Birthday Bucket List: Give Up Facebook

Every year on my birthday I write down 12 things that I want to do before the next one rolls round, some things are big, some things are little but ALL the things are just for me! You can read the list here.

In October I have decided to give up Facebook for a month. It will be the longest stretch I've gone without it in eight years. It's going to be tricky, embarrassingly hard actually but hopefully refreshing! Being on maternity leave will make it extra sticky as there's several millenia of nap time to fill every day and often as Alfie snuffles in his sleep my fingers automatically take me to this Time Thief. It wouldn't be so bad if Facebook wasn't so bloody crap! These days its nothing but click bait, sponsored posts and news stories. And to that I say BORING! And SNORE! And JOG ON MATE!

I'll still be polluting the waters of social media over on Instagram (grainneo) come and say hi!

Book of the Month

The Disclaimer, Renee Knight
As part of my Birthday Bucket List I'm reading at least one book a month. In September I read a few books, the best was The Disclaimer by Renee Knight.

In this thriller the main character, Catherine, discovers a novel in which she herself stars and which exposes her darkest secret.

This is a good book but not a great one, it's perfect for when you want a fast read that will keep you interested, occasionally send your eyebrows shooting into your hairline and rarely ask you to think.

Knight's style of writing keeps things tense, which is fortunate because at times her plot feels a little convenient. Her characters are likeable but occasionally I found myself saying "Really? They did that?" as they have a tendency towards the dramatic.

It's enjoyable and worth a look if you like disposable thrillers.

Birthday Bucket List

Every year Fred and I write a list of 12 new things we'd like to do before our next birthday. I love having something to look forward to and it's a brilliant motivator!

1. Complete Round 1 and Round 2 of Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide - equal parts excitement and dread on this one!

2. Go somewhere new - This is a bit of a cheat because we do a trip every year, in December we're off to Zurich.

3. Sewing - My aim is to complete 6 sewing projects this year.

4. Be a book worm - Reading is one of my favourite things but I still struggle to make time for it, this year I will read at least one book a month.

5. Watch a TV series in Spanish - I need to practice!!!!

6. Great Family Bake Off - Make one seasonal bake every season, so far I'm thinking; Apple Pie in Autumn, Cranberry Tarts in Winter, Easter Cake in Spring and Summer Fruit Drizzle Cake in Summer

7. Give up Facebook for a month - waaaaah this is going to hurt, who knows what I'll do with all the free time I'll have! Learn a language? Get a part time job? Achieve enlightenment?

8. Do a photography course - Fred bought me a great camera for Christmas last year which currently feels like it's under achieving!

9. Complete a photo album - I miss real life photo albums! Wouldn't it be nice to open an actual book of memories? Just a page or two with highlights from each month would make such a lovely keepsake.

10. Spending detox - for one month spend on NOTHING but food, bills, petrol - no dinners out or coffee treats or nice clothes no one needs!

11. Write at least once a week for 2 months - simples!

12. Move house - the one I'm most excited for!