Genius TV

I watched a really good interview yesterday it was the actor who played Betty in Some Mothers Do Ave em and Michael Crawford who played Frank Spencer.

https://youtu.be/3GDrUqz7UBc?si=1w_GBqKjg7iHRYrV

It was Genius TV and was interesting of Michael creating Frank Spencer and they never really talked about it until the interview I have linked. 

It was such innocent TV because you felt that Frank Spencer had good intentions but it never quite went to plan and that was the genius part. Michael Crawford did his own stunts and no way could he do it now. It shows how different TV is now and Some Mothers Do Ave Em was one of the best comedies and sitcoms that was ever created.

I love seeing TV being put together and I went to a few recordings, such as Blind Date, Strike It Reach, a show called Big Big Talent Show and Night at the Palladium and strictly come dancing and was so good to see TV being developed and hearing actors talk about shows like Ashes to Ashes, Life On Mars and films like Superman and so inspiring. 

It is such a massive process and some TV you forget but others that you remember like they it were yesterday and me and my husband and I have started watching The BBC series The Hustle again starring Robert Vaughn, Adrian Lester, Robert Glenister (brother of Phil Glenister), Marc Warren and Jaime Murray.

Then Mat Di Angelo and Kelly Adams and would loved have been able to see it filmed as it is such great TV and clever. 

They did do a behind the scenes at one point showing Doctor Who being filmed. Also Friends when they did episodes in London and still watch them. It is a shame some actors have now passed away, but never to be forgotten. 

What TV programme have you watched that you feel is Genius TV. You can comment below. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

 

Feeling Concerned of what is going on around the world

I do feel that there is an elephant in the room, not personally but around the world and not certain as to why. I feel a little concerned of the future of Britain and the changes that are happening politically. Not sure of Donald Trumps and what he is all about. Is he trying to cause chaos? I'd love to take Henry to Florida but I feel a little dubious, because there seems to be a lot of tension where Donald Trump is concerned. 

Who should we trust in the UK? Is Labor going to help with the costs of living and has inflation gone down? Will there be help for families having to go to foodbanks? When will poverty end?

It worries me when I think of those not able to pay their rent, afford clothes to dress their kids and chasing money and doing 2 to 3 jobs in order to get by the poverty they are facing. I have had my bank accounts showing zero funs and had to cancel items when shopping and it is humiliating.

In my opinion everyone deserves a roof over their head and a bed to sleep in. 

There seems to be some confusion about immigration, are they going to get it under control? What do you think? I'd love to hear from you. You can comment below. 

I know there are a lot of people fleeing from war but we can't save everyone and we do have poverty in the UK so who is more important? 

I feel for those that are wanting to be here in the UK and if I was in their situation I'd like to know that I could rebuild my life and be in a safer country but I also feel that we have to put those who live here already, to the top of the list. Once we have sorted out the poverty in the UK, then this makes space for those trying to get away from their country and start a new life here. I remember a girl I worked with and she was legally here in the UK and travelled from South Africa by herself and wanting to work and live in the UK.

She said that in South Africa it can be quite unsafe and that being in England made her forget how dangerous it is in South Africa and thinking she has got a lot of courage because I don't think I could travel and live in another country by myself. It takes a lot of guts. 

I have flown by myself to France, visiting a school friend, but not to live in another country. 

The nearest I go is to Southbank and Blackpool by coach. 

It I feel is going to be trickier to go abroad now because of countries like Spain are protesting about tourists and because of the cost of travelling overseas. 

Its a strange kind of feeling not knowing what is going to happen. We can't get a place for my son who is going up to Secondary school and have certainty that he will be going to a school or be tutored at home. 

So yes a little concerned but determined to get through it and that it all works out so people can live better and feel safe wherever they are.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

Being Scammed/Staying Safe

Hello and welcome to my daily blog. So I watched a TV programme called Scam Interceptors and this poor woman was almost scammed, losing £5,000. It is terrible and it nearly happened to me when I got an email posing as PayPal.

It is heart wrenching.

Your bank will never call you and so I hang up when I can smell a scam and block anything that I feel is a scam and delete the number. Often it is a mobile number. I get people contacting me on messenger about my Youtube channel and making out they are content creators, wanting to help me boost my Youtube channel and when I smell a rat I instantly block them. 

Trust your gut instinct. 

Then there are text messages saying that your family member is somewhere and need some money sent to them. 

Call that person instantly. 

There have been Youtube channels hacked, by people posing as them and making out that they are running a competition. Alert the person by messaging them about their channel, as hackers and scammers tend to work together to steal your details to commit fraud and now we have AI scammers are using someone identity as if they are them to scam.

Have I been involved in a car accident when I don't even drive? 

I not knowing was selling Satellite warranties for what OI thought was a digital company. It was warranties for digital boxes when actually they didn't need them and glad I found out that it was all nonsense, as they expected you to work for nothing. To begin with I firstly started off in their house and then into a old building and so glad that I found out that they were taking money from people on something that they didn't need to buy. They were on watched dog, as it wasn't just them but other organisations telling people they needed a Satellite warranty. 

I was so unaware and it did puzzle me and found it via an advertisement in the newspaper and they seemed genuine. The people seemed friendly and they even asked me to do some Admin work. I still had no idea.  

When on holiday in Tenerife I was on my Honeymoon was scammed by a Timeshare company. 

Binary Trading. Getting a call making out I had a Amazon delivery when I hadn't ordered anything and that's the thing about Scammers, 

They Will Try Anything to Steal someone's hard earned cash and it is disgusting. 

It is good that there are programmes exposing scammers, helping to stop them and help with protecting people, from having their details being used to destroy a person and take what isn't their's. 

Call centers being set up to scam and they can appear as honest citizens when they are not.

So be vigilant and block, block and block. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

How I love Getting Ready in The Mornings

I do feel good when I read my book in the morning, have a couple of slices of toast and listen to a bit of music. I currently have Billy Idol in concert on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-zZuMkSc2o

Check Vlogs I post Every Wednesday and Friday https://youtu.be/iYOSq9u4vmg

Music really helps me to wake up along with my son telling me to get up. 

                                   

"Who's the parent here?" I ask. 

If you want to alter how you feel in the morning then make one change each day. 

Like going to bed a little earlier, take a bath before bed or read. I read every bedtime and morning.

Have bit of tidy rather than do a workout. I tend do a workout in the afternoon unless it is walking outdoors. 

I do put on makeup but my skin can become very dry so I do moisturise if no make up and use a vitamin spray. If you like me to talk about more of my skincare then please let me know. You can uses the comment box below.

However waking my skin up and have a drink. I do drink water but is one of my struggles, but will drink water, but I like to have two cups of tea, then when my son goes off to school will have a coffee or a milkshake. 

Having breakfast to me is important and a midmorning snack. 

I will do bits on my laptop and then stop at 7:30am to focus on my son getting ready for school and chill for a bit. 

