Tomorrow is the 1st December and soon we will all be saying Happy Christmas!! Have you started writing your Christmas cards yet? Have you done your Christmas shopping? Have you stopped to think for a moment what you mean when you say Happy Christmas? Are they merely words with no real content, which just trip off the tongue? Or is it in the vague hope that one day just for one day everyone might be Just Happy? Maybe next time you should say it and really mean it!

Who am I? If I'm not famous, not a celebrity, not in Hello magazine, what am I worth, who says I'm significant, if I'm taken for granted by many, abused by many and told I don't count. What am I worth?

My friend is approaching 40 and she said to me do you think Jess you have had the best 37 years of your life or do you think the best 37 are to come? Well that got me thinking cos I have had a fantastic life so far but I still think the best is yet to come....Forever the optimist me.... What do you think?

My friend keeps sending these amazing pictures from the Himalaya's which makes me yearn for a holiday!!
The morning has started well had two cups of c blank blank f blank e and I've started to feel great the running machine is filling me with feel good endomorphins yeeeeeeeeeeha. Funny moment I sprayed de-icer on my car windscreen this morning. By the time I'd gone 2 streets it had all frozen over in big round bobbles and I had nothing to scrape it with so I had to use my CD of Gorillaz! hmm Commander is huggin the kettle very amusing! Top tip for keeping warm! I prefer putting my knickers on the radiator...Just as an aside on a really hot day I put my knickers in a bag in the fridge haha..Just eaten a ham salad from Ann Panties (Ann's Pantry sandwich lady) and all is well on the Western front.
More holiday yearnings...On Friday I had a phone call from my friend Avril all the way from Majorca she has just secured a new property over there so she was all excited to tell me..bless...I then spoke to Mark..Avril's hubby and some very very funny spanish guy! Laff.... I was crying it was like that shaddaper ya face guy!
My mate has sent me this pic of Penny Lancaster! I must get some specs haha..Today we are missing our colleague Moonie Beam who has left us to move down south, so we just phoned him up and sang jingle bells on his voice mail...top tip...phone a friend today and do the same!!

Snow it's such a great leveller!! Today my garden looks just as beautiful as next doors! haha and tonight is anyone for snowballs ooooooooooo On Friday I drove past Jodrell Bank and it was all lit up and gorgeous. My eldest son called it the telephone scope when he was ickle, so every time I pass it I smile. To be fair it is a wonderous piece of engineering and it soo imposes on the cheshire landscape...love it!

Well It's December 1st on Thursday and Christmas preparations are in full swing...started an ickle production line of home made cards yesterday..it passes time haha

Anyway on Thursday I've booked High Tea at Crewe Hall for my Mum & Dad and ickle man and this is the place...ooo...how exciting...I hope it's all decked out with bells and holly...logs fires etc etc can't wait

Then of course on Saturday I am already looking forward to our ickle trip to the Metropolis Liverpool with Commander hehe never a dull momento

How much time have you spent with your partner lately? Not sitting on the sofa watching TV or over dinner, but real one-on-one time. It's amazing how much a little "private" time can help improve even the best of relationships. In the spirit of the quote by Torquato Tasso, "Any time not spent on love is wasted," I implore you to give your partner the most precious gifts of all... your time. Just in case ideas seem to be lacking on how to give your time, I've come up with a few suggestions:

Firstly, make it easier to spend a few minutes here and there talking by taking advantage of everyday actions. The perfect opportunity maybe in taking a few minutes before getting out of the car to go somewhere. Lean over and kiss your partner and tell them you love them. Then, ask how their day was or how they're doing. Call your partner up every so often, even if you live together, and just talk for a few minutes like old friends. Before you go to bed is also a great time to spend together. Talk about your goals and dreams and snuggle together.

Every once in awhile, take the day off or call in sick and just hang out together. Or, if you have kids, hire a nanny for the day or enlist a friend or family member to watch them, and go for a walk or have a picnic. Try to keep to activities that promote talking, unlike movies or concerts, etc.

Another fun way to promote one-on-one time is to find a hobby you can both do together.

