and Hens go Cluck Cluck…..

It’s all getting quite exciting!  Liza gets married in October, and tonight is the Hen Party. Don’t read any further if you are of a sensitive nature LOL…

Tracey and I have been putting together hen bags for all those attending, which include Ann Summers magazines with 10% discount vouchers, perfumes, shampoo’s, conditioners, lipsticks, loads of Avon products, love heart sweets with “Liza’s Hen Night, Gwel an Mor, 17 September 2011” on the external label (these are done by a local company with the wording that you request)

There are also party poppers, naughty willie shaped sweet dummies, and some aromatherapy soaps in the shape of, you guessed it, willies!

In Liza’s bag, we also added a blue garter, some honeymoon dice that contain certain suggestions when you roll them, and of course her halo, wand and tiara!

Tracey and I arrived about 45 minutes early in order to place the soap willies on each place setting…… the aroma was so strong we couldn’t put them in the hen bags!

Then as people arrived, we handed them their personalised hen bag.  We had managed to do all of the bags for a total cost of £35.00, so each person only had a tiny amount to pay towards the fun.

The fun soon got underway, and although the rest of the night was pretty normal, as Liza didn’t want any of the hoo ha that goes with hens do’s, we still managed to all have a laugh and ask the chap looking after us all for his trousers, boxers and a kiss!  Of course I had nothing to do with this!

Soon enough the night was over, and I headed back home.  Pauls Mom and step Dad had arrived a few hours ago from Birmingham and, I just had time to have a natter and a catch up before we all headed off to bed.

Such Fun! in the words of a certain lady from ‘Miranda’.  I love that show! LOL

Jo Anne

Venue and Accomodation Hunting

I have two days holiday booked, on a use them or loose them basis, and they have come in very handy.

Without going into detail, as it's all very hush, hush at present, I have been roped in to help a committee find a venue, entertainment and accommodation for a Dinner Dance for 100 people in 2012

I spend all day yesterday on the Internet, making telephone calls and doing costings. Eliminating some venues, adding others to the mix, and arranging appointments for today to visit and meet with the short listed possibles

I picked Sally-Ann up very early, and we headed off for the first appointment..... No I can't tell you where, or what for! This makes my post quite difficult to write LOL

Our first 3 stops were to look at accommodation in the form of camp sites and chalets, and also a barn conversion for the possible Dinner Dance

The camp site was fab! They have done the sort of thing we are needing before, and can accommodate a LOT of people and tents.

Next was the barn conversion - Oh dear! Very basic! Not to the standard we were expecting or wanted and an instant No!

Then onto the chalet/cottages. The people who ran this place were fantastic, and handed over the keys for an empty unit, and just left us to our own devices to explore and establish how appropriate it would be.

With 120 units, that hold between 2 and 6 people in each, we could fill the place without trouble.... did I mention that there would be possibly 1500 people minimum involved the day after the dinner dance!

Superb - not yet midday, and we have the camp site and chalets sorted already!

Our next destination was about 20 minutes away so we headed off, with the sun shining on our heads, and it was now warm enough for the lid to be down on the car, the blue skies sent our spirits soaring....

We had a very productive meeting at our favoured venue, and were able to talk menu's and seating arrangements. Now it was a case of going back to the committee and offering them a proposal for the evening and weekend as we saw it.

Before leaving the area we visited a local hotel, on spec, and had a show around and were able to see bedrooms to establish if we could also offer this as accommodation for an alternative.

I finally dropped Sally-Ann home just before 5pm, and despite the long day of meetings and driving, we were very happy with the outcome, and very excited with what we had arrived at.... fingers crossed that it would be approved of.....

More cryptic posts to come no doubt...

Party Time!

Christmas Party time once more, and we returned to Penmere Manor after last years success.

The company was great the food good and the duo singing DIRE!

It didn't stop us enjoying ourselves, however we think another choice of venue for next year may be the order of the day when I arrange next years LOL

BBQ Time

After our busy afternoon in the sea, we headed home for de-sanding, and to prepare for a BBQ supper.

Dylan enjoyed a few minutes with Uncle Paul, before the food got put out.

then it was just a case of making friends with Hamish, while Sally-Ann and Mike looked on

and Paul looked for a picture of a tattoo that his friend had just had done, that had won an award at the Tattoo Convention in Plymouth the previous week!

Sally-Ann got her priorities right, with the two glasses of red in her hands, whilst Mike thought better of the wine and went for the chocolate eclairs on offer from the kitchen table!

Dylan realised that Mike was the one to follow, and soon showed us how wonderful his eclair was!
Another day was coming to an end - but what a great day it was!

Party Time!

After our afternoon trip, we headed back to the caravan to get ready for the party, getting all dolled up in our finest gear for the occasion

even Fred and Hamish got in on the act, and stole everyone's hearts once more

the evening was wonderful, with curry and chilli con carne on tap, and the Cornish Tinners playing int he background whilst we talked and ate.

Once the food was finished, they stepped it up a notch and got everyone up dancing Ho-Down style..... Yeee Hah!

