The Highs and Lows of 2021.

Can you believe we are here in 2022? To be honest after writing the highs and lows of 2020 I was majorly worried about catching Covid. I of course was and have been keeping myself and my family safe but over the last year and a half we have lost friends and family to the virus and the people who have died were healthier and fitter than I was/am. I'm still here though, Stu, my girls, my dad and his partner are here too and now that is all that matters.

For the last few years I have done this tag on recapping the last year! I think I originally got it from Woman on Thin Ice at the end of 2017 and I think it is a great way to remember the year. There has been years where not much happened like in 2018, 2019 was all about us starting a new life in Scunthorpe and 2020, what a year! The year of lockdowns, home learning and lots of worry!

1. What was your happiest event?

I don't think there was just one thing which made me happy last year it was more little things but I think the biggest thing that I am celebrating is that we got through the year without catching Covid! Go us! I'd like to say it's because we have been superstars at keeping ourselves safe but I think it really is just luck at the moment. I feel like we've dodged the bullet several times and it scares me.

2. What was the saddest thing to happen?

My great Aunt passing away. It was expected but it still wasn't nice. It was expected because she was nearly 90 years old, suffered from COPD and spent all of the last 18 months alone because of Covid which really wore her down. She was so happy that Covid didn't kill her, it was just a chest infection. Just a chest infection, after a fall and an operation which she wasn't meant to survive. 

3. What was the most unlikely thing to happen that actually went ahead and did?

Becky getting the job of her dreams. Since Becky got into doing health and social care at school she has always said that she wants to work in a care home with people of all ages not just elderly and her dream came true, she got a job in a care home with a right mix of residents and a big bonus it is on our doorstep, well a 10 minute walk away. Potentially it could be a job for life. She is working part time at the moment and her employers have already asked if she would like a full time job when she has finished college, she of course said yes. The other unlikely thing to happen is Becky working night shifts. She's a girl who likes her sleep and when she was on day shift found it such a struggle to get up at 6am. She's a person who can sleep anywhere at anytime so night shifts were no problem for her. I am so proud of her!

4. Who let you down?

Nobody really. I have had little gripes with people but nothing major.

5. Who supported you?

My dad! In 2020 it was all about people who supported us while my dad was ill with Covid but last year it has all been about my dad. I think Covid gave him a scare and he has really been there for me and my family. He always was before but this year he has gone above and beyond. He really is the best dad, my girls might disagree but I couldn't ask for more.

6. Tell us what you learned?

Home learning is hard, really hard! When we first did home learning in 2020 it was a breeze, the school wasn't prepared and it was more of just winging it but when home learning happened at the beginning of last year the school were on the ball and had Zoom lessons set up, online and offline work to do. Ellie was doing a whole school day at home and it was no fun. If Ellie was doing traditional home schooling we could choose when to do lessons, have breaks and lunch. It was so structured and with that a massive pain in the backside.

7. Tell us what made you laugh?

TikTok!! I have got so into watching TikTok over the last year and there is some brilliant creators on there. I used to be an avid watcher of people on YouTube but I haven't really bothered with it since I started scrolling through TikTok. I will admit I watch it when I go to bed and Stu has often woken up asking what's the matter because I have been laid there chuckling to myself, chuckling so much that I've rocked the bed. lol

8. Tell us the things that made you cry?

My great aunt passing away obviously but apart from that not much. There was the usual TV shows but this past year hasn't been one for crying.

9. Tell us three things your child or children did to make you feel proud. Please miss this question out if you are not a parent.

Ellie coped so well with everyone wearing masks. She is deaf in one ear so does partially rely on lip reading. She struggled but coped and despite her falling behind at school before the summer holidays she has done more than catch up in the new school year! The prospect of the kids wearing masks again is filling me with dread but this time around the teachers are more prepared to support Ellie.

Becky has done so well with her job. Better than both Stu and I expected and she is now handling her money well after blowing her first wage in a couple of weeks. She did buy everyone Christmas presents but budgeting wasn't on her radar. She's getting the hang of it now.

My girls are lovely lasses and I couldn't ask for better girls. Yes they drive me crazy most of the time but a few years ago I didn't imagine they would be the people they are now. They have changed so much since we lived in Northumberland, for the better!

10. Tell us the things that made you proud of yourself.

I've been exercising and losing weight. In the middle of last year I was feeling pretty rubbish about weighing over 15 stone so decided to do something about it. A cross trainer in our local auction gave me the motivation that I needed. Soon after a treadmill came up and we bought it and there has been no looking back. Yes, I've struggled since the weather has got colder to find motivation but I'm getting there, the weight is coming off. Clothes are feeling looser and the scales are showing it. I got one of those fitty bit watch things for Christmas which has given me a new bit of motivation. It was just what I needed after everything which I have eaten over Christmas.

11. Tell us the challenges you overcame?

I have stepped back when it came to the kids. It has been hard but has been needed, especially with Becky. She was sat here filling in forms applying for her job and as much as I wanted to help her she needed to do it herself. I could have given her the answers but what would happen if she had a face to face interview and she brought up the answers I had written? She had an issue at work that she had to deal with herself, I would have loved to have helped but she is 19 now and needs to stand on her own two feet as much as I hate it. With Ellie I have let her take on more responsibility of doing her homework and sorting out things for school. She hates doing homework and without me nagging has ended in her having a few detentions but she's learning.

12. Tell us the things you would like to change about your life in 2022.

In 2020 I said "exercise more and eat better". I did that and I am so proud of myself. I want to continue that and maybe buy myself some new clothes as lots are getting loose now.

Happy new year! Wishing you all the best for 2022.