I’m notoriously bad at responding to memes. Please accept my apologies everyone who has ever tagged me. Despite my best intentions, there are very few I have ever completed.
So, post blog-rethink, it’s a new start. And particularly as in this meme I was tagged by the very lovely MuddyNoSugar. Go have a look at her fab photos and her refreshing view on life.
Anyway, the Q & A challenge originates from Kerry Jean Lister. Someone who’s blog and twitter stream I lurk on, never really having said hello. So here we are! Hello! And here’s all about me…
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
My two sisters, for different reasons. My biggest sister F is the nicest person I’ve ever met. She cannot do enough for anyone. She’s a nurse, although she’s just moving into management, and she really does justice to the moniker “caring profession”. She has the most beautiful family, and she holds them together, like a linchpin. They have not had the easiest of rides, for one reason or another. But the expressions on her kids faces when they see her shows what a fabulous mum she is. She’s my inspiration in motherhood.
My Little Big Sister left this country when I was 18. We have only got to know each other as adults through the internet and visits one way or the other every year or two. I admire the fact that she really knows who she is. She’s not afraid to be who she wants to be, and to live her life the way she wants to. She doesn’t second guess and change herself to fit.
And the person she is is a great person. She’s clever, and really interested as well as interesting. I know that sounds strange, but as a closet geek the thing I often find most difficult is the derision you get for being enthusiastic, interested, in things academic or geeky. Not so for Little Big Sis. We can geek out together, and I learn a lot from her.
When were you happiest
I’m not sure I know. In a strange way, and despite lots of problems, I’m tempted to say right now. I’m learning who I am. I have my whole future ahead of me, and Moo and I have a whole blank sheet to fill
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I am very easily embarrassed. I might have to leave that one there…
Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
In aggregate? Techy geek. iPhones, iPad, Macbook, laptops, Nintendos of many varieties, Wii, printers…
One single item? Would have to be my car. And I love it. Wish it had air conditioning though…
What is your most treasured possession?
A necklace I wear which has a circle inside another, with Moo’s name engraved on the inside circle, and mummy on the outside.
Other than that? Possibly my iPhone…
Where would you like to live?
I’m incredibly tempted by California, where Little Big Sis lives. But I love Britain too much. Either back to Scotland – Edinburgh or the West Coast, or back to Stratford upon Avon, which was a lovely place to grow up in.
What’s your favourite smell?
Chocolate brownies, baking in the oven. Or any baking for that matter!
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Christina Ricci
What is your favourite book?
I used to be a voracious reader, but I haven’t picked a book up in a long time. I need to get back to it, but something’s stopping me. I’m not sure what.
One that sticks out in my mind though from my childhood is Mr God, This is Anna. I think I might have to go re-read it soon. I feel it may have some lessons for me right now.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Many. Overthinking and analysing.
And I’ve been known to pick my nose. And spots.
What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?
I hate fancy dress. Sorry. I know that makes me dull, but I never do it well, and I’m supposed to be honest here, right?
What is your earliest memory?
I have very few memories from childhood. Very few before the age of 8 when we moved to England. I do vaguely remember swapping some toy for a giant bug bunny with one of the neighbours, and my parents being none too pleased. I also remember dreaming of flying downstairs and out of the back door of our house in Glasgow. Very surreal.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Blogs. I just love reading blogs, and no-one I know in real life understands it…
And Waitrose Belgian chocolate cheesecake. Heaven in a slice.
What do you owe your parents?
My enquiring mind. My independence and strength. My underlying belief in myself, despite my natural inclinations to be shy and self-deprecating.
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
I hate to upset people, but I do say sorry.
It could be argued that here are a few people I shouldn’t have apologised to, though. I have a tendency to take responsibility when it wasn’t always my fault. But I genuinely feel that holding grudges is counter productive, and making up is always best for all concerned.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Moo. Without a doubt.
What does love feel like?
Romantic love? I’m not entirely sure I know. Safe. Comfortable. And yet exciting…
My love for Moo is all encompassing.
What was the best kiss of your life?
It was with someone inappropriate. But so right at the time.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Isn’t it? Wasn’t it? Isn’t she? Didn’t you? Trying to elicit conversation with a toddler requires lots of questions…
A word I use frequently and always gets sighs from those in my training sessions? “Whereas”. Seriously, it’s really useful.
And in writing? I overuse ellipses. And I use them inappropriately too. They are so useful…
What is the worst job you’ve done?
Working behind the bar in a prestigious golf club. During the day. The dullest minimum wage I have ever earned. And the most caramel biscuits I’ve ever eaten…
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
Nothing. It’s made me who I am.
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
Probably giving birth to Moo. But it wasn’t very close.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being considered a grown up!
And my legal knowledge. I know my stuff, and I’m proud of it.
When did you last cry, and why?
I cry quite a lot at the moment. I live in interesting times.
I never really cried before I had Moo. Now everything sets me off!
How do you relax?
I’m not very good at relaxing. This isn’t a sponsored post (although I have kindly been provided with this for writing about in the future), but I am genuinely finding that the Thinking Slimmer MP3s do a great job of making me relax and sending me to sleep at night.
But spending my Mondays with Moo, with no particular purpose, wandering around town, stopping at everything of interest to a toddler (note: everything) and catching an early lunch at pizza hut scores pretty highly too.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Less time working, but without a reduction in the challenge in my job or a dip in salary. Sorry. I know money is not supposed to be important.
Oh, and an iMac.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Keep going.
These Q and As are from The Guardian Weekend magazine. Mrs Lister says the answers break you down into the ‘yeah you seem like a nice person, I’d go for a pint with youers’and the ‘Christ what a KNOB! LISTEN TO YOURSELFers!’
I dread to think what you’ve made of me. But here I am.
And I’d like to see what these lovely bloggers who have given me a lot of inspiration lately are made of:
What lovely answers, a thoroughly enjoyable read. X
Thank you lovely. It was thought provoking writing it!
“When were you happiest
I’m not sure I know. In a strange way, and despite lots of problems, I’m tempted to say right now. I’m learning who I am. I have my whole future ahead of me, and Moo and I have a whole blank sheet to fill.”
THIS. I totally know what you mean! Thanks for the tag, sweety! xxx
Thank you. I need this time for me, to work out who and what I am. I’m glad the feeling resonates
And I’m looking forward to seeing what you have to say!
I just LOVED reading this post. What fab questions and BRILLIANT answers!
I enjoyed reading this post, and discovered we have a lot in common, I did laugh at the best kiss though and thought ‘ooh and me!!’ LOL! x