Here's a blogging brainteaser for you.

What do La_spice and Znethru have in common?

Obviously La_spice and Znethru cannot enter!

My blogfriend ganesharocks has just done an interesting posting about the "Nine Year Cycle". Just out of curiosity I calculated that my personal number year is FIVE and this is what's in store for me in 2008:

Number Five Personal Year:

FOCUS: Firmness is necessary for success. Use discrimination and respect jurisprudence. Do not express your opinion on unfamiliar subjects. CRYSTAL: Lapis, Sapphire

This year has many things for you to learn and experience. This is travel year and a year to deal with children in some particular way. It may be a year with romance and money, but nothing lasting. One never, ever marries in a Five or a Nine year, because this signifies a temporary relationship at best. This is a time for new interests and new projects. This year has a strong bearing on your future and it is a year of progress and growth that demands you to "be aware" and "pay attention" to the outer world and what is going on around you. New technology may catch your interest in a Five Year. Take a class, improve your computer skills or add to your home entertainment center.

As this year opens for you, tere will be a subconscious feeling that new opportunities are opening up for you. You will intuitively know that new conditions are in the air waiting to be taken advantage of. They may appear as changes, or many ups and downs and unexpected experiences. You are again being presented with opportunities to move forward in life rather than to "stay put" in the old routines of last year. Now you can put your best foot forward for all around improvement in your life-style. The trend of a Number Five personal year is in the nature of new experiences. A change of environment, new experiences, new relationships, new ideas, new contacts, new plans, more freedom, more variety and enterprise will color all of you affairs. These experiences may not be drastic or difficult, but just a freshening of interest, perhaps taking you into the public, with travel and group activity. Even so, the old will overlap the new as a part of this progress. Your work will be to relate the two and join them together into something new for success. You will begin to create a broader field of interest and activity.

You may find that you are restless, wishing for more social activity or a new outlet for your pent up energy. You may feel tired of the old routine. These feelings may cause you to be impatient, restless, with a desire to get rid of the old condition or circumstance. This should be avoided, for even if this year is one of impulse and new energy, it is not suggested that change should be sudden or hasty or that you "burn your bridges behind you" only to have regrets later. There is nothing to be gained by running away. Take the old that you built up last year and blend it into new undertakings for progress and a wider scope of activity. Changes may take place, even though you are not inviting them, so look for an opportunity which is present when these changes come to you. You may begin something which will carry on through the year, even into the future, and be rewarded for your past efforts.

"Don't fence me in" is a strong feeling of the Five Year. The desire to "live," to have the right and good come to you and to have something going on most of the time is the influence behind its force.

Without the "do and dare" spirit of the Five Year, life would be very dull and lacking in all progress. This is the drive behind advancement and the incentive which gives an outlet for man's genius and which drives him into the new and unknown, even to partake of the unusual and impossible. Without this inner drive, mankind would stagnate.

There are two ways to respond to this urge to be active, up and doing.

The First is to accept this inner drive; to realize it is a "timing" in your life to bring improvements to what you are doing in the way of variety, new ways and means, and to do it without disrupting what you have already established, rather than to tear down or quit what you have already done. This is a time to put more enthusiasm into your undertakings, along with a new mental attitude. All of this will lead you to new contacts, progressive activities, and a new understanding of yourself. In this way, old conditions and problems will clear up of their own accord and beneficial changes will occur.

The Second way is to be impatient, restless, critical and unreasonable about past duties and responsibilities, with such a strong urge for more life and personal freedom that all descretion is thrown to the wind, leading to quarrels, disagreements, broken promises and accomplishing little. Instead, get a lot of fun out of this year! Show versatility in your interests, business, social and even spiritual concepts, which may come up for your consideration from time to time.

You will still find many things to take care of which you may feel tired of, in a general way, but do not be impulsive or hasty or head-strong when little annoyances seem to deter you; haste and irritation can sidetrack you. Confusion could lead to legal problems which may become difficult to deal with because of the reactions of others. Good judgment is necessary now. Older people, children or those younger than yourself should be a source of inspiration as well as care.

The Number Five Year, if lived right, can be a marvelous year! The changes, even if unexpected, can be thrilling and exciting. At year's end, you will be satisfied with what you have accomplished and quite pleased about the changes that occurred.

All being well, I will revisit this posting on 29th December 2008 and check out just how the year panned out for me. At least marriage won't be on the cards (even though it is a leap year - sorry Trevor!)

Yes - I've lost my voice! My darling Grandson shared his Xmas germs with me and I'm now suffering with Laryngitis!

Yesterday what started off as a simple idea turned into the longest ever tea party! What an incredible event. Copious amounts of tea, coffee, mulled wine, mince pies, biscuits, bacon butties, jacket potatoes, coleslaw and chocolate were consumed. Lots of new friendships were forged and a good time was had by all.

Oh - I nearly forgot - she even dragged her piano over for the singalong! What a star!

After reading most of the Secret Santas I thought it was time to get to know a few more bloggers. So to start the ball rolling I thought rather than bore everyone with a MEME I'd invite everyone in for a "YOUYOU".

I wasn't planning writing anything on my "other blog" over the Christmas period but I've just received this message from one of my brothers:

Thanks, hope you have a good Christmas. Guess what? I am working Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. If you are up to the challenge perhaps a poem on your blog to all those working at Christmas!!!!!!!

Thanks bro!

A special mention for dairy farmers like our very own James of Lindow who milks at 5am every single day of the year.

Yesterday I played at being Santa's Little Helper and wrapped all my Grandchildren's Christmas presents for my daughter who had 1001 jobs to do.

Well I'm definately overboard - this is my first Secret Santa and I've drawn a real rebel. No prizes for guessing who Naughtical Old Nick. If you want to see the world from your armchair click here.

So without further ado - here's my little 'tribute' to Old Nick - Bon Noel et Bon Voyage!

Forget about that Johnny Depp
And the Pirates of the Caribbean
Our very own blog buccaneer
Is the only one we're seeing

I am your Secret Santa
Who's sailed the seven seas
So have a great Christmas
And do just as you please!

(Marian Barker aka La_spice)

Well not quite but mincepies and hot chocolate are now being served!

........ and thought of you!

Today was the last Pantomime rehearsal before Christmas - Oh yes it was!

The next rehearsal will be held here on 30th December ..............

Théâtre du Château à Jonzac

Followed by a dress rehearsal on 2nd January and the opening night on 3rd January (what a way to spend my birthday!)

Yesterday I told you about my three year old Grandson's misdemeanour (see Stop Thief). Well it seems that he was punished quite severely for his 'crime'. Not only was he marched back into school to face the music but a much worse punishment came at bedtime.

I guess that all schools have their own Christmas customs. At my Grandchildren's school the teachers put up a cardboard Christmas tree. On this tree hangs a number of little stockings containing a sweet (one for each child). Each day a child's name is drawn out of a hat and that child gets his or her sweet.

Yes he's old, grey and a bit worse for wear - I did warn you! But here he is in all his natural beauty.

I hope you enjoy them.

Come in, sit down, relax and have a *coffee.

Recipe For Friendship

Stir together until lumps and bumps are dissolved.

~ Author Unknown ~

* Now that's sorted - have you any gossip news?

Or so I've been told!

Dear Janet...........

Dear Wife,

I’m writing you this letter to tell you that I’m leaving you for good. I’ve been a good man to you for seven years and I have nothing to show for it… These last two weeks have been hell. Your boss called to tell me that you had quit your job today and that was the last straw. Last week, you came home and didn’t even notice that I had gotten a new hair cut, cooked your favorite meal and even wore a brand new pair of silken boxers. You came home and ate in two minutes and went straight to bed after watching all of your soaps. You don’t tell me you love me anymore. You don’t want sex anymore or anything, either you're cheating on me or you don’t love me anymore, whatever the cause I’m gone.

Your Ex-Husband

P.S. Don’t try to find me…Your sister and I are moving away together…Have a great life..

Dear John............

Dear Ex-Husband,

Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It’s true that you and I have been married for seven years, although a good man is a far cry from what you’ve been. I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining and griping. I did notice your hair cut last week , the first thing that came to mind was “You look just like a girl!” but my Mother raised me not to say anything if you can’t say something nice. And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with my Sister because I stopped eating pork seven years ago. I turned away from you when you had those new silk boxers on because the price tag was still on them. I prayed that it was a coincidence that my sister had borrowed £30.00 from me that morning…and your silk boxers were £29.99. After all of this, I still loved you and felt that we could work it out. So when I discovered that I had hit the lottery for ten million pounds, I quit my job and bought two tickets to Jamaica . But when I got home you were gone. Everything happens for a reason I guess. I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer said with your letter that you wrote, you won’t get a penny from me, So take care.

Signed… Rich as hell and Free.

P.S. I don’t know if I ever told you this but Carla, my sister, was born Carl. I hope that is not a problem.

Perhaps today's a good time to write your loved one that love letter after all?

Apparently so according to "The_Walrus". I can't see why and I am a bit dubious of polls.

Marian (aka Arnica aka La_spice)

Call me old-fashioned, sentimental and romantic if you want. I could think of worse things to be!

I think in this hustle and bustle age it's very important to let your loved one know exactly how you feel about him or her. Why not do something a little bit special from time to time. A little gift, a surprise telephone call or text message or even the occasional love letter?

This from Wikipedia:

A love letter is a popular way to express feelings of love in written form. Sometimes sent in the mail, and increasingly by electronic mail, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation of feelings.

Sometimes letters are preferable to face-to-face contact because they can be written as the thoughts come to the author. This may allow feelings to be more easily expressed than if the writer were in the beloved's presence. Further, expressing strong emotional feelings to paper or some other permanent form can be an expression within itself of desire and the importance of the beloved and the lover's emotions. The expression of feelings may be made to an existing love or in the hope of establishing a new relationship. The increasing rarity and consequent emotional charm of personal mail may also serve to emphasize the emotional importance of the message.

So what are you waiting for? ..................

ps - just after writing this I came across this article from today's (online)Telegraph. Strange co-incidence!

I spent quite a few hours yesterday rehearsing the pantomime Aladdin. Although it was a tiring day it was great fun and we managed to have lots of laughs. I thought I'd share this one with you:

The genie replied, "let me see that map again."

The other day I took this picture of some mistletoe which got me wondering.

a) Kiss regularly throughout the year
b) Only once a year under the Christmas mistletoe (or general anaesthetic)
c) Never kiss

Yesterday I came across the following article by Laura Schaeffer entitled “4 places your kisses count most” Take heed gentlemen!

“When it comes to kissing, the man who seems to have all the time in the world has exactly the right idea. At the beginning of a relationship, you want to reveal your tender, creative, passionate side. The kiss is the embodiment of all these wonderfully seductive qualities. It can't be hurried, or delayed, or — god forbid — avoided. Kissing is an essential part of romance but don't focus only on our lips, gentlemen. We loved the first kiss, the second kiss and the good night kiss. Now show us what else you've got... and maybe we'll return the favour.

This little map is anything but complete, as just about any spot of skin is a great place for a kiss: wrist, shoulder, eyelid, knuckle, feet — why not? Women will instantly relax and warm up to a man that understands how to be sensual. Whether you met your lady last week or have been married to her since Harold Wilson was at number 10, get those lips moving."

What are you waiting for! ……

I'll settle for bronze!

A Rusty Usky Moment!

Some of you will know that I'm busy rehearsing for an amateur production of Aladdin (Oh yes I am!) Well this morning I was rooting through my dressing up box (as one does!) in search of a skeleton costume to lend to the costume mistress. Right at the very bottom of the box I came across my wedding dress and my mind quickly visualised the Miss Haversham scene in "Great Expectations". Then I went on to think about the great expectations I had on my own wedding day almost forty years ago. For me it was to be a lifetime commitment - sadly it only stood the test of nineteen (mostly happy) years.

A theory.

ps For the ladies - don't miss How To Look Good Naked on Channel4 at 8pm tonight.

WARNING: contains some nudity!

Of course, I only found this picture as part of my research into French customs! If you're interested to see more of what I found click here.

A late entry!

...........this is what you might see!

Not a teddy bear in sight - or is there?

This is a not so subtle link to yesterday's poem and a last chance to post an autumn image.

Sh! if you listen very, very carefully you might just hear a leaf fall!

What a great television programme - every woman should have a friend like Gok Wan!

If you've never watched it then tune into Channel4 next Wednesday night.