So the other day I received an email from my blog website saying I hadn't logged on for over a month - yes I know it's been a long time but again not much has happened.

Err... what else?  Baby niece is doing well - she is a very happy little baby and every time I see her she has even more expression on her face Also mum and dad are going away Tuesday for a few days (can't say where coz it's a surprise for mum) so Ria and I will have some time alone which will be nice coz we're either here with my olds or we're at Ria's with hers!  But - that also means we've gotta cook for four nights consecutively! lol

We all went to Jodie and Ben's wedding reception last night which was a nice evening - saw loads of old faces from the past and it was good to catch up and have a natter.  Unfortunately about 3 fights errupted - missed all of them But seriously, poor Ben and Jodie - it was their special day and idiots that can't handle their booze ruin it for others.

So, that really is it for now.  Next time I blog (which will be sooner rather than later) I shall hopefully have exciting news of mine and Ria's travel plans.... I cannot wait!   Bye for now xx

Well hello there.  Yes, I know it's been a while and the reason being is that nothing much has happened for nearly a month!  I am working at the moment - for the next few months anyway.  And basically life is treating me well

The only exciting thing that happened was my holiday to Austria with Ria last week.  We went for 8 days and enjoyed every minute of it.  We stayed in the picturesque resort of Seefeld which is as far away from Salzburg as you can get (Sound of Music territory!)  We went up a mountain (a pretty darn high one at that) by furnicular train and then halfway up we had to get off and finish the second half by cable-car.  Even though it was bright sunshine we were walking in the snow and nearly falling ar*e over t*t.  All good fun though.  Then Monday we took ourselves into Innsbruck and saw the famous Golden Roof - although I have no idea what the story is behind it.  Tuesday we went on an excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle (the Disney fairytale castle) which brought back my childhood memories.  Wednesday we chilled and then Thursday we went swimming twice - once at the local leisure centre and then later on at the pool in our hotel.  Friday morning we left Seefeld early and took the train to Salzburg and did the Sound of Music tour (the whole point of going to Austria) and stayed in the city for the evening and then did a little shopping on Saturday before leaving to come home. 

I hope that my life becomes a little more interesting soon coz otherwise my blogs which were every few days will become every few weeks.... but saying that it won'tbe long til me 'n' Ria will be jetting off around the world... roll on August 31st-ish!

Sorry folks...it's been a month since my last post and to be quite honest it's been pretty much same old, same old.  Remember I started my new job?  Well, it didn't last long - I decided that yes the money was good but the job was pretty boring so after a whole 9 days I left the place!  But it's not all bad - I phoned the agency and managed to get a job doing complaints for my old company (the one I was made redundant from!) so after all the 'checks' were out the way I eventually started yesterday.  It's familiar in a way bcoz I know the systems and some old faces but I'm in a new building with loads of new people but it's temporary as my plan is to leave around early to mid-August.

So that's the job sorted ... next was a holiday - a holiday I hear you cry!  Yes!  Why the heck not, eh?  Last week I booked a 7 night/8 day hol to Austria with Ria where we're staying in a typical Austrian hotel in Seefeld.  That way we can visit Innsbruck, Neuschwenstein (fairy-tale castle) and Salzburg, of course as Ria is in love with the Sound of Music and Julie Andrews (60's Julie) so we depart on 31st May and we're pretty excited

Talking of Ria we've been seeing each other quite regularly - I went to her's a couple of times and went to the seaside - amusements a must!  Then the weekend just gone, we went out for a meal with her family and I had the best sirloin steak I have ever tasted and then the following night we went to a club and paid an extortionate amount for a few drinks so we left there and went into a Casino where we played roulette for a while.  It wasn't like Las Vegas though - I mean I won there didn't I but this time I broke even, although we did have some fun and the drinks were cheaper too!

On a sadder note though today has been quite a horrible one - it all started from the time I tried to get to sleep last night.  I could not sleep for some reason and then after about 5 hours of broken sleep I woke up with a headache which luckily passed but then I got scalded in the shower.  Then I came home for lunch and found out from Sara that an ex-colleague of ours who we knew had breast cancer was taken into hospital on Friday night and is now in intensive care with a rare form of cancer that is incurable.  I believe that she's only a year older than me and although we aren't close I can completely understand what she was going through, until now that is.  To be diagnosed with cancer is pretty damn terrifying - I should know coz I've been there and even now although I moan about all of my scars I realise how lucky I've been to come back from something so aggressive.  I was lucky - there's no doubt about it but this girl isn't so lucky and I'm sending my love to her (telepathically).  Sara is seeing her tomorrow so I'm waiting to find out more

Also, I just read on my friend Carly's blog that her cat passed away today, although we knew it would happen eventually bcoz she had cancer but you just never think it's going to happen so quickly.  What a day today has been - I'm just glad there'll never be another 1st May 2008!

But......... where there is sadness there is also joy and on a happier note I'm still enjoying my Auntie role - I even changed a pooey nappy a couple of weeks ago!  Ahhh, shock! Horror!  She is so adorable though and everytime I see her she seems to have grown just that little bit more.  It's 1 month today that she was born.  In a way I want her to grow up so I can turn her into a tomboy and play football with her yet I don't want her to get any bigger bcoz she is so cute!  But.... life goes on and of course so must we .... til next time....

Most importantly I have to start with the birth of my niece, who arrived at 1.59am on April 1st (an April Fool's baby) and weighed 5 pounds 14oz.  Laura had said all along that she wanted a home birth and that's exactly what happened - there was a small risk that she might have to go into hospital because the midwife thought she might have an infection after her 'waters' broke Sunday morning.  Luckily it wasn't the case.  She apparently started having contractions at about 11am on Monday (31st) and by 2pm she was actually in labour as she was over 3/4cm dilated.  By 10pm she was 8cms and by 1.59am after excruciating pain and gas'n'air little Daisy-May came out.  My mum, dad, Sara, two of Laura's friends and Toby were there with her....me and Sara were at the 'bottom' end and saw everything going on (us sister's are closer than ever! hehe).  It was an amazing experience and one that I'll never forget and also may never happen again!

Unfortunately, that same morning I was due to start my new job, however I phoned in and explained that I had had about 3 hours sleep and asked if I could go in a bit later that day and luckily for me they were absolutely fine with it.  So at 1pm yesterday I made my way into work and started the induction process.  Then today I had to get up ridiculously early coz they wanted me to go to the London office so right now I'm pretty shattered.  The train journey was like 1 1/4 hours to Cannon St. and from there it's like a 15 minute brisk walk to the office so I've done a tiny bit of exercise and then later I got the 45 minute train home so I got home about 6.30 this evening; a long day for me

So what else have I done then?  Well Ria stayed all over Easter (and beyond) which was really nice and we both agreed that we could easily get used to it!  On Good Friday a few members of my family along with Ria and myself went to see the show 'Wicked' and I was quite impressed with it; catchy tunes and a clever storyline I thought.  Then Sunday we exchanged easter eggs and a little present then had a massive roast dinner (courtesy of mummy).  We took it easy for the rest of the weekend and then during the week Ria did some of her uni work whilst I was doing things here and there like cleaning my sister Laura's stove (it looks brand new now).  And then on Saturday I took Ria to the local A&E coz she couldn't put any weight on her right foot or walk on it and after waiting over 3 1/2 hours and one x-ray later she was diagnosed with 'Policemans Heel' and we also found out that she has an extra bone in her foot...I must admit her foot looks like it has two ankle bones - very odd!  So that was our Saturday gone and Sunday I drove her back to Pompey due to the traintimes and also coz of her foot and stayed over and came back on the Monday...trying to concentrate on my driving all the while Laura was having contractions back home!

Also, I just wanna say thanks to everyone who have sent their congrats to us...in one way it's the end of an era coz I was always the 'baby' of the Pickles family but not anymore.  However, after waiting more than 10 years to become an Auntie I reckon the sacrifice was worth it (not that I had any say in the matter! hehe).  So well done Laura and Toby coz she is absolutely beautiful

Ciao for now

I got myself a job folks!  I went for an interview Friday before last at like 8.30 in the morning (well actually it was later than that ... long story) and then had a second interview that evening.  I found out Friday last week that I got the job and I'm getting paid more money than my last one and it actually sounds interesting; I'm going to be an administrator for an IFA company .....  the ironic thing is I start on 1st April so I hope it's not an April fool's joke!  So now I'm attempting to get back into some sort of routine so that it's not a total shock to the system.

I also received bad news twice, within days of each other so my thoughts are going out to their friends and families.  Also, today I shall be popping over to Snodland cemetary as it is the anniversary of one of my closest friends' death today.

Tomorrow Ria is coming over for a long weekend and we're going to see a show in London (I can't say which show it is as I'm keeping it a surprise for her!) so she's down all over easter and I'm sure we'll stuff ourselves silly with chocolate

That's about it from me... I hope you all have a lovely Easter and eat loads of choccies!

Hello again, as you can see I'm home (not alone coz I'm living with the olds!) on a Saturday night.  Unfortunately, I can't be with Ria because she's out clubbing the night away and plus she works at weekends.  So I guess it's just me, my laptop and the tv tonight!

But anyways, enough from me.  Be good x

Happy Birthday to me...
Happy Birthday to me...
Happy Birthday to meeee....
Happy Birthday to me!!

....well, going back to last week all I did was paint and decorate the hallway (as promised) so I became high on the paint fumes - something which isn't as fun as it sounds.  All I know is that it dries my throat like you wouldn't believe but at least it's done now.  Other than that I really haven't done anything else, except for today - boy, was it a busy day or what?  I got rudely awoken this morning by numerous employment agencies saying they'd seen my cv online (I posted it over the weekend) and thought I might be interested in some jobs they have.  Unfortunately a few of the positions are in London - I mean I don't mind commuting for a few months but only if the money is good.  Then in the afternoon I popped into Maidstone and gave my CV into an employment agency so I'm waiting to hear from them.  I then came home to wash and scrub my motorbike as it was absolutely filthy, that took me a while to do and then I went for a little ride on it just to familiarise myself with it   And then in the evening I helped my sister, Sara bake cakes .... ok, so I helped eat the mixture and some of the warm cakies but what the heck - it is my birthday... hee hee.

So that's about it really, not very exciting but my birthdays never seem to be.... long story, I'll tell you all about it one day.  But all I can say is that this year I intend to enjoy every moment of it coz I get to spend it with Ria....and my family of course!

I can't believe it's been nearly three weeks since I last updated my blog - to be honest with you I can't even remember what I've been doing since then but I'm gonna have a go so bear with me folks...

Well Ria came to stay at the beginning of the month for virtually a whole week - it was really nice.  As per usual I got through loads of money - I really have no idea where it keeps going!  I remember we went over to Tonbridge on the Tuesday and she met a couple of my ex-workmates for lunch, then Wednesday night we had a delicious meal at a pizza eatery and then went onto the local gay bar.  Friday afternoon we went to the cinema and watched Sweeney Todd, not a bad movie actually - somewhat gruesome though.  Then, unfortunately on Saturday morning Ria had to leave to go back to Portsmouth for work   That afternoon I met up with Cathy and Emma and had a farewell meal for Emma as she's going travelling with her other half for a year - mostly in Australia so I said I'd probably see her over there!  And then that evening Sara dragged me out to a 50th birthday party -i t was so darn exciting *yawn.*

Sunday Ria was at work again and coz neither of us wanted me to go home I stayed at her house for a few hours and then picked her up from work and had a nice sunday roast and then all of a sudden Monday arrived and unfortunately it was time for me to come home   But it wasn't all bad - we actually have central heating now and my room is no longer an ice box!  So what do I have planned for the rest of the week?  Well, me thinks it's gonna be decorating and going to the gym at least a couple of times.  After that....who knows but I will tell you that it's my BIRTHDAY on Tuesday 26th and I will be turning 28 - I can't believe how time flies.  To be honest with you my body feels like it's 78 but my head still thinks I'm 18! 

BBFN folks xx

Well not much happened before Thursday last week - went to the gym twice and got all my stuff together for my little break to Portsmouth.  So Thursday morning I took myself off to Portsmouth by train for a few days where I stayed with Ria (and her family).  We went to her friend's 21st fancy dress party on Friday evening where we dressed up as Neo (me) and Ria was batgirl.  We started off in the pub(s) then made our way to a club called Babylon where they play 90's music non-stop and then Ria and I moved onto Martha's which is a gay club (I believe it's the only gay club in Portsmouth!).  We did quite a few shots (yes even Tequila) and I even danced with the girlfriend - appallingly may I add coz I so can't dance!  Saturday we relaxed (no hangover) and then went out for a meal with her parents where I had a juicy sirloin steak.  Sunday we did a little bit of shopping - well Ria did anyway and then Monday we didn't do much

And then it was Tuesday and I nearly didn't get on that train to come home - I was tempted to stay another day and if I hadn't had to sign on at the jobcentre then I would have....all this hassle for a whopping £59.15 p/w!   So I signed on and then they told me I need to have a 13 week interview where I'm sure they're gonna ask me to look further afield, lower my requirements and basically tell me I should work for peanuts....can't wait for that!  I must admit that week commencing 11th February I'm gonna properly look for a job...really I am!

Today (Wednesday) I relaxed (just like any other day for me) and tomorrow I'm gonna go to the gym for a little workout and then in the afternoon I've been summoned to the dentists chair for two small fillings (eek!).  Then Friday it looks like I'm going swimming again - this time Laura and I are going to Mote Park (waves and a flume!) so we'll probably just muck about like last time - you never know we might just do a few widths of swimming too!  Then it'll be Saturday where I have absolutely nothing planned so I may pop down the gym (no promises) and then Sunday.....hmm I'm sure something is happening that day.... ahhh yes I'm seeing Ria again she's down from Sunday evening to Saturday morning (nearly a whole week) so we're hoping to do a bit of shopping, see a film or two at the cinema and maybe even go to a gay bar.  The one downside of being together every-so-often is that it's so expensive coz we wanna eat out or do things and those things always require money....maybe we need to invest in 'free' leisure time ... hee hee.  I'm also hoping to go down to Tonbridge next week to see some of the girls from work and introduce Ria to them so again that's more expense coz we gotta eat, right?!

And I reckon that's a wrap for now.... everything is going great guns and I'm a very happy bunny to say the least.  Ciao for now amigos

I really haven't been up to much to be quite honest.  I'm in the process of applying for one job - a part-time job (part-time money of course) so I'll see how that goes.  Ideally what I'm looking for is weekend work because that way I'll have a couple of days off in the week where I might have the opportunity to see Ria.  Talking of Ria I haven't seen her for two weeks and I won't see her until Thursday but it'll be worth it - absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.  So from Thursday to Monday or possibly Tuesday I shall be in Portsmouth (well close-by anyway) so I'm really looking forward to that - can't wait.  Yes, it looks like I've become extremely mushy - I blame it on Ria personally!

This week my life consisted of signing on at the jobcentre (wow wee) and cooking two meals - yes I can cook ... but not too often coz otherwise the olds would get used to it!  Yesterday, I signed my life away and re-joined the local gym as I've slowly been gaining some of the weight back that I lost whilst I was travelling.  The toned legs are gradually turning back to jelly!

Today I think I might take myself off to the gym and have a little workout and then later Laura (my sister) wants to go to one of the local leisure pools for a swim so as long as I get to jump over the waves and go down the flume then I'll be happy.