I am a Stay at Home Mother: Does this mean I do not work?

Posted on March 8, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Today I have a serious message that I really want to discuss. I take an interest in politics, and the affairs of the UK. It is important. And recently I have been listening to all the discussion about the upcoming general election across various media channels. And, I have to say, I really don’t know who I want to vote for.

UK Political Parties to Vote For featured on SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
UK Political Parties to Vote For

Split between Labour and Conservative

My family were always split between Labour and Conservative. My husband’s family is staunchly Labour orientated. But I don’t really believe that any of the current political parties have an understanding about my life and where it is leading.

I am a writer by profession, yet I cannot call myself a worker. I don’t go out of the home to a paid job, mainly because we cannot afford the required childcare that would enable me to do such a thing. And besides, I actually want to spend time with my children while they are young, as much as they drive me crazy in the process. However, in the eyes of the higher powers in the UK, I am a nobody. I have no status. I am Just A Mother.

Getting people back into work

Ouch. That really hurts. The government, especially the Tories, keep banging on about how they are lowering unemployment in the UK. They are getting people back into work, and off state benefits. That is great. But it doesn’t help me. And it doesn’t help my close friends, those women who gave up successful and important careers so that they could stay at home and nurture their children.

Are we not providing a service here? Do we not raise children that could grow up to become very helpful, decent, and intelligent members of society? Apparently not. We have no value. We have no monetary income. We are expected to rely solely on our husbands for financial income, or else go out to work and pay for somebody else to care for our children. That doesn’t make sense to me. Does it make sense to you?

Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author Catherine Green

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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The Awesome Power of a Compliment

Posted on March 5, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Recently I have been experiencing a turbulence of emotions and mood swings, as I navigate the crazy world of parenting in a culture that doesn’t appreciate the true work of the mother. You will know all of this if you have been reading my other blog posts.

While I was struggling to regain control and strike up a balance between mothering, being a supportive wife, and being an active writer, my mood began to dip. I began to doubt whether I really should pursue this crazy career as an author. I mean, come on, what is the likelihood, really, of me reaching the top of the international bestseller lists, and all of the glamour and sparkle that will surely follow?

Photo of British Paranormal Author Catherine Green LGBT fantasy book writer.
British Paranormal Author Catherine Green

The Awesome Power of a Compliment

I know the odds are incredibly slim. I have no big contacts in the industry. I live in a small, rural town in the North of England. I have not been writing for very long in the grand scheme of things. And all of these thoughts were weighing heavily on my mind as I tried to make sense of my life a few weeks ago. Perhaps it is the sensitivity that comes with being a creative person. Perhaps it was the effects of lack of sleep courtesy of my eighteen month-old daughter. Maybe it was just the sheer helpless feeling that I am all alone, trying desperately to sell my books to people who might not even want to read them. I don’t know.

Anyway, as I began to slide, my guardian angels sent a little support. I believe in higher entities. I believe in angels, ghosts, spirits, fairies, every mythical creature. They are all beautiful, and magical, and they exist because we make them real. We give them life in our stories, and we channel their power. And my angels saw me struggling. They led me into contact with industry professionals as a result of my own hard work in building contacts and making new friends. And I received a compliment from a lady that brought a smile to my lips and lifted my heart. Somebody recognised the hard work I had been putting in to build my author platform and stay present on the social networks. Hooray! The conversation has ended now. But it may have been the trigger for a whole new adventure in my life. Time will tell…

You are all wonderful, my friends! I thank you for sharing this journey with me. Love and light, and happy days.

Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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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Getting Out There, with People: the Writer’s Struggle to Talk about her Books

Posted on March 2, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Good morning, my friends! Or, good afternoon, or good evening, depending on what time of day you read this blog. I thank you for coming along, and for taking the time to see what I have to say.

I feel that perhaps my messages of late have come across as slightly aggressive, or maybe I have been complaining a lot. I won’t apologise. This is my blog, my story, my space to vent. It is important. It is cathartic. And perhaps, somewhere, you will understand my ranting and raving, and maybe even sympathise or gain support from my words. I hope so. We all need to help each other where we can.

Red background with book cover images for #RedcliffeNovels LGBT fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
#RedcliffeNovels LGBT Fantasy Book Series for Adults

Getting Out There, with People: the Writer’s Struggle to Talk about her Books

Anyway, back to the subject. I feel like a magpie today. Ooh, look, something shiny! Sorry, must focus. Today I am feeling positive. Life is good. Life is full of promise and adventure. I am still immersed in the consuming world of motherhood and being a housewife, but I am now allowing myself to step outside of that particular box, and just be me. I took some time away from my children at the weekend, and I feel so much better for it. I stopped worrying about the state of my house. We are a busy family. We make mess. We survive. It will all get sorted in time.

Right now, I have other priorities to attend to. I need to be known. People need to read my novels, to enjoy them and to share them with others. My supernatural world is bursting to be revealed, after years of secrecy, hidden beneath the cliffs of a beautiful, seaside town in Cornwall. The wolves are hungry. The vampires are bored. The witches are discovering their powers after years of living lives as ‘normal’ humans. Have you met Jessica Stone and the Mason brothers yet? Well, maybe I should introduce you.  

How do I get my books “out there?”

Part of my difficulty in being recognised for my books, is that I do not presently have the means with which to advertise sufficiently, and in the right places, to get my name known. I have so far been unsuccessful in securing an agent that might help me to realise this dream (but I am still working on it), and I have had to give up a lot of my time to focus on my family for various reasons. That is all beginning to settle down now, and so I have made a decision. I need to Get Out There. You know, with actual real people. I mean, like talking to people and stuff. That is a scary concept for a writer.

Put me behind my computer and I can reel off pages of prose. I can chat away in social media forums, eloquent and interesting (I hope). But put me in a room with a group of people I don’t know, and I become the shy, quiet, polite girl in the back. I am not a stranger to public speaking. I used to work in a busy theme park, entertaining families with young children. I danced on a stage with Barney the Dinosaur, for goodness’ sake, in front of 500 people, three times a day! But for some reason, when it comes to my precious books, I freeze up. I cannot articulate the beauty and passion of my novels. I worry that people think I am being big-headed, or that they don’t want to hear it. Well of course they don’t, because I don’t share! I know what I need to do. And it will take a lot of guts to do it. But, my work deserves to be seen and appreciated. Here I go…

Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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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This Mummy needs some Self Care

Posted on March 1, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

It is becoming increasingly apparent that I desperately need some me-time. Fellow parents, you will understand. I have been doing the ‘stay-at-home-mother’ thing for four years now, and I am finally cracking under the strain.

There is only so long that you can go through life with a forced smile painted on your face, while your shoulders ache and your mind whirls with the stress of being a responsible, nurturing adult.

Photo of a woman with ginger hair and glasses, sitting on a rocking chair and looking to the side, deep in thought. Copyright Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Catherine Green @SpookyMrsGreen

This Mummy needs some Self Care

I need some self care. I need to take a lesson from the mothers of the generations above me. Many of them sacrificed their careers, their independence, and their physical and emotional health, in order to raise children. Many of my friends and peers are in the same situation as me. We all need to recognise when we need a break. It doesn’t make us weak. It doesn’t make us selfish. The last thing our children need, is to take the brunt of our anger when we lash out in sheer desperation after one more tantrum or spillage in the house.

I am determined not to become the screaming tyrant that lurks just beneath the surface of my calm exterior. It is, if you like, the Mr Hyde to my Doctor Jekyll. Split personality, hidden demons, call it what you will. It is real, and it can be very destructive if not properly dealt with. I cannot contain this crazy person inside of me. I don’t want to. I want to be happy and balanced. I want to feel at peace with my life choices, and know that I am giving my family everything that they need, and receiving it in return.

Self-care is easy to talk about

Of course, self care is an easy thing to preach about. When do we actually do it? I mean, my husband works long hours for five or six days every week. On his days off, we visit the family and take care of whatever jobs have cropped up. We share a car. Our families are busy. It is very difficult to schedule in the me-time. But, there is a way. And I will find it. I will! In the meantime, I will channel the rage through my writing…

Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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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These Kids are Driving me Crazy: But I Still Love Them

Posted on February 26, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

My world is totally chaotic at the moment. It is also very small. Being a creative person, and one who resists the chore of the daily grind, I find myself in a very difficult place.

The writer in me wants to hide away behind my computer and create the masterpieces that reside in my mind. The hippy in me wants to acquire a camper van and head off on a fun-filled road trip around the UK, visiting sites of sacred and historical interest, and communing with Nature. And the mother in me wants to clean our house, provide for our children, and be Supermum.

#MummyMonday Stay at Home Mom meme shared by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Stay at Home Mom meme (Image credit unknown)

These Kids are Driving me Crazy: But I Still Love Them

Needless to say, Supermum is but a distant dream at the moment, but Stressedmum is here to stay. While my husband works long hours to bring home a household wage, I am left to deal with the kids. And they are driving me crazy. It’s not their fault. They are only children. That is becoming a mantra all on its own these days. My daughters are cheerful, cheeky, hyperactive, loving, irritable, inquisitive, and generally the most gorgeous creatures on this planet. Along with our dog, their ‘big brother.’ All three are exhausting to live with. But I chose to have them. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, please bear with me while I rant and rave over here on the blog. It is my vice in a world populated by little people and plastic toys. And Peppa Pig. And Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Oh, the horror! And now I must be going. There is a sticky mess that must be cleaned, a pile of cloth nappies to contend with, and the ever present dilemma over cooking and mealtimes… perhaps one day my daughters will eat something healthy!

Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
“It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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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Vampires Don’t Fart. Need I Say More?

Posted on February 11, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Ha ha, that confused you, didn’t it? There I go, off on a random train of thought yet again.

I will be honest, my Muse has awakened again, and she is feeling mischievous. She is also quite productive, having inspired me to write and submit another short story to a writing competition at very short notice. But that is not relevant here. Almost, but not quite. Why did I make such a bold, and crude, statement?

Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
Love Hurts A Redcliffe Novel by paranormal author Catherine Green

Vampires Don’t Fart. Need I Say More?

You can thank my darling husband for this. Now you know where I am going. My apologies to my male readers if I offend, but I am feeling rather fed up with my husband’s apparently uncontrollable flatulence of late. He actually seems proud of his very smelly and unpleasant bodily functions. I know it is a natural process. We all do it. Yes, I get that, but surely we don’t do it in such loud and stinky volumes as my husband does. I’m sure he saves it all up for the weekend just to upset me!

Why do I write about vampires?

I have been pondering lately about why I am drawn to write about vampires, and all things vampire related in my stories. Actually, I have turned towards writing about vampire slayers recently, which is quite an interesting exercise. I am even watching the complete box set of the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which I never got round to watching all the way through before. And I love it! I think this is responsible for my Muse awakening again; well this, and the first two series of Grimm, which I also discovered recently and totally adore.

But despite the slaying, and the whole theory that vampires are evil and must be destroyed, I still love them, deep down. Jack Mason, my anti-hero from the Redcliffe novels, is a passionate, dangerous and deeply sexual being. You never quite know where you stand with him. Similarly for the Victorian playboy Marcus Scott, who introduced himself in the Redcliffe novels and then forced me to write his story in The Darkness of Love. Ooh, I do enjoy my fantasy lovers… and they smell so much more pleasant!

Historical fantasy novel "The Darkness of Love" by vampire writer Catherine Green. Erotic Victorian vampire romance book.
The Darkness of Love by paranormal author 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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Pretty Daffodils on my Imbolc Altar

Posted on February 8, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

    The beginning of February sees the stirrings of a new season. The long, cold winter months are still upon us, but the days are once again growing longer, and we feel the change internally.

    Just as we begin to cheer up and look at the sunshine with renewed vigour, so we see the green shoots of growth in the earth around us.

    Beautiful image of a tree standing in a field, transitioning from Winter to Spring. One side of the tree is bare and there is snow on the ground. One side of the tree is blooming with bright green leaves and the grass is green and vibrant in the field. Text reads, “Imbolc Blessings.” SpookyMrsGreen mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
    Imbolc Blessings, my pagan friends!

    Pretty Daffodils on my Imbolc Altar

    It is important to me now more than ever that I celebrate the pagan calendar. I do this as a way of reminding me of my place in the world, where humans are conditioned to fight for power and control over each other, and we reinforce the need to always have more money, and more things than we could ever possibly truly need. Being of the Earth, being aware of the fresh air around us, of the running water that sustains us, and of the awesome power of Mother Nature, is a way of remaining calm in a world full of chaos and confusion.

    And so, for the festival of Imbolc, where we celebrate new beginnings and the green shoots of life, I was cheered to receive the gift of daffodils from a friend. The shoots look beautiful even before the flowers bloom, but they make me smile when I look at them. Pretty flowers. Pretty crystals. Bright colours. Welcome Spring!

    Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
    “It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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. 

    Posted in #witchywednesday, mind body spirit, Spiritual | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

    Today it is #TimetoTalk about Mental Health Awareness

    Posted on February 5, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

    This week is a tough one to get through. Truthfully, the past five years have been difficult for various reasons. It has all started to culminate in one big issue, however. And this morning, as I sat before my computer considering my next series of blog posts, something caught my eye on Twitter.

    Today is a special day. Every day is special, but today the focus is on talking about mental heath awareness. It is Time to Change.

    Photo of a woman with ginger hair and glasses, sitting on a rocking chair and looking to the side, deep in thought. Copyright Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
    Catherine Green @SpookyMrsGreen

    Mental Health Awareness

    I don’t personally have a mental health disorder. Recently I did wonder if I had post natal depression, because the first twelve months with my second daughter had been incredibly difficult. But I don’t have post natal depression. I don’t have any medically recognised mental health illness. It took me a while to realise that actually, I was being affected by the effects of mental health illness on someone very close to me.

    I haven’t spoken out about this before properly, because my husband is very private. He worries a lot. And now he probably worries that by speaking out about his very serious anxiety disorder, it might affect his career prospects. He also worries that he is driving me away. He worries about money. He worries about his family. He worries about anything and everything that could conceivably happen in his world. And it is driving me crazy.

    #TimetoTalk

    Today, I need to talk. I need to share with people, anybody. My close friends are well aware of our situation, and they have offered me so much support that I am incredibly grateful and thankful to have them in my life. Without our friends and family, we would not survive this illness. And I say we, because it is a joint problem. I am his wife. My husband is my soulmate. He never fails to tell me that he loves me, and that he couldn’t be without me. That in itself is worrying, to be so totally important to a person that they need you to be present always.

    So I welcome #TimetoTalk. I need it. My husband needs it. Perhaps if he knew that it’s OK to feel like this, he might brighten up a little bit. Perhaps if he knew that I absolutely will not give up on him, no matter what he throws at me, he might feel more secure. Perhaps if he knew just what a valuable, intelligent and wonderful person he truly is, he could defeat the self doubt and inferiority complex. Daniel, I love you. And we need you to come home.

    Living with the Black Dog Poem for World Poetry Day written by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
    Living with the Black Dog Poem 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. 

    Posted in #mummymonday, family, health, holistic health, pagan mother, relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    A Gentle Celebration for Imbolc

    Posted on February 2, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

    This morning I dropped my daughter off at preschool and took a leisurely walk along the canal path with my dog and toddler (and our friends). The weather was crisp and cold, but the sun was shining, and we truly appreciated the beauty around as we wandered along, chattering and watching the birds.

    I have always been drawn to waterways, in that they relax me and cheer me up when I feel unhappy. It seemed only natural that my husband and I bought our first house together in a canal town that has a river running alongside the canal. Plenty of peaceful water for me to walk by when I need to contemplate life, love and the universe!

    #WitchyWednesday Imbolc Canal Walk article by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
    #WitchyWednesday Imbolc Canal Walk

    A Gentle Celebration for Imbolc

    Anyway, that morning stroll is a regular feature for me, weather permitting, since the dog needs his daily exercise and my children and I need to be out in the fresh air as much as possible. Today we celebrate the turn of the wheel on the pagan calendar; the festival of Imbolc. Traditionally this is a time to reflect on the long Winter that has passed, give thanks to our spiritual guides for seeing us safely through the dark months, and look forward to longer, lighter and more productive days ahead as Spring makes an appearance. To my pagan friends, I wish you a Blessed Imbolc!

    Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
    “It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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. 

    Posted in #mummymonday, #witchywednesday, family, pagan mother, Spiritual | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

    A Week of Birthday Excess

    Posted on January 25, 2015 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

    Phew! That was a busy couple of weeks. I have been absent for a short time (sorry about that), but I have a good reason, I promise!

    Last Tuesday was my eldest daughter’s fourth birthday. And then on Thursday it was my birthday. So we had a busy week. Actually I had a busy two weeks, because somehow I got a bit carried away planning her birthday party. She decided she wanted a birthday tea party at home. Now, our house is very small, and so my husband and I had to move some furniture around, hide some things in our bedroom, and of course, clean the place to make it respectable for a birthday party.

    #MummyMonday Happy Birthday Daughter from SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
    #MummyMonday Happy Birthday Daughter

    A Week of Birthday Excess

    But before I did all of that, I had a look on Pinterest for some party ideas. My daughter is obsessed with the Disney movie Frozen. Yes, she finally succumbed, although it took us longer than most of our peers, and we have only watched the film twice so far. She refuses to watch the film, but she loves the video to the song Let It Go, and she adores dressing up as Queen Elsa and pretending to do her magic. And I love to indulge her! So, I decided to search for homemade Frozen party ideas. And I was very proud with the result. I enjoy crafts, but I am not a very creative cook/baker. However, I provided a very tasty ‘stripey’ birthday cake, a selection of yummy cupcakes, and some pretty sparkly banners, party crowns, and homemade ‘snow dough’ party favours. All in all, it was a very successful event.

    Naturally while I was working my magic as a domestic goddess and super mum, my writing and professional work took a back seat. I feel a little bit guilty for this, but you know what, my daughter’s birthday was far more important. I realise where my priorities lie, and right now they are with my children and my family. I have a whole lifetime in which to write, to create, and to further develop my career. Right now, I am nurturing and educating my daughters. And I fit my writing in around them. I will be back at work tomorrow, but for now, have a lovely Sunday my friends!

    Image of book covers from the Redcliffe Novels paranormal menage series. MMF romance. Bisexual and gay romance. Gay werewolf romance. Paranormal author Catherine Green.
    “It’s Complicated” (A Redcliffe Short Story) by paranormal author 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. 

    Posted in #mummymonday, Children, family, pagan mother, Random Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments