Making me HAPPY this week

In no particular order, making me happy this past week;


1) He is no longer a scootering virgin (please ignore the shocking white pasty legs - he so needs to work on his tan!).  I am not sure who had more fun - H walking Anni with me (this park is literally over the road from our new front door), or Anni chasing after him - her tail actually wags in a big circle when she is happy and chasing H made her happy.

2) Finding more "things" as i am still unpacking boxes (we have loads left to unpack but they will remain boxed til we can buy and build some more furniture).  Knickerbocker Glory - yes please.  I even remember where I was when I had my first KG.  The family were on holiday in Glocestershire, and we were in Cheddar Gorge.  Most of the family went down a cave (a tourist attraction and not actually caving) but I hated (& still hate) being underground so my Grandma F & I stayed up top.  I had my first KG (which I did share, whilst she had a cigarette).  It's funny when something bring back an unexpected memory.   My Grandma F said it was never too cold for ice-cream - a mantra I still believe to this day.

3) Going out for breakfast this morning.  Our friend V was at a loose end so we headed to Frankie & Benny's for breakfast.  Boy were we stuffed, and so nice to do something a little different.


4) A sign attached to window of the hotel I stayed in last weekend.  "Smoking is not allowed...... including out of this window"

5) This one is a happy but it oddly made me feel sad!!!!  My Mum is half way though her Chemo sessions so had a scan to see if it was making any difference to her tumours.  Good news is that it has so far shrunk the tumours she has.  It's still there and we don't know what'll happen next but we are hopeful it has bought her more time with us - cause who wouldn't want to spend more time with us :-)  The news although as positive as we could expect filled with a sadness I didn't expect, so I had to take a day to re-group before I could see it for the good news it actually is.

Pulling my Big Girls Pants Up

So I still think life sucks, but I can either wallow (and I did on Sunday, I stayed in my PJ's ALL day.  Bliss), or pull up my big girl pants and get on with.

I decided 1 day of wallowing was ok and actually healthy for me but no more.  Well actually I loved being in my PJ's, a long soak in a bubble bath (whilst I still have one) and fresh PJ's.  Yes please, bring on this Sunday :-)

On Monday, I finally remembered to do what I have been meaning to do since the start of the year.  Our little, local Asda has a collecting basket for the local foodbank.  H and I have agreed to donate 1 thing  a week to the collection.  So on Monday, I finally got round to adding 5 things to the basket.  It did feel good thinking of someone else.

Mum's biopsy on Monday went ok.  They were running late, so she didn't get home til after 10.30pm but she's feeling okay now.  Indeed, we went out for a lovely lunch today.

In house news, we've agreed a lower price on our house and the sale is still on.  No news on a completion date -how long do these things take?????  Should I be packing yet for this unknown date? I feel my lack of packing may bite me :-)

Life Sucks, but we'll just keep swimming

I have been quiet this past week and have wondered about writing this post for most of the week.  I don't want to appear to only talk about annoying, upsetting things but something major in my life has happened and whilst it is negative it is major and is part of our lives.

So much has been happening with the house and because of this thing, we don't actually care.  We are in discussions with our buyers to reduce the cost of our house.  In the past month alone the boiler has thrown a dicky fit, the chimney has started leaking and damp has appeared in the kitchen.  If only we'd sold a month quicker!!!  I suspect the damp in the kitchen is down to a faulty gutter next door which is leaking, hitting our water butt and hitting the exact spot that is getting damp in the kitchen.  The buyers have had an independent report done and been told that it needs the damp proof course re-doing - sigh.

My Mum had cancer a number of years ago.  She had an op and Radiotherapy and away it went.  We'd just gotten home from a fabulous bonding trip to New York when we found out she was ill.  Over Christmas she thought she had a gallstone so was booked in for a scan.  We've found out that the cancer is back.  I am scared witless.  She knows I am.  We are trying to be big and brave and we will fight it.  Life sucks.

Love you Mum.  x

Making Baby Blankets

I love crocheting blankets.  I may enjoy crocheting other things but since I love making blankets I haven't even tried much else.

H has 2 cousins who are/were expecting babies this year.  L had baby Charlie at the end of September.  He is such a cutie.  I don't usually pick bright colours but I was desperate to make him a rainbow blanket. 

I think I may have to buy more of the colours and make myself a version of it.  I absolutely love it.

Then M is expecting a little girl in November so I needed to make her a blanket too.  Now M isn't a girlie girl so the colours I picked originally, needed changing somewhat.  I decided to add a blue (I love blue) but all the way through I kept changing my mind whether I liked it or not.  Even now it has been gifted I am not convinced that I like it.  The original colours were the pale pink, purple and grey.  I then went back weeks later and got the blue and when I sat down knew it wasn't right so found the multi in my stash (I have a stash ;-) )

I have learnt a lesson.  Don't choose colours in 3 different sittings.  I wish I had chosen either a less bright blue (it's brighter in real life) or a silver grey.  These things are sent to try us.

Ironically M has decided that this baby is going to start life as a girlie girl and has embraced pink!!!!

What are you making at the moment?

Day 5

Day 4 - Love

This one is easy.   Mum and Dad celebrating their wedding anniversary today.  47 years.  

Birthday Post

Are you nosey like I am?  I love seeing what people get for presents.  I often use it as a way to update my Amazon list - I can hardly ever think of things I need before any occasion but think of loads of things afterwards!!!!


I got cake.  Well I bought it, well I bought 2.  I went into shop 1 and found a strawberry cake which looked lovely so I bought it.  I then went into shop 2 and saw the lemon cake (below) and wanted that instead.  So I came home and presented H will both choices.  He chose 1 for my Birthday and 1 for the day before!!!!!!  He chose in the way I would have done and we both agreed that the strawberry one was nicer - Grrrrrr.

My Hubby outdid himself this year.  I have coverted something (almost anything) from Buttonsy and he did not disappoint.  I got a gorgeous necklace and a box of happy.  The box of happy is a set of the most gorgeous cards (better description here)  H was impressed with every aspect of shopping with Buttonsy and I hope that he will be spending many more happy moments shopping with them.............. :-)

My friend G made me the most fabulous owl family, in my favourite colours.

You can never beat books.  I lurve books (did you ever know that!!!)  To me, it isn't a real celebration without a pile of books.  Thankfully those who love me know that.  I can't wait to start these.

I also love stationery - hello who doesn't?????  My friend N knows me so well.  I was only looking at these earlier in the week, but there was a woman with a HUGE bag in the way and I was running late so I made a mental note to go back another time.  Thanks N!

 Sorry can't work out how to turn the next photo.  I saw this bag whilst on holiday in Menorca and my Mum offered to buy me it.  She then went snuck back to buy the matching purse (in the box).  How cute is the box.  Now that's how shopping should come, all pretty.  Also a 20p attached to the tag as you should never give a purse/bag without money in it - can't remember why, but my Mum has always done it.

 Then to top it all off the card below was from my friend S.  It actually made me cry.  I am so lucky to have my family and friends.

I was so lucky that I received this and more (but the pictures are pants and the camera needs charging) so they shall remain secrets which make me smile.

I also consider that I am lucky to not only to have made friendships on this T'internet thingy but also to receive a card from J - thank you so much.

Making me HAPPY this week

This one is easy.

18 years ago today, this happened........

Happy Anniversary love. x

I'm Walking in Sunshine

Now I'm walking on sunshine, whoa
I'm walking on sunshine, whoa
I'm walking on sunshine, whoa
And don't it feel good
(Katrina & the Waves)

Oh how happy blue skies and sunshine make me.  Don't you find that it raises your spirits - even if they are already pretty high?  I do love blue skies, not sure if this is down the sunshine or the fact that my favourite colour is blue!!!

My Mum & Dad took Anni and I up to Shipley Glen again yesterday for a walk.  It's been the first time this year that it has been nice enough to go!!!  Can you believe that?  We have to wait until a warm day as Anni can not resist going for a swim at the river at the bottom of the glen....  It pulls her in, not her fault at all, pointless resisting it really :-)

I have a video but it won't upload and I didn't get any photos of her swimming, this is her with the stick she decided would be perfect to chase in and out of the river.

My parents love spending time with Anni, and giving her back at the end of the walk!!!!  In return Anni LOVES my Dad, in fact yesterday is the first time she ignored my Dad to walk quicker to the river with me - I still can't quite believe she'd prefer me to my Dad (though to be fair, she preferred the river to my Dad!).

 See the spaniel in the photo below?  He was so friendly, Anni did the whole oh a scary dog thing that she sometimes does.  But he was so friendly - in fact he flung himself down at my feet, rolled onto his back and lay there until I tickled his belly.

Do you see the moody sky in the distance?  It looked like that for pretty much most of the journey.

and yet everywhere else looked like this;

and we've reached the river again

I wonder if she can resist this time?  And She's off.  It is so nice to see her in the distance, when we first got her she wouldn't leave your side.

and then at the end of the walk, a great little cafe - they even sell dog biscuits.

C'mon share.  I'll just shove my head up to convince you that you need to share with me.

 I win!

 

Hello, who else can I hit?

 ooh dog biscuits

 don't mind if I do.

OOh, I've had a good day.  I love it.

 Me too, Anni, me too - especially when I get lemon cake with my hot chocolate.

Discoveries

My Mum and I had a lovely day out today.  We can catch the same bus (from different stops) and easily pop into Huddersfield. I do like Huddersfield, I love the old buildings and the little shops.

I have been meaning to visit a shopping arcade for months, in fact if I am honest, probably years.
On the way into town, I think I must pop in for a nosey, then on the bus home, I think, bugger I didn't go in. Today, as soon as we got off the bus, I dragged my Mum to the arcade.  I do owe her an apology as I was certain I had been there before with her (about 10 years ago), but I think I may have gone with H!

Can you see the coloured shapes hanging from the ceiling (photo taken from 2nd floor)? Can you tell what they are?

There must be hundreds of them.  The colours hit you as you walk in.

Little origami birds or every colour imaginable hanging there softly swaying in the breeze.

Looking up there is a gorgeous glass ceiling.  I can't wait to go back when the weather has warmed up and we can see it in all it's glory.

The arcade contains various shops including a lovely little handmade emporium crafty praxis, a wool shop (2nd floor), tattoo parlour (2nd floor) and a lovely looking little cafe - next time I hope to start there with a hot chocolate.

After lunch, I happened to glance up - just look at that gorgeous sky.  I finally believe Spring is just around the corner and it will warm up soon.  Hooray.

Have you discovered anywhere new recently?

Being Thankful

I thought I'd change my regular Sunday post (there are only so many times that walking the dog, meeting a friend can make me happy).  I was thinking this over in my head last night and was eager to get writing, then we had a bad night and I've had a little cry and I wasn't going to bother.

BUT we all have bumps in the road and if I wasn't so tired with so much to get on with then I probably wouldn't even have had a cry, so I am trying to get back on track.

I am THANKFUL for my parents, supporting us as much as they do.  They drive me places when I need to go somewhere, they go with me if I don't want to do it by myself and they come and walk Anni with me so I get some company each week - though I suspect they'd do the latter anyway as they love Anni and love giving her back when she's all wet and muddy!!!!

I am THANKFUL that my Mum is still with us and we like spending time together.  A few years ago you would never have read that here, but times change and events change us and thankfully we came out as friends.

I am THANKFUL that I have Anni B.  She keeps me sane on a bad day and makes me laugh on a good day.  I swear she has a human brain in her head, at least she seems to when there is food about.

I am THANKFUL for my friends, they let me deal with H's MS (which can make me so unsociable), they drag me out when I'd otherwise stay home.  It doesn't matter if I see them every week, month or year.  They are still there.

I am THANKFUL that I have my crafts.  I think crochet has kept me sane.  When H is asleep at 8pm and I am sat alone with Anni curled up, I can crochet away and not feel too lonely.  Well, until she decides I've done enough and wants to put her head on my knee.............

I am THANKFUL that I love books.  I'd hate not to be able to read for any reason.  I can go to a charity shop and buy a book and I am happy.

and lastly, I am THANKFUL for my Hubby.  We may have an uncertain future with his MS (and I have to learn not to worry so much) but we have each other, a great sense of humour (and yes we need it), and love for each other.  I wouldn't swop you for the world- well I may hesitate if George Clooney arrives with a huge bag of chocolate oranges - but you'd understand that, wouldn't you?

Making me HAPPY this week

Wow what a week.  I am so glad it is Sunday night and I am curled up on the sofa making something for someone special who is having an op tomorrow.  Anni is curled up on the sofa on my her blanket, snoring away gently and H is catching up on tv watching.

We've had friends up this weekend and had a blast.

Making me happy;

1) Making a new hat for a Charlton fan.  Just waiting to get a proper photo on the terraces!!!

2) A Saturday night with friends and family.  A fabulous meal in a local Turkish restaurant followed by a drink or 2 in Weatherspoons.  I may have felt a little delicate today...........

3) Meeting S and little M on Monday.  I caught the train to an out of town outlet centre and we met up for lunch and a catch up.  Little M is a real cutie and lead me on a Merry dance round some shop windows whilst Mummy was shopping - it was fab.  Then lunch in Thorntons, a lovely hot chocolate and panini.

4) I loved the expression on a piece of chocolate I had this week.........  a bag of these would cheer anyone up!!!!!

5) A photo of the one finished wall in the kitchen.  The wall is actually painted a really pale blue colour and is lovely and I love the poster that I framed.  We still have to paint/undercoat/plaster the other 3 walls :-(

Erm, the rest of the kitchen looks like this below :-(

Walkies at Oakwell Hall

Note to self - if I type quickly I can post this before my weekly happy posts.

Mum and Dad suggested that we take Anni for a walk on Tuesday to Oakwell Hall, between Bradford and Leeds.  I haven't been to Oakwell Hall since I was 15 so it was about time we returned.  The last time I was there I was doing work for a G.C.S.E. project!!!  My friend N has a great photo of me - no N you don't have to post it!!!

Although it was half term and so full of children, Anni had a great time wandering around the grounds.  C'mon you can walk faster, we have all these paths to explore.

My Dad in charge of Anni below - can you tell he has a secret supply of Gravy Bones in his pocket?

 Part way along one path they have created a fence/hedge? by part cutting the trees and lying them down on there sides and all intertwined with each other.  I do love the natural look of this type of fencing.

The path we followed wound round from the car park, past fields and play areas and up hills until you find this amazing view from the highest part of the park.

Anni can sniff out water from 50 paces.  When I think back to our first walk in the woods, my Dad had to clamber down a slope into a small stream as she wouldn't even consider paddling in the scary water.  Now, if she disappears you just have to find the nearest water and you are sure to find her - usually with the biggest stick she can find.

It was such a a warm day we sat outside for lunch.  Anni, as usual cuddles up to my Dad (whilst she waits for titbits!).

I love the photo below, Anni had tried licking my Dad to get him to share his sandwich, hence my Dad's expression and Anni's innocent one!

The photo below took about 10 shots to get them ALL looking forward.  You'd think Anni was the hard one, but almost every time she looked at me, my Mum (or usually my Dad) was looking at her trying to get her to look forward!!!!  Parents........

I keep trying to get my Mum to do selfies and they usually look okay.  Now, if only she'd remember her camera from time to time - MUM.

My Dad and I and Anni actually looking at the camera and no silly faces from Dad - makes a nice change!!!!