Last week we had a delivery.
I knew it was coming, It just didn't believe it until I saw it.
You see Warner Brothers have asked me to review some 3D movies, which I couldn't do because you need to have a 3D television, and a 3D player, and 3D glasses....
...which I didn't have.
But guess what?
I do now!!
So to show my appreciation I thought I'd make a little movie about how far TV has come since I was a child.
Hope you like it!
Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing what I've learned about 3D Home Entertainment and reviewing some fabulous Warner Brothers 3D Movies.
So stay tuned y'all!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Listography - Top 5 Websites
This week's Listography looks your Top 5 Most Commonly Used Websites.
You know, the ones that appear on your Google homepage or at the top of your bookmarks bar. The ones that you click into daily without even thinking about it.
Here's mine. The fact that they are all blog related and not one shopping site features is quite concerning and will have to be remedied very soon.
1. Blogger Dashboard.
Want to look behind the scene at Kate Takes 5? No? Well tough luck:
Fascinating stuff I know.
2. Twitter.
For those days when work can wait...
3. Netmums Parent Bloggers Network.
I could spend my life on here. In fact I pretty much do.
4. Mr. Linky
How else would I stay up to date with my lists?
5. My Facebook Page
What do you mean you haven't liked it?
Actually my Facebook Page has been sadly neglected as everything has been going to my Kate Takes profile by mistake. Damn Facebook confused me and pretended I was set up correctly. I think I've outsmarted it this time though...
I realise that this is a pretty sad list. Now I need you guys to help save me and show me some great new sites. So, what are your Top 5 Most Commonly Used Websites?
Join in by writing your post on your own blog and then coming back here to linky up. And don't forget to visit some of the other entries too.
Now, time to close down Blogger and start exploring.
You know, the ones that appear on your Google homepage or at the top of your bookmarks bar. The ones that you click into daily without even thinking about it.
Here's mine. The fact that they are all blog related and not one shopping site features is quite concerning and will have to be remedied very soon.
1. Blogger Dashboard.
Want to look behind the scene at Kate Takes 5? No? Well tough luck:
2. Twitter.
For those days when work can wait...
3. Netmums Parent Bloggers Network.
I could spend my life on here. In fact I pretty much do.
4. Mr. Linky
How else would I stay up to date with my lists?
5. My Facebook Page
What do you mean you haven't liked it?
Actually my Facebook Page has been sadly neglected as everything has been going to my Kate Takes profile by mistake. Damn Facebook confused me and pretended I was set up correctly. I think I've outsmarted it this time though...
I realise that this is a pretty sad list. Now I need you guys to help save me and show me some great new sites. So, what are your Top 5 Most Commonly Used Websites?
Join in by writing your post on your own blog and then coming back here to linky up. And don't forget to visit some of the other entries too.
Now, time to close down Blogger and start exploring.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
How to make a complaint
 |
| Image Credit |
Rule Number 1 - Know your facts.
I kept this in mind when I emailed my husband the other day and explained that Ticketmaster still hadn't refunded the money from the The Felice Brothers tickets that we returned due to their cancelled gig.
'Could you ring them?' I asked in my best email voice. 'It's just that the home phone is broken and I'm not sure how much credit I have left on my mobile'
'Hmm, ok' he obliged obligingly. 'How much do they owe us?'
'€45.50. The tickets were sent back on 31st Dec to the address listed on their email and I sent it recorded delivery as they advised'. So far so good.
An hour later I got a new email.
'This is making me so mad....
Choose 1 for exchanges and
refunds ‘cannot be placed unless event is rescheduled or cancelled’ – then
hangs up
Choose 4 for a booking then
press 1 for existing bookings. Message then asks you to dial another number
which is the same one I have already dialed
Choose 4 for a booking then
press 2 for new bookings. Finally got through to someone in Manchester who told
me to ring the same number I have already dialed. She confirmed they wouldn’t
be able to amend anything in UK anyway as it’s an Irish booking but then tried
to fob me off with UK customer services.
Have refused to hang up and have
asked to speak to a manager…..'
