Sarah is a fast paced, successful, business woman. She juggles family life and rearing three kids with working an 80 hour week as the vice president of human resources at Berkley Consulting. Her days are a whirl of e-mails, phone calls and school runs. Her and husbands also high powered position means that they can afford to live in an affluent area with a weekend home in Vermont.
All that changes in the blink of eye when reaching over to grab her phone one icy commute her car skids off the road leaving Sarah in hospital needing major brain surgery. She pulls through but is horrified to find she has a condition called,'Left Neglect'. This is where her brain, that has been damaged on the right side, fails to register that she has a left side. Everything on the left side of her is invisible and Sarah has to take on the enormous road to recovery.
Simple everyday tasks like getting dressed, eating and walking are near on impossible and Sarah has to go through months of therapy and face the daily humiliations of having to be helped onto the toilet, to get dressed and needs the aid of what she describes as a 'granny cane' (a walking frame) to drag herself around. Determined to be 100% recovered and back to work as soon as possible Sarah refuses to give in but soon realises that getting back to 100% may never happen.
This is a sad and moving story of how a life can be shattered in the blink of an eye. However, there is some good that comes out of the accident and Sarah begins to see what is in fact most important in her life.
I read this book in two days and enjoyed every word. Sarah is a truly remarkable woman and I would love there to be a follow up to see how Sarah's life progresses
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Friday, 17 May 2013
The Murder Workers
I sat and watched this programme last night and I have to say I cannot believe how much it affected me. For anyone that didn't watch it, it was about 3 people who deal with the relatives after a loved one has been murdered. I take my hat off to these people because it's not a job that I could do.
These brave families told the stories of how their loved ones were murdered and it showcased how they tried to deal with the aftermath. Having to go through trials and not always get the verdict that was needed. The part that really got me was the family whose dad killed their mum, the 3 young children sat describing that day broke my heart. The little girl sat playing with her doll whilst chatting away and I just couldn't get the thought out of my head that she was Charlies age and I couldn't imagine him having to deal with something like that.
Another tragic moment was when a mum had to sit and watch CCTV footage of the moments after her son was savagely beaten. It showed how he was dragged through the nightclub and left out on the street. A truly harrowing thing for anyone to watch so to know that that person is your son doesn't bare thinking about.
When the programme finished I could feel the lump in my throat and I had this over whelming need to go upstairs and kiss and hug both of my kids. Which I did. I take them for granted on a day to day basis so much. I tell them off and get angry with them for things which, when put into context, are silly. It really re-enforced the fact that I need to cherish every minute because these tragedies happen to innocent people all the time and peoples lifes' are shattered in a heartbeat.
These brave families told the stories of how their loved ones were murdered and it showcased how they tried to deal with the aftermath. Having to go through trials and not always get the verdict that was needed. The part that really got me was the family whose dad killed their mum, the 3 young children sat describing that day broke my heart. The little girl sat playing with her doll whilst chatting away and I just couldn't get the thought out of my head that she was Charlies age and I couldn't imagine him having to deal with something like that.
Another tragic moment was when a mum had to sit and watch CCTV footage of the moments after her son was savagely beaten. It showed how he was dragged through the nightclub and left out on the street. A truly harrowing thing for anyone to watch so to know that that person is your son doesn't bare thinking about.
When the programme finished I could feel the lump in my throat and I had this over whelming need to go upstairs and kiss and hug both of my kids. Which I did. I take them for granted on a day to day basis so much. I tell them off and get angry with them for things which, when put into context, are silly. It really re-enforced the fact that I need to cherish every minute because these tragedies happen to innocent people all the time and peoples lifes' are shattered in a heartbeat.
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Review of The Life by Martina Cole
I'm a massive Martina Cole fan and have normally always dashed out to buy her book as soon as it is released and devoured it within days. However, the last couple of books haven't gripped as much hence the length of time that it has taken me to buy this latest novel.
I did enjoy it and it did have all those magic Martina moments but it did seem a little same old, same old.
I think what really spoilt it for me was you knew early on that there had to be a traitor in the Bailey family and it wasn't difficult to work out which brother it was that got a little to big for his boots, decided to take on the world and his family, and ultimately lost his life.
This book would have been so much better if the traitor in the midst hadn't been so obvious. I want something that shocks me. Something that I don't see coming and this books just didn't do that. Also for all Martina's shocking gangland killings for all the hurt and destruction this brother caused I expected a big ending, a big battle but I didn't even get that.
For all that I did still enjoy the book and I hope there is a continuation as it will be interesting to see how little sister, Tania, whose just being introduced to the 'The life,' survives and what challenges she faces.
I did enjoy it and it did have all those magic Martina moments but it did seem a little same old, same old.
I think what really spoilt it for me was you knew early on that there had to be a traitor in the Bailey family and it wasn't difficult to work out which brother it was that got a little to big for his boots, decided to take on the world and his family, and ultimately lost his life.
This book would have been so much better if the traitor in the midst hadn't been so obvious. I want something that shocks me. Something that I don't see coming and this books just didn't do that. Also for all Martina's shocking gangland killings for all the hurt and destruction this brother caused I expected a big ending, a big battle but I didn't even get that.
For all that I did still enjoy the book and I hope there is a continuation as it will be interesting to see how little sister, Tania, whose just being introduced to the 'The life,' survives and what challenges she faces.
Monday, 13 May 2013
Girlie Day
With my little princess still not being well this morning it was an unscheduled day off work for me, a day off school for her, whilst little monster went to playschool.
It was really nice to spend some girlie time together. As most mum's with multiple children will know it's difficult to give your undivided attention to one child. It's particularly difficult when your a single mum, as there is only one of you and much as I'd sometimes like to, I can't split myself in two.
It's easier to get quality one to one time with Charlie because he's not yet at school. I have all day Thursday and Friday to spend time with him but unfortunately with Faye being at school when she's at home, so is Charlie. What makes things especially hard is Charlie is very much a mummies boy and gets very jealous of the attention I do manage to give to Faye.
It was so nice, therefore, to have a few hours together without Charlies attention seeking behaviour to have some girlie time. We sat and played board games, cuddled up on the watching TV and just had some much needed one on one time.
She has been getting a few tellings off recently. She's growing up and becoming just a little bit cheeky and naughty. These last few weeks I actually feel like all I have done is tell her off. However, today she has been like another child, I feel like I have my Faye back, and we seem to have got back on track. I know that these past few weeks have been as difficult for her as they have for me. If truth be told, I can't say to much about her behaviour because I know that she is a clone of me, personality, looks, the works and as my mum is fond of telling me, I am now getting a taste of my own medicine. Oh, how I dread the teenage years!
Today has really shed a new light in things and I've maybe realised that I need to try and find a way to give her a little more one to one time. It's what we both need. Thankfully she's fully recovered now and it's back to school tomorrow. Unfortunately that means it's also back to work for me with an influx of hours to now try and juggle around and make up.
It was really nice to spend some girlie time together. As most mum's with multiple children will know it's difficult to give your undivided attention to one child. It's particularly difficult when your a single mum, as there is only one of you and much as I'd sometimes like to, I can't split myself in two.
It's easier to get quality one to one time with Charlie because he's not yet at school. I have all day Thursday and Friday to spend time with him but unfortunately with Faye being at school when she's at home, so is Charlie. What makes things especially hard is Charlie is very much a mummies boy and gets very jealous of the attention I do manage to give to Faye.
It was so nice, therefore, to have a few hours together without Charlies attention seeking behaviour to have some girlie time. We sat and played board games, cuddled up on the watching TV and just had some much needed one on one time.
She has been getting a few tellings off recently. She's growing up and becoming just a little bit cheeky and naughty. These last few weeks I actually feel like all I have done is tell her off. However, today she has been like another child, I feel like I have my Faye back, and we seem to have got back on track. I know that these past few weeks have been as difficult for her as they have for me. If truth be told, I can't say to much about her behaviour because I know that she is a clone of me, personality, looks, the works and as my mum is fond of telling me, I am now getting a taste of my own medicine. Oh, how I dread the teenage years!
Today has really shed a new light in things and I've maybe realised that I need to try and find a way to give her a little more one to one time. It's what we both need. Thankfully she's fully recovered now and it's back to school tomorrow. Unfortunately that means it's also back to work for me with an influx of hours to now try and juggle around and make up.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
No Luck Yet
After my recent run of bad luck I was sure that my luck was about to change. So sure, in fact, that I had a few lines on the lotto last night. fancying my chances and hoping I might be down to win a tenner at least. I shouldn't have been surprised to learn that I didn't win a bean.
Instead I've woken up today with a poorly little girl that has spend all day laid on the sofa and intermittently throwing her guts up. Oh the joys. I'd thought I'd had my fair share of illness and stomach bugs for this year but guess not.
I eventually managed to get my washing hung out on the line around midday but it wasn't long before it was all lying on the ground. The box that was fixed to the wall containing one end of my washing lines had been pulled off the wall leaving all my clean washing laid in the mud. Dragging all the washing back inside and setting it off to re-wash. I dug out the tool box and put my DIY skills into practise. The hardest part was the height issue. Being all of 5ft 2 and having to balance precariously on a step ladder placed on the doorstep whilst constantly having to dash in and out at every shout of, 'Mummy, I feel sick..
Eventually I managed to get the offending box secured firmly back on the wall, emptied the sick bowl and was just about to re-hang the washing back on when the rain started.
'Arrrggghhhhh'
I can feel a glass of wine of two or three coming on tonight. Just praying that the other little monster doesn't start with it tonight or even worse me.
Instead I've woken up today with a poorly little girl that has spend all day laid on the sofa and intermittently throwing her guts up. Oh the joys. I'd thought I'd had my fair share of illness and stomach bugs for this year but guess not.
I eventually managed to get my washing hung out on the line around midday but it wasn't long before it was all lying on the ground. The box that was fixed to the wall containing one end of my washing lines had been pulled off the wall leaving all my clean washing laid in the mud. Dragging all the washing back inside and setting it off to re-wash. I dug out the tool box and put my DIY skills into practise. The hardest part was the height issue. Being all of 5ft 2 and having to balance precariously on a step ladder placed on the doorstep whilst constantly having to dash in and out at every shout of, 'Mummy, I feel sick..
Eventually I managed to get the offending box secured firmly back on the wall, emptied the sick bowl and was just about to re-hang the washing back on when the rain started.
'Arrrggghhhhh'
I can feel a glass of wine of two or three coming on tonight. Just praying that the other little monster doesn't start with it tonight or even worse me.
Friday, 10 May 2013
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Review of Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
This is another cracker of a reader from page one I was hooked. This novel just left me spinning with the twists and revelations. A story of love, loss and betrayal.
Music therapist Zoe finally has a prayers answered when her and husband Max fall pregnant after numerous attempts of IVF. The euphoria is short lived when her life comes crashing down and she loses not only her longed for baby and husband but goes on to be diagnosed with cancer resulting in a hysterectomy.
Whilst Max goes on a rampage and reverts back to his alcoholic ways he ends in crashing his car and ends up in a ditch. It's then he finds God and resolves to put his life back together with the help of Pastor Clive Preston and other members of the Eternal Glory Evangelical Church.
Zoe finds friendship in work colleague Vanessa. What starts out as friends soon develops into more and ultimately they fall deeply in love and are married. With plans to start a family they try to use the three frozen embryos from Zoe and Max's failed IVF attempts.
The war begins between Max and Zoe. Max and his church are set against same sex relationships and it's seen as one of the biggest sins. A court battle ensues as to who should raise these unborn embryos. Zoe and Vanessa or Max's brother and his wife, a traditional god serving family who are also fertility troubles. A contract then comes to light that was signed prior to the divorce that if at any time the couple divorced the frozen embryos would be destroyed.
Just what with the judge decide...
Music therapist Zoe finally has a prayers answered when her and husband Max fall pregnant after numerous attempts of IVF. The euphoria is short lived when her life comes crashing down and she loses not only her longed for baby and husband but goes on to be diagnosed with cancer resulting in a hysterectomy.
Whilst Max goes on a rampage and reverts back to his alcoholic ways he ends in crashing his car and ends up in a ditch. It's then he finds God and resolves to put his life back together with the help of Pastor Clive Preston and other members of the Eternal Glory Evangelical Church.
Zoe finds friendship in work colleague Vanessa. What starts out as friends soon develops into more and ultimately they fall deeply in love and are married. With plans to start a family they try to use the three frozen embryos from Zoe and Max's failed IVF attempts.
The war begins between Max and Zoe. Max and his church are set against same sex relationships and it's seen as one of the biggest sins. A court battle ensues as to who should raise these unborn embryos. Zoe and Vanessa or Max's brother and his wife, a traditional god serving family who are also fertility troubles. A contract then comes to light that was signed prior to the divorce that if at any time the couple divorced the frozen embryos would be destroyed.
Just what with the judge decide...
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