I'm a guest over at Love You More Than You Know - a site dedicated to Mothers who have children in the Forces.
Here I talk about when my youngest son signed up for the British Royal Air Force... a traumatic yet very proud day for me as his Mum.
Happy reading, everyone x
http://neomilitarymoms.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/what-a-difference-a-day-makes/
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Ten Things I've Never Done!
The idea for this post came from the lovely Amanda Egan http://mummymisfit.blogspot.gr/2012/08/ive-never-seen-star-wars.html who challenged her blog readers to come up with 10 things that they've never done.
Now coming up with such a list seems easy at first thought - after all, not many of us have ever parachuted out of an aeroplane or swam with dolphins, have we? But as for coming up with a list of 10 seemingly ordinary, everyday things that we maybe should've done or experienced... well this actually takes some thinking about!
Anyways, think and think some more I did and here's what I came up with:
You know, that apparent pain that shoots up the side of your face when you eat something cold, like ice-cream? In fact, before I met my husband I'd never even heard of it and unless my children hadn't complained of the exact same thing from time to time I'd probably still think it was something my other half had made up!
Of course it would be wonderful to see all the great bands taking part and soak up the carnival-like atmosphere of these events, but I do like a shower block nearby when I'm camping and a proper toilet as opposed to a porta loo... and booking into a local hotel would rather miss the point, wouldn't it?
I know, hard to believe isn't it? The nearest I've come to flu is having a bit of a blocked nose, the only nausea I've experienced is through pregnancy or travelling and even when it came to childhood illnesses like chicken pox, three spots or so and I was done. I'm obviously more of a carrier than a sufferer and as I don't want to tempt fate in any way shape or form, long may this continue!
When I was growing up I loved all things horsey and was desperate to have my own pony. Every Christmas, I'd keep my fingers well and truly crossed that this year was the year and each December 25th I'd race downstairs in the hope of finding Black Beauty in the living room eating the Christmas tree... Alas, it was never to be - I didn't even get a whiff of a riding lesson, let alone my very own horse.
Of course, having two sons I've had the opportunity to partake in such an activity - it's just that I've also always chosen not to. And if you've ever seen me run per se (never mind run whilst dragging a long line of chord with a large piece of plastic attached to the end of it) then you'll understand why!
When it comes to drugs, I have the same attitude as Robert Carlyle does at the beginning of the film 'Train Spotting'. There he is, pint of lager in one hand, cigarette in the other, saying something along the lines of him not understanding how people can put chemicals into their own body... Hypocritical but true!
In fact, I've never done anything with a car except drive it and when I really, really have to put petrol in the tank - anything else and I just wouldn't know where to start. Although to be fair when it comes to vehicle related questions I'm not a complete lost cause; for example, if you asked me about mine, I can tell you it's red.
For the last five years, I've been spending more and more of my time out in Greece and continuing with the aforementioned four wheel theme, in all this period I've never actually driven out here. It's the wrong side of the road thing, coupled with the maniacal scooter riders that prevents me from even trying. Honestly, tackling the roads here is like undergoing some sort of extreme hazard perception test and without eyes in the back of my head, I'd well and truly fail!
Electrics scare the hell out of me and if anyone is going to blow the house and electrocute themselves, it's gonna be me! In relation to plugs, however, I did once hear Max Bygraves say: 'Blue to the left, brown to the right. Don't get it wrong, or you might get a fright..." The thing is, he was also known for saying "I wanna tell you a story..." so I've never plucked up the courage to test his theory!
Rice is bad enough for me, but as for raw fish... well it's just plain wrong!
So that's my list done... Now it's over to you. What things have you never done that by now you maybe should have? x
Now coming up with such a list seems easy at first thought - after all, not many of us have ever parachuted out of an aeroplane or swam with dolphins, have we? But as for coming up with a list of 10 seemingly ordinary, everyday things that we maybe should've done or experienced... well this actually takes some thinking about!
Anyways, think and think some more I did and here's what I came up with:
- I've never had brain freeze.
You know, that apparent pain that shoots up the side of your face when you eat something cold, like ice-cream? In fact, before I met my husband I'd never even heard of it and unless my children hadn't complained of the exact same thing from time to time I'd probably still think it was something my other half had made up!
- I've never been to a music festival.
