tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80837728740818753102024-03-13T00:29:34.654+00:00Waiting for the big dayZipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-5186861385939721562010-04-06T19:51:00.005+01:002010-04-06T20:23:56.705+01:00Let it snow............<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/S7uJkrPbqsI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/wSXC2j08Fd0/s1600/008.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/S7uIZi8wBPI/AAAAAAAAAII/e4z68WjU7T4/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/S7uIZi8wBPI/AAAAAAAAAII/e4z68WjU7T4/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457105345949205746" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">December also brought us snow, and quite a bit of it. Unfortunately the only night with enough to go snowboarding, also was the windiest night.<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span> </div>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-70033980079635027242010-04-06T19:07:00.003+01:002010-04-06T19:17:21.947+01:004 months on, and 4 months to go<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's been 4 months since my last post. It's hard to believe it's been quite as long! There have been many times I have thought about posting, but always something gets in the way. Sadly it's been more of laziness and facebook rather than wedding planning, but with 4 months to go till the big day, that will all have to change. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">During the next few days, I plan to do a quick catch up of the last few months. I won't bore you all with too much writing, but will use as many photos as possible instead. </span><br /></div>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-12357782211461073512009-12-03T23:32:00.002+00:002009-12-03T23:52:30.247+00:002 Whole Months & 13 Whole Days!<span style="font-family: verdana;">That's how long it has been since I last updated here. Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem that long since I was last here, writing down my sometimes strange and boring thoughts! You'd think after all that time away, that I might have loads of interesting and exciting things to write about. The sad thing is, that I don't think I have done all that much in all that time, which kind of makes my life seem dull! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The downside of getting married is the amount of money it costs. There are so many things to pay for and lots to buy, and it would seem that where the word wedding is added, then so is an extra zero to the end of the total! Everything soon adds up and you start to wonder where all the money is going to come from to pay for it. You start working out how many paydays there are left, and how many birthdays may get in the way and disrupt the saving. Then you start staying in even more than before, and question everything you want to buy, and I guess that's why I don't have a lot to report for the last 2 months! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So what have we done? Well, on the wedding front I have been busy making more favour boxes. I have also bought our wedding postbox and guestbook from the fantastic </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.prettywild.co.uk"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">prettywild</span>.</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I have chosen and ordered a veil, tiara and petticoat, and we have managed to narrow the choice of bridesmaid tiaras down to a choice of two. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the non-wedding front, I have finally picked up the patchwork quilt, and I am 3 squares away from completing 1 side. However, it has been put aside again while I make a smaller version as a New Baby present (photos to follow when completed). Also on the creative front, I have been getting creative in the kitchen by making some lovely cupcakes and trying to perfect the art of </span><span style="font-family: verdana;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">butter cream</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> frosting. I am trying to achieve a professional finish. My aim is to make boxes of cupcakes to give to friends and family for Christmas. I shall also post photos on completion of these. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, I guess that's us caught up for now. This weekend I will hopefully be baking and sewing, and watching Mr P at the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">snow dome</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">. I will also be very jealous that I will not be testing out my new snowboard this weekend at the dome. However, it's best I get back up the gym before that happens! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Goodnight x</span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-83808924089274751742009-09-20T02:25:00.004+01:002009-09-20T02:45:35.126+01:00Wedding Brain? Or too much Coke?<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It's 2.25a.m and I cannot sleep. Mr P is snoring away upstairs, but I am lying on the sofa with a brain that will not switch off! I don't like giving up and getting out of bed, but I had been lying there for over an hour and the thoughts and music swirling in my head was getting worse and unbearable! I am so tired and really need my sleep, so I hope this blogging does help!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Early this evening, or should I say last night, we went to a wedding reception for one of my work colleagues. It got us thinking about our wedding, and since we got home have been throwing ideas around for first dance songs and also a </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">playlist</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> and a 'do not play' list for our wedding DJ.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I think that may also have contributed to my sleepless state. I also think maybe the amount of coke I drank at the wedding reception might have something to do with it! I obviously need more Malibu in my coke for the alcohol effect to outweigh the caffeine effect!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As well as music, I have also been thinking about hair. Last time I posted about hair, I was going to grow it and have it all curled and loosely pinned up. Since then I have had it all chopped off and need to look for some new styles. This is the kind of thing I have in mind:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrWIaqWPJCI/AAAAAAAAAHg/v0M9IhJBOUc/s1600-h/short_hair_5_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrWIaqWPJCI/AAAAAAAAAHg/v0M9IhJBOUc/s320/short_hair_5_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383358921216828450" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrWIXbIObFI/AAAAAAAAAHY/K0i1gizL4iY/s1600-h/short_hair_834_10_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrWIXbIObFI/AAAAAAAAAHY/K0i1gizL4iY/s320/short_hair_834_10_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383358865591921746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Later today I am going to visit my Chief Bridesmaid for lunch, and we are going to discuss bridesmaid dresses. So hopefully tonight I will have something to report on. Right now I am going to spend a few minutes on </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">facebook</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> before attempting to get some sleep. </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-57671635997230847932009-09-16T23:41:00.004+01:002009-09-17T00:00:56.014+01:00Addicted to Facebook?I don't have a particularly busy lifestyle, although I find the evenings just pass by in a blur and I don't actually seem to do anything. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OK</span>, well <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">that's</span> not strictly true. I spend a lot of time caught up in the addiction of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">facebook</span> applications. How do you tell if you are addicted? Well it would appear that you follow in the footsteps of your Aunt and set up another profile just to get a second fairy garden! Except instead of using family members' details, you create a completely made up person! Oh dear, now I do sound like a fruit loop and maybe ought to delete it and stop this madness before it gets worse. How would I cope with 4 farms, 2 pets, another high bejeweled score to beat, and even more scrabble games? I can hardly deal with what I already have! I log on when I get home from work, for what is meant to be a quick look before tackling the housework. By the time I have collected my fairy gold, watered some plants in hope of finding wildlife and diamonds, harvested my peppers, onions and carrots, and collected eggs off the chickens, I find a whole hour has passed. I then try and beat other friends' Bejeweled scores and take my turns at scrabble, by which point it's getting late and half the evening has gone.<br /><br />I want to spend more time with Mr P. I want to do more housework. I would also like to sit and make wedding stationery and complete my patchwork quilt. I need more hours in the evening, or I need to drop some apps!<br /><br />It doesn't just stop at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span> though. After I have tended to all my animals and crops, I then need to get my wedding gossip fix on the forum, followed by a catch up on the Camper forum, by which time I am still sitting in my work clothes, hungry, staring at a mountain of ironing. And I wonder why I have no time to blog!<br /><br />I need to find a solution, but for now I need my bed! Goodnight.Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-11845427577200845262009-09-15T23:38:00.005+01:002009-09-16T00:04:37.235+01:00Sharp kick up the bum and back into the world of wedding planning!!Ok, so I am back to the blogging in the hope it will empty all my thoughts and get me a decent nights sleep. The weekend saw a mixed bag of sleep for me with 1 awful night and 1 where I slept like a log!<br /><br />On Friday morning, myself and Mr P got up early, loaded up the van and headed towards Great Malvern to Vanfest, the worlds largest VW show. We arrived at a very sunny Three Counties Showground around 1.30 and smiled for our photo on the way in and started to search for a camping spot. The place was packed and we didn't really have many options! We found somewhere and set up. Later that night the noisy neighbours from hell arrived with their van parked so close they might as well have been sleeping in our awning. Then at 12.30 they decided to have a very noisy barbecue outside the awning door! Who has barbecues at that time of night? It's just not right! I managed to get them to lower the noise only to discover that 2 rows back a small party was going on between 4 vans! Grrrrr!! Family camping + noisy people = a not happy me! Luckily a call to the 24 hr security at 1.45 put a stop to their gathering and I did manage to get some sleep till next door awoke at 8!<br /><br />Rude people aside, we had a lovely weekend, and the weather was more than we could hope for. We saw many vans and bought some bits and pieces for Bella. We are definitely up for going again next year, where hopefully I will be entering in the 'Cooking in a Camper' Competition!<br /><br />So you are probably wondering what all that has to do with the title - well, that actually comes from last night's weird sleep! I think it was possibly a combination of : a) Gavin & Stacey's wedding that was on TV last night, b) Mr P telling me how many days we had till the wedding, and c) The realisation of how much we have to do between now and the wedding. Last night I had a 'wedding nightmare'. I will try and keep it short - basically it was the morning of the wedding and the flowers arrived, just all loose in a box! Then I started to realise that there were things I had not bought, such as the flowergirl's dress and shoes. It was then that my Chief Bridesmaid remembered she hadn't made the bridesmaid dresses!! I thought she was joking but when I looked in my wardrobe, there was the fabric all wrapped up in the bag. On top of the wardrobe was the box full of half finished favour boxes and invites! To top it all off, there was no sign of my dress, I guess that was still in the shop too! So basically, it was the wedding day and I was at the planning stage I am at now!! So the dream, although scary, has actually given me the kick up the bum I needed to get back into the planning.<br /><br />My plans for this weekend - meet with C my Chief Bridesmaid to get the dresses started, and my plans for the rest of this week - to do some more stationery.<br /><br />Will be back soon with pictures of wedding stuff, for now I leave you with some pictures from the weekend. Goodnight x<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcsl2sGSI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/NLu5MaECxGI/s1600-h/10619_152885646807_558856807_3683603_103101_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcsl2sGSI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/NLu5MaECxGI/s320/10619_152885646807_558856807_3683603_103101_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381833107109058850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcsFz9RQI/AAAAAAAAAHI/N3rFMa5GCy0/s1600-h/10619_152885641807_558856807_3683602_4026760_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcsFz9RQI/AAAAAAAAAHI/N3rFMa5GCy0/s320/10619_152885641807_558856807_3683602_4026760_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381833098507666690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcr-C4UuI/AAAAAAAAAHA/tFRvduO3gHc/s1600-h/10619_152885601807_558856807_3683595_1398716_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcr-C4UuI/AAAAAAAAAHA/tFRvduO3gHc/s320/10619_152885601807_558856807_3683595_1398716_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381833096422773474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcrp5x3CI/AAAAAAAAAG4/YPYt7pMxqsU/s1600-h/10619_152885581807_558856807_3683591_1474329_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SrAcrp5x3CI/AAAAAAAAAG4/YPYt7pMxqsU/s320/10619_152885581807_558856807_3683591_1474329_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381833091015892002" border="0" /></a>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-67486282848513027432009-09-10T22:26:00.003+01:002009-09-10T23:03:25.255+01:00Lazy Blogger Returns............<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Well so much for blogging every night, I can't believe it's been over a month since I even looked at my blog, let alone posted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In the last couple of weeks, my sleepless nights have got worse, and so I need to do something about it. This morning on the BBC breakfast programme, they were talking about how not only lack of sleep is bad for your health, but also bad for relationships, due to feeling grouchy. I can vouch for this as I have been increasingly snappy towards my Mr P, and I am now feeling like we can't carry on like this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I also need to return to regular blogging because with 11 months till the big day, there is a lot of planning going on and trying to report on over a months worth is quite daunting!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11 months - wow how quick did that come round? Well, August the 7th came and went, and we sent out our save the date magnets, for which we had many lovely comments. So thank you again to </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.prettywild.co.uk/">Prettywild</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> for those. August also brought a drastic change to my wedding look. To completely wipe out the plans from my earlier hair post, I had my hair chopped off to a short bob. A big change, but definitely more me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August also saw myself and C my maid of honour take a train to London to buy some fabric for the bridesmaids dresses and the men's ties. We found some gorgeous silk dupion in the absolute perfect shade. I can't wait to see everything all made up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For the rest of August we didn't get that much wedding planning done. Mr P's daughter was here for the school holidays, so a lot of time was spent with her. We had a day out in London, seeing the landmarks and visiting the aquarium, and we went camping together too. We took her home the week before bank holiday and treated ourselves to a night in a nice hotel, and visited Wookey Hole on the way home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I will leave you with photos of our August. Goodnight.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1xNOdG8I/AAAAAAAAAGY/Nsft3EBBgec/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1xNOdG8I/AAAAAAAAAGY/Nsft3EBBgec/s320/014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379960718095096770" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1xpbV83I/AAAAAAAAAGg/t89nJ9nAWqw/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1xpbV83I/AAAAAAAAAGg/t89nJ9nAWqw/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379960725665346418" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1yExrnHI/AAAAAAAAAGo/dKGh2Hoorss/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1yExrnHI/AAAAAAAAAGo/dKGh2Hoorss/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379960733006797938" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1yyCeujI/AAAAAAAAAGw/ns2f9NJBias/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sql1yyCeujI/AAAAAAAAAGw/ns2f9NJBias/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379960745156852274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">P.S. I won't be blogging till Sunday evening as we are off to </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.vanfest.org/">Vanfest </a></span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-83445068519502657342009-07-28T23:25:00.005+01:002009-07-28T23:47:49.750+01:00Back to the Plans<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After going to a friend's wedding reception a couple of weeks ago, I have been back in the mood to plan my own wedding. I don't think I have never been out of the planning mood, just haven't really had a lot to do. Also I can't help thinking the last 8 months of doing very little, may have been the calm before the storm! Next week we will be at the 1 year mark, no more saying we get married August 7th next year, it will just be August 7th, and I have a feeling that after next week, time will fly quicker than ever! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />This weekend gone was quite productive as far as wedding planning goes. On Saturday I met up with my cheif bridesmaid, and we headed into London to choose and buy the fabric for the bridesmaid dresses. Mr P and I made the decision on Friday evening, to have the cravats made from the same fabric so they would be a perfect match. After looking round a couple of unsuitable shops, where the fabric was overpriced, and the staff rude and pushy, we found a shop that had just what we wanted. At the weekend I will try and find time to photograph it outside in the sunshine to post on here. Hopefully I can get the same effect the man in the shop did. He took the green silk, and some ivory silk and put them outside to show them together in the daylight, to show how the bridesmaids dresses will look next to my dress. For a few seconds I could picture myself in the church yard with my bridesmaids, standing in the sun!! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />When I returned home I was really motivated to get wedding things done. So I spent the evening writing the envelopes for the save the dates. Now I just have to control myself to keep them in the box until next week when we can send them out! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Sunday was spent looking for hairstyles. My aim was to create a mood board with lots of different styles to inspire myself and the bridesmaids. I do seem to have collected many very similar styles, which fortunately 2 out of 3 bridesmaids love. Just need to see if the third has the same taste now! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Right, that was my short but long awaited entry tonight.<br /><br />Tomorrow I will share my confetti cone ideas, but for now I will leave you with some hair pictures. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Goodnight x</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sm9_O1Nb_pI/AAAAAAAAAFw/fQ8XaxM7YyM/s1600-h/7d34f5c213669551dc1371ea449e619e_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sm9_O1Nb_pI/AAAAAAAAAFw/fQ8XaxM7YyM/s320/7d34f5c213669551dc1371ea449e619e_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363645573999885970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sm9_Ot_8dUI/AAAAAAAAAFo/u2V00Hatayg/s1600-h/6ec846a1100461b0e7c006477c1d3dc5_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sm9_Ot_8dUI/AAAAAAAAAFo/u2V00Hatayg/s320/6ec846a1100461b0e7c006477c1d3dc5_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363645572064245058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sm9_OYBkxDI/AAAAAAAAAFg/RpiskB79Xvw/s1600-h/615dd539aa766b36bd5c995264648798_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sm9_OYBkxDI/AAAAAAAAAFg/RpiskB79Xvw/s320/615dd539aa766b36bd5c995264648798_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363645566165500978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Photos from <a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/">www.projectwedding.com</a></span><br /></div>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-45087971136591608332009-07-05T17:46:00.006+01:002009-07-05T17:58:01.459+01:00Garden Update<div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some photos of the things we have growing in the garden</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">right now. The strawberries are still growing too, but not as much as we would like. There are some potatoes that will be ready soon, and some brussel sprouts that are growing nicely. We have recently purchased some agricultural land at the back of our house, so next year will be able to grow loads of things in raised beds. </span><br /></div><br /></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: center;">Peppers<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SlDZnAJOpfI/AAAAAAAAAFY/GQMarY1beUA/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SlDZnAJOpfI/AAAAAAAAAFY/GQMarY1beUA/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355019221020354034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cherry Tomatoes</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SlDZm7gOfDI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/__b5O_E5HRw/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SlDZm7gOfDI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/__b5O_E5HRw/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355019219774635058" border="0" /></a>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-86343635626410540772009-06-23T08:48:00.003+01:002009-06-23T09:21:03.643+01:00288 Steps<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMCFTUoGI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ePsfkNjxkhM/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMCFTUoGI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ePsfkNjxkhM/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350430324726997090" border="0" /></a><br />That's how many steps I climbed on Sunday afternoon, and my legs are still aching! As Sunday was Father's Day, we invited Mr P's parents to join us for a barbecue, followed by a trip to Ely Cathedral and a tour of The West Tower.<br /><br />I was slightly worried as I have had issues with heights in the past, and I was scared I would get to the top and want to go straight back down. However, there was no need to worry, as I loved it, and the views were absolutely amazing.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy the photos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMCUz1xzI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/sDA1nnEtoRc/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMCUz1xzI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/sDA1nnEtoRc/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350430328889919282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMDrWHcsI/AAAAAAAAAEo/vNjyZIGrav0/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMDrWHcsI/AAAAAAAAAEo/vNjyZIGrav0/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350430352119132866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMDJ3Dm4I/AAAAAAAAAEg/RDodFYQzN64/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMDJ3Dm4I/AAAAAAAAAEg/RDodFYQzN64/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350430343130487682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMC8UvQMI/AAAAAAAAAEY/kcNHujAee6Q/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SkCMC8UvQMI/AAAAAAAAAEY/kcNHujAee6Q/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350430339496886466" border="0" /></a>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-60255739027643307372009-06-21T09:03:00.002+01:002009-06-21T09:37:47.222+01:00Father's Day<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This morning I am up bright and early because it is Father's Day. Today we have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mr P's</span> family coming over for a barbecue, so I want to get the house clean and tidy, and also start getting the food prepared before they come.