Life in a Break Down came about when I stopped wanting to blog about the bad sides of my illness and how bad things are in life, because really they aren’t! It might feel like it sometimes, but I’m alive and kicking and from time to time having a great time, so yes if your wondering if it’s a play on words you would be correct.
Life in a Break Down has progressed since it’s early days but in essence it’s still as it was, I’m here a blogging because I want to be, because I love it and because it helps me. Sometimes I of on the odd rants, talk about things I don’t really find ‘great’ but that’s down to the fact sometimes these things just need to be said.
I’ve met some amazing people and got to work with some fantastic brands in the last few years and feel really blessed to be able to call a number of those people friends. I look forward to seeing what each day brings who I meet and what never adventure it might bring to me.
2013 has brought a number of changes already, I took the plunge and moved from my safe home over at blogger to the world of self hosting I also decided to set up a Facebook group for all UK Bloggers, a place for bloggers from all genres to come together share posts, ask for help and generally just have a natter – if you fancy joining us please just click here.
2012 brought the start of my weekly blog hop where bloggers can come together and share their favourite post of the past 7 days called I Love My Post.
I must thank the lovely Bex from Futures for being my partner in crime, for not laughing at me when I come up with these schemes and instead agreeing to help out.
So who’s behind this mayhem I’m sure you are wondering.. well some of you may already know me for those who don’t here I am.
My name is Sarah, I am 27 years old and live in Lichfield, Staffordshire, with my amazing partner Ash and our crazy dog, often seen on my blog Sally, and my two lovely hamsters Artie and Robbie. I suffer from Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hyper mobility Syndrome and a number of mental health issues. I have a huge problem with shoes, bags and make up.
There are a few characters who you will find pop up over and over again.
Morphman
The guy with no real face – Ash, following a rather crazy review on this suit, Morphman came to be, and Ash’s addiction to Morph Suits started, since then he has shown up in different guises to bring that touch of “style” to game.
My animals.
Artie the Syrian Hamster.
Robber the Roborovski Hamster – RIP 23/04/2013 – Run free of Rainbow Bridge Little One.
Sally the one and only.
As a huge animal lover these little guys appear over and over.
Sally came to me as a rescue dog she was rather thrust upon me and while she loved me from the start I was rather more wary, but she soon won me over and is my doggy soul mate and shadow, she’s seen me through some of the toughest times in my life and has saved my life on multiple occasions.
Artie was the only hamster up in the pet shop one day, the guy came over when he saw me and my Mum looking and talked about how he was a cutie but slightly deformed – from that second I knew he had to be mine – and soon he was, Artie is the interior designer of the flat with Artie mansion often getting a daily make over.
Robbie was in the rescue space at the local Pet at Home for weeks, and we often stood and talked to him while we went to pick up supplies, after we moved Artie into Artie mansion we were left with his original cage looking a little lost and empty and just the right size for a Robo so it was soon disinfected and Robbie came to be with us – he’s the ‘should be on Jackass’ hamster as he often head dives off of his platform or spins off his flying saucer.
My parents also help out with some reviews but it’s rare to grab a photograph of them maybe one day 
.
Things that make me, who I am:
Depression
Domestic Violence
Bullying
On going sagas:
Bromford Living
For more information please don’t hesitate to contact me on [email protected].
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Wow! What a strong person you are! Hats off and much love to you!
Aw thank you – it just makes me though
I’ve learnt a lot through my life and I just hope that my stories might help another one day, like the people who told me theirs helped me. x
Love your hamsters so cute! I didn’t realise Sal was a rescue (sort of), what happened to her? It’s a shame we don’t live nearer I think me & you would be good friends & Hudson and Sal. xxx
Aww thank you
.
she was about 5 when I got her – she’s obviously had a bad life before she came to me, she had lots of puppies has a torn ear and scared face but she’s a diamond love her bits <3.
She’s technically a full rescue – it’s a really long story – I’ll try and shorten it haha.
My ex really wanted a dog and he promised me he would look after a dog if he got one, it would be his I wouldn’t need to do anything (I had grown up with cats so was a cat person back then)- so I took him to Birmingham Dogs home to choose a dog, thinking it would take a while and he would probably lose interest after we had been. While we were there he decided he HAD to have Sally as she was named the same as one of his old dogs and looked the same :/. I assumed he would have to go through all sorts of visits so still thought it wouldn’t happen so I said we could ask what happened next, anyway they just said oh you can have her, we would love for you to take her today. I managed to convince everyone that wasn’t possible, that was a Friday and he arranged for us to pick her up on a Monday. I still kinda didn’t think he would go through with it – but he did and then as soon as he had her, he couldn’t be bothered with her, I’d find out she hadn’t been feed or let out since I had last been there, I taught her to jump in and out the lounge window in the end so she could take herself for a wee. I had no idea how to look after a dog – I knew they needed feeding, walking and letting out that sort of thing but there is so much more as you know – so I was freaking out. She taught me to look after her though, thus why she is allowed to do lots of naughty things like sleep on the bed and curl up on the sofa but we soon became inseparable and although that relationship didn’t last much longer me and Sal are still going strong lol.
I got her 6 years ago on Wednesday
I know! Wish we did – would good! Lots of walks and comping haha! xx
So very simlar to Hudson’s story! When I lived in Manchester with my ex he decided he wanted to start a family which I thought was hilarious considering he seriously couldn’t look after himself!! So I always had fancy a dog so I said what about getting a dog instead which he was excited about, he said I’ll look after him, etc etc. well we brought Hudson & I fell out of love with my ex & in love with Hudson. He didn’t even try to look after him so once I decided I was moving back up to my parents as I needed medical treatment & I wanted to get away from him I was taking Hudson no doubt about it as I knew Hudson would of ended up with a horrid life with him. Hudson is the best outcome of any of my relationships lol!
Haha go you! Don’t think you can beat a dog definitely tells you a lot about a person, I remember when I got with Ash I told him if the dog didn’t like him he was off haha. x
ciao! luvFAB blog.
thebestdressup
Thank you
Well done for looking after Sal, AND the rescue hamsters!
Aww thank you
x
You have a lovely blog Sarah and you are doing such a great job! I admire the strength that you possess! Just stopping by as part of the Aloha bog hop to say hi!
-Reshama
http://www.stackingbooks.com
Reshama would love you to check out…Custard and Company
Hi! I’m so sorry I don’t know how I missed this comment! Thank you so so much! Popping back over to you now
xx
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I just found your blog hopping around on different link ups (I love my post), although I haven’t joined it yet because I already posted today, but Love your story. I love meeting so many new and interesting people blogging and you are my new fav! Keep being strong and inspiring others.
Merchon would love you to check out…Mastiff Monday
Aww thank you so much for popping by
Your welcome to join in the ILMP hop anytime even if you haven’t posted in the last 7 days you can pop an older one onto the link up 
.
Thank you so much and I look forward to talking to you more – hopping back to you now xx
Hi there, I signed up to your blog recently and have entered a few comps, but today I took the time to have a good look around. Very interesting blog – not least because I had, mistakenly, thought that the title referred to a relationship breakdown – how ignorant could I have been. Incidentally, I have one hamster, who we did buy, 5 cats (all from rescues) and 2 dogs (both from rescues). Have always loved animals and was never allowed a dog as a child – one of the first things my husband and I did when we moved in together was go to a local pet rescue and get ourselves a dog – best joint decision we have ever made. Hope to get to know more about you over the coming months. Wendy
I have to admit that made me chuckle
I don’t think a lot of people get what I’m getting at with the name so you did better than most.
Aww yay! For rescue animals – what sort of dogs / cats do you have? I’m a total animal nut could talk about them for hours
lol Sarah xx
I just wanted to say HI and tell you that I am a new follower. I am glad my travels through blogs brought me to yours. I too suffer with a chronic condition that has really altered my life. I have severe back pain that has been dealt with by many spinal treatments and two spine surgeries. Because of daily PAIN I ended up with clinical depression that I take medication for. Actually I takes so many meds, I have to use a pill sorter to keep them straight. One medication causes a side effect and that leads to another, and then another. I HATE it!! I often vow to stop taking everything but then I have a BAD pain day, and I know I cannot live without help for the pain.
It is difficult to be afflicted with something that others can’t “see”. I don’t mean to go on and on about myself, but wanted to let you know, I GET IT. I feel a connection to your blog now because I know you get my life… THANK YOU SO MUCH for having the courage and honesty to share your life with us; your followers. <3
Hi Kathleen,
Your not going on – I know how it can be so great to just let it out, especially when you know the person gets it and wont look at you like yeah whatever.. If you ever need a chat or just a good old moan please just drop me an email – always open for moaning, or being silly
Sarah xx
i have to say thanks to both of your posts really hit home with me. Living with chronic pain is something i find most people don’t understand. I know they try and i appreciate it but its not the same.
I am a new follower and i know i don’t know either of you or your full stories but its nice to think i am not alone in all of this.
For almost two years now i have had pain every single day. i am about 3 months post operative from my second spinal/back surgery, and we still don’t know if it is going to work. My meds kept growing and growing, try this one, now that one, now take 2 more to combat the horrible side effects. Every month or so i had to find bigger containers to hold all my meds.
I suffered from depression when i was in my teens but it was manageable. after all this i was told i have a major depressive disorder (or something like that) and anxiety.
Thanks you both for sharing your stories with me, its nice to know that someone out there understands.
Thank you
Aww I’m so sorry to hear your having to live with a chronic illness as well – it really is so hard for people to understand if they haven’t been there – I guess it’s a bit like mental health, you often look well on the outside so there can’t be anything wrong.
My inbox is always open if you fancy a chat – I believe my email is up there but just incase its not it is: [email protected] or give me a tweet or grab me on facebook I don’t mind if it’s even just to have a good old moan we do after all need those from time to time
xxxx
Hi Sarah- I came through the Friday blog hop you are co-hosting. I was very moved by your post. I look forward to reading your blog. I couldn’t help notice you mention bullying on your post….this is something that we have been talking about a lot amongst my friends here in the US. If you care to take a look, you can see that post on my blog title: Geeks Rule the World. I hope you enjoy it.
I’m your newest follower!
Jules @ADoseofJules would love you to check out…Carving Out Me Time
Hey, Thank you so much for stopping by – it’s lovely to have you here and I really hope you enjoy my posts.
I shall definitely pop over to you now and have a look for the post
Thank you. x
Wow, your life mimics mine in so many ways, I too have hypermobility syndrome, fibromyagia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a host of mental issues. They all can be very debilitating. I’m glad you have found an outlet. Vicki
Vicki Hale would love you to check out…Trevor says,,,
Oh no
**hugs** if you ever need a chat my inbox is always open 
I would love to have a natter myself sometimes so please don’t feel bad about emailing me if you need a chat. xx
You’re amazing, Sarah! Being able to do all this with everything you have going on, big kudos to you! I also love the fact that you’re a big animal lover like me! My kids and I are all into animal rescues and helping out all types of animals! We love them all!
Aww thank you
it really does keep me going in some ways though it’s my outlet and it helps me relax as well.
Aww do you have any animals? I still really miss Mr R right now
xx
I am also a survivor, and feel it has made me the person I am today. You are also a survivor and am glad to call you friend
Yay! So glad to hear your a survivor! (Not that you had to go through it of course) If you ever need a natter please drop me an email its always open to people
x
Sorry to read one of your hamsters has gone to the great hamster wheel in the sky…… :0(
Thank you – I still miss the naughty hammie
xx
Think that’s why I refuse to get any sort of pet….too attached!
I can totally understand that – I’m dreading the day I lose Sal as I don’t really remember life without her. x
I found your blog while actually entering a giveaway. I also suffer from Fibro, Chronic Fatigue, and the mental health stuff too, and you are right, it can be so easy to get caught up in all the negative. One has to decide not to focus on it. It is deliberate at first, but evenutally becomes a natural state of being. It is hard some days, though–as for me, I am fighting the American disability system. Unless you are three steps away from dead, you are just fine in their eyes and do not qualify for compensation. Is it similar in the UK? Anyhow, keep fighting the good fight, I’ll pop in again!
It’s pretty much the same sadly and getting worse – they are changing over all the benefits to new systems which are meant to be ‘better’ but sadly they are far from it – there was a doctor who had worked for the assessment company who basically said if you can get dressed you have the motivation to work – if you walk from the waiting room to the doctors room you have the ability to walk 200 meters and there for work! Not looking forward to having mine – I get het up enough just thinking about it. I hope you manage to get something sorted over there
. If you ever fancy a natter about anything please just drop me an email 
Xx