Happy Birthday to me! 40 Facts about me on my 40th birthday.

oznor

I was born six weeks prematurely and weighed just 2lb 15oz.
I am a natural redhead.
I was going to be called Ashley if I was a boy.
My parents originally planned to call me Emmeline. I was named after the song Emma by Hot Chocolate and the chorus goes “Emma, Emmeline. You’re the sweetest thing I”ve ever seen. Emmeline.” They decided to go with Emma instead because they figured that’s what everyone would call me anyway.
I’ve been with my partner, Chris, for 5 years next week and we have two boys: Matthew, 15 and Jack, 14.
I have two cats named Jinx and Tigger.
I was born in Sheffield, where I now live, but from the ages of 12 to 22 I lived in Bournemouth on the south coast.
I’m very short sighted.
I’ve known my longest standing friend, Karen, since we were a year old.
When I was three years old I had surgery for the first time. Waking up in the recovery room and being given a snoopy teddy is my earliest memory. I’ve had a total of eleven surgeries in my lifetime for various reasons. So far.
I am just 4ft 9 1/2 inches tall. Yes, the half matters!
My shoe size is a tiny size 3.
My favourite film of all time is The Wizard of Oz. I knew the whole film by heart at 3 years old.
My favourite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid and Ariel is my favourite Disney princess (it’s a redhead thing).
I don’t drive and have never even had a lesson.
My first concert was 20th March 1983 when I had just turned 4 years old. I saw Bucks Fizz in Nottingham and still love them now. I saw them again in 2016 and even met the band.
My favourite singer is Mariah Carey. I finally saw her in concert 17th March 2016 after 23 years of being a fan.
My favourite colour is purple.
My favourite flowers are lilies but I also love roses and tulips.
I used to sing in a choir as a teenager.
My dream holiday destination is Italy.
I love butterflies.
My favourite book character is probably Ursula Flight. I’d say she is my first big literary heroine.
It’s impossible to just choose one favourite book, but some of my favourites are My Sister’s Keeper, Flowers In The Attic, Little, We Need To Talk About Kevin, A Time To Kill, Small Great Things, Lovely Bones and In Cold Blood.
My favourite childhood books are The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Matilda and The BFG.
My favourite author is Jodi Picoult. Others I love are Tess Gerritsen, John Grisham, M. J. Arlidge, Margaret Atwood and Daphne Du Maurier. To name all the authors I love would take far too long.
My favourite holiday was probably our family holiday to Florida in 2016.
My favourite food is seafood.
My favourite pizza topping is chicken, pineapple, red onion and fresh tomato.
My favourite dessert is cheesecake.
My favourite drinks are cherry coke zero and alcoholic drink gin, particularly pink gin.
My favourite animals are cats, sloths and seals.
I am no longer able to work because of my health but over the years I’ve worked for Blockbuster, McDonalds, as a Doctor’s receptionist, a Dental Nurse and receptionist and for a Housing Association as a receptionist and then assistant.
I can touch type after taking a course in 1998.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1998 and M.E in 2012. I have a number of other health conditions but they are the two that have the biggest impact on my day to day life.
I take a minimun of 44 tablets a day for my health issues.
I have always had a passion for reading and writing. My dream job has always been a writer.
I started my bookstagram account on 9th August 2018 after being inspired by @zukythebookbum and @the_sunday_feeling
Bookstagram has given me a focus that was missing since I had to give up work, confidence in my writing and introduced me to wonderful friends I know I’ll have for a lifetime. It’s such a kind and encouraging community. I feel blessed to also have the opportunity to talk to authors I admire and read advanced copies of their work.
I didn’t realise how hard it would be to think of 40 facts about myself!