For Mike xxx

This post is dedicated to my cousin Michael who lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 25, on Thursday 12th August 2010.

Mike was my favourite cousin. We were incredibly close in recent years, as you will already know if you're a regular reader of my blog because I often mentioned him in my posts.

I still can't believe he's gone.

I love these photos. I wanted to post dozens of them but restrained myself.

I can really remember Mike looking like this... so cute!!

My favourite photo from Mike & Claire's wedding day, Sept 2005

Mike was at his happiest with Claire

Best Man duty at big bro Tom's wedding, December 2008

Mike bugged me to listen to this band because, as he said, it's "much better than the crap you like". Just for you dude, because it's your favourite song :) xx

....

I'm sorry that your new lungs never came Mike. I'm sorry the life you deserved and wanted so badly wasn't to be. You were so brave right to the very end and fought so hard to stay. I'm so proud of you. You never gave up even when the odds were repeatedly stacked against you.

You had the biggest will and desire to live out of anyone that I've ever met. If it was down to that alone you'd have lived to be a million years old.

You were the kindest and most caring person out of anyone that I know. If only you could see your facebook page! So many people leaving you the most amazing tributes. We're all so proud that everybody saw you as that same incredible guy that we knew - a true testament to your Mum, Dad and Tom who raised a wonderful son and brother. They love and miss you so very much Mike, but are taking strength and comfort from how much you were loved by everyone.

I'm privileged that you were not just my cousin but a very dear friend too. You understood me better than most. Thanks for always being there for me despite your own struggles. It was you who I first confided in last year when depression hit me like a ton of bricks, and you persuaded me to go to the doctor, then later, to give counselling a try. Thank you Mike for helping me get my life back. I'm so glad I always told you how much you meant to me.

I asked you once if you wished that you never had CF and you said no - without CF you wouldn't be the person that you are, you wouldn't have met so many cool people and you wouldn't have met Claire. (Claire also has CF and had a double lung transplant in 2004).

You never once complained and are a true inspiration.

I miss you (and your wicked sense of humour!) so, so much dude. Give Nan and Grandad a big cuddle for me and have a ball up there :)

I love you Mikey. Breathe easy now xxxxxxxxxx

*Photographs are either owned by myself or taken from Mike's facebook.
It's ok. I know he wouldn't mind.*

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more...

Hello lovelies!! I've had to escape onto good old Blogger for two reasons.
1) because it's the hottest day of the year in England today (31 degrees C) and I can't stand being outside, and
2) because the football is making me sooo angry! We were robbed of our 2nd goal.... and now we're losing badly to Germany :(

Thank you for all of your lovely comments recently btw, especially those concerning the post that I wrote about my cousin Michael. He is still in hospital at the moment but hopefully he will start feeling better very soon.

I have lots of upcoming posts written and ready for you all (ooh, get me!), including a 3-parter on my first Primark visit! Only I could produce a 3-part shopping post! Haha never mind, I enjoyed writing it!

Anyway, I was just checking MetCheck to see how sunny this week will be, when I noticed that it's going to be a wee bit windy in my neck of the woods (the pink boxes):

Gulp.

I hope it's a mistake or I'll be blown away! Does anyone have a storm shelter?!

xx

(Pic from MetCheck.com)

Father's Day funnies xx

As it's Father's Day, I've been thinking about the special-est men in my world - my Daddy, Step-dad (Daddy #2), Uncles and my much loved and missed Grandads (R.I.P. :'( I miss you and love you both so much xxxx xxxx).

Last year my Father's Day post was deservedly mushy, so this year I thought I'd add a few funny photos of the Daddies and one of my Uncles (he is a LEGEND!!). There are more like this but I think I'd be in big trouble... so this is all you're getting! :D

Daddy #2 getting his groove on playing wii... oh yeah!

My Daddy dancing in the style known only to Dads...

I thought he was funny but my cousin felt sufficiently embarrassed

to feel the need to ask him to move away!

A different wedding reception this time.

This is what happens when my (v tipsy!) Uncle Brian

is left to his own devices in a corner...

He managed the beer glass, so gets a bit braver with the head-balancing trick...

can you guess what's coming?

Hahahahahahaha! LOVE IT!

(he did actually balance it no-hands for about a second,

*Go Uncle Brian!*

but I was too busy laughing to capure it... fail!)

