A-Z the letter C (Coalition Government and how everyday families are suffering!)

This one was tricky - my first thought went to Cruelty to animals and then Chewing with your mouth open! 

But eventually I settled on the state of England and in particular since the Coalition Government came into power..... 

(This does not mean that I think Cruelty to animals is not as bad as this, however Cruelty is a common peeve or hate and the majority of 'normal' people agree it is wrong. I thought the Coalition Gov was a more 'risque' post and something specific to 2013 which is why I opted for this!!) 

I am not a political person, I know very little on the in's and outs of life in Westminster (in this era anyway - historically I know more about politics!) but I do know how everyday people up north feel about the situation created down south on the banks of the Thames. This maybe a generalisation because I can not speak for all us Northern folk, but everyone I speak to is disgusted at the state of the country now. It has been increasingly getting worse for many years, but since the two culprits above came into power the lower classes seem to have been made lower. The job market is poor yet benefits changes are been made which mean people suffer (bedroom tax is a prime example of this!). The only people who do not seem to suffer at these cut backs and the inflation rates are those sat in the houses of parliament and the fat cats in charge of major companies. 

But the worst thing in my opinion is the ignorance of this suffering and hardship. Tv programmes highlight situations for poorer people on a weekly basis. (Recently Skint on Channel 4, and even programmes like Secrets of Shoplifters illustrate how times are hard) yet we still have politicians stating they could live on £50 a week!!!!!!!!!!!

Do they know and appreciate how hard it is to feed people on a small budget? how difficult it can be saying no time and time again to kids who want an icecream or sweets? I sincerely doubt that!!!! Not all those people who shoplift or do perhaps 'dodgy' things are career criminals- they are parents who are struggling to put food on the table and clothes on kids backs. 

As a family we have not shoplifted or been reduced to low levels to provide for our children. But my husband has now lost his job due to health issues and is unfit to work for  the unforeseeable future. I am looking for work but with these gunky ear infections and deafness it is a struggle. So now we are going to be one of those families who struggle and have to survive on state handouts!! It is worth mentioning my hubby has worked full time and paid his taxes and National insurance for 27 years. So it is bad and wrong to be surviving on government money - but he has paid into the pot over the years! 

Never would we be reduced to stealing to cope with this downfall - but it gives us an understanding on how people can do this because there are more people out there who are much worse off than us!! As a family we are resourceful and can make cheap and healthy food and repair things instead of replacing but not everyone has the know how or ability to cook properly or mend things. 

I just wish that David Cameron and Nick Clegg could see this; not all people who claim benefits are avoiding work but the majority of them are people who are just down on their luck and struggling to eat and stay warm. They should look at families like mine and many others I know and realise how life is for people who are not in power and who do not have life savings and an inheritance! People who are ill or who have been made redundant because of the state of the economy should not be put in the same category as those idiots who purposely sit on their butts all day and have no intention of working (legally). 

I could go on about this because it a subject so close to me and many people I know and care about - and I accept that this government did not necessarily cause this- but they are not helping and still remain ignorant to a lot of people's plights!

But a magic wand can not be waved - I have a feeling the situation is set to get a whole lot worse before it gets better!!! 

Would be interesting to know what others think?

It will also be interesting to look back and review this situation and subject in a year or more and see my opinions on it then!!! 

A-Z - this time I am evaluating B .... (bad manners and bullying)

Next on my list is the letter B!!

Now for this I could not decide whether to select BAD MANNERS or BULLYING.

So I have gone for both on the tenuous link that bullying could be construed as bad manners!!! (Maybe I am clutching at straws there?!)

BAD MANNERS.   Being a parent I have tried to install in my kids the importance of saying please and thank you, and just being polite in general! But it still shocks me how many children in their peer groups that do not even say a simple 'Ta!'

 I was raised that manners were more important than anything, the last words uttered to me before a party or tea at a friends house were "Remember your P's & Q's!" and I find myself repeating this to my own 2 if they are invited out. And I always get that flush of pride on their return when I am commended on their manners.

But still there are so many other people out there, adults as well as children who can not utter a word of thanks or show any manners. Is it any wonder that kids out there are growing up rude? 

Now I am not victorian in my standards - my children are taught to respect those who respect them. They are taught to consider other peoples feelings when out in the street or on public transport but I also try to teach them that there are older people out there who can be rude so in those cases civility is all that is needed. 

It is so simple to install good manners in children who tend to lead by example, children should be attending pre-school or nursery with the basics of manners already second nature. Although I have recently read something which states it should be the teachers job to teach manners.... I think this is codswallop!! Teachers suffer most of all from ill-mannered kids and they are constantly pulling them up on manners (they are when I am working in school anyway!!) So yeah... teachers should reinforce how important please and thank you are... but so should any adult who is contact with youngsters......

And BULLYING... I was a victim of bullying when I was at school, at one point I even had to move schools because of the trouble I faced. Mainly because I looked 'different' but also because I was gobby and answered back... I liked to shock with my appearance and this tended to cause comments from the more 'Trendy' people. In fact I used to have my own come backs stored in my head read for any hatred thrown my way. In this sense I was not bullied to the extent you read about in today's press. I was not beaten up or attacked physically. But I did end up in tears several times. I tried to be tough but found it unfair that how I looked made people hate me... 

Bullying is on this list because it has escalated now to the point where teens are stabbed and seriously hurt for no reason. TV programmes like Hollyoaks do serve to highlight the dangers from bullies but again it is mainly down to the parents. It is children who live with bullies and narrow mindedness who then repeat the process by picking on others. Again it is not difficult to teach children that all people regardless of colour, religion, sexuality, music tastes etc.... are the same inside. 

So there you have the letter B.... rather long winded and a bit of a rant but hey ho....

A-Z of things which annoy me or I don't like ..... today is the letter A (Alphabet challange!!)

I am a bit late in the day with this series of posts but I have been neglecting this blog a bit because I have hit a bit of a rut.....

Seeing this type of thing on other people's amazing blogs made me want to start my own so the letter today is A.

The  little image at the side of this might just give the game  away because  adverts on telly are one of my pet peeves. Yeah I know its a trivial matter and not important in day to day life - but to me there is nothing more annoying (which  begins with an A that gets on my wick!!!) 

Because of this one of my fave inventions of the 21st century is Sky+, been able to record programs so you can fast forward  them at the annoying bits is bliss for someone like me.

In general I use adverts to try and conquer a level on Candy Crush Saga  or read several chapters of my boo, so I will admit they are handy for that reason. But the same repetitive slogan or song time after time makes me tut at the telly.... (Go Compare anyone?!?!)

(Added the day after) - thinking about this post I thought I was unfair. I know advertising is big business and employs a lot of people in its various forms, I also appreciate how much media influences us in day to day life. Which does not remove this 'peave' of mine - but perhaps makes me less annoyed about it. 

(Hopefully the letter B will not be far behind this post!!) 

My prize winning April!!! Long may my luck continue!!!

My last post told you all about my comping frenzy - it seems that it has paid off!! 

• 4 Boxes of Kelloggs Cereal! Won through a blog (Received 30/04/2013) 
• The Girl Behind the Mask - book by Stella Knightly. Won from Shaz's book blog via facebook (Recieved 27/04/2013)
• Jack the Giant Slayer goodie bag - 2 tshirts, hoodie, notebook, pen, hat and earphones! Won through a film website!! (in march) (24/04/2013) 
• JollyWobbles DVD (childrens Justin Flecter aka Mr tumble!) Won through a blog rafflecopter comp - (23/04/2013)
• Primavera Intensive revitelising face cream. Won through a like and share competition on facebook. (18/04/13) 
• Sightseers on Blu-ray! Won through a film website! (17/04/13) 
• £20 scratchcard win After deliberation decided to put any lottery wins £10 or over on here. (16/04/13) 
• Mariella Mystery - childrens book! Arrived 15/04/13
• Mackies icecream Voucher Won from answering a Mackies Survey! (Received 13th April) Worth £3.50
• Office goody bag (Pink pen, chocs, teabag & cup) Celebrity angels - Received 6th April) - entered through a website. 
• Nestle Oats and more cereal - full size box- won through facebook (Recieved 5th April) 
• Google Nexus 7 tablet - 16gb - Gumtree competition - (Received 4th April) worth £180
• Hotel Chocolate Easter egg - You crack me up - from the good natured company.A surprise win received 3rd April - must have won in March. Worth £27

This massive list is my total prizes for the month of april - even though I won some of them in March I received them on the dates stated! 

Yesterday I also got another 3 winning emails (WEM) so hopefully that stands for how lucky I will be in May! I am really loving these competitions I find on http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/  the people on there are so lovely and friendly and there are a lot of comps added daily! Plus I like being able to help manage the forum yourselves by reporting expired comps and adding new ones! 

A catch up with me..... (kids, easter, comping, Maggie Thatcher and life in general)

Firstly I was going to apologies for not writing in so long.... but then I figured that I have never set a rule to what and when I will update this blog of mine so I should not feel so guilty for not been on here in a while!!!!

I haven't been particularly busy as such I have just been entering a lot of competitions. My hubby on sick now and his sick pay run out so we are 'attempting' to live on £800 a month. I say attempting because it is so hard and emotionally draining with every day been a battle to sort out some money and battle some other organisation. Looking for jobs is depressing when you have been trying for so long and sometimes life just seems cruel and unfair!! So I have been on a comping frenzy to win things to make me smile and things to make my life easier! I haven't done bad if you check out my comping prize tab!

I've still been on the job hunt, and trying to settle in our new puppy (Buddy) and the Easter holidays were a fab time to chill with my kids without the early school runs and homework panic! But I was happy to see them off in their uniforms yesterday morning ready for a day of not been at beck and call every 2 seconds! I'm human and although I love my babies they are full of energy and noise and beans..... a break from them is needed once in a while. (And I get no help from our parents or families so the only time out we get is when they at school!!)

My ears have still been bad... it has got to the stage where they are bad all the time so I am used to gunk leaking all the time!! Nice imagery I know but its not nice to live with neither! I really need to make another hospital appointment and see the specialist!

Finally in this rambling mess of a post MAGGIE THATCHER... I am in the group of people who are disgusted with the amount of expense and fuss that is been made over her funeral. I do agree she needs to be shown some respect but not to the extent that it has been planned. Coming from Yorkshire I know many people who were affected by the mining strikes and other protests that happened when I was a twinkle in my dads eye! (My grandad always worked down the pits and suffered lots of upset at the hands of this woman.) I admire her straight talking and everything she did for feminism but still think she caused more problems for people than she solved. Out country is in a financial mess and children and their parents are going without meals to survive and yet the country is paying to bury a woman who caused financial hardship for many. Why can't her own funds  pay for the funeral? She must have plenty of money and so must her family who did well off her name... so why dont they put their hands in their pockets and the money tax payers have spent on her funeral could be used for families who can't afford to eat?

So there a rambling post complete with a rant... not everyone will agree with me but I wanted to have my say non the less.....

COMPETITION LINK- win an android netbook with Racing Games for Girls

Racing Games for Girls

It has been some time since I posted on here and in a while I will do a full post offering my explanations to my absence (nothing so exciting though!)

Anyhow I have still been busy entering the competitions and have come across a Rafflecopter one to win an android netbook!

Who doesn't like a bit of technology??

A simple competition to enter so pop over and check it out - there are 6days left to pop your name into the hat!!

WIN A NETBOOK

REVIEW - Bionsen Deodorants

The photo my little girl took!! 

Without disclosing too much information I have always suffered with sweating problems, especially in summer - but unfortunately in the colder months too!

Over the years I have spent a small fortune on new innovative products to help with my dilemma - but nothing I had tried has stood up to my expectations.

Until..... I tried Bionsen. I very fortunately got sent some of these products to try and I am so pleased I did. Although I was not expecting a natural aluminium and paraben free deodorant to work - it did. The smell reminds me of the freshness of baby powder but it is subtle so it does not overpower perfume. But more significantly I got through the whole day without any excess sweating and damp patches. Which until I tried the products was a totally rare event.

I don't just like the product and its effectiveness though - I think the packaging is a lovely design and colour. I am not a girly girl so the blue colour suits me and my bathroom shelf!

Here comes the science bit.... the deodorants themselves consist of a unique blend of Japanese Spa minerals which originate from volcanic spas in Japan. The range of products has been tested by the Clinic of Dermatology at Siena University and are free from aluminium and parabens. There are potential links between these chemicals and breast cancer but further research is needed before a conclusion is reached on these links. 

The Bionsen ingredients deodorises  naturally whilst allowing skin to breath and pores to remain unblocked so staying fresh is natural. 

Deodorant Roll on 50ml 

Because they are so gentle and suitable for sensitive skin it makes them ideal for those who suffer with skin complaints, I also would consider using this deodorant for my daughter when she reaches the age that she needs it. 

If you feel like trying out the Bionsen products (which I do recommend) then you can buy them from Morrisons supermarket or online at www.bionsen.co.uk

There is a Deodorant Stick (40ml)

Deodorant Roll on (50ml - £2.35 at Morrisons) 

Deodorant Pump Spray (100ml - £2.75 at Morrisons)

Deodorant Aerosol Spray (150ml) 

Deo Total Body (20g of Crystals) 

Normally I do not like Roll on's or more 'damp' type deodorants but I found no problems with this type. I used both the Roll on and the Pump Spray and will be looking for the other types when I go on my weekly shop! 

Check out their twitter page here BionsenBeauty

Or their Facebook page here  BionsenBeauty