I am aj2008

WAHMS Time Management Tips

Duffy for your MP3

My daughter Ana-Belle (that's her Flickr name) introduced me to Duffy and "Distant Dreamer" immediately became one of my all time favourite songs. You know your kids are all grown up when you start having the same taste in music!

I Love....Squidoo

I have been "interviewed" by Lensmaster Spirituality. Click on the badge to find out what I have to say about Squidoo.

I am....a Squidoo Angel

What an honour!

On 01 April 2009, I received an email from Squidoo HQ asking me if I would like to volunteer to be an Angel. I felt extremely honoured. The day before I had just finished a very time consuming and stressful project. What is it they say about one door closing and another one opening?

Squidoo Angels

When I first joined Squidoo in July 2008, the Squidoo Angels were a small group of dedicated Lensmasters who volunteered for the post when a message was posted in the SquidU Forum. Things have changed recently and although the Angels is still a group...

Who Am I?

A little bit of "AJ" history

I was born in the UK, left school at 16 and my one regret was not being taught English by Mrs Potter. She was a breath of fresh air in the school with her brightly coloured mini skirts and stripey tights. Now she is known all over the world as Joanna Trollope - I really ought to read some of her books sometime!

I married too young and following a totally unremarkable career in banking and insurance I stayed at home to raise my two eldest children, as was the norm for the 70s and 80s.

Life was not at all easy following the mutually agreed separation from my first husband. The divorce became difficult but I wont dwell on it and money was very tight. However, there was a happy ending as through my job, not only did I make some lovely friends but one of them evolved into my current husband and we married in 1996.

Two home births later, I now have two more daughters and my children's ages range from 10 to 31! It makes for very interesting family dynamics.

My Career

If you can call it that!

The technology revolution happened in the 12 years I stayed at home looking after my older children. Typewriters evolved into Word Processors and then into PCs. At first it was a steep learning curve but I ended up very proficient in Spreadsheets, Databases and Desk Top Publishing.

When my youngest was 14 months old I did a part time University Course for six months in how to start up a business. This involved writing a business plan and as a result of all this I ended up teaching Business Startup to adults.

During this time we had a lovely Nanny for the girls, but as the time came for the youngest to start full time at school, I made the decision to look for work that I could do at home so I could be there when the children came home from school and during the holidays.

I also worked on various database projects but due to balance and co-ordination problems caused by a disease in my right ear called Otosclerosis I am unable to go out to work. So I have decided that now is the time to indulge my passion for writing. So here I am on Squidoo.

Books that helped me develop my IT skills

When I went back to work, I loved learning about all the stuff that had passed me by when I was a Stay At Home Mum the first time around. These books really helped me. Get the versions that are relevant to the version of your software

Excel 2003 Bible

by: John Walkenbach

I use Excel in business to manage accounts but also to manage the household finances.

Amazon Price: $25.19 (as of 07/11/2009)

Access 2003 Bible

by: Cary N. Prague, Michael R. Irwin, Jennifer Reardon

I used Access to manage contacts, organise national and internation conferences and then when I became self employed one of my biggest contracts was designing and developing a management information system for a client

Amazon Price: $31.49 (as of 07/11/2009)

VBA for Dummies

by: John Paul Mueller

Would not say I am particularly proficient in VBA, but this book has helped me from time to time

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)

Microsoft Outlook 2000 Bible

by: Todd A. Kleinke, Brian Underdahl

I generally use Outlook Express but this book helped me when I had a cleint who used Outlook

Amazon Price: $30.39 (as of 07/11/2009)

I am a ...... WAHM

A work at home Mum

If you are a Work at Home Mom (or Mum) or Dad, the first thing to remember about Time Management is to understand and accept that there is no magic "one size fits all" solution. Everyone is an individual and every family is unique. Different people h...

Stop procrastinating - tips for WAHMs

How DO you stop procrastinating? Procrastination is one of the biggest barriers to getting things done for WAHMs (Work At Home Mums) - and Dads. No amount of Time Management techniques will work unless you tackle the bad habits caused by Procrastinat...

My PC maintenance and "tricks" lenses

Direct links to free software

I found this FREE software on the net. It helps me and I hope it helps you too

Is your PC slow?

Do you have a slow PC? Did you know that every time you open up a page on the internet a temporary file is created on the hard drive of your PC? If you do not remove these files periodically they will eat up the space on hard drive of the PC and ove...

Moving a blog from Wordpress to Blogger

Recently I had to move a blog from Wordpress to Blogger. Wordpress does not make it easy but there IS a way! Now I am not going to get into the reasons why I was doing this - Wordpress blogging vs Blogger blogging is another discussion to be had at a...

I have......Otosclerosis

A disease of the middle ear

In March 2008 I became aware that I was permanently exhausted and having problems with balance and co-ordination. I was producing a show at the time, which was to be performed in April and in which I would also be performing. Not the most relaxing of hobbies and we also had a lot of family problems as well. Naturally I put it all down to stress.

