Birthday's, Balloons,Ballet & Beauty and the Beast!!

Disclaimer:Not bragging, showing off or anything else.

Birthday Flowers from my Mum.

So it's been a few weeks of birthday celebrations, cakes, balloons and some fun activities. First it was my hubby's birthday, so instead of birthday presents because we wanted to save money for the holiday and mini trips. So we decided to cook each other a special meal of the their choice for their birthday meal. I cooked hubby my mushroom risotto, which is one of his favorite meals I cook and I particularly liked to make it. I got hubby a chocolate cake and candles and balloons. We enjoy doing little things like this for each other to create our mini adventures and memories. We wanted to do a few special things in Italy as it was in between our birthday's and our 6th wedding anniversary as well so it will be a few months of little celebrations dotted here, there and every where. Our main birthday celebration is going to be in Bath and Bristol and a football match at Aston Villa in the Easter holidays. I can't wait to go. I love Bath, it's so pretty and great for photo opportunities, lovely vintage shops, boutiques and lovely places to eat. Keep a look out for the blog!

 

On Monday (the day before my birthday) we decided to go a watch the new film Beauty and the Beast. I have to say it was even better than the 1st one. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to get the sound track and the DVD. It really was an amazing film and all the actors including Dan Stevens, was amazing as the Beast. I think Hubby and I will be going as Beauty and the Beast for our New Years Eve Party. I had been looking forward to this film for about 8 months when I found that it was being released. It was worth the wait for sure. Hubby also cooked me a homemade meal. When I was on dialysis my favorite hospital dinner was sausages, mash and onion gravy. Since I now no longer need dialysis I don't get a chance to eat it. So I wanted it as my birthday meal, Hubby went out and got special sausages which had some unusual flavours, I picked maple syrup and apples (sticky toffee apple) New York Deli (Chorizo) and a Cheddar and Leeks (Cheddar Gorgeous). Hubby also pumped up loads of cute pink balloons so I buried myself in them-lol!! It was lovely very relaxed and cute dinner with hubby and me (just the two of us)

My actual birthday, I was at work and I had the opportunity to go to the Ballet with work. I enjoyed the Ballet and I want to go again to another show at the theatre in my town. It was the a Ballet of Goldie Locks and the 3 bears (works choice) however it was good and a nice relaxing day. We then went to have a nice cake and cup of tea. 

Over all it was a lovely time and I am looking forward to doing more fun things in the next few weeks.I was a bit naughty with my diet this week but back on healthy eating next week. 

Another year older and feeling great, I'm in a good place and planning for the future. Thank you to all the lovely people who gave me a card or present and for being great people in my life.

ToodlesXX

Bye bye to my first car

So it's been a bit of an emotional few weeks, I had to say goodbye to my first car which I picked out with my (late) father. As you can see it was also my favourite colour as well. I had some amazing trips and I think I will remember all the fun road trips we did but she was starting to cost more than she was worth. We also couldn't go through the monkey enclosure with it at Longleat Safari Park-otherwise it would have been on bricks before you could have said baboon!!

I found some old pics of my car in the different seasons. It was fun to drive around the Isle of Wight and along our coast with a picnic in the back and a few picnic chairs and blanket. I have very fond memories and I will treasure those. I took some wing mirror shots while we were on our adventures.

Some summer and winter pictures. 

 

Now it's time to enjoy the new car, we have a sound system in it, so we can sing along to some great tunes on our adventures. She is now being driven for banger racing. Which sounds a bit extreme but bizarrely it was my (late) father's favourite pastime which he went and watched in Wimbledon with my mum. So I feel less guilty about getting rid of it because it was a joy of my dad's.

On to our next adventure.

ToodlesXX

My Donor Family Letter

So this was the hardest letter I have ever had to write. It was something that I had tried to do so many times but I never felt I had got the right words to explain how I felt and how grateful I am. How do you write a letter that there are no words that can really sum up how thankful because words wouldn't truly be enough.

I found it hard to find the right writing paper because I didn't want it to be too over the top, too girly or too bubbly. I just hated every option I had found. Then I looked on Paperchase and I knew I would find something that was the right balance of special enough but not over the top. I then sat down once again after starting the letter for at least the 10th times. I just started typing and this time I really felt like I could get my words out properly, it was very emotional and I cried through out writing it. 

I am very proud to have written it and I hope that my letter bring's them some comfort as my Donor was the most amazing selfless human being, a hero and my guardian angel. I want to live my life to the fullest in honour of my donor and in their memory. The love I have for my Donor's family is immense and maybe one day I might know how they feel with a return letter but for now to know that I have given them a little comfort (I hope) is all I want. 

In loving memory of my Donor and to my Donors Family who made a very brave and difficult decision in the midst of grief is the most incredible and selfless act any one could ever do.

XX

Mini Holiday Primark Haul

So as many of you will know by now.....I’M GOING TO ITALY IN MAY!! Ok sorry about the yelling but I’m slightly excited-if you hadn’t already guessed that!!! Anyway, believe it or not going to Primark is a bit of a treat for me, sounds a bit sad but to be honest I try not to spend money because I was a bit naughty with shopping when I was younger. Let’s just say it wasn’t quite the credit card in the ice block like Rebecca Bloomwood but it wasn’t far off. The other reason is living in Dorset I have to drive about 40 minutes to get to a Primark (which is tiny but still better than nothing) so it’s a bit of a mission to go if you need one thing so we order a lot online but it’s not the same. Anyway I got to a Primark and spent a small fortune but they are key pieces which I can use as different outfits. I had loads and loads of stuff which always happens with me but nowadays I can put stuff back. So there were a few things I thought would be great for the holiday but I had a budget and I stuck to it (or thereabouts-eeek!)

I decided to go sophisticated apart from one item which I will wear here. Which is the sparkly high tops which I couldn’t resist buying. They are quite comfy as well. I thought they could jazz up a boring outfit. Think they have had mixed reactions but I love them so I’m going to wear them. Sometimes it’s good to be a bit silly!!

Then I focused on my Italy style and what I could wear to make me look as glamorous as all those beautiful and elegant Italian ladies. So I thought key pieces that would work with other clothes I have. So I thought the white shirt with the little bobbles or dots on would go with everything (I just need to buy a white strappy top to go under it.) I can put the shirt with my white jeans, my yellow and blue trousers and most of my skirts including the one in the picture.

The skirt is tulle material which I love and the detail of the flowers is very pretty and the colour makes it sophisticated and it can be an evening or day depending on how I accessorise it and what I pair it with. In the day I can put it with a little t-shirt or a vest top but maybe the skirt is a cute option. I have black sandals that I would probably wear with that skirt rather than the other sandals which are a bit more playful with the teeny tiny pom poms-which are too cute to handle-lol! The other shoes I bought were for evenings out, I bought flat shoes because with cobbles and hills I don’t want to struggle to walk around. I think on holidays it’s sensible to wear flatter shoes in places like Italy. They will go with skirts and long dresses too. I did forget to photograph my long evening cardigan that is cream which will go with all of my evening outfits or if it’s more chilly in the day. Oh and I also forgot to photograph the jumper I am wearing now which actually is a mint colour, it’s a summer jumper (lightweight) so I can wear it in Italy with my white jeans or a skirt. I bought some new sunglasses and a silk scarf that I thought looked quite chic for Italy. The sunglasses are the style I used to have when I thought I was young and hip! The silk scarf I could wear with a skirt or a a more simple top that I could then pair it with to make it a feature.  I was happy with what I got and I can combine it with other clothes that I already have so only need a few cheaper bits like vest tops. Can’t wait to go and I’m sure maybe another mini haul before I go-hehe!!

ToodlesXX

Valentines Day in the Isle of Wight

  

Valentine's Day was my 5 months post transplant anniversary, so we were celebrating both. We went out for a Valentine's Day lunch at Prezzo. I had a lovely dish, it was lobster and crab ravioli and hubby had a pappardelle gorgonzola which he enjoyed immensely. It was a rare treat as we hadn't really been out for Valentine's Day for years because we do prefer to have more of a private dinner at home, where we can choose the menu and decor. But I have to say I really enjoyed having a meal out like that.  

As part of our tradition of having a meal at home though, I decided to get some heart balloons to decorate our holiday home. I also got some tiny heart confetti and heart bunting to set the mood but I ended up decorating my in-laws' sun room as we were eating together that night. It looked so cute and it created a nice atmosphere for the rest of the evening. I got all my decorations from Poundland and Tiger, which may sound a bit stingy but as my budget was small this year having only just gone back to work and a list as long as my arm of things to buy and pay for in the next few months, I was trying to be sensible and save the pennies. I was pleasantly surprised by the balloons from Poundland, which were £1 and then another £1 for the helium. These would have been twice as much if I had bought them from anywhere else, I know in Asda the balloons would have cost £5 each, so instead of £8 I would have spent £20+helium. I can save the bits I bought this year and add to them next year. I will definitely do more Pinterest ideas next year. I just ran out of budget and time. I am excited about having more surprises next year but I might do some bits for our 6th wedding anniversary.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone, thanks for the love and support over the last few years. 

ToodlesXX

THEY ARE REBUILDING THE TITANIC

"Read all about it, they are rebuilding the Titanic (2)"

So ever since I was a little girl when I first saw the Titanic film, I wondered what it would have been like to have been on the Titanic (obviously before it sank.) I think I was about 12 when I saw it in the cinema and it was to me the most beautiful and sad film I had ever seen. I then got it on video and I was given the book which accompanied the movie that Christmas.

As many of you know I love interior design, doesn't matter where it is, I'm fascinated by it. Especially if it is from the 1900's onward because I am in LOVE with that era. You know, actually I think my love for that era was actually from watching the Titanic film. I loved all the fashion and all the beautiful tea cups and furniture.

So I was on Twitter and I saw that someone had said they are rebuilding the Titanic and calling it the Titanic 2 and I was like "You what?". I clicked on the link and sure enough my childhood dreams are coming true. I was so excited when I read this and you will be able to buy tickets to go on it. It will be stopping at Southampton so going all the way to China won't be necessary-haha!! So even if I don't get to go on the Titanic 2 I might see her sailing by.

The billionaire whose idea it is to build her is also including costumes for passengers to wear for the formal dining. This is just the most amazing thing I have heard, I  remember I wanted all of Rose's outfits. She looked so glamorous and I dreamed that I could wear clothes like that, basically live my life as if I was in a period drama like Downton. It's funny actually because Samantha Bond, who plays Rose's mother actually appears in Downton too as an aunt many years later which is quite bizarre and in one of the first scenes of Downton Abbey they are talking about the sinking of the Titanic. It is at the same time as Downton was set so the fashion is very similar which is why I love both. My favourite outfit from the film was the first one she appeared in, the white and purple pinstriped skirt and jacket.

The interior of the new Titanic 2 will have replicas of the original ship's interior. So the staircase and the glass dome will be recreated to look as similar as possible.

The Palm Court Cafe is being recreated to look exactly like the original and the set one too. If I was designing the ship (dream job-as I want to be an interior designer) I would use the research and photographs from the set of the Titanic from the film and the costumes and food from Downton Abbey as well. Huge amounts of research went into the production of both of these. The photos are great to get the exact details from and the book: A Year of a Life At Downton Abbey would give recipes for both the upper decks and lower decks. It's absolutely fascinating and makes me want to re-read both of my books (that I'm currently using for my blog.)

The owner has hired chefs to do research into the food they may have eaten but luckily some of the food menus have been saved/found. From the film research we know that they had 7-10 courses in first class. I have to say I am partial to a brandy snap cigar with cream -yum yum (pic from my Titanic book, I did try to get my mum to buy these at Christmas!). I will buy them one day soon and I will enjoy them....!!

There are some slightly weirder foods on the third class menu cards. Not sure about the gruel or the rice soup but I did laugh at the second class menu for luncheon, Yarmouth bloater which is some sort of fish.

I did like the look of the afternoon tea for the first class passengers. I am partial to an afternoon tea although I'm surprised it wasn't high tea at 5pm. It would be something if we still had high tea every day (now I know why the portions are small - because they had so much food).

I think when the tickets become available I will seriously consider going on the Titanic 2. I was meant to go on a cruise a few years ago but unfortunately I was hospitalized for an infection. So I actually never got to go on that cruise, so this could be a good one to go on instead.

I will keep a weather eye out on the horizon.

ToodlesXX

Becoming an Advocate for Organ Donation

 

I am so excited and proud  to tell everyone that I have become Advocate for Live Life Give Life Charity which is an amazing charity that raises awareness and encouraging Organ Donation by getting people signing the Donor Register. For me it is an honor to be part of this amazing charity which literally saves lives by raising the importance of Organ Donation and with out it I wouldn't be here or be able to lead a normal life. I took a few pictures in my Orgamites t-shirt, with some of Snapchat filters- which I think makes my pics look cute.

I can't wait to start organizing some events to fund-raise for Live Life Give Life. I have so many ideas for fundraising events which will be fun and unique. This summer would be great to hold an event in my local area. So I need to start planning and see what I can physically do in the time.

I'm 5 months post kidney transplant now, on Valentines Day as a bit of a stroke of luck. So a double celebration which is lovely. I can't believe it's been that long already, it's flown by and soon it will be half a year. I'm so grateful for my Donor and I want to spread awareness for the selfless act he did so others like me could live. He has made it possible for my husband and I to have children which was a dream of mine to be a mum.

By raising awareness for organ donors, those waiting might not wait have to wait as long or unfortunately they never get their call because theirs not enough donors. So now all the hard work start of raising more awareness and fundraising.

So here goes, keep a weather eye out on the horizon, the next few months will hopefully have some exciting news and events!!

ToodlesXX

My late Dad

So I lost my Dad in 2009 when I was 23 years old after 4 years of bravely battling cancer, multiple myeloma which caused kidney failure. He was diagnosed in 2005, I remember being picked up by Mum and my brother was in the front and neither said anything. I asked them if everything was ok and my mum replying "no it f**king isn't OK, your father has got cancer." I just remember tears streaming down my face and being silent for the rest of the journey, just in total shock. I remember we got a phone call when we got back home and my dad was crying, his voice cracked as he said goodbye to us. He had been told that he needed to go to the hospital to start the treatment straight away. I still remember his face now and how frightened he looked as walked out of the door not knowing if he would ever see us again. It still makes me cry even today 12 years after he was diagnosed and 8 years after he passed away. It was a tough time and not knowing from one day to the next day if that would be the last day with him. He had his chemotherapy and he then started peritoneal dialysis because his kidneys had failed due to the cancer. I remember sitting with Dadz and him looking so thin and so frail, it broke my heart to see him like that. 

To me he was always the strong one and the practical joker who was always laughing and playing jokes on us, well mostly me I think (I fell for most of them if not all of them!) It was hard to see him change in front of me and there was nothing we could do but be there for him. I used to sit with him while he did his dialysis in the spare room and we would chat about our days and just stuff, I'm grateful for those times we shared together. I can still picture us sat there with his dialysis bag hanging from the skylight. Little did I know, that seeing him go through this would give me my inner strength to go through it too with my kidneys failing. My family tried to stay strong and keep going for his sake but behind closed doors and away from others I cried and cried and cried till I cried my self to sleep. 

In 2007 I did a trek for my Dad who had help from Macmillian to raise money to help families and patients like my Dad to get the support they needed. I was happy to do my bit to help Dadz and other families like ours going through it too. In 2006 we nearly lost him, he was in intensive care and we nearly lost him and I remember going into intensive care and just being so scared that that would be the last time I would see him. We got told to prepare ourselves for the worst. I was devastated and beside myself, I wasn't ready to say goodbye. Luckily he pulled through and we were able to have a few more years with him. He was in and out of hospital, then in 2008 he was taken back into hospital. I had to go and pick my brother up from school and take him to the hospital to see Dadz. We were once again scared that this was close to the end but again we had some more time with Dadz. 

In 2009 my parents took my brother to look round uni in the Lake District and further north. It was there that my dad passed away. I got a phone call from my mum that my dad had been taken ill and was going to hospital, so my auntie drove me up to the Lake District and I just talked the whole way about rubbish because I was trying to distract myself about what I might be met with. I got the call from my mum and by the time I got to the Lake District he had passed away. I was just devastated, but I was glad to have said everything that I had wanted to a few days before to my Dad and he had given me his blessing to marry my hubby (ready for when he proposed to me.)

I have so many lovely memories of my Dad and all the adventures we have been on together. I remember his great sense of humour and his mischievous side, that often resulted in practical jokes. He was great at surprises, sometimes he would just pull the car over on the way to somewhere and open up the boot of the car and he would produce the most amazing picnics or he would take us on these crazy adventures out of the blue. I loved his way of making things exciting even if it was an ordinary thing.

  

I remember driving along a Spanish road onto these windy roads and he was singing a song so loudly we were all falling about laughing or shouting "Banditos" whenever we saw a sign. He would also play very funny practical jokes on us, mostly on me. He pointed to the top of the garden and said that there was a hedgehog up there, so he said let's go and have a look. So I crept up to the top of the garden and as I got closer I realised it was a bloody melon (not the yellow ones but the other little brownish ones.) I still can't believe I fell for it. 

Another practical joke he did was on my birthday and I thought I was getting an art easel but when I opened the box it was kindling wood. He had taken the easel out and said it was a do it yourself kit lol!! 

   

His best one is the picture at the top, it was Christmas and I thought I was getting my first mobile phone. I got given my main present and it was a tube and I thought oh god what have I got...? So I opened it and there was a slipper at one end so I pulled it out and something went flying, I realised it was my phone. and in the other end was the battery. It was the best practical joke he pulled on me and the picture is us having a little moment together where we were having a little chuckle. 

                

My parents had surprised us that instead of going to Spain we were actually going to Florida and Mexico. When we were at Disneyland and we were going on a ride, he had told some American tourists that he knew the Queen or Lizzy as he called her (and they believed him - it was very amusing) then shortly after this he announced rather loudly while we were in the line that he shouldn't have eaten that burger and chips because he felt quite sick. You could see people backing away from us - it was the most hilarious thing he has ever done and I was in stitches. It shows his real jokey side and his great sense of humour which I miss. 

I miss sitting down with him and chatting to him about my day. But I have so many fond memories which I treasure so much. I love looking back at our family pictures and remember little family stories. He was a great Dad and I miss him terribly but I use his zest for life and his bravery going through his illness which gave me my strength.  

Us playing in the garden.

Me when I was 8 years old with my Dad. Then all of us in the garden.

          My Dad when he was younger.

He used to have a motorbike and this is him on it. 

In Loving Memory Of My Dad.

Toodles XX