Nothing can replace my Milo...

I've been in Portugal one week now and it's rained nearly everyday. It's like we've swopped climates with the U.K. Not that I'm complaining, our heatwave is on its way and promises to be a long one. With that information Ali and I took ourselves to Caldas market on the hunt for some summer outfits.  I was rather pleased with my purchase of a one euro linen dress. Yes! 'One' euro. And Ali bagged some bargains too.

I've noticed, whilst on my morning run, that a gentleman has been checking me out. Hmm... He's a bit odd looking; purple shades, handlebar moustache, multicoloured sweat headband and about two foot tall. I've managed to ignore him most mornings but he's always there, same place, same time. I think I might have to change the route on my Wii Fit Haha! I need to do this workout as I don't have Milo taking me on those early morning walks now. I miss him like crazy. I miss hugging him, stroking him, curling up on the couch with him, but mainly I just miss him not being by my side. He has always been by my side, just 'there', with me wherever I was. It hurts. I try to console myself with Ali's dogs Max and Mindy. But they're just not Milo.

Mr Hunky came to visit today, although more a Mr Chunky having given up smoking since I last saw him. He was looking as handsome as ever and still gives the best hello hugs a girl could want. Not quite a Milo hug as nothing could replace that...

Miss the most...

'Out' jogging...

Reckon green and black is my favourite...

Cute but not Milo... 

Milo, Me and the Beast - is it just Me?...

When it rains it pours. Leaving Milo is possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do, I swear it's worse than breaking up with a boyfriend haha. But at least I know it's temporary. But worse was to crush me this week. My Beast is poorly. Too poorly for me to fix. If he is to achieve another MOT he will need some serious tlc. I don't have the funds or the know how to do this. Why can't I have a man in my life who likes to tinker with motors, or a welder to be precise! My Beast apparently requires two new panels and some under welding. All quite achievable, but not by me. So with a heavy heart I have decided to sell him. If there is anybody out there who could possibly love him as much as me I am open to serious offers. This chariot has carried Milo and Me on our whole adventure and truly deserves a good home :)

Jeez! At this rate my next book will be titled 'Me...' But ever the optimist I believe there is a reason for everything. Milo, in dog years, has been on an adventure for 21 years! He needs a rest. The Beast has put up with a dumb blonde for long enough and possibly needs a man in his life! Me? I just need to figure that one out! I'm still loving my life and believing in myself, I'm still happy to grab any opportunity presented to me and live one day at a time. I leave for Portugal on Wednesday, to live out my next chapter. So, at the moment I intend to just keep looking forward...

A link to the Beast :'(
https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/talbot-elddis-autoquest-320-motorhome/1301272582

Milo, Me and the Beast...

Milo and Me...

Just Me...

When the right choice breaks your heart...

Another adventure beckons me. Another chapter in this wonderous midlife crisis of mine. Another opportunity with my name on it.  I'm going back to Portugal. Last week was a mini wake up call for me of how short and precious life actually is.  There is no promised tomorrow, no return of yesterday, only the moment we live in. So, on that note while I 'can' I 'will'.

I will go to Portugal and finish writing book two whilst helping to care for Gran. Gran is the perfect writing buddy; she is an excellent listener, she never interrupts and she can keep a secret. Ali, my wonderful friend, will encourage my writing and no doubt fuel my imagination. Foz do Arelho is one of Portugals hidden gems and I am extremely lucky to be returning. Ali rents out rooms in her vast home all year round which will I'm sure will provide me with some interesting entertainment to blog about.

There is a 'but' though. A big, huge, massive 'but'! I can't take Milo... The thought of not being with him breaks my heart. We have spent the last 3 years side by side and done everything together. He is my constant, my best friend, my everything. But I can't put Milo through the trauma of flying again, the heat of Portugal and the stress of cohabiting with other dogs. Milo has settled into a calm and comfortable life here with my sister Pip, who adores him nearly as much as me. Milo, I know, will be fine. Me? Only time will tell...

A peek at where I'll be...
https://www.casabrancaguesthouse.com

Just Me...

Always at my feet...

Always by my side...

Always in my heart... 

Let sleeping dogs lie - Milo's favourite place... 

Life. It's all about the Middle bit...

Life. All that we know for sure is our "hello" and our "goodbye". The middle bit is anyone's guess. My middle bit, so far, has been really rather good. I like my middle bit, I'm not ready for it to stop yet. Which is why I was really rather sad, scared and angry last week. Long story short: Last Sunday I was coughing up a fair amount of blood and having been a long term smoker I was rushed through the A & E service pretty promptly (hats off to the NHS). After various tests I was declared fit to travel by my GP so set off in the Beast with Milo on Monday.

We stopped off in the Lake District on Monday night and due to my weirdly, wonderful satnav we saw some amazing scenery heading towards Dumfries on Tuesday. Either I don't read my satnav correctly or its having a laugh with me. Both my wing mirrors merrily brushed along the hedges on
the tiny, winding lanes and first gear was all we managed up the steep hills. What happened to the M6 I'll never know!

Anyway, we arrived at my dear friend Pauls house in Kippford and settled down to an evening of good food, wine and banter. That is until late in the evening when I received a message from my GP to contact him. Something was wrong with my X-ray?! As it was so late I was unable to contact him. Needless to say I never slept a wink that night. I went through every possible scenario in my head and even ran through my 'dead letters' to my loved ones. Paul was super company and said all the 'right' words. The next day I was told to return for further X-rays. It was a long drive home.

Within 24 hours of my second X-rays I was told they were Clear. Happy is an understatement! Having felt like I'd lost control of all that I knew, here I was, back to where I was. My Middle bit. I have a doctors appointment this week, just for a chat, but I feel good. Nothing like a wake up call to appreciate your middle bit...

I Love My Life...

TV appearances & Book tours, all in a day's work...

I'm off on a mini adventure tomorrow, with Milo, in the Beast. We intend to head towards Dumfries and visit our good friend Paul (a character in my book no less!). The Beast is desperately in need of a good run and having been spruced up a bit he is now fit to travel (RAC on standby). Pip has made me some fab posters for my windows, promoting my book 'Milo, Me and the Beast' which will be quite apt as we three hit the road!  A bit like a mini book tour of self promotion. I've had more super reviews on Amazon and couldn't be happier with the feedback I've received so far. (Still need more though!).

The weather forecast looks promising for the week and I've stocked up on essential provisions: coffee, chocolate and crisps. Hopefully I will find a lovely quiet spot and get some more writing done on book two ~ The Middle...

I'm in need of a rest after last week.  Unfortunately, I'm unable to say too much about it, but going by my photos I look like the new Pat Butcher wannabe for Eastenders haha! TV scheduling is a nightmare I have recently discovered, but all will be revealed in time... (Could be a long time!)

The Beast promoting himself...

Wave if you see us...

Pat Butcher wannabe...

My own private dressing room...

Should have taken my rollers out... 

I am a Happy Homeless Person...

I can't believe it's coming up to three years since I threw away my old life and began my new one. And my word what an adventure I've had! I think I will now call myself a 'happy homeless person'. I have no home, no furniture, no career, no routine and no commitments. And I've never been happier. I don't know what I'm doing from one day to the next, other than walk Milo. I make plans and I change plans, I look forwards, backwards and sideways, I take one day at a time. I may not have found my happy ever after but I'm having a damn good time looking. I've lost friends and found new ones, I've visited places I'd never heard of and created memories to hold forever. I'm so lucky and appreciate it every day.

Last week I was in Portugal and tomorrow I will be in London. Today I am here. Here is always the best place, it exists because it's where you are and I reckon we are always where we are meant to be. So, who knows where I will be in another three years other than 'here'! Haha just read that back... It actually makes sense in my head...

Not quite living on a park bench yet...

When Milo thought he was coming to Portugal with me...

Don't tell Milo...

Real friends count... 

Milo and Me chilling 'here'...

Portugal and London without the face-lace...

Yeay I'm off to Portugal on Monday for a few days of well earned rest. Because that's what us authors need haha! I'll get to catch up with good friends and revisit some of my favourite places. I'm so excited. Unfortunately Milo can't come with me this time, so he is having a Nana holiday and will no doubt be spoilt rotten. I'm hoping to catch some sunshine because the two days we got here just weren't  enough. I'm all prepared ie fake tanned, legs shaved, eye lashes lifted and even moustache waxed! My diet is also in full swing ie I'm now taking my wine with soda!

My book is doing really well by all accounts. The feedback I've had so far has been so touching, some people are just lovely. I've had some super reviews on Amazon, although I still need more. Apparently even bad reviews count on Amazon, I can't quite get my head round that one but Heyho.
I'm still feeling quite proud of myself as I've been told some people publish books and don't sell a single copy.

