Twenty Questions With – Kerry

Kerry Life and Loves is one of my favourite all round blogs to read, so I was chuffed when she agreed to be my Twenty Questions interviewee this month. I love Kerry’s attitude to life and her honesty within her writing. Kerry’s ‘Cuppa and a Chat’ series are something I relate to well, she explains brilliantly stuff that we (I) are all thinking. I like that Kerry doesn’t hold back!

Kerry is always making me envious (and hungry) with her afternoon tea adventures. I think this is one lady that has more afternoon teas than me!

In regards to question 3 Kerry I think we all fall in to that trap in some way throughout our lives, myself included. It’s difficult not to compare ourselves, but maybe we should try to use this for improvement and encouragement rather than self destruction.

Haha ‘a baby wombat’. I just Google images for way too long. So cute!

Question 9. I looked them up. Love it. I see poetry differently now.

Still chuckling at the vision of question 16!

My Questions/Kerry’s Answers

1. What made you decide to write a blog?

Kerry Life and Loves is actually my fourth blog! My first one I started was 8 years ago, and it was called A 30 Something. It was an outlet for me after finding myself going from a fabulous career, to being at home with two babies. I only wrote it for about a year before life got in the way! Then I had one called LuluLoves, which was a similar blog to what I write now, but I tried to change something on my theme and lost the whole site. That was a fun moment. I also had a blog for my beauty salon that I owned at the time, talking about self love, mindfulness, beauty treatments etc. So, I suppose what I am saying in my usual rambling way, is I have always wrote, since I was very small, and blog writing felt like a natural progression. I wanted to get into a regular habit of writing, so, ta-daaaa.

2. What do you want your blog to achieve?

Ohhh this is a question, and in truth, one I don’t fully know the answer to. My main focus is that I would love to think that I encourage people to explore their thoughts as well as the world. I love writing discussion posts, and I love writing stories from my travels. I used to always feel that I never wanted it to become my job, and I still don’t, however, I am always looking at ways to improve it, and gain more readers, so maybe I do want to see where it could go. I love to write, plain and simple, so I THINK I want to grow it so more people read. That is not really an answer is it….

3. What is your biggest flaw?

I would say my biggest flaw is that I can occasionally fall into the comparison trap, and doubt myself. I have times where I think my writing isn’t good enough, my face dosent fit, or any other manner of insecurities! I have spent time working on this over the years, so it is not often I fall into that destructive mode, but when I do it can be messy! 

4. What is your best attribute?

I think my biggest attribute is my ability to see the positive side of life most of the time. Lets face it, we all get shiz thrown at us through life, thats a given, but if we can face challenges head on and with a positive attitude, I think it makes the battle easier. If ever something fails to work out how I hope it will, then instead of feeling down, I try really hard to think of the things that have worked out. Not always possible, but I try.

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

Oh easy. Victoria sponge cake. 

6. An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?

Ohhh, ok, Im assuming my family and pets are safe? If so, Id grab my lap top so I can still write, a book (Im currently reading The Great Gatsby) and a mascara. I look like a baby wombat with no mascara on.

7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?

Right, lets get this straight. A proper cup of tea Never Ever has the milk in first. That is wrong on all levels.

8. What is your favourite way to relax?

I relax with a hot bubble bath and a book. I take my book into the bath, and read. I love it and it instantly makes the troubles of the day float away. I also meditate everyday. I have done this for about 12 years, and it keeps me sane.

9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?

I would interview Maya Angelou. Her book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings changed my life. (The Poems, Caged Bird and I Rise will blow you away, you must look them up) I was about 18 when I read it, and it changed the way I felt about literature, and the power it has. I would ask her how she found it in herself to forgive and not become bitter. I would ask her to tell me what she feels needs to happen to bring about peace. I would even share a bit of my Victoria sponge with her, that show much I love her.

10. What would be your dream job?

I would love to be a novelist. I have always, always dreamt of writing a book. I would love to publish a book of poetry too.

11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?

Ohhhh fabulous! Ok, I would buy my sons their first home, take everyone I love on a proper knees up holiday, and open an animal rescue. Anyone that knows me knows my passion for animals, and I have a list of all the animals I would want to take in already. I have given it a lot of thought haha!

12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

I have been incredibly lucky to have travelled extensively, but, I have never got to Italy.  I would love to visit Italy. I have never been, but know, with every ounce of my being, that I would love it. I love the food, (obvs) I love the lifestyle, I love the beautiful scenery, the beautiful people, the cafe culture, everything! Italy is the dream.

13. What one thing would you change about yourself?

I would change that I worry so much. I worry about things that don’t need worrying about. Its exhausting. I would also change my insatiable love for Victoria sponge….

14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?

No doubt, Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider. All that adventure! I would bloody love it.

15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?

No. I could not live in a world where my friends and family are not with me. I’ll grow old dis-gracefully thank you very much xx

16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?

Ohhhh good question. Hmm. Ok, I think it would be with a member of the Royal Family’s trusted staff. I would love to see how they really live. I love to think that Queenie puts her hair in rollers, has her feet on the couch, drinks a gin and is watching Eastenders every night whilst swearing like a sailor at Phillip.

17. If you could time travel, where would you go?

I would love to go back to see my Nan and Granddad when they first met. I adored my grandparents and miss them more than anything. Id love to see my Nan singing in the East End pubs as she did then, and my Granddad smuggling out all the little treats that he could for my Nan. I would also love to see them dance. My happiest memories of them is watching my Grandad dance with my Nan in their kitchen on a Sunday whilst a roast was cooking. Id love to go back to see them so happy.

18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?

Ohh I would feel overwhelmed with the responsibility! I think I would pass a law that no one has to work on a Sunday. I understand that emergency staff still would, but wouldn’t it be great if we had one day a week where everyone had time for their friends and family. Life is so fast paced these days, Id love a day where we could all just be.

19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

My honesty. One hundred percent. I have an inability to lie. At school I would get asked if I had done something and I always owned up. Same as when it was me and my brother at home. I am way to honest for my own good.

20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

I always thought I would be a writer or a forensics investigator. I thought I would be solving all the crimes with my trusty luminal spray and blood splatter analysis. I even enrolled in Uni to study, but then went travelling the world instead. Ohhh I could have combined the two couldn’t I. I missed a trick there. I could have wrote crime stories based on all my crime solving amazingness! Damn it! 

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Thank you so much for inviting me to answer these Gemma. It was so much fun! You got me thinking!

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Thanks Kerry for being such a great interviewee. One of these days we will have to meet up and collaborate on an afternoon tea!

Italy is my dream too. Let’s go.

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If you like a blog with a bit of everything then I suggest you go check out Kerry Life and Loves. You can also follow Kerry on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.