Newsletter from Plaigne, December 2008

Entertainment at the banquet, Bunratty Castle

Plaigne Newsletter, December 2008

Hello and I hope this finds you all well. We’re all well, including the 3 cats and Polly and Loupio. Thank you to all who’ve sent cards, letters, emails and presies.

We have projects for our house. We are continuing with the Grange rental (and have bookings for next year already), but the apartment is going to become the main entrance to our house. David has almost completed the new bathroom in there. It’s looking really good. Next step will be to knock through into my cave so that we can get into the apartment without going outside. We’ll then use that bathroom while D does the family bathroom upstairs. So it is ongoing work.

This year, David and I decided to have some adventures and discover a bit of the world we live in. In February, we took the four girls to England. On the way up we stayed in Paris, surprised them by going to EuroDisney and then stayed the night in Paris again.

When we arrived in England we found it cold and misty. As we approached Caister, the freezing mist was very worrying and made us lose our way a little. We rang John and he came to find us. We had a very nice stay with John and Jane. We went to the sea front at Great Yarmouth (which brought back memories for me of our family hol there). John and Jane treated us to chips in the market place and ice creams down by the sea front. Yum Yum! Thanks John and Jane; we enjoyed our little stay in Caister.

Next stage was to drive to D’s parents, leave the car there and take the train to London where we stayed for 3 nights in a hotel. We did a lot of walking and sight seeing and were all exhausted in the evenings!

Next stage was to stay at D’s sister’s in Maidstone. We thank Sue and Ken for their hospitality. Much appreciated. We were able to visit family and take Mum to Broadstairs. It’s a place that D and I have always liked and the girls seem to like it too. Mum treated us to fish and chips so we had our fix. When asked what they liked best about their hol, the twins said that it was seeing the family. They were certainly very happy at D’s parent’s and enjoyed Nanny’s cooking.

In July, I suddenly decided to visit Rome. I offered to take the girls, but the twins told me to just take Daddy and they’d look after the little ones for me. I think they knew that I wasn’t going to Rome to relax. I’d write out an itinerary every evening and then make sure that we did everything on the list. D still managed to go swimming every day. I joined him once. It was very hot in Rome, more than 40°. We went to Italy on a cruise ship from Barcelona. That was a great start to the hol. We stayed one night in a hotel right in Rome. Driving in Rome is rather hazardous. They are mad! Walking across the road is taking your life in your hands. I was limping due to a cricket injury, so I used the zebra crossings. Do they take any notice of them? No, not even with red lights. They even bib you to get off the crossing and out of their way!

The rest of our stay in Rome was in a bungalow in Village Roma. We left the car parked at the bungalow and used the shuttle to the Vaticun every day. We loved Rome and intend to return. We took the cruise ship back to Barcelona again. D didn’t want to get off! That is someone who doesn’t like to travel by water. Ha Ha! It certainly makes us want to go on a longer cruise.

Also in July, we took the girls camping at St Nazaire on the Med. We all had a great, relaxing time. We visited Colioure. We all like it there. At the beginning of September, we took the two little ones back to St Nazaire again. I got a virus in my puter which actually slowly killed it off. GC brought life back to it, but I lost many of your email addresses. I haven’t managed to find them all, so forgive me if I haven’t contacted you.

Later in September, D and I flew to London and took the train to Sittingbourne to stay a few nights with Den and Enid (thank you), and then we returned to London. We went to the theatre twice, to see Mama Mia and The 39 Steps. Buckingham Palace was great, of course. We got in for free which was a bonus. There was a state banquet set up. It was a wonderful sight. I still think the Queen needs to sort some of her net curtains!

In October, D and I went to Bunratty, Ireland. It rained nearly all the time we were there, but it was beautiful, all the same. I took lots of photos with my new camera and a couple of them won in the photo fun competition at Adlandpro. We went to a medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle, one evening and were greeted by the butler, as My Lord and My Lady. I could get very used to that, so you know how to address me from now on!

We plan on exploring more and taking our discoveries further afield as and when we are able (as much as poss).

For Xmas, us females all sang in a concert at Orsans. Ray and Isa joined in with “Away in a Manger.” On 20^th Dec, some of us villagers put on an Xmas meal for friends of Plaigne. We had a Father Christmas for the kids. Chris, who played FC, was almost melted to tears by Isa, who gave him a big cuddle. He had a large lump in his throat and could hardly speak.

On Xmas Eve, at 6 pm, I was asked to lead carol singing in the village, down by the mairie. It was cold but we had mulled wine to warm us up. At 8 pm, we had some friends, Karen and Adrian and their kids here for a meal. All the Pritchards were present (which doesn’t happen very often these days). We had to add an extra table and chairs. It was a lovely evening and we saw in Xmas Day. Xmas Day was spent as a family day and I didn’t go anywhere near my puter (which can’t be said for GC, but he did hold out til 10 pm).

I’m finding it very difficult with only an extra slow dial-up connection, but my Internet business is progressing and Angel Cuddle Publishing is official. I have an office in London and am registered in England. This complicates matters sometimes when I’m filling in electronic forms. I’m living in France, but have a business address in England and the forms can’t always cope with me. Ooooh la la. I’m putting my best foot forward and overcoming all obstacles.

Well, dear people, here’s to an abundant 2009 and beyond for us all, full of love and joy and peace. Please sign our peace petition: http://angelcuddlesforpeace.com

Many blessings and of course, angel cuddles (my signature),

Sarah & co

Ps weather report: 26^th woke up to land covered in white stuff and kids used sledge. 27^th no white stuff anywhere and sun shining, but windy.

Season's Greetings

Bonjour!

I wish you all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

May it be a new year of abundance in every sense, a year of adventures and discoveries, and of comfort and love.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

Angel Cuddle Publishing

Winning Streak......

Well, I've been a happy bunny lately.

My photographs won two weeks running over at Adlandpro.

They were both from my visit to Bunratty, Ireland.

Here is the first one:



Pretty farmhouse windowsill, Bunratty, Ireland

Here is the second:



Oh is this pose ok? Bunratty House, Ireland

My prize was to have my photo displayed in a prominent position in Adland for the week.

Earlier in the year, I won a short story competition over at Facebook. My prize was a writing course book.

Last weekend, I won second prize of $150 in the Comments Contest at Blognet Awards.

I’ve been commenting again. Also my blog is one of the nominated blogs in the Best Literary Blog category.

Here is the link: http://blognetawards.com/angel-cuddles-writing for you to pay a visit, and once you have voted, why don’t you make some comments and perhaps you’ll be a winner like I was.

Mine was the second prize. You may do better!!

The Angel Cuddle Publishing blog, is also nominated in the Best Internet Marketing Blog category.

You can take a look here: http://blognetawards.com/angel-cuddle-publishing

Why not go along and vote and then leave some comments. Perhaps you will win in the comments contest, like I did.

Lastly, have you seen Best Forum of the Year Award voting at Adlandpro? My forum, Sarah’s Emporium, was one of the nominated forums. My forum won Best Forum of the Month earlier in the year with $200 winnings, so it was automatically nominated in the Best Forum of the Year competition.

Here is the link: http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/1166912.aspx

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

ps I'd love to welcome you in my forum too. You can pay a visit by clicking here.

Blog update and let this be a warning to you

I’ve neglected all my blogs. There are a number of reasons.

I was at St Nazaire, South France, on the Mediterranean. I used a wifi passcard. This isn’t a secure system, unfortunately. My computer caught a virus and when I returned home, at first I couldn’t get IE or Firefox to work, but Crazy Browser worked. Then, that wouldn’t work and gradually my computer died. It didn’t know that it was a computer anymore! My son managed to save some data, but I lost a great deal of data.

My son re-installed Windows, but it is now Vista instead of XP and I’m having to learn how to use it. Certain things that worked before, don’t now, but I’m coping and gradually improving the situation.

Take this as a warning to always backup. I had planned to buy an external hard disk to save everything on when I returned from St Nazaire, but I was unlucky and got the virus at St Nazaire.

I’ve got a hard disk now and save everything as I go along. It is a very slow process getting things back to ‘normal’ (especially on dial-up).

Focus has been put on setting up Angel Cuddle Publishing on and offline. That isn’t completely done yet but I’m slowly sorting that.

I’ve also been doing some travelling and exploring. I went to London and Bunratty, Ireland. Earlier in the summer, I went to Rome. I plan to visit and explore as many places as I can on this planet, starting with Europe, but setting my sights further afield.

What else has happened?

I was one of the winners in a short story competition, an event run by Jim Green on Facebook, at Creative Writers Hangout. Click here to take a look.

I’ve been nominated for the Just Perfect Award at Adlandpro. This isn’t the first time I’ve been nominated. I guess I’ll have to work on being more perfect, if I want to win. LOL.

Who is it that said that there is no such thing as a perfect person, just people with perfect intentions? Anyway, being nominated makes me feel good.

I’ve signed a world peace solution petition and have actually set up a petition for you to esign. If you wish to sign a petition for world peace, please go to http://angelcuddlesforpeace.com

Well, I’ll sign off now. I intend to keep my blogs more up to date, now that my computer is more sorted.

Oh, before I go, if you feel that I should have your email address, then let me know at address@sarahp.earthgreenmail.com as I lost my address book when the computer went down.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

Countdown to Earth Day

For the history of Earth Day take a look here.

About Earth Day Network

Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.

Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect, interact, and have an impact on their communities, and create positive change in local, national, and global policies. EDN's international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in our campaigns every year.

Our mission is to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue our mission through education, politics, events, and consumer activism.

Earth Day Network’s Mission Statement

EDN seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue these goals through education, politics, events, and consumer activism.

Read more here.

The Rose

I sang The Rose with my twin daughters, Demelza & Verity, in a concert last April.

They didn't know the Rose, so I showed them a video of a very dear friend singing it, when we did a concert in England, a good number of years ago.

My friend died just a few months after singing the song, from a brain tumour. When she first sang it in rehearsals just about everyone in the room had a tear in their eyes. There was so much communal emotion in the air. So, when I hear the Rose after some time of not hearing it, I have a tear in my eye.

I often think of my friend Peggy. She was like a mother to me. Peggy told me once, that I should follow my heart and follow my dreams. "Don't leave it too late or you will regret it," she said. I'm following her advice.

When I hear the Rose, it is stimulation and inspiration, albeit a tear at my heart too.

Here's to following our dreams.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

for the inspiration.

Thank you

A Simple Poem from the Heart

A Simple Poem from the Heart

Daddy, I don’t want you to suffer,

But Daddy, I don’t want you to go.

Sarah, I won’t be gone, ever,

But my suffering has to go, you know.

Daddy! I love you my Daddy.

My Sarah, I love you too.

Daddy, please don’t ever leave me.

Sarah, that I will never do.

Sarah, it’s almost his time.

We’re all with him; I’ll give you a call.

I’m waiting, waiting; it’s just a matter of time.

Daddy, Daddy, can you hear me call?

Sarah, are you there? Please take my hand.

I’m here Daddy; here’s a cuddle for you Pop.

I’m just about ready to go to the other land.

Daddy, keep me in your heart; don’t ever stop.

Oh Daddy, your angel guides have come.

Don’t worry Daddy; just follow their light.

Here, place your hands in their hands. “Welcome.”

Oh Daddy, you look so peaceful and, like them, so bright.

Daddy, I love you; you’ll always be a smile in my heart.

Sarah, I love you; I’ll always be here for you, your guiding light.

The Angels, take care of Daddy; put the strength back in his heart.

We’ll always be united in angel cuddles, love and light.

By Sarah & Raymond Barton

© Copyright Sarah Pritchard October 2007

Newsletter from Plaigne Jan 2008

The winning photo of Dodo

Away in a manger

La famille

Loupio and Polly

Bonjour from Plaigne, 2007

Yes, another year has gone by, and I hope this newsletter finds you in good health. Thank you to those who sent cards, presies, messages, wishes.

At the beginning of this year, we added two animals to our family, Polly the pony and Loupio the donkey. David converted the wood shelter into a stable for them. We are greeted with eeaws and winnies every morning. They are lovely.

In February, David and I did a couple of days business/pleasure trip to London. Had a great time, despite it being freezing cold. Went to the theatre to see Billy Eliot. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend that you get tickets.

The tennis team now includes Raymonde. She now has a collection of medallions which she won at tournaments. For her age, she’s a very good player (but she does have her personal, resident coach to train her). Johnny and Benjamin had to play each other in the local finals. Jn won. In the same competition finals, they played together as the doubles team and won. So the Pritchards were famous in the local news! David and BJ have started skiing again. D bought some new skis. They thoroughly enjoy it.

GC usually spends the week in Toulouse and the weekends here (along with his washing!). He didn’t like uni, so he left at the end of the first year and is now doing a correspondence course, while working as a temp.

BJ is working in Mazères and studying at home for his Bac. He’s still the tennis coach at Belpech Tennis Club. He also still does jobs for the ‘fat lady,’ the handicapped lady in the village. He even went to help her on Christmas morning.

Jn declared that he was leaving school and the last school year spent a lot of time awol!! He has now become an apprentice electrician. He found a very good boss in Belpech (who also happens to play tennis). He spends one week per month at the CFA in Toulouse (so stays with GC), and the other weeks he works. He is having fun. At last, he has found his niche.

D & V have finished first term at the lycée in Pamiers, but they don’t like school and are trying to find their niche. Watch this space!

Raymonde has started proper school and came home with an excellent report. Apparently, the teacher tells her to cover her work so that the others don’t copy her. Oooohooo!

Isabelle started in the maternelle in September, Lord bless them all. She is a real ‘character.’ She does mornings only, so goes off on the bus and I collect her at midday. She loves it. She sometimes has “no” days, when she doesn’t want to do anything on offer, but she’s so sweet that she gets away with it, and does her own thing. Wonder who she takes after!

I still do choir and drama with the amicale. For Easter, I was asked to write and produce a sketch for the amicale annual meal. They wanted something very English, so I wrote a mini panto, with an Easter twist, in English and then translated it into French. It was difficult to convert the humour. Everything about a panto was new to the French and I had to do an explanation of panto and cross dressing, before they watched it. I had to teach them that audience participation was required, but they really enjoyed it, and I’ve been asked to do another for next Easter. I’m contemplating publishing the English version. Ray, V & D were in the panto and I was the Fairy Queen. Little did I know that I was getting into practise for being a queen.

I’ve been working on the net and this week I was voted Person of the Week on Adlandpro, a business social networking site. Not bad, as there are over 66000 members. They are addressing me as Queen Sarah (don’t that sound grand). Last week, I won $50 in the photo competition, with a photo of Dodo on the creeper. So, I’m a happy bunny!

Been writing. Have a number of projects on the go to be finished off. Am working on a website, www.angelcuddlepublishing.com and have started some forums. Still teach English on Thursday afternoons. Sadly, one of my students, Edmonde, who was a very great friend, passed on, this year. I miss her a great deal, as do the other students. She is with the angels now, as is Daddy. (I was recently inspired to write a poem about that). You can read it on my blog. It is a poem of love and comfort, written from the heart.

David is a team captain at the tennis club, and as I said earlier, he likes his skiing. He continues to do building and maintenance work. He gets a lot of work via word of mouth, and has so much work that the chateau renovation has slowed up, but it now has windows on the ground floor.

We did well with the gites this year, despite a slow start. An American gent has been in the Grange since October, while his house is being renovated. David is down to work there in the new year too. D is going to do improvements in the apartment bathroom, including putting in a new window, so we’re not taking bookings for that one at the mo, but we’ve started taking bookings for the Grange.

We didn’t manage a holiday together this year. Missed taking the caravan to the seaside, but bookings, work for David, and D&V and a number of other issues meant that we didn’t manage it. I took the girls out for daytrips and David joined us when he could or wanted to. Sometimes we did girly things! We visited all sorts of interesting places. Had a good time.

David & I flew to London for a 5 day break, in September. We had beautiful weather and a great time. Visited Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park (every day!), Foreign & Commonwealth Office (like a palace), the theatre to see “Wicked” (and it was wicked), pub lunches, were invited to lunch with some friends, Karen & Adrian (we had a lovely time, thanks) and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We love the children, but it was wonderful to have some time just for us. That doesn’t happen very often.

We plan a visit to England with the 4 girls, in February. Visiting friends at Caister, London and family. Looking forward to it. Hope it won’t be too cold!

For Xmas, we did the usual evening in the village church. The girls sang (including Isa) Away in a Manger, in English and French and they were in a sketch. The little ones were tramps, as you can see in the photo on my blog.

I hope you all had a merry Xmas and wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah

Organic gardening

I came across this news item. I found this very interesting, especially as I've started a forum about taking care of Mother Earth.

If you would like to see my beautiful forum, or should I say Mother Earth's beautiful forum (as it is she who creates the beauty for us to wonder at and be peaceful with), or better still, contribute some beauty yourself, go here. Please note that if you wish to contribute you need to join the social network first. Here is an invitation where you can join.

This article applies to all of us.

I found it interesting that the article says that the farm workers on an organic farm are working in a healthier environment too. As you know, my children work for an organic farmer in the holidays and some weekends. They used to work for a non-organic farmer and David sometimes helped out there too.

One summer, a few years ago, whilst doing the maize, GC collapsed in the field. I had to take him to hospital. B and D were also unwell and had breathing probs, along with some other workers on the farm. At the hospital, they couldn't find out what the problem was, but I have my suspicions that it was something to do with the products that had been sprayed on the fields.

Here's the article:

In my mission to take care of my bit of Mother Earth, I've joined an online gardening club, Green Wiz.

Perhaps you'd like to join too. You can take a look here.

Angel cuddles,

Sarah