The John James & Josie Appreciation Thread (Part 221)

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snow_flake88

06-03-2012

Heartwarming (have I overused that word tonight??) to see some many old posters returning...let's get this place back to what it used to be!!

Loved seeing Voddie, Cathy, Rhi, Dolly and others coming on and long may they return and continue to post more often!

If this weekend has taught me anything it's that I'm not being pushed off this thread EVER!! I'm a John James and Josie supporter for always xxxxx

ps: Vixx and Dolly, don't forget your posts

- want one from Hairy too!!!

lilytaff

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by robswifejan:
“lovely to see you here
It was so funny.You both just suddenly fell down ...We still laugh about it now.You were all sort of tangled up in a heap.Rob picked Stephy up ...she was so light.He said when he picked her up off the floor there was nothing of her.

much love Jan xxxx”

Aw hi Jan, how r u?? Oh yes thats right I remember now

, seems a long time ago now, was just having a nosy, having been on here in such a long time, so thought I would post and say hello

xxx

Wendilums

06-03-2012

Evie your reports today will long time to come hold legendary status on this thread. So in depth, I actually felt I was at the party enjoying the evening with you. Thank you so much my love. I'm so pleased that after a little bit of persuasion from me you went to Bristol. I only wish you had made my train so that we could have had a good old chinwag on the train to Parkway. You are a lovely girl, a smashing person with a fantastic personality and a pleasure to be around. Thank you so much for your company on Saturday, I'm only sorry it wasn't for long. Three cheers for Evie, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray. Fantastic posting for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart lovely xxx

robswifejan

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by lilytaff:
“Aw hi Jan, how r u?? Oh yes thats right I remember now :, seems a long time ago now, was just having a nosy, having been on here in such a long time, so thought I would post and say hello xxx”

The moment when the 2 of you came out of the lift into the lobby in your pj's with a bottle of wine tucked under your arm.I can still see Stephy now at the end of our coffee table doing a twitcam back to the thread pj party

much love xxxx

Wendilums

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by snow_flake88:
“Heartwarming (have I overused that word tonight??) to see some many old posters returning...let's get this place back to what it used to be!!

Loved seeing Voddie, Cathy, Rhi, Dolly and others coming on and long may they return and continue to post more often!

If this weekend has taught me anything it's that I'm not being pushed off this thread EVER!! I'm a John James and Josie supporter for always xxxxx

ps: Vixx and Dolly, don't forget your posts - want one from Hairy too!!!”

Love you Evie xxx

robswifejan

06-03-2012

clip 7 alonestar http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xp9...clips-7_webcam

much love Jan xxxx

MagStar10

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by Wendilums:
“Evie your reports today will long time to come hold legendary status on this thread. So in depth, I actually felt I was at the party enjoying the evening with you. Thank you so much my love. I'm so pleased that after a little bit of persuasion from me you went to Bristol. I only wish you had made my train so that we could have had a good old chinwag on the train to Parkway. You are a lovely girl, a smashing person with a fantastic personality and a pleasure to be around. Thank you so much for your company on Saturday, I'm only sorry it wasn't for long. Three cheers for Evie, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray. Fantastic posting for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart lovely xxx”

Hip Hip Hooray from me too, wonder will there be an epilogue at some stage

Maggi X

2Judy

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by snow_flake88:
“The last installment...

So, I think I’ve given enough detail of all of the parts of the night that I think would be most interesting and certainly that were most memorable for me. Now on to the organisers and a few other observations...

Den should be beyond proud of herself for instigating the creation of such an event and for having the idea all those months ago, but I have it on good authority she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams, how amazingly successful, enjoyable and well-attended it actually turned out to be!! About 150 people were there...an incredibly achievement, an amazing cause and Den put her whole soul into making it a night to remember! She was devoted to ensuring everything ran smoothly the entirely night and barely stopped to breathe...I just hope she managed to enjoy it, as she really deserved to bask in the glory of the success!! Once again, Den has been a character that many people have had an opinion on and mine has always been clear. She is firstly and fore mostly a loyal and trust friend of Josie’s and Josie is clearly devoted to her as much as she is to Josie. The love and affection is mutual and so I would ask anyone who’s criticised Den to have a think about this and think how you would be (regardless of whether your friend is right or wrong) if your friend was publicly heartbroken (know John was too, before anyone chimes in, this isn’t a compare and contrast exercise for #teamstupid) and being set up, attacked and vilely spoken about! Would you not defend them until you were blue in the face! I know I would!!! (Made me realise the exact same of John’s friends who’ve said things too) Seeing Den in person, viewing with my own two eyes, how emotional she was at the success of the event, has reminded me that THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE who react in real ways!!! They may say things in the heat of the moment etc, but Den is a woman with a big heart, full of emotions and kindness and I means an awful lot to Josie...it’s so clear to see! Her tears when she was given the thank you present told you all you needed to know about her anyway!! Her and her husband have a beautiful relationship that was lovely to see and when we all danced to the last song ‘everybody hurts’, with them both in the middle, so in love after all these years...*sob *sob *sob

With regards to other organisers, I know Shezha and Cazie were amazing as well, I just don’t know about how much they did to be honest and never had the chance to speak to them, which is why I’m not talking about it. But massive hats off to them, as I hear they were integral to the success and smooth-running of the event and Meningitus UK would be very proud of them, I’m sure!

Voddie’s involvement I do know about, as I had the pleasure of meeting her and staying up all night with her Cathy, Hazy, Katie Parkin and my Cheeky! I love her and the others to bits!!! Voddie was cracking me up with tales of the digital photo cameras as presents and how heavy they were and how bad she is with technology hehe...she’s an absolute gem and a hoot and a half!!! Cannot wait to see her video of the night-need to see Katie & co’s karaoke again for sure ! Voddie is known to be a very loyal and staunch Josie supporter, so it was great that Cheeky and I got on with her so well and had some fantastic discussions and debates all night that proved that anyone who feels that slagging off one or the other is being “loyal” is clearly the deluded one!! There was not a hint of nastiness from either side in our late night chat and that’s all anyone needs to know! Cathy is star too and I love love loved talking to her at the party and at our ‘sit-in’ lol, (that I’m conveniently getting the blame for everyones’ tiredness She has a warm heart, has her head screwed on and her and Hazy were lovely! Hazy is a gem too!! Katie, don’t get me started on how pleased I was to finally meet her and she’s as quick-witted, intelligent, honest and friendly as I knew she would be in person!!! Again, loved having the opportunity to speak to her properly and she’s just as brilliant as I knew she would be...what you see with her is what you get!! As it is with Voddie (the board don’t like )

Anyway, everyone knows how us five never went to bed, as I thought by 6am it was probably best just to wait now for breakfast at 7am...what was the point in going to bed now?? So funny when we walked into the breakfast room, couldn’t have got a full English quick enough and then as the rest of the people staying in the hotel filtered though, they couldn’t believe we’d done an all-nighter...we weren’t looking too bad, I don’t think.... Then I met the gorgeous Sarah (Moody) and Beth, saw Rhiiiii again and we had a laugh about their Karaoke with Katie and a few others and they are brilliant as well!!! So funny. Haven’t got a single negative word to say about anyone I met!!! That’s got to be the sign of a successful night out in itself

By about 9am (I think??) I rolled into the room and Jan was up and raring to go and I said, “Jan, I haven’t been to bed yet...” Hehe, she said that my empty bed gave that away already!! Got ready, went downstairs...had nice chats again...lights in the hallway went out...we all screamed...then my favourite bit just as everyones’ about to leave is when Josie’s little sisters come in, thinking they were meeting Josie there to go swimming and they’d been dropped off at the wrong hotel!! Little Ruby knew which one, but there was some confusion and we had the extra bonus pleasure of seeing her and Rhia and they were soooo cute!! Sarah’s tweet to Josie “I think you’ve lost something”, with a picture of their ickle faces pretending to be sad and lost was soooo funny!!! Don’t worry, they got save and sound back to Josie!!

Journey to the station was the biggest trauma...thinking I was going to actually throw up on the taxi driver’s head, he found it hysterical that I had gone green, so proceeded to make vomiting noises and swerving the taxi all over the place!!! Can’t tell you the relief when we arrived at Parkway and I got some fresh air!! The hysteria and laughter Jan and I shared on our journey back to Reading was toooo copious to mention...but a couple of highlights were us running like headless chickens all over Temple Meads, getting the wrong platform...dragging our cases some more and then half way through our panicked running I realised that Jonno had tweeted ‘what’s a Ben’, which I thought was funny enough...until my tweets the previous night came flooding back to me and I realised why he must have said that!! IT WAS ALL MY FAULT!! And we couldn’t stop laughing at the thought of people who wouldn’t know me assuming I’m head over in love with Jonno and now Ben!!! Pa ha ha ha ha!!! Trying to get Jan’s case under the seat was the part when we really lost the plot and both stood wetting ourselves in the aisle of the packed train...the tears were pouring!! LOVE YOU JAN!!

Anyway, think this is all for me, except that Harry was hilarious too and is great at forcing you to by raffle tickets when you already have five (hehe)! The striptease was absolutely tongue-in-cheek in case anyone fancies criticising and was hilarious...there were no desperate minges getting their kicks...it was just sooo funny, as it was intended to be!!

With regards to Luke, no point we commenting one way or the other as it’s the JJJAT, plus barely saw him to be honest. So again, not a bad word to say about him...

So...think that’s it...Flakes passes out....xxxxxx”

Thanks for all the reports, really interesting - are you and Cheeky related by any chance LOL

. You seem to have the same way of expressing yourself, anyway it sounds as though you all had a cracking time and it must be nice meeting Josie at last. I was more than surprised to see you are so young, old head on young shoulders is the expression that springs to mind, but I am sure you have been told that before.

bblover

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by robswifejan:
“clip 7 alonestar http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xp9...clips-7_webcam

much love Jan xxxx”

Thanks Jan for doing this.xxx

hazydazy

06-03-2012

Hello everyone, I had a great time at the party, Den did a brilliant job, Snowy your post is great and the all nighter with you, Voddie, Cheeky, Katie and Cathy was great fun, hopefully we will all get chance to meet again x x x Luv Hazy

Wendilums

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by hazydazy:
“Hello everyone, I had a great time at the party, Den did a brilliant job, Snowy your post is great and the all nighter with you, Voddie, Cheeky, Katie and Cathy was great fun, hopefully we will all get chance to meet again x x x Luv Hazy”

Short and sweet Hazy xxx

sbyres25

06-03-2012

Dozed off earlier

....but have loved catching up

Thank you everyone for the brilliant posts, pics and videos from Bristol.....was just like old times.

Great to see some "oldies" popping in too.

Night night all...sweet dreams. :yawn: :sleep: Hope I can fall asleep again now. :yawn:

MagStar10

06-03-2012

Night all :sleep: Maggi X

hazydazy

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by Wendilums:
“Short and sweet Hazy xxx”

Lol Wend I'm rubbish at it that's why, my posts were always very short x x x

robswifejan

06-03-2012

Hi Hazy ...I haven't had time to read all through the thread yet .It was brill wasn't it ? So lovely seeing you again.

much love Jan xxxx

Bumble43

06-03-2012

Hope u don't mind me bringing this over
JOSIE FANCIES SOME DOGGY ACTION

I've got two more weeks until this cast comes off and I cannot bloody wait. I've been trying to do some packing in preperation for our move down to Bristol but with the old peg leg it hasn't been easy.

I've spent most of the week ordering poor lukey around and tellin him what to put in which box, I thought I was being helpful, but when he started coming at me with a menacing look on his face and the parcel tape in his hand I knew I had gone to far.....

He's had the patiance of a saint, God bless him, which is why I've promised him a treat when we finally get down to Bristol ( no, not that kind of treat, you dirty muckers). We've both wanted a dog for ages, so I've told him we'll get a chow-chow and a Great Dane as soon as we can after we move.

One's all cuddly and daft and the the other's all big and lankey - I'm thinking maybe we should call them Josie and Luke? I've been adding a few DIY jobs to his to do list for when we finally get into our new place, but I was feeling guilty so asked my cousin Tommy who is a carpenter, if he'd help out.

Lukey got a bit stroppy and started saying it was his job, he didn't need help and he'd do it all himself. Anyone would think it was 10.000BC and we was moving into a new cave! We've had a pretty rough run the past month or so but I'm sure I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or is that just the reverse lights on the removel van?

Pic of Josie surrounded by boxes but still smiling.

hazydazy

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by robswifejan:
“Hi Hazy ...I haven't had time to read all through the thread yet .It was brill wasn't it ? So lovely seeing you again.

much love Jan xxxx”

Hi Jan, aww was great seeing you again too, had a great time with my buddy Cathy Hall and everyone else x x x

Wendilums

06-03-2012

Well it's time for bed for me.

Loved the posts about the party on Saturday, love you all.

Goodnight

Wendy xxx

Bumble43

06-03-2012

Goodnight everyone :yawn::yawn:
sorry i have not posted just getting sorted after my weekend in Bristol will post soon.

Love Josie
Love John
Love JJJat

:sleep::sleep:

robswifejan

06-03-2012

clip 8 alonestar and ollie g
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xp9...clips-8_webcam

much love Jan xxxx

robswifejan

06-03-2012

The next clip is the full monty one but dailymotion tells me it will take just over 2 hours to upload ...it's only 4 mins for goodness sake.Will do it in the morning .

Looking forward to reading everyone's reports and to getting mine finished

night night sweet dreams everyone

much love Jan xxxx

jackyo55

06-03-2012

morning all late night for me on here last night and an early start with a very full day gonna be collapsing later never mind ay

snowy your reports were brilliant and lyn poem fantastic as usual

it was so good to see old posters return and hope they stay

andcb

06-03-2012

Morning all

Many thanks for all the latest reports and videos - they are brilliant.

Good to see some old posters back here as well

wishit

06-03-2012

Morning All

Great posts from lastnight, looks like everyone had a great time and made real good friends, that is what this thread is all about, started for two people and now friendships for life have been made. Pity the two people who it was made for are not friends anymore

Wendilums

06-03-2012

Originally Posted by snow_flake88:
“Well, good evening everyone! So sorry to be bringing you my account of one of the most enjoyable weekends of my whole 24 years of life (SHOCKER!) so late, but felt my head was far too mushed yesterday to do it any justice unless I had a clear mind. Or at least after having had some sleep...

As most of you know, my decision to go to Bristol was extremely last minute, after lots of umming and arring and thinking there’s no way I can go to meet a bunch of people from the INTERNET!!! I mean, who does that? If any friend or family member told me they were meeting ‘friends’ from the internet I know exactly what my reaction would have been... “ARE YOU INSANE!” But despite logic telling me that this was beyond weird, there was a residing feeling in my gut that as weird as it sounds, meeting some of the ladies that I have shared so many opinions, thoughts, emotions and experiences with would actually be one of the most natural things in the world! People from different ages, creeds and backgrounds who all watched the most magical and memorable Big Brother that ever was and ever will be...all because of the beautiful and pure relationship and love that developed between John James and Josie. Two people who, as they said themselves, were destined to dislike each other for being so opposite in so many ways...

I will be forever grateful for Wendy, as she was the first to suggest the idea of going to Bristol and helped me to overcome my nerves, fears and dispelled any qualms I had about going. Wendy got the lovely Phil on the case, who sorted everything from my accommodation, to timings and who secured my bed in the legendary Jan’s room; a woman who I’d barely said a handful of words to, but who welcomed me with open arms just on Phil’s word that I was a nice, shy and nervous girl (hahaha, as if!) Lots of lovelies also encouraged me on Twitter such as Penny, who I cannot believe I never got to meet and then once I’d checked there were enough of us JJJAT’ers within my age group going (the dm to Cheeky in which I accidently put an ‘s’ in front of ‘on’, so she thought I had a son!!!), the time came to let friends already attending such as Vixx, Gussie, Lyn, Kirsty, Dolly and Hairy that I was braving it too. The fact we were all as nervous and dubious of the reaction we would receive as each other really helped!

The night before I can honestly say I did not sleep a wink and went over and over how the weekend would go in my head until I’d nearly driven myself insane. Would I meet up to peoples’ expectations? Now everyone knows my age, will my views and opinions suddenly be seen as naive because I wasn’t a woman with as much life experience under my belt as I knew everyone thought I had? We get on and are on the same wavelength online, but how would we all mesh in person? Would factors such as age/ life experience and background now suddenly matter and divide us when they had been completely irrelevant all this time? What if Josie completely hates us because we support John too and therefore ruin the image that I had crafted of one half of the greatest genuine love stories of all time?! With all of this swarming around my head, by the time the morning came I’d already changed my mind five billion times and decided to just get ready and then if I felt I really couldn’t manage it, I could always get back into my jim jams and turn my phone off.

All packed and ready to go and then the best laid plans of mice and men transpired against me! Taxi didn’t arrive until half an hour later than needed. After several arguments with the firm on the phone, the car finally turned up and the driver decided to scream at me that everything was all my fault?!? So I knew I was going to miss my connection at Reading by a whisker, which really angered me, as Wendy and I were supposed to be travelling up there together! So a new plan was devised, I would have to jump on the next train to Temple Meads, as Parkway train wasn’t for another hour and the clever little fox that is Vixen told me just to get a train back to Parkway from Temple Meads and meet her and Gussie there. Dignified, common sense, BRILLIANT! When I finally got to Parkway, having no idea what Gussie and Vixx actually looked like, I hovered like and utter WEIRDO around any groups of women I could see and then had to do the ‘phone’ test when it looked like they were ready to call security. It wasn’t Vixx and Gussie, so I trotted out and finally found them!! Bubbly, hilarious, vivacious, full of life and with just about the same combination of nerves and excitement as me. Off we went in the taxi to meet the others and finally come face to face with all of our dearest friends...

To be continued...”

Originally Posted by snow_flake88:
“Continued...

Cheeky was absolutely right, low and behold some of our reputations had already preceded us and after arriving in the pub and greeting all of the JJJAT’ers with a massively warm hug (shocking half of them that I wasn’t a fossil)...the now renowned Rhi (love her) shouted out ‘Snowflake’ after about five minutes, from the loooong table of Muckers that filled the pub and god knows why but I turned around! So there, I was outted, hehe, there was no hiding behind aliases like Vixx and Gussie! I didn’t turn around long enough to see anyone’s reaction, but surprised by how many people actually read my posts and knew my views better than me! Lots of people can up to me and were absolutely lovely and so once again, rumours and nastiness have caused people to think the majority of muckers hate joint supporters, but I never met a single one! I did not at any point feel intimidated or uncomfortable for being a Josie and John supporter, so for all of those lovely people dm’ing me before I left saying Josie and muckers wouldn’t want JJJAT’ers there and we would feel outcase COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG! So there. No nastiness from anyone in the slightest!!

So, what was meeting our threadlings like? Wendy was just as lovely and kind as I’d imagined and my only disappointment of the weekend was that she couldn’t stay longer and spend the memorable evening with us!! Phil was as cuddly, warm and bubbly as I thought she would be too and immediately I felt as if I’d known her forever. Clairebear and Dolly were stunning and loved giving them a massive hug, but didn’t get a chance to talk to them as much as I would have liked until later on in the evening...when we absolutely wet ourselves!!! Kirsty is stunning and I too could have believed she was 28  Gorgeous figure, a little firecracker!! Phi then introduced me to my room buddy for the evening, Jan, and I loved her from the first moment I met her. She is an absolute diamond and is so full of love, kindness and genuinely does not have a bad bone in her body!! This is when I found out that Phil had told Jan how I was such a shy and nervous person, so everyone was to really make me feel welcome...pa ha ha ha...nervous: YES, shy: NOT A CHANCE!! You couldn’t shut me up from the moment I got there to the moment I got home on the Sunday!!

Was there one person I didn’t mention meeting?? Oh yeaaa....my little Cheeky!! My brother from another mother!! We literally hit it off straight away, are kindred spirits and I felt like I’d spent the whole weekend with one of my best friend’s!!! We were inseparable and little partners in crime! She is hysterical, has an amazing sense of humour, is so astute and I wouldn’t have had half as much fun if we had not been together! Love you!!!! When everyone had gone back to the hotel for naps etc (lightweights!), we sat on our little JJJAT section on our own, as Guss and Vixx kept having fag breaks and chatted about EVERYTHING and it was such a pleasure to talk through our views and feelings! And snap, they were the same!! Then after speaking together for ages, Vixx and Gussie decide the coast is clear to come back to our table (jokes) and brought Lyn, Deanna and Welshy with them!! Yaaaaayyyyy!!! Had no idea they were there and would have been devastated to miss talking to these wonderful ladies. Once again we all had some great discussions, reminiscences and yes spoke about John James and Josie...we are JJJAT’ers after all

After spending from 1.30pm to 6.15pm (way longer than planned) in the pub (only had one drink, it was the enthralling conversations that made the time fly), with my suitcase still standing upright, we all went to go and get ready for the main event. Thankfully Deanna and Welshy decided to stay on for the main party, which was the best news I’d heard so far, as they are h’amazing and how many giggles would we have missed if we weren’t there. Cheeky and I went to get ready in the Almondsbury and I went to try and unpack...as traipsing around with my suitcase for hours wasn’t a good look haha!

After allowing us zero time to get ready (our love for JJJ is to blame), Cheeky and I were ready and down in the lobby by 7.15, were we met up with Deanna, Welshy and Lyn again for a couple of drinks before heading off. By this point I think most people had headed off anyway and the wonderful Phil, Jan, Kirsty and Claire had gone ahead and secured us the best able we could have possible been at!!! After a diva-esque clothes change from Welshy in the carpark ( ) we decided the time was right to toddle over to the venue and settle ourselves for the evening and most importantly we didn’t want to miss seeing Josie arrive. (Cheeky and I had devised a plan we would pretend she was drunk if she cried when she met Josie, even though she doesn’t drink, just to save face!) I didn’t know what to expect, but was soooo excited!!! So we went down the slippery ‘MUDDY’ roads to get there (loved Cheeky’s joke about me becoming the new Muddy, as wearing 6inch heels to hide my shortness was suddenly not seeming like a good idea!). Then the door was in sight and we started queuing to go in....

To be continued...”

Originally Posted by snow_flake88:
“Continued...

So we’re here, making our way through the crowds and tables (soooo many people were there, it was heartwarming to see!), we finally saw our fabulous threadlings hauled up on a table right by the stage...there was no skulking in the background for us...there was no fear of everyone knowing who we were and where we were from..no shameful hiding from us for being a John supporter too...we were front of house for everyone to see!! But as I said, shock horror for a minority of haters, but not a single face I saw seemed to have a problem with us, so woop woop! Cheeky and I had minimal cash as we hadn’t realised the venue didn’t take card (I’m a southerner, sorrrry!!!), so knew we had to spend our money wisely. After all, the double vodka and cranberry that Lyn bought me was extortionate, so I knew I had to use my brain if I wanted to make my £25 strech...bottles of wine for me only it was...at £10 each I was fiiiine!!

Due to the excitement, adrenaline and alcohol the night went soooo quickly and I’m sure I can’t remember half of the amazing things that happened and the laughs we had. But I’ll try for the wonderful ladies who couldn’t be there!

When Josie arrived, it was very discreet and it took Cheeky to point her out to me, as she was quietly having pictures taken from the back forward as she came in and people spoke to her. Josie arrived with her brother Harry and Auntie Kay and it was so lovely to see her with her family!! Josie was wearing the NTA’s dress, I know some people were wondering, and she looked absolutely gorgeous. If you think Josie is photogenic, wait until you see her in the flesh. I am not normally someone who thinks much about how people look and whenever I’d see muckers say how stunning she was I used to think, come on, stop sucking up, how pretty can one girl be. THEY WERE NOT SUCKING UP. She is breathtakingly beautiful, but more importantly it’s because she has an aura that just radiates warmth and you can’t help to be drawn to her (again, like Cheeky says, not in a sexual way, lol) How Josie could not understand how John James would be interested in her is absolutely beyond me and it is heartbreaking that Josie cannot see how truly enthralling she is. You cannot take your eyes off of her! She really is in her own little word and in her own head and seems oblivious to what’s going on around her in a really sweet and innocent way.

When Josie finally got her way to the front, hobbling because she forgot her crutches, she didn’t go up to the stage as there’s no way the poor thing could have walked up the stairs. She had rounds of applauses galore and you could see how Josie is still the same humble and grateful woman she has always been and was so emotional at the support. Not a big-headed bone in her body!! The most emotional part of her speech for me was when she said how much it meant to her that so many friendships had been made from ‘all of this’ and the look in her eyes left no doubt what she was referring to. Speaking about how much Meningitis means to her and her family was also very powerful and reminded you how amazing the event was that Den, Shezha, Cazie, Voddie etc had organised and that this is what people should be focusing on. Before they look to slate or criticise because they’re not Josie fans, these ladies have devoted their time, energy, sleep probably for an incredibly worthwhile charity and for Josie it was not a PA, it was a cause that was close to her heart.

Anyway, can’t remember order of events exactly...but Ben...OMG best choice of a special guest EEVVVEEERR! The laughs he gave us were worth going alone!! You could not have picked a better person to host the auction...his head was bopping everyone...his hair was beyond crisp and Cheeky, Vixx, Guss, Lyn, Dolly, Claire and I could not contain our giggles. Cheeky and I were shameless and were doing impressions of him when he was right next to us throughout but he was such a good sport and was making fun of himself as much as anything else. Although our laughing did nearly get Cheeky and I the prize of a signed Welsh rugby photo, as bless him, he thought we were bidding, but we were doing the ‘what, what, with ears sticking out’ impression at the time. Hehe. Then he was just prancing around everywhere with his suit, matching tie and hankerchief, his brogues and DID I MENTION THE CRISP!!!! We were calling him Banjaminge and he would laugh and then Cheeky even pinched his bum for fun and he told her something about ‘later, later’ hahahahaha!!! What about later on when she told him to do his rendition of ‘goldfinger’ and he said he would if there was a piano, but biggest regret of the night...there was not!!! Then there was our ‘in’ joke, about me pretending I’d fallen for Jonno G just because I got a tweet from him and please do blame Muddy, who’d tweeted me something earlier about him and so when I took a picture of Ben I (in my drunken state) thought it would be hilarious to tweet it and say move over...haha. Then Cheeky said I wouldn’t tag Jonno in my tweet...so what did I do...so, so funny our side of the table couldn’t breathe. And the ‘cha cha slide’...oh my stomach...

I know some people were saying of Ben, ‘oh Josie’s got a short memory’, blah blah blah, and certain John-only fans taking umbrage for Ben’s comments about John...but let’s remember...John was the one in Samuel Dean webcam who said he didn’t have a problem with Ben and what happens in the house stays in the house...and if Josie has forgiven him then GET A GRIP!!! I’m not saying he’s not a selfish, opportunistic, sometimes spiteful guy...but he is hilarious, as hilarious as John and Josie found him. And I had a little tug at the heartstring to see Josie absolutely wetting herself at his bidding banter and you just know her and John would have been together on the floor in stitches!! Then later on when Cheeky and I were going to the Ladies’ room and Ben was blocking the door and he said ‘watch yourself,’ and Cheeky said ‘you, watch yourself’ (little flirt) and then obviously Flakes wasn’t watching herself and walked into the wall!

Josie was pulled up for the auctioning of this cute little bench, that if it didn’t remind you of the one in the house you’ve got rocks in your head. Josie sat down on it and said how she’d wanted a bench like the one in the house and her aunty Kaye was bidding for it and then Josie said “I want to buy it for my auntie Kaye”, which was soooo lovely and so I guess the bench is staying with the Gibsons. 

To be continued...”

Hopefully next 2 instalments will post straight after this one

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