Monday, 18 May 2015

50 Things That Make Me Happy

 
The lovely Leanne of A Slice of My Life Wales tagged me in a post 50 Things That Make Me Happy a few days ago. I've been on a bit of a downer the last few weeks (major understatement), but we ended last week on a happier note so here's a cheerier start to this week! 
So here are 50 things that make me smile.


 
  1. Cuddles with my man
  2. Our girls being happy
  3. Our dogs
  4. Our cat
  5. Hydrangeas
  6. Perfume
  7. Nashville (the TV programme)
  8. Period dramas (Downton, I'm looking at you)
  9. Going to the gym
  10. New Shoes
  11. Paris
  12. Beach holidays
  13. Walking the dogs in the country
  14. Getting home to my man on a Friday night
  15. Getting lost in a book
  16. Prosecco
  17. Completing a project
  18. Building my business
  19. A successful blog post
  20. Bath Spa with my man
  21. Motorsport (it takes up a huge part of our lives)
  22. Music
  23. A bubble bath after a long day
  24. A good nights sleep
  25. Yankee candles





     
  26. A good make up day
  27. Museum events / launch nights
  28. History
  29. Out bunnies 
  30. A day without meltdowns and bickering
  31. Helping people
  32. Date nights
  33. Log fires
  34. Healthy eating
  35. A tidy house
  36. Making lists and completing them
  37. Hot chocolate with marshmallows
  38. Quite days at home
  39. Friends
  40. Clean sheets
  41. Apple crumble and custard
  42. Stationery
  43. Photos
  44. Handbags
  45. A good film
  46. Thai food
  47. Smoothies
  48. Planning our future
  49. Chocolate brownies
  50. This guy......
  51.  


     
    What things make you happy?
    Amy
    xx
     

Saturday, 9 May 2015

Weekend Words


I love pinning quotes on Pinterest, I have a board devoted to them and they are my go-to when I'm needing some inspiration or a pick me up. Each Saturday I will be sharing one from my ever growing selection! Please feel free to check out my 'Quotes Board'.


Amy
xx

Thursday, 7 May 2015

Creating a Legacy



This morning my twelve year old daughter asked me if I'd decided who I was voting for and if so which party it would be? Whether I was going to vote or not didn't enter her head, of course I would be. Even as late as this morning however, I wasn't 100% sure. It was a choice between two parties but who would I put the cross next to on the ballot paper?
 
I've read the manifestos and re-read the two that I was torn between, I don't do things by halves and am determined that my vote will count. I am lucky enough to work in an environment where everyone is working towards gender equality and I have access to the latest research on women's issues in Wales and the UK. I spent yesterday lunchtime at the Senedd, the home of the Welsh Assembly, where WEN Wales launched their briefings on Women's Equality Now: The Position in Wales Today, which covers issues such as unpaid care, diversity, economic violence and devolution. Women are disproportionately affected by unpaid caring roles which impacts on their education, health and employment. There are more women in poverty than men and childcare and welfare cuts have plummeted more women into poverty. Although the Welsh Assembly was the first devolved government to achieve a 50/50 gender balance representation women account for just over 30% of public appointments.
 
Athelstan Holt's photo.
 
Women are still marginalised throughout Britain and disproportionately affected by government policy - surely that is a an area that us, as women can all relate to? It is believed that 9 million women didn't vote in the last election. That's 9 million voices that were not heard or counted. I for one do not want my daughters or their daughters growing up in a country where she is disadvantaged in life because of her gender. You CAN make a difference. WEN Wales asked all the parties in Wales three questions relating to their policies on women's issues and you can read their answers here. If you are still unsure of who to vote for or whether to vote at all, I'd urge you to read and consider which party you think has our interests as women best represented.
 
My great - grandmother didn't have her say, she was legally silenced and it was her generation that fought this injustice , some like Emily Wilding Davison with their lives, for our right as women to have a voice and a say on how our country is governed. This may sound like my 'Women's / Social historian' head speaking but I take their sacrifice and my ability to vote very seriously.
 
So, how did I answer my daughter's question this morning? I told her that I wouldn't be telling her who I was voting for and that wasn't me being unfair. One of the greatest things I can do and the best legacy to those women who fought for our right to vote, is to raise our girls to be politically confident and educated women. Not to influence them with our political beliefs but to encourage them to explore policies and parties themselves, develop their own beliefs and take the opportunity to let their own voice be heard.
 
If you do just one thing today, please vote. Lets make sure that those 9 million lost voices of the last election are heard loud and clear today.
 
Amy
xx
 
photos from those shared on Facebook, if source is known please let me know and I'll happily credit them.