A few of my favourite things

This week hasn't been the best for a few reasons but I am trying to focus on positive stuff.  I also think that when you're living with chronic illness it is really important to have happy things to keep you going.  So, I thought I would share a few of my favourite things.. things that make me smile. Other than my daughter as that's a given!

Top of the list I think has to be sparkle! Everyone who knows me knows how much of a magpie I am.. I am just drawn to glitter & anything sparkly. If I could I would live in a glittery wonderland where everything just sparkled & I would be permanently smiling! However as that is only ever likely to happen in a fairytale, the best I can do is adorn my hair, body & anything else I own with as much of it as possible. It appears I have passed my love for sparkle on to my daughter too. Hurrah!

Another favourite thing of mine is nail polish.  I have loads of it & a special storage unit for it all! Well, the stuff I can fit in it anyhow. I used to bite my nails when I was younger so seem to have gone OTT with it now I have decent nails. Obviously my favourite kind of polish is glittery!!

I also love bows. Anything & everything bow shaped I just have a thing for. So imagine my joy when I discovered Crown & Glory, who make the most amazing glittery hair bows. I have rather an impressive collection going on now despite only finding out about them a few months ago!!

Vintage stuff makes me smile. I love things like china teacups.. they are just so pretty. My mum-in-law got me one last Christmas & I adore it.  It would be amazing to have a separate room to turn into a den full of vintage loveliness! I love looking at all the different stuff on Instagram.

As well as vintage I also love kitsch stuff. I've always liked things that are rather quirky. There is some amazing jewellery out there & I love anything that's a bit different. I probably spend far too long sometimes looking through pages of it on Instagram. Can you see a pattern forming?!!

I can't do a post about some of my favourite things & not mention the one & only Keith Lemon! He cracks me up & just in case anyone missed it here is a picture of me when I met him the other week!!! Blog post about it here :-)

Make up, bags & shoes are an obvious thing to like but it's true that a lady can never have enough of any of it!! Yes we really do need that shiny new lipstick even though we have hundreds already... and those shoes. No of course they don't look anything like that other pair I have but hardly ever wear ;-)

I can't finish this post without mentioning my friends. They are just awesome & I am so grateful for them. Any of you who don't know how much I value your friendship then I am telling you now. ☆♡☆♡☆
Laughter, craziness, tears.. whatever it is, they are there & we get each other through. I think having good friends is even more important than having lots of shoes ;-)

What are your favourite things? If you say glitter then have a big high five from me!

ME Mummy A
xx

Looks can be deceiving!

This is a very quick post as I am really struggling as a result of doing too much the last few days (by my standards anyway).

I am lying in bed thinking how people wouldn't believe I was the same person they saw earlier today.  They'd have thought that despite me being in the wheelchair, that I was well. To look at I probably looked fine. It's amazing what a bit of make up & a some sparkle in your hair can do to cover up a load of poorlines!
With M.E, as I've talked about before, it's an invisible illness so it isn't always obvious the sufferer is suffering!

This afternoon it was my daughter's dance show at the Northern Ballet theatre which has made me a very proud mummy (& auntie as my niece was in it too). It was brilliant & I'm so glad I went. I didn't think I would be able to last night as felt so bad.  I think I forced myself to go really as I had a bit of a wobble last night & got really upset about missing out on lots of other stuff.

The way I feel now after almost 4 hours of being home, I am thinking about how wiped out I (we) get from doing something that most people would see as normal.  I have had ringing in my ears for hours, I feel so poorly I can barely move. I have had to just lay really still. Everywhere hurts. And the next few days will likely be even worse.

I have done a before & after picture. My face now is grey, I have dark bags under my eyes & if a picture could talk it would be saying Bleugh!  Looks really can be deceiving...

The Autumn Tag

When my beautiful friend Meg at Meg Says tagged me in her Autumn Tag post I thought "Oooh I like the sound of this" so here I am.

I have to say I love Summer. It makes me feel so much better when I see the sun shining & I love being able to chill with it on my face so I usually dread the change of seasons.  However I do rather like Autumn & so here are the questions with my answers :-)

1. Favourite Starbucks drink

Shoot me down if you wish (!) but I am not a regular visitor to Starbucks! I can't drink coffee unless it's decaffeinated due to tummy problems & IBS, but on the odd occasion I do go in a Starbucks I tend to have a.. shock horror.. herbal tea!! I am seeing lots of pictures online at the moment though of people's festive Starbucks cups so may have to go in just to get one!

2. Favourite music to listen to

I love music & I like a huge mix. I don't have a particular favourite style, it all depends what mood I am in as to what I listen to.  I have just been listening (& singing along) to Bruno Mars. But also on my playlist at the moment is Calvin Harris, Michael Buble, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Alicia Keyes, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran & Kings of Leon to name a few. A proper mixed bag!

