It was the night before Christmas

Well its nearly here readers, Christmas day. All that preparation, wrapping, shopping and tearing your hair out will be worth it. I know that to be true because my last weekend proved it.

As an early Christmas present my beau paid for me to return to Manchester for a girlie shopping and dining experience. However getting there was very much like a scene from Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Me: What's the flight situation?
Man: Simple. There's no way on earth we're going to get out of here tonight. We'd have more luck playing pickup sticks with our butt-cheeks than we will getting a flight out of here before daybreak. 

Me: I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Man: Yeah, but by the time the airline cancels this flight, which they will sooner or later, you'd have more of a chance to find a three-legged ballerina than you would a hotel room.
Me: Are you saying I could be *stuck* in Jersey?
Man: I'm saying you *are* stuck in Jersey 

OK,OK that's Neal and Del in Wichita, but you get my point? Manchester airport closed due to snow and I was stuck in Jersey. I was determined to get there, Manchester Christmas markets, dinner at Room and staying at The Midland and of course seeing my pals was not to be missed.

I was offered to share a charter with some random chap, I politely declined as it felt too Pretty Woman  ( I kid you not) and to share a car with two delightful ladies from Gatwick. However lugging my suitcase affectionately nicknamed the "beast" from a chap on the train I set out on my adventure.

One flight to Gatwick

One train to Victoria

One tube to Euston

One train to Manchester

One cab to hotel

Several hours later I was raiding the mini bar.It was thoroughly enjoyable weekend with shopping in Selfridges and eating at Room. If you have never eaten there think Willie Wonka meets Heston Blumenthal ; hang on is that not the same person?

Well I am safely back and just roasted my Christmas Eve Ham. Christmas day will be a quiet affair with my beau and I will think of those I miss. In particular my little sister and my nephew. Boxing day will be very different this year for me as I will be spending it with my beau's children. A whole five days. Its quite a scary thought and sooooo grown up but children are what makes Christmas. Anyway I have bought a pinata to string from the skylight to knock hell out of if it all becomes too stressful. I fib its actually for the children , as Christmas is about fun. I think they may be a bit young to be forced to play trivial pursuits.

Well that's me folks and what a year. Its been a tumultuous year but I think things may be getting better. If I haven't seen you recently the new year will bring many visits and of course you are always welcome here. In fact I insist you visit. 

I am leaving you with this clip that always makes me feel joyful and I wish that you have a lovely day tomorrow. If there is someone you miss I am sure you are in their hearts. For those that are working I am sending you hope that it won't be too bad. I can't say the "Q" word as that will jinx you.

Happy Christmas readers and all the best for 2012.

You can't Stop the Music!

Last night was just one of the most fabulous nights. An evening at the Hotel de France having dinner in a posh frock with friends listening to Jamie Cullum.

I have always been a fan of old time glamour and well; this evening was certainly representative of that.
Although I am ready for telling that Pat I didn't need a ruddy pair of sucker in knickers (see previous blog) as my frock is toooo big. Its a very beautiful frock but prior to going out I had to get my beau to knot the straps just to keep my wares covered and despite the highest heels I still looked like someone had cut my feet off! Oh well my new Dior eyeshadow made up for it. I can have my dress re fitted thank gawd.

Anyway back to the matter in hand. Drinks reception started the champagne flowing and our very own Christian ensured we never ran dry. Its quite a small venue which just lent itself to feeling like Jamie was singing in your front room. Listening to him singing In the Bleak Midwinter ( my favourite carol) was just lovely.

All us girls twirled and danced in front of the stage. That was when we weren't being twirled by our pal fondly now known as Jazzy. Ruddy hell can he move! The beau isn't one for a twirl but is happy to let me order more champagne as I smile a toothy grin and say "Fanks". I am lucky to have him say "anything for you my darling" . (Ooohh I went all coy then).

Yooo Hooo...over here!



Dinner was scrummy too and the hotel was twinkly. That's us sat top right hand table. What do you mean you can't see us? Squint a bit!

Ahhhh there we are ta dah! My new resuscitation officer has many talents including managing a nifty 30:2. She can also make curly hair. She was kind enough to bouff me  last night before I went out.  So I am a bit curly in the piccy. The curls dropped in the excitement of the wonders of Jamie.
It was definitely a fun night. Our pal  won two VIP tickets to Springsteen and deservedly so as she had organised us all into going. If anyone should win a prize it was most certainly her.

Right well time for another peppermint tea, so I will leave you with a spot of Jamie.The song is Gran Torino and if you haven't seen the film, you should its fab. Have a great weekend readers!

POST NOTE: Our waiter wasn't a christian as in a biblical one. I wouldn't be so rude to ask his ecumenical persuasion. His name was Christian!!

Spandex, Tequila and the Pimp makes for a good party

I am supposed to be going to another work's Christmas do this evening but I am a tad poorly. As I write this I am drinking peppermint tea trying to make myself better. I am not sure if I will get there but operation recovery is under way. The theme this evening is Abba which is quite the contrast to my first Christmas party last week.

I gatecrashed at the last minute as the department whose do it was have been super lovely to me since I set foot on Jersey soil. I thought it might be fun and indeed it was. It was held in quite a small little restaurant which seemed to have an intimate ambiance that was until the waiters gave out the most ridiculous hats. Honestly how on earth does a Mexican hat compliment a rather sexy expensive party dress? Well not one to party poop I adorned the hat as looking to my left and seeing my pal looking like a cross between a pimp and a Caucasian huggy bear; I felt I had the better deal. All that was missing was a stick and a fur coat. I have always been a huge fan of Seinfeld and  in particular Kramer. Looking at my pal reminded me of this clip I thought I would share with you readers.

Anyhoo I digress, as the evening progressed and more tequila was slammed, the evening became amusing. Excluding the bit where the owner in tight gold spandex gyrated past with an elephant trunk strapped to his nethers. It was a touch Blackpool pier but tequila shots seem to make a blur and everything is apparently funny. Dancing and more shots carried me through to 1 AM, without the lubrication I think I might of gone all Victorian and thought " elephant trunk. how ghastly ! "  One of the party is a chap who is considerably younger than me and one who I have a soft spot for in an older sister kind of way. Seeing his excitement of wearing a rubber snake all evening round his neck just made me feel "awwww" He was happy so that made me happy too. Maybe it was that which made me happy or it could of been the waiters in tight pants who squirted alcohol in your mouth from what appeared to be a recycled toilet duck bottle. I must of been under the influence as I would of been quite snobby to indulge in such an exercise, but indulge I did!

For those that have known me for a very long time will recall the numerous post work Christmas do parties I used to have at my house. I like the post do party however I am not sure if spinning round and round in a circle on your tod to Candi Staton's You've got the love constitutes a party. Pimpy decided to invite people back for a post party but the poorly's left and I stayed having a memory lane trip of music I danced to like a nutter as a student nurse. He is easy going so let me indulge in repeatedly poking his iPad looking for memory music. Some tunes just evoke strong memories for me and one memory is  that song. Suddenly I am transported to being 19 dancing all over the floor of Manhattan Heights. God I loved those years of my life.

As my 19 year old self was once told "Renebell you most deffo have the love". So for those that remember those days I am dedicating this song to you. Yes Florence and the Machine I like but in essence she murdered it.