Nine lessons & Carole!

In an effort to get into the true Christmas spirit Simon & I went to church on Sunday evening. There was a lovely spiritual Christmas-like atmosphere, but it was also very  entertaining. Was it supposed to be so comical?
We sang all the old favourites. Did anyone in adjacent pews notice me singing descant, as if I was still in the school choir, I wonder? Those top notes sure are hard to reach nowadays. And did anyone notice me starting to sing a verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem that only the choir were supposed to sing? Did I detect some sniggering? I certainly felt the dig in the ribs from my other half.
The choir sang their anthems and carols beautifully including one of my favourites - The Angel Gabriel AKA "Most Highly Flavoured Gravy". At the end of Ding Dong Merrily on High a toddler shouted "hurrah" into the silence of the church and gave a round of applause. Most amusing.
My mobile phone vibrated in my pocket no less than 3 times (thank goodness I remembered to put it on silent), but I couldn't resist checking out my messages. I bet a few of the congregation frowned on me for that.

Carole did in deed read one of the lessons. A well known member of the congregation read the 8th lesson in his characteristic way i.e. as if he was starring in the pantomime. It was a reading from Matthew: The Wise Men were led by the star to Jesus. At this point I had the urge to shout out "Oh no they didn't", but I resisted. However, I did catch Simon's eye - big mistake. We then had a fit of the giggles. Good job we were seated near the back or I think we would have been excommunicated by then.
We set off home for a night cap & a curry and watched the latest film from Lovefilm.com: Winter's Bones. At least I did. Simon gave up on it after 10 minutes and went to bed. I suffered the whole film, because I was sure it would get better - it didn't. Who recommended that one to me?

1 week to go............

Jenny & me

 My last Xmas "do" on Saturday night and it didn't disappoint.

Angels!



Who's that bird in the background?



At home 1am & still standing

Struggled into work today feeling very ill with a bad cold (aah). After work rushed to Tucker Bros to choose and order a new washer dryer in record time. It literally took me 10 minutes. Normally it would take me days of research into the best type and best place to buy, but I just didn't have the time or energy. I just handed over my credit card and thought "whatever". I have spent the rest of the evening in bed in my cosy PJs, with cups of coffee and hot chocolate, catching up on the last 4 episodes of Strictly Come Dancing. I'm looking forward to the finals this week. I'm rooting for Chelsee & Pasha. I couldn't be bothered to cook tea so I had a bar of Dairy Milk instead! It's now 11.30pm and I need to try and get some sleep. Mm -feeling a bit down generally. I expect it's the weather :( snap out of it woman! I'll perk up tomorrow.

I need an upgrade...

I need a complete renovation, but my phone needs upgrading. I took a couple of photos with it at the party last night ( after 2 Mojittas, a Flying Dutchman, a Pina Colada and a Fuzzy F......!)

Aileen & Oscar

Aileen et moi

and then my mate Oscar took a couple of photos with his iPhone 4 that has a flash.......

 See the difference? I want I want I want

Keep calm and carry on

We have 12 adults and 4 little boys coming for Christmas day so I desperately want to get organised for Christmas. However, I think the washing machine has just died due to overwork, I have homework to do (begrudgingly - I really don't get paid enough to be bringing work home), my Christmas prezzies aren't wrapped and my cards aren't written, we're out to lunch tomorrow, it's my better half's birthday tomorrow too. I haven't wrapped his present and I need to get glammed up for a cocktail party tonight. HELP!

My own creation:)



Who put the elephant in my nativity tableau?



The indoor decorations went up last week and I put the outdoor lights up today and I did get to the gym today.

Every year I really start feeling "Christmasy" when the decorations at work are put up by Santa's little helpers (Matron's husband, son & daughter-in-law). They are the best in the whole hospital.

 
Matron's Cocktail Party tomorrow...............

Let the celebrations begin

Had the first couple of far too many Christmas parties last weekend.


a few of "the girls"

 My first experience of live Karaoke was on Friday with Slimming World (aka Fat Club). No, I did not sing, but did dance, after a few bevvies. Nor did I eat healthily. There was a Chinese help yourself buffet and I helped myself not 1, not 2, but 3 times - yum. On Saturday I joined my team of nursery nurses for an evening at Yates in Romford. We had a pleasant meal with plenty of Rose, Jellybean cocktails and I seem to remember some sort of coloured shots. Needless to say we boogied the night away, but resisted the urge to pole dance. We have decided that next year we will incorporate a Naughty Secret Santa into our evening! I think they are a bad influence on me. (Or vice verse?!)

The 1st of December arrived and up went the "children's" advent calender filled with goodies. How am I going to resist?

And for once my Christmas cactus has flowered at the right time of year and is looking beautiful

Pencil Illusion

Toon Paint

A friend at work told me about a couple of apps for my iphone that I have downloaded: Pencil Illusion and Toon Paint. Wow they are fun. If only I had the time to experiment with them more. Here is a picture of my computer at work and my blogg profile pic turned into a sort cartoon image.

Went to my niece's 40th birthday party down in Sussex last night. Stayed at the Cooden Beach Hotel, where we stayed in a room with a balcony looking out onto the sea.

I resisted the urge to go for a walk along the beach, but took a snap shot of Simon instead.








And then we went partying...........

The birthday girl with her mum - my first (of many) sister-in-laws

If only we had known it was fancy dress- we'd have dressed up!

Sober as a judge....

Christmas is coming....

Had a brilliant day window shopping in the West End. Very self indulgent, but I think I shall do it every year from now on. Had a great day. Loved the atmosphere, loved the lights, loved everything....






How about this for an alternative Christmas tree. It would be a good project for a young lego enthusiast...


Lego tree ar St. Pancreas



30 years?!!

 On the morning of 16th November I came downstairs to find a beautiful bouquet and a card congratulating me on my 30 years in nursing. I have obviously harped on too much about this event recently, or Simon would never have remembered, but it is a date that I always remember. At the tender age of 18 my dad dropped me off at the nurses home in Barts. to start my chosen career and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

1st Year Student Nurse Age 18



Ward Sister Age 23



Student Midwife Age 25

St. Bartholomew's School of Nursing 1981

Went to the first Ideal Home Christmas Exhibition. Great day out. Bought a couple of nice Xmas decorations and posed outside in front of the Xmas trees.

Chocolate theme today

 A friend sent me some pictures of these works of art.

And today my new wellies arrived in the post. Aren't they yummy?!