Sunday, 12 May 2013
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Happy Birthday Matilda Mae
Today, I'm not going to write a silly post, a funny post or a rant.I am simply going to say, happy birthday to the loveliest star in the sky, Matilda Mae, and hope that Jennie Edspire and her family can take courage and healing from us all with our messages. For Tilda becomes a true blog baby today, trending quite rightly on Twitter on what would have been her first birthday.
God bless little one.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Is It Just Me: Who Feels Schools Are Trying to Bankrupt Us All?
My fricking God people.
Can you remember the days when going to school meant learning about Annie Apple and Bouncy Ben, when it was Biff Chip and Kipper and a wonky old TV on wheels for wet breaks? The simpler times when an after school club or Lunchtime activity was run by a teacher with a tape recorder, and cost about 50p. The days when the most a parent would fork out per year aside from uniform was a fiver?
Me too.
Well, it would appear that those days are well and truly over my friends. Or they are if The Brat's school is anything to go by.
Can you remember the days when going to school meant learning about Annie Apple and Bouncy Ben, when it was Biff Chip and Kipper and a wonky old TV on wheels for wet breaks? The simpler times when an after school club or Lunchtime activity was run by a teacher with a tape recorder, and cost about 50p. The days when the most a parent would fork out per year aside from uniform was a fiver?
Me too.
Well, it would appear that those days are well and truly over my friends. Or they are if The Brat's school is anything to go by.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
30 Years of Changes with Special K*
*This is kind of a sponsored post as I received some lovely new Special K, as it's part of the Britmums/Special K "How I've Changed Linky" but don't worry, it's not a big ol'advert....
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
AXA PPP healthcare Bowel Cancer Awareness Month- Are You Bowel Cancer Aware?*
Cancer is something most people wont like to think about, but something that will touch most of lives or the lives of those closest to us, at some point . That's why awareness-especially of the more "embarrassing places" cancers is so important in the fight against it. Many cancers can be dealt with if caught quickly enough, but men, especially, are not keen on taking concerns to their GP.
One such cancer is of the bowel. A staggering 41,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, and rates amongst men have increased by 29% in the last 35 years.
Bowel cancer has touched Elder's family- he sadly lost his Dad to it before we met- so its now something his siblings all have regular screenings for. However, if it's not a cancer which has affected most people's lives, they wont be so cautious against it, and can miss the early warning signs that need to be reported to your GP as soon as possible.
 |
| Getting active can help prevent Bowel Cancer |
With this 43% in mind, AXA PPP healthcare is dedicating the whole of April to making us all more Bowel Cancer aware, including giving healthy tips to lifestyle improvements at their website, and hosting one of their ever popular, expert led Webchats from 2-4pm on Tuesday 30th April. They also have a competition running on their Facebook page to win a Colon Health check, worth £520.
Professor Nicholas Stuart, Professor of Cancer Studies for Bangor University and honorary consultant medical oncologist will be leading the webchat and invites you to leave your questions at the AXA PPP healthcare website on the 30th April or before this at Facebook or Twitter.
You can easily enter the competition to win a Colon Healthcheck at Facebook too, simply log on to the AXA PPP healthcare Facebook page and complete the very easy (if you've read the tips on the AXA PPP healthcare website!) multiple choice questions, and enter your details.
So, don't be shy, leave your question for Professor Nicholas Stuart, and think about what you can do to lower your chances of developing bowel cancer.
Monday, 22 April 2013
Old Tat? Maybe Not!*
Do you look around your home and think you have too much stuff? Fancy a home makeover but don't have the cash and thunk you'll have to hire the team behind Hoarders to clear it all?
Maybe not!
Some things in your home can be worth more than you think, but where can you go to find out?
I found there were several online sites from Antique Valuers to modern collectables buyers, and my personal favorite was Value My Stuff.
Value My Stuff is an easy to use site housing valuations experts and specialists who previously worked for well know auction houses Sothebys and Christies. Such is the popularity of the site they've already given 100,000 valuations between them!
If you're asking how you can possibly receive a proper valuation over the net, well, its very simple. You upload an image to the site, Value My Stuff assigns you an expert, who will look over the images you have uploaded and appraise your item. Then within 48 hours you'll receive a valuation.
You'll also receive a comprehensive amount of history and detail of your item and seal to use on Ebay to prove your items provenience. It costs from £5.99 but its worth it and will make your ebay buyers confident in the authenticity of your item.
With online testimonials from previous users you can be reassured your item will be valued with professionalism and honesty- their 69,000 current customers will back that up!
And it's not just your Moorcroft and Susie Cooper they'll value either- Value My Stuff will also value stamps, wines, coins and Sports Memorabilia too.
If you're looking to cash in your collectibles and clear out your clutter, think what it could be worth! And for under £10, you can find out online!
Why not try it yourself, and you too can have the knowledge to sell your unwanted antiques and collectibles, and get the home you want. Visit ValueMyStuff.com to find out more.
*Other websites are available
Maybe not!
Some things in your home can be worth more than you think, but where can you go to find out?
