Wishing everybody ...

... a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous





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Absolutely amazing ....

... and even more so when you realise that all the dancers are deaf and are directed from the corners of the stage by signals (the signers can be seen in some shots). The group performed at the closing ceremony of the Paralympics in Athens, 2004. Just watch and be totally amazed .... Chinese Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe

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Children in Need 2009 ...

... was last night and here's a video of the Children in Need charity single for this year. There are a few memories there - *lol*

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Bonfire night ...

... or Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, was last night and it must have been the quietest one in years. Apart from a few 'fizz, bangs' there was hardly any noise at all! Could be different tomorrow night though as there's bound to be a few 'parties' around. Youngest son's family went to a big display put on by Brighton's Lions Club. They take over the local County Cricket ground but son has a friend who lives in a 5th floor flat overlooking the ground so that's where they went. I looked after little Zac as he's not old enough to appreciate the fireworks yet and it would have been far too late for him anyway.

I can remember years ago that Guy Fawkes night was only ever held on the 5th November, unless weather was bad on the night, then everybody had their fireworks on the next suitable night. Nowadays (although not this year in this area) people let off fireworks for a couple of weeks leading up to and a couple of weeks after ....

How naive we were all those years ago regarding the dangers of fireworks ... or were we just more careful? Could it be that they're now no longer made as suitable for private gardens? I certainly remember a 'jumping jack' chasing me around a neighbour's garden when I was little. Scared the living daylights out of me and hated them ever since!

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.

By God's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!

Bonfire Night/Fireworks Night/Guy Fawkes night? It's the night Brits celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, as it became known, back in 1605. Some people think that we celebrate Guy Fawkes' treason. In fact we celebrate on the edict of King James 1st, to celebrate his survival and the failure of the Plot, as the plot was to blow up the Houses of Parliament with him in it! The plotters were a group of men led by Robert Catesby but it was Guy Fawkes that was found, leading to the discovery of the plot. Since then, every November 5th, Brits have celebrated by burning bonfires, traditionally topped with a 'guy' (effigy) and setting off fireworks. It used to be a real family celebration but as years have gone on there's a move away from private parties to big, organised displays which enables much more extravagant pyrotechnics than could ever be displayed in private gardens.

We had a bit of sad news this week. One of our neighbours who lives opposite died at the weekend. She was a lovely lady but had been suffering from early stage dementia for a while then, earlier this year, she suddenly lost the use of her legs. She was taken to hospital but they couldn't find out why she'd become immobile - she just couldn't walk or carry her weight. She came back home but her husband couldn't care for her very well so she went into a home and he visited her daily, even though she got to the stage that she didn't really know he was there. The last few weeks she stopped eating and drinking and she slipped away over the weekend. She was nearly a year older than my Dad - her husband is a little younger. We've known them for 21 years - well, I've known them longer really 'cos they remember me, as a little girl, helping Dad with gardening jobs on his days off when he was in the Fire Service so, reckon they've really seen me grow up! It's sad and she was so sweet. R.I.P Ruby. You will be missed.

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Just for fun ...

... but animal lovers/owners past and present will identify with the following - *LOL!*. It's one of those things that gets passed round in cyberspace via email and it landed in my inbox a couple of days ago. How I relate to this, although our last, personal, live-in pet (as opposed to a 'shared' one) went to Rainbow Bridge back in September 2005. I couldn't help but have a giggle ...

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, IT IS A TRUE STORY.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object.. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however.. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

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Ooooooooops!

84%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

So just how much are you addicted????

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What does your birthday say about you

Did this quiz on Facebook and have to say it's pretty scarey at how accurate it is ... warts and all - LOL!

January


Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Money cautious. Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people's flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Sensitive and has deep thoughts.

I do take issue with some of it though ....
Hardworking and productive - well, I try!
Smart, neat and organised? Once upon a time perhaps and hopefully will be again at some point.
Knows how to make people happy. Only if they understand me I guess - lol!
Quiet unless excited or tense, rather reserved, highly attentive. Yes to all of those, including the reserved bit (honestly!) but that only lasts until I've got to know somebody - yes, true!!

Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Well, wouldn't have agreed with this until this year but in some ways still don't! I don't generally suffer illnesses or colds to often but seem to have picked up a virus that keeps coming and going. I keep thinking it's a cold developing but it makes me feel rubbish for a couple of days and then I'm OK again ....

Romantic etc, loves children. Yes, definitely to both and with the 2nd - as long as they've got a home to go back to - hehe!

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Had this ...

... email round robin sent to me recently. Normally I just delete anything I get like this, rather than pass them on and this one will go the same way but - it really appealed to my sense of humour!! Take a look at #27 for a start! If there's one thing I would do, if I could be bothered, is to reorder them into what I would consider my priority and #27 would probably be right at the top .......LOLOL!

Things to Live by
1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
3. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
5. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
6. An excellent approach to housework is to sweep the room with a glance..
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a muffin in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides nice contrast to the real world.
25. It ain't the jeans that make your arse look fat.
26. If you had to identify in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
27. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and mental illness.
28. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
29. You should not confuse your career with your life.
30. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
31. Never lick a steak knife.
32. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
33. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
34. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
35. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that deep down inside we ALL believe we are good drivers.
36. Your friends love you anyway.

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It's my birthday ...

... and what a mixed day - lol!! This morning got woken early by postie ringing doorbell delivering a recorded package so needed to be signed for. Was it for me? Nope, for eldest but guess who had to get up to sign for it - LOL!! Just settled down with morning cuppa to wake up properly and doorbell goes again. This time it's builders arrived to move a downpipe. We'd arranged it but I'd forgotten they were coming. Not yet dressed and there I was, outside in dressing gown and - it was freeeeeeezing!. Got builders sorted - or so I thought - so back to my cuppa and opening of birthday cards.

I've had loads and some beautiful handmade - no, handcrafted - ones from my brilliant friends made via the imag-e-nation forum. Then there were the ones from my hubby and eldest! I have such a romantic husband and a really loving, thoughtful eldest son .............. NOT!!!! Well, that's not entirely fair. Eldest addressed envie 'To Mummy' and when I opened the card there it was ...... in his words 'I thought it was funny when it wasn't supposed to be' - derrrrr????? The card looks like a 'cute' adult card but it says 'To a very special Mummy' and the verse refers to Mummy all the way through it which is why he thought it a funny card when it wasn't. Have to say - I agree with him 'cos at 36 he hasn't called me Mummy for around 30 years ........ unless he wants something - LOL!

The card from hubby was something else entirely and to say it was romantic would be lying - hehe! but it did make me laugh!

A Birthday Poem
just for you

Your mind is sharp and functioning
Your teeth remain intact
And you can still go dancing
'Cause your hip bones haven't cracked...
You pee without assistance
Your walk is sure and brisk
And you haven't got all wrinkled
Grown a hump, or slipped a disc
Your hair's not turned all white yet,
You've got a ticking heart
And you exercise discretion
When you can't hold back a fart (sorry but it's in the verse!)
You don't crank up the thermostat
Because you're always cold
And though you've aged another year
You're far from being old!

Off to Dad's, came back and downpipe moved ............... in the wrong place! Really decent builders, thankfully, so they did the job all over again and moved it to the right place - LOL!!

Managed to get myself to my beauty treatments on time, having dealt with another builder (we're having some quotes for work we want doing), and spent a very pleasant 1½ hours being massaged and facialled, hot crystals and aromatherapy. Felt so relaxed when it was over and still do! Might just have an early night 'cos don't think I shall be able to keep eyes open for much longer - LOLOL

All in all a very pleasant day and there was a bonus. Heard that there's a vacancy for Dad for a week's respite care. They need to see him first but if it's OK he can go for a week from the 9th February. Only problem I can see there is that it's Mum's birthday on the 11th so not sure he'll want to be anywhere other than home for that. Need to talk to him methinks....

Oh yes, I finished another big flower as well. Not quite as big as the other ones but still big and - I think it's the best yet! You'll find it here.

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There's been ...

... a bit of a discussion on the imag-e-nation forum about spelling and grammar (yes, we're a strange lot sometimes - LOL!) because somebody had copied and pasted a verse directly onto a card without checking it and then found 3 spelling mistakes, which effectively ruined the card. People were saying that they'd put it through the spellchecker and couldn't find anything wrong but there were definitely 3 spelling mistakes and one grammatical one. I've always maintained that you need to be able to spell to use a spellchecker 'cos a spellchecker won't tell you if you've used the correct 'their' or 'there', 'place' or 'plaice' etc 'cos the words are spelt correctly but mean something completely different. Don't even get me started on apostrophe use and 'you're' and 'your' - LOLOL! Anyway, somebody posted a little poem which illustrates the point superbly so I've 'lifted' it and here it is. The sounds of the words make perfect sense but they're totally the wrong words - hehe!

A Little Poem Regarding Computer Spell Checkers

Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew.

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My favourite ...

... two sites for this time of year .....

1. Norad Santa Tracker (he's extra busy right now - lol!!) and

2. Santa Claus in Lapland Check out the inside webcam during office hours but the whole site is superb!

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Christmas shows ...

... at school and nursery! Even though I don't 'do' Christmas I do enjoy the things that the little ones do and to watch their little faces light up. This year is Emma's last in Primary school but it's Amy's first at Nursery. They both had Christmas shows although I only got to see Emma's because of space restrictions at the nursery. As usual camera was with me although I didn't take many photos 'cos I was too far back from the stage but ............... I took some short video clips. Pictures are rubbish - because of being too far away from the stage - but got some sound which I think is cute - lol!! Watch out for the poser (bless!) in the second clip.

Just in case she's missed here she is in all her glory ...

... and here's our little snowflake, Amy, ready for her show. Apparently she spent the whole time in silence although she sang every time in practice. She said she didn't like all the Mummy's and Daddy's being there ...........!

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Footnote: Seems really strange to me 'cos the school in the video is a school I've been involved with for 53 years-ish. It's the school I went to between the ages of 4 and 11 and it's also where we used to meet weekly for NTC (Nautical Training Corps) cadet nights and band practice for many years. That hall brings back so many memories when I walk into it. Saturday evening fund raising dances, Christmas parties, fancy dress .............

Simply the best ...

... show dance that Strictly Come Dancing has ever had ...... Well, I think so - LOL!! Way to go Tom & Camilla!!

Doh! Can't seem to save the high quality version but click on vid here and go to You Tube to be able to select 'watch in high quality'.

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A Christmas Story ...

I had this story sent to me in an email from a friend. I can't credit anyone for it 'cos I don't know who wrote it but it's another of those that tickled my sense of humour.......

When four of Santa's elves got sick the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure. Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where. Then, when he began to load the sleigh one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered. Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum but, when he went to the cupboard he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom. Just then the doorbell rang and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the angel on top of the Christmas tree!

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I know ...

... it's silly and I'm a saddo but I just lurrrvvve this. It really, really tickles my sense of humour!

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What kind of?

I've just done one of those silly 'for fun' things and here's the result! Only those that know me best will know if this is true but I reckon it's pretty much me and have to say it rather surprised me!

I am an Apple - apparently!

You are strong, powerful, and even a bit stubborn at times. You have enough strength to help those around you in trouble. You are adventurous and charming. Many people are drawn to you. You love life, and you enjoy traveling the world. You enjoy fine food, art, and culture. People have accused you of being a snob, but that's not accurate. You do enjoy the best things in life. Unlike snobs, you truly appreciate quality... not just pretend to.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

I guess I'm strong but powerful? Probably not but I can definitely be stubborn - lol! I'm not really sure about the 'adventurous and charming' bit - hehe!! I do love travel but don't get much chance these days and I have definitely been accused of being a snob, when I'm certainly not. Choosy/picky, maybe but deffo not a snob - lol!! That's been since my school days. Then, because I was the only one in the street that went to a grammar school and since, because I'm quite reserved (yes, really!!) until I get to know people, although as I've got older that's not been so obvious...... Mmmm, appreciating quality. Is that what they call 'having expensive tastes'? - LOLOL!!

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