L told me he was taking the day of my birthday off & we would do something nice. I told him not to bother I just wanted to forget about the whole thing.
On the Friday night he arrived home with these saying Happy Birthday to which I replied my birthday is not till Monday & he informed me it was the start of a birthday weekend extravaganza?!
Friday night - birthday flowers
On Saturday afternoon we went out to our favorite cafe Vanilla Pod and while there he gave me a card to which I replied its not my birthday till Monday!! He wanted me to open it & as he always does it was a beautiful card but a the bottom it said turn over here. There was a colour insert telling me I would need to pack a bag as we would be going away in the morning to spend thenight at Palazzo Versace. This is somewhere I have always wanted to stay & until his awful murder Gianni was my favorite designer & although I could not afford it I was Versace mad! I told him it was too much & we could not afford it but I was told to be quiet & just go along!!
The next day we met his parents for lunch at Omeros Bros at Marina Mirage which I have never been to. I was really happy when I saw photos on the wall showing 2 of my idols had dined there Kylie Minouge & Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell.
Kylie Minogue on wall at Omeros Bros
Goldie & Kurt on wall at Omeros Bros
Lunch was lovely then the embarrassig tradition of having a cake come out & people sing happy birthday happened (I would love to get under the table whenever this happens!!) L had send his Mum the recipe of the peach blossom cake I had admired on Masterchef & she had made it for me!
Masterchef Peach blossom cake made by L's Mum
Leigh gave me another birthday card at lunch with another surprise inside - it was informing me that at 4pm I had to go to the Spa at Versace for a 1 hours body treatment, salt scrub, massage, vichy shower.
Foyer of Palazzo Versace
http://www.palazzoversace.com.au/#/explore-hotel
For those who have never been everything at Palazzo Versace is well versace, the cushions, cups, glasses EVERYTHING!! The hallways in the hotel are lined with gorgeous shots from vintage Versace campaigns & there were many of my favorite supermodel Linda Evangelista.
Linda in the Marilyn Monroe dress
Linda in the safety pin dress that made Liz Hurley famous
The room was gorgeous and overlooked the pool area.......
View from our room
View of room
Part of bathroom & spa
Versace glasses bedside
After a beautiful & relaxing treatment at the spa we just chilled in the room then decided to go grab a snack & headed over to Max Brenner at Mirage next door where for the first time we tried fondue (& loved it!)
Fondue & Souffle
We headed back to the room to find turn down service had happened & oil was burning & this was on the bed!
Lipstick kiss chocolates left by turn down service
We then decided to relax and soak in the spa and have a wonderful nights sleep in a very comfy bed. Breakfast was a buffet the next morning and it was beautiful as they also have a chef there to take ordered so you can have eggs anyway or fresh pancakes etc... Mmmm lots of piping hot pancakes & strong cappucinos for me it was. Then more time in the room & in the spa.
We then headed over to Mirage as we had not been there properly for years and all the shops were new. I got this lovely pair of silver angel wing earrings from a jeweller there with birthday money from Leigh's parents. Designer website: http://www.vont.com.au/
Then we sadly had to head home. We just relaxed with the cats & L did some decorating with goodies sent to me from my friend in the UK & it was time for more birthday cake this time my favorite, Red Velvet from Vanilla Pod
L's decorating with stuff sent by my friend in the UK
Red Velvet Cake
I am very lucky L is so wonderful & spoiled me rotten in the hopes I would have a nice birthday after such a tough year. It was far nice than my plan of sleeping the day away!
On the 9th May 1996 I went to a concert that changed my life as the man who took the seat next to me that night was to become the most important person in my life. It was the night I met Leigh. I even thought to myself that night as we were chatting 'wouldn't this be funny if this is the person I am meant to be with and end up marrying - what a way to meet!'
Our first summer together 96/97 & our first of many animal encounters
A week later you sent a rose and a card to my work (I thought you may have done this all the time, just because you seemed so nice that night!!) I called you to thank you and for the next 6 weeks we spoke on the phone and you always asked me out every time and every time I turned you down becuase I knew if I saw you again you would be as nice as you appeared to be on that night and my illusions again would be shattered. After 6 weeks of calls I finally gave in and agreed to go to dinner with you, I knew it would more than likely not go well and I would never see you again and the calls would stop etc... and we could move on.
The day of our date I was so nervous for some reason all I ate that day was a banana, I went to the movies to kill time & distract myself and saw Up close & personal. When you arived to pick me up and I came out to meet you I thought my legs would buckle under me with nerves. I decided on that date I would be very honest about everything, my likes/dislikes, what I wanted from a relationship etc.... I was pretty sure my honesty would put you off but we had a great meal and kept chatting. On the drive back home you asked me out again to which I said "You want to see me again?" in surprise after all I had said that evening. You told me later you thought that meant I did not want to see you again.
Our 1st anniversary 9 May 1997
You spent all week in Brisbane and me on the Gold Coast, we started talking everynight on the phone and would go out once a week, then twice the following week auntil a few weeks in we were spending as much time together on weekends as we could. I was cautious and thought you were to good to be true, you were patient and proved to me time & time again what a wonderful person you were.
Just minutes after you proposed to me
Feb 14 1998 " now every February you'll be my valentine"
12 years ago today I became your wife. I could not wait to see you and the only nerves I had were about walking down the aisle and being the center of attention. All the months of planning & work we did together for that day just flew by.
We have been through so much together, some hard & difficult times but also many wonderful times. To this day you are still so supportive & loving and I would not know what to do if you were not a part of my life. As Kelly Clarkson says "My life would suck without you'. I never knew what happiness was until I met you. You are not just my husband, you are my best friend. I hope & pray the hard stuff we are dealing with at present will result in a happy ending for us. There are not enough words to express how I feel about you - I hope you know.
LA 2005 at The Magic Castle (if it was not for magic we would never have met!)
I will finish by saying what I say to you everyday 'Love you loads' xxxxooooo
The few days away together was lovely but I would not go back to Novotel Twin Waters again after this stay.
For a four star resort I was surpised at a few things. On arrival nothing was organised for us, it was a package which included breakfast & dinners and various other things and we had to go back to reception 3 times to get all the bits & pieces we needed for the stay as no one knew what was included in the package. We asked what to do with our luggage and we were told we could take care of it ourselves. We were given a map to the room (the rooms are in groups like town houses) and a map. To get us off to a good start the girl circled the wrong complex on the map so we had to go back to reception again as we could not find our room. Still no one offered to take us to the room. I have never stayed at any resort where somone has not accompanied you to the room, helped with your bags and done a quick room show (except dodgy motels you stay in for a night on road trips).
OK once settled we decided we would unwind with the champagne & chocolates on arrival that was part of the package but you guessed it they were not there. We called reception and they advised they would bring them over so in the meantime we went to the spa as Leigh had arranged a surprise of a couples massage & champagne spa which was lovely and relaxing.
While getting ready to go to dinner I nearly had a bad fall in the bathroom on a puddle of water which I discovered was coming from a leak in the air con. So we called up reception again to get them to come & fix it. Dinner that night was at Noueau which is a buffet restaurant, I am not a big buffet fan but I usally enjoy the seafood. Unfortunately tonight was roast night and they had every red meat under the sun but no chicken or turkey (I am not a vegetarian I just do not like Lamb, beef, pork etc...) I was just going to have the roast veg but Leigh spoke to someone and they very kindly offered to grill me some barramundi which was divine.
On valentines day I pulled the curtians back to discover it was poruing rain and there was a Mum & bub kangaroo under our balcony.
Leigh surprised me with the full set of new Harajuku Lovers Wicked perfumes and the packaging is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
This gift of a retro tin lunch box came with the set
Buffet breakfast was very nice but the rain did not ease so we stayed in our room, soaked inthe spa and jsut hung out with each other. We went and ordered from the take away service for lunch and there was a 15 minute wait while it was cooked. I ordered the seafood basket as being on the sunshine coast I though the produce would be fab and it was $22 so I was expecting it to be delicious. We got the food back to our room and Leigh's butter chicken tiffin that we waited 15 mins for was ice cold (thank god there was a microwave in the room). I dove into the seafood to discover the calamari was as tough as old tyres and the rest of the basket was made up of imitation seafood like bits of fake crab seafood extender, horrible seafood bites and a seafood stick - the sort of thing you might expect if you ordered seafood at a roadside diner somewhere but not at a resort on the sunshine coast. I did not eat mine but that was ok as I was looking forward to dinner in the fine dining restaurant Lily's on the lagoon that night.
We arrived at Lily's for our reservation and handed them our vouchers and we were told to wait. The manager came back and told us very curtly we would not be dining there tonight as they were not accepting the couples package vouchers on Valentines day due to it being a special menu. Leigh told her he checked this with the hotel when we made the reservation and to double check he actually rang the restaurant and spoke with someone who confirmed there was no problem using the couples package couchers on Valentines. Again she rudely told us no and that we would have to leave. I felt so embarrassed by the way she was speaking to us. Leigh asked her to check the reservation which she did in a huff and came back and said - I see a note here you spoke to someone and they have told you the wrong thing so I have no choice but to let you dine here tonight. Great start to a romantic dinner.
The restaurant itself was lovely and when shown to the table there was long stem rose and a gift pack of body scrub and lotion by the fijian company that makes the spa's products. For the guys there was a bottle opener! The 5 course dinner started with an Amuse which I did not like. For entree I had the panko crumbed soft shell crab and Leigh had the twice baked gorgonzola & goats cheese souffle.(sorry there are no photos of the food but it was not the sort of place you could whip your iphone out if you know what I mean!!) He does not eat seafood and I do not eat cheese so we had to take each others word that the entrees were to die for. After some watermelon sorbet I had the grilled barramundi with fennel & pink eye potato puree & moreton bay bug & prawn salad while Leigh had the grain fed beef tenderloin with blue cheese & parmesan potato gallette. For dessert Leigh had the dark chocolate truffle tart with chilli creme fraiche and I had the white couveture chocolate mousse. The food and the service from the wait staff was 5 star. When we received our bill for the drinks - you guessed it we had been charged for everything so poor Leigh had to go back to the charming manager and go through that whole ordeal again.
Overall we had a nice time together away from all our stresses for awhile, we were just disappointed with the bad service. I certainly will not be telling anyone to stay there.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas! The festivities started on Chritmas eve for us with Leigh's parents coming up to stay the night. We had a great dinner of fresh prawns, roast turkey and vegies. For dessert we had Leigh's mums famous pavlova. Christmas morning Leigh whipped up pancakes with fresh strawberries and maple syrup and we all got stuck into the pressies.
We then headed off to Bilambil Heights to my Mum & Dad, we all visited my grandparents at the home then headed home for another turkey & veg dinner.
Speaking of pressies I did very well!!!
Leigh got me:
Tickets to Wicked, I have been dying to see this and now I will on the 2nd March
A Pandora Charm
The new Beckham fragrance Intimately Yours
Celine & Paris got me the following blu rays
My in-laws gave me pj's and some money and my Mum & Dad gave me a maxi dress, some shoes and a top, make up and the following blu rays
I started a tradition many years ago of buying myself a christmas present and this year I decided to get the LAMB bag I had been coveting, as luck would have it, it arrived on Christmas eve and it is even nicer in person.
Boxing day we decided to avoid the sales and the crowds (I just was not feelilng up to it) and instead we went to the movies as I had a voucher from my birthday I had not used.
Being fans of Meet the parents and Meet the fockers of course we decided on Little Fockers. The whole gang is back but the movies pretty much is all Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro. If you like the first 2 movies then you will enjoy this one. I needed a laugh after all the drama of late and I certainly got a few - the youtube clip at the end is one of the highlights.
Enjoy the time off over the next few days and if you get a chance leave me a comment and let me know what you got for Chrissy!
Lots of fun things to try here, you can track Santa and try the naughty or nice list! http://www.santaclaus.net/
Watch a Christmas movie:
My 2 faves are Elf & The Grinch
Play your fave Christmas tune!
LAST CHRISTMAS - WHAM!
DO THEY KNOW ITS CHRISTMAS - BAND AID
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
I hope everyone has a wonderful & safe Christmas, have lots of fun, laughs & food! I hope all your Christmas wishes come true.
I will close with something that has been a fave of mine since I was a little girl.
love to you all
Nic x
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Leigh pulled out the Chritmas decorations yesterday and this is the result. We have not done much this year compared to other years, we just got the baby fiber optic tree out instead of our huge tree with all our ornaments I have collected for years - I just could not be bothered spending hours putting that big tree together and decorating it. Oh well I guess this is festive enough!
