25 Things About Me

So, I’m approaching the big 3-0. Not with fear or despair. Not with regret or remorse. But with a feeling that the last 30 years have gone pretty damn quick. When did I become an adult and not a tiny little sparrow as my gran called me.

Writing my 25 things about me is just as much to reflect on who I am at the age of 29 and most of the days that equal being 30, as it is to give an insight to others. So here goes, deep breath.

1. The most influential book I read as a child was Sally’s Secret by Shirley Hughes, and as an adult The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon.

2. I sometimes put plastic or glass in the bin when I’m in a hurry and then have to go and put them in the recycling when it won’t stop niggling me.

3. I sometimes dream in vivid detail about the end of the world. Apparently it’s something to do with a struggle between my conscious and subconscious.

4. I need to be needed. Whether it’s in a crisis, like when my mother in law had a stroke when we were on our honeymoon, or giving advice on weddings, fancy dress, cooking or babies to friends, or at work on PR. I need people to need me; to have a role.

5. Saying I love you is one of the most important and most difficult things to say to the people you care about the most.

6. I love to cook. I love to experiment and create new recipes. I’m not good at making cakes.

7. I have wine and Lindt chocolate and The Apprentice is on in half an hour. I am happy.

8. The smell of the back of my sons’ neck, and apple blossom are the best smells in the world.

9. After I’ve hoovered the house, I empty the bag to see how much dirt I’ve collected.

10. Leaving a job, getting married, going travelling, falling pregnant and setting up a business in one year is possible. Moving house in one year is not possible.

11. I know exactly where my passport, birth certificate, driving license, marriage certificate, national insurance card and spare car keys are.

12. I’ve always been scared and dismissive of clairvoyants but very recently I’ve had an urge to go and see one.

13. I love planning surprises.

14. I sometimes day dream that I save a life or prevent a tragedy.

15. Christmas is a really important time of year for me. I take charge of the buffet trolley and if any of our family traditions including stockings, champagne by the fire, sprout ball (a festive baseball like game) or the crackers were left out, I don’t think I’d ever get over it.

16. I read the newspapers, but sometimes wish I was doing something else instead.

17. I use the name Brian as a term of endearment.

18. My business wouldn’t have succeeded if it wasn’t for some very special people I’ve met along the way – colleagues that have become mentors, mentors that have become friends, Facebook faces who have come to be very important to me, family who have climbed a learning curve with me.

19. One day I want a tea shop.

20. When my baby son passes me his dummy to share it, my heart melts.

21. As Thomas Edison said ‘there’s a way to do it better, find it’.

22. I am sure that my husbands’ grandmother has been following me around since she passed away in July 2008.

23. Salt and vinegar chip sticks are the best crisps ever invented.

24. Doing a live interview for Central News was one of my proudest work moments.

25. Its gone dark and I’ve left the washing on the line. Crap baskets as my husband would say.


p.s. This was written yesterday evening, I'm not drinking wine or eating chocolate at 9.30 in the morning; it is only a Tuesday after all.