Something positive (I hope)

We had a man come around to look at doing our bathroom, and after the last time and quote (12K) I was a bit apprehensive. This guy is someone his Lordship knows from a few years ago and we found him because our friend Dave just had him to finish work on his bathroom. Anyway, he came around and I was very impressed with him, and his no nonsense approach. He's a property developer who does up his own buildings and some fairly big contracts. He also said we could go and check out work he's already done for people, and Dave said he was extremely happy with what he'd done at his house.

He talked about doing all sorts of things, such as lowering the very high ceiling and putting in fans and stuff as well as tiling etc... It all sounded like exactly what we want but it all came down to price. In the end he came back with a price of around 2.5K, I nearly fell off my chair, so needless to say we're going ahead and could be started as early as next week depending on when we can get the new suite! So, it could even be ready for when the parentals come back from Oz. I can't wait, especially as the start of this year's been awful, it's something to look forward to!

Shingles update: The pain is almost all gone except for the odd twinge now and then, and it's hard getting to sleep at night because I can't get comfortable with my hip. I'm a bit itchy, but I guess that's just how it goes. I'm off the anti-virals too now which is brilliant because they made me a bit weird and useless! I was going to go back to work today but his Lordship insisted I had the rest of the week off just to make sure I'm 100% for Monday.

Ruined his birthday (again)

So, in time honoured tradition I have fallen ill on His Lordship's birthday. I started to get a rash and my skin was incredibly sore, I thought it might be some sort of allergic reaction so dismissed it. Anyway, after two sleepless nights and severe pain in my left side we went to the Urgent Care Centre in the middle of the night and the doctor says I have Shingles! I've no recollection of ever having had chicken pox though, so we were a bit mistified as to how I could have got it. Anyway, the doctor says I must have had it and just not displayed the symptoms. Apart from the pain I feel absolutely fine, a little bit full of a cold maybe, but I'm now on some proper donkey tablets and co-codamol for the pain.

We were supposed to have a party for his birthday and it looks like that's off now.

Snow all over the show

This...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8447023.stm

is the UK, it's not just Kansas with snow as you can see! It's been incredibly cold for days and the cat is getting a little stir crazy as she's not a massive fan of the white stuff.

Feels like 50 years!?

Ok, well, the title is misleading but today His Lordship and I have been together for 5 years. Now, normally we don't bother with this kind of thing because it falls on a day when we would previously have been out partying and would be spending it hungover. But, this year he's bought me a rose plant which I will take a photo of later. I've bought him nothing because we don't usually bother so am feeling a little bit guilty!

Spoke to the Aussies around 11pm last night. They all seemed in good spirits, but looks as though my parents were struck down with whatever illness we've both had, but I'm sure there'll be an update on one or both of their blogs, so I won't go into detail.

We're still feeling a bit rough, so are going to spend the afternoon having a How I Met Your Mother marathon. We're on series 3 now.

All quiet on the Western Front

So, they've got off ok, I think the plane was delayed by about fifteen minutes, so don't know if they'll make that up on route. Aunty Sonia rang just as we got to the airport and I think they're going to try and email when they get to Dubai, dunno how successful that will be though! Probably result in a few blue words from you know who!

It's been wonderful to have them here and I'm going to miss them in the two months they'll be gone. I don't think it hit me really until they went through the gates how very far they are going, I hope they have a lovely time and that he has no need to wear a cardie!

In other news, both and Andy and I don't feel at all well, I have been sick and he feels sick, so I hope it's something we've eaten rather than anything else, although I just can't get warm despite the heating being on and all the layers I've got on. We've been in bed all afternoon sleeping.

As for next Christmas, Fuad can have his raw food, the rest of us will taunt him with our chocolates!

In which we use public transport

"We're going to Lincoln, why don't you come too," they said.

"Ok," we replied.

"It's on the bus though," they said.

Two missed connections, a rodeo, and lots of waiting around later and I've come to the conclusion that I never ever ever want to go on a bus ever again.

Lincoln Christmas market was a nice day out though.

Christmas Wreath

Spurred on by my mother's efforts with the wreaths and her instructions on how to make one, I decided to make my own to give as a gift to D and P or His Lordship's parents. I bought some chocolate orange sweets and made one, it looked crap so I've taken them all off and started again using Roses. I've got some red bows in the attic so I shall complete it tonight and take a picture to put here.