#ProductReview: Back to School with Vampirina

Posted on August 6, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

I know the school holidays are barely halfway through, but I also know that many parents will be preparing back to school essentials for their little darlings. My daughters recently received a fabulous Disney Vampirina Bootastic Backpack Set for review.

This is aimed at children from the age of 3 years, and my youngest daughter just celebrated her 5th birthday, so it was perfect for. Her older sister never got a look-in with this backpack! It came with accessories, including a singing Vampirina necklace, some hair slides that look like Vampirina’s pigtails, and some very funky glasses with cobweb patterns on the lens.

#ToyReview Disney Vampirina Bootastic Backpack Set toy review by SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#ToyReview Disney Vampirina Bootastic Backpack Set

Back to School with Vampirina

My daughter wasted no time in filling the backpack with her favourite toys, and she clipped the hair slides onto a headband because they wouldn’t grip in her hair due to it being very fine and straight. She loved the glasses, but I think she especially loved the necklace. Fortunately, it does come with an “off” switch, so we don’t have to listen to the Vampirina song all the time.

My daughter received attention at a local soft play centre when she wore her Vampirina necklace out and about as well, so I think this will be a hit with lots of little girls! The whole set is very colourful, sturdy and usable, and I think it offers good value for money. Retailing at ÂŁ24.99 from most toy shops, it would be a fabulous birthday gift for a September child, or even a nice back-to-school gift, or a starting school gift.

Spooky Scooter Set

We also received a Disney Vampirina Spooky Scooter Set for review, which my older daughter decided to claim. She likes the sturdy design, and she likes how Vampirina is made with her hands curled to fit the handles of her scooter. Apparently, this is a very important feature for the discerning 7-year-old. The scooter comes with a skateboard, and in our set, this included Gregoria, Vampirina’s pet. Gregoria sits on the skateboard, which attaches to the scooter, so they can ride together. It fits very well and doesn’t flop when you lift it up, which has happened with previous toys. Again, we were impressed with the overall quality. This toy retails at £11.99 which I think is very affordable and good value. It’s a good toy for a treat, I think. Both toy sets will be available to buy in the shops very soon, and I am honoured that we got to try them out first. We do love Vampirina and friends!

#ToyReview Disney Vampirina Bootastic Backpack Set toy review by SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#ToyReview Disney Vampirina Bootastic Backpack

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Follow the Instructions

Posted on July 27, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

It is hard to believe that we have been in our new house for almost two months now. The time has flown, and it feels like we have been here forever. Having said that, we still have boxes to unpack and furniture to build.

It took a bit longer to have the rewiring done and the new central heating system installed. And of course, I had to clean up the mess created from ripping up floorboards and making holes in walls. But we got there. Our home should be very fuel efficient when the weather eventually cools down.

Wardrobe construction manual Bensons #MummyMonday My Home Renovation SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday My Home Renovation

Follow the Instructions

Now we have the challenge of the flat pack furniture and learning how to operate our new gadgets. We have invested in a Nest thermostat to control our central heating, which I am very pleased with. It didn’t really come with instructions, however. I had to download an app and connect it via Wi-Fi, and I will have to take some time to learn exactly what I can do with this bit of kit. There is no rush until we need to use our radiators.

Then we took delivery of our new wardrobe. Oh dear. This unit was flat packed, and we had to study the assembly instructions very carefully. Visual manuals are coming in very useful as we settle in to our new house and get used to our new equipment. It was the first thing my husband reached for when he unpacked the wardrobe, and my plumber has insisted that I keep all the paperwork for our new boiler, which includes the user manual required for servicing and maintenance.

Dependent on instruction manuals

I realise now just how dependent we are on manuals and instruction books for our daily lives, especially with the developments of technology and equipment in the home. Our new boiler cost a lot of money and we want it to last for many years, so we will follow the instructions on the user manual to ensure we treat it properly. The same for our new furniture. We want to build it to last. I suppose I could extend my use of manuals to the types of books I have been reading lately. Parenting and lifestyle advice books are often instructional and could form a manual for a specific query or challenge.

Looking at it this way, we could extend the use of multilingual manuals for families of mixed backgrounds. I have amassed quite a collection of visual manuals at home, including instructions for the original boiler and gas fire that we removed from our new house. These were installed in 1979 and 1989, so you can see why we had to upgrade. They were older than my husband and me! I am keeping the original documents, however, for posterity. They are a relic of another time, and part of the history of our home. I want to preserve that while I move forward in the twenty-first century.  While we have a wealth of information stored on digital platforms, I still prefer a good old-fashioned printed manual to help me organise my daily activities.

Vintage boiler instruction manual vs modern Baxi boiler instruction manual #MummyMonday My Home Renovation SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday My Home Renovation

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Redheads Melt in the Sun #UKHeatwave

Posted on July 23, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

I have had enough of summer now! We are experiencing a heatwave in the UK the likes of which hasn’t been seen since 1976, according to news reports. And I wasn’t born in 1976.

All I know is that I am really struggling to cope as our temperatures reach 25C and higher. Here in the North West we haven’t yet hit 30C, and I am in no hurry to experience that kind of torture.

A woman with short ginger hair wearing glasses and a floral top, standing next to a river beneath a weeping willow tree. Photo of Paranormal Author Catherine Green copyright SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Paranormal Author Catherine Green

Redheads Melt in the Sun #UKHeatwave

Being a natural redhead, my skin is now covered in blotchy red patches of sunburn, my freckles are joining up so I look permanently grubby, and my Dry Eye Syndrome is almost unbearable some days. I am having to use artificial tears at least on an hourly basis, I have other treatments to use, and mainly I am trying to stay indoors and out of the dry weather as much as possible. I actually danced in the rain last week when we finally had a break from the sun. The heat never subsided, though. How are you coping, my friends?

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

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Making a House our Home

Posted on July 2, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

We have been in our new house for a month now, and we love it! Well, I say we love it.

My 4-year-old daughter told me that she has sad feelings because she misses our old house. I think she is still trying to process the chaos that came from packing boxes in a confined space, and having to move, and now dealing with the subsequent renovations on the new house.

#MummyMonday Help Me with Project House and Garden. Article by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Help Me with Project House and Garden

Making a House our Home

We are in a state of upheaval still, with boxes piled up in the dining room and garage, beds and furniture stacked in the bedrooms, and carpets lifted so that workmen can gain access to pipes and wires beneath the floorboards.

You see, this house was built in around 1959, and hasn’t been updated for over thirty years. We decided to rewire the whole electrical system and bring it up to 21st century standards, and to upgrade the central heating. I really cannot understand this business about having tanks of water above your head to provide warmth in the home! I need them out, so that will be done very soon. And then perhaps I can focus on redecorating and turning the house properly into our home.

Our energy is creeping in slowly, we have got our furniture, some new items on order, and plans to do further alterations when finances allow. It is a work in progress, but for now we can settle in and accept that we are able to relax, finally, as our children grown up. We have a secure, settled base from which to grow, and that is a precious and valuable thing.

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Special Offer Discount Codes

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The Bond Between Sisters

Posted on June 25, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

It has been almost four months since my eldest daughter was hospitalized with a rare and dangerous facial infection. She made a full recovery following surgery, and there appear to be no lasting side effects, much to the relief of our family and friends.

We have moved on with our lives, putting that whole drama behind us, and embracing the adventure of moving to a bigger house.

#MummyMonday Children on a slide in the playground SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Children on a slide in the playground

The Bond Between Sisters

But there are other side effects that I hadn’t considered. Our younger daughter was left at home with her dad while I stayed in hospital with the patient. At that point the girls were sharing a bedroom, and they have a very close bond. They play well together, they rarely fight, and they love each other unconditionally. It is a beautiful relationship to witness.

Our little girl really missed her big sister during the hospital episode. She has been talking about it a lot recently, almost every day. What really got me was one day last week, when we were in the car. We were listening to their favourite Katy Perry CD, and my daughter told me that she sung a particular song sadly when her sister and I were in the hospital. It made me cry, because I realised just how close we came to losing our eldest girl, and how much it would have devastated our family. The bond between these sisters truly is wonderful.

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

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Free Dating Sites for Finding Love

Posted on June 22, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

It has never been a better time to find love. In the old days, before we had Wi-Fi, people generally met their partners through family acquaintances and work connections. There was very much a community feel, and relationships didn’t always stand the test of time.

Indeed, lots of people who got married at a young age are perhaps now learning that they are no longer in love with their husband or wife, and that perhaps they should look elsewhere.

Image of a woman standing between two men who are partly in shadow. All are wearing black clothes and look mysterious. 3D book cover image for "Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green including phone and iPad download images for tablet, iPhone, and android book readers.
LGBT fantasy book series set in Cornwall. “Love Redeems (The Redcliffe Novels)” #3 by Catherine Green.

Free Dating Sites for Finding Love

Now, I have never had a marital affair, but I completely understand how such things happen. You meet someone and develop a connection, you might feel neglected by your partner, you have a bit of fun with the other person. It happens. My husband and I happen to have a much more open-minded approach to relationship dynamics, and it has brought us closer together. And yes, we are vaguely familiar with dating sites. We haven’t always treated each other as well as we should. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. Or not, as the case may be. Meeting new people is a fact of life. And you never know what you might go on to do with those new friends.

Have you used a dating website?

Have you ever used a dating website? Was it a free site or a paid service, or have you tried both? I know that paid websites proclaim to be extra secure and will very carefully choose the perfect partner for you, but truthfully, I think free dating sites can be just as good, if not better. It all depends on our personal needs. Maybe you are seeking a casual fling, a bit of fun or someone to pass the time with while you need attention.

If you are looking for something more serious and long-term, then you might well invest your time and money into a paid dating website. But if you just need someone for fun and casual friendship, then the free dating sites are the way to go. You have no expectations, no grand ideas about finding The One, and you know that if it doesn’t work then you don’t have to see or speak to your blind date ever again. Nice and easy! The beauty of free dating sites is the huge variety of people that you find on there. And you might be surprised at who you meet. You can simply find someone to chat to online, someone to maintain a distant relationship with. Then you can progress to a formal date or meeting that suits your preference.

And who knows, perhaps eventually you will find someone that you want to settle down with, and that person will stay with you for the rest of your life. You won’t know if you don’t try, so get out there and explore. Have a great weekend, my friends!

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

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Cougar Dating Sites

Posted on June 18, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

When I first heard of the “cougar” trend, I found it quite amusing. Why label older women who want to date younger men? But then I thought about the fact that we label older men as “silver foxes” or “sugar daddies,” and I realised that maybe it’s not that bad.

In fact, we are doing very well in modern society if we can finally accept and believe that older women might want to date people and (shock, horror) have sex! I wouldn’t like to think that when I get older, that’s it for my sex life. Assuming that I will still be with my husband, we definitely won’t succumb to the stereotype. Sorry, kids.

And what if my husband and I grow distant and our marriage falls apart? I am a child of divorced parents, and his parents have had their fair share of marital trauma.

Older Dating Websites in collaboration with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Older Dating Websites

Cougar Dating Sites

People change and grow all the time, men and women, and we all need to understand our own needs and desires a little better. We also need to allow ourselves the time to explore and develop those needs and desires. My marriage has grown strong again thanks to my husband and I being totally honest with each other about what we want in our sex life. Let’s just say it isn’t exactly vanilla, and leave it at that


Anyway, due to the nature of modern life, we find many older marriages breaking up as a result of illness or injury. If a woman is widowed in mid-life, who is to say that she shouldn’t have the opportunity to find love again when she feels ready? And where could she go to find that kind of relationship? When you have been happily married for most of your adult life, and perhaps you have adult children, you might feel a little uncomfortable going out in public with the specific aim of meeting someone for sex. That is why many women prefer to meet someone online, perhaps on senior dating sites over 60, so that they can chat and flirt and find out more about their prospective lover before they meet.

After that, a public meeting should run smoothly, and romance should ensue, or at least a brief affair that leaves both individuals feeling happier, more fulfilled, and more confident about themselves. It can be a daunting experience to know that you must put yourself out there, so to speak, if you want to develop a new romantic relationship. When you have been used to the same person for so many years, in many cases for a quarter of a century of more, the thought of having to flirt with another man or woman can leave you feeling physically sick. It means you have to put your trust in other people, and if your divorce was traumatic, or you are widowed, then you really will struggle to find love again. But it can happen. It does happen.

Dating sites for over-40s

I know quite a few women who got divorced after the age of 40, and some of these may have tried the online dating scene. A few have successfully found love with other people, and now feel much better than they did before. They were able to find that special someone who was on their wavelength, who matched their personality, who could give them everything they had been seeking for so long. It is possible to find love through online dating. Some women continue to use cougar dating sites to find new friends, partners and lovers. After all, it isn’t always just about sex. Yes, some women do have an active sex drive, just like some men do. Others simply need a companion.

Some women find themselves being the only single person in a circle of married friends. All they need is a companion, a partner, someone to assist them at social gatherings and events. Some married women have husbands who are disabled through ill health or injury and are subsequently unable to fulfil certain aspects of their marital contract. I don’t really believe that a man or woman should neglect their personal well-being for the sake of their disabled partner, as long as they aren’t causing distress to anybody. We all need a little love and attention in our lives, or we waste away. Don’t you agree?

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

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Our New Family Home

Posted on June 11, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

We have moved! Our first week in the new house has passed in a blur of excitement and unpacking, and now it feels like we have been here forever. The new walk to school will take a bit of getting used to, but it will certainly keep us fit.

Our dog absolutely loves his new garden and is running around every day thinking he is a puppy again, playing with his football. We finally have a proper space to entertain friends, and it just feels so spacious, I love it!

family unpacking after moving at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Our New Family Home

There are of course the usual teething problems. We are currently without internet (shock horror!) and I am anxiously waiting for our new kit to arrive and for the new landline to go live. Until that happens, we have no TV because we couldn’t get ours to work. I think the vintage aerial sockets might need some attention, but we have our electricians booked in to upgrade the wiring, so it will get sorted very soon.

For now, we can enjoy our new garden and get used to the work involved in caring for it. Oh, and while I was absent from my work, my blog got featured in the Top 10 UK Housewife Blogs on Feedspot. Excellent! Have a lovely week, my friends!

Text reads, "Free e-book download. LGBT werewolf fantasy story. Download Now." Image of a sexy man showing a tattoo on his chest staring at the viewer with a sultry gaze. Vampire and werewolf fantasy books for adults. 3D book cover image for "It's Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)" from the vampire and werewolf fantasy book series by LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green

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#ToyReview: Schleich Dinosaurs

Posted on May 28, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

My daughters recently received a very exciting parcel containing a selection of Schleich dinosaurs for review. There is a brand-new range of dinosaur figurines for 2018, including an additional model of the terrifying top seller, T-Rex.

These toys are exquisitely detailed and hand painted, and some have moveable features like jaws that open and arms that can move up and down.

#ToyReview Schleich Dinosaur toys reviewed by SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#ToyReview Schleich Dinosaur toys

#ToyReview: Schleich Dinosaurs

Although the target age range is boys from 5 years upwards, my daughters, aged 4 and 7, both absolutely love these toys. They even insisted on taking the dinosaurs to their grandma’s house, so that we could photograph the toys in her large garden, underneath the trees. My daughters wanted to play with their dinosaurs in a setting that felt like the right environment for these creatures, and they had lots of fun with then. We received a T-Rex, which was my elder daughter’s favourite, a Dinogorgon that my younger daughter thought was very cute, and a Psittacosaurus that was my favourite. I love the colours of these toys, and the T-Rex can open his mouth as well, so we can pretend that he is eating things, which is lots of fun!

You can purchase the Schleich dinosaur toys direct from their website, or you can find them in toy shops and online in all the usual places. I think they are excellent value for money, and the toys are well made, sturdy and appealing to children. They are ideal for packing in a holiday bag or playing with on a long journey, and my daughters like to incorporate them into playtime with other toys and dolls as well, ever expanding their creativity and imagination. Great toys, great value for money, great for creative play.

#ToyReview Schleich Dinosaur toys reviewed by SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#ToyReview Schleich Dinosaur toys

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The Goddess Must Rest

Posted on May 16, 2018 by SpookyMrsGreen

I am tired. These past three months have been very challenging, and there is still more to come. Modern life is very stressful, and my family and I are currently preparing to move house, which is supposedly among one of the top most stressful activities that people do in the Western world.

In fact, I haven’t really had time for me this year. I have managed to meditate a few times, I attend my reiki support groups, and I try and get as much regular sleep as possible. But actual quality time to rest? Not happening.

Image of a Goddess statue lying on a pentagram with flower petals scattered around her. Goddess must Rest image credit NEJ Photography based in Hereford and the local area featured at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Goddess must Rest image credit NEJ Photography

The Goddess Must Rest

I really connected with this image from NEJ Photography. A bronze goddess resting on what I think is the sun. This goddess needs to sleep. She is tired, and I feel an affinity with her. Perhaps she represents my guiding goddess, a mysterious entity who will show me the way. Maybe she is simply a reminder that I cannot do it all at once. I need support. I need help. I need to stop trying to do everything all by myself.

But isn’t that what we all do? Isn’t that the way we have conditioned ourselves to be in the modern world? We have forgotten how to ask for help, and we struggle to accept our own self-worth. We must constantly strive to prove ourselves to somebody else, but never to ourselves. I think it is time I take a step back, reclaim something for me, and simply rest. It will all come together eventually. Namaste.

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

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