She said YES!

Helloooo

So this is a completely different kind of post today...it's personal! **be warned...this could go on!!**

Here's a little bit of back story...Kelly and I have been an official, living together kind of a couple for a little over two years...we also had about a year before that too where I was living in London and Kelly was in Sheffield for her training, so for arguments sake about 3 years.

She pays professional Table Tennis, wins medals, keeps ridiculously fit and drinks weird protein shakes.  Well they do say opposites attract!

           

 

So over the last 3 years, we've moved house - twice. Had a number of holidays, trips out, family time, our time...we've been lucky enough to have some incredible moments together, we've got through some really really hard stuff and we've kept each other a float when it felt impossible.

We've had an amazing time and I truly met my match in life, she will happily put me in my place, she lets me win(although we don't admit that she's letting me, just that i'm winning), she makes me smile when all i want to do is cry and all that cheesy stuff :)

So, it was time. 

The asking the question part didn't worry me at all, i knew she would say yes, she had been badgering me for long enough to do it!! It was just figuring out how to do it. 

I don't like proposals on days that are already days - christmas, valentines, birthday etc. I know A LOT of people are in to it and thats fine, but not for me. 

I knew it would always be in London, it's our place. We met there, I'm in LOVE with the City, so it had to be there, just a question of where. 

Kelly is a huge Mary Poppins fan, I mean HUGE, I get word for word all the way through the movie!! So I thought, what would be better than being as high up as possible, over looking the city we both love so much, with a perfect view of St Paul's Cathedral. 

SO on the 4th November 2015, I proposed, at the top of the shard and to no surprise at all, she said Yes :) The detaily bits i'll leave out as that's quite personal and special to us, but its was lovely :)

We then went into town and headed towards the Natural History Museum as they have an outdoor ice rink which was a good giggle as Kelly seriously cannot skate, then went for some dinner. 

All in all, it was perfect. I went to London with a girlfriend, and left with a fiancee and a diamond so no complaints! 

Here's to the next chapter....

xxx

Bounce....take 2!

Hiya!

So in 2012, in the aftermath of the London Olympics, a brand new concept was being created...and with it came 'Bounce London'!

I was lucky enough to be part of the openings team and watched it go from an old dis used warehouse into an incredible Ping Pong bar and restaurant complete with an Olympic 2012 table and many others!

Anyway following the success of Bounce.....Bounce Shoreditch was born!!!

Both me and Kelly were lucky enough to get an invite to the press opening - I'd love to say it was all because of me, but i think Kelly's medals and Olympic status may of swung the deal!

Shoreditch for anyone who doesn't know the area is a very arty side of London - its full of incredible street art and pop up shops, so the concept inside needed to change from the holborn site to suit it's surroundings.

WOW...it's all I can say...WOW

With a huge restaurant area with some very tasty pizzas's ( I can personally vouch for the goats cheese one!! )

A private hire room, over 12 table tennis tables, a huge bar and even larger cocktail list...and so much more, it's a completely different night out!

With guest DJ's every weekend and staying open until 1am...you can challenge your friends at Table tennis...eat too much...try out the cocktails and dance until your feet hurt! 

It does get incredibly busy so you might wait on tables at peak times, but honestly...it's worth the wait. 

We had an amazing time and I can't recommend it highly enough...so if you live in London or are just visiting, make sure you pop in and have a look for yourself! 

http://www.bouncepingpong.com/shoreditch

18 months later...!!

Hiya!

So yep i feel guilty that when i came back on here it had been almost 18 months! that's terrible and i apologise!

What's happened since then...well i turned 24...and then 25! a quarter of a century....half way to 50...i love birthdays the same as everyone else but this one was scary. I felt like i should have my life mapped out, be settling down, getting married, buying a house. But I'm not. I'm working silly hours, I'm booking holidays, going out, seeing things. But I'm not settling down...not just yet.

I went to Disney Land Paris...at Christmas...and it snowed! We might of been the only people there without kids but honestly its magical, if you are able to then go during the Christmas period as every half an hour on the main street, they make it snow. It's the one place that no matter how old you are, you revert back to childhood from the second you enter! We also spent a few days exploring Paris and just being tourists!

I've been to see a number of shows including Dirty Dancing and the BodyGuard...i am a huge lover of the theatre but if I'm honest it's only musicals that hold my attention, the fact i can sing-a-long takes my mind off the fact that I'm sat still for a few hours.
Both shows were at the Birmingham Hippodrome, one for Kelly's birthday and one for her mums!

I'm sure I've done a million and one other things but you're pretty much up to speed...i promise not to wait another 18 months before i post again...xXx

Lesbians...

Lesbians, Lezza's, Dykes, Rug Munchers, Lettuce Lickers, Gays...funny isn't it how many words there are to describe something so simple. 

Are there a handful of different words to describe a straight couple...no of course not!

It strikes me that as we are firmly into the 21st century and we have overcome some huge obstacles in regards to same sex couples now being able to legally marry in the UK, we are still very much behind the times and clearly some groups, organisations and people are really struggling with the concept that "Normal" just doesn't exist!!!

We live in a world where we have single mums, teen mums, single dads, divorced parenting, twice and even three times divorced! This is ok, this is never brought to the public attention, never shamed for breaking vows you swore of staying together for richer for poorer etc. Why? Because its "normal", its life, people fall out of love and as a world we have learnt to respect that.

However - if i walk down the street holding my girlfriends hand, this is a completely different situation... People stare, make remarks, people whistle, shout things like "lesbians!" ( yes very original! ) ( I'd like to add that no, not everyone does this, but probably more than you would think!)

So is this acceptable behaviour, I'd say no?!

Honestly I could go on, and on, and on with this topic but it would get rather boring!

From speaking to friends i know that certain things annoy people differently. It seems the most hated phrase is... "you can't be a lesbian...you don't look like one!" ARGH I hate it!

The problem is that people have stereotype's in their head of what they think a lesbian looks like, short hair, covered in tattoos/piercings, baggy jeans, the list is apparently endless!

I am what is described as a "lipstick lesbian, or a Femme " all that means is that I appear very feminine - i wear dresses, heels, make up - I can be perceived as being hetrosexual because of my appearance.

Lesbians look at you like you do not belong. Straight men try their very best to convince you that if you sleep with them, they'll open your eyes to what you've been missing and will be instantly converted. And straight women aren't sure whether they should behave the same way with you as they do with their other friends. Can they still talk about the men they fancy, their conquests etc. 

Short of tattooing "lesbian" on my forehead, there isn't really much I can do to make it obvious. However, the point is that we should not have to change our physical appearance to be viewed as gay. But people also shouldn't feel that they cannot be true to themselves for fear of what people might think, or say or even do!


Some of you will read this and probably completely disagree, others may ponder the idea...either way these are completely my own personal views :-)

Tattoo's...

Helloooo,

Gosh it's been a VERY long time! my commitment to blogging just disappeared! However with a new mac in hand i am hopefully going to get my ass back in gear!!

I thought I would post something a little different today! so my topic is Tattoo's...love them? loathe them? they seem to be a very marmite topic!

Personally I love them, they are a great way to express yourself, your body is a blank canvas in a lot of ways so why not decorate it! Some people have piercings, some people dress have their own specific dress sense etc everyone takes a different approach at it!

I do actually have one tattoo, I got it when I was really young and stupid and regretted it from the moment i got it! I am in the process of having it lasered off and believe me - IT HURTS!!!! The best way I can describe it is like having an elastic band flicked on the same spot of your skin, solidly, for 10 mins! its hot, it burns and the pain is unbelievable! Let this be a lesson - DO NOT get tattoo's when you're young, you WILL regret them!!

I have friends with chest pieces, sleeves, full leg pieces and also delicate one's on wrists, ankles etc. They seem to of become a bit of a fashion statement and there was a time that you could see a handful of people all with the same tattoo's!

I know some people hate them, don't see the point in them, maybe worry about when you get old and your skin sags etc - all valid and I suppose you do have to think about things - for example a tattoo on your neck/face IS going to limit your job prospects!

It seems to be a lot more socially accepted for girls to have tattoo's and no longer just something for the boys! There are some beautiful tattoo's out there and below are some of my favourites!!

Will I have anymore? Yes! I am trying to wait until mine has been completely removed, but i'm not sure i can wait that long! I would love a big piece on my hip/bum/thigh....but we shall see!!

Anyway that's enough for now!!

Let me know if you have any, want any, love them or loathe them!!

xxxxxx

RunTeamFlo!!!

Hi Everyone,

It's ended up being nearly 4 weeks since i last blogged...oh how time flies!!! Since my last post quite a lot has happened and unforuntately it's taken up a huge amount of my time.

My gf's niece was diagnosed with Leukaemia and it came as a huge surprise to everyone - she is a typical 3yr old that gets through life at 100mph on a daily basis, so watching her in hospital with no desire to do anything at all is heartbreaking.

Its been a funny few weeks - how do you explain to a small child that actually the nurses aren't nasty, all the needles, prodding and poking really is essential and that yanking out your cannula isn't the greatest idea - yes it does hurt and yes it does create a blood bath!!

As a family we will fight this disease and battle hard against it! HOWEVER we decided that we wanted to do something more and what better challenge than a half marathon!!

RunTeamFlo is born! All over the hospital was posters for BUPA's Great Birmingham Run on the 19th Oct. Birmingham Children's Hospital is this years charity and we couldn't be happier.

We decided it would be a serious challenge but also a great way to raise money and awareness for Leukaemia!

The team consists of Kelly Sibley, Joanna Drinkhall, Hannah Hicks ( Englands No1,2,3 for womens Tables Tennis) Liz May ( PinkPong extraordinaire ) and me!!

So now the fundraising and training begins...You can sponsor us HERE  or txt SIBS88 £5 to 70070. OR www.justgiving.com/RunTeamFlo

Anyway thats enough for now...

xxxx

A little taste of date night...

Hellooo

So for the last two weeks i've had Ellie staying with me, which i absolutely loved! But when you aren't in your own house you just can't relax the same, leaving little time for any me time. After dropping her off to her other mummy on friday night i decided that saturday was going to be date night (and day!) :-)

It started with a much needed lie in, then some serious retail therapy, a little spot of lunch, then home for the rugby (not my choice i would like to add!) and then we were off!

Quick outfit breakdown ::

Blazer - Zara £25.00
Top - River island
Jeans - Super soft skinny - Primark £11.00 ( I honestly can't rate these jeans enough!)
Shoes - Nude patent courts - Primark £10.00

 Outfit breakdown ::

Top - ASOS £35
Trousers - River island - £45
Shoes - Nude Patent courts - Primark £10 ( yes we did go out in matching shoes! *cringe*)


I had recently been for a meal at All bar one in Nottingham and the food was gorgeous, lovely atmosphere and just a really great time. So i booked a table for us at All bar one, just a different restaurant. WELL what a let down!! We asked to be seated in the restaurant and was taken to a little table for two in the middle of the busy bar full of people drinking.

I'm not great in busy situations anyway so this was all too much!! So off we went in the hope of finding somewhere else! We found a Strada which is a mix between english and italian menu and responsibly priced so decided to go there....

We opted for a HUGE lamb shank and Spinach & Ricotta ravioli...i'm not sure they actually touched the sides, it was just so good!! Highly recommend!! We also had Tri colour starter which is Mozzarella,   Tomato and Avocado but i was too busy eating to remember to take a pic!

A night just wouldn't be complete without some selfies but some were far to embarrassing to share ( a little too much alcohol! )

Anyway you may already be fast asleep by now or this has simply bored you to tears, but as always...sharing is caring!!!

Until next time...

Byeeeeeee xxx