Life Lately: Reflections on writing.

It's 5am in the morning. I can't sleep. I haven't blogged in over a year and with very good reason. My son is ill and we don't know why. The last 17 months have been a constant stream of doctors appointments and A&E trips for dehydration, repeat infections and seizures. He won't eat and he never really has. He's 'floppy' and moves in odd ways. He's alert, intelligent and into everything. A normal toddler in so many ways but there is something 'not right' with Rupert. I feel it in my gut. It consumes my every waking thought and often my dreams too.

The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

A year after the intense cat and mouse chase that culminated in the imprisonment of  Warren 'The Surgeon' Hoyt, Detective Jane Rizzoli finds herself facing a series of  murders that are uncomfortably familiar. With traits similar to the surgeons exactly what is Rizzoli dealing with- an admirer? a copy cat? or worse an Apprentice? The novel follows Rizzoli as she faces the trauma of the past and breaks down the demons that stand before her. Joined by the guarded and secretive Agent Gabriel Dean and introducing Maura Isles- can the team stop the Apprentice before they become fully qualified? 

Say Hello to Rupert Richard

Welcome to the world Rupert Richard! You weren't the easiest baby to carry and you've certainly not been the easiest little one since being outside, though that's no fault of your own (more on that to follow). My first birth experience was quite traumatic- birthing a back to back baby that needed an episiotomy and forceps wasn't pleasant but despite my bad experience with Iris I was fully prepared to try a vaginal birth with Rupert but his positioning led to other plans and a C section was booked for a Tuesday when I was 39+4 but as we all know birthing babies rarely goes to plan...

Maternity Break

I'm currently away from the blog on a Maternity Break.

I will still be answering emails : katrina.acg@gmail.com 

I will still be active on Instagram @chatterfoxblog

I hope to return to my regular blogging schedule on Friday 3rd February 2023.

Thank you for supporting my blog in my absence. I look forward to sharing life as a family of four with you all soon.

Thank you,

Living Arrows | Beach Baby

  'You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth' Khalil Gibran.

We've been a bit AWOL from the blog and Living Arrows for a while, mainly because I've been enduring the pregnancy from hell! It started with intense sickness, then immense pain that turned out to be gallstones (on the waiting list for surgery to remove my gallbladder) and there's been the ongoing endocrine/autoimmune issues that were going on before I was pregnant. I've been exhausted and ill and honestly hating it- it's been nothing like my pregnancy with Iris.

Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Excuse me whilst I collect my jaw up off the floor. Never ever has a book ending made me feel so utterly enraged, thoroughly deceived and unexpectedly shocked as this one has.

Imagine a world in which animal meat is no longer fit for human consumption. Where do we turn for our meat fix? I'll give you a clue-it's not plant based. Humans are bred for consumption. Raised like cattle with no rights. 

Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi

Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi is unlike anything I've ever read before. It's a book within a book. There's a collection of individual and stand alone murder short stories collectively known as The White Murders that are interspersed throughout the main book, Eight Detectives in such a unique way. Eight Detectives focuses on publisher, Julia and the illusive and socially withdrawn author Grant as they discuss the upcoming publication of Grant's iconic work "The White Murders". As a reader we get a short story from The White Murders followed by a chapter that involves Julia interviewing Grant discussing the short story, how we wrote it and what it meant to him at the time. It's a fantastic format and not nearly as complicated as I've made it sound.

My 2nd Pregnancy - 0-20 Weeks

They say that no two pregnancies are the same and my second pregnancy has certainly proven this to be true. This is actually the fourth time I've been pregnant but due to early miscarriages this is only the second time I've made it to the second trimester. This pregnancy has been a real eye opener- if this had been my first pregnancy, it would also have been my last. It has been horrific.

Haven't They Grown by Sophie Hannah

Beth and Flora haven't spoken in years, not since their children were little. Now the children are all grown up, well, some of them are.... Haven't They Grown by Sophie Hannah follows Beth as she attempts to unravel how and why her former best friend's children haven't aged in twelve years. Is it a web of lies and deceit? Is Beth slowly losing her sanity or are unaging children merely the tip of the iceberg? 

Days Out | Sundown Adventureland

Sundown Adventureland is a theme park specifically aimed at children under 10 years of age. We visit Sundown often as we're annual pass holders. It's close to where Dan's family live, making it a perfect day out for us all. Sundown is a bit of a local treasure as it's been around for many years, my grandparents can remember visiting it when it was Pets Corner and though it's changed dramatically over the years it's still owned by the same family. 

Review | Things In Jars by Jess Kidd

This book isn't what I expected it to be. I was under the impression Things In Jars by Jess Kidd was a dystopian, science fiction novel but it's actually a victorian crime novel mixed with historical fiction and a hefty dose of science fiction and fact. 

Books I Want To Read In 2022

At the beginning of 2021 I made a list of the books I wanted to read throughout the year and I found it really helpful having a list to guide me. It helped me avoid becoming overwhelmed by choice and helped me to read 14 out of the 17 books on the list. Throughout the year I've been taking note of any books that have piqued my interest and have therefore created a list of books I want to read this year.

Coeliac | Wahaca, Southbank.

Prior to being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease I considered myself to be a real foodie. Once diagnosed I went on a bit of a mental health journey whilst I accepted my newly discovered food restrictions. I used to visit London often and thoroughly enjoyed the foodie culture, in particular the markets and street food vendors. Since going gluten free I've only visited London once and I was rather hesitant regarding food and chose to stick with well known restaurant chain, Wahaca. I know there is a vibrant gluten free foodie community just waiting for me to discover but whilst my confidence grows it's reassuring to know that there's a safe place to me eat when out and about in the city.

Books I Read In 2021

At the beginning of 2021 I had rekindled my love of reading and through my love of Bookstagram my TBR (to be read) list had grown exponentially, I keep a list on my phone notes of all the books I like the sound of and keep an eye out for them at the local library and via the library's ebook lending service. I also like to save up any vouchers I get from my side hustles to use towards buying books. In order to keep some kind of order and to avoid being overwhelmed with choice I wrote down a list of Books I Wanted To Read In 2021 to help keep me focused and I think it worked rather well, so well in fact I've written a list of Books I Want To Read In 2022. Here's the books (and links to my reviews) for the books I read throughout 2021.

Coeliac | The Golden Cross, Coventry.

We recently stayed at Bede Serviced Apartments in Coventry to attend the Freefrom and Allergy Show at the Birmingham NEC. We had a spare afternoon and decided to make the most of our child free time by heading out for a meal. Eating out when you're Coeliac is an anxiety inducing occasion that requires a lot of planning, scouring menus and reading reviews. We researched gluten free places to eat in Coventry and came across the usual chain restaurants but to my delight I chanced upon a glowing review for The Golden Cross, a 17th century pub that has an entirely gluten free kitchen- what a stroke of luck to be a twenty minute walk from somewhere that sounded so amazing!

Accommodation | Bede Serviced Apartments

We stayed at Bede Serviced apartments for 3 nights in order to attend the Allergy and Freefrom Show at the NEC Birmingham and the German Christmas Market in the city centre. The apartments are around 20 minutes from the NEC and 40 minutes from the City Centre.

Coeliac | The Stable Birmingham

After a busy day at the NEC for the Allergy and Freefrom Show we headed into the city centre to visit the German Christmas Market. A quick Google of the best gluten free places to eat brought up some fabulous reviews for The Stable Birmingham so we decided to give it a try.

AD GIVEAWAY | IDentity Lingerie Silk Pyjamas

Pyjamas have always been a staple in my life. There's something incredibly comforting about being at home in your nightwear. For me clothing signifies that I'm ready to face my fears and head out into the outside world. Clothes are my armour. In contrast, pyjamas are my safe place. Loungewear and nightwear signifies taking a step back from the world and retreating to the comfort of my own home. Pyjama days are a necessity for me so when IDentity Lingerie asked me to review their luxurious range of Long Silk Pyjamas I jumped at the chance.

Days Out | Peppa Pig World

I recently gave Paulton's Park a glowing review as it's a great family theme park but as the Peppa Pig World is such a significant part of the park and likely to be one of the main reasons for people to visit I thought it deserved a stand alone review.  As I mentioned in my Paulton's Park review, Peppa Pig World is a hefty four hour drive away for us, factor in the copious amount of toilet trips that a four year old needs and you're looking at a full days travelling- so was it worth it?

Accommodation | Room and Roof Southampton

We recently visited Paulton's Park to explore Peppa Pig World. Due to how far away the park is from where we live we decided to make the most of the journey and enjoy a full week away. We prefer to stay in apartments rather than hotels as having Coeliac disease can make it hard to eat out so having private catering facilities makes things easier and often cheaper. We choose Room and Roof Apartments for our stay. We stayed Monday to Friday in a one bedroom apartment.