Dear Boobs: A book of poems about the love, leaks and let-downs of breastfeeding by Claire Foskett.
I was excited to receive a copy of Claire’s new book for review, since I am a former breastfeeding mother myself. It is several years since I breastfed my second child, but I still remember those crazy days and all the mood swings and mess.
My Review
Poems are a great way to represent our feelings, and Claire approaches her observations with humour and emotion mixed together. Her style of writing reminds me of Roald Dahl, and I love the illustrations in this book, and especially the Recipe for Breastfeeding Mums. There are some laugh-out-loud funny poems including A Cautionary Tale and Flashing, and there are more serious thought-provoking ones including Tired and Day Three.
#BookReview Dear Boobs Poems by Claire Foskett
Claire has included her own breastfeeding experiences in these poems, and her husband wrote a lovely poem to finish the book as well, which I thought was a nice touch. We often get so involved in supporting the mother that we forget about the father standing helplessly watching. Husbands and partners do take an active role, but it may not always be recognised.
I would recommend this book if you are a breastfeeding mum, if you are pregnant, or if you still remember those days and want to chuckle and reminisce. I will pass the book on to my sister who just had her first baby, and then to my friend who is pregnant, and I know they will relate to the poems and enjoy reading them.
#BookReview “Dear Boobs” A Book of Poems About the Love, Leaks and Let-Downs of Breastfeeding by Claire Foskett
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I am very sad to report that we lost one of our beloved kittens during the school half-term holiday.
Little Cora was an adventurous soul, and she would not stay in the house.
Remembering Cora Green
Grieving for Our Cat
We live on a busy road, but we do have a large back garden and we tried to encourage our kittens to stay at the back where they would be safe. Cora’s sister seemed happy with the arrangement, but Cora decided she wanted to explore the world.
Unfortunately, she stepped into the road at the wrong time and was hit by a car. It was a tragic accident, and I am very grateful to the lady that stopped and picked up our baby, and then set about finding her family so that we could get her back. She ended up with a local animal rescue volunteer, who scanned her microchip and confirmed that she was ours. I then had to collect our baby, arrange for cremation, and my husband and I had to spoil our daughters’ holiday away with their nanna and tell them the tragic news. Cora belonged to my younger daughter, who is only 8 years old, so you can imagine the trauma.
We must learn to live without her
It has been a long and emotional ten days as we process what happened, learn to live without Cora, and try to reassure her sister that she is safe. Nora seems mostly alright, but she has been restless, and we believe she is looking for her sister. We have shown her Cora’s collar that was recovered at the scene, and her casket, and I think she is slowly making sense of the loss in her own way. She does have the company of our dog, Marley, at least.
Farewell, little Cora. I trust you are having lots of adventures across the rainbow bridge. We have eight months of memories and plenty of photos and videos to remind us of our time together. We will never forget you, sweetheart.
LGBT werewolf fantasy story “It’s Complicated (The Redcliffe Novels)” by Catherine Green
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Welcome to March and as we approach the Spring Equinox, I am pleased to share a round-up of new mind, body, spirit books plus a brand-new Tarot card deck that I look forward to reviewing in the coming weeks.
Spruce up your witchy bookshelf and spring clean your magical supplies with these beauties!
#ProductReview The Essential Tarot by Catherine Green
The Essential Tarot
A 78-Card Deck with Guidebook
By Chloé Zarka Grinsnir
Taking inspiration from the archetypes of the original tarot decks like the Rider-Waite, the Essential Tarot reimagines them for a new age – powerful, diverse and full of contemporary wisdom. As depicted by many artists and authors throughout the ages, tarot has become an effective way to understand yourself and others ― and perhaps even look into the future. But a new audience for tarot is being born and its adherents want a new way to see the world – fresh, contemporary, and full of diverse bodies, races, and genders, acknowledging the spiritual and cultural offerings of people around the globe and throughout history. These practitioners need an essential deck that both honours the tradition of tarot that has given power to readers for generations and also gives them insight and hope for the generations to come.
If you want to see a full flip through this entire Tarot deck check out this video:
A Modern-Day Wiccapedia of Divination & Intuition Rituals
By Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway
For this volume in the best-selling Modern-Day Witch series, Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway explore how to harness nature’s magick to tap into your psychic intuition and hone your divination abilities. They cover everything from sharpening your psychic skills and intuition; ESP training; psychic meditation techniques; astral projection; and connecting with spirits and the cosmos.
