Rosie and Jim'ing it...

We've just got back from a lovely 5 days staying with friends on their beautiful narrow boat! I had the most amazing time and I totally loved it, as did Mr. B.  We're even considering hiring one for future holiday plans!

I have some very lovely friends, who realised life is too short and should be fully enjoyed. So they both looked at their loose ends, bought a beautiful boat, were given 'Norman' as a leaving present, and launched into life on the canals for a few years.  They had us to stay as visitors for the last few days on the boat, showed us life on the canals and thoroughly looked after us.

We had such fun learning how to do locks, swing bridges, washing up in small confined spaces and weeing in a drawer!

We were so looked after by our amazing hosts and saw some very beautiful sights. Steam trains, beautiful birds and wildlife, limestone mills and some amazing scenery.

Life on a narrowboat is just lovely, nothing happens very quickly - which is perfect for some r&r time. Lots of cruising, nattering and wine was consumed. It was perfect for a break from our busy lives and I can honestly say I'm very jealous they were off to pursue more of the same and I was off back to work!  

Here we are with Norm and Molly dog on one of our stops.

I'm sure life on the canals isn't always strictly non stop fun, especially in the rain; but we had some quite good weather and it was a lovely break.

Needless to say, although my friend was super thoughtful about her cooking and my eating, I didn't count a single point!  Weigh in will be interesting on Saturday, but d'you know what... I don't mind at all! I had a fab break and I'd love to do it again very very soon!

TTFN, Sammy xx

So I've joined a gym...

A local gym had a good offer on for free joining and a month free, working out how I'm using the pool for swimming - it made economic sense to join! I only need to swim once a week to make it worth it and I get use of all the classes and gym too!

So... Tonight is gym induction, I'm a little nervous to say the least!  But maybe I can finally get off my backside and learn to run in private ish, without worrying about people in cars pointing and staring?! (See previous post!!) Anyhow, I'm going to make use of it and give it a good go.

Wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted xx

Today I gave blood!

Ive been doing it for a few years and today I hit my 20th donation!  I have a personal goal for donations and my next few donations will smash that 😊🎉 

For as long as I can remember my mum and nan have always given blood.  As a child I always went along with them, sat in the hall and asked lots of questions.  I do however, remember going through a strange period of fearing that if they gave blood they'd die and I didn't want them to donate!  Who knows where it came from, but I'm assuming I soon forgot it ha!  Amazing what you remember isn't it.

So when I turned 17 and was studying at sixth form at my senior school and they popped up posters asking for people to join in, I knew I wasn't at all worried about give it a go.  

So off I went, along with my boyfriend at the time...

I didn't like it, it didn't hurt but was a little uncomfortable, but I didn't feel too bad. My boyfriend was finished up before me, came over to the bed to see how I was and tottered off for his tea and biscuits (they're free afterwards you know!) Little did I know that around 40 seconds later, the sound of the yelling 'we've got a fainter!' was in aid of him hehe!  I did have a laugh, but he was ok - although I'm not sure if he ever gave blood again!!

Fast forward 15 years later and I'm still going, every time I'm able and today I hit my 20th donation!  I've had a few breaks through the years, after being tattooed you didn't use to be able to donate for 6 months, so if my timing was off when I got inked I'd miss out. Now you only have to wait 4 months!  Although I would like to have given more by now, 20 will do.  

It's the same as it always was, I'm not keen on needles, sometimes it's a little uncomfortable (like today in a sweltering hall!).  But the staff are the friendliest ever and that hour or so of your time is so well spent!  Times have changed a little, there's no beds anymore, new fandangled tilty chairs. But tea and biscuits are still free!

So my giving blood goal (no I won't stop when I get there) is 22 donations.  This is the amount of blood transfusions my little sister had soon after birth. 

My little sister was born at 24 weeks gestation, weighing 1lb 7oz.  She was one of a twin, but the sole survivor.  If it wasn't for those people who selflessly donated blood - she would not be here with two children of her own, simple as that. She is unable to give blood, as she's received it herself, so I'm more than happy to do so on her behalf. Mum still gives blood, Nanny did up until she couldn't due to her health and I even drag Mr B along sometimes!

