Matt’s Journal

This post has actually nothing to do with anyone being dead. I had originally titled it “She’s Back” but then it reminded me of the awesome “The Office” clip posted above and rolled with the alternative.

Yes, indeed, Katie has returned to me in all her sun kissed beauty (lucky so-and-so). The two weeks in Gran Caneria have left us re-energised and made us really look forward to our upcoming wedding even more (let’s not play it down, it’s gonna be awesome!), so although I missed her, it has helped us reaffirm how we feel.

I spent most of my Sunday hoovering and cleaning the house for when the family returned, by all accounts I did a good job. Harry was fine the whole fortnight but within a few hours of them being home, he had Katie’s parents up twice in the night. The dog was very well behaved with me so I don’t know what is going on there!

Not really much of an update to be honest, just wanted to check in and let you know I was still alive.

It’s been a week by myself now with Katie off on holiday. I have spent many a night cooking for one, feeding the dog and then retiring to the sitting room to watch a few dvd’s or play some Xbox. Whilst it’s been lonely because it’s just me, it’s also been horrible in the fact that I am away from my fiancee and best friend. We are in constant contact and I think it may have offended the person she is sharing the room with but we both don’t care.

One of the most horrible parts of it is that if Katie is out at a bar or a club and has a problem, I am powerless to help her or reassure her, it’s selfish to think she can’t live without me protecting her but it’s a natural instinct that kicks in if Katie is upset or in danger.

The dog has never left my side, he follows me about the house all day everyday, the only time he isnt is when I am at work during the week. Last night he kept licking my leg and waking me up, something I was not best pleased with but just guessed that he was just as lonely as me.

Other news just in, I am flying to the US in a week, following on from the America post below. I will be meeting Katie and her family out there, I will update you as to what happens when I get back as I don’t want to jinx anything just yet.

Yeah, im back from Lanzarote, I am sun kissed and healthy looking (don’t all be jealous). Myself and Katie had an amazing time, I will give a full report later.

For now, take a look at a picture from our week away.

In just three days, myself and Katie will be boarding a jetplane and not knowing when we shall be back again.

OK, we will be back in one week.

Lanzarote is the location and relaxing is the notion, we shall be leaving the wet, windy and grey skies of England for the sunny climbs of the Canary Islands. I am fortunate enough to have a lovely fiancée who wishes to take me on holiday, a holiday that I think that will help rid the stresses of work, taxes and annoying people from our minds.

Don’t even think about trying to break into my house and stealing anything, I have Harry* guarding the place and he’s equal to any threat you pose!

*Harry

I have had my Hyundai Coupe for a year now and this month my car tax has come up for renewal. Last week our Home Secretary announced his budget, punishing the more “polluting” vehicles. Guess what I was labelled…….a pollutant!

My car tax was quoted as being £300 on the renewal form for a year, very high but doable. The budget last week changed all that though, it went up to £400 for the year! A smack in the face for me, I will be doing my utmost to get a good deal for my car, trade it for a very economical smaller car……just what the government wants.

After declaring war on smoking, the amount of money they get from the tax concessions has considerably lowered. If we can’t tax smokers, lets tax the road users and pretend we are doing our bit for the environment!

It’s been an expensive weekend. I also bought our wedding rings ready for July and bought currency for our holiday. I need to win the lottery……..fast.

There have been a few sleepless nights in Chez Brian in the last week or so, mainly because of the pending house move. I have been busy transferring funds from different internet accounts into my main savings account, paying off outstanding Direct Debits and generally trying to make the financial minefield that has been my situation, an orderly fiscal environment. This was done in the background while I filled out mortgage papers, liaised with the mortgage people and solicitors. I would wake up earlier than I wanted in the morning, think about what I would have to do that day and not be able to get back to sleep, I will readily admit it was a new experience to me.

For the majority of my life I have been in complete control of things, at University it was a case of how small the debt I was in would stay and as I gained respect in my jobs then after, how much money I could save whilst enjoying myself. Now it has all been laid bare for the financial companies to judge me, I have had to list purchases on my 0% credit card as outstanding debt, my car loan also. You then submit the application, hold your breath and hope that you come out with the money/mortgage you need!

After a discussion this afternoon, I have a mortgage proposal in principle and all looks to be angling towards completion. Done #1!

I have all but finished my Christmas shopping, this year being an easy year as I did it all very early and spread the cost My brother will be getting clothing, my mother a brand new iPod Nano and my stepdad a new digital camera (no I didnt shell out for it all, it was spread across the other members of the family). Katie’s presents I will not divulge as she reads this blog, but she is a master at getting me to divulge secrets so she knows a good few already. So you could say, Done #2!

All of my family and friends have now got their wedding suits fitted, meaning we are all go for the July deadline, thats a relief, I just hope I don’t start piling on the pounds in the next 6 months! On a wedding related note, the honeymoon is booked, Cuba is our destination of choice. Done #3? You bet you. See the pics below for our resort in Cuba, we should be staying in one of the lake houses.

I have been a little worried but it seems things have come together