We are so glad to see you!
As we welcome the New Year it’s maybe time for a recap of the roller coaster that was 2020, after all it wasn’t all bad! Some changes that were brought about were very positive.
January saw the launch of the 6 month Mini Catalogue that became the new catalogue cycle for Stampin Up
In my family life it brought a parenting course that I had waited 4 years to access and it was an amazing experience. Just to be amongst other parents that were experiencing similar issues and to be able to discuss and share strategies we had all tried, to learn from one another was such a blessing. The course ran for 6 weeks for one day each week, and I was sad when it ended, but it was such a valuable programme. If you wish to know anything about the programme I attended then you can search Cygnet Parenting Programme via the internet. It is based specifically around understanding autistic spectrum conditions (ASC).
At the end of February Neil and I managed to have a weekend night away in Exeter to recharge the batteries. We stayed at the Exeter Du Vin Hotel and it was absolutely lovely. We have stayed at other Du Vin’s before as they sometimes do some great offers out of season and breakfast was so good as always. We had a lovely walk around Exeter Quay and had tea and cake before heading back home on Sunday afternoon to Bristol to collect Miss Liv from my son Sam where she had had a sleepover.
I managed to run my Monthly Stamp Class at my Retirement Village venue at the end of February, little did I know that this would be my last in-person event of 2020!
March began well with a Family celebration for my Nephew’s 21st and a lovely ladies lunch for a friends Birthday, but by mid-month the news from the government was becoming worrying. Miss Liv was not at school at this time (a whole different story!) but schools closed officially on Friday March 20th. Lockdown stay at home became official when Boris Johnson held a press conference on March 23rd.
April began and so did the lockdown Birthday’s! I started my Facebook Live recordings around this time and they have continued throughout the year with them evolving into my Monday Live at 4pm. The daffodils bloomed and a lovely friend cheered me up with doorstep delivery!
May saw us celebrate VE Day in our front garden with our neighbours in theirs, I made red white and blue bunting and we scoffed home made sandwiches and a victoria sponge washed down with a pot of tea or two which was ‘spiffing’! We all reminded ourselves of the sacrifices of our service men and women and gained some deeper perspective of how much they endured, after all at least we weren’t going to war, just staying home!
By June the weather improved and we were accepting the new normal as well as we could. The van became a bit of a haven at times and I used it to phone customers and take business calls and get some office work done away from the house. it was lovely in there light, bright and with my own bathroom, fridge and cooker I was loving it…….
My peony flowered for the first time, which made me super happy and it was beautiful!
July saw my Birthday and we had a Garden visit from my parents and we enjoyed home made scones with jam and clotted cream with a pot or two of tea (yes, there is a theme!) The weather was lovely and that pleased me no end as i have lost count of how many of my Birthdays have been rainy! I was super grateful to see the sun and be able to see my Mum & Dad again. Even the dog socially distanced…..
A local pilot did a second sky smile to cheer everyone up on a sunny day late in July it was lovely to see everyone outside watching the little by-plane create the smiley face and everyone shared it on their socials.
Home schooling went a bit more hi tech during the end of the school year and Liv started enjoying a cup of tea during her mid morning lesson, I knew my sophisticated cultures would eventually rub off! She’s become such a chip off the old block……
School ended but we decided to continue with a small amount of home learning to avoid losing momentum. What a thoughtful gift for Liv from my very good friend and Stampin’ Up! sister Lynne.
We managed a couple of trips away when restrictions were lifted slightly including trips to Cumbria, Devon and Somerset. It was nice to see a different view through the window and having the van enables us to be totally safe and self contained with all our own facilities on board. This was such a help for all of our spirits and Molly our dog behaved so very well which enabled us to do multiple trips over a couple of months.
November saw a new lockdown announced and so our Stampin’ Up! Event OnStage had become OnStage at Home and it was a sensational event with our very own private rock concert by this legend Pat Benatar and her super talented husband Neil Giraldo to kick off proceedings. One of my favourite live music experiences ever!
A little four legged friend joined our extended family, this little scamp is my furry Nephew and Molly’s furry Cousin. This is Cody and he is super tiny and super cute and has moved in with my Brother and his family and is their first family dog. I think there will be future doggy playdates when the crazy is over.
December arrived and plans were made and changed again, a bit of a strange Christmas for everyone this year, but with vaccines ready to be rolled out we became more hopeful that there will be an end and there is light at the end of the tunnel. On the plus side Christmas lunch was a much less stressful affair for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it, which was a welcome change. We all had a good rest, played some games and watched our favourite films and TV.
And so 2020 ended, it was a year like no other, full of highs and lows and as we welcomed 2021 full of hope for a return to a world where we can see our friends and hug our loved ones once again. When that time comes I do hope we will be changed for the better. Everything happens for a reason, and life always provides us with opportunities to learn.
Happy New Year to you all.
Love Bel