Saturday, November 17, 2012

Reluctant Earth Mama

Today I found myself in the kitchen whipping up a dairy free milk substitute (here's the recipe from Quirky Jo) whilst breast feeding the baby who is in her sling. Very Earth Mama. I didn't sign on for this though. It looks like I am the latest victim of dairy intolerance. Did you know that intolerances often pop up post partum? I did not. I am not pleased. It may be something to do with the immune system recalibrating after being suppressed during gestation. 
This is grim news for me. I was so delighted I could now eat the gorgeous local soft cheeses I had been denying myself whilst pregnant.Baby is windy when I do and I really don't feel good either. Maybe after two weeks there will be no difference and I will go back on the dairy but in the mean time I am eliminating it. I already know I can't deal with most soy. So making my own substitutes is where it is at. 

Breastfeeding the baby who hates to be away from (reluctant Earth) Mama was something that had to be done to get some peace whilst I faffed in the kitchen. Kitchen faffing is extremely hard to do successfully with screaming children about. 
Cute right? hmmmmm

My four year old is a free spirit at the moment, if by free spirit you mean he doesn't like to wear knickers, wipe his bum, have his shoes on the right feet and touches everything he sees even if it is on the ground and disgusting. Especially if it is on the ground and disgusting. Most notable today was the rotting remains of a rat. Funnily enough I carry a little bottle of germ warfare handrub and some wet wipes everywhere now. I may have to start with a full hazmat suit!

Ah the umm joys (?) of parenthood or something.....

Friday, November 16, 2012

Review: e-Book Kris Emery- Freelance Your Heart Out




I thought that this would be a good e-book to review for people who read my blog as it is aimed at entrepeneurial types, those who like to save money, make do and I think a few readers are aspirational writers/freelancers as I am myself . Well, let's be frank about me- I am a bit a of a dreamer who hasn't made a real go at it...yet. Kris Emery has though and she is freelancing through transcribing editing and writing which make use of her existing skills and qualifications. Although my writing dreams have not yet been realised I have started my own business and after 4 years am still running it so I know a little of the hard work involved in being your own boss!

Many how to books don't tell you how to, they more give you vague and nebulous ideas about how to. Kris Emery pulls no punches and lets the reader know how she does what she does through 25 lessons she has learned about freelancing. Some of the lessons have been learned the hard way and Kris tells us where she went wrong so we aren't doomed to repeat them! There are some great specific tips and pointers that would be really useful for those wanting to work as a freelancer as well.

I think we all tend to romanticise working for ourselves, but in truth it's hard work and it can be harder than you imagine. Kris Emery delivers a cold hard dose of conversational reality packaged in an easy to read e-format. If you are thinking of striking it out on your own do read this e-book and take on board the advice Kris has- if you don't like the advice it is worth considering if freelancing is right for you right now.
I found this a valuable book packed with great advice (especially lesson #25)

Kris Emery Freelance Your Heart Out can be found at www.krisemery.com and you can follow her on Twitter @kxecomms.