Blogging Every Day in August: Promises (Day 25)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: Promises

I promise to (try to) :

• Look after myself more, both physically (diet & exercise) and mentally. 
• Accept my limitations. 
• Ask for help, and accept it. 
• Love and cherish my husband and my Little Lady. 
• Tell my daughter every day how much I love her. 
• Dedicate some time every week to me, be it for a long soak in the bath, a walk, whatever. 
• Do at least one bit of crafting a fortnight. 
• Be kind to myself.

What promises could you, or do you, make?

Silent Sunday

 

 

Reasons To Be Cheerful

For more information on what Reasons to Be Cheerful (#R2BC) is all about please check out this post from Michelle at Mummy from the Heart for a full description.

I've had a pretty rubbish week emotionally so I was struggling to do this today, and did think about not bothering... But, here we go.

My Little Lady has hit the toddler stage, well and truly. Gone is my sweet cute baby, replaced by a part time Machiavellian tantrum throwing, boundary testing, screaming, hitting, throwing, whirlwind. This however does lead to two reasons to be cheerful. Firstly, I'm glad she's developing her independence and sense of adventure, even if I'm losing my mind! Secondly, Daddy is off work for a couple of days, so I can have a bit of a break.

Sunday is my wedding anniversary, we don't have anything special planned, but hoping to go out for some dinner.

I have decided to do something about my physical health. I need to diet and exercise more. I have put on quite a lot of weight with the medications and, bearing in mind, I wasn't a slim girl before, I really need to sort it out. I have changed my medication recently, so that's a help. I have re-joined Slimming World this week, with my friend, so support there. I have also started trying to do a little exercise each day. I have a family history of diabetes and heart problems, a combination of which killed my mother at 49, so I WILL get back to some kind of healthy fitness! My daughter deserves me to be around.

I had a positive meeting with my psychiatrist. The last couple of appointments seemed to just be going through the motions, as I didn't feel she was listening to me. Which it turns out she wasn't, she apologised, sorted one thing out there and then, and hopefully the others are in the process of happening.

Over to you, what are your reasons to be cheerful? 

Blogging Every Day in August: A quote to live by (Day 24)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: A Quote To Live By

I love quotes, they make me laugh, smile, agree and / or disagree.

I even have a page dedicated to them here.

Oh, and a Pinterest board here.

Never be afraid to try something new.

Remember, amateurs built the ark.

Professionals built the Titanic...

I'm currently in the process of deciding what I am going to do with some of the ones I have gathered. I'd like to display some around the house for Little Lady as she gets older. I'm not sure how I am going to do it, currently thinking...

• Getting a collection of photo frames bought from charity shops, car boots, eBay, etc. and then printing the quotes, and arranging in a collection on one wall.
• Getting some MDF shapes (precut) and painting them, maybe adding quotes with pen or paint.
• Figuring out a way of printing on to canvas.
• Writing in pen or paint on canvas.
• Stencilling them on to walls directly.
• Printing them and laminating them.

What quotes do you like?

Do you have any around your home?

How do you display them?

Blogging Every Day in August: Why do you blog? (Day 23)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: Why do you blog?

I had a website that I used when I was freelancing, but after the depression and all, I started the blog just to add my ramblings. I did add some pieces from my old site, but my first major post on this new blog was:

I have mental health problems!

 

I like that I have somewhere to keep my thoughts, photos, and memories. Although I do have scrapbooks for Kiki, I imagine as a teen / adult that online will hold more interest. 

Blogging has also led to me meeting some interesting and entertaining people. 

Do you blog? Why do you do it?

Blogging Every Day in August: Things you should know about me (Day 19)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: Things you should know about me

Blogging Every Day in August: A Summer Memory (Day 18)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: A Summer Memory

This is about me and really good friend of mine.

Two people, 

Sitting on an grass embankment, 

For hours, 

Saying nothing, 

Speaking volumes, 

Sharing a love,

A trust,

A friendship,

Shaping clouds,

Watching the world,

Being.

Blogging Every Day in August: 5 favourite blogs (Day 17)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: 5 favourite blogs

My top five blogs (in no particular order):

•  Kate on Thin Ice - Kate was one of the first people I first started following (blog and twitter). I love her humour, her openness, and ability to write. She also blogs at The Naked Mum.

• purplepersuasion - Charlotte's blog has been helpful and informative in my struggles with mental health and the rigmarole that goes with it. Many of her posts have affected me (often bringing tears), I often feel she can read my mind, as Charlotte can articulate my thoughts so easily. 

•  Mummy from the Heart - Michelle runs the weekly linky / blog hop Reasons To Be Cheerful. I love that she encourages people to share little bits of happiness from their weeks. The depression can mean I often cannot appreciate happy times, so forcing myself to write three things each week helps me.

