Happy Mail

When Eleanor moved to university, I decided that I'd send her some parcels throughout the year made up of bits and bobs, lovely things, happy mail if you like. I know she's only been gone three weeks tomorrow but after the first week or so, homesickness can kick in. It hasn't, but I thought I'd get the first parcel off to her just in case and she received it at the start of the week.

As soon as I saw this plaque I loved it, such an apt sentiment for someone starting out on their university journey. I really do hope that Eleanor chases her dreams, she's worked so hard to achieve what she has so far, I hope she accomplishes everything she wants to.

Eleanor loves pugs so as soon as I saw the cup and straw I had to buy it, it's just sooooo cute. Mick actually bought the mug for her, he saw it and knew she'd like it. The shot glasses are something she'd mentioned she wanted, the drinking games started on day one!

I went in to M&S to buy her some new underwear and saw these trainer socks which had been reduced from £8 right down to 79p, I couldn't believe it. Hmmm, I'll have a couple of packs at that price.

A girl has to be able to pamper herself so I bought her some face masks. She only has a shower, no bath, so I doubt it will be the same as pampering herself during a soak, but nevertheless.

I wrote about the Short Socks in my last post. They were a big hit and are doing their job of keeping her feet toasty warm.

Her room is tiny but it doesn't mean it can't be pretty. I sent a couple of packs of fairy lights to hang, a warm, cosy glow makes the place look homely.

I suffer from chapped lips as soon as the weather turns cold and Eleanor's the same. Added to the fact that she's full of cold, or Fresher's Flu as it's so named, I'm sure she'll put this Cherry Shine lip balm to good use.

I couldn't send a parcel of treats without adding some edible goodies. Lindt Lindor Truffles are her favourites but rather expensive so she got a small bag of those. A bag of strawberry Haribo Balla Stixx, sickly sweet but she loves them. I'm glad to see these Snow Bites back in the shops, yum yum. Toffifee, very moreish.

I also put a few food items in the parcel, things that don't weight too much, it cost me enough to send the parcel as it is.

Eleanor's settled in to university life really well, she had a great time during fresher's week, made lots of new friends and found her feet so to speak. Her lectures, seminars and lab sessions have now started, she's working hard and loving it. She doesn't seem to be missing home at all, which is good, it stops me worrying about her, and she hasn't made any plans to come home as yet. Her boyfriend has gone to a different university but he's travelling to see her tomorrow and staying for the weekend.

Daniel graduated from university this year and I thought that as Eleanor left home for uni, he might be returning. This isn't to be. He's got three job offers and the one he's decided to take is in Surrey, three and a half hours away. He was only half an hour away door to door when he was at university so this will be a big difference. I'm glad he feels confident enough to travel to, and live in, a different part of the country where he doesn't know anyone. It's a bit different from university where there were literally thousands of students all in the same boat, here he'll be on his own, but you've got to go where the work is these days and he's been offered a good job with good benefits, he feels he's got to give it a go.

I'm so proud of both of them, they've grown up in to independent young people and are working hard at building lives for themselves.

So that leaves Mick and I rattling around in the house on our own. I thought I'd miss Eleanor much more than I do. That sounds like I don't miss her, of course I do, but I have enough things to keep me occcupied and it's actually nice for us to have some time on our own for the first time in twenty one years. The times they are a changin!