I've done it! I've made it to the last day of the Blog Everyday In May challenge. I wasn't sure I would be able to write a post every day, as I don't normally. I am so glad I have stuck with it, as I do tend to give up on things very easily and talk myself out of things.

Well, on with the last post for May; a vivid memory. One event still remains as clear as day to me; giving birth to my eldest daughter. I was only twenty when I had her and you know what people are like with advice! I was given that much my mind was in a fog!

I reached forty weeks and there was no sign of her. I even spent days going for long hikes as I'd been told an old wives' tale that if you do a lot of walking it helps the baby come. No, it didn't, as two weeks later I had to be taken into hospital to be induced. I think she was quite happy where she was!

Being dropped at the hospital and left alone was quite scary. You can read as many maternity books as you like and still be nervous. It didn't take long before I started to have contractions and then it all seemed to happen rather fast.

I ended up being in labour for six hours, which I know from my friends is quite a short birth for the first time. I didn't use gas and air and had pethidine instead. I remember all the little details of the room I was in and the nurses' faces, even though it will be twenty one years ago in September!

Meeting her was a time I will never forget, as she was so cute and nearly nine pounds in weight. I connected with her the moment she looked at me with her big blue eyes. This photo of her was taken a couple of hours after she was born. Peacefully asleep.

I feel quite emotional writing this last post. I would just like to thank every single one of you for taking the time to check my blog out. It has been great getting to know you and I feel I have made some special friends. Please keep in touch everyone.

I will be back on Monday with my three normal posts a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday.) I have some great posts coming up; lots of recipe, style and DIY posts. I would love for you to join along with me in my adventures.

Have a lovely day.

It's that time of year again! I have been doing some spring cleaning and re-organizing. One of my new year resolutions was to go through all the rooms in the house and let go of all the clutter. My mission was to only keep items that we used and gave us positive vibes. We have been removing everything in the house that makes our heart sink a little or brings bad thoughts when we see them.

I'd like to thank every one of you who has visited my blog. Time is precious, especially if you are taking part in the challenge to blog every day, so I am touched that so many of you have taken the time to read my posts and share your thoughts with me.

How can I ever thank you all for your kind comments and good wishes throughout this month and during the past year. I have been so encouraged by all the supportive and caring comments that you have given me.

I was a bit nervous, when I first started this challenge, as it was a step into unknown territory for me. I haven't blogged everyday before and my posts are not usually full of writing. The last time I did any serious writing was for my college course, so I wasn't sure I could do it.

However, I am so glad I did as I have felt a real part of a community. I have enjoyed learning about, and been inspired by, the different lives you lead in all parts of the world. Some of you have difficulties to contend with on a regular basis, but are still incredibly positive and encouraging. I feel I have come to know some of you really well, even though we have never met.

I feel I have made many friends and I look forward to following you in the months and years to come.

I would also like to thank Jenni for a great link up, and for giving me the chance to meet some lovely people that maybe I wouldn't have if it wasn't for this challenge.

Thank you again to each and every one of you for visiting my blog and sticking with me.

Have a great day everyone

Okay, so this is a site full of beautiful pictures of nature. I know it's not something I read but I thoroughly enjoy looking at these stunning photographs. I found this site as I was perusing Stumbleupon and fell in love with it straightaway. These photographs are just a few of my favourite ones. Take a look at more here and here, or click on the images below for these collections.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Bora Bora


The Tunnel of Love - Ukraine


Three times a day this was a passageway for trains and also a lovers walk. It is said the tunnel is used by lovers to make a wish that if they are sincere in their love, their wishes will come true. How magical!

Enjoy your day

My worst trait has to be my perfectionism. I find it incredibly hard not to be overly critical with myself in a lot of things I do. Over the years, this trait has held me back from trying new things. For example, learning to drive, going to dance classes and turning down good job opportunities due to my lack of self confidence.

As I have got older I have got more self-confident. I think this is partly due to having a wonderful partner, who is supportive and makes me feel good about myself as well as realising that, 'if you look for perfection, you will never be content,' as Leo Tolstoy said.

I won't go on to tell you all about the OCD issues I have, including making sure all the labels are facing the right way and checking I've locked the door, numerous times.

Someone once told me to give myself a break and not to be so hard on myself. She said, 'You would
never think those awful thoughts about another person, so don't think them about yourself.' This is a piece of advice I've never forgotten.

I am so not a morning person! I cannot start my day without a cafetiere of coffee to rid me of my morning drowsiness! I am grumpy and my partner has now got used to my groan as he says good morning to me!

My snooze button is my friend; I must hit it five times before I manage to squint out of my eyes! Then I have to try and remember what day of the week we are on! Not good am I?

But what can I say? I am so in love with my duvet. I believe there should be duvet days built into the week!

I have a terrible addiction to Haribo Starmix sweets. I never get sick of them! I get excited when I pull a sweet out of the bag, wondering which one it will it be.

Will it be the cola bottle, the egg or the jelly teddy?

I know that they are bad for me, what rubbish goes into them and I know I need to cut down. I put it down to the sugar rush!

This has probably been one of the hardest life lessons I have learned. In fact, I still struggle with budgeting. Lessons on money management would have made me aware of budgeting instead of thinking 'money grows on trees.'

As a child, I didn't think about how my parents paid the bills; I just took it for granted that we would always have a roof over our heads.

We didn't have holidays and I had a lot of hand-me-downs so I knew they didn't have a lot of money.

This was more of an issue to me as I became a teenager. When I wanted the same things as my friends, I was the typical selfish teenager blaming them for not having much money.

When I left school and started to look for a job I had rather a rude awakening! Firstly, I had no idea how to present myself into the world of work, never mind budget!

I have to say, money burned a hole in my pocket and would still if I didn't keep a check on my spending. I have always found it so easy just to keep swiping my card and lose track.

I had to learn the hard way about budgeting. Getting out of debt was a really difficult part of my life, and I don't want to be like that again, so I have tried to pass the importance of this onto my girls.

My eldest daughter is a bit like I was regarding money. She spends it all and then struggles for the rest of the month. However, my youngest daughter is excellent at budgeting. She knows exactly how much she has got in her account and spends wisely. I have always tried to teach them the value of money, giving them pocket money for chores they have done and opening them savings accounts from an early age.

To keep on the straight and narrow, I have learnt a number of useful tips to pull my finances into order:

I made a spreadsheet on the computer and I put everything we have to pay for on it.

On payday I see how much everything will cost for the month and if we have a little spare, which is not very often, we treat ourselves to maybe a meal out or a night at the cinema.

I started writing everything I was spending down in a daily diary.

If I go on a night out, I leave my bank card at home and just take a certain amount of money and stick to it.

Planning meals for the week and taking a shopping list when I buy groceries has been very effective. It avoids waste and makes impulse buys less likely.

Having said all this, as it's nearly payday, I think I deserve a treat for having blogged every day of this challenge ... just a little one.

my partner pushing more rubbish in the bin even though it is overflowing!
my partner not putting the top on the toothpaste.
people talking loudly on their mobiles at the next table.
people who scrape their teeth with cutlery when eating.
when my personal space is being invaded.
when men wear socks with sandals, get the style police in!
people with bad manners.
when my daughter cracks her knuckles.
people who say they haven't got any pet peeves! What are some of your pet peeves?