Friday 20 July 2012

Blog Challenge (31): Why do you blog?

This time last year I began to take an interest in fashion & beauty blogs that I'd seen on a social networking site. I soon became a vivid reader and would idly pass the hours browing them on my phone (usually when I was meant to be working!) and picking up tips on the latest fashion trends or beauty buys.

Fast forward to December 2011 and I found out I was pregnant and I searched for a new market of blogs to read that would provide me with much needed information. My interest in fashion and beauty fast became overshadowed by my desire to know what was the best pram to buy, how I should feed my baby, which pain relief would provide the best results etc etc. As a first time mummy, I wanted advice from people of a similar age who had been there, done that and got the t-shirt so to speak. I often found that blogs were a lot less informal than books and that they provided reall life recommendations rather than what was solely 'protocol' at that time. Now it may have been the hormones but I was often reduced to tears reading many of the blogs that I followed. Hearing a woman's birth story and that sheer emotion that was conveyed through her writing was truely magical and has provided me with even more excitement for Baby C's upcoming arrival.

I liked the idea of keeping a track of my own pregnancy journey so I never forget a moment. My own mother rarely kept anything from my own childhood; as a neat freak she wasn't the sort of organised mummy that kept pictures that I'd scribbled on a certain not particularly memorable day back the 90's! She has photographs of when I was a baby however these are stowed away in her loft behind years of accumulated old gym equipment and my teaching files, probably never to be seen again! I have no doubt that she loved her pregnancy journey however, after all these years, it's not something that we discuss regularly. I wanted to make sure that when Baby C is older, he can look back and see how much he was loved and cherished from the very moment we knew he exisited.

And from that 'A Whole 9 Months' was born. A blog to document the journey of my pregnancy and then hopefully (if I have time!) a way to store memorable moments from when my little man is growing up. If he wishes, he can look back at my blog when he's older and see how much his mummy adores him & hopefully that one day - before I got old and grey and started to wear smocks - that I was actually very cool ;)

Thursday 19 July 2012

Blog Challenge (30): Whats in your make up bag?

I am a big make up fan and will rarely be seen out of the house without it! I am a firm believer that, if you look lovely on the outside, you will feel lovely on the inside! I most definitely have a better day if I have done my hair and got my 'slap' on! 

Without further ado, here is the contents of my make up bag: 



1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation 2. Urban Decay Naked 2 Pallette 3. avon Bronzing Pearls 4. Numerous No7 Nail Polishes 5. Rimmel Mascara 6. Rimmel Eye Brow Pencil 7. Lancome Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Blog Challenge (29): Where have you travelled?

As i've said before, my mum is a bit of sun worshipper so as a child we had lots of 'sun' holidays to places such as Majorca, Spain, Greece and the Canaries etc. I am not really a 'culture vulture' so tend to opt for the same sorts of holidays when choosing my week away each year.

In 2007, I went to Newquay with a group of 10 girls. It was a typical girls holiday constisting of fancy dress, tutu's and LOTS of cheap wine!

2008 & I went to Magaluf with 2 friends on a 2 week extravaganza. Anyone that's been to Magaluf (especially as a alcohol loving teen!) will understand the need for another holiday right after it and that's why about 2 weeks after our return from Magaluf, we then jetted off to Murcia in Spain for a lovely chilled girlie relax consisting off a lot less wine, lovely meals and relaxing with a good book by the pool!


In 2009, I went to Llorett De Mar in Spain for yet another, girly holiday with my best friend Jess.

2010 and I was settled with Mr C and we went to Dublin for Valentines Day. It was gorgeous and we had a great time. I would most definitely recommend it as a place however it is VERY expensive! In the summer we then went to Lanzerote on a family holiday with my mum, dad, nan, grandad & my brother.

In 2011, I went to Palma Nova in Majorca for 3 nights with my mum & best friend as a 'well done on finishing your dissertation and not going mad!' present from my mum. The day after my graduation ceremony, Mr C whisked me back off to Lanzarote on a romantic week away for the 2 of us.

We have yet to have a holiday in 2012 as we opted for a baby instead! I am most definitely going stir crazy in England and NEED some sun! In the next few years, I hope to travel to:

Portugal - next summer for Baby C's first holiday & mummy's chance to rest and relax!
Australia
Italy
The Lake District

Tuesday 17 July 2012

NHS Parent Craft Classes: Our experiences

Antenatal classes (sometimes called parentcraft classes) can help you to prepare for your baby’s birth and learn to look after and feed your baby. They can help you to keep fit and well during pregnancy, and give you confidence and information. You can learn about the different arrangements for labour and birth, and the choices available to you. This can help you to make your own birth plan. You may also meet some of the people who will look after you during labour.