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I also want to surprise Mr P for Father's Day. I know we have no children together yet, but with his daughter living so far away, I feel he misses out on this day. Although he would never say it, I know this makes him sad. So I have bought him some lovely balloons, kind of arranged by his daughter too over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span> chat. This is the surprise I was sorting out yesterday for him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The other surprise, which I will get on with when I finish typing, will be bacon sandwich and cup of tea in bed. That's if he doesn't get up first!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sj3xJH3A0tI/AAAAAAAAAEA/1-F_P0n7tFI/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sj3xJH3A0tI/AAAAAAAAAEA/1-F_P0n7tFI/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349697071416922834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yesterday I went to Norwich to meet some wedding forum people for the first time, and I have to say that I did have a really nice time. It's always weird meeting people who you have been speaking to online, as you feel you do know them, but still don't know exactly what to expect! All the ladies I met were lovely, and now I can't wait for the next meet. I think I may organise another one for September time in Cambridge.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Right, I better go and get this bacon sandwich cooked, and then on with the housework.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Bye for now</span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-355402435873361072009-06-20T09:31:00.002+01:002009-06-20T09:39:13.490+01:00Lazy StartWhy is it when you have lots to do, and a busy day, that you can't get motivated to do anything? <span style="font-family: verdana;">That's me this morning. Here I am blogging, when I should be in the shower, getting ready to go into town. The annoying thing is that I don't actually need to do much in town, just need to do it alone and before Mr P thinks about coming into town too. Otherwise the whole surprise may be ruined. Now I probably have you wanting to know what the surprise is. Well obviously I can't reveal that yet as Mr P might be reading too. However, all will be revealed soon. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After my trip into town, I am going to the station to start my trip to Norwich. I will be joined there by a fellow hitcher (wedding forum term), and we will make our journey to meet other hitchers. I am hoping the sun comes out and it's a lovely day for it. Right now I am wondering what to wear. I don't want to be too cold right now, but obviously if and when the sun comes out later, I don't want to roast! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well I suppose I better go and sort it all out. need to shower, find suitable clothing, and sort out the surprise. I will be back later to report on the fabulous day. Until then, goodbye. </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-26298232611425380562009-06-20T00:00:00.004+01:002009-06-20T00:27:35.325+01:00New Life, New Creations & New People<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Let's start with new life. Growing your own veg seems to have become very popular this year. Loads of people are doing it, and it doesn't matter what size garden you have, as there is always room for something. In our small garden we have pots containing new potatoes, dwarf beans, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and a variety of herbs. It's really exciting watching them grow, and last weekend saw the start of the strawberries and the cherry tomatoes.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjwbGwUlEsI/AAAAAAAAADo/yRAFczUW3Vo/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjwbGwUlEsI/AAAAAAAAADo/yRAFczUW3Vo/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349180260273689282" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjwbGnYhJNI/AAAAAAAAADg/Ge7uy78Z_mU/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjwbGnYhJNI/AAAAAAAAADg/Ge7uy78Z_mU/s320/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349180257874289874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">New creations are the 24 favour boxes we sat and made this evening. I know what a lot of people think, that we have over a year till the wedding, but who wants to sit and make over 100 favour boxes, 70 invitations, 70 order of service sheets, 65 place cards, and other stationery, all in one night? Not me! 24 boxes was enough for one sitting. By spreading it out I am hoping I don't become bored of making stationery.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjwdyqMvECI/AAAAAAAAAD4/kSxzs3FhMPg/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjwdyqMvECI/AAAAAAAAAD4/kSxzs3FhMPg/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349183213567676450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Finally we get to new people. Tomorrow I am going to be meeting more new people from the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">world</span> of the wedding forum. I am really looking forward to it, although also a little nervous. Believe it or not I can be shy sometimes and a little timid around new people. I am not Zippy all the time! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Goodnight</span> </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-57769750868905122932009-06-17T23:57:00.004+01:002009-06-18T00:17:07.682+01:00Big Brother = Big Pile of Rubbish!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So why is that I keep watching it? It's not like I turn over especially to watch it or anything. If there was something else on then I would happily give it a miss, but for some reason there seems to be nothing on the other channels worth watching at that time. It also seems that the programme shown before it, is something we want to watch, and then the TV just doesn't get turned over.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">10 years ago when Big Brother first came on to our screens, I didn't really have any interest in watching it. However, like most of the population, I started watching it when Nasty Nick was evidted from the house. After that I was hooked, and really enjoyed watching it. As someone who has a habit of people watching, I really liked seeing the different personalities and loved being able to watch someone 24/7. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The few years that followed were quite good too, with some quite memorable characters. Now, it just seems that they fill the house with the biggest idiots ever. Take this years selection for example, I can probably only think of a few people who seem normal. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Like I said, I don't know why I watch it. Half of the people in the house make me so cross that I have to shout at the TV. Tonight I was getting agitated with Marcus, he is just a big bully who loves the sound of his own voice. I actually felt sorry for Sree, even though he is weird too, he doesn't deserve to be bullied by the others the way he has been. The other people who annoy me are Siavash and Cairon. I also think Halfwit and Angel are very weird people. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Who will win? At this stage I have no idea. There isn't really anyone who stands out as being a favourite, although I do quite like Charlie. Do I really care though? How long will I still be watching it for? I suppose it all depends on how long it takes for another channel to put something decent on at 10pm. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Goodnight</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sjl5Cq6OXaI/AAAAAAAAADY/FJZHTaoI_H8/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 102px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/Sjl5Cq6OXaI/AAAAAAAAADY/FJZHTaoI_H8/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348439119264374178" border="0" /></a>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-35130345339171908572009-06-17T20:10:00.006+01:002009-06-17T20:24:49.578+01:00Plush You!<span style="font-family:verdana;">Following on with my creative spell, I decided I fancied making some quirky plush toys. So on Sunday evening I started searching for a book to show me how. After half an hour on Amazon I decided on 2 books:</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjlB2Hv1WaI/AAAAAAAAADI/_v2VkOk-xhY/s1600-h/12900755.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjlB2Hv1WaI/AAAAAAAAADI/_v2VkOk-xhY/s320/12900755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348378430527592866" border="0" /></a>and<br /></div><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjlCNf1Q4OI/AAAAAAAAADQ/V-QZqExVr1w/s1600-h/51YWe%2B2PE3L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjlCNf1Q4OI/AAAAAAAAADQ/V-QZqExVr1w/s320/51YWe%2B2PE3L._SS500_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348378832129810658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I then for some reason decided to google 'Plush You!' and realised that there is a whole website, with flickr album and blog. I will post links on the right to share these, and as soon as I start stitching I will share the photos too. </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-43842508830940141272009-06-17T18:12:00.002+01:002009-06-17T18:20:13.317+01:00Kitchen Update<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ok, so I know I have been a lazy blogger, but looking back over past posts, I have noticed a lot of things I have not updated. One of these is the kitchen story.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Well the good news is that we have found a kitchen we love, the bad news is that it's double the money we are getting from my Dad. The other bad news is that the amount of pounds we get for the Euros is dropping daily, so we need to hurry up and buy it soon.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjklpJNLmoI/AAAAAAAAACw/5bbjphKHARE/s1600-h/181143_gwhiteslab_1i_v2_S3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SjklpJNLmoI/AAAAAAAAACw/5bbjphKHARE/s400/181143_gwhiteslab_1i_v2_S3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348347421255244418" border="0" /></a>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-13026203648024939882009-06-17T13:25:00.002+01:002009-06-17T13:29:50.345+01:00Returning to Blogging<span style="font-family:verdana;">After another sleepless night of tossing and turning, I have decided I need to return to blogging regularly. I don't really know what I will be writing about, but I am sure I can find something. It's not very often I'm lost for words! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So watch this space for more of my stories and thoughts.</span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-21326641222985093172009-06-03T00:10:00.002+01:002009-06-03T00:32:56.439+01:00Late Night again!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Another late night. Not good when you have a lot on at work and the heat in the office already makes you want to sleep at your desk. Especially not good when you had to get up earlier than usual and therefore have had a long day. What if you are not tired though? What then? I guess that's why I am here, writing my blog, sending everyone else to sleep but myself. That's assuming people do actually read my blog. I know of 4 people who do, and my profile has had 140 views. So either each of those people have looked 35 times, which is possible, or there are others who come here and read my late night ramblings!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Today I got up 40 minutes earlier than normal. Not out of choice, but because of our stupid electric. Or the village's stupid electric. It all started as usual with the alarm going off at 7am and Mr P getting up and heading for the bathroom. At this point I am usually hitting the snooze button and dozing on and off till 8.45. Not this morning. Within minutes of Mr P getting up, I awoke with a sense that something was wrong. Like that feeling when the alarm </span>doesn't<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> go off and you wake up with 10 minutes before you need to leave the house. Turning to look at the time I realised the electric had gone off. Luckily it was only 10 past 7, and I hadn't overslept. No extra sleep for me though as the we soon realised that there was no hot water, and I wanted to wash my hair. So there we are in the kitchen at 7.15 boiling pans of water on the gas hob. It makes you realise how much we take having electric for granted, and how much we use it for. It's just a good job it was bright and sunny this morning. I don't ever want to do that on a winter morning. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Luckily the electric came back on at around 7.30. Just as I had my head over the sink with Mr P washing my hair. Just in time, as I hate not being able to wash my hair properly, and what would I have done without my hair dryer and </span>straighteners<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. I'm not sure I could have gone to work looking a mess! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Tomorrow, or should i say later this morning, I hope to wake up to a normal morning, with my usual routine. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Just quickly before I go to bed, I have to share the fact that my patchwork quilt is getting bigger every day, and some pretty new retro fabric arrived today. Tomorrow evening I will take a photo of it to put on here. As from tomorrow I will be taking all the quilt photos on the bed so it's easier to see it grow into full double quilt size. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Night x</span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-11765914356584478312009-05-31T23:48:00.004+01:002009-06-01T00:08:12.417+01:00Clueless!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">That is what I am tonight. Clueless! My mind has gone completely blank and I have no idea what to write about! I did think about not blogging at all tonight, but then I would risk having the sleep problems I had when I skipped it last week. With a busy week at work ahead I could do with all the sleep I can get. It's annoying really, as I know that as soon as I switch the light off, my head will be filled with thoughts on anything and everything. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So what do I write about? I have already talked about half of my weekend, and today wasn't all that exciting either. We went in search of our kitchen, the new kitchen we are having fitted in October. The new kitchen that not only my Dad is coming over from France to fit, but is also buying it for us as a wedding present. It's the biggest and most generous present I have ever been given, so as you can imagine I am very touched, and also very excited. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So this morning we got up and headed into Cambridge with all Mr P's drawings and measurements of the kitchen, ready to get quotes. First was B&Q where we found the kitchen we had already chosen in the brochure. However, we were unable to get a quote as apparently you need to make an appointment for this. The lady we spoke to was very helpful though and we got one booked for next week. We then headed up the road to </span>Homebase<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> where we saw the other kitchen we like. It's actually almost identical to the one in B&Q. The only difference though was that the ones in </span>Homebase<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> did feel like better quality. The drawers and doors seemed a lot sturdier. My only worry about </span>Homebase<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> is the staff. Again we were told that we need to make an appointment, but this time the boy who served us was not anywhere near as helpful as the B&Q lady. I say boy, as he did seem very young and barely out of school. He </span>didnt<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> seem to know a lot about kitchens at all. All I can hope is that the consultant we are booked into see has a little more knowledge. So a bit of a wasted trip really, although we now have appointments to see consultants in both stores next Saturday. Hopefully by this time next week we will know exactly how much the kitchen will cost and whether we will need to put any money of our own towards it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I really can't think of anymore to write, so I am going to turn off and hopefully sleep. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Goodnight</span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-5778501502386201182009-05-31T00:53:00.002+01:002009-05-31T01:16:33.411+01:00Blood, Sweat and Barbecues<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Not a very exciting title I know, but I don't really know what to write about tonight, so I will tell you a bit about my day. If you are still puzzled, then all 3 of the things mentioned in the title were part of my day. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It's been another scorching hot day, if this is what the weather people have predicted for us this summer, then I am certainly looking forward to it. I do like the sun, although I don't seem to be able to sit in it for very long. It can make me feel really drowsy and a little ill. Therefore it's not unusual for me to split a hot day between being outdoors and indoors, hence the reason my legs resemble bottles of milk. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">One thing I do love about sunny days though is being able to cook and eat outside. I love a barbecue, although I do prefer to be the one cooking it. Perhaps it's the control freak within me, perhaps its the hostess. Who knows. All I know is that I love to cook on barbecues. This weekend is the second weekend that we have been using the new gas barbecue. Deciding that Mr P's barbecue was not large enough for me, I took advantage of the Argos half price sale and treated us to a new one. I do admit that it is slightly larger than I was expecting, and I may go and hide at the end of the summer when Mr P is trying to squeeze it into the already quite full shed. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So today, being sunny, we decided to put the barbecue to good use again, and cooked our dinner outside, with the help of Ainsley Harriet and his Barbecue Bible. This is quite possibly one of the best cookery books I own. We had a feast of chicken, burgers and sausages with potatoes, asparagus and caramelised red onions. Which brings us to the blood. During the slicing of the onions, I very nearly sliced the end of my finger off. The sight of blood doesn't usually bother me, but this did leave me a little shaky and in need of a sit down. Luckily a plaster seems to have sorted it out, so not as bad as it initially looked. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Mr P certainly has his hands full with me. Earlier he told me that I am an accident waiting to happen. I must admit I can be a little clumsy at times. Our other incident today, or should I say mine, was nearly causing a garden fire. For ease of cleaning out the drip tray on the barbecue, I thought it a good idea to fill it with cat litter. I have done this before on a previous barbecue and it makes clearing up much easier. However, when I went to purchase the litter, they were all perfumed and the thought of this near the food wasn't good. So I decided to buy the wood based one. What was I thinking? Last week it was fine, but today as it got hot and the fat kept dripping into it, it started to burn, and a small fire started. </span>Ooops<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">!! Luckily Mr P came out and sorted that one out too! I really need to start being more careful. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So that was my day. Sorry it's been long and not very exciting. We are off to look at kitchens tomorrow, so no doubt will be using that as another boring topic tomorrow night. But for now, sleep. Goodnight. </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-53364132526527975652009-05-16T07:58:00.002+01:002009-05-16T08:11:30.117+01:00Early Riser<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It's very unusual for me to be up at this time on a Saturday morning, especially to be up and awake, so I thought I would post quickly while I have my coffee. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The reason for such an early start, is wanting to get into town before it gets too busy, so we don't have to drive around 3 car parks to get a space, so we don't have to shuffle along the pavement to get from shop to shop, and also because the craft shop I want to visit is extremely busy on a Saturday, and I want to be able to look properly at things. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I then would like to come home and clean the house from top to bottom. Boring I know, but decorating leaves the house in a tip, covered in dust with stuff </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everywhere</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, and it hasn't had a proper clean since we started. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Hopefully I can be speedy and get finished by lunchtime, as I hope to sit down all afternoon and work on some craft projects. It's been a long time since I have sat and made things all day. I've not felt the excitement of creating something for some time now. My crafty plans for today include embellishing some vest tops, possibly starting some patchwork, and then hopefully doing a few wedding bits and bobs that include finishing the place cards, decorating some favour boxes and maybe even starting on the invites. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Then tonight I can take photos of all my creations and share them on here. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Bye for now </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-27994267127640509722009-05-14T22:35:00.002+01:002009-05-14T23:37:52.768+01:00Remember Me?Remember me? I'm the naughty blogger who has been missing for weeks. Well not so much missing, but more that I haven't been bothered to blog, which sounds really bad now I am writing it down! I suppose that some days I have been busy though, and I have been sleeping a lot better lately, which is good. I have also been reading quite a lot. I think that helps me sleep too sometimes.<br /><br />So, I suppose I better fill you in on what has been going on in my life since I last blogged. That's if I can remember everything, it's been so long. The last time I posted was just before the bank holiday weekend, right after buying my wedding shoes which I do love lots. So much, that I asked the bridesmaids if they would like matching pairs, so now I have 4 more pairs to order. 3 bridesmaids, but one with feet that could grow over the next year.<br /><br />Bank Holiday weekend was spent at home finishing the decorating, and shopping in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Homebase</span> for laminate flooring. We came up with the bright idea of saving money and doing it ourselves, all I can say is Never Again! It was really hard work, and the spacers that mark the gap round the edge kept moving, making it really difficult. Although I would never do it again, it was well worth putting the effort in as it looks fab.<br /><br />The following weekend was spent shopping for new clothes with my birthday money, which was given to me 2 days early. 4 hours on Saturday and another 5 on Sunday! I must be crazy! It was hard work, as I have no confidence when shopping, especially if on my own like I was on Saturday. I always end up buying the same things, as I get scared to try new things, in the fear they won't suit me. I spend ages looking at what other people are wearing, envying their style and wishing I looked as nice as them. When really there is no reason why I can't. So on Sunday, with help from a friend I learnt to layer and accessorise, and it was good. I now believe that I can make several <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">outfits</span> from what I already have in my wardrobe, and believe that maybe I don't always need to buy new clothes, just new accessories from time to time.<br /><br />'Remember Me?' is also the title of one of the books I have just finished reading. It's the story of a woman who has an accident, hits her head, gets amnesia, and has forgotten the last 3 years of her life. She doesn't remember getting married, she doesn't even remember meeting him. I really enjoyed the book, but it scared me slightly, and made me think where I would be if I woke up and my memory was back 3 years ago! Not in a place I would like to be, and I wouldn't remember meeting Mr Perfect, or getting engaged, or meeting any of my lovely hitched friends. It would be really weird and really scary. Maybe I shouldn't read, as it causes me to think about things too much!<br /><br />Well I think that just about brings us up to date, apart from mentioning that it was my birthday on Monday, as most people reading this probably know. Oh, and that a huge barbecue arrived on Tuesday and I am really looking forward to building it, although a little worried that it wont fit in Mr P's new shed. Oh, and I should add that the weather forecast is really shocking for this weekend and next, so we probably wont be using it anytime soon.<br /><br />Plans for this weekend:<br /><br />Putting the barbecue together<br />Making some wedding stationery<br />Cleaning the house from top to bottom as it's really messy from decorating<br />Going to town to buy friend's birthday present and bits to embellish some tops<br />Embellishing some tops<br />and going to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ikea</span> to choose some new living room furnitureZipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-22585043694644415702009-04-22T22:57:00.002+01:002009-04-23T00:01:59.701+01:00The Apprentice & The Notebook<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So I guess you are thinking the 2 above mentioned delights of tonight's TV are a strange combination, but I love them both in completely different ways. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">First up is the apprentice, although I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">don't</span> know how much I will write about it, as I currently have eyes full of tears from The Notebook. I'm not going to explain what The Apprentice is about as I am sure everyone knows what it is. On tonight's show, the 2 teams were given a new breakfast cereal, and they had to give it a brand, design the packaging, create a commercial and pitch it to the client. The one team cam up with this fantastic idea, they decided the cereal looked like treasure, and called them 'Treasure Flakes', they created the character of a Parrot Pirate for the branding, and produced a good box, jingle and commercial to go with it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The other team, on the other hand were absolutely shocking! They created this character called 'Pants Man' like a superhero with his pants over his clothes, and came up with the ridiculous idea that with their jingle make kids put their pants on the right way. Erm...hello...what sort of mixed message is that? Clearly these people have absolutely no idea whatsoever. I can't believe that these people, who are already employed in better positions than myself, and probably earning a lot more too, are on a game show style interview to win a 1 million pounds salary job. None of them have any common sense, yes they can talk the talk, and yes they may have got some degree, but most of them lack basic knowledge and life skills. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As much as I love the programme, I do sometimes sit on my sofa wanting to shout at the contestants through the TV! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After The Apprentice had finished, it was back to channel flicking to try and find something to watch before bed. I do like having Sky, but all those extra channels, and it can still be difficult finding something decent to watch! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Whilst flicking through, I saw The Notebook was showing on Film 4. Having seen this film a few times, I knew what emotions it would bring, but decided as it was already halfway through, I would watch it anyway. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">For anyone who has not seen this film, this may be a good place to stop reading! For those who have, I hope you will agree with what I have to say. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This film is the story of Ally and Noah who meet one summer and fall in love, they have a summer romance. During this time, Noah shows Ally a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">derelict</span> house he wants to but and renovate for her. However, her family <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">disapprove</span>, as he comes from a poor family, and they want better for her. At the end of the summer they take her away, and her mother hides all the letters that Noah writes to her. Time passes by and Noah throws all his emotions into the house and works day and night to make it into a beautiful home. Ally meets someone else, they get engaged and are happy until she opens the paper one day and sees the house and Noah standing proud next to it. She realises that maybe she isn't as happy as she should be and goes back to see Noah. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I feel that this is the story of what real love is and should be. When I first watched this film, I was single, and it made me feel that I wanted the love that Noah and Ally have. The love they have is unconditional, it is sweet and passionate, gentle but strong at the same time. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The first time I saw this I cried from start to finish, I cried at the happy romantic parts, I cried at the sad parts. I just sobbed! It drained me emotionally! At first I thought maybe it was because I was single, and I wanted my own Noah, someone to make me laugh, someone to do all those romantic things he does, just someone to be there for me, for company, for cuddles, for love. However, when I watched this again with Mr P, I cried again, not all the way through like before, but at certain points, mainly the parts where they are parted or you are led to believe they will be parted. I put this down to being in a new relationship, a perfect relationship. I had found my Noah and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">didn't</span> want to lose him, and could relate to the hurt the characters were feeling. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After watching it again tonight, and noting the parts in which I cried like a baby, I think there is more to it. Throughout the film, the story flashes to a nursing home where an elderly man is telling the story to an elderly lady. We later find out that this couple are an elderly Noah and Ally. He is still very much in love with her, but Ally has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Alzheimer's</span>, and doesn't know who he is anymore. It becomes very clear, that he often tells her this story, and every now and then she remembers, the real Ally returns, only for a few minutes, but long enough to see that the love has never faded between them. The tears come when, after a few minutes, Ally forgets who and where she is again and pushes Noah away. The nursing staff have to come and sedate her. Noah is left distraught. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I think this hits home for me, as my Grandma suffered from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alzheimer's</span>. My Grandad cared for her for as long as he could, but in the end, she had to go into a nursing home. He visited her every day, where he would sit with her, hold her hand, and talk to her. In the end, she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">didn't</span> know who he was, but still, as much as it must have hurt him, he stayed strong and kept putting himself through it every day, just to be at her side. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Whilst watching that particular part of the film tonight, for the first time, I thought, that could be me. One day, that could be me, what if it is hereditary? What if I have to put Mr P through that daily hurt, seeing the love of his life deteriorate like that? Who knows what the future might bring. I suppose all we can do is live life to the full now, make the most of what we have and never take anything for granted. </span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-30540623633706081412009-04-14T22:28:00.003+01:002009-04-14T23:34:34.651+01:00Blank Mind!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Now I am very aware of people reading my blog, I feel obliged to update regularly. As I did not post yesterday, I feel a new post is much needed. However, my mind is completely blank, and I don't really know what to say. How can a chatterbox like me be speechless?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So, I am going to finish telling you about the weekend. Sunday was another day spent decorating. We started the day by exchanging our chocolate, I had my chocolate bunny, and Mr P had his Cadbury's Egg. OK, so I was still a little miffed at not having a milkybar cow, but still, there is always next year. Also, Mr P is very slow at eating chocolate, so I get to share his when all mine has gone!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We finally finished the painting on Sunday afternoon, well the walls anyway, we still have the woodwork to do this next weekend. I finally managed to convince Mr P to spend some money on furniture and accessories for our newly decorated living room. Although, we now can't find some units we like! The only ones we really like are well over budget, so I guess next Sunday's schedule may involve a trip to Ikea. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The good news is that we did choose some curtains in the end. We settled on some linen curtains from Next, which are cream with green stripes at the top. The only problem is that I will need to take them up as they are far too long. Who decides on Standard curtain lengths? Is there such a thing as standard windows? I always thought our windows were pretty standard, although it turns out that 137cm curtains are 3 cm too short! So, hopefully the curtains will arrive by next weekend and I will be spending Sunday afternoon cutting 43cm off a pair of curtains! Good job they are plain! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Before we went curtain shopping, I decided to check out the local car boot sale. I haven't been to one for a long time, and I have this money making eBay scheme up my sleeve. So, at 7.30 on Bank Holiday Monday, I was dragging myself out of bed and into the shower, covering my face in minimum make up, just enough to look half decent, and pouring coffee down my neck. Mr P could not be risen from the land of sleep, so I was 'car booting' alone. Good job really, as I don't think it was worth leaving the house for. 2 rows of cars, and tables full of rubbish, well mostly rubbish. Do people actually buy these things? OK, I have been known to buy toys, games and books from these places, and I can understand people buying children's clothes, but why would someone want to buy someone else's well worn trainers? Or used bed sheets? Old raincoat anyone? Then there are the things you can't believe people actually buy in the first place, these gimmicky things that people buy, use once and then try and flog to some other mug on a Sunday morning. The most common things are pieces of home exercise equipment. Pedals that you use in front of the TV while sitting down, thigh exercisers, mini steppers, and other useless pieces that people buy because they think exercising at home will be easier than going to the gym. </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">However, all this useless tat does not stop me from looking forward to getting up early next Sunday for the next car boot sale. We also have our own collection of rubbish to take along to one this summer. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">OK, so my mind obviously wasn't as empty as I originally thought, and I did find something to talk about. So it wasn't exactly interesting, but it kept you entertained for 5 minutes. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Night x</span>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083772874081875310.post-73859797150709736372009-04-11T23:08:00.004+01:002009-04-12T00:16:53.604+01:00Easter Eggs & More Decorating<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, today is the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> day of the long Easter weekend, and there was more decorating to be done. The bright and early didn't turn out to be so early, more like 9, and it wasn't very bright either. Typical British Easter weather! Why is it that when we get a few days off work, the weather is rubbish? All I can say is that I am quite pleased we chose decorating this weekend, as it's definitely staying in weather. All those people on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">facebook</span> who are having or going to Easter barbecues must be mad! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We did choose to leave the house this morning, for our usual Saturday trip into town to visit the bank and have a general nosy around the shops. This weekend was a quick trip, as we wanted to return to the decorating.<br /><br />So, it was off to the bank to pay some bills and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WHSmith</span> to get my monthly fix of wedding magazines. I usually try and stick to just the one, and settle for 'Perfect Wedding', but sometimes, around mid month, I get a craving for more, like I did today, and end up buying more.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While on the subject of cravings, today I was really fancying some chocolate. Now, despite the discussion with Mr P earlier in the week, the one where he suggested I have a book instead of an Easter egg, I decided to go with the chocolate. OK, I know it only lasts 2 minutes, whereas a book would last 2 days, but the thought of Easter Sunday without an Easter egg would be like Christmas dinner without the crackers. So we headed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tesco</span>, where I wasn't very optimistic about finding something. What is it with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tesco</span> at Easter? I know Saturdays are busy anyway, but today it was busier than ever, people loading their trolleys full like the shops might never be open again! I suspect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tesco</span> may be closed tomorrow, but then it will be open again on Monday, surely people don't need to shop like it's the end of the world. Do they? </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The aisle with the Easter Eggs was the busiest, full of people with loaded trolleys, trying to grab the best eggs before they all sell out. What I don't understand, is that every year on the weekend of Easter, the only eggs left are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cadbury's</span> Cream Egg ones and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Cadbury's</span> Caramel. Hundreds of them, and nobody wanting to buy them, or being forced to, so that they don't return home empty handed. You'd think the supermarkets would learn by now to buy less of these eggs and more of the ones that people actually like. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I had my heart set on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Lindt</span> gold bunny as I have never had one before. £3.99 just for a gold bunny! I could have probably had a whole box of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lindt</span> chocolates for the same price! Mr P treated me though as he knew how much I wanted one, while he settled for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cadbury's</span> Caramel egg, I suppose someone does like them after all. I will have to wait till next year for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Milkybar</span> cow though, as they were all gone. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a Happy Easter everyone. </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SeEkRUa3ogI/AAAAAAAAABI/mxswIOexTdM/s1600-h/lindt+gold+bunny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EyAbhEQyLZU/SeEkRUa3ogI/AAAAAAAAABI/mxswIOexTdM/s200/lindt+gold+bunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323576114486419970" border="0" /></a>Zipsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740285690263310149noreply@blogger.com0