Making me HAPPY last week

So the past few weeks haven't been good ones.  I may even have been feeling a little sorry for myself!!  The same week that a new tumour was found in Mum, my Hubby decided to twist his ankle and fall over.  His legs haven't been working much since then - such fun.  No photos but I wanted to post today and not put it off, so I am going without.

However, on Sunday I had a revelation (my number 1) so here we go.

1) Having a working boiler (please don't let me have jinxed it).  Last winter, in the old house the boiler wasn't working very well at all.  All winter we lived with 2 little heaters and lots of blankets.  Sunday night, I was feeling sorry for myself and it hit me - I was warm.  It changed how I was feeling.

2) Nearly finishing my chunky blanket for H.  It really needs to be about another 10 rows long, but we couldn't get him off the floor*, so he had to sleep there and I needed him to be warm.  He hasn't taken it off since (he's not still on the floor) so I can't finish it but he tells me he loves how toasty it is (whoop).


3) Finding "Lucifer" on Amazon Prime.  Erm, how did I miss series 1 & 2? How is the chap playing the lead the same chap who played Gary in Miranda??  My head can't quite get round it.


4) Walking Anni in the park.  The walks haven't been as long as usual as I couldn't leave H but we got out and we met the other dog walkers and we just breathed.


5) After cough cough months in this new house, I am FINALLY getting round to sorting the craft room.  So far, I have grabbed bits here and there as needed but the room is full of boxes.  Today, I started sorting through the boxes and putting things away and binning other things.  I will get it sorted this month and then onto bed 3 and the dining room - so I can pack up the kitchen.  Oh yes, a new kitchen has been ordered!!!!


* sometimes when H's MS really kicks in his legs won't support him.  At times like this, usually tied in with fatigue means that if he falls I am not strong enough to pick him up.  He is unable to help me at all.  But we know that, in the past, if he has a sleep for an hour or so, he will get a little bit of strength back and then between us we are able to get him up.  So while we wait, I keep him warm with blankets.

Making me HAPPY this week

2 posts in a week - wonder if I am coming down with something!

Since I haven't posted a happy post in so long I thought I'd catch up with a few weeks worth of happies;

1) Getting my nails done.  Tiffany Blue and so glittery.  I may have decided I enjoyed this experience so much, I may have them done again - one day!!

2) Flowers to cheer myself up.  How can anyone feel blue when looking at these beauties?

3) Making stuff.  I have a friend A who is mad on Panda's, so I made this from a design from Paper & String

4) My surprise gift from H.  I said I would like a radio for Christmas and this week this arrived.  I have to say he's done good - and it's just because he loves me.  Bonus :-)

5) It's the time of  year to be wearing fluffy socks and drinking hot chocolate.  No photo available but that would describe me to a T at this particular moment.

Making me HAPPY this week

It's been a long time since I've done one of my Sunday posts.  I have been making a (mostly) daily note in my journal of daily happies but I would like to get back to my weekly happy posts too.

Making me happy lately is;

1) Wardrobes!  After 5 months of living out of cardboard boxes it's been a relief to not only have wardrobes (took 3 attempts for IKEA to deliver them - grrrrrr) but I installed all the gadgets inside myself - go me.

2) Bestest neighbour ever.  Who knew that decorating and building furniture is so tiring?  In my previous life the men did that kind of work - I know, I know but I was more than happy to let them.  My neighbour (we were friends first) called today with a surprise bread delivery, wine was left in a bag over the fence and an hour later there was another knock on the door and there were 2 99's thrust at me from the ice cream van.  Who could hope for a better friend and neighbour?

Someone felt the need to beg.......

3) FINALLY getting round to decorating the spare bedroom.  It was dark blue when we moved in and felt so oppressive.  It's not finished yet but we have made a fair start on it.

Before

During

You'll have to wait for an after shot!

4) Paper straws - they just make drinks taste better.

Excuse the horrid wallpaper - the living room is the only room that hasn't talked to me.  I have no idea how to fix it, I just know being in it makes me feel sad.

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.

Making me HAPPY this week

Hello,  it feels like ages since I was checking out blogs online.  I am doing my best to catch up with you all.

Making me happy last week;

1) Managing to hit 10k steps 4 times last week.  My walking buddy (A.K.A. My Dad) is away so Anni and I didn't get our long, but fairly isolated walk in, so I can say it's all my own work.....  I bought myself a Fitbit in April and it has really encouraged me to give myself a kick up the butt to get my steps in.

2) Getting my craft on.  I have yet to get a desk for my craft room, but I happily sat on the floor and used a box for a flat surface to make the new bunting for my door.  Don't we all need more bunting in out lives?

3) A new shopping bag - Mum I didn't buy it (she'll moan at me for yet another bag).  I was an unexpected gift through the post and have you ever seen anything as gorgeous as this??????

4)  I am loving the sunsets from the new house.  Just look at those colours.  I could watch them every night.

A double moon reflection in the window.

5) We don't have a working oven at the moment so all our meals since moving have to be made in a microwave, on a hob or half a grill.  So when I accidentally discovered something new and easy - I am pretty happy.

Making me HAPPY this week

Weeks since my last post, I am blaming a lack of photos - who wants to read too many posts with no photos???  No siree Bob.  So making me happy these past few weeks;

1) Spending time with my Mum, even if she made me take 2 buses to get there.  You are nearly forgiven Mum, nearly. :-)

2)  We went to Saltaire.  We wandered round Salts Mill (below).  There are shops and gallerys and places to eat inside.

3) Indeed, we stopped at the diner and shared lunch and milkshakes (I think the highlight of my Mum's day).

4) The wallpaper in our newly decorated bedroom (thanks Dad) (1 wall of this - can you see the glitter shining) and 2 walls of pale blue.  Just enough to be girly and just enough not to be offensive to the Hubby!!!!  EDITED: 3 walls of pale blue or we'd have a wall missing!

5) My favourite thing is the wallpaper in my craft room.  I just LOVE it.

Not making me happy this week - H thinking he was superman (apologies for anyone squeamish).  No, he wasn't trying to fly, just trying to walk a short distance.  I think he came off worse.

Making me HAPPY this week

Wow, I haven't done one of these posts in ages.  Just goes to show what a funk I was in.

Making me happy this week;

1)  We've now been in the house for over a week now.  It feels a little weird.  Anni seems settled, indeed she drags us back to this house now when we take her for a walk.  I wouldn't yet call it home, but I suspect it may start to feel more like home when we finish decorating a room or two.

2)  Spending an hour in the garden in the sunshine today.  I may have only cut 3/4 of a Lavender back and pulled up a handful of weeds so far.  To sit on the step, talking to Dave, in the sunshine while we planned was just lovely.  So I need to order a white lavender and a French Lavender and buy and plant some Sweet Pea seeds to get us started.  Oooh I am so excited.

3) "Borrowing" ice from a neighbour.  Such a simple thing having access to ice but oh after a few weeks with no cold drinks, an easy happy :-)

4) Painting the glitter paint on my craft room ceiling - well half of the ceiling, and it looks pants and I need to buy  more paint to finish it and second coat it.  But what has been done is all my own work.

5)  My Mum being so strong.  We went wig shopping this week and she's shaved her hair so it's a little easier for her.  We went from someone who looked so sad waiting to try on wigs, my heart actually broke a little, to a woman with the biggest smile on her face when she found "the" one.  Love you Mum, you rock.

Making me HAPPY this week

It is Sunday and I have photos this week!

Making me happy this week;

1) Having a visitor on Saturday night.  Anni kept asking to go and we were getting grumpy with her.  Then I stood outside with her and saw something move.  It was so gorgeous and Anni after barking once asking to play left it alone.

2) Saying goodbye to the scary teddy bedroom - this no longer exists.  No after shot yet as boxes fill this bedroom.  The attic was finished today so all the boxes can go back and the bedroom can be a bedroom again.

3) Arranging to view another bungalow this week.  This one is also in budget, about 8 doors up from the last one but much bigger so I wouldn't have to get rid of as much junk :-) It also is future proof so if H's MS gets much worse then there is room to covert the utility room into a wet room.

4) Meeting me friend S for tea.  We had a hot choccie, a good catch up and a lovely meal at Jamie's in Leeds.  You can't beat a proper catch up.  Unfortunately it takes me sooooo long to get home from Leeds on a night - we left Jamie's at 7.35 and I walked in the door at 9.23.  I only live in the next town to Leeds, makes me so irritated.  At least I remember my book this time.

5) Starting the crochet blanket for my M-I-L for Christmas.  No photos as I am not sure whether she reads this blog or not.  I am liking my choice of colours this time.

Making me HAPPY this week

Edited:  I did write this on Sunday and planned on adding photos on Monday BUT the joys of decorating, moving a bedroom in and out of a room has thrown me totally these days.  So I am eventually posting without the photos - sorry.


Evening, it is Sunday evening but I intend to post this tomorrow when I can download the photos I have.

Making me happy this week:

1) The scary teddy bedroom is no more - well it is nearly no more, as they are still peeping through the new paint but they are definitely on their way out.  When we moved here nearly 18 years ago we didn't bother decorating the spare bedroom as we thought we'd have children and we'd want to decorate then.  Sadly it has never happened and as we hardly use the room we have just left it.  Now that we want to move the (nice) Estate Agent (EA) mentioned we should tone it down so we are.

2) Mum and Dad coming home from their hols to Cyprus.  Shush don't tell them but I do miss them both when they travel.

