Journal

General journal/diary entries

Tracey’s Wedding, Currently Reading & Tortoise.

Published on by Violetsteel

My Aunty Tracey is getting married to Andy tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it. Family wedding are normally loads of fun. I’m sure there will be a few tears for Aunty Sandra too as it hasn’t even been a month yet.; but I’m sure they day will centre around happiness and love. I’ll take loads of photos 🙂

We are pet-sitting Amie’s tortoise, George, at the moment as they are moving house.

I’m currently reading The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern. I’m loving it and would definitely recommend it to my friends. Hopefully I’ll finish it tonight.

New York!

Published on by Violetsteel

Pete and I are going to New York for news years! I’m so excited. I suggested it as a throw away-comment in email on Tuesday, and it now it’s booked. I’m already amasing a list of things to do, see and eat while we are there, and we are going for 8 nights and staying right in the centre of the city. I’m beyond excited for it 🙂

My 30th, Parents Surprise Holiday & Aunty Sandra

Published on by Violetsteel

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.

Online vs Paper & Privacy Levels

Published on by Violetsteel

I often find myself torn between my pull to the geek world and wanting to do everything digitally, and my romance with written journals and diaries. I like that digitally I can fit masses of information and photos in one place, It’s easy to search and available to me wherever I go. However I miss the touch of paper and my own handwritting. There is a smell of paper that is familiar and comforting, and somehow feels more private and personal. I suppose a lot of the appeal is also the mystery of carrying around a private journal.

I also struggle with how much to share publicly in this digital age of social networking and how much I should keep private. My aunt recently passed away, and I had to be careful about not putting it on facebook because you never know if everyone has been informed. The last thing you want is a cousin to find out of facebook. So despite wanting to share my feelings with my closest friends, I ended up keeping it entirely quiet. Where is the medium?

I’ve even considered setting up 2 facebook profiles. One for General everyday fun and messing about, and one of a more serious nature. But that seems ridiculous. Finding a comfortable place in the online world is quite hard. Especially considering jobs and employers are likely to see the information and photographs (and others) you throw out there. It’s a very public place to be!

August So Far…

Published on by Violetsteel

My coloured contact lenses arrived on the Wed 28th July. I was very nervous and excited to try them when I got home, but they went in without much bother.

Opinion: They are not the most comfortable to wear, I don’t know much about contact lenses but they feel too big. They move a little every time I blink and this causes blurring until each slides back to it’s correct location. This is annoying and irritates my eyes mildy after a couple on hours. At first I liked that they are rather subtle but now I want to try something a little more striking.

Thursday 29th
I purchased 3 dresses from boohoo.com. They were £8 each and ordered them for delivery the next day, £28.99 in total. Bargain! In the evening I went on a minor clothes shopping outing at Matalan. I got a cute cardi to go with the girly dresses I’d bought online, a handbag, black patent high heels (so cute!), and a suggley knitted top to wear with jeans.

Friday 30th
The dresses arrived at work on Friday to my delight, and I looked at them at lunch time. My boss (female) insisted I try them on and show them. I ended up getting stuck in one and having a panic attack in the bathroom and having to shout my colleague to rescue me out of it. So embarrassing. Had success with the second and third and decided I’d wear the third one out that night to my friend Amie’s birthday meal and drinks.
After work, getting ready to go out and the zip on the dress was giving me grief so Pete had to help me zip it up as it kept sticking. We finally got it up and I continued to get ready when the sodding zip opened BELOW the pull tag! FFFFUUUUUU!
The second dress I was keeping for my 30th birthday party so the idea of wearing a new dress was aborted and I ended up wearing one I’ve had a little while, which is rather tight and short, but ended up feeling good in it.

So we went out to an Indian restaurant for Amie’s Birthday. Unfortunately I am not a fan of Indian food, way too rich for my liking. But we had a lovely dinner anyway, all the usual Argos crew were there and we had some good banter with the waiters. Afterwards we headed into town for some drinks and I was asked for ID on our way into Wetherspoons. I told the bouncer I was turning 30 in a month and he said “Bullshit” but then believed me as it would be a ridiculous lie if I was underage. We had a few drinks there and them went to Rich’s house who works with Pete. We stopped on the way to get booze from tesco and again I was asked for ID (must have been the dress!). The girl didn’t believe me though and my friends weren’t allowed to buy for me so I had to smuggle my money to Amie and them Ade to buy my wine! Crazy!
We had a great evening at Rich’s, drinking plenty and playing guitar hero. A real guitar was out too and I insisted Jake teach me how to play. I wasn’t any good! Left about 4 in the morning.

Saturday 31st we were naturally hungover and literally watched back to back episodes of House. Not a bad way to spend a day really!

Sunday 1st Aug, We made cupcakes!It was loads of fun. They came out really well and decorating them was the best part.

I took it easy most of Sunday though as I started with a cold that had been going around the office at work. Joy! So I and watched loads of House back to back again. The cold ended up taking me down most of the week and I was off Tuesday, Thursday and Friday feeling awful.

Thankfully I was starting to feel better on the weekend and we went to a BBQ at Kevin & Jane’s on Sat 7th. I didn’t drink though because of my cold but still had a fun evening. Drove my cousin Lorraine and her family home to save them ordering a taxi. Andy was totally pissed, it was really funny. Pete also ended up really drunk after the neighbor brought out his homemade Damsin Gin. Lovely stuff! Pity I couldn’t have any.

Sunday 8th Pete and spend the day out together. We went to Trentham Estate and bought a cactus to replace out ever dying house plants (this one is names Edmond). and then we went to watch Inception 3D at Cineworld. It was brilliant!

Had a very busy week at work last week, catching up on everything from when I was off sick. Thursday night we went to watch Toy Story 3 on IMAX. Such a cute movie. It may even be my favourite of the 3. The monkey with symbols was hilarious, as was Ken “I’m not a girls toy! Why do you keep saying that?!”. Very good!

Had a chilled weekend just gone. Saturday I bought a new rear inner-tube for Ethel and also bought a cycling helmet and trouser clips while I was at it. I may look like a dweeb, but I value my head. I met up with Becky in town and we had lunch together which was fun. She’s just got a job, so lunch was her treat. Thanks! Then she came around to our place in the evening and we watched Remember Me.Fabulous movie! I didn’t expect the ending, and Robert Pattinson was brilliant in it. Becks and I swooned quite a bit 🙂

So now I am into my last week of my 20’s. I can hardly believe it! Naturally I am not too happy about it, I’d like to stay in my 20s forever. But I am looking forward to my party this Saturday organised by Pete and Becky, and of course Pete is taking me somewhere on Holiday at the end of August. Hopefully I manage to get a bit of birthday money and can expand my bird tattoo on my shoulder. It really needs a background.

Yoga

Published on by Violetsteel

I did some yoga last night before going to bed and did 3 Sun Salutes before work. Definitely nice to have a good stretch in the morning, and it certainly gets the blood flowing.

Got home this evening and did another hour and a half following the yoga for dummies video. I’d really recommend it as she explains each pose really nicely, and getting into each pose is gradual so you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing and where you should feel the stretch. She also explains the breathing a lot and keeps reminding you to focus on it as it’s intergral to yoga and it’s benefits.

I’m really hoping the stretching can help with my bad hip and it’s range of motion, I’ve struggled with simple things most people take for granted, like crossing your legs, since I had my surgery when I was 11. I’d be over the moon if I can get some of that movement back. Obviously I’ll have to take it slow and steady though, but I think by challenging it daily and stretching it, it’ll help.

coloured Contact Lenses, 30th Party & Yoga

Published on by Violetsteel

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 🙂