A lot of the girls were awful, very catty. It was a competitive environment that I didn't like. You have no idea of the anorexia I saw around me.

I simply couldn’t conceive of how devastating it would be not to be able to hear my children’s voices. Not to be able to communicate with them, to hear them learn, grow, and express themselves verbally. How fortunate, how blessed I am. This overwhelmed me. I can talk to my children, I can respond to their needs and comfort them when they tell me they are unwell. I can tell them stories and hear them tell theirs.

I still don't believe this craziness for being skinny, but I eat sensibly and I don't stuff down chocolate biscuits.

Many roads to take some to joy some to heart ache

I do endless chopping and preparing things. I really find that relaxing. I do a lot of thinking as I am chopping and cooking.

Life is short, and it is here to be lived.

Because of the person I am I won't be knocked down — ever. They can say I'm fat, I'm thin, I'm whatever, and I'll never stop. I just won't. I've got too much to do. I've too much to be happy about.