Squashed Tomatoes and Stew

12 months ago I was in hopsital having surgery that turned out to be to remove the evilness from my small bowel. 12 months ago I was given a special pink gown to wear for the day as I was to spend my birthday in hospital. Rubbish.
Never again. This year I decided as I had the fortune (!) not to be hospitalised, and for my birthday to be over Easter, to enjoy a 4 day celebration! I am also in the position now that few will understand - that every birthday that I reach is a good thing - another milestone. If (when) I get there - my 40th is going to be bloody massive!

Started with an amazing day at The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Brother Studios, Leavesden. As a massive Harry Potter fan this was an awesome day - and actually rather emotional. I suspect due to HP being a part of my life for the last 10 years and there I was actually IN the Great Hall, and on Diagon Alley. Wow. I naturally had to purchase a few souvenirs including Snape's Wand (!!!) and Hermione's magic bag from the Deathly Hallows films - bit disappointed that I don't seem to be able to store a tent in there.

My actual birthday was spent visiting our new house in West Berks - so we could measure up and plan stuff. Hopefully we are moving at the end of this month. Very exciting but trying not to get too excited until we actually have the keys. Things in my life tend not to always go to plan - you may have noticed, so until it's all done and dusted then excitement must be kept under wraps!
Much excitement and merriment was had in the evening when celebrated my birthday with my soon to be neighbour! Lots of cocktails and giggles!

A bit of civilisation was had with a spot of Afternoon tea at Cliveden House on Easter Sunday. Yum. That is all.

And finally today - a wet and windy day in Brighton buying new shoes!

So all in all - a vast improvement compared to 2011 - but let's be frank, that's not hard! However I have spent it with some truly lovely people and felt very special. Life it going well at the moment. Had a slightly scary moment when was "summoned" to see Dr Evilness. Spent two days basically shitting ourselves and it transpired he just wanted to "catch up". Seriously. Don't scare the crap out of us for just a chat. I do think these people forget the power they have and how they can lift or crush you in one phone call. Anyway - my liver MRI was "all fine" but I still have to have the micro-bubble ultrasound with Dr Elusive. So I assume the whatever is in my liver is still there but no worse. And I get to have a full body CT scan in a couple of weeks. It's been a while since I had a good dose of x-rays. So the usual tests and waiting for results ensues. Again.

Anyway. So that's where we are. Ooh I am adopting 2 sock monkeys from the wonderful Monkey and Squidge. Now that I am excited about.