3) Seeing Anni's reaction when Mum and Dad came back from their holidays.  She does love my Dad (& my Mum) but she REALLY loves my Dad.  Oh was she happy when they walked through the door.  Indeed, about 20 mins before they got here, she got up and stared out of the window until they got out of the car - how do dogs know?

4)  Finishing and posting the baby blanket for D's other cousin, who is expecting a girl in Nov.  I am still not sure about the colours I used but i did learn an important lesson.  Buy the colours you want at the same time, no adding on - that way you'll decide half way through that you are not sure about your choices.........

5) A day out with G in Leeds.  We had decided to explore places we had never seen but then I had to buy a new iron and jumper and the day got away from us but I hope we can re-plan our visit another day.

Making me HAPPY this week

Hello.  What have you been up to lately?

Making me happy this past week;

1) Organising a new Estate agent to come down and actually give us a valuation.  God, how expensive is it to sell a house these days?!?  Wow - but I feel confident that they will work for their money - watch this space to see if I am too naive........ but I feel hopeful that it will work this time.

2) Ringing someone to come and redecorate the scary teddy bedroom (so named as when we moved it it was painted with scary teddies).  We never redecorated as we assumed we'd have children and would choose decorations then!  He is also pricing up painting the attic room and tidying up the bathroom.  Fingers crossed he'll be a decent bloke with an ok quote (pleeeeease).

3) Happy mail.  I love letters.  I made a new penpal this week and can't wait to get to know her properly.  Don't you just love happy mail.

4) Tidying the house for the EA - it looked lovely but how can it get so messy so quickly - it wasn't me.............

5) Downton Abbey starting again tonight - oh how I have waited for you.

Making me Happy this week

Hello,

I lost my blogging mojo a little there but hopefully as we make plans to move forward my head will be in a better (ie more organized) place.

Making me happy this past week are;

1) My friend N.  She ran her first Great North Run today - and in under 2 hours.  She is running to raise money for Martin House, a children's hospice in Yorkshire.  I am really proud of her.  She wanted to run, she runs and she raises money.

2) N's Birthday celebrations in Leeds.  We shopped, we ate, we drank (a little ish) and had a right laugh.  We then met up with another friend and stayed out later - on a school night too :-) Photos taken at lunchtime - I'll spare you the later ones.

D & Super N

Super N and I

3) Organising an estate agent to come down and value the house.  This time next week we should know how much it is worth and what our next move is.  I am still fearful of this as I haven't seen anything else to buy which worries me a lot.  I wish I had a magic wand to wave :-)  Still we are moving forward so that is a good thing.

4) Finishing M's baby blanket.  M is expecting a little girl in November and I just have to sew in the ends for the border and all done. (I'll try and upload a photo tomorrow so I can take it in daylight).

5) My new pj bottoms - what do you mean I am 41!!!!!!!!

All 3 pairs are from the same shop, they are all the same size.  However, the shaun the sheep are uber comfy, the birdcage ones feel massive (& may yet go back) and the Minion ones are a tiny bit tight, but i love them so they are staying.  I hate clothes shopping at the best of times - how can they be so differently sized??????  The really good bit is they are all 14-16 and I haven't fitted in that size for ages :-)

Making me Happy this week

Hello,

Is it not still Sunday????  Erm, lost my blogging mojo a little lately but I have tomorrow's post nearly ready to go so hopefully we be back on track again.

Making me happy this past week;

1) Making (well decorating) a notebook for a friend who needed cheering up.  Ooh I love glittering material :-)  Must make myself something with it.

2) Using the new sundae glasses I bought Dave.  It amazes me what you can buy on e-bay!!! I've whole hog of strawberry/chocolate sauces, mini marshmallows.  I keep picking things up to add when I am out and about.  My fav so far are 100's & 1,000's.  So yummy.

3) The new toy for the dog.  It was meant to be for Christmas - what do you mean I am mad buying her presents............ but I accidentally squeaked it getting something out of the box and she stared at me for 2 hours til I gave in - getting a photo of her playing with it is another matter!!!!! The best one below is on my knee (out takes below that!!!!)

4) Having a wuss for a dog.... someone dared walk down the street outside - can you see her ? Erm, excuse the mess.

How about now?

5) Going to A's for tea.  So nice not having to cook for a night.

Making me HAPPY this week

Hello,

My number 1 this week is still making me smile!!

1) Today, H and I wheeled him up to the supermarket in his wheelie.  Now, it is a slow, long hill to get to the supermarket but that is not what has stopped us (me) so far.  It's that not every kerb has a dropped kerb -so I have to lift a wheelie with a 12 stone (ish) man in it up and down the kerb.  The worst one has a dropped kerb but it directs you out into oncoming traffic (backwards).  I wish road planners had to actually think about these things.  Anyway, back to the happy.  We did it.  We bought some lovely fresh bread and made it home.  Neither of us can remember the last time he has been in a supermarket which didn't involve a bus ride (& I think we have only done that twice all year).  I was hot by the time we got home - so no photo of a hot and sweaty me :-)  We have agreed to do it again next time we have a dry day.  No stopping us now...........

2) Girl's night at N's last night.  It involved junk food, wine, music, gossip and friendship - what more could you ask for?

V, N, D & I

3) Finishing and posting a finished baby blanket.  I really like the colours on this one and think an adult sized version will be added to my list of blankets to make.  I hope baby Charlie loves it when he arrives shortly.

4) Meeting C for lunch.  I bet it's been a year since we met up, and there really is no excuse, as she works in the town next to me.  When I feel overwhelmed I tend to retreat into my shell a little, but I keep pushing myself and I do get there in the end.  I loved the Turkish cafe C.

5) Finally getting control of my Diet Coke addiction.  We bought water bottles which I have been refilling and keeping by my side at all times in the house.  I have even gone and bought bigger ones today for in the house, and the original smaller one is to use on my travels.  Since the little bottle arrived last week, I have kept to 1 can of DC a day, for me that is a real achievement.  I am using dilute juices for now, but hope to ignore my hatred for water soon :-)

What's been making you happy lately?

Things making me HAPPY (& Day 9 Peace & Quiet)

Making me happy this week;

1)  N coming for a sleep over last night.  A few drinks, takeaway and planning an adventure or two for the future (no photos allowed!)

2)  It not raining and being a little bit sunny (at times), so walking Anni has to be planned carefully so she doesn't overheat.  She loves the river (currently little more than a stream) at the bottom of this slope - can you see my Mum & Dad down there in the bottom????  It is so quiet down there.

3) My Carers group on Facebook.  They have been lifesavers.  It seems that lots of people are struggling at that moment and that makes me sad, then someone jumps into support and that makes me happy.

4) Going out to celebrate my parent's anniversary.  I love that H and I are making more of an effort to get and about in the wheelie - it's amazing how many pavements aren't flat........

5) Eating up all my goodies so my being good-er starts tomorrow!!!!!!  Whoop.  My goal is to be a size 14 for a wedding next Summer  - there I have said it.  Now I have to try and do it.

Day 6 Contentment

Oh, we have had words today.  One of us was too excited and hurt the other one.  One shouted in pain and the other was instantly sorry.  Then the one which was hurt felt really guilty and shared her food with the other..................

Now, we have contentment - phew.

I have a dog curled at my feet, and she has her babbit - pure contentment!

PS I did not eat her food!!!

Making me HAPPY this week (Day 2 photo a day)

Evening,  what a miserable week.  I do not mean in mood but in rain.  I can not believe we are in August and we've had about 5 days of sunshine so far this year.  I am not a sun worshipper but I have realised, in the lack of sunshine, that I do need to see it from time to time!!!!!!

Making me happy this week;

1) An unexpected card from H.  He has noted my sudden fascination with flamingos and wheeled himself up to the university to buy this beauty.

2) Happy mail.  I can't remember why I was talking to my penpal J that I had run out of hot chocolate.  Then on Saturday this lot arrived through the post - all different hot choccies to try.  I have already sampled the Galaxy (disappointing) and the Malteser (yummy).  Not sure about the popcorn flavour but I will get round to that one at some point.......... probably.

3) Discovering "Sons of Anarchy" on catch up (ok Charlie Hunnam in particular).  It's a programme full of bad boys (& Charlie Hunnam) being bad boys (inc Charlie Hunnam).  Do you see the theme yet ??????


4) Re-discovering the good old bay of e.  Now when H finds out what I've been buying he may not be having a happy day, but I forgot what tat they sell - Christmas presents have been ordered :-)


5) Now this one doesn't make me happy but a week later I can smile at the daftness of it.  Can you spot the obvious error with this one?????????  His wheelchair JUST fits through the door of the hotel room (I think we may have left scratches it was so tight) but his hands won't fit to push himself through....... you have to laugh - or lock yourself in a darkened room.

Photo a Day 1

Something Old

Photo a day time (although I admit that I took these last Thursday when the sun came out).

In our local woods there is a huge fallen tree at the side of the path, very close to the entrance gate.  It has been there for as long as I can remember, I don't even remember it standing tall.  When I went into the woods earlier this week I discovered that someone had carved 2 owls into the wood, along with a little bench.

Anni photobombing!

I would like to think over time that whoever did this may add carvings to more of the fallen trees in the woods - it would be fab trying to find more of them.

In the past few years our local woods have become very popular, especially with schools.  We have noticed that schools often have groups of children in the woods exploring and it is lovely to see all the children wandering about.  We think they are also being taught some kind of bushcraft as everywhere you walk you see these........

unless it's where the teachers hide when they've had enough :-)