Focus at this time of year?

Recently, someone with a kind heart reminded me to keep a focus on this blog.

Which of course, is right.  I have never made any secret of the fact this is my total passion and I could blog every day of my life, happily.  Joyously.

On top of the editing that goes alongside Youtube, such activities can be totally overwhelming if you are aiming to just live the normal life too.

Christmas focus

Do you find yourself struggling at Christmas? 

So much to juggle.  

The decorations, keeping the family happy, the food shopping, gifts, money, as well as work.  The list goes on.

Can I let you into a bit of a confession?

I was not feeling at all like Christmas this year! Which is so unlike me.  Finally I am there.  Although I have mountains of work to get through and I'm feeling that bit of a cold thing that everyone seems to have.  That aside, my social calendar has never been so full as this year and the music, dance, smiles and people I'm mixing with are giving me smiles which last for days.  Never have I felt so alive at Christmas.

However, trying to focus on all that needs to be taken care of is close to impossible.  We take on too much perhaps?

How can we make this a positive?

See this giving season as exactly that. Giving to others. Creating a nice time for them. 

Around and around you will see the rewards coming your way for all that you want to embrace as we head into the new year.

Sending hugs to all of you who might need them at this time of reflection. As we head into the new year we are all always full of 'I'm going to leave behind in 2018....' (fill in the blank) and '2019 is going to be full of....'

But let's do the new year post all by itself really soon?  

When you aren't sure if you can do this rollercoaster life.

Maybe I'm spoilt...

Coming away from the usual life you live, often a rollercoaster of stuff 'comes up'. 

Why is that?  Could it be the different diet patterns we adopt? I do believe the gut and brain are closely linked. Well, we know this now don't we. 
How often are you away in the sun and get a bad stomach? You eat differently, you sleep with air con going full pelt, you drink alcohol and get loads of sun exposure.  Ok so all of these might be hard to imagine right now as the darker nights begin in the UK and north America but if like me, you are enjoying some autumn sun or have some winter sun booked, you might be able to relate to those sense provoking words.

Either way, when your emotions begin a rollercoaster which you feel is almost too much to bear, remember the law of attraction.

Yes, that old chestnut where this blog was born from.  
Reminding myself of how it works right here and now has been a saviour.  So yes we can manifest the traffic lights and parking spaces and then at other times get in our own way when it comes to the self sabotage stuff.  Like are we good enough? Beautiful enough? Clever enough?

Stop the doubting and remember the law of attraction.  As Abraham Hicks says, we can do, be, have whatever we want.
Mike Dooley tells us thoughts become things.

They do! We know this.

So think you aren't good enough, and you might well not be.

Do you know that person who really shouldn't be as confident as they are but totally strut their stuff and own their life? Yes?  Be more them!

Even if you are faking it, that doesn't matter.  Sitting feeling sad and sorry for yourself gives an air of 'don't come talk to me, I'm hard work.'
Being light and fluffy and airy tells people you are fun to be around and they can enjoy your energy too.

Feel sorry for yourself temporarily and write it in your diary.  Then finish the text of with how amazing you know you really are

If you're struggling, I'm sending you love and hugs...

Being a spoonie

Late summer sun cast long shadows over the greenest of grass.

Today was going to be a good day, I had promised myself this. After recent events taking me into distraction, Harley would be my most faithful companion as we headed off into nature for some grounding.

Sadly, it was not to be so chilled as I was hoping as fellow dog walkers decided not to follow the rules and keep their dogs on a lead. Nothing was an issue really. But my anxieties took me to a place of worry and knowing I would need to rise early and get out

before too many people came into our space.  

Today is better. 

Piano chill music selected on my phone, playing through my ears like melted butter...writing...my furry friend at my feet.  Today was going to be a good day.  
A good day with curly hair.

Why not.

Sunday morning perfection

Time to write, to drink coffee, to dog walk.

Rising early as the sun streams through the 6am window, Harley and I decided to get up and out while it's cool for his paws.

Round the block as we used to call it.  Then Starbucks calls.  The best latte I've had since I visited turkey.  More about Turkey in a week or so.  LOTS more.  Lots to tell.

Meanwhile I will aim to get back on track with my writing word count for Nanowrimo. I'm very behind! But determined. As this is absolutely what I love to do! (Want to follow my writer journey where I share purely the juicy stuff? It's the only place you'll find it! Click this).

What fills you with joy on these Sundays?

My writer dream is coming true

Still I write from my bed.  Feeling sore.  More than sore, the pain is intense at times.

