Well, it’s three weeks this Saturday until our big day our "Claret and Blue Wedding" and we are both so looking forward to our big magical day, the last six months have been very hectic and we have worked every evening and weekend non stop to make sure our special day is just perfect for us both – I know it will be x I shall make it the best day of your life my darling, a memorable, special day for you to treasure forever, followed by a honeymoon that will be the best holiday of your life gorgeous, we shall have an amazing time, just you and me spending some well deserved quality, loving (!!!!) time together, we are both so excited and can’t wait for our day to come xx (Ian: Thank you babe, I'm sure it will be a fantastic day, thank you for everything you've put into it, I love you x)

Well, before the wedding day we thought it would be a good idea to conclude with how our story continues of our year together with 2006...

It all began in January 2006 when our old house had been on the market for a couple of months, and we decided to start the new year with some house viewings to find my babe and me a new ‘love nest’ for us to settle down in, we viewed a lot of houses during the month of January but none of them were what we were exactly looking for so we kept looking and searching until we came across the right one, in the meantime we were taking viewings on the house that we were in until we decided to see a pattern in the feedback which people were giving us and that was: “the only reason they wouldn’t buy the house is because of the bathroom!” Well it was an awful bathroom, it was a very old sage green! So we decided to take it off the market for a week and strip it ourselves, so for a week at the end of January each evening we took the tiles off (we had lots of fun doing this didn’t we darling!) (Ian: No, I've still got the scars - me and DIY do not make a good partnership!) (Kell: Aah I know babe, but we got there in the end and it sold the house!) plastered the walls, got a cheap but nice white suite fitted, new tiles placed on the walls and a lick of paint, a new door and some nice vinyl flooring…and well I must say it looked great! We then put the house back on the market, had some new photos took by our estate agent and the first viewing which we had after that they fell in love with it and brought it! So we had our house sold but we’d still not chosen our new love nest until...

One day Ian was driving through Stonnall and spotted this house in a cul de sac on a corner plot which was up for sale, he phoned me and we immediately made an appointment to view it.  We viewed the house and as soon as I walked in I was like wow this feels like home, it was the only one out of I can’t remember how many that when we walked through the front door it felt like home. We were both so excited as this was our first house that we would be buying together, it was such a magical feeling. We looked around each room and they were huge, but I guess they would be compared to what we had then a little two bedroom mid terrace house! The house had a lovely setting on the corner, it had three bedrooms, a two car drive, a garage, a dining room, more spacious and well we just fell in love with it, we knew when we brought it that it was not everything which we ideally wanted as we wanted four bedrooms, an en suite, detached and a conservatory but it was a step up from what we’d got and it was going for a bargain, so after careful thought and consideration we decided to go for it and we put an offer in, our offer was accepted and there we had it our new love nest. We paid extra for the top survey as it is quite an old house a couple of minor things came up which we had done, my Dad put us new upvc windows and built us a porch which is fantastic, thanks Dad it’s brilliant! It didn’t need much work doing at all inside except for the bathroom which was have a guess…..sage green!! (Ian: I couldn't believe it when we got to the bathroom, it was just like our old horrible one!) So we went to MFI and choose a new bathroom from scratch, it was brilliant the way it was all designed on computer, as it’s not a huge bathroom we decided to make the best of the space which we’ve got so we had a corner Jacuzzi bath put in which is absolutely fabulous (we love it don’t we gorgeous? X) (Ian: we sure do babe, it's superb) an excellent shower and it is now decorated just how we like it, we are both really pleased with our bathroom.

On the 27^th April 2006 we signed our contracts and mortgage paperwork and were given a date to move of Friday 5^th May 2006, so as the 5^th May came even closer we were busy packing everything up and eventually on that day everything went to plan and we moved successfully, it was a very long day, and a busy, stressful couple of months but we got through it together as we had each other and now we are very settled in our new love nest and have shared even more special precious memories and times here for us to treasure forever x (Ian: special thanks to everyone who helped us that day: Dad, Donald, Angela, Wayne (big thanks to you, we'd have been snookered without you mate), Large Dave, Rebecca, and everyone else.)

A couple of months ago just out of interest and because we’d had all the work completed on the house we decided to have just for our reference a valuation done on the house and well gosh we were both over the moon! All I can say is that we moved here, brought everything brand new, did up our love nest to how we want it and we have still made what was our main aim of moving here for a lot of money, so we were well chuffed. We have now decided upon that excellent news that as much as we love it here next year (2008) we’d like to move again (if it’s the right house it may be our last move) to a house which has everything extra to our love nest which we’ve got now we would like: detached, conservatory, four bedrooms, en suite and we would ideally like a new house rather than an older one, or maybe even a cottage in the country in either Worcestershire or Gloucestershire (but this may be our last move in a few more years time) that would then make our love nest as perfect as we have ever wished for it to be.

On the 5^th May this year we will be celebrating being in our love nest a year to this day and hopefully we will be sharing it with a final home win for the Villa boys!

In February we went to see one of our favourite groups Simple Minds in concert at the Academy in Birmingham,

 we had a lovely evening it was a great concert and we finished the night of by having a yummy curry at our local Indian restaurant.(Ian: I was chuffed, as although I've seen them live loads of times, but this time I heard 'Seeing Out The Angel' live for the first time, which is a classic) For Valentines Day we went to Alton Towers Spa for the day, we had a lovely relaxing day here but it is no where near as good as Hoar Cross Hall or Risley Hall, we highly recommend both of these as it is a fabulous weekend. During the first four months of the year we were busy shopping around for furniture for our new love nest, we brought a new huge settee, new dishwasher, oven, washing machine, fridge, freezer, fire and many more items, but we purchased most of our furniture from a shop called Wildes furniture, this is an excellent shop which has some fantastic furniture, it is similar to the Dakota range from Next but it is much cheaper, it is all handmade in India and looks amazing! We brought all our dining room furniture from there, our living room furniture, our third bedroom furniture and a lovely cast iron bed, our hallway furniture and all of our bedroom furniture from here, it is fabulous, the best item in our bedroom is the bed, we’ve never seen a bed like it as soon as we saw it we were like wow we’ve got to have that, it’s a huge king size bed made out of Indian wood with a huge Indian wood head board! Whenever we go away now we always look forward to coming home for one reason and that’s to get in our own bed.

On the 26^th March 2006 it was our two year engagement and we celebrated by going for a lovely meal, thank you so much gorgeous I had a lovely evening xx April last year I arranged lunch at Villa Park along with a tour of the stadium for my babe’s birthday, we had a lovely afternoon, we enjoyed a lovely lunch overlooking the pitch then we were taken on a tour of the stadium, we went in the players lounge, in the meeting rooms, in the dressing rooms, in the testing rooms, in the room where they do the interviews then we walked down the tunnel with the music playing out onto the pitch, where we sat in the dug out and enjoyed a lovely afternoon. (Ian: thank you for arranging that babe, it was an unforgettable day, even if we did write O'Leary out on the tactics board!) (Kell: We only spoke the truth though my darling on the tactics board!!)

For my babe’s birthday we went away for the weekend to Lucksall Caravan & Camping Park in Fownhope near to Herefordshire in our little romper van x We brought our caravan a couple of years ago but have not used it much over the last year because off planning our wedding and we decided last year that we’d spend my babe’s birthday there, it is only a little caravan but it is so cosey, snuggly and very romantic, On the Friday evening we went to a local pub just down the road (The Moon Inn), which is a bit rough and ready but they are all locals and are all very friendly towards us, we enjoyed a few drinks in there before we went back to our romper van and watched a dvd and had a few more drinks! It is a lovely spot for a caravan as it is very peaceful and it is set along a riverbank, the River Wye. On the Saturday once we’d got up, we went to see Ian’s Dad and Step-Mom, where we had some lunch and just had a stroll around.  We arrived back to our caravan late afternoon and we got ourselves ready for an evening out in the Lough Pool, a pub near to Ian’s Dad’s, where all our friends from Ross go to every Saturday. On the Sunday it was my Babe’s birthday, my darling had a lovely day we had a nice big lie in in the morning and then we had a lazy day and just relaxed in the sun loungers outside our caravan looking out onto the river, at lunchtime we went for a meal with Ian’s Dad and Step-Mom, it was a superb meal but we were mega full up after it! I hope you had a lovely weekend in our romper van darling! Xxx (Ian: you forgot darling, that on the way back we stopped at a pub in Worcester and watched the Villa beat the Blues, on my birthday!) (Kell:Oh yes baby I forgot  that bit, that was a superb end to my babe's birthday weekend - bless my babe, he was over the moon!)

On the 16^th May we went to see my favourite group ever…Take That in concert at the Birmingham NEC Arena. They were absolutely fantastic and we had a brilliant evening. I’d saw them first time around ten years ago but my gosh they were a million times better this time, my babe came along with me, with my Mom and sisters and I was shocked to see how many guys there were there and how they’d changed. The concert was out of this world! Even my babe enjoyed it, (Ian: did he???) (Kell: Well that's what you told me and everyone else darling - that you enjoyed it!!) it was more like a West End show than a concert it really was fab and guess what…we’re going again this year…twice!! First we’re going to Rotterdam to see them at the beginning of November then two weeks later we’re seeing them at Birmingham!! I can’t wait! Thank you so much darling for booking the tickets for us sweetheart, we will have a lovely weekend in Rotterdam as we shall visit the Ahoy Stadium and just enjoy our break away. You will have a wonderful time darling and I’m sure the show will be even better than last year’s! xx (Ian: a pleasure babe, I think I've now proved I'll endure anything for you! xx)

At the end of May we went on a little five night break to Provence, it was just what we needed, it’s a long time from December to July without a break so last year we decided we to go away for a few days at the end of May and it made the world of difference, the sun was shining red hot it was 38 degrees (I hope it’s that warm this year when we goon our honeymoon as there will be plenty of sunbathing!!) we had another fantastic memorable time that we’ll never forget xxx Thank you gorgeous xx

Now this is how long we’ve been planning our wedding for on the 7^th June we went to see the vicar about getting married and we booked the date and time of our wedding…gosh that’s nearly a year ago! On the 8^th July we visited the Mango Tree and booked our Wedding Breakfast Reception.

On the 10^th July we had our new bathroom suite fitted, it took two weeks, but was well worth it as we now have a fabulous Jacuzzi bath which makes lots of bubbles and is very relaxing! At the end of July we went on our Summer Holiday to Ian’s Dad’s apartment in Isla Canela (this is in Spain just on the border with Portugal) we had a fantastic time, it was extremely hot and we really enjoyed sitting on the balcony until the early hours of the morning watching the world go by, as we don’t fly to get here we had to get the overnight train (the train hotel / trenhotel) and this was an experience! It was alright until we came to go to sleep, it was bunk beds and it was a very rocky journey! It didn’t matter how much we had to drink in the bar I still didn’t like the constant rocking and noise of the train on the tracks, but it wasn’t long before we got into bed and I was back with my darling babe in his little bed with him….we top and tailed!! Xxx (Ian: I thought the trainhotel was a great experience, and one we'll be repeating, and I'd recommend it to anyone - if anyone wants some info / tips then just get in touch)

Towards the end of August my babe had to go into hospital for an operation, he had to have his nasal polyps removed, I’m not going to say too much about this as it was a very hard, emotional and upsetting day. We had an early start arriving at the hospital, then we went into my babe’s private room where he got ready for theatre and then my babe’s Doctor and surgeon came in, Dr East, he was excellent through out the day and kept popping back to see how my babe was doing. Anyway I was holding my babe’s hand all the while, he was very nervous and I was trying to be so strong for him, I held back the tears and kept taking his mind off his operation, he then went down to theatre. The operation was only 30 mins and he stayed in the recovery room for an hour but by gosh it felt like a lifetime xx Whilst my babe was in theatre I popped outside to phone my babe’s Dad and my Mum, where I just couldn’t help but cry! I sat in my babe’s room waiting for him to come back from theatre, I just wanted to know he was alright as he’d previously had a bad reaction to anasethic so I was so worried, I sat there and just watched the clock tick by, it felt like hours, then my babe came into the room on a trolley, he was lifted back into his bed and I well I can’t really explain how I felt because it is how I never ever want to feel again, I was like oh my gosh my babe what has happened to him but I just couldn’t help but get upset (it’s a good job you were still asleep my darling as I didn’t want you to see me get upset, but I tried my hardest) he was lying there on a drip with an oxygen mask on and it scared me so much seeing my babe like that, it really was horrible (I can feel myself filling up now writing this) x I asked the doctor’s why he had a drip and oxygen mask and all they could say was he’s fine and I was thinking to myself well I’ve just seen someone else come back from theatre for the same thing and they didn’t have all this on them, but the Dr East came in and he reassured me that everything was fine and explained the reason as to why he was on the drip and I felt a lot more at east then. I sat there by the side of my babe’s bed holding his hand and just looking at him for most of the day, then he came round and after a while was feeling much better, he had some soup and sandwiches as he was very hungry and I was giving him his drink through his straw until I accidentally missed his mouth and I tipped it all down his gown! Sorry darling, it made you chuckle though! Xx Later that day we got moved to another ward as they thought that we would have to stay in overnight but around 6pm Dr East came in and gave him the all clear to go home, he was still very weary and quite sleepy but the Doctors were fine for him to go x I went and fetched the car round to the front and I drove my baby home xx We got home and my babe rested on the settee all evening x I had a few days off work to look after my babe and after about four days he was feeling much better and I felt like I had my gorgeous babe back again xx It really was horrible, please darling try never to be poorly again, it upset me so much, I was so worried about you xx But we got through it together, we had each other and we were there for each other and that was the main thing, I am pleased to say that after several check up’s at the Hospital for a few months after my darling has now been discharged and I’m so pleased gorgeous that you are back to your normal self xxx I’m always here for you gorgeous, I’ll never leave your side, you’ll never be left alone and I truly love you more than anything in this world xxxxx (Ian, thank you so much for nursing me babe, you were a tower of strength, and you were Dad that day x)

In the middle of September my babe and I went for a weekend break to Risley Hall, we didn’t know until the last minute whether we’d be able to go or not because off my babe’s recovery but he felt well enough and it was the best thing that he could have done, it was just what he needed, we both had a wonderful time and we shall be going back there again soon because we loved it that much xx (Ian: you mean Fawlty Towers don't you babe? (Kell: Yes I do mean Fawlty Towers, but it was still a brilliant weekend and it add's to the fun of it!) The place is great, the people are nice, but the service made me smile! Highlights included one of the tables being ignored all night, and another table being set on fire by a napkin - it was hilarious!)

At the end of September my babe and I along with Ian’s Dad did the PDM Exhibition which is held in Telford over three days, my babe and his brother’s company had a stand there and they exhibited all their products there, the show is excellent and I love doing it, it was the second time we’d exhibited there and it was a lot busier this time around especially standing under the spotlights all day, and after three days of standing on our feet all day this is where our Jacuzzi bath came is very useful every night! We shall be back there again in April 2008 when my babe and I are really looking forward to working together and gaining new customers and eating all the sweets on the stand! (Ian: thanks for all of your help, darling xx)

In October my babe and I went to see Blood Brothers at the Birmingham Hippodrome and we loved it! We had front row seats and the show was amazing, the main song was “Tell me it’s not true” the storyline was brilliant. When we the police came into the story and entered the stage they were stood right next to us and I turned round and didn’t realise they were part of the story and said gosh babe the police are behind you with a gun in their hand!! (Ian: only Kelly could've come out with that at the crucial moment of the play!) We had an excellent night and would recommend it to anyone. After we had sat in a queue for ages to get out of the car park we then made our way back home and went for a lovely curry to finish a lovely evening off xx

The weekend of the 15^th October my babe and I went to the Wedding Show at the NEC, we had a lovely day mooching round all the different wedding ideas, dresses and shows, it was all very expensive and I couldn’t make my mind up on anything there, but we picked up lots and lots of brochures and leaflets which I looked through when I got home and it gave me lots of ideas for our big day!

On the 11^th November I went to Kiss Brides in Lichfield where I tried 8 different wedding dresses on and I fell in love with the first one that I tried on! I ordered my dress on this day and it was then made and ready for me March this year….I have been for a couple of fittings so far and I have my final fitting this Saturday early in the morning (oh no!) not saying anymore about this though as you’ll have to wait and see…!!  

We began to send our Claret and Blue wedding Invitations out towards the end of November, so we played Postman Pat for a couple of weeks! Then this is when everything became very hectic, I was planning a wedding every day and also trying to find time to do all the usual Christmas arrangements, but it all came together in the end!

On the 16^th December we went to Ian’s Dad’s and Step Mum’s where we went to there local Golf Club for a “Christmas Party Night” which was a lovely meal and entertainment then after that we went back and played “Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire” girls verses boys and I can’t wait to say this but the girls won!!!! We had a lovely evening and really enjoyed ourselves. (Ian: they cheated and Dad fell asleep!!) (Kell: Now just because you lost don't make excuses, the girls won the boys!!)

On the 23^rd December we went to the Villa match where unfortunately they lost at home to Man Utd, (Ian: ah yes, but this day was unforgettable for the return of the great Ron Saunders to Villa Park - a moment that gave me a lump in my throat, sent a shiver down my back and brought so many memories back, I'll never forget when he walked back out) but straight from this game my gorgeous darling and I got in our car and began our journey to Ashford  where we stopped the night in a hotel, we enjoyed a lovely meal before the next morning getting up and boarding the train to the South Of France, we had a little magical short break away to our favourite place….Provence, we stayed in a lovely hotel the Hotel Aquabella and considering It was the end of December the weather was lovely we sat out on our balcony each evening with a blanket over our legs all snuggled up and it was so romantic, thank you darling for such a wonderful break xxx I truly love you so much xx (Ian: thank you too babe, it was lovely to see the sun again!)

Well, that then brings 2006 to an end, another year for my babe and I to treasure the memories and to be there for each other in the sad parts xx 

Thank you darling for letting me into your life, you have filled my days and nights with so much happiness, laughter, love and many special memories to treasure forever, you are everything to me and I love you more and more with each passing day xxx I’m so looking forward to giving you the best day of your life and making you the happiest, proudest man alive xx I love you so much gorgeous xxx 

It’s time for me to say, when we’re together or apart, I’m always thinking of you, you have my thoughts, my love, my heart xxxxxxxx  (Ian: well, thank you babe for this HUGE update, you don't do as many articles as you used to (Kell: Sorry to everyone out there that I've not been writing as many articles just lately but every second of my time away from work has been taken up with wedding planning!!) but you sure make up for it in length! (Kell: You know me darling I only like big one's!!) xx Thank you for another fabulous year together, I love you with all my heart xxxx)

Stay tuned for another Q&A soon, this time we may be featuring a famous TV star, who's a big Villa fan with the funniest Dad going!