I have very kindly been awarded the Versatile Blogger award from the lovely Mette from Oddparent Thank you so much. So if you haven’t already heard of her pop over and take a look.
Now apparently I have to tell you 7 things about myself………………mmmmm………….Ok here goes:
1. I LOVE chocolate.
2. I am from Northern Ireland now living in Kent with my lovely family.
3. I absolutely HATE spiders!!!!!
4. I served 7 years in the Royal Air Force.
5. Sadly I am now old enough to be a mother of a teenage son ( Oh God where have the years gone!).
6. I have (thankfully) NEVER smoked.
7. Stand By Me is one of my all time favourite films.
So there you have it!
Anyway now the difficult task of nominating others, I thinks it’s supposed to be 15!!! But here’s a few as some that I would have nominated already have the award……
You may not know but I was a member of the Royal Air Force for almost 7 years. I joined up when I was 18yrs old and worked in the world of Air Traffic Control. It was during this time that I met my ‘now’ husband who also served 7 yrs too.
I would not have changed my time in the RAF. I had fun living away from home, meeting new people, working in the world of Air Traffic, and of course meeting my husband!
But I also value what I got personally from being in the ‘forces’. Discipline, a sense of pride in myself and my appearance in uniform, a feeling of belonging, meeting lifelong friends from all walks of life. But most of all I took away a respectful view of authority. Something that I feel is totally missing from today’s society. Whether you liked it or not you had ‘signed on the dotted line’ and therefore your ass was theirs ( so to speak!!). I learned very quickly that I had to do what I was told when I was told. In training it was to ‘break’ you in order to build you up to respect those in authority. Outside of training that would carry on but not to the same extent, only enough to keep the day to day running of the station smooth and purposeful.
Today though, I believe that not only is there a total lack of respect from the up and coming generation ( not all of them obviously) towards society itself but even to those who fought for our country through 2 world wars, Northern Ireland, the Falklands conflict, the Gulf and now what is going on in Afghanistan etc.
It is becoming a regular occurrence on the news hearing another soldiers name, someone who was a husband, or a son, or a dad leaving children and family behind doing something that they believed in, hoping they were going to make a difference.
Each year now at the Remembrance parades our heroes numbers from the 1st and 2nd World Wars are dwindling as the years pass. But it is necessary to keep remembering those who gave their lives either many years ago or more recently. We must never forget that they have paid the ultimate price for their country
Maybe if a few of those in society who consistently offend and who generally sponge off society believing that they are owed a living rather than earning one, got off their arses and joined the forces, they could not only make something of themselves but earn the respect that they seem to demand for nothing at the moment!!
But don’t just remember the fallen just on the 11th November or Remembrance Sunday, remember them always. They gave their most precious thing for us to live in a ‘free’ society……………………………………….their lives!!
Don’t forget you can also follow Honour Our Forces on twitter too.
Does the sight of Christmas cards send you into a frenzy of stress? Or are you revelling already in all the Christmas spirit that is already available in the shops? Do you stress over what to buy as gifts?
Christmas…………………love it or loathe it, it will soon be upon us. So tune in and put your questions to the panel or get the advice you need.
FRIDAY 11th @ 1330pm!!
Join us live for the Final Episode of Mums Half Hour The panel discuss how to manage Christmas stress, the perils of present buying and Christmas party outfits
Christmas can be a stressful time for all, especially for Mums. There is the expense of buying gifts, the rush of last minute shopping and the work and preparation that goes into making the perfect family meal – which includes entertaining and dealing with over excited children!
But it isn’t just the cost of buying gifts worrying Mums; there is also the issue of jealousy between children. It is natural for children to show some envy of another’s toys and presents, but how do you avoid your child turning into a green-eyed monster? Whether it is teaching your kids to share or general manners, our Mums have all the answers!
No one understands these issues more than our panel of mums for the next, and final, episode of Mums Half Hour. Joining us live and answering your questions, are Antonia Chitty, Sam Heynes and Janet Inglis who will be discussing Christmas and everything that goes with it, including what party outfits to wear for you and your child and if buying new outfits is even necessary.
This webTV show will be live and interactive for the last time, with the panel taking your questions and thoughts so if you have something to say, they want to hear it!
WHO:
Our panel join us live online atwww.youtube.com/startriteshoeson Friday 11th November at 13.30 to discuss Christmas stress, the perils of present buying and how to deal with behavioural problems.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For another chance to win a year’s supply of Start-rite shoes, log onto www.youtube.com/startriteshoesand submit a question along with your contact details
It all happened over half term when we were invited to and event at the Guinness World Records HQ, and maybe in true Guinness World record style I will round up the day in the fastest time possible!!
