Cats Love Life And Influences

If I wrote a book about a cat it would probably be called “cats love life and influences “

My cat he goes by many names like cat or cat or le chat or Jack . He will stare at you reminding you or something you need to do which strangely is never worming or flea treatment for the cats I mean not myself .

Pretty sure early humans wouldn’t have had sabre tooth cat sitting by his bowl reminding of the need for nourishment.

“ I’ve called a very important meeting in this bag “

You’ve been summoned to a meeting and you’ve not got a good feeling about it.

What goes up won’t go down.

“ So tell me about Shrodinger and his box ”

The currency of life is food 

And there’s no need to beat yourself up about your year , eyes forward foot first and just keep on.If you stumble as you go that’s ok life isn’t straight forward it’s how we deal with it .

It’s amazing what you can learn from cats after all they’re really running the country aren’t they now ?!

Merry Catmass

Merry Christmas from myself and my family and the cat 

Jack the cat is smiling on the inside and saying ho ho ho 

This is his cheese face and his cake face they are one and the same , no isn’t a word he likes

Also he doesn’t like sharing top billing with a dog we visited my lovely in-laws and Murphy the dog.

Murphy likes Piggy and is scared of my nieces cat and isn’t allowed to sit on your lap ( though he tries very very hard to he still thinks he’s a puppy.

Jack says “Cats rule digs drool “

Not Letting My Autism Make Me A Prisoner

I’m not letting my autism make a prisoner out of me and I’m going to go out there and do stuff.I do struggle at times with the social niceties of the world when all I want is to be invited out for a cup of tea with a friend.

And this week I’ve done that and been out to a cup of tea with a friend it’s amazing the restorative powers of a nice cup of tea.

And just being myself is good enough for me and appreciating the moment, I’ve tried for PIP but I’ve been turned for that and one of the comments was that I was too cognitive and gave too much eye contact.

Now of course I’m going to fight this not only for myself but try and help other people fighting against the PIP system.

Life isn’t easy but I certainly wouldn’t have my life any other way but one day I’ll make a careeer change and shift into volunteer work.I don’t see myself being a midday supervisor for ever it really isn’t my life career choice.I need to be out there I need to feel the vibe of life.I have made some fantastic friends through my work but I’m no longer the teaching assistant I loved.

I need more I need me.

Why I would Love to Go To Vienna

Ever have something just stick in your head travel wise and you simply must go to that place and so you must make it your mission to go there and you cannot rest until you do ? It is like an unknown adventure is calling you like a travelling Pied Piper and you must simply follow the sound of the melodious charm. Vienna I must simply go to Vienna and darn it I am going to sound like an Ultravox single and say  "Oh Vienna "


The architecture I believe is just jaw dropping and it is so beautiful so I have been informed and not only do you have hundred of year of architecture , there is also the music and of course the Spanish riding school with the skillful riders and  ( same I am highly allergic to horses ) Classical music and architecture what more could I ask for oooh the food , I am a huge foodie and a food fan !


As with any trip I lay the seeds of where I am thinking of listen to the opinions of others and we usually at some point go to where I have suggested anyway, we have in recent times been to Italy 3 times and I do love Italy and would love nearly to explore further my family would like a change. I am not one for beach holidays and if it is near the sea there really has to be some historical place for me to visit otherwise I truly go stir crazy.

For Vienna the best place to find all the information you need for the city apart from in a guide book is the tourist Info , we did this for Florence and it was superb you can narrow down your points of interest and get so many recommendations. And travel info is a must in a city like Vienna as it is very disconcerting to get lost in a big city as my legs can confirm when we got lost in Florence and it was 
up some pretty big mountains ok ok it was hills but they were really super hilly.


There is really something I have to say when you stay in the heart of a city you really capture its heart and romance.

The Advent Of Me

It’s Christmas not that you need telling or anything so why not grab Christmas by the baubles.I have always had to build up for Christmas sneaky in the odd decoration here and there so I don’t get overwhelmed. I don’t want to make it about my Autism it’s not something I can switch on or off .I have to respond to how I feel to light sound and people and judge things on their merit.It can be exhausting if you let it so I try not to as people round me still want to enjoy Christmas and I’m not a Grinch.

