To all of our wonderful readers:

I wish you a happy, successful and blessed 2012. I can’t wait to share with you my exciting photography plans for the coming year!

Thank you for being so great!

This is a Sponsored Post

You have probably heard me waxing lyrical about PhotoBox photobooks in the past. Ever since they printed my first portfolio for me, I have been in love with them! So, when I was asked to review one of their seasonal photobooks – for Father’s Day – they didn’t have to twist my arm.

I hadn’t realised before that as well as standard photobooks, there are several other templates on the site. Some of these are seasonal – including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – and they are such a great idea.

There is a lot of scope for creativity when creating your Book for Dad. Chipmunk and I had a whale of a time choosing the design, the pages and the photos that we wanted to use to create a unique gift for his Dad – and it really is a unique gift! I can’t go into too much detail about what we did – because Chipmunk’s Dad reads the blog and I would hate to spoil the surprise for him! Suffice it to say that PhotoBox provides wonderful design combinations which can be applied to your book cover and also individual pages. There are also inspirational quotes about the relationship between fathers and their children, which adds a really lovely touch and is a fantastic accompaniment to the images. There are so many page layouts to choose from that you really could spend hours just putting a book together!

The book we ordered arrived really quickly – instead of the stated six days, we had it within three. The quality, as expected, blew me away. We went for standard paper quality (you can pay extra for other types) and I have to say I am really impressed with it. The book looks professional and sturdy – and the presentation is fantastic.

If I have one criticism, it is that the uploading tool is still very slow – and quite temperamental. I would recommend only adding a few photos at a time and making sure you save them to your album before starting the next batch. If they can get past this, PhotoBox will have a five-star winning formula on their hands! Overall, I was very impressed – again.

With prices starting from as little as £13.99 it won’t break the bank and with a whole host of optional extras to really give your gift some added bling, you really can’t go wrong with a PhotoBox Book for Dad.

Disclosure:  I was provided with £50 PhotoBox credit. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

To all of our lovely readers:

I wish you a happy, successful and blessed 2012. I can’t wait to share some new stories with you all!

Happy New Year!

These are two poems that I wrote in school, as part of our Egyptian-theme that we are studying this term.

The Egyptian cat stretches on his sparkling gold throne.

He yawns a crocodile yawn.

He blinks his segment-of-lemon eyes.

Servants feed him red, juicy grapes and grey, munchy mice.

Rich, royal Pharaoh strokes his silky fur.

Living in luxury.

★     ★     ★

Velvety soft house cat snores quietly by the snug, warm fire.

Happy and safe in the messy home with his family.

Bright, ginger fur matches the hot flames.

Feels like soft, velvety fur.

I hope you enjoyed these poems.

I have another story for you from our ‘Flowers and Plants’ project – I hope you like it!

One lovely, sunny day, ben was walking in the park because he really wanted to feed the ducks. On the way, he saw two ladies sitting on a bench, having a chat. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something unusual sticking out of the grass. He carefully picked it up. Before he knew what was happening, he was turning round and round in a tornado!

When he opened his eyes, Ben found himself in a jungle! When Ben looked up, he saw a silver, cheeky monkey. Ben looked around him, but to his amazement – camouflaged in the sweet, long grass – was a zebra. When he looked at a tree, he saw a very long cobra! Ben did not like the sight of it at all! When Ben looked down, suddenly the monkey walked down to him.

“Hello there mate, what is your name?” asked the monkey.

“My name is Ben,” answered Ben.

“That’s a lovely name! Would you like to have a lovely picnic with me in my tree-house?” asked the monkey.

“Oh, yes please!” replied Ben. “But how can I get up there? I do not want to climb the trunk with the snake there!”

“Just grab my hand and I’ll pull you up,” said the monkey.

“Thank you, monkey,” said Ben excitedly.

So, Ben grabbed the monkey’s hand, and up he went with the monkey to the tree-house. When they got up there, they had a feast of wonderful coconut milk, a lovely apple and three chocolate biscuits!

“Yum yum, this is delicious,” said Ben. “But it’s time for me to go home now, goodbye monkey!” Ben said to the monkey. Suddenly, with a BANG! and a CRASH! he was back in the park. Then he remembered that he was supposed to be going home. When he got home, he wondered if his family would believe his story!

Thanks for reading. I’ll see you again soon for another story.

Here is another story for you to read. I wrote this as part of our ‘Flowers and Plants’ topic at school. I hope you enjoy it.

One bright, breezy Autumn day, five seeds flew off a plant and into the air on a gust of wind. They were beautiful, multi-coloured seeds. They flew over a park and one seed fell down onto a slide. It slipped and fell to the ground with a BUMP! The rest of the seeds carried on flying in the dazzling, sparkling blue sky – but the seed that could not grow just stayed on the ground. Just then, there was a huge gust of wind and the rest of the seeds floated on until they got to a massive town. Sadly, one fell onto the roof of a tall block of flats and died – but the rest still remained.

At last, a lucky seed fell into the soil and got covered up really well, ready for the Winter. When it was time for that season to come, the soil kept the seed extremely warm, which was really good before the Spring came. After the snow melted, a really small rainbow-coloured shoot appeared. It was shiny, because it’s no ordinary stem. It shimmers in the sun.

The shoot started to grow blue, crispy leaves. The leaves started to become bigger, fatter and stronger. The stem grew quickly and kept on growing until it was nearly as tall as the roof of a house. Next, it grew as tall as an enormous oak tree. It carried on growing straight up, towards the sky. The leaves grew fatter, until they were the size of a big rubber ring. A really prickly green bud appeared after that.

Weeks later, an incredible flower burst out of the bud. It was amazing. People from many countries came to see it.

“It’s stunning!” said a lady from America.

“It’s beautiful!” said a man from Africa.

“Oh, wow!” said a little girl from Russia.

Soon, Autumn came again and the petals fell to the ground. In two weeks, the seeds flew off and the pant and the flower died.

Then, the story started again.

Thanks for reading. I’ll see you again soon for another story.

Here is my first story for you to read.  I wrote it for a Literacy project at school.  I hope you enjoy it.

“Mummy, please may I go to the moon?” asked Little Cat.

“No!  Anyway, you need to find a rocket first,” replied Mummy.

Soon, Little Cat found an old cardboard box in the shed.

“It’s perfect!” shouted Little Cat.  Afterwards, he found a blue plastic bowl for a space helmet.  Next, he looked in the cupboard and found a lovely strawberry cake, a can of Pepsi, a packet of salt and vinegar crisps and a can of coke.  Then he put all his stuff into his spaceship.  After that he went out into the garden, and with a BANG! and a ZOOM! he flew into the air.

A little bit later, a bat flew by.

“Where are you going to?” clicked Bat.

“I’m going to the moon,” replied Little Cat.

Then Bat climbed in and off they flew to continue their journey.  On and on their journey went.

After a while, they saw the moon.  Soon they arrived, and with a big BUMP! they landed on the moon.  After, one by one, they got out of the spaceship.

“Would you like to play football with me?” asked Little Cat.

“Yes, please!” replied Bat.

So they played football nearly all evening.  Sadly, it was soon time to go home.  So they said goodbye to each other and hoped to see each other again soon.  Then, they took off and headed back down to Earth.

After a long journey, he landed with a big BUMP!  Then, he went into the living room.

“Where have you been?” asked Mummy Cat.

“I’ve been to the moon,” replied Little Cat.

“You and your stories,” giggled Mummy Cat.  ”Whatever next?…”

Thanks for reading, I’ll see you soon for another story…

Ahh, The Lion King. It has to be my favourite Disney film, like, ever – and those of you who know me know that I’m a huge Disney fan, so that’s not a statement I make lightly!

I don’t know what it is about this particular movie. I mean, it follows the same formula as all the others:

Introduction, Funny Bit, Sad Bit, Emotional Journey, Redemption, Happy Ending.

It has to be said that the music on this film is especially well done. I can’t help it. As soon as I hear the first notes of that hauntingly beautiful African vocal, the hairs on the back of my neck are on end and I am hooked. Whatever it is about it though – the music, the fact that it’s about cats (albeit big ones!), the gentle humour – The Lion King has always held a very special place in my heart. A place that not many other films – even Disney ones – can come close to.

I was 13 when The Lion King was originally released. It’s funny how the memory plays tricks – I was sure I was younger than that. I remember seeing it at the local cinema and falling in love with it. I seem to think that the video was released around December time – it was my birthday as well as Christmas and I remember trekking around the media section of Woolworths with my mum, desperately looking for a copy for my birthday gift that year! (It was a limited release initially, I think. And yes, I did get my copy ).

And now, all of this fabulousness is being released in 3D! With all the new movies coming out which are taking advantage of the revived 3D phenomenon, I am so chuffed that Disney have chosen The Lion King to re-release in this way. You can catch it at the cinema from this Friday (7th October) – and if you have the 3D goggles at home you can get hold of the DVD on November 7th. I can’t wait!

Disclosure:  I was not provided with any compensation for running this article. None. Not a bean. Not even a cinema ticket! The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation that I didn’t receive for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

I don’t usually run advertorials but, you know, it’s The Lion King. And I love it!

You may have seen my post on Monday about the review we did of BigJigs‘ Natural Wooden Quoits. Well, I have to say we were thoroughly spoiled and also received two other items for review – one of which was an adorable little magnetic theatre.

The set comes with all the pieces you need to build the stage, scenery and characters to tell four well-known fairy tales: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and Pinocchio.

The whole thing is extremely well made – and very compact, which is ideal if you are short on space. The theatre can be set up in about five minutes or so, and the magnetic sticks and the characters are all ready to go. You are also provided with a story sheet from which to narrate, or to use as a guide when performing the plays.

I have to say, actually telling the stories using the magnets takes some getting used to. I was worried that Chipmunk would get frustrated, but I have to say I have never seen him have so much fun with a toy!

He was in fits of giggles as the magnets attracted more than one character at a time. He couldn’t stop laughing as the Big Bad Wolf dragged the poor helpless pigs around the stage. The whole ‘show’ was punctuated with cries of “Oh, hang on a minute!” (as he picked up the characters for the umpteenth time), “No, I’m not ready yet!” (as I was narrating the story) and “Wait! The wolf has fallen off the stage again!” I’ll almost be sorry when he does get the hang of it and the characters do as he wants them to!

Chipmunk was somewhat bemused by the expression on Prince Charming's face!

This is such an awesome way to spend a rainy afternoon stuck inside with the kids. You don’t have to stick to the stories provided either – there are so many characters that I’m sure with a little imagination you could be creating fairy tales of your own in no time! For £13.95 this is fantastic value for money and, in my opinion, suitable for children whatever their age. A cheap, fun and beautifully-presented way to fire up your child’s imagination. Win!

Disclosure:  I was provided with Magnetic Theatre from BigJigs by WoodenToyShop. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

Chipmunk and I were lucky enough to be picked recently to review some BigJigs toys. We ended up with several toys to review, so I have decided to split them up into separate posts. I know that attention spans or time in front of the computer can be limited!

The first of the toys we tried out was Natural Wooden Quoits. I’ve played games similar to this before, but Chipmunk does not really enjoy them. His hand-eye co-ordination is not good and his vision difficulties make judging distance a near-impossible task. Still, he decided that he would have a go.

Setting the game up was really easy. You can assemble it (and take it apart again) in under 2 minutes – great if you have excitable children around! The scoring system is printed on the back of the box for easy reference, too. And that’s pretty much it! There are no rules, no complicated instructions to read – just set it up and away you go.

To start with, we were both a bit rubbish! Then, after a few tries, we started scoring points. Chipmunk was so excited when he got his first hoop over the post. After that, he was sold.

It didn’t matter that there were rope hoops flying all over the garden. Or that his throwing technique needs a lot of work! He just loved playing the game – he would probably have stayed out there all afternoon and all night if I’d let him!

For such a simple toy, BigJigs Quoits gives an awful lot of pleasure for the price (£13.45). I would also thoroughly recommend it as a therapeutic tool for children who have issues with distance, spatial awareness and co-ordination. The quoits are really easy to hold on to and throw and the entire thing is great quality. It also looks great with the bright colours – and is small enough to be used in any garden, even a postage-stamp sized one like ours.

All in all, this toy was a resounding success!

Disclosure:  I was provided with Natural Wooden Quoits from BigJigs by WoodenToyShop. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

 No, you haven’t missed anything. I didn’t post an update for week two. I locked myself out of my blog (stop sniggering in the back!) and so couldn’t post last Monday. Normal service has now been resumed – a relief, I’m sure.

So, how am I doing with this weight loss trial? I’m going to be honest here and say that I haven’t weighed myself yet. I don’t dare – I’m terrified of crushing disappointment! Still, I do have some updates to share with you.

I feel so much better in myself. More energy, less tiredness – I just feel…better.

I managed to spend three days walking (and pushing Chipmunk) around Disneyland without stopping to pause for breath every two seconds. My diet has also improved dramatically. During my Disneyland trip I ate pasta, salad, low-fat yoghurts…and enjoyed them! I had fries once – but couldn’t manage the whole portion. And I only had one small ice-cream.

It’s not all going in the right direction though. I’m still struggling with my coca-cola addiction. I have been interspersing coke with apple juice, but am nowhere near weaning myself off it completely! Hopefully I’ll get there with that in the long term.

On the whole, things are going well. I’m pleased with the progress I’m making and how much better I’m feeling in myself. I might even have a weigh-in next week!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the full MuTu System course and the 21-Day Thinking Slimmer course plus two Slimpods. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

 It is no secret among those of you that know me that I am overweight. Very overweight. I haven’t weighed myself for years, but I know that at a dress size 20, I have a BIG problem. Today, I finally bit the bullet and decided that if I’m going to do this properly, I need to be able to accurately track my progress. Enter the Wii Fit.

Crap.

I’m starting to wish I hadn’t done this.

Ok. So. This is what I look like today:

WEIGHT: 16st 8lb

BMI: 37.34

IDEAL WEIGHT: 9st 11lb

IDEAL BMI: 22

Ouch. It sucks. I know. It’s actually worse than I thought.

I have always been big, ever since I hit puberty. I struggle with the motivation to get going with exercise even though, perversely, I really enjoy it once I actually do get going. To be honest, I was starting to get a little desperate and was losing all hope of ever being a ‘normal’ size again. I think part of my lethargy is down to my concoction of meds, but I can by no means blame them for all of it. This one is down to me.

I have heard some amazing things about both the MuTu System and Thinking Slimmer over the last few weeks. So when I was offered the opportunity to take part in a brand new tandem trial involving both of these weight loss programmes, I jumped at it. In fact, I grabbed it with both hands as enthusiastically as if it were an enormous piece of delicious chocolate cake!

The tandem trial is basically hoping to tackle weight loss from both sides – the physical (exercise, healthy eating) and the psychological (changing the way we think about food). I am hopeful that this will be the best approach for me – I certainly have never managed to stick to anything else! I received the first weekly MuTu downloads a couple of weeks ago. However there was a bit of a hitch with Thinking Slimmer – thankfully now sorted – which meant that my start was delayed. My OCD refused to let me start MuTu properly until everything was in place – this is, after all, a tandem trial!

My aim is to get to a size 12. I am well aware that this will probably not happen during the trial. However, I think that if I can at least get well on my way to this goal, I will have the enthusiasm to be able to continue once the trial has finished.

So, what will be my biggest issue? Probably, coca-cola. I love it. I’m sure it’s an addiction. The problem is that it’s one thing that makes you pile on the pounds! I am hopeful that with MuTu and Thinking Slimmer I can overcome this particular stumbling block, along with many others.

One thing I love about both of the programmes is that once you sign up, you are given access to loads – and I mean loads – of resources to help you. As well as recipes, videos and numerous articles there is also the chance for one-to-one advice and support from the experts – as well as a personalised booklet to help you through the 21 days of the Thinking Slimmer course. MuTu and Thinking Slimmer really do give you every chance to succeed.

So, this will be my weight-loss diary for the next few weeks. Every Monday I will chart my successes – and my failures – for the world to see. I figure it’s another thing that might keep me going when things get tough. Public humiliation is never something to look forward to, after all!

Right then. Enough procrastination. My MuTu resources are waiting for me to dive in, my Thinking Slimmer handbook is freshly printed and my first Slimpod is downloaded and ready to be listened to tonight. At least I don’t have a husband to annoy by listening to the dulcet tones of another man while in bed!

Let the trial begin…

Disclosure:  I was provided with the full MuTu System course and the 21-Day Thinking Slimmer course plus two Slimpods. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

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Did you know I had a Fairy Hobmother? Yes, you read that right. A Fairy Hobmother.

Who goes by the name of Ian.

Really.

I think he looks like this:

So I’m a little late to the party with this one I guess, but a while ago said Fairy… aka Ian from Appliances Online… contacted me to offer me a surprise gift. He has been flapping his little fairy wings all over the blogging community of late, and he stopped by to sprinkle a little fairy dust on me (don’t tell Ian, but I think I’m allergic, it made me sneeze) – wasn’t that sweet of him?

My lovely Hobmother kindly sent me some vouchers for Amazon. Now, I was going to spend them towards some new camera equipment – but then I had a thought. And I decided instead that I am going to revive the fitness kick that I started a while – *cough* years *cough* – ago. So I bought an awesome yoga mat – those things are not cheap! – with extra padding so it can double as a general workout mat, yay!

And a carry-bag for it. And then I gave in to my geekery and bought a few vital iPad accessories. Like a stylus. You know – important stuff. *blush*

And in the time-honoured tradition of blogging, I am going to share my fitness adventures with you guys. Maybe I’ll give it a title. Like, ‘Awesome Life Experiences of a Yoga Mat’. Or something. Or maybe not.

So, thank you again Ian – my lovely Fairy Hobmother. Sorry for being so tardy in my write-up! Have fun on your blogland travels – and don’t flap your wings too hard, I’d hate for you to do yourself an injury!

Disclosure:  I was provided with vouchers for Amazon.co.uk by Appliances Online. I received no other compensation. The above post is my own. My love admiration for Ian is in no way influenced by aforementioned vouchers. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

This competition is now **CLOSED**

I decided that the best way to celebrate the launch of bubbleboo.com would be to do something nice for my readers – you. So I was in luck to be contacted by the lovely people at Find Me a Gift asking me if I would like to run a giveaway for them.

Yes, please!

With Father’s Day coming up, there are lots of wonderful gifts to choose from at Find Me A Gift. However, I believe I have picked the best of the bunch for one of you lovely people to receive!

Behold, the Become a Whisky Ambassador Gift Box.

This prize allows you to learn all about how whisky is made, as well as offering the opportunity of a whisky tasting and distillery tour – how cool is that?!

{more product info here}

This set would make a fantastic Father’s Day gift for the Mister in your life. Or maybe a birthday present for the discerning whisky drinker you know and love. Or even as a special treat for yourself – why not?! This is the perfect opportunity to get behind the scenes and become an ambassador for your favourite tipple.

Let’s get to the details – what do you have to do to get your hands on this gift?

TO ENTER: Just leave a comment on this post – it’s that simple! It doesn’t have to be a long comment, or include anything in particular – but a little more than one or two words would be nice! Make sure to include your contact information (e-mail or Twitter) so that I can let you know if you are the lucky winner! {UK Residents only}

In addition to that I am allowing some ways to get bonus entries for this competition.

Bonus 1: Simply Tweet this:  ” I am entering @bubbleboo ‘s competition to #win a Whisky Ambassador Gift Box from @findmeagift http://bit.ly/m9dXAm ” and leave a separate comment telling me that you have done so = 1 extra entry

Bonus 2: Follow me via Google Friend Connect {in the sidebar ➝ } and leave a separate comment telling me that you have done so = 1 extra entry

The competition will close next Wednesday – good luck!

TERMS and CONDITIONS:

• You must be a UK resident.

• You must leave a comment for your initial entry. Bonus entries which are made without first completing the compulsory entry will be disregarded.

• You must leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry (compulsory first, then any bonus entries you wish to complete)

• The giveaway will run until next Wednesday (15th June) at 4pm, at which time I will number all entries consecutively, in the order they were received. I will then use a Popular Random Number Generator to decide the winner.

• The winner will be notified by myself immediately to arrange delivery of the prize. The winner must respond within 24 hours of notification in order to receive the prize.

• My decision on entry validity and winner notification is final.

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I was asked recently if I would review a new personal security product for women, from ila Security. At first, I wasn’t sure, as it is outside of my usual remit of parenting/writing/photography – but then I took a closer look at the accompanying brochure, and the ila Security website.

And then I accepted the review.

ila Security make a variety of products aimed at offering women some extra protection as they go about their daily lives. I know that none of us wants to think about the possibility of something untoward happening, but it’s a sad fact of life that, very occasionally, bad things happen. If something can be done to give us a better chance of coming out of it, then that has to be a positive thing. I was offered a choice of these products to review, and I decided to go for the ila Dusk.

The Dusk is a personal alarm which clips onto the outside of a bag – or coat, or trousers…anywhere you can clip a keyring and have it easily accessible, basically! On the other end of the alarm from the clip is a chain. Pull it, and the alarm goes.

But that’s where any similarity to other personal alarm products ends. For the Dusk doesn’t just make that high-pitched squeal that most people assume is just an excitable car alarm. Oh no. The Dusk screams.

And boy, does it scream.

130db of female scream, to be exact – which not only serves to alert others to your plight, but may also disorientate an attacker long enough for you to make like Linford Christie and get out of there.

The Dusk also comes in several beautiful designs. I had a hard time deciding which I liked best, but eventually I chose this gorgeous blue butterfly design:

Pretty, ain’t it?

ila Security seem to have hit the nail on the head with these chic and distinctly feminine products. Gone are the days of the clunky, black, boxy alarms – these pretty and versatile products are infinitely sexier!

One thing I will say, is that I expected the alarm to be heavier than it actually is. When I opened it, I thought it felt a little bit plasticky, instead of the cool metal feel I was expecting. I was also a bit worried that I’d break it if I pulled the chain too hard, and be stuck with a woman shrieking loudly at me for the next few months! But actually, there was no problem using the product – and I guess lightweight is probably good if you have a handbag full of other crap to drag around the dancefloor with you!

On these long, dark Winter nights, personal safety is more of an issue than, say, at the height of Summer. The ila Dusk might just serve to make you feel that little bit safer as you live your life to the full.

To find out more, you can visit the ila Security website, or browse their product brochure online.

Overall Verdict: I like this product. It’s a new approach to an ever-present problem, and it’s certainly the best – and prettiest – product of its type on the market today.

Disclosure:  I was provided with an ila Dusk personal alarm from ila Security. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

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Recently, I was asked to do a write-up of a new website. Not just a new website, but a whole new concept of a site.

You see, 15 Gifts is not your average gifting website. Oh no, 15 Gifts is a gifting website with bells on!

The premise is so simple, yet I have not come across it in this format before. Basically, you answer a few questions about the person you are buying for, 15 Gifts searches through many online boutiques, and hey presto! You get some awesome gift suggestions that are tailor-made for the person you are buying a gift for.

How cool is that?

Not only that, but the website allows you to create an account, and set up profiles for various friends and family members – making the whole process even quicker the next time you are buying for them.

But wait… there’s more!

If a gift suggestion pops up that is not appropriate, you tell the site that you don’t like it – and it remembers! Not only that, but it recognises other things that you may not like based on your selection.

Now, I know that you will be sitting there thinking that it’s all done on some fancy algorithm that would go straight over the top of my head. Personally, I think there are dozens of little elves working their butts off to find compatible presents for all my nearest and dearest.

Picture Credit: Wallcoo.net

Or maybe that’s just the Christmas mania getting to me!

Whatever the reality (it’s the elves, trust me!), 15 Gifts is the perfect site to use for all the Christmas shopping you haven’t done yet – which, let’s face it, is most of it. Or is that just me, too?!

I will certainly be using it from now on, and I think you should give it a try, too. It might just make your life a little – or a whole lot – easier!

Rating:  ★★★★★  5/5 stars

Overall Verdict: Great website, based on a unique and extremely useful concept! Website is easy to use – and the choice of goods, from some excellent stores, is fantastic. I will use them in future.

Disclosure:  I was provided with a gift of my choosing from 15 Gifts. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated in the above post are my own. They are my true opinions, and are in no way influenced by the aforementioned compensation I received for this post. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

This is a Sponsored Post

It is usually around about this time of year – in the depths of Winter, with freezing temperatures and monochrome skies – that I find my thoughts turning to sunnier climes. What I wouldn’t give to be lying on a beach somewhere, the white sand warm to the touch, and the gentle sound of the ocean lulling me to sleep.

Sadly, I am usually jerked out of this daydream by the demands of a bored seven-year-old!

Every year, I promise myself that I will try to afford a break away. Nothing fancy, you know, just one of those cheap package holidays to somewhere hot. And fun. And hot.

We’ve managed it once. Well, twice, if you count the Isle of Man 4 years ago…but I don’t because it’s not particularly…well…hot! The only other holiday we’ve had since Chipmunk was born was ten days in Malta and Gozo.

It was my first time abroad – properly abroad, I don’t count France or Belgium because we went there by train! It was only my second flight – and although I am a very poor flier, even I had to concede that the view from the window over the Swiss Alps, and then along Italy’s beautiful coastline was pretty incredible.

As for the holiday itself? I can honestly say, no word of a lie, it was my best holiday ever. Ever. Ten days of Chipmunk, me, the Mediterranean – and two beautiful, beautiful islands. The people were wonderful – so friendly and welcoming. Those were the best ten days I’d had in a very long time.

Since then, we haven’t been able to go away like that. Not properly. It stings when Chipmunk goes back to school after the holidays and all his friends are showing off their pictures from Orlando, or Spain, or the Caribbean.

I know Chipmunk doesn’t mind. And he really doesn’t mind. But I do. I would so love to be able to have that time away once a year, just the two of us. I’d love to go back to Malta – but there are so many other places that I’d love to visit, too! It’s not about the holiday, particularly – the hotel, the food, even the destination.

It’s about the experience. The relaxation that getting completely away from your life can bring. It’s about the healing. That holiday did so much for Chipmunk – and me – that years at home could never do.

Maybe next year, if the financial situation allows, we will find a way to travel again.

Maybe not.

It would be nice, though – wouldn’t it?

To all of our wonderful readers:

I wish you a happy, successful and blessed 2012.

Thank you for being so great!

Ok, so most of you probably know by now that April is Autism Awareness month.

{If you follow me on Twitter, you will be in no doubt at all by now!}

Those of you who read The Thought Bubble regularly will also know that autism is something that is very close to my heart, affecting as it does both Chipmunk and myself.

I was really honoured recently to be invited to attend an event in London, where MedicAlert were launching their first ever range of bands for people with autism – The AK Autism Bands.

{I say I was invited. I pretty much asked begged for an invitation, and the lovely folks at MedicAlert agreed!}

I had been hoping that these bands would be introduced in the UK, as so far the only place that seemed to do anything remotely similar was Canada. I’m really pleased that it’s MedicAlert who have taken up the baton and made bands for people with autism available. The charity already does a fantastic job looking after people with many different illnesses and disabilities. They provide bracelets, necklaces and other items which have the patients details inscribed, so that in an emergency they can be treated quickly and effectively by emergency services. MedicAlert also hold full details on the patient, which they release to the appropriate person in an emergency, to ensure that the staff providing treatment can do so safely and successfully.

So, how does this relate to people – children and adults – with autism? Well, the bands work in the same way as other MedicAlert products, in that they make people aware that the wearer suffers with an ASD. They hold details in the same way, and in an emergency situation they can provide further information via their telephone line – which is staffed by the London Ambulance Service.

It’s a fantastic system.

Personally, I think the autism bands are a huge step forward for those involved with the autism community. Plus, the bands were designed by youngsters whose lives have been touched by autism. I think this is truly amazing, and a great way to connect with the kids (and adults) who will be wearing them.

Here is what they look like:

Aren’t they fab?! Chipmunk would love one, I know. He might even wear it!

As for the launch itself? It was amazing!

Firstly, it was in London. I love London. Plus, I had some time to kill when I got there, and just so happened to be on Oxford Street – shopping bliss!

I was very good, and managed to only buy a couple of gifts for Chipmunk. Most restrained of me, I think!

The launch was held at the London College of Fashion – can you think of a less suitable location for me to be? Hah! It’s ok though, I made an effort.

I got to listen to (and have a quick chat with!) Anna Kennedy – the AK of the bands’ title – a truly inspirational lady who has managed to single-handedly give me and countless others hope for the future. If you are in any way affected by autism, I strongly recommend that you visit Anna’s website.

We were entertained by some truly gifted students whose lives are touched by autism, and see some beautiful photographs of really wonderful children who live with autism.

And as an added bonus, I got to say hello to the awesome Kathy Lette, whose next book will mention autism. In fact, my brief conversation with Kathy became the highlight of my whole trip, when she told me I was pretty after I said I didn’t want my picture taken with her.

I nearly fainted.

In fact, she must have thought I was a bit odd because when she said it I just stood there with my mouth open, completely at a loss as to what to say next. In the end, I just smiled and took her picture!

{Oh, the shame!}

Kathy, I love you, you’re great! There is nothing like a world-famous bestselling author telling you you’re pretty to boost the confidence

From a personal perspective, I think that wearing his AK autism band may well serve as a reminder to those involved with Chipmunk that he does have HF-ASD.

He might be sitting there quietly.

He might get 100% in a spelling test.

He still needs help.

These bands are fantastic on so many levels. For making people aware of someone’s needs, for providing information in an emergency – and simply offering a sense of reassurance that may not have been there before.

Why not order one today?

This is not a sponsored post. It’s just a cause I really believe in and something I happen to think is pretty darn important, actually.

N.B. I apologise for the really crappy photos. I forgot to take my proper camera (oops) so I was using my iPhone. The light in the building was really harsh and I was shaking so much through the entire event that there was no hope of getting a blur-free shot!

*mutters a few more excuses here*

Sorry.

…Take a moment.

I was reading something my friend posted on Plurk the other day, about scientists creating autistic mice. I had read about this in the paper, and wasn’t really convinced by the whole thing. However, I do find any and all research into autism worth at least listening to.

{It’s ok, I’m not going to get into an ethical debate about the rights and wrongs of creating autistic mice – or even how you diagnose a mouse with autism, when diagnosing a human seems to take forever and be completely hit and miss. Do the mice stim? – this post is not about the mice. Although I am sure they are very sweet mice.}

Anyway. The Plurk. Right.

So, I was reading this Plurk, and the responses to it, and something that one of my friend’s contacts said caught my eye. The conversation had kind of veered onto the ‘how to cure autism’ side of things, and she had responded to that.

This is what she put: “My brother sent me that link (to the mouse article). He’s fascinated, but does not want to be ‘cured’.”

“Protein found in brain cells may be key to Autism. Just the same, I don’t want to be cured. I’m happy the way I am.”

~ Brian Lafferty

 

That one sentence was really powerful, and stopped me in my tracks as I was reading. Now, I have been aware before about the different schools of thought as far as autism is concerned. I know that where some advocate the education of others in autism awareness, others are pushing for a cure. There are those who think it’s ok to be autistic, and those who would sell their soul to be free of the condition.

Also, it should be remembered that autism is called a spectrum condition for a reason. There are degrees of autism, and many different manifestations that impact a person with the condition’s ability to function. If Chipmunk was lower functioning, or had some of the learning difficulties that may go along with autism, maybe I would look at things differently. It goes without saying, of course, that I can only speak for myself here. My opinion comes from being an adult with probable HF-ASD who has a son with diagnosed HF-ASD/Asperger’s. So my thoughts are my own, ok?

“Autism is not something I have. It is integral to who I am. Eliminate the autism, and you eliminate me. When you say you want a cure, you are saying I should be put to death. Think about it.“

~ Parrish S. Knight

I’m not sure I would phrase it quite that strongly, but my reaction when I sat and thought about what a cure would mean – really mean – for Chipmunk and I was certainly along these lines.

To me, autism is an integral part of Chipmunk and I. It’s inextricably inked in with everything else that makes us who we are. It is responsible for our thinking, our logic, our perception of the world around us and the people in it. It’s part of our DNA. Maybe this isn’t always a good thing, but the fact remains that this is how it is.

If you take the autism away, what is left behind?

If someone were to offer me a magic pill today that would eradicate my autism, I would have to refuse it. I wouldn’t even think twice. Because it’s hard enough to know who I am now, with all the life experience I have already. How on earth would I be able to understand myself if you take away everything that I know? I may not be perfect now. I may find things difficult and scary and confusing. But at least I’m prepared for that. I know that things are going to be that way, so I compensate. I adjust my behaviour accordingly. If you take all of that away, what am I left with? More confusion than I had before. ‘Curing’ my autism may take away much of the associated stress and anxiety, but there is no guarantee that it won’t bring its own problems. I don’t know how to look at the world as a ‘normal’ person. I’m only just comfortable with being the me that I am now.

That said, I would happily give up the depression and OCD traits that can accompany autism – and do so merrily with me! The gut problems could take a hike, too. And I would give anything to release Chipmunk from the physical disabilities he suffers, as well as his hearing and vision difficulties. But the autism itself? I’m not so sure.

Would being ‘normal’ make my life easier? Of course it would. And Chipmunk’s? Heck yes! But then, does it matter if he relieves his tension by stimming? Surely flapping his hands a bit is a better way to relieve his tension than punching someone in the face.

Yes, fighting for every little thing is exhausting, and frustrating and demoralising. I’m not going to sit here and pretend that parenting a child on the spectrum is a bed of roses. It isn’t, frankly. But how much sweeter the reward when you finally get somewhere. When the people you are pushing against finally realise that what you are saying does make sense.

The little victories are everything, they are so worthwhile. When you are treading such a long road, you have to stop and smell the roses occasionally.

But I digress.

If he didn’t have autism, we would have no reason to fight, granted – but we wouldn’t have Chipmunk, either.

If Chipmunk had been born autism-free – or if there were a cure and we had taken it – I wonder what he would be like today? Would he be the gentle, placid boy that he is now – or would he be turning into a little thug like so many of the boys in his school?

He doesn’t tell lies, because it wouldn’t occur to him to.

He isn’t deceitful, because he wouldn’t know how to be.

He isn’t afraid to say “I love you” – just because.

Autism has given Chipmunk (and me!) a love of books – a precious gift that is to be treasured. He loves music, and language and humour.

He loves life.

If you eradicate autism, then you deprive the world of people like Temple Grandin, Mark Twain and probably Einstein, Darwin, Yeats, Mozart and Van Gogh as well – to name but a very few.

You deprive the world of Chipmunk.

Would the world be a better place then? Really?

It seems to me that without autism, there would be a lot less of the drive and creativity needed to create many of the things people love.

“For success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential.”

~ Hans Asperger

When people speak to me about my photography, they often tell me that they love my eye. Apparently, I look at things in a completely different – often obscure! – way. I take pictures of the things that others don’t see.

Would I have that gift without the autism? Who knows.

And if autism has influenced so much of who I am today, then by taking it away, how much of me are you going to take with it? In fact, will there be anything left of me at all?

I’m not willing to take the chance on finding out.

*Tap*

*Tap*

Is this thing on? Is my blog still here? Are you still here? I do hope so! Sorry for the unexpected hiatus – I was caught by an unscheduled and rather overwhelming bout of can’t-be-bothered-to-blog-itis. A nasty and virulent little disease, that robbed me of any motivation I may once have possessed, however fleetingly. I am, however, valiantly battling back – and writing this post in fits and starts, in between taking care of my farm, feeding my customers and clobbering bears (FB, you have a lot to answer for!).

So, the Summer holidays finally came to an end last week (far too soon, in my humble opinion – it felt like we only just started them!) and Wednesday saw a mass return to school.

It was hard, after having Chipmunk home for the Summer, to suddenly have to deal with the early starts again! I am not a morning person. At all. Something I really need to work on!

You may recall my crippling anxiety about Chipmunk returning to school – if you want to refresh your memory, you can read a post I did about it on The Writer’s Bubble.

It’s ok, I’ll wait for you to come  back.

Ready?

Good.

We are lucky, in that Chipmunk’s school is an infant and junior school in one, so the children are there all the way through from age 4 to age 11. There is no separation of the two sections either, so children get to know teachers and facilities right from the start – this helps to minimise the culture shock when transferring to the juniors!

That said, the leap from year 2 to year 3 is still a big one – for any child. For a child on the autism spectrum, it is especially so.

Not only was I concerned about all the changes Chipmunk would have to face, he was also having to do so without Miss Fifi at his side. She, as you may remember, is in the other year 3 class. Yes, it is fairly safe to say that I was a bit of a nervous wreck last Wednesday morning – but hiding it well, obviously!

As it turned out, I needn’t have been so stressed. Things turned out better than I could ever have expected them to.

Chipmunk loves his teacher (Miss Dillon), loves his classroom, loves his topics – I have never seen him so happy and settled, and in such a short space of time! It is truly astounding! He also has a Teaching Assistant (shared with one other child) – and she used to work with him in Reception class. Her name is Miss Reyes, and he loves her to bits!

Whatever magic his new teacher has worked, I want some of it to keep at home for when things get tough!

And after school on that first day, Chipmunk and Miss Fifi found each other, and came bounding across the playground towards us grinning from ear to ear.

Now, they meet in the playground in the mornings, go into school together, and come out together in the afternoons. After the first couple of days, Chipmunk went into the school building without me. From yesterday, he didn’t even need me to go to the door, trotting off with his book bag and lunch box, leaving me bursting with pride in the playground.

Yes, he needs someone to open the door for him so he can enter the building (Miss Fifi usually does this!) and yes, we had a problem with the toilets – he wasn’t strong enough to open the door – but his teacher lets him use the disabled toilets now, so that’s solved! He still hates PE, but says Miss Dillon is very kind to him anyway.

On the first day, Chipmunk came home wearing a badge – “I am the Table Captain for my group”, he said proudly. “That means I have to organise things and help Miss Dillon”. Yes, I melted.

On Friday, he came home with a certificate, a pencil and a sticker proclaiming him ‘Star of the Week’ – and wearing a massive grin. I don’t care whether he did something special to warrant it, or whether it was designed to help him settle in – I am just grateful that he is so happy, and whatever helps to achieve this is ok by me!

I am still having some problems with the SENCO, but that’s an issue for another time. For now, I am celebrating Chipmunk’s happiness. Nothing is more important than that.

Yesterday, Chipmunk’s Nanny wished him a happy day at school. His reply? “Nanny! I always have happy days in year 3!”

Long may it continue!

Today was the last day of the school year, and I gotta tell you, it’s been a bit of a roller-coaster!

Those of you who have been with us since the beginning will be aware of our ups and downs. For everyone else, here’s a brief summary:

July 2009: Last day of term. Chipmunk is finally diagnosed with High-Functioning ASD (Asperger’s), after I fought for a referral and then waited a year for the Paediatric assessment.

July 2009 – February 2010: Chipmunk is diagnosed with many other conditions, including hypermobility, delayed muscle development, retained primary reflexes and an inability to visualise in 3D.

September 2009: Chipmunk starts in Mrs. Jones’ class (Year 2). She is firm but fair. She is ‘old-school’, which is what Chipmunk needs. Unfortunately, the early part of the school year is characterised by mis-communication (or just no communication at all) between the SENCO and Mrs. Jones. She is left out of the loop, I then feel she is not doing things properly, and a bad atmosphere starts to develop.

February 2010: The unspoken bad feeling culminates in a sarcastic comment left by Mrs. Jones in Chipmunk’s home/school link book. I write An Open Letter to Mrs Jones.

February – July 2010: The situation drastically improves. Mrs. Jones and I bypass the SENCO and have all necessary discussions face-to-face. Chipmunk is settled and happy. Mrs. Jones feels appreciated. I feel listened to.

Nobody knows or cares what the SENCO is doing.

23 July 2010: End of Term. End of Year 2. End of Chipmunk’s time with Mrs. Jones.

This is what happened today…

The little boy stood at the top of the classroom steps, scanning the sea of faces for his mother. Catching sight of her, he carefully made his way down the four stone steps – the ones that his teacher had spent most of the last year practising with him. Up and down, up and down. On and on until he was confident, until he could negotiate the steps on his own.

Watching him descend the steps towards her, his mother remembered how the teacher would stand and watch him from the classroom door, always smiling and clapping when he made it safely to the bottom. As he ran in his own, unique way towards her, she smiled at his grinning face and sparkling eyes. Always the last out of the classroom, today he was one of the first. He was excited and happy, clutching his lunchbox and his drink – and his book bag full of edible delights from his teacher and teaching assistants, as well as the rest of his school work from the year.

They were about to leave, when he pulled on his mother’s arm and stopped walking. Looking earnestly into her face, he said:

“I forgot to tell her I’ll miss her. I need to tell her.”

His mother nodded, and they walked back towards the classroom. The teacher was inside the door by now, checking on the stragglers, making sure everything was collected and accounted for. Looking after her charges until the very last moment.

As his mother waited at the bottom of the steps, she watched her boy slowly but deliberately climb back up to the top. He approached his teacher and stopped in front of her. Never one to make himself heard, he waited for her to notice him. When she looked over at him, he smiled and said simply: “I’ll miss you, Mrs. Jones”. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she smiled and said: “And I will miss you too, Chipmunk”.

He grinned. That was enough for him.

His task completed, the small boy gathered his things together and made his way down the classroom steps for the last time. His mother met him at the bottom and took his hand once more. Looking up, she saw the teacher standing at the top of the steps. Leaning on the guard rail, she was watching them leave. Catching the teacher’s eye, she silently mouthed two words: Thank You.

The older woman nodded, turned, and walked away.

The small boy and his mother left the playground. The small boy chattering and laughing. His mother quiet, reflecting.

Happy.

And Sad.

But mostly thankful – for Mrs. Jones.

I wonder what Year 3 will bring…

Transition Day.

It’s like Independence Day.

Only with classrooms. And fear. And less fireworks.

I don’t think the school governors would spring for fireworks. I don’t think Health and Safety would like it much, either.

Transition Day. Nothing at all like Independence Day.

Yesterday was Transition Day at Chipmunks’ school. The dreaded day when the children find out who their teacher will be next year, and which of their friends will still be in their class. The school has been really good with Chipmunk and, as they did last year, they have already taken him on a tour of the Year 3 area to familiarise him with it. This was great as it does as much as possible to dissipate the nerves before he has to actually move into Year 3!

For my part, I can’t quite believe that my baby is going to be in the Junior section of the school. How fast did those infant years zoom by??

So anyway, Chipmunk discovered that he is in a lovely class next year, and that his teacher is fantastic. Apparently one of the girls he is with ran over to him just to say how lovely she thought the teacher was. This is brilliant, and I am really pleased.

I am also really pleased that he is no longer with SuperBrat™. I can’t really reveal too much about SuperBrat™ without identifying him. Suffice it to say that one of his parents is a VIP within the school, and so SuperBrat™ uses this to his distinct advantage. Chipmunk has been stuck with SuperBrat™ ever since he started in Reception, and now, finally, he will be free of him! Hurrah!

There is, however, a down side to all of this happiness. (You knew it was coming, don’t pretend otherwise!)

Chipmunk has been separated from Miss Fifi next year. Also for the first time since Reception.

I am sure they have not done it on purpose. I am sure they didn’t even think about it. But that’s kind of the problem, you see. They have all of these reports stating that Chipmunk finds it really difficult to make friends. Therefore the ones he has connected with are all the more important. And the class teacher and the SENCO know about his relationship with Miss Fifi. They know how close they are, and how special she is to him. She just ‘gets’ him. And compensates accordingly.

So, I am really sad that they are not together next year. I’m also worried about how he’s going to cope with it, but trying not to show him that I’m worried. And she’ll be in the classroom next door to him – it’s just not the same.

It’s not as if she can come hurtling through to rescue him if he needs her…

…Although…

…Knowing Miss Fifi…

Anyway, there’s nothing we can do about it, so I’ll just have to swallow the lump in my throat and wish for the best. And hope that he doesn’t get into a situation where he needs rescuing.

And besides…

There’s always the playground.

For the first time, I thought Chipmunk was going to make it through an entire half term without any absence from school. We have had no hospital appointments during school hours, no doctors or opticians appointments during school hours – and best of all, no illness. I really believed (seeing as the half-term break is only a week away now) that we were going to make it.

And then, Chipmunk woke up yesterday with a raging temperature and an earache. Great. I was hoping he’s be back at school today, but no such luck. His ears are so blocked that he can’t hear a word anyone says to him, and they keep popping which is causing him pain. So he’s missed the last two days.

I’m not annoyed with him, of course I’m not. I’m just frustrated for him that we were so close! Also, it’s SATs time and so he will probably have to re-sit whatever he’s missed as far as they are concerned. And the kids get rewarded with merit points for every full week, half term and term that they attend. He is, therefore, quite some way behind many of the others. It’s so unfair – and it’s circumstance really, not that he’s a particularly sickly child.

Over the last year, in the run-up to his autism diagnosis, he has obviously had quite a few assessment appointments. Add to this his mobility problems, which have required occupational therapy and physiotherapy assessments. Plus, he was under the care of ENT for his hearing issues. All of these people tend to only run clinics 9-5. Therefore it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that they will encroach on school hours. All this takes him at least up to – if not over – his percentage of time allowed off school. So, if he does then get sick, he immediately gets put on the list of kids to be watched. Which I think is unfair.

I have tried explaining the situation to the SENCO, whose general attitude is “Chipmunk has missed rather a lot of school. Do you think he will manage to come in for the next couple of weeks until the end of term?”. Well gee, let me just have a quick look in my crystal ball and I’ll let you know about that one. For crying out loud! I have tried explaining it to the local Educational Welfare Officer (because she is now ‘monitoring his progress’). Nobody cares what the actual circumstances are, because at the end of the day it reflects badly on the school (and consequently the local authority) if a child is missing too much time. Figures are more important than facts, and because of this there is the danger that I will be labelled a bad mother. Someone who can’t be bothered to send her kid to school. Who doesn’t care about his education. Never mind that I have been fighting all the way through to get him the help and support he needs at school, apparently I should magically make his appointments not clash with class time, and somehow prevent him from ever getting sick.

How about I just put on a lycra suit and call myself Wonder Woman while I’m at it?

Actually, I do quite like those boots…

This evening, Chipmunk informed me that he couldn’t give me a kiss when I wanted one. Apparently, he only had one left in his stockroom, and if he used it now that would be it. Also, he thought he should mention that he was down to one hug, too! He said that there might be a delivery later, but he couldn’t guarantee it, so I may want to keep the one he had in reserve, just in case!

This may sound awful, but Chipmunk does this a lot. Usually to other people though, rather than me. I guess today must be a bad day!

I’ve never heard a child do this before – usually it’s either yes you can have a cuddle, or no you can’t. With Chipmunk, it’s that he wants to give you one, but doesn’t have one to give! And you know, I’ve been thinking about this, and actually it makes sense.

Well, it does to me, anyway…

The thing is, I think I know how he feels. As a child, I hated cuddles and kisses. My family members knew that when they came to visit they were not to be tactile with me. To their immense credit, they accepted it. Even to this day, they always ask me if it’s ok to give me a hug or a peck on the cheek. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about them, or want to spend time with them, but the sensation of physical contact actually made me physically cringe. It was almost painful.

I wonder now if it’s an autistic thing. I know I can’t put all of his (or my) behaviours down to that, but it does seem to fit with some of the difficulties experienced by people with autism. Specifically – and I can only speak for myself here – it seems to be focused on two things. The first is the ability to show emotion. I am uncomfortable with that. I always have been and I don’t like it. The second is the hyper sensitivity aspect – the actual feeling of being hugged/kissed. It can be almost like a burning, or an unbearable tingling sensation – like when you have really bad pins and needles and you need to rub the area really hard to make it feel normal again. As far as Chipmunk is concerned, we already know he suffers from hyper sensitivity (he won’t walk on the tiles at the swimming pool, for example) so this does seem fairly logical. The feeling always seems to be worse when it’s a situation you haven’t chosen to be in, or have little control over – such as those big family get-togethers I have always despised!

Over the years I have gotten better about this. With my friends, those I truly care about, I can be very tactile indeed. In fact, some people reading this article would be shocked that I was ever anything but. The thing is that it has to be on my terms. To the extreme. Because the level of discomfort I feel can otherwise be difficult to conceal – and obviously I don’t want to trample all over the feelings of someone who is just trying to be nice! Maybe I should adopt Chipmunk’s approach – you know, that could be the way to go! It’s certainly a lot more honest that grinning and bearing it – while being cute and funny enough for people not to be offended. Of course, we show mock offense with Chipmunk, and he knows we’re only teasing. More often than not, he will quickly come for a snuggle and a kiss – and he is very free with his “I love you, Mummy”s. But if he doesn’t, that’s ok too.

I think it’s actually really important that our kids – autistic or not – are not made to engage in unwanted contact. If they don’t want to be cuddled and kissed and have relatives play pass-the-cute-kid with them at family gatherings, they shouldn’t have to. Just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they forfeit their right to respect of their personal space. And often, the people who are all over them are distant relatives they’ve met once in their little lives. That’s like having a stranger come up to you and give you a bear hug. It’s unnerving, overwhelming – and frankly, bloody annoying. Family relationships should not give carte blanche for endless physical contact. If a child is uncomfortable with it, they should be reassured that it’s ok to say so.

I’m not going to get into the whole other side of this coin – the debate about whether people with Asperger’s actually feel emotion. For what it’s worth, I think it’s showing it that is the problem, not feeling it in the first place. But that’s a discussion for another time.

This is all about respect. Personal space. Not crossing the line.

Affection, like respect, should be earned and given freely. Not expected, demanded or forced.

That’s how I see it, anyway.

So here it was, the first Parents’ Consultation Evening since The Letter™. The moment of truth when all would be revealed as to whether Chipmunk was doing ok in school now. Or not. As we climbed the steps to his classroom, I was shaking like a leaf. Partly because I was really hoping that there wouldn’t be any major problems that we had to overcome. Mostly because, even since The Letter™ and her reaction to it, I am still a teensy-weensy, ever-so-slightly, little bit terrified of Mrs Jones.

In the end, I needn’t have worried. At all. In fact, it was all a bit of an anti-climax, really! We were the last to go in, which (despite meaning my inner tension ratcheted up with every passing millisecond) was actually rather nice. Mrs Jones visibly relaxed as she took the timetable for the evening off the classroom door and waved us in. She used names like ‘sweetie’ and ‘poppet’ to address Chipmunk, and directed much of her discussion to him rather than me. That was really nice, as he obviously felt included, and confident enough to answer questions and have a little chat with her.

Chipmunk had brought a book to read while we were waiting – a Secret Seven trilogy – and Mrs Jones had a long conversation with both he and I about the wonders of Enid Blyton!

As far as his progress is concerned, she had only positive observations to share. Nothing of the “Chipmunk has a disrespectful attitude” of the last meeting. Instead, she used words such as “lovely”, “charming” and “polite” to describe him. He is, apparently, a joy to teach and a real pleasure to have in the classroom. As far as the academics are concerned (and this is important as the SATS start next week) she thinks he will definitely achieve a level 3 (top level) in Literacy and is easily capable of a 2a (second level) in Maths. While I am not obsessed with his grades, so long as he is doing well and reaching his potential, this is obviously still good to know.

She is also going to start teaching him how and when to introduce paragraphs into his writing, and some useful sayings to remember. She has also suggested he keep a notebook for good ideas he comes across, and she was very excited to hear about his story blog (which he will be adding to shortly!). I think it is probably a treat for her to have a child who is not only so capable, but actively enjoys and enthuses about school. He told her he had done his Maths homework (set today) already. She said maybe he could have a go at the extension material. His reply? “But I’ve finished that, too!”

All in all – a fantastic evening, far better than expected. Mrs Jones even asked how my Dad was doing (after his episode) and extended her best wishes to him. She was really, really lovely. Really lovely. I do think that part of that is down to The Letter™. I think a bigger part of it is all down to the Chipmunk.

Am I crowing just a touch about how well he’s doing? Yes, I am. And I don’t care. Because where we are now compared to a year ago, or six months ago – or even just a few weeks ago – feels like a whole world away. And I could not be happier for him. And yes, for me, too.

To all of our lovely readers:

I wish you a happy, successful and blessed 2012. There are some exciting things on the horizon this year for me – I can’t wait to share them with you all!

Happy New Year!

In Winter we shiver, frost leaving its glitter,

Snowfall covering the ground.

Gazing in wonder at sparkling splendour,

Carolers all around. 

Written for the 100WCGU#15. The prompt was: To write something with the same rhythm as the 5th November rhyme, using only 21 words, including the phrase ‘…in Winter we shiver…’

For those who do not know the rhyme, it goes like this:

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…

I missed last week’s challenge due to being on holiday, and I seem to have come back just in time for another even more difficult challenge than usual! For more wonderful responses, or to take part yourself, please visit Julia’s Place.

Well, it’s November – so that must mean it’s NaNo time again! For those of you still in the dark, NaNoWriMo is a novelling adventure held every November. Those of us crazy enough to take part have to write at least 50,000 words before the clock strikes 23:59 on November 30th. I didn’t make it last year. This year, however, I have been really excited to get started on my novel – which has to be a good sign, right?!

I’m also really excited for another reason. Chipmunk – my 8 year old – has decided to take part in the Young Writers Program this year. He has set himself a goal of 5,000 words and has been really looking forward to taking part. It’s so great that we are taking this journey together. He will be posting updates over at The Story Spot, so make sure to check in and show him some support!

As soon as this year’s word count widgets are available, I’ll be putting one in my sidebar. That way you can keep an eye on my progress (or lack thereof!).

For now, I thought I would share with you my synopsis (which may change, depending on where my characters decide to take me!):

A Bucketful of Flowers

A tale of murder, art, a persistant feline – and flowers. A bucketful of flowers.

Someone is killing the elderly on the streets of London. Only one woman has caught a glimpse of the attacker and lived to tell.

Monica Rain is a forensic artist with a gift for creating the perfect likeness of a suspect, with even the most limited information. She is also in reluctant possession of another, altogether more powerful gift.

Mojo is a cat. One with a penchant for salmon, blue yarn and art.

If you’re taking part in NaNo this year and want to connect with me on the site, you can find me here.

If you feel like sponsoring me – and helping NaNo develop their Young Writers Program and other resources – you can do so here.

If you or a child you know are taking part in the YWP, you can connect with Chipmunk here.

Quiet as she tried to be, the Autumn leaves crackled under Maya’s feet – intrusively loud in the silent evening. She hugged her coat tighter against the cold. Almost there. She could see the stone circle ahead of her now, just a few feet away. Suddenly, a noise from behind. Intense pain, then…nothing.

Written for the 100WCGU#15. The prompt was: …the autumn leaves…

The title of this post is misleading – this may be the 15th week of this awesome challenge, but it is my first foray into the – frankly, terrifying – world of flash fiction (thanks to the lovely Susan). Please, be gentle with me! Now, head on over to the awesomeness that is Julia’s Place and join in – or just read some of the other offerings for this week’s prompt!

I suddenly realised, as I was getting back into the swing of my writing, that I never updated you on how NaNoWriMo went in November.

Although, if you look over at the widget that is still languishing sadly in my sidebar, it is pretty self-explanatory!

I failed.

Spectacularly.

Out of a possible 50,000 words, my grand total come November 31 was 13, 746.

So, nowhere near, then.

But you know what? A really weird thing happened when it became abundantly clear that I was not going to win in 2010. I didn’t mind. I actually felt ok about it – and a little bit relieved. And when I stopped to wonder why, I realised – it isn’t about NaNo.

No, I haven’t gone mad – really, it isn’t.

It’s about the book.

NaNo is just a way to achieve the writing of the book. To start you on your journey. To introduce you to these characters who are taking the ride along with you. When you embrace the goal of writing a novel, the time limit actually doesn’t matter at all.

Of course, it would be nice to win. I would have loved to have written the 50,000 (and more!). But I’m ok that I didn’t. Because I love my book. I love my characters. And I love not knowing where they are taking me on this expedition into their little world.

Surely, that should be the goal of any author…right?

Those of you who read The Thought Bubble (my main blog and outlet for the majority of my online ramblings) will be aware that I am making some resolutions this year – for the very first time. Well, the very first time I’m doing them properly, anyway. And in public.

There are two that concern The Writer’s Bubble, so I thought I would share them here:

Now, I am not at all sure how posting every day is going to go here on this blog. On The Thought Bubble, I can pretty much get away with posting crap, let’s face it. On bubblebooPhotography, I can post a picture. Even with editing time, that doesn’t take as long as trying to write something. And I can just take a shot with the Hipsta app on the iPhone and call it ‘art’

But here…well, here is different. This place is so important to me. It’s my sanctuary. It’s the place where I can be whoever I want to be…let the muse take over and run free.

The trouble is, oftentimes she runs free in the opposite direction from where I need her to be!

So, I will try to post something here every day. Writing-related, obviously – but possibly not always out of my head. I might post about new challenges I’ve found, or tips and tricks I might have come across. And of course, if my muse decides the time is right to inspire me, you may even find that I write.

You may have noticed that I haven’t written anything here for a while, when I promised to keep you updated on my NaNo progress. You may have thought that this meant that I was haring along and would easily be finished by November 30th.

You really don’t know me at all, do you??

Yes, dear readers, as with last year’s NaNo I am woefully behind. I’m not going to say just how far behind, but if you look at the little widget thing over there —>

you will be able to see for yourself. Now, the widget is not entirely accurate. In the last few days I have taken my iPad on the school run. (I know it sounds mad, but bear with me, ok?) I have to get to school really early in the afternoons to be able to park anywhere near the place – and Chipmunk needs me to park near because he’s not so great with his walking. So, how have I been spending those extra 40 minutes? Writing!! The other day, I got 750 words done, and today: 1100!

I have got my mojo back – and the best thing is that today, I found out what my killer’s motivation is! Yay me!

Wait, what? You didn’t know there was a killer in my book? No, me neither, but apparantly there is – and now I know why! Hurray!

And now, please excuse me while I go back to my book…

Yes, really. I kid you not. NaNoWriMo has started off great for me this year!

{I know, I probably said the same thing last year, but we’ll forget that for the moment!}

I sat at my computer yesterday morning, without any idea at all a clear idea of what I was going to write about. I had the vague outline of my Main Character {MC} and that was it. Then I started to write.

I wrote, and I wrote, and I wrote.

And then I edited a little bit, which was very bad of me and I must not do any more of that until December 1st at the very earliest. For, you see, November is for writing!

Oh yes, and then I wrote a little more.

By the evening, I had smashed my word target {1667 words, if you please} for the day, and was happily sailing into today’s word count. Perfect!

And, because I love you all so much, I’m going to share the opening lines with you – but no more than that, I’d hate to spoil the surprise when I finish

The pretty young woman stood in front of the two-way mirror, gazing into the sparsely furnished room beyond. At a table in the centre of the room sat a thick-set man smoking a cigarette. His eyes darted nervously around the room, from the door to the mirror and back again. He was anxious, on edge and waiting for something to happen – or for someone to enter.

The young woman watched him for a long time. She studied his movements. She looked for any sign as to his mood, his state of mind – anything that might give her an edge when she spoke to him. She noticed that his leg was trembling slightly underneath the table, and she nodded to herself. He’s nervous. Good.

She felt the familiar butterflies skip through her own stomach, and the icy hand of terror snake up her back, making her shiver. Taking a deep breath, she shook the feeling off just as there was a gentle tap on the door.

Turning to face the doorway, she saw it open slightly, and a familiar face peer into the small, dark room where she stood. His eyes searched for a moment, adjusting to the darkness. Then, he saw her, and his handsome face broke into a grin.

“I brought coffee,” he said, showing her the styrofoam cup in his right hand and waggling it at her briefly for effect – she assumed to entice her to drink. “It’s the machine stuff, but it’s all I could get at this ridiculous hour of the morning.”

She smiled and took the cup from his outstretched hand. “Thanks, Jack.” Her soft voice betrayed the slightest hint of an English accent, barely discernable after many years away from the land of her birth.

“You’re welcome,” he smiled. His warm brown eyes studied her beautiful face carefully, watching for any sign that she was not yet prepared for her upcoming meeting with the man on the other side of the mirror. Her face gave nothing away as she peered into the coffee cup he had handed to her.

The young woman took a long drink of the lukewarm coffee and pulled a face.

“That bad?” he asked. She nodded, grimaced, and set the cup down on the bench which ran along the back wall of this closet-sized space.

“What time is it, anyway?” she asked him.

He checked his watch. “Three fifteen.”

She sighed. “He’s been in there, what, an hour or so?”

“Seventy-three minutes.”

She cast Jack a sidelong glance. He shrugged. “Seventy-four now.” She rolled her eyes at him. He ignored her, staring through the glass at the man on the other side.

For a moment, the two of them sat motionless. Partners in silent contemplation, they watched their prey nervously stroking his straggly grey beard as he waited to see what would happen next. The woman sighed once more, and began to gather up the various pieces of paper that she had strewn around the room over the last hour, as she tried to determine how to tackle this particular task.

She looked up at Jack, who met her gaze with his customary grin. “You’ll be fine,” he promised her, without her needing to say a word. “You always are. Just do what you always do, he’ll be putty in your hands.”

The woman nodded and turned to face the glass one last time.

That’s it, that’s all you’re getting!

The story, such as it is right now, is writing itself. I’m just along for the ride. Let’s hope my characters know where they’re going with this thing, because I still have no idea at all!

November is here already?! How did that happen??

Well, I guess that can only mean one thing: It’s time for NaNoWriMo!!

If you’re here reading this, I’m guessing you know what NaNo is, and are either:

• Rolling your eyes;
• Shrieking with excitement;
• Running around the room like a headless chicken wondering why the heck you signed up for this thing!

Just in case you are still uninitiated, you can find out more about NaNo here: National Novel Writing Month.

Please do keep up with my ups and downs here throughout November. I won last year, so I have a lot to live up to! As for the book, I have no clue what I’m going to write about. Yes, I am aware it’s November 1st already and I have to start today! Apparently, some people even have plans. Plans?? Why don’t I have me one of those??

Oh well, too late now…

Oh, my poor blog. How I have neglected you!

I guess I was a little bit too optimistic when I made my resolutions last year. I should just have followed my instinct and not made any at all!

So this year, instead, I shall simply wish you a very Happy New Year. I hope 2012 is everything you want it to be, and so much more. Thank you for being with me over the last year – I look forward to moving forward with you on this crazy journey they call life!

So, yesterday I posted my first entry for this linky, hosted over at the fabulous Scrapbookerry. (It was late because I only just got the software, so I was just getting caught up!)

This week, however, I am right on time and raring to go!

Here’s my effort:

As always, there is a free kit available over at Scrapbookerry for you to use. It’s a MyMemories Suite kit, but works with whatever you use to do your digital scrapping. Why not give it a shot and see what you come up with? And then be sure to link up to Kerry’s blog so that we can see your work of art, too.

I was the lucky winner in the lovely Kerry from Scrapbookerry‘s competition for a copy of the MyMemories Suite scrapbooking software. I have to confess that I haven’t scrapped in a while – so this is the perfect prompt for me to get going with it once more! I’ve never been a ‘traditional’ scrapper – I don’t have the space to store the finished product, let alone any of the many necessary materials! Digital scrapping allows me to indulge my creative streak without the mess – as well as being able to combine in with my love of photography.

Kerry is running a weekly link up where she provides the link to a free scrapbooking kit and lets you do what you want with it – then post the results on her blog the following week. I was so excited when I won the software and now I get to take part in a crafty link up, too – awesome!

Here is my effort for the first week:

Thanks Kerry – looking forward to many more weeks of crafty goodness!

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…

I remember the fifth of November. But not for Guy Fawkes, or Bonfire Night, or firework displays.

For you.

I remember exploring walks and mystery tours.

I remember television and cigarette smoke.

I remember hot meals at lunchtime and too much salt.

I remember playing chess and cheating at UNO.

I remember magic tricks and Sunday night babysitting.

I remember hair-raising car rides and the silver St. Christopher stuck fast to the metal door of the small red car.

I remember endless stories about Ferdy and Freddy Fox.

I remember art.

I remember sparklers and wrapping up warm and, yes, fireworks.

I remember love.

I remember you.

Image Credit: Associated Press

Commemorating 9/11

…I love you

At the end of the last half term, Chipmunk’s school held their annual May Day celebration – complete with parade, flowers, May Pole…tired and whingeing children and their sunburned and increasingly frazzled parents/grandparents/siblings, all willing the day to be over. Fast.

After the event, Chipmunk and I had trekked up the hill to collect our car, when I received an SOS call from Miss Fifi’s mum. Please could I collect her as well? I agreed – obviously – and duly trekked back down the hill, only to discover she wasn’t at the site of the celebrations. Cue a call to the school, who said she came back with a teacher but now they couldn’t find her. Fabulous. (Bear in mind that I had been desperate for a wee since the middle of the afternoon. Not important, you might think, but it certainly made all the to-ing and fro-ing interesting. Still, I guess it was a great impromptu workout for my pelvic floor..!). Back up the hill, and a few minutes later, she was found and safely ensconced in the car.

So what do you do with two exhausted, stressed and cranky eight-year-olds? Why, you take them out to dinner, of course!

Yes, I am insane. How kind of you to notice.

Miss Fifi was definitely in one of her “I’m going to wind you up just to see how far I can push you” moods. She wasn’t naughty, per se – just acting out. A lot. Dinner was stressful, to say the least. I’ll give you an example. One conversation went like this:

MISS FIFI: I can’t have (the free) ice cream for pudding.

ME: Why not?

MF: I have a toothache. The cold will hurt it.

ME: Oh. Ok. <sigh> Well, what would you like then?

MF: Chocolate cake.

WAITRESS: Would you like the cake hot or as it comes?

MF: Hot please!

ME: Um, no, you have a bad tooth, remember? That’s why you can’t have the free ice cream…!

MF: But I want it hot.

ME (through gritted teeth to the waitress, who was wearing a sympathetic expression by this point): Cold. Please.

MF: <sulk>

Argh!

Still, I suppose it could have been worse. I’m not sure how exactly, but I’m sure it could have been! All it takes is one look at their faces and all is forgiven – after all, how could you stay mad at these two?

I rest my case.

But I may not take them both out to dinner for a while…

This is a Sponsored Post

Did you know I had a Fairy Hobmother? Yes, you read that right. A Fairy Hobmother.

Who goes by the name of Ian.

Really.

I think he looks like this:

So I’m a little late to the party with this one I guess, but a while ago said Fairy… aka Ian from Appliances Online… contacted me to offer me a surprise gift. He has been flapping his little fairy wings all over the blogging community of late, and he stopped by to sprinkle a little fairy dust on me (don’t tell Ian, but I think I’m allergic, it made me sneeze) – wasn’t that sweet of him?

My lovely Hobmother kindly sent me some vouchers for Amazon. Now, I was going to spend them towards some new camera equipment – but then I had a thought. And I decided instead that I am going to revive the fitness kick that I started a while – *cough* years *cough* – ago. So I bought an awesome yoga mat – those things are not cheap! – with extra padding so it can double as a general workout mat, yay!

And a carry-bag for it. And then I gave in to my geekery and bought a few vital iPad accessories. Like a stylus. You know – important stuff. *blush*

And in the time-honoured tradition of blogging, I am going to share my fitness adventures with you guys. Maybe I’ll give it a title. Like, ‘Awesome Life Experiences of a Yoga Mat’. Or something. Or maybe not.

So, thank you again Ian – my lovely Fairy Hobmother. Sorry for being so tardy in my write-up! Have fun on your blogland travels – and don’t flap your wings too hard, I’d hate for you to do yourself an injury!

Disclosure:  I was provided with vouchers for Amazon.co.uk by Appliances Online. I received no other compensation. The above post is my own. My love admiration for Ian is in no way influenced by aforementioned vouchers. To see my full Disclosure Policy, please go here.

This competition is now **CLOSED**

I decided that the best way to celebrate the launch of bubbleboo.com would be to do something nice for my readers – you. So I was in luck to be contacted by the lovely people at Find Me a Gift asking me if I would like to run a giveaway for them.

Yes, please!

With Father’s Day coming up, there are lots of wonderful gifts to choose from at Find Me A Gift. However, I believe I have picked the best of the bunch for one of you lovely people to receive!

Behold, the Become a Whisky Ambassador Gift Box.

This prize allows you to learn all about how whisky is made, as well as offering the opportunity of a whisky tasting and distillery tour – how cool is that?!

{more product info here}

This set would make a fantastic Father’s Day gift for the Mister in your life. Or maybe a birthday present for the discerning whisky drinker you know and love. Or even as a special treat for yourself – why not?! This is the perfect opportunity to get behind the scenes and become an ambassador for your favourite tipple.

Let’s get to the details – what do you have to do to get your hands on this gift?

TO ENTER: Just leave a comment on this post – it’s that simple! It doesn’t have to be a long comment, or include anything in particular – but a little more than one or two words would be nice! Make sure to include your contact information (e-mail or Twitter) so that I can let you know if you are the lucky winner! {UK Residents only}

In addition to that I am allowing some ways to get bonus entries for this competition.

Bonus 1: Simply Tweet this:  ” I am entering @bubbleboo ‘s competition to #win a Whisky Ambassador Gift Box from @findmeagift http://bit.ly/m9dXAm ” and leave a separate comment telling me that you have done so = 1 extra entry

Bonus 2: Follow me via Google Friend Connect {in the sidebar ➝ } and leave a separate comment telling me that you have done so = 1 extra entry

The competition will close next Wednesday – good luck!

TERMS and CONDITIONS:

• You must be a UK resident.

• You must leave a comment for your initial entry. Bonus entries which are made without first completing the compulsory entry will be disregarded.

• You must leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry (compulsory first, then any bonus entries you wish to complete)

• The giveaway will run until next Wednesday (15th June) at 4pm, at which time I will number all entries consecutively, in the order they were received. I will then use a Popular Random Number Generator to decide the winner.

• The winner will be notified by myself immediately to arrange delivery of the prize. The winner must respond within 24 hours of notification in order to receive the prize.

• My decision on entry validity and winner notification is final.

Well, I guess everything is a little…different, now! I hope everyone has found their way over here ok from what had been The Thought Bubble’s home for over a year.

Firstly, let me try to explain what I’m trying to achieve here. I wanted to migrate everything over to my bubbleboo.com site. Ever since I acquired that domain, I have been trying to figure out how to make it the ‘hub’ of my internet presence – without paying a fortune to achieve it! After much research – and taking a look at the wonderful Pioneer Woman’s site – I had an epiphany.

I think I have finally managed to bring everything together into one place. For the first time, you can access The Thought Bubble, Photography, Writing and Chipmunk’s Story Spot, all from within bubbleboo.com. Autism issues now have their own site, as does Feline Friday, which will be returning this week.

If you would like to discover more about what I am trying to achieve here, please check out my bubbleboo.com About page

In accordance with having several sections of the site, I also have several RSS feeds, to give you a choice of which parts of the site you want to receive in your reader or inbox. If you are already subscribed to The Thought Bubble feed (from the previous site) you will now ONLY receive updates from this part of the new site. You will no longer receive Autism and Feline Friday. There is, however, a feed you can subscribe to instead which covers all of those.

Please visit my Subscription Options page to take a look around and decide which RSS feed best fits you

Things here at bubbleboo.com are not altogether ready, yet. The main parts of the site are very much up and running. Some of the other pages – not so much! Please bear with me, I will try to finish the behind the scenes work as quickly and painlessly as possible!

I’m hoping this will be a new start for me. The massive overhaul, and the achievement of something I have been wanting to do for a long time, will hopefully kick-start my writing mojo again. I miss being here. I hope I won’t be missing it for long.

To all of our lovely readers:

I wish you a happy, successful and blessed 2012. Sorry I haven’t been around for a while. I’m…you know…lazy!

Happy New Year!

Yes, it’s been another one of those months here at bubbleboo Towers. You know the ones: where everything goes to pot and pretty much nothing gets done.

I’ve been doing my bit to help out, of course. Purring, landing on people and generally making myself known. All for the cause, obviously.

So, once again, this week’s Feline Friday is a free-for-all mash-up. Post whatever you like: Pictures, videos, songs… I look forward to gazing disdainfully upon them all!

(There is no picture of me this week. The human forgot. And after everything I do for her…)

A quick rule recap:

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

All ok? Off we go then…

NB: There is NO Linky to sign today, on account of the fact that Linky Tools appears to be having a meltdown! Most inconvenient, if I may say so. So, if you join in this week, PLEASE leave a comment with the link to your post so we know where to find you 

Yes, it’s Friday again. That must mean that Feline Friday is late because my human forgot all about me. Again. That is despite me circling her and mewing constantly that she really needs to be getting on with it!

She was off gallivanting in London yesterday, so I suppose I can forgive her. What have I been doing all week? Oh, just the usual exciting stuff – eating, sleeping, that kind of thing. Us oldies have to conserve our energy, you know. Just to be kind, there will be no prompt this week. Feel free to post anything you like, as long as it’s cat-related of course!

Here’s a quick rundown of the rules:

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

And here I am, in another splendid picture that you may have missed. I know, you can’t get enough of my handsome face. Neither can I.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with this week

NB: There is NO Linky to sign today, on account of the fact that despite paying my subscription, Linky Tools has not recognised it as paid! (It’s one of those days). So, if you join in this week, PLEASE leave a comment with the link to your post so we know where to find you

And, we’re back! You’ve missed us, right? I thought so. I can tell, you know! I can’t believe it’s been so long since we last got together like this! You have probably noticed that Feline Friday now has its own section of the website. It is also now being written by me, Kitty, as opposed to bubbleboo. (That took a lot of purrrsuasion, I can tell you!)

I have even taken a break from napping to write this – I hope you feel suitably honoured.

Before we get started with this week’s feline madness, let’s have a quick recap of the rules…

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

Good. So.

Since we last met, I have had a birthday. Yay me! I am now a 17-year-old kitty. Yes, SEVENTEEN! Here I am in all my regal superiority:

But of course, I still look like a young man. I know. I can’t help looking this good I may have a little arthritis, and a few age spots around my mouth and nose – but I think they make me distinguished.

So – in honour of me – I have decided that today’s Feline Friday will be devoted to birthday fun. I want to know what you and your cats do to celebrate their birthdays. Photos are eagerly received, as are general posts and kitty birthday cake recipes.

(Don’t tell bubbleboo, but I’m trying to gather ideas for my 18th!)

I want as many link-ups as possible so that I have lots of ideas to choose from

So please, add a post/picture/whatever to the linky below, and let’s celebrate feline birthdays everywhere!

Those of you who have been loyally reading my blog for some time now may recall that I used to run a little weekly series entitled Feline Friday.

This ran every week, until I postponed it while I took part in the 31DBBB. And then, well, I just never reinstated it!

So, count this as your advance warning – as of next week (Friday, 12th November) Feline Friday will be back and better than ever!!

If you weren’t around then or can’t remember what it’s all about, here’s a little reminder:

Welcome to the Feline Friday meme!

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

This meme began life as the part of my blog where every Friday I would post an update of my kitty. Why? Just for fun! I was already keeping an intermittent ‘Mad Kitty Moments’ diary on Plurk, but this is a way of keeping it all in one place. I decided to turn it into a meme because I need something to make sure I don’t forget to do it each week 

Make sure you come back here next week for the first Feline Friday in a long time – too long!

Welcome to week six of Feline Friday. Are you stunned and amazed that I’ve made it this far without forgetting one? Because I most certainly am! And it’s up first thing, too. At least, if the scheduled post thingy worked it is – if it didn’t, then it’ll be late!

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

As you are probably aware by now, tomorrow is CyberMummy – so I am a little distracted today! Therefore we’re doing this one freestylee! There is no prompt today, just show and tell us anything you like involving cats!

A little while ago, my Dad came into the house and told me to grab my camera quickly and follow him into the garden. I did as instructed, and got there just in time to see this:

O Hai.

You appear to have caught me in an awkward moment. What am I doing here? I have no idea.

I’ll get down now.

Oof!

Nope. Nothing happened. Nothing at all.

We have no idea why he was sitting in the flower pot. According to Dad, he stared at it for ages and then just dived in. As far as we’re aware, he’s never done it before. He’s certainly never done it since!

I might not get around to everyone today – early train tomorrow means early night tonight. however, I promise that I will visit everyone over the weekend. I’ve not missed anyone yet, and I do not intend to miss anyone now In the meantime, if those of you that participate can visit each other, that would be fantastic!

Here’s the linky you need:

I’ll see you all when I get back from London!

Yes, it’s time for Feline Friday again. Firstly, a reminder of how this works…

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

Now then, it’s a bit of a subdued affair this week. Kitty is really poorly – he can’t lift his tail at all, and is dragging it along the floor. He’s also stiff and a bit trembly – we think maybe the fox that lives out back got him. At sixteen, he’s not as agile as he used to be

We’re taking him to the vet in a bit, so I’ll keep you updated. Check back on this post for news…

Consequently, there is no prompt this week – we’re freestyling! So, post absolutely anything you like – as long as it’s feline-related!

Have fun, and please come back here to link up to your post. Also, visit your fellow cat-crazies

Here’s the link:

Edited to Add: Kitty went to the vet on Friday, who shaved his tail and realised that he had been bitten. He has four puncture wounds from the canine teeth of another animal, two on the top of his tail, and two underneath. These wounds have abscessed, hence the pain. The vet bathed them, gave him a painkiller and antibiotic injections, and a course of antibiotics to take at home. Now, we just keep hoping and praying that they work. He seems better in himself already, which is great news!

Yes, it’s that time of the week again! Feline Friday is upon us – here’s a quick refresher for you to remind you what it’s all about…

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

So, with the formal stuff out of the way, let’s get on with the show. I have another prompt for you this week: Helpfulness (it’s a word). Yes, I want to know about all those wonderfully helpful (!) things that your kitty (or a kitty you know) does to help out around the place. Tell me a joke, a story, or take/draw/paint a picture. Anything will work, as long as it involves a feline of some description!

A while ago, I had to wrap some presents. Now, kitty just loves paper – as was demonstrated when he unwrapped his birthday present a couple of weeks ago! He has always loved paper. In fact, he is just like a child in that he would often rather play with the wrapper of a gift, rather than the gift itself. Unless, of course, said gift involves catnip…

But anyway, kitty loves paper.

So, as I was wrapping up the gifts I was aware of kitty’s watchful glare death stare eye following me around the place. I noticed that a piece of paper that I had discarded had disappeared, but I figured that I had probably just dropped it or something. I finished up and walked past kitty’s chair to the kitchen. And then I stopped. And then I walked back to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.

I wasn’t.

Kitty was sitting on the back of the chair, purring away, with my discarded bit of paper on his head. Yes, his head.

I’m sure he was just trying to help.

Really.

Otherwise, he was just being an idiot, and we can’t have that now, can we?!

Don’t forget to join in – please – numbers went down last week and I was very disappointed

If you have a post for Feline Friday this week, sign the linky below – and make sure to visit some (or all!) of the other participants. The linky will remain open until Thursday, so if you spot something during the week that you think would be good for Feline Friday, don’t hesitate to come and join in!

Here’s the all-important linky for you:

Welcome to the second week of Feline Friday – aren’t you impressed that I didn’t forget? I am – particularly with this week being both half term and completely manic! More of which later, for now, let’s refresh your memory as to what Feline Friday is all about.

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one  Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit ?obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

Got it? Good!

Ok then, I have decided to give you a prompt this week, and the word is… Sleeping. Interpret that however you like. Tell me a story, show me some photos, draw me a picture. Do whatever you like, but I want to know how your cat (or a cat you know) does what cats do best – sleep!

Kitty could – and does – sleep absolutely anywhere! Here are a few examples for you:

“I can sleep on your carpet…”

“I can squish your flowers while I sleep…”

“And when you yell at me for squishing your flowers, I shall block your path…”

“I shall sleep under my blanket, even though it clashes with my fur…”

“I shall hide from you under your dining table…”

“I shall commandeer Chipmunk’s toy shop as a nice place for a nap…”

“I can sleep on your favourite chair – it’s very comfortable actually…”

“And my favourite place to sleep is your bed…mmm – time to stretch out and relax!”

How many crazy places can your cat find to annoy you sleep?

Don’t forget – sign the linky so we can come see your post, and leave some comment love for those taking part!

Hello and welcome to the very first week of the Feline Friday meme, here on The Thought Bubble. Yes, I know I’ve done Feline Friday posts before – but I am now branching out and have decided to turn it into a weekly meme. Partly because I need something to make sure I don’t forget to do it each week

The Rules:

Some weeks I’ll give you a prompt to use. Other weeks we’ll be doing it freestyle! Don’t have a cat? Doesn’t matter! Steal Borrow one Failing that, improvise! Hate cats? What?! Begone!

It could be a photo. It could be a story. If you’re feeling particularly artistic, it could be a drawing/painting/collage! Who says it has to be a domestic kitty? Have a tiger in your back garden? Perfect! Use your imagination – get your kids involved! This meme is all about having fun. Oh, and the cats. Mustn’t forget the cats!

If you decide to take part, please add your post to the linky at the bottom of this post. That way I know who’s playing, and we can all visit each other and leave those lovely comments we all seem to be a little bit obsessed in love with! The linky will open on Friday morning and close on Thursday, ready for the next day’s meme. So, if it takes you a while to do your post, that’s absolutely fine. Maybe you could use a wet weekend to do a fabulous art project with the kids!

Right then, now that the introduction is out of the way, let’s get started!

There is no prompt this week – as it’s the first one I figured we’d take a nice, relaxed approach!

Feline Friday Week One: Birthday Capers

It was kitty’s birthday this week. He has now reached the grand old age of sixteen, although you wouldn’t know it from his behaviour!

He has a heart condition, and is a little arthritic and shaky sometimes – but if you think he’s going to settle into a calm old-age, you better think again! His birthday present this year (and every year!) was a catnip mouse.

He unwrapped it himself…

Hunted it down…

And fell in love!

Or was he just stoned?!

Oh well, he had a great day.  The mouse? Not so much. It’s now tail-less in the garden somewhere!

I hope you’ve enjoyed Feline Friday’s first week as a meme – and I really hope you’ll join in. Otherwise I might just have to cry

Here’s the linky: