Happy New Year! I know I'm almost 3 months late in saying that, but I have a good excuse I promise. As you can see above, I've kicked off this blog with some in-your-face advertising for my latest books. I've had the amazing buzz of being in the best seller list in both fiction (Miss Conceived) and non-fiction (Talk to the Headscarf) and it's been a dream come true.
Both books hit the best seller list upon release and it's been an incredible whirl wind ever since.
Thank you to all the lovely people who've already bought the books and for those of you who haven't had a chance, don't be shy.
I kicked off my year with an appearance on the Late Late Show on January 7th which was a blast. Well I actually thought I was going to expire prior to going on set, the nerves were so bad neither my husband nor my editor could sit near me. I was literally fizzing! Sheila, my agent was very brave and sat doing breathing exercises with me, a little like those I was meant to do while giving birth, but it never happened. Once I got on set, Ryan was a total pro and made me feel at ease.
Ireland AM followed along with countless radio stations and visits to book shops. My launch for Talk to the Headscarf was in the Dubray book store in my home town of Bray. It was beyond special and I was honoured to have my best friend launch the book, the one and only Cathy Kelly.
Do I sound like I've turned into a famous author?
Revel in that moment for a while longer....
The truth of the matter is that oddly enough, the ironing doesn't magically get done. If I don't shop and cook, the kids starve. The same mud, grass and gravel still appear on the floors. The cat still pee's in the sink if you lock him inside for too long. I still empty un-eaten lunch boxes into the bin while trying to figure out how the hell to do standard 5 maths home work. Seriously - is it just me or does anyone else have moments of fear when they look at an 11 year olds homework and begin to quietly perspire as you realise you don't even understand the question, let alone how to solve it?
Hubby Cian opened the doors on his new business. Yes, at the height of a recession, instead of crawling under a rock, he decided to take a deep breath and go for it. Base2Race is his new venture. Along with lots of expert sportsmen he has opened an emporium for sports geeks of all shapes and sizes. You may or may not be aware, but I hate exercise. I go to the local pool and make myself swim twice or if I have time three times a week. The part I enjoy the most is getting out once I'm finished. Cian is my polar opposite. He does triathlons and adores exercise. So he's turned this passion along with lots of expert know-how into an amazing swimming, running and cycling treasure trove. Check out his web site www.base2race.ie - oh there's a fab you-tube thingy too, featuring none other than the divine Mr Craig Doyle.
With regards to my old pal the cancer. Well, things are ongoing. Battle number 7 is well and truly under way and I'm hoping things are headed in the right direction. I'll keep you posted on the progress there. Fingers and toes are now so tightly crossed I fear I'll need special gloves and shoes crafted to fit me.
Since the release of 'Talk to the Headscarf' so many people have contacted me through this very site to share their stories with me. Both about cancer and sickness, and general hurdles they've overcome. This is some thing I had never anticipated happening. It's such a humbling and truly wonderful position to be in. I've really learned that by sharing my story regarding cancer this has prompted so many of you to talk to me and others.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who've contacted me and shared snippets of your lives. It means so much to me that my story has projected positivity.
I have to give a big mention to three amazing diva's I met on Saturday 19th February. Orla, Aoife & Dervilla contacted me to say they were organising a 'gala ball' to help raise funds for cancer research and would I come and speak. I was thrilled to be asked and agreed readily. Little did I know, there would be 500 dressed-to-kill and eager to party people in tow. Sponsored by Matheson Ormsby Prentice this was an event like I've never attended before! The style at Dublin's Mansion House on the night was mega, upstyles, swishes, glitter, lace, satin and shoes that made me want to rugby tackle some of the women and steal their foot wear. One trusting lady plopped a pair of Jimmy Choos on the table in my grasp at one stage and asked me to mind them. No - I didn't shove them down the front of my dress and run like the wind. I wouldn't do that. Besides they were too small. The band on the night - Spring Break - 80's-tastic and utterly marvelous. MC for the night was Electric Eddie - a true gentleman. Head-bowing congratulations to the girls for an incredible achievement and for raising huge funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Last night mum and I took the kids to the x-factor live show in Dublin's O2. I know the show is a love it or hate it thing. But I'm an addict. The kids loved it all, but mum and I were almost in need of muzzling and a straight jacket. Nothing better than obnoxiously loud music, streamers from the roof, bright lights and glittery costumes to remove all sense of logic from my brain. LOVED IT.
I now have to go and drop one child to a party, collect another and buy some food. Our fridge looks like it was newly delivered and unless we want dry pasta with two year old marmalade for dinner, I need to get to a supermarket.
I promise to try and be more efficient with my blog. I know if it were a child, social services would have taken it away long ago and I would be facing hefty charges for neglect. I will strive to do better.
Wishing you all a fantastic remainder of February and leave you in the happy knowledge that Easter eggs are already appearing on the shelves. Bring on the chocolate season!!
Love
Emma x x