Today I would like to share something that I have effectively been hiding all year. I did a video interview with Sue Ellam from Soulfully Connecting back in January, and the video was posted on the Soulfully Connecting YouTube channel, but I didn’t tell anybody. I was afraid. I was…embarrassed.
This is a very ridiculous notion, when you think about it. I mean, here I am parading about online as the pagan housewife, talking about ghosts and witchcraft and the messy side of parenting, and yet I agreed to do a video that I knew would be available in the public domain.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green
Battling my Demons; Interview with SpookyMrsGreen
I am not nervous about speaking to people. I do a lot of public speaking as part of my job. But for some reason, this YouTube video has been a big thing. I feel amateur and a bit silly, to be honest. And I have no reason to be. Yes, the sound quality is pretty bad. That’s because I didn’t wear a headset and didn’t test it first. Lesson learned. But apart from that, I think the interview was fairly insightful. I didn’t sound like a complete idiot, I think. So, I am passing it over to you guys.
Please watch the video, let me know what you think, and please do be gentle. I may come across as confident and proud, but behind the smile is a little girl who just wants to hide in her bedroom and read books!
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My girls love to dance. I do too, and so when I received this invitation from Britmums and #FrubesMoves to join in the blogging challenge, I danced at the offer (see what I did there?!)
Now, my dancing is questionable at the best of times, but I never let that stop me when I am boogieing around my kitchen with the radio blasting my favourite 80s tunes. And my girls love to dance along to their favourite pop songs and movie soundtracks.
Summer Parent Challenge #TheGoodStuff
We Got the #FrubesMoves
With all that dancing, I need to know that my children are growing strong bones and healthy bodies. They are yoghurt fiends, and we must get through at least 3 packs of yoghurt every week at the moment. But I don’t mind, because I know that the girls need the calcium and Vitamin D, and their dentist is happy with their teeth so we must be doing something right!
Frubes is the largest portable yoghurt brand, and a favourite lunchbox staple in our family. We often take Frubes with us at weekends when we set out to visit family or go to the park. My elder daughter prefers Banana flavour Frubes at the moment, and my younger is a fan of Strawberry flavour, but that could all change in an instant, especially with my little “threenager” and her temper tantrums.
Do your children have the #FrubesMoves? What is their preferred yoghurt brand? We also favour Peppa Pig and Thomas the Tank Engine yoghurts from Yoplait, along with the Petit Filous Little Desserts for an after dinner treat.
Frubes Yoghurt
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Note: This post is an entry for BritMums’ #FrubesMoves Linky Challenge, sponsored by Frubes.
Sustainable waste management is something of a mantra in our house. My husband is a Chartered Waste Manager, and as a pagan, I want to do my bit to help preserve the natural world in which we live.
When I received an invitation to join Britmums and Unilever for the #brightFuture challenge, I had to accept. Read on to see how we do our bit to help the environment and promote sustainable family lifestyle choices.
#MummyMonday Washing Cloth Nappies
Doing our Bit for a #brightFuture
When our children were born, my husband and I decided to use cloth nappies. We did not want to contribute to the billions of disposable nappies that contribute to rising landfill tonnage every year in the UK. I spent months researching online to find information and stockists. That was only six years ago, and yet I really struggled to find helpful advice about where to begin with this challenging phase of new motherhood. Still, we persevered, we tried various different kinds and styles of cloth nappy, we went through lots of wet clothes and bedding, and we settled into a routine.
Our preferred nappies are good old-fashioned Terry nappies, and we fasten them with Nappy Nippas, which are far easier and safer than safety pins. These cloth nappies need careful maintenance to keep them in prime condition. We use Persil non-bio washing liquid, and we can wash most nappies at 40 degrees on a special “baby cycle” on our washing machine. Sometimes we do wash at 60 degrees if the nappies are heavily soiled. Our washing machine is energy efficient, and we don’t own a tumble drier, preferring to dry our nappies outside on the washing line when the weather allows, because they come in smelling clean and fresh, and feeling nice and soft for our baby.
Challenge of potty training
We also had the challenge of potty training our elder daughter, and are currently trying to coax our younger one, but she is reluctant. Our bathroom is now cluttered with various different toilet training seats, a potty, and the latest addition is a 3-in-1 Minnie Mouse potty and toilet seat. All of these potty training aids need to be cleaned regularly, and since my daughters can be very independent, I use Domestos bleach to keep everything suitably safe for little fingers and hands.
