Bumper stickers ahoy!

Cats and dogs

As time goes on things are slowly improving. Jack knows that he has to submit to Vodka and Coke and so is always trying to show that he respects them. Vodka is now coming into the house and pretty much behaving as she did before Jack came, she knows how to get Jack to back off. Coke has now taken Vodka's place at the top of the stairs and is still a scaredy cat but he does at least come in now to eat. Still a fair way to go but things are going better than I had hoped which can only be good.

Pay rise - woohoo!

Had my appraisal today, and despite being with City Financials for only four months I have just been given a pay rise!!!!!

Good luck Sam

Good luck Sam on your first day at William de Ferrers School. Please try not to worry too much, you will be fine and you will soon make friends.

All our love

Dad, Sharon, Toby, Zoe & Sophie

We love you Vodka and Coke!

Vodka and Coke, we love you both very much. I know that things have been hard for you but Jack only wants to be your friend and he won't hurt you. It's good to see that you are both being brave and slowly venturing around the house.

Vodka


Coke

Together As One

Now....is the time....
that we stand...together as one
A new life..inside us will shine....as bright...as the sun
Let's bring...bring in the new...
and do...away with the old
A new love....a new love that's true.....
A love that's never cold...a love that never dies
A love that fills our souls..we will survive
Together as one...we'll stand for the world to see
Together as one...we'll shine throughout eternity
All the dreams..we dreamed of..are now reality
And now the dreams (now the dreams) of a perfect love..will always be...
Together as one...we'll stand for the world to see
Together as one...we'll shine throughout eternity
All the dreams..we dreamed of...are now reality
You and I...in a perfect love...faithfully
All the dreams...we dreamed of... are now reality...
You and I...in a perfect love...faithfully

- Together As One (Stryper)

Good luck Zoe

Good luck Zoe on your first day at work.
I know you are nervous but everything will be fine.

Mum, Keith, Toby, Sam and Sophie

Jack is staying!

Well Sam went to Bingham to get the last of his belongings and Sharon said that he could bring Jack back with him, so we now have five of us living in the same house along with two cats and a dog. It's all a bit mad really. The cats are slowly getting used to Jack but it's going to take a while before everything can be seen as running normally.

A free weekend at last!

This weekend is the first one in a while that Sharon and I have had to ourselves. Toby and Zoe are off with their dad and Sam is going to see his grandad. It is going to be so nice just having the house to ourselves and being able to chill out and relax and do whatever we want to do.


It's great having all the kids around but after all the chaos of the last few weeks it's going to be a very welcome break for us both.

Introducing two new bands...........

In my constant quest to find something new in the music industry I am delighted to introduce to you two new bands, starting with:

REVLON RED


Blending traditional 70s and 80s influenced glam and metal with punk, new wave and death rock styles and incorporating modern elements of grunge and nu-metal, the band created a vital new sound.

You can check them out at their website: www.revlonred.com.com
and also on MySpace: www.myspace.com/revlonred


THE GLAMAZONS


These girls have been described as the plus-size Pussycat Dolls!

You can check them out at their website: www.glamazongirls.com
and also on MySpace: www.myspace.com/theglamazons

BBW Barbie from the Body Shop

Thumbs to the Body Shop for running this poster campaign!




Now these are the sorts of adverts that we should be seeing!

The sh(Br)it Awards

What a joke this was! There were some really bizarre results here

• British Male Solo Artist James Morrison
• British Female Solo Artist Amy Winehouse
• British Group Arctic Monkeys
• MasterCard British Album Arctic Monkeys
  “Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not”
• British Single Take That “Patience”
• British Breakthrough Act Fratellis
• British Live Act Muse
• International Male Solo Artist Justin Timberlake
• International Female Solo Artist Nelly Furtado
• International Group The Killers
• International Album Killers “Sam’s Town”
• International Breakthrough Act Orson
• Outstanding Contribution to Music Oasis

