This week my Word of the Week is: Lukewarm!! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

My week has been Lukewarm! Not scorching hot with excitement, not freezing cold with disaster, just lukewarm. The kind of week in the middle of everything where nothing amazing happened but nothing awful happened either. My mood has been a bit meh! I can’t even put my finger on why I’ve felt this way. In January I was full of motivation and everything seemed doable but now I feel like I am just coasting along. The weather hasn’t really helped either but it has been better than last week. A few more sunny spells and less rain.

It hasn’t been all doom and gloom. I did try a couple of new recipes. The Chicken Thigh Soup was a winner. Nothing beats a big, steaming bowl of soup on a chilly evening and on top of that, I started a new audiobook, The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary. I was only just Googling the author to double-check her name when I realised it had been a Channel 5 TV show a few years ago. Now I get to do one of those clever things that readers do, compare the book to the TV show and judge which was better and speaking of TV, I’ve really been getting into crime, thriller and mystery shows lately. Harlan Coben has a bunch of limited series on Netflix to keep me going for the foreseeable future. Although I did get a little confused when James Nesbitt popped up in two different series, playing two completely different characters. One was a father, the other a detective and for a split second I forgot what I was watching and thought I had missed something major.

Ellie had a little adventure this week. She tried something new, going to an open mic night. She wasn’t planning on performing herself, just going to support a friend but it turned into a bigger night out than expected. She told me they started inviting others to join while they were grabbing some food and next thing you know, it’s an evening full of surprises and lots of laughs. She came home after having an amazing time and I had a moment of being an old lady thinking rather her than me. I'd rather be home, PJs on and feet up. Becky is going to a concert soon and she’s just chilling with no rush and no panic about booking hotels or train tickets. I love that she is so calm but I can’t help thinking about how stressed I would be in her shoes. I’d have spreadsheets, plans and everything booked weeks ago!

This time next week Stu starts a week’s holiday from work and Ellie has half-term off college. We have absolutely no plans. Apart from Stu painting the dining room, which I know in my heart is going to turn into a let me take over because you’re being way too careful scenario. It's good that he takes his time but I will watch him and think I can do it quicker. I also know I’ll get frustrated because we’re spending precious free time doing a boring job instead of actually enjoying ourselves. I know the dining room needs painting but can’t it just wait a few more days while we do something fun.

So, that’s been my week. Lukewarm, a little bit of good, a little bit of meh and nice bits sprinkled in here and there. How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay to join in with her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 6. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I usually start writing this blog post mid-week and finish it off on a Thursday but this week I started on Sunday as I already had a couple of things that I loved and then I realised most of them were TV shows and movies, so this week's favourites has a theme. I am of course linking up with Erika and Andrea today to share the things which I have loved from the past week.

The Beast in Me - Netflix!

The Beast in Me is a psychological thriller about a grieving author, Aggie Wiggs who becomes obsessed with her new neighbour, Nile Jarvis, a wealthy mogul suspected of murdering his first wife, leading to a dangerous, seductive game of cat and mouse as she investigates him for a book while confronting her own inner darkness and loss.

I saw so many people recommend this and binged it over a couple of days. Part of what pulled me in was spotting Mike off Breaking Bad. His character in The Beast In Me gave off the same energy! It’s dark, tense, and one of those shows that quietly messes with your head while you’re watching it. It's not an easy watch, not one for everyone but if you enjoy Netflix thrillers, this one’s worth a go.

His and Hers - Netflix!

Two estranged spouses, one a detective and the other a news reporter, vie to solve a murder in which each believes the other is a prime suspect.

Another show where one of the lead characters pulled me in, Shayne off The Walking Dead! It’s one of those shows where you think you know what’s going on and then you don’t. It keeps flipping things around so you’re never fully on anyone’s side and I spent a lot of it talking to the TV screen saying, Yeah, I don’t trust you! The last 20 minutes were shocking and amazing! I did not see that ending coming at all!!

Responsible Child - Netflix

A British factual drama based on a true story that follows 12-year-old Ray, who stands trial for murdering his mother’s abusive boyfriend. The film explores the complexities of the UK legal system, questioning whether a child should be tried as an adult. It highlights the contrast between the brutal crime and Ray’s chaotic home life, exploring themes of abuse, trauma, and criminal responsibility.

I stuck Responsible Child on thinking I’d half-watch it and then suddenly I was fully invested and a bit emotionally wrecked. Watching a child be treated like a full-on adult in a legal system just felt wrong and I kept thinking how confusing and scary that must be when you’re that young. Everyone around him seemed so quick to decide who he was, like one bad moment cancelled out everything else about him. I kept asking myself what the right outcome even was and there wasn’t one that felt good. It’s not an easy watch but it’s one of those shows that makes you stop and think long after it’s finished.

Harlen Corban's Run Away - Netflix!

The drama follows investment banker Simon Greene as he frantically searches for his runaway, drug-addicted daughter, Paige. His investigation plunges him into a dangerous underworld, where dark secrets and violent truths threaten to shatter his seemingly perfect life. Along the way, Simon uncovers Paige’s hidden connections, including a mysterious young man named Aaron and confronts shocking revelations about his own family.

I was hooked, there were secrets, lies, twists everywhere! I thought I had it all figured out and then nope, totally wrong. James Nesbitt as the dad was a legend. He made you actually care about the mess his family was in! It’s dramatic, tense, it keeps you watching and even when it did get a bit confusing it was still fun! Ruth Jones is brilliant in it too. She makes you pay attention and every time she appeared I found myself thinking, she’s onto something here!

The Apprentice UK - BBC1

I’ve been watching The Apprentice again, it's in it's 20th year and still with Lord Alan Sugar fronting it. It’s like a social experiment where they lock a group of very confident people in a room and remove all common sense. It started with a task in Hong Kong where 20 new contestants were split into two teams and were sent out to grab nine items at bargain prices. A scavenger hunt of sorts and they got lost, couldn't find what they were looking for and struggled with negotiating. It of course made brilliant TV! I have no business knowledge or a fancy suit but know I could do better. Hehehe

Independence Day - Disney+

An alien race destroys major cities of the world with their advanced weaponry. However, a geek, a pilot, the US President and a group of ragtag survivors unite to save mankind from annihilation.

An oldie but a goodie! That film isn’t just a movie to me, it’s a full childhood memory! My brother somehow got his hands on a VHS copy right when it was still out at the cinema, which at the time felt very illegal. We watched it over and over until the tape went funny. I watched it over the weekend because I wanted something familiar and easy to watch but I don’t need the screen any more, I still almost know it word for word! Will Smith punching an alien, Welcome to Earth and dragging it through the desert is still amazing. Every time Bill Pullman starts that speech, my brain switches to autopilot and mouths along and Randy Quaid flying into the spaceship. Hello boys, I’m baaaack. It is unhinged but brilliant!

What have you loved over the last week?

365 Days Of Gratitude. In January I was grateful for...

I have seen many people on social media list something every day that they are grateful for and thought I would join in. I have done this for the whole of the last few years and it has really made me realise that even on bad days I have something to be grateful for.

January was a good month despite us all having a cold at some point in the month and it being freezing cold, mostly grey and with a lot of rain! I didn't feel like it dragged like it usually does as I kept myself busy with a few projects on the go. I decluttered a lot, cooked up some great meals and even fitted in some baking.

Day 1 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a long lie in and a lazy day! I needed it!

Day 2 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for leftover pizza! It always tastes better the next day!

Day 3 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful to order some Gousto Boxes for the next few weeks. We will be back to eating properly from Monday.

Day 4 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu fixed the radiator that wasn't giving out much heat. A bit of WD40, a few whacks and he managed to turn it up!

Day 5 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that we are back to normal life after Christmas! It was nice while it lasted but I do like our little routine.

Day 6 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that my wardrobe is looking a bit more organised after I had a big sort out.

Day 7 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a nice chat with my dad. Seems ages since we've had a proper catch up.

Day 8 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful we found a quicker bus on the way back to Hull from the hospital. It took us over an hour and a half to get there but got back in about 40 minutes!

Day 9 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for lunch at my dad's. I spent a good few hours with him and it was lovely.

Day 10 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a day in my fluffy, fleecy Pjs! It has been nice to stay inside and be cosy!

Day 11 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful I woke up early! I had planned on a lie in but couldn't get back to sleep so I had an extra couple of hours today to do nothing at all productive and it was fantastic!

Day 12 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for the Marmite Beef & Onion Pastry Pie which I made! It was the best pie ever! I don't usually like Marmite but it added a special something!

