I’m on a train ‘up north’ to spend the weekend with my family. It is my sister’s 30th birthday, so we’re all getting together tomorrow night to eat, drink and celebrate. I love travelling at this time in a morning – it’s quiet, calm and I’m able to relax in the carriage and listen to The Smiths without being disturbed.
After a crappy few weeks I decided to take this week off and spend some time having fun and catching up with old friends. I must admit, I feel a little bit rough today. It’s a good thing that it’s Easter – I currently resemble an Easter egg as I’ve done nothing but eat and drink over the last week.
It’s been wonderful. Last Saturday was my friend’s birthday. After living in sweat pants and hooded sweaters for what seems like months, I decided that I was going to really make an effort, and spent hours getting ready. My hair was perfect, I chose an outfit that was flattering, my make up was perfect and I even managed to apply false eyelashes successfully in one attempt without glueing my eyes together. Winner. We went to a live venue where the band (who were brilliant) performed covers of my favourite songs and I danced, drank and sang at the top of my lungs until about 1.30am. The next day I discovered that some drunken fool had spilled red wine down the back of my favourite top, but I didn’t care – it was an awesome night. My hangover the next day was awful, but it was totally worth it – I needed something to get rid of the cloud that has surrounded me for such a long time.
An old typewriter with an invitation for the guests to ‘finish our fairytale.’ Beautiful idea.
On Wednesday The Bloke and I attended our friend’s wedding reception. It was held in a beautiful medieval building (the fact that these exist in this country is one of the many reasons why I love being British), it had an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme and in different rooms there were lots of fun and interesting things to participate in, including ‘flamingo croquet.’ I must admit, I was a little nervous about it – she works at the same school as The Bloke and is a former colleague of mine, so I was worried about the prospect of having to potentially see a few characters that I don’t particularly enjoy being around and haven’t had any contact with since I left the school three years ago.
My friend and I took advantage of the photo booth… Gorgeous!
However, when I arrived I discovered that all the people there were my friends, and I had a blast catching up, eating pizza (instead of a buffet, the Bride and Groom ordered a ton of small pizzas – I thought it was a brilliant idea), singing and joining in the different activities that were going on. The Bride (and Groom, of course, but especially the Bride) looked absolutely stunning, and above all, ridiculously happy.
Alice in Wonderland signs that were in the reception room. Unfortunately, the angle of the picture suggests that Alice is feeling a little suicidal…
There were brilliant live performances from their friends, and they had choreographed their wedding dance, which they executed perfectly. It really was a lovely evening, and I’m so pleased for them both. They’re off on their honeymoon to Paris for the next week, and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful place to spend their first week as newlyweds.
Yesterday was a double food whammy. I met my friend for lunch at our local pub – she’s moving house this weekend after quite a difficult six months and after spending most Monday evenings consoling and supporting each other, we’ve both found ourselves back on track with a new start ahead of us. I’m proud of her – she’s faced a challenging time and has found the strength to get back up and kick ass – she’s a very strong person.
Yum!
After eating my bodyweight in burger, I had a few hours to relax and then The Bloke and I met our friend in our favourite tapas restaurant, Bar Estillo in The Mailbox in Birmingham. I was still feeling quite full after my lunch, but I jumped in and managed to munch my way through filo prawns, halloumi fritters and patatas bravas, as well as indulging in a raspberry mojito (they aren’t cheap, but they’re the best in the city). My friend is really intelligent and interesting, and even though I’ve known her for years I find out new things about her every time we go out. Last night she was telling us about her travels – working in an olive grove in Italy and a sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica, living in Mexico City for a few months, teaching in Paris, visiting Cuba… I keep telling her she needs to write a book, about her adventures. I’m sure it would be a bestseller…
I’ve talked, I’ve laughed and I’ve felt nothing but happiness all week. It’s been amazing and I’m looking forward to the weekend, but I’m glad that I have a day to sleep it off… After a long period of stress, anxiety and feeling quite low I have started to feel like my old self again. Long may it continue!
What about you guys? Have you done anything exciting over the last week?
You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog and don’t forget to check out my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/suzie81speaks
Suzie Speaks 
Well, I finished school for the term and spent yesterday making a revision timetable! Your week sounds rather more interesting!
Oh how depressing for you! I have to go in next Wed and Fri, but other than that I am leaving my work well alone! Hope you have chance for a break soon!
Have a great weekend! That Alice in Wonderland reception sounds great. Not too many castles in the States like that.
It was amazing – it wasn’t a castle, just a medieval building, but it had all the original beams which was beautiful!
Hi there Suzie! Wow, I’m tired out just reading about all that partying. I’m glad you kicked into having a bit of fun – have a great time with your family!
As for the ‘anything exciting’ here, no, unfortunately not, unless you count the cortisone tablets to treat my sinusitis 🙂 I’m dying to get back to blogging – work has gone into top speed over the last few months, which is great for me but has drastically cut down my writing time. I’m sneaking a peak at a few blogs now, though 🙂
Hi my lovely! So sorry to hear you’ve been ill – I had sinusitis when I was at university and it was so painful! Hope you feel better soon!
Getting ready for a run, feeling loads better thanks 🙂
How super and positive – just what the doctor ordered. 🙂
Absolutely – I totally agree! Doctors should prescribe this as part of their regular treatments – go out and party with your friends… Thanks David!
That sounds like an awesome week with a lot of great times and food – I was hungry and alternately tired just reading this – now that’s a great post!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Suzie. 🙂
Thanks very much my lovely – hope you had a nice weekend! Thanks for all your #SundayBlogShare support yesterday!
You have had such a wonderful week, it sounds like you really needed to get gam go wild and eat tones of food with friends. Hope you carry on feeling stress free throughout April hon x
Thanks so much my lovely – I finished it off with a night in Manchester at the weekend so it’s certainly been a brilliant week! How are things with you?
Kinda confusing and frustrating on the medical front as always but it’s the bloke’s birthday on Wednesday so looking forward to spoiling him and pleased the weather isn’t freezing anymore :0)
How come? What are you planning to do on the Blokes birthday?
They’ve got an automated system that’s supposed to mean you email in your script and then in 3 days it’s sent to your local pharmacy but it’s still not getting sent there after 3 weeks and 3 visits to sign up! S’posed to have started occupational therapy for my Dyspraxia but still not heard back 6 mnths later smh. Having some (many) wine then off to Pizza Express on the blokes request :0D
That sounds like a plan – enjoy! Hope you get it sorted soon!
Cheers chuck! x
Wow, I’m exhausted reading this, but it’s a good “that was fun” exhausted. if I actually did any of this, of course 🙂
Have a great holiday weekend dear! 🙂
Thanks my lovely! You really should, just let that lovely hair of yours down and go and get your dance on! Hope you’re doing well – will be catching up on your posts soon!
Had a totally shit week but I get to Friday morning, thankfully my twitter friends make it better!
Oh no! Why was it shit?
Thankfully ok now, busy at work, putting in a new kitchen then my daughter collapsed a couple of times with low blood pressure, she really hates daytime telly now, hope you’re having a relaxing break.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear that! I had really bad low blood pressure for about a month last year and it makes you feel so awful… Hope she feels better soon, and your kitchen gets finished too!
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Pizzas? OMG, did you miss the whole brouhahha in Indiana when the “Christian” pizza maker said she wouldn’t serve pizzas at a gay wedding? After the “Religious Freedom Act” was passed? Because Pizza restaurants are under attack in Indiana, of course…..
Really?! I’m still amazed that in 2015 there is still such an issue with homosexuality…
I’m so pleased you’v been able to unwind and enjoy yourself, after the tough period you’v just come through x
Thanks so much my lovely – it was certainly very much needed haha! How was your weekend? Thanks for all your support with #SundayBlogShare yesterday!
Love the old typewriter idea! I just love old typewriters, I wish I owned one. Hey maybe I can somehow talk my son into buying me one (with my money, he is 8) for mothers day….it would sure beat last year’s gift….he got me a pack of underwear from Dollar General and a coffee mug.
Bahahahaha! It was a beautiful idea – certainly one I’m going to steal if I ever get married (the typewriter, not the underwear). Although, come to think of it, I could do with some new pants. Do they allow knickers to be included as part of a registry?
I say anything goes on your wedding day. I don’t plan to ever marry again, but the typewriter thing could work for a birthday or any celebration really.
Ooh that’s a nice idea!
It sounds like it was an awesome week! Being a huge Alice fan, the wedding reception sounds like it was very cool. Everyone needs to have a fun week like you had! 🙂
It was inspired – there were pictures of the story all around the rooms too. It was such a lovely idea…
I don’t like throwing parties but when I do, I just love having a theme and totally running with it! 🙂 I wish I had a reason to have an Alice party. Something tells me all the guys in my life (husband, sons, grandsons) wouldn’t care for it much! 🙂
I can relate, The Smiths is a great soundtrack to any journey 🙂
It’s really strange, but I used to really dislike The Smiths. However, when I turned 30, suddenly I really appreciated their music… I’ve spent the last few years catching up I think!
Hi Suzie,
I can relate to the feelings of stress you describe and the need to break out a bit. I’ve been following up my etyernal concerns about my daughter being seriously underweight and so she had tests etc but the prognosis seems good and she’s now finding it easier to eat and has settled down. It’s all freaked her out as well, which is understandable.
We’ve runaway to Palm Beach, where they film Home & Away for 2 weeks to stay at my parents’ place again. The house has a fabulous view across Pittwater and I’ve been out kayaking with the dogs along with me. Bit crazy, to be honest. I have also eaten yummy chocolate treats and perused the op shop. They have the best op shops around here and I love looking at such an ecclectic array of fabrics and all those vintage things which remind me of my grandparents’ homes.
Hope the black dog has moved out!
xx Rowena
Hi Rowena! I’m so sorry to hear that your daughter has been struggling – I’m so glad that she is on the mend.
Your holiday sounds beautiful. I used to be a Home and Away fan and it’s absolutely stunning there – I’m so jealous! Hope you have a lovely time!
Thanks. It is certainly a piece of heaven.
Wow, sounds like you need a holiday to recover after all that!
Haha! Luckily, I have next week off too!
Aww no fair!
I’ll make sure I watch Jeremy Kyle for you tomorrow
Oh dear god
Don’t pretend that you aren’t a Jezza fan Steve…
Not watched it for years. This working malarkey gets in the way
I’m sure you could record it… ITV2 from 2.30 onwards at the min…
And how exactly would I fit in time to watch it? I can’t remember the last time I watched TV other than the usual culprits, X factor etc. I sometimes wonder what on Earth I do with my time…
Well you could stop watching the X Factor. I haven’t watched it since Leona Lewis won…
Don’t be silly lol
Haha!