Typecast

#dosomethingyummy Writing Prompts - Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:54:00 +0000

During February I will be posting a series of writing prompts so welcome to the first in the series. I would love bloggers from all corners of the internet to join in, get creative, be inspired to write whilst helping to promote CLIC Sargent and Yummy Mummy Week - 10th to 18th March 2012.

Why am I doing this? This time it's personal and you can read all about that here. You can also download the official press release and images to use in your posts from that link. I want you to get inspired to do something (small or massive) to help support the CLIC Sargent charity.

How can you get involved? Easy!! Each Monday for the next four weeks I shall be posting a series of writing prompts based around a general theme. You choose one, write a blog post about it and come back here on Thursday of the same week and share a link to your blog post. This means that we can all read what you've written and you can see what everyone else has written. The links will stay open for the whole of February and March so you can add your links at any time. I would also love it if you could share any of the posts on your social network platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. If you're not a blogger but a regular reader then it would be great if you could share any of the posts on Facebook, Twitter, networking forums, by email to friends... anything.

Week 1

What Your Children Mean To You

(pick any of the prompts)

Personal post. Why did you have children? How have they changed your life?
Yummy post. Do you have any experience of childhood cancer?
Creative writing. Imagine your child can't be at home with you. You are missing them terribly. How do you feel?

And there I set you free with your imagination. All I ask is that you include a link to the CLIC Sargent Yummy Mummy website (http://www.yummymummy.org.uk/) in your post and that you return on Thursday.

Additional Information

You can add a twibbon to your Twitter avatar

You can join the Facebook page

You can use the #dosomethingyummy hashtag on Twitter

The "Head Mums" supporting this campaign are:

Me *waves* - @nickie72 - Typecast

Mirka - @kahanka - All Baby Advice

Claire - @The LazyGirlBlog - Lazy Girl Blog

Susanne - @ghostwritermumm - Ghostwriter Mummy

Gone With The Wind

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

GONE WITH THE WIND

The child darted around the corner as the lightening

struck. He started to run down a dark valley. All of a

sudden he tripped. When he got up all he saw was

a whirlwind. It started to move towards him. It lifted

him and he disappeared for good.

Jake O'Hara (aged 12)

My son's school submitted pupils' work for the Young Writers Mini Sagas competition and Jake's has been chosen to be included in their published anthology (~~which I won't be paying £15.99 for - I'll wait until it comes out on Kindle...~~). They had to write on a theme that inspired them using 50 words or less.

For Jake, it's a massive achievement. For me, it's another Proud Parent Moment especially as he struggles with concentration and spelling at the best of times.

I'll get him doing one of the 100 words challenges next. Just like this has ended up as!

Everybody's Shuffling

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:26:00 +0000

These days I'm more of a Radio 2 girl with the occasional foray in to Radio 4 (twenty years ago I never ever thought I'd see the day where I admitted that but there you go) but I do listen to the Chris Moyles breakfast show on the way into work. One day last week they played the Generic MP3 Player Shuffle Game and I thought, "That'll make a good blog post," but Seasider Clare got there first, ~~didn't even think to tag me~~ passed it on and I ended up getting tagged by Helen.

I've done something similar way back when my blog was a baby but I've changed my phone and my songs since then however the rules are similar. Switch on your boom box, hit shuffle five times and post the songs up. Here we go...

#FridayTwiz - Question & Answers - 27.01.12

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The #FridayTwiz is a pub quiz on Twitter. You can find out more information in the Friday Twiz tab at the top of this page. To keep up to date with all the #FridayTwiz announcements please follow @FridayTwiz on Twitter or 'like' the Facebook page.

Theme:
Guest Twizmaster was @kateab (from The Five F's)

#fridaytwiz Q1: What is "Pooley's Folly"?
#fridaytwiz Q2: Which two historical ships, apart from HMS Victory, are docked at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard?
#fridaytwiz Q3: What is at 30 St Mary Axe?
#fridaytwiz Q4: Which church is reputed to have been involved in the invention of lead shot by William Watts in 1782?
#fridaytwiz Q5: For what was the Trinity Centre car park in Gateshead internationally famous?
#fridaytwiz Q6: What is the newest city in England?
#fridaytwiz Q7: What is different about the islands of Switch and Simister?
#fridaytwiz Q8: What is the most popular town name in Britain?
#fridaytwiz Q9: What is the highest and lowest motorway in the UK?
#fridaytwiz Q10: What world record does Ebenezer Place in Wick, Caithness hold?
#fridaytwiz Q11: Where is Britain’s smallest city?
#fridaytwiz Q12: Which football ground sits across the border of two countries?
#fridaytwiz Q13: Apart from curries, what foodstuff can you famously buy on Brick Lane in East London?
#fridaytwiz Q14: Why was The Elephant Boatyard in Hampshire an important feature of 1980s television history?
#fridaytwiz Q15: What is the significance of Brennand Farm near Dunsop Bridge in Lancashire?

ANSWERS:
To read the answers place your cursor here...
#fridaytwiz Q1 Answer: The nickname of the County Hall building in Aylesbury
#fridaytwiz Q2 Answer: HMS Warrior & HMS M33
#fridaytwiz Q3 Answer: The Gherkin
#fridaytwiz Q4 Answer: St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol
#fridaytwiz Q5 Answer: It was a location in Get Carter
#fridaytwiz Q6 Answer: Preston
#fridaytwiz Q7 Answer: They’re motorway interchanges
#fridaytwiz Q8 Answer: Newtown
#fridaytwiz Q9 Answer: M62
#fridaytwiz Q10 Answer: World’s shortest street
#fridaytwiz Q11 Answer: St David’s, Pembrokeshire
#fridaytwiz Q12 Answer: The Deva/Exacta Stadium, Chester
#fridaytwiz Q13 Answer: Bagels (or beigels)
#fridaytwiz Q14 Answer: It was the boatyard in Howard’s Way
#fridaytwiz Q15 Answer: It is the centrepoint of Great Britain & islands according to the Ordnance Survey
...and drag to here.

Bow Bow... Chicka-chickaaahhh

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

If this is not true then someone had better make it come true. Just sayin'...

Ferris Bueller, you're my hero!

= = = = = = = = = = =

Bonus section

My first experience of foreign shores

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

It was 1983, I had just finished primary school, was looking forward to going to high school and we were setting off for a two-week holiday in the caravan, in France - Mum, Dad, my sister (aged 7) and myself. It was the first time we had ever ventured away from the UK in the caravan so Mum and Dad booked us onto an organised 'rally' with the local branch of the Caravan Club, ensured we had the necessary motorhome insurance we prepared for long car journeys and swotted up on our Franglish. As we were newbies to foreign travel we were paired up with seasoned caravanners on the same rally and we were all (30 families) to meet the night before the ferry crossing in a field somewhere just north of Weymouth.

Disaster #1

No-one told dad that it was advisable to disconnect the fridge from the car battery power during the ferry crossing. After the crossing, we arranged to meet our paired couple on the dockside, we all piled into the car and... nothing. No power to the car. The fridge had drained the battery. All the cars around us pulled off the ferry and we saw the door closing. By this time, my sister and I were in tears as we thought we were staying on the ferry and going back to England. We had no idea that there was an upper deck of cars. Suffice to say, some jump leads were found, my Dad was suitably embarrassed, we got the car and caravan off the ferry and set off on our journey.

Our base for the two weeks was the grounds of a château in the small town of Granville, Normandy (cue lots of very unfunny 'Open All Hours' jokes from Dad). A lovely caravan site with a patisserie for traditional French breakfasts, an open air swimming pool, a park and plenty of space to arrange rally events such as 'theme nights', sports days and communal barbecues. We settled into foreign caravanning fairly easily.

Disaster #2

A group day out to Baueux was arranged by the rally organisers. We were to see the Tapestry, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the Normandy Landing Beaches. Mum was glad about this as it took the pressure off her really. A coach had been ordered for everyone, admissions had been booked and pre-paid and we would have a leisurely day to look around a town steeped in history.

The coach arrived. There appeared not to be enough seats until the driver (who spoke no English at all) demonstrated that the arm rests along the aisle of the coach flipped down and round to make an extra row of seats down the centre of the coach - this is where the children were expected to sit. All the parents were astounded and the only member of the group who spoke fluent French tried to reason with the driver regarding safety (even back in 1983 this was considered unbelievably dangerous), attempted to arrange another coach (nothing was available) and we eventually piled onto the coach and set off. No windows would open, no-one could walk down the aisle of the coach to pass drinks around, the coach driver got lost, the only French-speaking Brit on the coach once again got roped into helping with map reading and we eventually got to Bayeux six hours after setting off from the camp site (it should have been a 2 hr journey).

Because of the length of the return journey and the fact that the coach driver was only booked until a certain time, we were told that we had precisely two hours in Bayeux before we had to set back off again. We queued for an hour and fifteen minutes to get in to see the Tapestry and literally ran around the U-shaped display, stopping occasionally to look at a certain part of it. It must have been the quickest viewing ever. Dad had foregone the Tapestry and had walked over to the museum. Again, no real time to stop and appreciate the history of everything that was there. And then the heavens opened so we couldn't go down onto the beach.

Disaster #3 and #4 and #5

This being a caravan rally and with no-one having to drive home at the end of the night, many families made the most of generally fine evenings and sat in each other's awnings with the children playing happily together and the parents sampling the local vino. I had no idea how the next few ideas materialised but, now that I am an adult, I can hazard a guess at alcohol being heavily involved...

#3 - The mums thought it would be hilarious to "entertain" us one night and created a 'punk band'. Embarrassment aplenty for an 11-year old girl watching her mum pretend to play a guitar.

#4 - The dads thought it would be hilarious to "entertain" us another night and had a volley ball match - dressed as bunny girls. Cue mortification for an 11-year old girl who already had image issues.

#5 - The final night was a communal meal with the theme "Hawaiian Night". Again, all the men dressed in grass skirts and coconut shell bras. By this time I was starting to get worried.

We returned to English shores with no more adventures - I don't think I could have handled much more - and I chose not to tell many people about my first experience with France. Until now.

This post contains a sponsored link

Please see my disclosure policy for more details

Photo credit: Google Images

Getting Trolled

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:17:00 +0000

Having your own stalker or troll is a sure sign that you're considered "a celebrity, write interesting tweets or are special" (thanks, @polythenepram, I think). And, naturally, that means you are popular enough to for someone to make the effort to think up tweets to try and bring you to your knees, sobbing and wailing. Let me set the scene...

I'm watching the National Television Awards, tweeting out observations (because we all know that the only way to watch television these days is to sit with a social networking website in front of you and share your thoughts communally) and waiting for gossip from a friend who was in the audience.

Me: Lovely to see a young actress from #Eastenders wearing a long evening dress #NTA

Me: GO DAVID WALLIAMS #NTA

Me: Good to see Little Mix singing live #NTA

Troll: They're keeping the chunky one off camera

Me: Not sure what you mean. None of them are "chunky" #dickhead >> RT [name removed] @nickie72 They're keeping the chunky one off camera

Troll: Not in comparison to folk that spend their sad existence on twitter I guess

Me: hahahaha pot? kettle? >> RT [name removed] @nickie72 Not in comparison to folk that spend their sad existence on twitter I guess

Troll: no I'm on once a month fatty

Me: fatty? hhmmm!! Can't you be more creative than that? >> RT [name removed] @nickie72 no I'm on once a month fatty

Troll: I'll pop back next month when you're giving another television commentary as you've nothing better to do

Me: *sigh*

So, I've booked the date in my diary as I need to make sure that I'm providing a good service for him but as he has deleted all the "offending" tweets from his profile then I'm unlikely to hear from him again. I hope he's blocked me, to be honest. His twitter feed is full of stolen jokes and celebrity stalking so I'm in good company, really.

But, it's attitudes like his that give kids a shitty complex about themselves and promote an unobtainable image for anyone looking for a partner (and yes, it extends to both sexes). Seriously, if this guy thinks that Jesy from Little Mix is 'chunky' then he has a totally unhealthy attitude to women and their body shape. This discussion has been done to death but it always surprises me how blinkered some people are with regards to what is considered to be 'perfection'.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this thought from Liska:

NewMumOnline: @nickie72 @frugalfamily he only appears once a month...? What, like a period and the full moon? Both can make you mental!

Clic Sargent's Yummy Mummy Week

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:37:00 +0000

Today ten children in the UK will hear the news they have cancer. Shocked? I'm not! Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt (and other fund-raising goodies...). When my daughter was being treated for Neuroblastoma in 1992 we were supported by the Malcolm Sargent organisation (now CLIC Sargent) in many ways, including provision of a washer and dryer to help with the increased amount of laundry, travel expenses to and from the hospital and we used the parent's facilities at the hospital funded by monies raised through various activities around the country.

I've been looking for a way to give back for twenty years and it's just been handed to me on a plate thanks to this blog.

CLIC Sargent want parents and bloggers with powerful voices to get involved with their Yummy Mummy week which is being held from 10th to 18th March 2012 and here's how you can join in:

Read the Yummy Mummy week press release and use the information on your blog
Talk about it in real life - at the school gate, at nursery, with friends, at your parent and toddler group, at your book club, whilst waiting to pick up the kids from their after-school activities, chatting at the supermarket checkout... the opportunities are endless. Find ways of getting your community together to raise awareness and money.
Sign up to the Yummy Mummy website and hold your own fund-raising event.
Use the CLIC Sargent/Yummy Mummy images (hosted here - right click each image and save to your computer) for any of your blog posts (please include the link http://www.yummymummy.org.uk/ too)
Do the social media shout out on your Twitter account using the #dosomethingyummy hashtag or share blog posts about it on Facebook
Join in with some writing prompts that will be posted here each Monday in February and then you can link-up here on the Thursday of the same week. Full details will be posted on the blog starting 30th January. (EDIT: All writing prompts will be posted below too)

All these activities are to raise awareness in the run up to Yummy Mummy Week and to help you think up great ways to raise money during Yummy Mummy Week. If you need further information them please email me (also @nickie72) or Nicola from Mum Panel (also @mumpanel) who is working with CLIC Sargent to help promote this campaign.

In the meantime, I'd also love to hear any unique fund raising ideas you have or what you have done in the past. Me? I have organised a number of fund raising events including fun days, evening socials and sponsored walks. Twenty miles from Blackpool Tower to Preston Docks doesn't sound like a long way but it was a massive achievement for me - and yes, I was much thinner back in those days (that's me on the far right)...

So, what do you think? Are you with me?
Please share this post with your online network too.

Writing Prompts - Week 1
Writing Prompts - Week 2
Writing Prompts - Week 3
Writing Prompts - Week 4

More Camera Work

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:21:00 +0000

So, I'm still working with my new camera, getting used to some settings and trying out ideas that I've had in my head for a while. It's really the wrong time of the year to be out and about and working full time makes unusual every-day shots limited but I snapped my first lunar image early one morning last week. It's not great and a tripod has been recommended but I was testing the capabilities of the camera and if it can do this then I know that I can work to make it even better.

After I posted the images of some memorial stones in Park Cemetery in St Annes I received an email from a reader and I was offered a camera case to review. The Nikon Coolpix L120 case I was sent was one made by Samsonite - is a middle range price and, as you'd expect from Samsonite, really good quality. As you can see from the snapshots here it is an ideal Nikon Coolpix case with a little pocket on the front, internal pockets for memory cards and the camera is a really snug fit. The case is well padded so any slight knocks or bumps and the camera will be fully protected (as an aside, do you photographers have a strap on your camera or not? I'm finding mine gets in the way sometimes.). Click the links to find out current pricing, stock and delivery information.

And here are some gratuitous new puppy pictures. Meet "Yoshi", our 8 week old Japanese Akita.

I expect a communal "aahhhhhhh"...

Click them to view large in the lightbox feature.

Some of the content in this post makes it a Featured Post

For more information please see my disclosure policy

#FridayTwiz - Questions & Answers - 20.01.12

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Theme: People and Places in Songs

#fridaytwiz Q1: Which 60s pop group mentions the Daily Mail in the lyrics of their #1 hit?
#fridaytwiz Q2: Who had a hit in the 70s with a song that name-checks Mickey Mouse and the Norfolk Broads?
#fridaytwiz Q3: Which 80s song mentions Shakespeare and two of his characters, Romeo and Malvolio?
#fridaytwiz Q4: Slough is mentioned in which hit by The Jam?
#fridaytwiz Q5: Which hit by Lily Allen has 'al fresco' rhyming with 'Tesco"?
#fridaytwiz Q6: Written by the Bee Gees, Islands in the Stream & For Whom The Bell Tolls are titles of books by which author?
#fridaytwiz Q7: Which ABBA song mentions Glasgow?
#fridaytwiz Q8: Who had a hit in the 80s with a song that starts "Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray"?
#fridaytwiz Q9: In 2002, Brian May (Queen) played which tune from the roof of Buckingham Palace?
#fridaytwiz Q10: Which of these were the first to release an album: Oasis, Blur, Take That?

ANSWERS:
To read the answers place your cursor here...
#fridaytwiz Q1 Answer: The Beatles, Paperback Writer
#fridaytwiz Q2 Answer: David Bowie, Life on Mars
#fridaytwiz Q3 Answer: BA Robertson, To Be Or Not To Be
#fridaytwiz Q4 Answer: Eton Rifles
#fridaytwiz Q5 Answer: LDN
#fridaytwiz Q6 Answer: Ernest Hemmingway
#fridaytwiz Q7 Answer: Super Trouper
#fridaytwiz Q8 Answer: Billy Joel, We Didn't Start The Fire
#fridaytwiz Q9 Answer: God Save The Queen
#fridaytwiz Q10 Answer: Blur (Leisure, 1991)
...and drag to here.

Cliques - A Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:32:00 +0000

1. ARE THERE CLIQUES IN THE WORLD OF PARENT BLOGGING?

a) Yes
b) No
c) I don't know

2. DO ANY CLIQUES HAVE SPECIAL NAMES?

a) I know what they are called but if I told you, I'd have to kill you
b) There aren't any. I told you that in the last question.
c) I don't know

3. IF YOU ARE/WERE THE LEADER OF A CLIQUE WOULD YOU HAVE ME IN IT?

a) Yes
b) No
c) I don't know

4. DO CLIQUES HAVE RULES, SECRET SIGNS AND TWITTER DIRECT MESSAGE ALERTS?

a) I can't tell you that... oops
b) no... oops
c) I don't know

5. DO YOU THINK I AM IN A CLIQUE

a) yes
b) no
c) I don't know

THE RESULTS

Mainly (a)
You are in a clique. You strongly deny there is a clique. You are probably the leader of that clique and you hold secret Skype meetings once a week to train your clique members into never giving away your secrets. You are not going to comment on this blog post for fear of giving yourself away.

Mainly (b)
You wish you were in a clique. You are probably trying to organise the birth of a clique and you are now DM-ing your friends to come and read this blog post. You are not going to comment on this blog post for fear of giving yourself away.

Mainly (c)
You are not in a clique. You are actually not aware of any such thing existing because you are not a blogger and you are glad you are oblivious to this phenomenon. You are not going to comment on this blog post for fear of giving yourself away.

No Sex Please, We're British?

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0000

This is a featured post.

For more information please see my disclosure policy

Does sex really sell? Should we break the taboo and talk about it more openly because we’re all adults after all. Or do we still refuse to talk about sex because it’s ‘not the done thing’?

I watched the Ann Summers advert the other night and thought about how Jacqueline Gold has changed the way in which ‘sex for enjoyment’ has been marketed. She has, in many ways, removed the stereotypical view of seedy, back-street shops (think: men in raincoats) and replaced it with an opportunity for women to take the lead and feel empowered by working for a successful brand. She has given women the opportunity to run their own business by holding ‘specialist’ parties at home for their friends and opened over 140 shops smack bang (! Sorry, no pun intended) in the middle of our high streets selling sexy lingerie and other products.

Ms Gold also hasn’t forgotten the way in which the internet has allowed for a boom in sales. The Ann Summers website has been regenerated and you can buy all manner of sex toys online but it’s not about making something sordid and disreputable more acceptable, it is, as Ms Gold says, “Fearlessly Unleashing Sexual Confidence” (taken from Business Review online magazine :: pg 46) and finding an identity that is true to yourself.

So, what do you think? Should there be more freedom to unleash our inner sex kitten or are you firmly in the “No Sex, please, we’re British” camp?

Make-Up Make Over

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I know my make-up bag is a bit drastic and in need of a good clear-out so when Melaina told me that Nancy over at BRIDEface was powering up her "Make Up Bag Monday" series again, I sent her a photo of the contents of my make-up bag for her to have a nosy through.

She didn't recoil in horror (surprisingly) and she is spot on with her advice. You can read the full Make-Up Bag Monday report over on her blog and see the product/colour board that she created for me.

Thanks Nancy!!

Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter

My Top Ten Tips For Bloggers

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:04:00 +0000

It is a brand new year and we all look for ways to improve parts of our life - or, as bloggers, our blogs. Recently a couple people have asked me to give them an objective opinion on what I thought of their blogs. First of all, I hesitated. Blogging isn't supposed to be about giving a critical analysis of what is happening on other people's blogs; we should be concentrating on the content - and both of these bloggers have popular blogs with a great network. But then they both bribed me with the promise of alcohol so I fell into the trap. I was also in the process of trying to tidy up my own blog so it was a good exercise for myself too (with the help of @VioletFenn who told me, in no uncertain terms, what she does and doesn't like about my blog).

And yes, this started out as "Top Five Tips" but I couldn't choose the best five so you've got ten.

Have a good name and strapline. Part of your 'branding' (or why people remember you) is to do with your blog name. You will have already chosen your blog name but a strapline supports that and adds to your theme.

Have a continuous theme. Your colour scheme, your header and your buttons should compliment each other because they also support your theme. It is very easy to make a header or button for your blog using your own images and an image editor such as Picasa or similar. Kelly has supported her theme by using the roses from her background as her social media buttons.

Your content is your business. What you are already writing is what is capturing your readers in the first place and what is making them return to read more. No-one can do that for you. Maybe think about a posting schedule (certain subjects on certain days) or posting three times a week but unless your blog is part of your business then retain the freedom that you are afforded. Think about inserting a 'read more' break after the first paragraph (this looks like a torn page on your new post toolbar). It shortens your home page and if someone is landing on your blog for the first time or just has the home page bookmarked then you get two hits in one visit.

Share and share alike by installing share buttons or widgets (my favourites are from Blogger Sentral or Share This although there are plenty of plug-ins if you are using Wordpress.

Create an About Me page, even if you aren't blogging for commerical reasons. The reader always likes to know a bit more about the writer. Be creative too - Mari has a video on her About Me page which will make her memorable to her readers.

Make your blog 'sticky' so ensure that all links open in a new tab/window. People are much less likely to click "back" on their browser window than they are to close one tab and continue reading the original webpage. Use a "related posts" widget such as Link Within to encourage your reader to stay on your blog a little bit longer. Also, if you install Google Analytics, the new 'live feed' is gripping stuff if you're a bit of a stats-and-maps geek.

Sort out your sidebar. Have your important links at the top and badges further down. Badges are great to display your achievements and connections but you want people to stay on your site rather than jump off to theirs. I have mine on an affiliated page. If you have a blogroll, keep it up to date or consider hosting a "Recommended Reading" page.

Be a community member by joining forums and networks and communicating with other bloggers. My most visited are Blogger.Ed, Netmums, BritMums and the Parent Blogger facebook page where there's always lots of discussion around post content, breaking down the technical jargon and general blogging chit-chat.

Get to grips with social media and use Twitter and Facebook to underpin your blogging and to help promote your posts but also to network with other bloggers and readers.

Forget all of the above AND JUST WRITE!

A post that was already half-written but finished off for Listography.

Get clicky for more great blogging tips.

#FridayTwiz - Questions & Answers - 13.01.12

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

The #FridayTwiz is a pub quiz on Twitter. You can find out more information in the FridayTwiz tab at the top of this page. To keep up to date with all the #FridayTwiz announcements follow us on Twitter - @FridayTwiz or "like" the Facebook page

Theme: Songs from Films

#fridaytwiz Q1 “Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong” // Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

#fridaytwiz Q1 Answer: An Officer and a Gentleman

#fridaytwiz Q2 “Show Me Heaven” // Maria McKee

#fridaytwiz Q2 Answer: Days of Thunder

#fridaytwiz Q3 “When You Say Nothing At All” // Ronan Keating

#fridaytwiz Q3 Answer: Notting Hill

#fridaytwiz Q4 “It Must Have Been Love” // Roxette

#fridaytwiz Q4 Answer: Pretty Woman

#fridaytwiz Q5 “Take My Breath Away” // Berlin

#fridaytwiz Q5 Answer: Top Gun

#fridaytwiz Q6 “Lose Yourself” // Eminem

#fridaytwiz Q6 Answer: 8 Mile

#fridaytwiz Q7 “Everything I Do (I Do It For You) // Bryan Adams

#fridaytwiz Q7 Answer: Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves

#fridaytwiz Q8 “Love Is All Around” // Wet Wet Wet

#fridaytwiz Q8 Answer: Four Weddings and a Funeral

#fridaytwiz Q9 “Power of Love” // Hewy Lewis and the News

#fridaytwiz Q9 Answer: Back to the Future

#fridaytwiz Q10 “Kokomo” // The Beach Boys

#fridaytwiz Q10 Answer: Cocktail

#fridaytwiz Q11 “Stuck In The Middle With You” // Stealers Wheel

#fridaytwiz Q11 Answer: Reservoir Dogs

#fridaytwiz Q12 “I Got You Babe” // Sonny & Cher

#fridaytwiz Q12 Answer: Groundhog Day

#fridaytwiz Q13 “Lust For Life” // Iggy Pop

#fridaytwiz Q13 Answer: Trainspotting

#fridaytwiz Q14 “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” // Simple Minds

#fridaytwiz Q14 Answer: The Breakfast Club

#fridaytwiz Q15 “Eye Of The Tiger” // Survivor (need the RIGHT film)

#fridaytwiz Q15 Answer: Rocky 3

No Joke!

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:46:00 +0000

I'm the first one to ~~take to my blog for a good old rant~~ come out fighting in my child's corner but that is because I know them best. I would not allow them to be placed in a position that I knew they would possibly not feel comfortable in or be able to cope with. Are we at risk of singling our children out more by wrapping them up in cotton wool?

I read an article in our local paper (please read first - opens in new window) which details a complaint made by the parent of an autistic child. Apparently, well-known comedian Ted Robbins made some 'off the cuff' remarks about the child during an audience participation section of his pantomime in December. I stress, please read the article before continuing.

I've taken part in countless live performances and have seen actors use a mental Rolodex of comments and jokes to aid or alleviate any number of situations. Humour in some situations has to be spontaneous and it's a talent that not a lot of people have. I've assisted in the sing-a-long section of a pantomime where twenty (or more) children clamber up on stage for their moment in the spotlight - to be rewarded with a lollipop - and the focus was always on the shy child or the over-enthusiastic child. It was expected and it was presumed that if a child would not be comfortable going on stage then their parent would make that judgement for them or they could leave the stage if they wanted. Ted Robbins is no Frankie Boyle - he is a 'old school' comedian, writer and actor whose live stage comment was taken out of context.

Is there a fine line between standing up for your child's disability and being so over-protective that you believe no-one else understands the world that your off-spring lives in? How do we effectively educate others who don't understand or who misunderstand? Should we have to?

When we were on holiday in Benidorm a couple of years ago one of the evening entertainment acts were two men performing circus-style tricks. They involved all (and I mean all) the children in the audience. They taught some to juggle, they had them all taking part in a jump-rope competition with an enormous skipping rope, there was a tiny clown bike on which some children were challenged to ride and then they singled Jake out to do a cartwheel. Yes, probably the only child in the audience with ADHD. The acrobat did a cartwheel and signaled for Jake to copy him, which he did. The acrobat walked on his hands and signaled for Jake to copy him, which he did. The acrobat did a backflip and signaled for Jake to copy him. Jake took one look over his right shoulder and flipped himself over, landing back on his feet perfectly (gotta love that gymnastics training). The acrobat looked at the audience as if to say, "Out of all these kids, I get this one", fell to his knees and performed the "We Are Not Worthy" bow. At no point was Jake (or us as a family looking on) out of his comfort zone and I didn't think he was ridiculed in any way.

A lot of comedy is based on someone's misfortune, a sarcastic comment or an observation about an unusual situation. Are we supposed to stop laughing?

And if you haven't seen it already, I've updated an old post about my son's ADHD over on The Huffington Post. I think it's worth a read if you're interested in knowing more about the condition.

Influenced by cartoons

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:39:00 +0000

I'm really surprised us children of the 70's and 80's are alive.

After all, we're all influenced by cartoons, aren't we?

I mean, this leads to refusal of healthy food, demanding chocolate cake for breakfast and bad manners...

~~*massive fucking eyeroll*~~

...whilst this created strong, independent, upstanding members of the community

Let children be children

They grow up far too soon

Wait until they come home soaked to the waist after being dared to do a back flip off a wall into the brook at the bottom of the park or they've had to jump into the canal to rescue a football that 'blew away'.... yeah, that!

Trying to get better

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

I've been off work for the last two days; I haven't felt "right" for about a year now. In March 2011 I had some blood tests checking for all the usual stuff - anaemia, kidney function, liver function, cholesterol levels and thyroid activity - but all came back bang on normal. I've had sleep issues (sometimes due to my husband's snoring but other times just due to the fact that I don't seem to need a lot of sleep) and a night of five hours unbroken sleep is a considered a 'good night' for me. Nothing much has improved since the blood tests. I've put on more weight, I've had more days off sick from work in one year than I have in all the previous years put together and I've started with mild migraines. I feel lethargic.

So, I relayed all this to the doctor (who, incidentally looks very much like Jon Culshaw which can be quite off-putting as I was expecting him to break out in to an impression of Ozzy Osbourne at any given moment) and he explained that in the days where patients had written notes you could look back over the medical history and a recurring abbreviation would be T.A.T.T. - Tired All The Time. There was no trigger, just a general time in life where your body is actually trying to cope with more than it can. It was better than what I originally thought he said ("twat").

General winding down techniques were discussed and also the mention of actually turning off the computer at a reasonable time, allowing for a natural wind-down, going to bed when your body tells you you're actually tired rather than waiting for your allotted "bedtime" and drinking warmed milk or hot chocolate made with milk. He went on to explain further that the lactic acid in warmed milk releases chemicals which assist your natural sleep cycle. So, it's not an old wives tale - it really is a scientific fact - mentioned here. Taking an off-the-shelf sleeping tablet too was recommended to help me along.

I then mentioned (by chance) my hysterectomy eight years ago and the fact that I had only take HRT for a short period of time, thanks to nausea and headaches (see, this was the connection) and I wondered what the lasting effects of that were. Apparently, this wouldn't be contributing to my existing health issues but as a long-term boost, it was agreed that I would reintroduce some HRT tablets and then maybe move onto patches.

I need to get myself sorted out a.s.a.p. now that I'm trundling towards my 40th birthday. I have goals set - personal, mental, health for then and have started out using Thinking Slimmer again because now I have a proper goal with no interruptions between now and then. It sort of makes sense (to me, anyway) and I am determined to turn myself around and look at life in general with a more positive attitude.

#FridayTwiz - Questions & Answers - 06.01.12

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Theme: Gameshows

To show respect for Sir Bob of Holness we held a ~~one minute~~ 33-second Hand Jive
May he rest in P's

#fridaytwiz Q1 Which cryptic clue quiz show was three shows in one: a quiz show, a variety show and a game show.

#fridaytwiz Q1 Answer: 3, 2, 1

#fridaytwiz Q2 Who presents “Are You Smarter Than A 10-year Old?”, “Deal or No Deal” and “Telly Addicts”?

#fridaytwiz Q2 Answer: Noel Edmonds

#fridaytwiz Q3 Name TWO of the CURRENT Eggheads

#fridaytwiz Q3 Answer: Kevin Ashman, Daphne Fowler, Chris Hughes, Judith Keppel, Barry Simmons, Pat Gibson

#fridaytwiz Q4 Which popular Radio 4 quiz show appeared briefly on TV in March 2011?

#fridaytwiz Q4 Answer: Just A Minute

#fridaytwiz Q5 Where is the real Fort Boyard?

#fridaytwiz Q5 Answer: Just off the west coast of France http://bit.ly/xAS8NN

#fridaytwiz Q6 Who was the referee in Gladiators? CONTENDERS... READY?...

#fridaytwiz Q6 Answer: John Anderson

#fridaytwiz Q7 What children’s game show did Mike “Frank from Eastenders” Reid present from 1975-77 then 1978-81?

#fridaytwiz Q7 Answer: Runaround

#fridaytwiz Q8 Jasper Carott presented a teatime gameshow - what was it called?

#fridaytwiz Q8 Answer: Goldenballs

#fridaytwiz Q9 Where would you hear “Keep out of the black and in to the red, there’s nothing in this game for two in a bed”?

#fridaytwiz Q9 Answer: Bullseye

#fridaytwiz Q10 Which game show has been presented by Terry Wogan, Les Dawson and Lily Savage?

#fridaytwiz Q10 Answer: Blankety Blank

Filofax Friday : New Year, New Start

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

It's the first week of the year and whilst many people are getting their houses back in order after the holiday season I've been getting my Filofax back in order. In 2011 I had got used to using a Personal sized cover (Chameleon in Spring Green - now discontinued from sale) and loved the soft cover but I've got a bit of a collection of Filofaxes now so had a choice of style and colour for 2012.

I have used them all over the past couple of years for one reason or another but still veer towards the Chameleon and I don't know why. The red Cuban Zip is still a little stiff and needs to be used but the stiffness makes it hard to use (it currently stores writing prompts and acts as a notebook). The yellow Hearts is a massive disappointment because the material and texture of the cover means that it gets dirty very easy and doesn't clean well. The fir Panama came from the German website when they had a sale on and has that gorgeous leather smell but I'm not overly keen on the clasp. I know, I know - it all sounds a little weird and needy but other Filofax and journal owners will know exactly what I'm on about. Your planner has to feel right in your hand.

So I venture back towards the one I've been using for most of last year and drool over my collection of inserts, trying to decide on a colour scheme. Of course, the whole point of having a refillable planner is that you don't have to replace much; maybe just the diary and add some notepaper but I'm a bit more obsessive than that, as we all know. I've had a pick and choose from my private collection and whatever I buy in as extra to it won't ever go to waste, will it?

And off I go with my refilled and reorganised Filofax. I have colour-coded personal, work and blog scribblings already and have even told myself that I'm not going to obsess over it so much this year (likely story). I'm even already thinking of changing to the red Cuban zip so that it matches my Kindle case (gratuitous Kindle shot coming up so that you can see the reason behind my thinking) and we're only five days in... what do you think?

Guest Post : Influence

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today brings a guest post from Jo who blogs over at Single Slummy Mummy. Once you've finished reading here, why don't you bob on over to her corner of the internet and see what else she's writing about?

Do you ever feel really small? Like you’re just nothing, with an infinite universe swirling around you, oblivious to your existence? Like a tiny krill in a massive swarm?

Actually, krill is a bad example. If you’ve seen Happy Feet 2 (which I would highly recommend), you’ll appreciate that a single krill, through the power of dance, has the potential to change the world. (really, you should see it).

But then that’s true of humans too isn't it? We feel small on our own, but we shouldn't underestimate the power we have to influence not just our own lives, but the lives of those around us.

Sometimes it can feel hopeless. Sometimes you can’t even begin to imagine what possible difference you could make to anything, and bothering to do something as pathetic as recycle your plastic milk cartons feels ridiculous. But then you have to stop and remember that really anything that has ever happened has started with one person.

One of my favourite quotes is from social anthropologist Margaret Mead, whose motto was apparently ‘be lazy, go crazy’. Mead said we should “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

She also said that “You just have to learn not to care about the dust mites under the beds.”

A wise woman indeed.

Coitus Interruptus

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:44:00 +0000

It’s a wonder I ever had any kids. Actually, scratch that. It’s a wonder I ever had more than one child. In the beginning we were at it like the proverbial rabbits so it’s no wonder that I got caught after missing one pill. However, as the night feeds, daytime tiredness and general “If this is what happens when you fuck my brains out then I'll give it a break, thanks” took over, the actual copulation dwindled down to the times when both of us were awake at the same time and there was nothing on the telly.

When we found ourselves in a routine and the baby had got her days and nights sorted out we decided to try for another child. We had already agreed that we didn't want too much of an age gap between siblings. After getting pregnant so quickly and unexpectedly the first time, I put my body on red alert and braced myself... for nothing! Six months down the line I still wasn't with child, even after making so much of an effort.

I took a quick trip to the doctors and demanded that he get me pregnant! When he finally worked out that I didn’t actually want him to shag me on his desk, he looked at me pityingly and explained that we just had to let nature take its course. I think he actually patted my hand at one point too.

I went home and forgot about it all for a few months. However, in the February I felt a bit odd (yes, more than usual) so took another trip to the doctors surgery and he was rather pleased to announce this time that I had got pregnant without his help!

The babies grew up and we settled into family life. We got past the night-feeding stage and the interrupted sleep during toilet training, sleep walking and bad dreams. Another routine was in place and we started to enjoy sex for fun again. We did get caught out a few times though:

Kev: Cor, get them knickers off, love...

voice wafts in from Bedroom #2
Child 1: Why does Daddy want you to take your knickers off, Mummy? Your bottom will get cold.

we are in the throes of passion and a small child wanders stealth-like into our room
Child 2: Daddy, why are you making Mummy shout like that? Does she do any other noises?

Talk about passion killers! We had always discussed having a third child but, as you can see, we never really got a chance. Our offspring we just as mental as we were and there was never a moments peace. We must have fitted a bit of how’s yer father in at some point as that third child materialised and I’m damn sure that I wasn’t God’s second choice for the new Millennium.

And here is where the story of me becoming a born-again virgin begins. If I’d have thought that the occasional interruption from a half-sleeping toddler was going to put us off our (vinegar) stroke then I had no idea what was in store. This child slept for two-hour stints then stayed awake for record-breaking stretches of eight hours or so. Daytime naps were conducted in the pram on the way home from the school run, so no real chance of a snatched quickie anywhere. At one point we even considered getting a babysitter and reliving our early days of awkward front-seat-fumbling, in the car, down a country lane. We spent nights on a rota system, taking it in turns to stay awake with devil child; Disney films on a loop, matchsticks in eyes and copious amounts of comfort food.

Over time (a long period of time), a proper sleep pattern fell into place we found ourselves with adult bedroom time again. But now we are both old, overweight, creaking in places we never knew existed (its not the bed springs, we checked) and just enjoy a chat and brew in bed at the end of the day. There's all the faffing around with contact lenses, trips to the loo, bad backs, wondering whether to at least try and look alluring or just get on with a good old rodgering that it's all so much hassle.

It's still good when we do get round to it though. Neither of us have lost the knack – it just takes us a bit longer to get there.

A version of this story first appeared as a guest post over at Me, The Man and The Baby.

How To Create A Successful Facebook Fan Page

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

A lot of people are now using Facebook Fan Pages to promote their blog on Facebook. But what do you do when you have created it? How does it work as a positive marketing tool for your blog? Here are my five top tips to make your Fan Page a success:

Create a landing page

A landing page is the first thing the visitor will see when they arrive at your Facebook Fan page for the very first time. It is important to make a good impression and you can set any tab as your landing page in Edit Page > Manage Permissions > Default Landing Tab. To create a specific landing tab you can use a facility called Pagemondo. The landing page becomes the default page for new visitors and returning visitors who already like your page will be directed to your Wall.

Quick Tip: Layout your landing page simply and cleanly as new visitors will only spend a fleeting moment on your landing page.

Import your blog feed

I use Networked Blogs for my blog feed. Using the RSS feed from Feedburner it posts my new blog post almost at the same time as when the blog post goes live.

Quick Tip: Check your Facebook-to-Twitter links. You can link your page to Twitter very simply by using the Facebook application. All notes and status updates will post to your Twitter account automatically once you have linked them.

Apply for your unique Page name

Grab your unique page username and hone your Page URL. You can apply for this after you have 25 'likes'

Quick Tip: DO NOT ask people to 'like' your Fan Page as part of a promotion. Facebook Promotional Guidelines state you cannot ask people to like your page, tag an image or like/comment on a Wall post as a compulsory condition of entry to a promotion. However, you can still suggest that people 'like' your page so that they keep up-to-date with all your news.

Add ‘extras’

Make your Fan Page interactive by writing ‘notes’ or uploading photographs that have not appeared on your blog. Everything that you write or upload to your Facebook Fan Page will be published using your page name (see the settings in Edit Page > Your Settings > Posting Permissions). This ensures that there is no crossover between personal and blog profiles if you need to stay anonymous. Share links with your Fans and write a new status update every couple of days.

Quick Tip: Include relevant blog post or web links under a note or photograph.

Respond to comments

If someone leaves a comment under your blog post, photograph or note, reply to it or 'like' the comment. Conversation and interaction is a two-way street. Check your page regularly so that you won’t miss any comments. The amount of new interactions are noted in the right hand sidebar of your page as a drop down menu called 'notifications'

Quick Tip: Create a Facebook Like box and display it on your blog. This shows blog readers what is happening on the Fan Page and encourages them to “like” your page without even leaving your blog.

A Reflection of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:21:00 +0000

Should we be reflective of what has happened on our blogs over the past twelve months or should we be look forward into the future? I believe that whatever you have written is part of the building blocks of your blog and acts as the foundations. If you hadn't written any of those posts, you wouldn't be where you are now.

I wanted to create an infographic here to show you the achievements of this blog during 2011 but, when I looked at the facts and figures, it didn't really reflect how I felt about how I had truly grown. My top ten posts of the year (ranked by page view) are below and, whilst I am proud of the effect that they had in the online world, they don't reflect my own personal favourite posts.