Happy Father's Day to my Grandads, Daddies and Uncles. I love you millions xxxxxxxx

Kind of puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

Hello lovelies!

Firstly you guys are amazing. You've not only followed my little blog but have taken the time to leave such wonderful and encouraging comments that I honestly feel overwhelmed by your kindness!!

I hope that you won't mind me scribbling a bit of a glum post today. I'm feeling down this evening, and it's because my dear, dear cousin Mike is feeling really rubbish at the moment.

Mike has Cystic Fibrosis and has been going through an awful time recently. He has just been placed onto the Organ Transplant list as he desperately needs new lungs. He's been in hospital for a few weeks now and he's usually so positive but I think the enormity of it all is (understandably) getting a bit much for him.

I just feel so helpless. If he needed a kidney I would give him mine. They could cut one out right now.  My Mum always taught me never to say "I want"... well Mum, I know you won't mind me using those words today!

I want Mike to get his transplant and be able to feel well again, something that we all - myself included - take for granted too much.
I want Mike to be able to go home to his beautiful wife Claire, who he misses so much that it breaks his heart.
I want Mike to be able to live the life of a 25-year-old and not have to be stuck in hospital linked to IV's.
I want him to smile his beautiful smile again. Mike is a truly beautiful person inside and out. He's my family!

Mike has a blog about his CF journey here and he follows mine so I'm sure he'll completely want to throttle me for writing this!

So, this is a little message to Mike:
Hey fella! I hope this blogpost doesn't offend. I hope you understand that I'm writing this not to get everyone to write you sympathetic messages, because I know you much you hate sympathy. You don't want to be treated any differently because you're not different. (Slightly odd sometimes, yes, but we'll let that one go :D). You're a normal 25-year-old being denied a normal life right now. But like I've told you, your new lungs WILL come and your ninja army of friends and family will hold you up and support you every step of the way. You've been there for me during the worst time in my life and it goes without saying that I'm always there for you too. I'm so proud of you and I'm writing this because I love you, dude! xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mike with his lovely wife Claire

 (shamelessly stolen from Mike's facebook!)

Lastly some little linkey-links for you: Cystic Fibrosis Trust to explain all that is CF better than I ever could, and the very important Organ Donation - UK home page.

xxx

Sad swollen chipmunk cheeks...

**Depressing (and a bit gory) blog post lovelies!!**

I'm feeling really glum today, and rather sorry for myself if I'm honest. Last year's depression aside, I'm generally very good at looking on the bright side of things and painting on a smile. But today....

I went into hospital on Thursday to have an impacted lower wisdom tooth removed by local anaesthetic and I'm in AGONY. I had to stop the surgeon twice because of a searing pain in my jaw and I soon discovered why.

Part of my jaw bone came away with the root of the tooth. I was told beforehand that this can happen, so I know it's not that serious because the bone will re-grow in a few weeks, but add to that 4 gum stitches and owww my gosh it hurts.

It was already bruised by the time I got to my Aunty Jennie's house 30 mins after leaving hospital (I stayed with my Aunt and Uncle that night - so pleased I did as I was going to come home until she told me that she didn't want me to be on my own) and after a rubbish night's sleep I woke up yesterday morning with a mahoooosive chipmunk cheek which literally looked as though it was housing a golf ball.

I was totally spoiled by my lovely aunt though and spent a really nice day yesterday helping her look after my cousin's two little ones. I came home to Gizmo cat yesterday evening and was so tired that I pretty much went straight to bed.

I thought that the chipmunk cheek was looking much better today until my neighbour saw me through the window - from across the road - and ran straight over to see if I was ok. Eeeek!

Anyhoo, am dosed up with painkillers that are not really working because I can still feel the stitches pulling. *sad face*

It took me 45 mins to eat some mashed potato and spaghetti hoops earlier too... I long for some nice solid food and to be able to open my mouth wide enough to actually eat it!

I'm also dreading work on Monday. I really don't want to go and sit on a reception desk and talk to people all day looking and feeling like this, but the bosses I work for hate people being off sick, and if they can drag themselves in with severed limbs (ok slight exaggeration here) then they expect us to do the same.

I'm sorry for bleating on about what most would probably consider to be a minor and trivial ailment (which it is, really) but feeling poorly and in so much pain always seems so much worse when you live on your own, and I just had to let it all out somewhere, you know?

And even Gizmo seems to know not to nuzzle up to me, so no cat cuddles either!

On the upside - see, I always have to try and turn my frown upside down! - Mr Postman has recently delivered my very first tiny MAC make up order aaaand some very cool books from Amazon, both parcels made me very happy indeed and I'll be blogging about my loot soon!

Once again apologies for this pitiful display of self indulgent wallowing. I hope that you are all well and enjoying your weekend :)

xxxx

(photo from weheartit)

5 years

Five years ago today you left us Grandad. It was a Tuesday. I can't believe it's been this long since I last saw you and held your hand.

I really, really, really miss you.

It still really hurts that you're not at the top of the road to wave me off on my way to work.

I still look for you there every morning.

I see you in the sunset. I see you just beyond the moon. I see you in my dreams.

I feel you in the rain that falls from heaven. I feel you in my heart.

But I still miss you.

And I love you more.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Then and now... flashback fun

Just a quick post as it's swimming night... I promised you that I would try to blog more often :)

It was my sister Olivia's 14th birthday recently. I can't believe that my little baby sister is 14 already, especially as it seems like yesterday when she was born... and I remember being 14 so clearly!

I was feeling nostalgic and looking through some old family photos on Sunday evening when I found this sweet pic that always makes me smile. HOPEFULLY little sis won't mind me sharing it with you!

This was the result one morning after my then 6-year-old sister arrived downstairs for breakfast having chosen her own, mostly home-made, accessories for the day.... all of them at once I think, awww :)

And this is a recent pic (I stole it from her facebook *sorry Livs*) :

Little sis is now taller than me too, much to her amusement! She's an intelligent, beautiful, caring, considerate, polite and FUNNY young woman and I couldn't be more proud of her.

Livvy, I tell you all the time but now everybody knows - your big sis loves you millions xxxxxxxxx

Bingo! I won! A good excuse to buy some loot...

Last Saturday I spent the day with my Daddy and his partner who live about 45 minutes away. We went to their local bingo hall before going for lunch, and I have to say, having never been before I was a wee bit sceptical about spending a few hours playing bingo... not somewhere I imagined myself going but hey, that's just me!

I was impressed by the venue though - clearly a disused 30's cinema with most of the original features... and the fantastic obligatory sparkly gold backdrop! I could only take a couple of sneaky phone pics though because people were giving me strange looks...

Bingo was actually a lot harder than I thought (don't laugh!), because we had a zillion books to play from and the caller read the numbers so quickly that I kept getting left behind... I soon got used to it though and I ended up really enjoying it :)

Aaaand, I won!!! £50 for a full house!! I couldn't believe it. I was actually a bit scared to call it because the other players always groaned when someone won (it gets very tense!), and then I was worried that I'd got it wrong because woe betide you.... the regulars were quite mean I thought when a lady called house by mistake. I guess it's tiresome if that happens when you play regularly, but.....

.... I needn't have worried. Yes, I won :)

After lunch, Dad and I went to the local discount outlet mall and I had muchos fun spending most of my winnings! This was my loot:

Nude pink top, £15 reduced from £23, Pilot

(also purchased a pair of black leggings for £7 but you all know what they look like!)

I have had a bit of a spree lately buying long casual tops to wear with leggings - this one had to be mine as I loved the lace and the diamante sparkles :)

We were just leaving to go back to my Dad's when, tucked away down a lonely "alley" I found a little independent discount beauty shop. Typically it was literally 10 minutes until the shopping mall closed but I dashed in anyway.....

Oh my gosh, I wished I had found the shop at least an hour earlier :( I was running around as if I was on a manic trolley dash with no time to decide on anything. All of my purchases were instant decisions and I just threw them into my basket.

St. Moritz self tanning mousse, £5.95; Revlon ColorStay in no. 150 (Buff), £8.95

I have NEVER tried wearing fake tan before, although I have always secretly wanted to try it. I've heard that St. Moritz is supposed to be as good as St. Tropez, and at that price I thought it was a good time to bite the bullet and buy! (ANY ADVICE WELCOME PLEASE!!)

I've wanted to try a new foundation for ages, but wouldn't buy one whilst I had lots of my existing one left. But now my Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse has almost run out, I made a beeline for this! Thank goodness I picked the correct colour...

