Here we are again on a very cold frosty Wednesday morning. I was a bit shocked after the rain we have been having the past few days. This means it is time for my weekly Ramblings Of A StressedMum – 14/01/2026.
Table of Contents
My Week
Grief
This week has been a bit of a struggle if I am being totally honest. This Friday would be my husbands birthday. Instead of a night or two away, I am looking at balloons to tie to his rose bush in the garden.
This time last year, I am so grateful we splashed out and stayed in an amazing hotel. The memories I have from those two nights away are so precious. This year, we are going for a family meal and then having his favourite cake to remember and celebrate the day.
At the weekend C and I chose jewellery which will have my husbands ashes in. We both chose a ring each and a necklace each. Both chose different designs and styles. I will show you them when I get them through.
Health
C has her follow up appointment for her migraines today. She is in college, so will be taking the call there. Luckily no side effects so far, but also no change in her daily migraines. We do know it would probably not show any improvement until her second dose.
Also, along with this flu type cold thing everyone seems to be having. She has been having weird pains around the bottom of her rib cage area. We went to the drs last week and she has gastritis but the medication is not working. So we were back again yesterday and she has to have more tests to see if it is an infection in her gut. Alongside the discomfort she is in, she is also not eating properly due to the pain and the nausea.
I can also see her heading for a crash with her ME and Fibro as her eyes are getting very dark rings.
Car
I now have a new car and it is so nice getting into it and turning on the ignition and know it will move. My old car was a nightmare some mornings and I would have to keep trying to get it to move. I just have one issue and that is the airbag warning light is on. But I do have cover so that is an easy fix.
My new car is so much smaller than what I am used to. The only issue I am having is parking it, as I am used to parking big cars. C laughed at me the other day as I got out twice to see how much room I had.
Budgies
Poor Kiwi is back on the antibiotics again. After being on them for 2 weeks he started to get lethargic again. So last Thursday we had to go and pick more up.
Now, if you have ever tried to give antibiotics to a budge you will know how hard it is. I must try and get a video of it. While I get the dose in a tiny syringe, C has learnt to wrap him up he look so cute but the fun is getting his beak open and his head still.
We have put him in the big cage with the others now, and just take him out at night. As he can not fly, and the girls especially are stroppy at night time.
C, also mentioned the other day about getting a green girl. My face must have told her the answer. I said if she goes away to University, then it sticks at 9 (as it will be me looking after them). If she stays and does the degree course at college, we will discuss it at the time.
The Carovan of Love
You may have seen me share a Facebook page for The Carovan of Love. Daniel is a member of a Widows and Widowers group I am a member of.
His partner sadly died just over a year ago, and Daniel made a promise to her that he would take her home to Ghana.
Daniel is keeping this promise to Caroline, by walking from London to Ghana. He is two months into his journey and now is in Spain. He is also raising money for the hospice that cared for Caroline.
If you could keep Daniels spirits going, by following him, and cheering him on this would give him the encouragement he needs on the bleak days. You can find out more about Daniels journey and where to donate if you would like to at The Carovan of Love.
Galentines Day
I mentioned last week, that this year I will not be sharing a Valentines Day Gift Guide. This year on my daughters suggestion I am compiling a Galentines Gift Guide.
This is such a lovely idea, and something that is not just seasonal but all year round. I will be sharing my guide soon.
Giveaway
Thank you to everyone who has entered already. In case you have missed my latest giveaway to win a £10 Amazon Voucher – you can click the link below.
Also I have a giveaway I am hosting alongside another Blogger friend to win a FeatherSnap Scout Smart Bird Feeder (RRP £159.99)
Win A £10 Amazon Voucher
Win A FeatherSnap Scout Smart Bird Feeder (RRP £159.99)
Good Luck
jewellery is the perfect way to keep our loved ones close – i treated my 2 neices when their mum died – they truely appreciated the gesture and treasure their rings
Jewellery is a perfect way to keep those we have lost close to us. I know the jewellery both myself and C have helps us x
Sending good thoughts your way as you navigate your “new normal” without your husband by your side. The jewelry you chose to remember him sounds lovely.