Numerous divination methods are covered: tarot; scrying (crystal ball gazing); crystal divination; numerology; palmistry; pendulums; reading tea leaves; lucid dreaming; psychic plant power ― even how to read clouds and candle wax. Included throughout are spells and rituals to help you purposefully utilise your abilities and help enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
Learn to harness the power of candle magic and fire to enhance your spellwork.
Many practitioners of Wicca and paganism use candles to work with fire, a powerful element that plays an important role in many rituals. Bestselling Wiccan author Lisa Chamberlain teaches contemporary witches how to use candles in their everyday magical practice. Readers will find trusted advice on selecting the best candle for their needs, the importance of candle colours, and ways to clear and charge their candles. This approachable guide also includes instructions for exciting spells and magical crafts—dabble with shadow work to repair a strained relationship, cultivate good luck with a weekly spell, and create a collection of magical oils for candle anointing.
From the Wheel of the Year to the Cycles of the Moon, Magic for Every Occasion
By Lisa Chamberlain
Make your year a magical one with this beginner’s guide to the eight Wiccan Sabbats held throughout the year, along with an exploration of lunar magic.
Many Wiccans follow the Wheel of the Year, honouring eight Sabbats, or days of power, and Esbats, ritual occasions usually held at each Full Moon. In this handy guide, bestselling Wiccan author Lisa Chamberlain helps practitioners experience the magic of the turning seasons and the lunar cycle. She explores the spiritual themes of each Sabbat and shares spells aligned with the seasonal and divine energies of each holiday. You’ll find fun ideas for celebrating these magical occasions, whether you’re a solitary practitioner or a coven member. The book also takes an in-depth look at magical timing and the lunar cycle alongside spells you can incorporate into Esbat celebrations.
#BookTalk The Druid Path: A Modern Tradition of Nature Spirituality by John Michael Green
The Druid Path
A Modern Tradition of Nature Spirituality
By John Michael Greer
Acclaimed author and Archdruid John Michael Greer provides an in-depth beginner’s guide to Druidry – a modern tradition of nature spirituality with ancient roots in Celtic traditions.
Although we know little about the ancient Druids, their reputation for wisdom and harmony with nature lives on. Today, Druidry is a vibrant, diverse movement with groups and practitioners on every continent but Antarctica. Spiritual rather than religious—more an attitude than an ideology—it can be embraced by people from different faiths and backgrounds. Archdruid John Michael Greer explores the history and basics of Druidry; how to perform Druidic rituals, meditation, and divination; elements of the lifestyle; and advice for placing less of a burden on the Earth. Includes a simple self-initiation ritual for starting on the Druid path, as well as exercises to help you tap into the elements and learn to pay attention to the natural world.
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If one positive thing came out of the pandemic, it was a renewed sense of community spirit. You may have noticed all kinds of efforts being made in your local community to support each other and to make life a little easier during the challenges of the lockdown. However, now that life seems to be returning to normal, the sense of connection within the community may seem less important and could be lost.
If you are keen to continue keeping your local area connected and making it an even better place to live, you may be looking for opportunities to make a difference. There are lots of different ways that you can help make a significant difference in your community and to enrich the quality of life of every resident. Here are just some of the ideas that you could implement when trying to improve your local community:
Improving facilities in your area is an excellent way to make a lasting difference that has far-reaching benefits. Raising funds to provide facilities for the benefit of residents or lobbying the local council for funding enables you to make significant improvements to the local area. If there are lots of young families in your community, raising money for new and improved playground equipment could be a perfect way to enhance the lives of the children living in the area, helping them to stay entertained, get active, and spend time in the fresh air. A new play area is capable of providing enjoyment for hundreds of children for many, many years and is an excellent facility for the community.
Keeping it Clean
Having rubbish discarded in your local community can make the entire area look neglected and untidy. Unfortunately, litter can also cause harm to wildlife, so removing the rubbish is the best way to prevent this from happening. Getting together a group of like-minded neighbours to join you for regular litter picks will help you to regain a feeling of pride in your area and get your streets looking great again.
Give Nature a Helping Hand
Many areas up and down the country are introducing wildflowers to their verges and encouraging these to grow instead of grass. These wildflowers play a crucial role in attracting bees and encouraging pollination, as well as adding plenty of natural beauty. Seeking permission to try and implement a scheme like this in your area and sowing wildflower seeds can be a really worthwhile exercise, which enhances the appearance of your local area while encouraging nature to flourish.
Volunteer at a Group
If you hope to get involved with the local community and meet new people, volunteering at a group is an excellent idea. Offering your time to groups such as Brownies or Scouts is really helpful, or maybe you could volunteer at your local school. Whichever option you choose will help you to make a worthwhile contribution to your community and to make a significant difference in the lives of the people that you help.
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.
Do you need to find healthy cat food for your cat or kitten?
You could consider KatKin, a company that offers personalised meal plans for your cats, tailored to their nutritional and health needs.
Our black cat, Nora, enjoying her Christmas gift.
What is the Best Healthy Food for My Cat?
We deliver healthy cat food to your door. Most cat foods have low meat %’s, poor quality ingredients, and rely on chemicals to keep them on the shelf. At KatKin, we make 100% fresh, natural cat food with a 95% meat content. And we’re seeing results… Click here to find out more.
I don’t know about you, but my kittens are growing into fussy eaters! I recently tried a different brand of tinned cat food and one of the cats refuses to eat it. She prefers her biscuits and it’s costing me a fortune. I might consider a meal plan like KatKin so my cats can have something more personalised that they can enjoy.
Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
Do you ever find yourself rushing from task to task and project to project and wondering how you can possibly get everything done? Maybe you’ve even found yourself in the especially counterproductive position of having so much to do, and feeling so overwhelmed, that you end up doing something completely unproductive instead — procrastinating as an alternative to doing the things that you feel you don’t have enough time to do.
Today there are many people who find themselves feeling chronically overwhelmed in this manner, and parents in particular are likely to find that time management is a major hurdle. It might be that you need to attend to family obligations, to do your work for the day, and to try and dedicate some time to a course such as those offered by STL Training.
Ultimately, no matter who you are, finding ways to get the most out of your time each day is likely to be a welcome development. Here are a few suggestions on that front.
Ginger Fox Games The Traitors Card Game
Work on being as mindfully present and engaged as you can, each day
“Mindfulness” is a term that’s been gaining a lot of traction in recent years, and it is often used to refer to meditation practises that are based on focusing on the breath while ignoring outside distractions.
In a more general and everyday sense, though, mindfulness is really about cultivating a sense of presence in your own life, instead of being totally caught up in, and distracted by, other thoughts, concerns, projects or situations.
The more you can be mindfully present in each moment, the more productive and effective you are likely to be, and the less stressed and distracted you are likely to be.
Try developing the skill of focusing on just one task, activity, or thing at a time, and consider taking up practises such as meditation that may help to nurture greater mindfulness.
Structure your days around consistent and wellness-supporting routines
When push comes to shove, no one is going to be in a position to make the best possible use of their time, or to get things done quickly and effectively, if they are chronically exhausted, hungry and irritable.
Sometimes in life, these kinds of situations are difficult to avoid. For the most part, though, anything you can do to structure your days around consistent and wellness-supporting routines — such as set mealtimes — is likely to be very beneficial.
Shape your environment to be as harmonious as possible
Our environments and immediate surroundings have the potential to influence and shape us a lot more than we might assume.
It’s naturally going to be easier for most people to have a productive work day when working in a tidy and professional office setting, than when trying to get work done from their living room sofa, for example.
Ultimately, shaping your environment to be as harmonious as possible is a great idea whenever you are striving to reduce friction in your day-to-day life, and to ensure that you can use your time as effectively as possible.
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.
Note: This is a collaborative article and may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!
Many people look forward to retirement, not having to work anymore, being able to do whatever you want, when you want and some people look to move to a whole different country to get a change of scenery. It gives a new sense of freedom, not having to go to work every day and a lot of the responsibilities you had before just disappear.
If you are looking to uproot and move cross country for your retirement there are some things you need to consider beforehand.
Things To Consider Before Retiring In A New Country
One of the first things to consider is if you will fully move there or if you will have it as more of a holiday home that you live in for half of the year. If you move fully, it is important to think about how you will move all of your belongings as long distance moving can be a lot more work and stress. So it is better to hire a moving team to help take the stress away. If, however, you are only having it as a holiday home or second home that you will live in for half the year then you need to consider if and what you will take there with you. Then while you are in a new country in your second home, what will you do with your other home? A good option is to look at renting it out on a system like Airbnb so you can make an income when you are not there.
Another thing to consider is your family, with work and life commitments your family face will you still be able to see them as much as you want as well as if you still have older children who may live at home due to difficulties in life or perhaps have conditions which mean they need to be looked after, so if they are going to be going with you, how will you make it as stress-free as possible.
When you get to the age of retirement you may also find that you may have some health conditions that you need to manage and live with, some may be more serious than others but if you are looking to move to another country it is always good to see if insurance is needed. Some places in the world have free healthcare, whereas some others have insurance and large payments, so be sure you can comfortably purchase any medicines you may need.
Last, you may take into account the cultural change that occurs when you relocate to a new country. This is one of the most exciting aspects of relocating for many people, but you should always be aware of what you’re getting yourself into. For example, consider how vital it is to learn the language and what the local laws and customs are. Maybe you’re wondering if there’s ever a time when you’re too old to learn a language. When it comes to learning a new language, though, older people have their own set of benefits, and where there’s a will, there’s a way.
If you’re like many people, you’ve questioned your career path. Maybe it’s not what you dreamed of doing, or perhaps it doesn’t feel right anymore. You might be feeling stuck and discouraged, but don’t worry!
There are many ways to get back on track with your passion and find a fulfilling career that will make the world a better place.
One way to find your career path is to start by figuring out what you’re passionate about. What are the things that make you feel alive and excited? Once you know what those things are, research how you can turn them into a career. There might be some jobs out there that don’t even exist yet! The key is not to be afraid to think outside the box and be creative about using your passions to make a difference in the world.
Don’t Overlook Your Talents
Another way to find your career path is to look at what you’re good at. What are the things that come quickly for you? Maybe you’re great with people, or perhaps you have a knack for solving problems. Those are the things you should focus on when looking for a career. There are plenty of jobs out there that use your natural talents, so don’t be afraid to go after what you’re good at!
Find Your Calling
There’s also something to be said about finding your calling in life. What is it that you feel like you were meant to do? It might not be a specific job but rather a way of using your talents and passions to make the world a better place. If you can find your calling, it’ll be easier to find a career that fits with what you’re passionate about.
Start Now
The best thing you can do is start now. Don’t wait until you have all the answers or until the perfect job comes along. The world needs passionate and excited people about making a difference, so start looking for ways to turn your passions into a career. Of course, you might not know precisely what you’re doing at first, but that’s okay! It takes time and effort to find the right career path, but it’s worth it in the end.
Options
There are plenty of options available to you to find your career path. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or do some research on your own. The most important thing is that you’re passionate about what you’re doing and making a difference in the world. So don’t give up! There’s a perfect career out there for you, and you can find it if you’re willing to look. For example, if you are passionate about health and fitness, then try to learn more about that as an option. You could be a personal trainer, work in the medical field or start your own business. The sky’s the limit!
There are many ways to find your career path, and the most important thing is that you’re passionate about what you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or do some research on your own. The world needs people excited about making a difference, so start looking for ways to turn your passions into a career.
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.
Here Are 13 Helpful Tips You Can Use As You Start This New Part Of Your Life:
Take Notes
College is an intensive time, but it can be fun as well! As such, there will be so much information thrown your way that it might feel a bit overwhelming. However, take advantage of all the free resources that are given to you by taking notes to help you study and stay organized. Also, take time each night to read over these notes before going to bed. Doing this may help give you clarity on what material was covered during the day or week or help give you an edge on what to focus on.
Schedule
Many of your classes will require you to keep a planner – which is great because it is best to be organized! However, if you are having trouble keeping up with it or are forgetting about making time for studying or assignments, try scheduling the week out at the beginning of each month.
Plan daily, weekly and monthly times for homework, projects, workouts and fun activities. This may seem like too much information to track at once, but it also lets you fit things into your schedule more easily than trying to cram everything in at the last minute. Also, try not to procrastinate as much as possible!
Sleep
Although many consider college a time to cut loose and have a few more years of freedom, this is a huge time where you can take advantage of being able to sleep in. A good night’s sleep might be the most productive thing you do all week!
However, if your schedule demands 8 hours or more per day, try making sure that you get out of bed every morning at the same time and go to bed at roughly the same time each night.