We do some reading or today it was spelling words and my son was playing rugby with his teddy bear or sometimes its Mickey Mouse, darts and his Tipping Point machine.

I write a blog about my son sharing his transitions and from baby till now and onwards: The Parenting Adventures- The Birth of my son | This WordPress.com site is the cat’s pajamas

I am pausing at the moment as Billy is now singing Rebel Yell. 

So where was I? Oh yes mornings. It can take me a while to wake up especially on Fridays, because of being busy and completing my week, not feeling behind on things and enjoy my days. I love my first cup of tea in the morning. I love having he news on in the background, aswell as music and just breath, not rushing around but that we are outside ready for when my sons taxi arrives and getting stuff done like today I packing to go over to Wimbledon. Next week it is half term so getting prepped for that also.

So I am signing off but see you next week if not over the weekend. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Is it too early to promote a Christmas song

I love music. I have loved it since a kid and i enjoy discovering new music aswell as old. I have been playing music from Dua Lipa, recently but also discovered a song with David Essex and Showaddywaddy  

It is the song of the month. For a few months it has been Little Gingerbread Boy sung by Sammy Davis Jr.

Here is the song and yes it is a Christmas one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i20oJMgCWs

Yes it is only May but I love the song. 

It is like "How is this the first time I have come about this song?"

Not sure about the Eurovision song for the United Kingdom, but was okay but think we could have done better. What do you think? You can leave a comment below. 

Is the Eurovision outdated now?

I have watched it every year as a kid and imagined myself singing in the Eurovision contest but I feel like is it still political? 

I feel it has been slowly moving away from Politics and are voting based on the song. 

It is good to explore different international music, even if its not to your liking and the songs are always going to be more out there, because it is a life long opportunity for many of the performers.

If acts like buck fizz was taking part now with Making Your Mind Up win now? Or ABBA? 

It can help boost careers and debuts into music depending on the song and their appearance. I did like the fact that it was a girls group for the UK as I feel we do need more women bands and would love to put together a girl rock band. 

What do  you think? Or a modern day Four Tops and not popified. 

I'm going to see Billy Idol in concert and cannot wait. He just great and a true rockstar. I'd like to see Rod Stewart again and see Bryan Adams. My cousin is going to see Duran Duran. I love going to concerts and going to try and see a concert each year.

Last year it was Cyndi Lauper at the Albert Haul and Bruce Springsteen at Wembley Stadium and they were brilliant. 

If you'd like to share your feelings I have shared in this blog then pleases do. You can leave a comment below and subscribe if you'd like to be notified when I post on this site and then you won't miss a post.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

Weekend of fun and another week ahead

It was a great weekend with the FA Cup Final and the Eurovision Song Contest. Well done Crystal Palace and Austria, winners of the Eurovision song contest and FA Cup winners. It was a shame that Celine Dion didn't perform, but did watch the singing and some very erotic performances. YET Switzerland did put on a good show. What was your view of it? You can comment below. 

This week is the last week of school for another half term before the School Summer Holidays. We still have no place in a Secondary School and has been like a rollercoaster and not getting anywhere but hopefully it will all work out. Who knows? I never thought it would be so hard. My son goes to a special school because of his learning difficulties and many of the schools we went to see, were not suitable. 

Time just goes so fast and its like I am hanging on a piece of ribbon to keep up. I went to see my son train at Fulham Football club at their training ground. He does this on Saturdays mornings and it was so good to see. The coaches are brilliant. We went to end of seasons party at the rugby club he goes too. It was fun to celebrate the season and now need something else to do on Sunday Morning, whilst we wait for a the next rugby season, so been looking to see if we he can play tennis or cricket even now it is the summer.

It is good for kids to have a hobby. Something for themselves to socialise and using up their energy as Henry has so much and it is great form of exercise and being active, it's important. Or using their creativity with painting and drawing. Check out my Cheat Sheet I did this week of ideas of things to do during the Holidays https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2025/05/19/my-weekly-cheat-sheet-holidays-things-to-do/

My son is going to his holiday club, whilst I will be hopefully be able to read and write in one of the local parks and plan to go up to Wimbledon common to do some valuable walking. It is good for my son to do his own things, whilst I have time to myself too as he can see different faces. I have not done Parkrun for a few weeks. I really wanted to see Henry do his football training and it was so good to watch and perhaps start Parkrun again in the summer or in the Autumn and where I don't have other commitments as it is quite busy for me running up to the summer holidays. I will still be doing Race For Life in June up at the Epsom Downs. There's an issue with my fundraising page at the moment so going to see if I can sort this out. I want to raise £500. It is for Cancer Research.

I will be getting my newsletter completed for this month. This is posted every month on my site: Everyone can build a castle: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2025/04/25/april-newsletter-2025/This is last months newsletter and they are free to download and print. 

I do radio show on Sundays, on Epsom Hospital radio on Sundays 4pm to 6pm and play songs from the 60's to the 2000's: https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/presenters/carrie-challoner

So going to get on with other jobs and will post again as we move into the week, but for now, I hope you have a great and I do a vlogging channel if you'd like to check it out and post my vlogs on my Youtube channel Every Wednesday and Friday: 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Being Locked out

Can you believe it yesterday I locked myself out. Luckily my husband works around the corner. I had the door closed to, so not wide open but the wind blew and yes couldn't get back in. 

I did panic a little with a bit of embarrassment as I didn't have my phone on me either. It taught me a valuable lesson to listen to my gut as I had a feeling this would happen and had at first when he started having a taxi taking my son to school because of how far his school is, had my keys in my hand and then felt I'd be alright but no. So now I will make sure I have my keys just in case. 

It was good I had nothing cooking and when it happened, it is like a reminder to not be so ignorant as I can be and catch myself. It is good to be precautious and I am lucky to have a roof over my head. I feel for those sleeping in the streets and nowhere to go. Or anything they call their home. 

There are families being kicked out of their homes because they can't afford the bills and in this day and age this should not be the case. Everyone deserves a bed a roof over their heads and somewhere they can grab a bite to eat.

I am not sure about those who beg. The other day on the train a guy got on was saying he was off to have an interview but needed help with  the cost of travel. There were people who gave him money but I am always a bit dubious and why I give to what I feel is a legitimate cause. Giving to the foodbank and I do this each month this year I am doing Race for Life up at the downs raising money for cancer on the 22nd June 2025. 

So I do my bit to help those in need and ensuring the money goes to those who need help and support. The other thing is scams. There is one where they pretend it is someone you know stuck and needing money. I know that this would never be the case, but am vigilant nevertheless and I like to choose where my money goes. 

So I will make sure that I always got my key and my phone and life is full of lessons and I take note of them.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Why It Is important to look after ourselves hair and all

Gone for a new hair do. I was putting it off but feel good for it. It is good to have a change and is now a length I have had before and feels so much better and lighter. I would not have it as short next time, but it is a good to manage and would like it when it grows a bit to put some curls in.

