100 Happy Days, Day 98. Calf Update

This isn't the greatest photo as I took it on my phone from a distance. But great news; the Calving worked and the Calf and her new Mum were grazing with their herd tonight. 

Farmer Kath told me they would not do this until they were happy the process had worked. And the Cow had fully accepted the Calf. What a great ending to rough start in life for the little Calf.

Media Make Up, Speciall Effects Demo by Thomas E. Surprenant.

Yesterday my great friend Louise and I travelled over to Calderdale College in Halifax to watch the amazing Thomas E. Surprenant. Thomas is known for his work on Donnie Darko (2001), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), X-Men: and The Last Stand (2006), he has a huge list of amazing films he has worked on. But I must say I was most impressed with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, one of my favourite films ever. Thomas also won a Primetime Emmy in 1995 and was nominated in 1996.

I did not really know what to expect as we only got the opportunity to go to the event on Friday at 4pm, and to be honest; I was totally engaged in Brit Mums at this time. As a Hairdressing Lecturer it is not really my field, however as lots of our level 3 students go on to university to study theatrical media and make-up, Louise and I decided it would be great to get an insight into prosthetics.

Also, I loved all the prosthetic work of the creatures at the Harry Potter Studios, when we visited a couple of weeks ago. This is the field I would have loved to work in when I was younger; unfortunately there were just not the opportunities out there when I left college.

100 Happy Days eeeek Day 97

For today, day 97, I am panicking now, I don't want 100 Happy Days to end! I have chosen this picture of me and my two brothers Stephen and Terry. I came across this when I was looking at my phone today and it made me smile. 

I love that fact that they are both still part of my life even though we are dotted all over the county. When we get together it like we have never been apart. I have had to put the photo on small as its so old and grainy. Well not that old really just a year or two.Joe looks so like both of them it a bit scary actually.

 

Book Review, Up For The Cup

When I was given Up For The Cup by Simon Bartram by the lovely people from the Mumsnet Book Club, I was over the moon. Hoorah, my first book club review. I eagerly awaited Joe to come home from School to read the book with me. But as soon as he saw the book, which I was sure he would love. He stated, " It's not really my type of book, " I am sorry, I just don't get this. I love reading and would read almost any book. The problem is he likes football but is not a die-hard fan.

Then I realised what I needed was a die-hard footy fan, who would love the book rather than forcing Joe to read it. So I enlisted Finlay the footy mad fan, he lives and breathes football I realised he was the perfect choice for this mission. 

 

100 Happy Days Day 96, Practicing Taking Photos

One of the things that really stood out at Brit mums was the inspiring photography demonstration. Since then I have been looking at ways to photograph more creatively. 

So when Jack got these Oreo's tonight I took them off him and started taking photos, at first he looked at me like I was mad. Then he realised what I was doing and offered me advice. This is what we came up with. Thanks jack we make a great team. And lucky you got to eat the subject. Mmmmm. 

Harry Potter Studios, Part 4

Now for my final Harry Potter post, wow this was my absolute favourite part. We were half way through our tour when we turned a corner and there it was Diagon Alley. I must say I was a bit over giddy, if fact the boys were again rolling their eyes at me.

It was THE Diagon Alley and it was amazing. We spent ages looking in all the shop windows; it must have been fantastic to be part of the crew and working here every day. 

 

I particularly loved Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. It looked so exciting, the sort of shop Jack would love. It was surreal seeing Flourish and Blotts Booksellers with professor Professor Gilderoy Lockharts photo in the window.

100 Happy Days, Joe's Opinion of French Lessons, Day 95.

For my 100 Happy Days Today I have Chosen a comment by Joe. On our way to School on Today, Joe announced that if he was ever off sick he would like it to be on a Wednesday as French was on that day. Now in our home you need to be laid up to have a day off. We do not want them to grow up with the attitude that you can stay off School or Work for the sake of it. So he surprised me a bit with this comment.


















I challenged this, explaining that it is good manners to try to speak a little French when in France, and told him I wished I could speak a language. Especially as we like visiting France, it helps to understand the language. He replied with I can order food that's all I need! 

Ha ha bless him if only life were that simple. Anyway I am now on high alert to sudden illnesses occurring on a Wednesday. And if you ever want to order food in France; then Joe is you Man.

100 Happy Days ,Day 94, How the Lambs Have Grown

I actually had another idea for 100 Happy Days today. But when Toby and I were on our walk these cheeky little fellas started watching us. Toby is totally unaffected by sheep, as he is so used to walking through them. In fact the only interest he plays in them is trying to eat their poo when I am not looking. The dirty little sod! 

Anyway back to the point. I stepped nearer to them to take a closer look and take a photo, all the sheep around them were running off in panic, and these two stepped closer. They were clearly curious and wanted to take a look at Toby.  They have grown so much since I first starting taking photos in March, and really sad to think they will be moved soon. I have so enjoyed watching them grow and get braver and more curious; I would love a pet sheep. I don't think Chris would agree to it though.

My Calf Diet, Week 9, Keeping my resolve on a Weekend Away.

Woohoo I was so happy when I saw that number 4 this morning. I have now lost 10 pounds. I can't believe it, I am now 6.5 lb. off my target. 

This week has been challenging, I know I have waffled on and on about Brit Mums but it was so amazing and that included the food. Delicious treats such as cakes, pastries, pork pies, canapés, wine, coffee, tea and chocolates, were continuously flowing for the whole event. All so tempting and exceptional quality, as a result it was very difficult to say no. Fortunately there was also lots of pineapple. I was apple to keep my resolve; but for the odd canapé and glass of wine. But must have eaten 2 whole pineapples. 

It was very difficult getting a healthy lunch on our train journey's, we were lucky to find an M&S food hall to buy salads and fruit. Everywhere you looked in the train station I could see pastries, cakes and the most tempting of all Burger King. Traveling really does test your resolve. I found it helpful to take a few slimming world rocky road bars to eat, in case of a week moment. 

100 Happy Days, Garden Update , Day 93

I have photographed my flower bed on two other occasions on the last 93 days. This is my last flower bed visit. I am glad to say it is looking beautiful. I wish it stayed like this all year round. 

Holiday Planning Mum, Budgeting for Family Holidays

I recently saw this opportunity to blog about budgeting for family holidays, and thought this is right up my street. Chris gets incredibly bored of me constantly pricing holidays and flights to get the best deal. In fact I think after blogging, searching for holidays is one of my favourite pastimes. I really should have been a travel agent and not a teacher. So here goes; my top 10 tips for planning and budgeting a holiday.

1.    Do your research, if it is a big holiday plan well in advance. I find flights are always cheaper as soon as they come out. For the Disney trip we are going on next year I researched prices and deals a year in advance, this way I got a feel for the actual prices. When a deal came out, I could recognise that it was infact a great deal. This paid off; We got the Disney Dining Plan Free for our holiday to Orlando next year, saving us a fortune.

2.    For cruises book early to get on board credit, the best cabins and early booking discounts. 

3.    Collect air miles, I use my American Express credit card, and Join the British Airways Executive Club to build air miles. We have flown business class on holiday for the last few years using our Avios points.

Jack Bodyboarding on The Liberty of the Seas, My First Vlog

One of the seminars I attended at Brit Mums Live highlighted the importance of using videos in blogging to highlight moments in time. Although a photograph does a great job at capturing moments, A video can sometimes create a bit more atmosphere. I am an extremely visual person, as a result I use lots of images. So have decided to have a practice with a video of Jack body boarding on the flow rider on the Liberty of the Seas last year. 

I suppose the beauty of the video is that I can show he was able to stay on the board where a photo could be deceiving being a second snapshot. 

So here goes wish me luck.

Wow it took me ages to work this one out, I am quite a technical problem but really needed to persevere. A valuable lesson learnt at Brit Mums Live. My very first Vlog complete.