However, once the show was finished, I realised that my symptoms were worsening and it was becoming a huge concern. I was referred for tests, including an MRI scan, to see if there were any abnormalites in the brain and in June I received the diagnosis of Otosclerosis.

The impact on my lfe has been huge as I try to recover and also adapt to hearing loss in my right ear. My lens about Otosclerosis discusses symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and is regularly updated with my progress.

Otosclerosis

Information about Otosclerosis and how it has affected my life

The lens is regularly updated with my progress

Otosclerosis - a disease of the middle ear

Otosclerosis is a disease of the middle ear that will inevitably lead to hearing loss. It affects about 1 or 2 in 100 people in the UK and approx 10% of people in the USA. It usually develops between the ages of 15 and 35. Sometimes it can develop in...

I Love......Christmas! Ho, ho, ho!

My first ever Christmas Lens is Christmas at AJs. I started out with an idea but it evolved into something rather different. But that often happens to me when I'm Squidooing.

Then I did another, this time with a "green" theme....

Christmas at AJ's

Christmas at AJ's is quite a traditional affair. There's Christmas stockings that Santa fills on Christmas Eve, presents under the tree, turkey for lunch, games in the evening and of course we have to watch Dr Who. The only thing that is usually miss...

Twelve Days of a Green & Ethical Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas to my family is simply a time of being together. When I was a child there was no such thing as "global warming" and vegetarians were very unusual. Naturally, as I have got older my awareness of the damage the human popula...

Another Lens of the Day!

02 December 2008

Twelve Days of a Green & Ethical Christmas was made Lens of the Day!

10 More Things I Love!

I love:

Writing

Gardening

Cooking

Sewing costumes for shows

Amateur Dramatics

Playing tennis

Holidaying in Greece

Reading

Solving Computer problems

Wildlife

My "nature" lenses

I love my garden and I love wildlife and we have pets

St Tiggywinkles

St Tiggywinkles is the biggest wildlife hospital in the world and it is located in a small village in rural England. According to the St Tiggywinkles' website every year in Britain over five million wild animals and birds are injured as a direct res...

A day trip to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has to be one of the most awesome sights in the world. I have always been fascinated by waterfalls and find them very beautiful but here in the UK, indeed in Europe, there is nothing to match Niagara Falls. In June 1997, my husband was...

Autumn at AJ's

Autumn in the UK starts in September and goes through until the beginning of December. Autumn is a huge topic to tackle in just one lens, so in order to narrow it down I decided to write something more personal. Each season has its own special meanin...

Our goldfish swims upside down

One of our goldfish swims upside down! The first time I knew of it I heard a little voice ask "Mummy, why is the goldfish swimming upside down?" Oh-oh. That doesn't sound good. Is it going to be tears before bedtime? When I saw this upside down gold...

Best Plants for Bees

What are the best plants for bees? And why should we care? Why should we make sure we plant bee friendly gardens? Because thanks to a mystery illness called Colony Collapse Disorder, they need all the help they can get. Worldwide honeybee stocks hav...

One of my favourite gifts

I hope you dance - an inspirational song and book

I have a very special friend. She is a "dixie chick" from Florida, who came into my life when we went on the same college course in 1999. She is one of those people who, no matter where you are in the world, you think of them often.

We are so different, but we are also so alike and we have supported each other through many ups and downs. She is living back in the States now and oh, how I miss her and laughing and crying over a cappuchino!

She gave me a book "I hope you dance" and it is one of my favourite gifts. But like you often do, you put a treasured possession to one side and you forget about it for awhile. I suppose that's what makes it so special - when you find it again you experience the good feeling you had when you were given it, all over again.

This wet September morning, it is early and I cannot sleep. I have just got up and played the song that goes with the book. It is inspirational.

Lee Ann Womack recorded the song "I hope you dance". In the introduction to the book, she says that the lyrics makes her think of her children and what she wants for them in life. It does the same to me.

I hope you dance too!

Update 21 October 2008

My Dixie Chick visited my lens and this is what she said in the Guestbook:

"I sit listening to sultry words of hope, vision, dreams... wandering through your thoughtful prose. There are no miles between us when I can feel your presence so pure. Go Girl ! We once were called 'scribblers' ... now we are 'tappers'!
xo

I hope you dance

I hope you dance lyrics

I hope you dance - the book & the CD

A thoughtful and inspiring gift

A gift to give your children as they grow up. Inside the front cover you can write a message saying why you are giving them the book.

I Hope You Dance

by: Mark D. Sanders, Tia Sillers

Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/11/2009)

Some great reference books

Books I dip in and out of

Imperfectly Natural Woman: Getting Life Right the Natural Way

by: Janey Lee Grace

This book is great if, like me, you are worried about all the chemicals and muck that we are surrounding ourselves and our families with. It's all about going back to simple living AND you can save yourself money too!

Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 07/11/2009)

Imperfectly Natural Home: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Natural Home

by: Janey Lee Grace

Everything you need to know to rid your home of chemicals and pollutants

Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 07/11/2009)

The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club

by: Maeve Binchy

Great to read and lots of tips and encouragement from a best selling author

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)

How to Prune: Techniques and Tips for Every Plant and Season

by: John Cushnie

This is a book that I am constantly referring to.

