You never know what's coming for you...

I really enjoy my job, I like writing and I like that I get to do different things every day- I never know where I will be, who I will meet or what I will cover.

But sometimes, when working as a reporter you have to get too close to tragedy- and it is weeks like this I wish I could curl up in a room and keep the world out.

This week has been one of those weeks. A toddler was hit by a car and killed in one of the areas we cover. It is the kind of story that comes in and your heart drops. I find it really hard writing an article filled with such tragedy.

It is hard. And it makes you think. All that kept going through my head this week was that when that family woke up on the morning of the accident it was just a normal day. They will have had breakfast and gone their separate ways. Not knowing that by dinner time their lives will have been changed forever. You never know what's coming for you.

It has made me realise that every time you finish your day and get to see the people you love is a blessing. Regardless of how grumpy or frustrated you are always tell your loved ones that they are that- loved. Take time out of your day to laugh, even if you feel like you are too busy. Because life is precious and short- and you will never have another day like today.

This week has been hard at work. But it is nothing compared to what the family of the little girl have gone through- or the driver who was involved in the tragic accident, what I have had to report on this week has been horrific. For some things there are no words.

So that has been my week- it has been a little sad. But also in amongst this sadness there has been good news. My spectacular grandpa had a successful operation and he is doing well in hospital- get well soon Grandpa!

And you'll all be pleased to hear that I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers, some perfume, a card and was treated to a chinese and the Notebook for Craig and I's five year anniversary- so the week hasn't been all bad. But I find myself hoping that next week is better and there is some good news. I might try and get the front of the paper to be about bunnys or rainbows...... 

Ch ch ch changes

As I write this Blog I am watching the Manchester United Real Madrid match on the telly, fresh from a 700 mile round trip at the weekend to watch Manchester United play Norwich in the Theatre of Dreams.

I know what you are thinking- has she gone football crazy, football mad- has football taken away the little bit of sense she had?

No, do not panic dear reader, I do not eat, drink and sleep football (however on earth you do that) but five years ago I started going out with a boy who is football crazy and as a result, five years later can often be found screaming "where is the ref" and jumping up and down like I understand the game...

This for me is a big change- there was a time you couldn't pay me to watch football, unless Scotland were playing and I could get on the beers. But now I can quite often be found watching a match- this for me is a big change. Life is full of changes.

This weekend we celebrated our flanniversary (that's flat anniversary if you're unfamiliar with the term). Yes, that's right Craig and I have now been living together for one year- can you believe it?! Now living together is a big change!

The flat has changed since we moved in a year age. The other day we were looking at the pictures from when we bought the flat and I can't believe the difference. We have really turned it into a home and I love living here.

Living together also means big changes in your relationship, and after our first year of living together I have realised a few things.

1- no matter how often you tell them, shout at them, throw the towel at them and use bad words- Men still insist on leaving their wet towels on the bed (I apologise for the generalisation here, maybe not all men but certainly my man does)
2- if one of you likes margarine and the other one likes butter it is an issue that will never be resolved
3- it's never ok to pee with the toilet door open
4- sometimes you have to let things go
5- you will both always have things the other person does that drives you nuts (see number 1)

That aside, living together is a big change and adjustment- even the most level headed couples can lose the plot. Our first big fight in the flat was over craig not believing I could paint a roof. This resulted in me screaming at him and storming off to the toilet where I locked myself for a good 15 minutes. Not my most dramatic exit...

So yes, living together is an adjustment and it can be hard but it is worth it. I love knowing that whatever we are doing that day we will go to bed together every night and in the morning we will wake up together and I love that this flat is the start of our lives together. Now if I can just sort out that towel issue it will all be hunky dorey.

This week we also celebrate our five year anniversary, yes Craig and I started going out when I was still the tender age of 18.

I am hoping for a romantic breakfast in bed to celebrate the event- but considering Craig forgot Valentine's Day I am not holding my breath.

Let's just hope it goes better for us than the match tonight did for Man Utd...