January Life Update; I broke a goal /resoluation all ready!

Hi Readers,

My new year hasn't got off to the greatest of starts. I've had a bad head cold which took an age to clear up but then I had a really bad allergic reaction to something and that's made me super ill. I'm still recovering from that now, I'm glad I'm feeling better to start writing again too.

So, if you have't guessed by this post's title and the above photo, I broke my goal about not buying books! It happened a few days after that post was published and my mum had an offer at a discount book place, so I got all these books without thinking about it. Now, I'm determined to stay on track.

All the books but one are non-fiction. The fiction one is an anthology of dark stories that looked interesting. There are two plants and stars books as I've always had an interested in space and a wanting to know more. Then a sewing book which will be handy for work! The patterns are pull outs and the instructions so easy. The last three books are mental health connected; dealing with stress, anxiety and insomnia.

My book shelves are way over flowing my my current reading list far too long, so no more books for me! I better get busy reading!

Moving on, I wanted to share my new dice bags and dice for Dungeons and Dragons. I wanted to get a soft treasure chest that was actually a mimic monster and it was so cute, but I could only get it from America and it was out of stock almost everywhere and the two I did find had expensive postage, so it wasn't worth it.

I came across these bags on Etsy and really loved them, they are soft and fit in over a hundred dice! I couldn't decided if I liked the witch one or the dice one better, so I got both and I loved the unicorn neon dice too. I've not had a chance to show them off at the club yet as I've been too ill to go, but hopefully soon. 

This post is going to be short today as I'm all ready on the last thing I wanted to write about and that's knitting - again!

I've not been doing much these passed few weeks I've been ill. That sleeping bag I started knitting I've had to give to my mum to finish as I just felt I'd had enough of knitting it, which is how I get with stuff that is big and takes a long time to knit. So, I've got smaller projects to move on to now. 

First though, here's a photo of me wearing the new jumper my mum had just finished making. I originally brought this wool to make into a blanket. I liked the colours and thought it would make like a nice lap blanket but then I found a pattern for a jumper I really liked and my mum decided this wool would be better for that. I'm glad she did as it turned out really well! It's warm and soft, snugly too but it's not too hot or colourfully for me.  

Next, here's more wool! It's not been brought recently though. Got three more projects with this lot lined up now. The small colourful balls, I plan to try and make fish out of. I found this link below on how to turn knitted squares into cute fish and I want to give it ago. Knitting squares takes me right back to learning how to knit too!  

Making a fish;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08OcTEqnN6k&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=05012019_howto_youtubefish

The blue and yellow balls on the right are going to be baby jackets. The wool knits into a pattern and turns into cute little flowers! So my simple knitted jackets should look like I've done more hard work! The last lot is the blue and coloured strips at the bottom, I plan to make that into a baby blanket as its really soft and fluffy.

I've also got some little mice to knit too and some pompom animals to make! Plus, some bags to sew too, so I got lots to keep me going over the next few months. I'll be sharing updates and finished things on here, so keep an eye out of them!

Closing this post today is a photo of my dog, Patch. I was tidying up and just tossed her bedding which was all over the floor on to her bed and thus then happened! She does look super cosy in her blanket fort!

Thanks for reading, till next time!

(All photos belong to me). 

January Life Update; My Goals For 2019

Goals for 2019

1. I would like to give this good happenings jar idea ago. 

I plan to dig out one of the jars I like to stock pile for crafts and paint or us Sharpies on it to 'Good Things' on it. Then I'll leave some sticky notes next to it and try to write something once a week.

2. Don't buy anymore books! 

This one is going to be so hard and I've tried twice to do this now. Last year and a few years back and I've failed both times. Books to me are like shoes or/and handbags or/and clothes to most women. I find it really hard not to buy to add to a series, or author collection or because its one of my favourite genres. This year though, I've put together two book shelves of new and books I want to re-read and due to the number and size of some of them it'll take more then a year to read them all, so I should be fine and NOT need to buy another book!

3. Read 60 books

I always set a goal of reading so many books a year. In 2018 it was my normal 50, I think I read 52. In 2017, I read a 100, but I didn't really. This year, I'd like to try for 60 and see if I make it. You can follow my progress over on Goodreads.

4. Spend less time on social media 

I've been realising that I've been spending lot of time - mostly in the morning, evenings and night times - scrolling through Facebook for no real reason. I never use to do this but ever since I got my Iphone and access to lots of apps, it's become something of a habit. It's nice to see what my friends are up to and read website posts, but I end up scrolling and scrolling for an hour or more, not actually taking in what I'm seeing. The silly thing is that not a lot changes in from morning to evening, so I see the same things over. I plan to ease myself off it and every time I go on to only spend a few minutes there. Hopefully, that'll help break the addiction.

5. Lose weight - Swim more 

Always a challenge for me, but I keep trying! I love swimming and find it very relaxing.

6. Make items to sell online 

I did attempted this a few years back and it didn't work. This time I'm going to sell on Ebay and make baby things.

