family

Top tips on getting your family involved in party planning.

- TracyB Leave a comment

With all the celebrations coming up you can find great hints and tips for parties, picnics, tea party’s all over the Internet.

I think it’s important with any occasion ( birthdays, Christmas, Easter etc) that the kids get fully involved otherwise I think it would be difficult to celebrate these events as they get older. I believe in the importance of celebrating things along the way and would love my boys to still be doing some of my little traditions when they both have children.

If your the same and love to get the children involved then tune into a great WebTV show today at 3pm.

With last year’s Royal Wedding celebrations still a fond memory for most; the excitement is now building for this summer’s celebration – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! It is fast approaching and many of us are preparing to party – and panic!  

Whether you are attending one of the thousands of street parties that are set to take place, or having your own Jubilee celebrations, there are lots of ways to get the whole family involved and take the pressure off at the same time…

The Flour Advisory Bureau is launching a campaign to remind people to Love their Loaf this Jubilee year and to help us avoid any catering crises, they have put together an invaluable free party planning tool kit to help people across Britain plan effectively for what looks sure to be a record breaking few months of socialising and entertaining.

From classic buffet recipes, tips for truly modern sandwiches, delicious drinks to pour and advice on handling your guests, the guide contains everything you might need to deliver a Jubilee party to remember.

Over half of those planning on organising parties during this summer of celebration, whether it is street or back garden based, proudly proclaim they will be making everything, or almost all of their party food from scratch. But what will feature on our menus and what quintessential British dishes are the must-haves for our patriotic parties?

Tune into our live and interactive webTV show where celebrity baker, Paul Hollywood, and event planner, Catherine Borowski, show you how to party plan as a family.

Show date: Thursday 24th May

Show time:  3pm

Tune into our live and interactive webTV show to hear more from Paul Hollywood, Celebrity Master Baker and judge on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off and event planner Catherine Borowski.

Paul Hollywood and Catherine Borowski join us live online at http://www.studiotalk.co.uk/show/party-planning-masterclass on 24th May 2012 at 3pm

Click here to submit questions before the show: http://www.studiotalk.co.uk/show/party-planning-masterclass

Beware the teenage hormones!

- TracyB 2 Comments

Beware the teenage hormones!

Teenage hormones

So this afternoon has consisted of a rampage of teenage hormones:

Happy chat

Grunting answers

Mad waving of hands in a ‘ WTF’ attitude!

Shouting at top of voice

Total meltdown complete with tears

Silence

Slamming of cups and plates

Then total chill out!!!

 

So if you take a quick look at the list you will probably come to 1 of 2 conclusions……….

I’m premenstrual  OR

teenage daughter is premenstrual!

WRONG…………………………………………Teenage boy must be ( I have no girls)!!!!!!  As this was the behavior we had in the space of about an hour.

SO GOD HELP ME AND SOMEONE PASS THE GIN PLEASE

Rowntrees Fruit Bottle Review

- TracyB Leave a comment

Rowntrees Fruit Bottle ReviewI was lucky enough or should I say my boys were very happy to get the opportunity to review the new Rowntrees Fruit Bottles that have hit the shops.

As many of you know we are a sweet loving family!! My OH mainly who could eat a whole bag of wine gums without blinking an eye.

Anyway this is what we were sent:

Look good don’t they. Very retro with the bottle carrier and placed in bottles giving them an added curiosity.

So here are the bags on which you can see it states 25% fruit juice an they have NO artificial colours,flavours or preservatives.

Now although we love a sweet or two here we are also very picky about what we like. I’m very old style with traditional ‘sweet shop’ sweets being my fav’s…………..you know Cherry Lips, Fruit Salads, Cola Bottles.

Mr B  likes his wine gums and American hard gums.

The kids like a mixture and not the same thing either!! One likes fizzy and the other doesn’t.

So probably the best household to send them to as we all have our own opinions and don’t mine saying them!!

What Rountrees say:

fruit bottles are the perfect throwback to the retro cola bottles of old, only now they come in 5 fruity flavours and contain 25% fruit juice! We hope they give you a delicious blast from the past….

 SO OUR VERDICT ON THE ROWNTREES FRUIT BOTTLES?

Me : nice flavour and quite fruity but a bit too soft for me- sorry I like a chewy sweet!!

Mr B : loved them for taste and softness. A hit with the sweetie lover!

Eldest: liked them but Rowntrees Randoms are still his favourite!!

Youngest : Liked them, couldn’t say why, he likes sweets- all kinds and these were a hit with him!

