Actual real life Friday! And another productive day from me!
Paul had to be out early this morning to head over to Manchester for a meeting, so I lazed in bed for as long as I could. That's my small Friday treat to myself.
Today is a special day, as it's the return of 'Community' to the screen! We love it, and so it's an occasion to celebrate! I left the celebrating to Paul, who took his birthday present from Chris to the Manchester office with him!
Terrible blurry pic. I blame still being half asleep!
It's Troy and Abed in the Morning mug!! Anyone who watches Community will get it. Paul loves it! :)
It was just A and I in the office again today, and we had a busy and productive day once again! I got a lot of my work done and only have a little bit to get on with next week! SCORE!
I had my tunes on once again and had to stop myself singing outloud once again. This is no fun!
A let me go about 10 minutes early, so I headed home and waiting for Paul who was on a commuter train home. So I watched some more 'The Good Wife' and ate chocolate. Because I'm a lazy rebel.
When Paul came home, we had dinner (lamb meatballs), watched both episodes of Community (worth it for Abed's Nic Cage impression alone!) and some more The Good Wife. At least Paul enjoys it too!
- Was told my sister-in-law is pregnant...but wasn't allowed to say anything for AGES! Going to be an Auntie in February!
- Paul learnt to iron!
- Wedding Fayre at our wedding venue!
- Left cats at the cattery :(
- Went on holiday to Nice/Villefranche sur Mer!
- Visited Monte Carlo
- Hot hot hot summer!
- Cleaned out the yard
- Did our seating plan
- Organised our wedding ceremony with the registrar
- Royal baby was born (nowt to do with me, but part of the history, innit?)
- Started on wedding place cards
- Pre-wedding photoshoot
AUGUST
- Bad back
- The twins' third birthday
- Wedding food tasting
- Maia adoption anniversary! 7 years!
- HEN DO!
- Final dress fitting
- Ben & Claire got married!
- Confirmation Paul got his new job! :) :) :)
- Happy 50th, Pam!
- Made seating chart
- Made table names
- Tested wedding beers
- First Fizz Friday!
- Made Order of the Day
SEPTEMBER
- Stalked the wedding weather forecasts
- Finished wedding menu & table decorations
- Wedding jewellery arrived
- Made Bathroom baskets
- Barney broke his scratching post
- Got my nails done!
- Bought wellies (something blue)
- Delivered everything to the wedding venue 2 days before the wedding!
- Last minute wedding drop-outs (and last minute stand-ins! - Thanks, T!)
- Got to wedding hotel and had a few 'surprises'!
- GOT MARRIED!!! :) :) :) :) :)
- Post-wedding curry
- Picked up all the left-over wedding bumpf from the venue
- MINIMOON!
- Back to work as a Mrs.
- Started watching Downton Abbey
- Barney suited up!
- Company car was delivered
- Disappointing pizza
- Paul started his new job!
- Barniversary! 3 years!
- Gift list delivery
- Got our official pictures!
Films watched this quarter:
- Crazy Stupid Love
- Friends With Benefits
- The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (again)
- The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (again)
- Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus
- The Notebook
- One for the Money
- Shaun of the Dead
- What's Your Number?
Wow. Not so many this quarter. Stupid wedding getting in the way!
It was Sunday morning in The Lake District. I had had a very late night. I woke up at 6am with a headache so bad I thought my eyes would pop out.
I hadn't drunk that much, but I had drunk lots of different things, and I think that's what had done it. It wasn't a migraine or cluster headache - just a regular skull-crunching headache.
I went to the kitchen, very stealthily and took some pain killers, then went back to bed for a couple of hours.
I woke up when Sue got up to go for a shower. Sadly, she wasn't able to spend Sunday with us as she had to drive back down to Winchester, which would take a bloomin' long time!
I got up and showered after she did, then headed downstairs for breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. It was very nice too. Lucy blamed my headache on the half glass of red wine that I had had the night before. I too blamed the red wine...but only in conjunction with the white wine, gin and prosecco that it had been mixed up with!
We bid Sue a massive goodbye. She has a crazy few weeks coming up, mostly moving to Zurich! Madness! She'll be back for the wedding though, so at least she's not going away and never coming back again!
After Sue left, we got our stuff together and headed to the car. I had no idea where we were going.
We ended up in Bowness on Windermere.
Yeah, I think I spoil that one slightly.
There were crazy amounts of swans, geese and ducks hanging around. A little later, a load of children were running around and chasing after them. DO THEY NOT KNOW SWANS CAN BREAK YOUR ARM OR KILL YOU?! What's worse is that their parents were LETTING THEM.
Aherm. Idiots.
Anyway. I had no idea what the plan was. Lucy disappeared and then came back with a big question: Would I like to go on a 'cruise tour' of Lake Windermere, or would I like to hire a motor boat?
Honestly, I didn't know. So I let the others choose. They chose the motor boat, so we headed for the 'dock'!
YEAH! We get to be captain for the day. Well...the hour at least!
Our boat was called Helen and we had all the safety talks before getting in the boat and heading away.
Captain Koran took the helm first!
It's a little rainy at this point.
Yep - I'm rocking that life jacket! My best model pose!
See ya, dry land! For one whole hour, we are masters of the Sea!
Yep, we love our Captain!
The boat went slower than walking pace. Seriously, I think I could have swam faster than the boat. And I can't swim well! But still, it was fun!
Posh sailing yachts in the distance. And also BLUE SKY!
Preferring to stay behind the camera, due to my not feeling too hot, I took a few pics!
Our best girls!
A little house I wouldn't mind living in!
Ranger! He didn't wave back, so we don't like him.
One of the privately owned islands on the Lake. It was so cute. We think it might have also been called Hartley's Wife...which is kinda appropriate!
Lucy doing her catalogue pose!
Captain Koran poses well. It suits her!
I gave the camera back and then it was my turn to captain the ship.
Yeah. I didn't like it! I didn't like the responsibility! I lasted about 5 minutes (if that!) and relinquished control to Katie! I took control of the camera again. Something I felt very confident about handling, unlike the boat and the responsibility for all our lives!
Koran was probably tweeting to say how her life had been in danger by a maniac of a boat driver...or something.
Pretty view of the back of our boat, the yachts and the fells!
Unflattering selfie!
After our hour was up, we took a walk around the lake a little, mostly to find a cashpoint for Lucy. We also had ice cream, and bought some nice tacky presents to remember the weekend by. You know how I love my tat!
On our way back to the car park we saw an Owl protection charity with some owls to raise money.
There were some cute ones and teeny tiny ones. And also, there was Oscar.
I love this guy. Those eyes! He's really intimidating and kept staring at me! Maybe he knows the camera loves him?!
We left Bowness and headed back to the cottage to get changed and pack up. Except I hadn't really been told to bring a change of clothes. So I changed out of my hiking trousers into jeans and put pumps on rather than hiking boots. I had no idea what to expect!
We were going for afternoon tea. No idea where but I'll go with that!
Also known as Mummy and Daddy Hartley wearing masks of mine and Paul's face.
Yeah.
Apparently Lucy had requested a different table but they didn't reserve it for us so we didn't get it.
Never mind, we had a good window seat all the same!
I think I'm texting Paul to tell him that my Mum and Dad had turned up to my hen do.
The view from our window. Pretty!
So we were having a champagne afternoon tea, complete with some sort of pear thing...
Not exactly sure what it was, but it was nice!
So were these! Some yummy cakes!
We also had sandwiches (complete with crusts cut off) and tea.
It was all very civilised and nice!
Me with my Mum and Dad. And the view. I love the view!
From there, Katie left for her long drive back down to London, and Ma and Pa drove us back to Lucy's house then she drove Koran and I back to Liverpool.
I got home (with leftover cakes!) at about 8pm.
Exhausted doesn't quite cover exactly how I felt to be honest!
Paul and I had a glass of wine and then went to bed. I had missed him loads, but I was sooooo tired!
The kitties were pleased to see me! For all of 5 minutes, then it was like I hadn't been away.
Ho Hum. Back to reality tomorrow!
Sorry for all the pics, but this is my diary so I want to remember it all! :)
I had a wonderful weekend! It was fun and exactly what I needed to get away from all the wedding stress and just relax in my favourite place in the world (so far)!
This is a picture heavy post and might get a little boring for you but this is my blog, and gosh darn it, I'm going to write about my hen do!
**WARNING**
So we awoke at a fairly decent time the next morning, which was a relief! I was worried that I'd sleep really late due to the lack of Barney stompage that would be had, but thankfully, Sue is a sleep talker, so I was in my comfort zone for waking up a few times in the night. Sorry Sue! :)
This was the view from our room!
Yup - we had little sheepy neighbours. They were very loud and stared at us a lot. Which is quite un-nerving!
We had a nice healthy breakfast of apple porridge with natural yogurt and it was delicious. Then Katie and Lucy took Sue to pick up her car and drop it off at the village we'd be walking to once they got back.
So Koran and I chilled out.
We had a spot of tea, and used the red milk that Lucy brought especially (even though I only have red milk at work...I have green milk at home...don't know where she got the red milk thing from...anyway)...
We were waiting a LONG time. We had no idea where they all were! So much so that we got a little nippy and so got the blankets out!
These blankets were goooood! So cozy!
I think we were waiting for a good couple of hours before they eventually returned. With goodies.
So whilst they were gone to places unknown, they decided that instead of the 7 mile hike that Lucy had planned, we'd do a shorter one and instead have some lunch instead. And they found a local cheese shop to buy said lunch from!
Possibly not the healthiest of lunches, but it was pretty delish!
This was the inside of those pies. They were pork pies with chicken in them, with a herby cheesy top. They were amazing.
From there, we suited up and headed back into the village to go for a walk!
Koran is such a hottie in her £3 Primark mac and leopard print wellies! She thought we were mocking her, but seriously, I think she looks cute!
We headed into Cartmel and decided to have a walk by the river.
Ducks on the river.
We hit a snag. The field was flooded and so we couldn't get much further down the river walk that we had planned!
See, Koko?! You're the only one that can paddle! We're jealous of your wellies!
We could go no further...so naturally we posed for pictures before we moved on.
Shattered from our 5 minute long laborious walk!
No idea why we're all touching our chins. But see how high we are up our hill...yeah.
Then we headed back!
I don't think I mentioned it earlier but prior to walking along the river, I was given a tiara to wear. Just in case people were not sure that I was the bride to be.
It reminded me of this scene in Big Bang Theory:
I don't think anyone else had seen this ep of Big Bang Theory though, so when I said "I'm a princess and this is my tiara" and got NOTHING.
Yup - I'm a princess. This is my tiara. In a wonderful selfie!
We headed past some local shops, and it would have been rude not to stop in and check out their wares. Especially the one with the big sign outside that said they offered gin tasting!
It was enough to put hairs on your chest! And I really should have put make up on and done my hair. MEH!
We headed to the main road, thinking that there would be a sign somewhere there that would take us on a little walk somewhere.
Nope.
We stopped as far as the pavement would take us to regroup.
By regroup I mean check facebook / text work / try to locate ourselves on GPS and find a walk!
It didn't work. Dejected, we headed back into the village. And walked to a pub. We had to walk somewhere!
Enjoying the sunshine. It was quite nice, I have to say!
The sharing of cat videos. Can't go wrong with a good cat video!
I hadn't noticed that bbq/oven thing while we were there. Only just noticed it now!
Katie had her hiking bag full of tricks, and I think that Koran quite enjoyed looking for some further accessories to go with her poncho/welly combo!
She's hot stuff, no?!
After a couple of beverages, we went back to the cottage and the plan was to have some snacks outside in the garden while the weather was so nice! Good plan, I think!
This was the main garden, and we sat on the higher part, to the left of the picture. Which wasn't as flat as the main bit but offered better views over the fells.
Yup - this is the life. Just beautiful.
Still a princess in my tiara...complete with fizz this time. Not sure the glasses quite work with my new accessory!
So yeah - we all sat and relaxed and chatted. Mostly about Koran's work in Intensive Care at the local hospital. She's a good person who helps the really sick. Not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination!
We were all pretty much enthralled by some of her tales. Makes our jobs just so mundane when you hear what she has to deal with. The NHS is lucky to have her, I think!
My attempt at an arty picture. Not bad, eh?
This is the camera that most of these pics came from. It's Lucy's, but I liked borrowing it a LOT as it's brilliant! I'm not used to having such a good camera so it was fun to take pictures with!
That's also my g&t and pint of hot water next to it. I was dehydrating and hydrating at the same time. Clever, no?
Another one of mine. How gorgeous is the sky?! I think I could be quite a good photographer if I wanted to be...and had the funds for a decent camera!
Once those clouds headed in, it started getting a bit chillier, so Sue went and got us some blankets so we could stay out longer. I do love the fresh air!
Lucy then came out with bags of goodies!
I love Katie's face in that one! She's happy with her bottle of fizz!
Inside the bags were lots of little nibbly goodies, books, face masks, hair bands and another wrapped up parcel...
We had printed vest tops! Which had a brown luggage tag on them which said "Miss Hartley's Hen Do Aug '13"!
I'm looking at the back of mine for this reason:
Each one had something printed on the back - how they know me!
Mine said "I'm the one they're all here for!"
Katie's said: "I'm the best woman!"
Koran's said: "We read books together!" (Koran and I did the same course at Uni.)
Lucy's said: "We spent Christmas together!" Not, 'I'm the Maid of Honour' or anything like that! DOH!
Sue's said: "We lived together!"
Yours was here too, Annabel!
I think hers said "I married her brother!" but as I haven't seen it yet, I don't know! You best wear it, sis!
Oh yeah, there were also bubbles in the bags!
Whilst we were chatting outside, dinner was being prepared sporadically inside, and pretty soon it was ready to take the party back indoors!
Dinner was a nice chicken salad, with the rest of the cheese, some freshly baked Sourdough and other bits and bobs! It was delicious!
Another of my goodie bag accessories:
BARNEY SOCKS! Everyone got a pair of socks with cats on of some description! I LOVE THEM! My favourite socks ever!
After dinner it was time to change into our pajamas (and new vests) for the next part of my hen do - the pajama party! Complete with games!
Teehee!
Not a flattering angle, bit you get the jist!
I had 8 envelopes in another bag, with games contained within. I'm not going to share all the games as they get a bit rude, and we didn't take pictures of them all!
The first game, however, was for them to be blindfolded and put make up on me. Hmmmmm...
Yeah.
Want to see the finished product?
OH YEEEEEAAAAAH. I'm gorgeous! I think I need to cancel my make up lady for the wedding day and book those 4!
Then time for pudding! YEAH!
Champagne raspberry jelly with strawberries and raspberries. DELISH!
Me, all fresh faced (which I now feel was a mistake. I should have kept that shit on all night!) with my jelly! Literally, my jelly! It's Hartley's! At least, it's mine for another few weeks!
Next game was the toilet paper wedding dress game. After all my dress dramas, I figure this would be a breeze, right?
Yep. No more pictures. The bottom fell off when I had a bit of a boogie. Disappointing.
Then the next game was 'popping my cherry'. Aherm.
That's a dish full of shaving cream and some cherries are being put in...
I made Lucy do the meringue test...she passed. I bet it would have fallen on me!
Then came the cherry bobbing!
Katie had the best technique of us all I think!
I think I'm pleased with myself!
I love this picture of Koran. I don't know why!
Lucy got the last one! Which may or may not have been hidden well to make it more of a challenge. And by the looks of how clean she is, it wasn't so much of a challenge after all.
We then retired to the lounge for the next few games.
Oh yes, the blankets make another appearance! What's a pajama party without blankies?!
There were more games which don't photograph as well as the previous few.
I picked out one which was "Mr & Mrs" quiz. Which had a dvd in it.
And there was Paul. Videoed. On the tv in front of me.
I think everyone's reaction says it all.
And from there, there was one more game which is so obscene I will not be putting in on the internet as I don't think anyone will thank me. Plus when I become an international superstar (hahahahaha...a girl can dream) then I don't want the incriminating evidence there.
Well, I'll give you a little teaser. The game made Koran do this:
Excuse my blurry camera work. The picture as a whole is HILARIOUS.
And the game made me do this:
Not so funny, unless you can see the bit that's cropped out!
From there, we chatted a little longer, and then the girls headed to bed. Lucy and I tidied up some more and chatted some more. And then we realised it as 2:45am...time for beddybyes!
