This day I love.......: Featured post

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We are currently in an unknown territory, the coronavirus has taken hold of the world and changed the way in which we live. Travel has stopped and we have been requested to stay at home. The right choice, the right decision. I for one cannot wait for all this to be over. For normality to return again. It doesn’t stop us dreaming though, dreaming of far away places. Dreaming of making memories. Dreaming of travel. Our favourite holiday aboard is the Disney Cruise. We love them and even though we will need to renew our ESTA for next year or for the next time we travel, this hasn’t stopped us planning our next adventure.

A little about the ESTA

An ESTA is valid for travel to and from the USA. We last went on a Disney cruise in 2019 which means when we travel again after this virus has settled down it is likely to be 2021. Given an ESTA has a two year validity we are going to need to apply for our ESTA again. The good news is that once you have your ESTA approved you can travel as many times as you like within that two year period without having to apply each time for another ESTA.

Always check before you travel though that your ESTA is still in date. We have made the mistake of transit through America and not having a valid ESTA. Luckily we managed to fill the ESTA form in whilst waiting to check in and the approval was almost immediate. It was a rather lucky escape and stopped the meltdown of three children who wanted to go on holiday.

I have always done our ESTA application for the USA online. Make sure you have your passport to hand as you will need the information within it. The ESTA, once approved, will be valid for two years unless your passport expires in which case you will need to apply for another ESTA for your new passport.

Travel plans

I am currently watching the news and keeping my eye on the latest travel advice from the government. At the moment there seems to be no change and no end in sight. An unknown and unprecedented era has arrived. As soon as the ban is lifted I shall be booking our holiday.

We have been very fortunate to travel several times on board the Disney cruise line ships and were looking forward to sailing on their new ships once they arrive in the fleet. The destinations for these ships have not been released so it is an exciting wait to find out where they will be destined to travel to.

Our favourite destination so far has been Mexico. Maybe because we visited over Halloween and got to learn so much about the Mexican culture. Perhaps it was the variety of beaches and environment, whatever it was we absolutely loved visiting there. The majority of Disney cruises sail from America. I have seen one that sails to New York and round Canada. I would love for us to do this.

For now I guess it is all just a dream. I would love to be sat on the beaches in Disney Castaway Cay again. Watching the fish swim through the crystal blue ocean. Feeling the warm sun on my skin. Instead for the foreseeable future I shall be thankful that we have a garden to play in and whilst the weather is no where near comparable to that of the Caribbean it is at least decent enough for the kids to play outside. As soon as the travel ban is lifted and life can return to normal I shall be filling out the ESTA application ready to start our adventures again.

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This is a featured post

I tend to start my Christmas shopping at the beginning of the year and buy bits as and when I see them. I find that this way it helps to spread out the cost of Christmas, but with three children who change their mind regularly it can also mean what they liked in January they don't like any more come Christmas. Often we receive gifts which are not to my children's liking and it perhaps comes as no surprise that we are not alone in this, us Brits spend almost £1 billion on unwanted presents each year!

I try to put a lot of effort into my gifts, I love the reaction when you get it just right. If you’re struggling to get started this year, here are three killer gift ideas that will go a lot further than a voucher or toiletry set.

An experience

For the people that claim they don’t have room for any more physical objects, what about an experience instead? It’s better for the environment after all - and the memories they’ll make will last longer too.

How about white water rafting on an Olympic course? Or an experimental cooking class on cuisine from their favourite holiday destination? You could play it safe or challenge them to try something outside their comfort zone and discover their new passion. There’s even the option to invite yourself along as an excuse to spend some quality time together.

A planter

The minimalist trend that’s dominated the interior design landscape for the last few years has left many homes lacking that bit of character. If your friend is in need of some redecoration or has just moved into a new place, houseplants are always a winner. But what about the planters to put them in?

See if you can find something quirky and give them the choice of the style of plant they put in it. If you opt for a larger pot you may need to use a special delivery service to get it there safely - use Parcel2Go’s handy courier comparison service to find the right option for you.

A food and drink hamper

Christmas is a time to eat good food and drink good drink. Imagine how much you’d enjoy opening a hamper of all your favourites? Or better yet if you’re a foodie like me – a selection of delicious items you’ve never tried before.

See if you can pick up unique items at your local farmers market or in independent stores close to where you live. Remember to factor in their dietary requirements – more and more of us are becoming vegetarian and vegan each year.

Have you started tackling your Christmas shopping yet? Give one of these ideas a go and watch your loved one’s face light up.

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This is a featured post which has been commissioned by Mobility Plus

As I stand on the start line of many of my races I always take a look around. I like to get a feel for the race ahead and more often than not you can predict who you will be running with and who will be the front runners. What becomes harder to guess is the age of the runners who are stood around me, in fact it is really tricky.

What I have noticed though, as I look through the results afterwards, is the number of runners in categories V40 and above. In fact I have done races with a gentleman in his 80s who has travelled the world with his running. I was in awe at a Gentleman who for their 70th birthday was planning on running a marathon up Everest which goes to show that age is just a number.

There are many ways to get started with running. Downloading the couch to 5k app is one of them, or joining a local walk to run group is another. However if running doesn’t appeal there are plenty of other ways to stay fit and active. In fact the NHS has the same recommendations for active minutes for a 19 year old as a 64 year old, which goes to show how important exercise and staying active is.

There are two types of exercise that should be incorporated into a weekly exercise routine. These are strength and aerobic exercises. Each of them bring about individual benefits. According to NHS England, strength exercises are necessary for:

all daily movement

to build and maintain strong bones

to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure

to help maintain a healthy weight

Staying active though doesn’t have to mean a constant trip to the gym or a high intensity workout. In fact it can be things such as mowing the grass or working in the garden. Digging and shoveling the garden can be a great way to incorporate strength work. Pushing a lawn mower can raise the heart rate enough to count as moderate exercise.

Everyday activities can therefore count as keeping active without the need to go to the gym. What’s important is that you understand your own body. Understand when to push it a bit more and when to keep it steady. As with any exercise it is important to warm up appropriately, and to get the most benefit a minimum of 20 minutes. Regardless of age always listen to your body and make sure you have fun!

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This is a featured post in association with KAP Motors

There are many reasons why people choose to buy a second hand car. The main reason is usually cost as it is usually cheaper to purchase a second hand car than a brand new one. Not to mention the depreciation value is less on a second hand car also. The used car market is saturated with cars, with everything from cheap runaround cars to more luxury cars there really is something for everyone. However, with all the choice comes uncertainty especially when something seems too good to be true but there are certain tips to help clear the murky waters of second hand car buying.

Choose a reliable dealer

Many of the main car dealerships all have an approved used car section. These cars will be made to look and feel like new and will often come with extended warranties from the dealership. Whilst this way of purchasing a used car can often add peace of mind, it is often the more expensive way to purchase a second hand vehicle.

Another alternative is looking at reliable independent dealers such as KAP Motors. KAP Motors offer used Ford cars in Brighton at the best local prices and have a wide selection to choose from. Using a trustworthy dealer can provide reassurance should anything happen post sale, which you would not get with a private seller.

Background research

Once you have found a car you like do a little background research. You may wish to look at how long the car you are interested in has been on the market for. Maybe have a look at the same car at other dealers to see if the price compares. Reading independent guides can also help to give some understanding of how well the car performs over time and as a second hand model.

Test drive

Always test drive any car before purchasing. When doing so drive on a variety of roads and conditions to see how the car performs. The car may handle very differently on the motorway when compared to town driving and it is important to be aware of these before purchasing. Check the brakes by performing an emergency stop and try hill starts to see how well they perform also.

Tax

Finally, remember that the tax on a vehicle is not transferable so once you purchase the vehicle you will need to tax it straight away.

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This is a featured post in conjunction with e-counseling

Travelling and planning to find a home to build or move your family can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be problematic. Planning these things can bring up a lot of issues that may not have risen to the surface otherwise and if these issues are not dealt with properly, it can lead to problems in a marriage.

This article will discuss some of the most common ways that travel and home planning can take a toll on a marriage, and help you understand how to deal with it.

Stress

There’s no doubt, planning for something like this can be stressful. Huffington Post even wrote an article dedicated to coping with the stress people see. When you’re planning something on your own, stress can be difficult enough - but if you’re planning something of this calibre with your family, then everyone might be stressed.

This means that everyone might not be at their best and you might be more likely to experience arguments or disagreements than you would otherwise.

Emotional Instability

Travelling or moving to a new home can make people a bit more emotionally vulnerable. If you haven’t found a place to settle yet or someone in your family is uncomfortable or afraid to leave their old home, then this can bring a lot of emotional issues to the surface.

These issues can lead to devastating arguments or problems. Fortunately, these issues can be dealt with before they become a significant issue.

Seeing a New Side of Your Partner

When you’re moving or travelling, you and your spouse might both be pushed to limits in a way that you never have before. This can be unsettling for both and can prove to challenge the relationship. You or your partner may act rash or behave in a way that you didn’t know each other were capable of.

Managing the Difficulties

While there may be a lot of issues that can emerge as a result of travel & home planning, there are just about as many solutions.

- Seek marriage counselling. A marriage counsellor will be well-versed in helping people cope with stressful situations like this. You could even consider e-counselling for marriage. Just remember that speaking with a licensed therapist is your best bet.

- Talk to friends and family. They can offer reassurance and can help guide you through the experience if they’ve already done so.

- Take a breather. If you’re getting stressed, make a point of slowing down. Big decisions like this aren’t always the best to make quickly, and if you’re both feeling stressed out, it could be wise to take some more time to decide.

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This is a featured post

We've had a real treat this Easter bank holiday weekend with the glorious sunny weather. The grass has been cut, the decking swept and we've enjoyed some time outdoors. We've even managed to have a few BBQ. I say enjoy time outdoors, it's been the first time since the winter and with it I notice lots of jobs to do. Is it just me that sits in the garden and notices all the little jobs that need doing? The jobs you don't normally notice from inside the house. I've now got a huge list that need doing.

Take the kids playhouse for example. Normally on a day to day basis I wouldn't give it a second thought. Yet sitting here in the garden I notice that it could do with a fresh coat of paint. The house was last painted before the arrival of little man, so it's at least 4 years. Sections are cracked and fading due to the sun. From the kitchen window you don't see this but up close you can see it needs doing. There's a section that needs repairing where one of the shutters has come loose and the windows could do with a bit of a clean. In fact all the windows on the house could do with a clean.

The weather before this glorious sunshine was wet and windy and I've been wanting to get out to see if the wind had caused any damage. Having not ventured into the garden until this weekend I hadn't noticed the smashed roof tiles on the ground. There's only a few,maybe three at the most it's hard to tell. This now means I have to look for a roofer to assess the damage even further. It could just be a couple of tiles or it could be something more. There's no leaks in the house so I'm hoping it's a quick and simple job to repair.

Many of the jobs I'll do myself or my Dad will often help me. In fact my Dad helps me quite a lot. Working on the roof however needs a specialist and for that I'd use a site like Rated People where I can check the credibility of their work. Fixing the roof is probably a priority now the weather's got a bit warmer, just in case more tiles need removing. I wouldn't want tiles removing in the cold or rain.

There are other jobs to do in the garden now the summer is on its way. I'd love to be able to create a space for the children to play and for us to create a better link between the house and garden. I've had a few quotes to remove some of the older decking and replace it with artificial grass which would be the first step towards creating this outside space.

Let's hope the weather stays nice for a little longer so I can at least get the roof fixed and tick a couple of jobs off the list.

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This is a featured post.

Little Man has just turned three. His sisters were in proper beds long before this age. My eldest moved into hers at fifteen months, as we needed the cot for her sister. My youngest daughter moved into hers at eighteen months old. I am not sure why Little Man was not moved into his bed sooner? Perhaps the task of finding a bed and fitting that into the daily life with three children meant that it kept falling further and further down the to do list. For whatever reason, three years old was the age he moved into his new bed.

Choosing the right bed for Little Man was not as straightforward as it first might seem. His room is the smallest room in the house. In addition it has awkward room fixtures meaning a bed can only go in one place. I therefore had to find a bed that would maximise the only space available. I also wanted one that would last, as in one that would grow with him. I didn’t want a theme bed, although I had to really talk myself out of the Lego bed I saw, and because he is in the smallest room he also needed a bed with storage.

The task was simple create a bedroom that has plenty of storage to keep clean and tidy, yet also has plenty of space to play and have fun. My Mum accompanied us and we went to look for a bed for Little Man.

I am pleased that Little Man chose his own bed. Although I was less pleased about how long it actually took me to build it! The great thing is not only does it have under bed storage but also a bed that pulls out and the bed can be stored all made up ready to sleep in. Now when Little Man wakes up in the night I can lie next to him in his bed whilst he falls asleep.

One of the items I do want to change in his room is his blind. Whilst it is a blackout blind it was in the house when we moved in. I never got round to changing it when I put his nursery together and it is something which I always wished I had changed. It is plain black and not very exciting. I am currently looking at Direct blinds to find a blind for his room. I am still undecided if to go for a plain colour or to pick one with a pattern, I might have my eye on the storm troopers [although it wouldn’t match his bedroom].

I have no plans to decorate his bedroom walls, as they are a nice neutral colour and so I can change the accessories in his room to suit his taste as he grows. He picked out a fun undersea bedding, which I also really like and plan on matching the rest of the room to the blues and greens in this. I might even pick out a blind to match this colour, or see if there is a sea themed one.

By simply changing the cot to a bed the room somehow seems bigger and brighter. The extra storage the bed provides means I can keep the room clean and tidy and the new accessories and blind create a fun space for him to grow up in. It would appear Little Man likes the change too as since he moved to his new bed he no longer wakes up as often during the night.

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