Let me introduce myself
Ok so I am going to take a few minutes to be unashamedly self-indulgent and tell you a little bit about me and who I am. After all, you’re going to be seeing a lot of me and my boys so you might as well know the back story behind the cheeseaholic, sarcastic, only partially sane woman I am today!
Vital statistics
Five foot and a fag end tall, 32DD chest and a size ten body which only fits into a petite range most of the time (or teenage sized clothes to avoid VAT if they’ll fit) Blue eyes with black bags – sadly not designer and a deep crevice of a wrinkle between my forehead that my friend puts down to me having an ‘expressive’ face. I’m not sure what to make of that to be honest! Right handed, pitch perfect (well close enough. Beyoncé can sleep easy) and unable to do that tongue rolling thing due to a missing gene apparently. Life is cruel sometimes.
What I like
Cheese. All sorts. All hours of the day. As much as possible. I am a self-certified cheeseaholic and proud. Rose wine and more recently different types of Gin. Apparently Gin is THE drink at the moment which is amazing for me because I have spent my life just discovering the ‘latest’ trend when everyone else is about to move on. A sense of humour. Honesty and a good heart. My own bed. Showers over baths. Brown sauce over red. Staffordshire oatcakes. With cheese obviously! Filet steak. Laughing with my friends. Music. Singing in the car on my own and with my children. Dancing in the kitchen. Any programme concerned with property. While my sister can have a sofa marathon day of Netflix I would rather watch Kirsty and Phil talk location location location. My family. Did I mention cheese?
What I don’t like
A lack of manners. It drives me insane! Snow. Peas. Liver. Lamb. The moment when you race to answer your phone and it stops just as you pick it up. Ironing, oh how I hate ironing! Running out of toilet paper. Discovering the last point whilst on the loo. Yes, its happened to you. Don’t pretend it hasn’t! We’ve all had to shake our lettuce more than once! Lies. People taking credit for work or ideas that aren’t theirs. Watching sport on the TV. People who don’t like cheese (just joking but they must have other marvellous qualities to compensate if we are to be friends)
Where I’ve been
Employment wise – fruit and veg girl, bank clerk, retail assistant (twice), sales girl, office administrator, behaviour support worker, teacher, network marketer. Love wise – all the wrong places and some of the right ones! Travel wise – New York, Australia, Mexico, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Corsica, various parts of the UK including Scotland, Ireland and who can forget the Vegas of the North ~ Blackpool.
I have battled depression, eating disorders and anxiety (aren’t I a cheery ray of sunshine) and have experienced wealth without joy and joy without wealth. I’m grateful for it all because its brought me here to you lovely lot (or maybe just a cathartic purging of my daily antics to myself if no-one reads this blog!)
Where I’m going
No idea but I’m excited. Stick around to find out and please get in touch to say hello too. I love a good introduction (and gifts of cheese are always appreciated. Just saying)
Chat soon,
Charlie xx
such an open insight into the real Charlie.. looking forward to reading more posts to get to know you & your beautiful boys better x
Many thanks KellyAnn. Exciting times
Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!
huntermckeOl
Hi, Many thanks for your comment. Im really glad you like the blog and will drop you an email soon. Charlie
Hi, Charlie! I’m so glad you told us about you-all it’s the first place I go when looking @ a new blog!
I love the slang (UK, I’m guessing?), but I can’t get “shaking your lettuce” out of my mind! lol I’m not sure I even want to know what that’s about!
Anyway, I too have a special needs child (well, 2, actually), but mine has the appearance of being just like his peers. However, inside he has an unusual heart defect that affects his daily life.
I am glad you’re writing, and being open and honest. It is very helpful, for many of us, to write.
☺
Hi Abbie
Thanks for taking the time to read the blog and get in touch! Yes I am in the UK and apologize for the scarring that “shaking your lettuce” may have caused haha. I imagine its even harder when your child looks to all the world like they are enjoying it the same as every one else when in reality there are more compromises and worries than for most children. I now feel pretty fortunate that Harrys appearance often explains his behaviour (particularly when he’s trampling over children to get their toys and parents want to lynch him. Eeeeeek) Stay in touch! If youre on facebook it would be great if you could follow my page there too as I am trying to get other parents with Altered Lives together too. Where do you live by the way? 🙂
I’d like to say that you are absolutely incredible!
I’m am in love with your boys and find them more beautiful than words can even begin to describe! I truly do wish you all the joy in the world and hope that blessings find you at every single corner! I also pray that regardless of what comes your way, that God gives you the patience and the strength to pull through! You’re an incredible mum and I hope you never forget that! Truly, such an inspiring beautiful family !
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! It really means a lot. I hope you stay with us on the journey and continue to enjoy the adventures 🙂 xx
You are a wonderful, warm and open person and it’s great to see you share that with others. I hope this platform serves you well as I know others will gain a lot from it. Take care and be happy
Thanks for your lovely comment Andy! I really hope that others enjoy my posts too and maybe, just maybe, I can reach those Mums who need to know that there’s light at the end of what can feel like a very long and lonely tunnel. Cx
I really love this
Thank you! 🙂
You are a wonderful mom and a woman ! I have been following you on instagram @xena.ibrahim in case you wondering( love your sense of humor) ! I have twin boys myself and I absolutely understand what you have been and going through. I have physical disability myself so I have high respects of moms ( including mine) for the sacrifices you make for your child .
Much love from Chicago /Iraq for you
Many thanks Zina! Big love to you and yours Cx