Sunday 30 October 2011

Silent Sunday


Saturday 29 October 2011

Glue ear and fitting in. #specialsaturday

What do I love about being a mum or Mummy, mm tough one I could go a sugary sentimental journey but hat just not me. So what I love the most perhaps the up most is arguing with my son.

A puzzling choice , not a knee jerk reaction of a other? read on then you will see why I love with my son after all every good story has a truely heart felt conclusion doesn't it.


Well when J was born he  was a normal baby until all the problems started happening, the constant eczema which is inherited. The sudden coughing fits and gastric problems. the fussy eating, the projectile vomiting.

As he grew then there was the sudden tiredness and falling asleep anywhere ( asthma ) the allergy to food colourings. The inability to live my side, his allergy to cats ( we had to get rid of our cat)s. yes J was one nervous child constant trips to the hospital seeing various medical professionals.


Then more problems came then there was the problem with him being slightly sugar slow and then the bouts of anemia.

Whilst I appreciate these problems aren't as severe as many problems experience with their child of children it is still heartbreaking as well..

Throughout out this I had noticed  that J was not communicating , he had passed his baby hearing test hardly rocket science when he took it.

J was born in September 1998 and looking at an entry from his health book dated June 2000 that he has made little progress with his speech. The silly health visitor said his comprehension appeared good, well it wasn't I assure you. The toing and froing continued with the health visitors still ignoring me. This continued until around October 2001 when J still wasn't really speaking. Eventually after basically a sit in protest at the doctors we got a referral to the hospital where he was diagnosed with Glue ear. He had his operation to have grommets inserted after the usual long weight for an the operation.

Progress was slow but really came into its own on a holiday to Center Parcs in March 2002 when he was three and a half We were on our bikes and J was in a child seat behind me, a squirrel ran in front of me and J said " Bloody Squirrel" and j repeated this all day.


J had been learning sign language at nursery and and a least now there was a focus on his language skills , of course this had now developed. He was a slow learner at Infant School because of his previous problems, nervous and clingy. We had  problems with parties etc he still wouldn't leave my side till he was nearly seven. I just plonked him into beavers one day and ran , same with football cruel but kind and as a result he developed.

So that's why I love arguing with him he has developed into a heartfelt young boy who knows his own mind and is making his own way in the world. He is an academic high fly er play rugby for our County , top sport mans for the schooll. Plays a musical instrument he is an all rounder. What more could I ask for than an argument about his sock draw...?

This has previously appeared as a guest post .








Talking Brix giveaway


Use one Brix for personal reminders, or attach as many as you like, creating simple, scalable communication grids. Talking Brix are thin, light communicators with built-in magnets, perfect for carrying in a pocket, or placing around the room! For table-top users, Talking Brix use an ingenious tab and slot connector to link to other Brix.
Create multi-message communicators in any arrangement you like. Straight-line layouts reinforce sequential communication or linear learning activities. L-shape and other layouts allow users to create communication grids that meet their unique physical needs. At a cost-conscious price, one, two, three or more messages.


Each pack of 3 Talking Brix includes 1 each in Red, Blue, and Green.
Dimensions: 2.56" x 2.56" x 0.6" (L x W x H)
Activation Area: 1.8"
Talking Brix feature:
  • Connectable devices for customizable layouts
  • Easy single-message recording on each Brix
  • 10 seconds of recording time Power on/off switch
10 seconds of recording timePower on/off switch
  • Rechargeable battery (built-in)
  • 1.8" Activation area
  • Free Snap Switch Cap included


Items like this are brilliant for autistic children or those with no speech little steps it opens up the whole world to autistic children its about setting achievable target.

Please only enter if you can make use of this.

To enter the giveaway tweet the following I am commincating with @needaphone over at http://ninjakillercat.blogspot.com/ and comment below to tell me you have done so.


Comp ends 30Th November ! winner choosen by random org.

Friday 28 October 2011

No need to scream at Halloween go to Poundland.

A cute little Pumpkin costume




Fab Costume for a little Witch.


Poundland have an ideal range that won't stretch your pockets at Halloween, however you want Halloween to be whether just handing up sweets or partying the night away they have it all so pop down to Poundland this weekend and check them out.If you are looking forward to getting dressed up this Halloween, Poundland have some great accessories that will help you keep to your budget! Everything is so cheap you can get all your fancy dress, party and trick or treat accessories for less!

Disclosure ( I was sent  these Halloween products for review)

Thursday 27 October 2011

Cats Protection #CPBlackCats

Yes yes Rollie is the star of my blog but I do forget sometimes I have a Black cat by my admissions he is not as pretty as Rollie but with all those supermodel looks Rollie is not as friendly as Jack. So Black cats do make good pets and are not to be forgotten .Sorry Jack I salute you.



Meet Jack Black the Black cat.


http://www.cats.org.uk/news/billy-noir-mates-needs-facebook-friends-this-thursday

I can't cook cakes sorry Silver Spoon

I was sent some more cake products to try  they really hadn't read my other review had they? Though still surely nothing could go wrong now could it nahhh.


Honestly it's a Butterfly

A Beautiful Butterfly.

I forget to add these were meant to be white chocolate Cupcakes I forgot to add the white chocolate chips to the mixture but I did  remember to add the Silver Spoon Snowies to make some pretty wings.




But for an idea of how to cook and decorate cakes properly please head over to Silverspoon. I know that's where I'll be heading from now on. I hope to redeem myself when I makes some biscuits , promise you will stop by and have one with a cup of tea now won't you?


The Salter Health Grill Review


NEW Salter Stainless Steel Health Grill £59.99

I love cooking! ( but sssssssh I am not so good at cakes)   But, cooking in a healthy way is a must for me now trying to lose weight . Healthy Living is must for us all!  So, if you love cooking and want to stay healthy, the Salter Health Grill is an absolute must have.


The Salter Health Grill allows you to enjoy healthy grilled food without the grease.  It features a non-stick and easy to clean cooking plates so you can cook without using fat or oil and the sloped grill allows the fat to drip off. The large cooking area allows you to cook up to four portions at a time and the adjustable floating hinge means the food can be various sizes. The digital temperature control and high heat sear function gives you precise control for excellent results every time. The Salter Health Grill also includes a cool touch handle and the grill can be stored away in an upright position.  Drip tray included.

I have had different brands of this type of product over the years and to be honest done have stood the test of time , they are usually consigned to the bin. What I really like about this product is its ability to be able to adjust the cooking temperature for your meat etc. I like the fact it slopes away and collects the fat in a little pot. The photos below are my adventures cooking a Ribeye steak mmmm.



The Salter health grill getting up to temperature.








I just moved the Ribeye steaks around to create that grill pattern you see in restaurants.

And of course I used the hot heat sear facility on this grill as I was cooking steak.


My finished dinner complete with peppercorn sauce and a healthy jacket.
This is one Grill product that will not be consigned to the bin)

Disclosure ( I was sent the Salter Health Grill for review all opinions are my own)

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Dummies all in the name of peace

The other day I went swimming( ie I just sat in the hot tub and J went swimming)  whilst Mr T went going at the Belfry hotel. So going through the the swimming pool reception , there was a young mum there with her toddler dummy stuck in mouth. Sure the little girl was cute enough , she said " I am going swimming " half garbled through her dummy.

So we get to the  pool and I hibernate in the hot tub and J does line swimming, and then the toddler enters with her mum and proceeds to go swimming with the dummy in her mouth!!!!!! No I am sure that this is not hygienic. You probably have your own thoughts about dummies, I don't like them myself I never used them, and as I also teach speech and language it doesn't help a child with their own letter and sound formation to have a dummy stuck in their mouth.

What are your thoughts on children and dummies?

Tuesday 25 October 2011

Rollie the cat goes trick or treating with Swizzels Matlow Halloween mix



Swizzels Matlow is gearing up for Halloween with a range of ghoulish products. Its new Halloween range features treat bags and tubs, which includes Love Hearts, Drumsticks, Fizzers, New Refreshers and Fruity Pops. The new big bags for hungry trick or treaters, or families to share at parties, include Trick or Treat Lolly Mix, Monster Treats and Spooky Treat or Trick Mix. Other frightening fancies include Skulls N’ Devils, Bites and Fright Mix.
Here we see Rollie after his recent Trick or Treat adventures he has got a Drumstick lolly. Halloween is on Monday so I am stocking up as it be be answering the door getting recognized from school so there is nothing better than stocking up with Swizzels Mattlow which are in Derbyshire I am also happy to help local firms as its supports the local economy.

Swizzels Matlow is the UK’s largest family-owned independent sugar confectionery business and one of the few confectionery companies to still manufacture sweets in the UK. The company makes a range of well known products including Love Hearts, New Refreshers, Drumstick Lollies, Rainbow Drops, Double Lollies and Fruity Pops. In fact, they have been trading in the confectionery sector for over 80 years.


Swizzels’ have a new Halloween range which includes special treat bags and tubs of their perennial favourites, including Love Hearts, Drumsticks, Fizzers, New Refreshers and Fruity Pops. The new big bags for hungry trick or treaters, or families to share at parties, include Trick or Treat Lolly Mix, Monster Treats and Spooky Treat or Trick Mix.  Other frightening fancies include Skulls N’ Devils, Bites and Fright Mix.

Disclosure ( Rollie was sent these for review and yes he did brush his teeth after his lolly)

Saturday 22 October 2011

Talking Brix Autistic communication

Use one Brix for personal reminders, or attach as many as you like, creating simple, scalable communication grids. Talking Brix are thin, light communicators with built-in magnets, perfect for carrying in a pocket, or placing around the room! For table-top users, Talking Brix use an ingenious tab and slot connector to link to other Brix.
Create multi-message communicators in any arrangement you like. Straight-line layouts reinforce sequential communication or linear learning activities. L-shape and other layouts allow users to create communication grids that meet their unique physical needs. At a cost-conscious price, one, two, three or more messages.

Each pack of 3 Talking Brix includes 1 each in Red, Blue, and Green.
Dimensions: 2.56" x 2.56" x 0.6" (L x W x H)
Activation Area: 1.8"
Talking Brix feature:
  • Connectable devices for customizable layouts
  • Easy single-message recording on each Brix
  • 10 seconds of recording time Power on/off switch
10 seconds of recording timePower on/off switch
  • Rechargeable battery (built-in)
  • 1.8" Activation area
  • Free Snap Switch Cap included


Items like this are brilliant for autistic children or those with no speech little steps it opens up the whole world to autistic children its about setting achievable target.



Thursday 20 October 2011

Sanex Zero review and giveaway


A repost but I didn't have the prize to giveaway at the time !!

I was sent the  Sanex Zero sensitive and Sanex dry shower gels for review. I have sensitive skin myself as does J and Mr T as well. I had just been using the free shower gels you get in hotels, and the one I had been using recently was from a very expensive hotel £300 a day , which was the stay and not the price of the gel!  . So you would have thought that such a hotel would have used some quality shower gel!. It left me with a rash around the neck!.

Immediately I got the shower gel I rushed off to use it don't worry there wasn't a trail of clothes as as I rushed up the stairs i wouldn't want to leave you with that mental image to scar you forever!

The one that I tried was the Sanex Zero sensitive shower gel. there is no fragrance is just a clear gel that is kind to the kind. And its no that sort of shower gel that slips over your finger s just as you are about to apply it to yourself. I noticed within minutes that the area of irritatation I had around my neck was beginning to calm down, along with following the below tips for Sanex and using their shower gel, I am sure it will disappear completely.







Surviving winter with Sanex Zero%

Many of us take our skin for granted forgetting that it is a living, breathing organ. Understanding how best to look after your skin will help keep it healthy, conditioned and looking good.

With this winter set to be the coldest in recent years, you’ll notice a difference in your skin as the season changes. Skin will begin to dry and feel uncomfortable and itchy. Worse still, it’s a minefield when picking the best skin-care products that contain ‘no nasties’.

To help combat this, Sanex, the healthy skin expert, has five top tips to beat the winter blues and keep your skin looking and feeling great:
  1. Keep your skin hydrated from within by drinking lots of water throughout the day. Herbal tea is also great when it’s really cold, and will help your skin maintain a healthy glow
  2. It’s important to exfoliate your skin even in the winter months. A good body brush can help remove dead skin cells and improve circulation
  3. It’s tempting to shower in hot water when it’s cold outside but in fact, you’ll dehydrate your skin even more! Use hydrating shower gels like new Sanex Zero% designed to work with your skin’s natural processes to offer: protection, moisturisation and pH balance
  4. Lips become easily chapped during winter, so important not to neglect them. Soften them up with a lip balm that contains good moisturising properties and vitamin E
  5. Just because summer is over, it’s still important to protect your skin from UV rays. Apply a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 or more to protect your skin 

The new range of bath and shower products from Sanex minimise chemical ingredients and maximise benefits to the body’s largest organ - our skin.
To launch the new Sanex Zero% shower and bath range, ‘living sculptures’ performed on London’s South Bank. The performance was held to encourage people to think twice about using unnecessary chemicals on their bodies:






The new Sanex Zero% range contains:

  • 0% Parabens
  • 0% Colorants
  • 0% Phthalates
  • 0% Phenoxyethanol

Its biodegradable formulation is also proven to be better for the environment and has been awarded the European Eco Flower. This means that Sanex Zero%:
- Has a minimal impact on aquatic ecosystems
- Fulfils strict biodegradability criteria

Sanex Zero% is available in the following variants:

Normal skin, dry skin and sensitive skin RRP £1.89, 250ml

Also available: Sanex Zero% foam bath for normal skin RRP £3.19, 650ml

The Sanex Zero% range is dermatologically tested and proven to keep skin healthy.

 



The super folks over at Sanex have kindly donated a set of Zero% shower gels (1 x normal skin, 1 x dry skin & 1 x sensitive skin) to give away to one lucky winner. Thank you to Sanex for providing the prize for this giveaway.

To enter the giveaway:

Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect and leave me a comment below with a means of contacting you.

For one bonus entry

  • Follow me on twitter @needaphone and tweet:"I am showering @needaphone with compliments over at http://ninjakillercat.blogspot.com/ " Leave me a comment to say that you have.

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY ELSE THEY WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

There are a maximum of two entries per person. Giveaway closes at Midnight (BST) on 25th  November. UK entries only please. Winner will be chosen from all eligible entries using random.org.

Good luck!

The prizes were given for the purpose of this review & Sanex have kindly donated the prize for this giveaway. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

Hotter shoe review


When you are ordering shoes or clothes online is like the lottery you never know if you are going to strike lucky. Especially as, like me when you are in a shoe shop trying them on, I struggle to find that fir me perfectly as one of my feet is a size 7 and one is a 7 1/2 , I need wide shoes and some shoes are wider than other they basically vary from shop to shop. and some brands seem to use bigger sizes than others. But when I was contacted and given the opportunity of receiving a pair of Hotter Shoes for review, I jumped for joy and skipped around the room in anticipation camping myself by the front door waiting for them


First of all, I had a really good look around on their website to choose a pair. There are many styles even boots that are similar to those famous boots from Australia that all the teens and yummy mummy's wear. Well these look even better , however I chose the Penny model, which is perfect for work I opted for the "extra wide fitting" and the shoes are definitely "comfort concept".



Feel confident in Hotter's newest buckle shoe, Penny. So stylish and light it's soft and flexible to wear with a stipple tread for better grip in the winter months. Coordinates perfectly with jackets or skirts of any length.

*Soft casual leather
*Fresh perforated insole
*Flattering wedge heel
*Buckle Fastening
*Heel height: 23mm, 1 inch
*Removable insoles








The website is easy to use and you will have no trouble finding the shoes or boots you are looking for.



They arrive well packaged inside a shoebox within another cardboard box. 


The shoes have a squishy cushion inside it liking walking on air, I have never owned a pair of shoes like this before. I usually have to break shoes in , these are heaven. They are ideal for a teaching assistant like me who is on their feet all day going on bear hunts, running round the playground and playing hide and seek.
So I feel like I have won the lottery wearing these shoes , I love them and I will definitely be going back and ordering some more.




Penny Model


They are so comfortable I forgot to take them off. The cushioned insole supports are so comfortable you forget you've got them on and Mr T tells me to take them off. The style of the shoe suits all occasions whether you are dressing up or dressing down, step out in style!.


Hotter Shoes also offer a 100% Happy Guarantee, whereby you can return or exchange shoes that don't fit or that you decide you don't like. You will spend a pretty Penny buying them but again quality costs and your feet are so worth it, and they will really stand up to the punish your feet go through.

And if anyone stops me and says "Wow where did you get those shoes from " I can Show them.....




Penny Style
The shoes has the web address on it just in case you forget where you ordered them from.



Disclosure ( I was sent these shoes for review) 

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Only Child... must be a spoilt brat then!

I am an only child, my son is a only child and guess what my mum was an only child. Yet my husband is one of 7 and he is the youngest.


My husbands' One Sister and his four brothers.


The photo above doesn't show my husband and his other brother they were yet to be born. So I have one child does that really matter I have still haven't got past the stage of people asking me. And people I work with are having babies every two minutes. i don't have a longing to create the Von Trapp family I am happy with what I have got and that is that. I don't have to justify myself to society 2.4 children, neither do I long for a girl and if you read all the papers at the moment that means I wasn't stressed when I conceived etc, I must have been relaxed I had a boy!. I like children after all I work with them but I don't have the urge to go and create again not thats me done. 

  • So my child does not have poor social skiils he's a bit quiet but he's not Captain of the Rugby team for nothing.

  • Academically he is a the top of his year group despite being a slow starter due to Glue ear and other medical conditions.



  • Just because my child doesn't have  have that peer interaction at home with siblings, he still  gets a lot of opportunities to develop social skills at school. I know this as I have just paid £1300 for various trips next year. And he is a member of every club going!

So I am happy with my lot and my life I have my family and that is all the matters.

School Costs how much?

A repost of an old post but I love recycling!

What price do you put on education if you go to a state school. There is the constant demands from an early age for trip money. If you do not pay your child will suffer blah blah. Now this is hard enough in this economic climate if you have one child but one if you have more the pressures are even greater. Now J my son is a truly able sportsman



Now its been a constant ask all through his school life so far for trips,charity , school PGL but I was not prepared for the shook of the cost of senior school. Now J does not go to private school just a academy school but it s like private school. For the off there was trip after trip  first skiing, then cricket , three lots of rugby, singing . Now I am pleased my son is talented I really am but I felt the need to draw the line somewhere so I said NO to the rugby tour. He was a little crestfallen but he got on with his life, We all have to make sacrifices in this world.

Then came the school sports award night. J had already won various certifaces for academic achievement being best in his class etc glowing report etc. Model child, etc not stereo typical of Only
child syndrome. Well on the night he picked up award after award culminating in the sports personality of the year. Basically the teacher said if there was a tiddlywinks team he's be in . Now faced which this pride how could I refuse to NOT send him on the rugby tour. So another cost for me so far these trips total up as £750 for skiing, £120 for cricket, £350 for rugby not to mention £50 for another rugby trip ,£25 for singing trip and another £25 for another rugby trip . I try not to  add it up, knowing it is such a scary amount. And all this is before spending money, clothes etc. This is where i cam e up with a plan to sell stuff on that internet auction site. Good opportunity to clear out etc and help pay for all these trips. First up was Mr T's organ he didn't use it any more , it was just there gathering dust. I know it was hard but I just had to let it go.....


There you've seen it Mr T's organ, also I started selling his train set as well. All little amounts help, the school were puzzled as I started paying off these little amounts and indeed ring to ask me was this right. You do what you have to do so your child has a better life etc, but at what cost.?

Salter Digital 3 Tier Steamer

Remember to put raw meats such as chicken at the bottom.


NEW Salter Digital 3 Tier Stainless Steel Steamer RRP £54.99

This Salter Digital 3 Tier Stainless Steel Steamer guarantees precision steaming with its seven programmed functions.  With a self-set countdown option, 60 minute timer and a delay start option simply set the controls, sit back and let the steamer do the cooking. The 11 litre large water tank capacity features 3 steam baskets for preparing individual dishes, including one with a removable base so you can steam a whole chicken and a special bowl for rice.  Additional elements include an external water level indicator and the easy to store stack able bowls are dishwasher safe.


I had previously tried a entry level steamer and it was adequate enough when it came to doing just one thing but can you cook a whole meal using a steamer? Well you can cook a whole chicken dinner in a Salter Steamer !!!

The steamer going to work.





The finished steamed dinner.