My eldest is 24!

Today Becky turns 24 and I have said it again and I will probably say it every year. I can't believe how quickly another year has gone. Becky has had quite a year and if I had to sum up her 23rd year, I think I would say engaged, making plans, growing up, finding her feet and happily living her best life. There have been some big changes, some exciting plans for the future and lots of moments that have made me sit back and think about how she has grown up so fast!

Becky found the love of her life a few years ago and one of the biggest moments of the past year was when she got engaged. It was the best couple of days for her as her and her partner went off to Newcastle Upon Tyne to see Alex Warren in concert and that is when it happened. It still feels strange saying that my daughter is engaged and now she's planning a future with someone she loves. It really is something special seeing your daughter find someone she wants to share the rest of her life with. She's happy, she's excited and she's looking forward to what comes next.

Of course, getting engaged also means there are now lots of conversations about the future with wedding plans, homes, kids, money and what comes next. She's at that stage of life where there are so many possibilities ahead of her and I am excited for her and to be part of the planning. Another big step this year has been making plans to move out and get her own place. She's now looking for somewhere that she can call home, which I wasn't very happy about at first but we talked things over and I came around to the idea. It's not that I didn't want her to move out. I just would have preferred she saved and bought somewhere rather than rent but it's her life and her choice. I will be there beside her, supporting her where I can and so far, that has been with filling out forms. I keep joking that she needs to buy new ink for the printer because I've lost count of all the printing that she has done.

Becky is living her best life and probably the thing I love most about this past year is seeing her happy. She works hard but she also knows when it's time to have fun and has done so many fantastic things over the last year. Had trips away, been to concerts and shows, had some fantastic nights out and had plenty of downtime too, playing games on her laptop, watching football and binging TV shows. At the moment, she is halfway through Geordie Shore. That was a blast from the past. I used to watch it about 15 years ago. lol As I am writing this she is off to the beach with her friends, like I said, living her best life!

There have also been plenty of those little everyday moments that don't sound exciting when you write them down but are the things I will remember. The chats we have, watching the wrestling together, the laughs we have, the random TikToks she sends me, hearing about what she's been up to and all the little bits of her life that she shares with me. Those are the things that remind me that even though she's growing up and becoming more independent, I am still lucky enough to be part of her life.

At 24, Becky is still young enough to have loads of time ahead of her but also old enough to start making some big decisions and that is exactly what she has done over the last year. If I could wish anything for Becky at 24, it would be that she stays happy, keeps laughing, looks after herself and never feels like she has to have everything figured out.

My youngest is 19!

I write a post every year on or around my girls birthdays and this year is no different. It is Ellie's 19th birthday today and I still can't quite get my head around that. Nineteen is so grown up. I know she's technically been an adult for a year now but there's something about saying she's 19 that makes me stop and think about just how quickly the years have gone.

Ellie's 18th year started off great and she has definitely lived her best life over the last year. It's been a pretty big year for her with lots of changes and plenty going on. There have been some really good times, some difficult moments and because it wouldn't be Ellie without a little bit of drama along the way. There were a few weeks, late last year which weren't great but Ellie handled it really well. She had to deal with something that wasn't easy and she came through the other side stronger. There were quite a few positive things that came from something that wasn't great so I am taking that as a win. When I look back over the last 12 months, I think one of the biggest things I see is how much Ellie has grown as a person.

She started back at college in September for her final year in education and she chose to do mechanical engineering instead of electrical. She had done two years of electrical engineering but decided that mechanical engineering was something she wanted to try too and it turned out to be a really good decision for her. She really enjoyed the course! There have been times over the years when education hasn't always been easy for Ellie, so I was really proud when she got through her final year. Finishing college felt like a massive achievement and a very big reminder that she was moving into a completely different stage of her life. The job hunting started and is still happening but she's had a few interviews and things are looking good. Hopefully, it won't be too long before she finds something that's right for her.

One of the big moments of the past year was also when Ellie got a tattoo. I didn't approve at first, she got a big Medusa on her arm and as her mam I had my opinions but she was 18 and it was her decision. Medusa has become a symbol of female empowerment, strength and survival, especially for women who have faced trauma or injustice and my girl has had a fair bit of that in her life. So when I look at the tattoo now, I don't just see a big tattoo, I see something that represents everything she has been through and come out the other side of! I think having adult children teaches you quite a lot about letting go. When they're little, you're making so many decisions for them. You decide what they eat, what they wear, where they go and what they can and can't do. Then they get older and suddenly they're making those decisions themselves.

Another big part of last year was Ellie's routine heart check-up in January. She had surgery to fix a hole in her heart when she was a baby, along with her sister and they both have checks every few years. Her leaky valve is still leaking and it's a little worse than it was before but thankfully, no one is worried about it. She's back in a couple of years for her next check-up, so I am taking that as a good sign. She might be 19 now but she's still my baby girl and I do worry.

Looking back over the last year, I think one of the things I'm most proud of is seeing Ellie become more confident in herself. She's starting to understand what she wants, what she doesn't want and what she will and won't put up with. She's learning to stand up for herself and she's becoming more comfortable making her own decisions. So happy 19th birthday to my youngest girl! I can't wait to see what this year brings. There are so many things ahead of her and while part of me would quite happily slow everything down, I'm also excited to watch her take those next steps and see where life takes her.

Buying birthday presents was so much easier when they were little!

Now that my girls are adults, I have realised I really struggle when it comes to buying their birthday gifts. When they were little it was easy. They'd circle half the Argos catalogue, write a birthday list that was about three miles long and there would always be something they desperately wanted. Dolls, games, craft kits, DVDs, clothes, Lego and the latest craze that everyone was talking about at school. Now they're adults, everything has changed.

Every year, a few weeks before their birthdays, I ask the same question: what they want for their birthday, hoping that this time they'll come up with loads of ideas but the answer is usually the same, that they don't really need anything! That is not helpful at all. Now if they want something, they usually just buy it. They don't have to wait for birthdays any more because they're earning their own money but the downside for me is that it completely ruins my gift ideas.

The older the girls have got, the more practical they've become and so have I. Years ago I'd never have dreamed of buying socks as a birthday present because I would have thought it was far too boring. Now, they're one of the first things I think about because everybody needs socks. The same goes for toiletries. I can remember being younger and wondering why adults bought people shower gel and body lotion as presents because it seemed such a strange thing to give someone. Now I completely understand it and my girls do too. They love a shower gel set.

I could just give them money. I know they'd appreciate it. Who doesn't love a bit of extra money? but I've never really like giving money on its own because it feels like something is missing. Birthdays are supposed to involve wrapping paper and opening presents and wondering what's inside. Gift cards are a little better because at least they show you've thought about where they like shopping but even then, it still feels a bit boring.

Lately, I've started thinking that experience gifts are the answer. Instead of buying more things that might end up sitting on a shelf or being forgotten about, making memories sounds way better. Concert tickets, theatre tickets, an afternoon tea, a spa day or even a night away all sound like presents that will be remembered long after their birthday. I know the experience itself is a gift, but I still want them to have something to open on the day and I am thinking if I bought tickets for something, I could also wrap something silly that goes with the day, some sweets for the journey or maybe even a little travel bag with everything they'd need for the day. That way they'd still have something to open but the main gift would be the day out itself.

This is just another one of those little reminders that my girls really have grown up. I am starting to think it might get easier once they leave home because at least I could buy them something practical that they need, like a new hoover or a set of pans. lol Now I just need someone to tell me what everyone else buys their grown-up children because I can't be the only parent who gets completely stuck every single birthday!

What do you buy your adult children for their birthdays?

A photo every day for a year! 16th - 22nd November! Week 47 of #Project365

What a week! There has been so many things to love about it! I feel worn out and I feel like I could sleep until the middle of next week!

One of the big moments of the week was my blog’s birthday! Thirteen whole years of writing, sharing life and chatting away online. I am still shocked that I have stuck to it, publishing a new blog post almost every day since 2012!

The deliveries this week have been something else!! The post man probably thinks I’m running a small warehouse from the living room. hehehe. A mix of Christmas bits, decorations, gifts and a few birthday surprises from some very kind people. I felt properly spoiled and it definitely helped get me in the Christmas spirit.

On Friday we went to the York Christmas Market which was absolutely lovely. I was braced for freezing temperatures because we’d had snow earlier in the week but it wasn’t too bad at all. The stalls were gorgeous, the lights were twinkly and I had several moments of should I buy this or not!

Now for a photo every day!

320/365 - 16th November

Gingerbread Pepsi! I am not a Pepsi lover, in fact I would go as far to say I hate it but Becky had a spare can going of the Gingerbread flavoured one and I gave it a try and surprisingly I love it. You can taste the gingerbread more than the Pepsi!

321/365 - 17 November

Can anyone else remember Rainbow Brite? I saw it in B&M and was transported straight back to being a kid. I'm sure I must have watched the TV show but what I do remember clearly is the doll. That doll went everywhere with me!

322/365 - 18th November

It’s nearly 2026 and corned beef tins are still a health hazard! With everything we’ve invented like smartphones that unlock with your face, fridges that tell you when you’re out of milk but somehow the corned beef key still exists in its original form. I braced myself for the usual finger carnage but this time I made it out uninjured.

323/365 - 19th November

Snow!! Ellie came in from college half an hour before I took this photo and it was cold outside but there was no snow! I went to put some rubbish out, saw the snow and shouted snow, snow, snow! The girls didn't believe me but still came running! hehehe It lasted all of about half an hour before it was gone!

324/365 - 20th November

We went to Hull and stayed the night in a hotel because we had an early start the next morning. We went out for tea to the all you can eat place and had an early night. We were tucked up in bed watching I'm a Celeb. I do love Ant & Dec.

325/365 - 21st November

We had a day out at York Christmas Markets, I took so many photos that I need to sort out but it was a lovely day! It was the girls first time there and they loved it too!

326/365 - 22nd November

I didn't sort out all the deliveries properly during the week so everything was still sat there needing to be sorted. Ugh!

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

It has to be! It was my blogs birthday on Sunday, it turned 13 years old! How did that happen!! One minute I was pressing publish on my very first post, probably sweating over whether anyone would even read it and now here we are. I feel like sometimes I am just muddling through with it, I'm great at keeping the blog posts coming but not so good with the behind the scenes things. I really should change my blog header or banner or whatever it’s technically called, that picture at the top but I can't remember how I did it last time. I feel like I should really check for broken links and feel like I should go back and update old blog posts but I have thousands, where would I start. lol Anyway, I am proud of my little space on the internet and thank you all for reading, commenting and supporting me!!

Now onto the other big birthday, mine!! Yesterday was my birthday and yes I am cheating a little because I’m actually writing this on Wednesday. I already knew the rest of the week was going to be busy so I’m hoping all our plans have gone to plan and we made it home from York! hehehe

The plan, if everything went smoothly was that Ellie and I headed to Hull on Thursday and checked into a hotel for the night. Then later on Becky and her girlfriend were joining us and checking into their own room. Becky had been on her own mini adventure before meeting us. She had her routine heart check at the hospital, nothing scary both the girls just get these check ups every three years after having surgery 16 years ago to fix holes in their hearts. Stu was at work during the day on Thursday so he said he’d meet up with us once he’d finished. Perfect timing because the Christmas lights were being switched on in Hull that evening, which felt like a bit of birthday treat.

Then we were heading to our favourite all you can eat place. If you’ve been around on my blog for a while, you already know exactly where I mean. Wings. A place where you can have spring rolls, pizza, curry, ice cream and jelly all on the same plate if you fancy it. lol After eating far too much, we always do the plan was to head back to the hotel, get comfy and watch I’m A Celeb in bed. Ellie was sharing with Stu and I so it was going to be strange!

We woke, hopefully on time, had breakfast and then went off to catch our train to York! We were off to York Christmas Market! Last year Stu and I went the day after my birthday and it was so lovely so this year we decided to take the girls along. A full family day out. I’m assuming we had a fabulous time because in my head Future Me is already smiling about it. I’ll of course be writing a full post all about it soon.

We're having a little adventure coming home as I refused to pay £15 each on the train when it was only £4 something to get there. It seems so unfair that they charge triple the price on a Friday. Hmmf. So we're getting the bus and it only cost £3. Yes it takes longer but I am fine with that, it will be great to go through little villages and towns that I've never seen before. The plan after that was to get home, freshen up and head back out to the pub where there was bingo and music.

