The A-Z of me

Every so often a meme goes around the blogging world – a fun post that we can all join in with.

I spotted this one recently, and thought it might be the bit of fun that I need just now on the blog.

After all, you lot are sick of me whining on about my weight loss, aren’t you? (Oi, you at the back, I heard you say yes).

This was started by the very clever Lauren of The Real Housewife of Suffolk County  – and if anyone feels like joining in, add your link below and I’ll hop over and get to know you. I’m not tagging anyone in particular.

ANORAK…Do you have a sad side?

I’m kind of stuck in the Eighties. No, I don’t go around in dayglo legwarmers and ra-ra skirts. But I do love the music and you won’t tear me off the dancefloor if Duran Duran or A-Ha are playing.

BODY…What physical attribute would you most like to change?

Apart from being on a weight loss journey to make everything smaller, I would most like smaller boobs. Yeah, I know, no-one’s ever happy with what they’ve got. But when you can’t run without getting two black eyes, people can’t look you in the face…. etc. The buggers just basically get in the way.


CELEBRITY…Which one would you most like to date and why?

I like a tall, hunky guy who makes me laugh. If he was still single, it’d be Dara O’Briain.

DEBUT …Tell us about your first ever blog post. What made you start blogging?

It wasn’t anything to write home about – more a sort of a test. I was dipping my toe in the water to see how it all worked, so I picked a product and wrote about it.

Mummy Central started when my friend and fellow mum Elizabeth Harvey suggested we try a parenting blog. She’s a techno-savvy type and thought the blog would showcase my writing talents, along with her design skills.

ERROR …What’s been your biggest regret?

Trying to fight other people’s battles. I’ve learned that it can backfire and make things worse.


FUNNY… Who’s making you laugh?

Apart from the lovely Dara, I really like John Bishop’s comedy. And I’m a huge fan of Morecambe and Wise, as well as the Carry On films. So I guess my humour’s stuck in a bit of a timewarp too.

GRAND…If we gave you one right now what would you spend it on?

A holiday, somewhere really special – like going on safari in Africa, or visiting Santa in Lapland. Something we’ll remember as a family for the rest of our lives.

HOLIDAY… What’s your favourite destination?

Of the places we’ve been so far, I’m a big fan of the Greek Islands. The weather is great, the people friendly and the food is fresh and healthy.

IRRITATE… What’s your most annoying habit?

Biting my fingernails. Mr G says he can hear the clicking and it really gets on his nerves.


JOKER…What’s your favourite joke {the one that makes you laugh everytime you hear it}?

So I said to the gym instructor “Can you teach me to do the splits?” He said “How flexible are you?” I said “I can’t make Tuesdays.” (classic Tommy Cooper)

KENNEL… Do you have any pets?

A beautiful tortoiseshell cat named Buttons. We got her and her brother Titch when we moved into our first flat together in 1999. Sadly, our ginger tom died in 2008, but his sister has survived 6 house moves, and 2 children, and is still going strong.

LOVE…Are you single, married, engaged, living with a long term partner?

Married to the lovely Mr G, a Lancashire lad I met at a ceilidh dance in Edinburgh when I was 22.


MEAL… What’s your ultimate starter, main and dessert?

Ooooh, so many choices – since I love my food. I’m virtually vegetarian, for the simple fact I just don’t like meat. So I’d have a nice bruschetta to start, with mushroom risotto for main course and mint choc-chip ice-cream to finish off.

NOW…If you could be anywhere right now where would you be and who with?

Makes me sound crazy, but I’m looking for a job right now and my dream is to work in a press office for a charity. So I wish I was in an office in Edinburgh, having been given the chance to show what I can do for a good cause.Â

OFF DUTY…What do you do in your spare time?

I’m trying to improve my body image, so I go to the gym when I can. Nights out are rare, but when my friends are free, I enjoy meeting them for dinner and drinks – or getting a babysitter and going out with Mr G (even rarer). My spare time tends to be a couple of hours in the evening, after the kids have gone to bed – when I usually read, watch an episode of CSI, or write blog posts.Â

PROUD MOMENTS …What are you most proud of?

The family I have made with Mr G. Growing up as the product of a bitter, broken relationship, I’ll admit I always worried how that would affect my ability to get married and have a stable home. But it’s what I always wanted. I used to strive for the perfect family – I’ve realised that doesn’t exist. But as long as my boys feel secure, that’s the most important thing.

QUEASY …What turns your stomach?

Messy eaters. Something I had to get used to, when my kids were babies. But I was one of those mums who chased after my boys with a wet wipe, constantly rubbing at their faces.

RELAX…How do you relax?

A glass of wine and a good movie. Crazy, Stupid Love is the last film I saw which I really enjoyed (might have had something to do with that fella with his shirt off).

SONG…What’s your favourite song of all time?

Ooooh, so difficult to choose. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel is a special one that I love. It featured in a 1980s movie (and of course I’m stuck in that era) but it’s also a great chill-out tune.

TIME …If you could go back in time and relive it again, when would you choose?

I’d relive my time in York – from the age of 18 and 22 – working on my first newspaper, where I was trained as a journalist. I’d work just as hard, but enjoy it second time around, because I wouldn’t be worrying about whether I was going to make it (I mean, look at where I am now – big time baby yeah!)

UNKNOWN…Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows?

I’m pretty much an open book, and I talk about a lot on this blog – and share most things with my husband. Something most people don’t know is that I didn’t lose my virginity until I was 21 (I had boyfriends before then, I just didn’t give up the goods).

VOCAL…. Who is your favourite artist?

Prince is my all-time favourite, although I like many others. Seeing him live at Wembley is one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

WORK….. What is your dream job, and are you doing it now?

I’d love to be a wedding planner – but there’s no money in it (unless you work for a swanky hotel). So as I’ve already said, I want to use my journalistic skills to work in communications for a charity.

X-RAY…Any broken bones?

Never. I sprained my ankle once and screamed like a big cissy girl (probably because I am a big cissy girl)

YIKES…What’s been your most embarrassing moment?

Snogging a fella I really fancied when I was younger – and burping in his mouth. I was a little drunk at the time.


ZOO…. If you were an animal, which one would you be?

I’d be a penguin at Edinburgh Zoo. They’ve just got a new enclosure and it’s fantastic. I love eating fish and would enjoy swimming and splashing around all day.

Penguin picture courtesy of Gordon Jack @Scotimage