In a little less than two weeks my lovely brother in law Nick is taking the effervescent Sarah to be his wife. Saturday Steve and I were at their Stag and Hen days respectively and enjoyed celebrating who they are now and who they will be together. Marriage is exciting, I keep gaining sisters and brothers, there are still two spots open in the Trundle family so I wonder who will be added in the years to come? xc
Anyone who knows my slightly eccentric and gorgeous husband will know that he has a great hatred of paying for haircuts. At my suggestion Stephen was letting his hair grow to see if we could push past lego man, through helmet head and into something a little more interesting. We confirmed however that Steve simply has too much hair so over the Easter weekend he went from exhibit one on the left to exhibit two on the right... I think he looks lovely... it's very nice to see his face again! xc
Due to a sad lack of funds and a lot of discipline Charlotte has been very restrained in the last year. She always looks beautiful with her long blonde locks but if you’ve known her for any length of time then you’ll know that she’s lacked a bit of her usual VaVaVoom…
My gorgeous wee sis is wee no more. Yesterday Lisa turned 24 and was surprised by the entire Trundle clan arriving to celebrate her Birthday at a fabulous Turkish restaurant. We laughed, we told our most recent stories and we toasted Lisa as she enters her 25th year. As I looked around the table I realised that I don't think it's been just the five of us since our holiday in 2006. What a joy... xc
I love my little sister. She has grown into a fun, feisty and rather foxy young lady and I am grateful to consider her one of my closest friends. On Sunday Steve, Helen and I piled into the Vauxhall and road tripped it to Londinium town to join her in celebrating her Baptism…
Thoughts are colliding in my mind as I write. It began Thursday evening as I perused the day's headlines and read the experiences of one journalist and her visit to the Hugging Saint aka Mata Amritanandamayi or Amma, an Indian spiritual leader who comforts people and spreads selflessness by hugging the masses. Bizarre as her idea may be it has some emotional and physiological merit. It's just a shame people pay and queue to be hugged by her rather than turning to their loved ones and finding solace there...
I'm only 26 but on Saturday night I really started to feel my age. The beautiful Charlotte Terris took the Chi community out to the Mud Club to celebrate her 29th Birthday. The ever talented ASkillz kept our toes tapping and our tail feather shaking so it was a little like I'd gone back five years to being a fresh faced graduate out with the girls on a Saturday night...
Continue reading "Charlottie-to-hottie shakes a tail feather" »
My not-so-little bro has finally done it. He's flown the family nest and alighted on Birmingham to expand his mind and make new friends in the world of students. I can tell a new era is dawning. He actually washed up today, other people's stuff, without Lisa or Mum nagging him too. Good golly, next he'll be growing a beard. I jest. Adam I'm really proud of you. Go take the world of politics by storm! If you expand your sociological horizons and move past the Tories I may even consider voting for you when you run for Prime Minister ;) xc
I miss my Mum and Dad and Sister and Brother lots at the moment. Life in all it's busyness has kept us apart for the last month or so and I've begun to really crave their presence. Being two to three hours away makes spontaneous dinners a bit of a mission so our roundevouz yesterday in London was a precious event in my diary...
My brother Adam has an idol, Zack Efron of High School Musical and Hairsray fame. Judging by the photo on the right though, Zack may be idolising Adam in return. That's Adam's favourite outfit! There's nothing for it bro, you're gonna have to have a dance off to determine who's the Disney King! xc
So James and Kate finally tied the knot in a fabulous outdoor/hippy Wedding last Saturday. They looked so blissfully happy and dispite wide spread sunburn everyone loved the outdoor Wedding...
The more recent friends and anonomous blog readers among you may not know that I don't actually hail from England, despite my beautiful southern accent and nearly two decades residence here. The Trundle/Brennan family hails from Dublin but due to work opportunities at the age of four I was moved to Northern Ireland and then at eight to England. The land of ponies and plums...
I was thinking and chatting with Steve yesterday about two of my closest friends, Helen and Charlotte. Though wonderfully and vibrantly different from each other there is one characteristic they share, forward motion…
I guess everyone feels like their family is unique, a truly original blend of personalities and quirks that they embrace or reject as they grow up, become their parents and adapt old traditions, believing they’re original. I have always been like my Father and I’m growing more and more like my Mother. Makes sense, she’s never stopped teaching me what it is to be a woman, right now she’s teaching me how to be loving after 26 years of marriage…
Lottie is home! France was wet and windy so the honeymooning couple decided to return to sunny Chichester a little earlier than expected. Matt and Charlotte are home and the peaceful working environment of my dining room table will never be the same again...
I've sat at my keyboard for the last five minutes trying to decide how to express all the emotion and spectacle of Charlotte and Matt's Wedding Day. Charlotte is almost family and I've grown to love and respect Matt during the years of their courtship. The day was a stylistic, celebratory and organisational triumph, but that is only half the story...
A week from today my best friend Miss Charlotte New will be Mrs Charlotte Terris. It totally crept up on me, I can't believe the change is iminent. I hadn't really contemplated it until her Hen Day on Saturday. Last week was such a chaos of moving, fundraising, Hen planning, hospital visits and band practices that I didn't have time to stop and think that Charlotte is actually getting married!
The beautiful Smiles is 25 today! Hurrah I hear you cry, and you should, she's spendid and I am very grateful to have known her for six of her 25 years on planet earth. Sadly I missed her "I have never..." fancy dress party but thoroughly enjoyed working out everyone's "I have never" themes from all her pics. Test your noodle with some obvious and some thoroughly obscure outfits below...
Just a short note about a fabulous weekend. Ben McIntyre is hitched! Ben & Gemma were married out doors at the foot of Ben Nevis in Scotland. It was a simple but beautiful day with breath taking vistas, scrummy food and excellent speaches. Well worth the 23 hours of driving to be there and celebrate the formation of a new family. A selection of pics are to your right... enjoy xc
There is nothing more enjoyable than a glass of red wine, a plate of freshly made curry and great company. Last night Steve and I paid a long overdue visit to our good friends Ed & Jenni in their new home in Littlehampton and as always, I left regretting that we do not see them more...
I have a lot to write about from a fantasticly fun Easter break but big apologies as it's gonna take me a while to get round to it. While I took the weekend off to reflect on the grace of our Lord about 60 24-7ers and 20 Spamers were busy typing as my heaving in box can now testify...
Congratulations to Andy & Andrea who got married in a simple but heart-warming ceremony on Saturday. She was ravishing, he was chuffed and they both spent the afternoon grinning like Cheshire Cats. I really enjoyed trying to capture the moments that made the day in my role as informal photographer. 
One moment I sadly failed to capture was the unfortunate fire tearing through pony tail incident. Yours truly set her hair on fire during the vows and had to freak out silently whilst Steve cried with laughter. Kind guests found me afterwards to tell me they saw foot high flames above my head... how do I manage these things? xc
There are so many great people in our lives, each one unique and lovely. I feel a little like I'm constantly behind catching up with each of them. Our home is always full at least one meal time a week often more and we have people making good use of our spare bedroom about twice a month. We're loving who we are seeing but there are so many great friends and people we'd like to know better.
Today is my little Bro's 18th Birthday, a little frightening as I'm not entirely sure when he grew up, and last week was my Mum's Birthday (I'm not telling) so Steve and I are up in Grendon today for joint celebrations. Lots of love and congratulations to you both, you look gorgeous darlings! xc
It has been far too long since muddy walks on Sunday afternoon has been the order of the day. This weekend with a golden winter sun slicing through crisp, clean air Steve and I set out to reverse the lazy trend and drag some friends out to the wilds of Arundle...
It has finally begun. Lisa has taken on the mantle of a Trundle cyber-presence by sharing her life via the medium of blogging. Simple beginnings promise fun times ahead. If you know Lisa, or are simply curious about the possibility of another Trundle, then check out her blog here. There'll be a lot of changes in look and feel in the next week but pop by and say hi. Welcome Lisa, cyber space is brighter for your presence! xc
I know I have a very talented and gorgeous fiance, I don't need convincing. I did however rather enjoy last night's gig in Southampton where everyone else got see how wonderful he is in shiny bright lights. Steve kicked off the first leg if the Delirious tour in Tim Hughes band last night. His Coldplay-esque keys were rousing, I was very proud. If your catching Delerious then my man is the seriously hot keyboard player making Tim Hughes look good ;) xc
I do worry about the man I'm marrying from time to time. Some call him eccentric, others say he's inspired... I guess there's a fine line between genius and muppetness... At least he makes me laugh :D
I feel like I know my Mum, Dad, Sister and Brother pretty well, but nothing has made me prouder of them than watching them work on the Hemmingwell estate with 1000 gorgeous, hyper kids and teenagers. My personal favourite moments were teaching girls like Thandeka (left) to shake their booty to Beyonce, watching the local police and the Mayor of Wellingborough stand bemused while most of the local troublemakers ran around with broad grins, sibling smack-down on the bungee inflatables and 50 kids with their hands in the air desperate to tell everything they know about Jesus to win a bag of Haribo. I think bribery is a grossly under-used evangelism technique, their knowledge was astounding… xc
I am loving the graffitti art Emily Moore is coming up with a the minute. If you don't know the luminesent Em then I cannot praise her highly enough. She is full of joy, life and God and has been a massive encouragement and key friend of the last few years. Check out her gallery of latest work here...
Yesterday our determined inactivity was broken by an adventure, something that both terrified and tantalised the entire family. Around the corner from where we've put down roots Adam and and Dad found a series of watery caves eaten into the rock face of the island. With fabulously clear deep water, many over hangs and the gauntlet (a passage going through pitch darkness from one cave to another) we were captivated...
The Trundle's put great stock in tradition. Ours may seem a little stranger than most but they are no less in value and we are no less fervent in our commitment to them because they are mundane and easily missed...
Napoleon wishes he could dance like this. I am marrying into talented genes. Watch the many Nicks add their contribution to his moring workout before taking off around the world to star jump and squat thrust with the many wonders. It really is exquisite!
Life is good, God's good, much food for thought swilling around my brain and embarrassing chair/biscuit incidents providing humour in our warm office. Loving Charlotte, of course, and I had to laugh when I read her perspective on our deep chats and easy laughter. Check it out here...
Through a happy discovery of distant family my Dad's been musing on our family history and ethos today. He sent Deborah and I an email with a brief history of the Trundle family and included something I'd never heard before. We have a family motto, and it's a pretty fantastic one: Be just and fear not...
Mmm today's little joys have been:
*Grapes in fromage frais
*Smiles blogging about the trials of parenthood
*An excellent meeting with my International boys
*Charlotte running like a weirdo from her desk to the stock cupboard
*Anna New's excessively delicious Brownie's!
*Thinking up snappy Postcard slogans for 24-7. Check 'em out here...
*Planning my trip to South Africa
*My camouflaged outfit (joggers and T-Shirt blending with the office walls, I was born to be a ninja!)
I've been thinking a lot today about the two wonderful women I live with. I wrote a few days ago about all the ways God's been showing off and using our community to answer prayers and impacting
people's lives. Bex and Smiles have been smack bang in the middle of much of what he's doing...
It has begun. Steve has officially started blogging and I have to admit I am worried. Blogging is my thing, what if he becomes funnier and more popular in the cyber world than me? Only schmoking, I am very proud of my lovely man and look forward to reading his musings. If you'd like to join me check out his blog here...
Another day another trip to St Richards Hospital for team Smiles. Our lovely, imfamous friend had a (miracle!) operation to attend, the fruit of much prayer and some particularly spectacluar answers from the Big G. 7.45am is never a good time, but it's especially difficult when you're heading to hospital with your pants over your trousers...
I’m not sure what was more frightening, a blacked up white guy, or Charlotte New dressed as Dolly Parton complete with collagen lips. When Smiles announced the theme of her 24th Birthday Party as all things American I’m sure even she underestimated the lengths to which the Chi massive would go…
It's a funny thing to be reminded that the brother you fondly think of as an adroable little boy is actually a man. Even stranger to realise that his growth reflects our own, I am no longer the enthusiastic teenager I was when I tread the boards he broached last night...
This morning as I walked through town, underestimating the amount of extra time it takes to walk in heals, I smiled noticing the difference in the weather. Chi has that Spring time hum in the air that inspires kindness in adults and laughter in Children...
In Chichester of Yesteryear on a weekday night you could walk into the pub of the moment and be guaranteed to find a cluster of Revs guys out for the night, the life and soul of the party. Throughout the years this trend has diminished, lifestyles have become less flexible and tastes have diverged...
There's nothing more sorrowful or shocking as a life ended too soon. Nothing that makes you examine your own mortality or inspire a deeper apreciation for the time we're given and the people we share it with. Friday brought some very sad news. News that has made me realise I have a lot to be grateful for...
What a difference a year makes. So much has changed, friendships drifted, friendships forged, others still plodding along side by side. A new depth in my walk with God, Tranist, more travel, 24-7 is another year older and in just 12 short months I've gone from a content little singleton to a merrily engaged woman...
It has finally happened, my Father has finally cracked. He emailed me today to introduce me to the newest member of the Trundle familly; his growing midlife crisis aka his new red Porshe. He has been found standing at the front door druelling and purring. Next will be the pierced ear, the leather jacket and the Lovejoyesque mullet. It's a slippery slope! xc
When people first encounter the Trundle family most are dazzled by Dad's Superhero presence, Lisa's frenetic energy or Mum's donkey laugh. But once you get past each of these unique but quite upfront gems, once you scratch beneath the surface and become more than a passing friend, you earn the right to discover one of our best assets; my little/big brother and his dry wit...
I have a very unique and very loved fiance. Despite his aversion to forward planning 21 people gathered at the dragon restaurant last night to celebrate his 30th Birthday. Lots of laughter, some innapropriate advances from Steve's boss and too much food were had by all. As we shared a mushy moment later in the evening I marvelled at how much had changed in a year. Last Birthday my sister had stood mezmorised at my slightly odd friend's handle bar tash, now he's my slightly odd fiance and I'm planning the rest of my life with him. Happy days. Happy Birthday Handsome xc
This weekend was wonderful. Short and sweet, you can stop reading now if you're especially busy... if not let me tell you more. I flew with Mum, Dad, Lili and Adam from Luton to Dublin (a little brain fried from Transit) on Friday night. From the moment we pulled up at our surprisingly plush hotel (Dad vows to check prices more closely in future) to the sad and tired fairwell last night, the Trundle family laughed, teased, ate and visited with a plethora of relatives and friends...
Meet my Uncle Frank, my favourite Uncle (shhh! don't tell the others!). He flew from Dublin last weekend to hang out and catch up with the British arm of the Trundle family and I took an extra special day trip home to catch up with him. He hasn't really changed a bit, still big, strong and funny, still able to crush my hand in his and pretend to head but me. Hmmm happy days... xc
Two of my closest and most dramatic friends had their Birthdays in quick succession last week. As I spent a week, lounging in the Scotish Highlands Rebecca and Charlotte took another firm step into womanhood... hehe, how grand!
Continue reading "Bexicockles and Charlottie to Hottie..." »
Yesterday was punctuated by my favourite sound; rain on glass. My bedroom is in the attic and there's nothing that relaxes or soothes me more than the sound of rain on the roof when I’m snuggled beneath my goose down duvet…
"This weekend has been like heaven..." you're absolutely right Ralf! I want to share my weekend with you all but nothing I could write would ever do justice to the music, food, friends, blustery walks, card games, joking, late night 24 marathons, worship, heart-to-hearts, farewells and numerous mugs of tea. So I shall let my pictures do the talking; welcome to my weekend...
Yesterday I felt extremely loved. I've had a difficult weekend and returned to Chi yesterday afternoon feeling pretty fragile and drained. All considered everything went as well as it could but the last few days had really taken it out of me...
It's been a week now so it's about time that I introduced you to my beautiful new Spanish house mate Esther Vazquez. Esther exploded into our lives about a month ago, and though she's only been in 15 Caledonian rd a week, she's already winning our affections...
Tis the week for baby blogs! Yesterday my other beautiful friend, inspired by Charlottie to hottie, took the plunge into blogdom! If Charlotte is a frenetic burst of extraverted sparkle, then Helen is the quiet whisper of a spring breeze in your ear. To follow the escapades and thoughts of my lovely friend Helen Monkton click here...
I'm typing this from a noisy sports bar come pool room come internet cafe on the out skirts of the main town on the Island of Kos, Greece. It's about 20 degrees this evening; I've spent the last three days horizontal in the sun and my skin is turning a wonderful golden colour without a smidgen of sun burn in sight...
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