Addicted to CSI!

I thought one day I would grab the first box set of Crime Scene Investigation: Las Vegas; it had been a long time since I watched it and remember fondly how good it was. From there I am now on season 9!! And I am still going strong.

I have to say even after watching 9 seasons the show keep you intensely enthralled, I am always wanting for the next episode! The Mrs nags me a lot when I am watching CSI and not watching Downton Abbey or such like…

The series is based around a crime lab in Las Vegas, as you watch you see the CSI team grow and change, with some new plucky characters and some unfortunate losses. With each episode you might expect a “case closed” by the end, but some of the epic cases carry over throughout the series and pop up unexpectedly! (This is my number one favourite thing about the show).

Another attribute of the show is finding out how they compile the evidence during a case and even when they feel they have exhausted every avenue on the case, seeing how they overcome this with team work and further analysis to still manage to catch the bad guys is really exhilarating.

If you’re ready to watch a truly great and epic show that hasn’t lost its lustre after 13 seasons then get yourself started today and pick up your copy of season one where it all started from humble beginnings.

Window Firm Advises Customers On Dangers Of Untreated Condensation

Over the winter condensation in the home can be a persistent problem for many households. It is caused when warm, moist air comes into contact with cold surfaces, which is why it occurs mostly during the colder months. If the moisture is not wiped away regularly and is left to build up, the problem can extend far beyond wetness on surfaces – it can have serious implications on your family’s health.

Sharon Boxall at Hampshire-based Met Therm Windows says that taking preventative action will prove worthwhile time and time again. “Condensation can seem harmless enough, but it is the main cause of damp in the home. Normal activities which we all do every day produce large amounts of moisture, which ends up in the air and eventually forms droplets on our windows, walls, ceilings, furniture and other surfaces. Taking a shower or bath can create up to a litre of water vapour, two adults being in the home all day can create up to two litres, and using the tumble drier can create up to an incredible four litres of water vapour. It may seem unbelievable, but the average family can easily create 22 litres a day, just through normal activities!“

If the moisture is left to accumulate then problems with damp and mould can set in, which can become a serious problem. Mould is a fungus which can grow rapidly in the warmth of a home, particularly in areas where the circulation of air is restricted. It can be easily removed, but can cause damage to furniture, belongings and the fixture and fittings in your home if it is left to spread. More worryingly, exposure to mould can be harmful to your health – particularly for those who are older, prone to respiratory infections, battling ill health and for children. The spores from the mould can become airborne and can be breathed in, but simply coming into contact with it could also cause problems. “Common symptoms include developing allergies, chronic headaches, persistent fatigue, asthma, ear and respiratory infections. When mould is toxic, the symptoms can be far more severe, however.

We would urge anyone who suspects their family may be affected by mould to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. “If you notice that mould is becoming an issue in your home, it can be safely removed using mould removal products, appropriate cleaning materials and by keeping windows open during the day so that the air can circulate. The person doing the cleaning should protect themselves throughout with a mask to limit their exposure. While walls and other surfaces may be restored to normal, other items such as furniture or clothing cannot always be cleaned completely and may be damaged beyond repair. “There are many simple ways to prevent mould from reoccurring and to limit the build-up of condensation in the future. Increasing the ventilation in your home by regularly using vents, extractor fans, cooker hoods can make a big difference. As can opening windows each day to allow moist air to escape and fresh air to come in. Using dehumidifiers and drying washing outside can also help. It is also worth checking for any plumbing or roof leaks, to see if this could be a cause. “A major condensation culprit is older windows, which don’t have strong seals and can be riddled with cracks and air pockets which don’t form an effective barrier between your home and the outside environment. Considering upgrading your windows to improve the barrier between the warm interior of your home and the cold exterior could go a long way to improving condensation and the issues associated with it.”

Galt Toys Offer Practical Advice to Parents

Galttoys.com go the extra mile for their customers 

Galt educational toys make it a policy to actively engage with their clients and find out what they like and do not like about their products. In the course of doing this, the company has learnt a lot more than that. They have gained an insight into what parents are worried about when it comes to raising their children. Galt have taken this knowledge and decided to do what they can to improve thing for their clients. They know how hard it is for parents to get the balance right when it comes to raising children and want to do what they can do to help. 

The main way Galt engages with its clients is the internet. Therefore, it is natural that they have used the web when responding to their clients concerns and needs. Using their blog, they have written about issues that concern the families who are their customers. A recent blog that gave parents time saving tips and proved very useful for some parents was particularly popular. 

The problem in the modern world is definitely time. It is difficult enough when one parent is working, but when both are the challenge of balancing family life with work life becomes even harder. Galt came up with 10 practical timesaving tips that were simple to apply and really worked. 

Educational toys are mainly fun 

Galt’s approach of having a symbiotic relationship with their customers is good for both parties. Galt builds a strong relationship with their clients and parents get free valuable advice as well as great educational toys. However, Galt are focused on the fact that the main reason people buy from them is that their toys are fun and educational, so not everything on the blog is serious in nature. A recent blog about Galt Toys Alternative Queen’s Speech competition was especially popular. The company asked 650 6-12 year olds what they would do if they were king or queen for a day. The answers were then compiled into a fun video. The video was a thought provoking yet funny video that was popular with both children and their parents. It reflects the ethos of Galt Toys, which are designed to be fun as well as educational.

Icy Beach!

Well with The Mrs at work in her day job not at home doing her important toy reviews, I had to ponder what to do today with the weather as it is and with two boisterous boys. The icy pavements yesterday left me and running for the warmth after youngest took a nose dive within seconds!

As we live practically on the beach we found that it had thawed enough today for us to venture onto the icy and baron beach!

Now taking every opportunity the boys could they tried to dive into as many rock pools as they could! Yikes I had to tell them the dangers of getting wet in such colder temperatures (this did perturb them!)

We always make up some fun adventure whilst walking along the beach usually involving a dragon, giant and the oh so important treasure! And no doubt we never make the journey home until we find the treasure (This is the excuse I always use to try and get them that bit more worn out!). I always find that the dragon chases us away from rock pools and any kind of impractical obstacle.

Well today's treasure was an old oil drum that had been washed up! Here’s a picture of them celebrating after conquering the dragon and giant! They even broke into spontaneous steel drumming!

Now off to slay the sea monster's from the icy lake, well throw stones in the frozen pond!