When was the last time you both went out on a date? If it's been awhile, institute a date night. Ask your love out to a specific place, with a specific time to be ready. If you date quite often, make it an "at home" date. A picnic in the living room or a complete night snuggled in bed might be the perfect thing for you.

Lastly, when you're both bored and have no idea what to do, get up, light a few candles, break out any old board or card games, order a pizza and play. Even if you don't play for very long, it's still a perfect way to provide a little one-on-one time. Remember the words of Henry Van Dyke, "Time is... too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice; but for those who love, time is eternity." haha ignore me I'm such a dreamer

Everywhere I go peeps tell me I look like Penny Lancaster...

It's like play a different record! haha what do you reckon?? I mean I wish!!

On Friday night I ended up in my favourite haunt The Braz in Alderley Edge. For those of you who don't know it... it's a night club. Anyway it was a great night they have just opened up the club again after a makeover. It was very bizarre as the place has completely changed it was all familiar yet changed around and new decor. So I felt utterly lost, wierd!!

The rest of the weekend was spent holding bits of wood on walls at Don's and making soup jess folds arms in best old lady pose lol

Well today the weather is Wild & Exciting and I am in the mood for that

The morning has started well!! My colleague Johnnie Buck bought me a Howes meat and potato pie from Middlewich..bless...they have been making the pies in the same place with the same receipe since the 1800's. They have passed the receipe down through the family and wow was it fantastic!! It was still warm out of the oven and I can honestly say they are the best meat pies in the country!! Without a doubt!
Well today is Friday and there is no sign of snow....boo...hiss boo... me and Commander are going to the pub for our munchies today...chief trougher!!

Anyway Middlewich is 5 minutes away from Sandbach and is full of history.... Middlewich is one of Britain's chief salt-producing towns and has been so since Roman times. It is the home of British Salt!! Did you know Romans were paid in salt, and the district therefore held a valuable commodity. As the Roman soldiers were partly paid in salt. It is said to be from this that we get the word soldier - 'sal dare', meaning to give salt. From the same source we get the word salary, 'salarium'. FF4 today!!

Middlewich lay on a major Roman road from the Mersey at Warrington to Derby. They named the town "Salinae" (Latin = salt works).At Middlewich a fort was built on a defensive site above the River Dane and this became a staging post on the main military road to the North.... At Middlewich the Romans established their saltworks on land by the River Croco between the military fort and the site of the existing Celtic salt making settlement.

Tudor Middlewich was also known for for its cheese production. But salt has always been its major economy. By the late 18th century Middlewich had seen the arrival of the canals, which became vital in transporting salt and cheese from Middlewich and coal in from Staffordshire via the Trent & Mersey Canal. Many of Middlewich's houses were built by the waterways companies still survive alongside the towpaths, with adjacent stables for the horses which pulled the narrowboats. Yes we have wonderful views of the canal!! Commercial use of the canals declined after the Second World War with improved road and rail transport systems being preferred. However, in recent times, the canals have seen a renaissance in their fortunes as pleasure cruising on a narrowboat with the family has caught on as a popular holiday activity, and several boat hire companies have moved into the town to bring the canal system alive again. It's all them locks!! haha

I am Thankful :
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE. RRRRRR

MWAH!! YIPPEEE IT’S FRIDAYXX

Well today ickle man has to be dressed in Blue as this day is known as blue Friday. All week they have been doing activities at his school based on the theme of bullying. We live in such a sad society that bullying is a part of every day life. I'm glad they are raising the profile in schools. Yesterday was eventful haha, missed listening to my radio stint as we couldn't get Commander's car radio to tune in to Radio City..amazingly it skipped past every time!! haha anyway we went to Sandbach market in the wind and the rain it was bitter cold and the gusts were breathtaking how the guys working on the markets could stand working I don't know they must have underpants of steel haha After the umbrella blew inside oot for the umpteenth time we found the cheap bedding man and the £2 bag of veg man!! Inside my bag was a cabbage, 10 potatoes, 20 carrots, 1 onion and some broccoli how they do it for £2 and sooo fresh too I don't know I'm gunna make some soup cos today yes today wiv a bit of luck it's gunna snow yippeeeeeeeeeee...I've got my cute furry boots ready )

Thanks to my friend Juzzy for this idea...Have you ever looked up on google what happened on your Birthday as in Significant events.... Hey I just did...

45BC: New Year's Day

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1 for the first time in 45 B.C., when Roman dictator Julius Caesar establishes the Julian calendar. On the advice of the astronomer Sosigenes, Caesar added 67 days to the year 46 B.C. in order to repair the damage done to the imperfect Roman calendar by the passage of time. Celebration of New Year's Day in January fell out of practice during the Middle Ages, but after the adoption of the Gregorian--or modern--calendar in 1582, New Year's was again observed on the first day of January. Since then, people around the world have gathered en masse in cities and towns to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. It's very odd to think that before Mr Caesar came along we were 67days missing I wonder which 67days they were haha YAY PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999 every year on my Birthday!!!

Revolutionary leader William Tell starts revolt in Switzerland. Hmm1651
Charles II is crowned King of England at Scone in Scotland. 1772 Yum I like scones
First travellers' cheques are introduced by the London Credit Exchange Company 1801. Yay money
British Union Jack is first displayed in its present form.1833 YAY I'm very patriotic
Britain claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.1863 Hmm
US President Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation which gives slaves their freedom.1868 FANTASTIC!
Founding of the Royal National Institute for the Blind.1876 Good
Bass Ale is registered as a British trade mark.1877 Hic
Queen Victoria of England is proclaimed Empress of India.1890 Hmm
Football nets used in goals for the first time in a match at Bolton.1894 Where would we be without footie nets!!
Official opening of the Manchester Ship Canal linking Manchester to the River Mersey.1894 Great I like ships
Formation of the YMCA .1894 It's fun to stay at the YMCA gets up and dances!!
Building of the famous Blackpool Tower in England is completed.1904 Yup never been up but love it!!
Car registration plates are introduced into Britain.1906 Hey where would we be without our JESS1 plates lol as if haha
Helmuth von Moltke is appointed Chief of German General Staff.1913 hmm
British Board of Film Censors is introduced.
1920 ok!
Start of the League of Nations - the forerunner to the creation of the United Nations after World War Two.1948 FAB
The private railways of Britain are nationalised.
1960 Yay British Rail
Britain's smallest and lowest denomination coin, the 'farthing', is no longer legal tender 1974 Boo hiss boo such a sweet ickle ickle thing
New Year's Day becomes an official British national public holiday.1994 Hey holiday always on my birthday!!
A £2 coin is introduced in Britain.1995 Yay money!!
In England, notorious murderer and serial killer Frederick West commits suicide in prison aged 53.1999 Great he was a nutter!!
An influential opinion poll in Britain names English playwright William Shakespeare as the Man of the Millennium 1999 Indeed he was!
Official launch of the new 'Euro' currency.
1944 Yay money again!!
Hank Williams. US country music star. Dies from pills and alcohol aged 29. 1969 Gosh that's young
English writer Ian Fleming -creator of fictional British Secret Service Agent 'James Bond' - dies aged 80.1972 Love Bond Movies
So there we have it...my momentous Birthday haha

Well I nipped home at lunchtime and there waiting on the door mat was my letter from the TV company with a cheque yippeeeee!! All thanks to ickle man and a crazy prize programme haha I have managed to persuade my eldest son and a m8 of his to lift my running machine upstairs which is STILL downstairs where the argos men left it!! waaaah oh sadness of no men to ask!! haha Sooo he's coming round later which is gr8 so I can get on it!! yay After lunch was just pondering what excitement was coming next and radio celeb txts me do I wanna do another radio stint hey yes of course bring it on!! haha He then phones to do it....and adds that my voice is on one of the promo's now also hehe.... ho hum who'd have thought it 4 yes 4 radio gaga radio googoo stints in a hife time now hahaha I can't help but be a big kid it's like 5 mins of fame lol maybe I could be a radio celeb too? NOT hahaha Yay for Radio City!! Switch it on now!! My son PJ came round with his m8 and assembled the running machine for me!! Quite comical really!! haha bless anyway been on for 20mins I can see I'm going to be addicted!! haha however I think I am going to be in competition with ickle man as he keeps wanting to go on it...

Liverpool are on Sky Sports Extra fingers crossed we get through to the final 16!!

Well tomorrow is Thanksgiving....I deal with lots of Amercians and I've never really known what Thanksgiving was all about..soooo today I found out...so for those of you who didn't know either here you go!!
Celebrating a Harvest of Tradition
The fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving Day, ushers in the "official" start of the Christmas season in the American & Candian world. It's a bit of a Harvest Festival haha which is one of the oldest known festivals.... In the UK it is traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon. This moon is the full moon around the time of the Autumn Equinox in September. Unlike the USA and Canada, the UK does not have a national holiday for Harvest Festival. waaahhhh we need more holidays haha
The USA & Canada have parades, huge family meals, wall-to-wall football (which does make one question whether the turkey or the football is the featured course of the day), and the appearance of Santa (Father Christmas to us) throughout shopping "malls", the festival has become a commercial event in which the origins and meaning of the day are almost totally obscured. The modern day Thanksgiving is a far different occasion than the original.

Thanksgiving's Beginnings
It is widely assumed that the first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 and was celebrated by the Pilgrims, English settlers, and local Native Americans. However the Native American people had celebrated the harvest, in one form or another, for several thousands of years prior to European colonization. The first documented "thanksgiving" observance actually occurred in 1578. An English adventurer, Martin Frobisher, held a formal ceremony in what is now known as New Foundland to give thanks for having survived the long ocean journey from Plymouth on the Mayflower.

Thanksgiving Today
Thanksgiving, as the Americans know it today, has come a long way from the Pilgrim's harvest festival in 1621. It is an event that seems, as each year goes by, to reinvent itself and to expand its meaning to larger vistas.Yup that's the American's!! haha Maybe this is the real significance of the occasion; for as we continue to change and grow as a people, there are an increasing number of things for which we can be thankful.

Thanksgiving is a time for tradition and sharing. Even if they live far away, family members gather for a reunion at the house of an older relative. Everyone will bring something they've cooked to add to the table. If they can't cook then they'll bring wine...cheers! But part of the trick of being the host is to ensure that the contributions are evenly spread.haha nice one! Traditionally, people use turkey oh and vegetables that would have been stored in cellars to last throughout the winter: squash, sweet potatoes, onions, brussel sprouts, apples, pumpkins, dried apricots, and corn. Visually that's wonderful, too, because they reflect the colours of the fall or autumn as we know it haha: orange, browns, tans, and gold. The kids often kick a pumpkin round on a piece of ground outside. They all link hands and say grace before they eat...all give thanks together for the good things that they have. The main meal is followed by goodies including pumpkin pie, pecan pie, sweet potatoes and an apple and butternut squash bake...washed down with mulled cider and beer...hic In this spirit of sharing, civic groups and charitable organizations offer a traditional meal to those in need, particularly the homeless. On most tables throughout the United States, foods eaten at the first thanksgiving have become traditional.

Turkey, corn (or maize), pumpkins and cranberry sauce are symbols which represent the first Thanksgiving. Now all of these symbols are drawn on holiday decorations and greeting cards. The use of corn meant the survival of the colonies. "Indian corn" as a table or door decoration represents the harvest and the fall season.

Sweet-sour cranberry sauce, or cranberry jelly, was on the first Thanksgiving table and is still served today. I think I might cook a token thanksgiving meal tonight we'll a bit of turkey and a few sprouts and spuds haha just to feel warm glowy feelings haha

Change......how fast our world changes it is quite incredible!!

Well it's quite late to be blogging. However I've not been home that long... things have been jammy packed busy again. Left the orifice on time only to find ickle man delayed cos of Dance Class..he came running out of school in shorts and a t-shirt... bless it must have been freezing for his knobbly knees! Called at home to dress him in shirt and jeans and then hit the M6....traffic was quiet until we hit the M56...then it was nasty pasty. Still not got my CD player back the hole it has left is begging,screaming at me and hitting it's head on the dashboard to get me to fill it with a tv and sat nav.... yet I have resisted... upto now! haha Ickle man insisted I listen to his I-pod and sing along to make him laff...so that's what i did, did the microphone with the fist and kept prompting him to fill in the gaps..I was bouncing around in the fwaffic jam dancing and singing to amuse him. I had a few crazy looks but hey the 45mins spent in fwaffic passed very quickly! hehehe gr8 laffs...I know memories are often associated with tunes so I hope we made a good one...My eldest son rang me up one night out of the blue he was listening to another day in paradise by Phil Collins...he had remembered when he was ickle and we used to dance and sing along to that tune whilst watching the cars pass on the main road outside...makes being a Mum all worthwhile when you are appreciated .. Charlotte made a perfick job of my locks...was good to catch up...she had lovely perfume on which she had bought in the Trafford Centre...it smelt sooo good I had to go straight there afterwards and get some!! Guys if you're interested for your women Space NK Laughter...I'm gunna drown in it tonight smells amazing!!! So yes me and ickle man ended up in The Trafford Centre Tiggi's again haha guess we are now regulars hehe..ickle man had burger and chips, garlic bread, chocolate milkshake and chocolate icecream... I had pasta and salmon washed down with a glass of wine which meant this ickle piggy went weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee all the way home

Well last night me and ickle man had the most gorgeous fresh haddock all the way from the North East...Hmm it says..fresh this morning...haha..got a vision of boats bobbing now.. Haddock steaks for tea cooked in the microwave in milk.... fantastic 3 minute wonder ( I always cook my salmon like this as well... well it hmm it melt's in the mouth..try it) ...anyway served up with peas and mashed potato..was yummy followed by apple pie!
Anyway just thought I'd talk about food as I'm hungry!! I've already had tuna pasta salad..chief trougher that I am.
After that we watched a DVD I-Robot with the dreamy Will Smith..i thought the film was excellent, it was right up my street...lots of techie, futuristic type scenes and I thought the car crash in the tunnel was amazing..action packed!!
Tonight the lovely Charlotte is tinting my hair should be a laff especially if it goes green haha only joking
Ooooooooooo Look at this pic my friend has just sent me of climbing in the Himalaya's, amazing

I like to dream up
I like to stimulate
I like to develop my own ideas
I like to think
I like to play
I like to explore
I like to do
I like to share
I like to inspire

I have a robin outside my window...a gorgeous splash of colour on a foggy grey day....O the red red robin came bob bob bobbing along... Growth means different things to different people...growing a business or maybe growing plants haha

We grow when we live consciously rather than unconsciously (so often we are on automatic pilot). Yup I've stopped driving to work with ickle man still in the car haha

We grow through our willingness to make mistakes. Yup I make many haha

We grow when we take a risk face and move through our fear and inner resistance to bring more into our lives. Yes I did buy rather a lot of marble balls to add to the other lot of marble balls but hey haha

We grow when we align ourselves with our Higher self (spirit) and begin to live our life in harmony with the Universe rather than seeking to struggle against our evolution. Yup I am at peace and very happy with my lot

We grow when we awaken a new soul quality such as a sense of adventure or a small wonder. Yes the robin sure is gorgeous and it sure perches well BO SELECTA!!

We grow by doing something differently and unexpected and through embracing our inner vulnerability. Yup every day I like to try something different

We grow through relationships and being congruent in our dealings with others. Yes I love all my friends and family..hugs!

Ultimately we grow through being loving and always acting from love.

Growth is opportunity to discover the depth of your character, the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible, to drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder, seeking answers to your many questions with no answers

Blind (as a bat)
A vampire bat came flapping in from the night, face all covered in fresh blood and perched himself on the ceiling of the cave to get some sleep. NB.BO SELECTA bats perch also!! haha
Pretty soon all the other bats could smell the blood and began hassling him about where he got it.
Initially he told them all to piss off and let him get some sleep, but they persisted until he finally gave in.
"OK, OK, follow me", he said and he flew out of the cave with hundreds of bats behind him.
Down through a valley they went, across a river and into a huge forest until finally he slowed down and all the other bats excitedly milled around him, tongues hanging out for blood.
"Do you see that large oak tree over there ?" he asked, pointing with his wing.
"Yes, yes, YES....!!" the bats all screamed in a frenzy.
"Good," said the first bat, "Because I bloody didn't...!!"

Which reminds me haven't seen the bats that fly round my house at night recently. Do they hibernate?

Q : What do you call a man with no shins ?
A : Tony !

Sole mate
I'm feeling a bit lonely at the moment and so I decided life would be more fun if I had a pet.
So, I went to the pet shop and told the owner that I wanted to buy an unusual pet.
After some discussion, I finally bought a Centipede which came in a little white box to use for his house.
I took the box back home, found a good location for it to live and then decided I would start off by taking my new pet to the pub to have a drink.
So, I asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go down the Queen's Head with me and have a beer ?"
However, there was no answer, so I waited a few minutes and then asked him again.
Again no reply....
Thinking that maybe he had dozed off, I shouted, "Fancy a beer ?"
No reply again from my new friend and pet, so I waited a few minutes more.
I decided to ask him one more time; this time putting my face up against the centipede's house and bellowing, "Hey, in there ! Would you like to go to Pub and have a drink with me ?"
A little voice came out of the box, "I heard you the first time ! I'm still putting my bloody shoes on !"

I've been to the Trafford Centre Christmas shopping.....it was soooooooooo busy it was nasty pasty! Managed to get one or two presents though and had a gorgeous meal in Tiggi's before we left!! Ickle man had melon then pizza I had garlic bread followed by farfalle salmone.....yum yum...Funny moment the waiter couldn't speak English...i asked if he had a bin... I then said I have some rubbish to put in it...he said ah yes toilet? oh no hahahahahaha did he think I wanted to empty my bag?????????? very funny me and ickle man laughed all the way home..called off to see my friend on the way home and ickle man got his i-pod working with a lot of assistance...what a who-ha they are!! Drove home in the fog in the dark waaaaaah how spoooky..OOooooooooo anyway been home a couple of hours now and ready to hit the sack...gotta get up early as going shopping for stock zzzzz

This is the worlds view on the top 70 most beautiful words x
The magnificent....I hope I am all of these haha

Mother

Passion

Smile

Love

Eternity

Fantastic

Destiny

Freedom

Liberty

Tranquillity

Peace

Blossom

Sunshine

Sweetheart

Gorgeous

Cherish

Enthusiasm

Hope

Grace

Rainbow

Blue

Sunflower

Twinkle

Serendipity

Bliss

Lullaby

Sophisticated

Renaissance

Cute

Cosy

Butterfly

Galaxy

Hilarious

Moment

Extravaganza

Aqua

Sentiment

Cosmopolitan

Bubble

Pumpkin

Banana

Lollipop

If

Bumblebee

Giggle

Paradox

Delicacy

Peekaboo

Umbrella

Kangaroo

Flabbergasted

Hippopotamus

Gothic

Coconut

Smashing

Whoops

Tickle

Loquacious

Flip-flop

Smithereens

Oi

Gazebo

Hiccup

Hodgepodge

Shipshape

Explosion

Fuselage

Zing

Gum

Hmm the morning started early with a phone call from Argos at 7.30 saying they would be with me before 9am...yay my running machine...boo hiss boo they wouldn't lift it upstairs for me! The guy said you can lift it up piece by piece, it's to do with the unions blah blah blah haha how's a gal on her own meant to manage...waaaaah I wish my brother lived near by!! The car was completely iced over this morning and the can of de-icer which I'd left in my car was sooooo cold it was painful and it took about 10mins and even then it iced over again...anyway droppped off ickle man. Next I get a phone call from eldest son...do I know anyone who can get XBox 360's? Well that then started me on a mission and it appears there isn't anywhere on the planet who will guarantee them before xmas so I ordered two from Amazon and fingers crossed haha...however if any of you know a man who can...let me know please!! Commander has just been to Sandbach for lunch and has bought me as a present an ickle tree decoration.... bless...how sweet... it's pink...I'm on a pink theme this year!! My tree is going to be bl