4 Kind Things You Can Do For Your Partner To Help Them Through The Tail End Of The Pandemic

Posted on March 10, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

The last 12 months and the coronavirus outbreak have completely turned our lives upside down. For many couples forced to isolate themselves at home together, working their normal office jobs on top of one another, this has caused some unrest and a bit of friction.

Only the strongest relationships can survive seemingly endless periods of lockdown, but one way to help your partner through the tail end of the pandemic is to simply be more kind. Here’s how!

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4 Kind Things You Can Do For Your Partner To Help Them Through The Tail End Of The Pandemic

1. Book A Holiday

Nobody knows quite when we’ll be able to travel again but the promise of a holiday is the much-needed boost many people need to get them through the tail end of the pandemic. If you can afford to, then kindly treating your partner to a brief getaway once this is all over would be a brilliant gesture. 

One of the best things about a surprise trip away is not having to plan, book, or worry about any of the stressful logistical parts of going abroad – so if you can take that all away from your partner and book a short break for you both, then they’re bound to be really grateful.

2. Surprise Them With A Gift

Another great way to surprise your other half is with a spontaneous present. This can be something as simple and easy as a bouquet of flowers – and you can even order flowers online nowadays! Alternatively, you might one to go a step further and purchase a designer bag or perhaps a classic sports jersey to really treat your partner. 

Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s thoughtful. A surprise gift like this will really help your other half through the back end of this difficult time and get them smiling again.

3. Check-in On Their Wellbeing

If your partner is having a particularly difficult week or is feeling a bit down in the dumps, then make sure you go to the effort of checking in with them. It’s important to look after your other half’s mental wellbeing as sometimes, we’re not all capable of handling our mental health problems on our own. 

Ask twice if your partner says they are okay but you feel something might be up, you’ll be surprised by how much they may be willing to open up. Working through problems together is the key to a strong, healthy relationship and being kind enough to check-in and help your partner will help them get through this difficult period.

4. Keep The Romance Alive

Finally, do your best to keep the romance alive. It can be painful being stuck indoors with the same person 24/7 – no matter how much you love them – so be sure to assign at least one night of the week for date night. 

You could do anything from watching a movie and enjoying some snacks together, preparing a three-course home cooked meal together, or even something more physical like a yoga class or going for a run together. Being kind enough to organise these little at-home dates will make a real difference and help you both get through these unprecedented times.

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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Chronic Voice Link-up: Breathing new Life into my Garden

Posted on March 9, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

This month’s Chronic Voice link-up feels like a breath of fresh air, or maybe that is just my mood. Here is how I use the monthly writing prompts to describe my life with chronic disease and parenting through the pandemic.

Chronic Voice blog link-up for March by Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Chronic Voice blog link-up for March

Incorporating

My children returned to school this week and so I find myself incorporating new daily routines into my life. Where previously we would get up and log on to morning Zoom classes, now I look forward to dropping the children off at school and taking the dog for a walk before I start work. I have waited two months for this old routine to return, and I am incredibly happy about it. I missed my morning walks during lockdown!

Breathing

It might seem silly to remind people that breathing is important. We take it forgranted, this magical process that keeps us alive. That is, until wearing face masks became the law. Now I find that my breathing is restricted, and sometimes it makes me panic. Due to my chronic disease I don’t like having things near my eyes (my glasses are unfortunately essential), and even the most lightweight face mask that I can find causes discomfort. I only need to wear them for a short time on the school run and I rarely visit the shops as I have most supplies delivered, so I can handle this minor discomfort when I think of the bigger picture.

Smiling

My daughters and I have kept smiling throughout the lockdown. Last year we struggled when the pandemic began, and we didn’t know how to handle life at home with no routine. This time around we had a new routine, we made jokes about my role as mother/teacher/TA/dinner lady/janitor etc. and we had fun in between work. It was wonderful to see the huge smiles on my daughters’ faces when they came out of school after the first day back. I was smiling broadly having enjoyed a lovely long walk with my dog and a friend while they were at school.

Stopping

I thought I would throw myself back into work on the first day of school, but instead I stopped being busy with work and took some time out. The dog walk took a couple of hours and helped ease the backache that I have due to working in the garden over the weekend. I have all week to work without interruptions, and I look forward to being engrossed in my work and not stopping to deal with children and homeschooling.

Relishing

I am relishing the task of sprucing up my garden this Spring. Last year the garden became a chore and weighed me down. I had to employ gardeners to help regain control of the overgrown chaos. Now it feels much nicer, it looks better, and I have been clearing out rubbish, planting new bulbs and trees, and simply enjoying the space. We have been told that we can socialize in our gardens in small groups from the end of March, so my plan now is to make it an appealing, relaxing, peaceful space to entertain my friends and family.

Chronic Voice Link-Up

I joined the social network for A Chronic Voice because I needed to find people who understand what life is like with chronic illness, people like me. Today I have written a post using the February link-up prompts, to show my experience of living with a chronic pain disorder. Click here to find other blog posts from fellow chronic pain sufferers, or #spoonies as we call ourselves online.

#WitchyWednesday Nature walk Shakerley Mere lake in Cheshire with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#WitchyWednesday Nature walk Shakerley Mere lake

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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Mother’s Day Gifts at Waterstones

Posted on March 8, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

Whether you are buying books for Mother’s Day or choosing other gifts and cards, here you will find everything you need to send them your love.

Waterstones Perfect Paperbacks affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Waterstones Perfect Paperbacks

Mother’s Day Gifts at Waterstones

Hand-picked by our team of expert booksellers, our selection is packed with treats, including signed and exclusive editions, recommended new reading and gorgeously designed gifts. It is everything you need to make their Mother’s Day special. Click here to view the books.

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Back to School (Again)

Posted on March 8, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

Yes, today is Back to School day here in England. It feels odd because our children have been learning from home for the past two months. They have still been at school, but not physically at school.

I’m not sure how I feel about them going back to the classroom today.

#MummyMonday Back to School by SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Back to School

Back to School (Again)

You see, we have fallen into a new routine and for the past two months my girls have worked steadily from home fulfilling the daily schedule sent from school. There were a few hiccups and we did have phone calls from the teachers asking why they weren’t doing their work at one point, but it seemed to motivate them and since then they have done very well. It has been a challenge. I have had to supervise two children from two different classes (Year 3 and Year 5). Some of the subject matter is completely new to me and I’m sure I never learnt it at school. It left me wondering just what do they need to learn and what exactly does our school curriculum aim to teach?

In the midst of home-school I have continued to work on my freelance business and keep up with social media for my reiki therapy business, since that one is closed until mid-April and I need to keep customers aware of me. Then I have been ensuring the dog gets his daily exercise, the housework is done, groceries are ordered in good time, we stay clean and healthy, and we eat properly. Where we managed to fit fun activities and downtime in there I do not know. It is a struggle.

It’s almost Easter holiday

We have only three weeks left now until we finish for the school Easter holiday. Is it worth going back to school for three weeks when we are used to doing it at home? I suppose it is on the one hand, because I need some alone time to work on my business. On the other hand, shouldn’t we simply have a fresh start in the Summer term? Some people say this is a test for the spread of disease. If there is no sudden spike in Coronavirus cases during the Easter holiday, we can deduce that our schools are safe, and the virus is not being passed around in those organisations.

What if we do have a sudden increase in Coronavirus cases during the Easter holiday as a result of the return to school? Will it mean that our roadmap out of lockdown has to be rewritten? Will our businesses not reopen in mid-April as currently planned? Will we return to full lockdown regulations? There are far too many questions and while I am happy to send my children back to school, I still feel anxious about what lies ahead. We have a long way to go with this pandemic. We will get through it.

#MummyMonday Lockdown Fun with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Lockdown Fun

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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When can We Travel Again?

Posted on March 7, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

Are you fed up with the same four walls of your home? Missing your usual city breaks, half-term excursions and Easter holiday plans? Yes, me too.

#MummyMonday Dog-friendly family holiday in the UK. SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#MummyMonday Dog-friendly family holiday in the UK.

When can We Travel Again?

Lockdown has ravaged the UK hospitality industry, and our hotels, pubs and restaurants cannot wait to reopen under more normal conditions. We have been informed by UK government that here in England we can plan holidays within our country during the summer months. Now is a good time to look at hotel availability, small resorts and apartments in tourist towns.

If you like city breaks and you want to escape your small-town home and visit the city again, take a look at Travelodge. They have hotels in lots of locations, so find your preferred destination and book in. I can personally recommend their facilities, having used them in the past for overnight stays. They are clean, modern and offer good value for money. This year you can be reassured to know that bookings are flexible and can be cancelled up until noon on the date of arrival, accounting for the unpredictability of Covid-19. Let’s look on the bright side and plan our small holidays!

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Holiday Cottages UK

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World Book Day at Waterstones

Posted on March 4, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

Today is World Book Day and Waterstones have a range of books from baby to teenagers all discounted for World Book Day.

Waterstones Perfect Paperbacks affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Waterstones Perfect Paperbacks

World Book Day at Waterstones

With most children currently stuck at home, it is essential that they can escape into a good book – which is why World Book Day is more important than ever. As World Book Day vouchers cannot be used online, we will not be stocking the official World Book Day books this year – but we are still bursting with ideas and inspiration for finding stories that families can share and enjoy together.

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Did you enjoy this article? Browse the latest exclusive special offers and discount codes from my affiliate partners. Click here.

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!

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Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Card Reading

Posted on March 3, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

We are welcoming Spring and the season of growth and renewal, and today I share a Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Card Reading for daily guidance using my Gilded Tarot cards.

Image of Gilded Tarot cards on a purple cloth. Yellow background with gold stars. Text reads "Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Reading @SpookyMrsGreen." Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Reading by professional Tarot reader Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Reading by Catherine Green

Spring Daily Guidance Tarot Card Reading

1, Works – King of Cups

Be gentle with yourself but remember to be tough when required. Your work situation means you have responsibilities to yourself and your employer. Balance is key here. Perhaps you are putting more effort into the wrong areas? Maybe your heart is ruling your head when it should be the other way around. Think carefully about your situation and where you might end up.

2, Home – Queen of Swords

This is a woman who has everything under control. She has built a strong base; she is comfortable and confident in her position. On a personal level I am happy to see her in my reading. How do you feel about home? Do you recognise your power? You should do.

3, Unexpected – Ten of Swords

I feel a little nervous when I view this card in this placement on the reading. It suggests a person who is beaten down, a person that feels betrayed by someone they trusted. I feel it is connected to work, so be alert for a situation that may arise. It could be something minor that is blown out of proportion. Forewarned is forearmed, as the old saying goes.

4, Your Role – King of Swords

Take charge of the situation. You are the stronger mind and you know what needs to be done. It is a hard decision, and one you cannot take lightly. There is no time to waste and the sooner you act, the sooner everyone can move on. Be the leader they need.

5, Outcome – King of Wands

What a transformation! Look at what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. You made a tough decision, you stuck with it, you did the work, and now you are open to new ideas and experiences. Good things are coming your way and you can finally see the truth about where you were.

Summary

There is a lot of masculine energy in this reading, with three out of the four Kings showing up. This is a time of big change hidden amongst the mundane. It is your opportunity to embrace a new way of life. Are you ready?

Image of Gilded Tarot cards on a purple cloth. March Tarot Reading by professional Tarot reader Catherine Green of SpookyMrsGreen.com pagan lifestyle blog.
March Tarot Reading 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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4 Tips For New Parents

Posted on March 2, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

Whether you are preparing for the arrival of your new baby or already a new parent, your firstborn can always be worrisome. Not only are you new to the concept of caring for a baby, but their health is your responsibility.

Thus, you will want to make sure you are doing and know everything you can to provide the best care and support for your baby. For more tips on being a new parent, keep reading.

Image by RitaE from Pixabay 

4 Tips For New Parents

Stay Nourished

It is very important for yourself and the baby to stay nourished. It can be easy to forget about your own food routine and schedule when you have a newborn. But take time to eat when they do. 

You may want to look into the Baby Food Industry to see the best foods and brands for your baby. Your baby’s nutrition is one of the most important aspects to consider for their health and happiness, as is yours.

Hygiene Is Crucial

You do not need to bathe your baby in the first few days. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully instead. This is sometimes called topping and tailing.

Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm and get everything ready beforehand. You’ll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes.

