They say everything comes to those who wait…

But how long? I hear Marion call. Well, the good news is that the WiFi is up and running, with the misspelling of the user name on the hub rectified, and responsibility accepted by the supplier.  The email was a game in itself, but has eventually been resolved. I’ll leave Marion to tell you the full story when you pop in. It’s a hoot.

The kitchen is being stripped out on 1^st September and refitted on Friday 2^nd.

Natural Oak doors /Turkish Marble worktops. Crockery free to anyone who wants it
And clever Bob – he with the red trainers  (BTW, as editor of Frost I felt I too must have a pir of red trainers,so I will be NOTICED, Could I find a pair?) But back to Bob, who has passed an on-line PAT training course; Marion tell us ‘I am looking forward to hiring him out. ‘    ‘Bagsy me,’ said I. Marion insisted she was  only kidding. Huh.   Equipment ordered and delivery due any minute. 

Even with the turmoil of the  refurbishment, the classes continue, and brilliant news- Marion has had so many booking enquiries going forward into June 2023 she has had to buy a 2023 diary. Marion also met with Laura Bains from Equans to discuss the centre hosting a week-long training programme. Oh Laura, were you ‘had’? Yes, of course, you were,  for lo and behold Marion managed to negotiate the decoration of the computer room, benches installed, along with wall cupboards, as payment for the room hire.

Marion also told us: ‘Let’s not forget ‘Wind Chime making day’ with MBC Arts Wellbeing and happy smiling children. They are due to return on Friday with their creative work.’ So we’ll see the finished work on Frost Magazine. Hurrah, the doors have returned, though people have been enjoying the air conditioning in this hot summer. How lucky they have been  are with the weather, and though it has been relatively quiet, Marion said, ‘ Hang onto your hats folks we are about to take off because, our home is is very much on the way to being our pride and joy.’  We will hear more as this week closes.

Of courses, the Bingo ladies had cake – calorie free, though Linda won’t confirm. Last Friday of the month is Coffee morning and a good old natter. Hamper Raffle took place at the coffee morning berfore bank holiday and  fabulous news, it has been announced that the Hampers made £190 in donations, and the committee  thank every single one of you who supported the Ukraine appeal and a special thank you to Yvonne who donated £40, making a grand total £230.

Friday afternoon the Centre hosted  another ceramic class then the doors were firmly shut, and all headed off for the long weekend – to take a breath, recharge,and be ready for a new week at the Columbia Community Association. Can’t wait to hear how it’s going. 

Of all our senses, the ability to smell is possibly the most underrated. We all know that lavender and chamomile can help us sleep, but there’s a whole battery of essential oils and other fragrant plant extracts which can benefit us in so many ways. Ancient medical systems, such as Ayurveda recognize these powers on our mood and mental health and use essential oils in treatments.

As with all products which we plan to inhale or put on our skin, quality is so important, as a significant amount will end up inside our bodies – so I was so glad to discover Made By Coopers – created by Clare and Darren Cooper. Clare had suffered for years with anxiety disorders and when they visited an Ayurvedic centre in Kerala they were inspired to learn about the therapeutic powers of the different plants used there.

Eager to share with others, using the knowledge they’d acquired, they started producing fabulous products, ranging from Atmospheric Mists and candles to skincare products and a special sleep range. Each product has an aromatherapy element to it: Calming, Balancing, Uplifting, Energising and Passion. They follow the Ayurvedic philosophy to treat the body as a whole and they believe in ‘to nourish the skin, nourish the mind’.

All their products use nutrient-rich plant oils, therapeutic grade essential oils, flower water (hydrolats) and botanical actives, and are 100% free from parabens, SLSs, mineral oil, sulfates, artificial colours and synthetic fragrances.

I love the Happy Room Spray, with Lime essential oils for upliftment, Basil for Energy and Stress-relief, and Clementine for Mental Clarity and Mood. At £16.50 for 100ml this instantly relaxes and raises your spirits.

But there’s much more on the website – do take a look, and follow them on social media (links below)

https://www.instagram.com/madebycoopers/ 

https://www.facebook.com/madebycoopers

https://twitter.com/madebycoopers 

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/madebycoopers/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/madebycoopers/ 

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

1. IRunning your own business can be very rewarding, but it’s also very difficult, especially regarding legal concerns. For example, if you’re not careful, you might accidentally miss important tax requirements or could even be unknowingly breaking the law by not having insurance.

The law defines a self-employed person as one who does business as an independent contractor. In other words, while you might work with companies, you are the “owner” of your services or product. But because you’re a business owner, you need to follow specific guidelines, some of which can be confusing.

This post will explore the frequent legal problems self-employed workers face and a few ways you can protect yourself from them.

Common Self-Employment Legal Issues

You need to be careful of multiple legal aspects when running your own business. These include:

• Property damage
• Client disputes
• Injuries
• Incorrect tax information

6 Tips to Protect Yourself

1. Get Insured

One of the best ways to provide protection for your business is to invest in insurance. This gives you financial support should there be a job injury, property damages, or disputes. In addition, many states will actually require you to get insurance if you plan to hire or work with others.

You’ll find that there are a handful of different insurance types self-employed businesses can invest in. These include:

• General liability
• Errors and omissions
• Workers’ compensation
• Property
• Auto

If you’re not sure what you need, contact an insurance provider. They’ll ask a few questions about your business and guide you toward the best option for your needs. You could also see if an online quote is available. With it, you can type in some general financial and business information to get an average price of what you must pay.

2. Register Your Business

Unfortunately, starting a company isn’t as simple as just getting the necessary materials and opening up. First, you must ensure that your business is registered locally to operate legally.

There are five main business entities you can register under:

• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Sole proprietorship
• Partnership
• Corporation
• S Corporation

These each have their pros and cons, so it’s crucial to research them carefully. For instance, an LLC is easy to begin, but there are strict tax rules, especially if you’re not careful with separating your business finances from your personal ones.

3. Study Tax Requirements

Trying to comprehend self-employment taxes can be extremely tricky. Unfortunately, many make the mistake of not thoroughly examining what’s required for certain businesses and understanding potential tax breaks.

One of the biggest tax regulations to pay attention to is the self-employment tax. This goes toward your Social Security and Medicare. In most cases, this rate is around 15.3%. All companies take this tax out of their employees’ paycheck, so it’s not always noticed, but because you’re self-employed, you’ll have to set aside some of your income for it.

The main tax form most will need to fill out is a 1040, which calculates and documents your yearly income tax. Remember that if your business made less than $400, you wouldn’t need to pay taxes no matter what your career is.

For companies with a partnership, there are other tax requirements. While an income tax isn’t always necessary for it, you must file your taxes regardless. Each partner must then include their income profit or loss on their personal tax return.

If you want to stay on top of things, consider sending in quarterly payments. You’ll send in a certain amount (based on your previous taxes or an estimate) to the IRS every three months. This will go toward your yearly tax requirements and prevents you from needing to pay a large amount at the end of the year.

4. Keep Track of Expenses

You must carefully document your expenses for tax purposes (especially for deductions) and to keep yourself organized and protected should there be an issue. Keeping receipts can protect you from potential fees or legal issues if something seems amiss on your taxes.

5. Watch Email Regulation Rules

Some self-employed businesses forget to follow email regulations, especially for marketing purposes. While the U.S. allows companies to send marketing emails, there are guidelines you need to follow via the CAN-SPAM Act, such as having an unsubscribe option. You could face heavy consequences if you don’t research and enact these rules.

6. Meet with a Lawyer

If you’re still unsure whether you’re doing your taxes correctly or just want to double-check things, it might be beneficial to hire a business lawyer. They can guide you around potential legal issues and verify your business follows the right regulations.

You need to be aware of many legal aspects if you’re self-employed. With these tips, you can better understand legal complexities, so your business succeeds.

Marion is thrilled with the  beautiful red roses, gifted to her by Sister Scholastica, and on that note, there are bound to be  knitters amongst you, Sister Mary’s sent her hat pattern (for the Seaman) which is on the CCA social media pages at copies are available at the Centre. As the evenings are drawing in,  I think Frost Magazine  will be hearing  the click of needles any minute now. More school uniforms have arrived, and will be collected by Equans. Was there ever such a smooth running operation courtsey of the CCA. But that’s not all, a freezer has been donated and so it goes on.  And, wonderfully, amidst all the mayhem still the groups arrive

The dancers are strutting their stuff,  Fat quarters  and  Shake that Boogey too.
Marion tells Frost Magazine that  ”Him indoors’ Bob, has put up a book stand in the office for the community to come along and browse the Margaret Graham books amongst others. Margaret is ‘our very own Brady Square lass and my friend.’  Which pleases Margaret, Frost Magazine’s editor, enormously.

During the week the CCA hosted a new programme of training with MBC Art Wellbeing which delivers free activities for children. This programme is funded for the next year, particularly during school holidays,which thrills Marion and the committee  Pottery class was the kick off activity and I daresay Marion got stuck in.  Roll on the 24^th and the making of Wind Chimes

Is that it for Week 4? Don’t be silly. Another friend of Marion’s is to visit to discuss delivering some First Aid training for all. and says Marion, ‘A little tea party was held  for two of our regulars, Sandra Noble and Ray Turnbull, both celebrating their birthdays (ages undisclosed!) Cake flowed in abundance. Refurb, what refurb who needs doors, thingamabobs or thingamajigs when you are having a great time.’ Frost Magazine, who love a bit of a ‘do’  has to agree.

And so exciting. The CCA should now be ‘live’ online, and soon there will be an email address. and everyone was on their marks waiting for the Asbestos check. Would hoards of men in white coats? No, to Marion’s intense pleasure it was a handsome young man named Chris who arrived. (Lord the woman’s so easy) She says, ‘That’s two handsome young men in my life today as my grandson Daniel has just arrived from Texas and the doors are back!! Hurrah hurrah. (will need priming and painting, but they have come home)

Another grand end to the week!’

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Margaret Graham is an author, tutor, editor of Frost Magazine and grumpy when it’s too hot,. She just loves the fish and chips at the Washington Arms  near the green in Washington Village. Yep, got it, Margaret is greedy.

Nowadays, more people are going on luxury holidays. In fact, Yahoo Finance reveals that the global luxury travel market is predicted to reach $965.8 billion (£803.2 billion) this year. It’s also expected to reach $163 trillion (£135.5 trillion) by 2027. Driving this growth are several reasons including the increased interest in luxury trips, rising millennial spending, and tourism developments. Additionally, luxury holidays offer an elevated experience with minimum dissatisfaction and maximum comfort.

If you’re planning to go on a luxury holiday of your own, then you’re going to need to prepare for it. With that said, here’s how to prepare for your first luxury holiday:

Pick your ideal luxury tour

First, determine the type of tour you want. Two of the most popular options are luxury rail and sea tours. For those who want to tour a whole country in five-star luxury, the Transcantabrico sleeper train takes passengers on an 8-day tour from Spain’s historic Santiago de Compostela to Leon. The train includes reservations at some of the country’s best restaurants, as well as luxurious suites, jacuzzi ensuite bathrooms, and vintage dining cars onboard.

For those who prefer to travel by boat, Explora Journeys highlights how luxury sea voyages can expand your horizons by providing you with a holistic well-being experience, exposing you to diverse culinary riches, and amazing leisure activities. For instance, their Caribbean tour will take you through the different islands in the region, exposing you to various cultures and cuisines. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can even go on a helicopter tour to view gorgeous sights from above, such as the reefs and clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

After choosing the type of luxury tour you want to go on, then you can proceed with the other steps, as these will revolve around your decision.

Make early reservations

Establishments in luxury destinations are hard to book due to their popularity. Case in point: the Michelin-star restaurant Noma in Denmark is always fully booked, especially after being named the world’s top restaurant in 2021. Their menu focuses on unique seasonal ingredients, so it’s always a different experience every visit. Another example is the 3 Michelin Star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Spain, where you can only book on the 1st of each month at 12 midnight on their website.

As soon as you’ve picked your tour type, book reservations for everything—including hotels, restaurants, and activities—immediately. You’ll make the most out of your first luxury trip by securing the best food and experiences.

Prepare a luxury travel itinerary

Now that everything is set, it’s time to map out the trip. Because this is your first luxury holiday, it’s best to follow a plan to make the most out of it. Start your itinerary planning by listing your departure date and time, the reservations you made, and the date of your trip’s end. Then, this is when you can insert any activities in between, like a day trip to Sicily or a shopping spree in Paris. By creating an itinerary, you will be prepared to do as much (or as little!) as you want to make your first luxury holiday one to remember.

Alternatively, you can book a dedicated tour package if you want to do away with the stress of planning where you need to go. Just make sure that your tour gives you ample free time in between schedules to explore the destinations on your own time, letting you experience everything your destination has to offer.

Acquire travel insurance

Anything can happen on your first luxury trip, including accidents or sudden hospital visits. We at Frost Magazine acknowledge the importance of travel insurance, as this will safeguard you during the trip. Contact your insurance company to inquire about travel insurance. Make sure it includes any medical expenses acquired abroad, personal injuries and accidents, and cover for lost baggage. Another is cover for getting home should you be unable to complete the trip for health reasons.

Getting travel insurance gives you peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your first luxury trip without any worries.


Going on your first luxury trip should be comfortable and relaxing. With these preparation tips, may your next luxury holiday be one for the books!

Sleep is an elusive thing when you become a parent. Anything that can result in a good nights sleep is worth a try. Glow Dreaming is a smart idea. A humidifier and sleep light, it also has pink noise, and releases aromatherapy. It is so clever and innovative. It is also stylish and looks great in your child’s room.

I love Glow Dreaming. It is easy-to-use. I think it is a wonderful idea for babies and children. I think it will result in many good nights for both parents and little ones. Very impressive and I recommend it.

Most parents will know the stress of having a baby or child that won’t sleep – it can be an extremely emotionally and physically draining time for the whole family.  However a new 5-in-1 sleep aid that helps babies and children to nod off in a matter of minutes is now being hailed as a ‘godsend’ by weary parents. Within months of launching the product had sold out and  has now been snapped up by more than 200,000 families in Australia and across the world.