Archive for the ‘Enjoyment’ Category
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 29, 2012
I had the strangest feeling last Friday evening. I had taken E out to lunch in the afternoon. We had travelled to various venues before arriving at the one we had originally thought of visiting in the first place. We had not been to this restaurant for quite some time, possibly more than twelve months but we had chosen well. We went the full three courses and I had my usual bottle of red wine. Later we indulged in a liqueur coffee before finally returning home. Well I actually was dropped off at the pub and I stayed there until well after midnight chatting with friends. E would have collected me had I phoned her but I decided to walk home instead. It was a dry and pleasant night if a little cold so the walk itself was nice but doing it in high heels was not to be recommended. I managed though and was home around one o’clock. I didn’t retire to bed until after two but spent some time online first. It didn’t take me long to board that train to Slumbertown but I was up again two hours later to pay the little girl’s room a visit. Half awake and half asleep I sat there a while and it was then that I was overcome with a very strong feeling, one I had never before experienced. Essentially it was a feeling of meaninglessness if there is such a word, a feeling that somehow my life was totally meaningless inasmuch as no matter what I do to be happy and to enjoy life in the end it is all quite meaningless and pointless. My thoughts turned to Scripture and specifically the Book of Ecclesiastes which describes what I was feeling about my life. I have mentioned this book before and I still recommend it as I do all of Scripture for what it contains. I have learnt to be happy and content with life, learnt to rest in the love of God and it is only because of that love that I find life bearable. We all want to be happy and content but do we really understand what that means? There are many pleasures to be had in life but they never completely satisfy the soul and we return to them repeatedly in the hope that we will have a good time and be happy. When the self-indulgent pleasure has passed we look forward to other things or a repeat of the same which tells me that life’s pleasures are but short-lived and have to be revisited over and over. In the end we tire of them. This is the feeling that I was experiencing. I realised that there is only one thing that lasts forever and it isn’t what my flesh and bones experience but it is what my spirit experiences, the love of God. Whilst I am in the flesh all I can do is to work, rest and play. I am on a merry-go-round that never stops and never really satisfies. I am constantly seeking new avenues for pleasure but it is all truly meaningless. We are but a breath, a whisper and our passing is hardly noticed in the vastness of the Universe. We live but for a short time and we are gone. All we can do is try to enjoy it the best we can. It’s what comes after that is more important.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Enjoyment, God, Happiness, Life | Tagged: Book of Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes, God, Happiness, Life, Religion and Spirituality, Solomon | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on January 8, 2012
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I had the day to myself on Friday as I was released from my jury service until Monday. Not wanting to let the opportunity pass by to enjoy myself for the day I invited E out for an extended lunch, well they are always extended when I dine out. I love the experience of wining and dining out and generally socialising and it is nice to do that with friends and family but it is nicest when in the company with someone very special. In my case that would be my ex partner E whom I love dearly. I take the opportunity to dine out with her as often as I can so that not only do I get to enjoy myself but that she can enjoy life more than she usually does. As is the case I often ask her if she is happy so that I can help her to be happy as much as I can. She is hard to reach sometimes but I persevere for I don’t want her to feel unhappy if I can do something to change that. I wonder sometimes what makes her tick, what it is she wants out of life because I feel she is missing out on things when she should be getting the most out of life. I know she enjoys her outings with me but she is often reluctant to show that. So it was that we both went to one of our favourite haunts in the next town on Friday and had a carvery lunch with dessert and drinks. I polished off a full bottle of red wine and later had a liqueur coffee with a cream topping, similar to the picture on the right. We both had soft drinks too, she was drinking Pepsi-Cola and I was drinking the diet version in-between my sips of wine. I like the taste of the cola following the wine and sometimes I mix the two in the same glass when I am tired of drinking the wine neat, which isn’t often (LOL). We arrived at the restaurant/pub at around 1.30 and we left just before 5.00 stopping off at the supermarket for some rum, whisky and cream. I wanted to enjoy another glass or two of a liqueur coffee! I am off to work on Saturday morning which will be yesterday by the time you read this so I will not be able to have a drink, if I want one, until late in the day. I probably won’t indulge as I value having a healthy liver which needs a break now and then! I might have a drink today, Sunday but then nothing until the end of the week when I have finished my jury service. Mind you, I may get on a case that lasts longer than this coming week but in any event I will enjoy a drink or two at the weekend. I might even surprise the staff at my local pub by paying them the first visit for over six weeks. I love life and I love people who are prepared to enjoy it with me. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Food, Happiness, Leisure, Life, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Values, Wisdom | Tagged: Alcoholic beverage, Drink, Food, Friday, Leisure, Life, Lifestyle, Monday, Pepsi, Philosophy, Saturday, Soft drink, Wine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 24, 2011
