3 month Anniversary :)

Celebrating my 3 month anniversary with Sean tonight :). Off out for a posh curry, a trip to the movies and maybe a drink or too. Can't wait. For now... it's bath time!

The Grand National - Why I strongly disapprove

I am posting today in response to some strong feelings I have regarding the Grand National. To me, all that the Grand National is and represents are quintessentially wrong. I posted how I felt in a short sentence on twitter and received comments from a number of people whose beliefs were quite the contrary to my own. I do respect that everyone is entitled to an opinion but struggle to understand some of the beliefs people come to have, in many cases I have found them to be quite contradictory and am bemused as to how they came to their conclusions. Many people believe there is nothing at all wrong with it and it is, and I quote 'All good fun'. I have however found most of those people don't acknowledge the cruelty aspect as thats easier to sweep under the carpet and forget about.

As an animal lover, I can't imagine putting my pets at risk. They are to me like members of my family, and I could not imagine purposely putting them in a position of danger. Not least for my own entertainment and potential monetary gain. I have friends who are absolutely devoted to their horses and some I would go as far as to say would most likely risk themselves before their animals. People who have responded to my tweet have commented on the love and care these animals receive prior to a race, saying that it is second to none. And that they have the best possible life. From my own perspective it seems an odd philosophy to think its okay to treat an animal well and respectfully before you essentially send it into the snake pit? Is this not a bit of a double standard? 'I love you, but I'll risk your life if it means I will gain from the small possibility of you winning'. To me, sending your horse out to race when you have said how much you love and care for it is a similar ideology to sending your 2 year old out to play with the traffic. Perhaps this is crudely put but an accurate analogy. If you love another being, you don't put them in harms way. Isn't this human instinct?

It is alleged that in the 2011 Grand National 3 horses died. Those are only those recorded on the actual track. The final count cannot be truly know as some died after leaving the track from their injuries, from which they were later shot. Two of these horses died instantly at a fall on the fourth gate from a fall to the neck. The second of which they tried to treat from behind a green screen to shield it from spectators views but were unfortunately unsuccessful. Do the onside spectators not appreciate the cruel spectacle they are watching unfold as a horse, that is so apparently 'dearly loved' falls to it's death? It's almost as if ''Its okay to watch while we all cheer but when a horse falls, please shield me from it as that is something I shouldn't have to acknowledge in the process''. Seemingly this is 'okay', because its all in the name of entertainment.

There are so many issues in my mind that make the 'sport', in my mind a 'blood sport' so very wrong. I could harp on all day about how this angers me but will most likely just drive any reader nuts. I appreciate my opinion differs to most but felt I wanted to highlight some of the contradictory theories I have had posed to me in favour of this event.

''I love you, now go and run''

Concerts, Cakes, Crashing on couches and Cross stitches

Charlie 1 day old
Me and Robyn eating out

I've lots on my plate this month. Not quite sure its all achievable in 31 days March has to offer. More to the point, I'm not sure I am able to keep up with all the goings on. I seem to have been over ambitious in my booking of diary events. Just hope I don't wear myself down in the process as I have a crappy chest infection and over doing it could land me back in hospital. Something I don't want to have to confront as that place is just awful.

Things have been on and off crazy the last few months. My brother came back from Cambodia over the Christmas period which was cool. And we managed to surprise my grandparents, who were delighted to see him. Lots of tears were shed and I'm glad to say I caught it all on camera. My military style forward planning of the event itself was a little OTT and I really should stop trying to plan things to the nth degree. I just had a idealistic view of how happy it would make the grandparents so wanted to make sure it lived up to it. They weren't disappointed :)

My nephew Charlie was also born on 20th January which was exciting for the whole family as its my parents first grandchild, my first nephew so auntie duties were in full swing - ie. buying far too much cute baby stuff as I now have an excuse!! He was a healthy 8Ib 4oz so is thriving and is very cute to cuddle.

My birthday seemed a bit morose this year. I think being 27 and single kind of put a downer on events. Just started thinking (rather pessimistically) that even if I met a guy right now and it all went perfectly, it would realistically still be another 3 plus years before we ever got married (if at all) and I am feeling super broody at the moment. So kids would take even longer. I've have being thinking a lot about being a mother lately - probably just my biological clock ticking. I have put a lot of thought into it and have decided that if by the age of 30, I am still single, I will opt for a sperm donor and go it alone. Sounds odd I know and it probably sounds like I'm too young to worry about such things but I never pictured a future without me being a mother in it. Whether that was from adoption or natural means. So I have made this a landmark to stand by.

This Friday I am going with my friend Rich to see Florence and Machine in London, then back to his for a few days. On our journey back up t'north we intend to visit our other friend Gemma so lots to squeeze into a few days. When I come back I have a neurophysio assessment, dinner with my friend Marisa and then cupcakes to make for my friend Clare who is coming down to collect them. Its then mothers day, and I'll be visiting my grandparents along with my own mum and dad. Then my friend Gemma (yep the same one I am seeing on the way back up t'north) is coming on the Monday and Tuesday. I then I have Wednesday to go to chest clinic before Clare comes to collect her cakes and take me back to see her place in Sheffield. Its the most hectic I think I've ever been in one month.

In any (very unlikely) down time I get I will be completing my biggest embroidery challenge yet... an alphabet cross stitch with Boofle bears hanging off it. I am making this for my old school friend Emma whose baby is due at the end of the month. I somehow don't think I am going to complete it in time for the birth but never mind. We shall see...