• Jay at Cosmic Girl (and also of Mocha Beanie Mummy), who is responsible for Silent Sunday. She takes great photographs and is funny and clever, if in any doubt please read her Speak To Me page.   

• Wendy at Handmade Harbour is another blog I love to read. Handmade Monday is a great blog hop for all you crafters out there, unfortunately I only read, and don't take part. She has recently launched a range of instantly downloadable digital stamps too. 

  I suppose I really should add mine here too, as it's a place I love to waffle rubbish, record things of interest, and share my photos.

  What are your favourite blogs? Do let me know.

  
  

   

Jack the Giant Slayer Blu-Ray Competition

Warner Bros. is proud to announce the arrival of Jack the Giant Slayer on DVD & Blu-ray and to celebrate they are giving my lucky readers the chance to win a copy of Jack the Giant Slayer on Blu-ray.  

About Jack the Giant Slayer:

Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend... and gets the chance to become a legend himself! Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns)

Starring: Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy), Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!), and Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones). 

Celebrate this classic story with NEW content exclusive to the Jack The Giant Slayer Blog App! 

You have the power! Control the moving GIFs and power the action in the movie with a swipe of your mouse! The Giant Soundboard lets you compose your own mashup of sounds from Jack The Giant Slayer, which your kids will enjoy for hours! Test your bravery and take the How Brave Are You? QUIZ to see if you’re as brave as our hero Jack.

The question is... are you courageous enough to rescue the princess? Are you brave like Jack?  Take the quiz to find out!

Leave a comment below to let me know how brave you are, also what your favourite sound is?

a Rafflecopter giveaway   Find #JackTheGiantSlayer on Twitter   

Blogging Every Day in August: Tradition (Day 16)

Sarah at Yummy Mummy In Training has set herself a challenge of blogging every day in August and has listed her prompts. As my blogging is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I will be using her prompts to generate some ideas too.

Today's prompt is: Tradition

Traditions aren't something we do in this house well.

For example, my father died days before Christmas many years ago, so I dislike Christmas. Daddy isn't too bothered about it either. We often just eat a nice meal, usually steak. We tried when I was pregnant to 'do' Christmas, a trial run.

I don't want Little Lady to grow up hating, or even just feeling indifferent, about Christmas, so we will try for her. I'm not sure what traditions we will have. 

Last year I bought new tree ornaments for us that fitted our personalities. I think that it something I would like to continue, Kiki choosing her own as she gets older.

One traditions we had as kiddos that I'd like to do with my daughter is Christmas Eve hampers and choosing one present under the tree each on Christmas Eve.

My mum used to wake us just after midnight on Christmas day morning to open presents. I know she did this so she could sleep in a little longer. Although it felt exciting, I prefer the idea of leaving some presents at foot of the bed and then spacing rest throughout the day.

Birthdays are special in this house. I've had some rubbish birthdays, so I always go the extra mile for others. I like the idea of the birthday girl / boy choosing the place for dinner, but Daddy doesn't like making decisions, so I usually decide!

I like Halloween, I'm a little obsessed with skulls, so it's my favourite holiday. I like to decorate, and when I'm up to it, that means lots of crafting. 

As I mentioned in my A Photo Of Us post, I'm looking in to a family photography session. I'd like it to be something we do often, maybe yearly. Be nice to have them all framed on one wall together.

What traditions do you have? 

Is there a one from your childhood you'd like to continue with your (future) children?

Any you definitely won't be doing? 

Reasons to be cheerful

A bit late this week, but here's my reasons to be cheerful.

For more information on what Reasons to Be Cheerful (#R2BC) is all about please check out this post from Michelle at Mummy from the Heart for a full description.

Friends. Again, I know! I have had a rough week mentally, feeling really crap, and really didn't want to go out. But it was my friend's birthday, wasn't a huge night and they made me feel a little better. 

Internet. I discovered a new money saving household tip this week. A blocked toilet can be cleared with a mop in a black bag, (not carrier bags as they have safety air holes). It creates a better vacuum than a plunger. Although wish I'd figured this out earlier in the day!

Pinterest. I'm trying to force myself to do a bit of crafting. I love Pinterest for ideas, but like (oh so) many people, I pin and never do, so this week I ordered some Mod Podge and am trying some image transfer canvases.

Sleep! Not something I do without medication often. My daughter can now pull herself up in her cot, so she has given up on sleep whilst we go through another 'Mummy, I don't want to sleep, look what I can do' stage, so I'm enjoying what sleep I can get.

Oh and as an added bones, I'm running a competition with Warner Bros. on the blog too, you could win a copy of Jack the Giant Slayer on Blu-ray.

Apologises for not commenting on blogs this week, I do still read them, even if I don't comment.  

Over to you, what are your reasons to be cheerful this week?