Home renovations… the phrase might trigger images of skips, dust and debris turning your home into the remnants of a war zone. Perhaps you might also feel a lump of anxiety setting like concrete as your brain calculates mortgage repayments, builder’s fees and unforeseen costs. But, renovating doesn’t have to be quite this traumatic! Done right, revamping and renewing your home can save you money - if not earn you money - and give you a real sense of achievement. Here’s how the experts recommend ... VIEW POST

Britain has traditionally enjoyed a close but distinguished relationship with Europe, perhaps because it is a separate land mass. We have many similarities but many differences; anyone who has ever visited Norway, Turkey and Russia, to take three examples of diversity, will experience three completely different lifestyles and cultures.   However, we do share some things to varying degrees. Many of us (although NOT all) have the Euro. Our languages are diverse but many have similar ... VIEW POST

We are in winter here at the moment. Winter here is rather soggy to say the least, but then our summers are too. We seem to just get either warm rain or slightly colder rain, that's our seasons. Having lots of rain means finding things to do has to be weather flexible. Its ok for me as I am happy to curl up with a book, film or play a session online bingo on the laptop or even do all three. With children its not so easy. There are the play centres that have started to pop up leaving you to ... VIEW POST

When they say you don't know what you have lost till its gone they weren't making it up . My dear old Mum passed away 8 months ago and its only now that she has gone that I constantly refer back to things she used to say. Some of her advice was spot on, some plausible and some just so funny. I'll leave you to work out which is which. I think most parents have said this one....don't come running to me if you fall out the tree and break your legs. I was a bit of a tom boy, well a wannabe tom ... VIEW POST

Fun. Such a short word but can mean so much. It makes memories and can make you smile. Its also something we seem to forget to have . We get so caught up in chasing our own tails making sure bills are paid, food in the cupboard, kids get to school/recorder practice/100th social event of the week on time, that sometimes forget we are only here for a short time. Blink and your little stint on this planet is over. But what fun can I do with no money I hear you cry at the screen. Got young ... VIEW POST