Saturday 14 October 2017

How I Got Through the Last 6 weeks with a Fractured Ankle




So I have been quiet on here over the last few months, to be honest I thought I would have loads of time to blog having found myself in the unfortunate situation of being laid up.  I fractured my ankle in 3 places.....they call it a tri-malleolar fracture, so I have spent 6 weeks in plaster non weight bearing and have just gone into a moon boot and am now partially weight bearing.

I thought I would share with you some of my must haves/tips that have got me through the  the last 6 weeks, and cue lots of pictures of said ankle!!

Saturday 26 August 2017

Our Summer Holiday in Northern Ireland

So while everyone else is jetting off to sunny islands (or its seems like it from my Facebook feed!), we opted for a last minute trip back to Northern Ireland.  We had visited earlier at the start of the school holidays, bringing across our youth girls football team. It was a huge success,  and enjoyed it so much that we decided to come back.  So the three if us (me, Mr S and Miss L), packed up, leaving my older two at home....

Morrissey/Jacqueline Wilson - Oscar Wilde tribute image - Summer Holiday Activity

So one of our summer holiday activities was to recreate the iconic Morrissey image depicting one of his major influences, Oscar Wilde.  Oscar Wilde featured prominently in Morrissey's lyrics.  My husband in particular is a Morrissey/Smiths fan, Miss L loves Jacqueline Wilson books, so it kind of just fell into place.

I wanted to share this with you as it is fab, my youngest is so game for a lot of activities, she loved this one



Thanks for dropping by 

xx

Saturday 8 July 2017

Our Favourite Geocaches - Ideas for the Summer Holidays

I thought I would share with you some of our favourite geocaches across the UK.  They all hold different memories, and different reasons for being our best finds!!


So without further ado here goes, in no particular order: 

Thursday 25 May 2017

Our Geocaching Guide for School Holiday Adventures


As a family we love to Geocache and I wanted to share our fun hobby with you.  We have May Half Term next week and the Summer holidays, and there is no better way to add some fun to your trips away (home or abroad).

So what is Geocaching you are all wondering? 

Five Thumbs about Geocaching

My daughter wanted to write a blog post on why she loves geocaching.  She has picked her 5 best bits:

Monday 22 May 2017

My Hometown - Penrith

So I was born and brought up in Manchester, and I never imagined I would end up living in The Lake District, that to me was where you went to on holiday.
But then I met and married a Cumbrian and I found myself moving up North and have never looked back.  I have made my life here, living, working and bringing my family up in the beautiful town of Penrith, known as the "Old Red Town" because of its sandstone buildings, is a town in Cumbria's Eden Valley.  

Sunday 14 May 2017

The Soundtracks of My Life

I was actually going to do a post on the tracks of my years, then I came across this tag by the lovely Em Linthorpe.  
I am not what you would call a true music buff, although I was always to be found taping the charts in my teen years (we all did that right?!) whilst sat in my bedroom.  I have memories of dancing round my bedroom making up dance routines with my friend, singing into hair brushes, thinking we were the bees knees. My tastes are diverse and random, I think that would be the most accurate definition.  It wasn't difficult to pick 7 songs that impacted on my life, to be honest I could have picked loads more.  So sit back and relax and don't judge!

Sunday 30 April 2017

Its been sometime!!

Well its been a while since I blogged.  So I thought while I am sat watching the final of the snooker, I would pull together April's highlights

So a quick football update:

  • Unfortunately our Ladies didn't gain promotion to the Premier division.  Gutted doesn't even come close.  So all focus is now on the County Cup Final this week
  • Ladies Summer league football is in full force.  We have been able to put two teams into the league and proud to say both teams are doing superb
  • My son's season is all finished, he has really enjoyed his footy this season, which I am glad about.  He ended up playing for three different teams towards the end of the season and I know he is chuffed with the opportunity (even if he doesn't say it)
  • Our U10 girls season has come to an end, and they continue to grow with confidence and ability.  We now have a summer of tournaments to look forward too
April seems to have flown by!! It seems like a blink of the eye and May is almost here. It is scary. 
We started off the month with a little trip to Hawes with work friends.  We had a great weekend staying in a bunkbarn, going caving and a spot of geocaching.  The weather was superb.
Miss C caving

Saturday 1 April 2017

Crochet an Easter Chick - Cadbury Creme Egg Size!

So its nearly Easter, and I thought I would share with you my crochet pattern for some Easter chicks which fit a Cadbury's Creme Egg (or similar sized egg eg. Lindt). They make a perfect Easter gift and take no time at all



Please note: I have written the pattern in a way that is easy to follow for a beginner

Friday 31 March 2017

Football Mum #2

Its been a while since I posted a football update.  The last few weeks have been busy football wise.

Our Penrith Angels U10 team (Miss C's team) have moved back to outdoor football.  That of course means muddy feet and kits, and when their shirts are white it is not the greatest.  They seem to love it, I am not sure whether it is because the pitch is bigger compared to the Futsal pitches, or just simply because its the fresh air.  They are such a great team, and as I have said before as a club it is not always about winning especially at a young age, but about the enjoyment and taking part.  I wish all club would embed that ethos into their coaching and management!!



Master L has been having a few great weeks footy wise too.  The Under 16 team got through to the semi final of the County cup....not to be unfortunately. However he has been given the opportunity to play with our Reserves team, playing some great football and bagging 90 minutes just the other night.  I watch him and can't believe how much he has grown up, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. 

Our Women's Summer League started this week, this provides girls above the age of 16 with summer football across Cumbria.  They play 9 v 9 format from April to September.  We kicked off last Monday with an opening tournament, the perfect evening for football.  It's funny though its called summer football, that implies that it will be glorious evenings with us sat in chairs on the side line cheering our ladies on......I can tell you that last year we spent many an evening huddled under umbrellas with many layers on.  Keep your fingers crossed!!

Finally our Ladies team are having a super season.  They made it though to the County Cup Final with a comfortable 4-1 win over our fellow West Cumbrians. We now know the final will be the 5th May and we will play our North Cumbrian counterparts. 


I know the ladies will be desperate to win back the title.  However they also have a league campaign to concentrate on, and with their final game looming it is so close at the top.  Having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, they are going all out to make it possible this season @PAFCladies

Its also good to see that our used kits are bringing smiles across the world, with one of our tracksuits making this boy a happy boy in Ankoma


Thanks for reading, and keep your fingers crossed for our Ladies team this weekend 😉

Monday 20 March 2017

Our Night out in Manchester: The Smyths/Old Red Eyes

So my hubby was/is a huge Smiths and Morrissey fan.  For as long as I have known him he has been singing how heaven knows he's miserable now!

After much persuasion (to what I somewhat feel guilty about now), we headed off for a last minute trip to Manchester (home of The Smiths), to watch The Smyths.  Strangeways, Here We Come, was the title of their tour, a homage to their fourth and final studio album released in 1987.  A "more than a tribute band" formed in 2003 from there passion of The Smiths Read more  If nothing else it would be a much needed night out and back in my hometown of Manchester.



They were performing at the O2 Ritz Manchester, despite being brought up in Manchester a venue I have not visited before.  My Dad was telling us on the way into Manchester how he had recently heard on the radio that the underneath of the dance floor is made from thousands of tennis balls, that would explain the bouncy floor!

We headed in about an hour before they were due on stage, something which I now regret as the act on prior to them was a solo acoustic tribute to the songs and sounds of Paul Heaton, better known maybe as The Beautiful South and The Housemartins.  We caught the last 45 minutes of his act, and I have to say what a fantastic Delete repeated word (purposeful repeat of the word!) tribute, I could have listened all night, and we will definitely make a trip to catch up with him live again.  Any fans of Paul Heaton's work should seek this guy out Old Red Eyes


The time came and The Smyths took to the stage.  Now unlike my hubby I am not familiar with any of The Smiths territory, I associated it with untuneful dreariness, how much my opinion changed immediately.  They owned the stage, everything about them oozed passion.   They were electric, they took the music from years ago and brought it alive again.  We danced the night away and were hoarse when we came out.  How much I loved the fact that I was so wrong beforehand, we are planning to see them later in the year in Carlisle (our hometown) at The Brickyard. 

Thanks for reading x



Update: My Exciting weekend



So you may all be wondering how I got on last weekend (I suppose only those that read my post!) My Exciting Weekend






Well here goes.  So I hope I explained in my previous post the logistics of it all.  We were drawn number 3 (out of 8), so not too long a wait, albeit a nervy one.  We had a short rehearsal in the hotel bar in the morning.  Yes the hotel bar you heard right, we certainly created an atmosphere, not one the lads from the previous nights stag party appreciated though! 




We head to our holding area, the registration cards are handed out to players.  Instrument, check, music, check, so all ready to go.  A short wait after registration and we were onto the stage.  It is one of those stages where you can't see out into the audience, a blessing for some nervous types.  All set, everyone comfortable and off we go.

We put in a great performance and once we played headed off to the pub.  Yes a true attribute of all bandsmen.  A patient wait for the results, a catch up with good friends.  Results are in and we came 3rd.  Not enough for a trip to the National Finals in Cheltenham this year, but when you look back at where we have come from in just over 12 months, we have made huge strides in the banding world, and have so much more to offer.  So not dwelling on disappointment and onwards and upwards, we enjoyed a very mush deserved night in Durham, eating and drinking and oh so many giggles. 



A great weekend, not the result maybe we wanted, but a great weekend.

Thanks for reading x

Friday 10 March 2017

My Exciting Weekend!

So I did warn you I was a brass band geek and yes my favourite film would be Brassed Off. My first blog post as one though.
I have played the cornet since being at primary school.  I have to say I suffered from lots of ridicule at the hands of what I have come to realise were just jealous lost souls, but it was tough at times to be laughed at and have the mickey taken out of me.  It didn't put me off though and many years on I still love it though.  
We have a big weekend ahead of us.  For weeks and months, brass bands across many Counties have been rehearsing twice weekly and more recently each night on the run up to the Regional Championships.  These take place in the North West,Yorkshire, West of England, Midlands and Scotland once a year and qualifying bands play at the National Brass Band Championships in September (as featured in Brassed Off).  
Let me try and give you an explanation of how its works. It works similar to football,in that there are leagues, more commonly referred to as sections.  The higher the section the better the band. Each section is given the same test piece (piece of music), which is adjudicated (blind) by some proper brass band geeks, usually conductors, players, composers, generally very well known experts in the brass band field.
Of course there has to be a winner, and of course we hope that might be us.  We won our section last year and came second nationally, and yes it would be great to repeat that experience.

So we have been rehearsing each night this week,and today we head over to Durham, where our regional competition is to be held over the weekend.  It is set to be a great weekend with a fine bunch of people.  It will be safe to say there will be some alcohol consumed and lots of giggles, but that is why I love it, and thousands of other too.
So I will up date you in my next blog post, and for those who follow me on Instagram (@notjustamumfromcumbria) I will attempt to keep my insta story updated. For now I need to make sure my uniform is ironed and I have my instrument and music.
Thanks for reading 💖  

Saturday 4 March 2017

Get to know me Tag

I have been a little quiet recently, apologies.  I think its partly because of the time thing, but also a bit of a lack in confidence.  I started wondering what I was doing and why. Then I had an email from a fellow blogger, she said she had no advice but then proceeded to give me the best advice "blog for you, about anything and everything".  I think I was trying to make sure it all fitted in boxes, but I found I was getting too tied up with it all.  I also was getting myself worried as I did not always have pictures to go with my blogs, blow it I thought just crack on.

So after some unhealthy stalking of some fellow bloggers, I came across the Get to Know you Tag, which I myself have enjoyed reading, and thought I would give it a whirl to kick start my blog again.



So here goes my 25 questions, hope you like my answers:


1. What is your middle name?: Lucy, have to say I really love my middle name and when I was younger loved the initials KLS!

2. Where were you brought up?: I was brought up in Prestwich, Manchester, moving to Bury in my teens.  I moved to Cumbria in 1997

3. What was your favourite subject at school?: I would have to say Music.  Playing the cornet has always been something I enjoy.  I was lucky enough to have two great teachers, and had some fantastic opportunities.  Studying something you enjoy makes for a easy time also

4. What is your favourite drink?: Gin!  Didn't even need to think about that one. With lime.

5. What is your favourite song at the moment?: Oh lordy, not sure I have one....Take That all the way though

6. What is you favourite food?: Curry.  I love love love Indian food.  Chicken Dansak with pilau rice and onion bhaji to be precise

7. What is the last think you bought?: I went to a vintage fair today actually, not my thing normally but it was local event.  I love bags, so I bought a cute little bag, or "a bucket" as my youngest calls it

8. Favourite book of all time?:  The Bone Collector, Jeffrey Deaver


9. Favourite colour?: Pink.  A nice bright pink 

10. Do you have any pets?:  I have cat, Tim (nice but dim). It is like having 4 kids, honestly I swear he talks to me



11. Favourite perfume?  I don't really buy it.  I would love some Jo Malone though

12. Favourite holiday?: Now that is a difficult one......I have visited some lovely parts of the world,  Canada, China, Japan, Brazil.  But my favourite would have to be our trip to USA Disney land. It was a surprise by my hubby (who didn't come with us) to go with my parents, brother and family and our 3 kids.

13. Are you married?: Yes to Simon for 18 years

14. How many kids?: 3, Miss I (18), Master L (16) and Miss C (9)

15. Football or rugby?: Football of course, Ladies to be exact

16. Favourite shop?: Aldi

17. Favourite day of the week?:  Difficult as I work shifts.  But I love a weekend when we are all off together and we can chill

18. Favourite TV shows?:  I have a few...Homeland, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Broadchurch, Countryfile and Location Location Location

19. Favourite film?: Dirty Dancing 

20. What phone do you have?: Iphone 5s

21. Can you cook?: Yes I can cook, I like to follow a recipe.  I know if my hubby or kids are reading this though they will laugh, because I also have a habit of burning things and joke that the fire alarm is my cooking timer.  Love my slow cooker

22. Night owl or an early bird?: Early bird definitely, I am often found sleeping on the sofa.  I particularly love Sunday mornings, when no one else is up and its peaceful

23. Instagram, Twitter or Facebook?: Love Instagram, it easy to use.  You can follow me +Notjustamumfromcumbria 

24. Favourite bloggers?:  I enjoy loads especially being new to it all, I couldn't say who would be my favourite

25. Tea or Coffee?: Tea all the way

There you go done! I am sure my hubby will pass comment, about a picture of the cat and not me, sorry fella. Thanks for reading, and have a go yourself.

Thanks 💟








      


Monday 13 February 2017

From Cumbria with Love #2

Well what a week its been.  I don't know why really as I was off the beginning of the week on rostered days off and took an annual leave day on the Wednesday. I felt like I achieved nothing!!.  
I'll be honest being new to blogging I seemed to spend a lot of time trying to make my blog page look better, and although I looked I haven't achieved, in fact my page today looks the same as it did last week.  I will get on to it I am sure.
Back to work last Thursday, typically the one day I could have done with being off, school meeting in the evening about a forthcoming London trip for Miss C.  I sent the hubby with strict instructions (from Miss C too whom was very worried he would come back with no info!) to make a note of everything.  He assures me he has done this, although time has not allowed us to sit and discuss as yet. What made me chuckle though was that he spent a further hour at school for a SATS meeting for the Year 6 parents........Miss C is only Year 5.
Another band rehearsal last week in our preparations for Area competition in March.  Its coming on nicely I'm pleased to say.  How is it though you can put in daily practices, rehearse specific phrases to the point where your kids are even humming them, only to get to band and fluff the phrase....frustrating 😡.
My in-laws have not been well at all this last week.  Both of them come down with this flu like virus which is doing the rounds.  They are both still not right, but glad to say they are on the mend.  Which is good as half term is nearly upon us (indeed already here for some), and it means their B&B in a lovely hamlet of Caldbeck will be busy.
Finally the weekend rounds off of course with football madness in our house. So our Ladies team lost to a team from Liverpool in the Quarter final of the League Plate.  Losing to a team who are better doesn't make it easier, but that's football.  They have great team spirit, so will stay strong.  Onward and upwards to next weeks game, another home game.  Master L had the opportunity to play for the Reserves team this weekend, they also lost.  Miss C played Futsal and they also lost.  Clearly not out weekend.  Bring on next weekend.
So its the start of another working week, with football training and band rehearsals thrown into the mix. See you at the other end. 😀

Wednesday 8 February 2017

Zu3D Project....we think its funny!

So for Christmas Miss C got a Zu3d animation kit.  As you can imagine Dad liked it too, and after many a moment this film was their first creation (and at the moment their only creation).  My in-laws are farmers in Cumbria, so it is based on them! After watching it again today thought I would post on my blog and hope you all enjoy watching it too.  



Monday 6 February 2017

Football Mum #1

When I was growing up I never thought for one moment that I would be a football widow, never mind a football mum.  I had no interest in football, I would go as far to say I don't think I ever watched a match on TV. This was probably due to the fact that until later in my teens I didn't have a father figure in my life, my Mum divorcing when I was young.

Saturday 28 January 2017

Inspiration with Inspira!

I wonder how many students have a clear vision of what they want to do when they leave school or college.  My eldest two certainly don't, and it would be fair to say that with GCSE's and A-Levels looming it is causing some anxiety within our household.  I don't mind that they have no idea what they want to do, but I just want them to realise that the end of school/6th form is looming!

I consider myself one of those lucky ones, I knew from an early age what I wanted to do on leaving education, and I followed my dream and have forged a fantastic career.  

So with some bribing (I'm a great believer in a bribe!) we ventured to a skills fair organised by Inspira, a not for profit company who help with career inspiration.  We had a time limit as Master L was due at work in the evening, Miss I and her Dad had to get back for football training.  The bribe was extended to Miss C, who really did not want to go but with a lack of sitters we had no choice. Having experienced similar events in the health sector, I knew there would be lots of freebies, this was enough of a bribe for Miss C.

So off we went, arriving in good time, we split into two, I left the other half with Master L and myself, Miss I and Miss C set off on a mission to be career inspired and as an incentive to Miss C a competition for her to see how many freebies she could get. 
There was a whole host of County wide employers at the event.  Sellafield, Nestle, Pirelli, Cumbria Constabulary, the Army, and the NHS.  What a fantastic opportunity, to be in a room full of employers covering a wide range of sectors (or perhaps some might say a tad overwhelming!). However we embraced the challenge, Miss I stopped at at least 70% of the employers there.  I was so proud of her, she spoke with articulation and honesty, in the fact that she does not really know what she wants to do.  

Miss I came away with feeling inspired and with a handful of opportunities which she can now seriously consider.  Master L also came away with ideas, some of which he probably wouldn't have even considered.  Miss C came away with a huge array of freebies, she also had gorged on the sweets and chocolates available on the various stands.
Only some of the freebies


Did you know what you wanted to do when you left education?  Did it work out?

I don't recall any similar opportunities when I was leaving education.  What a fantastic opportunity to gain some advice and guidance, it was also great to see it teeming with students and parents.   

So for all those parents with kids who need some inspiration I can recommend a skills fair event local to you.  If nothing else its worth a look around and an opportunity to network with some of the big employers.

Happy days 😛😛


Thursday 26 January 2017

From Cumbria with Love - First Blog Post!!!

So I have sat and debated on what, how and when to write my first blog post.  Troubled over whether it will be liked.  Then I told myself, you just have to bite the bullet and do it.  I know it won't be perfect but its a starting point.  So here goes....

Who am I ?

So I am Kath, a 41 year old mum to three I(18), L(16) and C(9), and married to Simon.  I work full time as a Nursing Lead (and Registered Manager) for a Charity.  I love my job, so rewarding and a privilege to work with my client base.  I was born and brought up until my early 20's in Bury, Lancashire.  I went to Nursing College in Manchester, lived in "The Nurses Home"- loved it, made some great friends and gained some life experiences.  On qualifying I worked at the hospital where I trained, where I met my husband - a Physio.  A few years down the line and with our wedding looming, we made a decision to move to Cumbria, my hubby's home County.  We moved to the beautiful village of Caldbeck, close to my future in-laws whom farmed there (and still to this day).  Its funny I never imagined myself away from the City, in a village where everybody knew everybody, and I certainly didn't ever imagine myself helping out on the farm.  I never really did get the hang of milking cows, however I like to think I was a helpful asset to the thriving B&B.

I have lived in Cumbria now for 19 years (albeit not in Caldbeck), family and work life meant a move to Penrith, a beautiful market town close to the M6.  I had all my 3 children here in Cumbria, and I have climbed the career ladder, and to be honest wouldn't change any of it. Simon and I have our own hobbies, but we also enjoy time together, we especially love being out and about in the countryside, seeking out Geocaches, and sampling a pint or two on the way.  I am a novice crocheter finding my way around patterns, spending hours watching Bella Coco's videos.  I also admit that I am a brass band geek!!  I play with a local brass band, we mainly compete and I love it!  Simon is Manager of our local Ladies Football team (who I should point out are having a great season).

Simon and I with the kids

 

The Boundary Walk 2016

 

Why blog?

So why did I decide to blog.  I have spent many months reading other bloggers posts, it was actually my youngest daughter who got me hooked, herself being a fan of vloggers.  I'm a huge fan of The Ingham Family of Five, Mummy Daddy Me, Mrs Meldrum, Sprinkle of Glitter, Emily Norris, Attic 24 and Bella Coco, it made me think I could do that, share my life adventures and create an online diary as such.  

I made the suggestion to my family, I did think they might laugh at me, but I was greeted with only positivity.  I asked them to help with a name, having debated a few quite honestly they were naff.  'A Mum from Cumbria', 'Buried in Penrith' (a play on words) were suggestions which were played around with, until I pointed out that 'I wasn't just a Mum from Cumbria' and that as they say was that.  The blog name 'Not Just a Mum from Cumbria' was born, in a bid for me to attempt to show you all that high's and low's of my life


I plan to blog our adventures either as a family or not, lifestyle goings on and general family life.  I'll post pictures of our fun and games too

So that's me in a nutshell.  Let me know any comments you have. 

Thanks for reading, see you soon


Wednesday 25 January 2017

Follow me on Bloglovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin I have just claimed my blog on Bloglovin, so if you want to keep up to date with my blog please follow me
From Cumbria with Love 😁😁😁😁

How I Got Through the Last 6 weeks with a Fractured Ankle

So I have been quiet on here over the last few months, to be honest I thought I would have loads of time to blog having found myself...