A Slice of Normal…

When it feels like the millionth day of lockdown, and it’s raining outside, there’s really only one thing that’s guaranteed to cheer me up, and that’s a visit from my gorgeous twin daughters.

In a world turned on it’s head it’s so wonderful to experience a little slice of ‘normality‘ every now and again, and just the simple act of drinking tea while eating chocolate biscuits with your loved ones is a real treat.

It never ceases to amaze me how time can go so fast whenever I see them, despite several hours of discussing everything from dust storms to hummus and toothpaste to atoms! I know that most parents will tell you that their children are the very best in the world, and I’m no exception; my girls really are!

A Very Special Day…

Monday I received the results of my recent brain scan and thankfully there was nothing iffy to be found; just some sinus issues which I’ll be referred to ENT for. A workplace wellness project I’ve been thinking of setting up has now got approval and will be ready to launch soon and after a much delayed start due to the whole covid situation, the Formula One season has finally got underway. However, the icing on the cake has been that I finally got to see my gorgeous daughters again.

They say there’s nothing quite like meeting your baby for the first time, and that’s true, but a very close second is hugging your grown up twins for the first time after three long months of lockdown. So many emotions went through me it was overwhelming. All at once my world made sense again as we slotted back into the ‘old normal’ with mountains of biscuits and gallons of tea.

As always, we chatted non-stop about everything, although the main topic of conversation was obviously the ongoing pandemic. They also gave me a beautiful (early) birthday card and a fantastic gift of a Steampunk Music Box. All too soon it was time for them to return to their respective homes, but not until after we’d had a few more hugs. Today has been a very special day indeed…

Cheesy Christmas…

 

Christmas to me is always about my gorgeous daughters, and while it’s fabulous to have regular catch-ups with them throughout the year, seeing them during the festive season is a little bit extra special. One of my girls brought along a four-legged ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ in the shape of her adorable two year old chug (pug and chihuahua mix), and his little face was hilarious to watch as he went from excited to confused and back to excited again; trying to understand what on earth was going on. It was highly entertaining for all of us.

As usual we drank gallons of tea, this time to wash down festive snacks and treats along with a selection of cheeses and crackers. The traditional opening of gifts was every bit as magical as always and I adore my Steampunk themed set of goggles, choker and even a replica gun! They were equally as appreciative of the bits and bobs I’d bought for them.

I honestly don’t know where the hours go, but before we knew it the afternoon was heading towards evening and it was time for them to head back to their homes to continue celebrating with loved ones. I’m so lucky to have such wonderful children, and now that I’ve spent the day with them I feel that my Christmas is finally complete…

Happy Families…

After a busy month including day trips, a city break and starting a brand new job it was a real joy to be able to just sit down with a hot drink and a wide variety of biscuits and spend the day with my gorgeous twin daughters, catching up with all of their news.

In between lemon and chocolate muffins, ginger nuts, lemon drizzle kit-kats and jammy dodgers we discussed everything from The Great British Bake off to what the Christmas lights in London will probably look like this year, and so much more. We drank gallons of tea and debated the highs and lows of the NHS, and as usual, time just flew by.

It really is a privilege to have such wonderful children who regularly take time out of their hectic lives to make sure that they keep me up-to-date in person, rather than simply sending texts or messages on social media. I’m always sad when it’s time for them to leave, but extremely proud that they’ve grown up to be such kind and considerate human beings…

At The Zoo…

I hadn’t been to Colchester Zoo since 2007, so this was a long overdue return visit. I realised that things would’ve changed a bit, but I hadn’t bargained on quite how much; and it was so much better than I remember it from the last time.

We stood in an underwater tunnel watching sea lions swimming around us, before making our way through the immaculately clean pathways around dozens of enclosures, to watch everything from rhinos and giraffes to finches and leaf-cutter ants! The multiple hanging baskets, full of scented petunias, were gorgeous and you could see that an awful lot of time, money and effort had gone into the educational side of things with endless interactive displays for children and adults alike.

Sitting in a quiet area eating a packed lunch, surrounded by bamboo, while watching elephants with enormous tusks chucking dust over themselves was an amazing experience. I’m really glad that I chose to explore a little closer to home during my summer break this year, and I can’t wait to see where the next mini-adventure takes me…

Quality Time…

 

When the weather is cold and wet and the sky is all grey and miserable, there’s no better way to lift your spirits than to spend some quality time with your gorgeous girlies. Today has been another one of those warm, snuggly indoors days catching up with gossip while munching on chocolate chip cookies and squishy cakes. There was plenty of hot, sweet tea to quench the thirst while covering our usual diverse range of topics; putting the world to rights and laughing about feline shenanigans.

As usual I’ve learnt new things and reminisced over old things. My babies are lovely, grown up young ladies and I couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve both turned out. By my own choice I don’t have a partner to share Valentines Day with this week, and in any case no man on earth could ever make me feel more loved and cherished than my wonderful daughters do every time I see them. I’m a very lucky mum indeed…

Special People…

It’s wonderful when your grown-up children want to regularly pop round, but it’s an even bigger compliment when their friends ask if they can come along and meet you too! The fact that I always provide a variety of delicious cakes and fancy biscuits might help, but they always seem to enjoy coming home and therefore I suspect it’s potentially down to previous, complimentary post-visit reviews which led to me meeting their lovely chum. Not only was I treated to an additional guest, I was given a gift bag filled with chocolatey goodies by my lovely girlies which was very unexpected, but much appreciated. As usual, we chatted about anything and everything, and yet again time just flew by.

I’m so grateful that I have my gorgeous daughters as I’m well aware that there are women out there who sadly haven’t been blessed with offspring, and I can’t imagine how unfulfilled they might feel. Bringing up children is a roller-coaster ride, often with as many downs as there are ups, but eventually, whether you like it or not, they’ll fly the nest. However, if you love them enough they’ll always find their way back home. As the saying goes, “Home is where the heart is…”

When your Babies Come Home For Christmas…

I’ve had such an amazing few months that I didn’t believe anything could top it, but I didn’t anticipate my gorgeous daughters would announce that they’d be coming back home to spend Christmas Day with me! Oh my goodness, I honestly couldn’t ask for a better present.

Of course, I did the typical mum thing of going overboard with daft gifts and bought way too many festive snacks, but nothing gives me more pleasure than being able to spoil my children at this special time of year.

Being able to eat, drink and be merry with the people I love most means everything to me, and today has been wonderful. Such joys are precious and I will never, ever take them for granted. We pulled crackers, wore paper hats, and consumed far too much junk food, but that’s what a traditional Christmas Day is all about and it was magical.

Looking Forward to Christmas…

I just can’t believe how quickly my life is changing these days, and it’s all good. A few months ago, although things were going quite well, I was beginning to feel like I was in a bit of a rut. Same part-time, self-employed job I’d had for years, no firm plans for travelling, and nothing particularly thrilling on the horizon. However, within a few short months I’ve begun a brand new career, booked a fantastic overseas holiday and the icing on the cake is that I’ve just found out that I shall be spending Christmas with the people I love more than anything else in the whole, wide, world; my gorgeous daughters.

I’m not usually a festive person, and I normally treat Christmas Day itself with complete indifference, but this year it’s going to be amazing. I’m already excited about my ‘babies’ coming home and I just know I’ll go completely over the top and spoil them rotten. Although the new salaried position is terrific, and the vacation will be stunning, there’s nothing quite like the simple act of spending quality time with your children to make you feel special, and it’s something I will always cherish. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town…!”

What A Week!

When your week has included a fabulous afternoon tea with close friends, followed by the offer of a brand new lucrative job, what better way to finish it off than to enjoy a belated birthday celebration with the people you love more than anything else in the world; your daughters.

I was presented with a large, shiny silver bag bearing unique gifts and a special card. They fully understand and accept my Steampunk lifestyle and I was thrilled to bits with a spectacular pressure-gauge candle holder and long stemmed candles to go with it. It was the perfect gift for anyone obsessed with the genre and I was touched that they’d taken such care to choose something they knew I’d love. The beautiful card was covered in butterflies, which I adored.

As always, we munched on chocolate biscuits and cake and talked til the cows come home. I brought down the old photo albums from upstairs and we went on a nostalgic trip to the 1990s, re-living birthdays, Christmases, day trips and holidays. I’m so proud that my girls have grown up to be such good people, and I count myself very lucky indeed to be their mum.

Happy Families…

What better way to spend a day off from work than to meet up with both the older and younger generations of your family for a few hours catching up with each others news. I’d arranged to spend time in town with my elderly mother, but she had no idea that her twin granddaughters would also be there to greet her. The look on her face was priceless when she stepped off the bus and saw three smiling faces. The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky as we walked around the park admiring literally thousands of glorious yellow daffodils, while laughing at the antics of the resident grey squirrels.

Lunch was provided courtesy of a quaint little independent cafe in the town centre, where we ate delicious freshly made sandwiches and paninis washed down with coffees and milkshakes, before a leisurely stroll around the shops. By mid-afternoon it was time for mum to catch her bus back home, so we waited with her until it arrived. Then it was hugs all round before plenty of manic waving as her bus pulled away. I really do appreciate how lucky I am to still have my mother here, and that I have extremely loving and caring children to share her with. Some days I really do feel blessed.

Doing Doughnuts…

In my opinion, you can never have enough visits from your wonderful grown up daughters, which is why this afternoon was such a joy. I feel that January probably had a few more downs than ups overall, but February is looking much more positive now that I’ve spent some proper quality time with my girlies.

We drank squash and ate chocolate coated mini-doughnuts, while putting the world to rights and catching up with each others news. I’d done the typical mum thing and got them daft little gifts, which made them laugh. It never ceases to amaze me how fast the time flies by when my children come to visit and within the blink of an eye 3 hours had passed and we were exchanging hugs at the front door again. I know I’m biased, but I really do have the best kids in the world.

New Neighbours…

It’s always a concern when neighbours who you’ve grown very fond of over the years move away to pastures new, leaving you with a fear of the unknown regarding who you’ll end up sharing a wall with, however, I needn’t have worried. Six months down the line all is well and slowly but surely we’re all getting to know each other.

Although they appear to have rather complicated living arrangements, with two ‘mummies‘ and numerous small children, it’s actually quite amusing to have an ‘alternative‘ family next door. With so many little ones playing in their back garden it’s inevitable that the odd meerkat (toy!) or ball ends up on my side of the fence, but they really are no trouble at all. Phew…!

Happy Mothers Day…

Having children is a privilege and a blessing, even more so when your daughters grow up to become beautiful, talented, kind and caring young ladies.

I’ve just spent a very special Mothers Day in the company of my wonderful offspring. After being given a ‘naughty‘ yummy, choccy gift and a card that’s so fabulous I shall frame it, we tucked into cheese & ham rolls and Pringles, drank tea and munched on chocolate digestives. We chatted about all manner of girlie stuff, laughed at daft things and just enjoyed each other’s company. They are my raison d’être and today has been magical. Thank you to my ‘baby girls’  XXX

Goodbye 2014 – Hello 2015…!

After almost a year of being single, 31st December seems a good time to reflect on the past twelve months and see just how much I’ve achieved. While a relationship break up right at the start of 2014 and being part of a horrific police investigation in June (long story) must rate as the lows, I can honestly say that the highs have been more than I could’ve ever hoped for.

On the work front I had a pay rise, was given extra hours and more responsibilities which has not only boosted my income but also my self esteem. Regarding my health, I lost weight and got fitter, and on a personal level becoming closer to my children has obviously been the icing on the cake. I’ve also met some lovely new people, learnt different skills, featured in a local newspaper, attended several large events and even enjoyed a fabulous winter holiday in the sunshine.

Now I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months have in store for me.
Happy New Year!

Christmas Day With the Ones You Love…

 

Often, once you find out that Santa doesn’t actually exist and after many years of naff pressies, being skint, dreary weather and endless repeats on the telly, Christmas can become a rather tedious affair. However, there are certain things that can lift the spirits of even the most un-christmassy amongst us.

This year I’ve been treated to a wonderful Christmas Day with my precious daughters; plus one; and that’s the most fabulous gift that any mum can ever ask for. Plenty of Yuletide hugs, bags full of lovely presents, much cheery banter and lots of laughter. We pulled crackers and wore party hats before tucking into cheesy biscuits, Pringles and filled rolls all washed down with bucketfuls of tea. I am a very lucky lady indeed this festive season.

Here’s to good health and continued happiness for 2015. Cheers!

Familiar Faces…

 

When you’re moving forward with your new, single life, it’s comforting to know that you can rely on close friends and family members to be there for you, and it’s especially nice when your grown-up children decide that they want to play an even bigger part in your life now that you’re living on your own. Even if you’ve always had regular contact with them, it can be extremely reassuring to know that there’s still plenty of hugs and kisses for their ‘dear old mum‘.

No matter how much busier your schedule is now to what it was a year ago, and no matter how many great new people you’ve met and exciting new places you’ve been to, there’s nothing quite like spending a chilly autumn evening enjoying an uninterrupted, cosy, fireside chat with those who always have been, and always will be, the most important people in your life.