I'm blogging over at the Minxes of Romance today. Know this is going to sound pathetic and needy, but if you have a moment could you please pop over and say hi? Wouldn't ask, but this is my first solo post over there and I don't want to look like Norma-No-Mates.
Thank you.
XX
Monday, June 21, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
10 things you may not know about me
Thank you lovely LilyS and equally lovely JJ Beattie for nominating me for the Honest Scrap award. The rules of this award state I must list ten things you might not know about me. I was first nominated for this a while back by gaelikaa – and you can find my answers to that nomination here. However, I do like talking about myself ('never,' I hear you cry) and, although I imagine there’s very little of mystery left about my life after nearly two years of blogging, I’m going to give this a go.
So, 10 things you may not know about me:
1. When we visited Cadbury World a couple of years ago, I bought 100 Creme Eggs – and ate them all myself. For anyone who's interested, the Creme Egg season runs from 1st January to 4th April.
2. I’m not fond of feet. Baby toes are one thing, but I’ll go to great lengths to avoid touching bigger feet. If I’m honest, I don’t even like touching my own feet. This is why I'll never work in a shoe shop.
3. If I buy something and later find it cheaper in another shop, my fury is in direct proportion to the number of extra hours I'll have to work to make up the difference.
4. I hate people who drive too close to my backside. Even more hateful are those people who drive too close to my backside (even when I'm at the speed limit) and then, when I pull in to let them pass, park behind me and refuse to budge.
5. Since leaving my parents' home, every house I've every lived in has had a kitchen cupboard set aside for chocolate. Sometimes, there's too much chocolate for the chocolate cupboard and I'm forced to put the surplus in with the tins.
6. I loathe my day jobs with a passion. Yes, I know I said that last time, but some things never change.
7. When it's cold outside, I take a hot water bottle with me in the car.
8. Despite the odds, I'm convinced I'll win the lottery one day. It's only this belief that keeps me as sane as I am.
9. This is a terrible admission for a fan of romance, but I was once very tempted to throw my wedding ring from the Forth Road Bridge. Instead, I gave it to my daughter to play with (and no, she hasn't lost it).
10. Despite being a part of several close groups at the various school I attended, there are only three school friends I'm still in any kind of contact with.
I'm supposed to pass this award on, but, as usual, how can I chose from so many great blogs? So, if you haven't already been awarded this, please consider yourself nominated.
So, 10 things you may not know about me:
1. When we visited Cadbury World a couple of years ago, I bought 100 Creme Eggs – and ate them all myself. For anyone who's interested, the Creme Egg season runs from 1st January to 4th April.
2. I’m not fond of feet. Baby toes are one thing, but I’ll go to great lengths to avoid touching bigger feet. If I’m honest, I don’t even like touching my own feet. This is why I'll never work in a shoe shop.
3. If I buy something and later find it cheaper in another shop, my fury is in direct proportion to the number of extra hours I'll have to work to make up the difference.
4. I hate people who drive too close to my backside. Even more hateful are those people who drive too close to my backside (even when I'm at the speed limit) and then, when I pull in to let them pass, park behind me and refuse to budge.
5. Since leaving my parents' home, every house I've every lived in has had a kitchen cupboard set aside for chocolate. Sometimes, there's too much chocolate for the chocolate cupboard and I'm forced to put the surplus in with the tins.
6. I loathe my day jobs with a passion. Yes, I know I said that last time, but some things never change.
7. When it's cold outside, I take a hot water bottle with me in the car.
8. Despite the odds, I'm convinced I'll win the lottery one day. It's only this belief that keeps me as sane as I am.
9. This is a terrible admission for a fan of romance, but I was once very tempted to throw my wedding ring from the Forth Road Bridge. Instead, I gave it to my daughter to play with (and no, she hasn't lost it).
10. Despite being a part of several close groups at the various school I attended, there are only three school friends I'm still in any kind of contact with.
I'm supposed to pass this award on, but, as usual, how can I chose from so many great blogs? So, if you haven't already been awarded this, please consider yourself nominated.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Heidi Rice
Lovely Heidi Rice has given a terrific interview over on the Minxes' site. Pop over now, if you haven't been already, it's definitely worth a look - especially as Heidi has one of the most romantic wedding stories I've heard in a long time. What's more, if you leave a comment, you'll be in with a chance to win Heidi's book: Unfinished Business with the Duke.
Good luck.
Edited 18/06/10 to add: The draw has taken place and the winner announced on the Minxes of Romance blog. Thank you to those who took part. Congratulations to the lucky winner. Everybody else, keep your eyes open as we have a great list of author visits planned and there will be more book giveaways.
I'll be back after work to catch up with all your blogs.
Good luck.
Edited 18/06/10 to add: The draw has taken place and the winner announced on the Minxes of Romance blog. Thank you to those who took part. Congratulations to the lucky winner. Everybody else, keep your eyes open as we have a great list of author visits planned and there will be more book giveaways.
I'll be back after work to catch up with all your blogs.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Advice from grim experience
Not writing advice, I'm afraid, but more whining from my dealings with the medical world.
Specifically, my appointment at ENT.
As mentioned before, when I last visited this department (about 20 years ago) the consultant pulled my tongue so hard I still cringe when I think of it. So, this time, I went prepared. If the doctor came near my tongue, I was going to politely decline.
I even rehearsed my refusal in the mirror before my appointment: "Thank you, that's terribly kind, but do you mind if I don't have that done?"
However, the doctor didn't even ask to see my tongue, let alone make an attempt to pull it out of my head, so my preparation was a waste of time.
She did cauterized my nose, though.
I'd only gone for a chat, so it was a bit of a shock.
It hurt.
A lot.
I can't report exact details of the procedure - I closed my eyes and did some Astral Traveling the moment I saw the foot long metal rod intended for my nasal cavity. This was only so she could have a look - I hate to think what instrument of torture she used for the actual cauterization.
For days, it felt my face had been kicked in by a horse. But, despite incessant whinging, I got very little sympathy. My lovely 13-year-old dismissed all complaints of pain with the silver lining that at least I no longer had to worry about embarrassing nasal hair. She was right, hairy nostrils are the least of my problems.
Eventually the pain reduced until it only felt as though I'd been punched. Even now, two weeks later, it's still uncomfortable.
I can understand how someone suffering chronic nosebleeds might require this procedure. However, my nosebleeds were very occasional and the solution was very definitely a million times worse than the original problem.
So, my advice: Should a doctor (or anyone else, for that matter) ever approach your nostril with any kind of implement then run - as far and as fast as you can.
On the subject of running, following Margo MacDonald's inspired suggestion Scotland uses Shang-a-Lang as an anthem for the Commonwealth Games in 2014, this is for anyone who ever waved a tartan scarf or, indeed, sang Shang-a-Lang as they ran with the gang:
Next time I'll try to get back on track with a post about writing.
Specifically, my appointment at ENT.
As mentioned before, when I last visited this department (about 20 years ago) the consultant pulled my tongue so hard I still cringe when I think of it. So, this time, I went prepared. If the doctor came near my tongue, I was going to politely decline.
I even rehearsed my refusal in the mirror before my appointment: "Thank you, that's terribly kind, but do you mind if I don't have that done?"
However, the doctor didn't even ask to see my tongue, let alone make an attempt to pull it out of my head, so my preparation was a waste of time.
She did cauterized my nose, though.
I'd only gone for a chat, so it was a bit of a shock.
It hurt.
A lot.
I can't report exact details of the procedure - I closed my eyes and did some Astral Traveling the moment I saw the foot long metal rod intended for my nasal cavity. This was only so she could have a look - I hate to think what instrument of torture she used for the actual cauterization.
For days, it felt my face had been kicked in by a horse. But, despite incessant whinging, I got very little sympathy. My lovely 13-year-old dismissed all complaints of pain with the silver lining that at least I no longer had to worry about embarrassing nasal hair. She was right, hairy nostrils are the least of my problems.
Eventually the pain reduced until it only felt as though I'd been punched. Even now, two weeks later, it's still uncomfortable.
I can understand how someone suffering chronic nosebleeds might require this procedure. However, my nosebleeds were very occasional and the solution was very definitely a million times worse than the original problem.
So, my advice: Should a doctor (or anyone else, for that matter) ever approach your nostril with any kind of implement then run - as far and as fast as you can.
On the subject of running, following Margo MacDonald's inspired suggestion Scotland uses Shang-a-Lang as an anthem for the Commonwealth Games in 2014, this is for anyone who ever waved a tartan scarf or, indeed, sang Shang-a-Lang as they ran with the gang:
Next time I'll try to get back on track with a post about writing.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tales of the battle against fat
Regular visitors will know I've been told to lose at least a stone by my GP. Easy, peasy lemon squeezy - a stone is nothing. Cut out a few of the sugary snacks, move a bit more...and watch the pounds fall away.
I got off to a flying start - 2 lbs gone in the first week. At that rate I'd lose the stone easily.
Second week wasn't so good - stayed the same. Nothing came off at all, despite my eating hardly enough to keep a tiny mouse alive (honestly) - and moving quite a bit more than I normally would.
Never mind - I was sure things would improve in the third week. I was wrong. Not only did I not lose any weight, but I put back on the 2 lbs I'd lost in the first week.
And, this week, another pound has attached itself to my ginormous frame.
So, I'm eating less, moving more and still gaining weight. That can't be right.
However, on to happier things: Especially for those of you missing Coach Trip, I’ve reviewed Driving Aphrodite on the Minxes’ blog today – alongside a review of The Accidental Husband by lovely Minx Lorraine. Sadly, my review is brief in the extreme – I’m finding it hard to write anything at the moment – but the film is enjoyable, and Lorraine’s review is definitely worth a look.
PS Hope to catch up on all your blogs in the next day or two. X
I got off to a flying start - 2 lbs gone in the first week. At that rate I'd lose the stone easily.
Second week wasn't so good - stayed the same. Nothing came off at all, despite my eating hardly enough to keep a tiny mouse alive (honestly) - and moving quite a bit more than I normally would.
Never mind - I was sure things would improve in the third week. I was wrong. Not only did I not lose any weight, but I put back on the 2 lbs I'd lost in the first week.
And, this week, another pound has attached itself to my ginormous frame.
So, I'm eating less, moving more and still gaining weight. That can't be right.
However, on to happier things: Especially for those of you missing Coach Trip, I’ve reviewed Driving Aphrodite on the Minxes’ blog today – alongside a review of The Accidental Husband by lovely Minx Lorraine. Sadly, my review is brief in the extreme – I’m finding it hard to write anything at the moment – but the film is enjoyable, and Lorraine’s review is definitely worth a look.
PS Hope to catch up on all your blogs in the next day or two. X
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