The beginning...

I have entered the world of blogging...

3 kids aged 4 and under, all i can say is that i must be completely bonkers.  I hardly have time for a wee let alone keep on top of a blog everyday but hey, i'll give it a go!

So, where do i start and what do i write in a blog?  I'm presuming its an online diary of sorts so i should write what i do in my day.  Ok, here goes..  I woke up, i gave the kids their breakfast, i weighed myself (pre-marital diet), i changed some smelly nappies... No, no, no - you don't want to hear all this rubbish so let me just say, on the topic of weddings, I AM THE 2012 ANNUAL PRIZE WINNER ON UKBRIDE.CO.UK

What does this mean i hear you ask?  It means i have won a whole load of prizes which are going to contribute to mine and Marks PERFECT day!

Let me tell you my story so far..........................

Its the morning of Valentines Day 2012, 14th February for all you Valentine haters out there that choose to forget the day..  Mark is on a late shift and the kids are on half term from school so we poodle about a bit first thing in the morning before deciding to go to Tesco.  Strapping the kids into their car seats my phone starts vibrating in my pocket.  Looking at the number, i shrug it off and put it back in my pocket.  Previous to this day i had numerous crappy phone calls from minibus firms trying to rip me off with their ridiculous quotes for my hen night..  Now, i don't know what it was but i felt the need to take the call, instinct or what?!  This is the conversation, as i can remember it...

Me:  Hello?
Caller:  Hi, is that Carly?
Me:  Yes, who's calling?
Caller:  Hi Carly, i'm Anna the editor from UKbride and i'm calling you to tell you that you're our 2012 annual prize winner.
PAUSE
PAUSE FOR A BIT LONGER
EVEN LONGER PAUSE
Me:  Are you kidding me?!
(Mark looking at me all confused)
Caller:  No, i'm not kidding, you're our winner!!

Now the rest of the phone call is a bit of a blur, i think it went something along the lines of me crying, then laughing, then crying a bit more before asking Anna to explain everything that she had just told me to Mark as absolutely none of it sunk in and i was in a complete daze!

Needless to say, its probably been one of our more joyous trips around Tesco!  Saying that, having won such an amazing prize, we're still always skint and we ended up having to put 3 items back as we had overspent..  Quite ironic some might think!

Right, so what did i win................

£500 worth of shoes

£760 His & hers designer watches

£2000 Wedding Stationery

Suit Hire

£500 Wedding Lingerie

Three night spa break for two

£3000 for dress for bride and/or bridesmaids with accessories

Wedding cake

Wedding Photography Package

7 Night Honeymoon- Buccament Bay in the Grenadines

£1000 Wedding Rings

Wedding Dress

I look back at all of those nearly a week later and i still can't believe my luck!

Having got all the details through for all of the above, i sent out emails to them all explaining who i was and what i needed to do in order to claim my prize.  Everyone i have dealt with have been absolutely lovely and very helpful.

My developments so far....Shoes have been ordered.  Watches will be dispatched this week.  Invitation design has been chosen, with the added extra of customising them to match our wedding theme.  Spa break has been provisionally booked for Easter Weekend.  Appointment has been made to visit Chandrika Thomas' showroom this Saturday.  Wedding cake ideas have been sent off and tasters are being sent this week (diet is going to go to pot!).  Photography booked and the wedding ring representative is coming to see Mark and I on the 1st March!  Not bad for 6 days work, who said this wedding planning lark was hard work?  Great fun more like!

Now onto the subject of the honeymoon.  A absolutely amazing prize, and holiday of a lifetime!  But, we can't go..... *sad face*  Partly down to childcare issues after the wedding but mainly because i am too much of a paranoid Mother to go so far away from our kids for so long.  Yes, its our Honeymoon and yes, if we had someone to look after our babies then they would be well cared for and nothing would happen to them but the 'what if?' inside my head is a killer..  What if we had to get home in an emergency for whatever reason?  Its not just an hours drive home is it?  Its a private plane back to Barbados and then a goodness knows how long a flight back and i just can't take that risk.  As of today, i gave the prize back to UKbride and they're running a new competition for another member of the website to win it.  Enjoy it whoever you are you lucky so and so's!!

Well, that is my last week in a nutshell..  Bit of a whirlwind to be honest but one of the most memorable Valentines days ever!  I shall keep you updated with all my wedding planning madness as and when there are further developments.

Over and Out!

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