My funny conversation with Pips boyfriend last night:
"My pal and his wife just got a great deal at that new hotel" He told me.
"Was that with groupon?" I enquired.
"No, just the two of them..." He replied. Aw bless him!

So sunny Portugal here I come, immediately followed by a mini adventure to London ~ exciting details to be revealed very soon ...

When I sunbathe near Milo...

Two of my amazing reviews...

No news is good news, right?...

Friday 13th. Not classed as unlucky in my family. It's my mums birthday today and my son was born on the 13th, he even had his 13th birthday on a Friday the 13th. So today is a good day. But for some reason I feel a bit down. It could be all this rain of late, trudging through the mud every morning with Milo is not much fun. I can't wait for the warm weather that is apparently arriving next week, I miss my toes, I haven't seen them for months. And I can't wait for some days away in the Beast. Now he's had his heart transplant he's good to go. We had one night last week, locally, and he performed just fine.

I think I'm also worried about my book. I've not had any feedback yet, other than from family, so am unsure if it's any good. I did for a moment think it was doing well until I realised it was my mum who had ordered numerous copies! Apparently you need a certain amount of reviews on Amazon to appear in any search. I've got 2 so far, one from sister Pip and one from bestie Sue! Not quite competing with JK yet but I'm still only in week one.  So, for now I will choose to believe that no news is good news...

Happy Birthday Mummy...

The Beast having his heart transplant...

Our night in the Beast...

Chocolate, wine and a 'good' book...

My Labour of Love...

Is it just me or does anyone else have to use the very same finger when doing copy and paste on a touch screen? It's like I believe the words are actually stuck to the tip of that particular finger! Okay I'm losing the plot. I'm not savvy when it comes to modern technology, I just muddle through. So I apologise in advance for any errors in my book. If it's upside down or back to front it wasn't intended to be. I duly followed all instructions, with many a meltdown, learning everything along the way.

So my book is now live. I have ebook and paperback, although I'm not entirely happy with the cover I created. I might have to redo that bit at some point. In the meantime I will take onboard any feedback, criticism, constructive comments, practical advice, just about anything anybody has to say. A review is a review good or bad I need them. I've learnt so much already and am well aware I have much more to learn. So 'hit me with it' and I'll try not to cry out-loud!

It's been a labour of love and now I have my 'creation'. But, like bringing a child into the world I am now panicking for it. What if it's 'not quite right' what if 'it's ugly' what if no one 'loves it like I do'?
And there we have it ~ I Love It. And that's all that matters. Isn't it...?

My Labour of Love...

'L' is for Love...

Milo, Me and The Beast ~ Love...

Here comes the bride...

I feel I've accomplished so much this last week or so. My book, oh let me say that again... My book, is just about to hit the world. I'm so proud of myself for that, even if no-one ever reads it, I did it! Also this week my Beast had a heart transplant. A new engine battery actually, but it felt like a heart transplant to me. He was very brave and is now performing better than ever. Milo and me are hoping to take him off exploring very soon. But the best bit this week, for me, was I got to be a bride! Yes a bride! OK I didn't have a groom but I don't care, I got to wear a wedding dress. Three wedding dresses to be precise.

I was asked to participate in a bridal fayre at Northop Hall and I jumped at the chance. I've never worn a wedding dress before and I didn't want to take it off, they had to pin me down, kicking and screaming, and peel it off me. I also got my hair and make-up done and pranced up and down that catwalk like a true prima donna. It was such a wonderful day for me and all videoed by Pip.

I did sneak off at one point, wearing the wedding dress, hunting for an eligible bachelor. I could only find a rather handsome, but rather young, barman named Guy. I asked him, ever so nicely, if he'd look into my eyes, adoringly, without seeing me as his mother, and pose for a photo. He duly obliged. So, I might never get married but at least I've got a photo for the family album of me in a wedding dress beside an extremely handsome man, who looks like my son. Oh happy days...


No I don't look like your mother, but yes I will autograph that book for you...

All kindly photo-shopped by Pip :)

Milo, Me and The Beast (and Milo loves it!)
amazon.com/author/niccitaylor

How to publish a book in five minutes, Hahaha...

I've never eaten a big mac or a subway. I've never played on a play station or x-box. I've never watched Game of Thrones. Just a few things I've never done. But, I've published a Book! An actual book. Me an Author. And boy what a journey that's been. To be honest writing the book was the easy bit, publishing it has been a nightmare. 'Self publish on Amazon KDP, its fast and easy' they said. 'It takes five minutes' they said. After about five days, rather than five minutes, and many tears, tantrums and headbutts on my screen I finally hit the publish button. Erring on the side of caution, I chose a release date of 6th April. This year!

