here

After sending Juzzy my year in review earlier this week, I was sitting here thinking just what did happen this year.

This year has been in want of a word or two, Higgledy Piggledy. Lots of highs and lows, work being one of the lows, back problems, neck problems and an accident with a transit van that has left me in pain and not enjoying driving as much as I used to. The fact that I had to move my child from school as he wasn't progressing.

One of The best highs this year is meeting a few people from blogland at a couple of mini blog meets. Meeting new people for me is really difficult especially when I am by myself without my comfort balnket or husband behind me holding my hand. Self confidence and esteem I lack. I am jelly inside this confident body. I convince myself for days that everyone will hate me that I will say something to offend, that no one will speak to me, they will hate my laughter, the fact I giggle too much, yet that wasn't the case at all and to those people who made me feel welcome and wanted, may I say thank you for everything. That made my year, it helped me to overcome certain barriers and to start to put things into perspective a bit more.

of course the low self esteem is still there, it always will be but it is getting easier.

I am also thankful I have spent another year with my family and husband. Nigel and I, on the fifth of next month, will have been together 20 years. Our first date which was on that evening in January where we spent so much time talking about everything, feeling nervous and worried about what each of us will think of the other and yet, since that evening we have never been apart and if we did have to leave each other, well what a great invention the phone is, because then we talked and talked for hours on end. Lots of people who saw how quickly our relationship developed told us that we wouldn't last, but we did and still have respect and love for each other. NOt a day goes by without me coundting my blessings as he has been through the worst with me. He picked me up at a time when I was at my lowest, when something happened that nearly took me over the edge of my depression and stood by me. He helped me through it all and he is my rock, to him I say thank you I love you and always will.

The highs this year outweigh the lows in some ways, and I hope that they will continue into the new year that way for everyone

Decided that I am not going to make any resolutions this year, I don't stick to them so cannot see the point.

however I am going to get into those shorts for Florida I will not be a fat blimp so watch this space!

Been out and about already, whatever was left in my account has now been put to use by stocking up on food for the week. We are out tonight celebrating, seeing the new year in with a friend and I am taking a pasta salad with me in the hope of being good though I cannot account for how much I will drink

The decorations have come down, I like the new year to start with a clean and tidy house, and although it isn't as tidy to my normal standards it will do for now.

My hand hurts this morning as does my back, I have made an appointment for the opticians, yet just realised that I may not be able to keep it as it is on the day I have to go back to work. However it is urgent it is done and not sure what to do now!

Oh well nothing left for me to do except to wish you all a safe time tonight whatever you do, may the year 2008 bring you good health, fortune, and happiness.

All the best xx

I am sitting at a large table. There is food on it, in fact more food than is needed I think. Nigel is there but he seems to be with someone else, not me. There are several people round the table but apart from two women, whom I have never met and have no idea who they are, and Anthony Worral Thompson, I cannot see the faces of the others. AWT is complimenting me on the creamy taste of my trifle and the wonderful food I have arranged, he toasts me with his wine and I am cringing.

I am now in what looks like a huge open air market. The sign in front of me says it is the biggest in Essex and I am pushing a pram with a child in that has a very huge head, the type you see in those cartoon caricatures. I am looking around me and AWT is telling me to hurry up because he must buy that mattress as we haven't enough beds to go round. I can see people jostling all around me, I am calling out to someone but I can't see their faces, so I follow AWT who buys that all important mattress and puts it on top of the pram I am pushing!

As we come out onto a street, the two women I saw earlier in my dream are beside me. We are looking for AWT who has gone on ahead, no mattress on pram. I see a shop on a corner called "Rock Monsters" and in the window is all guitars, LPs, posters of heavy metal bands. As we turn the corner I see AWT just inside the door but it doesn't appear to be attached to the shop, but we follow him in, me trying to get the pram through the small doorway. As I look around I just see shelves upon shelves of goodies to do with rock music, music sheets, records, cds, clothing, guitars, memorabilia to do with all things rock. AWT is exclaiming as he picks things up and puts them down. The two women squabble over some mosaic item, can't see what, when eventually one announces she collects them and wants one to add to her collection. The other woman lets go and starts to dance with Lars Ulrich round the shop and I am laughing.

Now at a huge house, no idea where. From the outside it looks like your normal three bedroom terraced house, but once inside there are rooms leading off rooms and stairs everywhere. It is easy to get hopelessly lost. I am being shouted at because I haven't set the mattress up yet and it is still on the pram, the baby within is chewing on it and tells me he is teething! There are children running around everywhere. I see an aunt and uncle I haven't seen in a while arguing over a cooker and where it should be placed. AWT is holding a spoon and shouting that the Bolognaise isn't cooked and it needs a little something but he doesn't know what. I go from room to room pushing this pram without mattress and ask one of the children, strangely who has no body, where the toilet is. He tells me to go through the door he points at and down the stairs. I leave pram, go down the stairs and there is a room with a sofa, t.v. playstation and computer in it with two doors of it. I go to one of the doors, a white bathroom, with a urinal in it and I can hear someone singing so say sorry and close the door. Open other door, this is a pink bathroom, filled with ladies toiletries so I close the door behind me and walk to the toilet where I flush it. But the handle comes away in my hand so I am trying furiously to mend it without success. I see someone come in and take some towels off the shelves in the corner which is when I notice that this is a storeroom of sorts and not a bathroom at all, all cleaning materials inside it, no toilet and I can hear noises in the room outside of children playing.

Come out of the room, same as it was before and very quiet and no one around, except the stairs have changed. They are spiral design and as I start to climb I find the the door at the top is very far away, I go round and round and round until I reach the top.

The bodyless child is still there smiling at the big headed baby in the pram when AWT comes round the corner, still with spoon in his hand and says "The bolognaise needs something, don't know what help me please for Christs sake"

I start to walk with him and ask him what the children will have to eat and has he done enough. He looks at me and says "there is only your child all the rest are adults" As I look around me I no longer see children, just adults laughing and drinking around me.

I wake up.

.......................................................................

Yes weird dreams and funny how I can remember all the details of this one.
And before anyone asks I am not a fan of Anthony Worrall Thompson.
(now if it was another celebrity chef (JM)I could understand it but AWT!)

In other news both ears are blocked up. Feel like I am under water all the time and have to keep asking people to repeat things as I can't hear very well. One ear I think may have an infection in it as it really is hurting.

Great just what I need right now lol

Have a good day everyone

Stolen from Maddogs who stole it from.....Ohh you know how it goes!!

What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Meet some wonderful people from Blogland for the first time

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any reolutions as I usually fail at keeping them. Instead I made up a plan for the year and still failed to keep to it!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
No not that I know of

Did anyone close to you die?
If they did no one told me

What countries did you visit?
None

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More money

What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 1st my first car accident in 16 years

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting through this year in one piece and finishing that darn cross stitching project

What was your biggest failure?
Not sticking to the plan made at the beginning of the year

Did you suffer illness or injury?
usual back pain and now Neck/whiplash injury

What was the best thing you bought?
My new car thought could have done without having to get another one

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I don't know

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
All the politicians who think they are doing us all a favour while lining their own pockets and doing bugger all

Where did most of your money go?
On a new car on the kids as usual

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Meeting up with bloggers on mini blog meets (I really am sad)

What song will always remind you of 2007?
Bon jovi Livin on a Prayer

Compared to this time last year, are you:
a)happier or sadder? Happier
b)thinner or fatter? Fatter
c) richer or poorer? poorer.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise.My back is really playing up now

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Comfort eat.

Did you fall in love in 2007?
No. I am already in love

How many one-night stands?
None I am married and happily at that

What was your favourite TV program?
House

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No

What was the best book you read?
None of them were very memorable.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmmm finding my old Metallica discs lol
Seriously I like some of the songs by Newton Faulkner, Josh Groban, though I usually listen to my old faithfuls - Bon Jovi, Snow patrol, Foo Fighters

What did you want and get?
a Vauxhall Zafira

What did you want and not get?
Dogma DVD (apparently no one is selling them now!)

What was your favourite film of this year?
Pirates of the Caribbean: Worlds End

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was working on my birthday. I was 41

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For my husband to get the respect he deserves in his work

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
comfortable

What kept you sane?
My husband as always

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jon Bon Jovi

What political issue stirred you the most?
Far too many to choose from but let us start with Education because it really is the bloody pits!

Whom did you miss?
My Grandfather

Who was the best new person you met?
Everyone that I have met from here on the two mini blogmeets I attended

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Doesn't matter how much or hard you work, no one will appreciate it when you are dead

Love and Marriage

A man took his wife to the rodeo and one of the first exhibits they stopped at was the breeding bulls.
They went up to the first pen and there was a sign attached that said,

'THIS BULL MATED 50 TIMES LAST YEAR'

The wife playfully nudged her husband in the ribs and said, 'He mated 50 times last year.'

They walked to the second pen which had a sign attached that said,

''THIS BULL MATED 150 TIMES LAST YEAR'

The wife gave her husband a healthy jab and said, 'That's more than twice a week! You could learn a lot from him.'

They walked to the third pen and it had a sign attached that said, in capital letters,

'THIS BULL MATED 365 TIMES LAST YEAR'

The wife, so excited that her elbow nearly broke her husband's ribs, said,'That's once a day.You could REALLY learn something from this one

The husband looked at her and said, 'Go over and ask him if it was with the same old cow.'

The husband's condition has been upgraded from critical to stable and he should eventually make a full recovery.

This morning I have been to town and back. This was a lot quicker than normal as I hate the sales. Even getting into town early this morning you could see people queueing outside Next waiting in anticipation of that bargain or not depending on what side of the fence you are on. We avoided our usual breakfast in Debenhams, instead went to the bank, Wilkinsons then home again. Town was beginning to get full.

Now Christmas is bad enough. People running around like idiots, buying whatever is on the shelves as though the shops will never open again, but this is nothing compared to the January Sales. A few years ago I had the dubious pleasure of visiting town during the first day of the sales, mainly because of when Christmas fell and the fact that I needed to pick something up urgently. So I wandered into Next where some woman was just pulling items of the shelves and dumping them into her basket.

"You're not a size 10" said the man who I can only assume was her long suffering husband/partner

"yes but at 25% off you can't pass up a bargain like that, someone might get into it at home" she replied

And yes that is the mentality of some of these shoppers who think they are getting a bargain, because a few days before hand the price of that item was astronomical just so that the retailer can say that they are trying to sell them in the sale at 25 or 50% sometimes 75% off. Let us remember that the retailers, whoever they are, are still making a profit of this, after all they probably only paid £2 for the item originally as it was made in some sweatshop somewhere!

Cynical aren't I?

I make no apologies for that, I just think it is total madness. of course there are bargains to be had but personally I would rather wait until the madness has died down before I go out there and have a look to see if there is anything worth buying - not that I have yet, afterall, I , like most people, am strapped of cash at this time of year, so bargain or no, my mortgage has to be a priority, the bills have to be paid, food has to be purchased and fed to my children before they starve, then if anything is left over, I will put away for a rainy day or towards my holiday. I have enough clothes for now, I just have to lose weight to get into them again

In other news, birthday party went well yesterday. After my indecisiveness as to what to wear, I settled for a pair of plain black linen trousers and a strappy top I got in the Sale at Sainsburys - tsk did I say sale? Well I needed to go out for milk and to buy some Whiskey for the birthday boy, and this top was a bargain at £4 so I couldn't pass that up could I lol

Have a good day everyone xx

I have yet another birthday do to go to tonight. My friends partner will be 40 and she is hosting a surprise birthday party for him.

However I have no idea what to wear. I could wear my faithful black dress again, because I haven't worn that since the last party or i could wear a black skirt with a white and black top.

Or I could wear a black top with the skirt.

Nothing exciting, nothing to see, all very, very boring!

And to top it all there is bugger all on to watch either!

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife".

And so I was in Jane Austen bliss for the first 16 chapters of the book I was reading this morning.

I have no idea what made me pick up my well read copy of Pride and Prejudice as I sat in bed sipping at my tea, while Nig got ready for work. All I know is I looked through a whole pile of new books that wait to be read, and this book caught my eye and glancing at the first page I just continued to read.

Just as I had done when I first read the book at the age of 9.

There is something about favourite books. They captivate you, get caught up in the imagination. You build up a picture of the characters long before they ever become famous as screen plays on telly. You know what is going to happen next, yet they still surprise you. The style it is written in that makes you laugh or cry. The fact that no matter how many times you read it you still are mesmerised by it.

Each one of us has a favourite book that we have read, that remains in our memories one that we will reach out for and read again and again, and I make no apologies for mine being Pride and Prejudice. I don't know why I first read it when I was young, I only remember finding it in my mother's room and needing to get out of the way of my sister at the time, I curled up on the rocking chair that resided in my parent's bedroom and read the book until I had finished it. I still can visualise me in that chair, everytime I read the book.

There have been a few other books that I still re-read and enjoy to this day, but my one overall favourite is my battered copy of Pride and Prejudice.

What is your favourite book?

Yes it is official

You can have too much chocolate

We seem to be drowning in it here at the moment, there is so much!

Anyway hope you all had a good Christmas and got what you wanted. I got quite a few pressies which I shall post about later, and a couple of joke ones as well.

Mum obviously spoilt me, dinner was delicious, MIL was her usual dotty self, but we had a good time.

Boxing day spent watching some of the 23 DVDs we got, we are watching more today. Cold meat and pickle the order of the day, as I refuse to cook on Boxing day.

Same can be said for today as well, help yourself and please, please take some chocolate with you lol

Have a good day

Hugs xx

Hope you all have a great Christmas you get everything you asked for and you all enjoy yourselves.

Love and hugs to you all

Well so far it has been busy.
At the shops getting last minute veg and fruit at 7 this morning.

Cooked breakfast, then the grand tidy up, clean and make sure everything is ready for tomorrow.

Washing done

Ironing done

A few bills paid so I know that I am clear until the next lot come in next week!

So now I can sit and relax with a glass of mulled wine and watch a christmas DVD or two until I have to prepare the veg for tomorrows dinner!

I may not be around much and to be honest this will probably be my last post until after boxing day as I won't be able to get onto the computer - have to spend some time with the family this year lol

I went to a party,

And remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mum
So I had a sprite instead.

I felt proud of myself,

The way you said I would,
That I didn't drink and drive,
Though some friends said I should.

I made a healthy choice,

And your advice to me was right,
The party finally ended,
And the kids drove out of sight.

I got into my car,

Sure to get home in one piece,
I never knew what was coming, Mum
Something I expected least.

Now I'm lying on the pavement,

And I hear the policeman say,
The kid that caused this wreck was drunk,
Mum, his voice seems far away.

My own blood's all around me,

As I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
This girl is going to die.

I'm sure the guy had no idea,

While he was flying high,
Because he chose to drink and drive,
Now I would have to die.

So why do people do it, Mum

Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
Like a hundred stabbing knives.

Someone should have taught him,
That it's wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had,
I'd still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mum

I'm getting really scared.
These are my final moments,
And I'm so unprepared.

I wish that you could hold me Mum,

As I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say, 'I love you, Mum!'
So I love you and good-bye.

At this time of year it we see many people out celebrating with friends and families, drinking and eating and having fun.

But let us remember one simple thing: Drinking and driving is dangerous. If you see someone get in a car to drive and they have been drinking alcohol, please try to stop them. Having lost a colleague to someone who did just that I know how much devastation it causes. Please take care over this festive season and keep safe.

hugs xx

THE ONION AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

The family is sitting at the dinner table. The son asks his father,
"Dad, how many kinds of boobies are there?" The father, surprised,
answers, "Well son, there's three kinds of breasts. In her twenties, a
woman's breasts are like melons, round & firm. In her thirties &
forties, they are like pears, still nice, but hanging a bit. After
fifty, they are like onions." "Onions?" "Yes, you see them, and they
make you cry."

This infuriated his wife and daughter so the daughter says, "Mom, how
many types of "willies" are there?" The mother, surprised, smiles and
answers, "Well dear, a man goes through three phases. In his twenties,
his willie is like an oak tree, mighty and hard. In his thirties &
forties, it's like a birch tree, flexible but reliable. After his
fifties, it is like a Christmas tree." "A Christmas tree??"

"Yes dear, dead from the root up and the balls are for decoration only."

Tom had been in the liquor business for 25 years. Finally sick of the stress he quits his job and buys 50 acres of land in Alaska as far from humanity as possible.

He sees the postman once a week and gets groceries once a month. Otherwise it's total peace and quiet.

After six months or so of almost total isolation, someone knocks on his door. He opens it and a huge, bearded man is standing there.

'Name's Cliff, your neighbor from forty miles up the road. Having a Christmas party Friday night. Thought you might like to come at about 5:00.'

'Great', says Tom, 'after six months out here I'm ready to meet some local folks. Thank you.'

As Cliff is leaving, he stops. 'Gotta warn you. Be some drinking'.'

'Not a problem' says Tom. 'After 25 years in the business, I can drink with the best of 'em'.

Again, the big man starts to leave and stops. 'More 'n' likely gonna be some fighting' too.'

'Well, I get along with people, I'll be all right. I'll be there. Thanks
again.'

'More'n likely be some wild sex, too,'

'Now that's really not a problem' says Tom, warming to the idea. 'I've been all alone for six months! I'll definitely be there. By the way, what should I wear?'

'Don't much matter. Just gonna be the two of us.' !

SMART ANSWER 6

It was mealtime during a flight on a British Airways plane:
"Would you like dinner?" the flight attendant asked the man seated in the front row.
"What are my choices?" the man asked.
"Yes or no," she replied.

SMART ANSWER 5

A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets.
As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket and he opened his trench coat and flashed her.
Without blinking an eyelid she said, "Sir, I need to see your ticket not your stub."

SMART ANSWER 4

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at a branch of
Sainsbury's store but she couldn't find one big enough for her family.
She asked a passing assistant, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?"
The assistant replied, "I'm afraid not, they're dead."

SMART ANSWER 3

The policeman got out of his car and the boy racer he stopped for speeding, rolled down his window.
"I've been waiting for you all day," the bobby said.
The kid replied, "Yes, well I got here as fast as I could."
When the policeman finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

SMART ANSWER 2

A lorry driver was driving along on a country road. A sign came up that read "Low Bridge Ahead."
Before he realised it, the bridge was directly ahead and he got stuck under it.
Cars are backed up for miles. Finally, a police car comes up.
The policeman got out of his car and walked to the lorry's cab and said to the driver, "Got stuck, eh?"
The lorry driver said, "No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of petrol!"

SMART ANSWER OF THE YEAR 2007

A teacher at a polytechnic college reminded her pupils of tomorrow's final exam.
"Now listen to me, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow.
I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!"
A smart-arsed chappie at the back of the room raised his hand and asked, "What would you happen if I came in tomorrow suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?"
The entire class was reduced to laughter and sniggering. When silence was restored, the teacher smiled knowingly at the student, shook her head and sweetly said, "Well, I suppose you'd have to write the exam with your other hand."

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where.
More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked, and the toy bag fell on the ground and scattered the toys.

So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovere d that the elves had hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped t he cider pot, and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom. Just then the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door. He opened the door, and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?"

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on the top of the Christmas tree.

A biker was riding along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, " Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish." The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want." The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for Me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind." The biker thought about it for a long time Finally he said, "Lord, I wish that I and all men could understand our wives. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy." The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?."

here

After having dug to a depth of 10 meters recently, Scottish scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago. Not to be outdone by the Scots, in the weeks that followed, English scientists dug to a depth of 20 meters, and shortly after, headlines in the English newspapers read: "English archaeologists have found traces of 200 year old copper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the Scots." One week later, "The Kerrymen," a southwest Irish newspaper reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 meters in peat bog near Tralee, Paddy O'Driscoll, a self taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Paddy has therefore concluded that 300 years ago Ireland had already gone wireless."

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.--Oprah Winfrey

Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou are not so unkind
As man's ingratitude.--William Shakespeare (As You Like It)

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.--William Arthur Ward

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.--Cicero

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.--Melody Beattie

Gratitude takes three forms: a feeling in the heart, an expression in words, and a giving in return.--John Wanamaker

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.--Anonymous

If "thank you" is the only prayer you say, that will be enough.--Meister Eckhart

Keep a grateful journal. Every night, list five things that you are grateful for. What it will begin to do is change our perspective of your day and your life.--Oprah Winfrey

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.--Saint Ambrose

No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.--John Greenleaf Whittier

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.--Charles Dickens

Silent gratitude isn't very much to anyone.--Gertrude B. Stein

Thou has given me so much... Give me one thing more, a grateful heart.--George Herbert

... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.--Sarah Ban Brethnach
Who does not thank for little will not thank for much.--Estonian Proverb

I once saw a fight between a rat and a hedgehog. It was a close run thing, but the hedgehog finally won on points.

The sun is shining and has cleared the morning fog away. I was debating on going out but when I headed out to the pet store for some pressies for the dogs I decided against it - nothing worse than being stuck in traffic! So I will get up early tomorrow for the last minute vegetables for my Christmas dinner instead!

Panto yesterday was really great. Felt sorry for the actors who were performing to a half empty theatre, but it is new and I am sure most people are still going to Milton Keynes for the panto rather than the new theatre! They were great though, everyone had fun and Brian Blessed was just fantastic! For a 71 year old he can certainly move and he had the audience in stitches! Definately the best Captain Hook I have seen anyway.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves though I am sad my 16 year old has decided this will be his last panto, he is too old for them now. I personally don't think you are too old to go to a Panto but it has to be his decision.

Today will be spent mostly preparing for Christmas as usual, some tidying up to do and the big decision as to what to have for dinner, though I think I will just put some food on a plate and tell them to get on with it!

Right better go and catch up on some posts

Have a good day

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

Okay , here's what you're supposed to do , and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you...... Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Large slimline artificial tree

3 . When do you put up the tree? I try to leave it as late as possible, this year it went up on the 2nd Saturday of December

4. When do you take the tree down? Before the 31st of December, want a clean and tidy house to greet the new year with

5. Do you like egg nog? Yuck

6. Favourite gift received as a child? Far too many to name

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes

8. Hardest person to buy for? My nan

9 . Easiest person to buy for? Mum

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail though I sometimes send an email one as well

11 .Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The Basque that hubby thought would look good but was far too small and never got worn.

12 . Favourite Christmas movie? Anything Christmassy I suppose, we tend to watch Santa Clause every year or Muppets Christmas Carol

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I have good intentions to start early and if I see something I know someone will like I will get it, this year though not until about two weeks ago!

14 . Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Boxing day left overs so that I don’t have to cook!

16. Clear or coloured lights? I am using coloured ones this year

17. Favourite Christmas song? Depends on my mood at the moment there is a selection playing though Josh Groban Holy Night is near the top of my list at the moment

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I keep missing one out!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21 . Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, and we take it in turns

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? Not being organized and crowded shops

23 . Favourite ornament theme or colour? Red and Gold

24. Favourite for Christmas dinner? Has to be turkey even though I don’t eat it I usually manage one slice! But I like my sprouts, red cabbage, roasted potatoes and parsnips, cauliflower, carrots, stuffing and pigs in blankets oh and yorkshire puds as well!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For everyone to be happy and healthy (she says coughing her guts up!)

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Anyone

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Anyone really, it is up to themJ

Woke up this morning feeling like I have been hit by a 10 tonne truck if that is at all possible!

Throat sore, bones ache, head hurts.

This cold has developed into far more than I can handle, but can't let it get to me have too much to do.

Just dropped Nig off at the station so that he can go and watch Spurs V Arsenal so no doubt there will be full scale moaning tonight when he comes home.

Hopefully I will miss it because I am off to take the kids to see this man in the panto Peter Pan this evening and I really Can't Wait! He is one of my favourite actors, he always makes me smile

But first I have an oven to clean, a house that needs tidying, and some children that need to be given some chores to do!

Have a good day whereever you are!

Hugs xxx

I cheered when I found out I had this person to write about. I had so many thoughts in my head that it was difficult to make sense of them. So I did the only thing I could think of to try and keep it short I only hope I have just done him some justice, because how do you write about someone so special?

People born under the year of the Goat/Sheep tend to take on the role of the "good Samaritan" and yes my Secret Santa is just that, a Good Samaritan. Always there to give a comforting word or two when you are sad, there to celebrate when things go well. He shares his life, the ups and downs with us. His blog is fun and interesting to read, his photographs show us a world he sees and wants to share. He is Someone who regularly helps out whenever anyone has problems with their blogs, or laptop, or computer, you can bet this person will be in the know, will find a way to help you even though he lives too far away to just pop round.

He doodles in digital, is a keen sports fan - Liverpool supporter, a winner of two bloscars last year and no doubt will win a few at the next award ceremony and yes, he deserves every one he gets.

His blogs promote the lesser known or funnier news stories, helps with the technicalities of those blog codes, Informs you of the latest SciFi comings and goings, who will discuss Jaffa cakes with you with ease, but nowadays wishes that you pull up a chair, have

He never goes anywhere without his MP3 player and his camera. Yes my secret Santa is AJnSpencer A man of many talents. Great with the technical things and a keen photographer. Someone you can rely on to give a comforting word or two. Someone who cares about his 'friends'.

AJ this one is for you and thank you for being my friend. Have a great Christmas and a brilliant new year.