One year on...and I nearly bloody missed it!

Yes, I've been blogging for a whole year! How the hell did that happen? Where did it go? 

When I started this blog, I just thought it would be interesting to try and record some of the things that happen in my and my Teenagers lives. I had hoped a few people might read it, maybe even enjoy it. But I just jumped in anyway, with not a lot of thought, only  'Oh I'll give this a go, it looks like fun'

What have I learnt? 

That there are some amazing, friendly, lovely, helpful, encouraging people in the blogging community, and although I've NEVER met any of them personally (well aside from Emily of Maternal Tales, who everyone should now blame for me starting this blog in the first place!) through this Blog and Twitter I've come to think of them as friends.

Also that I have either been very lucky or just very, very naive (stupid? blind?) as I've discovered, just recently, that for some bloggers, in particular this lovely blogger Jay, it's not all 'lovely' and 'sweet smelling' and obviously on some occasions appears to have been needlessly hurtful and cruel. Why? I thought and hoped I'd seen the last of this type of behaviour at the school gates, go figure! And I apologise in advance for my Potty Mouth in the comments if you click on Jay's link..You have been warned!

That it opened up a whole new world of reading to me. Who knew you were all out there? doing your thang! If you knew me personally you would know I'm an avid reader, a bit of a speed reader too, so blogs for me are the perfect way to get a complete fix of various styles of reading, quickly and easily and I love it! Jumping from funny, to crazy, to sad, all in a few clicks. My idea of heaven.

That even though I don't blog very often at the moment, I am still enjoying it. 

It's more than just putting words out there that others read,  writing it often helps me make some sense of the often rambling, thoughts in my head.

So really, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads my blog. Thank you for all your comments, advice, support and giggles. 

And also a HUGE thank you for the pleasure of reading all YOUR wonderful, funny, sometimes sad, informative, thought provoking, short and long blog posts, but always 'great' reading in so many different ways.

xXx

Thank you!....Over the top award

I've been given this 'Over the Top' award from the very lovely Chic Mama Go check out her blog, its honesty & humour will have you both shouting in outrage & laughing out loud.

I have to answer 20 questions about myself then pass it on, so here goes:

1) Your Hair

Long, dark brown, very curly...very unruly!

2)Your favourite food

All things Italian.

3)Your dream from last night

I didn't have one that I can remember.

4)Your favourite drink

Tea..Tea then more Tea..

5)What room are you in?

Living/dining room.

6)What is your hobby?

Art, in all sorts of forms.

7)What is your fear?
Heights

8)Where do you want to be in six years time?

Here.

9)Where were you last night?

At home.

10) Muffins?

Blueberry.

11) Last thing you did

Visited OH in hospital and drank Tea with him.

12) What are you wearing?

Black leggings, vest top, black cardigan & black suede boots.

13) Your TV in your house?
At the moment its been 'hijacked' by the Teenagers playing x-box games.

14) Vehicle

Toyota Previa...BIG & old.

15) Your favourite store?

Ikea.

16) Your favourite colour?

Black for clothes, white for decor.

17) When was the last time you laughed?

Yesterday afternoon, at OH's sexy DVT socks!!

18) When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday morning....Tears of relief/stress.

19) Your best friend

One I have known since I was 16 years old.

20) Favourite place to eat

A tiny pub in the middle of Brighton called 'The Hop Poles', perfect lunches! Evenings 'Alfrescos' on the seafront. (sorry that's 2)

I now have to pass it on to other deserving blogs, but there's so many to choose from! So I'm going to pass it on to a few that I always enjoy.

Gigi's Ramblings as I think we are on the same wavelength!

Family Affairs for her interesting 'Advent Calendar' solution here

Expat Mum for her contribution on her other blog Ponds Parleys about Thanksgiving & a certain Green bean casserole, and the 'over the top' storm it created, which had me howling with laughter!

Many thanks and over to you now girls......

Woo-hoo! I got sent my 1st award...

I'M SO HAPPY, WOO-HOOOOO!!! Thank you, thank you....OK...Sorry, I'll calm down now, but I am surprisingly chuffed by this!! So love & huge thanks to the lovely Maternal Tales from the South for sending me my first ever award. I will place it proudly on my blog, where I can sit & stare lovingly at it...it really is quite a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Now I think I have to send it on to blogs I love too...YAY...this is fun...

As a source of many a giggle at my computer, for her insightful and amusingly written observations of Teenage Daughters, I'd like to pass it on to amomonspin

Also to selinakingstonisforty for her incredibly honest, from the heart sharing.

Next I'm sending it to menopausaloldbag for her beautiful writing, which always captures the imagination and makes me wish I could write this well!

To maialarasaid for her ability to remind me that my Teenagers were once this sweet & adorable.

And finally to 3bedroombungalow for her amusing, down to earth stories of life in the UK with her family...

To all the above, many thanks for making me laugh & cry, often at the same time, and please pass it on to your faves too....