Archive for February, 2010
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 17, 2010
Well I don’t remember much about last night after I returned home. In fact I don’t remember even when I did get home! My ex. and I went for an afternoon meal at a ‘carvery’ we often frequent. I had a bottle of red wine and the afternoon went well. I dropped into my local pub for the first time since before Christmas. It appears that the current landlord and his partner are ending their management due to the high cost of running the place. The Brewery who own it are raking off far too much profit leaving the management very little opportunity to earn a decent living. It is such a shame that the Brewery is more interested in profit than service. Why they can’t accept a lower profit margin when they are big enough and earn profit elsewhere where there is more business is beyond me. That aside I got home late and fell asleep with my computer on my knee! My ex. gently woke me and I went to bed……..it is Wednesday isn’t it? LOL……..
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Behaviour | Tagged: Drink, Food | 4 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 15, 2010
Come on now be honest, the reason you are here is because you wish to make contact with other people. That is commendable. We all need to connect with others if the truth be known. We start these blogs with the view that somebody will read them else what is the point? Having said that what do we do to attract them? The essential thing is being ourselves, no pretension, simply be who we are. If we are to connect with others we need openness and a readiness to meet with them no matter who they are or whatever views they have. We are all different and we should not expect others to think as we do. This world is full of self-opinionated people. People who find it difficult to accept the fact that they are unique and as such are different from everyone else around them are missing the point. Be ready for opposition and be ready to accept it. The main point of the exercise is to interact and connect with people. If you are not ready to do that and be humble, you waste your time. No person on this planet is an island. We need one another whether we think that is true or not. So let’s love one another, despite our differences.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Love, Philosophy | Tagged: Love, Philosophy | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 14, 2010
‘Got up this morning feeling fine’
Herman’s Hermits classic………not that it was my kind of music…LOL. I liked the song despite what I’ve written but yes I got up feeling not only fine but alive and ready for anything. Straight downstairs and three-quarters of an hour on the treadmill later I was bubbling with energy. A quick breakfast of two Weetabix, yes only two and I was ready for anything! That said, I bathed, washed and treated my hair and dressed for the day…..after applying my make-up of course! I went downstairs again and sat on my butt doing my online thing and responding to all your own lovely posts. It was by this time 12.30 and I asked my ex. if she would like to dine out. We agreed so I changed clothes and off we went to have a meal. We went to a place 8 miles away and tucked into a ‘carvery meal’. I of course polished off a bottle of red wine, yum, yum, yum. Afterwards we went to the supermarket and bought some more wine (not that we needed it because we had some anyhow), diet and ordinary cola and some rum. My ex. is making a cake but didn’t want to use my golden rum. Now we are back home and I am drinking more wine and cola and writing this. Have you tried red wine with cola? Fifty-fifty is great but I use diet cola as it isn’t as sweet….less calories too….LOL. We went out today as opposed to going during the week as we normally do because I have a busy schedule this week and will not have the time to dine out during the day. Life is short remember, so enjoy it whilst you can! My next trip out will be next Saturday evening and by then I will be needing it!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Enjoyment, Uncategorized | Tagged: Drink, Enjoyment, Food, Pleasure | 4 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 14, 2010
Designer clothing, designer furniture, state of the art electronics………Just what do these statements mean? These words are the jargon of the advertising industry. They actually mean nothing, well nothing to the more discerning. All things which are called ‘designer’ have no real edge on other things. What is the difference between ‘designer’ clothing and any other clothing? Nothing! All things need designing else they wouldn’t exist! What the advertising industry are trying to imply is that ‘designer’ clothes have been specially designed and will be more ‘bespoke’. So why don’t they just say that? Usually you will find that ‘normal’ clothes are just as good as ‘designer’ ones. If you want to talk about fashion well that is a different matter but what is ‘fashion’ anyway? Only the latest style or something that makes it different from everyday things. That of course is subjective. The latest fashion doesn’t mean it is any better but the industry encourages us to believe it. A whole industry depends on it! The same thing applies to ‘state of the art’ items. All this means is they use the most recent developments in technology and does not imply they are any better although in many cases that is true. It is all about making us think they are somehow better and encouraging us to buy. Many people fall into the trap of thinking they actually must have the latest technology when in fact they do not. There is nothing wrong in having the best of anything but there is something wrong when we think we cannot do without it.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Advertising | Tagged: Advertising, Philosophy | 5 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 14, 2010
I have blogged now for 13 months. When I began I was aware of only one or two others doing the same thing. I knew nothing about any of it but gradually gained confidence and found it a very satisfying pastime. One of the most difficult things at first was finding something to write about. I would read other people’s blogs and many of them majored on only one theme which is alright but it limits connections. People will only read your posts if the subject is of interest to them and will post comments to express their view on that subject. By varying the subject a potentially more varied audience will connect with you. I found this so but many don’t return for various reasons. I have a hard-core of regular readers, some of whom make comments, many do not, or not often. Some subjects limit debate, others encourage it. This may show boring subject material but most likely one that asks simple opinion. Where there are many different views combined with many readers there is more likelihood of it developing into a debate. This is more common when posts are on one subject only. There are many people running blogs and each have their regular readers. I have discovered many people who share a common interest through blogging and that is what makes it work.
