Chronic Voice Link-up: Making this Christmas the Best We Can

Posted on December 11, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

Phew, what a year it has been! Here is our final Chronic Voice Link-Up blog post for 2020. Look out for my fabulous giveaway in the Chronic Voice Christmas competition.

Chronic Voice blog link-up for December by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Chronic Voice blog link-up for December

Chronic Voice Link-up: Making this Christmas the Best We Can

Exhausting

I am always exhausted at this time of year because we lead busy lives. My children have worked extra hard this term to try and catch up on what they missed during lockdown. It soon became clear that my girls had lost some core skills when they missed four months of school due to the pandemic. It was exhausting trying to home-school, work from home, run the house and support my children mentally and emotionally. We had some special moments together and we made some happy memories in the garden and having our impromptu mini parties. We made the best of a bad situation.

Exciting

Christmas is my favourite time of year! I find all the festivities exciting, from putting up the Christmas tree and decorations, opening our advent calendars, buying gifts and giving out cards, to the holiday itself. Last year my Christmas was subdued due to bereavement and grief so this year I am determined to enjoy it despite the limitations from coronavirus restrictions and my recent official status of single parenthood. Yes, our lives have changed dramatically in the last twelve months, but I would rather focus on the exciting elements of change and embrace a new way of doing things.

Oh, and let’s not forget the most exciting gift today: your chance to win some lovely prizes in the Chronic Illness Christmas Giveaway (thank you, Sheryl, for organizing!)

I am offering a free Reiki healing treatment in the giveaway, and I can offer distance healing treatments via Zoom for those who live further away. If you haven’t tried it yet, you will be pleasantly surprised. Check out all the prizes and get your entries in quick.

Socialising

Socialising looks very different here in the UK and in many parts of the world over Christmas. We should have enjoyed a school Christmas Fair, the town lights switch-on event with visits to Santa, and a few impromptu pub visits with friends and family. None of that has happened or will happen this year because we are only allowed to socialize with members of our own household. Since my children refuse to eat restaurant meals, I won’t be going for a Christmas meal anytime soon.

It isn’t all bad, however. We are fortunate to have the power of social media. This week I enjoyed my book club Christmas party via Zoom and next week will be my Reiki group Christmas party also via Zoom. I will get dressed up at home, crack open the prosecco and at least see my friends on screens if not in person.

Indulging

OK, I admit I do indulge myself quite regularly with sweet treats and wine. I can’t help it! This Christmas might be a little worse because I keep telling my daughters that we should enjoy ourselves after the horrible year we have had. Since we never got our family summer holiday and have barely left our town, I feel the need to buy extra treats such as toys and sweets to make up for it. I am indulging my children and myself as we keep our spirits up and wait to spend time with our friends again.

Cutting

This is an interesting prompt for the month. The first thing that came to my mind was cutting toxic people out of my life. There are a few people close to me that have caused a lot of distress, and while I don’t wish to publicly name and shame, I have taken steps to distance myself from these people in the interests of self-preservation. I spent many years supporting them, caring for them and trying to be there when they needed help, but when I reached crisis point during summer, they were not available, physically, or emotionally. It was a shock to the system and a huge wake-up call for me. I am determined to move forward with my chin up and to embrace the people that really care about me, not those who only serve themselves.

Chronic Voice Link-Up

I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic illness, people like me. Today I have written a post using the November link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder. Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.

Well, that was my year in a whirlwind of emotional chaos, chronic pain, magical moments and generally just life. How was your 2020? Merry Christmas, my spoonie friends. And a Happy New Year.

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LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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Mini DIY Christmas Trees #Blogmas

Posted on December 8, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

It’s that time of the year again, but this time Christmas will be different and not the one we are accustomed to celebrating. Christmas is a great time to get together with families and due to COVID this year, we won’t celebrate with extended families.

This year you can still send your good wishes and brighten their day with our mini DIY Christmas tree, which is the perfect way to make someone’s day and get them in festive spirits.

Image of red roses, pinecones, and festive red berries flower bouquet. Text reads, “Prestige Flowers. Christmas flowers for the extraordinary.” Prestige Flowers affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Christmas Flowers from Prestige Flowers

Mini DIY Christmas Trees #Blogmas

Our mini DIY Christmas trees make for the perfect activity as a family to decorate and personalise the tree to your liking. The tree comes equipped with baubles and festive lights.

The trees make for the perfect mantelpiece in the living room, workspace and even at the dining table.

You can get your mini tree here.

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Am I a Working Mother, a Housewife, or Both?

Posted on December 7, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

During the past five years or so, our government has tried to launch various incentives to persuade people back into the workplace and off the benefits system. More specifically this is aimed at women, and I say this based on personal experience.

In my social circles it is largely the men that work full time and the women who either stay home with the children, or juggle part time or full-time jobs around childcare.

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LGBT fantasy novel set in Manchester, England. “Return of the Vampire Hunter” by Catherine Green.

Am I a Working Mother, a Housewife, or Both?

This is the issue that upsets me. I have listened to radio call-in shows, and I have read many articles online and in newspapers where people imply that housewives or stay-at-home-mothers are lazy and sponge off the rest of society.  How dare people say such things, and actually mean it! I was a stay at home mother for 18 months when my maternity leave expired, and I chose not to return to my minimum wage part-time job. Now I work from home developing my business as a freelance writer, and it is a slow and tedious process. I have no fixed income aside from government benefits, but I work hard both in my freelance jobs and to care for my children.

I have said before that I despise the term ‘stay at home mom.’ It implies that we, the childminders and domestic cleaners, do not work. There is no respect in the UK for people, and I say again, women (with the odd rare househusband) who make the tough decision not to return to paid employment. We do not take the easy option. Far from it. We take responsibility for our own children, at the expense of our financial independence and future pension benefits. We have to rely fully on our husbands or partners for financial support, and that to me is exceedingly difficult.

I don’t expect handouts

I do not expect handouts from the taxpayer. I loathed paying such high taxes when I was in full time employment for several years. We all do. From what I have learned, back in the rose-tinted post-war years when women returned to the home and men to the office, housewives would receive an allowance from their husbands. This, in effect, was their salary. It seems that nowadays many families simply do not have the spare cash after they have paid the household bills and transport costs. And then there is childcare if both parents are working away from home.

All I want, and what so many of my friends and acquaintances want, is a little understanding. We need respect and support for the job that we do as housewife, mother, domestic slave. It takes a lot of courage to give up a regular job and rely solely on another person for your home and board. It also takes the patience of a saint to raise children and teach them decent values and morals so that they grow up to be well-adjusted members of society. These are our future carers, providers and pioneers. Why should we damage them at a young age because we are coerced into accepting thankless jobs in faceless corporations? We should not.

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LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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#Poem: “Being at School” by Georgina Green (age 7)

Posted on December 6, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

My daughters wanted to publish their work online and asked me for some blog space – how could I refuse? Please do leave a comment to tell them if you like what they write.

"Being at School" Poem by Georgina Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
“Being at School” Poem by Georgina Green

“Being at School” by Georgina Green

When I am doing my work

I see kids walking past

the classroom

—

When it is breaktime

I see kids

going in from their breaktime

—

When it is lunchtime

I see kids walking past

with their lunchboxes

—

When it is last breaktime

I am ready to play

and have fun

—

When it is home time

I am ready

to hug my Mummy.

—

Poem written by Georgina Green, age 7.

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LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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#Poem: “My 5 Senses” by Elliot Green (age 9)

Posted on December 5, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

My daughters wanted to publish their work online and asked me for some blog space – how could I refuse? Please do leave a comment to tell them if you like what they write.

My 5 Senses (Poem) by Elliot Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
My 5 Senses (Poem) by Elliot Green

“My 5 Senses” by Elliot Green

When I wake up

I hear birds chirping

And engines roaring.

…

When I get up

I see children going to school

And cars driving to work.

—

When I walk to school

I smell flowers

And car exhaust fumes.

—

When I get in school

I touch my chair and table

When it is lunchtime

I taste crackers and sweets.

—

Poem written by Elliot Green, age 9.

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LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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Christmas all Wrapped up with Retro Sweet Gifts

Posted on December 3, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

There is always that person in the family who are impossible to buy for.  You have done socks, alcohol and novelty slippers and you are now fresh out of ideas.

A Quarter of Retro Vintage Sweets gift ideas affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
A Quarter of Retro Vintage Sweets

Retro Sweet Gifts

A Quarter Of is the online retro sweet shop that could solve all your tricky gifting ideas. Get Christmas sorted with a personalised gift box crammed with retro sweets.  6kg of your favourites such as white mice, Kola Kubes and Sherbet Fountains to name a few, all in a personalised gift box – Click here.

With sweet gifts which could be stocking fillers, personalised sweet boxes crammed with goodies to luxury wicker hampers.  Definitely not dentist approved.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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Christmas Tarot Card Reading #Blogmas

Posted on December 2, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

Merry Blogmas! It’s been a few years since I attempted the feat of writing a blog post every day in the month before Christmas, but I feel ready for a challenge.

Today I bring you a Christmas Tarot card reading using my Inner Child Tarot Card deck. I wanted to do a fun Tarot card reading, reflecting the spirit of Christmas. It didn’t work out that way, as you will discover…

Image of Inner Child (Fairytale) Tarot cards on a placemat that says "Merry Christmas." Christmas Tarot Reading by professional Tarot reader Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Christmas Tarot Reading by Catherine Green

The Child Spread

Remembering You, learning, growing, and moving on.

1, You – Guardian of Wands

Archangel Raphael is here to share compassion and divine love with you. Accept this gift and carry it with you, sharing yourself with friends and family. Recognizing your ability to heal will help those around you. Be gentle to yourself. Call upon Archangel Raphael for support and strength.

2, Goal – Six of Hearts

Now is the time to heal a rift with someone close to you. Accept that you cannot change what happened and you cannot change their behaviour, but you can change your response to it. Embrace the deep connections you have with people around you. They will help you to heal. They will hold space for you.

3, Ego – Four of Swords

You seek a deeper knowledge of the world, a real understanding of How Things Work. There is a lot happening in the world, but you need not run to keep up. Take it slowly, be patient, and accept all the life lessons that come your way, even if they seem harsh or irrelevant. Everything you need will be available when you need it.

4, Future – Cinderella

Feel your feelings. Cry and rage if you feel helpless. Sob tears of grief and wallow in the loss that has befallen you. Eventually you will see a glimmer of hope, and you will lift those tear-stained cheeks to the night sky, marveling at the moon. The world that you know is crumbling, but the moon and the sun are always there, always shining. Where there is light, there is hope.

5, Doorway to a New World – Guide of Crystals (St Nicholas)

This is the season of giving and here is Santa Claus in one of his many guises. It might not feel like it, but you have been blessed in many ways. You can find what you desire if you just open your eyes and look for it. People will help you. There is a huge opportunity for growth, but you must be open to the possibility and prepare to do the work. For now, simply enjoy the season. Indulge your inner child. Merry Christmas!

Image of Inner Child (Fairytale) Tarot cards on a placemat that says "Merry Christmas." Christmas Tarot Reading by professional Tarot reader Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Christmas Tarot Reading by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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Happy Gotcha Day, Marley!

Posted on December 1, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

This week we celebrate one year with our dog, Marley. He came to us via Warrington Animal Welfare following my three-month search for a new family companion. Our previous dog was a stray from the Stoke city dogs’ home, but since we now have young children, my search to rehome a dog took longer and proved more stressful than I anticipated.

Many dogs’ homes cannot rehome to families due to the unpredictability of the dogs in their care. In my family experience rescue dogs make the perfect family pets, and I was determined to find a dog that needed a home.

Marley the noisy Staffy X dog. Ground covered in fallen leaves. Photo copyright Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Marley the noisy Staffy X dog

Happy Gotcha Day, Marley!

Marley-Mischief, as he has come to be known, burst into our lives like a whirlwind of chaos. He never spent time in the dogs’ home, but his previous owner approached Warrington Animal Welfare for help. Marley had lived in a small home previously and it soon became obvious that he needed some behavioural training. He was overwhelmed with all the dogs in my circle of friends and family, and we had to take slow steps to introduce him to all of the dogs. He is still getting used to them now, because of course we had the pandemic and subsequent lockdown to contend with, so poor Marley was unable to receive the proper kind of training that he needed in a time-sensitive manner. I had to train him at home, with help from my daughters, using online tutoring from our local dog training experts.

We managed some training in the end, and Marley’s behaviour has certainly improved in twelve months. It took a while and we are still working on some issues (barking at people outside our house, aggressive behaviour towards wildlife), but he is my little boy and I love him unconditionally. I know that Marley joined our family at the right time. He nursed me through a period of bereavement and grief, and he has become my little dog-limpet, always by my side, following me around the house, accompanying me on walks, and welcoming me home when I leave him. Happy Gotcha Day, Marley. We love you, little Mischief!

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LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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#ProductReview: Letters from Santa at Lapland Letters

Posted on November 30, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

Have you sent your letters to Santa Claus yet? I had my annual meeting with the elves earlier in November, and my daughters were excited to receive a very prompt reply. They each received a personal letter from Santa, complete with activity packs, reindeer food and even cookie mix.

We must bake cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, which I think is a lovely idea and could become a new family tradition.

Letters from Santa at Lapland Letters at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Letters from Santa at Lapland Letters

#ProductReview: Letters from Santa at Lapland Letters

Our letters came from Lapland Letters, and there is a wonderful selection available on the website that can be signed from Santa Claus or Father Christmas depending on your preference. Each letter is personalised for the individual child, and my elder daughter was immensely proud to receive praise for how well she trained our dog during lockdown this year. My younger daughter received a letter to say that she coped very well with the lockdown and the pandemic, and Santa is glad she recovered from her hospital treatment earlier this year. These small touches make a huge difference. You can tailor your letters depending on the age of your child, including one for older children that might need reassurance about Santa and how he manages his deliveries.

The activity packs include a Christmas card that you can colour in and gift to a loved one, a postcard you can send to Santa, a colour-in place mat, a Santa’s secret map of Lapland, a colour-in advent calendar, a Santa Stop Here poster, a Good Child certificate, and the most important item, the letter from Santa. One of my daughters received a packet of reindeer food in her letter, the other received a packet of Mrs Claus’ special cookie mix.

My girls were delighted to discover that they are on the Good Child List for Christmas gifts, and they have the certificates to prove it. Staying good up until Christmas might be tricky, but my girls do like a challenge…  

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Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

Note: I received the product in return for an honest review.

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#Poem: “Playing in the Park” by Georgina Green (age 7)

Posted on November 29, 2020 by SpookyMrsGreen

My daughters wanted to publish their work online and asked me for some blog space – how could I refuse? Please do leave a comment to tell them if you like what they write.

Playing in the Park Poem by Georgina Green by SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog
Playing in the Park Poem by Georgina Green

“Playing in the Park” by Georgina Green

As I watch kids

playing in the park

I hear kids saying

I don’t want to go home.

—

You may want to ask

Why am I not playing?

Well I am sitting down

Writing my lovely poem.

—

Poem written by Georgina Green, age 7.

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LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

Did you enjoy this article? Download your FREE copy of LGBT fantasy short story It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels) and meet the werewolves of Cornwall, England.  Click here. 

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