ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 33RD OF 2024

 Good Afternoon, I'm a tad late but time to clock the positives and the silver linings of the last 7 days

Well last Friday me and hubby headed to Sheffield to enjoy the Bricktropolis trail, this is a trail set up to keep the kids happy during the school holidays finding Lego sculptures across the city, however, I don't see why this should be limited to children so me and hubby headed up on the tram and had a fun day mooching around the city and finding all the sculptures, this years theme was Safari from the Meercats in the Millennium gallery

to the crocodile in the uni buildings

 

We had great fun

and got to see all the sculptures including some that were a good size

We also came across a few pieces of artwork that were stunning

and the Covid memorial piece was also very poignant

We also enjoyed the artwork in the Millennium gallery around metal work, these drawings were stunning

they were even brave enough to have a couple of sculptures outside

and the kids were enjoying playing on this one, so we had to dive in to get the photo in between visitors. 

and a selfie with the lion, you can see how sunny the day was

Sunday and our usual visit to YSP another blue skies day

the geese were having a morning bath when we got there

and I enjoyed a bit of the old forest bathing. 

Monday came around quickly and work has been mighty busy this week but I got plenty done and feel almost ready for the audit to commence on Monday. 

Thursday and my sister decided that we needed to go shopping for holiday clothes, we have a break booked which is a way off but I hate buying clothes (and she knows this) so she dragged me along to the sales and found lots of things for me to try on and before I knew it I had an ample amount of new clothes to go away with, I'm eternally grateful for her because I'll be honest I don't think I would have had the patience to search as she did.

And that my lovely people is my week, I hope yours has been good.

ROCKING YOUR WORLD - 32ND OF 2024

 Morning all tis Friday time for

Well last Thursday we headed off to Stratford as we had booked two nights, and were staying three days to see four plays (I kid you not). 

We travelled down, up hill and down dale (not a fan of motorways) on the Thursday, we arrived early, parked up safely and headed to Cox's bar for a drink, hubby enjoying a pint or two of cider and me enjoying non-alcoholic beer.  Then we headed down towards the RSC theatre through a market enjoying the wares on offer and chatting to some of the stallholders. 

We had a wander around the RSC shop and then wandered back to the car, collected bags and headed to the Premier Inn and were soon in our room (we had a few issues but we will skip those as this is my silver linings post). 

First play was The School for Scandal, a play written back in the 1700s and we had no idea what to expect. 

The set and costumes were in a very vibrant pink, so the theatre was lit inside as a way to set the play if that makes sense. 

like I said pink

we even grabbed a selfie before other people arrived

The play was fabulous and we really enjoyed it, we headed outside in the interval to enjoy some fresh air, although the theatre was fairly cool anyway. 

and another selfie

it was a beautiful summer's evening

a new art installation inside caught out eye

We headed back to the hotel afterwards and we were soon asleep.

Friday we had breakfast and then given the very hot weather forecast we decided to head out, I definitely needed a hat, we needed some suntan cream and some water as the next play was being played outdoors. 

We also enjoyed finding some items in a local charity shop and also wandering an art gallery so definitely a good start to the day. 

We headed over to watch an abridged version (1 hour 20 minutes long no interval) at the back of the RSC, the Holloway outdoor theatre, to an amazing play which we thoroughly enjoyed. 

Back to the hotel we had a brief time to shower and changed and headed out for tea 

at Zizzi's restaurant which was lovely, this was the naughty desserts which we both really enjoyed

hubby had me giggling away again, love this man so much, as we headed into the weekend and marked 34 years since we first met. 

The third play of the weekend was The Merry Wives of Windsor back in the RSC (yes same theatre as last night's play - School for Scandal).  The turn around from last night to tonight was huge as you can see a completely different set. 

Another selfie before this epic play, it was the one hubby really wanted to see and they really did a fantastic job, Falstaff was incredibly funny and we loved every moment of the play, the characters, the actors and set. 

The close of the play and as you can see the houses have disappeared and a huge tree had appeared, honestly an amazing set. 

The final day, we had breakfast, packed up and took the things back to the car.  We then had an hour or so to have a wander, we found the Falstaff statue near the canal and had to take a photo. 

Then the final play was Pericles at the Swan theatre, this was the one I really wanted to see and it really didn't disappoint.  

Final selfie at the theatres

and then the play, which was as awesome as I hoped and genuinely brought a tear to my eye.  Absolutely fantastic. 

We then had a jaunt home which took a while but we had plenty to chat about. 

Saturday evening we enjoyed chilling out on the sofa, eating cheese and biscuits and hubby enjoyed another bottle of wine. 

Sunday and our anniversary and we had slow day as we had had a busy few days.  Our son and d-i-law visited which was lovely and we had a few hours catching up with them.

