Tuesday 30 April 2019

Three Ways to Celebrate in Style!


As wonderful as life can be, a lot of the time it’s pretty mundane. The ‘work, eat, sleep, repeat’ cycle isn’t always the most exciting, but routine allows us to get things done and fulfil our commitments. For this reason, when there’s an occasion to celebrate in life- it’s well worth taking it! Whether you’re celebrating success, a birthday, an anniversary or something else exciting it’s these special moments that we look back on in life and smile. So if you have an event coming up that you’d like to make memorable, here are some ideas for going about it!

Throw a party at home
Throwing a party or having some kind of get together at home often makes sense. It can be done on a budget, you’re in comfortable surroundings and there’s no having to make your way to another location. If it’s in the summer you could throw a barbeque, afternoon tea of picnic in the garden. Otherwise, a cocktail party or dinner party are good options. Go potluck style if you want to keep costs down and ask guests to each bring a dish that you can all share around! Food, drinks and good conversation always make for a memorable occasion, you could purchase some lawn games or even hire an entertainer like a magician or tarot card reader depending on the kind of vibe you want your party to have.

Book a venue
If it’s more of a formal occasion you’re celebrating, or there will be more guests (making a party at home unsuitable) you always have the option of hiring a venue. . You could make your own food, hire caterers or see what food choices the venue offers. SIL3 turns 30 in a few weeks time and there will be a lot of family and friends there so they have chosen a local eatery in which to celebrate. If there’s a bar you don’t need to worry about providing drinks, and you can decorate it with balloons and banners to make it personal. Make the night extra special by hiring some musicians, bands like HipsterOnline.co.uk specialise in parties and special occasions and will know how to get the crowd excited and get everyone up and dancing! If you and your loved ones are scattered around the country, you could choose a venue central to you all to make it easier for everyone to attend.

Celebrate abroad
Whether it’s an engagement, wedding, birthday or Christmas- why not celebrate abroad?! Having a stunning cityscape background or gorgeous natural views like beaches or mountains could make everything extra special. You could dine out, go to bars or even on a party boat depending on your preferences! If you want to do something a little different then this could be the way to go! Have a look online and find out what kind of things there are to do in your destination. Things like helicopter and hot air balloon rides for example could be the perfect way to highlight your trip.


This is a collaborative post.

Saturday 27 April 2019

Project 365 week 17

Sunday

A double shift at work. The lovely lady I call DD4 brought an Easter pressie for Dixie dog and a wee Mother's Day present for me. Dog was not impressed but I liked it.





Monday

Was rather a warm day so to hot to take the dog out during the day so we went for a walk round the fishery just before sunset. Monday is my lazy day after a busy mile packed weekend at work anyway so was nice it was to hot, great excuse not to go much further.  Hubby had walked her in the morning before it got to warm. He really is adding in the miles to go with the nearly sugar free diet.



Sorry folks but it is sunset reflection time of year at the fishery.




Tuesday

A walk down the woods with the dog late afternoon. The woods are looking lovely with the bluebells out.



Had a parcel coming between 6.30 and 7.30 so needed to be back by then.My parcel was for some blogging goodies.

I had a Clean up Tarbolton woods committee meeting, We discussed ways to get extra funding and planned some dates for fun days and the AGM.

Finished another set for the SCBU.



Wednesday

Today was payday and I wanted to do some bits and pieces of shopping . But annoyingly it did not happen thanks to somebody else.

Did manage to buy some wool ready to start knitting for the grandchildren's Christmas pressies. These were the bright colours chosen on behalf of Minky (orange, red and blue)  Dinky ( pink, purple and glittery) and Spud( green blue and yellow)  as had not heard back from DD2 at this point on colours for her two. Plenty of time still. .




Thursday

Dog and I went for a 2.5 walk up the back road while hubby went and weeded DD3's garden for her. Sorted out some knitting patterns to start making items for the grandchildren for Christmas. Might seem a long way away but there is a lot of them to knit for.Started one for Spud first. If it is to big it will fit Dinky, if to small will fit Ziggy so a good size to start with.

Robert Burns

The village is on the hill in the distance. 

Nipped to Irvine to do some shopping. Walked the dog, she got less than a mile before the rain started. The rain battered down with thunder and lightning while we were in the supermarket so there was no addition to the walk afterwards. Got a home shopping delivery at 9.30pm of heavy bulky stuff.




