This weeks #MySundayPhoto is of my new hair cut! It’s very rare I get it cut as I developed a bit of a fear after having my hair shaved off as a child. I had 6 inches off yesterday, mow I just need to re-dye it! 😆
#VicksTricks & Our Tips To Help Beat Colds
This post is an entry for the #VicksTricks campaign. I was sent a lovely package to help us out including Vicks First Defence. Very comforting to have on standby in this cold weather!
My girls are regularly coming down with some nasty cold or bug especially with Eva at school, it’s completely unavoidable! We’ve all felt a bit rough over the last week so our #VicksTricks package couldn’t have come at a better time. We usually know they are coming down with something when they get a temperature, something 60% of parents agree on according to research carried out by Vicks. We use infant Paracetamol to help bring down a temperature. When the girls are ill we spend a lot of time snuggled up on the sofa having cuddles.
50% of parents agree irritability & tantrums are another one of the first signs their children are coming down with a cold. My girls do get irritable and rather emotional, it can be difficult to soothe them with just cuddles and other distractions are needed.
Here’s a few ways we keep them amused:
- Read books – My girls love being read to when they are poorly and occasionally fall asleep.
- Watch films – New or old favourites keep them occupied for an hour or so at a time. (If you’re lucky they’ll fall asleep haha!)
- Colouring in – I tend to find their favourite colouring book.
Almost half of parents agree another sign their little one is coming down with something is loss of appetite. It is most definitely a tell-tale sign with my girls as they LOVE food! It can be difficult to get them to eat but we do have a few tricks.
We offer these
- A small snack buffet – Kids are even fussier when ill so we keep it small and simple cucumber, cheese, breadsticks/crackers & fruit.
- Yoghurt! – No matter how ill my girls are they never turn down a yoghurt.
- Fruit smoothies – Tasty and filling!
- Warm Chocolate milk – Helps soothe them off to sleep.
We use Vicks vapour rub to help the girls breathe easier and to clear up any nasty coughs. We find tying a muslin square with Vicks on to the bed post helps them sleep much easier too! Did you know it’s great for kids aged two years and older, but it’s proven to work just as well for adults too.
The Mr cooks up his delicious magic soup in the slow cooker for dinner with meat, potatoes, stock, pearl barley, lots of onion & garlic and any other veg we fancy throwing in! It is a magically warming soup which has helped us get through soo many colds over the years. It can be kept over a few days too, it just needs to be warmed by the bowl.
Talking of magic, have you seen this magic #VicksTricks video?
What tips & tricks do you use?
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My Sunday Photo – Church Tree
I Thought Being Around Would Make You Feel Worse
I thought being around would make you feel worse. Actual words I never thought I’d hear from a friend. It’s funny what people assume when you have chronic pain. How could having a long time friend message me or visit me make me feel worse than being pretty much ignored for 3 years?
It got me thinking though, is that what people really think when you have chronic pain or any kind of debilitating illness? Do they really think we just literally want to sit alone all day not talking to anyone at all? Do they really believe we will feel worse chatting to someone? As I told my friend, I am still able to chat and have a cuppa. Isn’t that what friends do?
It would be lovely to have a friend round occasionally to distract me from the pain. I live 5 minutes away from our nearest town. I can (slowly) walk to a café or Subway for lunch and a chat. How even sending me messages would make me feel so awful. I’m in pain, not dead!
Yes, I struggle with going out both physically and mentally but it’s a bit different meeting a friend you have known for over 10 years, why on earth wouldn’t I want to at least chat on Facebook or meet up? I chat on twitter a fair bit, admittedly there are day’s I’ll just like everything but even then it’s nice to be included.
To think someone would think it would make me feel ‘angry’ that I couldn’t do stuff like before simply by seeing a friend is honestly ridiculous! If I was in hospital with a broken bone or an infection people would come to check I’m ok so why because I live with this pain day in day out would someone honestly think it was best to just ignore me completely!?
I actually felt worse after that text in all honesty. It came across very much as now she’s hurt herself and lonely I should forget the fact she’s ignored me. Now she’s struggling and needs a friend. Normally I’d be sympathetic but in this situation I simply can’t be. I haven’t been anywhere, I’m always reachable and she regularly drives past and pops up as nearby on Facebook.
If you have a friend with any kind of chronic pain or disability please STAY IN TOUCH!
Go see them, yes it’s hard adjusting but it’s much easier with extra support and a friend by your side. They may cancel plans like going out because they feel rough, that fine. Go buy a ton of yummy junk food or order in a takeaway and sit with them. Watch a film, chat absolute rubbish with them, I guarantee you’ll be making them feel much better and more able to cope with their pain.
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An Update On My Brother
I figured my readers deserved an update on my brother since a lot of them read about my worries last week when my brother ended up in A&E with a lung infection and suspected Lupus last Saturday.
Checking In
Once he was home I carried on worrying about him and checking up on him regularly. I told him off for walking to town and ordered him to wear extra layers when he had no choice but to go (WE NEED A CAR!) for electric. Luckily by the 3rd day of antibiotics he was beginning so breathe easier and walk a little further but still felt very drained.
I went to see him and check he was really Ok on Friday and was so pleased to see he was looking and sounding a bit healthier! I dragged him out for some lunch before we went on our mission.
Registering With A GP
We have been trying to register him at a GP for well over a year but each one wants his previous GP address which he honestly can’t remember. His social worker gave him the wrong address in the Summer when she signed him off so we were a little stuck. With a whole heap of other stuff going on it was something we kept forgetting to chase up again.
Having been told in A&E they suspected Alex has Lupus and he urgently needed to get a referral to a Dermatologist it was the kick up the arse we both needed to finally get it done. Alex mentioned in A&E he has been struggling to get registered with a GP so they gave him his NHS number.. at last!
So on Friday our main mission was to get him registered and we FINALLY managed it! It’s literally just across the road from him and open later than most which is perfect for him. We both walled out of that surgery high-fiving each other and cheering! At last mission successful!!
He has to call back Wednesday to ensure he’s added to the system properly. After that he will be booked in for a new patient check. Then he can book an appointment with a GP and get a referral to dermatology. It will take a few weeks but he’s literally been without a GP for years now so a few weeks aren’t too sad!
Catching Up
When we got back to Alex’s I showed him my previous post, I admitted he’s mentioned a fair bit on my blog but nothing too personal which he didn’t mind at all and the photo’s of us he absolutely loved! Especially when I explained why I chose the ones I did. He decided we needed to start taking more of us together, another little tradition to add to the list, so I thought I’d share them with you all!
Check out that smile! (How similar do we look too!? haha!)
We chatted as we usually do about our past, the present and the future. It was lovely to see he is finally feeling positive and making plans. He’s come such a long way over the last year! A lot has gone on that I haven’t mentioned because I believe that’s his personal business but I am so proud of him!
An Update
He is coping so much better, he realises now he is far from dumb although he struggles with things. He realises now it’s due to not being taught the basics. Things like how to clean, how to cash a cheque etc. have always been stressful for him. He asks for help when he needs it instead of just getting frustrated with himself now. It’s lovely to see!
The last week he’s felt very depressed but he’s dealt with it well, popping to his neighbours for a chat & inviting a few friends round. Normally he would shut himself away and end up feeling a lot worse. I’m so proud to hear he had realised he felt low and did something about it before it got worse.
Sleep Issues
Alex has always struggled with sleep and fell out of routine over the last few weeks. I gave him the Philips Alarm I was sent for #BlueMonday from PowWowNow to help him keep it up. As I explained to Alex, I have children who make sure I’m awake each day no matter how I feel. I’m sure the Alarm will benefit him much more than me! (Thank you PowWowNow)
Alex suggested writing a review of the Alarm for me which I think is a brilliant idea. It would be great for other’s to see how he gets on and what a difference it makes. Maybe it will help someone else out too! So keep an eye out for his guest post at some point over the next month or so. Since his stay in hospital he’s waking up early and has been waking before the alarm starts. So hasn’t had a chance to test it out yet. Typical 😉 haha!
All in all Alex is doing much better, his lung infection seems to have cleared up well. Thank you for all the support I’ve had from my readers. It’s been lovely to get comments checking how he’s doing and suggestions to help him.
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New Ozeri Frying Pan & Pepper Grinder? This Call’s for Steak!
Steak is the first thing I thought of when we recieved a new pan and pepper grinder. We recieved an Ozeri 26 cm Green Earth Frying Pan with Textured Ceramic Non-Stick Coating from Germany (100% PTFE and PFOA Free). We also recieved the Ozeri Graviti Pro Electric Pepper Grinder, in exchange for an Amazon review. As soon as they arrived all I could think about was steak so I sent the Mr off to the shops.
New Ozeri Frying Pan & Pepper Grinder
Whilst he was gone, I looked over the details of the products and took a few pictures.
Utilizes GREBLON ceramic – an ultra-safe ceramic coating from Germany which is 100% PTFE and PFOA free (no heavy metals or chemicals).
Innovative textured pan surface delivers unprecedented non-stick performance without releasing harmful fumes or toxins at high temperatures.
- Scratch-resistant 100 percent ceramic coating making it super easy to clean.
Made out of durable heavy-gauge pure aluminum with no heavy metals or harmful chemicals.
Boasts a comfortable heat resistant silicon coated handle, and a magnetized induction stove safe base for rapid heat transfer.
This Calls For Steak
I couldn’t wait to see how the Mr got on with using the pan. The first thing I noticed was that the steaks cooked evenly and a lot quicker than our usual pan. The steaks didn’t stick to the pan at all during cooking thanks to the non-stick coating. Using the Ozeri pan, both steaks turned out lovely and were nice and juicy on the inside. The pan is extremely easy to clean which I was pleased with as it’s a job I HATE.
The Mr used the Graviti Pro Electric Peppermill to season the steaks as they cooked. It worked as it is supposed to and ground the pepper corns finely. It’s pretty stylish too!
Gravity Operated. Simply flip or invert to activate for effortless one-handed dispensing of your seasonings.
Durable eco-friendly ceramic mechanism easily grinds peppercorns, salt, and spices.
Seasons accurately with adjustable ceramic grinding mechanism that adjusts from fine to coarse.
- Features a top-mounted grind adjustor that never leaves a trail or mess, and an ultra soft textured non-slip grip.
- See-through container makes monitoring pepper level easy and reveals the grinding action. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
We’ve used these quite a bit a tested the pan out with eggs, veg, chicken etc and it’s absolutely brilliant!
Although writing a review on my blog wasn’t required, I know some of my readers will appeciate this. As I’m sure you’ll all agree, a well cooked steak is important news to share! (Even if most of you disagree with how well cooked I have mine haha!)
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My Sunday Photo – Moody Sky
(Almost) Mess Free Painting To Occupy Toddlers
I’m sure there are plenty of mum’s out there wishing there was mess free painting to occupy toddlers. It can be stressful getting the paint’s out. Whilst I don’t mind the actual mess or painted hands, I dread washing Izzy’s hair most of the time, although she is getting better it can be hell if she doesn’t listen. It’s difficult enough struggling to reach over to do her hair without chasing her around the bath too!
Izzy has been asking to paint over the last week and I’ve avoided it for that reason but today she came wandering in with a book I picked up quite a while a go and completely forgot about and asked to use it. The are ‘Magic’ Paint books, painting fun with none of the mess!
Mess free painting
These magic painting books are absolutely amazing, I can’t believe I forgot they even existed! I’m sure a few other parents have too so I figured I’d remind or introduce my readers to them so their toddlers can do some painting which is stress-free for mums and dads.
Having had a look through my stack of craft books, magazines, print-outs (I really must get a new printer!) I discovered we had a few different ones I’ve picked up. The dinosaur and farm animals ones we picked up from Wilko.
Keeping toddlers occupied
I’m so pleased we found these as Izzy absolutely loves painting and it’s kept her happy with the only possible mess being water and a tiny bit of the colour. It was easily cleaned off with a wet wipe, which Izzy also discovered can be used to ‘paint’ with haha! I even had the time to write this post in between chatting with Izzy and topping up her water pot.
Izzy loves discovering each colour and it’s really helping her fine motor skills. She tries so hard to keep it in the lines and rinses her brush each time. It’s a great little cheat that works for both of us although admittedly she did still get a little colour on her face.
I’ll definitely be getting these out a lot more and buying more. Eva came home from school and joined in too! It was lovely to see them both absorbed in an activity. I have been slacking majorly lately not just on the blog but with doing things with the girls too so simple activities like this are great! It got us chatting about colours & different shapes, Izzy loved naming everything in the picture too!
What do you think? Have you used these before?
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Lung Infection & Lupus – Worrying About My Baby Brother
I’ve been worrying about my baby brother over the weekend. Most of you will know from some of my posts and tweets Alex is a big part of my life so to get a panicky call from him on Saturday and hearing him seriously struggling to breath left me worrying, A LOT. As well as struggling to breath he’s had these strange ring rashes appear which look very much like Lupus.