I found there were several online sites from Antique Valuers to modern collectables buyers, and my personal favorite was Value My Stuff.
Value My Stuff is an easy to use site housing valuations experts and specialists who previously worked for well know auction houses Sothebys and Christies. Such is the popularity of the site they've already given 100,000 valuations between them!If you're asking how you can possibly receive a proper valuation over the net, well, its very simple. You upload an image to the site, Value My Stuff assigns you an expert, who will look over the images you have uploaded and appraise your item. Then within 48 hours you'll receive a valuation.
You'll also receive a comprehensive amount of history and detail of your item and seal to use on Ebay to prove your items provenience. It costs from £5.99 but its worth it and will make your ebay buyers confident in the authenticity of your item.
And it's not just your Moorcroft and Susie Cooper they'll value either- Value My Stuff will also value stamps, wines, coins and Sports Memorabilia too.
If you're looking to cash in your collectibles and clear out your clutter, think what it could be worth! And for under £10, you can find out online!
Why not try it yourself, and you too can have the knowledge to sell your unwanted antiques and collectibles, and get the home you want. Visit ValueMyStuff.com to find out more.
*Other websites are available
Affordable Summer Wardrobes For Kids*
Are you looking for good quality affordable clothing for the summer for your child?
Well, if you have a child like Mini, who happily points out what she'd like to see in her wardrobe now the sun is out, you will be!
Its now easier than ever to find great pieces to mix and match and make your child the belle of the ball- or garden party!- and rugged pieces that will withstand even the toughest assault by child in the park you can think of.
One such site is Cheeky Monkeys, who sell a massive range of items which are purse friendly and affordable.
There are brands you'll know, like Lelli Kelly Shoes, and others which are newer, like Inch Blue, who sell adorable shoes for the tiniest feet upwards.
The site is easy to use and you can shop by brand, product, or by age, so its really easy to find what you are looking for in a couple of clicks. There are beautiful dresses, hardy shoes, and key pieces which will be worn again and again and make up many different mix and match outfits.
You can find Baby gifts too, for summer christenings, and adorable baby clothes in a range of colours from brands like Emile et Rose.
For fans of organic and planet friendly clothing and shoes, Cheeky Monkeys have a whole range of items for you to choose from. On a budget? They have you thrifty shoppers covered too, with items under £20 in a whole click to view section, not to mention sale items too.
It can be hard to find simple, beautiful clothing which wont break the bank and won't fall apart after one wear, so finding Cheeky Monkeys is great, especially if you aren't fond like me of chain store clothing which everyone has, or slogan tees which are too old for your child.
Of course, online shopping is growing in popularity and you can find it easy to get lost in a sea of sites, but Cheeky Monkeys is well worth viewing. They also offer free delivery on all purchases over £50.
Why not sit your cherub on your lap and see what you can find for the summer, over at http://www.cheekymonkeyskids.co.uk/
*Other sites are available, prices/brands correct on publication
Well, if you have a child like Mini, who happily points out what she'd like to see in her wardrobe now the sun is out, you will be!
Its now easier than ever to find great pieces to mix and match and make your child the belle of the ball- or garden party!- and rugged pieces that will withstand even the toughest assault by child in the park you can think of.
One such site is Cheeky Monkeys, who sell a massive range of items which are purse friendly and affordable.
There are brands you'll know, like Lelli Kelly Shoes, and others which are newer, like Inch Blue, who sell adorable shoes for the tiniest feet upwards.
The site is easy to use and you can shop by brand, product, or by age, so its really easy to find what you are looking for in a couple of clicks. There are beautiful dresses, hardy shoes, and key pieces which will be worn again and again and make up many different mix and match outfits.
You can find Baby gifts too, for summer christenings, and adorable baby clothes in a range of colours from brands like Emile et Rose.For fans of organic and planet friendly clothing and shoes, Cheeky Monkeys have a whole range of items for you to choose from. On a budget? They have you thrifty shoppers covered too, with items under £20 in a whole click to view section, not to mention sale items too.
It can be hard to find simple, beautiful clothing which wont break the bank and won't fall apart after one wear, so finding Cheeky Monkeys is great, especially if you aren't fond like me of chain store clothing which everyone has, or slogan tees which are too old for your child.
Of course, online shopping is growing in popularity and you can find it easy to get lost in a sea of sites, but Cheeky Monkeys is well worth viewing. They also offer free delivery on all purchases over £50.
Why not sit your cherub on your lap and see what you can find for the summer, over at http://www.cheekymonkeyskids.co.uk/
*Other sites are available, prices/brands correct on publication
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Is It Just Me: Who Would Never Apply For a Channel 4 Documentary?
I must start by saying that I love reality documentaries. Really, I do, I get some great forum based comedy out of the likes of the X Factor and 16 Kids and Counting (except when I was social media bitch slapped for pondering the width of, ahem, certain areas after 16 natural births).
However, you would have to be a mentalist to take part in one, right?
