So how was your Christmas?
Peaceful, restful, happy? I do hope so. Here, well we were together again, that was good. And Grandma joined us for the day – I am so lucky to have such a lovely mother-in-law – she did not come into the kitchen once – now if only her son could manage the same So we had our turkey feast and lit the pudding to plenty of ooohs (I overdid the brandy, but managed to not set fire to anything else – an achievement in itself ). And then just chilled together – Grandma teaching her grand-daughter cats cradle (the best present) and no television until gone 6. And the least number of electronic presents in many years; this was a lean year but it also was the best. Lots of brilliant books and games and hobbies – quite wonderful. Even...
Read MoreIt’s not just you…
Thankfully, in this day of seeming ubiquitous connectivity, to not know how a person is at any one moment in time (or so it seems, with some) is almost impossible. Indeed for some people, if we don't know how they are then we do know something is wrong (even if simply with their iPhone!) ;-)
In olden times (when I was a girl) people would need to make an effort to find out, whether with a phone call or popping in on a person (we did more of that then, but then we needed to). So if we were feeling particularly low and times were a bit tough for whatever reason - health, family, money, mood - it would not necessarily be common knowledge. Now all it takes is a quick tweet or Facebook update and our online chums know how we are...
Sometimes…
Sometimes it takes another’s demise to understand how short life is. Sometimes we just get that wake up call ourselves and realise that we spend too much of our own lives on things that neither make us or anyone else happy. Last week Steve Jobs died, and while, indeed, millions of people die every day (don’t quote me on that number) who had far less of a chance to really live the live they’d choose, it did stop me in my tracks somewhat, especially when combined with something significant in my own life; my time has come to stop. Stop everything and take a very thorough look at the results of what I do with my time. Do I share it with those I love, do I work at making this a better place in any way? Are the people I’m giving to then going...
Read MoreJoin in with the International Day of Compassion – Bloggers Unite
In honour of the incredible, wonderful Patch Adams MD, bloggers will unite on 15th May 2011. And of course Brazen Pollyanna will join in – how could we not! How about you? Will you join the celebration of this amazing man who dedicates his life to the belief “that laughter, joy and creativity are an integral part of the healing process”? You are very welcome to add your posts here – send an email to hello@barbarasaul.com with some detail and we’ll add you to our schedule for the day, or if you include a post on your own blog we’d love to link to it and show that this corner of the world appreciates and celebrates kindness wherever it may flourish. Join in – go on, you know you...
Read MoreAre You Happy?
Before moving into our new home, bringing the family together again (bit of a tale, not sure it’s for Brazen Pollyanna), I ordered this poster. You see my default setting is happy, and my husband’s is not. But that is up to him, no-one else can make him happy, but I thought that perhaps having this perfect poster in full view might help him out. It took some doing for the designer to get it to market and it comes across from the US. I love it and now just have to sort out a frame – probably just a simple glass one for now – and put it up. I wonder if we can persuade the wonderful designers, Alex Koplin and David Meiklejohn, to allow...
Read MoreTake the day off
When was the last time you had a whole day off – that includes offline! This morning I read Jemima Kiss’s great article “How I kicked the digital habit” and as I was sharing that on Facebook the whole I run a business that hosts other people’s websites and feel the need to keep an eye on emails during every day – mainly in case of any hosting issues. What I should instead do is have a firm procedure that does not require me to be constantly watching. Indeed I can’t remember the last time there was an emergency that needed my immediate attention – and that is rarely for a paying customer (let’s not go there today). My husband is the same but for him it’s his Blackberry – every day is peppered with...
Read MoreSunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows…
Today is my girl’s 8th birthday – how did that happen? It seems now that with each month we become closer; we fight hard too – I’ve come to realise that I also had/have her amazing spirit and can see that we are quite alike, and we love each other utterly. It will be interesting to see the adult that can result from being so loved, having the self-confidence that such love can surely engender. My Daisy looks at me askew when I say she can do anything. One part of her brain considering how to manipulate that statement for immediate gain, another wondering what on earth I’m on about because of course she can. This is a child who not only believes in fairies but visits them nightly in fairy land. Oh the imagination (or who am I to say...
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