So I'm sitting here, surrounded by an abundance of post-it-notes, still completely baffled by the whole process. The e-book is sorted, now onto the print version. Arghh! Front covers, back covers, bleed or no bleed, size, format, html, pdf, text wrapping breaks, etc. What is this language they speak? I want the idiot guide. But I will figure it out, although certainly not in five minutes.

Even though this whole process has aged me by about 20 years I'm still feeling chuffed. I've loved writing my blog and I've loved writing my book even more. I may be ignorant to the whole process of self publishing but at least I can say I did it...

Book one; Milo, Me and The Beast ~ The Beginning... 
available for pre-order now :))))))

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C8L3X4D

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C8L3X4D

To be followed by #2 The Middle... and #3 The End?...

I've heard of you, said J K Rowling...

I've actually gone and done it! I've written a book. OK, I haven't physically pressed the 'publish button' yet. I'm too scared. I just keep hovering my finger over it, like it's the nuclear button. What if nobody reads it? Or worse, what if people read it and don't like it? Maybe I've just been kidding myself that me, Nicci Taylor, can really write a book. I was led to believe, at school, that I'd never really amount to much, so what makes me think I can be an author? Isn't that what clever, accomplished people become?

Well, I need to just pull myself together and publish. I need to dig deep and find that self belief. A few years ago I would never have believed my life could have changed so much from one tiny idea, but it did. And I think it's worth telling that story: 'Milo, Me and The Beast' by Nicci Taylor. I have to admit I've never read a Harry Potter book but I'm well aware of who J K Rowling is. Maybe she will say the same of me one day? Hmmm...

So, hopefully, the next time I write my blog I will be an 'accomplished author' (maybe minus the clever!). My dear friend Jefferson Merrick is editing the final tweaks and it will hopefully be available on Amazon early April. Even if only one person buys it I will be able to say "Me? Oh, I'm an author."...

My book cover, designed by Pip...

Come on Nicci...

Waiting to exit the petrol station yesterday I spotted a man dressed in high-vis orange boiler suit. Whilst a lady sat in the driver seat, he was filling up her car with petrol. I commented to my sister, Pip, that I didn't realise this garage had pump attendants and I wished I'd seen him before I stood in the cold, filling up our tank. Then I watched him replace the cap and jump into the passenger seat next to his 'wife' and I was so glad I hadn't shouted over "if you could just do me next please!" Haha.

This weather is pretty crazy just now but Milo and me are loving it. Our only gripe is, as I leave his tennis ball in the car overnight, it takes about ten minutes to defrost itself from the ball chucker. But Milo is just loving bouncing in the snow and skating on the ice. I do think this weather is causing me to be a bit lazy though, I seem to be putting my PJ's on earlier every day and am seldom leaving the house. But on a good note this has encouraged me to practically finish writing my book one and start on book two, happy days.

Had a funny weekend involving my bright idea to have a 'disco dance competition' with an eleven year old little girl. I was given the song Come On Eileen and was video'd in slow motion! I've chosen to post the video, even though I know this will ruin whatever street cred I might have once thought I had...

Fun in the snow...

Caught with my pants down...

I'm having problems with toilets. It's not a problem with my body, it's the toilet room. Last night I went to Liverpool for a friends birthday celebration. We started with a lovely meal at Fazenda. Then I went to the ladies toilet. It was a stunning toilet, I must say. My own cubicle with a personal sink and hand dryer. After washing my hands I slapped on some of the very expensive hand lotion provided. Then spent ages trying to turn the door knob to get out. After re-washing my hands and wiping the door knob I eventually escaped.

We then headed to the White Star pub in town where I visited their ladies facility. After a quick check in the mirror I tried to open the main door out, locked. I stood there for a moment wondering who would have locked me in. Then I realised it was not the main door out and I was in fact trying to open a cupboard door. My last toilet visit was the worst. Sitting on the loo, minding my own business, a lady barged in, stood for a few seconds just staring at me, then said "oh sorry, I thought it was vacant". So, I either can't unlock the door, can't even find the door or just don't bother locking the door! I had a good night anyway, the highlight being when a lady in the pub, pointed at me and asked my sister "is that your daughter?" ha-ha!

Back home, Milo would not leave me alone. As I'd been to an 'eat all you can 'meat' carvery' he thought I smelt delicious. Quick change into my very 'sexy' onesie and he soon settled down. Milo didn't look so 'sexy' either on our walk this morning. I forgot to take his lead so he had to walk past all the other dogs sporting a lovely, lime green, fluffy scarf...

