Friday, 30 June 2023

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

Weekend

I have had a pretty quiet week with not much going on. All the excitement came from last weekend and this coming weekend.

When we got back from my dad's on Friday afternoon I realised that the Glastonbury Festival was on the iPlayer and we started watching and carried on watching all weekend. The girls didn't realise they knew so many Lightening Seeds songs, I didn't know I knew so many Rick Astley songs and my fella didn't know that he knew any Lizzo songs until he heard them. lol

I saw something on Facebook which summed up our weekend: "So tired and sore after the first night of Glastonbury. Didn’t get to bed until gone 1am after watching the headliner. Feel like I need a week to recover and it was only the first night. Not sure how I’m going to get through another day of it but it’s a great atmosphere so we go again! Quite relieved I’m only watching it on the telly."

After an exhausting weekend watching Glastonbury this week has been all about preparing for this weekend coming. We're all going out tonight and then we have a couple of days at a country show. 

We went shopping on Monday for the last of the things that Ellie needed for her prom which is on Thursday and a new outfit for this weekend, Stu bought some shorts and I bought myself a hat because I am sick of the sun lightening my hair and if I am going to be outside for a couple of days I need to protect my head.

Today Becky's friend is coming to stay, it's not a new girlfriend before anyone gets any ideas. It's just a friend who has a boyfriend. lol We are going out tonight and Ellie is using it as a dress rehearsal for her prom trying out her make up, hair and a couple of other new things. We don't go out often on an evening so it's a great excuse to get dressed up. Even Becky has bought a new outfit which isn't a tracksuit or hoodie. Stu couldn't get the day off work as he is off tomorrow so will be meeting us when we're out.

The reason Becky's friend is coming is because there is a local country show near us. We went the year we moved here and then again last year and loved it. It is a great couple of days out. Ellie is planning on meeting her boyfriend there and some of her other friends. I am not expecting to see her until she runs out of money. lol Although she has been doing jobs around the house to earn funds for the fairground rides and this year she has said she is going to win a goldfish from the hook a duck. I really hope she forgets about that. lol

This girls have planned when they washed their hair so it isn't fluffy for tonight and Becky spent almost all day Tuesday tidying and cleaning her bedroom and Ellie has been asking to do jobs to earn more and more money. It's amazing how much motivation they have when they are looking forward to something.

I hope you have all had a good week?

Word of the week linky

Thursday, 29 June 2023

What I loved in June! #LittleLoves

 I have decided to start writing about the things I have loved again each month, I used to do it last year and before but then other things came up that I wanted to blog about and it fell by the wayside but I am going to make a point of writing these posts as I did enjoy them.

Heart in crayon

In June I:

Read:

Lots of blogs of course. I tend to read blogs more than books now a days than books. I am really enjoying linking up with the Friday Favorites with Erika and Andrea. Most of the people who link up are from America and it is so interesting to read about the lives of people across the pond. 

I read that Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's dad in Harry Potter was Lucius Malfoy's brother!!! Xenophilius fell in love with Pandora Lovegood who was a blood traitor and his father disowned him! How did I not know that, it's obvious now you look at them both. 

Ellie kept getting little notes and messages from her teachers towards the end of her time at school, some were on cards and others were by email. All of them were saying Ellie was a pleasure to teach and she has worked so hard. It made me feel very proud.

Watched:

Glastonbury!
My family and I spent the weekend watching the Glastonbury festival. It was so good. The Foo Fighters, Rick Astley and of course Elton John were my favourites. We felt a bit meh about The Arctic Monkeys and Guns N Roses. Poor Lewis Capaldi had my heart breaking, you could see how much he was suffering with Tourette's syndrome. I am glad he's taking a break. 

Never Have I Ever! (Netflix)
The final season. Never Have I Ever follows the students at Sherman Oak High trying to navigate their senior year, finding the college they want to attend, navigating love, and figuring out the next phase of their lives. As Devi enters her final year in high school, she has one thing on her mind: to get into Princeton

XO Kitty (Netflix)
Kitty Song Covey, who believes she is extremely knowledgeable on love, moves halfway across the world to South Korea, aiming to reconnect with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae. She finds, however, that a relationship is much more complex when it is your own feelings of love at risk.

Sex and the City.
I saw that all the episodes were available to watch through Sky and I thought why not. I forgot how good it was. Samantha will always be my favourite. I then went on to watch the 2 movies and then And Just Like That just in time for the new series starting. 

