Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Happy New Year!
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Sunday, 21 December 2008
A Christmas Ghost Story
Shivering in the bitter cold, Bryony opened her car door and gratefully climbed inside thankful to be out of the cold. Placing her keys in the ignition she was dismayed to find her car battery was completely dead. There was no point in calling out the rescue services as most places had closed for the holiday, but what should she do?
After a few minutes of planning, Bryony decided that her only option was to cut through thenearby wood, this would cut down her journey by a considerable time and would probably enable her to make Midnight Mass by the skin of her teeth.
Although not the bravest of people, Bryony set off into the woods, her teeth chattering in the cold.
Bryony had only walked a few hundred yards when she realised that in the thick fog, she had no idea whatsoever, which direction she was going in and was hopelessly lost. Nevertheless she stumbled on getting colder and colder and more disorientated as the time went on. When she realised that she had passed the same oak tree for the fifth time she sank down shivering on a nearby log and started to cry. She was very frightened and it occurred to her that she could actually freeze to death in the bitter cold.
Suddenly, a few yards ahead, Bryony could just make out a dim flickering light. She rose to her feet and started towards it. The light stayed tantalisingly too far ahead for her to see it’s source but she stumbled ahead anyway and hoped that she was not getting even deeper into the woods.
Suddenly, Bryony could make out the image of a small girl, in a pale blue dress. The girl had a small terrier type dog with her and both seemed oblivious to the cold, not only that but there appeared to be a phosphorescent glow surrounding both the little girl and the small dog. Bryony called to her but she ignored her and carried on skipping just ahead of Bryony but too far away for her to make out her features.
Just as Bryony was giving up hope of ever finding her way out of the woods and back to civilisation she caught the sound of distant traffic and saw the faint flicker of headlights through the trees. Calling to the little girl to wait so that she could thank her, she was surprised to find that both the girl and the dog had vanished.
Stumbling out of the trees she realised that she was actually in sight of the Church. Rushing inside she realised that she’d missed the service. Her friends clustered around her very concerned at both her dishevelled condition and her agitation. She wanted to immediately form a search party for the unsuitably dressed little girl and the small mongrel dog which never left her heels.
The vicar attracted by the fuss, wandered over to discover what the fuss was about. On hearing Bryony’s tale he sat them all down on the nearest pew and started to relate the strangest of stories.
It began two hundred years before when, on Christmas Eve, a small child, the daughter of the local landlord, wandered off into the woods, with her dog,in search of Father Christmas. It was a freezing cold night with very similar weather conditions as this particular night.
After an all night search by the villagers, the child was found, curled up under a snow laden oak tree frozen to death. Her trusty mongrel dog was huddled up close to her in an attempt to keep her warm. It was reputed that the dog refused to leave the spot where the child had died and several days later, it too, died.
The vicar’s tale continued as he told them of lost travellers and people such as Bryony who had taken a short cut and found themselves lost and who had told of being led to safety by a small girl in a pale blue dress, a small mongrel dog and a faint shimmering light which surrounded them both.
The vicar went on to say that although he was a man of God and therefore should be at the least sceptical of such stories, he found himself believing these strange stories as there were too many such tales over the years for them to be unfounded.
The following day, Christmas day, found Bryony and her friends entering the woods, to lay a small Christmas wreath at the base of the oak tree in thanks to the small girl and her dog that had led a very cold and frightened Bryony to safety on Christmas Eve.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Farewell Auntie
Well I`ve not long been home after attending my Auntie Win`s funeral and I feel a bit sad but not for the most obvious reasons. When my brother, nephew and I arrived at the crematorium I saw my cousin we were all feeling very apprehensive about meeting family that we hadn`t seen for a long time, we`d needn`t have worried because we got a warm welcome. There weren`t many people there and that made me feel sad. I know that Auntie Win was 94 and many of her friends are no longer with us but I thought that her younger friends would have been there. And some more family members. There was just her son Rod, daughter-in-law Jenny , two grandsons, me, my brother Cliff and nephew Adam. None of my other cousins were there and I`m so glad that I was, so was Cliff. Auntie Win was a formidable woman to the end and I`m so glad she was exactly the same right up to the end. I`m also sad that we won`t see the like of her again in this world but I`m sure she has her place in heaven and is making her presence felt as we we speak. After the service we all chatted for a while and then said our goodbyes. It was strange because we all knew it was unlikely that we`ll meet again, our lives are so different. It`s a shame because we all get on well but thats just how it is, we`ve never been a close family which is a little sad.
I`ve been really busy at work with lots of customers buying Christmas trees and decorations. In fact I wouldn`t be surprised if we sell right of Christmas lights in the next few days. I`ve been wearing my father Christmas earrings and flashing lights reindeer badge which most of the customers appreciate. This morning I served a really nice man who told me he was 82, I couldn`t believe it because he didn`t look a day over 65. Before he left he shook my hand and then kissed it....Oh I WAS flattered! There are some lovely people out there.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Weekend Catch Up
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Catching up and some Sad News
Oh dear, I`ve left it almost a week without posting an entry again. So much has happened over the last week that I wanted to tell you about and now my mind has gone blank, it must be my age...lol!
On Saturday Jim and I went to Reading shopping for the last few presents and to just generally have a look around the shops. Luckily for me I have a husband who enjoys shopping as much as I do, even though it wasn`t always the case. I think I gradually worked on him until he realised the delights of retail therapy. Now I doubt he can remember the time when he would stand sulkily outside shops looking at his watch...lol! But I digress. We decided to catch a train instead of the stress of trying to find a parking space. We didn`t have to wait long for the train either going or coming home, it made such a difference to the day. It was a cold, frosty morning and the sun was shining which boded well for the day ahead. As it turned out we had a really enjoyable day and even though there were a lot of people out there was no sign of frayed tempers anywhere. We had lunch in a restaurant called Tootsies, they make the very best burgers of many different varieties and of course we had the most delicious meal. We shopped until we almost dropped and headed for home about 4pm, tired but happy.
I decorated the tree yesterday after much fussing around. The tree was really wide and would never have fitted in the corner if hadn`t of lopped of a lot of branches at the back and sides. I really hoped I`d not overdone it because it would have looked ridiculous if it showed. Luckily for me I`d lopped it in the right place and it fits nicely. The photo doesn`t really do it justice but I like it and so does my biggest critic, Roman and thats what matters the most.
Over the last week I`ve written and posted all my Christmas cards, wrapped ALL the presents, shopped for non-perishable foodstuffs, ie. chocolates, biscuits and cakes, pickles, sauces tec. I even cleared out a complte cupboard to put it in though I still didn`t have enough room for it all. I feel quite smug at how organised I am this year. I always have good intentions to finish early but last year I left so much to the last minute that I was worried I wouldn`t finish in time. I still have to buy for Daniel but then he is always very difficult to buy for. Anything I buy will have to have gift receipts because I`m sure they will have to go back to whichever store I buy from...sigh.
I`ve just come off the telephone and it was my cousin to tell me that my Auntie Win died on Monday morning, its very sad but she was 94 and had suffered renal failure. I hadn`t been in touch with her for a few years because I fell out of favour with her, no particular reason but that was how she was. Auntie was my late Dad`s eldest sister and the last of five siblings. She was made of very stern stuff and I remember as a child being more than a little scared of her. She could be really kind at times even though she could be difficult. She was really good to me after my mother left home and helped me through some very difficult times. She told me once that 1914 was a very good year and I have to say she was right. It was the end of an era and she will be missed by many.
On that sad note I`ll end this post. I will update again in a few days. Bye Bye for now and take care.
Monday, 1 December 2008
Photos and Moods
Hello,
The mum-to-be eating for two. She`ll probably kill me for posting this but I`ll take the risk...lol!
My BIL is much better now although it will be a while until he is completely well again. It was nice to see him at the party even though he wasn`t allowed to have a drink he was eating well again, always a good sign in my opinion. Anyway, I`ll say goodbye now. Hopefully I`ll catch up with your entries over the next couple of days. Take care. :o)
Friday, 28 November 2008
Road Rage and Other Things
On the drive home we had to go through London to take Sue and Steve`s 17yr old grandson home. As is usual for London the traffic was really bad. At one point Jim cut in front of another driver though we were moving very slowly and he acknowledged the other driver and apologised for his mistake. Thinking no more of it we turned right at the next junction when the other driver drove in front of us and then cut across and back the other way nearly driving us off the road. When we reached a set of lights the driver jumped from his car and came running over, I was terrified he was going to hit Jim as he looked so angry. Luckily Jim stayed really calm despite the man shouting and swearing at him. What that man did to us was much worse than what Jim did to him. I would think we weren`t the first person he did it too and we won`t be the last. I am so, so relieved that man didn`t do anything to hurt Jim. For all we know he may have had a knife, it was so frightening that I could hear my heart pumping and I was shaking all over all the way home. Poor Jim was blaming himself too and even though he wouldn`t admit it he was more shaken up than he let on.
Anyway, after the long weekend it was back to work on the Tuesday. It`s been a very quiet week but as we are about to go into December I would think this weekend will be much busier. All the Christmas trees are in and I`ve taken quite a few enquiries about the them. I`ve got my eye on one tree in particular and if it`s not been sold over the weekend I`ll put it to one side on Monday.
Today Jim and I went into town to pay some bills and to buy the last few remaining presents. I still didn`t manage to get all in wanted but there`s still time. Next Saturday Jim and I are catching a train into Reading and will hopefully, HOPEFULLY.....make it the last big shopping trip of the year.
Next week I really must write out my cards, wrap the pressies and put them all away. If I don`t hurry up it`ll all be done at the last minute and I don`t want that to happen. I absolutely hate rushing, it`s not good for my well-being...or anyone else who is around me at the time...lol!
Jim`s finished off the kitchen before our weekend away and today he painted the loo, all of it in just a few hours. I came home from work to find it transformed...anyone need a painter and decorator? He`ll travel anywhere and work for free, all you have to do is provide meals. I haven`t told him yet of course, that might be a bit tricky...lol!
Anyone watching I`m a Celebrity etc. ? I`m really into it this year even though I wasn`t going to watch it. Now I`m completely hooked by it...I think I need to get a life...lol!
Take care and have a great weekend. :o)
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Marie Antionette Awards
Here are the rules:
1. Please put the logo on your journal - Real People - Real Blogs.
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 if you can.
4. Put the links of those on your journal.
5. Leave a message on their journal to let them know.
6. Put the award on your sidebar/journal.
Changing the subject. The other week I gave my desk a good clear up. When I emptied out the caddy that holds all my pens, pencils etc. I had a good laugh at the strange things that had accumulated over time. I thought I`d tell you what I found.
a newspaper cutting
2 business cards...sorry make that 3
a receipt for a window blind
3 marker pens that no longer work
1 gold and 1 silver gel pens
1 pencil that hasn`t been used
a stapler
a box of staples
a reel of sellotape
a harmonica.....honest!
a glue stick
an eraser
a compass cum whistle cum magnifying glass cum mirror
2 Tippex`s`, 1 usable the other not
a small handbell
a small length of wire
a pair of tweezers
half a pair of glasses....yes, I said half!!!
14 pens that all write
And last but not least...a fly swatter!
Do you have something unusual on your computer desk? :o))
Anyway, I`m not talking about me today apart from saying son and girlfriend visited yesterday evening and I DO NOT want to talk about it. I`ll just pack the experience away in a small compartment in my mind and will take it out again later...lol! Bye Bye and take care. :o)
Monday, 17 November 2008
Onwards and Upwards!
I came home from work to face a huge pile of ironing. I didn`t have time to do it yesterday as I had Roman to look after plus I had an awful headache that lasted all day long. It took me two hours and I was glad to see the back of it all. The only problem being the washing basket is almost full again so when I do the laundry tomorrow it be more of the same..sigh.
On the bright side, Jim and I are going to his sister`s in Birchington, Kent for a long weekend. We leave Friday morning and won`t be home until Monday afternoon. We`re really looking forward to seeing her and her hubby as we always have a great time with them. I know the weather`s not great but the break will do us good.
I was watching the birds on the feeders this morning and was amazed to see a large green woodpecker feeding there. I`ve not seen one in the garden before but I hope he comes back again. Have I told you about our tame robin that we feed at work? Well anyway, we feed this youngster and his brother separately or its claws and feathers at dawn. Just lately the food has attracted dunnocks and chaffinches too. This morning I looked outside and I saw a little jenny wren feeing there. We have an ancient wisteria that grows along a wall of the old cottage in the grounds of the garden centre. Wrens nest there every year and the one I saw must be one of the young born this year. Our `home grown` birds are so tame that they come within touching distance and woe betide if you don`t feed then as soon as you get to work. The larger robin hops up and down chirping until his food is there. Once or twice he has flown right at me so I get the hint...lol!