Of course it would be wonderful to see all the great bands taking part and soak up the carnival-like atmosphere of these events, but I do like a shower block nearby when I'm camping and a proper toilet as opposed to a porta loo... and booking into a local hotel would rather miss the point, wouldn't it?
- I've never been hospitalised, broken anything or even been sick.
I know, hard to believe isn't it? The nearest I've come to flu is having a bit of a blocked nose, the only nausea I've experienced is through pregnancy or travelling and even when it came to childhood illnesses like chicken pox, three spots or so and I was done. I'm obviously more of a carrier than a sufferer and as I don't want to tempt fate in any way shape or form, long may this continue!
- I've never ridden a horse.
When I was growing up I loved all things horsey and was desperate to have my own pony. Every Christmas, I'd keep my fingers well and truly crossed that this year was the year and each December 25th I'd race downstairs in the hope of finding Black Beauty in the living room eating the Christmas tree... Alas, it was never to be - I didn't even get a whiff of a riding lesson, let alone my very own horse.
- I've never flown a Kite.
Of course, having two sons I've had the opportunity to partake in such an activity - it's just that I've also always chosen not to. And if you've ever seen me run per se (never mind run whilst dragging a long line of chord with a large piece of plastic attached to the end of it) then you'll understand why!
- I've never smoked a joint.
When it comes to drugs, I have the same attitude as Robert Carlyle does at the beginning of the film 'Train Spotting'. There he is, pint of lager in one hand, cigarette in the other, saying something along the lines of him not understanding how people can put chemicals into their own body... Hypocritical but true!
- I've never changed or put air into a tyre.
In fact, I've never done anything with a car except drive it and when I really, really have to put petrol in the tank - anything else and I just wouldn't know where to start. Although to be fair when it comes to vehicle related questions I'm not a complete lost cause; for example, if you asked me about mine, I can tell you it's red.
- I've never driven a car in Greece
For the last five years, I've been spending more and more of my time out in Greece and continuing with the aforementioned four wheel theme, in all this period I've never actually driven out here. It's the wrong side of the road thing, coupled with the maniacal scooter riders that prevents me from even trying. Honestly, tackling the roads here is like undergoing some sort of extreme hazard perception test and without eyes in the back of my head, I'd well and truly fail!
- I've never changed a plug.
Electrics scare the hell out of me and if anyone is going to blow the house and electrocute themselves, it's gonna be me! In relation to plugs, however, I did once hear Max Bygraves say: 'Blue to the left, brown to the right. Don't get it wrong, or you might get a fright..." The thing is, he was also known for saying "I wanna tell you a story..." so I've never plucked up the courage to test his theory!
- I've never eaten Sushi
Rice is bad enough for me, but as for raw fish... well it's just plain wrong!
So that's my list done... Now it's over to you. What things have you never done that by now you maybe should have? x
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
And The Winner Is...
As you may know for the last month I've been running a competition giving Going Underground readers the chance to win a brand new Kindle.
All readers had to do was answer three book related questions and here they are with their corresponding answers:
1. How far into her pregnancy is Tracey Parkes?
8 3/4 months
2. When Jonathan deserts Tracey, where is he heading?
To Brighton
3. What name is given to Tracey and Jonathan's baby at the christening?
Ruby Melanie
Anyways, thank you to everyone who entered and now to the important bit - the winner! Chosen at random by my next door neighbour - after all names were written on slips of paper, folded into the minutest of pieces and placed into a cup as I don't have a hat....
Drum roll, please...
ZOULA LEONTI !!!!
Well done, Zoula - your prize will be winging its way to you once you've emailed a delivery address.
Now I just want to take the opportunity to thank not just those who entered this competition, but every single person who's supported me on this past year's journey - long may it continue...
And I hope everyone past, present and future enjoys reading Going Underground even more than I did writing it x
All readers had to do was answer three book related questions and here they are with their corresponding answers:
1. How far into her pregnancy is Tracey Parkes?
8 3/4 months
2. When Jonathan deserts Tracey, where is he heading?
To Brighton
3. What name is given to Tracey and Jonathan's baby at the christening?
Ruby Melanie
Anyways, thank you to everyone who entered and now to the important bit - the winner! Chosen at random by my next door neighbour - after all names were written on slips of paper, folded into the minutest of pieces and placed into a cup as I don't have a hat....
Drum roll, please...
ZOULA LEONTI !!!!
Well done, Zoula - your prize will be winging its way to you once you've emailed a delivery address.
Now I just want to take the opportunity to thank not just those who entered this competition, but every single person who's supported me on this past year's journey - long may it continue...
And I hope everyone past, present and future enjoys reading Going Underground even more than I did writing it x
Saturday, 21 July 2012
The Cat's Out of the Bag!
Well, everyone, I didn't expect to be doing another blog post so soon, but thank's to my lovely friend, Donna Trinder, ( http://donnasroomforreading.blogspot.co.uk/ ) I didn't think I had much choice... Oh yes, the cat is well and truly out of the bag!
Of course, I knew Going Underground was about to feature in August's edition of Scootering Magazine, but it isn't supposed to be available until 26th of July. So imagine how surprised I was when Donna posted this onto her Facebook page this morning... and what a lovely suprise it was too!
As you can see, there's an interview entitled 'A Quick One with Suzie Tullett' - a title that made me giggle. However, it's the review of Going Underground that really made me smile... and I thought I'd share Mark Sargeant's words with you today.
Here's what he says:
"On opening the cover of Suzie Tullett’s debut novel, Going Underground, you find the proclamation ‘It’s not about living in the past, it’s about living with it…’ a single sentence that is an accurate and prophetic overview of the forthcoming story. Her main characters introduced in the first few chapters, where they are attending the funeral of what is essentially the eighth main character whose demise was due to a freak accident involving his scooter.
Of course, I knew Going Underground was about to feature in August's edition of Scootering Magazine, but it isn't supposed to be available until 26th of July. So imagine how surprised I was when Donna posted this onto her Facebook page this morning... and what a lovely suprise it was too!As you can see, there's an interview entitled 'A Quick One with Suzie Tullett' - a title that made me giggle. However, it's the review of Going Underground that really made me smile... and I thought I'd share Mark Sargeant's words with you today.
Here's what he says:
"On opening the cover of Suzie Tullett’s debut novel, Going Underground, you find the proclamation ‘It’s not about living in the past, it’s about living with it…’ a single sentence that is an accurate and prophetic overview of the forthcoming story. Her main characters introduced in the first few chapters, where they are attending the funeral of what is essentially the eighth main character whose demise was due to a freak accident involving his scooter.
Going Underground explores relationships pushed to breaking
point, friendships tested to the limit and beyond, as the three respective
journeys take in a number of interweaving experiences heading to the trio of
lads’ goal. Clever use of song titles
for each chapter gives a reflection of what is coming next, which adds a kind
of comfortableness for the reader, identifying with the characters through the
song lyrics. I’ve purposely avoided
giving much of the plot away, as that would be a spoiler, suffice to say it’s a
road trip on scooters.
For me, Suzie Tullett’s debut book would be a must
watch film or mini series, should, and I do think it should, make the
transition from written word to celluloid.
Going Underground is among one of the best fictional
books I’ve read, it works on many different levels as well as embracing and
incorporating contemporary Mod and scooter culture of today as the background
to the story.
A highly recommended read with wide appeal."
Sarge
How lovely is that? Now if you want to read the whole piece, Scootering Magazine is available through any newsagents and the likes of WHSmith - although depending on where you live you might not be able to pick a copy up until the 26th July!
Happy reading, everyone x
Friday, 20 July 2012
You've heard of Chick Lit, it would seem I'm Brit Lit!
Well I've never been referred to as a 'Brit Lit Babe' before, which is how best selling author Kit Frazier describes me!
http://kitfrazier.com/wordpress/?p=3134
Feel free to leave a comment and if you do head on over, happy reading, everyone x
http://kitfrazier.com/wordpress/?p=3134
Feel free to leave a comment and if you do head on over, happy reading, everyone x
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Put The Phone Down...!
I've never been technology minded. As long as the computer does what I want it to do I'm happy, which is usually nothing more than to let me email, surf the net and word process... anything else and I'm flumoxed. And yes, I'm the same when it comes to mobiles; fancy applications for this, that and the other are wasted on me - all I want to do is make a call or send a text.
My other half, however, loves his smartphone. Not that he's an expert, but what he lacks in knowledge he certainly makes up for in enthusiasm.