James Morrison deserved British Male Solo Artist.
Amy Winehouse deserved British Female Solo Artist.
Arctic Monkeys were the best of a bad lot for British Group.
Amy Winehouse or Lily Allen should have won Mastercard British Album.
Will Young should have got British Single but Take That were my number two choice anyway.
Fratellis rightly deserved British Breakthrough Act although I was surprised they won it.
Muse beat George Michael for Best Live Act? No chance, they are good but not that good.
Jutin Timberbrain wins International Male Solo Artist? Bad choice of an awful list of nominees.
Nelly Furtado beat Christina Aguilera and Pink? PAH!
The Killers beat Scissor Sisters and Red Hot Chilli Peppers for International Group? Oh dear oh dear.
Scissor Sisters should have won International Album!
International Breakthrough Act should have been Ray Lamontagne, the man is a singing and songwriting god!

Nice meal, thank you

It was so lovely to get in from work last night to find that Sam had cooked dinner for everyone. he kept asking us what we wanted for our Valentine's meal but we thought he wasn't really serious about doing it. Chicken chasseur with rice and a lovely bottle of Rioja was just the ticket and a lovely way to chill out and wind down before bed. Thank you Sam!

Happy Valentine's Day

To my darling Sharon,

Happy Valentine's Day

Love you forever and ALLways
xxxxxx



My Beautiful Gorgeous Angel

My beautiful gorgeous angel
My love grows more and more
With every passing day
It’s you that I adore

You fill my heart with joy and love
You make my life complete
There’s nothing I could wish for
My needs you always meet

My heart is sad when you are
I hate to see you cry
I live to make you happy
And see that lovely smile

You give me love that knows no bounds
You make me feel brand new
And every passing second
Is wonderful with you

You beauty makes my heart beat fast
And warms me to the core
My beautiful gorgeous angel
I love you more and more



Ode To My Muse

I told you once you were my muse
My guiding inspiration
Although my words may be fewer you still invigorate my soul
You continue to inspire me
And make me want to sing
And devote words and songs to you
When I gaze upon your beauty
Or touch your tender skin
Or feel the softness of your breath
Or the delicateness of your kisses
When I think about your face
Or hear your soft tones
Or feel your breath against my neck
The words rush into my head
The music starts to flow
Your love flows through me
Guides me
Inspires me
You are my muse!

Jack needs a good home (temporarily)

Jack, Sam's West Highland Terrier is looking for a temporary home until we can move and have him live with us. Hopefully we can find somewhere near to where we are at the moment so that Sam can go and visit him and take him for walks.

De-junk and feel good!

Well that was a busy weekend. We had a massive de-junk in the living room to make some space for Sam and we made 5 trips to the dump as part of the clearout. Some furniture has gone and there is more going on Tuesday so the living room is now not looking quite so cramped.

ANGRY MONKEY!

I can't believe that some people can be so malicious and spiteful. I am not one to promote hate but there is one person right now who has really pushed the boat out in the ridiculous stakes and I am SO ANGRY. If I was to hear that something bad had happened to them I really wouldn't be fussed at all (and that is so unlike me).

Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)

Walks in to the room
Feels like a big balloon
I said hey girl you are beautiful
Diet coke and a pizza please
Diet coke i'm on my knees
Screaming, big girl you are beautiful

You take your skinny girl
I feel like im gonna die
Coz a real woman needs a (real man has why)
You take your girl and multiply about four
Now a whole lot of woman needs a whole lot more

Get yourself to the butterfly lounge
Find yourself a big lady
Big boy come on around
And there be gonna do baby
No need to fantasize
Seen some worse in my (faces)
A water in the whole
With girls all around
Curves in the right places

Big girl you are beautiful
Big girl you are beautiful
Big girl you are beautiful
Big girl you are beautiful

Walks in to the room
Feels like a big balloon
I said hey girl you are beautiful
Diet coke and a pizza please
Diet coke i'm on my knees
Screaming, big girl you are beautiful

You take your girl and multiply about four
Now a whole lot of woman needs a whole lot more

Get yourself to the butterfly lounge
Find yourself a big lady
Big boy come on around
And there be gonna do baby
No need to fantasize
Seen some worse in my (faces)
A water in the whole
With girls all around
Curves in the right places

Big girl you are beautiful
Big girl you are beautiful
Big girl you are beautiful
Big girl you are beautiful

- Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) (Mika)

I will never let you go!

