Reynolds Space

06 September 2007

One year… already!?!?!

We celebrated our first anniversary over the weekend. I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown in. It seems like yesterday that I was getting my make up done and slipping on my wedding dress. It was great to remember that very special time. We decided to take it pretty easy (mostly because we were still a bit tight on money).

We woke up early in the morning and headed down to the St George’s market. We had some breakfast (crepes and coffee) and sampled all the lovely treats at the stalls. We had been down a few times before, but forgotten how fun it was to have a nosy around and enjoy the atmosphere.

We went out for a lovely dinner to a restaurant in the Radisson Hotel, Filini’s. Ollie has not stopped talking about how amazing his fillet was. I think I may need to ring the chef and ask him who his butcher is. We then just went down to Cutter’s Wharf for a quiet few drinks at a booth in the corner. It was nice and quiet and gave us a bit of time to laugh about the last year.

We headed up to Redcastle in Donegal on Sunday for a few days of rest and relaxation. I’ve been to the hotel a couple of times and think it’s a great wee spot. We took a few drives up through Donegal, enjoyed the beautiful weather and relaxed in the spa. Our meal on the Sunday night was super tasty. In fact, we ate like a king and queen all weekend! We took the ferry across Lough Foyle and headed back to Belfast via the scenic route.

Had a great time… one of the last as a 2 person family!

It’s finally over… the house is officially sold!!

Well, after 2 months of delays the house is officially sold. We signed the contracts on Friday, 10 August and handed over the keys. This was despite not actually receiving the money. You see the buyers were in an even worse situation. They were being forced out of their rented house, or would be required to sign another 6 month contract. So rather than have the whole thing fall through we let them move in… and paid the mortgage still, so they were living there for free. Whatever- at least we didn’t have to spend our time between the houses out of fear some hoods would decide to take up residence or wreck the house.

The money finally came through on Friday, 17 August, but of course took another 3 days to clear. But I cannot tell you how satisfying it is to see your bank balance with 6 figures in it!

So now Ollie and I can finally turn our full attention to preparing to be a mom and dad and getting our new house sorted!

The on-going saga of our house… 10 August 2007

I’m so frustrated with this entire house situation. We had to get building control on the loft conversion (which we didn’t anticipate) and failed the first inspection. We then had to spend £120 on materials and Ollie and I stayed up late sawing and drilling and loosing our minds!! But it was done and we passed. So, you would think that would make things go easier, right? Wrong. I don’t know whose fault it is, but someone sucks. Our solicitor, their solicitor, their mortgage people… We had originally scheduled to complete on the 23rd of June!! It’s nearly the middle of August.

Despite continued calls to our solicitor and from our solicitor, it seems we are still no closer to the effing sale! They were supposed to release the funds on Friday, then Monday and now it’s Tuesday and we still haven’t signed the contracts.

I’m so fed up with this crap.

Erika’s hen- 27 July

8 of us headed down to Naas (just outside of Dublin) for Erika’s hen night. Marguerite and I were in one car and the other girls in another. We made excellent time- think it was around 3 hours. This is a mighty feet considering the insanity of the traffic inside and around Dublin. I could never live there- simply because of that.

So, we were the first to arrive and our rooms weren’t ready. Most of us had booked in for treatments, so we headed down to get ready for ours. I had a balancing facial. The baby kicked the whole way through the thing, but it was really relaxing and my face was glowing at the end. Once everyone had completed their treatments, we headed for the relaxation rooms- I could only do the basic relaxation room, but there was a sauna, steamroom, solarium (sun room), ice room, salt room (where they mix salt into the air and it smells kind of like the beach). It was pretty cool in all. I then headed up a bit early. I had intended to take a nap before we started partying, but once I got up to the room I just had to enjoy the surroundings. I think we got a suite. It was amazing, with a balcony, social area with large bunket and table and a huge bathroom with a roll top bath and raindrop shower. It was pretty cool!

How nice was our bathroom??


We had all of the girls around to our room for champagne, strawberries & chocolate and cheese and crackers. It was a good laugh. Then we headed down to the bar for some games- Emma, who organised everything, did an awesome job with the games. I had never had so much fun and laughed so much at a bachelorette/hen party!

Erika and Kathy, blindfolded and feeding each other bananas...


There were granny panties you had to wear if you drank with the wrong hand (each half hour or so it changed). Erika was made to run around the bar with the panties on, crawl under tables, scream things over the balcony… you get the idea. We then headed for one of the most amazing meals I have ever had. It was included in the price of our package and the food was simply amazing! (Except for the desert which was a weird attempt at a cheesecake, but I don’t think I could have appreciated it that much because I was so full up). We then head over to the club and continued the fun there.

I’m officially out of my jeans- they hardly close and when they do, I’m totally uncomfortable. So I spent most of the night with them unbuttoned. Nice.

It was a great night- exhausting, but a real laugh.

Best memory of the night was definitely Marguerite having to shove loads of marshmellows in her mouth and try and say 'chubby bunny'. I think I wee'd myself a little...

Andrea’s bridal shower- 7 July 2007

Jamie, Cherie and Vindy put on a great party for Andrea. The food was amazing, the games fun and well, everything was just great! I got to catch up with friends and acquaintances from high school that I’ve not seen in years! It’s amazing how much happens in 10-11 years! Everyone’s married and has kids and are pretty much totally grown up. Had to take a picture of the lovely cake...

After the party during the day, we headed out that night to a club somewhere in Northern Jersey. The breakfast club was interesting. I was pretty much starting to hallucinate from tiredness (having only arrived from Ireland on the Friday, I was still feeling my time zone- 5 hours ahead). It became a bit of a struggle to stay up, but it was a good laugh. Andrea got pretty wasted and was dancing about like a loon- really funny to watch.

This was before we even left for the club!

Lorie and Andrea in the bathroom...


It was great to see everyone again. Although there are many miles between most of us, it really feels like old times when we get together. I’m sad I won’t be able to make Andrea’s wedding in October. I’m going to be like a beached whale, I’m sure- hitting the 36 week mark. Or maybe the end of the pregnancy will be just like now- I’m not big at all! Hopefully!!