So if you've always thought about it and never done it, go along, do something amazing today, give blood ❤️

Here's the website to read about it and check out when they're in your area... 

http://www.blood.co.uk

TTFN, Mrs. B xx

The C Word

Did you see it?  Have you read it?  Have you stumbled on the blog?  No?  GO GO GO now! It's a must.

http://alrighttit.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/C-Word-Lisa-Lynch/dp/1784750476/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430659736&sr=8-1&keywords=the+c+word

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05tr05b/ad/the-c-word

I stumbled across Lisa Lynch's blog when I was googling 'lump in right breast 30 year old'. I know, right? Google you ask? What else is a girl to do!

When I was 18 I had my right nipple pierced.  I thought it was quite cool, it took about 2 years to heal and to be honest it never really did.  It caused me nothing but trouble and I eventually removed it when I was about 21.  Since then, I've had nothing but trouble with it really; I still have a 'hole', it sometimes weeps and bleeds and not necessarily out of the holes on the sides (sorry to be graphic!). I did mention it to the Drs a few times and they gave me a swab kit thing to take a swab of it when it flares up.  Typically it's not always playing up and I can never time it right with a visit to the Drs of course.

Well umpteenth appointment booked after the swab had gone in and low and behold - the Drs lost the swab and therefore could conclude nothing!  So to say I'm well aware of my right boob and it's strange nipple is an under statement!

One day whilst poking and prodding my nipple in the shower, my hand brushed a lump. Hard like a pea on the underside of my right boob. Well, time stood still. I know I'm supposed to check, I'm know I'm supposed to do it often, but you kinda think don't be silly, I'd know if there was something wrong, or Mr B would - should I really have to do all this groping?  I know, the answer is YES.

I jumped out of the shower and did more prodding and poking, it was definitely a lump, I definitely wasn't making it up and it was definitely still there.  It took me a few hours to pluck up the courage to tell Mr B and get him to have a grope and I must admit, my heart in my mouth - I was sure it would be nothing and he wouldn't be able to feel it. (N.B I am a hypercondriacht most of the time) I was wrong.

So to t'internet I turned and somehow stumbled on Lisa's blog.  Now I'm not one for reading back pages of a book first, so I started at the very beginning.  A few posts in and I was convinced Google probably wasn't the way forward and I ought to actually book an appt with the Drs.  So, I braved it, booked an appointment and told my mum. She's had a few lumps (we're a lumpy lot apparently!) and was quite a pro, very calm and told me she was sure it was nothing.

Whilst waiting for the appointment, I carried on a few posts a night reading Lisa's blog, getting to know her story, feeling like I was getting to know Lisa and found out about the charity Coppafeel! Founded by another young lady with breast cancer.  No matter how scared I was of the appointment, they both convinced me through their writing that this was what I should be doing.

So... The day arrived and I went by myself convinced they would feel nothing, until the Dr kinda shouted like a eureka moment - oooh I've got it! Yes def a lump, we'll get you referred straight away. They will see you within 10 days, they will explain all about the appointment and you will get the results there and then. Well Shit. That wasn't what I was expecting!

And so the panicking began, I carried on reading more of Lisa's blog and googling shit really began!

Now true to their word, they had me in in under 10 days, an appointment I needed to leave a few hours for and bring someone with me.

So Mr B and I hit the QA hospital, and took up waiting in the appropriate room.  This room is one in which women entered in 3 ways... nervous, jubliant or crying.  I later found out, after each test the ladies were returned to this room. And so the wait began....

Nurse number 1 found the lump, but was sure it was fine, but nevertheless sent me through to be scanned.  So next I got to strip off again in front of a new set of strangers, they had a good feel, nurse number 2 found the lump and it was then ultra sounded. Back to the waiting room. Back to nurse number 1 for the verdict or more tests.  

Thankfully, and I do thank my lucky stars and everything else I possibly can, that I got the good news that I am the proud owner of a fatty lump. A fatty lump that is now a sitting tenant, one that is going nowhere, but nonetheless one that is causing or meaning me no harm and one that is certainly not trying to see me off.

I am so thankful to Lisa and Coppafeel for making my mind up for me, for convincing me to tell people and to get it checked out. 

