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

This week my Word of the Week is:

This week has felt like a proper fresh start. Last week Stu had the week off work and it was half-term break for Ellie so everything was a bit upside down in the nicest way. Then Monday rolled around and it felt like January and a whole fresh start. Back to routine, back to normal bedtimes but this time the sun was shining, warmer temperatures and there was even a bit of blue sky!

The sunshine has helped me so much. We’ve had a few days this week when it’s been bright and even a little bit warm. After all the endless rain earlier in the year, seeing the blue sky feels amazing! My mood is better, my energy is better and I suddenly feel like I can take on the world. It always feel more productive, I find myself opening windows and pottering about making lists of things I want to sort out.

Saturday night was such a good one. Stu and I headed out into town for a meal and a few drinks. It feels like ages since we’ve done that. We did plan to get the last bus home but after a couple of hours of being out, a belly full of food and a couple of drinks, we thought stuff it, we would just get a taxi home. We didn’t get home until well after half past one in the morning. Sunday morning wasn’t exactly energetic. I didn't feel as fresh as a daisy but I wasn’t suffering either. It should have been a lazy day but then I looked outside and it felt like spring. So the bed was stripped, washed and put out on the line to dry!

Stu has carried on with the painting. After finishing the dining room, he moved on to the bathroom. I thought he’d just used the same white paint we used in the dining room but no, it’s the one he used on the kitchen cabinets a couple of years ago. He said it is more waterproof and more suitable for bathrooms. I nodded along like I knew exactly what he meant but being honest I didn't even notice the difference until he pointed it out. That is his department. If it looks clean and fresh, I’m happy.

Seeing Stu busy with paint brushes and putting shelves up gave me that itch to change things too. The living room has had a little shuffle with me moving the furniture around. The sofa is now away from the window, which makes it so much easier to open and let some fresh air in and then I bought a new sideboard. I’d been thinking about it for a while because we needed more storage and it fits perfectly in the spot I had in mind.

Getting back into routine this week has felt good. As much as I love having everyone home, I do like our day-to-day routine. Family wise, it’s been a nice week. Ellie got back into her routine after half-term but she did struggle with being tired but that was partly her own fault. I went to bed just after 11pm one night and she was still watching TV when she knew she should have been asleep. She has cracked on with her college work and they're on the countdown now to exams and the end of the college year. Eek! Stu is back at work and he has felt tired too. Early mornings are no fun after a week of not getting up until at least 9am and Becky is just plodding on with life as normal, looking forward to the next couple of months as she has some exciting things planned.

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 9. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I hope you have all had a good week! Mine has been a one of getting back into a routine after my family had time off work and college last week. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share the things that I have loved over the past week.

The weather!

Since the weekend it has been so lovely with proper blue skies, sunshine and the hope that winter is over! (apart from yesterday, it was still warm but grey,) I’ve had washing out on the line actually drying instead of just getting damp in a different way and it smells fresh in a way that no fabric softener can ever compete with. I’ve had the windows open too. Even just pottering around the house feels better when there’s a little breeze coming through. At one point I was outside in just a T-shirt, only in the garden though, I was not brave enough to venture too far without a jacket. Although, after seeing the crazy weather in America, I’m slightly suspicious this might be one of those false springs. Eek!

Putting pretty things on my new shelf!

You know when you measure something and you’re convinced you’ve done it wrong, that was me with the new shelf. Except I hadn’t!! It’s actually two shelves and they fit the space perfectly. They slot into the wall like they were made for it and it has completely changed that little area of the room. (They are straight, it's my photo skills which aren't!) The best bit was putting pretty things on them!

More painting!

Stu has been on a proper roll with the painting. Once he gets started, there was no stopping him. He finished off the dining room and then just carried on straight into the bathroom. By Monday evening we had two freshly painted rooms. Our house has had a mini makeover without us changing that much. It’s amazing what a lick of paint can do, it makes everything else look newer and brighter!

Sideboard storage!

After the shelves and the painting I was in full home improvement mode so I decided the little sideboard in the living room needed changing too. Most of our furniture there is black and the old brown drawers just didn’t quite work any more. They weren’t awful but they didn’t blend in either. So I found a new set of drawers on Temu for just over £30. A metal frame and canvas drawers which are a lot stronger than they sound. The drawers are bigger and we now have more storage. It just looks neater and the old brown drawers are in the garage waiting to be given a new lick of paint and then we will find a new home for them! 

Bridgerton!

New episodes of Bridgerton were released yesterday and I am fully ready. I’ve been planning my afternoon around it. I am going to binge it all this afternoon!

Being home alone!

