Memfy Tracking Life's Journey

Can you remember the exact day one of your children took their first step, or ate solids for the first time? If you are anything like me you will have pictures and lots of these memories. But I don't have exact dates. 

I have always collected memories, from the boys being born I have consistently taken lots of photos, made scrapbooks and built memory boxes, thus leading me to start a blog, a way of documenting family life. I have also created a picture wall that we have built from photos we have taken on our travels. I love the fact that every picture can take us back to a certain moment in time, and is able to recall exactly how we felt at that special moment. 

But something happened to a colleague of Chris's 2 years ago, something you wouldn't wish on anybody. A house fire; the fire completely gutted the house and took with it every memory that family had ever built. Yes, of course they were upset about the whole situation, but were utterly devastated to lose every single childhood photo and memory box of their now grown up children. As their P.C had also perished in the fire even photos they thought were safe by backing up to hard drive, were lost. 

When I heard this news I started backing everything up to I cloud and external sites, so if the worst ever happened my precious photos would never be lost. But still my photos and memories are gathered all over, I cloud, external sites and boxes of photos, albums and scrap books from before digital times. 

I remember when Chris lost his beloved Grandma it took months to sort her photos and more importantly put faces, places and dates to all those precious memories.  

Striking Mums, Am I Different Or Unique.

For this week in Striking Mums the lovely Kate has set the subject of being different. At first I though well am I different then once I started realising differences I couldn't stop, what a great subject.

I became different at 14 when my Mum and Dad decided to move from Lancashire. I grew up in Essex and loved my life; I worked in my Dads video shop, was always out and about had lovely friends and a boyfriend. Then one day like a bolt out of the blue they announced we were moving to Lancashire. 

They had been several times on Holiday, but I had stayed at my Nan and Granddads, I had no interest in visiting the country. I remember looking at them as they were telling me thinking "you are ruining my life" devastated is an understatement. The house went on the market and we took a trip to Lancashire to house hunt, they had completely fallen in love with it!  Me? I hated the sheep, hills,  smell, the accent was soooo annoying. I just did not want to live there. 

My next memory is being sat in the car listening to the soundtrack of dirty dancing, sobbing as we travelled towards our new life. From that day forwards my brothers and I became different.  

The Bellagio Fountains Las Vegas

What We Loved About Disneyland Paris At Halloween

Last year we visited Disneyland Paris. I must say we visited with trepidation, as we love Disney World Florida. However decided to give Paris a try. So here is what is great about Disneyland Paris.

We stayed at Disney's New York Hotel. The location of the Hotel was excellent, you stepped out of the hotel and you were at the top of Disney Village and just a short stroll from the Disney Parks. This was great at the end of a busy day as 5 minutes and you were in the hotel and able to chill with a nice glass of wine.

The hotel staff were so friendly and could not do enough for you. As it was Halloween the Hotel was all trimmed up. The breakfast buffet was fantastic, breakfast was spread over several restaurants to make the experience more intimate, and it worked. We never once felt rushed; we were able to enjoy breakfast at our leisure. As the staff knew Jack suffered from Type 1 Diabetes they were happy for us to take away a snack in case he went low in the parks.

Adults Only Shepherds Pie

I just has to share my recipe for my adults only shepherds’ pie cooked with red wine. I tried this recipe a few years ago and have never looked back. It takes the good old shepherds pie into a new league. 

I have always loved Shepherds Pie, for me, it's a real autumn, winter comfort dish. Please forgive me as I have learnt that my potato photography skills are not great. So if there is such a course, as a potato photography course, I will track it down and get myself booked on.

Calf Diet, Week 21, Hoorah I Have Reached a Stone.

                       

Omg 1 stone and .5lb

                            

I was so excited at my weigh in when I saw the scales, not only have I lost 1.5lb this week I have reached a stone. Hoorahhhhh, its weird I have got so used to eating this way now (healthy) that I don't feel I am trying. Is has become a way of life. 

I haven't been this weight in years. Yesterday I kept taking sneaky looks at this photo to check I wasn't dreaming; I am now in the 9s whoop whoop. Yes I am a tad excited, I know, I am hiding it well. So I now have 1.5 pounds to my target of 9st 12lb. Then I may reset another target, only a tiny one, to give myself a buffer zone for holidays and weekends away. 

Joe Is 9 Today

Happy Birthday Joe

9 Today

We All Love You Very Much

Have A Great Day

Lots & Lots of Love & Kisses

Mum, Dad, Jack & Toby

xxxxx

The Hay Loft Coffee Shop, Higham

I just wanted to share a small post today about the Hay Loft at Roaming Roosters in Higham, Lancashire. I visited with my  friend Liane on Friday, and just had to share how lovely this little Coffee Shop is. I have been a few times before but never got photos so have been unable to post about it.   

           

It  is the cutest little coffee shop. What I love about it, is it  an intimate room that is part of Roaming Roosters, my favourite butchers/farm shop in the world. Yes, I know that is a big and very bold statement. But the meat is great and the butchers offer advice on the best cuts to buy, how to cook etc. You can also buy ready made fresh meals like salt and pepper chicken, spare ribs and tandoori chicken. These are perfect for mid week meals when you have been at work all day and just want a good quality meal that is ready to put in the oven. They also sell fruit and veg and the best pink fizz, along with a great little deli bar. 

Johnsons First Touch Fragrance Free Baby Products

When I was offered the opportunity to review Johnsons First Touch Fragrance free Range I jumped at the chance, although my baby days are well and truly over, a very good friend of mine Louise, has the most beautiful little girl Suzie, my lovely little goddaughter.

The problem is Louise suffers from the most terrible dermatitis. It is so bad it ended her Hairdressing career; her hands could just not take the daily grind of salon life. Lucky enough for the Hairdressing Profession she is now a very talented Hairdressing Teacher.(Currently on a short career break to be a Mummy)  As her core skill is bridal hair she is able to control her dermatitis by wearing gloves when touching wet hair.

Striking Mums, Keeping Mum

This week for Striking Mums the lovely Kate has set the topic, Its time to stop keeping Mum. I have thought long and hard about this post, how to respond to Kate's question. You see I have no problem at all using my voice in day-to-day life, at times it is more of a hindrance, and I would happily gag myself. I think I live in a bubble where I expect everyone to be honest and fair and when I find that some people aren't I find it so hard to keep my big mouth shut. I wish I could just smile and walk away. 

So onto Kate's questions but please don’t fall out with me, I am so soft at heart just at times a little too honest. But there is no point taking part in these posts and being dishonest, it’s just not me I can't be something I am not.

1. Have you lost your voice? When and how did that happen?

No but at times I really wish I would, it gets me in trouble all the time. I hate to see people treating others unfairly, or people that have an agenda it makes me so cross. Although I am getting better and stepping back and thinking before I speak, sometimes!

2. How do you use your voice? Are you using it for yourself, your family and/or a good cause?

I tend to use it to object to injustice, and dishonesty. I care deeply about the people around me. I would never hurt any one but if someone tries to hurt someone I love, or does something I feel is unfair I speak out. On the plus side if I think a something is great I sing it from the rooftops, this I have found is a huge bonus when blogging.

 I also try to write about type 1 diabetes as often as I can, I want to share our positive experience of managing this condition, I just hope it helps others in some way.

My Sunday Photo, The Hoover Dam, A Birds Eye View

Q Hotels are Looking For A Family Ambassador

When I saw the opportunity to enter to become the Q Hotel Family Ambassador I knew it was mission the Christie family could take on; you see we have several points of view to report from as hotel ambassadors.

The Parent point of View, clearly this is vital, as us parents pay the bill.  And we are looking for luxury surrounding where we can relax, we love showing the Boys something new and different, so like being near to a town, city or concert venue that we can explore. The opportunity to play golf, as the whole family does enjoy the odd round of golf. Or great country walks where we can take in the scenery and enjoy a family walk.

Somewhere to eat a nice meal, it is great visiting a hotel with a restaurant as it means we can enjoy a glass of wine and a meal without worrying about who is going to drive back. Hygiene and customer services are high on my list ands something I look for everywhere I visit, great service is something I share, as it really is something to be celebrated, and would influence me when choosing a hotel. Recommendation is so important, and generally if a friend recommends a venue I trust them.

The teen point of view, this is a tricky one. Somewhere that is clean and smartly decorated seems to motivate teens. I don't know about other teens but Jack became brand aware when clothes shopping a year or two ago. This now is seeping to all aspects of life, he likes a smart location, yet would sell his soul for a hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top. This can make or break a hotel bar in Jacks opinion. And Wi-Fi is definitely the deal-breaker, he must be able to access the Fifa website at all times to check his dream team, converse with friends and listen to music through his earphones.

Joe is a sucker for a kids activity pack and will not stop until he has coloured every page in, completed every quiz and used every colour of pencil. He likes a hotel with a pool, he doesn't want to spend hours in there, just want a quick swim and splash about. And loves to be out and about so location is a real big thing. Again Wi-Fi so he can play on his iPad.

 I have enlisted Jack and Joe to help me with the Quackers’ Kids pack and they have given me some great ideas. Some things that teens consider a basic human right, and some that creates a bit of mystery and adventure. 

Belvita Morning Victories and the Christie Family Morning Failures

When I got the opportunity to write about Morning successes I must say I did giggle to myself. You see the first day of term this year was an epic fail. I wasn't ever going to share this. But I am finally getting over the trauma somewhat, and now and feel ready to talk about it.

So I take you back to Friday the 5th of September at 8.20am, I must say, at 8.15 I was feeling pretty smug. Jack had gone off on the School bus on time, the house was tidy, lunches were made and we were ready to leave. We were just waiting for Emily to arrive (our neighbour who I drive to college)

I was pottering in the kitchen when Joe appeared in the doorway hunched over making an odd noise, I quickly realised he was choking; I ran to him and patted his back. Fortunately he stopped after a couple of seconds, but what felt much more like minutes.

He looked up at me panic in his eyes and said "Mummy I have swallowed it," he was a bit of a grey colour. "Swallowed what I said". It seems he had swallowed a pound coin, but now felt it was stuck in his throat; he said he could feel it lodged there. I gave him water but he still claimed it was there.

Calf Diet, Week 20, Birthday Week so lots of Treats.

This week I went to the Kitchen Garden Cafe for afternoon tea; I haven't eaten cakes for ages. Trust me I didn't get to eat them all as Joe was drooling over them, so ended up sharing.  However in the back of my mind I was thinking this was the way forward the more Jack and Joe ate the less I ate. As it has been my birthday I also enjoyed a lovely bottle of Champagne on Friday night, and a healthy slice of birthday cake. Eeek.

If I can have the odd week like this and still maintain my weight then I am happy. I still need to get to target but can't believe how much better I feel with the weight I have lost so far.

            

Tea Time Routine with the After School Chefs Challenge

When I got the opportunity to write about my tea time routines with Brit Mums and Birds Eye #afterschoolchefs @http://bit.ly/afterschoolchefs I decided to take the challenge, mainly as I was struggling getting back into a routine after a wonderful long summer.

                                                

I am so lucky to have a job where I am off with the Boys during holiday time. I watch my friends trying to organise childcare and holidays around their families, and thank my lucky stars I do not have to worry about childcare throughout the summer.

However long summer days completely ruin our routine, we are naturally a family that eats later, we like to sit together and chat about our day.  The other issue I have is the boys are quite fussy, and both have completely different tastes in food. So yes I am one of those Mums that cooks different meals for us all. The boys don't like many dishes with sauce on, they like plain food. When Jack was younger we used to insist he ate what we put in front of him, every mealtime was like a war zone. It became so stressful that I used to dread mealtimes.

Florida Wish List

We are planning a big trip to Orlando next year. It will be our 3rd time visiting, and I am so excited. The last two times we have visited we booked packages through Virgin Holidays, but this time have decided to book the holiday separately. It has taken so much research and there are so many different aspects to consider when booking a holiday separately. It is something I have done for the last few years, and if I am honest I really enjoy the challenge of getting great quality and a good deal. I love researching hotels, flight and putting it all together. Clearly this has a certain amount of pressure attached as if we don't like any aspect of a holiday there is only me to blame.

I have been researching for a year to book this Holiday and still there is so much to do, I have already shared some aspects, such as how we got a great deal on flights to Miami with British Airways. And the fantastic deal with the free Disney Dining Plan,booking the Saratoga Spring Hotel and Spa direct with Disney.

Today I thought I would share what I have left to plan and organise. My wish list for the rest of our visit. 

I still need to arrange:

1. Transfers to the Airport

2. A one-night stay at Miami Airport

3. One-way car hire from Miami to Downtown Disney

4. We have booked Disney for 8 nights

5. 2 or 3 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel

6. Universal Orlando Tickets

7. One-way car hire from Universal Orlando to Miami 

8. 2 or 3 nights in Miami 

When you look at that lot maybe it is easier booking a package. However when you consider the fact that we are going to save around £3000 booking separately rather than as a package, it makes all the research worth it doesn't it? That’s a colossal amount of money to save.

I am a Striking Mum, Education

When I saw that the lovely Kate from Kate on Thin Ice was approaching the subject of education on this weeks Striking Mums, I could not wait to get involved.

Education is so many different things to so many people. To me, it is my daily life. I teach Level 3 hairdressing at an outstanding college in Lancashire. Something I am very proud of. It is a vocation that has so many stresses on so many levels, but reaps so many rewards. This is the time of year when you roll back to the beginning and start from scratch with a new group of students.

Now us Hairdressers are a lively bunch, so can you imagine what the student version is like, they are crazy. But do you know what? That craziness keeps me young, on my toes and always learning.  They are super Internet savvy and worldly wise. For this reason I have to try to be one step ahead. There is nothing worse than a teacher that is behind with the times and uninspiring.

             

My Sunday Photo, My Puppy