Skipping Sad News...

Sadly this March my wonderful Mother in Law, Joan passed away.

We were broken hearted, 

she was a very private lady and it simply hasn't felt right to create a post here about it.

That is not saying we did not love her or that we do not miss her, it is just respecting the person she was.

After such heart-ache we spent April quietly at home but in May we needed something to lift our spirits.

I have a firm belief that the sea has theraputic properties...not just the actual waters but for me the smell of the sea, the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand.

So we took a Day Trip to Bournemouth.

We arrived and it was chilly, very cloudy but we were happy enough

And then the skies began to clear

We had the beach to ourselves and we splashed till every single one of was wet through!

Loopy our very own mermaid was the wettest of all and had the best time in the shallows

Bob took on the hard job of keeping watch

we all felt the sun on our cheeks, the sand in our toes and joy in our hearts

We wandered along the beach front to the town and I couldn't help but day-dream about spending a summer living out of one of these

Just to prove that I really was there!

We had a lovely day, we wrote names in the sand for the sea to wash out and headed home tired n happy.

***

Brighton 2015...

Not since Darling Gran died have we been to what used to be our annual trip out to Brighton on New Years Day.

This year though we managed it!  

Bob and I had both been given a bit of money for our Christmas gifts from parents and we pooled that together to give us a day out.

2015 saw us 3 short with the kiddos, the older 3 having partied New Years Eve and taking the chance for a lay in with peace and quiet at home.

I can't tell you how much I LOVE this trip to Brighton!

It literally BLOWS the cobwebs from my brain, the post Christmas fog lifts and I'm ready to face a new year.

The sea was amazing this year, WILD and STORMY.  

We couldn't hear ourselves talk over the waves crashing onto the pebble beach 

and we  half shouted/half laughed at each other.

It was COLD, so cold our hands were red from the wet pebbles we throw back to the sea.

Too cold for RV to hang around for a photo with Dad.

RV found this chalk that had been bashed about

He also managed to lose his footing on the shingle but thankfully didn't get wet

As mad as hatters all of them

My Christmas Boots!

We treated ourselves to a BIG OL BURGER for Ed's Diner

We found Choccy Woccy Doo Dah

but sadly it was closed

A gigantic Christmas Bear outside a restaurant that scared the life out of Loopy when it started to sing and move!

And as is our tradition we finished a day out on the pier

  

Bring it on 2015!

Living Debt Free...

Has anyone managed it?  Anyone in their 40's especially?

Somebody asked me today why we dont just get a new car...not in a snotty way but just asking why Im walking to school now.

Truth is in theory we could get a car, but we would have to take a loan out to buy it, our savings are non existent.

Since having Fonzy we have seen our income drop almost year on year and our expenses increase as the kiddos keep on growing! 

It may be pie in the sky hoping to live debt free in modern UK?  It certainly wont be happening as quickly as I'd like but considering everything I am feeling pretty pleased with how we're doing so far.

That is why we cannot afford to replace the old car straight away.  We are saving up, but I would rather put the money to a new sofa {ours is broken, usable but by no means comfy} and a couple of days at the seaside 

making memories like these

This week has seen us walking to school in some cruddy weather, not pouring rain but windy wet miserable weather.  Today Friday saw me feeling incredibly tired...so I'm starting on some multi vits and my left knee is still protesting so I'm also thinking  cod liver oil as well? 

Week 2 and Im adjusting, slowly, to the new routine...it helps to know that there are others out there who are juggling nursery/school runs on foot who aren't thrilled with it all either!

Hazy Days...

Thursday our school for our youngest 3 was used as a polling station for the local elections and Friday we had a teachers inset day!  Talk about a lovely long weekend!!

Thursday I painted a wall in the dining, behind the big Ikea unit.  It hasn't been painted in years and just needed a freshen up.  Moving the unit used to be a bit of a hassle; this time was easy though as I'd spent a couple of mornings earlier in the week tidying toys and the general crud that had built up on it :)

We then decided that as it was a sunny day {and who knows how many of these we might get} that we would have yet another mini BBQ...so a quick trip to get a few supplies was needed.  

H's girlfriend popped in and we spent till it was chilly out on the patio nattering and giggling.  Well the girls nattered and giggled I was happy enough listening to them and refereeing the younger ones whilst spraying a couple of baskets {the boys were indoors watching Chelsea}.

Unbelievably we awoke to MORE sunshine on Friday...

I mean really, really, sunny and clear blue skies weather.  

After avoiding the washing for a day I had to show willing and spent the most part of the morning sorting/putting laundry away {I really can't be bothered some days to do it and it piles up far too quickly}  

Sheets on the line I was feeling quite virtuous {I even washed the Dyson filter} and decided that we needed a trip to the park...and what the heck lets throw a picnic together whilst we're at it.  

We headed out to a local park and as it was still really a school day it was lovely and quiet.  

We spread our little blanket out, nibbled the yummy fresh baguette, slurped our squash then made best use of the space with a kick about before heading to the play area.

Last year I wasted too many of the few sunny/nice days we had doing chores and I'm determined this year to try my dandiest not to to that again.

Who knows what the weekend will bring...

hopefully more sunshine!

Happy Weekending

***

Catchy, Catch up with PHOTO's!...

Ah - Ha!

Photo's!!

Like so many across the UK the weather has been mostly YUCK - wet, cold, overcast, foggy, frosty but with the odd day of sun thrown in to make sure I don't go completely potty from being too cold or wet to go outside.

On the odd days that we did get a dry and almost sunny day we took the kiddos to the local park...we had ummed and ahhed whether we might travel a bit further afield to a different park/area but Im glad we decided to stay local in the end as there was enough going on each day, albeit American Football practice or floods that blocked our path!

We didn't see till after we had fed them the new Do Not Feed the Ducks sign - Ooops

The Cafe has been there hiring out boats and offering a warming cuppa since I was a kiddo

We stopped at the 'bigger' play park which last year was too big for Fonzy, he has now grown into it and had ideas of trampolining with his scooter

***

Our Christmas was as I said before a pared back version and it was simple but just right?!  

You know when something is just right, not what you thought you wanted but turns out to be just what you needed?

Just me perhaps?

Everyone got what they asked for and as always a little bit more...

Sad I didn't get more photo's of the tree and gifts under it but we were all a bit too busy!

Want's, Needs but no reads...the budget didn't stretch to that this year.

The table was laid, Nanny was collected and dinner was eaten.

In all honesty it isn't that much different than our usual mid-week roast, except that we had a few extra trimmings and dessert was a bit more of a fuss than I would normally do...

Christmas Pud, Ice Cream, Chocolate Yule Log, Mince Pies or Ice Lollies

Phew!  

Did I mention the cream or custard that was to hand to go with them?

Not surprisingly we were all feeling FAT AND FULL

***

Talking of FAT, I have managed to put on an extra 1 stone in weight...and boy oh boy can I feel it.  My clothes are feeling far too tight, some too tight to wear.

It is depressing to think that I am actually heavier now than I have ever been, I wasn't even this heavy when 9 months preggers.

Bah, hey-ho.  

Cutting out all the 'treats' {that had stopped being 'treats' and were on the menu daily}

Upping the exercise that has become literally non exsistant
{wheeling the hoover around and cleaning dont' count do they?}

***

The house is happy, I feel happy {despite the weight!} and the house is feeling it.
Rooms have been tidied {not all but I've made the start}, corners have been refreshed and re-purposed.  Small changes, invisible to those outside the house but lovingly felt by those in it.