Some really good things happened in 2016

I saw this post from Matt Strange on Facebook and had to repeat it here to remind everybody that some really excellent things happened this year

 There's an Ebola Vaccine now
Child Mortality - Down across the globe
+9% survival rate in pacreatic cancer sufferers
Gene responsible for ALS found
Volunteers in India planted 50 Million trees in 24 hours
Suicide rates down globally
The Ozone layer is repairing itself
The Rabbinical assembly issued a resolution affirming the rights of trans and non conforming individuals
MIND CONTROLLED ROBOT ARMS!
Wild tigers numbers up FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 100 YEARS
Giant Pandas - No longer endangered
A solar powered plane did a world trip
Global Malaria down by 60%
Measels ERADICATED from the Americas
93% of the world's children learned to read and write - the highest percentage IN HUMAN HISTORY
China plans to be completely renewable by 2020 and has a global plan for by 2050
Huge global push in renewable energy
Norway committed 0 deforestation
Manatees - No longer endangered
Wild Wolves - Back in Europe
Wild Salmon spawning in the Connecticut river for the first time since the American revolution
Columbian white tailed deer - no longer endangered
Green Sea Turtles - NO LONGER ENDANGERED
Sea World no longer breeding captive killer whales
Humpback Whales - NO LONGER ENDANGERED
Global aid - up by 7%
Americas most generous year EVER in charity and aid
China's most generous year EVER in charity and aid at $15 Billion

Yes, some famous people you liked died, and you know what - more of them are gonna go too but take some time to look at the good and beauty in this world, good stuff is happening, learn it, support it, be part of it.

Weird & Wonderful Crisp Flavours!

This year there seems to be a competition to see who can bring out the strangest flavoured crisp or snack! These are sweet potato crisps with gingerbread flavour!

The trend started last year and I loved the prosecco crisps from Tesco's, they quickly disappeared off the shelves never to be seen again. M&S joined in this year with their Bucks Fizz crisps which had a very similar taste to them - wish I had bought 2 packets now.

I stumbled across these Limited Edition Irish Cream flavoured popcorn and I have yet to try out the Christmas Dinner crisps from the Co-op - apparently they include special sprout flavoured ones!

Proud Mum Moment

I was very proud to see my son graduate with a degree in Communication Technologies last week - I never thought we would have a Network Engineer in the family!

He has worked so hard for this - he did so well to be accepted as a BT apprentice 3 years ago, when there were hundreds of applications and acted a STEM ambassador promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths to younger students. And now he is going to study for another year to convert the degree into a BSc  hons.

And Jinny Makes 3!

Since our old tabby Pangur was put down earlier this year, we wanted another cat - but decided to wait until after our holiday before looking around.

There seem to be so many pairs of cats who wanted to be adopted together, but we could only have one. We wanted an affection cat - not a kitten, but a cat that had developed its personality. As we already have one timid cat, we didn't want another shy one.

So we have ended up with Jinny  - she is around 7/8 months old and came from Suffolk Animal Rescue. 

She is very lively and very nosy! She loves looking out of the window at the birds on the roof opposite.  Despite us buying a new cosy cat bed, she prefers to sleep in the washing basket.

We would like to change her name, but so far haven't come up with one that suits her.

Rollercoasters - Never Again!

I've just come back from a family holiday in Florida - whilst I was there I got talked into going on some rides on the theme parks.

Now, I love Harry Potter and couldn't wait to visit Diagon Alley and Hogsmead village at Universal Studios. I went on the 'Escape from Gringotts Bank' ride and hated it! I am not good with simulator rides where you get thrown around in from of a screen. If the warning signs say you should avoid of prone to motion sickness, then that is a signal to me to avoid!

So I should have known better when I then went on the 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' ride - four minutes of torture! It was even worse and I had to spent the whole ride with my eyes shut. My legs turned to jelly getting off.

Now the Tower of Terror should have been OK as it is just drop ride - no spinning around. But I didn't enjoy this either as it was very bumpy and you get to look out over the park from a height.

I learnt my lesson and refused to go on the Rock N Roll Rollercoaster and many other rides

I know my limitations and need to stick to them!

Now this is my kind of ride - the Hogwarts Express train, great fun, a little scary and a different experience depending which way you travel.

I feel like Great Uncle Bulgaria

I've been sitting a desk all day, so this evening I have just been for a nice stroll around the neighbourhood. 

 I've added 4,500 to my daily step total, caught 7 Pokemon and hatched an egg (a Zubat, if you are interested) and picked up a carrier bag full of rubbish. And also gained a small sense of accomplishment!

Pokemon Go or Pokemon Stop and Stare?

Like everyone else I have started to play Pokemon Go! This was the scene today at the beautiful Ipswich Waterfront, where, instead of people strolling around enjoying the lovely sunshine and looking at expensive yachts, they were all clustered around staring at their phones waiting for Pokemon to pop up!

At least it gets teenagers such as Libby out of their bedrooms and away from the computer! It also is something she can do with her older brother and cousins.

We also had another walk later to the local Library ( a pokestop) where someone had set up a lure and there were around 6 or 7 cars full of young people sitting and chatting together.

Trying out the Degusta Box

I read about the Degusta Box on Faiths blog - much more with less. Every month you get at least £22 of food and drink products for £12.99 (including postage).

Using Faiths link via Topcashback  - my first parcel was half price, plus £2.52 cash back - so seems a very good bargain!

I think that this months parcel is well worth it, so I will keep up the subscription for a while. 

There were lots of items in the box that I like, such as dark chocolate, apple crisps, vitamin drinks and J2O spritz. The only item I won't use is the curry mix and I will pass it on to my son.

Can't wait for next months box!!!