At first, it was the quality of the photos he could take that excited him, but then he discovered downloadable apps. This is when he realised not only could he take pictures, he could also create pictorial collages and despite being no David Bailey he set about putting quite a few compositions together. From dogs, to our children, to me, can you believe? And rather proud of his achievements, he insisted I view each and every single one of them. However, there are only so many images of the family pet a woman can look at before they all start to get a bit samey... and not being the best model in the world, I struggle to see anything positive in individual pictures of myself, let alone having loads of them staring back at me, all at the same time!
But like any caring wife, I simply smiled politely and told him how wonderful his creations were... Big Mistake!
Because that's when he decided to take his new found talent one step further - now moving on to producing slide shows with these rather dodgy photos; slide shows that came with music! Oh yes, he went from collage to montage... his snapshots now fading in and out with some sentimental tune playing in the background, themed special effects included as standard.
Much to my frustration, I again became one of his favourite subjects, but before you all go thinking I'm just being mean, have you ever tried emailing these things? No...? Well let me tell you my other half has and they take absolutely forever to attach. But guess what, growing ever more confident in his technology skills Robert found a much quicker way to enable me to enjoy his latest photographic conceptions... By uploading the damn things onto Youtube!
Now you can only imagine my reaction when I was told that not only did I have the mispleasure of viewing my not so photographic self, but that everyone on the World Wide Web did too! And of course, after a fair bit of screaming at him to take them off he duly did, thank goodness. Nevertheless, it would seem the story doesn't end there.
Just when I thought I'd saved not just me, but also all of you from my other half's extraordinary visions of loveliness, he tells me he's now discovered Pinterest!
My other half, however, loves his smartphone. Not that he's an expert, but what he lacks in knowledge he certainly makes up for in enthusiasm.
At first, it was the quality of the photos he could take that excited him, but then he discovered downloadable apps. This is when he realised not only could he take pictures, he could also create pictorial collages and despite being no David Bailey he set about putting quite a few compositions together. From dogs, to our children, to me, can you believe? And rather proud of his achievements, he insisted I view each and every single one of them. However, there are only so many images of the family pet a woman can look at before they all start to get a bit samey... and not being the best model in the world, I struggle to see anything positive in individual pictures of myself, let alone having loads of them staring back at me, all at the same time!
But like any caring wife, I simply smiled politely and told him how wonderful his creations were... Big Mistake!
Because that's when he decided to take his new found talent one step further - now moving on to producing slide shows with these rather dodgy photos; slide shows that came with music! Oh yes, he went from collage to montage... his snapshots now fading in and out with some sentimental tune playing in the background, themed special effects included as standard.
Much to my frustration, I again became one of his favourite subjects, but before you all go thinking I'm just being mean, have you ever tried emailing these things? No...? Well let me tell you my other half has and they take absolutely forever to attach. But guess what, growing ever more confident in his technology skills Robert found a much quicker way to enable me to enjoy his latest photographic conceptions... By uploading the damn things onto Youtube!
Now you can only imagine my reaction when I was told that not only did I have the mispleasure of viewing my not so photographic self, but that everyone on the World Wide Web did too! And of course, after a fair bit of screaming at him to take them off he duly did, thank goodness. Nevertheless, it would seem the story doesn't end there.
Just when I thought I'd saved not just me, but also all of you from my other half's extraordinary visions of loveliness, he tells me he's now discovered Pinterest!
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Celebrating With a Kindle Comp...
Well, Guys, it's been a year since the official launch of Going Underground and what a year it's been. I've met some lovely supportive people along the way, both in person and virtually and even though I wish I could give one to everybody, to both celebrate and show my appreciation I'm giving away a brand new Kindle e-reader to one lucky winner!
The competition will run until the end of the month and a winner will be chosen at random on the 1st August 2012.
So, here are the questions:
1. How far into her pregnancy is Tracey Parkes?
2. When Jonathan deserts Tracey, where is he heading?
3. What name is given to Tracey and Jonathan's baby at the christening?
http://www.amazon.com/Going-Underground-ebook/dp/B0058RMC4M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341343515&sr=1-1&keywords=suzie+tullett
Good luck, everyone...
Can't wait to announce the winner!!!!
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