I do have a Pinterest board if you'd like to see it: https://uk.pinterest.com/thetypicalLondongal/hair-cuts-i-like/ It is a good idea to find a style and show it when you get it cut. When it is long I think oh I'll plat it and curl it but I never do. When I went completely short it did not suit me. I couldn't wait for it to grow back. 

I prefer short to medium length. To get it done I went to Storm in Wimbledon and cost for a cut, wash and blow dry £75. I booked online, I was supposed to have it the week before but was a bit anxious about it so changed to this week. I'm not keen on the sinks with the neck rest as it always hurts. Now though I am glad I had it done and then will dye it at home. 

Do you fear the hairdressers? I feel the same going to the dentist and the doctors but glad afterwards and I remind myself that it is for my own good and it is not a hindrance. We need hair dressers, dentists and doctors they are there for a reason and that they are potentially saving my life. I don't want my hair too long, have bad teeth or be in bad health. I want to healthy and happy and that comes at a cost. 

I want to take care of my body. I have discovered some new form of exercise which has made me see I don't need pay anything to get fit just use what I have. My arms, legs, neck and face and is relaxing and slow and toning myself up. 

Who wants bad teeth? My dad had to have his teeth replaced and that can be expensive. I have been putting this off but I need to get my teeth checked and so will be making sure I book an appointment. I was okay as a very young kid, but then when I had to have a couple of teeth removed. My milky teeth and in the middle of this procedure they had a power cut and had to get a guy to get a torch out off his car to finish the procedure and I was inconsolable and then on began to fear the dentist. 

I am good at going to my check ups with my doctors and have to have a diabetes check each year as I did have high sugar count but through changing what I eat it has changed so make sure I cut down on sugar and eat more healthier and have a variety of good meals. 

This isn't to say I don't have a biscuit. I do like a shortbread and want to get some Jaffa Cakes but do eat vegetables and fruit too and drink less alcohol and have realised I need to cut back on coffee as it can cause me to have a bad stomach and so it is listening to my body and if it dislikes something I listen and take note, but make sure my health checked and reduce my fear of my medical appointments. I plan to make sure I get my hair done on a more regular basis and it can be become and when long, knotty. 

So it may be nerve wracking but we have to take care of ourselves and put our health first over our fears.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

VE Day Celebrations

Can you believe it is another Friday? End of another week. I loved the VE Day celebrations and think as a nation we always turn up, for the world and country for different historical events. I do feel proud to be British and English. I do feel pride when I see the union jack or the England flag displayed and wish all those that experienced the World war and those who lived through the War and fought and worked to fight for nation, Thank you for saving our country and I have no idea what it is like to live through a war and people dying. My Grandad used to tell me stories. He fought out in Burma and once he told me was when he was walking there to fight in Burma, a bullet, went through his hat, he was wearing and went through the back of his hat killing the person behind him. How close death he was. I remember my nan telling me stories too.

My nan was in the bath in hospital pregnant with my uncle and the hospital was struck and the bath split in half. She told me about when she was in Oxford street and a Doodlebug hit, which was a German bomb and it sounded like an engine and then stop and had no idea where it would drop.

Being so close to death makes me feel, the fear that I have is no way bad and of how I would have dealt with that and makes me moan less of today events and not take the life I have for granted. 

There is a film called Hope and Glory and it was my mum recommended it and I watched it with my nan. It really grips the reality of war and families sending their kids to stay with places out of London and kept away from it. but also of families who decided to stay, and live through it and my nan telling me how they evacuated because it is basically is giving up your belongings not knowing if the people that they would be staying with, would be like. My nan evacuated with my uncles but she didn't like and returned to London. In the film Hope and Glory, shows us about teenage pregnancies and kids playing in homes that have been bombed and how families helped one another. 

Kids having to take gas mark and given the cane at schools. How different is it now? 

I do feel for those in wars now and think about those being killed and wish they can end it, but there are always going to be those who feel they own part of countries and for me its take., take. take. 

Back in the second world were they had to live on a ration and my grandads shop he had was bombed and how he got in trouble with leaving the lights on as they lived in a blackout. Imagine walking down the streets in complete darkness, how many of use would be able to cope with that?

Tomorrow I am off to Tower Of London to see the poppies and pay my respects to those her were killed. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Making Plans for the Sumner Holidays

I'm already getting requests for the summer holidays from my son. He loves trains and wants to go from London Waterloo to Dorking but means we are going back on ourselves if we do. Is that such a big deal? What harm would it do and glad he likes going out and not destroy his love of travelling and going up London and other places. 

I know this is a sign that I need to not allow this bother me, going back on ourselves, but it does. Is this OCD? 

My son waiting for the bus 

Would not be surprised. Any how. it means going through plans, as I'd like to go the seaside again, travel up London on UberBoat and I have booked a holiday in August to stay on a farm and really not sure what to expect but at the same time, looking forward to it. 

It also means getting ready for my son goes to Secondary school. We still don't know where he will be going to school. 

If we do not get a place in the schools we've chosen, could mean that I'd have to teach him myself but really school for him is essential. I think he will be very academic and can do so much more than what he will portray. He doesn't always share what he did at school and just likes to come home and forget about it. I put my hand up I did the same. I was not a lover of school at all.

Yet he has made so many friends now and want him to have friends from school and he is such a sociable boy. 

If he doesn't get a school allocated then I feel like he will miss out. He does go to clubs at the weekend, but for Henry he like stability, where he can be taught by someone else who is a qualified teacher. I have done coaching, worked in childcare and it is great for him not to be stuck with me all the time. He does better where he can just be taught by a different face.

If you are new to my blog site, then I share many things. different parts of my life and my feelings and thoughts and would like you to comment and if you've struggled to find schools. My son is at a LAN School because of  his learning difficulties and is doing so well. 

I am looking forward to the summer holidays but want his education to rise and pray that a school will be what we want and that he has a place, to help me and my son enjoy the summer holidays without the worry of him to not going to a school come September. 

Today my husband is getting his car fixed and Henry I think will drive one day. I want him to be as dependant as possible but I do like doing things for him and I finding it hard to step back, I want him to take his plate out in the kitchen when he is has finished a meal, rather than waiting for us to do it and get dressed by himself. Its for me, running his bath, making nice dinners that he enjoys and putting on his shoes, but yes I need to be a lot tougher with how much I help him now.

Any tips would be welcome or advice. I write a blog about parenting to share my knowledge but not a parenting expert but what and how I have done things to help that can help other parents too: Check this blog site: The parenting adventures | Easy Flexible Parenting

So going to get other bits done aswell as this blog and if you like reading my blogs on this site then please subscribe and like, as it really helps me to grow my online platforms. 

Many thanks for reading.

Carrie X 

Celebrating VE Day 80 years and miss my grandparents who live through the Wars in the 1940's and post did so much

It is Bank Holiday Monday! Yeah Woohoo and I shaved my legs and armpits got out my shorts out, but watching my son play rugby at his rugby club yesterday I was freezing and as luck would have it and today, it is super cloudy, feeling that it would be the case. 

Going out for a coffee it is chilly, but went for a walk and my son wanted to get the bus back from town to home and Henry spilt his milk in the coffee shop but never mind. 

On Saturday after he had been to football club and I did Parkrun, we went for a coffee then too and went to Battersea Power Station, but my son had a bit of a funny tummy so we went to toilet and jumped on the bus back and went for a bite to eat, he was feeling better.

My son's not so good with the heat, hence why we've not been abroad with him yet and better in the colder weather, but he was fine in the end, so we had a nice meal on Saturday and then went back home, to then stop in for the rest of the day, ready as he has Rugby club and won best player again, which was good and I then did my radio show.

I do a show on Epsom Hospital Radio on Sundays 4pm to 6pm. I am off next Sunday as we are off to a birthday party, so I will be back doing my show the following Sunday. https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/presenters/carrie-challoner

Today it is VE Day and not watching it and I do wish I still had grand parents. They have been gone from this world for a long time, but I do still miss them and I think about other people's grandparents and Norma and Jess, who do videos on Social Media, who are so sweet, if you ever watch their videos and I was lucky to have a good set of grandparents. I spent a lot of time with them and would see them most weekends. We would go on holiday with them and spend yearly celebrations, like Christmas and the first Christmas without them, my nanny Florrie Skinner, was hard. 

"It is the No Mores" that I feel. 

No longer going to have a cup of tea, go for pie and mash, to a market or go to the races, which we  did a lot when my grandparents were alive and were great days out. 

I'd see them most weekends and so will be thinking of them today, on how they lived through the world war and post war. Having to have rations and not having a TV, no cable or internet. They went through so much, way before I was born and in the world. Yet  my nan even when she retired still was active, would still put my grandads bets on, shop everyday and travel to visit family in Scotland and bought the family together.

My grandad on my mum side worked for London Transport up until he retired. He was a bus conductor and my nan used to work in Peter Jones in Sloane Square and then caretaker of Bolton  Gardens in London and then lived in Earls Court. Life for went in a circle, whereby, where she was born in Chelsea was where she had spent her last days until she died in 2000. 

So I hope VE Day goes well and get to see the fly passed and the celebrations. 

I plan to write my daily blog, in the week and hope you have a good Bank Holiday Monday. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Living for Thursday

It Thursday almost the end of the week. This is where start to go through my lists on Notion and written in my notebook. I uploaded a vlog about, Getting on top of things. https://youtu.be/_r7LgBl9IuE

Thursdays is when I start to plan for the following week. 

My local park I like to walk through. Rosbery Park Epsom

It is good to have things planned and look forward to. It is good to have time to sit down and go through what has been done and going through of what has to be done and what I want to do. 

I like being productive and have plenty to do. I have planned meals for next week. My husband goes shopping on Saturdays and I will pick up bits in the week depending on what we are going to have.

Thursdays are usually my day where I will do some walking and did that today and looked in charity shops and found some jewelry. I have some birthdays coming up and brand new items, so not worn. 

My son has his afterschool club and my husband cooks, we have something simple like Pasta for dinner and wind down ready for Friday and go to Wimbledon, and ready for the weekend. 

When it comes to TV I will be catching up on Grace and going to do my new Floor workout I have developed and getting its stretching, bit of yoga and Pilates and exercise my whole body. It just helps me to breath and take my time. I like just let my body do the talking and do what I want to do. I am still working on my eating. Some days I don't always have lunch but have breakfast and dinner.

Today we are in the start of the a new month. It is May the 1st 2025 and have set my goals and plans. 

It one month away from me starting my Life Coaching programme, Summer Project 2025 and there is a lot to be confirmed and getting my book republished Mum&Me and is going to be a series, in Kindle and Paperback. 

This weekend it is another bank holiday. So get extra day to sleep in at the weekend. 

A good time to get out the BBQ and chairs if you have a garden or in a park, or seaside and just enjoy. 

So going to go and get the rest of my to-do's done and will be back with another blog. So see you then. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

End of Another Tuesday

Hello! It is midweek already. Lastnight watched The Assembly on ITV X and it was so moving. I did shed a tear. It was people, adults and teenagers, asking celebrities questions and nothing was off the cards and boy did it pull at my heart strings. 

I think because, that could be my son one day as he got ADHD and Development. His complex needs isn't so severe as many children, but he is now asking me and his dad questions and he will ask personal questions if someone is ill or got an injury and in the show, The Assembly, they sing at the end and oh boy so eye opening.

https://www.itv.com/watch/the-assembly/10a6350

So far it has been Danny Dyer and David Tennant. 

Danny Dyer was in Eastenders and I first watched him in Football Factory and David Tennant was Doctor Who and been in Harry Potter films and now he is doing a new show, Genius on ITV.

The area we are having difficulty with, is waiting to find out if Henry has a place at a Secondary School. We were told that we'd be finding out by now, but still waiting to hear and sent emails and didn't realise how difficult this would be. The schools that were recommended for my son, were not suitable as they were children with severe complex needs, where Henry is in the middle. Henry has to be a LAN School as he is under SEN and it has been tricky.

I didn't this would be so challenging, like many things when it has come to life as a parent. Henry has gone to three schools. Three Primary schools. His first school said that they can help Henry with his needs, finding out that they couldn't because he was behind in his learning and I found their expectations very high and what they expected for the children. He got on with the children but he was finding hard to concentrate, then his second school was good, he had Horse riding lessons and he went on his first Residential Trip, but they said that he was still struggling because of the size of the classroom and now after all that, finally is now since last year, been attending at a school that are spot on and what a mission. They need to make it easier and say who the school would be suitable for and felt that his first school was making up the numbers for the classes and it was a shame because he had made some great friendships and went about it, in my eyes, wrong. 

Please let me know if you've had issues with schools and your children if you've had similar issues. You can leave a comment below. It's not just Henry who is waiting for a place and feel a little worried about it, and its unnecessary stress and should be easier to know and find out.  

My son is a Sports fan and finds it hard to read and write but is getting better. He won a trophy at the weekend (check out my last blog) and so we do a little bit. It is important for him to read, along with cooking, cleaning, money and being active. 

I wrote a blog about What We Can learn from Sport: What can you learn from Sport? | Sports and Fitness Coaching 

I write two parenting blogs: The parenting adventures | Easy Flexible Parenting and theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.com

I cover many topics. So now it is Wednesday I am going to pop out and will blog more as we go through the week. Have a good day.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

What a Weekend

It was so good. Sooo good and want more like it and I love the weekends. I did Parkrun, went to see the England Ladies Rugby Team play in the sixth Nations and on Sunday my son won a trophy of best player at his rugby club and I did my radio show and felt that it was one of the best shows I have done. 

