Usborne Books for Christmas Gifts

I've been working as an independent organiser for Usborne for a few months...it's a good way of working around my children and, although I would never have dreamed of being in 'Sales', I now sell a product I actually believe in.

 I'm a complete book freak, and know that reading and looking at books (and the other products Usborne do, such as flashcards, 'snap' games in lots of languages and characters) is really beneficial for children..and adults. I reckon that learning whilst enjoying the learning.

Oh, and the reason I like this company is that you can get benefits back...free books if you or a group buy a over £100 of books. I actually give 10% of my takings to the host (or a stall fee) and various personal discounts.. and of course there are the deals advertised on the leaflets we have..

Schools can get a whopping 60% back in free books, by holding a sponsore read (or listen for pre school groups), combined with a book fair, can really boost your school's library.

And of course, they are smashing books!

Aid to Kabul, the Simple Way.

Anyone can do this! I suppose you will need to know someone within the military in a war zone to do it.

I've recently come to know of a local campaign where a mum has 'mineswept' her friends to collect used toddler clothes and shoes for postage to Kabul, Afghanistan, where one of our troops has found that the lack of basic amenities for the locals has distressed him so much that he sent out word to local businesses in the UK to collect the above items...I guess businesses are bombarded with various requests at this time of year, as are individuals...but I (for one) had lots of stuff which I had intended to sell at one or two stalls previously and had to cancel through sickness...leaving me with stuff I needed to pass on.
By the grace of God, some critically underprivileged people can now have some stuff they really need, due to the concern of the member of military who then switched his plea to friends at home.
I hear he's really touched by the amount of stuff that's been collected from all the mothers who my friend has contacted, and this is just from a local word of mouth campaign.

This is an example of how social networking can work in a good way, and that's from me who would never have touched Facebook in a million years (I just thought it was an awful tool for people to spy, bully and cheat with)..but recently got on board due to starting my own concern as an independent organiser for Usborne Books.

I am unsure of the exact rules, but I asked how the heck is the stuff going to be transported?.Postage is very expensive...and the answer came back that postage is supposed to be free to a military address if under 2kg and packed in a shoe box. So there are going to be lots of shoe boxes going out there this month!

I'm just wondering if there are any more opportunities for getting aid to people in this way, and reading this may spark an idea in someones head that they may copy this idea...or are you already doing it and have a nice story to share?

North West Evening Mail | News | Teacher recalls joy of receiving gift box

North West Evening Mail | News | Teacher recalls joy of receiving gift box

Just done my boxes, 1 for an infant boy and the other for a girl aged 5 to 9. I was disappointed last year, that we didn't get notified of where the boxes went, but only hope that the children got some joy out of them... Reading this is inspiring, and when you think about disaffected youth here, and the relative luxury and opportunity we all have, it is very humbling.

Happy Christmas to children of all faiths and backgrounds, all over the world.

NickyWardArt and The Bower Wirks

I was quite good at art at school.. I found it therapeutical and fulfilling. However, since leaving school, many many years ago, I've never pursued the interest. Having children is wonderful for sparking off those forgotten interests, in an effort to interest/inspire/distract ...

Funny how going to Mass was and remains a very integral and treasured hour of the week, since having my children..and now I'm uncovering past authors and books, Enid Blyton, Peter Rabbit, Green Smoke, Tom's Secret Garden, Catweazle and other favourites, which I believe are fast becoming lost in a world where the children do not even remember the name of our Queen.

Well! Art is a delicious thing to re-enter, and even more fulfilling when enjoyed by your children. We were lucky enough to happen upon Nicky Ward at Chesterfield Canal Trust Fair during the summer 2012. My older son was instantly attracted to the Chesterfield Canal Collage, where he proudly beholds his contribution.

Yesterday, we participated in the Funny Faces workshop at Nicky Ward's own Bower Wirks. What an amazing art experience! Nicky is an afficianado of recycling, something I admire and aspire to . Her works are inspired, full of life and glowing with talent.

Nicky has recently held several workshops for adults and children. Her space is a veritable cove of enchantment. Check out the Bower Wirks on Facebook for pictures and more information...

Matlock Bath...and Pavillion Trust

Anyone know has visited Derbyshire, or who lives in the area will know about Matlock Bath. A historical site, for medicinal purposes in faded days gone by. the baths are still there to be visited, along with an aquarium and gallery of interesting artefacts and pictures. This facility is free to visit and a good place to visit with children.

Along with a bikers paradise, plenty of good fish and chippies, there is an interesting array of shops including gifts and crockery, hippy clothes, biker wear, books and more, plus the famous riverwalk, ornamental fish and fantastic play areas for children, aswell as being close to Gullivers Kingdom and the Heights of Abraham.

Being the enthusiastic purveyor, collector and peddlar of books,( incuding but not exclusive to Usborne, Children's Publisher of the Year), I was happy to participate in a Craft Fair recently, with my Usborne books, at Matlock Bath Pavillion. I was shocked to lug my heavy loads up several flights of stairs, to a derelict hall, filled with puzzled and disorientated stallholders trying to make their wares look attractive within the dingy surrounding...crumbling roof and boarded up windows did not serve to display the hard work of the participants that well...
However, it was due to the volunteer worker, Trina that I was enlightened regarding how much actual work had already been done to save this listed building, and how much more there was to do...
I started to feel proud to be included on the first craft fair that was to raise funds for the Trust, and the atmosphere was cheerful. Call it the Dunkirk Spirit, but everyone took pride to display their wares to the fullest potential. Gregor McGregor, the man of the day (and the website, a Trustee) escorted interested parties for tours around the huge place, explaining the ambitious project and the potential to be had. I am all for it! Please support the next Craft Fair and browse the website for more infomation  ...http://www.savethepavilion.co.uk/

Undercover Boss USA

This is my absolute favourite programme of the moment..I happened upon it last week and have watched it about 3 times this week. I saw the UK version a couple of months ago, which was about the Ann Summers boss. Thought it was ok but a bit watery compared to the USA version, plus I'm not the biggest fan of A.S, not that I'm against anyone buying tacky underwear etc etc, more about having issues with their advertising campaigns in busy high streets (with lots of kids).
I think what impressed me about the yanks, during my previous time working as an Au Pair, was a) their pride in being American, and b) the encouragement and celebration of the fruits of hard work. In this country, if you are not already down, you are not too far away from a cynic who will put you down!
Absolutely love the tears when the bosses realises that they have some cracking employees and havn't so far done them proud..and that these same employees get the recognition they deserve, plus a good old wad of cash to help them in their ambitions (eg, to put their children through college, to enlarge a family home, to study, to pay off study loans etc.)
Heartwarming stuff...different from the depressing garbage churned out by the brits in the daytime (and the yanks are good at garbage also, just better at some things than we are.)
The brits are not all bad..after U.B.U.S,A, there is A Place is the Sun....Ah, if only.....!

Future Queen Topless Pics!

Funny how this is one of my most viewed posts (tee hee!)

Is there anything more likely than the latest headlines to send lots of surreptitious searches from guys (and probably gals) on the internet to look and see what the scrumptious Duchess looks like clothed off?
I do feel sorry for the Prince, the poor guy obviously didn't remember, despite past indications that the French, or for that matter, any press have long zoom lenses and have no morals or boundaries... this is entirely forgivable, as he's also, obviously a trusting sort of chap. How wrong can you be.
I guess I am a cynical so and so, and think that if I were famous, I may have chosen an even more secluded spot (indoors with curtains closed, maybe?) before getting naked. Must be a stifling situation, if you want to go topless then you should be allowed without the glare of publicity..life, however is full of annoying stuff that prevents you from doing as you please.
I think that age, and probably the appearance of children will make the couple as distrustful and cautious as others, for better or worse.