Category: Uncategorized

Travel, Uncategorized

Preparing Your Car for Winter Journeys

RaisieBay
traffic stuck in snow

I hate driving in snow and ice, it scares me and I’ve had a couple of near mishaps. Once, I was coming out of an icy car park, approaching a busy road, when the car just wouldn’t stop. I was skidding towards the moving traffic sideways on. Eventually the car stopped just inches from the road, just as a bus went passed. 

I avoid driving in snow and ice whenever I can, but sometimes it’s not possible. The weather stays bad for months and the car needs to be used so I’ve put together some tips for making sure the car is ready for winter journeys.

Do Your Checks

Make sure your tyres are in good condition, you may even consider changing to winter tyres. The legal limit for tyre tread is 1.6mm but 3mm is recommended for a better grip in bad weather.

Car batteries have a life of around 5 years so it’s worth checking how old yours is, it’s going to take a lot of pressure over the winter months.

Check the amount of anti-freeze in your water and top it up if necessary. In winter it should be fifty percent water, fifty percent anti-freeze.

Clean your lights, windowscreen and wipers. Being able to see properly is a priority on darker days and nights. Check for chips in the windowscreen too as these can grow when it’s cold.

Always make sure you have a decent amount of petrol in the tank in case of delays in your journey.

Emergency Supplies

It’s always best to be prepared for an breakdown or being stuck in traffic in cold weather. We all see it on the news, rows of cars stuck for hours in the snow, but we never know when it could happen to us. So it’s wise just to be prepared. A simple breakdown kit could contain, a shovel, torch, blanket, scraper, de-icer and a few food and drink supplies. That should help until you get moving again, or rescued. It’s always good to have a fully charged phone too.

Last but Not Least

Do make sure that your car is up to date with it’s service checks and MOT. According to the AA a lot of car problems in the cold weather could be avoided by regular servicing and maintenance checks. So, get yours done before it’s too late. No one does better VOSA approved MOT in Northampton than Calmac Tyres Autocentres. Get your car checked today!

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post


Home Improvement

Making Your Kids Bedroom Warm and Cosy

RaisieBay
mount fuji in Japan at sunset
Image Credit

Winter is quickly creeping in, and at this time of year we all feel the need to hibernate like the animals our children learn about at school; in fact, with darker nights and colder days, having a house that’s warm and cosy is imperative to creating a feeling of “home sweet home”.

There’s nothing less homely than being in a house that is cold and drafty, yet, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm and cosy bedroom that makes you feel all safe and snuggled up from the cold weather outside.

Indeed, winter can be a magical time, for as the snow begins to fall for the first time, the whole house will get excited about the prospect of building snowmen, going sledding and having the inevitable snowball fight.  Of course, there’s the occasional Scrooge like character that fails to see the magic of this time of year and considers only the affect such adverse weather will have on traffic conditions… but for most people, and in particular, most children – the snow starting to fall signifies a time of magic and wonderment.

There’s nothing better, as a kid, than being wrapped up warm looking out at the snow falling from your bedroom; going to sleep, then waking up every now and then, peeking through the window to see if it’s still snowing and whether the snow has settled.

Child’s Bedroom

Now, in terms of making your child’s bedroom warm and cosy, the furniture in your kids bedroom is quite important.  Cuckooland offer perhaps the coolest kids bedroom furniture to create a modern yet cosy atmosphere, though, a lot of making your kids bedroom more warm and cosy comes down to is related specifically to their bed and lighting.

Lighting is one of the most vital components when it comes to creating a warm and cosy space, and there are a number of things you can do to add to the feeling of warmth within your child’s bedroom, whilst also offering a safe “night light” glow that is conducive to sleep.

Many times, people put warm LED string lights into their child’s bedroom to emit a warm glow that is safe to stay on throughout the night (particularly if battery operated), whilst if you’re looking for something a little more fancy you could use a himalayan salt lamp, as this will create a cosy glow in addition to providing numerous health benefits.

Then, when it comes to the warmth and coziness of your kid’s bed, it can be helpful to add a memory foam mattress topper to their bed, as this will provide much warmth and insulation whilst also making the bed feel more cloud like in that they will sink into it.  

If your house is particularly cold, and electric blanket can work wonders in providing a constant supply of localised heat – or a hot water bottle provides a more specific heat source that can be nice to put in the bed prior to bedtime.


Disclosure: collaborative post

Home Improvement

The Home Office

RaisieBay

I used to have a corner of the living room as my home office. I had everything I needed, a desk, chair, pc and complete filing system including my luxury branded ringbinders.

Then I got sick and rarely used my work station so it was passed on to Star. She now has everything in her bedroom and my living room was reclaimed  became a dumping corner for toy boxes.

I’ve decided now that I’d like it back as a home office. It just felt different having a space to work in. I seemed to get so much more done, I was more productive without distractions. 

The Little Man’s bedroom should really be a home office, it has so many plug sockets and it’s just the perfect size. But I’d have to kick him out and he’s only eight so I don’t think I’d get away with that. Maybe in the future there will be a bedroom shuffle, because I’m sure if one of the other bedrooms became free there would be a rush to move around. The Little Man is happy in his little room for the time being though, so I will have to settle for my living room.

My Ideal Office.

I’m lucky enough to have quite a large living room so I can easily spare a corner. I do think my needs have changed since the last time though. For one, I’d need a very comfortable chair to sit in. I would be using my laptop so the desk would not have to house a pc. I’d like lots of storage for all my paperwork. 

But, it’s not just work, there is also play involved. I like to do a bit of papercraft, so it would be nice to have the desk to use for that. And I really love stationary and pretty things, so it would probably be less office like than before. 

And when I’m not working, I’d love to be able to store everything neatly away.

Inspiration

It will be after Christmas before I can set up my new office because that’s when we’ll be re-decorating. But I’ve been looking on Pinterest for some inspiration. I’m a long way from making up my mind though.

a simple white desk and matching chair against a grey painted wall with a wire bookcase
Maybe if we went for grey, but I’d need more storage
a dark wooden bench beneath a large bookshelf full of books and plants
A bit too cluttered, but I do love bookshelves
An old wooden desk with a a floral chair topped with a painting and a lamp and set against a handpainted mural on the wall
I love the wooden desk
two white cabinets with a plank of wood across the top to make a desk
Or maybe I should have something made to suit. This is a plank of wood over two filing cabinets.

Do you have a home office? 

Home Improvement

How to make that perfect garden the whole family can enjoy

RaisieBay

 

A garden should be enjoyable for those who tend to it, but also for the entire family to enjoy the ‘green’ outdoor space together. So, how can you create an inviting space for everyone to make use of this summer? Consider some of these simple tips.

Add pop and colour


Choose flowers, plants, and arrangements which stand out. You don’t want a garden which is dull or is lacking something vibrant which sets it apart from your neighbour’s garden. So, consider a distinct floral arrangement, some fun garden ornaments, or other decorative pieces, so your garden will stand apart from the rest. If you are not a keen gardener and would like some assistance you could get a local gardener to come and help you. I would recommend looking on a trade directory like myjobquote.co.uk.

Photo by Val Toch on Unsplash

Add a spark of fun


Consider adding a swing set for the kids, a walking path, or even a jacuzzi or slip and slide area for them to play. If you have the space, add an attached deck or fire pit. The more interactive the space is, the more it is going to be enjoyed by the gardener, and the entire family. And, the easier it is going to be to bring everyone together, when you want to spend some quality time with family and friends.

Add a fountain


A water fountain or water pit, with surrounding gnomes or garden ornaments, will really stand apart from other gardens where you live. It is going to have a distinct look and feel, it is going to add a decorative flair to the space, and it can easily bring the entire garden area together, especially in a larger home, with large outdoor (or separate garden areas) space.

Photo by Alexandria Courtney on Unsplash

Your garden should bring enjoyment to everyone who sees and experiences it. These are some simple tips to incorporate to ensure it is enjoyed by yourself, as well as your family and friends who come to visit your home as well.

