Tag Archives: book

Jan 27 2015
36 Comments
Blogging

Without You, None of This Would Be Possible

totesAt last, the editing is over and I’m almost ready to publish my book – a collection of blog posts from the past two years in one handy format.

I’ve learned a lot from this process:

  • I mention chocolate way more than I thought.
  • My spelling and grammar have been appalling at times.
  • I still say ‘totes amazeballs’.
  • My kettle-bell is still my doorstop.
  • The Teenager still refuses to have an up-to-date photograph taken, meh.

Apart from that, it’s been an emotional time – reading and sifting through everything I’ve written, deciding what to keep and what to leave out (my cat’s not that interesting). I’ve cringed, but I think (hope) it’s the honesty that keeps it real.

However, one thing is more important than anything – a blog is only as good as the readers, you guys. You have been incredible. You’ve lifted me up through my darkest moments and laughed along with me through the good times. You helped me through my blip when I (briefly) stopped blogging. Your comments have been inspiring and thought-provoking. In short, without you, none of this would be possible.

So a totes huge thank you to everyone who  has supported me and my blog.

Bxxx

p.s. anyone know how I can lose two stone before publication?

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Jan 13 2015
8 Comments
Blogging

Lost In Time

PaleoI’ve been thinking about turning my blog into a book for a while now – pulling together a series of posts into a (hopefully) coherent diary. My aim is to help other people see that, despite MS,  life goes on.

What could be simpler? I have two years of blog posts and there’s a plot. Plus The Teenager has a starring role.

Well, who knew the whole process could be quite so emotionally draining? I’ve read every single word of my blog. I’ve laughed, I’ve cringed, I’ve cried.

To go through the whole ‘journey’ again has been hard, but rewarding. It’s great to see how far I’ve come, but it’s upsetting to see what I had to go through to get here.

But isn’t that the same for all of us, when we look back? We thought we’d never get through it, but somehow, we do. Life is very different, but often in positive ways, not just the negative. Although I am now acutely aware just how much I talk about chocolate. And cake. And bacon butties.

Anyway, I have whittled down the blog posts by around 60% (I also talked about my cat far more than I should have). Easier than it sounds, as I had to still keep the thread going so people don’t read it and think, ‘huh? Why is she suddenly driving around on a mini-digger?’

So, I am in the middle of proof-reading (very, very embarrassing – my grammar is often appalling) and cover-designing. And writing an author bio without sounding pretentious (moi?). I also have to write an introduction, choose a price, choose layout, page size, photograph, etc. And all before Uni starts back next Wednesday, when I will once again be drowning in a sea of books I haven’t read beyond the back covers.

In a bid to super-charge my life through this period, I have been flirting with the Paleo diet, after so many people recommended it for MS. I thought it was the answer to everything – an eating plan focusing on meat, vegetables and fruit. Visions of Kentucky Fried Chicken boxes with fries popped up in my mind, as did apple cake. And my beloved bacon butties. The books I had eagerly ordered from the local library soon put paid to that idea.

As I write and ponder upon my book introduction, I am munching on a chicken drumstick, skin removed, no batter. For dinner, I am having grilled salmon with mushrooms and spinach. I’m easing myself in gently though (the book says 80% for newbie-Paleo-fatties like me), so my 20% will be a handful of After Eights, left over from Christmas….

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