Things you (probably) didn't know about me.

1. If I ever have rice with/for a meal I have to eat every single piece of it if it's on my plate. (So I need to be really careful while dishing out!)

2. When I was younger, I didn't like getting out of bed unless the clock had an odd number at the end. Such as 9:05. I have grown out of that now, thankfully.

3. I started writing a book many years ago, but haven't touched it in at least 2 years. I really want to finish it one day, but I find writing and being "in the flow" very difficult to do. It's something that's been in my head since I was little and is sort of an ambition of mine to finish it... If only I was ever in the mood to go back to it. I did a couple of bits of artwork for it years back too:

4. When I was young I was certain I'd be married at the age of 23. That obviously didn't happen.

5. I can't drink coffee, it gives me a migraine.

6. I sneeze at least 6 times every day. My dad thinks I am allergic to the wool that I make my bears with, but I am not convinced. I guess I don't want to believe it!

7. My favourite film is The Princess Bride. It has everything good in it and suits every mood!

8. I don't like celery.

9. I love Brussels Sprouts. (Side note: Martin hates them, but if I make them he always has one. :D)

10. Before I found needle felting I attempted making hand sewn bears. My stitching was terrible, but I enjoyed it. I have always loved small bears. :) I found this photo, from years ago!

11. My Riamelin name came from a combination of the Fleetwood Mac Song Rhiannon and the game Neverwinter Nights which I played a long time ago. It asked me for a name and my favourite song at the time was Rhainnon, so I typed Ria in as a first name and it suggested Melin as the surname. I loved it! The next game I played only allowed me one name so I merged it together to create Riamelin and I have used it ever since. When I play a game with the name she is usually a Druid of some sort, which I think works well with my business as well. I do love to bring animals to life. :) I realise the name means nothing to anyone but me, but I like that, it is unique, which is so difficult to find these days.

12. If I have something to buy I can take months to decide on it. I talk myself in to it, then out of it and it goes on and on for ages!

13. I don't have a middle name, but I've always wanted one. I don't feel like a Sharon at all and would rather have been named Erin or of course Rhiannon!

14. I think I'm a dog person, but I've only ever had cats. (And a gerbil, a hamster and various rabbits and guinea pigs.) I love cats too, but they're so independent. I guess I would like a more loyal companion to spend time with! I'd be very happy with a little dog snuggled in to me, or following me around. I guess I get lonely sometimes, and I don't have many friends. I think a dog would be very good for me. :) Little Muffin next door makes me smile so much!

15. I can't drive and have no desire to ever learn. Martin doesn't either, which can be a problem I guess. Mostly I'm glad we don't have the financial burden of owning and maintaining a car, but sometimes I feel sad that we'll never just be able to pack a bag or a picnic and head off somewhere new. Holidays will be tricky as I don't travel well by bus and trains are expensive, (and we have to get to a station from here which requires the bus!) but I am sure we would find a way if we really wanted to.

I could write lots more, but the post would be very long and probably quite boring to read, so I'll leave it here for now. :) I'll do part 2 another time!