My word for the year for 2026 is "Peace". I found it was a word that was going over and over in my head from around October/November 2025 and realised it was there for a reason.
My monthly roundups are now going to consist of things I've done that month to bring me peace.
Harry turned 15!
Again, the cliche of "How on earth do I also have a 15 year old now?!". I bought him a new desk for his birthday so he built that with his brother. On the morning of his birthday my mum came round and made us all pancakes (Harry's request) and then my dad came round for a while.
We then went to Great Yarmouth for chips, a visit to the arcade and finished the day with a trip to the cinema to see Toy Story 5. It was lovely.
Last day of school
Harry and I have a little tradition now that on the last day of school we walk to the local pub, have a drink and then go down onto the beach so he can go in the sea in his school uniform. I love sitting on the stoney beach watching him. I'm not quite brave enough to join him, maybe I will when he does it next year as it will symbolise the end of school years completely.
New Car
In 2016 I made the biggest purchase I've ever made. I bought myself a new (to me) car. An orange fiesta. I was so attached to that car and for the last couple of years I had considered getting a new one but wouldn't have been able to afford it, and due to being attached to it I struggled to want to let it go.
In June though the decision was taken away from me when a bus hit my parked car. Although the damage looked to be fixable it was considered a right off so I took the payout and looked for another car. It was hard because I had certain cars I was looking at, they were either out of budget, far away or had a considerable amount of miles on them.
The day my old car was taken away was horrible, I cried, felt angry and sad. The insurance company were a bit useless with keeping me updated on when the money would be in my account so I also had the panic of being without a car for however long.
Then my fiance saved the day. He found my dream car, a Mini, with low miles within my budget.
He arranged for us to go and look at the car, with Charles being an apprentice mechanic he came along too. My fiance took the car for a test drive, with us in the car too, and they both told me I'd be silly to not get the car. So, when we drove back I paid a deposit and felt a slight sigh of relief that it was all going to be ok.
4 days later....I picked the car up! And I'm so happy.
Silver linings hey?!
Kayaking
My boys have both, separately, visited Thorpeness and have gone kayaking around the lake with my mum. One Sunday we all decided to go together. My mum and Charles went in one and me and Harry in the other. I think me and Harry were a little more relaxed over it and didn't put in quite as much effort as my mum and Charles as they were off quite far and we just took our time.
We all really enjoyed it and it was nice to tick something off our "we should do this one day" list.
