Wednesday 30 September 2015

October's Theme - The Online World

Time for this month's theme reveal! The theme will be the online world. As bloggers, we spend so much time online. This month will look at social media, the good and the bad, plus some of my favourite websites.

October's Theme - The Online WorldAs always, I welcome guest posts as long as they fit the theme of being related to the online world. For more details and how to submit a post, click here.

I am really looking forward to exploring this theme and I hope you are looking forward to reading all about it :) There will be lots going on, and you can subscribe to post updates via email, or follow me on Bloglovin' to make sure you never miss a post (widgets for both are in the sidebar).

Some favourite features will still be running: #AnythingGoes link up, thought of the day, Avon Haul and some book reviews :)

If there is anything in particular you would like to see me write about for this topic, don't be shy, let me know in the comments or drop me an email!

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!


Tuesday 29 September 2015

My Monthly Reflections - September

My Monthly Reflections - September

This month's theme was sex, love and relationships. I loved this topic because there is so much choice about what to write about! After a brainstorming session, I had a list that was mostly sex! I had to scrap an idea or two to include the love and relationship side a bit more, so I stuck with the things I felt most strongly about.
I decided to do a post about what true love means, and it occurred to me that the answer is different for everyone, so I posed the question to my readers as well and did a 3 part series on the topic. I thorough enjoyed reading everyone else's thoughts on it.
I did find myself double posting again quite a few days, but because I only had one post a day scheduled, and the others where just when inspiration hit, the pressure was off and it felt good and much less forced than when I planned two posts per day.
There were two posts I had scheduled which in the end I decided against posting. I planned to write them because they were both about something I feel quite strongly about, but when I thought about it, I was worried people would think I had posted them just to be controversial. Although I do write some posts that may be controversial, I don't write them for that reason, and with these, I felt like it would come across that I had.

Here's this month's round up:

My most viewed posts (Excluding linkys):
1. Why Are STDs Still Seen As Taboo?
2. Gender Roles In Relationships
3. The Importance Of Teaching Consent

My Least Viewed Posts (Excluding guest posts):
1. Book Review: Toys by James Patterson
2. Mesothelioma Awareness Day
3. What True Love Means To Me - Blogger's Edition 2 (I think the reason for this was I had used the same image across this post and part 1, and I think with that and the very similar link, people seeing my tweets who had read part 1, may have thought this was the same post.)

If you have a minute (and a cuppa!), why not check out my most popular posts, or show some of the less popular ones a little love!
What were your best and worst posts this month?
 
You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!

Super Busy Mum
Run Jump Scrap!
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Let's Talk Mommy
Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com
You Baby Me Mummy
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Monday 28 September 2015

Book Review: No Rest For The Wicked by Dane Cobain

My review of No Rest For The Wicked by Dane Cobain
 
Book Review: No Rest For The Wicked by Dane Cobain
The cover design currently on Amazon
 
Blurb from the back cover
 
When the Angels attack, there's NO REST FOR THE WICKED. Father Montgomery, an elderly priest with a secret past, begins to investigate after his parishioners come under attack, and with the help of Jones, a young businessman with an estranged child, Montgomery begins to track down the origin of the Angels. The Angels are naked and androgynous. They speak in a dreadful harmony with no clear leader. These aren't biblical cherubs tasked with the protection of the righteous - these are deadly creatures of light that have the power to completely eradicate. When Jones himself is attacked, Father Montgomery knows he has to act fast. He speaks to the Angels and organises a final showdown where he's asked to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My thoughts on the book
 
I enjoyed this book. I love how Dane Cobain portrays the Angels. They are definitely not the traditional angel. There are a lot of blurred lines between good and evil, which I liked. I also liked the way religion and science are combined in the book, and become intermingled, and the way the main character puts the pieces together.
The book has a few scenes where the Angels visit various people and pass judgement, plus a sub plot from the past, which all ties together nicely at the end. I won't spoil the ending, but there is a great twist.
It's well written and I love how the Angels are described.
If I had to be picky, I would have liked a bit more information in the back story, but I understand why that wasn't the case as I think it would have detracted from the main plot too much. There was still enough to understand what was going on and how it all tied in.
 
Conclusion and rating
 
This book is short enough to read in one sitting, which I liked as once you get going, you don't want to put it down. I think it's technically a novella, but I felt it was just the right length, if it was longer it would have been pointless padding, but at this length, it's fast paced and interesting.
After reading it, I'm still not sure whether I would categorise it as sci-fi or horror, I think probably a bit of both!
Overall, I enjoyed it, and I will be keeping a look out for Dane Cobain's books in the future! 4/5
 
Book Review: No Rest For The Wicked by Dane Cobain
The original cover design and title

Available now from Amazon, click here to purchase (not an affiliate link).

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!
 
I was gifted this book in return for my review, but all opinions are my own. As an avid reader, I would never recommend a book I didn't really enjoy!
The Blog Centre Showcase Tuesday
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Sunday 27 September 2015

Anything Goes Linky Week 16

Anything Goes Linky Week 16

Welcome to the Anything Goes linky, week 16! This linky is for any type of posts on any subject. Literally Anything Goes! It will run from 12.05am Monday to 11.55pm the following Sunday, so there is plenty time to link up. And if you link up early, feel free to pop back and check out some of the later link ups - you never know when you will find your new favourite blog!

I will be adding pinnable images to my #AnythingGoes Pinterest board, check it out here www.pinterest.com/randommusings29

If you are new to linkys, Becky at Cuddle Fairy has written a fantastic guide on how to link your posts, which you can read here: http://www.cuddlefairy.com/the-linky-guide-1/


There seems to be some confusion about the "name" part of the linking up process. This is the name of the post (or the name you want displaying) rather than your name.

I would just like to say a big thank you to each and every one of you who link up. Whether you have been here from the beginning, linking up each week, or if this is your first time here (and everything in between), thank you for helping make this linky a success!

How it works
 
1. Link up to 3 posts, old or new, per week
 
2. Please add my badge to any linked up posts - copy and paste the code below into the HTML section of your post.

3 Please read and comment on at least 2 other posts, but feel free to do as many as you want to! The more you share the love, the more love you will get back!

4. To keep up to date with what's happening when, feel free to follow me on Twitter @randommusings29
 5. Share your post's URL on Twitter using #AnythingGoes and tag me @randommusings29 and I will retweet (as many times as you want to!).

I look forward to reading all your posts! Everyone welcome :)

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!
My Random Musings
 
 

Thought Of The Day - Week 20

Welcome to this week's thought of the day round up!
 
Monday

Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
Don't be afraid to try new things. If you don't like them, there's no rule to say you have to keep doing them!
 
Tuesday
 
Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
Sometimes, all you need is a hug and someone to tell you everything is going to be ok.
 
Wednesday
 
Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
Blog photography: The art of buying things you don't want or need because they will look great in your photos.
 
Thursday
 
Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
Your best is good enough - anyone who tells you differently is someone you don't need in your life!
 
Friday
 
Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
No one expects you to be perfect but you. It's ok to relax a little now and again!
 
Saturday
 
Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
Everyone needs that one friend you can just be totally yourself with!
 
Sunday
 
Thought Of The Day - Week 20
 
Take a moment to remind yourself of all the good things in your life.
 
 
Which one is you favourite? Let me know in the comments :)
 
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Cuddle Fairy
You Baby Me Mummy
What Katy Said
 
 
 
 












You Are A Blogger When...

You Are A Blogger When...
 
Bloggers. We are so different, yet so similar to each other. Whatever our niche, topic or the size of our blogs, there are some things we all do. Things that may seem crazy to non bloggers, but to us seem like normal things to do.
 
