Help Please!

I started running a few years ago and absolutely love it. I learned so much about running, form and nutrition through the challenges I gave myself... 2011km in 2011, half marathons and also a full marathon. However due to a ITB injury followed by several surgeries I've been out of action for so long that I feel like I've forgotten everything I learned.

I have a wonderful place to run and the winter weather here is perfect but I need advice, motivation and kind words about not being mean to myself for losing speed and stamina!

What's your favorite advice you give to your fellow runners when they're getting back into running after a break? What's your favorite running mantra? Please share with me and help me get back out there without giving myself a hard time!!

Wishlist Wednesday #31

Welcome to my thirtyfirst Wishlist Wednesday which is part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. This week I've chosen Heart Of The Demon by Michael Fowler

Detective Sergeant Hunter Kerr and his partner DC Grace Marshall are called to the scene of a brutal slaying; the victim is a 14 year-old girl.
The killer has been disturbed but he has left behind a puzzle. What is the significance of the marks gouged into the girl’s torso and why has a playing card been left with the body?
As Barnwell Major Investigation Team struggle to resolve the mystery they are confronted with another gruesome discovery; the mummified remains of a teenage girl are unearthed from the slurry of a former colliery site. This corpse bears all the hallmarks of the first slaying and yet this body has been buried for well over a decade.
They soon realise that a savage killer is stalking Yorkshire, preying on young girls, and with the discovery of the bodies comes a series of revelations about the past.
For Detective Sergeant Hunter Kerr and his team, the race against time to prevent further murders is complicated by the fact that several of his men have been involved on the periphery of earlier crimes, without even knowing it. And as the death toll mounts as more bodies are unearthed and new victims succumb to the murderer’s sick appetites, he finds that this case comes very close to home.

Very close indeed...

I chose this book for a couple of reasons; firstly I was interested by the plot (many of you will recognise it's in my favourite genre!) but also it was set in Wombwell/Barsley which is very close to where I lived for several years. The reviews are very positive for this book and specifically mention how the location added to their overall enjoyment, especially if you have knowledge of the area and dialects. 

It's on offer at the moment at just £1.15 or $2.99 so I'm thinking this is going to make it's way onto my TBR pile sooner rather than later!

Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

Wishlist Wednesday #30

Welcome to my thirtieth Wishlist Wednesday; part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. This week I've chosen The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband's hand, it says: to be opened only in the event of my death.

Curious, she opens it - and time stops.

John-Paul's letter confesses to a terrible mistake which, if revealed, would wreck their family as well as the lives of others.

Cecilia - betrayed, angry and distraught - wants to do the right thing, but right for who? If she protects her family by staying silent, the truth will worm through her heart. But if she reveals her husband's secret, she will hurt those she loves most . . .

I'm temporarily wandering away from my usual thriller/mystery genre into as I'm in a bit of a lull reading-wise and think something like this that isn't so gruesome may be what I need to get reading again! The book is really well reviewed across the usual sites despite some concerns that it can be a little confusing to start off with. I'm definitely interested to give it a go. Also, I know the old saying 'never judge a book yahda-yada-yada' but I much prefer the English cover to the USA one!

Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

A Taste of England

Last week Paul and I were given a lovely wedding gift that was made up of proper English goodies that I couldn't help but take a photo of to show off!

 

It's daft which English food I miss that I can't buy in Texas except for in speciality stores (at a price too). I'm saving one of the cans of beans for making a good English breakfast for Paul and I on Christmas Day. Unfortunately the chocolate biscuits have no chance of lasting that long!

 

Crochet Baby Blanket

Recently I've had a bit of time on my hands... Post op resting can get tedious when you're used to doing a million things at once. I went to a lovely baby shower last week and knew I wanted to get our friends a little more than the gift we had ordered online. For some reason I realised in the middle of the night that I could actually put crochet skills to use and actually make a gift.

