My silent Sunday post - caught in the act

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Saturday Song

More painful than childbirth??

Yesterday I spent the day assuming I had a S+D virus, Pixie had been sick the night before and so when I got stabbing pains/cramps in my left side, I thought I was getting a virus as well.

WRONG.

By 5pm I was doubled up in pain, I got the kids into bed, took some very strong painkillers and tweeted and blogged.  HAW was at a work do, some launch or the other and so I wanted a early night.  I had been drinking lots of water throughout the day and as I was going up to bed I realised I hadn't peeded very much.

I drank a pint and watched and waited as the pain got worse.  I spoke to HAW who was just about to jump on the tube, in the meantime, I called the out of service Dr who said I needed to see someone right away.

Luckily my parents are close by and so my wonderful mum came over to watch the kids whilst I went to A+E.  how I drove there I have no idea, by this time I was doubled up in agony.  I was seen straight away, a urine sample was taken, and I was diagnoised with Kidney Stones.

Treatment nowadays is to pee them out with pain management and anti inflamatory and antibiotics to prevent infection.   I got home and was sick, the pain was unbearable and HAW bless his cotton "drunk" socks was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.  He tried his best but I was so irratable and restless (quite common so google has since told us).

I don't know if any of you have experienced kidney stones but the pain is worse than childbirth.  It really, truly is and at around 2am we called the hospital, a Dr came out pretty quickly and administered a shot of something (morphine/tremasomething) that within 10 mins took the edge of the pain.

I am still in agony, still waiting to pass these goddamn stones, and if they haven't come out in the next 2 days I need to go into hospital to have them out.

Bah humbug.  very pissed off SAM.

World Book Day - a celebration

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The origins of the day we now celebrate in the UK and Ireland come from Catalonia, where roses and books were given as gifts to loved ones on St. George’s Day – a tradition started over 90 years ago.

World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who worke together to promote books and reading for the personal enrichment and enjoyment of all.

A main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own.

I couldn't NOT blog on World Book Day as we are voracious readers (except HAW but I blame the fact he works on a newspaper and reads all day long) in this house, it's a very important part of who I am, as I constantly have books on the go and I hope I am passing my love and passion for the written word onto my children.  So far they are all loving books and we are currently re-visiting my favourite childhood books.

Beansy is 7 and currently relishing the Famous Five and Secret Seven.  He is reading his way through my collection and I can't wait to get the little ones into bed so we can snuggle down for a chapter or two with lashings of lemonade and ham sandwiches ;-)

Beau Boo is mesmerised my vintage ladybird collection - classics such as Chicken Lickin, Aesop’s Fables, Cinderella and Snow White and Rose Red.  The illustrations are superb and as well as looking at my old collection, quite often we pick them up for pennies in the charity shop.

Pixie is just getting into fairy tales and seems to be fascinated by fairies - I cannot wait until she is old enough for Malory Towers and St Clare’s (I have been known to have a sneaky read every once in a while)

They ALL love the magic Faraway tree but not as much as I do I have to say.  I am so grateful to my parents for preserving my collection.

There will always be a special place in my heart for books and I hope that World Book Day reaches out to others in the same way.

What are you currently readind with your children??

Nip + Fab Shower Fix

I have fallen in love with the new Nip + Fab range, I have already reviewed the Tummy Fix which surely must be the closest you can get to a tummy tuck without the surgery.  Next up to be tested was the Nip+Fab Shower fix.

Here's what they say:

"A daily rich and indulgent shower oil which cleanses, nourishes and protects the skin’s natural moisture balance. It keeps skin soft and velvety smooth for longer with this rich and indulgent shower oil.  Enriched with gentle oils which cleanse, nourish and protect the skin’s natural moisture balance and toning, refreshing orange this delicious shower buddy also contains mandarin renowned for its ability to activate circulation and refine fine lines.  This original and unique texture is perfect for re-energising dry skin, leaving a satin-like softness all over the body"

So basically it cleans, protects, tones, refreshes, activates circulation and refines.  Phew, so did it do what it said on the tin? 

Firstly, expect the unexpected,  It's a totally different experience to any other shower gel I have used.  I think we are so conditioned to expecting a nice foamy lather that when you put this on (to dry skin is recommended) it is like using a body oil.  You then emulsify with water and it changes into a cream. It doesn't lather and it doesn't foam despite claiming that it does.

I really didn't like this as a shower gel as I love a good foamy lather up (the more bubbles the better) but HAW absolutely raved about it.  He loved the fact it hydrated his skin whilst cleansing.

However, there is one thing that I don't like that foams up - that is Shaving Foam.  I can't bear the mess, the texture, the scum in the bath, the fact you can't see where you are shaving but it's a necessity if you want to get a good clean shave in between seasons. (wax in Spring/Summer shave in Autumn/Winter, don't ask me why) 

I have suffered for years using shaving foam (ok, pinching HAW's) and if you use soap your end up with very scaly, dry legs.  In Nip + Fab Shower Fix I have found the perfect solution.  This is the PERFECT shaving oil for the legs and underarms.   It left my legs feeling silky, soft and the scent lingered for a fair few hours.   It also makes a lovely bath oil and as it emulsifies doesn't leave an oily film around the bath.

SAM Rating:

Branding/Packaging:  8/10 Great, clean, clinical with clear explanation

Smell: 8/10 Clean and fresh it lingered for a few hours

Consistency: 7/10 lovely oil that turns into a creme

Result: 3/10 as a shower gel 9/10 as a shaving oil or bath oil

 Likely to use again: Yes but not as a shower gel (HAW loves it though although I doubt he is the target market)
Would I recommend this product - as an alternative to shaving foam, absolutely.

Priced at £12.25 for 200ml you can buy this here Nip+Fab

Nip + Fab Tummy Fix

As a massive beauty junkie I was delighted to have been sent some Nip + Fab products to review.   Nip + Fab is the latest beauty launch from Maria Hatzistefanis who is also the owner behind the premium body sculpting brand Rodial.   

While not everyone can afford the high-end price tags attached to the Rodial products, this new NIP + FAB line targets more budget-conscious shoppers as everything is less than twenty pounds and promises to deliver measurable results at prices that don’t cost the earth.  So far, so good (and that's from the woman who once spent £200 on a moisturiser!)

First up I tried the Tummy Fix which  (here comes the science) "features a revolutionary 'amarashape' formula which will help in toning, smoothing and tightening of the tummy area in both women and men. AmaraShape combines fat burning actives such as caffeine and synephrine which aid the breakdown of lipids in fat cells of the adipose tissue".  My tummy has always been my problem area and so I was really looking forward to seeing if this would work.

I have been using this for 3 weeks now and although they recommend you use 2x a day, tI have only managed this on a couple of occasions but I have rubbed it into my tummy every night.   I am utterly amazed at the results - I have lost 2 inches from my tummy, my stretch marks are visibly reduced and my tummy is most definitely smoother.  Now I have a LONG way to go in getting rid of my mummy tummy so anything that helps is a good thing in my mind. 

SAM Rating:

Branding/Packaging:  8/10 Great, clean, clinical with clear explanation

Smell: 8/10 Clean and fresh

Consistency: 4/10 It is quite gloppy but with results like this, I am not complaining and it did sink in quickly.

Result: 10/10 Does as it says on the packet, a rarity these days!

 Likely to use again: Sign me up!
Would I recommend this product - Absolutely!

Priced at £19.95 for 100ml you can buy this wonderstuff here Nip+Fab

Pet Hates

This weeks topic is pet hates, if you want to join in then please click on the badge above.

1) Bad Manners

I cannot abide bad manners.  Whether this is in children or adults, a simple "please" "thank you" or even a smile makes all the difference.   DO IT.  Please ;-)  Whilst I am on the topic of manners, can you also please remember that we have two ears and one mouth, so listen 2x as much as you speak and don't interupt when others are talking.  When eating, close your mouth, chew your food and use proper cutlery.  Do not even attempt to give me supper on a lap, I like to sit at a table with proper cutlery.  Thank you.

2) Lateness

How on earth HAW and I ended up together and happily married is beyond me, I am a control freak whilst he is Mr chill.  His time is always "manana" whilst mine is bordering on the obsession of getting there 10 minutes early "just in case".   He drives me nuts daily, always in bed until the last possible moment, then running around disorganised, you get my drift.   I think it is incredibly rude to be late - FACT

3) Dirty Floors

I have lovely wooden floors throughout my house and I can't bear to see marks on them.  Not easy when you have 3 kids who despite taking their shoes off in the hall, still bring in all sorts of manner of dirt.  I like to see clean floors and hoover downstairs 2x a day.  I have just discovered a solution - a gtech sweeper.  You know those things your Granny used to have? Well it's an electric version and it's FANTASTIC!

4) Plastic Toys

Drive me NUTS, they are taking over my house and I can't wait to move and have a playroom so I can chuck all the toys in there, shut the door and ignore them.  Despite me putting an amnesty onto plastic toys for the past 2 years, the collection grows and grows.

5) Plug in Air fresheners.  They are awful.  They don't smell nice, they don't mask smells, they are overpowering.  If you can't afford decent candles (cheap candles as well are too overpowering) then pick some lavender, dry it and make your own pot pourri.  Or burn essential oils.  Natural and pleasant.

That is all, I could go on.........

Love Grumpy Old Woman