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Woe is me.

Oh I'm ill and I hate it. I have pharingitis yet again. Last time I had it I lost my voice completely and needed antibiotics to clear it up. I resist antibiotics till the pain becomes unbearable which should tell you something about how bad it was!
This bout hasn't been as bad but I'm still feeling sorry for myself. I don't take fever reducing medication as a fever actually helps the body destroy its microbial invader. It also stimulates an inflammatory response, which sends all kinds of substances to the area of infection to protect the area, prevent the spread of the invader, and start the healing process so for the last few nights I feel as though I've been sleeping in a swimming pool.
So I've been nursing myself with lovely home made soup, honey and lemon, propolise tincture which is fab for just about anything and last but by no means least colloidal silver
Finally I'm starting to feel a bit better but any excuse to rest is always good so I might just make the most of it.

Yummy lemon curd

I made lemon curd in my slow cooker over the weekend and it's yummy and was so easy to do
http://www.cookuk.co.uk/jams/homemade-lemon-curd.htm although it did turn out a bit runny.
The slow cooker has been given pride of place on the kitchen side board again after being stowed away for the summer. So far this month I've done a roast chicken, gammon in apple juice and beef casserole with dumplings. I'm going to tackle puddings next week.
I'm having a dinner party for 8 people (gulp!!) on saturday evening and have decided on a theme of traditional British comfort food. I'll be doing home made potato and leek soup, beef casserole with dumplings in the slow cooker and jam suet pudding. It's all easy which gives me plenty of time to socialise and knock back a few glasses of vino!

My log fire

It's fair to say that winter isn't my favourite time of year and once the clocks go back I just want to hibernate but failing that chocolate (lots of it), casseroles with dumplings (lots of them), and red wine (not too much of it) tend to lift my spirits somewhat.

But best of all I love my log fire. It's not just the sitting in front of it that I love but I also enjoy setting it all up and lighting it which I find rather therapeutic. I just love the smell of the logs burning and the memories it evokes of childhood weekends spent at my grandparents and watching grandad light the fire and then warming myself up after a bath in front of it.

For some reason I find watching a real fire so relaxing and calming. Am I the only one do you think?

Vomit and faeces in equal measures

Oh blimey what a weekend! Firstly the littlest one of my children threw up on Friday at mum and toddler group closely followed by another little girl (dropping like flies by the time I left). Surely a sickness bug can't be caught that quickly?!?, must try not to feel guilty. Aforementioned child continued to throw up all through the weekend on bedding, carpet, clothes and various toys and is still throwing up today so no preschool. Being the selfish mum that I am, the no preschool bit fills me with real dissapointment as I have loads to do with xmas only 6 weeks away.

Just to make sure my nerves were right there on the edge the cat had diarrhoea two nights running on the kitchen floor (fireworks grrr!) and eldest son trod dog poo all through the house on sunday.
Now as you can imagine my first impulse aside from running away is to nip to the shops and buy lots of nasty chemical antibacterial cleaners etc to deal with the onslaught of nasty messes but I restrained myself and reminded myself of all the bad things I know about antibacterial products http://www.life.ca/nl/107/soap.html and have a rummage in my utility room of all things green(ish) and decide on tea tree which is naturally antibacterial but must still be used sparingly, some castile soap and plenty of elbow grease.
I have to admit that my devotion to green cleaning has been sorely tested over the weekend yet it's also rather liberating to know that I really can get by without cleaners laden with carcinagenic chemicals even when faced with the horrors I've faced this weekend.

Wales

We survived half term in Wales in the caravan without killing each other and what's more we actually had a fabulous time despite my reservations and worries about the weather, the journey and the sheer claustrophobia of four people in a confined space for eight days!

Well firstly we were truly blessed with the most fantastic weather, glorious sunshine everyday and mild temperatures and the problem of the long (7hrs!!!) journey was much helped when our previously lost portable car dvd player was found and installed and last but not least we were barely in the caravan except to sleep as the weather was so good we spent our days exploring castle ruins and dramatic Welsh coastlines and the evenings were spent playing yahtzee and scrabble in the caravan awning once the kids were in bed, bliss.

So now I feel ready to face the fast approaching Xmas preparations etc. Thankfully my sister and brother in law are hosting this years festivities. I used to love Xmas and still do to a point it's just that the true spirit of Xmas (and I don't mean vodka) seems to get more lost with each year. My mum bless her has decided to buy ethical gifts for mine and my sisters family this year. I believe she has bought a pair of pigs and clean drinking water for a village on our behalf which is very admirable and makes me feel good but I'm not so sure how the kids will feel when they don't get a present. I think it's a great lesson for them to learn but i know that it might be hard for them the first year.

http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/ is a good place to look for ideas for ethical gifts.

Charity begins at home.....

