The British Homemaker - One day at a time

I'm not really a huge fan of this kind of post but now and again I need to put something out there that not only reminds me but anyone else that is feeling down and beaten. This blog is real, I am real, what you see is what you get but that doesn't mean I don't improve or learn, I'm always getting better, failing, getting better again and on it goes. Sometimes though one person can do so much damage with lies that you have to react in the appropriate way. We each have good points and bad points. Far too often we spend time thinking of our bad points, things we can't do or talents we don't have etc. I want to do the opposite, and if that makes me sound conceited then I'll take it. People are so much better than they give themselves credit for. Even the mean people have good points, I wish I could get them to see that they chosen method of speaking/acting hurts them as much as the person they are trying to hurt or in some cases the person they're trying...

For as long as I can remember I've been easily able to count my blessings in the darkest of times through life, I learned that to be able to do this keeps challenges in perspective, no matter how hard they are. It's also healthy in many other ways to find a positive in a tough time, for one it keeps insanity at bay. I don't mind admitting that I still have tough times accepting my arthritis, how quickly its set in and all the ways it has robbed me of independance. Some days all I want to do is cry with sheer frustration and pain and while now and again I do give in to it, I do pick myself up and carry on. The alternative isn't an option and lets face it, it's not a condition that is terminal, it's just never going to go away so its a life long adjustment process. In 7 months I've gone from limping with knee pain, swelling and weakness to hold myself to being in a wheelchair. Lets talk about this a minute... Getting crutches was the difference between ...

For almost 14 years I have been Lds (Mormon). I have never regretted a second of it. Like any other choice in life there's been easy times and hard times, good times and bad. I've been ridiculed and I've been challenged, I've been called weird names and I've lost 'friends' but never did I ever get to a conclusion that I have now that wasn't so obviously isolating and condescending. You see, I haven't been going to church for just over a year now. One or two people know why and others haven't bothered to ask. I've tried to talk about it, to listen to others similar experiences and be as open as I can yet I find I'm supposed to 'do it' just because I know its right. Well I don't work like that. I have no doubts about the gospel, about God and Jesus Christ. I have no doubts about Joseph Smith and President Monson. I do, however doubt many (but not all) members and for the life of me I cannot get past the fact that I choose car...

Ok so I don’t usually bother with Halloween. Over the years the kids have gone trick or treating but over all I just don’t ‘do’ it because I think its beggars glory and potential for nasty outbursts. Anyone reading the news lately will know that 1 in 3 children will be injured by an adult who’s door they have knocked on. The latest and sickest trick is to put razor blades in a bowl of sweets. I mean, who could be that evil? Yes I know there is a lot worse out there but still, let the kids be the kids, if you don’t want them at your door put up a sign or don’t answer the door, but please, don’t harm them. As for the beggars, they are the ones that get mean when they don’t get something ‘decent’ then claim it to be a ‘trick’. Both methods has totally taken away any fun for the kids that do enjoy the day. Me, I love it when the kids come to my house, I love to hand out something that I've baked and wrapped all nice n halloweeny but then that’s cos I’m nice :) As Kirsten has got olde...

Ok you guys, I need a favour. It’s not for me personally and you wont get anything in return. Other than knowing you have done a good deed for someone. I would like you to do a post on your blog or site about a Canine Partner project I am helping in. The Colour Wheel Appeal is just totally amazing if I do say myself! The organiser, the lovely Stella Hewitt has founded this cause to raise £10,000 for a Labrador dog to be raised and trained to be a daily carer for people who are sick, disabled or dealing with any other kind of impairment that means they are in need of extra help (and loving, cos we all know how dogs love us, right?). First of all, meet Jensen…… Now aint he just the cutest you ever seen? And do you  know what I love about this photo? The fact that he’s so comfortable doing what he is doing. Jensen also chooses Stella’s clothing (though I’m not sure she is keen on his dress sense!!) he gets the clothes out the washing machine, he lets Stella know when some...

Last week I listened to a local radio station that I never really bother with but as I cruised home after dropping the kids off at school I was touched greatly by the story of Stella & Jensen. Stella is a lady who was the survivor of a drunk driver road crash. Jenson is a trained Labrador that acts as her assistant. Listening to the ‘story’ I knew I wanted to listen to the interview that was being aired the next day but I also knew I needed to speak to this lady who is trying to raise £10,000 to pay for another Labrador to be trained to do the same job as Jensen. We all know of the dogs for blind people and how integral they are, but I am new to hearing about an assistant dog for people who are sick/ill/disabled. There are 140 in the UK. So I got Stella’s number. I called her. We chatted. We laughed and we hung up feeling rather happy with ourselves. Last Friday morning, when the interview with Stella and Jensen was being aired I almost made the kids walk to school ju...

Get life going so much that you end up burning out. Why? It’s a harsh world out there, we have mortgages to pay, cars to maintain, children to care for and a whole other range of things but let me tell you something… It is more in your control than you think. Shocking? Shocked that I’ve just simplified life as a mother/partner/friend and all other titles we have? You’ll live. I promise. And deep down you know I am right. I used to blame living in a city on how crazy my life was. I dreamed of living in the country to have the slower pace, the nature all around me. I believed once I had all that my life would be idyllic. Cr*p. It' doesn’t work like that. We do. In my time out I had many conversations with so many different people from all walks of life, one in particular, with a local radio show host (more on that soon as its related to The British Homemaker) and off air we talked about how he felt relaxed and inspired talking to me. He proceeded to ask me the s...