Wednesday 18 September 2013

What's up Wednesday



I was browsing friends' blogs this morning and came across a great weekly meme called What's up Wednesday and I couldn't resist joining in.

What's up Wednesday is run by the beautiful Jaime Morrow. You can check out her awesome blog here. as well as get involved with What's up Wednesday. :)

So, how this works is that we answer the questions below every Wednesday; thus allowing you all to know whats going on in our little worlds. Don't forget to check out the other bloggers' posts for this, too, by checking out the links at the bottom of Jaime's What's up Wednesday post for this week. So, lets get started.
  1. WHAT I'M READING
  2. WHAT I'M WRITING
  3. WHAT INSPIRES ME, RIGHT NOW
  4. WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
What I'm reading

Currently I am reading Goodnight Lady by Martina Cole.
 
I love her books and have read a few of them this month. She really breathes life into her characters and deals with some tough issues. Goodnight Lady has kept me hooked all the way through, and although being quite a thick book, I have managed to devour it, pretty much in just a few days; only a little bit left to go, now, and I am sad to see it coming to an end.
 
I don't want to give away the storyline too much, so I am going to play it safe and post up the back cover splurge for you to read; but, this book definitely gets a thumbs up from me. 

Goodnight Lady back cover splurge:

The Goodnight Lady knows everybody's secrets...
In the sixties, Briony Cavanagh ran a string of the most notorious brothels in London. Only Briony knew what went on behind those doors and she never opened her mouth, unless she stood to benefit. Only Briony knew the painful road she’d travelled to get there. From an impoverished childhood that ended with shocking betrayal, she was determined to be mistress of her own fate; but, along with success, came risk and danger, and the Goodnight Lady had her own secret place that was always shadowed by loss. 

What I'm writing 

Well, up until recently I was working on my novel, Rehabilitation Girls. Sadly though, there have been some complications with this and so it has been put on hold for a little while and I have picked up a novel I have been working on, on and off, for a few years, now, called Memory Book. 

Memory book is Charlie's story. Charlie is an elderly man who has developed Alzheimer's disease, but has yet to come to terms with the fact; however, when his and his neighbor's homes are destroyed by  a fire that occurred because of Charlie's forgetfulness, Charlie is forced to turn to his estranged son for help. The story follows Charlie though the struggles of losing his independence, which he has always held so dear, and his attempts to bite back his pride and reconnect with his family.

The reason this one has taken me so long to complete is due to the amount of research that has gone into fully portraying Charlie's struggles with his disease. Alzheimer's is such a devastating illness, not only for the sufferer, but for their family and friends, and I want to get the story right in order to do justice to the brave people who have to deal with this illness, everyday. Which leads us nicely on to the next question...

What inspires me right now

Researching for Memory Book has lead to me discovering some amazing people and families. Hearing stories of their struggles with the disease has shown me just how amazing people can be and the love that family members have for each other. Some of the things, not only the sufferer, but those who care for them have to face on a daily basis are so difficult and emotionally draining that it is definitely inspirational to see just how caring and sweet others can be. 

What else I have been up to
Well this week, I am afraid to say, has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster. For those of you new to my blog, I will try to explain a little about my disability so this all makes sense. When I had my son, Kye, nearly 7 years ago, now. I was given an epidural, which sadly damaged my spine. As a result, I have to use a mobility scooter or wheel chair to get around. Recently, due to a mistake on the side of the DLA (Disability Living Allowance), I have lost my disability benefits. As a result, I have had to re-apply for the new PIP (Personal Independence Payments), which are taking over from the DLA.
 
The new claim has sadly taken too long to go through and as a result, tomorrow they come to take my mobility scooter back, which was loaned to me through motorbility. His name is Speedy McNipster. I will get another one, as soon as my claim comes through and thankfully, due to family, who have lent me a scooter until I can get my new one, I will not be completely house bound. Still, I am devastated to lose Speedy, who I had planned to pay for and keep at the end of the three year lease, which would have ended next year. Sadly, the only way I can keep him now is if I pay 650 pounds by tomorrow and unfortunately I cannot drum up that much money on such short notice (I was given a week to find it in order to keep him).
 
I feel as if I am losing my legs and it is a very hard and upsetting time. Speedy has given me the freedom I had lost and ensured that I was no longer house bound and although he is not a living thing, I feel as if I am losing a very good friend. This week really has been a mad dash to try and find enough to save him; but, sadly we have failed and tomorrow I have to wave goodbye to my beloved Speedy McNipster. :(
 
So, it is a very sad week for me, this week; but I am trying to stay positive, as best I can, and praying that maybe he won't sell too quickly and I may get a chance to buy him back, later (Fingers crossed). 

So, that's all the questions answered. I hope you are all well and thank you for taking the time to visit my page and read this.

Love and hugs, Joss xx 

17 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear about your mobility scooter, Joss. That is absolutely horrible. I hope that the PIP comes through very quickly so you can get back to doing all of the things you want to.