I'm not all that impressed by the Dream Matte Mousse any more tbh, even though I've been using it for a few years. My skin has been very dry over the winter months and no matter how much I moisturise beforehand, this foundation looks cakey/flaky in places. It doesn't look too bad from a distance, but up close... *shudder*

Unlike Revlon's new PhotoReady foundation, ColorStay does not have a pump applicator, and being a bit of a make-up novice I was initially unsure how to apply it without wasting vast amounts. Good old youTube saved the day and the general consensus seems to be to pour a bit onto a piece of clingfilm and apply using a wedge. I haven't had a chance to try it yet so if you have any tips on how you use this foundation I would really appreciate it!

Benefit Cream Eyeshadow in Moon Doggie, £3.95

There was a whole Benefit stand AND I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT!!! :( I adore Benefit! With two minutes until the shop closed I saw this leap out among all of the other shadows and I just had to have it... plus it was the last one left in this shade and I felt sorry for it ;)

By this time the assistants were hovering by the doors ready to close up, so I went to pay. Then what do I see by the till? An overflowing NYX stand and a small Bourjois counter!! I could have cried.

I made a last-second grab for these whilst an assistant scanned the other bits and pieces:

Bourjois 3D cosmic shine lipgloss in no. 34 Rose Mythic, £1.95;

NYX Goddess of The Night mega shine lipgloss in no.127 Pink Frost, £3.95

They both smell A M A Z I N G.......

Excuse the Bourjois label - for some bizarre reason they annoy me

and I have to pick them off!

I thought they were both £1.95 but closer inspection of the receipt tells me otherwise.

However, I'm still smiling at these bargains!

I'm planning on another visit to this little shop soon - I cannot wait!

I also bought some bits and bobs in Claire's Accessories as extra presents for my little sister Olivia, who was 14 this week. Happy Birthday (again) Liv xxxxx

All in all it was a fantastic day.

Bingo + winnings,

yummy lunch,

walking around in the warm sunshine wearing a vest top for the first time this year,

shopping,

quality time with my Daddy

= a very happy Jo!

xx

MIA for so long! A little (rambling) update...

Hello my dears! I'm so sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been busy, busy, busy with work and life in general and just haven't had the time to blog myself or catch up with everyone else's... I've really missed you all :(

The main reason for my absence is because I've started swimming again. I used to swim a LOT because it's fab for my CP (cerebral palsy), which can make my lower leg muscles really painful and tense, especially if I am stressed or tired - it basically feels like permanent cramp, which sucks! When I was struck down (!) with depression last year, I lost ALL of my confidence and stopped socialising, my physio, swimming... and even had problems looking in the mirror at myself. I won't bore you with all of the details now, however a few of my older posts address that time in my life if you're at all interested :)

I'm slowly making good progress (yay!!) with the help of counselling and fantastic support from family and friends, and started swimming again about 4 weeks ago. I'm so proud of myself as this was a huge thing for me to do - not the swimming itself - but to put myself in a situation where people can see my legs, and lets face it it's scary enough for all of us girls to put on a swimming cossie!! I'm also annoyed at myself for giving up on it in the first place when it's so important to keep active, so am trying to win myself some brownie points back ;)

I swim with my Aunty Sue, who is sooo funny, I love her. She keeps me motivated too which is what I need. She's nearly drowned me through laughing at least six times!! We both love swimming and managed 60 lengths on Thursday evening (when we started we could barely swim 20) ... I REALLY ache and feel pretty exhausted for a couple of days afterwards but already feel that my balance and general fitness has improved :)

I'm going to start my hydrotherapy programme again in the next couple of weeks too, which will help to build up my core stability etc again. The plan is to swim once a week and do my hydro on the other pool visit - Aunty Sue is keen to give it a go too... go Aunty Sue!!!

I've also started socialising again with my lovely friends... not as much as I used to because I still feel pretty anxious about it, but baby steps and all that... it's been great to get myself glammed up for a night out on the tiles and feel like the old me.

So although I only swim on two weeknights per week, the rest of the time has been swallowed up by domestic drudgery, seeing friends and family etc etc, but as I said I've missed the whole Blogger community so I'm going to try harder to blog/comment etc.

Thanks for sticking with me, I really, really appreciate you all following/reading my musings. Big hugs :) xxxx

I'm baaaack!

Blogger, how I've neglected you... I am officially rubbish. I have no excuse other than the interruptions of life coupled with a serious lack of inspiration. Again. We've been here before, dear blog.

But seeing as I'm back, I want to say hiiii! to my lovely followers and readers - I hope you are all well! Thank you for sticking with me xxxx

What have I missed? Any gossip?!

Oh, if you get a minute or two, I'd really appreciate it if you could check out my cousin Mike's blog. Mike has Cystic Fibrosis and is going up to Newcastle on 8th March for his assessment to see whether he can go onto the waiting list for a lung transplant. He's going to keep a blog about this really important journey, so please pop by and say hello! He's my favourite cousin (ssshh!) and I love him loads :) Thanks guys xo

On my insomniac mind....

I have insomnia. Again. Currently thinking about:

1) My "Christmas Present Ideas" list which then migrates into:

2) "Christmas Presents - DONE" list (yes, it exists - get me!)

3) "Christmas Presents - TO BUY" list

4) "Christmas Card List" ... which is currently a blank page...

5) I hope to God that Marks & Spencer's online shopping service has improved since last year when half of the presents arrived after Christmas, despite me ordering in the first week of December. I was so disgusted that I swore that I'd never buy from them again. Clearly I never learn.

6) I must, must, MUST stop buying from the E.L.F website! I think I've spent around £40 this month :/ I feel so selfish treating myself at this time of year (see above)

7) I really want to eat the tin of Quality Street that I bought as a family present for my mum (family present - that also includes me haha!).

8) What are the people over the road DOING?? It's 1:00am and they keep slamming their wheely bin lid.

9) I think that I could actually abandon Facebook in favour of Twitter... the addiction is wearing off and I'm getting sick of my News Feed constantly being spammed with everyone's Mob Wars and Farmville achievements... (anyone else with me on this?)

10) I enjoyed "Twilight" (the book) but for some reason cannot get into "New Moon"...

11) ... which I started reading for two reasons. Firstly, because the movie came out, obv, and secondly because the Gordon Smith book I was reading scared me to death (I read to get to sleep)

12) I'm cold but refuse to switch the heating on outside of the timer programme. I have asked Santa for a pink Slanket :)

14) (no #13, I'm superstitious) I REALLY hope my cousin Michael gets his double lung transplant in 2010. Cystic Fibrosis is a cruel, cruel illness :( Mike's had a terrible year and I want him to be well again. He's GOT to get the transplant. I cannot bear to think of it not happening. I want him to be well.

15) Actually, all I want for all of my Christmasses is for Mike to get his transplant. I love him so much. He's always been incredibly brave and it breaks my heart because he's been feeling so ill.

Right, I'm off to make some Horlicks I think! Goodnight xx

Hmmm, I seem to have fallen into a regular-ish pattern of Sunday night blogging, usually at a time when I should be thinking about getting ready to go to bed - yes I really do try to eke my weekends out!

I do love to catch up with blogs on a Sunday evening though, it's a perfect way to wind down and relax, and I kind of make it my "treat" to conquer the Sunday Night Blues (that sounds so sad haha!)

Lately...

I went to see 2012 at the cinema on Tuesday night. I've been really keen to see this after seeing a trailer months ago, I think the first time was when I saw Harry Potter HBP. I absolutely love "weather" related movies like Twister and The Day After Tomorrow and I had really, really high expectations for 2012, especially after it did so well on the opening weekend.

Then my friend Ben went to see it on Monday (he loves weather movies too :)) and didn't think it was all that. However, I went along with an open mind. To be honest I was expecting a thought provoking movie along the lines of The Day After Tomorrow, which if I remember rightly even made the news when it was first released, as it carried a very clear eco message that posed the question: could this possibly happen? Eeek.

I very quickly realised that 2012 was not going to be one of those kinds of movies. I was getting really, really annoyed at the beginning too because to be honest it was one big giant Sony advertisement (did anybody else notice this too?? You will when you next see it ;)). I know that Columbia Pictures - the studio behind 2012 - is an arm of Sony Entertainment, but honestly the product overload was ridiculous!!

But once the action starts and you start to take the movie for what it is, then you'll probably really enjoy it. If you're after an action packed, tense, end of the world movie that is completely silly but totally immersing, then 2012 is the baby to go and see... and it is definitely one of those movies to watch on the big screen as the SFX are amazing. Just leave your logical brain at the door ;)

Once I had realised that I had to suspend all belief (!!), I absolutely loved it, even the uber cheesy ending. Would I watch it again? Yes!

I started my Christmas shopping. I love, love, love everything about Christmas. I still have an advent calendar every year and am as excited as when I was little when the Christmas tree goes up... eeeeeeeeeeee I can't wait!!!!

Sadly, I'm one of those people who has ZERO initiative when it comes to buying quirky and interesting presents. If someone tells me that they would like this, this or this, I'll quite happily toddle off and buy it, feeling really happy because I know that the recipient will love their gift and it won't be eBayed on Boxing Day or car-booted come the spring!

27/11/09:**EDIT** This continued into a bit of a Bah Humbug moan about lack of Christmas inspiration etc, so I've deleted the offending paragraphs! Note to self: Do not blog whilst in the throes of PMT....

Finally, I have made a momentous decision... to ditch my blonde hair!!

I have been highlighting my hair since I was 18 but over the past year or so it's progressively been getting lighter and lighter and it's now almost white blonde. I don't mind that in the summer, but at this time of year I think it looks a bit silly.

My hair is naturally quite fair anyway, so I don't have a massive visible roots problem, but it gets to the stage where I can't escape the fact that it really does need a touch-up and salon prices do not come cheap.

I've been pondering over what to do with it and for a while I really wanted to go brunette as I love brown hair, but that's a no-no. My skin is so fair that if dark hair doesn't make me look completely washed out, then my light eyebrows and lashes will definitely make me look like an idiot!! Haha!

Sooo, I've decided that I'm going to go au natrel (gulp!). When I was little I was blonde, but after I had my first proper haircut it turned really, really red, and then went auburn when I was a teenager. With my roots now visible, the general consensus is that my hair is "strawberry blonde" with more blonde than red (maybe the years of blonde has bleached my hair follicles?!?!) I'm just hoping that it really is blonde and not grey :s It's all a bit daunting after being blonde for so long... and what excuse will I have for my "blonde moments"?! :)

How are you guys getting on with your Christmas preparations? It doesn't seem possible that it's just over a month away. Where HAS this year gone?!?!
xx

Belated Birthday weekend Part 2: Stir-Up Sunday...

Today was Stir Up Sunday!!! For those who don't know, Stir Up Sunday is the traditional day for making Christmas Puddings and/or cakes. It's something to do with being the eighth Sunday after Trinity or something, idk.

Stir Up Sunday is a BIG tradition in our family and is something that Mum has instilled in Olivia and I to pass down to our families in the future. We stick on the Christmas Carols cd which we all sing along to and make the pudding together, taking it in turns to make a wish during the final Stir of the pudding... Christmas starts here!

Do you have Stir-Up Sunday too?

They were laughing at Daddy's wet shirt... (??)

And we're off! Christmas Pudding 2009 in the making...

Nearly there... can't you just smell Christmas looking at this...

Mum making her wish!

Olivia's turn...

Oh dear... say cheeeese!

Last but not least!

After lunch, a lovely surprise - BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!!! (It was a Me To You bear cake)

So Birthday celebrations are now officially over until next year. I have been thoroughly spoilt this week by friends and family and between my Chocolate Fudge cake from Dad and today's cake from Mum & Co, I have leftover cake coming out of my ears! Would anyone like some?!

I hope you have all had great weekends too!

xx

Belated Birthday Weekend Part 1: Meal, 24th October 2009

I have had an AMAZING weekend! I cannot remember the last time I felt so happy... and it was due to one thing - my family.

Because my Mum, Step-Dad and sister live about 40 minutes away, I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. That's not because we don't have transport to see each other, but because our work schedules make things difficult. My step-dad and I both work full time during the week, and my mum has her own business which often means that their weekends are fully booked away from home.

(I'll do a separate post on this, because my mum is AMAZING at what she does and it doesn't warrant a passing mention).

Oh, I don't like referring to my Step-Dad as "Step-Dad" because I always think the term sounds quite harsh. I think of him as my other Dad, so I'm calling him Daddy in my blog, which is what he is to my sister Olivia and what he gets called most of the time by all of us.

Anyway, the four of us went out for a meal on Saturday evening at my favourite EVER pub, The Hare Arms. It's not your regular run-of-the mill pub, but a gorgeous little place crammed full with all sorts of knick-nacks and curio. Peacocks roam freely outside and the pub cat enjoys plenty of fuss (and nibbles) from the patrons... aaaaah I could go on. And no, they are not paying me to sing praises!

Because the pub is nestled at the top of a little lane in the middle of nowhere, you pretty much have to drive there - thus it's frequented by a really nice clientele and you have to arrive before 7pm to get a table. It is definitely not the kind of place for fighting lager louts, which is great because I HATE it when you go somewhere and there is that undercurrent of tension, and you can't relax because you're aware that trouble could erupt at any moment. (That's why I prefer not to go out haha!)

Me... Birthday Girl!

This "lampstand" was massive! Great idea though!!

Peacock feathers from resident birds :)

A ceiling full of golf clubs...

My sister Olivia and I... guess who beckoned over the resident cat!!

Excuse the quality of some of the pics (there is no flash on my phone's camera).

It's probably just me, but if anybody else likes knowing what people had to eat (no? Just me then!) this is what we had:

Me: Baked Camembert & bread as a shared starter, which was divine. Main: Gammon & pineapple, salad and chips - again perfect, the gammon steak was as big as the plate! Dessert: Mile High Toffee Pie... oh so good!

Mum: The same as me apart from Tiramisu for dessert :)

Daddy: Starter: The same as Mum and I. Main: 14oz Rump Steak with salad and chips (very good apparently) Dessert: Creme Caramel.

Olivia: Preferred bread to start. Main: Lasagne, chips and salad (I think she enjoyed the chips and salad most, but we tried the lasagne and it was yummy!) Dessert: Four Tier Chocolate Fudge Cake... and Olivia couldn't quite believe it when she was unable to finish it... being defeated by chocolate is unheard of!

All in all it was the perfect birthday treat... xx

Birthday countdown has begun!!

Hello my dears! I hope everyone is well?

I cannot believe that Birthday Time is almost upon me again - it's frightening how quickly this last year has passed. The fact that I'm going to be 32 is beyond scary :|

Now that I'm getting older I find myself re-assessing my life and everything in it and to be honest it scares me a little as I never feel as if I have achieved anything from one year to the next.

My mood wasn't lifted by my Dad's partner, who thought it helpful to state "oh, you won't be having children will you, now that you're going to be 32" I replied that I had plenty of time yet but she just laughed and told me that she doubted it as I am still single. It's no secret that she hates me so I took it with a pinch of salt, but still, thanks a bunch.

Anyway, for some reason I haven't given much thought to my birthday this year - maybe because I usually go away. Well I say "usually" but to be honest it's only been the last couple of birthdays that I've jetted off somewhere. Last year I was staying with my best friend Lisa, who emigrated to Malta earlier in 2008, and for my 30th in 2007 Lisa and I were in my beloved New York (oh, how I miss that city).

I know that I'm going out for a belated meal next weekend with my Mum, Step-Dad and sister but I haven't even made any concrete plans with friends this year... how sad is that?! I'm sure that we will end up celebrating somehow though...!

Today my lovely Dad and his partner came over to see me and bring some presents. My Dad lives about an hour away and sadly I won't see him on Tuesday.

On their way to my house, Dad and his partner stopped off to browse at a car boot sale, and Dad found this and thought of me - and it only cost 20p!! I LOVE Ant and Dec, so am very pleased! It isn't a birthday present, but co-incidentally I did ask Dad for their new autobiography, Ooh What A Lovely Pair!

The three presents at the back are from Dad and his partner (I'm being polite. To be honest, I know that they are just from Dad really), and the little one at the front is from two of Dad's friends. And I have a few cards already! My Grandma always sends mine early so it's sure to get to me on time - she's adorable. I miss her awfully and wish that she didn't live so far away.

I was only expecting one present from Dad, so I was really touched when he gave me the bag containing the others too. I am under strict orders not to open them until Tuesday :)

And if that wasn't enough, he also gave me this:

What an absolute darling my Dad is! He even thought to include a pink candle... I nearly melted! I adore anything with toffee / fudge so this is beyond perfect! Excuse the pun but it really was the icing on the cake :)

Oh, before I forget, I was heating up a lazy ready-made curry last night, and this REALLY made me laugh:

                                     

"Please cut open to serve"???? Oh please. This is insanity. What on earth do they think people are going to do, just sit and LOOK at it???

Have a good week everyone xx

Happy Father's Day! x

Before I forget, I just wanted to thank two very special men today - my daddy and my step-dad. I cannot express how much I appreciate everything that you have done for me over the years. You mean the absolute world to me and I love you both millions xxx

Dad and I xxx

With my step-dad, Mum and sister xxx

Happy Father's Day to the Dad's of the world!

xx