Silent Sunday

Some of the pieces of my mum's 24,000 piece jigsaw.

Thursday Thirteen #1

OK so it's not my first ever Thursday Thirteen but I've not done one in forever (maybe not at all last year) so I'm calling it #1.

Thirteen Things I Hope To Do In 2012

1. Lots of writing. Fiction mostly but I'd like to give poetry another shot too.
2. Lose a little weight. I have a lot to lose but I'd like to do it slowly as I think it's more likely to stay off.
3. Swim. I really miss swimming regularly.
4. Go to the seaside. I've not been by the sea for a couple of years which is a huge shame.
5. Meet up with uni friends in Birmingham. We tried and failed to meet up last year and I miss the laughter and the pizza and the hugs we share when we do meet up.
6. Have at least one article published. I had 1 published in both 2010 and 2011, I'd like to continue the trend.
7. Read Emma by Jane Austen. I love her books and it's the only one of her full novels I've not read completely.
8. Take my meds regularly. I really struggled with this last year.
9. See a Shakespeare play. I've read a couple when I was at school but never seen one on stage.
10. Get a new powerchair. Self explanatory really but it needs to happen soon ish.
11. Try a new craft. Perhaps pottery although knowing me I'd end up mega messy.
12. Have a decent attempt at the first draft of a novel. Because novel writing isn't just for November.
13. Be a better friend. I feel like I neglected a lot of my friends towards the end of 2011 due to my depression and that's unacceptable.

Thursday Thirteen - To Do List Version

Thirteen Things I'd Like or Need To Do Today

1. Get my hair cut
2. Go to the supermarket
3. Finish reading Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (half read about 120 pages left)
4. Finish reading Sexing The Cherry by Jeanette Winterson (60 pages left)
5. Get lunch from my favourite coffee shop to bring home
6. A couple of loads of washing
7. Fix the mistake in my knitting and do a chunk more
8. Watch Australia on DVD so I can take it back tomorrow
9. Make Spanish chicken for tea probably with pasta
10. Look for my proof of DLA
11. Part of an ongoing project I can't blog about (definitely a need NOT want)
12. Use my Wii to get some exercise
13. Watch Masterchef, Country House Rescue and Cutting Edge this evening.

A Review of 2009 in Survey Form

This is a bit of a New Year/December tradition for me and this is the sixth year running I've done this meme. As a side note, I started doing this on Monday and have only just finished it. The event mentioned as happening "tomorrow" was our day out on Tuesday (which I just blogged about in my previous entry) and I think probably will remain stuck in my head.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Probably the biggest thing was getting rid of the carers - I'd been thinking about it but then there was a major to do with the agency (which I'm not getting into but which I have described to several people as "they screwed me over") and getting cleaners. I am managing way better than I thought I would without carers. And my house is cleaner too!

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't think I did. I've been working on the 101 in 1001 project the past several years. I made good progress with the current list this year and plan to continue next year. I'm also toying with some big changes for me but those won't be new years resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No (this is the sixth year I've done this survey and I've never once been able to answer yes!)

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Kind of. A man who volunteered at CAB and who I'd known from my very first day died very suddenly in April. We were both Wednesday people and I didn't really know him well as he was very private but we had our little jokes and his death hit me (well, a lot of us I think) very hard as it was so surprising. Every so often another volunteer will mention him to me or I'll mention him to her and we think that we miss him.

5. What countries did you visit?

Once again - None!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

A decent working camera (mine has been busted since April). And as I said last year but still didn't manage to do this year - a decent break that's actually a break.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Lots of days have been very special for a lot of different reasons but I can't specifically think of one date that will stick forever. I am half wondering if the do we are going to tomorrow will turn into a memory to cherish. But that's kinda a lot of pressure so I'm trying not to wonder that too much.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Completing NaNoWriMo for the first time in several years and writing more for it then I ever have for anything before.

Taking on a new responsibility and really trying and succeeding even though it was something I'd not really wanted to do and was finding so much harder and more stressful than I anticipated.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not losing any real weight. And not keeping my house very tidy between cleaner visits - particularly at the moment, the words "looks like a bomb hit it" spring to mind.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

In 2008 I took myself off of both my meds. In March I went back on fluoxetine and in August back on Baclofen (which I swear I only need due to the fluoxetine doing a number on my spasticity). But that's not really illness. I had a bad patch in the summer with a virus but I've been very well this year and haven't had any antibiotics at all!

I did have a bit of a nasty accident in the early hours of Christmas Day however and my first thought when it happened was that this was going to be very bad as in A&E bad. But - and I have no idea how - it wasn't anywhere near as bad as we thought and there wasn't even any blood.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I'd say my new chair but wheelchair services funded that so - my new furniture for the flat.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My parents have done a lot of running around and helping me out this year, particularly lately.

The cleaning company I use have also been much better than I anticipated them being.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

My former care agency

14. Where did most of your money go?

New furniture and bills. Improving my finances and budgeting is still something I'm working one.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Meeting up with old friends i'd lost touch with for the first time in about three years.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Teamwork from the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soundtrack.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? About the same but more realistic which may make it seem like I'm sadder

ii. thinner or fatter? A few pounds heavier

iii. richer or poorer? A bit better.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Writing. Knitting. Reaching out to friends.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Getting frustrated and upset about things that I can't control or that don't matter in the long run.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I was at my parents house. I wasn't supposed to stay over but ended up staying from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day evening pretty much due to the bad weather.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?

No. Lately I wonder if it will ever happen and if I really need it to.

23. How many one-night stands?

Zero.

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

I enjoyed a lot of documentaries and docu-dramas like the five day special Channel 4 did with different actresses portraying the Queen at critical points in her reign.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate is too strong of a word. I have been disappointed by some professionals in my life but not really by friends.

26. What was the best book you read?

Both of Chris Cleave's books.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Not exactly what the question meant but I started listening to Jack FM in the mornings and I've been loving that.

28. What did you want and get?

More storage in my flat and a new wheelchair.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Went to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with a friend; had a night of games, dinner and a dvd with my family.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I can't say, really it's been a pretty good year overall. But part of me is very frustrated that I didn't get seen by wheelchair services and get a new chair much sooner than actually happened. It's made such a difference to my mobility and my pain levels. I never even suspected that my hip pain could be helped by my chair or that my back pain improved like they have been.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Lots and lots of skirts in the summer and trackies earlier in the year. In the past few months I've found both jeans and just recently smart black trousers that fit even though they are bigger than I would like! So I've been trying to smarten up a bit lately but really overall I'm still living in trackies and comfy clothes.

34. What kept you sane?

Different things at different times. Good friends. Reading. Afternoon naps.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I can't really think of anyone.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The save DLA campaign

37. Who did you miss?

Lots of different people at different times and in different ways. Sometimes things I wouldn't have expected made me miss people. I was surprised by how much I missed my CAB colleague who died. But this year has also been a good one for reconnecting with old friends so I missed them less than previously - whilst also missing them more because I'd been reminded of how great they are and how much I enjoy their company.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

As I've said in previous years, I really don't like this question. I don't feel like I've met too many new people this year but those I've had I've liked for the most part.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:

That at times I can be stronger and more capable than I think I am.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you've had the time of your life.

Opening Lines in 2009

I'll probably be blogging a lot over the next few days so brace yourselves.

I love this first lines meme and couldn't resist sharing it here. I went back to my old blog to get the earlier months ones - it's interesting reading back.

January - I’ve signed up to do NaBloPoMo this month.

February - My first project for Thing a Day 2009 – new images and design for my Twitter Feed (FunkyFairy22) I am also planned that one day I will do a new layout on my blog as a thing.

March - Just in case you were wondering:

April - I got my wheelchair batteries replaced today.

May - This isn’t the post I was planning to write for Blogging Against Disablism Day this year.

June - I don’t think I blogged about this before so here goes (if I did I don’t remember doing so but sleep is an issue at the moment so…)

July - I went to the wheelchair clinic today to see if I needed a new wheelchair.

August - Back again.

September - It was a wordpress error and not a problem with the renewal that had this blog down over the weekend.

October - Earlier in the week my landline phone went and it was a wrong number of a sort

November - Firstly, I'm still doing NaNoWriMo.

