Little wins make me smile

Some of you may know that I love entering competitions and I have done for the last two years.

I have won loads of little things like toothpaste, chocolate bars to big prizes like a new tumble dryer.

This month has been lots of little wins but I love them as they will get used :)

The list for this month is as follows

Mac Primer

Pantene shampoo and conditioner

£10 Amazon voucher

Commonwealth games backpack

Happy Egg surprise win x2 (could be activity pack, tea towel or seeds)

House of Chilli mixed seeds

Bar of chocolate

Arm & Hammer goodies

Not bad eh?

Does anyone else enter competitions? If so what is the best thing you have won?

xx

Ben's Beginners

Before reading the rest of this post I want you to watch this video and let's just say it may surprise you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2lNNDiKp24&feature=youtu.be

Well was I right? Did you realise that so many children have no kitchen skills at all? No I didn't either.

As you will see from the video you just watched the amount of people who were shocked to see no kitchen in the house they were shown really gets the point across.

As a child I loved being in the kitchen with my mum or gran baking cakes or "helping" make the dinner. It was great fun and I didn't realise I was learning a skill that meant I would be able to survive on my own when I was older. After all we do have to eat to survive.

Sadly places like McDonalds, KFC and Dominoes are no longer just a monthly treat they seem to be a convenience as some will say they don't have time to cook. It's not nutritious and what does that teach our children? Nothing.

My husband and I have involved our children in making bread, cakes, chocolate and soups. They have a great time and learn  too.

Ben's beginners https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJmmxYjShP_Q0E0LQBiN9CQ aim is to change this trend. Check out their youtube channel.

They have videos showing easy recipes that can get everyone and teaches new skills like how to chop onions.

I for one will be following the channel on youtube and will continue to involve my children in making meals and cakes.

News Report - Self-harm by mental health patients in NHS has risen by 56%, figures show

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/27/self-harm-suicide-mental-health-patients-nhs-rises-56-per-cent?utm_source=%27see+me%27+Contact+Database+Meta+List&utm_campaign=8beb3c2691-MHTP04_07_20147_4_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9b89ec6581-8beb3c2691-37147065


Self-harm by mental health patients in NHS has risen by 56%, figures show Labour links rise in self-harm and suicide attempts to 'intolerable' pressure from staff and budget cutbacks Share 630 1 inShare 42 Email Denis Campbell Health correspondent The Guardian, Wednesday 27 August 2014 Jump to comments (177) NHS nurse Labour linked the increase in people harming themselves to reduced numbers of specialist doctors and nurses. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod Growing numbers of people being treated in mental health units are harming themselves and trying to take their own lives, new NHS figures suggest. The number of such incidents at 29 of England's 52 NHS mental health trusts rose from 14,815 in 2010 to 23,053 last year, an increase of 56% over four years. The average number per trust rose from 511 to 795 last year over the same period. Labour, which obtained the figures under freedom of information laws, linked the increase to cuts in the number of doctors and nurses working in mental health units and their budgets. "Mental health services have been squeezed year on year, the number of specialist doctors and nurses has dropped and there aren't enough beds to meet demand. The pressure this is putting on mental health wards is intolerable", said Luciana Berger, the shadow public health minister, who obtained the figures. "It is unacceptable that people in touch with mental health services may not be getting the support they need. They are some of the most vulnerable patients in our NHS", she added. That some mental health wards were running way above their recommended maximum capacity of 85%, sometimes reaching as much as 138%, was also a factor explaining the rise, Berger added. She also highlighted the fact that chronic shortages of beds in some mental health units were leading to patients who are undergoing a crisis having to travel sometimes hundreds of miles from their home to receive treatment. The biggest increases were at Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, where such incidents rose from 2,008 to 3,746, and at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, where they rose from 2,071 to 3,935. The other 21 of the 50 trusts that Labour approached did not respond, so the true figures for England as a whole might be much higher. The latest NHS statistics show that at the end of May some 963,769 people in England were in contact with secondary mental health services, of whom 23,646 (2.5%) were inpatients in a psychiatric hospital. Of those, 16,352 had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983, and 11,965 (73.2%) of those were detained in hospital, and most of the rest – 4,228 (25.9%) – were subject to a community treatment order. Mark Winstanley, chief executive of the charity Rethink Mental Illness, said the findings were clear evidence of the marked deterioration of mental health services, because of disproportionate funding cuts imposed over the past two years. "The hollowing-out of early intervention and cutbacks in community support services are leading to people ending up in inpatient care after becoming much more seriously ill because they haven't been helped thoroughly or quickly enough in the first place", he added. However, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, the new president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, did not believe the conclusions put forward by Labour, and said that increases were seen because of better reporting since Robert Francis's report into the Mid Staffs hospital scandal in early 2013. The number of suicides among mental health inpatients, which has fallen every year since 2004, was a better measure and did not fit with the picture revealed by the 29 trusts' data, Wessely explained. "The concerns about [lack of] funding are genuine and the concerns about staffing are genuine, but I just don't think we can link that to deliberate self-harm", he said. The NHS figures given to Berger were "implausible", he added.


