Reasons to be cheerful: birthdays, Wii and more #r2bc

I do believe it is Friday which means I'm late, I'm late for a very important date! It is a good job this is one of the most laid back linkies on the Internet... Preparing for being back in a real job and a return to some pre-lockdown activities has caused me to get behind! Lots of these have been reasons to be cheerful though. I hope that you have some reasons of your own to share?

What do you have to do? Easy: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy. 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) Belated birthday celebrations

As my dad had to be quarantined after a holiday to Holland we only celebrated his birthday (and my daughter's boyfriend's) with a takeaway curry and a cake made by my daughter:

2) Wii fun

We are having so much fun on the old Wii. It does get temperamental sometimes as its an original so pretty ancient! I am finally getting the hang of Mario Kart - typically there was a disc read failure after I managed my first ever 2nd place:

3) Days out

Now I am mobile again we have had a couple of days out into the Lakes. One trip to catch up with a family friend staying in Langdale and one visiting Grizedale Forest. The sheep seemed please to see us:

Reasons to be cheerful: back to 'normal' #r2bc

 

Gosh it has been a while since I hosted the linky (18th July in fact!). It has been quite a busy summer as you can see from my blog posts. However, my son went back to school today (for first time since 19th March) and my students are switching back to after school lessons so its is a return to the new 'normal'. I am hoping that folks have reasons to be cheerful that they want to share.

What do you have to do? Easy: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy. 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week: 

1) A trip to the moon

I have already blogged about the amazing experience seeing the Museum of the Moon was:

2) On the hills with family

I needed to kick myself into gear and start getting in shape for marathon training to resume. My son challenged me to run up 3 local hills and then the following day I hiked back on one with family (and Sherlock):

3) Time with my children

With it being the school holidays I had time to spend with both children doing something they love. For my daughter she bribed me with a lunch at Hansen's Ice Cream Parlour. A complete opposite with my son as it was a run up to Kendal Castle:

Reasons to be cheerful: family time #r2bc

I will be the first to admit that this hasn't been the easiest of weeks. It is at times like this that it is so important to find things that have made you smile. I look forward to seeing what that has been for you. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions: 

What do you have to do? Easy: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week: 

1) Art Outdoors

Our trip to Halecat House combined several things that make me happy:

• being with loved ones
• a walk in beautiful countryside
• discovering wonderful sculptures

2) Running with my son

I may not be any where near as fast as him but my son asked to run with me twice this week. He pushes me to run faster and keeps encouraging me when I am finding it tough:

3) Hair Dye

To celebrate the end of the school year I decided to do something wacky to my hair. As I was virtually all grey I have gone for a very bold colour which I had never been brave enough to do before:

Walks, rainbows and family #r2bc

We seem to be on a Saturday for reasons to be cheerful now, oh well! It seems to have been a good week here and I hope you all have plenty of cheerfulness to share. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions: 

What do you have to do? Easy: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week: 

1) Back to normal

Last week I had an electrical inspection which caused chaos in the house as we had to move furniture such as my dresser. It felt great when my mum helped me to put it all back and I got my lovely crystal back again:

2) Double rainbow

We may have had lots of rain but it did mean that we got the pleasure of a double rainbow appearing behind my painted one:

3) Family meal

My daughter cooked us a rather yummy spaghetti carbonara when we had a socially distanced dinner. Lovely, comfort food in these slightly cooler days:

Garden Party #R2BC

It is Thursday so it's time to share the things that have made you happy this week.  I need cheering up this evening so looking forward to your posts. Thanks for everyone who joined in last week. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions: 

 

What do you have to do? Simple: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week: 

1) Gardener Round

The relaxed rules meant I could have my gardener round. Bonus is that my gardener is my mum and I only pay her in cups of tea, biscuits and ice cream:

I did do some work myself when she had gone and it looks a lot better:

@lakessinglemum

Front garden rescue ##garden ##gardening ##fyp ##over30 ##over40 ##mumsoftiktok

♬ Wait - Chantel Jeffries

2) A splash of colour

Inspired by the front garden I tackled the back. I even dug out a new to me flower bed on the bit of grass that sloped annoyingly:

@lakessinglemum

Some work on the back garden too ##garden ##gardening ##fyp ##over30 ##over40 ##mumsoftiktok

♬ Tell Me - Marshmello

3) New Fridge Freezer

My pre-loved fridge freezer, that I have had for 5 years, finally stopped being good enough for use for us. So I bit the bullet and bought a new one for the first time in 20 years:

Running and walking #R2BC

Well it is now Friday so I am day late! Good job I'm the boss of the linky so won't get fired... Thanks for everyone who joined in last week. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions: 

 

What do you have to do? Simple: 

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy 

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to 

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too? 

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. 

Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week: 

1) Socially Distanced Run

I made the most of the relaxed lockdown rules in England to do my virtual parkrun with a friend at 2m distance. I've missed being able to chat as I run:

2) Pool Time

I got back in the pool again for first time in over a week. It was only 19C but it was lovely to cool off:

3) Socially Distanced Dog Walk

I met my mum and her dog for a walk around parts of Kendal I didn't know existed. Honestly he loved it:

Memories and pool time #R2BC

Well it is now Friday so I am day late! Good job I'm the boss of the linky so won't get fired... Thanks for everyone who joined in last week. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions:
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) More memories
I have put up the African safari plates that my granny had up above my bed. Now I can be reminded of her whenever I see them:

2) Local takeaway

My son and I discovered Joey's Cafe in Kendal and their scrummy hand stretched pizzas. Tasted even nicer out in the garden:

3) Crystal clear

After languishing for 10 years in bubble wrap I finally have the Edinburgh crystal from our wedding list in my dresser:

Memories and Socially Distanced Walk #R2BC

How does Thursday get here so quickly? It means it's time for the happiest linky around. I hope you all enjoy reading the other posts. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions:
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) Remembering loved ones
I found more treasure whilst sorting through boxes. Lots of photographs of my granny when she was a child and young adult. I put them up with the photographs I had framed of my daughter last week:

I have since given the one of my gran with her little sister to my mum as she didn't have any of her mum as a child.

2) VE Day

My neighbours and I managed a socially distanced celebration for the 75th VE Day celebration. One even baked us lots of cakes:

3) Socially distanced walk

The new rules meant that after 7 weeks I could walk with my daughter, whilst maintaining the social distance rules:

May the 4th be with you #R2BC

Whoops good job Michelle posted and made me realise I'd lost track of the days! Can I blame getting injured running for effecting my brain? Anyhow better late than never and thanks to everyone who joined in last week. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions:
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) Lovely things
I've been supporting some small businesses and getting some lovely things in the post. First up Suzy's Crafty Creations who sent me an item I am gifting plus a personalised scallop shell for my bathroom. Secondly Eden Temptation Crafts who made me some masks including one to match my geekiness:

2) New board game

Whilst trying to ensure my son doesn't fall behind on school work and having fun I decided to try out Geogo! from Oaka Books. It tests out your map reading skills whilst being competitive too. My son beat me but only because I changed the rules so that you had to get one from each category:

3) Camping Out

We pitched our small tent so that we could have an at home camp out. The first night we gave in and went back to bed. The second night we had put in our camp beds and survived the whole night:

It's a marathon not a sprint - Days 37-41 #R2BC

My brain has been in a bit of mush this week but at least I have realised that today is Thursday. Thanks for everyone sharing your happy moments last week, I loved reading them. I hope you will join in again this week and encourage others to do so. For anyone new to the linky we have a few relaxed instructions:
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) Marathon
I didn't want to let down my charity will all my events cancelled. So I used the 2.6 challenge on Sunday as an excuse to run my marathon mostly in my back garden:  

With laps of 30 yards it was hard work and after 20 miles I did head out into the countryside to finish it off. The last mile was the hardest and I had to be encouraged by my friends via Facebook. You can see how ecstatic I was to finish:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Becky Willoughby (@lakessinglemum) on Apr 26, 2020 at 1:54pm PDT

2) Take away

With impeccable timing our local Chinese has re-opened after putting in social distancing measures. After my marathon my son was able to nip round and collect the meal we had ordered the day before:

Good to be able to support a local business and get a big treat too!

3) Little touches

The downstairs loo still needs some little bits. One of these was to replace the broken towel holder.

Motivation and treats #R2BC

Apologies I sort of lost Thursday this week! Never mind this is the most laid back linky so a day late is not the end of the world. Please carry on making others smile by joining in!
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) Almost finished loo
The loo is now a pleasant place to use! I have a few bits to finish off, including painting the skirting boards, but I am very pleased with what I have managed:

2) Motivational messages

On our walks around Kendal we have come across some fabulous messages painted on rocks. Great to come across things like this on our daily exercise:

3) Beautiful places

I know that we are very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world and to be able to walk to stunning spots such as Cunswick Fell with views to the Lakeland Fells:

Being healthy - #R2BC

It was lovely to have so many folks joining in last week, it's great you are finding things that make you smile at this time. Please carry on making others smile by joining in!
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) Daily exercise

We are very lucky to be living in Kendal with so many options for our daily allowed exercise. Walking up our nearest hill certainly lifted my mood:

2) Healthy food

We are both hitting our 5 a day targets on fruit and veg. The warmer weather is making it salad time for lunch too:

3) Return to fitness

After a couple of week's housebound I've loved being back outside running. My speed is picking up again too. Not sure when I will be doing my marathon but I am loving local runs and this week's rainbow theme with a colour a day:

4) Making people smile

I have been going out in all sorts of costumes this week. Its funny how some people react when presented with something like this:

The running fairy does seem to be the most popular one though:

Now it is over to you...

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TikTok time for reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC

 
Welcome back to reasons to be cheerful. I am loving reading about all the things you have been doing to keep smiling in these testing times. Maybe someone else's ideas have inspired you? So please do join in!
What do you have to do? Simple:

1. Link up a post about something that is making you happy or grateful. It can be a list, photos or any way you fancy

2. Add the #R2BC badge (at the end of this post) onto your post or blog so that people can easily find the linky and join in too if they want to

3. Share the love. This is the really important bit. Please don't just link and run, comment on at least a couple of posts and why not share with #R2BC too?

I'll stop by all linked up posts to comment and I'll share on social media too. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful for this week:

1) TikTok

Regular followers will have spotted I am now on TikTok! I am having so much fun trying to workout how to create a variety of videos. My daily doses of silliness seem to be making lots of other people smile too:

So many plans for more ways of making a fool of myself on the Internet!

2) Out, out


After 2 weeks of quarantine I was allowed out again on Friday. This means that I can now look after all my self isolating relatives by doing their shopping and having the excitement of the new queuing systems (and yes I am going out dressed up!):

3) Feeling loved

I have had some lovely compliments on social media this week. It's quite daunting to post pictures and videos when you don't look like a cat walk model! However, I apparently have a lovely smile: