Wow, setting my own charity. I have watched people do it and said, I wish I could do something like that and now here I am!
4Louis provides beautiful keepsake boxes to bereaved parents like ourselves and 4babybell does the miscarriage boxes. These are really special and I love ours (if you know what I mean, obviously i would rather not be bereaved!). 4Ellie-phant aims to provide parents of babies inNICU and long term hospitalised/chronically ill kids with keepsake boxes with things to help them make memories and have fun during a scary time. Hospitals can also be boring places so the scrapbooks will be good. The baby scrap books are like those ones you get from mother care where you write in all the info, stick photos, handprints etc, but ours are handmade, cute and you can add to then. The kids scrap books follow the same premise but obviously have a different layout. I'll out pictures up when I am finished with the demo boxes.
If anybody would like to help out in anyway, big or small please get in touch.
Off to Turkey next week for honeymoon, wahey!
Thursday 29 September 2011
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Tough mudder!
I am obsessed with this event because quite simply, it is going to kill my friends and I.
Basically, tough mudder is a 12 mile run. So imagine doing the great north run less a mile. Then imagine doing it while running through fire, jumping hay bales, being head to toe in mud, climbing Walls, etc (it's all pretty nightmare). This is something that just needs to be done so we have 4 on our team already for the Ellie-phant group next July in Edinburgh. Now I know Lee is brooch but I might actually have to wait til after July so I can do this and it's a knockout because no way am I missing out on two fabulous massive events for my girl.
Got two job interviews too, woot!
Oh and I'm doing a 3 mile run in January in Edinburgh. Did one run and my back is killing which I presume is epidural related but what the hey, back to zumba tomorrow when I can actually walk. Ellie couldn't breathe and I can so it's all for her!
Basically, tough mudder is a 12 mile run. So imagine doing the great north run less a mile. Then imagine doing it while running through fire, jumping hay bales, being head to toe in mud, climbing Walls, etc (it's all pretty nightmare). This is something that just needs to be done so we have 4 on our team already for the Ellie-phant group next July in Edinburgh. Now I know Lee is brooch but I might actually have to wait til after July so I can do this and it's a knockout because no way am I missing out on two fabulous massive events for my girl.
Got two job interviews too, woot!
Oh and I'm doing a 3 mile run in January in Edinburgh. Did one run and my back is killing which I presume is epidural related but what the hey, back to zumba tomorrow when I can actually walk. Ellie couldn't breathe and I can so it's all for her!
Sunday 18 September 2011
Momentum
Thins have started to calm down lately but there is still loads going on and I am trying to keep momentum.
I did go to Teardrop group this month, very nearly had a breakdown but maybe it's what I needed. Sometimes, life gets so busy, Ellie becomes almost like a dream. Except she wasn't. The hardest part is nothing of her exist anymore, just her memory, which isn't enough. Will never be enough. It's not fair.
However, I don't want to get sucked into bitterness, I want to make a difference. So, our next event is planned for Lee's birthday in November, a 50's and 60's sock hop, Grease-style. It should be a good laugh. I am also doing a 3 mile run in Edinburgh in January (dun dun dun, couldn't even chase the ice cream van so jeebus help me!). My sister did well on her run so I suppose I should give it ago despite being the female Homer Simpson (I'd rather wear a nappy than go potty lol).
Two weeks tomorrow til honeymoon too, wahey! I can't wait. I am in the middle of my Ann Summers promotion fast track training so it's all go really.
We are hoping to move at the end of October and I can't wait. I've been picking out colours and themes.
Let's hope life continues to go smoothly!
I did go to Teardrop group this month, very nearly had a breakdown but maybe it's what I needed. Sometimes, life gets so busy, Ellie becomes almost like a dream. Except she wasn't. The hardest part is nothing of her exist anymore, just her memory, which isn't enough. Will never be enough. It's not fair.
However, I don't want to get sucked into bitterness, I want to make a difference. So, our next event is planned for Lee's birthday in November, a 50's and 60's sock hop, Grease-style. It should be a good laugh. I am also doing a 3 mile run in Edinburgh in January (dun dun dun, couldn't even chase the ice cream van so jeebus help me!). My sister did well on her run so I suppose I should give it ago despite being the female Homer Simpson (I'd rather wear a nappy than go potty lol).
Two weeks tomorrow til honeymoon too, wahey! I can't wait. I am in the middle of my Ann Summers promotion fast track training so it's all go really.
We are hoping to move at the end of October and I can't wait. I've been picking out colours and themes.
Let's hope life continues to go smoothly!
Wednesday 7 September 2011
The come down
As always, all fab things must come to an end and the wedding high is certainly one of them. However, we do have the honeymoon to look forward to!
We are booked up to go to Alanya (well, Konakli which is very close) in the Antalya region of Turkey and is hotter than Marmaris, woo! We are planning to go to the water park there and to some of the sights, do a bit shopping, but mostly lie by the pool, do some swimming and use the hotel spa a lot! I've also been scouting out prices for later this year for the xmas markets and it looks really cheap to go to Prague, so that may be a possibility. Get some travelling under our belts before bambi no 2!
Of course, after the fun comes responsibility and we have started talking money and savings and grown up stuff. We are even going to have a joint bank account. Makes no odds because I spend all Lee's money anyway haha!
I've been for a chakra massage today in Bedlington which was amazing. I felt like I was floating away, never been so relaxed in ages!
Got a photographer coming tomorrow for Pride of Northumberland awards too. Its all go!
We are booked up to go to Alanya (well, Konakli which is very close) in the Antalya region of Turkey and is hotter than Marmaris, woo! We are planning to go to the water park there and to some of the sights, do a bit shopping, but mostly lie by the pool, do some swimming and use the hotel spa a lot! I've also been scouting out prices for later this year for the xmas markets and it looks really cheap to go to Prague, so that may be a possibility. Get some travelling under our belts before bambi no 2!
Of course, after the fun comes responsibility and we have started talking money and savings and grown up stuff. We are even going to have a joint bank account. Makes no odds because I spend all Lee's money anyway haha!
I've been for a chakra massage today in Bedlington which was amazing. I felt like I was floating away, never been so relaxed in ages!
Got a photographer coming tomorrow for Pride of Northumberland awards too. Its all go!
Sunday 4 September 2011
Mrs mrs mrs!
Aim officially mrs Lee Forrest. I never thought I'd see the day, since I really didn't think I was the marrying kind.
Evyn, aimee and I stopped at jessica's the night before. Aimee and Charlotte were no bother, just played on their games all night and we watched celeb juice and sorted our nails. I was up a height all day so it was good to chill out. We got up at 7 the next morning though I was awake at 5 and Zak and Kyle piled into our bed, lol. I could eat them up they are so cute. Jess ran us to my dad and sam's house to sort our hair.
My bros were up from Manchester which was fantastic. We had a couple of glasses of wine in the morning. My false nails were so long I couldn't even do my bra up and pull my pants down for the loo haha. The hair was beautiful though, we all had gypsophilia in it which really set it off. We then went to our mums house to sort our make up etc. I wasn't really nervous or anything at this point and in fact was more concerned with who I would marry if i was gay haha. It got to half one, and we all put our dresses on (some of us with the help of jess and Evyn who kept using my underskirt as an excuse to touch me up!). Getting into the car I had my first disaster as I brushed against Colin's car and got polish on my dress. Wet wipes fixed it though so off we went. I was starting to feel pretty sick at this point.
When we got there, Lee had told me he was inside but had lied lol so me and the girls hid round the corner while Anthony Hall, our outstanding photographer, took some snaps. We then went in and got to chat a little bit to friends which was lovely as I haven't seen some for a while. We went upstairs and I did my formalities and then it was all ago! Poor Lee was shaking terribly but he apparently smiled from the minute I entered til the end which is good because I wanted to look sensational for him! We had a few laughs through the ceremony, said our vows and then we were married so I got to smooch his gorgeous face, lol. We went round speaking to people, which is one of my favourite bits because all our favourite people were there, minus a few who couldn't get due to various circumstances.
We had a lot of photos done down at Carlisle park round the corner. Put it this way, I could not be a model! Lee was gagging for a pint and my back hurt but I know the photos are going to be so worth it. We headed back to Charltons for the meal that my amazing great-aunt and uncle/godparents paid for with an open bar no less. The food and service was great and the staff at charlton's treat us so well, as usual as well as sorting the room upstairs for us while we were busy. We got to see our wedding cake for the first time which was lovely, my Aunty caron (as well as kev, Ann and Terry ;)) did a cracking job, especially after a cake disaster the night before. What we really loved was how well the whole family got on. I really believe it is Ellie that has shaped our family dynamics and made us realise life is too short.
To finish off, the night time was amazing. Wedding receptions are normally filled with people you have to invite and don't often talk to, etc but everyone that was at ours, we really love having in our lives and it was no obligation talking to any of them. There were a few that were missed but we had seen them during the day or spoken to them. We didn't get to sit very much but I enjoyed every minute. Everybody was bowled over but my gorgeous 14 month old cousin, Caitlin. I have never seen a baby bust a move like her, it was hilarious. Ciji had some fantastic moves when she was mortal, she didn't need people to dance with haha. Denise was having a great night with my bro from derbyshire, mike, my dad kept molesting Lee throughout the day, I've been told and did bust a move (or try to haha). Colin did his lasso dance too lmao while Evyn and I did a fantastic Will from the inbetweeners dance. We got to see a lot of friends and family that we don't see often but when it counts they are always there for us which we hope they realise we always notice and talk about how amazing they really are. By halfway through the night I was merrily mortal and tore up the dance floor lol. Our first dance was one of Ellie's songs, Bruno Mars 'just the way you are' but we also had 'when you say nothing at all' by ronan keating at the end of the night (we are greedy, we get two songs plus our wedding soundtrack haha). I loved that my friends Brian and Hilda came, even though they don't drink, my friends becky Lewis and Rachael, who I haven't seen for ages, all the people from cambois, the golf club, Blyth, Manchester, America(!), Oxford, Bedlington, etc. Even more overwhelming was peoples generosity. We received a few gorgeous gifts (none of which were unwanted and are really lovely), £130 in vouchers and £775 in cash, as well as our honeymoon which our grandparents are taking care of and our meal. Of course there were the few token miserable people but we didn't even care, it was that good.
Lee and I finished the night at a log cabin in Swarland, where we were drunk and exhausted but the beds were single beds so it was very snuggly lol. I won't share our first morning as man and wife though ;)
So here is my oscar speech lol.
Thanks to:
Jessica. I couldn't have done it without her, she has done so much for us since Ellie and is so unselfish. I wore her tiara, Evyn wore her shoes, she put us up overnight, did all my sweets, picked up our flowers, helped me with my dress, hooked me up with a photographer and a million other things. She is fantastic in every way and looked gorgeous to boot.
Our parents, for forking out a fortune helping us with the wedding then still giving us gift money the stupid buggers, not to mention giving us lifts, doing hair, sorting taxis, etc. They are as always fantastic support, as stressful as they can be sometimes lol.
My lovely bridesmaids for being gorgeous and brilliant representatives all day long.
Martin and Ciji for being best man and trailing their asses here from America.
My fantastic Aunty Ann and uncle Terry for the wonderful meal and open bar.
My Aunty caron and kev for the beautiful cake.
Our grandparents who always unselfishly give us money for no reason, who helped pay for the wedding and then have still offered to pay for our honeymoon.
Our friends at charlton's who helped make our wedding sensational.
Anthony hall for taking fabulous photos.
Our never failing to be there friends and family, for taking time our of their lives which they will never get back to witness our wedding, and come to our party and then still being stupidly generous with gifts etc. They all looked fab.
Most of all to Ellie and Lee. We are now a proper family with the same name and whenni was gutted in the morning because it started to rain, she got rid of it. We played loads of her songs so she knew we were thinking of her all day long. I want her to know how much I truly love her daddy (though he isn't as gorgeous as you bambi) and how much he loves me and we are better people for having known her.
I am on cloud 9 and I felt like a princess so thank you universe for giving me my day.
Evyn, aimee and I stopped at jessica's the night before. Aimee and Charlotte were no bother, just played on their games all night and we watched celeb juice and sorted our nails. I was up a height all day so it was good to chill out. We got up at 7 the next morning though I was awake at 5 and Zak and Kyle piled into our bed, lol. I could eat them up they are so cute. Jess ran us to my dad and sam's house to sort our hair.
My bros were up from Manchester which was fantastic. We had a couple of glasses of wine in the morning. My false nails were so long I couldn't even do my bra up and pull my pants down for the loo haha. The hair was beautiful though, we all had gypsophilia in it which really set it off. We then went to our mums house to sort our make up etc. I wasn't really nervous or anything at this point and in fact was more concerned with who I would marry if i was gay haha. It got to half one, and we all put our dresses on (some of us with the help of jess and Evyn who kept using my underskirt as an excuse to touch me up!). Getting into the car I had my first disaster as I brushed against Colin's car and got polish on my dress. Wet wipes fixed it though so off we went. I was starting to feel pretty sick at this point.
When we got there, Lee had told me he was inside but had lied lol so me and the girls hid round the corner while Anthony Hall, our outstanding photographer, took some snaps. We then went in and got to chat a little bit to friends which was lovely as I haven't seen some for a while. We went upstairs and I did my formalities and then it was all ago! Poor Lee was shaking terribly but he apparently smiled from the minute I entered til the end which is good because I wanted to look sensational for him! We had a few laughs through the ceremony, said our vows and then we were married so I got to smooch his gorgeous face, lol. We went round speaking to people, which is one of my favourite bits because all our favourite people were there, minus a few who couldn't get due to various circumstances.
We had a lot of photos done down at Carlisle park round the corner. Put it this way, I could not be a model! Lee was gagging for a pint and my back hurt but I know the photos are going to be so worth it. We headed back to Charltons for the meal that my amazing great-aunt and uncle/godparents paid for with an open bar no less. The food and service was great and the staff at charlton's treat us so well, as usual as well as sorting the room upstairs for us while we were busy. We got to see our wedding cake for the first time which was lovely, my Aunty caron (as well as kev, Ann and Terry ;)) did a cracking job, especially after a cake disaster the night before. What we really loved was how well the whole family got on. I really believe it is Ellie that has shaped our family dynamics and made us realise life is too short.
To finish off, the night time was amazing. Wedding receptions are normally filled with people you have to invite and don't often talk to, etc but everyone that was at ours, we really love having in our lives and it was no obligation talking to any of them. There were a few that were missed but we had seen them during the day or spoken to them. We didn't get to sit very much but I enjoyed every minute. Everybody was bowled over but my gorgeous 14 month old cousin, Caitlin. I have never seen a baby bust a move like her, it was hilarious. Ciji had some fantastic moves when she was mortal, she didn't need people to dance with haha. Denise was having a great night with my bro from derbyshire, mike, my dad kept molesting Lee throughout the day, I've been told and did bust a move (or try to haha). Colin did his lasso dance too lmao while Evyn and I did a fantastic Will from the inbetweeners dance. We got to see a lot of friends and family that we don't see often but when it counts they are always there for us which we hope they realise we always notice and talk about how amazing they really are. By halfway through the night I was merrily mortal and tore up the dance floor lol. Our first dance was one of Ellie's songs, Bruno Mars 'just the way you are' but we also had 'when you say nothing at all' by ronan keating at the end of the night (we are greedy, we get two songs plus our wedding soundtrack haha). I loved that my friends Brian and Hilda came, even though they don't drink, my friends becky Lewis and Rachael, who I haven't seen for ages, all the people from cambois, the golf club, Blyth, Manchester, America(!), Oxford, Bedlington, etc. Even more overwhelming was peoples generosity. We received a few gorgeous gifts (none of which were unwanted and are really lovely), £130 in vouchers and £775 in cash, as well as our honeymoon which our grandparents are taking care of and our meal. Of course there were the few token miserable people but we didn't even care, it was that good.
Lee and I finished the night at a log cabin in Swarland, where we were drunk and exhausted but the beds were single beds so it was very snuggly lol. I won't share our first morning as man and wife though ;)
So here is my oscar speech lol.
Thanks to:
Jessica. I couldn't have done it without her, she has done so much for us since Ellie and is so unselfish. I wore her tiara, Evyn wore her shoes, she put us up overnight, did all my sweets, picked up our flowers, helped me with my dress, hooked me up with a photographer and a million other things. She is fantastic in every way and looked gorgeous to boot.
Our parents, for forking out a fortune helping us with the wedding then still giving us gift money the stupid buggers, not to mention giving us lifts, doing hair, sorting taxis, etc. They are as always fantastic support, as stressful as they can be sometimes lol.
My lovely bridesmaids for being gorgeous and brilliant representatives all day long.
Martin and Ciji for being best man and trailing their asses here from America.
My fantastic Aunty Ann and uncle Terry for the wonderful meal and open bar.
My Aunty caron and kev for the beautiful cake.
Our grandparents who always unselfishly give us money for no reason, who helped pay for the wedding and then have still offered to pay for our honeymoon.
Our friends at charlton's who helped make our wedding sensational.
Anthony hall for taking fabulous photos.
Our never failing to be there friends and family, for taking time our of their lives which they will never get back to witness our wedding, and come to our party and then still being stupidly generous with gifts etc. They all looked fab.
Most of all to Ellie and Lee. We are now a proper family with the same name and whenni was gutted in the morning because it started to rain, she got rid of it. We played loads of her songs so she knew we were thinking of her all day long. I want her to know how much I truly love her daddy (though he isn't as gorgeous as you bambi) and how much he loves me and we are better people for having known her.
I am on cloud 9 and I felt like a princess so thank you universe for giving me my day.
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