It’s Been a Funny Sort of Month

Posted on July 31, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

It has been a funny sort of month. I have once again been very busy, but I can’t remember exactly what I have been doing.

It mainly revolves around breastfeeding, changing nappies, washing, cooking and cleaning, and entertaining a “threenager” and a baby. I can’t really call my elder daughter a toddler any more. For one thing, she is too tall and very articulate! She seems to have acquired her dad’s lanky physique, rather than my petite frame. She is a little whirlwind of chaos, and she has a fantastic imagination.

#MummyMonday SpookyMrsGreen's children copyright Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday SpookyMrsGreen’s children

Busy Being Mother

My baby is also growing up fast. It is her 1st birthday tomorrow, 1st August. This time last year I was huge, hot and very grumpy, and desperate to birth my baby. Now, I keep telling her to stop growing because I want to enjoy her at this age forever… Of course I don’t mean it. I love my children unconditionally, but I admit that I will appreciate a little ‘me’ time when they are old enough to fend for themselves a little more. For now I am enjoying the experience of watching them grow and develop, and it is a novelty to see my baby crawling (her sister was a bum-shuffler).

I say it has been a funny sort of month mainly because I didn’t quite complete my plans. I signed up for a writing challenge called Camp NaNoWriMo, and set myself a word target of 25,000. So far I have almost 10,000 words in my teenage zombie romance novel. I am struggling with it, most probably because it is a new concept. I have never written about zombies before. In fact, I haven’t even read very many zombie stories, so perhaps I need a little more research…

I didn’t win, but it’s fine

Anyway, I end July feeling quite peaceful, because although I didn’t ‘win’ Camp NaNoWriMo, at least it got me writing again. The stories are beginning to roll around my mind, and I am slowly getting my work back on track. There are a few other personal challenges to contend with, and I am still trying to work out when and where I can take the children on holiday. It is all coming together slowly, so for now I will relax and enjoy a weekend of birthday celebration. See you later, everyone!

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

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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Who Am I?

Posted on July 28, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

Who am I? This question is beginning to nag at me lately. I am Catherine Green. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, and an author.

This last one has been sorely neglected recently in my daily schedule. My life has become a chaotic cycle of breastfeeding, changing nappies, bathing and washing children, preparing food for children, feeding them, cleaning up behind them, and everything else that comes of being a mother and housewife.

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

Time to Rediscover the Author

It is time to reignite my author passion. I have ideas for dozens of stories, both novels and shorts, scribbled in diaries that I keep staring at, but never do anything about. I joined Camp NaNoWriMo this month as a way of getting back into the writing habit. It worked very slowly for about two weeks, but then my domestic life overtook everything again. How do I balance being with my children 24/7 with being an author?

The problem is that I am not simply an author. It isn’t just about writing the stories. If I want to be recognised, if I want to sell books, if I want to earn a decent wage as an author, then I have to be a whole lot else besides. I have to be an entrepreneur, a business woman, a marketing professional, a social media expert, and a whole host of other titles that I can’t even contemplate in my current tired state of mind.

Who are you?

Who are you? How do you define yourself and your life? I am interested to hear other people’s stories, and how all of our lives overlap and run parallel in so many ways… Have a great week everyone!

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

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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When Will I Sleep Again?

Posted on July 21, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

Today I am feeling tired. Actually, I feel exhausted. It seems to be a standard requirement for being a parent. People joke about the fact that parents mostly endure sleepless nights and busy days, but seriously, it is a real problem!

My daughters are not bad sleepers really. My eldest does sleep all through the night, and very deeply too. My baby is currently waking roughly every 2 hours for a feed, and she is restless because she is teething and growing and doing all those things that healthy babies do.

#MummyMonday Catherine with her Baby Daughter SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Catherine with her Baby Daughter

When Will I Sleep Again?

I have nothing to complain about. It is simply a fact. I am tired! And that is the reason why my writing has slowed down to the point where it is almost non-existent, and I am having to adjust my priorities and allow myself some time to rest when I can. If I don’t do this, I risk the very real possibility of collapsing with exhaustion, and that would do my family no good at all. I think our culture and society has always downplayed the struggle of parenthood, for both men and women.

In my experience, women take the brunt of the domestic responsibilities simply because it makes better financial sense for the family. I find it sad that this is still the case after 100 years of feminism, campaigns for equality, and a rise in women in the workplace. In fact, I find it downright disgusting that women who stay home to care for their children are overlooked, under appreciated, and generally looked down upon by their societal peers, for doing a job that is essential if the human race is to continue!

I’m too tired to continue

Well, before I take this into a rant about equality and sexism, I will leave it there. I am just too tired to continue. My baby is waking from her nap, my kitchen is full of dirty dishes that won’t clean themselves, and I have to collect my elder daughter from preschool soon. Maybe I will sleep properly at some point in the future. For now it remains a distant dream… but I wouldn’t have it any other way, because I love my children! Have a great week everyone.

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

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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Ticking the Boxes of #Motherhood

Posted on July 4, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

It occurred to me earlier that my life seems to revolve around ticking all the boxes at the moment. I mean, I looked at my 11 month-old daughter playing with her toys, and I ran through a mental check list:

1. Has she been fed? Check. 2. Has she had her milk? Check. 3. Has she had enough playtime? Check. 4. Has she got a clean nappy? Check. 5. Does she need a nap? Check. 6. Does she need more cuddles? Check.

#MummyMonday SpookyMrsGreen's children copyright Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday SpookyMrsGreen’s children

Ticking the Boxes of #Motherhood

And I wonder why I am exhausted! This check list runs on a repeat cycle all day, every day, and not just with her. I do a similar one with my 3 year-old, although of course the nappy is replaced with toilet visits, the milk with drinking water, etc. These are the things we take for-granted, and yet they are the core essentials for growing our human race. Alongside this I am desperately trying to develop my career, so that I can earn extra money to pay for family holidays, and for my own personal satisfaction and well-being.

Last week I wrote about feeling a sense of peace at last. This is true, but alongside that peaceful attitude is one of doing everyday jobs, and just doing what humans do naturally. Sometimes I look back on my day and wonder just what exactly I have been doing. Sometimes it is hard to see what takes up all my time, and why I can’t seem to find twenty minutes some days to write a bit of my latest novel. Then I realise, all those cuddles, games, washing and feeding my children actually do take time. You can’t just click your fingers and everything is done (unless you are Mary Poppins!) So now I allow the peaceful feeling to return, and I congratulate myself on doing a damned good job at being Mother.

Have a lovely weekend 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

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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#SpiritualGrowth: Finding Peace in a Wild World

Posted on June 30, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

I have been experiencing a lot of emotions and situations recently that I believe are part of my spiritual lesson in life. It has been a while since I wrote a post directly relating to this subject, but every day I embrace my spiritual journey on earth.

I recently experienced shock and worry when a close family member was involved in a serious road accident almost four months ago. I now experience weekly anxiety, sadness and hope as we visit him in a specialist hospital facility where he is slowly recovering.

#WitchyWednesday Woodland and Meadow copyright Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#WitchyWednesday Woodland and Meadow

Finding Peace in a Wild World

My children continue to amaze, impress, and teach me the true value of human life. For a long time I have been preoccupied with the need to ‘be something,’ to make a success of my life, and to become somebody of worth. Unfortunately I confused this ideal with financial wealth, and I fell into the trap of valuing money above all else on my quest. Of course, it didn’t work out quite the way I expected, and that is as it should be. That is not my journey in this life.

No, my journey is one of appreciation and love. My children love me unconditionally. They have no concept of jobs, money, material goods, or any of those human creations that we all crave. My children simply want to play, they want to have fun, and they want to do these things with Mummy and Daddy. We are still persuading Daddy to take some time off work, but that is his journey and I cannot interfere (unless he asks, of course!)

I feel at peace

Just last week I finally realized that I feel at peace after living in a state of wild upheaval for over a year. My spiritual journey took huge leaps back in 2012, and then in 2013 I feel that I strayed a little. I became overwhelmed by an exhausting pregnancy, and I succumbed to the strains of domestic life while still trying frantically to develop my business. Now, I feel that I can let go of those things that are no longer important. I am working from home, and I am raising a family. I am also taking time to rest, to have fun, and to indulge in things that make me happy. And, that for now, is success.

Have a wonderful summer my friends! Oh, and if I seem a little quiet during July, here is the reason: Camp NaNoWriMo participant.

#CampNaNoWriMo 2014 Participant LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#CampNaNoWriMo 2014 Participant LGBT fantasy book writer 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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Excited About the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival

Posted on June 13, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

I absolutely love this weekend of the year in my home town! Middlewich comes alive for the Folk and Boat Festival with a colourful array of canal boats and boating folk, lots of Morris dancers, random people singing and dancing, and of course, the Rose Fete.

I just love a festival, and this one is right on my doorstep. In fact, I walk past the boats almost every day as I take my elder daughter to pre-school and take the dog for a walk. Today the canal is crammed, I have seen the fudge boat, the sweet shop boats, the craft boat, the traditional working boats, oh and even a jacket potato boat, and one selling home brew beer. Fantastic!

#MummyMonday Morris Dancers at Folk and Boat Festival with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
Morris Dancers at Folk and Boat Festival (Image credit unknown)

Preparing for Middlewich Rose Fete

Today I am preparing my daughter’s fairy costume for her appearance as a fairy attendant in the Rose Fete parade. It will be the first time in 3 years that her dad is off work for the festival, so she is doubly excited that he can watch her do the fairy dance. If you are near to Middlewich, come along at 11am and cheer us on. I’ll be the crazy mummy dancing around in fairy wings to encourage the children! Have a fabulous weekend 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

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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Let Me Tell You About Love…

Posted on June 8, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

Do you want to get lost in a good love story? Maybe you need something with a little suspense, something dark and delicious.

I suggest you read the Redcliffe novels series of LGBT fantasy books set in Cornwall, England. You can meet the sexy alpha of the Redcliffe werewolf pack and his besotted lieutenant. But watch out for those vampires lurking in the shadows!

Image of a woman standing between two men who are partly in shadow. All are dressed in black clothes and look mysterious. 3D book cover image for "Love Hurts (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 Hurts (The Redcliffe Novels)” #1 by Catherine Green.

Let Me Tell You About Love…

I never understood the concept of being in love. It always seems like such a big deal and yet everywhere you look you see people getting their hearts broken, scorned women and cheating men. Practically every TV show, film or novel has some sort of love theme running through it. People thrive on relationships; they chase each other for romance, for excitement, or simply to be together. They argue, fight, make up, and break up. I have seen a lot of people hurt by love and then I have seen a few people who are happy with it. The whole subject confuses me, it frightens me, and because I don’t understand it, I don’t miss it and I certainly don’t chase it.

Don’t get me wrong; love must be worth fighting for because everyone always seems to be chasing it. But not me. No, I decided after my parents died and my family abandoned me that I would look after number one before anyone else. Then I met Liz and developed love of a different kind, love for my best friend, my sister. I made an exception and vowed to always protect her no matter what. But when it came to men, not a chance. I wasn’t interested. I didn’t need romance, and I didn’t need a relationship.

Then I met Jack Mason

Then I met Jack Mason and his brother Danny. All of my carefully built defences came crashing down around me. Love is dangerous and painful. Love is confusing and exhausting. Love will get you killed. Yet despite everything I find myself going back for more, unable to break free of this trap. My life was normal and happy and successful before I met the Mason brothers. Then they showed me what I had been lacking and what I needed to truly be fulfilled. So let me tell you the story, about a picturesque seaside town in South Western England, and the secrets of its seemingly innocent inhabitants…

“Love Hurts (A Redcliffe Novel)” is widely available online from your favourite bookstore.

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

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 Truth About Marriage

Posted on June 5, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

Marriage is hard work. No surprise there, you might think, but when do we actually talk about marriage within our social groups?

There is a stigma about the institution, whereby we should ‘put up and shut up’ or ‘get the hell out of there’ when events and situations become unpleasant. We are always excited to hear about our friends and family getting married and celebrating the love, but what about after the wedding? What happens then?

The first dance wedding at Chester Zoo with LGBT fantasy book writer Catherine Green at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
The first dance at our wedding SpookyMrsGreen

The Truth About Marriage

I was quite blasé about getting married. I had been with my fiancé for almost ten years before we tied the knot. We already lived together, we were close friends, and we had already broken each other’s hearts during the course of our early adventures. Marriage was simply the natural progression, a social insurance if you like (for me anyway, as the wife), and I thoroughly enjoyed our wedding day.

My husband and I are still in love with each other. But right now we are distant. He works a lot. I mean, not just by societal standards, but in that he seems to think his workplace will implode if he is not there to do everything. We are currently dealing with a family crisis, and so when he is not falling asleep on the sofa, my husband is barely here. We have become one of those couples that don’t talk to each other!

Do I sound bitter?

I might sound a little bitter, or maybe a bit flippant, airing my views in a public arena. But here’s the thing; my marriage is important to me. Funny that! I don’t want to end my relationship. I do want my husband to realise where his priorities truly lie. He tells me he loves me. He has a whole lot of other issues going on that I am not at liberty to discuss. He is a good man, and he is a fantastic father.

Oh, and if you were wondering what sparked this little rant? Today is our fourth wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Daniel!

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

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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And Now We Slip Into Summertime

Posted on June 2, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

Is it really June already? Wow! I know I sound like a broken record, but I cannot keep up with the speed at which these months are flying by.

Perhaps I am so totally wrapped up in my family right now that I fail to see life buzzing all around me. I know we need a holiday. So far I have lost out on two planned excursions for reasons beyond my control, but I know there is something big and exciting hurtling towards me. And about time too!

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

And Now We Slip Into Summertime

What have you guys been doing with your year? Working, loving, living? I find myself having all sorts of philosophical discussions with myself; what I think about my life and where it is going. I can’t say that life didn’t turn out how I expected. I never really planned my life too far in advance. I prefer to embrace spontaneity and take each day as it comes. That said, I am beginning to understand the need to plan when you have young children to consider. You can’t just pack up and go with a baby and toddler!

I am really only dropping in to keep my blog active while I work away on my other projects. I have all sorts of writerly things in progress, but because of my domestic responsibilities, I have been somewhat distracted during the past few months. Things will fall into place eventually I know, but for now, what you see is what you get. 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

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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#PoemOfTheDay: Wake up Grandad

Posted on May 28, 2014 by SpookyMrsGreen

Here is a poem I wrote for my father-in-law, Steven Green, who remains in hospital following a serious cycling accident in March:

#WitchyWednesday Cloudy Sky and a Meadow with a Copse of Trees copyright Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#WitchyWednesday Cloudy Sky and a Meadow with a Copse of Trees

Wake up Grandad

Wake up Dad
We’ve a game to watch,
There’s beer to spare
I kid you not!

Wake up Grandad
We miss you lots,
The family is here
And you are not.

Wake up Grandad
It’s a beautiful day,
The sun is shining
What do you say?

Wake up Steven
The house seems bare,
The cat won’t settle
She needs you there.

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

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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