Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Jul 2, 2018Jul 2, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blog share, Blogging, Blogs42 Comments

We continue to have our own mini heat wave here in the UK and it really feels like summer. The queues of fans gathered overnight for the opening day of the tennis tournament at Wimbledon, and the rowing regatta at Henley takes place later this week – sales of strawberries and Pimms will be at a high as the sun continues to shine. Who needs the Med? I know it is all likely to go wrong as soon as the children break up for their summer holidays, but it is lovely whilst it lasts!

Talking of the Med, hubby is looking like he has been abroad from his deepening tan. He may have had a week in and around Paris with the school, but he has built up most of his suntan from the rounds of different sports tournaments that he has accompanied the children to – golf, athletics, rounders, football, cricket – and not forgetting the dog walks with our surrogate boys, Chester and Prince. Four years ago we would never have dreamt that life would have changed so much as hubby was driving miles to work six days per week. Yet here we are, hubby at home as my full time carer, a house husband (he hasn’t quite got the hang of housework – cleaner to be engaged!) and a sports teacher. We may be considerably poorer in a monetary sense – but I have never known him to be so relaxed or fulfilled! The dogs and the kids adore him and rumour has it that he scored a goal in the staff v year 6 football match this morning. He probably won’t be able to walk this evening…..

The lovely girl was there to witness her dad playing football as she starts her second week of work experience at her old primary school! She spent last week at an architecture firm in London and spent some time working on a float that is set to grace the streets of London during the Pride weekend. My eldest has turned down my invitation to accompany me to the Henley regatta in favour of a weekend at London Pride with his mates….mum or mates….hmmm, tricky decision!! The middle one is currently in Glasgow at a music festival – his sister has evidence from some badly shot videos and photos sent to her on Snapchat. Meanwhile I have managed to spend a couple of hours with just the dog…..bliss!!

This weekend saw the end to a wonderful bloggers group that I am proud to have been a part of for 18 months. We have been a tight knit group, small and very supportive of each other and I have made some great online friends, some whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the Bloggers’ Bash. This week’s Monday Magic is dedicated to the Big Up Your Blog group – particularly Suzie and Em – thank you! These are some of the lovely people I have been in touch with regularly….enjoy!

https://suzie81speaks.com/2018/04/02/props-under-20-for-creating-beautiful-blog-instagram-images/

https://emlinthorpe.com/2018/06/20/dont-know-my-number/

https://wheelescapades.com/2018/06/16/disneyland-paris-in-a-wheelchair-part-one-the-take-off/

https://rachaelstray.blog/2018/06/26/the-first-weekend-of-summer/

https://losingtheplotweb.wordpress.com/2018/06/30/growing-my-own-fruit-and-veg

https://thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany.wordpress.com/2018/06/29/a-one-week-follow-up-no-one-has-died-yet/

https://butismileanyway.com/2018/06/29/13-thoughts-for-my-newly-teenage-son-happybirthdaylilman-and-birthday-thoughts-for-my-mum-happybirthdaymum/

https://ellenbest24.wordpress.com/2018/06/27/1371/

http://www.youcanalwaysstartnow.com/2018/05/28/feeding-my-soul-blogging/

https://shailajav.com/power-of-silence-parents-kids-empowering/

https://blondewritemore.com/2017/01/19/things-you-do-not-see-when-you-read-a-blog-post-bloggers-blogginggals-writer/

https://moderngypsy.in/2018/06/25/31-lessons-from-31-days-of-painting/

https://jaipurthrumylens.com/2018/02/26/nahargarh-biological-zoological-park-jaipur-zoo/

https://justanotherblogfromawoman.blog/2018/06/25/george-michael-top-15/

https://thewanderingdarlings.com/2018/06/26/38-photos-visit-iceland/

https://fancypaperblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/26/starting-school-and-social-media/

https://notebooksandglasses.com/2018/06/17/10-ways-to-use-distraction-as-a-pain-relief/

https://globehousesitterx2.com/2018/06/30/serendipitous-pavement-art/

http://angelanoelauthor.com/inspiration-motivation/be-awesome-in-real-life/awesome-nuggets-summertime-edition/

https://anhistorianabouttown.com/2018/06/10/why-you-should-get-involved-with-your-community/

https://susielindau.com/2018/06/29/your-personal-brand-and-how-to-improve-it/

https://www.unboundroots.com/bird-feathers/

https://fictionisfood.com/2018/06/30/__trashed/#more-4865

https://ruthdalyauthor.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-calgary-stampede.html

https://www.musthikemusteat.com/when-the-world-is-black-and-white/

https://esmesalon.com/interview-with-sally-cronin-from-smorgasbord-variety-is-the-spice-of-life/

https://debs-world.com/2018/06/23/how-to-save-a-sheep-and-other-useful-cycling-tour-tips/

http://www.theressomethingaboutkm.com/blog/from-my-bookshelf/

https://www.awalkandalark.com/lynn-canyon-park-sea-to-sky-trail/

https://hotmessmemoir.com/2018/06/18/purple-teeth-club/

https://ginlemonade.com/2018/07/02/blogging-a-beverage/

https://orianasnotes.com/2018/04/29/diy-faux-marble-vase/

https://thephilfactor.com/2018/07/01/canada-has-a-day/

Please comment, like and share!

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Jun 25, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blog share, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness, Inspiring11 Comments

Good afternoon, PainPals!

Another week has flown by and here we are passing the Summer Equinox and arriving half way through the year. The exams have finished in our house, with the lovely girl completing her GCSEs last week and now we just sit and await the results. The boys should both receive their results any day – one for his first year politics, the other for his full Masters in Engineering – is it awful to say that I am so glad it isn’t me!! It really is bad enough being the parent-in-waiting.

Pin for later!

Hubby had a great week away with year 6 in Paris, with fantastic weather and an action packed timetable, including all the highest rides in Parc Asterix – apparently it has the highest and fastest rides in Europe! My own week felt pretty action packed too as friends and family rallied round knowing hubby was missing my birthday – I have been wined and dined and spoilt rotten. Incidentally it must mean something that National Martini Day fell on my birthday!! I have also watched more football than in the rest of my life – probably due to the politics student being home – and have become strangely entranced by the world Cup. I still have no idea of the various rules for off side, free kicks, fouls etc, but reckon I’m doing well to just know the terms. Yesterday I watched the whole England game surrounded by mainly young men at the games field of my old school – the actual event being a cricket match and BBQ. When the football draw was announced and we saw that an England match was on the day of our annual cricket match for Past versus Present, we knew that we had to screen the match. Not the easiest thing to position a screen outside in bright sunshine where four cricket teams and guests would all be able to see it. I have had dreams over the past week that the TV wouldn’t work and I feared it was premonition when I arrived to be told we didn’t have an aerial or a device to stream it – aghhhhh!!!

But all’s well that ends well as they say – with a small TV aerial, several gazebos and me directing the fit & healthy in erecting said gazebos, we achieved a picture that was watchable and created some shade as an added bonus. So yours truly, as Chair of the “Past” pupils’ committee, parked her wheelchair up in prime position alongside the headmaster who declared that if we couldn’t pull rank to watch the football then when could we?! I don’t need to tell you what the atmosphere was like as England scored 6 goals – something I don’t remember happening before!

So my posts today have been chosen in a little haste – sofa day Saturday and then cricket Sunday – but I am sure that I still have ten top posts for you to enjoy! If you are a parent with kids about to start the long summer holidays, do not miss the Chocolate slime post!! Turn off the phone, grab a cuppa and have a read…..

clear cocktail glass on orange surface — National Martini Day! Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

https://foodimentary.com/2018/06/19/cheer-june-19th-is-national-martini-day/

http://www.spectrummum.com/2018/06/a-glimpse-into-our-autism-cure.html?m=1

https://www.abookloversadventures.com/best-summer-beach-reads-2018/

https://mummyhereandthere.co.uk/2018/06/21/sleep-tight/

https://cfswarrior.weebly.com/blog/for-my-lovely-boyfriend

https://schoolrunshop.com/edible-chocolate-slime-recipe/

https://bloggingastrid.com/2018/06/21/book-review-doctors-notes-by-rosemary-leonard/

https://www.sizzlingtowardssixty.com.au/over-50-thriving-guest-series-what-keeps-you-on-track-to-thrive/

http://www.momshomerun.com/2018/06/good-can-sometimes-come-from-bad.html

https://extradrymartini.com/2018/06/22/june/

Share some love and comment, like & share these posts!