I’ve got the number 7 advent which is a very rare beast indeed but what oh what would I want for an advent of me ? 

1 I if course would need tea everyday 

2 To be transported to a location each day of choosing 

3 Cheese not to be fattening 

4  I actually fit into a size what ever instead of just leaving an item in my wardrobe just in case I will fit into it.

4 That my time is meaningfully spent and there’s silent appreciation of what I do.

5 Never ever to do News Years resolutions I simply won’t and will never believe in them, instead I’m much more up for revolution s.

6. To be appreciated by my cat I think this is the missing link humanity has been looking for.

7 Keep buying that tea .

8 Also ensuring I don’t run out of milk where’s a pantomime cow when you need one.

9 Private concert by Beethoven there’s nothing better than Beethoven ( the classical musician and not the film about the sloppy dog)

10 To know I’m good enough .

11 To be myself and know that honestly it’s not about follower numbers on Instagram, Twitter ,Facebook or whatever platform they come up with next.

12 Always be eclectic 

13 Not to go a day without drinking tea 

14 To spend time with family and friends 

15 To adhere to the Bambi philosophy of life 

16 To write that novel and about criminals in a Spa ( true story by the way )

17 Develop said novel into a screen play probably staring Sheridan Smith and Olivia Coleman and guest starring Helen Mirren .Maybe Harry Rednap could star as the criminal a skip magnate I think.

18 Afternoon tea is a must !

19 Invent my own Gin 

Christmas With A Yankee Candle Christmas Set

There is nothing better than in Wintertime than the glow of a candle and even better when it is a Yankee Candle with their myriad of fragrances that are available.And I do love to light a candle especially at Christmas as the light bounces round and everything is so twinkly and comforting.
And a good quality candle is essential and that is why I do love a the smell of a Yankee candle but I do ensure that any candles are never left unattended and blown out before anyone goes to bed.

I was very pleased to be sent this Yankee Candle set from WOW FreeStuff to try out and it is utterly divine.The scent of the votive candle fills the room and there is a choice of candles Frosty Gingerbread,Icy Blue Spruce  and Winter Wonder compete with a starry candle holder.Each votive candles provides up to 15 hours of fragrance and always make sure you sure a votive candle with a suitable holder.

So if you would like the opportunity to win your own Yankee Candle Christmas set from Wow FreeStuff then head over there ( all the terms and conditions are on their page and you must be over 18 to enter ).
So why not pop over there and try your luck and see what other bargains you can snap up not just over Christmas but for the following year.

Living In And Loving Life

Absolutely no problems at A&E when I mentioned I am autistic, professional staff with great care and good instructions at Derby Royal and pain killers for my back #ActuallyAutistic

And being treated with respect and not being talked down to is the bees knees , it actually makes your mood bouyant.My journey through life is much more sign posted now as I’m actually listened to and given the space to explain myself.

I was listened to from reception staff to the doctor who saw me and who kindly gave me directions not only telling me but showing me ~ fantastic. Yes there is negativity in the press and other places roundabouts about the overstretched NHS but I wanted to highlight one piece of a twinkling fairy light in the string of lights of life!

Bit of an opener for a blog post but I pull no punches in telling you about me well mostly me !

I exactly 2 months in my diagnosis and I’m doing alright I think , people can be incredibly irksome at times and this can cause me to have to reboot myself but oh life !

Live to love the life 

And love to live 

Talk your heart out to be one 

Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring that Helps With Snoring

Mr T says I snore but I can't hear it .. any way it's not about me as Mr T does snore and his snoring does disturb me greatly so I was extremely grateful when Mr T was given the opportunity to review the Good Night Anti-Snoring Ring.Mr T went into trialling this with an open mind as he does with anything except maybe the decorating although recently he has been hit by the decorating bug.


The ring uses eastern acupressure principals to reduce or allotter climate your snoring and Mr T followed the instructions to wear it on his ring finger as shown in the picture below.






The little bump needs to be placed on the inner part of your finger and you do this 30 minutes before you go to sleep.Selecting your size is very easy to do the sizes are small.medium and large.The ring fits on the smallest finger and you adjust to fit so one one of the 3 sizes will fit you.


The ring costs £30 and it comes with a a 100 % money back guarantee , the company do ask that you wear it for a minimum of 21 daysFor us it works MT T has perhaps only snored once every now and again and that is it.


For the ring to work you need to wear it correctly and if you're a heavy snorer you might need to wear 2 rings ( I am going to keep an eye and ear on Mr T is to see if this is the situation ) but the occasional snore is getting fewer and fewer now so fingers and ears crossed.

There is a FAQ questions on their website and I am extremely grateful to The Good Night people for allowing me to have more rested sleep ! and so is Mr T as he is more rested to be able to do loads of decorating!

The Writers Block And That Sea Of White

When you start writing a blog post you do so to eradicate the blank page that stares before you in so many different ways and the words they either come easily or taking a little more coxing out. And the whiteness like a blanket of snow slowly gets covered as you type or write away or scribe I like the word scribe it is so intelligent and full of history.And with words you can damn well do what you like and I am not short of words though of late my mind has been stuck on the traffic light of society and it just remembering to pause push that button and cross the road. As I write I see the white just peeking out in between the spaces ; the words they are cradled by the white. I am trying not to be intimated by the the sea of white for it only a wonder not yet told and though it is as I have said a sea of white it is also a sea of opportunity.

And as you have written the first paragraph then simply you must soldier on and write more sentences because without your sheer resilientance the rest of your words won't have any support you must support the precious words that you lay down upon the page. These words that you write you might not think that that make sense you might think that you are furtling around in the dark with no chance of a lighthouse beam to guide your ship of words to safety, keep on going and be sure of yourself.

I am writing because I want to not because I have to , you can't force the words you just have to let him come to you and being Autistic my words can get a bit back to front to at times and what I think I am saying or writing isn't want is on the page or I have actually spoken. I need that little bit of extra processing time like a super computer on a tea break and then when bam I am there fast as lightning.

As I write how I feel gets a little easier and the Autism/Aspergers is pushed aside not defining me but just part of my everyday life, when you have yourself explained it takes a while to feel your feet again ( and speaking of feet I haven't put my socks on yet and it is rather chilly out there and I have a cold ) .

There above us is magnificence in those words there is silent bravery there is heart there is soul there is me.

Tea any one ?

The Slowness Of Time

It’s 5 Am 

You can’t sleep 

You try to get back to sleep but you can’t 

You finish the internet 

It’s now 5.01 

You get up to find even your cat is asleep 

It’s not even 5.05 

You drink tea and more tea 

The cat wakes up and you do edgy band photos with it 

It’s now only 5.10 

Time is very very slow early in the morning!

And this is good because it’s a good time to reflect and one of the biggest kindnesses you can have is being kind to yourself.You have got to try and love yourself and not left the self doubt win life is really honestly too short to let it drag yourself down.

Friendship Is A Lot Like Socks

 Friendship is a lot like socks ,the oddest of pairings will and does work.

Why should some socks (friends) not be paired ? 

If we're were the odd one and you didn't get to get that special friend or friends ; then you'd feel quite left out. If you think someone is aloft, weird, unique and not running with the crowd who is to say that they couldn't be the friend that you didn't think you needed.

Opposites attract.

Give an odd pairing a chance.

It could be the new joyful lease of life that they need.

Say Hi to someone

The simplest kindnesses are everlasting.

Open that door for someone.

Thank people.

Reach out and be the the kindness in someones life just letting someone know you're there really helps.

It is anti bullying this week and I better in my life than I have been in a long time , I was bullied as a child because I was different I have Autism but no one knew it then . Children could see and sense I was different and I was bullied without bullied and hard as I tried it got worse I spoke to my parents and teachers and people did their best but my bullying followed me from school to school.With Autism it is really hard to articulate yourself and when your are bullied you end up in a tailspin and bullying can leave you without a lifetime of hurt.

I struggled to make friends because of my issues with social communication and when sometimes people did decide to be my friend it was to use me , they said horrible things behind my back . They hid my glasses then suddenly found them to get praise from the teacher , they were in a word manipulative.

