Tag: art

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Bone!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In chronic illness, Stream of consciousness3 Comments

Have you ever wondered why tea tastes so much better out of bone china?  As a youngster I could never understand why my grandma and great aunt always insisted on a teacup and saucer for their cuppa, but as I get older I start to appreciate these things.  I’m not saying that I use a teacup – there is no way that I am ladylike enough to manage one, crook my little finger and balance a saucer for that.  The EDS shaky hands make it hard enough to cope with a mug, believe me!  But I do enjoy drinking from a bone china mug these days.

Stream of Consciousness Bone

What happened to those teacups and saucers though? How many of us have inherited dinner services and tea sets from loved ones that never see the light of day?  Afternoon tea is becoming trendy here in the UK and there are various tea and coffee shops that serve delights upon and in a mismatch of tea plates, cups and saucers.

However my grandmother’s bone china tea cups came in very useful earlier this year, and not for drinking from!  The lovely girl made a sculpture for her final piece of art work in the summer and you guessed it, one side is adorned with smashed china to fit with the subject title “Fragments”.  I hope that my relatives are looking down with approval!

IMG_1707 2
“Fragments”

This is for Linda Hill Stream of Consciousness Saturday!   Linda gives us a writing prompt and participants just write!  Hence stream of consciousness.  Have a look at her site for more prompts and ideas.

stream-of-consciousness-saturday-2018-19

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blog share, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness, Monday Blogs10 Comments

We are celebrating our final bank holiday weekend of the year and in true UK style it is raining!  The long, hot days of only a couple of weeks ago feel like a world away, whilst last night yours truly turned on the electric blanket and added a dressing gown to the bed clothes.  Now the fight will be on between husband and wife for changing to a warmer duvet (me) or sticking with the summer one (him).  I must look into these split weight duvets – have any of tried them? Anyway, the wife will win!!

Monday Magic - 27 aug

 

This week has felt a little surreal if I am honest with you.  The politics student called mid week to say that he could only sleep on his mate’s floor in Nottingham until Saturday – OK, so what do you expect me to do about it??  Well, my final exam isn’t until Tuesday……good old mum puts a shout out to a couple of Nottingham based school friends, but of course it is a BH weekend and guess what, my boy?!  A lot of people go away – and that is why my friends aren’t about but also why the B&B/hostels are all booked!!  He is fortunate that we found an Air BnB – affordable and in walking distance of uni; but arranging transport home was slightly trickier as he hadn’t told me his exam isn’t until 4.30 Tuesday afternoon.  But……with a bit of internet surfing, I was amazed to get him and his friend onto a coach on Tuesday evening, back to London for £15 for the two of them!  Bargain!!  It will probably cost as much to get back from London to home (30 mins on the train!).

Amidst the dramas of the “middle” child, came the exam results of the youngest – the lovely girl.  I did mention a little about this in yesterday’s post.  Needless to say it was mum here who didn’t sleep well the night before and had strange dreams – we knew she would have got the requirements for 6th form, bar a complete disaster, but as the exams have been new this year and she was taking a mixture of the new levels 1-9 and the old grades A*-G, anything was possible.  Thursday morning came, she got up and did her paper round, and I was awoken to squeals as she opened the email – oh my goodness!  I am not allowed to say any more, but if your follow me on twitter of facebook you will know that she didn’t need to worry about me posting her results and picture all over social media – the school did it!! (here!!)).  As I said I’m not allowed to say anything – but delight, surreal, shocked, unbelievable….you get the picture!!

DSCN2124

The young engineer has been a bit put out that his little sister beat him – in fact beat both her brothers – but secretly he is very proud.  In fact on Friday evening he and his partner were going to the theatre with the lovely girl and her friend (who did just as well) – and he took them out for dinner beforehand to celebrate.  Now this is a huge deal as he has always been the “tight” kid of the 3!!!

So moving on from the act of sibling love in my household to the first blog that I’m sharing with you this week – it comes from Rachna and she describes a beautiful festival that traditionally recognises and honours sibling love.  I particularly like the post on ClockWorkClouds that discussed the uses of certain words – how does using “should” rather than”would” change the feel of a situation?  I hope that you will also enjoy some culture with an artist’s exhibition, a book review, flash fiction story and do read the Trolls’ poem, it is funny!  There are also some life posts here too that would benefit everyone.

So grab a cuppa, put your feet up and enjoy some great blog posts!

https://www.rachnaparmar.com/2018/08/raksha-bandhan-a-beautiful-festival-of-sibling-love.html

https://clockworkclouds.wordpress.com/2018/08/27/5945/

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/a-visit-to-the-orla-kiely-exhibition/poster_2500_1

http://zooloobookblog.co.uk/bookreview-her-final-hour-bookouture/

https://www.mollytotoro.com/2018/08/the-artists-way-for-midlife-vitality/

https://thedarknetizen.wordpress.com/2018/08/26/flash-fiction-the-inn/

http://allthatjazmin.com/mental-health/getting-a-late-autism-diagnosis/

https://teaandcakeforthesoul.wordpress.com/2018/08/27/beware-of-the-trolls-poems-from-simply-modern-life-by-claire-baldry-bookexcerpt/

simply-modern-life-poems-claire-baldry1

https://www.funasagran.co.uk/2018/08/5-essentials-to-improve-your-pets-life.html

https://www.sizzlingtowardssixty.com.au/5-ways-to-start-appreciating-yourself-start-thriving/

As always , please share some love for these bloggers!

Have a great week,

Claire x

 

 

 

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In art, Blog share, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness10 Comments

Another week has passed, the heat wave in the UK has broken and students across the country have either just received exam results or are awaiting them this week.  In our house, the lovely girl will receive her GCSE results this week and remains very calm and level headed.  But she can’t get her head around the year group chat that is full of anxiety about grade boundaries and count downs to the “big day” – I agree with her that there is no point worrying about the grade boundaries when you have no idea what grades you have received yet!

board chalk chalkboard exam
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The national press is of course feeding this anxiety with articles about the new exams – both GCSE and A level – are they harder, are the grade boundaries higher/lower, have more students done better?  I’m not sure we will be able to make head or tail of her results though as half will be the old style A-C grades, with the remainder bearing the new numerical grades 1-9!!

 

Pin for later

Monday Magic Inspiring Blogs for You! 20 Aug

 

The politics student is currently taking exams – he was unwell earlier this year with chronic migraines so the university deferred exams until now.  I actually received a text after his first exam earlier!  Maybe it has finally dawned on him that although these first year exams don’t count towards the final degree, he does need to pass them all to go back for the second year……his sister would be horrified to find that both brothers were back home permanently! I’m not sure that my kitchen would cope either…..

I have spent another dislocated week vaping on my Medipen – I feel a review coming on – and adding to my “surgical appliances”.  Firstly I bought some physio kinesiology tape after reading Ali’s article last week – I thought that hubby might be able to learn how to tape my arm back in place, but the family consensus seems to be to mummify me in it! Hmmmm……..Then I sent hubby out to Lidl to buy some chicken and he came home with ankle supports.  Those of you who are Lidl or Aldi fans will know that the middle rows in the store are always very exciting and you never know what you might find nestling alongside the crisps and fruit juice!  This week it was various medical appliances from heat pads to raised loo seats seated next to petrol powered jet washers and lawn mowers.  I came home with a garden table on one occasion….

IMG_0061

So whilst sitting here watching youtube videos about applying sticky tape to my body (we will get our physio to teach us) and adding more velcro straps to my wardrobe, I have been perusing the blogosphere to find some more fab posts for you to read.  Who has heard of #BlogBattle:Moon?  Have a look at Gary’s post for this writing challenge. I’m excited to introduce you to Anna, a local artist who also happens to be a part of the We All Send Cards community (where my girl’s art can also be found on greetings cards).  She has been featured on the Women Talking website and discusses her career as an artist alongside her diagnoses of dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.  Lily provides pointers for US residents navigating the benefits system at How To Get On blog.  The lovely girl is very pleased that I have included a post about “period poverty” – something that hasn’t been spoken about in the past.

So grab a glass of something nice, turn off the phone and sit back to indulge in some great reads…

https://fictionisfood.com/2018/08/09/blogbattle-moon/

https://writeintolife.com/2018/08/17/motivation-why-do-older-bloggers-blog/

https://kerrylifeandloves.com/2018/08/16/experience-boa-vista-cape-verde-choose-happy/

https://sarahsbrandnewchapter.com/2018/08/17/memories-of-my-grandma/

http://www.womentalking.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/intuitive-oils

https://www.meriahnichols.com/lorna-duff-howie/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialWarfare

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/about-the-artist/social-security-disability/

www.lifeofpippa.co.uk/2018/08/16/periods-poverty-and-perceiving-empathy-walker-ya-blog-tour/

http://katethealmostgreat.com/is-chronic-illness-a-disability/

https://prettycouchpotato.com/2018/08/16/diy-tpn-backpack/

Please share, comment and like these posts!

Have a great week,

Claire x

intuitive oils

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness3 Comments

The last day of April and the showers are having a laugh as they are more like downpours.  Hubby has gone into the abyss this morning – or rather the Year 5 activity week in Kent where he has mud, zip wires, mud, archery, more mud, climbing, yet more mud and fun!  All with approximately 60 nine and ten year olds…eeekkkk!  There will even be a disco one night, so I hope he remembered to pack his sparkles.

MM 30th April

 

The main event of the week in our house has been the student engineer turning 22, although at times I wonder if it was 5.  His mood swings are off the scale at the moment and the lovely girl and I are counting down the days until his final exams are over – he is always a complete nightmare to live with during exam season!  But I don’t know where the time has gone but my little boy has grown into a young man about to enter the work force (hopefully with a top notch degree in Electronic Engineering) and a world where he speaks a different language to his parents (tech!!).

The lovely girl took her final art exam and passed with full marks.  Her work will have to be moderated, but unless the moderator looks at it with completely different ideas to her art teachers, she will have an A*.  She is so modest that she will hate me for even writing about it – I wish I could say she inherits her talent from her mother, but I’d be lying.  No, not from her father either before you ask!

 

Yours truly  has been fitting in a couple of book reviews and a trip to see the wonderful film Journey’s End around an ongoing migraine – you know the type that you think has gone and than a flicker of sunlight and bam, there it is again.  Several days on now and it has gone, but my head is still stuffed full of cottonwool and my tongue has been secretly pumped with fillers!  The film, adapted from the play by R.C.Sheriff an old boy of my school, is something that I would like to review as a separate piece for you, so watch this space!

Finally, May is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Awareness month so I give you fair warning now that there will be a constant supply of zebra stripes on this blog.  Meanwhile I hope that you will find my selection of posts this week both enjoyable and useful.  There are pieces about tick bites and Lyme disease,  how to relax doing art, and getting a dog.  For ladies of a certain age Tasheenga brings us “That Bitch Big M” – seriously funny!!  There are also a couple of very inspirational posts from within the wonderful spoonie community!

So grab a coffee, turn off your phone and sit back to enjoy some great blog posts.

http://supermomhacks.com/stuff-i-love/protect-your-kids-from-tick-bites/

http://www.youcanalwaysstartnow.com/2018/04/23/painting-dot-mandalas/

https://tasheengawriteshere.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/that-bitch-big-m/

https://mydailyjournalonline.com/theres-lot-thankful-world/

https://www.unboundroots.com/earth-day-lesson/

https://imsickandsoareyou.com/2018/04/29/when-a-cat-person-gets-a-dog/

https://pseudomonaz.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/to-be-continued/

https://mashaellman.com/2018/04/27/take-time-to/

https://www.sicklessons.com/depressive-sleep-gift/

https://www.ajourneythroughthefog.co.uk/2018/04/be-proud-of-every-step-you-take/

As ever please share some love for these bloggers on your social media sites.

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blog share, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness1 Comment

It is time to share some more blog posts with you after a beautiful weekend here in the SE of the UK.  Hubby would probably moan as of course with a little bit of sunshine the garden begins to grow and he has had to mow the lawn…again!! The younger members of the PainPals house have been enjoying the sun and the Queen’s 92nd birthday in different ways.

Pin for later

Monday Magic Inspiring Blogs for You! 23 April

The student engineer is edging closer and closer to the finishing line of his course, and one major piece to complete is the final year group project.  From the cursing coming from his room, I think that I can safely say that the quadcopter they have been re programming has not performed or given them the data that they hoped for.  Whilst our student engineer is happy to write up a detailed report (how detailed – remember his middle name is lastminute.com!) explaining why the flying machine failed to perform, the other student engineers keep appearing on our doorstep from London wanting to try something new.  He is not impressed – but the beautiful park that is on our doorstep played host to these young engineers playing in the sun on Saturday – time that could have been spent revising for final exams, I am told!!

The politics student disappeared up to London on Friday and told me he was off to Hyde Park.  Naive mum here didn’t realise that there was a big gathering including lots of students in Hyde Park called 420 Day – Support for Cannabis  – “but you talk about use of medical marijuana for chronic pain & MS, Mum!!”.  I am told that his friends were playing football and sunbathing, and that “there were loads of people and no trouble”. He has returned to uni today with a slightly pinker neck and lots of reminders about what might happen if he mixes his migraine and anxiety drugs with other substances, including alcohol!!

Finally the lovely girl is busy preparing for her art exam tomorrow – panic has set in over the weekend and she is working on her final sketchbook, the glue gun is working in overdrive and various household items are being smashed to add to her final piece!  A trip to the local part also helped with some more photographs to add to the Fragments theme, which she is has interpreted as mould and decay…..hmmm, attractive.  Actually the trial pieces she has prepared look pretty good….but I will be happy to get my lounge back!

Yours truly actually managed a night out, having had a light induced migraine since Friday.  I went with my mum to see the wonderful “Remembering Fred” starring Jeanette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.  Lovely night which I will write about again – but I actually felt like me!  I put on clothes that due to drug induced weight gain I hadn’t worn for a while, I put on some slap, looked in the mirror…and there I was! The person that I remember, not the pasty worn out trout I have become used to seeing.  Eldest son commented after I had used the lovely girl’s concealer under my eyes that I did look different – “I’m used to seeing you look really tired!” – not you look nice, Mum!  But with a bit of concealer and a slash of red lippie, you would never have known just how anaemic I am or that the weight loss probably hasn’t been for particularly healthy reasons (gastroparesis & gut problems).

IMG_3740
Girls’ Night Out!

On to the matter in hand and sharing some fab blog posts that I have read this week.  From a yoga class with a resilience theme to a beautiful poem to some useful blogging lessons, there is a huge variety.  I must issue a mascara warning with both Sheryl from A Chronic Voice’s post and Brutal Honesty Blogger’s post about remembering family.  Time to make that cuppa, put the phone on silent, sit back and enjoy!

https://clockworkclouds.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/appreciating-uncertainty/

https://bysarahwhiley.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/nothin-but-tracks/

http://www.healthyeatingexperts.com/i-tried-a-3-day-detox-for-the-first-time-heres-what-happened/

https://kellyontherun.com/2018/04/20/helpful-hints-for-the-newly-diagnosed/

https://www.chronicmom.com/2018/04/people-in-pain-want-alternatives-to-opioids.html/

https://www.beecontentyoga.com/february-class-theme-resilience/

https://whoamumma.com.au/2018/04/19/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-chronic-pain-sufferer/

https://www.achronicvoice.com/2018/04/15/death-broken-heart/

https://blondewritemore.com/2018/04/22/what-my-blogging-break-taught-me-sundayblogshare-bloggers-blogs/

https://brutalhonestyblogger.wordpress.com/2018/04/23/remembering-family-23-4-18/

Please share posts, leave comments and show some appreciation for great bloggers!

Have a great week,

Claire x

Review of “We All Send Cards” website by Mum’s The Boss – and using my girl’s art for Zebra Girl Cards #EhlersDanlosSyndrome

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In chronic illness, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Review17 Comments

Zebra Girl fb cover

I have written before in my best proud mum style about the beautiful girl’s art, and not so long ago a friend suggested that we look at getting her work some exposure.  This new website was suggested, where we could show her drawings and paintings, but also create some lovely unique greetings cards for the public to purchase.

Pin for later

Cards by Zebra Girl (2)

 

Hubby and I talked about Unique Selling Points, the lovely girl just felt embarrassed and didn’t want her name on anything, so using the emblem for our genetic condition, Zebra Girl was born.  We are really hoping that alongside creating art, we might be able to fundraise for The Ehlers Danlos Support UK through selling some greetings cards.  I have just created a facebook page and would appreciate some likes and shares to get the word out there! Art by Zebra Girl facebook page

I know I am a hopeless salesperson and even worse at marketing, so that is why I am sharing a review from Debbie of Mum’s The Boss Blog.  She reviewed the We All Send Cards site, looking at it from an artist’s, business builder and customer perspective.  I hope you enjoy the review and take a look at the site by going direct to Zebra Girl or to the WASC site, – both links will help fundraise for EDSUK.

 

 

“Today I’m taking a look at WeAllSendCards  a new UK website for sending personalised printed cards, which also offers a fantastic business opportunity. There is also a giveaway at the end of the page so please read on…

How many cards do you send in a year? Even excluding the Christmas card marathon, how many do you send?

If you are anything like me, you probably don’t send as many as you would like to.  I’d love to send more birthday cards, thank you cards, and cards to celebrate all kinds of things. I love receiving cards and I think it is lovely to send them too. But the occasions creep up on me and I find I don’t have the right card at the right time and I can’t be bothered to go out and buy a stamp and post them…..does this sound familiar?

I sent myself a Thank you card  just to test out the concept – it was lovely to receive.  This would be great if you were in business – you could put company relevant images inside the card and thank your customers and suppliers. you could also put a coupon or QR code in there if you wanted to. But it’s also nice for your personal occasions.

You have two options for delivery with these cards.  Firstly you can have them totally printed and just send them directly to your recipient. Alternatively (and this is great), you can part-personalise them and then have them sent to you in cellophane – you can then hand write a bit on the card and send them on.  They tend to arrive at the first destination about 4-6 business days after you order them (more if you are posting abroad) but as long as you leave yourself a week or more of notice then this is a great service…….continued”

 

 

Debbie goes on to explain that as an artist or designer there are both business and creator opportunities at We All Send Cards.  For Debbie’s complete article please visit  Mum’s The Boss.

 

 

 

 

The-MondayMotivation

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness8 Comments

8Welcome to another Monday Magic and some great blog posts to entertain and inspire.  The last week has seen both Halloween and Bonfire night – I think that we gave out goodies to about 50 little witches and monsters (I know, this is small fry compared to some of my pals in the USA), and the fireworks seem to have been almost nightly.

 

I have to give a shout out to all our pets for having to put up with this human fascination with loud explosions, deafening whistles and a sky full of bright lights.  Our old boy Samson spends much of the evening barking or trying to hide – at approx 15 he is getting on in dog years and periods of doggy dementia do kick in, particularly with fireworks.  The beautiful Chester, our surrogate dog who we look after for friends and love as our own, was also very chilled on Saturday night unlike his best buddy Freddy (a neighbours’ pooch) who also spent the night barking.  The things we put them through!

Our house has been transformed into an artist’s studio again this week, as the lovely girl has been putting together her sketch books for an interview at school tomorrow.  Having 2 weeks half term holiday has given her even more time to spread her wares from room to room to room……I know I’m biased but she has come up with some great concepts for the project title “I. Me, Mine”.  Meanwhile hubby, otherwise known as Mr Intimate Audio, has also been creating as he looks at new and exciting finishes for the hifi horn speakers that he designs and builds.  I think that we need a studio…..IMG_3541

I, meanwhile, have found you a mixture of posts this week starting with “November Prompts” from my friend Sheryl at A Chronic Voice – this is a lovely link up, that I will try to put my own prompts to this month.  I have found an interesting post about modern racism, some wonderful poetry on Thoughts from Jasmine, a post about social anxiety in children (very applicable for my lot even if they are tweens!) along with a mix of chronic illness posts.  Need I say more – grab a cuppa, turn off your phone and enjoy some great reads!

https://www.achronicvoice.com/2017/11/02/november-prompts/

https://www.anempoweredspirit.com/seasons/

https://jadealicexxo.wixsite.com/jadealicexxo

https://www.judyedwinamartin.com/sugar-and-spice-being-woman-is-nice/

https://thoughtsfromjasmine.wordpress.com/2017/11/02/growing-up-with-modern-racism/

https://talesofaneglectedwomanchild.wordpress.com/2017/11/03/deep-water/

http://coffeeandcarpool.com/how-help-your-child-when-they-worry-about-social-situations/

https://noonegetsflowersforchronicpain.com/2016/01/30/i-fell-apart-it-was-beautiful/

https://dazzlingzebra.wordpress.com/2017/08/21/dazzling-zebra/

http://www.ayni-books.com/books/acts-kindness-from-your-armchair

Please, please make someone’s day and like, follow, comment on their post if you enjoy it.

Claire x

 

Monday Magic 6 Nov
Enter a caption

 

 

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In art, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness6 Comments

Another week has flown by, there have been yet more storms – why did ours in the UK get the name Brian? – more Brexit and the increasing #MeToo campaign.  In our house we saw the end of the German exchange as our lovely girl and her friends’ student partners returned home.  Absolutely exhausted!  The girls are now coming down off a high and the start of half term is a bit of an anticlimax, particularly with mock exams looming.

Our girl is studying art – you probably know already as this proud mum has posted pictures, much to the disgust of my girl – and has a portfolio to work on and also a sketchbook for an interview.  The house is destined to filled with paints, charcoals, paper and panic!  I am doing something this week that I don’t normally, but I’d like to shamelessly introduce you to some other talented youngsters – the triplet daughters of an old school friend.

community_59e08e35b0f841507888693355523
Art By Three

They have  been featured on Sky Landscape Artist of the Year, and are currently working with the UK’s National Trust on the Scotney Old Castle campaign. Whilst not strictly a blog post, I have included both their website and the campaign site as I strongly believe we should support and nurture young talent – I am not asking you to donate but to take a peek, maybe follow them on Facebook and Instagram…..

The other posts are all fantastic and range from an article that fits with the #MeToo campaign but stems from a personal story of surviving from Illness to Wellness, to acupuncture at My Migraine Life to social well being from a new blog to me Little Adventures NZ.  There are a couple here that are particularly great reads for you ladies – I love the look at Envy on Wendy Fairy Art – and all you mums and dads must read “My Husband Doesn’t Help” from the Coffee Mom.  It is not what you think it is!!!  Add in some OCD at The Thyroid Damsel and what more diversity could you want?!

Image from Googles Images

So it is that time to grab a cuppa, turn your mobile to silent and spoil yourself with some great reads.  Please comment, share and follow some of these lovely people if you enjoy their work.

https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/scotneyoldcastle1010campaignwithartbythree

http://www.artbythree.co.uk/

https://littleadventuresnz.com/puzzle-piece-series-social-well-being/

https://wendyfairyart.com/fairieartblog/sistership-wound-called-envy-deal/

 

https://www.thecoffeemom.net/2017/10/20/husband-doesnt-help/

http://notebooksandglasses.com/sitting-disability/

http://coffeeandcarpool.com/be-less-stressed-as-a-special-needs-mom/

http://thethyroiddamsel.com/?p=310

https://mymigrainelife.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/does-acupuncture-work-for-migraine/

https://illness-to-wellness.com/2017/04/07/showing-up-for-sexual-assault-survivors/

https://thepainfreelife.com/life-interrupted/the-death-of-a-marriage-the-year-that-changed-everything-part-1/

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic - Inspiring Blogs for You! 23 Oct

 

 

 

 

SHE….being invincible in pain

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In chronic illness, chronic pain, Poem18 Comments

File_000 (36)

My lovely girl drew this image for me of our pain, different for us both but with the same underlying genetic cause, and these words by poet Ariana Dancu seemed to fit perfectly in rising above the flames of pain.

It has been a tricky week as the family visited my husband’s parents,  but I was too unwell, sporting a chronic dislocation & increased pain, to make the long car journey.  Instead I remained at home where I was able to relax, stay in my PJs and binge watch Netflix, but had to rely on my parents to look after me.  Talk about feeling like a teenager again……

Lucy’s picture really depicts how my different pains have been all consuming this week….and yes, I am still sporting a snazzy velcro sling!  Hopefully there will be a real post tomorrow!

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness10 Comments

Welcome back, pain pals, for another week and that means another Monday of inspiring blog posts that I have found for you.Monday Magic

I’m not going to write about the ups and downs of life in the Pain Pals house here this week – I still need to write a proper post about genetics, my lovely girl and i can now include our new family handbook….more of this later, I promise!

The dislocations have been fast, furious and very regular over the last week and severe gut pains after every meal have both left me fatigued and sofa bound……but the good news is that I have spent time finding and reading some great new blogs.  I have picked some posts here and they range from chronic illness depicted as sweets, to body image, to a review, to some delicious looking frozen treats – perfect for the summer holidays (if only the sun would come back!!).  If you are a mum of a daughter, or indeed an adolescent daughter, you must read Dear Little Girl With the Smart Mouth – it made me laugh and cry….and read it to my teen girl!

SmartMouthFeatured-768x514
Image from jthreeNMe blog

So….grab a cuppa, sit down and unwind with these great, inspiring blog posts.  Please, please make someone’s day with a like, a follow, a share or even better a comment!

http://www.healinghugsandhope.com/2017/07/my-chronic-illnesses-as-candy-bars.html

https://www.itsnottoocomplicated.com/home/2017/7/10/a-day-out-with-a-disabled-toddler

http://www.blessingmanifesting.com/2017/07/stop-verbally-abusing-your-body.html/

http://www.sublimemercies.com/2017/07/ableism-beaten-down-and-fighting-back.html

https://readbetweenthelyme.com/2017/07/22/celebrating-3-years-here-at-read-between-the-lyme

https://www.jthreenme.com/dear-little-girl-smart-mouth/

https://brokendownbody.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/but-one-of-my-best-friends-is-black/

http://www.smilesandsundays.com/imak-compression-gloves-review/

http://achysmile.com/index.php/2017/06/12/abdominal-migraine/

http://myfruitfulhome.com/2017/06/29/16-yummy-healthy-frozen-treats/

raspberry-frozen-treat
Image from My Fruitful Home website

 

Claire x