Reasons to be Cheerful: Proud Mum #R2BC

My last week as host then I hand back to Michelle! Thanks everyone that has joined in this month and I will see you in June.. Here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) A Run with a View

How could I not smile as I ran alongside this wonderful view of Windermere:

2) Winning Things

My prize, autographed copy of Eagles in the Storm arrived this week. I love Ben Kane's Roman novels and I am looking forward to reading it as soon as I get the chance!

3) Hair Cut

Reasons to be Cheerful: Me Time #R2BC

I have enjoyed a few days without my children before getting back together with them. Its so important for me to be able to a) unwind b) catch up on things without children needing adult intervention! So here are my first half of half term reasons to be cheerful:

1) Harry Potter Marathon

We are having a whole school Harry Potter themed World Book Day so I had an excuse to binge watch our entire collection (although the last movie is missing!!):

2) Furry Family

My daughter has decided that as she neglects the guinea pigs that they would be better off being mine. I am actually very happy to be responsible for the little cuties:

3) Overdue Hair Do:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Half Term fun #R2BC

Not quite as late as last week! Finding time amid the fun to write my post.... Here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) Safe arrival

My daughter flew to the USA with my mum and I was so happy to know they had arrived safely and to hear from her what an amazing time she is having! Hard to let your children spread their wings but reassuring with modern technology to know she is safe and happy.

2) New boots

I spent my birthday money on a new pair of boots for the Autumn/Winter. These will keep me nice and cosy until the weather warms up again:

3) Cosy evenings

With big sister away my son and I made a temporary sofa with camping mats, rugs and cushions to snuggle up watching movies on:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Monsoon Season #R2BC

As our lovely host Jo at Ojo's World has said it is hard to be cheerful when there has been so much tragedy around the world this week. This makes it even more vital that we find some things that have made us smile even whilst our hearts are heavy. Here are mine:

1) No Serious Flooding

Despite dire warnings and the evacuation of residents along the banks of the River Kent the water mostly stayed in the river although a few houses were flooded and paths temporarily vanished:

2) Fascinating Family History

My grandfather was great at keeping all sorts of family memorabilia but we hadn't looked at all of it. This week my mum pulled out this postcard that had been sent to my great grandfather Charles Band in 1909:

A fascinating insight into our ancestors lives with one little cousin suffering from scarlet fever poor thing. The other side is a picture of my great, great grandmother and her home:

4) Rainbows:

5) New Hairdo:

Its such a luxury to go and get a cut and blow dry with Becky at Hair Bazaar: 

I know feel fit enough to mingle with my fellow bloggers at Blogfest and have dinner tonight with the fabulous Michelle who started this linky. Right better shoot off now as I have a train to catch..

Reasons to be Cheerful: Surprises and other things #R2BC

Thanks to Jo at Ojo's World for hosting again this week back to me next week so I will have to be organised! Its lovely to read everyone's happy posts each week. Here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) A rare night out

With my children away and no school I managed to get down to the Jazz session at the Brewhouse at Burgundy's:

A mellow night even when not drinking in the company of my artist friend.

2) Hair Cut

I realised I hadn't had my hair cut since October so just managed to fit in a much overdo cut and blow dry:

It makes such a difference and I have to re-learn how to look after it. I must make an effort not to go so long between cuts next time..

3) Proud Mummy

My son had his latest fell race at Sedbergh school this weekend. Despite the wintry weather he was very happy whizzing around the course:

4) Operation House

I tackled my daughter's room this weekend. It looks so much bigger now things are contained and not all muddled up. She has a lovely little area for her special things:

What is making you smile this week:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Feeling Festive Edition

Feeling bit down tonight as my last book sale just about covered the costs... Shame as its been a good Christmas fair season really! So I need to cheer myself up with positive blogging:

1) District Scout Carol Concert

This is the first full year my son has been in Beavers so we all went along to the annual district carol service at our parish church. This the first time I've been inside the building since we moved here in 2010 and I was very impressed (I've put a few photos on Flickr of the wonderful Christmas tree festival). It was a lovely service with traditional carols and readings plus awards to Beavers and Cubs. 

There was also a collection of backpacks and school items to donate to Mary's Meals Backpack Project. The charity feeds over 800,000 children a day in Malawi and surrounding countries and they also send school supplies in backpacks. Great to have the children remembering that Christmas is not just about receiving but giving too.  

This is my son posing by one of the wise men in the nativity scene as he is going to be one tomorrow in the nativity:

2) School Christmas Production

The juniors at my children's school always but on a musical production every Christmas. This year it was Hansel and Gretel complete with gingerbread house:

My daughter unfortunately missed auditions as she was off sick so opted for being back stage crew. The whole thing was so well performed with all children from year 3 to year 6 taking part. I have to say that the backstage crew did an amazing job and the head even called for them to have an extra round of applause at the end:

3) New hair do

I finally found time to get my hair cut today! Loads of compliments at work from staff an students (probably shows how awful it had got!). Been challenged to use straighteners more often by 2 colleagues:

So why are you smiling this week?

Reasons to be Cheerful Week 23

There are so many reasons Michelle is cheerful this week but these are mine:
1) New look
I was bored of my hair colour and I finally made it to the hair dressers after months of being too busy. So now I am cropped and coloured:

  Something about a new hair do that makes you feel really good! Plus all the compliments I'm getting on how much healthier I look too.
2) Fun with friends
We had a free trip to Chill Factore in Manchester. It was great to be able to take my children and 7 of their friends to have fun in the snow. I also had a chance to chat to some mums I don't often have time to meet.

3) Tree Top Trek
My daughter and I had fun on our prize winning go on the new climbing wall at Tree Top Trek. Have to admit I am totally useless at climbing (and boy did I ache for days) unlike my daughter:

However I loved the 250 m zip wire from the top of the tower! We photographed each other once we got back down:

4) Fun in the sun
I can't believe its still sunny and I am sure it won't last but boy does it make me smile to be able to spend time outside. Whether its running and cycling or just chilling with a book outside whilst my children play its just so much better with sunshine and blue skies. Here is just a taste of what I've enjoyed:

 

Reasons to be Cheerful XXIX ( #R2BC )

Well its just over a week to go until Christmas so we all ought to be cheerful I suppose - unless you are completely stressed out and worn down by the whole thing! Been a lot ging on yhis week so here are the main reasons for me to be cheerful today:

1) Son's first primary school nativity

At my children's school the whole of the infant school put on a traditional nativity. Every child has a part with the Reception class such as my son being animals (he was a sheep!). Talking parts are done by the year 2 children and the Year 1 children are angels/stars/shepherds etc. There are only around 50 of them altogether this year and they did a brilliant job.

2) Makeovers and night out

On Friday morning I had a major hair restyle at Lavella Hair in Kendal. After over 6 months of not having a cut my hair was blooming awful and only fit for tying in a pony tail! Now its in a proper graduated bob and looking in tip top condition. As I was going out that night I nipped into Boots and got a free makeover so that it looked better than I can do. As I was wearing contact lenses and not glasses I confused so many people with my new look including my parents and my children. It's hard to do a self portrait but here was my attempt:

The night out was with 100+ ladies who attend Rosemary Conley classes in the local area. A really good fun time at Kendal Rugby Club as we all let our hair down for a great party.

3) Family

On Saturday the children and I day tripped to Birmingham to see their half sister for the first time in a year. She is a lovely lass of nearly 14 and we had a fun 4 hours exploring Birmingham's German market and funfair. Shame we live so far apart that we can't see her as often as we would like.

4) School choir

My daughter is in her school choir and on Monday night I went with my mum and aunt to see her perform at the Staveley Choral Society Christmas Concert. It is not a huge choir but they sounded delightful as they performed. Hopefully I can work out how to get the audio I recorded on the night on to my blog - only 14 seconds but it will give you a taste.

5) La Posasda

Once again we have been a host to our church's Posada. It is a great way to remember the reason for Christmas and also to think about people who are homeless or refugees as was the case for Mary, Joseph and Jesus even for a short while. Having another church family round to share was also a lovely part of the experience:

Money saving Monday: hair cuts

Like many people trying to balance the budget I've found that getting my hair cut hasn't happened for months as the money has been spent on other things! After 6 months and with my hair now looking very shabby and needing tying back, I was tempted by this sign that I saw whilst I was walking down Finkle Street in Kendal:

I nipped in quick to the David Graham salon and made an appointment before I spent the money again! I was warned that the cut would take up to 3 times longer than with a normal stylist due to interruptions and consultation with the senior hairdressers. Not a problem when I got an appointment on a day that my kids were both in school and I wasn't working.

I went in today and was well looked after by Amy the trainee. Yes the cut took longer than normal but it was a nice relaxing experience and it was reassuring that she double checked with the senior stylists at various points in the cut. I should have taken a pic in the salon because my the time I walked home in the heat the finished look isn't as good as it was when I left!

There are plenty of hair salons in Kendal also offering a similar service and also Kendal College offers cuts from trainee hairdressers. I'm sure that in most towns and cities you can find a similar offer. So if you've been putting off getting your hair cut because of the cost then keep your eyes peeled whilst walking around to see where you can get a bargain haircut.