Last Super with the Girls

It's been a week of seeing people. Tuesday night was a Mother and Daughters night out with Mam and family friends Chris and Clare, which was a really enjoyable night. Then last night I met up with the girls (Linds, Cara, Gwen, Ruth, Lou, Zoe D, Nic, Kathy, Linzi & Hannah) in Gosforth for another one of "Jaimie's leaving do" meals. We met in the Job Bullman pub first and had a soft drink or two (I was driving). I was pleased that James R also popped in for a soft bevvie and a natter before he headed off into the distance on his bike. (Gather your bike was still outside the pub when you left).

Then us girlies headed on to Adriano's on Gosforth High Street for a totally lovely meal. The place was totally packed with not a spare table on a Wednesday night. I would defo recommend the place. The service was just right too, not too fast or slow. After dinner we headed back to the Job Bullman for one more.

I did get a bit emotional and just said 'right time to go'. Lots of hugs all round and then hugs again, and then...... just one more hug. In my quickness to leave as I was finding it hard, it totally didn't register that I hadn't said bye to Nic. But she promtly called me and I ran (ok walked v fast) back to the pub for more good bye hugs.

I had a lovely night - thank you girls and I had a giggle when I read what you'd writen in my guidebook. I promise to do everything you wrote, plus thank you Nic and Kathy for your random bits through out the book - 'Rule Britannia' and yes I'll make sure I take more photos!!!

Love JJ (which shall be my new name in NZ - well sounded good last night anyway)
x x x :o)

PS - Thanks Cara for the lovely flowers.

Kim & Aggie - I'll tell you how clean my house is !!

I've been very busy the past 2 days. I've been sorting out the house and cleaning it. My normal approach is to try to do a bit in each room, make more mess than when I started and give up half way through. But the fundamental floor to the normal mode of work is that I HAVE to get the house sorted. I had a fairly radical thought (ping as the light bulb illuminates) for me - I decided to do one room at a time! I've now completely packed up the whole of upstairs (2 bedrooms and the bathroom) and have hoovered everything to ground level. Upstairs has been cleaned to within an inch of its life, you could even eat your dinner off the bathroom floor. (But that would just make more mess for me to clean up).
Am half way through packing up the kitchen but I got bored/tired/distracted and have left the remainder for tomorrow. But on the positive, I cleaned the oven and cooker to today.
I've now got really dry hands, smell of bleach and think I am slightly high from the various cleaning product I have been using, so I think for my own safety I better go and have a nap (any excuse for a snooze) :o)

PS - I am now available to help with any forthcoming house moves, decent rate charged.

Unemployed - AGAIN !!!!

Ooopps I've done it again. Have finished work now after 6 months in a recruitment agency working in the Payroll Department. We all got given awards at the Christmas party and mine was for "Payroll Rottweiler", which I am still unsure as to whether this was a compliment or not !!!

Loads to get sorted in the next week, before I am off on Sun 3rd Feb. Need to completely pack the house up as have tenants moving in the day before I go. Oh, yes and I also need to pack my rucksack. Hhhhmmmm how many pairs of shoes will I need !! :o)

The Last Time I'll See My Boys For A While - Newcastle Falcons

So I have become a HUGE rugby fan since watching the World Cup but was a fan before then as vivally remember the 2003 World Cup Final. I've been to the past 4 Newcastle Falcon's home matches and have loved every minute of them. I seem to find myself checking their website daily !!!! Here is a group photo of them before they played Worcester (we won, but did we deserve it ??)

I got a new camera for Christmas and have been trying it out, especially the zoom !!! This is Mathew Tait - one of the 4 Newcastle Falcons who has been called up to play for England in the 6 nations.

Results :

Connacht Rugby (watched with Stella) Won 39-0

Glouster Rugby (watched with Si) Lost 13-20

Worchester Warriors (watched with folks) Won 15-12

El Salvador (watched with Linds K) Won 97-0 !!!

Bon Voyage / Early 30th Birthday Party

I've never really had a party before and decided that I should really have one. So decided on a Bon Voyage and then for extra measure on early 30th for me too. I actually turn 30 on Feb 12th. After a discussioin with Lou and batting ideas about, I decided that a fancy dress party would be an awesome idea. It would make the whole night that bit more memorable. After a bit of thought, the theme of "Come As A Country" was born. Seemed like a good idea with me moving to another country !!! Had to explain that it was come AS a country, not come as THE country.

I had a totally ace time and everyone made such an effort, even my Dad surprised me in full Scottish attire and my Mam in her Sari. They both looked brilliant. I was really surprised and touched that most people came in fancy dress. We had Thailand, Japan, Scotland, USA, Turkey, Iceland, Oz, NZ (me), Hawaii, Miss UK, Egypt and a few I've omitted.

I danced like a loon, did the conga around the club, with nearly everyone joining in. I really enjoyed myself and was as high as a kite for most of the night and only had a wee bit to drink, and totally missed out on the buffet!!

The highlight of the night was a dance from Daveee to Tom Jones's classic "You Can Leave Your Hat On". See photo below

All in all - I had a blast :o)

Fatface - am talking about me & not the clothing company :o(

Have got infection in one side of my face and it's all lovely and swollen in my mouth and down my neck. Am feeling very sorry for myself. Dr's giving me anti biotics - so I must be poorly :o((