Today was going to be a day of rest but I've decided we're putting the Christmas decorations up! Yay! It makes sense because this is the last full weekend Stu has off work until the middle of December. I also have a big grocery shop coming today. Stu got a bonus from work which was converted to supermarket vouchers so I am buying more of the Christmas treats like biscuits, chocolate and the Advocaat which we only ever drink at Christmas.

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good week. I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay to join in with her Word of the Week linky and while we’re at it can we all send her a big happy birthday too! Hers is in a few days and I hope she gets spoiled rotten.

My favourite blog posts from the last year!!

My blog turned 13 a few days ago and as I do every year I’ve been looking back at my favourite posts from the last twelve months. These might not be the ones that got the most views or comments but they’re the ones that made me smile the most, brought back good memories or reminded me why I love blogging in the first place.

November - A visit to York Christmas Market!

I loved writing this one. The York Christmas Market is just magical with the lights, the food, the smells and of course the mulled wine! hehehe It was such a lovely day out and I really enjoyed sharing all the photos. There’s something about a proper festive market that just puts you in the best mood and I’m already hoping to go back this year with the girls and make even more memories.

December - Reflecting on 2024!

This one was harder to write because 2024 wasn’t exactly an easy year but now looking back I can see how far we’ve come and how much stronger we are as a family. It’s one of those posts that felt emotional to write but also really healing.

January - Things I did as a teenager that I wouldn't let my teenagers do now in 2025!

This post was fun to write. The things we used to get up to in the 90's with no phones, no tracking apps, just chaos! I had so much fun comparing my teenage years to what I’d actually let my girls do now. Times really have changed, and it made me realise just how wild and wonderful we all were back then.

February - My favourite things about my fella!

I don’t often write about my fella but Valentine’s Day felt like the perfect excuse. It was lovely to sit down and actually think about all the reasons I adore him. Sometimes life gets busy and you forget to say those things out loud so this was a nice little reminder of how lucky I am.

March - Share Our Lives! An average day in my life!

This felt like proper old school blogging, the kind where you just chat about your day. I loved joining in with the Share Our Lives bloggers and giving a peek into what a normal day looks like for me. It’s the kind of post I love reading on other blogs too because I'm nosy and I love seeing how other people live their ordinary days.

April - A Saturday night away and out!

Becky treated me to a night away and we had a great time. Good food, seeing a show and then a couple of drinks afterwards. Having older kids definitely has its perks. hehehe

May - Deaf Awareness Week 2025!

Raising awareness for hearing loss is really important to me because of Ellie being deaf in one ear. I always try to use my little corner of the internet to talk about things that matter and this one definitely did.

June - Parenting Teenagers: Things I thought I’d never say out loud but did!

Parenting teens is basically a daily mix of confusion, laughter and did I really just say that moments. I could’ve written about a hundred things that my girls have said, they keep me on my toes, that’s for sure!

July - My day at Winterton Show, North Lincolnshire - 2025!

We go every year and it’s always one of my favourite days of summer. There’s something about the local shows, the animals, the food and the random stalls selling things you never knew you needed. What's not to love!

August - Why I’m still talking about CHD's - Sixteen years after surgery!

Every year I write a post about CHDs on the anniversary of the girls surgery. It’s not always easy because it brings up a lot of memories but it’s important to me to keep raising awareness. It reminds me how far we’ve come as a family and how strong the girls are.

September - How to make Blackberry Jam!

I was ridiculously proud of myself for this one! I’d never made jam before and it actually turned out amazing. It felt like such a wholesome, autumn-y thing to do. I had to share!

October - My go to Autumn/Winter boots!

I don’t do many reviews these days but when I find something I love I have to share it. These boots are my favourites. Comfy, warm and they go with everything. I’ve basically been living in them for a few years!

Looking back over these posts makes me so proud. It’s been another year of ups and downs, laughter, a few tears and plenty of cups of tea in between. Blogging still brings me so much joy even after all these years and I’m already excited to see what the next year of posts will look like! Thank you all for reading!!

13 Years Blogging!

It has been thirteen years and two days since I started this little blog of mine! It somehow seems crazy to me that I have been tapping away on my keyboard for this long, sharing random bits of my life, opinions and little joys with the internet. It started as something small and somehow turned into this big, wonderful part of my world. I’ve laughed, learned, cried over broken links and photo uploads that wouldn’t cooperate and grown so much since my first post went live. When I hit publish for the very first time I never imagined I’d still be doing it thirteen years later. Blogging has changed a lot since then and so have I but my love for it is still as strong as ever.

My blog is my little piece of the internet where I can ramble and connect with people who just get it. There’s something addictive about creating something from scratch and watching it come together even if it’s just a chatty post about what I’ve been up to. Some people unwind by painting, others go for a run but I write blog posts and the best part is that people actually read it! Every time someone leaves a comment or messages me saying they related to something I wrote makes my day.

If someone told me thirteen years ago that I’d end up friends with people from all over the world because of a little blog, I’d have laughed but it’s true! Blogging has introduced me to some of the kindest, funniest and most inspiring people. I’ve chatted with bloggers in the US, swapped messages with creators in Australia and bonded over tea and biscuits, virtually of course with others here in the UK! It still amazes me how blogging can connect people who might never meet otherwise. I think that’s what makes the blogging community so special. Even though platforms have changed the sense of community hasn’t disappeared. Bloggers still cheer each other on, share tips and celebrate milestones like old friends. It’s such a supportive world and I’ve met people I truly consider friends for life because of it.

Thirteen years of blogging teaches you a lot. You get very good at laughing off mistakes. Posting something before it’s finished and totally messing up the layout of my blog. Been there, done that! On Sunday I messed up, my Project 365 post read the 19th - 15th of November, it should have been the 9th. lol I’ve learned that perfection is overrated!

Looking back I’m proud of this little corner of the internet I’ve built. It’s grown and changed with me from the clunky posts of my early days and let’s not talk about the un-edited photos from years ago. It’s been a journey full of lessons, laughs and late night writing sessions that turned into something I truly love. Thirteen years in I still feel happy when publishing a post, that’s how I know blogging isn’t just a phase it’s part of who I am now.

So here’s to thirteen years of blogging and hopefully many more ahead. To everyone who’s read, commented, or connected with me over the years, thank you!!

Our weekly meal plan! 17th - 23rd November! #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! I am not usually this happy on a Monday morning but it is my birthday later this week and I am very excited. I have a few things to look forward to as well as cake and presents!

We had such a cosy family weekend. Nothing wild, nothing Instagrammable and nothing that required leaving the sofa for long, just the way I like it! We rotated between watching TV, eating and pottering around the house pretending to be productive. Those are my favourite types of weekends! I didn't even go to my dad's on Friday as the weather was so bad with the wind and rain. I would have loved to have seen him but I didn't want to be going out in the cold and then catching a cold. I know being cold and wet doesn't directly cause a cold but it does increase the chance of catching one and just once I would like a birthday without a snotty nose and cough!

Last weeks meal plan went well. We ate most of what I’d planned but I did shuffle a couple of meals around because life happens and on Saturday my family decided they wanted home made pizza and as they were all home they made their pizzas themselves. Letting them make their own pizzas is one of my finest parenting hacks. No effort from me, all the toppings for them and no arguments about not wanting certain toppings, everyone can ruin their own pizza however they like. hehehe

If you have come here for meal ideas this week, you are going to be disappointed because the meals that I do make are going to be quick and easy. I am not even going to plan what day we're having anything as things are going to be all over the place.

On the menu this week we have:

At some point on one of the days where I’m out and about, I’ll grab something from town. I’m popping into M&S so there’s a strong chance I’ll come home with something fancy. I’ve heard the Christmas party food is out so I might just grab some picky bits for us to eat.

We will be having a feast at the all you can eat place in town one evening. We haven’t been in ages and it’s one of those places where I always promise I won’t overdo it and then I absolutely do! We always walk out with full bellies and smiles on our faces.

Another day we’re eating out again and I already know exactly what I’m getting: prawn cocktail as a starter, steak and chips and a dessert of some sort.

We’ve got three glamorous nights of freezer diving. The freezer is a lucky dip at the moment but it all needs using up because the big Christmas freezer shop is coming soon and that requires space and I really need to defrost the freezer at some point too. That is on my to do list for sometime soon!

Finally on Sunday I’m making a roast dinner at home instead of going out. A proper one. The last roast before Christmas so I’m determined to make it count.

What are you eating this week?

My plans for November!

There is a lot to love about most months but November is my favourite month of the year by far!! There’s something about November that feels like a big warm hug to me. The evenings are darker but that just means more excuses for comfort food, early pyjamas and binge watching tv shows! It is also my birthday month, my blogs birthday and it's time where I get excited about Christmas without feeling the stress of it, it's still over a month away after all!

This month is shaping up to be a busy one and I’ve got loads to look forward to. Here’s what I’ve got planned:

Hopefully a visit to York Christmas Market! I’m planning to take the girls for a proper festive day out. Stu and I went last year and loved it. The food stalls, twinkly lights and cosiness had me grinning like a kid. It got me right in the Christmas spirit and I can’t wait to go back.

The 2nd Wicked movie is being released on my actual birthday and Ellie and I are debating whether to go to the double feature of Wicked and Wicked: For Good. It depends if there’s a break in-between though. I’ll need to stretch my legs, refill my popcorn and get another drink.

I’m hoping for a cosy birthday weekend rather than anything big but there will be a meal out. I am thinking the pubs and restaurants will be serving the Christmas meals by the middle of the month so that's a treat. Of course there will be a cheeky cocktail and cake!

Now is when I start buying food and drinks for Christmas. A few extras in the weekly shop here and there: tubs of chocolate, fizzy wine, sweet treats and bits for the freezer. It’s the easiest way to make December a little less chaotic and spread the cost.

I am going to try and stay well! Every year without fail I catch a cold in November so this year I’m determined to avoid it. I’m taking vitamins, washing my hands like I’m preparing for surgery, getting more fresh air and steering clear of anyone who coughs in a 10 mile radius.

Christmas lunch with friends! Every year a group of friends and I get together for a Christmas lunch and I’m so excited for it. Delicious food, plenty of cocktails, lots of laughter and that warm festive buzz you can only get when you’re with your favourite people. It’s one of those days that really makes November feel extra special.

Stranger Things Season 5! The fifth season is coming at the end of the month, well the first half the rest are out on Christmas Day then the big finale at the end of the year. I am ridiculously excited. I’ve been rewatching from the beginning just to refresh my memory. 

Our decorating weekend! The Christmas tree and decorations will be going up during the last weekend of the month. It’s always a family event, everyone helps with the decorations while I take over the tree. I need it to be just right. It’s one of my favourite traditions and it officially kicks off Christmas in our house.

My goal is to have all the Christmas presents bought by the end of this month. I’ve actually got a decent idea of what I’m getting everyone this year so it feels more doable. If I’m feeling really motivated, I might even start wrapping.

What do you have planned for November?

Birthday season is over for another year!

My fella and my two girls have their birthdays in the space of three and a half weeks. From the middle of August until last week it is birthday season in our house. It is hard work organising everything and making sure they have a special day and this year was extra special as it was Ellie's 18th!

It all started in the middle of August with Stu's birthday. It wasn't a big birthday but it was nice just to celebrate him. We had planned on the girls taking him to play pool and then get a Chinese takeaway at home but the Chinese takeaway was closed for their summer break but it turned out OK as it happened to be the first Saturday of the Premiership and Newcastle United were playing so we went to a pub showing it and had food there. The only thing that would have made him happier was if his team won, they just got a draw. He loved all of his gifts, especially his new Newcastle United top off Becky.

Ellie's birthday was the big event of the summer in our house. She turned 18! All of the stress and planning was worth it on the day to see her face when she came downstairs and saw the decorations, opened her presents and was so surprised by some of the surprises I had planned. The new dressing table, her boyfriend coming over for the day and going to visit family. She got everything that she wanted and more!