7. Save money

This needs to happen to fund all kinds of things.

8. Connect more with friends

I've always found it hard to keep friendships. I'd like to try bit more now and spend time meeting up with old university friends and others from my childhood.

9. Write in diary everyday

Haha! A great challenge, though I do try to make sure something guess writing in my diary everyday. It's nice to have a record of things and it helps my bad memory remember. Also a good stress relief! 

10. Find a new job

Been my goal for over a year and a half now. Still trying!

11. Go to London and Harry Potter World 

This was a thing I wanted to do last year for my 30th birthday with my boyfriend but due to timings - we were going on holiday in Cornwall too close to the days we wanted to go. Also, lack of money and not realising how early you had to book HPW, we didn't go. This year, we are all ready making the plan and looking at booking and saving money. So hopefully we can go! 

12. Do more sewing / arts and crafts

I've sort of fallen out of liking doing stuff like this last year. I'm really big into knitting at the moment but with sewing and other craft stuff not really, I guess because I do it for work with kids and I do like research and practice stuff for them but I'd like to make a few things as birthday presents for people and small things for myself too. Maybe to sell as well.

13. Get engaged ? 

Last goal on my list. Though it's questionable if it will happen this year. I'd like my boyfriend to ask me to marry him and we've had many talks about it. I know he's saving up for a ring and he's suggest this year at some point but if and when who knows?


What are you goals for the year? Please share them in the comments.

Thanks for reading, till next time. 

December Life Update; One Week Till Christmas!

Hi readers, 

I can't believe it'll be Christmas Eve this time next week. Feels like it's coming too fast! I'm pretty much ready for it though, brought and got all my presents and wrapped them too. Now, it's just helping my parents with wrapping other presents, buying the food and helping to make the celebrations go smoothly. 

I'm also recovering from a bad flare up and effects of taking steroids. I've less then a week left of those to take and I'm all ready feeling better. Also, I went back to work last week! Though some people weren't sure I was ready, but I needed to get back to some normal-ness. I've to take it easy and not get stressed, so I'm doing simple crafts with the kids and not being so bossy/mother-like that I do sometimes get, I'm just getting to let it go and allow the kids to do what they want - within reason for course! and try to hold back more. It's going to be hard, but I'll try. 

A lot seems to have happened last time I wrote, though it's only been two weeks, but then a lot does happen in December it always seems. So, this is going to be bit of a catch up post really now.

The photo above is the top part of my Christmas tree. We decorate the house on the weekend of my dad's birthday, 9th and this year that was a Sunday. I love getting all the decorations out and up, makes it seem like Christmas is coming closer. My favourite part is putting the tree up! I love getting all the decorations stuck on and remember where some of them came from. 

We have this traditional way of decorating the tree - lights first then tinsel then everything else, including a few different things which have just ended up on the tree over time. There's a small womble - my mum loves them and has many around the house-, a sliver dragon- we are all fans of those, - a little voo doo doll, a dream catcher, a weaved love heart, knitted octopus and other things that mum and I have crafted over the years. It just adds a bit of fun and silliness to the tree which sums up how we do Christmas. 

There are three decorations which always go on last; most people end with topping the tree with an angel or star, but our star is the third from last thing to go on. Next, is a cardboard Grinch with a paper tissue tree, I got with the Grinch movie which is my favourite Christmas movie and I watch it every year. Last to go on the tree is a paper Christmas bug, this came out of my favourite Christmas story; Jingle Bugs which I read aloud before putting the Christmas bug on then tree to complete it.  

Then it's time to get the presents underneath! I got to place the first one which was to me from my best friend then I put ones to my family. I like wrapping things up, though it always takes longer then you think! Below is about half of the presents I wrapped as I did like three lots. The tree though looks more fuller then this now!

As is the other tradition on the weekend of my dad's birthday we went to the Manchester Christmas markets. However, the weather wasn't great and both me and my mum were ill so the trip was cut short. This year, it also felt smaller, though it was busier as it normally was which wasn't good for my anxiety. We didn't take any photos either which I do kinds of regret but I wasn't in the mood and nor was my boyfriend. There'll be next year.  

Yesterday, I went and saw Wicked in Manchester with my boyfriend. I had booked the tickets like a year and half in advance and going felt like some kind of mile stone had been reached in our relationship! We have this silly thing about how we weren't allowed to break up until after we'd seen Wicked and if we were still together we had to get married. Things are still good so far and I know he's currently saving for a ring! 

Anyway, there was a stand selling lots of things and I couldn't help myself, though I didn't have much money, I treated myself to a flying monkey soft toy, postcard set, two programs and I got the poster for free!    

   

We had a great time and really enjoyed the musical. I had seen it before but my boyfriend hadn't and I didn't tell him lot about it because I didn't want to spoil it, so he was surprised about the detail in the story and felt the urge to watch The Wizard Of Oz movie again. 

