Auld Lang Syne

The song Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung by most of us on the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve, however in Scotland, where Auld Lang Syne originates it is also sung on Burns Night, January 25th, to celebrate the life of the author and famous poet Robert Burns. The words 'Auld Lang Syne' literally translates from old Scottish dialect meaning 'Old Long Ago' and is about love and friendship in times past. The lyrics in the song Auld Lang Syne referring to 'We'll take a Cup of Kindness yet' relate to a drink shared by men and women to symbolise friendship.

Happy New Year!!!

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Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

The Littlest Light On The Christmas Tree

The synopsis on www.play.co.uk says:

"Set in a time after the second World War, it's a magical story about two unforgettable friends. An abandoned, discarded Christmas bulb, afraid and alone... and an eight year old boy who finds him and takes him home. Broken and useless, Little Light is of no value to anyone - except to young Timothy who sees himself in Little Lights plight. Timothy's belief is so strong that Little Light can 'shine' again when the town suffers a blackout from a fierce winter storm, Little Light triumphs over all odds - and his own self doubt - to 'shine', lighting the way for others who 'see the light'."

It's a really sweet little story. :)

Tori

Christmas 2008 (LBE & FD)

I hope you are enjoying the holidays... However you are spending them! :)

For anyone who wants to know how I've been spending mine...

Monday:

We spent most of Monday making sure housework was up to date... This included laundry, dishes, changing of bedding, etc, etc.

I also started reading a book I'd got online called "Treasury Of Christmas Tales" which - as the name suggests - is a collection of Christmas stories. Stories which include "The Little Match Girl" a condensed version of "A Christmas Carol" and some I hadn't heard before (like "The Christmas Mouse" and "The Christmas Bear"). It also had the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" in it, and the story of "The Nutcracker"... It's a fantastic book! Well worth the US$20 I paid for it! It's a really thick book though, so I've only just finished reading it.

Tuesday:

Mam came to do some baking (as mentioned in the "Christmas Goodies 2008" post). We didn't make some of the things we planned to though, because we ended up with less time than planned.

Also, my Grandma and Grandad showed up to spend Christmas and the New Year with my parents, Nan and Wayne. So they dropped Jayde (Grandma's little Yorkshire Terrier) off here, because she is staying with us since she can't stay up there because Jayde and Willow have never gotten on.

Wednesday (Christmas Eve):

Grandma and Grandad came over for at least half the afternoon. Grandma and I took the dogs out for a walk by the river when they first got here while Grandad stayed at our place with Kelly. Then we just chatted for a while before they left.

And in the evening we watched "The Hogfather"... Which I'm sure I posted about when I watched it before. If I didn't then, sorry... If you don't know about it then feel free to ask.

Thursday (Christmas Day):

"Santa" sneakily filled the stockings at some point while we were watching the movie. *Wink* So we had our presents early... Since it was just the two of us and the two dogs we figured we might as well... Since we were up.

Here's a picture of each of the dogs with their stockings. This was the best one we could get of Jayde since she wasn't willing to stay still long enough for a better photo. It was all we could do to get this shot.

We kept most of the dogs' presents aside for them to have when they are seporate again. We figure that way they'll get to enjoy their own presents in peace. Grandma has Jayde's stuff, and Kero's stuff is put away in a bag out of the way until Jayde goes home.

We did keep a couple of things out though.

This huge teddy is one of them. As you can see Kero absolutely LOVES his giant teddy! He also has another slightly smaller one that looks a bit like a lion in a football shirt with a ball under its arm. He likes that one too, but seems to like the one in the photo most.

We also kept a big rawhide bone each out. And, of course, Kero's new harness.

This is another present of Kero's that got kept out. This was a present from Eleri, Faye, Daisy and Mia. He doesn't seem as pleased with it as he is with his teddies and his rawhide bone, but it's a lovely sweater.

The presents of Kero's that got put away are: A squeaky penguin, a squeaky Christmasy ball, a Squeaky bone, a little teddy with a rawhide bone with it, three different tuggy toys (a rope toy with stars on it, a rope toy with chicken legs on it and a soft tuggy toy with a squeaker in it), a big rawhide candy cane, another big rawhide bone, and a load of smaller treats (some rawhide, some not).

As for my presents...

I had some brain teaser type puzzles, some plastic Star Wars models to build, LOADS of chocolates and sweets, a fairy cup with a twisty straw, a Christmasy mug with a tactile Santa on it, a new pair of headphones for my Ipod since I don't like to use the in-ear ones that came with it, some audio books and the two presents I'm about to show you.

The first one I want to show you is the little lion on my shoulder in this picture. Father Christmas may not have been able to come through with the lion but Carl and Rachel came through without even realising it. They got this little lion for me when they went on their safari honeymoon back in August. LOL!

They also got me an elephant bracelet. But I don't have a photo of that to show you.

And, last but not least...

Kelly got me these awesome Eeyore slippers. They're really warm on the toes, and I absolutely LOVE them!

Anyway...

Once the presents were over with we watched Kelly's new DVD... Volume one of the animated TV show from the 80s "Dungeons And Dragons"... Great show!

At some point in the morning we also watched "The Polar Express"... Another movie I'm sure I posted about when I watched it before.

After that it was time for dinner... Turkey, sage and onion stuffing, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sprouts, carrots and gravy... Delicious! Kelly cooked it, and he made so much it took me all day to eat mine. Actually, I only finished the last of it last night some time. LOL!

In the evening Kelly read a couple of stories to me from a book we had sent to us for Christmas from a friend in Finland. I can't remember what the book is called... It's a really good book though! :)

Friday (Boxing Day):

Kelly and I spent the morning preparing nibbles for when Mam, Dad, Grandma, Grandad and Wayne arrived. We made cocktail sausages, mini cheese pizzas, cheese bites, chicken dippers, pickled onions, little squares of cheese, roasted peanuts, salted peanuts and cheesy Doritos. We also had a variety of pops for people to drink... Cola, lemonade, Cherry coke and dandelion and burdock.

Anyway...

Mam, Dad, Grandma, Grandad and Wayne came to exchange presents with us (the stuff from them is mentioned in the list of what I got) and to spend a couple of hours with us.

While they were here Grandma and Wayne took the dogs for a walk. I couldn't go because I'd had a bath just before they came and my hair was still damp, and with this cold still lingering I didn't think I should go out in the freezing cold weather with damp hair.

And in the evening Kelly and I worked on my big model of a Millenneum Falcom together. It took us most of the evening to put it together. It's a very detailed model... It even has little Hans Solo and Chewbakka figures sat in the seats of the cockpit. I've got a smaller version of it too, but I don't think it'll be quite as detailed.

Saturday (today):

We haven't done much. We did watch "Scrooged" today though. And we're watching "School Of Rock" right now. Other than that I've pretty much just been working on getting caught up on blog posts.

I think that covers everything... Enjoy the rest of your day! :)

Tori

Welcome Christmas

Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas,
come this way!
Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas,
Christmas Day!

Welcome, welcome!
Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, welcome!
Dah who dahmus
Christmas Day,
Is in our grasp,
So long as we,
Have hands to clasp!

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas!
Bring your cheer.
Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome all who's,
Far and near

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome, Christmas!
Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, Christmas!
Dah who dahmus
Christmas Day,
Will always be
Just as long,
As we have we
Welcome all who's,
Far and near.

Twas The Night Before Christmas (AKA "A Visit From St Nicholas")

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem Twas the night before Christmas has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of Twas the night before Christmas St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers! The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution.

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Twas The Night Before Christmas (Also known as "A Visit From St Nicholas")

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Do you still believe?

Me (over the phone to my Mam): Does she still believe?
Mam (to Shireen who was in the same room as her): Do you believe in Santa?
Shireen: Of course I do, because if I didn't there wouldn't be presents under the tree from him!

So, to all you non-believers I say... Argue that! ;)

Tori

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire is definitively called the Christmas Song. The lovely music and lyrics were composed by Torme and Wells in 1946. The most popular recording of this truly great Christmas song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire was recorded by Nat King Cole. The strong imagery in the words to this Christmas song are also complimented by such sentiments as reflected in one of its lines "from kids from from one to ninety-two" which encompass the essence of the family Christmas. The notion that a traditional Christmas should be white is also profligated in the lyric of this Christmas song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

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The Christmas Song
(Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.


Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe,
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow,
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way;
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And every mother's child is going to spy,
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.


And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you

Holiday goodies 2008 (FD)

My Mam and I did some baking today (Tuesday). We made three types of cookies (double chocolate cookies, chocolate marshmallow cookies and jelly cookies). We also made mince pies, cheese straws and chocolate covered marshmallows. Er... A few of the chocolate covered marshmallows never made it long enough to be included in the photo... They "accidentally" fell off the plate and in to my hand... Of course, I then "had to" eat them... I mean, who'd want them after my grubby fingers had been all over them? ;)



We were also going to make some ginger cookies, little ginger cakes, little chocolate cakes, banana-nog and maybe a couple of other things. But Mam ended up not having as long here as she'd thought she would, so that idea got scrapped. No big deal though... It's just the two of us, so those goodies are plenty for us two (Mam did more goodies at her place for everyone else). :)

I might have a go at the banana-nog myself tomorrow (Wednesday). We'll see though.

Wont be doing an actual post tomorrow with it being Christmas eve and all. We've got my Grandma's little Yorkie Jayde and Grandma will be coming to take her for a walk when I take Kero. Other than that the day will be spent making sure everything is ready for Christmas... Making sure dinner just has to be cooked so the day isn't wasted with food preporation, making sure all the laundry and other chores are up to date so nothing other than dinner dishes needs sorting on Christmas day. That sort of thing. It'll be Friday or Saturday before you get a post from me that's not already been scheduled. I doubt I'll even be around reading posts (I know I wont Thursday that's for sure... Kelly and I have agreed on a PC ban for the day).

So... Merry Christmas... Happy Holidays... Yuletide Blessings... Whichever of those applies to you and your family! And if none applies, then happy whatever you happen to be celebrating... Happy Chanuka, for example! May your holidays be full of love and laughter, however you choose to celebrate! :)

Tori

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

The New York Sun - 1897

We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? - Virginia O'Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Christmasy reviews

First of all, did you know that the previous post was my 1000th post? Hmm... Maybe I talk too much? LOL!

Anyway... On to the reviews I promised!

Movies:

"All I Want For Christmas"... Which is a movie I've had for many years about a little girl named "Hallie" who asks Father Christmas to get her parents to get back together, which prompts her older brother "Ethan" to come up with a plan to try and make her Christmas wish come true. It's a really good movie... Or, I think it is.

"An All Dogs Christmas Carol"... This one's an animated movie about some dogs who use a "miracle dog tag" to re inact the story of A Christmas Carol in order to persuade a nasty dog not to help an even nastier dog to ruin Christmas. It's a cute movie based on the characters from "All Dogs Go To Heaven."

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (the animated version)... Basically, the poem by Dr Seuss with animation. Need I say more? ;)

Books:

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens... I don't think I need to tell you about this one. If I do then, seriously, where have you been? This one's a classic, and has been done in so many different versions I've lost track! The version I have though is the original version by Charles Dickens himself.

"Letters From Father Christmas" by J R R Tolkien... Yes, I did say "J R R Tolkien" - honestly! This is a book containing some letters that J R R Tolkien's children recieved from "Father Christmas" after they asked what Father Christmas did other than deliver presents. The letters contain amusing stories about what happens at the North Pole and what the North Polar Bear gets up to. It's definately good for a chuckle! :)

"A Candle In The Forest" by Temple Bailey... This one is a new find. I spotted it on a site that does braille books and thought I'd grab myself a copy to see if it was as good as it sounded. It was! It's a story about a poor family and a rich family who live next door to each other and how the poor family - despite having few possessions and only just enough money to live on - are actually richer because they have something money can't buy... Love! The story is set at Christmas, and shows the boy from the wealthy family learning how much better off the family next door is because they have each other, they have love, and they have the ability to be greatful for the little things. It shows us how a pile of presents can't compare to having your family near you and showing you that they care about you... A lesson many people in this world need to be taught!

Tori

"Merry Christmas & Happy New Year" in different languages

Now you can greet your international friends with a warm Christmas wish in their own native language (just a shame pronounciation isn't included on the site I found this on).

(Albanian) - Gezur Krislinjden
(Argentine) - Feliz Navidad Y Un Prospero Ano Nuevo
(Armenian) - Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
(Bohemian) - Vesele Vanoce
(Brazilian) - Feliz Natal e Prospero Ano Novo
(China - Cantonese) - Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw SunSing Dan Fai Lok
(China - Mandarin) - Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen TanSheng Dan Kuai Le
(Croatian) - Sretan BozicÈestit Boiæ i sretna Nova godina
(Czech) - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
(Danish) - Gledlig jul og godt Nytt Aar
(Dutch) - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
(Dutch - Netherlands) - Prettig Kerstfeest
(Filipinos) - Maligayang Pasko
(Finnish) - Hauskaa Joulua Hyvää joulua ja Onnellista uutta vuotta
(French) - Joyeux Noël et heureuse année
(Gaelic-Irish) - Nolag mhaith Dhuit Agus Bliain Nua Fe Mhaise
(Gaelic-Scot) - Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
(German) - Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr
(Greek) - Kala Khristougena kai Eftikhes to Neon Ethos
(Hawaiian) - Mele Kalikimake me ka Hauloi Makahiki hou
(Hebrew) - Mo'adim Lesimkha
(Hindi) - Shubh Christmas
(Hungarian) - Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeketBoldog Karacsonyl es Ujevl Unnepeket Kellemes Karacsonyt Es Boldog Uj Evet
(Icelandic) - Gledileg jol og farsaelt komandi arGledlig jol og Nyar
(Indonesia) - Selamat Hari NatalSelamah Tahun Baru
(Iraqi) - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
(Irish) - Nollaig Shona Duit
(Irish) - Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
(Italian) - Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo Buone Feste NatalizieBuon Natale e felice Capodanno
(Japanese) - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
(Korean) - Chuk Sung TanSung Tan Chuk Ha.
(Lithuanian) - Linksmu Kaledulinksmu sventu Kaledu ir Laimingu Nauju Metu
(Norwegian) - God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
(Peru) - Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
(Philippines) - Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
(Polish) - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia i szczesliwego Nowego Roku
(Portuguese) - Boas Festas e Feliz Ano NovoFeliz Natal e propero Ano Novo
(Romanian) - Sarbatori Fericite. La Multi Ani
(Russian) - S prazdnikom Rozdestva Hristova i s Novim Godom
(Serbian) - Hristos se rodi
(Serb-Croatian) - Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina
(Spanish) - Feliz Navidad y prospero Año Nuevo
(Swedish) - God Jul Och Gott Nytt År
(Turkish) - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun Yeni Yilnizi Kutar, saadetler dilerim
(Ukrainian) - Srozhdestvom Kristovym
(Vietnamese) - Mung Le Giang Sinh. Cung Chuc Tan Nien
(Welsh) - Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
(Yugoslavian) - Cestitamo Bozic

Yule 2008

As most of you know, Kelly and I celebrate Yule as well as Christmas. We exchange a present each (and, of course, Kero gets one too) and begin our holiday celebrations on December 21st each year.

The photo above is of Kero with his present for this year... It's a rope toy that's been bent in to the shape of a circle with some rawhide moulded over where the ends meet to keep it in that shape... So it's a toy and a treat in one! My present was a wooden brain teaser puzzle in the shape of an egg.

We started getting the flat ready for Christmas properly today. We've been having a proper tidy up. Tomorrow we're going to change all the bedding and get it washed up so the beds are clean and fresh too.

We also put some food out for the birds. We've noticed that there are several Robins and Bluetits hanging around in the garden, so we put some food out for them. Kelly would have got photos, but - as he said himself - he doesn't have the patience to sit there with a camera waiting for a bird to decide it's safe to come in to view for long enough for us to get a good photo of it. We couldn't feed the birds last Winter because we were worried that luring them in to the garden would be an open invitation to the cats for lunch. But since we don't have the cats now we thought we'd feed the birds that stick around during Winter.

I think that will do for today. Yule blessings to all! :)

Tori

Yule Fires

John G. MacCinnon
(Tune: "Greensleeves")

In ancient days the folk of old
When chilled with fright by Winter's cold
Did kindle up a great Yule fire
With leaping flames in its great pyre;

So to entice the waning Sun
To rise again and wider run;
Its firey course across the sky
To warm them so they would not die

So we, whose minds now sense a chill
Of anger in the evil will
The human conflict, hate, and strife
Which hold a menace over life;

Would kindle up a flame of love
That we within our hearts may move
In Yuletide joy, with love embrace
And thus abide in peace and grace

Mam and Nan

I was going to be posting a couple of reviews for you, but since it's just taken me about five hours to log in to Blogger I think I'll leave those for tomorrow (or maybe Monday). Instead I'll just blog about the important things.

Firstly...

It was my Mam's birthday yesterday(December 19th). Mam, Elizabeth and I went out with a couple of friends and Elizabeth's fiance, Adrian (there are a couple of photos of Mam and I on Mam's blog if you want to see). Then I stayed at my parents' place for the night because it was easier. I came home around lunchtime today.

Secondly...

Today is our friend Nicola's birthday. So happy birthday to her! :)

And, finally...

My Nan had the two biggest lumps removed yesterday. She's got three smaller ones still, but I think they're letting her heal from the biggest two being removed before trying to remove the smaller ones. Anyway, she's fine. A bit sore, obviously, but other than that she's fine. She has to have the stitches out Christmas eve... What a fun way to spend Christmas eve, eh? Still, at least she only has to go over to the doctors' surgery near where they live to have the stitches out.

Will comment on everyone else's blogs and post those reviews for you tomorrow. Right now I think I'm going to go to bed.

Enjoy whatever's left of your day... Stay warm, and stay safe! :)

Tori

Where Are You Christmas?

"Where Are You Christmas?"

Where are you Christmas

Why can't I find you

Why have you gone away

Where is the laughter

You used to bring me

Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing

I'm rearranging

Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas

Do you remember

The one you used to know

I'm not the same one

See what the time's done

Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here

Everywhere, oh

Christmas is here

If you care, oh

If there is love in your heart and your mind

You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas

I know I've found you

You never fade away

The joy of Christmas

Stays here inside u

Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas

Fill your heart with love

You can see the video of Faith Hill's version of the song at:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8iZi9f5CEq8

You can also see the video for the version sang by Taylor Momsen in "The Grinch" here:
http://search.live.com/video/results.aspx?q=taylor+momsen+-+where+are+you+christmas%3f&docid=246546956385&FORM=TVVR

The lyrics for the Taylor Momsen version are slightly different, but I couldn't find the lyrics for the version she sings... Despite spending a whole afternoon just searching the net attempting to do so.

Lemonade award

I just got this award from Whim at http://whimsicalnbrainpan.blogspot.com/2008/12/award-and-thats-new.html. Thanks Whim! :)

I think I'm meant to pass it on to five people. I'm sure there are others who deserve it just as much, but the five that spring to mind are (in no particular order): Punkn at http://punkndeanna.blogspot.com, Iggy at http://intenseguy.blogspot.com, Toasty at http://marmitetoasty.blogspot.com, Wifey at http://wifeoriley.blogspot.com and Styxie at http://ladystyxbrain.blogspot.com. If you know them and/or read their blogs then you'll understand why.

Enjoy your awards!

Tori

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

By Dr. Seuss

Every Who Down in Whoville Liked Christmas a lot...
But the Grinch,Who lived just north of Whoville, Did NOT!
The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
Whatever the reason, His heart or his shoes,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the Whos,
Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown,
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath,
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.
"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer,
"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find some way to stop Christmas from coming!"
For Tomorrow, he knew, all the Who girls and boys,
Would wake bright and early. They'd rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise!
Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE!
NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!
Then the Whos, young and old, would sit down to a feast.
And they'd feast! And they'd feast! And they'd FEAST!
FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would feast on Who-pudding, and rare Who-roast beast.
Which was something the Grinch couldn't stand in the least!
And THEN They'd do something He liked least of all!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Would stand close together, with Christmas bells ringing.
They'd stand hand-in-hand. And the Whos would start singing!
They'd sing! And they'd sing! And they'd SING!
SING! SING! SING!
And the more the Grinch thought of this Who ChristmasSing,
The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole thing!"
"Why, for fifty-three years I've put up with it now!"
"I MUST stop this Christmas from coming! But HOW?"
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
"I know just what to do!" The Grinch laughed in his throat.
And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.
And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!"
"With this coat and this hat, I look just like Saint Nick!"
"All I need is a reindeer..." The Grinch looked around.
But, since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch? No! The Grinch simply said,
"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"
So he called his dog, Max. Then he took some red thread,
And he tied a big horn on the top of his head.
THEN He loaded some bags And some old empty sacks,
On a ramshackle sleigh And he hitched up old Max.
Then the Grinch said, "Giddap!" And the sleigh started down,
Toward the homes where the Whos Lay asnooze in their town.
All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air.
All the Whos were all dreaming sweet dreams without care.
When he came to the first little house on the square.
"This is stop number one," the old Grinchy Claus hissed,
And he climbed to the roof, empty bags in his fist.
Then he slid down the chimney. A rather tight pinch.
But, if Santa could do it, then so could the Grinch.
He got stuck only once, for a moment or two.
Then he stuck his head out of the fireplace flue.
Where the little Who stockings all hung in a row.
"These stockings," he grinned, "are the first things to go!"
Then he slithered and slunk, with a smile most unpleasant,
Around the whole room, and he took every present!
Pop guns! And bicycles! Roller skates! Drums!
Checkerboards! Tricycles! Popcorn! And plums!
And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly,
Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney!
Then he slunk to the icebox. He took the Whos' feast!
He took the Who-pudding! He took the roast beast!
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
Why, that Grinch even took their last can of Who-hash!
Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
"And NOW!" grinned the Grinch, "I will stuff up the tree!"
And the Grinch grabbed the tree, and he started to shove,
When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Who!
Little Cindy-Lou Who, who was not more than two.
The Grinch had been caught by this tiny Who daughter,
Who'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared at the Grinch and said, "Santy Claus, why,”
"Why are you taking our Christmas tree? WHY?"
But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick,
He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!
"Why, my sweet little tot," the fake Santy Claus lied,
"There's a light on this tree that won't light on one side."
"So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear."
"I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring it back here."
And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head,
And he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
And when CindyLou Who went to bed with her cup,
HE went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!
Then the last thing he took Was the log for their fire!
Then he went up the chimney, himself, the old liar.
On their walls he left nothing but hooks and some wire.
And the one speck of food That he left in the house,
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.
Then He did the same thing To the other Whos' houses
Leaving crumbs Much too small For the other Whos' mouses!
It was quarter past dawn... All the Whos, still a-bed,
All the Whos, still asnooze When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their presents! The ribbons! The wrappings!
The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!
Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Crumpit,
He rode with his load to the tiptop to dump it!
"PoohPooh to the Whos!" he was grinchishly humming.
"They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!"
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!"
"Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
Then the Whos down in Whoville will all cry BooHoo!"
"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch, "That I simply MUST hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
And what happened then? Well...in Whoville they say,
That the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light,
And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!
And he, HE HIMSELF! The Grinch carved the roast beast!

Award from Matt

Matt was giving out this award (see post here). It's for the same thing as the one I posted yesterday from Wifey. Personally I don't see that I did anything to deserve any awards, but they seem to think I did. And who am I to say no to an award when someone wants me to have it? So there you go... This is my award from Matt. Thanks Matt! :)

Tori

White Christmas

The song White Christmas is undoubtedly the most famous and popular of all the Christmas songs. The music and lyrics for White Christmas were written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and originally featured in the movie Holiday Inn starring Bing Crosby. The lyrics of White Christmas struck a chord with the soldiers fighting in the Second World War and their families who were waiting for them back home. The song and recording of White Christmas by Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter's orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers was so popular that it was later reprised in the movie called after its name - White Christmas. The film White Christmas once again starred Bing Crosby together with Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.

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White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white


I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

The spirit of the season (Kinda R/WP)

Wifey posted this for those of us who left comments on her blog when she was feeling low (you can see the post here). There was another award too (as you'll see if you read the post) but I just grabbed this one to put in here.

It's amazing how a few kind words from a friend can help you feel so much better. Iggy said it best in his post, and I don't think I can say it as well as he did, so if you go here you can read his post and see what I'm trying to say.

This goes right along with what I was trying to say the other day in the post about greed that I ended up deleting. So, maybe now is a good time to try and say it again?

People have lost sight of the meaning behind the holidays. All people care about nowadays is how many presents they're going to get, or how much so-and-so is going to spend on them. They're writing lists with expensive things like games machines on them. Things that not only cost a fortune, but mean nothing. Sure, those things are fun to play on. But how can you say someone was really thinking of you and what you would like if they've just gone out and brought you the games machine you asked them to buy you? You can't! That's the whole point!

Whether you celebrate because of the birth of Jesus, because it's the Winter Solstice, because of the memory of St Nicholas, or for any other reason, the message should be the same. The holidays are about being with family, thinking of others, and being greatful that you're still around to enjoy it for another year.

But it isn't any more, is it? It's all about money, piles of presents, eating sweets until you're sick, and drinking so much you can hardly stand! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for eating the tasty food and - for those who drink - having a few drinks with friends. It's the fact people don't even know the reason they're doing it that bothers me. The fact that the holidays have become so commercialised that people have started to become greedy and forget about anything other than getting the latest high-tech gadget or toy that everyone "has to" have.

What ever happened to just enjoying the company of family and friends? And to buying a gift that you saw and thought of someone? When did it start to become so important to have expensive presents? What ever happened to being greatful if someone spent even as little as 50p on you? When did the world become so greedy?

Tori

Old British Christmas (FD)

Many of the current American ideals about the way Christmas ought to be derive from the English Victorian Christmas, such as that described in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The caroling, the gifts, the feast, and the wishing of good cheer to all - these ingredients came together to create that special Christmas atmosphere.

The custom of gift-giving on Christmas dates only to Victorian times. Before then it was more common to exchange gifts on New Year's Day or Twelfth Night. Santa Claus is known by British children as Father Christmas. Father Christmas, these days, is quite similar to the American Santa, but his direct ancestor is a certain pagan spirit who regularly appeared in medieval mummer's plays. The old-fashioned Father Christmas was depicted wearing long robes with sprigs of holly in his long white hair. Children write letters to Father Christmas detailing their requests, but instead of dropping them in the mailbox, the letters are tossed into the fireplace. The draft carries the letters up the chimney, and theoretically, Father Christmas reads the smoke. Gifts are opened Christmas afternoon.

From the English we get a story to explain the custom of hanging stockings from the mantelpiece. Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while coming down the chimney. The coins would have fallen through the ash grate and been lost if they hadn't landed in a stocking that had been hung out to dry. Since that time children have continued to hang out stockings in hopes of finding them filled with gifts.

The custom of singing carols at Christmas is also of English origin. During the middle ages, groups of serenades called "waits" would travel around from house to house singing ancient carols and spreading the holiday spirit. The word "carol" means "song of joy." Most of the popular old carols we sing today were written in the nineteenth century.

The hanging of greens, such as holly and ivy, is a British winter tradition with origins far before the Christian era. Greenery was probably used to lift sagging winter spirits and remind the people that spring was not far away. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is descended from ancient Druid rites. The decorating of Christmas trees, though primarily a German custom, has been widely popular in England since 1841 when Prince Albert had a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle for his wife Queen Victoria, and their children.

The word "wassail" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase waes hael, which means "good health." Originally, wassail was a beverage made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, nuts, eggs, and spices. It was served for the purpose of enhancing the general merriment of the season. Like many of the ancient customs, "wassailing" has a legend to explain its origin. It seems that a beautiful Saxon maiden named Rowena presented Prince Vortigen with a bowl of wine while toasting him with the words "Waes hael." Over the centuries a great deal of ceremony had developed around the custom of drinking wassail. The bowl is carried into a room with great fanfare, a traditional carol about the drink is sung, and finally, the steaming hot beverage is served.

For many years in England, a roasted boar's head was associated with Holiday feasting. The custom probably goes back to the Norse practice of sacrificing a boar at Yuletide in honor of the god Freyr. One story tells of a student at Oxford's Queen College who was attacked on Christmas Day by a wild boar. All he had in his hand to use as a weapon was his copy of Aristotle, so he shoved the book down the boar's throat. Wanting to retrieve his book, the student cut off the animal's head and brought it back to the college where it was served for Christmas dinner with much pomp and ceremony.

The celebration of Boxing Day, which takes place on December 26 - the feast of St. Stephen, is a part of the holiday season unique to Great Britain. Traditionally, it is on this day that the alms box at every English church is opened and the contents are distributed to the poor. Also, this is the day that servants traditionally got the day off to celebrate with their families. It became traditional for working people to break open their tip boxes on this day. Boxing Day began in the mid-nineteenth century when the custom of tipping by rich persons to persons in service positions had apparently gotten out of hand. Children and others pretended to be in the trades and solicited tips. The custom was expanded to giving to anyone and everyone who had less money than you did, and soon the streets at Christmastime were full of aggressive soliciting of tips. To contain the nuisance "Boxing Day" was designated as the one day for giving to the less fortunate.

Sleigh Ride

By Leroy Anderson

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, let's go
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow

Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up, it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're riding along with a song
Of a Wintery fairyland

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be

Let's take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing
Without a single stop
By the fireside where we watch the chestnuts pop
(Pop, pop, pop)

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When we pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier & Ives
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you

Monsters and movies (LBE)

I've not been busy like the rest of you. I mean, I've had a few things going on that have kept me busy, but not anything like the parties, doctor appointments, other holiday related things, etc, that have kept some of the rest of you from blogging. No, the reason I haven't done a "proper" post is that I haven't felt like it. If it weren't for the posts I scheduled then there wouldn't have been a post from me since about this time last week.


I almost did one the other day. It was about how greedy everyone is nowadays and how people are caring more about how much they're getting for Christmas (both quantity of presents and cost) than anything else. But I wasn't happy with it, so I deleted it and abandoned my attempts at writing it.


Other than that I haven't felt like blogging. Between things that happened Tuesday (don't want to talk about it, so please don't ask) and the "monster issue" as we're calling it... Well, those things combined have led to a tough week. Actually, I think Tuesday's events may have contributed a little to the monster issue, but they aren't entirely to blame.


Most of what's behind the monster issue is the adjustment to a world of darkness. I have a very good imagination, and it's causing problems. The only thing is, the problems are ones I think I'm just going to have to learn to live with, because Carl (my brother) is 25 years old and is still having to put up with them after 23 years without any sight. *Sigh* I asked him about it, and he gave me some tips for dealing with it, but so far none of them have helped much. He says it'll get easier with time. I hope it does!

I don't want to go in to too much detail about it. But let's just say that the "Leaf Monster" incedent wasn't an isolated incedent. It's the only one I've gone in to detail about, but the Leaf Monster has many friends. I wont be going in to detail about them though. So, please don't ask me to. One day, perhaps, I will decide to tell you about the monsters. But right now I don't want to.

Anyway... Moving very swiftly on...

My week wasn't all bad. I mean, I watched some really good Christmas movies. They were:

"The Muppets' Christmas Carol"... I'm sure I don't need to tell you about this one. Everyone, I'm sure, knows at least the gist of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and - as the title suggests - this is just a version of it where the characters are played mostly by the muppets (you know? Miss Piggy, Kermit The Frog and all them lot).

"The Grinch"... Again, I'm sure at least most of you know the story. This was the movie version. If you don't know the story then just wait until Friday when Dr Seuss' poem will be published and you'll know the gist of the story. :)

"One Magic Christmas"... This is an old one. It's about a Christmas angel named "Gideon" who's job it is to help a woman named "Ginny Granger" find her Christmas spirit (with the help of her daughter "Abbey").

"Miracle On 34th Street" (the version with Mara Wilson in it)... I think this is another movie that at least most of you know. If you don't then I'll be very surprised.

I wont bother telling you about the movies I'm sure you all know about. If you are one of those few who don't know about them though, feel free to ask... Or, look them up. :)

I've got some other movies I'll be watching at some point in this next week. But I'll tell you about those after I watch them. Maybe I'll also read some of the Christmas stories I've got too? :)

***~***

I'm almost ready for Christmas. Got a few more bits to sort tomorrow, but once they're done I'm all set. It's just my Grandad's presents that need fetching. And one or two other little bits, maybe.

We've even got the food for Christmas day and Boxing day in the freezer. Well, other than the cookies mince pies and such. But Mam's baking those with me next week. I have the stuff for making them though. :)

***~***

Kelly's more or less 100% better from his cold and flu. I think Wayne is too.

My Dad is at least almost there too. I don't think he's fully better yet, but he's definately getting better.

My Mam has mostly shifted the cough bit, but the cold is still lingering, so she's still not feeling too great.

As for me... My cold still wont break. And my cough can't make it's mind up whether it's going to stay or go away. So, I think I've still got at least a few more days of this. :(

Oh yeah... And now Carl has a cold too. But we didn't give it to him. At least, not unless it snuck in with his Christmas card or something. LOL! Carl's cold is doing the same as mine. One day he could be fine, the next he feels aweful. And so on. I wish our colds would just make their minds up! :(

My Nan is doing OK... Bet she can't wait for Friday to be over though! Mam says she should get to come home the same day. Apparently she only needs a local anasthetic. Personally I'd rather be put right out and stay the night, but it's not me going in (for a change, lol!) I mean, who wants to hear the doctors talking about what they're doing and using to cut you open? I certainly don't!

If what they tried the third time with my eye operation had worked then they'd have wanted me in for a quick procedure under a local anasthetic. When they told me I told them that I'd much rather be knocked out, thank you very much! It's bad enough hearing them talking about stuff as I'm falling asleep without listening to the whole thing going on!

I suppose Nan's age is part of the reason for only giving her a local anasthetic. I mean, she's almost 81!

***~***

OK, well, that's all I want to talk about when it comes to this past week. Well, other than one little thing which was the highlight of my week. Some people may find it hard to believe that something as small as this could mean so much to someone. But it meant a lot to me.

On Tuesday... Right when I was having a VERY bad day... Something special came through my letter box. That something was a card. But not just any card. No! This card was special!

Why? Because it came from a special friend who - despite having problems of his own to deal with right now - still took the time to have a special card made for me with a tactile picture on the front and braille inside it.

Now, I don't expect everyone to do this. In fact, I don't mind if nobody ever does. But it really did mean a lot to me that someone took the time to do something like that just for me.

Thank you, Iggy... You're a wonderful friend! :)

Tori

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

The words and lyrics for All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth are by Don Gardner. The first publication of the Christmas song All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth was in 1946. The words of the Christmas song were parodied in the UK in the sixties, at the height of Beatlemania, when a British comedienne named Dora Bryan recorded "All I want for Christmas is a Beatle". Every generation there appears to have a humorous Christmas song released like All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth. One cannot help wonder what future generations will make of the lyrics!

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All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

Every body Pauses and stares at me
These two teeth are gone as you can see
I don't know just who to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
"Merry Christmas."

It seems so long since I could say,
"Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!"
Gosh oh gee, how happy I'd be,
if I could only whistle (thhhh, thhhh)

All I want for Christmas
is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth,
see my two front teeth.
Gee, if I could only
have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you
"Merry Christmas!"

My letter to Santa & his reply (AE&D)

Dear Santa,
I've been a very good girl this year... At least, I've tried my best to be. I've given things I no longer need or want to charity, I've eaten my vegetables (even broccoli) and I've done my best to help keep the housework up to date. But apparently all that isn't good enough! No matter how good I am I still don't seem to be able to be good enough to get a pet lion for Christmas. Is there, perhaps something extra special one must do in order to get such a gift? Perhaps your concerns are that I don't know the requirements for caring for such an animal? If that's the case then I assure you I will put as many hours as necessary in to researching the proper care for a lion in captivity. I already know the basics, and I have no doubt that the rest is available somewhere on the internet... Everything is! So, Santa, I'll ask you again... Can I have a pet lion for Christmas?
Your friend,
Tori

______

Dear Tori,
While I know you have done your best to be good all year, and I appreciate that, I'm afraid your request must be denyed. I'm sure you know how to care for a pet lion, but the last time I tried to bring you one it tried to eat my reindeer, and I'm afraid I can't take the risk of such a thing happening again, since the next time it could be fatal for Dasher. Why, if that reindeer didn't enjoy running so much, and if it weren't for the advantage reindeer have over lions on snow, it would have been fatal the last time. Perhaps you could request a different gift? Preferably one without such sharp teeth and claws?
Sincerely,
Santa

Good King Wenceslas

The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual as there is no reference in the lyrics to the nativity. Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century. Good King Wenceslas was a Catholic and was martyred following his assassination by his brother Boleslaw and his supporters, his Saint's Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen's feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol.

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Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even


Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"

"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."

Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather


"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."


In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed


Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing

Christmas Jokes (FD but AE&D)

Q. What's the most common wine at Christmas?
A. "Do I have to eat my brussel sprouts?"

Q. What do you get if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree?
A. A Pineapple

Q. How many chimneys does Father Christmas go down?
A. Stacks

Q. What's an Ig?
A. An eskimo's home without a loo

Father Christmas went to see a Christmas pantomime. During the interval he got up and went to fetch some refreshments. However, he was then unsure of which row he had been sitting in. He did, however, clearly remember stepping on the foot of a lady on the end of his row.
After a few moments of scanning the crowd he thought he recognised the lady in question. So he went up to her and asked...
Father Christmas: Excuse me, did I step on your toes on my way to get an ice-cream?
Lady: You certainly did!
Father Christmas: Good... That means I'm in the right row!

Q. What reindeer can jump higher than a house?
A. They all can... Houses can't jump!

Q. Where do you find reindeer?
A. It depends on where you leave them

Q. Why does Scrooge like reindeer so much?
A. Because every buck is dear to him

"Dear Father Christmas,
Could you please send me a yellow door for Christmas?
Sincerely, Sherlock Holmes"
Watson: Why do you want a yellow door, Holmes?
Holmes: Lemon-entry my dear Watson!

Q. What do the elves sing to Father Christmas?
A. Freeze A Jolly Good Fellow!

Q. An honest politician, Santa Claus and a kind lawyer were walking down the street and saw a £20 note, which one picked it up?
A. Santa Claus... The other two don't exist!

Q. Who's never hungry at Christmas?
A. The turkey... He's always stuffed

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Mary
Mary who?
Mary Christmas

Mistletoe And Wine

Mistletoe and Wine is a popular single by Cliff Richard.
Written by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan, it was originally performed by Twiggy in a TV musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl in 1986. Richard liked the song but wanted to change the lyrics to reflect a more religious theme, to which the writers agreed.

______

Mistletoe And Wine

The child is a king, the carollers sing,

The old has passed, there's a new beginning.

Dreams of santa, dreams of snow,

Fingers numb, faces aglow.

Christmas time, mistletoe and wine

Children singing christian rhyme

With logs on the fire and gifts on the tree

A time for rejoicing in all that we see

A time for living, a time for believing

A time for trusting, not deceiving,

Love and laughter and joy ever after,

Ours for the taking, just follow the master.

Christmas time, mistletoe and wine

Children singing christian rhyme

With logs on the fire and gifts on the tree

A time for rejoicing in all that we see

A time for giving, a time for getting,

A time for forgiving and for forgetting.

Christmas is love, christmas is peace,

A time for hating and fighting to cease.

Christmas time, mistletoe and wine

Children singing christian rhyme

With logs on the fire and gifts on the tree

A time for rejoicing in all that we see

(repeat)

______

You can see the video here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=asq7TW4bRBU

Here Comes Susie Snowflake

Here comes Suzy Snowflake,
Dressed in a snow-white gown,
Tap, tap, tappin' at your windowpane
To tell you she's in town.


Here comes Suzy Snowflake;
Soon you will hear her say,
"Come out ev'ryone and play with me;
I haven't long to stay.
If you want to make a snowman,
I'll help you make one... one, two, three.
If you wanna take a sleigh ride,
The ride's on me."


Here comes Suzy Snowflake;
Look at her tumblin' down,
Bringing joy to ev'ry girl and boy;
Suzy's come to town.



Song By Rosemary Clooney




You can watch the video here:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYDdm3fZiM

Christmas facts (LBE & FD)

The common abbreviation for Christmas to Xmas is derived from the Greek alphabet. X is letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christ's name in the Greek alphabet.


Oliver Cromwell, in England banned Christmas Carols between 1649 and 1660. Cromwell thought that Christmas should be a very solemn day so he banned carols and parties. The only celebration was by a sermon and a prayer service.


In 1643, the British Parliament officially abolishes the celebration of Christmas.


The Puritans in America tried to make Thanksgiving Day the most important annual festival instead of Christmas.


Silent Night was written in 1818, by an Austrian priest Joseph Mohr. He was told the day before Christmas that the church organ was broken and would not be prepared in time for Christmas Eve. He was saddened by this and could not think of Christmas without music, so he wanted to write a carol that could be sung by choir to guitar music. He sat down and wrote three stanzas. Later that night the people in the little Austrian Church sang "Stille Nacht" for the first time.


St Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas Carols to formal church services.


Telesphorus, the second Bishop of Rome (125-136 AD) declared that public Church services should be held to celebrate "The Nativity of our Lord and Saviour." In 320 AD, Pope Julius I and other religious leaders specified 25 December as the official date of the birth of Jesus Christ.


26 December was traditionally known as St Stephen's Day, but is more commonly known as Boxing Day. This expression came about because money was collected in alms-boxes placed in churches during the festive season. This money was then distributed during to the poor and needy after Christmas.


Melbourne, Australia has a sporting Boxing Day tradition. The Melbourne Cricket Ground hosts a Cricket test match. Sometimes this attracts 90, 000 spectators. Cricket is Australia's premier Summer sport.


The first printed reference to Christmas trees appeared in Germany in 1531



In 1836, Alabama is the first state in the USA to declare Christmas a legal holiday.


In 1843, the first Christmas card was printed in England for Sir Henry Cole. He was busy man who wanted to save time in his own Christmas letters, but was also interested in encouraging the expansion of the postal system. 1000 copies of the card were sold at one shilling each. It was not until the 1860s that the production of cards accelerated, with cheaper printing methods. Then in 1870, the Post Office introduced a half penny stamp for sending cards.


In 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorates the first White House Christmas tree.


In 1907, Oklahoma became the last USA state to declare Christmas a legal holiday.


At midnight on Christmas Eve 1914 firing from the German trenches suddenly stopped. A German brass band began playing Christmas carols. Early, Christmas morning, the German soldiers came out of their trenches, approaching the allied lines, calling "Merry Christmas". At first the allied soldiers thought it was a trick, but they soon climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the German soldiers. The truce lasted a few days, and the men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings, sang carols and songs. They even played a game of Soccer.


In 1937, the first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria.


In 1974, the Australian city of Darwin is devastated late on Christmas Eve and in the early hours of the morning by Cyclone Tracy.


In 1834, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle for the Royal family.


6 December is St Nicholas's Day - the first of the gift giving days, especially in Holland and Belgium.


Some priests in Australia advise you to say "Happy Christmas", not "Merry Christmas", because Merry has connotations of getting drunk - which brings its own problems. One should say "Happy" instead.


The actual gift givers are different in various countries:


Spain and South America: The Three Kings

Italy: La Befana (a kindly old witch)

England: Father Christmas

France: Pere Noel (Father Christmas)

Russia: In some parts - Babouschka (a grandmotherly figure)

Other parts it is Grandfather Frost.

Germany: Christkind (angelic messenger from Jesus)She is a beautiful fair haired girl with a shining crown of candles.

Scandinavia: a variety of Christmas gnomes. One is called Julenisse

Holland: St Nicholas.


Every year since 1947 the people in Oslo have given a Christmas tree to the city of Westminster. The gift is an expression of goodwill and gratitude for Britain's help to Norway in the 1939-1945 war.


The first American Christmas carol was written in 1649 by a minister named John de Brebeur and is called "Jesus is Born".


Mexicans call the poinsettia "Flower of the Holy Night" - the Holy Night is the Mexican way of saying "Christmas Eve".

Tom Smith who owned a sweet shop in London was the originator of the cracker. In the 1840s Tom found that people like sugar almonds, but while he was in France he discovered a variety of sweets wrapped up in a twist of paper. These bonbons were popular, so Tom decided to copy them. When Tom noticed that young men were buying them to give to their sweethearts he began to place "love mottoes" on small slips of paper inside the sweet wrapping.In 1846 Tom's thoughts turned towards Christmas - instead of sweets he thought he would place toys and novelties inside the twisted wrapping. He experimented with this and the idea of producing a wrapping that could be pulled apart - just like the cracker as we know it today.

The word carol is derived from the old French word caroller which derives from the Latin choraula. This itself was derived from the Greek choraules.

Births on 25 December:

W C Field (1946)

Alice Cooper (1945)Princess Alexandra (1936)

Paul Borget (1935)

Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889)

Deaths on 25 December:

Conrad Hilton (1979)

Humphrey Bogart (1957)

Dorothy Wordsworth (1855)

Sir Isaac Newton (1727)

The biggest selling Christmas single of all time is Bing Crosby's White Christmas.

In Switzerland during the Reformation, al instrumental and choral music was banned from churches. In Germany, disapproval of carols resulted in some being converted into hymns.

Tinsel on the Christmas Tree is attributed to a woman whose husband died. She was left to bring up a large family of children herself. She was left to do everything working so hard and she was determined to make a happy time for them at Christmas. She prepared a Christmas Tree to surprise them on Christmas Day. Unfortunately spiders visited the tree, and crawled from branch to branch, making webs all over it. The Christ Child saw the tree and knew she would be devastated to find this on Christmas morning. He changed the spiders' webs to shining silver.

The first church the Dutch built in New York City was named in St Nicholas' honour -St Nicholas Church.

Many Christmas customs are carryovers from pre-Christian celebrations. Hanging gifts on trees is supposed to stem from tree worship of the Druids, and the belief that the tree was the giver of all good things. The Druids are also partly responsible for the use of mistletoe at Christmastime. They regarded the mistletoe as sacred, made certain that it never touched the ground, and dedicated it to the Goddess of Love, which explains the kissing that goes on under it. Originally, when a boy kissed a girl, he plucked a berry from the cluster and presented it to her. When the berries were gone, so were the kisses.

In Christmas tree decorations, angels are usually portrayed as wimpy blondes in girl's blouses and sandals. In the Bible, however, angels are muscular bullies who frequently goad humans into fistfights. Life isn't all harps and heavenly choirs for angels; there's a strict career structure. The only angels mentioned by name in the Bible are archangels, the eighth-ranking order of angels.

Visitors to Bethlehem rarely exceed a few thousand at Christmas. In 1995, there were rowdy celebrations of the first Christmas in a Palestinian-controlled Bethlehem. The Christmas Eve service televised on 25 December is celebrated not in the Church of the Nativity, which stands over the place where Jesus was said to have been born, but in the nearby Franciscan Church of St. Catherine.

The largest functional Christmas cracker was 45.72 metres long and 3.04 metres in diameter. It was made by Australian international rugby player Ray Price in Markson Sparks of New South Wales, Australia and was pulled in the car park of the Westfield Shopping Town in Chatswood, Sydney, Australia on 9 November 1991.

A goose was customary Christmas fare until Henry VIII took it upon himself to tuck into a turkey. Mince pies were once shaped like mangers and are thought to date back to the sweetmeats formerly presented to the Vatican on Christmas Eve.

The freedom-fighter and religious activist thought to have been born between 6 BC and 30 AD, by the name of Jesus Christ from the Greek christos, "the anointed one". He was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He started out as a carpenter, but became a missionary following his baptism by a cousin, John. After proclaiming himself the Messiah, Jesus was betrayed by a disciple and crucified. He is later said to have risen from the dead.

If you're wondering why men may have not flocked to kiss you under the mistletoe, the answer may be that it was said that it will only work if the person you are kissing is a virgin. On the sixth day of the new moon, a Druid priest used to cut mistletoe from an oak tree with a sacred sickle. A passing virgin was called upon to catch the falling plant, which was not allowed to touch the ground.

The first commercial Christmas card, produced in 1846, featured a drawing of family members happily toasting each other with glasses of wine - a shockingly decadent portrait that was immediately condemned by temperance advocates. In New South Wales, Australia, the average daily mailbag of six to seven million items of mail can triple over Christmas. The heaviest day ever was on 23 December 1997, when a record 23 million items were delivered in this state in Australia.

Santa's Reindeers are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

Saint Boniface is said to have substituted a fir tree for the pagan oak in the eighth century as a symbol of faith. Martin Luther fostered the Christmas tree cult by using a candlelit tree as a symbol of Christ's heavenly home, while trees decorated with candles, fruit and paper flowers were introduced into Britain soon after Queen Victoria's marriage.

The Celts used to bring a large log indoors as a tribute to the sun god. In Cornwall, revellers would chalk a symbol of a man on the log in a cheery reference to the human sacrifices who used to be thrown on the bonfire.

Ancient Roman observances of the Natalis solis invicti and the Saturnalia occurred in December and involved much feasting, singing, parades and other forms of celebrating. Not to be outdone, when the Church adopted Christmas it introduced a major Christian celebration and feasting became a part of the festivities. As the centuries wore on, depending upon the country, a Christmas goose, turkey or other animal was adopted as the main course in the Christmas feast.

The Christmas tree was first decorated with lights in the 16th century. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to add lighted candles to the tree. He was so taken with the Christmas night sky that he wished to bring "the lights of the stars" into the home of his family. From this, decorating the tree with ornaments, messages and notes, and small gifts emerged in later centuries leading to our customs today.

Hanging the Christmas stocking on the hearth on Christmas Eve in the hope that it will be filled with presents the next morning is a custom that goes back about 400 years. It derived from the custom in Holland of children placing wooden shoes next to the hearth the night before the arrival of St. Nicholas. The children would fill their shoes with straw and food for St Nicholas's for the donkey that carried the gifts. In exchange he would leave them a small gift such as small cakes, fruits and other gifts. Stockings were substituted for the shoes in Britain, most of Europe and in North America.

A wreath with holly, red berries and other decorations began from at least the 17th century. Holly, with its sharply pointed leaves, symbolised the thorns in Christ's crown-of-thorns. Red berries symbolised the drops of Christ's blood. A wreath at Christmas signified a home that celebrated to birth of Christ.

On Christmas morning since medieval times, church bells have been rung to announce to the world the coming of the saviour. It was customary from the 18th century to wear clothes and carry a small bell to signify the birth of Christ. The ringing of the bells was to signify the importance of His Birth.

Another Christmas questionaire thingy

Oh, look... I found another one... LOL!

1. Hot chocolate or apple cider? Hot chocolate
2. Turkey or Ham? Turkey
3. Do you get a Fake or Real you cut it yourself Christmas tree? Fake
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?Yes
5. Snowball fights or sledding? If there was enough snow... Sledding
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping? No way! I don't even enjoy shopping normally!
7. Favorite Christmas song? Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies? I love watching them!
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? When it's not December yet
10. Stockings before or after presents? Before
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them? If I'm anywhere near any I'll stop and listen for a while
12. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you? It varies from year to year, but they usually come to me... They have cars, I don't!
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? No
14. What do you do after presents and dinner? Take a nap (unless we have visitors coming)
15. What is your favorite holiday smell? Christmas goodies baking
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall? Neither... Though if I had to choose one then ice skating
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day? Christmas morning
18. Favourite Christmas memory? Me and my brothers working together to help prepare stuff for Christmas dinner
19. Favourite Part about winter? The chance of snow
20. Ever been kissed under mistletoe? No

As usual... If you want to do it then either play in my comments section or copy and paste it to your own blog and play there.

Tori

Kero's 2008 Christmasy photo

I realised today that we hadn't yet done a Christmasy photo of Kero for this year. So I asked Kelly to do one for me so I could share it with those of you who love to see photos of furkids... Enjoy! :)



Tori

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

I couldn't resist...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PoUSg01zC0k

Come on... Sing along!

The Chipmunk Song

Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late.

Want a plane that loops the loop
I still want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late.

We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late.

Movies, my Monday and an audiobook (LBE & FD)

Going to start with the audiobook...

It's the one MarmiteToasty sent me, and it's called "Winter Solstice" and is by Rosamunde Pilcher. I actually finished listening to it about a week ago, but never got around to posting about it.

The following is the synopsis for the book on Play (http://www.play.co.uk/):

"Elfrida Phipps loves her new life in the pretty Hampshire village. She has a tiny cottage, her faithful dog Horace and the friendship of the neighbouring Blundells - particularly Oscar - to ensure that her days include companionship as well as independence. But an unforeseen tragedy upsets Elfrida's tranquillity: Oscar's wife and daughter are killed in a terrible car crash and he finds himself homeless when his stepchildren claim their dead mother's inheritance. Oscar and Elfrida take refuge in a rambling house in Scotland which becomes a magnet for various waifs and strays who converge upon it, including an unhappy teenage girl. It could be a recipe for disaster. But somehow the Christmas season weaves its magical spell and for Elfrida and Oscar, in the evening of their lives, the winter solstice brings love and solace."

It's a fantastic story... I can see why Toasty recommended it so highly. :)

***~***

Now for the movies...


On Saturday I watched three Christmasy movies... All of which I thoroughly enjoyed!

The first one was "The Snow Queen"... The story the movie is based on is in a post below this one, so I wont bother telling you what it was about. There were, of course, a couple of differences in the movie though... But, aren't there always?

The second one was "The Nightmare Before Christmas"... I'm sure I've posted about this one before. It's the one about Jack Skeleton being bored and fed up with the same old Halloween traditions and accidentally finding his way in to Christmas Town where he gets a glimpse of all the wonders of Christmas and decides he wants to be "Sandy Claws" for the night. But things don't go as planned, and he ends up having to rescue the real guy from The Bogie Man so he can save Christmas.

The third one was "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"... Now I KNOW I posted about this one. And, I'm sure you all know the story well anyway, so I wont bore you with the details.

Then, today, I watched another one... My favourite Christmas movie... Do you remember what I said it was?

"Santa Claus - The Movie"... It's a movie I've watched almost every year for as long as I can remember! It's one of the versions of how the whole Santa Claus thing got started. I don't really know how else to explain it without pretty much telling the story.

***~***

And now, on to my day... Well, my day so far anyway, because there's still some of the afternoon and, of course, the evening to go yet. But we wont be picky... Today anyway... LOL! So...

Woke up around 6:00 am. Had breakfast, watched "The Hoobs" on Channel 4 +1 because I missed it on its first showing. Then watched "Santa Claus - The Movie" while drinking a nice, warm cup of tea.

I then spent about an hour talking to my Mam on the phone on and off.

We've decided to postpone the Wednesday dinners until after the new year now. For one thing none of us are all that healthy at the moment, so we're not even close to being good company for one another right now. For another thing both Mam and I are trying to sort out new eating plans, and we want to give ourselves a chance to get them figured out a bit so we can arrange the dinners for Wednesdays to fit in with what we're both trying to eat. My "new meal plan" thingy is pretty easy to figure out, because I'm just working on reducing the things I'm eating that I shouldn't be having (e.g. sweets, pizza, etc) and replacing them with more of what I should be eating (e.g. fruit and vegetables). But my Mam is trying to figure out an actual diet, because she seems to have problems eating certain things, so she's trying to figure out what she can and can't eat without it upsetting her stomache. When she's figured that out we can figure out meals for Wednesday working on that information... Even if we slightly adapt something we're having to make it OK for her, and vice versa.

Despite the fact we talked on the phone for so long, my Mam and Dad popped in on their way to do their weekly shopping. No, not just for the sake of it... I had some Christmas cards I need delivered to people who I know who my Mam sees more than we do, so my Mam came to help me finish writing them and to take them with her to give them to those people for me.

For those who are wondering... My Dad seems to be doing a bit better. At any rate he's changed his comment of, "Not that good," to "Ah, so-so!" And he didn't seem to be coughing and sniffling quite as much.

Anyway...

After they left, Kero and I went out for our walk. It's quite cold out there. The level of cold is within the temperature scale where I don't complain about it though. ;)

Still no snow though... *Sigh*

I didn't get my baguette. :(

Kelly sometimes does the shopping on a Monday, other times he does it on a Tuesday. He said he was probably doing it on Monday this week, but he changed his mind. So he's going tomorrow instead.

I had marmalade on toast for lunch today instead.

So, that's my day so far... Much more interesting than yesterday. LOL!

***~***

The lighting of the Christmas lights in town was on Friday. Mam didn't realise until Saturday though, and I only found out today. It's a shame we didn't know in time. There's usually a proper street party with it, and Mam and I would have gone (in my case more to say I'd been than anything). We haven't been able to go in past years because of getting home (by the time it's over there's no busses running here). But this year we could have, because we could have just walked back to my place, and Mam would have stayed the night.

Oh well, too late now... We missed it. Maybe next year?

***~***

I've set up a Christmasy post to publish itself every day between now and Christmas. It could be a song, it could be a story, it could be something else... Depends what I find that I didn't post last year or the year before.

I will be doing my usual blog posts in between (if I have anything worth posting) but thought I'd post some Christmasy stuff. I'm scheduling the posts to publish themselves because it's easier to sort the stuff and set it up as I find it... I figure if I'm sorting the posts I might as well take advantage of Blogger's post scheduling thingy.

OK... I think that covers everything... Enjoy the rest of your day! :)

Tori