Amazon Price: $24.23 (as of 07/11/2009)

Imperfectly Natural Woman: The Pocket Book

by: Janey Lee Grace

Published 06 March 2009 - an ideal present for Mother's Day!

Amazon Price: $14.82 (as of 07/11/2009)

10 Things I Hate!

I hate:

Bullying

Plastic carrier bags

Politicians (well most of them)

Litter Louts

Pollution

Unnecessary car journeys, when you could just as easily walk

British summers when they are wet and windy

People showing a lack of respect to each other

Sorting computer problems

Food going to waste

I love ...... MASH

One of my alltime favourite TV shows

Top 10 MASH Quotes

M*A*S*H, one of the most popular TV series in American history, was based on the best selling book by Richard Hooker and the subsequent movie. For a sit-com, MASH broke boundaries and tackled subjects never seen before on TV, including controversial...

My Favourite TV Shows

I don't watch much TV, but I will always make an exception for these!

Doctor Who - The Complete First and Second Series (11pc)

Never to be missed. One of those programmes the whole family watches together.

Amazon Price: $139.99 (as of 07/11/2009)

ER: The Complete Seasons 1-8

I am the only fan of this in my family - I hate watching it with anyone else. I can't stand all the questions, like "Oh, who's he?" or "What happened to her?" Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)

Hill Street Blues - Season 1

I was absolutely hooked on this and my Dad loved it as well.

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/11/2009)

Adventures of Robin Hood - Complete First Season

Another programme that the whole family settles down to watch on a Saturday night.

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/11/2009)

MAS*H - Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection

Probably my all time favourite TV programme.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)

Something I was not expecting to find

I'm glad I found it!

It's amazing what you will find on You Tube, when you are looking for a clip to complement a lens. Some of it you wish you had definitely not found. But when I was researching for my lens on Pantomime I used a search string "It's behind you". I came up with lots of clips that were totally irrelevant and this is one of them. I am such a softy, I love Dr Who, I love David Tennant and I love this song.

Cheesy! Yep, it is so cheesy you could serve it up with pickle but I just love this clip!

The Doctor Must Go On

One of my favourite TV shows

Yes, it's Strictly Come Dancing!

From September to December, on a Saturday evening Lizzie and I curl up on the sofa together for our weekly fix of sequins, diamantes and muscles and watch Strictly Come Dancing.

Well, I don't think Lizzie is interested in the muscles, although she does recognise that Vincent, one of the professional dancers is an outrageous flirt! And it is the only evening when I will allow the family to have dinner in front of the telly. Then on a Sunday evening, we have our dinner and then watch the results show.

I cannot dance at all well but I do love musical theatre and this show is an extension of musical theatre. I love the music, I love the costumes and I think every single contestant is worthy of respect to put themselves through such an exhausting training regime.

So, who was my tip for the title in 2008? Have a look at the video.

20 November 2008
Gasp! A contestant quits because he is worried he might win! See video below.

The 2008 show was hit by several controversies but here's hoping it will be back for another run in 2009. Autumn Saturday nights would not be the same without "Strictly" and rumour has it that a member of the British Royal Family will be taking part!

My tip for the Strictly Come Dancing Title 2008

Rachel Stevens Performs the Argentine Tango on Strictly Come Dancing 39/40 13 December 2008

Controversy in Strictly Come Dancing

19 November 2008

A contestant quits because he is worried about winning!

John Sergeant Quits Strictly Come Dancing - BBC News

And the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2008 is.....

Hands off our Vitamins

My Eco Lenses

These lenses belong to my personal Eco Group, which will probably be one of my major themes. I believe passionately in trying to reduce waste and creating a safe, environmentally friendly home for my family.

Hands off our Vitamins is a campaign against the introduction of The European Commission Food Supplements Directive. If the Directive comes into force then the EU will dictate what vitamins and minerals we can buy in all the member states, including...

Twelve Days of a Green & Ethical Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas to my family is simply a time of being together. When I was a child there was no such thing as "global warming" and vegetarians were very unusual. Naturally, as I have got older my awareness of the damage the human popula...

Soapnuts - The Environmentally Friendly & Natural Cleaner

Soapnuts are one of the best "ecosoaps" on the planet! They are an environmentally friendly, natural and cheap alternative to commercial detergents, which are easy to use in the home. We have four children and like many parents, my husband and I are...

Imperfectly natural

Imperfectly Natural.com is the home of natural alternatives. How did I become the Editor of this website that has over 3-400,000 hits a month? It is all thanks to Squidoo! This lens tells you how I first met the Imperfectly Natural Woman, Janey Lee...

Janey Lee Grace

Janey Lee Grace is a UK expert in the field of "natural" living. Janey describes herself as an "Imperfectly Natural Woman" and has written a best selling book with the same title. More recently "The Wright Stuff" on UK TV has started referring to her...

Everyone should have at least one of these

Do your bit to save the planet. Always have at least one of these on you when you go shopping

I love cotton tote bags that you can fold up and carry with you in your handbag (oops purse in the USA). I hate plastic carrier bags!

Japanese Kanji Green Bag

From: Reusable Bags, Earth Day T-shirts, Chic Eco Gifts

Price: 27.95

Mahatma Ghandi Quote Tote Bag

From: Spyke and Spencer Gift Shoppe

Price: 17.99

Alpha Tote Bag

From: Dogjest Gifts for Doglovers

Price: 18.00

Chef or Cook Tote Bag

From: Occupation T-shirts at My Job T-shirt

Price: 18.99

The Cheshire Cat and Alice Tote Bag

From: annesgraphics.com Online Gift Shop

Price: 16.99

My Family & Parenting Lenses

This is another area that I am passionate about. I have also started a Squidoo Group called "Children and Parenting" - check it out and see if your lenses fit the criteria for joining.

Three of these lenses are about my family.

Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a little known condition that may affect 10% of children, the majority of whom are undiagnosed. According to Contact a Family it was first recognised in the USA in the 1960s. APD is a term that is often used to...

I love you Dad

Father, Dad, Daddy, Pop, Pa, Papa - many different names for many different people, but whether it is "I love you Dad", "I love you Daddy" or whatever it is your child calls you, those words will always mean so much. Any man can be a father But it t...

Bullying At Primary School

Bullying at Primary School summarises everything that I learned when my daughter was being bullied and gives tips and strategies to use when dealing with the school. I hope your children are never bullied, but if they are then perhaps our experience...

I love you Mum

Mother, Mum, Mummy, Ma, Mom - many different names for many different people, but whether it is "I love you Mum", "I love you Mummy" or whatever it is your child calls you, those words are amongst the most precious that a mother will ever hear. For...

Otosclerosis - a disease of the middle ear

Otosclerosis is a disease of the middle ear that will inevitably lead to hearing loss. It affects about 1 or 2 in 100 people in the UK and approx 10% of people in the USA. It usually develops between the ages of 15 and 35. Sometimes it can develop in...

I want to see......wild horses running free

From as long ago as I can remember I have always loved horses. There was no way that my parents could ever have afforded for me to have riding lessons, let alone have a pony, but I did learn to ride when I was in my teens as two of my friends had horses.

Happy Birthday Chef Keem

One of my favourite books was "My Friend Flicka", as well as the sequels, "Thunderhead" and "The Green Grass of Wyoming". I did have my own horse eventually and he was just like Flicka - a golden chestnut with a cream mane and tale. He was my dream come true but sadly I had to sell him when my first husband and I were divorced.

I no longer ride, thanks to two very bad falls and lack of funds, but one of my daughters is as passionate about horses as I ever was and we would both love to see horses running free in the central states of the USA. We would love to make it to Wyoming one day.

My Friend Flicka & my other favourites

Wonderful books for young horse lovers

Flicka Family Classics Collection (My Friend Flicka / Thunderhead: Son of Flicka / The Green Grass of Wyoming)

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/11/2009)

Thunderhead (Egmont Classics)

by: Mary O'Hara

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)

Green Grass of Wyoming (Egmont Classics)

by: Mary O'Hara

Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009)

National Velvet (Book and Charm)

by: Enid Bagnold

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009)

Black Beauty (Unabridged Classics)

by: Anna Sewell

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/11/2009)

I love ...... cooking

A recipe lens and one of my fav Chefs!

Making perfect gravy

This method of making perfect gravy has been used in my family for generations. Interestingly, it has always been my Dad who's made the gravy for our Sunday Roast Lunches and it was he who taught me how to make gravy. My Little Oxford Dictionary, th...

Happy 60th Birthday Chef Keem - 07 May 2009 According to his Squidoo Bio: Chef Keem aka Achim Thiemermann, has been a member since January 29 2008, has rated 2,383 lenses, favorited 1,801, and has created 111 lenses from scratch. Achim Thiemermann do...

Some of my favourite Lensmasters

Since joining Squidoo I have enjoyed reading many, many lenses and have been impressed by how friendly and helpful the Squidoo Community is. These are just a few of the Lensmasters who have made an impression on me for various reasons.

I am ....Gemini

AND I was born in the Chinese Year of the Horse!

Gemini traits according to Wikipedia

Ideal Careers
Architect, archaeologist, comedian, teacher, model, playwright, diplomat, public speaker, singer, author, psychologist, poet, musician, journalist, lawyer, movie writer or director, debater/politician.

As far as an ideal career is concerned, I have taught adults and my children tell me that I am better than their IT teacher. Model? Not these days!

Playwright - well I am currently writing a show with a couple of friends and I have written Pantomime scripts. Diplomat - oops, sometimes I put my foot in it. Public speaker - have done that and I get good feedback.

Singer - good at backing, find solo hard as due to lack of confidence, my throat closes up. Author - I have a draft novel, but have been sidetracked by Squidoo. Psychology interests me but I could not be a psychologist I would get too drawn in by my patients. Poet - don't think so.

Musician, could never get the hang of reading music. Journalist - would have liked to have been article writer - could still do it and isn't that sort of what I am doing on Squidoo and on Imperfectly Natural? As for movie writer or director - would like to turn my novel into a screenplay and I have directed pantos and shows in amateur theatre.

Debater - most definitely. I have an opinion on everything! PoliticianPolitician - NO! Most of them in my opinion have no ethics!

Likes
Talking, the unusual, teaching, learning, different things in life, having multiple projects all going at once, traveling, making jokes, jet-setting

Likes talking? Moi? Yes, of course I do! Unusual things do catch my eye, and I do like teaching, but not all the time.

Rehearsing 45 children for a couple of hours a week for 3 months of the year is about all I can manage. Learning? My mother says I was a sponge when I was a child, I would absorb everything. Still do.

Multi-tasking was always a speciality but as I get older I enjoy it less. I like to focus on one thing at a time, but I can be easily distracted. I love travelling abroad and yes, I can usually see humour in most situations - but it is not always appreciated!

What's your star sign?

Dislikes
Feeling tied down, losing, being wrong, being in a bad situation, mental inaction, being alone, not getting credit for one's successes

I do like to be a free bird and hate feeling tied down. As for losing, winning is not everything but trying to win is. Being wrong is horrible but not the end of the world and I am good at apologising if the fault is mine.

I hate being in a bad situation particularly if it is not of my own making - but being a Gemini, sometimes it is! Mental inaction - I find it hard to watch TV, unless it is something I really want to see. I would far rather be doing something, so in order to compromise with my family and be there with them, I will be happy if I can sew. In the weeks before Christmas it is fine because I am usually making my costume for a show.

I don't mind having time on my own, if I am writing - it is a blessing. However, I hate staying away on my own, would never go to a restaurant or the cinema on my own.

As for not getting credit for my successes - I get very, very riled if someone steals my thunder or gives the impression that my idea was theirs. As a result I will always give someone credit for any ideas that I make use of.

Of course I don't believe in all that astrology rubbish!

My Astrology Lenses

My newest niche

Join in the poll on Starsign as I try to find out which starsigns dominate on Squidoo and Twitter

Aries

What's your horoscope, Aries? Two words define Aries: "I am" and a lot of your conversations begin with "I"! You are forceful and energetic and it can be hard to keep up with you. So who are you really, Aries? What's your best colour? What's your lu...

Aries in love

Are you in love Aries? How is it working? What do the stars have in store for you? Aries men and women radiate charm and can be hard to resist. Arians frequently treat love as a game and the opposite sex as an opponent to be conquered. They thrive i...

Are any particular star signs more dominant among people who are active on Squidoo and Twitter? It's just something I got thinking about. Writing is one of the careers that is suggested for my star sign, so I wondered how many other Lensmasters I kn...

Taurus

What's your horoscope, Taurus? The two words that sum you up are: "I have". You have unequalled patience, are very resourceful but you are also very aquisitive. So who are you really Taurus? What's your best colour? What's your lucky number? Who are...

Taurus in love

Are you in love Taurus? Are you and your partner compatible? Will it last? Taureans are sensible and practical people and this underscores their love lives. Although they enjoy being at home and love a quiet evening in with good food and good conver...

My favourite musicals

Well some of them!

I am currently writing a new musical with two friends and I have been lucky enough to appear in some amateur productions. I love going to the theatre, which does not happen that often but when I do I find myself distracted by how they design the sets and change the scenery in case I can spot ideas for the shows I am involved in.

Moulin Rouge (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

From the minute the first chord was played I was absolutely transfixed by the soundtrack, script and costumes. Can't wait until my girls are old enough to see it - they already know the soundtrack by heart.

Amazon Price: $24.49 (as of 07/11/2009)

Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)

One of the first musicals I remember seeing - I think it must have been on televsion as I am too young to have seen it when it was first released.

Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 07/11/2009)

Billy Elliot

Loved the film and loved the musical even more. But I have to be careful when I listen to the sountrack as it is definitely not suitable for young ears. When I went to see the show in London I was shocked at how many young children were in the audience.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/11/2009)

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

I saw "Joseph" in London in the early 90s and more recently produced and appeared in an Amateur production with my family. It was the most fantastic experience and on the final night I have never experienced a standing ovation like the one we had. The run was over far too quickly.

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 07/11/2009)

Mamma Mia! The Movie (Two Disc Special Edition)

Love it! Love it! Love it! You can da-ance, you can ji-ive
Having the time of your li-ife!

Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 07/11/2009)

Mamma Mia!

If you can't wait for the delivery of your DVD, then have a look at this trailer!

One of my daughters spent the whole movie terrified that I was going to get up and sing and dance in the aisle. Definitely a show I would love to do one day!

The New Mamma Mia! Trailer

Hairspray the Musical

I also love Hairspray & Pantomimes!

My review of Hairspray the Musical

Hairspray the Musical - one of the most faBtastic nights out I have ever enjoyed! What a birthday treat! My love of Hairspray started when I went to see the film with Sparky and Lizzie in 2007. When the film ended, my jaw ached! I started grinning a...

Pantomime - a Great British Tradition

In the UK a Pantomime, or "Panto" as it is usually affectionately called, is a musical show, performed around Christmas for the entertainment of millions of families. Many of the stories are based around popular Fairy Tales. Children love to see thei...

My "Miscellaneous" Lenses

Everything else....

When I started making lenses on Squidoo, I identified my "niche" topics as "Green and Environmental" and "Parenting and Children". But such is the lure of writing.....

Best of stephenfry on Twitter

Stephen Fry, the third most popular Twitter user, has broken the 100,000 follower barrier - as reported by the Daily Telegraph on 02 February 2009. The article goes on to inform us that Stephen Fry was the second most followed individual on Twitter...

David Miliband

In September 2008 it was widely thought that David Miliband was gearing up for a Labour Party leadership challenge, which if successful, would have ousted Gordon Brown as Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Pri...

Lose weight with a wheat free diet

Lose weight with a wheat free diet is my account of how I managed to shed pounds and keep them off. How many times do we try to lose weight in the New Year only to give up by Easter because we just cannot continue with the calorie and/or carb counti...

Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven novels for children, written by C. S. Lewis, which has been adapted for radio, television and more recently, cinema. The books are regarded as classics of children's literature and they are C S Lewis' be...

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is on the second Sunday in November. In the UK Ceremonies and Services are held in Churches and at War Memorials in cities, towns and villages all over country. The nation pays homage to those who died in the two World Wars and other...

Dancing in the Rain

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain"

I came across this quote in early 2008 and have been unable to find out who wrote it. The words evoked various emotions and thoughts. The first thing I visualised was a picture of me and my very dear american friend just "singing and dancing in the rain!" Not literally, but it does sum up what we both try to do.

Occasionally I do a Google on "dancing in the rain" and there's masses of hits on blogs and pages. But there is one that I found that has touched me more than any other:

Dancing in the Rain - a tribute to two sons

Although I have four children, I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like to lose a child. But to know that your child may still be alive if it was not for the deliberate murderous actions of other human beings must be one of the biggest burdens that any parent who loses a child has to bear.

This website just makes me feel blessed and I hope the parents continue to develop it further. There's links to help for people having to come to terms not only with their loss, but the circumstances of that loss. There's also links to fundraising for various causes, so I hope you will go and take a look for yourself.

More favourite Lensmasters

How did I do on Squidoo in 2008?

Some landmark dates

10 July 2008
I join Squidoo

14 July
I publish my first lens: Janey Lee Grace

31 July
Four lenses published

31 August 2008
Seven lenses published

10 September
Auditory Processing Disorder is Lens of the Day

15 September 2008
Auditory Processing Disorder made it to my highest ever lensranking of 129

23 September
Auditory Processing Disorder is Lens of the Day for the second time!

24 September 2008
Auditory Processing Disorder achieved my highest ever lens ranking of 107! Nail bitingly close to the Top 100

25 September 2008
I did it! I made the Top 100. Auditory Processing Disorder is now 58 in the overall rankings - WOOOOOOOOO!

28 September 2008
TWO lenses in the Top 100 - another objective achieved with Auditory Processing Disorder and Squid Etiquette

29 September 2008
My highest ever lens ranking: Squid Etiquette made it to 54 in the overall rankings! It's nail biting time again, will I get into the Top 50?

30 September 2008
Unbelievable! Squid Etiquette made it to 49 in the overall rankings in just seven days!

12 lenses published

06 October 2008
Squid Etiquette made it to 23 in the overall rankings - my highest ever ranking

31 October
15 lenses published

30 November
20 lenses published

01 December 2008
Tweleve Days of a Green and Ethical Christmas was Lens of the Day!

31 December
21 lenses published

Final stats on 31 December 2008:
Top 2,000 = 1
Top 10,000 = 7
Top 20,000 = 5
Top 40,000 = 3
40,000+ = 4

A few things I want to do

My aims and ambitions

By end June 2009

Become a Giant Squid

Set up a Website

Get a Zazzle store up and running

Publish an e-book

Get a lens into the top 20

By end September

Finish writing a new musical with 2 of my friends

Get a lens into the top 10

Earn a reasonable income from writing

Longterm

Take my family to Washington State, USA

Publish a novel

I wannabe....a writer

My review of a fav book

Lots of tips from a successful freelance writer plus some unique tips from AJ too! The lens also has original cartoons, drawn by AJ's "girls", which gives an insight into life at AJ's.

wannabe a writer?

wannabe a writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones is one of the best books anyone has ever given me. So, whether you are a WAHM (Work at Home Mum) or Dad, part or full time writer, if you want to learn about writing and getting published AND laugh at the same t...

I am.... an author!

It's official - honest!

April 2009
I was absolutely delighted to recieve an e-mail from my Squidfriend Chef Keem, inviting me to become an author on SquidLog.

My "Squidoo" Lenses

Anything Squidoo

It's amazing how much you can find to write about Squidoo!
On 24 September my lens Squid Etiquette arrived in the rankings at 1187. The next day it was 141!

January 2009 - Twttrstrm arrives on Squidoo, oh what fun!

Thank you for the help

Thanks for the help? There is so much good advice about lensmaking to be found on Squidoo, SquidU and all the related Squidthis and Squidthat websites, so it is only right that having benefitted from all this advice, it was about time I did something...

AJ2008 a Lensography

This Lensography is a different sort of Lensography to the first one I made: AJ is Always Juggling, which is more about me, my likes, my dislikes and my personal ambitions. This lensography is my Squidoo Story. Joining Squidoo has changed my life! N...

Squidoo Community

What is Squidoo? What is the Squidoo Community? What can Squidoo do for you? How can you make money with Squidoo? What are the benefits of Squidoo? When I first discovered Squidoo, I had all these questions and a lot more. The biggest one being: How...

Squid Etiquette

Squid Etiquette is all about what to do and what NOT to do on Squidoo! In our enthusiasm to not only publish our first few lenses but also get traffic, we may forget some very important things or we may do things that actually, if you really stop and...

What are the best How to Squidoo e-books?

What is the best e-book you have read about Squidoo or internet marketing? There's a plethora of e-books available all over the internet that claim will help you to make money on Squidoo or internet marketing. A search on Google for the phrase "squid...

I am...romantic

Stardust - great film!

Yes, I am a soppy romantic. I love music, I love singing and I love romantic fantasy. This is one of my favourite films of the last couple of years. And yes, I have to admit I like Take That too!

Love Letters of Great Men

My Romantic Lenses - topical for Valentine's Day

There's more to these lenses that you think!

The lens Love Letters of Great Men evolved like a lot of my lenses. I started out with an idea from a newspaper story. Then I got a few more ideas....

For Valentine's Day I wanted to try to do something different. This lens has an ethical theme and for the first time features photographs taken by my very creative eldest daughter.

Love Letters of Great Men started out as a film prop! There is a scene in the film Sex and the City, that sent its mostly female fans flocking into bookshops and desperately searching Amazon for a book that did not exist. Carrie Bradshaw is lying in...

Valentines Day

Valentine's Day is celebrated all over the world and is another of those special days which appears to have been hijacked by commercialism - but the soppy romantic in me still loves it! However, if you do want to buy chocs or flowers for the loved o...

The Weather where I am

Yes, it's true. The British ARE obsessed by the weather

Current weather conditions in London, United Kingdom

Local Pollen Reports

16°C (Feels like 16°C)

Last update: 7/12/09 4:50 AM Local Time

Humidity: 82%
Visibility: 10.0 km
Dew Point: 13°C
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 1006.1mm steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 21km/h From: Airport Conditions

A place I want to take my family

Washington State

In 1992, I went to Portland in Oregon for a business meeting. We flew to Seattle and then took a couple of days to drive down to Portland and I found a place in the world that I want to go back to with my family.

Travelling for business rather than pleasure is very different to travelling with people you are close to. We stayed on Mount Rainier and also visited Mount Hood and Mount St Helens but they are the sort of places you want to share with someone close.

10 things I want to do

We stayed in an old hotel, on Mount Rainier and the inside was like something out of "Lord of the Rings". All wood, with high ceilings and huge log fires. I remember sitting by the fire as a chipmunk ran up and down my leg as I read a book - magic!

However, the most awesome part of the visit was driving up Mount St Helen's which had erupted twelve years previously.

Image courtesy of USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

We had to abandon our attempt to get very high as without warning we got caught in very thick fog. However, we still saw some amazing sights. I remember looking down onto Spirit Lake and thinking what a very grey, muddy shoreline it had. Then I realised I was looking at millions of trees that still littered the shoreline! Watching a film of the eruption on a huge screen at one of the visitor centres was absolutely breathtaking.I watched the eruption on the TV when it happened in 1980, but it is only when you actually visit Mount St Helens that you can truly understand what an incredible event the eruption was.

AJ's May To Do List

Publish a lens about My Squidoo Story in time for my first anniversary on Squidoo

Give my Lens "David Miliband" a major facelift

Publish some lenses in two new "niches"

Publish more lenses or I will never make it to Giant Squid by June 2009!

(My first anniversary on Squidoo is July 10, 2009)

Other Places You Can Find AJ

Click on this badge to find out why I am famous!

Links to other websites that have made an impact on me

I found some of theseI have found while using "Stumbleupon" and they have either made me stop and think "Hey, I really agree with this" or they could be sites that I just like.

Why we should not use plastic bags: This slide show does not make comfortable viewing but I think it should be shown in every shop that still offers free plastic bags.
Pretty Blue Planet: One of many websites showing satellite photos of the earth and space. What I like about this one is the soundtrack that goes so well with the images.
Imperfectly Natural Janey Lee Grace: The home of natural alternatives

I Twitter!

My username is aj1996

Someone on Twitter already has the Username AJ2008. Can I please have it? Please, please, please?

If you Squidoo like I do, then by all means follow me!

AJ's Twitterings

Jul 10, 2009 @ 4:18 pm

Wishing everyone a great weekend - late here and I am off to curl up with Kate Mosse - Sepulchre. Very spooky book!! See y'all on Monday!
Jul 10, 2009 @ 4:17 pm

@luvmyludwig @jaguarjulie @RickyRobi @GrowWear @Stazjia @TreasuresByBren @kiwi91 Thank you for Squidversary wishes!
Jul 10, 2009 @ 8:11 am

RT @Cernescu: Good morning, it is a great day as a new challenge starts at Squidoo, find out details http://bit.ly/15nu3b
Jul 10, 2009 @ 7:59 am

Why do YOU love Squidoo? #squidoo http://twttrlist.com/11qN
Jul 10, 2009 @ 7:40 am

@Stazjia Dont follow! If they cant be open about what they are doing then they have something to hide!

Follow aj1996

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I love....my country

Yep and I like "The Royals" too!

Although I am very democratic in outlook, I do have an affection for our Royal Family. Just because they are richer that us, does not automatically mean that they are blessed with more common sense. So I generally forgive them when they get it wrong!

Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II became Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 06 February 1952. In addition she is Head of the Commonwealth. However, Elizabeth was not born to be Queen. Her Uncle was King Edward VIII, but he was never cro...

Prince Charles is 60

Destined to become King Charles III, Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne was 60 on 14 November 2008. In January 2008 Charles became the world's longest serving heir apparent, passing the record of 59 years and 73 days previously held by Ki...

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is on the second Sunday in November. In the UK Ceremonies and Services are held in Churches and at War Memorials in cities, towns and villages all over country. The nation pays homage to those who died in the two World Wars and other...

Trooping the colour

Trooping the Colour is one of the most colourful ceremonies held in England. This military pagent is held annually on Horse Guards Parade in St James Park, in London to celebrate The Queen's Official birthday. Although Queen Elizabeth II was born on...

I am ....a RocketMom!

A new initiative on Squidoo

RocketMoms is a gathering of the smartest women on the web, working together to make Squidoo lenses (and a whole lot more). Well that's what is says on the Homepage!

The group is specifically aimed at Mums (Moms) publishing on Squidoo and the first cohort started their six week course on 20 April 2009.

In Week 1 our first task was to make an "about me" lens. We have our own template and I have published a Lensography for all my RocketMoms lenses and there's plexos for other RocketMoms to add their lenses as well.

RocketMoms

Lenses using the Rocket Moms template

RocketMoms

RocketMoms? RocketMoms is a group of like-minded Lensmasters on Squidoo who work together and help each other in lenscrafting, networking and lots more! RocketMoms have their own template and their own Top 100 and it occurred to me that unless I was...

What 10 things do I want to do in the next five years? Like most people there's lots of things I want to do, much of it dependent on having the money to do it. When I mapped out my list I tried to balance it out with things that would cost money and...

My Groups

All lenses are personally approved

I am very proud of the lenses in these groups. Check them out!

Children and Parenting Headquarters

Being a parent or carer means that you will have to confront many issues - some of which with you may never have had any previous experience. I have four children and you would have thought that when I had the two youngest, I would have "seen it all,...

Weight Loss Group Headquarters

THE Weight Loss Group? Weight loss is a huge topic on Squidoo! So why has this group been formed? Why is this Group different! It will only accept lenses where the Lensmaster shares their GENUINE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE and is full of personal recom...

I Squidoo!

You can too!

Publishing lenses is great fun and can be a way to earn a bit of extra money. You will NOT get rich quick on Squidoo, it takes time to build up an income but if you like to write or be creative then Squidoo may be for you.

Do you have some stories to share?
Do you want to get a message across about something you believe in?
Do you have a website to promote?
Would you like to try your hand at writing on Squidoo?

Then become a Lensmaster! You may even make some extra cash too! AND it is free!

All you have to do is click on this link. Choose a Username and a Password - you dont even have to publish until you are ready - then go visit some lenses and to help you there's lots of "How to Squidoo" lenses, written by lensmasters who have "been there"!

Did you like this Lens?

Please take a moment to rate it

Please stop by and say hello!

I would love to hear from everyone who may just be slightly interested enough to have taken a peek at who I am!

jaye3000 wrote...

This is a great lens~ and from a great gal! I enjoyed reading all about you. I'm dying to see Stardust, and you've just reminded me of that, I actually named my youngest after Claire Danes...off to the video store ;)

Posted July 11, 2009

rms wrote...

Congratulations NEW Giant! Glad to have you aboard!

Posted July 02, 2009

CDT wrote...

BIG congratulations on making Giant Squid - it's a great feeling when you get that email isn't it :D

Posted July 02, 2009

MissFrax wrote...

Only joined this fantastic place today and slowly building my lens. Your own is inspirational and makes for wonderful reading. I'd like to link to you from my lens if I may. We have so much in common. I am currently a single mother after having been in a 20 year relationship (we met when I was 16) and we parted company some 3 years ago. I decided to go to University where, after dabbling with a Degree in Drama have decided to change my path and starting a new Degree in Cambridge in Writing/Film Studies (Double Honours). As most mothers do, I'm juggling everything and managing well and finding life very exciting at the moment. Will peep in regularly. Thank you.

Posted June 29, 2009