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

Gigs, Gogs, Specs

Today I got glasses! These aren't them, these belong to Mr Paskar BUT I did get some today. My mummy came with me to help me pick ones that didn't make me look a bugger. I chose 2 pairs - 'shoulda gone to SpecSavers' - and one is black and the other brown so as to coordinate with my outfits - I'm not kidding. Best of all, the Council paid some towards them so I am not totally broke - woot woot!

In other news, no-one blogs anymore (except you Charis!), tomorrow I am going to a wedding (Congrats Mr & Mrs Roberts) at the Lowry, I get to stay at Johnny's and eat at Kro 2 on Sunday morn - mmmmmmmm. And then some of my bestest pals are back from their travels in Africa: Abbi, Hanny, Chrissy, Luce, Gav, Stoff, Rob WELCOME HOME! We missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's all my news for today....laters people xxxxx

Feliz Cumpleanos!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!!! Yesterday I was 28! YIKES!

I can't cope.

Ok, so during the month of September this year, I have thus far had to endure (a) having my first ever filling, (b) the looming prospect of turning 28 and (c) today I found out I need glasses!

I AM OFFICIALLY OLD AND DECREPID! :(

On the up side, I opened the latest edition of Heat Magazine yesterday (whilst at the effing dentist...AGAIN!), turned to the Letters Page and there it is, page 20, Letter of the Week...ME,ME, ME!!!!!!!!!! Woot Woot! I have finally achieved a lifetime ambition of being (a) a published author) and, (b) in HEAT MAGAZINE!

Yes ladies and gents, I am now famous!

PLUS I get a new phone for being Letter of the Week!

And all because I thought I saw a photo of John Travolta snogging Dermot O'Leary. As my dear papa would say, stranger things have happened at sea!

Hanny Heart

Hanny's in lurve! Hanny's in lurve! (I take it the move was made) She'll kill me for this blog but I had to! YAY FOR HANNY AND CHRISTIAN! About ruddy time! I love u Hann xxxx

We're BA-ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had a whizzo time in Pwllheli! Now back at work (poop) but hey-de-ho, what can ya do?

Went to the dentist today - was shocked to see that she was younger than me. Felt like one of those old women who questions the validity of a doctor/dentist/other such professional qualifications coz they look too young. haha.

Considering porcelain veneers.....or whitening at the very least. On verra!

Bugger all to report really, so I'll go for now till I have something more thrilling to write.

Tra

PS I am nearly 28 - booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

We're all going on a much needed holiday!

Ok, so here's something I was thinking about the other day. I really like the way Bus Drivers wave to one another when they pass. I've noticed this a lot on my daily commutes. It's like a club or something. But it's very serious, as Arriva drivers only acknowledge fellow Arriva drivers, and Stage Coach their fellow Stage Coachers, and so on. It's all about solidarity. Community. Team. Showin' the love. I think it's great.
We're off to the caravan tomorrow - it'd better be sunny. If not, Turkey next year fo' sho'!!
So I won't be blogging until we're back as the Internet hasn't been invented yet in Pwlhelli or however the heck you spell it. Try not to miss me too much. This is, therefore, my last post of the summer! Wowee how quickly time flies! It'll soon be my birthday…YIKES! 28! Yeesh!
Loads to look forward to in Sept, take heart dear reader! Weddings x 2, another hen do, Hann's bday, my bday, the nights drawing in, 16 weeks till Christmas, red wine and gal pals, winter fashion, the gang to Kenya, the gang back from Kenya (2 weeks guys, it's just for 2 weeks!!), new shoes, new pencil case, ooooh the back to school vibe!!
And to finish…
A quick hello to Mitchell and Povall who are rejoining Blighty soon from a year's travelling! AND a VERY WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS to Jenny Holmes on a whopping 2 A's, 3 B's and 5 C's in her GCSE'S!!!! We're so proud of you chicken Holmes!
Ciao bellas, a caravaning we will go!

Discovered treasure

Well, we got the table cameras from the wedding developed and amongst the plethora of drunken/random/over exposed/under exposed shots was this little gem! Lookee here! Two of my most favouritest peeps dans tout le monde! Cate and Penny! I love you girls!

Each of them has been a huge influence in my life and I pray that they will continue to be. Man I wish I could convey to you what these girls mean to me, but I can't. I hope they know though. Simply whizzo laydeez.

All about me

I had a truly sh!t day. I need attention.

Wen doos and Heddings

is exactly how I feel after two full days of going to bed past 3am and indulging in 'all that blasted salmon and champagne' (for the FWAAF fans amongst you!) I am so tired it's unbelievable, but WHAT A CRACKIN TWO DAYS! It began on Saturday evening with a lingerie shower for the bride-to-be (pictured above left) Izzy, followed by a swift bouteille de cava and venturing into the wilds of none other than Mancland to Tiger Tiger for dinner and then dancing at the Lime Bar. Try as I might I could not for love nor money get hold of any of my mancland gal pals: Penny was visiting rellies with the Wenham entourage, Rikes and Sal were in that London and Cate was nowhere to be found...I did try to text lovely! Anyhoop, much fun was had dancing to cheesy tunes and I am VERY excited indeed for The Birdcage to open in the Autumn....A PROPER OLDE WORLDE CABARET CLUB! WOOT WOOT!! I shall certainly be frequenting that venue, let me tell thee!

Back to the weekend - it was a quick dash through the tunnel on Sunday morning to Skelmersdale (!?) for Kate and Kevin's wedding (pictured above right) - what a glorious occasion. I really think weddings might actually be my most favouritest things ever! The reception was held at the Speke Marriott Hotel - the old Aerodrome. WOWEE Art Deco-tastic! I could seriously live there, sans doute. It was nice to be able to stumble into our hotel room, post-wedding at 3am.

So all in all a great 2 days celebrating with people I love very much.

Also, I had my first KFC ever....it was NOT GOOD. But I'm glad Liverpool won the Community Shield.

Big fat love, me xxxxx

Current reasons to be happy...

Reasons to be happy currently include…

The sun is back - WOOT WOOT!
Life is one big social whirl at the moment what with the usual plethora of summer-time weddings and hen do's.
I found the fabbest necklace in Monsoon and when I got to the till it was half off in the sale. (LOVE it when that happens)
My hubby is ok, despite having broken his little finger in a cricket match
My lovely friend Kate gets married this weekend.
We had big fun with Ali & Alan t'other night @ Yiamas
Normal telly is back up to date with us in Lost so Tuesday evenings are fun again (They went a bit poop when The OC finished)
Nikki might get to back into the BB House tomorrow!
Abbi was a hard ass and stood up for herself @ the Wirral Show! YOU GO GIRL!
I got to spend the whole of Saturday with mummy and my beautiful little sister
When I was in that London I SAW TREV!
We got a postcard from Little Ted who is on his holidays. He is having fun and is especially enjoying sitting up in his buggy.
Mummy and daddy go for their annual pilgrimage to Lake Garda this week to parade around and pretend to be Italian.
I found the BESTEST bday gift for Hanny Heart that I want to give her NOW and not wait till September.
I got to sing last night at church and it was F-U-N!
The hairdye has FINALLY washed off my hand (OOPSIE!)
We are nearly going on our holiday - I CANNOT WAIT TO BE OFF WORK!
Jenson Button won his first Grand Prix and was so humble about it that I felt quite sorry I had written him off as a D-Head.
Season 5 of 24 comes out soon

And the bestest reason of all......
THERE ARE ONLY 20 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All creatures, great and small

So, I was walking along the road by my office en route to the post office during lunch yesterday, minding my own business, listening to Sergio Mendes on my trusty ipod, enjoying the searing heat although being slightly annoyed coz I had a black top on (bad fashion choice in such temperatures!), I walked past the lifeguard station and admired the bronzed bodies clad in their yellow t-shirts and tight red shorts...mmmm.... not really, they're all old men! ANYHOOP where was I? Oh yeh, so I walked past the lifeguard station (Very Baywatch - but this IS New Brighton!) and almost trod on the cutest little snail!!! I managed to avoid him and walked on, when I was struck with the thought 'what if someone else treads on him, I should move him' and then I thought 'Ok, if he's still there when I get back I'll move him' and then I thought how bad I would feel if I came back and he's been squashed and I could have done something about it. At this point, I kid you not, my eyes filled with tears at the thought of the snail being squashed, such was my sense of responsibility!

Obviously, by the time I had thought all this (bearing in mind it was so hot and one's brain thinks slower in the heat!!) I'd practically got to the Post Office! Yet, I was sooooooo convicted about this snail and worried about him I turned around and walked all the way back to where he was, picked him up, had a little chat with him and then placed him safely on a garden wall in the shade where there were plants and greenery so he would be ok. Then I had to go all the way back to the blinkin' Post Office. And THEN on the way back, I walked past my snail again and he was still sitting on the wall but had slithered (?) crawled (?) into a more shady bit so he wouldn't cook in the heat!

Clever snail, and a nice little lunch time adventure, allbeit with a slightly unnecessary overly emotional response!!

Right, I'm off to that London for the weekend, ciao bellas xxxxx

Introducing......

ABBI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(she's the one with the luscious locks NOT holding a can of Foster's...other lager brands are available...)

I thought it was high time I blogged about 10 reasons why I love Abbi, simply because she happens to be one of the world's best kept secrets. For those of you lucky enough to know or have met her, you are blessed indeed. And for those of you who haven't...read on. So here it is, 10 reasons why I *heart* Abbi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#1 - She was the chief co-conspirator and author of the now infamous 'Year of Naughtiness'!

#2 - We have been through thick and thin together - climbing mountains, the American summer, JT's chunky legs and death-defying LURVE, puking on planes, being drunk as Lords, arguments, fallings out, petty jealousies, makings up, streaking of hair with bleach, me trashing her room simply because it was too tidy, the list is endless...and yet in spite of all this, and actually now that I think about it because of all of this, we have a tried and tested, truly beautiful friendship that has stood the test of time and will last a lifetime. Like any relationship we have to work at it and sometimes we're pants at it BUT deep down, the love is there.

#3 - Abbi is truly the epitome of 'nice'. Now, some people think that word is crap, but to me it describes Abbi perfectly. Don't think this gal's all wet blanket - no siree. She's NICE. She listens to me and makes me feel super-important. She remembers little details that make you feel a million dollars. She has a way of offering a straight-down-the-line challenge in the nicest possible way that leaves you feeling loved and yet ass-whupped!

#4 - Her alter ego is named Bella. Mine is Liberty, and together with Heidi we've had many adventures. Tenereefee has been a particular favourite of mine...remember the Dog Poo Dessert Abbers??!!

#5 - She is really 'of another time' - specifically Jane Austen times where life was all 'Country Living' Magazine and serene, blissful and perfect. Her romantic soul sometimes gets naffed off in real life, but underneath she truly is all about dresses and ringlets.

#6 - She smoked 'Apple Tea' through a bong in Prague and still insists it was nothing dodgy. 'Nuff said.

#7 - She has a hardcore work ethic. She understands what it means to work your ass off and play damn hard too. All on the same day. Whilst wearing high heels. On cobblestones. Together, she and I single-handedly mounted a 400 strong children's Parade from St. George's Hall in Liverpool through the city to the steps of the Museum. All 400 kids were dressed as creatures made from recycled garbage. It was the 1st Annual GLitter Fesitval whereupon Liverpool sparkled. Straight after that we had a quick change Superman stylee, (not in a phone box, although very nearly almost!), and went straight to a Sugababes gig @ the Royal Court and from there to the post-GLitter wrap party, complete with 10 foot Trannys on stilts. Nice. It was a FABBALUS day and one in which we crammed an entire month's social calendar into 24 hours.

#8 - When she was little she thought when a congregation collectively said 'Thanks be to God' after a reading had been done, that they were actually saying, 'Thanks Peter God'. Now I cannot say those words in church without thinking of mini Abbi thinking God's first name was Peter!

#9 - On holiday we both had a different bikini for each day we were there, hence the now infamous 'bikini of the day' photographs! AND Abbi managed to tan the letter 'S' on her stomach.

#10 - She is destined to go so far in life and be so happy. And sometimes she doesn't know this and it's hard. BUT one day she will look back on the tough times and be all 'OMG all my dreams HAVE come true' and there will be MUCHo rejoicing.

And that's Abbi....I could actually keep going to about 100 things I love about her...but this will suffice for now. She is SIMPLY AMAZING.

Thought it was about time....

...I updated this blog. Don't really have anything to say though which is something of a problem. Would hate to be accused of blogging just for the sake of it. That would, in effect, be tantamount to spamming one's own blog!

I have mostly been a bookworm of late. Over the past 3 weeks I have read:
- Mum's at home - can't remember author
- If I were you - Julia Llewelyn
- Lifeguard - James Patterson
- Psychopath - Keith Ablow
- Fourth of July - James Patterson
- Second Chance - James Patterson
- Blindsighted - Karin Slaughter
- No place like home - Mary Higgins Clarke
- Honeymoon - James Patterson
- The Society - Michael somebody or other
- We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver

Frankly it's a wonder I get anything done! My most favouritest have been We need to talk about kevin, an epistolary novel about a mother writing to her estranged husband after their son kills 7 of his classmates. Very Clever, won the Orange award. AND No place like home which was a thriller. I seem to be in the missle of a 'murder and mayhem' read-a-thon, but I balance it out with a nice chick-lit easyread.

I like the thrillers but, like my mother, I invariably spot whodunnit very early on and ruin it for myself.

Maybes Lizzie should write a book...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

GOD BLESS 3 for 2 book offers! WOOT WOOT!

Is blogging over?

Well, is it??!!

Scally chunes

Rant: What is it with kids on their way to school playing the most obNOXIOUS 'music' aloud on their mp3 player phones. Gah, it's AWFUL! It ruins my trip to the seaside each morning where my office is. Boo to scally kids and their chuffing mp3 player phones. Who wants to hear that in the morning? Even in the glorious sunshine I am STILL not a morning person. No siree bob.

Tra luvs xxx

Once Upon a Time....

There was a Canadian called Colin who met a FABBALUS laydee from Norway called Solveig. They moved to Norway and had a little boy called Daniel(pictured with his dad...the guy in the linen on the right is John Linen, pay no attention to him!).....he really is the cutest little boy and Colin and Solveig are some very favourite people of ours. (Plus Colin was pretty pissed off I hadn't blogged about their visit to Bebington at Easter and PLUS we kinda need to keep 'em sweet so we can go stay with them in Norway!) HAHA!!!

SO, lovely Atkinson family - we love you guys and miss you - hope all's well in the land of......what's Norway the land of???

Mrs Paskar!!

Susan and Michael finally tied the knot in a rather luxurious ceremony and 4 day party in Maui, Hawaii! (Well, they DO live in LA!!!!) Here's the happy bride - CONGRATS Paskars, bring on September's luau party!!! Woot woot!

Affairs of the heart

So, did anyone see the new 'Mindshock' programme last night? ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING! It was about heart transplant patients who, after receiving their new hearts, reported profound personality changes, strange dreams where they dream they're another person, changes in food preferences, music, unexplained new talents and a whole host of stuff that has led some big deal heart specialists to become convinced that the heart is way more than just a pump. They've discovered neurons within the heart which means it has the ability to 'remember' how to function, and so, as one Doctor put it, who are we to say that all that we are in terms of memory happens from the neck up. The heart has long been symbolic of love and cherished times - who's to say it can't do a helluva lot more than we know?!

There was one lady who dreamt she was a guy called Tim L and she was riding a motorcycle to get beers and mexican food - because of the strict confidentiality policy surrounding donors and receipients there was no way she could have known that her donor was none other than Tim Leightman, and avid motorcycle fan whose favourite food was Mexican washed down with a coupla beers.

One chap, a British guy, who was essentially barely literate by his own admisison, suddenly pst-transplant began writing stunning prose and poetry and using words he had never heard of before.

Coincidence? Or something more......

Kinda made me think that if my heart were transplanted into someone else, what personality traits would they take on? What memories would they receive? Would the recipient suddenly develop a scouse accent and a penchant for shoes and cocktails? Or would it be something more, something deeper.

When we declare our love for Jesus, the significance of the heart takes on a deeper meaning. The old is gone, the new has come. That's what I'd want someone who got my heart to experience...that unspeakable joy that is knowing the God of the Universe.

Paul (Wenham, not the Bible guy) once prayed that he wanted his heart to be so soft that when God touches it He leaves His fingerprint there. That image has always stayed with me. It captures perfectly how I want my heart to be.

Metaphorically speaking, I suppose we're all working toward the ultimate heart transplant, to love Jesus and one another as we should, as we were intended. What a great day that will be!

Over and out!

Food coma

It may interest you to know that my dear husband, whilst I was out with the gals last night, managed to consume a Bigger Big Mac, Large fries, large sprite, McChicken Sandwich and another large fries, washed down with 2 bags of crisps and a bumper bag of Minstrels.

GOOD LORD!!!!! *shocked*

And this is the guy who when I first met him would only eat chips, mars bars and full fat milk.

Here's to morbid obesity.... (just kidding! )

Fun fun fun with fabbalus gals!

Hier soir I was fortunate enough to dine and wine avec two of the nicest, most funnest, godliest gals that ever lived. They know who they are, but in case you don't their names are Rikes and Sally D! They rock.
We laughed and caught up and reminisced and plotted (Rikes, that's while you were getting the Bailey's lattes - bring on the hen do!! Hee hee) and shared Jesus stories that have happened in our lives recently to inspire us and whip us up. These gals challenge me to the very core of my being, without being pious, without judging, without being up-their-own-bums-special-needs-Christians….PTL!!

It was so good to hang out with the girlies in the sumptuous and classy Alma de Cuba in Liverpool (www.alma-de-cuba.co.uk ) for good food, good vino and GREAT TIMES!
Rikes, Sal, you're so special to me, so awesome to catch up and share in your lives a little bit. Thanks for inspiring me and for coming all the way over here…roll on our July hot date - woot woot! LOVE YOU!!!!

Pinch-a-pic!

I nicked this off of Cazmo's blog (sorry honey pie, hope u don't mind) It is just SUCH a cute picture and features some of the people who made my time in Manchester great. AND the Whitemans were in my dream last night - how weird is that?! It's so awesome to see some of the gang PLUS various offspring - freaks me out slightly but that's the way of the world....look how grown up they all are!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU (SOME OF THE) MANCLAND POSSE!!!!!! Cate took the photo.....love how Penny has hold of Charis by the t-shirt! SO CUTE!

In other news, we FINALLY have the wedding book back- those of you who don't live near enough to see it just yet can view it here http://www.pictureweddings.co.uk/html/albumpreview14.html

And finally, spare a thought for me tomorrow...I'll be at my first CSMT meeting which is all the big wigs from Children's Services AND I have to do a presentation AND I found out about it at approximately 17:05 ce soir. ROTTERS! So obviously I'm blogging rather than working......ARGH!

I *heart* Hanny

And here's the top 10 reasons why:

#1 She genuinely believes she can do anything she sets her mind to - I too suffer from this syndrome.
#2 She was the first to own pink stilettos.
#3 She's a Disney Classics gal at heart.
#4 She is THE bestest, most animated storyteller I have ever met - where you are actually sucked into the story - living it, loving it and laughing it in the manner of Mary Poppins and the children being sucked into Bert's chalk paintings.
#5 She was a fantabulous bridesmaid and so helpful and lovely and amazingto me on the day and leading up to being married AND planning the hen do!! She'gets' me.
#6 She coined the phrase 'He's being a DICK' and got away with it.
#7 She is particularly adept at getting into adventures and mischief wherever she goes.
#8 We share a love of cocktails, champagne, Albert Dock, living the high life, partying, dancing and what it means to be a true Sex and the City gal!
#9 We have had many crazy adventures and projects together - and will have many more...
#10 She knows the words to EVERY song ever.

And that's Hanny! I *heart* her!

Doom and Gloom

Now then, is it just me or does there seem to be more than the usual amount of utterly heartbreaking tragically bad news around at the moment? It seems as if the sunshine and summery vibes we're experiencing are inversely proportionate to the darkness of occurrences and people in this world.
I can't fathom it. 'Dismay' describes what I'm feeling. It's as if nothing bad can happen when it's so magically sunny outside. I realise that's such a Disney attitude but somehow the contrast seems all the more pronounced.
Now that The Metro has reached these far-flung shores, I'm reading it daily on the commute to and from work - maybe that's why I'm more aware, but in amidst all the Rooney foot hoo haa there are some awful, shocking, depraved and tragic things happening in the world.
Sorry to be on a downer on a Friday!

bugger

The inevitable has happened. And after I made such a song and dance about not getting into it this year too. Dammit! Yes people, I am now hooked on the curse that is Big Brother's house of freaks! OH-MY-GAH what's WRONG with these people?! Out and out fave is Nikki - absolutely fascinated by her. On Sunday whilst nursing the Hangover from Hades AND Hell, I sat in front of the telly ALL DAY. Not only a shocking waste of time, but it also meant that I got a TV headache! I haven't splodged in front of the goggle box for a marathon sit-in like that for YEARS! Even though my head hurt (Curse of the Cocktail, I blame Chris Murphy) I really rather enjoyed myself.....but never again. I am not drinking any alcohol for a week now, since clearly I cannot be trusted with it. Hurrah for Peppermint tea!

Right, time for pilates...laters xxxx

Phases

Ok, so I dunno whether it's the summer approaching or a hankering for yesteryear but I have found myself travelling down the road of reminiscence lately, and particularly watching the early seasons of Sex and the City. Please don't laugh. It represents a time in my life where I was so carefree and self-indulgent - a fact which I quite freely admit! I've re-watched Seasons 1 and 2 to date and every so often I catch a glimpse of how my life has been shaped by this show - this may sound mad, but the spirit behind the lives of these fictional 4 women I find awesome and fascinating and utterly desirable. Yes I know it's rude and full of things 'people don't talk about' but OMG how refreshing! Desperate Housewives doesn't even come close. I recall the nights in with the gals @ the granny flat - Abs, Hann & Anna, sucked into a world of glamourous New York where you can wear dresses all the time and go out for cocktails - thus began our love affair with cocktails at the Dock! We saw the show as educational, an easy way we could find out answers to the questions we were all afraid to ask! Those were the months of Rose wine and cosy girl times. Now we're all married I kinda miss that. It's not the same!

I also find myself giggling at how Carrie Bradshaw has shaped my fashion sense over the years...every so often there is a scene where she'll be wearing an outfit or toting a bag or accessory that I scoured shops all over Liverpool to find lookee-likees - from the horseshoe necklace to full circular skirts, to high high heels, to a big white Fulton umbrella, to 50's tea length dresses and ballet dancer buns, to clutch purses, to ponchos and so much more. Funny how we (or maybe just me??) are shaped by popular culture. I won't ever forget those days and how much fun it was to dress up and go drink champagne. Right, that's it, I'm invoking the days of yore, rallying the gals and getting our asses out on the town. Pronto!

Have a Cosmopolitan on me!!

Jamie Oliver triumphs again!

So, last night the Kennaughs & Stoff and Sarah ventured to the Walls for good food, good wine and GREAT company (even if we do say so ourselves)!! Luce kicked off the proceedings with a fabulous Bruschetta and a bouteille de Beringer (pink and fizzy - YUM!) and I followed it with a 5-hour slow roast beef with veggies, red wine gravy and crusty bread for dunking. I was very nervous for it to work and be tasty, not least because Lucy's nickname is 'Gordo' after Gordon Ramsay!! She is such a talented chef I was worried the main course wouldn't work. But work it did - Praise the Lord for Jamie Oliver! We all agreed it was yummy. Then after a long rest and trying not to slip into a food coma, we partook of Sarah's AWESOME chocolate/blueberry Pavlova - WOWEE it was gorgeous! After dinner it was coffee and sophisticated conversation (for the girls - the boys practiced their WWE moves on one another) (*rolls eyes*) A really great night with wonderful friends and one that we need to repeat more often - thanks guys for coming over, you're fabulous!

And so to today, relaxing, looking for holidays on t'internet, watching the Monaco Grand Prix (Please God can we go there one day!) possibly venturing over to the Barnes' later on - Bank Holidays are where it's at!

Over and out xxx

PS - Happy Birthday Wen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hallelujah!

Today I handed in my Portfolio. Come July I will be an officially qualified counsellor. OH-MY-GAH! That thought is simultaneously enthralling and frightening! Seems like I've been working for sooooooooooooo long for this, and it's finally within sight. YAY! Not entirely sure how it'll pan out in terms of usage...I'm thinkin' maybe a Masters, part time obviously, whilst I am still working for the Local Authority.

Had my first impassioned work-rant at a rather high up dude t'other day. What I find so utterly frustrating is the lip-service that is paid to Children's Rights. People are all so 'Yes yes we're all about the kids' when really what they mean is 'Yes yes we're all about the kids up to a point but at the end of the day we don't really give a stuff about the rights of young people in the Care system and we don't care about communicating openly and honestly with them when decisions are being made about them that will affect their lives. Yes we recognise that BY LAW they have a right to be involved in decisions about their lives, but actually it gets in the way of us doing our job as the professionals we are' It's such bullshit.

My entire role revolves around a need to be transparent and to be able to openly communicate with and on behalf of the young people I represent. If 'professionals' are going to begin censoring what they say to young people via me then the role is obsolete and actually we haven't progressed at all in terms of how we involve young people and encourage them to engage in their own lives. The statistics for 'Looked After children' SUCK - in terms of achievement, mental health, education, employment, drugs, alcohol, crime, teenage pregnancy. At almost every turn they are a vulnerable demographic. So, why aren't we doing more?

Sometimes things just get my goat.

(Paulo is that enough about my 'real life' for ya??!! :)

The Maeve Binchy Code

Have been to see it. Quite good I thought, though it has been subjected to the 'great' and time-honoured American cinematic treatment of grossly over-explaining anything and everything that is significant and central to the plot. I appreciate that it's a difficult novel to dramatise (which may, peut-etre, beg the question why bother trying to at all!!), but Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon was tremendous in his over-enunciation of 'Fleur de Lise' and "'Neath ancient Roslin lies...' etc etc - just in case the Yanks didn't get it! Haha.

All in all a good film though, don't really see what the big Christian hoo-haa has been about, I reckon it's a well plausible theory! Not saying I think it's true or my faith has been shaken to the core or anything, just that it's a fantastic theory. (AND a GREAT book!!)

LOVED the Disney movie/Post-Modern-approach-to-faith ending 'What it comes down to Sophie is what you believe. Why couldn't Jesus have been a good man and a father?...' (I paraphrase but it was sommat like that, all soft focus and violins...) And as for the 'Nope, maybe I'll do better with the wine' bit, all I have to say is 'Gawd Bleyss Ameryica'!

BUT Paul Bettany was whoop-de-do brillo, dead evil and his eyes were especially good. Thought Audrey Tatou aka Amelie (GREAT film!) was great, and Tom Hanks was ok but not massively believable as Robert Langdon. Gandalf as Lee Teabing was ace.

Et voila my review!

My verdict: READ THE NOVEL!

When I grow up.....

....I wanna be just like Dr. Tanya Byron. Wowee, whatta gal! She is a true genius and spends her days sorting out problem parents who reckon that their KIDS are the ones with the issues! PAH!Thanks to Dr. T terms such as 'rapid return' and 'sliding in' have become commonplace. Parents around the globe are having their lives revolutionised by her interventions and I am hopelessly addicted to seeing what happens. I often find myself agreeing smugly with Dr. T and her expert observations, and then yelling at kids when I'm at work. Oopsie, my bad! But what I am so riveted by is how it's actually all common sense, and often all we need is someone who is impartial, independent and unconditional, who provides us with the right conditions for us to explore our behaviour and idiosyncrasies and ultimately to grow and change. Now, I know she's not God, but she's kind of like God in that we, as human beans, respond well to boundaries and being allowed to change when someone unconditional lets us....bit of a spacky analogy but hopefully you get what I mean. Dr. T is cool, God is cool. I've developed an addiction to 'House of Tiny Tearaways' and I'm supposed to be doing an essay.

See God? I need boundaries!

Over and out.

Little Ted being dead cute!!!

'Nuff said!!

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here she is! The bride-to-be, Ms. Ulrike Hirsch! Yep indeedy, Rikes has gone and got herself all engaged! Hearty congrats to Craig and Ulrike, I love you guys and I'm so happy for you! Bring on the wedding! Masses of love, me xxxx

What a game!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice one Liverpool - you ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sucks to be West Ham!

Tonight, tonight.....

Ladies and Gentleman, Mr Dave Matthews!!!!

*thunderous applause*

Yep indeedy people, tonight's the night we shall sojourn to fair Mancland to the Academy to witness the musical marvel, nay, miracle, that is this wondrous and talented chap! Needless to say there is MUCH excitement in the house of Wall...

Can't think of anything deep and meaningful to say so this'll have to do...

Love y'all...

PS - CATE! I would LOVE it if you came to Port Sunshine - just say the word and we can arrange it!

Issues

If people don't get commenting soon, I ain't gon' post no more.....

And finally....

Three posts in one day! Look at me 'doin a Tim'!! Anyways, couldn't blog sans mentioning that at long last WE HAVE TICKETS TO SEE DAVE MATTHEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Live, in the flesh, in Manchester, in 2 weeks.....ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHH! (I may pee my pants with excitement!) Granted, Mr Matthews will be without the rest of the band, Carter et. al, however he himself will be here and we CANNOT WAIT!

Ahhhhhhhhh, Dave.................. *sighs with happiness*

Oh Happy Day!

Sunday April 30th, 2006 was our first wedding anniversary - a whole year appears to have flown by without us really noticing! We celebrated in style with a weekend in Pwlhelli (or however you spell it) and dinner at The Mariner (yummy Welsh steak restaurant). REALLY good to get away, AND a convenient Bank Holiday too which makes future anniversaries tres bon. Hard to believe this time last year we were swanning around Barcelona, with all the smugness of just-marrieds! Thanks to all of you who were with us for the Big Day and who have supported and loved us through our first year! And most of all HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my lovely hubby! I love you...

The littlest Heywood...

Well here he is folks! No longer going by the moniker 'Vincent', Edward 'Little Ted' Heywood is home from the hospikal and settling into life chez Heywood! He is soooooooo cute and teeny tiny he freaks me out ever so slightly - but I am pleased and proud to report that K & A are ever-so natural parents - ducks to water and all that jazz. I quickly got over my 'I might break him' fear and he happily let me feed him his bottle which was really rather cool! The most splendid news of all is that Rich and I have been asked to be god parents - signalling significant goings-on in the spiritual lives of my family! - and naturally we have accepted with glee and are bursting with pride!

See you soon Little Ted, maybe we need to get you a blog??!!

Hmmm, I have been somewhat blog tardy in recent days. I humbly apologise and shall attempt to rectify said situation immediately! (Thanks for the gentle reminder Wenhams!!)

Been a fabulous week - job is really starting to take off and more and more young people are seeking out the service and exposing all sorts of holes and gaps in the 'Care' system - obviously I can't write about specific cases but I'm finding the challenge of mediating between a mightily- pissed-off-and-not-without-good-reason young person and a Social Worker with a HUUUUUUUGE ego ....interesting to say the least!

I also love that my office is by the seaside so I can go and look at the sea and walk along the prom at lunchtime. Makes me feel very free and not at work at all! Good God times. I love that there's a road called 'Smuggler's Way' and I have taken to providing my dad with a daily text service as to the state of the river and whether there are any Neptune's White Horses! (like in the Rupert books)

Thursday brought the super-exciting news that Baby Heywood has at long last graced us with his presence. No longer dubbed 'Vincent', Little Ted weighed in at 8lb 13 (That's nearly 9 bags of sugar GOOD LORD!) Mum and I went to see him and his proud padres last evening. CONGRATS Kathy and Andy! Edward is so beautiful that I cried all over him as he snuggled in my arms and went to sleep. Entirely unprepared for the emotion he provoked in me...what the..?! But he ROCKS and I managed to smuggle champagne for K&A past the nurse...mwah hahaha.

Rich has been away this weekend at the usual post-Easter Lake Bala Youth Camp where he is speaking and leading a group and doing programme and seemingly everything else. So, Friday night I settled down with Party of Five Season One (CATE! Come home already!!) and watched it till my eyes went all gozzy! No cries of 'Turn it off', just pure, unadulterated, ME time! Woot woot!

Saturday was almost summer-like so I met the mother figure for 'cawfee' and we shopped our asses off! LOVE IT when I make her buy things - this week's offering was a pair of chocolate brown leather open toe wedges, but of course she plumped for the black ones...still needs working on that woman! ;)

I, however, spent y0nks being a super sleuth to find an Alexander McQueen Pirate print scarf - a rip off one, naturally. And figured the best place to begin would be 'lovely' St. John's Precinct....questioned about 5 classic Liverpool lasses and they suggested Primark (nope, know their stock inside out, defo not there), The Market (so trawled round there but to no avail) and finally one suggestion....TOPSHOP! Blinkin' TopShop! MAN ALIVE! So needless to say we zoomed to aforementioned establishment and FOUND IT! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! Not only did I find the scarf, I also made the hilarious discovery that TopShop now do a line in....wait for it....can you guess?.....DOG FASHIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG! I couldn't BELIEVE IT (in Victor Meldrew stylee) -yup, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie and Coleen McLoughlin types can now purchase fashions for their 'Itsby bitsy doggies' (quote P!nk) from my beloved Top of the Shops! What is the world coming to?....

Saturday night was spent in the most awesome company of my dear Abigail watching HILARIOUS 'Dr 90210' on Sky and talking about our new fave subject of giving birth - no, we're not 'with child' but man alive it's a whole new world of conversations...Abbi thought 'cervix' was a bone and I was HUGELY misinformed on the matter of 'dilation' PENNY! I think we need a seminar from you! hahaha!

So that's a brief catch up.....this week's fun include reminiscing about how mental I was this time last year and looking forward to our first wedding anniversary on Sunday 30th April - yikes, where has that year gone!!!??? Rich also starts his new job tomorrow AND I think the Dunnett/West nuptials are happening soon if not this weekend?! CONGRATS to you! AND as if all that were not enough, there's yet another Bank Holiday coming up- WOOT WOOT!

Right, I'm off to tidy and clean and try to fit in the gym AND 'Shipwrecked'!

BIG LOVE Y'ALL! xxxxx

What ho, old chaps!

Been a while.......here's the 411...

- my back hurts
- my legs hurt
- my triceps hurt
- my biceps hurt
- my lats hurt (and I don't even know what they are)
- my butt hurts
- my knees hurt


I WANNA QUIT THE GYM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To cheer myself up I purchased the staple product to herald the coming of summer! BODY SHOP FAKE TAN BABY! As I type I am bronzed and fabulous, dahling! Woot woot bring on the sun! AND I'm having 'me hair done' on Saturday - these sure are girlie times!

Happiness is four day weekends. Thanks Jesus for the Friday off AND Monday too - you rock!
I sent Easter cards for the first time ever this year (only 8 - don't get your hopes up) mostly to what Wez would call 'nonnies' - spread the love, the ultimate love hey...

Have a wonderful Easter time, whatever you get up to...just think how mad it is that the most goodest man that ever lived died the most awfulest death imaginable...just for you, yes you. And me. And everyone. No matter what. Amen.

Mind-blowing stuff that.

bonafide barfarama

Currently I am engaged in a puke-a-thon. Not very nice. I've thrown up 6 times since 4am this morning. What the bleep is going on?

In other news, I am very much looking forward to the return of Ms. Cate Thornton & also to the arrival of my Party of Five Season 1 box set. The two are sure to go well together (what say you Cate?!)

It's Abbi's bday tomorrow - happy birthday Mrs Murph!

Also I have FINALLY finished Season 4 of 24 - woot woot! Bring on 5!!!

Big love to all the homies, soz for the randomness of this entry. (not really, my blog, I can be as weird as I like, so there.)

Gym jams

Today I cunningly created a playlist on my ipod just for the gym, a series of up tempo numbers to run to....can't believe it's never occurred to me to do that before. So today I tested myself on running 5k...think I wanna do that 'Race for Life' thing in honour of my lecturer, Audrey, who has breast cancer. Good news is that I managed to run the 5k, bad news is now I'm cream-crackered.

Still, things could be worse.

It baffles me how come some people just look soooooooooooooo good in their gym gear, whilst I end up looking a bugger. Why is that?

Also I nearly tripped tonight as I saw Sally W on the treadmill in front of me! I was concentrating so hard on trying to see if, indeed, it was her or merely a doppleganger (yes I know there's no reason she would be in the Oval, Bebington, on the Leisure Peninsula, but I was having runner's hallucinations, clearly.) that when she abruptly jumped off the treadmill and went onto the next thing, I went all giddy as a kipper and nearly came a cropper. Thankfully I righted myself pretty sharpish! Phew! Anyhoo, Sal, you have a scally twin!

In other news, I spent a splendido evening hier soir avec Mrs Lucy Kennaugh drinking a bottle of faux champagne (on a Monday night I hear you gasp! Well so what!) Let me explain what led us to such a state: We were WWE widows for the evening, on account of Rich and Gary being obsessed with Wrestlemania 22 that they recorded on Sunday night. I know, how sad. Still, it was awesome to hang out with Luce and set the world to rights. Thank Luce, you rock!

Managed to impress the fam on Sat night - Mexican food, Lazy Daisy cake and coffee and malteser cake to polish off the evening. Dave + guitar+ trollied family members made for a fabby event. Yay me!

Right, that's quite enough blogging from me, I can hear Heat magazine and the OC calling me - gah I LOVE Tuesdays!

Ciao Bellas xxx

power to the PEOPLE!

And the fridge is fixed! They're replacing it for free! Free I tell you!!

AND LIZZIE WINS!!!!!!!!!!!


I thank you.