Category: Views & Ramblings

1. Would you remember ....?

   Posted on 8:32pm Sunday 23rd Nov 2014

   Would you remember what I bought you for your Birthday or Christmas last year?

   Would you remember the type of paper it was wrapped in?

   Would you know if the card this year was bigger or less expensive?

   I bet you probably wouldn't.

   So I am not entirely sure why I have my little book to remind me of the presents I have bought in the past and the notes about the paper and cards because there are some things that don't stick in your memory (or even need to) but my memory isn't always the best, so my notebook helps me make decisions for the following years presents.

   So even if my gift buying prowess doesn't stick in your mind, it is worth remembering that a gift doesn't always need to be wrapped in paper. It can be just a simple phrase, an off the hand comment but sometimes, just sometimes, a few words can give comfort that a blanket never could, change a path better than any map or help make a decision that needs making.

   As I said, my memory isn't always the best but I never forget seeing a tarot reader and after turning over the first card she said "you are with someone you shouldn't be". If I am honest, I don't really remember much else from the reading but I knew she was right. It was something I had known for a while. That sentence made me change my life and who I was spending it with.

   It was a long, long, loooooong time ago and the venue was in a very cool part of town and there was almost an air of mystery and thrill in going to see a psychic, whereas now you can simply click onto The Circle and have immediate access from the comfort of your own home. I have seen a couple of psychics since that day and it never ceases to amaze me how accurate the readings are. One told me my daughter's best friends name, which astounded me at the time but then she followed up with how I was going to have another little girl called Amy. In an act of defiance, I called my daughter something else.

   But it's those things you remember. The moments that make you question your decisions (and it is not always about the Christmas wrapping paper). Thankfully my only decision at the moment is what to buy for Christmas this year ......

   

    

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   In collaboration with The Circle, featured post.

2. Countdown to Christmas : Top Tips for a Stress Free Shopping Trip

   Posted on 8:41pm Tuesday 28th Oct 2014

   Yes, I mentioned the C word. I heard Christmas songs in a shop this week so the countdown is officially on!

   I was talking to a friend about going Christmas shopping this week and whilst I much prefer to do my shopping online, there is something magical about going to the shops, listening to all the songs and getting into the Christmas spirit.

   Nearly a quarter of Britons view Christmas shopping as more stressful than rush hour traffic, filling in forms or flying, according to a survey by Ocado. With lots of people to buy for, having a plan is the best way to ensure it is most definitely a happy Christmas, so here are our top tips for stress free Christmas shopping.

   1. Make a list

   I have been the worlds worst for impulse shopping in the past so making a list (and checking it twice, just to find out who is naughty or nice) absolutely helps to have a definitive number of gifts to buy and who to buy for. 

   

   2. Start Early

   Its never too early to start and although it is October, I know people who started in early September. Not only does this give you more time to get everything sorted, it will help you spread the cost too.

   3. DIY Gifts

   Sometimes it is the handmade gifts that mean more than the expensive cashmere jumper, so if you are a nifty knitter or a crochet queen, then a handmade scarf or blanket could be the ideal and very personal gift for someone this Christmas.

   4. Create a budget

   Budget, budget, budget. Do not spend what you don't have.  If you have a set budget, don't deviate from it. It will make gift selection easier and results in more practical purchases, rather than emotional ones.

   5. Enjoy a little Christmas Spirit

   In Birmingham,  the German and Craft Markets span a mile of the city from Symphony Hall through hundreds of stalls leading down New Street to the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, which houses some fabulous shops, restaurants and bars. So why not treat yourself to a glass or two of wine and a stay at a hotel to make a weekend of it. You know we love a good deal, so we have found some great places to stay in Birmingham:

    

   Crowne Plaza

   Holiday Inn Coventry

   We actually have our Water Babies lessons at the Holiday Inn now, although I am more interested in splashing some festive cheer in a glass, than in the pool at the moment!

   I think I just need to get some friends together and see if they fancy joining in the Christmas spirit with me! Who fancies it?

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   Disclosure :  This post is in collaboration with IHG but all stress free tips are our own.

3. DIY Home Improvement: Should You Pressure Wash Your Roof?

   Posted on 11:16am Thursday 16th Oct 2014

   We have been talking more and more about home improvements now the bad weather seems to be setting in and there are some jobs that are best done before the sleet and snow comes! The inside of the house is the place where things are most noticeable but what about those areas that you don't always think about?

   You may already know how useful a pressure washer is for making light work of some tough cleaning jobs, but is there any reason why you can’t also use it to remove dirt, moss and mould from your roof? I personally hadn't given it much though but apparently by just using a wider spray and start cleaning from a safe distance, you can gradually move in closer towards the roof so that you can clean the asphalt and shingles effectively. If you have a pressure washer like the ones you can get at www.karcher.co.uk, here is a look at what you need to know before you clean your roof with it.

   What’s on your roof?

   If you have an asphalt shingle roof then it is actually an excellent food source for organisms like lichen, mould, algae and mildew.

   This is because many of the asphalt shingles fitted these days contain a limestone filler which helps to add weight to the shingles and make the roof sturdier. This same limestone filler is on the menu for the algae, which will feed on it and unfortunately, degrade the quality of the roof over time and reduce its lifespan.

   Points to consider

   If you are going to be successful in your attempts to clear all the things like moss that are enjoying the free meal on your roof, you have to assess the state of your roof and see what needs to be done.

   In order to remove things like algae and lichen, the water pressure required will have to be more powerful than the pressure you are going to get from an ordinary garden hose. A pressure washer with a strong enough jet of water is perfect for the job, and pretty much the only way that you are going to successfully remove the offending organisms.

   The current state of your roof is an important consideration and you need to assess its condition before you make any attempts to clean your roof with your pressure washer. If your roof shingles are showing signs of damage or are clearly loose, you probably may want to re-consider using your pressure washer until you have had a roofer look at the roof, and repair any minor damage before you carry on with the cleaning.

   Say goodbye to algae and moss

   The answer to the original question is yes, pressure washers are fantastic tools for cleaning your roof and ridding it of some of that unsightly algae and moss.

   

   The key to making the job a successful one and getting the roof looking good again without causing any damage, is to proceed with caution and harness the power of your pressure washer but use a nozzle that allows you to get a “soft wash”.

   A garden hose doesn’t have enough pressure to shift the debris, but at the same time you don’t want to use the full power of your pressure washer and use a nozzle that projects a concentrated powerful spray of water in too small a radius. You can change the bar of your pressure washer by using nozzles that have a larger orifice, so look for the kits that allow you to do this.

   Using the right nozzle and taking a patient approach to cleaning your roof will often be the answer. Now you know another great application for using your pressure washer to keep your home looking in top shape.

   Finlay Jordan is a home maintenance professional and he has contributed towards putting this handy advice together. Always on call, he often blogs about common maintenance issues and questions from his clients to help other homeowners care for their houses.

   Now, let's hope for a spell of sunshine this Autumn, so we can get outside and get jetwashing!!

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   This post is in collaboration with Karcher.

4. Country Kids : Being brave

   Posted on 6:56am Saturday 11th Oct 2014

   We had a birthday party last week and it wasn't fuelled with sweets and soft play but instead we went to a farm party and the only thing it was fuelled by was the sweet scent of manure!

   The tween decided not to come (she had her own party at the same farm some 6 years ago, so it was clearly old news to her) but the little one relished in being able to feed all the animals herself.

   

   She wasn't quite so struck on holding some of the chicks.

   

   But was quite happy to stroke them in the basket (although we were asked to "stroke, not strangle the chicks" .... they must have known she was coming!)

   

   And while she obviously missed her big sister, she made efforts to be brave. I think she may just be an adventurer after all!