Beadzoid

On the Woolwich murder

2013-05-23T10:27:00.001+01:00

I am on a blogging break. But I need an outlet as today I am sickened and I'm worried about what kind of Britain my daughter is going to grow up in. About the Britain she is growing up in.

The Woolwich murder that is dominating today's news is despicable, abhorrent, tragic. Of course all thoughts are with that poor young man's family as they struggle to make sense of how this could happen in broad daylight.

Or that's where thoughts should be.

But if the front pages, the commentary on reputable news sites, such as the BBC, and my Facebook news feed is any kind of barometer to where thoughts really lie, then it is not with the victim.

Not really.

My news feed is full of outraged, slavering calls for hangings and retribution. Of book burnings. Of defences against Sharia law. Of BNP soundbites.

Who even mentioned Sharia Law?

The perpetrator of this disgusting crime didn't. So why do we? Yet I'm seeing calls to 'kick 'em all out!'

And who are they? Well they are those who live among us as friends, as fellow Brits. Those who have a different heritage and a different religion. Those who are just as sickened by the young soldier's murder as those of us who are white and Christian (well me, I'm actually an atheist).

I have friends with headscarves. I have had friends with the full face beard favoured by some of those who worship Allah and try to live a good life, as decreed in the Quran.

I have taught fun, peaceful, hardworking Muslim teenagers, some in full traditional Muslim clothing, some who are a little more 'westernised' in their appearance. Muslim children grateful to have an education, completely respectful that a youngish woman is stood before them attempting to teach them about Business so that they can go into the world, make their fortune, and contribute taxes to British society.

They don't want Sharia Law, they don't want murders in the name of their prophet or their God.

The Islamic Society of Britain have said that 'murdering a British soldier is an attack on our nation'. And I guess it is if you take the murderer's words at face value. It's not only an attack on those of us with a long British genealogy who sections of society would deem have the sole right to be here (BNP, EDL, among others) - it is an attack on all of us. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Atheists, Agnostics, even the Jedis....

But the attack, already labelled an act of terror by the Government is to be hijacked it seems, by those who view immigration as one of the scourges of this country.

And so today the outrage is not directed at the individual, but the religion and those who practice it - with no acknowledgement that Jihadism has no place in the genuine faith of Islam.

I feel it for the family of the innocent soldier as they have to come to terms with what has happened - all the while seeing graphic images of his blood on the hands of one of the killers, splashed all over the papers, T.V, and social media.

But I also feel it for those members of our society who today will face accusing stares and whispers, as once again they bear the brunt of the actions of those who do not speak for them and are simply twisted psychopaths, using religion in a similar way to how Peter Sutcliffe defended his serial murder campaign against the prostitutes of Yorkshire, citing the (direct) word of God. Both professed acts of religion, but only one dismissed as evil, psychotic, and not representing the true nature of that religion.

On a final note, I am so glad that my daughter cannot read social media this morning. I wish for her to grow up caring about senseless tragedies, such as this. I want for her to show empathy in understanding how utterly devastated the family of that poor man must be feeling. But I don't want her exposed to intolerance, race hate and a vengeful society that turns on groups within through fear and anger and herd-mentality, encouraged by appallingly alarmist pieces written for the BBC and other news sources.

However, I fear that she will inevitably live in such a divided and intolerant society, but I hope that she has the strength of character and presence of mind to react with proportional calm, and not feel the destructive hatred that is burning within so many today.

I'm on a Short Break - Back Soon!

2013-04-30T21:03:00.004+01:00

That's right. A short break. Things are so very hectic here, trying to do the last bits before the business finally gets up and running. We're THIS close! *holds up finger and thumb with nary a splinter of daylight 'tween*

Between that, mummying, going to the gym (Yummay Mummay!) and throwing myself into the vegan lifestyle, I unfortunately don't have the time to devote to writing at the moment. So for a month or two this blog will be on a brief hiatus of sorts.

Please don't abandon me altogether. I will be back and I do pick up emails from the contact form, should you wish to get in touch.

Ta ta for now! X

Silent Sunday

2013-04-21T11:03:00.001+01:00

The Gallery - Youth

2013-04-18T11:07:00.000+01:00

Ahhhhh, misspent youth. Don't we all like to look back on it every now and then?

I certainly misspent a lot of my youth - mainly through going out too much and drinking a LOT. Pretty much what you do, isn't it? And the boys, men, boy-men I dated... I look back and shudder. In fact I would love to shake my 18 year old self (and my 24 year old self, come to think of it) and shout "NOOOOO! What are you doing?!?!?!"

Do we all feel like that? I'll bet many of us do. I was certainly a far cry from the newly veganised, settled wife and mother I am today.

So I thought I'd join in with the gallery for the first time in forever and share some photos from my youth.

Yes, I was a goth. I dyed my hair black when I was 17 and it stayed that way for 4 years. I still love goth music now. This photo was taken by an old boyfriend I think (meh). The proper version is actually straight, but taking a photo with a smart phone from a photo aint easy. I am sat on a bench opposite York railway station where years later I would live whilst at Law school - in a house, that is, I didn't actually live at the station (obvs!)

I loved York, and I still love York now. I met my husband there on our first date, and I'd love to live there again with my family someday.

Scoot forward a few years and I'm still young (honest!) but here is a night that was kind of typical of this time in my life, yet stands out as one of the best nights ever, back in 2002/2003? Hell, it's all a blur!

I guess it was Christmas looking at the tinsel wigs and Carrie's party hat. I have no idea why we decided to be bunnies with tinsel hair, perhaps because the lethal cocktails we were drinking have obliterated parts of my memory. The cocktails were apparently me trying to recreate Purple Rain - a drink we used to enjoy in the tacky-but-fun Tiger, Tiger in Leeds. My sister and I are smiling, but check out the faces of our friends Carrie and Lindsey on the right. Purple sludge, I think my effort was re-named - just before I was banned from making any more. Consensus was I didn't quite nail the recipe...

But we had amazing fun, having a laugh and getting totally blasted before heading out to the local rock dive to strut our stuff. Not that I remember any of it - as is probably obvious from the black and white photo (me on the left), I'm beyond merry and probably just trying to focus on standing up at this stage!!!

Do you want to join in with The Gallery this week? If so, head to the linky below:

So... how goes the tree-hugging?

2013-04-16T21:19:00.000+01:00

That's right. I'll bet you've been checking your blog feeds daily wondering how I've been getting on in the plant-based kingdom that this newly veganised mother is inhabiting.

Wonder no more! Here is a little update.

Well... it's been going pretty darned well actually. In fact, I thought it would cause me more problems in terms of "WHAT THE HELL TO EAT??!!!!" as I'm freezing my muffins off, head in fridge, staring longingly at my husband's cheese shelf whilst looking daggers at a wilting pack of celery sticks.

I thought I'd at least be obsessing all day about what meal I could concoct from scratch that evening, but actually nothing much has changed in that respect - I'd do that before I turned vegan. I have long been incapable of shoving frozen convenience food (using the word food loosely) in the oven. In fact whenever I'd try it would invariably remain frozen in the middle. I just don't have the talent to be a turkey twizzler queen, alas.

But what I can do and what I have always done is cook from scratch with what I have in the fridge and cupboards. I don't need a recipe much of the time. I just do it, and mostly it turns out pretty well, if I do say so myself.

Of course there are new and exciting food stuffs to get the hang of: egg replacer, soy mince, lentils (you can keep your quinoa) - but I relish the challenge. And being a newly reinvented WAHM I have the time to do it.

Of course I'm not going to lie - there have been some negatives. Namely, eating out. Whole menus are ruled out because even if the dishes don't contain meat, they inevitably include butter, cream, eggs, cheese - or even all four. Indeed I met a friend for lunch today and all I could have was the jacket potato with beans or the side salad. Out of the whole menu! I had both not realising the jacket (hold the butter!) would come with a salad. Yay, two salads for me (thanks for telling me, waiter)! At least I got my 5 a day (and then some).

But it's a small price to pay for feeling good and hopefully addressing my health issues. And if I'm tempted by a bit of cheese or a double chocolate cookie (the big squidgy ones with the chocolate chips *sigh*) then I just think HYSTERECTOMY!!!! And suddenly it doesn't seem so appealing anymore.

So yeah, I'm coping with what I need to omit, but more importantly I'm actually embracing it. I love thinking of new things to do with my vegetables and having to get inventive in finding new sources of protein. And I have to say that I am feeling much better after a breakfast of bran flakes, almond milk and flax seed (maybe topped with blueberries) as opposed to the not-so-healthy Nutella on toast I'd taken to eating of late.

In fact many people have commented on how healthy and 'vibrant' I'm looking - which I think is part thanks to kicking the Diet Coke habit (nasty chemicals eliminated, plus increased water consumption) and part new diet. Also a reduction in refined sugar thanks to having to ditch the cakes and milk chocolate is certainly seeing my clothes get a little looser (whoop!)

Veganism is not for everybody, but done right it can be perfectly healthy and fulfilling - though I am going to take a B12/vitamin D and iodine supplement as insurance - but the omnivore me had already invested in the B complex and vitamin D, so even that is not strictly down to the new diet. Many women could do with a booster in that respect.

So in conclusion, I'm so happy I made the commitment, and long may it continue!

Happiness and health :)

The Lullaby Trust

2013-04-11T11:10:00.003+01:00

This week marks a significant change in the life of a very special charity. It's not very often that an established charity change its name, but yesterday saw the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) become The Lullaby Trust.

The trust wants to reach out to more parents, not only to offer vital support for the tragic loss of a beloved child, but to communicate safe practice and prevent as many needless deaths as possible.

The Lullaby Trust recognises that sadly nothing can prevent the passing of those angels who suddenly stop breathing for no apparent reason. Not at this time. Not enough is known and further research MUST get to the bottom of why this senseless tragedy STILL devastates so many families so that one day no family will have to suffer in this way.

We have seen the awful effect of SIDS on the blogging community's own Jennie from Edspire, as she struggles to come to terms with the loss of her cherished daughter, the beautiful Matilda Mae . And we all wish we could do something to take away the pain.

But what we can do is help support and publicise the charity's relaunch as the beautiful sounding Lullaby Trust. In the words of those who oversee the charity,

‘The Lullaby Trust’ communicates warmth, trust and compassion. It is a simple name which is easy to remember and illustrates our commitment to promoting safer sleep for babies to every family.'

Warmth, trust, compassion... I couldn't agree more.

So here is my contribution:

Twinkle, twinkle....

My daughter was born premature. The doctors say she was 27 weeks, my dates say 26. She was a tiny, yet good for gestation (especially if my dates are right) 2lb 5 oz.

I had dreamed of the moment after I had given birth. I would lay there happy, tired and triumphant with my little girl on my chest in the hospital bed - little crib at the side, as I intermittently breast-fed and crooned little lullaby's to her until we were allowed to come home later in the day.

It didn't happen that way. But I was very fortunate to be able to bring my little bundle home after 11 weeks and start doing all the things I had wanted to do - without there being a plastic barrier between us.

I'm pretty sure Twinkle, twinkle, little star was the first lullaby I ever sang to her. I sang it (quietly) in the hospital, and I sang it when we were home. Whatever I sang to her, it was always this little tune that she would respond to. She'd cock her little head, and when she was able, she'd smile.

Fast forward to the speaking stage and I distinctly remember my daughter belting Twinkle, twinkle out all around town while being wheeled in her buggy. She didn't care! She wanted to sing! And sing, she did. All around New Look, around Wilkos, in Boots, down the cobbled flagstones of Castle Street. And people would laugh and smile and tell her how good a singer she was. And I would be proud.

She still loves the song as a 3 year old now, though we have many more in our repertoire, including Wind the Bobbin and Heads, shoulders, knees and toes - all of which she will cycle through at the top of her voice for an hour, sometimes more as she lies in bed, NOT going to sleep.

Yesterday, to mark the occasion of the Lullaby Trust's name change (it would have been the day before but we were both quite poorly), we watched our favourite version of Twinkle, twinkle on YouTube, then sang it together and decided to do a huge painting depicting the lullaby.

Here we are, having a sing (though someone gets distracted!!!):

We then did our messy painting on the floor:

Potato print stars

Getting messy!

And the final result:

Can you see the twinkly stars?

So please, familiarise yourself with the Lullaby Trust by visiting their website:

http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/

And show continued support for Jennie in her devotion to the legacy of her Baby Tilda: http://www.edspire.co.uk/

2am thoughts on Margaret Thatcher

2013-04-09T02:44:00.003+01:00

Unable to sleep I have been reading many of the reports on the life and death of that incredibly divisive figure, Margaret Thatcher.

When I heard the news on the radio just before Twitter exploded, I didn't really think anything. You might say I was indifferent. Here was a woman whose policies I loathed, who had been in ill health for a number of years. It certainly wasn't the great shock that I felt on hearing of the deaths of Princess Diana or Kurt Cobain, or even Amy Winehouse. It was going to happen sooner rather than later.

But from an incredibly indifferent start I really haven't known how to feel. I knew that I didn't feel pleasure - and I don't mean that in a taking the high road sense. I genuinely can't be happy that a frail old woman died alone of a stroke in a soulless hotel. However, I knew that many in the UK would celebrate the fact that a woman who arguably wreaked so much social devastation on huge swaths of the country had died.

Do I blame them?

That is the question I have been asking myself all day.

After all, many on Twitter and on my own Facebook news feed have been calling shame on people who dare to express anything negative. The comments usually start "Whatever you may think of.."

My initial thoughts were to wish that people be respectful. A human being has died. Thatcher was many things, but she wasn't Adolf Hitler, she wasn't Pol Pot, she wasn't Augusto Pinochet (yes, a slight dig there).

But to many people she was someone really not very nice - scourge of the miners, enabler of police brutality, colluder of police cover ups of violence against miners and severe negligence and smearing of the victims of Hillsborough. All unforgiveable in their eyes. Why should they express faux RIP condolences? Are they not still allowed to be angry? After all, in the case of Hillsborough it took more than 20 years to uncover the shameful truth.

Among all the extremes of emotion on social media I came across a Guardian article shared by someone on Facebook, which makes many excellent points and questions today's misapplied death etiquette.

Dancing on graves is one thing, but to deny people the right to question a former Prime Minister's 'legacy' or her standing as an 'inspirational woman', well that doesn't sit well either. Not that it might be considered seemly to be holding street parties, it has to be said. But some people always cross a line. That is the world we now live in. Frankie Boyle tried once more, as did Morrissey. But such is the volcano of anger towards 'The Iron Lady' I fear their attempts to be controversial have been simply drowned out.

For me, rejoicing will not occur on the day Margaret Thatcher died - I already did that as a reasonably politically aware 13 year old on the day that she was so unceremoniously forced from office. That teary-eyed leaving of No 10 was the end - even though the effects of her policies were still being felt in the northern economic blackspot where I grew up, and probably still are.

But I guess many people didn't feel closure on that day in 1990. She had ruined lives, trashed whole communities and industries, made Scotland hate being part of the UK even more, and yes, expressed triumphant pleasure at the killing of young Argentinian men aboard the retreating Belgrano - because they were the enemy. No tears shed.

I have seen some chide: don't forget she was a mother. And I nod sympathetically. But where was mother's kindness then? She had much to lose and gain politically from that act of aggression. It is one of the many things she will be remembered for.

I wrote earlier in the week about how our attitudes seem to have shifted, how our hearts have hardened to the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. Many charge this as a Thatcher legacy. It is said she hated workers and the poor alike. She certainly increased unemployment at a phenomenal rate. This raised welfare spending majorly, something that the country has never recovered from. She put hundreds of thousands on disability benefit to keep them out of unemployment statistics - something the last (admittedly imperfect) government have been incorrectly taking the fall for - though it is true that they allowed too much of her work to carry on. Conservatives see this as amusing justification and acceptance, traditional Labour supporters a source of shame and missed opportunity.

And finally, what of the feminist question?

I was once a young Lincolnshire fisherman's daughter as she was once a young Lincolnshire grocer's daughter. Did she inspire me to think that 'even as a woman' I could rise to the top? That I could achieve power and really make a difference in the world?

I would have to say no.

Whatever I thought I could have achieved had no bearing on the fact that women were both head of state and high office. I may have been young but I still remember the oft-voiced opinion that no woman would ever be allowed to take the prime minister's office ever again. That she acted like the most brutish of men to dominate and bully people to her will. Yes, she was formidable on the world stage and it has to be admired that she stood up to all of the world's powerful leaders, including Ronald Reagan. But I think that she set the cause of feminism back a long way when she achieved what she did in the manner that she did it - just as she set the lot of those without privilege back.

So now the day of her passing has passed, let's set about scrutinising her legacy both good and bad, without the rose-tinted glasses. But more importantly let it be a starting point to reset the debate of what is currently happening in this country more than 30 years after she became Prime Minister.

It started in the aftermath of the recent Derby fire murders case/welfare debate - and it needs to continue uninterrupted by sentiment.

So, what are your thoughts on Margaret Thatcher, now that she is gone?

All change: Mummy Veganzoid

2013-04-07T21:03:00.001+01:00

My mum always says "Eeeeh bah gum lass, you don't do owt by 'alves, do ya?" (that's right, she's northern). So when I decided that I was going to eliminate meat from my diet, I couldn't just knock the burgers and roast chickens on the head. Nay, I decided ALL ANIMAL FOOD MUST GO!!! Yes, dairy be damned! No more, I cry! Get those udders and stinky cheeses away from mine table. It's plants only from now on, brethren.

So, veganism instead of vegetarianism? The logic? Animal hormones. That is my reason for ditching the meat in the first place. It wasn't so much a case of Mozza's assertion that 'Meat is Murder', though technically, he does have a point. Instead I wanted to see if eliminating all animal products and thereby avoiding animal hormones would have a positive impact on my body. And if meat contains hormones, then think of those present in the milk that has been taken from a permanently pregnant/lactating cow.

And though I'm not going to get all militant and start swiping kebabs out of my husband's mitt, it is in the dairy arena that the ethical nose is tweaked for me. Being pregnant is grim (okay, it was for me), and I'm not really a fan of dairy farming practises to be honest - especially non-organic. And I find it possibly more objectionable than the old abattoir, where at least the kill is over quickly.

BUT! This post is not meant to make you feel bad about the cup of milky tea you're currently enjoying, Nor the pork chops you will cook for your dinner later. After all, I'm setting out on this journey for health reasons (alongside an interest in sustainability)

And that brings me to fish: Well, I am ignorant of fish hormones, but I am operating on the assumption that fish certainly won't have been given artificial hormones. I have long tried to avoid endangered fish, but I'm not sure that I want to rule it out completely. After all, fish has a number of well known health benefits. And if it's good enough for the virtually vegan Bill Clinton...

Dad and me.

But my real reason for not wanting to emphatically say no fish is my Dad. When I was little he was a fisherman, as were nearly all of my uncles (even if we didn't speak to most of them), and I have the utmost respect for the men who spent their livelihoods in often perilous danger. The conditions they lived in while on board those tiny little boats; the rough weather than would come out of nowhere to endanger, and in many cases claim their lives. Indeed my (nice) uncle's ship did go down - though thankfully he and the rest of his crew mates were rescued. My family knows of many who weren't so fortunate.

So I can completely understand why my father was so hurt by the teenage daughter who defiantly announced (falsely) that she would never ever eat fish or meat again because it was cruel. How that must have stung. Everything we had - our home, our clothes, the food on our plates, it was all down to Dad having for many years risked his life to provide for his family.

So although I am going nearly the whole hog in eliminating meat and dairy, I will only be (heavily) restricting fish (which I guess makes me not so much vegan, but technically dairy free pescetarian). And even though fishing is virtually no more in the town where I grew up, as a Grimsby gal fish is most certainly in my blood.

However, if you're going to embrace a new way of life then I'm a believer in doing it properly. So my diet will be mainly plant-based.

It also has to be said that there isn't a major UK fishing industry anymore, and I do subscribe to localism where possible. One charge of veganism is the food miles that must be racked up in order to enjoy the full nutritional benefits. This doesn't have to be the case and the distant staples enjoyed by vegans are eaten by omnivores too (rice, tea, certain exotic vegetables etc).

So yes, virtually vegan. That's what I'm aiming for - and I have my new Vegan Society Animal Free Shopper to help me out.

What changes have you made, or would you like to make to improve your diet?

This post has been edited since first published.
It is also unsponsored - worth mentioning as I have added in a link to the Animal-free shopper.

Silent Sunday

2013-04-07T12:03:00.000+01:00

Britain's Day of Shame

2013-04-01T12:44:00.000+01:00

I'm almost too depressed to want to write this morning, but I feel I must. For today is a day of shame in our country's history.

Today we stand by as the poor are attacked yet again, as they have been repeatedly since this government came into power. The impoverished, the single parent families, the ill, the disabled, the traditional family... All have taken a battering under this sorry coalition.

If you read any of the more traditionally left-wing press you will know much of what is happening: Guardian guide to the benefits cuts

If you read the more right-wing press and don't avidly follow the news, you may not. For it has remarkably gone under many people's radar. Aside from that dubbed 'the bedroom tax', much of it has been under-reported. The debate is being controlled and diverted as we fight among ourseves. I suppose this is almost admirable if you are in agreement with what is happening. But for those who are aware, one has to wonder: Why are people not more angry? Have we really become so lacking in empathy that we can't put ourselves in the places of those who are not and will never be as fortunate as us? Those who were perfectly self-sufficient but have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and have had to scrape by on ever-decreasing benefits while desperately failing to find another?

A large percentage of benefits don't even go to the people that are stereotyped as benefits receivers. Many are OAPs, or families that are working but don't make enough to live on, thanks to low wages combined with sky-high rents and mortgages, utility bills, childcare costs, and the general cost of living.

But we can't afford it, they say. We can't afford to subsidise people who have failed to be successful enough not to need the help. How dare they have 2,3,4 children that they can't afford? Why should everyone pay? Fair point in some extreme cases, but we are making assumptions. Don't we all know complete hard-working families who have fallen on hard times? Or families who thought they would be together for ever, but are not because of illness, death, abuse, or just pure circumstance. Did they not see this coming? Could they not have tried harder to not have fallen into the poverty trap?

People in poverty have more illness and they still have higher death rates. Are we going to punish them for this? To use an anecdotal argument in the same manner that the right-wing debate-controllers have been constructing straw men - what of the family who have suffered the recent death of a child or infant? Are they to be further punished by losing the home that now has a spare room? To lose the only link to that child? To be wrenched away from those memories?

Life happens. It's not all about the Jeremy Kyle demographic who want something for nothing. Yes, they are out there. But they are not the majority. They will most likely be fine as they find other means to keep themselves in baseball caps and special brew.

It's the genuine poor and low-earning working class who will suffer. And those who are sick or disabled, yet deemed not sick enough by those (untrained) medical experts at ATOS.

The same day the 50p tax rate for high earners is slashed.

For shame.

Anyone who believes this is anything more than a systematic and dogmatic attack on the state is naive. Yes, the country's finances are not in great shape - few countries are. That's what happens in a recession - a global recession. And economic cycles are deemed cycles for a reason. They cycle between boom and bust and all the phases in-between. We have come back from the brink many times in this country, and we will again if this chancellor stops strangling growth in the economy. He obviously never read that Dummies Guide to Economics he was handed...

The Conservatives have always been anti-welfare state. Anti taking care of the vulnerable in society.

That is what this is about. Not the deficit.

We are most certainly in the depths of a major bust period, as are many countries, but we are continually sold that it's not only the fault of the last government, but our own.

We borrowed too much. We had too many children. We bought houses beyond our means. We needed too much expensive NHS care. We are living too long.

We still need the bankers to stay. They are the talent. The ones who deserve the extra income in austere times.

Obviously I am very biased in my political views. But genuinely, how can this not concern even the staunchest supporter of the parties currently in government? I know that for many it does. Some are even quietly saying so. The churches are saying so.

What is happening today is shocking. And it's not necessary. There are plenty of other alternatives, but they do not correspond with the ideology of this government.

I am mercifully not in the boat of the poor. But I don't need to be to see the wrongs being done. I don't want to look after scroungers any more than the next person, but I do want to take care of the most vulnerable in our society. The measure of a society is how it looks after the poor, the sick and the elderly. Who wants to see a return to poor-houses? Or the springing up of slum-districts as even inner-city sink-estates are beyond the means of many? The sick unable to afford treatment as the under-funded, ever-more privatised NHS is unable to treat everyone who needs it?

I fear that's the kind of dystopia we're headed towards.

A Little Cake Care Package (Review)

2013-03-27T09:46:00.000Z

I had recently read a post on Looking For Blue Sky's blog where she had said how she'd been feeling low and been offered a cake. Well I've been feeling low too but it never even occurred to me that lightning would strike twice - but it did!

Into my email inbox was a little email from Baker Days, a personalised cake company who specialise in sending 'letterbox cakes' - cakes which are small enough to fit through your letterbox - what an excellent idea.

I shared with Andrea, the lady who contacted me, how I'd been feeling very homesick of late. You see, since I met my husband I've been living in the Midlands, far away from the east coast where I grew up. The fact that I haven't been feeling very well of late has only compounded matters and made me miss having my mum and dad around.

Well only a few days later. a nice slender white box poked through my letterbox, and this was inside:

I was really impressed with the packaging. You open the white box to find a lovely little cream tin which says 'Just For You'. along with a company flyer, a cute little blank card, and a little packet containing balloons, candles, and one of those paper streamers that you blow (is there a name for those things?)

I opened the tin and found a hygienically packaged cake with my daughter building sandcastles on it (from the beach back home), decorated with tiny little pink and purple stars. Perfect!

I wasn't sure what my cake would be, but was relieved to find it wasn't chocolate cake. Yes, I don't like chocolate cake!!! It was actually carrot cake, which is my favourite every-day cake. It tasted very nice and had a lovely buttery cream on the bottom. The icing was of the white fondant variety that had obviously been printed on, but the thickness was just right in being quite thin so as not to make the cake too sweet. I normally like my carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting, but I don't think that's practical through the post and this tasted perfectly pleasant.

I even lit a candle and blew up the balloons - for my daughter of course.

My husband loved the cake too - and my daughter, the icing "Mummy! Charlotte icing!!!" And amazingly, we still have some left!!!

It is most definitely a cute and novel way to let someone far away know you are thinking of them. Perhaps I will send Mummy and Daddy one next time I'm missing them....

Disclosure: I received the cake free of charge to review, but received no payment for the article. Opinions and experience are genuine and my own.

Pre-school fun: Train-painting and volcanic eruptions!

2013-03-26T07:00:00.000Z

As it's now the Easter break I've been looking for things to do with Babyzoid to keep her entertained. She's at an age where she absolutely loves to be creative and loves to learn, so the world is our oyster in terms of fun age appropriate projects. What I'd really like to do is get her making doggy collars and bow ties, but I may have to wait a while before I can make use of in-house child labour :)

Before Babyzoid got up (I had the luxury of time - 9am I woke her this morning, lazy monkey!) I set about doing some research, and loved what Jennie from Edspire had just done with her twins. Babyzoid being equally engine-mad and totally into messy painting would absolutely love painting with engines. So we had a go:

It's a fantastic learning opportunity for talking about different patterns, movements, line types, and so on - and I'd recommend you read Edspire's post to get the most out of it. We pretty much just wanted to make as much mess as possible on this occasion. Hence this:

We did make a couple of pretty cool paintings though, and I especially like this one because of the green, pink and purple colour scheme. In fact, it looks very wild meadow with the addition of the pink flower-like splodges:

We really got our hands stuck in with this one. Paint squidged between your fingers feels sooo gooood!

We then walked to town (in the sheet ice - mistake!) and got in more craft supplies. But first, we couldn't resist having a go at something I found on About.com:

Baking Soda & Vinegar Chemical Volcano

Yes! A Scientific experiment. Managed to introduce the concept of chemical reactions at the age of 3 (score!).

Have to say that this looks preeeeeetty disgusting (you will KNOW what I mean from the last picture!), but it was such fun and Babyzoid loved it.

We made the dough which would be molded around the plastic bottle to make the volcano from flour (3 cups), salt (1 cup), Water (1.5 cups) and 2 tablespoons of oil. Plus the food colouring.

Yeah, lookin' good....

Oh dear... I wanted it to be volcano-like, hence the pink-red dye, but wished I'd chosen a different colour once I saw the results *cough*

We achieved the explosion by filling the bottle nearly full of hot tap water and adding food colouring, washing up liquid, baking powder (bicarb didn't work) and vinegar. I think more washing detergent might have achieved a foamier result, but it was our first attempt. More explosions were made by adding more baking powder and more vinegar, until my whole downstairs smelt like a bag of the Green Walkers... but great fun was had by all.

Shame it looked so.... um... well..... :O

I May Be Having a Hysterectomy

2013-03-22T21:48:00.000Z

My miscarriage doodle

Thought I'd cut straight to the chase. Not my usual style, but I'm pretty spent at the moment. Emotionally, physically, mentally.

It's been a really shit few months. I don't always show it on here, Twitter, Facebook or wherever. But it has been rough. Rough few months. Rough year. Rough few years.

But of course there has been plenty of joy.

But right now...

My friend said I wouldn't be able to write this post without some humour as that's not me. Well, she's about to be proved wrong! :) I've done it before - good old PTSD days! Ahhh the memories.

So here goes: humour-free zone. You have been warned. Hell, you were warned by the title. Can't be much clearer can it?

I've always had issues with my periods. I was on the pill at 13 because it started off badly. I've always suffered with hormones and I think that's what sent me haywire as a teen. Suddenly I just wasn't me anymore. I was put on Prozac at 16. I believe my issues were related back to my hormones - nothing else. I also think that's what caused the Hyperemesis for me, and possibly an inability to carry full term.

Whatever causes it I've always had this joyous cross to bear and I've never really stopped. It's just that they reached a level where I finally had to do something. They say that women who have bad cycles often see some improvement after having a baby - mine have gotten worse.

I may have had a miscarriage (maybe even a couple) before I had my daughter. I don't know for sure, but I suspect. I certainly have had two since, confirmed with multiple pregnancy tests - as you do. I've never written about it on here, and some people probably think that I shouldn't. But I'm explaining what has gotten me to this stage. The stage where I felt that my last option was to have a Merina Coil fitted in a bid to avoid 'the nuclear option'. I have tried pills, hormone injections, everything. With varying degrees of awful effect.

The Merina coil didn't work. Apparently it's rare, according to my doctor (though not so much from what I've seen on the Internet). But my body has unequivocally rejected the foreign body in my womb. It rejected at least two conceived embryos, and it has violently rejected this coil. And when I say violently, I mean it. I have had 8 weeks of labour pain contractions as my body has tried to eject the 'invader' in the same way it tries to propel a baby down the birth canal at approximately 40 weeks - or 26 to 27 weeks if you are me.

The contractions were of course on and off, sometimes worse than others, but almost every day. I was already anaemic. But the pain was truly exhausting. One night it lasted 5 hours (not for the first time), but was so intense I nearly called an ambulance. If I hadn't known what it was I would think I was having a baby without knowing I'd been pregnant (as can happen). That bad. I came close to passing out in public on a number of occasions, and I had a panic attack in Tesco for the first time since I got over the PTSD.

When the doctor went to take it out it fell into his hand as soon as my cervix was opened (apologies for the gruesome imagery). He said it would have been out on it's own in a week or two.

"It really hasn't been a success with you" he said, sympathetically, yet smiling - because naturally I had been making light and nervous jokes, just as I did when I was in shock and giving birth to my premature daughter.

No, a success it most definitely had not been.

So... next course of action. Probably a hysterectomy for you, he said. Nicely. He said it nicely. But hearing it, well, it's not the nicest thing, is it? It will be the only way to solve the problems, and if your family history with hormone-related breast cancer is as bad as you think it is then it might be wise.

I have spoken to my mum and it is. So I have some thinking to do and some choices to make. Do I continue with the painful 21-24 day cycles (with spotting and pain in the middle) or do I put an end to it? Do I risk keeping my womb and ovaries when I likely cannot carry a child past 6 weeks, let alone past the 6 months mark? Do I risk it when I know that it could lead to breast or ovarian cancer, due to my genetic disposition?

I genuinely did want a second child. People tell me it wasn't meant to be.... That I am lucky to have the one I had.... That a second pregnancy would result in Hyperemesis again - I know it, the exhaustions and nausea as early as 4 weeks was one way I knew I was pregnant before I miscarried a week or two later.... That if I had another premature labour I might not get such a good outcome...

I know all of this. My head knows that this is all likely correct.

But I just don't know. So final. A hysterectomy. Logically it makes sense, but in my heart... well, you can imagine...

I'm so busy and unwell that now wouldn't even be a good time. But still, a hysterectomy is a big thing. Operation. Recovery. Don't lift shopping bags. Don't put your child in bed. Don't do housework. Don't exercise. Don't do anything.

And I don't want any of that.

I have one last thing to try. A radical change of diet and the elimination of anything that can throw a woman off balance.

Wish me luck, please.

We Went To Crufts!

2013-03-22T09:48:00.001Z

And my friend/business partner Carrie at (soon to be launched) Pawed Couture wrote a post about it:

Woof Woof Woof, We Went To Crufts...

I'd love it if you'd have a read :)

Here are some more pictures from our fantastic doggy day out!

Review: Regenovex health products

2013-03-21T11:04:00.001Z

It's been a while hasn't it? Almost two weeks. I have been pretty poorly.

A few weeks ago I mentioned about having a Merina coil fitted and that I wasn't reacting well with it. Can you imagine being in labour for 8 weeks? That's pretty much what happened. I'll write more about that tomorrow, but for now I'm going to post this review on Regenovex products that I have been lucky enough to try.

Just over a month ago I was asked if I would like to try some capsules and gel patches to review. It's the kind of PR that I would ordinarily write a 'thanks, but no thanks' response to. But alongside everything else that was going on I actually had an injured knee with pain radiating down most of my right leg, from hip downwards. So I thought, why not?

I didn't expect much. I mean, I've tried gel patches from well-known brands and been pretty underwhelmed. In fact, I have one on now as my injury has flared up a little again, and it's pretty pointless. But on to the Regenovex.

Regenovex have done research that shows:

A staggering 72% of respondents agreed that they suffered more from joint problems such as discomfort and stiffness because of the weather (hello snow!!!)
More than half (55%) said it was during cold periods, followed by damp weather (45%), wet weather (38%) and frosty weather (19%). Just 4% thought hot weather could trigger joint problems (hot weather? In the UK? When? Did I miss it?)

The biggest joint problem symptoms triggered by weather were:

Discomfort (63%)
Stiffness (56%)
Difficulty getting up when seated (30%)
Difficulty going up or down stairs (24%)
Difficulty moving (23%).

Yeah, sounds about right....

I'm sure they won't mind me stealing this graphic off their website:

REGENOVEX® IS A TECHNICALLY ADVANCED UNIQUE FORMULATION WITH

Bionovex® Oil + Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

*clears throat and puts on official scientificy-voice*

Marine Bionovex® Oil is a pure, patented, marine lipid oil derived from Green Lipped Mussels found only in the waters between North and South islands of New Zealand. This unique Bionovex® Oil ingredient contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including omega-3 PUFAs. It is particularly rich in eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), an omega-3 PUFA unique to Green Lipped Mussels.

Green lipped mussels? Fantastic! Though maybe not for Vegetarians...

Green-lipped mussels

The gel patch was AMAZING - and I don't say that lightly. I haven't had to yet, but I am more than happy to write a lukewarm or negative review. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not one to be diplomatic - not deliberately, I just don't always have a filter. But the gel patch... oooooooh.

It was a very good size so I was able to cut it up and get three applications out of it. When I placed it on my knee there was an immediate coldness that took the inflammation right down. Compare it to the one I have on currently, and well, the Regenovex is FAR superior. It stuck to my knee and stayed there, unlike the one I have on now which keeps falling off. I actually kept thinking that the cold gel on the patch must have been seeping out and running down my leg, but when I checked it wasn't. It was a really lovely sensation in a joint that had been troubling me for about 3 weeks prior and had stopped me going to the gym - not that I've been able to go to the gym since I had the coil fitted, but more of that tomorrow.

So yes, it's top marks from me. I cannot wait for these to be stocked in Boots because I need more of them. They may already be, I just haven't been out much of late, what with all my health woes *sigh*. I don't know whether I am developing arthritis or whether I am injuring myself in my sleep, but it does keep flaring up and has been picked up by different Reiki and Reflexology practitioners.

A third of the patch

Now, the capsules are a little harder to review because the effects of supplements aren't immediately apparent. I was given a 30 day sample, which I finished last week. I don't know if it's a coincidence that my joints have flared up again when I've stopped taking them (quite probably), but I'd have been happy to continue. I'm sure the cold weather isn't helping and if I am developing arthritis then I am going to need to take care of my joints. I know this as rheumatoid arthritis is absolutely rife in my family.

The capsules do have an odd odour, I can't lie. A bit fishy - guess that'll be those green-lipped mussels!

Now, as a girl who lived much of her childhood in a fishing town with a fisherman father, that didn't at all bother me, but if that would bother you then you're going to need to pinch your nose. I didn't find it that strong (more offended by the odour of Vitamin B complex), but I know how some people are with the smell of seafood. The capsules are an easy size to swallow also - something I very much appreciated having taken my fair share of Cod Liver Oil capsules and anti-inflammatories.

So, it's definitely a positive review from me, and I would absolutely seek out the patches. I believe there is a gel product (possibly a tube) too and I would like to have some handy for unexpected flare-ups.

If you wish to find out about any of the Regenovex products then please visit the company's website.

Disclosure: I received free products to review

Happy Mother's Day

2013-03-10T10:26:00.000Z

To my Mummy, who is not only the best mummy in the world but also a role model. The mum that I wish to be.

My mum and me

Thank you for giving me the best start in life
For always putting my sister and I first
For always being there with unwavering support
For being ready with advice if we ask, but never forcing it upon us.

Thank you for seeing me through the roughest of times
For never judging
For always caring
Even when I've made it difficult

I just want to make you proud.
And make my daughter proud in the same way that I am of you.

If I can be half the mum to my daughter that you are to us, then I'll be happy I'm doing a good job.

Happy Mother's Day
Cx x x

Crafts for kids: Flower garlands

2013-03-06T11:41:00.001Z

My 3 year old has gotten into crafts in a big way. She absolutely loves painting, sticking, cutting, gluing, scrunching... Anything where she gets to make a bit of a mess making something pretty. Our time to craft is always when we get home from pre-school - the few hours before Daddy gets home. It's our time to bond and get creative, and I have to say the sense of pride I feel - both in my daughter and myself (as a previous non-crafter) is immense.

The other day when we were out shopping in our very small town centre (pretty much one long street), we headed for The Works, as we always do, and saw these pretty flower garlands among the Easter section. And I thought, wouldn't it be fun to make some? Now the garland in The Works would be a little bit beyond a pre-schooler as it had perfectly crafted stuffed tissue petals. I myself would have struggled, to be honest! But the concept of the flower garland was a good one, so I started thinking about how we could recreate it.

We started out by tearing up lots of little squares of pink, yellow and orange tissue paper. Okay, so we started cutting them with scissors but that soon became a laborious task. We scrunched the tissue up and set to gluing them onto the circles I had cut out from sugar paper. We kept running out of tissue bits so we started a production chain where my daughter would do the sticking and I would now take over the tearing and the scrunching. As a former Business Studies teacher I think it's never too early to start teaching the benefits of assembly line production!

We stuck the scrunched up tissue paper to both sides of the circle to make the discs a little more 3 dimensional and for a first attempt, it didn't look too bad.

It took us a while but eventually we had 6 flowers ready to be strung. Eight or ten would have been better, but we ran out of time!

While I readied the string, my daughter decided she would use her wand to magic the flowers into a garland, bless....

And it worked!

Mummy poked holes through the centre of each flower and fed the string through, then Babyzoid secured the string to the flowers with a little piece of sellotape on each side.

And... voila! A flower garland that didn't take too long to make. A very simple project, but my 3 year old daughter thought it was brilliant and was very proud of her achievement and delighted in telling Daddy all about it.

And it makes quite a pretty little Easter decoration, don't you think?

I'd love to hear what crafts have you been doing with your children lately - I'm always on the look-out for inspiration!

Next time, we'll tell you about the Easter basket and eggs we made :)

Review: Garden Games Ltd - Giant Snakes & Ladders

2013-03-04T01:58:00.000Z

As you know, I don't do many reviews, but when I was given the chance to review a game of my choice by Garden Games Ltd - I literally hop, skipped, and jumped at the chance. Better still, they told me I could choose whatever I wanted to review, and I was absolutely spoiled for choice as the product range is amazing.

I have to say that I did have my head turned by the amazing looking croquet sets, not to mention le magnifique Boule - most evocative of nights spent in the French countryside, sipping vin rouge and setting the world to rights.

But considering what would be age appropriate for my 3 year old daughter (damnit!), I decided upon Giant Snakes & Ladders - and I have to say I was pretty excited by it too, being that the board game version was a favourite of mine as a child and is now one of Babyzoid's.

My daughter is, as I've said, already familiar with the game - so a giant version in which she was a moving piece would bring a whole new fun element to it. And an opportunity to get some fresh air into our lungs is always welcomed.

We received the game impressively quickly direct from Garden Games, but were slightly stymied in our ability to jump straight in by a chest infection (Babyzoid's), and my travails following last month's procedure. Throw in a bit of snow in the middle and we haven't had much luck. But at the first (non-freezing) opportunity Family Zoid went along to the park, taking our giant board game with us.

Waiting impatiently by the door!

Once there, we set to spreading our game out on a suitable area of grass. The giant board is made of a very sturdy material and I was really pleased with the quality. I had expected it might be flimsier, but it was impressively heavy duty and yes, gigantic. There is no way it is tearing anytime soon.

You need a big lawn for this baby, which we don't currently have, but living on the edge of our village we are surrounded by so much park and woodland that it's good encouragement to make more use of it and take it along on our picnic outings, once the better weather arrives.

Back to the game itself:

The canvas is pegged down by plastic pegs in each corner and in the middle of each side. It is brilliantly effective for ensuring the board stays flat, and more importantly, stays put. You will need two people for this job.

Trying it out for size

The inflatable die was a bit more of an issue for us, simply because we did not have the right type of pump - I'm guessing you need the type that pumps up an airbed. We attempted to blow it up with our mouths. This didn't go brilliantly, but it was to be expected. I had fully intended to purchase a pump beforehand, but as I've rarely left the house lately through rubbish health, I hadn't gotten round to it. I will definitely do so for next time!

Having got the board pegged down, we left Daddy on blowing duty....

It has beaten me - I feel deflated!

...while we headed for the swings!

Daddy did eventually manage to get the die to a point where it was virtually a cube and would do the job, so we were good to go. A common sense tip is to blow it up before you want to play!

That'll have to do!

Someone couldn't wait to get going!

I won't give you a blow by blow account of how many ladders were climbed and how many snakes we slipped down (I landed on every bloomin' snake on the board - TWICE) but suffice to say, we had a lot of fun. A LOT. In fact I'm pretty sure that Daddy got a bit cheeky when I had to pass him on the board, but we won't go into that! Anyway, Daddy won, which wasn't how it was meant to go but there you have it. He got to pack the board away as his prize (or punishment) :)

Yay! Ladder!

Yes, I am right near the start. Again.

So yes, the game was of a very good quality, highly enjoyable, a lot of fun and I would have no problems in recommending it. There are also full instructions on the website which are available to print out, though there are basic instructions on the box also if you are not one to plan ahead, like me.

A minor quibble would be that the squares could possibly be numbered. This would help to remember exactly where you are when you go to retrieve the die, and of course aid number learning. Or if not numbered, then perhaps there could have been different coloured squares, though the board is very attractive and non-garish as it is. However, it's only a very minor point. Babyzoid only strayed off the board once or twice - and Daddy has eagle eyes (as well as straying hands) so it wasn't an issue for us. It certainly wouldn't have put me off buying the game and I'm glad we chose this as we had such a brilliant time playing in spite of the chilly weather.

Outdoor games like this are great for not only encouraging outdoor play with all the health and fresh air benefits that brings, but it's also fantastic for family bonding. We had such a laugh and the outing will stay in my memory for a long time.

In terms of ordering and price, the website points you to recommended retailers who stock the game. From what I have been able to gather the price for this particular game seems very reasonable to me considering its size, the quality, and how much I imagine I would pay for something of inferior quality at Argos or Toys R Us.

And as a final point to make, one thing that I don't think has been considered by the games manufacturers is that the board would also double up as the perfect wipe-clean picnic blanket! Now, how cool is that?

*Disclosure: I received the game free of charge from Garden Games Ltd.

Silent Sunday

2013-03-03T10:02:00.001Z

Dog Tails and Crufts!

2013-03-01T14:17:00.001Z

You may remember a few posts ago that I wrote about starting a dog collar and accessories business. Pre-launch is going well you’ll be pleased to hear. Just the final touches to the product range to be finished and some last minute details to iron out. Excited, or should I say, tail wags!!!!!!

I was having trouble sleeping last night and was on my own, thanks to my husband’s snoring. He was in the room next door where he spends the odd night in the doghouse when he’s on a snoring kick, which he has been all week (colour me sleep deprived). In fact I remember thinking that perhaps we should be looking at making man-sized dog beds. Now there would be a winner, don’t you think? Has your two (or should that be three) legged friend been a bit of a rascal? Stick him in the corner for the night to ponder the error of his ways.

Gap in the market!!!!!!!!!!

The dog analogy is not simply the result of spending too much time thinking about dogs in the run up to launch and Crufts (yay!) No… my husband, bless him. He often reminds me of a galumphing pooch, with his ungainly gait and his deep set chocolate brown eyes that can convey such sadness for something as small as not giving him the last chocolate digestive (err, whose need is greater?) It is a true fact that his eyes used to win him free home-made curries back in the university halls of residence. He would look so underfed and like he just needed a good ruffle that all the girls would fall for it and cook for him. Even the local Greek chip-shop owner would give him free portions because he looked like he needed a good meal and hey, you have Greek relatives? Have an extra saveloy! He can snout out free food like no one I’ve ever met, and he has that air about him: Look after me and I’ll be your loyal best friend for life. What girl can resist?

I am, however, leaving him at home when Carrie and I go to Crufts. Firstly, to look after Babyzoid, then of course for fear he’ll find a new owner and get led off by the neck. Snoring aside, that would make me sad.

Neither me friend or I have ever been to the UK’s biggest dog show before and we are full-on wetting ourselves at the prospect. There are going to be dogs everywhere. Uber talented, handsome dogs, dogs that have more talent in their little doggy-manicured paws than the whole orange, equally manicured cast of TOWIE. We don’t know what to expect. I mean, will the dogs just be milling around? Will they be the ones getting the VIP treatment, enjoying gourmet fare while we human non-VIP’s queue for horse-burgers and hot dogs (maybe not hot dogs, don’t want to put the Dachshunds on edge). Perhaps there will be a dogs corner for the stars of the show to chill out, a green room of sorts where they get to sip on doggy champagne (purified pond-water?), snack on home baked organic dog biccies and play on the PlayStation between show performances. And I wonder if the dogs actually realise they are competing for ultimate glory and doggy domination.

I am taking you down for a roll in the mud, Shih-Tzu!

Not on your paws, Cocker!

In your doggy dreams, Beagle!

Wouldn’t that be pawsome? Upon my return I’ll tell you all about it. Toodles for now!

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but is written by me (as you can probably tell).

A non-guru asks: Are you good value on social media?

2013-03-01T00:41:00.000Z

I'm not a guru. Anyone who reads this blog knows it, but in case you've been lured here by a promising tweet, I just thought I'd make that clear. I'd love to claim to be, but I'm not. Consider yourself respectfully dismissed if you would prefer. Seriously, it's cool.

Now, I'm actually fine with my status as a user of social media for pleasure and a little bit for business and non-profit work. But sometimes I feel like more is expected of me than I'm actually capable of - in spite of me quite brazenly listing it as a skill on my recently rehashed LinkedIn profile. I can do it and I do, but I'm no expert. And I'm suppressing the urge to laugh even thinking of myself as a thought leader, bless my fluffy cotton bed socks.

And while I'm lowering expectations, this is not a parenting post either. It's not for anyone really. In fact, it's kind of navel-gazingy - and don't you just hate that? So this is your second reminder to exit stage left, should you wish to do so now.

Wow, I'm really great at this marketing business!

See, where this is coming from is that I somehow I have found myself being followed on Twitter by a number of social media experts, and I'm probably not alone here. Sometimes I follow them first and this is because I have a genuine interest in the field. I've self-studied it for a number of years, and I've formally studied Business, specialising in Marketing. I've taught it too. I am also trying to put together a social media strategy for our new dog collar business, so it makes sense that I am seeking the advice of those who are experts in their field.

But sometimes I feel so embarrassed when they follow me back. Perhaps the answer is to quickly sign up for a distance learning CIM and complete it in double time just so I'll be worth the follow, but then I think that might be a disproportionate response (ha)

I mean, if they follow me first I can think: What, you really want to read my wry and infrequent 140 characters or less musings? Knock yerself out! Indeed there is no topic I will not succinctly pontificate upon: Motherhood (of course), music, politics, calming techniques, blinkin' Liverpool Football Club for crying out loud - yeah, sorry if you catch me mid Europa pant-wetter. I dip in and out with the intensity of my interest these days, but it's always been a thing of mine since I had a Match magazine cut out of Steve McManaman running across my bedroom mirror, pre-teenagedom.

What got me thinking about this was a tweet by a bona-fide guru on my Twitter feed. I find his feed interesting and I read many of his articles. But today he tweeted that he needs to see content worth sharing from those in his timeline - and I guess that includes me. I have no such content, unless you want to read about the latest food foibles of Terrorzoid, or Mirena-induced contractions and anaemia (I actually had good feedback on that post!)

But this has got me thinking further. Am I good value on social media?

It's hard to say and it certainly depends on why you followed me. Do you expect social media insights and meaningful analysis? If so, then no, I am not. Do you want me to commentate on every single ball that is kicked by the guys in the red shirts? Again, no - I'm not the Motty of Twitter - or worse, one of those Sky Sports News dollybirds who totally does understand the offside rule y;know *hairflick, cleavage-hoist* (for the record, I do understand off-side).

Do you want me to sit and talk to you every night on Twitter instead of to my husband? Tempting.... but it won't happen too often. I already neglect him more than is advisable by trying to finish this ~~War and Peace~~ Business Plan I'm writing.

But if you like the odd quip, the odd political rant, the odd random stream-of-consciousness thought and an occasional bit of witty repartee, then keep me as a friend. After all, social media - and especially Twitter, is all about the conversation, isn't it? And unless we really are totally mismatched (marketing guru to blogging pleb) then I never understand why people hit that unfollow button - unless someone is offensive in some way, or constantly whining. Especially when it's a mass clearing out and you are not starting again from the ground up (too many PR firms to weed out). You are saying to people who value you enough to follow you 'hey, you are of no interest to me', then expect 'it's nothing personal' to make it okay. Do you really think that they buy that?

And perhaps this is where those social media experts are canny. They follow you, realise you are not what they thought, but don't unfollow as it damages their brand as a master of the art of social engagement. They simply keep up with who is of value to them through lists. And perhaps that is where some bloggers go wrong, if they deign to follow you to begin with. Get clever with your social media, converse as well as broadcast, and don't burn bridges. You never know when someone you thought of as inconsequential may become of value to you after all.

Silent Sunday

2013-02-24T07:00:00.000Z

Exciting times: A MADS nomination and a new business!

2013-02-18T12:38:00.002Z

Happy Monday! I hope you have all had a most excellent weekend!

It's been a hectic one in the 'Zoid house as we've tried to take advantage of the suddenly okay weather by getting out of the house lots. It's been a bit difficult due to what I wrote about in my last post, but I've managed to not be a complete wet blanket, brave soldier that I am.

The weekend started out with some rather unexpected and pleasant news. I've been nominated for a MADS award this year. And not just any award. I've been nominated in the Best Writer category. Yay! Whoever nominated me (for it was not myself!) I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart. I never ask for nominations and I'm not a heavy promoter of this blog, so I'm humbled. And not because I think I'm above it *sticks nose in the air and sniffs*, but because;

a) I never think I'm worthy compared to many of the excellent bloggers out there (points for self-deprecation, please)

b) I'm a bit too lazy to promote myself. Err, what I mean is.. too busy! I'm too busy!!! I totally would canvass/network if I had the time and the above (see point a) weren't the case.

c) I just write because I love writing. I don't have any designs on become a Top 100 blogger or any such gubbins. Too much pressure to KEEEP BLOOGING, EVERY DAY!!!! And we already established I'm too ~~lazy~~ busy for that.

But seriously, I vote every year in only 3 or 4 categories. And Best Writer is totally my favourite category because it is all about the writing, always has been. Even when I do the odd sponsored post my aim is to make something entertaining out of whatever I've been given to work with. Whether or not I succeed... (enough with the self-deprecation, already? How very British...)

But that aside, I'm still going to brag. So here is a screen grab. Check this out!

Yay! Thank you, whoever nominated me!

Now to even more exciting news:

This:

http://www.pawed.co.uk/

I've not mentioned this until now as I'm a bit superstitious. Well, I'm not. But I've had projects in mind over the past few years, none of which have come to fruition for a variety of reasons - usually biting off more than I can chew. But now I have a business partner (Carrie, who also happens to be my closest friend) and we are very nearly there! We've been plugging away for several months now but it's about to happen. 'Pawed, our very own dog collars and accessories label. And naturally we're about to start blogging about it! We're already on:

Twitter

Facebook

So come find us pre-launch :)

So I will still be blogging on Beadzoid, at least weekly (plus a Silent Sunday, of course), but Pawed will be my first priority. Wish us luck and if you've a precious pooch, keep your eye out for an awesome range of funky doggy fashion :D

Coming soon on Beadzoid:

Garden Games review: Giant Snakes & Ladders

Silent Sunday

2013-02-17T10:16:00.000Z

Get thee to a nunnery!

2013-02-13T09:41:00.000Z

It's been a rough few weeks in the Zoid house. Well, rough for me, which means it's been rough for all. Ha. Almost 3 weeks ago now I had the Mirena coil fitted, an IUD (Inter Uterine Device) with a really pretty name that promises to cure me of all my ills and provide a most excellent form of birth control. Awesome!

Except it hasn't been.

The doctor gave me his spiel on what could go wrong, but reassured me that it only happens to 1 in x amount of women (x amount being a lot). Good odds, he was sure I'd agree. Well I know all about good odds and long odds, and guess what, I always hit them! Smash them out of the park! Not in useful occurrences like lottery wins, oh no. But in less welcome matters of the female reproductive system and random little afflictions.

Hyperemesis - 1% of pregnancies. Check!

Premature birth - 1 in 10 babies, that'll be mine!

Chemical pregnancies - 1 in 4. Beat those odds too.

So rather than be assured, I smiled the monkey trapped in a wind-tunnel smile of the terrified and shuddered (legs crossed) at the long odds of anything going wrong speech.

Mirena coil insertion is... well, I'm not going to lie. It's not pleasant. Not that anything involving naked bottom parts, clamps and latex gloves ever is. Not unless you're a wee bit *cough* alternative in your tastes. But lorrrrrd above, does it hurt! I remained silent though (sign me up, Scientology!) and was consequently congratulated. "Didn't you do well? You never made a fuss." Nope, silent in the face of pain, that's me. I mean, I could again link to my birth story here but I'll resist the urge, for once. We women and our sharing of labour stories eh...:)

Skip forward a couple of hours and ohhhhh the cramps. Nay, they were not so much cramps. They were... contractions. Two weeks of them. I'm going into labour and I'm going to shoot this little object out, and probably in public too. Or perhaps not. I have stayed in mainly, feeling sorry for myself. A little bit like the tom cat who keeps giving off wounded "whhyyyyyyyyy?" looks after you bring home from the vets minus some of his anatomy. Wonderfully, I had managed to injure my knee at roughly the same time, so two reasons to limp! It's been fun to be me.

So the doctor said that my body does indeed view the foreign body in my womb, or cervix, or wherever the hell it is *googles* and wants to spit it out. INTRUUUUUDER!!!! Beeeep beeeep beeep. FIRE! That's what I imagine is going on (kind of feels it too). Me and my blinking inhospitable body. Can't take the pill or have the pill jab, get sensitive to other *ahem* aids to not get pregnant, don't do well in pregnancy. However, at the time of writing Ms Mirena is still digging in her pointy stiletto - a good thing. Painful, but good. Go Mirena!

But I have to ask: Is God (the one that I don't believe in) trying to tell me something? As a teenager I did seriously consider running off to join a Buddhist nunnery. Rough though the ride was, the fact that Babyzoid is here means I made the right decision to not shave my hair and go bell-ringing in the Himalayas, but still. It would be nice to catch a break. And have strong words with whoever it is that keeps plucking my ticket out of that bloody long odds bin.