Week 42 2026 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

I had 7 weeks of comments to catch up with, I'm going to respond her to any questions and do excuse me for my lateness. 

Saturday 17 October I enjoyed a lie in after 10 hours sleep and spent the morning sorting out dates in my diary and doing some tidying up and picked the last bunch of grapes from the garden. I then made a packed lunch and caught the train to Birmingham for the football. I tided up a large bag of empty beer cans so I could have a seat. I got a coffee and caught the 1875 free bus to the game. We won 3-0. the game was marred by a nasty experience I can't blog about, late train home, bath and into bed.

Sunday 18 October I bit of a lie in and a drive to Cheltenham to meet DIL and granddaughter at a Christmas Market at the racecourse. The last time I was there was with Stephanie and as I pulled up into the carpark the radio was playing Bob Marley 'Could it be Love' one of the songs we played at her funeral. After the market we went to Dunelm for lunch which I missed as I had a call to deal with yesterday's events, then we met up an hour later in The Range for some shopping. After saying our goodbyes, I drove home, had a bath and fell asleep and was rudely awoken by the cat demanding food at 4pm. I had dinner, made some food for the week using the tomatoes and peppers from the garden. I was in bed by 9pm and made a couple of calls to my friends. Van tax paid.

Monday 19 October I've inherited a year 9 English class, the attendance job and am now on a rota for the behaviour room. I don't know if I'm coming or going. I'm certainly not paid enough. I came home with a blinding headache and had to take my migraine meds and after a cup of tea and a bath, I got into my pyjamas. I made some halloween bat bunting with toilet roll for my granddaughter after dinner got some things ready for a few nights away over half term. Lunch ready for the morning. I found out my ex Sister in law died last week via face book. She's still my son's aunt, they're grown up now but no one thought to tell me. I waited up for son in Australia to call me as he hadn't be told.

Tuesday 20 October 2nd day of trying to hold a migraine back with meds. Busy day in work on attendance for 2 lessons then two English and emergency cover. Home and off for coffee and down the gym followed by half an hour in the garden in the dark stripping everything from the raised beds (apart from the tomatoes for the garden waste bin that's collected in the morning. Dinner, bath and in bed by 10pm.

Wednesday 21 October Home from work after a full day of English and maths. Changed and straight out to buy cat food and a birthday gift, I had a coffee while I was out and home to weed and move my pots onto a pre built corner made from pallets for storing plants over winter. I can do a proper job next week in half term. I'd put washing on in the morning and after work so swopped it over to the tumble dryer and on the airer. Had dinner and got my lunch and clothes ready for work in the morning then had a bath and was in bed by 9pm to watch TV.

Thursday 22 October Woke up ahead of the alarm and when I stood up my head felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I managed to feed the cat and let it out but couldn't manage a cup of tea. Messaged work to say I wouldn't be in, took my maximum meds and the day passed in a blur till around 2pm. Took the rest of the day easy with packing for my trip away over the weekend. I popped out to get some meds and bread and had a coffee, then back home managed to dust the house. I'd already scheduled blog posts. I had planned to hoover and mop the floors after work tonight, but that can all wait till next week, instead I did some ironing sitting down while watching TV in the evening after I had a group zoom call with Compassionate Friends having finally found a support group for bereaved parents of children with profound and multiple disabilities.

Friday 23 October Last day in work before half term and an inset day so training and I was able to take it nice and easy. Left work around 2.45pm and drove to the campsite in Rhoose, South Wales for the night arriving around 5pm and setting up for the night. I took a walk round the site but it was too cold, wet and windy so I sorted through my diary, wrote some letters and watched TV. It was snuggly in the van with my pjs and the heater on and I was asleep in bed by 10pm.

Top right and clockwise:

Train journey to Birmingham, spoils from the garden, making halloween bats, stealth gardening, photo I sent to my cousin of the large costa which reminds me of my dad and Uncle, Christmas jumpers added to the food shop, camping in a storm.

On the blog this week:

Our garden in September

Word of the week - Caring

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

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Week 41 2026 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

I'm several weeks behind with commenting but I will catch up. I enjoy reading everyone's comments in Project 365. You're part of my extended family. Some of you have been with me since the start in 2015. It's been that long since I started documenting my daily life.

Only one gym session this week and no running other than park run. I've found it hard to get motivated. I'm so tired after work and it's too dark in the morning. I'm changing gyms so I can go back to swimming before work as they start at 6am and I don't have to come home to shower and change, I can do it all there and I can sort out a parking permit the week after next in half term.

Saturday 10 October Up at 8am, had breakfast said bye to my friend and off into Monmouth for parkrun. Met a guy to chat to and was telling him about my couch to 5k and parkrun journey after asking him his, we parted at the car park, he asked my name and said his was Miles and would look out for me next time. It was then I realised I'd been chatting to Miles Jupp, I thought he looked familiar lol. I had a coffee which ended up as a take away after shit attitude from the baristas then realised I'd left my boots at my friends so popped back and got changed before heading off to Newport and had another coffee whilst watching Birmingham beat West Brom on my phone, then over the footbridge to Rodney Parade to watch Newport County beat Colchester, before driving home to spend the evening with child 2 and family who were staying at ours for the night.

Sunday 11 October Woke early to gremlins running around downstairs, had a long lazy bath as Peter got talked into spending the morning at the park. We then headed out to the pub for a Sunday lunch for Peter's birthday and I bumped into ex students, friends, parents of the kids from when they were in school. We should go out in the town more often. Back home and chilled out with neighbours kids popping in and out while granddaughter and Peter made some hummus and our cat was busy next door, granddaughter back round next door so cat popped home for some quiet. Everyone left at 3pm so I went for a coffee and to blog, then home to get ready for work in the morning and just chill out after running the hoover round, sorting washing I'd put on in the morning, I had another bath just because, watched TV and bed.

Monday 12 October Work and home and flopped on the sofa. Peter encouraged me to go to the gym. I half ran/walked down for a 45 min spin session which was spinfit. I've decided to change gyms. The one in town has a pool and is only an additional £6 a month for unlimited use. Home, dinner, bath and evening spent in front of the TV. 

Tuesday 13 October Home from work, changed and Peter dropped me at the station for my train to Birmingham to watch the football. I picked up a few bits and pieces from Primark and walked up to the ground and got a coffee from The Garrison. Left just before the whistle, the free bus the 1875 was waiting but there were no drivers and I didn't want to risk missing the train so I ran to the station, getting there as 2 buses pulled up and with 3 mins to spare. It was risky as it was late and it was Birmingham City Centre at night and I did run past quite a nasty fight on the other side of the road, but it was better than waiting for over an hour for Peter to drive up to come and fetch me. 

