Q & A Time with Herding Cats

I have been 'tagged' by the wondrous Oh Mammy. My task, should I choose to accept it, is to answer a series of questions so that you can all get to know me a little better. Something I am sure you don't really want to do. I am not responsible for any therapy required after reading this post.

Which living person do you admire most, and why?

Great, right in there with the tough questions. I don't think there is any one person that I 'admire', famous or otherwise. But I do admire parents of special needs children, especially children suffering from autism. From my own experience I know this to be extremely difficult and frustrating, yet at the same time extremely rewarding.

When were you happiest?

Generally I am a very happy person. I don't like to be upset for too long as, well... it upsets me. But I guess the usual answer of the birth of my children and the day I got married should go here.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Oh, there are so many to mention. I have this rare affliction where I out in public I come across as the village idiot, but I shall recount my most recent embarrassing moment.

On 23rd February I suffered a spontaneous miscarriage, we knew it was coming as a previous scan had showed us that the 'baby' had stopped growing at six weeks gestation. What we didn't expect however was major hemorrhaging. It was all very scary at the time and my husband had to phone for an ambulance.

So picture the scene, there I am stuck on the loo, pants and trousers round my ankles, covered in my own blood when in walks the paramedic. A very young and very handsome man. He asks some questions, calls for an ambulance to A&E and decides to put a line in for IV fluids. Despite my protesting that he has to put it in my right hand as they don't take in my left and require flushing every few seconds he puts the line in my left hand. It gums up and he has to flush it.

Que me fainting off my own toilet!

I wake up on my bathroom floor, still with my pants and trousers round my ankles and my bits on full show, to four paramedics looking down at me.

However, the thing that concerned me the most at the time was that I hadn't had my sausage sandwich I'd made just 20 minutes ago. Funny the things you worry about in life and death situations.

Aside from property, what's the most expensive thing you've bought?

I don't own any property as I am poor. But they largest amount of money I have spent in one go around £2000 on our sofas. However, thanks to the pets and children they no longer look like they're worth £2000.

What is your most treasured possession?

My family and pets of course and well, my comic book collection - that should pay for my care home in years to come.

Where would you like to live?

In a lovely country farm house in the middle of nowhere, with no neighbours for miles around. That way the children and parrots can be as noisy as they like.

What's your favourite smell?

Freshly mown grass, petrol and creosote.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Linda Hunt from NCIS Los Angeles, but only as her Hetty persona. God, I want to be that woman!

What is your favourite book?

There really are too many to mention. I love reading. My favourite authors are - Terry Pratchett, Deric Longden and Chris Pascoe. I also love to read about local history and anything to do with unusual deaths or strange murders.

What is your most unappealing habit?

Biting my nails and talking too much twaddle in an effort to impress people.

What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?

Either a cat or something suitably Gothic.

What is your earliest memory?

I can remember standing in my cot in my room. I used to lean out and knock on my bedroom door before shouting, 'Is it time to get up?' The answer was usually, 'No!'

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Twiglets. I love them. In fact I love them so much I can eat a whole share bag in one sitting. I was convinced that Amy, my youngest daughter would come out looking like a Twiglet. She loves them too.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?

My children, for the times I got it drastically wrong. For the times when I was tired and grumpy, the times when was was a little too shouty and for the times when I couldn't just drop everything and play.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My children, husband, parents, etc. Animals, especially cats.

What does love feel like?

Love is the best and the worst feeling all rolled into one. A cross between butterflies and indigestion!

What was the best kiss of your life?

Kitty kisses and those of my children of course.

Which words or phrases do you most over use?

Well, according to my African Grey, Izzy -

In a minute!

Amy?

What's wrong?

What now?

I'm going to count to three!

Shen! Bad boy, get down!

Izzy, shut up!

What is the worst job you have done?

Kennel Maid when I was about 15/16, without a doubt. Long, hot and smelly work involving fleas, poo and sometimes getting bitten. All day for £10 a day. But I loved the dogs, so much so that I still remember the regulars to this day. Ryan the phobic Great Dane being one of my favourites. He was even scared of dog biscuits!

If you could edit your past, what would you change?

This is a difficult question and one that I have thought of often, who doesn't? If I was to change my past, then I wouldn't be where I am today. I may not of met my husband or had my gorgeous children. But sometimes I would just like to see where a certain path or life decision would have taken me if I had chosen differently. Who knows where I might have been today and if I would have been happy.

What is the closest you've come to death?

During my miscarriage. I lost a large amount of blood and had to go to hospital via ambulance. It was thought that I might need an emergency D&C and a blood transfusion. However once my body realised that it was separated from my laptop it went into full recovery mode and I was discharged the next morning.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Sitting here writing this now. I suffer from dyslexia (why is that so hard to spell). At school I found writing and reading extremely difficult. That was until I was put into 'Special English' at Secondary School and I meet Mrs Tebbitt. The one teacher that saw my potential and dragged it kicking and screaming from me. How I hated Special English and how I hated Mrs Tebbitt.

When did you last cry, and why?

At the moment I am crying at the drop of a hat over nothing in particular. I suspect it's hormones related.

How do you relax?

Facebook!

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

Money, money, money! In 2009 my husband was made redundant twice in the space of nine months. We're still trying to dig ourselves out of the resulting hole.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Be yourself and don't change for anyone. If someone truly loves and respects you, they won't want you to change.

So there you have it. Boring no?

Now comes the part where I tag some other bloggers. My victims are:-

Maris World

QWERTY Mum

and

SAHMLovingit