31 Things to do for Samhain

I thought I’d share a few things to do this season of the witch. You can customise it to suit you and your lifestyle.

1, Set up your altar, add photos of ancestors, loved pets and add their favourite things, if you don’t have these things, add nature on the fireplace, pumpkins, candles, leaves and chestnuts.

2, Buy at least one witchy, gothic item or outfit. Anyone who knows me knows this is when my wardrobe is added too, not just for Halloween but they are my day to day clothes too.

3, Colour your hair, mystical purple, or spooky green, or add false nails with a spooky theme.

4, Gather up spooky movies, Halloween themed, ghost and ghoul too. We are doing 1 film for each day.

5, Get back into your Magickal practise if you’ve been neglecting it, tarot is a perfect place to start.

6, Freshen up your Book of Shadows or start one.

7, Buy a witches brew mug (I may or may not have one 😉😉 add pumpkin spice to cappuccino sachets.

8, Light a fire in the garden, we have a cauldron to do this in, write down what you’d like to release and burn it.

9, Star Gaze, the moon and stars are always lovely to gaze at.

10, Cook witchy foods, Spagetti Brains, or Worms, Potion Soups.

11, Plan to attend at least one online ritual or workshop to hel0 you feel less alone while isolated.

12, Catch up with friends, family, meet outside or over the phone.

13, Get out in nature, find a Corn maize or Apple orchards, take in the sights and sounds of this season.

14, Make beautiful arrangements with things you find like stones and feathers.

15, Photograph mushrooms, trees, mountains.

16, Go camping, or do a home camp with pillow forts and sheets.

17, Decorate your home with pumpkins, skulls and ghosts.

18, Visit loved ones at a cemetery or just visit anyway and try to imagine lives that were lived.

19, Freshen up your protection practices, meditation and crystal work.

20, Make a plan to learn something new magickally, herbal work, candle magic etc.

21, Start looking ahead to Yule plans, can some nature finds be used for a Yule decoration too.

22, Celebrate this rare Full moon and Blue moon, chant, raise energies, and honour others.

23, Hunt for your Yule Log, while thinking of things to leave behind, and think of new things to aim for.

24, Self care, Bubble baths, drink more water, face masks and soak feet.

25, Make a Magickal playlist up, I’ve used Heilung, Wardruna and Aurora.

26, Dig out fluffy socks, cosy blankets, and awesome warm pjs.

27, Do something for someone else, babysit, Make a lunch for a family friend.

28, Watch wildlife out your window if lucky enough to have a garden, or get to a local park, Watch squirrels and birds.

29, Cleanse your crystals under the full moon.

30, Dress up, try special fx make up, Do a monster mash.

31, Drink absinthe (or Apple juice) and talk to the fairies.

Samhain Movies 2

As we fast approach the main day, this month I’ve enjoyed something Magickal, thrilling, or spooky everyday. Either by film or a series.

By doing this, it’s helped us enjoy the whole month and make a real fuss over Samhain instead of a few short hours on one day.

#DisneyDescendants omg how I loved this, the offspring of the villains we all know and love.

I couldn’t help myself I enjoyed the light heartedness and innocence of them all, with typical Disney vibe and a hint of magic. #DisneyDescendants2

Felt right to finish off the trilogy. #DisneyDescendants3

But I can’t always be so sweet and innocent, and as Netflix dropped #TheHauntingOfBlyManor obviously I had to watch. We didn’t binge watch, rather we chose a couple a day instead. The story line was different to #TheTurning film so it was more enjoyable.

#HocusPocus what could be better than this film, well hearing there’s talk of a second film?! The sisters are camp enough to give good giggles for Halloween.

#HouseOfTheWitch can’t all be fluffy and nice, so a good scare film, but not too scary. The word witch is what drew me in, liked the plot and the twist at the end.

I’m a huge David Lynch fan so had to watch #MulhollandDrive perfectly twisted like I was on acid.

#BrahmsTheBoy2 loved the first one, and my god the second is equally as creepy. Slow burn and a good film to watch, you can watch alone. well I could and I’m a non a horror fan.

#Cavader it’s norwegian but you could dub it. really enjoyed the twists and turns, the film is dark and moody.

well that’s another 9 films we’ve watched, but I’ve seen another Disney set I’m going to watch. we will definitely be doing a film everyday of October.

