Thursday 28 November 2013

Planning for the Future

I'm not sure I have ever really planned for the future, just things I would like to do/achieve at some point in my life, buy a house, get married, get fit, start a family, you know the usual. It just seems that lately these things have to be added to a timeline, and given a slightly more specific deadline. Is that just part of getting older? Or is it just my current circumstances that are demanding a little more commitment that my usual meh if it happens it happens attitude.


I think it started when we fixed a date for the wedding, financial decisions have to be made to ensure we can cover everything, upto and after. This really hit home recently when I was offered a new job, when the offer was first made I was in no doubt I was ready for a new challenge, something different let's do it. This offer is only for a temporary position though, it would take us up to the wedding and then finish. Which in theory would be brilliant, but in actual fact what if I couldn't find another job after, that would really mess up our future plans. At which point I realised we had mapped out quite a chunk of our future already, scary!

Wedding - Honeymoon - Baby (Maternity) - Move to London (6 months) - Buy House

BIG financial commitments, the specific dates aren't set but I think we will have reached the end of the timeline in 2 -3 years, so can I really afford to take the risk at this time. Unfortunately I think the answer is no, so I guess I will have to stick it out in current job for a little while longer, unless my numbers come up on the lottery of course.  

Do you have a timeline for your future plans, am I the only one who finds it a little scary?

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Wot Up Blood?

Yesterday I did a good deed, I gave blood. 
This is only the second time I've ever given blood, the first time was in February of this year, but it is definitely something I'd like to continue doing. They do ask you some very odd questions in the form you have to fill out though. Well not odd as such, just things I'm not sure you would admit to even if they were true. For example, have you been given money or drugs for sex? or have you had sex sex with a man who has ever had oral or anal sex with another man, with or without a condom? I can happily and honestly answer no to both, but I'd be interested to know if anyone answers yes. 


They gave me a little keyring this time with my blood type on, which was nice. I'm quite pleased with my blood type, I know that sounds odd but to me it serves as a little mantra as well as a blood type ''B Positve''. Nice little reminder everytime I get my donation letter through.

Do you give blood? You should if you can, I think it's a great thing to do, doesn't cost you anything apart from time, and in exchange you get snacks (crisps and biscuits), drinks and the warm fuzzies that you may be helping to save a life. It doesn't hurt, promise. Although I did yelp a little when they ripped of the tape holding the needle steady, but I can take it, I is 'ard init.

If you fancy giving it a go have a look at www.blood.co.uk it will tell you what to do.

Monday 25 November 2013

Collecting ''THE'' Dress

So Saturday I got up quite early, was picked up by my Ma and Pa and driven the hour it takes to get to the Wedding Dress shop that I used in Uckfield. I know that's quite a trek but it was the closest shop that had the dress I had fallen in love with online. (I didn't end up with that particular dress in the end as when I put it on it looked hideous, made me look really square like I was made out of duplo!)

I had received the call in the week that my dress was ready for collection. It's really real now, I think that was the moment when I realised this was really happening. When you book venues, caterers, photographers etc you don't really get something weddingy to hold that's yours, it's just a date in the calender. An amazing bejewelled princess dress, for the most extravagant day of my life is. I can touch it, try it on swoop around in it, but not too much, I don't want to ruin it before the big day. It is still yet to be altered to my particular specifications, and will have to live with my parents, but I can go visit anytime I want.

Obviously I'm not going to put a picture up, I want to save the big reveal for the day, but I was just wondering am I the only one who felt like this. Are you married/getting married, when did it seem really real to you?

I can really picture myself wearing it afterwards as well, on those nights when I get an evening in by myself in front of the T.V. big fancy dress on twirling around the living room....just me?

Friday 22 November 2013

Sending Save The Dates


So I finally got around to sorting out my save the date cards. Designed them up at work (don't tell), and eventually got them printed  up after much faff with a temperamental printer. The are roughly the same size and layout of a postcard to save on envelopes. I'm quite pleased with how they came out it's just a shame my handwriting isn't very fancy... 

We can hand deliver most of them which is handy, but the ones I do have to post are proving tricky, I don't actually have a valid address book, and even if I did most things are done via Facebook, text and email. When was the last time you posted something to a friend, or even a relative? I don't even send out Christmas/Birthday cards anymore, if they are family friends my Mum still puts my name on their cards, how bad is that. 

Thing is I love getting post, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one. Maybe once I have gatherd up all the addresses for the save the dates I will make more of an effort, at least with a Christmas card maybe even the odd note to a select few. Can't expect to get any letters if I don't send any right? 

How do you feel about post, do you still write letters, or have a pen pal? 

Thursday 14 November 2013

Naughty Kitty

''She is going to have to go!'' This is what woke me up the third or fourth time this morning. I know he doesn't mean it he's just tired and grumpy. How could we be parted from Molly moo and those big blue eyes?
But I could totally understand where he was coming from this morning. Unfortunately Molly is quite vocal and thinks it's a good idea to wake us up at around 3:30am meowing and scratching at the bedroom door begging to come in for a cuddle. OK so that sound quite cute until it happens everyday, if we do let her in the purring is so loud it keeps us awake, and then when she is bored she jumps over us and scratches at the bed. Which I can confirm does not end with a happy boyfriend, especially when he has to get up at 5:00am anyway.

So what to do, any cat owners out there have any suggestions on how to stop this nonsense? I love my fluff ball Molly moo bags, but this really is getting ridiculous.

Monday 11 November 2013

Woodland Knits

After seeing a few of Tiny Owl Knits patterns on a friends blog I had to know more. I found the book of patterns on Amazon and now it is mine. All of the patterns are so cute, and most use chunky wool so will probably knit up quite quickly. I'm so excited to get started, can't decide if I want to start with the Woodland Hoodlet or Mr Fox Stole My Heart though, what do you think?

  

Sunday 10 November 2013

Hastings Museum


 Today we decided to visit our local museum. I've lived in this town my whole life and I don't ever remember going, I'm sure I did when I was small but I just don't remember. It's such a cute building and as entry is free it's nice to go visit when you are at a loose end I just haven't done until now.


Most of the exhibitions cover our local history as you would expect, mods and rockers, local landmarks, 1066 and all that jazz. 

But for me the most spectacular part of the museum is when you stumble upon the Thomas Brassy exhibition, a large room two floors high full of the most beautiful carvings, the walls doors and ceilings were all completely covered in these beautiful carvings. I could have spent hours just looking at all the intricate details. Definitely worth a second visit at some point.


Most of my pictures didn't come out that great as it's quite dark, so this is just a taster. I believe you can also get married in this room which would be a beautiful setting for your special day.


There are so many other little things to look at as you go around this compact little museum. We only stayed for around half an hour but I could imagine whiling away hours if the mood took you.

Do you have a local museum, have you been? 

Saturday 9 November 2013

Rainy Day = Cake


The weather today was grim. Heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning, so we ventured out in the morning to get some breakfast and do some shopping at the fishmongers and butchers (hark at us). Then it just got too much so we decided to be shut in's for the afternoon, indulged in a tasty bacon sandwich made with butcher meat, then I got down to some cake baking. 


Go to sponge cake recipe, courtesy of Rachel Allen "it's so fluffy" mmm, strawberry jam and whipped cream. Think I put too much cream in though, because it all squidged out when I tried to cut it, oh well didn't stop it being scrummy.

Monday 4 November 2013

November Fitness Goals

Ok so first off I should probably do a quick round up of how I got on last month.

October Goals:

  • To do at least 3 runs a week
  • One session of yoga a week
  • One/two body weight sessions per week
Well I started with the best of intentions as always, I was pumped and raring to go the first couple of weeks, I managed everything plus an Insanity workout each day, intense but I was on a roll. Then I started to flag, the runs dropped of and by the end of week 3 I had completely lost focus, I was still going to my yoga class but that was it apart from the Zombie Run. Thankfully I still think I managed to shift a few pounds so all was not lost.

I have decided to scrap Insanity again it is just not my thing 2 - 3 weeks seems to be my limit then I get bored, so the thought of doing it for 2 months, 6 days a week really does not inspire. I will get back into the swing of running seeing as I have now committed to the half marathon eek!

Which brings me to....

November Goals:


  • One session of yoga a week
  • 2 - 3 runs a week, pushing my distance/speed on one of the runs
  • At least one other random workout per week, magazine, TRX or lucky dip challenge*
So lets see how I go.

*Lucky dip challenge is something that has just come to me in a flash of inspiration, I will write down a number of challenges i.e 100 push ups, 10 handstands etc to be completed during that particular day. I will put them all in a box/bag and pick one whenever I feel the need. What do you think? Good idea, bad idea?

Ippo the Zonkey


How cute is Ippo the Zonkey, love child of Martin the Zebra and Giada the Donkey, lives in Florence.

Picture of Ippo the Zonkey from Yahoo news.