So there you have it- you can’t please everyone but you can certainly please most! A hit in our view as a treat for your young ones or yourself if your anything like us.

You can visit their Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/rowntrees for more info.

DISCLOSURE- we were sent the above six bottle pack of Rowntrees fruit Bottles free for review purposes only.

M.E Awareness Week starts 6th May.

- TracyB 4 Comments

Regular readers will know I have had M.E for the past 3 years. This affects me and my family everyday. I have lately introduced myself to a *cough* lovely walking stick ( Oh the Joys).

Anyway, most people hear M.E and think

‘ Oh yeah that’s the one that makes you a bit tired and lazy’!!!!!!!!

Not only would I love to change this attitude but I would love to raise more awareness about this ‘invisible’ illness. Some Gp’s don’t even recognise it and your a very lucky patient if you get an understanding GP who can direct you in the right direction for help. I have a great GP however when I was referred to a CFS ( Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E) clinic my NHS borough decided they would refuse to pay for any treatment out of borough. Since then I have been left to deal with this illness in the best way I can, taking very strong painkillers and muscle relaxants to help with the pain I suffer everyday.

So take the time to take a look at the videos below which may help you understand what we go through on a daily basis.

M.E/CFS Sleepydust Video

M.E/CFS A Torturous Disease

What is M.E/CFS

These video’s can explain it much better than I can. I hope you have a better understanding now and no longer think us sufferer’s are lazy!!

If you know someone with M.E the greatest thing you can do is to believe them and understand.

Best Anniversary Ever!

- TracyB Leave a comment

Best Anniversary Ever!

Yesterday was my 18th ( yes you read it right) wedding anniversary. I became Mrs B at the age of 23 after meeting in the Royal Air force. To be honest you don’t think of how long you are going to be together, back then you got married and that was that. It was taken for granted that you would be together forever.

We have had lots of ups and downs just like any couple.In reality being married is never a bed of roses. But whatever we have had to deal with along the way he has always been there, he’s chilled, he goes with the flow, dependable ( meaning not very spontaneous!) and reliable.

Anyway, back to the best anniversary ever. We saw the boys off to school and had decided to take a drive down to Tunbridge Wells for a wander and a nice pub lunch.

So it started with these:

Best Anniversary ever
18 red roses for 18 years- gorgeous!

Then when we arrived at Tunbridge it was this:

Vanilla Lattes and Tiffin!

Then after a lovely mooch around the shops and town it was time for:

Best Anniversary ever
Of course mines was the G&T as OH was driving! YAY

 

Early I know but it did accompany a lovely plate of pub grub which I actually forgot to take a picture of.

Up until then I had a really lovely relaxed time but things were about to take a turn in a strange direction.

Earlier during our meander we happened upon a great little pet shop ( can you see where I’m going with this), were we had seen some lovely little KITTENS! As regulars will know I already have one cat who totally rules our house and is treated like a princess even though she is only 2 yrs old. Anyway, there had been an unwanted litter brought into the shop on Friday at exactly 8 weeks old. There were only 3 left, a little black and white one and 2 tabby’s.

So, to cut a long story short- AND TO BE HONEST I STILL DON’T KNOW HOW I GOT Mr B TO AGREE- we ended up bringing this one home!

cute kitten
I DEFY ANY CAT LOVER’S ABILITY TO LEAVE HIM IN THE SHOP!

Anyway, we got him and brought him home ( and who said Mr B wasn’t spontaneous?) and because we were married on St Georges Day we thought that George was a fitting name for him. How can you resist the cuteness.

HOWEVER THE PRINCESS (AKA THE TERRORIST) WAS NOT AMUSED!

Today has been a lot better and they are still checking each other out- but he needs to leave her food alone or she will be having serious words.

But the day hadn’t finished there, oh no. My eldest ( now 14) decided to make us a celebration cake complete with decoration icing and yummy buttercream.

Anniversary cake
Decorated in the RAF emblem as that is were we met……..aaahhh!
Anniversary cake
TOTALLY DELICIOUS!

 

That brings me back to my original statement……….BEST ANNIVERSARY EVER!

Normally, this day is usually marred each year as I married on my dad’s birthday and he passed away almost 10yrs ago. Really my anniversary hasn’t been the same since. However, this year for whatever reason I was determined for Mr B’s sake that it wouldn’t take over the day. It was difficult but worth it.

So now we have to go some to make next years anniversary even better………………..best I stay away from pet shops next time.

The truth hurts!

- TracyB 2 Comments

Yes it does, really it does.

Yesterday the truth hurt me…………..

I became a mother of a 14yr old!! ( can you feel the pain?)

That means I have to accept I am now OLD enough to have a 14yr old- not quite sure how that happened to be honest. One minute he was a bundle of gurgles and poo, I have watched him learn to walk and talk, ride a bike, go to school, learn to read and write. I remember his little words when he couldn’t say things properly:

‘Daddy where’s my scoobydriver?’  meaning screwdriver!!

Yesterday I was hit with the hammer of truth and it nearly knocked me out. I HAVE A 14YR OLD!!

The candles say it all- it was nearly a fire hazard!

 

So what have I got left to look forward to?

Strops- yes he does that already

Independence- Oh god help me

Drinking- not going there

Girls- The stress is too much

LIKE I SAY- THE TRUTH HURTS (LOL)

 

 

 

M.E Awareness- How much do you know about it?

- TracyB 5 Comments

I have had M.E for 3 years now. I was diagnosed early which was fantastic however my NHS borough decided that they would not pay for me to have the available CBT and Pacing treatment available at Kings College Hospital in London.

It truly is an invisible illness. We can look fine to people on the outside however, on the inside our bodies are screaming out with severe muscular pain and overwhelming exhaustion.

I cannot begin to describe how I feel that would make a normal person understand. But if you think of the worst case of flu whilst running a marathon in a swimming pool, you may start to have an understanding how I feel everyday- AND THAT WOULD BE A GOOD DAY!! On a bad day I would not be able to get out of bed.

SO PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO WATCH THE VIDEO LINK I HAVE INCLUDED BELOW.

It will only take a few minutes of your time but could make all the difference in your understanding if you know someone who suffers.

M.E AWARENESS VIDEO

PLEASE: WE ARE NOT LAZY OR PRETENDING – THIS IS OUR LIVES- WOULD YOU WANT TO LIVE IT!!

Priorities- necessity or luxury?

- TracyB 4 Comments

Priorities- necessity or luxury?

 

Ok this might sound  a little weird, but if you where asked a question to prioritise whats important to you on a daily basis what sort of things would be at the top of the list for you? Would they be necessities or luxuries?

I don’t mean family or good health etc which is important to all of us. I mean the selfish stuff, you know, more money, a size 8 model figure, ‘good hair’ days everyday and the like.

For me, it would be a range of things.

As you know I have had M.E for the past 3 years and it has significantly changed my life. I have gone from being a Qualified Driving Instructor with my own business and jogging 2-3 times a week. Having some spare money to spend for the family and being active with the kids. To being unable to work and have loss of earnings. being unable to do activities with my boys and spending several hours a day in bed in order to get through the rest of the day.

I struggle with anything physical. So cleaning, ironing, walking (any distance on some days) are pretty impossible without being laid up in bed the next day in pain and exhausted.

Therefore, the things that would make a huge difference to me would be things that I would class as luxuries. Yet I feel they are like necessities to help our situation. Therefore, as a priority are they necessities or luxuries?

 A Cleaner

This would be a godsend and I’m sure you will all agree that it is impossible to keep on top of. But add on to that the physicality of hoovering etc for me is just horrendous. So Mr B (who is an absolute star) does a lot of this for me- yes I know how lucky I am.

However he is a VERY hardworking man, working full time shift work with extra duties and cancelled days. Yet thinks nothing of coming in and ironing at 10pm at night! BUT THAT SHOULDN’T BE LIKE THAT FOR HIM. So for me someone coming in twice a week would improve our lives unbelievably.

Cleaner

Massage

Yes we all love to go for a girly spa day etc, but this is seen as a treat, RIGHT?

Well for me alternative therapies can ease the amount of muscular pain I can be in. A massage once a week would be great to ease my neck and lower leg pain. To go on a regular basis could help me be a little more physical myself without so much muscle pain.

Massage

I could think of a few more but you would really think I was a selfish cow.

What stops me then?

Well I totally consider these to be luxuries. So with things as tight as they are financially, due to not being able to work, I just cannot justify these in any shape or form.

So back to the question………….necessity or luxury?

What’s on your wish list?

Sport Relief Run 2012

- TracyB 3 Comments

Yes it was that time of year that we love in this house of the good ol’ Sports Relief run. I must start by saying I have been chief photo taker for the past few years due to my M.E but that doesn’t stop me enjoying the day.

We set off to London on Sunday morning all ready to meet up with friends and do our bit for charity. The boys have raised some money together from friends and family, plus we registered for the run itself, and we purchased our 2012 Sport relief socks. So as a family we are happy that we have contributed enough to save a few children’s lives with the £5 vaccines.

Anyway, Sunday was a glorious day weather wise, and the atmosphere started on the train as most of the people travelling up there had some sort of Sport Relief attire!

Our motley crew of runners!

So I was plonked in a great viewing spot and adopted my new title of ‘bag lady’ along with the photo taking………..who says I can’t multitask!

They headed of to the start line with JLS in their race, an I started celeb spotting. Jon Culshaw, Dame Kelly Holmes, Richard Hammond and his family, the GB Netball team, David Tennant (*swoons*) oh and of course JLS!!

JLS and their bodyguard!

Now I must admit that these boys do nothing for me at all, although I’m sure they are very nice and all. However, when they came towards me ‘celeb fever’ took over and I found myself shouting to my family opposite to slow down so I could play paparazzi to JLS before snapping my family!!! LIKE I SAY I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAME OVER ME AT THAT POINT!!

My poor group trying to get my attention whilst I ignored them over celebs........SHAME ON ME!

So to make up for it I ditched celeb world and concentrated on snapping the family as they came past heading towards the finish line- it was the least I could do.

My eldest who came past first
My youngest in a police outfit chasing his burgler buddies!
The very proud clan with all their well earned medals

Now I would be lying through my teeth if I didn’t admit to being a little jealous of them. The atmosphere is fab for the spectators but it must be fantastic to be part of it yourself. So with that in mind I have decided that in the next Sport Relief in 2014 ( OH MY F**KING GOD MY ELDEST WILL BE ALMOST 16!!!!!- strike that thought) I should hire a wheelchair, ‘pimp my ride’ as they say and get a few of my fellow clan to pull or push me along!!!

That way I don’t have to do what I did on Sunday and cheat by ‘borrowing’ someone’s medal for my picture!!

NEXT TIME I WILL HAVE MY OWN!

 

So did you take part in the mile where you were?

Top Parenting Tips

- TracyB 2 Comments

When we become parents we have sometime very definite ideas on how we are going to be as parents, how are children are going to be brought up, how they will behave etc.

Anyway as all parents know that plan goes completely out of the window the minute the baby is born! As a new parent we are thrown in at the deep end and pretty much left to get on with it as best we can.

Each stage of a baby/ child’s development brings new worries and stress as we hope we are doing things right. We learn from books, and friends, and family about what works for that particular child. So it’s always interesting when others offer tips of what works for them. Sometime the ideas are new and sometimes they are tried and tested.

I have included a video link below from Myleene Klass revealing her top parenting tips.

http://www.broadcastexchange.tv/live/myleene-klass-parenting-top-tips

“Umbilical whiplash?!”

From separation anxiety to breastfeeding in public, watch our video where celebrity mum, Myleene Klass reveals her top parenting tips

Motherhood presents plenty of challenges and all of us mums know just how different life becomes when the little one arrives and becomes part of the family.

Whether you’re a working, stay-at-home or a celebrity mum, it is hard to know the best way to overcome any challenges you may face. From breastfeeding to separation anxiety, shopping and sharing, it is important to remember that when it comes to parenting, there is no size that fits all.

No one knows more about balancing a career and the pressures and joys of motherhood than Myleene Klass. Mum to two little girls under five, Myleene knows all too well the worries that every parent faces in trying to do the best for their children: “There are so many things parents have to think and worry about when bringing up their children, what they are eating, if they are warm enough, if they have good manners, but feet always seem to get forgotten.” 

Myleene has this year joined forces with Start-rite shoes with the aim of promoting to like minded parents, the importance of having their children’s feet properly measured and fitted with quality fitted footwear to support their long term healthy foot development. “Many parents don’t realise just how malleable children’s feet are right up until their teens and hence the importance of looking after them right from the very start.  By ensuring children wear shoes that properly fit their feet you can help prevent problems in later life.” 

To find out more and hear about what Myleene has to say go to the Start-rite YouTube channel www.youtube.com/startriteshoes

July will also see the introduction of a dedicated Start-rite by Myleene Autumn/Winter 12 range of shoes which supports her passion for children’s fitted foot wear with an injection of her own sense of style and personality.

In our video, Myleene Klass shares the top parenting tips that help her get to through daily life with two young girls. From thoughts on breastfeeding to separation anxiety or “umbilical whiplash” as Myleene calls it, watch the video to find out how you can strive to create a balance and be the best mum you can possibly be.

Check out the video below:

http://www.broadcastexchange.tv/live/myleene-klass-parenting-top-tips

What are your top parenting tips?