Back in November I blogged about my (ridiculous) fear over what I would do with the Lego we were expecting for Christmas in the house. Most people said that you chuck it all in a box and that is part of the fun.

Well me being me has carefully kept each little sets separately in individual tupperware pots with lids so all the bits and instructions were together. (O.C.D. Much?)

But today I have given in, I have run out of tupperware and Ben has mixed some of it up *gasp*

So it has all gone into one big IKEA drawer, I was tutting as I did it and life may just never be the same again but it is apparently the norm and I am all for normal … no honest I am…

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When I was taught to drive at 16 on private land in my much loved Morris Minor, as well as being taught how to change gear and reverse park my Dad also made sure I could do some practical things like check the oil and change a tyre.  It does shock me that so many people have no idea how to really do it.

I was shown how to do it and then I had to take a tyre off and replace it a few times.

I have changed around 7 tyres in my driving life, but I have to admit there was one occasion where I was so glad to have breakdown cover when I just couldn’t get the bolts off.  No amount of jumping on the jack was shifting them.  The joys of the tyre shop using the machines to tighten the bolts.

I am not one to do the pathetic female thing but on that occasion I was so glad to ring and be rescued and go on my way.

When I lived in Northern Ireland and spent my days on the roads in the most rural of places it was always a worry being alone and the what if I break down somewhere worry.  So it was great having the back up of breakdown cover.

I have also called them when I have run out of petrol, not really my fault it was a new car and I was trusting the how many miles left of petrol whizzy computer thing instead of the flashing red petrol light

This is a sponsored post, but the words,  flat tyres and empty petrol tanks are all my own.

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Since moving in here 2 years ago I have worked really hard on the garden, now going into my 3rd year and I have already carried out a 3rd redesign on it. My aim this year was for it to be nice to look at buy lower maintenance. To accept that the 2 huge conifers in both neighbours gardens where here to stay along with their water sucking roots and bits falling off them.

The lawn which was more patches than grass when I moved in is nearly complete grass now, and looking rather lovely (thanks to this rain!).

So why am I now searching for climbing frames on eBay? My garden is not big, and anything in it is not hidden from view so deciding if I will give over a large part of it for a climbing frame and slide is a big decision.

Once I had a search on eBay I was really surprised at the bargains to be had, especially of the TP explorer sets there were quite a few locally.

It would be great for Ben to have in the garden to play on, and do we really need lawn with nothing on just to look at? As long I can get a sun lounger And table and chairs out do I need more room?

And I do love a good bargain…

Gah…why did I start looking!

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I posted 2 months ago about the stray kitten that had been hanging around asking for suggestions on what to do.

The kitten carried on being here most days but gradually was looking less healthy and thinner, even though he/she was eating at most the houses in the street.

I had brought him/her in a couple of times when it was pouring but as soon as the rain had stopped/food bowl was empty they wanted out again.

I decided that the best thing was to get them checked out at the vets as my heart couldn’t take the thought of the kitty being ill & suffering and my head was worried in case it was carrying some of the bad diseases around the area.

Trying to co-ordinate a time when I was going to be in to ‘catch’ the kitty and when I wasn’t working and when I could get an appointment with the PDSA was a challenge but yesterday it all worked out.  The appointment was for 3 p.m. and we got home at 12.45 p.m. and kitty was at the front door.

So I encouraged them into the conservatory and then at 2:30 p.m. into a cat box and off to the vets we went.

The vet was brilliant and we were on the same page with if it just needs a good worming/de-flea/antibiotics etc then yes we can do that and I am happy to carry on feeding.  But if the kitty has one of the ad kitty illnesses then the fairest thing was to send it to the great big kitty food filled place in the sky.

My 2 cats were both feral cats found as teeny balls of fluff in an alley way so I am all for lost causes but also common sense has to play a part.

The vet examined the stray and found it is a neutered male, no chip and not keen on having its teeth looked at (the vet has very quick reactions!) She took it away to do a ‘snap’ blood test to check for the bad illness things but didn’t have any luck getting the blood.  And quite rightly neither the vet nor nurse were in the mood to lose fingers!

So we agreed that I would worm and flea treat the kitty and give it antibiotics for a week and then we would see if he picked up and put on some weight in a couple of weeks before trying the blood test again.

I gave the kitty his worming tablets and antibiotics in some food and when finished he was keen to be on his way.  He was back again this morning for more anti-biotic laced food.

So hopefully kitty will be feeling better in the next week and put some weight and will just be the littlest hobo of the cat world.

I have decided not to name him (yet) as it will make it harder if he isn’t well.  But I am glad I have started the treatment for him and getting something done to help him.

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I have been on the search for a pair of red skinny jeans for the last few months, I knew in my head exactly the ones I wanted.  They had to be bright red, not too skinny, not a low waist and not a silly price.

On my travels I managed to find the most perfect ones…except they were for Ben.

So he had the fabulous red trousers (he also has a green pair too) from H & M that are to be the clothing hit of the spring /summer for many boys.  Green and red ones modelled by Joe and Ben.

But I was still no closer to finding the perfect red skinny jeans.

The lovely Fimb tweeted me last week to ask had I seen the ones in New Look, I headed over there and ordered some hoping that they would be THE ones.

They arrived today and they are PERFECT!  the smaller of the 2 sizes I ordered fit (always a bonus) and they are really bright red with a waist where I need it to be.  The legs are not too tight but still skinny style.

But then as I was looking at my wardrobe of what to wear with them it hit me, not only do I have to co-ordinate my wardrobe with them, I also have to make sure that Ben doesn’t wear his at the same time.  Oh the pressure!

And don’t start me on the fact I have only just realised that my one and only pair of converse are red too! Arghhhhhh

Still the jeans are rather gorgeous

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On Tuesday night I was doing my usual last minute prep for Woodchips  and had decided that we would do the song “5 currant buns in a bakers shop” with some laminated buns and 1p’s

I had the simple task of printing out the currant buns, but as many things in life it didn’t turn out to be quite that simple.

As with many nursery rhymes there are lots of different versions, some have different words in different parts of the country, some have been changed to become more pc, and others have been added to over the years.  And everyone thinks that their version in the right one!

So I asked on Facebook, what is your version of currant buns in a baker’s shop?  Do they have sugar or a cherry on the top and are they round and fat or big and round.  this started a rather large and very funny debate of 138 comments of my friends hotly debating the subject.

This morning at Woodchips I introduced the song with a ‘we probably all have different versions of this so lets all just sing the words that you want to!”

So what are my currant buns like?

They have a cherry on the top and are unpc as they are round and fat!

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The amount of pressure from society to be thin is overwhelming and the overriding opinion that thin equals beautiful is unavoidable so being a plus size takes huge confidence or it results in a feeling of inadequacy – in all but size!

There are a few larger people who are very happy the way they are and, aside from the risks associated with being overweight, these folks are to be admired.  To resist the constant bombardment from magazines, television and the internet and the plethora of articles, advertisements and opinions on weight loss takes some determination of spirit.  It is unthinkable that an individual will remain unaffected by the entreaties to look and feel fabulous by being a size 10.

From faddy diets endorsed by thin celebrities to healthy eating plans that a GP or nutritionist will recommend as the sensible way to lose weight while getting all the nutrients your body needs – the methods for losing weight range from simple to seriously extreme. Some people can just tweak their diet and just cut out the sugary drinks and fatty foods to get results but there are gastric bands for the seriously obese, whose very lives are in danger; the need for a complete lifestyle change for those whose excessive lager and beer consumption has resulted in more than a little bit of a gut; and there is weight loss hypnosis for those that have a relationship with food and eating that is unhealthy.  Anyone who is serious about weight loss can start with their GP, but can also do a lot of investigation themselves.  The internet is a great source of information when used properly, and good advice from conventional medical professionals or alternative therapists such as The Therapy Lounge hypnotherapy practitioners.

Whatever your body shape and size, and whatever the media says, a healthy attitude to food, and some basic knowledge of food and nutrition is essential for all. Parents and schools alike are responsible for educating children in the importance of a healthy, well-balanced diet.  Food that is freshly prepared over processed ready-meals is preferable and basing a meal around the vegetables is a good start to eating well and reducing fat or heavy carbohydrate intake.