Wednesday 14 October I dropped Peter at the train station as he's away in Turkey for a couple of weeks. Home, cat fed, and down to the retail park and met my friend for a coffee then a bit of shopping. Rest of the evening spent sweeping up the undercover area and moving the egg pod chair to get the area ready for winter and then laminating some phonic games for grandson and putting together a parcel for their halloween treats as I'm not visiting this half term. Managed to get the dining room tidied and into bed.

Thursday 15 October A very busy day in work covering almost every job going from cover through teaching, to isolation, on call, phoning parents to confirm last minute appointments for parents evening. Straight to town to the post office and home to spend the evening sorting out the craft room, putting the suitcases and fans away properly and getting some stuff downstairs ready to photograph and upload to vinted and the halloween decorations to put up next week and then sorting out a display for my running medals.

Friday 16 October Glad to see the end of the week, non stop in work again, straight out the door on the bell, got fuel and into town to the nail bar. Home for dinner which went straight into the bin, it was a chicken dish I'd been wanting to try for a while but it was so sour. I had a bath and spent the rest of the evening in front of the TV and in bed at 10pm. I picked the last of the tomatoes and grapes in the garden. 

Top left and clockwise:

Newport County, birthday roast for Peter with the family, trying to catch the night sky, Birmingham City, getting the garden ready for winter, marathon and ultra medals, grapes from the garden.

On the blog this week:

Days out in the campervan in September 2026

Word of the week - Enjoyment

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week 

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Week 40 2026 Project 365 and One Daily Positive

It's not been the best week and searching for positives has been hard. It was the 2nd anniversary of Stephanie's death on Wednesday, the day after Peter's birthday. The boys and their families have been amazing with their support as have many of our friends. Work has been extremely difficult for me, but 4 colleagues went out their way, 2 recalling that I disappeared for a month round about this time of year after starting the job in 2025. They didn't know the date but two and two together and were super nice checking in on me and two colleagues just stepped up a gear sensing something was up, so there was cake for the four of them and an explanation on Friday. They said it wasn't necessary, but hell, it so was.

Saturday 3 October The worst and the one of the best days. Parkrun was awful, then off to my nephew and niece in laws for the day for great nieces Happy 3rd Halloween as she calls it. Niece and the Things joined in as did Niece in-laws sister and husband. Party food and games. We left early with the longest drive home, getting back at 7pm, bath and an early night.

Sunday 4 October Woke up in a crap mood, no running, but did manage a coffee and some shopping and a wardrobe sort while Peter watched the delayed grand prix and the rugby from Australia. I did some gardening potting up some herbs ready for over wintering, did some tidying and some paperwork. Video calls with the grandchildren. Grandson had his Achievement Certificate from school on display in his window so everyone who went past could see how proud he was. We had dinner and watched TV and bed by 10pm.

Monday 5 October Into work a little early to recover an Aston Villa mug I'd hidden on Friday as a joke. I chased up my booking for the hotel for the London Marathon. We have the payment ref on the credit card but no email. I also chased up a refund on half a coffee from a Starbucks machine, an over payment on a parcel for VAT and a few other things that I've been feeling I need sorting. I needed new slippers and DIL benefitted from the 2nd free pair. Peter had 2 new t-shirts as birthday bonus and I discovered the peanut butter bites in M&S were 25p more expensive if you bought the halloween wrapped ones.

Tuesday 6 October Peter's birthday. I bought him some beer he'd been drinking when we were in Crete along with his favourite Liquorice. We don't do much gift wise. I drove into Worcester after work and Peter caught the train. We met in Starbucks for a coffee and had a walk round the City before picking up some dinner. Mine exploded in the microwave and it took me longer to clean it up than it did to cook. We rarely use the microwave other than to warm up soup or beans. We had video calls with the grandchildren.

Wednesday 7 October Off to The Cotswold Designer Outlet Village after work to remember Stephanie. We wanted to do something and be out the house. The Village only opened just over a year ago and being close to Gloucester would've been somewhere we would have started taking Stephanie to, we'd already discussed it as we'd been taking her to the one in Street and Bicester. I picked Peter up after work and after a walk round we chose Zizzi for dinner. We'd forgotten about the non-gluten menu and the Blue Light Card 25% discount until seated. It's much colder out now and I'd left my coat in work. We were home by 7.15pm and after a bath I was in bed by 8.30pm.

Thursday 8 October Awake early at 5am so sat downstairs with the cat and a cup of tea and did some blogging and tidied my work bag, still a last minute dash out the house at 7.50am though. Don't really care much after this week, they're lucky I've made it into work with it being Stephanie's anniversary, a migraine and getting whacked on the hand in classroom some unnecessary immature behaviour that got out of control, that still hasn't been dealt with, along with being sworn at numerous times which is almost a daily occurrence. Peter went to Lyme Regis for the day with his friend to 'messing about on the water' in a fishing boat and after work I went shopping for our grandsons Halloween box of tricks and the youngest winter coat plus he NEEDS a Bluey t shirt according to his older brother. I'm not visiting over half term this year as they're on holiday.

Friday 9 October A long day in work, full on cover and a different class at opposite ends of the school, hardly had time to eat, drink or pee, but my colleagues made it happen. An incident just before the bell and me staying late to call a parent. Off then on a drive to Monmouth to put the world to rights with one of my oldest friends of around 28 years. Her mum died the same year as my dad and her partner died in this January having been diagnosed with terminal cancer the week before Stephanie died. Life is shit sometimes. We still managed to talk shit late into the night, settling down to sleep around midnight, after she collected 3 of her adult children from the pub. It's such a joy to be part of a family having watched them grow from babies into adults.

On the blog this week:

Two years on without Stephanie

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Word of the week - World Mental Health Day

Left top to bottom: Parkrun, winter footwear, new slippers.

Right top to bottom: Highest number eldest grandson could think of, Stephanie's meal out, new coat for youngest grandson, parking up at friends house for the night.

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Week 39 2026 One Daily Positive and Project 365

People are still frightened to mention Stephanie to us despite us talking about, they let us talk and we have photo's up, but we feel like we're constantly navigating other peoples awkwardness, which is something a fellow blogger said to me a while ago about their daughter which is so desperately sad and there are so few words for.

Saturday 26th September Peter and I took Thing 1 our eldest great nephew to Barry Island for breakfast, a walk on the beach and to spend money on the 2p slots and on the fun fair. Then we head to Jenner Park for the match which Barry lost 4-1. Shocked to discover with a crowd of less than 500 that VAR is in play in the Welsh Premier League. On our way home child 2 got called out so we picked up DIL and grandchildren who live near the The Things but had already arranged to meet niece in Monmouth to drop Thing 1 off so she followed us back anyway as we drove past her house, all too cokmplicat4ed to explain. Got home at 7pm and son arrived at 8pm anyway. A late night for all.

