Good Things Jar 2018

The idea came from something I saw on the interwebs near the end of 2017. The idea is to keep a jar (any old jar will do) and pop in a note once a week about something good that happened. The final intention would be to open up the jar on the last day of the year and read about everything we had done.

I decided to do just that for 2018. I began the jar on January 1, 2018 and opened it up on January 2, 2019 (because I didn't get chance on the final day of 2018, but also because I expected to add the events of that day.

Before I read all of the pieces of paper inside the jar, I counted them up. Of course, there should be 52 things. I counted 87 pieces of paper, some containing multiple scribblings, and there was at least one thing that we had done which had yet to be included.

While I shared a short snippet with my friends, I am sharing more of it here. It will stay, more or less, in a note form, edited only for clarity.

Playing Games

Image from March 3, 2018

January 2018

1/2/18 (My first note of the year):

Had an article published on Vocal!

1/3/18

Six and a half stone lost - award from Slimming World (I joined in 2013)

R (eldest son) came over to play some games (he'd been at his Dad's for New Year's).

Note from R: Had fun playing games with Mum and F (youngest son).

1/4/18

This one is not noted although I thought I had written it. I started a new job. My first proper, full-time, permanent job. I am still there after a year, which is very good for me!

1/5/18

Perhaps a simple one but, I think, all the more important to appreciate— finished work earlier than expected and came home to my partner (D) and youngest child (F)

1/6/18

Note from F: I got performer of the week certificate from PQA (that's a drama academy he attends at weekends)

1/7/18

Came home to D and F.

Had a message that the girls (one of his daughters, and our two granddaughters) would be visiting in the summer.

1/8/18

Had extra time with R and D. Annual leave approved for Gang Show week. Didn't have to reset boiler (yes, this was significant, and has not happened since)!

(I also noted) Just over one week in and this is the seventh note. Several have two or more good things! (The little things are just as important than the big things, if not more so. Positivity creates positivity).

1/10/18

I can get into the building at work as, having been there a week, I got my ID badge!

I was quoted in a discussion on a site I frequent (Mylot, you will find me under Pumpkinjam). Something I had said had been an inspiration. My inspirational quote was:

When facing obstacles, look at the oceans you have already swam. You will see that what's in front is just a puddle.

1/11/18

Turned a conversation about sports around to Doctor Who. (I do not remember the exact conversation but I would certainly prefer to talk about sci-fi than about sports)!

1/12/18

Note from F—Saw Nanny. (F sees his Nanny as regularly as we are able but, I think, this was the first visit of the year).

1/13/18

This was K's 21st birthday (K is my youngest step-daughter). We were not able to spend the day with her (due to distance and another birthday) but we did see a picture of her wearing something that we had bought for her. She said she loved all of her gifts.

1/14/18

R's 18th birthday. I took him to an escape room. We played the Asylum room with his dad (B), our oldest nephew (S) and his girlfriend (A), and our oldest niece (CA). It was nice because it was all adults. We escaped in 55 minutes (you are given 60 minutes to do it).

We then went for lunch at Wagamama and ice-cream at Sprinkles Gelato. We sang happy birthday to R. He got extra toppings and some balloons when we told them it was his birthday. They weren't going to give him balloons because he was an adult but he asked if he could have some!

R said he had had a good day. F was happy spending some quality daddy time with D. F also had a Gang Show rehearsal which he said was good (it was his third Gang Show but he did not want to do any more).

1/15/18

F enjoyed dinner (this may seem insignificant but he tends to eat things because I tell him to but rarely actually enjoys anything). We had stewed steak, onions and carrots topped with mashed potato (I must do that more often).

1/16/18

D and I had a night out (I don't remember where we went or what we did. We usually go to one of two locals. I think we had gone to his nearest local, the Town Talk).

We set a wedding date.

1/25/18

F helped with housework and dinner which meant we didn't have to rush to get him to Scouts. I booked tickets to see him in Gang Show, and I went to the gym and swimming (that is something I do regularly. I think I must have been having a happy day, writing down all the little things to be appreciated).

1/28/18

We had a lovely weekend. I won a game of Zelda Monopoly against D, R and F. I worked out the solution to what seemed like a complicated equation before R got the answer (this is impressive because I haven't done proper maths for over 20 years while R was studying Further Maths at college).

Birthday Girl

February 2018

2/3/18

Had a lovely meal out with all my boys. (That was a meal at an Indian restaurant with D, R, and F. It was the weekend after my first payday and I wanted to celebrate and treat everyone.)

2/12/18

C's birthday (C is D's eldest daughter). We didn't get to see her on her birthday due, again, to distance. She did tell us that she loved her present, though, so we were happy about that.

R had an interview at Edge Hill University.

Note from R: Interviewed at, and received offer from EHU.

I had a very nice email in respect of some writing work.

2/17/18

Had (another) lovely day. I had 'freakshakes' with R and my big sister (N). Then I went walking with R. Dinner at home in the evening with D, R, and F.

R told me that he had an official offer from Edge Hill.

2/18/18

F said his Quirky Kidz (casting agency) casting day was 'excellent'.

Note from F: Casting day for Quirky Kidz went perfectly.

I spent time with R, and I worked on some writing.

Took F to see his best friend (E) so he could give her a birthday present.

Note from R: Interviewed at, and received offer from EHU.

2/24/18

Took S birthday clothes shopping (it has been a tradition for what must be 15 years now. Apparently, he will never be too old for clothes shopping with his auntie). We went on the train to Leicester.

Leicester Cathedral

March 2018

3/2/18

No work for me, no school for F as they had a snow day. Took F to Frankie and Benny's for lunch.

3/3/18

Had some good feedback from an editor.

Walked in the snow with F to see his E then went to see D. R called (he was with his dad).

3/4/18

Chose a birthday present for Baby one(that's the oldest granddaughter).

R came over (he was living with his dad at the time as it was nearer to college).

3/6/18

Met up for lunch with an editor. We had not met before, but all went well.

3/21/18

I didn't write anything for this, but I seem to have something for other important birthdays so I should mention that this was Baby one's birthday. I can't remember what we bought her!

3/22/18

Watched F perform in Gang Show. Saw R as he came to watch too.

3/23/18

Met up with an old friend (J) (whom I hadn't seen in real life for a few years). We spent a good two hours at a local book farm. Had coffee and cake, and spent much of the time chatting and catching up.

3/30/18

Took D, R, and F to Ashby Castle. (We have an English Heritage membership and there aren't many EH places around here. Wanted to make the most of the membership—although we probably already had our money's worth from visiting Dover Castle and Battle Abbey in 2017).

Ashby Castle

April 2018

4/1/18

Submitted some writing with excellent feedback. Only one edit, and that was because I had typed the wrong month in an article.

4/2/18

Afternoon with little nephew and niece (X and CW). They played and painted with us (me and the boys). X and CW made D's day with a surprise visit, and X made a painting for D.

Had dinner with D and then spent the rest of the evening playing games with S, A, R, and F.

Painting and Drawing with the Little Ones

4/8/18

D, R, F and I had lunch with D's parents (D and I had been together for almost four years, but we hadn't spent much time with them before).

4/9/18

I had a day off from work. F went to an Easter school that was being hosted by PQA.

R didn't want to do anything so I spent some time doing housework. Took less time than expected to do some tasks that I find particularly difficult.

4/14/18

Won £7 on the Grand National. D told me to treat myself with it.

4/22/18

St. George's Day District Parade and Awards (Scouts). F won the 'Endeavour Award' (he got a huge trophy. I was very proud of him and of all the things that were said in the reasons for him getting the award—working hard, always joining in, gaining confidence, helping other people, etc. and all while facing the challenges of Autism).

4/23/18

Extra money in the bank from some writing! (It's always good to have extra cash, but I love it even more when it's for something I've enjoyed).

Proud of His Achievement

May 2018

5/7/18

(May Day bank holiday) D, F, and I had a good games day with family (I won't name them all here. There were 11 of us including siblings, nieces and nephews).

5/12/18

I bought my wedding dress—£10 from Mary Ann Evans Hospice shop!

Saw the final rehearsal for a show that R was in with Labyrinth (I was going away for the weekend of the actual show).

5/13/18

Went to Planters garden centre with R, F, and D. R and I went for a climb on the "sky trail" then we all had lunch. It was a very pleasant, ordinary day. Weather was good if I remember as well.

5/14/18

R texted to say his first A-level exam had gone well.

My best friend (AO) came over and I showed her my wedding dress. D was very thoughtful as he got everyone chocolate and bought some for AO as well because she happened to be here. He didn't understand why we thought this so lovely!

5/18/18 -5/20/18

Weekend away, just me and D at Weston-Super-Mare. We had a nice meal at Sakura Japanese restaurant, we visited the Helicopter Museum, Dr Fox's Tea Rooms, and a few pubs and other places. Perfect.

5/25/18

(I didn't put an exact day on this as the card arrived beforehand). D's birthday. He said that our weekend away was a lovely birthday present but nothing could top the card that said "Granddad" from C and her husband and the babies.

Weston-Super-Mare

Sakura Japanese Restaurant

I took a lot of lovely pictures while we were away. The two above are two of my favourites.

June 2018

6/15/18

Took N to see a Bon Jovi tribute at the Civic Hall (that was her birthday present from me).

6/17/18

Father's Day: We went to Retro Computer Museum as a treat both for D for Father's Day and F for his birthday. We also took R and E. Everyone had a lot of fun.

6/18/18

F's 13th birthday: We had a simple, quiet day. Just me, F, D, and a Minions birthday cake. We played a few new games. F was happy.

6/21/18

C sent us a video of the babies dancing. We always appreciated and love the videos and pictures that we see of them.

6/24/18

Best day of the year so far! Went out for dinner (me, R, F, D) with some of D's side of the family as one daughter (K) and the granddaughters (baby one and baby two) had come up for the week with K's mum and partner. We had a nice time out for the meal, then went to D's parents' whee we spent some time splashing in a pool and playing in the garden with the babies.

6/27/18

D, R and I saw K, Baby one and Baby two again (F was at school). Lots of baby cuddles. D bought a toy each for the babies, and we took them on a ride-on van thingy at a shopping centre.

D, R, and I then went for coffee/tea with D's mum while the others went elsewhere to do other things.

6/28/18

Went to D's parents (me, D, R and F) to say goodbye to the girls. I read with baby one and looked at some photos with her. She said "granddad" when she saw a picture of D. She recognised her sister, her auntie, and her other grandparents in the pictures but she wouldn't say mummy and daddy when she saw pictures of them! Baby two sang "Row Row," and she had lots of cuddles for D.

6/29/18

Took my mum to an appointment (not very interesting in itself but I did write it on the piece of paper). My dad stayed with her while my little sister and I went into town where I treated myself to earrings. Also bought treats for X and CW (they're little sister's kids).

Went for a drive with little sister. Ended up at a pub we had spotted on our random drive. Had a drink at 'The Rose Inn' where we sat outside where there is a pond and lawns and benches. We then went to pick up X and CW from school before fetching F from his school.

Had a text from R to say he had arrived in Southampton ready to go on a cruise with his dad and grandparents (for the second time as they went in 2017 as well, which was R's first time abroad).

6/30/18

Another text from R- this time to say the first stop on the cruise was Gibraltar.

I drove to The Rose Inn again where I sat on a bench in lovely weather and with a beautiful view. Got some work done while sipping on a cold drink.

D's sister and her husband popped round. Sister said she would be able to fix my wedding dress (it just needed a new zip).

Getting the Paddling Pool Ready

I took a lot of pictures when we saw the girls. This is the only one that doesn't show faces. They are beautiful, of course, but didn't want to show faces without permission.

July 2018

7/7/18

F performed in a play called The Audition with PQA. I saw it with D, N, and my mum.

R texted to tell us more about where he had been/was going on his cruise.

7/8/18

Took F bowling (just me and him). I beat him three times! We had some snacks, and chilled at home later with Doctor Who and some more snacks.

7/9/18

Another message from R just to say he'd got another week left and was travelling around the Mediterranean.

I had a message from my mum to say that a situation had been resolved and that an account that I was told was in arrears was now in credit.

7/14/18

F got a good end of term report from PQA, and the whole group got a Distinction (94 percent) for their show as it was an examined piece.

I took my dad, D, and F to an open air show in Stratford. We had ice-cream and we went on a boat along the Avon.

Message from R to say he was back from his cruise, and he had taken some lovely photos.

7/16/18

Had a refund for something I was owed and had been fighting for a while.

7/2118

Saw R for the first since he came back from his holiday (after having not seen him for two weeks while he was away). He told me all about it.

August 2018

8/11/18

Took D, R, and F to an all you can eat buffet for dinner.

8/12/18

C and her husband's first anniversary. Sent them a message and a card :)

I took R and F for a drive. Ended up at Chasewater where we went on a steam train, wandered, etc.

8/15/18

Day out with friends. Cannon Hill Park, which has all sorts of things, with R and F, and my friend and her son. We went on a few fairground rides, swan boats, and had a walk around the park. Friend and I went on a roller-coaster while the three boys watched—not one of three teenage boys wanted to go on the roller-coaster!

8/16/18

R got his A-level results and confirmed acceptance at University. I was, as always, a very proud mummy.

Took R for a day out. His dad and I took him to Heights of Abraham as a treat after getting his A-level results. I was proud of myself for driving us there and back without a SatNav and without getting lost. We had a lovely day spelunking, exploring, and going on a cable car. F had a Daddy day with D chilling at home doing whatever it is they do (TV, computer games, and eating pizza mostly).

8/21/18

Out with F. Just me and F. A day to get him outside and away from computers. He chose to go the the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery where they had a toy exhibition... which included computer games! We had a Subway lunch, and I treated F to a couple of games for the Wii and DS.

Cannon Hill Park

8/24/18

Archery with family. I wanted to try something different (the children had done archery before but I hadn't. Wanted a day of 'doing' rather than 'seeing.' So I took D, R, and F to a National Archery Centre where D's sister and her two children joined us. I think we had a lot of fun but sister came home with an impressive bruise! I think R got the best score but we all did alright.

8/27/18 to 8/31/18

Holiday with D,R, and F. We stayed at Bowling Green Farm in Shaftesbury, Dorset. That was a lovely place. During our time there, we visited Shepton Mallet, Wincanton, Bournemouth, Wookey Hole, and Salisbury. I have written about some places in more detail here.

Cottage was nice and quiet. We had some lovely days out. Some of our time in Salisbury was spent having lunch with a friend. D hadn't met Friend before but they seemed to get on well.

Epaulette Shark at Bournemouth Oceanarium

We took a lot of pictures during our holiday in all of the different places we visited.

Inside Wookey Hole Caves

September

9/16/18

Took R and F out to meet a friend for lunch. Went to a place we'd never been before. It was OK but a bit pricey for what it was.

In the evening, we (me, D, R, F) went to my nephew's housewarming as he had just moved into his new home with his girlfriend. Quite a few people there, and R got chance to say goodbye to people he wouldn't otherwise have seen before heading off to uni.

9/17/18

B (R's dad) and I took R up to university. Well, I took R while B took most of his stuff! R enrolled and registered and picked up the keys to his new room. Once we'd looked around and unpacked the cars, we had a meal at The Stanley Gate. We then said goodbye to R. Of course, emotions were mixed.

F had a daddy day with D.

9/30/18

My parents met D's parents for the first time. We (me, D and F) took the four of them for a meal. They all seemed to get on. Even my mum was pleasant to people (which is notable because she doesn't like anyone).

October

10/2/18

Received post with a Warrington postmark, recognised the handwriting. R had posted me a birthday card with a hand-written letter which included a recent poem of his on the back. Happy mummy!

10/3/18

D said he had been offered an opportunity to write for a local paper as the result of a casual meeting. He took the business card and said he'd get in touch with the person as D thought it would be good for me (he didn't get in touch but it was a nice thought).

10/7/18

Went to Birmingham on the train with F and N. Met up with S and A there. They all looked on (or up) as I abseiled from the top of the 16-story Park Regis Hotel. That was cool, and I would love to do it again. We then went for brunch before getting the train home. F, N, and I wet to a dessert place for ice-cream on the way home. Took N home and then came home with F where we watched the new Doctor Who with a female Doctor.

That's me abseiling down a building...

10/9/18

Went to the gym after work then had first lesson with a new student (I take on occasional students who need additional support, home-schooling, etc.) Had a good lesson. New student was great.

10/13/18

R came back home for the weekend. Saw him Saturday to Sunday. He came with me, N and D to see Meatloaf Story (which was cool).

10/16/18

My birthday. Went for lunch with three of my colleagues (which was lovely as it's not something I'd done before with colleagues in other jobs). I had noodles (I love noodles).

Got a message from R.

10/17/18

Offered a commission to write an article. I asked for what I wanted and was accepted (didn't expect that). My highest paying piece of writing so far! :D

10/26/18

Little nephew (X) birthday. Saw him briefly in the evening to give him his presents which he seemed to like.

I had a day off work and had an amazing date day with D. Visited the Pump Rooms in Leamington (D had never been before. He enjoyed it), walked a little bit in Jephson Gardens where we saw and admired the greenery and statues. I found a stone (one of the little painted ones for collecting and re-hiding). It had LOTCR painted on it, which turned out to be local to us. (I put a post on the Islastones Facebook page to say I would be re-hiding at Whitby Abbey). After finding the stone, we went into the greenhouse in the gardens where they have tropical fish and plants. We then went to look for somewhere to eat. As we wandered, we found a Yo! Sushi. Neither of us had been to one of those before but we do like sushi. It was nice. Then we went back home where we relaxed in from of the TV with a cup of tea (well, I had tea and D had coffee).

One of the Features in Jephson Gardens

10/27/18 to 10/28/18

I don't seem to have a note for this but I was sure I had written one! Went to Whitby with N. We went mainly for a cinema screening that was part of the Tomorrow's Ghost Film Festival at Whitby Pavilion. We stayed in a hotel in Scarborough and also had a wander into the town, to the beach, and to a couple of pubs around there. After the cinema, we went for a drive and ended up at Whitby Abbey which was illuminated and hosting a show of Bram Stoker's Dracula as part of the Goth Weekend. Bonus because it's another English Heritage place so, being a member, I got tickets a little cheaper! We stayed there for a while. I hid the stone I had found. We walked around the Abbey. We didn't stay much longer after seeing everything as it was tool cold! We did have a nice time though.

Illuminated Abbey

November

We don't appear to have any notes from November. I am sure it was mostly uneventful, but I should mention that there were two birthdays - our youngest granddaughter turned two, and our youngest niece turned six on the same day. So it was quite special for them.

Our eldest son sent a card to granddaughter (his niece) and we heard that this was a welcome and appreciated surprise.

Our niece had a small party with just immediate family. I popped round to give her her gifts. Her response to one was a very excited, "I always wanted one of those," and then she was distracted by the second gift because her friend had said she might get that particular thing.

December

12/1/18

This is another that appears to be missing from the jar but I am sure I must have written something about it. Visited Liverpool and Speke Hall with R and F.

I took F up to fetch R from uni. We went to Speke Hall as they were doing a Victorian Christmas event. There wasn't a lot going on but it was nice there. We spent quite a lot of time exploring the house, the grounds, and the maze. We then went into Liverpool where we ate at Yo! Sushi and bought some sweets from a sweet shop before taking R back to uni and myself and F back home.

Exploring the Speke Maze..

12/15/18

Came home to find R waiting for me (I knew he was coming back from uni but I thought he was going to his dad first, so that was a wonderful surprise). Had a night out with R, B, S, and D while F was at a Scout sleepover.

12/19/18

Secret Santa at work. I had never done one of those before. The recipient of my gift seemed pleased with it. I got a Harry Potter notebook and Hermione pen so I was really happy with that.

D booked the venue for our wedding reception.

12/20/18

F brought home an electronics project he had done at Scouts.

12/21/18

Last working day before Christmas. R at home with me :)

12/23/18

Watched Red Dwarf with the boys (D, R, F). Got some jobs done around home. Visit from AO. Played games and watched a (really bad) Christmas film (Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) with R.

12/25/18

Christmas Day: Had a lovely day with D, R, and F. They were all happy with their presents. I liked mine but was especially pleased with the Lego I had from D's parents! We texted with K and called C. Had a great day, lovely gifts, and the cat was daft (more so than usual) because D had bought her catnip.

What have you got for me Daddy?

12/26/18

Had a long lie in! We (me, D, R, F) video called with the girls—K was happy and bouncy as always but C wasn't chatty, and the babies were just waking up from a nap. But it was the closest we've had to getting all the kids in one place! Had a call from K later. I played Kerplunk with D (he won).

12/29/18

Took F,X and CW to Kenilworth Castle. Spent over two hours there and everyone enjoyed it. The weather stayed quite nice for us, and the little ones seemed to like exploring all of the steps. Then dropped off X and CW back home before taking F to spend the gift cards he'd had for Christmas. I navigated a particularly difficult road and got to where I intended (which has never happened on that bit of road before!) F got a few games and a book then I got him a meatball sub (his favourite Subway meal).

12/20/18

Last day of the year. Chilled day. Finished some bits of writing I wanted to get done. Played games with F (he asked me to play on his Nintendo Switch with him).

Went to N's for a bit in the evening for a games night then on to D's where we had a quiet night.

Hiding in the Ruins!

Good Things Jar 2019

After having such success with 2018, I have decided to continue for a second year. There are already a few notes in there, and there are things planned that I am certain will make it in.

I am looking forward to doing things, and I am looking forward to looking back and sharing them. It is great to do things and visit places but, like Terry Pratchett's Twoflower says, "You haven't really gone anywhere until you come back home."