.....or at least that's what Jacob (5ys) believes as we gave him some money to give to a beggar on our trip to Bristol at the weekend and he kept the big stuff and gave the homeless guy the pennies!! We didn't realise till later when we found it tucked away in his pocket. I felt so bad and tried to explain to Jacob about how the man he'd seen had no money or home etc but I wonder if it wasn't all a bit too complicated for him. Meanwhile I hope the homeless guy managed to get rather more than Jacob saw fit to give him as the day wore on.

We had a lovely couple of days staying with friends in Bristol and enjoyed the use of the fab guest annexe with 2 bedrooms and an ensuite bathroom (posh or what?) Guests here generally get a blow up mattress on the floor of the lounge! We had a relaxing (well sort of) boat ride on the Bristo channel and were treated to lots of lovely homecooking and eggs from their chickens and ducks, not to mention wine at every meal except breakfast.

I felt so inspried that tonight I cooked a full roast and homemade crumble. Sadly no wine, just water with dinner in this house!

First Eco Party Since .......

.......the kids broke up for the summer. My brain has turned to mush, I've forgotten prices, stock levels and how to talk to a group of people all looking expectantly at me! It surprises me to say it but much as I love the sound of my own voice I must admit to being nervous nearly as much as i used to be when I first started the parties. Thankfully tonight's party is for a friend so it wont be so bad.

Loading the car was a long and arduous task. How on earth did I get all that stock? I really need to start selling rather than accumulating it. Half the problem is that if I do an eco party with very like minded and receptive people I get so engrossed in swapping ideas , thoughts and observations that I forget to promote my products. Still I have always advocated that the parties are all about spreading the eco word in a friendly achievable way rather than making money so I can't really complain can I? I just wish hubby shared my philosophy.

Where did the summer go then?

Well it's nearly over and passed in a mad blur of foreign students, day trips, screaming at the kids and stress levels off the planet! Hubby has been working his socks off with the business, summer being his busiest time. I have been challenged by hectic days trying to keep the kids amused long enough not to rip each others eye balls out. I've hosted 8 students in the last 6 weeks, 4 at a time. They have mostly been lovely particularly the 4 German girls (see photo of 2 of them with us) who I really built up friendships with and enjoyed their company but it's still been hard work cooking 9 cooked dinners every night and at least 5 lunch boxes every day, not to mention extra laundry and cleaning.
The evenings are getting darker earlier and there's an autumnal chill in the air when I walk the dog first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The school uniforms have been ironed and hung up ready for the new term. The eldest starts his final year at secondary school and the middle one starts year 1 at primary school. My baby will be going to preschool for 3 sessions.
This time next week we'll be away in our caravan for a few much needed restful days, the calm before the storm. I can't wait to get away.
As much as the school holidays have been hellish at times I'm dreading the start of the new school term. All that running around like a headless chicken to get them up, dressed and out of the door on time. The homework, the lunchboxes, the monotonous routine and deadlines to keep to. I love the freedom of the school holidays.

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it's been such a long time since my last post. In my defence I have been ridiculously busy even by my standards!
Aunty Denise and Uncle George came to visit which was really fab. Despite my fears about the kids playing up they were lovely and really charming. My little girl decided to make her debut as a ballerina which was a surprise to me as I have never done any ballet with her. It turns out the childminder has been teaching her little ballet moves. It would appear she has a real talent for it ( my little girl, not the childminder).
I have had to do a major change around in the bedrooms as the first of my foreign language students have arrived today. They are two lovely 16yr old girls. they are here for a fortnight and then on saturday I have two german coach drivers arriving for 5days which takes the total number of people in the household to cook and clean for to 9, eekk! I may have to do dinner in two sittings. They are all full board so I have lunchboxes to do too! I also have two 13yr old chinese girls coming in august which is a bit daunting as they are so young. I'm hoping they wont be too homesick. As soon as the two german girls arrived today the cat decided to be sick in two different places along the hall, nice!

Cleaning frenzy!

Hubby anounced that his auntie and uncle who are visiting from Austrailia will be coming to visit at the weekend and staying over which is super as they are a really lovely couple and easy to talk to and have a laugh with but now I have been thrown into a wild panic about the atate of the house.
As those who know me will tell you housework isn't my thing. Not because I'm lazy or sit on my bum watching daytime telly but simply because I'm always doing things and my life is so busy. I simply cannot relate to people who stay in to do housework or say that they can't go out on such and such day as it's housework day. Life is definately too short.
But in honour of hubbys relatives visiting i've had to pull my finger out and actually get scrubbing, dusting, polishing and hoovering. Horrid!
I have made use of my collection of borax, sodium bicarb (bicarbonate of soda), vinegar and olive oil. Here are some of the things you can use bicarbonate of soda for;
Bicarbonate of soda neutralizes both basics ("ammonia smells", common in nappy buckets) and acidic odors (like the smell from pickles).
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on your carpet before hoovering to eliminate food and pet odors.
After emptying the rubbish bin, sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on the bottom of the rubbish bin ; this will neutralize the food odors.
Keep an open box of bicarbonate of soda in the back of your refrigerator and in your food cupboards replace every 3 months or so.
Pour bicarbonate of soda down your drain and pour white vinegar after it to clear blockages (though not after using a commercial drain cleaner)
Cleaning
Bicarbonate of soda causes dirt and grease to dissolve in water, so it is very effective in cleaning kitchen counter tops, refrigerators, oven and cookers tops. And sprinkled on a sponge or dishcloth forms a mildly abrasive scouring powder.
Use bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water to clean and freshen the inside of your refrigerator.
For stubborn coffee stains in cups, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on the stain, wipe with a damp sponge, and rinse.
So all though I'm up to my elbows in cleaning at least I'm not up to my elbows in harmfull toxic chemicals that will detrimentaly effect mine and my familys health and also the environment. If you're not convinced then this article should make you sit up and take notice;
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/chemicals-out-of-control/chemicals-regulation

Composting

Finally I have gotten around to adding to my eco tips page on my website. Here's how it goes.
Home composting can be done in rather exciting things called wormeries www.wigglywigglers.co.uk , wooden or recycled plastic compost bins or you can make your own if you so desire and are a bit handy at that sort of thing.
I have fond memories of as a child taking the scraps down to the end of my grandparents garden and throwing it all in the compost bin which in their case simply consisted of a big heap of all the usual compostable stuff (more of that below) with a bit of chicken wire or similar around it. I remember being fascinated by all the little bug things milling around in it. I don't actually remember if grandad used it on the garden though I'm sure he must have as he grew tidy rows of curly kale, cabbages, runner beans and other lovely tasty goodies.
I'm ashamed to say that I didn't start my first compost bin till we moved to our present home approxiamately 2years ago. At the time the council were subsidising the cost of composters so I bought nice big one only cost us £5, bargain! It's a big recycled plastic container with a lid and a flap on the front to remove the compost to use on the garden. The thought of a wormery fills me with horror as I'm squimish about wriggly slimy things, yuck but they do look like good fun so do have a look at the website above . When I started tipping my compostable waste into it I was convinced it would be full within a month or so and remember discussing with hubby wether we should order another one. I'm glad we didn't as every time I lifted the lid to add more it seemed that there would be even less in it than last time I looked!
I have to say I'm a very lazy composter and I don't turn my compost nor do I mix it with a fork or add accelerator and I don't worry too much about getting the balance of greens and browns right. My efforts at composting are more to do with keeping as much of my stuff out of landfill and less to do with making super compost to put on my garden. So really all the effort it takes is keeping a compost caddy in the kitchen to put scraps etc in and then taking it out to the garden every day or so. Really, that's all! And the difference it's made to how much stuff goes in the wheely bin is great. Did you know that compostable 'stuff' sent to landfill is unable to decompose property because, squashed under all the other waste, it doesn't have any access to the air. So instead, methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is produced which contributes to global warming.
But wait here's the fun bit. If you thought you could only compost things like veg scraps and grass cutting, think again. I have been astounded to learn that these are some of the more bizzare things you can compost
Toenails, hoover bag contents if you have wool carpet, used guinea pig/rabbit/hamster bedding, loo roll inserts, woollen socks and jumpers, human hair and animal fur, coffee grounds, lint from tumble dryer filter, wood chips, ash from the fire. In fact the list goes on. And urine is a natural accelerant! As you can imagine the last fact has been somewhat of a talking point for hubby when we have friends over for a barbecue.

Social invite for myself and the spotty ones

After several days of being confined to the house because my children look so scary with all their chicken pox spots I finally ventured out with them to my sisters house for a bbq. All her children and the guests children have had chicken pox and so were happy to be in the company of my infectious two. Yet they were all still visibly shocked by the amount of spots my littlest one has.
One of the families there had a 7week old puppy with them which was a real sweetie and the source of great fun for the children until it started nipping tender little ankles with it's needle sharp puppy teeth. Perhaps we wont get a puppy after all. I have to admit to having more than the occasional daydream about adding to our menagerie. The possibility of chickens has cropped up again though but more about that another time.
It was a super afternoon and so good to get out and about. My three nieces and nephew are so good with my younger children and amuse them so I can have some quality time (drinking and eating too much). It's very easy to take family and friends for granted so I always try to remind myself how blessed i am with my family and friends.

I've been taking my supplement from Natures Sunshine for about 5days now and have to admit I do feel pretty good. I've had the best few nights sleep than I've had for possibly years (raging insomniac that I am). I've also found that I haven't had that mid afternoon slump that I usually get and quite bizzarely my eyes seem brighter so you could say I feel bright eyed and bushy tailed. The main test for me will definately be with my pmt, so watch this space. If there is an improvement it would be fair to say that it would be pretty life changing for me as I can suffer horrendously for up to two weeks out of every four and I'm not talking minor pmt either.

Chicken pox!

Phewww what a shocking week. On monday the littlest one in the family who's 2 and half years old came out in a few chicken pox spots and I foolishly thought we might have escaped without too many spots but they kept coming thick and fast till friday so I decided to take her to the gp which I wouldn't normally do for chicken pox but believe me she was covered. She had spots inside her ears, eyes, nose, all over her scalp, face and body, behind her knees and in her mini and bottom. She was such a sorry state and all the homeapathic, natural rememdies just weren't stopping the spots coming, they were simply easing the syptoms. The gp said she had the worse case he had ever seen and prescribed phenergen (antihistamine) and liquid zovirax (herpes and coldsore treatment) so she started on them on thurs after a rather traumatic wait in the chemist which is another story.
At the same I started her on a rather strange product called colloidal silver kindly lent to me to try by Natalie www.herbsfromheaven.co.uk which I have been giving her mixed with her drink in the morning and also mixed with some organic aloe vera and smothered all over her spots after a bath of oatmeal, full fat milk and lavender oil. I have to say that by the next day there was a huge improvment but of course it's hard to say which worked best or whether it was a combination of everything.
At the same time the middle child also came out in chicken pox spots on weds but his have been much more managable and nowhere near as bad. The only downside is that he can't go to school till they all scab over.
So I have been under virtual house arrest since monday and going a bit stir crazy until I finally got a social invite from my sister who's kids have all had chicken pox. See above.

And all this on our doorstep.

I live on the coast between the New Forest and the Jurassic Coast. I am surrounded by beautiful countryside, historic buildings, award winning blue flag beaches and quaint villages. So why do I spend money taking the kids to indoor play areas, extortionately priced 'tourist' attractions and places of that ilk.

When my sister and I were little my dad and stepmum used to take us out with a picnic on sundays for walks in the forest or to hidden coves with rock pools and caves to explore. We collected fir cones and shells and didn't mind a bit of rain or wind. I have such fond memories of those sundays. When I think about it they were such simple daytrips that didn't cost dad much except maybe the odd ice cream or two yet we loved it till about the teenage years that is.

If it were New Year I would make it my resolution to teach my kids to appreciate and value the natural beauty around them by taking them out to see it.

Yay, I won £50

In the words of Victor Meldrew 'I don't believe it' but in a nice way. I never win anything!
A few weeks ago I emailed some green tips to this site http://mumandworking.co.uk/share-it-may I'd forgotten all about it and when I sent the suggestions I didn't really register that it was a competition so I was over the moon to get an email today telling me that I'd won! Yippeee!
So now I have a dillema, should I donate it to a worthy cause or selfishly blow it on things for myself? As it's money that I wouldn't have had I feel that I should donate it but another part of me thinks that doing that would be unfair to hubby as he is the breadwinner and he might be cross if I just donate £50 and then ask him for money for new shoes etc.
Help!!

Should I pee on my athletes foot?

On my relentless quest (see previous posts) to find a natural cure for my troublesome athletes foot I stumbled (excuse pun) across this rather bizarre and I think hilarious suggestion:
Treat Athlete's Foot with Urine: Human urine contains urea which is a main ingredient in many athlete's foot medications/treatments. Urinating on your feet in the shower should kill the fungus.
So aside from the weirdness of the idea, I'd like to know being a girl and all, how am I supposed to urinate on my feet in the shower? Impossible I think. So that would mean I would have to collect my wee in a suitable receptacle and then put my foot in!
I'm sorry but that's a step too far (another pun, see I'm getting good at this now) in the 'real home remedies' department.
Mind you that's exactly what I used to say about the mooncup so watch this space! ; )

This is the site I visited with the advice. Actually it's a pretty cool site so don't be put off by the urine advice. http://www.realhomeremedies.com/

The Virtues of Caravanning

Now camping or caravanning is either something you love or hate. I don't think there is anything in the middle. And as you can probably guess, I love it, caravvanning as opposed to camping which I haven't tried since i was a child but I do have fond memories.

Hubby and I made a conscious decision a few years ago that we would not take foreign family holidays but would instead have any holidays in the UK. Firstly we bought ourselves a cheap little two berth caravan that took me a whole weekend to clean to see if the lifestyle suited us. Our first mini break was in two nights in November in the New Forest (only up the road for us). Our middle boy was only 2months at the time and slept between us in his carrycot in the big king size bed that you had to make up each night. It was snowing outside so the heating was tested to it's limits. It was so cosy inside and we played board games, drank red wine and ate chocolate in the evenings. Bliss! We were pretty much hooked after that and did the little caravan up with new carpet and curtains and sold it on for twice what we'd payed!

Taking into account the money would save by not going abroad again we decided to really go for it and buy a brand new four berth van which was a real luxury.

A few years after that and with another baby and all the accompanying paraphinalea we went for a six berth which we have now.

We go away for regular weekends from March to October and usually have a week away somewhere further afeild at Easter and in August so we get our monies worth.

We manage to go away cheaply by going to the camping and caravanning club ralleys most of the time.

the weather has been so fab this year we can't understand why people would want to go to all the hassle of taking the kids abroad.

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/

Mooncup

So for those of you who are in the know which would be all my family, friends and truly green people, if I tell you that I spent most of yesterday in the local student union common room telling people about the mooncup you will sympathise with my mission. and when I say poeople I mean young, old, male and female. Duncan (who runs the student union) took great joy in sending people in to ask me what a mooncup was to which I then had to start explaining the virtues of a menstrual cup to some very grossed out people who I'd never met before (cheers Duncan!)

Quite bizzarely the people over thirty and the young lads weren't too bothered, in fact I'd go so far as to say some were positively interested and thought the mooncup was a fab idea. The strangest thing was that the young girls looked at me as if I was from another planet or worse! They really just didn't get it at all. They weren't interested in the environmental damage that sanitory protection cause at all nor the huge monetry saving to be had after investing in a mooncup. As soon as I explained what it was they would start to pull faces and turn visibly paler. Perhaps I'm just a bit too full on and descriptive for most people (I'm not known for being the shy easily embarrased type) Or maybe young girls aren't as comfortable with their bodies as I'd like to think. Perhaps it's only after you've given birth that you loose those sort of inhibitions about normal bodily functions.

Thankfully I wasn't just there to promote mooncups and I actually did manage to sell a few bits and bobs (though sadly no mooncups) and chat to people about easy changes they can make to become 'greener'.

So it's fair to say that the mooncup is not an easy thing to talk about but especially to young girls!

www.mooncup.co.uk or www.flossybots.co.uk

Working and Being Mum, Wife, Housekeeper, Cheif Cook etc.

Now here's a subject close to womens hearts and highly emotive.

Now I'm a pretty old fashioned kind of gal and have always enjoyed staying at home looking after the kids and generally keeping house. I appreciate that I am in a very enviable position to be a ble to afford to. Before hubby and I married we discussed and agreed that my role would be as homemaker and his would be breadwinner. That's not to say that he is against me working but only as long as it isn't to the deteriment of the home, the kids and his self. He runs his own very busy business and works ridiculously long hours so he can't be expected to come home and start looking after the kids and doing housework. Seeing it written down here makes it sound very out dated but maybe I'm not very good at describing it. Any way it works for us though I appreciate it would be a lot of womens worst nightmare.

I've loved being at home with the kids and doing the mum and toddler circuit making new friends and doing all things 'mummy' Of course that's not to say I haven't had moments when I've wanted to run for the hills. In fact I have those moments about, hmmm lets see, once a month! But on the whole I wouldn't have it any other way.

So here lies the problem. I started my little business venture www.flossybots.co.uk more as a hobby than anything else just over a year ago. All that was involved to start with was going to peoples (mainly friends to start with) homes for a couple of hours once a week to show them some eco friendly, natural products that were generally little known ie mooncups, eco balls and crystal deodorants(see below) and that sort of thing and then take orders. It meant it got me out of the house for a bit and if I made a bit of pin money then that was a bonus. Well it grew from there really and I have gained a reputation as the local 'eco lady'. In response to customer feedback I launched a website (with hubbys help and money) to make reordering simple, though in truth most people still ring or text me with orders, and I expanded my range and invested some money into keeping many products as stock. I also have a couple of good friends who share my passion for greener households who do parties as well. I've been shown talking about mooncups at an eco party on the series 'It's not easy bein green' albeit fleetingly and do at least one party a week. All in all it's all become very time consuming and as a consequence my youngest is with a childminder for 4hrs on tuesdays and preschool two afternoons a week which makes me feel guilty and when I am with the kids I'm often trying to do too many things at the same time which makes me distracted and bad tempered with them (more guilt). I've been foul to my hubby lately (but that's another story). So basically I'm doing too much but don't know how to manage my time more effectively so that my time with the kids is enjoyable and less stressfull. A big part of me wishes I hadn't started the business till they were all school age. I love the fact that the business has taken off but also a bit resentful that it's success is at a cost to my kids happiness (probably a bit overdramatic but you get my point)

So in summing up I really don't know how working mums cope and they have my utmost admiration. The mums I feel desperately sorry for are the ones who have to go to work either because they are on their own or because their partners don't earn enouth to keep the family. My friend who is mentioned regulary on here (I do have more than just one friend, honest) has just returned to her job as a dental hygienist and relt so guilty after her first day back that the next day she treated all the kids to pancackes and chocolate sauce and Mc Donalds!

Freecycle Hamster

This is the hamster we got from freecycle. He came to us as 'Dillon' but has been renamed 'Shufflebum Nibbles'. Wow a hamster with a double baralled name, posh or what?
He has to be my best thing from freecycle ever!! The kids adore him and he is so tame. You'll have to tilt your head sideways to get the full effect. I couldn't rotate the photo!

Technology - Blessing or Curse?

My blasted computer has a virus that hubby just can't get rid of (yes we have virus checkers etc) but this virus appears to be indestructable. He's been trying to kill it on and off for the whole of the bank holiday weekend. So I can't go onto my bank account details or paypal etc whilst it's coursing it's way through my pc. Grrrr!
Over the weekend I added a youtube thingy to my home page and now I can't get rid of it despite hours of trying and I've also tried to change it to a different clip that involves kids or animals doing funny things rather than CARS but I can't do that either.
I consider myself to be moderately computer literate but sometimes I wonder why I bother trying to do these things.
I'm on a bit of a downer lately which I'm sure shows in my posts but just be thankful you don't live with me at the moment. In the midst of my self indulgent and completely unjustified misery I heard of a lady who's just found out her 14yr old daughter has cancer. It certainly bought my own grumps into perspective.

And all this on our doorstep.

I live on the coast between the New Forest and the Jurassic Coast. I am surrounded by beautiful countryside, historic buildings, award winning blue flag beaches and quaint villages. So why do I spend money taking the kids to indoor play areas, extortionately priced 'tourist' attractions and the like?

My younger kids are at the age where they love a walk in the countryside as much as a play area.

When I was a child (if I can remember back that far) my dad and stepmum used to take my sister and I out for the day with a picnic. They always took us for great walks in the forest or to little coves with rock pools. We'd collect fircones or shells and that sort of thing. I remember how I loved those sunday walks and they never cost my dad a penny, except maybe an ice cream or two.

I really wish I could recreate those days with my own kids if that makes sense.

So if this were New Year my resolution would be to make the most of the natural beauty around me and teach my children to appreciate and value the natural beauty on their doorstep.

Ethical Spring Clean

Yesterday I had a mega spring clean and was mega ruthless. We simply have too much 'stuff' and it's impossible to keep the place tidy and presentable. I have a friend who even though she has three kids manages to have a minimalist home and it always looks tidy (you know who you are ; ) friend!)

So I bagged two binbags up for the charity shop and two huge bags were put on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/poole-freecycle/

I love the freecycle sites. I used to sell the kids clothes on ebay when they'd grown out of them especially my little girls outfits which were always so pretty but now it all goes on freecycle. There is also another group just for kids stuff at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Playitagainsam/?yguid=217013630

It really makes me feel good to be a part of these groups and to give stuff away on it. It's also worth mentioning that we have received some pretty cool stuff in the past including a sofa bed, large Ikea rug, huge rotary washing line, windbreaker and kids clothes.

Changing Times

Just lately I've been feeling a bit sad that our fab group of mums and babies that have been meeting at least once a week (at one stage three times a week) for the last four nearly five years is gradually disbanding. It started when our little ones who we met through started school in September. Even though most of us still have little ones home with us in the day you just find yourself less inclined to submerge yourself in the mum and toddler group circuit and the day gets filled up so quickly between the time you drop off at school until you pick up.
I know it's a natural progression and part of me enjoys having a life away from total babydom and of course I'm pleased that the business is steadly growing and yet another part of me hankers for the days filled with baby groups, swing parks, coffee mornings, endless rounds of nursery rhymes, lounging around in my dressing gown till lunchtime and watching trashy daytime tv. I miss nursing a little baby and having to sit down and rest to do it while enjoying a cup of tea and biscuit or ten! It feels so sad that I'll never have those days back. At the time you think it will go on forever and curse the sleepless nights, endless feeds, baby sick down your back and not being able to hold a onversation that doesn't involve the contents of your babys nappy or suitable first weaning foods.
I remember crying when my eldest who's almost 16yrs started school because it was the end of an era and I had no other kids at home with me to take my mind off the void I felt. How on earth will I cope when my smallest and last baby starts school.
I wonder if other mums feel the same way or if they can't wait to get out of the 'baby days'.
Maybe I should buy a puppy.

Poorly Boy Miraculous Recovery

You'd never believe that this time last week he was laying in a hospital bed hooked up to a drip and feeling decidedly sorry for himself. So where do you think he is now? Possibly you might think he's resting in his room or you might consider that he's catching up with all the school work he missed in the last couple of weeks or maybe even revising for the french oral GCSE that he missed and is taking next friday. Well not a bit of it! He's down the town with all his mates as if he's never had a days illness in his life. Children/adolescents have always amazed me with their amazing ability to bounce back from serious illness. If only I had the same sort of recovery rate. I am still suffering from the shock of him being carted off in an ambulance and the sheer exhaustion of trekking backwards and forwards to visit him in the hospital and then once he was home running around playing nursemaid and general skivvy. I need a holiday!
Hubby is away at Brands Hatch for the weekend and sleeping on a mattress in his van which he informed me was very cosy and comfortable to which I suggested that maybe he'd like to sleep in it permanantly! I dont like being on my own with the kids at the weekend. I live for the weekend and a change of routine with a bit of help with the kids.
I've just been reading some blogs by likeminded people who are trying to live a 'greener' and documenting their experiences and I was horrified at some of the tones of the comments from readers about the fact that the poster was trying alternatives in her dishwasher along the lines of 'call yourself green, why have you got a dishwasher?' only ruder. It really made me cross especially as research points out that it is more 'green' to use a dishwasher fully loaded than washing by hand. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/dishwasher_vs_h.php
I really hate the way that if you are making an effort to go green everything you do is scrutinised by some people and you are expected to do everything absolutely perfectly and to know everything that you can't possibly know without years of research and too much time on your hands. The green zealots are simply turning people off by condemning peoples efforts. I'll get off my soap box now.

FAIR TRADE ECO FRIENDLY PARTY BAGS
On a lighter note one of the ladies (Ellie) at a mum and toddler group I go to has launched a range of fair trade eco friendly party bags for kids. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Earth-Mother-Party-Bags It's a super idea and I wish her all the best with her new venture. She has given me some samples and business cards to take to my eco parties to promote the bags.

Cloth Nappy Enquiries

In the last few weeks cloth nappy interest has really taken off which is super. I love meeting new and nearly new mums and showing them my range of nappies. They are always so amazed to see poppers, velcro, funky patterns and cute designs. It's amazing how many people think that all you can get are white variations of terry towelling type things and that they need soaking (no!) napisan (no!) boiling (no!) and washing in a seperate load (no!). It's all easy peasy lemony squeezy these days. If I can do it anyone can. You'll have to contact me if you want to know how it's done in these enlightened times.

And finally at last I have had one response from an advert that I placed in a parenting magazine that cost me £200!!!! The mag has been out since march and is distributed to all the local parenting haunts ie indoor play areas and restaurants etc and this is my first respose. It's not a sale as yet just an enquiry but I live in hope.

My clothes rail arrived yesterday for my fair trade clothes which I'm so excited about. I can't wait to see what the general opinion will be. I just need to get the party bookings as they're a bit lean at the moment as I haven't really pushed them recently.

I ordered some more soap pods for my laundry from different company which arrived yesterday and I hadn't realised that with this particular lot you have to bash them with a rolling pin to break them up. At first I thought it would be a big hassle and that I wouldn't order this particular brand again but woohoooo I cannot recommend highly enough a couple of minutes of bashing something with a rolling pin! What a stress relief, hold me back. Now I just want more so I can have a bit of therapuatic rolling pin bashing!

24/4/07 Run Ragged.

So the poorly boy is home from school and not only can he not do his usual chores so I'm having to do them but he also has me run ragged fetching his numerous medication, hot drinks, cold drinks, healthy and not so healthy snacks. He's also thoroughly depressed which is dragging me down too! I am not good at looking after ill people. I am impatient and bad tempered but unable to show it as I know he feels pants and it isn't his fault.
I notified his school secretary that he was in hospital on monday and so far his form tutor hasn't bothered to phone for a progress report or to tell me what's going to happen about the GCSE's he was meant to be taking. GRRR!
To top it all the middle small person (4yrs) is off school with an upset tummy. This is not a happy home at present.
I am so behind with the business at the moment. I have decided to branch out and stock fair trade, eco friendly clothes from a great site called www.nomadsclothing.co.uk I've been needing to sit down and place an order for days and finally got round to it today. I also had to order a portable clothes rail to hang it all on at my eco parties. I had to spend a minimum of £250 to qualify for trade discount which has made me a bit nervous and panicy about selling it. What if everyone hates it and I'm out of pocket? I'm only a small company and can't afford to make buying mistakes. But equally I'm really excited and can't wait to start showing the stock to my customers. So watch this space.

23/4/07 Poorly Boy Home

He's home but very weak and sleeping loads. I've never seen so many pills for one person. He has to take penicillin, another unpronouncable and definately unspellable antibiotic, ibubrufen and paracetomol.
Official diagnosis is glandular fever. His spleen is inflamed so he's not allowed to do any contact sports for a few months which isn't ideal when your taking a PE gcse!
It's been a manic few days and the house is such a tip. I ran out of ecover dishwasher tabs over the weekend (the dishwasher is one thing I struggle with for making my own detergent, I just can't fing anything that works) so I tried to substitute it with some natural stuff. I tried sprinkling everything with bicarb of soda as Janey Lee Graces book suggests and everything came out reasonably clean but with a white powdery residue which hubby moaned about. I can live with it. Next I tried natural soap flakes which were a disaster, everything was a filthy and needed to be re washed which is hardly eco friendly.
Finally today I had the chance to get to the shops and get some stuff that actually works, hurrah!

22/4/07 Poorly boy on the mend.

Just spent a few hours with him and he's improved loads (amazing what a night of intravenous drugs can do) He is able to talk now and swallow. Last night he could only whisper and could barely swallow water. He's eaten lunch which is fab. He's got to stay in at least till tomorrow having the drugs. No definate diagnosis as yet but they pretty sure he has glandular fever amoungst other things.I feel so guilty. I'm the sort who never makes a fuss when the kids are ill and packs them off to school unless they are vomiting and although I didn't make him go to school and have been feeding him cup a soups I probably haven't been too sympathetic. In fact I admit I was getting pissed of that it was taking so long for him to get better. I just didn't realise how ill he was. It was dh who called the ambulance when he got in last night. I never would have done that! But so glad he did.I took ds some marshmallows, revels, lucazade, yop drinking yogurt hubba bubba and 'shoot magazine which hopefully make up for my inadequicies SP? in the florence nightingale department. Of course if I was agood mum I would have taken fruit, smoothies, vitamins and homework! lol

22/4/07 Poorly Boy

Last night my eldest son (16yrs) was carted off to hospital in an ambulance.
He's been poorly for almost a fortnight with what I thought was just a viral infection but he's been getting increasingly worse in that time with a sever sore throat (he's barely eaten and lost over 9lb in week) high fever that we couldn't get down even with ibubrufen and general lethargy. He's not been off the sofa or bed for about 4 days except to see the gp thurs am who gave him antibiotics and mentioned glandular fever. He went down hill rapidly from then onwards, trouble breathing, delirious, swollen lips nose and cheeks, by this stage very dehydrated and listless so we made the decision to call an ambulance.
The upshot is that he was admitted to A&E at 11.15pm, seen by two Drs who both diagnosed different things but neither were sure. First said extreme allergic reaction to antibiotics, second said glandular fever with complications (no kidding). So he was finally sent up to the ward at 4am and has had steroid, fluids and antibiotics intraveneously overnight.
I came home at 5am to get my weary head down and was woken by the littlies at 7am, grrrrr!
I just rang hosp and he's going to be there at least till monday so obviously I want to be with him but I have an upset stomach which I think is just a respose to the stress but there are signs all over hosp saying not to visit if you have had an upset tummy or vomiting in the last 24 hrs!

20/04/07 Fame at last........

.......well for all of about 2mins, lol.
'I can't believe I sound like that, do I really sound that awful?' was my first response after seeing myself on 'It's not easy being green' to which I was reliably informed by hubby that yes I do actually sound like that. Ok yes strictly speaking I did grow up on a council estate but I hadn't realised it was so apparent when I open my mouth. Elecution lessons anyone?
My biggest worry had been how large I would look as I've heard tv puts a stone on you but once I'd heard how my voice really sounds to others all worries of appearance were quickly forgotten!
Hardly any of my friends watched it despite repeated reminders from me in the past few days (what are they trying to tell me I wonder). So that's it, I will have to invite them all over on the pretext of a girly night in with fine wine and several bars of green and blacks and then whilst I have a captive audience I'll hit the play button on the recording.
On a positive note I got an email from a local person who'd seen the programme and googled the town I live in and eco parties and hey presto got my website and she has booked a party, yippee!

'It's Not Easy Being Green' appearance.

Eeek I'm on telly tomorrow
Oh Lord, what an earth possessed me to allow myself to be filmed? At the time I thought it would be a giggle but now I'm not laughing. I'll only be shown fleetingly as it's not me the bit of film is about but I'm still dreading it. To make things worse the bit they are using is of me talking about and selling a mooncup to someone!Fortunatley I'm out on thurs doing an eco party so I wont have to watch it live! It was a mild night when it was filmed but the hostess had a real log fire burning to look good on tv, which I'm sure it will as her house was lovely with big antique furniture and buckets of character, so I was practically melting and can't take my jumper off as I only had a little t- shirt under and buckets of sweat. I'm a size 16 but I know I'll look like a big fat sweaty blob talking about something most people go eewwwww to when they hear.

For the mooncup uninitiated
www.mooncup.co.uk

White vinegar for athletes foot (don't do it!)

In my constant quest to find a natural solution to my athletes foot I turned to my vinegar book which I have always found an absolute gem.
Ok so the vinegar book says 'although it may sting at first, it isn't severe and the discomfort will pass quickly' Complete and utter tosh. It HURTS and it hurts for AGES!!!! I swore big time which is most unlike me (well those sort of swear words anyway) and dh laughed.
To top it all it stung on and off all night even though I'd washed it off.
Back to the drawing board me thinks :(

All about me

I'm Heidi 35yrs (yikes) married to Gary with three children, Adam who's 15yrs, Jacob who's 4yrs and last but by no means least Madeleine who is 2yrs but will always be my baby.

I am into all things 'green' and try my best to do things in an eco-friendly way although I know I have a long way to go. I am a fan of Janey Lee Graces book 'Imperfectly Natural Woman' as it just about sums me up! I make most of my own cleaning and beauty stuff and only use nasty chemical products as a last resort. I hate the way people aren't informed enough about what the 'nasties' in their cleaning' household and beauty products do to the environment and their health or the alternatives that are now so widely available so I have made it a sort of mission to inform people by launching my own party plan company and website promoting and selling eco-friendly, natural products. I launched the party plan side of the business in March 2006 and the website in January 2007.

My interests include getting away for weekends in the caravan (there's only so much housework needs doing in a caravan), keeping fit though it doesn't show lol and getting together with friends and family. Obviously it goes without saying that I spend far too much time on the 'pooter'.