Friday

A morning spent in the kitchen, pot of soup made, cheesy turnip potatoes ready to reheat for tea tomorrow night and veg prepared to go with the roast chicken for tea tonight. Down to watch the three wee ones while DD1 took Bob to gymnastics. Home to put tea on and then a walk round the fishery while tea was cooking.

Here is the set I finished earlier in the week. Sticking to the same cardigan pattern as I like it but used a multi coloured wool that DD3 bought.



Another blogging parcel turned up today.



Saturday

Many years back our first dog, known as Shorty, dug up a baby ever green tree when we were out for a walk. I brought it home and it is still growing away merrily. Did one for Lilly dog though last year it looked like it was dying. One was also got for Dipsy cat, and when we were at Loch Doon last week I picked one up for Dixie dog, has become a tradition so seemed the right thing to do.






You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

Stay In Your Prime For Longer With A Passion For Fitness

We’re all getting older, all feeling the effects of time in the way of surprising new aches and pains.
However, ageing gracefully doesn’t just mean accepting it.
The more active we are, the longer we can enjoy more of what we love to do,
to put it simply. But how do you keep that passion for fitness past your 40s?
Your 50s? Even your 60s and beyond?

Start at your own pace
Are you a complete beginner? Or perhaps it’s simply been a while since you got yourself into gear?
If that’s the case, don’t throw yourself into it all at once. Start with a simple beginner’s guide
that can ease you gently into a more active lifestyle.
The aim is incremental improvement. As your body gets more used to exercise, you can
try out more demanding exercises but if you push yourself too hard, too quickly,
it’s an easy way to end up your injuring yourself which can put an early halt to your progress.
Put the work in everyday
At the start, it doesn’t matter how hard you’re pushing yourself, just that you’re putting in the work
to ensure your continual improvement. It can be much easier to track your activity and
your progress with the help of some wearable health technology. You can have your steps
counted for you, see how many calories you’ve burned, and generate workouts that get
increasingly more demanding as your body gets more and more used to exercise.
This makes it much easier to ensure you’re not caught in a routine that isn’t progressing
and helps you stay consistent in your efforts. I have to say I love my technology as it lets me see
not only my step count but I my active minutes interesting.
Today's shift at work was 19.178 steps with 319 active minutes so activities do not always
have to be hard to do and can for some fit into your working day.
Consider making a side-gig out of it
There’s no age limit to who can make a little money out of a passion for fitness. Whether you
end up running a group exercise at the gym, teach newbies how to do yoga,
or earn your diploma in personal training, there are plenty of ways to keep active in your later years
while making a little extra from it. If you develop the know-how and dedication you need,
you can make money by helping others your age and older see that they, too, can make
major changes to their health habits and well being.
Pass it along
You don’t have to be a professional to be an advocate for fitness and pass along your
passion and enthusiasm for your exercise. You can, for instance, volunteer,
whether it’s leading free classes or taking groups out on bike rides. Don’t forget
the impact you can make on your own family as well. Making healthy meals for your kids and
grandkids and encouraging them to join you on active days out can help you
influence their own habits. The earlier you build those habits, the easier they are to stick to,
after all.
While nothing lasts forever, a passion for exercise and fitness can make sure
that it at least lasts a lot longer. Don’t age peacefully, get up and fight for the vitality
that can keep like much happier for years to come.

This is a collaborative post.

Sunday 21 April 2019

Giveaway No 3 - celebrating my nine years in blogging.

On April 5th my blog turned nine. Nine years of highs and lows. Our lives, the lives of the three daughters, the two boys choose not to feature on here. Grown from two grandchildren to nine, including one set of twins. We have shared the amazing day that was  DD2's wedding. We have shared our three dogs with you,our traumas, some medical issues, the menopause and our family allergy problems.

I have shown you the places I have visited and the people I have met. The beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer and the fun the grandchildren and I have had.

By way of a thank you to everybody for taking the time to read what I have to share I am running a few giveaways over this month.

So for giveaway No 3 we have; a box of milk tray and £5 worth of scratch cards or Lottery tickets, or a combination, the winner gets the choice. 




 A nice easy Gleam giveaway, leaving a comment and sending a tweet. Likes are nice but not essential. 








Giveaway No 3 celebrating nine years of blogging

Saturday 20 April 2019

Project 365 week 16

Been in general another nice week here weather wise with lots of out and about.
A birthday gives us another teenager in the family.
Hubby has been making a huge effort with his diet since his last diabetic review and his moods are vastly improved with much less exploding over nothing.Much more the man I married all those years ago. A win win all round.