The main event was a night at the pub. We had planned on a quiet meal but shortly after we'd finished eating the karaoke started and it started with the whole pub singing happy birthday to Ellie. She was of course mortified but said it was the most scared and happy she has felt at the same time. lol She went to the bar to order her first legal drink and was very disappointed that she didn't get asked for ID. It turns out the guy serving thought she was already 18. lol To be fair she was the youngest in her school year so everyone she knows has been 18 for potentially three hundred and 60 days. lol After that they made a point of asking for her ID. hehehe 

It was a fantastic night and thankfully there were no sore heads the next morning as Ellie had a night out with friends to prepare for. She went out around town with a group of her friends, her first proper night out. She kept in touch so I didn't worry that much, she sent me vidoes and photos and it looks like she had an amazing time but she said never again will she do two nights out on the trot! By Sunday afternoon she was ready for her bed. lol It turns out it's hard work celebrating being 18 years old. As much as young adults have a bad reputation for drinking lots, throwing up in the street and falling over I can honestly say Ellie was sensible and didn't drink much alcohol, she was just happy to join her friends on a night out. She is the youngest out of her friendship group so having a night out with them has been a long time coming!

After the double night out Ellie was quite prepared to enjoy the next weekend at home but her sister had other plans, she was taking her on a night out with her friends and to a Emo music event. Ellie loves all the emo music and they had a hotel booked so there was no rush home. They went to a couple of bars afterwards but were in bed just after 1am which wasn't bad considering lots of the bars and clubs don't close until 6am. Eek! 

Next up was Becky's birthday! This was going to be more of a quieter affair, yes it was a birthday but not a big one like Ellie's so it was a lot more relaxed. 

Becky is the hardest person to buy gifts for, she has everything or buys anything that she wants or needs. I think I did well though, she was happy with all of her presents especially her pool cue. Her favourite present of all was a kiddy wrestling belt that her sister had got her. lol She has seen the price of replica one's so it's a dream to own one so a plastic one will have to do for now!

All Becky wanted to do with her day is have a Pumpkin Spice drink from Starbucks and a look around the shops, she is so easy to please so that is what we did! It was nice for it just to be her and me for once, we sat people watching outside of Starbucks, looked around Primark, went in a shop we don't usually to get out of the rain and ended up at the pub where we were meeting the rest of the family for a meal.

We enjoyed our food and headed home, well at least Stu, Ellie and I did. Becky was heading out and meeting up with friends for a wild night out, well probably not that wild as she is pretty sensible.

So that's it, the birthdays are over for another year, well at least the one's that I have to organise. Mine is the next birthday and I have already told my family what I want to do. hehehe It's up to them to plan and organise it.

My eldest is 23!

Somehow, in the blink of an eye my eldest daughter Becky has turned 23! Twenty three!! I honestly can’t quite wrap my head around it, she was the one who made me a mam and it seems such a long, long time ago! Part of me still sees her as that little girl who would run rings around me and resist bedtime. Back then trying to get her to sleep was a full time job, she’d fight it and what is funny now is that she absolutely loves her sleep. If she could she’d happily nap her way through a weekend. I often joke that if younger her could see grown up her she’d be horrified at how much she appreciates a good lie in these days.

I don’t tend to write much about Becky on my blog now. She’s private, living her own life and I like to respect that but sometimes I just have to break my own rule and a birthday feels like the perfect excuse, my girl deserves to be celebrated.

Becky works hard in care and has been working night shift for the last few years. It is something I couldn't do but she prefers the nights over the days. She is so patient and caring, she knows what she wants and she just gets on with things. It’s not all work, she likes to play hard too. When she’s not working she’s usually heading out to some event or another. She loves a good concert, a day out or pretty much anything that feels like an occasion.

Then there’s wrestling. WWE wrestling to be exact. This is where we bond in the funniest way. We’ll both sit there on the sofa, glued to the screen, shouting at the TV like the wrestlers can actually hear us. We have wild theories about what is going to happen on the next episode or live event and our predictions are never right. It's brilliant sharing this silly passion with her. Some mams and daughters shop together, some bake together but we shout at wrestling together.

Everyone has their thing that they seem to collect and Becky's thing is ducks!! Yes, ducks. She has this soft spot for them and I love it. It always makes me smile when something duck related pops up and reminds me of her. She has clothes with them on, duck drawers in her bedroom, bedding, a rug, ornaments and even her phone case has ducks on it!

At home Becky is all about the comfortable life. If she could live in pyjamas she would but don’t be fooled when it’s time to go out the PJs get swapped for her fancy pants. She bought some plain black trousers which are smart but comfortable for nights out and we call them her fancy pants. She loved them so much she bought a extra couple of pairs. Another comfort to Becky is pasta! I’m not exaggerating when I say she loves it and eats it at least five times a week, she comes in on a morning from work which is like her evening and cooks herself a bowl full and usually covers it in cheese. Even after years of her doing this I still haven't got used to the smell of pasta being cooked on a morning!

Becky has been with her girlfriend for about three years now. They make a lovely couple and most importantly, she’s happy. I know not everyone will agree with that relationship and that’s fine but here’s the thing, her happiness matters more than anyone else’s opinion. When I see her smiling, laughing and just being herself I know she’s exactly where she needs to be and since we’re on the subject of opinions let’s address the one that pops up now and then. The anonymous commenter who keeps saying that she is a boy because she has short hair on the odd time that I do share a photo. Honestly, it’s 2025 and we’re still judging people by the length of their hair? She has short hair because she likes it short and it is easier to manage. Hair doesn’t decide someone’s gender, it just decides how long it takes to wash and dry. lol She’s happy, she’s confident, she’s herself and I couldn’t be prouder.

When I look at Becky now at 23 I just feel proud. Proud of the woman she’s become, proud of the way she works hard, chases the things she loves, her humour and the fact she’s just herself. Happy birthday to my eldest. My pasta loving, PJ wearing, duck appreciating, wrestling fan daughter!!

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

This week has flown over, it feels like someone has pressed fast forward on life lately. Between birthday celebrations, a proper autumn chill in the air and a few little adventures it’s been busy but in the best way with quite a lot of firsts happening.

We went out on Friday evening to celebrate Ellie's 18th birthday and had a lovely meal with friends and family and ended up staying at the put for the karaoke. Ellie had a lot of firsts: buying her first legal alcoholic drink, getting asked for ID and being able to show it, being embarrassed in the pub by people singing happy birthday to her and apparently drinking her first alcoholic shot that someone bought her. I say apparently because there was no way it was her first, she didn't even flinch, even I can’t take a shot without pulling all sorts of faces and looking like I’ve just chewed on a lemon. She was far too smooth about it and she then confessed she had drank shots at a party at the start of the summer. Eesh! I felt this mix of being proud, amused and slightly horrified all at once.

Becky completely threw me this week too. If you know my eldest, you’ll know she’s always been the quieter one. Shy, hates the spotlight and not a fan of performing in front of others. Just a couple of years ago she wouldn’t even sing if it was just me in the room, she’d clam up straight away. So imagine my shock when she only went and got up at karaoke in front of a whole pub full of strangers and sang her heart out! I nearly fell off my chair. I’m not going to pretend she’s about to win The Voice UK anytime soon but she did it, she enjoyed herself and was so proud of herself afterwards. That was another big first moment, her stepping so far out of her comfort zone like that. She’s already said it won’t be her last time singing either.

The first of September rolled around and it suddenly felt like Autumn! There was a chill in the air so my Autumn dresses and tights came out. I had my first hot chocolate in months, it was perfect and The Great British Bake off is back on the TV which makes me feel so happy! The first episode of the new series is always the best, getting to know the bakers.

The first day of the new bus route was on Monday and Stu and I decided to go on a little adventure to the retail park which is usually 2 bus rides away and would take about an hour and a half. Now because it's just one bus it takes about 10 minutes extra. Wow! It was amazing! They have the biggest B&M Stores that I have ever been in and I spent a good hour looking around TK Maxx at their Halloween goodies. We had McDonalds for lunch and I will be going back in the run up to Christmas, it's going to be so handy to have lots of decent shops in one place.

Ellie had her first day of the new college year and her new course, mechanical engineering. It is also her last year at college so there is a lot of mixed emotions for her and me. She is an old hat at the first week of college now with it being her 3rd year and her teachers were giving Ellie the responsibility of showing new starters around. There were quite a few people starting that she knew from school and she said it was great to catch up with them. She is so happy with her new teachers, especially her English one, this might be the year that she gets the elusive pass that she needs.

So it has been a week full of firsts. First legal drinks, first karaoke performance, first day of it feeling like autumn, first hot chocolate of the season, first try of the new bus route and first day of the last year of college. No wonder the week has flown by!

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!