 

It isn't from any pattern in particular and I must've read a gazillion patterns for inspiration but ended up doing a super simple double crochet in back loop for as long as it took to make the blanket the size I wanted. I surrounded it with an even simpler single crochet border (twice) just to make the edges smart and to give it a finished look

They don't know if they are having a girl or boy so I wanted to do a classic antique cream colour without any fancy frills so that it will be suitable for either.

 

Full size during blocking

It ended up a bit bigger than I'd planned originally but that just means it can be a baby/toddler blanket! I'm a little nervous as it's the first crochet piece I've ever made for someone else, I hope it's something that they can use and enjoy. I certainly enjoyed making it for them and I'm really pleased with the result.

 

Wishlist Wednesday #29

Welcome to my twenty-ninth Wishlist Wednesday; part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. In keeping with the season I've chosen Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill

Some doors are better left closed . . . In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And it’s been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever. A young American woman, Apryl, arrives at Barrington House. She's been left an apartment by her mysterious Great Aunt Lillian who died in strange circumstances. Rumours claim Lillian was mad. But her diary suggests she was implicated in a horrific and inexplicable event decades ago. Determined to learn something of this eccentric woman, Apryl begins to unravel the hidden story of Barrington House. She discovers that a transforming, evil force still inhabits the building. And the doorway to Apartment 16 is a gateway to something altogether more terrifying . . .


Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

Flashback Friday

I found this photo on my laptop this evening and it took me on a little trip back to when Holly was a puppy and I was a blonde. I had to share as it totally shows mine and Holly's relationship as it always has, and probably always will be... she goes exactly where she wants to regardless of who or what is in the way, and even if that means she's standing on my head she'll still be making me laugh.

Wishlist Wednesday #28

Welcome to my twenty-eighth Wishlist Wednesday; part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. This week I've chosen Locked In AND Vigilante by Kerry Wilkinson.


They think they are safe at home. Someone knows better.
When a body is found in a locked house, Detective Sergeant Jessica Daniel is left to not only find the killer but discover how they got in and out.
With little in the way of leads and a journalist that seems to know more about the case than she does, Jessica is already feeling the pressure – and that’s before a second body shows up in identical circumstances to the first.
How can a murderer get to victims in seemingly impossible situations and what, if anything, links the bodies?



Dead bodies are piling up for Detective Sergeant Jessica Daniel. Usually when a serial killer is on the loose, the pressure would be building to find the perpetrator but the victims are all hardened criminals themselves. 
The national media can’t believe their luck with an apparent vigilante on the streets, while Jessica’s new boss seems grateful someone else is doing their job for them. 
But things aren't so straightforward when forensics matches blood from the apparent killer to a man already behind bars.


Ok, slightly unusually for me there's not one BUT TWO books on my list this week. Originally I was just going to write about Vigilante which is the second in the Jessica Daniel Series but I thought I'd look at the first for reference and really liked the sound of that one too! The descriptions don't give too much away along the lines of the other themes of the books and people involved, but if I like the protagonist I definitely think this sounds like a series I'd enjoy.

Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

Staying Positive

Since my move to the USA I've already faced several challenges. I flew out shortly after some surgery and as a result getting ready to travel and the journey itself was a lot to conquer. Since I arrived, submitting the correct paperwork to live here, open bank accounts and pass driving tests have each come with their own set of challenges. Then just as I thought I was getting on top of it all, I ended up having more surgery last week.

However despite the hurdles I'm feeling really optimistic about everything. I've successfully negotiated the challenges that came my way, despite what sometimes felt like a one step forward two step back approach! We successfully arranged the most awesome wedding in just one week. Plus I've coped well with this most recent surgery and keeping my focus on resting and healing.

"Life's problems wouldn't be called hurdles 

if there wasn't a way to get over them"

~Unknown

Most importantly I never forget that I have a lot to be thankful for. I'm so happy to be here with Paul and he has been so supportive through everything. I've constantly reminded myself the last few months that although the health issue is uncomfortable, sometimes painful and just not very nice, there are also worse things in life. I found a specialist here who is confident that this operation may cure the cause of the problems I've been having and that keeps me feeling optimistic. Although I'm out of action right now, over the next few weeks/months I'm hoping to heal well and get back to being me. I have a wonderful family here and in England and I have lots of adventures to look forward to!

