Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 40 Throw a big bash

That’s it, number 40!  We did it folks, we got to the end of the list… thank you for sharing my adventures with me.

The last one, number 40 - was to throw a big 40th birthday bash.  On my actual birthday - that’s what we did!  I had the most amazing help from family and friends, I decorated to within an inch of my life and we re-created the 90’s!  Complete with a 90’s tuck shop, a fabulous DJ, and more 90’s tat than you can shake a stick at.

We danced and sang all night, partied hard, laughed harder and spent a great time with my nearest and dearest.

I’ve felt so much love, I’ve had the best time and I’m so ready for my 40’s.  Thank you all for being fabulous.

Lots of love, Sammy xx

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 2 Watch the sun rise at the beach

Challenge 39, the one that’s been a non starter a few times!

2 - watch the sunrise at the beach.

This has been planned a few times, but with the British weather as it has been, and the stupid water company pumping raw sewage in to our sea at every given opportunity, it’s been a challenge definitely!

I wanted to get my list done by 40, no pressure on me massively, but what I wanted, so my birthday it was!  On the day of my 40th birthday, we got up at 4am, picked up my step daughter at 4.45am and met my best friend and her husband at the beach at 5am and what a way to start the day.

Lauren and I went for a dip, we debated long and hard whether we do it before sunrise or after, and we came to the conclusion it was that cold we needed to take our clothes off and get in immediately!

So a quick dip and out to see the sun rise!

I even got new bathers for the occasion and Mr. B bought me a new swim turban from the lovely 
Anita Ocean Flora

We popped the Prosecco and watched the sun rise (sort of) and we’ll and truly toasted and hosted in my 40th spin round the sun.  I loved every minute ❤️

Back to bed after a bacon roll and up to party the day away!

TTFN, Sammy xx

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 15 Hit a golf ball at the driving range

38…. 2 to go!

15 - hit a golf ball at the driving range.

Now this one was a late contender, having swapped out ‘write a will’.  Now that one I was going to do with my husband, but it felt too boring and grown up, so we’ll do that when I’m 40 instead!

My husband is a big golfer and so were my Nan and Grandad.  I’ve never been interested, even though grandad made me my own clubs and my Nan thought I’d love it.  I don’t like walking particularly and my eyesight is so poor, once the ball is hit - I’d never see it again!

I’ve been to the driving range before, usually when Barney is buying new clubs (doesn’t happen very often!) and I’ve always wanted to have a go!  So Barney came home today and off we went!

I was rubbish as predicted, but it was great fun!

TTFN, Sammy xx

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 5 Go away with my Mum and Sister

37…. Getting there!

5 - go away with my mum and sister.

And away we went, to a lovely spa over night!

We originally tried to book Old Thorns, and after the experience I had with their spa manager, I would never recommend there again!  They had a special offer on their website, I called to book it and they couldn’t find it and we’re unwilling to honour it.  They discounted what we wanted, but still not to what I could book it for on line.  I asked if it would be better if I booked it online, to be told if I did they would cancel my booking!   I conceded and we were booking at a much higher rather than the price offered online, but then she told me I couldn’t book a triple room, we needed two separate ones.  I explained we’d booked a triple room before and it was for my 40th birthday - she told me I’d ruined my birthday for myself and hung up on me!  Honestly, the worst service ever and I was incredibly polite to her, so completely dumbfounded! 

Little did I know, actually it was the best thing ever, as the Solent Hotel and Spa was a million times better!  The pool and spa area was light and airy, free drinks served at the pool, amazing changing areas, the chill out space was just amazing and the treatments so much better!  

The robes were proper fluffy robes, none of the scratchy towel ones AND they were lovely and large and wrapped all the way around me!  Slippers were complimentary too, and no deposit for either required. There was also complimentary flapjacks in the chill out space, honestly you could not fault the service here.

We got an overnight deal with dinner and breakfast and it was a similar cost to Old Thorns, and not more expensive.  The restaurant was lovely with great food you chose off menu, rather than a carvery and again breakfast was table service and not a buffet - winner!  The staff were all lovely, in the spa, pool, restaurant and bar.  The service exemplary. 

We had a great time, chatting, eating, drinking and enjoying each others company.  I absolutely loved it and loved the company, it’s so special I get to do things with the people I love.  And get to celebrate my birthday early!

TTFN, Sammy xx

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 25 Gift flowers to a stranger

Challenge 36

25 - Gift flowers to a stranger

Now I thought this was going to be super easy, but I chickened out so many times!

I love having fresh flowers, it’s something I’ve grown in to for sure.  All through lockdown it was a compromise I wasn’t willing to make and always bought myself fresh flowers.  Nowadays the habit has petered off a bit, and as with everything, the price has gone up and I guess it’s a luxury isn’t it. 

But it always feels special to have flowers, especially on my alter. 

Being given flowers is quite special isn’t it, so I wanted to commit a random act of kindness on my list, but who knew I’d find it so difficult!  In the end, I opted for leaving a bunch with a note on a random persons car.  

I hope they found them, I hope it brightened their day and I hope it made them smile.

TTFN, Sammy xx

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 31 Make my own candle

Challenge number 34

31 - Make my own candle

I blumming love a candle and I burn them all the time, so this was quite an easy want to do.

Rebecca and I bought a kit from Hobbycraft, because, not going to lie - I had no idea where to start!  The kit was simple, wax, jars, bits and bobs and some vague instructions, so away we went!

And I know this was supposed to be my challenge, but Rebecca loved it and had a great time!  We used an extra glass and made 4, so we had two each to keep.

It was a great activity, but I won’t be starting my new business venture anytime soon, I’ll leave that to the professionals!

TTFN, Sammy

Mrs. B Challenge 40 - 14 Angel Board Reading

Challenge 35

14 - Angel Board reading

I’ve always been intrigued and never taken the plunge, so thought I’d pop it on the list!  

We’ve all heard of ouiji boards, we’ve all been warned, we’ve all heard horror stories and to be honest it’s why it’s always out me off.  My mum has had positive experiences, when used with her Nan, but I’ve never really had anyone to guide me.  Now, I know I don’t need fancy tools to speak to spirit, but my skills need honing to say the least! 

My friend Dawn facilitates Angel Board readings, and I’ve been tempted for a long time, but she’s also started training others.  My friend and old work colleague Marie completed the training and had now started running her own sessions, so we booked in and went along.

My two friends and I were welcomed in to Marie’s home, made to feel safe and secure, Marie explained the whole process to us and was just brilliant.  Marie explained the difference with an Angel board, the protection used, the spirits invited to communicate and really put us at ease. 

We had the most amazing reading, there were tears, laughter, love and healing.  I won’t talk about the reading because they are personal, but we all connected with a spirit each from our family. We had proof given via the board and it was just beautiful. 

You can find Marie here to book in for yourself, I really really recommend it! 

Marie’s Facebook page

TTFN, Sammy xx