Great fun, and a wonderful celebration for Sharon and Mike - Congratulations to you both.

Penmere Perfection...

Although I've not mentioned any details on my blog up until now, I have been working diligently behind the scenes since the beginning of September, to organise a Christmas Dinner Dance party night for my favourite work friends and I.

I am a huge fan of Christmas and can't get enough of the whole love, joy and being with friends at this time of year. Unfortunately the meaning of Christmas seems to have got more and more diluted over the years, and even since I was a child things have become more and more commercial.

Christmas to me in 2009 is being able to spend some time with my favourite people, and not necessarily the giving of gifts.... that's not to say that I have not been out and bought gifts, so don't panic too much dearies, but to know that I can get a hug of a BFF is more than enough for me.

Anyway, I digress. The Christmas Party Night.... In the past we have just booked a meal at the local carvery and turned up 15 minutes before, chomped down the chow, and headed off home after an hour and half.

This year I had plans for glitter, dancing and being able to spend time with aforementioned BFF's.

We did the whole Yell.com search for decent hotels within a 20 to 30 minute drive of all of our homes, and I contacted them for details of party nights if any, and the menu's they were offering.

We narrowed it down to 3 hotels, and then, finally, down to the Penmere Manor in Falmouth. The girls on their reception were so very helpful, and offered details for any questions, swiftly and concisely by return email. So this was the hotel we booked.

Having arranged the Burns Night for the 5 owners club back in January, I had a fair idea as to how to make things easier, both for the hotel and myself.

I generated food order forms for each person, so that I could advise the hotel of the orders in advance, as they had requested, and having made everyone part with their deposit, I headed over to the hotel one afternoon, to pay up and give them the menu choices.

As the hotel was offering a very very reduced bedroom rate for anyone attending a party night, I had promised to check one out and report back. OMG the hotel, bedroom and event room was gorgeous. An old 18th century manor house, with a gym, sauna, jacuzzi, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and all situated in beautiful beautiful grounds.

Needless to say I booked a room for Liza, who had asked me to keep it quiet from her other half, and also for us. We originally were not going to stop, as we have had an awful lot of expenditure recently and this would just be an indulgence, but hey, I could not turn this opportunity down. It was a chance for Fred to stop in a posh hotel for only £8..... I could not possibly deny my poor little doggy this could I, LOL.

I knew that having ordered their meals so far in advance, that no-one would remember what they wanted, and so, I made little name cards for the table, and inside I inserted a label with their menu choice, therefore alleviating the need for my big red folder containing all of my information and co-ordination details.

The next question was how was I to do this. Give them the place card on arrival and let it be every man for himself to the table, or place them ready on the table so that all they had to do was arrive and sit.

One afternoon, in the office, it was decided that we would pull names from a hat to decide where to place people. I started with Alison and her husband David in the middle of the table and worked out from them. I wanted to ensure that they had a good spot, as Alison has had a pretty grot year with recovering from all of her chemo etc.

Finally, we arrived at a seating plan, with partners opposite each other, and now all that was needed was to panic that the meal and hotel would meet expectations.... I have to say I was pretty stressed over it all, as this was out of my hands and I could do no more to make it a great night for us.

Out of 16 people attending our little gathering, 10 of us were stopping at the hotel for the night, and I felt very responsible for the fact that they had all spent a lot of money, and I just wanted it to go well.

I needn't have panicked. Everyone arrived at the allotted time, and we had a few drinks in the bar, while I took each couple off to one of the lovely side rooms for a special photo to commemorate the evening. Bless them all for agreeing to this. They know that I am a camera maniac, and they also know that it will all end up on here, but what good sports they all were!

Then I had a huge SHOCK!

I turned around and Alison was stood there with the most beautiful, and huge bouquet of flowers, and they were for me! WHY? Because I had done all of the organising of the evening they said, and they wanted to show their appreciation! How I did not cry on the spot I'll never know.... talk about unexpected!

Not long after this shocker, we headed off to our table, which I managed to snap before we destroyed it

After the most divine meal ever, the dance floor seemed far too empty, so we helped out a little, as you do!

A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all, and the following Monday, as they all started to arrive at work, it was all we could talk about.

We emailed Sally at the Hotel to say what a fab time we had had, and then booked again for December 2010.

A wonderful evening - What was I worrying about? LOL!

Jacks Christening

Tracy (my work friend) and Adrian had the Christening today for their baby son Jack. I was

honoured to be asked to attend the celebrations with them, as it was mainly family that were invited along.

Jack was a little angel and kept up his smiling, happy face all day, and whilst the music played, he enjoyed a little dance on my lap.

Alison (my other work friend) snapped this for me.

Tracy and Adrian put on a fantastic spread of food and drink and the family partied away to their hearts content.

Well done Jack!

Party Time

OK - So today is party day.... The room is booked from 3pm and we have to be there on time, of course.

I have managed, however to make sure that we get to see Kelly and Dylan before hand.

We are booked into the Whitehorse for lunch with them. After a little mis-hap with turning up at different White Horse pubs, we finally managed to get together.

Dylan is a little smasher, and it was lovely to see Kelly and her partner Paul, looking so happy and well.

From here we went straight off to Fazeley again to join the party. JB and Mel had caught a flight up from Newquay last night so that they could also be there. Spookily JB and I kept thinking and saying the same things at the same time - does that maker her 15 going on 40 or me 40 going on 15??!

Paul got the chance to spend a little more time with his sister Karen

and a good time was had by all.

At a quarter to midnight I found a voicemail on my mobile from Phil - he was in Nightingales with Jamie and Simon, and why was I not there as I was in Brum?

Because I'm a decrepit old lady now that's why Phil, and I need my sleep - next time maybe? LOL

Kitchen and Hols

The kitchen is coming along nicely now, and we have Jon coming in on Tuesday and Wednesday to fit the 3 work surfaces and cut the holes for the sink and gas hob.

Jon is a master carpenter and Paul was really impressed with is work building office space and making doors from scratch, when he did some stuff at the place where he works.

Unfortunately Mark, who we were going to have fit the work tops, is rammed with work and we are at the bottom of his list. His loss is Jon's gain - he's a great chap and we know that his work is good. It's all done by hand (non of there electric gadgets for him) hence the day and a half to do the work - it will be worth it I think though.

In the meantime, we have had an invite from Karen (Paul's sister) from Birmingham to go up and join her for her 40th Birthday. We are actually on holiday for that weekend and shall be up at BAH (Blue Anchor Hideaway) so will do the trip up there just for the day - it's about a 2 and a half /three hour drive, but we have Fred with us and cannot leave him home alone, so we shall return the BAH the same evening.

We will only manage about 2 hours with Karen and Dave, but at least we also get to see Mommy Marg and Keith too.

Fred is a good lad and will sleep the journey, and only demand a short walk on arrival, a little food and water and then he'll be happy to go back to sleep in the car whilst we mingle.

I have sent a quick text to Kel to see if we can see her on our whirlwind visit, and hopefully we will get to meet my Godson to be. Dylan for the first time.

I'm off now to watch Paul contemplate the fitting of the extractor fan over the non existent hob that he began to fit last night. Then, watch out Fred, your are next on my hit list - it's bath and haircut time methinks.....

Mamma Mia?

We went to an Abbafest / 70's disco tonight.

Loads of people dressed up in freaky flared trousers and bad curly wigs - we felt quite the odd ones out in our normal gear!

The hall was decked out in balloons, and old 70's 'frocks' had been pinned up on the walls all around us to get us in the mood for the terrible dancing that we knew would ensue...

The evening was in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care and The Merlin Project, Cornwall. As both of these charities are close to my heart, having friends affected, and in need of their expertise, it was lovely to help out in some little way, through our entrance fee and raffle payments.
As it is, I did actually win something, and chose this lovely begonia. The bonus was the bar of Bourneville dark chocolate we found hidden inside the cellophane cover!

A fantastic night was had by all, despite my tired eyes by the end of the evening.

40 Today!

This feels like a bit of an epic milestone for me.

I have struggled and struggled at the prospect of being 40. I have to say though everyone has made my day so lovely.

Firstly my gorgeous husband bought me some of my favourite jewellery (Cornish Silver) with my birth stone - opal in it, along with some other lovely surprises.

Fred had great fun helping me open some of the gifts I had been given before hand, from china mugs, to crafting sets, to mint imperials and liquorice - mmmmm and all this at 6.30 this morning whilst getting ready for work!

On arriving at work I found that the office had been decorated over night with balloons and banners for me, so that anyone that did not already know I was 40 today soon did. The worrying part was that the factory manager thought I was 50! Cheeky bleeder!

Gradually as everyone started arriving for their shifts (I start before all of the others), my desk was filled with cards and gifts, and then at lunchtime a huge bouquet of flowers from Mandy and Mike. I feel so lucky to work with all of these lovely people, and thank them so much for making my day special.

As for family, I am overwhelmed - I have had huge sums of money given to me to spend on myself, and can promise faithfully that it will be spent very frivolously! Thank you so much.

Tonight, Paul is doing a steak dinner for me, which I'm really looking forward to, and we shall probably follow this with a stroll on the beach.

If this is what 40 is like roll on the next 9 years, I can cope with this!

Day Two of the Celebrations.....

Off out for another meal - this time with all of the ladies from work, with their partners.

We've gone to the local carvery again,as the food is always fantastic - Kel - you can vouch for that I hope!

We went through and the staff had made the tables up with balloons and candles.

Sharon and I have been friends for so many years now it's hard to remember when we did not know each other! Love ya loads chick!

They told me I had to take the balloons home with me, so here I am trying to tie them all to one of my presents!

and just after I had devoured the largest ice cream sundae you could ever imagine this arrived with sparklers flashing away at me - I soon had it carved up and dished out though - there is no time for messing when there is chocolate involved!

Another fab night out!