For further ideas on garden transformation please see my former post on how to make the garden a fun filled space for kids.

 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

My Sunday Photo, Uncategorized

My Sunday Photo – July 6th 2018

RaisieBay

The Twisted Tree

 

Just like this tree, sometimes I think I have many stories to tell, with lots of twists and turns. If I wrote a book about my life I’d probably have to write three volumes!

A long time ago, when I was a teenager, my brother and his wife would take me out to pubs with their three young children. I would see it as a real treat, but I guess they saw it as someone to look after the three little ones outside while they could have a drink in peace. They would even sneak me a drink sometimes, Snowballs were my favourite, or maybe a Babycham. To me it was the best of both worlds, a scamper around the woods or park playing with the kids and a very grown up drink! Oh to be 14 again!

Hopwood House

One of the places they would take me too was a lovely pub next to a canal. Outside was a wooden area and a park with swings and a roundabout. It was really lovely there outside, one of my favourite places to go.

The canal is actually the one that runs alongside my current home and the pub is just a few miles down the road….but, I haven’t been there for many years, very many years.

We wanted to go to a pub for lunch and as the kids were off school on an inset day, we wanted it to be somewhere for them to play outside. I remembered this childhood venue and I was sure the kids would like it. We have our very own (almost) teenager so we knew they would be able to play outside, but Graham still kept popping out to see how they were getting on.

One thing I’d only vaguely remembered were all the steps to this pub. There was wheelchair access but I wanted to use my sticks. I’m glad I did, because the ramps went such a long way around and once inside you had to go up in one of those tiny open lifts that are just big enough for a wheelchair. There is nothing wrong with all this of course, I appreciate that they are there. But sometimes I just like to be a little more ‘invisible.’

So, once inside I was kind of glued to my seat while the kids and their Dad where coming and going. I’d have loved to have roamed about outside, see if any memories came flooding back to me, but it wasn’t to be. Those days are history now. But, it’s still nice that my kids can enjoy themselves like I once did.

They came in for food and regaled me with stories of broken picnic tables and fallen trees. They had made believe that there had been a hurricane and they were there to see if there were any survivors in the rubble. (I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, but it was enough to awaken their imaginations.)

The food was pretty nice too and I was so proud of my kids for ignoring the chips on offer and going for more healthier options. All washed down with milk and squash. I think it will be a long time before Star gets interested in alcohol.

Now we have rediscovered this place, I’m sure we will be visiting again. Do you have any childhood places you like to take your kids?

 

Photalife

 

Sunday Snap

 

Personal Stories, Uncategorized

A Break, Home Education and a Kitten.

RaisieBay

Silence

It’s been a strange couple of weeks. I had a break from social media which also affected my blogging. I don’t know if the effect was direct or more because I just felt the need to spend less time online. Anyway, the break did me good and I had plenty of time to reflect. And to read and crochet 🙂

Half Term

Half term passed in a flash. I had to spend a day in hospital for treatment so Graham took the kids out. Then we had another day out at the Wildlife Conservation Centre. Then before I knew it, it was time to go back… well for the girls it was. We made a huge decision to keep the Little Man away from that school and now I am home educating him while we wait for a place at another school.

Home Education

This is not a new thing for me, both my older children were home educated for a while. And Star was for the eleven months she couldn’t go to school because of her operations and halo brace. (It was the fourth year anniversary of her cervical fusion yesterday.)  But, I did have home tutors provided for all of them.

I’m educating the Little Man myself and as I hope he will return to school I’m sticking with the Curriculum for his year. Last week we had a de-schooling week where he didn’t do much actual work, just a few activities like word searches and crosswords, and some crafts.

This week, however, we have a timetable of lessons to stick too. When it’s one to one you don’t need to spend all day on lessons which is good because it really is hard to keep him working, he gets distracted very easily. Yesterday we were learning about electronics from a science kit I bought and he loved it. So now I’m thinking of how I can make other lessons like English and Maths more interesting for him.

His reading is brilliant, he barely stumbles over a word, but he can’t read for long when he starts fidgeting and rushing the words. It’s a shame because I think he could really get lost in a book if he just showed a little patience. We’ll work on that.

Kitten

Last week while browsing the local animal adoption centre, like I do frequently, I noticed they had a lot of kittens. Three families of them. I looked through all the photos and this one jumped out at me.

His name is Ash and I had to go and see him. He was with his four sisters and they were all so cute I just wanted to take them all home. But sadly, one cat is the limit at the moment and we thought a boy cat would be best.

We moved into this house, nearly five years ago, with four cats. Now we only have one, and bless her, she’s lonely. So we reserved Ash and went to pick him up yesterday. He is adorable! We now have to slowly integrate him into our family. We’ve not introduced him to Sabrina, our other cat, yet, so fingers crossed they get on (eventually.)

 

Debs Random Writings

 

 

My Sunday Photo, Uncategorized

My Sunday Photo – 10th June 2018

RaisieBay

Lizard

a lizard on a rock, he has a v shape on his head and stripes on his trunk. He is surrounded by green leaves
Do you know my name?

 

This week I am sharing another photo from the Wildlife Conservation Park. This is one my husband took and I thought it was pretty good seeing as he took it through a glass window in a dimly lit place. When I asked him what type of lizard it was he had no idea.

He does look rather friendly though as he came right up to the glass to greet his visitors. If you have any idea what type of lizard he is I’d love to know.

I did try to remember what I was photographing and the following photo is one of mine. It’s a gorgeous little Tamarin Monkey. I could have  took him home he was so cute, although I’m not condoning monkeys as pets.

A very small and furry black Tamarin Monkey sitting on a rope in a wooden enclosure

 

You can read about our trip to the Wildlife Conservation Park here.

I think that’s enough wildlife for now, next week I’m hoping to bring you a photo or two of our new family member that we are picking up on Monday.

 

Photalife

 

Sunday Snap

 

 

Home Improvement

How to Pick a Theme for Home Designs

RaisieBay

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

Trying to decide on a theme for your home? Whether it’s antique, modern or contemporary, coming up with a theme can make for a beautiful aspect to your home. Besides, a theme is the perfect way to bring together individual elements.

 

Coming up with a theme may be the hardest part of a home renovation because a theme is where the entire process will be aimed at. Finding the supplies you need is no longer that hard as there are several shops now providing home improvement supplies.

 

Below is a guide to applying a couple of basic principles of design to help bring your theme together.

 

  1. Choosing A Theme

 

Of course, the first step is to pick a theme. You may already have one in mind based on a pattern or interest. Or, you may have no idea where to start. Try this:

 

  • Write down a list of your favourite interests, in order of importance.
  • Look online at themed rooms and list some of the themes that appeal to you.
  • Look for décor items and make a list of the ones that jump out at you.

 

By creating these lists, you may see patterns emerging. For example, your biggest interest could be country style and you find that you favour country home styles. You may even find that paintings of horses and fields stand out and you love a country feel. If you don’t notice a consistent pattern, pick a theme from the lists that seems to stick out the most.

 

  1. Design By The Room

 

Once you have a theme or two, you can decide how much you want that theme to rule. Do you want the theme to run throughout your home, or just in a single room? Or, maybe you want a different theme for each room?

 

As a rule of thumb, try not to overload your home with too many themes. Rather have a few neutral rooms to give themes a rest.

 

As for bathrooms, you can check out the showers of Trading Depot to match an elegant theme. You can choose to mix the modern bathroom parts with bathroom accessories that match your chosen theme. You can also just focus the theme on the walls, the floor, the door, and even the windows, among others. Bathroom parts are a lot more efficient and convenient these days and they easily blend well with almost any theme a homeowner chooses.

 

  1. Using Themed Décor

 

Now, let’s get down to specifics. The first thing to do is get a couple of décor elements that display the theme you’ve settled on. You don’t need to buy a bunch of new things, just find a couple of visual focal points, such as a decorative item or wall art.

 

But, if you’ve decided to base your theme on a strong and well-established interest, you may have plenty of décor items lying around. Gather them together and decide what you want to display. Aim to intersperse items throughout the room in a way that is balanced.

 

  1. Be Subtle With Décor

 

If you’re not a big fan of collections or large pieces of art, there are plenty of other ways you can incorporate a theme in a more subtle and elegant way through these tips:

 

  • Order customised prints that detail a certain theme. Place them on pillows as accents.
  • Use a few small, more natural elements to place on tables or windowsills.
  • Don’t forget the lighting is a good way to accent a theme.
  • Consider textured accents.
  • Repurpose items to help camouflage the décor.
  • Window and upholstery treatments are a great way to add subtleness to a theme.

 

  1. Don’t Forget Practicality

 

You may have to think about features that add comfort to your home. When the weather is too cold, you will appreciate that you didn’t forget that underfloor heating installation by Trading Depot in your home renovation plan.

 

Using these tips, you can effortlessly create the perfect theme for your home designs.

Monday Stumble Linky

 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

Disability, Personal Stories, Stiff Person Syndrome, Uncategorized

Keeping Well

RaisieBay

It’s not been the best of time for me health wise, after catching the kid’s sickness bug I seem to have been knocked off my feet, almost literally!

It’s made me think a lot about my illness and how it’s progressing. I don’t like it, and I don’t like my family seeing me like it either.

This is not my usual state of mind. I probably get on a lot of people’s nerves but I’m really a ‘cup half full’ type of person. It’s strange really when my life hasn’t really strolled along the easy path, it’s definitely been a slow mountain climb with lots of crumbling rocks on the way.

Maybe that’s why I’m a positive thinking person. If I focus on the negative then I’d probably be a very depressed person right now. That doesn’t mean that I’ve never suffered depression, I have quite a few times, but these days I am well aware of the warning signs and I know the best ways to keep it at bay.

So, what have I been up to this week?

Well, I’ve got a new hobby! I have always been interested in papercraft but I’ve never been the arty type. I’ve decided that I’ll give it a go though and I’m making some cards. I’m using my favourite resource, Pinterest, to get some inspiration and I’ve been buying some bits and pieces to get me started. Okay, I know you don’t absolutely need a die cutter for starters, but I couldn’t resist treating myself to one.

Here’s my first attempt.

 

I’ve even ordered myself a cabinet to keep my bits and pieces in. With this and my crochet I’m going to be keeping very busy.

Talking about crochet, here is my latest creation.

 

The request for these keep coming so I can see myself making more. I’m also working on a big blanket with a CAL (crochet along) but that’s a year long project. I am loving it already though and can’t wait for the finished product. I can’t decide whether I prefer big projects or little ones. Last night I spent about an hour crocheting this jammy dodger tape measure cover.

 

I think now you may be able to see how I cope with my illness…I occupy my brain and my hands 🙂

 

Debs Random Writings
Uncategorized

Word of The Week – Sun

RaisieBay

Ok it may have disappeared right now, but my word of the week this week is SUN!

We spent the entire bank holiday weekend stuck indoors with the curtains drawn, blocking out the sun and the neighbours having fun in their gardens. We were sick! It just kept coming as one after another we were knocked out by a sickness bug.

We knew the sun was out there though and it made us feel even more miserable.

The kids went back to school on Tuesday, and then it was into the garden when they came home. Making the most of the sunshine.

I was still ill but I had to go to the GP. The surgery is only at the end of our street and I felt so poorly as I got into my wheelchair to go, wishing I didn’t have to. But, once I was outside and I breathed in the fresh air and soaked up some sunshine, it made me feel better, like a skin absorbed tonic.

Yesterday, Graham had to go to a friends funeral so I had to pick up the kids from school. I actually enjoyed the journey in my chair. It was a little cooler but still sunny and the trip turned out really good. We even stopped off for ice cream on the way home.

The sun is hidden behind some thick cloud at the moment, but I do hope it returns soon. We have some catching up to do.

How has your week been?

 

The Reading Residence