princess

(so called) Summer update!

2008-07-10T09:50:31Z

Blimey. Busy busy busy. Loving work but these last few weeks have been on the stressful side! I'm organising this UK tour for an American autism charity and they keep changing details after I get the contracts sent out - I am not impressed! I'm just praying that today's changes will be the final ones.

James and I are planning on going away at the start of September for our 6 year anniversary - woo! We can't decide where to go though. I quite fancy going for an interesting city break somewhere but the idea of a mega relaxing beach holiday in the sun is pretty tempting too.

Living in the new place is really nice.. apart from the fact that my housemate's annoying best friend comes over EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and they take over the front room. Sometimes I really fancy sitting in my front room to cwtch up on the sofa and watch some (decent) telly but it's impossible when someone with verbal diarrhea is there watching crap like The Bill and Coronation Street. Grrr.

Everything is going well at the moment. I've barely had time to update my cooking blog but I'm planning on adding some yummy stuff very soon. In fact I may do it in a bit, assuming this American woman doesn't call up again and change stuff!

Moving on up

2008-06-08T12:51:03Z

We've moved into the new house, woo! We're enjoying the extra space and the fact that this house is really nice and not cold and skanky like the old place :P

I've ventured into the world of ebay recently - to sell some of our old furniture and stuff. I'm loving it! Well, the selling part anyway.. haven't bought anything yet.

The new job is still going great. We've moved offices and although it's further away and kind of in the middle of nowhere it's still nice.

So things are going well at the moment. Busy but happy :) And now to enjoy this fabulous weather in my pretty new garden.

Times are changing!

2008-05-10T21:21:59Z

I'm having an awesome time in my new job. Really enjoying it, as much as someone can enjoy work! It's really brought out a positive and confident side in me.

At the moment the office is based near Park Street, which is a busy area in the centre of town. I've been spending lunch time sitting in Brandon Hill Park getting myself a bit of a tan. Unfortunately we're moving to a different area of Bristol in June and I'll have to get two buses (one more reason to learn to drive) and have to go far to find lunch, boo! Ah well, I'm enjoying myself and that's what counts.

We're going to be moving into James' house in June too, woo! Finally! So I've been spending plenty of time sorting out crap and packing boxes. I really can't wait to get in there and finally live in 'our' home.

New Job and Stuff

2008-04-13T07:33:42Z

I've been offered a new job, wooo! I'll be working as an events and venue organiser, mostly arranging corporate events and stuff like that. After the interview they asked me to go back and do a trial day with them and I found it really fun, which is just what you need in a job! So if all goes well, I'll be starting at the end of this month.

On Friday, James and I headed up to Tunbridge Wells for Gav's wedding. It was an awesome day and that part of the country is really quite pretty (and posh). The hotel we stayed in was super posh. It had a helicopter landing thing for people who have too much money and there was a dress code when you're in the public areas of the hotel - crazy! I didn't feel rich enough to be there and it certainly wasn't cheap ... that'll teach me for leaving it until the last minute to find a hotel.

We're still waiting for James' mum to go and live on her boat. She keeps saying it'll be "in a few weeks" but that's rubbish because she hasn't even started packing or selling the things she can't take with her. There's not a lot I can do about it though apart from wait.

Packing and crap

2008-03-21T11:25:07Z

So I've started packing. Let's just hope James' mum doesn't suddenly turn around and say "oh, you need to wait another 6 months sorry". We've been waiting since December 2005, so hurry up woman!

It's slightly frustrating that James won't lift a finger to help at the moment. Most of the stuff we have is his crap so I don't know what to keep and what to chuck. I can't even imagine how we're going to sort out the boxes in the attic - there is SOO much stuff to do.

Anyway, the possibility of a job is coming ever closer. I've got to go in for a trial day thing at this one place. The pay is okay and the job looks interesting - event organiser assistanty person type thing. Neeeed a job!

My Dad has told me that I should be getting my inheritance from my uncle soon. Although his death was sad, his gift will seriously help me out right when I need help. I can pay off my debts, start up a savings account and take James on holiday.

Today I'm going into housewife mode - the whole house needs a clean and it's time to make my Easter cake! Mmm chocolate!

Fed up...

2008-03-15T12:29:17Z

... of being unemployed and skint

... of my housemate's annoying friend being here EVERY FUCKING DAY

... of having no umbrella

... of this stupid cough

... of waiting for James' mum to bugger off so we can live in his house

Bah!

Chesty inheritance

2008-03-10T17:44:11Z

Still no luck in the job hunt but I have more interviews coming up. Soooo frustrating.

I've had a bastard of a cough for aaaages now and I went to the doctor today, convinced I'm dying of pneumonia or something. Apparently not. My chest sounds clear and healthy - which although reassuring, is clearly a lie. Oh well, I'm sure it'll go soon.

I should be getting my inheritance from my uncle soon. Woohoo! It'll certainly help pay the bills throughout this annoying jobless stage of life. James is also running out of money. BBC cutbacks have really affected his line of work. Those idiots up in London decided to cut the BBC Bristol budget by a huuuge amount and have fired most of the people working in 'Factual Departments' (ie. documentaries, natural history and all that jazz) so they can concentrate on letting Manchester and London produce utter shite for BBC3.

Hopefully we'll both find work soon, but with my inheritance we're going to treat ourselves to a nice holiday somewhere because we haven't been away together for years now.

Oh, and I've taken up boxercise, hah! The day after the first session I almost died, I swear! So many aches, but I'm already feeling the positive effects. Jab jab jab hook KICK!

24 bottles of beer on the wall

2008-02-23T11:00:04Z

Yesterday was my 24th birthday. I've scared myself by realising that it was only 6 years ago that I was starting university and in another 6 years I'll be 30! Urg.

I had a great day anyway. James took me to Bristol Zoo because I've been dying to go for ages now. I took a load of photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/caaaath/ - but only a tiny minority looked nice enough to upload. It's so difficult taking pictures of animals, I'll try to stick to stationary objects I think.

James finally bought me a domain name for my food blog: you can now find it at http://www.chillifiend.com :D

I've got a job interview next week (woohoo) for a worthwhile job in a charity that re-house the homeless and find homes for vulnerable people, that sort of thing. I'd just be doing the paperwork and secretaryish type stuff but I think it'd be nice to work for a business which makes a real difference.

There are a few more jobs I've applied for this week which look good. One pays big bucks and offers ooodles of free training so fingers crossed something will come along soon.

Blaaah

2008-01-19T11:09:23Z

We might be moving into James' house in March - that's what his Mum has said so I'm not holding out much hope but if it really happens then yay!

Things are going alright, still need a job though. I've lost motivation since Christmas. It's been pretty depressing having all those interviews and being really proactive with job hunting and getting fuck all in return. Bah. Something will turn up.

Not much else to say really.

Christmas allergies

2007-12-27T03:37:26Z

Well this is most annoying indeed. It's 3:30am and I'm having an allergic reaction to something. I'm itchy and puffy and I'm wearing an all-over body rash - sexy.

Urg, so irritating :( Wish I knew what caused it this time.

Christmas is/was good. I got a digital camcorder thing (snazzzy), clothes, bags, hair stuff, vouchers and bits like that. All good.

Oh man, I feel so horrible *itch*

Bah, winter!

2007-12-14T12:34:06Z

Urg. Got a stupid cold :(

Man Cold.

Also, check out this: http://www.pornforgirlsbygirls.com/ (safe for work)

Christmasy stuffs

2007-12-13T11:48:21Z

Being skint at Christmas sucks. Still no luck job hunting, bah! I've had some interviews but two of them said no and I'm still waiting on one response. So annoying. I don't know why I'm unemployable :(

James and I are spending Christmas here together. We're going to cook a big ass Christmas lunch, get drunk and fall asleep during the war film - it's like being an old married couple! However, this means that we have to please our relatives by visiting them all seperately before and after the big present day and possibly eat several hundred Christmas dinners. Plus my mates and I are having a Christmas dinner together - tis the season to put on loads of weight!

I think I'll write my Christmas cards today.

Just some stuff..

2007-11-13T10:03:22Z

Trust me to get sick just as I get some job interviews. Bah.

Yesterday I moved our bedroom furniture back into the small room so that Mandy and Chris can move into the bigger one. It kinda sucks having the teeny bedroom again but we do have the 3rd teeny-tiny bedroom as a computer room, so it makes sense to let them have the big room.

I met Mandy on the weekend and she's great. I think we'll get along fine, yay. She popped round yesterday evening to drop some boxes off and we had a nice chat.

In a way I'm looking forward to having some more company in the house (and less in the way of bills) but I'm also a bit disappointed that it'll no longer be just James and I. Ah well.

James' sister is moving to America next week and we're going round for a goodbye meal tomorrow. I hope her kids are there because they are so gorgeous, I want to steal them! Anyway James has left it up to me to buy their Christmas pressies because he's working really late this week but he hasn't given me any money. Sorry gas bill, you'll have to wait!

