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.....