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Word of the Week 35 – Fifteen

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Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week. A nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is ‘fifteen’ and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase. But please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest board devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to MixPlease add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK –Fifteen

image shows the number 15 on a plate on a brick wall. fifteen

I have chosen fifteen as my word of the week this week because we had our fourth birthday in the house in the last six weeks. This time it was Star’s birthday and she turned fifteen.

We usually spend her birthday having a family meal at Pizza Hut, it’s been a tradition for many years. I think her last birthday party was her 7th when we had a My Little Pony theme and it has always been my most read blog post!

This year, however, we are not ready to be eating out just yet so we had a take out instead. Star chose Dominos and I let her choose her own toppings. Afterwards we played some video games together as a family. I made her a chocolate birthday cake and forgot to take a photo of it…you have to take my word that it was brilliant! Ok, it was a nice cake with chocolate on.

The next day she invited her friend from school around for lunch and an hour of video game playing. So, despite the restrictions, I think she has enjoyed her birthday.

It’s kind of strange to think of her as fifteen. The years have flown by for sure. It seems like only yesterday my eldest kids were fifteen, but in fact it was over fifteen years ago! Now, I’m feeling old.

Now, it’s over to you, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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Lets Get Checked Promotion

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Today I have a promotion for you from Lets Get Checked which offers home tests for all kinds of health issues.

This week we celebrated my daughter’s 15th birthday, but 17 years ago I was having a stressful time trying to get pregnant. I knew that I was a little older to be trying as I was already over 35. I had to wait for tests and help from the NHS as you always do. If you are younger you can be waiting even longer. I was lucky enough to be picked for a study at Oxford University on fertility and it help me immensely to understand my body.

Lets Get Checked for Fertility

LetsGetChecked provide home testing for a whole range of different health issues. Recently I did a test to see if I had Coeliac Disease. You can also test for diabetes, lyme disease, liver, thyroid and kidneys just to name a few. You can also test your fertility.

Lets Get Checked has three fertility tests;

Progesterone

The Progesterone-Ovulation test offers you an insight into your ability to ovulate by measuring the level of Progesterone in your blood.

Ovarian Reserve Test

The Ovarian Reserve Test offers you an insight into how many eggs you have left in your ovaries by testing the range of Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) in the blood.

Female Hormone Test

The Female Hormone test offers a comprehensive picture of your fertility status by looking at a number of key hormones including Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Prolactin and Oestradiol.

There is loads more information on the site.

Lets Get Checked Promotion

Lets Get checked are offering my readers a 30% discount on all tests except COVID19 until August 31st. Just use code ‘raisiebay’ at checkout.

lets get checked promotion, image shows an open box with a hand holding a small vial.

5 things to tick off the checklist when buying a house

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Buying a house is an exciting time, whether you’re a first time buyer, or you’re taking advantage of the stamp duty holiday, but there are a few things you should consider before signing on the dotted line.

What’s your budget?

Whilst we may all want the 5 bed detached on a quiet cul-de-sac with large front and rear garden, we have to be realistic with our budget, and our expectations. To find out what your realistic budget is, there are few things to consider:

  • How big is you deposit? For most, a deposit of 10-15% is standard, although 20% of the property value would be ideal, especially given the current climate. However, there are some government schemes and some mortgages that allow a 5% deposit. 
  • Your debts and credit score? Before you can borrow any money, lenders will look at your financial history to check you’re a good bet. 
  • What can you afford per month? Look at your spending habits, if you’re living hand to mouth for the last few days before payday, you’ll need to reassess your spending habits. Generally, lenders will only lend 4.5 times your annual income. 

Where do you want to live?

Buying a house is a long-term investment, and whilst we can’t predict the future it’s always worth bearing in mind where you want to be in 5 – 10 years’ time. Do you want to live somewhere close to good schools? Perhaps your daily commute is important? Or will you be changing jobs? You might love the buzz of city life now, but will a rural idyll be more suitable? These are all things you should consider when looking for your new home. But don’t forget the wild card option Sometimes, it can be somewhere we’ve never even dreamed of that we end up falling in love with.

buying a house, image shows a house on a street with trees and other properties in the background.

What type of property do you want?

Are dreaming of a detached period property? Or, perhaps you want a new build in a modern housing development? Are you after a project? Or, are you more a turnkey person? Think about the lifestyle you want to live, as well as the style that appeals. It’s no good looking at Victorian properties if you don’t like steep steps and don’t want the upkeep that comes with older properties. 

Does it need much work?

If you’ve found the house for you and want to make an offer, it’s worth taking a builder round as they’ll be able to spot any potential pitfalls. This will help ensure you minimise your risk of making any asbestos claims in the future or making expensive underpinning reparations. Perhaps there’s a smell of damp and you want to make sure it isn’t rising? If you’re unsure, ask an expert. 

Do you have a solicitor or mortgage broker?

Having a solicitor and a mortgage broker on your side will help make the conveyancing process much easier, and hopefully less stressful. A solicitor, or conveyancer will be able to communicate with the mortgage broker and the other parties solicitor, so you don’t have to. Whilst a mortgage broker will be able to critically assess your affordability to ensure there are no holdups with your mortgage application.

This is a collaborative post

My Concerns Over Returning To School

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I’m going out on a whim here and I know there will be many that disagree with me. But, I’m truly in the mindset of you should do what you feel is right and what is right for some, is not right for others. Today, I want to talk about my concerns over my kids returning to school.

My concerns over going back to school. Image shows a blackboard with the words Back to School on it.

Back to School

My youngest, The Little Man, goes into year six on 3rd September. My 13 yr old goes into year 8 on the 9th of September and my 15 yr old on the 8th. And I have concerns about them going back to school.

I want my kids to go back, of course I do. They actually like going to school, they have friends, they like learning, they like their schools and their teachers. They are happy at school. However, I’m a bit worried that this COVID virus hasn’t gone away. We have it under some control at the moment, but a lot of people are behaving like it’s gone, or maybe that it never even existed.

Primary School.

The Little Man goes to a great school and I know they are keen to welcome their pupils back. They have been cleaning and removing things, changing the layout, working hard to make the school safe. I will find out soon the exact plans they have in store for a safe return. And I was feeling very confident.

The government are saying it’s vital we get our kids back in school. They are saying that the children are safer there, that they need to go for their education and for their mental health. They are telling us that children are unlikely to spread the virus or catch it. There have been very few child deaths from COVID.

I have a few issues with what they are saying. Even the language they use proves they are not sure. How can they be sure when the children have not been to school in so long? Where is their scientific evidence that a whole group of kids put together in a building will be safe? There isn’t any because they have only just started to go back. The schools in Scotland have been back a little while and so far only 20 schools have had to re-close because of COVID cases. I say only, because there are over 5000 schools in Scotland and only 20 have had break outs (So far.) But, 20 closures, means lots of sick people, teachers and children. This can be spread to the children’s families. And some will die. COVID kills.

Secondary School

I’ve not really heard much at all from the girl’s Secondary school yet. I’m hoping we will get some further details very soon. They will probably form bubbles, have one way systems, avoid moving between too many classrooms. The general precautions, along with extreme hygiene and sanitation. Brilliant. They are doing all they can.

Now, the girls will mix with about 30 children a day if we are lucky. It will probably be a lot more. But it’s okay because they don’t often get sick or pass on the virus. (Not scientifically proven in a setting like school.) The kids and the teachers may be doing all they can to keep safe and stop the spread of the virus.

It all sounds fine. Until you realise that those 30 children also have families that they are with each day, that’s a bubble of at least 60 more people with contact. And they will have contact with their bubbles (if they are abiding by the guidance) so the number of contacts each day increases. Then there are the families who have not been taking any precautions at all and can’t wait to get their kids back to school. And the families with working parents who have contact with those they work with, those they meet through work and travel. All these connections which are mostly necessary.

Then the families who have just come back off holiday abroad, will they abide by the rules and self isolate for 14 days and keep their kids off school? Some will, but I bet some won’t

We have been staying home. Our contacts have been minimal and we have observed social distancing. As a family we have been out of the home twice since the kids stopped going to school. My daughter has returned to work in a sterile environment. My husband is the only one who has left the house for essentials, and to visit his Mum.

I am vulnerable, I didn’t make the shielding list but my consultant and GP wrote to me and told me I should shield if possible and avoid contact with others as much as I could.

My eldest son is vulnerable, as is my teenage daughter. We have not been dealt the best of cards health wise.

Now we are expected to give up all the hard work we have put into staying safe and send our children back to school or face a fine.

Image shows inside of a classroom with chairs and tables.

My Concerns over school.

I think I have made myself clear and you may, or may not agree with me. I have no problems with those from healthy families sending their kids back to school. I have no concerns over schools actually re-opening. My main concern is that we are not being given a choice.

I truly believe that those with medical issues that have been doing all they can to stay safe, should be allowed to keep their children home until it is proven to be safe. If the kids go back and after a few weeks we get the real evidence that it’s working out, then the vulnerable will feel more comfortable about returning. If it doesn’t turn out to be safe then those kids will be bringing COVID into the homes of those that may not survive it. I have to consider for a moment, are my children more likely to suffer from a gap in their schooling (not education because that can be provided) or from losing a member of their family, like me, or a sibling? My concern is that we are not being given that choice.

Here is a petition on Change.org to try to stop parents from being fined for not sending their child back to school until they can be sure it’s safe. Please take a moment to add your name, even if you are sending your child back. Think of others.

Here you can find an open letter to Boris Johnson requesting better safety in our schools. You can sign the letter and show your support, even if you don’t have a child at school.

Please help if you can.

Think of those less fortunate, be kind.

In the meantime, I have to wait until I hear from my kid’s schools before I make my final decision. But I’m really not happy about sending them back just yet.

I’d love to know your opinions?

My last post on my thoughts about COVID 19

Covid Diaries Day 161 – Freedom, a Month Later

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It’s been a whole month since I wrote a Covid Diary post. Some people think it’s all over because the death rates are going down. Some are marching for their freedom. Some people think it was all a government scam to keep us in control. Yeah, I have read up on this and I really don’t get it. Why would the government of almost every Country in the World make up a virus that kills people and destroys economies?

People have rebelled against having their basic human rights removed. It’s up to them what they where on their face, who they see, where they go and no-one can tell them otherwise. Especially not an invisible virus that only kills a minority of it’s victims. I’m not giving a figure because the figures are a mess, but thousands have families have been affected by this virus, and in my opinion, one family is too much.

Not Affected

A lot of people have been unaffected by this virus, they’ve been able to get on with their lives, continue almost normally, and they’ve not lost anyone or known anyone get sick. They are the lucky ones, but luck can run out.

The things that have been put in place to keep people safe are not for the lucky ones, they are to protect those that are less lucky, the vulnerable in the society, and those that put their lives at risk every day to help victims of this cruel virus. If you’ve not been affected that doesn’t mean that you can’t help others that have.

Freedom

image shows neon lights with the word Freedom.

People cry out for freedom, they refuse to be in lock down, they refuse to stop meeting up with family and friends and they refuse to wear masks. They do it all in the name of freedom, their rights to do what they want.

In the larger picture, a lot of people have survived the virus, they have recovered, some well, some not so good. But, it’s proof you can survive. Some have suffered at home without going to hospital and are now almost back to normal. But it’s becoming clearer that this virus can leave long lasting effects.

It’s true that it’s only a minority that end up in intensive care, and die. But a minority of millions of people is thousands. Take Wembley Stadium* full of people and kill them in one go. If there was something as simple as wearing a mask and social distancing that you could do to prevent that massacre, would you do it then? What if one of those people in that stadium was your Grandma? Would you give up a tiny bit of your freedom to save your grandma, or anyone else’s grandma? Do people really care so little?

Off My Soapbox

I have always been an empathetic type. I can’t help it, it’s built into my mindset, it hurts too much sometimes, but I’m glad I care. I talk a lot about my own issues, but in my mind I feel that my sharing is helping others to feel less alone in their issues. Maybe I’m wrong, I’ve often thought that. But, I can’t change who I am and how I feel.

I may even be a snowflake. I don’t care, call me what you will.

Anyway, now I’m off my soapbox I can let you know how the last month has been for us.

We’ve had two birthdays, Boo turned 13 and the Little Man turned 10. We had a little friend around on Boo’s birthday and the Little Man asked her back on his birthday. I also had a visit from a friend and her two boys. We were going to stay in the garden but it was one of those steaming hot summer days and ending up having to shelter from the sun.

We’ve had a couple of days out. One was at Cosford Airforce Museum which was really nice. We spent a lot of time outdoors, but inside we wore our masks and followed the one way system. They had staff on the doors with clickers to make sure that there were a safe amount of people in the buildings. It felt safe and it was a lovely day out.

The other day out we had was at Spencer’s Retreat. We were given a couple of hours on the farm by ourselves which was really nice. Of course this meant we had no contact with anyone else apart from the farm animals.

My eldest daughter went back to work, but she’s only part time at the moment and Graham is taking her and picking her up so she can avoid public transport.

Graham is still the only one going out, he goes to the shops, garage and has been to pick up take outs. He has also visited a friend and his Mum. I don’t have anyone to visit apart from my brother, and he has been to see me a couple of times instead. It’s easier as I have more space. We are being careful, but I think we have dropped our guard a lot too. I’ve noticed Graham doesn’t wash his hands every time he returns home like he used to.

The virus still scares me. I don’t want any of us to get it. I don’t want to go through any of it with any of my family. It’s not gone anywhere, it’s just being controlled. But if we don’t listen and do as we are told then I’m sure it could get out of control again very quickly.

How do you feel? Are you a freedom fighter? Do you think the pandemic is over?

*Wembley Stadium holds a total of 90,000 people and we are no where near that figure in the UK. I could have used a smaller stadium as an example, but this virus has not gone away and we could easily reach the number to fill Wembley if we don’t get it under control.

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