Surprise Trip To Hadrian's Wall #GiftToFamily

It is nice to think that little bit extra about your friends and family at times especially about the little extra things they do for each other. And that is why Saga inspired by the movement of random act of kindness they are encouraging bloggers like myself into gifting family member something special they deserve . It was very heart warming to #GiftToFamily and to see their reaction , even I have learnt something the need to talk to camera  ( of which I am very shy ) 

Mr T has been working very hard at work putting in extra hours when needed , helping out colleagues being the manager for the day ( which means having to buy the better biscuits you know the ones with the chocolate coating  , the real chocolate coating at that ! ) Also MR T has been running us run the country due to my son going to University open days which does mean going from one end of a country to another. Oh how we laughed that day when we discovered we had been sat in the wrong university for 40 minutes !

We do what we do for the love of our families and to see them strive, as parents we want our son to strive and be the very best he can be and to indulge him within reasons ( and many times beyond that ) so he can achieve his hearts desires and dreams. And thank to Saga and their #GiftToFamily campaign I have been able to do this , ideal as my son wants to be an archaeologist .

What is Equity Release ?

Equity release is a way of unlocking a portion of  the value/equity of your home in return for a tax free sum without having to move home. I have known some friends who have done this ( but they did seek advice from the right channelsas anyone should do if they are thinking of this ) So it is best to speak to an expert and see which option will work for you . The Saga equity release service  can ensure that you will have access to the providers and plans that you might need . Your adviser will recommend the product best suited to your circumstances and needs .

What are the benefits of Equity Release ?

When you have a home you love it can be very difficult to thinking about moving on. Equity release  allows you to release funds as and when you need it , slowing you to make adjustments to your home as you need it . , using the funds as you need them unlike a loan which can tempting to use all at once as it comes in a lump sum.

I am only in my 40's and so is my husband ( whispers even though he is 2 and half years old and believe me that is big enough gap when it comes to music ) . Our son is about to go to university next year for a 3 year course in university and maybe a masters and PHD ( who nows ) and at which time I will be creeping towards 50 * insert silent scream * . My son will no doubt be looking at settling down somewhere and may be might need some help in the future.

Again I must stress that everyones circumstances are different , it is very important to seek advice from the right channels before making such a big decision . I have a mortgage that is linked to my bank account the more I put in, the lower my mortgage is and I can borrow off it as well. My options may very well change in 20 years or so when I need to make some home improvements for what ever reason.

I am Helping my Son in Having A #brightfuture

As a family recently we have had to pull together as a family to ensure a #brightfuture not only for ourselves but also to do our part for future generations.

• Unilever's bright future intuitive is focusing on small changes that can make a big difference & how also we can build a world where everyone lives well and lives sustainably. Since the launch of the Sustainable Living Plan , Unilever has helped 482 million people to improve their health and hygiene , including through hand washing ,improving self esteem and oral hygiene.

• Domestos is committed to helping people gain improved access to a toilet by 2020, including access to clean sanitation to protect people from preventable diseases, reduce mortality rates, help reduce drop out rates and improve quality of life.

• Persil has backed a global initiative "Learning for Tomorrow " partnering with UNICEF to help give children in some of the world's toughest areas the opportunity of a quality education.

• Dove is building in the aim to improve lives through small steps , Doves Self Esteem Project has worked closely with leading psychologists ,academics and experts to create materials and resources that help young people develop a positive relationship with their appearance. The project has now reached over 19 million young lives.

I am small steps to empower myself I do this through writing in my blog and not being afraid to talk about my own mental health issues as I truly believe we are stronger together. I am open in my feelings in my mental health and while this has lost me friends I have gained so many more through it and such strength that it is superhuman.

We use refillable water bottles at work and school to cut down on having to buy bottled water, we make our own pack lunches often reusing left overs the take day for our lunch.

We make sure we have showers rather than having baths.

We use a water butt in the garden so we don't use water from the outside tap.

We turn the tap off when brushing our teeth.

We don't have the battle of the thermostat now instead the person making a complaint gets 


"GO GET A JUMPER "

I am very conscious that my own son is about to make the leap to University life , he has chosen archaeology he believes that we can learn from the past and shape out very future.

I reuse old boxes by taking them into school for the children to use in their junk modelling and various projects.

I now don't make half as many impulse buys as my son tells me we don't need that right now , which is true that you should only buy what is essential . I am optimistic about his future especially as I have been on various open days this has encouraged to let me go as a parent and know that my son will make a difference to the world in the course that he chooses.

We use Persil on our clothes , more importantly Persil Non Bio as my son and I have eczema ( and sensitive skin ) I have always encouraged my son to get outside and he has done so admirably he plays rugby with such passion . In the word of Ghostbusters:

"He ain't afraid of NO Mud "

* disclaimer they didn't actually say that but you get my point !

This post is an entry for britmums #BrightFuture challenge sponsored by Unilever

A Catch Up And Socks Out Of Season

Thought I'd swing by and say hi .

I've been busy walking more hours as a SEN teaching assistant and that is where quite rightly I've been concentrating my time and energies into my job.

My humour got lost for  a while as I was so busy but slowly and surely it has returned ~ whispers today I wore Christmas socks I'm maverick and I like it . Not Maverick out of Top Gun you understand but teaching is a highway to the dangerzone especially  when there is no cake in the staff room.

There will be new blog posts soon even recipes ~ gasp .

Thank you for sticking with me ! I couldn't do it without you .

Useful Gift Ideas For the Wistful Me

I am ever so terrible at going shopping , I mean shopping out in the real world , it's full of people and crowds and monsters , ok maybe not monster s but you get my meaning . So I tend to do most of my shopping on line and only going out when I really need to , I support my local shops but I think there is a trap in them as sometimes I end up with more than I planned in my basket ! One of the most stressful shopping experiences for me is clothes shopping as I feel uber self conscious going into the changing rooms . And when I was in Top Shop the other day with my son who wanted to visit Top Man it was like I had stepped back in the mists of time as the fashions had come round again ! I no longer fit into The Top Shop  clothes ( said in a wistful way )


So I was really happy with Pink Clove clothing to in touch as they do clothes for the fuller size  ( yay ) I am not much of a dress person though I have been known to wear one of occasion. I looked through the range of clothes that Clove has and was pleasantly surprise at their ranges , styles and sizes . I plumped for a trouser suit all in black , it has been years since I wore. I found the site easy to navigate and I enjoyed the browsing so much more , I have just been shopping with the teen and quite frankly it's easier to bag fog !


I went for this sleeveless jumpsuit which I think will be perfect for the Christmas party season and is priced at £24 ( a price that won't break the piggy bank )

Also I love flowers I am very bad at buying them for myself but I do enjoy being given them as they brighten me and my surroundings. The flowers you see below in the picture are from Beards and Daisies an awesome online flower company with the friendliest customer service. They have all sort of beautiful and fragrant flowers that you can order including flowers that that be pushed through your letter box.

Disclosure both the closing item and the flowers were sent to me but my thoughts and words are my own .

Keeping Your Cats Amused While You Are At Work

" My human  has been leaving the radio on for us cats , now I quite like listening to the sport on 5 live ! I'm pretty sure I could be the next England manager . Well you human beans have not being having SO much luck , gave you now ?!" ~ Jack


"I on the other hand have a refined palate and love listening to Classic Fm while sitting in my elect shoe box , my human bean buys shoe to feed my box habit which I happily ignored for 7 years . Just because I am a cat doesn't mean I sit in a shoe box form the word go " ~ Rollie 

Cats are pretty good at amusing themselves really , as they do what they want when they want., to be honest they are probably having a rave up while we are out to work and school at the minute.  As you know lately I have had to work full times as a Special Needs teaching assistant lately ( which I do really enjoy ( rewarding hard work). Cats do spend a significant amount of time sleeping and unlike dogs they do not require lots of stimulation and entertainment whilst you are out.

Nevertheless it is important to make sure your cat is entertained and stimulated in some way as no one likes to be bored least of all a cat .


So firstly I have ordered a treat ball ( which by its name is self explanatory ) they'll have to share this which will be character building and will help towards any conflict issues .

I did choose a blue ball for them ( there was a pink option as well , they are very gender neutral in the toys and bedding they have * they have pink blankets ( well they were cheaper )


And I choose a springy cat toy thingy that no doubt will delight them , it sort of looks like a Haggis with a spring shoved up its bottom ?

Who knows

....

And they'll be able to play also with the cat toys they received recently as part of a cat lovers gift box.


I'll get no meow of thanks and they will probably just sit in the box the cat toys come in anyway .


Sigh.