After having everyone home last week, this week’s quiet has been very welcome. I love my family but I also love a bit of space. The first day I was alone, I didn’t even put the TV on straight away. I just enjoyed the quiet, had a cup of tea, pottered about and caught up on the bits I didn’t manage to do last week. I haven’t even done anything exciting apart from putting the sideboard together but it has been lovely being home alone! 

What have you loved over the last week?

What I listened to in January!

At the start of the year, I started listening to audiobooks. I always wanted to be a reader but couldn't/wouldn't make the time, so audiobooks were a way around it. I could be busy doing something while still listening to a book. Anyway, I thought I would share what I have been listening to. This post would have come sooner but I had to wait for my listening time to reset on Spotify to finish the last book. I have since moved away from Spotify audiobooks as 15 hours listening time per month is just not enough for me and I now borrow audiobooks from my local library through BorrowBox.

A Chosen Destiny: My Story by Drew McIntyre!

A destiny chosen, a destiny squandered, and a champion's relentless pursuit for redemption.

Growing up in a small village in Ayrshire, Scotland, Drew dreamed of becoming WWE Champion and following in the footsteps of heroes Stone Cold Steve Austin and Undertaker. With his parents' support, he trained and paid his dues, proving himself to tiny crowds in the Butlin's circuit. At age twenty-two, McIntyre made his WWE debut and was touted by none other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon as "The Chosen One," who would lead WWE into the future. With his destiny in the palm of his hands, Drew watched it all slip through his fingers.

Through a series of ill-advised choices and family tragedy, Drew's life and career spiralled. As a surefire champ, he struggled under the pressure of expectations and was fired from the company. But the WWE Universe has not seen the last of this promising athlete. Facing a crossroads, this powerful Scotsman set a course to show the world the real Drew McIntyre. Buoyed by the support of his wife, Kaitlyn, and the memory of his beloved mother, Drew embarked on a mission to recharge, reinvent and revitalise himself to fulfil his destiny. It is a story of grit, courage and determination as a fallen Superstar discovers who he truly is and storms back to reclaim his dream.

This was the book which kicked this whole audiobook thing off for me. If you know me, you know I love WWE. I always have. Drew McIntyre is one of my favourites, so this was always going to be top of my list but I didn’t expect it to grab me the way it did! He reads it and comes across exactly how he does on screen. What really got me with this book was how open Drew is. There’s no glossing over the bad bits. He talks about the poor choices, the self-doubt, the ego and the knock to his confidence when he was released from WWE. Hearing him talk about that period, in his own voice, made it hit harder. You can hear the disappointment and the frustration, the way he rebuilt himself, not just physically but mentally and how much he changed as a person, not just a wrestler. Losing his mum clearly shaped so much of that growth too and those parts were emotional without being overdone but I did cry!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella!

Audrey can't leave the house. She can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house. Then her brother's friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again - well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable. Be prepared to laugh, dream and hope with Audrey as she learns that even when you feel like you have lost yourself, love can still find you.

I don't usually listen to fiction but this was a great way to get into it! At first, it felt light and funny but underneath there’s a thoughtful look at anxiety, recovery and someone finding their way back to who they were. The way it is written feels kind and careful, not heavy or preachy. Nothing is rushed. There’s no big dramatic suddenly everything is fine moment. There are still laugh-out-loud moments mostly thanks to her family and her mum’s obsession with self-help books had me smiling more than once. As a mum myself, especially knowing the struggles my youngest Ellie has faced, some parts hit close to home. That feeling of wanting to fix everything, to make the fear disappear and sometimes getting it wrong despite good intentions. It was impossible not to relate. Even though this is aimed at young adults, I got so much out of it. It’s a reminder that kindness matters, patience matters and that small steps are still steps.

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella!

Lexi wakes up in a hospital bed after a car accident, thinking it's 2004 and she's a twenty-five-year old with crooked teeth and a disastrous love life. But, to her disbelief, she learns it's actually 2007 - she's twenty-eight, her teeth are straight, she's the boss of her department - and she's married! To a good-looking millionaire! How on earth did she land the dream life? She can't believe her luck - especially when she sees her stunning new home. She's sure she'll have a fantastic marriage once she gets to know her husband again. He's drawn up a 'manual of our marriage', which should help. But as she learns more about her new self, chinks start to appear in the perfect life. All her old colleagues hate her. A rival is after her job. Then a dishevelled, sexy guy turns up and lands a new bombshell. What happened to her? Will she ever remember? And what will happen if she does?

I loved this book while I was listening to it. I flew through it while laughing, cringing and muttering Oh no," like they could hear me. The whole idea of meeting a version of yourself you don’t recognise was so interesting. he ending but the ending! I didn’t dislike it, it wasn’t bad or disappointing but it just felt unfinished. Like we reached the most important part and that was it. Even with that, I enjoyed it. It was funny, warm and thoughtful.

The Woman Who Got Her Spark Back by Fiona Gibson!

Meet Celia. Life hasn’t worked out quite how she’d planned.

Since her son left for university, Celia has felt stuck at home battling with her husband Geoff over control of the thermostat, and without the merest glint of a social life. Her only joy comes from the plants she nurtures in her makeshift plant hospital in their Glasgow flat. Then three unexpected things happen: She catches Geoff in bed with a secretary from his sausage factory (no pun intended). Her high-flying best friend Amanda arrives on her doorstep without warning (but with a very large suitcase) and A tall handsome French teacher asks her to tend his daughter’s cactus back to health.

Suddenly, Celia finds her life in freefall, but she makes a decision: she won’t let this be the end of her. She’ll bring herself back to life, just like the plants she works her magic on. But just how do you change the habits of a lifetime?

Celia is so relatable, she’s the sort of woman you want to cheer for because she’s kind, a bit shy of the spotlight but when life knocks her down, she doesn’t just lie there. She starts figuring out who she is apart from all the roles she’s been playing. There’s humour too in the right places. Her dynamic with the other characters is brilliant, especially with Amanda, who has her own set of baggage and Enzo, the French teacher who doesn’t mind that she talks to cacti like they’re her best friend. I really enjoyed this. There was drama but no big drama. It was a cosy sort of book.

What have you been reading or listening to lately?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #44

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. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yorktown Virginia.

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see?

I haven’t seen any of them in person or even visited America but I can definitely daydream about it. I would love to visit New York and do all the touristy things. Stand in Times Square, have a walk through Central Park, take a ferry past the Statue of Liberty, visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and see a show on Broadway!

I think everyone should see The Grand Canyon in person. It’s one of those places that I imagine photos never fully do it justice. Just standing there looking out over the landscape must feel so surreal.

2. Three sounds you love to hear?

My girls laughing properly - The full belly laugh, the kind where they can’t stop and it spreads to everyone else in the room.

Rain tapping on the windows at night - The steady, gentle tapping when I'm in bed and don’t have to go anywhere. It makes me want to snuggle under the duvet even more and be cosy.

The kettle boiling and clicking off - That little click. It means a cup of tea is seconds away!

3. Three sounds you hate to hear?

Someone chewing with their mouth open - That squelchy, smacking, gulping noise that I can’t ignore no matter how hard I try.

My fella snoring - It is like sleeping next to a chainsaw, it's loud and just when I think it’s stopped, he starts again!

My alarm clock - It is my worst enemy every morning! I have even tried putting relaxing music on to wake me up gently but it just makes me angry that it's time to leave my bed.

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips?

I’ve never been a huge fan of tortilla chips but I don’t dislike them either. They’re fine if they’re there but I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat them. There’s nothing really exciting about a plain tortilla chip and while dips like salsa or guacamole make them a bit more interesting, they’re still not something I crave. They’re a nice snack to have snack but not a must have snack in my mind.

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile?

I’m really looking forward to Mother’s Day this March, a whole day when I get to just relax and be spoilt. No chores, no running around, just a day to feel appreciated and loved. I can already imagine the little treats, maybe a nice breakfast, thoughtful cards, and just enjoying time with my family without having to think about anything else. It’s the kind of day that makes me feel really special.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It feels like spring! Well, today it does. I am writing this on Sunday and it's 14C (57F), the sun is shining and there's not a drop of rain! I put Ellie’s trainers on the line after they came out of the wash and just stood there watching them flap in the breeze thinking spring is coming. The air feels different, all fresh and light. I couldn’t stop there, I stripped the bed, washed everything and it went straight onto the line. I love drying stuff outside. It just makes everything feel a bit brighter and days like this make me actually want to do all the boring jobs. The sunshine makes everything easier!

I still can't get my head around the fact I am mother to two adults!

My brain still refuses to accept this information, that I am the mother of two adults. Two adult daughters! I say it out loud quite often, partly to practise and partly because I’m hoping one day it’ll sink in and stop sounding so strange. It hasn’t yet.

Ellie, my youngest, turned 18 back in August, which means I officially crossed that line into all my children are grown-ups now. I thought by now I’d be used to it, I assumed the shock would wear off, I’d adjust, move on, maybe even feel a bit smug about it but no. I still find myself wandering round the house then suddenly stopping to mutter I have two adult daughters, like it’s a fun fact I’ve just learnt and can’t quite process. They are both proper adults. They can vote. They can sign contracts. They can book appointments, open bank accounts and walk into a pub without anyone batting an eyelid but they still want me to make phone calls for them, sit next to them while they fill in forms, and double check emails before they press send. The confidence disappears the second paperwork appears.

I caught myself telling someone that my girls aren't kids any more, they're all grown up and then immediately felt like I was lying because, sure, they’re legally adults but I think they will always be my babies. Slightly taller, louder babies with opinions and strong feelings about everything but still mine.

In theory, having two adult daughters should mean my workload has dropped massively. They should be cooking their own meals, keeping on top of laundry, changing their beds, cleaning up after themselves and maybe even doing the odd bit of housework without being asked. In real life, it’s more like having two very tall teenagers who can debate politics one minute and then shout Mam! the next because they’re not sure if a recipe needs salt or not. There is less teenage drama, which I appreciate more than I can explain but there are still plates left on the sides instead of in the sink. There are still cups abandoned around the house and my chocolate still mysteriously disappears.

They’re independent in lots of ways now. They manage their own money, organise their own schedules, deal with work, college and life stuff. I love seeing that. I love watching them handle things without panicking or needing me to step in straight away. It makes me proud but independence doesn’t mean they suddenly stop needing their mam. It just means the reasons change. Instead of tying shoelaces and packing school bags, I’m now helping with bigger decisions, listening to worries about work, relationships and what on earth they’re meant to be doing with their lives. Sometimes I’m asked for advice, sometimes I’m just asked to listen and sometimes I’m asked to fix something that Google could absolutely handle but apparently Mam is still the preferred option.

They’re learning how to stand on their own two feet and I’m learning how to step back without fully stepping away. That’s the tricky bit, finding that balance between giving them space and still being the safety net they’ve always had. I want them to be confident and capable and excited about their adult lives but because they’re still living at home, I’m very much part of the day-to-day stuff too. I remind them to eat properly. I ask what time they’ll be home. I check they’ve got everything they need before they leave the house and I offer guidance when they’re making decisions. They’ve come such a long way and I’m in awe of the young women they’re becoming.

At the same time, little moments catch me off guard. A laugh that sounds exactly like it did when they were small, a song that reminds me of when they were little or a random memory of bedtime stories or school runs or tiny hands in mine. It’s bittersweet. I wouldn’t rewind time, but I do sometimes miss the simplicity of those days when their biggest worry was whether their teddy had slept well.

Having two adult daughters living at home feels like a strange but lovely in-between stage. They’re grown enough to make their own choices but close enough that we still share meals, stories, TV shows and those little everyday moments that matter more than you realise. We chat in the kitchen, laugh over silly things, and occasionally fall out over the same old stuff. Some things never change. It’s not always easy. The mess, the noise, the constant Mam can you just moments can test my patience, especially when I trip over shoes that definitely didn’t belong in the middle of the dining room but I know how quickly this stage will pass. One day the house will be quieter, too quiet and I’ll miss the sound of them coming in, the random conversations and the chaos of everyone being under one roof.

Being part of my girls adult lives is a privilege. I get to see them figuring things out, making mistakes, learning, growing. I get to cheer them on, support them and be there for them. I still can’t quite get my head around being the mother of two adults. It feels strange and wonderful and slightly unbelievable all at once but I do know this: no matter how old they get, no matter what they do or where life takes them, they’ll always be my girls and I wouldn’t change that for anything!

Our weekly meal plan! 23rd Feb - 1st March!! #MealPlanningMonday

Last week was a good week! We had some quality family time, got loads done around the house as well as having plenty of time to relax. The dining room was painted white and it looks so bright and fresh. We got a new shoe rack which should stop arguments about shoes being left around the house and Stu put some new shelves up in the living room, so I have plenty of room now to display pretty things! Last week's meal plan went really well. We ate everything and enjoyed it all. I actually did very little cooking, which seemed like a nice break!

I had planned on getting a Gousto Box this week but there wasn't enough meals to make an order worth it which doesn't happen often, so this week I'm making a couple of my family's favourites and we will get a box delivered on Saturday for next week. It will be a nice way to get back into a routine after a week with no routine. I don't have much planned for this week apart from getting out in the garden. This week is supposed to be warm and mostly dry and on Wednesday we're supposed to have some sunshine too! What a treat!

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Stu is cooking!

Stu will be doing the cooking, so it will be a surprise for me. I quite like not being in charge and it’s lovely sitting down to something that I don’t have to think about, prep or wash up after.

Tuesday - Sausages, mashed potato and baked beans!

This is one of my favourite comfort food meals and we all love the simplicity of it. My girls and I do something that Stu says is disgusting. We chop the sausages up and mix it all up! It is amazing!

Wednesday - Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread!

You can’t go wrong with a good spaghetti Bolognese. It’s a classic and one of those family dinners where everyone clears their plate and goes back for seconds, so I always make sure to make plenty, plus I will be using it for Thursday too!

Thursday - Leftover Bolognese in tortilla wraps!

This is where the batch cooking pays off. Instead of having the same meal again, we’ll turn the leftover Bolognese into something a bit different. I’ll warm it up and spoon it into tortilla wraps, maybe add a bit of grated cheese and wrap them up and eat! They're messy but they taste so good!

Friday - Chippy tea!

We will order something from the chip shop. No cooking, no fuss and the biggest drama is deciding what we fancy.

Saturday - Gousto meal - Lamb Doner With Chilli Sauce And Chips!

This feels like such a proper Saturday night meal. It’s got that takeaway feel but we’ll make it at home so it won’t cost nearly as much. We have had it before and it tastes way better than any from a takeaway!

Sunday - Bacon sandwiches!

We're finishing the week off with an easy meal. You can't beat a bacon sandwich with lots of red sauce! Yum!

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 15th - 21st February Week 8 of #Project365

Happy Sunday! I hope you’re having a good one. Our weekend has been a really nice mix of getting things done around the house, like putting new shelves up and having a bit of fun too. I’m actually writing this yesterday morning because the plan was and hopefully still is that Stu and I head out for a nice meal and a couple of drinks. Nothing wild, just food we don’t have to cook ourselves and drinks we don’t have to pour in our own kitchen. The girls were outraged that they weren’t invited and they were being forced to have a takeaway at home. I think they’ll survive the trauma. lol

Now for a photo every day!

46/365 15th February

Cakes but not just any cakes, they were M&S cakes. I can't resist buying treats whenever I shop in M&S. Their food is so fancy. I joked with Stu that once the kids have moved out, we'd be doing our full weekly shop in M&S. We’ll have posh ready meals, fancy puddings and probably salmon on a random Tuesday. That’s the dream!

47/365 16th February

I took a photo of my ring for a blog post. It got me thinking about how Stu and I have been together for coming up 20 years this summer. That is just under half of my life, which seems crazy but crazy in a good way! It feels like five minutes ago and a hundred years ago all at once, we’ve done so much in that time.

48/365 17th February

Pancake Day and the girls of course went for the chocolate spread. I just stuck to lemon juice and golden syrup! Years ago, I never thought I would be able to make pancakes but on Tuesday every one that I made was perfect, well apart from the first one. That is always a disaster until the pan heats up properly.

49/365 18th February

The day I had been dreading for the last month or so arrived, getting my contraceptive implant changed but it went well and I was given this little card with the details of when it needs changing and information about the implant. It says it’s located in the inner side of the upper arm, which then sent my brain off on a random tangent. What happens if someone doesn’t have arms? I ended up Googling it because I needed to know. Turns out it can be placed in other areas with enough fatty tissue, like the thigh or abdomen.

50/365 19th February

When we were shopping for painting supplies, I asked Stu if he wanted a roller with a splash guard on and he said no, he'd be careful! This was him being careful. lol He managed to get paint all over himself but somehow not on the carpet, the walls that weren’t meant to be painted or the ceiling. So, technically, he did a great job!

51/365 20th February

We got a new shoe rack! You wouldn’t think that’s exciting but in a house where shoes seem to multiply overnight it kind of is. This one is half the length of the old one and twice the height, yet somehow it fits more shoes. There is now no excuse for shoes being left around the house.

52/365 21st February

Terry’s Chocolate Orange Eggs! Terry's has been my favourite chocolate for as long as I can remember and now they’ve made eggs with a creamy centre. Of course I had to try them and they are really nice but I still don’t think they're better than a Cadbury Creme Egg.

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

This week has been full. There has been a bit of stress, a bit of laughter, a few complaints, a lot of good moments and somehow it all balanced out in the end. Not a perfect week but the kind of week where the scales tipped back and forth but settled in a good place.

All my family have been home for most of it and I’ve loved having them here. I know I sometimes moan about the noise or them not tidying up after themselves but when everyone is out doing their own thing I miss it. The girls have got along brilliantly and I mean brilliantly by our standards. There’s usually at least one disagreement about something tiny that turns into something big but this week there has been hardly anything. We’ve eaten meals together, had pancakes on Tuesday, watched TV and it felt like a week long catch up. There were chats about everything and nothing, random stories, old memories, silly jokes and a lot of fun!

Stu took a week off work just for a break after the Christmas and New Year rush and he has had quite a relaxing week apart from when he was painting the dining room. He didn't faff around as much as I thought he would so that kept me happy as he had it all done within a couple of days. Phew! It would have been done earlier in the week if not for the B&Q situation. I ordered some things that we needed and they said it would be delivered on Monday. Monday came and went and there was nothing. I rang Tuesday and they casually told me they could deliver on Thursday at the earliest. That’s practically next year when you’re waiting for something. Ugh! So in the politest way possible I told them to cancel it. Stu went into town and got what we needed instead.

Wednesday was the day I had been dreading all week: getting my contraceptive implant changed. I lost sleep the night before, which tells you how much previous experiences have bothered me. If you’ve been around here a while, you’ll know it hasn’t always gone smoothly. One time the bandage was put on so tight I ended up with huge blisters. Another time they couldn’t get the old implant out, I was so sore and last time they forgot to order the replacement, so I had one removed and then had to go back days later to have the new one inserted in the other arm. I was useless for a week afterwards. My arm ached, I felt drained and was determined not to go back to the doctors. So I found an alternative, a clinic in town and this time it went smoothly! I kept waiting for something to go wrong but it didn’t happen. The nurse was calm and confident, she removed the old implant and explained that it had originally been placed somewhere it shouldn’t have been, which could have caused issues if it attached to the muscle. At least that explained the previous drama with it being difficult to remove. She put the new one in a better position and that was that. My arm was sore afterwards but compared to previous times it was nothing! By yesterday it was already feeling almost normal. I built it up so much in my head and in the end it was fine. More balance, worry on one side, relief on the other!

While we were in town we stumbled across a continental market on the high street. All the little stalls had different cuisines from different countries with plenty of smells drifting around. We had a wander but didn’t buy anything because we already knew where we were heading for lunch, somewhere warm with proper toilets! It was bitterly cold on Wednesday and by the time we got home, we were frozen through. We spent the rest of the afternoon wrapped up, trying to thaw out.

Thursday was spent not doing much at all, my arm was still sore and we just needed a day to relax fully before having a busy day yesterday. We went to see my dad and Stu had shelves to put up in the living room which meant moving furniture. It's a good job Ellie was home to help with the lifting. Today is supposed to be 13°C. That feels practically tropical for this time of year. I might even get into the garden. It’s been on my to-do list for weeks but between the rain and the cold I haven’t managed it.

When I look back over the week, balance really is the word that fits best. There were moments I could have happily stamped my feet over: late deliveries, cold winds, stressing about my contraceptive implant but they were matched with laughter, time with family, jobs finally finished and a sense of relief when things went right. It wasn’t a perfect week but it was real life, a mix of messy bits and magic bits.

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 8. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I hope you have all had a good week! Mine has been great with lots of nice moments and good things happening, I will be sad to see it end. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share the things that I have loved over the past week.

Having lots of family time!

This week has been all about having everyone at home. Stu has had a week off work, Ellie has been on half-term from college and Becky had a couple of days off too. The house has been full and I have loved it. We’ve had that perfect mix of sitting in the same room doing our own thing: phones, TV, games, scrolling and then properly doing things together. We’ve laughed a lot and made plenty of little memories. My dad popped around to drop off a few bits. When I say a few bits I mean the most random things as usual. This time it was Wensleydale and cranberry cheese and some black pudding. Not to be eaten together, just to clarify. I feel like he goes shopping and just thinks Kim will like that and into the basket it goes. I never know what he’s going to turn up with. lol

A card and roses!

Stu and I had agreed that we weren’t doing cards or gifts but he didn’t fully mean it. We got back from a shopping trip and there was a box waiting for me. Inside was a card and the most beautiful bunch of roses. I was so surprised. They’re still looking lovely now and every time I walk past them I smile.

Football!

If you know us, you’ll know we are a Newcastle United house. So when they’re doing well, we’re all in a better mood. At the weekend we caught most of the FA Cup match on TV. When we turned it on, they were already 1-0 down but then they equalised, then scored again and then another. The final score was 3-1 to Newcastle! We were so chuffed. The referee was not great and that’s me being polite. It wasn’t just us shouting at the TV, the pundits were saying the same thing. Then came the draw for the next round and of course we got Man City. We never seem to beat them and it feels like we always end up facing them at the worst possible time. Midweek we had a Champions League match, first leg of two and we won 6-1. Howay the lads!

Pancakes!

Tuesday was Pancake Day here in the UK and I took my role very seriously. I stood at the cooker flipping pancake after pancake like some sort of production line. Sugar and lemon, golden syrup, chocolate spread and then I finally made a little stack for myself. Just as I sat down to eat them, my dad walked in. He didn’t even realise it was Pancake Day and immediately pinched some off my plate. lol

The hair dye drama!

Early in the week, Ellie asked me to dye her hair. I’ve done it so many times now, I could probably do it with my eyes closed but as I was putting the dye on, I did think the colour looked a bit different, slightly lighter but I assumed she’d picked her usual one. While I was applying it I kept saying this doesn’t look like your normal red but she insisted it was fine. We waited for it to dry and once it was done, she looked at it and said it wasn’t right and then looked at me like it was my fault. Eesh! So I did a bit of detective work and went back through photos of the boxes she'd used before. It turns out she usually buys Red Passion but this time it was Real Red, a completely different shade! Hahaha I was not to blame. We all ended up laughing about it and it actually suits her.

A painted dining room!

Stu made good use of his time off work and painted the dining room. It was a magnolia colour and he painted it white, it looks so much fresher and brighter now!

A good medical appointment!

I had an appointment to change my contraceptive implant in my arm and I was dreading it but it went really well. The nurse really put me at ease. She went through all the usual questions, like do you have any medical issues, take any medication, drink alcohol or smoke and without skipping a beat asked how often I dyed my hair because it looks amazing! That really threw me but in a good way and made me laugh out loud and it was just what I needed at that moment to calm my nerves!

Money returned!

I ordered some things and they were set to be delivered on Monday but nothing arrived. I called on Tuesday and spoke to someone. They said the earliest they could deliver was Thursday! That was not what I signed up for, so I cancelled my order. I didn't expect the money back this week so when I got a notification saying it was back in my bank on Wednesday I was pleasantly surprised! I love it when things are straightforward with no chasing and no arguing!

What have you loved over the last week?

National Nestbox Week: How to give your garden birds a safe home!

I know February can feel a bit grim. The weather can’t quite make its mind up, the garden looks a little tired, and we’re all still pretending it’s not that long until spring but National Nestbox Week is one of those little reminders that brighter days are coming and that nature is already quietly getting itself organised. Every year, starting on the 14th of February, bird lovers across the UK are encouraged to put up nest boxes and help create safe spaces for birds to raise their chicks.

Spotting birds in the garden makes me happy. There’s something about watching a robin hopping about or a blue tit swinging off a feeder like it’s auditioning for a circus that just makes everything feel a bit better and when you realise they might actually raise a family right there in your garden, it's exciting but as lovely as it is to watch National Nestbox Week isn’t just about cute moments through the kitchen window. According to the RSPB around one in four bird species in the UK are under serious threat. That is not a small number and it means those simple things we do, like putting up a nest box or keeping a feeder topped up aren’t just nice little hobbies, they actually matter!

Why nest boxes matter!

Birds need safe, sheltered spaces to lay their eggs and raise their chicks and in many areas natural nesting sites are disappearing. Old trees with holes are cut down, hedgerows are ripped out and modern gardens often look very neat but don’t offer much cover. Nest boxes provide that safe space. They’re essentially a little home away from home for birds, a place where they can raise their young without the risk of predators or bad weather and it’s not just a handful of species that benefit. From robins, blue tits and great tits to sparrows, wrens and even starlings, many garden birds will happily make a new nest if you provide the right conditions.

You don’t need a huge garden!

One of the best things about National Nestbox Week is how accessible it is. You don’t need acres of land, fancy equipment or expert knowledge. A small garden, a bit of wall, a fence or even a sturdy tree is more than enough to get started. Birds really aren’t that fussy, as long as they feel safe.

How to take part in National Nestbox Week!

Taking part is really simple, you don’t need to be a professional birdwatcher. Here are a few easy ways to get involved:

Put up a nest box - You can buy nest boxes from garden centres, online shops or even supermarkets these days. There are loads of styles, from very basic wooden ones to fancy-looking designs. Birds don’t care how stylish it is, so simple is fine. If you’re handy, making one yourself can be a nice little project too. There are plenty of simple plans online and it doesn’t need to be perfect. A solid box with the right sized entrance hole is what matters. Placement is important though. Try to put the box somewhere quiet, away from busy paths and constant noise. It should be out of direct sunlight and sheltered from strong winds. Around 1.5 to 2 metres off the ground is ideal and helps keep it out of reach of cats and other predators.

Feed your birds - Even before nesting season really kicks off, birds need plenty of energy. Winter takes a lot out of them and breeding season is hard work. Keeping feeders topped up with seeds, nuts or suet makes a big difference. If you’re feeding birds, consistency is key. Once they know your garden is a good food stop, they’ll keep coming back.