December - I have zero time for a proper update.

For the 5th Year Running: - 

A Review of 2008 in Survey Form

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Sailed competitively.  Took a creative writing course

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Honestly I can't remember.  If I made any I suspect they were to complete more of my 101 in 1001 (which I did) and to lose weight (fail!).  I may make more.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No

 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No! (you have no idea how pleased I am with that answer, having had to answer yes the last three times).  My great uncle did die but I didn't really know him and truthfully I'm not even sure I ever met him properly - my Nan's family is big and complicated and it used to be "normal" to be out shopping with her and for her to be chatting to someone I'd never met and be told it was her brother or her niece or whatever.

5. What countries did you visit?

None, just England for me this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

I'd like to take a break that's actually a break and to travel abroad again.  And more money.  I've felt my life has been a bit out of control over the last few months and I'd like that control back more than I'd like money but it's related. 

7. What date from 2008  will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

None really.  I was tempted to say the first regatta but I can't remember the date exactly, so no.  We could go with 10th - 15th September which is the crazy several days where I 1) had all my hair cut off 2) went to the NEC with mum for the knitting and stitching show 3) Took part in the Challenger National Championships.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Making some tough decisions; planning and reaching long held goals; deciding to stop wallowing and start making my dreams a reality.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I can't help but be disappointed that some of the tough decisions had to be made because my attempts at bringing change failed.  I actually don't think those failures were my fault as such so I probably shouldn't be disappointed.  But disappointed I am.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had several small viral bugs etc (including one now that does not appear to want to clear up).  But overall I've been pretty healthy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Acer Aspire One Netbook

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Not sure.  I have some good friends who've been really supportive and helpful this year.  And naming no names someone else I wouldn't necessarily call a friend as such was so calm and OK about one of my big decisions. And also continues to be very supportive about it despite the fact that good as it is for me it more than likely caused problems for her.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

"Appalled and depressed" may be a touch too strong but I have been very frustated (and once or twice upset) this year by the behaviour of several carers and also people who aren't carers but who are supposed to provide me with services as a part of their jobs and have failed to do so.  The carer thing may be because I've had all new ones over the last month or so and new carers are always hard.  But truthfully I didn't expect nor did it need to be this hard.  And it has been an on and off issue since January at times.  I am toying with alternative ideas for that magical time "after christmas"

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills.  And clearing my overdraft then ending up back in it a couple of times.  Not a good financial year for me.  Fixing this is a goal for next year.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Various theatre trips particularly the Lion King.  Oh and the Knitting and Stitching Show.  

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

I can't think. This survey seems much harder this year than in previous ones

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? The same or a little happier

ii. thinner or fatter? fatter (significantly)

iii. richer or poorer? Poorer in monetary terms of at least it feels like it!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Things that matter; just lately I seem to be spending much more time online doing things that fill my time but aren't necessarily productive.  Next year I hope to achieve more things and make more of a difference to myself and to  others.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Getting frustrated and upset about things that just don't matter in the long run.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

At my parents house.  Although for the first time, I will not sleep there.  Instead I will go up about five ish this afternoon for dinner and festivities then my Dad will walk me back at bedtime to sleep and shower here.  I will get ready to face the day here tomorrow then walk up in my powerchair and spend the day with the family before some walks me back at bedtime again. Lather, rinse, repeat.

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?

No, love is overrated.  I did come closer than before though.  And for the first time it is something I could maybe see in my future.

23. How many one-night stands?

None

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

I don't really watch a lot of TV but over the last couple of weeks I've just started watching NCIS and I really enjoy it (I have only seen about three episodes of it though).  If my TV broke I wouldn't replace it.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Not hate.  But one or two people have done things which have changed our relationships in a slightly negative manner.

26. What was the best book you read?

Tough one.  At the moment I'm reading "It's My Party And I'll Knit If I Want To" by Sharon Aris and it's fantastic.  I'm tempted to list that as my favourite book but as I haven't finished it yet (that's this afternoon) I will give it an honourable mention instead.  

Best fiction book would be A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell.