Juggling taking care of mother is unpleasant. Those feelings of guilt.  As I wince at the pain one more time, I hear Harley snore at my feet.  He hasn't left my side.  
Crohns is unpleasant and deserves a  lot of respect. I know this.  Nothing new here to see.  Yet this time feels different, rather like how i felt when i was first diagnosed.  Stunned and vulnerable.  

Knowing that feeling of being reminded so very strongly that I must listen.  I must.  


Before today, I was feeling I was being pulled in a direction where there was no choice but to listen to the powers that be.  i was being taken to the place of dreams, yet fighting and screaming at every corner as this simply wasn't what I was raised to believe.  Dreams don't come true.  Not for the likes of me.  You can't possibly live your passions and that be enough. No way. It was all about misery and sweat and toil.  This is precisely what I was taught.  Could I seriously think for a minute that I might be able to do exactly what I'm doing now for my job?  I'm sitting here, totally concentrating on my words which I might add are flowing beautifully as i write my next piece in the novel I have neglected for at least two years - respecting my chronic illness while still being an achiever.

Always i have wanted to write.  Always I have written. Either letters to the grandparents, love letters to less deserving other half or simply in the journal. Of course now we have this digital world and what was once a skill of typing is now a necessity we all must learn for this online society we now enjoy.  Could my writing be improved upon? Probably.  Yet I have stories which simply must be told.  Living with zero regret is an aim in my life.  An aim I currently have achieved.  Yet if I were to pass into the next life with these books still inside me, there is the regret.  As Wayne Dyer said, "Don't die with the music still in you."

For once, the strongest feeling is within me. A feeling that I am going to write and write some more. Allowing myself the indulgence of putting fingers to keys in bed, in the coffee shop, at my desk. All while taking care of mum and the twins, walking Harley when the mood takes me and being able to spend a day nursing my poorly gut.  I could do this. It's the thing.

Tomorrow I see myself getting up and out early. Taking a drive somewhere like the sea front and setting up the tripod.  Filming my story of this transition into a writer.  The story of how miserable I have been while trying to fit in with the world which I find way too hard to deal with.  The people who are so nasty and negative, the clothes you have to wear to look corporate, the schedules of commuting which costs a pretty penny to watch others looking miserably into their coffee cups while rocking their head against the beat of the music within their headphones yet in synch with the rocking of the train. 

It's not me.  

Me is the girl with curly hair.  T shirt and shorts.  Maybe a fleece or hoodie. The girl who wants a tan and make up but when she wants it.  Being a little bit of a hippy.  Living within the trees or taking time out to put my feet in the sand while letting the energy of grounding in nature help me with the flow.  Could this happy life be possible?  The life that sees me able to love my day writing, wherever and whatever.  Enough that people sense the passion and want to know more, buying into my stories, my books, my online videos telling the life story of what is going on.  Could this be that i might possibly earn a little money to pay the bills?

For the first time ever I sense a shift. It's different to before when I wanted to believe it.  This is almost like there is simply no choice but to make things work.  Without giving everything I've got to my writing I will have failed at my own life, my own path, my own blessings and talents.

It's time to step into my truth and my hearts desire and see what happens. Are you with me?

Nestle gluten free corn flakes

I was thrilled to find these cornflakes randomly on the shelf! Well done Nestle - they are delicious too.  Loving that - if you like to eat cereals and corn, you can as these had no added barley malt extract and many add it in for flavour.



Go see the video and I tell you more about the nutritional stuff in there you need to know :)

Ps subscribe to the channel as there is more and more going up over there to help you into your Lusher Life.



Have a wonderful Monday everyone.



Louise xoxo

Does this time of year make you feel reflective?

This time of year has me feeling different.  Cosy, a little sad, excited for the future, wanting to pack in everything all at once...

These past few days have been no different.  Lots to think about as we head in to the new year and I even made a video about it which will be going live on Christmas day.  I'm also really hoping to find time to create a flashback video for the past year, as I love those! Adore looking back on memories. Never been any different.  Before this digital era I would goto Boots to get my photos printed within an hour (I also used Truprint, do they still exist?) and I was overwhelmed to see the snaps we had taken.  Spending quite literally hours pouring over them again and again.  However,  I won't promise you or myself that this flashback to 2017 video will happen as there is uni work looming and it has to take some priority (as well as taking care of the family of course!).  Rest assured, I will be posting within a blog post if I can create it! 

What have I been doing these past few days?  Ok, it's been great actually.  Filling me with joy.  Just today, my beauty therapist said she can see my sparkle coming back! YES! That's definitely a want and need of mine.  That spark will be back in full swing in no time, this I know.  Being honest, I do wonder if the can of St Tropez mousse I used might have something to do with it.
Mum telling me, "You look really wishy washy." (whatever that means), prompted me to get out the ol fake tan and try and at least look like I don't have the toxic crohns thing going on.  (Still not been right since I was rushed to hospital recently but seeing Gasteroenterology next week- and no it doesn't just mean I poo lots - it's inflammatory.  Those who know, know but I will write a blog early in the new year all about Crohns over on my nutrition website.)

So back to it.  I went for  session at the garage to try and sort Nathans car. We had a sneaky breakfast on the way home at Frankie and Benny's and thankfully it was super busy with not quite enough staff.  So we had lots of time to chat which was absolutely lovely.  Putting the world to rites, discussing the future of him, me, us as a family and all that jazz.  

This frankie and bennys christmas straw made me grin :)

Jasmine and I spent some time car shopping at Audi.  This was an exciting thing to do.  

Driving to Tunbridge Wells through the trees reminded me of my wonderful times in Scotland and Wales. I love a good tree lane drive! While we were there I was tossing up between two cars and still remain undecided.  One was very pretty but Jas reminded me I was there to find something bigger to fit mums wheelchair in.  Hmm, true.  So I started looking at the Q range.  Loved the bells and whistles inside but I'm still crunching the numbers and Christmas kind of took over...

Teaching Jasmine the art of manifestation in the R8

Mum and I toddled off to church to the Christingle service which was amazing. I would talk about this more but I'm not sure this is the place.  Suffice to say the spiritual me sat up and remembered just how massive the entire universe is.  There is more out there than the little bit of stress in my bubble.

Taking the Christingle to the cemetery and trying to decorate in the same amazing way mum used to...

Visiting mums amazing friends I was overjoyed to make a new German Shepherd friend.  I used to have a German Shep.

I would say she was like this one but my baby was smaller and longer haired... anyhow, recently the friends had been organising Santa and the elves visits on a charity fundraiser for children with illnesses.  I'll find out the charity and report back to you but just look at this set up! Of course Santa isn't there now, he's off getting ready for the present drop during the big day.

Me looking tired but being bored with myself, adding a splash of colour to my hair. 

Days gone by.  Loved him then. Love him now. 

We will speak again soon my friends but for now, enjoy the build up to the big day

Love as always

Louise xoxo

December Vlogmas day 10 - heartbreaks and toothaches

Nerve pain shoots through my ear and eye socket like a bolt of lightning.  "arghhh" I mumble as Jasmine asks what's wrong.
I know I will have to bite the bullet and get an emergency dentist appointment.  Not afraid of much.  Quite  tough cookie. Not when it comes to being reclined in the dentist chair about to face a needle, a drill and some dental work.

But this hurts 

Other hurt fills my life this pre-christmas season this year as other life stuff bubbles to the surface after a long time waiting.  Personal life stuff I cannot get into but suffice to say the positivity of the law of attraction is testing me right now as I decide there are a few good things to always come from the bad stuff...
Which leads me nicely on to next year.  Usually I skip the resolutions as we fail to keep them.

Last year (well, it's still this year isn't it) I made none.  2018 will see me warm myself into jive again. I missed the me who dances.  Part of my dancing feet defines me.  Or rather my dancing feet define a part of me.  She has been MIA for oh so long.  She's coming back.

As long as I have been a student, I have wished to join the choir. I haven't managed it yet.  Promising myself I would at least get along to listen to the beautiful gospel of "Oh Happy Day" ring out through the beautiful painted chapel...sadly that night mum was unwell.

My time.  I must make some of my time.  Meanwhile, I will spend a few minutes looking over these videos and remembering Vlogmas days gone by...


When we put the decorations up in 2014 and I wore that orange jumper...

Then last year you can see me beginning to feel a little confused about my future...

Plus I got all dressed up and went to the Christmas ball this day 2 years ago! What a great night :)

Sending much love to you all, as always

Louise xoxo

;

December 2nd for the past 3 years... #vlogmas

As promised (sorry I'm a day behind but I guess that's kind of how Vlogmas works) here are the past 3 years of me on December 2nd creating a little vlog :)

Hope you enjoy these.  Are you a #vlogmas 'er? If you are please head over to my twitter to share your videos with me as I would love to Rt them for you and also to go have a good look at them myself :) 

2014

2015

2016

Also, do you want to see the one when I speak about the Yankee Candle Advent calendar?