Set your watches…………………and here goes:
Arrive GWR HQ
Meet and greet with other lovely bloggers
Eat some yummy food
Meet Worlds Biggest rabbit, Darius
Listen to Craig Glenday our very funny host for the day
Watch a few pics of weird record breakers
Demonstration by the World’s Fastest talker
Demonstration by John Farnborough
Tour around office
Sam Sam The Bubble man
More Tea and food
Attempt at breaking world record
Watch a real life Record breaker at work
Ride on the world’s fastest sofa
PHEW………..done it but it doesn’t do it justice!
We really did have a fantastic day and it was just as enjoyable for the adults too. It was lovely to meet some lovely bloggers to Rosie Scribble, Violet Posey, How I like my Coffee, Jo Beaufoix , Are we nearly there yet Mummy, Sticky Fingers and I am Wit Wit Woo .
The World’s largest rabbit , Darius, was a real hit with the kids who swarmed it initially
and then we all got to get up close.
Yes nearly as big as a normal dog!
Craig Glenday the Editor-in-chief who was our main host for the afternoon was just brilliant. A real funny guy who was simply a mind of information with everything World Record related. He talked us through how they approve (or not) any new attempts- even the weird ones.
Sean, from Canada who is the world’s fastest talker was amazing and managed to recite ‘Bohemian Rhapsody in just 47 seconds!!
John Farnborough was a real hit with his football skills, although I think the adults appreciated this more as they knew how difficult it was. He holds a total of 5 world records for ‘keepy uppy’ ( not the technical title obviously) style football tricks!!
Not forgetting Sam Sam the Bubble man!! He did a great show and the kids absolutley loved him although some just couldn’t contain their excitement with the huge bubble…….just hilarious.
Oh and did I mention I now know a real Record Breaker? Yes I witnessed it with my own eyes that day as Kate from I am Wit Wit Woo became the world record holder for Domino Stacking!! No easy feat I can tell you. Other attempts from the rest of us were at Dice Stacking and Mr Potato Head ( putting him together the quickest!)
Me and OH with matching competitive streaks!
Youngest doing Mr Potato challenge!
Eldest trying the Dice Stacking
So, just as though we thought it couldn’t get any better we managed a ride on the World’s fastest Sofa! A real highlight of the day, we loved it.
I know it’s dark……..but it’s the FASTEST SOFA!!!
So a big thank you to the Guiness World Records HQ for a fantastic event!
Disclosure: I was sent a 2012 GWR book and my children left with fab gift bags!! So they were very happy.
As many of my regular readers will know that before I had to give up work through illness I worked as a Qualified Driving Instructor. I happened to love the job and really miss it. What amazed me through my time working was how many people would cancel a driving lesson when the weather deteriorated. Some pupils who started driving in the summer hated going out in the darker nights. Some panicked when they had turned up for their test in the rain after managing to get through their lessons without driving in proper rainfall!! And don’t get me started on the snow!! I had to coax a few take their lessons as the snow had started to melt. Yet, in the highway code and the theory test there are multiple questions on how to change your style of driving to suit the weather conditions. Even now it amazes me how people still drive like idiots when it is chucking it down. They don’t adjust their speed and they certainly don’t adjust their distance from other vehicles in adverse conditions!!
Does this sound familiar to you? Are you one of those people who don’t really know how to adjust their driving in different conditions?
Well tune into this web show for the best advice around:
Winter driving master class
Log on to our web TV show for tips from motoring expert Quentin Willson on how to prepare your car and yourself for bad conditions
Show date: Thursday 3rd November
Show time: 15.00
If you’ve ever ventured out into the snow or ice in your car you’ll know it can be scary, dangerous and treacherous to navigate your vehicle while skidding around in low visibility.
But despite the fact winter driving requires a lot of skill and a vehicle that can handle the conditions, new research shows that millions of us continue to drive in terrible British winter conditions without really preparing ourselves for the journey ahead.
Unlike other European countries like Germany where winter driving is almost an artform and regulated by the Government, in the UK most of us don’t change to winter tyres, and most of us have never been given lessons in driving in snow and ice.
Furthermore, with a severe cold snap approaching once more this year, how many of us have started packing an emergency kit to chuck in the boot in case we break down and get stuck in freezing conditions for hours on end?
Motoring expert Quentin Willson has joined with Goodyear to help drivers prepare for winter by giving them driving and preparation tips to keep them safe this winter.
Log on to our Web TV show where Quentin and Kate Rock from Goodyear show you how to drive for the conditions and what could happen if you’re not prepared.