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Apart from banning all animals and children from your house, or keeping them out of the sitting room, it is impossible to keep any family seating immaculate.  In fairness to the children and pets, it is sometimes the evening glass of red wine that goes all over the lap and sofa – and even into the cushion foam itself.

For general maintenance, it is important to vacuum your sofa, including under the cushions and along the arm-rest and backs, as often as you vacuum the floor.  Fabric can be cleaned of most every-day stains, but it is wise in the first place to invest in easily cleanable fabric and scotch-guard it with some kind of liquid repellent. Cotton covers can sometimes be removed and will go straight in the washing machine for air-drying afterwards.  Be careful not to dry them in direct sunlight as you may over time end up with faded patches on your sofas and chairs.

Should you need to spot clean, first check the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure you use the right cleaning product.  Some are way too harsh for delicate materials such as silks and wools.  If you do have children and pets, you should seriously think about cotton covers as cotton is durable and easily cleaned.  Check that you can spot-clean as some recommend not to in case of noticeable spots of bleached fabric.  You can use other detergents mixed with a little water to make a thin paste but make sure that you patch test on a part of the sofa that is not visible before you get started to ensure no damage can be seen.   White vinegar and warm water will do the trick on light staining – rub gently with a soft cloth and wait for it to dry.  Otherwise there are a wide range of upholstery cleaners available in the supermarket or even the local pound shop or similar.  Vacuum the sofa or chair again after cleaning to get rid of any residue from the detergents.

For severe damage that may need more drastic action such as replacing the cushions,  a simple search online will help you find companies that offer repair services such as cutfoam. Cutfoam’s foam cut to size service will help you add extra years of life to your favourite chair or sofa – perhaps until the children grow up and stop spilling.  Training the adults out of spilling red wine is another story!

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When I read a tweet asking if any bloggers with cats would like to review some of the new Whiskas Tasty Textures pouches I was replying as fast as my fingers would type.  With fat cat Charger, evil cat Dodge and now the new stray kitty to feed I need all the help I can get!

A few days later a gorgeous parcel arrived from Monster Pet Supplies as soon as I had it opened Charger was over and well the video below says it all

Watch this video on YouTube.

Inside were some of the Whiskas Tasty Textures pouches, some Whiskas cat milk and some Dreamies cat treats.

If you ever look down the cat food aisle of the supermarket or pet shop you will see at least one owner desperately searching for the food their cat will eat (this week)  Cats are so fussy, I probably have to swap foods every couple of months as even fat cat Charger goes off different foods.  My 2 (or 3 really I guess) won’t eat food in chunks, they just lick the jelly/gravy off and leave the meat, so I have to buy the pate style food.

When I gave them the Whiskas Tasty Textures pouches the texture is not totally smooth but not in fake little square lumps either, both ate it no problem, with the usual poor Dodge eating half his bowl before fatso shoves him out the way to finish it for him.

I treated them to some cat milk later and well, see below for how much they love that!

Watch this video on YouTube.

The Dreamies also went down a storm with Charger biting through the packet in the first video – these are very useful for removing them both from my bed as opposed to the usual potentially losing a foot or finger from evil kitty refusing to move.

I have 2 very happy satisfied kitties (and don’t worry, poor little stray kitty didn’t miss out!)

I was sent the items for free to review, but the opinions, fat cat, evil cat, stray cat and words are all my own

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Ben was given £5 last week by his Grandad and I put it in a money box for him, later we were at the shops and he NEEEEEEDED a Chuggington set, it was reduced from £26.99 to £6.99, so a bargain and he had been a good boy (fill in here with more reasons why I felt it was ok to buy it)

Anyway…

I told him if he wanted to spend the money that had been given to him on it that was ok, but that was it, no Finn McMissile with wings (from Car 2… obviously) that he had NEEEEEEDED 2 days before.

This has led me to thinking should I start giving him pocket money, even £1 a week that he can save up to buy things, either the magazine with plastic crap on the front that never gets opened once the toy is ripped off as there are not enough hours/days in the week at the moment, or the next Cars 2 car that he manages to find that he doesn’t have.

I am not the best in the world with money and I would love to install better ideas in him.

So is giving pocket money the way to go to give a sense he has to save up and wait for things?

What age did you start giving pocket money?  How much did you give and was it dependent on their behaviour?

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