They are the signs you are a blogger at heart. What are they?
Check out my guest post here, live now over at Cuddle Fairy to find out!
Don't forget to let me know how many points you check off!

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!


Saturday 26 September 2015

What True Love Means To Me - Blogger's Edition 2

What True Love Means To Me - Blogger's Edition 2On Friday, I told you all what true love meant to me, which you can read here.

At the beginning of the month, I posed the question to my readers, "What does true love mean to you", and asked anyone who wanted to take part to write a paragraph or two on the subject.

Thank you to everyone who responded. The answers I received were brilliant, they all had different angles and perspectives and I discovered aspects of love I had never even considered. I love hearing what others think of topics that I write about.

The first of your answers where posted yesterday, have a look here if you missed it. Here are the second lot of answers :)

@youbabymemummy from You Baby Me Mummy
True love is having someone that is the other half of you, simple as that

@dementedjan from Rambles, Rants and Writings
Being asked what true love means to me was a tough question, because it’s hard to describe.  My partner and I are very close and I like to think that it’s true love (but don’t we all). 
For me true love is made of several components and for me the main five are: love, trust, respect, care, and consideration that you show one another.  Love is something that I don’t think you have any control over and it means everything to you.  It’s something that would leave a hole if it wasn’t there and you couldn’t be yourself if you didn’t have it.  As well as the above I always think honesty plays an important factor too – you have to be able to be honest with each other and talk to each other about anything.
True love is slightly different because to me it means that the other person shows you the same love, trust, respect, care and consideration in return and would also not be themselves without you.  Its real love, not one sided (for instance I know people who think they love someone but the other doesn’t return the five elements I mention: love, respect, trust, care, consideration) and it’s true to you and true to the person you feel it for. 
It doesn’t even have to be perfect, just honest and works both ways.  I used my partner as an example but I don’t think you are limited there, as I like to think it is true love I have with my children, my Mum and my sister too! 
 
@NottingHillDaddy
Love. Such a Universal entity and yet a totally subjective word.
I am fortunate enough to have experienced it, but would be foolish to attempt explaining the true meaning of love.
How many words can fill up an ocean of emotion that you feel for someone?
It's misery, it's joy, it's an apple. 
Let's put all the words of every language in a blender and make a smoothie.
It's impossible to explain the true meaning of love!
But there is a test for it.
To know if you truly love someone, imagine you are both at the edge of a cliff.
One of you has to jump and you have to choose which one.
If your answer is yourself, congratulations, you are truly in love with that person.
 
@RunJumpScrap from Run Jump Scrap
If we are talking about love for partners, true love to me is not having to pretend with someone. You can be you and not fear being judged and know your crazy idiosyncrasies are accepted. True love is having a lover (which some may not agree but I do think sex is a reasonable part of a successful relationship!) and a best friend, someone you would do anything for and someone you can trust and rely on completely.
 
@Daysinbed from Days in Bed
After having 3 serious relationships i can now see what true love really is. love is being kind, patient, understanding, overlooking one another's faults, wanting to spend time together, missing one another when your apart for a long time, caring for one another when you are sick. True love is my husband who has never said something to hurt or upset me, never beat me or caused emotional suffering. He is my true love.
 
@Fortheloveto from For The Love To
I also believe that true love grow with time and it gets stronger as you get older... True love is support each other through good and bad, it not only being a couple but also being partners, best friends, great companions.
 
@thirstydaddy from Thirsty Daddy
True Love isn't words, but it isn't actions either. It is about motivation. It’s about selflessness and sacrifice. True love is looking at somebody and realizing that there is nothing that you wouldn't do to make this person happy. True love is when you realize that your happiness is now tied to how this person feels. It’s not an emotion, it's a transformation. It's the moment you look at your child for the first time. It’s when you look at the person you are with and realize everything is different now.
 
@Mrs_Tubbs from Someplace Strange
True love is about committing each day to loving that person, putting them first and then, waking up the next day and doing it all again. Whatever the circumstances.
 
 
Thank you again to everyone who took part.
Do you agree? Let me know in the comments :)
You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 




Friday 25 September 2015

What True Love Means To Me - Blogger's Edition 1

What True Love Means To Me - Blogger's Edition 1
Yesterday, I told you all what true love meant to me, which you can read here.

At the beginning of the month, I posed the question to my readers, "What does true love mean to you", and asked anyone who wanted to take part to write a paragraph or two on the subject.

Thank you to everyone who responded. The answers I received were brilliant, they all had different angles and perspectives and I discovered aspects of love I had never even considered. I love hearing what others think of topics that I write about.

Here are the first of your answers :)



@poothead from Poot's Notes
I used to not believe that true love existed, and that there was only lust. I have changed my idea as I have gotten older. I think that the love for your husband/wife can be true. It feels like the world would end without them, and that they would do anything for you no matter what it is. Someone that can sweep you off your feet, someone that you can tell anything to, and be yourself with. If you can find someone to accept you and all your issues, then they are a keeper. :) Now true love with your children is another issue entirely. It is a different type of love, one that never ends, one where you would do anything for your kids no matter what, a love that is so sweet and serious but loving and fun all at the same time. The love where you cry if they are hurt and are mad if someone tries to hurt them. A love where you would take their pain for them, or die for them. I think you can love your siblings and parents like that too, one where the love will never end no matter what and you would do anything for them. And your pets too. We love them just like we do our family because they are family too. :)
 
@adropofindigo from A Drop of Indigo

I think true love is mostly about being yourself, about feeling like you belong but feeling free at the same time. It's someone that makes you laugh every day and that gets your silly jokes. Someone that shares your lowest times, but also inspires you to be better than you could have imagined. You know...like chocolate...but a person :)

@hardluckhero from David Lucio
Real love should shake you to your core, both when you find it and when you lose it. It shouldn't ever be replaceable. Instead, that love will stay with you for all time... even if the person doesn't.
Real love should hurt as much as it heals, because it's a double-edged sword. And you shouldn't be able to just choose who you love and who you don't; real love isn't a choice.
This is an extract from this post, check it out!

 
@PoopRainbowMama from My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows
To me love is when someone can put up with you indefinitely, faults and all. Someone who still wants to spend time with you after they've heard all your stories and jokes. Someone you can't wait to tell when something good, bad or funny happens to you. Someone you can't picture living without. Someone worth fighting through the hard times for.
 
@RockinRandomMom from Rockin' Random Mom
True love is the love I have for my children. My definition of true love is that undefinable and overwhelming love that I feel for my children and I know it will never go away. When it comes to romantic love, I'm a bit jaded and don't really put a lot of stock in it so the term True love doesn't sit right with me. But if I was to believe in romantic love being true, I prefer real love, or genuine love. It doesn't sound as catchy as true love but it sounds more real, at least to me, and real love is accepting the other person completely, and they accept you, flaws and all. Being with a person who brings out the very best in you and you bring out the best in that person, is something that happens naturally. That person becomes your best friend, your biggest fan, and your equal. You "get" each other. That's what I'll be looking for when I am ready to put myself back out there anyway.
 
@honestmummy from Honest Mum
True love is unconditional, it's a love that grows freely and daily-and overcomes adversity/ obstacles, I feel that with my husband, Peter (he is the ying to my yang) and of course kids- true love shouldn't be restricted to sexual love only, it can apply to your family.
 
@WhatKatySaidUK from What Katy Said
True love for me that feeling that you cannot bear to be apart from that person. That you are a part of them and they are a part of you. I feel that love for my children, I felt it from the moment they were born. I feel it for my husband too, I think I am lucky that I married my best friend, my one true soul mate and so he is a part of me too. Whether it is my husband or my children there is no pretence, they know me and I know them. Love can be blind but true love is seeing someone with your eyes wide open.
 
@Jenoir_84 from Jenny on a Plate
For me, true love is being accepted for who you truly are, and being able to do the same for the person - or people - in your life that you truly love. This applies not only to your partner but your family and friends. True love is seeing who one another really is, behind all of the facades that we all inevitably put up, and accepting and forgiving the mistakes that that person makes.
 
Thank you again to everyone who took part. Check back in again tomorrow for part 2!
 
Do you agree? Let me know in the comments :)
 
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The Dad Network
thumbnailsize Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 



Mesothelioma Awareness Day

Did you know today was mesothelioma awareness day? No? I didn't either. In fact I hadn't even heard of mesothelioma until very recently when Cameron, a fellow blogger, spoke to me about how he was trying to raise awareness of this rare form of cancer.

Mesothelioma Awareness DayMesothelioma is a very aggressive form of lung cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos. Although banned here in the UK, unbelievably, asbestos is still legal in the USA and Canada!

Of the 3000 people who contract mesothelioma annually in the US, 2500 will die in under a year. That is a very scary statistic.

Cameron is raising awareness of this disease, which would be preventable if asbestos was banned, as a tribute to his wife Heather, who despite the odds, beat this cancer. You can read more from Heather here. Including a way to dedicate your Facebook or Twitter status to help raise further awareness.

To find out more about mesothelioma, or if you or a family member are affected by this cancer and would like some extra information, this site has a wealth of information.

Also, have a look here, here and here for some more fab posts by other bloggers Abidya, Lux and Susan respectively.

Please take 30 seconds out of your day to Tweet or Facebook about this. I'm not asking you to share this post (but feel free if you want to :)) just mention mesothelioma awareness day!

Had you heard of this type of cancer? Let me know in the comments :)
 
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Image courtesy of Google Images

Thursday 24 September 2015

Demon Road And Geek Girl Giveaway

Demon Road And Geek Girl Giveaway
Demon Road And Geek Girl GiveawayRecently, I reviewed Demon Road by Derek Landy and Geek Girl All That Glitters by Holly Smale. They were both brilliant books, you can read the reviews here Demon Road and Geek Girl. And now, I have one copy of each to giveaway! How exciting is that?!

Entry is really easy, just see below for the different ways to enter! With Christmas fast approaching (sorry!), even if you're not a reader yourself, these would make great gifts for the book lovers in your life.

The giveaway ends on 2nd October. The winner will drawn at random from the valid entries and will be notified by email and announced on here and on Twitter!


Good luck guys!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!
The Dad Network
Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

What True Love Means To Me

What does true love mean to me? I think true love is hard to define as one single thing, so I have compiled a list of all the things true love means to me:

What True Love Means To Me* Trust
* Honesty
* Loyalty
* Understanding each other
* Mutual respect
* Amazing sex
* Goosebumps and butterflies
* Knowing someone is always in your corner
* Growing old together
* Putting that person before yourself
* Compromise
* Being yourself with no fear of rejection or judgement
* Accepting someone exactly as they are and not trying to change them
* Feeling empty when they are not around
* Looking to the future and always seeing them by your side
* Wondering how you ever felt whole before you met them
* Giving someone the power to break your heart, and hoping they won't
* Being able to tell someone anything
* Stability

The list is in particular order, and is by no means exhaustive, but those are what come to my mind when I think about true love.

I think true love is when the first flush of excitement and newness wears away. The person is now a constant in your life. The best behaviour mode has slipped, you've seen each other at your best and at your worst and you still want to be with each other.

You feel like that person is your best friend, your soul mate, someone you can't imagine living without.

You would walk through fire for them, move the world for them.

When they touch you, you feel alive.

When they aren't around, you feel like a part of you is missing. They are truly your other half - the yin to your yang, the cheese to your pickle, the gin to your tonic.

They make you laugh, cry, and want to dance for joy.

Even at their worst, you know you wouldn't be without them, and at their best you feel like the luckiest person in the world to have them in your life.

You would never let them go, and together, you can beat any odds.

And I can't resist sharing one of my favourite quotes. Although jokey, I think it says a lot about accepting people when they are at their worst as well as their best, and that's what loving someone is really all about.

What True Love Means To Me

Check back tomorrow and Sunday for the "What true love means to me, bloggers edition" where other bloggers (and some non-bloggers) have shared their thoughts on what true love means to them!

What do you think? Let me know in the comments :)

You can find me here: Twitter Bloglovin Pinterest and Instagram Please do stop by and say hi!


Daysinbed.com
You Baby Me Mummy
Mama-andmore
 
Zenas Suitcase

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Guest Post By Samy - Sex: The Good And The Bad!

Today's post is a guest post by Samy from Diary of an African Gyal (link at the end). If you haven't yet visited Samy's blog, here is a little more about her:
My name is Samy Tshimanga, I am a freelance blogger, columnist and media consultant.
Africa is home so I'm concerned with all her affairs. When I'm not writing, I am traveling and enjoying the different tastes of wine. I'm based in the U.S
Onto Samy's brilliant post about good and bad sex!


Sex: The Good And The Bad! by Samy
 


Guest Post by Sammy. Sex: The Good And The Bad!SEX ! The word that seems to bring us together but also can put us in different categories.  Also the word makes some of us feel uncomfortable for one reason or another. However, it is an activity that we all participate in. Just like activities you can be really good at it or really bad at it.

I hate to say it but we have all been a victim of bad sex! If you haven’t then you are lying or you just got real lucky. For some of the rest of us, we have. Now what constitutes as good sex? Or bad sex? Is there such thing?

This is clearly my opinion based on my experience. Now sex is like dancing you have to have rhythm. There has to be some flow to it. Guys girls don’t like to be rammed until the daylight comes. Girls don’t like when you just lay there and play dead either. Sex is a way to communicate with your partner. Your bodies do the talking. So listen to them. 

Sex is good when 2 things happen.

1)      When you are in love with your partner and your connection runs deep. So the emotional connection makes the sex 10 times better.

2)      I said sex is a way to communicate with your partner. With that being said, you have to tell what you like and what you don’t like. Don’t expect them to know if you don’t tell them.

 

Now what’s bad sex?

Remember the very 1st time you had sex? Ok it was bad because you were inexperienced and did not know what it is going on. Let’s fast forward.

Bad sex:

1)      When there is no FOREPLAY involved! NO FOREPLAY! It goes all downhill from there. In the winter you just don’t turn your car on and drive. You let it heat up. Well that goes for women, turn us on and you are ensured a good time.

 

2)      3 PUMPS and DONE! (What about me? It takes a woman longer to reach her climax point.  So take your time.  It is not a competition, I promise.  There is nothing more pleasing when you climax simultaneously. *music to my ears*  

 

3)      DRUNK SEX ! No you would think the opposite because you are all hot and bothered. NOPE!  It’s all bad because it is actually your worst performance for many different reasons.  Both are sloppy. The fear someone might pass out (oops that was me).  I just fell asleep because alcohol makes me sleepy. 

 

Now I mentioned what’s good and what’s bad ? However notice I did not mention anything about size. Here is why. Size is not going to be the determinant. My motto “it isn’t the size of the ocean, it’s the motion of the ocean.” Meaning that just because he is huge does not necessary mean you are in for a good time. Just because of the misconception that small is bad, it ain’t all bad and bigger isn’t necessary better.

Overall sex is meant to be fun and relaxing. But here is my good citizen PSA: protect yourself and don’t go screwing everyone because you can. Have smart fun sex !

Happy F**king J
 
 

 

Time to show Samy some love! Visit her blog, follow her on Twitter, check out her magazine Dunia Magazine/Applause Africa, and of course, leave her some lovely comments below :)

 

 




Super Busy Mum