Nice to hear you are going to take things steady, with visiting rather than doing Claire and it makes sence to enjoy a rest holiday after Christmas to help start the new year. Sorry your daughter failed her test, but most people have 2 or 3 goes before they pass, and they do say that you are a better driver for it. You just go and enjoy your chocs and anything else that takes your fancy its Christmas.
Lovely that Jack popped to see you with your pressy Bazza. I hope Matilda is O K good luck to her who ever she is, and that your sister and aunt are well. I hope you will not be on your own at Christmas, and that you will be able to visit Jack quite a lot in the new year. After the move as well.
My my Pamela you are doing as much dashing about as Santa. I hope you found your mom well and enjoyed your bread in Scotland and you find time to rest over Christmas. Where do I go to do my panto part?.
Nice to have you back with us Clarita, sorry to hear that hubby has not been well.
Well I hope everybody has a wonderfully happy and merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous new year.
A Very Happy Christmas To You Norma Joyous New Year, too
Many thanks for your warm wishes. Had a tussle with the local town council earlier, yet, all is well now + all is resolved so am feeling peaceful. Christopher, hubby, is still not 100% right- taking a long long time for his knee to heal properly- bless him. He is back to work yet it is not entirely better + hope it will be soon as he does not cope well with pains as his painthreshold is quite low unlike mine. Thanks for the warm welcome back. Finished all the big housework today so can more or less take it easy over next few days except for cooking + washing up( have no dishwasher). Have no washing to do or any ironing as finished them both today + all that remains to dry on airers/radiators is various towels+ other non ironables so am a happy yet very tired bee Now can relax until it is time to prepare our dinner. Chris is out on his last job of the day before his Christmas break- so shall be home with Zachariah + I soon. Zac continues to do well + treasure every moment we have together. Staying focused on the present which is a gift anyhow! All our presents are around the tree including Zac's Enjoyed immensely the Christingle Service at our Anglican church a few days ago- it was very special. Will go to our Anglican church Christmas day this year instead of the usual Midnight service as we wanted to do things a little differently this year. Our vicar had a sucessful tripple heart by-pass surgery a few weeks ago- a real answer to prayer, too.
Reading a fabulous fiction book with snippets of non fiction juxtaposed within- lots of a-ha + ha-ha within the pages- it is such a fantastic read, called, " Why is God Laughing- One man's journey to joy and spiritual optimism"- by Deepak Chopra. It is the sort of book my heroine Oprah Winfrey would love too!! Would recommend it all to you guys, too
Hi all sorry its been such a long time since I popped in, basically I'm having a nightmare with my home PC and am only allowed to use work one out of hours. Will hopefully catch up with you all very soon. A merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to you all. Love and friendship. Tracey xxx
Happy New Year to everyone. Not the best of starts to 2009 for you Claire, lets hope it improves very soon and Andy gets better.
We had a quiet New Year, went skiing, only on the wii though not for real. We had a good laugh,, then went motor racing , was hopless at that, kept steering off the road and into the water everytime came last every time, I think I had better have a bit more practise.
We went for a run in the car today down to the coast and boy it was busy, I have never seent that many people down there on a New Years Day before, and I have gone every year for a walk on New Years Day now for years. The weather wasn't to bad either we had blue skies and sunshine and the temperature got up to 5 degrees. there is a Cafe on the beach and that was really busy as well, we had to que to get in but we soon managed to get a seat. We had a very pleasent walk.
Happy New Year to you all. I'm suffering from lack of sleep today. Returned rather late from a party last night and so I really need an early night tonight and yet here I am still mucking about on here. I'm dead on my feet today as I was up really early this morning too. Hey ho.
Sorry to hear that Andy isn't too good Claire. If it's flu it will take him a while to get back to normal.
Helen, your New Year's Days sounds lovely. I wish we lived nearer the sea and could take ourselves off to blow away the cobwebs. But we live just about as far from the sea as you can get!
You sound happy and chirppy Clarita, I hope you had a happy Christmas, that you are well, and that you have better health in 2009.
I hope Andy is better by now Claire and that you all had a happy Christmas, and that you too have better health in 2009.
I like the sound of your walk Helen, we went on one Boxing day, it was over muddy fields and over stiles, we all came back like mud babes including the daughters dog who had to have all his under carriage and legs washed before he could come in doors, we just had wellies to deal with.
Good health, happiness and prosperity to you all. for 2009.
What have you all been up to this weekend? Taking down the trees and lights?
I have that job to do in the morning. Hate taking down the trees, the place seems so empty without them. We've been over to my son's place this afternoon and came back with his tree and are burning it on the log fires tonight and the smell is wonderful. He had a noble fir and the needles are almost as good as the day we put it up.... they really are very good.... but pricey. He paid £35 for his 6 or 7 foot one. As we have two 8 footers, I decided that I couldn't justify that kind of money on something that we will be burning tomorrow night!! Next year I may have to dig deep and find the pennies for the noble firs as we have a wedding here on the 12th December and I will want the trees up. Either that or I recognise that I will want to take them down earlier than 12th Night. This year our trees have been very good indeed and hardly dropped their needles at all. I am wondering if it has anything to do with something I read the other day.... Apparently, the Christmas tree growers like there to be at least two or three frost before they fell the trees to "set the needles". Anyone heard of that before? Or course this year we've had an early cold winter and I'm wondering if that is why our trees have been so good this year.
Do you think if I hurry I could be in bed by 10 o'clock. Trying to stop keeping these silly hours!! Truth is, got a good book on the go !!
Hope you're all managing to keep warm. Not got above freezing here today.
Bless you Norma + Honey Try to keep chirpy/upbeat come what may as it helps one with all the challenges that comes one's way. Plus, also, life is extraordinarily beautiful/precious even with its challenges/challenging individuals. Life is a gift - so treat each day as if it is a special day. Whatever the season, keep Spring in my heart.
Hope everyone here is keeping warm- temperature wise as well as warm with love in your hearts + happy thoughts in your minds. Warmth is more than mere clothes or heating, yet, this is still important.
Recently finished two really good fiction books, Deepak Chopra's " Why is God Laughing" and Alexander McCall Smith's- " The Careful Use Of Compliments." Also, really enjoyed reading this month's Reader's Digest magazine- full of positive snippets + humour( an uplifting read of ah, a-ha and ha-ha).
Keeping brain active with my lateral thinking puzzle games for me Nintendo DS Lite, general knowledge crosswords + cryptic crosswords too - helps big time especially with my memory.
Have some housework to do today- little energy yet know my angels will enable me to carry out the essentials!! Need to write some soul mail + thank you cards, too. Need to post off some competitions, also. Email has its vital place yet there is something really special about writing soul mail + receiving soul mail that no other form of communication other than face to face can win over- soul mail/snail mail is sublime.
Watched a film the other day, was not expecting to enjoy it as the music in it was not to my style yet the dancing was amazing as was the heart warming engaging storyline + the superb acting that found myself really enjoying it. It was called " Honey". Have a wonderful friend called Honey, love honey to consume, favourite book - Secret Life Of Bees, found a hue of paint that we would like to use for our lounge this Spring- called Honey Drizzle,+ know that honey( sweet kind words) + humour are healing
Ciao for now- big hugs to my 3 amigas here- Claire, Honey + Helen. Big hug to you too Norma
Warmest wishes, a delicate yet happy flower Clarita
Taken down most of the decorations, going to take most of the cards to Tesco recycling, apart from some special ones. Andy still got flu, had it a week now. I also have it but not as bad as I had a flu jab. Still feel rotten and did not get up until 1.30pm. Dragged myself to the the supermarket to get essentials and now on the couch about to take some more tablets. Bought some Honey Clarita to go with a lemon as I like this when I feel ill like this, my mum used to give it to me when I was little.
Not had too much time for my nintendo light as not felt up to it but will do soon. Someone recomended a book to read.An autobiography of our olympic cyclist who had cancer. I think that's right but can't remember his name!!! Anyone have an idea? Is supposed to be very inspiring.
Pamela, how are the wedding plans going? You will be so busy next christmas, but what an exciting time for you all. Do you know when I went to Tesco today I saw a sign saying "Easter Treats" and there was some chocolate bunnies and the like for sale!! Can you believe it?
Anyone made any new years resolutions?
Sounds like you had a nice walk Helen, and Norma. I do miss that but soon hopefully. Must have a go at Wii skiing one day....Andy and family love the real thing and are all very good at it. I do not like it am am hopeless!! Not keen on heights.
Hoping you recover from the flu soon. Wrap up warm + keep warm. Also, am a great believer in hot honey + lemon ( + sometimes with a little drop of ginger wine) for sore throats, colds + flu. Hang on in there + try to pace self well.
Will share some Oprah wise words with you all soon. Some good words of hers read earlier today in the latest Good Housekeeping magazine.
Must try to pace self better- practice what preach in 2009- as am a delicate flower yet have carried out too much housework today!!! Ache big time, all over. Tomorrow will take it easier + write the soul mail intended to write today.
Have lots of New Year dreams/goals- will share them with you soon.
Miss lots of activities, too, Claire. Not easy when one is health challenged ( have to live within certain limits as the body can only cope with so much/ activities have to be much less than could prior to challenges) as one would love to be able to do what most people just take for granted to be able to do- feels like at times you are on the outside looking in, yet, even if our bodies are limited our imaginations are not. Also, who knows what awaits us around the corner- more energies, more activities can participate with in time + more possibilities. Think that is why it is good to keep the brain active as if the body can only do so much then one needs to make up with it in other areas. Patience - always learning /relearning this wisdom. Important to focus on what we can do instead of what we cannot do + on all our blessings, too. Soon, hopefully, yes, soon you shall Claire as shall I be able to participate in the everyday activities that are beyond us at the moment. Hope- always hope. Like autobiographies especially inspirational ones- people who have overcome great challenges like Cancer or not let disabilities stop them from pursuing their dreams. Do not know this book yet when you find it let us know please. Christopher Reeves books were very inspirational to me especially his book, " Still Me".
Anyway, must sign off now! Take excellent care of your most fine self Claire. Big hugs to you + to all here on this cool thread. Warm wishes, your friend Clarita
Lovely to see you so upbeat Clarita. I'm glad that Strictly is finished and you're back with us again! A new year always gives us hope and determination for the coming year. The positivity we feel at this time of the year can carry us through the depth of winter and hopefully it takes us into spring.
Some of you will have heard me say that we live on top of a hill and whichever way we leave the house, it's downhill. A combination of weather conditions has resulted in us having snow on top of ice on our lane. Just a few 100 yards away, there is an extremely steep hill and in these conditions it is treacherous. People come pootling along and don't realise that our lane is never gritted. They think it's just a bit of snow... not realising what it is hiding... a sheet of ice ! We have seen this happening for the past 15 years and still we don't get the road gritted! Today we have had to unofficially close the lane by putting our wheelie bins across to stop people from continuing up the lane after a lorry went down early this morning and basically blocked the hill and couldn't move. The driver got out of his cab, skidded and slid about a 100 yards down the hill Fortunately he wasn't hurt ! He was so fortunate that it's an extremely quiet lane and no one was coming in the other direction because he could have skidded into another vehicle. He had to wait until the pick up could get him out of the hedge bottom... took most of the morning. This happens every year and all the council do is provide us with a bin of salt ! When we get proper deep snow we are okay because the farmer who we bought the barns from said that if we got snowed in he would come and dig us out. Not happened too many times but it was part of the conditions that we bought them. But because of the wind up here we do get some amazing drifts... looks a bit like lemon meringue pie some mornings!
We had been snowed in when we lived in The Cotswolds after a really bad fall and couldn't get out for 5 days because the council refused to clear the lanes leading into the village until people had uncovered their cars (all you could see were the car aerials!). My husband couldn't get to work or teachers to the little primary school and we had to go and dig out the cars that people wouldn't, or couldn't clear themselves so that the diggers would come through!! So when we were looking at this place we made sure that we had a back up if we were snowed in.
It looks like it's going to be like this for the next few days and so I think we won't be going anywhere as there is at least a mile of ungritted lane to traverse and my husband has forbidden me to go out in the car. Perhaps I need to get some snow chains for Bella!
I've just had an e-mail from my sister in law who has just arrived in Australia and I'm trying very hard to be pleased for her !! Apparently the sky is blue there! I told her it was here too ! Well it was !!!! Okay, and I did tell her that it was -5.50 C here the other night.
Spent the day getting the trees down and all the decorations... a job I HATE !!
Claire... Plans for the wedding are going well. Got the registrar and the venue booked. My daughter is coming on Wednesday and I suspect we will be discussing booking the caterers now. We decided to put the wedding to one side over Christmas (one thing at a time!) but I guess we will be back to wedding talk now. The curfew was nice while it lasted!
Oh my gosh, what a nightmare with that lorry driver yet thank goodness he is okay. It is sad that your council are not more dynamic in their thinking/ actions- what will it take, to change their mind, hopefully not a fatality?! Love the lemon meringue pie image of the snow yet it is making me hungry even though only recently have eaten breakfast! When is the wedding date? At least you have ticked two boxes already!
Cold weather can be a pain quite literally- especially if health challenged, icy roads + paths can lead to accidents, colds, flu , etc..... Yet, with the cold weather there comes new beauties/marvels. Also, log fires ( haven't one in our home yet hope to one day) or other sources of warmth, cuddles/snuggles + the hope of Spring around the corner. Truly, would not want to live in a warm country- especially a country that is warm all year round- good to have contrasts in the 4 seasons!
Mr and Mrs Pied Wagtail are in our town- what pretty birds they are, too! Was so excited the other day as Mr Wagtail came to our Close !! Usually only see him or his lady in the town centre area. Delighted that he has come up to my part of town + hope he comes with his lady next time as to see them together is even more joyous!!
Zac has his operation date, found out this morning- 29th January- so we need to sort out the insurance ( cover is up to 1,500 + op is 1,000) + either arrange transport or my mama will take us up. He will stay over night then come back the following day. Op will take place in Bristol. Live in Devon. My Mama lives in Somerset. Pleased that he has a date + we have time to organise everything. Excited for Zac that he will have a better quality of life even though he is an old dog- he will not live for more than 2 years from now most probably yet, he deserves to live life to the max up to the max + he is one of the family. Vet suggested the operation + said he is strong enough. Yet, naturally, other part of me is very anxious for him ( nervous of him not pulling throught the anaesthetic)- yet need to trust the vets + put trust in God over this all.
Must sign off now. So take care everyone here. Big , big hugs to you Honey, to Helen, to Claire- the 3 amigas, to Norma, to Tracey, to Bazza + to all here! Ciao, Clarita
denotes Subscriber-only content | Tuesday 6 January 2009 | Help | Glossary 
Norma 
Joyous New Year, too
Either that or I recognise that I will want to take them down earlier than 12th Night. This year our trees have been very good indeed and hardly dropped their needles at all. I am wondering if it has anything to do with something I read the other day.... Apparently, the Christmas tree growers like there to be at least two or three frost before they fell the trees to "set the needles". Anyone heard of that before? Or course this year we've had an early cold winter and I'm wondering if that is why our trees have been so good this year.
even though only recently have eaten breakfast
