The next journey

Hi guys,

As time passes and technology changes, there will be some major upheaval happening soon. I hope my loyal followers will think about maybe follow me onto the next journey. For those who are unable or are not wanting to (total respect to you, you do what makes you happy as I will still follow you) thank you for your loyalty.
These last two days, I have been going to a social media skills workshop and it has been great so far. This has encouraged me to do what I feel is beneficial to my goals and personal aspirations. Hence the reason why I will be writing my new blog on my new website. I will keep you updated on how things progress.
Back soon x

Conjoined Twins

I have just come across some lovely news on BBC News website and thought I would share it with you.

It is of conjoined twins, Rosie and Ruby being successfully separated. They were born on the 26^th July and had their surgery the day after. Rosie and Ruby were joined at their abdomen where they shared a part of the intestine.

Rosie and Ruby

Both girls are now at home with their parents, Mr and Mrs Formosa are happy and relieved to have them home.

It is really good to hear stories with a happy outcome like this as there are other conjoined twins who are unfortunately aren’t as lucky.

Conjoined twins, Saba and Farah from Patna in India have immersed the attention of India and the country’s Supreme Court by ordering the government to help them. The court has ordered the Bihar government to treat the girls at a top government hospital but the twin’s family has refused.

They are scared for endangering the girls’ lives which has raised questions about their uncertain future.

Saba and Farah are joined at the head, they share an artery that carries blood to their hearts and while Farah has two kidneys, Saba has none.

With a lack of financial help and the twins’ health deteriorating, the family of ten are slowly losing patience. They live in a thin walled, two roomed building with a tin roof above their father’s shop which is their only source of income.

Due to the deteriorating health, sadly the girls are unable to do everyday tasks such as having baths or household chores or even visiting their grandmother.

In 2005, Abu Dhabi’s own prince, Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan offered to bear the costs of the surgery but again the family refused.

Both of the girls have aspirations, Saba aiming to be a doctor so she can help children like herself and Farah wants to be a teacher.

Bollywood actor,  Salman Khan who the twins are avid fans of, invited them to his home and gifted them 50,000 rupees (£580) in cash on Raksha Bandhan, an Indian festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. The girls have hopes pinned that he will help them more financially but are unable to reach him.

The family want the state government to help pay them a monthly allowance to take care of the girls’ medical needs and diet.

Their mother is frustrated with the lack of help and broken promises.

I feel this is a very sad case and makes you realise how fortunate we are to live with free health care and living in a proper home. I just hope that the girls do get some help and have chances to fulfil their dreams.

A tale in the strand.

Hello everyone,

it has been a few weeks since I last wrote a post so I thought I would share my new hair style with you in the meantime.

Although you can't see it properly, you can tell that it is much longer than it used to be as I have spent so long trying to decide what to do with it; should I cut it, should I let it grow or should I dye it again etc.

There is still a hint of red to it and to be honest, it looks kind of natural on pictures don't you think? I have decided to let it be its natural shade to let my hair re-condition itself again. I do use conditioner on it every time I have it washed but from experience of many loved ones, it does not do your hair good to let your hair be natural for a little while.

Don't get me wrong, I myself have dyed my hair different colours over the years but I know the damage it can do when you keep on dying it regularly. I'm going to share a few pics of my different hair colours.





Me with different shades of brown







Me with blonde hair

 

 

Me with blonde hair again

 

Me with chocolate brown hair

 

Me with purple hair

 

Me. I love this!

 

Me with funky red hair

 

Me with my hair when black was fading slowly back to brown

 

As you can see I like to change my hair both in styles and colours. Which do you think I suit the most?
I'm going to show you what it is like at the moment. 

This is me with my best friend.

 

My hair is quite plain at the moment with hints of red around. The length is around my jaw line although one side is slightly shorter than the other due to a style I had when I last had it cut. Who knows what style I will have next?!? Wait and see... 



Introducing Little Miss Dinky's E.D.S Diary

While I was away in Blackpool when I was busy trying to get to sleep in my hotel room, I began thinking about my next move in my life... it was late through the night and I was kept awake by numerous hotel guests walking past my room drunkily talking out loud! This started my brain into thinking mode... I started thinking about writing an online diary of my experience in living with a rare condition - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

When I came home, I was still mulling over the idea of it and as my friend was texting me, I randomly asked her what she thought of my idea... Well she thought the idea was great!

Here a day or so later, I have written it. I hope you all will get to read it at some point and hopefully share it onto your Facebook walls, Twitter tweets etc and where ever else you think sees fit.

The main idea of it is to raise awareness of E.D.S to the general public, to the medic profession and hopefully the media.

Anyway there is more about it on the blog itself... littlemissdinkysedsdiary.blogspot.co.uk

 

:-) see you soon peeps!

Seeing Blake

This Saturday just gone, I went to see Blake with my friend at The Forum. I loved it! When I was younger, I wasn’t particularly into classical but over the past few years, I’ve grown to love it. My taste in music is varied, from rock to pop, to dance over to classical etc.

Blake. Courtesy of wikipedia.

This was a rare occasion where both I and my friend dressed up so smartly. I had bought a long, beautiful purple dress with a tiny bit of detail that was little diamantes near the straps. I wore gorgeous silver, diamante jewellery set with a matching hair slide pinning the side of my hair up. My friend wore a tie and shirt. He had forgotten that I told him my dress was purple and he wore a purple tie, ha ha! Our outfits were perfect for a classy night enjoying classical music.

Anyway back to Blake, I was rather excited to see them J for those of you who don’t know who they are, well let me tell you a bit about them. They are a classical boy band (in their own words) which consist of four guys; Stephen Bowman, Jules Knight, Humphrey Berney and Ollie Baines. They have achieved overseas success selling over one million records with three international releases, two of which were nominated for Album of the Year in the UK; one is a classical Brit Award winner.

They have toured the world and even supported Katherine Jenkins on her tour. Often they have sung for charity, such as Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK, and the British Heart Foundation and Forces charities such as Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and the Army Benevolent Fund. The song ‘Beautiful Earth’ was released as the WWF’s anthem for Earth Hour 2010.

The show consisted of the boys and their musician, Martin who played on the grand piano, keyboard and the Apple Mac. As a guest featured the local Abbey Musical Theatre group who sang as our choir who were good.

Blake on stage.

Blake sang many of their songs, some covers such as Chasing Cars, God Only Knows. Whatever song whether it be an original or a cover, they always put their stamp on it and it is always good to hear. They took us on a bit of an emotional journey. In the middle of the show, the emotion went quite sad and emotional with the boys dedicating one song to Jule’s late father and a song to Berney’s late sister with dedications to the Forces. One song that captivated me was Lullaby; I could feel my eyes welling up. Before things got too morbid, they soon sang more uplifting songs. We got an exclusive performance of their new upcoming single, Start Over is really uplifting and I felt it is perfect timing for me as I’m trying to start a new in my life.

You cannot fault the boys voices, they were just spot on. The harmonies blend beautifully. I couldn’t decide whose voice I love the most as they are all good.

One great highlight of the night was meeting Blake, this was after the show. Prior to the show starting, I and my friend bought a programme and a CD each. We got signed when we met the boys. Barney and Ollie seemed really chatty with me, with Ollie making a little joke about us colour coordinating and with the back rest of my wheelchair. I still can’t believe how nervous I felt when I met them, my voice went a bit wobbly or it felt like it did! I thought it was really kind of them to write a nice message to me in my programme and posed for me when I asked to take a group photo. I was very happy and excited about meeting these four handsome young men. I hope I get to meet them again when they tour here next time. Hopefully I won’t get as nervous next time and that they will remember me which I’m sure they will, as most people never seem to forget me (for some unknown reason).

From left to right; Ollie, Jules, Stephen and Berney

After all the excitement of seeing and meeting Blake, me and my friend decided to just go for a drink before we head back home.  I even had my first alcohol drink in a few months! Only one for me though. J So overall, great company, brilliant show, feeling glamorous and meeting the boys meant I had a very lovely night indeed!

My signed message off the boys.

http://youtu.be/D0AH3JqFvEU This is Blake's Start Over music video. Enjoy!

Metal Manicure!!

Just seen these new nail art... Metal Mani!!

Photo courtesy of Company Magazine 2012

I think they look totally crazy and fabulous!! Although I don't see myself having every single nail decorated with 3D spikes and/or skulls as it could cost a fortune and be impractical, I would love to have them on my ring fingers.

I am always looking for ways to jazz up the black nail varnish and think this is a great way to spike them up! What do you think? Have a look at the picture I've posted and see what you think. Then look at my nails as they are at the moment.

What have you done with your nails that are arty and funky? Especially with black nail varnish...

 

Lack of vocabulary in music.

Just want to have a little rant! It is not like to do so... but quite frankly, there is no need for it. What am I going on about, you ask?

Well let me tell you J... firstly, I do not have a problem with swearing personally. Why do all these music artists think it’s acceptable to use bad language in their songs?!! I think it makes the song sound degrading when I hear swearing used regularly in it. There are so many negative words that could be used instead. Yes you hear swearing every day, it has become a part of the daily vocabulary and it doesn’t bother me, except for those who use it in every sentence they speak.

I have parents who are from the era where ‘your mouth should be washed out with soap!’ so yes, they don’t like hearing it. My dad does swear on the odd occasion when something has gone wrong which is appropriate unlike those who use it every other word! There is a time and a place, I feel. A good example that I can think of is, when you watch an action film, there is a lot of swearing but when you see a rom com film, there’s hardly any, that is because it totally doesn’t fit in with the situation, it is quite off putting. Do you see my point?

Back to music, music is listened to by a wide variety of people of all ages, especially children. I feel that children should not hear bad language; they pick up habits so easily and don’t necessarily know when the appropriate time and place to do things like swearing. I personally want to protect them. So I certainly wouldn’t want to hear little children singing the words like “Party and b******t”. So why swear in music?? Find proper words to use. It makes so much sense to me.

Sorry for the rant, I just needed to get it out. I just feel these record companies should take note about their influence on their younger fans.

Undateable?!

Looking on Facebook, at a page that I ‘Like’ has raised an issue which I hold closely to my heart. The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK has been approached by a production company that is currently in the making its second series of ‘Undateables’.

I personally have mix views on the term ‘undateable’ in reference to disabled people on the dating scene. People are trying to steer people away from labelling the disabled from such terminology not reinforcing it. If someone called me as it, I would certainly be upset as I feel it is making me look like a freak.

I am all for raising awareness for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome but just not this way; this is a negative way to do so. Why can’t there be a more positive way, there is a start with Cherylee (as you are aware from a previous blog post of mine) but it isn’t enough. One idea I have is to create a documentary of various EDS sufferers as in a diary form for a certain period of time to give people (viewers) an insight into what it is like to live with and how we all cope with it. There are many different types of EDS so it would be interesting and educational to be aware of all the different symptoms. This is only brief explanation of my idea. What do you think?

Anyway back to the focus of this blog post, it was a long time ago since I was last dating someone (daren’t say how many years, lol!) so I’m a little out of my depth in the dating scene. Back then, my EDS wasn’t affecting me as much as it is now I am older – probably the only way I can think of to describe the difference. I was not aware of how much the EDS affect the people around me. Perhaps I was just young and naive with being young and carefree.

Sometimes just doing the simplest tasks, I have to ask for help, which I know most people don’t mind helping, but it makes me wonder how that would affect my future relationships, how would a potential partner strike the balance between being the boyfriend/partner and the carer? Do people really see beyond the disability they see or know of? If I met someone, would they take me seriously or just see me as many have so far, just a friend? These are just thoughts that circle round in my head.

Like many ‘able-bodied’ people, I enjoy socialising, having fun and trying to do things like others my age do. Sharing interests and hobbies with people is something I definitely don’t have any problems with. Maybe it doesn’t help the fact that I am quite shy and anxious around meeting new people in this particular scenario.

So yeah that kind of explains my reasons for having mix feelings about the subject and that sort of brings me round to the dreaded question... because I have a disability, does that make me 'undateable'??

Just passing a bit of time, with Take That!

Hi peeps!!

 

I have spent the past 2 hours watching Take That videos on You Tube and I just want to comment the big grin on my face. :-)

 

As you are all aware, I'm a huge fan of the man band and have been for a very long time. First I started watching interviews, mostly with Jason, he just comes across as sweet, intelligent and calming in his demeanour. Obviously my opinions are based on what you see in interviews, tours and behind the scenes in various situations, but I don't think I've ever read a negative note written about him.

 

Then following in watching solo interviews, I decided to watch videos from their The Circus Live Tour which happens to be my favourite concert of all time. I don't think there is one bit to not to like. Sometimes I watch Take That's other tours and TV shows but always come back to The Circus.

 

Take That and Kim Gavin (not to mention, the brilliant Gareth Walker) are legendary in building a show together! They make it into something spectacular, something you will cherish for the rest of your lives. It's not just a show about a group singing their songs but performing in various scenarios and themes. I have always said that even if you are not a fan of Take That, you have to see their shows to just feel the passion, the show of a lifetime. It's a show in itself! As you can see in the following picture.

 

So yeah I have a very big grin on my face and I hope you do too when you see one of their shows especially The Circus Live Tour. :-)

The Penny Has Dropped!

I think the penny has dropped! After a few weeks of speculating and circling around in my mind; it has dawned on me why I have been struggling with ideas. Finding ideas as subjects to write about that is.

When I was at college, there was the interaction of the other students and the coursework which stirred the thoughts in my mind but now I am not at college anymore. Although I loved it immensely and miss it terribly, I found it extremely tiring going in every day. There was always some sort of conversation when I was at college which I thoroughly enjoyed. I could say that I was having a good student’s social life; going to college, then going out on the town for nights out, college socials, birthday parties, and even class trips out.

Now partly due to being in a lot of pain and discomfort and other reasons, I rarely have nights out, day trips out, birthday parties and socials which is normal for when you leave college. In fact, I rarely go out at all, partly I’m happy about and don’t always feel up to being out and about but also partly leaves me wondering about things. Sometimes doing what your body tells you it needs, doesn't always agree with the creative mind.

However, please note that this is not me complaining, because I can assure you I’m not. This is just an explanation of me explaining why I think I am struggling with ideas. I think it is fair to say that inspiration comes from experience and visualisation of the outside world, not from doing the usual things that are not necessarily creative. Am I making sense? I’m not sure...