3. Autumn scent

I have just noticed while writing this that I am running short on perfumes!  My all time favourite is Dolce Vita by Christian Dior which is quite a musky scent, but I haven't had any for ages. Hint hint ;-) I like quite sweet smelling ones & wear them all year round despite them probably being more suited to Summer. I love Vera Wang Princess which I ration use of as I don't want it to run out! Next do some nice everyday perfumes & I have a few at the moment.  I don't have a particular scent for different seasons, as long as I like it I wear it.

4. Favourite Autumn lip product

I never used to wear lipstick as I didn't think it suited me & I used to stick to gloss. But a few years back I turned into a lippy lover! I have loads & in Autumn I like wearing red or plum shades.  I recently won a Twitter competition with Bourjois & one of the prizes was a lipstick which has become my new favorite.  It is from the Rouge Edition range & the shade is number 18 Violine Strass.

5. What do you love most about Autumn?

I really like wearing chunky jumpers & cosy onesies! I also love seeing all the different coloured leaves, they are so pretty & watching my daughter jump in them when they are on the ground is lovely.

6. Go to Autumn accessories

I have a bit of a thing for scarves. I have a special hanger in my wardrobe just for them as I have so many! Plus all the ones that aren't in my wardobe.. I think they are so versatile & not only good for keeping warm but they dress up outfits so easily. This is a just a selection of some of mine..

I think Autumn also screams ankle boots, funky tights, earmuffs & long coats. I have a new one which I haven't worn yet in blue check & it is very Autumnal.  I also have a new found love for hair accessories. Crown & Glory is amazing & make the most beautiful stuff. This flower crown epitomises Autumn for me. It is called the Whole Lotta Rosie & I teamed it with my new lipstick as mentioned above.

7. Favourite Halloween movie

Not seen it for a long time but has to be The Rocky Horror Show!

8. Favourite Autumn nail polish

I also have a bit of a thing for nail polish. I have a whole storage unit dedicated just to them! Summer is all about the brights & Autumn is for the darks. I love a classic red mani but I have a favourite at the moment which is another Bourjois product. It is black & has loads of glitter in it. I also have a (big) thing for glitter!  It is so sparkly & it stays on really well. Usually by day 2 I am messing with my nails & have to start again but this one has proven me wrong. It is called 1 Seconde Gel Silicone Texture & is in shade 31 Dangerous Wish.

9. What are you most looking forward to this Autumn?

Having chronic illness makes it difficult to go out & do all the things I wish I could do, like walks in the park kicking crunchy leaves. Going over them in a wheelchair doesn't quite have the same effect! But I am looking forward to snuggling under my amazing heated throw, drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows & doing Autumn crafty things with my little girl. I love burning scented candles when it's dark out, there's something really cosy about having a candle burning. And more than likely I will be eating nice chocolates that are meant for Christmas but that I couldn't resist buying!

Thank you for reading, hope you've enjoyed it. I am tagging my lovely friends Aly at Perfect is a Myth, Hayley at Life, Love And M.E & Emma at Emma's Looking Glass but feel free to write about your favourite Autumn things in the comments & let me know, I'd love to hear :-)

ME Mummy A

xx

When unexpected things happen!

This week has been a week I shall most definitely never forget!  It all started off as a usual one plagued by rubbish symptoms. At the start of the week a new account started floating about on Twitter called The Two Fairies. I had seen a few things about it but didn't really know what it was. But then suddenly, very randomly, when someone asked how I was I mentioned I had a cold & the fairies appeared asking if they could send me something! Lo & behold the following day I received a £50 spa voucher. How totally unexpected & lovely was that?!

As the week went on more & more people got wind of these fairies & they spent every day doing lovely things for people. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love random acts of kindness (RAOK's!) & the fairies were doing just that.  I had my suspicions about who was behind it & it was confirmed a few days ago when the fairies' identity was revealed.  They are called Magic & Sparkle & belong to M&S & their Chrismtas ad campaign! I love the advert, it is quite magical & they are as I write this still granting wishes & sending people gifts.

Anyway so that happened on Monday. Wednesday was bonfire night & I managed to make it out to take my daughter to watch fireworks at her school. Nearly didn't as had a wheelchair disaster which I won't talk about but all was ok in the end!

Thursday was a really really bad day with the M.E & I am ashamed to say my positivity (as per my previous post!) faltered a bit. I was waiting for bedtime so I could write it off & start again but things changed when I got a text from a friend.....

Now some people may laugh but I am a massive Keith Lemon fan. Not in a weird way but in a 'he cracks me up' kind of way! I was watching Celebrity Juice that very evening & laughing my head off as he always guarantees laughter.  My friends know how much I like him & I have been sent various Keith related items including cards, calendars & the best one was a lifesize cardboard cutout of him!!!!

So I had a text saying he was going to be in Leeds doing a book signing the following day. With how poorly I was feeling I thought that as much as I wanted to go I wouldn't be able to, as it said on the website queues were likely to be for upto 90 minutes. There was no way I could attempt that without it really affecting my health.