    Your WIP sounds so inspiring. But also so difficult to write! I can't even imagine all of the research that would take. It sounds like you're making great progress with it, though, so that's good to hear! I hope you have a wonderful week and that things start looking up really fast!

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  2. Awww thank you Jaime. It has been a lot of hard work and still a lot of research to do. It such a difficult subject matter and I think when writing something like that you owe it to the people who are living it everyday to get it right. My nan is suffering from it now, I don't get to see her at all due to distance, but it breaks my heart to think of her not being able to remember things any more as despite having a huge family with lots and lots of children, Gran Children and great Grandchildren she never forgot a birthday, up until she got sick bless her.

    I guess that is part of why I was inspired to write Memory book. But I am petrified of getting it wrong.

    As for my scooter, I will get through tomorrow and try to look on the bright side. I am so grateful to my mum's partner for lending me his. I don't know what I would have done otherwise.

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  3. So sorry to hear about your mobility scooter. I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating that must all be. I sincerely hope they get all the payments sorted out soon.

    I have been meaning to read some of Martina Cole's books for ages. This has been a very helpful reminder, thank you!

    Your WiP sounds so intense but really good, too. Best of luck with it :)

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    1. awww thank you Miss Cole, it has been a bit of a rough day today, but I am starting to feel a bit better now it is nearly over. You really should read some Martina cole books, she is a brilliant writer. I hope you have a lovely weekend. :) and thank you for stopping by.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about the problems you've been having and that you're losing your scooter. That's completely rubbish management. I do hope things work out and you and Speedy are reunited.

    Your WIP sounds brilliant although highly emotional.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I'm glad your son still loves school!

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    1. Thank you Alexa, I really enjoyed your blog post and it is lovely to see you here on my blog. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  5. That's terrible news about your mobility scooter! I hope the PIP issues are worked out quickly.

    Your memory book sounds amazing - definitely heartbreaking but, like you mentioned, there are some wonderful, caring people out there.

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    1. Hi Jennifer thank you so much for stopping by, there really are some amazing people in this world. :) and it is so nice to see the good side of people, if only the press made a habit of showing us the good side more often. Sadly we mainly just hear about the bad things people do.

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  6. I am so sorry about the problems you've had and the loss of your scooter. What garbage that you have to pay for their mistake! I hope it works out and that you get to buy Speedy back.

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    1. Thank you Rachel, I hope so too. I had to wave him off today, so it has been a very emotional few hours, am starting to feel a little better slowly. But I suspect I won't be fully back to my smiley happy self until I can see a little light at the end of the tunnel.

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  7. How horrid that you have to suffer for 'paperwork' mistakes! But it's great that your family can help out - sorry, for Speedy, though.

    Your Memory book does sound great. No wonder you keep going back to it. It's always good to have MS to flip between. Some ideas just have to be shoved to the side to sit and stew for awhile. Looks like your doing this well :)

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    1. Awww thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. Sadly I am not alone in this a lot of people on the disability blog I use, have had the same problem.
      I often find I need to put a book to one side for a little while, with memory book though my first draft I just felt was lacking and didn't do justice to those who deal with Alzheimer's on a daily basis. Hopefully, not that I have done a lot more research, I will be able to do amend that issue.

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  8. That's not fair.Sorry to hear about losing your scooter =(

    I liked reading your description of Memory book, as I'm really interested in learning about all types of mental illnesses. I admire the research that you are putting in to create the book! Keep up your hard work!

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    1. Awww thank you Jocelyn. I am also really interested in learning about different types of mental illness and how it affects the suffers and those who love them. I just find it such an interesting topic.
      Thank you so much for popping by and leaving a comment, I hope you have a lovely weekend xx

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  9. I am so sorry that you are losing your scooter. It sounds like a nightmare of red tape and paperwork. Must be so, so very frustrating.

    Your book struck a chord with me. My father has advanced Alzheimer's and it has been so hard to watch him slowly disappear. I've met so many people lately who are experiencing the same thing. I think your story would mean a lot to them too.

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    1. It is incredibly frustrating. I keep trying to mind myself that there are people going through a lot worse right now, but it has been a very emotional day today and so it isn't easy.
      Oh I am so sorry to hear about you father. My husband's Grandmother had Alzheimer's and it was so hard to watch her fade. She was such an amazing woman and very inspirational. I am posting a blog post either later today or tomorrow about Alzheimer's in which I talk more about my experience with my husbands wonderful Gran, if you interested in reading it, be sure to pop back and take a look. :)

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  10. My wife had an epidural with our second child, but thankfully there were no complications. I don't ever remember the doctor warning us of any potential issues, so I was a bit surprised to read of your situation. Thankfully it sounds like you have a supportive family, and you're doing well... aside from the loss of Speedy! I do hope you either get him back, or get a replacement soon.

    People who go through tough situations and find the strength to manage are an inspiration. That goes for people with Alzheimer's (and their families), or people like you, Jossie. :)

    I hope you have a great week, and that your writing flourishes in the midst of all that's going on in your life.

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