As a child, I was forever writing stories (which included having my friends as characters), playing out on the street and making crafty things which in a sense were what I called fun. These were when I weren’t at school, obviously. J

Now that I am older, I hardly draw or make crafty things, socialise with as many people as I once did, it is harder to find the inspiration I need. Verging on the conscious mind, I feel I am beginning to feel frustrated with myself for not having the inspiration I so dearly crave for. Reading this, you would probably just tell me to get out more, which is the right thing to do, depending on the circumstances but as you know, this is getting more difficult for me to do so. I mean with the Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and the pain it’s causing me to be in.

Thankfully I have the love and understanding of my dear family, who I hold dear to my heart and all of my friends, those who I see regularly, those who I see from time to time and those who chat to me occasionally online. They always show an interest in whatever I write or whatever I need checking over. This is I am extrememly thankful for. :-)
I know I will find the inspiration again soon, somehow, just got to believe in that it will happen.

So yeah the penny has dropped, hasn’t it?!!

Life Without Music

Life Without Music

Like many people, I have grown up with music in my life. A question I ask myself, what would life be like if music did not exist, this is my stance on what my life would be like without music.

My life would be dull; there would be nothing to release my emotion, whatever state of mind I am in at the time. I listen to music every day, from the minute I wake up to the moment I am going to bed. In the mornings, it helps me wake up, to shake off the tense, stiff muscles and to rev me up for the day. When I am getting ready to go out on a night out, again music is played, to help fire me up, dancing away in my room. It inspires me to write poetry and trying to make sense of whatever is going on in my mind.

 

We as a nation tend to take music for granted. It is everywhere; you cannot escape a melody or a beating drum. Just think when you switch on the television, the starting credits of your favourite programme, on the adverts (see the reference between the car and the chosen song, as an example - the Chrysler Brand Relaunch UK TV Advert 2012, it is drawing upon its gritty, urban reputation and the song (Heart of the City by Jay-Z) it is often referred to focus on urban poverty and hopelessness.

 

Music is a universal language. It brings people, from different countries and diverse communities together. It is all to the emotion of the music being played. Everyone goes through happiness, fear and sadness.

 

Throughout history, music has brought us together in unison. In 1940, the French Composer, Olivier Messiaen wrote Quartet For The End of Time. At 31 years old, France entered war against Nazi Germany. He was captured by the Germans and then imprisoned in a prisoner of war camp. Fortunately enough, he was lucky to find a sympathetic guard who gave him paper and a place to compose. Already he lined up his three fellow inmates who were musicians: a violinist, a cellist, a guitarist and a clarinetist. With all the hunger, hopelessness and dreariness, it makes you wonder how he could find the time to create such a piece but it just shows through the darkest times, music brings the people together. This shows that people turn to music for comfort.

An example of how music affects from around the world, in America, an Orthopedic Surgeon. When she was a junior doctor, during a Hip operation and the surgeon in charge requested music to be played. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon was played and it fitted so perfectly. What with all staff dressed in the spaceman outfits, I can only imagine how incredible that must have been to witness. The beating of the anaesthetic machine and all the other sounds in the operating theatre are all forms of music.

 

This brings me to talk about another reason why we take music for granted, because the universe is just made up of matter vibrating at different speeds and frequencies, which in essence is music.

 

I think as I grow older, music will continue to be a great love in my life. As long as there is music, my life will be excited, moved and inspired. Whatever life throws at the world, music will continue to unite the world in many different ways.

To Be By The Seaside!!

Hello to you.

It’s been a little while since I last wrote a post, and it has been almost 29 hours since I got back from my week away. I went to Blackpool with my parents and it was a good week.

We went on Monday 25^th June, briefly stopped by to see my lovely Grandad in Preston. This was on the way to Blackpool, plus it broke the journey up which was nice.

The sun was shining and somehow I knew that the sun was to remain to be out for the rest of the week. It only rained for about ten mins and through the night, which when you’re staying in a static caravan, it amplifies. Fortunately while we were basking in the sunshine, it was like a swimming pool back in Barrow!!

Over the week, I spent a bit of time shopping where I bought some new dresses, shoes, handbags and a hat. I didn’t overspend for once! I went to the new casino which was exciting and daunting… thankfully I have good willpower when it comes to my pennies!! Think I’ve introduced my dad to Roulette, I told him once you get the hang of it, it is fairly easy to play which he found out. We won about £5.

We spent a day in Cleveleys which is a lovely little place. I recommend you to visit sometime.

Also we had a little wander along Blackpool promenade but it was very windy. I found something that I’m good at… the Camel/Donkey Derby!! I managed to win 2 Meerkat cuddly toys!! Yay!! I always wanted a Meerkat, they are so cute. I had 2 old dears asking what they were called ha ha!! Don’t think they realised how old I actually was, bless them. I like old dears, even in the M&S café, I struck up little conversations with 2 separate ladies, one in particular on the next table.

Every night at the caravan site, which was Marton Mere, owned by Haven Holidays, me and my dad went to the club room to watch the evening entertainment. It was good. For 3 of the nights, the shows were done by the Funstars/Red or Blue coats (to you or me) and there was one girl, S, lovely as she seemed, had a very high pitched voice, you could tell her by a mile off! If you ever get to see my videos, you will see what I mean. There were people, who had put their fingers in their ears as her voice was too much by the 3^rd night. Thankfully on the 4^th/last night, it was a Cabaret act, a guy on his own. He was really good, he covered the likes of Robbie Williams, Bon Jovi, Queen, The Killers, McFly, The Temptations, The Drifters and so on.

The rest of the time, we spent our time in cafes and amusement arcades. So yes, it was a fun week!!

How was your week?

Arty Farty Drawing of Adam Lambert

Hiya peeps. How are you all doing? I've been working on a little drawing that I would like to share with you. It is of Adam Lambert. It took me a few days to complete it but it is all of my own work. I hope you like it, I want to draw another famous person so if you can think of anyone, then let me know via here, tweet me or on Facebook. Please can yOu click on the link on Twitter at the bottom of the blog page as I'm unable to post any pictures direct at the present time. Sorry for any inconvience peeps. See ya soon!

Sisterly Adventure

Sitting there at the train station waiting for my sister, Claire to arrive. I was extremely excited! Again we were going to Manchester, it's one place where I feel at home, other than Barrow. After a few hours on the train, we were soon at Manchester Piccadilly. When we got into a black cab taxi, the driver remembered picking us up around 6 months previously. That was when we went to see Dirty Dancing - The Stage Show. Both me and Claire were surprised at the fact he remembered how long ago it was. Funny how out of all the drivers, we chose to get in one that had picked us up once before! Soon, at the Travelodge, having a quick drink before we headed back out. Claire had to take some bits back to the shops and I ended up buying 2 jackets in New Look. One of which was a bargain! I wore one that same night with my coral dress and brogue shoes. Although they both fitted lovely on me. Again back at the hotel, we were getting dressed up ready to go the MEN Arena. Claire had got us tickets to see STEPS on their reunion tour. When they were around the first time, I was a huge fan but never got the chance to see them live. So this time, I wanted to see them as I may not get another chance to see them. Unfortunately, the first support act, Kamaliya, you couldn't hear her over the music. The music seemed pretty dancey. The other support act, Shockolady, well let's just say, she was certainly shocking! Although Mr Smith who featured on one of her songs, was really good. He was a rapper, cor he rapped fast! STEPS finally came on. We had great seats! We were moved as they thought it would be easier for us and it meant we sat pretty close to the stage. Least to say I was a happy Little Miss! ;-) I definately want to sit along these seats again in the future, maybe a few seats up closer towards the stage will do nicely.

STEPS performed all of their hits, such as, 5,6,7,8, Tragedy, Here and Now, Chain Reaction and many, many more. The whole time they were on the stage, I was just about up on my feet the whole time. You can only imagine how tired and sore I was afterwards! Even took my shoes off so I could dance more. It was worth it though. Then before we knew it, the show finished. Everyone was up on their feet apart from Claire who was taking good duty oft the camera. We went back to the hotel, felt nice to lie back in bed watching the telly, ha! Ha!

 The next day, Friday, both of us were up early and out of the hotel by 11ish. There was plenty of shopping to be done! We did a bit of shopping then had some dinner in the Arndale Food Court. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the shops. I literally shopped 'til I dropped! I bought a Lady Gaga Tee shirt, matching leggings, a bright funky pair of leggings, some vest tops, a pair of wedged shoes and a flat pair. A handbag and some other bits. I was very happy with what I had bought. Spent up and loaded up with shopping bags, together we headed back to the hotel. Again we got ready to go out that night. We were going to Nando's for tea. Neither of us had been before and we enjoyed it. I tried a chicken pitta and their coated fries and ate most of it. I also got a pudding but it was very sickly so had to leave it.

 After eating, we went over to the cinema to watch Titanic in 3D. I had never watched anything in 3D before, founds parts of it a bit blurryr. I kept thinking it was my eyes playing up but Claire thought the same. However, I was amazed at how big the cinema was, it had 20 screens. You can tell I'm just a small town lass! Ha! Ha! The seats were nice and comfy, think I was on the dinky side for them. It was nice to do something different. I was feeling tired by the time we got back to the hotel room.

I hadn't had a nap in the 2 days we were there which is unlike me. Claire made me a hot chocolate but I fell asleep before I could finish it. I was ready for the bit of a lie-in the next day. Slowly we left the hotel making our way for Piccadilly. We stopped by in a few shops along the way. I made my last purchase in Urban Outfitters, a book about fashion over the years. I just wish that they sold clothes that could fit me. They had some awesome boots that I loved. They were Jeffrey Campbell Black Lita Spike Lace-up boots. Quite punky!

 We had some dinner at the station and sat in some sun while waiting for the train. I began to feel a bit sad inside as I had a brilliant time with my sister. I can't wait for us to do it again in a few months time.

This and That...

It's been a fair few days since I last wrote to you peeps. As this is an unplanned blog post, please bear with me in any mistakes or repetition that may arise. Finally I went and picked up my laptop from PC WORLD's KNOW HOW centre to find that both the software and hardware had become faulty. They didn't say why it had happened but I was just glad to see it again. Thankfully they replaced my battery charger as well. Fingers crossed that it won't have any more problems in the future. Although my friend A has been checking her Facebook out on it, I haven't had the chance to go on it myself yet properly. Can't wait to play on my The Sims 3! This weekend I am looking forward to it. Although I enjoyed last weekend as there was some much needed partying to undertake, it's just all catching up on me now. Ha ha! Tonight I am going out for a bit with my dad, we haven't done anything together for a while so it will be lovely. I like a bit of father and daughter time. Tomorrow my bestie E is treating me to the local theatre to watch her nephew in a show, again me and her haven't done anything in particular for a while so it'll be good. Friday, I have Hydro in the afternoon, can't wait! Haven't been since before Easter and can feel several aches and pains. Then the night A is coming over for a girls sleepover. We're planning on doing face masks, nails, few munchies and some films. This is our way of relaxing before her birthday night out on Saturday. Saturday I am going out for tea and going out into town. It is a fancy dress theme, I decided to dress as Britney Spears from her Hit Me Baby One More Time video. I'm still trying to find a long blonde wig to put into plaited pigtails! It's the only thing I need to finish my outfit. That's all I think of at the moment. At least you can see my tweets to keep up to date as well now, what do you think of it?

Hi peeps! Today my lovely hairdresser came to chop my locks as it was looking like a mop. The style had completely grown out and I just couldn't wait to get it cut again.

After trying several times to upload the pics of my new hair, it won't let me with me using my iPad. So when I can, I will upload it so you can see for yourself. Then you can see what you think of it.

It's very short and edgy (as someone - one of my followers on Twitter said). My mum was saying how I've always said that I wouldn't ever get it short but here I am doing just that! Ha ha!!

Speak to you soon peeps. Bye for now. Xx

Itsa bitsa!!

Just a quick-ish note to keep you updated...

Only 2 days ago was when I had to take my laptop to KnowHow in PC World. It's like the 4th time it has been sent away to be repaired. It sounds sad but I really miss it when I don't have it, it's kinda like my way out into the big wide world and to do my assignments. Many hours I spend being lost in the world of Sims. But thankfully I have my iPad to gain access to the net.

I haven't got Hydro til the 20th April now as it is getting cleaned out and the physiotherapists are on holiday for Easter. My body really misses it. But these things can't be helped.

Today I have felt lousy and drained. So just spent the day sleeping and resting. Hopefully I will feel better by tomorrow.

The blog post about the Charity: Water will have to wait til I get my laptop back, sorry about that. It's just typical, I get halfway through something for something to happen. Ha ha! I think you will find it interesting and thought-provoking when you do see it.

I am thinking of a few ideas to write about in the meantime. Possibly about the closure of the local private school is one idea I have, what do you think about private schooling? Share your thoughts...

I have also set up an account on Tumblr for any of you who might want to follow me on there. However I am still getting my head round how to use it properly. It is completely different to blogspot.com which in some ways it is probably more interactive. I think my username is little miss dinky, just like on here, although I'm sure you clever lot should be able to find me on there with no bother ;-)

That's what I just wanted to say for now as I'm going to head off to bed, hoping to get to it earlier to see if it helps me to feel like a ray of sunshine. Goodnight peeps! Xx

Apologising re: Charity: Water Campaign.

Hi peeps.

In my last blog post, I did say that I would write about Charity: Water Campaign tonight but unfortunately, I've been too sore to do much writing and if I contemplated just going at a slow pace typing, I would be here all night. So I apologise. I will write about it in my next post.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Be with you soon. xx

Empowerment Circle of Support

Hi again peeps. I just wanted to show you my new necklace.

It is called Empowerment Circle of Support - against Domestic Abuse. I thought it was a good cause and decided to buy this. It looked nice on the picture of Alesha Dixon wearing it. I bought it from Avon.

Violence against women is a global epidemic. Since 2005, Avon has donated nearly 40 million to organisations and programs working  to save lives today - and to one day end domestic violence. 100% of net profits will be donated to the Avon Foundation for programs dedicated to ending violence against women. Please remember that it is not only women, men can also suffer from domestic violence. If you want to buy a necklace. Click on the link : http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?code=&level1_id=300&level2_id=380&pdept_id=383&pf_id=43732&level=3 

Oh and tomorrow night I will write a blog post about Charity Water seeing as it is World Water Day. This means where you can help to provide clean water to over 19k people worldwide.

Bye bye for now. xx

Arthritis, family and friends and upcoming day trip away!!

Hey everyone. How are you all?

Yesterday I went to see the GP about my shoulder/blade. The doctor seemed nice enough and he seemed to understand about EDS which was helpful, I thought. After much prodding/poking and moving my arms around all over which caused further pain to my shoulder but knew he was only assessing it to see what was wrong. I described the kind of pain that I've been getting (which is mostly a burning sensation, a grating feeling when I just had my arm down by my side and it feeling slightly unstable when I went to do things). He said with my body being so "distorted" (his words) from the Scoliosis, Osteoporosis and EDS, it was common and expected for me to have Arthritis.

When he told me that I have Arthritis, I thought 'oh here we go, another thing to add to the list. When I next have to write down what's wrong with me on a form, there won't be any room left ha ha!! On the otherhand, it's made me feel slightly anxious about what the future holds for me but I have to try and focus on the now and deal with how I may be when it comes to it. Like I've always said, I take each day as it comes and just do what I can in my own time and way.'  

Whilst I feel relieved at knowing what the problem is now, he didn't really say much apart from keeping doing my breathing exercises in the Hydro pool and to carry on taking my pain relief. I don't know what type of Arthritis it is that I have as if I did, I want to try and ease the pain of it the best way I can.

Times of when I am in so much pain and discomfort reminds me of how supportive and understanding my dearest family and friends are to me. I feel so lucky to have them all in my life. If it was not for them, I probably wouldn't be as strong or cope as I do, so thank you to all of you who are either my friends or family.

On a slight lighter note, I am off to Hydro again tomorrow. It does me so much good and I enjoy it too. Plus I get to be a weirdo and be excited about having hospital food as I rarely have a bad meal from the FGH restaurant ha ha!! Then it is only one sleep 'til I go to Blackpool with my friend. I can't wait and it keeps me going forward when in pain knowing that I've got it to look forward to. :-) I will write about my adventures to Blackpool next week sometime when I have recovered from all the excitement and travelling.  

Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter as well - @DinkyKt

Keep smiling and be with you soon peeps! xx

A full week in my life.

After a week or so, recuperating from a bad chesty cough and feeling run down, this week was filled with plenty of activities. Despite from struggling with my shoulder blade, I've tried to keep going and not let the pain and discomfort stop me from living my life.

On monday I went to Ulverston with my new support worker (who will be on cover/bank) and we collected a pile full of leaflets/programmes for various visiting attractions and shows for me to look at. I didn't realise just how much there is to do around the Barrow area! Many of the attractions, you don't even need to pay so for those who say there is nothing to do round here, go out and you will find that there is. I know that wherever you go, in whatever town you go to, their locals will say there's nothing to do round there too.

I decided to have a browse in the factory shop too and bought a few bargains. I got a black zippy Goldigga hoody, a little purple vest top and a black skirt with a black belt attached for just £13 altogether! My support worker also found some bargains too for her family.

On tuesday me and my support worker went to the Dock Museum to find it was shut! I was disappointed as I like going in there and they do yummy cakes too. We ended up going to the Forum 28 instead, which meant we had less time. It was nice to get to know my support worker a bit more and vice versa. (I will call her K rather than saying support worker all the time.) When I got home, I tweeted John Woodcock and he was sorry to hear what had happened. It is just part of the Govt's cuts for the museum to have it hours reduced, which meant my money was spent elsewhere.

On wednesday, me and K went all the way to Blackpool. It was an early start but it was a really lovely day. I again bought loads more bargains, a pale 50's style dress, some shoes with sparkly bows on them, thermal leggings (my legs get really cold with having circulation problems), some cute tee shirts, a few pairs of leggings, some funky costume rings (all the same style but in different colours and that they're adjustable so that means they fit my dinky fingers) and a pair of awesome, crazy sunglasses!! All for £35! Bargain or what?! I was thinking of going to visit the Ballroom in the tower and maybe the circus but decided to keep my money for shopping this time. Plus you get a bit of a discount when you book online, apparently. If I weren't such a wimp of heights, I would have considered going up the tower as well but oh no... just looking up directly from underneath on the ground made me feel sick, never mind being at the top on the clear view flooring they have now!! After we had enough of shopping, we went for a stroll along the promenade and on the South Pier. It was starting to get a bit cold so headed back towards the car. By the looks of all the work that they're doing, Blackpool will look great again. So another trip to Blackers will be made soon and then I can do some of the things I thought about doing this time.

After being home for about an hour, I went out for tea with my friend to a local pub. I had a lovely and relaxing evening. I ended up being awake for about 18hours which is a lot for me ha ha!

So yeah - wednesday was a fab day!

I chilled out on thursday then went to some friends house for another friend's birthday. Unfortunately I didn't feel so good through the day and when I first got to their house, I really didn't feel up to socialising as I was in too much pain and had a headache but soon my friends slowly brought me round. I ended up staying til gone 3 am, it was a good night and was glad that I did go.

I thought it was funny when my friends swapped their trousers, girls jeans aren't built for lads lol! This was a game we attempted to play.

Then on friday, I had Hydro which I was looking forward to. I wanted to soak and was hoping my physiotherapist would take a look at my shoulder but she just tells me to go to my GP. My mum had to tell her to let me have a rest in between doing my exercises as I was quite achy from the session last week, I felt she was a bit thingy about it. Luckily she was ok once I was in the pool.

I did hope that it would ease my shoulder but I ended up twisting it somehow although I just rested it in the water. It feels like I'm carrying a heavy weight with my right arm even though I'm not and I sometimes get shooting pains in my arm. I can't lie on it in bed or sit back properly. The other day, I had to ask my dad to lift me up as I couldn't sit up in bed. Hopefully this week, I will get an idea of what is actually wrong with it. I first started getting problems just before my sister got married last July which is nine months ago, the GP I saw basically just fobbed me off saying it was just a strained muscle, but I know my body and I know that this is not that. I've strained enough muscles to know the difference and that it usually eases off after a week or so... but this is nine months. I have a severe curvature to the spine and I'm worried that it could be to do with that.

Anyway on the friday night, I thought it was best that I just relaxed and save my energy ready for the weekend. I and my family travelled down to Preston to my cousin's engagement party. My cousin's Fiancee looked so pretty in her red dress and her hair done nicely. I enjoyed the speech, it was a good one. I took it easy and not overdo it with the shoulder so just had a little boogy. There was a good buffet spread and as usual, we took some chickens back to the hotel with us. Not whole chickens in case you are thinking huh?! Everyone seemed to have had a good night which was what it was all about.

Today, I woke up to a nice english breakfast in my hotel room (was expensive but worth it) and slowly made my way back home. We stopped by at my sisters for a drink with it being Mother's Day. Then once I've come home, just chilled out, resting and treat my mum to a chinese take away while we watch Dancing On Ice. Btw, I hope Jorgie wins although Matthew is good too!

Whoa just realised how much I've written here but you all know by now that once I start writing, I find it hard to stop, ha ha!! I will keep you updated and hopefully will try not to write such a long post next time. Keep smiling peeps. xx

A week in the life of Dinky Kt.

For the past week and more, I have laid low and sort of kept myself to myself. You might say a hermit, perhaps, although I have left the house on a few occasions. The reason why? I’ve been suffering from a bad chest and it has left me feeling lousy and drained. I just wanted to try and shift it somehow by not over-doing it and taking the right medicines. Anyhow, hopefully I am now on the mend.

I have spent the past week or more, going through a pile of C.V.s as I am going to employ another support worker who will be on cover when my current ones has to go on sick or take holidays so I don’t lose the hours that I’m allocated per week. I only get 7hours at the mo which I’m not too happy about really as my circumstances have changed over the past few years. Plus I don’t think it is fair for a 26/27 year old woman to rely on my parents to take me out etcetera when others my age doesn’t. Although I am very grateful to my parents because they help me out a lot. Getting extra hours depend on the social services so wish me luck in gaining even just one or two extra hours. I know funding is hard to get in the social services so I will be grateful for just a few extra.

It was really difficult deciding who to pick out of so many candidates as they all seemed lovely but unfortunately I can only pick one. I have picked one and will get the ball rolling to set up a meeting and greeting with her to see what she is like. I just hope she likes me and we have plenty to talk about. I am excited but extremely nervous. I will keep you up to date with how it goes.

One day last week, I woke up to a text of my sister telling me that we are going to see Steps. She’s taking me in April and we’re going to have a few girly days in Manchester, hopefully we’ll get to try out Nando’s (see what all the fuss is about!) and plenty of retail therapy! I can’t wait! Maybe I can find a pair of them heel-less shoes that I keep on seeing in the magazines?? That’s if I can get them in Dinky size and the toe section isn’t too heavy to lift ha ha!!

Oh another piece of my news for you - Adam Lambert is coming back to the UK for a one off show with Queen at this years Sonisphere!! Bless, my bestie had been counting down to when the tickets went on sale. The two of us are hoping to go. I have already enquired so need to send off some important documentation back to them. It will be something that the two of us will do together, something special.

You may have noticed that I like to do something special with all of my loved ones, like going to Manchester with my sister, hopefully going to Sonsiphere with my bestie, etcetera. It is my way of showing undivided attention to the person/people involved and to share something we both enjoy together.

Well, this blog post is proving to be a long one as now I have started to fill you in on what’s going on in my life, I cannot stop. Think I will stop right here and carry on recuperating now. Take care peeps and will chat to you soon. xx