I settled down yesterday afternoon to watch a spot of TV with Squiggle and decided to watch Tinga Tinga Tales. It's a cartoon which tells stories of how the animals came to be as they are - ie, why elephant has a long nose, why does hare hop and why is Zebra striped. Yesterday was the story of how Baboon came to have a bare bottom.
Baboon was a trickster, constantly playing tricks on all the other animals, the animals came to refer to her as a naughty monkey but she protested that she wasn't a monkey but a baboon. One day the animals had had enough and decided to get their own back by playing a trick of their own. They lured her to the top of a mountain with the promise of a yummy egg, when she got to the top of the mountain Snake held the egg out for Baboon, but Baboon overstretched and consequently skidded down the mountain on her... bottom, by the time she got to the foot of the mountain her poor bottom was on fire and as all the other animals stood watching she cried out " Don't just stand there, help put my bottom out" but by the time the fire was extinguished all the hair had gone and that is why Baboon has a bare bottom.
I don't know who laughed more - Squiggle at the funny cartoon he was watching or me at what was happening. Unfortunately Squiggle has a remarkable memory and can recall things he has seen or heard only once. Moving onto today and our little shopping trip to the supermarket, Squiggle was running amok in the aisles and I decided to just stand still and wait for him to calm down when out of the blue he shouted at the top of his voice - "Don't just stand there mummy, put my bottom out"
Well my mum and grandma's faces were classic, we all howled with laughter whilst I got disapproving looks and tuts from the older customers. I can't wait for the next embarrassing instalment, I'm getting quite used to them now!
Thursday 19 September 2013
Review: Always & UNESCO
I was sent a new Bzz Kit this month to review.
Always have teamed up with UNESCO to help support girls get an education. Their aim is to help empower women all around the world, so for every pack of Always sold, Always will donate a school lesson to a girl. For the past two years Always have supported girls in Senegal.
In the UK Always are planning to donate more than 7 million lessons to support girls education. Why? should I get involved I hear you ask - well, educated women and girls can earn up to 15-25% more wages than uneducated women and girls, and it is shown that when women and girls earn income in these poorer countries, they reinvest 90% of it into the health, education and well being of their families, much more than their respected male counterparts. For us going to school is a way of life, as is our monthly period ( well for us girls anyway ), so why not switch brands and help give the gift of education to someone less fortunate.
The campaign is going to run util March 2014 and thereafter until UNESCO marked packs have sold out.
Ok, so onto the product.
The first thing that hit me when I opened the box was the sweet fragrance of flowers. As I took out my items I saw that one of the boxes was Always dailies discreet 30 incredibly thin scented panty liners.
I was also sent sent 2 packs of Always Ultra with odour neutralising Actipearls.
The Always Ultra are bigger than regular sized towels and I found they were better at preventing leaks, the dailies discreet were quite small and flimsy and to be honest I wondered what the point of them was, but they held their shape and stayed in place all day.
Both packs smell really fresh, I don't know if they mask odours because I've never suffered with that problem, they do the job they are designed for and I'm happy with that. Plus I've noticed that by keeping the Always Dailies Discreet in my underwear drawer, the fragrance has been passed onto my underwear so they smell lovely and fresh when I get dressed in a morning!
Disclaimer, although I was sent the products to create a buzz about, all words and photos are my own.
Always have teamed up with UNESCO to help support girls get an education. Their aim is to help empower women all around the world, so for every pack of Always sold, Always will donate a school lesson to a girl. For the past two years Always have supported girls in Senegal.
In the UK Always are planning to donate more than 7 million lessons to support girls education. Why? should I get involved I hear you ask - well, educated women and girls can earn up to 15-25% more wages than uneducated women and girls, and it is shown that when women and girls earn income in these poorer countries, they reinvest 90% of it into the health, education and well being of their families, much more than their respected male counterparts. For us going to school is a way of life, as is our monthly period ( well for us girls anyway ), so why not switch brands and help give the gift of education to someone less fortunate.
The campaign is going to run util March 2014 and thereafter until UNESCO marked packs have sold out.
Ok, so onto the product.
The first thing that hit me when I opened the box was the sweet fragrance of flowers. As I took out my items I saw that one of the boxes was Always dailies discreet 30 incredibly thin scented panty liners.
I was also sent sent 2 packs of Always Ultra with odour neutralising Actipearls.
The Always Ultra are bigger than regular sized towels and I found they were better at preventing leaks, the dailies discreet were quite small and flimsy and to be honest I wondered what the point of them was, but they held their shape and stayed in place all day.
Both packs smell really fresh, I don't know if they mask odours because I've never suffered with that problem, they do the job they are designed for and I'm happy with that. Plus I've noticed that by keeping the Always Dailies Discreet in my underwear drawer, the fragrance has been passed onto my underwear so they smell lovely and fresh when I get dressed in a morning!
Disclaimer, although I was sent the products to create a buzz about, all words and photos are my own.
Sunday 30 June 2013
#Juneathon - Days 28, 29 & 30
So after spending all day Thursday in the rain, Friday was spent with my morning trek to the Dermatalogy to get myself a tan on their industrial sunbed and then 2 hours chasing the kids around at playgroup. Saturday I returned to my nightly walk and did just under 3 miles in just under an hour.
Onto today - Sunday, being the last day of the challenge I woke with all good intentions of getting a last day workout in, but sadly I couldn't, as my husband sprung a last minute holiday on me and so I've spent the day trying to wash and pack all our clothes for a week at Butlins which we are going on tomorrow!
I may not have stuck to the hardened rules of the challenge but I have tried my hardest and done more this month than I've probably done in the last 3 years!
My workout stats for Juneathon are:
No of Walks: 12
Miles covered: 34.26
Total time: 17 hours 26 minutes 30 seconds
No of Dances: 3
Total time: 4 hours 50 mins
Other exercise: 8
Total number of times exercised: 23
I'm very impressed with my all my hard work and secretly think I have been bitten by the exercise bug, I sincerely hope that I can keep myself motivated and keep exercising.
Onto today - Sunday, being the last day of the challenge I woke with all good intentions of getting a last day workout in, but sadly I couldn't, as my husband sprung a last minute holiday on me and so I've spent the day trying to wash and pack all our clothes for a week at Butlins which we are going on tomorrow!
I may not have stuck to the hardened rules of the challenge but I have tried my hardest and done more this month than I've probably done in the last 3 years!
My workout stats for Juneathon are:
No of Walks: 12
Miles covered: 34.26
Total time: 17 hours 26 minutes 30 seconds
No of Dances: 3
Total time: 4 hours 50 mins
Other exercise: 8
Total number of times exercised: 23
I'm very impressed with my all my hard work and secretly think I have been bitten by the exercise bug, I sincerely hope that I can keep myself motivated and keep exercising.
Thursday 27 June 2013
#Juneathon Day 27 - Antiques Roadshow
Today was spent mostly standing around waiting.... and waiting.... and waiting... oh and getting wet
The BBC Antiques Roadshow were filming at Towneley Hall in Burnley today so my mum, gran and myself decided to go along with our family heirlooms and see if we could get a valuation.
The day started off nice and sunny and the queue looked as though it was moving so we decided to do what us Brits do best and join the back of it and stand in line.
All was going well until the rain came! Thankfully the BBC provided us all with rain macs so that we wouldn't get too wet whilst waiting, we ended up with bright blue ones which made us resemble smurfs, so to keep our spirits up my mum and myself kept singing the smurf song, granny doesn't know it and doesn't have our sense of humour so just looked at us!!!
Also seeing the odd person off the telly helped keep our spirits up - local lad Eric Knowles kept wandering past as he was moved from tent to tent to do his valuations and piece to camera, Fiona Bruce also graced us with her presence. I decided that it was now or never, so legged it over to where she was filming and hovered in the back ground, but then I was called to the front because I was shorter than the other people!! I was standing right behind her as she was being filmed - so will keep an eye out for me on the TV - can't miss me remember I look like a smurf!!!
Afterwards I headed back and rejoined the queue for another hour! Eventually we got to our expert - Lars Tharp, after waiting in line for over 4 hours. We were so excited, would our wait pay off? Were we holding priceless antiques in our arms all this time. Mum went first with her Chines vase, it was mass produced in the 1920's, the gold leaf had come off it over the years, but it was still worth.... £10!, then granny showed off her Royal Doulton Fisherman cup, Lars agreed it was a nice little piece and as it would appeal to both fish memorabilia collectors and Royal Doulton collectors it was worth ..... £20
Still it was a grand day out!
The BBC Antiques Roadshow were filming at Towneley Hall in Burnley today so my mum, gran and myself decided to go along with our family heirlooms and see if we could get a valuation.
The day started off nice and sunny and the queue looked as though it was moving so we decided to do what us Brits do best and join the back of it and stand in line.
All was going well until the rain came! Thankfully the BBC provided us all with rain macs so that we wouldn't get too wet whilst waiting, we ended up with bright blue ones which made us resemble smurfs, so to keep our spirits up my mum and myself kept singing the smurf song, granny doesn't know it and doesn't have our sense of humour so just looked at us!!!
 |
| Smurf! |
Also seeing the odd person off the telly helped keep our spirits up - local lad Eric Knowles kept wandering past as he was moved from tent to tent to do his valuations and piece to camera, Fiona Bruce also graced us with her presence. I decided that it was now or never, so legged it over to where she was filming and hovered in the back ground, but then I was called to the front because I was shorter than the other people!! I was standing right behind her as she was being filmed - so will keep an eye out for me on the TV - can't miss me remember I look like a smurf!!!
Afterwards I headed back and rejoined the queue for another hour! Eventually we got to our expert - Lars Tharp, after waiting in line for over 4 hours. We were so excited, would our wait pay off? Were we holding priceless antiques in our arms all this time. Mum went first with her Chines vase, it was mass produced in the 1920's, the gold leaf had come off it over the years, but it was still worth.... £10!, then granny showed off her Royal Doulton Fisherman cup, Lars agreed it was a nice little piece and as it would appeal to both fish memorabilia collectors and Royal Doulton collectors it was worth ..... £20
Still it was a grand day out!
Wednesday 26 June 2013
#Juneathon -Day 26, brain training
Really couldn't be bothered this morning but I had to get to the hospital. I seriously contemplated using the car park this morning but I couldn't justify the parking fee for an hour so I parked in my usual spot on one of the side roads outside of the hospital grounds and had a slow meander through the hospital.
The afternoon was spent at Wacky Warehouse with Squiggle. He had a brilliant time hiding in the ball pit.
The night was spent in my usual spot in the pub for the weekly pub quiz. Sadly it was an epic fail this week. The killer question took its revenge on us and although we did get 4 right answers we scored no points because of the silly scoring system as the first answer on the grid was wrong.
So can you do any better? Remember - no cheating!
Name 10 of the 13 black actors or actresses to have won an academy award.
The afternoon was spent at Wacky Warehouse with Squiggle. He had a brilliant time hiding in the ball pit.
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| Can you see me? |
The night was spent in my usual spot in the pub for the weekly pub quiz. Sadly it was an epic fail this week. The killer question took its revenge on us and although we did get 4 right answers we scored no points because of the silly scoring system as the first answer on the grid was wrong.
So can you do any better? Remember - no cheating!
Name 10 of the 13 black actors or actresses to have won an academy award.
Tuesday 25 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 25, Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary to hubby and myself. Today we celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. Back in 2005 on a sunny Saturday afternoon ( remember when we used to have sunny Saturday afternoons in June? ) we hijacked my parents own wedding anniversary date and tied the knot in a small ceremony in the red room at Towneley Hall. I will post more details about Towneley later on in the week as I am going there on Thursday.
I was showered with flowers this morning off my husband, every anniversary we try to buy something related to that year.
So this morning I was surprised to find two large Clematis flowers in the front room off hubby and a nice little potted plant off Squiggle. Hubby has outdone himself this year by not only having the card and gift ready on the actual day of the anniversary but by also having it ready for when I woke up! He usually leaves it to the last minute so I don't get the gift until a week later and I have to wait till tea time for a card! So this year he is in my good books.
Spent the morning entertaining Squiggle at the reservoir, he was so excited by everything, the waterfall, the bridge, the cows sat up in the field. He was beside himself when we fed the ducks, it was as though he'd never done it before. But as is the case when feeding ducks there's always some nasty goose that has to come along and spoil things, so we quickly legged it before it got too close!
Spent the evening celebrating our anniversary in the pub with my parents who celebrated their 36th anniversary, hmm best start saving for their 40th, suppose a party will be called for, I also fancy doing something special for them, I know my dad has always fancied a trip on the Orient Express or a trip to Las Vegas so I'll start a savings fund and see what I can afford to do in 4 years!
Does anyone have any memorable anniversary stories to share?
I was showered with flowers this morning off my husband, every anniversary we try to buy something related to that year.
Traditional 8th wedding anniversary gifts are linked to bronze or pottery, modern gifts are lace or linen, the gemstone is aventurine or tourmaline and the flower is Clematis.
So this morning I was surprised to find two large Clematis flowers in the front room off hubby and a nice little potted plant off Squiggle. Hubby has outdone himself this year by not only having the card and gift ready on the actual day of the anniversary but by also having it ready for when I woke up! He usually leaves it to the last minute so I don't get the gift until a week later and I have to wait till tea time for a card! So this year he is in my good books.
Spent the morning entertaining Squiggle at the reservoir, he was so excited by everything, the waterfall, the bridge, the cows sat up in the field. He was beside himself when we fed the ducks, it was as though he'd never done it before. But as is the case when feeding ducks there's always some nasty goose that has to come along and spoil things, so we quickly legged it before it got too close!
 |
| Evil Geese |
Spent the evening celebrating our anniversary in the pub with my parents who celebrated their 36th anniversary, hmm best start saving for their 40th, suppose a party will be called for, I also fancy doing something special for them, I know my dad has always fancied a trip on the Orient Express or a trip to Las Vegas so I'll start a savings fund and see what I can afford to do in 4 years!
Does anyone have any memorable anniversary stories to share?
Monday 24 June 2013
#Juneathon Day 24 - Psoriasis update
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| "put your left leg in" 21st May 2013 - Before |
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| "put your right leg in" 21st May 2013 - Before |
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| 24th June 2013 - During |
Never mind, I have every intention of going shopping for a new wardrobe once my skin is a lot clearer.
Sunday 23 June 2013
#Juneathon - Days 22 & 23, Dance the night away, pain the following day!
So last night I decided to venture out out in the pouring rain for a boogie! It was the first time in 4 years that I had been clubbing, and I'm quite proud of the fact that I did manage to stay out till 3am. My how the town's night scene has changed since I was last there, favourite bars have closed and new ones have opened, and in some cases shut and reopened as something else, one bar has apparently been closed and reopened 3 times and is now trading as a burger bar. I was very excited to hear that the town had finally got a "classical/retro" nightclub playing all my favourite cheesy tunes from the 70's, 80's & 90's. I was in my element dancing away on the lit up dance floor and could have stayed there all night if it wasn't for the impending kids party I knew we had to go to Sunday afternoon.
So this afternoon with Squiggle and hubby in tow off we set to a little girl's 3rd birthday party. I had to laugh at hubby as he sat there feeling a little worse for wear especially when we got onto the 3rd game of musical bumps! I've no sympathy as it was all self inflicted - will he ever learn?
So tonight I am going to give my walk a miss and try and get an early night, I think I deserve it with all the dancing I did last night.
So this afternoon with Squiggle and hubby in tow off we set to a little girl's 3rd birthday party. I had to laugh at hubby as he sat there feeling a little worse for wear especially when we got onto the 3rd game of musical bumps! I've no sympathy as it was all self inflicted - will he ever learn?
So tonight I am going to give my walk a miss and try and get an early night, I think I deserve it with all the dancing I did last night.
Friday 21 June 2013
#Juneathon - Days 20 & 21
Yesterday was a different day for me, and unfortunately I can't tell you much about it because it involved a mystery shopping mission that wasn't a mystery shop. I know that sounds very cryptic but it is hard work being a secret agent because I do get to go on some fabulous missions but I can't tell anybody about them. So I shall leave you all wondering what I've been up to and some day in the future I might tell you all about it in my memoirs!
After my mission I had a leisurely stroll around the town and did a spot of shopping so I'm counting my carrying some quite heavy bags as my exercise for the day!
Today has been an active day, after a quick trip to the hospital for my final visit of the week it was off to Parent & Toddler group for a morning of mayhem. We planted Sunflower seeds today which the kids loved. The parents were a little less enthused when they noticed how mucky they were all getting!
After playgroup had finished we had the joyous task of putting the room back together, normally there are 5 of us to clear up but today there was only 2 so between us we had to lug 100 chairs and a piano back into position, I was so glad I'd had a bacon butty earlier on to give me the strength to do it.
This afternoon there was no rest for the wicked, had a very active afternoon in the Wacky Warehouse, playing in the ball pits and climbing up and down steps and slides, I could quite easily put my feet up now but I have some housework to do tonight although the thought of a walk seems more appealing. Only time will tell what I decide to do tonight, I will let you all know tomorrow.
Hope you all have a good evening!
Wednesday 19 June 2013
#Juneathon - Days 18 & 19, exercised my mind!
Had a little rest for the last 2 days, well rested my body anyway, did very little yesterday except wandered around town doing a spot of window shopping.
Today however, I still had my usual saunter around the hospital before my psoriasis treatment in the morning, but tonight was quiz night and the Quizee Rascals were reconvening after a 2 week break away. We always meet up on a Wednesday night for Food and Facts in the local pub and have to say despite us thinking we're all a bit thick, do happen to do quite well, and this week was no exception. The quiz follows 6 sections, the first is a picture round, then there's an odd one out round, specialist subject round, family fortunes round, a blockbuster style round and a killer question round. After the scores were totted up, the Quizee Rascals were tied for 2nd place, so in went Mr H as the tie breaker champion, and he didn't disappoint again.
Second place winnings are £15, so we've made an executive decision to blow the lot on this weeks' lottery and have a syndicate for the Euromillions on Friday - you never know!
So just for fun tonight's tie breaker question was how long is the Limpopo River? ( no cheating and sorry no prizes, but go on just have a guess ! )
Today however, I still had my usual saunter around the hospital before my psoriasis treatment in the morning, but tonight was quiz night and the Quizee Rascals were reconvening after a 2 week break away. We always meet up on a Wednesday night for Food and Facts in the local pub and have to say despite us thinking we're all a bit thick, do happen to do quite well, and this week was no exception. The quiz follows 6 sections, the first is a picture round, then there's an odd one out round, specialist subject round, family fortunes round, a blockbuster style round and a killer question round. After the scores were totted up, the Quizee Rascals were tied for 2nd place, so in went Mr H as the tie breaker champion, and he didn't disappoint again.
Second place winnings are £15, so we've made an executive decision to blow the lot on this weeks' lottery and have a syndicate for the Euromillions on Friday - you never know!
So just for fun tonight's tie breaker question was how long is the Limpopo River? ( no cheating and sorry no prizes, but go on just have a guess ! )
Monday 17 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 17,
Woke up aching a bit this morning, due to all that walking and eating I did yesterday! Went for my usual trek around the hospital grounds before having my light treatment and ointment for my psoriasis, have to say it is looking a lot better on my arms, but my legs are still all flared up!
Managed to have a little afternoon snooze before going for an hours long 3 mile "what I call hike" walk, right to the highest point in town again. Managed to catch a lovely view of Pendle Hill in the distance. It's been a long time since I walked up that hill, in fact it will be 11 years next week - I took my husband up it the weekend he first came to meet my parents all those many years ago, it nearly killed him and we haven't been up it since!
Pendle Hill in the distance
Sunday 16 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 16 - BBC Good Food Show
I like to dabble in entering the odd competition here and there and I was over the moon to learn that I had won 2 tickets to the BBC Good Food Show Summer from Yorkshire Pudd.
So after packing Squiggle off to his grandma and grandad for the day, hubby and I set off down the M6 back to his native homeland of Birmingham and to the N.E.C.
For once the M6 was kind to us and with no traffic delays we arrived just a little past 10 o'clock. We parked up and headed in. My oh my, it's a food lovers paradise. Nearly every stall was set up with free samples of either food or drink, and due to arriving on an empty stomach I must admit to feeling a little tipsy by 11am!
There was cheese galore to choose from, every flavour of chutney, jam, olive oils, fudge, sausages all of which needed tasting. There were drinks of every flavour from pressed cordials and slushies to chocolate wine and gold leaf champagne.
I was spoilt for choice, but settled on buying some wine and cheese for my mum and dad and some salted caramel fudge for myself.
There was a MasterChef demonstration stage where various previous MasterChef winners took part in demonstrating their cooking skills throughout the day, all being hosted by Andi Peters.
There was also an interview stage where members of the public could ask questions to celebrity chefs - I managed to catch James Martin being interviewed and I also managed to get Paul Rankin's autograph and a a sneaky photo from afar.
James Martin
Paul Rankin
The Good Food Show was also teamed up with BBC Gardeners' World Live so the outside of the N.E.C. was transformed with the RHS Floral Marquee which was packed with nurseries selling a huge range of plants, in the grounds there were other plant stalls and things for the garden along with the show gardens.There were also stands inside the exhibition hall which were selling bird feeders, chicken coops, gazebos all sorts for your garden. They also held interviews with celebrity gardeners and we managed to catch a few questions with David Domoney.
I decided to treat myself to a couple of Ladybird Poppies,
which will look lovely next year when they flower.
It's surprising how many miles you can cover at events like this, by the time we'd got back to the car, we'd been on our feet for 6 and a half hours and had covered a whopping 9 miles!! wandering up and down the aisles looking at every stall. I just hope I burnt off as many calories as I'd consumed today!
I had such a fantastic day and would love to go to the Winter show, but I might have to buy tickets for every day because different celebrities do different days and I'd quite like to see all of them!
Saturday 15 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 15, I climbed a mountain!
I only wish it was a real mountain, sadly it was the mountain of ironing that has been slowly piling up, so I'm very sorry if I got your hopes up of an exciting tale up in Snowdonia or Ben Nevis, not this time!
I started the morning with another weigh in, nothing to report, the scales have neither gone up nor down this week, neither have my measurements changed but I do feel like my jeans have a little more room in them or is that just wishful thinking?
So after the weekly trip to get the shopping I got back home and started to tackle the ironing, cue the ingenious thinking of my husband - ooh you're making space in the ironing pile - I know I'll change all the beds, get them washed and dried and then you can iron the bedding as well! - gee thanks, so it was a never ending mission, in fact I still haven't finished it all now and I'm signing off for an early night because I have to get up very early tomorrow for a special day out!
So continuing good luck to all my fellow Juneathoners, we're half way there now, only another 15 days to go!
I started the morning with another weigh in, nothing to report, the scales have neither gone up nor down this week, neither have my measurements changed but I do feel like my jeans have a little more room in them or is that just wishful thinking?
So after the weekly trip to get the shopping I got back home and started to tackle the ironing, cue the ingenious thinking of my husband - ooh you're making space in the ironing pile - I know I'll change all the beds, get them washed and dried and then you can iron the bedding as well! - gee thanks, so it was a never ending mission, in fact I still haven't finished it all now and I'm signing off for an early night because I have to get up very early tomorrow for a special day out!
So continuing good luck to all my fellow Juneathoners, we're half way there now, only another 15 days to go!
Friday 14 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 14,
Today was a non starter, Squiggle crawled into our bed at 3.30am and by 4am I was wide awake listening to the dawn chorus, and hubby and Squiggle snoring. So I decided to just make use of this very early morning me time to catch up on some telly watching - I was just too tired to do anything else.
I managed to get through parent & toddler club thanks to copious amounts of coffee and after a quick wander into town to get Squiggle his Friday gingerbread man fix, it was back home to retire to the settee.
I was so tired that I couldn't even eat my half of the pizza that hubby brought home for tea ( suppose that's good in a way ) So today will be marked down with a black cross - must try harder tomorrow!
I managed to get through parent & toddler club thanks to copious amounts of coffee and after a quick wander into town to get Squiggle his Friday gingerbread man fix, it was back home to retire to the settee.
I was so tired that I couldn't even eat my half of the pizza that hubby brought home for tea ( suppose that's good in a way ) So today will be marked down with a black cross - must try harder tomorrow!
Thursday 13 June 2013
#Juneathon - Days 11, 12 & 13 - Hospital, hospital, hospital.
OK bit of a catch up post and admission that I have been slacking a bit for the last 2 days but made up for it today!
Had plenty of trips to hospital so far this week and still have one more to go, so had plenty of wandering around the hospital grounds but nothing too strenuous. I'm well underway now with my psoriasis treatment, I've had 2 appointments so far this week for the light treatment and also 2 appointments for the short contact dithranol. I'm slowly getting a tan and have a healthy glow about me ( but is that down to all my walking?) however my skin is looking pretty red and is itching like crazy, I could quite easily take a scouring pad to my body just for some satisfaction! I have one more visit tomorrow for the light treatment this week and then the weekend off.
Today I've been in for my endoscopy to try and sort my insides out. I can't believe it's been 3 years and 3 months since my pancreatic attack and I'm still not 100%. So I was summoned to the hospital for 8am, great, I don't normally surface out of bed till 9am! but I went and was called in to go through the checks and questionnaire before the procedure, "so why are you here?" asked the nurse, "do you want it in layman's terms or shall I dress it up for you? - I sh*t myself" I replied, hmm might have to reword that on the form. Then came my favourite part - trying to put a cannula in so they could administer some sedation. After trying to find 4 different veins and failing, another nurse was called in. By this time I'd decided against being pricked and poked anymore so opted to just have the throat spray and go for it.
The throat spray had a very weird taste to it, it reminded me of a minty banana milkshake, as soon as I'd swallowed it I was put in position, spectacles removed and we were off. I wouldn't say it was unpleasant just hard work trying not to retch when it's the body's involuntary reaction to something being shoved down the throat. Other than gagging and drooling and managing to get spit in my eye thanks to how I was lying on the bed, the procedure went fine. A few biopsies were took so now I just have to sit and wait for the results.
As I wasn't sedated I was able to leave as soon as my mum came to get me. I decided to take the opportunity of her baby sitting Squiggle to go out and get some fresh air, so I went on a 3 mile walk, with an 890 foot climb up to the highest point in town. Did the whole round trip in just over an hour without managing to give myself a coronary!
So I think I deserve my spot on the settee in front of the telly tonight, might even treat myself to a biscuit!
Had plenty of trips to hospital so far this week and still have one more to go, so had plenty of wandering around the hospital grounds but nothing too strenuous. I'm well underway now with my psoriasis treatment, I've had 2 appointments so far this week for the light treatment and also 2 appointments for the short contact dithranol. I'm slowly getting a tan and have a healthy glow about me ( but is that down to all my walking?) however my skin is looking pretty red and is itching like crazy, I could quite easily take a scouring pad to my body just for some satisfaction! I have one more visit tomorrow for the light treatment this week and then the weekend off.
Today I've been in for my endoscopy to try and sort my insides out. I can't believe it's been 3 years and 3 months since my pancreatic attack and I'm still not 100%. So I was summoned to the hospital for 8am, great, I don't normally surface out of bed till 9am! but I went and was called in to go through the checks and questionnaire before the procedure, "so why are you here?" asked the nurse, "do you want it in layman's terms or shall I dress it up for you? - I sh*t myself" I replied, hmm might have to reword that on the form. Then came my favourite part - trying to put a cannula in so they could administer some sedation. After trying to find 4 different veins and failing, another nurse was called in. By this time I'd decided against being pricked and poked anymore so opted to just have the throat spray and go for it.
The throat spray had a very weird taste to it, it reminded me of a minty banana milkshake, as soon as I'd swallowed it I was put in position, spectacles removed and we were off. I wouldn't say it was unpleasant just hard work trying not to retch when it's the body's involuntary reaction to something being shoved down the throat. Other than gagging and drooling and managing to get spit in my eye thanks to how I was lying on the bed, the procedure went fine. A few biopsies were took so now I just have to sit and wait for the results.
As I wasn't sedated I was able to leave as soon as my mum came to get me. I decided to take the opportunity of her baby sitting Squiggle to go out and get some fresh air, so I went on a 3 mile walk, with an 890 foot climb up to the highest point in town. Did the whole round trip in just over an hour without managing to give myself a coronary!
View from the top of the hill,
can just make out the reservoir in the middle of the picture
So I think I deserve my spot on the settee in front of the telly tonight, might even treat myself to a biscuit!
Monday 10 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 10
Slightly miffed, angry and scared about tonight's walk.
I had all good intentions and set off with my Walkman blaring in my ears. I thought I'd try a different route tonight to inject a bit of variety into it.
I set off all well and good and headed to the park and managed to to see not only a Kestrel,
There is also a Kingfisher and apparently a fourth which I have yet to find, but I felt myself being followed by a young man in a hoodie looking very dubious, so I had to make a quick exit back onto the main road. I then ended up feeling quite anxious and skeptical of every person I walked by, it really did put the frighteners on me. I can only do serious walking at night when Squiggle is being put to bed, otherwise it would just be a lazy stroll during the day, and unfortunately the town where I live isn't one of the safest places in the country, I'm going to have to rethink my routes or try and get out as soon as Mr H. gets in from work. I'll have a little sleep on it and see what happens tomorrow.
So I only managed to cover 1.65 miles but it was still a good 30 odd minute walk with not much of an incline to tackle tonight.