My darling Sharon, just wanted to say that I will never let you go xxxx

School's out!

Due to the snow it has been announced that William De Ferrers school is closed today!
As a result of this news Toby and Sam have gone to Radar Hill to play in the snow!

Der Schnee ist gefallen......

Der Schnee ist gefallen und er ist schön.
Yes, snow has fallen big style in the UK (and especially Essex and the landscape looks beautiful).
Once again the country has been thrown into chaos (surprise, surprise) despite knowing that this was coming but hey, it looks nice! LOL

School's in!!!!

Today Sam and I went to William De Ferrers school and got him enrolled so much to his delight (probably) he will be starting there a week on Tuesday. Just got to get him all that new uniform sorted out now!

Happy Birthday Toby

Happy Birthday Toby

Hope you have a great day.

All our love
Sharon, Keith, Zoe, Sophie & Sam

Thank You For Loving Me

I can't help it but this song seems so apt at the moment. Sharon you help me get through the day when things seem so hard............


It's hard for me to say the things
I want to say sometimes
There's no one here but you and me
And that broken old street light
Lock the doors
We'll leave the world outside
All I've got to give to you
Are these five words when I

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn't see
For parting my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me

I never knew I had a dream
Until that dream was you
When I look into your eyes
The sky's a different blue
Cross my heart I wear no disguise
If I tried, you'd make believe
That you believed my lies

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn't see
For parting my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me

You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your own life to rescue me

Lock the doors
We'll leave the world outside
All I've got to give to you
Are these five words when I

Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn't see
You parted my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me

When I couldn't fly
Oh, you gave me wings
You parted my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me

- Thank You For Loving Me (Bon Jovi)

Sam is on his way!

Due to some "interesting" happenings back in Nottingham I am delighted to say that Sam has asked to come and stay with Sharon and I so that he can get away from things.

Happy Birthday Alison

Happy Birthday Alison,

Hope you have a great day.

All our love,
Sharon, Keith, Toby & Zoe

Barry's Birthday Curry

Tonight the family Ashmore, Braddock, Arnett and Butland all congregated at the Nawab in South Woodham to celebrate Barry's 65th birthday ruby murray style!

Gloria and Barry

Toby, Zach and Tracy

Zoe and Sharon

Sharon and Keith

Here comes the weekend!

Well another weekend is fast approaching and once again it's nearly time to chill out and relax. It's been a whirlwind week and I am glad it's coming to an end. Getting up late(ish), lots of TLC and hugs for Sharon and not doing very much will be my plan.

Sticky Sweet

Just found an old photo of me in glam band Sticky Sweet, enjoy!


L-R: Warren, Mike Stevenz, Kaj, Paul Lewis, KT Glitz

Happy Birthday Barry/Dad/Grandad

Happy Birthday Barry/Dad/Grandad.

Hope you had a great day and glad you like the present.

All our love
Keith, Sharon, Zoe, Toby, Sophie and Sam

DO'H!

Nuff said methinks, sometimes I can be a real berk!

Hang in there darling....

Hang in there darling, I hate seeing you so down and feel so helpless and useless when you let things get on top of you. I know that sometimes it all seems so frustrating and that the walls are closing in but we will come out the other side and then we'll look back on things and laugh to ourselves.
Here's a BIG HUG for you xxxxx

Jamie Oliver Restaurant Launch Party

What a fantastic evening!
The food was absolutely delicious. Well done to Jamie Oliver for having the dedication to get another of his Fifteen Foundation ventures off the ground. Good luck to Aaron and Nicci with running things, I am sure you'll make a great success of it and be a credit to Jamie. The new series "Jamie's Chef" starts on Channel 4 on 31st January and there's a chance that you might catch a glimpse of Sharon and I as there was a TV camera there all night.


Jamie Oliver mingling with the crowd


Aaron making his speech for the TV crew


Jamie's return speech


Nicci getting emotional during her speech

Jamie's dad says a few words

The excitement is building....

...tonight Sharon and I are going to the launch party of Jamie Oliver's new restaurant in Essex. It is part of his Fifteen Foundation project and also forms the basis for his new TV series "Jamie's Chef" which starts on Channel 4 on 31st January. I'll post pictures of the event (and hopefully some of the Naked Chef himself).

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the empty skies, my love,
To the dark and the empty skies.

The first time ever I kissed your mouth
And felt your heart beat close to mine
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love
That was there at my command.

And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time my love
It would last till the end of time my love

The first time ever I saw your face, your face, your face, your face

- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ewan McColl)

What a wonderful weekend

Sharon and I have just had the most wonderful anniversary weekend. I met Sharon after work on Friday and we went and had a lovely meal at Pizza Express and then went home and chilled out. Saturday was spent with some retail therapy and then we made the most divine seafood chowder for our evening meal which was just delicious. Sunday was time for a lie in and then we had lunch at The Ferryboat Inn, as it was a place where we ate the first weekend that we spent together, and then we had a mooch around the antique shops in Battlesbridge before returning home and snuggling on the sofa. It was much needed time to chill out and just enjoy each other and was absolutely fantastic.

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks one year of Sharon and I being together.
It's been a fantastic time, with some real highs, and some awful lows as well, but together we have forged through it all getting stronger and stronger all the time.
It is amazing that every day my love for Sharon keeps on growing.
You make my life complete and I can't even contemplate the thought of ever being without you. You are truly the most wonderful woman that I have ever met in my life and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my days with you.

Love you forever and ALLways xxx

It's Friday, I'm In Love!

Well here it is, Friday, the end of the week and the start of our anniversary weekend. I feel so unbelievably happy and full of joy and love today. I can't wait to spend time alone with Sharon just looking back on how amazing the last year has been..........

I don't care if Monday's blue
Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too
Thursday i don't care about you
It's Friday i'm in love

Monday you can fall apart
Tuesday Wednesday break my heart
Thursday doesn't even start
It's Friday i'm in love

Saturday wait
And Sunday always comes too late
But Friday never hesitate...

I don't care if Monday's black
Tuesday Wednesday heart attack
Thursday never looking back
It's Friday i'm in love

Monday you can hold your head
Tuesday Wednesday stay in bed
Or Thursday watch the walls instead
It's Friday i'm in love

Saturday wait
And Sunday always comes too late
But Friday never hesitate...

Dressed up to the eyes
It's a wonderful surprise
To see your shoes and your spirits rise
Throwing out your frown
And just smiling at the sound
And as sleek as a shriek
Spinning round and round
Always take a big bite
It's such a gorgeous sight
To see you eat in the middle of the night
You can never get enough
Enough of this stuff
It's Friday I'm in love
- Friday I'm In Love (The Cure)

Thar she blows....

Well it only takes a small bit of wind and the whole damn country falls apart! Trains were cancelled and massively delayed, the roads were a nightmare.....
OK so I am being a little harsh as the weather was severe but it does amaze me that the UK seems so ill prepared for any change in the climate. It took me over 1.5 hours to get home on a 30 minute journey and poor old Sharon and Claire took 3.25 hours to a 30 minute journey. It was no fun at all and SO tiring.

You are so beautiful...

Just thought I would take a quick time out to say this,

Sharon, you are so beautiful. There is nothing about you that I would change.

You are stunning, gorgeous and sexy and your new hairstyle looks fantastic!

Amazed

Well as our one year anniversary rapidly approaches I rediscovered the wonder Amazed by Lonestar and just couldn't help but shed a tear and think how happy Sharon makes me. This song is so lovely and really reflects how I feel.

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me
Baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time, every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes

Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

Shall I Compare Thee

Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And Summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd:
But thy eternal Summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

--- Shall I Compare Thee, (Sonnet XVIII) by William Shakespeare

Happy Birthday Tracy

Happy Birthday Tracy.

Hope you had a great day and glad you liked the present.
All our love
Keith, Sharon, Zoe, Toby, Sophie and Sam

Tracy & Barry's Birthday Bash

Saturday night was a wonderful party and it was great to meet all of Sharon's family. It was lovely to see Sam, Sophie, Zoe and Toby really enjoying themselves and getting along well. Little things like this really make life so good. Here are a few pics:


Zoe, Sharon, Sophie (front), Keith, Sam & Toby


Zoe, Sharon, Sophie, Keith & Tracy


Keith & Sophie


Keith & Sam

Keith & Sharon

Will the real Mick Jagger please stand up!

Party Weekend

Well this weekend we have Sophie and Sam coming to stay with us.
On Saturday we are going to a big birthday party celebrating Tracy's 40th and Barry's 65th and I get to meet ALL the family (gulp). It should be a great do and will be nice to have all of us there together.
Photos will be posted at some point after the weekend.

What's your Pirate name?

Well 'ere it be, me 'arties.........what is ye pirate name?
http://www.piratequiz.com/

Do it now and let me know, "savvy"!

Health: Question & Answer Session

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO . Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me. Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: Woo Hoo, what a ride!

Celebrity Big Boring

Well Celebrity Big Brother is turning out to be even worse than I had feared. Not only was there the totally staged exit of Donny Tourette (with the conveniently placed bit of wood that served no purpose on the fence) but then we have had to suffer the Jade Goody freak show and her odd family. It's no wonder that Ken Russell decided to leave!

Unless things make a dramatic turn around I can see this as being the last ever Celebrity BB as it has been boring to watch (but I will keep watching just in case it improves - *sigh*).

Ready to move on....

Well finally Sharon and I are approaching the time when we can start looking to move house. We spent the weekend discussing things that need to be done in preparation and also started looking at what was available on the market. There's still quite a way to go but at least now there is a definate work in progress and we really can't wait to get a place together.

I have no doubt that there will be some stress along the way (as there always is with buying and selling houses) but it feels really good knowing that this is the next stage of forging our future together.

The new face of CHANEL!!!!!

Ladies and gentleman, I am delighted to be able to introduce to you the new face of CHANEL for 2007, Miss GlitzTech!

"Celebrity" Big Brother

Well it's that time of year again and Celebrity Big Brother is up and running.
Sharon and I are already enjoying watching it but I do have one real beef with it, where are the celebrities? It's hardly a star studded line up now is it?
Not that it would ever happen but I would dearly love to see some true celebrities in there, proper successful and famous people, not OK/Hello/Zoo/Nuts third rate z-list folk.
Dirk Benedict and Cleo Rocos for the final showdown methinks.

Looking back over old texts

Well I just found an old phone that has all the text messages on it that Sharon has sent me, and I to her, since we first met nearly a year ago.
It was lovely reading through them all again and even better knowing that my feelings for her haven't changed at all, I just love her more and more every day.
The things that we were saying when we first met are still being said.
My heart used to flutter when I read her words and it still does today, not just reading all the lovely things that she said but also knowing that she still feels the same way, and says the same things to me.

You to me.................

My darling Sharon.............

Can I just say that you to me, are wonderful
You bring a smile to my lips and put a spring in my step
Your love is like a breath of fresh air
Your eyes are bright like the full moon on a clear night
Your breath when you sleep is like a gentle whisper
Your body is the temple where I will always worship
You are a goddess to me
I am devoted to you, forever and ALLways