I can’t say that it’s been a great month nor a great start to a new year but thankfully January is now ‘done and dusted’. Though this month has been pretty pants, I’ll do my best to pull out some positives and so here are a few of the things which I have #LikedandLoved this month.
New Year
I was hoping that it would be a ‘new year‘ and a ‘new start’ but it was more like ‘same stuff different year’ if you get my gist… However, it was a relief to say good riddance to 2020 and to bring in a new year with a few drinks and my boys by my side.
Sunday Dinners
Since Dad passed away we’ve started a weekly routine of Sunday dinner with my Mum – either she comes to us or we go to her and after stuffing our faces with a traditional roast we then spend an hour or two playing board games and relaxing as a family.
Homeschool
Whilst I really enjoyed ‘homeschool‘ back in 2020, I can’t say that I’m enjoying it quite so much this time around. The kids seem to have quite a lot of work to do and trying to juggle all that along with my own job, the chores, and whilst supporting my Mum through what has been a blooming awful month for her hasn’t been easy at all. However, we’ve made memories and we’ve done our best to keep the fun flowing during activities such as flower dissection, rhythm and beat sessions, scratch coding, collage creation, and most recently – a birdwatch for the RSPB.
I must say that the kids are working their socks off and though we’ve had the odd whinge, they are super determined and they are pulling out all the stops to do their very best during a really difficult time.
Apple Update
E has needed a new iPad for quite some time now and though I’ve managed to keep her old iPad up and running for maybe a year or two longer than I should have done, it was finally decided that we’d buy her a new one just before the third lockdown began. Bless her, E is over the moon with her new tablet and I’m rather relieved that we bit the bullet just in time for homeschool round two!
Oracle Decks
As you may have read in my past posts, I do like to delve into the art of divination, and this month I’ve had not one but THREE brand new decks to add to my collection including ‘The Rattie Runes‘, ‘The Whispers Of The Soul Oracle‘ and ‘The Roots & Wings Oracle‘ all of which were on my wishlist. I’ve already made good use of all three decks and am rather enjoying reading the runes by casting cards rather than selecting stones.
Kitchen Storage
Though I detest my kitchen and cannot wait to rip it out and install a new one, I still like to try and keep things tidy, organised, and as ‘pretty’ as possible. I’m not sure whether this is a sign of my age but this month I ordered and received some Tupperware including some cereal containers and some ‘pop-top’ boxes all of which are now labeled and organised neatly in my baking cupboard and are filled with flour, sugar and such-like. Oh, I do so like being organised and tidy, especially in the kitchen!
Harry Potter Switch Game
Having spoilt myself by buying a Nintendo Switch console last year, I’ve only ever had and played one game on it! Though I love Animal Crossing, I was beginning to get a little bored and so this month I decided to download the Harry Potter Lego game which I have since played (with the help of my kids who seem to know far more about gaming than I ever do or ever did) and it’s great fun!
Swish Stationery
What better to accompany a brand new diary than a brand new pen? I’m a sucker for stationery and having spent the past few months searching for a swish pen, I finally selected and ordered the perfect Parker Fountain Pen which I will take great pride in using each day.
Hot Tub
Having joked and whinged to my husband about wanting a hot tub for at least five years now, we decided why the heck not?! This past year has highlighted to us just how short life is and how there’s no point wishing and dreaming, it’s far better to get out there and to do it! Though our hot tub is yet to arrive, we’ve ordered it and we’re now well on the way to getting things ready for its arrival- how exciting!
It Takes A Village…
They say ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, well I think and I’ve learned this month that this phrase applies to situations other than rearing children – it takes a village to offer support and to pull each other through tragic times.
Sadly my Mum’s house and her holiday let were badly flooded this month (thanks to a burst water main which United Utilities are yet to accept responsibility for) and having received the call of distress from my Mum I didn’t know what else to do other than to contact those around her for help.
It was as if we’d rung the bells in Mum’s village and they each came to help with offers of hot food, furniture, dehumidifying equipment, and support. I’m not sure what we would have done these past few weeks without the help of the locals and though we are now on our way to repairing the damage done, it’s shown me just how special and supportive that people can be.
Thanks again for reading my blog – I hope that you enjoyed reading what I have #LikedandLoved throughout January.
If you fancy sharing some of your own #LikedAndLoved points from the month then why not join in either through your own blog post or by leaving a comment below, I would love to hear what you #LikedAndLoved this month!