Posts Tagged 30
My 30th, Parents Surprise Holiday & Aunty Sandra
Posted by Violetsteel in Journal on 18/09/2010
My parents recently spend 3 weeks with us here in England. From August 20th to September 10th. They live in South Africa and came over to surprise me for my 30th Birthday. I had no idea they were coming over and had arranged it with Pete when we over there for last Xmas and new year. It was an amazing surprise to me and I was especially proud that they managed to keep it a secret from me because I’m always so suspicious, and Pete didn’t let on with a single thing!
Pete took me to dinner on Friday the 20th, the night before my birthday party and went to order drinks, next thing I know these people are approaching our table with our drinks and it was my parents in disguise! It was fantastic.
My Birthday party itself was amazing. Best birthday ever. The Venue was perfect, drinks were cheap, the DJ was excellent and I got to go crazt to some of my favourite tunes while surrounded by friends and family. It was just perfect. I’m sure no future birthday will ever compare.
Unfortunately I had to work the first week of their holiday, but they got to spend time with the rest of the family and especially Aunty Sandra, which was totally excellent because unfortunately she passed away on Sunday 29th August. My Mum had spent the day with her and hadn’t been home too long when we received the call. My parents and I immediately when around to pay our respects and say goodbye. I must say I was very hesitant to see her because I saw my cousin Ange (Sandra’s Daughter) after she had passed and it scared me. But after I saw her, I was so glad I had. She looked so peaceful and happy, and she actually looked better then she had in months.
The second week of their holiday I was off work, which obviously I was really thankful for, to be able to spend time with my parents and also not having to go into work when we’d just lost Aunty Sandra. Tuesday we’d already booked one night away in York. We took a leisurely drive up through the Peak District, and stopped of at a few locations along the way. Firstly we went through the area called Woodseats in Sheffield where my parents lived and we had lunch at The Waggon and Horses where my Dad asked my Mum to marry him. Then we went to see the house my dad lived in with my grandparents (the owner didn’t like my Dad filming the house!), and afterwards went to the pub called The Big Tree to meet up with my Dad’s brother, Uncle Arthur. We had a drink there then followed Arthur to his house going via Eckington, the village I lived in before we emigrated to South Africa when I was 8. We had a drink at Arthur’s then made our way to Hotel Noir in York. We dropped our stuff at the hotel then walked into York centre for dinner and a brief walk around. Wednesday we spend walking around York City Centre and also visited York Museum. (Stunning!) We had a lovely day and it’s an incredibly beautiful and clean City.
Thursday we spend In Stafford. Friday we went up to Lincoln for my Dad because that’s where he grew up. We walked up the steep hill street up the the Cathedral and Castle. It is such a stunning city, I could easily move and live there. It’s just a place that somehow feels like home to me. Friday evening we went and had Indian with Kevin, Jane & Becky.
Saturday Arthur had his partner Sue came down from Sheffield to have dinner with us. Pete and I opted to stay at home though to just have an evening to ourselves to chill out. My parents had a fantastic time though and got along really well with Sue despite previous reservations. Arthur used to me married to my Mum’s sister Margaret. Odd I know. So it was great that they had a fab evening together.
The following Monday I was off as it was Aunty Sandra’s Cremation. The service was really lovely, she would have really liked it. It felt like I cried the whole day though and ended up getting drunk. The wake at the Rangers after was also really nice though, especially for all the family to be together. It was very a very hard day though. My Dad’s other brother, Ted, was previously married to Sandra (I know! ) was there and he came back to our house to stay afterwards and stayed for a couple of days at my request. It was nice for my Dad to get to spend some real quality time with him. He left on Wednesday as we’d arranged to have dinner with Arthur and Sue; and Ted and Arthur don’t talk to each other anymore (bad business history). We had a takeaway with Arthur and Sue. We were previously planning to go out, but Mum had developed a cold so we stayed in. We had a great time though and lots of laughs, especially playing with Talking Tom Cat. Thursday I was still at work so my folks just mostly relaxed. Then Friday was the day they went home & it was all over way too quickly.
It was so amazing to have them here though. It had been a truly wonderful surprise and the best birthday ever. Of course their entire holiday was bitter sweet though because of Aunty Sandra passing, but really it was a blessing. She’s no longer suffering, and she got to see both my parents again, which I know would have meant so much to her.
coloured Contact Lenses, 30th Party & Yoga
Posted by Violetsteel in Health, Journal on 26/07/2010
Pete was working away from home the weekend just gone, they had a catalogue launch in Widnes nr Liverpool. Becky kept me company some of the weekend though and we went to watch Twilight Eclipse for the 3rd time in cinema. Yes we are somewhat obsessed. I think we are going leave it at that now though and wait for the DVD. Afterwards we saw Steve and Greenie in town for a quick drink and then Becky came back to our place for a little while. I however drank loads of cider and stayed up till 4am.
I’ve ordered some coloured conact lenses. I’ve always wanted light coloured eyes, but coloured contacts have always been really expensive and incredibly fake-looking so I’ve never tried them. On Sunday my interest was piqued again, so I did a search for “coloured contact lenses for dark eyes” and found a forum with a long discussion about them, and photos of people wearing them which looked great, so I followed a recommended link and came to contactlenses.co.uk which stocks a wide range of professional contact lenses coloured and normal. Thy have good prices and range to choose from, and the reviews for their coloured contacts were really good, so I’ve ordered some.
I’m both excited and nervous at the same time as I don’t know what results to expect, or if I’ll have the confidence to leave the house with them in. They were dispatched today so should hopefully arrive in the next few days.
I’m getting more and more interested in yoga. I’ve only done it a few times, but the flexibility, relaxation and body & mindconnection really appeals to me. I might try give it a serious go and try do a bit each day before work.
My 30h Birthday party has been organised by Pete and Becky. Luckily my Birthday is on a Saturday, so I get to have my party on my actual birthday. I’m trying hard not to get any expectations to avoid disappointment, but I am actually really looking forwards to the celebrations 
And of course Pete it taking me on holiday somewhere which is all a secret, so i’m very excited about that
Turning 30, Sandra, Race for Life, Twilight: Eclipse
Posted by Violetsteel in Journal on 09/07/2010
firstly… Cheezburger love: Hello little bionic kitty! And what I think is a pretty smart parrot.
I’m turning 30 next month. I may or may not be having a party. Pete and Becky want to organise one but I’ve told them I don’t want to be involved in the arrangement. I always feel there is a lot of pressure to have a good time on your birthday, so I always try to approach it that “what will be, will be”. It’s just another day, if it turns out great, wonderful, but I’m not going to try force it. But with it being a milestone, I would obviously like to do something special. I know Pete has plans to take me away on holiday somewhere, which I’m most excited about. It might be Ireland as we’ve previously discussed going there, but I’m not 100% sure. I’m excited for it all though. I don’t like the idea of leaving my 20s, but at the same time I’ve never felt more confident or happy with who I am so it’s not all bad.
My Aunty Sandra is still really ill. She seems to be doing better than initially antisipated. It’s a tough existance for her though, and she needs a lot or care. We take every day as it comes.
I saw Twilight: Eclipse last Saturday. It was brilliant. It was nicely true to the book and I welled up twice. I LOVED New Moon, but I love this one more. The acting was better, more emotional, and the love between Edward and Bella seemed more truely reflected as in the book at last. This time you really know and understand how much they love each other. There were also some incredible kissing scenes. Hot! Seiing it again on Sunday.
I’m taking part in Race for Life on 20th July with Becky, Jane and Janine to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. We are doing it in Memory of my cousin Ange who passed in 2008, but now with her Mum, My Aunty Sandra, also battling cancer it’s all the more personal to us. I’d really appreciate any sponsorship you could offer. Check it out: Sponsor me!
