Giselle's blog

Catch up with Giselle's latest blog each week right here.

Tuesday 15 June

It is so hard to diet. Friends say things like, "don't be daft, you look great as you are ." When you go out for dinner, you'll often hear the words, "go on - treat yourself - it won't hurt this once ."

At work, colleagues bring in yummy goodies almost daily. My diet started back in February. I only had a stone to lose but it was far from easy. Often I'd do really well in the week but it would all go pear shaped (literally lol) at the weekends.

The reason I finally decided to go on my first ever proper diet was because I went on the NHS website, entered my stats into their healthy weight calculator (click here ) and it told me I was a pound overweight. A POUND OVERWEIGHT??!! I couldn't believe it.

For some time I'd suspected I had put a bit on and was bigger than my 'normal' self. Actually, even my bigger jeans didn't fit...but then maybe they'd just shrunk in the wash?! On top of that, friends and family kept telling me I looked good.

But I now had clinical evidence I was overweight and that was it...the chocolate and Burger King vanilla milkshakes had to stop. I limited myself to about 1100 calories a day weekdays, except on gym days when I had more... I started going to David Lloyd in Cowley three or four times a week.

It took longer than I expected to shift the pounds - months rather than weeks but I did it! :-) I got down to my target weight about a month ago and have stayed the same since. I'm now pretty happy with my size and it's great being able to get into 10-12 clothes rather than 12-14.

Wednesday 9 June

I can't believe this...I've just found out that Producer Will hacked into my blog - and wrote yesterday's entry!!! The cheek of it. I would like to clarify Justin Bieber's performance at the pop concert I went to at Wembley on Sunday was NOT a 'personal favourite' of mine lol. Will wrote that to try and be funny because I'd said I didn't get the whole Justin Bieber thing. The Bieber was so popular...every time his name was so much as mentioned, the screaming nearly deafened me!!!

I did however love Usher's performance - and Dizzee Rascal's...he did his version of 'You've Got The Love' and then Florence from Florence And The Machine came out for the duet they did at the Brits. The stadium went crazy! Another highlight for me was when this mash-up of lots of the artists who performed was played out... I absolutely love it, so clever!

Listen

Quote of the day goes to my youngest sis Victoria who spotted a man in an England shirt. He was with his wife who was getting very excited about seeing JLS. My sister said, "check out the most gutted man at Wembley." ...We thought maybe his wife had told him she'd booked Wembley tickets, he'd got all excited and put on his footy shirt only to arrive to find out he was actually seeing a pop concert, haha.

Tuesday 8 June... back at work after a day off!

On Sunday I went on a day trip with our new Producer to Wembley Stadium. We joined 70,000 other people for the Summertime Ball and it was amazing... Justin Bieber was a personal favourite of mine!

 
Wednesday 2 June... though it feels like it's Tuesday because of the bank hol!

If you ever go camping, I strongly recommend a game of rounders with randoms on the campsite.

That's exactly what we did when we went to Croyde in Devon for the bank holiday weekend.

I haven't played it since I was a kid and it took quite a long time for us to remember/argue through the rules, but once we got batting/fielding, it was fab fun. I even got all the way round at one point after whacking the ball over the fence, hehe.

I have to say, I'm not normally a camping fan but there were showers (of the cleaning variety) and the toilets were reasonably clean. Quite a few of us went, including my housemates so we had lots of laughs...especially when some 'strange' noises came from one of their tents ;-)

Tuesday 1 June... though it feels like Monday because of the bank hol!

How insane is this... I've just worked out I've read an estimated 19,740 news bulletins since I've been in radio. I also read nearly 3000 travel bulletins a year!!!

In other news (haha) I've just had a random memory from school: When kids were mean to me at primary, I'd sometimes pretend my dad was a policeman and say, "he's going to arrest you."

Friday 28 May

I've had a fringe cut in! It was a big decision. I don't think most men get how big a deal changes to our hair are. Rob, Lucy and Karen at Andrea and Achille in Kidlington thought it would work so I went for it:

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 27 May

Teenage superstar Justin Bieber had an unfortunate incident with a revolving door the other day.  Matt and I found it quite funny so we thought we'd share it with you!

 

Monday 24 May

I don't wish to sound ungrateful but 'thanks' Sun, thanks very much.  I spent most of Sunday in bed or on the sofa because I got so badly sunburnt on the back of my legs.  I can't even straighten them and when I walk, I look like I'm from the Ministry of Sillywalks!!!