Oh, and how can I forget to mention little Kiki... nursing her mum back to health one cuddle at a time. I'm thankful for this bundle of brat every single day!

Don't forget....

"To play it safe is not to play."

~Robert Altman

 

 

Wishlist Wednesday #27

Welcome to my twenty-seventh Wishlist Wednesday; part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. This week I've chosen Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham.

It's rare for a young woman to die from a stroke and when three such deaths occur in short order it starts to look like an epidemic. Then a sharp pathologist notices traces of benzodiazepine in one of the victim's blood samples and just traceable damage to the ligaments in her neck, and their cause of death is changed from 'natural' to murder.The police aren't making much progress in their hunt for the killer until he appears to make a mistake: Alison Willetts is found alive and D.I. Tom Thorne believes the murderer has made a mistake, which ought to allow them to get on his tracks. But it was the others who were his mistakes: he doesn't want to take life, he just wants to put people into a state where they cannot move, cannot talk, cannot do anything but think.When Thorne, helped by the neurologist looking after Alison, starts to realise what he is up against he knows the case is not going to be solved by normal methods - before he can find out who did it he has to understand why he's doing it.

I like the sound of this book a lot. It's got great reviews on amazon and sounds a bit out of the ordinary with the baddie trying to permanently trap people in their own bodies, unable to communicate rather than actually murder them. My only concern is the depiction of the protagonist who a few people mentioned falls into the typical worn out detective, divorced with a slight drinking problem. However I'm interested enough in the plot to want to find out what I think for myself!

Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

A Wonderful Wedding

Paul and I have been waiting for what feels like forever for the time that I could come to the USA and we could get married, though due the time scales between getting my visa and travelling, planning a big day wasn't an option. As I mentioned in this post, I wasn't going to let that worry me though!

When I flew into Houston I was told we had 28 days from the date of my arrival to get married so at the beginning of my second week here we decided to get married that Sunday.
Thankfully I'd already bought a dress in England so we had a starting point for us to work from, plus I'm incredibly lucky that my mother in law is so amazingly creative! We went shopping on Thursday afternoon and got me some flowers as well as picking up all the things we'd need to dress a table and decorate the house.

This was the perfect day for Paul and I as it was so wonderfully simple. We got married outdoors, and our guest list consisted of just a few close friends, Paul's immediate family, our 2 black labs plus a friend of ours that was able to marry us (hence the slightly unconventional-looking Reverend).

As my family were unable to make the trip at short notice we facetimed the ceremony to my parents and brother (you have to love technology!) then got to chat to them afterwards ....

Even though we arranged it in less than a week, I wouldn't change a thing about our wedding day. Even if we'd had a year to plan, I don't think we could've arranged a more perfect day.

The focus was our love and this was expressed with simple ceremony witnessed by the people that mean the most to us (and our puppies of course!)

Priorities

Once again I feel the need to apologise to those of you that take the time to follow and comment on my blog regularly as I haven't been around recently. 

I've had an amazing whirlwind of a month but blogging had to take a back seat to allow me to prioritize my health, moving abroad and arranging a wedding in a week!

I think I'm heading back in the direction of creativity though so stick with me... 

Wishlist Wednesday #26

Welcome to my twenty-sixth Wishlist Wednesday; part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. This week I've chosen All the Pretty Girls by JT Ellison

No, please don’t.
The words echoed through his brain as he sawed, their rhythm spurring his own.

When a local girl falls prey to a sadistic serial killer, Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson finds herself pursuing the vicious murderer. The Southern Strangler is slaughtering his way through the Southeast, leaving a gruesome memento at each crime scene – the prior victim’s severed hand.

Ambitious TV reporter Whitney Connolly is certain the Southern Strangler is her ticket out of Nashville; she’s got a scoop that could break the case, but has no idea how close to this story she really is.

As the killer spirals out of control, everyone involved must face a horrible truth: that the purest evil is born of secrets and lies.

The synopsis doesn't give much away about this book which I like as I think too many give away too much of the plot before you've even started to read it. I love a good thriller and at only £1.99 on Kindle I think this one might make its way onto my TBR shelf pretty soon!

Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

Wishlist Wednesday #25

Welcome to my twenty-fifth Wishlist Wednesday; part of the great blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper. This week I've chosen Defending Evil by Charles Shea

Travis Knight is an extraordinary criminal defence attorney winning high profile cases in Atlanta. One of his recently acquitted clients kills again, which has Travis and his wife Julie, questioning what he does for a living. Travis is shaken to his core, but being a consummate lawyer, he is able to move past his feelings of guilt; Julie isn't.
In a bizarre twist, a mysterious vigilante begins executing Travis’ clients after he wins them an acquittal. This righteous vigilante decides that the clients Travis is helping to put back into society are guilty, and don't deserve to live--the vigilante delivers ultimate justice.
The police only half-heartedly search for the vigilante-off the record, they are glad someone is cleaning-up after the hot-shot attorney.
The vigilante's attention turns to the source, and sends Travis an ultimatum--stop defending guilty clients or he will be the next to be executed. Risking his life, and his marriage, Travis refuses to be intimidated, and continues to defend clients accused of murder.

This story chronicles the labyrinth of high-speed twists and turns of a deadly cat-and-mouse game - a game that can end with only one winner

So first things first... I'm guilty of judging books by their covers and this one doesn't exactly grab my attention very much, though thankfully the synopsis does as it sounds like the perfect mix... dark legal/mystery/thriller... my favourite genres all combined! I'm sure it won't be long before this book joins my kindle TBR list.

Want to join in??

• Follow Pen to Paper as the host
• Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get your hands on and read
• Wrote a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist
• Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of her post
• Put a link back to Pen to Paper somewhere on your post with a note about the host
• Visit the other blogs, follow and enjoy :)

What's on your wishlist this week? Leave me a link to your post, I'll be sure to pop by and check it out!

Wedding planning with a difference...

I have to admit that since announcing our engagement on here last December I've kept pretty quiet about the whole wedding thing. Paul and I submitted our application to the embassy back in September 2012 and since then I haven't written about the process so as not to curse it! However last week I became the proud owner of my very own visa which allows me to enter the United States to marry Paul. AT LAST!!

So now exciting changes are about to happen as soon I'll fly to Texas and we can arrange our wedding. I feel surprisingly confident and calm about it all considering that we're getting married in about 5 weeks time and have no venue, date or anything else planned. We've been apart for such a long time that the show and flamboyance that people can get so fixated on doesn't come into it. The focus for us is not the entertainment of everyone else but the fact that we will be together again and all our hard work and patience has paid off. I have confidence that we'll find just the right place for the two of us. Most important of all we will be together again and able to say our 'I do's'.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

A Surprising Discovery

I'm a massive fan of my Kindle and couldn't live without it, but despite this I always thought deep down that part of me agreed with people that said they will always love an actual book more. However this week I realised this may no longer be the case.

I had an appointment at the American Embassy in London a couple of weeks ago. It's forbidden to take any electronic devices into the building so I bought a book on my way to keep me entertained while I waited for my appointments. On the day it turned out there was a lot going on so it was difficult to focus on reading but having bought it, typically for me, I was determined to read it at some point.

As I was reading I realised that I was no longer a fan of the good old fashioned paperback. Other than the smell (mmm book smell) I found myself struggling to get comfortable while reading. Somewhere along the line I've got super lazy... I like holding my Kindle with one hand, not moving to turn a page and not getting achy arms. I also hadn't realised how much I used the dictionary feature built into the Kindle. Added to the comfort factor is the cost ... the same book was half the price on Amazon than it was in the book shop, plus having a whole store instantly available at my fingertips 24 hours a day means I'm never short of something new to get into.

So after several years of reading on a Kindle I've finally realised, much to my surprise, that I'm not just a bit of a fan but really I'm 100% converted!!
Do you read on an e-reader or still enjoy a paperback? Please share your thoughts and leave a comment :)