RED January - Day 21 - 25

Lots more walking. . . . .

With grey skies . . . 

A dusting of snow . . . 

A winter wonderland . . . . 

A thick fog. . . . 

All with my happy little companion.

Walking is great for your mental health but so is my beautiful Penny.

Shes always happy to go for a walk !!!

RED January - Day 16 - 20

Look at that, beautiful blue sky! Don't you just love it.

We haven't had long sunny days, me and Penny have developed a strategy of dashing out when the sun shines.

Just after my walk on the 18th my Fitbit fell off! (luckily at the table whilst drinking tea)

The strap had broken.

On the 19th I used the 'Fitbit in my glove' method of logging my steps.

So until my replacement strap arrives, its gloves every day.

If you fancy a read about the benefits of walking have have a look here.

RED January - Day 11 - 15

Look at my lovely walking companion!

If you see me out walking with Penny, you'll notice me chatting away, don't worry I'm talking to Penny, I'm not talking to myself!!!

Even on a gloomy day Penny is happy to walk , walk, walk . . . .

This week my Son is suffering from the side effects of his treatment.

The daily walk gives me time to think it all over, which helps me keep upbeat at home when my Son needs me. 

So out we go, walking similar route, in different directions, different combinations, all adding up to a good walk each day.

How is your activity levels? Does a walk improve your mood?

RED January - Day 6 - 10

So on I go, walking every day!

The weather has been gloomy.

Today was a wellie day! 

This week my Son was in Alder Hey Children's Hospital for the first round of treatment, so in a bid to keep busy, on top of all the walking, I decided to redecorate his bedroom. 

You might not have signed up for RED January but you could still challenge yourself to up your activity. 

RED January - Days 1 - 5

Way back in December I signed up for REDJanuary.

I'm not a runner but walking is fine.

January has been surprisingly dry so far. 

Lots of muggy and misty walks around the town.

And even a little retail therapy walking.

I always find the months after Christmas pretty depressing, cold, dark, etc

But walking really helps, keeping busy, getting out, setting yourself achievable (small) goals.

For more information.

Finally, New Year

I finally feel like we've started a new year.

Christmas 2018 was clouded by worry and the New Year could only start on the 12th January.

The saga started about eighteen months ago when my son developed a limp over the course of a few days. Since then we've had multiple appointments and tests about his bones at our local hospital.

Lots of things where ruled out but the limp continued and the worry grew and grew.

The local hospital referred us and we started visiting AlderHey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool.

My Son had more tests with the latest scan just before Christmas.

Being in the hospital around Christmas, whilst the rest of the country seems to be in high spirits, out and about, shopping, was difficult. But also we realised how lucky we where, my Son happily walked into the hospital and came home the same day, whilst lots of children didn't have that option.

We got a final diagnosis between Christmas and new year, he has an inflammatory disorder.

After the initial shock, we know its not too bad, but the first round of treatment was last week.

Three days in Alder Hey, then home for his tea on Friday night.

One thing shines out through all this and that is how lucky we are to have the NHS. The treatment he's received, especially at Alder Hey has been exceptional. All the staff we've met have be lovely, making the experience bearable. 

So my New Year starts now.

Even though we have more treatment ahead I know as a family we can get through it.

December, the good, the bad and the good

The month of December is full of lists (for me anyway)

Lists of - gifts, christmas cards, extra household jobs, extra food shopping, the list of lists goes on and on.

So what did I do? yes, start some Christmas crafts!!

My Daughter joined in for some 'Air Dry Clay' fun.

But it did take a while to dry, which gave me time to look for more crafts . . . . .

So my clay made a little Christmas tree.

Next was a 'Cheap wool and tea light' craft.

I do like my woolly baubles hung on the kitchen door (and they don't scratch the door when it shuts)

Then finally (for this week) I pulled out the felt for some pretty fairy lights.

They look nice and cheery in our kitchen, no plug required and no holes in my wall.

My sons had some health issues over the last year and a half, which is all a bit overwhelming at times. So when lots of people where Christmas shopping we had another appointment at Alderhey Children's Hospital. The decorations where beautiful, they had a wonderful Christmas Choir and all the staff are helpful (always smiling and positive). But the biggest thing you realise is how very lucky we are. Some of the children listening to the singing are really poorly and lots more are too sick to leave the ward. You really do need to count your blessings.

On an altogether more positive note, we've had a birthday this week!!

'Do you like my hat? Mum made me wear it!'

Our little Penny was two this week. She's agreed to wear the bandana but wont be wearing the hat again!