Provide fresh water - A birdbath or shallow dish of water is perfect for drinking and bathing. Change the water regularly to keep it clean, especially in freezing weather.

Plant bird-friendly greenery - If you’re thinking longer term, planting shrubs, bushes and trees that birds love is a brilliant move. Dense plants give them shelter, places to hide and somewhere to rest. They also attract insects, which are an essential food source for chicks. You don’t need to overhaul your whole garden. Even one or two bird-friendly plants can make a difference.

Watching and Enjoying the Magic!

Once your nest box is up and your garden feels welcoming, it’s a bit of a waiting game. Birds might take a while to notice the box. They might inspect it, pop in and out and then disappear for a bit. This is all completely normal. It can be tempting to keep checking or peeking inside but it’s best to leave it alone. Too much disturbance can put birds off, especially early on. Trust that they know what they’re doing. If no one moves in this year, don’t be disheartened. Sometimes it takes time. Boxes often get used the following season once birds are familiar with them.

National Nestbox Week is a reminder that nature is right there, even in the middle of everyday life. You don’t need to go anywhere special to make a difference. You can do it from your own back garden and when you know that bird populations are struggling, it feels good to know you’re doing something practical.

Do you get many birds in your garden?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #43

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 Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season?

I don’t really do Lent in a traditional sense. It’s just not something I’ve grown up marking in a big way but I do like the idea behind it. The whole pause and reflecting is a little reset for your habits and mindset. If I were going to do Lent properly, I don’t think I’d give something up. I’d probably add something in instead: a short walk on days when I’d normally stay glued to the sofa, add in doing something productive like a craft instead of endless scrolling and add more proper catch-ups with my favourite people instead of the "we must meet soon" messages that never quite turn into plans.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday here in the UK so of course we had pancakes! It would have been rude not to and not just one polite pancake either, we went all in. We are not fans of savoury pancakes, to do pancake day properly you need sugar involved! Hehehe Mine were the classic lemon juice and golden syrup. The girls, on the other hand had Nutella, bananas, strawberries, syrup, lemon and sugar and possibly everything at once. It was worth it! I love that Shrove Tuesday gives us an excuse to eat dessert for tea and we call it tradition!

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.

I can’t pinpoint one exact moment but it’s usually when everything at home ramps up at once. The washing basket is overflowing, there are appointments to remember, everyone needs something, meals need planning, the house needs tidying, messages need replying to and suddenly I feel like I’m being pulled in about six different directions. Being a mum to two young adult daughters means I’m not running around after toddlers anymore but I’m still very much in the thick of it. I think the mental load is what does it. Keeping track of who needs to be where, who’s feeling what, what’s in the fridge and what’s coming up next week. It’s a lot sometimes. Right now, things feel calm and manageable and I’ve learned to recognise that spread too thin feeling earlier than I used to, so I can calm things down before it all gets too much!

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors?

I don’t think I have a favourite gemstone in the traditional sense. I can’t tell you the difference between half of them if I’m being asked to identify them in a line up but my favourite jewel is absolutely my engagement ring.

Stu proposed when the girls were little and it feels like a lifetime ago now. Over the years, my weight has gone up and down and after a while the original ring didn’t fit properly, so I stopped wearing it. A few years ago he replaced it, and the new one fits perfectly. It’s not about how big or flashy it is, it’s about what it represents and the fact that, after all these years, we’re still here.

When it comes to my wardrobe I have a lot of black items. It goes with everything and when I do branch out into colour, it’s usually darker shades. Deep greens, burgundy, navy, plum. I like rich tones that still feel safe. Pastels and bright colours are not really me. Even my PJs are dark.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?

Being the one who has to say no! Being a parent of two young adults means that I am mostly still in charge and I don't always get to be the fun one. Sometimes I'm the gatekeeper, the budget doesn’t stretch, the timing isn’t right and the idea isn’t workable. Even when I understand why one of my girls wants something, even when I’d love to say yes and be the fun one, sometimes I can’t and repeating no over and over can make me feel like the villain in my own house. Being in charge isn’t about being popular, it’s about making the decisions that keeps everything ticking along safely and sensibly.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We’re mid-way through the week and it has been one of those nice but busy ones where everyone is home at the same time. Stu has just about finished painting the dining room and I can’t tell you how good it feels to see it nearly done. Having everyone at home makes the days louder and busier but in a good way. There are random chats in the kitchen and the background noise of life ticking along. I might moan when I trip over someone’s shoes or when I can’t find my favourite mug but secretly I love that they’re all here. The house feels full. It’s funny because when they’re all out I enjoy the quiet but when we get these stretches of time together, I’m reminded that this is the bit I’ll miss one day.