Driving Safety
Whether you’re headed across campus or to work, it’s important to remember the rules of the road. Do a quick search online for more info on learners’ tests. This might mean taking extra time to plan out your route – even if you normally go there every day! Driving safety is very important because nobody wants to get into trouble with the law or lose their life just trying to get somewhere on time.
Be Flexible
Finding classes that fit your schedule may not always be easy; however, keep an open mind about possibly switching courses or simply getting out of some requirements by taking independent studies instead. If this isn’t possible, try to find out what you can do to make up for any classes that you might miss.
Don’t Stress Too Much About Money
Being at college is not just about school; there are other things that need attention as well. This is especially true in terms of money. You may be tempted to do things like getting a credit card or taking out loans when you don’t have the money for them, but it’s important to think about your future and not put yourself in financial distress by doing so.
Take Advantage of Opportunities
Consider applying for an internship while you are still in school because it can give you an amazing experience before graduation day rolls around. Doing this can help you learn about what kind of career might fit best with your personality type and interests. Even if you don’t get an internship with your favourite company, it’s likely that you’ll discover new places to explore and make even more connections later on in life!
Check Out All of Your Resources
Many schools have specific resources available for students who want help in certain areas. While some may be very basic and include things like a library, others can include services such as career counselling and tutoring sessions. Keep an open mind about these services because they can provide you with the tools that you need to succeed in college and beyond!
Pick Up New Hobbies
It’s always fun to try something new and see where life takes you after college ends! This could mean returning to old hobbies like painting or learning about another activity like cooking; whatever it might be, don’t let yourself stagnate in college because then there won’t be anything for you to enjoy after it’s all over.
Road Safety
Given all the time that students spend on their feet, it’s important to remember that being safe around cars is very important. One way to do this is by staying visible – wearing brightly coloured clothing can help you stay more noticeable, especially when walking or biking at night. Even if you aren’t planning on going out at night, having reflective materials stuck in your backpack may be a good idea.
Save Money for Later in Life
It can be easy to spend money frivolously during college years, but you have to remember that the bills will eventually be paid. That being said, focus on saving whatever money you can between now and then – even if it’s only a few bucks every day. Over time those pennies will add up, especially if invested wisely.
Join a Sports Team
Joining intramural sports teams can be a great way to stay active while also meeting new people – doing so will provide you with memories that last long after college days are over. Even if you’re not the most athletic person, it might be possible for you to get on an un-athletic team by playing against other colleges or even representing your own in activities like chess.
Have Some Fun!
It may seem difficult at times, but try to have some fun during your college years because it’s an amazing time in your life! There are many ways to do this – including having a party with friends or even scheduling something like a game night.
If you’re the kind of person who likes quiet nights in, spend these evenings reading or watching movies. Make sure to get away from studying and take some time for yourself every once in a while.
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.
It’s nearly my birthday, and this year it’s a milestone one! My daughter’s birthday is a couple of days before mine, so we have lots of party planning in my house now.
#MummyMondy Happy Birthday Catherine from SpookyMrsGreen.com
How to Plan a Birthday Party for Adults during the Pandemic
How do I plan to celebrate my big birthday? Well, it proved tricky in the end. I wanted to arrange a weekend away with friends but the pandemic and lots of personal health challenges in my group has put paid to that. We will try again when the time is right. But if you are searching for a birthday trip away, there’s a suggestion. Try a weekend away with friends, or a city hotel break somewhere different.
My next option was to arrange a party in my hometown. It needed to be within walking distance, and we are fortunate to have a few large venues that would be suitable. I didn’t book them early enough, however, and I couldn’t find the right party venue for my birthday, which happens to be on a Saturday. Besides, a few of my friends choose not to socialise due to Covid right now, and I would rather wait until they are able to celebrate with me in a relaxed environment. Add to the fact that my sister is due to give birth within weeks, so she is out, and my guest list is dwindling.
Finally, I settled on a Plan C. I have arranged a meal in a restaurant that I like for myself, my husband and children, and a couple of friends who are able to join us. It will be a small, cosy celebration but a celebration nonetheless and I look forward to it. Now I can plan my party outfit and decide if I need a new dress or not. Well, there are plenty of good sales around now so I should have a look! I have also arranged a shopping trip with my mum just after my birthday and it’s to a place we haven’t visited for three years, so I am very excited about that.
How do you celebrate your birthdays? Do you have any suggestions to offer?
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