Feeling Anxious..

Well I'm feeling anxious. I'm feeling anxious because it's not long till our 1st wedding anniversary and it's also the 1st anniversary of when our special girl got gastric torsion- yes, on our wedding day.

It was a £1700 pet insurance bill which was really well spent and the best wedding present of all that she survived but ever since then I have this paranoia about her getting ill- especially as she's now 8 years old and she's a large girl at 46KG.

She's had a gurgly stomach today which probably hasn't helped with the anxiety levels but I want her to have a fun holiday with us- I've booked her in for a day groom/pamper session which she normally enjoys as she gets a lot of attention and we are also going to take her to Westonbirt Arboretum so I'm hoping that she'll be happy but it's just the hurdle of the anniversary looming- we haven't been anywhere with her since (and our wedding was local thankfully so when she got the torsion we went straight to our local vet). I've got a vet search app in my phone, packed her insurance details and I've packed a first aid kit for her...I'm determined for this to be a good anniversary where everyone can be calm and happy :)

Book Review- The Forgiveness Project by Marina Cantacuzino

I was generously given this book to read on my Kindle from a publisher on Netgalley.

The Forgiveness Project is highly recommended reading. It is incredibly thought provoking and insightful. After reading this book and trying to understand people's thought processes when dealing with trauma in all guises it made me reflect on my own life and the barriers I have put up in resistance to forgiveness are a redundant tool which hinders personal progress and happiness. 

I thought it would be preachy and full of Christ-centric prose but it wasn't- it's about real people's terrible experiences and how they've come to terms with them- and sometimes it's one step forward, two steps back but the awareness of the capacity to forgive in all cases is a powerful insight and you can see how it has enabled people to move on from the trauma.

I really felt that reading this book has changed my perceptions in a positive way- enabling me to think even more compassionately and with further empathy. I am a very empathic person but I do sometimes struggle with my temper even though I follow the Quaker ways. This book will certainly make me appreciate the capacity for peace and compassion through hurt.

Shiny new things and wibbly wobbles

Well my new phablet arrived today so I'm trialling out blogging using it. Hopefully my old O2 number will transfer to it tomorrow.

Had a literal wobble yesterday due to my light sensitivity- went to tell the managers (who were in a meeting) that I wasn't feeling too well and when I got there I nearly collapsed I felt so woozy and nauseous :( so there is me getting unceremoniously wheeled out of county hall in the council wheelchair by my old team leader. I think that the combination of getting over a cold and sleeping badly along with the incredible brightness of the day must have made my medication less effective... really hope my pain clinic appointment arrives soon!

Book Review: You Can Trust Me by Sophie McKenzie

I was generously donated this book to read and review on Netgalley.

I have just finished reading it and I still have the remnants of confusion even though I know the ending- the book leaves you not knowing who to trust or where to go next as you follow the main character, Livy, through unravelling the circumstances of her best friend's death.

I felt frustrated with the other characters in the book for not really wanting to dig deeper and found some things unanswered- such as the friend's boyfriend and how Livy was so shocked by her friend having a meaningful relationship.

The book itself moves along quickly and you get plenty of red herrings thrown in and the tension between Livy and her husband is palpable.

Highly recommended read- 4/5 :)

New shiny things

Well it's phone upgrade time and I'm getting a free Galaxy Note 4 to replace my Xperia Z which my husband will be having- I'm also saving money on my contract AND getting more for my money- hooray :) Hopefully it will arrive sometime next week..

On the food front I think the Quorn Pork Steaks are an excellent replacement- my husband likes them and says the texture is good- I served mine with Quinoa 'Fried rice'.

 Had a difficult week this week with my much-loved car- did the responsible thing and replaced the timing belt & water pump as my car is now 10 years old and I also got the PAS belt replaced as it was making a ticking noise but then on Thursday my front spring went! So two new front springs and another bill later..Wonder if Pembrokeshire will ever become a county where a disabled person can get around without a car- some how with the situation as it is and more and more cuts to public transport I doubt it..

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Well yesterday I must have slept/dozed from around 10.30 till around 4.30pm. Still don't feel brilliant but I obviously needed the day off. Had the mushroom risotto last night as it's so foolproof and doesn't need any real input as the pressure cooker does all the work :)

I'll be having the Macsween Vegetarian Haggis (blurb is here: Macsween Veggie Haggis) tonight with frozen veggies (I'll use sliced carrots and shredded savoy cabbage as they are in my over-full freezer), Smash mashed potato (I know there are Smash-haters but to be honest when you've got a disability which makes you feel rubbish Smash is always there in the cupboard and takes seconds to make into something filling- seriously, add a bit of butter- or even wholegrain mustard- and try it on a homemade pie or just with gravy and you'd be surprised at how good it is) and cranberry sauce- quick, nutritious and something different...