How are your plans going for this Christmas?  Shops are crazy busy aren't they!!!

Much love

Louise xoxo

Love Journalling? You'll love Najowrimo

Journaling. Publicised like crazy and definitely a pastime that has won my heart. 

‘They’ say journalling is therapeutic. Spaghetti braining it’s way out of ones head and onto paper. 

Clarity. 

Helpful? Yes, I believe so. 

Reading back over my journals takes me to a place of familiarity. It sounds like my head yet seldom do I recall writing it. Enabling me to focus and grab a sense of what I should be doing, what I need to be doing on this complicated earth while floating and dodging my way through this thing called life. 



Are you with me?
Do you often wonder?
What if I did this instead?
What will happen if I go there instead?
What should I be doing with my life?
How do I know I’m in the right job/right partner/right country?
Am I destined for better things?
Is this you and your thoughts too?

Finding a little gem over on my Twitter, I realised there is a thing called Najowrimo. You may remember I participated in July. Journalling through July I loved reading back over my najowrimo journey. 
Excited, I realise this also happens in October 1st again for a month!

For me, there will become a time when I sense a need to publish my najowrimo in a book. For you, maybe the same, maybe not. Let me say this, you are likely writing the story of your life as well as someone else’s. Write to them. Solve their issue and your books will fly off the virtual shelves. 
Want to try it?

Find out more here. 
See the twitter folks.https://twitter.com/NaJoWriMo 
See my pages I have written before. 

Much love

Louise xoxo

My journaling month #najowrimo

This page sits empty as I attempt to edit and click on 'view'.

IT's empty?  That can't be.  I'm way too busy to be journalling, yet journalling is just the thing I want to be doing.  What is stopping me?  I'm a night mare.  How can it be that I am not logging the 500 words per day I had planned for myself.

Enough times I have been quoted on the internet that this is my passion, this is what I want to be doing with my life.  Writing.

Hash tag am writing.  #amwriting - everywhere. Yet am I?  Mentally yes!

So here we are with nothing more  than a title beginning on July 1st.

NaJoWriMo.  What does that mean? Some of you may remember last July I wrote a short novel in Nanowrimo which means national novel writing month.  NaJo is national journal writing month.  I love a bit of journalling.  From the pretty stationary isle right down to the actual brain dumping and turning into manifestations.  Gosh, I feel the flow now! It's July 10th (eek almost half way through the month) and I sit in a bar in Gran Canaria hotel with glasses chinking all around me and the sound of charleston type music with plenty of clarinet playing as the professional circus act happens on a tiny stage.  Clapping and cheers of hooray stemming from the audience which includes my amazing daughter and mum.  They are enjoying the show.  I'm happy here.  Not one for home sickness as such (I have wanderlust way too much) there are several things I miss about home.  Writing at my desk being one of those things.  The lighting of a candle carefully cradled by Buddha and of course my hairy companion shihtzu puppy (who's 8) called Harley.  He's always at my side loving me.

So as I type directly onto blogger here, I am unaware of how many words I type.  Not 500 that's for sure.  Yet I'm super keen to get this post uploaded.  Yet again there is so much I have to say.  So much.  

Even though I read back through my muse and I can see my words are flowing faster than my brain which is also flowing very fast.  Am I describing everything enough to you guys?  Mr NaJo says we should write for ourselves.  Yes, I agree, yet there are a few (not many) innermost secrets I will only write for myself personally, but I digress.

Someone on the internet who I follow, love and find inspiring just brought me down.  Watching a IG live broadcast she was explaining how hard it is to make a living online these days unless you succumb to multi level marketing.  Well there certainly is a place for MLM online I agree.  Yet I disagree with all else she is saying and comments like this need to be carefully edited as dreams can get shattered.  For me, and my health issues as well as having to take care of mum now, the only choice I really have is to work online which is handy as its also what I want to do with every beat of my heart.  That dream has never wavered.  Never.  Its even there when I sleep.  Hence, sitting in a bar, missing out on the 'professional show'  -I just can't help myself.  
Love writing. 

Writing loves me.
It flows.
I love it.  Do you love it?

Are you a reader?  Do you journal? I'd love your comments below...

So this lifestyle blogger who loves to create a good book, has promised herself that NaJoWriMo will be published.  July is a definite month to watch.  Holiday, house selling, clearance, more blogging and creating VLOGS to share with you.  
Are you with me through this crazy month of July?