Christmas is different now.

Christmas. 

Not what it used to be as a child. Crickey, Christmas even used to have its very own smell. Let alone a feeling to surround its aura. 


Who would get the biggest gift?
What would be on TV?
Would we be allowed to sit in the living room with the warm coal fire? Would we be sent to the cold hallway for bad behaviour?

Different. Not worse. 

This year, I've a job to do. Looking after mum. Keeping her tears few as she spends this Christmas without dad. First time in 50something years. 
First time I spend it with my loved one. Thankful of him surviving myocarditis. 

My babies are growing up. I sense the ease and quiet with which Christmas may be in future years as they spend times with their partners. Ease and quiet making this sound amazing. Yet who doesn't love chaos at Christmas?
There is certainly a new feeling this year without dad. I feel Christmas will never be the same again. 

Professor Brian Cox presents a show on TV which caught my eye. Speaking of the science of the universe. 

I remember. 

I'm a tiny dot in the universe. I can also be, do or have whatever I want. 
2017, hurry along now. I'm waiting.

Happy Boxing Day everyone

Much love

Louise xoxo

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London Concert at Christmas

Mentally writing blogs in my head is a luxury these days.

I missed you guys! How are you?  How are your Christmas plans?  There have been so many revelations in my life recently and it's all around this blog, this place I love.  Yes, I want to do more.
Since the template (face of the blog) has changed I love the new look.  I'm not sure all the features like your RSS feeds are working so well but I digress...

This has been a challenging few weeks at University with lots of work on.  You know, it's never quite so bad as you think it will be once you get going on these jobs you put off is it. Although it's not that I put things off, I just love working to the deadline.  Gives me a bit of a rush!  Last night I completed the last big one for this year.  Excited.

As you now, I lost Dad earlier this year and I have found it created a myriad of feelings that is so hard to put into words.
Surreal
Comforting
Heartbreaking

The list goes on.  Comforting because I have a strong sense of his peace.  Who wouldn't wish that for their loved ones?  Yet I know Christmas is going to be a challenge.  And I'm head of the house these days regarding my family.  I need to honour Dads memory,  remember him, still sing the silly songs we sang all while keeping the tears in check so Mum laughs with fondness and not a broken heart.  It's my job now to take care of her.  Of course, I love that.

Anyhow, we had a few tears, much laughter and a wonderful, amazing concert to get us in the Christmas mood.  The Royal Albert Hall was the host and the London Concert Orchestra were in residence accompanied by the AMAZING London Concert Choir.  I loved it.  So did Mum.

For the first time in I don't know how long, I felt like Christmas was going to be an exciting time! Mum enjoyed it too.

Prior to arriving at the concert, we spent time having a wonderful lunch, browsing Fortnum and Mason and watching the skaters in Somerset House. All so festive and beautiful.
The video of the day is below and I will forever watch this with a smile.  Love it.

I promise we will speak again before the big day on the 25th but meanwhile, much love

Louise xoxo

Are you too busy to stop?

Hungry.

Me, this lunchtime.

Crazy busy writing and more writing.  Not even the stuff I love.  No pretty pictures, very few paragraphs.  Yet write I must.  Two lab reports to submit; soon.

So, I worked until my stomach roared.  Fear of losing my momentum saw me carry on regardless.

Until I could wait no longer. I headed to Nandos.  My saviour.  Heading for the menu with a healthy head on, I grabbed chicken, sweet potato and avocado.  Delicious.  Then hurriedly I left onto the next crazy minded 'thing' that needed doing!

Ah it must only be the week before Christmas.  Stress and busy times.

My saviour?  Abraham Hicks and the guided meditations I have been listening to.  

Finding out this week that I am now able to add videos to a playlist on my youtube channel.  This is so exciting. As I find such videos I will be sharing them for you to enjoy.

Let's do this amazing life thing.  Can we?

Much love

Louise xoxo

ps...

I'm working on an amazing blog post for you guys.

I know you are going to love it.

Louise xoxo

Did 'the busy life' get you yet? Start PUTTING YOU first!

It's the most magical time of the year here in the UK.

Also known as one of the most stressful times.  How are you dealing with everything?

I'm up against 2 massive deadlines (hours and hours of scientific writing) and I have already completed 2 this week as well.  Literally ten minutes ago I was queuing for lunch, spotted the chicken legs and thought "I know, I'll get chicken and salad."
What happened?  I walked out with Snickers and diet coke.  Will that sustain me until I finish this evening at 9pm?  Unlikely.  Why oh why didn't I take half an hour out of my day to eat properly?

This hamster wheel does that to us.

Stops us putting us first.

Yet put us first we must.

You've heard those frequently used analogies of 'put your oxygen mask on before helping others'?  Well it's true isn't it. And apart from helping others, how about you deserve to be better?  Feel better? Sleep better? Achieve more.  Achieve the life of your dreams.  That's not going to come from working way too hard is it?  Take ten minutes tonight. Listen to this guided meditation.  It's free.  I love these.

I promise in the new year I will begin to make some guided meditations for you all.