Finally, after all this mucky work, I need to unwind! Truthfully I am not the sort of person who likes to soak in a hot bubble bath. I get bored, and I struggle to read in the bath because my glasses get in the way and I inevitably get my book wet. So, I prefer a nice, steamy shower (more energy efficient), and some luxurious, moisturising body lotion. Dove body lotions are lovely and smooth, nourishing my dry, itchy skin, and leaving me relaxed and clean.
It’s all in a day’s work for this Mummy! Now, over to you. What little things do you do every day that help improve or conserve our natural environment?
#MummyMonday Potty Training Challenge
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This post is an entry for BritMums #brightFuture Challenge, sponsored by Unilever. I especially like their Dove Self-Esteem Project that is working with leading psychologists, academics and experts to help young people develop a positive relationship with their appearance. The project has now reached over 19 million young lives.
We are now officially in the Autumn season. Last week heralded the Autumn Equinox, and I spent the day in a beautiful, healing environment as I embarked upon my study of the art of Reiki.
It was a lovely day, and I was in the company of some beautiful friends and spiritual sisters. We learned about Reiki and we received our first attunements (although technically I had received an attunement from my sister a few years ago – I just didn’t appreciate her gift at the time). We also had the opportunity to practise reiki healing on each other, and this was a very special event.
Mabon Autumn Equinox crab apple and crystals
Mabon Blessings
My reiki journey is just beginning, and I am very excited about it. The Autumn Equinox, however, represents the time of year when we begin to slow down. At least, in the old days, we would have slowed our pace of life a little. Here in the Western world we are on a constant hamster wheel of activity, with challenges and frantic movement on a seemingly constant loop. I am using reiki as my way to slow down a little, to accept when I need to rest, and to connect more fully with the real world, as opposed to the artificial world of work and commercialism that our race has created.
Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate everything that the modern world has to offer. I would be lost without the Internet, for example. I am very grateful that I can purchase my food in the supermarket, and that I don’t have to spend every day grinding flour to make bread, or reaping the crops. I am just not naturally inclined for that kind of work, and I realise that it is ok. It doesn’t make me any less of a pagan because I don’t really enjoy gardening and farming. I simply work with what I have, and am mindful about exactly what I and my children consume.
I send you Mabon Blessings, my friends. Let us celebrate a very fruitful and enjoyable summer season, and let us now take time to slow down, to rest for a while, and to appreciate the beauty of the colours of Autumn. Blessed Be.
Beautiful Autumn trees and canal
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We could not take a holiday in Dorset without visiting Peppa Pig World. Our daughters have grown up with that little pig and her antics, and I have to confess, my husband and I were more than a little excited about visiting a family theme park with our little darlings.
We had a day out at Paulton’s Theme Park, and spent most of that day in Peppa Pig World with the children’s idols, and another portion of the day exploring the Lost World of dinosaurs and beasts.
Family visit to Peppa Pig World
My Family Holiday: Peppa Pig World
Paulton’s Theme Park was definitely worth the money. I will make it clear right now that we paid full price for family entry. We had no discounted tickets or special offers, and yet I maintain that it is worth the cost. The park is very bright and cheerful, and while it has several large, adult thrill rides, it caters very well for younger children. My husband enjoyed all of the big rides that he went on, we all enjoyed the family rides in Peppa Pig World, and our daughters had endless fun in the splash zones and soft play areas.
I was also very impressed with the wildlife at Paulton’s Theme Park. The large gardens offer a welcome break from rides and commercialism, and we took some time to explore beneath the trees when we needed a little shade in the afternoon sun. We also marvelled at the captive exotic birds on the park. All in all, it was a great day out. Yes, it was expensive, but we budgeted for it within our holiday, and we spent a lot less on other days to balance it out. Most importantly, we made precious memories with our daughters.
Lostworld at Paulton’s Park Peppa Pig Splash Zone at Paulton’s ParkCritter Creek at Paulton’s Park
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A few days ago, I found myself in a most peculiar situation. I was able to take my dog for a walk, alone, for the first time in about two months. Usually we have children in tow, and our walks are limited to visiting the park, or using footpaths that are pushchair friendly.
So I was exhilarated on this particular excursion, when I was able to wander off the beaten path, and explore our local woodland with my dog.
Fairy magic in the trees
Finding Magic in Your Local Environment
We are fortunate to live near a site of historical interest. It is a field that once housed a Roman settlement, and so the land is protected by heritage laws. It is a popular place for walking dogs, since it is bordered by the river and some natural woodland on two sides. I was walking along the lower section of the field, near to the river, when I looked up and saw a copse of trees in front. They border the roman field, and we usually walk past them. This time, however, the trees spoke to me. They beckoned, and I followed.
Walking up the hillside, I watched in surprise as the leaves rustled and fluttered in wind that had not previously been present. They flapped to and fro in such a manner that I fancied they were waving at me. The rustling sound was almost like fairy voices, whispering to me. I stepped closer, looked down, and discovered a gap in the trees that formed a natural doorway shaped to fit my body.
I stepped through the trees
I stepped through. It was oddly quiet within the circle. I stepped over some protruding roots, avoided a few wild thorns, and surveyed this alien place. I could feel a dozen pairs of eyes watching me from their hiding places. I expected to see another human, but there was nobody. My dog had scampered ahead and disappeared out the other side. He waited on the roman field, watching me. I was surprised that he didn’t bark at me to hurry up, which he normally does. It was as though he felt the magic too, and he knew that I was supposed to be there.
Moments later I emerged on the other side, out in the sunshine, and back into the buzz of human life. Nothing especially spooky had happened inside that copse of trees. But I had felt the magic. I knew that my fairy kin were in there, waiting. I knew that I would return there sometime soon, and that perhaps each time I visit, something new will happen. I walked away with a spring in my step, a smile on my face, and a renewed appreciation for the magic of the hidden world. Thank you, Mother Gaia.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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This week heralds the start of a brand new school year for us. My daughter has moved up into Year 1, and her younger sister returns for her second year at preschool. The school run has proved to be rather a tumultuous experience for me.
Being an Empath, I face the daily challenge of not being sucked in to other people’s emotional drama. I feel things very deeply. If I see somebody crying, even on the TV, I will often well up with tears myself.
Catherine and children walking by the canal in Middlewich
Surviving the School Run
I never considered the impact of my children being at school. Obviously, when we embarked upon the journey twelve months ago, I was prepared. I cried openly, and my fellow new school mums and I gave ourselves the time to embrace our emotional state as we sent our babies out into the world. This year, however, I thought it would be easy. How very naïve of me! For starters, I have friends with children who are starting school this week, and so I feel their emotion and cry their tears. And then I realised that my own babies are still growing up, and each new school year will bring new emotional upheaval. It is normal. It will happen.
As we welcome the first weekend of the new school year, I have a message for all my parent friends, wherever you may be: It is OK to cry. It is healthy to be emotional. Whether this is your first child going to school, or your fifth child moving on, embrace the feelings that you experience. We are human. This is how we survive. Much love, lots of laughs, and happy new school year, my friends!
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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We said goodbye to a family dog late last week. She was my grandparents’ companion, and had lived a long and happy life. It hadn’t started out so well. Maggie was severely malnourished, terrified and pregnant when my Nan and Grandad brought her home. She had been found on the streets.
They took her in, and my Nan set about feeding her a carefully constructed diet in order to build her strength steadily and try to save her unborn puppies. Amazingly, and thanks to the love and care from my Nan and Grandad, both Maggie and her pups survived. One of her sons remained with them, while his siblings moved in with other friends in the local area.
Maggie the rescue dog, our beloved family pet
Farewell, Beloved Pets
Such was the bond between Maggie and my grandparents that she refused to leave them. My Grandad has been very ill during recent years, as his aging body deteriorates. She has been his faithful nursemaid for all this time, barely leaving his side. Maggie watched my Nan and Grandad, she gave them love, and they loved her. Eventually she succumbed to old age and sickness, and now there is a gaping void in the lives of my family members.
As it turns out, I heard about the loss of a dog from two different friends earlier this week. Again the dogs were aging and ill, and they tried really hard to stay with their families. For me there is no greater bond than that between dog and human. They are our companions, our nurses, our supporters, and our entertainers. My dog, Baxter, is wonderful. Yes, he is a little bit naughty. Yes, he steals food when he shouldn’t, and he loves the sound of his own voice. But he has been there for me throughout two pregnancies, he cares for our children, and acts as both protector and playmate. He is beloved at the school gates, always receiving cuddles and offering up big, sloppy kisses to his human friends.
The bond between human and pet
The bond of love between human and pet is immense. Words cannot describe how it feels. If you are a dog lover, or indeed you have pets of another species, you will completely understand. My love and warm thoughts go to those who are grieving for the loss of their pets at this time. And I thank you, beautiful creatures, for your affection. Blessed Be.
Barney the rescue dog, our beloved family pet
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The end of summer is upon us. Tomorrow, our eldest daughter returns to school, later in the week our younger daughter will return to preschool, and I can return to some form of regularity with my work.
As a freelance writer I am fortunate in that I answer to nobody in terms of working hours and taking time off. The downside is, of course, that when I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Strangely enough, my published novels do not sell as well as they could unless I put the effort in to market them. But that’s another story.
NHS Men’s Mental Health Campaign
Why My Husband Won’t Take Holidays
I have just finished reading an article from the Harvard Business Review that talks about how Millennials are workaholics, according to research. As I read the article, I nodded to just about every point that was discussed, and the one person that stuck in my mind was my husband. He is notorious for not making use of his allocated paid holiday at work. We recently returned from a week away as a family, and the only reason he took that holiday was because I had back-up from his mother to force him to book the time off. I find that very upsetting, and quite disturbing.
What is it about my husband that makes him so indispensable at work, to the point where he will sacrifice quality time with his family in order to wade about in rubbish (he is a Chartered Waste Manager and doesn’t like office work)? Well, he is obsessed with his job. He is convinced that the site might collapse if he is not there to run it single-handedly. He worries that his peers might think he is a slacker if he so much as tries to take a lunch break, never mind actual time off. I know for a fact that they do not. In truth, they need a break from him sometimes!
I feel like a single parent
So, where does this leave us, exactly? At the moment we are at loggerheads. I have to be at home with our children when they are not in school and preschool, and this has impacted on my freelance work during the summer holidays. Truthfully, I feel like a single parent most of the time, because I do so much with my children when our husband is at work. He simply cannot take his holidays, because the guilt and anxiety becomes too much for him to cope with. We haven’t considered half-term or Christmas, and at this point he will not discuss it since he just had a whole week off during summer.
How did we reach this situation in life? We are Millennials, only just, and I can see the differences within our circle of friends who are only a few years older. Most of our friends make the effort to balance their home and work life, and I see them taking regular, planned holidays throughout the year. My family unit is far more chaotic because my husband is absent so much of the time. I know that he does want to be with us. I also know that he feels he cannot be away from work. And I cannot break through to him. It is a challenge, indeed.
Thank you to Sandra from Adventures Aboard AreAndAre for sharing the article with me, and for showing support and understanding at this time.
#WitchyWednesday Cloudy Sky over Rocks in the Sea
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We have returned from our Big Summer Holiday, and I want to go back! Our family adventure this year took us to Poole in Dorset.
We stayed in a privately owned caravan (not ours!) on the Haven Rockley Park site. It was a lovely little place, although we found that it is not very easy for wheelchair users to navigate.
#MummyMonday Family Holiday in Poole
A Delightful Dorset Holiday
We had a fantastic week away from home. I love caravan holidays, but I had to practically drag my husband over the threshold, as he continues to insist that he doesn’t like portable holiday homes. For me the caravan holds precious memories of childhood holidays, and I am creating new memories with my own children on these family excursions. Their dad just has to like it or lump it!
We took our dog on holiday, and the caravan owner very kindly accommodated him. He absolutely loved digging up the beaches and swimming in the sea. It was lovely to see him behaving like a puppy again, running around and being daft. The only problem was he kept digging up my sandcastles! I will share more stories about Baxter later.
All in all, we had a lovely time away. We explored the English Heritage castle on the Isle of Portland, we visited Portland Bill lighthouse, we explored a few beaches, and we enjoyed a harbour cruise in Poole. We also took our children to Paultons Theme Park and Peppa Pig World, which deserves a whole new blog post because it was such an awesome day.
Did you go on holiday this summer? Please do share your adventures.
#MummyMonday Family Holiday in Poole#MummyMonday Jurassic Cliffs Island Poole Dorset @SpookyMrsGreen#MummyMonday Isle of Portland off the Dorset coast UK
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