Which each new school there came the hope that everything would be ok and everything would be different , I didn't understand how you were supposed to be . I didn't understand how you were meant to make friends and people just thought I was weird.I hate the name calling ,the silent treatment , the spreading of rumours like you had sometime contagious, the polls to see if people like me the physical bullying , the bullying happened outside school as well. I was beat up on the way to my piano and harpsichord lesson people could just sense and see I was different like a injured zebra I suppose.

Being Autistic I take things literally and you believe what is being said to you , someone is telling you are stupid and worthless and no one ones to be your friend then being autistic why would someone tell me something that wasn't true.


My school reports are sad there is no getting away from it and it screams that schools should have seen that was something up with my learning and done more to help me but if I can help people recognise the struggles of others then I am doing good !

I was the little girl who couldn't ballet it was just dancey and pink i was the child who loved and was lost in their thoughts in a museum.

Life continued like this well into my adulthood as being in work it was like school but with a whole new list of social rules that you had to figure out and as a result I drifted in and out of jobs .


You are not the child who cried buckets when they were bullied because you can not express your emotions this is why it is so important to have perpetual kindness and I know life isn't play sailing and the ripples of emotion cause various problems but talking and reporting is a must.

Also tomorrow is World Kindness day but let us all be kind each and every day and not just for the day , kindness should be natural and part of our being.

BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Mineral Lotion

Review


I was kind enough to be send for review some BetterYou Magnesium Sleep mineral lotion for me to try and I was really excited as the older you get the more you struggle to sleep and whilst I refuse to be a number age wise ! I do have autism and this messes up my sleep no end and I welcome anything to try and get some sleep.I struggle to fall asleep and sometimes find myself waking every few hours.So when this arrived I was hoping it would be my miracle saviour cure.

The mineral lotion is rich in magnesium chloride, lavender and camomile, designed to relax your tired muscles, slow sensory activity and quieten the mind to promote a restful night's sleep.I love that the formula is free from paragons ,synthetic fragrances and colour , it also contains 100 percent natural ingredients ,making it gentle enough to be used during pregnancy ,BetterYou is also against animal testing.Each 5ml dose will provide you with an impressive 150mg of magnesium which is 40 percent of the recommended daily allowance.

Magnesium is a natural sleep aid which has a calming effect on the body ,relaxing muscles and easing the tensions of the day away.
Application is made easy by a pump bottle, you simply twist the top to unlock and push the pump down to release the lotion.The lotion is smooth and easy to apply it is just the right consistency.It is quickly absorbed into the skin it is highly moisturising, and my skin was left feeling soft and nourished. I am a huge fan of lavender though I don't like it to be overpowering which this is not. Lavender is well known for promoting relaxation and sleep.

For best results,BetterYou recommend applying after showering or bating, up to 30 minutes before sleep , it is now part of a my bedtime routine and I look forward to sleep more know rather than fearing it.The lotion is suitable for use all over the body and BetterYou suggest focusing on area such as the neck shoulders and legs.

BetterYou's new Magnesium Sleep Lotion is available now, priced at £9.95

My Blog My Identity

This is me the person behind the blog , the beating heart warts and all , I share in order to help myself and other people.Whilst on twitter my picture is of my late cat that’s because of my blog so it’s all emcompassing.

So cat photo on twitter or not it really doesn’t matter it’s really at the end of the day words that matter.My words are very important and I struggle to get them out at times and plain and simply it’s my autism .I don’t mind the disability not in the slightest it has list me friends who didn’t understand me.This was before the official diagnosis.

My blog is very special to me it’s a testament to my survival and that’s what I feel and having a diagnosis is part of my personality.I am now pulling all parts of my life together and sorting out things that should have been sorted in my childhood.

I’m am learning to roll with my brain and jumping about in a conversation or my writings is just part of me in this world.

I put my heart into everything I’m very much heart thoughts and deeds , I go above and beyond .I’m no matyr but I’m just a genuine human to the core , I help where I can and I love a happy conclusion though it’s not always so.

I seek my minds eye it soothes my heart and head and soul, I’m slowly knitting myself back together but I can’t actually knit.A cup of tea steers me through the day 

Cats Have Their Own Agenda

Cats I really do love cats they’re my favourite pet so much so that they’re my only pet, despite being allergic to cats I keep them.My allergy is lessened because I grew up with a cat but I didn’t know I was allergic then.

Cats have their own agenda like Jack sitting on the sky remote and fast forwarding to the conclusion of the program.

That time you changed the door and installed a new cat flap and they weren’t impressed especially as they really prefer the front door.

You just know in your heart of hearts you shouldn’t have watch the Shining with your cat.

Cats are the only entertainment you need to watch , try anything and they know it.

You save cardboard boxes just for them even though your efforts are weak in your cats eyes.

Cats dramatic divas that they are will control every aspect of your life , really you’re their servant.You are at their servant and they will never let you forget that you’re further at their beck and call.

You’ve fed the cat , played with cat , talked to the cat yet you find yourself reasoning with the cat that you’re doing the best for them.

Cats they rule 

Pushing Myself Forward

I think you have to push yourself forward a lot of the time ,especially when it comes to the ice grips of Winter and you want nothing better than just stick the fire on and never leave the house again till Spring.But alas the only way to get out there is to well get out and actually meet people  , it is an irksome job practically if you have Autism as you might not wish to tell people and I am. Mostly I am getting good responses and some people are a little perplexed as they might not understand the condition.

In telling people you have Autism I truly believe it spreads awareness and I am all about awareness , I am just branching back into singing and I am going to try for 2 choir that require audition ~ yikes . I shall only go to one of them but I am going to give it my best shot as that is what you need to do in life.Now I am fully aware that despite me being able to sing that I might not get into either of these and yes I will feel crushed but no more so than constantly getting picked last for rounders.


You can not make people like you or bend to your will that is impossible , I am me and that is all I can be as I settle into my unique character that is me. I haven't gown an extra eye since I had been diagnosed but I can see with a certain nuance of clarity that how different I was , a joyful misfit that was just one step out of phase with the popularity of the moment.

But oh so happy to be !

Why Self Resilience Is Important

Why self resilience is important because not only is it empowering but it’s a life skill as life isn’t always a smooth ride.

Emotional resilience refers to one's ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises. More resilient people are able to "roll with the punches" and adapt to adversity without lasting difficulties; less resilient people have a harder time with stress and life changes, both major and minor.

And being autistic this isn’t easy I feel I’m saying that rather a lot lately but it’s true.Especially  as I come up against different situations in life especially after going back to work after 6 months off.

‪Yesterday I had my headphones on ( I could still hear outside world ) I crossed looking round me before I did to enter the narrow lane done which I work and then started walking up the lane to which a car beeped me aggressively. There was no where else to go except walk down the middle of the narrow lane as the cars tend to park on the narrow stretch of pavement. The driver then proceed to gesture about my headphones etc shaking head etc then finally when I got done the lane he was relating to his visitor about my headphones again gesturing this . He approached me saying about the headphones saying I should have been on the path , ( where you couldn’t fit due to the cars parking on the path due to the narrowness of the lane. 

I said this etc but some people are so narrow and blinkered in the views they just like to hear the sound of their own voice.

Now I know people can be in a world of their own with headphones but I have mine at such a level I hear the outside world.

I wear mine because of my autism it’s an unseen disability ~ and I didn’t even say this to him ( I didn’t even get the chance )

You might think it’s just one of those things but for me it nearly sent me home as it riles me emotionally.

Now my come back at people is just to call them a very silly person in such incidents.

Afterwards I was floored and emotionally upset but luckily I had work colleagues to pick me up.

And I mentioned it on line as well where I was offered sage advice and I’m grateful of that.

Being autistic I cannot necessarily articulate myself when I’m faced by irksome folk but I’m learning and it’s part of my self resilience.

Why Your Cat Needs An Instagram Account

A cat the 4 legged friend though it one letter from being a friend and more likely to be a fiend on many occasion than a fiend but a friend they always truly are. From apologising to getting the wrong sort of  cat foot to accepting that your cat is more popular on instagram than you are then cat ownership is here to stay.Fear not I am not jealous of my cat being more popular on instagram it is the modern world , I have to instagram on behalf of my cat , it's a blog think it is a blog identity , it is perfectly cat bonkers and harmless.

You won't see me referring to my cat as my furbaby it is not a term I like and it should be consigned to the same place as hollibobs and haul ( insert silent scream )


I know I know my cat can't actually instagram but you know it is part of my identity and now Jack has to be the Ninjakillercat as Rollie is no longer with us and Rollie so totally would have owned instagram!

Jack has very much adjusted to being on his own and wrapping everyone round his err paws ? and he has more toys than he knows what to do with and will chase stuff then tiredly flop down in a heap and paw them with muted enthusiasm.

And Jack is getting a few strange messages on Instagram including ones about fitness but the think he is he’s been catfished.People are using cat profiles then changing them sneaky ! so catfishing is not just a human problem! Pop over here to see his new instagram account 

Kitchen Clear Out King Prawn Broccoli Mushroom Beansprout Medley

It’s one of those days where you look at your fridge and cupboards and random supermarket purchases.As it’s Wednesday it screams randomness anyway and Wednesday today is 2 years long !

Ingredients 

Ham

King Prawns 

Button Mushrooms 

Broccoli 

Bean sprouts 

Oil for pan 

Soy sauce 

Sweet chilli sauce 

Method 

This is very much whack in a pan and there you have it type of meal.

Heat up some oil in a wok 

Throw in the chopped Broccoli, mushrooms and Beansprouts and King Prawns, ham

 dash of soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce .

Literally keep it moving for 5 minutes en-suite piping hot and then serve .

Quick and easy 

Autumn Celebration

It’s an Autumn celebration and I’m feeling like my year has just begun as myself and my family have been through the ringer as they say since March.But now oh now hopefully joyfully we are all catching a break life is like Tetris and we battle and work to fit it in.

We have dealt with a diabetes diagnosis, my mother had a bipolar crisis , I had an depression- anxiety crisis and I was diagnosed as autistic, and I returned to work after 6 months off .A lot you’ll agree and the ends are being tied up and we do what we do to get through.

So the year begins now it curves round to the expected and unexpected and it’s ok you can clap this no need for jazz hands.So bring on the tea and more tea I say and we will deal with the world one cup at a time.

Help For A Newly Diagnosed Autistic Adult

It's not as if you get your letter from Hogwarts when you're told you're autistic , in fact I am still waiting on my letter to confirming my autistic diagnosis even though I got my diagnosis on the day .I know am lucky to get my diagnosis in confirming why at times I feel fractured it  it very much like feeling you're Humpty Dumpty and it is a myth that us Autistics can not be empathetic. And I really don't mind me autistic in fact I like being me I am still me but it like being dropped in the middle of the ocean.

If you're under 30 and in derby then you can approach Umbrella for help and support after your diagnosis but if like me you're on the right side of 40 there is nothing but relief from a diagnosis.There are local groups out there and this is where looking on line helps from example the Autism society . There is a local group to me which I have yet to join I am doing stuff at my own pace as each and every day brings its trials tribulations or joy.


Auditory overload is my biggest nemesis especially combined with a roomy auditory space so at the moment I am going between earplugs and headphones and I have just ordered some headphones that will cut out so much noise.Do I want to be different yes and no do I wish I had been diagnosed sooner and my disability had been understood at school yes but life isn't how we always want it to be. It is about striving once you know and doing your best to be you and I can be empathetic I am not a robot without emotions . My brain wiring is different and that is the thing Autism is a spectrum situation condition and how I act and fail will be different to the next autistic person.

Love Of #HiddenCalke National Trust

You not only make use of your National Trust membership in summer but you can do so all year round , it is an excellent way not only to get out and about but also witness the changing of the seasons.And there is nothing finer than the Autumnal bounty of leaves and colour.

Enchanted is what National Trust gardens are a pure glimpse into a time gone by.See a leaf fall into existence, see a water can left as if the head gardener has only just gone away. I don’t live far from Calke Abbey and #HiddenCalke is very much in abundance.

It’s a favourite place of my to potter and wander round because every corner of the gardens beckons you forth.There is still flowers heralding their blooms at Calke.