Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On May 7, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness3 Comments

A bit late in the day, but I hope those of you in the UK are having a fantastic bank holiday weekend and enjoying this wonderful weather. I managed my scheduling for Chronic Illness Bloggers this morning, and then the heat got the better of my POTS – that is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome – and bahm, over I went. The shoulder was already dislocated so that wasn’t a problem, but the student engineer didn’t manage to engineer the wheelchair sufficiently under me and I slid straight onto the floor. My lovely old dog, who always knows when I’m not quite right but hasn’t got the true makings of a helper dog due to his own autistic traits, did his bit to bring me round – dog breath probably rivals the smelling salts of Victorian ladies any day!

Monday Magic Inspiring Blogs for You! 7th May

But all is well and this zebra managed a trip to our local park in the sunshine this afternoon….even walking some of the way! Dogs walkers were out in force, alongside families and lots of smiles. One of the nicest groups we saw was an antenatal/NCT type – easy to spot from the cluster of very self conscious new dads standing up and holding tiny new babies and the mums sitting on the grass with enormous bags under their eyes, but equally enormous smiles. There were several young men looking like they were handling rugby balls, with a look of mild panic mingling with joy – the “help, what am I supposed to do with this little pink squirming human?”. Funny how a home has to be vetted to have a new puppy, yet a new baby doesn’t come with a manual….and neither does a teen or a twenty something!

Zebra park — One zebra, with supplies, ready and raring to go

Exams are under way – the student engineer is nearly no longer requiring the “student” moniker and is about to sit his second “final” exam. GCSEs are starting in earnest for the lovely girl, having had the obligatory “muck up day” last week involving hundreds of rubber duck, balloons and the odd water melon. Don’t ask!

This week there are some old friends back on my blog list, plus some bloggers who are completely new to me – like Erin at QuintessentiallyMe and Carrie Anne Lightley. There are some delicious looking brownies, some mindset tips and some flash fiction. So sit back, with a glass of something tasty and enjoy!

Hubby and a few zebra accessories for EDS Awareness Month!!

https://www.carrieannlightley.com/single-post/Barcelona-by-Wheelchair

https://strengthandsunshine.com/easy-thick-fudgy-one-bowl-gluten-free-vegan-brownies-allergy-free/

http://www.beecontentyoga.com/vacation-mindset-every-day/

https://painresource.com/depression/10-worst-foods-for-depression-and-anxiety/

https://quintessentiallymeblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/17/dont-cling-onto-high-school/

https://roughwighting.net/2018/05/04/between-the-lines/

https://awriteradolescentmuse.wordpress.com/2018/05/06/story-sunday-the-moments-before/

http://givingcharlie.com/motivational-monday-dealing-with-life-ups-and-downs/

http://www.gardeninglove.co.uk/mood-lifting-activities/

https://natashatungare.wordpress.com/2017/01/08/life-is-too-short/

Please like, comment and share posts that you enjoy.

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Apr 30, 2018Apr 30, 2018 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.

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 Apr 16, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blog share, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness5 Comments

Today it is a beautiful day, the sun is shining and apparently we are about to have a warm snap in the UK. Just as the kids all go back to school – typical! We still have a house full here and the mound of shoes grows daily inside the front door. Our local park has turned into a swamp over Easter and several pairs of these shoes, including my DM boots borrowed by the lovely girl, are thick in mud. I wonder how long they will sit there for? The housework fairies don’t function so well in this house these days!

Revision time, or maybe I should say panic time, is reaching fever pitch here and the art work for the final exam piece is being practiced on every available surface…..using a mixture of paint, plaster, polyfilla, wood. Watch this space for the outcome! The eldest and youngest visited their grandparents for a few days giving us some respite from the folders and books!

One of the blogs I have picked is The Unofficial A – Z of Babies, and it struck me this week that we have come full circle with the politics student. When he was a baby I remember well the nights being woken for feeds….what I didn’t expect was the nights being woken at 4.30am to recur 19 years later! This time the waking is done by a front door slamming so loudly that we could hear it shake in the frame….in the way that someone who is drunk tries so carefully to be quiet and careful, but just makes it all ten times worse. Let’s just say he was unable to do his sister’s paper round for her that morning…..

Onto our blogs – it is World Craft Week this week, so I have shared the link to the Conscious Crafties site, where those with chronic illness or caring for a loved one can show you their handmade crafts and designs. There is a story feature, a book review and easing chronic pain with pole dancing!! So time to sit back with your coffee and enjoy so fantastic blog posts….

https://www.consciouscrafties.com/sell/join-the-crafties/

http://www.jottojot.com/the-unofficial-a-z-of-babies/

https://bysarahwhiley.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/the-dance-lessons/

https://ingawellbeing.com/pole-dancing-to-pampering-can-help-ease-chronic-pain/

http://notjusttired.com/2018/04/13/new-blog-feature-interviews-with-people-living-with-me-cfs/

https://allabouthealthychoices.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/solutions-are-they-subconsciously-part-of-the-problem/

http://chronicallyhopeful.com/update-a-season-of-anticipation-and-new-beginnings/

https://simplychronicallyill.com/2018/04/15/the-stupidest-advice-people-have-given-me/

https://littlemissnosleep.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/bookreview-5-stars-i-still-dream-by-james-smythe-jpsmythe-boroughpress-istilldream-sciencefiction-fiction-book-review/

https://thepbsblog.com/2018/04/15/author-spotlight-yecheilyahs-2nd-annual-poetry-contest-sponsor-tinzley-bradford/

Please remember to share some love and pass on links to posts, like and comment!

Have a great week,

Claire x

Daily Prompt #Explore – My Brain Fog

On Apr 3, 2018Apr 8, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In chronic illness, Daily Prompt, Poem20 Comments

How can I explain to you my brain fog, dear friend?

Come with me and explore the opiate shaped holes in my mind

Move inside my skull, around my head and explore

The maze of cotton wool corridors.

Think of what you have just left behind you,

Explore around the next corner,

And then turn back.

But the fog has enveloped that last thought

And we are lost,

To explore no more.

Drawing by Lucy, Zebra Girl (wasc.uk/zebragirl)

Daily Prompt : #Explore

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You

On Mar 26, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness5 Comments

This week has gone so fast. It began with my second unsuccessful attempt at a colonoscopy….I have another date for next week, so lets hope it is third time lucky. I will be sorting my own timings for the bowel prep this time as no one seems to believe just how slow my gut is….we really are talking snail’s pace and if I say no action since the hospital visit last Monday, you get my drift!!! Stretchy connective bowel tissue = baggy bowel = no peristalsis….self diagnosis.

There were two theatre trips, the first with my mum to see the musical Cilla. It was mum’s Christmas gift, and I wasn’t sure if it would be my cup of tea…but it was a fantastic show, a very talented cast and I knew all the music. The lads playing The Beatles were just outstanding. My second theatre trip was somewhat different and i found myself one of the stars on the stage….but my mate Angela over at You Are Awesome blog have convinced me that there is a blog post in this tale!! Watch this space…

Then hubby set off at the crack of dawn Saturday morning to collect the politics student from university – think I mentioned at Christmas that they have to vacate their residences. Cheeky so and so had phoned up and told dad not to be late because he had already planned a night out for Saturday. Nothing like coming home to see your family…..the dog was delighted to see him, if in a very slow, old dog way, but then was extremely confused when all 3 human siblings went out. He, the dog, spent the night at my bedside as if guarding me in case I decided to do a runner too! The eldest and youngest didn’t come home, but the politics student rolled in at about half 2 – isn’t it funny how it goes full circle from them waking you as babes and then inflicting broken sleep on you again as young adults.

This week I have some posts from old friends as well as some new bloggers – the posts are really different too, from a foodie recipe to a beauty recipe to a photo walk in India. So grab a cuppa, sit down & kick off your shoes and enjoy some fantastic posts from fellow bloggers.

https://thoughtsfromjasmine.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/ill-never-be-tall-and-skinny/

https://rachaelstray.blog/2017/09/21/make-a-difference-and-become-a-dementia-friend/

http://www.thebigmoneysaver.com/11-amazing-homemade-beauty-recipes/

http://wellingtonworldtravels.com/30-life-sayings-that-made-great-impact-my-first-30-years/

https://jaipurthrumylens.com/2017/10/16/street-photography-jaipur-photo-walk/

https://www.momshomerun.com/2018/03/run-walk-have-cup-of-coffee-technique.html

https://strengthandsunshine.com/10-minute-gluten-free-vegetable-lo-mein-vegan-allergy-free/

https://oddhogg.com/third-trimester-complications/

https://littlespoonie.com/2018/03/22/clean-period/

https://topladytalks.com/2016/10/16/our-first-venture-abroad/

Please remember to make someone’s day by commenting, liking and sharing posts that you enjoy.

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You

On Mar 5, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness11 Comments

It has been a freezing week here in the UK, with widespread snow and some areas completely cut off. Now the big thaw starts….we hope! I can’t claim to have been cut off, but the cold is not the friend of my back and the titanium inside me feels as cold as the snow outside. My spinal cord stimulator has been doing battle with the chronic nerve pain in my leg and back, as is seemed to ricochet off the charts….forget pain scored out of 10, how about multiply that by 10. Even turning the stimulator up – increasing the intensity and speed of the “current” that I feel – couldn’t dampen it.

But the good news is that whilst I have been keeping warm inside I have been doing a fair bit of blog browsing and even got round to finally registering on UK blogs! I guess the next thing to do is sort out going self hosted – the student engineer is supposed to be doing this and hosting me, after all IT and software is his thing – and he has been web hosting since he was about 14. But I am just his mother….and placed way down the list of priorities!!! There are no plans in the pipeline to attempt to make my fortune blogging, but it would be nice to be able to be available for some more review opportunities…..so come on, son, get it sorted. He is currently sitting here programming and flying a drone in my lounge……aghhh mind the dog! (My video won’t work so a pic will give you the idea)

The other son has been in contact this week, but not because he wanted to make conversation with his parents…..we usually just get messages passed on from Snapchats received by the lovely girl. He wants his suit, his shoes, tie and tie pin sent to him….by this Thursday please for a formal dinner. Hmmm….I wonder if there will be a little something for Mother’s Day sent by return courier? I won’t hold my breath.

Our other family member to be happy to see the thaw is our shaggy old dog, Samson. He will hide rather than have to go outside and I am sure that the cold makes his arthritis worse. But do you think he will take his pills? We have tried burying in his food, wrapping in melted cheese, fig rolls, even inside pasta….but he is wise to it all now and will eat his food leaving 3 pills in the bottom of the bowl, with not a tooth mark on them!! Suggestions people – he is on doggy cocodamol and Pardale V – and his cocodamol costs a damn site more than mine!!

So now some blogs for you – I have found everything from heat hacks (perfect just now), to skills we mustn’t lose (please, please let me know how you score…and if you have tapped a tree!), to making fashion accessible. Sustainability is very current and we can probably all pick up some tips to change our habits, and if you are planning a UK or European city break don’t miss The Style Thread. The final post in an invitation to a special virtual coffee morning on International Women’s Day – join with bloggers globally to celebrate.

Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy some “me” time!

https://teaandmaz.com/2018/03/03/anxiety-makes-want-hate-convinces-believe-everyone/

http://ohlovelyblossom.com/personal-battle-anxiety-tips-overcoming-panic-overwhelm-stress/

https://eco-gites.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/skills-we-must-not-lose.html

http://www.someplacestrange.net/2018/03/sustainable-me.html

https://bettysib1998.wixsite.com/young-sick-invisible/single-post/2018/03/02/Heat-Hacks-1

http://www.pigletish.com/blog/mentalillness

http://retrainbrainandsimply-shine.co.uk/how-being-really-vulnerable-resulted-in-my-diagnosis

https://myblurredworld.com/2018/02/18/making-fashion-accessible-blind-vi-person/

http://www.thestylethread.co.uk/2018/02/city-breaks.html

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2018/03/01/international-womens-day-march-8th-2018-pressforprogress-coffee-morning-next-wednesday/

Please comment, like and share these posts if you enjoy them!

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Feb 26, 2018Feb 26, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness14 Comments

We awoke to snow this morning and the Monday garden did look pretty magical! But then the reality kicks in as we don’t do snow well here in the UK and by mid morning the rail companies were already announcing changes and cancellations to timetables tomorrow. My girl and her friends are dying for the snow to continue so that they have a snow day tomorrow – it is bitterly cold, but I’m not sure if there will be enough snow for no school.

My morning has been spent with another hospital visit: picking up results, being booked in for more investigations and all rounded off with the obligatory vampire visit for blood tests. Apparently I’m anaemic (again) and my red blood cells are small…that is a new one on me. It did make me smile when the young registrar asked how much red meat I eat….I could hear the student engineer’s response which sure enough he gave when I said it too him later “Never enough, MOTHER!! We NEED steak every day”. In your dreams boy, unless you want to start paying more rent….

There has been a huge loss in our house this week leaving a massive void. It is a death, but not of a person or a pet. We have had to have our enormous ornamental cherry tree cut down as it was diseased and one half had already died. But we tried to keep it for as long as possible – I don’t know how old it was, but we have been her 18 years – as it was such a major feature of the garden. Now there is literally an empty void and a huge scar in the shape of diseased, raw stumps and an overwhelming that sadness that there won’t be the pink blossoms this year, or even the nightmare of the leaves in the autumn. Funny how this loss can induce grief isn’t it?! So I guess soon we will be looking for a new family member to inhabit the back garden…maybe another fruit tree, or something faster growing…..

My weekly inspiring blog posts may be coming a little to you than normal….in fact it is nearly wine o’clock here for those who enjoy a tipple, or perhaps that coffee is still on the menu. So whatever your drink of choice, sit back and enjoy a few minutes with some inspiring blog posts and a vlog this week! I will definitely be having a go at baking the GF choc chip cookies and eating them whilst reading some of your posts…..

https://amindfultravellerblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/19/gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies/

https://losingtheplotweb.wordpress.com/2018/02/25/bitch-slapping-anxiety/

https://sobhalishapanda.com/2018/02/25/come-on-we-are-the-same-species/

https://avionneslegacy.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/personality-disorders-in-a-nutshell/

https://letsfeelbetter.com/new-interview-chronic-illness/

http://www.diseasecantstopme.com/lifehacks/

http://putthekettleon.ca/2018/02/24/how-to-live-with-infertility-6-tips-for-healing/

https://steviet3.wordpress.com/2018/02/22/fruit-for-thought/

https://meandmymomfriends.com/you-know-youre-a-parent-when/

Please like, share and comment…and have a good week!

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Feb 19, 2018Feb 19, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness1 Comment

It is the beginning of the week so that must mean time for some inspiring blog posts in a little Monday magic! The last week has encompassed Valentine’s Day, the second half of half term and a trip to Berlin in our household.

I did manage to get to the RSC Twelfth Night at our local cinema, and whilst I couldn’t stand by the end, it really is a superb production. Adrian Edmondson – yes of Young Ones fame – steals the show for me with an outstanding performance of Malvolio.

twelfth-night-production-photos_-2017_2017_photo-by-manuel-harlan-_c_-rsc_234198.tmb-img-1824 — Adrian Edmondson as Malvolio (source: Google Images)

When coerced by his colleagues into ridiculous costume, Malvolio gallivanted across the stage serenading the audience, making me think of a cross between a jester and an English Morris man! So how did the rest of the family mark Valentine’s Day? We arrived home to pizza boxes and various teenage girls wrapped up in blankets in the lounge, and the student engineer did make a trip to London for an evening for two – I don’t believe he has a romantic bone in his body though! As for the politics student, contact has been remarkably quiet this week….but he is probably even worse than his brother, so I would be very surprised if his girlfriend was given a card, let alone flowers!!

The eldest jetted off to Berlin for a weekend away with friends…..the friends were staying in a posh(ish) hotel and our engineer was staying in a hostel next door. Never one to waste money, his thought process went something like this “I’m not spending all that on a hotel, but if I stay next door I can sneak in with my mates and still use the facilities!” We only knew he had arrived when his sister had a photo pop up on Snapchat…..I asked him to send some pics, thinking he or his friends might feature in them, but this is what he sent! He is currently sending us angry emoji faces as he has been sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours in a plane that has a “problem”! I believe they are now airborne, so hubby has been summoned to Heathrow……

I have selected a wide assortment of posts again this week – but I believe that there is something here for everyone. The Big Money Saver post, whilst not specifically a chronic piece, is great for my spoonie friends out there and the post on PixieDusk “We Need To Talk about Cancer” is truly inspirational and I urge you all to read it. When I found the wonderfully named Pass The Prosecco Please blog I was determined to find something there to share, purely because I love the name!! The Mens’ Health Summit is really important – all you blokes out there should have a look, and if the men won’t, ladies please do! The posts are all fab, so sit back with a cuppa – or a Prosecco! – and steal some time to read relax and enjoy.

Pin for later

http://www.thebigmoneysaver.com/6-fun-ways-to-save-money-when-hanging-with-friends/

https://pixiedusk.livejournal.com/468544.html

https://nothingbutpoetry.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/always-a-first-time/

https://askdrho.com/mens-wellness-summit/

http://christiehawkes.com/put-psychology-of-color-use/

http://www.balancedespitethechaos.com/blog/marvelous-massage

http://www.comfortbites.co.uk/2017/05/using-diet-and-lifestyle-to-ease.html

http://passtheproseccoplease.co.uk/im-not-good-at-resting-or-listening/

https://hypothyroidmom.com/im-fine-thanks/

http://healthy-life-box.com/no-wheat-no-sugar-no-dairy-delicious-avocado-coconut-sweet-potato-brownies/

Do you have a favourite? Have you enjoyed these? If yes, please like, share and comment for your fellow bloggers.

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You! #Valentine’sDay

On Feb 12, 2018Feb 16, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness, Valentine's Day13 Comments

Love is in the air…..well it is Valentine’s Day this week anyway, and I hope that love is in the air for you, whether it be romantic or otherwise. February 14th has never been a huge deal in our house – I don’t think Dad has ever sent Mum a card let alone flowers. I have had flowers and cards over the years…and the occasional meal out – but I think after a particularly memorable night, crammed between 2 other couples in a Chinese restaurant and listening to their conversations as we couldn’t hear each other, the consensus was better to stay at home. We might have passed this on to our kids having just mentioned it to one son, who looked at me as if I was mad even mentioning doing something to mark the day. Funny thing is we are going out this year – hubby is taking me to a live RSC streaming of Twelfth Night….might even get a McDonalds out of it if I play my cards right (are they gluten free I wonder?!).

Pin for later

So fingers crossed the current flare of POTS symptoms have passed by Wednesday otherwise he will be taking his daughter or mother in law!! Talking of POTS – that is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, not the cooking variety – I saw the online community working at its best over the weekend. A member of a POTS group put up a very distressed post that signalled an intentional overdose of drugs was being taken – the members of the group went into overdrive to find out where this person lived in the world, making contact with personal friends to check on them, calling on Facebook to help via the reporting suicidal thoughts, and sending message after message of support and hope. I am so pleased to report that a message was posted last night saying that a stranger had called an ambulance, and the POTSIE was safely in hospital being assessed and truly appreciating all the good wishes. No trolls, no nasty comments – social media at its best!

Yours truly has been sitting watching the winter Olympics and gasping out loud. The wind!! How are those snowboarders doing it? I have found the ice dancing particularly inspiring – it took me back to being about 8 and reading the Noel Streatfield novel White Boots. That book changed my life and I was going to be an ice skater!! Dad took me to Streatham ice rink in south London, I put one foot on the ice expecting to glide away – and, you guessed it, my derriere met with a very cold, wet landing. Bang went that dream. But some of those Olympians are inspirational – the young Russian girls literally float over the ice with such ethereal beauty, and the Canadian pair are just something else. A human body really shouldn’t be able to do that!! (My bendy friends will recognise this sentence!).

From inspirational athletes to inspirational blog posts! This week I have added in some posts for Valentine’s – they are alternating with the normal mix of fab posts from some old pals and some new friends – some spoonies, others not! So sit back and relax with some great Monday Magic blog posts!

https://shailajav.com/how-it-all-began-15-years-ago/

https://legallyblindbagged.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/night-to-shine-my-two-cents/

http://thedestinydive.com/2018/02/05/valentines-day-date-ideas-that-dont-include-a-restaurant/

https://ginlemonade.com/2018/02/05/anxiety-us/

https://thimbleandtwig.com/crafts/make-rose-petal-bath-bombs/

http://penny-pennystreasures.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/no-matter-how-long-winter-spring-is.html

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sweetheart-coconut-cookies

https://theinvisiblef.com/2018/02/12/overcomers-louise-webb-healing-body-turning-illness-something-positive/

http://suzyhomemaker.co.uk/valentines-day-decor-2017/

http://www.abalancedbelly.co.uk/need-talk-fistulas/

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/02/bloody-sexy-drunk-origin-valentines-day/

https://melissavsfibromyalgia.com/2018/02/08/move-every-day-and-some-neck-and-back-pain-yoga-links/

https://www.elitedaily.com/p/i-cant-afford-a-valentines-day-gift-so-instead-im-planning-adorable-surprise-for-my-so-8138638

http://ladyjaney.co.uk/5-blogging-goals-2018-dares-wins/

http://www.myrecipes.com/extracrispy/valentines-day-blood-orange-cocktail

https://bettysib1998.wixsite.com/young-sick-invisible/single-post/2018/02/05/f

http://www.lifehack.org/524580/100-quotes-about-love

https://dinosaursdonkeysandms.com/2018/02/06/dizzycast-ep-3-a-disclosing-dizzy/

https://laurenconrad.com/blog/2018/02/friday-favorites-275/

http://mummyitsok.com/blog/what-is-postnatal-depression/

Really share the love this week and share these posts, comment and make a blogger’s day!

Have a lovely week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Jan 29, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness9 Comments

Good morning on the last Monday of January! Our week has passed in a flurry of parents’ evening, book club, Burn’s night celebrations and not forgetting our son’s better half being offered a great new job. Funnily enough we haven’t had any news on the politics student other than a text about football scores – oh, the life of a first year student!

Parents’ evening was like a speed dating event…five minutes per teacher and when the bell rings get up and run! Not sure the computer goblin automatically churning out slots on the online booking system had allowed for mass movement between the hall and the library, and he hadn’t allowed for a wheelie like me – although hubby just used the wheelchair to barge through other parents! For Burn’s night we were greeted by a piper resplendent in kilt , sporan and full regalia. How is it that one set of bagpipes can sound as loud as the (what is the collective term for bagpipes – haggis? sporan? noise?) whole Edinburgh Tattoo? It certainly had the desired effect of moving guests swiftly from the lobby to the dining area, but I think the ladies serving whisky must have been deaf and in need of a few drams by the time the meal was served. Slightly disappointing this year was the lack of kilts….couldn’t persuade hubby into one!

Our book club read the new Emma Donoghue book The Wonder this month – review to come – and as usual we had lively debate from the actual book, to last month’s book again (The City and The City by China ……..) which is being made into a TV series starring David Morrisey, to the current BBC TV series McMafia and Hard Sun. Amongst the blog posts that I have for you this week is an online book club aimed specifically at those who would find it hard to get out of the house to attend one. This could be spoonie friends, elderly, young/new mums….anyone who enjoys a good book. Talking of which, I am taking part in a blog tour this week so will just drop a flier in for it – more info later this week.

I am sitting here Nil By Mouth and have a hot date with a gastroscope this afternoon, so it does pain me somewhat to invite you to pick up your coffee…..but I will do just that and encourage you to kick off your shoes, sit down and enjoy some great posts from some lovely bloggers. Maybe I will give the pilates a go whilst you down your caffeine….

https://survivinglifeshurdles.com/the-surviving-life-book-club/

Social-Media-4-540x540 — courtesy of Surviving Life’s Hurdles blog

https://www.midlifesmarts.com/theres-new-ism-plump-ism-and-its-rife/

http://achysmile.com/index.php/2018/01/25/daughters-migraine-school/

https://www.nicolefrancesca.co.uk/homepage/2018/1/22/i-am-the-1-10-statistic

http://millysguide.com/6-reasons-pilates-good-mental-health/

https://www.chronicmom.com/2018/01/how-to-deal-with-people-who-dont-believe-youre-sick.html/

https://reclaiminghope.blog/2018/01/26/whats-your-favorite-01-26-18/

https://www.trulymadlysassy.com/2017/12/19/the-gift-of-loneliness/

https://ribbonrx.com/2018/01/29/two-frightening-side-effects/

https://emlinthorpe.com/2018/01/22/being-blanked-made-me-smile/

Please comment, like, and share the posts you love.

Have a lovely week,

Claire x

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