That's spontaneity darling!

I'm beginning to notice that the best plans are always made, or best times had after institute on a tuesday. This week, Dans poorly car was replaced by a sexy brand new courtesy car so we decided a daytrip was in order. We first decided Bath.. but then that changed, so we settled on Winchester. Although I'd been there before.. It's so beautiful, It's a perfect mix of old and new, historic and modern. We had fun taking ALOT of photos courtesy of Chase. Then finished our morning with lunch in our usual haunt.. The Slug and Lettuce. Spontaneous summer days.. now that's life!

Chase Toyn Photography.

"Money means nothing.. A duck is a duck" -Joanna Ruddock

So, round two of Jo's awesome plans for the summer weeks.. Arcades!
First great thing that happened was getting £2 of coins for free from the nice man in the CASH box. Then we freed Gwendoline from her machine.. and Shrubs from his.. and stole some Toy Story marbles from a machine which nobody had claimed! ..Then candyfloss, slushy, tree climbing, pool and ALOT of air hockey :) It was an amazing day, I love my besties.

Joanna Ruddock

As is blog tradition, when somebody important is introduced to this here page.. I like to say a little about why I love them. Joanna, one of the 3 amigos, is the definition of the life of the party! She brings the fun! She's absoloutely crazy.. but also the most gentle person you'll ever meet. She loves everyone, and everything. Me and Sophie always say that Joanna keeps us young :) the 2 cranky old ladies that we are becoming. She's absoloutely stunning.. both inside and out, and she has been a huge part of my life for the past 8 years and counting. I love you Jo, thanks for always being there.

Friends Reunited

Sophie and Joanna are my best friends. We've been amigos since year 7, we've had some people come in.. and out.. of our group, but the three musketeers have stayed solid throughout. 2 years ago myself and Jo went off to Uni and Sophie followed suit, so being together as a 3 has been a little difficult. But summer is here again, and we're going to make the most of it!

Joanna's first idea of the season was to go crabbing!! We hadn't been since we were about 6 or 7, and the only others at the Lake were all about that age.. except all the oldies that were getting into it with us! We even got some crab cooking tips! It was ALOT of fun. Congrats to Jo for being champion crabber.

Kingston Lacy

You are cordially invited to the wedding of Erich & Lyndsey Weidmann

...Just Kidding!!

I was lucky enough this week to be given a free spot in the schedule of my busiest friend! With all day free we headed to a nearby National Trust site, the biggest in the UK so we found out. In order to get in we had to pretend to be Mr and Mrs Weidmann, as we stole his parents pass. Lucky me! Kingston Lacy is a beautiful old house with huge, landscaped gardens. We trespassed a little, had a garden tour, decided which furniture Erich would like to steal, admired some amazing.. and some quite gross art, put flowers in my hair.. then headed back to Erich's fish smelling apartment for some chinese food with the lovely Pascal. It was a really fun day, and tasty too (thanks to Pascal for the chinese food!)

I'd like to say a huge congratulations to the recently engaged Erich :) and good luck!! Erichs been a friend since I first moved to Bournemouth. He was the first one to offer a ride, and help whenever i've needed it. Late night trips to the pharmacy, hours of advice in the car and countless dinners and movie nights. Erich, you're gonna make a great husband!! I'm SO happy for you :) I will miss you when you disappear back to Switzerland in 2 years time!! big big love xx

Oh no.. It happened again!

So, it seems just recently that the YSA only want to wear onesies and 'frolick' so after institute this week instead of a trampoline.. we headed to ASDA, and had some trolley fun :)

Following ASDA we proceeded to roam around.. and Louise introduced us to a bush, which you can bounce on. I kid you not, a bush that you can jump on and it has bounce!! So we named it 'Le Bush..' and tried (and failed...alot) to get the perfect jumping shot

I am so glad that I am in a stake where i'm not the only nutter, and that we share the Gospel and so much love and evergy with each other. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Poole Stake YSA. You couldn't want for a nicer group of people.

Bishop Taylor

Today has been a very happy, emotional day. My big brother Steven has become Bishop Taylor of Winchester Ward.

(find out more? FAQ What is a ward/stake/branch?)

Steven Mark Taylor, Born 23rd May 1986 to goodly parents who loved the Gospel, and strived to teach it to us, their 4 children. Steve has always known the church is true, and throughout the struggles that the rest of the Taylor kids have faced.. he has been my example of what a life lived right can do to your character. Steve served a mission in Germany and has a deep love for the church, I've always known that he holds his testimony close, and quiet, but it's always been there. Steve married the beautiful Ashton Curgenven on June 13th 2009. She is a wonderful person, who has allowed Steven to grow into himself, supported and loved. They are a wonderful partnership. I am so grateful to her for being exactly what Heavenly Father needed her to be to help prepare and support Steven to serve when his time came. She has a wonderful testimony of the Gospel, a beautiful voice and a lovely family who have been a joy to get to know better. She's an asset to the Taylor family, and I am proud to call her my sister.

So today at church in Winchester, we sustained Steven as the Bishop of Winchester Ward. He's so grown up!

So what secrets can I spill about Steven all over the internet.. Truth is, I can't. He doesn't have any. If there is anybody I know, minus the bias of him being my big brother, I know that he has been prepared for this call. I know that he has ideas, energy and passion for service, he loves Winchester Ward, and he loves his Saviour. I am so proud of Steve, and so thankful for who he is. I remember when he was on his mission, and I was having a hard time. He had no idea what was happening back home, but his letters always held a calm confidence in the peace of the Gospel. That's what I needed, and ever since, he's been my friend and an incredible example of hard work, discipline and how living the Gospel can bring true happiness.

I know the church is true, I have a testimony of the truthfullness of it. I have a testimony of the power of the Atonement and the sweet relief, peace and comfort it brings. I love my Saviour, I love our Prophet and I am so grateful to be born of goodly parents who sealed us together for time and all eternity.

Steve I am so proud of you, I love you, and I know that you are ready to do this. Heavenly Father knows it, Your family knows it, the ward already know it, so now it's time for you to believe in yourself. We love you, always.

Jubilee Weekend

This weekend is the Queens 60th (i think) Jubilee celebrations which gives us 2 extra Bank Holidays.. so i used the time off to come home from uni, work a little, and have some fun.

Friday.. I went charity shopping with Sophie and Aaron. Charity shopping is my favourite. It's cheap, it's an adventure.. and it's so satisfying when you find something you like!

Saturday.. I worked for most of the day but then my boys came over for the night, I took Joey, Josh and James to play Pool.. it was dire! I have never been with a group of people so shockingly bad at the game. Josh couldnt hit the white, James couldn't get the white to hit anything else and I kept potting the black. It was embarrassing.

Sunday.. we all went to church in Portsmouth. Then i filled my house with all of the other YSA. I cooked Roast Chicken and we went walking around Hilsea Lines. We walked past my 'break up spot' but i kept that to myself.. we played some games. Good food, good company, good fun.

Monday.. i spent 4 hours cleaning the house, and enjoyed it!! Then went back to work, and had some fun with Sophie in the evening.

 From left to right: Liz, Sandzi, Me, Joey, Josh, Claire, Aaron, Chase, Josh.

I'm not overly patriotic and had no plans to attend an actual 'celebration' of the Queen having survived for as long as she has, so these are the only pics i took!

On another note..

Josh Curgenven

This kid has been one of my best friends for about 4 years(ish), and this weekend he proved himself to be someone i could not live without! Friends dont always like it when you get gushy and tell them how much they mean to you.. but I figure he's not going to see this unless he wants to.. so i can tell the world that this weekend, he dried my tears and lifted me back up again. Friends make life worth living, and i've got some of the best. I love you man.

Joey Mitchell

Thankyou for understanding me when nobody else does, for helping me see who I really am and for loving what I am, when I don't. You're one of the best, I love you too!