Christmas shopping and special Christmases gone by

I have been somewhat panicked after last Friday's gem show with Jilly, when so many of you texted and rang in to tell us how organised you are with your Christmas present buying! The fact that I was still sunbathing in October has lulled me into a false sense of security and, as I admitted on the night, I have only just begun to break the back of my shopping list! 

I don't think Jilly was much further forward than me, although she rather fancied the boots I was wearing on the night and caught me unawares just before we went on air (see photo left)! So now you know what goes on underneath the table  - Jilly was in a sleeping bag! :) 

Actually truth be told we always have a bit of an issue with the air conditioning in that Studio - it's either freezing cold or boiling hot, but as long as my feet are warm I'm OK. 

Returning to QVC after a girly weekend away

I have missed you!! Just a couple of days off and a few days away, and I found myself looking forward with eager anticipation to returning to QVC Towers... seriously!! But you know the great thing is that when I do get back, everything's the same, which is why I love it :) 

Did nearly have a minor wardrobe crisis though, as I'd eaten something for supper that clearly didn't agree with me and my stomach filled out like a barrage balloon!

I couldn't get into my black trouser suit and was only able to encase myself in a rather tight pencil skirt thanks to Slim 'N' Lift! Luckily I was only ever standing head on to the camera otherwise comments like, "Isn't she rather old to be having another child?" would have been rife. 

My brief break to Hay On Wye was one of my twice yearly holidays with the five girlfriends who've been in my life ever since I moved down south from Shropshire over 15 years ago  We used to pick a different place to stay each time, but have found this fabulous house that we keep returning to.

Guess the road sign...

Gosh, it was a busy old weekend wasn't it! Never mind previous listings of parties and reunions, I spent Saturday and Sunday here at QVC Towers and in the company of some lovely guests. Not sure if you saw Tova at all, but I was spoiled with three hours of her company and not just her fragrances but the jewellery too.
 
I always make sure I check with her as to what she'll be wearing so that I don't clash! I do remember one time having to present a fitness hour beforehand, and although I managed to cover the lycra with a dress, my trainers didn't really work... Tova though, was far too much of a lady to mention it :)

Guess the road sign

Talking of memorable moments, while driving into work along my usual route - the M1 - I noticed in the middle distance a rather strange pink and orange light. This was on Saturday when the weather was appalling and my wipers were moving faster than a Geisha's fan in their vain attempts to try and shift the water that was sloshing down from the heavens. 

Well, the pink and orange light got closer and I was able to see it was actually an illuminated warning triangle, with the words Slow Down highlighted underneath it and the number 30 by the side. Nothing unusual there, until you look at the position of the car inside the triangle. See??? (Sorry the picture is a tad poor as my passenger had to try and take it through rain, screen and wipers!)

See what I made with today's TSV...

I have a question for all of you... what do you do with all those photos you keep on your camera or store on your computer? How many of them do you have out in frames? Well if the answer is precious few, I've got just the thing! And if you tune in today you'll be able to get one too! 

The posh name for it is a 'photo montage throw'... but to me it's a way of surrounding yourself with your favourite people, pets and places - literally. The company who make them can reproduce ANY photo you have onto this sumptuously soft throw in either colour, or black and white. 

You can either upload your photos online to them, or alternatively send them your photos, disc, artwork or memory stick and not only will they let you know they've safely received them, but within 7 days they'll send you a proof and you can make any changes you like. 

What do you think of mine then? :) I've got Willows and Dodge on there too! And just think - you could theme yours to be just pets, or a new baby, a wedding, or holiday of a lifetime, maybe your parents - for a special anniversary, your brother who now lives abroad... you name it, they can do it. And the quality of the pictures is extraordinary. 

Hope to have your company with me on Sunday at midnight and we can share memories! 

Have a great weekend,

Love Ali x

Just how much excitement can one girl have in a week...

...I ask myself as I remove a dead shrew from underneath the armchair in the sitting room. After Sam's skydive, life has started to quieten down a little but if you're a cat, this time of year is heaven! 

The field behind us has just been 'mown', or whatever it is you do to a field, and this in turn has uncovered masses of little mice and shrews' nests. I lost count of the number of baby shrews I saved, returned to the field, only to see them back again 10 minutes later in the middle of the kitchen floor!

Well, I say them... in truth it's almost impossible to differentiate between one shrew or another, but suffice to say I did my best to rescue them all whilst chastising the cats with some choice language. However, one little soul clearly escaped underneath a very large, low chair, and ended its days among the dust that had gathered there. 

How did I find it, I hear you ask? By a process of elimination... the rather unusual odour wasn't my feet, or Colin's, or the somewhat damp carpet I'd attempted to remove a rather large cherry Lambrini stain from, or even a stray sock I found jammed between the cushions. It was indeed the, now rather stiff, body of the shrew.

I'm happy to say the room has now returned to normal and Willows and Dodge are having to content themselves with catching rather large spiders - for which I will be eternally grateful!

Plus, having finally succumbed to the cold and moved the heating switch from 'off' to 'timed', I went to buy a leaf rake and passed this... (see photo above). I was so shocked I felt the need to share it with you... XMAS DECORATIONS ALREADY!!!!! Please don't tell me you've seen them as well!  

Oh go on then... looking forward to hearing from you :).

Love Ali xxx

Sam's 'awesome' skydive!

Well the great British weather proved to be Sam's undoing at the weekend, when his planned skydive was postponed because of low cloud, oh and howling winds, and did I mention the rain?? 

It was all so promising to begin with. Bright blue skies and not a cloud in sight as we turned onto the M1 to make our journey to Nottingham and Langar Airfield. We got there in great time to be greeted by the world and his wife, who were also there to make a jump. Only five in a plane at one time, and an hour turnaround, so it was going to be busy.

We all bundled into a small room where 'Dave' - a giant of a man - told the gathering that yes, as tandem sky divers, they would be literally jumping without a parachute. I think I sort of glazed at that point and tried not to listen to Dave's dulcit tones waxing lyrical about 13,000 feet, freefalling for the first 10 seconds or more (during which time your brain won't allow you to recognise what you're doing, so you'll feel very little!) Funny that, I would have thought the only message in your brain would be "What in heaven's name am I doing????". 

All is to be revealed in Ibiza Uncovered...

Well, I promised you 'Ibiza Uncovered'... and by crikey did we uncover it! From the moment we landed in 28 degree heat at 3am, I knew I was going to like this island. Three hours later however, having spent two hours trying to check in, I was just desperate for my bed! 

There must have been a faster way of doing it, but at least the receptionist's photocopier broke down so we didn't have to wait for him to photocopy all 15 passports! Yes, we were 15 in number as Rosie and Laura joined Rae and Dan and made us an even more formidable force on the beach and in the bars! 

The teenage holiday I never had!

I have to tell you it was a hoot! It was the teenage holiday I never had, even though I was the oldest in our party they treated me as an equal, and we all got on so well. Days were spent laying in the sun on the beach - we comandeered the south quarter and set our sunbeds in a circle so no interlopers could join our party :) 

I want your birthday celebration suggestions!

My daughter Lucy has just packed her little bedroom up and flown the nest... this time permanently. Pathetic I know but I still can't bear to go in there now it's so empty. I never really expected her to come home to me once she'd left University, but the fact that she's been with me over the last two years has been such a comfort, particularly while Sam was so ill and in hospital. 

Sam too is talking of setting up home possibly next year, and now that Jack's 16, he's hardly ever here... I feel a little as though I'm trying to hold sand in my hands, and it keeps slipping through my fingers. My role as a full time mum is coming to an end. Not quite sure what will take its place, although my expert laundry service is still of use to Lucy, so I may utilise that skill!

Always guaranteed to raise a smile though is time with my friends. The group of girls that I go away with twice a year arranged for us all to have 'tea' at Luton Hoo on Saturday (see photo above). It was a joint birthday celebration and we had a ball! Nothing like putting on your posh frock, jewels and high heels, and eating your entire body weight in scones, cakes and sandwiches. LOVELY! Especially when you don't have to do the washing-up. 

I thought it was quite an original way to celebrate a birthday, but as Sue's is still to come in August, could you possibly suggest anything that the six of us could do that would be completely different? I'd love to hear from you, so we can book it up!

Love Ali xx

My search for a new car...

Driving back from the rounders match came another disaster - a fox ran out in front of the car and in swerving to avoid it, I caught the concrete island in the middle of the road and the car launched itself up and over the edge. I know nothing of the workings under the bonnet and even less about the highly sophisticated stuff under the chassis, but after a week of assessment, I've been told it's a write off - or is that right off?!

I'm now faced with the task of finding a new car within four days before they take the courtesy car away, and I can't see how the insurance company will get the money to me in that short space of time. Any idea how long it would take me to cycle from Bedfordshire to QVC in Battersea? I'd have calf muscles the size of a canoe :)

Must fly, the boys have been online and are looking for cars for me. So far they've come up with a BMW M3 Alpina, an Aston Martin, and a Porsche... my suggestion of an Astra didn't appeal to them.

Love Ali xx

I'm back from the bright blue seas of Zante!

I've discovered something about myself over the last couple of weeks (something I've always suspected, but never had confirmed) and that is my innate skill at choosing to holiday in places with sunny climes, when the weather here in England is hotter! 

At least I don’t feel so guilty for having had such a lovely time away as I know you’ve all had the best of British sunshine here, while I‘ve been swimming in water the colour of paraiba tourmaline, and eating my entire bodyweight in feta cheese and moussaka.

What can I say, other than I highly recommend a trip to Zante - a jewel in the crown of Greek islands that inhabit the Ionian Sea. It’s not that big but has an incredible collection of tiny coves and bays, with crystal clear waters and some sandy, some stony beaches. It’s fairly still in the morning, but as the temperatures climb, soft breezes start to blow and take the edge off the hot sunny days.