Tuesday, 8 December 2009

104 and on Twitter

This lady is Ivy Bean and she is a 104 years old - she is remarkable as modern technology doesn't baffle her but at 104 she embraces it and is a member of the twitter community with 54,116 followers. You can view her page by clicking here and read an article about Ivy here.

with every blessing,
Judith

Health and Safety Advice for Christmas

A friend sent me this and I thought it was worth sharing with you...LOL (I thought it was funny)

Please note the following when you are planning Christmas Carol services

The Rocking Song
Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:

Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, both due to risk of allergy to animal fur, and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative.
Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before rocking commences.

Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds Watched
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around

The union of Shepherd's has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.
Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his / her glory all around she / he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

Little Donkey
Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load

The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry, also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period. Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled 'little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as Mr. Donkey. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.

We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipients name or perhaps give a gift voucher.
We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC route finder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr. Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Facemasks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels hooves.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows.

You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from the Reindeer Games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions - including suspension on full pay - will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.

Monday, 7 December 2009

My sleeping beauties

Karmen and Prince having their afternoon nap yesterday - sometimes it hard to see where one cat ends and the other begins!!!

with every blessing,
Judith

Sunday, 6 December 2009

My little boy

Nigel and Karl went away last weekend for a break and Nigel took these photos of Karl. I love them - he's quite a young man now but I still don't feel any older than 18!!!! so where have the years gone?

I am having the 1st photo enlarged and printed onto canvas.



ps. Ali over at http://www.chemicalsblog.blogspot.com/ has asked me to join her next year in taking a photo a day and publishing in on blogger - 365 photo project - I'm in so are there any other takers? Leave me a comment if you are interested and I will remind you nearer the time.

with every blessing,
Judith

Friday, 4 December 2009

Remembering & Thank You

As a minister I visit and speak at quite a few 'ladies' groups, lead workplace prayers, visit homes etc and more so during Advent. For the 1st time, however, I will also be holding a Christmas eve service within the Sheltered Housing Complex, which I visit quite regularly and I am so excited about this prospect.

I've also conducted three funerals within the last couple of weeks and when it is so close to Christmas, somehow, the effects of the loss seem to be more prevalent. God comfort and bless the bereaved.

I'm very conscious that they only time a lot of my residents will hear from family is at Christmas time - when they receive a Christmas card with the long letter inside telling the 'resident' what a wonderful year they've had with family and friends and so sorry that they haven't been able to visit - will try harder next year!! I know that's not the case with everyone but I suppose in my line of ministry it is what I witness... I would beg you, if you have read this far, please if there is a nursing home, residential home near you maybe you, or your church group or some friends, would consider visiting it once a month not too put on elebrate programmes but just to say 'hello' and to be there and listen to their stories.

I came across this poem written by Helen Steiner Rice during Christmas 1949 and I have used it over the last few weeks as I have spoken in various places... it says it all

I have a list of folks I know,
All written in a book;
And every year at Christmas time,
I go and take a look.
And that is when I realize,
That these names are a part,
Not of the book they’re written in,
But of my very heart.
For each name stands for someone
Who has touched my life sometime;
And in that meeting they’ve become,
The ‘Rhythm in each Rhyme’.
And while it sounds fantastic
For me to make this claim,
I really feel I am composed
Of each remembered name.
And while you may not be aware
Of any special link,
Just meeting you has shaped my life
A lot more than you think.
For once that you have known someone,
The years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word,
Or of a friendly face.
So never think my Christmas cards
Are just a mere routine,
Of the names upon a list,
Forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card
That is addressed to you,
It’s because you’re on that list,
And whether I have known you
For many years or few,
In some way you have had a part
In shaping things I do.
So every year when Christmas comes,
I realize anew...
One of the biggest gifts that God can give
Is knowing folks like you!
As I have read the poem I have invited people to take a Christmas ball to hang on their Christmas tree either in memory of someone, or to make that effort to send the poem in card to someone who they haven't said 'Thank You' too for the impact they've had on their lives.

with every blessing,
Judith

new layout

new layout for Christmas - love this especially as my maiden is Partridge..

with every blessing,
Judith

Saturday, 28 November 2009

Pink Saturday - Catwoman



click here for other Pink Saturday thoughts








I'm Home Alone this weekend as Nigel (hubby) and Karl (son) have travelled down to Devon for a few days walking holiday; however, I still have the company of my two cats Karmen & Prince :) I do adore cats and my two are indeed very precious to me; I love watching them playing together and grooming each other and they look so cute when they are curled up in their basket fast asleep without a care in the world.

I'm not particulary an ornament person; however, I do love this little ornament my mother bought me of a cat curled up on a pink cushion because it is so much like Karmen, who indeed behaves like a diva :)
with every blessing,
Judith