When Did you Read That Last Bedtime Story ?

When did you last read that last bedtime story ?

When you read that bedtime story to your child ?was it the last one ever? , when did the last bedtime story become the forever thing in the past ? I can't remember the last bedtime story so there is a twang of sadness in my life . I have just read Tattooed Mummy's Randoms on her daughter nearly turning 16 , out children at a similar age though my son is already 16. And you see 16 is that cusp of remembering what you were doing at 16 ....  16 seems now to be that twilight time. I don't have a party popping 16 year old , I have a just got first job sensible 16 year old , putting them selves forward in a job that puts them out of their comfort zone.

SO why do I feel so bereft I was the one that plonked them at Beavers when they were sobbing with their arms clung round my legs with my husband saying he wasn't ready, I was the one who signed them up to try ballet ( despite husband mutterings ) I was the one who signed them up for horse riding lessons. I was the one that booked Cairo and trekked my child in the Egyptian desert , I was the one that booked Dubai and let my child go down the worlds highest water slide. It wasn't pushy parent syndrome.


And when asked "Is this a GCSE text " I nonchalantly said " OOOH no" and handed over a big pile of books while running away. I was the one that said

"WE don't have that as a screen saver"


I am strict and yet I am fair Game of Thrones hasn't been watched by the teen here but he knows what has gone off through discussion on youtube ( his youtube is restricted ) I am the one that checks the occasional attitude ( do some husbands have a filter  ? probably laughs like Eddie Murphy)


There was utter panic when I couldn't contact him in the next rural village , it is a mum thing , husbands I think are more chilled out ... SO 5 phone calls later and furious typing on my husbands mobile , we actually went a fetched him from the village mobile blackout spot . I don't think it is the most helpful reply from a certain mobile phone company that suggests if my teen moves 4,000 metres outside the village they will get a better signal. Not the best in a rural location in the dark ....

But I need to see them as an adult in the house and not a Gremlin ... mmmm maybe not yet

As I type this they are still asleep yesterday they worked hard in a pub serving food....

"What will you do with your money ?"

Big shrug of shoulders ...


So when did I read the last bedtime story OOOOH when did I ?

I Am A Cave Woman In A Digital Age

Ah, yes, the art of writing is totally dead. Everyone’s hopping on the podcast bandwagon now, right? "Listen to me talk about whatever while you fold laundry!" They say podcasts have power. They wrap you up in their warm, velvety tones and carry you off to a magical land where your brain doesn’t have to work too hard. I get it. They’re like an audio blanket that you can just snuggle into. But let’s be real: writing’s not dead, it’s just… a little more complicated now.

There’s something about the written word that still holds that old-school mystique. It’s deliberate. It has weight. (And let’s not forget, writers really work for it—there’s a reason we’ve got "writer’s block," which is basically just the literary equivalent of being stuck in quicksand. Slow, agonizing, and usually followed by a snack binge). I mean, every time I sit down to write, I feel like I’m trying to uncover some long-lost treasure, like Indiana Jones, but with a keyboard and no cool hat. Blogging used to feel like that! Every post was a tiny spark of genius. Now? It’s like blogs are those VHS tapes gathering dust in the back of a closet. Outdated. Replaced by influencers and viral dances. I used to carve out my little niche on the web, but now I just watch from the sidelines as everyone’s streaming, snapping, and scrolling their way into oblivion.

And don’t get me started on the doom-scrolling—the endless cycle of digital noise. Sometimes I catch myself thinking I need to keep up, but then I’m like, “Wait. What am I keeping up with? Someone's 8th avocado toast photo?” It’s a vicious cycle, but there’s something oddly therapeutic about writing. No tweets, no likes, no notifications… just me and my notebook, chilling like we’re back in the 90s. And then—bam—I get hit by the modern world.

Take Monday, for example. I’m at M&S, trying to buy some stuff. Standard. I pull out my card, ready to magically make a payment. I’m like a wizard trying to cast a spell—"Abra-cash-dabra!" And... nothing. Nada. Maybe I punched in the PIN wrong? Try again. Still no dice. So, I think, "Okay, fine. I’ll just waltz to the bank and get a new PIN. Easy fix!" But no. It’s like the universe decided it was time for me to learn the true meaning of technology failure. I get to the bank, input my details, and—surprise! Same error message. It’s like I’ve stumbled into a weird digital Bermuda Triangle where nothing works.

Then, to top it off, the cashier scans my card, and I get this delightful little message: “Card needs unlocking.” Oh, great. I felt like I was stuck in a glitchy customer service nightmare, where you just keep pressing 1 for "I don’t know what’s going on either."