You'll be able to discuss your plans and any worries with professionals and with other parents. Classes are also a good way to make friends with other parents who are expecting babies around the same time as you. These friendships often help parents through the first few months with a baby. Classes are usually informal and fun. 

Choosing a class

Think about what you hope to gain from antenatal classes so that you can find the sort of class that suits you best. Places in antenatal classes can get booked up early. It's a good idea to start making enquiries early in pregnancy so that you can secure a place in the class that you choose. You can attend more than one class. Ask your midwife, health visitor or GP, or contact the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). The NCT may charge for antenatal classes. 
Speak to your community midwife if you can't go to classes. The midwife may be able to lend you a video or DVD about antenatal care, or you may be able to rent or buy one.

The classes

You might be able to attend introductory classes on baby care early in pregnancy, but most antenatal classes start around 8-10 weeks before your baby is due, when you are around 30-32 weeks pregnant. If you're expecting twins, triplets or more, start your classes when you're around 24 weeks pregnant, because your babies are more likely to be born early.

Classes are normally held once a week, either during the day or in the evening, for around two hours. Some classes are for pregnant women only. Others welcome partners or friends to some or all of the sessions. In some areas, there are classes for single mothers, teenagers or women whose first language is not English.
The kinds of topics covered by antenatal classes are:
Some classes cover all these topics. Others focus on certain aspects, such as exercises and relaxation, or caring for your baby.

The number of different antenatal classes available varies from place to place. 

Our experiences

As a first time mummy, I firmly believe that knowledge is power. As soon as I found out I was expecting Baby C, I invested in tons of books, apps and soon found that my Kindle which was previously bursting at the seems with 'chick lit' was fast taken over by a bundle of pregnancy books which myself and Mr C would sit for hours and read together.

I'm a firm believer that being educated on a subject is vital. After all, neither of us have ever done the 'being pregnant' malarkey before therefore to eliminate as much of the 'What the hell do we do now?!' fear factor when the D Day arrives, we decided that antenatal classes were the definite way forward.

Coming to that decision was relatively easy. The fundamentals however, not so. A quick search of Google showed that there were all sorts of options to go for especially if we were prepared to pay. At first, I was a bit of a snob and presumed that private was best however, the more I thought about it, the more I worried that some private classes wouldn't be suitable. I worried (and I probably shouldn't have!) that I wouldn't 'fit in' at some of the classes available in my local area. I panicked that: at 22, I may be younger than some of the other mummies-to-be; myself and Mr C are unmarried (shock horror!) and I hadn't made up my mind of how I wanted to feed my baby yet. I shouldn't (but did) stereotype however I had a preconceived perception of how private classes would be and I was worried that myself and Mr C would stick out like sore thumbs!

With these worries in mind, we eventually opted for the NHS Parent Craft classes although we didn't hold out high expectations. How wrong we were. The classes ran over 4 weeks on a Thursday evening 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Much to Mr C's initial annoyance, they lasted 2 hours and did mean that he'd miss some of the Euro matches!

We had a lovely midwife called Nicky who was wonderful and full of information. I found it reassuring that all the information that she gave us was relevant to the hospital where Baby C will be delivered and we were given the opportunity to ask any questions at any point throughout the sessions.

Some people are quick to knock the National Health Service however I can genuinely say that the classes we attended were excellent. I would advise anyone who's coming up to the stage of booking antenatal classes, to most definitely consider NHS run classes. After all, they are free so you have nothing to loose. As with everything, it's a postcode lottery so they may differ vastly area to area however if you're lucky enough to find a gem of a class like the ones we attended, then you've hit the jackpot.

I now feel much more relaxed and positive about Baby C's birth. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and I feel that, all the information that both myself and Mr C picked up, has equipped us to be prepared for the birth as much as we possibly can. From a man's perspective, Mr C (who begrudgingly attended at first) said that he found the classes excellent and would recommend any father to be to attend alongside the mummy.

What were your experiences of antenatal classes?


Blog Challenge (28): What are you looking forward to?

There is one thing i'm looking forward to more than anything i've ever anticipated in my life... The arrival of Baby C! 46 days and he (should, fingers crossed!) be here!


Monday 16 July 2012

Blog Challenge (27): Post your favourite recipe

This is a favourite of mine but not something I make; it is Mr C's speciality! I assure you, it is absoluely scrumptious!  
 
White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake
 
 
 

Ingredients453g cream cheese, softened
75g sugar
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice squeezed
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups sour cream
230g white chocolate, softened in the microwave
140g seedless red raspberry jam, microwave until fluid
207g chocolate digestive biscuits
45g butter- more if desired
1 tbsp melted butter
shaved milk chocolate

Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the chocolate digestive crust mixture listed below and line the bottom and partial sides of a 10-inch spring form pan. Set aside.

Cream the cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl until smooth and light, about 3 minutes at medium speed. Add eggs one at a time until just blended in. Add lemon juice, vanilla, salt and whip until just blended. Add sour cream and blend until just mixed well. Add white chocolate that has melted until just smooth when stirred with a fork, and blend in. You have done well !!! Taste the batter as a reward.

Pour the batter into the crust-lined pan. If you have a squirt bottle or a pastry bag with a small circular tip, fill it with the warmed (but not hot) jelly. Starting in the center of the cheesecake, squirt a thin line of the jelly in a tight circular pinwheel pattern until you reach the edge of the pan. You should have about a half-inch between the lines in the circle.

Here is the part where you make the cheesecake beautiful! Take a thin bladed knife and starting in the center of the cheesecake, draw four lines from the center to the edge of the pan, basically quartering your cheesecake (making sure not to cut to deeply into the batter). You\'ll have to wipe the knife clean between each stroke. You\'ll know what to do with the wiped batter!

Now, take the knife and draw it from the edge of the pan to the center, between the lines you made previously. See how it pulls the jelly into a beautiful pattern. No one will believe that you made it yourself.

Place the pan into water bath about 1 inch deep and cook in your preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes shut off the oven. DO NOT open the oven door!!! Leave the cake in the shut down oven for exactly 1 hour. Remove and chill thoroughly overnight.

Decorate with strawberries near the centre of the cheesecake.
Lightly butter the sides of the cheesecake and cover with the shaved milk chocolate.

Sunday 15 July 2012

Blog Challenge (26): An Old Photo of you

This is me and my beloved mum in Disney Land Paris in about 1996/97. I am exceptionally close with my mum and we share a lovely bond. I have been a pain in the bum growing up however we now have a very close relationship and are more like sisters than mother and daughter! I hope that myself and Baby C will have a relationship as close as it is truely lovely.


 
 
This is a more recent old photo taken in Magaluf in 2008. I was 18 at the time and just about to start university so this was meant to be a final blowout before I got my head down with my studies. I was a real wild child back then, always doing crazy things and getting stupidly drunk. I don't regret it as it means that I now have little or no interest to go out and party and would much rather have a cosy night in as i've been there, done that & got the t-shirt as they say! My friends laugh at how much i've changed since these days however I feel like i'm still the same person, just a lot less crazier and not as spontaneous!
 
I don't know how my own mother coped with my wild child ways and I dread the day that Baby C comes home and asks to go on a wild boys only holiday! I will have destroyed all evidence of my wild child ways and then I can't be accused of being hypocritical!
 
 

Saturday 14 July 2012

Blog Challenge (24): Your Favourite Childhood Book

I have a vivid childhood memory of been sat in the doctors surgery when I was little and everytime I went I read 'A tiger who came to tea.' I must have been an accident prone child as I remember reading it loads!
 
 
 
 
I still love reading childhood books which probably stems from my teacher training and we have already bought lots of books for when Baby C arrives. I think that reading to and with your children is a massive thing which helps with all areas of development and creates lots of memories. I still remember my dad reading to me when I was a little girl. My current favourite is 'Guess How Much I Love You' and I will make sure that it is one of Baby C's favourite's too!
 
 

Friday 13 July 2012

A Quick Reminder...

to let you know that you can follow my whole pregnancy journey so far by clicking on the links on the Follow My Pregnancy Journey page...

Happy Reading!

Also, here is a list of some upcoming posts that I have planned.

  • NHS Parent Craft Classes - A Review
  • A Nursery fit for a Prince
  • Quinny Buzz - A Review
  • Next Sale Haul - Baby C's whole new wardrobe!
  • National Transplant Week
  • Another Weekend Wishlist
  • Planning a Baby Shower

If there is anything else you'd like to see, please let me know! I appreciate all of your comments & suggestions! x

Pregnancy Post: 33 Weeks

Your baby

  • Your baby is now around 44cm long from head to toe and weighs around 3-4 pounds. He or she may have a full head of hair.
  • The calcium from your diet is helping your baby’s bones harden so keep eating healthily.

You

  • You may find the baby’s movements more uncomfortable and may be slowing down as you cope with the extra weight.
  • If you’ve noticed a clear or white vaginal discharge, don’t worry – this is normal during pregnancy. But, if it becomes thick or yellow, seek medical advice as it may be a sign of infection.
  • Swelling of your hands, feet or face can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. It affects 10 per cent of pregnancies and can be dangerous to you and your baby. If you notice any signs make sure you call your doctor or midwife.
  • As your skin stretches your skin may become itchy, if this is the case use a soothing moisturisers. But if it increases and is mainly on your hands, soles of your feet and tummy, it might be a sign of obstetric cholestatis, so speak to your midwife or GP.

What to think about

  • You can try to get your baby into the right position by a couple of movements. Try spending time on all fours as you wiggle your hips and arch your back, or you kneel on the floor across a bean bag or birth ball. Breaststroke is also thought to help open the pelvis.
  • If you’re expecting twins or more, you may want to think about extra help during those first few days when you come home.
  • As the birth draws nearer, it is time to consider childcare and the options available to you.
  • It’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag now. Even if you’re planning a home birth, pack one just in case!
  • During labour you will be offered pain relief. Make sure you know what’s available to you.

Our 33 week story

There hasn't been much change since last week. I have had a hospital free week this week as I don't need to see the consultant till next week. We have now finished our Parent Craft classes (see future post for details on them!) & have a fully furnished nursery fit for a prince!

I have been bouncing on my birthing ball as I've been suffering from pelvic and back pain! During the night, I have been plauged by leg cramps which are the WORST thing possible! Does anyone have any advice on how to ease? The only advice i've recieved so far is to put wine corks in the bottom of my bed! I really don't think i'll be trying that one out!

The labour bag is all packed & at the door ready for the dash to the hospital! I'm very proud of how organised we are!

Source: Bounty

Blog Challenge (24): Your Dream Job

I am a qualified primary school teacher which I absolutely love however I am not working in that sector at the minute. Once baby arrives and I'm settled I will most definitely get back into it. I think it is so important to find a job that you look forward to going to every day.

My absolute DREAM job would have to be:

Stay At Home Mummy - If we could cope comfortably on just one wage then this would most definitely be my dream job. I am taking a year off work however, I would love to be around to watch every second of our son growing up but it's just not financially possible. Going back to work 3 days means that we can still enjoy life's luxuries, pay our bills and I can spend 4 full days with baby C.




A calorie-free chocolate tester - most women's dream job! It would have to be calorie free though as I may end up a half ton woman confined to my house!

A wine taster - self explanatory really :)



Thursday 12 July 2012

Blog Challenge (23): The Best Thing to Happen This Year

The best thing to happen this year (not just this year, but my whole life!) is most definitely this:


Strictly speaking, I found out I was pregnant on 30th December 2011 so actually it was last year however the journey that has followed since finding out has been the best thing to ever happen to me.

Baby C was very much planned although to be honest, until the day that those 2 pink lines appeared before my eyes, I didn't expect that it would happen! (I bought a cheapo Tesco value test which was how I found out I was pregnant and then sent Mr C to the chemist the very next day for a more expensive Clear Blue as I didn't quite believe that a 99p test could possibly be correct!)

Sharing the journey with Mr C has been super exciting. He has been more supportive than I could have ever imagined and now the end is near and D Day is fast approaching, I am more excited than I ever imagined! We cannot wait to meet you Baby C! x

Friday 6 July 2012

Weekend Wishlist...

I have been indulging in a spot of internet shopping today but, seen as payday was last week, it was strictly of the 'window' variety! Here is my weekend wishlist...

River Island White Leopard Heat Embellished Tank

£20.00

This will be perfect for covering my ever increasing bump. I've found that all my current t-shirts have suddenly turned into crop-tops which is not a good look!






River Island White Heart City Print Burnout Tank

£16.00










Light Brown Woven Sandals - River Island

£45.00
NOW £20!

Bargain! As a professed shoe-aholic, I LOVED my heels pre-pregnancy however swollen ankles and 6" heels aren't a good luck so i've been stocking up on lovely comfty sandals for the summer!


