21 Years Being A Mum

Happy 21st Birthday, Ben - my first born, who made me a mummy! 

So I'm celebrating 21 years of being a parent. 

I can still remember the moment you were born, laid out on my tummy, blue eyes staring back at me.  

I'm incredibly proud of the young man you've become. 

Don't get me wrong, you still drive me potty at times, taking your time to do things, as you did coming into this world (33 hours of labour!) but I love that you have your own style, loving to dress up to the occasion. 

As well as liking to get dressed up, even in fancy dress, you're also happy to rough it camping, surfing, walking, also being outdoorsy. 

(Obligatory new born photo - one of my favourites)

You'll even entertain your old mum in things not deemed 'cool' (by your younger brother.) You're good fun and always happy to participate in whatever we suggest. 

I love that you'll even share a bottle of wine with me. 😍 (You'll make a great date when the right young lady comes along!)

I'm so proud you're working hard in your apprenticeship, training to be a construction engineer. 

I love that you like the finer things in life and know to work hard to achieve them. 

Keep being you, keep working hard, have fun and enjoy life, and maybe tidy your room occasionally...

Lots of love, 

One very proud mum. 

Xxx

(I scheduled this blog post to go live the minute you were born... 6.36am)

This Little Man Is TEN

Ten years ago, when I was thinking of getting a budgie, I never realised what an impact such a little creature would have. 

And I never imagined he'd be with us for ten years either. I thought he'd be like mice or gerbils and only live for a couple of years! 

I wanted a pet in the house, but I didn't want a cat or a dog. My house is too small, and as a single mum on a budget, I knew I couldn't afford the extra direct debit of pet insurance. And all the other extra costs an animal can bring. Cats and dogs cost a lot more to feed than a budgie! 

After some discussion with a friend on Insta who owned budgies, asking about their upkeep and doing some research, I bought him as a pet for the boys but I did say he would be mine. Then I didn't need to nag them to feed him or clean him out. He would be my responsibility. 

I chose Rio, because I knew I wanted a turquoise blue colour budgie, but the boys did name him. I remember clearly, as if yesterday, we were walking to school (because they were that young!) and we were discussing naming our new pet and what was the blue bird called in the film Rio. He was called Blue and we decided that wasn't really original, and at the time, my son (Ben) said, 'Why don't we call him Rio.' 

And that was that. On the 7th October 2015, as a birthday present to me from me, I bought Rio.

For such a little bird, he is a big character in our home - and can be noisy! (Only during the day.)

Budgies live till ten years old, so I do know our time maybe limited now with this little fellow. But there is so much love for this cheeky chappie. 

Happy 80th Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday we celebrated my dad's birthday. He was 80! 

He doesn't look it or act it, mind you! 

He can out cycle me and walk for miles and miles. He doesn't ever get tired! 

We were planning on a trip to visit the steam trains (Bishops Lydeard to Minehead) which was the day out we used to do when the boys were much smaller, Dad's birthday falling in the school holidays. 

But they no longer run on a Friday - which was his birthday!  

So we did our next favourite thing, other than visit a National Trust place, and visited Slimbridge, The Wetlands.

The last time the boys and I went, we were coming out of lockdown, and Dad didn't come with us. (I used to have membership.) 

It was FAB to get to feed the birds again, especially one very confident swan. 

Ben, never a lover of dogs, is not afraid of swans!

Slimbridge did not disappoint. There had been some further updates and new bits to explore.

It brought out the big kids in us, although we didn't venture into Wellyboot Land - they grew out of that area years ago!

But it was a tranquil day bird watching, with a canoe safari thrown in for fun, too.

The cutest thing was watching one of the otters sunbathing and playing with her stone. 

And finally, after all the years we've been visiting, we saw the water voles! Hurrah! 

Plus we picked up a couple of Gromit Unleashed sculptures, as came home via the A38 (rather than M5) and stopped at Thornbury, too. 

All in all, we had a Grand Day out! 

Happy birthday, Dad! 

My garden would not look as awesome as it does without your assistance. 

I am always grateful the help you've given me over the years. Not sure where I would be without you.

Here's to more fun days out!  

Love Teresa x x x 

Happy Father's Day to My Hero

I'm incredibly lucky. I have a wonderful dad. He's my real life hero, but I've especially noticed this in the past years where I've been a single mum. Before, I realise, he didn't want to step on my husband's toes. But now there is no one to upset, he can offer his help more.

My dad has his own foibles, possibly a little eccentric in some things, and is certainly stuck in his ways, but I love him for who he is and the support he gives me. 

Although he does spoil me, it's not in ways of giving me everything I want, monetary wise. But if I need his help on something, he is ALWAYS there. In fact, I'm so used to things being done almost immediately, that when one of my son's takes too long to do something, I get very impatient, because I know with my dad, if I asked for him to help me with something, he just does it. 

My garden wouldn't be as wonderful as it is without his input - that's where I am spoilt - and the planting of all the plants over the past twelve years! 

He moved to Weston-super-Mare just before Ben, my eldest was born, so has been here with me nearly twenty one years. It's meant he's been a big part of the boys' lives growing up as Grandad Ron, too. He's taken them on walks and bike rides in the school holidays when I've had to work. We usually go out on his birthday. The Bishops Lydeard to Minehead steam trains being a favourite.

Please note, I don't have many good photos of my dad, because he doesn't really like being in photos, and then, when I take a sneaky photo, he's always blinking or talking! 

Dad's truck! 

Happy Father's Day, Dad. And to all the amazing daddy's out there! 

Gardening Therapy - I Talk To My Plants

On the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend, I'd written over a thousand words, and although it was a tad windy, the sun was out, so I thought I best get out in the garden in the afternoon.

Dad had picked me up some extra plants and I knew I needed to get them into the beds. Next week, the weather forecast wasn't looking so bright, plus I'd be working, and gardening is obviously done best in the sunshine. 

Pre-lockdown I would leave the gardening mostly to Dad. I potted up the hanging baskets, but that was about my forte. Then, in 2020, when my gardener wasn't allowed into the house, I had to stand on my two feet, roll up my green sleeves and just get on with it. 

Dad does still do a lot of the hard work, like cutting back the roses early spring etc. And my garden would not look so lovely if it wasn't for his hard work in it too. But I've got better at gardening. And I love it.

my favourite rose bush

I came in Sunday after getting all the bedding plants into my beds in the front and back garden, and I felt good. My mental health had had a boost. I'd been in the sunshine with the bees, busily working. I mean, literally, I had a bee on a plant right by my ear, and they weren't bothered by me. And I wasn't bothered by them. 

I even enjoy mowing the lawn. I do try to get the boys to do it - more to make them do a chore. And Dad sometimes cuts the lawn for me, if I'm at work and rain is due the next few following days.

My pond

All these people with their plastic grass (that's another subject where I could get on my soapbox on how bad that is for the planet and wildlife) - you're missing out on helping your mental health. Just get out in the garden, prune the plants, talk to the birds, the bees  - and the plants, like I do.

If you're struggling with your mental health, seriously, get out in your garden. It'll boost your mental and physical health. 

Don't Wait Until You're Thirsty To Dig A Well

Gosh, this proverb is sooo true. Five years ago (in July) I joined UW, as working part time I wanted to boost my income, and long-term, create more time freedom for my writing.

 
However, having increased my hours in January, as I needed to boost my 'reliable' income (as I was losing benefits/maintenance with boys getting older and the royalties from my writing decreased) I have learnt how much I valued working part-time, having done it for nearly twenty years.

Now I have increased my hours at work, I really, really, really value time freedom.

 
Don't get me wrong, technically I've always worked full-time, with the writing, raising two boys, then UW, as well a part-time job. But it was always on my terms. I don't like that I'm trading more of my hours for money - I want my free time back.

 
With these increased hours, there are time constraints/restrictions to this, and I'm exhausted at the end of the day, therefore, I'm soooo grateful that I started my side hustle five years ago, because I can see, eventually, I'll be decreasing those hours again.  

Five years ago, I wasn't thirsty... but I certainly am now! 

If you'd like to reduce your hours with the day job (or work work as I like to call it), and make time for more things that you enjoy, I'm happy to show you what I do. It fits in and around all my other commitments, and busy people can make this opportunity work. 

If this sounds like something that would interest you, too. Then let's have a chat. The link below can take you to my UW website and give you a little more information as well as ways to get in touch with me. 

https://uw.partners/teresa.morgan

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all those great mums out there, doing everything they can to hold it together - probably. 

And sometimes it feels like you're fighting a losing battle, whether it be with toddlers or teenagers. It can be very overwhelming at times, and frustrating, and feels like a thankless task being a mum. 

And then they go do something cute, and we forgive them. lol!

So, I hope you're getting to put your feet up and chill, whether you're a mum to humans or pets. Go hide, if they won't let you! ha ha! (That's what I'm planning.)  

It's typical we lost an hour this morning with the clocks going forward. I find that kind of ironic. 

And I know this day may not be easy for some, who are missing their mum. So we're thinking of you, too.

Positive vibes and much love to everyone. 

AND Happy Mother's Day to my MUM!

I think the best thing about you being my mum, as well as being a little loopy like me, (which is probably where I get it from), is that I can tell you anything.

You really are my best friend.

My Mum releasing her inner loopy!

Love you, Mum Xxx 

 

Happy 18th Birthday, Kieran! Two Adult Boys In The House

That's it. I no longer have children. Both of my boys are adults, one isn't even a teenager anymore! 

Happy 18th Birthday, Kieran! 

I am always incredibly proud of you. Keep being you, only maybe a little less grumpy - ha ha.

Your birthday, last year.

You work so hard in your job and at college, and I know you'll do great at University in September, training to be a physiotherapist.

I don't have that many photos of you on your own, because unlike your brother, you don't like having your photo taken - by me, anyway. 

However, when you were younger (and cuter) you loved having your photo taken. 

Anway, you'll always be my cute, cheeky Kamikaze Kieran. 

You may have grown out of Spiderman and pirates, but I will love you always and forever, Mum x x x 

(Below is a montage of photos - some with your brother when you used to get on better! All of you when you were cute!) 

This is when I put vaseline in my hair!

This is when I was at my cutest - asleep!

I helped make these with Mum. 

Always the pirate!

Always a lover of football!

Animal Farm day out. Mum loves this photo!

Bath time :)

No Longer A Teenager

So where have the last 20 years gone? My boy has gone from baby to adult, what feels like very quickly. No longer a teenager! 

Now working as a Construction Engineer apprentice - all that lego building has paid off. 

Happy 20th Birthday, Ben! 

Keep being you... but if you could just tidy your bedroom more that would be great...  

Love you, always, even when I'm grumpy, Mum x x x 

Firmly In My Fifties

It was my birthday at the weekend, and I went for a National Trust adventure at Stourhead. 

I had been toying with getting a bus into Bristol for some day drinking, and being home by 8pm and in bed ha ha! 

However, we opted for some exercise and fresh air, as only the middle-aged will appreciate. 

Therefore, my birthday involved plenty of walking with a cream tea for lunch. Perfect. 

I went with one of my friends who I've been visiting a lot of National Trust places with this year.

For the middle of October we were very lucky with the weather, it only got a little chilly when the sun went in. But we were starting to see the changes in the trees, and what I love about National Trust is they'll always have a good display on. Everywhere we went there were pumpkins and the reminder of Autumn. 

Then, in the evening we went out with the 'kids' - who are not so small now at 17 & 19 - for dinner, and a well deserved bottle of pink prosecco - or two! 

Thanks to everyone who sent cards, gifts, and messages. All very appreciated 😍

I know I've been quiet on the blogging front, but I've been working on my next novel, editing and polishing to resubmit to a publisher, and submit to some agents... Wish me luck! 

Seventeen!

And here it is, ladies and gentleman, I am now the proud owner of another seventeen-year-old. 

It's incredibly scary how fast they grow! 

Happy 17th birthday, Kieran. 

He's probably too cool now for this blog post, so I just won't tell him I've posted it. 

He only allows his photo to be taken if I promise not to put it on Facebook ha ha! (This is the most recent one I have of him which is probably the least embarrassing.)

Kieran is growing up to be a fine young man. He's still into his football - sporting a broken big toe just before Christmas! (That was fun.) He had to have surgery, having a pin inserted. (He has had more A&E visits than his brother.) 

Having left school last summer, he's studying a T3 in sports science and still loves his food. In fact, he's eating me out of house and home! 

My cheeky little chappie has become a bit grumpy in his teenage years. He's always been keen on doing his hair - that certainly hasn't changed. Yet now, it's this floppy fashionable style that seems to be the trend. 

He's not so much Kamikaze Kieran anymore. Or Kieran the Destroyer (of toys). But he still tends to be fearless and prepared to give most things a go. 

He's actually working on his birthday, but has his first driving lesson booked for the 27th March. So, everyone, off the road! You've been warned! 

Carry on being you, my darling boy, just try not to be so grumpy and mean to your brother. You do love him really. 

My dad used to joke that having two boys I would be like the mum played by Wendy Craig in Butterflies. 

And with two boys owning cars, I can see this becoming more and more true. And I just don't have the driveway space! 

At least I don't place a tablecloth over the remnants of the meal before. 

Anyway, you'll always remain my cute, baby boy forever in my heart.

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I love you very much.

Mum Xxx