In the age of “digital convenience,” I find myself in an endless loop of frustration. I don’t even have a banking app on my phone. Too many hackers, too many shady transactions. I mean, just the other day I was seriously considering starting a “cash under the mattress” fund. I had more luck with that than my card! At this point, it’s like a simple trip to the store requires a PhD in digital wizardry. I long for the good old days when the hardest thing to do was remember your PIN—not spend hours trying to unlock some mystical, encrypted card that feels like it's holding my shopping hostage.

It’s hilarious, really. I just want to buy a sandwich, and suddenly I’m trapped in an episode of The Twilight Zone where everything’s designed to make you feel technologically incompetent. All I wanted was a loaf of bread, but apparently, I need a manual on how to swipe my credit card. It’s the simple things, right?

Our engines are on fire .. Will you please exit the plane......

Now when I travel let's me honest I am usually plagued with some trouble of other believe me if there is a travel disaster to behold I am there. One holiday woe was my honeymoon you know the one where you are whisked off into the sunset on a romantic jaunt not leaving your hotel room. Well mine started in disaster there we all were sitting on the plane ready for takeoff to Toronto Canada .  The trolley dollies had already done their safety talk exits are here , here and HERE. You listen with half an ear because you know nothing is ever going to go wrong on your flight. You are just busy looking through the duty free magazine looking at the stuff you can't afford. or you are jostling for space with the passenger next to you

We heard a click, clunk and rattle and a half hearted roar and the Captain announces over the the air" The smell of oil will dissipate in a minute, We will try the engines again"

So the Captain turned the key again to start to plane  and rev up his engines  more clunking , rattling and what's that I see black smoke wafting across the window. Now at this point I wasn't worried I just hate plane takeoff they scare the pants off me , once I am in the air I am fine.. sort of.

The Captain voice comes over the air " The Control tower has informed us our engines are on fire, please Do not panic and exit the plane in a calm fashion...." And so started my honeymoon with the engines on fire  and all the plane passengers were calm to be fair. We followed the lights that come on in emergencies and went to the appropriate exits. The doors were opened and We were met with all the emergency services under the sun. So   I calmly slid down the inflatable emergency shoot to be whisked off to the safety on an airport lounge.

We waited hours in the lounge will they figured out what to do with us they fed us sandwiches and drinks etc. We were then ferried off to the Metropole in Brighton for the night whilst they organised another place it was my honeymoon night. We were all standing in the line and some Canadian lady pipes up " Surely all the English people can go home as they live near"


Well I just flipped my new husband gave me that look men give you when they don't want a scene . I gave the Canadian a polite piece of my mine and a quick Geography lesson of the Uk.  She backed down though now strangely her left eye was twitching .




We finally got to the checking desk  and just said" it's my honeymoon night I WANT A NICE ROOM please" What we ended up was David Blunkets room he had just checked out he had been staying there as it had been the Political Party Conference.


So of course we finally got to Canada and all was well. So When we went to Egypt this happened.......

The Joy Of Magic tricks From Mavins Magic Range and Giveaway

The joy of a moment can stay with you for a lifetime and a photo of that precious moment brings those happy moments flooding back you , innocent times , times before the responsobility of being an adult and having to pay bills. I remember my 8th birthday party very well , I loved my party and I love my presents. One of those presents I remember getting was a magic set and at the time on Tv magic was everywhere . One of the magic tricks I remember was a magic trick with coins it was my pride and joy and filled my days with warmth and wonder.

 

So you or perhaps your child etc can feel the same joy as I did as a child Wicked Uncle have kindly given a coin trick to me to give as a prize.

This smart set  Dynamic coins from the renowned Marvin's Magic range is a precision-made brass trick that looks incredible and is very entertaining. You have to check out the video on the product page!

Perform a sequence of convincing, clever tricks as you make coins appear, disappear and even transform into other coins. With fully illustrated instructions, this handy set can be taken anywhere, ready to baffle and amuse friends and family.

Intriguing tricks with coins that appear, disappear & even shrink!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win a Drone From Wicked Uncle

 With Christmas coming up how do you fancy one more present under the tree that you don't even have to but though you can if you don't win the competition that will be on offer at the end of this post.Up for grabs is the Force Drone that can safely be used indoors and it is perfect to keep your child amused and will be brilliant fun on their own or with brothers and sister  family and friends. And all for the reasonable price of £34.99

Easy to use, lightweight flying drone with infrared sensors that recognise your hand movement.

For indoor use and simple to control, this brilliant 11cm drone features cool infrared technology. The smart sensors detect the surroundings and react to your movements, flying itself. Control with your hands and watch in wonder as it automatically avoids obstacles and performs flips and stunts! Impact resistant with a flexible shock-absorbing outer cage, USB rechargeable for a 5 minute flight time. Simply toss in the air to fly, wow!

For the chance to win this amazing drone just answer the simple question 

What Christmas Present have you always wanted  ? 

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