I’d firstly like to apologise for the length of time that has passed since my last entry. I’ve been busy working on various websites, some graphic design work and just spending more time with my family. I promise to write more regularly through February and the rest of 2010!

I had a phone call the other day from my business team at Orange. I was advised that I was eligible for a new device. I was asked what I used my phone for, to which I replied email, texts, calls, business suite etc. I was asked had I considered a blackberry. I had previously but having had a go of one I found that I wasn’t so keen. When I advised that I wasn’t a fan they told me that they have a brand new blackberry which was much better. I asked what else they were offering. I was told I could have an HTC to which I replied that I’d heard bad reviews about them and so was definitely not interested. I was asked whether I’d seen any other devices that I liked. I said “well there’s the iPhone but you’re not going to offer me that are you?” to which they said that they could do me an 8GB free, I said I’d like a 16GB one and could they do that, they said as long as I go on the iphone plan then I could. I asked what I got on that plan – 1200 minutes, 200 texts and unlimited internet and wi-fi. I managed to get unlimited texts added and still managed to reduce my bill! I asked how soon I could get it and I was told they’d get it to me the next day. Result!

So I’ve had my iPhone since Friday and although I had difficulties setting up my email accounts at first, once everything was set up I’ve loved everything about it!

I think that I will miss my E71 as it was my favourite phone of all time (that wasn’t touchscreen) but I’ve got to move on and enjoy my iPhone now that I have it.

Right then I’m off now as I need an early night but will write again very soon.

Take care everyone

Here in South Wales over the past few days we’ve had the coldest weather I can ever remember. It is quite literally freezing! So cold in fact that I’ve been going to bed in socks, t-shirt, pyjama bottoms AND my dressing gown!!

I had to get all the snow off my car this morning so I could venture out for work, it was very thick and there was an icy layer right at the bottom.

Having crashed my car on ice early last year I’m always very wary about driving when conditions aren’t good so I ventured down the road to inspect it all before deciding to drive the car. I need to be sure there is grip as I have to drive down a hill to the main road after turning out of our street. It was ok though and the journey was a safe one.

The snow hadn’t gone anywhere at my mum’s though. It was like noone had even left the street – there wasn’t a tyre mark in sight. Well, until I came along that is!!

I’m not expecting anymore snow overnight and it seems milder tonight so I’m optimistic for a nice warm sleep.

Who knows about the weekend though. I’ve heard that more snow is forecast this Sunday. I’ll just wait and see though. Hopefully we’ll get something, I really fancy getting a sledge and going down some small hills on it with Finlay. I think he’d enjoy that and can imagine him saying ” ‘gain! ” to do it over and over.

For now I’m going to keep the entry short as my phone battery is running out. I’ll be on the desktop over the weekend though building more sites so will write again then.

For now, stay snug!

I got a bit of a lie in today as Finlay didn’t wake up until 7am. I got up and put my dressing gown on and then quickly ran downstairs to put the lights on the Christmas tree on.

I went back upstairs and got Finlay and asked him if he thought Father Christmas had been. We walked down the stairs and then we turned to the tree. “He’s been!” I said to Finlay as we looked at all the presents that were under the tree. I then asked him if he’d eaten the mince pie that Finlay had left him. As Rachel and I sat by the tree, Finlay looked around the roomfor Father Christmas. “Here!” Finlay kept saying as he couldn’t believe that Father Christmas had visited us and left so many gifts.

We set about unwrapping the presents but Finlay didn’t seem all that bothered about unwrapping the presents, he just wanted to play with his train set and his dob dobs.

He soon had a happy grin on his face when he opened his selection box.

Rachel and I exchanged gifts and opened the presents that Finlay had got us. I was treated to a lovely cardigan and socks, and Rachel had 2 seasons of One Tree Hill. I bought her the rest.

Rachel’s family came over about 9.40ish and we had more gifts.

Rachel sorted the Christmas dinner (which was amazing) and Rachel’s Dad came down in time for dinner.

After dinner my parents and brother came over and we exchanged gifts and it was later in the afternoon that Finlay gave us the best Christmas present. He was just sat on the floor playing when he said “I’m…….a………cool………dude!”

It was his first ever sentence and what a first sentence to make! He certainly is a cool dude. Rachel and I just beamed from ear to ear and we all clapped and cheered. Finlay said it a few more times before getting overwhelmed by our applause and he got a little embarrassed.

It’s been a fantastic day, we’ve had lovely gifts, wonderful food, good company and fantastic memories.

Happy Christmas everyone! x

Good evening! It’s the night before Christmas and I’m looking forward to the big day. I read ‘Twas the night before Christmas to Finlay earlier. I’m not sure he understood the significance of the poem but he seemed to listen to some of it. I then took him upto bed and tucked him in. I said for him to listen out for sleigh bells.
Before Finlay went to bed he put out a mince pie, a glass of milk and a carrot.
Only a few hours to go now and I’m sat on the sofa with the duvet over me just watching TV to make me feel all the more Christmassy!
Whatever you do tomorrow have a fantastic Christmas! I hope all your wishes come true!

Well well well, I finally get to sit down!

Today has literally been mental! The weather is crazy. Over night we got snowed on (thanks for the warning weather people!!) and when we woke up it was like a blanket of snow had been laid on the valley and everything within it. Last time the weather was like this I managed to crash my car attempting to get to work. Today however I was much more sensible and decided that I wasn’t going anywhere until it was safe to do so – no matter how much work whinged about it I didn’t give a damn quite frankly as the safety of my family is much more important than any job!

Time passed by and it was growing ever more obvious that noone was attempting to leave the street as it was just a big lump of ice! Having been dressed for work for quite a while I thought that I would give it a serious attempt to get to work as soon as the roads were passable. Every half hour I would walk down the street and to the hill to see if anyone was attempting to drive down to the main road. The answer quite simply was no. The only people attempting it were people with 4 by 4’s. They made it look easy. It was only when someone in a 2 wheel drive hatchback slid uncontrollably down the hill that others just thought it wasn’t worth it.

Having walked up and down the street a number of times I began to think that I may aswell do something about it. The council had provided us with a gritbox just last week so as the council weren’t going to come and grit our roads I thought that I would take on the responsibility myself. I got the recycling crate from our front garden and strolled down the road. Filling it up I then planned what I’d do. I’d drag the box down the hill, spreading the grit by hand as I went along until I reached the bottom. I did this 3 or 4 times. My back, by the end, was in agony.

It was now just a case of waiting for the grit to take effect.

After an hour, and having watched several cars driving down the street I knew that it was now possible for me to attempt the hill. We did so.

We left the town and headed off to the city, albeit at 20mph!

When we got to my Mum and Dad’s house the conditions there were better but still not exactly the best for driving on. Also, when we got there, my parents were not there. We had to wait about 20 minutes for them to get home but when they did we had a quick chat and then headed off to work in Cardiff.

We walked in about 12, and do you think anyone thanked us for our brave efforts to get to work? Did they hell! All they cared about was when I was working my time back. They didn’t care that we actually bothered trying and managed to get to work, unlike many others. It just made me realise how crap it all really is, next time I won’t bother. I’ll just stay at home and have a great time with my family!

So anyhow, after being annoyed in work, we left to come home (a little early to avoid getting stuck in the city if the weather worsened back at home). Travelling back home was ok up until we reached the hill again. As I looked up the road before turning in I did wonder would I make it all the way up, I selected first gear, and very slowly crept up the hill. We were fine until about 2 metres from where we needed to turn left. I felt the car wheels spinning and slipping. Oh no, no grip! I just held tight and left my foot on the accelerator, secretly praying in my head we found the slightest bit of grip and the car edged forward, I quickly turned in and we were in our street.

My heart was beating a million times a minute, I was so relieved to make it home. When I saw the clear space outside our house I quickly parked it and got out. Phew phew phew we were home safe.

Now we await to see what conditions we’ll wake up to tomorrow morning!

As scary and frustrating as today has been at times, it’s made for a very good talking point – I gritted the road by hand!! That aside, the snow on all the forests across the valley looked so picturesque. A true white Christmas!

So I’ve got into the festive spirit today as I’ve spent the day getting all the decorations down from the attic and putting them up around the house. I have put a little 3 foot tree in the kitchen complete with blue lights, and I’ve put a 7 foot tree in our living room. Between myself, Rachel and Finlay we’ve all put our fair share of decorations on the tree and it looks lovely. I’ve had to turn our dining table around though to make sure we can fit everything in.

With less than 20 days to go to Christmas I’m now getting really excited and can’t wait to start wrapping presents and putting them underneath the tree. More than that though I am really excited about seeing Finlay’s face on Christmas morning when he sees all the presents that Father Christmas has delivered for him.

I am going to go shopping tomorrow and get a few bits and bobs as I’d like to make some mince pies and a christmas cake for Christmas desserts.

It’s so exciting, and to think that this time next year I’ll have two children to get excited about for Christmas! It’s going to be fantastic!

I’ve decided that it’s about time that I got into shape. This year I’ve had a few too many takeaways and lost a bit too much hair. I don’t want to be a fat mess for 2010 – not that I am now – so I’m working out a fitness regime and will put together a healthy diet so that I can get my body back into shape and look and feel good again.

As my hair is ridiculously thin on top now I think it’s time for a new look. I’ve been giving some serious consideration to having it all cut off. Tomorrow I’m going in for a haircut and think it’s time for the new aerodynamic hairstyle.

I’ll post a photo of the new look hair and in a few months I’ll post a photo of the new buff looking me!!

So with only a few weeks to go before Christmas it’s time I started buying a few more presents. I’m never one to have it all done with loads of time to spare, instead I often find that I’m still getting a few things the week before the big day. This year however I want to be much more prepared. I’m going to get the decorations out of the attic over the weekend ready to be put up the first week of December, and I’m going to finish off my shopping by the second week of December and have them all wrapped up and ready for delivery by Father Christmas!

I’m especially looking forward to seeing Finlay’s face on Christmas morning when he sees what has been delivered to the house. Hopefully he’ll have a wonderful time. I’ll have the camera fully charged and all ready to start snapping the moment that we all get up. It’ll be his second Christmas but I think this time he’ll have even more fun that he did last year – ripping all the paper off and discovering what is in there.

We’re not doing a big Christmas dinner this year, we’ll be getting our turkey and stuffing in a box (it is very tasty though) and we’ll cook up some honey roast parsnips and some roasties…mmmm perfect! Then we’ll have an afternoon of crackers, games and lots of fun and laughter.