Now, it'll be a week today that we see each other again. He is having to work Christmas Eve and we decided that since we would be spending from then till about 2nd January together - divided between my house and his house - that it would be okay not see each other the weekend before. I've to work on Saturday night and it would be a bit of back and forth for both us, so it's easier this way. Sometimes I wished we lived closer or even together! Possible a plan for next year as soon as I've found a better job. Anyway, I can't wait to see him and all my family then. 

Till then, I've work and other things to keep me busy. I've four short stories left to write on my other blog for this month now - been getting ahead so I don't have to worry- then I need to start January's soon. I've also finished knitting all the Christmas presents for my family and started on one for me! I'm knitting the colourful scarf out of pure wool. It's like super chunky, easy to do and it's knitting up real fast. I can't wait to wear it even though it does feel bit scratchy.  

The second thing I've to do is read my way through my current book pile! Before I started on the steroids I had begun The Thief  the latest Black Dagger Brotherhood novel which I was really excited to read. Then though one of the side effects of the steroids is that you can't focus on a single thing for long, it's a bit like having ADHD, my mind was wondering about everywhere and reading was just too hard, specially with a novel that has lots of different characters, back histories and tells three different plots tangled together! 

So, determined to not stop reading, I read some short Christmas stories then moved on to reading Dickens' ghost stories. I found that though of course Dickens can be a bit hard going, due to the short stories, I was able to read and enjoy them. I've maybe five/six stories left to go now, including A Christmas Carol which I'm saving to start reading around the 20th/21th when it's only a few days to go. 

After that I should get back to reading The Thief, then Blood Fury which is the spin off series. Next will be The Humans which I brought my dad for his birthday but wanted to read as it's told from the point of view of a dog! I don't read Science Fiction but this one interested me. In between I'll be reading the bottom three in the photo; Fruits Basket is a manga series my boyfriend thought I'd like and I do but I'm having a hard time getting fully into it and the other two are self-help books.       

My other thing to do is colouring! It's super calming and relaxing, it's been my other go to thing when I've become restless, stressed or my insomnia has kept me up. I'm sure I've said this before but I like the Colouring Heaven mags. The drawings are clear and a good mixture of scenes to colour. I like thinking I'm adding life to the characters etc and I also make up stories about them in my head!

I'm currently doing the front cover of the Christmas mag. I've done the bottom left picture of an elf so far. Hopefully, get the rest of it done soon.

I've not asked for any colouring books this year as I've too many but I've asked for some colouring pencil sets. I've been using felt pens for awhile now but I've found that pencils and gel pens are far better for blending and getting a more detailed finished. So, hopefully someone has brought me some.

As for other other presents it's mostly books, dvds, cds etc, I've not wanted anything big or fancy this year. I couldn't really decided. Though I would like a Nintendo Switch but they are expensive still and so are the games. I could ask for a new bed but that seems a strange Christmas present! Anyway, one other things I've asked for is the Body Shop's new Christmas release. I've fallen in love with the peppermint candy cane - as in the photo below. To me it smells like after dinner mints and I love those. The smell of mint I find calming and so I've asked for a full set of peppermint candy cane stuff! 

I'm look forward to everything now, just got to get through this week!

On a slightly different note, I have discovered this awesome tea which has been helping me to get to sleep. It's really nice and I drink it whilst reading in bed and then I feel so super sleepy and just drifted off. I've been a fan of flavoured tea and coffee for awhile, gingerbread is my all time favourite. Spiced apple is a close second so this tea I found really nice. I would so recommend trying some. It's quite calming too which seems perfect for now as many people are getting stressed out by Christmas. Even thinking about it making me sleepy right now!

Last thing I wanted to share today, is the new winter/Christmas jumper my mum knitted for me! Since she give it to me last Wednesday I've hardly taken it off. I found it in one of her knitting mags and thought it would make a great jumper to have. I love the simple style of the white and blues coming together with matching snowflakes. It looks Christmas-y but is suitable to wear afterwards too. Which is great because I love Christmas jumpers but after the day you can't really wear them anymore. 

My mum had been super busy trying to finish the jumper and she didn't have much help from our dog! Patch for an odd reason loves snuggling up to wool balls and knitted things but she does end up in the way! 

And this is the finished jumper! It's so cool! 

Actually it's warm and snugly, Mum made it out of soft baby wool. I love it so much, it's a good job I don't have to take it off anytime soon! 

That's all for today anyway, so if I don't see you before have a Merry Christmas and thank you for reading.  

All photos belong to me.

June Life Update; From My Bed

Hi Readers,

I'm ill in bed. I'm having a flare up of my IBS and it's making me feel like I've got a bad stomach bug. I'm not sure what's set it off but I've not been that careful about what I've been eating over the last few days. It's been hard because I've been working every day since Thursday - covering for the second receptionist it, my normal shifted then an extra one on Sunday I got asked to do. Also, I didn't have a date with my boyfriend and that's made me feel a bit lonely too.

I've not done much today though things seemed to be improving this evening, so I've just written two short stories for my blog and now I'm here writing this for a bit. Then I'll have to try and got to sleep but it's so hard when you need the loo all the time! I keep thinking I should write a separate blog about all of this but I've just not got around to it.

Anyway, I ordered three new books of Amazon two weeks ago now and they've been added to my reading pile, though I'm currently reading Red Queen right now. I only ended up getting them because Montenegro had been reduced to £3, odd from £14.99 and it's been on my to buy list for over a year now. It's the second book of a strange vampire series and I liked the first so getting the second was needed. But it's so expensive, so I had wait for a reductions and who could argue with that one? Then I ended up with the other two books because I didn't want to pay shipping!

I really wanted to read Red Queen as the first book Alice was so good. I so needed to do a review about it on here! Might do a combined one now though. Reading had helped me though much of the day and watching TV too.

I've also been flipping through this; my dad's guide to Cornwall as it were. We go away in about 4 weeks and my dad has put together this file of places to go, eat and shop etc. We all got to pick what we wanted to do and not wanted to do before hand and this is the print out with his notes. There's lots of cool places to visit like castles, manor house, museums, towns and beaches. Really can't wait for that as I love Cornwall a lot. Plus, my boyfriend is coming and I get to share the adventure with him. 

You can expect a blog post all about that real soon. Might have to divided into two parts as I know it's going to be a long one!

My dog has been really sleepy and wanted to snug into everything lately. Her favorite place is on the sofa in all the blankets. She also likes to bury her bones behind the cushions were my dad normally sits. We joke she is giving him presents as the pack leader! It's really funny when he sits on one though! 

It's days like today that make me super glad of my dog though, because I know I can pet her and she'll make me feel calm and I can tell her anything and she won't judge me for being ill. She's helped keep me going today. 

I wanted to share this last time I wrote but I couldn't fit it in that blog post. I've been busy making some baby things for my best friend who's going to have a little girl soon. I'm mostly done with knitting the things I wanted to make for her now and with some wool left over I wanted to start knitting my own stuff for that hopeful one day. 

I made this blanket but I wasn't happy with the shape. I'd asked my mum how many stitches and she said 50 but really I wanted 60. I was half temped to just unravel it and start again. The wool is chunky and soft and takes no time to knit but then I decided to keep it as maybe I could give it to one of my sister- in- laws or another friend some day. 

Now, I've got some more wool of the same kind but in a different shade; purple, blue and yellow mix which I really like and have made a teddy bear pillow out of in the past. I'm going to make a larger blanket and mum is going to make a hood to go with it. That should be really nice. 

I like knitting as it's nice to do whilst watching TV, I find sometimes, I can't just sit there, I wanted to do something and this is perfect for that. It keeps me busy when I'm ill and chilled too but I've not been able to focus to do any today. Might try tomorrow though. 

I've gotten into adult coloring big style and this is my current favorite magazine. How fitting that it's filled this month with two of my favorite animals - wolves and bears who are also my spirit animals. It made me really happy to see it on the super market shelf! 

This is another thing I like to do when I'm ill, bored or need to calm down. Though as much as I wanted too, I've not started on this one yet. Like knitting I need more focus then I've had today but soon I'll start and maybe I'll post some photos on here. 

In a slight connect to that, I've hung a dream catcher above my bed again. There was a prompt for a short story that had the imagine of one and I wrote a story that can be read on my other blog with it. I got reminded about how dream catchers are meant to capture the nightmares and since I've been having a few bad dreams/ nightmares lately including one were I was chocking to death and then woke up with asthma attack. 

I like to think of this dream catcher as being powerful because it has the wolf painting on it. Since I hung it up I've not had any nightmares and only one bad- ish dream. So maybe dream catches do work after all? Or maybe it's my belief that it will. Whatever it is, I hope it carries on and I can have more restful nights. 

That's it really for today or this night as it now is! I'm off to try and sleep a bit and hopefully feel better in the morning. Here's a cute photo of my snug teddies for tonight; Fifi fox and Astrid unicorn. They are so soft and comforting!  

Thanks for reading, see you next time. 

All photos used belong to me. 

May Life Update; Books and More Books!

Hi readers, 

So I've now finished all the Harry Potters and I will get around to writing about them soon. I really need to get better at writing on here but I've just been busy and ill again and the whole job hunting is just a never ending spiral. Then when I think I should write on here, it's either gone past Monday or like today; I just didn't have time. 

Well, tonight I'm staying up a bit to listen to the new Five Finger Death Punch album and it seemed a good time just to catch up on here. (Though, I have my doubts if anyone actually reads this blog anyway. But it's been my corner of the internet for awhile now, so I just carry on anyway!) 

Take a look at the photo above! That stack of 24 books is my current to read pile! Not counting the 8 DeathNote mangas I have left in the series read and I hope I can review that at some point too. Yeah, so that pile should see me till the end of the year. I also have 9 books on amazon of which about two are out now and the rest on pre-order for autumn time and because some of those books I really want to read, I'll be pushing my pile further down when October comes! 

