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August 2017

Books

Did You See Melody? By Sophie Hannah Book Review #33

Did You See Melody?

 

This is a stand-alone novel from Sophie Hannah. Being a fan of hers,  (I had been reading her Spilling CID series but took a break) I was quite excited when the Netgally email came in asking if I wanted an early copy for review purposes.

Murder?

Did you see Melody? is about a 7-year-old girl who goes missing one day after being dropped off at school by her neighbour.
An investigation into her disappearance first centres on the neighbours. It then moves onto the parents and it’s decided that, even though no body is ever found, there is enough evidence to convict the parents of her murder.

Seven years after the event, Cara Burrows from England turns up at Swallowtail resort in Arizona late at night. She just wants to get to her room and sink into bed as she’s exhausted after travelling.
Upon entering the room, she realises it’s already occupied by a man and a 14-year-old girl.
She’s mortified to have been put in this position and goes back to reception to get it sorted out.

The lady at reception is herself mortified and puts Cara in a private suite with her own swimming pool by way of apology.

Mystery

The next day, Cara overhears another guest telling the lady at the reception that she’s seen, Melody  Chapa. Intrigued, she searches online and finds out that Melody Chapa is the girl who was supposedly murdered and her parents are currently serving life sentences for her murder.
SOme of the things the other guest is saying rings true to Cara and she realises she also saw her in the room the night before.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I’ve not wanted to put down! It’s got the usual twists and turns which Sophie Hannah does well. I was a little disappointed at the end but I’m not saying more because I dont want to spoil it!

33 books read Goodreads challenge


MamaMummyMum
 

 

 

 

Reviews & Adverts

5 Tips to identifying garden diseases

5 Tips to identifying garden diseases

 

If you own a garden, then you know how important it is to take care of it and make sure that there is not an excess of insects or plant killing diseases that are plaguing your plants. Sometimes it can be tough to determine if your garden has been struck by a disease or if it is just natural for leaves to have bite marks in them or for discoloration to occur. This article will identify some tips that will help you determine if your garden is infected by a disease. For additional information, be sure to check ou the helpful guide that is offered on the gardeninginfo-online.com/diseases-ruin-trees-plants-gardens/ website.

Recognize common diseases.

There are common diseases that are detrimental to plants and can be easily identified. Some of the most popular diseases include canker, honey fungus, bacterial canker, or coral spot. If you have a fruit plant or tree, be sure to look for brown rot. Brown rot can be identified as a plant being covered in white spots. You will want to rid rotten fruit and infected fruit from the tree so that it does not infect the rest of the plant.

 

Observe your plant.

Check your plants at various times throughout the day. Sometimes insects are only active in the morning or in the evening depending on their schedule. You may notice that in the morning there are no insects and at night there are insects present. If you have a rose bush, look for black spots. Black spots are the most common disease that will affect a rose bush. The black spots are caused by fungus and can spread to other foliage if the problem is not handled or is ignored.

Make notes.

Take note at what you observe on your plants. For example, if you notice that beetles are in your plants at a certain time of the day, you will want to write this down. Tracking things such as the date it was planted, how old the plant is, and what insects you have seen on it can help you determine if you have a plant that is healthy or infected by disease. Be sure that your plants have access to sunshine or they could experience damping off. Damping off is a product of lacking in ventilation or overwatering of plants.

orange dahlias

Take a sample.

Try to collect samples of the plant, specifically where the bite marks are located. If you can take photos of the bug or capture a bug and store it in a container with holes so that it can still breathe. Having these things will help you determine what is causing your plant to deteriorate.

Visit a local garden shop for advice.

When you have collected your sample, you can then take it to your local garden shop for advice. They will be able to help you decipher what it is that is plaguing your plants and can help you create a plan to remedy the problem.

 

 

Reviews & Adverts

6 Ways To Have a Greener Routine

green house
Image source
This is a collaborative post

We are all looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly in our homes, but it’s not always easy to know where to start and the best ways that we can contribute to a better environment through our day-to-day habits in our homes.

Our world is degrading fast each day, and if we don’t do something about it, catastrophic events will become everyday occurrences. Each person in this world has a responsibility to protect the environment. There are many ways to do this. As simple as repurposing old furniture can be a significant contribution. The same goes for when you recycle your old computer.

Follow our top six tips on how to have a greener home and daily routine and save some pennies in the process.

Lower The Thermostat

It has been proven that having our thermostat on at a lower level for a longer amount of time, rather than at higher temperatures for shorter durations of time, can definitely make a difference. It is advisable, therefore, to switch your thermostat on, in the morning, at a lower temperature around 30 minutes before you wake up, rather than ramping it up to the maximum temperature the moment you wake up.

To support this goal, you may also try to layer your clothing when you feel cold so you don’t need to crank up your thermostat. It’s also best to get the new programmable thermostats so they can smartly adjust the temperature as appropriate without you needing to be there physically to make adjustments.  Another thing, if your heating system is not necessary for an entire space, you may get a space heater, so you only warm those places needed. 

LED Bulbs

We’ve all heard of them, but we are not all sure why. Led filament bulbs are one of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of energy we used around the house and they also save us quite a lot of money with long term use. As they last longer than normal light bulbs and require less energy, they are one of the easiest ways that we can be more environmentally friendly at home.

Turning Monitors Off

Your TV and computers may be sleeping but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still using up almost as much energy as when they are on. Therefore getting into the habit of turning off your computer and TV at the end of the day will make a big difference to your energy bills at the end of the month and is certainly doing your bit for the environment at the same time.

Carpooling

It’s been around for a while now, but there is still room for improvement. Carpooling is a fantastic way for people to share work commutes and drop children off at school and pick them up. Sharing regular, daily journeys with other people who are doing the same journey will not only give you substantial savings on your petrol bills but will also decrease your carbon footprint.

Sharing a ride can be very easy with technology today; you may book a ride from a ride-sharing app, or if you have a car, find carpooling mates on social media groups. Just ensure to vet them for your safety.  

Rechargeable Batteries

Something so small, easily falls off our radar, but batteries are a big problem for our environment so they do deserve our attention. Buying rechargeable batteries is a much more environmentally safe option as it reduces the amount of discarded batteries that are going into landfills and are damaging our planet.

Supporting Green Businesses

You can also do your bit by supporting businesses in your local community, that are doing their bit. Buying your coffee from independent cafes with ethically sourced coffee beans over the huge chain coffee powerhouses. Going for businesses that promote themselves as being totally paperless, or car hire companies that only provide electrical cars, should all get our support in order to enable sustainable companies to prosper.

As you can see, going greener at home, and in our everyday lives, needs only a little tweak here and there, in order to make a big difference.

Conclusion 

Going green is a journey and a lifestyle; choosing one tip won’t do the trick. It would be best to implement additional measures to impact mother nature the most constantly. So, start your journey now; it’s never too late.  

Reviews & Adverts

Weight Loss Plaque Review

Weight Loss Plaque

 

You probably know I’ve been on Slimming World for a few years now. I’ve been meaning to get a weight loss plaque for ages but never got round to it.

MadeAt94.com got in touch and asked if I’d like a personalised plaque so of course, I said yes!

There a few different designs; I picked one with my result for the week and my total result. I decided against one with a target on as I’m not sure what my target is going to be yet.

This little plaque is lovely. I was really impressed with the way it came packaged; It was in a silver envelope and when I was opening it, it felt like I was opening a present!

weight loss plaque in silver envelope

weight loss plaque in silver envelope

weight loss plaque in opened silver envelope

It even came with a little stick of chalk!

weight loss plaque on the wall

The plaque arrived in a week when I’d gained half a pound! Hopefully next week I’ll be able to change that plus to a minus 🙂

There are lots of different personalised plaques and framed prints that make excellent gifts for the special people in your life.

 

Please note: we were sent the item in return for an honest review

 

Gardening

Building Work In Progress – Garden Update

Building Work Has Started

 

Work on the patio has had to wait while Ant waited for his wood to be delivered.  He ordered it from B&Q at the start of last week and arranged for it to be delivered last Friday.

Friday came and part of his order arrived as expected. When he questioned why his other pieces of wood weren’t on the lorry the driver told him they were too big for his lorry and would be delivered by a different driver.
He told Ant to phone and check the status of the delivery but Ant decided to wait before phoning them.

Around 4 pm he phoned and was told the wood wasn’t on the lorry. He had to arrange delivery and they couldn’t deliver it until Tuesday.
Ant was a bit annoyed but there wasn’t anything he could about it so he just had to wait.

His wood was delivered on Tuesday. In the rain. The rain didn’t stop all day!

