by Dee | Sep 21, 2016 | Celebrity, Featured
Tuned into the news early this morning – why am I not surprised that yet another Hollywood ‘A’ lister couple are now filing for Divorce. Yes indeed, the extremely revered Brad and Angelina, aptly named Brangelina are now splitting up?
As someone who lived through a highly publicised acrimonious divorce with my own parents in the seventies, I can speak from experience that these things are never easy on the kids of the marriage. Like it or not, we all feel like pawns in the bigger game commandeered by lawyers, even more than the individuals themselves.
It has always baffles me how two people who swear undying love and will go to the end of the Earth for each other, when flaws appear in the relationship, the ‘other side of love’ becomes low and contemptable.
So in the case of Brangelina, we are looking at a couple who have had their own kids, adopted others from third world countries, and influenced a global generation with their strong political and social views on race and humanity.
It is true that the pressures of showbiz and being in the public eye places an unmanageable amount of stress on an ‘A’ list marriage, but how about the social responsibility to their followers who have in many cases nurtured their fandom and set store by the actions of their idols. Whatever the truth, there hasn’t seemed to be any build up to this announcement, or evidence that they have tried to save their flagging relationship prior to their decision.
I think we have all heard whispers of the eccentric behaviour of Angelina, with her own father announcing her as crazy after she carried round a vial of blood of her then husband Billy Bob Thornton. Rumours of affairs on both sides of the marriage, condoned by her, and her unusual toys for the kids, based on taxidermy and strange stuffed animals. She is now saying she is filing ‘for the health of the family’.
So when we hear that Brad has had a drink too many or a puff of marijuana, or even the occasional outburst of anger, the more discerning onlooker would label this far more ‘normal’ behaviour than his spouse.
But no doubt, we will wait with bated breath, and watch from the gallery as the stories unfold, and take sides which is the fashion in most divorces. The only difference is that we will be joining the Universal audience of millions, instead of a selective few as with most divorces.
The lawyers will be smacking their lips, as are the television channels across the Globe. I will be tuned in for sure as I am sure the majority of you will, just out of sheer fascination and downright curiosity.
Whatever the outcome, I bet someone has already secured the film rights. Hold on, it is probably Angelina.
by Dee | Sep 12, 2016 | Featured, General
So I have more news on Princess Milly my new golden Labrador puppy who is now eleven weeks old. All has gone really well, but of course any new animal has to be taught to work around your life, rather than theirs. But easier said than done!
I was slightly over confident in declaring that I had managed to potty train her within a week as she suddenly decided that she had found a very convenient ‘bathroom’ under the arch of my kitchen/diner.
I persisted in lifting her outdoors and giving her a stern word of reprimand, and I was tempted to rub her nose in it as had been advised by an elderly relative, but when I tried this outmoded strategy, she just thought I was playing, and so decided not to pursue it. But when the pattern continued for a few days – I visited my friendly contact at the local pet shop who recommended a spray to mute the smell that was encouraging her, as she had now decided that this was the place to go.
This worked I am pleased to report, although we have had a few more accidents since, but more out of excitement than bad behaviour.
I have also made a few more visits to Pets at Home, just to acquire some more toys to distract her from biting my feet or chewing inappropriate objects!
One that I would really recommend is a Kong, available from £4 from http://www.petsathome.com which is a hollow toy that you can fill with her favourite treats, and will keep them occupied for hours, especially if frozen overnight – also good when they are teething. Yes, a result, and one that lessened the guilt of putting her in her cage to enable me to work or eat. Otherwise It is can be as tiring as having a toddler!
Also, once you decide on what brand of food is best for your pocket and your pet, you could add to their diet some uncooked meat bones, which they will relish and will again keep them occupied for ages.
The other decision you have to make – are you going to allow your pet to sleep in your room or on your bed? This has to be your decision, and I have opted to put her cage by my bed so that she doesn’t feel lonely as I mentioned recently! Other friends have opted to allow their dogs to sleep on the bed, with their own blanket to create their own area.
My compromise has worked well, especially after the first couple of nights, a bit like leaving a baby to cry!! But it is slightly easier if you know that their initial ‘cries’ are just to get attention, if you have fed and watered them and they have had a recent bathroom break. So please heed my advice, and don’t give in as they will quickly adapt.
A friend recently acquired a puppy and couldn’t cope after three days and sent him back to the breeders, having decided that it was too much like hard work. I sympathise, but was slightly perplexed that he hadn’t done his homework before deciding to go ahead – as it is a major commitment, and one that you should take seriously.
The main thing to remember is, if you stick to your guns you will reap the benefit in a matter of weeks, and make pet ownership a pleasure rather than a chore, and having your new little friend by your side completely worthwhile.
by Dee | Sep 6, 2016 | Featured, General
We have seen in recent years a rise in publicity surrounding women applying for courses and jobs in roles formerly dominated by men.
But more than seventy years ago, a multitude of women were in fact employed as part of the workforce in the reconstruction of Waterloo Bridge. Not to mention our own Royal Family during the war – the two Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret contributing to the home work force with their much publicised car mechanic abilities.
So why are we acting as if we invented the wheel? The fact is women are now more aware of the prejudices surrounding their gender and parental status. It was actually printed in The Times recently the list of female politicians who are childless. Why is this of any significance in this age of Women Presidents, Prime Ministers and Leaders. Why were men excluded from this statistic?
It is still a fact that we are still archaic in our perception of women and our capabilities. I attended a conference recently entitled ‘Inspirational Women’ and was astounded that it was opened by an American Middle Class White Man, who kicked off the debate by saying that he was a key supporter within his International Billion Dollar Organisation, of women in Senior and Male Dominated roles. Reason being that many women were in fact more equipped than men in many instances, in the Boardroom, in Human Resources incidents and general work/lifestyle balance. So without sounding gender specific, perhaps being able to multi-task more than men and other fundamental differences.
This had apparently been the case in his particular Organisation since the fifties, when it advertised for employees of ‘any gender or colour’ – which would seem incredibly unacceptable these days, but then was ahead of its time.
As a result they embraced the concept of a large number of female employees from the outset, and they feel their diversity is a huge contribution to their success.
Many women decide not to have children, and in some cases are attacked for their ‘unnatural’ feelings of anti-motherhood. A very close friend of mine was sterilized many years ago at the age of 28 and was ostracised from one group of women, saying that she needed psychiatric help. The fact is, she simply did not want kids, and has not had one moment of regret since – she has in fact had a fulfilling twenty years pursuing her own career opportunities, and enjoying her nieces and nephews without any of the responsibilities, a decision she felt right for her.
I am quite sure we still have a long way to go into realising this outmoded perception of women – in spite of the recent awareness raising campaigns.
This is evident by the amount of women giving up their career mid stream – on average around the age of 35 – due to lack of support after having children. Many are still victimised after giving birth, even being made redundant without good reason. This means that ultimately we are in a ‘no win’ situation where work and kids are concerned, so we are dammed if we do and screwed if we don’t.
A recent case which got to court, was an employee of a well-known Estate Agent – a female who was a top performer and expert in property sales, who was served notice only six weeks after returning to work from Maternity leave. She won her case, but how many women just get out and shut up with an out of court settlement, not wanting to go through the hassle of fighting their case.
But one thing for sure, women are a tough breed, and we will not be fazed by an archaic rulebook still run by a disillusioned clique of male misogynists.
I rest my case, and would like to hear from you if you have had a similar experience of any of the above issues in the work place.
