Reindeer - last seen in Chelmsford High Street mingling with Christmas shoppers.

Answers to the name of Rudolph.

Reward if found.

Santa x

Come out mother!

A couple were going out for the evening. After getting ready, they put the cat out on their way out of the house to get in the taxi. The cat, however, had a different idea and scampered back inside before they could get out. They didn't want the cat shut in the house, so the wife went on out to the taxi while the husband went back in to chase the cat out.

The wife, not wanting it known that the house would be empty, explained to the taxi driver "My husband will be here in just a moment. He's just gone upstairs to say goodbye to my mother."

A few minutes later, the husband got into the cab. "Sorry I took so long" he explained, "Stupid old thing was hiding under the bed and I had to poke her with a coat hanger to get her to come out!"

Happy Christmas from Darth Penster!

Maybe that should read 'daft Penster' instead!

Oh, and just in case you were wondering(!) - I borrowed the mask and light sabre from a little friend of mine (age 6)!

Happy Christmas everyone!!

May the Force be with you in 2006!

Have a good one!
Pen x

Best of British

Be very proud to be British because:

Only in Britain... do supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the back of the shop to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in Britain... do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a DIET coke.

Only in Britain... do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters.

Only in Britain... do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on the drive and lock our junk and cheap lawn mower in the garage.

Only in Britain... do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.


NOT TO MENTION...

3 Brits die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their tongue.

142 Brits were injured in 2004 by not removing all pins from new shirts.

58 Brits are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers.

31 Brits have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

19 Brits have died in the last 3 years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate.

British Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling accidents.

101 people since 1999 have had broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of their feet.

18 Brits had serious burns in 2003 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

A massive 543 Brits were admitted to A&E in the last two years after opening bottles of drink with their teeth.

8 Brits were injured last year in accidents involving out of control Scalextric cars.

RULE BRITANNIA!!

Pastor Tony

Pastor Tony and the family need our prayers particularly at this time - as he goes into hospital next week for an operation. I think Pat's summed up last Sunday well on her blog, so if you haven't read it, read the post here.

Tony and Brenda have set up a blog, so we can all keep up-to-date with news and progress.

Tony, Brenda, Jo, Simon, Helen, Lorna, Jonathan (and the wider family) - we love you and are praying for you!

Pen xx

Go faster stripes....

I'm currently sporting THREE 'go faster stripes' - which sounds great, although they are red and purple (and on my right knee)....I'll explain.....

I went Christmas shopping this afternoon - but spent most of the afternoon in Starbucks (and got a free sandwich) - also checked out their gingerbread latte! So, I was shopping towards the end of the day - and decided to enter Debenhams (at the back, by the escalators).

The UP one wasn't working, so rather than walk up the stationary one, I decided to run (yes, RUN!) UP the DOWN escalator!! I'm still not sure what made me do this - whether I was:
1. Just trying to see how fit I was.
2. Seeing if I could still do it!
3. Trying to prove something to myself (especially as a friend [you know who you are!] sent me an e-mail containing the word 'wrinkles' this morning!
4. Deciding to act like a kid, because I've just turned 30?!

Anyway.....thankfully there weren't any people in sight....because as I reached the top - it my legs got heavier, the steps got harder, and I had these embarrassing images of me not succeeding....so I took one giant leap (to get off the thing) - and didn't quite make it!!!

Let's just say, I ended up at the bottom of the DOWN escalator (with a bruised knee - and pride, together with a new estimation of my 'fitness'). I then WALKED UP the UP escalator into the shop (which I could've done in the first place) - pretending that NOTHING had happened, my knee didn't REALLY hurt - whilst as the same time, praying that this whole episode hadn't been caught on CCTV, and would be shown at some future point on 'You've Been Framed'.

So, to sum up this little 'adventure' - it's not big, it's not funny, and it's definitely NOT clever!!

If your name's Penelope, and you have a 'P' themed party - I guess there's only one person you can really go as...... Penelope Pitstop!!

Thanks to EVERYONE for such a great effort on the night (in every way!). Also, huge thanks to those who made a donation to the Childrens Home in Madurai, India. A fantastic amount of £186 is on its way to the children via Child-Link (just in time for Christmas!).
From me, and the children - Thank YOU for your generosity!!!!

Also, a massive thank you to Robyn, Caroline and Jo for everything - you girls are stars!! Also - thanks to Matt for the music, Tom for these photos (double click to enlarge), and to everyone else who helped on the night (you know who you are)!
You guys are awesome!
Pen xx

Penelope Pitstop meets 'Punk'.......Two of Elim's Worship Leaders - as never seen before.....!!

That's all folks!

Where does the time go??

Last Sunday, I woke up - and was convinced I was still in Singapore!!! Not sure if this is to do with turning 30 last week - or just jet-lag!

Since being back, I've attended several training days (which included a 'Moving and Handling' course on my 30th birthday....believe me - I know how to celebrate in style!!), had an interview....followed by another one - and got offered a job (which I started today).

I still have to update my blog with a report on the Philippines trip.....still have pics from Australia and New Zealand to post on here (no idea when that's going to happen!) - and pics from the weekend!

It's a quick post tonight, because I'm on the early shift again in the morning!
More soon.....
Pen :-)

Leaving Singapore...

Time to head home again.....and get ready to face the cold!! Having got used to temperatures of 30C - it could be a bit of a shock to the system! I think the hottest day was 38-40C in the Philippines....seriously hot (and I don't have one hint of a tan)!

Whilst in Singapore, I met up with Andy & Veronica and Lucas, which was great! They're doing great - and said to say 'hi' to everyone, and to particularly thank everyone for their prayers (as Lucas hasn't been too well). He's now fine - and they're leaving Singapore on Monday.

I'll see you all in church tomorrow morning!! In the meantime, I'd better find myself a coffee and muffin (to help with the jet-lag of course!!).

Keep smiling! :-)

Pen x