How is it the last day of March already?
At the end of last year, I decided that it would be a nice idea to do a post once a month giving you a bit of an update on our lives. I was looking forward to this month as we had so much planned but unfortunately it didn’t really go according to plan.
I’ll get the nice news out of the way first….
We started the month under attack from the #BeastfromtheEast which meant that the kids had four days off school and I had three days of working from home. Obviously, this was the best thing ever as far as they were concerned – or at least it was until we all started to get cabin fever being stuck in the house. By the weekend the roads were clear enough that we could actually get out of the house so we braved the awful roads and went to a popular local spot for sledging with some friends and had a lovely few hours.
Next we had Mother’s Day where I got super spoilt with a new camera and lens, some perfume and some nice new earrings. Mother’s Day, and the days leading up to it, always make me sad because I don’t have my Mum to celebrate with so I think Mr Frugal tried to make it up to me with presents – something I didn’t allow too much of until a few years ago. He also came to the pictures with me to see The Greatest Showman which is something he’s been refusing to do since it came out!
Then came my 40th Birthday which was a bit of a wash-out as far as celebrating is concerned as Master Frugal spent the day throwing up and Miss Frugal was ill with a cold and had barely enough energy to get out of bed. Luckily Mr Frugal saved the day with the best cake ever!
He also bought me a bottle of rhubarb and ginger Gin, some earrings, some makeup and a cute mug along with some flowers to make me smile.
Master Frugal turned 13 and so far (touch wood) we haven’t seen an appearance from a moody teenager – just the opposite in face!
Miss Frugal is in Austria as we speak enjoying her week’s ski holiday – it’s been something we signed her up to a good 18 months ago now so it’s been a long time coming and I’m sure you can imagine the level of excitement that this last couple of weeks have brought after such a long wait!
She’s also had a busy month with a week’s work experience where she thoroughly enjoyed working at a local school with their reception class. She’s quite shy so it was quite a challenge for her but she did really well and the handmade leaving cards she got from some of the children were amazing! She’s even signed up to do the Bronze Award for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme which I’m really pleased about!
Monty and Buddy are still most definitely not friends but I did manage to get this photo of them together this month which is a first! I still have hopes that one day they’ll be friends but at the moment, with Monty being so playful, he’s just too much for Buddy.
Now for the not so good news part of this month’s update – my Dad passed away this month which has left us devastated, as you can imagine.
It’s been a very hard 18 months with him as he’s gradually gotten more and more frustrated with himself and life in general but no matter how difficult things were, he was my Dad and I loved him. Unfortunately, two hip replacements in as many years left him very frail and unable to get about as easily as he wanted to, which for a man as stubborn and proud as he was, was extremely frustrating. I know it sounds corny but I’m focusing on the fact that he really is in a better place now and that’s helping me to deal with things as I try and get my head around the fact that he’s no longer here.
At the moment, I’m going with the coping tactic of not stopping so I don’t have to think about it which brings me to the point I need to finish up as I currently have the contents of my bathroom cupboards spread all over the floor as I was mid sort when I decided to write this post.
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Sorry to hear your sad news
Very sorry for your loss Cass, tempted to say “and during what should have been a month of celebration,” but one thing I have learned is that there is no “good” time of year to lose a loved one.
I’ve been following your posts for a while and It sounds like you have a very supportive family around you.
Rhubarb & Ginger Gin
There was a heart emoji after “Rhubarb & Ginger Gin”, but they obviously don’t show up. That wasn’t just a random declaration of gin haha!
So sorry for your loss. x
Condolences to you and your family Cass. It's at times like this when clichés come into their own because time really is a healer, etc. Draw on your memories of good, fun times you had together, as it is these thoughts that will help you through the first year of events that pass. Don't be afraid to grieve or to let loved ones see you cry. You have a really supportive family around you and they will get you through the weeks and months ahead. I too, have lost my mum and dad and can relate to all that you wil be feeling. Big hugs to you all x
So sorry to hear about your dear Dad. I’m sure you have support around you but wanted to take issue with your comment about keeping so busy to forget/distract yourself. I did just that when my Mum died; I had 3 kids (baby wasn’t quite 2 yet) and a Dad that didn’t even know how many sugars he took in his own cup of tea! For 2 years I kept busy and didn’t have time to grieve properly. So I then ended up hitting a wall of depression Making me stop and grieve before I could go on. Took far longer than it might have done at the time. So just wanted to advise caution and allow yourself to grieve rather than stay so busy to “forget”. You can’t and won’t so be gentle with yourself. If you don’t care for you then how can you care for others?
Hope you’re ok, Cass. So sorry to hear about your dad.
Jane
Alot of lovely things this month to focus on. Keeping busy is a pretty good coping mechanism but take a minute to reflect and cry when it’s right. Much love xxx
My sincere sympathy to you all at this time. xxx
J x