Urg, illness :( Plus for some reason my hand is really itchy.

Alcohol & Jobs

2007-11-09T13:49:19Z

Sooooo our alcohol-free month hasn't started yet. I somehow managed to get reaally drunk last night - I went from tipsy to full on buggered out of my mind in a matter of minutes.

Poor old James had to deal with me not only apologising several hundred times for my lack of money and how I'm determined to get a decent job so I can pay him back (which is true) but also me demanding that he marry me. I did manage to let out a lot of anxieties which have been bothering me and now James knows better what crazy things go on in my head. Just a shame it took gallons of alcohol to get it out of me.

I must stop doing this, although to be fair I've been pretty good on the booze-front recently.

There is some good news though: I have an interview on Monday (only a phone interview, but an interview nonetheless) and another appointment to join yet another recruitment agency. I've been using Monster.co.uk as a main site for job hunting and decided to put my CV up on there just because there's no harm in trying! I magically got a call from someone that afternoon, saying they'd seen my CV on there and have some possible job opportunities for me. I'm meeting with her next week - woo.

It's looking more and more unlikely that I'll have money for Christmas and that depresses me an awful lot but I'm trying to stay positive and I'm hell bent on having a job in the next month - even if I end up stacking shelves at ASDA - but I'll aim high first, before scraping the bottom of the barrel :P

Chris is coming around this weekend to introduce his girlfriend to me and show her the house - they're moving in here in just over a week. I'm going to miss having the house just to James and myself but splitting the bills between four people, rather than two is going to take a huge load off my mind. I just hope to god that this girl is nice and we get on.

Another trip to A&E

2007-11-06T12:04:55Z

James and I had another trip to hospital last night - this time not for me! Poor old Jimmy has been having palpitations and puking his guts up. They wired him up to machines and what not but couldn't find any reason to worry.

It's more than likely the palpitations are caused by being stressed, drinking too much (he's just come back from a booze-filled trip to Iceland) and not eating healthily. He tends to eat crap at work, so I've made him some yummy soups and salady things to take in, like a good little housewife.

We're both going to have an alcohol-free month because it's high time we took a break! We've already given up other naughty drugs so I suppose it'll do us even more good to be sober for a while!

I'm going to see my job-agent-lady-person again tomorrow about some possible jobs. Haven't heard anything from the ones I applied for last month (boooo) so I have to pray she can find me something decent before Christmas. I'm so completely skint that if I don't get a new job soon then I'm going to have to beg the bank to give me a small loan. Thankfully, James has a bit more work lined up so we should at least have food over Christmas!

I honestly can't believe it's almost Christmas again. This has been a bit of a crap year but I've been sorting myself out so hopefully things will only get better next year.

Bits and bobs

2007-11-02T12:50:17Z

I've been feeling a bit crappy since James has gone away (holiday to Iceland with his bum-chums) but I was cheered up this morning when my job agent woman person called me up and said she had a great job suited for me, which pays loooads more than I'm asking for. Snazzy!

Stomach pains seem to have gone, for the most part (yay) but the other week I ended up in A&E after being scared by a nurse from NHS Direct telling me I might be having a heart attack - I tried telling her the pain wasn't in my chest but noooo, she was all "YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE". I had to clearly say I didn't want medical assistance for legal reasons, but after the phone call I got all panicy and anxiety set in, as it tends to do with me, and I was in enough pain for James to agree to take me to hospital at 3am - bless him.

The (incredibly hot) doctor (who got to see and touch my boobs) said the NHS Direct nurse lady was just covering her ass and he kindly gave me some uber mega painkillers which helped a bit. He said I might have gallstones which in young women is usually caused by being on the pill. It'll totally suck if I have to come off it, but he said it's more than likely it's just one of those times when your body gets angry and I'll be fine. Good.

Getting my hair done tomorrow - woo - I haven't had it cut in over a year so it really needs tidying up.

My girlies are taking me on a night out again... I can't believe how knackered I was the other week: we used to go out til 2am then have a mini party thing back at ours or crash a party until 7am - student days are long gone! I think I'm getting old :(

Unpack those boxes!

2007-10-18T13:35:47Z

Okay so last night James' mum came over and told us that everything has gone to pot. I won't go into details; it's all very confusing but FUCKS SAKE! We may end up staying here for around 6 more months (bah) and we have to get a loger in asap because she wants to get rent money.

Grrrr. I was really looking forward to the move.

ctah @ 2007-10-02T15:30:00

2007-10-02T14:33:10Z

Urg. Lots of things to worry about and job hunting is so frustrating.

Sarah's wedding was great although we did get lost on the way and turned up just before the important bits. Also, oodles of free chocolate - yay!

One month (ish) before we move house and SO much still to do.

It's finally happening...

2007-09-26T11:40:59Z

At long, looong last James' mum has begun the process of moving on to her boat. This means that James and I can finally move into his house!

Lea (his mum) phoned me up yesterday and said she was bringing someone over to view the place we're living in now (it's going to be rented out), which was a bit annoying because it was very short notice and the house was a tip! Anyway, the bloke seemed keen so yeh, it should be all go in November time. That at least gives me about a month to find a decent job.

I don't know how we're going to fit all our stuff in the house. At the moment we use the spare bedroom as a box room (it's full of all sorts of random junk) and the front room is also full of crap and boxes and all sorts. When we move into James' place we'll have to rent the other rooms out and there's no attic - the main bedroom is an attic conversion thing - so it's going to be a tight squeeze.

It's going to be a nightmare sorting it all out - I might make a start today seeing as I have bugger all to do.

Oh yeh James' mum owns a few properties which she rents out and an appartment abroad and she's asked me to manage them for her when she moves away. I think she may finally be starting to like me, yay. It also means I'll get free holidays to Gran Canaria: awesome!

My sister's birthday is tomorrow and unfortunately I won't be able to go and see her this weekend because it's Sarah's wedding. But I'm sure the wedding will be good fun - plenty of free booze I hope!

Presents

2007-09-25T07:38:03Z

Urg, I have to drag myself into town center today to buy loads of presents. It's my sister's birthday, James' gran's birthday and Sarah's wedding this week. I have no idea what to get any of them.

Check out my latest recipe in my food blog!

Things are going alright; I'm doing some major work on my CV ready for a good and proper job hunt.

Blah blah

2007-09-13T11:50:22Z

Grrr. I've been having evil stomach pains on and off for a while now and my doctor keeps telling me "it's probably just a bug" even though I haven't been in the slightest bit ill. Meh. I'm a bit of a hypercondriac so I'm going to keep worrying until it finally buggers off.

I've had to cancel my therapy session today because of it too. I'm soooooo tired; got woken up at 5am after having a really horrible dream and spent the rest of the morning in agony. Maybe I bring these things on myself but there seems to always be something wrong with me.

Anyway, I'm thinking of officially quitting my job and starting somewhere new. A fresh start and all that jazz. I want to do something simple but not mind numbing. There's a few really nice delis and boutiques near me which I wouldn't mind working in but I'm thinking maybe at the end of the day shop-work is shop-work and it doesn't matter which shop you choose.

James and I had our five year anniversary last Friday and we went to Fishworks restaurant to celebrate. It was absolutely lush! We had planned to go and do something on the Saturday but we were so hungover that we just camped out in the front room with the duvet around us, watching TV. Hopefully we'll do something this weekend instead.

Back to bed for me, I think.

Carl's wedding and food

2007-09-04T10:04:43Z

This weekend I went back up to Essex for my cousin Carl's wedding. It was a seriously posh affair which took place in Cambridge. The ceromony was really beautiful and the reception was held in one of the university colleges. It was an amazing banquest type feast with long tables... reminded me a bit of Hogwart's, haha.

James came with me, along with Angharad and Geraint. It was really nice to spend time with my sister because we hardly see each other anymore. We got quite drunk on the masses of free wine that was literally forced upon us, I swear! Then in the evening the four of us escaped the evening 'do' (full of drunk mums and dads making fools of themselves on the dancefloor) and went for a curry. Apparently most places close at around midnight in Cambridge because the students are too damn studious, but we did manage to find an open place and damn was it tasty.

I'd never met the bride before but it turns out she's a really lovely person and very well travelled too, lucky bugger.

My mum keeps dropping hints about Angharad and I getting married - plus the other day I had James' mum dropping hints about wanting grandchildren! I think I'm getting to that point where I really, really want it to happen to James and I soon - weddings and babies. Well, I don't think, I know!

It's our five year anniversary on Friday. James wants to take me to the Glassboat restaurant again. It's a super posh restaurant... on a boat next to Bristol Bridge.

I thought it'd be nice (and cheaper) to just stay home and cook something special. We haven't decided yet but knowing James, he'll forget to book it anyway!

Anyway, I've started a food blog to keep myself busy and well, it's just something fun to do really :D Go and looook!

Uncle Haydn's funeral

2007-08-22T15:51:54Z

I've been up in Chelmsford since Monday morning with the family, for Uncle Haydn's funeral. On Monday we spent the day trying to sort out his house and bits and bobs. Angharad and I found masses of old photos and made a book of his life in pictures for the wake.

He's done some amazing things and been to some incredible places. I can certainly say that he most definitely lived life to the full and took every opportunity he could.

We've all been left a hefty sum of money and my Dad has the house and all contents. So Dad has been asking us to take bits and bobs away because he just doesn't have room for them and they'll either end up in a charity shop or in a skip.

I'm having some really cool African bits and bobs that Haydn picked up when he was building the first radar stations in South Africa. There's a real Zulu spear, killing stick and shield, along with some beautiful art and carvings. Uncle Haydn was a computer nut too, so I've also got some computery bits and bobs.

My Dad has decided that he would sell Haydn's car (originally left to me) and use the money to buy both Angharad and I a nice new car (seeing as the Honda is worth quite a lot). That makes a lot more sense, plus I get to choose a car myself... something small, I think (and cheap to run!).

The actual funeral was interesting. I've only ever been to memorial services, you know, after there's been a family funeral then friends and such the like can pay respects. It was a new experience for me.

On the day of the funeral we were picked up in a black Limousine which followed the funeral car that carried the coffin. The undertaker walked in front of the funeral car almost all the way to the church place thing. Uncle Haydn was well respected and loads of people had come out of their homes and stood along the road to say goodbye. It was very moving.

Anyway, I met a mass of long lost family. Angharad and I were the only people there under 40 so we stuck together when hoards of eldery people came and questioned us on who we were and what we do, etc.

I have to say, two nights and three days with my parents was more than enough! It was nice to be together as a family again, I suppose, but after a while we all start annoying each other!

Later today, James and I are going to look at his mum's boat. They've just sailed it back from Poland, where the interior (bunks, kitchen, etc) was being fitted. Apparently it looks amazing. However, there's been some problems with the engine parts so we won't be able to move into James' house for at least another month, probably more. Originally we were going to move in there in December 2005... I'm not entirely sure but I think his mum is reluctant to go now, I just want to go and live somewhere properly at last... since being 18, everywhere I've lived has been temporary so it just hasn't felt like home. I'm getting quite sick of waiting.

Balloons, teeth and death

2007-08-12T09:25:27Z

The Bristol Balloon Fiesta was this weekend. I don't know why but seeing hot air balloons brings some sort of childlike fascination to me. I'd probably be too scared to go up in one, although I do really want to! Anyway, there were awesome fireworks and all sorts of stuff going on.

I'm a bit pissed off at the moment. My wisdom tooth is being a bastard again. It's so painful and annoying! My cheek is slightly swollen too, boo. I hope my face doesn't puff up good and proper because I'm off to London next weekend to meet some fabulous YO peoples! Last time I had this much pain, it got worse and worse and my cheek pretty much tripled in size.

My dentist is hours away in the South Wales valleys, so I'm really hoping it gets better and not worse.

On a brighter note (literally) it appears that Summer may have finally arrived. These past few days have been really nice and warm. I managed to get sunburnt, which was not clever.

I'm now going to eat more ice in the hope it keeps the swelling in my mouth down :(

Edit:

I just got off the phone to my dad who told me that my Uncle Haydn has died this morning :(

I'm feeling quite sad about it but you have to remember that he was in a lot of pain and discomfort for a long, long time and now he's in peace.

I don't really know what else to say. He was a good man, a bit messed up in the head but that's a family trait :P

Hmmm :(

I'm going to learn to drive, eep

2007-08-03T15:12:43Z

James' Dad's wedding was great :) I had a lovely time and I felt really pleased when I was included in all the 'family only' photographs, yay!

I had to do the music on the CD player for during the ceromony and I was soooo nervous about messing up the tracks or something. But it all went swimmingly.

Most of my time was spent with James' nieces who have decided to call me Aunty Cath. That made me feel really fantastic and involved with the family. The kids are so adorable and well behaved and I've been told that I have to go to Eleanor's birthday party because she won't shut up about me, haha!

I want babies.

Anyway, things are going alright. Therapy is progressing slowly and I've recently been able to open up much more to my therapist. It's not easy for me to talk about really deep things with people, but now I've got confidence in her so it's getting easier.

My Dad has given me money for driving lessons so there's no excuses anymore. I'm petrified of learning and I don't even know why. I best start looking for a nice person to teach me then! Eeek!