Bambeano Baby Beanbag - RRP: approx £46.99

I read a review of these beanbags on a mummy blog and was really impressed! I had never seen anything like it before and trust me, i've done A LOT of baby shopping these past few weeks. I am most definitely going to purchase one for Baby C as, even though we've purchased a bouncer chair for him, these look amazingly comfortable for a tiny baby!





Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

I am a big fan of Urban Decay products, specifically their eyeshadows. The range of shades in this palette are extremely wearable and perfect for both night and day. I find that all Urban decay eyeshadows have a great consistency and are long lasting. Perfect for a yummy mummy to be ;)



That is my weekend wishlist... I think a shopping trip may be in order!

Preganancy Post: 32 Weeks

32 Weeks. What's happening?

Your baby

  • If you’re feeling rather heavy and immobile now, spare a thought for your baby, who has less room to move by the day.
  • Movement in the womb is important though as it encourages bone strengthening and helps build muscle mass.
  • Pregnant at 32 weeks, your baby is now gaining layers of fat so they will appear less skinny, and the skin will now become pinker and less transparent.
  • Scans show that babies have brain patterns like adults in dream sleep, indicating that babies do dream in the womb at this stage

You
  • As a 32 week pregnant mum-to-be, you may notice more Braxton Hicks contractions and could start to get more anxious about the approaching birth.
  • Don’t worry if your belly button is protruding, it’s caused by your growing uterus and will go back to normal a few months after pregnancy.
  • Keep yourself hydrated and make sure you are eating healthily.
  • Make sure you are supporting your growing body. You may be experiencing back pain so take the appropriate steps to alleviate the stress or, your breasts as they change may feel full and heavy – make sure you’re wearing a well-fitted bra.

 

Things to think about:


It’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag now. Even if you’re planning a home birth, pack one just in case!

At your antenatal appointment, your midwife will have a look at your baby’s lie and presentation on an ultrasound. If your baby is still in a breech position in weeks 35 onwards, you may have to have another scan in weeks 37-38 to see if he’s moved.

During labour you will be offered pain relief. Make sure you know what’s available to you.

Have you decided on a name yet? A lot of parents don’t decide until they meet their newborn but it might be an idea to have a few in mind.


Our 32 Week Story

The past few weeks I feel like we should pack our sleeping bags as I feel that we have practically moved into the hospital. Like most, pre-pregnancy, I was a complete hospital phobe so I am feeling VERY proud of myself and how I have coped. My love for my unborn son has outweighed any fear that I could ever have about hospitals! At the minute, I am also feeling super excited and positive for the labour as it means that we will finally get to meet our little man!

We have been back and forth to the hospital as our 'little' man is not so 'little.' In fact he's rather big! He has been measuring about 2.5/3 weeks bigger since around week 18 so it didn't come as a suprise that he is currently measuring 34.5 weeks when he is in fact 32 week gestation. I have been for additional growth scans that have backed up what the consultants have previously said and have had 2 Gestational Tolerance Tests which have both come back normal. I went through a period of contstant worry however, after much discussion with the consultant, I now have a re-newed sense of relief that he is just a big boy like his daddy. Mr C is 6ft 7" so apparantly we have 'big genes'!

Myself and Mr C attended our 3rd Parentcraft session last night. I will post in more detail in a further blog post however, last night was the tour of the labour ward. Mr C's face was a picture! I think he expected seeing women running around screaming covered in blood like headless chickens... he was expecting scenes from a horror film, bless him! In reality, although full to bursting, the labour ward was very organised and suprisingly, tranquil and peaceful! Some of the mums said that, post visit, they were left feeling more worried than before however, I was left feeling quite relaxed and the fear of the unknown was diminished! I was also pleased that all the rooms came with en-suite bathroom/shower and there was a TV! (In labour, I'm sure watching Corrie will be the last thing on my mind but, at present, it gave me a wierd sense of security knowing that I wouldn't miss any of my favourite soaps whilst in labour!)

The tour prompted us to discuss the labour process and pain relief although the consultant is unsure of whether i'll need to be induced early or have an elective C-section because of baby's size. This will depend on the additional fortnightly growth scans I am booked in for so we have decided that I am not going to get my heart set on any particular delivery method/pain relief. At the end of the day, baby's well-being is my main priority and as long as he arrives safely then I aren't too fussed on his method of delivery!

In other news, we have the bedroom furniture which Mr C is going to attempt to tackle this weekend... exciting times :)


info from Bounty. click here to visit the site.

Thursday 5 July 2012

It's time to give us women a break!

This week I found 3 purple stretch marks on my ever expanding bump. At first, I thought I was going to go into melt-down mode! Later that day, I then read an article about Hilary Duff's post baby body. She was pictured looking, in my opinion, bloody well fabulous in a bikini, just three months after the birth of her son Luca. 'It'll take 3 lifetimes for me to get back into a bikini' I sighed sadly to myself!  But there is a twist... Was the author congratulating her for her managing to slim down in record time? Were they condoning it and saying women should face less pressure to look good so shortly after birth? NO! This was an article full of criticism over her new apparently 'unperfect' body!

'A month or so ago I was concerned that she wouldn't even try to lose weight,' wrote one online critic. 'Now I'm convinced she doesn't even care how she looks, gross!' 'She's turned into her mother. That happens,' wrote another.

I am currently nearly 32 weeks pregnant and up - to - now have only put weight on on my tum. (*Touch wood* I am very aware there is still time!) I have consciously been watching what I've been eating however this has been more for the sake of baby's health and well-being rather than my own waistline. Saying that, I have had to be careful as I would quite readily embrace the whole 'eating for two' regime as a permanent life style choice if I could so I've had to restrict my cream cake intake massively!

As a young female and a regular reader of glossy magazines, I find that, as women, we are constantly bombarded with photographs of new celeb mummies who leave the hospital in their size 0 designer jeans and high heeled Louboutins. This unrealistic expectation is ridiculous; I for one will be leaving in my sweat pants and a pair of old converse! Becoming a mother is not an excuse to let yourself go but as women, we should be cut some slack! You have just brought a new life into the world and endured labour; how your hair looks should be the least of your worries! As a mummy, I want to concentrate my focus on my son and ensuring that he has everything he needs rather than panicking as to whether I have perfectly manicured nails!


These pictures of Hilary Duff are 3 months after the birth of her son, Luca. She looks fabulous, right? Well apparently, Wrong. Critics have slated her to pieces.


Now, I know I'm not likely to be papped coming out of Asda whilst I'm doing my weekly shop and I certainly aren't going to have my post-baby bod and make-up free face slapped all over the tabloids however, seeing pictures of 'perfect' celeb post baby bodies combined with the fact that any celeb who doesn't live up to this ideal is slated horrendously, can be really dangerous for a new mummy.This pressure co-incided with the huge change that has occurred in a woman's life could be disastrous for a woman's self-esteem!

Who the hell are these people who think they have the right to slate all and sundry? I sincerely hope they aren't women! Whatever happened to the 'sisterhood'?! We should be sticking together! Every stretch mark and wobbly bit is a reminder of the precious cargo that we have carried around and nurtured for the past 9 months. We should be proud and embrace the changes, not be worrying about whether we have slimmed down to our pre-baby jeans within 4 minutes of labour! It's time to give ourselves a break!

And with that rant... I'll reach for another Hob Nob and I'll worry about my baby body later!

Monday 2 July 2012

Blog Challenge (21): Your 10 favourite foods

I LOVE food. I like to think of myself as something of a 'foodie' who know's good food however I am partial to a Pot Noodle or two! (I think this spells back to my student days!)

My 10 favourite foods are:




1. Mushrooms
2. Cottage Pie with cheesy mash & veg
3. Chocolate
4. Lemon Citrus Torte
5. Chicken Fajitas
6. Chinese food
7. Cheesy chips
8. Homemade chips in chunky bread with lurpak!
9. Rare steak with asparagus
10. Cauliflower

Mmmm, this has made me SO hungry!

Sunday 1 July 2012

Blog Challenge (20): A difficult time in your life

A difficult time that I have faced recently is that of my mum having a cancer scare. It was truely the most horrific time ever, full of dread and worry. I would hate to ever go through that again as it was a constant weight on mine and my families shoulders for a long time whilst we waited for tests and results.

My mum is a mountain of strength, the strongest woman I've ever known. Thank god she was fine but I know for some people, their prognosis is not so bright and I cannot even begin or want to imagine how we would have coped then.

I admire anyone who faces this sort of struggle with a smile. It must be so hard, especially when it's you yourself that's fighting something as terrible as cancer. My thoughts are with anyone who is going through anything like this at this time.