But overall best book would have to go to The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler.  Both the book and the show are extremely powerful and they really hit me, spoke to me in ways I didn't expect.

Actually all three of those books are ones which make you think and feel - I've been wanting more than mindlessness and chick lit this year.  Although I have and still do enjoy mindless escapism every now and then.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

This year it seems to be all about the musicals for me.

28. What did you want and get?

A laptop (well, I got a netbook but as soon as I knew about them that was what I wanted instead).

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

27 Dresses

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I celebrated my birthday with lunch out with a friend and her son and then dinner at my parents house (roast chicken, sausages and all the trimmings) one day and then a trip to flashdance with my mum the next day.  But my actual birthday is tomorrow and I'll be 27.  I am ambivalent about my birthday this year.  I really enjoyed both things and the gifts I received but the birthdayness I am ambivalent about.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I really can't think of anything.  There are things I would like and things I would rather had not happened but life as such has been pretty good and if I'd had those things or they hadn't happened it wouldn't have been what it was.  And it's good.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Bit of a scruff, living in trackies mostly with skirts in the summer.  And all new short somewhat spikey hair once September arrived and I cut all of my hair off!

34. What kept you sane?

Knitting. Reading. My friends. Playing silly mindless games online (thank you king.com!)

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

John Barrowman? Or Gordon Ramsay like I said last year.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

I refuse to say right to life again because I always list it here it seems.  But it matters, damn it.  So I will say the benefits system and changes that have been made to it.

37. Who did you miss?

Different people at different times.  For a long time I've missed the "Emma" I used to be.  But lately it seems I'm coming back to me.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I don't like this question.  But I've met some great new people, a few thru the RCV swimming group (I'm glad I left but glad I stayed as long I did to meet these people) and several through the creative writing class and from other places too.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:

That I need to stop wallowing, take care of myself and to be the one to make things happen for me

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I know I've used both of these lyrics on this survey in previous years BUT

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway
You can chase a dream that seems so out of
reach and you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

~Anyway, Martina McBride

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes 
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred moments so dear 
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes 
How do you measure - measure a year?In daylights, in sunsets 
In  midnight cups of coffee 
In inches, in miles 
In laughter and strife

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes 
How do you measure a year in the life?

(Seasons of Love, Rent the Musical)

Thursday Thirteen: The Sailing Edition

Thirteen Reasons I Love Sailing 1 Going wherever I want without my wheelchair 2 And doing so under my own steam 3 The wind on my face blowing my hair everywhere, into my eyes etc. 4 The speed 5 The power 6 The Way the boat rocks down and up and down and up in the water 7 Pushing myself to do more, try harder 8 The point in time when its really really good but also kinda scary 9 The people I have met because of it 10 Sitting on the water watching as the sun gets lower and lower in the sky  and the sky gets prettier and      prettier. 11 Laughing when I get caught in the spray and screaming in shock then laughing even harder when its      more than spray and water splashes up over the sides and soaks me to the skin. 12 Catching the wind just right and feeling the boat take off. 13 The moment when I think it's going all wrong then look back and realise how well it really is going

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Review of 2007 In Survey Form

A Review of 2007 In Survey Form

 

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Got a tattoo. Learned to knit. Helped to run training for new people at work. Saw Daniel Radcliffe naked.

 

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I had goals I was working towards - some I met and others I'm still working on.  Still others were unsuccessful.  I will set new goals for next year as I do frequently - reevaluating my life and situation.

 

 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No

 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my good friend and "older brother" Stevie died on 12th May (which also happens to be my mum's birthday.  When I knew he was very ill and may die I lit candles and was simply praying for him.  But all I could pray was "not another death" and also think of this survey and pray that I could have year when I could answer no to this question.

 

5. What countries did you visit?

Ireland and Scotland (in June on my JST trip)

 

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

If I can I'd like to come off or reduce some of my medication but I refuse to beat myself up if it doesn't happen.

 

 

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

21st July - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows released

12th May - Stevie died

13th April, got my tat.

 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

The fact that as of this writing I only have to take my medication tomorrow and I won't have missed a single dose this year.  For the girl who spent most of last year chosing not to take the damn tablets because she "couldn't be bothered" or had better things to do or it was just too much like hard work that's pretty damn amazing.

 

 

9. What was your biggest failure?

 Not standing up for myself more.

 

 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I actually think this year was pretty healthy for me; I had three spells of in bed for a few days illnesses and my spasticity levels are currently outrageously ridiculous BUT I only had two course of Abx and I didn't miss a single dose of medication!

 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

New Matress and New dryer. The Jazzy also ought to have a mention here too.

 

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Too many to mention

 

 

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Local government services - both in the way they treated me personally and with what I've seen through CAB.   Oh and the medical purser on my JST voyage.

 

 

14. Where did most of your money go?

My holiday

 

 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going to see KIM!!! We'd lost touch and hadn't seen each other for three or four years.

 

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

I really can't think of one.

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? Happier

ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner

iii. richer or poorer? In real terms, probably poorer but I will say richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Spending time with people; swimming.

 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Obsessing about things and getting stressed and depressed about them.

 

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

At my parents house

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?

No, love is overrated

23. How many one-night stands?

None

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

Grey's Anatomy

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I have very different opinions of a few people but I wouldn't go as far as saying I hate them, it's too strong of a word.

 

26. What was the best book you read?

I had thought it would be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  But whilst that was a good book and I did love it.  In some ways it was full of cliches and disappointing.  So, probably Pride and Prejudice.  A close second would be the book I'm reading now but as I've yet to finish it, it doesn't count.

 

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Voltaire, probably.

 

28. What did you want and get?

Lots of things - I've been making things happen for myself this year.

 

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

I didn't go to the cinema once so probably Simpsons Movie which we watched on DVD on my birthday.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Had dinner at my parents house, played a game of Articulate and watched the simpsons movie. We went to see Starlight Express (tix were my birthday present) a few days later. I turned 26!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Nothing really.  I know that I couldn't have undone the thing I hated most and I never can - so I refuse to obsess about it.  Especially because if it was undone I would never have learned certain lessons and wouldn't even have realised the significance of it.

 

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Clothes that don't fit because they are either too big or too small!

 

34. What kept you sane?

Knitting, Reading

 

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Gordon Ramsay (is slightly ashamed of that answer)

 

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Ashley X/Katie Thorpe/Charlotte Wyatt (although we here very little about her now) - right to life, eugenics and medical treatment with disabilities in short.  As a small side note, this is the 4th year I've done this quiz and at least the 3rd when Charlotte Wyatt has been the issue that stirred me most (or part of it)

 

37. Who did you miss?

Stevie. Nanny, Gran and to a lesser extent my two Grandad's.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I refuse to name names as I don't like this question. I know who they are however and it's someone I met last year but got to know properly and truly call a friend this year.  Or actually there are two people that could be and it's kind of both.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:

Do or do not, there is no "try"

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Well I'm not crazy
I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay a while and maybe then you'll see a different side of me
I'm not crazy
I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me and how I used to be

~ Matchbox Twenty - Unwell.  Because it's where I was and kind of where I still am.  Also because I'm leaving that behind and that deserves to be acknowledged.

Or because things are a lot better and this more accurately sums up where I am now:

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway
You can chase a dream that seems so out of
reach and you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

~Anyway, Martina McBride

Ewww Yuck, yuck, YUCK!

2,381,820How Many Germs Live On Your Keyboard?

[description of image: It's a quiz, it's white and bright (lime ish) green.  It works out how many germs (allegedly) live on your keyboard at present and it says 2,381,820 germs currently live on MY keyboard.  It's not something I care to think about.  If you click on the image you can take the quiz yourself.]

Gift Train

Meme time again!

Kay over at The Gimp Parade posted the following about this meme and well, i'm in.  Here's what she wrote:

Gift train

Like a meme, only it can invade your snail mailbox:

Via Grace at What If No One's Watching? -- By the end of January, 2008, I will send a tangible, physical gift to each of the first five people to comment here, so long as each of those five people are willing to make the same offer in their own LJ or blog.

I've taken the liberty of giving myself a month's more time to accomplish this. Also note that "tangible and physical" possibly means "whimsical and odd."
Happy holidays.

So the first five people who comment here will get a gift sent to them.  And if my readers will please note that tangible and physical possibly means whimsical and odd like Kay wrote but more than likely also means some for of craft.

So, get commenting, get posting to your own blog and if you comment e-mail me your address at Emma [@] wheelchairprincess.com

 

NaNo Stats!

wordcount widgets

[description: It's a widget that shows how long until NaNo ends in my time zone, how much I've written, and how much I have left to write. It also shows how many words per day I've averaged and the estimated date I would finish at that rate (currently Jan 13th as of 11pm 09/11) and the remaining amount of words I must do each day to finish by the end of November. It updates every time I update my profile on the NaNo site.]

And just for coolness factor, the widget is hosted on neilgaiman.com!!!

Memes, Again

77%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

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Personality, Intelligence, etc.

I thought that was interesting, particularly given how I have grown and changed over the last year or so. I do agree with a lot of it and I wonder how it changes. What would it have been a year ago and if I come back to it this time next year what will it say. I think it is pretty accurate.

I like to think this has given me a deeper and better view and insight into who I am and why I am.

But, I may just be talking rubbish like usual ;)

tricks

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8 Things

Jacqui tagged me to share eight random things about myself.

1) I've volunteered for CAB for almost three years after originally thinking I might stay six months. At the moment I have no plans to leave.

2) I really lack confidence and get quite anxious at times.

3) I am good at starting things but not great at finishing them.

4) I like to cause problems and to shock people. I figure if people are going to stare at me because of my wheelchair I may as well give them something to stare at.

5) Sometimes I really wish that instead of being independent I had learned dependence instead. It can be like being discriminated against for being capable.

6) I've finished my counselling which I'm pleased with but I do miss it.

7) I get easily obsessed with really silly things.

8) I talk to myself LOADS.

Now I know my ABC's

Another meme, Becki tagged me for this one.

A- Attached or Single? Single and very very happy like that. No plans to change that whatsoever

B- Best Friend: I am not a fan of the concept of a "best friend" because it just ends up being stressful when you say my best friend is so and so and then someone else kicks off and informs that they are your best friend and you are wrong. Yes, I am talking from experience here! I will just say I have loads of acquaintances and some very close, very wonderful friends both online and IRL. And different friends are good for different things. That's the way I like it and I'm very happy.

C- Cake or Pie: Cake but without icing!

D- Drink of Choice: coke

E- Essential Item: my manual chair

F- Favourite Color: Purple.

G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Neither.

H- Hometown: a little town, Oxfordshie, UK

I- Indulgence: Having my hair washed for me

J- January or February: January, time for a new year and a new start

K- Kids: None.

L- Life is incomplete without: my wheelchair.

M- Marriage Date: I don't think I believe in marriage

N- Number of Siblings: Two - Ben aged 21 and Sophie aged 19

O- Oranges or Apples? If we're talking the fruit than neither. If we're talking the juice than either but I prefer orange

P- Phobias/Fears: Lots of stuff but getting over a lot of them.

Q- Favourite Quote: “As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn’t supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it’s harder every time. You’ll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You’ll fight with your best friend. You’ll blame a new love for things an old one did. You’ll cry because time is passing too fast, and you’ll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you’ve never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you’ll never get back. Don’t be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.” ~Author Unknown.

R- Reasons to smile: Good books, people who get it and summers afternoon naps

S- Season: Spring, getting warmer but not too hot..

T- Tag Three: Funky Mango, Jacqui and Kathryn

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I cannot stand ice cream.

V – Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? Meat all the way

W- Worst Habit: Panicing and worrying about everything even before I know that I've got anything to panic or worry about.

X – X-rays or Ultrasounds? X-rays, had loads and I can't actually remember ever having a scan! I'm sure I must have tho.

Y- Your Favorite Foods: Lately it's been chicken stir fry.

Z- Zodiac: Capricorn

Power of Three

Funky Mango tagged me for the following survey

The rules are simple. There are 9 questions (3 to the power of 2), each of which has 3 answers, to give a total of 27, or 3 to the power of 3. The whole point is that the questions are somewhere between eclectic, banal and downright bizarre, so that you can answer completely truthfully without actually giving much away. Just put down the first three answers that come to mind if you can’t work out the “most appropriate” three.