Day 13 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for days at home by myself so I can get little jobs done around the house. Oh and Stu leaving me the last portion of pie from last night, I had it for my lunch!

Day 14 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I am feeling a bit better. I have been full of cold but I am over the worst! Phew!

Day 15 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful Stu reminded me about The Traitors, I almost forgot to watch it. Eesh!

Day 16 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for the day spent with my girls.

Day 17 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Day 18 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that all the washing got done today! I'm betting tomorrow the basket will be overflowing again!

Day 19 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful that Stu and I had a nice meal out after running errands all day.

Day 20 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a day at home catching up on the jobs that I didn't do yesterday!

Day 21 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful Becky got all of her washing done! It took most of yesterday and all of today. Eek!

Day 22 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that everything was delivered with my food shop! Not one substitution or unavailable item! That rarely happens, the last time was months and months ago!

Day 23 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful to spend time with my brothers family.

Day 24 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for fresh colour on my hair! Bye, bye dark roots and grey hair!

Day 25 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a day spent in front of the TV! Caught up with the wrestling and then watched more of the older stuff! It was a proper lazy day!

Day 26 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu cooked tea and gave me a night off from the kitchen. He even washed the pots too!

Day 27 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I've found a new show to watch. Harlan Coben's Run Away off Netflix. I'm only a couple of episodes in but it's so good!

Day 28 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a bright, sunny day! It was still cold but I was so glad of no rain!

Day 29 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I could pop some emulsion paint on to the food shop order, Stu is planning to paint the dining room when his new desk arrives.

Day 30 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that the Asda delivery person realised she didn't give me all of my food order and came back an hour later with the crate of chilled food.

Day 31 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that the wrestling is live from Saudi so we can watch it at a sensible time!

What were you grateful for in January?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #41

I hope you are all having a good week. It's Wednesday, which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. The Winter Olympics kick off on Friday, February 6th...on a scale of 1-10 how excited are you? (1= eh and 10=watching every event all day every day). What's your favorite Winter Olympic sporting event?

I’d say I’m about a 5. I’ll watch it if it’s on but I’m not going to plan my day around it. My favourite to watch has to be figure skating, there’s something about the grace and drama that just pulls me in. I also like keeping an eye on the Jamaican bobsleigh team if only for a little Cool Runnings nostalgia. Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it’s bobsled time!

2. In other sporting news, the Superbowl (American football's championship game) will be played on Sunday, February 8th. So tell us...what's your superpower?

As a mum of two adult daughters, my superpower is knowing things without being told. I can hear a sigh through a closed door and instantly know someone’s had a bad day, whether someone’s hungry, or someone’s about to ask me for a favour but is warming up first. I can also sense drama before it’s even formed into words.

3. Are you a romantic?

I think I am but not in a big, dramatic way. I like romance but my fella and I aren’t that couple. We’re settled, we plod on and there’s no grand gestures but then every now and again, he’ll come home with flowers or chocolates, just because. I will do little things like make his favourite food, buy him his favourite snacks and not complain when he is watching football, even though I need his help with something. So I suppose I am a romantic, the kind that appreciates the small surprises and the thought behind them.

4. Blue cheese-yay or nay? How about feta? If you said yes to one or both, what's a dish you like that calls for one of these?

No to both! I’ve tried but the smell of blue cheese alone is enough to make me run for the hills and I know people love Feta but that tangy, crumbly stuff just isn’t for me. I am not a big cheese lover. I am sure I have mentioned it before, all cheese used to give me migraines but over the last 10 years I have realised I can eat mozzarella and cream and cottage cheese without any side effects so I don't push my luck with the rest.

5. What's more important-doing what you love or loving what you do?

I’d say loving what you do is more important. It’s about enjoying what you’re doing, no matter what it is. It’s not about chasing some big dream all the time, more about making the best of what’s in front of you. Enjoying the little bits, the small wins, the stuff you can control even if it’s not exactly your ultimate passion. That’s what makes it work.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We’re a few days into February and every year I forget just how much I like this month until it sneaks up on me. There’s Valentine’s Day with all the chocolate and little surprises even though I’m not exactly a hopeless romantic and then Pancake Day which is an excuse to eat syrupy, pancake goodness without feeling guilty. The days are starting to get longer too and suddenly winter doesn’t feel like it’s going to hang around forever. There are little hints of spring, maybe warmer days are on the way and life might not be all hats, scarves and gloomy skies for much longer.