The book aren't actually in my 'to read' order, yeah I do actually have one of those! So if you are interested here's my plan; 

1. Rumblefish - actually finished last night! 

2 and 3. The Outsiders and That Was Then And This Is Now - currently reading. 

4. Fool Moon - 2nd Harry Desden, a surprise cheer up gift from boyfriend. 

5. Wuthering Heights - had cravings for some English Lit classics. 

6. Neverwhere -one of my favorite books. 

7. American Gods - taking on holiday to Cornwall in July. 

8. Dracula - Classic vampire novel! 

9. Frankenstein - Everyone needs to read the true original novel. 

10. The Monk - written in 1796! A true Gothic novel which I studied at uni. 

11. The Handmaid's Tale - dystopia from one of the best writers on the genre.  

12. Fight Club - 'the first rule of fight club is we don't talk about it!'

13. All Quiet On The Western Front - World War 1 was just as bad for the Germans. 

14. Empire Of the Sun - surviving WW2 in Japan. 

15. Alan Shaw - new steampunk fantasy story by an writer I'm supporting. 

16. The Haunting - ghost story for Halloween 

17. Dolly - creepy haunted doll. 

18. The Small Hand - carry on being scared. 

19. The Man In The Picture - last of the set. 

20. Haunted Nights - An anthology of ghost stories. 

22. Viking Myths and Sagas - Meant to be one of the best collections of Norse stories.

23. The Hero Of Ages - the 2nd in a fantasy trilogy, read the 1st last year. 

24. The Well Of Ascension - 3rd one. 

Of course, this list might change but that' a rough plan. At the moment the first 4 books are certain and so are 6 and 7, I guess it depends how much time I've before I go on holiday for Wuthering Heights as it might take me awhile to get back in to it. Shall see. 

I really need to starting doing more book reviews on here. I've read some good books lately, including one that still haunts me! Plus, some of the books (about 13) in the list above I'm re-reading for like the 3rd or 4th time as part of my plan to re-read books I read at uni/ college/ high school. That was meant to be the whole idea this year because I was on a book buying ban, but I just can't help it. Books are my drug and I find my favorite writers publishing new ones and books I like the sound of and then people buy me them too and it's so hard not to give in. At least it's healthy, right? 

I'll have to keep this list updated now and that'll probably happen on Goodreads which is my record of books now. https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/10477493/ My goal this year was to read 50 books and I've read 29 so far. Though, I might end up reading more then that but not 100 again, that was too much for me! 

The other thing I wanted to share tonight is this;

My mum has been knitting elephants for the past few months and not because of some weird craze but because I want one for a friend of mine. The rainbow one was too small and so cute that I wanted to keep her anyway. The pink and white one is made of squares that took my mum ages to do, so she decided she wanted to keep her, (I'm currently pressing for an 'Elmer'  multi-colored one like this!) Then grey one is the one for my friend because that turned out as I wanted and the two smaller ones were free in mum's knitting magazine this month. 

I still hope that one day I can knit something like this but my brain finds it hard. I've been knitting a play cube, booties and mittens though and they've turned out fine. My next challenge is to knit a baby jacket in a single piece and get to grips with more decreasing and increasing! I'll share that one here if I get it right. 

The album is almost over and it's just turned midnight so it's time for bed now. I'll have to come back soon to do my Harry Potter review. 

Till then readers, goodnight. 

April Life Update; Being Anemic.

Hi readers,

This is a quick post today. So, I've not been feeling great these past few weeks, I've had a bad head cold and then in infection in my leg. I've been blaming my tiredness and lack of motivation on those. Plus, my addiction to reading Harry Potter as also meant I've had little wanting to do anything else. 

Yesterday, I had my 4 monthly hospital appointment for my long term health condition and though all my blood results looked good, my iron level didn't. It's something I've struggled with over the years and normally the doctor puts me on a course of iron tablets and that helps. 

I've started to notice the signs myself over the last few years; the feeling of having a cold that never really develops, being tried and having no energy even after an okay night's sleep, not wanting to do much or not being able to decided what I want to do then just giving up on everything. then I take a few iron and multi-vitamin tablets and I improve again.

This time though it's super low, boarding on the worst it's been. So, the doctor said I had to have an iron transfusion. Which should help and then I can stop feeling so tried and unmotivated. I have to go into hospital to have it done. I have a fear that's a boarder line phobia of everything to do with hospitals. I don't like tablets or needles but it's not a phobia of them, I just think it's because I've only had a few good experiences of being in hospitals and all those bad experiences make me very nervous. 

Hopefully, I can have it done at another hospital where I've had good experiences and the nurses there are much nicer. In any case, it's just another thing I've to get through. 

On another note, I still have two book reviews I want to write at some point and of course my overall review of the Harry Potter books. I just finished book 4, so got another 3 to go. I'm really flying through them, so should have them all read by the end of the month now. It's just good to have something, easy to read and get swept into right now!

That's all I can write for the moment. Thanks for reading and hopefully, I'll be back to normal soon.  