Bakestone products are made with only the freshest ingredients and the company was started by baker Howard Hunter who has been in the baking industry for over 30 years and has a passion for bread and baked goods, he also still runs a family run company making and distributing bread.
I was lucky enough to be sent some of their goods to try out. but before I go any further I must confess:
* I am Irish and therefore have benn brought up on what I consider the best breads etc in the world!! ( OK may be slightly biased)
So here’s what we had the chance to try out:
Yum.........carbohydrate overload!! Love it
So as a bread and potato lover myself we went straight for the Potato Breads and had a very late breakfast!
Now as I said before as a true Irish girl at heart I had preconceptions of these being slightly under par in comparison to irish potato cakes!! But I must admit that it pains me to say that these really are on par with the irish ones…………………which is a huge compliment from me!
Second up was the scones:
Definitely my favourite!
Made in true Devon Tea style these were absolutely scrumptious with butter and jam and a pot of tea!! Not too overpowering with fruit but enough to taste and enjoy. I love anything that feels like a treat. These weren’t too floury ( some can be) and overall were beautiful with a cuppa on a cold afternoon!
I have been assured that the muffins were perfect for lunches both by my OH and the boys with thier packed lunches!! So much so I had to go and buy similar as the lunch boxes were coming back empty, for a change. This would have been something I would have overlooked on a bread shelf, but will actively by more of these if it means my boys will eat their lunches!
Lastly was the long wholemeal loaf. My boys would not touch it as they have to have wholemeal disguised like 50/50 or Best of Both!! I, however only eat wholemeal so this was left for me to review. I eat a lot of toast in one form or another ( normal toast/ toasted sandwiches/ tomatoes or beans on toast- you get the picture). I enjoyed the bread toasted but felt it was a bit dry to enjoy it in sandwich form.
But don’t take my word for it, take a look at their website to find out about the whole range of goods. See what you think.
We are not a huge football family in this household, however I am completely behind any scheme that gets kids off their backsides, away from screens and outside in the fresh air getting active!!
In our own childhoods ( those of us of a certain age *cough* anyway) we were always out playing, or that is at least what I remember. We didn’t have all the range of after school activity clubs that are available now, so we made our own fun. Playing football, rounders, rollerskating and what seemed like forever out on our bikes!!
But today’s world is a very competitive sporting world. Yet children who excel in the sports world to any recognisable level may struggle with funding or even having the specialist facilities or coaching available in this country.
However, with football being regarded as one of the nations favourite sports a new initiative is now being introduced for all those mums and dads who give up their time to coach children’s teams without any training.
Martin Keown paves the road to Wembley for mum and dad grassroots coaches:
Grassroots football voucher scheme launched along with a search for 12 coaches to head to Wembley for Coaching Masterclass with football legends
Grassroots football across Britain is set to receive a massive boost following the launch of a new coaching voucher scheme, backed by football legends including Martin Keown, and Sir Geoff Hurst, which will see 500 amateur coaches offered FA accredited coaching courses, while 12 will be put through their paces by Sir Geoff and ex Manchester United youth coach, Eric Harrison at a one off Coaching Masterclass at Wembley in November.
The vouchers, which are being rolled out by the FA’s Community Partner, McDonald’s, are available to the thousands of mums and dads and members of the community who give up their time every week at football clubs around the nation to coach their own kids and others.
While these parents and volunteers tirelessly fill the coaching gap that currently exists in grassroots football around Britain, the majority of them have no coaching qualifications and in many clubs which struggle with funding, there is no opportunity or resource to provide them with the chance to upskill.
The concern is that unlike in other football superpower nations such as Germany and Spain, young footballers in this country are missing out on learning basic and vital skills at a young age because of a lack of qualified coaches at grassroots level, which ultimately could impact on the game at national level in the future.
Recent research of football clubs by McDonalds found that the three major challenges faced by the majority in Britain are money – chronic shortage of funds (for kit/courses/facilities), time – often ‘lost’ to admin (business skills, applications, development) and behaviour – dealing with poor conduct (players and parents).
It’s hoped that the McDonald’s vouchers , which are available to all potential and existing coaches in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, will give these cash strapped clubs a valuable boost, by helping not only individual coaches but the clubs as a whole gain new coaching knowledge and skills.
While 500 coaches from around Britain will be offered FA accredited coaching courses, 12 will be given the opportunity to be part of a once in a lifetime Coaching Masterclass session at Wembley in November taken by Sir Geoff Hurst and Eric Harrison, the man widely credited with talent spotting and developing Manchester United’s golden generation, including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, and a host of other footballing greats.