My 'sexy' onesie, not...

Milo's sexy look...

January, sick & tired, you keep hanging on me...

I'm kind of glad January has gone. I pretty much did nothing for the whole of January. Mind you I've not done much for the start of February either! But I'm feeling quite positive, especially as the days are getting lighter. Milo wakes me at about 6.30 every morning and is more than keen to go on his walk at about 7ish. The problem is it's dark at that time and Milo is scared of the dark. I think he believes I can take him to a place that is not dark at 7 am and therefore pesters me until we go out. This week it has started to get light at about 7.30 so all is good.

My son and his girlfriend have just bought their first house and moved in last week. I'm so happy for them both. It's just down the road from me and I've noted it has a large empty garage too. I may suggest he turns it into a granny flat for me and Milo. Only joking son! I am extremely proud of my son, he has the most beautiful girlfriend, a wonderful career and now his own home. I don't know how I managed to produce such a level headed child, I think I may have to request a DNA test.

I've not put much effort into my online dating of late as I've been feeling 'ugly'.  But I've now realised its only eight days until Valentine's Day and it's just going to pass me by, again. I think I might fire up the Beast, drive somewhere nice and cook a romantic candle lit dinner for MiloandMe....

My Valentine Date...

My 'granny' flat...

I wish Milo was an onion...

I need to date an onion. Fact. When any man writes in his bio, on a dating site 'what you see is what you get' I'm not interested. I want more.  I need mystery and intrigue. I need twists and turns. I need layers. Therefore I need an onion! But what I don't want is a bad onion.

My second date, which had been arranged for the weekend, was cancelled by him. Due to illness, he asked if we could re-arrange. I was quite happy to go along with this and agreed with the re-arrangement. And I've never heard from him since... My nosy side would love to know what happened,  did he get a better offer? Did he read my blog? Did he get run over by a bus? My rational side says he wasn't all that great (bad onion) so move on.

Moving on, I went back to my meetup.com writing group on Sunday. I even plucked up the courage to read, out loud, some of my written work. I chose to read my piece about 'failing as a prostitute' and got lots of positive feedback. It's a Laidback writers group so I'm sure they got the funny side. Going to the group also gave me the kick up the arse to do some more writing, I'm loving my new laptop, and now wondering about self publishing. Having previously been in talks with two different publishers and still no book on the horizon, I'm feeling frustrated.

Milo has been a bit sickly this week. And boy when he's sick he's sick. He empties the entire contents of his stomach in one go. Then he looks at me all sad like he's in trouble. Just makes me love him even more than ever. I wish Milo was an onion...

Love of my life...

My rape alarming hair style...

I very nearly woke up the whole street this morning. I was preparing for my date, yes a date! when I reached for my hair mousse, which is extremely similar in appearance to my rape alarm! Luckily I realised in time and didn't wake up anybody and also didn't feel the need to inflict my date with an extra thick volumising hair do...

My date was with a gentleman I met on Plenty of Fish. I had used this website previously, with not much luck, but decided to renew my profile before Christmas. I was a little perplexed as I hadn't received a single response over the holidays. That is until I realised I had 'hidden' my profile from view. As soon as I 'unhid' my profile the messages came flooding in. Unfortunately it was slim pickings,with messages ranging from "Hi sexy" to just "Hi". And even these messages were spelt incorrectly. I decided it was only polite to reply to each and every one saying 'thank you but no thank you' but I did have to resort to copy and paste. And even then nearly all the gentlemen replied to my reply. So I've had a busy few days. Anyway one gentleman stood out from the crowd and our coffee date was successful enough to arrange a second date this weekend. Fingers crossed we've both made the right choice.  Tinder has been a bit hit and miss, although they did inform me that I'd been Right Swiped by over 3'000 people! Maybe a slight exaggeration there? And then Twitter sent me a notification that The Male Escort Agency was now following me, yikes! I thought, am I going to have to buy myself a boyfriend?

My best bit this week, besides some crisp, sunny walks on the beach with Milo, was becoming the proud owner of a laptop.  It's just a little basic one but it has got Microsoft word, which is a Godsend when doing my writing. I've been trying to write my book on my iPad which has been pretty frustrating. Now I'm ready to hound the publishing world...

Rape alarm versus hair mousse...

Truthfully Tinder?...

An expensive date... 

Beach days with Milo...