{Change}

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In just a week, everything seems to be clicking into place!

At the end of July I sold my house... I had no firm plans on where I was going to go (other than my friend Kath's house for a week or two!)... and things were a tiny bit stressful.

I started packing because I had just 6 weeks to vacate and I shared my tips for moving house here.

I had been viewing houses, seen a few I liked, but they were selling soooo quickly it was unreal.

And then I found a house that ticked nearly all the boxes... There was one other note of interest, but luckily for me they weren't in a position to make an offer... so I made an offer, which was declined... I increased it, but again it was rejected... and finally, after much deliberation, I increased my offer one last time and it was accepted!!!

Yippee - I have a house! It needs a bit of work, but it's ideal and I'm over the moon.

I'm already planning how I will decorate over on my Pinterest board 'For the Home'!! So exciting!!

I think the move is going to be emotional, and there have been tears shed already - there's still another 5 weeks to go before I actually have to move! 

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I sold the corner suite that was in the living room and I cried when it was taken away. I don't think I realised just how many bad memories I had associated with the sofa and it was relief in a way to get rid of it. 

I'm looking forward to a fresh start... new house, new beginnings!

{Wedding Anniversary}

Today would have been my 6 year wedding anniversary.

I remember waking up in the morning and being so excited and happy. I don't remember being nervous or anxious.

I had been continually told that I'd naturally lose weight on the run up to the wedding, but I was so organised (I do love a spreadsheet!) that I wasn't stressed at all. I spent the week before the wedding in Aberdeen with friends and family and all the eating out and cakes meant that my weight went up a bit. I really did panic on the morning as my bridesmaids literally had to squeeze me into my dress... thankfully they got it closed, just!

We had a little hiccup with our cars (my mother-in-law drove into the back of my own car that my father-in-law was driving and I had to get a new bumper!) and I was sad that my own mother wasn't there to share the day with us, but otherwise it went really well and the sun even made an appearance!

Despite all the heartache that has happened since, I've still got happy memories of this day.

My 'Tuscany' dress was from Joyce Young

Arriving at the church

My sister & I

We had dance lessons for our first dance as I've got two left feet!!

At the end of the night... drunk & happy! It was such a good day! 

(I've cropped out husband from photo!!)

{Selling Houses}

I'm a tad stressed out and emotions are running high.

I'm ready to move on... time for a fresh start... and as such my husband and I have decided to sell our marital home. There was no pressure put on me, but I know that it's the right thing to do. I would like to move to an area where the local schools are better and I also need to downsize. I really don't need to be living in a house this size when it's just me for 3 nights of the week!

There have been so many happy memories in this house, but coupled with that are the not so happy ones.

I'm sad to be leaving but excited for what the change will bring.

I'm doing my very best to declutter, organise and clear up as I make my way round the rooms. There are also a few small DIY jobs that are (still!) outstanding - work work to be freshened up and I'm halfway through painting my small internal bathroom.

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I want the house to be warm & welcoming for viewers - today I bought a plant for the office and I have some pictures to hang... I'm getting there, slowly!

I've also seen on Pinterest that you can put vanilla extract in a coffee cup in the oven for an hour and it makes the whole house smell like heaven apparently!

Here's hoping by the end of the week I will have the house sparkling and ready to go on the market. There's just the legal stuff to sort out and then we're set. Eek!

What are your tips for a successful sale?

{To Love Somebody}

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of my best friends Steph got married yesterday.

I travelled up from Glasgow to Inverness with one of my other best friends, Claire, and her husband. It was an early start as we had to leave at 8am to ensure we got there on time and I was subsequently up at 6am to make a start on my hair & make-up (false eyelashes to be applied etc!!).

My travel outfit: Ombre Print Knitted Top from M&S, Jacket by Ted Baker and Salsa Jeans from House of Fraser

The rain unfortunately hampered plans for them getting married on the lawn, but the sun did appear later in the day. The kid's dad, who is very good friends with the groom, was also in attendance at the wedding and had been asked to sing a song with his guitar whilst the register was signed (he used to be in a band and has sung before at someone's wedding, so he can actually sing). Thankfully, the layout of the room meant that I didn't need to look at him (as he sang 'To Love Somebody'....with the words 'I live and breathe for you, but what good does it do, if I ain't got you, ain't got you'...) and I just focussed myself on watching the happy couple. This was the first wedding I had attended since the failure of my own marriage, and I did find it a bit sad listening to the celebrant. Both the bride and groom had written letters to each other and they put these into a box during the ceremony along with a bottle of wine. The celebrant advised them that marriages are tough and that at any point they can open the box, drink the wine, read their letters and be reminded of their wedding day, or if they don't need it before, they can open the box at their 10 year wedding anniversary. My husband and I made it to 4 years...

Anyway, all in all it was a fantastic day. I had lots of fun, copious amounts of G&T was consumed, I was dragged round the dance floor to the ceilidh music, managed to avoid conversation with my drunken ex and fell into bed at midnight, utterly exhausted!

With the gorgeous bride, Steph (wearing her something borrowed - my diamante necklace)

This massive inflatable was on the lawn at the wedding venue... and yes, I went down it.... 

...wearing this --->

My wedding outfit: Dress by Karen Millen

{Heartbroken}

This week I have taken the kids away for a wee holiday. Whilst we are away, my husband will be moving the rest of his belongings out of the house and into his new rented accommodation. It's so sad that it has come to this, but I'm just not sure it can be fixed. He broke my heart.

Saturday 9th June would have been our 5 year wedding anniversary... it's going to be a difficult day :-(

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{Broken, Part II}

In August I confronted him, but he denied it.

I knew he was lying... but I didn't have any evidence. 

On 23rd of December, 2011 - I knew for sure.

On 28th of December, 2011 - I told him I knew.

On 29th of December, 2011 - I asked him to leave.

I'm starting 2012 as a single parent and there is a lot of change ahead. I'm excited, nervous, worried, scared... but I know I am stronger now and I can do this.