I am a radio DJ/Presenter for Epsom Hospital Radio: 

https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/presenters/carrie-challoner

Photo I took of being at Twickenham Rugby Stadium The home for England Rugby 

The Weekends have changed so much. There was a time that we'd just stayed indoors in my adult life, but now the weekends are often busier than in the week. Sundays would always be socialising and as a kid spent the Saturday with my grandparents or spend time with friends, whom we never saw in the week. 

I watched some of the London Marathon. I would really like be part it, being such a historical event an the boat race and feel a bit, like I am missing out and so going to make plans next year to go to see the boat race and with the London Marathon, either be a spectator, a participate or volunteer. 

Let me know if you took part. There is a comments section below.

Whitten was a nice place. We went there before the rugby match on Saturday, to my step dads nephews pub and met up with my brother, his wife and kids and friends from my brothers rugby club and then went to the ground. 

I want to do this yearly, as last year was good too. I love seeing sporting events. Also concerts. I got tickets to see Billy Idol in June and I am going to be doing Race for life in June too. I need to find my gear for it and keep doing parkrun as it is 5KM and going to doing on the Epsom Downs. 

If you'd like to donate towards helping me raise money for Cancer Research, here is my JustGiving page: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/carries-sponsorship-for-race-for-life

I also love dinner. We ate at the ground on Saturday and was pricey on what you got, but we were hungry and fed us for the day and had a few drinks. When I would followed a rugby league team, the London Broncos I would drink all day, but glad that I don't do that now. 

This was home and away games, and I would make food, for the day or buy something at he service stations and it was so much fun, but now I do take easier and actually remember the game and not waking up with a raging hangover. 

It is a good way to meet people and it was so much fun and want to have these experiences as its a break from the week and could let my hair down and eat out for a change. 

So have a good week and will try and post more on this blog site this week and see what the week brings.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie  X 

Enjoying the Sights of London

Oh boy yes it is Friday and so far it has been a great week and it was so good yesterday visiting the London Aquarium, had fish and chips and did some walking and so glad to have gone to the early time of 11am as we were on of the first in the queue and I always feel so chilled and at peace.

Your can't beat nature and why I love walking in parks and commons. I love a zoo or a farm and have booked in August a trip to a farm and really looking forward to it.

It does get busy on the Southbank, because there is always someone singing, ice cream vans which we took advantage of after having fish n chips and there seemed to be a festival going on and would like to find out more.

We tried a new coffee shop as we arrived early at London Waterloo and went to the toilet. It was called Black Sheep, the coffee shop and you choose on their self service check outs and was so nice. 

Check out my Instagram and TikTok: 

Typical London Gal (@typicallondongal) • Instagram photos and videos

typicallondongal (@typicallondongal) | TikTok

I bought a book from Foyles which had a great range of books and would go back to to buy another book or two. 

It is a good place to see sights like Houses of Parliament, then further on from there you have St James's Park and Buckingham Palace and it is good to do a sight seeing bus. We did this and you can hop on and off. 

Then if you are able to walk further on down the Southbank, can walk to the tower of London and over the bridge to St Paul's Cathedral. I never get bored with it. I now accept myself as a Londoner and feel proud. 

Am I allowed to say that?

I think you should never forget your routes and it has taken a long time to accept myself and seeing my own qualities and yes have hand mental health battles but now I'm on the other side of that now and so feel that everything fitting into place and not so anxious and thankful for the things that make me feel so good and that my life is growing towards a much better place. 

Check out my blog sites: 

Building Self Confidence- The Ugly Duckling

Everyone can build a castle | Creating goals, habits and being empowered aiming for success

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

The Wonders of Parenting

It is early and my son is being his defiant self. He is my critic and loves to personate me when I am typing on my laptop. He is at the moment pretending to type. 

A photo I took of my son and I at the cinema 

When kids personate you do have to be careful. I do have to be make sure I don't use bad language, that I am respectful when chatting to others and how I respond to him that will help avoid a tantrum, not encourage negative behaviour and set a good example. 

Good communication is a valuable skill. I have had to work on my responses when Henry has done something wrong and give praise when he has done something right. Kids like to test you and that you set some boundaries. He is not to have chocolate all the time. That he has to do things for himself and I have to stand back and not intervene. He has to be able to dress himself, go to the toilet and other good hygiene practices. 

Henry has many needs. He can suffer with Hayfever and so make sure he has tissues available to him and that we have antihistamine. Make sure he is not too hot as he is not always good when it is hot and that he skin is protected. 

One tip. Cover them in sunscreen before they get dressed and through out the day and have some water available to hydrate. 

When it is hot I will make sure he is dressed in cool clothing that allows his skin to breath and has good footwear. 

He loves sports and so likes to be active. He plays rugby and will be doing Football training too and likes cricket and tennis. 

It is good that he is full of energy but means that we have to be active too.

The one thing he has grown up seeing with me and his dad is when we exercise. I do parkrun and do weights and he will join in. He will help water the flowers when we stay in Wimbledon, sort the bins out with his Grandpa and tidy up. 

Being a parent has it's challenges and you do have to improvise and if you want to read more blogs about parenting then check out parenting blog: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.com

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Going to the Flicks

How many of you going to be pranked being April Fool's? I am off to Wimbledon. The Weekend was good completing 5KM doing parkrun and then went to the cinema with my son, to see Snow White. 

 

It was good and now we going to once a month go and see a film. It was reasonable getting pick n mix, you just pay for the size and can get refills of coke and my son had a hot chocolate and booked to see it in the IMAX studio and for premier seats. There was another child watching and just me and Henry. 

As a kid we went to the cinema a lot. My first film I ever saw was Annie in Clacton when we were on holiday and apparently I fell a sleep. We would go to the Hammersmith Odeon, before it was the Hammersmith Apollo and the Cinema in Kings Street in Hammersmith. 

Then at Secondary school it would be the cinema in Fulham Road or The Kings Road, Central London, or in Putney. 

It was 130 years ago when they started to create cinemas to watch film, back in 1895. You'd have silent movies, then they made films where you could hear speech, to then musicals and loved as a kid watching black and white films. I loved Laurel hardy, Doris Day, being Calamity Jane my favourite film with Doris Day. She was amazing actress and had a lovely voice and smile. The Wizard of Oz, Some like it hot and Westerns with John Wayne, followed by Clint Eastwood which was my dads and my husband's favourite. 

I left it for a while before I took Henry to see a film at the Cinema because he has ADHD and had a very low, attention span, but he was fine. I am trying to remember what film it was, but he enjoyed it and something I knew I wanted to do as one of the things I feel, if possible, kids should experience. 

Then you have theatre and I would say be second on the list of things to do with your kids. There is for children Polka Theatres. They do shows for different ages and really good fun. Then there is the The Rose Theatre in Kingston and went to see my sons favourite children's TV character, Blippi and took Henry to see The Tiger Who Came to Tea in Woking's big theatre and such a good fun.

Watching the trailers there are some new films for kids coming out, Minecraft, How to Train a Dragon and Lilo and Stitch and a new Spongebob film. 

So Happy April Everyone and have a great day. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

  

End of March, Planning for Easter

Boy it is going fast. Next week it is April and means that we need to start if you haven't already, begin to plan for Easter. I feel many of us are too worried to think about it because of the fact many will struggle even more financially. Please reach out. You can leave a comment below. 

Anyway there are some things you can do. Check The Works They have a lot of items for Easter like paint masks, make your own bunting, canvas and cards and I have molds that I got from Lakelands but can buy from Amazon too, to make homemade chocolates. All you need are:

- Molds

- Chocolate 

- Glass bowl 

- Saucepan 

Melt the chocolate in the glass bowl, putting the bowl on a saucepan, not touching the water, that will help melt the chocolate. 

Let the chocolate melted call down. 

Fill the molds and put in fridge or freezer and then once solid take them out of the molds into food bags. 

These will be great as a gift. 

Have your children paint eggs as decor using A3 paper and bunnies and my son at school made Paper chains. 

Checkout Charity shops. They often have some goodies and today I looked in the charity shops in Epsom and Oxfam had some lovely bits and crafts where you can paint a egg and if you have teenagers and they don't like chocolate then check out TKMaxx they had some beauty items and they do have chocolates and sweet on offer and why it is my favourite store.

We have a old fashioned sweet shop and don't go in there all of the time but I love to treat myself and why not do a little tuck shop so they have to give a penny to buy some chocolate and sweets or a lucky dip.

If you plan to go to a theme park expect it to busy, but it depends on the time you go.  Sometimes you have to book a slot, have discount tickets if you go later and do have fast track tickets and a pass to help those disabled. They often have a guest pass if the person is not able to queue and have priority to go on rides. If it rains some have rainy day discount or a Return Promise so if it rains the whole day you can return for free but their are terms and conditions. 

They are good fun. The food can be pricey so if you are able to bring in your own food then would advise you do, because it can make the trip extra expensive.

So I hope you have a good weekend. There will be more daily blogs to come. 

If you'd like to be notified when I post then please follow and if you have any tips then share. You can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Worried about the Wealth of the country

Who else is worried financially of the changes Labor want to make? Those that are already struggling is not going help and means that many more families will be relying on foodbanks. Why?

Are we all going to be worse off? I really feel worried for those who are disabled and relying PIP to get by. I just not confident that what the Chancellor is proposing. Has she even visited families who are struggling? 

I wonder if she'd like to work in a foodbank and see the poverty in this country that there already is and that there are people like me volunteering and going out of their way to help families and people in need. Don't get me wrong I love working on radio. I find it so rewarding, but there should be more wealth. There are people doing two to three jobs to build up their income to support their family. 

There are lot of low wage jobs and people don't just want a job, but do a job they really passionate about and in my case it is the hours that I have been difficult because of caring for my son. Many families have struggling with managing both work and family life and not able to work as they can't afford to do both. 

Many high street stores are clothing because of financially they can't continue and so how do we grow employment with stores closing down? People unhappy with their job and doing so many hours only earning minimum pay?

I have worked in hospitality, finance and call centers and many of us struggling to cope with the demands of those jobs. 

Then there is NHS and they do a brilliant job and have to come up against a lot. When my son was sick the GP surgery receptionists kept saying when I described what was the matter with my sob said "If he is that bad go to A&E" but I pushed and got an appointment and found out that he had tonsilitis and last year when we got an appointment referred to the hospital because of his heart rate was a bit high and they was so thorough and don't get the thanks they need. 

So what are your thoughts? Are we going to be worse off? Please leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

Modern Technology is AI a good thing or bad

Wow! It is Tuesday. How are we in Tuesday? I am trekked over to Wimbledon to get my sons rugby ball and Mickey Mouse. Please don't ask. It is my sons favourite items and think he will be a sportsmen when he finishes school. He loves trains but enjoys playing football, cricket, tennis, table tennis and rugby. He will have a video playing on his tablet a football match. The only issue he will copy and had to tell him not to take his shirt off when he scores.  

He has so much energy and was waking both daddy and I up this morning, wanting his tablet. Is allowing my son his tablet a pain? It has caused tears and meltdowns. He doesn't watch it as much now and will take breaks from it. There was a time when we'd allow him to have it play at bed time but was a big no as none of us slept well. 

There was a time where we would use it to help him sleep playing lullaby music and it did work, but became reliant on it and so was a not a long term solution and he and I preferred reading a book to him and he enjoyed story time rather than his tablet. He found it more soothing and we would be laughing a lot as I would make up bits in the story. Nothing rude may I add and we'd both sleep and he does have it in the morning but not all the way through and in Spring we will often spend time playing outside. 

I try to stop being on my phone and laptop all of the time. I like popping out and it builds up my steps. I like travelling on bus and train listening to music and will decide what I will play whilst travelling but won't watch videos or on social media all of the time. 

It is good to have a cut off time. I like having a family meal and watching some TV. 

Tonight it is bath time for my son. I am going to have a shower rather than a bath and make sure I have a good nights sleep. 

Sundays I struggle to sleep. because my mind is active, working on radio, so stay in on Mondays and it is good to find the things that will boost my energy and I fear a AI. I am not sure if its going cause more scams, reduce jobs available and so cause financial problems, whereby it is all done my technology rather than man made. 

Our kids are going to be a lot more computer savvy, because they've born into the world where we can watch live videos on our phones of celebrities we love. I am loving the fact that Vinal is back. I loved my record player as a child and my portable CD Player. I bought one for my son and never used is going to find it and use it myself. I can play some CDS for the radio show if a song is not on the system we use, to choose songs to play.

We'll kids need to go to school in the future and learn at home. Will there be more jobs working from home? Will we no longer have a high street and not use cash? 

It makes me wonder and concerned at the same time.

Let me know your thoughts. You can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Starting the week on a fresh

A new week and have my week mapped out. I have some TV to watch and got to post my March Newsletter. Check them out on Everyone can build a castle blog site and my weekly cheat sheet. On Friday started uploading my Spring Vlogs. Click picture below. It will lead you to my Vlog Channel.

These are free to download. I feel good as the weekend was good. I am doing things differently this week. I am going to be doing a Reset and get some overdue tasks done. It means starting a fresh and getting ready for plans for Spring. It is good to have a clean slate. I like a lot more meals that are different to what we have in the winter. 

I had lovely Cold Vanilla Latte and on Tik Tok I am trying different coffees, so check it out: https://www.tiktok.com/@typicallondongal

This week I am doing a reset and having blank canvas and clearing out my lists and just having a bit of a reshape. Now the weather is changing it means that I can do bit of reading and work on laptop outside. Have a pub lunch, go for walks along the river and a lot of days out.

Winter has been good. I have been doing a bit of declutter, catching up on home tasks like cleaning the home and having a sort out and having my health checks and starting Parkrun and now feels good to now be in Spring and do a bit of organising and restructuring. 

It means going through my google calendar, my notepad, diary and Notion. 

The one thing I love is the early mornings, now it is lighter and feels like I have more time to get things done will be making the most of it. You have to. The one place I like to go is going to North Greenwich, visiting the O2 by UberBoat. I love the food market on the Southbank. I like to would like walk from Kingston to Richmond. It is a good walk and then there are April Showers. I know putting dampener on it but they did exist. I'd like a dry April and be good to do the Parkrun and less muddy. 

So I wish you a good week and will try do this daily and now it is Monday early evening and had a nice dinner, giving my a son a wash ready for tomorrow. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Off to the Cinema to see the new Bridget Jones Film

My son is away with his school and feel a little lost. It is strange and miss him a lot. He is such a live wire as he loves to be active and play sports. It appears that all the children including my son and he'll be spending time with are enjoying it. I wrote a new blog on my Wordpress site if you'd like to read it: https://theparentingadventuresthebirthofmyson.wordpress.com/2025/03/13/my-sons-last-residential-trip-with-his-primary-school/

Me the Author of this site

I am off soon to see the new Bridget Jones film, Mad About The Boy and read the book, which was a really good read and Renee Zellweger is a brilliant actor. Her English accent is amazing. I love Hugh Grant and is back as Daniel Clever. It is shame about Mark Darcy but she is a bit of a lost soul in some respects and someone who finds it tough being alone and one of the reasons why I love the films is because I can identify with her in many ways. 

I have struggled with my weight and never had boyfriends as a teenager and not until adulthood as such. In my twenties I just wanted to enjoy myself and not be tied down. I never had a childhood sweat heart, but at the same time always knew I wanted to get married, how ever much I'd detested at one point, being a bit of misery guts.

With Bridget I feel it empathises how much as women we put so much pressure on ourselves to be a lady that appeals to the opposite sex, by the way we look and size we are. I have a blog site called Building Self Confidence The Ugly Duckling, and talk about my struggles with the way I looked and my body. This stemmed from quite young. 

So I a looking forward to seeing the film. I will do a review once seen it but I feel it is going to be as good as the others and wonder if there will be further books. I am writing a few books at the moment myself. I am writing a comedy series and a serious type of book and it isn't easy but rewarding too and learn from books that have had great success. 

If you have recommendations on books to read then please share. I love recommendations. Please fill in comment section below and you can also subscribe on this site if you'd like to be notified when I post a book.

I also have three Youtube channels. A Vlog channel, Financial Living and Carries Educational Youtube channel.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

The week and celebrating being a woman

It has been a week planning and sorting out the home, getting ready for my son to go on a Residential trip with his school and I am nervous. It will be good for him and hope he enjoys it and has everything he needs and sorting out my rooms, working on my blogs, vlogs and books. 

The Pancakes we had

Then we had pancake day and I cheated yes, I bought a packet of pancakes from Waitrose but were nice and my son loved them so convenience won. It was International Women's Day on Saturday and it is good to celebrate being a woman as we have a lot of challenges and we take on a lot. Not saying that men have it easy. Absolutely not, but being able to carry and feed our children, having periods and Menopause it can be tough. 

I was a early developer and took a long time to adjust to these changes in my body. I was told about puberty but it felt it started out of the blue and it affected my emotions. 

Will we experience having another Queen? We have Camila but I mean born in the family and will we have another female prime minister?

There is a lot of criticism about Meghan and not sure what I think about it. Are the critics being unfair? I am confused by it all. However I am a Royalist and feel that William and Kate have got it right and not made a song and dance about things. I feel with Kate she seems a lot more sincere, compared to Meghan. 

Should we judge other women? Let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below.

I have been judged more by my height not really because I am a woman. I am petite and I have felt small and it really bugged me, for a long time. I felt that I haven't always been taken seriously and had men talking to my chest rather than my face but never really fazed by that, but being looked down upon because of my height. 

So much has been changed when it comes to women. Sport, we had the Spiced Girls, Beyonce and Madonna and they have all created such a impact on what women can do and their position in the world. 

I feel we as a women we have had to work a lot harder, to change peoples perception of women, that they are not all bread to have kids, be a housewife and be the Secretary, but who we wish to be and that it should be  down to choice and be the breadwinner rather than the man.

My mum has always worked and never ever unemployed and it amazes me because she has had to deal with a lot, work wise and now is retiring and always on the go, that she makes me feel tired and could never take on so much compared to what she has had to. My nan worked and took care of all the family. My Aunt has run her own business and one of my mums cousins was a teacher and so had a lot of women to look up to and be proud of being a woman.

We can give ourselves such a hard time and feel we need to take on the world not having a break, but I like being the one to book the holidays, trips and visiting places with my son. I like cooking and planning meals for the week and writing the shopping list, and now I do voluntary work along with building my blogs, write books and create videos as a mum, writer, coach and radio DJ.

I am glad I have been able to spend time helping and watching my son grow, taking him to clubs, to nursery and school and gone on school trips with him and on Sundays watch him play rugby at the weekend, playing football and rugby with him and I love a bus and train ride like he does. 

So lets stop us ladies on giving ourselves a hard time and celebrate what we can do and achieve being a woman and how much as women, we have all grown.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

 

Getting the most out of life

We've all got blocked noses. I will be stocking on house tissues and perhaps some Vitamin C. I take a supplement. My son doesn't drink juices or eat fruit so bit tricky but he appears full of energy as usual so not to concerned right now. 

A picture of me 

I really feel for those that are fearful of putting their heating on because of the increase in the cost of electricity and gas. I watch Call The Midwife and shows people struggling with putting food on the table and thought we had learned and moved on from those times, but no, people are still struggling and it really is affecting me and I now each month donate money or food for the local foodbank.

Thinking of happier things my son has been doing so well now in terms of bedtime and not having accidents and getting up to go to the toilet. Please hope I am not jinxing it. He is a great kid though and watching him makes me feel blessed that I get to be his mum. He is very happy today as he has his sports club today after school and feel I need to write a knew blog post about him on my blog site The Parenting Adventures the Birth of my son. 

I love sharing my parenting experience and celebrate the transitions. This year my son finishes Primary school and feel a little nervous about it, when he goes to secondary school as not sure what school he will get a place and trying not to worry about that, but being my only child I feel like I'm being left behind.

It so sad to hear about Gene Hackman and his wife. So sad. He was a fantastic actor and why I was hooked on the Superman Films. He was icing on the cake and what ever happened I wish him and if they had other family, I want to send them love and my heart.

Why is there so many tragic deaths when it comes to those in show business? I was so sad about Whitney Houston, Duncan Norvelle, Bobby Ball, Tommy Cooper, Barbra Windsor, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger and Robin Williams. I so wish I could some how bring then back. 

Of course there are different circumstances but it feels so tragic. I am not someone who wants to live forever and reach 100 years old, I want to be gone by then, but look back and remember my life and yes still, I hope have some years to go, but it makes me embrace life even more and make the most of each day, and even though I may not feel like it, play with my son whilst he is still a child, and play football and rugby. His two favourites sports, whilst alive and remember the good and let the bad go.

Please if you like to have your say then please leave a comment below and subscribe if you'd like to know when I post on this site. No cost at all. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

End of another half term and weekend

What a half term. This morning my son has returned to school and thought he had swimming lesson, but no it is the next day, well as I am writing more of this blog, it is Tuesday and yes, but the details were confusing but never mind, I just hope he enjoys it. I am nervous about it but also excited about it too. I did my radio show. I do a show on Sundays 4pm to 6pm, for Epsom Hospital radio and it was singers and actors who have had songs in the charts. 

Had lovely slice of Lemon Drizzle Cake made by my Stepdad during half term

We didn't do park run as in the morning my son had a bit of a cough and I didn't want to be covered in mud but doing it next week but on my own as my sons not so keen, to continue.

He did well at his rugby. If you are new here, Henry goes to all inclusive rugby club in Wimbledon and its for kids like my son who have learning difficulties and have mobility issues.

Instead of Parkrun which  is free to do, we, my son and I, on Saturday popped out early and went on a few bus rides and then watched the rugby and got into to watching Motherland which I watched ages ago but there wasn't a full series on BBC iPlayer and now there I have bin watched and still got a few more episodes and series to go, but really is funny.

Then I will watch Amandaland and do have some TV to catch up on that I missed last week, but going to filmed a video for my Self Development training I have been doing and it is all about feeling good about yourself and your life. I watched the live episode of Eastenders. I watched like a behind he scenes and watched for inspiration for my book and like seeing behind he scenes of programmes and it is amazing how they put it altogether: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsOYVnB_gio

I do remember when Eastenders first began in 1986 and my brother and I were band from watching it because of it being so miserable. The story lines were pretty depressing but I liked the cast of  Angie and Den (Anita Dobson and Leslie Grantham) and it was intriguing and would watch when I got older watched it, each week but then stopped, but because it is 40 years and Grant Mitchel has come back felt I had to watch it, along with Shane Richie as I am a big fan of his, then Brian Conley and David Essex. 

When it comes to soaps I not really a watcher but seen glimpses and like I say I would watch Eastenders each week, but lost my way and I don't watch a lot of TV, just certain programmes. 

There are some good TV and got BGT to watch, Call the Midwife and Sort your life out with Stacey Solomon and still not watched the last of Kevin and Stacey. 

What TV do you watch? Any series you'd recommend. Please leave a comment below as I love recommendations and I read a lot and why I like writing too.

So going to get on with of bits I need to do and plan plan plan.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Good to have a productive weekend

It is a new Monday and half term has begun. My son couldn't wait to go to his holiday club and was like at 7am going "Can we go now?" I am like doing all I can to stop him from kicking off. I am glad he enjoys it and potentially his last year. It was a nice for a dry weekend. Park run was hard but we did it. We did some running and felt the aid walkers were getting a little frustrated with us going so slow but so helped by one of the ladies who runs the club, to run and will pick it up again for next week, if all goes well.

Picture of my son playing in the playground 

A lot of it was super muddy from the rain we have had last week, but we still did it and then we played in the playground. I did my radio show on Sunday and was really good. I was doing mixed groups and so now going to start to plan for next weeks show.

Henry my son did well at his rugby club. He goes every Sunday and got an award for his passing and was really trying so hard. He is very placid when he goes. A few times he has gotten upset because of not receiving an award but now he is fine and understands that he's not going to get an award each week and they have to make it fare. 

It is good to have a productive weekend and next week the six nations will return and thinking of my show for the radio and perhaps do a sporty theme. You can listen to it on Epsom Hospital radio, Sunday's 4pm to 6pm, https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/listen-live

It has been a real eye opener and you have to take on opportunities and it is surprising how things turn out. I had wanted to work on radio since a kid as I love music and love celebrating music. 

I played songs like Black Eye Peas and Eurythmics and it went so well.

I prayed before hand that it would go well as I do get nervous and the critters in my mind begin, "Oh I don't want to do this anymore" " What if I don't get it right?" and it can really be agitating and really give myself a hard time, but it means and I tell myself this because it is true, I care. I care about it so much. It has really given me self belief and doing Park run too. It is good to doing things that are challenging and its excitement really, rather than anxiety. 

If you suffer with anxiety then ask yourself is it really? I now differentiate the two. 

When Mel Robbins talked about the body doesn't know the difference between excitement and anxiety its the same thing, but now see it that I want to start straight away as I get to the studio early and not dreading but looking forward to it. I am doing a job where I get to play music for two hours and its me and the board. Well really the listeners. 

I don't plan too far ahead and plan each show as they come. 

If you have recommendations of songs then please do. You can leave a comment below. You  can listen via the Epsom Hospital website if you are in St Helier or Epsom hospital and if you are in the UK.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Finding clubs that cater for all abilities and children

It is Saturday night and boy it has been full on with Parkrun, playing rugby, football and a game where you have a cone and when you press it the ball is then caught by another person with a cone and had a nice dinner but feels good to be in bed. 

This s rare for me to be writing a blog on a Saturday night but thankfully my son is downstairs with my mum and step dad. 

Rugby club that caters for children with learning difficulties 

Tomorrow we have rugby club, then my radio show and then got to get back to my mum and steps dads home where I live too, as my son has his holiday club on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I am decluttering this week, which I will be vlogging and be good to disown some bits and have more space and going for walks and do some writing in a coffee shop. 

Half term can be challenging especially if you have more than one child. The one thing we enjoy is going on train and bus rides, going up London, but it can hurt your purse strings as it is nice to the go to the London Aquarium for example. but we have done that so many times and so I plan to take a trip but places we don't always go. I liked taking trips my UberBoat and going to places like Hampton Court and Kingston as they often have a little funfair for kids and in Wimbledon Park too. 

It is good to have a bit of space so he can make more friendships, play sports and do drawing and they often do story time, too. 

Not all holiday clubs cater for children with learning difficulties and when he went to one in Epsom I had to pick him up because they couldn't meet his needs and was so disappointed and all clubs should cater for all abilities when it comes to children. 

It didn't teach him a good lesson. I felt so bad for him because he loves being around other children and thankful that we found a club in the holidays and feel that the others missed out and didn't give me any faith in those clubs and felt discriminated against.

I did Football coaching and there was one little boy who would get upset every session and match. It was because he felt pressured in playing football and he was a good player but he would kick off every game. In the end though he was fine and it taught me when it comes to my son to let him find what he interested in. My son did Rugby Tots for a bit but would run off out of the school with another child and in the end we stop going as he wanted to do what he wanted. Yet now, now it in a inclusive rugby club he loves it and I talk about them in my blogs because the coaches are fantastic and cater to the kids, not shouting but talking to them and giving them space and the other parents are lovely and that inclusive rugby and all sports club that have inclusive teams, are doing wonderful thing as sports and music is something that brings all different people and no one feels left out.

So I am going to drink my tea and read and get ready for tomorrow.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X