Today my blog is five years old. Can you even believe it? In internet years that makes it about 27.
Five years ago today* I was living in Bridgwater, a single mummy to a 14 and a 7 year old, having recently quit a full-time job I hated to work for myself. It was pretty scary but I had a desk I had bought on ebay for ten pounds and a nice little office space at home, so as far as I was concerned I was good to go. Who needs relevant experience or qualifications when you have a nice white desk and a wall full of inspirational postcards?
A lot has happened in the last five years including three house moves, one child leaving home, becoming gay and changing her mind again, various men putting in appearances, including one with an unsightly mole, a trip to Ethiopia, attempts at skiing, a milkshake in a diner in Arkansas, over 35,000 tweets and very nearly 1,000 blog posts. This one is number 979 I think.
That’s a lot of words.
I really can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for you continuing to read; sometimes I feel I’ve been suitably witty and entertaining, sometimes I’m a bit melancholy and often times just a bit boring. That’s a probably a pretty fair reflection of life as a working single parent though.
As a thank you for hanging on in there I thought I’d hold a little giveaway and what better prize than something that has remained a constant in my life during these five years of change – gin and chocolate.
Hoorah!
*refills ice tray expectantly*
The chocolate for your prize has been kindly donated by Mackie’s and the gin comes to you courtesy of ME as I couldn’t get any gin brands on Twitter to give me any freebies in the two days between deciding to do a birthday competition and hitting publish. I actually went to Tesco and bought a bottle with my own money, that’s how grateful I am to you for you reading.**
And there you were thinking I never paid for anything.
(If you win you definitely need to fan out the bars like this and crumble a bit of chocolate next to them seductively.)
To enter just have a fiddle with the Rafflecopter widget below before Big Ben chimes midnight at the end of 2014.
*My first ever blog post includes an interesting comment from ‘Boz’.
**Definitely don’t think of this as a bribe. It’s just an innocent thank you…
Hehehe this made me giggle. Well done for not having a issue with your child’s sexuality ! The world needs more mothers like you!
More gin and more chocolate!But seriously anything really as i think you pretty much cover most topics.
Okay, count me in. I’m running low on gin and haven’t had Bombay Sapphire in an age. Half a dozen tablespoons would be reserved for cake baking duty since the last one was utterly delicious. What would I like to see you blogging about over the next five years? A book, book deal and movie franchise. It’d mean another house move (probably) but hell, I don’t think you’d mind. ;)
Happy Blog birthday and thank you!
I would love to see so craft ideas or reviews of crafty sites and ideas for homemade gifts please x
I would love to see more of the same, what you do is brilliant xxx
Happy blog birthday!! Just keep doing what you are doing – I love your general musings and the random things that you publish. And make sure that gin and chocolate remain a constant – where would be be without them?? xxx. PS. I thought that the box below said to confirm if you are not a spanner… Pass the gin now!
Happy blog anniversary, love the content, keep up the good work and keep on with those yummy, recipes.
happy blogaversary and carry on doing what your doing xx
Random musings, adventures and cake. All the cake.
I would like to read more about internet safety and children, my eldest is 13 and always on the internet I’d like to know more about safety issues etc, also homebirths, I think this should be addressed more and more expectant mothers should be given the option to deliver at home.
More of the same please.
Happy birthday! Keep on with you random musings, more giveaways and varied content
Just keep doing what you’re doing.
keep it coming just the way you do! I love to read your posts
Congrats! Well deserved! Just keep writing about your everyday life – it’s good therapy!
Just keep being funny, yours is one of the few blogs I take the time to read every post. It doesn’t matter what you write about, it’s the style that counts!
Over the next 5 years your kids will be 5 years older and that will give you plenty to write about!
Continue as you are I love your style of writing and the content.
a fashion blog lovely prize
Well done on making it 5years, for me you should just keep doing what you are doing. It’s why I keep reading!
Happy blog day!<3 craft and kids posts are always popular x
Just more of the same. Your kids are similar in age to mine so I need those warning signs
wow 5 years, the years roll by, however thanks for sharing your fantastic blog that has made me laugh out loud and not always think only me!
More of the same, ’cause I love reading your blog!
Lovely post :) I agree with the other comments, just keep going as you are. We never know what we are going to get next!
More posts like this one, have a wonderful Christmas and happy birthday.
The next 5 years? I think financial woes will be on everyone’s minds
Congrats on the 5 years of Blogging …… I feel you have the best sense on what you shpuld blog … it has worked for five years so far …… so to many more!! Keep up the wonderful writing career. xo
blogs on affordable and realistic things to do with your kids, and how to keep them entertained when there isnt enough time in the day.
Love Gin, Love Chocolate, Love Your Blog – don’t change a thing. Happy Birthday!
Anything you fancy! I enjoy reading your blog
Congrats on the 5 years! Just carry on as you have been doing!
I can say with complete honesty that your blog is genuinely great to read, great is such a weak word, but it covers everything, its given me things to think about when I’ve been inundated with my own stuff, reading your blog,well, its my cup-of-tea time of the day just for me! :-) Happy Birthday! <3 Ohh, and I would love to see just more of the same, sounds a bit lazy, but you seem to cover so much, I have no idea what I could suggest! :-)
You generally cover all topics I enjoy anyhow, so thank you for that, and thank you so much for this giveaway.
You generally cover all blogs I enjoy anyhow so thank you for that and thank you for this giveaway.
I would just like to you to continue writing about whatever you decide to write about in a real and personal way. I love and envy your writing style, which is why you’re a blogger and I ‘m an accountant-type bod, and I so admire the way you handled the blog in light of the break-up and move to Taunton – you just go girl!
if it works dont change the recipe good luck to all happy 5 years to you
Congrats on 5 years, keep up the good work and hope we’ll celebrate many, many more of the same.
Just keep on doing a good job and best wishes for the next five years
Gosh,how quickly has that time gone. Everything is great as it is,really love reading your blog.
Happy Blog Birthday! I would love to read about you finding a way to return to your beloved Bristol.
It’s just great hearing about your everyday ups and downs of family life – keep it up, it’s a good read :)
5 years!!! Good God!! Food, fashion, more travel, more advice….Ryan Gosling, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Gosling!! ;))
I saw ‘gin’ in my email inbox and came straight over!
I’d love to see you write about lottery wins and happy times. Failing that keep making me laugh :)
PS Happy 5 years
It looks like you’ve got a great variety. So keep up what you’re doing.
Happy Birthday! Love life and lipstick!!!!
What a super giveaway and quite a coincidence that you have chosen to give some “mothers ruin” I will admit that i have only just been made aware of your blog but what I have seen so far has me intrigued. I have a daughter who “came out” as gay around 5 years ago, even though she was in a relationship and had a son of 7.. that was a bit of a surprise! You never know how these things are going to affect you until it happens and I have been pleasantly surprised to find that it has made no difference to me or my daughter whatsoever! I look forward to making myself a lot more familiar with your blog in the future. Thanks for the chance of the smashing prize,,x
You had me at the mention of gin & chocolate! Happy Birthday Blog & keep up the good work!xx
Happy Birthday!
gin & chocolate: it’s beginning to look a lot like christmas!! great prize. thankyou.
Gin, definitely. Things to do with gin, glasses to drink gin from, ways to drink gin in different places. And pyjamas. Everyone should write about pyjamas.
Happy Blog Birthday! :D What a lovely combination – chocolate & gin! Just keep on doing what you’re doing! :)
Happy Birthday well you really know your girls Gin and chocolate what more do we need ! I’d like to see money saving ideas but happy with what you do keep on keeping on and thanks
More of the same – one of the best blogs I follow :)
Happy Birthday. I would love to read more of your reviews.
Happy blogaversary! Just keep doing what you’re doing, you’re bloody brilliant! X
pretty much more of the same you have it all covered for me
I’m happy reading a variety of topics. I imagine you’ll find lots of random topics to blog about, everyday life, kids growing up etc, state of economy lol. Happy anniversary and many more to come :)
I love all the things you cover so just more of the same fab
have read your blogs for a long time, always raises a smile and a huge amount of empathy. Keep on with the good work and providing laughs in my household.
Happy birthday! I enjoy reading your blog. I would love to be able to write a blog and make a living from it. But I have to continue as I have for many years to come.
Happy 5th Birthday Blog! I’ll be honest and say I have only just found you, but having read through a lot of your (very enjoyable) posts, I’ll definitely be back for more! You have a great sense of humour and keep on going :)
Happy Birthday Blog I always enjoy reading a review of new products as they have a influence on my spending
I’m a big fan of gin but I’m looking for home improvement posts just now so that would be fab!!
Happy 5th Blogiversary. You have done well. Keep doing what you are now. Pleasure to read :-)
Just more of what you are doing-life, living, growing, the growing up of children and yourself (isn’t it *hard* all this “pretending to be a grown up?!), eating hypothetical poo for a million pounds… :-D You’re doing great! xxxx
sounds like a Christmas survival kit lol.I’d like to see u writing about about more family adventures as they are always fun to read and I love the product reviews too as sometimes I’ve never seen the items before and didn’t know about them till reading it here.
I love the recipes and the parenting posts :)
General family life is the best, fun & bad times that we can all associate with…
Bisexuality as it doesn’t t get much coverage generally.
just more of the same
happy birthday more of the same please its all fab
Congrats on your blog birthday I would just like more of the same why change a winning formula
i think you have a great balance. education is a big one for me
Anything related to parenting!
Love your blog, look forward to the next 5 years x
I like the variety of things you blog about, as a parent to be I find the parenting interesting!
More parenting things. Children will change over the next 5 years.
more of the same.. and congrats :)
Because there are helth problems in our house, maybe more on that
5 years?! Wow. That’s a whole lotta writing! I just love hearing about your lovelife really lol :)
I love reading about your everyday life – I’m a bit noisy haha
Happy birthday x love your blog x
I have two friends from the Ukraine who have told me a lot of fascinating stories about their country and I think it might be interesting if you were to write about Eastern Europe, an area we all know very little about.
I love the way you write
Strategies for mothers with children with colic to keep you calm and baby calm, love your writing x Would love to be considered and Merry Christmas x
please just carry on doing what you do. I think your blogs are fantastic and nearly always make me smile :)
More of the same please. Anything about treats, cakes, chocolate is always good!
Just keep doing what you are doing! I love reading all your posts :)
Happy Birthday. I think you should just keep doing what you’re doing :-)
Keep doing what you’re doing! I love seeing the blog posts pop up in my emails :) xxx
Just carry on what your doing x
Happy blog birthday! :) I’d love to see more family life and generally more of what you do now! I look forward to reading it all
Guilty pleasures
I would like to see everyday life stories
Love reading your blog – would like to see the mix of reviews and life stories continue…
There’s a tweet I can’t make an entry because iPad + wine = stupid. But really, I dreamed last night that I won the gin and chocolate, so now all my belief in dreams coming true rests on you. Are you ready for this level of responsibility? Destiny is in your hands!
I would love to see more giveaways with gin and chocolate!! Lol, I love to see new and funky things
Congratulations. You can write about anything and everything, just don’t change your style , it is refreshing and funny.
loving the recipes and everything else you do :)
You write what ever you feel writing about. We all enjoy reading it!! Happy birthday xx
Don’t change anything, love it as it is!
‘Grats on reaching five years! Here’s to another five! *raises glass*
I think everyone, not just you, should spend a lot more time writing about gin and chocolate!
wow, 5 years! Ermmm well hopefully the next jurassic park film. Hopefully not a zombie apocolypse, though that would make for interesting reading. I love eating out reviews.
to be honest you do such a wide range of varieties dont think theres much you dont cover am happy with it the way it is
I would love to see more product reviews and you having more fun :)
Happy Anniversary! I would keep it the same, how about a few tips for men on gift buying? we can get it very wrong at times!
Love Bombay Sapphire Gin and love chocolate! Don’t change a thing, love your funny, interesting style!
Happy Blog Birthday – any chance of winning chocolate & gin in time for my own impending birthday this weekend :) ?
Keep doing what you are doing… Practical parenting tips are always good.
Reviews, competitions, things to do!
Happy blog birthday! This is the first time I’ve come across your blog so I’m going to have a good look around! x
Happy Birthday!
Craft ideas, reviews of Events, Places to visit i.e. Theme parks, Museums etc.
Happy Birthday!
Continue with the fabulously entertaining posts about life (and gin and chocolate!). I found this post in my email (I’m a subscriber) and had to pop over to say happy birthday. I’ve never had gin you know, never thought to try it. :)
I want to see you finish the 40 things before 40 list and continue sharing your trains of thought about the funny stuff that passes you by.
yes please
Wow, happy birthday to your blog! I’ve just starting blogging recently so 5 years really does sound like a life time :)
Gin and chocolate suits me…you could write about anything I think, its not necessarily the content so much as the way its written! Happy blog birthday!
How you made your millions from blogging!!!
Small pleasures – the things you barely notice you’re enjoying
Yummy recipes that are nutritious also? Also just funny stories that make me LOL! Rosie x
happy blog birthday!! I like to read your down to earth posts and family life
Oooo some homemade recipes for the new years!
How about beauty for the over 40s. There isn’t much about that’s trendy so that might be nice.
i LOVE what you are doing currently so keep doing it. You write very naturally and I love the realness. Don’t stop what you do :)
More of the same sounds just fine! ^-^
happy blogaversary and carry on doing what your doing xx
more of the same, love your blog!
Write about what interests you.. otherwise it’ll be a chore!
Reviews, competitions
Inspiration for rainy days in (as we have so many)
Hoping to hear you have won the lottery and how it impacts on your life :)
the new style rafflecopter is so annoying…just realised I posted the wrong tweet link and I can’t amend it!
Same as you have been doing
Perhaps I’d like to hear more about what it’s like to live in Somerset as I am pretty far from there but have always wanted to visit the area!
I think it would be really good to get your kids to write a few posts on their impressions of the last five years!
More of the same please!
Quick and easy recipes for full time working mums?
Just more of the same :D x
more of what your doing already.
Just carry on with your down to earth honest blogs
I love what you write about now! If it isn’t broken, don’t change it!
Life, ranting and gin of course
Happy birthday! May your blogging continue to entertain many.
Just carry on with what makes you happy!
Craft ideas to do with the kids would be fab!
I like the variety of your posts. Just keep mixing it up.
you are a fab blogger so keep up the way you have been going
Keep doing what you are doing! Great blog! :)
One of the best things about a blog is reading things you can identify with so keep up the good work
I think your content is perfect the way it is,why change something thats works really well!
I’d like more of the same – people wouldn’t read it if they didn’t like it, so don’t change a winning formula!
Some funny stories about what any typical child gets up to , crafty tips :)
more healthy lifestyle advice
Randomness! It’s all lovely and crazy and makes me feel good! I nornally have a read before I set foot out of bed x
Keep writing how you do! but how and why mums turn to choc for comfort and its ok to do this, and do mums turn to the dads for help?…IN my case i do as my childrens dads name is JINN!!!
i love it how it is! just more of the same x
Just something new and different from the other blogs, I like reading about other peoples lives and what they get up to.
Happy bloggyversary!! I think you cover most awesome stuffs :) :)
More giveaways, how too’s and about the same with reviews and random posts, love it all :)
how to cope with being a single mum
More of the same please! You have a really refreshing and unique writing style :)
Just more of the same – congrats on 5 years of blogging
jut keep on writing whatever inspires you , it seems to have worked so far :) happy birthday !
Carry on as you’re doing, your blog is great.
Much more of the same, id hate for you to change your style of writing! Your blog is wonderfully unique and inspiring!
Reviews of places to visit
Wow 5 years of blogging! Amazing! Keep at it…I love reading reviews and finding out about new products but also about your life.
Brilliant – Happy Birthday – love the blog, well done.
more dating experiences! :) (the one with the man and the mole was funny)
Congrats on five years. Gin and chocolate my favourite two items.
I like the blog as it is already. I look forward to reading more in 2015. Happy New Year!!!
Everything is perfect as it is. I love reading your blog
Mmm, gin and chocolate. More posts about either of those would be more than welcome! ;-)
Maybe Easy fitness tips
I think gin and chocolate is a good start to the next 5 years of writing.
Housework (in between gin & chocolate)