Sunday 27th September Awake around 7am and out the house around 9.30am to the Three Counties Show arriving in a down pour. we all split up to do our own thing with kids, without kids, met up again in ones and twos for  food, drink, funfair, giant pumpkins, pony rides etc. Home around 4pm, neighbours kids round for an hour or so. Roast dinner and everyone home by 6pm. Peter and I had a quick tidy and hoover round, washing on, everything ready for work in the morning, tv watched and bed around 10pm. I was exhausted.

Monday 28th  September I really struggled to get up, but got to work on time. New book choice for book club so messaged Peter to meet me at the library and we went for a coffee. Home for dinner and watched some TV and at 7.30pm I went out for a run. Had a bath and watched more TV and went to bed.

Tuesday 29the September I was awake early so decided to go for a run at 6am, had a shower then off to work. A busy day as always then home and fell asleep on the sofa for an hour after dinner, and a bath and was in bed by 7.30pm absolutely shattered and asleep within the hour.

Wednesday 30 the September Up at 5.30am and out for a 3k run. It absolutely chucked it down and I was drenched. showered and off to work to a very confusing email for cover and other things which resulted in an email signed off as 'adaptable as I am, mind reader I am not' Home by 4pm, dinner and down the retail park for a coffee and then the gym. Home to do some work online a shower and TV and bed.

Thursday 1st October  Busy day in work and I need a day to get ahead of myself, every time I think I have time for paperwork someone fills the gap for me. Headed off to the nail bar getting changed first in the car ready to run home after a coffee with Peter who drove home. Dinner when I got back. We watched The Blame, I went for a bath, and had an hours chat with my cousin and watched the last half hour of Traitors, then I packed and sorted things out for our camping trip on the weekend and didn't get to bed till almost midnight.

Friday 2nd October Work was so busy, cover all day and all of it last minute. I have many other roles from attendance calls  to pupil premium support and it means I'll be spending a couple of hours this weekend on paperwork. Peter collected me and we drove to Newport for the night ahead of a parkrun and a 3rd birthday party in the morning. I had to buy a lighter since stopping smoking as I had nothing to light the gas bottle to cook my dinner on, which is a reminder to change the gas bottle and get the habitation check done not eh van. In carved a pumpkin, made a hedgehog from a book and watched the Traitors and in bed at 10pm.

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week 

London Marathon Training - September 2026

Word of the week - Changes

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Week 38 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

Been feeling really down and sad this week.

The positives

I made time this week to read, ensure I was up to date with all my work, start some crafts, run and catch ups with friends and get started on next months birthday gifts and cards. I also loaded the van for the charity shop and got several more items listed and sold on Vinted.

Saturday 19th I had a lie in then mid morning headed off to Birmingham for the football, it was a close and exciting game. A bit of trouble outside the ground afterwards that I sidestepped and straight home on the train getting in at 7pm. watched some TV and read a bit more of my book from the train.

Sunday 20th A lazy morning then off to Worcester for a coffee with Peter and a wander round the charity shops. I bought a couple of things, but in general the quality and the price is just. home and some tidying and sorting and I did a bit of gardening and assessed what needs doing over the coming weeks. I enjoyed an hour or two going through all my father's football memorabilia. I went out for a run in the late afternoon and popped in at a friend's for a glass of water and to arrange a coffee date. Peter made a roast, then I got ready for work in the morning, had a bath, tidied my wardrobe and dusted the bedroom, landing, stairs and hallway. Bed late as I'd forgotten to get my work bag ready.

Monday 21st A full day teaching drama and PSHE and home for a run for which I wasn't properly prepared for and I only managed 3k. I was too hot and needed a wee the whole time, came home defeated and sat on the doorstep with the neighbours child and the cat for a while then the sofa for an hour watching TV, had an early bath after dinner, then got on with some paperwork and was in bed by 9pm.

Tuesday 22nd Took the van to work as we needed fuel. History and RE today. Stayed on a little to do some filing and finish a training course then to the retail park to meet a friend for coffee and give her, her birthday present from last week. Home at 7pm and straight out for a run. I'm trying to stack miles/kms. Had a shower and an early night to read my book.

Wednesday 23rd Off to work via the bus stop in town to drop my old students birthday gift with her and see her on her birthday. Straight home at the end of the day, got changed and everything ready for the morning. Made a tuna pasta salad for later, watched some TV and tidied a few things in the kitchen. Took myself off for a 3k run which ended at the gym for a stretch and mobilise class till 8pm. Peter picked me up, bath and off to bed.

Thursday 24th Work and getting really tired. Went for coffee after work and they've changed the layout. I liked the corners to hide in if I wasn't feeling sociable, but now it's all open plan and bright. Friend arrived for coffee after I did some shopping and I got home at 7pm. I had a bag of Percy Pigs for tea and I don't care, watched TV, had a bath and moved a tonne of stuff that grandson can now reach or we suspect he may be able to reach. Sorted out the Halloween stuff for drop off and posting for grandchildren.

Friday 25 It's been a long week work wise. Left on the bell and straight off to the Three Counties Show for a look round ahead of going with the family on Sunday for the day. Home at 6pm with a new plant stand and some Wicked Gluten Free cookies. Had dinner, a bath, found a letter inviting my dad to play a game for Aston Villa in 1960. Watched The Blame and in bed by 10pm.

On the blog this week:

Word of the week - Tired and Challenging

The best bits of August

Post comment Love - Link up with any post written this week 

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Week 36 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

Dad's birthday on Monday and a difficult day for me. There is no 'would've been 87 now' as his life ended aged 77. I think, I know, I've been doing too much to keep myself busy in the hope of taking my mind of things and it's not really been working. I'm tired and my mind has been synapsing. I've been seeking and eating an awful lot of carbs over the weekend so I fear a migraine is on the way.

The positives

I'm not really sure there is much I can do to stop myself thinking about Stephanie. We've had a busy couple of weeks and have packed a lot of things in and actually we've had a lot of fun, despite knackering ourselves out. My job is only 32 hours a week and I'm only out the house working from 7.45am to 4pm every day with no more than 1-2 hours of working at home each week. There's enough time ahead of us for doing nothing in.

Saturday 5th September Awake at 5am, but stayed in bed till 11am. Peter went into Worcester around 10am to do a food shop. I went for a walk to the retail park to pick up some toiletries and restock the gluten free cupboard. Home and afternoon spent in the garden, lots of weeding and pots moved around. Cat spent the afternoon with the neighbours as per usual. After dinner, it was bath time, some blogging and we watched the new Grand Tour. Neighbours needed a toilet roll.

Sunday 6th September A bit of a lie in then the train to Birmingham to the football. Peter took me into Worcester as the train from Malvern isn't till alter with two changes and isn't reliable. It was a close games with the most ridiculous own goal from Wolves. I walked to and from the stadium and got home at 4pm. It absolutely chucked it down as Mr Blue Sky started playing. We watched more football and I sorted out a few things in the van, some paperwork ready for school and generally chilled out while Peter did a BBQ, a quick video call with the grandchildren, parcel packed for son in Australia bath and ready for school in the morning and it was early to bed.

Monday 7th September Work and home via the post office and a coffee in town with Peter joining me. I picked up my old students A level certificates and posted them off to her as well. Home and cooked myself some pasta with chicken then off for a run followed by and an hour in the gym and a run home with a delay to chat with the sister of another ex student. Home to send some work emails and paperwork, a bath and bed.

Tuesday 8th September Work full on, but I like it like that. Home and changed and after a cup of tea and a some haribos I went for an hours run, a 45 min spin class and a brisk walk home. I had chilli and a jacket potato eaten in front of the TV. I got everything ready for work in the morning and was in bed and fast asleep by 10pm.

Wednesday 9th September A good sleep but woke up feeling tired and achy, a battle to motivate myself for work and got there just in time. Found myself a lesson to catch up with paperwork and get organised for the next lot of student mentoring. Home, a snack, lunch ready for the morning and some TV then off for coffee, some work emails, 90 mins in the gym and home via the car for scrambled eggs on toast, put the ironing away that Peter did during the day, a bath and watch the football and into bed slightly later than planned but nicely relaxed.

Thursday 10th September Into work early so I could leave on time for the nail bar. I nearly fell asleep. Home and plonked on the sofa for a couple of hours watching quiz shows. Forced myself to pack for the ultra, back pack, camel pack, sweets for the run, outfit, spare socks and plasters, just need to pop my pillow in the car in the morning and I'm good to go.

Friday 11th September Peter dropped me at work and picked me up and drove straight down to London  and checked into our hotel there was time for dinner which was a McDonald's, followed by coffee and chocolate and not settling down to sleep till gone 11pm. 

On the blog this week:

Word of the week - Dad

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week 

London Marathon Training August 2026

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Week 35 2026 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

We can't control how other people understand our grief and so obviously feel we should just be getting on with our lives now. We are getting on with our lives. If I could explain how Stephanie's death has affected us physically and mentally then I would write it down and share it with you.

The positives

Back running and feeling good, it really helps when I'm struggling and September is a hard month for us as we count down to the anniversary of Stephanie's death in October.

Saturday 29 August A long tiring and emotional day and a situation I chose to walk away from realising nothing I could say or do would make any difference. Had a good couple of hours first thing with the grandchildren saying our goodbyes, with grandson now in school and there only being the school holidays of which mine don't line up and him going away, I won't be seeing them again until probably the Whitsun week. They all left for a party at 9.30am and I spent the morning after packing up the van catching up with some work, after lunch I headed out for a coffee, then into town for a couple of hours and to do some shopping, followed by a stop at the retail park for some dinner, another coffee and to kill the last hour before filling up with fuel and a 7.30pm check in. Followed by some more work and phone calls with hubby and my friend. I didn't get much sleep and I've had a long and emotional day.

Sunday 30 A long drive home after minimal sleep, getting home at 10.30am after a quick stop for a drive through Starbucks.Peter helped me to unpack the van, washing machine on and I went to bed for a couple of hours. We popped out for a bit of shopping and a coffee. I put together a couple of parcels and some cards and reactivated my Vinted account and sold a couple of things within minutes. I need the money after my recent fines from the car tax and parking ticket that due to the wrong address escalated. Popped out several times late afternoon between rain storms to get parcels sent and uploaded more items. Had an early night after a long soak in the bath.

Monday 31st August woke around 7am and made myself a cup of tea and laid in bed for an hour before deciding I needed to get on with the day and went out early to get some cards and photos printed and pick up a gift. home and collected Peter and we had a coffee in town and I picked up the final things I need for posting to Australia for child 3 and his girlfriend for her birthday and a few other treats. Peter drove home and I set off over the hills, running and walking a 10k route home. Tided up the dining room while Peter did the ironing and I put the boxes together as well as a couple more Vinted orders and got y work bag ready for the morning. Had a bath, dinner and bed by 10pm.

Tuesday 1st September Back to school. Nice to be back in a routine, even though it was a full day of training and lovely to catch up with people again. Didn't feel like it had been 6 weeks. Straight home, swopped bags and Peter dropped me at the station for the train to Birmingham for the game against Southampton. I video called my former student from the match to help her with a question for Uni and she watched a bit of the game with me. It ended 1 all, we should've won. The train was delayed and I got back home via Peter collecting me in Worcester, around midnight. A quick bath and straight to bed.

Wednesday 2nd Struggled to get out of bed. Peter took the van for a service and I went to work, on my feet all day and hardly got to it down, but a productive day. Home, changed and off for annual check up at the dentist. Went for a run, then to the gym for legs, bums and tums. Peter collected me and we got accommodation booked for 2 upcoming trips to London.

Thursday 3rd Work was hectic but the first week back usually is. Drove home via the post office and the doctors for my B12 jab. I had a lie down for an hour, cooked dinner, did some dusting and sorted out some work files whilst watching the TV and got granddaughters early birthday presents sorted. video call with grandson to hear all about carpet time this week in school. I obnvoulsy knew what it was but he was excited to find out all about it. In bed by 9pm.

Friday 4th Peter dropped me at work and the day went quickly, as I spent most of it hidden in the library. I had a one to one student for 2 lessons, followed by 1 lesson on paperwork, a final sort of the school uniform cupboard so we now have one that is clean and tidy and accessible and then a check in with year 11's after they collected their mock GCSE results. Peter collected me and we spent the evening with our grandchildren. We had dinner and got home at 10pm and straight to bed.

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week 

London Marathon Training August 2026

Word of the week - Equanimity 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Week 34 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

Just tiredness from being busy, but that's ok. There's been a lot on and in my mind for a while now. I wrote about Blues this week as my 'word of the week' people just don't get it. 'we all do this from time to time' and 'don't worry about it' just don't cut it and when you try to explain you can see them switching off and you back down and off and watch them retreat further away. I'm really not in a good place right now.

The positives 

Time with grandchildren.

Saturday 22 August I had a good sleep, had a lie in did some blogging and drank tea and got myself ready for a day out in Birmingham to the first home game of the season and a wander round the city as I had a few things I wanted to get sorted. Home to sort out future trips and plans for the last week of the school holidays. The garden had a good soak, all the holiday washing was finished, we watched Paddington Bear and a couple of other programmes and had an early night. Paid an £80 fine for late car tax payment. The neighbour where the post had been going to finally decided to start bringing the post to us rather than throwing it in the bin. Sorted out all the flamingo and tropical party decorations I've been collecting to take to DIL ready for granddaughters birthday next month.

Sunday 23 August A lie in, last two lots of washing hung out, then off to visit the grandchildren for the day. A long day but a good one, got home and got everything put away and sorted for the week. Crafts to do, letters to write, post and birthdays. Wrote a list of everything that needs doing. Peter did the ironing while I tidied up the dining room which had been a dumping ground, I watered the house plants and the garden and cleaned the back room from 2ft of cat hair.

Monday 24 August An early start to the day and spent the day on my own and most of it spent organising files on the work laptop. I caught up with some of my soaps, did some blog commenting and scheduled a couple of posts and cleaned up some files. I called the DVLA and paid the missing two months car tax and explained the situation re the V5C being sent to the wrong address and the neighbour still binning the post. All sorted now and they were very understanding and helpful. Emailed BCFC to resell my ticket v Brentford in Carabao Cup tomorrow due to family commitments and I updated my diary. It was great to have the time to catch up with all the things I've been putting off for ages. Had an early night after a busy few days.

Tuesday 25 August A day with my eldest grandson which involved the park, a bike ride, toy cars, painting and colouring. The youngest joined us for the afternoon for more playing and dinner. I had a relaxed evening, went out for a run and watched the Birmingham cup game against Brentford on the telly as I was unable to get to the match, had dinner and an early night. 

Wednesday 26 August Woke early, had breakfast and did some blogging, then back to be for an hour. Walked the dogs then spent the rest of the morning cleaning and ironing. Grandson was dropped off after school and we spent the afternoon painting and making cards and story boards. There was some time for TV then off to the park and pick up a few things from the local shop. Youngest grandson home after tea in time for cuddles, bath and bed. Bath time nearly finished me off, only half an hour but hectic, you forget what it's like looking after little ones. I went for a run and spent the evening sorting out some issues with my blog and reading.

Thursday 27 August Breakfast with the grandchildren before eldest went to school. After youngest was collected and taken to nursery and son went into work I went to the retail park. Afternoon spent with a variety of activities, painting, drawing, glueing, making gifts for mummy and daddy using hand prints. We went to the park on the bike and had a chin bump on the slide which was made better with an ice lolly from the shop. I went for a run which was more of a walk really, sat and watched some telly and worked through some blog issues. Was in bed at 9.30pm.

Friday 28 August Been waking around 5am then dozing back off till 8am which is nice. Spent the morning with son and youngest grandchild, lots of toys and puzzles and cuddles, he had his morning nap and I had a well earned rest while son collected eldest from school, then it was lunch time and we went out to do a food shop. Bumped into a friend of the parent in laws for a quick catch up. Then it was time for  a last trip to the park, messy play, dinner, cuddles, one last tidy up and bedtime stories as I'll be back into my normal routine next week. My camera roll is full from grandson and I love it.

On the blog this week:

My garden in August 2026 Part 2

Word of the week - Blues

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Week 33 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

Although I know I can't buy souvenirs and send a postcard to Stephanie it's still upset me. Migraines and food choices.

The positives

I've managed a couple of runs while we've been in Crete, it's been hot and my time has been improving.

Saturday 15 August It's the day of the Virgin Mary in Greece and we were advised that many places may be closed and the roads busy, so we opted to spend the day on the beach. It was very windy and the sea was rough so we went to the harbour beach which is sheltered but there were no sun loungers. I did have a swim and spent a bit of time beach combing for litter after getting attacked in the water by a bag for life. I prefer to have my main meal during the day and Peter had a bowl of soup. Back to the hotel for the afternoon in the pool and reading. Down to the village for dinner for Peter and I had a cocktail and a dessert. Walked back in the dark and watched some TV.

Sunday 16 August I don't join Peter for breakfast as I can't eat much, so I have tea and and cereal or yogurt and fruit in the room. We then walked into the village for coffee and were back poolside by 11am as it was too windy for the beach. We had snacks throughout the day and at 6pm we headed back into the village for dinner at a restaurant over looking the harbour. Back to the hotel at 9pm. Dinner really is a relaxed affair. 

Monday 17 August Our last day trip and off to Chania on the west of the island. A beautiful and colourful City with so much to see and do and of course a Starbucks. we didn't have a lunch, but I'd taken a gluten free sandwich and Peter bought one and we walked around eating them. I also found a gluten free cake shop and bought a rose flavoured cake that we took down to a park near the sea to eat. On the 90 minute drive back we stopped at Koumos Lake for a swim, there are fresh water turtles there and a variety of restaurants where we had some cold drinks and explored local potteries also. We were dropped in the village, enjoyed dinner and saw an amazing bright red sunset, before walking back to the hotel.

Tuesday 18 August A lie in as I woke with a migraine and I needed time for my tablets to take effect. We went out for a coffee and sat in the shade watching the world go by. I then went for a swim in the sea while Peter watched the bags and then back to the hotel to laze by the pool. Back to the room around 2pm for a late lunch and a rest, then into the village in the evening for dinner. It's getting hard to find something to eat every night without repeating the same thing. I miss just being able to have a jacket potato or a toasted sandwich.

Wednesday 19 August After breakfast we caught the bus to Rethymno and explored the the fortress and the old town. It was really hot today as there was no cloud cover or breeze. I had gluten free pasta for lunch, there were lots of drink stops and after we got back to our village I stopped off for a coffee and Peter returned to the hotel to get a spot by the pool. I joined him and we read for a couple of hours, with me floating on my giant inflatable. We then returned to the room and watched TV while doing our packing and in bed around 11pm.

Thursday 20 August We had a lie in and checked out around 11am, leaving our cases in the hotel and wandered down to the village for a coffee, dropping off the books we'd read in a lending library which was a shelf on a wall in the street. I had a swim in the sea and we had a late lunch and returned to the hotel for a swim in the pool and to read our books. We were given another room we could use able to shower off and get changed and spent the evening reading our books on the veranda waiting for the bus to pick us upper our transfer back to the airport and our flight home. Smooth collection on time, if you've flown in and out of holiday airports you'll know what I mean when I say it was a long wait. CSKA Sofa football team were there after their match against Crete in the Europa League, they caused a bit of a stir because no one knew who they were but had loads of security. I just googled their kit sponsor and football and fixture list and word got round lol.

Friday 21 August A good flight home, we dozed a little but no real sleep. landed at 4am, bags, got a train to New Street and had a coffee while we waited 30 mins for the first train home. I left Peter at the station while I fetched the car for the cases. The cat pleased to see us, case unpacked, everything in the wash, had a bath and we both had 3-4 hours sleep then went out for a food shop. Deforsted a home made curry from the freezer and Peter put dinner together while watered the pots, most of the garden is dead, but we do have a glut of tomatoes and peppers. Whilst we ate we caught up with some TV. I then went round the neighbours to fetch the cat home, several times, the kids brought her back several times. I was in bed by 9pm.

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Word of the week - Colourful in Crete

My garden in August Part 1

Managing a food diet on holiday - Gluten Free

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Week 32 2026 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

One of the reasons we chose our hotel was for the peace and quiet the beach and the location to the town and the local train station. On our arrival the access to the beach was via a gravel, narrow and steep cliff top, via a broken fence in a neighbouring property and down a steep gravelling bank and the distance to the train station was doubled and on arrival we discovered there are NO trains in Crete.

The positives

Everything else fits the bill and we easily adapt and my complaint was responded to. It's not the hotels fault, it is all clearly listed on the website and the photos are clearly misleading, so I'm not making a fuss over nothing.

Peter's oldest friend from the age of 14, daughter is in Crete on her holiday with partner and own daughter and our neighbours flew out on Tuesday for a week. Both are about an hour away either side of us.

Saturday 8 August Woke around 8am and Peter went for breakfast. I had a cup of tea in the room as the hotel don't provide hot water. Only the British understand the need for boiling water when it comes to making tea. I can't eat any of what is supplied for breakfast or don't like what is on offer, so I'm having yogurts and fruit brought from the local supermarkets in the room and gluten free cereals I packed from home. I do join Peter though just to be social. We then walked into the town and had coffee and planned then booked three trips and worked out the local bus route. Next up explored the village and I had ice cream and found a supermarket with some 'go free' cereal so I'm sure if I look harder I may find bread etc. We had fresh juice in the harbour and walked back to the hotel. I needed to have some lunch, then we spent the afternoon on the veranda overlooking the sea reading books. In the evening we walked back into the town for dinner. I just had drinks.

Sunday 9 August I didn't sleep well. Peter left me to a lie in and he went for breakfast returning at 9.30am. we finally left the hotel at 11am and went for coffee and I wrote post cards before wandering into the town and found somewhere for lunch of freshly caught fish and vegetables. We wandered back around 3pm and chilled out in our room, then decided to sit pool side as the sea was quite choppy. I lay on my pool float for an hour reading then returned to the room for a shower and put together a salad for our dinner. We've found an English Channel with Greek subtitles and we've been watching Monk and House, but we also play guess the news story and I'm getting quite good with some of the written Greek words.

Monday 10 After breakfast we walked into the village to buy bus tickets had a coffee while we waited for the bus into Rethymno which took an hour and stopped at several hotels along the route. A typical tourist/market town. We stopped for a drink in the harbour and bought some souvenirs, caught the bus back had lunch in our village and spent the rest of the day in the pool. Made some video calls with the grandchildren and watched some TV.

Tuesday 11 August We were collected at 8.40am from the hotel and set off to Knossos Palace and Heraklion for the day. The tour guide was less than useless and changed the meeting times twice and failed to tell us so we wasted a lot of time. The queue for the tickets to Knossos took over half an hour and we rushed round not knowing he'd got round the other passengers saying we had an extra 45 mins, but the place was so packed with cruise ship visitors, we were fine drinking coffee and reading our books, but had we had known we could have had lunch rather than cutting our time at the next stop. The visit to Heraklion City was much better, we walked around the Venetian Harbour, we had lunch and found a gluten free bakery to die for and I stocked up for the rest of the trip. Peter bought a couple of t shirts and a few more souvenirs were purchased. The tour guide made sarcastic comments towards us by thanking those for bringing positivity to his day after we had complained to him and he fell asleep on the way back after scrolling through all his socials. We spent the evening in the hotel by the pool. I phoned my friend to wish her a happy birthday. I had my Starbucks fix.

Wednesday 12 We went into the village in the morning for coffee and a wander, then attempted the local hotel beach. It was not a good experience. It was accessed via a very steep and rocky bank and as there was no one else there we decided not to swim, so spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool. We went back into the village for dinner and I'm struggling with finding something different to eat each night. I had some grilled chicken, sadly they decided to cover it in herbs and drown it in butter. We had video calls with our son and DIL and watched the eclipse with them as the sun had already set in Crete. Our DILs sister shared some colander photos with us and granddaughter showed us how to use the toilet roll method.

Thursday 13 We caught the bus back into Rethymno as it was Market day. I needed some large safety pins to fix my rucksack straps. eventually we found a seamstress who sold me some. We found a restaurant that served gluten free pasta and it was delicious and we were there for around 2 hours and I even had a pudding that wasn't ice cream. We'll be going back before we leave. We got off the bus in the village. Peter walked back to the hotel to the pool and I had a video call with my granddaughter so she could choose the toy cat she wanted that most looked like our cat from a shop I found that 100s of them.

Friday 14 Collected at 8.30am from our hotel and dropped at 10am at the entrance to Imbros Gorge. On the map was written 12.30pm and we were told 'enough time, back here, lunch, go, go' mmmmmmm. The companies information sheet had said guided walk 3-4 hours. No choice now as the bus had driven off, but of course we did it in 2 hours. The bus then took us to a beach where we hired sun loungers for 2 hours and swam in the Libyan Sea. We had a 2 hour drive back picking up other people who had been on different trips and we saw some refugees at a harbour who had been picked up and were detained by police at a harbour. We met a couple who were running the Berlin Marathon next month and they were happy to share some guidance with me for next year. We were dropped back at the hotel. I spent the evening reading and Peter went out for dinner on his own. We found a donkey wandering through the gorge.

On the blog this week:

Days out in my campervan in July 2026

Word of the week - Crete

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Week 31 2026 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

I'm absolutely shattered from burning the candle at both ends, jobs around the house and garden, going out and sorting things out.

The positives

Having reached out and said I was struggling and bumping into a friend, plus son's paperwork emergency issue, I've had a good week with friends, getting out and getting on with things and feeling much more positive. I've been much more receptive to suggestions from Peter and I've also been much more relaxed and chilled out.

Saturday 1st August A lazy day all round. I finally got up at midday and we went into town. The well had been dressed. We picked up a few things for our holiday. Home to root through the attic and desks to try and track down some paperwork for child 3 in Australia which I know I gave him several years ago. After tidying up everything, which included paperwork in the dining room, the lounge and the loft, we had dinner, the garden was watered and we watched Amazon Prime and I dealt with some idiotic responses on Twitter/X.

Sunday 2nd August Craft room rearranged as I had to get into the loft space to access child 3's keep sake box to prove to him the paperwork I'd given him a few years ago, that he has since lost in a house move, was most definitely not in my possession any more. A load washing on the line, stuff sorted for our holiday and we spent the rest of the day at Witley Court an English Heritage Site. late afternoon spent watching Scarpetta on Amazon, followed by dinner, garden watered and some tidying up done and into bed by 10pm after finding online copies of the documents son needs to discover he had the originals all along, he just didn't recognise them.

Monday 3 August Peter dropped me in town and I went for a coffee, got some stamps and sorted out my travel insurance and a parking ticket. I managed to get the price reduced by 50% from £100 as I explained it was when the dealership registered the car to the wrong address and the neighbour had opened the post and just thrown it and the reminder away. I did accept full responsibility and said I'd chased it up as soon as I'd found out. it was very kind of them to do it for me. I then had a manicure and pedicure, popped to the post office and Peter met me and I had another coffee and it was home for a late lunch and the rest of the day in the garden digging up weeds, cutting back shrubs, while Peter sifted through the soil in the back and wheel narrowing it to the front to finish levelling up the front lawn. The next door neighbour, followed by the neighbour over the road joined us for a chat. I tidied and swept up and got ready for an hours spinfit. Peter had dinner ready and after dealing with a complete breakdown of the 4 way traffic light system outside our house with photos and an email to Cadent as the local slimming world group were just driving out when they fancied and had parked inside the roadworks without working out whose turn it was causing total chaos, we watched TV and then Peter watered the garden and I restored the loft rooms after the paperwork debacle of the weekend. In bed by 10pm. The Theatre of Inconvenience. The Worlds Smallest Theatre.

Tuesday 4 August A lovely, relaxing day. I met two of my friends for brunch, came home to do a lot of tidying and packing and sorting through paperwork. Back into town in the afternoon to get my hair cut by my friend who is a stylist and then we went for coffee. I got home at 7pm. We watched TV and got to bed late. Wondering why we're going on holiday when the weather has been so lovely and we live in such a beautiful place.

Wednesday 5 August We got up, hung washing on the line and went out for coffee to Worcester and stocked up on cat food. Home and pottered around tying up a few loose ends. Suitcases repacked to sort the weight limit out and hand luggage packed. I cleaned the downstairs toilet and the back room ready for the cat. I went out to the retail park to buy some gluten free biscuits and bread rolls for the first few days of our holiday, then had a coffee as I was early for the gym. Peter cleaned the house. I popped round the neighbours to pick up my water bottle. We're all going to Crete on our holidays, about an hour apart, will be funny if we bump into one another while we're away. We watched TV in the evening and I did some blogging and it was another late night after giving the garden a good watering as there is no rain forecast while we are away.

Thursday 6 August Quite a lot of hanging around. I took a walk to the post box and dropped off the contents from the fridge with the neighbour and we made our way to the translation with the car and our cases. I then drove home and walked back to the station.We caught the train to Birmingham airport and had 2 hours to wait ahead of check in and it took about 90 minutes to clear security so we were nicely relaxed ahead of our flight to Crete. It was an uneventful flight, with luggage arriving on time and a smooth transfer an hour away to our hotel. We arrived around 3am local time and our key and welcome note was in reception and we made our own way to our room.

Friday 7 August We set the alarm to wake at 8am (6am UK time) so we could have breakfast, then went back to bed for a couple of hours and slept. We then walked into the nearby town around 10 mins away, which is in an old fishing harbour, passing a selection of restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir shops and cat feeding areas. It's a really pretty town, there's a water park here and lots to do for the next two weeks. We collected some information for some trips and bus routes and bought some basics for snacks and dinner for the evening to eat back in our room, plus some water and juices etc. I went back to sleep for a couple of hours and Peter sat on the balcony. We then explored the local beach area, but I declared it too hot so went back to the room to get myself something to eat while Peter sat by the pool. I joined him later for a quick swim. By 6pm we were back in the room, reading and just chilling out for the evening.

On the blog this week:

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Word of the week - Preparation

The best bits of July 2026

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Week 30 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

I truly believe that the lack of support when my father died then again when Stephanie died has had a bigger impact than most realise. We were left to our own devices with the assumptions that we would ask if we needed anything. When a child dies you really need people to just take over, it's not been two years and I'm still screaming out for help most days. Apparently, no one knows what to do, so nothing gets done.

The positives

Having lots of lovely people that I am able to talk to, when I say I need to talk (see above)

Saturday 25th July Shopping trip to price up a few things we need and home to finally dig up the fir tree and get the ground cleared to finish levelling the front lawn and start our new path here. BBQ in the late afternoon and we watched the original Top Gun.

Sunday 26th July Off to Bromyard for fuel and gas bottle for van then into Worcester for coffee and gluten free cake in Next and a visit to Home Sense and bought some Halloween decorations. Onto Lidl and Sainsbury’s then home and a chilled afternoon. Evening spent photographing items to upload onto Vinted.

Monday 27th July We booked a holiday to Crete and were having a lazy morning and day at planned. Well I was as Peter was on on a cleaning and ironing spree when DIL messaged to say she was bringing the kids up for the day. I quickly booked my camping trip and put the van on charge and cleaned the water tanks. Everyone arrived, played in the garden, paddling pools, lunch then walked to retail park, bought granddaughter new trainers (she ended up with 3 pairs) then a coffee. I came home and made dinner while they stopped in the park and while they ate I went to the gym. I got home, more play time and head stand practice with me showing granddaughter how it’s done. We’d had a race earlier on in the woods and she was waiting for mummy and granddad to catch her up.

Tuesday 28th July Campervan packed and off to Gloucester for some metaphysical time with Stephanie, coffee in Starbucks and a trip round the big B&M and The Range. It was our monthly trip, just the two of us. On then to the camp sit near Coleford where I'm staying for the next two nights, Peter is at home. I've got the cat pole with me to drop off with my friend on my way home on Thursday, I explained to the people on the pitch next to me that I haven't brought my cat with me, everyone else can think what they like. I met up with my niece and The Things at Rugby practice, the bus timings didn't work out so I decided to run there. I saw a deer and had bonus time with my grandchildren who live near by and gave me a lift home. I also got barked at through a window from a passing car and had a plastic bottle thrown at me from another vehicle. Evening spent at the campsite reading, had a shower, some dinner, washing up and bed at 10.30pm.

Wednesday 29th July A lazy morning, awake at 5am with the dawn chorus, made tea and dozed watching Slow Horses before my free trail with Apple TV ends, washed up after breakfast, made coffee and read whilst I waited for my friend to pick me up for a day out along the river in Redbrook and lunch, crossing between England and Wales for the day. After being dropped off back at the camp site I had a nap then walked into the town late afternoon, had a coffee and picked up some herbs for my dinner. Took a 3 mile walk back to the campsite. Made a tuna pasta salad, did the washing up, had a shower and in bed at 10pm.

Thursday 30th July Woken by the birds at 4.40am and after a walk to the toilets I went back to sleep until woken by a screaming baby then kids running around, I finally got up at 8.30am. Made tea and had breakfast, got dressed then slowly started packing up. Reloaded cat pole and set off to my friends house in Lydrbook. Dropped off cat pole and got my washing up done. Came home via the funeral directors as we wanted to make sure Stephanie's ashes had been collected by her biological mother and not just left there, we still don't know where Stephanie's final resting place is. We knew she'd pull some kind of a stunt. We regret now giving her permission to collect them, she was supposed to meet us with them to scatter them. Home and unloaded the van, met my friend for a coffee. Neighbours son came round to look for a ball he accidentally threw over the fence so he could come and see us, once his mum checked he was with us, she disappeared with our cat and sent her daughter round. Neither Peter or I thought it was a fair exchange and her son asked if his mum could bring all his toys round as he thought it would be a great idea to move in with us. Peter and I watched TV, I blogged and we got to bed at 11pm, with everyone back in their rightful homes.

Friday 31st July A lie in then off to Worcester mid morning. We had a coffee and did some shopping. I picked up some material from a scrap store and bought a couple of birthday cards. Peter then had his hair cut and took the shopping home and I caught the train to Birmingham. I wandered around the markets and picked up some more material for a couple of projects and found somewhere to eat buy pack lunch in the shade. I walked up to the ground, bumping into a couple from the gym who were going up the football also. It was FC Barcelona. I got a glimpse of Jude Bellingham and we won 3-2 on sudden death penalties. I just about caught the Tain home after 3 platform changes in 3 mins. Peter collected me from Worcester at 11.30pm as I can't back to Malvern anyway.

On the blog this week:

Word of the week - Football

My garden in July 2026

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

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Week 29 2026 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

Trying to please everyone is hard work and it's inevitable someone is going to get upset. I can't be in several places at once, meet everyone's needs and look after myself at the same time. I feel that others can say how they feel, but when I do the same all hell breaks out. So I'm just 'that's a shame, never mind, maybe next time'

9 years ago I had abnormal blood results after tests when I was in hospital for a 9 day migraine, I then travelled to the UK from our home in Dubai and my Doctor contacted me to urge me to get to hospital for urgent retesting, which led to a bone marrow biopsy, iron infusions and eventually a diagnosis of Reactive Thrombocytosis for which they've never found a reason for so continue to monitor every 6 months. within a month of this initial blood test my father died and I didn't return home for 4 months. June and July is a particularly stressful period for me and with Stephanie dying 2 years ago in October 2024, I've now just written off August and September emotionally as I'm counting down the last few visit with her and in December I have the blood tests due again it's quite a vicious circle I'm dealing with emotionally.

The positives

I decided the focus needs to be me. I can't keep everyone happy and I can't look after myself at the same time. My 6 monthly blood tests and annual retina scans have all come back within my normal range. 

Saturday 18th July

Stayed in bed till 1pm watching tv, eating breakfast and sleeping. Peter did a food shop and I got up and did some gardening and sat outside to read my book. At 4pm I got him to drop me off at the end of the hills and I walked home. Evening spent playing games with neighbours children while their parents were packing ahead of their house move. Bath and bed by 10pm.

Sunday 19th July After a lazy morning we headed out to Croome Park for a lazy day, coffee, strolling and cake. In the afternoon I took a route march to the retail park to re stock my ice pop addiction. Peter collected me. We assembled the oversized sun umbrella and watched the World Cup Final. I popped next door for an hour to help with some packing for their house move.

Monday 20th July Parcel from son and girlfriend in Australia with the most gorgeous gift and note. Out in the afternoon up on the Malvern Hills. Peter met me for coffee around 2pm. I picked up some spring water for neighbours 6ho to water his plant with. It ever did a BBQ. Watered the pots, had a bath and watched TV.

Tuesday 21st July Into Birmingham for the day on the train till 5pm. Peter to watch The Odyssey at the IMAX and I spent the day on the Ozzy Osbourne tour and in the markets. Bought material for making bunting and it stank of fish. Got home to roadworks outside our house, washed the material, went spinning, had dinner, watered pots, bath and bed.

Wednesday 22nd July A lazy day and another lie in with Peter heading off to Keynsham to visit his mum and sister. I did some pruning and made a nail bar for granddaughter. Evening spent in the garden then watched ‘Now you see me 3’

Thursday 23rd July Collected granddaughter and after lunch drive to campsite near Coleford in the Forest of Dean. Took a 3 mile circular walk stopping in the town for drinks and ice lollies to visit Stephanie’s old respite facility that is now derelict. Son, DIL & grandson joined us in the evening with a take away and we met up with other families on the camp site to play football and in the park.

Friday 24th July Dil and grandchildren came to campsite at 9am for breakfast and a visit to the nail bar. While I packed up the van, hubby did the park trip with the football. Family headed off to Monmouth for the day to meet friends and Peter and I headed home via Goodrich Castle. I posted some parcels for vinted sales and picked up some gluten free food. We spent the evening in the garden and had an early night.

On the blog this week:

Random fun and discoveries in July 2026

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week 

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Week 28 One Daily Positive and Project 365

The negatives

Been feeling sick all week, every time I eat or drink anything, so been eating smaller meals. The meds GP gave me had so many side effects and made things worse. I've just got to work my own way round this. A blown tyre and a cut shin.

The positives

Migraine finally eased and getting some decent sleep, last week of school went really well with trips and activities. A thoughtful gift from a friend.

Saturday 11th July 9th anniversary since my dad died and the night I met one of my best friends. Peter and I made our way down to Newport to meet Rosie and Simon our oldest Twitter and real life friends of 17 years. Then onto Tredegar Park to set up camp for the night. A walk around and found some deck chairs in the shade to read. Out for dinner at the Dragonfly and back to watch Bellingham win the football ‘he’s one of our own’ #bcfc

Sunday 12th July Packed up and popped into Asda to buy lunch picnic style and called in to visit Nephew, Niece in law and great niece for the day. Only 90 mins away and we really don’t visit enough. I gave great niece my troll collection from the 80/90s which she loved. We drove home via Monmouth for a coffee. Van unpacked. Garden watered, outdoor lights changed, cat had been unwell so rug and sofa washed. Dinner made, book read, TV watched and bed.

Monday 13th July 2026 A very stressful afternoon with a tyre blow out. Home almost 2 hours late. Changed for gym, went for coffee to calm down, gym was hard, home, dinner, shower and bed.

Tuesday 14th July school trip to Birmingham Bullring. Fab day out with the kids, lots of money spent, lots of back and forth taking kids to Primark. Got to know another member of staff really well over a Starbucks and on the journey. Home, changed, spin class, football, dinner, bath and bed. The HS2 link.

Wednesday 15th July Morning spent creating online mentoring folders and afternoon playing Traitors with year 9. Home and some tidying then Peter and I did a food shop. Peter drove home, I went to the gym and with 20 mins to spare before KO I ran home in 17 mins. A late night after post match commentary.

Thursday 16th July Back to Birmingham with school and apart from having to direct the coach driver into the centre, it was another good day. Afternoon and evening spent gardening, waffles for dinner, early bath and bed

Friday 17th July Last day of school. Sports day. I fell off a bench and cut my shin open. I ended up with a mixture of year 7s and 8s in the afternoon. We had a mixture of UNO, a movie and a nail bar on the go. Home via a coffee with Peter to show him my new nails. We watched some telly, video calls with the grandchildren, had a BBQ and a visit from the children next door for a duck and treasure hunt, bubble blowing and chalk drawing. A late night, tired but happy.

On the blog this week:

Word of the week - complications

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

Days out in my campervan in June 

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