Thursday 13 March 2014

Reasons to be Cheerful Week 11 #R2BC


Doesn't time fly when you are having fun and its time to share our reasons to be cheerful again. Really hope that the lovely weather we have been having in the UK brings everyone out in a rash of smiles! Here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) Friends

When I was expecting my daughter back in 2003 I joined an iVillage ante natal group and met a fabulous group of mums to be who were all due between October and December 2003. We supported each other through pregnancy and babies. I met a few southerly ones whilst our babies were tiny but as we were spread across the UK some where just too far away. A few of us have a group on Facebook where we can chat and get support or just let off steam. 

Last Friday I finally managed to meet up with 2 of the other mums when I travelled down to Wigan for a party. It was strange but it felt great to meet 2 women I have known for nearly 11 years but never seen in person. Our children clicked very quickly too so it made it a very enjoyable evening. Really hope to see more of them.

2) 40 Bags in 40 Days

Instead of giving things like chocolate up for Lent I'm giving up clutter! I signed up for the 40 bags in 40 days challenge. This means that every day I have to chuck out or give away the equivalent of one bag of stuff I don't need. It's quite therapeutic but manageable as its not vast. One area I did was my recipe book shelves:

decluttering recipe books


So a whole box went to Oxfam and I just kept the ones I've actually used! I've also got rid of some garden junk to the dump plus clothes via TK Maxx to Cancer Research. It's amazing how good it feels each time.

3) Spring

It really feels like winter is behind us and Spring has arrived. Around us the fields are starting to fill with lambs and the snow drops are being replaced with daffodils:

daffodil

4) Family

It was lovely spending time as a 3 generation family last Sunday. We are so lucky to be able to live nearby to my parents and to be able to be with them being active. There is so much around here to do that all us of can enjoy so its fabulous.


Why are you smiling this week? Join in and grab the badge if you want:


Reasons to be Cheerful

44 comments:

  1. How lovely that you get to see friends like that. I think facebook is great for keeping in touch x

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  2. Wow! This looks fantastic! Mine would love this- especially the triops... whatever they are! Growing things sounds intriguing though! :D
    x

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  3. Lovely reaons as ever - you always seem to have life very sussed to me. Amazing to meet those online friends. Going to look into that bag challenge - may be just what I need. Have a gorgeous week @kateonthinice

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  4. Fab reasons, how great that you met up with your group and that decluttering challenge sounds right up my street!

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  5. I wish ;-) bag thing is way to go

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  6. This looks amazing - both my older 2 would enjoy this. Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested

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  7. Ohh that 40 day challenge is a good one. Mich x

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  8. Colette Burgess14 March 2014 at 11:01

    What a great day out! Think I'd be avoiding the bugs though!

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  9. Colette Burgess14 March 2014 at 11:02

    That 40 bag challenge sounds fab!

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  10. Looks like a great place to visit. Although like Colette i'd be petrified of the bugs section - I once owned a stick insect and I couldn't hold one again. *shudders*

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  11. The explorer's mum!14 March 2014 at 13:34

    This looks like an amazing place to visit. How fantastic that you can feel so close to the snow leopards.

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  12. The explorer's mum!14 March 2014 at 13:35

    I love the sounds of the 40 bags in 40 days challenge! I might join in (belatedly) with that one!

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  13. Wow Becky that looks fantastic! My husband and children would really enjoy the snow leopard enclosure! I think we'll have to go there this summer.

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  14. 4 bags to charity today felt good :-)

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  15. I love day trips like this. Its the kind of thing you can enjoy no matter what age you are! : )

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  16. I really need to join the 40 bags challenge! I'm a terrible hoarder. Is there a stipulation on what size bags they have to be? Can they be sandwich bags, haha.

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  17. I'm going to join in with #R2BC more often - I keep saying that but I keep forgetting. Must try harder!

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  18. I joined an ivillage group when I was having Luka in 2009 and those ladies are still wonderful friends. One of them joined me when I jumped from the plane for Matilda Mae x x

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  19. Loving the paws on the roof! Looks like a fab day out, the perfect mix of educational and fun. Great pictures :-)

    Tiaras & Prozac

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  20. MidlifeSinglemum14 March 2014 at 21:18

    Great reasons. I envy you living close to family. Decluttering is also a way of making your house bigger. When I did it seriously last summer, I managed to get rid of two old, cheap and nasty bookcases and an old desk. We now have space where they used to be. And who couldn't be cheerful when spring appears at last. Have a wonderful week. xxx

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  21. I love the idea of 40 bags in 40 days. I'm trying to de-clutter our house too, we have so much stuff it's ridiculous! x

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  22. Let's Talk Mommy15 March 2014 at 13:02

    What an awesome idea 40 bags challenge. I could so do that! Although I get going crazy once I start bagging stuff and going through stuff I could do the 40 bags in one day. It just doesn't end. I have four bags yesterday just of baby stuff I don't need for charity. Declutter is the best feeling in the world.

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  23. Coombe Mill (Fiona)15 March 2014 at 15:49

    What a fab zoo with so many fascinating inhabitants to watch, although I'm not too fond of the cockroaches. The photos are great especially of the beautiful snow leopards. Thanks for linking up and sharing your day with Country Kids.

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  24. wow wow wow! Looks like you had a lovely time, and seriously impressed with holding all those animals! The leaf ants make me feel itchy just looking at your pic!!

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  25. I didn't fancy them either! thanks for hosting

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