Objects Within One Metre Of You

several empty drinks bottles
Hairbrush
A copy of Mr Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll

First Names of People You Sat Next To At School

James
Lucy
Naomi

TV Programmes You Won’t Watch

Big Brother
Eastenders
Coronation Street

Favourite Trivial Pursuit Categories

History
Art & Literature
Music

Superpowers You’d Like To Have

Flying
Teleportation
Super Strength

Newspapers, Magazines or Periodicals Read Regularly

Disability Now
Local newspaper
Healthy magazine (from Holland and Barratt)


Songs You Dislike

Westlife - Uptown Girl
Axel F - Crazy Frog
Ray Quinn - pretty much every song he's ever done.

Blog Posts of Your Own That You’d Recommend.
Respect for All
My New Set of Wheels with an added giggle factor
It doesn't have me


People You’d Like To See Answer These Same Stupid Questions
Shiloh
Sophie
Sarah

One Song - Meme

I keep seeing people do the One Song meme and thinking I should do it.  And then I clicked on Funky Mango's blog and saw she had done it.  And I'm bored.  So I gave it a go.  I think it's meant to be the soundtrack of the movie of my life.  All I can say about it is, I haven't laughed so hard in so long!

Put your iTunes or whatever music player you use on shuffle and for each of the categories/questions below put exactly the name and artist of the track that comes on.  NO cheating!

Opening Credits:
Standing Outside The Fire - Garth Brooks

Waking Up:
We've Got Tonight - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

First Day At School:
But I Do Love You - LeAnn Rimes

Falling In Love:
Proppa Cuppa Coffee - Rolf Harris

Fight Song:
Slow Hand - Pointer Sisters

Breaking Up:
MTV Mash Bad vs Ghostbusters - Michael Jackson

Prom:
Working 9 to 5 (dance remix) - Dolly Parton

Life:
Wheelchair Talking Blues - Fred Small

Mental Breakdown:
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany

Driving:
Ain't That A Kick In The Head - Dean Martin

Flashback:
Who's David - Busted

Getting back together:
One More Day - Diamond Rio

Wedding:
Crash and Burn - Savage Garden

Birth of Child:
A Whole New World - Disney's Aladdin

Final Battle:
In Heaven There Is No Beer - The Dubliners

Death Scene:
Peace of Me - Natasha Beddingfield

Funeral Song:
Damnit, Janet - Rocky Horror Picture Show

End Credits:
Agadoo - Black Lace

How to make a WheelchairPrincess

If WheelchairPrincess were a drink they would be: 4 parts modest 2 parts cocky 3 parts intelligent Get Your RECIPE Here!

Thursday Thirteen: Thirteen Recent Things

1. I had my haircut on Tuesday for the first time since September
2. Knitting is easier than I thought it would be but it does hurt my left arm a bit.  I am getting the hang of it but my knitting does not look how it is supposed to in my opinion.

3. I had a new carer tonight which is possibly the first time I've had a completely new one since April (and even then I knew that one from school).  It went much better than anticipated.
4. I got to complete the Terramundi ritual I've been doing for 14 months last night. I didn't do it as they suggest however, I actually smashed it good and proper.  That was really, really fun.  I will do it again.

5. Counselling was tough yesterday for some reason.
6. I've been rediscovering my local library and got some great books out yesterday.
7. I am considering trying pilates as a way to improve my tone and flexibility but am not sure that is practical.
8.I haven't made any weight loss progress in a couple of weeks.
9. At present I have a flat right foot and an almost flat left foot which doesn't have any movement in it and clicks lots so that is :) / :(
10. Monday will mark six weeks of medication taking every single day
11. I've been watching lots of crappy daytime tv during my week off and enjoying it.
12. Writing really, really rocks my socks this week.
13.  This little cripple had to stay at home all day today because we had 7cm of snow and my K hates snow as does my powerchair.  I stayed at home all day Monday but that was fine, that was by choice.  This wasn't and it drove me crazy.