Alex had tried and struggled to go to his nearest shop and rung me worried, he didn’t want to walk to the hospital ‘in case it was a waste of time’. He suggested waiting until the morning.. So I put my Mummy voice on and insisted at the very least he call 111 for some advice.
Panicking
As soon as I put my phone down I began to panic, Alex doesn’t have the greatest immune system and has weak lungs from being born prematurely, he also suffers from Asthma. Temperatures were below 0 and I was worried he would get worse but luckily he did what he was told and called 111. An ambulance was sent out to him and the paramedics decided he needed to go to hospital. His heart rate and irregular breathing was concerning them so they insisted he was wheeled to the ambulance instead of walking which he wasn’t too impressed with.
He text me to let me know he was waiting for the ambulance then understandably I didn’t hear from him for over an hour. I spent the entire time unable to concentrate on anything, constantly checking my phone for an update. Eventually Alex let me know he had bloods taken and had ‘things put all over his chest’ (ECG) and he was scared. I tried to distract him whilst he waited, chatting about a documentary I was watching on the London Graveyard’s by London Liverpool Street Station.
After some rambling back and forth he eventually got his results. It turned out Alex has a lung infection and suspected Lupus. He called me as he walked home, struggling to breathe. Hearing him so vulnerable, crying from the pain, being so scared alone was horrible, I just wanted to be there and give him a hug. He was given antibiotics for the lung infection and his NHS number (At last!!!!) so he can finally register with a GP and get a referral to a dermatologist to confirm the suspected lupus.
The two major symptoms are joint and muscle pain and an extreme tiredness that won’t go away no matter how much you rest.
Rashes, depression, anaemia, feverishness, headaches, possible hair loss and mouth ulcers may all be part of the pattern of lupus.
Noticeably, whilst the two major symptoms are invariably present, people with lupus can differ greatly in their symptoms and how the illness can affect them – life-threatening for a few, very mild for some.
We are all extremely worried about his health, he has had all the symptoms that point to lupus for a while now. This worried me just as much as the lung infection. He is my baby brother and I hate that I couldn’t be there with him. Not having a car is becoming more and more stressful, things like this happen and I’m left helplessly worrying instead of being there to look after him. I’ve always tried to look out for my baby brother, I remember holding his tiny little hand through the incubator for the first time. He was so tiny and fragile and spent a long time in NICU so when he finally came home I couldn’t leave him alone.
I fed him & changed him as a baby, I taught him his first words, how to read and write. He learnt his first colours from a song I made up with a row of coloured teddies over his bouncer. Red teddy, yellow teddy, green teddy, blue! He may be my baby brother but I guess in a way he’s always been my baby too which is why I’m so protective of him. To me he’s just like the girls, he’s a huge part of my world and I always feel the need to care for him so times like this are extremely tough.
Brother & Sister forever
Alex and I had an unusual childhood, he was in care from 7/8 years old but this has never stopped us having a strong relationship. We have only lost contact once for a few months when I left home and went into a women’s refuge, I didn’t have any contact details for him but eventually we sorted it and contact resumed. When I had Eva he had been sectioned and was in hospital after several suicide attempts. I knew I had to jump in some how and bring some normality back to his life so I arranged home visits, had visits from Social services etc. to ensure our flat was safe for him.
Since then we have kept in regular contact and gone through a lot together, I know he almost see’s me as a mum to him too and with him not talking to ‘her’ right now means I am pretty much all he has, knowing that and not being there was so difficult. We were brought up to avoid Dr’s and Hospital’s, terrified that anything and everything would end in needles.. no wonder I had a needle phobia! Knowing he was sat in the same A&E room where he sat as a child being told off for having a broken leg worried me, he’s also overdosed several times and ended up there too. He suffers from PTSD and I was terrified this would set him off but distracting him did seem to help.
Going forward
I’m hoping the antibiotics help and his lung infection goes away. I’ll be focusing on getting over to him as much as I possibly can over the next few weeks to help get him registered at a GP. We also need to get his referral for a dermatologist to find out if he does have Lupus and what we can do to keep him as healthy as possible. Lupus is extremely complicated and Alex is understandably terrified as he has no clue what’s going on. He’s had so many of the symptoms that it really is worrying but I intend to look after my baby brother as much as possible!
Have you ever been in a similar situation? Do you know anything about Lupus that may help? Please do leave a comment if you have any experience with Lupus.