For me I'm so thankful that the appointment was just for peace of mind, and so pleased how it turned out.  But I am only too aware it could have been terribly different, that for others that day it was very different and that appointment can be the difference between life and death. We all know catching it early is important.

Which then brings me back to Alright Tit. For Lisa it wasn't good news, her blog is completely open about breast cancer, surgery and treatment and the fact it can happen to someone so young.  I got to the end of the blog, in floods of tears, having realised I have been reading the words of someone who is no longer here. Lisa died of cancer, she was 33.  An important story for us all.  It can happen to anyone.

Lisa published a book and started to orchestrate for it to be made into a one off documentary before her premature death, and a very powerful one at that.  Kris the founder of Coppafeel! features in the documentary and has made her own documentary about her story and her battle.  

Out of the four women mentioned in The C Word, Kris is the only one still here, the other three have sadly lost their battles. 

Coppafeel! is campaigning for everyone to check themselves, to make themselves aware, seek medical help where needed and to catch this awful disease early wherever possible and to bring it to our schools as part of education.

So for me? Well I'm lumpy.  But if I find another one, I'll be straight there for medical help.  It wasnt scary, the medical professionals made me feel at ease and comfortable and that's an important thing for everyone to know.  I will now be checking myself religiously, I promise!

Coppafeel! Are an amazing charity, pop along to their web page and support them and let's make people's futures brighter ❤️ 

http://coppafeel.org

Lisa's blog, book and documentary is a harrowing truthful read, an honest and brutal account of a young lady who battled cancer. It's insightful, informative, humorous at times and downright sad.  But it's definitely worth a read.

So the moral of the story... Go grope yourself, have a good feel, make yourself familiar with your body and seek help if needed.

Awareness is key ♥️

Thanks for listening, Sammy xx

I'm a very proud wicked step mother!

Ok, so I'm not quite so wicked (not all the time anyways!) but I am a very proud step mum!!

This weekend my step daughter Lauren, attempted and succeeded in running her very first marathon. The London Marathon!

When she told us after running 10 miles in the Great South Run in October 2014; that she had applied and been accepted to run the marathon, I was shocked to say the least!  But so very pleased for her, a big tick off the bucket list right there.

Lauren started running last year and has just smashed it completely!  We are so so proud of her. What an achievement. 

Lauren has raised almost £3000 for the National Autistic Society, in honour of one of her friends beautiful daughters.  Here is her link if you'd like to have a read and of course, any donations most welcome!!! https://www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Barcroft2/

We went with Lauren to the start of the race, as far as we could, and she was surprisingly calm for someone about to run 26 miles. Time for a quick snap with both parents and step parents and she was through the gates and ready for the off!

Lauren smashed her first 10k in just over an hour and certainly kept us busy running around London after her. (Please note, I did not take part in any running!) We tracked her on the marathon app and managed to monitor her progress while cheering everyone else as well along the way.

We met up with Lauren's friends and saw a fleeting glimpse of her running past at mile 14. Just after the half way mark this picture was taken - we were able to cheer her on and supply painkillers and drinks on the way.  

The noise around London was deafening, so much support for our special runner, our friend and our family.  Wherever we were, even if we couldn't see the runners, we could hear the roar of the cheerers. London you did us proud!

We then managed to catch her again at around mile 21 and despite the tears (from us all, not just Lauren) she soldiered on and smashed through the finish line at 5 hours 17 minutes.

Well what can I say.... Lauren we are so proud of you, you set yourself an enormous challenge and you have well and truly smashed it. Watching you run around London was just amazing and truly humbling. What you can do when you set your mind to it has no limits, you've proved this.  

You are an amazing person, one I am so glad to know and love and so proud to call you part of my family. You are an inspiration and truly my hero.

So go on people, if that's not worth a couple of quid in late sponsorship, I don't know what is!  

Thank you to all our friends and family who have donated, you've certainly spurred Lauren on to achieve her goal. But truthfully, it was all down to Lauren. She's the one who has worked two jobs while studying for her uni place, taken time out to run and really train and to finish the London Marathon. Massive respect lady and big big love!!  The champers is on me ❤️❤️ 

Love you xxxxx

Why PETA piss me off....

So yesterday saw the 2015 Grand National at Aintree. A race watched by millions of viewers, young and old alike and an estimated quarter of the whole UK adult population placing a bet on the big race. 

A great day, I love it - we all place a bet, down to the youngest in the family, my two year old neice - who picked the blue one as her favourite colour. We all sat and watched and screamed at the telly and we all lost our money graciously. I've never had a problem with horse racing, but apparently it's a controversial sport these days, well according to the fabled PETA anyway.

PETA write some highly controversial articles themselves, sensationalising highlighted points for their own 'greater good' and are quite happy to only give a one sided view to anything they write about. 

Now I'm all for people having their own opinions, but please form them with some research yourself not just by listening to some half arsed one sided drivel that someone is forcing on you!  Don't even get me started on the fox hunting stance!

So I saw a PETA article yesterday about how bad the Grand National is and how we should all not be supporting such a barbaric sport. So let me just put my own views out there...

A horse will not run if it does not want to. Trust me, first hand experience of owning horses proved this point to me time and time again. No amount of shouting, whipping, kicking, or any kind of gentle persuasion would make my old mare move if she didn't want to. She was more likely to reverse at high speed if she didn't want to do something you've asked of her. No joke. 

I believe this was also demonstrated at the National yesterday. So... anyone see it? See the coverage of the loose horse which lost it's rider over the first few fences? Yep the one who had the free choice to stop, graze, run on the flat... Did it? Nope! It was up the front leading the way over the jumps, all by itself!! Not even following the crowd, actually in the front doing what it was bred and loves to do. 

Excessive use of the whip. Is NOT allowed! Yes to an untrained eye a jockey 'whipping the wind' looks like he is using his crop on his horse, I assure you they are not! (NB there are some she's in racing too, apologies for generalising!) a jump jockey is not permitted to strike his horse no more than 8 times in a race and there are very high penalties by the British Horse Racing Authority for any jockey not adhering to this. Further more jockeys use air cushioned whips to minimise the impact on horses.

Drugging horses is not allowed. People get banned for it, as highlighted in their article - contradiction somewhat?!

Horses die on the racetrack. Yes they do. But horses also die in their field minding their own business too (from personal experience). Wouldn't you rather die doing something you love? 

My healthy pony who was kicked in a field by another horse and had his leg broken, sadly the op didn't work and he had to be put to sleep. 

PETA also state 'it's all about the money'. Ok, well what do you do your job for? I, not ordinarily being a betting lady myself, would simply bet a proportion of the reason you do your job is money! 

Jockey's are the only sports people I ever see, congratulating each other, commiserating with each other and truly cheering each other on. Yes it's all about the race, but these people who race against each other are one big team. Isn't that what sportsmanship should be about?  

See the National coverage yesterday after Many Clouds won? The only thing his trainer was interested in was the horses well being and could not concentrate on the interview given, until it was made clear to him all was ok.

There's loads of other points I could address, but frankly I'd bore you all to tears. Please just remember when reading such articles, that these could be one sided, could be not researched very well, and hey it's t'internet... Simply might not be true! I don't expect you to agree with me, but do read around a subject before sharing and believing for fact.

Thanks for listening!

TTFN, Sammy xx

P.s..... All 39 horses that raced yesterday are all alive and all well. A nasty fall for one, which looked like it might result in tragedy has thankfully not. 

Quick catch up!

So it's been a month.... It's meant lots of training, meeting new people, learning new things and it's been fabulous! I've been having such fun, I'm so exhausted from all the brain exercise, but I can say my new job is fab and I've loved it!

It's nerve racking starting a new job, everything being new, the people already being friends and learning how to fit in; but d'ya know.... It's been fine, they are all lovely. (That and one of the girls that works there is one of my best friends who I've known for over 20 years!)

I'm so pleased I plucked up the courage and left my old job, I hated it more than I could ever express and it was just soul destroying. Try as I might, I can't even remember the black place it put me in now, even though it's little more than a month ago I left.  I took a pay cut to get out, didn't get as close to home as I'd like, but it's marvellous. I can go back to being happy - and really that's all that counts!

So I have loads to tell you, pampered chef parties, weightwatchers, complaints, shopping.... Bear with me! So much to say, so little time!

TTFN, Sammy xx