I love books, I think reading is one of those pleasures that you can’t really explain to people that don’t love it in the same way. I am reading quite a lot less lately and it’s a shame because I love nothing more than curling up with a good book, I will read in the bath, in bed, in the garden, on the train every where I can actually.

My course work is taking precedence over my pleasure reading right now and I am missing it but it will all be worth it soon when I get great marks in my exams (well that’s the plan anyway!) So in celebration of books and reading in general I thought I would share with you a list of books that actually were (to me) un-put-down-able. This isn’t an exhaustive list it’s just the ones I can remember right now.

Some are moving some trashy and some just plain odd but here they are in no particular order (just as they came to me):

Mini shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella

I love all these books but this one was actually one of her best, I have a daughter and I remember the toddler years clearly!

The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom

I’m not at all religious and I am really not a fan of Tuesdays with Morrie, but I loved this book. I actually brought it again when a friend lost my copy. This is only a small book and is so good, it’s about how the actions we think are just nothing, actually have a knock on effect for others.

My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult

I am a huge Picoult fan and have all her books but this one is very moving. I have to admit it nearly made me cry. I love how controversial she can be. I HATED the film but then I am not one for tear jerker films.

Celebrity bride – Alison Kervin

I have never read anything else by Kervin but I got this book on a swap site http://www.readitswapit.com/ someone requested a book I was happy to get rid of and the only one they had to send me in return was this. I loved it, it’s funny and interesting and gripping. Every little girl’s dream.

Still Thinking of You – Adele Parks

Again I am a fan and most of her books are great reads but I love this one. I can’t help rooting for the bad girl a little bit probably because I’m more like her than the heroine but it is a great book and can not recommend it enough.

Mercy – Jodi Picoult

Another of Picoult’s this book looks at mercy killing and is really interesting and moving. I love it and have read it several times. Picoult has a way of making you love her characters even with all their flaws

On Writing – Stephen King

Not only is this a great ‘How-To’ book for writers the autobiography of Stephen King is amazing, the things he has been through in his life and childhood and the insight into his marriage is gripping stuff. I am not really a horror fan but this book is something everyone needs to read writer or not.

Melt Down – Ben Elton

Not a fan of Ben Elton as a comedian, but his books are actually pretty great. The latest one is about the financial crisis and how it affects people on a personal level. I started reading Ben Elton on a recommendation and am now a huge fan.

Why Girls Can’t Throw – Mitchell Symons

This book explains things that you really don’t need to know but it is so interesting and you will find yourself amazing friends with your knowledge of useless stuff. He explains where the KKK came from, whether it is better to pay the fine or take a Chance and what really happens when you swallow chewing gum.

What books have kept you awake? I really would love to know other people’s lists

When I was young and stupid(er) I decided what I really needed most in the world is a tattoo of a cloud on my upper left arm.

Why a cloud? Erm… dunno

Why in such a terrible place? Erm… dunno

Why a permanent tattoo? Erm… dunno

The best answer I can give is that I was 17 and thought I knew everything. Well now here I am a proper(ish) grown up and I hate the stupid thing, I am aware of it when ever I choose what to wear and I hate seeing it in pictures. I have wanted it removed for years but always been a bit afraid of the pain and the cost.

Here it is: (I don't have any better pics I tend to hide it)

But I will not turn 30 with a tattoo of a stupid cloud on my arm so I’ve finally done something about it! I have actually started to get rid of it. I thought it would be as simple as go down there get it rid of and then go on my happy way but actually it’s a bit more complicated than that. It can take anywhere between 3-10 sessions and I have to wait 4/5 weeks between sessions. Ah!

Never mind I had the first session and it wasn’t actually that bad, it hurt a bit and was very uncomfortable but over all not that bad. It scabbed up pretty quickly (with coloured scabs which looked very strange) and I was warned not to pick or scratch it or I will scar. This has been difficult as it has been really itchy and to make matters worse I have been bitten by a nasty insect right underneath the tattoo so I have 2 things not to scratch on my arm!

But the scabs are healing now and I am actually seeing an improvement, it is hard to tell in the pictures but there is a real improvement, so I am pleased although, now I not only have to walk around with a cloud on my arm, I now have what looks like a half finished tattoo of a cloud! It will all be worth it…

1st session results:

Or it just makes your followers wander off!

It's school holiday time and I also have a week off work so I haven't been blogging much.

