It’s been a while! But I am back. I stopped just before my trip to Las Vegas, then was busy writing about each day of my holiday on my return. But now have a bit more time again (in-between my other jobs) and noticed our little weekly update group has swelled so what a good time to return.  Especially as it’s so nice to connect with some new blogs! I am still working on my holiday plans but they are much more relaxed this time.

This weekly update has a bit of time to catch up on, so I will whiz through the last few months instead. I prefer to do it that way rather than jump straight into just the last week…

Las Vegas

We went late October/early November. As a whole the city wasn’t for me, but I did have some lovely highlights such as visiting the Grand Canyon and going horse riding in Red Canyon that made it well worthwhile. My boys really enjoyed eating out in Hell’s Kitchen too! I spent hours on holiday plans for Las Vegas so it was nice when the itinerary was finally done so I could just chill. My boys and husband just rock up and everything was booked and organized much like our trip to Lake Garda.

Barbados

My next holiday I am planning something much more relaxing. Just a mixture of time spent eating, lazing on the beach in Barbados and swimming in the hotel pool. I am planning no real excursions or anything crazy as Las Vegas took up so much time planning. I don’t think I have the energy to plan something on that scale for quite sometime!

I just want something chilled this time. A chance to unwind and catch some rays whilst it’s so cold here in the UK! Quite different holiday plans compared to the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.

However, after this it’s no more holidays for a LONG while. I am not sure what came over us booking another holiday so soon. I think I am making up for all those years we didn’t travel because of COVID and then the restrictions with vaccinations etc.

Wedding Anniversary

We went out for dinner for our wedding anniversary. We have had our ups and downs, there is no denying there have been some difficult times over the years. But we are still hanging on 17 years later. Dinner was delicious (the picture was my starter), its was nice just having a meal the two of us. When we eat out with the kids its never quite as relaxing, plus we have my son’s lactose intolerance to juggle.

Lactose Intolerance

My eldest is so much better since we figured out what was happening, and his diet isn’t as restrictive anymore. We have found more fantastic dairy chocolate alternatives with companies like Love Raw and Buttermilk. He had quite the stash of dairy free goodies at Christmas.

A retired doctor told us to try dairy in the future and see if he can tolerate it again. But so far, it’s not looking positive, even the special tablets to get rid of lactose don’t work when you try and eat a giant chunk of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk as he unfortunately found out! You really do have to be careful how much you’re eating as they don’t seem to cope with an overload of lactose.

Community Work

I am still doing my community work with the Co-op. It’s only four hours a week so pretty flexible. The last few weeks I have dropped into a church and theatre group to support their warm space sessions with tea, coffee, biscuits and cake. I love the role, getting to know the people in my community, plus the 30% discount card on Co-op own branded products makes my weekly shop much more affordable!

I went on my Co-op Christmas work-do too! Being mainly self-employed its nice to be involved in a Christmas celebration at work. We had an afternoon tea treat and it was lovely, both the company and the appetizing spread.

Keeping Fit

I was trying to keep fit and eat healthier. I was going to the gym, then a token effort on my rowing machine when at home, plus 10k steps a day at the very least. But then I kind of got a bit fed up with all of it, it’s so cold, that and January is lasting forever!!! So, I thought a few treats here and there won’t do any harm. I will pick up where I left off when I feel inclined again!

Christmas & New Year

We had a nice Christmas and New Year! Although my husband and I had a million dishes to do! We are lucky my brother does the cooking but blimey he uses every pot and dish in the house. But it does mean you have a beautiful dinner with all the trimmings.

Birthday

I turned 45 in December! Yikes how am I that old already. Where on earth does the time go. But my scrumptious birthday cake in the feature picture took the edge off now being in my mid-forties! I think I better start planning something amazing for 50.

That pretty much catches you up. Hopefully I will get into a regular routine again now.