When it snows you either grab a shovel or make snow angels

Heyy,  

The snow began falling on Saturday, however, it was never going to be enough for a full-blown snow day. Settling in for the night and heading to bed it had yet to stop, but the light sprinkle was enough to get excited about. I mean what can I say it has been nearly a year of being in and out of quarantine and lockdowns so this is about as exciting as it gets.

By Sunday morning the flakes were getting bigger and a thin layer was forming on the ground outside. With some tasty chilli cheese bread in I reached for the butter, only to realise it was empty and instead reached for my car keys. Venturing out into the blizzard I was glad to have de-iced the car ready for the Monday morning commute which would, I am sure, be more arduous than normal. On returning the snow was getting heavier and as Mr Warehouse and the pups come out to greet me we chatted with neighbours and did a bit of prep work for the morning to follow. All-day it floated down from the sky as we split our time between playing in the garden with the dogs and snoozing in the warmth of some blankets on the sofa. Even when night fell and Mr Warehouse and I snuggled into bed, we could still see the snow coming down from the dark night as we wondered what the following morrow would bring.

A lot of fucking scraping I can tell you that much. Frozen car doors were the first obstacle. The second of which was a feeble process of sweeping the light dusty snow from the car and scraping the remainder which looked like snow clumps but seemingly had all ganged up to create a massive ice ball which engulfed my car. Twenty-minutes later I was ready to drive to work, if not running late and almost certain I would be told to grab my laptop charger and fuck off home where it was safe. Alas, however, I got into the office in one piece and was told I would be in all week, if it was possible, due to further training - something I lapped up readily.

Something special about snow, especially this time. The fact it brought neighbours together for the first time in months, everyone peaking out the window to watch the next snowman or slip on the ice. Kids screaming down the street announcing a snowball fight as grown adults and kids waged a war on forced isolation. Watching the dogs play in the snow, Frankenstein's first encounter with the white stuff, I recalled a couple of years ago the dreaded  Beast from The East and how we had not really had a snowfall since at least not here in the comfy Home-Counties. Back in 2018, just mere months from mortgages and house deeds, Storm Emma brought the Beast from The East. 

The colder weather coming across from Russia being blown by Siberia and picking up some icy chills on the way the temperatures soon plummeted to rival the sinking of the Titanic and blizzard snow's hampering travel plans as well as all manner of daily activities life for some across the British Isles in March of that year, just weeks before Easter. Rather than getting excited about springtime sunshine, flowers, bunnies and lambs; Storm Emma forced the MET Office to issue a red weather warning foreboding a loss of life should people be caught up in the outside winds of 70mph coupled with the already existing polar vortex from Beast from The East with forecasts for -15C wind chills and snowdrifts nearly as tall as you. Yes you! 

But if that cold snap proved anything, it taught us that things will be brighter once the (snow) storm clears. As reports today through the BBC confirm, it seems the daily death toll is lessening with only 592 being recorded today (Monday 25 January 2021), down seven on last Monday's figure. Yes, I know, just seven, but it is still heading in the right direction - Although that doesn't take into account all the "false data" which means that anyone who has passed away within 28 days of a positive COVID19 test, despite the cause of death, will be recorded as a COVID related death even if it was unrelated.

The downturn in figures for people becoming infected seems to suggest that the virus is n the decline and probably with much thanks from the vaccination programme which so far the latest government figures show that 6.5 million people have now received the first dose, up 2.5-million from last week. My, My they have been busy! Reporting by the BBC confirms Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying almost four in five of the UK's over 80s have now had the vaccine, with nearly 500,000 people having had a second dose of the wonder-drug. It is said that the government needs to give about 380,000 vaccine doses a day if it is to reach the 15 million most vulnerable people by the middle of February and with the current seven-day average is almost 360,000, I am sure the end is in sight soon.

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Think Positive & Positive Will Come

Heyy,  

The sparkle of positivity about 2021 that was first ignited last week is still burning bright and getting hotter and hotter as the days and weeks progress. just hope Boris doesn't have a bucket of water for my fireworks waiting for me around the corner. I have now settled in quite nicely in my new job and know a bit more but all is going well and whilst it is strange not having the normal introductions and training I seem to be doing well.

Whilst I said last week that since the country has been plunged into an official 3rd Lockdown it makes for difficult work trying to see the positivity in things, especially all things weddings and celebratory.

As reported today through the BBC, only 599 deaths were recorded today (and I say only but obviously we know that even one death is too many). But is this the beginning of the end? The downturn in figures for people becoming infected seem to suggest so and with fewer people becoming infected, the less likely people are to be hospitalised and die from the disease which has wreaked havoc on our lives for nearly a year! This is equally positive when you hear scaremongering stories in the press and media about this "new variant" of the virus thought to be much more easily transmissible than other strains, although not believed to be more deadly - Something I already have, controversially, voiced my concerns and thoughts on.

Despite my confidence, I am a realist - Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned on several occasions that easing of restrictions on daily life, mask-wearing and social distancing is all heavily reliant on the vaccine rollout being a success as well as there being no further concerning variants of the virus. Another article from BBC asks about whether a vaccine, regardless of its roll out allow us to return to normal as we knew it before? I myself as I am sure many of you are desperately hoping that the coronavirus vaccines will transport us back to our pre-Covid lives.

Whilst it is amazing we have several brilliant vaccines already approved for market, not to mention the many more that will be coming through in the coming months I am sure, but it could take months or possibly years to vaccinate enough of the global population to make the whole interconnected world safe and reach a point where we can all return to fully normal. Prof David Salisbury, a former director of immunisation at the UK Department of Health says that in his humble opinion "suggestions that vaccines will be able to take us back to where we were pre-Covid by Easter have given people an unrealistic expectation's", and such an outcome, in the absence of the interruption of transmission, is "unlikely".

But I am valiantly subscribing to the sunnier broadcasts and whereas the days where Number 10 press conferences were a monotonous deluge of horrendous figures and numbers I have now begun to tune into the hope and positivity from them, even if I have the fortune of driving home from the office during their broadcast, therefore, missing out on all the standard doom and gloom. Thankfully Mr Warehouse is always on hand to update me on my arrival home.

In the news article from the BBC, the latest government figures show that four-million people have now received the first dose, and just over 450,000 people have had a second. It is said that following the vulnerable and OAP's having their jabs, the NHS and partners will move onto the next category including the over-50's in their sights as well as the aforementioned groups not picked up first time around. With Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government is aiming to offer all UK adults a vaccine by September I am more than hopeful that we will get married this year - I just hope we don't need to postpone it to Autumn?!

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain

Hello All,  

A fortnight into the new year and I am starting to see just a sparkle of positivity about 2021. After practically crying through the fireworks on New Year's Eve (albeit 2019's - See last weeks blog post) I have finally finished wallowing in self-pity and I am starting to see what I can do with all the wonderful time I have now free on my hands. Alas as much as I wish it were true Couch To 5K is not on that list. It may be a new year and a new job but I am far from a new me - I am still the same old same old you have all grown to love, I hope.

The new job is going well and whilst it is strange not having the normal introductions around the office, desperately trying to remember everyone's name without offensive adjectives in front. There is no banter around the coffee machine or getting to know colleagues. I will be honest though as the tin of Quality Street the size of my car that is being passed around is soon becoming a 3pm habit.

That being said, COVID hasn't helped the job transfusion and since the country has been plunged into an official Lockdown (lost count at which fucking number we are on now - 4 I think?!) it makes for difficult work trying to learn a new job. According to that Jock-Strap of a Health Secretary, Matt Hancock the UK is at the "worst point" of the pandemic.

As reported through the BBC, Number 10 press conferences have now just become a monotonous deluge of horrendous figures and numbers about how many have got the COVID-19 Coronavirus and how many so far have died from it, a figure now close to 85,000 Brit's. The begging and pleading for people to abide by the rules, washing hands, wearing face masks and keeping space I am afraid has come too little too late and should have been heavily enforced with the like of Dominic Cummings as his flouting of said rules has only made the rest of us think what is the point.

So far 2.3 million people in the UK have had a first Covid vaccine shot with many of them already completing their course of the two shots, giving them full immunity. But with millions still yet to vaccinate, the delivery plan is expected to take until spring to give the first dose to all 32 million people in the UK's priority groups, including the over-55's and those who are clinically vulnerable. The BBC continues to report that, on a positive note, a good percentage of those at higher risk of an ITU bed (the over-70s, older care home residents and staff, frontline healthcare workers to name a few) will have had their first jab in the arm by mid-February meaning they are 70% immune from the deadly virus. 

Now don't get me wrong - I ain't stupid. The Governments earlier published plans to immunise more of the nation by Easter seems ambitious, to say the least, however, I am hoping that after all the cockup's and conundrums last year, Boris Johnson can finally rally round his posh-twat friends and get things sorted. Someone once said - Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results, let's just hope it isn't positive for COVID - But with a third American vaccine now approved and on backorder into the UK, I am feeling more optimistic than I have been in the last few weeks about the upcoming year and all it has to bring with it - Weddings and parties included! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

More Sleepless Nights

Evening,  

Going into the new year I was less than positive about 2021. Sat there on New Year's eve, probably for the first time in my adult life, tucked up in bed and watching the fireworks, albeit last years London skyline performance.

So the story goes (yes I know going off on a sideline but trust me this is both worth it just for the laugh and also to confirm that I am still as ditsy as when I first started this blog nearly a decade ago), numb-nuts here figured that since it was quarter to midnight she would watch a couple of nail art compilations and then she would just type into Youtube and find a live stream of the celebrations in the capital. Sure great idea. Only the video I chose to watch was very worrying with people crowding the banks of the River Thames and marshalls and police doing nothing to disperse the gatherings and seemingly enjoying the dancing and celebrating too. Swaths of people lined the streets and amidst my dismay, for lack of social distancing, I felt lucky to have tuned in with just ten-seconds to go. Beckoning our little pup to my chest I sat up in bed as Mr Warehouse slept soundly next to me. The skies suddenly lit up outside in the street with colourful fireworks and loud pops and bangs. Blue laser's flashed through the dark night as I stood at the window, pup in arms watching and telling him to "shh" at every sound. He seemed fascinated. Mr Warehouse on the other hand was unimpressed with being awoken in such an unsavoury manner.

Feeling successfully fulfilled I switched over to some videos about horror stories or Amazon finds before settling down and falling asleep. Waking in the morning I informed my fiance of the farce that was the fireworks in London I had witnessed the night before, and, watching it again on demand this time for his benefit I soon realised that this was not the same thing I had watched last night. Even then I did not notice the error of my ways and instead thought I had watched something maybe from Channel 4 or another live stream randomly on the internet. It was not until I noted looking through my Youtube history showing Mr Warehouse what I had seen that I realised, stupidly that I had been watching the fireworks and celebrations from New Year's Eve - 2019. Apparently, 2020 wasn't that bad and my sub-conscience would like to relive it again, please.

I must admit I felt silly and low and behold it has not improved much in the four-days since then as just hot off the press, Boris Johnson has called a press conference this evening confirming that despite Christmas being cancelled, despite most of the UK going into the most severe of tiers (Tier 4) and despite a vaccine being rolled out with mass inoculating taking place (apparently) we are going into yet another nationwide Lockdown. And there was me complaining several weeks ago that many areas including London, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire amongst other in the South East in basically fucking lockdown number 3 and how it was going to be the first time in my entire life that I would not be spending Christmas with my family. If only I knew then what I do now - Although to be fair another Lockdown was absolutely on the cards and almost inevitable and unavoidable as case numbers and deaths have sored over the festive period because people can't fucking keep it together. 

But the frustrating thing is that I get it. As I mentioned last week, with everything that has happened in the last twelve months and how much has been stolen from not just me but my family as well, missing out on BBQ's, parties, seeing loved ones, birthdays, new babies, holidays and our damned fucking wedding (which I still and almost even more-so now don't feel totally optimistic about going ahead at the moment) would anyone blame anyone else for wanting to act out?

After starting my new job today and soaking up as much as my little brain (and I emphasize little referring you to the earlier mishap with said NYE celebrations) could take, I am extremely on edge now about everything. The rug has well and truly been ripped out from beneath my feet and I am now second-guessing every move I have made. Was this the right decision to move jobs? Was now a great time to start somewhere new? Can I do this? Am I able to learn a job fully remotely and continue working from home for what could potentially be the next quarter? Will I be furloughed? Will I be laid off? And that is what is spinning round in my head right now and that's without the constant grinding thoughts about the wedding or starting a family or just organising the spare room. No wonder I can't sleep at night. I just don't know how much more of this I can take.

* Breathes *

Despite all my hopes and the need to keep at the forefront of my mind that things will get better; That this for it is only a temporary measure, a small blip on what will hopefully be an extensive lifetime of amazing things - I just hope that this is all worth the wait, worth the purging for and worth the sacrifices we have all had to make so that we can all get back to a bit more normality.

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

New Year - Newquay!

Hello, 

Sunshine hitting my face and my thighs getting warm. Oh, how I missed the feeling of the beach and summer holidays. Normally I would be gearing myself right up for eating out every night, romantic boat trips and cocktail hour all hours, however, this year Mr Warehouse put his foot down and said we would not be going on holiday this year with his words being "we have a wedding to pay for" and whilst this is true, with less than nine months to go I really wanted to beach it up somewhere and enjoy the last holiday on my Passport as a 'Miss'. 

So with Mr Warehouse not wanting a holiday at all and me craving something remotely similar to Malaga (minus the skin cancer-inducing sunburn) I knew he wouldn't be able to resist me mentioning a holiday to Cornwall. One of his favourite places, we hadn't been back to Newquay since a family wedding several years ago and both of us had missed it ever since. The following year after visiting for said wedding, our Older pooch got poorly with her Pyometra and we promised her as we went to Vet appointment after Vet appointment that we would take her there one day to feel the sand between her paws. Now whilst she has since been to Great Yarmouth and Bournemouth on little holibobs, Newquay holds something special for Mr Warehouse and I both, something we want to share with our fur babies. 

With little resistance, I convinced Mr Warehouse to book off a week and head down to the English Riviera. After much hunting and scouring the web for the best deal, I found the perfect pre-wedding-moon! Boasting a bar and free WiFi, Retallack Resort & Spa was situated in Padstow, just 10 miles from Newquay's beautiful beaches. There is a restaurant serving British cuisine, and free private parking is available. All units at the Spa Hotel Resort came overlooking the gorgeous lakes and grounds and each boasts a kitchen with plenty of amenities including microwave and tea and coffee making facilities. A private bathroom boasts complimentary toiletries and a luxurious soft bed. The seating area and a flat-screen TV are also appreciated by guests staying not to mention the fact that doggies can come too! However, at close to £300 the £40 per dog per stay was a little too steep and instead, we decided to park that property for another visit, choosing to spend a little on a cheap break away and enjoy our Honeymoon more. If only it wasn't a four-odd hour journey that would have been the ideal and perfect place to wake up as a newly-wed. Oh well, I am sure I can make an excuse to make a trip down that way for a stay. 

And so Mr Warehouse and I settled with a stay at the Ladyevelyn situated at the heart of the Newquay Bay Resort. Just two miles from Newquay this peaceful holiday park is set in a peaceful valley, amongst the surrounding countryside, allowing us as guests to enjoy the best of both worlds. The Newquay Bay can cater to all of our needs with fantastic facilities including bar, heated indoor and outdoor pools, sauna and steam rooms and excellent entertainment. 

Less than a mile to the nearest beach (Porth Beach) our holiday chalet, Ladyevelyn, offers accommodation with WiFi, private parking and puppies can come - Free. Of. Charge. Each static caravan has a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a fireplace, a seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. A fridge, an oven and stovetop are also offered, as well as a kettle and a coffee machine. A bicycle rental service is available at the reception and with more beaches to explore including Lusty Glaze and Tolcarne Beach within a few minutes it isn't hard to see why we chose it. 

Finally, I can now visit Bodmin Jail (since we couldn't do that on our last trip), maybe a visit to Lands End and 100% visiting the horse riding place to go galloping across the sands. To think that my little Frankenstein has never experienced sand is going to be entertaining and sweet to watch as well.

The best of both worlds I suppose. One didn't want a holiday, the other wanted a normal beach abroad holibob - A happy medium being a few days in Cornwall, visiting family, eating and drinking out, maybe a sesh and some lovely walks on the beach with our pooches. What could be better?

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

The Best Christmas Gift of All is Family

Evening one and all, 

2020! Here. It. Is. Finally, the countdown can really begin to our wedding day! Eeek! But first I feel I need to explain as this is not only my first writing of the new decade, but also that it has been some time. Apologies as Christmas and New Years really did take over a little and I went from manic at my desk to my day job being catching up on crap telly and being Mr Warehouse's chauffeur to and from work (Unfortunately he had to work between the Christmas/New Year slump whilst I got it off). That being said I was glad of the break. 

Christmas went well. Or at least as well as to be expected. The evening before, Christmas Eve, was spent with Miss Tweedle-Dee eating fine food and drinking over-priced red wine. I had hoped that maybe Mr and Mrs Tweedle-Dumb would have been over before this point that they could have shared however this was not the case and at that precise moment were probably boarding said plane from L.A. to make the long journey back home. Nevertheless, Mr Warehouse and I were spoilt with gifts of chocolate and smellies and other treats, but the best thing was the experience vouchers she bought for us; Mr Warehouse's was an "Escape Room" experience to test our teamwork and nerves, and mine was a "Pig Petting Day". Looking on the website, Kew Little Pigs, I can tell already this is right up my street and I am ecstatic Miss Tweedle-Dee bought it for me! 

The website describes the Piggy Pet and Playday as a chance to meet a bunch of lovable new friends at Kew Little Pigs. "Discover a piggy paradise inside the petting pen for an hour and a half of fun, where you’ll meet the pigs by name, pet and play with them, and give them a good groom. The miniature pigs come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique personality, so guaranteed you’ll meet some real characters. Selfie seekers are always welcome, as the pigs love the spotlight and know exactly how to strike a pose!" Heading home I slipped into some new Pyjama's and desperately tried to stay awake to watch Elf - Our family Christmas movie, but with everyone cuddled up on the sofa, I could barely keep my eyes open. Heading to bed I snuggled into my plush Teddy Bear duvet set and drifted off to sleep. 

Christmas Day started well, gifts and presents from Mr Warehouse and I to our beloved animals, Frankenstein not quite understanding what was going on and our older one knowing exactly what was happening and where all the treats were! Mr Warehouse had bought some beautiful jewellery sets, earrings and necklaces as well as many a bath bomb (forever on my Christmas and Birthday Wish lists) as well as some more practical items such as salt and pepper shakers and make-up removal pads. Although I cannot be surprised when we did the Poundland Christmas Challenge. You take £10.00, visit your local Poundland (or discount retailer) and attempt to fill a stocking, in this instance for our better halves. It was such fun when doing it the weekend before Christmas, running around and hiding from each other whilst trying to sneakily hide so as not to get caught. What did I get Mr Warehouse you ask? Well, I thought that the replacement Stanley knife blades (mainly for his work), giant gummy cola bottle and water bottle all went down well as odd but appreciated presents. I think even when we have children, a big house and money is tight, I would like to always have this as our little thing we do every year. 

Following our fun, we packed up the car and headed over to my (future) brother-and-sister-in-laws house for presents with the kids, one niece and two nephews! Just as we finished unwrapping their generous gifts of more chocolate, alcohol and smellies Mr Warehouse's older brother and his wife arrived with their son and we continued the festivities until lunch. making a move we promised to see them again tomorrow and made our way to Nanny Pumpkins where the whole family was waiting for us. My Uncle from Ireland was over and so was my other uncle which was nice and my cousins were hyper full of chocolate and sugar no doubt being Christmas. Dad was on Dinner duties and Nanny was relaxing with my Auntie and a glass (or two) nattering away. Coming into the chaos I was glad to have made the decision I had to be involved this year as I was not in the best place last year. 

Just before we sat down to the feast we handed out our gifts and took receipt of mine and Mr Warehouse's appreciatively including a Chocolate Afternoon Tea experience, a meal out voucher, books, gaming gear (For the fiance) and other goodies. I noted though that Dad was quiet. After a difficult year for both of us and without going into too much detail, I wondered if I would have ever spent a Christmas with him again. I saw he was getting emotional and I knew what gift had put him there. I had thought many weeks ago about what final present I could get him when I came up with a good idea for a photo book containing as many pictures and photos of myself and my brother as possible. I knew it would cause some emotion to stir up and assumed that he would know what it was as soon as he opened it and just shuffle it away, but he didn't. He opened it and with that opened himself and started to weep in front of the family, something he was not able to do easily. I knew it was a good gift and wiping away the tears, his look told me that too.

Following dinner and pudding and games, people started to drift home, although not wanting to Mary Celeste my Nanny completely Mr Warehouse, the doggo's and I stayed for a little, chatting softly to my Nan as my Uncle dozed in the next room. It was at that point that I completely forgot about our present from our Wedding Photographer - Sophie Ann! A few days ago we had received a really sweet Christmas card from her, explaining that this was indeed my last Christmas as a Miss and that she looked forward to working with us in the new year. In there also was a raffle ticket that won a special Christmas present! We were number 37. But wait where was the raffle ticket. I panicked. Did it get thrown our with the wrapping paper rubbish? Was it tossed away? Oh god no! Searching I found it in the bottom of a gift bag and proceeded to Social Media to hunt for the big reveal. There it was for all to see. Selected number? 37! WE WON! Mr Warehouse had won a free engagement photo shoot and a chance to meet our photographer and chat before the big day. Uhhh what a weight off our mind! This truly had been one of the best Christmases in a while. No one argued, No one fought, No one drank too much. A classy Christmas all round. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Stuck in the Mud!

Evening one and all,

Following on from the festivities I have quite some to share with you all. Apologies for the absent nature, unfortunately with writing once a week, there would have come a time when the dates would have lay on a Christmas and New Years eve, both of which were spent drinking alcohol and eating copious amounts of chocolate and calorific foods that will probably lead me to death sooner or later. Nevertheless I have had a wonderful new years and Christmas, hope that yours also was pleasant? Mine was eventful, as it always is, lots of presents and gifts, family and friends to see and mingle with. Oh and my Dad got engaged to his girlfriend of eight years. How I feel about it? Lets just say I am taking a rain check and will be back with you soon ... 

The first few days of the New Year and my Christmas break from work have been heavily occupied with Wedding Planning (and not of my Dads'). Finally we have booked a venue, a beautiful 'T-shaped' converted old school
in a small village (smaller than the one I live in now) near to the Church we plan to marry, Mr. Warehouse's family church that everyone in his family all bar a handful have declared they're vows. In all fairness it would have been nice to have it in my family church, you know since I am the one christened and all, however with Mr. Warehouse referring to it as "The Asylum" and its less than perfect track record of my parents divorce, I struggled to find its importance to have it there, especially with the 1970's styled outside - See here! 

Now we have booked the venue the most important things come next. The Bar - Booked and we have even been able to book a free drink for everyone on arrival and even better; No charge for hiring! I suppose Mr. Warehouse and I now need to clothe ourselves, feed our guests and give them something to dance too! 

With still so much left to plan and organise, Mr. Warehouse thought we would kick off the New Year in style and after meeting with old family friend Miss Bride about her hopefully securing us a beautiful and tasty wedding cake, my fiance and I hopped in the car and headed for a wedding fair we were given free tickets too at the very grand and beautiful Knebworth House. However with the invites and tickets being about as clear as mud (we'll get onto that later) Mr. Warehouse and I drove around for ages trying to look for this place. Gate after gate after gate after frigging access gate we got too was all shut up and closed off. Searching in vain for an alternative route just lead us to another closed off access through road and with one final go of it I was determined to find this fucking place! 

However what I did not realised was that the postal code Mr. Warehouse had taken down from a sign nearby to the venue was literally in the middle of fucking no-where! going from a tarmac road with markings to a concrete  with potholes for days. Following this and our "trusted" technology lead us to a a gravelly farm track with lumps and digs I thought the car would fall into. Poor Viv had more to contend with though as soon dirt lanes turned to barely-able-to-squeeze-through boggy tracks. With the middle of the road (if you can even call it that at this stage) high enough for me to feel the car scrapping its insides as we slowly pushed through the grassy mud, I could feel the car slipping and sliding, barely able to keep a grip on the boggy track. I thought at one stage we will be sat in the car, middle of feckin' no-where, teetering on a tractor made verge in the middle of the road. 

After making a forty-point turn and scratching the paintwork no end, we ignored the blasted GoogleMaps Shite and headed towards civilisation, not before passing walkers with strange looks as we continued and squeezed down lumpy mud tracks with dips and ducks aplenty. 

Arriving at the posh concreted road, winding through the beautiful countryside estate we had just been fucking around in for the last two hours we were certainly glad to arrive and was looking forward to the free champagne and cake tasting on offer. However on arrival there was barely enough time to even look at suppliers let alone get some much needed information from them before the fashion show started. 

Sitting down and enjoying the show was lovely and with a Fanta in hand and Mr. Warehouse by my side I couldn't be happier and realised that this would soon just turn into another anecdote about that time we nearly got stuck in a field. Lots of white dresses and formal wear later we left the show to be greeted by most of the suppliers shutting up shop or stall and going home. Ha Ha gutted and disappointed were not even the words. And because of all of the fiasco earlier both Mr. Warehouse and my phones had died and so we had to try and navigate our way home and cancel the plans to pick up some much needed wedding essentials. Oh the drama, but maybe something to add to the grooms speech. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx 

Things Will Be A Little Different This Year!

Hello,

I always knew that this Christmas would probably be the hardest that I had in a long time. Not only will Christmas Day be spent with the family missing one important member in particular, my grandfather, but also that I am without my best friend who is over five-thousand miles away in LA. 

On Friday, before of debauchery of our Christmas parties with our work colleagues, Mr Warehouse, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I met at a local restaurant for dinner. You see our normal tradition of going out on Christmas Eve to celebrate the final few hours before the big day was not possible this year as Miss Tweedle-Dee was flying out to LA to spend Christmas with the American newlyweds Mr and Mrs Tweedle-Dumb. As such our normal Christmas Eve meal had to be brought forward as she flew out today and so we now found ourselves in a quiet corner of a gorgeous fine dining restaurant in a posh end of "The Shire". Exchanging gifts felt as though we were missing someone out of the loop. Obviously this was not the case as I had already wrapped and packaged Mr and Mrs Tweedle-Dumb's package to post out the following day as Miss Tweedle-Dee was not able to take with her. 

With one thing or another taking over as life normally does I had found myself at the post office this evening and after being rather disorganised making myself several days late for posting the precious Christmas parcel, I was then informed that the parcel itself was quite heavy and large therefore would cost quite a bit to post out to the states! Devastated I asked for the damage and nearly fell over when I was informed by the post office clerk that it would be nearly £80.00! Deflated I returned home to Mr Warehouse only for him to ask why I was still carrying around the Christmas parcel. After explaining my difficulties to him he suggested that we should open it up again and split it down into smaller and lighter packages that would be much cheaper to transport. 

This was certainly not what I wanted. I already had visions of my parcel that I had been hugging since I had finished wrapping it being delivered to the sunny Los Angeles apartment that she and her new hubby occupied, opening it with glee and excitement, probably not even anticipating any presents that were not being handed through Miss Tweedle-Dee. I had already imagined what the Skype or WhatsApp video call would have been like whilst Mrs Tweedle-Dumb read out the clues and jokes that accompanied each and every little present. Disappointed I decided to have a look into other courier companies that may be able to ship for a little less, however after a short search online using the trusted Google homepage I was unable to get any quote less than £50.00. 

Almost bordering on giving up I started to search on Amazon and eBay for more Christmas presents I could purchase for Mr Warehouse, maybe even hoping for a last minute deal on a game he has been after for months. But that is when it suddenly occurred to me that Amazon is a worldwide company and whilst eBay may have difficulty in delivering a parcel to the US when the billing address and card are registered to the UK, I was certain that I would not encounter the same problems with Amazon. And so I gave it a go and low and behold it worked, at least I think so anyway?! Fingers crossed it actually arrives with the recipient! 

Whilst I was sad to see my best friend off to a whole new world and life in sunny L.A, I do sometimes feel upset that she isnt here. I am sure that Mrs Tweedle-Dumb feels the same and when I bought my first home and gave house tours and threw my first house party and got engaged and all of that she wishes she was back here as much as I would be to be out there. Nothing will ever replace my first ever best friend. I felt ashamed and guilty of my selfish thoughts before when I thought about Mrs Tweedle-Dumb moving away with her new hubby, partly because I would not have given a flying fuck about who was left behind or what they were feeling - I would have been long gone, but partly because I wanted her to do the same. 

Since Mrs Tweedle-Dumb left, Miss Tweedle-Dee and I have been just fine back here because we know that despite how hard it will be finding a good connection for WhatsApp Video calls or messaging at odd hours of the day and night; Our friendship will be OK. As much as it makes me feel devastated to think of my life here in England without her, I need to remember that it is not all bad and I am sure Mrs Tweedle-Dumb will be home soon, in the flesh rather than the fun that we will all have trying to successfully achieve a (three-way) Skype session or FaceTime . 

But this year is different. I suppose that this past year there has been quite a few changes in my life which has made Christmas a little different. Granddad will not be here and neither will my Tweedles, off living their best lives in sunny L.A. But this year has brought many good things too - I have a new Fiance and a New Job as Marketing Coordinator but most of all, I have a swanky new home to hang my stocking and hope Santa fills it with all that resides on my ever growing wish list! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx 

Festivities for Two!

Good Morning, 

So it would appear after the fun that I had last week I had forgotten to do a blog post. But surely I can be forgiven for it was Christmas day after all. However with all the last minute planning and preparation that went on it was a bit of a higgledee-piggledee day. I mean to put into contrast up until a fortnight before the big day me and Mr Warehouse had nowhere and no one to spend the big day with apart from our usual Christmas Day brunch at the home of one of Mr Warehouse's Brothers. On a casual chat to my Nanny Pumpkin we had arranged that Mr Warehouse and I would join her and my granddad to celebrate Christmas together. I suppose that some people would say we should have spent the day with our significant others families, however we've both Mr Warehouse's mum living too far away and my dad not making plans until the very last minute we decided to go it alone. 

With Christmas day falling on a Monday, in the days leading up to Santa coming Mr Warehouse and I set about seeing all the family members that we wouldn't normally see on the day itself, going round for tea, cake and seemingly collecting presents like they were Pokemon's. The evening before Mr Warehouse and I joined Miss Tweedle-Dee, Miss Tweedle-Dumb and her fiance to give our presents and enjoy possibly our last meal together since Miss Tweedle-Dumb's and her Hubby-to-be are emigrating to Canada after he bagged a job out there. Miss Tweedle-Dee, Miss Tweedle-Dumb and her fiance treated me to a travel wallet, gel nail manicure set, Bumble-Bee necklace and a few more things for my wish list. After what was a lovely meal at The Fancott near the M1 and Toddington we all parted ways and hoped the other had a wonderful Christmas. 

Waking the following morning it was strange not being met with my dad and his cooking for breakfast. No Eggs benedict or Eggs royale or even a slice of toast. Mr. Warehouse was so kind enough however to wake me up with a fresh cup of coffee. Opening our presents from other people we were pleasantly surprised and delighted with the wonderful gifts that everyone had thought of.Mostly from my aunties and uncles as well as my dad we have a lot of different things to do over the next few months. Lots of vouchers for meals out, cinema date nights and a birds of prey experience. This is in addition to the many boxes of chocolates, biscuits and other sweet treats. Mr. Warehouse spoilt to be with gifts of make-up, make-up brushes, jewelry from Pandora, a driving car experience day and lots, lot more items from my never-ending wish list. 

Heading over to brunch with Mr Warehouse's Brothers and family we were gifted more items of joy including beer, a ball launcher (mainly for the pup I think), yet more chocolate and other lovelies! Joking around with the idea that maybe next year Mr Warehouse and I can host Christmas Brunch in our own home. Bought or rented, well that is a whole other question. Following on from seeing the children open their presents, me and the bae headed to my grandparents house to continue our Christmas day as planned. 

And so with the big day over and the next few days off I settled in for a little R&R. The day after Boxing Day was spent by jumping straight back into the swing of things with getting my personal training sessions. Snow falling heavily Britain has definitely missed out on a White Christmas this year by a smidgin. Nevertheless I had plans to go into town hitting the shops in order to find a few bargains in the January sales that as usual had started earlier than January. But I left my TV and sofa called and so I spent the rest of that first day on my bottom. Unfortunately the following few games I was in too much aches and pains from my gym session with my Personal Trainer to do much. The remaining games off for me was spent on the couch, although I was able to get out on Friday and Sunday to hit the shops for a spot of retail therapy. 

As the days melted away I started to plan and look forward to spending New Year's Eve with Mr Warehouse's family welcoming in 2018. Disappointingly this turned out to not be the case as the establishment we were planning to spend the last few hours of 2017 was closed with very little warning. Pissed, I desperately began trying to ring around and talk to other venues in the local area that may be able to accommodate a large party consisting of both adults and children. A few were available but after all the effort Mr. Warehouse and I had decided to don the Jim-Jams and welcome in the New Year alone. 

The festive season for me has not entirely gone to plan and with my Granddad now in hospital recovering from a Thoracentesis procedure to drain the fluid from his lungs it has not been the best start to the year. I am hoping that 2018 will be good to me with a nice luxe beach holiday with Mr. Warehouse, more travelling and most importantly, lots of saving to be had in order to reach the goal of eventually Mr. Warehouse and I owning our own home, hopefully before the festivities of next year again. Better to start sooner rather than later! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

New Year, New Me and All That Bollocks!

Hello Dears!

Happy New Year 2016! I hope that your New Years was as manic and amazing as mine, although maybe some of you would prefer the Non-Alcoholic-Mocktail version since I have pretty much drank enough beer, wine and spirits to sink the Titanic. 

Suffice to say though that I have had a very relaxing Christmas and New Year. Crazy and very busy at times but more often than not I found myself smiling and laughing with everyone around me. Most of the days I have had off from work on my shut-down, I am not proud to say, I spent in front of the Telly chowing down on the mountain of chocolate I got rather than visiting friends and family. But that is something I need to work on next year: Seeing more friends and family in those lazy days between Christmas and New coming year. Hopefully though I will be in my very own little car and be on the road by then, although I feel this is an incredibly optimistic stance on what is shaping up to already be a very busy year. 

Although before I commenced 2016 I was found spending the last few days of 2015 hanging out in the Bedfordshire Countryside with Mr. Warehouse and his doggy, going for walkies (even if they were just down to the local shops for yet more food!) as well as that one, somewhat productive day, when Mr. Warehouse and I went shopping and yet spent no money at all after having a wonderful time catching up with my family at a local Costa Coffee (yes, I know I betrayed Starbs but it was the families choice not mine!). 

But as New Years Eve rolled around I still had no set plans. So when head of Mr. Warehouse's family called for everyone to come down to the local social club for a few then who was I to say no, especially when there is a DJ and the potential to sneak in your own alcohol! Which I might add that Myself nor Momma Warehouse had any involvement in doing - Those miniatures were there already! 

Sat at the kitchen table, workstations (designated areas of a room to get ready for a night out in AKA drinking/refill stations, make-up stations, hair stations, ect) inadvertently already set up in every corner of the room we had finished the fun of dolling up ourselves and with half hour to spare Mr. Warehouse, Momma Warehouse and I thought it would be a good idea to play a drinking game. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my Cards Against Humanity game and so we got by with drinking our overly boozed beverages every time we heard the title to any song. First on the list? The aptly named 'Shots' by LMFAO. This was a disaster! around 70 times that bloody song has the word 'Shots' in it! Wasted by the time our lift arrived, queue Momma Warehouse and I falling into the local shop to get some cash out and buy cigarettes and then diving back into the car before anyone could see how pissed we were already! 

Walking into the venue we realised whilst we were not the only ones seated around the dance-floor, we were certainly all related in one way or another. It was like a family/work reunion with some family faces from both the office, warehouse and Mr. Warehouse's family. Near enough downing a few Screwdrivers (Orange Juice and Vodka) I hit the wooden floor, covered by this point in lazers, strobes and fog. Although it wasn't long before a few little faces made it into my personal space and started trying to play a god awful game of 'Tag - Your It'. I soon quietened their pre-pubescent selves with a little Macarena and Cha-Cha-Slide therapy and a strict "No! I'm drinking and getting wasted now - Go away children!" and that seemed to do the just the trick. 

Count down beginning I thought back to last New Years 2014/2015 and realised that at this precise moment I was either in the toilet or in a muddle puddle at the bottom of a children's slide missing the countdown. This year however I was in the middle of the dance floor, dancing with my dearest Mr. Warehouse, his family and our friends surrounding us and as we began to count backwards I suddenly became scared and anxious about what the next year would bring me and my life. Over the next year I plan to learn to drive, buy a car, go on a few more nice holidays and even maybe a few other surprises! As the DJ stopped to ring out the bells of Big Ben in London I felt overwhelmed and as I was pulled in for a loving hug by my boyfriend I felt more excited and happy than I think I ever felt. Squeezing each other tight we didn't let go. But eventually we were prised apart by Momma Warehouse yelling at her son to "Get down to one fucking knee and propose to the poor girl already!" Ahh yes, she was slightly sozzled bless her little miniature bottles ... I mean heart! Laughing it off as normal we went around everyone in the pub that night wishing them and their friends and families to come a very Happy and healthy New year and to make 2016 an even better one! 

Waking up the next morning with a fuzzy mouth and an achey head I took some time at breakfast with Mr. Warehouse and Momma Warehouse to look back on the previous evenings activities. Starting the evening with selfies and cute close-ups, I had ended my evening sitting in the living room, legs a kimbo, Labrador on my lap and my fake eyelashes now off and stuck underneath my nose in a very unorthodox salute to a tyrannical leader of 1940's Germany! 

So it seems that my new years is off to a good start and I mean to carry it on well with the coming months churning out a trip to Dublin and southern Ireland as well as a Christening in a few weeks. Spring will bring me birthdays galore and all the engagements that come with such celebrations. Summer will hopefully see me off on another rumbustious holiday with Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb as well as a wedding with Mr. Warehouse and his family down in Newquay and a new baby will be arriving sometime in the summer, making Mr. Warehouse an Uncle for the fourth time. September will bring about yours-truely and her special day and then into the winter months I plan to spend some time travelling cold, snowy Europe before passing my test and buy a car so that Christmas and New Years 2016 can be just that little easier logistically. 

So my New Years Resolutions are as follows I am hoping you have a successful time as me:
1. Get up off the couch, put down the Cadburys and Cheetos and get to a more happier size. Whilst I realise that every year I say "get into a size 12 by Christmas" I actually want to do it. Well at least I want to think about it anyway?!
2. Save enough money by working unsociable and unhappy hours at the call-centre so I can learn to drive and buy a car ergo ensuing many more adventures, places to see and things to do. 
3. Finally face up to the fact that I am, at some point, going to have to let Mr. Warehouse move in with me. 
4. Try and go on more holidays and work out where else in the world I can go that isn't going to cost me an entire years salary. 
5. And on the subject of money ... Get more of it!

A Happy and Safe New Year 2016! 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx

Fiery Frumps, Fabulous Furs and Festivities Galore!

Evening All, 

And a very Happy New Year to everyone. Hope 2015 has been treating you well and that you are all now mid-binge, scoffing chocolate and downing wine from all your Christmas/New Years Resolution-Detox. I love a good binge! But alas I have set myself some New Years Resolutions for myself for the coming year. Loosing weight never works and actually I think I am happy being a wobbly but normal looking lady. I am in no need to slim down because the man I am with finds me sexy just as I am. What a darling?! I am however cutting down on take-out and am sticking to once or twice a month at most. Secondly I plan to improve my time-keeping and not be late which will no end make my nearest and dearest happy, especially long suffering BFF's - Miss Tweedle-Dee and Miss Tweedle-Dumb. Other than that though I have not much planned although I would like to travel more and maybe even learn to drive? No doubt I shall keep you informed on my going-on's as today I celebrate over two-years of writing for you all. 

One thing that New Years also does is encourage people to get out there and drink to oblivion, partying into the wee small hours and kissing strangers at the stroke of Midnight. No this is not Cinderella, it is I ... Abbey-Lou. Despite being quite pissed by the time I left my work colleagues on Christmas Eve last week and continuing the festivities well into Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Clocking up into the double figures on bottles of Rose I might add), I still felt the need to completely obliterate myself on New Years Eve. Spending the last few hours of 2014 with Mr. Warehouse and a few friends including Mr. Creepy-Warehouse-Guy himself. Starting on the Prosecco with four-hours to go I started slow but bubbles always get me wasted and very, very quickly too. Nevertheless I was slightly sozzled by the time we reached the local pub in Marston Mortaine in Bedford. 

As the evening continued I danced the night away to hits including the Macarena, The Cha Cha Slide and even catching the end of Mambo Number Five after being so drunk I couldn't get off the toilet. With about half hour left before the New Year Kicked in Mr. CWG suggested that beyond the children's Slide in the beer garden there were some swings. Now I love swings (Although I must stress I am no swinger although a consider-er) and upon hearing this fantastic and magical news I proceeded in platforms to discover such wonder and merriment. It was not to be found though as I soon discovered that not only was the ground soft and wet from the rain, but the grass was boggy and that it would only be a matter of time before I fell over. No sooner had I thought this I misplaced my footing and was plunged head first into a freezing cold mud pit. Tenacious through and through I stood and found my way to the swings. Cold and wet I realised that this was not one of the better ideas I had ever had and so went back to find the others and Mr. Warehouse. His face was not best pleased as I walked back through the packed public house with mud and dirt dripping from my chin to my toes.

After cleaning myself up in the toilets, finding more booze at the bar and throwing some shapes on the dance-floor I realised people were chanting. "...5...4...3...2...1..." I could hear them counting away. Realising it was finally New Year I grabbed my man and holding onto for dear life we kissed passionately before we joined a bunch of people I don't know and will never know to sing 'Auld Lang Syne'. The night concluded by me somehow getting home after falling over several more times and then being sick in Mr. Warehouse's dog's bowl. Nice! And with some recovering in the form of good food, great company and some well needed time to sober up the past few days, Mr. Warehouse and I decided to take a trip to London. 

Waking early on Sunday morning Mr. Warehouse and I struggled to not to have sex with each other as normal in the mornings let alone prise ourselves from the warmth of the bed sheets. Stepping out into the icy air I thought that it would soon warm up and after postponing for a day because of the weather already I personally was determined to do something other than lounge around and waste yet another day in front of the box. But it didn't get any warmer. In fact it only got worse. Minus-two-degrees-Celsius it got yesterday. Minus-two. Now I know to some of you in other parts of the world must have thought that this kind of temperature was normal, maybe even mild, but here in Blighty it was more than just a bit nippy. Frosty fingers and thawed thighs began to melt as Starbucks trickled down our throats, easing the missing of the first train. 

Soon enough though we were in the Big Smoke and strange as it were I was more anxious and dubious about going. It had been almost a year to the day that I had left London and my on/off relationship with Mr. Cheese and to be back was just odd. Constantly in a rush I kept feeling myself slip into the mode of Londoner whereby you want to get from 'A' to 'B' as quickly as possible. Nevertheless I really enjoyed my time with Mr. Warehouse, wandering around the sites of the City and major landmarks before heading to the Natural History Museum for some culture and to see stuffed animals, rather like a dead zoo. Now if you have not gone then I strongly suggest you do. Not only will you be walking around the Mammal section making up voices and tag lines for the lifeless soles but you will also be enthralled in the beauty of these creatures and just how spectacular life can be. 

After a few selfies with Hippopotamuses and Porpoises alike Mr. Warehouse and I headed to the luxury that is the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to visit one of the world's most prestigious stores ... Harrods of London! Immediately stepping out onto the Winter Knightsbridge pavement, Mr. Warehouse became alarmingly aware of his surroundings and just by looking at him you could tell he was completely out of his comfort zone. Trying to make him feel at ease I thought I would start with the Pet Shop. Asking the footman on the door as to where we were in the direction of he explained that this had been closed for more than a year. Instead I marched Mr. Warehouse and I to the womenswear department. Lift doors opening my eyes nearly exploded. All I could see was fur. Mink, Rabbit, Fox, Chinchilla and Alpaca, All of it real as life itself once was for these animals. I was in fur heaven! And the best thing about all of this was not only were the clothing and accessories made with real and bonafide, quality fur; But there was a sale on! All of the top designers were there: Gucci, Prada, Dior and my favourite Valentino were all hosting their coats and jackets. Dolce and Gabbana was one of the only boutiques I actually had a proper nose around and whilst Mr. Warehouse felt like a fish out of water I needed this. I couldn't go home to a fluffy dog and I certainly didn't have the money for the four and five figure price-tags on some of these outerwear so I had to indulge myself whenever I could. 

Revelling in the luxury and hungrily running my hands over the garments made me feel happy. But my boyfriends face did not. And so sensing the shop assistant clocking that we were not here to buy and the fact that Mr. Warehouse was now tired and grumping we headed for the tube home. Unfortunately my dear lover's attention was captured by a lady at the till. Not for her stunning good looks or celebrity status, oh no! It was because she had just bought the red-dyed Mink fur cropped jacket and with a price tag more than what Mr. Warehouse earns in a year he took it completely to heart. Storming off and in a foul mood for the rest of the day until we got into bed he ranted on about this women and where her money came from, how she got it, where she spent it and what on. Nothing I did appeased him and as he ranted on about how that one item of clothing could have written off his debts more than five-times-over and how there were more deserving people of the money spent - Mainly him I figured?! He still wouldn't pipe down as we were sitting down to dinner, my treat, at Honest Burger in Kings Cross - Genuinely one of the best burgers I think you will ever have in your entire existence. If you haven't been there then go and if you have well what are you waiting for ... GO AGAIN! I think if I ever had to choose my favourite-est (yes that is a word) restaurant in the world then that would be it. With only five across the whole capital I am glad that I splurged but I just wished my boyfriend wasn't so hung up about money, especially since it wasn't even his.

Nevertheless we had a good day out and exhausted as we were we still managed to find time to fuck at the end of the day. Falling asleep in each others I whispered about how hard it is going to be not having him next to me as most if not all of the past few weeks over the Christmas and New Years break from work we have spent together, drifting off as one. I am so used to being spooned and only having to reach out for Mr. Warehouse at night, it is going to be strange not sleeping together. But alas I must oblige as the alternative of moving in with each other is far, far too soon. And besides, I like my own space and time away from him. I think it makes us stronger and better as a couple. 

Looking into 2015, I don't know what the world will bring me, but one thing is for sure, this year blogging-wise I plan to continue with my life as a twenty-something and enjoy life to its fullest keeping you all in the loop and giving you the scoop on what's hot and what's not in the world of moi! I will however be trying to shorten my tales of fun and frolics as I feel they are too long sometimes. How I do love to witter on. If however you would like me to continue writing big long essay's that fill up your coffee breaks at work and evenings in bed then feel free to message me, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions as well as any ideas for making my life a little more interesting or what you would like me to do in 2015! Serious suggestions please I do not want to be bummed by Barack Obama nor do I want to give a hand-job to a slightly aggressive Yak. 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx