Tag: History

Memory Lane | Child of the 90s

Though I still look about twelve (woo! 🙄), I’m actually now the grand old age of 31; A true child of the 90s.

A friend and I were recently gabbling away and reminiscing about things from our childhood.

Some were great! And others were…not so great.

Do you remember any of these..?

Babyliss Hair Straighteners/Crimpers

Image Description: Babyliss hair straighteners/crimpers from the late 1990s
Image Description: Babyliss hair straighteners/crimpers from the late 1990s

Many years before obscenely priced GHDs became the go-to hair straightener of choice, we had this bad boy!

A multi-purpose hair straightener/crimper, this clumpy contraption took about an hour to reach a lukewarm temperature. We then had to clamp each section for…oh, flippin’ ages!

Quite why we wanted to crimp our hair, I don’t know. But at the time, we thought we looked ace! On reflection…not so much.

Tammy Girl

Image Description: Tammy Girl shop front
Image Description: Tammy Girl shop front
Image Description: Classic Tammy Girl T-shirt
Image Description: Classic Tammy Girl T-shirt

I kid you not; I owned this very T-shirt and many like it, courtesy of the (not at all) classy pre-teen clothing store, Tammy Girl. Oh yeeaah!

Sadly, Tammy is no longer. I can’t think why.

Despite not wearing cool and funky clothes like this now I’m in my thirties, I remain a ‘babe with attitude’. Well, sorta!

Impulse O2 Body Spray

Image Description: Impulse O2 shower gel (left) and O2 body spray (right)
Image Description: Impulse O2 shower gel (left) and O2 body spray (right)

Bloody loved this stuff!! How I miss the lingering, intense scent of ethanol and limes.

Whyyyy it was discontinued, I’ll never know.

BRING IT BACK, IMPULSE!!

We don’t all want to smell of white musk (eau de old lady)!

Girl Talk Magazine

Image Description: Front cover of an issue of Girl Talk magazine from the 1990s
Image Description: Front cover of an issue of Girl Talk magazine from the 1990s

A highly educational read for pre-teen Carrie!

Every issue of Girl Talk came with freebies, like miniature furry photo frames (we all love those, right?), and posters of goats and donkeys.

I do like to lay in bed at night and gaze at a donkey poster, don’t you?

Animal Ark Books

Image Description: A collection of books from the Animal Ark series by Lucy Daniels
Image Description: A collection of books from the Animal Ark series by Lucy Daniels

Now, I had forgotten about these books (sacrilege!), until my mate asked, “did you read those rubbish animal stories that were all the same?”

Yes. Yes, I did.

No disrespect to author Lucy Daniels, but I don’t think she’s ever gonna take down J. K. Rowling with these riveting tales of piglets and pussies.

Blockbuster Video Store

Image Description: Blockbuster video store shop front. "Closing Down" posters shown in the windows
Image Description: Blockbuster video store shop front. “Closing Down” posters shown in the windows

Who remembers VHS? Anyone..? I genuinely miss video tapes and cassettes. You could chuck them on the floor and they’d still be good to go.

What I miss even more is going to Blockbuster on a Friday, after school, to rent a video for the weekend.

Simple pleasures. Happy days.

Woolworths

Image Description: A woman selecting sweets from a Pic'n'Mix display at Woolworths
Image Description: A woman selecting sweets from a Pic’n’Mix display at Woolworths

Need I say anything for this one?!

RIP Woolworths. What has the world come to?!

Kids today are truly missing out.

International Women’s Day

To celebrate #InternationalWomensDay, here are some motivational words of wisdom from just a few of the many inspiring women throughout history.

These women advocate equality, inclusion and disability awareness.

Above: Deaf-blind American author and political activist, Helen Keller (1880 – 1968).

Above: Rosa May Billinghurst (1875 – 1953), was a women’s rights activist known as the “cripple suffragette”. She suffered polio as a child and, as a result, was left unable to walk.

What International Women’s Day Means to Me

Light is often shone on independent career women and high-profile personalities; celebrities, public speakers and so-called ‘world changers’.

Of course, these women deserve our respect and applause. But I’d like to also draw attention to the “ordinary” every-woman.

These are the women we are not aware of. We don’t know their names or their stories. These are the women behind the scenes who just get on with life, however challenging.

The single mum’s.

Those living with debilitating conditions and struggle to get out of bed each morning.

Those caring for multiple family members, who don’t have the option to go on holiday or pursue a career.

Women who are relied upon by disabled children and elderly relatives, and have no support or recognition.

Many suffer and struggle in silence. They simply get on with their lives without any fuss or complaint. These women deserve to be celebrated too!

They play a vital role in society – one that takes endurance, tenacity, strength of character and sheer grit. It takes a special kind of person to achieve this.

So remember, you don’t need to change the world to deserve respect and recognition. Being loved unconditionally, appreciated and making a difference to just one person is EVERYTHING!

Related Blog Posts:

International Women’s Day 2018

Interview | The Trailblazing Women of Muscular Dystrophy UK

Armistice Centenary

11/11/1918 ~ 11/11/2018

Today is Remembrance Sunday. A century has now passed since the signing of the armistice, marking the end of the First World War.

11/11/1918 ~ the day the guns fell silent along the Western Front, and four long years of fighting came to cease.

‘The war that will end war’ ~ H. G. Wells

On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, a two-minute silence is held every year to observe and remember all who have fought and lost their lives in war, both past and present.

Hereford Cathedral ~ April 2018 Photo copyright Carrie Aimes

Above: ‘Poppies: Weeping Window‘, Installation. Here at Hereford Cathedral in April 2018. Part of the 1914-18 NOW, WWI centenary commemoration #poppiestour.

Explaining Remembrance Day to children

Recently, a friend told me that her seven year-old daughter had asked why we wear poppies and what Remembrance Sunday means.

She didn’t really know what to say or how to explain it. So she asked if I knew of any age-appropriate books or films to give her an overview.

I’ll be honest, I was fairly stumped! She’s a mature kid, but still, she’s only seven.

How do you explain, to a young child, the concept of ‘poppy day’, and the importance of remembering those who fought in a World War that took place 100 years ago?

(If you’ve any ideas or suggestions, please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks!)

Last weekend, I watched the film War Horse (2011), based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo. I’ll admit, I cried.

It’s an incredibly well told story depicting the perpective of the English, French and Germans during WWI, via war horse Joey who travels throughout Europe, encountering numerous owners.

I had previously read War Horse the novel as well as Private Peaceful, also authored by Morpurgo. Though I wouldn’t recommend these titles for a seven year-old, they are, I feel, brilliant for anyone wanting to know about the effects of the Great War on individuals, families, relationships and communities.

(What books or films would you recommend for primary school children who want to learn about WWI and Remembrance Day?)

~ Please do let me know how you are spending this Remembrance Sunday ~

~ Are you attending a service?

~ Will you be thinking of relatives who served in war?

~ Do you have children with questions of their own?

If you found this blog post interesting, please read: 

Armistice Day | 2016

International Women’s Day 2018

Just a quick post today, to (belatedly) celebrate International Women’s Day 2018.

It is held on 8th March, every year. Here are a few quotes that resonate with me…

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

This post comes to you a little late, since I spent Thursday 8th March in hospital having an operation – fun, fun!

I’m now on the mend and planning future blog posts.

What topics would you like me to cover?

If you have any ideas or suggestions, I would be grateful if you would leave a comment.

Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook

Armistice Day | Time to remember and reflect…

9/11/2016 ~ US Election Result: Trump triumphs over Clinton. A day many would rather forget!

11/11/1918 ~ A day we must never forget.

Today is 11th November 2016 ~ Armistice Day

It has now been 98 years since the brave soldiers of The Great War lay down their arms for the last time along the western front. Almost a century past, but now and always we will remember and give thanks for their selflessness, heroism and sacrifice.

On the 11th November 1918 the guns fell silent, and finally, four long years of fighting came to an end. The Armistice of Compiègne led to six more months of negotiations which resulted in the Treaty of Versailles, effectively concluding the First World War.

Sadly, conflict continues to rage on around the globe, with many lives lost every day to war.

Today, we should all take time to commemorate servicemen and women, past and present. It is our moral duty to show appreciation for all who have fought for our protection, for peace, stability and liberty.

9/11/2016 ~ Trump Triumphs

This week we enter a period of unprecedented political turmoil; a time of uncertainty, instability and division.

Of course, I’m (begrudgingly) referring to the newly elected President of the USA – Donald Trump. I have debated whether or not to acknowledge his recent victory on my blog, since it is such a divisive issue.

However, being a woman with a physical disability, I feel compelled to comment on his offensive attitude towards minority groups throughout his controversial campaign. On a personal note, I find it shocking and unnerving that a bigoted, misogynistic, ableist, racist, xenophobic, ignorant narcissist can acquire such popularity and power!

Although it’s true that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, Trump is headed to the Whitehouse in January 2017, due to the arguably flawed Electoral College system.

The fact is, Trump achieved marginal wins in several large states, meaning that, like it or not, he will be the 45th President of the United States of America. We must now accept and respect the result and unite in an organised and peaceful manner, in order to move forward with positive intentions.

Violence and disorder has already broken out in America following the news of Trump’s success. People are wreaking havoc, causing damage and fighting each other in angry desperation. The widespread fear and distress is understandable, but nothing positive can be achieved from hostility.

1914 ~ Christmas Eve Ceasefire

Even in times of war, humanity will prevail and divisions can be broken down. The Christmas truce of 1914 demonstrates how opposing forces put aside their differences, if only temporarily.

On Christmas Eve, a ceasefire along the western front saw British and German troops greet each other in no-man’s land to exchange pleasantries, take photos, play football and bury their dead before returning to their trenches.

Armistice Day football match at Dale Barracks between german soldiers and Royal Welsh fusiliers to remember the famous Christmas Day truce between germany and Britain PCH

So, on this, Armistice Day, please look to and learn from the past, and move forward with love, positivity, unity and the best intentions.

A decision has been made, like it or not; Trump will be the President of the United States. We can’t and shouldn’t fight this decision. We need to offer support, goodwill and compassion to all. One day at a time.