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  • HMRC Scam Please Be Vigilant

    SCAM!!!!! BE VIGILANT!!!! Just thought I would share this so nobody falls into the same trap that we almost did!! 😳😳 Both myself and my ex partner simultaneously received a letter from what appears to be HMRC saying that we owe a tax credit overpayment of over £800 from 2015!!!

    It wasn’t until we got together and looked into it further that we noticed some VERY discreet discrepancies that we realised we had almost been scammed!!!!! These included them being printed on page 1of 4 and 3 of 4 meaning two of the pages were missing.

    The address has only two lines, was not written in line with every other hmrc letter ever received. They have not provided the same details that hmrc puts as standard on all of their letters, and finally, the phone number provided (the one they presume people will just call in a blind panic without thinking and pay up on!) does not correspond with any number of hmrc’s. After some research into the phone number itself, we realised it is in fact a scam.

    This is scary because we are neither old or vulnerable!!!! We are people in their 20s who are very savvy to this kind of thing and yet we were almost duped!!!! 😳😳 This letter is VERY convincing so please check them carefully and contact hmrc using the number on their website (NOT THE LETTER!) if you are in doubt. I just know there are a lot of people being scammed out of their money over the next few weeks 😢😢

    Original source unknown

  • Savage Mouse Attack On Man

    So after our landlord getting someone out to do work to the house to stop mice getting in, we have been terrorized by one for the past 2 days. Constantly on edge. Anyway tonight me and james walked into the livingroom and james started going buck daft saying the mouse was up his trouser leg, pure freaking out. I’m screaming, he’s screaming, kids are crying.

    All we can see is the wee bulge of the mouse at the bottom his leg.. he’s holding his leg so it can’t crawl up any further.. he wants me to open the bottom of his trouser cuff to get it out and im like ‘nah mate, im out’. I then get the great idea to get him outside so we can let it run free. So he hobbles outside and hes trying to get me to open the cuff, im crying saying ‘nooo I cant, I really cant’.. then it dawns on us that there’s building work going on next door.. I know, ill ask a builder… james is standing there like ‘hurrry upppp😭😭’.. so I sprint in next door.. builder man opens the door and I start panic shouting in his face to open my boyfriend trouser leg to get the mouse out.. he’s in stitches.. walks into our garden to help.. I flee the scene cos yano, phobia of mice n all… im standing in the hall listening, heart going a dinger.

    James screams and the builder starts laughing.. then james laughs. It was his car key.. he’s got a hole in his pocket. I’m fucking traumatized.. kids have ptsd.. james needs new track suit bottoms.. and i need a fucking drink! Jesus christ 😂😂

    Credit Rachael McRobbie

  • How To Fix A Blocked Milk Duct

    If you’ve ever experienced a plugged duct, you may be surprised to learn that the tender lump in your breast is NOT the plug. It’s the milk backed up behind the plug. If you have a plugged duct, don’t massage BEHIND the plug.

    Instead, massage in FRONT of the lump of milk and towards the nipple, as if trying to clear a pathway. Imagine if there was a traffic jam and you could magically clear the cars away: Would you start pushing forward at the end of the line (and risk causing more of a blockage) or start at the beginning of the line and work your way back?

    Begin by kneading close to the nipple, pushing towards it. Then change the starting point so that you knead a little further back, moving closer to the lump of milk but always pushing towards the nipple. Press your other hand on the opposite side of your breast as counter-pressure. Optional: Apply a small amount of edible oil to your hands before massaging to reduce friction.

    Massaging in front of the plug is less painful and more effective than using the lump of milk behind it as a battering ram against a long stringy dried plug. Keep working it little by little because it took awhile to get there and it will take awhile to clear.

    FUN FACT: Have a milk bleb? A bleb represents an actual blocked duct, similar to the tip of white Elmer’s glue that has solidified with exposure to air.

    Credit: Dr. Smillie, “From the Perils of Block Feeding to the Magic of Milkshakes”

  • Why Is He In A Buggy?

    “Why is he in a buggy? He is big enough to walk”

    To the lady who asked me this today, I completely agree he is big enough to walk. He is well able to walk. But he prefers to run, and boy is he fast. You see my little boy has Autism. He is a runner and he is in a buggy for his own safety.

    Firstly, let me tell you a bit about his Autism, because as you can see it is a hidden disability. My little guy looks just like all other children, and I know I am biased but he is quite handsome. However he is different. But I want you to know different isn’t always bad. He is simply wired differently. He can understand what you say to him, but he cannot answer you, because Autism has robbed him of his little voice, for now. He may react to bright lights, loud noises, crowds or textures. This is because his senses are a lot more sensitive than ours. You may hear him humming or see him flapping his hands. This is him stimming (how he regulates himself). His Autism may make him different but he is AMAZING.

    So let’s get back to your question, the buggy. I get why you ask. It is quite strange to see a boy of his age in a buggy. But you see he is in there for his safety. My little boy sees no danger in anything. Once he is free he will run. He will run out onto a road, in front of a car. He will run into the middle of a crowd. He will run anywhere. He can be a danger to himself and others. Holding his hand is not an option, I have never seen someone so good a wriggling out of my grip. And just like that he is GONE. Queue the panic.

    He will run into shops, grabbing what he likes on the way. He will run behind counters. Sit down with random people. He will raid their shopping bags. And when he becomes over stimulated you will see his hands go to his ears, he will lie on the floor and he will cry. Because you see it all gets too much for him. Lights are a major trigger for him, and boy are they everywhere. He is so fast, I mean super fast. My biggest fear is that he will get lost. He cannot answer if I call his name. He cannot tell anyone who he is. How would I find him?

    A buggy means all of this is avoided. My little boy is able to enjoy his trip to the shops (even though it may be like flash lightening) I know the shops where the lights don’t agree with him, we avoid them. I can avoid him having to get into the crowds. We can avoid the sensory overload. And most of all, when he is in his buggy he is safe. He is not in danger. He can not run off. He can not get lost.

    We have to go through the motions of everyday life, just like everyone else. We still have to go and get his foot measured for new shoes. We still have to get food in the shops. We still enjoy having a walk around the city centre on our days off. And a buggy means we can do these things, it means my little boy can experience every day things.

    I know his buggy may stand out, it is bigger and taller because it is a special buggy. A buggy for children just like my little boy. Children who need to be kept safe in there for a little longer. I see the looks when I push him around. I hear the comments people pass as they walk past us. I think I have gotten to the stage where I ignore them. I wish he could walk with me and hold my hand, but once he is safe and happy that is all that matters to me.

    So thank you for actually asking me. Thank you for asking me why.

    You are right, he is big enough to walk, but I hope you understand why, for now, he needs his buggy. Why I need his buggy. Hopefully one day you will see us walking around holding hands, with no wheels. You see we now have a service puppy in training. Her name is Willow. Willow will be trained to keep Riley safe. The aim is for them to be attached to each other while we are out and about, allowing Riley to walk independently. (And allowing us to ditch the buggy). Willow will give my little guy his independence back. She will help him beyond belief. Hopefully we will be able to stop and have another chat with you, this time you can ask all about his service dog.

    Hopefully.

    But for now, I hope you understand, the buggy must stay.

    All our love

    Riley’s mom

    Please take a look at their amazing page on Facebok, My Boy Blue or follow the below link

    https://www.facebook.com/myboyblue2017/

  • The Things A Mother Gives Up Would Leave Most People Empty

    The things a mother gives up would leave most people empty – but as mothers we hold ourselves high. We do our jobs, and we do it good! It’s never-ending hours and requirements most would rather pass on.

    – No sick days

    – No calling in

    – No personal days

    – No vacations

    – No privacy

    – No alone time

    – No personal space

    – No quitting

    – No sleep

    – No putting yourself first

    – No stopping

    Yeah, it’s a lot of no’s…

    Why do you do it then, you ask?

    Because. – Because, you are their mother. You gave birth to the most precious beings in your life. Because you have loved them before you knew them. Because you would give your life for them. Because the smiles and unconditional love you receive is more than any sacrifice you have ever made.

    Sure, it’s hard. Yeah, it has its days when you want to give up. When you want to cry your eyes out and run away. But you made a promise to care and love for these little beings. And damn it, that’s something you take very seriously!

    You are a mother, and no matter the struggles and self-doubt… You have one hell of a job, and you do it well!

    Keep it up Queen 👸

    Written by – Kendra Myler

  • I Hate School What Is It Teaching Me-Nothing!

    I hate school – and no it’s not because ‘i’m a teenager’ and don’t like waking up at 7:00am every morning, it’s because the school system isn’t about learning anymore, it’s about passing. Pretty much every teenager ever is so stressed out about school that they suffer with mental health issues, fake illnesses and even try to kill themselves but yet nobody has thought to themselves “maybe our system is flawed” and instead given teenagers the reputation of ‘kids that are lazy and selfish’ like whats up with that?

    I mean, who really cares about finding the area of a stupid triangle? Teach me how to raise a family, drive a car, get a job, pay bills and LIVE A HAPPY LIFE! I’m forced to sit in a classroom for 6 hours straight and learn about things that I’m not interested in and will probably never use in my life after my exams. And what really annoys me is that teachers don’t understand that some students suffer from mental health disorders like social anxiety and force them to talk in class for a high-grade, or that some students suffer with depression and teachers just assume they are moody and negative all the time.

    Students are in tears every single night and wake up every single morning wanting to throw up at the thought of going to school, thinking that they’d rather be dead than go to school. How is that fair? The fact that i have to choose between my grades and my health is really messed up. X

    India Gallowayy

  • Company Changing Babies Skin Colour

    This truly upset me and I hope anyone who follows or purchases from this company (PatPat)will reconsider.

    This beautiful baby had the colour of her skin and eyes lightened as well as makeup photo shopped on to her face. I read that her mother was also upset about this. What message does this send? Light skin is not more beautiful than dark skin. Light eyes are not better and a baby should never be photoshopped and sexualized in this way. I hope this company loses a lot of business for this choice. And I don’t EVER post negative things like this. This just cant be accepted.

    PatPat is an online childrens clothing company who also have an app.

    This is a multi faceted issue. One issue is the message being sent to beautiful little girls of color telling them they aren’t perfect just the way they are. The other issue is the way our society is sexualizing children and robbing them of innocence and purity.

    Both are equally tragic realities of the world we live in and must change.

     

     

    CreditAshley Grimm

  • Test For Parvovirus To Prevent Another Babies Death

    A very close friend and her Husband lost their beautiful baby girl Sophie in December 2018 due to the Parvovirus not being detected before childbirth, her 40 hours on this earth were so precious to those around her, but her chances would have been doubled and more If she could have been treated in the womb. 

    Require a routine blood test during pregnancy for ParvovirusB19

    ParvovirusB19 affects between 2500 and 5000 pregnancies each year in the EU. The disease is easily diagnosed and advances in the treatment can increase the chance of foetal survival. Currently blood tests are not routinely checked for this disease.

    Parvovirus B19 is a virus that commonly infects children. It is usually transmitted by coughing and sneezing (respiratory droplets). Hand washing is important in helping to prevent spread. School teachers, childcare workers and mothers of young children are particularly likely to be exposed to this virus as it is commonest amongst younger school age children, but everyone can be exposed to it.

    For most healthy people, Parvovirus B19 causes a mild, self-limiting illness which is followed by life-long immunity.
    The Human Parvovirus B19 is not the same Parvovirus that vets may be concerned about in pets, especially dogs, and it cannot be passed from humans to animals or vice versa.

    In women who are not immune, infection in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can lead to serious problems for your baby before it is born. This would usually happen three to five weeks after the onset of maternal infection, but can be later

    Please sign the petition below

    https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/243867

  • You’re going to lose people along the way, my friend

    You’re Going To Lose People Along The Way

    And it will hurt like hell….

    You’re going to lose people along the way

    People you thought you’d never lose.

    People you truly believed would always be there.

    And it’s going to hurt like hell.

    But that, my friend, is life

    People change, relationships change. Some evolve. Some disintegrate.

    Some people leave through no will of their own and that hurts the most. They didn’t want to go.

    But you, you will survive it all.

    You will.

    You will look back and realise that the people you need, really need, are still here.

    And that the other relationships you lost along the way, have taught you something that made you better.

    And that’s life.

    Hold close those, who are in your life now, and remember the ones who left, fondly. Even the ones who broke your heart.

    Regret nothing.

    Use the feelings of pain, to commit to a life here and now, a life where you take no one or nothing for granted. Where you cherish every minute with those people you love.

    You’re going to lose people along the way, my friend.

    But that is life.

    Every minute counts.

  • This Medication Allows Me To Deal With Life

    I nearly stopped myself from posting this. Numerous times.  Because I didn’t want to be one of ‘those’ people. I didn’t want to be another blogger with another mental health issue. I didn’t want to lay out a sympathy post. But for those of you who know me & those of you who don’t. I have a secret to tell you.

    So if your unlucky enough to know what these tablets are, then I don’t have to describe to you what this post is regarding. But if you don’t I will fill you in.

    That medication allows me to deal with a normal day to day life. Although most days it leaves me tired, spaced out and emotionless. Crazy right?  Why would anyone want to feel like that. Well this is why.

    You see I suffer from depression and anxiety. My anxiety is usually spurred on by a ‘dark’ mood. Let me start by saying, I don’t have suicidal thoughts, I never have & I hopefully never will. My depression takes me to other places. Simple things like relationships and friendships become so trivial, so complicated.

    In my brain it doesn’t sit right, something seems different. I notice little differences that ‘normal’ people wouldn’t notice.

    That comment you didn’t tag me in, but you tagged other people? I saw that, why didn’t you tag me? What’s up with me?

    You read that message, I saw you did, but you didn’t reply.. why didn’t you reply? Have I done something to upset you?

    You didn’t say I love you on the phone.. do you not love me anymore? Do you love someone else instead?

    They just made a comment about me. Was it a joke? Was I supposed to laugh? Or do they mean it? Are they being nice? Are they talking about me? Do they talk about me? I bet they hate me.

    Am I doing this right? Is this what a dad should do? What if this is wrong. Oh god. What if someone reports me. What if they take my kids. Should I hide? Should I leave. I’m a bad dad. I can’t do this.

    Am I good enough? Should I just run away and hide?

    And for all those questions I will spend hours trying to answer. Let it all build up in my mind, until it sends me to tears…… it’s mental that isn’t it. That I see things that way. Some call it psycho but what it really is.. is a mental illness.

    It’s not only mental changes, but physical changes. I eat a lot, mainly rubbish, because I need it now and I need the energy from lack of sleep. Insomnia, up all night answering questions to situations that don’t even exists.

    I still smile and I have every excuse for when you ask why.

    But this tablet helps me.

    Because I know when I start to feel this way or think this way, I need help.

    I know that when my behaviour starts to change, I need guidance.

    And I understand that I don’t need to be ashamed. I don’t need to be understood. I just need to be accepted. Everyone is fighting a battle and sometimes you need to be kinder.

    So I may just be another blogger who’s talking about mental health. But this is the reason for my silence recently. For my lack of posts. For my lack of enthusiasm.

    And to my friends and family. I love you and I’m grateful, because living with this illness is hard, but trying to understand it, is harder.

    Don’t suffer in silence.

    #speakout

    Full Credit to he amazing David Marshall