Monday dawned and I had a few busy days at work as is normal.  Hubby is volunteering on the boats again, not sure if this is a long term volunteering opportunity for him as things have moved on a fair amount but for now it will do. 

Wednesday saw him very busy with a woodstore order we ordered a half tipper load

which filled this and some of the other old woodstore, so we should all be set for winter. 

And that my lovely people is my week, I hope yours has been grand, I'm late on catching up with being away last weekend so promise to have a catch up in the next few days. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 31ST OF 2024

Morning all tis Friday time for 

Well the last 7 days have flown by, last Friday whilst I might have been at home I was mighty busy with work, namely year end, and yes I have already done one of these before this year, but that was for my old organisation and this is for my new organisation. 

Saturday was very similar although I managed to finish about half two, so enjoyed the rest of the day with hubby who had been out busy in the garden, sorting the new wood store which I'm relieved to say is now complete, which is great as we have a wood drop next week, we came unstuck a few years ago leaving it until peak season and struggled to source wood, so we normally box clever now and order when it is warm out as it is the last thing on most people's minds. 

Sunday we went to YSP and I thoroughly enjoyed blowing off the cobwebs, we actually parked at the Weston for a change as I wanted to see the new exhibition but as it didn't open until 11am I knew we would miss out if we walked from the main centre as we are normally there for 10am but it doesn't take an hour to get to the Weston, plus we've started making the sausage sandwiches at home as it is more cost effective (much more cost effective). 

This is some of the artwork that we saw at the Weston 

this was huge 

we saw the full statue of this the other week outside. 

and a selfie

Sunday night and we watched 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' which was rather bloody but extremely good and based on a true story that genuinely made my jaw drop.

Monday and I definitely didn't feel like I'd had a break it has to be said, but work beckoned and so did a rather warm office, which has got progressively warmer as the week has progressed.  On the plus side I have had a dedicated fan and discovered that having it point at my feet for the day actually keeps me feeling cool and has prevented my feet from puffing up - who knew that was a thing. 

The rest of the week has tripped along, hubby has made some stunning meals this week that I've come home to which I'm immensely grateful for. 

All in all, a lovely week, I hope yours has been too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 30TH OF 2024

 Evening all I'm late but it is still technically Friday, time to clock the silver linings for 

Well we had a busy Friday and Saturday last week as we continued to work on the garden, my sister came over on Saturday afternoon and we put the world to rights, it was very much needed and we invited her to stay for tea which she did and we had a lovely evening.  We also then invited her to come with us to YSP on Sunday morning. 

She turned up at 9am and we had a quick sausage sandwich before we headed out to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, it was quiet when we arrived but got busier during our visit. 

We had a good walk around the park, we saw a new art display, these were so brightly painted they brought a smile to the face. 

I loved the tree with eyes

as you can see you really needed to be up close to see the eyes on it

we enjoyed the normal sculptures dotted around the park

and the tree cover down near the boat house

this was a new sculpture outside the Weston but the new display inside wasn't open until 11am so we didn't get to see that. 

Hubby enjoyed showing my sister this piece of artwork which a lot of people miss a huge piece of sandstone inside one of the sheep pens

We also saw some new art in the centre, but it wasn't my favourite it has to be said

We had a coffee when we got back and said 23 year old and d-i-law, popped in to see us and we had several lovely hours catching up with them, which was brilliant.  The weekend quickly drawing to a close. 

The rest of the week has tripped along, work is immensely busy at the moment.

Thursday we went over to my Mum's house and had another sort through for my step-Dad, this time sorting through books.  We had a pile to keep, some that me and my sister wanted to have and then a pile for the local Cancer Research Shop hopefully releasing them to the universe will mean someone else gets to read some of the books. 

In the afternoon I headed into work to get through the Income data that I needed to sort, it was worth the couple of hours in. 

I hope you've had a good week too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 29TH OF 2024

 Good afternoon lovely people tis Friday, a day where I clock the positive moments and silver linings in the week that help to keep me balanced.  I started Rocking posts years ago and find it is a lovely way to focus on the happy moments whilst knowing that sometimes life is a set of trials and tribulations, this stops them from overwhelming me, having said that I've had a good week overall (although there is a genuine lack of photos - so sorry). 

So last Friday we headed over to see my step-Dad, we haven't seen him for an age and I was feeling mighty guilty, but I think he was just happy for a bit of company.  Whilst we were there I managed to sort out what we hope is the last outstanding financial element in relation to my Mum for him, so that was definitely a positive.  

Whilst we were there we had a look at what there is still to sort upstairs, we had planned to have another fettle but to be honest my sister has been quite poorly recently and she genuinely was not well enough to do anything so we just took stock of what needed doing.  However, me and hubby did take a multitude of bags to the local Cancer Research Charity shop, which frees up some space and means that hopefully further funds will be raised for this worthy cause.

On Saturday we headed north to see my niece as she had invited people over as it was her birthday this week.  Her and her partner put on a lovely spread of food and we spent several hours catching up and chatting and putting the world to rights and she got to receive her presents early and open the same and we got to sing happy birthday to her, she had three birthday cakes to choose from, perhaps next time we need to remember to communicate more effectively, although I doubt they went to waste. 

Sunday was another miserable day weather wise and so our plans to go to YSP were scuppered, but we still enjoyed a sausage sandwich at home and I did some crafting and reading before I headed back into work. 

Monday came around and I was back at work, I'm still battling with the year end and getting to it is proving mighty difficult if I'm honest, but that I'm persevering and hopefully will start seeing the finish line soon (I hope). 

Tuesday hubby contacted the doctors he keeps getting a sweet taste in his mouth, we can't tell if it is post op or whether there is something else so he got booked in for blood tests and we had a discussion about health improvements because his blood pressure was bad again, however this has led to some sensible discussions and hopefully a way forward. 

Wednesday my last day in the office and I came home very tired and yesterday we set too making the most of the sunshine (which we have seen little of recently) to be in the garden making some headway on some projects that need sorting.  The heat has made the task much harder, but at least it has been dry enough to make some headway.  

Apart from that, conversations with family have kept me on an even keel particularly when I've been struggling with the grief side of things. 

And finally I will document it here because it means I have it somewhere.  Early this morning, as I was just lifting out of a dream which was mad and made little sense, did I find myself sat in a different room and my Mum literally suddenly appeared in front of me, she was radiant and looked so relaxed and happy, younger, healthy, lightly tanned skin and sparkly eyes and she was there in front of me.  I burst into tears and said we had all been so worried and asked if she was OK, she said that she was fine and that everyone needed to stop stressing.  I asked where she was and who was with her but she just shook her head as though to say that isn't for you to know at the moment.  

She was so incredibly vivid, so bright and so close to me that I'm struggling to accept this as purely a dream, I've had other such times when similar has happened on two other occasions, only 3 in my life but when they have happened they have left such a strong impression on me, that I genuinely feel like it was a message from my Mum where she is now and it has given me great solace today, although left me somewhat emotional, I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you. 

Have a lovely weekend where you are. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 28TH OF 2024

 Good afternoon lovely people I'm late to the party today so apologies, time to clock the silver linings and positive moments from this week. 

Well last Friday we had a tootling day in the garden, hubby was on with sorting bits out and I was painting the world, well the new fence anyway, it was good to be out in the garden and get some fresh air. 

I was still struggling with a bug that hubby had been kind enough to share, with a stupid hacking cough that genuinely would not leave me alone, which frustrated me somewhat, however time together is always very precious in my book. 

Saturday our son and d-in-law popped over for a catch up, it was lovely to see their faces and put the world to rights.  I checked in with my d-in-law who has recently lost her Nan and checked to see how her Mum was doing, it just seems that a lot of people are going through the mill a bit at the moment. 

I spent some of Saturday making cards, after I realised that I was running low when I wrote July's cards out last week (yes I know I was running late).  

I had a lovely few hours creating these and now the birthday card box is full again.  

We also watched Axl on Netflix and hubby watched the rest of the Beverley Hills Cops films over Saturday and Sunday. 

Sunday and we genuinely had hoped that we would be able to get to YSP but the weather had other ideas and with the cough I'd got I decided the best thing to do would be to stay put and just craft and chill out and watch a few films etc. 

As it was we watched Peter Rabbit, which I thoroughly enjoyed and did a bit more crafting, I'm still on with making Pigling Bland out of a book I bought recently, it is mighty slow due to all the hand stitching. 

The rest of the week has been busy with work, including a number of hours at home doing some training on Thursday but it was needed and it was good to get it out of the way. 

We are trying to make headway into watching some of the DVDs we own, so we watched Eat Pray Love and Amelie this week.  I've seen Eat Pray Love before but hubby hadn't, it amazed me that I had a vague understanding of some of the Italian language as I watched it (well I have been learning it on Duolingo for 3 years). 

Amelie, very nearly didn't get watched as I'm not a fan of subtitled foreign films (I read enough in my day job without reading a film if that makes sense), but it had been a recommendation from a book and well within 10 minutes we were invested, so we saw it through.  I really enjoyed it, and it reminded me that the simple acts of kindness can sometimes bring real joy to individuals which I love.  

I hope you've all had a good week.  

Hugs