Heard:

I have been listening to the radio a lot while I am out in the garden. I tend to stay away from the stations playing music in the charts now as I don't know any of the songs (I feel old) and I prefer listening to stations playing 80's or 90's music.

Absolute Radio 90s

Stu has had an interesting time at work over the last month. He's now been working in the call centre a full year so got a little pay rise, he was the first one to hear that his manager was leaving and for the last couple of weeks him and his team have been without a manager. There is a little competition going where the team who gets the most positive calls gets £800 of supermarket vouchers. He has heard his team is in first place which is fantastic news especially for him because it means at the moment they can't disband the team and move them to new managers as it would mess the competition up. hehehe He likes the group of people he's with so doesn't want to be split from them.

Made:

I haven't been making much over the last month. I have lost all motivation for cooking as it's just too hot in our kitchen. We have a huge window in the kitchen which gets all of the sun from just before lunchtime until it sets. We have had black out curtains but it doesn't make much of a difference. Ugh!

I have made a start on shopping for my families birthdays. I got Stu a new Newcastle football top, Ellie a haul from Shein and I am so far stuck what to get Becky. She is so hard to buy for now that she works and just buys everything that she wants.

I have made a lot of plans for the summer! Days out and things to do around the house. This weekend we are off to a country show which should be fun. We've been every year it's been on since we've moved here so it's a tradition now. 

Worn:

Lots of sun cream, so far we're making it through this hot weather without getting burned, well mostly! Stu burned the back of his legs and neck when he was out painting the garden fence.

Hats! I have realised that the sun has been effecting the colour of my hair and lightening it which wasn't great as I had bright pink hair, thanks to the sun I then had orange patches. Hmmf. I have taken to wear a hat when it's sunny out and bought myself a baseball cap earlier this week.

A little jewellery shop has opened near us and Ellie has been buying things and lusting after other things, she has been wearing this necklace all month and loves it. It is so cute.

Butterfly necklace

And Lastly:

My favourite blog posts from the month were:

First and last day at school. #MySundaySnapshot - A photo sharing Ellie's first and last day at school. I can't believe my baby is old enough to have left school.

My fella and me - Some Anniversary Fun! A fun set of questions all about my fella and me. How we met and who we are. 

How I became a mum! #NotJustAMom This is how I became a mum but it's more about the first time that I felt like a mum.

Little Loves and Friday Favorites linkys

The lovely Rachel Swirl has taken over the #LittleLoves linky which will be on the final Friday of every month so I have decided to join in and I will also be linking up with I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for their Friday Favourites.

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

Five fantastic travel games.

It's getting to that time of year when we could be travelling more on days out and holidays and it's always good to have something to keep everyone amused. Travel games can ease boredom on flights or trains, keep kids quiet on long car journeys and even provide a bit of entertainment in waiting rooms at the doctors or dentists. Technology is great, using tablets and phones to pass the time but sometimes it's good to unplug.

Suitcase

When I was a kid travel games weren't really a thing unless you counted games like I-spy, 20 questions or memory games. Now you can get travel size games of things like Monopoly, chess and just about everything that you can think of!

Here are some of my favourites.

Top Trumps!

Harry Potter Top Trumps

Top Trumps is one of the UK's top card game and has been a family favourite for over 40 years. No matter your age, gender or interests, there is a Top Trumps set for you. Over the years we've had sets with animals, the kids favourite movies and TV shows, football and of course my favourite set, Harry Potter. hehehe It's a game for all ages and my girls never get bored of it.

Top Trumps is traditionally played between two or more people. Each card lists numerical data that players compare with the aim of 'trumping' their opponent by having a greater value. The winner gains the opponents cards with the game continuing until only one player holds all the cards.

Dobble!

Dobble Game

A clever game with 55 cards, 57 symbols in total and 8 symbols per card. Each two cards have one symbol in common, that you have to find and name to win! Dobble is a game that encourages concentration and observation.

Dobble is perfect for train journeys especially if you are lucky enough to be sat around a table. We have had a couple of sets over the years and love it. There are themed sets including Minions and Harry Potter and it's good for all ages.

Pass The Pigs!

Pass the Pigs game

Pass the Pigs is an addictive dice game for 2 to 4 players. It's small plastic case makes it easy to carry and a terrific travel game to have with you on a trip. Points are gained and lost depending on how the pig has landed. Whatever you do you don’t want to throw an oinker or a piggyback!

We have played the giant Pass the Pigs game and thought it was fantastic fun. It is such a simple game but can get real competitive real quickly. 

 5 Second Rule Mini Travel Card Game!

5 Second Rule game

A mini version of 5 Second Rule game that you can play anywhere! It seems like it would be easy to name three things you find in the desert or down the back of your sofa but can you do it under pressure? You have to be quick, so just say whatever comes to mind and risk silly answers slipping out. hehehe

We have had a couple of the 5 second rule games but not the travel one before. I have bought it for when we go away later in the year. It is such a fun game.

Tension Travel Edition Game!

Tension Travel Edition Game

One of Cheatwells most popular board game has been slimmed down into a take anywhere mini card dispenser and scorer. The great new travel pack ensures you have all you need to play Tension in the palm of your hand! Slip a card out of the dispenser and then score using the snappy little poppers on either side. Take on holiday or play on the move

We played the Foodies Edition of this game last year and we really enjoyed it. It is aimed more at older children which makes it perfect for teenagers and adults.

What are your favourite travel games?

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

Getting her ears pierced.

Since Ellie was about 6 years old, at least once a month she has asked for her ears pierced and I have always said no until a few weeks ago.

I wasn't just being mean saying Ellie couldn't have her ears pierced, the doctors advised against it when she was younger in case of getting an infection and it affecting her heart after having open heart surgery when she was a toddler for a hole in her heart and being left with a leaking valve. They said it was OK when she was older as long as she looked after them really well and kept them clean. Over the last year or so Ellie seems to have really matured and she is caring more about her appearance.

Pierced ears

We were in Hull a few weeks ago and we were near H.Samuel, the jewellers who I knew did walk in ear piercings and I asked her if she wanted them done. She practically dragged me there, so the answer was obviously yes. I had a quick chat with her before we went in, telling her she has to keep them clean and follow all of the instructions and she agreed. 

You buy a pair of piercing earrings and get your ears pierced for free along with an aftercare kit to help with the healing of the new piercing. We chose the titanium studs for £19.99. There were cheaper one's but they were a little smaller and I thought they would be harder to turn.

The shop assistant was lovely and really put Ellie at ease. I singed the consent form and the assistant talked us through everything and of course cleaned her hands. Ellie had her ears cleaned, dots put on where the earrings would go and then the assistant got on with piercing her ears. Ellie didn't even flinch.

When we got home she tried to clean them herself but did need a little help from me as the dots were still there from the pen. Since then she has been brilliant at cleaning them and turning them. She has had them in for 4 weeks today and there has been no sign of infection or anything bad. Phew! Ellie has already picked about 50 sets of earrings that she wants in the future and is planning on getting her ears pierced at least once more and maybe up the top of her ear too but I said that might be hard with her wearing her hearing aids but we'll see how she gets on with this set first.

When I was 16 I got my ears pierced, it was a rebellious thing as my parents had always said no until I was 16 so as soon it was my birthday I got them done. They didn't last long. I was into horse riding back them and I was always catching them on the helmet/hard hat that I used to wear, especially on the straps. I don't think I even got to the 6 weeks where I could change them. lol I am sure Ellie will do better than me.

How old were you when you got your ears pierced?

Monday, 26 June 2023

Our weekly meal plan! 26th June - 2nd July. #MealPlanningMonday

Our weekly meal plan

Last weeks meal plan went okayish. I messed up and got the meatballs out of the freezer a day early so we had the meatballs and spaghetti a day early then the meatball sub melts on the Thursday which meant there was no easy tea to have on Friday night. Thankfully we had a big brunch, a breakfast at our favourite cafe so we weren't that hungry and I was all set to make tea when the Foo Fighters came on as a surprise guest at the Glastonbury Festival that we were watching on the TV so Becky ended up making us pasta.

We don't have much on this week, until we get to the weekend. Becky has her friend staying over and we're going to a nearby country show on Saturday and Sunday. One of the first weekends that we moved here the show was on and we really enjoyed it, Ellie and I went last year as Stu and Becky were at work on the Saturday. This time they have both booked time off work so we can have a fun couple of days, I would say together but Ellie has plans to be with her friends and Becky too. 