For nappy changes, this will become obvious. You may need to check in case your baby doesn’t cry or show a sign that they have gone to the toilet. Babies need frequent nappy changes. Do not leave them in a wet or dirty nappy for too long because their wee and the bacteria in their poo may make their skin sore and lead to nappy rash.

You Both Need Sleep

You will be very tired for the first few weeks, you may not even get much sleep at all. Your baby will nap often, which is a good chance for you to nap to if you have time. 

It’s normal for new babies to only sleep for 2 to 3 hours at a time through the night, as well as during the day. One reason is that newborn babies are not tuned into day and night yet. Babies also grow quickly in the early months and they have very small stomachs. This means they need to feed little and often. As your baby grows, they’ll gradually start to need fewer night feeds and will sleep for longer at night.

Don’t Be Afraid To Use Your Instinct

Everyone will give you advice, solicited or not when you are about to have a baby or have a newborn. It’s extremely valuable to listen to the experience and perspectives of others, as it can help you form your own opinions. But, make sure that you know that what is right for some families may not be right for yours. Let your parental instinct kick-in and listen to it instead. 

Don’t be afraid to forget some advice and use your own gut instinct. You should do what is right for yourself and your baby.

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. 

Note: This is a collaborative article.

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My Home Renovation: An Original 1950s Parquet Floor

Posted on March 1, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

As our third Covid lockdown dragged on, I decided to continue with my renovation of our living/dining room. I knew we had a parquet floor beneath the grotty, old carpet that was probably as old as me (30+ years), but I didn’t know what condition it was in.

I finally plucked up the courage to investigate.

My Home Renovation: Revealing an original parquet floor at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
My Home Renovation: Revealing an original parquet floor

My Home Renovation: An Original 1950s Parquet Floor

My daughters got ridiculously excited about this project. They had enjoyed helping me to strip wallpaper and repaint the walls in our home, and they wanted to make a dance floor on the parquet. We decided to do the job during our school half-term holiday since we couldn’t go anywhere due to lockdown restrictions. It took two days of hard work and I came away with a sore back, blisters on my fingers, and aching muscles from exerting myself more than I have for a long time.

The result was spectacular. I knew that there were some loose parquet floor tiles around the edges of the room beneath the carpet gripper strips. A little research suggested I can buy specialist adhesive to fix this minor issue. I was nervous that there might be bare patches or concrete fillings in the middle of the room. Why else would someone cover up such a beautiful floor? It seems they just preferred carpet. When I finally pulled up the carpet in the middle of the room, I was amazed to find not a crack or a scratch in any of the parquet. It looks amazing! There are nail holes in some of the tiles where carpet has been laid previously, but you can only see them on close inspection. I will need a new skirting board because the current one must have been attached after the carpet was laid. But I can do that in time.

Our house was built in 1959

Our house was built in 1959 and I presume this is completely original flooring. I don’t know the family that owned the house before we did and I don’t know much about the local history, but it seems likely that this is the case. We have now opened up the original fireplace and installed a multi-fuel stove, replaced the central heating and electrics in the whole house, redecorated the communal living areas and I’m working on the garden. All this in the space of two and a half years. We still have some large jobs to save up for, namely a new bathroom and kitchen, and the windows all need replacing as they are drafty and thin. It feels nice to inject some of my personality into our home. What do you think of the floor?

My Home Renovation: Revealing an original parquet floor at SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
My Home Renovation: Revealing an original parquet floor

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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OLPRO NEC Event Sale

Posted on February 27, 2021 by SpookyMrsGreen

The OLPRO NEC Event Sale is being moved online this year – get ready for huge savings!

#FreeforallFriday OLPRO NEC Event affiliated with SpookyMrsGreen.com mindful parenting and modern pagan lifestyle blog.
#FreeforallFriday OLPRO NEC Event

Caravan, Camping and Motor Home Show 2021

The show might be cancelled but you can still receive all the offers. Take at look and plan your summer holiday staycation in style today. Click here for details.

Get 5% Off All Orders – use code: P9G4978AZT92.

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Special Offer Discount Codes with trusted affiliate partners at SpookyMrsGreen.com.

Did you enjoy this article? Browse the latest exclusive special offers and discount codes from my affiliate partners. Click here.

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!

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