15

15 years together. It's gone so fast, yet we've packed so much in. I'm so lucky to call you mine, and to spend my days with you. Love you forever xxx

Photograph by my friend, Tori Hancock.

FIVE

Five years married, and I love you more than ever.

Through the thick and the thin, the good and the bad, the happy and heartbreaking.

I love that you let me have a lie-in every Saturday, that you always buy me chocolate when you stop at the shop and that you watch Eastenders with me.

I love how wonderful a Daddy you are to our babies, and I love how much they both completely adore you.

Here's to the next five years, and all the others after that. I'm so lucky to call you mine xxx

13

13 years. Baby, that's a long time. But with all the fun we've been having, it's gone so fast. 

All the laughter and adventures, all the tough times. It all got us to where we are, right now. Happier than ever; more in love, more infatuated. 

Know that I will always be standing with you, holding your hand, squeezing it when you need me to. I am yours, forever. For eternity. 

And I love you. 

*our anniversary is actually tomorrow, but with fun plans and exciting times, who knows if I'd get the chance to blog. And I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell the world, once more, how awesome my boy is, and how much I love him. 

Two of my favourite photos of Ben and Phiney, on holiday in the summer. Love. 

LOVE

Yesterday was our third wedding anniversary. Tonight we'll be heading out on the town, to eat steak and talk future adventures. 

You know how much I adore you, my love. Then, now and forever. 

Photo by Tori.

*

My beautiful anniversary present, hand crafted with love by Ben.

On Tuesday we celebrated our second wedding anniversary with our first date night since Phiney arrived. We put her to bed and headed out, leaving her with Ben's parents. To begin with it was weird, but then it was just lovely. Just us, walking hand in hand to the steakhouse we've been wanting to try out for ages. And man was the steak good. It was such a lovely evening and our baby girl slept the whole way through it all; she didn't even know we were gone.

To my love: the last two years have been the best of my life. And over the last 12 months especially you've astounded me more everyday. You're a beautiful husband and wonderful Papa, and you make your two girls smile a thousand times a day. Thank you for everything you do for me, and us; you'll never know how much I love you and how blessed I am to have you in my life. I am nothing without you, baby. Happy second xxx

Also Happy Birthday Mum (for Tuesday!) Josephine and I spent the afternoon wondering round Lacock in the sunshine with my Mum and it was a lovely day complete with some brilliant vintage finds. We all love you so much and hope you had a wonderful day xxx

ps. Sorry for another blogging gap. My cold developed into a gorgeous bout of sinusitis and I spent a week feeling as though I had been hit in the face with a cricket bat several times. The anti-biotics have kicked in now though, Josephine slept through the night last night and I'm feeling rested and well, at last. Blogging will (hopefully) return to normal now. Thanks again for hanging in there x

*

One year ago yesterday. I didn’t think I could love you more, but then you surprise me and crack me up and teach me, and I do. More everyday. Amazing adventures only just begun and so much more fun to be had.

I love you husband, until the end of time. I love being your wife. And I love the thought of what’s still to come xx

*

This week has been insane in the membrane at work. Truly mental. Over the last few months I’ve gone from working on 2 regional publications to 5 with the addition of helping co-ordinate the artwork and website for Bath in Fashion. Still, the website is now live and most of the artwork is at the printers so things should calm down a bit. And I do get free entry to all the events so I suppose that’s a bonus.

The mister has also been a busy B. He’s working so very hard to get ahead at work and provide for the day we decide to increase our little family by one. This week he had a big ol’ meeting that was a huge success, followed by a glowing appraisal. But being so clever can be stressful.

We’re really working hard to create a future that is bright and sunny, but sometimes it’s hard to step away from work. Leave it at the door and spend the evening chilling out with each other, having fun. This is something we’re working on and manage to succeed at most days. Most days.

But that’s what marriage is all about. We’ve been together for ten and a half years now and married for 10 months, but everyday we learn something new about each other. Learn how to deal with a new issue together. Sometimes it’s good stuff, sometimes it’s a bit more tricky. But it’s all part of the journey. Part of the adventure.

And no matter what we have three awesome things going for us. Helping us along the road.

1. We each instinctively know when something is troubling the other and we talk about it. Straight away. No excuses.

2. Despite being two very stubborn people we can’t resist each other. No long silences there. I can’t not talk to the boy and he has the same quandary. It makes being mad very hard indeed.

3. No matter what, no matter when, laughter is always the best medicine. Laugh at each other, laugh at ourselves, laugh at the whole stupid situation. There’s always room for a chuckle.

This blog is all about the fun we have, but also the challenges we face as we start out on our married life. I think we’re doing rather well so far. We rarely argue. And when we do, we work it out. And then say extra lovely things or get extra squeezy cuddles to make up for it. And that makes it all ok.

*

Blimey, the last week has been a hectic one. We were out every night last week except Monday and then the weekend was packed with knitted exploits (two more Happy Circus sales including an order from the brilliant Mads, how cool is that), some eBaying (selling, not buying, how ever-so good of me) then some Valentine’s Day fun yesterday in the shape of my favourite meal ever. The Valentine-shaped goodness continued today with this seriously cool bag and card (there aren't enough grown-up cards with badges on in my opinion) from B, purchased from my new favourite store, Found.

So. As you can tell, a busy time. This week should be less crazy though. I hope.

ps. To my Valentine. I love you, forever and always.

*

Things to smile about this week:

1. All your awesome comments on the launch of Happy Circus. Thank you so much. They all mean a bundle and have really encouraged me this week.

2. Selling my first item on Etsy to a lovely lady in the UK. A pompom garland is off to its new home and I really hope that she’s happy with her little purchase. B decided a week ago that they would be my best seller. Clever boy.

3. Meeting up with my awesome pals Anna, on Friday, and Lizzie, on Saturday. You know it’s a true friendship when you can meet up after months and chat like you only saw each other yesterday.

4. Wrapping up warm for a family walk along the canal, with the kiddos feeding the ducks and us eating Cadbury’s Crème Eggs.

5. Random conversations with B that turn into mega discussions with insanely cool outcomes. Husband dearest, you totally rock.

*

Today is a special day for two reasons.

Firstly, this is my 100^th post. I can’t believe I’m at this milestone already with this little blog. I’ve loved every minute of blogging so far and the opportunity it’s given to meet some awesome people from all over the world. Thank you to everyone who follows our adventures and leaves comments too. It’s thrilling to see a new message and I always appreciate your kind and funny words so much.

Secondly, today is mine and B’s sixth month wedding anniversary. I can’t believe how quickly the time has past and how completely awesome these months have been. Being married to that boy is the most amazing thing and I love being his wife more every day. I love you so much beautiful husband of mine xx

This is one of my favourite wedding finds. Our original 1950s American cake topper that I tracked down on eBay. It was a total steal and is just the prettiest thing. It sat on our simple wedding cake and now stands very proudly indeed on our bookshelf.

*

Yesterday it was our ten year anniversary.

Breakfast in bed, some lovely presents, a lazy walk around town and some new DVDs. We got home, put the PJs on and grabbed a blanket ready for some serious movie watching. And in case you haven’t seen it, Pineapple Express is genius.

As a treat we got some amazing steak for dinner too. We walked up to the meat counter in Waitrose just as they were reducing the super expensive stuff and got a complete bargain. We had a whole steak each (normally we share one) that B marinade in plenty of red wine, with some of his amazing rosemary and garlic roasties, peas and runner beans. We even used our fancy schmancy plates. This taste sensation was followed by chocolate fudge cake and some Green & Blacks ice cream for pudding. Dude, it was good. Real good.

We had such an awesome day. Just me and my best friend eating good food and laughing lots.

Happy anniversary my love. I adore you.

ps. the top two pictures are some damn cool presents. I designed the picture heart for B and he got me a super duper knitting needle roll, a lovely vase, some vintage fabric he found and some awesome wool. We love a good present selection in our house!

*

Today is a special day. Today is the birthday of my best friend, my soul mate; the person who makes me cracks me up a hundred times a day and makes me yummy food even when he can’t really be bothered or is very sleepy after a hard day at work. The boy who gets lovelier every day and even when I’m grumpy and not much fun to be around, is patient and charming and has me laughing in no time.

I love you more than you could ever possibly know B. You are my world; my heart and my soul.

Happy Birthday baby. I hope you have a stupendously awesome day xx

Picture taken last year on a rainy walk along the Cornwall cost. Our most favourite holiday location.

A few weeks ago I briefly mentioned B’s sciatica and what a bitch it is. He hurt his back a couple of years ago playing football and it’s basically been screwed ever since. It’s a horrible thing. He past his driving test about two weeks before he hurt himself and has driven once since because his legs go numb and it’s just plain unsafe. Car journeys properly suck for him and he feels bad that I’m the one driving long distances. That he can’t help me out. That really doesn’t bother me, but seeing him in so much pain really does.

Maybe it’s the killer 6 hour car journey three weeks ago that has re-aggravated it or maybe it’s the colder weather affecting his bones, but the last few days have been pretty hellish for him. Days are spent walking around his office trying to stretch out his lower back, evenings doing crazy yoga style moves on one of those massive gym balls and nights twisting and turning to get comfortable. He’s a pretty tired husband right now. And I feel so bad for him.

He had a course of electroacupuncture which was awesome and really helped the pain for a long time. Plus it didn’t involve lots of medication which is something we were both pleased about. We’re not big pill-poppers in our house. Now the pain’s back we’re waiting for B’s free private healthcare to kick in mid-December so he can get another course. B thinks a new mattress might be needed too. And we’re going to talk to a chiropractor too who might be able to help realigning his spine. The doctor’s even talked about some pretty scary surgery as an option. We both agree...no way Hosè.

Hopefully B will get a better night’s sleep tonight. But if anyone can recommend a natural remedy that might be helpful, that would be a wonderfully lovely. I just want him to feel better.

ps. what picture do you include when you write a post of back pain? B suggested his back, but then messed around while finishing cooking dinner hence this beautiful picture. Dinner was one of our favourites though. Garlic chilli pasta & bread courtesy of Bill Granger. I'll post the recipe soon.

When we got married in May, B and I got each other some pretty cool wedding presents. My most favourite thing from B was this little heart. B got an i-touch. Man, was he ever desperate for one.

I also gave him a notebook. Somewhere we could write our hopes and dreams down, somewhere to plan our next adventures. On our honeymoon we spent a rainy day writing things in this notebook. Stuff we wanted to do over the next year. One of which I hope to be blogging about soon.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking specifically about where I want to be heading career wise. I know that in a couple of years this will be on hold so I want to make the most of the next twelve months. Get myself into a position where I’m doing something I truly love. I enjoy my job, but I find myself less interested than I thought I would be when I was studying to become a journalist. What I dream of is being my own boss. Spending every day crafting the things I love to craft. I am determined to make this dream a reality, just like this cool chick. And B thinks I should do it. Live the dream. I’m not quitting my day job or anything like that. But maybe when the time comes, going back to work won’t be necessary.

I work well to deadlines so this weekend I’m setting myself a task. Devise a little business plan. Figure out what I want to be creating, the vibe I want to follow and how realistically I can make this all happen. I’m with that most awesome of bloggers, my mate Jaclyn. Just Do It.

Today at work I overheard a conversation that kinda got me grumpy. It was between two middle-age ladies about how rubbish all men were. Not some men or their men, but all men. They moaned about how men never do anything, can’t be relied on or trusted and are just waiting to screw you over. I wanted to stand up and say “hey there! My man happens to be pretty awesome thank you very much.” And I’m sure you all think the same about yours.

Is this an age thing, a generation thing? Or have these two ladies been hurt and maybe find it hard to forgive men in general?

I’ve spent ages looking through the Pacing the Panic Room archives looking for a post Ryan did on this very subject a while back. I remember reading it and really feeling bad for the good guys who are working hard and loving lots and just get lumped in with the idiots. It’s cool reading a guy’s blog and I love Ryan’s space; it’s something a bit different and is intriguing to see the world through his eyes. Plus the dude knows how to write with passion.

“There is so much talk about this new modern man lately, and how great it is that they love their kids, and don't treat their wives like assholes, and the whole thing is annoying to me. Fathers love their children. They love their wives. It isn't a revolution…There have always been brilliant women, there have always been caring husbands and fathers. (My kids) will grow up and have both a brilliant strong woman in their life, and a dad that cherishes his family and fights time to be with them as much as possible. So the cycle will go on, just like it always has.”

So here’s a shout out to all the boys out there who rock. Who love their ladies and aren’t afraid to show it. Who take joy in making a house a home and cook and clean as much as the girls. Who are crazy fun to be with and who provide a nice buff shoulder to lean on, without even a hint that it’s needed. Who are just downright awesome.

ps. The Good Guys. A picture of my rockin' boy and some of his rockin' mates on the stag night!

pps. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments about our wedding album. We adore it and I think that since last night we’ve looked at it about 11 times! And Dawn, you should definitely design your album soon…Christmas present idea for hubby dearest maybe?! xx

I've been thinking about the design for the quilt I plan to make to mark mine and B's marriage. I keep seeing beautiful faded fabrics, or quilts with hot pink and turquoise running through them, but I want something that my guy will love as much as me and I'm thinking these are a bit too girly. Then I saw this beautiful quilt, used in an engagement session featured on Ruffled. While I have a slightly different design in mind I love these colours and I know B will too, so I'm now on the hunt for vintage fabrics and prints ...

ps doesn't this look like such a fun picnic to be on right now?