Just a quick post!

I haven't had much chance to post lately, work is busy, other half is constantly around and I'm trying to plan a wedding!!!

I'm feeling very happy with my new shape at the moment. I'm the lightest I've been for about 8 years which is a great feeling. I feel so much more confident in my body, I don't feel like a blob anymore.

I'm just contemplating whether to have a small fill to kickstart me on the wedding diet!!

Just stepped on the rollercoaster....!!!!

OMG - we've booked the wedding!!

We went to view a possible venue today and ended up booking it. We're getting married on 27th April next year (so it will be my wedding anniversary next Tuesday!) and I can't wait! The venue is amazing and absolutely perfect for us.

I need to get cracking and start making my plans - where on earth do I start?!!!

I'll try not to turn this into a wedding blog but I can't promise not to mention it from time to time!!

Starting to see a pattern...

... with Bertie's odd behaviour!

I've had another spell of Bertie being unbelieveably tight for no obvious reason. This is the third episode in as many months and it is due to one of two possible reasons (or a combination of both!). It is either:

1. To do with my monthly cycle
2. To do with the Clomid tablets I have been taking
3. A bit of both

All I know is that it is extremely tight at times and I can only manage a few mouthfuls of food. Sadly, even white wine is not as enjoyable at times. I seem to get a burning feeling in my throat and the feeling that I am going to bring everything back up - not nice.

Still, I've lost another pound - bring it on!!

What a week!!

I am sitting here, struggling to keep my eyes open and it's only 2.30pm!

Sorry for the lack of blogging, again, but I've had a hell of a week! I had to travel upto Liverpool last Sunday for training on our new IT system for work. I had to be rearing to go at 9.30 on Monday morning, so not practial to drive up on the day! I was there until Wednesday afternoon. The journey back was hideous, the M6 roadworks were a nightmare - didn't help that I hit it right on rush hour! The course was full on and although the system will be brilliant when it is launched, there is so much to remember.

I was then in work on Thursday, thinking I could possibly slip off a bit early - no chance, we had a new tribunal claim come in which always causes a flurry of activity. The claim is in relation to a case I managed, I'm confident that we should be able to get it struck out as having no prospect of success but we still have to prepare just in case.

Then yesterday afternoon was the funeral for my former colleague. I left at 3pm to get to the crematorium in plenty of time. It was literally a 10 minute drive and the funeral was at 4. Well, my expectations were right, it was heaving and even at 3.30 the roads around the crematorium were at a standstill! It holds 100 people in the room, the room was packed, the lobby was packed and there were loads of us standing outside! It was great for her family to see how many people turned out for her. It was very emotional.

This morning, I struggled to get out of bed at 10.30 and I still feel as though all my energy has been sapped.

Still, my other half is working until 9.30 tonight so I have the house to myself. I've just got to go and drag myself around Tesco then I can sit out in the sun and relax. I feel a glass of white coming on!!

Struggling to accept ....

.... why someone who is so lovely, kind and caring should die from cancer at 26? One of my colleagues in my previous job was diagnosed with bowel cancer about a year ago, by the time they caught it, it had spread to her liver and lungs. She died on Thursday. I know people always say nice things when someone dies, but this girl really was a lovely person who would do anything to help anyone.

I feel so angry that she has missed so many things she should have been able to take for granted, like getting married and having children etc. If I think back at what I'd done with my life at 26, it wasn't anywhere near enough. I hadn't bought my house, I hadn't really fallen in love, I hadn't got my first dog of my own, I hadn't become an auntie, I'm sure I could think of more!

So ... I'm going to give a lecture ... appreciate what and who you have in your life, it is all so precious and fragile and you don't know how long you will have it. Tell those you love, that you love them as often as you can and be gentle with them. Don't worry about what you don't have, most of it is unimportant. Do the things that make you happy.

Lecture over, now I am going to prepare for the dinner party I'm holding tonight and do what my friend would want ... I'm going to smile, laugh, have a drink with friends and appreciate that I have them. Then I am going to hold my fiance close and tell him how much I love him.

Laura - you were a very special person who has touched my life very deeply. I admire your dignity and bravery in facing your illness and I hope you rest in the peace you truly deserve. No more pain, sweetheart.

Happy Easter

So, lots of catching up to do!!

My boyfriend is fine after his 'food poisoning' episode! Although, we have just noticed that the local pharmacy messed up one of his prescriptions. They gave him x4 the strength dosage that he should have had! He only noticed because he has just started a second course and the tablets are different - I think I will be paying them a visit soon. Fortunately he is fine but it could have been very serious.

I finally got to the bottom of my mother's comments about the tiara! It appears to have stemmed from my father who has been banging on to her about me not wearing a wedding dress! It all came out last week when they were over and I mentioned in passing to my father that my mother and I were going looking at dresses the next day. He looked at me in utter horror and said 'you're not going to be wearing a wedding dress at your age'. He is adamant that I am too old at 44 to wear a wedding dress and I should be looking at a suit or a 'costume' - God only knows what that means, but according to my mum that's what they called a fancy outfit in the 50s!! He is totally horrified!

Anyway, my mum and I went dress shopping the next day and had a lovely time. I only tried on three but it has given me a lot to think about. I may well end up with something completely different to what I was expecting.

Bertie has been a little unpredictable - although he has now settled down somewhat. Thank God, as I had another embarrassing episode whilst eating out last Sunday. I had sausage and mash which I thought was fairly safe but something got stuck and it came back up before I was able to get to the ladies. Fortunately, I had a paper napkin on hand and had my back to the rest of the room but it is not pleasant. I think I have to readjust my food-head as I have had a lot of similar episodes recently (all at home!).

It is lovely having a long weekend, I was only back at work for four days but I really felt in the need of the weekend - more upheaval at work has been announced! Fortunately, I am not directly affected but there are people in my wider team who have been put at risk of redundancy and it was a massive shock. Still, I have a short week next week and then the week after I am in Liverpool on a course for three days - Salford Quays here I come!!