tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74571649936476893592024-02-20T09:44:14.629-08:00MD, Mum and Army Wife, not necessarily in that order!The life & times of being a busy multi-tasking Mum and Managing Director who has a husband living in another country!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-68635600401190711672013-10-24T22:36:00.002-07:002013-10-24T22:36:21.450-07:00Exhibitions - Time to Ring the Changes?I have lost count of how many shows I have done since I launched huddle & Bliss at a consumer show at Excel in 2008. What I do know is that as a small family business the commitment is not only financial but logistical, emotional and damned hard work before and after.
Following ExCel in February 2014 I have decided that huddle & bliss will take a break from doing our usual exhibitions and explore new avenues. It seems I am not alone!
For over a year now I have been having second thoughts and misgivings about shows and exhibitions. It was one of my nagging ‘gut feel’ things which seems to have been reinforced during the course of 2013. This time last year I had already planned not to rebook Earls Court /Olympia – this decision was reinforced when we and many others had a dismal show at Earls Court! We tried a few alternatives throughout the course of the year.
I have always treated exhibitions as a marketing cost, never under the illusion that I will necessarily walk away with an immediate profit on the day. From the beginning I saw the bigger picture – publicity, exposure , networking and meeting your trade and consumer market directly. Essentials, particularly the latter for solely online businesses like mine. But 6 years in I really can now say that with a couple of exceptions they have always left me feeling a little disappointed, even taking the follow up business into consideration.
The most recent exception was our presence at the Conservative Party Conference. It was a late booking and was an amazing experience all round. A great opportunity to showcase our wares, ethos and British-manufacturing to a completely different audience. It has paid dividends.
At our usual exhibitions the number of new exhibitors who have approached me at shows to ask ‘is this normal’ ‘how is it going for you?’ and expressing general disappointment has increased considerably in the last year or two. Many of these people have invested their life-savings, their redundancy money, or borrowed funds from family to pay for their stand. This is in contrast to the larger brands for who this type of expenditure is just small change. Small business cannot simply compete with them on any number of fronts.
This leads me onto one of my qualms about these events: big brands. None, if any of these events offer a special small business package to cater to the needs and budgets of new start-ups and truly small business. Yes they may negotiate a little on optional extras like lighting and power, or reduce stand costs at the last minute rather than have empty space. But on the whole the little guys pay the same per square metre as the big guys. You will be enticed into rebooking a year in advance at a preferential rate when you haven’t even really seen the full outcome. My advice, don’t do it! Wait analyse the event as a whole, including the 3 month follow up and make an informed decision.
Visitors to our stand have mentioned numerous times in recent shows, how disappointed they are that there are so many big brands present. As a consumer I too would be very unhappy to have paid a considerable ticket price to enter one of these events to be confronted with Mammas & Pappas, Marks & Spencer or Babies R Us or sometimes all three and more! When we chat to clients they tell us they go to this type of event to find niche brands and something different from the average generic high street that we all have access to on a daily basis.
I do not deny that the events management companies have a very difficult balancing act to achieve. They need to fill the venue, they need to attract the right balance of exhibitors and need to attract a large and eager consumer audience. But I really am not sure that this is the way forward, certainly for huddle & bliss. I cannot escape the feeling that the independent exhibitors are being somewhat short-changed. For what I have spent on shows & exhibitions in a year I could have rented a local high street shop. And although I know they say the high street is dead, I am confident the overall takings would have been far greater. In fact the cost of a mid-sized stand at Earls Court for 3 days is slightly less than a years local shop rental. Add in your hotel, travel, subsistence and marketing costs and they are fairly balanced.
In my experience, advance-purchase ticketed shows are better rather than free or pay on the door kind. Note, you will be told how many thousands of visitors to expect. As event managers struggle to achieve the necessary balance we appear to have seen a plethora of free tickets being distributed to this type of consumer show. This is certainly not the only reason why this type of show may be in decline, but it does seem to be a contributory factor that hits the exhibitor’s pocket too. Perhaps increasing the number of browsers and bargain-hunters rather than indie-seeking shoppers looking to buy on the day?
Do not underestimate the amount of hard work that you will need to put into such an event. The preparation is far greater than loading your van or car if you are to make the most of it. As a small business or independent trader think also about the disruption to your family life – for me in the past it has been a logistical nightmare arranging childcare etc. In the first 2 weeks of October alone I was away from home 9 nights. Had I been doing Olympia (thankfully I am not!) I would be off again in a week or so for further 3. Many of you I know have set up yourself in hope of achieving a better work/life balance, so this is a big consideration.
What do you think? Do they work for you? I would love to hear your comments via @sherryhornagold on twitter. I am not saying not to do them, but do give each and every exhibition a lot of thought and consideration. Don’t rebook a year in advance, analyse your post show sales first. Check out the ratio of exhibitors to visitors – a very important factor. The best show I have ever done had a low number of exhibitors but high visitor rate (simple maths). Check out the competition, particularly in relation to your own best sellers and the big brands– they will be able to offer prices you cannot match. Ask about advance ticket sales numbers as opposed to overall visitors.
Finally remember there is only one thing worse than having a grim show – an event where everyone denies the fact, which in my experience is often the case……
Please feel free to comment and let me know about your experiences, ideas and thoughts!
Sherry
Small Business Owner
huddle & bliss
@sherryhornagold
@huddleandbliss
#exhibitions4smallbusiness
Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-75353102852720942632012-06-27T10:00:00.004-07:002012-06-27T10:13:30.343-07:00Life as a Military WifeAs some of you know it is Armed Forces Day on Saturday (30th June). The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the amazing contribution our current and former Armed Forces members make to our country. Also it is an opportunity for the nation to show support for all our troops and the wider military community, such as families, veterans and cadets.<br /><br />I am a military wifeI was very kindly asked by More Than A Mum to write a guest post about my views and experiences on being married to a member of the British Armed Forces. You can read about the highs and lows of my Military Wife Life by clicking <a href="http://more-than-a-mum.com/06/armed-forces-day-take-things-for-granted/">HERE</a>. <br /><br />If you would like to find out about Armed Forces Day events near you then please click <a href="http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/supporting/index.aspx">HERE</a>.<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to read my post and guest article. <br />SherrySherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-56782384624479354022012-04-25T15:48:00.000-07:002012-04-25T15:48:54.322-07:00Fantastic Break at Le Meridien Al Aqah in Fujairah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Had a great break with hubby and my boys at the beginning of the Easter break. Like most people who have their own businesses for me a holiday is a balance of time out and chilling by the pool but still keeping my hand in when I need to! Le Meridient Al Aqah Beach Resort delivered 100%
Having been to Dubai several times but wanting the weather, we have in recent years started to work our way around the other Emirates. This year it was Fujairah.
