26/01/2013 - More shopping

It's Saturday. And if the last couple of weeks of Saturday's haven't already tipped you off as to how I seem to spend Saturday at the minute, I went wedding dress shopping. Again.

This time with The Mother. *insert scary music here*...

Because she couldn't make it last week due to the nasty evil snow stuff, there was no power in the 'verse that was going to stop her this week. Including more snow. And my Dad feeling so unwell he couldn't drive.

So Mum got brave and caught the train. She's not big on scary adventures, but, much like Bilbo Baggins, she did it anyway! Shame she didn't get treasure at the end *spoiler* but she got to see me, and that's a close second!

I don't get to see my parents very often as they live about 90 minute drive away. It's not that far, but petrol is expensive. Plus we're very busy folk!

Anyway, after I met her off the train, we went for a wander up to a wedding shop at the other end of town from the train station (we had 3 hours to kill) and got to look at some pointless pretty things which may or may not serve as inspiration.

We then headed for the appointment at the Bridal Salon.

I can't show you all the dresses. Quite frankly the lighting in this shop is awful, plus Mum is using the camera on my phone and as she'd never used it before, it's not the best. Oh, and there's also the fact that I look terrible after walking around for 2 hours in the wet-winds of Liverpool so wearing no make up and don't even get me started on my hair!

This dress was VERY pretty. Also VERY expensive! If it had been a few hundred pounds (read a thousand pounds) cheaper I think this would have been a serious contender.

This next one I tried on for my Mum. Who you can see in the mirror in the background taking the picture... ;)

Mum likes lace. She loved Katherine Middleton's dress, like, a lot.

The high neck is a big no no for me. It itched something shocking. The dress underneath was lovely but a bit plain.

I actually saw a dress I really quite like in this shop. For a price I really quite like as well. Who knows? I might just go back and buy it! It needs the Koran stamp of approval first though.

Sorry, readers, but no hints, just in case!

After viewing, I needed to get out of that shop! Those lights are so hot! My face was quite literally burning!

Decided to take Mum for a cheeky cola beverage, and couldn't resist going down one of the most well known and iconic streets in Liverpool to get to the pub!
 

World, this is Mathew Street. Home of the legendary Cavern Club which is very closely associated with The Beatles.

It's remarkably quiet, to say it's Saturday. Usually it's like you're at some tacky 18-30s resort in some cheap European holiday destination. Trust me, it's not pleasant.

After I put Mum on her train home, I came back to wait for Paul to come home after the football. Instead of being productive and doing ironing or other such fun stuff, I sat in bed watching Jesus Christ Superstar DVD from the latest tour, starring Tim Minchen, Sporty Spice and Chris Moyles. Yes, I did sing along VERY loud. No I am not ashamed of it!

25/01/2013 - MORE NEWS!

Paul always has an early start on a Friday morning to go network, mingle and eat breakfast. I sometimes go to the gym. This morning I decided not to, after the stresses of the last couple of days.

I put on the radio to try to wake myself up...and this is the first song I heard play:

Thanks again, YouTube!

BUSTIN' MAKES ME FEEL GOOD! :)

How can it be a bad day when the first song you hear is this one?! I posted on twitter at 06:48am that this was the first song I heard, and does that mean it's going to be a good day. Yes, is the answer. Yes it is.

I GOT MY PAY RISE! :D :D :D

Not a lot by any means. But still, I am not going to say no! It means that as the bills increase this year, I might be able to keep up with them a little better than not having a rise, like the last few years!

That was the first bit of awesomeness and put me in a good mood for the rest of the day.

Then I came home to this:

An invitation to my old Uni housemate's wedding!  Ain't it purrrrty?! They made it themselves as well!! I've told her she can make ours too if she likes! :)

It's the weekend of my 30th birthday, so it means I don't have to arrange anything as well! SCORE!

Paul made a fleeting visit home before going out to a proper posh function in town. So naturally, he had to James Bond it up!

Very dashing, no?

He left me in by myself, so what else could I do but celebrate my victory over the man (and the AssHat) with a little toast?!

My brother and sister-in-law gave me this bottle for Christmas in a posh hamper, and it went down a treat!

Paul, however, had to make it home in this:

After the snow clearing, it decided it wanted to go out with a flourish. Fantastic. Did I mention I hate the snow?

24/01/2013 AWESOME NEWS

After the annoyance, anger and disappointment of yesterday, I woke up to AMAZINGLY AWESOME NEWS!

WHOOP!

My very good friend Chris popped the question to the lovely Ceri! At the Grand Canyon! 

So so so so so so happy for them both! It's wonderful news!

You can read all about his proposal here, on his blog! Why tell it to you when you can get it straight from the horses mouth...so to speak...?! :)

Wrote my letter of appeal and sent it to the HR people for consideration. SCARY! People think I have a good case. Fingers crossed the Powers That Be do too!

23/01/2013 - Grumpychops

 This morning started as well as any normal Wednesday can I guess. When you have a Barnacle being the cutest little sweetiepie in the world, what can go wrong?!

Anyone seen Barney anywhere?!

He loves hiding under the runner that we occasionally have on the bed! He's not the best at it, bless him, but points for effort!

He also loved lying on Paul's suit jacket in a morning while Paul is getting ready. I like to think he's doing an impression of his Daddy! Or, doing an impression of his name sake, Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother, whom he is named after!

 Anyway, that's the good stuff over. The rest of the day sucked.

We are massively behind in work. To crazy proportions. I'm trying my best to help where I can but it's a severe uphill struggle.

This is not assisted by your big boss man sending an email telling you that you don't qualify for a pay rise this year as your branch hasn't made enough money.

HOW IS THAT MY FAULT?! I AM ADMIN! I HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE BRINGING IN OF MONEY!

You know who's fault it is? Who is the only person to blame for this?

Wait for it...

I knew you missed it.

We have been given 7 days in which to appeal in writing. You can bet your house on the fact that I am appealing. I am not letting that AssHat have the last laugh. His legacy is not going to continue making my life hell. Not a chance. I work my backside off for this firm, and I am damn well going to get rewarded for it. If they don't want to pay me, I'll leave and they will realise exactly how awesome I am.

I have spent the evening writing my letter. Fingers crossed for me, everyone.

22/01/2013 - Drama

 Nothing really happened today. Work was crazy busy as usual, especially as I was super busy and my colleague didn't seem to notice that me sitting there with my headphones in not making conversation in any way, shape or form was a hint for her to STOP TALKING AT ME. Raaaaaa.

Aherm.

Anyway, I got home and went to sort some washing in the spare room. I noticed a flashing light through the window, and saw it was a fire engine.

 Turns out that there was a house fire in the next street along! I've never actually seen that before!

I think the house is empty but we saw flames and everything. Not nice at all.

They got this massive floodlight out so they could see inside better! The amount of smoke coming through the windows was scary.

So there you go. Feel so sorry for the owners of the house and I hope that the damage isn't too bad.

21/01/2013 - Paper Anniversary

It's my brother and sister-in-law's wedding anniversary today! A year ago today they got married! Yay!

You can read about it in last year's entry here!

I think the kitties were getting into the spirit of the paper anniversary without our pushing them to do so! I came home to this:

Maia and/or Barney took on Godzilla and won!

I found this poster in a newspaper years ago and loved it so it lives on the side of our wardrobe. Looking at it reminds us of going to see the actor/comedian Omid Djalili a few years ago! He does a wicked Godzilla impression

Ok, totally had to youtube him/it to share with you, dear readers!

Video kindly embedded from YouTube. Thank you, uploader person!

BELLYDANCE! I FORGOT THE BELLYDANCING!

I hope he tours again soon! I positively ached from laughing so hard at that gig!

However, back to the poster - Paul actually bought us a new one for Christmas, but it's so pretty we were going to frame it and put it in the living room! Now I feel so sorry for bedroom Godzilla (not a nickname for Paul!) that I might have to put the poster there!

I just don't know what to do!

20/01/2013 - Urgh

 So yeah, last night...mulled wine became red wine...

I feel ropey today! Think I have a bit of a cold but I think the mulled wine might have gone to my head a little.

Still, I have discovered an amazing 'cure' for my hangover!

Extra large mug of honey and lemon. You heard it here first! :)

I did some ironing whilst feeling sorry for myself. There might have been sighs and disgruntled moans emitted whilst I did this!

The best bit was finishing ironing for an amazing roast beef dinner cooked by the lovely Paul. Lots of vegetables and yorkshire puddings. MMMMM!

You know you're jealous!