It's crazy when I think of how many things have happened since I last wrote in October, I couldn't possibly cover it all, they're all good things though!
Two of my friends have had babies; welcome to the world Sara May Ellis and Lilly Evelyn Cambridge! Both were a little of a surprise! Sara was due Christmas Eve but born 7th December on her Dad's birthday- this was ironic as they were worried she would arrive on Callum's birthday just before Christmas Eve! Her gender was unknown until she was born as the sonographer (is that the right word?) couldn't catch a good enough glimpse, my neighbour Lorraine and I were both hoping for a little girly to go and buy pink stuff for so we got our wish! She is absolutely gorgeous and is being doted upon by her Mum, Dad and big brothers Callum and Thomas
Lilly was due in March of next year but was born a little over 13 weeks early- she is doing very well and breathing on her own despite weighing in at an astonishingly small 1.58lbs! Having known that the baby was to be a little girl I had already bought some pink and girly clothes, I think currently she would probably fit in the sleeve of one of the tops I bought! I know she’ll be in hospital for a while but I can’t wait to see her when the Cambridges are all back at home safe and well sometime in the New Year.
Adam and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on October 29th with a relaxing trip to the Roman Baths, in Bath of course followed by a massive curry- also the downfall of my dieting efforts for this year!!I helped my younger brother write his personal statement for his application to university to do Computer Science. That was difficult- the last time I wrote one was probably 10 years ago and it is always difficult to write something saying how good you are and why they need you on their course! I helped him put his ideas into a statement and his tutor liked it and had no negative comments so into his application it went. He’ll find out some time next year whether he will get any offers from Bristol, UWE or Bath Spa (I think?), fingers crossed.
I turned 27 on Nov 30th, had a brilliant week, went for a meal at Cosmo on the Friday with friends and family which is an all you can eat restaurant which does all sorts of Asian cuisine- Chinese, Thai, Indian all sorts. Very nice food! I think my younger brother must’ve inhaled his first plate of food as he was up for more within about 5 mins- he’s always had the enviable capacity to eat like a horse and still be skinny as a stick! My cousin obviously couldn’t wait for pudding as he had a plate of food with some profiteroles balanced on top- yuk!! I couldn’t touch the puddings cos I had overdone it with the noodles and rice and was feeling a little sick! I successfully completed Christmas shopping before my birthday which is always my target- as far as I’m concerned pay day on the last day of November is for enjoying ourselves over Christmas not for presents (new baby presents excluded!). I’ve had Christmas Dinners 1 and 2 out of 4 so far- 1 was my section at work, 2 was the whole team. That was a bloody good night! Got to know a few people a lot better and saw a very different side to some people who I see on a daily basis in the office. Personally I think I am the same wherever I am (which has not always helped me) but some people are very quiet in the office and complete party animals down town!
Christmas dinner 3 is next Friday- as my brother is a Chef extraordinaire we thought we would try and do a Roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings for 6 (as that is all can fit round my table!). I am Chef des Vegetables as Phil never knows how much veg to do! Should be yum.
Christmas dinner 4 will be Christmas day unsurprisingly. We’re going to Adam’s parents for the morning and then to mine for dinner, Roast Turkey and Rib of Beef can’t beat it! My family aren’t Turkey lovers so they always do a lovely bit of beef as well. I can almost smell it! We’re going to have Boxing Day on our own for once to veg out and generally relax which will be nice. New Year’s Eve is going to be at ours! Adam and I hate busy pubs at the best of times; can’t hear, can’t get a drink and there’s always a few twats around. So we decided we’d be at ours and if anyone wants to join they can. It looks like most of our mates are coming over. No kicking out time and cheaper beer- winners. My older brother Phil is going to town- my worst nightmare is Bristol City Centre on New Year’s Eve; I have done it during my uni years etc but not for me now. Yes I know I sound like an old fart.
Looking ahead to next year….. time is going to FLY. I know this already as I can already think of something to look forward to each month of next year and that tends to mean the will go by really quickly!!Firstly, January. The month of failed resolutions! So I won’t be making any next year. I have already achieved my New Year’s resolution and it is one of the best things I have done. If I haven’t achieved anything else in 2011 I have quit smoking
Believe me, I have felt really conscious about that fact that I smoke when running for a cancer charity but stopping smoking is hard. A few weeks ago I had a really sore throat, it was swollen and painful- I decided on a Saturday night after having a cigarette and thinking ‘why am I smoking? It’s hurting my throat!’ to quit then and there. I am delighted to say that apart from a small blip and the work Christmas do I have not had a cigarette for 12 days out of the last 14 and I am less and less bothered about it each day. The difference is awesome- food tastes so good! Waking up on a Saturday or Sunday after a heavy night and feeling like shit I thought was solely due to alcohol- not so. I have had quite a few nights out in last 2 weeks and I have barely registered a hangover which I think is due to not smoking! I think at least half of the grogginess happens when you smoke like a train while drinking. My friend Ian has also decided to give up which is amazing! He smoked a LOT more than me and has done since a very young age, I am so glad he has decided to quit. He has done pretty much the same amount of time as me at the moment. Also our friend Dave quit a few months ago and he has done really well too, my brother says he’ll quit in the New Year and I think Sam will quit too! Adam also smokes a lot- he has done really well so far in cutting down and using an inhalator thing as nicotine replacement. Adam can’t do cold turkey and I can’t do Adam doing cold turkey! He’s like a bear with a sore head and I end up wishing he would just have a fag and shut up! So the inhalator is working, no outbursts, no tantrums! I’m sure it’s different in work (he can smoke while he works) but at home he might go for one cigarette outside before we go to bed which is a massive improvement. Part of his motivation is that I said we would change gyms- there is a really nice big gym closer to home than the other we go to but it is twice the price of the other! We know that if we could go to the nicer, closer one we would go all the time so I said I would get us membership if we both stopped smoking. That way we could afford it better and we wouldn’t be defeating the object by working out and then smoking! It’s weird how this has all come about at the right time- everyone almost collectively decided to stop and it has been easier doing it together. A big help is that smoking is now banned in my house so smokers have to go outside and we can’t smell it so it stops the temptation. Now I just have to try and convert my parents- I wish they would stop.February- not so much something I am looking forward to I guess. Phil is going to Afghanistan for 6 months with his job on what we call an Operational Tour. Without going into detail I am sure he will be fine and safe and well but you can’t help being concerned! Phil is looking forward to it, it should be a great wealth of experience which will help when he gets back but also the financial benefit is very appealing. Apart from concerns we will all miss him for 6 months not being around on the weekend, Ian has threatened on many an occasion to steal his passport- they have been friends since they met in playschool so I think Ian will miss him badly.
March- well Little Lilly has pretty much stolen my thunder for March as this is when she was due to arrive! However there is also the Bath Half. This will be the culmination of my intended intensive training from 1st January (I haven’t call it a resolution, so it isn’t one :-p) more on this in the New Year.April- Adam’s birthday, standard messy night for everyone although Adam always stays sober!
May- Well, usually Phil’s birthday but he won’t be here! I think we will have a party in his honour anyway.June- return to the Island. Yes it’s Isle of Man TT race week and we’re all off over the island again. Can’t wait I love every second of it.
July- Adam’s cousin’s wedding to look forward to.
August- MMMMMMMMMMMEXICO!!!!! 2 weeks of amazing sunshine and all inclusive cocktails with my brother in law, Dave and Jen and fingers crossed Phil, Ian and Sam might be able to come! September- my cousin is getting married on the 22nd which I remember because it is my parents anniversary! A lovely weekend in the Gower! Also Bristol half marathon. Watch this space.
October- My younger brother’s birthday and hopefully when he will start university!! Also our anniversary so I will have to get into planning mode. Last Twilight film out?November – my birthday, always a good week :-p
December – Chrimbo!!!
It’s going to be a whirlwind of a year I think. My main aims over the past few years have been to stop smoking and to lose weight, I have conquered one- I know it has only been 2 weeks but trust me I am over smoking. The other still seems impossible but I am positive 2012 will be the year of change; hopefully I will be inspired by the Olympics!!Anyway I hope it’s been a good year for everyone and if you really can’t say that it has I hope something positive can be taken from 2011 to make 2012 better. I wish everyone a Merry Chrimbo and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all when I do. xx
No comments:
Post a Comment