The only consolation is it happened while I was taking part in the Breast Cancer Care Pink Ribbonwalk at Blenheim Palace on Saturday during which, I overtook no other than Olympic Gold Medalist Denise Lewis!!!

It was pretty funny as I'd met her before we set off so when I went passed I made a big thing about overtaking her. She laughed but her competitive streak eventually kicked in as you'll see in this video:

If you were at the Pink Ribbonwalk, you can check out all the photos here >>>

Tuesday 18 May

Some song lyrics made me laugh out loud yesterday. The tune by Lil Wayne goes, "call me Fred Flinstone, I can make your BedRock." Don't think we'll be playing it on Heart though!! Haha.

Also, check out this version of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi by a 12 year old kid. He's called Greyson Chance and he's been offered a recording contract after this video got millions of hits on YouTube:

Monday 17 May

Matt often goes on about how great children's films are, so at the weekend I went along to see one with Shaun and his daughter. I would strongly advise against going to see 'Bob The Builder: The Legend Of The Golden Hammer' unless you have the patience of a saint.

It dragged on and on - and each time I thought Bob's friends were about to finally find the golden hammer, they just found another clue to it's location. Arrrgggh!!! Not only that but a character in it called 'Spud' had possibly the most annoying voice I've ever heard.

The only thing that kept me sane and calm was watching Scarlett. She's three years old, mega cute and I loved the way her legs stuck straight out in front of her on the big chairs at the Vue cinema by the Kassam. I was impressed that she sat and watched the whole movie without getting up - though I think even she was more interested in the pic and mix than the film!

To summarise my thoughts on the film, I give you the words of a five year old boy who, as we walked out, said to his Dad, "but Daddy, Bob doesn't need the golden hammer now anyway, because he's fixed everything."

Thursday 13 May

Matt is an old man.

Today he was banging on about how he hates going into bars because he can't hear the person he's talking to (actually I find that annoying too but don't tell him, haha).

However, unlike Matt, I definitely wouldn't wear one of these... it's a new invention called the 'Social Sphere' and it allows you to hear one another in noisy places. Ridiculous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 12 May

Yesterday I went on a company training course and was given the challenge of 'being daring'. Hence the video below!!



Friday 7 May

Loving Rick Astley's new song: http://www.bigtop40.com/gossip/new-rick-astley/

When I first heard it, I thought it was Ronan Keating or maybe Darius Danesh (if you remember him from Pop Idol)

Thursday 6 May

I'm having a right nightmare with my mobile phone this week. I've transferred from Virgin to Vodaphone for signal coverage reasons. I've also moved my number over. But it turns out my phone is locked. Virgin said they could unlock it for £25 but it would take up to four weeks! Instead, I headed to the unlocking shops on the Cowley Road. One said it was 'impossible' to unlock the Nokia I have, another said it would take a fortnight. The third said they could do it in 2 days. It's still costing 25 quid though! Rant over.

Wednesday 5 May

I love finding out about actors who turned down / failed to get roles in films only for that movie to be a huge hit.

Macaulay Culkin was apparently considered for the lead role of Jack in Titanic as was Johnny Depp, Matthew McConaughey and Brad Pitt while the role of Rose was originally offered to Gwyneth Paltrow.

Jodie Foster was second choice for the part of Princess Leia in Star Wars.

Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. Harrison Ford filmed a scene for E.T but it ended up being cut. Kylie played the green fairy in Moulin Rouge but the role was originally going to be given to Ozzy Osbourne!!!

Here’s a great website if you love this kind of trivia: www.notstarring.com

As if that wasn’t enough, my mind was blown further when our new Producer Will found out Lady Gaga’s number one hit Telephone was originally offered to ………………………………………………………………………

Britney Spears!!!

Here are the two versions. I think Lady Gaga’s is stronger but judge for yourself:

Lady Gaga

Britney Spears

Tuesday 4 May

I can't believe the chat up line a guy used on me at the O2 Academy in Cowley on Saturday night. To be fair, it wasn't the first thing he said but about a minute into the conversation he asked, "so, have you get a good pension scheme?"!!! I'm 35, not 60, lol!!! I replied with, "did you really just ask me about pensions?" and he said, "oh no, you're going to mention this on your show aren't you?" Yep, hehe.

Friday 23 April

Matt has previously made out I’m the size of a rhino and have ginger hair. This morning he inferred I have werewolf eyebrows. Judge for yourself:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 22 April

I'm in the process of trying to book a holiday to America - and what a minefield it is! I've never been before and it's a pretty big place to get your head around. I didn't know where to start but Matt's been there so he gave me some handy hints. I was hoping to go to New York, Los Vegas and Los Angeles but it looks like that'll work out too expensive (about £2500) so instead I'm looking at Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Los Vegas. That way, we only need to fly to one place and we can drive to the other areas. I've also ordered the 'Rough Guide To Los Angeles' book. I'm getting excited...I won't be going til around Sept so the volcanic ash cloud should be well and truly gone by then!

P.S I've lost another 2lb and am now only 5lb of my ideal weight :-)

Tuesday 20 April

Is there something you thought your mum would never do? I'm so proud of mine because last year she finally gave up smoking.

She used to be a 20 a dayer and had been puffing away since the 60's. I even remember when she was poorly, she used to write a note to the shopkeeper saying it was okay for me to buy her cigarettes.

Sounds pretty shocking now but the rules were more relaxed back then. When I grew up, I tried for years to make her realise the dangers and get her to give up, but it was no use.

Then, one day last year, she caught flu. She had a cigarette and it made her feel way worse. And that was it. She gave up - just like that! Amazing.

This year she's focussing on her weight and now she's got all her Easter eggs out the way, I'm sure she'll be just as determined and slim down quickly. Good luck Mum x

Monday 19 April

I bought something I haven't bought since I was a kid yesterday............... a scrap book! I've got a box full of bits and bobs like tickets from last year's 80's Rewind Festival in Henley, pictures out of mags of fashion and styles I like - and leaflets from excursions I went on while I was in Cyprus with Shaun last year.

I thought it would be nice to stick them all into a good old fashioned scrapbook. Only thing is, I forgot to get a pritt stick, doh.

Tuesday 13 April

I'm in a jolly good mood this morning - so good, I just used the word jolly! There's no reason for it...maybe it's the sunshine, maybe my brain is nice and tidy after I cleared out under my bed last night - or maybe it's because one of the personal trainers at David Lloyd said I was looking 'trim' yesterday :-)

Speaking of the gym, something 'sensational' has happened inside my purse. I've always kept my bank card at the front - in the easiest to access place. But I took the monumental decision to swap it with my David Lloyd card the other day as I now use that more often!  

Monday 12 April

Shaun and I visited the place Noel Edmonds got married over the weekend. We've been meaning to go to Lower Slaughter ever since the Deal or No Deal* legend tied the knot there last year. Loads of people told me it's a really pretty place - and they were right. There's not much there, I have to say but it's really lovely to walk around - plus there's a shop that sells home-made ice cream. And yes, the diet was forgotten for a moment.

* By the way - I completed my Deal Or No Deal application and got it in before the deadline which was the 31st of March. Fingers crossed!

Monday 29 March

Have you ever seen a film that's so scary, you're still freaked out the next day? I was a gibbering wreck this moring after watching alien abduction movie 'The Fourth Kind' last night. 

It claims to contain 'real footage' and that's what did me in. I can cope with gory horrors because I know they're not real. But this film was about alien abductions - and I think it's likely aliens exist.  I had to watch half an hour of normal TV after, just to calm me down. Even then, I was scared to look in the mirror in case I saw something frightening! When I woke up, I could hear every little noise around the house and when I got in my car, I locked the doors.

Sunday 28 March

Shaun and I babysat my niece Autumn yesterday. It was all going so well until we locked ourselves out of my sisters' house!

About half an hour after Autumn woke up, she started crying. A trip in the pushchair always cheers her up so we decided to take her out. Shaun locked the back door and took the key (my sis didn't have a spare for the front door). When we got back, we turned the key - but nothing happened.

Shaun realised the key was actually for the shed - and while it had somehow managed to lock the back door, it wouldn't open it. It then started raining. Obviously. We'd left our mobiles in the house because we'd dashed out and I don't know my sister's number off by heart. There was only one thing for it - the pub. Autumn enjoyed grabbing the beer mats and throwing them on the floor. Shaun loved his 'role' of picking them up. Despite everyting going wrong, I didn't get annoyed. Sometimes in those situations I just end up laughing. Well, what else can you do?!!

Thursday 18 March

Shaun text me during the show this morning when Matt and I were offering 'Heart Housework Hero awards' to guys who do lots around the house. Shaun reckons he deserves one and sent me a message saying, "I'm afraid I'm in London today so I won't be able to pick up my award in person but perhaps I could do a video link." Ha...Shaun get an award for housework!!!??!!!!

Actually to be fair, I guess he does do lots of 'man' tasks like putting the bins out, fixing things and cleaning the loo. However, since we've lived together, he's only put about two lots of washing on and hasn't polished once! Lots of women text into the show (82122 start your message with the word Oxford) telling us what their man does around the house, so perhaps I should compile a list for Shaun based on what other blokes do...hmmm, here goes:

Iron my clothes and put them out ready for me to slip into in the morning; cook a gourmet meal for me daily; clean the oven and grill; hoover the hard to reach places like under the bed; make me a packed lunch for work, sew buttons back on my clothes; polish the bannister; dust away any spiders webs.

That'll do for now Shaun ;-)

Monday 15 March

I met one of my teenage pin-ups on Saturday - Nathan from Brother Beyond. But it turned out to be a really weird experience. I was bringing 80's bands on to the stage at The Regal - Oxford and had a chat with the acts before hand.

So there I was in the kitchen at the club, having a relaxed chat with Nathan. I didn't feel nervous like I expected to - or the need to ask him to marry me, lol. I said to him, "I wish I'd know when I was 14 years old, that one day, I'd be chatting to you in a random kitchen...then again, I'd never have believed it." I also told him I was convinced he looked at me when I was in the audience when he was performing in Hammersmith all those years ago.

I guess he must get this kind of thing all the time - he was the 80's version of Aston from JLS after all! He was very friendly and chuckled along. He didn't seem at all 'diva' and appeared to really enjoy performing...He even did his own version of 'Sex on Fire' by Kings of Leon! Here's a pic of us after he'd performed on Saturday :-)

  

 

 

 

 

Thursday 11 March

I spent way too much money shopping yesterday. I went in to Oxford to get some new trainers because of all the running I've started doing. I came back with no trainers but about £200 worth of clothes...gulp.

I got a statement black dress from French Connection which I'm going to accessorise with pink neon for the 80's night at The Regal in Cowley this Friday when I'll meet Nathan from Brother Beyond!!! I used to be totally in love with him when I was a teenager...if you have no idea who I'm talking about - he was the Aston of JLS back in the 80's. Go West and Curiosity Killed the Cat are also performing...it's going to be such a wicked night and I've got some friends coming so I can't wait. If you fancy going, you'll find more details here: http://www.heart.co.uk/oxfordshire/win/now-80s/

Having been on a diet for three weeks, I cannot tell you how much I appreciated the meal out I had last night. Shaun and I went to The Fishes restaurant in North Hinksey Village after I heard it was in last year's Michelin Guide. They were having an Argentinian night so I tried steak from there. I know this is quite a statement but it was one of, if not the most delishous I've ever had!

I met a woman called Jo there and it turned out she was one of the owners! She told me about the 'business' trip she took to Argentina. In the nine days she was there, she tried about 300, yes 300 varieties of red wine!!! I can't believe that's her job, lol. Mind you, that must have led to one serious hangover!

Wednesday 10 March

   

 

 

 

You just never know who you might bump into!

At last year's Breast Cancer Care Pink Ribbonwalk at Blenheim Palace I turned round and there - standing right by me was...Rod Stewart! He was there because his wife Penny Lancaster was doing the walk. I was so shocked to see him but grabbed a microphone and asked him for a chat. He was really friendly and agreed to do an interview and have a pic taken with me there and then.

The Ribbonwalk is back this year and the organisers have just emailed me to say they're chuffed to bits as nearly 800 people have already signed up to take part in this year's event at Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds on Saturday 22 May.

It's such a lovely walk and you can still sign up - click here to do it .

Monday 8 March

Okay...what's going on. I ate way less calories than even my diet allows me to last week AND went to the gym five times, but have put on 1lb!!! That's not right is it, lol!!! I was completely bemused and wrote about it on my Facebook page (you'll find me under Giselle Ruskin). Sharon's reply seems to make sense:

Sharon Hayes   I reckon it's the stuff you ate the weeks before...catching up...somone once told me that...if you eat stuff you shouldn't it seldom shows up on the scales until a week later...(often the week you have been good...) and it makes you question why you have put it on rather than lost it...bet next week...you loose alot. xx

Funnily enough, the week before I did eat a whole pizza - plus I had a number of cocktails! I hope you're right about losing it this week Sharon! xx

Friday 5 March

The diet's still going really well... I lost another 2lb last week and am confident I'll be even more 'Kate Moss' when I weigh myself later. I've lost an inch and a half off my hips and even Shaun noticed when he had his arms round me.

I did five gym sessions last week including a new one - cattle bell lifting. I was happily jogging along on a treadmill at David Lloyd when trainer Cameron came up and invited me in to the class. It was one of those, 'it would be rude to say no' moments. I joined in but was pathetic. You have to have the right technique and mine was way out. Never the less, Cameron gave me lots of encouragement and praise. Bet he laughed every time he turned away though, haha.

Thursday 4 March

I may become a Lady!

Shaun is currently Vice Commodore of the Abbey Sailing Club in Abingdon. In a year, he's likely to become Commodore and if that happens, I'll become Lady Commodore. Matt thinks it's hilarious. We'll see who's laughing when he has to curtsy when I walk in the studio, haha.

I got some practice in at the weekend when Shaun presented trophies to all those who won races in last year's sailing season... that included two for himself. Anyone smell a fix, he he? I 'had' to kiss all the winners which is part of the Lady Commodore's role. Apparently making lunches is another... hmmm not so sure about that one, lol.

   

 

 

 

 

Thursday 25 February

The Royal Albert Hall is spectacular! I was there last night for a performance of Cinderella On Ice.

The last time I went, I was about five years old and taking part in a big schools concert during which I sang, "there's a worm at the bottom of my garden and his name is wiggaly woo." Last night's performance was in a very different league.

The ice skating was amazing - at one point they did irish dancing on the ice! The carriage that Cinderalla travels in was made in a very clever way...lots of the characters skated onto the stage carrying individual parts and it formed as they skated together. The whole thing then lit up.

The storyline was different to the original and there was no narrator - but the programme had an easy to follow summary of what was happening in each scene. There was a funny moment when all the sound went... the skaters carried on going but eventually a man in a shellsuit top walked out onto the stage and apologised.  I kind of like it when things go wrong as it reminds you that we're all just human at the end of the day.

I'd defo reccomend a trip to the Royal Albert Hall if you haven't been. There are lots of theatre boxes you can hire out and I thought it would be lovely to do that with a partner or family for a special treat.

               

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 23 February

I've caught man flu...I have a horrible cold and need lots of sympathy, cuddles and tea.

Monday 22 February

After losing 2lb last week, I fear I may have put a fair bit of it back on over the weekend. My housemate David made a yummy scrummy pork roast yesterday and I couldn't resist a second helping of roast potatoes.

On Saturday night, I went out in Milton Keynes for Laura's (Heart's Managing Director) birthday. We went to Revolutions and learnt how to make cocktails... which we obviously then 'had' to drink.

We also had some shots... the Bakewell Tart and Pear Drop ones were most popular with the girls.  We had dinner there too and I went for the 'Vodka Chicken' pizza which sounds all wrong but was oh so right.

After that, it was on to Oceana. I love that club but Laura likes cheesey tunes so I had to stay there - rather than going in my favourite room that plays dance. The only way I could cope with the cheese - and abundance of short men, was to dance the night away. Hopefully that burnt off some of the cals!

 

 

 

 

Thursday 18 February

Wahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I'm one week into my diet and as predicted, I've lost 2lb!!! Yay...I'm super skinny...move over Kate Moss, lol.

Monday 15 February

At last…a Valentines Day that didn’t leave me disappointed!

Shaun went above and beyond the call of duty. He woke up with a really bad headache so I brought him up a cup of tea, orange juice, crunchy nut cornflakes and painkillers - and gave him a massage. He felt much better after all that and made me a cooked breakfast (which took my diet into account…the bacon was grilled and the egg poached). We then swapped cards…the one he gave me said “Gorgeous with a capital G” on the front and the one I gave him said “The definition of true love…Darling, instead of eating your own chips, why not just eat most of mine.” Hehe. After that, I went upstairs to find not one but two bouquets of flowers on the bed…one of roses and the other of lilies. In the afternoon he drove me out to Bagley Woods and we had a lovely walk…every now and then he’d stop to give me a kissey. Later, we went out for a meal at a tapas bar in Jericho. My diet got lost for a little while – in fact I’ll have to spend the rest of today in the gym…but the restaurant was romantic and the food was yummy so it was totally worth it.

Friday 12 February

I’ve started a new diet. I’ve been meaning to lose some weight for a while but haven’t got round to it. I know I’m not fat, but I feel on the larger side of what I should be and certainly don’t want to put any more on.

I was chatting to Gemma who also works at Heart the other day… she’s slim and toned and I was shocked when she told me she used to be 14 stone!  She doesn’t look like she could get to that size and it made me realise if she can, I can. But I wont – so yesterday, the health kick began.

I’m hoping to lose a stone by April 1st. I’ve already been to the gym three times this week and will keep that up. I’m also watching my calories and won’t eat more than 1500 a day. I did really well yesterday… I had one slice of toast for breakfast, a big salad for lunch and Cajun chicken with salad for tea. I’ve also swapped sugar for sweeteners in my tea.

Thursday 11 February

I’m sick of being subtle about Valentines Day and being left disappointed. So, this year, I gave it to Shaun straight. I told him the bare minimum requirements are a card, flowers and an adventure.

That may sound HM (high maintenance) but I’m not really asking for much… the adventure could be as simple as a walk somewhere we haven’t been before, the flowers could be a few picked from the garden. It’s the thought and effort that matter to me.

Tuesday 9 February

I’m on a Desperate Housewives quest. I missed most of seasons 4 and 5 so am trying to get through them asap as the new series has started. I love Lynette and Tom’s relationship.

It’s hard to explain why but to me, they truly, deeply love each other and represent how a relationship should be. Yeah, they mess up sometimes – but they realise their mistakes and help each other through. Kind of like Homer and Marge in The Simpsons!

Monday 8 February

Meet my new housemates:

David is the crazy one. He loves to party and likes the ladies. He’s originally from South Africa, well travelled and educated. He’s a good cook and has already made us some yummy meals. He’s a happy chappy and really good fun to be around – one of those people who makes you laugh loads.

Lucy is the quiet one. Having said that, she’s really interesting to chat to once you get her jibber jabbering – oh and she certainly comes out her shell when she has a drink or two J She’s very driven in her career. She’s a really nice person and also girlie - I’ve already got her into America’s Next Top Model. Oh…and boys, she’s single!

Germain is the cool one. He’s a bit of a poser (he denies it, but I’m having none of it). I like that he has some good, strong family values even though he’s only 26. He’s got a funny little laugh that makes you giggle. He is also a great cook and the other night I tried a chicken dish he’d made that had coco-cola in it…sounds weird but it was delicious!

Thursday 21 January

My Mum and sister came over for lunch yesterday and we were chatting about the mean things we did to one another when we were younger. Mum said I'd dress my brother Dominic up in girls clothes and then make him sit in a line with my dolls, haha. He then Facebooked me to remind me of the time he was watching a horror movie and I ran in the room with stockings over my face and saucepans on my head, screaming. He absolutely pooped his pants and just thinking about it still makes me laugh out loud. He was no better though, my sisters wrote on Facebook about what he did:

Victoria Grace Ruskin

Dom used to swap my little pound coins for his big 2ps and told me they were better as they were bigger! I believed him, and he used to set traps in the garden where I would fall in a hole.

Sabrina Ruskin

He did that to me too, he'd say come and see the hedgehog in the garden til we fell in a big hole! I did that with the coins to you too Molez! He also tried to pay us 20p to clean his puke from the floor. Giz u didn't do anything too bad, you were just EXTREMELY bossy! lol xxx

We had so many texts in after I told the story on air: Here are some of my favourites:

* My brother really didnt want a baby sister so he tried 2 sell me 4 5Op 2 the lady across the road. Shell from Oxford x

* To Matt and Giselle. When my dad was younger he wanted to be a fireman. Once his sister was in a tree and he poured petrol on the bottom of the tree and set fire to the tree with his sister in it! But then he couldn't turn the tap on to put the fire out. Luckily a passer by saw the fire and helped turn the tap on to put the fire out. Love Katie x

* My husband put his little brother in a box and stuck knives through it. He thought he could be a magician!

* I hung my foot over a cow pat and told my sister to push my foot in...I promised I wouldn't move it, lol, I did! Nikki

* My sister was so nasty to me when I was small! She cut all my hair off, made me put my hand under the lit grill and in the hamster cage so it bit my finger! She also used to dig her finger nails into my hands :( she was the meanest big sister ever!!! By the way ~ her name is Nicola Hanlon and I am sure she is listening. She is the best sister ever now :) Jacquii x

* I put Pedegree Chum in my sisters steak pie one day because she was being horrible to me - I was only ten at the time. Malc, Cowley.

* Hi guys. My 3 older brothers locked me in my bedroom cupboard and told me an old woman lived in there and fed on young children to stay alive! I was terrified to go to my room during the day! Dane.

* Morning, my brother & I used 2 have a bunkbed & I was on toy, one night he decided to take out the top part of the frame that held my matress up. So when I climbed into it, I fell through but because the hold was small I got stuck, so I was in handstand position. When I started screaming and crying, he started taking the rest out, I fell though but flattened him! Revenge was sweet! Haha. Nothing terrible but stuck in my mind for life! Cheers, Liz x

* We had a toy box the size of a small coffin, but it was white and had holes in! I used 2 put my brother in and sit on the lid, knowing he had a fear of claustaphobia. He still talks to me, his big sis after that tho.

* I emptied my snotty nose using my sister's best top. She never wore it again. Cielo.

* I sellotaped my sisters hands to her head x lol x Sorry eddie, Mary. x

* My bro and his friends locked me in a shed and tickled me till I wet my pants!!! still in therapy!!! Julie.

Tuesday 12 January

I started reading the book, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus". I've had it ages but finally decided to open it up after getting increasingly frustrated. I've often found myself saying to Shaun - and past boyfriends, "how could you be so uncaring?"

It's like, how can someone treat you like that/say horrible things (during rows) when they're supposed to love you?! Well, this book has ALL the answers...it's AMAZING!!! So amazing in fact, that I asked Shaun to read it with me so we could both learn from it and get better understanding.

We're taking it in turns to read a chapter to one another. One of the things I've already learnt is lots of things Shaun and I do are common and 'normal' behaviour. For example, it talks about how guys act when they're stressed: They go into their caves...hide away, need time out to watch footy/play computer games, etc. Women on the other hand need to talk.

They don't need their problems solved, they just need their man to listen, understand and empathise. In the past when Shaun's wanted time out, it's really bugged me as I've felt like he should want to spend time with me. But now I know that it's just the way men are, it makes it much easier to understand and deal with. I won't take it so personally anymore. I'll keep you posted on any more gems.

Wednesday 6 January

I'm so so so so so tired and what's making it worse is knowing just about everyone else (including Shaun!!!) is having the day off coz of the snow.

I went to my sister's in Twyford yesterday afternoon and as I drove home to Oxford on the road that goes through Henley and Bix, the snow started coming down thick and fast. By the time I got back it had started to settle and two hours later, Cowley had turned into a winter wonderland. I've just moved on to a new development there and am so glad I did coz I had one of the best nights ever!

Shaun, my housemate David and I went out the front to have a snowball fight...there were already a few other people lobbing them around so we joined in. More and more people started coming out their houses and joining in and by the end of it there must have been about 30 of us.

I got hit loads of times and some of the balls really hurt...you know what boys can be like, they get a bit too excited, lol. I managed to get a load of snow in Shaun's face but he then bundled me into a bush! I was absolutely soaked.

Monday 4 January

Happy 2010, and it's said twenty-ten, not two thousand and ten (like Matt keeps saying) in my opinion! Me and my sis Moley took her daughter, my niece, Autumn out for a walk yesterday. We took the pushchair around a lake, well part way round.

Trees had fallen over but we treated it like a fun, obstacle course. However, after carrying the pushchair over a third tree we gave up. Not before we decided to both shout as loud as we could though! There was no-one else around so we thought we'd see just how loud we could both shout/scream. Randomly, I chose the word 'hedge' to yell. I think it's safe to say I won that competition, although I did have a slight advantage as Moley had a sore throat.

As we walked home, Autumn who's six months old, gave me a look as if to say, "aaah, life's good.' It got me thinking that babies really do have it pretty darn good, don't they. They get loads of attention and people are constantly trying to make them smile and feel happy. They get fed whenever they're hungry, rocked to sleep and even have their butt wiped. Well maybe the last bit isn't quite so wonderful but they sure have it cushty!