'd better do this in two parts.Part one- The wedding day. (Which was very nice.)Sy and i got married on the Isle of Iona, off the West coast of Scotland.Absolutely stunning place- three miles long. a mile wide with a

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-72588358494832870042008-09-17T21:16:00.003+01:002008-12-02T12:03:56.786Z

mmm.i see my darling hubby is following my blogs.This is nice to know- he's taking an interest in what i'm doing.This also means that i won't have to leave post-it notes stuck to his computer screen when i want to tell him something.How convenient is this!So Sy- this is for you...Drinks at Emmas tomorrow night,.The christening is two weeks away- make sure you try your suit on this week

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-55747604308263241182008-09-16T19:56:00.007+01:002008-12-02T12:03:09.498Z

What's on the television is always a talking point in this house-As i'm sure it is in most homes.'Can we watch X-Factor?''No, we're watching Strictly..'Or something like that.In this house, certain programmes can evoke an array of emotions, outbursts and comments.Sy has to watch, without fail-Channel 4 news.BBC news.BBC 24 hr news channel ( i know he watches this, because the telly always comes

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-14509417177365053292008-09-14T14:50:00.004+01:002008-12-02T12:02:07.613Z

I've had a brilliant morning.I have, in this order;Cleaned and hoovered the sitting room.Cleaned the bathroom.Hosed down my kitchen (hosed is the appropriate word, believe me).Washed, dried and ironed three loads of washing.Sorted out all the weeks recycling, for the bin men tomorrow.Visited that great monstrosity that is Tescos and bought stuff for baking.And some sausages.Baked an apple crumble

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-46168822700011515382008-09-11T11:10:00.004+01:002008-12-02T12:00:56.970Z

When i first started working as a housekeeper i was 17.17.I didn't even know what a housekeeper was then. I just liked the name.I didn't know that after twenty five years of being in the profession, i would have a list of ailments that all come from doing this kind of work.Arthritis in both knees.( from spending so much time on them).And in my right arm (polishing arm).Dodgy breathing. (from

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-22244349875392628792008-09-09T17:45:00.003+01:002008-12-02T11:59:17.560Z

I've looked at a lot of Sy's scripts, treatments and proposals over the years, and his characters are always beautifully developed. His female characters in particular- he seems to be able to get inside a womans head and give her all the right things to say with incredible clarity and emotion.I'm flicking through a treatment one day for a proposed television drama. It's Sy's baby, and the

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-22558039891968055972008-09-07T17:22:00.004+01:002008-09-07T18:06:41.986+01:00

..well, i have to really, as i don't trust Sy to drive at all.His driving has to be the worst i've ever experienced. Really.Now, i'm not saying mine is perfect (too right woman, i hear you men scream), but as the daughter of a coach driver, who drove various vehicles over many years and passed all his driving tests the first time, i can safely say i had The Best Teacher.'Always use your mirrerrs'

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-63109862367011499812008-09-04T22:19:00.006+01:002008-12-02T11:58:24.485Z

Sy takes his research very seriously when it comes to his writing- and rightly so.He has been gathering and investigating information for his Shakespeare book for about twenty years.I have been 'helping' him on his quest for the last four years, and thank God i haven't been there for the other sixteen too, or i would have probably shot myself by now.Or him.I can just about cope when he's got his

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-65668375107156719732008-09-03T09:52:00.001+01:002008-12-02T11:56:58.739Z

Sy writes under a pseudonym.In fact, Sy is the pseudonym, and as i'm writing about the writer, in the main, it's better to use his working name.When i first questioned him about it, he said it was easier to take criticism if it were aimed at someone who wasn't real.mmm...Food for thought.I've got used to it over the years, but there are a few hiccups.The phone; Ring, ring...Me; Hello?Caller: Can

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-59277016559422680862008-09-02T07:56:00.001+01:002008-12-02T09:51:55.687Z

Darling Daughter goes back to school today.As i write, several things are happening;There is a hairdryer whining in a bedroom above me.Added to that is the sound of some obscure radio station (it could be Radio 1...haven't listened to it for years as i don't know who any of the bands are any more).There is also the sound of new, heeled shoes clopping about, and the odd bout of swearing at, i can

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-39410914912867355122008-08-31T11:06:00.001+01:002008-12-02T09:50:46.211Z

Me and Sy have learned to live quite happily together over time.But his little foibles have taken some getting used to.If you come from a background that has no experience of writers and how they live, i thought i would add a section on their general habits....firstly so you know what i have to put up with and what i do as a writers wife, but also a general pointer to anybody out there who is

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-31166130902757512442008-08-30T15:07:00.001+01:002008-12-02T09:28:59.324Z

So, the writer is in situ.So far, so good.But he needs a space to work....Now, if i need to write something (which isn't very often), i'll do it at the kitchen table. My writing is either letters for school-Dear Mrs Andrews,Thankyou for your letter regarding the incident that occured at the School Ball, that involved Darling Daughter.In her defence, i have always taught her to stand up for

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-84729977938332749872008-08-27T19:39:00.001+01:002008-12-02T09:49:01.891Z

...and don't they just.When Sy and me first talked about him moving in, i stupidly thought it would all be quite straight forward. Clothes (in a couple of bin bags), Pens, paper...a laptop probably.Plenty of room in my little two bedroom house for these few extras.He never mentioned the books.The morning he was due to bring all his belongings over, i was watching out of the window for his little

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-8069841872717648352008-08-26T20:59:00.001+01:002008-12-02T09:47:49.835Z

Nothing ever, ever prepares you for the amount of alcohol a writer can consume.I can put a fair amount away myself, but writers take some beating.Sy can put away a bottle of scotch in an evening if he puts his mind to it...to be fair, he doesn't do any writing after drinking that amount (he normally sways a bit, tell me how much he loves me and watching him trying to negotiate the stairs is like

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421518294621951122.post-11711843304114383812008-08-25T21:33:00.001+01:002008-12-02T09:45:51.814Z

...i enjoyed hugely an episode of 'Casualty' on BBC1.The episode is ingrained in my memory because of it's rather eyepopping content.It's not often you see the results of an oral sex session gone wrong on the BBC.Moving forward a few years, i'm sat at a local am-dram audition, when i spot a new member.He looked scared to death.Now, i'm one for meeting and greeting, so i mosey over to say hello...

Shakespeare's Housekeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04968403409072725481noreply@blogger.com1