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On May 28, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blog share, Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness7 Comments

Here we are in the UK celebrating another bank holiday Monday, and in the south east the weather is glorious..AGAIN! I can’t recall a time when both May bank holidays have been sunny – 2018 will be one to remember.

adult background beach blue — Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

This week in the PainPals house exams have taken centre stage with the student engineer taking his final “Finals” exam – hooray – and the lovely girl sitting the bulk of her GCSEs. There is just a group presentation to be given on Wednesday and then he has finished…4 years really have flown by! Fingers crossed now that he gets the results he wants (and deserves). The lovely girl is still revising, but feeling a lot less stressed and is creating a pile of books and notes ready for her bonfire at the end of exams! Prime place is given to Mansfield Park which she hates with a vengeance. Have I ever mentioned that Jane Austen is one of my favourites? She keeps speaking to us in German though…this will continue as she plans to take German A level, but we haven’t got a clue what she is saying. I am enjoying our latest German TV show though that we found on Amazon “You are Wanted” – she listens to the German whilst I read the subtitles.

Mum and the student engineer’s boyfriend (must find him a name, that is too long!!) celebrated their birthdays this week, on the same day, so we all enjoyed a night out at the local tapas restaurant. I would love to share a picture with you, but the couple that I managed to take are truly awful and as my mother reads this, I really cannot publish them as she would never speak to me again! The student engineer has planned a night out tonight (most unlike him) – and I can’t say any more in case his other half reads this before they get there. Stop typing, Claire..it is a surprise!!!!

So what have I found for you in the blogging world this week? It cannot have escaped anyone’s notice that four letters have been huge this week – GDPR – and I have included one post that is really useful. But there is also a little something to tickle your tastebuds for wine day, a lovely piece from Happiness and Food titled “Asphalt and a Leaf” and flamenco..yes, flamenco dancing complete with a video! I love the last post that talks about the giving and receiving of traditional letters and cards, delivered by the postman. I take part in a designer’s card swap within the We All Send Cards site (where my girl has designs for sale) – it is so lovely to open a card with a message just for me!

So sit down, maybe with a glass of something cold and refreshing on this lovely day, and enjoy some great blogger’s posts.

https://www.unfoldandbegin.com/how-a-beautiful-traveler-found-herself-at-school/

https://thatblogwherecheriemovestogermany.wordpress.com/2018/05/21/hallo-burbach/

https://johnrieber.com/2018/05/25/its-national-wine-day-2018-toast-to-natures-magical-elixir/

https://www.london-unattached.com/uk-blogging-gdpr/

https://www.fromnicole.co.uk/blog/2018/5/26/stop-blaming-me-for-walking-away

https://croneconfidence.com/2018/05/24/the-best-contribution-you-could-ever-make/

https://www.happinessandfood.com/asphalt-and-a-leaf/

https://www.mostlyblogging.com/sites-like-stumbleupon-mix/

https://www.mecfsselfhelpguru.com/2018/05/me-cfs-flamenco-dancing-and-adaptation.html

https://www.graphic-organic.com/single-post/2017/12/18/Why-Traditional-Mail-Is-So-Important-In-The-Chronic-Illness-Community

Please comment, like and share – make someone’s day!

Have a great week,

Claire x

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 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

Monday Magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Apr 9, 2018Apr 9, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness8 Comments

I can’t believe that another week has gone by and it is time for Monday magic again! Have you finished your Easter chocolates yet? There hasn’t been much eating for me this past week with 3 days of clear fluids and yet more bowel prep for a hospital investigation….third time lucky, hurray and thank god!!! I had already decided that if my body hadn’t played ball this time, my mind was going to tell the doctors where the scope could be shoved…..Anyway this is a story for another spoonie post!!

I wrote a poem about my brain fog last week and it has played a long visit alongside its brother fatigue this weekend. My balance has been seriously off kilter and as I went over backwards in the bathroom this morning, the lovely girl couldn’t stop laughing “You look like you’re doing the limbo Mum!”. She did catch me though, ha, ha, ha. I have been reading a couple of your blogs about journals and bullet points – and decided I must start actually doing this. Whilst I am up to date with my reading, writing my book reviews has been a bit more of a challenge and my dodgy mind has got the dates completely muddled. Apologies authors – there will be reviews for everything I have promised.

I’m not the only one in need of a journal plan….the lovely girl has devised a lovely revision plan but now she has to get down to actually doing the work, so far so good! I don’t think the same can be said for her big brothers!! Have I mentioned before that she is allowed to use a laptop to help with the hand and wrist pain from her Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? Hubby and I took a massive step last week when we allowed her to go a concert to see Declan Mckenna in North London with friends – and they made their own way home. Conditions were put in place….”text when you leave” “call when you get to the overhead train” “let us know when you’re back”….if anything goes wrong, if the concert over runs, etc etc both your brothers are in London…..We sat here with hubby watching Twitter for the times of the support act finishing, when would young Declan go on stage…and we knew that the venue has an 11pm curfew.

Declan-McKenna-050418-Forum-Emma-Swann-5897-web — Image by Emma Swann on DIY Mag

Of course the girls were fine – she couldn’t text when they got out as they had to rush to get across London for the last train. But as parents our hearts were in our mouths whilst we had to let go of our baby…..guess what the most surprising thing was? Both her big brothers called home to check if we had heard from her….the student engineer at half past midnight! They do care really….

But back to some blogs for you to check out this week….I couldn’t resist sharing one about Hotter shoes teaming up with Marie Curie cancer care & daffodils (as a MC nurse in a previous life!), and I have sent out for supplies for the no bake energy balls recipes. For some really inspiring stories please read Debs World (her beautiful writing made me cry) and also the book review by Jazmin – Chessy Prout is a remarkable young lady who spoke out about her rape by a fellow pupil at school, the response of others about her and her strength of character. I have also added a couple of extra posts today as I sit watching the Commonwealth Games. These young ladies are both swimmers and have both won gold medals at these games, overcoming huge personal obstacles on the way. I have written about Siobhan Marie O’Connor here in the past and Sophie Pascoe is a great ambassador for parasports.

In case you mixed it – voting is now open for the Bloggers Bash Awards so don’t forget to vote for your favourites.

Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy!

https://www.vanityandmestyle.com/2018/04/hotter-shoes-supporting-marie-curie.html

http://allthatjazmin.com/reviews/chessy-prout-book-review/

https://debs-world.com/2018/04/08/what-ive-learnt-from-surviving-a-school-trip-that-went-terribly-wrong/

https://easymommylife.com/no-bake-energy-balls-recipes/

https://mummyhereandthere.co.uk/2018/03/30/why-you-should-try-counselling/

https://www.graphic-organic.com/single-post/2017/10/10/World-Mental-Health-Day

https://helensjourneysite.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/time-rest-breath/

https://livingwithme.blog/2018/04/02/studying-in-the-spring/

https://mymedmusings.com/2018/04/08/im-good-my-body-not-so-much/

https://shannondianax.wordpress.com/2018/04/06/mental-health-and-hospitals-and-lifesaving-heart-surgery-and-british-heart-foundation-all-in-one-week-3/

http://www.thesportfeed.com/siobhan-marie-oconnor-swimming-with-ulcerative-colitis-nicola-kenton/

https://offthetracks.co.nz/sophie-pascoe-stroke-of-fate/

Please share these posts and show these great bloggers some love!

Have a great week,

Claire x

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 19, 2018Mar 19, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness2 Comments

Normally I would start a Monday Magic whilst sitting with a cup of coffee on a Monday morning. But since I was last here, I have been found lurking in hospital corridors again….when a nurse pal texted me last week saying she hoped the picolax (medicine used for bowel clearance!) wasn’t too awful, my response was it wasn’t awful enough as I had to go back for a repeat run. So the weekend has seen me on clear fluids and then foul fluids (a different, stronger bowel prep), and another admission this morning. Several nurses looked at me and said that I looked familiar….well let us just say that i will be even more familiar as we go for the third time lucky. Aghhh….I keep telling them that my gut is also affected by dodgy connective tissue, making it resemble baggy tights!

Enough of that…..there have been some really lovely, inspirational moments this week too that have not involved hospitals or drugs. A Performing Arts Evening hosted by my Alumni committee, where some very talented people from across the generations and the disciplines spoke and performed with such passion and dedication. Actress Molly Hanson left us in no doubt just how hard it is to break into the world of acting, the hard graft required at drama school and then the months spent doing any job to pay the bills. But the elation of winning an acting nomination recently made it all worthwhile. Amongst this week’s blogs is one that Molly writes with student Isobel Thom (see previous post about Izzy here).

DXenjMrWkAABQnq — Beautiful young actresses Molly and Izzy

Young singer/songwriter Josh Selimi is currently studying accounting whilst looking for an agent and promotion, whilst at a very youthful 90, Bob Barter stole the show when he took to the keyboards and entranced us with his jazz.

The following night we were treated to a performance of The Adams Family by our daughter’s and eldest son’s schools. Staged in a local theatre, these young people sang, danced and acted their hearts out – whilst many are studying for GCSEs and A levels.

The middle child celebrated his first birthday away from home and was in full student mode outside a pub by midday. He actually hung up on his mother when I phoned him and sang Happy Birthday….so hubby phoned straight back and sang the next line, with the eldest finishing off our little ditty! Talking of birthdays, yours truly spent the weekend up to elbows in icing and glitter creating a pinata unicorn cake for a special 6 year old.

Without further ado, please spend a little time having a look at these great blog posts – enjoy some tips for coping with “one of those days” and breaking down tasks into bay steps, and learning that laughter really is the best medicine. Enjoy!

https://www.showmeshows.com/single-post/2018/03/07/Good-Girl—a-review

http://www.youcanalwaysstartnow.com/2018/03/12/life-lessons-baby-steps/

https://anhistorianabouttown.com/2018/03/18/do-bloggers-need-to-do-everything-blogging-update/

https://topladytalks.com/2018/02/19/is-having-a-disabled-partner-a-burden/

http://www.mumstheboss.co.uk/2018/03/01/just-one-days/

http://alwayswellwithin.com/2018/03/18/soothe-pain-betrayal/

https://thegirlwiththefiveladsandfibro.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/tips-to-help-you-to-be-own-version-of.html

https://picnicwithants.com/2018/03/19/mindfulness-monday-shadow/

https://losingtheplotweb.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/blogworld/

https://whenwomeninspire.com/2018/03/15/why-laughter-best-medicine/

Please share the posts you enjoy and drop a comment or a like for these bloggers.

Have a great week,

Claire x

Monday magic – Inspiring Blogs for You!

On Mar 12, 2018 By Claire Saul (PainPalsBlog)In Blogging, Blogs, chronic illness7 Comments

It it the beginning of a new week and time to find some more fantastic blog posts for you. Here at PainPals HQ, I am in full throes of prep for my little visit to hospital tomorrow – and am trying to get ahead with preparations for a 3 tier unicorn cake that a little girl has asked me to make for her party next weekend. It is amazing just how definite a 6 year old can be about what they want!! My unexpected day trip tomorrow has thrown a spanner in the works and I am really hoping that I won’t feel too rough on Wednesday for making some Unicorn sparkle.

I am sure that you have had quite enough of the babble about family PainPals over the last couple of days, so I will launch straight into our blogs for the week and a post entitled “No Monday Morning Blues” seems a perfect place to start! Yesterday I wrote about Mother’s Day, but I want to draw your attention to a heartfelt post about World Childless Week. There are a couple of reviews here for you, something for March: MS Awareness month and not forgetting that this week celebrates St Patrick’s Day – Casey the College Celiac has delivered us some fab treats meaning that no one need miss out!

Grab a drink – mine is clear fluid today! – put your feet up and enjoy some great posts.

https://bucketsoftea.co.uk/happiness/no-monday-morning-blues/

https://kateonthinice.com/2018/03/world-childless-week-stephs-story/

https://actualconversationswithmyhusband.com/2018/03/09/i-cant-planner/

https://loveisconfusing.com/2018/01/24/becoming-a-better-person-every-day/

https://bettysib1998.wixsite.com/young-sick-invisible/single-post/2018/03/09/Slowly-Scorching-My-Own-Skin-What-I-Didn%E2%80%99t-Know-Was-Hurting-Me

http://www.ojosworld.com/2018/03/lets-talk-motivation.html?spref=fb

https://trippingthroughtreacle.com/2018/03/09/what-people-need-to-know-in-ms-awareness-month/

http://achysmile.com/index.php/2018/03/06/photophobia-migraine-glasses-product-review/

https://fibrojedi.me.uk/fibromyalgia/flaredown-review/

http://caseythecollegeceliac.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/st-patricks-day-recipe-gluten-free-snack-recipes-dessert-recipes.html

Gluten-Free-Brownie-Mint-Trifles-3 — Image found on Casey The College Celiac site

Why not share your favourites and let the bloggers know that you enjoy their work? Please like, comment and share these fab posts.

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

	A Few of My Favourit… on Farewell My Chronic Compa…
	Dania Mortegui on Things I’ve learnt since…
	Ivan Dunn on Monday Magic – Inspiring…
	Zara Chaney on The Mystery Blogger Award
	nedhamson on Being Interviewed – Livi…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: