What I have loved this week! Week 19. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! This week has felt off again with having another bank holiday on Monday, not that it makes much difference to our lives as it's my fellas normal day off work, Ellie's day off college and Becky was sleeping for work but it made Monday feel like another Sunday and then the rest of the week has felt strange. Anyway I of course have some favourites and I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

Grey's Anatomy!

I saved a few episodes up to binge watch them and I really enjoyed them. It made me think of the time when I first started watching Grey's Anatomy and could just watch episode after episode. There's only a couple of episodes left of the season so I know there's going to be some sort of big disaster or drama. Eek! 

Planting seeds!

I had a lovely afternoon in my garden on Saturday planting the rest of the seeds that I had. I don't know why I hadn't thought of putting the seed packets in front of the pots before, so I can keep track of what I have planted. When they first come through they always look the same.

I also of course did some more weeding and digging. I love my garden but not the weeds that keep coming through. Hmmf. I was walking around taking photos of the green shoots coming through the flowerbeds to check on an app that I have if they were weeds or the flowers that I had planted. I really would be lost without the Plant Identifier app.

A full house!

On Monday it felt like we had a full house, we were all home with it being a bank holiday and my girls "friends" come over too. It was nice, they all get on and are lovely kids. I say kids but they're either in their late teens or early 20's. lol It was nice to feel like I was needed making sure everyone was fed and had everything that they needed and wanted.

Clouds!

Do you ever just sit outside and look at the clouds? I do and it makes me happy especially when I see things in them like an upside down dinosaur.

Doctor Who!

The new season is a few episodes in and I am enjoying it even though this Doctor is not my favourite, my favourite will always be David Tennant. I love how it keeps mentioning things from previous episodes, like Midnight and I seem to be ending every episode with lots of questions. You can tell it is building up to something big. Eek! It has made me want to watch the older episodes so I have gone right back to watch the episodes with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor. It is the TV show which is on my TV when I want a bit of background noise for now.

Garlic mushrooms!

We ate out on Sunday evening and hadn't planned on getting a starter but as soon as I saw the garlic mushrooms I had to get them. 

I've had them plenty of times from the pub before and they're so good! I have tried making them at home before and they're just not the same so it was a real treat! The sauce is delicious and the garlic ciabatta bread is cooked to perfection!

Meeting's and phone calls!

I've have a couple of good phone calls this week that I can't really talk about. They were nothing life changing but were positive. During the week Ellie had a meeting at college, it was just a catch up but it was helpful for her and it was nice for her to hear that she is doing well. 

What have you loved over the past week?

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

April just flew over! I feel like it was a busy month with days out, appointments, progress being made with various things and lots of lovely moments. I have seen many people on social media list something every day that they are grateful for and thought I would join in. I did this for the whole of the last couple of years and it has really made me realise that even on the bad day's I have something to be grateful for.

Day 91 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for lunch out. It was so nice to sit outside in the sunshine!

Day 92 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Becky has Amazon Prime so she can order me something and have it arrive tomorrow!

Day 93 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu made it home from work at a reasonable time. He got out late and was so close to missing the bus, the next bus wouldn't have got him home until 9pm.

Day 94 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for laughs with my dad and brother.

Day 95 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Ellie had a great time seeing The Minecraft Movie! She said it was brilliant!!

Day 96 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu did all of the cooking today! It's nice to have a day off!

Day 97 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Ellie could have her friend over. They had a nice time together, mostly messing about on her computer.

Day 98 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for some help in the garden. I kept Ellie busy this afternoon doing some weeding. She didn't complain as much as I thought she would.

Day 99 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for sausage casserole for tea! It's been ages since we last had it!

Day 100 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a day home alone!

Day 101 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that an appointment I had this afternoon went well. Nothing at all to worry about!

Day 102 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a lovely day out. Went over the river to Hull shopping and for lunch.

Day 103 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a little lie in this morning!

Day 104 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I managed to buy all the Easter eggs that I needed to.

Day 105 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for hair dye! The grey roots have gone and I am red/pink again!

Day 106 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I could spend the day with a good friend!

Day 107 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful I got another appointment out of the way!

Day 108 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for lunch at my dad's. We spent most the afternoon there too.

Day 109 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a fun night out in Hull!

Day 110 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I've caught up on the last couple of days worth of wrestling so I can stay up tonight and watch the 2nd night of Wrestlemania!

Day 111 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful Stu was up when the food shop was delivered early. He dealt with it while I caught up with my sleep.

Day 112 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a lift home from my dad's. It saved my little legs having to walk.

Day 113 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a full line of washing!

Day 114 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Ellie reminded me about a TV show that I need to watch.

Day 115 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a Chinese takeaway. It seems ages since we last had one.

Day 116 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for an evening sat watching TV.

Day 117 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a few hours in the garden. Stu cut the grass, I did the weeding.

Day 118 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for ice cream from the ice cream van! The first of the year!

Day 119 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Becky ordered double of some things from Temu and gave me the extra!

Day 120 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a nice cool house. I love the sun shining, just not the heat which comes with it!

What were you grateful for in April?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge! #14

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 over at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same?

 I think the biggest changes have happened in my girls lives. I see a lot less of them now as they are always so busy doing their own things with friends. It makes me happy that they are happy and they are happier this May than last.

A lot of my life has remained the same compared to last May, that isn't a bad thing though. I am content with my life. Looking back on my blog posts from this time last year I am doing much of the same. Watching Doctor Who, gardening, Stu is still doing overtime at work, Ellie is still waiting to take her English GCSE exam, (she still hasn't got a pass, hopefully it will be 3rd time lucky) and I am still watching Grey's Anatomy! The only change in my life is my hair colour, it's not a big change but a change all the same.

2. What's something you may do this month?

I don't have any plans for May! None at all, I think I may have to make some. I think a trip to the cinema is going to have to happen, I may keep on top of the weeding in the garden and may finally catch up on all the TV that I have recorded.

3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother?

Ohh! This is a really hard question to answer. My mother and I never had a good relationship and then she up and left to be with a man she had only spoken to online and told me I was dead to her as I chose my dad over her. She passed away a few years ago and I found out via an online obituary.

I think that the only way I am like my mother is that I’ve become a mother too but I’ve worked hard to create a very different experience for my children. I’ve carved out my own path, one rooted in love, support and being present for my children in ways that I didn’t experience.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite.

It is really hard to choose one book as I loved all of Roald Dahl's. Even before I could read I remember having the audio book on cassette tape of Charlie and the Chocolate factory which I would listen to over and over again! My favourite to read of his was probably Matilda. Matilda was a champion for kids who felt misunderstood, underestimated or out of place. I didn't realise that at the time of course but as a child I think I liked so much because Matilda was a lovely girl, was strong, smart and made adults pay for the wrongs that they had done.

5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain.

I’m more of a tortoise. I always think slow and steady is the best way to be. I don't rush into things, I like to take things step by step, making sure everything is just right and I just keep moving toward the finish line.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Last week there was a day where I was complaining that it was too hot, only because I was busy rushing around and the heat was not helping. I am that person who's never happy! In the winter I long for hot weather when it's cold out and in the summer long for the cooler weather when it's hot out. There really isn't any pleasing me! 

Deaf Awareness Week 2025!

Yesterday was the start of Deaf Awareness Week and it is an important time to reflect on the experiences of those who are deaf or hard of hearing and to raise awareness of the challenges that they face daily.

My youngest Ellie was born with some hearing loss in her right ear, it was just one of those things that happen. The doctors diagnosed her with Auditory Neuropathy which is a hearing disorder where the ear detects sound normally, but there's a problem transmitting it to the brain. The consultant explained it to us saying everything works but there is just a loose connection somewhere. When Ellie had her heart surgery it caused some tiny bleeds on her brain and she lost the last 5% of hearing that she had in that ear.

As challenging as Ellie's life is she found the most difficult time during the pandemic when everyone was wearing masks. It was only then that both her and me realised how much she relies on lip reading. It was a struggle.

Ellie doesn't let her deafness define her, it is a part of her life and she just gets on with it. She’s never let her hearing loss stop her from doing the things she loves or from achieving the same goals as her peers but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Ellie often fights against the help that she is offered. Like when she was in secondary school due to take her GCSE exams she was offered extra time in the exams and didn't want it but a lovely teacher convinced her that she might as well take that time and it really did help her out. She was given a hearing aid a few years ago and just didn't get on with them so she stopped wearing them and returned them. I think she was deaf in one ear for so long hearing more just messed with her brain and it was just too much for her to process.

Sometimes the simplest things can be a struggle for Ellie. For example, in a crowded room with voices all around it’s difficult for her to pick up on what someone is saying or where a sound is coming from. When people speak too quickly or don’t face her directly she may miss key parts of the conversation. Group settings can be overwhelming and it can be frustrating for her when she has to keep asking people to repeat themselves.

Even activities that seem straightforward like hearing an alarm clock, hearing me shout her from another room or even using wireless headphones pose challenges, she only ever uses one. hehehe. She really doesn't do well hearing people on the phone and has to have it on speakerphone which makes it awkward if she is at college or out and about. Despite these struggles she keeps moving forward, learning ways to adapt and finding solutions to make things easier for herself.

It’s important to be aware that these challenges aren’t always visible to others. Ellie might look like she’s simply daydreaming but in reality, she’s working hard to tune in to what’s happening around her and that’s where awareness and understanding from those around her can make all the difference.

How to help when interacting with deaf or hard of hearing people!

I want to share a few tips on how we can all make it easier for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to engage in conversations, navigate daily life and feel included.

Face them directly when speaking!

It may seem like a small thing but for those who are deaf or hard of hearing being able to see someone's lips and facial expressions can make a huge difference. When speaking to someone with a hearing loss, face them directly and avoid speaking while turned away or with your hand over your mouth. This simple gesture helps them understand what’s being said, even if they can't hear every word.

Keep the noise levels in mind!

Background noise can make it extremely difficult for someone who is hard of hearing to understand what’s going on. Whether you're in a busy restaurant, at a party or in a crowded public space be mindful of your surroundings. Try to find a quieter place to talk or reduce unnecessary noise when possible. It can go a long way in making someone feel heard.

Be patient and willing to repeat yourself!

It’s easy to get frustrated when someone asks you to repeat something, but for someone who is hard of hearing it’s often necessary. When they ask you to repeat yourself, do so with patience and kindness. If needed, rephrase what you said in a clearer way, sometimes hearing the message in a different form can help them understand better.

Use visual aids when possible!

There are many ways to communicate without relying solely on spoken words. If you’re having difficulty getting your point across, try writing a note, text messages or even gestures. Visual aids can be incredibly helpful, especially when there’s a language barrier. Be open to using whatever works best for the situation.

Be respectful and understanding!

The most important thing is to approach every interaction with respect and understanding. People with hearing loss face unique challenges that require patience and empathy. Just because someone is deaf or hard of hearing doesn’t mean they aren’t fully capable of engaging in conversations or enjoying the same experiences as others. It just may require a little extra effort.

Do you know anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing?

Our weekly meal plan! 5th - 11th May! #MealPlanningMonday

Last weeks meal plan went really well, we ate everything and on the day we had planned. My favourite meal was the one that Stu cooked us on Monday. Fish fingers, chips and baked beans. Such a simple and childish meal but it hit the spot and it's always nice to have someone else doing the cooking! For the rest of the week I cooked and enjoyed it even in the hot temperatures. The kitchen gets the sun all afternoon so I kept the curtains closed all day and it kept a lot of the heat out. There was one point I opened the back door to let some air in and it made no difference apart from letting flies and wasps in. Hmmf.

It cooled down over the weekend, I did say that if the weather was like it was on Friday for the rest of the summer I'd be happy. It was sunny and warm enough for t-shirts and shorts but there was a nice breeze too. I could deal with that heat.

It's a Bank Holiday today and we have no plans at all, well Stu and I don't. Becky is sleeping for work and Ellie the social butterfly is off out doing her thing. For the rest of the week there's not much going on, there's not even any appointments to go to so that makes a nice change.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Gousto meal - BBQ Pork Belly With Apple Slaw And Chips. This apple slaw is the best and so simple to make! It's simply chopped spring onion, grated carrot and sliced apple with mayo and white wine vinegar! I have made it lots of times even without having the Gousto meals.

Tuesday - Gousto meal - Creamy Pork, Apple & Mustard Casserole. I am going to try cooking this in the slow cooker. After I've browned the pork it seems like it is all supposed to go in the oven so popping it in the slow cooker shouldn't make much difference apart from meaning the kitchen will be cooler.

Wednesday - Gousto meal - Slow Cooker Mushroom Ragù Spaghetti & Caprese Salad. I might cook some garlic bread to go with this too.

Thursday - Jacket potatoes, baked beans and cheese.

Friday - Pizza. Just out of the freezer.

Saturday - Gousto meal - Cheesy Korean Smash Pork & Beef Burger & Kimchi-Style Slaw.

Sunday - A roast dinner of some sort.

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 27th April - 3rd May! Week 18 of #Project365

Happy Sunday! The past week has went really quickly considering I have had a pretty quiet one, pottering around the house, spending time in the garden and lots of time with my family.

It's another Bank Holiday weekend so of course the weather is a bit rubbish. It was grey and dull yesterday and today is not forecast to be much better. After the week of high temperatures it seems really unfair that the weekend is so cold. Hmmf. Ellie still went out in her shorts yesterday she caught the sun during the week, even with sunscreen on and has a lovely tan so wants to show it off. She is the type of person that tans really quickly.

Now for a photo every day!

117/365 - 27th April.

We had been working in the garden but decided to stop for an ice cream break. Just the cheap Cornetto type one's from the supermarket but it hit the spot.

118/365 - 28th April.

Stu and Ellie were having a tidy in the garage and Ellie found a ton of garden toys including a football which meant she had to make use of the basketball hoop above the garage. 

119/365 - 29th April.

Yeet! hehehe Becky ended up with an extra Jey Uso blanket from her Temu order and gave it to me. I like to have a blanket over me no matter what the weather and this is perfect for the summer as it's so thin.

120/365 - 30th April.

I have been using my new big cup and have been drinking at least 3 cup fulls a day. It's takes just under a litre so I am getting a decent amount of water, well juice. I add a bit of Vimto or orange squash to the water to give it a bit of flavour.

121/365 - 1st May.

I went and did my bit and took Ellie with me to vote as next time we get the chance to vote she will be old enough.

122/365 - 2nd May.

The sheep are back in the field with the their lambs.

123/365 - 3rd May.

Just a day at home for me, doing my own thing which included housework, staying in my pj's and not really brushing my hair until just before our Gousto box was delivered.

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

I have had a really quiet week, really quiet with not much at all going on. We have been enjoying time as a family which has of course ended in us all in fits of laughter over one thing and another. These are a few of the funnies which have happened this week.

How do you say chimney? I say it with an "L" in as in chimily and my fella thought this was hilarious and I was adamant that I was pronouncing it correctly. He asked the girls how they say that thing from a fireplace that is on the roof and they said chimily too so we must be right. hehehe I have since Googled it and of course it is said chimney but lots of people do say chimily.

A few weeks ago while Ellie and I were in town we saw someone that she knew, she saw the same person this week and he said to Ellie "your sister is fit". It wasn't her sister with her it was me! lol I know sometimes I look young for my age but not sister young. It was such a confidence boost and the poor young man who said it was a little bit mortified when he found out I was Ellie's mum but still said I look fit for an old woman. I'll still take that as a compliment.

Becky had a few packages delivered from Temu and soon realised that she had ordered a few of several items. Oops. She got carried away when she was browsing Temu as it is so cheap, I am not a fan and I don't trust it so it's her thing at the moment but some of the things that she got were fab. She was on video call showing off what she had bought to someone and said look at my Deadpool trainers and held one up and then said "Oh here's another one" like she wasn't expecting it.

I think I have watched too much Wrestling over the past few weeks as now when people speak I hear wrestlers in my head saying their catchphrases. Like someone says "I believe and in my head I hear "in Joe Hendry". When someone asks me to do something I don't want to do I think "No, my Tribal Chief, I can't do that" I hear "Give me a" and I finish it off in my head with "Hell Yeah and I have lost count of the amount of times I have said Yeet in the last month which just means yeah, cool!

My fella was feeling very victimised by the wasps when we were out in the garden, we told him to change his t-shirt as it was bright yellow but the stubborn streak was in play and he refused. I am scared of wasps so I thought it was so funny that they were leaving me alone for once. 

I had a chaotic 10 minutes and in the middle of the chaos Stu rang me when he had finished work and asked me to put some cans of lager in the fridge and I spent a good 10 minutes looking for them. I rang him back and said he would have to call in the shop to get some as there's none in. He told me exactly where they were, straight in front of me!! I was looking that hard that I couldn't see them. Oops. To be fair the girls couldn't see them either even though they had been there for a week in a obvious place. 

I love it how everything that the girls buy themselves is theirs but what I buy myself is fair game to them to them. They were stood next to the fridge deciding who was going to drink the drinks that I had bought myself, not including me in the conversation at all. They knew the drinks were mine but that was OK as I am just mam who buys treats for everyone but of course not for myself.

I sometimes wonder what I have taught my girls in their lives. Becky didn't know how someone would get air sick, she didn't think of people in planes and Ellie forgot what her elbows were called during the week. 

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 for her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 18. #FridayFavourites

I have had a really quiet week, it was just what I needed after the busyness of the last few weeks. I have spent most of it at home and in the garden. The rest of my family have been back at work and college. It feels so great to be back into a routine. I am of course linking up with Erika and Andrea to share my favourites from the past week.

Candyfloss! 

I can't remember the last time I had candyfloss or cotton candy as my girls call it but my eldest was off to the beach late last week and asked if I wanted anything bringing back and I jokingly said some candyfloss and she didn't disappoint. She brought me a tub full, it was so good and so hard not to eat it all in one go. I am looking forward to days out during the summer when I can buy more.

A mini heatwave!

It has been so nice over the last week, weather wise! Yesterday was supposed to hit 27C which is around 80F which is practically summer weather here. We've been out in shorts, t-shirts and summer dresses but it's not supposed to last. The temperatures are supposed to drop again over the weekend. Hmmf. It's like we have a little taste of summer and then have it taken away.

Ice cream!

We got our first cones off the ice cream van for of the year and went big with the double cone. We are so lucky, we see the ice cream man going past our house, he turns around and comes back up our road where we can flag him down.

Garden work!

Over the weekend I spent some time outside in the garden having a tidy up and doing some weeding. On Sunday Stu cut the grass, front and back and Ellie had the job of raking it all up. It only took a few hours but it felt like much longer with it being so warm. It was so nice to come inside and have a cool shower.

The Handmaid's Tale!

Again! I mentioned last week that I was rewatching it and I finally caught up yesterday and it was good timing as the new season starts tomorrow evening here in the UK. I know there's already been a few episodes shown elsewhere so please no spoilers.

Eldest's shopping hauls!

Becky my eldest made her first order with Temu a little while ago and the stuff has been arriving all week. She went a little crazy and bought more than I would have liked but it is her money and I can't really complain as she bought us all a few things. Her sister a couple of t-shirts, me a Stanley type cup and a thin blanket for the warmer months and my fella a t-shirt and a few things for his desk. She is a big Deadpool fan so she of course bought herself some t-shirts and some trainers.

Being organised!

It feels that over the last few weeks things have been a bit chaotic here. I've been scrambling to order the food shop at the last minute, forgetting about appointments, rushing from one place to another and not having much time to take things at my own place but over the last week things have been better.

Rediscovering old toys!

Stu was having a tidy up in the garage and Ellie decided to help in out a little. There was method in her motivation, she was looking for our old Nintendo DS. She found that and it was still a little bit charged so she knows it works. As well as that she found all the garden toys like Swingball, the big noughts and crosses set and some pogo sticks which she had a lot of fun with bouncing around the garden.

What have you loved over the past week?

How to create the ultimate family games night with older kids!

Planning family time when your kids are teenagers or young adults is a whole different ball game. Gone are the days of jelly and ice cream and a quick round of Snakes & Ladders before bedtime. These days, your kids might be taller than you, have better social lives and let’s face it might be a little too cool to sit around the table playing Happy Families.

Fear not! It is possible to create a family games night that doesn’t involve eye rolls, mysterious disappearances to their rooms or them suddenly remembering an urgent FaceTime with their mates. In fact, with a little planning and maybe a bribe or two you can have everyone laughing, competing and actually wanting to spend time together. Yes, even your moody 17 year old and your 22 year old who now drinks proper coffee. lol

Let them choose the games!

The fastest way to ruin the evening is insisting on playing a game you loved in 1998 that now takes four hours and has 96 complicated rules. Instead, hand over the reins and let them suggest some games. They’re way more likely to join in if they feel like they’ve had a say.

Teenagers often love fast paced or funny games like Cards Against Humanity, you can get a Family Edition, Dobble,  Exploding Kittens, 5 Second Rule, What Do You Meme? or UNO Flip!! Just remember they might say they’re not fussed but the minute they start winning, it’s game on!

Snacks are important!

If you want to lure them in, feed them! No one can resist a good snack table and your teens/young adults will show up purely for the food even if they pretend it’s a coincidence. Think nachos, loaded fries, a pizza or two, pick and mix sweets or even a themed picky platter if you're feeling fancy.

Make it a tech-tolerant zone!

Hear me out. Instead of banning phones completely (which is bound to lead to sneaky scrolling under the table), why not include them? Lots of fun games are app based and easy to join in on. And if someone’s taking photos or videos of the chaos? All the better. You can create a little tradition of documenting your game nights.

Add a bit of friendly competition!

Teenagers and young adults love a bit of banter. So make it competitive. Add a leader board, create silly trophies, or even promise a prize like they get to choose the takeaway next time or skip the washing up for a week. Little stakes equals big motivation.

Keep it relaxed!

The aim is to make this feel like something fun, not an obligation. Keep the schedule light, maybe just a couple of games, let them lounge in hoodies or PJ bottoms and don’t force anything. If it ends early with everyone chatting on the sofa or arguing about what film to watch next that still counts as a win!

Make it a regular thing but not too regular!

Don’t push for weekly if everyone’s got a million things going on. A monthly games night or just whenever everyone’s home, is enough to keep it special. Make it something to actually look forward to. They might not admit it, but deep down, they’ll love it.

Do you have family games nights with older kids?