I have however been working on my list and have had a very busy week so I'll fill you all in soon xxxxx

"People come and go from our lives and some we miss and some we don’t. There are people we probably should let go that we do not, and there are some we lose that we really should have kept.

The trick is to try and figure out which is which and when you do take according action."

Where are you J?

The thing with the dentist is I have a very real phobia. I know no one likes the dentist and most people are a little bit afraid but I am actually really afraid. So much so that I act like a crazy person.

I am always on a search for the perfect dentist. I have been through several and they just didn’t suit me. Before I found my the dentist I have used for the past four years I had a dentist who insisted I would be fine in the chair if he played me music videos while he worked. Nope I bit him as soon as he put his finger in my mouth (I was only 22 give me a break). I was with another for a short while I even thought we might get on until he made the mistake of putting his little pointy thing in my mouth and I threw up all over him, in my defence I did warn him, I just don’t think he believed me.

My last dentist was better however. I told him what to expect: I will turn up crying and shaking and usually holding onto my dad. Once in the chair I have to be told exactly what will happen and given lots of warning before attempting to put things in my mouth. Under no circumstances is the dentist to put anything sharp or pointy into my mouth while awake and it there is work that needs doing I must, MUST be put asleep first.

These are my rules and my last dentist pretty much followed them, there was very little screaming vomiting and biting. But I have moved house I can not carry on with my old dentist I must register with a new one and now I’m afraid he (or she) will not understand. I am dreading it, I know how these first meetings go, I tell them and they think I’m exaggerating… yeah we’ll see.

Lots of people try to talk me out of it. I often hear ‘They aren’t going to hurt you.’ Or ‘it’s only a check up’ or even ‘they are there to help you.’ Do people think I don’t know that? I am smart I am logical I know that nothing bad is actually going to happen to me in the dentist chair, at the most a slight discomfort. I know all this right now, sat at my desk far from the white room, with the sickening smell and that drill noise (oh god the noise). But once I get to the dentist I can’t do it, all reason leaves me and logic doesn’t even enter my head. You can’t reason with fear, sorry that’s a fact.

I do go to the dentist every six months. I go and I suffer it. I book the day off work (it takes the whole day) I prepare myself I  cry and I scream and I hope that everything is going to be fine. I put myself through this because I know I have to and if I don’t, when I do go it will be worse.

I used to think I was a big, scaredy-cat, baby for being this way but recently I have changed my mind, in fact I think I’m brave. Very brave actually, if you had something you were meant to do, which scared you so much you vomited and lost all reason, would you face it? I am willing to bet most people wouldn’t go, most would just ignore it, and because I don’t I think that makes me braver than most.

And if you need anymore proof dentists are actually evil beings…

Right new month, new good intentions I can do this!

This month I will:

• Get my cousin on a night out!
• Do some sort of exercise at least one a week
• Register with a dentist
• Get the tattoo removed
• Get my hair cut
• Prune the bush next to the front door (it’s getting dangerous for visitors now!)
• Plant some flowers

There you go I will get these done this month and I will also try to do some other bits and bobs from my big list, and obviously keep up with the writing goals.

Wish me luck

So we are in April already! Wow, where did the last month go? And have I actually achieved anything? Erm… I’m not sure.

Ok for March I wanted to:

1. Get on with the writing
2. Get fitter
3. Get ahead in my coursework
4. Clean the kitchen bin!

Well I am still pushing on with my writing I am trying to write most days which is working, I am editing (although not much at all) and I have started submitting more so over all I think this deserves a smiley face J

As for the getting fitter erm… well I did walk to the station three times in the last month. Oh dear three times, that really isn’t good is it? I really must improve! L

As for the coursework I have actually managed to get a little bit ahead in this, not much admittedly, but about a week ahead so I’m awarding myself a smile for that one! J

And yes I cleaned the kitchen bin! I did it! J  

As for the bigger stuff:

I’m registered with a doctor J

I didn’t get around to mowing the front garden although I fully intended to… L

I still haven’t put the clocks right in my house and now that the clocks have all gone forward an hour they are all even more wrong L

As for getting back to my cousin I have been calling him everyday and he is starting to expect it. I think it is only a matter of time before I get him to come back into the world of socialising and his family and friends who care about him and want to spend time with him. So I will award myself a smile for that too even though I haven’t completely succeeded J

So final score for March:

J = 5

L = 3

Not a bad score if I do say so myself