March Life Update: White Scar Cave.

Hi readers,

I've been meaning to write for the past few weeks and then just not getting around to it! I've like three books I want to review on here too, so I really need to start that. Plus, I'm still job hunting and getting no where, though I'm sure you are all tried of hearing about that! Today, I thought I'd share with you my trip to a cave that I took with my boyfriend. He's really into them but it's been awhile since either of us visited any!

White Scar Cave is in the Yorkshire Dales next to a village called Ingleton. It was just over an hour's drive from my boyfriend's house in the Preston area. I was the driver for the day as he's not had any motorway experience yet but it was mostly countryside roads anyway which I've had nearly any experience off, whilst he - because he actually lives in the countryside, is kinda use to it. I was little scared but I did okay! Even when the SatNav took us along this single track, farmer's road and I almost ran over a dog that was sat on top of a hill on a blind bend!

We made it fine to the caves and back again though! And I got some more driving experience though, I really could do with some more countryside driving now! Sounds like some more trips to Yorkshire might be in the planning for the months ahead then. 

White Scar Cave has guided tours every hour, so you can't access the caves by yourself. I don't think you'd want to anyway, not because it's easy to get lost - it's a one track trail, but because the ceiling is really low and the sections of the cave do flood. You follow a natural fast flowing small river though the caves which was how it was first discovered. Walking above the river, you first go down then up into a really large area. You have to wear a helmet at all times due to the low and pointy ceiling. Here's my boyfriend and I modeling these nice red ones!

The tour is an hour and 20 minutes with the walk a mile and bit. There are a few different chambers to enter and lots of things to see. They had labeled some of the most interesting stalagmites and stalactites as well as other features. Here's a photo of the information map.    

The first thing we saw in the cave was this really loud waterfall! I've always liked waterfalls and this one was really cool. 

The Witch's Fingers and the Judge's Head below were pretty interesting to look at. It's weird to think there's are naturally created over time. 

This was the second free flowing waterfall further inside the caves. There was only a small spot at the side to walk passed if you didn't want to get wet! All the other waterfalls were going down the sides of the cave and not over like this one and the first one. 

This feature is called the Devil's Tongue. Water was dripping off it and there was little choice but to try and walk under without getting wet! The guide said if you did get dripped on it was seven years bad luck! We just about avoided it, I think.

After almost crawling though a really low section and going up almost 100 steps we made it the Battlefield cavern. Here there were a lot of stalactites, an ice age rockfall and a prehistoric mud floor. 

Just past that was this huge and really tall area. There were changing lights along the walls which made it so pretty. The guide said that cave explores had been in this area looking for another way into the cave as there's only one so far and it would be good to have another. It's also one of the deepest points underground too. At Christmas time, they have a Santa sitting here who gives out presents to the kids. - Sounds a really strange way to see Santa to me!

This is one of the upper tunnels which has been explored. People say they can see the outline of a woman's face on the left side of the image. The guide said she was know as The Witch. Below her at the bottom is the shape of her cat. 

We had a great time exploring White Scar caves and there was a lot to wow over. Afterwards we visited the cafe and had lunch. Then we went to the shop which was packed full of cool things. I brought some postcards, crystal animals, a piece of amethyst and an eraser for my collection. My boyfriend surprised me with a cute wooden bat keyring he'd brought whilst I wasn't looking! I'd not even seen those key rings, so it made it even more of a surprise!

If you are in the are then these caves are with the visit!


Since I've not blogged in awhile, I wanted to share two more things today. Firstly, there's been a lot of snowy weather in England recently. It does snow here, but it's been awhile since it's been this bad! I've not been enjoying it that much due to ill health. But I do love that magic feel snow can create. This is a photo of my back gardening, showing how much snow we had over one night. 

Then these are awesome icicles hanging off the kitchen window. Been an age since I last saw anything like this! They were really big too. 

And this is my dog, Patch. It's taken her sometime to get use to the snow but now she loves running and playing in it. 

Best though, she loves coming home and getting all warm and snuggled in her jumper and bed! I totally agree with her there.

I'm glad it spring has finally arrived now and I was hoping we'd seen an end to the snow. But it looks like we might get some more over Easter now! so maybe winter isn't just finished yet.

On another note, I'm currently reading the Harry Potter books again! It's been ages since I last read them. Probably, when the last book came out 2007 but then I might have read the third on again a few years later - that's always been my favorite! From my memory though, I've only read the last three books once. The other 4 I've read at least 3 or 4 times. It'll also be interesting to read them one after the other too.

Last night, I finished the first and started the second! I'm not sure if I'll do a review of them yet. Perhaps, I'll do one of the all together when I'm done.   

Thanks for much reading. Here's hoping I can get those book reviews up soon!

Please check out my other blog; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/ I'm taking part in the A-Z Challenge next week!

(Please note; all photos belong to me. Please don't use them.)

January 2018 Life Update; I read 100 books in 2017 BUT I cheated!

Hi readers,

This is my first post of 2018! Happy New Year to you all!

I've been thinking about writing this post since I realised at the start of September 2017 that I wasn't going to reach my goal of reading 100 books in a year. To be honest, it was a lot to ask of myself due to being dyslexic, picky about the books I read and having goal committed issues. I wanted to prove I could do it though but in the end I just put too much pressure on myself and found that it was affecting my reading enjoyment. 

So, I ended up cheating by reading a lot of manga and children's books, plus putting an end date on two books I hadn't finished reading, so that my GoodReads 2017 reading challenge page says 100 books; https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/7287580.

I did it because the idea of not reaching what seemed to me an easy goal was frustrating. Plus, I also realised that if I'd just had a little more time I could have achieved 100 books without having to change the dates. The feeling of being disappointed over this would have made me miserable too and I just wanted to say that I could do it.

Some people would say that a book is a book no matter what and I didn't make it an added goal of only reading a certain type. It doesn't matter what I read but the fact that I did read. That's a good thing in the present world as most people say they don't read because of lack of time. Though, books are so much easier to access then ever before and everyone surely has a few minutes at some point in their day to read.

I recall a news report about a man who read 200 books in 2017, but I can't find the actual report now. It was that story that got me thinking about how much time people spend doing other stuff - sometimes meaningless. I wanted to try and change then, to read more instead of scrolling through social media pages which hadn't changed in hours or just watching re-runs of TV shows. 

A quick Google search comes up with things like this;

http://observer.com/2017/01/the-simple-truth-behind-reading-200-books-a-year/ 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rosie-leizrowice/the-secrets-to-reading-mo_b_14315860.html

I have no plans this year to aim for 200 books! Instead, I'm back to 50, though if I read more then that's good too. Really that's what this post is all about it, it doesn't matter what or how much you read as long as you do so and enjoy it.

Thanks for reading and please check out my other blog; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/

December Life Update: Job Hunting and Interviews!

Hi everyone!

So, this blog has slipped again due to me being ill, busy and lazy, the usual things! I had the urge to write today just to fill in the big gap. I've been trying hard to reach my 100 books read target, but I've not done any book reviews as I've mostly been reading Manga. I can get through one of those in one to three days. I'm at 82 books now and just started a complete 20 books manga series, so hopefully, I'll make it!

 I'm still looking for a new job. I've now had four job interviews in the last two months, so my job hunting has clearly been ramped out. I'm happy as it means my new CV is working and so has all my efforts. I was kind of expecting to hear back from more places but the receptionist/admin roles are competitive.

My first interview was two weeks ago and it was for a reception and security role. Things went okay, but before the interview I'd done some research into the role and company and I'd half decided it wasn't for me. During the interview, I learnt I'd have to have army SAS security training and have to deal with threats to the building I'm working in. That could actually be any building as the company hire you out to places like banks and government buildings. The money was £10 a hour and some of the shifts were 10-12 hours long. That's not for me as my health problems wouldn't be able to cope and I don't think all the training in the world could make me confident dealing with a bomb threat!

I didn't do great at the interview anyway. Yes, I answered all the normal questions fine; Why do you want the job? What can you bring to the role? What are your strengths and weakness? Where do you see yourself in five years time? How would you deal with a angry client? Etc. I didn't make myself stand out enough. I think it didn't help that I realised the job wasn't going to be suitable for me. For the record, I never heard back.     

My second interview was over the phone and for a data entry job. I went to what I thought was the face interview but it was actually the paperwork signing! Turns out this job was based in a warehouse and documents needed to be transferred from paper to computer. I signed up for the job after making sure I could get out if needed. I also had to have some background checks and they have all been done now. I do technically have that job now and a starting date. 

Third interview was for a reception job at a small but busy manufacturing company. The interview went well but I was too chatty - my down fall! I thought I was in with a chance, as I answered all the questions well and did the two tasks fine. Though I was a bit wobbly on the phone call but it was different to what I'm use to and the second call I took was about some insurance papers which was scary! I went home feeling good about it but I didn't hear back.

Fourth interview was at my current place of work and they wanted an admin. I met all of the requirements but for one thing which was experience with databases. I do have some but it a lot. I knew the people interviewing me - one is my current manager! Things went well though and it was only 20 mins. Normally they give a building tour and talk about what the youth center does. After there's two tasks to complete as well.

I was really hoping to get this job as it would have meant that I could slot in easy and not have to worry about getting to know people and the company. A few hours after, I got the 'sorry, no' call. It had been a close thing between me and this other person but because they had more database experience then me and that was really needed for the job, they picked them. It wasn't a nice moment, but I took at as a sign that I really need to move on and find something else. 

So job number 2 - warehouse data entry, was meant to start today but then there become a complication. I phoned on Friday to say that I was keeping my current part-time job and I'd need Tuesday afternoons off to go and do that. I'd brought this up twice and been told it was okay. Now though it's not no longer and I'll need to hand my notice in and leave. I bet many people would do that without thinking but for me it's different. This new job is temp for 4 months even though there's chance of more work to follow. My current job is permanent and I do get shifts to cover. New job isn't really what I want and the money is standard, plus there's my health problems and the worry they won't support that or my long times of sick I sometimes have to have. 

It's hard not to take a job when it's offered to you, especially if you need it and the money but you know it wouldn't be suitable to you. I'm super torn and now have a new start day of Thursday and tomorrow to hand in my notice. I don't think I can do it though. To me it's not worth leaving stability for unstable. I'm not giving up nor backing away from the unknown, I'm just trying to decided what's best for me right now. The question really is can I offered not to take this job? And the answer is yes, I can be fine without this job. 

Sounds like I've made my mind up now. I just have to hope that something else comes up and I can start a new job in the new year.      

(Photos from Pixabay)

January Life Update: Welcome 2017!

Hi readers and welcome to my first post of 2017! 

I hope everyone had a good time celebrating the first day of the new year and all the best to everyone. I plan to keep this post short and once again I have no photos, so that should help! I had a quiet night in with my family and my boyfriend. We played board games, watched a few movies and then the fireworks in London on the TV. They always look really good and whilst I do wonder what it would be like to be there one year, I just think it's easier seeing them on TV! 

Beside from that I've had a chilled last few weeks and I've not been doing much really. Though I've read three and a bit books, wrote some short stories, spent time with my family and watched lots of movies. Now though, its back to normal. I was in work today even though it was a bank holiday. The youth centre never closes! It was quiet though, just people ringing to see if we were open and asking to pass on messages. I read my book, wrote some stories, did some colouring, watched You Tube videos and listen to music (I had permission from my supervisor, of course!) I also made a dream catcher, which I'm running as a craft activity tomorrow. They are not that hard to make, though mine didn't turn out right- made a few mistakes, but it turned out okay. I think the kids will like them. 

It was a bit boring just sat there in a building that was empty but for me and one or two other people. But hey, I got paid and I could do what I wanted, so I can't argue with that. Though it didn't help with my sleep problem! For the last three nights, I've been in the living room on airbeds and sofas as we don't have a third double bed in my family home. So, I've not had much sleep and I've been going to bed late too! I'm hoping for a better night tonight! 

So, like everyone else I guess, I've been deciding my New Year resolutions. Though I like to see them as more of goals for the year then just giving up bad habits and other stuff. The typical one of lose weight is on there. I was actually doing okay with that last year, but then ill health, October and December holidays haven't helped, so I'm going to give it a short again. I'm still a member of the gym and I plan to go swimming and to the gym with my mum three times a week. I also want to take my dog out more for longer walks and reduce sugar in my food. All that should help. I've found going on diets, following rules and cutting out foods doesn't work for me. I get cravings for things and I can't fight it easily. Also, due to my ill health, things can be effect by not eating enough or eating too much of certain foods. During last summer it did actually work, so I just need to try harder to stick to it now.   

I've also decided not to buy any books this year beside from ones by J .R. Ward - my favourite author who's got two new books coming out this year- and a manga series called Assassination Classroom. That's because I need those books and I know I'd just break my goal for them. The reason I've decided to try and not buy any books is because I have too many to read and I don't have space any more. Yes, I do have a kindle and a laptop now, but I spend most of my time looking at screens as it is and I like physical books far better. I've added a side rule to this that books people give me or are free are okay to have. In 2015, I went 6 months without buying a book. This year, I hope to go the whole 12! 

That goal fits in with my third one; save more money! I so need to do this if I'm to get my main goal of getting a car this year. I want to make sure I can afford one and though I probably can do, I really want to make sure of it. So, I need to get better at saving money. I plan to try and set a minimum of £100 a month, but to try and set more aside. This means I'll have to work more hours, but that doesn't seem bad if it's worth it. 

So, that's four goals now. I think that's enough to be getting on with. Of course, there are things like write a novel, get the short story collections sorted, look for another part time job or a full one, move out of my family home and into my own place, work on my relationships, spend more time with my friends and travel a bit more too. 

I found lots of different resolutions and goal settings online. I picked out three that I wanted to try myself as they look really good. Here they are;     

This is the first one I found. It's a list of 12 single words that you use to complete sentences with which allow you to create simple or complex goals. For example; give more to the homeless or visit Germany.  http://www.artbarblog.com/create/this-year-resolutions/  

The second is a list of resolutions ideas which is good if you are stuck for ideas, or you want to achieve something different. For example, 'try meatless Mondays' and 'volunteer more.'  

http://easycollegecoupons.com/the-ultimate-list-of-2017-new-years-resolution-ideas/

The third is this monthly guide which has a different goal every month but they are all really useful for. I like this idea because it helps create good habits and since the time line is short things can easily be tried out and achieved more. So for example; in July try drinking more water and in March get organised. http://www.cleverpedia.com/new-you-for-the-new-year-challenge/ 

What are you new year resolutions? 

Happy New Year and next Monday it'll be the first book review of the year. See you there!