Monday 30 July 2018

Twinning is Winning

Just had my hair done again I’m not exactly high maintenance I do have to say  that’s my style.I am very much a free spirit and having my hair done is very much not be and the faster I can get away the better.I know there are products I should be using in my hair to try and tame.I bet the blooming Mona Lisa never had this problem with her long luscious locks.





Also my cat is flying in the face of don’t jump on the surfaces , as we all know cats don’t give a fig.

Friday 27 July 2018

Black Is The New Cat

Black is the new cat they say it’s bang on trend this season to be to be a black cat .Never one to be imitated and very much an original and the muse of so many.



Being exclusive do I welcome in change you say , well darling I tried a lower brand cat food and it was all fur coat and no knickers.I’m  very much a middle class cat and as such I demand only the finest out of life .

Strutting the catwalk is my thing and I don’t get out of bed unless you’ve thrown that ping pong ball 10,000 times.

And the cat in trouble in the news isn’t me as I deny it all ..

“Cat got your tongue they ask ?”

Yes I say .

Not enough room to swing a cat , no sorry I’m not into Strictly come dancing nor do I watch Love Island .



New host of Question Time obviously needs to be me .. I think I will be just the cat the public need to ask those searching indignant questions and not letting those sneaky politicians get away with things.







Wednesday 25 July 2018

Halving Your Costs As A University Student

How on earth in the day and age do you halve your costs as a university student ,it is possible to halve your costs as a student however in particular by the second year.The first year I feel as a student is hard for all from the poor parents ( me and my husband ) to my son who is the pasta eating champion of England.The costs for the first year are pretty much absorbed by the grant you get for accommodation and livings cots , halls are horrendously expensive but you do get your breakfast and evening meal in term time.However at the weekend you do have to cater for yourself , I still haven't recovered from the pit of hell that was the fridge in the shared kitchen in his halls of residence how o none got ill I never know !

We have taken a hit finically as parents but that is what you do right in order to give them a leg up in this world as without trying to sound middle-aged things are not as easy as they used to be.

1.Getting a job while studying at university really does help your costs if you can manage it with your studies , in getting a job not only does it help your time management skills it also looks good on your CV.

2 Check what funding you’re entitled to beyond your living Grant again from a disabled grant to help if you do t get on with your parents.

3.Have a no spend day each week where literally you don’t spend , meal planning helps with this so you’re not tempted to splash the cash on impulse buys.

4.Literally know your discounts the Nus Extra ( 3 years is the best value ) and your parents will literally love you more if you produce this vardvwhen eating out and who know they might give you the money they saved!

5. Get a student rail card 

6. Join the YHA association get money off stays and other discounts like money off a rail card .

7. Shop in the evening fir the yellow sticker items .


Tuesday 24 July 2018

Getting Help In The Garden

We really have enjoyed our garden this year and the weather has been glorious for ever and ever and I do wish it would rain a little ( well actually a lot ) preferably at night time ,then that would be a real winner.There are still a few jobs we would like to do in our garden and though Mr T is more than capable of doing a lot of these jobs ,that he and I have planned and because he has a recent diagnosis of Diabetes he can get a little tired at times. ( His diabetes was diagnosed in May and even though it is under control he is hovering between type 1 and type 2 ) .Mr T does like to be different in all manner of way s and we compromise on many things in the house and in the garden.Compromise is part and parcel of achieving what you both want and it is important when you are both going to be enjoying the garden space.










The garden really has been a labour of love for Mr T and various rockeries have sprung up here and there as they are easy maintenance , we have made full use of a weed suppressant in the garden .We have covered this with pea shingle as this is a cheap product and looking out for bargain is speciality of mine.I am more of an artistic director when it comes to the garden though I am by no means Chelsea Flower show standard.



Back to those planned jobs and as mentioned even though Mr T is more than capable, he is wanting to take it easy at times though you wouldn't think it the way he is cycling like a demon on his bike ( he now has a choice of bike a e bike or his normal mountain bike). And in taking it easy he would be more than happy to hand over some of the planned jobs over to someone one else. This is where a service like MyBuilder could come in where you can choose a gardener to helper you out on what ever jobs you have planned for in and around the garden.You can choose a gardener that is in your area and you can see the review from other people which will help you make your decision and you invite them to give you a quote.It is always best to get at least three quotes then go for the one that you feel will deliver what you want best.


So we are excited for the ever evolving garden and I hope to grow some vegetables next year in some form or another though not courgettes or aubergine s I am not a fan of those despite people making courgette spaghetti and every other vegetable in sight into spaghetti . We have grown vegetables in the past and we are quite successful and we enjoyed doing so there is something really satisfying about growing your own crops.


This is a collaboration post.

Recovery From A Breakdown

I’m 4 years into a recovery from a breakdown and I’m doing ok , I’m a survivor! You might think that I should be more than a survivor that maybe I should be recovered completely .I think everyone deals with mental health in their own way and I am one that deals with that.

Time is very much the healer and 4 years on through the passage of life I’ve been hit with anxiety but I’m getting through it.Having good support around you is key I think either through friends / family or through your doctor ( it is a postcode lottery it shouldn’t be but it is ) 

Finding something you enjoy does helps you and I very much enjoy my photography and travel .I get twitchy feet if I stand still to long as I need to be capturing the moment.And though I have been off work since March I am planning to go back it is only dinner time with kids as a midday supervisor  and it isn't really a just only to have any job is a good thing.I still really miss my time as a teaching assistant but as a level1 I had to make way for restructuring and budgeting such is life.

I do have have an autism assessment in September and I am sure this will help me further either way , I do think I am autistic some where along the spectrum but I do not see it as a hinderance in either telling you or finding out.We are in a more open society nowadays and I am one of the lost generation in terms of diagnosis.

DO I feel I will be treated differently if I am autistic no I don't well leave I wouldn't expect to be treated as such.

It is hard enough to write this as it is there for all to see and absorb but in being open I do hope in doing this it will help people to go for that autism diagnosis if they wish , to go and get that help with anxiety and depression.

DO remember you are never alone reach out talk and keep talking ...

Sunday 22 July 2018

You Need To Visit Calke Abbey

The collections are ordinary you might think but it is collections through the centuries and it’s so joyful in the “ House that time forgot “







A National Trust membership will soon pay for itself and it’s especially good value for families.We literally live down the road from
Calke Abbey and we are always visiting it’s our go to place for a walk , mooch and relax.

But however many times you go to a property there is always something new to see or focus on.I think Calke Abbey is such a place and it is worth a visit ( there’s a few stairs there ) You can not help but be captivated with the lost beauty of Calke.


Collecting everyone loves collecting we start collecting at a very early age and we never really stop.Be transformed back to your childhood when you see the collection of curios which include an ocean of shells.







I’m in love with all the shells and I could simply spend all day looking at them and I think also of who collected them.



And as Calke Abbey is the unstately home then I feel totally at home as I’m not near by any stretch of the imagination.

Thursday 19 July 2018

Charity Shop Little Finds

Being yourself is the best way to be it really is and not be told what to do and when to do it.We of course all love a bit of structure in our lives but I also love just being spontaneous.Apprently I’m now the village cricket group and the total number of supporters is one which is me.





Every anxious to get a peace of the action I get pleasantly distracted by my surroundings and I’m not in the slightest complaining about it.
And the countryside is always a welcome intrusion into our busy lives and we should embrace it more.





To quick are we to ignore the ordinary moments in our lives that are not so ordinary, actually they’re really special.And that snap moment in a charity shop when I knew I had to purchase a typewriter necklace was one of them.The typewriter necklace was a mere 95 p and it’s so sweet.



I think I’m a sort of reverse Bagpuss where objects just speak to me and need a home.I often wonder what life objects had before I happened upon this.Objects just simply aren’t objects there is a human story behind them all.

I love charity shops and I do rather have a knack of finding the sweetest of things that just need a home.What tips could I offer you to spot your own treasure through the obvious tat you see at charity shops.

1. It helps to watch the occasional antique program to get a rough idea of trends for example Toby jugs were once the bees knees are commanded a good price but now have fallen it value.

2.Small is not only beautiful but tactile to and will bring you joy , I’m hoping to find something that is small silver one day.

3.The odd and the obscure don’t necessarily walk on by it , I’ve found countless things you would ignore that have turned out to be modern art by a Spanish artist ( dead) Cesar Manrique.





4.Buy what could be up and coming from pottery to a very very strange art canvas print ( you might not love it but I assure you someone else will ) 

5.Check the bottom of  China you see in charity shops now I know what’s Hummel /Goebel

You’ll soon learn and in no time at all you’ll be picking up a bargain.



This figure was 99p

And I also picked up this bronze cat statue for £2.99 they retail at about £40





I also managed to pick up some Royal Crown Derby for about £4.99



6. I can not stress enough to pick up things that catch your eye like I did with this pottery vase.



7. What comes around again is vintage and is collectable like a bunch of old Sega games I found.




Having A Holiday For Relaxation

I’m slowly working my way round Italy and soon it will be Florence for another culture trip and with the teen ( nearly out his teens ) after completing his first year at university studying Archaeology.It is going to be a holiday of relaxation for everyone as this will be the first holiday he’s not revising for A levels, or completing Degree assignment s or any sort of exam in any shape or form.When we were in Venice last Christmas the Teen was busy working hard away on University assignments as he is very conscious about his studies and not one of those very partying students ( though he has opted to help this years new students at Freshers week ~ eek, he was part of Freshers week last year as a new Student and really enjoyed it , always sensible though. )











When we were in Rome last August it was just before the advent of university so it was the calm before the stop of university and of across A levels results as so many futures rest on these. We are really looking forward to going to Florence and we are flying with British Airways we could have flown to Pisa and then transferred but Mr T just wanted to be a little closer airport transfer wise to Florence. I am sure as we get more confident travelling with his Diabetes travelling will continue and be all the much easier, there is always that sense of intrepetation .

We love our travel as a family , we have always endeavour in our holidays to be as adventurous as possible.While that doesn’t include bungee jumping or hot air ballon it is just the right level of adventure for us.

I’m a lot fitter this year and I hope on this holiday no little old lady will offer me her wheel chair like one did at the collaseum.

Car Servicing In The Folkestone Area


Collaboration Post

It is very important to keep your car serviced and well maintained, we are lucky enough to have a car through my husbands work so all the car servicing is taken care of.Our son who passed his driving test hasn’t the need of a car yet as he’s at University up in York and he will certainly need a car when he has fished his degree with the bank of Mum and Dad footing the bill initially till he gets a job.Who knows what area he will eventually end up it as an Archaeology degree opens up a world of opportunity.

One area he might think about that has a rich history and archaeological Heritage is Kent , we have holidayed there many times and it is an area he knows well as we used to stayed with my grandparents there when they were alive.You never stop worrying about your kids when they leave home and along with safe and secure accommodation you want to know that if they have a car they have it serviced and looked after properly along with an MOT.

So if he was to settle in the Kent area particularly around the Folkestone area then I would ensure he looked into car servicing  , being in charge of bills and the such like is a adult level up in computer game terms.My husband has always looked after his cars except the one time he forgot to ensure the car had breakdown cover and we literally had to rush into a local supermarket ring the appropriate breakdown people and then join and get recovered!


So if you are in or around the Folkestone area visit KAP Motors and get amazing car servicing rates.





Saturday 14 July 2018

Happiness For The Price Of A Stamp

I put a message up on my personal face book and I’ve set it to friends as I know these things have a habit of going viral.You see I was writing my mothers birthday card and I thought asides me I’m going to be the only family sending her a card.The odd friend of course with send her a card but she’s only just come out of care for her Bi polar.

“I wonder if anyone could would send a birthday card to my mum ~ I am the extent of her family just me she is 65 next Friday ... she been in a secure unit having had a Bi polar episode and is now out but is taking things very slowly and needs oodles of good wishes.

I am just thinking out loud and not doing this for attention. 

Happiness for the price of a stamp .. I don't know I am not going to give out her address just like that so only to people who know me.

In helping her I help me.”

And the simple steps I’ve taken can be applied to anyone as it doesn’t cost much to bring joy into someone’s life.And I have had so many friends step forward and offer to send my mum a card I am very grateful to them for this.Everyone needs someone in their life a bit of noise beyond though 4 lonely walls to be part of sometime and we wanted and to connect with someone.

Us humans are marvellous when we want to be.

Thursday 12 July 2018

Learning Just To Be You

It takes an awful long time to be you and I think now is the time to savour every little moment and every little cup of tea and though I may still worry on occasion it is really not trying to sweat the small stuff. To be invigorated in the day then stuff has to go right and I think fingers crossed it is ,there are situations and people I can not change and in the case of people you really can't change them a leopard doesn't change it spots ( except maybe on a rare rare occasion )


I am not a bad writer and I feel pained sometimes when I write though I am intelligent my spelling is a smidgen Machiavellian at times ( so said my school reports but not as eloquently as I have scripted these words just ).

All my senses scream "you shouldn't do this you shouldn't blog , you blog no sense and are as random as a T-REX at a disco doing YMCA."

Remember 

You can. You Will.You Are

Affirmation of the self is a real turning point in life.


If you don't talk then life can get so much harder and talking is the key but talking is hard for many an anxious person like myself.But talk I do and though at times it is ten to the dozen I slowly can gain my thought my it does take a lot of mental energy.


And just something sparked my interest and I mean my real interest in reading again and that was a book by Andy Weir called Artemis and oh my I am so excited and I haven't even purchased a copy yet.So you see Dear reader if I may indeed be so presumptuous that you are indeed still reading at this juncture!

So My mum actually got to the seaside this week with the salvation Army I believe and she happened to sit next to my very first Infant school teacher so I think from the age of 4 you best live a pours life.Now 2 weeks ago we had to go and sort out 2 rooms of my mums ground floor flat and it was in a state but sometimes you get overwhelmed  by stuff and can't see the wood for the tees and I think  in helping her it will be the catalyst to help herself .She was committed back in March/April and it has been a hard time full of turmoil she has only recently been released ( I am not sure what else to call it released sounds so draconian ) She hopefully will be getting some care support but still I have to help her as this is what you do for your parent.Also my husband had a funny turn in May when she was suddenly diagnosed with Diabetes type 1 and it was like hell had broke lose.But we are getting back on our feet and though I have been off with anxiety I can see a glimmer of hope to be cheerful and that is what I am holding onto.And plus the teen is back from university so that helps to coordinate me in some ways.

Linking up with Reasons to be cheerful 

Monday 9 July 2018

Do You Really Need to Splash The Cash On An Airport Lounge ?

Do you really need to splash out on on an expensive airport lounge nowadays or is it better to save your cash for Duty Free ?  I thought about going for an airport lounge for all us ( three adults when we go to Florence soon ) we will be flying from Gatwick Airport and it is a better of a devil to get to motorway wise so this is why we stop over night the day before. This time we are going direct with Holiday Inn they  have a Stay and Park package which includes breakfast and to get cashback I always go through Topcashback ( affiliate link )

Going through Topcashback you can get cash back on many goods and services you buy like for us soon it will be Holiday Inn. With Holiday Inn  you can check in from 2pm and then check out is 12pm and with a flight that leaves at around 4.20 we really don't need to book at airport lounge  at around £32 per person. The only discount I could find brought it down to £86 and for the 3 of us that still seemed very expensive and so I have decided against it.

The Holiday Inn stay and parking for 8 days was £144 and that includes breakfast , holiday inn is a brand I know and trust and I have never had a bad experience staying with them and nothing is to much for them when we stay with them and they are very attentive in their service.And when you join Holiday Inn you can save up your points for treats and stays so as they say points mean prizes.

Gatwick Airport you can sign up for MyGatwick where you can keep track of your flight and get various offers like 20 % off Gatwick Security which I have gone for this for us three at the cost of £12 .

Now if Mr T wants he can get a lanyard to make people aware of his hidden diabetes of type 1 diabetes. Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the world and I know that Mr T will want us to be organised and not running for the place like the last time we went to Venice.Planning is key so your dream holiday doesn't turn into the holiday from hell and the memory of the holiday is actually a missed flight luckily we didn't miss our flight to Venice but it was close oh so close !

Gatwick is often overlooked as an airport as it is on the wrong side of London for many but with a bit of planning as mentioned your flight form there can be an enjoyable experience.Getting to Gatwick is no trouble at all from as the trains are direct fast and relatively inexpensive, and if you are flying from North terminal then a free tram ride will take you there from South terminal.

There are plenty of places to eat round Gatwick you could grab something before you get security just make sure you don't take that full water bottle though with you. Or eat in one of the many food establishments in Gatwick there are some vouchers offering money off in the MyGatwick app.

So crank up your play list , get your fill of books and settle in ready for your flight and in no time at all you'll be jetting off for many a adventure.


The World Is Incomplete Without A Cup Of Tea

“ The world is incomplete without a cup of tea “

Some things just go together don’t they like mornings and tea, afternoons and tea in fact tea all the time.It is the same with cats and boxes they inexplicably go together.



“The continuation of time depends on the stirring of tea “

This is indeed true and I know it’s hotter than hell out there but we still need our very British cup of tea. Our nice safe dependable cup of tea that doesn’t care about the politics of the world.

I think my cat Jack would make a very good Brexit secretary after all he’s heard the spot is vacant . He will be operating a free come and sit in a box policy for all.


I mean a cat in charge of Brexit makes complete and utter sense , it’s not like it is going to make the situation any worse.I think a cat would be rather good in politics I know Jack would agree.



My late cat Rollie was heavily into politics in an evil way which was quite fitting really.


Friday 6 July 2018

Losing People's Expectations

I have found it has taken a long time to lose the expectations that people have of yourself and I am not talking about the polite rules and regulations of polite society . I am talking about if you're off with with a long term condition people only see what they want to see and no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. Society is both kind and judgemental and that sucks big really at times it really does and I know this  myself only to well.

I share my anxiety because I want to and not because I am expected to we don't live in a Victorian society where we are seen and not heard , we very much need to be seen and heard in today's society.I  am finding myself again and I like this and I am slowly back into my world of photography and that is what grounds me as well as family.

I wrote as I do a status on my facebook as I do for me and my statement to the world of my reality

"Yesterday was taking my mother out for lunch in the wilds of Bedfordshire. Then back to her ground floor flat to help sort it out a lot dust cobwebs etc everywhere and so much much glitter ( only 2 rooms but over 2 hours ) What YOU don't see when you are caring for people of Bi polar ( other conditions etc ) is that they sometimes can't help themselves and need to see the wood for the trees. They (me , you etc etc )
have to be enabled empowered etc.
We are like dominoes all standing behind each other but we need to dominoes as we don't want to be the last one falling down.
Another thing is the inadequate care in the home system, 3 changes of carer and not a thing done to help my mum. Third one arrives today and maybe just maybe they will do stuff to help her and in doing so help me.
SO you see while you ask if I Am getting better the long of the short of it is yes and please please DON"T continually ask me ( as if it is as simple as buying a pint of milk )if I am better in the sense that by the click of my fingers that it can be solved like that.
I am me and that is that I react to situations in my own way.
The ones that matter matter and the ones that don't don't.
PS I dislike Glitter ...
This is not a judgement on anyone or anything and I do what can do to help other people.
My rules my recovery so there."

You see when I am hurt it takes not hours not week but literally months to get over it and I may take it to heart but I suspect people aim your weakness , humans are vindictive at times and other times it is  not meant and people really don't think about what they are saying.

I hope I have conveyed as eloquently as I can that I am on my way and I will never stop sharing how I feel or my pictures either.




I am strong because I fight back every time.

Wednesday 4 July 2018

Celebrating The English Garden



There is nothing finer than an English garden and I’m loosely on the edge of the countryside.And when you said the fruits of the hard work you and your husband have put in.Being visited by a Dragonfly is very magical indeed and the highlight of my gardening week. And I’m pretty sure that I have never seen a Dragon Fly in my garden before , it makes such a difference to your well being having a nice comfortable space in which to relax. We have done more in the garden that ever before this year and have being do so on a budget where possible and next year I hope to grow my own veg.

We endeavour to be the best in our lives and there is no reason why our gardens should be any difference and I love my garden it is a tranquil oasis.I have tadpoles in my wildlife pond and I am sure they are mildly teenagers as they are not shifting from their environment , I thought by now they would be hopping to freedom!

And how brilliant are gardens , honestly our family National Trust membership is worth its weight in Gold for the magnificent of their Gardens alone.



An amazing tea pot at Beningborough Hall.




I really do love Gardens and one day I’ll get back to the Chelsea flower show as I haven’t been since I was a child.Actually I would like to go to any garden show and probably come back the poorer.We have been using weed surpressant in the garden and it has a blessing in controlling the weeds. We craft our gardens like we are waving a wand and we create a magical landscape.

As I have mentioned before the garden has been a saving grace for my husband since his diabetes.My husband has taken great joy in creating the garden as it is today.And we will continue crafting the garden as it is a focus as we have both been a a lot recently and a combination of troubles have clashed making it very difficult for us.But hopefully now things will be on the up and we can get back to a normal or near normal existence.

I would love a ornamental focus in the garden and I have to say that I found some very scary looking examples on eBay not the quality of the stone etc but how the actual ornament looked!