To start a thread of lovely things

[Fairislesweater]

this forum is so typically used for griping (and I include myself in that, I love a grumble as much as the next person), I thought I’d balance the scales by starting a thread of things to be thankful for.

After years of renting, losing my parents and having a few shit years, I am finally sitting in my garden in a house that I own, having a glass of wine and listening to the birds. The dog is asleep on the grass, my bulbs are coming up and I’m watching the planes go overhead. Feeling very lucky. Feel free to join in with your own.

Finishing up a glorious week's holiday in Spain with DP. It has been perfection from start to finish. We're relaxed, rested and delighted with each other. Back to reality tomorrow and very grateful for a lovely break.

Aww this is lovely. Both my children DD(14) and DS(16) are wonderful and funny. Whatever people say I’m very lucky to be finding the teen years easy (so far!)

I'm tired in bed now, but it's been a lovely weekend outdoors with family and friends. The children have played lots with their cousins and buddies, and my home town looks beautifully green.

My DF was terrible with DIY, by the time he passed away my DM was left with a house thst needed SO much work to make it decent. DM has gone now, I own the house and I'm in the middle of making her bedroom nice, last room in the house still tatty. I'm going to make it lovely, just how she would have liked it. Making it all better feels like fulfilling her last wish

@Daleksatemyshed that's lovely. Our house is over 100 years old and I often wonder how many babies were born in our bedroom (I’m sure there have been some deaths too!)

Oohh could have the name of the restaurant please? Going there in a few weeks.

I took my DH to London today and treated him to lunch. He tried lobster for the first time, didn’t like it and so I got it instead

I went to feed my friend's beautiful cat early this morning , i scratched him under his chin and he purred like an engine and dribbled with delight 😊
At the same time i sat and watched blue tit parents going in and out of a bird house to feed their babies.
The sun was out the birds were singing and the garden was lush and green i felt really content at that moment.

@Fairislesweater my house is nearly a 100 yo and I know of three people who died here but I'm sure there were more. A friend's DGM used to tell me that you didn't have to worry about the dead, it was the living who hurt you, and I've always thought she was right

I agree. Whatever has happened on our house it feels like normal life. Our local history site has the details of a woman who lived here when the houses were first built. She had fourteen children, including five sons who all came back alive from WWI.

we also have blue tits nesting in our hedge.

I'm in London for the weekend with my lovely MiL and my lovely Other-MIL (DH's first MiL - he was widowed when we met).

We had a cheap and cheerful touristy itinerary planned for a girly weekend away for no real reason. Premier Inn and lots of free things.

Got to the train station to come down on Friday and discovered we were going First Class. The lovelies announced that since they'd not had the chance to properly treat me for either of my last big birthdays, one I was in labour for and the last one was during lockdown, and since I do big birthdays for everyone else they were getting in first for my next one (which is a few years away!).

First class train. Swanky hotel. A show. And expensive bus tour. It's been amazing, and has been all things I'd love. DH and our adult kids have chipped in things as well, and organised things with the smaller kids so we're here until Tuesday morning as we're doing something on Monday night.

I've been so spoiled and it's so lovely.

I’ve had a lovely weekend just enjoying the sun and the garden. Last week was so busy, and it was wonderful to relax without any pressure.

We met friends in a big play area today and the kids had a blast. Later we took ds 5 to the local park and we had a splash in the stream then fed the ducks with their babies by the river. We all had an ice cream too 🙂🍦

Wow, 14 DC, now that's what I call busy!

My son has non verbal autism and often doesn't really understand anything either. Earlier he was on my lap cuddling me and I told him I loved him and he turned, looked me in the eye and smiled and gave me a big kiss! It's not often I feel like he listens to me or understands what I'm saying, but it really felt like he did then and was saying I love you back.

I've just spent half and hour reading to my 2 year old with her cuddled up in my knee. I realise today that I've never not enjoyed reading to her

Can you imagine?? Sometimes it’s a squeeze with my two and we at least have running water and electricity now!!

Goldfinches have nested in the bay tree in my front garden for the 4th year running.

Every time I walk past the window, I have to stop and watch them popping in and out. They are utterly delightful little birds.

I am not a gardener at all but I have set up 2 raised beds on my front drive and I now have sugar snap peas, courgettes, spinach and have cucumbers and tomatoes waiting to go in. They are only seedlings but it’s so nice to see little green shoots 🌱

we’ve been working tirelessly on our house this year, almost every weekend, and it’s really starting to come together now. I feel very proud of us for keeping at it, everything starting to look finished.

I have a wonderful job I truly love and am looking forward to a nice week at work.
I also have leftover Chinese in the fridge for tea and the crappy reality tv that is Below Deck Med to watch with my lovely hubby

I was going to work this afternoon as we had nothing 'booked' but instead I played boardgames with my kids for 2 and a half hours. I left my phone away from me. And we had so much fun, and they've asked to do it again soon. Mh DH cooked us a delicious dinner. I feel very lucky.

I`ve just finished redressing my 3 barbie dolls.
Also cleared the unused large corner desk today so i can start on building my mini town.
Ordered the house bookshop coffeeshop and bakery will take me months but its fun.

DH and I were both busy this morning but when I came home he had made a lovely lunch and then this afternoon we went out for gelato, came home and had a mid afternoon nap (not a euphemism!) which was the best sleep I've had for ages

L'anatra Italian Kitchen, Chester House Hotel, Victoria Street GL54 2BS

I had a very peaceful walk with the dog through bluebell woods this morning then sat in the garden reading with him on my knee, sideways on the bench. Blissful.