Something needs to be done, these budget cuts are becoming dangerous.

My Decision

I had the chance to attend stress control classes, which were free, but decided against it. I know I tell you all to get all the help you can get, however, in my circumstances I feel this is not the right step for me.  Let me explain.

For 3 weeks of the month I get tired, nauseous, dizzy, mood swings, abdominal pains and vomiting. It seems to coincide with my monthly cycle. The week after my time of the month I feel normal, full of energy and could take on the world.

I have been to the doctor so many times about this and they, as usual, ignore it and claim its anxiety related but how can this be?

Yes I committed the major crime of googling my symptoms but luckily, and for once, Google didn't tell me I was dying but I either had PMS or PMDD both of which I fall into in some way.  So I am going back to my doctor tomorrow, a decent one!!, to hopefully get some answers and move forward with a diagnosis and treatment plan.

I will let you know how I get on.

Angela xx

For more information on PMS and PMDD please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Premenstrual-syndrome/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Best feeling ever

So as you know my handsome little boy started primary school. I am such a proud mummy. He LOVES school, hates the fact he can't go to school at the weekend and loves his new friends.

What is even better is walking along and waiting at the gates for him to come out. I am so happy at being able to pick him up.

I do worry about the way I look and will I get nasty comments like I did when my son was at nursery but do you want to know something? I DO NOT CARE what they think of me, why should I? These other mums don't matter to me.

We all come in different shapes and sizes so why make fun of someone for being fat, thin, wearing loads of make up or having a fake tan? We all do whatever it takes to make us feel good which we all have the right to do.

Slowly the old me is creeping back, the old attitude of I don't care if you like me or not is there again.

Great feeling to have

Fun with my girl

Today my mum and I took my little Sophie bug up to Palacerigg Park to see the animals and to play in the big swing park.

This was a big thing as it is the first time I have been able to take any of my children there in almost a year!!

We had a blast!! The park was virtually empty as the school holidays are over so no crowds meant Sophie could get better access to the animals and swing park!

She loved playing in the sand, going on the big slide and having a shot on the swings.  We had a wander round to see some of the animals too.  She thought the pigs were great and to her they were "peppa and George" so cute!!  The peacocks were another favourite. Oh and she tried to have a conversation with the ducks.

We all had a fab morning and it was nice for me and Sophie to get some time with my mum.

The day has come

The day has come to let my little boy go. He is now in primary one and it was one of the hardest but most exciting things I have ever had to do.

We are so proud of our boy. He is more than ready for school. Liam is such a clever lad and we know he won't struggle to make friends either.

We can see the school from our living room window so he knows we are not far. Not that he was bothered right enough haha. He went away with the teacher, he looked a bit nervous, but he had some reassurance from mummy and daddy.

At 2.30 we can go into the classroom to pick him up.

Such an exciting day for my baby boy.

Getting ready for school.

It might be my son who starts school on Monday but I feel like it's me who is getting ready for school as it means it's the first step in letting him go.

Don't get me wrong I know Liam is more than ready for school.  He is a smart boy and no doubt he will make friends quickly but I can't help but worry about him.  What parent wouldn't worry about their child being away for 6 hours a day?

We've to take him in an hour later than P2-P7 as it will be quieter then and not as overwhelming for the first day.  We go into the classroom, get him settled in, meet the teacher, take some pictures then it's time for us to leave.  I know for a fact when I walk out that building and leave him there I am going to be in tears.  My little boy is growing up.

His sister Sophie might feel a little lost with him being away for most of the day but no doubt she will take advantage of having all the toys to herself, that and plenty of one on one time with mummy.

Can't believe how quickly time has gone.  Big step for my little boy.

Bella & Bear Eye & Mighty Eyelash Curler

I was asked to try the new eyelash curler from Bella & Bear.  I couldn't wait to get it as, 1. I was in need of them and 2. I love love love Bella & Bear!!!


The packaging is so lovely and sweet!! Yes I am a fan of pretty packaging why not :)

£12.99 on Amazon

In the past when using eyelash curlers I found my skin would get pinched or my eyelashes felt as if they were being pulled out!! Not this time. Such a gentle product! The fingers grips are nice, smooth and not harsh on your fingers either and my fingers didn't get stuck either lol!

I got great results using this eyelash curler and my lashes looked longer and fuller which for my lashes is amazing . Marks out of 10? Full marks 

If you would like to purchase this awesome product (and more) please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eyelash-Curler-Dramatic-Eyelashes-GUARANTEE/dp/B00JNI1DZQ

Private counselling seems to be the way to go.

Many of you know I have been on the waiting list for counselling for 6 months now.

I understand that there is a demand for this service given the current financial climate and the unemployment rates etc being high, however, some people have been waiting for 12 months sometimes more. This is not acceptable.

So I am looking at the possibility at going for private counselling.  Sadly it is not cheap. £40 per hour might not sound like much but when you have two young children (one is starting school) its a lot.

There are many different counsellors out there who offer services such as CBT, couples counselling, bereavement counselling and so on.

It is worth it if you really need it and do not want to wait on the NHS to send you.  Some offer help over the phone, online and even come to your home or workplace.

I an waiting to hear from a few different counsellors to see who can offer the help I need.

E-Cig update

My husband wants to quit smoking so he decided to give Socialites Gold E-Cigarettes a try.

You get the E-cigarette, refills and USB charger

James was smoking 20 a day and he wanted to cut back at first.  The E-cig has helped him to do this and he does not smoke as many normal cigarettes now which is a step in the right direction.

The E-cig does not emit harmful chemicals meaning there is no risk of passive smoking.  It can be used around the house and some places let you use it in their establishment but please check before using!!

It does take a while to charge and is obviously heavier than a normal cigarette.

James is hoping to quit altogether and I feel the E-Cig will help him.

Below is some facts about socialites E-Cigarettes.

Socialites - the UK's number one provider of  e-cigarettes, a product which is designed to simulate the act of smoking tobacco without the 4,000 harmful chemicals or 60 known carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes. They contain a small dose of nicotine, which is delivered in the form of water vapour and are a much healthier alternative to smoking and are therefore ideal for the 96-97% of people who can't quit the habit through willpower alone.

A recent study found that e-cigarettes are the most successful tool in  helping people to quit the habit and exceed patches and chewing gum in terms of success rate.

In addition to these substantial benefits, Socialites e-cigarettes are up to 75% cheaper than traditional cigarettes, making them an obvious choice for anyone wanting to cut down or quit.

Robin Williams

I was so so sad to hear that Robin Williams has passed away.  He was an incredible actor, comedy genius and legend.

Knowing that he did not get the help he needed so badly is hard to hear.  According to reports he had been in rehab, why didn't they help him or get him the help?

Then there are those ignorant people who say "he had millions, a lovely house, he had it all" clearly they do not realise Depression does not discriminate anyone can suffer from depression and it is not always down to a traumatic event either!!!

There should be more education, introduce mental health classes into high schools, colleges, universities and work places.

yay I am back

hey

That's the Internet finally sorted I was lost without it haha.

Let me update you:

I am looking into private counselling as I am getting nowhere with the NHS. I was initially told I would wait 6 weeks to 3 months, then up to 6 months and well you can guess the pattern.

Got a few different posts coming up soon.

Thanks for being patient xx

quick update

Hi

Just to let you i wont be around until the 12th of August as we are switching internet provider.

Will try and update if possible via mobile.

I hope you all understand.

Angela xx