Christmas Wishes

So here it is - Merry Christmas Everyone!

My tree is not completed but I am happy, especially with the pressie from PJ sitting at the bottom right of the tree - the only house to be unpacked this year.  The blur at the bottom of the picture is my train - chuffing around the Christmas Tree .... let the Christmas Spirit ring .....

 ... and this is what I wish for you all this Christmas .......

A Weekend in Paris

We tootled off across the water again .... we had hoped that I could celebrate my birthday with friends but unfortunately the Scouts were in England but we did manage to visit one set of friends.

We were staying at La Defense again - this time the Christmas Market would be open!  After all that happened in Paris back on 13th November I was prepared for the extra security ... or was I?

We wandered up to the market area to have a quick look round ......

....... we were searched entering every shop and the market itself.  


The soldiers in full battle dress patrolled the area, that I was not prepared for .....

PJ and I discussed why La Defense would be targeted and, apart from it being the commercial area, we think this building alone  .........

British American Tobacco is La Coeur - the heart of La Defense.

We stopped off at the shopping mall for a bite to eat and then set off to see our friends.  

We had decided not to travel by train to Sevres, using the local tram instead.  This meant that we would be arriving in the centre of the town and walking UP to the house.  The train reached the town at the top of the hill and we walked downhill to the house so this would be quite an adventure (again!) given my previous health issues!!!  We decided I would use the walking poles which we had brought in PJ's suitcase - caused lots of fun at customs!!!
Surprisingly I managed the hill climb, arriving early at the house but all was well.  


A cake had been made for me by My Friend, this took me by surprise and I was really touched.

She had also bought a mask of Angelique, which was our mutual interest, which was wonderful.

Being French the wine had to be taken with the cake so off we went ......... when in France and all that ......


We did manage to have our photos taken, well AB and us!!!

The cake was delicious!
I am not a fan of chocolate cake but this was delicious - even the label which was made out of marzipan!

We left not long afterwards and arrived back at the hotel in time to go for dinner.

We caught the Metro up to Porte Maillot to visit a recommended restaurant, which we couldn't find but decided to visit L'Escale, Avenue des Grand Armees.
We had the Lamb with mushroom sauce and it was delicious.  PJ had a Kir which was delicious, so I joined him in a drink.  In fact we had several and then decided to return the next evening!
Altogether a good day had been had by all.

Can't get my head round this .....

Another birthday but this one means that some one somewhere has definitely miscounted!!!

I keep thinking about it but ..... nah!!  I am sure I am still in my thirties .... ok ..... maybe  fifties but that's it!!

This has been my weekend ......

lots of pressies ......

Lots of Love ......

... and family ......

...... and my real feelings about this birthday.....

No!     Not 70!!

Christmas Funny

If Men Had Chosen the Apostles

TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph

Woodcrafters Carpenter Shop

Nazareth 25922

FROM: Jordan Management Consultants

Jerusalem 26544

Dear Sir:

Thank you for submitting the résumés of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organisation.  All of them have taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.

As part of our service and for your guidance, we make some general comments, much as an auditor will include some general statements.  This is given as a result of staff consultation and comes without any additional fee.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking.  They do not have team concept.  We recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper.  Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership.  The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty.  Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.  We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau.  James, the son of Alpheaus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential.  He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places.  He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your comptroller and right-hand man.  All the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely Yours,

Jordan Management Committee

Thought for Christmas

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.  In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."
~ Larry Wilde, author 'The Merry Book of Christmas'.

Just a funny

Sorting out my Christmas Card list and in the folder are a few funnies I used to print and pin to the wall by the photocopier - something to look at while waiting ......

Apologies in advance ........ but I think they're funny!!!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS:   F O R  T H E  D I S T U R B E D

* 1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?
* 2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are
* 3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas
* 4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
* 5. Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and..... 

       * 6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me...
* 7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
* 8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why... 

       * 9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

       * 10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder -- - Jingle Bells,! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle  Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle,Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells , Jingle Bells,  Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.....

Something to share ....

Just had to share this  .......

sometimes I love my town and Council.


This is the Birmingham Bull (dressed for Christmas) at the entrance to the BullRing Shopping Centre!!!!

A Visitor to Birmingham

I cleared all the Summer bedding plants from the centre bed at the Railway today, planted some Wallflowers but had to stop due to the weather.  While I was sitting at home, I received the news that Queen Elizabeth II was in town.  



The Queen would be visiting just outside the offices where DDN worked and she was allowed to go see.  She sent me some photos which included this one.

 The rain may have stopped me from working but this wonderful woman just carries on ......

The Queen was in town to 'Name a Train', re-open the train station and lay a wreath for the fallen here .... and in Paris .... as I write this I recall our local fallen in the pub bombings 41 years ago today.


The Queen is our National Treasure, I grew up with Elizabeth as Queen, I loved those little children - especially the blonde curly haired Princess Anne!  
She is part of my life and I cannot imagine her not being there.

Long May She Reign!!!

Another milestone in a Little Soldier's life

This weekend we were privileged to be present on another milestone in our little fella's life.  

Not sure of this.....

If I must .....

His first spoonful of solid food.


When there is only one child, most small steps are logged as large ones, and, although they happen as with all children, we feel it a privilege to be a witness to any of them.

Here we go then .....

yom, yom, yom....

This weekend was good, although I personally think he would have eaten the whole packet of baby rice given the chance!!!

All gone?  It's fingers then ....

Mam's Kimono Gown

Similar garment
from the web.

Front view

I love this garment of my Mother's.  

I have always admired it from a young child and now I just love the sight of it.  

I imagine my Mother as a young wife who has travelled half way across the world with her new husband. 

She arrived and settled into her new life with a lot of joy and enthusiasm ....

Embroidery on Fronts

....... and a gorgeous looking husband!!!   

Damage above right

What fun they must've had!

Now this beautiful garment is 'going home'. 

Back view

I think the moths have had a wonderful time with it ..... 

.....or is it just the friction of movement melting the silk? 

I do not know what it is but it is upsetting for me to see ......

Damage to back right

Back view close up

.... what to do?




If you have any suggestions as to how to repair this vintage garment, please let me know in the comments.

Medals and ribbons

Whilst we were sorting and clearing the house, I found my father's Military Ribbon bar.  I knew that his medals had been willed to my nephew so when I found this ..... it was like finding a treasure!!!

I have been trying to find what sort of medal would have been awarded for each ribbon and it has been very interesting research.  I think I have managed to locate most of the ribbons, General Service, Battle of Britain, Africa Star, Europe Star and Defence.

I have just discovered another 'badge' of which Dad was very proud ...... 

The Badge awarded by the National Blood Transfusion Service for donating 21 pints of blood.

Dad went every six months to give his blood,   I have always presumed that his dedication came out of the things he saw and experienced during WWII.

It made me very sad when I found out that I couldn't give blood, my blood condition doesn't allow it, but at least I have Dad's badge.

Proud Moment

There are times in our lives that our children make us really proud.  We are very fortunate that DDN and DDC still continue to produce those moments.
This week, if I could, I would burst with pride ....

DDC and SiLR are showing that they have such an open mind with educating their child and I couldn't be more pleased.  Considering how old Little Soldier is, I am loving learning how he experiences life.
When I first heard he was going swimming, I was full of trepidation ..... I have a fear of water .... my children are just beautiful in water and they fill my heart with joy and admiration ....... but to take a little one .......  yes!   I know that it is perfectly safe!    I know that babies have a fail safe system in their bodies!       but this is my BABY grandson .......

Every week they have a great time, even though DDC reckons she is very nervous of letting go of him in the water, they experience the water together.

So this week when I received this ........

...... my heart went into overtime....... look at his little face ......amazing!  Incredible!  so munchable!!    .... what incredible parents he has to enjoy this with him, I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

First visit to MacDs

Well, it was inevitable that the day would come ...... when Grandma takes Little Soldier to one of her favourite eating places.

We had been very busy visiting a couple of warehouses to buy the necessities of life ......
Hancock's .......

and then onto the next one for necessities for our little black cat .......

Blakemore's..............

On our way home we spotted the famous 'Golden Arches', we were left with no choice .............

While Grandma gave Little Soldier his lunch, DDC placed our order ...... Charity toy appeared and after Grandad introduced the giraffe to Little Soldier there was much debate about a name ...... Gertie!

The waitress who brought our order popped back later to chat and admire the Little Soldier ..... lots of smiles and laughter..... then it was time for a staff shift change..

The new waitress came to say hello to the Little Soldier and when he gave her one of his smiles, she was lost and immediately went off  .....


......... to reappear with balloon in hand!!!!

This was something new!!

This new blue floaty thing needed exploring .........

............. and explore he did ..............

A very busy day with lots of new attractions and surroundings to see ...... in between the sleeps of course!!!

Warning of future plans

As you are probably aware we have had to clear space to enable Central Heating to be fitted and now we are in the process of putting the house back in order before we begin again for the decorating.  
I must admit that the workmen were very good, clearing up as they went along, but we now have a space in our back bedroom that needs to be plastered.  PJ has laid floorboards as much as he can to cover the hole in the floor, but we still have a space above which is bare brick, but a plasterer he is not!

We also have several boxes and crates still to be sorted and two are rather special - the photographs!!!  Two crates of photographs I hear you say?!?!  Oh yes!!!  I collected all the found photos and albums together, put them in the crates and now I am going to sort through them to see the story of my life.

Lots of my photographs were taken whilst PJ and I were travelling so I am hoping to collate them with my travel notes, boring I know but we have to think of the children ..... I started this Blog so that my grandchildren will one day be able to see where they came from.   Now I will incorporate stories of what we did - not what Katy did - just us as we travelled abroad and lived our lives in England as the children grew up.

So look out for the boring bits!!!

Wear something light at night

We have travelled around this country a lot but, one evening, as we all came home in the car, I noticed a child.  This child was being carried from a broken down car at the side of the motorway by its mother.  As I happened to look across the road, I noticed the legs dangling at the mother's side as she carried the child up the embankment, otherwise I would never have seen him.

This scene worried me most of the way home and, after we had arrived safely and gone to bed, I thought about all the 'ifs and ands'.

If that child's legs hadn't dangled I would not have seen him.

If I didn't see him, how would any other driver see him.

If he was being carried and it was a cold evening, how would he stay warm once they reached a 'safe' distance.

If he was at that safe distance, how long would he be there.

And if I didn't see him, how would anyone else .......

It played over and over in my head and I thought how it would be if it happened to us.  Cheeky Monkey would be carried up the embankment and then what!?

By next morning I had decided I would not have him standing in the dark and cold with his adults.  I would make a blanket for him, not just any blanket but one that had stripes of bright fluorescent colour.  These stripes, being fluorescent, would be picked up in car head lights so that he would be seen.  The blanket, crocheted in various wools would be thick and keep him warm when he was wrapped in it. 

I took myself into town and bought several balls of wool including three fluorescent green and started crocheting that very night.  I just made it up as I went along, crocheting each ball of wool into a square, or oblong in my case!  I then made sure that each square was the same size by adding rows of the green and then joined up all my squares with the same bright green.  

Once they were finished, I went round the outer edge, stopping to buy more bright green, twice in dc and twice in tr.  

The blanket is finished, it is rolled and ready to be kept in the car, just in case a cheeky monkey needs to wear something light at night.

Danger!!! Men at Work

One thing that PJ and I have finally agreed on is the reason we have never had Central Heating installed!!!  It's all the disruption and mess, but needs must so .....

Ready for the boiler

Underneath the boiler

The engineers arrived and, I have to admit, have been very good workers, polite and helpful.  

It wasn't until they went for their lunch and I ventured out to see what was happening that the truth hit me ..... I hate upset and disruption in my house and garden!

We have been clearing and boxing and I have been perfectly happy .... most of the time ..... but today after seeing this ......in my back bedroom - known as the office ....

My workdesk

The Lounge

Here is my lounge - although by the time the men left for the day most of this was tidied up .............

.............. and the garden!!! ...... Less said the better!!! ......

The Craftroom

..... and all crafters should look away now....

It was all tidied up at the end of the day, our admirable workforce went home to eat and sleep.

We went to our local Carvery for our evening meal, leaving the cat to roam and explore on her own.  She had been shut away in the back room downstairs all day, going frantic at times and never moving far from me all day.  When we arrived home (with a turkey carcass!) she had calmed down and eat her evening meal(s) with gusto!  

Little does she know that tomorrow morning it starts all over again - the drills will be going as the gas pipes are connected - but at least the carpets will stay down!! 

Bathroom

Back Bedroom

The rads are very smart and look easy to clean, I am pleased with what I see so far (excluding the mess of course!!!)