♥ 52 Weeks of Happy (28-31/52) ♥

Well, well, well.  Where did I disappear to?

I really didn't expect to be away for sooooo long.  I knew the house move and the 'settling in' would take some time and I knew I wouldn't  have much spare time to sit down at the computer and keep my blog up to date but the weeks have just flown by and I have fallen so behind with my ♥ 52 Weeks of Happy ♥

I have wasted some time too by dithering and deliberating - do I just jump back in to blogging or do I try to do a quick catch-up?

Well, I have now decided that I would like to so a quick summary for my own record as much as anything.  So much has happened over the summer and I've taken so many photo's that it would be a shame if I don't give them a quick mention.

So here goes... July's happy moments include...

MissG's 16th Birthday

MrG's 49th Birthday

A house move (lots more photos to follow in a separate post)

A job interview - the first in over 20 years!

I have had quite a few jobs but I've just never had to go through interviews.  My last formal interview was in 1986 (now that is showing my age) and was with the Regional Council Education Department where I went on to work in the Further Education Bursary Department and then the Special Education Department.  When MrG and I moved house I left my post and returned to work for my Dad in the family business until I left to have my 3 babies.  I was very lucky to be able to stay home to look after them and I enjoyed that time so much. My first job after that was covering maternity leave for the receptionist at the design studio where MrG worked so I didn't have to have an interview.  My next job was doing a part-time admin role for my friends husband so again no interview required - we just met in a cafe for a chat!  When MrG then went on to set up his own design business I joined him to do the admin and I'm still there doing a couple of days a week. I just felt it was time to do something new - so new house - new job?  Well we'll have to wait to see...

♥ 52 Weeks of Happy (27/52) ♥

Well I'm still here, trying to post my weekly '4 happy moments'.  Some weeks it's actually quite tricky so I'm pleased with myself for reaching week 27.

We will be moving in 10 days time so it may go quiet here for a while as it will probably take BT an age to get us connected at our new house.  I will  try to blog from my computer at work - but I may be too busy working!

I am getting quite stressed with the whole 'house move' thing as there's so much to organise.  I've just paid the solicitors, estate agent and insurance company so that's left a large hole in our savings.  Today, I'm applying for student finance for Son1 and travel passes for Son2 and MissG.  There's been a lot of form filling and paperwork to do over the last few weeks as well as packing boxes.

1.  As a welcome rest MissG and I took Alfie out for a lovely walk along the canal and back through a quaint village.  Doesn't this cottage look pretty?

2.  My collection of granny squares is growing daily.  I think I've done about 37 so far.  It sounds a lot but when I lay them out it is only about quarter of the amount I need to make a small blanket!  They're so easy to pick up and put down and they don't take much concentration.  I'm able to do about 2-3 per day when I snatch a spare moment and while watching TV in the evening.

3.  While I was packing the contents of my wardrobe I came across my collection of necklaces.  I thought I'd share this little idea with you.  Do you have lots of necklaces?  Do they all get tangled up? Well try one of these - a simple coat hanger.  I can't remember if I saw this idea somewhere or whether it is one of my own ideas but hey it's a good one!

4.  Last night I went to the train station to collect MrG and MissG.  They had been down to London for MissG's birthday treat.  They went to the Summer Stampede to see Mumford and Sons, Vampire Weekend and Ben Howard.  It was a scorcher of a weekend and they both came back a bit sunburned.

Stone Jetty

MissG and I took Alf for a walk along the prom at Morecambe and along the stone jetty.  It was a cool and breezy and not at all as a June evening should be!  

MissG took some 'arty' photos.  She's on instagram and takes photos wherever she goes.  She always sees things from a different angle!

Horticultural Heaven

Oh my, oh my what a beautiful garden.

MrG and I took Guy to Newton Rigg College for his interview as he will be starting a horticulture course in September.

and we were invited to a tour of the gardens

Bursting with colour

everywhere you looked

stunning!

I'm actually quite envious.  I would like to join the course too.

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♥ 52 Weeks of Happy (26/52) ♥

A tour, a walk, a climb and a trip.  My four happy moments this week...

1.  A tour round Newton Rigg College.  I will write a separate post as we took loads of photos of the stunning gardens.



2.  A walk along stone jetty at Morecambe.  MissG took some photos so I'll add those in a separate post too.



3.  A climb in to the attic.  The actual process of emptying the attic wasn't a happy moment but it does mean we're a step closer to moving so that makes me happy.  The whole house is littered with boxes and it looks like the home of a hoarder.  I can't wait to have everything in its place in the new house.



4.  A trip down memory lane.    While up in the attic I found a box full of old exercise books from primary school.  This one is dated 2003 - when MissG was 5.  She's now 15 (going on 25!) and will be celebrating her 16th birthday later this week.  Happy memories of my little family.

♥ 52 Weeks of Happy (25/52) ♥

My happy moments of the week include - 

1.  A lovely lunch with my sister followed by a trip (only a 5 minute car trip from my sisters house) to Talkin Tarn Country Park.  The tarn is set within acres of farmland and woodland and is a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll.  

There were lots of school children walking round the tarn, limping and looking totally exhausted.  They were halfway through a 50 mile sponsored walk - 36 laps of the 1.3 mile track around the tarn!  Ouch, I did feel for them.  One lap was enough for us.

2.  My sister then mentioned that just up the road in Brampton, there was a shop with a half price sale.   She mentioned Cath Kidston so we just had to go and check it out!  These two pretty mugs came home with me.

3.  MissG went to her school prom.  All dressed up and looking glam!  A proud moment.

4.  MrG went to Holland on a business trip - it was on the same day as the prom so I couldn't go with him this time.  He came back with the most enormous cheese bomb.  This photo doesn't quite capture the size!  He has a bit of a 'thing' for cheese so he was very pleased with himself.

He brought me back some chocolates - because he knows I have 'thing' for chocolate.  It was very nice of him but I wish I had a 'thing' for something a bit healthier as it's not helping me waistline!

4.  And finally... on the home front.  We have finally signed contracts and have a date for moving house. Yippee