On the menu this week we have:

Tuesday - Mango coconut & lime chicken mini fillets with some sort of noodles.
WednesdayQuiche and salad. I am going to teach Ellie how to make quiche, she has said that she wants to learn to cook more.
Friday - We're going out for a meal.
Saturday - At the show, we're taking a picnic so I'm going to put sausages in the slow cooker, I don't know what with yet.
Sunday - At the show but this time we will be buying food there. If anything like previous years Ellie will have noodles, Becky burgers and Stu and I pork and apple burgers plus doughnuts, ice cream and lots of treats. I don't think we'll want much on the evening.

What are you eating this week?

Sunday, 25 June 2023

My girls! #MySundaySnapshot

The girls and I had such a lovely day together on Friday. We didn't do anything special but it was nice to have them together. We went to our favourite cafe for a breakfast, went to see my dad and my brother and spent some time with them and then came home and watched the Glastonbury festival. It was just nice.

Becky works full time and up until this last week Ellie has been at school so getting the time to just have a wander out with both of them hasn't happened often. I am hoping over the summer we can have more of these moments/days. 

This is them refusing to sit any closer waiting for my dad to finish talking to someone. lol

My girls

My Sunday Snapshot linky

Saturday, 24 June 2023

A photo every day for a year! 17th - 23rd June Week 25 of #Project365

Every day seems to feel like a Saturday or Sunday now that Ellie has finished school as we haven't found a new routine yet. We've had a nice week, it's been different but nice. We have kept ourselves busy and as I write this yesterday I have plonked my self on my armchair and I will be here most of the weekend watching Glastonbury. So far we've watched Maisie Peters who I'd never heard of but she's really good and now the Lightening Seeds. I knew I liked them but I didn't realise I knew most of their songs.

Now for a photo every day!

Warning that rain is coming on my laptop
Lawnmower and shirt signed.
Duolingo and my youngest girls haircut
My eldest on her laptop and youngest with hair dye on

168/365 - 17th June
My laptop said rain was coming nearly all day on Saturday. It didn't arrive until Tuesday and it rained all day which was very welcome.

169/365 - 18th June
My dad needed photos of his ride on mower, I don't know why. I just did as I was asked.

170/365 - 19th June
Ellie was back at school for a few hours to have the leavers assembly and to get her shirt signed. The biggest message was from her English teacher. It was the one that probably means the most and the teacher that Ellie will remember when she's my age.

171/365 - 20th June
It rained all day so I just pottered around the house and caught up a bit with Duolingo. I haven't broken my streak but I'm not even in the promotion zone this week. Hmmf.

172/365 - 21st June
I cut Ellie's hair. It's near enough what she wanted. I followed instructions off YouTube, I got the layers, thinned it out and shortened it. She loves it and that's all that matters.

173/365 - 22nd June
Becky is still here even though I don't seem to have had a photo in ages. hehehe If she's not working or sleeping she's out with friends.

174/365 - 23rd June
Today was hair dye day for Ellie. She has wanted her whole head of hair dyed for years but school didn't allow dyed hair so of course now she's left she was eager to get it done. She's started off simple with just a dark purple. I need to get a proper photo of it done, it looks so good.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Friday, 23 June 2023

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

Different

The last time I used the word Different as my Word of the Week was back in April of 2019. I thought it would have been a lot more recent but what made me chuckle was the big news from that week was the girls hair was different as they had it dyed.

This week Ellie has different hair, since before she left school she has wanted it cut and dyed, I did the cut on Wednesday following a YouTube tutorial and it turned out pretty well, she wanted a wolf cut and this is the best I can do. Ellie loves it and that is all that matters. It's a bit shorter, has layers and is a lot thinner which is perfect for the summer. The only bit annoying her is her fringe which just won't lay the right way yet. Today we are dying it a dark purple colour. We had planned to do it on Wednesday but nowhere local had the dye she wanted and we had to wait to get it from town.

Haircut before and after

We have had a very different week compared to one's recently and in the past. On Monday Ellie had a few more hours at school for her leavers assembly, getting her shirt signed and lots of fun and games. She has really left school now. It has been so strange having her home every day and not having to set an alarm clock on a morning. We have been getting up when we want to which has been around 9am. I have been waking up at around 8am and just staying in bed scrolling through TikTok and doing Duolingo.

I have been trying to keep Ellie busy doing different things and not just the boring housework. I imagined Ellie hanging out with her friends in the park everyday when she finished school, she has been out but mostly late on the afternoon. I am guessing her friends are taking advantage of having no school and sleeping for most of the morning. hehehe. I am that mean mam who won't let her sleep her day away.

I mentioned in my Project 365 post how Becky has started a different sleeping routine when she is working nights. She was sleeping far too much and now she's staying up a bit longer on a morning and getting up half an hour earlier on an evening and it's doing wonders for her. She doesn't feel as tired even though she's getting less sleep but she is eating more and I think that was causing her tiredness, she wasn't eating enough or eating enough proper food. At work she has been eating pot noodles, sandwiches, microwave burgers and a load of rubbish. Now she's eating more proper meals with vegetables, breakfasts with fruit and drinking plenty of smoothies and a lot more water! Mother does know best even though she thought I was being mean to start with, depriving her of sleep. hehehe

This morning we're off out for breakfast! Ellie doesn't usually get to join in the little treats that Becky and I have but now she's not at school she can join in. Having Ellie home all day for the next couple of months is going to be different but I am going to make the most of it because if she's anything like Becky once she starts college I will hardly see her.

I hope you have had a good week?

Word of the Week linky

Thursday, 22 June 2023

My top 5 favourite Musical Movies.

The lovely Joanne over at Slices of Life has been doing a series of blog posts all about her favourite movies of different genres and I am so borrowing her idea.

I wouldn't say I am a big movie buff but I do have a lot of favourite films. You can read about my favourite action movies, my favourite Sci-Fi movies and Animated one's but in this post I am sharing my favourite musical movies. It was so hard to narrow it down to just 5, I do love a musical and a good sing along.

Popcorn

The Greatest Showman!

Growing up in the early 1800s, P.T. Barnum displays a natural talent for publicity and promotion, selling lottery tickets by age 12. After trying his hands at various jobs, P.T. turns to show business to indulge his limitless imagination, rising from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus. Featuring catchy musical numbers, exotic performers and daring acrobatic feats, Barnum's mesmerizing spectacle soon takes the world by storm to become the greatest show on Earth.

I love, love, love this movie! There's Hugh Jackman, a good story, fantastic songs and some great dancing. The Greatest Showman was such a big thing before I had had chance to watch it. I knew all of the songs before I got around to buying it and downloading it off our TV provider. I remember watching it and then watching it again straight away as I loved it so much. I think I have watched it once a month since then. lol.

Mary Poppins!

Mr Banks is looking for a nanny for his two mischievous children and comes across Mary Poppins, an angelic nanny. She not only brings a change in their lives but also spreads happiness.

It has to be the original 1964 version not the remake. It's one of those films that I have watched every Christmas for as long as I can remember and sometimes in between. It's a classic and I love all of the songs!

Les Miserables!

After 19 years as a prisoner, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is freed by Javert (Russell Crowe), the officer in charge of the prison workforce. Valjean promptly breaks parole but later uses money from stolen silver to reinvent himself as a mayor and factory owner. Javert vows to bring Valjean back to prison. Eight years later, Valjean becomes the guardian of a child named Cosette after her mother's (Anne Hathaway) death, but Javert's relentless pursuit means that peace will be a long time coming.

I love this and not just Hugh Jackman is in it. The songs and emotions will be stuck with you long after you watch this film. 



Hamilton! 

The original Broadway production of the award-winning musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, first secretary of the treasury, blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles, filmed from the Richard Rogers Theater in New York.

I only watched this earlier this year and I feel stupid for not watching it sooner. Ellie my youngest is a massive fan of the show and encouraged me to watch it. It is such a good story and the songs always seem to get stuck in my head.

Beauty and The Beast!

The remake, not the animated one. I usually hate remakes but this one is a good one.

Disney's animated classic takes on a new form, with a widened mythology and an all-star cast. A young Prince, imprisoned in the form of a Beast (Dan Stevens), can be freed only by true love. What may be his only opportunity arrives when he meets Belle (Emma Watson), the only human girl to ever visit the castle since it was enchanted.

I don't know if it's because my youngest was in a school production of Beauty and the Beast around about the same time as the film was released but I do love this. The songs and the story.

Friday Favourites

I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for their Friday Favourites.

Wednesday, 21 June 2023

A Crystal Epilator Hair Remover. - Review!

Last year I saw these crystal epilators on TikTok and of course had to buy one to give it a try. I did mean to blog about it and then when the weather turned colder I stopped removing the hair off my legs as much so forgot all about it until earlier this year when Ellie decided that she wanted to remove the hair off her legs. So far she's got away with having really fine, light hair which didn't show but now she's at that age where hair on your legs should not be seen so she started using it.

Crystal epilator

Crystal epilators are handheld hair removal devices that fit into your hand. The top is smooth and the bottom has a crystalline surface which is nice, less scary way to say etched glass.

If you lightly rub the crystal epilator on your skin in a circular motion the hair will clump together and come off. The result is similar to shaving as you’re removing the hair at the follicle opening not at the root like you do with waxing. The crystal epilator buff's the hair off your skin and exfoliates it too. According to the adverts it means you can say goodbye to strawberry legs, ingrown hairs, skin irritation and razor burn and hello to softer, smoother skin.

Crystal epilator out of box
Crystals on epilator

Like I said I have been using it off and on for a year and more recently Ellie has started using it so I decided to buy another one for each of us. With the previous one it had started to take longer and more rubbing to get the hair off, I have read they last between six months and a year so the first one did well.

It is painless and easy to use although does take a little longer than shaving but I like the fact that you can use it on dry skin without any shaving foam or lotion so that saves time and evens it out compared to shaving. It is very handy if you are in a rush and realise that your legs need a little de-fuzzing. I have found it leaves my legs smoother than if I use a razor.

I have tried to use it on my armpits before but it is awkward as it is used best on flat surfaces like arms and legs although it is great for going over your knees which I have always found quite tricky with a razor, ending up in little cuts.

epilator in hand

I think these are fantastic for tweens or teens who are just starting to remove the hair from their legs when razors or waxing can seem very daunting. Ellie has got on well with it and can use it easily.

I have read that some people do get some irritation from using a crystal epilator as they have sensitive skin but we have been fine. Ellie did get a little redness the first time she used the crystal epilator but that was because she was pressing too hard and she soon realised that she didn't have to be so forceful.

Not only are these a faff free way of removing hair, using them does a bit for our planet too as they are reusable and there is no waste from them for at least a year and you don't even have to run any water.

Last year when I bought one and they were all hyped up I paid around £9.99 but this time they cost just over £4 off Ebay with free delivery but they are also sold on Amazon and other websites which sell beauty products. I think paying under £5 for something that lasts a year is great value for money.

Have you used one of these Crystal Epilator Hair Remover's before? How did you get on with it?

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

My fella and me - Some Anniversary Fun!

This month Stu and I have been together for 17 years! We don't have an exact date of the day we met we just know it was a Friday sometime in June. We have narrowed it down to either the 16th or 23rd. lol 

A few weeks ago I saw a post from Joanne at Slices of Life about her and her husbands anniversary with some great questions and I thought I would borrow the questions to share a little bit more about Stu and me.

Stu and me

How did you meet?
We met online on one of those free dating websites where you made a profile and them messaged people that you had an interest in. We are proof that internet dating works sometimes. We chatted online using the dating website first then progressed to MSN Messenger (remember that?) and then finally moved to texting and phone calls. The first time I spoke to him on the phone was funny, he sounded so Geordie, he didn't live in Newcastle but did sound like he did, he just lived further up in the North East than me. He also spoke so fast too and still does but I have got used to it and now sometimes speak too quickly. Oops.

First date?
Our first date was the day that we actually met in person. I dropped Becky off at nursery on the afternoon knowing that she was spending the weekend with her real dad and I went off with my friend into town to meet Stu in a pub! We were both so nervous. We hit it off straight away, phew and he had booked himself into a B&B but we ended going to my friends house for a unplanned party, didn't leave until the early hours of the morning and he spent the night on my sofa. He stayed for a couple more nights (on the sofa) and we got to know each other properly. 

I know it was probably stupid inviting basically a stranger into my home but we had been speaking for months online and 17 years ago things seemed different then.

Me and my fella

How long have you been together?
Around about 17 years. It really doesn't seem that long, time really does fly when you are having fun.

Age difference?
There is 6 years between us. Stu is older than me.

Who was interested first?
I don't really remember. I think we both liked each others profile on the dating website and I might of messaged him first.

Taller?
Him.

Who said I love you first?
I think it was Stu but I did feel the same. Us being together just seemed right.

Most impatient?
Me, especially when we are getting ready to go out anywhere. I take ages to get ready and Stu will say he's ready but then when we are about to leave the house he finds a million things that he has to do. hehehe

Most sensitive?
Me and I wish sometimes Stu was a little more sensitive but it's a good thing sometimes when I am worrying about something and overthinking, he just see's it in black and white with no grey areas.

Loudest?
Stu, especially on a morning when he's getting ready for work or laid in bed snoring.

Most stubborn?
Me. If I decide on something that's it, my mind can't be changed. Stu thinks he is stubborn but I can talk him round to most things. hehehe

Falls asleep first?
Him. He has to as he has to be up a couple of hours before me. Even on a weekend when we go to bed at the same time I will stay awake longer looking at my phone.

Cooks better?
Us both, we are both better at cooking different things. I am better at cooking main meals and he is better at cooking things like toasties, bacon sandwiches and anything to do with eggs.

Better morning person? 
Him. I hate mornings and I am not a nice person until I have been up for at least an hour. I find it such a chore to get up early but he never has a lie in.

photos of me and my fella

Most competitive?
Me I think. He is so laid back that he can't be bothered to compete with anyone. 

Funniest?
I think we both are just as funny as each other. We make each other laugh anyway.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
A local cafe. We go most weeks at least once. If it's not on his day off on a Monday it will be for Sunday lunch.

Who is more social?
Neither of us really. We like our own company.

Who is a neat freak?
Stu! I like a clean and tidy house but when Stu isn't at work he cracks on and does most of the housework before I've even had my first coffee of the day. His desk is also so organised, everything has a place and he knows where everything is.

Where was your first kiss?
It was the day that we first met, probably an hour or so after getting to know each other in person.

How long did it take to get serious?
We had been speaking online so when we met in person it felt like we already knew each other really well. Things moved quickly. I met Stu in person in the June and we had moved in together by the October and I had fell pregnant with Ellie by the end of December. 

Who's indecisive?
I would say me.

Us in our xmas pjs

Who spends more?
It's hard to say. I am in charge with buying everything for the house and birthday and Christmas presents but he is in charge when it comes to buying the big things like electronics, furniture and of course things for his computer which cost a small fortune. 

Who is the first one to admit they are wrong?
Not me! Stu is the type of person who want's an easy life so will do anything he can to get that so if he is in the wrong he will say it just to calm the mood.

Has more tattoos?
Stu, he has one.

Who sings better?
I would say him but he would probably say me.

Who hogs the remote?
Neither of us, we don't often watch TV together. The only time we do is on a Saturday night and we watch Britain's Got Talent and things like that. He will go upstairs to watch TV and it's usually football.

Where is the furthest you have ever travelled?
We haven't really travelled together, I think the furthest was when we moved house from Northumberland to here in Scunthorpe.

How long have you been with your significant other?

Monday, 19 June 2023

Our weekly meal plan! 19th - 25th June. #MealPlanningMonday

Our weekly meal plan

Last weeks meal plan was a bit hit and miss. Some meals were moved around we didn't bother having the soup. I found the biggest success of the week was the sausage, apple and potato one-pan roast, it was tasty, filling and with it being a one pot roast I just whacked everything into the baking tray and let the oven do the work, there was no standing in the kitchen roasting myself. Ellie decided she didn't want a takeaway, she would much rather have me cook my version of a Chinese takeaway with things bought from Iceland. It took more work from me but it did save a shed load of money.

We have nothing on this week, well Ellie is in school today for a few hours today to have her shirt signed and the leavers assembly and then she has the whole of summer to relax and enjoy herself. She has been making plans on what she will be having for lunches every day, a meal deal on a Monday, sandwiches from the butchers on a Tuesday, chip shop Wednesday, a burger from the cafe on a Thursday and breakfast from the pub on a Friday. I have told her to get stuffed, there is no chance for all of that. She will make do with a home made sandwich, sausage rolls or something like that for most of the days. I said we will have a treat once a week.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Chinese Style Pork Rib Steaks with salt and pepper chips.
WednesdayTurkey burgers chips and baked beans.
Thursday - Meatballs and spaghetti.
Saturday - Pizza.
Sunday - A roast dinner of some sort, probably out. It has become a bit of a habit but it beats spending time stood in a boiling kitchen.

What are you eating this week?