The Gift

Key Holder

2009-10-21T11:38:00.003+01:00

I've just bought my boyfriend a key holder, you may think what a boring present but it's not really, as it's a car key holder and he just loves all motor sport. He got so excited when Jenson Button became world champion in Formula 1 racing this weekend that I thought he was going to stop breathing.

He should love it, I thought I'd treat him, seeing as he cooked me a fantastic roast dinner on Sunday and he also drove me around all weekend. The key holder is in the shape of a steering wheel and in a very manly chrome.

I should get it in about 3 days, just in time before I see him on Saturday, fingers crossed he likes it.

What to do for Halloween?

2009-10-02T12:58:00.000+01:00

Last year I went on a London ghost tour, but this year I want to do something different, my boyfriends not interested in Halloween one bit, he'd rather turn all the lights off and pretend nobody's home, so the trick and treaters avoid knocking.

I was thinking of having a fire-pit party but then I thought that would be better for Bonfire night and then I thought maybe combine the both. I spoke to my friend who I went on the tour with last year and she thinks I ought to do the party. However I have no idea what the weather is going to be at the moment it's still sunny, bit chilly in the mornings but by the end of the month who knows.

I'm going to have chat with some of my other mates and see what we all come up with; I'll let you know soon.

Thinking About Dancing

2009-09-15T12:41:00.000+01:00

If you've read my New Years post you'll know I need dance lessons. It's something I'm seriously considering, but as I'm surfing the net, there is so many types of lessons to choose from, plus I don't even know if there is a style to learn which will allow me to look fairly decent wherever I go, so if anyones got any advice, leave a comment and let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Bank Holiday Disaster

2009-09-04T19:24:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, my bank holiday didn't go as planned, we were going to watch my sister at one of her horse trials, (can't believe she's still doing it, I take it back, it's not a phase) and I end up getting swine flu, what are the chances. I thought it was at its lowest point during summer months, well anyway, I got it.

So, I was cooped up indoors, thankfully Tilly kept me company, but she had to make do with going out in the garden to do her business, I was in no fit state to walk her, much to her disappointment. I must admit I thought it was going to last longer than it did, but within five days I was feeling pretty much back to normal.

As a thank you to Tilly for being such a good little dog, I bought her a squeaky toy to make up for lack of freedom last week, it's amazing how quickly she forgets when she's trying to destroy a rubber newspaper.

My Holiday

2009-08-10T11:40:00.000+01:00

First holiday with my boyfriend and we went to Monmouth in Wales. It was lovely there and we could take Tilly too. We stayed in a little cottage on a farm and the views were wonderful, we visited so many places, such as Raglan Castle. But we like our activities, and so we went there because we could go caving and canoeing. Above all else, we had booked another hot air balloon flight with the same company my boyfriend had used before, but we went for an exclusive one this time, well we were on holiday, spending our hard earned cash.

The great thing was because we hired it exclusively; it was just the pilot and us. I left Tilly at the cottage, not that she wouldn't of loved it, but the last thing I wanted was for her to wonder what was on the other side of the basket. Honestly, there is nothing like it, if I could afford it I would get a hot air balloon and travel to work in it, that's how much I love it.

However, enough about balloon talk, I would recommend Monmouth, it's a lovely place to go, Tilly loved it.

Dad's Birthday

2009-07-12T10:46:00.000+01:00

Very excited about my Dad's Birthday and I found a great present for him, he loves to write, (which is probably where I get it from) and I was watching the Gadget Show the other day or it could been a few weeks ago, (so much going on) well, I found this gadget called Digiscribe. You write the old fashioned way on a piece of paper with the Digiscribe attached and although I'm not sure how it does it, but it records what you write and you plug it into the computer after and it transfers all the handwriting into text, great or what!

Dad is going to love it, even when he writes his little letters to newspapers complaining about local developments or too many cyclists on the pathways, he can use this. I hope it lives up to my expectations; otherwise it'll be another gadget in the top drawer of Dad's desk.

Father's Day

2009-06-22T18:06:00.000+01:00

Doormat time, I can't believe I've got him a doormat, if you’re wondering why see my post about how it started. So, back to the doormat, I must admit it's the first time I've ever bought one as a present, but he is very chuffed with it. I made sure it says 'Welcome' as per his requirements, not that he was fussed, he was just happy I remembered what he wanted for Father's day, and to be honest it was such a strange request that there was no way I was going to forget it.

My sister got him a plaque to go on the shed door, saying 'Do Not Disturb, Old Duffer At Work', which he seemed slightly bemused by, but which caused Mum to nearly go into hysterical fits of laughter, as he still believes he's a young whippersnapper, but we let him live his dream.

I'm sure in retaliation to the sign, he's going to go out and buy a motorbike to prove he's still youthful, not that he'll be able to get on it, he can just about climb over the garden wall.

Ballooning Experience

2009-05-13T18:10:00.000+01:00

Up, up and away, you may have noticed I've changed my background to this blog because my wonderful boyfriend treated me to a balloon ride.

It was one of the best things I have ever done, as usual I was a bit nervous, but the weather was good, because apparently you can't hot air balloon in bad weather, very dangerous as you'll get blown of course. This was all a surprise to me, my boyfriend had told me he was going to treat me to something special, but he didn't say when and he didn't say what it was going to be.

We had to get up early, the sun wasn't even up, that's how early it was and he drove me to what seemed like the middle of nowhere and there in front of me were these balloons, well they weren't quite ready yet, they had to be filled with hot air. But once this was done and I gripped my boyfriend’s arm, we lifted, I've never felt anything like it, and it’s like sailing through the air. It's a bit noisy when they put more hot air in, but that's nothing compared the views, breathtaking. We even had champagne up in the balloon.

I'm not quite Phileus Fogg, but I'm definitely going to do this again.

Easter Time

2009-04-16T10:30:00.000+01:00

As usual I stuffed myself with chocolate this Easter and my parents invited my boyfriend and I over to theirs for dinner, my sister couldn't make it, as she has now decided to enter horse trials, I'm sure it's just a phase.

Anyway, Dad was telling me about his plans for the garden and he said if I wanted to get him anything for Fathers Day could I get him a doormat saying 'Welcome', I must admit I hadn't even thought about Father's day, as its a couple of months away, but a doormat. Apparently, he's decided to convert his shed into a little home office (I think its really to escape mum), so he wants a doormat to put outside it. I told him about where I got my wardrobes from and he could get his office stuff there, the next minute he was in his shed measuring up.

But back to Easter, dinner was a lovely piece of roast lamb and a nice walk down to the river afterwards; oh I forgot to mention Tilly was invited too, once again looking for mischief.

Tilly And The Stick

2009-03-27T16:00:00.000Z

Tilly my Jack Russell, has decided to take it upon herself to become a stick herder, I know this post is completely irrelevant to gifts, but I love my little dog.

I think she has become completely obsessed by sticks, well actually not by loads of them but this one huge one, which could actually be classed as a branch. For the past few weeks, she has been determined to pick it up and run with it, and for all her little dog strength, she has failed to do so. But today, she moved it an inch, now I know Tilly and her obsession will increase after this minor victory.

She definitely has little dog syndrome.

Mothers Day

2009-03-24T19:10:00.000Z

I thought I'd do something different for my mum this year, on previous Mother's days, I've always opted for safe choice of plants for the garden or flowers, but this year I wanted to do something different.

My sister and I hatched up a plan; it wasn't a grand plan, but a plan none the less. I must admit we were both suffering from a lack of money, seeing as I was saving up for my holiday in the summer and my sister's horse had had to have the vet visit, which cost her a small fortune. So, we arranged to cook mum a slap up meal and treat her to a visit to the local spa.

The plan seemed to be going well, apart from mum saying she was on a diet, which meant all our hard work in the kitchen seemed a bit of a wasted effort, although dad apparently wasn't on a diet and managed to eat my mothers share also.

However, the visit to the spa she loved, she had an aromatherapy face, neck and shoulder massage. I probably should have warned her about the oil going on her hair, but neither my sister nor me dared tell her she had walked out with hair looking like a sloth, although, her skin looked wonderful.

Makeover Time

2009-03-03T10:05:00.000Z

Ever had one of those days where you look in the mirror and think, 'whose that?’ Well, it happened to me, I needed a makeover.

The lucky thing was I was given a gift voucher for a makeover by parents, (they had obviously noticed my deterioration) at Christmas. Thankfully it was still valid, so I grabbed the opportunity and booked with the London studio that was going to make me into a diva.

The day arrived and I must admit I did feel slightly nervous, as I was going by myself, only because I wanted to surprise everyone with my new look. I need not of worried; I was treated like a princess from the moment I walked in. I chatted with the makeover team and we discussed what they were going to do and if I was happy with it.

Then it struck me, I was going to be in a photo shoot, as I'm normally camera shy, I did feel a little uneasy, however, any fear I had was allayed as they were fantastic, I was made to feel very comfortable and the makeover was fabulous I never knew I could look like that. Plus, I now know some beauty tricks and I also know what colours suit me. I can look good whenever I want to now.

The photo's were great, I did not realise it was me at first, but they do an amazing job, I opted to buy more photo's as I was so chuffed, well I had developed a little vainness, but hey, it's all about the confidence.

Valentines Day

2009-02-15T18:28:00.000Z

Chicago was fantastic, I didn't go to the place Chicago, I saw the musical, which was great, and I loved it so much. I think my boyfriend secretly enjoyed it, although he would have been much happier doing a bloke thing.

I was treated to a great night out, the food was a bit of a let down so I won't name names but I won't eat there again. But, I got a great big Valentines card, a box of milk chocolates and some gorgeous flowers, which can’t be bad, can it.

I bought my boyfriend a bottle of Champagne and a very cute card, I might have gone a bit too cute but the bottle of bubbly went down a treat.

Looking Forward to Valentines Day

2009-02-09T13:52:00.000Z

Last Valentines day, did not go as smoothly as I had hoped, for reasons beyond my control. However, this year I've booked the restaurant and my new boyfriend has booked tickets to see Chicago, I can't wait.

Last year it was just Tilly and me, which is a bit sad, although she didn't mind, she loves every minute with me. My parents decided to send me a Valentines card, I did think how sweet at first and then I thought, I'm twenty-six and the only card I've got is from my parents, I used to get more at six years old.

On to pastures new, I met the new man in my life a few weeks ago at the running club I go to, luckily he's an adrenaline junkie like me and he likes dogs too, which is great. He wants to take me karting, the good thing is he knows how competitive I am, so he won't be too upset when all he see's is the dust from my wheels as I hurtle past him

But before that can happen, I've got to make it through Valentines without Tilly and a card from my Dad.

Strange Thing

2009-01-06T21:50:00.000Z

Just a quick post but an unusual experience happened to me today, you might remember I went on the ghost tour in London (Halloween), well, I was about to go into the post office and this woman came up to me out of the blue and say's 'you were touched by a ghost too'.

I thought she was, well how can I put it, not functioning properly but then she said 'I can tell these things'. Spooky or what, actually she may say that to every person outside the post office, who knows, but it sent shivers right through me.

New Years Eve - Yay

2009-01-04T16:23:00.000Z

Fantastic, absolutely brilliant, went to London with a group of friends, along with thousands of other revellers who happened to be there, it was like one big party.

Firstly, I'd like to point out, I'm not a dancer and this part is mainly to my mates and anyone else who knows me, sorry for the flailing arms and dodgy footwork.

Well, a few drinks into the evening and some embarrassing dance moves later, we left the pub/club early because it was more awful than my dance moves. We had tickets for the Hard Rock Cafe so we walked or rather disguised our swaggering bodies over to the event.

Let's just say it was one of my best New Year's Eve ever, I'd like to post a photo, it's so funny, but I can't as then all those people I accidentally hit with my flailing arms would probably sue me for damages.

Christmas Presents

2008-12-27T11:42:00.000Z

Christmas has been and gone, ahhh, a good time was had by all, my parents loved their present of the vouchers, much to my pleasure. Tilly was kind of happy with her bed, she put one foot in it, which to me is acceptance. Not that she has slept in it yet. My sister was happy with the rug for her horse, she went down the stables after Xmas dinner.

The bonus was I managed to cook a full Christmas dinner, turkey and all the trimmings and as my parents arrived and my sister, they could smell the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen.

As for my presents, well my parents got me a makeover day, (are they trying to say something) amongst other things, my sister bought me a selection of very expensive lotions and potions. I'm sure they are thinking I need to take care of myself more, but hey, I can understand I'm out in all weathers cycling, running and swimming, so these presents will come in very handy indeed. Although, what do I do with an epilator, it's seems like a posh word for pain.

Christmas Gift Vouchers

2008-11-25T18:19:00.000Z

Well, I decided to go with the gift voucher idea for my parents, I was spending so much time thinking about what to get them, I was becoming obsessed, not a good thing.

I decided to treat them to a hotel voucher, that way they can choose to stay wherever they want and when they want, aren't I a good daughter. Actually, I'm probably not that good as although I've been obsessing about it, I've taken the easy way out but they should enjoy it, I'll let you know.

Managed to get the perfect dog bed, Tilly is going to be so excited, well I am even if she's not when she see's it's not a treat.
Oh and I've still got to check out the riding equipment for my sister, I'm running out of time really, she might end up with a bunch of Xmas flowers, if I don't get a move on.

Christmas Is Looming

2008-11-10T12:58:00.000Z

I'm stuck for ideas for present buying this Christmas, not sure what to get my Mum or Dad, or my sister come to think of it, I know I'm getting my dog a new bed, not that she sleeps in the old one.

The thing is, with regards to my parents, what do you get two people who seem to have everything they need, I think I might get some gift vouchers for them, not sure where from though, I'll go surfing the web and see what inspires me.

As for my sister, she is into horse riding, well ever since she found out Katie Price (Jordan) loved riding horses, so maybe something out her very pink range of horse gear.

As for me, there is so many things, I'd love to go away after Xmas and try out something new, like an adventure day or something. Well, I'll keep you updated with my present buying and who knows, I may find the perfect gift for my Father and Mother, but like the saying goes, ‘what do you get the person with everything? A large bag to put it all in'.

Halloween Again

2008-11-01T10:45:00.000Z

I had great fun, I went with my friend on the London ghost tour, I didn't get to see a ghost, though. Never mind, I can't have everything. Although saying that, a few people said they could sense something, oh and when some women screamed, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Apparently, she felt someone or something touch her on the shoulder, I thought she may have been too highly strung and her nerves got the better of her. Although, I found out it's quite common for people to experience physical feelings.
I never got around to dressing my dog up as a vampire, but to be honest I don't think she realised it was Halloween, she was just happy to have some doggy chocolate drops.

Halloween Thoughts

2008-10-25T15:27:00.000+01:00

I love halloween, always have done ever since I was a kid. I'm still trying to work out what to do for this year. Not sure if I should hold a party or go on a ghost hunting tour, my friend went on one and she really enjoyed it, she's going again this year and so I've been invited but I think I'm being a bit of a cowardly custard as I'm worried in case I do see a ghost! My adrenaline will be rushing then, I can tell you.

I'm still looking out for a vampire outfit for my dog, she's a little Jack Russell and she would look great in black cape.

New Beginnings

2008-10-23T14:26:00.000+01:00

Posting a first blog post is a nervous precedure, well for me anyway, so I'll just state what I want this blog to be about.

Well as most people know, bloggers like to write, so in the first instance this is the reason for it and the second reason is because, I like to talk about stuff people have bought me or I have bought them. As Christmas is just around the corner and I might, if I'm lucky get inundated with presents I love, the ones I hate might be given to someone for a Birthday, (only kidding, but a thought).

I want to write about days out I have and places I've seen, things I've done, you know the usual diary entries. If I like something loads then I'll post a link so you may have a go at trying it.

I've already worked out what I want to write for my next post, discussing my plans for Halloween, plus how I'm going to dress my dog up as a vampire, should be fun.