The hotel is in a stunning setting overlooking the Gulf of Oman with the backdrop of the Hajar Mountains. We booked a Royal Club room, which being on the 18th floor gave us amazing views over the resort and the coastline.
I popped down to the Club Lounge each morning and each evening to make use of the wifi and check my emails. Apart from a bit of tweeting, reading and making notes I chilled by the pool with hubby watching my boys have fun. The mojitos were fantastic!
Two things about this hotel stand out of for me.
Firstly the staff. Not only is the service exemplary but the friendliness and willingness of every member of staff is outstanding. I was amazed at how long most of them had worked there. Attentive, happy and an eye for detail, as a team they stand out from anywhere else I have stayed. And I have been fortunate enough to stay in a good selection of quality resorts.
Once I met Patrick Antaki, the hotel manager, I knew why. A warm and approachable person who obviously values his staff highly, and lets them know.
Secondly the facilities. The pool is one of the largest in the UAE and includes a swim up bar, zero entry point (great for the kids). The team of life guards gave me confidence to give my children freedom and let myself relax.
A great range of restaurants, my favourite being ‘Taste’ the Thai Restauant. Gonu by the beach also hit the spot! The best thing about the restaurants is the availability of a children’s menu throughout the resort. The standard child menu is the usual selection of predictable child meals but of extremely high quality. But it doesn’t end there… when we visit Saad the Indian restaurant my boys chose from a ‘child-friendly’ Indian menu, my eldest having his first curry. Same in the Thai Restaurant ‘Taste’ the boys had a selection of delicious but appropriate Asian food to choose from. It was fantastic to have such choices and flexibility for family dining. The hotel also offer a 50% price on adult meals for a child portion off the main adult menus. In terms of family eating Le Meridien Al Aqah really does mean the world’s your oyster.
We will definitely be heading back there, along with the many other families who have been returning year upon year!
Check it out: <a href="http://www.lemeridien-alaqah.com/
">Le Meridien Al Aqah Resort, Fujairah, UAE</a>
SherryxSherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-85398145081136070812012-03-02T09:36:00.001-08:002012-03-03T05:30:48.757-08:00What The Marie Curie Charity Means To Me...It was a dark and very dismal night at the end of October 2009. David was finally succumbing to the ravage of the cancer that he had fought so bravely for 18 months. There is always hope, but sometimes you do have to accept the inevitable. We had done that a matter of weeks before. Extremely difficult but all ‘part of the process’ as he used to say. The process of bereavement. David was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer in May 2008. Initially he fought hard and long against the disease, amazing us all at how well he coped with not only the illness but the treatments too. It took well over a year and numerous procedures, treatments and operations for his mental and physical stamina to finally begin to wane.
David only became immobile during his final week. I was fortunate enough to have reached a stage with my business where I could let go of the reins and take the time out to nurse my husband around the clock. It was something that we very important to me. A need that I had to ensure that I personally tended to his every requirement. Being a carer, under any circumstances is tough. But however hard and tiring it is, when it is for someone you care for and love you somehow manage to find that miniscule amount of energy left to do what you need to do.
We had an amazing team of family and friends around us. But groups of people such as this that are stricken with emotion are not really capable of offering the support you need. This is when Marie Curie Nurses came into my life.
It was all arranged via our local surgery that we would be allocated a nurse whenever possible during David’s final nights. By this time I was far too tired and disengaged to refuse any form of help or support. I knew accepting the help of this wonderful organisation was the right thing to do for David for me and for my family as a whole.
‘Mary Poppins’ arrived on my doorstep. Oozing serenity and peacefulness. Her warm smile, kind eyes and tactile nature immediately brought comfort to me. It may seem a strange thing to comment upon, but she had the most perfect make up. She looked so very neat in her uniform. She was so very collected in her actions, so tranquil in her mood, she simply gave me confidence to face each dark hour that loomed ahead.
I was so at ease with her I was able to drag out the questions I needed and wanted to ask. ‘Can David hear me?’ ‘Can he feel my touch?’ . I was even able to ask my most-dreaded question… ‘How do I know when he is actually dying?’ ‘What are the signs that death is imminent?’. She answered me candidly but with great consideration and in her choice of words. She told me exactly what I needed to know, no more, no less. Her judgment of me as an individual, of the nature of my family and the mood of the household was impeccable. Her experience shone through, lighting the way for us during this desperate time.
The first night she came David was still conscious and she was able to see a glimmer of his very self-deprecating sense of humour and his gregarious and fun nature. That meant so much to me.
She returned a day or so later when David had slipped into a coma and was in his very final day or so. She helped me care for him physically, with great respect for him and for my need to do things. She ensured I eat a little, have a cup of tea and took time out for some rest even if I was unable to sleep. She gave me strength.
I thank ‘Mary Poppins’ and Marie Curie from the bottom of my heart for being there and doing the job they do, so wonderfully. I thank them for aiding me in making David’s final days and hours comfortable and dignified. I thank them for helping me to cope and remain focused on the things that mattered to me most at that point in time. David passed peacefully in my arms surrounded by love, calm and hope for the future.
‘Mary Poppin’s’ gave me an understanding of life and death that I had never had before. I had indeed had time to prepare for this, but how does one prepare for something so dreadful? She was a very big piece in the jigsaw. Our many conversations helped me to have hope for the future. To know that happiness could once again be a part of the lives of me and my two little boys.
And she was right. Somehow when I was ready, I was able to leap into the future and do what David wanted and asked me to do. He wanted me to live a happy life and to have a partner and he wanted his boys to have a dad present….these are all his very generous and selfless words. He Well I did it. I am remarried to the most wonderful man, Jonny. He and my boys adore one another and we are an amazing family unit.
My little boys and I carry our fond memories of David forward into our future. He will always be a part of our lives, even though he is not here in person.
I support Marie Curie whenever I can. I want other people to be the recipients of this utterly amazing service this charity provides. When Jonny and I married we asked for donations to the charity. I now donate on a monthly basis directly funding the nurses. I am wearing with my daffodil with pride as I write this, as I truly understand and endlessly value the Marie Curie Charity. Without them, and specifically my ‘Mary Poppin’s’ I really don’t think I would have come through this so well.Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-25269941322018871102012-02-19T00:22:00.000-08:002012-02-19T00:22:53.910-08:00Time OutIt seems as parents we can do little right these days. The pressures of working to provide for your family, cooking a wholesome meal, helping with homework, doing all the other household chores and admin. Taking children to clubs, lessons and giving them social time with friends. And then of course quality time together as a family. That thing that we all feel so dreadfully guilty about because we feel we simply don not do enough of it.
I do not condone taking children out of school without good reason, but like many parents I do take my children out at carefully selected times in order for us to spend some quality time together on holiday within a reasonable cost. For instance this coming Easter holiday I am taking my boys out (with authorisation) for two extra days. This knocked a huge £1000 off the price of our holiday and made it affordable.
My children attend the most wonderful village school and with permission of the headmaster are permitted 10 days additional leave for family holidays and occasions etc. There are guidelines as to when this can be taken and it is certainly not taken for granted by any of the parents, but very much appreciated.
Any decent parent never takes their child out of school for anything other than illness or the occasional holiday to spend some time together as a family away from the everyday pressures of life. There are indeed parents who do not ensure their children attend school and pay no attention to truancy. But I think this is an entirely separate and far more important issue to the odd family holiday.
That is my general view of the situation.
My personal circumstances are somewhat different to most, in that the father of my children passed away in 2009 after 2 years battling cancer; my boys were just 7 and 5 years old. We are very lucky in that we were left very well emotionally equipped and had time to prepare and we have coped well. We have rebuilt our lives with fond memories and since 2010 have had a wonderful new man in our lives. I am extremely happy to be remarried to the wonderful Jonny and my two little boys have the most amazing step-father whom they adore. We are so fortunate to have rebuilt a stable and strong family environment. However…..we are now a military family. My husband is currently posted overseas.
The ability to take my children out of school on a small number of days a year allows us a family to spend much valued weekends together that we would otherwise be apart. With my business commitments, my husband’s work commitments finding dates for holidays are challenging to say the least.
Due to our experiences of loss, experiencing what can be the harsh reality of life and being a single parent for the most part, hose times when we are together as a family are so cherished. A few days out of school in exchange for time with my husband and my two little boys ….. Seeing joy on their faces and watching them do boy-stuff with their step-dad after the sadness they have been through, well Mr Gove…for me it’s a no-brainer and I think as a government you have far more serious issues to tackle.Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-12055843673076345822011-10-19T08:07:00.000-07:002011-10-19T08:07:58.098-07:00Full Steam Ahead....Baby Show!!!That time of year again...Earls Court Baby Show looms large! Hard work but lots of fun, and creates a great team environment for us to share ideas. It is fantastic meeting our customers face to face and seeing all these tiny little bundles and rather large bumps! I wonder if anyone has ever gone into labour at a baby show? Must have surely? We are running a competition for free tickets worth £40....if you or anyone would like to enter then all you need to do is be a fan of our facebook page and follow instructions from there. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/huddlebliss">Click to enter for Free Baby Show Tickets!</a>Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-4288516757324765282011-09-11T09:23:00.000-07:002011-09-11T09:24:00.413-07:00Every generation has a JFK moment...9/11 is oursYou don’t even have to ask anyone of my age where they were and what they were doing on 9/11….everyone simply offers up their actions and whereabouts in seconds. In my case I was 6 pregnant climbing up and down a ladder as we had no staircase. We were finishing off some home renovations in preparation for the arrival of our first child a few months later. My father was with me and getting very anxious about my ladder antics and firmly told me I was to stay either upstairs or downstairs. It was then that I went into the kitchen to put the kettle on and switched Sky News on. The rest of the day was spent watching the horrific events of the day unfold before my eyes live. <br /><br />At the time of JFK the coverage available to the public was utterly incomparable as to what we are able to experience today. Our generation experienced the breath by breath unfolding of a man-made and premeditated catastrophe. It is the man-made element that strikes us in the heart so much. The fact that such an atrocious plot could be conceived and seen through. The fact that we can watch such calamitous events by the moment in our own homes shocks everyone and allows us to experience the event as opposed to simply reading about it and visualising the scene.<br /> <br />I read something earlier in the week that questioned our reaction to 9/11 and made comparisons to the Boxing Day Tsunami….the article (I don’t remember where) was rather critical of our overwhelming reaction to 9/11 when the tsunami killed far more people. But frankly the numbers killed are not the point of focus. It is how and why. I think the key element here is the cause. We are programmed to expect and accept ‘acts of god’ or ‘acts of nature’ as we call them. They are not things that we can control or prevent, but simply perhaps prepare and limit the consequences of. 9/11 was purely man-made. And it is that fact that is so awesomely frightening to us and so abhorrent hat a group of men can sit and patiently plan the massacre of thousands of innocent lives…and to achieve what? Yes they have terrorised the world and scarred the lives of many, but our resolve and strength remains. What did they actually achieve for their cause? <br /><br />The main achievement in my eyes is the worldwide union of people and nations against these forces of evil. Our defiance to be brought down and to surrender our freedom. Our resilience and willingness to ensure our liberty and democracies live on, stronger than ever.