My house is becoming a home...

As I shared not too long ago, I have moved into my own home. I am officially on the housing ladder which is so very exciting. I have enjoyed being able to act out a real life Sims game while decorating my place. I have added colour, style and charm. It is becoming my home which is amazing to see.

It means that I am without Internet connection for some time so I am grabbing time where I can when I pop back to my parents. I will be back soon to read all your wonderful blogs but until expect me to pop in and out of blog world and drop the odd post here and there.

I thought I would share some of my new home shots. Check out here for a 'before' image.

My own prints taken by me... NYC, NYC!

My very pretty bathroom with jet bath...

Living room all ready for wall decorations...

As you can see, I am very much enjoying my time decorating and making the place my own. Also, since we're all seeming to be suffering some crazy weather - here is a snow shot from my front window.

The snow is back...

What's is/will be you favourite thing about moving into a new home?

My blog...

I was discussing blogging with Miss Rebecca [Forever after Undecided] and topic of conversation turned to who reads our blog. I have always blogged anonymously and began to wonder why I do that. I love to blog and it helps me in so many ways but if that's the case, why do I keep this part of my life so hidden from people?

Job
In the career which I am in I have always aimed for and made sure to stay as professional as much as possible. Anything which I choose to share in public is exactly that - things I choose to share. As a teacher, I must make sure at all times to keep a professional attitude. This is not to say I am not myself, because I more 'me' than most other teachers I know which I think is one of the reason I am a favourite teacher. But in the same breath, certain aspects of my personal life are things which should stay personal. My boy dramas, health and views on life are all mine but I don't want them to be so accessible for all to see. 

The kiddies don't need to know about 'real me' ... [Source]

Honesty
It may come as a surprise to you who read my blog and have done so for the past couple of years that I actually find it very difficult to be open and honest with others face to face. I do not like to show sadness and feel like it weakens me. But here I can say my feelings and thoughts without someone scrutinising my face to see the flecks of fear or sadness or worry showing themselves. I admit this is a bit of an issue but its always been something which I have faced. Sharing my inner thoughts and feelings can be such an anxious process for me and something which I tend to shy away from wherever possible. It's reasons like this which has caused me to put up such walls. Again, I choose  what to tell people and as chatty as I am, if people care to look deep enough they will see I don't give much away at all. 

Friendship
Blogging has opened me up to a whole new world of friendships. Some people I have met through blogging are people I know read and share my life with me and a special blogger has turned into a forever friendship. I am not sure how much this would have been the case had I focused on my already friends. 

One day I may share but for the time being I like being able to have a special safe place where I know I can share my life and feelings and not have to worry about being judged. If there's one thing which I have learnt in my time of blogging it is that everyone is ready to support.

Ain't that the truth... [Source]

Who do you share your blog with?


Just a quick reminder to head over to yesterday's post for a 10% Kohl's discount code:

Click here!

Kohl's Discount Code

Today I want to share a special offer with all you guys. I was emailed by Kohl's explaining how much they enjoyed the blog and had seen a special guest post: Colour Blocking by Miss Tiffany at Pinstriped Penguin, which included an item from the Narcisco Rodriguez collection.

I have been asked to share the new collection with you all and the best part? A 10% blogger discount for all you at Kohl's online. If you ask me, there's as good as incentive as any to get shopping!

Check out the the new collection for Kohl's with the following link:

Narcisco Rodriguez at Kohl's

You'll find some fabulous items such as these:

You know what to do now, head on over to kohls.com and browse away. The code to use is: 

TENFORBLOG

 
You can use TENFORBLOG through March 9th. It can be used to stack savings with one other code as well.

What is your dream fashion item at the moment?

I think I'm Wonder Woman...

Friday brought a day of relief. After a few months of being unwell and having to deal with sever exhaustion on a daily basis, I was finally given some sort of answer. I received the results to my blood tests, which was met by an, "Oh no..." by my Doctor. As you can imagine, this is not the words you want to hear before results.

In my panic I let out a nervous laugh and asked if my results were missing. She then explained they were there and that I was anaemic. She continued to explain that my iron levels (8- normal level is 14 and 8 is the level where you are considered for possible transfusion) were severely low and that she doesn't know how I managed to have got out of bed on mornings lately, let alone go to work everyday and teach. It also was some sort of explanation as to why I have been catching every illness and suffering from prolonged sinusitis.

This has led me to the conclusion that I am indeed 'Wonder Woman'. What else would explain my ability to push through this?I also have a WW mug. Ok, so I may be over-reacting but I am beginning to realise I am a lot stronger than I ever thought I was.

Each day lately, has been a struggle and I have found myself clawing to the end of the day. When teaching children this has been so difficult but I have not wanted to take time off. The tiredness has hit me from the moment I awake to the moment I go to bed. I am not even sure I can fully explain it, in fact when telling people I have felt like I was making it up and sounding just plain lazy. This is obviously not the case and one that has been proven today. 

This has been me: morning, noon and night for the past couple months! [Source]

I am now in possession of a number of iron supplement tablets to take to increase my levels then I will be back to the doctor for follow up blood samples to check it's all improved. In the meantime, I will continue to think I am Wonder Woman... but maybe one who should slow down and rest up a bit. 
       

Have you ever suffered from anaemia? Did you find anything else to help as well as tablets?

Misery loves company...

It is no secret that I have faced some tough moments in my life in the past year. It is also no secret that I have found these stressful and difficult. I have tried hard to deal with the grief and considering the other things in my life (job, moving home and illness) I feel I have handled it well.

The problem is now that I have manged to pass the tears, I have another hurdle to overcome. The waves of sadness. By pretending I am fine, I have managed to trick some around me into thinking that I am indeed fine when in reality the thoughts and emotions inside of me are very difficult to comprehend. After a number of visits to the doctor regarding chronic viruses, chest infections and exhaustion I have finally decided that I need to accept the extra help she is offering by way of speaking to someone.

If all else fails it can give me some rest time.. [Source]

This is something which she has been talking about for a couple months now and each time I have told her I am fine and that it wasn't necessary at all. But lately, the more exhausted I get mentally and physically, the more I think I need to make a change. I can recognise there is a problem and believe that surely this is the point where I have to accept the help. I would do a dis-service to myself refusing and trying to work through things alone when it really isn't happening.

Given the extra life stresses I have on top of things, I am doing pretty well. But now I finding days where I just struggle to find motivation to just get through the day. When there is a problem, there is always a solution. That is something I know to be true so why should I discount one of the possible solutions? 
   

Have you ever been to counselling or therapy? How did it help you?

What I love...

What I love:

Cuddles and kisses

There is nothing better then being snuggled up in front of a movie with someone I like (love?) and just forgetting everything else. I am a sucker for good old innocent romance. 

Seriously... this would be bliss... [Source]

Chocolate

I love (really love) anything sweet. I definitely have a sweet tooth and I will be yours forever if you provide me with chocolate on a regular basis... yes, exactly like a pet.

My feelings exactly... give me it! [Source]

 

Drunken texts

It may sound crazy but I get cute little drunk texts from a guy in my life and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. If they're a little flirty? All the better! I have to say, I am not unknown to send one or two myself. 

Oh yes... I am sure. Do you think I don't know what I'm doing? [Source]

Love 

I love love. I really do. Being told 'I Love You' still makes me panic even though inside I still get a feeling of 'WOW!' This person love me... yes me. There's nothing better. 

Always and forever...[Source]

Compliments

This is not something which anyone can ever say they don't like. They are even better on one of those days where you're having a rough day and feel like crap. You suddenly realise that other people do not see you the same way you see yourself and it reminds you not to be so hard on yourself. 

Always accept a compliment people... [Source]

There are so many I could list but I want to move to the important ones

Family and Friends
This past year has taught me how fragile we are and how much we need to appreciate those in our lives. Our family are chosen for us and our friends are family we choose ourselves. All should be loved and appreciated.

Never forget... [Source]

Myself
My body is something which I don't give enough credit to. Without it I would not be here and that is something which we sometimes take for granted. We never know what will happen tomorrow, we must live in the day. Appreciate what we have and look after our bodies and allow ourselves to feel all emotions. 

Very true... [Source]

 Sometimes the hardest thing to do in life is life... don't forget to love yourself and take care of yourself.

Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you are all feeling the love.

What things do you love?

Nearly 100...

Today I want to tell you about one of my favourite bloggers. She's Rebecca at Forever after Undecided and is currently living in LA via Germany. She is not only a fabulous blogger but also a great friend of mine. Since meeting in this little blogging world we call home, we have become quite the BFF's.

After a brief hiatus from blogging while she worked super hard on her law work, she has returned with a brand new, sparkly blog and is ready to mingle once again! She is one shy of 100 so I thought I'd give here a little help.  

So if you're feeling like you want to read a super blogger, head to Miss Rebecca and enjoy and show some blog love.

And then I froze...

Today was an eventful one. After a day in bed ill yesterday, I finally dragged myself out of bed and into school this morning. Like the good teacher I am, I knew I had a hockey tournament to take a group of kids too and I could not disappoint them. So I layered up for my afternoon of outdoor sports.

Little did I know, but my layers were nowhere near enough. We arrived at the venue only to be told there was no indoor area for the kids to eat their lunch. This meant that we had to sit on the astro turf pitch, in the cold and eat there. Kids being kids, they all loved it but me - not so much. Not only could I not eat (and hadn't for the past day and a half due to illness) but I also had to scramble to find lunch for the child who left his on the bus. Obviously these days, "Have you got everything?" means don't check and leave food on bus which is going to leave and not come back. How did I not know this?

We spent 3 and a half hours outside playing in consistent cycles of snow/no snow and freezing temperatures. Again, the kids loved it but standing sidelines for that long was difficult when nursing an illness when I should really have been tucked up in bed. The best news came when we were awarded 3rd place - this made all the cold worth it! 

I was this cold... no exaggeration... seriously... ahem. [Source]

As teachers go, I am a pretty dedicated one don't you think?

What was your favourite sports at school?

Weekend off...

I had a rare treat this weekend, I did not have any school work to do. Yes I had work to do but I decided Friday that I would not bring any back with me. I can't recall a weekend free of work - one of the downsides of being a teacher.

Oh so true...  [Source]

With my whole weekend ahead of me I had options for once. As I am moving into my new home very soon, I thought I had best get shopping and actually buying items for it. To say I have been a bit lax with the whole furniture thing is an understatement. So I headed off to my favourite place - Ikea.

But, Ikea on a Saturday? I have lessons to learn. Not only was the car park congested (more gates had to be open to help) but the store itself was just crazy. For once I actually did not enjoy my time there. How was I supposed to pretend living rooms and bedrooms were mine when an army of people kept walking in? So I gave up before I had a breakdown in the wardrobe area - I am too young for that. 

Seriously.. Get out of my bedroom(s)

I then left and headed over to shops to look at home ware items. Unfortunately I didn't have much luck there. I became rather overwhelmed by all the pots, pans, kettles, toasters, place mats, cutlery and so on. For fear of another meltdown due to overwhelming amount of home ware I decided to do what I do best and that was head to clothing store.

Now this is what I am good at - shopping! I managed to pick up quite the bargain too. I found a lovely blazer in H&M which is a bit of a drastic step away from my usual look. A blazer I know is not too different and I am married to mine in the warmer months here in the UK, however, this blazer was bright pink. I paired it with a Topshop dress and it looked pretty good if I do say so myself.

Sleeves rolled up above wrists, unbuttoned over a LBD - Hello Saturday night! [Source]

It was also a big night on Saturday. It was my first night out since New Year's Eve. I figured it was time to try getting out after all the illnesses have struck me and I had a great time. I drank and danced the night away with one of my best friends Miss Hair. She is a great laugh and knows exactly how to cheer me up. The music was great which helped the night along.

My Sunday was a quieter affair with another trip to Ikea (still busy but a little less manic) and eventually ordering my wardrobe. I then had the option of picking my items or paying £20 for Ikea to do so. Me being me I decided that £20 was an insane price to pay for my wardrobe boxes to be picked so me and my Mam went off on our merry way. By the time I had reached the checkout I was aching slightly but there was no way it was £20 worth of ache. I may be little but I'm tough - take that Ikea!

Let's hope when I come to build it, it still looks like this... [Source]

How was your weekend? What was your fvourite part?

Blog Hop Time

Some things just hang around...

I have been on a blogging hiatus recently. This has not been out of want but of uncontrollable circumstances. Unfortunately, I have still not recovered from whatever lurgy decided to set up camp in my body before Christmas which now has made me frustrated. 

My evening blogging sessions have been taken over by crashing out in bed at 7pm or trying to finish work I have not managed to during my working school day. Now here is the biggie, I hadn't turned my lap top on for..... 6 days! I have limited use to my Ipad for general net browsing. 

Not only have I contended with my illness,  I am also moving house right now and have a lot on with work. Am I Superwoman? Perhaps... I am definitely not Superblogger at this moment. I will have updates on the decorating very soon and hopefully this lurgy will do one by the end of the week and give me back some of my energy.

 What's the best thing you do to make yourself better when sick?


Trying to get some normality back... it's Sunday Social time. Let's revisit the childhood days. At 27 it's not that long ago for me but it still feels like an age away now.

1. What was your first car?
Red Chevrolet - love it so much! Brand new and still working well 6 years later!

2. Who was your favourite childhood teacher?
I loved my Primary Teacher when I was younger. She played the piano during assembly's and let us sing the 'Sshhh' part at the end of a song. When she left, the new teacher didn't us do that.

3. Were you involved in any sports/extracurricular activities?  

I played in the rounders, tennis and netball team at school. I also danced tap, ballet and modern until I was 16. 

4. What was your favourite birthday party?
My 11th birthday party at the bowling alley. I then stayed late after friends had gone home and played games with my family when it was 'extreme' late night bowling. I felt so grown up.

5. Who was your teen celebrity crush?

Nick Carter from the BSB. I still think we'd have been perfect for one another.

6. What show/movie did your parents not allow you to watch?

 I can't recall them stopping me watch anything. I think I watched pretty normal shows which were fine anyway. 

Happy Sunday!