Then I had a moment of madness & wondered if I sent Leigh Francis who plays Keith a direct message on Twitter whether he would read it. You can only send messages on there if people follow you so I decided to be brave! He has tweeted me before but he replies to his fans all the time & has millions of followers so I am just one of many. I said in the message that I would like to try & go but wouldn't be up to queuing for long with my condition & asked him if there would be anything they could maybe do.  I didn't think he would read it. I was wrong, he did! And he replied saying if I spoke to WHSmith who were doing the signing then they should allow me to go to the front of the queue.

The fact he had replied was amazing in itself but I decided to be bold & ring WHSmith. The manager called me back & I explained my situation.  I told him I shouldn't even be contemplating going due to my health. Which I shouldn't have but when else would an opportunity like it occur!! He said although the access to the unit where the signing was would be fine he didn't like the idea of me having to battle through the crowds in the wheelchair. Then he said (& I am so so grateful) that if I went early he would take me to the Management Suite to meet Keith before he went to do the signing. Erm whaaaaat!?!? I started crying at this point & freaking out a bit.  A lot. A very lot.

Fast forward several hours of palpitations & adrenalin that got me through!  I was so nervous but it was brilliant. Keith was lovely, he knew who I was from my message! He took time to chat & have photos done. I asked if I could put my arm round him for some pictures (don't ask don't get)! He complimented me on my jacket which had full on sparkly sleeves & then got his phone to show me a similar jacket his stylist had sent him a picture of that day!  I clearly have good taste ;-)  I asked if I could take a selfie of us. I do love a selfie! He was just really nice & as funny as he is on TV. He wrote me a message in my book - he has a book out called Little Keith Lemon which is the story of his life so far. I was totally starstruck!

My daughter was a little bit shy, she didn't actually realise Keith Lemon was real bless her! She only knows of him from my cardboard cutout (which I hate to say is in the loft now)!!! But she had her photo taken with him & he signed his kids' book for her. It's called The Beaver & the Elephant & is very funny.  We read it tonight at bedtime & when I said goodnight to her she said Oooosh. You have to laugh! She is very chuffed she has a signed book with a message just for her. Especially now she knows he is real.

I am suffering very badly with my symptoms now but I expected it & I don't care as it was one of the best experiences ever & something I will never forget.  It will make me smile on my dark days & I would love for him to know how happy it made me. Chronic illness stops us from doing so much but I had a 'sod it' attitude & knew that despite the after effects it would be so worth it.  I read a newspaper article which he had done after we met him about being back in his hometown & he said that he had just met a lovely family. I wonder if he meant us, I shall just assume it was to make me happy!!

I never in a million years would have expected this to happen. I never imagined I would get the chance to see him in person never mind sit chatting with him like we were mates. I am still a bit in shock really but it just shows that you never know when fairies may be watching over you & they may totally unexpectedly grant your wishes one day :-)

☆ ☆ ☆ I believe ☆ ☆ ☆

ME Mummy A
xx

Positivity

I am just sat (well lying down if I'm being literal) thinking about how easy it is to let your illness consume you & how difficult it is to see the positive in things when you feel so poorly so much of the time. But, I have noticed that I am being a lot more glass half full rather than glass half empty recently. I think it's because I know such good people who make me laugh or make me see things differently when I have started to let it get to me.  I know some really positive people too & looking at their stuff online, whether it is reading their blogs or looking at pictures, also seems to help.  I have got really into the wonder that is Instagram (where people just post pictures... I never knew how addictive it would be!) All I need to do is have a look at some of my favorite pages on there & I soon fall under the spell of loveliness!

When I used to go to the M.E Clinic they covered positive thinking as one of the coping mechanisms of living with M.E. They used to advise us to challenge any negative thoughts or replace them with positive ones. So for example if you find yourself thinking something like "I will never be able to go out as I feel so poorly all the time" try to replace it with something like "I don't feel well enough to go out at the moment but I will hopefully improve a bit soon & maybe be able to get out for a bit".

Being positive is very very difficult sometimes but as I've mentioned before there is a lot of support online via social media & it definitely helps to take your mind off how rubbish you feel.  Of course it doesn't take it away but it can help you forget about it for a while. My friends help me get through each day.  Whether it is just general chat or silly, totally random conversations, it seems to keep me sane! Whatsapp is a godsend too & I hardly ever send 'normal' text messages anymore.  I know I can pick up my phone & there will be someone there.

I have done a lot the last few days as a lovely friend of mine (who also has M.E) came up to see us & I am feeling really awful but it was worth it. Another nice memory for the memory box I made with my daughter at the start of the year! And surprisingly, despite feeling bleugh, I still feel quite cheerful.

PMA stands for Positive Mental Attitude.
The amount of times me & my friends have typed those 3 letters over the years makes me giggle. We sometimes say it in jest when things are so bad that it is virtually impossible to be positive! But I really do try. I think I try to cover up how I really feel a lot but what is it they (whoever they is) say..

"Everyone wants happiness, nobody wants pain.  But there can't be a rainbow without a little rain"

I'm going to leave you with some nice quotes as who doesn't love a good quote :-)

ME Mummy A
xx