<br /><br />The wounds of untimely loss never truly go away. You simply learn to accept and cope, carrying the scars forevermore. I personally understand this. <br /><br /> <br />The pools ‘Reflecting Absence’ at Ground Zero are a beautiful and fitting tribute to these losses. A subtle and touching way to embody the gaping holes left both physically and emotionally by the twin towers. <br /><br />It is important to remember that 9/11 is also the beginning of the chain of decisions and events that have led to our troops being in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are still experiencing losses ultimately due to 9/11 in the here and now. <br /><br />I travel reasonably frequently and have to say that when queued at airport security with two young boys having to remove half my clothing, my footwear, and get out my laptop and various other electrical items, I do often get rather harassed and tetchy…..9/11 is the reason why and I will do my very best to remember this on future occasions and use the time queuing to reflect on the loss of all those innocent lives. <br />Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-5099822860557353592011-07-31T14:02:00.000-07:002011-07-31T14:08:12.001-07:00Repatriation at Wootton BassettI really didn't know what to expect, I just knew I wanted to go. I wanted to take my dad, to fulfil a promise to my late husband, to remember the bravery of my late father in law, and perhaps most importantly to honour my husband and those he works alongside and all those who have served in all of our armed forces. <br /><br />As we arrived the town was busy, smart older men proudly wearing their berets and medals milling around the coffee shops. Old friends embracing, their faces etched with the comfort of seeing one another but somehow also reflecting the strain of their joint experiences. Photos passed around, stories shared, the most tangible thing at that point was the camaraderie of these old servicemen who had served our country so well during the second world war and the following conflicts that our nation has been part of. <br /><br />As I stood wearing my late father-in-laws medals I remembered the few things he had told me about his role, as a Sergeant Major in the Para’s. A modest man he never talked much about his experiences except during a couple of late evenings I shared with him and a glass or two of brandy. I love history and I think it is that the encouraged me to find out what is was like for him during those dark days. Like so many, Dave recalls his time in the army with much fondness but summed it up by saying that it was the best and the worst days of his life all rolled into one. He loved India and South Africa and I am honoured to have so many of his photos from that time in addition to his cards home. His dark days were fighting through Burma and liberating Japanese prisoner of war camps. What more can you say? We cannot even begin to possibly imagine the elation you must feel at finding and freeing these survivors but at the same time seeing the distressing conditions of their treatment. He had never applied for his medals, so a few years ago I did it for him. Upon receiving them he handed them straight to me and said they were to hand on the next generation of 'Prosser' boys. He died when I was 36 weeks pregnant with my eldest son....I felt a comfort that I could already tell Dave that the next little Prosser boy 'Sam' was on his way.<br /><br />I had the medals on in the wrong order, they were not mounted, but I didn't care, it was the first time they had been out of the box and I wore them for Dave with immense pride.<br /><br />David, my late husband, had always wanted to go to a repatriation at Wootton Bassett and pay his respects to the fallen. David and my father George planned that they would go together. Sadly David was too ill to go and passed away after a long battle with oesophageal cancer in October 2009. We talked shortly before his death and this is one of the things I promised to do in his place. <br /><br />My father and I, as well as sharing an interest in history, have also always shared the view that all political considerations should be put well aside when it comes to supporting our armed forces. The young men and women who serve in any role make sacrifices that the rest of us can never comprehend, agree with or consider doing ourselves. Some of these sacrifices are day to day like being away from your family. The ultimate sacrifice is of course why 'Wootton Bassett' exists today. Young lives ended in the course of duty. From September repatriations into Royal Wootton Bassett will cease. This fact drove my father and I to finally do it. I have always been close to my dad, we just agree on stuff and we wanted to so share this experience together.<br /><br />As the time neared we took our place on the side of the road. People were arriving by the minute. Locals and distant travellers alike, all there for one common reason, to pay respect to the fallen, of yesterday, today and sadly without doubt the future. Soldiers lined the street. Young men and women standing tall but with an edginess, trying to look calm and in control but you could somehow sense their stomach's churning at the prospect of forthcoming moments. A girl beside me, holding flowers, sobbed constantly. Eddie, a former Para I chatted to on the street, stood to the other side, well over 80, proud straight and tall. The number of old Para's was amazing, their berets very apparent in the crowds around me.<br /><br />It was then my thoughts turned to my new husband, a serving member in the Royal Engineers for over 20 years. His entire adult life dedicated to serving queen and country. I have felt immensely proud to be an 'army wife' even if it is all new to me and I am not your 'atypical' army wag. His job affects our day to day life greatly and although they may be small sacrifices compared to some I can vouch for the fact that all members of the armed forces, their partners and children make them day in day out. And to me it seems whatever your role in the services the horrors of a current war and conflict are never far from your mind.<br /> <br />I felt proud to be British. All that this great nation embodies that is good was there to see. Loyalty, respect, pride and determination. <br /> <br />The bell began to toll. <br /><br />A sweeping and rapid wave of silence travels through the crowd. The order goes out to the standard-bearers and the flags are raised. Stillness. The sad silhouette of the cortege begins to appear over the brow of the hill. The sobbing next to me grows intense and the girl's shoulders shake as the cars edge closer. As the first car reaches the standards they lower one by one in succession. Friends and family approach to lay flowers on the roof of the car.....only there are two cars today...two men tragically lost. The girl next to me is frozen. I urge her to go forward to lay her flowers, because that is why she is there. The cars pass carrying the coffins, each shrouded in the union flag. Somehow the silence deepens further as everyone takes a deep breath in. The cortege moves down the line until it is once again a sad silhouette in the distance. <br /><br />The crowds gradually break up, the comrades hug and wish each other well, until the next time, until September that is.<br /><br />The lump in my throat subsides as I hug my dad, take off the medals, accomplish my promise and feel a deep pride at being an Army wife.<br />Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-10101354702315835922011-05-24T15:49:00.000-07:002011-05-24T15:52:16.852-07:00Why are boats cool and caravans uncool?I know you shouldn't generalise but I think it is fair to say that most regards boats as cool and caravans as a bit uncool. The Top Gear team have definitely done their bit to entrench this feeling amongst the British public! The interior accommodation of the average boat and average caravan are no doubt similar. They are both mobile and provide the freedom to visit an array of places. But a stark contrast between the two definitely exists. Boats are considered a luxury by most and caravans on the whole a cost-effective long-term holiday option, particularly for the retired. I was lucky enough to spend acouple of days on a boat last week. I think the part of the reason lies in the fact that you travel to your destination on a boat, whereas the caravan is towed behind. Whilst you can move your caravan where you like, you don't generally pull up somewhere for lunch in it.....with a boat you can moor alongside a pub or have lunch on deck, or even a bbq on the beach or riverbank.....car parks and lay-bys do not have the same appeal! Caravans are more of a base to explore the surrounding area, whereas you can just sit on deck and relax as you take in the sights on a boat....yes the weather needs to be good....but perhaps this in itself adds to the luxury factor. Sitting on deck with a drink in hand is for some reason infinitely more appealing than sitting on a deck chair in a field. Is the the glamour that is associated with marinas and the sailing/boating set? Perhaps it is because boats are regarded as a bit of a boys toy....whereas again....caravans don't really fall into that category! I think also a lot of us do for some reason have a bit of a fascination with water, albeit the sea or a river. Yes you can pitch your caravan on a cliff top and look out to sea, but it just isn't the same as actually being on the water. Well I have to say for me it would be a boat everytime....I wonder if Jeremy Clarkson likes boats? He has certainly put a few cars afloat so I guess he does.Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-33088175541803891412011-04-19T04:26:00.000-07:002011-04-19T04:30:26.748-07:00Great holiday but additional skills required for full enjoyment!Have just returned from a fantastic break in the sunny emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of glitzy Dubai....and cheaper too! I stayed at what is very much a family resort but manages to successfully combine all the facilities and entertainment for your little ones, whilst still catering for the adults in terms of good restaurants, a few child-free zones and of course the baby-sitting service. Althought I did refrain from using the service again after 'Florence' our sitter seemed to think it ok to allow the children 3 chunky kitkats each! A number of pools, bars and restaurants are spread throughout the hotel and villa complex amongst tropical gardens which means that no one area ever seems too busy despite it being Easter! The beautiful white sand beach is divided into a series of safe little <br />bays each with a lifeguard. So all in all everything to ensure the perfect family break.<br /><br />Sitting by the pool, with a lime daiquiri, Ipod, a good book whilst sunning myself, I realised the one key ingredient you need to make the most of such a wonderful set up is a skill that only results from experiencing parenthood itself. It cannot be provided by even the best family hotel. It is the ability to ignore and extract the noise of exuberant children in the background!!!! When you have graduated to the higher echelons of this skill, you are able to remain aware of any cry made by one of your own flock whilst successfully ignorng the noise of all other children in the vicinity. Even plugged into your Ipod you need to apply this ability, albeit at a much lower level.....I found that even with Robbie Williams shouting out 'Let Me Entertain You' loudly in my ears that the shrill cry of one consistently whingeing little girl managed to penetrate my peace!<br /><br />And let's be honest, there is always one or two repetitive tamtrum throwers around! Sadly this means that their voices do begin to register in your mind and it becomes more difficult to 'extract' them.....you just have to hope they have lots of days out and go home before you....worst case scenario is probably that they are sitting next to you on the plane!<br /><br />P.s. I think that men are actually much better at the noise extraction skill, bearing in mind their genetic tendancy towards selective hearing!<br /><br />The resort I went to is:<br />http://www.hilton.co.uk/rasalkhaimahresort?WT.srch=1Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-57115540450768831642011-03-29T10:18:00.000-07:002011-03-29T10:38:25.062-07:00Yes, I admit it....I am a fidget bum!I have always denied being a fidget....although when accused of being so...which is often...I become suddenly aware of the constant movements I make and do my utmost to suppress them. The result is a fixed stare, tense posture and probably some sort of contorted look on my face! With <a href="http://www.huddleandbliss.com">huddle & bliss</a> at the recent Excel Baby Show I did an interview with iMama.tv. The lovely ladies there made me feel very at ease and I chatted away. Luckily the interview about our stunning 48 hour bag was used....however having now watched it myself I can confirm that I am a fidget bum.....oh put it down to nerves or whatever you like, but frankly I do not stop moving. I am glad that I manage to talk easily, highlight the beautiful contents and even comment confidently on starting your own business.....but oh I do not stop bloomin' movin'. Take a look for yourself (<strong><a href="http://www.imama.tv/watch-video-4492-imamatv-loves-huddle-and-bliss-the-baby-show.html?channel_id=69">Click here</a></strong>). Suffice to say I have some public speaking lessons booked with a close friend Sarah who teaches drama...she will probably put me in a head vice and tie my arms behind my back!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-71609711178358838062010-08-27T06:47:00.000-07:002010-08-27T08:31:04.463-07:00Motivation Returns...Well Chaps, been away for a while. Bereavement is an unknown quantity in every person....for me it manifested itself in exhaustion and lack of motivation but most importantly a deep desire to spend time with my children. I suppose all of these things are understandle having spent 18 months caring for my husband David. I have been extremely fortunate in that I was able to to the time out I needed. My sincere thanks go to Louise and team of family and friends at <a href="http://www.huddleandbliss.com">www.huddleandbliss.com</a> for taking care of everything whilst I did what I needed to. As a result I believe that my two boys have come through this trauma amazingly. Being open with them, although heart-wrenchingly difficult, was the best thing I did. The passing of their father was not a shock to them. Children need to been treated the same as adults in these circumstances and given the information and tools they need to cope. Whilst what and how you tell them things needs to be carefully considered, it must be done. Hence me and my boys are good. We have had our dark days and we miss David terribly but we are living our lives to the full...which is definitely what he would have wanted.<br /><br />And so my motivation now appears to have returned! Finally! And what better time to get back into work full on than as the boys begin a new year at school? It just feels right. So I am warming up at the moment and will be back full time on 6th September. I am so looking forward to it. We have the <a href="http://the babyshow.co.uk">Earls Court Baby Show</a> coming up. This year we have two stands. In addition to the usual huddle & bliss stand we are our luxury hospital bag, The <a href="http://www.48hourbag.com">h&b 48 Hour Bag</a>, the spotlight it deserves...a stand all of its own! I think it gets a little lost in amongst all the other beautiful <a href="http://">baby clothes</a> and products on the huddle and bliss stand....so an opportunity to set it apart. As popular as ever with celebrities and famous faces, we are only sad that we can't tell you all about them due to privacy issues! Many of these wonderul pre-packed hospital bags are bought by the dads-to-be. I would be ecstatic to receive one. <br /><br />We have a couple of new people coming on board which is really exciting....particularly as one of them is a man!!! Oh dear, how will he cope with the team of confident working mums at huddle and bliss? I hope he has thick skin and a good sense of humour. He is a Dad of two with another on the way so will be giving us a good insight into the father's perspective. I hope he gets his wife a 48 hour bag!!!<br /><br />SxSherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-75271951665623788722010-08-24T15:22:00.000-07:002010-08-24T15:30:19.537-07:00Making a Come Back....finallyWell my last post was in December when I said that I would be taking some time out with boys...and that is exactly what I have done. But I am back at work and raring to go...so watch this space!