I recently saw an irate parent who'd appeared on 16 Kids, she was very unhappy about how she'd been portrayed. Apparently, it portrayed that they are constantly in the pub and have take away a lot. This, she felt, made them look like chavs.
Now, I don't know when going to the pub or having a fish supper went hand in hand with being a chav- I thought that you had to wear knock off tracksuits and have a poor grasp of the English language despite a UK birth certificate for that (eg "Innit, nuffink, bruv"), but if they were filming you for several weeks and that's where you went quite a bit, then you can't very well complain, can you?
Its not the first time I've seen people annoyed after an appearance. The only group I've never seen moan about how they are shown has been the Travelers from Gypsy Weddings, who are happy to be shown in their larger than life community.
Surely, surely if you are signing up or even thinking of signing up, you should perhaps watch some of their documentaries first?
Otherwise, its like a jobless, toothless, tracksuit wearing philanderer with 18 kids by 17 women going on Jezza Kyle and then crying into his crack pipe when Kyle does the full irate git on you.
Most of these shows do portray people in a bad light- elsewise, what is the point? It would be boring if Super Nanny went to a family home to find the kids well behaved and the adults using non-bum slap discipline the odd time they do kick off and have a tantrum. Its much more interesting to see kids climbing up walls and swinging from the lightshade stuffing sweets in their gob whilst their Mum hides shaking under the bed, isn't it?
That's why we watch these shows- to make our selves feel virtuous, and to become armchair pundits.
These ads should have "sensible, warm and cosy families need not apply" and "tattoos, piercings and teens pregnant like a conveyor belt? Life a miserable grind of pub visits and chip wrappings? Then we need you!"
They dress it up as "human interest", but some of these TV executives and researchers are that into lower class bashing they should take a job with the Tories. Or the Daily Mail.
I was once asked if I'd like to appear in a documentary about Mummy Bloggers. I am pleased I thought to myself "hmm, I spend my time on the net for social media boosting purposes, and my kids watch Beebies whilst I do. Do I want to appear on TV for them to make me look like a lazy cow?" and thought hell no.
I knew, 100% that they would never show the times I spend reading books, helping with drawing, tidying up (sod off Elder, the Vacuum cleans the floor, not you) and cooking from scratch. I knew they'd edit the show to look like I sat from dawn to dusk on the PC, when in fact from 6pm I'm barely online at all.
So, if you should be wondering about going on one of these shows, think. Do you want the nation to sit and condemn you for eating Iceland chips? Or do you want to keep your private life, well, private?
However, you would have to be a mentalist to take part in one, right?
I recently saw an irate parent who'd appeared on 16 Kids, she was very unhappy about how she'd been portrayed. Apparently, it portrayed that they are constantly in the pub and have take away a lot. This, she felt, made them look like chavs.
Now, I don't know when going to the pub or having a fish supper went hand in hand with being a chav- I thought that you had to wear knock off tracksuits and have a poor grasp of the English language despite a UK birth certificate for that (eg "Innit, nuffink, bruv"), but if they were filming you for several weeks and that's where you went quite a bit, then you can't very well complain, can you?
Its not the first time I've seen people annoyed after an appearance. The only group I've never seen moan about how they are shown has been the Travelers from Gypsy Weddings, who are happy to be shown in their larger than life community.
Surely, surely if you are signing up or even thinking of signing up, you should perhaps watch some of their documentaries first?
Otherwise, its like a jobless, toothless, tracksuit wearing philanderer with 18 kids by 17 women going on Jezza Kyle and then crying into his crack pipe when Kyle does the full irate git on you.
Most of these shows do portray people in a bad light- elsewise, what is the point? It would be boring if Super Nanny went to a family home to find the kids well behaved and the adults using non-bum slap discipline the odd time they do kick off and have a tantrum. Its much more interesting to see kids climbing up walls and swinging from the lightshade stuffing sweets in their gob whilst their Mum hides shaking under the bed, isn't it?
That's why we watch these shows- to make our selves feel virtuous, and to become armchair pundits.
These ads should have "sensible, warm and cosy families need not apply" and "tattoos, piercings and teens pregnant like a conveyor belt? Life a miserable grind of pub visits and chip wrappings? Then we need you!"
They dress it up as "human interest", but some of these TV executives and researchers are that into lower class bashing they should take a job with the Tories. Or the Daily Mail.
I was once asked if I'd like to appear in a documentary about Mummy Bloggers. I am pleased I thought to myself "hmm, I spend my time on the net for social media boosting purposes, and my kids watch Beebies whilst I do. Do I want to appear on TV for them to make me look like a lazy cow?" and thought hell no.
I knew, 100% that they would never show the times I spend reading books, helping with drawing, tidying up (sod off Elder, the Vacuum cleans the floor, not you) and cooking from scratch. I knew they'd edit the show to look like I sat from dawn to dusk on the PC, when in fact from 6pm I'm barely online at all.
So, if you should be wondering about going on one of these shows, think. Do you want the nation to sit and condemn you for eating Iceland chips? Or do you want to keep your private life, well, private?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)