Sunday

Something different to take to work and do in my break. DD2 bought this for me to do. Not as big as it looked in the picture. Been a long while since I have made a latch hook item.




Monday

Somebody locally was giving away a brand new unused space saver tyre and wheel that will fit our car, so another friend took it in and we went down to pick it up. Walked the dog round the beach park at the same time.
Did take a few other pictures focusing on the buds but liked this one with the sun setting in the back ground.




Tuesday

Had hoped for another walk today but it rained, and rained and rained, so I stayed in and knitted.
Made Bob's cake for tomorrow.
Cannot get the colours to come out right on this. The bottom half is actually a nice lime green colour, very similar to the colour in the multi stripe, not a muddy sort of green.









Wednesday

Went for a walk when I had finished in the town. Walked through one of the local golf courses, round the main road and back again.
Home to decorate Bob's cake and take it down. Thirteen today, time has flown. The butter icing was suppose to be bright purple and despite putting in the whole tube it just went a muddier shade of muddy brown with every squirt I added. Never worked with the Koko spread before so it may have been that. But it tasted fine and he was happy with it. Think he just takes pity on an old woman!!



Thursday

Had an occupation health appointment for my hands, filled in a form about six months ago and eventually got to the top of the queue. But my hands are vastly improved so nothing much needing done.
Did mention my ongoing issues with the throat, ears and asthma but that is not her area of speciality so need to phone and make an appointment.
Before my appointment I went on the monthly ladies cycle ride. 6.88 miles up and down hills. There was only three of us, the leader and two participants.But small numbers make for easier conversations as you cycle. Was a lovely afternoon for it.

Hubby has been painting the sheds over the last week as he does every Spring. Job ground to a halt until we go and buy more paint next week.








Friday

DD3 has the day off as it is a bank holiday so she asked if I wanted to meet up. Makes a change to be able to spend time with her. The roads were very busy driving in with a lot of caravans on the road, all flocking to the coast for a holiday.
We wandered the shops, buying next to nothing and raked the charity shops as well. Bought a couple of knitting patterns and had a look in a wool shop at all the very nice wools. Will go back and buy some to make Christmas pressies for the grandchildren.
Wandered back to DD3's house via the beach and parks. The beach was very busy. Did over 7 miles in total.


bank holiday


Wandered down and watched the three wee ones while DD1 went and picked Bob up from gymnastics, popped them in the bath and we had lots of laughs while they played silly.




Saturday

Managed to burst the 500 miles this week. Sitting at 524 miles . Not bad in 14 weeks I have been doing it with three of those weeks out of action. My map is filling up nicely.

Not quite sure why but I cannot get my fitbit account and my map my walk to sync with each other so my fitbit does not show my bike rides.






You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

Saturday 13 April 2019

Project 365 week 15

Sunday

This picture is cheating, I did not take it hubby did when he headed to Glasgow with friends to wander round the Sunday markets, I was offered the option to go as well but could not have coped with walking. This is more exciting than my knitting again.




Monday

This is the plant that DD1 got me for Mother's Day. Well Dinky actually picked it and it is doing away just fine on the dining table.
The packet of seeds is the plant DD2 got me, will need to get them planted at some point. This was my DIY plant from her.







Tuesday

Went for a wander along the river, flat and easy to walk. Our friend kept trying to get the dog in the river, she on the other hand was for none of it.





Wednesday

Went back into the GP to pick up another course of antibiotics. Whilst my breathing is better than it was my throat, ears and sinuses are still sore, with a lot of white pus n my throat. So rather than allowing it to come back with a vengeance for a fourth time I am hoping another week will kill it once and for all.

While we were in the town went for a walk along the sea front. The sky was a lovely bright blue. The tide was well out and the sky a lovely shade of blue.







Thursday

Weather here has been around the 14 oC all week with dry and sunny if a bit windy a few days so we decided to have a day out. Took a run to Loch Doon. I had my jacket in my ruck sack a lot of the day, just really on at the tops of the hills. We had two geocaching trackables to move on so left them both here and picked up one other to move on at some time soon.






Do other people have partners like mine that always think the sat nav is sending you the wrong way or that a walking loop is not going the right way and spoil the day by constantly stressing about it? As of yet I have never got lost and always found my way back.


Friday

Have to say this is imo the best cardigan so far. I was not sure how these colours would work for baby cardigan but I reaal do like it and I think it looks so lovely with the matching hat.






Saturday

Got a PM on Twitter at the start of the week to tell me I had won a new pair of trainers. Not a colour I would have chosen if I was buying them but the colour does not matter when you win them. I do not wander around looking at my feet.  Comfort and features was my reason to enter the giveaway. I have chucked away a few rather old very past their best trainers in the last few weeks so that I have no choice but to replace them come payday, well one less pair to buy. Just need to win a pair of walking boots now and i will be all set.

They are a pair of BounceMAX trainers by Hush Puppies. They are a lovely soft shoe with an elasticated ankle rib that just fit so comfortably. Only got them on Thursday so not had chance to real try them out just yet. But the few miles I did with them yesterday they were very comfy. No seams to rub, no bits to catch bunions etc, so soft and stretchy.

Hush Puppies








You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

Wednesday 10 April 2019

I qualified as a volunteer Led Ride Assistant. #WotW

I suppose I could use a few different words for this experience, but I have gone with




As any of my regular readers will know I like to join in with an organised bike ride. I do not have a bike of my own anymore so cannot go out a cycle ride by myself. These rides I have joined in with through The Active Travel Hub in Ayr are run by paid staff but often rides can rely on volunteers to both head up the group and/or for somebody to go at the back.

There are a lot of initiatives out there currently to get people fitter and one of the ways this can be done is through cycling. Many employers do bike to work schemes and you can sign up and get a bike tax free through your wages. 

We live rural and do not have any local cycle paths but there had been plans in place to link us with the next two rural villages over but this has been delayed currently. Currently any children doing Bikeability in the local schools has to go onto 60mph country roads. I had seen a shout over the Summer last year for people who might be interested in becoming a volunteer cycle ride leader to work with local groups both adult and youth groups and accompany them on rides. This scheme is done through the  South Ayrshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Team and the bikes were funded by Ayrshire LEADER, who are a rural funding body. Part of this initiative has bought eight bikes for each of the three local rural villages and the plan is to get groups out cycling and becoming healthier. Cycling. like walking, has many positive impacts both mental and physical. The more people we can get out cycling the bigger our argument for the cycle paths.

So having signed up for this scheme and the training that goes along with it last week I found myself on the cycle ride leader training course. This course was organised and evaluated through Cycling Scotland . I have done a maintenance class with them late last year.

So what did the day consist of? 

The day was outlined first  and then we all got to introduce ourselves and say where we were from and why we had came. A lot of the people knew each other through their work. The were only two volunteers the rest were there through their work.

We had been asked to download the essential cycling skills app  and work our way through it. It got me thinking about things I had never given much thought to before. I have cycled for as long as I can remember and I do recall doing my cycling proficiency at school but that was a looooonnnnngggg time ago. I grew up cycling on roads both is busy cities as well as traffic free RAF bases. My children all grew up cycling, even my epileptic daughter had her own bike.

So we discussed the app and how we found it, I did find the later end of it did not load correctly and the diagrams did not always come up but that is a known glitch.

So our next stage was looking at the bikes we were going to be using, and doing what is called an M check on them.. When we are working with a group we will get the cyclist to check over their own bike, we then have a quick check, and then if they are happy they sign paper work to say they are happy with it. This is placing the onus on the owner with us doing a quick check just to be sure. We can at this point if need be blow up a tyre, or adjust a brake or adjust their seat height.

We then took our bikes and went out into the car park and this lesson was about us assessing how well and how confidently the service users can use a bike. This part of the lesson could take weeks in reality to work through depending on the ability level of our pupils.

This part of the lesson is not only about the cycling ability but also the ability to listen to instructions and comply with them. We need to be confident that when out on the road in amongst traffic that we will be listened to to be confident that they will be safe on the road.

We played games, we cycled through cones, and ran over cones, we raced to see who could come last which requires good control of the bike and helps with balance. I won the game similar to musical chairs except we had to cycle to a cone when the instruction was given, last person to reach a cone was out. They then got to remove a cone and shout the instruction. Again this was following instructions, bike control while watching what was happening (and which cone was being removed), all good skills to have on the road. We also cycled round and had to high 5 the instructor as we went past, this lets us see people can indicate safely.

We then went for a short cycle round the village for the instructor to teach us a few skills for on the road that helps keep a group safe. One such skill is "doubling up".We were numbered 1,2,1,2 and when the instruction to double uo is given the two's go to the outside and the ones stay in.  I am sure you have been stuck behind a group of cyclists where they are riding two abreast. This is not just to be awkward and stop you getting past. By doubling up approaching brows of hills and upcoming bends it is preventing you from overtaking, If the group were in single file and you attempted to overtake you can well cause an accident. When the road level out there is a shout of singles from the leader in front and the ones stay where they are and the twos slip back in between them. The idea is to have as many instructors as no twos so they are protecting the children.

The other idea we were taught was "snaking". You always have two main leaders one front and one back, they are in charge and give the instructions. Snaking is used for busier junctions where you are crossing from a side road onto a main road. You have worked out in your planning stage where these points are on your route. The front leader indicates to turn right and the rest who are in single file signal and move across to the correct position. At this point the back leader moves up the inside of them and stops at the junction. This person is responsible for ensuring everybody gets across the main road safely by waving them out when you have a gap. Hopefully once the first members of the group are out there will be a place they can stop at the side of the road until everybody is out. They should be using the universal slowing down sign to indicate their intentions to other road users. I really like these ideas.

Planing the ride 

So we went back and had a working lunch. We had to plan our big ride for after lunch. It was not overly big as rides go 6.7 miles but it let us put into practise what we had learnt in the morning. We were split into groups of two and each given a section of the ride to lead. I was a back leader for the last part.

We had to write out a plan on where we were going, what hazards we could perceive and how we would deal with them. Our section required us to do snaking, but I knew there was a lay by opposite the junction and the  group would pull in there. The route we were cycling was on 60 mph roads and we will never be doing this with children as this training course only allows us 30mph and cycle paths with the possibility if need be of crossing over by walking bikes across a faster road.

 Sadly the route they took us was very steep for the first nearly two mile section. I knew at this point I would seriously struggle as I am not overly fit. I did think about calling it a day at that point and walking away from the day but I decided no if I was going to fail the course then I would fail it because I could not do it.
I was right, some of it was very steep and I got off the bike and pushed, I was not the only one. We learnt other techniques here, stopping the group to have a chat, this allows people to get their breath back and allows you to engage with the user group.  Arrived at the top of the hill totally knackered, but I did arrive at the top of the hill, and managed the rest of the ups and downs with some puffing at panting but no more stopping. I did managed to do the 6.7 mile route.
I know I had held the group up and did wonder about my ability to be a leader. But it was not a route I am happy to cycle on and certainly not a road I would feel happy taking groups of children on but that was a testing route chosen specifically for us adults as a learning curve.The simple answer to this one is if they were ever looking for volunteers to cycle this route I would not be putting my name forward for it.

So what did I think of the course?

Have to say I enjoyed the course, I learnt a lot from it, including the fact that I am not fit, which I know anyway, but more importantly road positioning, reading a road and doubling up when necessary, learnt how to double up and drop back to single and how to get a group out safely onto a busy road. Feel at nearly sixty years old it is maybe time to invest in an electric bike.

I do enjoy the rides I do with the women's group much more than I enjoyed this ride, but the ride with them is more a leisurely wander chatting as we go which is as social as it is physical and much less steep and hilly.

So I did think I can go a few different ways with this; a) give it up entirely and cycle no more b) stick to the less stressful routes or c) get a bike and get out there and get fitter. I might even consider an electric bike.

 Maybe time I invested in a bike and found somewhere to keep it in Ayr and go out on it regularly.Or get one for the shed and cycle the back road seeing how far I get around here and build up my stamina and distance. I know when I first used a bike in and around Ayr about .ten years ago, first time in about twenty years I had cycled, there were certain parts I could not get up without stopping more than once but every time I got a bit further until eventually I made it without stopping. But I turn sixty this year.




Putting the training into practise 


So since the training day I have been along to volunteer with a group of children. We had an experienced leader who was hilarious and the kids really liked him. The children we had varied in age from seven to eleven. They all could cycle quite well but none of them had their own bikes so this is where a scheme like this comes in, getting them out.

The route we took with these children was just a short route, we were out for approx 45 minutes. probably no more than half a mile away from the centre at any time.

We did a square round a very quiet street, then we walked them across the main road and up a farm path. Two of the girls said they would never make it, but as there was always a leader behind them then nobody got left behind. They all made the uphill and some struggled a bit more on the downhill section as it was rutted from where the tractors have gone down the road in the mud when it was wet. One girl ended up with a foot in a puddle when one of the others in front of her had stopped suddenly as he was going to fall off.

We then took them into a wooded area to have a look, and let them stop for a breather and some off bike time. Most of them chose to take off their helmets and scramble up and down a steep hill, some using a fallen tree to pull themselves up on and others just enjoying the challenge of the climb.

The Leader showed them a bit here he use to cycle down, a steep slope approx 12 feet high that seemed much higher when you sat on your bike up there. The other two leaders showed them the best method for coming down the slope and allowed them to make up their own mind if they wanted to do it. Two of the six children braved it with one girl going twice as she really enjoyed it. All part of the learning curve to challenge themselves and see what they can achieve.

a dog wanders through the pile of bikes we were using. 


They decided next time they might come this way first as there is a path to where this section joins to the village so safe for them. Instructions were not on the road. They talked about bringing some chocolate and mallows the next time for the kids and a means to melt the chocolate.


These children got out for an afternoon of fun, enough cycling they enjoyed it with stops every couple of hundred yards for a catch up with the back markers and a breather and a chat and laughs. They all said they enjoyed themselves and can't wait for the next one.









Monday 8 April 2019

Giveaway No2 - celebrating my nine years in blogging


Last week on April 5th my blog turned nine. Nine years of highs and lows. Our lives, the lives of the three daughters, the two boys choose not to feature on here. Grown from two grandchildren to nine, including one set of twins. We have shared the amazing day that was  DD2's wedding. We have shared our three dogs with you,our traumas, some medical issues, the menopause and our family allergy problems.

I have shown you the places I have visited and the people I have met. The beautiful scenery that Scotland has to offer and the fun the grandchildren and I have had.

By way of a thank you to everybody for taking the time to read what I have to share I am running a few giveaways over this month.

So what have we for giveaway No 2 I hear you ask? 

We have A Giant Bubble Travel Kit from Dr Zigs. You can pop over to their website and see what else they sell here.  







The giant bubble travel kit provides everything you need to make Giant Bubbles AND fits in your hand luggage too.

Perfect as a small gift or stocking filler, or for those heading off travelling. Our giant bubbles are a great way to make friends when travelling, where ever you are, what ever your age!
  • TAKE YOUR BUBBLES ANYWHERE: With this easy to carry portable kit, you can fit giant bubbles in even the tiniest of bags. The 100ml bottle is designed to be take on-board flight hand luggage, the wands and ropes fit in the palm of your hand – YET STILL MAKE OUR SUPER SIZED BUBBLES!! This ‘tiny’ kit has everything you need to create huge beautiful bubbles that will wow everyone. Fantastic for stunning holiday pictures. Great fun for kids young and old. Perfect Instagram shots!

  • WHAT DO YOU GET? Enough bubble solution for more than 1,000 giant. 1 light-weight wooden bubble wand (13cm) 1 giant rope for the biggest, most impressive, Instagram-able bubbles you’ve ever made – perfect for all children aged 3 and up (and adults of course!). Airport Security Approved!

  • WHY WE’RE THE BEST: Our multi award-winning kits and mixtures are all entirely UK made and unlike cheap imports our wands use no plastic – they’re made from sustainably sourced wood with 100% untreated, unbleached cotton ropes – no plasticized string for us. We’re much more eco-friendly than other makes as our non-toxic bubble mix is fully biodegradable, is guaranteed PALM OIL FREE and contains no phosphates so it’s better for the environment, for orangutans and for children!

  • DON’T RISK DISAPPOINTING BUBBLES. While others promise magic but don’t deliver, Dr Zigs’ are experts in producing the biggest, long-lasting bubbles every time, to make sure your special celebration goes with a …pop! See our pictures or search for us on social media to see just how amazing our giant bubbles really are.
The Pocket Wands are 12cm long, and suitable for all kids (and adults) over the age of 3 – these wands are also great for travelling!

This prize could provide hours of fun, almost wish I could win it myself, but sadly I cannot enter. We use to go down to a field on a nearby country estate and watch somebody we use to call the bubble man - he use to practise for the shows he did and experimented with different mixes etc to see what worked best for him. Sadly not seen him in a long time, guess he found somewhere else to practice. 








So anyway I digress. 

To win this amazing set just follow the instructions below. 