On a more personal note I have discovered many Christians online which for me is very encouraging. It is nice to see my brothers and sisters online and be able to chat with them. There are lots of us about! We all have personal issues to write about and that is a good thing. I would like to see more Christians writing about and discussing their faith as well as writing about other things. God can use the Internet too!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Religion | Tagged: People, Religion | 4 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 13, 2010
I am just taking a moment to remember the sad loss of a Winter Olympic competitor who lost his life in a tragic accident during a training session preparing for the games. The sport he was active in was the one man toboggan run. He was representing his country, Georgia.
It is worth remembering that some activities come with a measure of danger but the loss of life is a very sad thing.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Activity, Life, Lifestyle | Tagged: Activity, Life | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 13, 2010
I find myself being constantly interrupted. Whenever I am conversing with somebody their phone rings or somebody knocks on their front door. I will be trying to explain something about the job I am carrying out for them and it happens. I don’t know if this happens with other people but it sure does with me. My son, one of them, will call to see me and before long they get a call on their phone whilst we chat. Very annoying at times but I guess it is a sign of the times too. Sometimes I wish somebody would interrupt me, especially when I get talking with somebody who, shall we say, is boring the backside off me. Not a nice thing to say I know but there are such people lurking about the places I go. I know a couple who frequent my local pub! I seem to attract them for some unknown reason but then again, I am not a person to shun others when they want to talk. There is one guy I know and it isn’t his fault but he repeats himself over and over when he chats with me. When I say it isn’t his fault I mean he was born with a condition. Nice guy as he is though I can only take so much and actually welcome interruptions from other people. The sad thing is though they don’t want to get involved with him. He is the sort of person who, once latches on to you doesn’t want to let you go. I am sure you understand. Interruptions are sometimes good or sometimes bad things but I seem to get just annoying ones!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Life | Tagged: Life | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 12, 2010
Every once in a while I am overcome with excitement. It is a feeling that takes over my body and makes me shiver inside. It is a kind of euphoria and lasts but only a short time. It happens because of something that enters my thoughts. I am aware of the physical effect sometimes before I associate it with my thoughts. Sometimes they happen simultaneously. I seem never to have the thought first. There are a few things which bring this about. One is my transition or rather the result of it, another is a feeling that I am not alone, that is I have the Spirit of God inside me, another might be due to the closeness of a loved one or a friend. It is such a lovely experience and one I would like more often than I do. I could be driving along the road, lying in my bed, sitting in an armchair or simply standing in my kitchen, almost anywhere when it happens. It appears that nobody notices unless I tell them so I am in no danger of getting dragged off to some lunatic asylum. There was a saying that said, ‘Somebody has just walked over your grave’, in response to the ‘shivers’. That could be rather difficult for anyone getting buried at sea! I don’t believe in such nonsense anyhow. They are nice feelings to have.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Happiness | Tagged: Happiness, Relationship | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 11, 2010
RFL = Road Fund Licence = Road Tax = Just another grabbing exercise by our wonderful Government. If only they spent it on the roads! Yes, it is that time of year for me, road tax, insurance, MOT (test certificate) if required – this year it isn’t for me as my vehicle is only two years old. Once upon a time I would make a trip into town and do it all at the main Post Office (which can still be done) but now it all happened online and took about five minutes. Progress eh? Well I actually did it online last year too. Much quicker and convenient. They even check whether the vehicle has insurance or an MOT on the day the tax is due. My insurance is due to expire before then but I will renew it online when my insurance company get in touch in the next couple of days. I hate all the bureaucracy associated with taxation but I know it needs doing. At least doing it online saves all that walking about or telephone calls, as long as you have all the necessary details to hand when you apply. Another year over………
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Motoring | Tagged: Motoring | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 11, 2010
When I became a Christian my whole life changed. My attitude to life changed, my dealings with other people changed, my outlook changed and I looked at life in a totally new and different way. I was eager to learn more and continued to develop as a Christian but like everything else the enthusiasm tapered off and I settled down to a normal, although changed, lifestyle. I guess I became satisfied and left it there. Over the years that followed I became disillusioned with the Church and finally left in 1998. Since then I have lived more in a secular way, that is until recently when I came back to my roots in Christ. Since becoming a Christian I have never denied my faith or belief in Jesus as my saviour and I never will. How could I deny the one who has paid for all my sins and given me eternal life? We are all spirit beings and we will all die in the flesh. Our spirit lives on forever. I know mine will be with my Saviour. So I have begun to take my faith more seriously and am finding so many new things about God, life and Jesus Christ that I thought I knew before but did not. Some things I knew have become clearer and other things I did not know are now revealed to me. My God is faithful to His word and I know His love will never leave me. I want His love more than anything for nothing else is worthy. This life is but a passing phase but eternity lasts forever. I appreciate my faith and what God has done for me more and more each day. I feel so sorry for those who question God’s existence or lack proper understanding of who He is. I will bear witness to anyone who asks. My faith and my belief is stronger now than it has ever been and many questions I had are now answered. There will be more. I ask for wisdom and get it. I ask for other things and I await His decision on those. Things happen in my life that can only be attributed to my Father and He has blessed me with His love. Hallelujah! That word means roughly translated, All hail Yahweh. Yahweh is the adopted spelling for the original Hebrew word for God YHWH. This word is in fact a mis-translation. God declared to the Hebrews when asked by Moses ‘who shall I call thee in their presence’? Let them call me the ‘I am’. There is no name that is good enough for God. He is simply the ‘I AM’, He is who He is and that is good enough for me but I praise Him. There are many things in this life, in this world that are pleasing but none come even close to the love and sacrifice of my saviour, my God, my Jesus. Everything else is nothing. Material things are nothing, lifestyles are nothing, ideas and beliefs are nothing and will come to nothing on the day of judgement. I have renewed my connection with Jesus. Not that the cord was ever broken but in this mortal life I need to stay connected.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Religion | Tagged: Religion | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 10, 2010
Some days I just don’t feel like it. Whatever I am doing feels as though I am just going through the motions. I am on auto-pilot. There is a distinct lack of interest in what I am doing. I wonder sometimes how I manage to get through the day. Did you ever take a car journey and wondered how you managed to get from ‘A’ to ‘B’? You have no real recollection of the journey but you managed somehow to get to your destination. I have days just like that. I turn into bed and think, ‘What happened’? There are times when I am ill and of course don’t feel like doing anything. Quite often I cannot anyhow. That is understandable when one is ill but not when one is healthy. However I still get days like that. I wrote some time ago about not being bothered on occasion and this is somewhat of a similar trait. I suppose it could just be a rebellious reaction to routine or a depressed wish to do something different for a change. A routine lifestyle is beneficial in many ways because it brings a sense of security but it is sometimes very boring. When I am aware of my affliction I try to snap out of it but I am not always successful. I carry on going through the motions because it seems a need, a stabilising influence on my life and a necessary thing to do. What else would I be doing?
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Behaviour | Tagged: Behaviour | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 9, 2010
When there is something that needs doing or something that needs facing, do you find yourself procrastinating? There are things in life we find distasteful doing. There are things we just simply hate doing and there are things we are afraid of doing but know we must do at some point. Some people dive straight in to a task and think nothing of it. Others are more cautious in their approach and with others it all depends on what needs doing. Children are often more cautious but sometimes rash in their approach to things. As adults we can make educated guesses about the outcome of anything we do. They say that nothing ventured is nothing gained so that is important to any decisions we make. Having made the choice do we hold back or ‘take the plunge’ and dive straight in? Over my lifetime I have had to make many choices and some ventures I undertook with great trepidation. These days I apply this principle, ‘What is the worse thing that will result from my actions’? When looked at this way I find the outcome is most often not as bad as I thought it would be. All of my life I wanted to transition and when the day came that I wanted to carry it through I found myself applying this principle. Life is about choices. If we fail to follow our hearts because of irrational fears we do ourselves an injustice. Life is for living so ‘take the plunge’ and have a good swim around!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Philosophy | Tagged: Behaviour, Philosophy | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 8, 2010
Today I had two jobs to do. The first was straight-forward but I couldn’t complete it. It was more of an assessment than actually doing it but I still got paid for that part. Tomorrow I will complete it. The second job was so awkward I began to feel that I should never have taken it on. In fact the client said as much herself. ‘I bet you are sorry you came here’ she said as I struggled with it. It was one of those jobs where nothing was easy and different problems awaited around each corner. No matter how I approached the task I faced a problem that was out of the ordinary. The first task involved assessing the original circuit wiring before I could continue and that meant removing power outlets. Mistake big style but it needed doing! The outlets would not replace easily due to broken box components which happened during the original installation. Now I am not one to pull apart somebody else’s work but the installer must have known about these faults which became exposed when I removed the outlets. This made my job even more difficult. I finally succeeded however but I was a little annoyed at the previous electrician’s poor workmanship. I am often faced with this sort of thing and there is really no excuse for it. To be perfectly honest, it is a ‘bit of a nuisance’………LOL
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Work | Tagged: Work | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 7, 2010
When I became a Christian my whole life changed. My attitude to life changed, my dealings with other people changed, my outlook changed and I looked at life in a totally new and different way. I was eager to learn more and continued to develop as a Christian but like everything else the enthusiasm tapered off and I settled down to a normal, although changed, lifestyle. I guess I became satisfied and left it there. Over the years that followed I became disillusioned with the Church and finally left in 1998. Since then I have lived more in a secular way, that is until recently when I came back to my roots in Christ. Since becoming a Christian I have never denied my faith or belief in Jesus as my saviour and I never will. How could I deny the one who has paid for all my sins and given me eternal life? We are all spirit beings and we will all die in the flesh. Our spirit lives on forever. I know mine will be with my Saviour. So I have begun to take my faith more seriously and am finding so many new things about God, life and Jesus Christ that I thought I knew before but did not. Some things I knew have become clearer and other things I did not know are now revealed to me. My God is faithful to His word and I know His love will never leave me. I want His love more than anything for nothing else is worthy. This life is but a passing phase but eternity lasts forever. I appreciate my faith and what God has done for me more and more each day. I feel so sorry for those who question God’s existence or lack proper understanding of who He is. I will bear witness to anyone who asks. My faith and my belief is stronger now than it has ever been and many questions I had are now answered. There will be more. I ask for wisdom and get it. I ask for other things and I await His decision on those. Things happen in my life that can only be attributed to my Father and He has blessed me with His love. Hallelujah! That word means roughly translated, All hail Yahweh. Yahweh is the adopted spelling for the original Hebrew word for God YHWH. This word is in fact a mis-translation. God declared to the Hebrews when asked by Moses ‘who shall I call thee in their presence’? Let them call me the ‘I am’. There is no name that is good enough for God. He is simply the ‘I AM’, He is who He is and that is good enough for me but I praise Him. There are many things in this life, in this world that are pleasing but none come even close to the love and sacrifice of my saviour, my God, my Jesus. Everything else is nothing. Material things are nothing, lifestyles are nothing, ideas and beliefs are nothing and will come to nothing on the day of judgement. I am and have renewed my connection with Jesus. Not that the cord was ever broken but in this mortal life I need to stay connected.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Religion | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 7, 2010
I don’t know about you but I like watching sport on television, specifically football (soccer for my US readers) and rugby football. I like watching other sports too but not as much as these two. Yesterday marked the beginning of the Six Nations Cup 2010, member countries are England, Scotland, Irish Republic, Wales, Italy and France. It is a Rugby Union event and is great to watch. Ruby League is slightly different from Rugby Union in that there are differences in amounts of players participating and differences in the game’s rules but essentially the basic game remains the same. I like watching football and as long as the game is dynamic it is enjoyable. Football strategies on the pitch vary considerably and it affects the style of play. Some games are somewhat boring but mostly they are enjoyable to watch. I prefer watching dynamic sports than those which are slow-moving. That’s probably why I hate golf!
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Entertainment, Sport | Tagged: Entertainment, Sport | 4 Comments »
