I'm an auntie again!

Welcome to the world - Fergus William Shanks! Born at Raigmore on Tuesday 17 June at 10.30pm, 9lb 2oz. Mum, dad, brother Xander and baby Fergus all doing well. xx

Baby on the way!

Ha, bet that got your attention! Actually it's my sister in law Diane who is giving birth in Raigmore Hospital as I type! I may have some news before my post is finished!

News since I last spoke - we got our wee car back, it's looking good although I haven't had the guts to drive it yet! I was sorry to see our hire car go back as it was lovely to drive. I had my last Oklahoma! rehearsal before the summer break so it will be nice to get my Tuesdays back just for a couple of months before things get very hectic rehearsing for 2 shows in October!

Drama happened in my folks back woods in Dingwall when a fire broke out and the fire brigade had to be called! My wee nephew Xander loved the fire engine and the volunteer boys did a great job dousing the flames.

We got our house valued last week so it should be on the market some time this week, not that I'm overly hopeful as the market is SO slow at the moment. Mind you, the flat is looking GREAT since we spring cleaned so I'm happy to wait a few more months. We had another nightmare house buying experience last week where our offer was accepted, we moved to survey and then were told that the estate agents had decided to sell the house to another person who had previously put in an offer before going AWOL. Sharp practice if you ask me - and very depressing after all the disappointments we have had so far.

But, I had a lovely weekend which cheered me up. On Friday Ross was golfing in Dunfermline so I went for post work drinks at Grill on the Corner which was a real treat. Delicious cocktails! I then had a bite to eat in Bella Napoli with a couple of the girls from work. On Saturday we picked up our car and Donna and I went to the fancy dress shop to get organised for next weekend! Saturday night was a non-alcoholic night (yes it's true!) because Ross and his mate George were running the 10k on Sunday morning. They both did really well running it in under 49 mins. Needless to say they both had a beer in hand by 11am! On Sunday afternoon we went to the West End Festival which was great. The sun was shining, the streets were jammed packed and the drinks were overpriced - that's the West End!

On Monday Ross and I had a fantastic day off which included a lie in, a walk down the River Clyde, lunch in the sunshine at Waverley Tearooms, Atonement on the couch and a home made Thai curry - I could easily live a life like that! However I was promptly brought back to Earth when Ross left that night for Italy and I ironed my clothes for work the next day!

Mind you, work wasn't too bad today because I had a lovely lunch at Piccolo Mondo and went late night shopping buying a pair of gorgeous black strappy shoes and the most OUTRAGEOUS dress I have ever bought from my fave vintage shop! I've no idea where I will ever wear it ;o)

OK no baby news yet so I'm signing off! Happy Fathers Day Dad!!! xxxx

Into June already

So yes, I know it's been ages since I last wrote but my life has been unbelievably busy. I am quite pleased though that a few people have told me I'm slacking - it must mean that people still read my blog ;o)
My new job has been the reason for for the non blogging recently. It's been a varied start to my new role in management - challenging and exciting one day then very stressful and knackering the next. But I have kept up my social activities which counteracts the rubbishness of work (although doesn't give me much respite!).
Still no news on our car getting fixed which is fine as I am enjoying our hire car very much. My neck is almost back to normal now following a few neck massages at my gym. I'm back to my exercise (gym, circuits, swiss ball) but not managed a spin class yet as I want my neck to fully recover first.
Also nothing to update on the house front although we are planning putting our flat on the market in the next few weeks just to see if it gets much interest.
I've had a few fun nights out in the last month including a planned subway crawl (clockwork orange as it's known) which didn't get any further than The Social in town (oops!), a leaving do in Babbity Bowsters, dinner in El Sabor with my friend Rachael, lunch with Ross's folks at the Mussel Inn, our first drink in the Star Bar(!), drinks with pals in McSorleys and a catch up in the Merchant City with our newly engaged pals Isla and Zain who are back from their travels round the world. During this time Ross has also been to Greece and Cologne.
I've also managed a few gigs, films and concerts this month including Amy Macdonald at the Carling Academy who was very good, Dancing Queen at the Kings with my pal Clare and Sex and the City with 9 of the girls which was a hoot - AND I was sat next to and ended up chatting away to the one and only Alan Cumming at the cinema - aaaaahhhh, I love him!!
In late May my sister and I had our auditions for Theatre South Productions and we were both delighted to get in! Not only that, but I have to sing a solo song (another aaaahhhhhh!) so I better get practicing! I'll be singing 'You Must Love Me' from Evita as well as some other chorus parts from musicals such as Phantom, Sunset Boulevard, West Side Story, Wicked, Rent, Mamma Mia, Blood Brothers, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Hairspray, Les Mis, Miss Saigon and Moulin Rouge. The show will be 1-4 October at Eastwood Theatre and will benefit 3 cancer charities in Glasgow.
Finally, we had a brilliant weekend up North last weekend. It was my friend Angela's wedding in Dingwall which was lovely. I nearly set her off crying as she walked into the church because I was welling up when Highland Cathedral started to play, as that's what I walked down the aisle to! The rest of the weekend was spent with family - walking the Cat's Back and Fyrish, playing on Golspie Beach and having a delicious lunch at Foulis Ferry before driving back down the road with the roof off - bliss!
Happy birthday to Katie and Steph and sorry we missed your night out - after our hectic weekends we only made it til 8pm on your birthday and passed out like lightweights! xx