This book is by Helen McGinn. I love this book and her blog. Continue reading “The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club”
The pursuit of Happiness and why it’s making us anxious
The Pursuit of Happiness and why its making us anxious – By Ruth Whippman
There are lots of things I want to say about this book. Firstly, I have seen lots of things on the internet selling courses on how to better yourself but I had never realised that the pursuit of happiness was such a big industry. Secondly, I had no idea about the happiness work project by the shoe company Zappos or more specifically Tony Hsieh and especially not about the downtown project in Las Vegas. Thirdly, I had no idea Mormons were so ‘happy’ and such a big community in Utah, although, they do seem to be happy by popping anti-depressant pills. I do have the urge to look up all these three things just to understand the logic of it all. To be honest I don’t think I’ve ever thought about happiness. I do think about bettering myself but that’s as far as it goes. Then again maybe its all part of the same thing, this inward thinking about yourself rather than thinking about the community in large or other people in general. Continue reading “The pursuit of Happiness and why it’s making us anxious”
A weekly timetable to help organise your life
Regardless of what happens in life, some things have to carry on in as much of a routine as possible. So even though the year started off with a funeral and in a few months we might be moving houses, the girls still have school and nursery to go to and I still need to do some work and we all need to eat healthily. Continue reading “A weekly timetable to help organise your life”
The Playground Mafia
This is my first book review for a book I received from Britmums. Normally, I think once I’ve finished doing everything, I will sit down and read the book and I’m sure there must be some format to do a proper book review but as soon as I got this book, I couldn’t put it down. I opened the book and thought I would have a quick review but as soon as I started reading, I could feel myself nodding my head in agreement. The Hot Mum? – Oh yeah, I know her at the school gate! The Snooty mum – I know her too. The Naughty Child mum – oh no, that sounds a bit like me – eeekk! It’s so funny especially as my daughter has just started school and I’m still getting to know all the mums, it’s easy to put a label on them. Although, in real life once you get to know them, the snooty mum is not really that snooty and the hot mum is quite normal too!
It’s a nice pocket size book with a sketch of each type of mum (and a couple of dads) and a checklist of what to expect from that type of mum and then a little description or a little story about each mum and the type of cocktail they would be. The paralyser sounds about right!
I think these should be on sale at school gates on the first day of school for all new parents! It’s such a funny book.
Practising Certificate
I can’t see the point in me having a practicing certificate. I know when I first started to apply for it, I was getting frustrated at what a long process it was, trying to update it, get everything signed, send everything off etc. When I got the certificate it really did feel like a sense of achievement but I am (fairly) happy doing work for others on a subcontract basis. I do a few tax returns, only two that I get paid for and I think my ATT certificate covers that so at the moment I really can’t see the point in having a practicing certificate. Continue reading “Practising Certificate”
Writing 201: Poetry – Day 10
Hot Bikram Yoga
I prayer that my body is ready
For contortions in extreme heat
Both legs are firm and steady
Start from the top, down to the feet
‘Keep breathing’ is the mantra
The sweat has already begun
As the teacher begins her banter.
There’s nowhere now to run
What makes me come here?
Why did I drag my friend?
Are you ok? Is that a look of fear?
We fold our body into a bend,
It’ll be over soon, my dear
As we finally lie down at the end.
Day 8
My grandmother’s cooking is definitely the best
It’s tasty and flavoursome with out being too spicy.
My mother in laws cooking is good too but not quite the same
It’s very spicy and very heavy and cooked in lots of oil.
I wish I could cook like my grandmother
I learnt from my grandmother so it should be the same
But it comes out a bit different.
The spices are a little raw and not cooked at the right heat and the chapattis are flat
The unami is missing, that magic touch.
My aunts cooking is good and almost like my grandmother’s
With a modern twist which should be so good
But it’s still not quite the same.
Writing 201: Poetry – Day 7
As I walk through our neighbourhood today, l feel happy to be alive.
The wind tries to pull my hair out of my bun as I bravely march on through the blustery wind
Armed with the pushchair and a baby wrapped up warm,
I take a deep breath and carry on.
The lull of the motorway traffic, just outside our neighbourhood sounds like the distant sea crashing against the shore
The screeching of sea gulls, tears down the calm blanket descending around us.
Safe in the knowledge that the fresh air outside is meant to be good for you, I carry on walking.
New houses are being built around us, a new community centre, nursery and gym
Promises of a bright new future in smaller houses and squashed up streets
Brings more people into the area, young couples who need to speed into work.
It safe, our neighbourhood, that’s for sure
As long as your home by ten, not more.
It’s not London you know, it’s not the city that never sleeps
But the pull of family, friends and a new community, keeps us here for now.
Writing 201: Poetry – Day 6
FACES
So many faces in my face,
Happy faces, angry faces, a face slightly too close.
Is he famous, famous he is!
A blank face, a sad face, a face now looking at me. Continue reading “Writing 201: Poetry – Day 6”
Writing 201: Poetry Day 5
An Ode to Holidays
How I love the sun always being switched on
The soft white sand melting into my feet and fingers
The complete stillness of the perfect paradise
How I love the crystal clear waters covering my feet, calf then knees
The exotic multi-coloured fish swimming too close to your toes
And the legs getting used to the cool water from the hot sun
How I love eating out and sleeping in
No cooking, no cleaning, and no guilt
No deadlines, no housework, no lists.
Massages at will and all-inclusive cocktails on the beach
No kids, no stress, no worries,
How I long for those carefree holidays!
An accountant and a Mum 