Ballooning Experience

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.