Feeling A Little Lost Hippie Woes

I’m sure we’ve all been there, caught in a catch 22 fighting the pain or acknowledge it and rest.

Physio is going well at home (but it’s entirely of my own device), but as I do certain things the left hip is getting angrier and angrier. And so I bit the bullet and rang the hospital.

We discussed that I already had an appointment booked in for 23rd Feb 2021, I was saddened to hear it was now a telephone appointment,which I can’t do. I badly need an x-ray, discussed the failing other hip, so I am allowed a face to face but I still have a wait…. Booked now for 26th Feb 21

Gutted it can’t be sooner, but I’m relieved it’s now an x-ray and waiting list discussion on that date at least.

So it’s back to hot water bottles and tramadol, and hope we get through this winter without too much hip pain.

I hate being negative and depressive, but as more body parts fail and I’m sleeping less and less, headaches are a killer daily too. I have to face facts, it’s not all sunshine and roses, some days truly suck and I’m tearful and exhausted and I see no end in sight!!

I had another physio appointment over the phone of course, and it’s pushed back for another 6 months. so I’m looking at March/April 2021 if we are lucky. Hopefully I’ll at least be able to say I’m on the hip replacement waiting list by then though, silver lining and all that.

Samhain Movies

For me Samhain or Halloween is the WHOLE month, not merely a night.

As October started so did our Film watching, starting with

#Halloweentown, probably a favourite of mine, as it reminds me of watching with the children. It’s about a magical grandma coming to visit and the grandchildren discovering they are witches.

After an easy Disney watch, it was time to watch something darker.

#The Turning, based on Turn of the screw, and it’s what The haunting of Bly Manor is about too. A Governess experiences ghosts and scares while watching over the manors children.

#Halloweentown2 Naturally we had to follow on, seeing Marnie grow up and they build upon their magic powers while saving halloweentown.

#Mara Not really into horror films, but it happened to be on, it’s about a sleep paralysis demon, and actually I really enjoyed it.

Clearly there’s a pattern here, a light fluffy film that’s Disney and then a darker late night film.

So 3rd October 3rd night and it’s the 3rd film of #HalloweentownHigh and this time the students of halloweentown come to the mortal world.

#Wolves this was awful, but fine as a background movie. And it was perfect as a late night flick, it just lacked in high budget and pizzazz.

Last #Halloweentown4 and new actress to play Marnie, after all the hype of saying don’t watch it, it ended up being one of my favourites. Marnie is at university and finds some secrets about Aggie.

Netflix dropped these new films on, and I had to watch. First one #VampireVsTheBronx mixed full of fun, seriousness and family love, a gentle but entertaining film.

#HubieHalloween absolutely silly and no real plot but it certainly kept me entertained for the duration. Grateful it’s on Netflix as it’s quick and easy to watch.

So that’s my start to Samhain Season. hope you are enjoying Spookober.

Look Fantastic Beauty Box #October

As it was an October box I thought they may of gone down the Spooky Halloween route. Which I do personally love (all things Halloween all the time for me) but instead they went down a Cosy Night In route, which I’m not mad at!!

In fact with light of the Cottage holiday we have planned, a Spa like evening would be greatly loved.

#Glov Hair Wrap rrp £14.99

A pure White soft hair wrap, to cut down drying time, or to make it easier to sleep in a hair mask overnight. With it being pure White I’m not sure what my hair dye will do to it. But I’m sure going to take it and try it out, even if it does end up all pink lol

#ECooking Overnight Foot Cream 30ml rrp £8.10

What a treat for my feet, Cornwall is a planned walking holiday so I can’t wait to kick my walking boots off and treat them with eucalyptus and methol nourishing cream, I’ll use over Night and add socks to make it more intense.

#ByTerry Baume De Rose Flaconnette rrp £14.00

A delicate scented rose flower wax and shea butter lip balm, travel sized so it’s a great handbag essential. The cold weather always has me reaching for my lip balms.

#Starskin Soothing Bio Cellulose Second Skin Eye Catcher Mask rrp £4.25

Reduce eye puffiness, and the appearance of fine lines, ease some wrinkles away and dark circles. Can’t wait to try these out.

#BubbleT Earl Grey Bath Tea rrp £5.99

A warm relaxing scent to lure you into a dreamy bath, formulated to ease aches and pains to help relax muscles. What could be better to take to the cottage, perfect after endless walks and achy hips.

#BalanceMe Bakuchiol Serum 7ml rrp £11.00

Never heard of Bakuchiol, but they say it’s 100% natural, plant based retinol alternative. Which still gives anti aging benefits, but without the skin irritation and sensitivity.

As I have MCAS (Mass Cell Activation Syndrome) I often react to things, so I’ll be interested to see if this flares me up.

Getting into the Spirit of Samhain

Samhain, (pronounced sow een) isn’t just the 31st, it’s the whole month for me, and it started with a painting session at Pretty Pots

Painted with paints while having a good coffee and chat, needs to be in the klin and I pick it up in two weeks time.

I’d previously painted this offering plate a few weeks earlier.

Rustic and wonky, but deeply personal and a treasured memory, as this was my belated mothers day gift.

Bought light up pumpkins to adorn the darker nights, and give ambient light.

And I’ve been buying some goodies for the Main night. We are hoping to be in Boscastle if possible. We have a cottage booked for a week. There is no Wi-Fi and it’s a week of walking, and enjoying back to basics.

All my little Samhain decorations are out to play too. It feels so good to get our spooky on!!

3 Weeks Post #SteroidInjection

I’m feeling like it’s in a good place, though it was dicey at a week ish post injection.

From week 2 to 3 I’ve been finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is heaven sent. If only the other hand I could say the same 😭

So I’m just counting the days, weeks and hopefully the months of relief it will give me. I’m also going to enjoy the freedom of having one hand splint free, at least for a while.

But my added extra thing I’ve been taking is turmeric tablets too, unsure if they are helping to be honest, but willing to try anything!! Been trying these since 19th Sept.

I guess the un steroid injection hand is my control to see if they work in any way for me.

New Physio Routine, 1 month review

I’m going back to basics, walking is great but it doesn’t cover other joints, and overall health.

And with wetter weather comes more pain, and Less desire to want to get cold and muddy.

So it’s back to Losing Weight for Men app (find it in play store) it’s customisable so no impact or low impact. And I’m on Beginner. Started on the 3rd Sept. So now I’ve been back into a routine of nearly a month, I thought I’d share it again.

I use my Bosu Ball for the Mountain climbers, and I only do them one leg slowly at a time.

I even use it for Push ups on my knees, and plank on my knees. I aim to build up very very slowly.

It’s just 4mins a day, 7 exercises. Nothing too wild, as I know left hip is already angry.

Edit to say, I forgot how stiff it makes me the next day, so I’m doing day on day off day on routine, to build up.

But a month in and I’m loving the routine of it all, and feeling vaguely productive too. Nicer to do now it’s all wet and grey outside and too muddy for walks. It’s nice to have a dry warm place to work out.

More and more I feel and see huge limitations of the left hip that simply weren’t there only back in Feb 2020. So in a few short months the mobility aspect of that hip s horrendous.

Worth keeping a close eye on, until I can speak to my consultant in Feb 2021

2 Weeks Post #CortisoneInjection #CMCJoint

This week has flown by, I definitely feel like I hindered myself from pulling the wrist( I accidentally put all my weight on my unsplinted hand and wrist, and the wrist twanged, lightening pain and totally gave way) I collapsed into instant sobbing it hurt that bad!!

I’ve had to nurse that with splint wearing and the MCP joint was pulled funny too.

Where it says tendon sheath is where I pulled it, and the wrist went from under my weight. Little bit swollen and still tires out quickly without a splint.

The Ulnar ligament near the MCP joint is feeling thicker and more fibrous. But you can’t see anything. It’s just a feeling. So again in a splint it’s felt safer and more protected.

But hallelujah I can say on week 2 that white hot cmc joint pain has started to leave me alone, occasionally I get a twinge when hand is tired, especially from using on my phone!! Maybe it’s telling me to get off it lol

Best of all, my hormones, and emotions haven’t been flaky with Dexamethasone unlike when I have Kenalog, usually I would have some tearful for no reason days and bad depression days,but I’ve had nothing like that at all.