As this is the first blog I have done in 2009, let me say Happy New Year!

I spent Christmas and the best part of January with my right foot and leg in plaster cast! I broke my foot on the 18 December. At the time it was horrible but now I am seeing the funny side of it. A piano landed on my foot. Yes, you are reading this right. My colleague rang for an ambulance when it happened. When I arrived at the hospital the doctors and nurses were already in stitches as they had heard over the radio about the 23 year old dropping a piano on her foot. Do you remember a Typhoo advert with the monkeys moving a piano down the stairs and the young monkey saying to his father “Dad, do you know the piano’s on my foot?” The father replied “No, but you hum it, I’ll play it!” I have heard so many jokes, it’s unreal so I would like to hear some more if you know of it.

My new flat is coming along. I wasn’t able to do anything with it when my leg was in plaster but am starting to get things sorted now. I was sitting there with my friend last night talking about what I want to do with the place and how I’m going to decorate it etc. Apparently I keep changing my mind but I’m enjoying the novelty of having a place to live by myself and being able to do what I want with it.

Recovering from my broken foot, I am already planning which sponsored walks I’m going to be doing in the summer; Moonlit Memories will be one, and possibly the Ribbon Walk. The Footprints group will be walking around the Isle of Wight this year, 70 miles in aid of the Rainbow Centre in Fareham. If you want any more information, you can visit www.thewalkingfootprints.btik.com.

Until next time, have a great week.

Katie x

Well, what can I say? You all failed me! I wanted you all to help me get back to being a Scrooge at Christmas and you didn’t. It is official that I have been into the Christmas spirit since we had our Christmas fayre at work and I haven’t looked back since. The week that commenced after the fayre I was trying to persuade my manager that he let me put on a Christmas CD where I sit at work and he was saying that it was too early – the tables have turned: normally I say that. I won though and have been listening to Christmas music since the 4^th December. I know all the words and have a new favourite which is “A winter’s tale” by Queen. (Not the version my mum thinks it is). I keep telling her to look it up on youtube but she hasn’t yet.

I read a blog recently from a woman who moved to the Portsmouth area 7 years ago. In her blog she was expressing negative opinions about Portsmouth and one of her readers took a dislike to it and told her so in a comment. I’m in two minds as to who I should agree with. At the end of the day, she is a resident of Portsmouth so she is welcome to express and opinion, each to their own and all that but then I also agree with the reader who left a comment. It’s a tough one to call.

I am shocked at Woolworths closing down. They have been there as long as I can remember and it will be strange them not being open anymore. I went into the sale and got a few items for my new place of residence. I’ve moved recently and was quite grateful of the bargains I got. Why were people complaining? Woolworths advertised their sale correctly “up to 50% off”. It didn’t have to be 50% off and nothing less. Stop moaning about something that a different medium got wrong. It’s not Woolworths fault. At the end of the day it’s the shoppers’ fault for not keeping it open in the first place.

I am now a Waterlooville resident and not a Leigh Park resident. I am much happier for it as well. I’ve had no end of bother over the past year from one family and I am glad to be gone from there. The only question I’m wondering is “Can you take the girl out of Leigh Park, but not the Leigh Park out of the girl?” I’ll let you know in 2009.

Have a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. My theory is whatever your doing at midnight on New Years Eve will set the path for the following year. Last year I was working, what does that tell you, the people who know me? Answers on a Christmas card please. All the best for the festive season.

Katie x

Time for a blog!

A few weeks ago, I got the phone call I have been waiting 5 years telling me I am getting my own place. I was bouncing off the walls. Since then it has been so quick it’s unbelievable. It seems like only yesterday I got the phone call but I know its been longer than that. While going through all my possessions, I found things I forgot I had, for example, my spare pair of glasses which I though I lost on the North Downs, my expensive Suede jacket which was a gift to me from a friend, some old photos, my primary school reports (they were interesting to read) and a few other items. Needless to say I was happy about those turning up! The big move is this weekend. People have said that moving house can be one of the most stressful things you do in your life and I am starting to agree with them. I haven’t got an oven, fridge / freezer, washing machine or microwave but I have got a health grill, a toaster, a sandwich maker, a kettle and a cereal dispenser. So I will be living on toasted cornflake sandwiches with all the excess fat drained out of; the joys of your first home of your own!

I was reading Ben Glover’s blog in tonight’s evening news and I agree with what he was saying about Christmas lights not being what they used to. I haven’t been to Albert Road recently so I don’t know what the lights are like but I can believe him. The local ones to where I am now are not switched on and I am recognising them as the same ones I have seen for years. It appears that whoever is in charge of the lights has very little imagination. Change the lights, please. It doesn’t have to be Blackpool Illuminations, just something different.

As Christmas is not far away (not as far away as I’d like) I’ve been asked countless times what I will be doing for Christmas Day and the answer is the same all round; “I don’t know, it is too early, ask me again in a month”. Its annoying a few people but it is quite funny to hear their response! I’ve got two advent calendars already which is strange considering I’m not the biggest Christmas fan. The other day I went shopping in Commercial Road and everywhere I went there was Christmas gifts, songs, decorations, just call me Scrooge! It didn’t stop me singing along though but the annoying thing is, I’m slightly beginning to look forward to it. Someone please give me a lump of coal so I can go back to being a bah Humbug!

Once again I have been told that people were stealing the poppy collection tin. What bugs me is the fact that the people we are remembering on November 11^th, fought for our country and are more than likely late relatives of the cowardly thieves and they still don’t care! I hope they feel ashamed. The X Factor song “Heroes” song by the finalists is a great song and a fitting tribute. While watching the piece of film on Youtube the other day from the show, I was inspired and moved to see the injured soldiers, they are doing their country proud and should be thanked, so make sure everyone dips into their pockets and buy the single. I’ve got my copy and it is probably worn out because its been played so much.

Anyway, time to go. Type to you soon.

Katie x

Time for a blog

Since I last blogged I had my 23rd birthday. The day started off ok. I hadnt been well the night before. Was up with toothache all night but come the morning when I got up it seemed to have subsided. I had a phone call in the morning from my mum and brother on speakerphone singing happy birthday. In my half-asleep state, when they said happy birthday, I said it back which sent them into giggles. By the time I got to work couple of hours later my tooth had started to hurt again. Over the course of the morning it was getting unbearable so managed to get an emergency appointment with the dentist  who charged me a lot of money just to look in my mouth then proceeded to ask if I was having a good birthday. Needless to say, the comment back was not exactly cheerful. I then went back to work dosed up on painkillers, with the rest of the passing through with sympathy looks for my tooth. I was supposed to be going out for a meal with friends, couple of colleagues and my boyfriend in the evening and it was getting to the point where I was thinking of cancelling. My BF and colleagues told me I should go anyway, putting a guilt trip on me saying people would be annoyed for not turning up so in the end about 20 mins before I was due to go I decided I was going after all. People met me at work and we proceeded to go to the pub. We parked up and as I walked in the pub I saw a familiar face and screamed like a little girl then promptly burst into tears! Sitting there in the entrance to the pub was my best friend who lives in Plymouth. She had come all the way down especially for my birthday which was so so sweet. After the happy tears subsided, she explained she had been planning for 3 weeks to come down and that everybody knew. It also turned out that I had passed her hours earlier and because I wasn't paying attention I hadnt seen her so the surprise remained in tact. It was the best birthday present I could have asked for. I still couldnt believe it at the end of the evening but there are photos around to prove it so I know that I was hallucinating from painkillers. The end of the day made up for the most of the day that passed in a haze. Roll on next year!

Anyways, had to tell you about that cos it was definitely a highlight of the recent weeks! Time to go, type to you soon.

Katie x

Time for another blog!

I've had a busy week this week. I've started volunteering with a new organisation so this week was jam-packed with inductions etc. On top of that I had work as well so it felt like I was only at home for bedtimes and I am slightly tired now. Lol. Where are those coffee beans I need to eat!!

I read more complaints about John Westwood being a loud supporter at Pompey matches. So what! He's a supporter, a proud one at that. Everyone should be thanking him for having the genuine passion for the game rather than just critising him. Im in a women's dart team and I won one of my "legs" the other day which was the best out of three. We were playing at home so a lot of the members were there cheering on their friends. When I won that leg a huge cheer erupted. If there was a decibel meter to hand it would have exploded. What I'm trying to say is that it didnt put me off, it gave me the confidence to play well and I came close to winning my second leg. I missed out at the last second. Therefore, John Westwood's enthusiasm isnt a bad thing, its helping the players play better by them knowing they've got people on their side.

I read somewhere the other day that somebody was complaining that they didnt get recognition for shopping a shoplifter. Why do you feel the need to be recognised? Surely it would be better if you weren't recognised, that way you wouldn't get negative feedback and it won't cause any hassle for you. It sounds like your glory-hunting and you shouldn't be. But well done for shopping the person, I'm glad you've got the courage. Let's hope more people can do that.

Christmas is on it's way. The dreaded words notobdy wants to hear. It just means I have to start saving and trying to decide what to do this year. Answers on a postcard, please.

Anyway, time to go. Type to you soon.

Katie x

Time for another blog!

I've had a busy week this week. I've started volunteering with a new organisation so this week was jam-packed with inductions etc. On top of that I had work as well so it felt like I was only at home for bedtimes and I am slightly tired now. Lol. Where are those coffee beans I need to eat!!

I read more complaints about John Westwood being a loud supporter at Pompey matches. So what! He's a supporter, a proud one at that. Everyone should be thanking him for having the genuine passion for the game rather than just critising him. Im in a women's dart team and I won one of my "legs" the other day which was the best out of three. We were playing at home so a lot of the members were there cheering on their friends. When I won that leg a huge cheer erupted. If there was a decibel meter to hand it would have exploded. What I'm trying to say is that it didnt put me off, it gave me the confidence to play well and I came close to winning my second leg. I missed out at the last second. Therefore, John Westwood's enthusiasm isnt a bad thing, its helping the players play better by them knowing they've got people on their side.

I read somewhere the other day that somebody was complaining that they didnt get recognition for shopping a shoplifter. Why do you feel the need to be recognised? Surely it would be better if you weren't recognised, that way you wouldn't get negative feedback and it won't cause any hassle for you. It sounds like your glory-hunting and you shouldn't be. But well done for shopping the person, I'm glad you've got the courage. Let's hope more people can do that.

Christmas is on it's way. The dreaded words notobdy wants to hear. It just means I have to start saving and trying to decide what to do this year. Answers on a postcard, please.

Anyway, time to go. Type to you soon.

Katie x