The Mumsnet Initiation Process *cringe*
How To Use Tweetdeck *to be updated very soon*
Babysitting the Grandchildren *the nightmares are just about fading...*
Sophie King : Writing Workshop *AKA The Great Cybermummy Walkout*
Twat Relief *probaby not what you think but a great way to raise money*
Do Not Tell The Twitter Queen How To Use Twitter *be warned!!*
What Does Vegetarianism Mean To You? *still no explanation from Morrisons*
What Is The Point Of Foursquare? *I may be a convert - saying nothing*
Where Are The Words? *this hit a nerve with a lot of people but I don't regret writing it*
Nancy Dell'Uded *as featured in the StumbleUpon newsletter*

Visitor figures were through the roof during 2011 and it's something I strive to increase. I have readers from all over the world with many of them returning to read more and some of them from countries so far reaching

that it amazes me how the world is connected digitally. Also, the fact that readers are using both 'traditional' computers/laptops and mobile devices to read the content here.

But what really matters to me is that I can write anything and there are always willing readers out there, commenting on what I have written, praising my tutorials, critisising my opinions, challenging my point of view - all of which makes for great discussion and pushes me forward to look for new topics to research and write about.

I have been involved in a great number of campaigns this year that suit my own personal beliefs. Healthy Eating, concentrating on breakfast with Kellogg's and Netmums, a blogger outreach campaign with Save the Children and a programme to help unfold the complexities of meningitis. I have also been lucky enough to have been asked to review a great number of products with the help of my family. Collectively, this is a massive confidence boost as it validates the reasoning behind using my blog as a 'voice' and an equivalent outlet to shout something from the rooftops.

But really, my main highlights of the year have to include a number external recognition programmes. My nomination for "Most Innovative" in the MAD Blog Awards was amazing and I owe a great deal of thanks to every one who voted for me (congrats to Ruth and all the other winners). Also, my ranking in both the Wikio Blogging Charts and the Tots100 shows that not only are people reading but sharing and linking back to my blog posts. I've grown so much in these charts that I feel it's only right that I brag about it a bit...

Both charts are representative of over 2500 blogs registered in each of their rankings. The charts don't actually make any difference to the content that I produce but the numbers look good... Also, I finally received recognition for my contribution to the Twitterverse. I remain the Twitter Queen at least until June 2012 (and 18 month reign isn't too bad, is it?).

A personal achievement for me is standing in front of 400 people at Cybermummy and reading out my blog post that detailed my daughters battle with Cancer. I had never read it out in front of anyone before, had never really 'promoted' it (although it did spark the very emotional 'Cancer - Your Story' series) and I managed to get almost all the way through it without breaking down. It took me over 18 years to pluck up the courage to write that post and I'm very grateful that people accept it for what it is. Cybermummy also provided the chance for Tara to take the best photo of me EVER.

I have enjoyed writing my blogging and social media tutorials and have a few more in the pipeline for 2012. I'm also in the process of writing an e-book about blogging and social media but that's a slow burner for the time being. I have tried to hone my creative writing skills with the 100 Words series and I've been so proud of being part of the Blognonymous team, of which the concept continues into the future and remains the same six founding blogs. There is also so much more that I have not mentioned but it's been an honour to have you here with me through the last twelve months.

I'm not sure what 2012 holds. Who does? More of the same, some new ideas, maybe starting a new blog to try out some creative writing, sharing a journey through photography thanks to a new camera for Christmas (my first 'proper camera'), finding more time to read (and share what I'm reading and look out for recommendations) after becoming the proud owner of a Kindle, maybe a venture back into my Open University studies, speaking at both CybHer12 and Britmums Live and taking on whatever else gets thrown in my path.

That's the thing about blogging and the way I write my blog. Not having a structure means so much scope and I can do things MY WAY!

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS

SEE YOU IN 2012

British Gas Smart Meter Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Featured Post

For more information please see my disclosure policy

I am currently working with BritMums and British Gas to promote a campaign to to help educate children about energy conservation (although I'm sure that children could educate the adults with all the projects and discussions in school today).

You can find out loads of information about British Gas' vision for a more sustainable future on their website but I believe that starting small focuses the need to conserve energy and nurtures the ethos behind wanting to look after our planet.

British Gas are beginning to install Smart Meters in homes an businesses across the UK (they aim to have them in all homes by 2019) but we need to be aware of why it is important to be supportive of this campaign rather than wait for our new meter to be installed and tell us where we can save energy. That's just a bonus, after all, isn't it?

I'm really looking forward to finding out more about the energy that we use and that we could save because we live in a 1890's, end terrace in deepest darkest Northern England. We cannot have cavity wall insulation as the brickwork is too weak and we have no house next door to "trap in" the heat we use. But in the meantime, we encourage our children to take the plugs out of walls when they have finished using their computers and X-Boxes - even more so now that most of their in-house entertainment is powered by electricity. We are also new allotment owners so we are looking forward to getting down and dirty and growing our own food this year. We have an log burner in one lounge which heats up the front of the house in next to no time. We would be interested in seeing how we can power our whole heating system from this but predict that the initial monetary outlay would be more than we can afford at the moment.

What are your Top Tips for conserving energy or utilities? I'm not just on about turning the tap off when you're brushing your teeth or taking a shower instead of a bath, I want real, brand new, unique energy or time savers. I am really boring and would just post about unplugging everything rather than leaving it on standby (I'm way past checking the time on any digital clock on the front of a DVD player or microwave) or I would tell you about seeing if you are eligible for free loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and draught excluders (have a quick Google search for those) or see if anyone is offering solar panel trials in your area (again, start with Google) but I guess you already know about all of those.

It's really important to instill this way of life into our children at an early age so that it becomes second nature and so that they can pass it on through the next generation and beyond. We can't control the rising cost of energy at the moment but we can do more to use less energy and bring those costs down. What do you think?

I'm participating in the British Gas Smart Meter campaign. Smart meters work with an in-home display to show how much energy you're using in pounds and pence. You can see how much you're spending by leaving your phone charger plugged in all the time, or the heating on at night. And when you can really see how much you're using, you can start to make small changes to become more efficient. Smart Meters automatically send British Gas readings so they represent the end of estimated bills! British Gas is committed to install 1.5 million smart meters by the end of 2012.

(Images supplied by British Gas)