Giveaway No 2 - win Dr Zigs travel bubble kit

Saturday 6 April 2019

Project 365 week 14

Not been a lot of out this week. Not been a good week health wise for more than one of us. Bob was at Dr on Monday for steroids but cannot get antibiotics unless he is hospitalised due to the other medicines he takes and the issues he has, but so far he seems to be holding his own.  DD1 has been bad again with tonsillitis and her ears. Been a crappy week for me as well with my blocked and sore sinus back, no voice to speak all week and peak flow dropping once again.


Sunday

A day off work from my own shift so stayed in and had a lazy day and did some knitting and watched crap on the tv. One of the girls at work suggested some twin clothes for the hospital, so made two matching sets and going to make two butterfly blankets in the same colour.
In for a 4-7 shift, had agreed to both days this weekend before I knew I was off so did not want to cancel both of them.

two matching sets 





Monday

DD2 is down for a few days before going across to her in laws and then away for a few days down south to meet up with Uni friends. Have to admire her going so far away from home with a newish baby, for me going out for the day with two kids was hard enough.
All Roo seems to do is eat. DD2 is still combination feeding, gives her approx 45 mins breast fed then gives her a 5 oz bottle which takes approx another 45 mins to drink and then starts again. At least here I can give her the bottles.
She is getting very smiley and chatty now.
We wandered down to DD1's to tire out Ziggy as she had slept in the car. She let me do her bedtime routine and went to bed happily. Have to say Ziggy was very jealous of me playing "raspberries and kisses" with Dinky as that is a game I play with her. She decided to snuggle in with Bob - something she never does.

Minky and Spud cuddle Roo 

Playing away quite happily at tea parties.

Buster the hand puppet dog belonged to DS2 and is over 30 yrs old. 


Tuesday

I was out in the morning. Hubby suggested a five mile walk when we were done, I said no thanks and went home and fell asleep instead.  DD2 spent the day down at DD1's and was then picking up DD3 from work and going to her house for tea so I saw little of them before 8pm. I made a bottle for Roo and took Ziggy up and did bedtime routine with her. I then fed Roo her bottle.

One smiling Roo



Wednesday

I popped into Greggs on the way home and pick up pies and cakes for lunch and a gingerbread man for Ziggy. DD2 had bought me the Christopher Robin film for Mother's Day and was wanting to watch it but Ziggy was not taken with it and chatted through it and over it so she did not get to watch it in peace, another time probably when Ziggy is in bed.
Sat and had cuddles with both the girls. Ziggy is very good with Roo and likes to talk to her and tries to play with her not realising that Roo can not play but not be long now till she will try and hold toys etc.


Here she is on her blanket

Roo on her cross stitch blanket. 



Thursday

Made a GP appointment as back to this blocked nose, sinus pain, sore ears and lowered peak flow again. Three times in three months is getting annoyingly silly. So more antibiotics, steroids and a nasal spray. Have been using steam with menthol and my Neilsmed salt washes all week and is helping to clear gunk out. .
 Beginning to wonder if it is either allergy related or if it is just not clearing up totally and is coming back again.Have been told if I do not feel it is totally cleared to phone and get a second week of antibiotics.
Took a wander along the flat cycle path with the dog and hubby and did some shopping while out any way.
Had friends round for tea.

Spotted our first bluebells.

The first bluebells of the year


DD1 went to her GP yesterday who told her nothing was wrong despite her throat being swollen and filled with pus and refused to give her anything telling her it was viral. This again is third time in three months for her. So tonight her hubby took her to out of hours doctor who did not understand why her GP had done nothing. I went and babysat, not hard as three wee ones were in bed and Bob played a computer game and I sat and knitted.


Friday

DD3 and I had planned about three weeks ago to take the three wee ones out somewhere for the day. Decided this was not a feasible idea today.
So they came up here and we sat and played board games and we had a indoor picnic before they went back down the road. SIL1 was starting work at 5pm so DD3 was staying to do tea, bath and bedtime with them to help out.

This is the first time they have played Tumbling Monkeys, this game was Bob's but he has well outgrown it.

playing Tumbling Monkeys


Saturday

I am now bored, nothing much happening, not a lot of sleep being got, little concentration and can't be bothered doing anything.

So sat at home playing with knitting. Finished off a set for Ziggy's doll that she asked for. Watched Christopher Robin from the start.

When she brings her doll back in May I will crochet some straps for the pinafore but need to know the correct length for them. Made a jumper to go under the pinafore dress and a cardi for on top as well as a hat.



Despite a few bad weeks this year my mileage is sitting at 445 miles, nearly half way there.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter