#AtoZChallenge: Hooray for our National Health Service!

Posted on April 9, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

My word for the #AtoZChallenge today is health, corresponding with the letter H in our alphabet list.

There has been a lot of discussion lately in political circles about the National Health Service in the UK. Many people complain about the reported ‘postcode lottery’ for health care, while others campaign tirelessly to keep their local hospitals and health centres open and operating within the community.

Thank You to the NHS shared by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
NHS wings image courtesy of Three Little Flowers blog

Hooray for our National Health Service!

Our nation has been very proud of our free health care service ever since it was introduced sixty years ago. I for one am very grateful to have it, since I receive regular treatment for a rare and chronic eye condition called Distichiasis (double row of eyelashes). I have associated Dry Eye Syndrome, and the whole thing can leave me with a lot of pain, a continuous sensation of grit in my eyes, and general tiredness on days when it flares up. I have scars on my corneas as a result of the eyelashes scratching my eyes, but fortunately I have received excellent care from doctors in the Midlands and North West NHS trusts.

We have every reason to be even more thankful for free health care now that my father-in-law will need months, if not years, of rehabilitation after his recent accident. Many people are quick to complain about long waiting lists for routine operations, or about not being able to see their doctors at short notice, and I do agree with those complaints to a certain degree. Ultimately, however, I know we are very fortunate to have access to such health care, and so today I say a big Thank You to everybody within the NHS for everything that they do for me and my family.

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

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 A-Z Blog Challenge, blog challenge, british, catherine green, health, Random Musings, UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#AtoZChallenge: Am I Gender Stereotyping my Daughters?

Posted on April 8, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

I have been thinking a lot lately about the issue of gender stereotypes. Therefore I assign letter G to gender on the #AtoZChallenge.

Having two daughters, I am determined that they will not be held back from any ambitions they might nurture. Yes I know that women are far more liberated in society now than they were 100 years ago. But we still have a long way to go, if we ever achieve true equality at all.

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

#AtoZChallenge: Am I Gender Stereotyping my Daughters?

Take me as an example. I was raised to believe that I could do anything I wanted in life, regardless of my gender. My mother always advised that I shouldn’t marry young, and that I should live my life before I had children. As it turned out I met my soulmate at the age of 19, but we waited several years before we got married. Looking back I feel like I somehow submitted to gender stereotyping, and yet I don’t know how or when it really happened.

What is a gender stereotype? Is it that girls are the nurturing, creative sex, which is why we enjoy ‘the arts’ and providing welfare for others, be it children or vulnerable adults?  Is it that boys prefer to be more physically active, and that they exercise their analytical brain functions rather than their creative ones? I don’t know.

How far does gender stereotyping go?

Personally I think we have become our own worst enemies when it comes to equality and the idea of gender stereotyping. I am happy in the roles that I have chosen, and yet I often feel that I should be doing something more outrageous, or simply something different. I worry about the clothes I dress my daughters in, but my eldest is given freedom to choose her own outfits now, be it a puffy pink princess dress, or a green t-shirt with diggers embroidered on it. The same applies with their toys. They both like to play with a mixture of dolls and diggers, and I am happy with that. Perhaps I just need to lighten up and let things be…

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

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 A-Z Blog Challenge, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Children, Random Musings, UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: It’s all Fun and Games Until…

Posted on April 7, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Someone loses an eye! OK, that was a random quote to begin with, but it is what came to mind when I was pondering the title for my #AtoZChallenge post for the letter F.

I was going to use family as a topic, but then I remembered that I used the same theme, albeit applied to my Redcliffe novels, during the #AtoZChallenge 2013. Change of plan then! Instead, today’s word of choice is fun.

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

#AtoZChallenge: It’s all Fun and Games Until…

I made a New Year’s resolution for 2014 that I would have more fun and stop being so hard on myself about my career aspirations and general work situation. My children are my priority right now, and all they want to do is spend time with Mummy and Daddy, and various other family members and friends, doing fun things. Easy! Well, it would be easy if we humans did not always put so much pressure on ourselves to create the idyllic lifestyle of effortless charm. You know what I mean; two working parents who enjoy their jobs and career success while simultaneously raising perfectly adjusted children and doing everything they are supposed to do.

What I realised is that there are no fixed rules when it comes to children. We learn as we go along, and no amount of self-help books, parenting experts, wise older people or other such guides will do it for us. Therefore, we should take it easy, stop being so hard on ourselves when we do acknowledge that we make mistakes, and just enjoy the fun times while we can.

The notion of having fun

This notion of having fun is all the more poignant right now, as my father-in-law is currently in hospital following a very serious road cycling accident last month. His recovery is slow, we do not know all the facts about the accident, and we are currently in a strange sort of existence as we wait for him to heal sufficiently to communicate with us. In the meantime, we have to take what fun we can, knowing all the while that a key family member is missing out, and that he might never make a full recovery.

Today my eldest daughter is spending some time with Grandma, enjoying the simple pleasures of baking and walking the dog, and life carries on as normal. It will not be normal for a long time now, because it is dominated by hospital visits and the constant wondering about just how soon we can have our old Dad, Grandad, Friend, back home and back on track. Hence my strange title!

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

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 A-Z Blog Challenge, author, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Random Musings, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#AtoZChallenge: Embarking Upon the Easter Holidays

Posted on April 5, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Wow, the first quarter of 2014 has literally flown away in a whirlwind! How did we end up at Easter already?

My eldest daughter has finished pre-school for two weeks, and now we are taking a week away at Grandma’s house to give us all a change of scenery (and hopefully I get some help with the kids!). For today’s #AtoZChallenge I allocate the letter E to Easter.

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

#AtoZChallenge: Embarking Upon the Easter Holidays

I hadn’t really made any plans for the Easter holidays, since originally we were preparing for a big family holiday abroad later in the month. Due to a domestic crisis this has now been put on hold for the foreseeable future, and so I feel a little deflated but I know we will get our holiday eventually. Now I think we will simply enjoy some time at home, and we can catch up with family members and friends that we haven’t seen for a while.

We don’t celebrate Easter as a religious holiday in our household, since I personally prefer to recognize the pagan festival Ostara. Essentially I am looking forward to warmer weather, the promise of Spring sunshine, and being able to have a few excursions outdoors, walking in the countryside and picnicking on the beach. How will you celebrate your Easter holiday, if you celebrate it at all?

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you on Monday!

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 A-Z Blog Challenge, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Random Musings, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: Delightful Doggy Distractions!

Posted on April 4, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Today is Friday, and here in the UK our schools finish for two weeks of Easter holidays, hooray (I think!). My eldest daughter is at pre-school and her term dates correspond with our local schools, so I am making the most of my last day of ‘freedom’ before I have to entertain her for a full two weeks.

But I have more than my human children to contend with. I also have my gorgeous Staffordshire Bull Terrier Cross, Baxter. Today, in his honour, I assign the letter D to my dog for the #AtoZChallenge.

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

#AtoZChallenge: Delightful Doggy Distractions!

Baxter is a wonderful dog. He is also very demanding, just like my daughters. He is, in effect, my son. And when he wants attention, he gets it! The title of today’s post was inspired by him pawing at my arms while I was trying to work on my laptop one day recently. Apparently my boy did not want me to work, he wanted me to give him cuddles. And when he gazes at me with big brown eyes and such a sorrowful expression, how can I refuse?

Personally I could not live in a home without a dog. My family always had dogs when I was growing up, and they still do now. Baxter successfully managed to convert my husband (who had always been wary of dogs), and now the two are best friends and soul mates. It saddens me to see negative stories in the media about Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Traditionally these dogs were know as the ‘nanny’ breed, because they care for their human families very deeply. It is a horrible minority of people that abused these dogs in recent years and subsequently gave them a bad name in public perception. I say give these beautiful dogs a chance. If you are looking for a new pet, visit your local dogs’ home and I am sure you will find the perfect companion…

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

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 A-Z Blog Challenge, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Pets, Random Musings, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#AtoZChallenge: The Challenge of having Children

Posted on April 3, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

I decided to use a lifestyle theme for my #AtoZChallenge this year, and today for the letter C, I will talk about the most important aspect of my life right now: children.

We often hear people say in a doting voice “My children are my world,” and I admit I used to roll my eyes and promise myself I would never be that person. I always wanted to have children, and I took it for granted that I would one day. Fortunately for my husband and me, conceiving two healthy daughters was not a problem.

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

#AtoZChallenge: The Challenge of having Children

Now I am one of those doting parents, but not all the time. My eldest daughter is 3, my youngest is 8 months, and recently I have been feeling the strain. Children are challenging, no doubt about it. They are also amazing, they continuously surprise and impress me, and very often they drive me into a frenzy of exhausted hopelessness. Last night, for example, we were very late going to bed and then my baby was awake and screaming every hour throughout the night. This morning she seems happy again, so I can only assume she was over tired and grumpy.

Having children is the most natural thing in the world, and certainly is not an unusual occurrence, but one thing I realise now is that everybody’s family experience is totally different. Yes we all share the same trials and triumphs as we care for our babies, nurture them, keep them clean and safe, and then send them out into the world. But each of those individual experiences is unique and very special. Would you care to share your own experience of having children?

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

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 #freeforallFriday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Random Musings, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#AtoZChallenge: Being a Breastfeeding Mother

Posted on April 2, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Today on the #AtoZChallenge we move on to the letter B, and my chosen topic is breastfeeding.

I never had an opinion on breastfeeding before I became a mother, not surprising really since it was totally irrelevant to my lifestyle. Now I have been breastfeeding my children for 3 years, and I feel that breastfeeding has come to define an aspect of my character.

#WorldBreastfeedingWeek A Breastfeeding Mother at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek A Breastfeeding Mother

#AtoZChallenge: Being a Breastfeeding Mother

There has been a lot of media interest about breastfeeding in the UK recently, when a stranger posted a photograph of a breastfeeding mother on Facebook. It prompted outrage from the breastfeeding community, and when I heard about it, I was totally bemused. Here was a mother out doing her shopping, her baby was hungry so she sat down on an empty step and fed the baby. There was no flesh on show, she did not do it out ‘in the open’ so to speak, and yet a stranger in the crowd took notice and decided to make a fuss. Interestingly I don’t think the person concerned actually spoke to the mother. He was probably afraid to approach her, lest she shove her milky flesh in his face!

Anyway, I have never received any negative reactions when I breastfeed in public, and for that I am relieved. I do notice the uncomfortable reactions from people around me sometimes, but so far nobody has approached me to complain when I feed my baby. However, because of the mixed reactions so often reported in the media, I find myself purposely trying not to draw attention to myself and my baby. I mean, I was raised in a family that are uncomfortable with nudity anyway, so I never wear anything remotely revealing, and sometimes I will change a t-shirt if I feel it is a little too low cut for my tastes. In truth I have received compliments from strangers when they see me breastfeeding in public, and I treasure these reactions, mainly from older women who have breastfed their own children and are happy to see the tradition continue in a world where bottle feeding has become the norm.

Breastfeeding is about far more than the opinions of strangers. For me it is a very natural and totally wonderful experience. Yes it is painful, uncomfortable and difficult at times. Sometimes I feel so exhausted and so frustrated about no longer having control over my body that I become agitated and grumpy. But ultimately I know that my children are being fed properly, as Mother Nature intended.

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

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 #freeforallFriday, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, author, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Random Musings, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

#AtoZChallenge: Meet the Author, Catherine Green

Posted on April 1, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

Hello and welcome to the fabulous #AtoZChallenge for 2014!

I had decided not to participate due to various extenuating circumstances, but the writing bug has bitten and I decided this was the perfect opportunity to exercise my fingers.

Today we begin at the beginning… the letter A.

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

Meet the Author, Catherine Green

I am the author of this blog, Spooky Mrs Green. The name came from my addiction to ghost hunting at the time when I started the blog. I am still fascinated by ghosts, but nowadays my time is largely consumed by two young children, one workaholic husband, and one daft dog! There will more about these characters to follow, as I apply letters of the alphabet to the subjects and people that are important to me at this time.

You might wonder what I am the author of, apart from this blog of course. I have written a series of adult paranormal romance novels, and one historical paranormal romance novel. Those are the published books, along with a couple of paranormal short stories in Young Adult anthologies. Check out my Redcliffe novels series, The Darkness of Love, and more updates on my author blog.

Thank you for stopping by, now why not check out my fellow writers on the #AtoZChallenge? See you tomorrow!

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 #AtoZChallenge, #freeforallFriday, a redcliffe novel, A-Z Blog Challenge, advertising, author, blog challenge, british, catherine green, Love Hurts, paranormal romance, UK, working mom, working mother, working mum | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’m Doing the #AtoZChallenge 2014!

Posted on March 28, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

I have decided to go for it once again, and participate in the April #AtoZChallenge for 2014. If you are not familiar with this blog hop, it is a very simple, and very enjoyable, way to bring more traffic to your websites. It is also a great writing exercise, and gives you a real challenge with wordplay and subject matter.

I participated in the blog hop in 2013 and found it great fun, and also very useful. This year I didn’t think I would be able to participate after several chaotic incidences on the domestic front, but today I feel energized with the promise of Spring, and I am going for it!

April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014 at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
April A-Z Blogging Challenge 2014

I’m Doing the #AtoZChallenge 2014!

My topic of choice for 2014 will be Lifestyle. For me this will encompass all things family oriented, since this is my current focus of activity for many reasons. I may throw in a few posts about my work-life balance, my personal spiritual journey, and my experiences as a mother of two young children and one daft dog…

The point is, I plan to use the #AtoZChallenge as a way to liven up my WordPress blog and give it a boost of energy. The blog challenge will keep my brain ticking over, give me a focus for work when I need it, and of course, remind people about my fantastic adult paranormal romance novels!

If you are in the #AtoZChallenge this year, give me a shout and I will check out your blog during April. Maybe we can compare notes… If you are new to the challenge and want to join in, there is still time… here is the link. See you later 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

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 author, british, catherine green, Random Musings, UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Ostara Blessings and the Turning of the Wheel

Posted on March 24, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen: Ghost Hunting, Vampire Books & Paranormal Family Adventures from Cheshire

This weekend saw the celebration of Ostara, the beginning of the season of Spring. Over here in the UK our weather was, as always, very interchangeable and unpredictable. We had beautiful bright sunshine, but the rain poured down frequently in short, sharp bursts. There were also a few brief hail storms.

It meant that our plans to spend time outside were limited, and indeed I found myself exhausted as a result of my chaotic domestic life, and so I took some time out to rest (well, if you can call being at home with two demanding young children restful!)

Welcome, Ostara! Pagan Fertility Festival with Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Welcome, Ostara! Pagan Fertility Festival

Ostara Blessings and the Turning of the Wheel

The pagan festival of Ostara represents Mother Earth awakening her children after their winter slumber. It is the time of fertility, when trees and shrubs begin to blossom, the grass grows bright and green, and we see daffodils and daisies blooming in the countryside. Animals are reproducing, and we humans feel lighter and more cheerful as we welcome back the sunshine and warmth, and we begin to seek the pleasure of holidays and frivolity.

For me the festival was a quiet one this year. I am currently experiencing a lot of emotional turmoil as I deal with the aftermath of a close family member having been involved in a serious road accident. The relative is now seriously ill in hospital and we are still visiting on a regular basis. The patient is stable but received severe brain trauma, and we have absolutely no idea of what to expect in terms of long-term recovery. I will not give further details, because I want to be sensitive to my family at this time. Suffice to say we are all pulling together and supporting each other.

Receiving difficult lessons

And so I conclude that I am receiving very difficult lessons at this time. The Universe, Spirit, whatever people like to call those invisible but powerful energies we all feel, is throwing a lot at me on the domestic front. I remain calm and reflective, as I know that this is all a prelude to something enjoyable, and it is all simply the experience of life. Blessed Ostara 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 british, catherine green, mind body spirit, Random Musings, Spiritual, spiritual growth, UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments