So here we are at the end of November already, Christmas is rapidly approaching and winter has most definitely arrived. Temperatures have plummeted to below freezing, thus I’m togged up keeping toasty warm in my fluffy, fleecy pyjamas as I write this.
Though November isn’t a month that I usually favour, particularly this year as my family marked twelve months since my Fathers passing, I was pleasantly surprised by a few of the endeavours and events that I’ve partaken in. So without further ado, here are some of the things that I have #LikedandLoved throughout the past thirty days.
Matchy Matchy
I spotted these sparkly hats whilst browsing through B&M and couldn’t resist buying both for my daughter and I. E was delighted with her new hat and insisted that we wore matching hats whilst out on the school run. Little did I realise that put together we spell ‘ER’ aka Accident & Emergency… Saying that, we are both pretty clumsy so it’s probably about right for us!
Firework Frenzy
We were unable to attend any public firework displays last year due to the pandemic. Though Covid 19 is still very much an ongoing issue, guidance has changed somewhat thus we were able to get out and to enjoy not one but three fantastic local displays, where we had great fun and made some new memories.
Bubbles With A Bestie
Steph and I have been best friends since the age of seven or so but it’s been quite some time since we last saw each other due to the pandemic and various personal issues. Having checked our diaries we finally found a time that we were both able to meet up for some snacks, coffees, bubbles, and a well overdue catch-up.
J Got Jabbed
Though J was originally meant to have his first covid vaccine in school, he was unable to attend his arranged appointment and sadly he caught the virus before he was able to have the vaccine. Thankfully he only suffered mild symptoms and after waiting for the set amount of time following his illness, J finally had his vaccine earlier this month.
A Meal Out With Mum
November marked a year since my Fathers passing and though Mum and I weren’t quite sure how to mark the date, we eventually decided to place flowers upon his grave then spent the day together before visiting one of Dad’s favourite bistro pubs, where we enjoyed a meal in his memory before raising a few glasses to his name in the local. I won’t lie, it wasn’t an easy day but we made the most of what we have and made sure to honour his memory.
103 Glorious Years
The kids Great Nana M (my husband’s Grandmother) turned the grand age of 103 this month! To celebrate her big day, we visited with a card and a bag full of goodies and were sure to take plenty of snapshots to mark the moment.
Christmas Came Early
Though we had planned to visit the local Dickensian Festival, our plans were scuppered due to Storm Arwen which left vast devastation around the local area. Roads were blocked by fallen trees, and thousands of people (including my Mother) lost their power, their phone lines, and their water supply. Rather than traipse out in the 100 mph winds, we opted to stay at home, to share a takeaway meal in the warmth with my Mum, and to decorate the Christmas tree in order to establish that festive feeling.
White ‘N’ Stuff
Following Storm Arwen’s devastation, we were then blessed with the icing on the cake, SNOW. Not only did my Mum lack power, water, a phone line or any form of mobile/ cellular signal, she now had an inch of snow to contend with which left her literally stranded and unable to travel to our house for refuge. Thankfully, the snow was short-lived and Mum’s power, water, and phone connection finally returned leaving us to enjoy a ‘snow day’.
Having already decorated our tree, we felt pretty festive thus opted to slip into our swimming suits and fluffy hats before hopping into the hot tub (despite the freezing temperatures) where we enjoyed a glass or two of mulled wine whilst listening to Christmas songs surrounded by the snow.
Braced & At The Ready
After having block braces fitted in early August, J was the model child and ensured that he wore his braces both night and day, only ever removing them for meals and outdoor activities, thus his teeth were fast to move and this month he was able to have his temporary fixtures switched for permanent braces. J has hugely impressed me with his endless commitment, patience, and endurance in his journey to gaining tip-top teeth, he’s been a little superstar and I’m more than proud of him.
Dress Up Days
Both November and December seem rather popular in terms of ‘dress up days’ for our little lady. This past month she has dressed up in dots (or multi-coloured hearts) for Children In Need and she later took part in a World War II-themed day dressing up as an evacuee. Next month it’s all about Christmas dresses, Christmas jumpers, and various other festive fashions thus my little lady is ecstatic as she loves nothing more than getting creative with costumes!
Thanks again for reading my blog – I hope that you enjoyed reading what I have #LikedandLoved throughout November.
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!