Showing posts with label life update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life update. Show all posts

Wednesday, 2 February 2022

Life Lately - January 2022

 


To start, here are all the blog posts I've published in January over my 2 blogs -

Underland to Wonderland - Right here!
Adventures of the Hallows - My Photo Diary Blog!
I have taken daily photos since 2013 (2014 were weekly photos) and I share them each week in blog posts.
 Check out the past month's worth of posts below!
2021 Project 365 Round-Up
2022 Project 365 // Days 1 -7
2022 Project 365 // Days 8 - 14
2022 Project 365 // Days 15 - 21
2022 Project 365 // Days 22 - 28

And below is January's daily photo overview in calendar form. Many days have more than one photo so make sure to visit the posts above to see all the photos!


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Our daily photos are usually a pretty good representation of what goes on in our life throughout the month, but for the things they don't show see below...

Loving
Getting back to routines. 

Hating
The state of the gardens actually. Something a little less serious this month. I hate how my gardens look in the winter with no flowers and rubbish grass (the back garden doesn't drain well so is muddy in winter and too dry in summer!) 

Feeling
Physically, tired. Mentally okay. Better than I have been, and trying hard.

Thinking
About the year ahead.
Making plans to try and do some things we enjoy again after two full years now of staying completely at home.

Reading
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
(The last book in the Inheritance Cycle that I have been reading the past couple of years.
This book is almost 900 pages hence only having one book listed here this month!)

= 860 pages total

Watching
Boy Meets World S7
Young Sheldon S1-3
Modern Family S9-10
The Girls Next Door S1-4
Lost S6
2 Broke Girls S1
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return To Hogwarts
Friends: The Reunion
Eternals 

Doing More
Lots of coursework and workshops!

Doing Less
Being lazy haha. The latter part of December I did very little in way of working out or coursework etc, rather I just sat and read. I'm obviously still reading, but doing that whole way of life, less. 

Stand Out Moments
- Finishing my jigsaw!
- The continued rescue and rehab of our Pigeon Rhea.
- Starting to help out with social media, photos/videos and website updates for CP.
- Renewing our Friends of Beamish passes and a visit with Baker.
- Storm Malik causing more damage than Arwen did!


This year I also started yet another new project, alongside my daily photos, 1 second of video each day. See below for our January's video!




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Wednesday, 5 January 2022

Life Lately - December

 



To start, here are all the blog posts I've published in December over my 2 blogs -

Underland to Wonderland - Right here!
Adventures of the Hallows - My Photo Diary Blog!
I have taken daily photos since 2013 (2014 were weekly photos) and I share them each week in blog posts.
 Check out the past month's worth of posts below!
2021 Project 365 // Days 330 - 336
2021 Project 365 // Days 337 - 343
2021 Project 365 // Days 344 - 350
2021 Project 365 // Days 351 - 357
2021 Project 365 // Days 358 - 365

And below is December's daily photo overview in calendar form. Many days have more than one photo so make sure to visit the posts above to see all the photos!


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Our daily photos are usually a pretty good representation of what goes on in our life throughout the month, but for the things they don't show see below...

Loving
Mr H having a full 12 days off!

Hating
Being cold, fireworks, people complaining about lockdowns and restrictions when if they had
been sensible, to begin with, we would be doing better as a country anyway and not in this mess. 

Feeling
I'm not too sure...

Thinking
About 2022. Looking forward to starting more courses, doing more with my volunteer placement and continuing running etc.
Also hoping to be able to get out on more walks and visit a few more places together.

Reading
The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket
Tamarind & the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan
The Boy Who Met a Whale by Nizrana Farook
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkes
Everything You Need to Know About Nightmares! and How to Defeat Them by Jason Segel  Kirsten Miller
The End by Lemony Snicket
The Beatrice Letters by Lemony Snicket
Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography by Lemony Snicket
The Minor Third by Neil Patrick Harris
The Figure in the Shadows - The House With a Clock in Its Walls 2 by John Bellairs

Watching
The Wheel of Time S1
A Series of Unfortunate Events S3
Lost S5-6
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride part 2 
The Wolverine
Out
Free Guy
The Big Year
Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Lilo and Stitch
Brother Bear
The Princess and the Frog
Meet the Robinsons
Bolt
Encanto
22 vs. Earth
Far From the Tree
Loop
Presto
Tick Tock Tale
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix 
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Doing More
Reading, evidently! I was a little behind on my goal for the year so seeing as I had less running and coursework to do this month I made use of my time by getting through some books.

Doing Less
Moving. Workouts have been minimal in the latter part of December since finishing all my distance challenges. 