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-10984413094419989092009-12-26T11:34:00.000-08:002009-12-26T11:36:51.638-08:00I'll Be Back!Will be back soon - Taking some time out with my boys following the sad passing of my husband in October. We won the battles but ultimately lost the war. Memories last forever.<br /><br />Sherry xxSherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-89128357926479576922009-09-02T17:01:00.000-07:002009-09-02T17:06:20.430-07:00The Irony of LifeI gave blood for the first time today. I have been meaning too for a while, but as with many of our intentions they never come to fruition or they take a long time! A year ago my husband received a blood transfusion. At that point I vowed that I would give blood. It has taken me a while but I got there eventually. I was booked in to do so a few weeks ago, but my husband was rushed into hospital so I had to cancel. I rebooked for today. It always makes me smile when life's situations create coincidences that have a certain irony! I knew last week that my husband was going to be in hospital today but I did not find out until late yesterday that he would be having 3 units of blood transfused. So there I was laying on my bed as a virginal blood donor whilst my husband lay in his hospital bed several miles away receiving his blood. His transfusion will give him the strength he needs to start his next round of treatment and fight on. Did you know that one unit of blood can save 3 lives? I read that somewhere this evening. I just want to give back and contribute to the gift that my husband has received from some kind and unknown individual somewhere. <br /><br />You see we could all need blood at some point. It is natural for us to always think things happen to other people. To associate transfusions with life-threatening accidents and surgery and avoid thinking that the need for someone else's blood could possibly apply to our own lives or those of the loved ones around us. But we never know what life holds. I can vouch for that.<br /><br />Nearly everyone I spoke to today had a story, a reason as to why they were there. Mostly it was due to a loved one receiving a transfusion, a newly born child, a family member with cancer, a friend who had major surgery or someone they know having a life-saving transfusion following a bad accident. Whatever the reason they were mostly there because there was some event or person in their life that had suffered, needed blood and they recognised what the gift of blood can do. The same applies to me. As humans we often need an emotional catalyst to spurn us into action. It is not that we don't care, its just that until such things touch our own lives we tend to plod on blissfully unaware of the need. <br /><br />My husband has obviously not received my blood today - he is a different blood group anyhow! But in some small way I feel like I have given back what has been used for him today. I will be a loyal and regular donor. Yes I have an aching and bruised arm but someone somewhere will benefit tremendously. So if you have never been a blood donor and are fit and able please give it some thought, you could truly be giving the gift of life to someone somewhere when they desperately need it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blood.co.uk/index.html"><br />Become a donor</a>Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-13779958904085050012009-05-28T00:47:00.000-07:002009-05-28T00:48:29.635-07:00Batman is in the houseMy youngest is currently infatuated with his batman outfit. It was a hand-me-down from a relative and is a little faded and raggedy but he adores it. Yesterday morning he could be seen playing 'his version' of chess, full dressed as Batman, complete with shopping bag and crocs...and eye-catching combination to say the least. In fact my youngest is very particular about what he wears. He has never liked slogans or pictures on his clothing generally and from around the age of two he has often asserted what his choice of outfit for the day was to be. He took this to a new level a couple of days ago when, now 5, he insisted on selecting his entire outfit for the day without any assistance whatsoever. Well not sure if I have a little fashion diva (suppose it is divo for a boy!) but he came down in a completely co-ordinated look. Navy shorts, yellow and navy striped polo shirt and a pale yellow Ralph Lauren jumper to complete the look! He even went as far as to explain why he had selected each item and how it complimented the look! He fell somewhat short by then selecting his bright turquoise crocs as footwear, but hey you have to have practical footwear for the garden. <br /><br />But yesterday, well it was a Batman day. He even insisted on putting the outfit back on after his shower - well it is the school holidays and I am in a lenient mood...what harm will it do for him to sleep in his Batman gear if that is what he wants? He slept until 8am this morning so he obviously wasn't uncomfortable - we did of course forego the cape and the mask for bed in case any of you are worrying - I also made him leave his Batmobile on the driveway!<br /><br />Not sure how long batman will be around for this morning, but he is definitely 'in the house' at the moment. Have a feeling a pirate may visit or perhaps Spiderman (complete with foam six pack), he has been absent for a while!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-73256745251098632902009-05-08T04:17:00.000-07:002009-05-08T04:29:36.575-07:00Motherly Destruction....Oh dear - I feel so guilty. In one fair swoop I managed to destroy the Ark of the Covenant and a digeridoo. Yes I know it sounds strange, it sounds even more bizarre when I tell you I did it with the roof of my mini! Rather easily explained though I am afraid...sunny day, convertible car, arms full of childrens things amidst school run....so put things on roof...hey presto! Amazingly neither myself or my two sons realised what had happenend until we reached Waitrose a while later...we found the remnants of the digeridoo on the ground by the rear of the car. The Ark of the Covenant and the digeridoo had been lovely made by my eldest son at school. I am obviously biased, but he is such a sweet and loving boy, when we realised what had happened I could tell he was very disappointed but he put his arm around me and said 'Don't worry Mama, you couldn't help it, it was an accident'. What a darling. Despite this I felt awful and desperately searched for fragments of each item in the hope that we could perhaps reconstruct them at home with some TLC and glue! Alas this was not possible. Somehow his kindness made me feel even more guilty, but I was so proud of his attitude, amazing for a seven year old. One of my friends is a teaching assistant in my son's class - I told her what happened and her comments made my guilt plunge to new depths. Not only had my boy had to make the Ark of the Covenant unaided, he had to draw it to scale and build it from plan - a fine feat for a child his age. So how bad do I feel? Off the scale. But my gorgeous little boy made me proud and realise that it is okay for mummies to make mistakes too!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-46190762546819299322009-05-05T05:42:00.000-07:002009-05-05T06:16:16.558-07:001989I read an article about 1989 in the Times Sunday Magazine. Now as a lady I don't want to give too much about my age away, but in 1989 I was in my early adult years and remember a lot of what they talk about in the article. It was also a key time in terms of relationships....whilst our friendship remained platonic for a number of years, it was in 1989 that I first met and became friends with my adorable husband. We were both working for a Japanese bank in the City - so the article's mention of Sushi having no equal in the City was very apt for us! There was not the conveyor belt service that you can get today, but with so many large Japanese banks in London and so many of their staff, great Japanese restaurants were not difficult to find. I particularly like Tatsuso in Broadgate, not sure if it is still there now? <br /><br />I think sushi was one of the more upmarket elements of 1989....but I do remember watching the Simpsons when it was new and hip. I remember watching 'the scene' from 'When Harry Met Sally' and the dawning of the chick flick. I loved 'Love Shack' by the B52's and vaguely remember dancing to it with a group of friends apres ski in Austria - all a bit worse for wear - okay, off our faces dancing on a table, we were young! The sound of the Fine Young Cannibals singings She Drives Me Crazy also resonated in the background of many a night out. My father and brothers laughed out loud to Blackadder - I just didn't see what all the fuss was about it at the time - but now I too cry with laughter. A rare case of being thankful for the re-runs.<br /><br />Bodies - yes those tops like a leotard with poppers underneath....nice smooth line, no riding up - yes I wore those too, but they were bloody uncomfortable! They do not feature in my current wardrobe...and haven't done since!<br /><br />Dirty Den was killed off in Eastenders, sorry but I wish they had killed off the entire programme. Having been born in the East End of London I am afraid it bears no resemblence to my memories of living there until I was 10 years old, and I have never known a more miserable programme to grace our screens. <br /><br />Finally we come to shell suits....the nemesis of many a photo album no doubt! I honestly did not wear one of these - at the time I thought they were somewhat of a fire hazard let alone a walking fashion disaster. However my then husband did sport a rather un-fetching purple and black one on occasion - perhaps that is one of the reasons I divorced him soon after!<br /><br />So many memories!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-30142274206406363512009-04-24T06:32:00.000-07:002009-04-24T06:43:22.616-07:00The GurkhasMy late father-in-law was a Sergeant Major in the Paras during the WWII. He trained and fought alongside the first airborne gurkhas. During the war he fought through Burma and liberated Japanese prisoner of war camps. <br /><br />I often used to sit and chat with him and try to glean information from him about these days. He did not say a lot, her certainly never boasted about his efforts or his bravery, he was very modest in that respect. But he did tell me how he admired the Gurkhas, how loyal and hardworking they were and what wonderful support they gave to this country.<br /><br />Over 40,000 gurkhas died in the 1st and 2nd world war and they have been loyal to this country for over 200 years. They are fighting now in Afghanistan. The decision about their application took four months - produced one page and was posted on a website. <br /><br />Surely these men, who have risked their lives, should be treated better and be given the opportunity to reside here without a long list of qualifying criteria that most will not meet. I know that immigration is a very hot topic these days - but in my opinion these men deserve to be near the top of the list when it comes to being allowed the choice of living here or not. <br /><br />I know my later father-in-law would be extremely upset by todays events. I sincerely hope that they, Joanna Lumley and their legal team continue to fight for justice in this matter.Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-15185321207633693992009-04-22T06:39:00.000-07:002009-04-22T06:42:19.911-07:00The BudgetDespite constantly being told by the government that they are encouraging small and medium sized businesses to drive the economy – the budget is devoid of all incentive for small business. Huddle & bliss have been fortunate to experience consistent growth since its launch in March 2008, but there is nothing in this budget to underpin my confidence in expanding my workforce in the months going forward.<br /><br />But then I expected no different!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-11142112781223724842009-04-21T11:46:00.000-07:002009-04-21T12:21:55.257-07:00St George's Day - A Moment to Reflect?I really do believe that St George's Day should be a national holiday.... we should all stop and appreciate this green and pleasant land in which we live. In today's environment we are bombarded with headlines of doom and gloom about our country and what state it is in. And yes, the situation is indeed dire....but it is not the be and end all. Whilst we are all affected by the current problems, there is more to life than the economy and negative headlines ....I know....without elaborating at this point, my life encompasses a very unwanted element at present which has given me a unique perspective and enables me to appreciate the positives in my own life. Whilst we all need money to live and have bills to pay , it is not such things as money that touches our heart and uplifts our spirit. It is the simple things in life, the irreplaceable things of no tangible value that mean the most. But we often miss this in the day to day rush of our busy lives. It is only if something makes you stop or falter that you realise what counts.<br /><br />Our country is beautiful, but most of us have never travelled through more than a tiny portion. A holiday here immediately spikes thought of bad weather, bad food and naff beach resorts. And yes there is that element...but like most things there is always another perspective to consider....I would love to sit on a cliff top watching a storm play out over the sea (from the safety of my car of course)...well-cooked fish and chips is delicious and we have an abundance of coastline littered with little unspoilt bays. Okay if you want a suntan England or the UK would not be your first choice, but it depends what you are looking for. My family not being able to travel abroad, in the last few months have had a couple of breaks in the UK, not at all the sort of holiday we would normally plan ( I really am a fan of hot weather and 5* hotels). In doing so I have discovered another type of holiday that I enjoy....just being away from it all - a simple escape from routine ....not caring what the weather is like...but enjoying the days with my children with kites and bikes and rockpooling on the beach and simply enjoying the view....spending the evenings with close family around a fire with a box of trivial pursuit and simply enjoying being with them.<br /><br />We have much to be grateful for in this country...for most of us probably people and places. I am fortunate that I live in a village with a close community. People do say hello in the morning, there is a community of which we are very much a part of. Whilst there is always a bad apple for the most part people are kind and good and trustworthy and more than happy to help....and we should focus on these tremendous positives, particularly in times such as now. I have cows in the field next to my house and a river running along the bottom of the hill but I am often too busy in my whirlwind of a day to stop and look. This St George's day I am going to stop and take the time to appreciate my family, friends and surroundings which for me are England, my green and pleasant land.Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-86951060085144608522009-04-07T10:04:00.000-07:002009-04-07T13:55:06.915-07:00I Love Computers...When They WorkI truly do love computers...I really don't think that I could survive without one...okay, of course I could survive, but I do rely on them for so much, my business, food and clothing to be delivered to my door, organising everything from a doctors appointment to a holiday, keeping in contact with friends and family here and abroad....and I know you can do all these things without a computer, but well, it is so much easier to do it with them!!!! <br /><br />But today has been one of computerised frustration - when you do rely on them so much well when they don't do what you want them to, when you want them to do it, it is a right pain in the backside. For some reason today my email decided to pack up and not receive anything...it could send but not receive...so much for BT Office Anywhere....well my handset was receiving everything but my main office certainly wasn't! It was only for a few hours but well when you are juggling that is a long time - I had organised my boys and their friend, they had been fed and were playing happily in the sunshine in the garden and I set myself up within full view of them, nice cup of tea, radio on in the background - all ready to sit down and work on some documents that I was due to receive.....no email! Typical...juggling and the balls drop to the floor!<br /><br />Never mind - will the world stop...no of course not....things will be just delayed a little, the huge pile of work on my desk will get a little higher...particularly as I am off for the day tomorrow and taking my boys to London for the day...even a workaholic knows you have to stop sometimes!<br /><br />Will have my blackberry with me and am trying to set up twitter on it at the mo...so can still do a bit of work...was tempted to pack my netbook...small enough to go in my rather large bag...but that might be pushing it a bit.<br /><br />There seems to be problems on Twitter and Facebook at the moment...or perhaps it is just me today...I can watch Shameless after all!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-22341022381916694162009-04-06T06:01:00.000-07:002009-04-06T06:17:44.235-07:00A Change is as Good as a Rest!Well that is what they say and I agree! When you work and have children well yes the school holidays can definitely be a testing time in terms of the balancing act we all do. And I am sure that I am not the only mum who treasures this time with my children but at the end of it experiences a certain amount of relief when it is time to revert to the normal weekly routine! <br /><br />What I love most about the school holidays is the calm that falls over the house...in place of the morning marathon to get out of the door. Normally armed with book bags, homework, packed lunches...it is rural where I live so I have to drive my boys to school but I still feel like a packhorse making it to and from the car! I get up early and am organised and do as much as I can in advance, but why can we never avoid the last minute rush...every mum I know says the same thing....if you have the key then let me know!<br /><br />This morning everyone had a little lay-in, and when the boys did get up they snuggled on the sofa with toast and hot chocolate....and I went back to bed with a cup of steaming tea, the tv and my laptop....nice way to start the day! Just hope the weather holds out as the boys love being outside and they entertain themselves in the garden for hours - and I think it is good for them, fresh air and no Wii or DVD's. We have a few days out planned and some of their friends are going to come to play. So hopefully I will achieve a good balance of keeping on top of the business and spending some time with my family.Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-49842665842474154892009-04-04T00:44:00.000-07:002009-04-04T01:10:20.035-07:00SEO Saturday<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SEO</span> for those of you that don't know... is search engine optimisation...still none the wiser? Well basically it is words and terms that you include in visible and invisible areas of your website that the search engines can pick up on and then help people find your site and individual pages...sounds thrilling doesn't it! Sadly it isn't quite as simple as it sounds and that is the tip of the iceberg. It is an enormous task and requires many hours of concentration and research...you have to get in the 'zone' a little so it is not something that you can dip in and out of, and for a busy mum this makes it all the more difficult. So a few weeks ago I decided that Saturday would become huddle and bliss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SEO</span> day. My boys are here of course but they are getting to the age where they are happy and in fact desire..to entertain themselves. My husbands business is Mon-Fri so I can pretty much concentrate for a set number of hours on my huddle and bliss work ....last Saturday it was 18 hours non-stop!!!! It becomes a bit of a challenge though...and I love a challenge. And besides I enjoy it. As I always say....I have no off switch.<br /><br />There are a lot of businesses out there doing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SEO</span>...it seems to be the next web or marketing 'thing' and I lose count of how many calls I get offering <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SEO</span>. I really think it can be a big money-spinner. But I am a staunch believer in that no one knows babies and baby things like a mum...and no one knows huddle and bliss like me so I think with a little help from my IT guys <a href="http://www.jj-solutions.com">www.jj-solutions.com</a> and a bit of reading I can do it myself. At the very least I will gain an extensive understanding of it...I wonder how many business people out there have handed over thousands of pounds and they really have no clue how and why their particular keyword terms have been selected, or if they are even doing what they are supposed to. Now I am sure there are probably a number of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SEO'ers</span> out there shouting back at me....please get in contact, if I am missing something here then I would love to know! At the end of the day for anyone setting up a business there is nothing like hands-on experience and someone leading a business has to know every aspect of it. I have done and still do on occasion, everything from making up swing tags, constructing our gift boxes and working in customer services. I believe it is crucial. It has to be a constant learning curve - bit like being a mum! You never know it all and you have to be prepared to learn along the way. Each stage with your child brings a new set of dilemmas and challenges but overall joys!<br /><br />So here it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SEO</span> Saturday. By setting a day aside for it I also ensure that I make progress on this enormous task at least one day a week! <br /><br />Before that though I need to go and cook breakfast for my boys...they are calling for bacon sandwiches this morning....mmmmmm....don't normally eat breakfast (yes yes I know I should) but am sure the smell of bacon cooking on a Saturday morning may bet my appetite going...if nothing else I need to up my caffeine levels, always takes three cups...the cafetiere is calling!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7457164993647689359.post-60839111457693610702009-04-03T14:48:00.001-07:002009-04-03T14:57:05.342-07:00Where will I find the time?Frankly I have no idea...but I am certain that I will manage it somehow. If I set my mind to something, well then I generally do it. Even if I start reading a book that I find terribly hardgoing well I really do try and finish it...there are literally one or two books in my lifetime that I gave up on...sorry can't remember what they were! <br /><br />Being a mum and running a business, well you can imagine how many hats I wear! Just as well that I am impulsive and love flying off at tangents...it suits my lifestyle well. I have three boys to look after...one of which is my adorable husband...the others are my gorgeous sons of 7 and 5 years respectively. <br /><br />So no doubt this blog will be squeezed in amongst a whole host of other things. So you must excuse my lack of continuity, my spontaneous bursts of activity and my odd disappearence into the depths of my in-tray!Sherry Hornagold-Prosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943286162543676670noreply@blogger.com0