Merry Xmas Wise Women
"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall".
Larry Wilde
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe and happy Xmas and I hope that all of your wishes and dreams come true!
Thank you for visiting Gigi and I throughout the year and sharing in our amazing ageing journey.
"Christmas is not just a day, an event to be observed and speedily forgotten. It is a spirit which should permeate every part of our lives".
- William Parks
My Week
Gigi and I
I haven't been quite the party goer this year as I usually am as I am still recovering from an illness that has really had me laying low. I sincerely empathise with all of you who are ill at this time of the year, it's a real party pooper isn't it?
Healing wishes to you!
I did however manage to attend the annual "James Family Xmas Bash" at the beautiful Camellia Gardens last weekend (my husbands side of the family).
We did away with traditional Xmas fare this year and opted for freshly barbequed sausage sandwiches with lashings of good old tomato sauce, closely followed by iced donuts, fruit mince pies, chocolate crackles and assorted lollies. A Dieticians nightmare! At least the kids loved it.
Santa arrived to the obvious delight of my squealing young relatives, and gifts were presented to each one with the opportunity of sitting on Santa's lap. Some of the younger children we not impressed by getting too close to Santa, but I certainly enjoyed sitting on his lap!
The shops here in Sydney are bursting at the seams with frantic shoppers trying to buy those special gifts in time for Xmas. It can be so difficult sometimes choosing gifts that people will appreciate and treasure. It’s even harder for me when I take Mr J along because each time I feel that I have found just what I am looking for, he bursts my bubble by saying...”what will they use that for?” Shopping with my hubby takes triple the time!
I really enjoy the Xmas Carols that continuously play throughout the shopping centre, the words fill my heart with all the good memories of Xmas, although I must admit, it would be difficult to work in the centre during the lead up to Xmas and hear them played over and over again every day - you'd be singing them in your sleep.
It’s nearly time to cook the turkey. Gigi’s family and mine are sharing Xmas Day at my daughter and son-in-law's home (my daughter is married to Gigi’s son). This year Gigi and I have been relieved of our hosting duties and are required only to cook a turkey each. On the Xmas Day Menu, we will be credited for our "Wise Women Turkeys" so I really hope that I don’t “stuff up” the stuffed turkey. If there is a disaster in the kitchen there is no possible way that I can race out and get a replacement on Xmas morning! Oh the pressure...
"May Joy be your gift at Christmas and may Faith, Hope and Love be your treasures in the New Year".
Gold at 66
Janice Lorraine
Incredible wise woman Janice, has recently won a bronze and gold medal in the Olympia Natural Body Building competition held in Queensland, Australia. What a woman, what a body! Janice is such an inspiration to all of us, if she can win body building competitions at age 66 what can we achieve?
Click hear to view Janice’s interview with Gigi 
"He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree".
Special Gifts
We could all make such a difference to families that are less well off than our own by buying a gift that keeps on giving...like a goat for $50 or even a duck for $20. Why not take up a collection at your Xmas Party and spread the joy by buying a gift that you know will be appreciated enormously. I guarantee it will fill you with joy. Visit World Vision -http://www.worldvision.com.au/Home.aspx
"I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included."
- Bernard Manning
Xmas it Australia
With temperatures well in the 30’s (centigrade), it seems crazy that many of us here in Australia still slave over a hot stove in searing temperatures to deliver traditional Xmas fare to the table. The hot traditional meal was obviously meant for countries experiencing colder climates this time of the year... not for the height of summer!
Although many of us have sensibly tried to make the change from cooking the hot traditional Xmas lunch in favour of barbeques, picnic styled food and cold seafood platters, we somehow seem to always come back to the family favoured - hot baked dinner with all the sweat and trimmings. Why? I guess it feels more like Christmas.
Read our take on an Aussie Xmas lunch.
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful".
- Norman Vincent Peale
Visit Gigi
Gigi is a self confessed “party girl”, she has honoured every party invitation she has received this Xmas and has enjoyed every one.
Even though she has been indulging in the ever so tempting Xmas nibbles, she has been earnestly burning off those chocolate rum balls at the local gym. Good onya G!
Check what she has been up to
"May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through"!
Wise Wishes for You.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were all fit, happy, healthy and at peace with ourselves? Unfortunately this is not always possible, and for those of you that are going through difficult times in your life – I wish you bucket loads of hope and strength.
Reach out to others for comfort if you can.
For those of you that are feeling great like you have the world at your feet – you have... so kick ass!
Enjoy your health and happiness and share some fun times with your family and friends.
Life is what we make of it so let’s make it a good one!
Here's cheers to you !
Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.
- Augusta E. Rundel 
Trackback Link
http://wisewomensworld.businesscatalyst.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=589&PostID=49332&A=Trackback
Trackbacks
Post has no trackbacks.
Hi Wise Women & thanks for visiting me.
Is it really December already? What happened to the year?
Time seems to be passing by so quickly or is it just me?
How are you going with the Xmas shopping?
Better than me I hope! Every year I find myself behind the eight ball. Just wish I could get my act together. Thankfully this year, Xmas Day is being hosted by my lovely daughter – so I am off the hook.
Wise women globally would love to hear just how you and your family celebrate Xmas in your special part of the world – please share your story with us by clicking here 
MY WEEK
Of all weeks... I have been feeling pretty damned lousy, particularly when I really want to enjoy the pre- Xmas joy. I have obviously been looking fairly crook too as people have been looking at me with sympathy and offering me their seats. This is what “really old” feels like!!! Please give me back my vibe!
To all of you out there that are not feeling the best – my sincere condolences and I wish you a full and speedy recovery. Hope you’re back on top soon (take it how you wish).
This healing gift is for you 
just stare at it for 5 seconds, make a wish and the magic of Xmas will help it come true.
Although I have been feeling like I have been run over by a Double Boogie Mac Truck , I managed to make it to the event of the year. My grandchildren’s Kindy’s Christmas Pageant. My son and daughter-in-law own the Kindy so it was a truly special occasion as I was blessed to see them perform too.
As the curtains ceremoniously drew open revealing the adorable Kindy class of 2009, I noticed that “Miss Charli” had managed to somehow manoeuvre herself to the front of the stage. Here she stood defiantly next to the lead character - "The Xmas Tree", even though she was suppose to be positioned further back with her fellow cast members “The Bunnies”.
She certainly seemed to enjoy the lime-light, during the finale she suddenly threw her dress over her head... revealing her pretty pink and blue pull-ups (nappy).
She's one little girl who knows how to get attention!
Miss C (in pink) just before the nappy revealing incident
My grandson “Bam Bam” (nearly 2) received a certificate for graduating from the baby’s room to the toddler’s room and he held his award high and proud. He also needed to be gently coaxed off the stage. Such young hams!
Bam Bam proud as punch graduating to the Todlers Room
I really dislike being ripped off, don’t you? I recently had my carpets cleaned and the technicians (I use that term loosely), raced around my carpeted areas and were all done before I’d finished off my morning cuppa.
They told me that they were successful in removing the stains and not to walk on the wet carpet for a few hours, so I dutifully headed to the shopping mall chuffed that I had nice clean carpet.
Upon my return later that day, I opened the door and I was certain, by the fowl stench permeating from inside the house that a number of sick, wet animals must had been held captive in my lounge room. I have never smelled anything like it. I don’t even own a furry pet, only goldfishI
The carpets eventually took a couple of days to dry and bingo... the dreaded stains still lurked. I contacted the owner of the carpet cleaning company whose less than sympathetic reply to my complaint was, “sorry, best we can do...bad luck”.
How’s that for customer service and good will!!! I was robbed $235.
Has this happened to you? Contact us 
The Remembering
Remember Gail O’Keeffe who recently launched her memoirs - Surviving Child Sexual Abuse?
Her story is powerful and inspirational and one that we all should read. I’ve been keeping in touch with Gail and she told me that she had recently been invited to speak on Forget Me Knot Day and here is a copy of her wonderful speech
When is a Tiger not a Tiger?
When he is a cheater (cheetah) of course! Sorry, bad joke...I take full responsibility for that one.
I can only imagine the devastation that Tiger Wood’s wife must been feeling, it was bad enough to learn that he had a single dalliance but now I think we are up to 9 separate affairs and still counting. If the count keeps climbing he may very well make the Guinness Book of Records.
Jokes aside, I know we all feel compassion for Mrs Woods and hope that somehow she can get through this with minimum of damage.
No amount of money can make up for disloyalty.
Read our story on Cheaters
Visit Gigi
Gigi is really into the Xmas spirit and is spreading much joy with her smiling face and positive attitude. She has become a sought after ‘celeb’ on the Sydney social scene and is attending all of the best parties.
This week she explains to us what’s been happening in Australia’s political scene – what a crazy time in politics.
Visit her now
Wise Words
Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance, a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.
Augusta E. Rundel
FOR YOU MY FRIEND
Aussie Bush Xmas
by Maurie Fields
Santa arrives in his horse drawn cart
Although it's real hot he's still playin' the part
Parks in the shade of a Coolabah tree
Rubs, Hoh-hoh-hoh, then slaps his knee
The kids gather 'round in their thongs and their shorts
Black, white and brindle, they come in all sorts
The presents come out and their beauty's no fear
Santa sits down and says give us a beer
An Aussie bush Christmas is a fabulous one
No sign of snow, just hot Aussie sun
But that doesn't matter 'cause this time of year
Christmas is Christmas, even out here
Come mutton and damper and chokin' wild duck
On soft paper plates off the back of the track
The Coolgardie safe's just loaded with beer
Enough liquid amber to last 'til New Year
The pavlova's meltin', the dogs think its grouse
They've already had half of it under the house
Young Mick Maloney comes down the track
He works in the city but he always comes back
An Aussie bush Christmas is a fabulous one
No sign of snow, just hot Aussie sun
But that doesn't matter 'cause this time of year
Christmas is Christmas, even out here
We're ready to leave and the truck's loaded up
There's nothin' much left 'cept some used paper cups
Old Paddy Maloney's asleep by a log
When he wakes up, he'll be sick as a dog
The spirit of Christmas was with us today
No fir trees, no tinsel, just smiles and gidday
But Christmas is Christmas, whether big, whether small
And an Aussie bush Christmas is the best one of all
An Aussie bush Christmas is a fabulous one
No sign of snow, just hot Aussie sun
But that doesn't matter 'cause this time of year
Christmas is Christmas, even out here.
Until Next Time Wise Women,
Treat yourself like a beautiful Xmas Tree...stand tall, add some colourful baubles and bows, a sprinkling of glitter and a little “star” power, branch out, flick the switch on and allow it to light up your life!
Enjoy!
Trackback Link
http://wisewomensworld.businesscatalyst.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=589&PostID=48751&A=Trackback
Trackbacks
Post has no trackbacks.
Comments
Post has no comments.