I am not going to lie I am not liking this ‘new normal’ and really can not accept he is gone and not coming back. The jewellery will be such a huge comfort and I will share them when they come through
Navigating grief is so difficult, I think the balloons and jewelry are beautiful ideas. I also like the galitines day gifts! Hopefully Cs health takes a turn for the better as well, I wish you both the best and thank you for sharing your journey!
Grief is such a huge rollercoaster, you can be fine one minute and on your knees the next. A balloon is all we can do for me it shows we are remembering him. The jewellery has taken us so long to find what we both really wanted but am so glad we have found the pieces we wanted. C is still not well, and now just waiting on test results which for once I am hoping comes back positive so she can get treatment and start to recover, instead of more tests
Having jewellery that’s a part of your husband is such a lovely momento to have on you. Having a car that’s much smaller, is much better than it being much bigger and not fitting!
We both currently have jewellery with his fingerprint which gives me a lot of comfort so I know the ashes jewellery will do the same. I am getting better at parking walking back to the car yesterday I said to C I parked that perfectly plus it is much cheaper on petrol which I have found
losing a partner is incredibly tough and jewelry is such a beautiful way to keep then close. sending much love to you.
Thank you, it would have been his birthday today and it is a tough day. Both myself and C wanted the jewellery to keep him close to us
You always get so used to whatever car you have that it can be tough to change. That’s so lovely that you and C picked your jewellery for the ashes, they’re going to be so special for you both x
I am getting better with parking, we popped to the shops after picking her from college yesterday, and walking back I said look I parked it perfectly first time. I do love what we have both chosen and both so different from each other
I am so pleased to hear that you finally have a car you can rely on. It can be a nightmare otherwise especially when you have to take kids to school. I have been there, feeding a budgie medication is a 2 person job. They do not like to comply so it is always a struggle.
I am so glad to have a reliable car once again. Honestly Kiwi is the sweetest bird going but try to give him his medication and it is a nightmare
Glad you finally got a new car,plus you’re celebrating your Husbands Birthday and marking the occasion x bet the jewellery looks great x
I am happy to have another car and one that hopefully will keep me going. I am a little emotional over his birthday but we are marking the day ane remembering him. It took a while to choose what we wanted just waiting for them to come through now
It was such a difficult week for you with to your grief process, understandable. Pleased you’ve got a new car that works as it should. I’d be delighted with a smaller car I am not the best at parking in a space between cars,
It is a difficult few months as next month is the one year anniversary. I am loving my new car and getting used to parking it. It sounds so silly that I struggled with a smaller car
Pleased to hear you have a new car. Must be a big relief. Would love to see a video of you giving Kiwi antibiotics if you coule get one !
I am loving my new car and it is so much cheaper to run with petrol. I will try and get one later today as he really is so funny
I would have had the same answer for C with the budgies. LOL. They’re cute, but man, that’s a lot of work.
To be fair they are fairly easy to look after, the part I am not looking forward too is getting them back in the cage after they have been out
Aww. I think it’s such a lovely idea to have jewelry with your husband’s ashes in it. Such a great way to keep him close.
I ordered and paid for them over the weekend, after we both finally made our choices. I sent the ashes yesterday so hopefully not too long to wait. Ideally would love to have them for the one year anniversary
Congrats on getting a new car, i am so happy for you. The budgies omg…They’re the cutest. I hope Kiwi gets better.
I am happy I have a new car, it is a lot smaller and much more economical. Kiwi is a sweetheart
That’s funny about your parking situation. I’d have been the complete opposite haha. I love my little car. We have a camper van as well, which I don’t mind driving, but parking is another story! I can’t imagine giving antibiotics to a budgie. I bet it feels like a real achievement when you’ve managed it.
Claire
Honestly, I forget the size of my car and think I am parking a much bigger car which I have been used to for years. He really does put up a fight and getting his beak open and head still is an achievement