Raisie Bay

The Home Office

I used to have a corner of the living room as my home office. I had everything I needed, a desk, chair, pc and complete filing system including my luxury branded ringbinders.

Then I got sick and rarely used my work station so it was passed on to Star. She now has everything in her bedroom and my living room was reclaimed  became a dumping corner for toy boxes.

I’ve decided now that I’d like it back as a home office. It just felt different having a space to work in. I seemed to get so much more done, I was more productive without distractions. 

The Little Man’s bedroom should really be a home office, it has so many plug sockets and it’s just the perfect size. But I’d have to kick him out and he’s only eight so I don’t think I’d get away with that. Maybe in the future there will be a bedroom shuffle, because I’m sure if one of the other bedrooms became free there would be a rush to move around. The Little Man is happy in his little room for the time being though, so I will have to settle for my living room.

My Ideal Office.

I’m lucky enough to have quite a large living room so I can easily spare a corner. I do think my needs have changed since the last time though. For one, I’d need a very comfortable chair to sit in. I would be using my laptop so the desk would not have to house a pc. I’d like lots of storage for all my paperwork. 

But, it’s not just work, there is also play involved. I like to do a bit of papercraft, so it would be nice to have the desk to use for that. And I really love stationary and pretty things, so it would probably be less office like than before. 

And when I’m not working, I’d love to be able to store everything neatly away.

Inspiration

It will be after Christmas before I can set up my new office because that’s when we’ll be re-decorating. But I’ve been looking on Pinterest for some inspiration. I’m a long way from making up my mind though.

a simple white desk and matching chair against a grey painted wall with a wire bookcase
Maybe if we went for grey, but I’d need more storage
a dark wooden bench beneath a large bookshelf full of books and plants
A bit too cluttered, but I do love bookshelves
An old wooden desk with a a floral chair topped with a painting and a lamp and set against a handpainted mural on the wall
I love the wooden desk
two white cabinets with a plank of wood across the top to make a desk
Or maybe I should have something made to suit. This is a plank of wood over two filing cabinets.

Do you have a home office? 

Quick Hide the Wrapper

It’s chocolate week! My favourite week of the year (well apart from cake week, chip week, desert week, but most definitely NOT healthy eating week!) 

How can I not love chocolate when I live a chocolate button’s throw away from Cadbury World! 

Of course, Cadbury World was not always there, originally it was just Bournville Village, built by the Cadbury family. 

200 Years of Cadburys

John Cadbury was from a family of quakers who did not drink alcohol. As an alternative John made tea, coffee and drinking chocolate and sold it in a small shop in Birmingham. The drinking chocolate became really popular and he opened factories in the city. His son’s took over the business and in 1978 George Cadbury was looking for somewhere less industrial to open a factory and chose Bournville, a village outside of the city centre. He built homes for his workers and a cricket field to encourage them to keep healthy. Bournville still remains a village today, and the cricket ground is still there. 

Moving on from drinks Cadbury’s began making chocolate and became more and more successful. Did you know that Cadbury’s Roses were introduced as far back as 1938 and are still popular today!

a box of Cadbury Roses chocolates
Cadbury’s Roses

Halloween Sweets

Cadbury’s also have some fab Halloween Sweets this year. Look out for these spooky Goo Heads in Store, or order them online, I’ve always found Cadbury’s gift shop really reliable.

Some Cadbury chocolate eggs with ghoulish wrappers for halloween
Halloween Goo Heads 65p each
a pack of mini chocolate eggs with ghoulish wrappers
Cadbury’s Goo Head minis 

This post is my link up to Blogtober18 

Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links that if you click through will not cost you anything but may earn me a few pennies. Thank you if you click.

My Sunday Photo 14th October 2018

Never Doing That Again!

The Littlies 2010

I didn’t have a photo for this week. I really didn’t know what to post. Then I saw that today’s Blogtober18 post had the theme ‘Never Doing That Again.’ I tried to think of what I wouldn’t want to do again but, although there may have been a few things, I didn’t really think I had anything of interest to share. (Apart from eating Octopus, it made me sick and I could taste it for days!) 

Then I thought of things I’d never be be able to do again, and having any more kids is one of them. My kids are my life and I am so grateful that I have them, they are all my blessings. But I definitely won’t be doing it again. Baby days are over!

So, I’ve dug out this old photo of all three of them together while the little man was still a baby, Boo was 3 years old and Star was 5. This was snapped early one morning when the girls grabbed a book each so I gave the Little Man one too. Awww, I miss them being like this, but if I’m honest, I’m glad I won’t be doing it again. Although, to be fair, it’s not like I get much more peace or sleep, sigh.

Photalife
Sunday Snap

It’s a Week of New Things

a purple star with the word, new, in the middle

Last week my word of the week was School as we had found a new school for the Little Man. We went out on Saturday to buy his new uniform and although we got everything we need the day didn’t end well. More about that in a little while. First I want to tell you that the Little Man absolutely loves his new school. He’s made lots of friends already and thinks his teacher is great. In one week I’ve found him keen to read his book just so I can give him his comment in his reading log (he’s never been keen before) and he’s been singing songs to me that he’s learnt. 

He is happy and excited to go to school in the morning and comes home bubbling. I have missed him like crazy but it was certainly the right decision to send him back to school, he is so much brighter.

The Crash

We also have a brand new, I mean, so new it’s only just over a month old, car! It’s a top of the range Mazda with leather seats and so many features, including many safety features. Graham is in love already. BUT, it’s not ours really, it’s a courtesy car while our poor Skoda, Bernard, is being repaired. 

After uniform shopping on Saturday we were involved in a car accident. While waiting to turn right another car ploughed into the back of us at speed. Thankfully the girls were safe at home with their big sister so there were only three of us in the car.

Graham was fine at the time but has since become stiff and sore from whiplash and is suffering from recurring headaches. The Little Man was hysterical, but it was more fright than anything. He hit is head off my seat, despite being strapped in. He has bruising on both his legs and also has a stiff neck and shoulders. 

I don’t even remember what happened but I remembered seeing blood from my foot and my shoe was missing. My back was really hurting and I’d gone stiff in spasm from my condition. I can only surmise that the shock of the accident caused my startle reflex to set in and I somehow managed to get pretty bashed. I was taken to Accident and Emergency by ambulance, but my experience at the hospital was not good. The Dr had no idea how to treat me because my stiffness meant he couldn’t make his usual examinations, after poking my back and sending me into a massive spasm again. It’s difficult to examine someone for spinal injuries when they already have a knackered spine. I can’t blame him for not knowing what to do, nobody ever knows how to deal with me.

I left hospital unable to weight bear on my left side and my back has been hurting like crazy. But, it is slowly getting better so I just need to heal. If it was getting worse I would be worried. About three days after the accident I also suffered from the stiff neck and shoulder pain. My ankle is also swollen, bruised and grazed. But the main thing is, we survived. 

New Plan of Treatment

On Tuesday I was back at the hospital but this time for a scheduled appointment with my consultant. We first discussed the IVIG which I am feeling benefits from now that I’ve been having it for a year. Changing it to every month, rather than every three months, has made a big difference. 

Then we discussed all the new issues I’d been having and he told me that they are all side affects from my medication. I’ve been taking this medication for three years now without side affects, but now that the IVIG is in my system there seems to be a battle going on with the IVIG and my medication. So, the plan is to reduce the medication and adjust the IVIG so that I get the best benefits without the side affects. 

It sounds good to me. I’m quite happy to be pumping less drugs into my body, especially if it gets rid of the side effects.

Other issues I’ve been having can be put down to me lacking in B12 and folate. My medication can stop my body from absorbing these from my food so now I am taking supplements for four months to help. 

I am actually beginning to feel more positive. I know there are other drugs that can be used to help my condition, but as it’s so rare it’s hit and miss as to whether they work. So although, although I’d give anything to take something to make me better, the thought of taking even more drugs was making me feel anxious. I’m so hoping this works out, my consultant seems quite confident it will. 

The Reading Residence Debs Random Writings

Mental Health Awareness Day

The prompt for Blogtober18 today is, Just Be Yourself #Mental Health Awareness Day.

World mental health day logo

My daughter saw on the television this morning that it was Mental Health Awareness Day and said that they would probably talk about mental health at school today. I replied that it was good to talk about it as everyone’s mental health was important. She looked confused for a while and then asked, “does everyone have mental health then?”

Then it was my turn to look a little confused but I soon cottoned on. She was taking the term mental health as meaning that something was wrong. It’s true that  a lot of us don’t think about our mental health until something goes wrong with it.

I explained to her that everyone has mental health just like they have physical health and that they both need taking care of because they can both get sick sometimes. If you get sick physically you seek help from a  doctor or the pharmacy, or maybe you just take extra care of yourself until you feel better. It’s the same with mental health, if things don’t feel right then you should seek help and possibly treatment just like with your physical health.

Keeping Well Mentally

We all try to take care of our physical health but do we take as much care over our mental health. Sadly, a lot of us don’t, but it’s not so difficult to do. Self care is really important, especially when professional care when something goes wrong is so difficult to get. 

So how do you take care of your mental health?

  • The first thing you should do is talk about your feelings. Find someone who is prepared to listen and connect. 
  • Look after yourself physically, get some more exercise or just fresh air occasionally
  • Eat well and moderate your alcohol intake.
  • Be more mindful, take time just to be in the moment, not thinking about the past or the future.
  • Find something new to learn, or even do some puzzles or crosswords. Give your mind something else to concentrate on.
  • Reach out and care for someone else, it can boost your self esteem and create a closer connection.

If you do feel your mental health is suffering then seek help. If you were physically ill you’d ask for help, it’s just the same, it’s your health.

Don’t Judge

No one walks in anyone else’s shoes. Judging when you don’t know the full story is the worst you can do.

It’s not only the ones with mental health issues but their families that suffer. People tend to hide mental health issues, find them difficult to talk to, particularly if they are the carer. Life can be difficult and awkward but they may feel less inclined to talk or explain why. 

Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, no one should be judged

If you feel you have a poorly mental health then please find some help, even if it’s just someone to talk to. 

Linking up to A Blogging Good Time

Mummy in a Tutu

Mix It Up Linky
Lucy At Home UK gentle parenting blogger

A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay

A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay

Some people only write reviews when things go wrong with products, which is good because it lets people know that there could be potential problems. I’ve also seen negative feedback with say things like, I had to return this item because the colour did not suit me…is this useful?

I write reviews on most items I buy because I like to give genuine feedback. If I have a genuine problem with a product I will write my review in the appropriate place.

I write reviews on my blog too, but they are mostly positive. Why? Because I only write reviews for the things I’ve loved. If I don’t love them I let the person who sent me them know with details why and then let them decided if they would rather me write a negative review or not write one at all. It’s always the latter.

This is my blog, my place and I’ll let you know about the things I love. If you want to find out what other people have hated about the product then you will need to look elsewhere.

My reviews may all be positive, but they are still genuine.

Where to next?