He didn’t get a chance to actually start work on the cover he’s building over the new patio until yesterday. Now he’s started on it, though, it’s coming on really well.

building work on the patio building work on the patio building work on the patio building work on the patio

 

 

Reviews & Adverts

How To Save Time As A Busy Parent; The Answer’s In The Palm Of Your Hand

Save Time As A Busy Parent

Being a mum (or a dad) is a busy, 24/7 job that will keep you on your toes. It can sometimes be a challenge to find the time to enjoy a little relaxation, or quality chill out moments, with your partner and loved ones. However, technology is evolving, and you’ll have access to a variety of services from your smartphone, tablet, or computer screen, that can save you valuable time and help your household run smoothly. Taking advantage of the tech and apps available in the palm of your hands could contribute towards a straightforward lifestyle and extra free time to enjoy days in the park with the kids. The following are some ideas for those who want to utilise their tech a little more and ease some of the pressure of parenting.

woman on her smart phone

Image found here

Reminders And Playdates

When you have a million and one things to do on your mind; it can be difficult to remember any meetings at the school, playdates, and coffee with your mum friends. Therefore, it’s worth figuring out how to utilise your phone’s calendar and reminder system. Little alarms can ping you a day, or a matter of hours in advance of an organised event, and it will stop the need to go and check the paper calendar hanging on the fridge. Get into the habit of typing your plans into your phone as soon as you make them; that way, you’ll be able to think about the school run, what’s for dinner, and all the other household tasks that need doing, without the worry of forgetting something. You’ll start to notice the freedom and information that little device can give and you’ll end up loving those tiny beeps and pings when a reminder comes up.

Services And Deliveries

There are a plethora of apps and websites that provide services you’d need to spend time travelling for in the past. You can have a GP at hand with the right app, which will save you the trouble of waiting in the morning for an appointment or the effort it takes to get to your local surgery in the pouring rain when you’re feeling unwell. Shopping has been given a new lease of life; both with brand and store apps, and their websites. You can do a whole weekly shop from the comfort of your own home, with a cuppa, and you won’t have to drag any uncooperative kids around the supermarket. Companies can even offer you free delivery, or they’ll be a small charge, so next week’s dinner will turn up on your doorstep just in time.

Company And Communication

It can sometimes be quite isolating and lonely as a mum; you won’t always have the time to get out and about with friends to grab lunch or a coffee so that you can feel cut-off from the world. A smartphone or tablet is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, with apps like Facebook, Whatsapp, and Twitter; you’ll be able to stay in touch with those you’re unable to see in person. You don’t have to constantly bury your head in your phone, but utilise its abilities and give yourself a bit of extra time to use as you wish.

This is a collaborative post

Books, Reviews & Adverts

Marge & The Great Train Rescue by Isla Fisher

Marge & The Great Train Rescue

 

We were recently sent 3 children’s books written by Isla Fisher. Kaycee read the first book, Marge In Charge while Ella read Marge and the Pirate baby and also the latest book, Marge And The Great Train Rescue. It’s out in paperback today and available from Amazon (see below for the links) and all good booksellers.
Both girls loved the books and I think they’re great because they have three short stories per book. It makes them a great size for bedtime reading, whether you’re reading to them or they’re reading to themselves 🙂

Ella’s Review

Marge and the great train rescue is a funny book about a babysitter who has rainbow colour hair (like a unicorn)and who is a royal duchess. This book deserves five stars because it’s so funny and creative. I would certainly want a babysitter like  Marge! The story is about Jemima and Jake Button who go on a train to the zoo. A cow is stood in the middle of the tracks. They eventually get the cow off the tracks and when they do they get to sit in the train drivers cabin. They get home just in time for their parents to arrive.

Written by Ella aged 10

Marge and the great train rescue

Marge In Charge

This review is written by Kaycee aged 12

There are three stories in one book; the first story started with the two children (Jemima and Jake) talking about how they scared off all of their previous babysitters…….then Marge turns up to the house. In the middle, Marge started changing the pre-written rules that the children’s mum had written. She made Jake eat his vegetables and even made him take a bath (which he never does), at the end of the short story the children are left to tidy up all of the mess created, and trust me there was a lot, whilst Marge had a nap! Then the parents came home, Marge had just enough time to cover her rainbow coloured hair up with a hat. 🙂

Marge is the main character, she is fun, a bit naughty and basically an adult on the out side but a child at heart. The book is set in all different places but the first story is set at the children’s home…where all of the mischiefs happens. My favourite part was..well…I don’t know, I loved it all. It was entertaining, funny and you just wanted to read on.

This book is suitable for all ages, but particularly younger readers aged 5-8. I would give this book five stars as I really enjoyed it. 🙂

 

marge in charge

Marge and the pirate baby

Marge and the great train rescue

  • Marge And The Great Train Rescue – Amazon UK

To see more book reviews, click here

Reviews & Adverts

5 Tips to Installing a New Fence While on a Tight Budget

Installing A New Fence

This is a collaborative post

There could be many reasons to put a fence around your property. Some do it for aesthetic purposes, enhancing the beauty of their homes through a well-built fence. Many enhance their property’s curb appeal with beautiful residential gates and fences Brisbane for security purposes, keeping away trespassers and burglars. Still, there are those who build fences due to the feeling of privacy it provides while others use it to keep kids and pets from running into the street. Whatever reason you may have, putting up a fence entails cost and the money needed goes higher as the area that needs to be surrounded grows bigger. Fortunately, there are still ways to install a new fence while keeping your expenses at the minimum. It only requires some hard work and good strategy.

Here are some tips to help you install a fence and keep your expenses low:


  1. Use Cheap Materials


Cheap doesn’t mean low quality, After all, settling for materials that are not durable enough for years is counter-productive to your savings goals. Find materials that cost less without sacrificing quality. Use cement posts or types of wood that are durable but cheaper. This goes with all other materials you need for building the fence.


  1. Source Out Affordable Materials Supplier


Don’t just be on the lookout for cheap, but decent alternatives. Also, look for stores, shops, and other places where you can buy them at a cheaper price. Some stores offer big discounts for bulk purchases so you may want to find out how to take advantage of this. Ask for recommendations from family and friends or search the internet.


  1. Rent Heavy Equipment


Buying equipment is costly and unwise for a one-time job. Find rental services and compare heavy equipment rental rates to determine where you can save more money. Search out as many rental companies as possible to get wider choices on where to source out your heavy equipment. As well, make sure that the equipment is of good quality even if the price is low. Half decent equipment may just give you problems along the way.


  1. Determine What Work You can DIY


Some of the tasks involved in installing a fence can be done by you. If you have time on your hands, just do it on your own to cut the cost of labour. The more things you can perform on your own, the lesser help you require, which means the lesser money you have to pay. However, do not put quality work in jeopardy for the sake of saving a few dollars.


  1. Find a Reputable but Affordable Contractor


Not all excellent contractors are costly, you just need to have the patience to seek them out. Ask for recommendations from people around you or do your own research. Make sure that your contractor will deliver a good work with an affordable budget.

new fence

There is no need to go into debt or break the bank to install your fence, with some smart steps to take, you will enjoy your new fences without spending a fortune. Follow these tips and look out for areas and details where you can save more.

Reviews & Adverts

5 Reasons to Buy an Excavator

Reasons To Buy An Excavator

5 reasons for buying an excavator
This is a collaborative post

Whether you want to increase your business capability, build a stronger portfolio, provide additional services, or replace your old heavy equipment; it requires considerable cost, which is why making the right choice of brand and model is highly necessary. Heavy equipment, like excavators, is a great help to construction and other similar businesses. While heavy equipment rentals, like hiring a powerful excavator Sunshine Coast are there for your use, looking for heavy equipment for sale and buying your own is an entirely different thing and it comes with incredible advantages that you will enjoy.

Here are some of the key benefits of purchasing an excavator:

1 Increase Business Capability

With an excavator at your disposal, you will be able to perform tedious tasks faster and more effectively. Hauling, dipping, and moving heavy materials will not be a problem anymore and your project will be completed in no time. If you are owning a construction business, this is already a great asset that you can show your clients. A company with its own heavy equipment has a better projection than those who only rent. If your business is in heavy equipment rental, an additional excavator means more income source and profit for you since you already increased your business capability.

2 Convenience and Availability

There are cases when renting an excavator can prove to be challenging due to problems in availability and technical problems. With your own excavator, you don’t need to wait in line or book for rentals as you can just take it out and proceed immediately to the tasks you need to do.

3 Potential Savings

Heavy equipment rental can be costly, especially in areas where rental company competition is very low. The accumulated cost of rental, especially for frequent use can prove to be much higher than the price of buying a new one. By considering the length and frequency of use together with the cost and comparing it to the actual price of a new excavator, you will see the practicality of purchasing a new one.

4 Usage Control and Management

Although most heavy equipment rental services do not necessarily give conditions on the allowed maximum time of equipment use, you can never be certain. You don’t know if the one you are renting has just been used by another renter and you may possibly experience a technical problem while using it that could derail your project.  With your own excavator, you can control usage and estimate the time for use so as not to push it too hard and breakdown.

5 Eventual Return of Invest

The money you use to buy new equipment will be covered eventually as the business continues. Over time, you will cover all the investment and you will still be able to use the equipment without rental cost, which is very advantageous for you in the long run.

While renting heavy equipment like an excavator also has its own set of advantages, you may want to thoroughly consider the odds of buying a new one. You need to weigh in the pros and cons of each option and determine the benefits, especially in the long term.

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