Everyone needs a bit of glitter...

We are entering that half of the year that I dread. You will have already seen from my recent blog posts that I am feeling a little low of late.

I made a pledge in the summer months to CHOOSE to be joyful but it is getting harder and harder.

Happy sunny Sarah is fading faster than my suntan – what suntan? Well the watch strap mark that indicates I have changed colour from very white to healthy looking! 

Some people suffer from the change in weather; the lack of sunshine seriously affects their mood.

For me it is far more than just that, the darker days arrive just as my thoughts turn to events in November 2010 – has it really been three years ago since my best friend was here to hold my hand and calm my fears?

I used to believe I was the strong one between us but this is the time of the year when I feel most broken and empty.

This is when I need a bit of sparkle and glitter in my life…

…so thank goodness Strictly Come Dancing is back on TV tonight.

I confess I wasn’t overly struck on this year’s list of celebrities when they were first announced. There was no one who stood out and made me go WOW!

Not like when Harry Judd was in the line-up – but that’s a whole other story – read it here! 

“Maybe I just won’t bother this year!” 

After all it takes a huge commitment watching the show every Saturday night and that’s before you start caring about the contestants and actually voting for your favourite!

But suddenly I’ve got all excited. All the dancers are featured on the cover of the Radio Times, while my Twitter and Facebook feeds have just a sprinkling of glitter running through them.

I really NEED this glamour and glitz, I NEED something to keep away the blues and greys of my everyday life.

my very own "sort of" glitterball!

And just in case one day I do become a famous writer and they ask me on the show, I shall be practicing my dance steps in my new kitchen – well the new lights sparkle almost as brightly as a glitterball!

A girl has to dream!

Now excuse me while I go and find my sparkliest dress to wear!

Why I’m Wild about Harry – my Strictly Claim to Fame!

It’s the Strictly Come Dancing final tonight and I have known all along who I want to win – Harry Judd from McFly.

Not only is he the best dancer by far (as well as the best looking male contestant) but I have my own little Harry claim to fame…

My dad used to be the gardener for Harry’s mum and dad!

One summer evening he had to pop over and see them about their gardening requirements while they were on holiday.  Which plants to water - that sort of thing.  He asked oldest grandson did he want to come too.

"No." He shrugged, not at all bothered.

“I’ll come” I said excitedly, acting more like a teenager than my teenage son.

I hopped in the car and we set off.

Harry’s mum, made cups of tea for us all while my dad wandered round the garden with Harry's dad.

His mum had to go and answer the phone or something and for a few minutes I was left alone sat at the garden picnic table.  I stroked the wooden seat, thinking of the famous bottoms that might have sat on it!  It was rumoured ALL of McFly had recently visited for a meal.  And goodness knows who might have drunk out of the very cup I was holding!

We had a lovely chat when she returned about our kids mostly. What struck me, talking parent to parent, was how they had let Harry pursue his musical interests in favour of his academic studies.  I hope I have that faith in my boys to give them the chance to reach for their dreams.

I never met Harry that day and unfortunately still haven’t realised that dream.

But my dad has met him and Harry’s brother served dad a pint in the local pub!

Yesterday morning my mum rang me.

“Guess who I’ve just been on the phone to?”

The Judd’s have moved now but she found their new phone number and wanted to pass on her best wishes to Harry for the final.  Apparently she had quite a chat with C........ (she's on first name terms but I only add famous names on my blog!!!).

She sounded giddy as a school girl – like mother like daughter; I bet she would have stroked that picnic bench too!

Anyway need to go and top my mobile up for those all-important voting phone calls tonight. 

Go team Hali!