Welcome to my personal blog.  Occasionally I might make some posts, "friends only," just to have a little privacy.  Other than that you're welcome to follow, but I only become mutual friends with people I know in meatspace.  Cheers.


Don't forget to visit my site, Skinny Chic.  

It's time to get real...  Five days ago, Tony and I split up.  He packed his bags and temporarily moved in with our friends Richard and Tracey.  It's very shocking after 7 and a bit years... We love each other, care about each other but aren't in love.  Sophia is doing well.  My parents are helping both Tony and I settle into new lives, which is the strangest thing.  They're showing us both so much care and love.  We're a bit confused but totally accepting the support.

Last night we went to a party together to catch up with old friends and touch base with loads of people.  We also found out that quite a few of our other friends who we hadn't seen for a while had split up from longterm relationships too.  It's all so unsettling, but we're getting through it.

Anyway, the party was held by Robert and Gina and it had a 70's Theme.  Here are some paparazzi shots from the evening.


Tony and I doing our usual party posing.  We're still good friends.  : )


Rob showing Sven his moob.  Lol.  Everyone was very drunk.


Rick and Rags doin' it 70's style.


Melissa looking cute and impressive, she had skates on.  : )


A bit of an ego boost in the form of Buck.  He's a very cheeky boy.


Gina and I having a giggle.


Posers.


My friend shelley who sometimes looks a lot like Erin O'Connor.  : )


And a pic showing the length of my skirt and white sox.  Lol.

Me eating my cupcake for lunch. 
Very naughty.


Richard enjoying a cupcake to
himself.


Me trying to get some love while
Tony does stuff on the net...


Me showing off hairy legs and my
scars from surgery...


Richard and Tracey fooling around on the couch...Sugar rush?

Skinny Chic means a lot to me...Recently my friends showed me how much they understand this.  They know I'll be needing a banner for some events soon, so here's what Tracey and Richard bought me.



Oh and Richard thought he might get them to send me a free pen, just for kicks. 

Thanks for being some of the coolest friends I've ever had in my life.



Now my friend Michelle is working on doing some flyers for me too.  (I'll send you the email as soon as T gets off the other pc which has all my stuff on it.  He says thanks for the crazy little green pillow too.  xx)

We never even had a tree at Christmas time while growing up.  It might sound weird to you guys but, my parents were Muslims when they were kids and then just before I was born, they became Christians, so it's been a kind of confused kind of end of year celebration each time.  To me, it doesn't matter what time of year it is, it's always nice to receive gifts.  Thanks dvdastarr  I love the two little figures/salt and pepper shakers that are hugging and I laughed my titts off when I saw this book.  It also made me a little sick.  ; ) x

I just finished reading it and I loved it. I had no idea it was going to be so connected to my current situation. If you're having a great time in life and everything's in it's place, it's a great read about the culture of Britain. It talks about politician's and their campaigns to get us to...basically do whatever they want and make it sound like they are doing something to help us while they sit on their plump backsides eating 8 course meals, telling us to save by eating left-overs and recycle... (It also talks about behaviour during war time and class differences.)

However, if you are having a bit of a crap time in life...Like myself, lost my job, have to move house, have no money or renting references... *sigh* then this book is an excellent read and shows you how to save and be more creative with your time and little money that you may have. It has taught me to be more social. I have started going out with my friends more and appreciating their company. It's hard for me as I'm so used to spending so much time alone, but it's been nice. I wont start growing my own veggies but I have started taking more care of my note books by decorating them with pictures I like etc. Doesn't sound like much, but it's made me happier, made me feel a bit creative, made my stuff more personal and is a damn site cheaper than going to the movies. It's also prompted me to make a little gift for Tony that I know he'll love when he sees it, can't tell you what yet, but basically it's homemade and will mean more to him than any stupid hallmark card or other plastic rubbish that I might find that will bring 2 seconds of happiness in comparison.

Soon we will have to move into a smaller house, we'll have to leave quite a bit of furniture behind because it simply wont fit into whatever we can afford. We might not take on a home phone or just put one in that can only receive calls so Tony's mum can call it once a week. We'll have to make a lot of changes to make our money stretch further, but I'm pretty cool with that now that I've been given a whole lot of ideas from Janet Street-Porter.

Read the book, be creative.

Before I get vortexed into all the things that I want to get done today, I'll do that post I promised to do about Thanksgiving. It was my first ever on Saturday, there were loads of lovely people to share it with at Lillian's house and Lillian had the best spread ever.

I said I would put this post in my Skinny Chic blog but the food that was consumed isn't exactly appropriate for that blog, (I can hear the people who were at the party reading this having a giggle...) so it's in my personal blog instead.

There was the Turkey of course... and sorry to my Vegan friends and health fanatic friends but I just didn't stop myself on this day. I wanted to try everything, from the delicious Turkey with the best stuffing ever and the Yams with the Marshmallow and Caramel sauce... Apple Pie and Cherry Pie and some things called, "Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cups." The energy in the house was buzzing, so much sugar. Now I've had a taste of what my friend littlebritlover has to eat on holidays. It's crazy. : ) (I was too late to take a photo of the delicious Chocolate/Rum Cake that had cream dripping down the sides.)

Here are some pix of what was consumed.

I'm trying to do as many calm things as possible today. I've had a pretty busy morning. I'm taking a break before I do the rest.

When I was in London earlier this year I mentioned a favourite Visual Artist, but I don't think I mentioned his name. I thought I might give you a taste of this interesting man's work.

Mark Ryden

It might not mean anything to anyone else, and I don't even know for the life of me if anyone even reads Closer magazine in London or the rest of England for that matter, but... I'm in it this week.  Forgive me for being a little proud of my fierce look in my photo that is a plug for my Skinny Chic Blog.

Sometimes I find myself inspired to write to a favourite celebrity or someone that's famous that just happened to say or do something that moved me.  I don't know I guess I think it might be flattering to read an email from a fan that was inspired to do something amazing or push themselves passed their usual limits all because they saw their favourite celeb do something extra-ordinary?  Usually I can find some sort of forwarding email address and just use that, but for Janet Street-Porter there doesn't seem to be one so I'm going to blog about what I would have said to her if I could...

I'm reading your book, "Life's Too F***ing Short," when I'm not working or being a mum.  I'm still managing to get through it pretty quickly but it does have to be squeezed into my busy schedule. 

I had a crap upbringing, a sad childhood and a very long hard road to any kind of success and happiness in my life.  I always wanted someone to show me the ropes, give me advice and inspire me, because my parents never did.  I envy those people with parents who do amazing things that make them strive to be the best and always self-improve.  My parents are just bullies and nothing I ever have done or will do will ever make them happy.  I've given up on pleasing them and am working on making myself and my little family happy.  Once I asked a tutor from college, (via email) if she could be my mentor, but she answered a few months later with, "I'm sorry but I'm off work at the moment on bereavement leave..." or something like that.  I was devastated for her, but was still left wanting.  I gave up on looking for a mentor and have pushed myself to achieve a few big things in my life to date and I'm very proud of my achievements.

In reading your book I have been taught a whole bunch of things that I wish someone was around to teach me, when I needed it the most.  I think what I'm trying to say is that I've taken you on as an unofficial mentor.  I love what you have to say about friends and work.  I've realised some things about work that I would have taken years to work out for myself.  (You've saved me some more embarrassment.) Everything just sounds like we're on the same page.  We eat the same,  work hard, are career focused and passionate. 

I'll be sad to read the last page, wish you had more to share with us.  Thanks for writing an inspiring, thought provoking and witty book.

Warm Regards
Marylou