Muddy Shoes Smiley Faces

It’s been bone achingly cold outside, but we have still managed to get outside, have some good mental health moments to keep us sane in this crazy ass world.

Muddy times, Frozen times it all ends the same way. Cobwebs blown through our stresses and anxieties, leaving behind a carefree attitude and cheeks aching from laughing so much.

This should be a medicine, as it does wonders for you. Alas hip pain is never ever far. And the price of a walk however short, costs a lot of recovery and rest (ie not moving at all)

We saw deer though so it was totally worth it.

And just to get our own karma after giggling over someone losing their sole of their footwear a week before, we ended up doing the same!!

Arthritis in the Hands

Winter has been a lot colder, in fact this month it’s been the coldest weather we’ve had in a decade. And my poor hips and hands are feeling it.

To keep the main ‘bad’ hand at a manageable level, I have been needing splints, compression gloves and hot water bottles to keep it getting too painful. But the vice pressure squeezing it like mad,does sneak through from time to time, and I confess it brings me to tears.

Knuckles are starting to swell up too, so it’s no longer just the cmc joint that nags and hurts.

At least xrays are on the way 8th March can’t come soon enough, and some steroid injections too. I have to try them, even though there’s a risk they won’t work, as I’m getting pretty desperate. Every Jan, Feb and March seems to be the same. So I know it’s the cold weather affecting it.

I try my best to keep them active, using physio exercises to keep the muscles as strong as possible, like I do with my hips. Though in a flare it’s not always possible, as even holding a pen can cause such lightening pain.

February #LookFantastic Beauty Box

Well here is this month’s box and its the last one, at least for a bit. I periodically stop and start as the moods grab me, and for now I have a backlog of items I would like to use.

This month I will admit I was actually a bit disappointed with it. In over 2 years it’s the first time I was less than thrilled. Mainly due to such small sizes, it felt like BirchBox, I’m so used to huge sizes with Look Fantastic.

#Illamasaqua Primer, hydrating and illuminating in one, apply under make up for an all day natural glow. 6ml

#Eyeko 4ml in Zodiac Galactic Lid Gloss which is insanity pretty and sparkly, just need a good event and reason to wear it. But so so tiny.

#BalanceMe AHA Glow Mask 10ml chemical facial exfoliant to brighten and plump complexion, which admittedly our winter faces need badly. But again I felt was a small offering.

#Magn!tone microfibre cleansing pads, just add water to remove make up and cleanse faces. Use up to 1000 times and wash in the washing machine. 2 pads included.

#Elemis 15ml Enzyme Peel, smooth skin and remove dead skin cells without a harsh exfoliate. Apply and remove after 15-20mins

#BubbleT Strawberry Macaroon body butter thankfully a generous 50ml saving grace this is absolutely brilliant, and a good size to really try out.

So a bit disappointed but it’s understandable too, since Brexit I know companies have struggled with imports, and supplies and in all the time I’ve had them, it’s just one box I felt was small.

The Lost Brother By Susanna Beard #BlogBookTour

#ADGIFTED Book given in return for a review. I have read a few by this author so I already know I enjoy her style, and quality of writing.

The Lost Brother

A brother sent away,A sister in a loveless home.

A father ruthlessly murdered

Ricky and LeonoraBates are brother and sister, best friends, allies in a loveless family.

Bates are brother and sister, best friends, allies in a loveless family.

They are a constant disappointment to their domineering father.

He views Ricky’s quiet bookishness as weakness and Leonora’s feisty intelligence as unbecoming. Then Ricky is sent away to a boarding school in South Africa to “toughen him up”. And Leonora is stuck dealing with her dysfunctional parents on her own. The unthinkable happens.
Five years later,Leonora’s father flies down to South Africa to bring Ricky home. Something terrible happens. Her dad’s body is found with a fatal gunshot wound. And her brother is nowhere to be found.

Now Leonora must find out the truth.

Utterly absorbing andbeautifully written, this taut psychological thriller will keep you guessinguntil its chilling conclusion.

until its chilling conclusion.

beautifully written, this taut psychological thriller will keep you guessinguntil its chilling conclusion.

until its chilling conclusion.

Just looking at the blurb I knew I was in for a treat, exactly what I’ve needed while pain and awful weather has trapped me indoors more than I ever planned. Plus we are still in a lock down.

Author Bio Susanna Beard

Despite enjoying the writer’s life, Susanna has an adventurous streak – she has swum with whale sharks in Australia, trekked in the mountains of Nepal and fallendown a crevasse in the French Alps.

down a crevasse in the French Alps.

Her favourite quote is from Winnie-the-Pooh: “Stories make your heart grow.” Apartfrom books, her passions include wildlife, dogs and tennis. She aims to keep writing, and never to get old.

BOOKS BY SUSANNA BEARD

COMING
SOON!

FOLLOW SUSANNA ON

AUTHOR WEBSITE
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GOODREADS

My Review

We’ve had a lot of snow, so it’s been far to scary to leave the house let alone cold too, So what can I girl do in these dark evenings, but snuggle down and escape through the words of another.

Diving into the deadly sins of greed, envy, guilt and revenge, this family has the darkest of secrets and the lids been lifted.

we go on a journey of redemption, reconciliation and justice. Susanna always lulls me in from the get go, and she makes it hard to put a book down.

Thoroughly delightful and horrifying, thought provoking and exciting, so many emotions are felt as this book sweeps you away, and drags you into a different reality.

January’s #LookFantastic Beauty Box (it’s late sorry)

I’ve been slack in posting my boxes, and with feeling a bit down, a bit fed up I’ve lost my excitement for them, I’ve also cancelled them for a bit. Gives me time to use up what I still have, and reignite my passion for skincare and make up.

I’ve been in sweat pants and dressing gowns for so long and not using make up, I’ve lost my mojo for it all. Since October really.

Sadly the booklet no longer gives a rrp on the items, which I feel is a mistake. Often I like to refer to that.

First up is #Starskin Hollywood Hand Model Hand Mask Gloves, Giving the hands a sauna effect to repair, condition and soften hands, it’s a perfect treat and only 15mins. I’m going to use mine after my cmc thumb Steroid injections, as it’s a perfect treat after that trauma.

Gorgeous #DrBotanicals Cleansing Bar, I’ve had a few products from Dr Botanicals and I’ve loved them all. Gorgeous spring scent so refreshing in cucumber and avocado. I might actually save this for an up coming surgery, as this will feel like an extra special treat.

#SoEco Make up sponge in a sweet light green, it makes me think of Snowdrops and new shoots. It feels lovely and soft and bouncy. But I’m saving this until I’m actually wearing make up again regularly.

With wearing masks and not really leaving home, I’m not wearing lipsticks in anyway. But it’s lovely and called French Fancy by #Sleek and its a Matte Me, I’ve had before I have to say I love the formula.

#SVR Hydraline Intense Mositurisng Cream and omg what a cream this is!! It’s so luxurious feeling and my dry legs feel actually human after using this.

Hair Mask by #GrowGorgeous which I could honestly do with, as it’s feeling rather dry and frizzy. Sure the central heating and icy cold weather isn’t doing my hair any favours.

So that’s January’s box, a bit of pampering during the cold dark nights. I do love it, but I’ve lost my zest for it, while being consumed with pain and stress.

Gentle Physio?

I’ve struggled, really struggled with movement lately. So I’ve opted for a different approach. It seems standing on 1 bad leg isn’t really an optiom at times, so I decided to readjust the exercises, but do it from the safety of lying down.

That way no unnecessary loading going through the one painful hip, and I can control the speed of the movement more, making it just as effective.

So Hip Flexion I did single knee hugs, bring up slowly, hold the knee to chest and hold for 20 seconds. My left does not come up far, so don’t push it beyond it’s range.

And then did both legs together, just bring them up and hold for 20 seconds.

Some knee pivots, which were way way harder than I ever imagined. I just about got 10 reps each side. You can do heel pivots too, starting with knee in the air, and lower from knee to heel down, to touch both heels together 10 reps.

External Hip Flexion my Left leg does not really come out at all, there is no degrees!! 20 second hold.

Internal Hip Flexion, I have a lot more success at, so again 20 second hold.

Bridging my least favourite, Up and hold for 5seconds and down, I just about managed 10 reps.

With doing these, my hips have had the same range of movement while safeguarding the joints. I need to limit the pain as much as I can while I wait for hospitals to be available.

Keeping Occupied

It’s a drag, and I’ll be honest it’s getting harder to entertain myself, mainly because my hand pain is getting worse, so usual pastimes aren’t open to me. And hip is so constantly unstable, I can’t walk like I used too either. I’m feeling trapped and depressed.

So I’ve recently dived into getting my spiritual side back, to be more mindful and positive, as let’s be honest it’s been a year of sheer anxiety, stress and anger.

So a little book on moon magic as love the moon, it never fails to nourish my soul. A herbal green witch book, as herbalist courses have really pipped my interest. And a witch’s self care, as we all need some of that.

I also bought this, to help connect my general day to day to the moon phases.

The cards are a little treat as they are normal playing cards but by Patrick Valenza, the artwork is exquisite.

A good reminder to myself that even the devil needs to rest.

So while pain occupies my every thought, I’m going to distract myself with my Tarot and Reading. Roll on whenever hospitals are reopened for folks like me.

Imbolc 2021

HOW TO CELEBRATE IMBOLC IN 2021

What is Imbolc, well it’s a rather lesser known pagan holiday, Imbolc Sabbat falls exactly halfway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). Its the perfect way to countdown from Christmas and count towards Easter.

Daylight is increasing (price how it’s not as dark at teatime) and signs of spring is the air. While too early and bit too cold for planting gardens, However Imbolc is a time to start thinking about what you wanted to plant and harvest in the coming year. We have some gothic flowers I’d like to give a go to this year, though I confess I’m not Greenfingered.

In modern times how we celebrate Imbolc and the quiet weeks post holiday season is a great time to reflect and think about where you want to go in the coming months. Its a perfect time to Spring clean, shift new energies into starting new things, and shrugging off the old winter habits.

THIS HISTORY OF IMBOLC

Imbolc means “in the belly” Makes you think of Lambing season, as its so closely tied to the Farmers year.

Here we celebrate the pagan Celtic goddess Brigid (Bride) who is the goddess of inspiration and creativity, healing, smith craft and poetry. In ancient times.

Imbolc was celebrated as a time to reaffirm your life and to maybe start thinking about the coming harvest season, things you’d like to let go and new things to start or to attract.

As the religion of Christianity spread from Rome to northern Europe and the British Isles Imbolc was adopted as Candlemass, still celebrated on February 1st and 2nd.

IMBOLC SYMBOLS

To help celebrate the Sabbat we can use different Magickal correspondences.

Colors: Such as White, Red, Pink, Black, but I personally would add yellow for spring.

Foods: Baked goods, winter vegetables, seeds, dried fruit, butter, milk, cheese, lamb, mutton, Sounds like hearty casserole or stews would be perfect.

Stones: Amethyst, bloodstone, garnet, onyx, ruby, turquoise, though my clear quartz never fails me.

Symbols: candles, cauldron, chalice, cow, sheep, swan, I feel more drawn to the lambs, and snowdrops as they sum up the Sabbat for me.

Flowers & Plants: Snowdrops, angelica, basil, bay laurel, celandine, such beautiful flowers out at this time

Deities: Brighid (Bride), Aphrodite, Eros, Hestia

SOME WAYS TO CELEBRATE IMBOLC

Since Imbolc is post christmas holiday, it is a great time to embrace simple and more natural celebrations.

• Have a candlelight dinner, or just a snuggle up with great food and movies.

• Create meals with intention for what you want to accomplish in the coming year, get into baking and bake love into biscuits and cakes.

• Light your favourite candles, set up your altar (or fireplace) with items that make you think of spring.

• Take time to meditate or journal in your candlelit room, I use YouTube guided meditations and soundtracks.

• Take some time to go outside and enjoy the lengthening days and increased sunlight, I think this is the one we will do mostly.