'FFS' I replied, 'Tell them you want the refund AND tickets to another gig as compensation for all their time wasting'
Another hour passed.
'FFS indeed' came the reply. 'Not only did you make me call up regarding my own birthday present, you paid for it on my credit card and IT WAS REFUNDED TWO WEEKS AGO!!'
Oops.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
And the winners are....#Skylanders giveaway
Last week I ran a Skylanders Giveaway offering you the chance to win one of five brand new character sets.
Today the competition closed and the winners were picked using my special randomiser hat.
The winning numbers chosen were: 2, 9, 14, 16, 19.
The winning commenters (first comment displays at bottom of list) are:
Today the competition closed and the winners were picked using my special randomiser hat.
The winning numbers chosen were: 2, 9, 14, 16, 19.
The winning commenters (first comment displays at bottom of list) are:
Monday, January 23, 2012
Let me be the taxi driver.
As someone who has only a modest understanding of the continuing financial crisis that has seen Ireland brought to it's knees in recent years, I was particularly interested in the question posed by Vincent Browne to Klaus Masuch last week in a press conference with the European Central Bank.
For the uninitiated Vincent Browne is an old school Irish journalist of print and TV fame and Klaus Masuch is a representative of the ECB. The ECB have become like bankrupt Ireland's bank manager - flying in for meetings to see how we're doing, telling us how much more we need to give them, how, and by when.
Last week members of the ECB \ EU \ IMF held a press conference in Ireland after the latest round of 'talks'.
I'll hand over to Vincent now so that he can get an answer to his question about why Ireland is still required to pay billions of euro to unguaranteed bondholders of a defunct bank even though there is no threat to the financial sector by not doing so because the bank is, erm, well defunct...
I realise it's a bit Father Ted v The Gestapo, and no one is suggesting that Ireland is blameless for part of the crisis we're facing - but this particular little problem of billions of unsecured bonds? Well no actually - that is not our fault.
And Klaus knows it.
Because that is the fault of the fat cats, the bankers, the hedge fund managers, the very top politicians - not just in Ireland mind, but in Europe and the United States.
They are the dodgy dealers, they are the ones who carved up mortgage bonds, shuffled them like a deck of cards, then traded on worthless stock, they are the ones who shorted the market, and they are the ones who walked away with their fat multi-million pound bonuses.
The rest is just ordinary people trying to find a decent house to live in and having enough left over for the odd family trip to the cinema.
And no one cares about them now do they?
Well if you do happen care then why not click here to send Klaus an email, because at the very least we deserve an answer don't we?
So c'mon Klaus ANSWER THE QUESTION!
For the uninitiated Vincent Browne is an old school Irish journalist of print and TV fame and Klaus Masuch is a representative of the ECB. The ECB have become like bankrupt Ireland's bank manager - flying in for meetings to see how we're doing, telling us how much more we need to give them, how, and by when.
Last week members of the ECB \ EU \ IMF held a press conference in Ireland after the latest round of 'talks'.
I'll hand over to Vincent now so that he can get an answer to his question about why Ireland is still required to pay billions of euro to unguaranteed bondholders of a defunct bank even though there is no threat to the financial sector by not doing so because the bank is, erm, well defunct...
I realise it's a bit Father Ted v The Gestapo, and no one is suggesting that Ireland is blameless for part of the crisis we're facing - but this particular little problem of billions of unsecured bonds? Well no actually - that is not our fault.
And Klaus knows it.
Because that is the fault of the fat cats, the bankers, the hedge fund managers, the very top politicians - not just in Ireland mind, but in Europe and the United States.
They are the dodgy dealers, they are the ones who carved up mortgage bonds, shuffled them like a deck of cards, then traded on worthless stock, they are the ones who shorted the market, and they are the ones who walked away with their fat multi-million pound bonuses.
The rest is just ordinary people trying to find a decent house to live in and having enough left over for the odd family trip to the cinema.
And no one cares about them now do they?
Well if you do happen care then why not click here to send Klaus an email, because at the very least we deserve an answer don't we?
So c'mon Klaus ANSWER THE QUESTION!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Listogaphy - Top 5 Biscuits
After taxing our little brains last week with all those wonderful blogging tips, this week it's time to sit back, have a cup of tea and pull out a packet of biscuits.
Well make that five packets in fact.
Because this weeks Listography is asking you to list your Top 5 Biscuits.
And really - what could be more important?
Now, lets get the first argument out of the way quickly shall we. My all time favourite and first entry into my top 5 is.......
1. Tunnocks Tea Cakes.
Yes I know. It says cake in the title. But it has a biscuit base and, well, erm, I just like them ok? And this is my list so if I want them I can have them. And if you want Kit Kats in yours I promise not to enter into the whole 'it's a biscuit \ it's a bar' debate.
Shall we move on?
2. Jacobs Club Milk.
3. Foxes Party Rings
Something so lovely about their pastel perfectness.
4. Jersey Creams
You don't gotta be fancy to press my buttons.
5. Chocolate Fingers \ Tim Tams*
Want to join in this life changing Listography?
Just write your post on your blog, then come back here to link it up. Then all you need to do it grab a cuppa and a packet from your Top 5 and read some of the other yummy entries.
I can feel the pounds piling on already.
Well make that five packets in fact.
Because this weeks Listography is asking you to list your Top 5 Biscuits.
And really - what could be more important?
Now, lets get the first argument out of the way quickly shall we. My all time favourite and first entry into my top 5 is.......
1. Tunnocks Tea Cakes.
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| Image: http://getnloose.com |
Shall we move on?
2. Jacobs Club Milk.
The old skool school biscuits. Every time you opened one someone would tell the story about the time they had one that was pure chocolate all the way through. Funny how it never happened when anyone else was around.
3. Foxes Party Rings
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| Image: biscuitswin.wordpress.com |
4. Jersey Creams
You don't gotta be fancy to press my buttons.
5. Chocolate Fingers \ Tim Tams*
 |
| Image: valerina.umwblogs.org |
Ok I realise that these biscuits are not even closely related but the reason I have listed them together is the reason I they have made it into my Top 5. Both of these biscuits need to be eaten with a cup of tea, - bite both ends off the biscuit and then suck tea through biscuit like a straw. Pop the gorgeous melty chocolaty biscuity loveliness into you mouth and relax.
* Unfortunately Tim Tams can only be bought in Australia so most of you will never get to compare the two. Pity.Want to join in this life changing Listography?
Just write your post on your blog, then come back here to link it up. Then all you need to do it grab a cuppa and a packet from your Top 5 and read some of the other yummy entries.
I can feel the pounds piling on already.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Gallery: Eyes
I've seen some really amazing pictures for this week's Gallery, and while I can't compete with them, they can't compete with this:
Because it's my boy. And he will always be the star of the show for me.
For more eye catching pictures go visit Tara in The Gallery.
Because it's my boy. And he will always be the star of the show for me.
For more eye catching pictures go visit Tara in The Gallery.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Skylanders Giveaway!! 5 sets of brand new characters to be won.
As you may already know the Kate Takes 5 household are massive fans of the new phenomenon that is 'Skylanders'.
I've posted already our review of the game, and since we received that Wii version of the game and Spyros Adventure Starter Pack we have become some what hooked.
Our initial review pack included these three characters:
I've posted already our review of the game, and since we received that Wii version of the game and Spyros Adventure Starter Pack we have become some what hooked.
Our initial review pack included these three characters:
And we may possibly have added one or two to our collection since them:
But enough about our own little addiction - now I get to share the love because 5 lucky winners will be able to get their hands on the latest characters - and you don't even need the actual game to play!
If you're new to Skylanders and a little confused then here's the blurb:
With more than 30 characters to choose from, players can explore
mysterious new worlds, battle enemies and solve fiendish puzzles. And, now sees
the arrival of Skylanders Spyro’s Universe, an even more imaginative way
to play, even if you don’t own the game.
Skylanders Spyro’s Universe is a virtual online world where children can bring their Skylanders characters to life by playing mini games, such as Sheep Shot and Castle Assault while exploring a fantasy realm of floating islands which encourage world-building, exploration and friendly competition. Players who already own the game or figurines can input the code supplied with each interaction figure or use the Portal of Power™ to bring them to life inside the universe. Those who don’t own Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure can still use their characters to join in the fun either by themselves or with friends by simply creating a free online account at www.universe.skylanders.com and picking up their digital starter kit.
Skylanders Spyro’s Universe is a virtual online world where children can bring their Skylanders characters to life by playing mini games, such as Sheep Shot and Castle Assault while exploring a fantasy realm of floating islands which encourage world-building, exploration and friendly competition. Players who already own the game or figurines can input the code supplied with each interaction figure or use the Portal of Power™ to bring them to life inside the universe. Those who don’t own Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure can still use their characters to join in the fun either by themselves or with friends by simply creating a free online account at www.universe.skylanders.com and picking up their digital starter kit.
Interested?
Well to enter I've made it easy for you. All you need to do is go to the Skylanders website and choose your favourite character from the ones shown and then tell me who it is in the comments.
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| Just click on the white circles to view more characters |
Five lucky
winners will be chosen from my randomiser hat to receive a set of three new characters
recently added to the range; Hex, Dino-Rang and Wrecking Ball which can be used
to join in the fun online at Skylanders Spyro’s Universe.
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| Wrecking Ball on the Portal of Power. |
The competition will stay open until Tues 24th January. Please ensure you leave a way for me to contact you when you leave your comment.
Good luck!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Listography - Top 5 Tips for Bloggers
This week's Listography is one for the bloggers. Whether you're new to blogging or an old hand I want your Top 5 Tips that you've learned so far on your blogging journey.
And don't think that just because you've only been blogging for 2 months that you have nothing useful to pass on. It's amazing what you learn in those first months and it's also very easy to forget those early lessons once you've been doing it for a bit longer.
So no excuses ok?
My Top 5 Tips for Bloggers are:
1. Remove Word Verification.
The amount of times I've left a comment and then closed the window before that bloody box comes up I can't tell you. It's a blight on your blog. Get rid of it.
2. Join Twitter.
Pre-blog I used to scoff at people who were on Twitter. 'What a f*ing joke' I would think smugly,'Who on earth cares if Mary_358 had scones for breakfast?' What I didn't realise is that you can actually have conversations on Twitter. That you can banter and joke with people you have forged strange online friendships with. Twitter has also become my Google. Want to know what to use instead of cornflour in a recipe? Ask Twitter. Want to know how to get a raisin out of a child's nose? Ask Twitter.
And I haven't even touched on the promotion of blog posts and traffic it will send your way. Go sign up.
3. A Little Word about Design.
When you start blogging you will pick a theme and think your blog looks amazing. 6 weeks later you will start twiddling and tweaking with the design. You will spend approximately 495 hours trying to make it look 'just so'. You will fail. If you get serious about blogging, want to love your blog every time you look at it and have some spare cash or a wealthy aunt then hire a designer. I used Violet Posy. She's tops.
4. Put Some Effort into Your About Page.
Posts come and go but your About Page is there to stay. It will probably be the most viewed page on your blog so take some time to do up a good one. (Note to self: About Page needs an update.)
Michelle at The American Resident wrote a post of top tips on this recently.
5. Be Nice.
It's a lovely little community we've got going on around us - it would be nice to keep it that way. That doesn't mean we can't enter into debate or make some controversial comments, but it's worth stopping to think about whether what you are about to say is something that you would say face-to-face to that person.
So let's all skip through the tulips together shall we?
So there's my Top 5 Tips for bloggers. Now all you have to do is write your own Top 5 on your blog, then come back here, link up below and then make your way through some of the other entries until your brain explodes.
Looking forward to reading them!
And don't think that just because you've only been blogging for 2 months that you have nothing useful to pass on. It's amazing what you learn in those first months and it's also very easy to forget those early lessons once you've been doing it for a bit longer.
So no excuses ok?
My Top 5 Tips for Bloggers are:
1. Remove Word Verification.
The amount of times I've left a comment and then closed the window before that bloody box comes up I can't tell you. It's a blight on your blog. Get rid of it.
2. Join Twitter.
Pre-blog I used to scoff at people who were on Twitter. 'What a f*ing joke' I would think smugly,'Who on earth cares if Mary_358 had scones for breakfast?' What I didn't realise is that you can actually have conversations on Twitter. That you can banter and joke with people you have forged strange online friendships with. Twitter has also become my Google. Want to know what to use instead of cornflour in a recipe? Ask Twitter. Want to know how to get a raisin out of a child's nose? Ask Twitter.
And I haven't even touched on the promotion of blog posts and traffic it will send your way. Go sign up.
3. A Little Word about Design.
When you start blogging you will pick a theme and think your blog looks amazing. 6 weeks later you will start twiddling and tweaking with the design. You will spend approximately 495 hours trying to make it look 'just so'. You will fail. If you get serious about blogging, want to love your blog every time you look at it and have some spare cash or a wealthy aunt then hire a designer. I used Violet Posy. She's tops.
4. Put Some Effort into Your About Page.
Posts come and go but your About Page is there to stay. It will probably be the most viewed page on your blog so take some time to do up a good one. (Note to self: About Page needs an update.)
Michelle at The American Resident wrote a post of top tips on this recently.
5. Be Nice.
It's a lovely little community we've got going on around us - it would be nice to keep it that way. That doesn't mean we can't enter into debate or make some controversial comments, but it's worth stopping to think about whether what you are about to say is something that you would say face-to-face to that person.
So let's all skip through the tulips together shall we?
So there's my Top 5 Tips for bloggers. Now all you have to do is write your own Top 5 on your blog, then come back here, link up below and then make your way through some of the other entries until your brain explodes.
Looking forward to reading them!
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Gallery - Phone Photos
Sticky Fingers has decreed that this week is the week of Phone Photos.
I couldn't be happier. What with my *ahem* NEW IPHONE and my Instagram, Coloursplash and Camera+ apps I should be an expert.
Except I'm not.
Yet.
What I do love though is that Phone Photos can take an ordinary picture and make it extraordinary.
Now surely you can't ask for more than that, can you?
For other great phone photos check out The Gallery.
I couldn't be happier. What with my *ahem* NEW IPHONE and my Instagram, Coloursplash and Camera+ apps I should be an expert.
Except I'm not.
Yet.
What I do love though is that Phone Photos can take an ordinary picture and make it extraordinary.
 |
| From this... |
 |
| To this. |
The other wonderful thing about Phone Photos is that you are never caught unawares.
So 'A Walk in the Woods' is captured forever:
And 'That Day My Boy Turned Into A Troll' will never be lost.
For other great phone photos check out The Gallery.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Are my children normal?
Today I was wearing my 'Good Mother' hat and decided to take my three out for bike riding lessons.
The eldest is seven and has had a bike since she was four. The fact that she still can't ride a bike grates on me daily. We made some progress last summer but since then she has had zero interest.
The other is five and has had his bike for 18 months, he still can't ride it.
The 3 year old has a glider bike with no pedals.
So out we went to the beloved 'green' which is just far enough away to be exciting. We took a spot on a quiet road and the girl got ready for push off.
'What if I fall?' she asked
'You won't fall. I'll be running right beside you' I replied.
After 'preparing' herself for about 5 minutes whilst the 3 year old glided around the corner and out of sight I was already getting testy.
'Ready?' I asked.
'Ok' she replied.
We got about 5 feet and she had a little wobble.
'WAAAAAHHHHHH' she screamed as the neighbourhood turned to see what disaster had befallen us.
She put her foot down in every sense and refused to go any further.
'Oh for God's sake' I muttered under my breath as I ran to retrieve the escaping brother.
So it was the boys turn.
'Now come on. You've done this before you can do it again' I encouraged with a happy smile.
'Ready?' I asked
'Ok' he replied.
We got about 5 feet and he had a wobble.
'WAAAAAHHHHHH' he screamed as the neighbourhood turned with perplexed faces to see the two of them bawling crying in the middle of the road.
'That's it. We're going home. At least one of you can make it back on a bike' I stropped as the 3 year old sped passed.
'IT'S A STUPID BABY BIKE AND HE'S A STUPID BABY BROTHER' one screamed.
'YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT US' screamed the other.
I put my head down, my hood up and tried to avert the staring eyes as we made our way back in the newly falling rain.
So, is this normal?
The eldest is seven and has had a bike since she was four. The fact that she still can't ride a bike grates on me daily. We made some progress last summer but since then she has had zero interest.
The other is five and has had his bike for 18 months, he still can't ride it.
The 3 year old has a glider bike with no pedals.
So out we went to the beloved 'green' which is just far enough away to be exciting. We took a spot on a quiet road and the girl got ready for push off.
'What if I fall?' she asked
'You won't fall. I'll be running right beside you' I replied.
After 'preparing' herself for about 5 minutes whilst the 3 year old glided around the corner and out of sight I was already getting testy.
'Ready?' I asked.
'Ok' she replied.
We got about 5 feet and she had a little wobble.
'WAAAAAHHHHHH' she screamed as the neighbourhood turned to see what disaster had befallen us.
She put her foot down in every sense and refused to go any further.
'Oh for God's sake' I muttered under my breath as I ran to retrieve the escaping brother.
So it was the boys turn.
'Now come on. You've done this before you can do it again' I encouraged with a happy smile.
'Ready?' I asked
'Ok' he replied.
We got about 5 feet and he had a wobble.
'WAAAAAHHHHHH' he screamed as the neighbourhood turned with perplexed faces to see the two of them bawling crying in the middle of the road.
'That's it. We're going home. At least one of you can make it back on a bike' I stropped as the 3 year old sped passed.
'IT'S A STUPID BABY BIKE AND HE'S A STUPID BABY BROTHER' one screamed.
'YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ABOUT US' screamed the other.
I put my head down, my hood up and tried to avert the staring eyes as we made our way back in the newly falling rain.
So, is this normal?
Monday, January 9, 2012
The secret to losing weight
I've found it.
There is in fact a secret to losing weight and becoming healthy and I'm here to share it with you.
It's called The Lardy League.
The process is fairly simple. Take one competitive family (or group of friends), weigh each of them, then award daily points for particular goals reached each day. For example ours are: drinking 1litre of water (10 points), having 5 portions of fruit \ veg (10 points), doing 20 minutes exercise (10 points), something else and something else (you can see I've been taking this very seriously).
At the end of one month weigh them again. Multiply their weight loss by their points acquired and find your winner. You can even chip in for a prize if you're feeling brave.
Sounds too easy to be true non?
Well my extended family has been signed up to this since 1st January and I can genuinely say I am shocked at the results. Currently I am horrified to be in last position so will be upping the steaks, I mean the stakes, this week.
So if you're feeling a little bloated around the edges, start huffing and puffing when you're climbing the stairs or look a bit like the person in the video below then you know what to do.
There is a Lardy League out there with your name on it - now go find it!
There is in fact a secret to losing weight and becoming healthy and I'm here to share it with you.
It's called The Lardy League.
The process is fairly simple. Take one competitive family (or group of friends), weigh each of them, then award daily points for particular goals reached each day. For example ours are: drinking 1litre of water (10 points), having 5 portions of fruit \ veg (10 points), doing 20 minutes exercise (10 points), something else and something else (you can see I've been taking this very seriously).
At the end of one month weigh them again. Multiply their weight loss by their points acquired and find your winner. You can even chip in for a prize if you're feeling brave.
Sounds too easy to be true non?
Well my extended family has been signed up to this since 1st January and I can genuinely say I am shocked at the results. Currently I am horrified to be in last position so will be upping the steaks, I mean the stakes, this week.
So if you're feeling a little bloated around the edges, start huffing and puffing when you're climbing the stairs or look a bit like the person in the video below then you know what to do.
There is a Lardy League out there with your name on it - now go find it!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Listography - Give me 5 of your best.
Sheesh you lot are an unruly bunch.
So whether it's your best kiss, your best holiday, your best decision - the choice is yours.
Just make sure there's only 5 of them this time this time.
Ok, I'll go first:
1. Best Meal.
It was 2008 and I had just decided to start eating meat again after 15 years of being a vegetarian (15 wasted years as Mr. Gordon Ramsey would say). My husband and I went out to a gorgeous little Italian restaurant and I decided to order the steak.
Oh. My. God.
Unfortunately I put the other half off his meal as he found the sight of me eating a big hunk of fillet so unsettling. He'd only every known me as a veggie and couldn't quite deal with the spectacle.
2. Best Friend.
I'm lucky enough to have a few genuinely 'til death do us part' friends, but since I've written about him before I might as well stick him in here again. Unfortunately since he now lives in Slovakia his sightings around these parts are few and far between. Though he does send the odd giant tractor over to keep him in our thoughts.
3. Best Blog Post.
I'm not sure if it's my best but Mothers Always Right said it was and you don't mess with a woman who gets up at 4am for work every morning.
4. Best Place I've Ever Been.
Byron Bay. My special place. It's where I met, among others, Mr. Kate Takes 5 and where I literally had the best time of my life. (so far)
5. Best iPhone App
Ok I may be including this purely to get suggestions of others from you guys. Perhaps. The fact is I only have 2 apps on my phone because I don't even know where to start looking for them. But the best of those 2 is most definitely 'Instagram'. Strangely addictive and probably hugely irritating for anyone at the end of my Facebook stream.
So now it's your turn to give me 5 of your best. Choose your topics, write your post and then come back here and linky up below.
And don't forget to show some of the other entries some love.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Disney on Ice: A review
Last week we were lucky enough to be sent tickets for the Disney on Ice 'Worlds of Fantasy' experience that was running in Dublin.
All five of us went along and despite the prices of the merchandise...
(Ouch)
...we all had a wonderful time. The children (7, 5 and 3) were all totally entralled with the magical spectacle before them and even Dad got excited when Lightening McQueen rolled onto the stage!
I'll let the pictures do the talking:
All five of us went along and despite the prices of the merchandise...
...we all had a wonderful time. The children (7, 5 and 3) were all totally entralled with the magical spectacle before them and even Dad got excited when Lightening McQueen rolled onto the stage!
 |
| No. 1 son stifling a yawn before the show |
 |
| Guess who got one anyway... |
 |
| Mater takes the stage |
 |
| The Cars |
 |
| Spot the wannabe blogger in the family.. |
 |
| Toy Story |
 |
| It's a hit.
Huge thanks to Disney for providing us with the tickets. Disney on Ice have a new show 'Princesses and Heroes' starting soon so watch out for it!
Disclosure: We were sent a family pass free of charge for the purposes of this review. |
Monday, January 2, 2012
One Born Every Minute #Dads
If there's one thing my husband is good at it's directions. Seemingly he only has to lift his head and sniff the air and he can find the little grey building at the end of four pages of crisscrossed lines on a torn and tea stained map.
Which is a very good thing when it's dark, you live over an hour and a half's drive away from the hospital, and your heavily pregnant wife shouts at you that 'It's time to go - NOW!'
The journey was long and extremely bumpy. Bob Marley beat from the speakers and the breath came shorter and harder with every mile traveled.
There was no talking. Eyes on the road, both of us dealing with our own demons.
Once there I hobbled along on his arm and in a blur was prodded and poked until I heard someone whisper urgently 'there's no room available' and I found myself behind a curtain with another woman in the other side who sounded like she was lifting weights.
The labour was not a good one. The epidural was called for. The epidural did not work.
Another was administered. Another did not work.
Six epidurals and countless hours later I was totally spent. Delirious I lay on the bed like a fatally injured soldier, war weary and ready to let go.
'Do you think I'd have time to pop out to the car?' I heard a voice that I recognised ask.
'Just to grab a sandwich and have a quick nap...'
I had no energy to comment and until that moment had actually forgotten that he was there, but of course the words were filed away to be used at a more opportune moment.
Such as this one maybe.
Anyway, he returned after his cheese roll and his 40 winks. The midwife's shift ended. Another was called in to take over and finish the job and somehow, somehow, our beautiful daughter was born.
Her Dad cut the cord and his eyes filled with wonder and tears.
Shellshocked it took me a little longer to adjust, but as the tiny bundle was handed to me, cleaned off and wrapped in a warm blanket, we huddled over her and at that moment became a family.
This post is part of the Channel 4 \ Netmums One Born Every Minute linky that is currently running on Netmums Blog. Channel 4 and Netmums would love you to get involved so please pop across and see what it's all about.
One Born Every Minute is on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 9pm, starting 4th January.
Which is a very good thing when it's dark, you live over an hour and a half's drive away from the hospital, and your heavily pregnant wife shouts at you that 'It's time to go - NOW!'
The journey was long and extremely bumpy. Bob Marley beat from the speakers and the breath came shorter and harder with every mile traveled.
There was no talking. Eyes on the road, both of us dealing with our own demons.
Once there I hobbled along on his arm and in a blur was prodded and poked until I heard someone whisper urgently 'there's no room available' and I found myself behind a curtain with another woman in the other side who sounded like she was lifting weights.
The labour was not a good one. The epidural was called for. The epidural did not work.
Another was administered. Another did not work.
Six epidurals and countless hours later I was totally spent. Delirious I lay on the bed like a fatally injured soldier, war weary and ready to let go.
'Do you think I'd have time to pop out to the car?' I heard a voice that I recognised ask.
'Just to grab a sandwich and have a quick nap...'
I had no energy to comment and until that moment had actually forgotten that he was there, but of course the words were filed away to be used at a more opportune moment.
Such as this one maybe.
Anyway, he returned after his cheese roll and his 40 winks. The midwife's shift ended. Another was called in to take over and finish the job and somehow, somehow, our beautiful daughter was born.
Her Dad cut the cord and his eyes filled with wonder and tears.
Shellshocked it took me a little longer to adjust, but as the tiny bundle was handed to me, cleaned off and wrapped in a warm blanket, we huddled over her and at that moment became a family.
This post is part of the Channel 4 \ Netmums One Born Every Minute linky that is currently running on Netmums Blog. Channel 4 and Netmums would love you to get involved so please pop across and see what it's all about.
One Born Every Minute is on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 9pm, starting 4th January.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Age is just a number - right?
Having faced a 20 year school reunion, Christmas clothes bought in M&S, and a night out with my younger sisters very beautiful and fresh faced friends I have been feeling old and tired during this year's festive period.
So when we were driving back from the shops the other day the following conversation, as you can imagine, didn't go down too well.
5 year old: 'Mum how old are you?'
Me: pause for breath...
5 year old: '58?'
Me: 'No'
5 year old: '68?'
Me: 'No'
7 year old: 'Oo I know I know!'
'78?'
Me: NO!
5 year old: '88?'
Silence
'98'
Silence
5 year old to 7 year old 'Is she 108?'
Me: 'I am not 108 I am 38'
Silence from the back again. I imagine them thinking that I am, after all, not that old at all.
5 year old 'Is that older or younger than granny?'
So when we were driving back from the shops the other day the following conversation, as you can imagine, didn't go down too well.
5 year old: 'Mum how old are you?'
Me: pause for breath...
5 year old: '58?'
Me: 'No'
5 year old: '68?'
Me: 'No'
7 year old: 'Oo I know I know!'
'78?'
Me: NO!
5 year old: '88?'
Silence
'98'
Silence
5 year old to 7 year old 'Is she 108?'
Me: 'I am not 108 I am 38'
Silence from the back again. I imagine them thinking that I am, after all, not that old at all.
5 year old 'Is that older or younger than granny?'
