October 2007

Well things went from bad to worse during this period in time.

We was all living on top of each other in a one bedroom flat.

Neil and John initially bonded really well because I would go to the R.A.O.B club in Millfield and play bingo with Neil's parents on a Sunday night and the boys would stay home and have guy nights with pizza and xbox games and even lager.

This sadly did not last for long and the two of them started arguing a lot. Neil started moaning about John eating so much food so he stopped buying it. So in the end Neil never contributed anything to the household. Which made it a struggle for me to provide for 3 of us.

Things of mine started disappearing and we found them in among John's belongings.

Neil's attitude towards John changed, which led to John taking things out on me, which in turn made Neil's attitude towards John even worse.

We was set to go out for our first anniversary when Neil caused an argument between us. Neil had gone through my mobile and found some pornographic photo's on my mobile. It was a so called friend thinking he would try causing trouble for me. It worked because Neil accused me of having an affair.

Mid October Gentoo moved us to a maisonette in Azalea Avenue, in Ashbrook, Sunderland. It was a nice 3 up, 2 down kind of place.

Tim Owens borrowed the works van and moved as much stuff as he could for us, and Neil did the rest in his car.

Things started off really good but it did not last for long.

John refused to go school and continued stealing stuff from me. He got in with a rough group of people and then fell out with them.
They stared causing that much hassle for us that I had the anti social behaviour officer out on a weekly/fortnightly basis.

John was that bad towards me on one occasion that Neil lost it completely. He cornered John against the wall and went to punch him. Instead he punched the wall because I warned him that John would get what he wanted if Neil hit him, so instead of Neil punching John he punched the wall.

The next day we found out that Neil had fractured his hand due to his actions.

June to September 2007

A random night out wearing the original dress Neil bought for out Engagement.. Bought the second one because we both wanted me dressed in red.

June until September 2007 is a bit of a blur to be honest.

I had that much going on with numerous visits to Leicester County Court fighting for residence of my son John. I remember the DWP paying for the travelling expenses.

I remember Children's Services paying for Neil and I to stay in the top hotel in Ashby De La Zouch so that we could see John. I also remember that weekend not going too well because John got himself arrested for criminal damage to his fathers house and Neil having to act as his responsible adult.

I remember having to go for an appeal hearing at Wessington Way in Sunderland because the DWP tried taking me off the sick. Neil attended the hearing with me as I was in a right state. We had to explain about the constant trips too and from Leicester for hearings. They overruled the DWP's decision.

I also remember going out one night with Neil and the lads. It was awful. Neil's attitude towards me stunk. He told me to FUCK OFF so I did. I went straight back home. I text him while I was waiting at the bus stop and telling him NOT to bother coming back to the flat and to go home to his mum's.
He refused to listen and came back to the flat. I refused to let him in and because I refused to let him in he accused me of having a bloke in the flat with me. I can assure you I did not.

The next day he brought his father round and emptied the flat of his belongings.

September 27th I had a hearing in Leicester where I won residence of John because Children's Services put in a report saying he would be better off with me.. His father must have realised that was going to be the out come as he bought all John's belongings to the court with him.

While waiting for the return train home I rang my housing manager informing her that my son was returning with me and I needed rehousing.

Engagement Cards

From Mam and Dad..

From Tracie and Kev..

From Barbara and John

From Kev, Donna and Declan..

From Tania and John..

From Tinker..

From Anita and Steve..

From Laway and Pots (I apologise if incorrect but not able to read writing properly)

From Sandra and Brian..

From Dawn..

From Leigh, Kayla, Georgia and Shannon..

Gift Bag

April - May 2007

Our first night out on the town in Sunderland.. At Chase

During April and May we set about arranging our engagement party which was to be held at the R.A.O.B club in Millfield, Sunderland.

As far as the committee at the club was concerned it was a birthday party as they refused to allow people to celebrate their engagements there due to a lot of engagements not lasting.

Neil paid for my hair to be done and he also paid for my dress which was absolutely stunning. I bought a wrap to go with it.

I paid for the venue, the decoration, the disco and the food. Sheila Preece did me proud with the food.

We was so very happy. I must admit I was very nervous because I hardly knew anyone that attended as I had no family locally so it was all Neil friends and family.

Meal out for my birthday at Little Italy..

Engagement/Birthday Party..

As you can see we were so very happy.

To this day I still have every card ever given us. The only engagement present from that day I still have though is the champagne flutes from his parents and the wine glasses from his mate Kev Howe.

February - March 2007

I was still living in sheltered housing Neil and I would see each other as much as we could.
I would chase the council on the housing front and I would ring private landlords on a monthly basis.

I got Neil a plastic Rose for valentines day as well as a couple of other things. I got a sarcastic comment out of him when I gave him it... "Ain't I meant to be the one giving you Roses?"
He made me feel completely stupid but I did my best not to let it show.

I never have been very good when it comes to choosing gifts for men, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I took on the tenancy of 9 Hendon Valley Court, Hendon, Sunderland on 6th March 2007. A property I had secured through Gentoo Housing Group.

It was a one bed roomed flat and it was proper cosy for the pair of us. Our first home together. It was amazing moving in with the man I loved and intended to spend the rest of my life with.

Neil paid for the shopping and bits and pieces around the flat and I paid for the household bills, like gas, electric, water, TV licence, Internet and phone. This worked really well.

On March 23rd because I loved Neil so much I went and got a tattoo to signify my love. Neil was meant to come with me and hold my hand but because he had a job interview at R-TEK in Washington, Tyne and Wear I ended up going alone.

I'm not one for having men's names tattooed on me so because his nickname is Winny I had the following picture tattooed.


Pooh Bear..

January 2007

I couldn't have been happier.

Neil and his family was wonderful.

He was helping me through the breakdown I had had.

He was running me around to the council and stuff to try and get me re-located to Sunderland so that we could be together properly.

Even though we had only been together such a short time I knew I had found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

I was that happy I proposed to Neil via text on 26th Jan (His father's birthday). His reply was yes although his mother was a little concerned because we had not been together all that long.


Engagement and Eternity rings..

• 

Christmas 2006

I had a rather upsetting Christmas in December 2006.

Neil and his parents tried to make it a special time for me and although I really enjoyed it I missed my kids loads and loads.

John rang me over the Christmas period telling me that he wasn't happy and that his father and father's girlfriend were making his life a living hell and he wanted to come back to me as soon as I could arrange it.
Although I passed on my concerns from what John had told me no-one seemed interested in looking into it. said that john was just making up stuff as a way of trying to return home.

We spent New Years Eve at Neil's sister Tracie's.