Christmas in Review

Well what a whirl this week has been! I can't believe just this time last week was Christmas Eve (which this year I spent in the the gym and pool in an attempt to stave off some of the Christmas gluttony!!) It was odd watching Muppets Christmas Carol on the treadmill and stairmaster, particularly when I kept laughing out loud! Anyhoop, Christmas Eve was lovely - Rich and I had dinner together (he made his Jamie Oliver baked potatoes) and watched 'A Christmas Story'. We then ventured to the Murphy's - stopping to collect the Blackler-Williams' on the way - for Christmas merriment. From there onto the 11:30pm service at church (disappointing 25 minute sermon - it's CHRISTMAS for crying out loud!!) and home to bed before Santa arrived!!

I awoke at 8:30am this year - a first for me! I must be growing up...nah.

We made tea in our Christmas mugs and went to see if Father Christmas had been - he had!!!!
In my stocking I had a lovely sleep mask like Carrie Bradshaw, some Nike goggles (posh) and 3 Terry's Chocolate Oranges - not Terry's..MINE! And a plethora of lovely gifts were also under the tree. We spent a good hour rip-rip-roaring and then had bacon and eggs (on the Christmas plates!) and watched a bit of the morning carol service. It was a bit of a novelty not going to the morning service as it meant we had bags of time to enjoy Christmas and ease into the day rather than rushing round like loonies!

At one o' clock we went up to Rich's parents and did rip-rip-roaring round #2! Jess was a bit overwhelmed but LOVED her recorder and My Little Pony Watch!

Here are a few Christmas morning pics!!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...

Here it is, the 2006 Wall tree! The gifts are wrapped and ready for the rip, rip, roar...I can't wait to see people's faces! Love Christmas, love it.

So here it is, merry curry!

The 4th Annual Secret Santy Balti has been and gone! Christmas is now officially well and truly open for business! Woo! Much merriment was made, and curry eaten. Highlights of the event included Rich and Paul arguing about whether a Balti or a Madras was hotter, Colin getting some yoghurt on the sly from the waiter to enable him to eat his own lamb madras and then trying to weasel out of the fact that he'd done it, Gary's hair, Lisa chanting 'Sh*t present, sh*t present' whilst amazingly under the influence, Chris determined not to be the Holiday Cheermeister for the Secret Santa present exchange and refusing to do the Chair if Cheer, and then absolutely LOVING IT, Keri's bemused expression at her hubby's Paparazzi antics, poor Abbi's poorly voice, Murph (of all people) getting the 'SPECIAL' Balti, and the fact that there were 22 of us (hence the bill being £13.25 each - woo!).

I feel so lucky to know and love such wonderful people, and I think it's a rare thing indeed that 22 people who grew up together, all left for university and various other exploits, have returned and brought with them new loved ones....a real community, true childhood friends. I hate to get all 'Dawson's', but it really is special! (not special needs)

Ooh I feel all Christmassy now! Bring it onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

I love myelf!!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=1e838b9f3abcbc56956972fG06122106


This is HILARIOUS!!!!!!!! Check me out (turn your speakers on!!)
FOUR MORE SLEEPS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watched the Grinch last night - that movie freakin' well ROCKS!!!!!!!

Work 'Do'

Well, the work do has been and gone - last Saturday to be exact, but I thought I'd post a few choice pics - mainly so I can show the work birds. We had fun, especially introducing Dawn to babycream!

Love Liverpool...love it!

Visions of sugar plums

FIVE MORE SLEEPS TO GO PEOPLE!

Roll on Friday! The Annual Secret Santy Balti is nearly upon us! And then, a day or two of frantic wrapping and watching Christmassy films and then, and then.... it will be HEEEEEEERE!!

That's it, I can't wait any longer. I'm wearing my reindeer antlers to work tomorrow.

It's official...

When:Wednesday May 30, 2007
Where: Wembley Arena
Who: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!! OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!

I am so excited! The whole band is FINALLY coming to the UK after years of us waiting! So, we get to see Ben Folds in Jan, Sugababes in March, Dave on his own in March and then the dog's cojones of all bands ....The Dave Matthews Band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*pukes with excitement*

This may make the dreaded post Christmas slump into depression a little easier to weather.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT chuffing WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!

Further Fezziwig Frolics!

The Official Start to Christmas!

The festive season saw its official commencement this weekend, with the Annual Ballinger family pilgrimage to Ullswater for the Fezziwig Celebrations.

We journeyed up the M6 to the Lakes, arriving about 7pm Friday evening. The meeting point was a quaint olde worlde pub in the nearby village of Pooley Bridge. Once all 16 of us had arrived (including Little Ted) we headed out in convoy to the cottage. It was FREEZING and I had to sleep in my hat and a fleece as well as pajamas BUT once there we could truly relax and begin to ease into the festive season. We began by decorating the cottage with stills from the Grinch movie, care of Mrs Hoppy aka Aunty Sue - chief party planner for this year's event, Christmas tree, Ikea Gingerbread hearts, fairylights and all with select Christmas tunes from our ipods - oh the marvels of the BOSE sound dock! A festive mood settled over the group as Jackie's lentil and bacon soup was served. The requisite family showing off then commenced, as by this time everyone had had a drink - except the kids, coz that would be wrong!

Harry (my 9 year old cousin) and I entertained the troops with our version of Troy & Gabriella's 'Breaking Free' - the theme from High School Musical, and Aunty Jan indulged in a Baileys and a spot of table dancing to her new favourite tune 'Voodoo Child' by Rogue Traders, (yes she is quite, quite delightfully mad)

After a colossal fry up on Saturday morning, we wrapped up warm, loaded Ted into his all-terrain buggy and set out on a mammoth walk. 3 glorious hours of walking in the fresh air, surrounded by family and friends and absolutely breathtaking views....and a little adventure involving a flooded road, an improvised bridge (nice one Rich!) and everyone being EXTREMELY thankful for my wellies!!! We ended up back at Pooley Bridge for hot chocolate before journeying back to the cottage for Aunty Sue's famous chilli, a big old feast, festive cheer, dancing in the 'ball room' to 'December the 25th', Paul dressign as a Fairy, Ted in his Santy suit, Blankety Blank, introducing a new generation to 'Empires' and generally just wonderful Whobilation in abundance!!

Some of the photos are posted here - a truly wonderful weekend, perfectly ushering in the beginning of Christmas for us. 14 sleeps till Santa everybody! Deck the Halls etc etc. Tomorrow we get the tree!

It's December!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Omigoodness omigoodness I can't believe it's here! 'It's the most wonderful time of the year...' I love EVERYTHING about this season - Jesus, opening my Advent calendar each morning (with a nativity on, minus the chocolate!), planning when to get the tree, seeing lovely Christmas trees waiting to be claimed and to fulfil their Christmas destiny, the Christmas lights in Liverpool that are surprisingly overtly Christian this year (woo hoo!), shopping, that moment when you find someone you love something they'll love, queues in shops and being chilled in them, carols, being gracious to people who are clearly stressed whilst shopping and loving the look of surprise on their faces, Christmas songs on my ipod, running for 45 minutes on the treadmill and barely noticing due to Jessica Simpson ReJoyce and Doris Day Christmas songs on my ipod, the thrill that rushes through me every time I think of the fact that it's Christmas, the cold weather, wearing hats, scarves and gloves, red paper cups at Starbucks, permanent 'Best Christmas songs ever' countdowns on MTV, the Christmas window displays, particularly in Lewis', spending my lunch hour standing 'in Christmas' in Beatties and breathing it all in, watching the Grinch and Ralphie Ralphie, Christmas cards, glimpsing people's trees all lit up on the walk home, candles, wearing my reindeer antlers, singing carols in the shower, the Blue Peter Advent Crown, the Round Table folks that take the sleigh out each year, late night shopping, the Christmas market in Williamson Square, planning the Secret Santy Balti and trying to stop everyone cheating, midnight mass on Christmas Eve, TWIGLETS, the smell of the Christmas tree when you get up in the morning, lying with on my back under the tree looking up through the branches and lights, food, being with family, chair of cheer and rip rip roar....oh boy I could go on and on, but I'll stop for now - don't wanna peak too early!

Pic is of last year's tree - the first Liz & Rich married tree! This year apparently we're having a smaller one...whatEVER husband, you're overruled where Christmas is concerned my friend!!

Update!

Hey peeps, sorry for the delay, been a mad week.

I did manage the buy nothing thang, and instead had my mummy and sister over for breakfast which was LOVELY!

Haven't anything to really report, other than that (obviously) it's less than 4 weeks till Santa!

And finally... isn't this just the smiliest face EVER! This is my friend Charis, who loves to be outdoors and is passionate about pigeons - don't you just love this smiley gal! This photo cheered me up no end during what has been rather a poop week, so thanks Cazmo, I love ya xxx

Bit of a serious post...

This Saturday, 25th November 2007, is BUY NOTHING DAY! "It's a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending!"
Check out the Buy Nothing Day website

"This year our message is simple, shop less - live more! The challenge is to try simple living for a day, spend time with family and friends, rather than spend money on them. Buy Nothing Day also exposes the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism.The developed countries - only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage and unfair distribution of wealth.

Cool hey - I am REALLY gonna try and do this. Join me!!

32 Days till Santa!!

*gasp* Starbucks have swopped their take-out cups to the Red ones which means Christmas is a-comin'!!! WOOT WOOT!

what?

So, no one's got anything to say about Dave or Bond? I am flummoxed.

Local boy makes good

Boy oh boy! Methinks I have a new pin up. Yes ladies and gents, we went to see Bond last night. Truly great movie - Craig is, imo, the best ever Bond. Looks like he's been through a few scuffles in his time, wouldn't wanna meet him in a dark alley (or would I? Hmmmm...) BUT looks equally at home in the old Tux...mean, sexy, brooding, ruthless, yummy...I could go on.
Loved it. Loved him. Love him. Oh dear, I think I need to go and have a lie down.

PS. Only think that p'd me off was Mathis' constant 'asides' during the poker game, no need for it at all, purely there to update the audience. I know bob all about poker but even I could figure out what was going on without the whispered '$1,000,000 all in now, this means that Bond has to...blah blah' NO NEED!

PPS. Mmmmmm...Daniel Craig......

PPPS. Richard says to tell you that (a) don't worry, our marriage is fine, and (b) Daniel Craig went to the High School where Rich works.

Dave!

IS BACK! Thursday March 1st 2007 @ Mancland Apollo....a WOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are you doing June 27th - 30th 2007???

'Coz I'm gonna be in Seussical: The Musical!!! Get booking those tickets!! Yes indeedy people, over the past couple of weeks I have been doing song and dance auditions to join the West Kirby Light Opera Society!! I found out that I have been formally accepted into the Society and now I can be in stuff! WOO HOO! Their next production is an American broadway musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss (Green Eggs and Ham, Cat in the Hat, The Grinch who stole Christmas etc etc etc) and I am gonna be struttin' my stuff and treading the boards as a member of the cast! I'm gonna be in the chorus for this one, so lots of singing and dancing - I'll probably end up as a Who, much to the delight I'm sure of my family!

So that's what I've been up to - I'm very excited and it's just what I need to expend all this creative energy. It occurred to me that for the first time since I was 4 years old I am not in any form of education! That's always been what's prevented me in the past, but now I am freed up to be the biggest Annie EVER!

All together now people *Jazz Hands*

Britney and Chilli Finger

Two things to report, firstly and most importantly, the news broke out last night that Britney and K-Fed are no more. Citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ (aka the LA excuse’) Britney has filed for divorce. Now, I would never say I was glad that the diabolical divorce statistics are being added to but I cannot help thinking that poor old Brit might be a bit better off now to get her head together - K-Fed seemed like a Ratfink from Day One to me!

Slightly concerned about all the ‘Hollywood’ marriages going down the toilet at the mo! Nick and Jess, Reese and Ryan, Brit and K-Fed...who’s next?!

Second thing is that I have chilli finger today and it HURTS! I made some carrott and coriander soup last night (mmm!) and added a chilli for a little kick. However, some of it must have got behind my nail as it was killing last night – as if I’d torn the nail from the skin – so I licked it, as you do, and from then on for about 2 hours my mouth was on fire as well as my poor finger – so it must have been that darn chilli!

Soup was nice though.

Tra luvs xxx

These are a few of my favourite things...

My sister, J-Fen, and Mr Lizzie...

loco @ coco's

So last night was Daddy and J-Fen's combined Birthday Celebrations at Cocotoo's in Manchester http://www.cocotoo.co.uk/ which is frankly a fabulous restaurant. We parked at Johnny's and braved the Baltic conditions to get to the venue, but boy was it worth it! FAB family times of catching up, swapping of presents and Rich even tried a mussel ("Are these the same as the muscles in my body?" eh Abbers?!). Beaucoup de pink wine was drunk and lovely, gorgeous food scoffed. Great night, fab conversation, wonderful people, hilarious pictures. I *heart* my family!

Laura's Hat

So, Laura came to the wedding as the Andi McDowell figure from FWAAF (whether she likes that fact or not) in an AMAYZING hat! (see numerous pictures) Unfortuately I do not appear to have any shots of Laura herself wearing said hat, however what these shots do demonstrate is what happens when you leave my friends in easy reach of a smashing hat. I seem to recall at Wen's wedding, everyone tried on Anna's fabulous hat when she left it on a table! What is it with rent-a-crowd and hats? Hmmmm, I dunno, but the pictures are hilarious!

Like the new look?

Felt like time for a change.
No further news to report...slow week.

One other thing...

LOVE IT that you guys who read this are randomly reading the blogs of people you don't know! Case in point, Julie appearing on Rike's blog today -check it out at onecoffeebean2many.blogspot.com and Abbi falling in love with the adventures of the Wenham nippers. VERY COOL! I love it that my scattered pals are aware of one another, even if it is via cyberspace.

Back to the weekend - here's Hanny & her Man(ny)! Such a beautiful couple. (Christian, Hann, apologies for yelling 'Get a Room' quite so loudly, however you only have yourselves to blame!! AND Chris yelled it first!)

Wedding Shenanigans

Here's the first installment - Blogger is being (to use a phrase the kids I work with use regularly) 'gay' and will only let me upload one photo per time - which is tiresome to say the least...I took 103 pictures during the event! (including several of random individuals wearing Laura's 'Andie MacDowell' Hat!!) So bear with me, I'll try to post as many as I can!

This is (obv!) Ricardo y yo - cute huh?!

F-F-F-FRIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Hurrah! It's the weekend! Today I had 2 hours TOIL so I got to come home at 3pm which felt delicious! It's been a busy week work-wise and a fun week friend-wise. Weds evening was dinner chez Povall-Mitchell which was truly whoopass: great food, great company, great wine, great times. Thanks you guys! Then yesterday some of the gals went to see 'The Devil Wears Prada' which I thought was FABBALUS! A little slow at times, and they changed too much of the book for my liking BUT Ann Hathaway may just be my new style icon - she is soooooooooooooooooooo beeyootiful! And I thought Meryl Streep was amAZING! (although I got her confused with Glenn Close for a bit - think it was coz of Cruella DeVille)

And so to the weekend...The Campbell-Walker nuptials draw on apace, in that they are tomorrow! Pictures to follow!

"That's all"

Hyperventilating! Must calm down! OMG!

So I went to TK Maxx on my way home (as you do) to look at shoes (again, as you do) where I happened upon the beautiful pair photographed ici! THEY ARE REAL LIFE JESSICA SIMPSON SHOES!! ARRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!! How beeyootiful are they!?I cannot believe it! Best of all they were only £20! A mere trifle! Online they cost a BOMB! Real life Jessica Simpson shoes. Absolutely bloody brilliant. I almost screamed in the store! Had to have a sit down and breathe into a paper bag (not really, but it could have happened)

Laters people I'm off to swank around my house in my shoes!!

Hurrah!

It's the weekend! WOOT WOOT! Not that I don't love my job, because I do, but I also lurve the weekend.

Things I'm loving right now:

• Feeling smug when I go swimming instead of shopping on my lunch hour.
• Dinner date with the Beev last night - Frankie & Benny's, Mussels Marinere and Emma - WHAT a joyous compilation!
• Staying in to watch Jonathan Ross tonight with a glass of vino.
• Singing along to the radio in the office.
• Going to see Devil Wears Prada with Abbers next week.
• Having the Mitchell-Povalls for dinner on Saturday - menu tbc!!
• Seeing Little Ted last Monday and having him just laugh at me every time he looked at me!
• Candles
• Tangerines (is 4 a day excessive?)
• Tidy house (yes, 2 weeks post-mega-cleanandclearout it's still neat as the proverbial pin!)
• Lisa and Jez's upcoming nuptials!
• Bonny night plans
• WILKOS - my new favourite magasin!
• Christmas secrets - I LOVE knowing things others don't hee hee hee

That's all for now parce-que je suis dans the office! xx

today, on the way home...

...i went past an old people's residential block of flats and for the first time noticed that there are bars on the ground floor windows. For some reason it made me unspeakably sad. I go past that building every day. Why did I only notice today?

GuEsS WhAt??!!!!!!!!!!!

67 sleeps till SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get fired up!!! WOOT WOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Ten Weeks Today....

....it'll be Boxing Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas is a-coming people! WHIP IT UP!!!!!!!!!!

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead!

HURRAH! The Serial Killer phase is over (by that I mean the inordinate amount of 'murder & mayhem' books I have been reading since the begining of summer) and all thanks to the lovely, new Anna Maxted - one of my favourite authors. 'A Tale of Two Sisters' is in my grubby mitts and I am thoroughly enjoying it!

Hope you're all having a lovely week!

Love me xxxx

Secret Surprise

Early last week I received a little red notice through the door to say that the Postman had been and tried to deliver a parcel but because I wasn't in and it was too big to fit through the letter box, it had been taken to the depot which is annoyingly/marvellously (depending on your punto de vista) just up the road. After much protesting (and in the end swearing on my Valentino handbag) to my hubby that I had NOT secretly ordered more of either Party of Five OR Seventh Heaven dvd's, fast forward to Saturday morning as I was preparing to go to the Clarke/Roberts wedding (smashing do...more later) lovely Rich hightailed it to the post office which, of course, is only open at stupid o'clock, to pick up my parcel. Back he came with a plain brown business envelope, postmarked Southport.....hmm...what was it?

Well, inside was this stunning book entitled 'Post Secret'! There was no card, there was no note. Whoever has sent this to me knows me well enough to know that I would be so gleeful and joyous at having been 'posted' a 'secret'. I LOVE this blog and visit it regularly (see www.postsecret.blogspot.com) and have told a few people about it, just as I was told about it...so I am puzzled as to who has mailed it to me but suffice to say it was a truly wonderful surprise and I love the anonymity of it - though admittedly I am intrigued by it.

ThAnK YoU secret book-mailer...whoever you are! I am thrilled to own this book of true to life confessions, I will read with care and wonder about the people who were so moved as to contribute to the blog and ultimately to this stupendous book.

Thank you xx