Stand Out Moments
- Receiving my Ring Road and Winter Walkies medals.
- All the cats at my volunteer job.
- Seeing Mam and Dad and helping sort their roof damaged in the storm.
- My Zoology diploma certificates finally arriving.
- Carving another Jack O' Lantern
- Meeting two Roe Deer on a morning walk.
- Reading so many books!


This year I also started yet another new project, alongside my daily photos, 1 second of video each day. See below for our Decembers' video!






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Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Life Lately - November



To start, here are all the blog posts I've published in November over my 2* blogs -


Underland to Wonderland - Right here!

Adventures of the Hallows - My Photo Diary Blog!
I have taken daily photos since 2013 (2014 were weekly photos) and I share them each week in blog posts. Check out the past month's worth of posts below!


*Yes, this was 3 blogs. However, our couples book blog is taking a hiatus.

And below is November's daily photo overview in calendar form. Many days have more than one photo so make sure to visit the posts above to see all the photos!


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Our daily photos are usually a pretty good representation of what goes on in our life throughout the month, but for the things they don't show see below...


Loving
That I have completed my 828-mile virtual run around the Ring Road of Iceland!
Please, please, please consider sponsoring my efforts in support of a wonderful animal rescue. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/daniellehallow828

Hating
This time of year in general. Once October is over it's all downhill until Spring haha!
I hate the adverse weather, I hate the 'C' word, I hate that it's always dark. I just hate winter.

Feeling
Cold. And extra scared of this pandemic seeing as most people don't care anymore.
The only place I go these days is my parent's house or to the Cats Protection centre,
so I am not around others much at all and I am thankful that mask-wearing is being encouraged more again,
however it is extremely concerning especially considering the constantly appearing new variants etc.

Thinking
About how self-centred so many of the British public are. It breaks my heart to think anyone has to deal with homelessness ever, but especially in winter and I can't even imagine what people had to cope with during storm Arwen. That being said, some people have so much expendable money yet would rather spend it frivolously, on tat and in a way that also is hazardous to our environment, than do anything at all to help charities. 
Yesterday was officially 'Giving Tuesday' and I urge you to go now and donate the money you'd waste on a Starbucks, a takeaway or that new top you don't actually need but just want because you don't want to wear something you already have, to a cause that resonates with you. 
Some I suggest are:
https://www.shelter.org.uk/
https://www.crisis.org.uk/
https://centrepoint.org.uk/
https://northeasthomeless.org.uk/
and 
https://www.cats.org.uk/tyneside
https://www.farplace.org.uk/
http://www.swan-trust.org/
https://www.vucjakshelter.org/

Reading
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket
Mary Poppins by P L Travers 

Watching
RPDR UK S3
The Worst Witch S1
Dinner Date S1
Boy Meets World S5-6
The Wheel of Time S1
Rich Kids Go Skint
Rich Kids Skint Holiday
Black Widow
Magic Camp
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Jungle Cruise
Home Sweet Home Alone
Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Doing More
Leaving the house? But also not. 
I've been to Berwick multiple times this month to take my Dad to hospital appointments, for my own doctor's appointments and to try and help where I could with my parent's house after storm Arwen.
I am also obviously now visiting Cats Protection every Saturday where I'm a desensitisation volunteer.
That is a lot more than what has been during the past two years, though obviously I am still not seeing other people, going into shops or public places and such.

Doing Less
Coursework...because I completed my Zoology diploma with a distinction!

Stand Out Moments
- 11k for Animals in War remembrance.
- Two wildlife walks at Berwick.
- Giant book haul/therapy after doctors visits.
- A walk with Baker to the river.
-Completing my Zoology Diploma with distinction.
-Storm Arwen.
- Saturdays Volunteering at Cats Protection.
- Finishing my 828-mile run!


This year I also started yet another new project, alongside my daily photos, 1 second of video each day. See below for our November's video!




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Wednesday, 3 November 2021

Life Lately - October


To start, here are all the blog posts I've published in October over my 2* blogs -

Underland to Wonderland - Right here!

Adventures of the Hallows - My Photo Diary Blog!
I have taken daily photos since 2013 (2014 were weekly photos) and I share them each week in blog posts. Check out the past month's worth of posts below!


*Yes, this was 3 blogs. However, our couples book blog is taking a hiatus.

And below is October's daily photo overview in calendar form. Many days have more than one photo so make sure to visit the posts above to see all the photos!


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Our daily photos are usually a pretty good representation of what goes on in our life throughout the month, but for the things they don't show see below...


Loving 
Finally, officially, becoming a cat de-sensitization volunteer for Cats Protection!

Hating
Fireworks.
There is no need at all for anyone to play with explosives. Not only are there the dogs, cats and other domestic pets terrified at home and in rescue centres, but there are also the elderly and ex-service people or others with PTSD etc struggling behind closed doors, as well livestock animals in fields or barns with no escape from their fear and wildlife who have panic attacks, become disoriented and lost, abandon their homes and young and can die from ingesting the debris. 
Please do not use or support the use of fireworks.

Feeling
Old! I have to check the 31-35 box now!

Thinking
How close I am to completing both my Zoology Diploma and my 828-mile run. Woohoo!

Reading 
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
The House in the Woods by Yvette Fielding
The Company of Ghosts by Berlie Doherty
Ghostly Tales: Spine-Chilling Stories of the Victorian Age

Watching
Edward Scissorhands
R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls
Hocus Pocus
9
The Reaping
Twitches
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters 2016
Twitches Too
The Others
The Witches
The Witches 2020
The Woman in Black
Behind the Attraction: Haunted Mansion
Toy Story of Terror
The Haunting
Disney's Lonesome Ghosts
Disney's Trick or Treat
Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire
The Haunted Mansion
The Ghosts of Buxley Hall
The Addams Family
Blackbeard's Ghost
Crimson Peak
The Watcher in the Woods
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Casper
Coco
--
Sabrina the Teenage Witch Halloween Episodes x7
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror  Episodes x7
Most Haunted Misc Episodes x 4
Goosebumps S1
The Worst Witch S1
Broadmoor: A History of the Criminally Insane
Behind Bars: Rookie Year S1
Boy Meets World S5
Modern Family S9
Dinner Date S1

Doing More
Watching movies I guess? haha! 
A few years ago I published monthly posts listing everything I'd watched that month and often saw upwards of 40 movies each month. Lately, it seems we watch more TV series as time-wise it's easier to fit in an episode or two here and there, so it was good to fit in a chunk of movies this October.
Check out my 'What I Watched in 2017' post to see how much I managed to see in 1 year!

Doing Less
Healthy eating. Oops! It's been a month full of pizzas, crisps and sweets that's for sure.
But seeing as October is to us what December is to everyone else, it's allowed!

Stand Out Moments
- Decorating for Halloween
- Receiving my art commission from https://www.instagram.com/littlebear.andus/
- Getting to take Baker for a rare beach visit
- A day of board games with my parents for my 31st birthday
- Our wonderful wildlife walk to Duddo Stone Circle
- Camping inside
- Carving our Jack O Lanterns
- Samhain Dinner

This year I also started yet another new project, alongside my daily photos, 1 second of video each day. See below for our September's video!




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Friday, 1 October 2021

Life Lately - September

  


To start, here are all the blog posts I've published in September over my 2* blogs -


Underland to Wonderland - Right here!
Life Lately - August
Baker is 9
The Last Day Out at Beamish pt.1
The Last Day Out at Beamish pt.2
The Birds of 2020 // October - December

Adventures of the Hallows - My Photo Diary Blog!
I have taken daily photos since 2013 (2014 were weekly photos) and I share them each week in blog posts. Check out the past month's worth of posts below!
2021 Project 365 // Days 239 - 245
2021 Project 365 // Days 246 - 252
2021 Project 365 // Days 253 - 259
2021 Project 365 // Days 260 - 266


*Yes, this was 3 blogs. However, our couples book blog is taking a hiatus.


And below is September's daily photo overview in calendar form. Many days have more than one photo so make sure to visit the posts above to see all the photos!

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Our daily photos are usually a pretty good representation of what goes on in our life throughout the month, but for the things they don't show see below...

Loving
1000 calorie-burning workouts and new medals!

Hating
Hearing about all the animals being declared extinct. Please do your part to help our environment.

Feeling
Equally anxious and excited for a prospective volunteer opportunity.

Thinking
About our Hallow-Ween (the whole month of October. Dubbed Hallow-Ween because our surname is Hallow and it's our celebratory month) plans and that in 30 days we'll have been married 2 years already!

Reading
The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket
The Witch of Lagg by Ann Pilling
Hoodoo by Ronald L Smith

Watching
RPDR All Stars S6
Modern Family S7-9
A Series of Unfortunate Events S1
AGT S16
Family Reunion Part 1 - 4
Boy Meets World S3
Lizzie McGuire S1
RPDR UK S3
Jailbirds New Orleans S1
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Three Men and a Baby
The Circle
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Three Men and a Little Lady
A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting

Doing More
Running! I managed to total 100 miles in September including 2 half marathons (1 in one go and one over 2 sessions). Although I have been exercising from home for many months now, I did have a few weeks where I slacked off a bit due to pains. It means that I now have less than 200 miles of my 828 mile challenge left and I aim to complete it by the end of November! If you'd like to sponsor my efforts it'd be very much appreciated and you can find my donation page here > 828 Miles for Vucjak Shelter

Doing Less
I'm not too sure if there is anything I've been doing less of this month.

Stand Out Moments
- Getting the chip in my windscreen fixed
- Disney Halloween haul
- Doing two half marathons
- Making the Guinea Pigs new fleece cage pads
- As always, wonderful wildlife garden visitors


This year I also started yet another new project, alongside my daily photos, 1 second of video each day. See below for our September's video!




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Monday, 12 October 2020

So This is 30?

 



Urgh, 30.
Yeah, today, October 12th 1990, I turn 30. 

I am not a fan of birthdays in general and this year I'm definitely not a fan of entering the 3rd decade of my life. Obviously, every single person and their path in life is different, however, it's still difficult not to compare yourself to your younger self or others, especially when reaching milestones in age and the like.

I'm sure if you've read more than a couple posts from me it'll be noticeable that I'm not exactly 'Miss Optimistic' and I tend to have quite a 'Debbie Downer' attitude naturally. I'd like to be different but it's just me and I can't help it. That being said, that is probably my biggest issue with growing older - wanting to be different in many ways and comparing myself to the expected level I should have reached by now.

I'm 30 but I am unemployed.
I have no specific career.
I have no formal training/education.
I have no extended family.
I have no friends.

BUT

I do have a roof over my head.
I do have things to keep me busy.
I do have a wonderful husband.
I do have fantastic parents.
I do have 10 fur/scale babies.


It makes me feel like a failure to not have a degree or a certain field I have trained in, to not work in that field or not even have career goals. It seems shunned, especially these days, where all women seem to be constantly told they should be making their own money, being a 'girl boss' and not relying on a man. But I didn't want to go to university. I had a terrible time in my school years as it was, so to voluntarily enter another educational setting was not on my radar. I worked from age 15, making money and paying my own way. I've done a few different jobs, always giving my all, but to me, work should pay the bills not take over your whole life. As long as the main things in life are taken care of the rest of it should be spent with and doing what you love, not wasting years of an already short life in a place and around people that don't matter. Being 'unemployed' or a housewife would be fine for me if I had some sort of income or another way to feel as if I contribute to my household other than just cleaning and being home all day with 10 animals.

Seeing people my age buying homes, renovating homes they bought years ago, expanding their family and having kids all makes me feel like a child myself. A failure that I'm still renting. That I have lived in 6 different rentals. All I want is to have my own space, in the middle of the countryside away from all people, to grow our food and rescue as many animals as we can house, but it feels like it will never happen.

We aren't social people either. Each other's company is more than enough but sometimes not having any friends hits you. I've never been popular, had a large group of friends or even a regular handful of friends, but you definitely find out what people really think of you when those you've known since you were a child no longer talk to you because you got married or moved away.

I've also really been struggling for the past year or so with not feeling comfortable in my own skin. Another controversial thing these days is to talk about weight or call yourself fat because we must yield to the 'body positivity' movement and love ourselves but I can't, because I don't. I hate myself. I'm the fattest I have ever been and although some people might not see it that way, when you have had issues with body dysmorphia, disordered eating and everything in between it is very, very hard every single day. It is physically uncomfortable as well as mentally draining. Almost all of my clothes don't fit me so I'm living between 2 pairs of joggers and a couple t-shirts which is not fun in the slightest. 
On top of all of that I still have super thin, fine hair that falls out and has huge very thin/bald spots and my awful wonky teeth that have plagued my confidence since they grew in. 

You may wonder why I'm not doing anything to rectify the shit show that my life has become. And to that, I now bring up my health. Chronic illness from arthritis to asthma, OCD, anxiety and other undetermined physical health conditions that mean I'm in pain the majority of the time all add up to wipe out any motivation or energy I do actually get. Oh and Covid? Hello! Thanks for ruining the opportunity I had to get into an animal care field back in February/March. 
Today we should have also been on our honeymoon. Our first holiday together. And my chance to share my home of Disneyland with Mr H. Having things like that to look forward to really help you forget about other things that may be going on in life and that was sadly taken away from us too.


So yeah. This is me at 30. 
I can't say I'm the most unhappy I have ever been because although all of the things mentioned above do get me extremely sad, I now live with the best human I have ever met. I get to spend life with my best friend and am incredibly thankful to have finally met someone who is so much on my level. It's sad that I am always complaining and down. I want so badly to feel like me again. I guess we'll see what 30 brings...




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