So you either love it or hate it. Now I can imagine this is VERY important to those who may be single, but this may also be true of people who have been together for a long time. So is … Continue reading
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Out with the old and in with the new?
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Isn’t that the general feeling after Christmas and New Year?
Christmas this year seemed to fly past, was it the same for you?
Also as the boys get older Christmas changes slightly, we no longer go for our Santa visit ( apparantly at 12 and 14 they are too old!), however, we start new traditions that will hopefully keep a bit of fun in the celebrations for them.
This year we got some colour in placemates but bear in mind we are talking teenagers and so they had free reign to do as they wished with each of theirs…………………
Amazing they actually sat and did it.
However teenagers added their own additions to the scene!!!
This was also the first year their pressies have been put under the tree on masse, as normally they will have their own pile and then they have their family pressies seperate. But as things they are interested in get smaller but more expensive it looked much better overal to put everything under the tree.
We also went for silly bibs at the dinner table and thankfully the grandparents played along!
This year my OH has been off over Christmas and New Year so we have enjoyed jammy days in, meeting up with friends, getting out for fresh air at Shorne Park and also having friends over to celebrate the New Year.
Our motely crew letting off their lanterns with their wishes written on!
We had fireworks at the end of the garden and a VERY scary moment with the lanterns when one decided to drop onto our neighbors fence!!!
Thankfully a gust of wind came at the right time and we were spared a visit by the Fire Brigade, although admittedly our friends on their short walk home scoured the area for burned out bushes or sheds!!
Our decorations have all been packed away now and we are getting organised for the boys to return to school on Monday ( both of them are moaning about it already and I am dredding the early mornings again!)
Now for this year. What resolutions have you made? This year I plan to expand my home based craft business to try and earn some income and will be taking all the opportunities that come my way. So this time next year ( we’ll be millionaires- good ol’ delboy) it will be interesting to look back at what the year had in store for us.
What are your big plans for 2013?
Christmas memories
What does Christmas mean to you?
For me Christmas means lots of things:
Family……………traditions…………..treats…………..presents
However, images that make me think of Christmas are another thing. Santa, mince pies, Christmas trees, Quality Street, and crackers!!
So what would you think if one year the powers that be decided to take one of those away?
Well the makers of Quality Street may just do that…….
Quality Street tin end of an era?
Watch our video to see if you agree with what the public we asked think
It’s that time of year again, Christmas is just around the corner and we are all manically organising how to make this year even more memorable than the last.
But is it all about decorating the Christmas tree? Or is it maybe something as simple as sharing a tin of the much loved Quality Street with the family?
What would you do if you found out that Quality Streets were no longer going to be sold in tin, but instead in a plastic substitute? You’d be horrified, wouldn’t you? Indeed, recent research conducted by Opinion Matters found that almost one in three (31%) people view plastic packaging as feeling less Christmassy than the traditional tin.
Well plans are afoot to scrap the tin. We invite you to join us in saying #Keepittin.
Watch our video to find out more http://ow.ly/g9LP3
Best Anniversary Ever!
Yesterday was my 18th ( yes you read it right) wedding anniversary. I became his wife at the age of 23 after meeting in the Royal Air force. To be honest you don’t think of how long you are going to be together, back then you got married and that was that and it was taken for granted that you would be together forever- some people these days use it as an excuse for a party!
We have had lots of ups and downs just like any couple and in reality being married is never a bed of roses! But whatever we have had to deal with along the way he has always been there, he’s chilled, he goes with the flow, dependable ( meaning not very spontaneous!) and reliable ( well almost he still get’s the boys clothes mixed up and never gets the packed lunches right!).
Anyway, back to the day in hand, we saw the boys off to school and had decided to take a drive down to Tunbridge Wells for a wander and a nice pub lunch.
So it started with these:
18 red roses for 18 years- gorgeous!
Then when we arrived at Tunbridge it was this:
Vanilla Lattes and Tiffin!
Then after a lovely mooch around the shops and town it was time for:
Of course mines was the G&T as OH was driving! YAY
Early I know but it did accompany a lovely plate of pub grub which I actually forgot to take a picture of!
Up until then I had a really lovely relaxed time but things were about to take a turn in a strange direction.
Earlier during our meander we happened upon a great little pet shop ( can you see where I’m going with this!) were we had seen some lovely little KITTENS!! As regulars will know I already have one who totally rules our house and is treated like a princess even though she is only 2 yrs old. Anyway, there had been an unwanted litter brought into the shop on Friday at exactly 8 weeks old. There were only 3 left, a little black and white one and 2 tabby’s.
So to cut a long story short- AND TO BE HONEST I STILL DON’T KNOW HOW I GOT MY OH TO AGREE- we ended up bringing this one home!!!!!
I DEFY ANY CAT LOVER'S ABILITY TO LEAVE HIM IN THE SHOP!!!!!
HE JUST COULDN'T GET ANY CUTER!
So we got him and brought him home ( and who said my OH wasn’t spontaneous?????) and because we were married on St Georges Day we thought that George was a fitting name for him! And he suits it too.
HOWEVER THE PRINCESS (AKA THE TERRORIST) WAS NOT AMUSED!
Not a great pic but was obviously taken in a rush!
Today has been a lot better and they are still checking each other out- but he needs to leave her food alone or she will be having serious words.
But the day hadn’t finished there, oh no. My eldest ( now 14) decided to make us a celebration cake complete with decoration icing and yummy buttercream.
Decorated in the RAF emblem as that is were we met........aaahhh!
TOTALLY DELICIOUS!
That brings me back to my original statement……….BEST ANNIVERSARY EVER!
Normally this day is usually marred each year as I married on my dad’s birthday and he passed away almost 10yrs ago and really my anniversary hasn’t been the same since. However, this year for whatever reason I was determined for my OH’s sake that it wouldn’t take over the day……………….it was difficult but worth it.
So now we have to go some to make next years anniversary even better………………..best I stay away from pet shops next time LOL
Light Strike Review
When I was asked if my boys would like to review the new Light Strike range it was a total no brainer!!! Boys and their toys and all that.
This is what was kindly sent to us to try out:
Light Strike is a super-cool new interactive battle game from WowWee, makers of bestselling toys, Paper Jamz and Robosapien
Light Strike is the first interactive gaming system that brings video games into the real world, live and in colour. Fully customisable with built-in weapon choices and slots to attach accessories, players can make tactical decisions to add new features and functions on the go. Interactive light and sound effects put you in the middle of combat, creating exciting ever-changing battle scenarios!
We were sent 2 of the Light Strike Assault Strikers, 4 of the add-ons (enemy scanner, machine gun bi pod, refractor launch and scope) and a Light Strike ITS to try out.
Yes all of this, much to my boys absolute delight. They delved in straight away and unpacked everything. Then we sorted the batteries and in true boy fashion ( I don’t need the instructions……they were off). Then they decided to check out the instructions that I had thankfully kept hold of.
Anyway here they are in action, testing the noise, the aim, the strategy and ultimately who can win!!! They are boys after all, the alfa male gene kicked in.
So here’s the technical bit:
Light Strike brings video-game action into the real world—live and in color. Assault Strikers and Strikers are customizable with built-in weapon features and add-on attachments that give players a tactical advantage. Play one-on-one tournaments or create up to 4 teams of unlimited players for free-for-all or Capture the Flag battles. Action at the speed of light™
For more details check out the website below
They range from £9.99 up to around £40 with the guns obviously costing the most! The extras are just that- extras but they certainly enhance the game between the players.They have brilliant sound affects which the boys loved, especially the fingerprint analysis. But even better for us parents wanting a bit of quiet time they have the option of plugging in your headphones!! GENIUS
My boys in truth don’t play very well together but because of the nature of these toys they were perfect for my two. Although we were lucky enough to be sent a lot of the Light Strike range you wouldn’t necessarily need all of them to start with and therefore would be something you could add to along the way, for birthdays etc.
They are available from their website and other good toy retailers
DISCLOSURE: we were sent the above range of Light Strike toys to test and review