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I don't have kids, and it'll probably be a fair while until I do, but it's something I've been thinking about more and more.

My brother has a couple of little ones, and he was talking to me recently about the life insurance him and his partner had taken out to ensure their family's financial future, but also a little investment fund they've set up for the kids.

They invested some money with a firm, Rowan Dartington, who will invest that money where they see fit, and give them quite a healthy return on their money. So they're going to use that money as a little investment fund for their little ones' future.

I had to really take my hat off to them for being so forward-thinking. It's a tough economical time for everyone at the moment, but they're doing what they can for the future, because who knows how much the cost of living and education will be then.

Photo: cordeauphotos (Flickr)

The weather is supposed to scorch this weekend, so I'm planning a massive sun, sea and surf party with as many friends as I can convince to drive down to Cornwal with me!

I've already packed all our surf and beach stuff, and some extra women's and mens shorts and jumpers in case it gets a bit nippy at sunset, and hopefully it'll be a blast.

I hope we can have a beach barbecue too - vegetarian of course, who needs the cholesterol? - but the last time I tried to have a beach bbq we were told to extinguish it, or else! But that was in Brighton, hopefully they'll leave us alone here, we won't burn the place down we just want some fireside fun!

Photo: treehouse1977 (Flickr)

I've really gotten into pilates recently, it's really helped my back pain, but it's also helped my flexibility, posture and even my moods - I can really relax and feel calm with a session of pilates, not matter what else is going on in my life.

I've been looking into pilates retreats, to see if there is anywhere I could go for up to a week and just practice and relax, but they're all pretty expensive, I'd like to be able to do it now, without winning the lottery or drawing on some hefty Rowan Dartington investment funds!

Ideally I'd like to go abroad, somewhere warm and beautiful where I can just relax and enjoy it. But until I find something cheap enough I guess I'm going to be sticking to my classes in the gym - hardly an exotic paradise!

Photo: myyogaonline (Flickr)

This weekend I went out and bought a brand new BBQ, an umbrella and some new metal garden furniture!

Next weekend I am keeping my fingers crossed for some good weather as I am hosting my first BBQ in my new house and I have got about 20 people coming over!

I am so excited, but I have got so much to get ready by then. The one thing I am looking forward to is a nice glass of Pimms!

Picture: wholesalemanager.net

A disabled woman was left stranded for nine days on the top floor of her house after having problems with her stairlift.

Emma Richardson, 24, from North Yorkshire suffers from debilitating illness Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility, meaning that all her joints dislocate easily and she is constantly in pain.

Emma uses a wheelchair, and after undergoing surgery to stop her left shoulder from dislocating was told to not move her shoulder for at least five weeks.

But when the stairlift installed in her house stopped functioning, Emma was stranded in her bedroom for nine days.

Emma already has a strained and stressful life of living with pain and physical difficulties, but can you imagine the added strain and infinite boredom and claustrophobia of being stuck in your bedroom for nine whole days?

Eventually after a Facebook campaign and local media coverage the company that installed the stairlift vowed to fix it as soon as possible.

Photo: Tumblr