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Friday, January 27, 2012

Face of the day!



On my face:
Clinique anti-blemish solutions liquid makeup - 01 fresh alabaster
Natural collection pressed powder - neutral (reduces shine to give a matter finish to skin)
Sleek Makeup blush - Pomegranate



On my eyes:
MUA eye shadow Shade 24 - Pearl (all over lid)
MUA eye shadow Shade 30 - Pearl (outer corner and crease)
MUA eye shadow shade 16 - Matt (brow bone and to blend from crease)
Bourjois Maxi Frange Waterproof mascara - 51 Black
Soap & Glory Smoulder Kohl - Black



On my lips:
Lush bubblegum lip scrub (rub a little into your lips to scrub them smooth and soft)
Rimmel London lipstick 058 drop of sherry
Barry M limited Edition Lip gloss

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Could you be my Valentine?

I made this online application form for a bit of fun. I don't expect anything to come of it; just thought it would a laugh!

Please don't take this to seriously.

I will post my favourite response's after Valentines day.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Jacks top 5 Apps for his iPod Touch!

For Christmas I gave in and brought Jack his own iPod touch. He loves it! At 3 he knows how to turn it on, play games and listen to music! He knows how to turn the volume up himself and also how to lock it when he has finished! He knows more than I do!!

Here are his top 5 applications (which I installed on his iPod for him!)

1. At number one; there is no surprise but it' Thomas The Tank Engine. This app allows him to complete puzzles, control a train around a track and also matching. He loves doing the puzzles and guessing what engine it will be!

Thomas The Tank Engine app for the iPod Touch
Images taken by myself from apps
©2012 

2. At number two; is Toca Doctor. He loves his game! It's aimed at children between 2 and 4 years. There are a number of fun mini games which all involve different parts of the body. He loves mending the bones in the leg and also catching all the bugs from the hair!

Toca Doctor app for the iPod Touch
Images taken by myself from apps
©2012 

3. Coming in at number 3; is Talking Larry! This little white bird copies everything which Jack says in a high speed and high pitched voice! There are also 3 different buttons you can press. One to feed him, one to make him bow and the other is to fire him (as Jack calls it) He finds it so funny and loves talking to him. I sometimes hear him having a full conversation with it!

Talking Larry app for iPod Touch
Images taken by myself from apps
©2012 

4. At number 4 is Humf! Jack loves singing and dancing to the theme tune which is played at the start of this app. His favourite game is where Humf and Loon are blowing up balloons. He loves to blow them up and let them go laughing at the noise! There are 9 games on this app which is good value for money.

Humf app for iPod Touch
Images taken by myself from apps
©2012 

5. And at number 5 is a hair dresser game called Toca Hair Salon; or the 'hair one' in Jack's words! At first Jack didn't like this game, he said it was to loud (I think he meant the start up credits!) I often find him turning the volume up really loud and running away from it! He loves playing with different characters doing their hair using the scissors, shaver, hair dryer and even the coloured spray cans to change the hair colour.

Toca Hair Salon app for iPod Touch
Images taken by myself from apps
©2012 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A quick and healthy dinner idea using Jus Roll pastry.

I thought I would share with you something which is rather yummy! I like to include lots of vegetables!
You can easily change the toppings you use on this. It's like a pizza but a lot yummier! You could serve with a nice salad, jacket potatoes or even home made chips!

You will need:
  • Jus Roll puff pastry
  • Baking sheet
  • Small amount of oil
  • Herbs
  • Tomato puree
  • A choice of toppings (sweetcorn, ham, peppers, tomatoes, chorizo, mushrooms)
  • Cheese
  • A little milk and a pastry brush
First I un-roll the pastry and lay it on a greased baking sheet and spread a think layer of tomato puree onto leaving about 2 cm gap around the edge. This will create a lovely crispy edge. 

I then chop up all the toppings. I have found it's best to cook the sweetcorn before using it as it lets out a lot of water and this makes the base soggy. Then, I start to layer the toppings onto the base. Once all the toppings are on the base, I then sprinkle a little cheese over the top.

Chorizo, sweetcorn, green pepper and plum tomato


Ham, green pepper, sweetcorn and plum tomato
I use a little milk on a pastry brush and start to brush it around the edge of the pastry, this will give it a nice golden colour.

Then I put it into the oven on gas mark 7 for about 18 - 20 minutes or until the pastry edges have turned golden.

Once it's cooked I like to sprinkle it with some ripped basil and serve it warm. This can also be enjoyed cold.




Friday, January 06, 2012

Night time training

Tonight I decided Jack was ready to go through the night without any nappy or pull up on.
He has gone to bed in a pair of pants and his pyjamas.

I did put a water-proof bed sheet on (just incase) and spoke very calmly to Jack before he went to sleep. I encouraged Jack to go for a wee before he went to bed. I then explained if he needed a wee in the night to get up and go to the toilet and if he was to have an accident then to come in and wake me up. *Fingers crossed* it's as easy as the daytime training was.

I'll keep you updated!
If you have any tips or advice I would love to hear them. Please post them in a comment below!

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Child Support Agency (CSA)

I would like to share with you my ongoing battle with the CSA. I have been battling, trying to get a payment from Jack's dad for nearly 3 years; no joy. I still don't have a regular payment and don't believe I ever will.

First he is employed, assessment is made and a deduction of earning order is set and a few monthly payments are received. He then goes on to leave that employer and finds new employment. I then have to wait another 6 months for wage details to be sent in, during this period he leaves employment. And so on and so on. During this time I was asked if I had any contact with him and if I knew anything about his situation, address and contact number. Why should I start doing their job and have contact with a man I don't want in my life? I felt as if they were forcing me to have contact with him. This whole employed then not employed has gone on for about 2 years. They told me they can't force him to stay in a job (but in some degrees they can) They say they can take driving licences off them and set up court hearings - never once has any of this enforcement action been taken.

How long does someone have to wait before some action is taken against a non paying parent?

About 6 months ago he denied Jack was his child and the CSA contacted me. They said they couldn't do a free DNA as he had made a few payments in the past; which in their eyes; they see he has accepted he is the father. He is on the birth certificate, if he had any doubt then he should have asked for one when Jack was born! I told them I had nothing to hide and if he wanted a DNA test then he could go right ahead! They informed me if he did want one it would have to be funded out of his own pocket - funnily enough; that was the last I heard on that matter!

Currently he has told them he is self employed but has failed to send in his company books and other relevant documentation. I am sat wondering how long he can drag it out this time? Surely they can trace him through his company name and tax code? I know and understand it is harder to trace someone who is self employed and the information they produce may not be true as they dot declare everything and this will affect the amount paid to me. Surely there is something they can use to trace his income?

I can't understand how and why he has been allowed to get away with not paying it. Every time I call up (which is almost every other week) and ask whats going on in the case they tell me they are in contact with him and waiting to get more details about his situation. Why not just demand a payment from him! I can't say I am really bothered by the amount; I just want him to pay for his child!

I did contact my local MP but because I didn't have a "high" amount of arrears and the parent was in contact with the CSA and being compliant they couldn't help me move my case along.

It's almost like they don't want the parent with care to get ANY financial support for the child. I didn't ask to be a single parent but they are penalising you because they are the only company out there which can get maintenance as the courts no longer take cases on.

If I stopped doing everything for Jack like feeding him, clothing him and looking after him I am almost sure I would be looking at a case of child neglect? Isn't he neglecting his child by not paying for things the child needs?

I personally feel that any non resident parent who ISN'T paying for their child should have all reproductive organs removed! That way they would stop leaving a trail of children they don't pay for.
Parent's with care are then left suffering as they are relying on the state to help them raise the child.

I would like to hear any other views on this matter. These are just my thoughts and what has happened to me. I am not in anyway saying this is how other cases are treated or handled.