I had all good intentions and set off with my Walkman blaring in my ears. I thought I'd try a different route tonight to inject a bit of variety into it.
I set off all well and good and headed to the park and managed to to see not only a Kestrel,
but a fox as well
There is also a Kingfisher and apparently a fourth which I have yet to find, but I felt myself being followed by a young man in a hoodie looking very dubious, so I had to make a quick exit back onto the main road. I then ended up feeling quite anxious and skeptical of every person I walked by, it really did put the frighteners on me. I can only do serious walking at night when Squiggle is being put to bed, otherwise it would just be a lazy stroll during the day, and unfortunately the town where I live isn't one of the safest places in the country, I'm going to have to rethink my routes or try and get out as soon as Mr H. gets in from work. I'll have a little sleep on it and see what happens tomorrow.
So I only managed to cover 1.65 miles but it was still a good 30 odd minute walk with not much of an incline to tackle tonight.
Rod Stewart - Live the Life Tour
I was privileged to receive 2 complimentary tickets from Show Film First to see Rod Stewart live in concert on Sunday night at the MEN Arena in Manchester! WOW! Speechless! OMG!
I still can't quite believe I was there - it was amazing!
My first impressive moment was getting the tickets and finding that they were in the first block on the right hand side of the stage, which was amazing in itself because I've only ever had tickets on the left side of the stage, trivial I know but I knew this was a sign of a good night.
The support act for the night was Moya a singer songwriter from London, and although the acoustics and sound were not very good, she was a very good singer, and I thought she did a great job of opening the show.
After a quick set change it was time for the man himself to make an appearance, having front side seats we were able to see him come on stage before everyone else and we were very excited.
Rod opened the show with Can't Stop Me Now and proved that yes even as an old rocker - you definitely cannot stop him at all. The night was filled with laughter, dancing and a few poignant moments as we remembered the soldiers fighting in various wars.
As Rod came back on stage after a quick mid way costume change, his belt snapped, and bless he couldn't apologise enough for the interruption, so as a treat he agreed to sing an extra song for us all at the end of the encore and sang Stay With Me. So the full set-list for the night was:
I still can't quite believe I was there - it was amazing!
My first impressive moment was getting the tickets and finding that they were in the first block on the right hand side of the stage, which was amazing in itself because I've only ever had tickets on the left side of the stage, trivial I know but I knew this was a sign of a good night.
The support act for the night was Moya a singer songwriter from London, and although the acoustics and sound were not very good, she was a very good singer, and I thought she did a great job of opening the show.
After a quick set change it was time for the man himself to make an appearance, having front side seats we were able to see him come on stage before everyone else and we were very excited.
Rod opened the show with Can't Stop Me Now and proved that yes even as an old rocker - you definitely cannot stop him at all. The night was filled with laughter, dancing and a few poignant moments as we remembered the soldiers fighting in various wars.
As Rod came back on stage after a quick mid way costume change, his belt snapped, and bless he couldn't apologise enough for the interruption, so as a treat he agreed to sing an extra song for us all at the end of the encore and sang Stay With Me. So the full set-list for the night was:
- Can't Stop Me Now
- You Wear It Well
- This Old Heart Of Mine
- Twistin' The Night Away
- Rhythm Of My Heart
- The Killing Of Georgie
- Tonight's The Night
- Forever Young
- The First Cut is The Deepest
- Have I Told You Lately
- Brighton Beach
- I Don't Want To Talk About It
- Finest Woman
- Sweet Little Rock & Roller
- Soul Man ( sang by the backing singers as Soul Girl )
- Hot Legs
- You're In My Heart
- Maggie May
- Baby Jane
Encore:
- Sailing
- Do You Think I'm Sexy
- Stay With Me
Just before the end Rod distributed about 50 signed footballs kicking them into the audience at the same time as he was singing, we weren't lucky enough to grab one but the man two rows behind did!.
The concert was brilliant and I really enjoyed myself and the fun continued all the way home as my mum and me sang along to a Rod Stewart CD in the car! - I can't wait for the next concert.
#Juneathon - Day 9
I'm going to make this short because I want to do a separate post on what happened yesterday, it's far too big to share with my Juneathon post.
Anyway yesterday's exercise included a lot of walking around Manchester city centre whilst doing a spot of retail therapy, laughing at the ridiculous prices in some of the higher class shops, and catching some sun outside the corn exchange before spending 2 hours bopping away with my mum at a complimentary....... Rod Stewart concert !!!!
Anyway yesterday's exercise included a lot of walking around Manchester city centre whilst doing a spot of retail therapy, laughing at the ridiculous prices in some of the higher class shops, and catching some sun outside the corn exchange before spending 2 hours bopping away with my mum at a complimentary....... Rod Stewart concert !!!!
Saturday 8 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 8, weight loss & magpies
Well the first thing I did this morning was to weigh and measure myself to see if I had actually lost anything during my first week of Juneathon. I was quite nervous about standing on the scales because I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with a 3lb weight loss and 3cm off my boobs and waist considering the large Pina Colada I'd had the night before and the large meal on Wednesday I thought that was pretty good going.
As it was very sunny, I decided to slap the sun lotion on and play with Squiggle in the garden, so today's exercise was just plenty of running around enjoying the sun an fresh air.
Decided to finish the day off with our first BBQ of the year. Now normally I'm led to believe that BBQ's are Man things, the women tend to do all the running around and preparing the salads and buns and then Man just comes burns the meat and leaves. Not in our household, I wouldn't trust Mr Homer as far as I could throw him with a BBQ, so it was all down to me, and, well, it was a success. I can report no food poisoning as of yet!
Whilst having our food we were entertained by 2 magpies trying to attack a cat, they were at it the other night but I didn't have my phone to hand but luckily I did tonight so I've managed to capture a little video of them taunting it!
As it was very sunny, I decided to slap the sun lotion on and play with Squiggle in the garden, so today's exercise was just plenty of running around enjoying the sun an fresh air.
Decided to finish the day off with our first BBQ of the year. Now normally I'm led to believe that BBQ's are Man things, the women tend to do all the running around and preparing the salads and buns and then Man just comes burns the meat and leaves. Not in our household, I wouldn't trust Mr Homer as far as I could throw him with a BBQ, so it was all down to me, and, well, it was a success. I can report no food poisoning as of yet!
Whilst having our food we were entertained by 2 magpies trying to attack a cat, they were at it the other night but I didn't have my phone to hand but luckily I did tonight so I've managed to capture a little video of them taunting it!
Friday 7 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 7
Yet another busy day, started off with taking Squiggle to Jumping Beans Parent & Toddler Group, it was such a lovely sunny morning that we all decided to let the kids play in the garden. Had to laugh when it came to snack time, all the boys sat round the table looking like old men in a beer garden drinking their juice!
Afternoon was spent doing a Safe & Sound training session with The Salvation Army so I can now help out with the kids club as opposed to just being a visiting parent, I'm going to be Arts & Crafts Specialist, so best get my thinking cap on and come up with ideas that small people can get involved in. We usually just do colouring in but I'm wondering if they're old enough to do something a bit more crafty, they are mostly 2-3 year olds and some of them do go to nursery so I presume they do crafty stuff there? - I guess I won't know unless I try. I have decided that next week it might be fun for the kids to plant sunflower seeds and have a little sunflower growing competition between them.
Evening walk was executed with an ulterior motive because we'd run out of milk so I had to amend my route to go past the Spar shop but I still managed a good trek up the hilly streets of my town. I managed to do just under 2 miles in just under 40 mins, had a fantastic sunset when I was coming home, which I did try to take a photograph of but I don't think I saved it right on my phone because I can't find it now!
Afternoon was spent doing a Safe & Sound training session with The Salvation Army so I can now help out with the kids club as opposed to just being a visiting parent, I'm going to be Arts & Crafts Specialist, so best get my thinking cap on and come up with ideas that small people can get involved in. We usually just do colouring in but I'm wondering if they're old enough to do something a bit more crafty, they are mostly 2-3 year olds and some of them do go to nursery so I presume they do crafty stuff there? - I guess I won't know unless I try. I have decided that next week it might be fun for the kids to plant sunflower seeds and have a little sunflower growing competition between them.
Evening walk was executed with an ulterior motive because we'd run out of milk so I had to amend my route to go past the Spar shop but I still managed a good trek up the hilly streets of my town. I managed to do just under 2 miles in just under 40 mins, had a fantastic sunset when I was coming home, which I did try to take a photograph of but I don't think I saved it right on my phone because I can't find it now!
Thursday 6 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 6
Well I'm sorry but I couldn't stay in on a day like this and to be honest I couldn't be bothered exercising, so in accordance with the Juneathon rules and still being active I went to the seaside and built sandcastles!
Totally against the hospital rules of staying out of the sun, I slapped on my high factor sun cream and went out for a family day, 4 generations of family went on a day trip to Blackpool!
We had such fun, the sea was deceivingly blue and the tide had turned so we bedded down on the steps and left Squiggle to go and paddle in the pool that had formed, we weren't fully prepared as we forgot a towel, but decided that we should dry off quick if we were just paddling our toes.
Overall we had a fantastic day and had ice cream before coming home, so I think I will definitely walking again tomorrow.
Totally against the hospital rules of staying out of the sun, I slapped on my high factor sun cream and went out for a family day, 4 generations of family went on a day trip to Blackpool!
We had such fun, the sea was deceivingly blue and the tide had turned so we bedded down on the steps and left Squiggle to go and paddle in the pool that had formed, we weren't fully prepared as we forgot a towel, but decided that we should dry off quick if we were just paddling our toes.
Nice & dry, just paddling my toes
Unfortunately Squiggle decided he wanted to do more than paddle and subsequently launched himself into the pool and drenched himself from toe to head! My grandma just looked mortified not knowing what I was going to do, fortunately I have a sense of humour and just laughed it off with my mum and Thomas who thought it was hysterical!
Overall we had a fantastic day and had ice cream before coming home, so I think I will definitely walking again tomorrow.
Wednesday 5 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 5
So today I had a leisurely stroll around the hospital before having my first light treatment session. Unfortunately the sun was shining today so when I got home I had to watch Squiggle run around the garden from the comfort of my dining room. I know I should be glad that the hospital are trying to treat my psoriasis, but condemning me to a Summer indoors when it's the first time the sun has shone in ages...well of course I'm not happy!
Unfortunately Squiggle is too young to understand why 'Mummy' can't play out in the sunshine, so I admit I did go into the garden for an hour in the late afternoon and had an hour of playing tig chase and running around after him.
Then unfortunately all my hard work this week was probably undone with a 3 course meal in a Mexican restaurant with 2 rather nice virgin colada slushies - I had the short straw for driving!
Still I can't complain, I haven't gone back to lying all day on the settee yet!
Unfortunately Squiggle is too young to understand why 'Mummy' can't play out in the sunshine, so I admit I did go into the garden for an hour in the late afternoon and had an hour of playing tig chase and running around after him.
Then unfortunately all my hard work this week was probably undone with a 3 course meal in a Mexican restaurant with 2 rather nice virgin colada slushies - I had the short straw for driving!
Still I can't complain, I haven't gone back to lying all day on the settee yet!
Tuesday 4 June 2013
#Juneathon - Day 4 & psoriasis update
I don't think my body knows what's hit it, I woke up again this morning still aching, not my stomach which I thought would be the main culprit - due to me having split rectus abdominis muscles ( split abs or tummy muscles to you & me ) following my horrendous post natal adventure, but my shins, they just felt rock hard and every step I took hurt!
Well I managed to get up and dressed and get to the hospital for my pre PUVA/UVB assessment for my psoriasis. I've had the treatment before but never been called in for a pre assessment. I still had to fill in the same questionnaires as last time but this time they have a hand held light machine that was put on my skin for about a minute. I was told this is so they can test how much light therapy my body can withstand when I first start ( presumably it means I can start off on a higher/longer setting which will help reduce the overall number of sessions I need - I will ask about this tomorrow when I start my course ) I just need to see if I wake up with a burnt square of skin on my back! Although this treatment is a good thing if it clears my skin, it couldn't have come at a worse time, the problem is whilst I am having it, I cannot go out in the sun - and yes you've guessed it, the good weather is set to continue for the next few days, so I either cover up or I stay indoors and that means I can't chase Squiggle!
Still onward and upward as they say and back to the challenge, I can proudly report I did my 2 mile walk again tonight and even shaved a few minutes off my time, completing it in 39 minutes.
Well I managed to get up and dressed and get to the hospital for my pre PUVA/UVB assessment for my psoriasis. I've had the treatment before but never been called in for a pre assessment. I still had to fill in the same questionnaires as last time but this time they have a hand held light machine that was put on my skin for about a minute. I was told this is so they can test how much light therapy my body can withstand when I first start ( presumably it means I can start off on a higher/longer setting which will help reduce the overall number of sessions I need - I will ask about this tomorrow when I start my course ) I just need to see if I wake up with a burnt square of skin on my back! Although this treatment is a good thing if it clears my skin, it couldn't have come at a worse time, the problem is whilst I am having it, I cannot go out in the sun - and yes you've guessed it, the good weather is set to continue for the next few days, so I either cover up or I stay indoors and that means I can't chase Squiggle!
Still onward and upward as they say and back to the challenge, I can proudly report I did my 2 mile walk again tonight and even shaved a few minutes off my time, completing it in 39 minutes.
Monday 3 June 2013
#Juneathon Day 3
Oh my, I woke up stiff as a board this morning, every limb was aching, it took me a while to haul my body out of bed - much to the annoyance of Squiggle who wanted to go and play in the park at 7am. I swear sometimes I think that child is not mine - where does he get his energy from? certainly not me or his dad!!
So I was contemplating having a restful day today, I know, I know I'm only 3 days into my challenge and only done one real day of exercise but considering I usually spend anywhere up to 12 hours a day sitting/lying on the settee I think I'm doing alright ( she says with raised eyebrows )
The weather has helped immensely today, that coupled with Squiggle wanting to play out, so I've been in the garden again today, put in a couple of new plants in the front garden and then spent the afternoon playing football and tig chase in the back garden with Squiggle, and to be honest I've loved it - heck I even did a bit of running in the garden when he was chasing me. So I can put my hand on my heart and honestly say I've had an active day which all counts towards the Juneathon.
So I was contemplating having a restful day today, I know, I know I'm only 3 days into my challenge and only done one real day of exercise but considering I usually spend anywhere up to 12 hours a day sitting/lying on the settee I think I'm doing alright ( she says with raised eyebrows )
The weather has helped immensely today, that coupled with Squiggle wanting to play out, so I've been in the garden again today, put in a couple of new plants in the front garden and then spent the afternoon playing football and tig chase in the back garden with Squiggle, and to be honest I've loved it - heck I even did a bit of running in the garden when he was chasing me. So I can put my hand on my heart and honestly say I've had an active day which all counts towards the Juneathon.
Sunday 2 June 2013
#Juneathon Days 1 & 2
So I received an email inviting me to join in with this years Juneathon and decided why not take up the challenge.
Basically you have to do some form of exercise every day, log what you have done and then blog about it, so Jog, Log & Blog. Really it is a running challenge but participants can do anything from running to swimming to cycling so long as they do something everyday.
I'm not going into this lightly I know its going to be hard for me but I really need a kick start to getting my fitness levels back up - I've been on the mend for the last 3 years following my pancreatitis and although I am now looking my old self, I've yet to get my fitness & stamina levels back - I still occasionally get knackered walking up the hill ( well a slight incline ) from my mums house to mine!
Now my body currently isn't designed for running or even jogging so I am opting for walking and a dance workout courtesy of my Xbox Kinnect and Dance Central 2 & Dance Central 3.
So in true style I started Juneathon by doing diddly squat, but have more than made up for it today.
This morning I did a 50 minute routine on Dance Central 3, I've spent an hour and half working hard in my garden this afternoon cutting a tree down and this evening I went for a walk and did 2 miles in just over 40 minutes, so I am very pleased with myself.
Now if only I had a bar of chocolate to celebrate with !
Basically you have to do some form of exercise every day, log what you have done and then blog about it, so Jog, Log & Blog. Really it is a running challenge but participants can do anything from running to swimming to cycling so long as they do something everyday.
I'm not going into this lightly I know its going to be hard for me but I really need a kick start to getting my fitness levels back up - I've been on the mend for the last 3 years following my pancreatitis and although I am now looking my old self, I've yet to get my fitness & stamina levels back - I still occasionally get knackered walking up the hill ( well a slight incline ) from my mums house to mine!
Now my body currently isn't designed for running or even jogging so I am opting for walking and a dance workout courtesy of my Xbox Kinnect and Dance Central 2 & Dance Central 3.
So in true style I started Juneathon by doing diddly squat, but have more than made up for it today.
This morning I did a 50 minute routine on Dance Central 3, I've spent an hour and half working hard in my garden this afternoon cutting a tree down and this evening I went for a walk and did 2 miles in just over 40 minutes, so I am very pleased with myself.
Now if only I had a bar of chocolate to celebrate with !
Monday 20 May 2013
Psoriasis flare up - May 2013
I am losing patience with my body and all it's ailments, if I could have a body swap I would jump at the chance!
So aside from my dodgy pancreas and insides, I also suffer the misfortune of having psoriasis.
I've had the skin condition for over 25 years, I think I was first diagnosed when I was about 6 years old. I've had the torment of being bullied all my way through school from people who didn't know what it was. At one point I told people I had eczema ( because it was easier to explain ) and for some reason the bullying stopped, I never understood why eczema was "normal" and not something to be bullied about yet psoriasis was some horrible disease and the person suffering deserved to be tormented and have names called at them!
I've tried all manner of lotions and potions, ranging from topical steroid creams to coal tar based lotions. I've spent many a week on the dermatology ward as a child being bandaged from head to toe in order to keep the ointment on me. I've also tried UVB light therapy which is like an industrial sunbed, you start off by going on for about 30 seconds to a minute and then gradually build up in 30 second increments. You spend more time getting undressed and dressed again than you do in the machine!
So I'm still battling the ailment today and am currently covered from head to toe. I'm going to be brave and show you all photos of my lower legs.
I cannot describe how much my entire body itches at the moment, but it's so bad that I wake myself up scratching and bleeding. I sometimes feel the only way I could get some proper relief is if I was to rub myself down with sandpaper ( and I have been known to do that to my legs and feet in the past !! )
So anyway, I have been to see the dermatologist this morning to see what help they can give me. The keep recommending that I try a new auto immune injection which apparently has had some fantastic results, however it does significantly lower your own immune system. If I hadn't have had my pancreatitis and currently be waiting for further operations I would probably have jumped at the chance of trying the injections but I cannot risk my health at the moment. The only thing that has actually ever worked and kept my skin clear for a good few weeks, is two weeks holiday in the sun. The combination of sun and sea water works wonders on my skin, but the NHS won't pay for a holiday for me so instead, it's back to the old UVB light treatment and short contact ointment. So that means for the next few weeks I shall be visiting the hospital every day for treatment - easier said than done when you have a 3 year old in tow! I cannot expect him to sit and be quiet in the treatment room whilst myself and other patients are covered from head to toe in ointment that stains everything it comes into contact with, so, I guess I'll be calling in a few favours of my relatives to babysit him for a few hours every day whilst I try and get myself sorted.
Do any of my readers suffer from any skin problems and/or have any solutions that they would care to share? - you can post anonymously if you like.
So aside from my dodgy pancreas and insides, I also suffer the misfortune of having psoriasis.
I've had the skin condition for over 25 years, I think I was first diagnosed when I was about 6 years old. I've had the torment of being bullied all my way through school from people who didn't know what it was. At one point I told people I had eczema ( because it was easier to explain ) and for some reason the bullying stopped, I never understood why eczema was "normal" and not something to be bullied about yet psoriasis was some horrible disease and the person suffering deserved to be tormented and have names called at them!
I've tried all manner of lotions and potions, ranging from topical steroid creams to coal tar based lotions. I've spent many a week on the dermatology ward as a child being bandaged from head to toe in order to keep the ointment on me. I've also tried UVB light therapy which is like an industrial sunbed, you start off by going on for about 30 seconds to a minute and then gradually build up in 30 second increments. You spend more time getting undressed and dressed again than you do in the machine!
So I'm still battling the ailment today and am currently covered from head to toe. I'm going to be brave and show you all photos of my lower legs.
I cannot describe how much my entire body itches at the moment, but it's so bad that I wake myself up scratching and bleeding. I sometimes feel the only way I could get some proper relief is if I was to rub myself down with sandpaper ( and I have been known to do that to my legs and feet in the past !! )
So anyway, I have been to see the dermatologist this morning to see what help they can give me. The keep recommending that I try a new auto immune injection which apparently has had some fantastic results, however it does significantly lower your own immune system. If I hadn't have had my pancreatitis and currently be waiting for further operations I would probably have jumped at the chance of trying the injections but I cannot risk my health at the moment. The only thing that has actually ever worked and kept my skin clear for a good few weeks, is two weeks holiday in the sun. The combination of sun and sea water works wonders on my skin, but the NHS won't pay for a holiday for me so instead, it's back to the old UVB light treatment and short contact ointment. So that means for the next few weeks I shall be visiting the hospital every day for treatment - easier said than done when you have a 3 year old in tow! I cannot expect him to sit and be quiet in the treatment room whilst myself and other patients are covered from head to toe in ointment that stains everything it comes into contact with, so, I guess I'll be calling in a few favours of my relatives to babysit him for a few hours every day whilst I try and get myself sorted.
Do any of my readers suffer from any skin problems and/or have any solutions that they would care to share? - you can post anonymously if you like.
Friday 17 May 2013
Swimming with Squiggle
OK, so I decided to brave it and take Squiggle swimming on my own, well when I say on my own I mean without the help of my other half or my mum. I met my friend and her one year old daughter for an afternoon of splishing and splashing in the pool.
Squiggle is getting braver and braver every time he goes, we haven't been since before Christmas so I thought he might be a bit wary - but no, he was flopping underwater in the shallow end as kids do, splashing everyone and even let me bob him in and out of the water. He used to hate getting his face wet in the bath but he loved going underwater this afternoon! He loved it when the wave machine came on, the pool played the Jaws theme tune before the waves started and Squiggle's face just lit up when he heard the music.
At one point he started to wander to the deep end and so I followed behind, I noticed that his feet weren't touching the bottom, my little Squiggle was "swimming"!
He managed to do a full length doggy paddling and I didn't know who was happier me or him - now we only need to work on getting his daddy to swim - he never learnt so it makes it hard when we go to the pool or on holiday and I'm the one on my own in the sea whilst he's just paddling his toes on the beach!
So after Squiggle's triumph with swimming - he decided he was big boy and wanted to go down the water slide. Not wanting to upset him, I agreed to take him down, so off came the glasses and up the stairs we went. I had barely sat down when he jumped on my lap and we were off. He loved it. So we had to go again, and again, and again.......
Swimming will never be the same again with Squiggle - he's growing up far too quickly but it's nice being able to have fun with him.
Squiggle is getting braver and braver every time he goes, we haven't been since before Christmas so I thought he might be a bit wary - but no, he was flopping underwater in the shallow end as kids do, splashing everyone and even let me bob him in and out of the water. He used to hate getting his face wet in the bath but he loved going underwater this afternoon! He loved it when the wave machine came on, the pool played the Jaws theme tune before the waves started and Squiggle's face just lit up when he heard the music.
At one point he started to wander to the deep end and so I followed behind, I noticed that his feet weren't touching the bottom, my little Squiggle was "swimming"!
He managed to do a full length doggy paddling and I didn't know who was happier me or him - now we only need to work on getting his daddy to swim - he never learnt so it makes it hard when we go to the pool or on holiday and I'm the one on my own in the sea whilst he's just paddling his toes on the beach!
So after Squiggle's triumph with swimming - he decided he was big boy and wanted to go down the water slide. Not wanting to upset him, I agreed to take him down, so off came the glasses and up the stairs we went. I had barely sat down when he jumped on my lap and we were off. He loved it. So we had to go again, and again, and again.......
Swimming will never be the same again with Squiggle - he's growing up far too quickly but it's nice being able to have fun with him.
Monday 13 May 2013
Review: E45 Lotion
Right, let's see how this goes, my first proper online blog review of a product. Firstly I will disclose that I'm a BzzAgent and I have been sent some of the new E45 lotions to try, review and spread the word about - whether it be good or bad!
A little bit about BzzAgent first, it's free to sign up and once your profile has been completed you will be eligible to join trials of products. They send you free stuff, you try it and then share the deals and samples with your friends, in return they just ask you to create a buzz about the product and then return to their site to fill in details about what you thought of the product, who you've spoken to about it and what they thought and then you just simply wait for the next campaign to come along and do it all again.
I was sent a bottle of E45 Moisturising Lotion and a bottle of E45 Nourish & Restore Body Lotion.
The Moisturising Lotion is good for every day use, it does what it says on the label which is soothes, softens and relieves dry and sensitive skin. It's fragrance free and is very easy to apply. It quickly soaked into my skin and wasn't greasy or sticky. I applied it once in the morning and it kept my skin soft and smooth till bedtime.
The Nourish & Restore Body Lotion is also great for everyday use. It claims to restore skin suppleness within 3 weeks. I was very impressed after the first use. My skin wasn't as red looking and felt soft and smooth for 24 hours. I have even tried it on my face and it's got rid of the dry skin I had on my nose and forehead after 3 days of use. It's lightly fragranced and reminded me of baby powder. Again it was easy to apply and soaked nicely into my skin without feeling sticky or greasy.
I'm normally very fussy about body and moisturising lotions because I suffer from psoriasis and so I have very dry, red scaly, itchy skin. But even after only 3 days use of the Nourish & Restore Body Lotion, I think I have found something worth sticking with.
If you would like to try a free sample of E45 for yourself then click here
E45 can be found in all good retailers and comes in a variety of sizes.
Have any of my readers tried this or do you use something else?
Leave me a comment and let me know what you use to look after your skin.
Disclaimer, although I was sent the products to test, all words and photos are my own.
A little bit about BzzAgent first, it's free to sign up and once your profile has been completed you will be eligible to join trials of products. They send you free stuff, you try it and then share the deals and samples with your friends, in return they just ask you to create a buzz about the product and then return to their site to fill in details about what you thought of the product, who you've spoken to about it and what they thought and then you just simply wait for the next campaign to come along and do it all again.
I was sent a bottle of E45 Moisturising Lotion and a bottle of E45 Nourish & Restore Body Lotion.
The Moisturising Lotion is good for every day use, it does what it says on the label which is soothes, softens and relieves dry and sensitive skin. It's fragrance free and is very easy to apply. It quickly soaked into my skin and wasn't greasy or sticky. I applied it once in the morning and it kept my skin soft and smooth till bedtime.
The Nourish & Restore Body Lotion is also great for everyday use. It claims to restore skin suppleness within 3 weeks. I was very impressed after the first use. My skin wasn't as red looking and felt soft and smooth for 24 hours. I have even tried it on my face and it's got rid of the dry skin I had on my nose and forehead after 3 days of use. It's lightly fragranced and reminded me of baby powder. Again it was easy to apply and soaked nicely into my skin without feeling sticky or greasy.
I'm normally very fussy about body and moisturising lotions because I suffer from psoriasis and so I have very dry, red scaly, itchy skin. But even after only 3 days use of the Nourish & Restore Body Lotion, I think I have found something worth sticking with.
If you would like to try a free sample of E45 for yourself then click here
E45 can be found in all good retailers and comes in a variety of sizes.
Have any of my readers tried this or do you use something else?
Leave me a comment and let me know what you use to look after your skin.
Disclaimer, although I was sent the products to test, all words and photos are my own.
Friday 10 May 2013
Charity Day at Playgroup
I take squiggle to a play group on a Friday morning, it's mainly for the under 5's, but does open up to older children in the school holidays. It's held in the local Salvation Army Hall, and every year they have a charity day where they open the doors and have stalls selling bric-a-brac, toys, books, the usual church fete type of things in order to raise money for a children's charity, this year they are raising money for Children with Cancer UK
As Children with Cancer UK are promoting a Bake Club Month I decided to to bring out the sheep again, and well, they went down a treat with everybody.
I also baked some caramel muffins ( see above ) and some Devil's chocolate cakes ( see below ).
My mum helped out by making chocolate krispies and we also both spent a day making cards.
Unfortunately the weather on the day was horrendous, it was pouring with rain so we didn't get as many people through the door as we expected, but those who did come along all bought a cake off my stall. The playgroup also invited hairdressing students from the local college to come along and give haircuts for donations, they had quite a few takers as well.
One of the girls also had a nail stall and used it to her advantage to practice her nail art and applying false nails!
Despite the weather and lack of people the playgroup managed to raise about £75 for the charity which we all thought was really good.
Now I know we've not even had a Summer yet, but I've suggested we try another one nearer Christmas and maybe try and invite local people to bring their own stalls so they can sell their trinkets and things for Christmas presents, so watch this space!
As the playgroup is part of the Salvation Army and their rules forbid any form of gambling, the group isn't allowed to hold any tombolas or raffles, as they are classed as gambling, so do any of my readers have any ideas for other stalls the playgroup could have if they were to do another charity day?
As Children with Cancer UK are promoting a Bake Club Month I decided to to bring out the sheep again, and well, they went down a treat with everybody.
I also baked some caramel muffins ( see above ) and some Devil's chocolate cakes ( see below ).
My mum helped out by making chocolate krispies and we also both spent a day making cards.
Unfortunately the weather on the day was horrendous, it was pouring with rain so we didn't get as many people through the door as we expected, but those who did come along all bought a cake off my stall. The playgroup also invited hairdressing students from the local college to come along and give haircuts for donations, they had quite a few takers as well.
One of the girls also had a nail stall and used it to her advantage to practice her nail art and applying false nails!
Despite the weather and lack of people the playgroup managed to raise about £75 for the charity which we all thought was really good.
Now I know we've not even had a Summer yet, but I've suggested we try another one nearer Christmas and maybe try and invite local people to bring their own stalls so they can sell their trinkets and things for Christmas presents, so watch this space!
As the playgroup is part of the Salvation Army and their rules forbid any form of gambling, the group isn't allowed to hold any tombolas or raffles, as they are classed as gambling, so do any of my readers have any ideas for other stalls the playgroup could have if they were to do another charity day?
Sunday 5 May 2013
Friday 19 April 2013
Squiggle's Trip!
So there I was this morning lying in bed fast asleep, when I was woken up by a bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, crash - scream! Squiggle had only gone and fallen down the stairs!
I don't think I've ever gotten out of bed as fast in my life. The poor thing was lying there at the bottom of the stairs in floods of tears, luckily his dad got to him quickly and carried him into the living room for cuddles so I could try and assess the situation. I asked him to show me his ouchies, and he pointed to his wrist, elbow & back, and asked me to kiss them better. I couldn't see any marks on his head, so didn't know if he'd bumped his head on the way down, but still decided to take him to the hospital to be checked over.
Despite his fall he was chirpy as anything at the hospital, running around and just being his general, noisy, happy self. We went through the triage nurse who took his stats but because little Squiggle always has cold hands, she had to put the stats thingy on his feet - uh oh I thought as I took his trainers off, good job he'd had a bath last night and didn't have stinky feet!
We then waited to see a doctor, we were the only ones in the hospital and thought it would be quick - but no as soon as it turned 9am a whole host of kiddies and parents turned up with various ailments.
Eventually we saw the doctor and he had Squiggle jumping around to test he hadn't damaged his back, he passed with flying colours but was still sent for an X-ray on his rib cage and back just to be safe.
He was well behaved and even smiled and said "cheese" as the radiographer took his X-ray. We then had to wait for another hour to get the results, but thankfully there was nothing wrong with, just a few bruises. So we were sent home.
We spent the rest of the day cuddled up on the settee watching cartoons, I think he was still a bit shaken up. At one point he turned round and shaking his head said "Mummy, I not fall down stairs again"
I most certainly hope he keeps his word!
I don't think I've ever gotten out of bed as fast in my life. The poor thing was lying there at the bottom of the stairs in floods of tears, luckily his dad got to him quickly and carried him into the living room for cuddles so I could try and assess the situation. I asked him to show me his ouchies, and he pointed to his wrist, elbow & back, and asked me to kiss them better. I couldn't see any marks on his head, so didn't know if he'd bumped his head on the way down, but still decided to take him to the hospital to be checked over.
Despite his fall he was chirpy as anything at the hospital, running around and just being his general, noisy, happy self. We went through the triage nurse who took his stats but because little Squiggle always has cold hands, she had to put the stats thingy on his feet - uh oh I thought as I took his trainers off, good job he'd had a bath last night and didn't have stinky feet!
We then waited to see a doctor, we were the only ones in the hospital and thought it would be quick - but no as soon as it turned 9am a whole host of kiddies and parents turned up with various ailments.
Eventually we saw the doctor and he had Squiggle jumping around to test he hadn't damaged his back, he passed with flying colours but was still sent for an X-ray on his rib cage and back just to be safe.
He was well behaved and even smiled and said "cheese" as the radiographer took his X-ray. We then had to wait for another hour to get the results, but thankfully there was nothing wrong with, just a few bruises. So we were sent home.
We spent the rest of the day cuddled up on the settee watching cartoons, I think he was still a bit shaken up. At one point he turned round and shaking his head said "Mummy, I not fall down stairs again"
I most certainly hope he keeps his word!
Thursday 18 April 2013
Notice anything?
Okay so neither my dad nor my husband have ever claimed to be the sharpest tools in the box but they have excelled themselves this week in not being observant!
Firstly I decided to make a start on stripping the wallpaper off the walls in the living room on Monday, I did one wall before I had to give up and I suppose in fairness I did leave the lining paper on, but it's only today - Thursday, 4 days later, that my husband has noticed the wallpaper has gone!
My dad on the other hand has been complaining about a Wendy house cluttering up his house that my mum bought before Christmas, so my mum and I decided to move it from their house to ours and put it up in my garden. My dad has now been home 6 hours and still hasn't noticed it gone!
What are they like?!?!
So going back to this Wendy house, what a nightmare that was. Of all the days to decide to walk up the street with a piece of 3 foot x 5 foot plastic, we had to choose today when it was gale force winds. My mum had the easy job, she carried the pieces with windows, so at least when the wind blew, it blew through the gap. Me on the other hand, well I was spun in all directions, blown into walls and very nearly blown into the parked cars at the side of the road!
A nice young man ran after a piece that blew off and offered to carry it for us until he learnt we had to go up the hill and then he declined, deciding that as the butty shop was nearer then that's where he was going!
We managed to get all the bits here in the end and have put it up in on a small patch of mud outside my kitchen window. I need to find a ground sheet tomorrow so that Squiggle can play in it without him getting too dirty until I can get the rest of the garden done and then it can be moved into its permanent position.
I'm just waiting to see how long it takes before all the neighbourhood cats move into it.
Firstly I decided to make a start on stripping the wallpaper off the walls in the living room on Monday, I did one wall before I had to give up and I suppose in fairness I did leave the lining paper on, but it's only today - Thursday, 4 days later, that my husband has noticed the wallpaper has gone!
My dad on the other hand has been complaining about a Wendy house cluttering up his house that my mum bought before Christmas, so my mum and I decided to move it from their house to ours and put it up in my garden. My dad has now been home 6 hours and still hasn't noticed it gone!
What are they like?!?!
So going back to this Wendy house, what a nightmare that was. Of all the days to decide to walk up the street with a piece of 3 foot x 5 foot plastic, we had to choose today when it was gale force winds. My mum had the easy job, she carried the pieces with windows, so at least when the wind blew, it blew through the gap. Me on the other hand, well I was spun in all directions, blown into walls and very nearly blown into the parked cars at the side of the road!
A nice young man ran after a piece that blew off and offered to carry it for us until he learnt we had to go up the hill and then he declined, deciding that as the butty shop was nearer then that's where he was going!
We managed to get all the bits here in the end and have put it up in on a small patch of mud outside my kitchen window. I need to find a ground sheet tomorrow so that Squiggle can play in it without him getting too dirty until I can get the rest of the garden done and then it can be moved into its permanent position.
I'm just waiting to see how long it takes before all the neighbourhood cats move into it.
Tuesday 16 April 2013
Tots Club at Wacky Warehouse
After promising Squiggle that one day he would get back to the Wacky Warehouse and weeks of him asking, I finally caved in and took him. I only wish I'd done it sooner!
It is so different during the week compared to the weekend, for a start it's a lot quieter and cheaper, secondly they provide free drinks for the kids, thirdly there's arts and crafts for them to do and last but not by any means least - adults can go on the equipment!
Oh how I wish I was 30 years younger, I could have such fun with Squiggle, I tried my best today but it's still very hard for me to manoeuvre with my war wounds, and I'm not as bendy as I used to be, but still, it was brilliant, climbing up and down and chasing him around. I made a new friend in the little girl who decided she was Squiggle's new best friend and was going to take him home with her!
Squiggle even did something out of the ordinary - he joined in with the painting, yes, he actually sat down and painted on paper, not the walls or doors that he is used to drawing on at home, but actual A4 paper. It's going to be framed when the paint finally dries as proof that he can do it!
Unfortunately, I'm now paying the price and sat here in agony, (with pleasure comes pain) but it was worth it to see Squiggle enjoying himself so much!
It is so different during the week compared to the weekend, for a start it's a lot quieter and cheaper, secondly they provide free drinks for the kids, thirdly there's arts and crafts for them to do and last but not by any means least - adults can go on the equipment!
Oh how I wish I was 30 years younger, I could have such fun with Squiggle, I tried my best today but it's still very hard for me to manoeuvre with my war wounds, and I'm not as bendy as I used to be, but still, it was brilliant, climbing up and down and chasing him around. I made a new friend in the little girl who decided she was Squiggle's new best friend and was going to take him home with her!
Squiggle even did something out of the ordinary - he joined in with the painting, yes, he actually sat down and painted on paper, not the walls or doors that he is used to drawing on at home, but actual A4 paper. It's going to be framed when the paint finally dries as proof that he can do it!
Unfortunately, I'm now paying the price and sat here in agony, (with pleasure comes pain) but it was worth it to see Squiggle enjoying himself so much!
Not so sure about the wording on the balloon we were given though -
As my husband asked when we got home -
What sort of Wacky do you love? !!
Monday 8 April 2013
I've been baa - king cakes
My grandma has always made and decorated cakes for as long as I can remember, I used to look forward to getting a birthday cake off her, over the years she's made hundreds - all different. I've had doll cakes, Magic Roundabout with Zebedee and Dougal, Tetley Tea Folk, handbags and glad rags she's done countless football shirts and cars, horses, trains, retirement, anniversary and even wedding cakes, the list is endless. But now she's retired, so no more cakes off her. However she still likes to go to the cake shows and keeps her tools for flower making. So I treated her to a day out last month at the Cake International Show at Event City in Manchester. Unbeknown to me that it would ignite a new passion in me for decorating cakes. I did dabble a bit when I was about 17/18 years old but haven't done any cake decorating since. So last weekend when it was son's 3 rd birthday I decided to bake some cakes and use my new found inspiration to make some sheep cakes.
Excuse the psychotic looking sheep in the first picture, I got tired of making eyes,
so opted for a food colouring pen instead!
I was quite impressed with them, and they are quite easy to do, all you really need is a bag of marshmallows and some premade ready to roll black & white icing. I used Renwicks which I bought from Tesco.
1. Make a batch of buns/cupcakes/muffins
2. Using the black icing roll out head shapes and ears
3. Using the white icing roll out tiny eyes and press onto heads.
4. Using the black icing again roll out tiny eyeballs and press onto white balls
5. Mix up some butter-cream
6. Spread butter-cream onto buns and cover with marshmallows
7. Attach sheep heads
If you're not a fan of marshmallows than simply pipe a fluffy design onto your cakes before attaching a head.
Thursday 4 April 2013
How rude!
I decided to go and treat myself to a new coat, so headed to Winfields at Haslingden. Haven't been there in years, used go regularly to buy shoes and things as a kid with my parents, but after this experience I will be thinking again.
The trouble is I am a stickler for customer service. I did it as part of my college course when I was 17 and was taught at college by a fantastic woman called Sheila H, she had pretty much the same opinions about customer service as Mary Portas does now. Sheila obviously left an impression on me because I love to observe people and see how they react with customers, so much so, that I dabble in mystery shopping now and then, ( but I must admit I do find it hard to switch off, so I have always got my "mystery shopper head on"), if only I was on a mission today.
I found what I wanted and joined the queue to pay. There was one member of staff serving and a woman in front of me also waiting to pay. She moved to the till and this is when the problems started, she appeared to be buying a gift voucher but the staff member didn't know how to process it, so he called his manager for help. The two of them then proceeded for 10 minutes to faff about doing whatever. A small queue was forming behind me. A further 10 minutes passed and the manager finally looked up to see the queue so instructed the male staff member to open a new till and serve us waiting customers.
Finally I thought I can pay and get out of here, oh no, no sooner had I got to the till and put my basket on the counter, along came another staff member, called him over with another customer's order and he proceeded to ignore me and go and serve her! - Well my mother wasn't happy and voiced her opinion, but the staff member didn't flinch, in fact he did nothing, no apology, no excuse me nothing, quite simply he ignored us!
He finally returned to serve me and still no apology for keeping me waiting or anything, he proceeded to scan my jacket and asked for payment - I asked if he was going to sell me the boots that were in my basket - "oh yeah" he said, "size 7 boots is that right?", "erm no!" I said, "they should be 6.5", oh right was his reply as he put them in a bag.
If I wasn't so desperate to get my boots and coat I would have just left them by the till and walked off!
My write up may come across as tame and my readers may wonder why I've got worked up about it, but people should expect a minimal level of customer service, and keeping customers waiting 20 minutes to pay without an acknowledgement or apology doesn't meet that minimal level!
Friday 29 March 2013
Park Life
Four generations of the family spent an enjoyable afternoon in the park today, our ages range from 2 years old to 83 years young! What a laugh we had, because it was still quite cold nobody else had decided to venture out except for us - well the sun was shining so we were going to make the most of it.
First mission was to fathom out how to get onto the slide - not an easy feat, the choice was meant to be either a climbing wall or a cargo net, of course Squiggle is too small to use either, so it was up to me and my mum to lift him up onto the apparatus and then for great granny to catch him at the bottom as he came pelting down the slide. We didn't know how fast he would come down the first time and so he flew off the bottom of the slide, luckily the ground was covered in sand so he had a soft landing.
We had a good laugh until he decided to venture a bit further over the equipment and got stuck, in came mummy to rescue the day, unfortunately, although I can now walk and climb stairs, it soon became apparent I still don't have the strength to climb a cargo net, and with no way up or down without making a complete arse of myself, I got myself stuck! Fortunately Squiggle managed to sort himself out and so with him above me and my mum below pushing and pulling between them, I soon got myself up onto the equipment, thank goodness there's no CCTV watching the park because it was a sight.
The bonus of going up instead of down meant that I too could go down the slide, wheeeeeeee !!!!
The bonus of going up instead of down meant that I too could go down the slide, wheeeeeeee !!!!
Wednesday 27 March 2013
Snorasaurus - Noun: "(informal, humorous, mildly pejorative) a loud or persistent snorer"
What I wouldn't give for a lazy day, I'm feeling very sorry myself & think I'm sickening for something, got the usual pre cold feelings - sore throat, fuzzy head, feeling cold in myself and generally feeling knackered. It doesn't help that I don't get much sleep at night due to the 2 Snorasauruses in the house. My husband is the first one and my two year old son has now joined him. It should be made an arrestable offence if when you snore your poor wifey can't hear the TV downstairs! It's like listening to a pneumatic drill coming through the ceiling some nights and then when I'm ready to fall asleep I've to climb in bed next to him and listen to it even louder! - My son is just as bad, at two years old I can hear him, his in bedroom, with the door shut!. They seem to take it in turns to snore so all I actually hear is one long loud noise with no let up!
I've just managed to get Squiggle Diddle (son) off for an afternoon nap and thought I might join him, but no, he was snoring before he had even shut his eyes - takes after my dad there then - he can snore whilst he's awake!
I have to slightly disagree with the dictionaries meaning of a Snorasaurus, In the case of my son, I can whole heartily agree that it is humourous & very cute, but not the husband, oh no he's just annoying!
Well I suppose I'd better make the most of this and attempt to do a spot of cleaning, I'm supposed to be having a birthday tea party for Squiggle at the weekend but as yet I can't find my dining table, its buried underneath a mound of ironing, best crack on and do something productive with my "peace and quiet" time.
I've just managed to get Squiggle Diddle (son) off for an afternoon nap and thought I might join him, but no, he was snoring before he had even shut his eyes - takes after my dad there then - he can snore whilst he's awake!
I have to slightly disagree with the dictionaries meaning of a Snorasaurus, In the case of my son, I can whole heartily agree that it is humourous & very cute, but not the husband, oh no he's just annoying!
Well I suppose I'd better make the most of this and attempt to do a spot of cleaning, I'm supposed to be having a birthday tea party for Squiggle at the weekend but as yet I can't find my dining table, its buried underneath a mound of ironing, best crack on and do something productive with my "peace and quiet" time.
Saturday 23 March 2013
#BirthdayMission
So here we are a brand new blog, first post, let's start as I mean to go on ......by moaning!
It's my birthday today, and I got what every girl wants to wake up to - 12 inches!! I mean snow of course, it wasn't a suprise to me - I've been expecting it, as I have often said snow season runs from my a friend of my mums' birthday to mine, ie Oct - Mar, albeit there have been a few sunny birthdays most of them have been snowy and today is no exception. There are some big snowdrifts outside my house which is weird because there is barely anything at the front yet I have a 3 foot high one blocking my back door!
So I woke up in anticipation of my birthday presents, couldn't wait to see what my beloved husband had bought me from himself and our 2 year old son, bearing in mind he had cake & balloons for his birthday last month, ........ I got a card!, granted he had excelled himself this year because he had actually written the card the night before and not the morning of my birthday, I shouldn't be upset because it's been like this every year for the last 10 years, but I am today, especially when I see other friends boyfriends and husbands make so much of an effort with lovely gifts and flowers, I'm not asking for much - just a balloon and present off my son would have been nice, so I'm sat here at the moment sulking at him - oh yes I will make him pay!!
Also a bit upset because although I love the snow, it has messed my plans up for a birthday night out, can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed a night out for my birthday and I was so looking forward to this one, I had even bought a dress for the occasion, but alas due to road closures and cancelled babysitters friends have had to pull out and I'm not looking forward to doing anything tonight, so it might have to be a night in on the Xbox with my family if they can get up the hill to me!
Thank goodness for my mother, she knows how to make me smile - I've got some personalised birthday cakes off her - with my edible face on them! I wondered what she was up to last week when she asked for a photo of me and now I know, edible fairy cake toppers, so at least I got birthday cake off somebody!
Meanwhile my snowed in friends are redeeming themselves by organising a Twitter #birthdaymission and asking as many celebrities as possible to wish me a Happy Birthday!
It's my birthday today, and I got what every girl wants to wake up to - 12 inches!! I mean snow of course, it wasn't a suprise to me - I've been expecting it, as I have often said snow season runs from my a friend of my mums' birthday to mine, ie Oct - Mar, albeit there have been a few sunny birthdays most of them have been snowy and today is no exception. There are some big snowdrifts outside my house which is weird because there is barely anything at the front yet I have a 3 foot high one blocking my back door!
So I woke up in anticipation of my birthday presents, couldn't wait to see what my beloved husband had bought me from himself and our 2 year old son, bearing in mind he had cake & balloons for his birthday last month, ........ I got a card!, granted he had excelled himself this year because he had actually written the card the night before and not the morning of my birthday, I shouldn't be upset because it's been like this every year for the last 10 years, but I am today, especially when I see other friends boyfriends and husbands make so much of an effort with lovely gifts and flowers, I'm not asking for much - just a balloon and present off my son would have been nice, so I'm sat here at the moment sulking at him - oh yes I will make him pay!!
Also a bit upset because although I love the snow, it has messed my plans up for a birthday night out, can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed a night out for my birthday and I was so looking forward to this one, I had even bought a dress for the occasion, but alas due to road closures and cancelled babysitters friends have had to pull out and I'm not looking forward to doing anything tonight, so it might have to be a night in on the Xbox with my family if they can get up the hill to me!
Thank goodness for my mother, she knows how to make me smile - I've got some personalised birthday cakes off her - with my edible face on them! I wondered what she was up to last week when she asked for a photo of me and now I know, edible fairy cake toppers, so at least I got birthday cake off somebody!
Meanwhile my snowed in friends are redeeming themselves by organising a Twitter #birthdaymission and asking as many celebrities as possible to wish me a Happy Birthday!
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