Saturday 2 June 2018

Getting to know you tag and Q&A

The lovely Kate from Confessions of a New Mummy has tagged me to take part in the Getting to Know You tag and Q&A. I've never joined in with a tag post, so here is my first! You might learn something new about me!

When was the last time you cried? 
I don't really cry much! But the last time I properly cried, was back in February at the funeral of one of my lovely past pupils. He tragically lost his life at the age of 12 to sepsis, brought on by flu.
His mother is campaigning tirelessly to raise awareness of this potentially life-threatening condition. Make sure you are aware of the symptoms, and if in doubt just ask, "could it be sepsis?" Find out more by visiting the UK Sepsis Trust website.

If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself? 

I don't see why not? I think I'm quite a good friend! Although there are times when I know I could have tried harder to stay in more regular contact with some of my far away friends. Life just gets in the way sometimes.

Do you use sarcasm a lot? 

I used to be a lot more sarcastic than I am now! I think teaching 5 and 6 year olds has helped me to reign it in a bit - they just don't get it!

What's the first thing you notice about people? 

That's a good question! I'm not actually sure. I'm useless at noticing the details; I couldn't even pick out my neighbours in a line up! I'd probably say, their expression... Do they look approachable? Kind? Stressed?! I suppose it gives you an idea of how to interact with someone new in the first instance.

Scary movie or happy endings? 

Happy endings :) 

Favourite smells?   

Freshly baked bread and clean children, just out of the bath!

What's the furthest you've ever been from home?

Australia and New Zealand. I went there, plus other places on a Gap year between high school and university when I was 18. I'd do it all again tomorrow! (But maybe with less cheap alcohol and dodgy hostels!)

Do you have any special talents? 

Not really, unless you count sniffing out cake from a mile away... or not being able to stick to any kind of diet for long! I can make a good cuppa?!

Where were you born? 

In Buckinghamshire. 

What are your hobbies? 

I'm a bit useless in this department too! This is one reason I started this blog - to get a bit of myself back, to enjoy doing something for myself again, and to get back into writing which is something I've always liked doing. When I do give myself some time, I love to read but I'm seriously out of touch with that too since having kids!

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

I'm pretty sure I always wanted to be a teacher! I remember giving my little sister spelling lessons on my chalkboard easel many, many years ago!

How many countries have you been to? 

Oh crikey, I've no idea?! I'll try and list them: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, North America and Hawaii, Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Belgium, Crete, Croatia, Slovenia... I think that's it so far!

What was your favourite/worst subject in school? 

My favourite subject in high school was psychology, which I took for A level. I had a brilliant teacher, and it was such an interesting subject too. I learnt a lot which has helped me in my business and teaching career. 

My worst subject was maths, but not until I got to high school. At primary I'd always been in the top set, but I went to a grammar school after that and I was put in the "special" group! To be fair, had I gone to the local comp with my friends, I'd have been in the average maths camp. But the grammar school I went to set such high expectations and went at such a fast pace that I was just left behind. One of my greatest achievements to this day is getting a B grade in my maths GCSE first time round! 

What is your favourite drink?   

Tea - and lots of it! Quite strong with a dash of milk and two sweeteners! Failing that, I'll settle for a rum and coke!

What would you (or have you) named your children? 

For my eldest, there was only one option. He was named in memory of my Grampa, and took his middle name. It's quite an old fashioned name but we loved it and it really suits him! I had lots of suggestions for my daughter; I loved Beatrice, Eloise and Elise but I got vetoed on all of them! If you're really interested in what we settled on, visit the blog to find out! :) 

Who are some of your favourite YouTubers? 

Now, that's a tough one as I don't really watch YouTube - unless you count countless episodes of Blippi and various renditions of Daddy Finger?! Aby from You Baby Me Mummy has been exceptionally helpful to me as a new blogger - She has some fab videos on her YouTube channel which are a great source of info for all things blogger related!

How many boyfriends have you had? 

Not many that are worth talking about! Haha! I've been with my hubby for 13 years this April, and married for 6!

Favourite memory from childhood? 

I have lots. Walking up Coombe Hill with my family for picnics, going to traction engine rallies with my Dad, our two Christmas holidays to Lanzarote when we rode camels on Christmas Eve, my little sister stepping on a woodlice I had so lovingly cared for (this one's caught on camera! It's hilarious!), my Dad making us the most brilliant house from a cardboard box with painted tiles and window boxes, and windows and doors that opened! So many... I hope my children will have as many lovely childhood memories when they are grown up! Thanks Mum and Dad. xxx   

How would you describe your fashion sense? 

I live in whatever fits me at the time! Mostly jeans and loose fitting tops of no particular style. Most of my clothes are older than my children, and I spend more on their school shoes than I spend on an entire outfit! I am quite self-conscious at the moment, so I tend to reach for anything that covers a multitude of sins! I wish I could afford to have more fashionable clothes, and the body to wear them! I am totally envious of all those fashion forward mums out there; I admire their ability to dodge the snot and baked beans and look so presentable all the time!

Tell us one of your bad habits? 

Falling asleep when I put the children to bed?! I'm not great at answering my text messages or ringing people back straight away. Must. Try. Harder!

So there we have it. That wasn't so scary!


I'm now tagging these lovely bloggers below. If you fancy carrying on the game of tag, please do but don't feel obliged!


Lucy from Mrs H's Favourite Things

Becky from Mum's Journal
Earth Lover from Thirty at Thirty: The List
Lottie from The Haymans 




I'm linking up this post with these fabulous blogs:

Confessions of a New Mummy

2 comments:

  1. Lovely to get to know you! I seem to watch Blippi on loop too, glad it's not just me. #TwinklyTuesday

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  2. Lovely to find out more about you! I'm also terrible at remembering to reply to messages... actually, just remembering anything! Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday xx

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