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Christmas eve and all is well. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no-one to see. Quietly indulging in my red wine flicking between the television channels to see if there is anything worth watching, something that hasn’t anything at all to do with Christmas, very difficult at this time of year. I tire of the pressure that is imposed on us all, if we allow it of course. Monday morning and it will all be finished with, forgotten and stored away until next year. Folk will already be looking forward to their New Year celebrations and many will stay ‘in the party spirit’ for the whole intervening week between the two celebrations. Each to their own of course but it isn’t for me. It has been at least three weeks since I visited my pub and it will be another three weeks at least before I make another visit there. Hopefully all will have returned to normality by then. I am not really a party animal but I do like mixing with people and socialising over drinks and perhaps the dinner table. I lead pretty much a quiet life and enjoy the simpler things. As I write this (on Thursday….well I said I wanted a break from blogging) there has been no news regarding the arrival of my first grandchild but I will post something when it happens. I won’t be wishing everyone a happy/merry Christmas/New Year but I do wish everyone to be happy in their lives, to love one another and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. May God bless you all.
Shirley Anne
PS….I got a phone call which got me out of bed in order to reconnect an electrical supply for someone 12 miles away. Somehow I knew that was going to happen, a premonition, a vision if you like but I knew it was going to happen. The strange thing is I get these visions quite often lately. The supply was re-instated and all is well.
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Posted in Enjoyment, Happiness, Life, Lifestyle, Love, People | Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holidays, New Year, New Years Eve | 3 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 18, 2011
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When my friend Jane and I went out for the afternoon last Friday, that is a week ago, everything seemed to go wrong. Our first choice of venue told us that they could not provide us with food as the gas supply to their ovens had failed. We were not charged for the drinks we had ordered and received. It appeared that they had been having difficulties all morning but had somehow managed to provide a service until the moment we arrived when all went pear-shaped as they say. After trying a couple of other places we finally found somewhere to eat. It wasn’t the best of places but we were so hungry it didn’t matter. I decided to invite Jane out again this Friday by way of compensation and to go somewhere completely different. As it turned out we had chosen well and subsequently enjoyed a very nice afternoon. It was so nice that the afternoon turned into an evening out too but eventually we had to leave so that Jane could return home, however we went via the supermarket so that I could re-stock on some red wine and we got back to my house sometime after ten-thirty in the evening. Jane is always welcome to stop over but this time she wanted to go home as she had her archery meeting on Saturday morning and her equipment was at her house. She stayed for a time and departed a little after eleven. I shall not see her now until the new year as she plans to stay with another friend over the holiday. It is lovely to enjoy the company of friends and it is something I cherish very much in my life. I wish that I could see my friends more often but it isn’t always possible for many reasons. This time was so different from the last time we met and much more enjoyable. I look forward to our next afternoon/evening outing! Thank you Jane.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Enjoyment, Friendship | Tagged: Enjoyment, Friday, Friendship, Holidays | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 10, 2011
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I wrote this letter (email) on Friday after a rather funny time I’d had with a friend on an afternoon out together. I thought it would be fun to post it here……
Hi Lucy. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you but I wanted to tell you something. Today I arranged to dine out with a friend, someone I’ve known since 1999. I went to collect her at her home so that she could enjoy a drink whilst I stayed with soft drinks as I was driving. She lives some 17 or 18 miles away from me. I asked where she would like to go and in the end we decided to go to a place about thirty miles away, somewhere we’ve been to quite frequently either alone or with my ex or my family. It is a lovely restaurant/pub and very popular. My friend ordered a bottle of red wine and I a cola and we sat there mulling over the menu. After a short while the waitress came over and explained that we couldn’t order a meal as their gas supply had just failed. We had to find somewhere else. We were not charged for the drinks. So off we went to find another place, which we did but there was no service, no bar staff and one waitress serving a host of Christmas partying people. We decided to leave and try somewhere else, all the time returning whence we came. We found another place and although not really an inviting place as far as atmosphere/decor go we were able to order a half-way decent meal, I suppose anything would have been alright as we were so hungry by this time. My friend was slowly getting tipsy on her red wine and we enjoyed each others company, laughing and joking about things and for part of the time talking about her transition experiences. She talked about hormones and the fact that she had not been taking the right amount. She was taking a third of what she should have been prescribed. I think she was concerned that they weren’t having the desired effect to which I replied give them time and you will see the difference. I told her about your recent post where you mentioned the same thing regarding changes or the apparent lack of them. I suggested she look at your blog via the link on mine to see your pictures. Then I mentioned your name. Well now, get this……..she knows you already! She told me about Lucy, Amanda and is it Alison? (It was Alice). Yes you know her too….Jane from Liverpool. A small world eh? I thought you might be interested in that.
Funny things happen around Shirley Anne……………LOL
(Lucy’s blog link can be found in my blogroll over on the right. Have a look at an interesting post she wrote in response today on her site)
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Enjoyment, Friendship, Fun | Tagged: Alcoholic beverage, Christmas, Health, Liverpool, Soft drink, Wine | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on November 11, 2011
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Strangely enough music isn’t a subject I write much about even though I love music and even write songs myself. I am no professional of course but I write and play music (on guitar) as a hobby more than anything else. I find music to be very entertaining and relaxing but it can also stimulate, depending on the type of music and the situation in which it is listened to. Rousing music in a theatrical setting isn’t quite the same as rousing music on the dance floor! Music can be soothing, inspiring, relaxing and calming amongst other things and each of us enjoy our own genre. Music is used to set the mood and is used specifically for that reason in the production of movies and advertising. I like most music but it has to be music and not just noise. My tastes range from classical to jazz, blues to rock, heavy metal to folk, brass bands to rock bands, orchestras to ensembles and quartets, in fact almost any type but it all depends on my frame of mind, how I am feeling at the time. Music has the ability to change moods though and is often used for that purpose. Whatever tastes you have in music they should never be limited I don’t think. I am always open to listening to new things and fresh approaches. I need music in my life. I went through a phase when I would refuse to listen to any music for fear of it reminding me of a lost love. Music does that, it touches the innermost part of my being and it is one of the reasons I suppose that I like it. Many people like to listen to music whilst at work but this is something I actually detest because for me it is distracting and I cannot concentrate properly. Such is the power that music can have, over me anyway! Whatever your tastes in music, enjoy it. Music is one of the good things that this life has to offer and there is little to compare to the effect it can have upon us.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Enjoyment, Music | Tagged: Arts, Heavy metal music, Music, Musical ensemble, Rock music, Sheet music | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on October 16, 2011
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I have just read one of my daily ‘words’ from Scripture the essence of which tell me that even though I may strive to be perfect in every way I know that I shall never attain perfection for as long as I live. The reading points out that I should be telling myself daily that I know I am not perfect but that I am better than I was before. A good philosophy to be sure. There are areas in my life though where I struggle to get better for I will forget the promises I make to myself and over-indulge. On Friday I spent the afternoon, late afternoon that is, at the pub. I sat there for a couple of hours watching people come and go whilst I was reading a newspaper and having a drink. Eventually the pub filled to capacity but I remained seated and alone by choice. Later I began to mingle and before long found myself in the company of friends. Drifting along with the conversations, meeting new people and generally having a good time robbed me of my sensibility and I ended up shall we say, slightly inebriated! Horror of horrors I hear you say but it is all so easy to forget one’s promises not to get drunk when one has had too much to drink and therein lies the danger. Switching to soft drinks is the better solution and one that I should endeavour to embrace more often. Let’s hope I eventually learn my lesson and be a little more responsible in future. I arrived home in the early hours after the fifteen minute walk from the pub and was so hungry I rustled up a meal. Still not tired after my escapade I took to surfing the Web and posted comments on other folks blogs. I was beginning to doze off when I made my way upstairs at five in the morning! I remember looking at the clock at five-thirty and then fell asleep, in the correct attire for the occasion I might add and not in my normal clothes! I awoke at ten fully refreshed and most definitely not with a hang-over. I drink far too much water after drinking alcohol to end up with a splitting morning-after headache. Dehydration or lack of it is something I have under complete control. It only remains for me to keep myself under control when out enjoying myself.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Behaviour, Drink, Enjoyment, Friendship, Happiness, Leisure, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Temptation | Tagged: Alcohol, Behaviour, Drink, Friday, Friendship, Leisure, Philosophy | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on September 19, 2011
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I realised something yesterday about a previous post I’d written regarding not being bothered and how it seemed to picture me as a lost soul who was tired of living. That couldn’t be further from the truth as I love life and really do enjoy it. I realised too that every day I find myself laughing at something, in fact I cannot remember a day when I didn’t laugh even just a little. The only time that would not be true is when I am ill but that isn’t often. I see the funny side of things in life and find myself laughing at myself sometimes. The slightest thing can set me off laughing sometimes but I do have a serious side too. I think that if we cannot find humour in our lives we are indeed sad people. Many things in my life frustrate me but I never let them get the better of me and I never worry about anything, what’s the point? Worrying doesn’t change a thing. Life’s a long song, a gas, as the songwriters say and that is only true if you have the right attitude to it. I am not saying that I never feel down because I do at times but I make every effort to snap out of it. I find myself trying to justify my actions or desires and there is sometimes a tug-of-war going on in my brain as to whether I should or should not do something. It is at times like these that I find myself laughing at myself and then saying ‘Oh just get on with it’! One of the main priorities in life is to be happy and laughing is one of the ways we can show it. Life is a bit of a laugh at times isn’t it? Well for some people this doesn’t seem to be the case. I know of a couple of people who never seem to smile. It’s as if they have the problems of the world on their shoulders and some people I know just don’t know how to let their hair down and have a good laugh. Such a shame really. For myself I will continue to laugh and keep a smile on my face.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Celebration, Enjoyment, Fun, Happiness, Philosophy | Tagged: Fun, Humor, Laughter, Philosophy | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on September 12, 2011
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I often browse other people’s blogs, including those who admit to being transgendered, and of course the blog of any other persons who have paid a visit to my own ramblings. Being curious, I like to know more about the person behind the blog even though what is written in their posts reveal quite a lot about them anyhow. The first thing I like to see is a picture of the person, especially if I am commenting on their blog so I make a point of clicking on their ‘about’ page. Often I will click on their ‘see my full profile’ link and find next to nothing there, sometimes a picture but more often an avatar and absolutely no description about them at all! How disappointing! What is the point in that? I can understand that some folk do not want to reveal themselves to the public at large in case their family, friends or colleagues find out about them but I am guessing that isn’t always the case. I like to read about other folks trials and tribulations because I am interested in people. I love it when people respond to my posts either on their blogs or on my own. Sometimes I may offer advice, sometimes a personal view, maybe some support and sometimes information, the things normal people do when communicating with others in life. So yes, I enjoy the blogs as much as I enjoy meeting people in the flesh.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Communication, Enjoyment, People | Tagged: Blog, People | 5 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on September 10, 2011
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So I spent Wednesday afternoon/early evening down at my local pub. After visiting the place about two weeks ago after a long absence and promising that I would go more often I have returned there twice since. My workload is very low just now and I was feeling so bored sitting home alone I decided to do two things. One, was to go for a walk and two, was to go to the pub. I did both. The weather at home has been rather a wet and windy affair so walking too far was out of the question, especially as I was wearing (small) heels and wasn’t dressed for taking on the elements. Fortunately the streets afforded quite a bit of shelter from the wind until I walked westward but even then it wasn’t too bad. At least the rain held off until I was back indoors, that is inside the pub! On arrival I found but a few patrons inside so I grabbed the local newspaper and sat down with my drink on a lovely leather sofa near to a window (I need daylight or bright artificial lighting to read comfortably) so that I wasn’t straining to see the script. My eyesight is quite excellent and I don’t need glasses as an aid, just good lighting. After an hour I began to feel hungry so I looked at the menu. For a small establishment they have quite an extensive choice of meals and snacks. I chose a smoked salmon sandwich with a salad as I wasn’t hungry enough to eat a large meal. It was delicious and enough to satisfy me for a few hours. By the time I had finished eating many more folk started to arrive and all but a few (those I don’t know) greeted me. I don’t know about you but I love ‘people watching‘ and I was quite contented to just sit there across the room watching them come and go. Finally though some wanted a little more contact with me and came over for a chat. By early evening I was up and about chatting with people myself. I am a very gregarious and sociable person and I find chatting with people so easy. Of course I had to watch my alcohol intake as I can get carried away sometimes by overdoing things. It was getting late and I decided that I must return home so I said my farewells and off I went for the ten minute walk to my house. I got home just after eight-thirty and found I had mail and a parcel containing the new shoes I had ordered a few days ago. I tried the shoes and they are a perfect fit but I doubt I shall be walking to the pub in them as the heels are just over four inches! I shall take a cab if I wear them out.
Shirley Anne
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Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Exercise, Food, Friendship, Leisure, Lifestyle, People, Rest and relaxation | Tagged: Bar (establishment), Drink, Entertainment, Food, Friendship, Leisure, Lighting, Newspaper, People, Rest and relaxation | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on August 17, 2011
I’ve not had much professional work of late but on Monday I had one small job to do. Whilst waiting to go there after breakfast I received another call for more work. The first job didn’t take too long and then I was off to the second job which I knew would take longer as it entailed installing new circuits. Whilst there I received yet another call to do a small job which I managed to get to around one o’clock and finished that in only a few minutes. The second job was a little taxing and I felt my energy draining whilst doing it. I think I do pretty well for a 65 year-old going on 66! I don’t look my age and don’t really feel it either, under normal circumstances that is! I know a few women of my age that are no way as fit as I am but I suppose the nature of my work keeps me exercised which must help. These days of course I do limit what I do in my work as an electrician and it is nice to be able to pick and choose what work I take on board. I have been doing far more work at home over the last year or so although over the last two weeks I haven’t done anything at home. Previous posts will reveal the reasons for that but I hope to resume further work that needs to be done in and around the garages over the next couple of months. I am quite an active person most of the time but I do like to relax as well. The weather at home hasn’t been that good lately and it has been raining quite a lot. This meant that I couldn’t get out into the garden but on Monday afternoon it was fine and sunny with hardly a whisper of wind so I took the opportunity to sit outside playing my guitar for an hour or so and then did some reading. With a drink or two of course! It’s getting harder but I manage…LOL
Shirley Anne
Posted in Activity, Enjoyment, Exercise, Garden, Lifestyle, Music, Rest and relaxation, Work | Tagged: Activity, Leisure, Lifestyle, Rest and relaxation, Work | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on July 27, 2011
Well yesterday I wanted to purchase some materials for the garage so after breakfast and a short session with my computer I asked E if she would like to accompany me, which she did but first I had to wait for her to get dressed! She always has her breakfast before getting dressed whereas I am the opposite, I get dressed first! In the meantime I went out to the garage and measured what I would need in the way of timber on which to fix the metal guides for the roller door. Soon E was back downstairs and ready to go so off we went, first to the timber depot and then on to the electrical supplier to buy a fluorescent light fitting for the garage before returning home. It was still only 11.30 and the weather had changed for the better, bright blue sky and warm sunshine which remained so for the rest of the day. I said to E that it was such a nice day, too nice to be working and would she dine out with me instead. Before we could do anything else I wanted to move out all the plywood sheeting we had stored in the new garage and place it in the old garage instead. E wanted to hang out some washing too but she stopped with me for a short while so that we could move some of the plywood. Most of these sheets are 8′ x 4′ and some thicker than others. There were also some smaller display boards measuring about 5′ square in plywood too, quite a lot to shift when one of us is having difficulty in simply walking about most of the time. I refer to E who unfortunately cannot help me as much as she would like to these days but any help is better than none. We struggled but eventually managed to move most of it before E had to go and hang out the washing. I moved the last few pieces by myself all but one seven-ply 8′ x 4′ sheet which looks almost new and will be just suitable to lay on the floor in the proposed new wet-room before we lay the floor tiles. Although the present floor is very solid it is simply floorboards nailed to joists and unsuitable as it is for the direct laying of floor tiles. That will now save us having to buy plywood for the floor. When we began clearing out the garage we discovered more large logs which we have been giving to our next-door neighbours as they have a wood-burning fire which they use in the colder months of the year. These logs are what remained of our tree-felling activities late last year. Well we found a couple more and they came to collect them. They were admiring our recent work in the garage and asked who had done it all. When we told them that we had done it ourselves they were very impressed, probably thinking we were not capable! So E and I went indoors, got changed and off we went to have our meal, this time at a carvery about eight miles away. Today however I shall be working in the garage doing mostly electrical work which I hope I shall finish completely at some point in the day, unless of course I get a call to do work for someone else! Yesterday was simply too nice a day to waste on working. When we got back home I took my guitar out onto the patio and sat playing some songs for a while in the warm sunshine. You see, I can relax when I’ve a mind too!
Shirley Anne
Posted in Enjoyment, Entertainment, Leisure, Lifestyle, Rest and relaxation | Tagged: Lifestyle, Rest and relaxation | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on July 2, 2011
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And so it was that Shirley Anne got up late on Friday morning, a habit that is so unbecoming of her normally but lately seems to be the way to go. Anyways, I got up late, missed my breakfast, although I did manage to eat a small banana. I had received a call to do some work but it was nothing much and I was back home within the hour. I asked E if she would like to dine out and as usual for her she had to wash her hair first! She does tend to get greasy hair whereas mine is the opposite and takes days before the natural oils work their way down my tresses. I was in no hurry to eat so I sat and played my guitar whilst waiting for her to come downstairs. Off we went to a carvery about six or seven miles away, a place we often visit. I had a full bottle of red wine with my dinner, again something I do probably far too often! I can handle that much wine with no adverse effects and especially if I am eating. We drove back home after a couple of hours and sat around in the patio for a while. I have plans to work on the water-butt base and also the garage passageway roof but they can wait for a day. In fact I propose to do them both today unless something else turns up in the meantime. Today is supposed to be my sabbath day of rest but I have had so much free time lately it wouldn’t be right to just sit around and do nothing. The principle remains the same, don’t work 7/24/7 but take a break as you are supposed to do! I like to work but I also like to chill out, especially with a bottle of red wine!
Shirley Anne
Posted in Drink, Enjoyment, Food, Leisure, Rest and relaxation | Tagged: Drink, Entertainment, Food, Philosophy, Rest and relaxation, Wine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on June 30, 2011
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They say variety is the spice of life and I tend to agree. Doing the same old thing day in and day out has got to be boring. People dream of long holidays in the Bahamas, the Seychelles or the Maldives and to be sure these places are paradises on Earth but I’ll wager it gets boring being there for long periods even so. In our day-to-day living it is nice to have something new to do or at least a change from routine. Yesterday I had some variety in my day. I got up with nothing special to do in my mind and out of the blue received a call to fix a light fitting. A very small job, a short distance to travel (four miles) but easy money. Just as I arrived at the house I received another call to replace an outdoor floodlight at a house some five miles from home. I did the first job in a matter of minutes and drove back into town to purchase a replacement floodlight. Driving along the coastal road there isn’t really much to see except sand dunes but as the road nears the town there are open views of the beach and sea. It was late in the morning but there was hardly a soul about. As I got into the town centre there were very few people on the streets. Quite eerie! I purchased the light and drove home. It would be another hour before I would go and fit the light. The job took a little while to do but there was no hurry as I worked in the bright sunshine. Driving back home was pretty much uneventful but the route took me across ‘The Moss’, open fields and countryside just around Southport. It was a pleasant drive with no other vehicles ahead of me and none behind. I got home and prepared my lunch. It was now one o’clock. E had been doing some chores and was now sitting at my old computer mumbling about how she was having trouble connecting to the Internet. This machine was never constructed with Wi-Fi but did have a Wi-Fi unit that utilised a spare port, however even that ceased to work a couple of years ago so the computer has to be physically connected to the router using an Ethernet cable. I ceased using the machine once I bought a new one but it is handy in an emergency and in this case whilst E is waiting delivery of a replacement battery and charger unit for her own computer. She joined me for lunch and we watched tv in the process. E had to do some shopping in the afternoon so I set about clearing some rubbish in our front garden and bringing in the waste bins from the street. Wednesday is garbage day for us. I then went into the rear garden, cleared some weeds from a flowerbed and set to with a hammer on some bits of concrete we had stored in order to make some rubble to put into the brick base I constructed the day before. I did that and ceased doing any more work. Back into the house to collect my guitar and fix myself a soft drink and out again to play some music whilst sitting in the patio. Some of my songs were being accompanied with birdsong, at least it seemed that way. I am sure the birds enjoy the more melodic and quieter songs and join in with me! After an hour of that I took the instrument back indoors but returned to sit outside in the sunshine. Later I did some reading and sewing. Yes sewing! I can sew. Have been able to sew since childhood. Today, who knows what may happen? I do know that I have a job of work to do locally and I’ve no idea how long it will take or what it will entail but I am sure it won’t be like any other job I’ve done. That is the beauty of my work, although jobs are similar at times they are always slightly different and challenging. Yes, I like variety in my work and in my leisure time too.
Shirley Anne
Posted in Enjoyment, General Chat, Leisure, Lifestyle | Tagged: Bahamas, craft, Maldives, Sewing, Sewing machine, Seychelles, Southport, Wi-Fi | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on June 28, 2011
Our first barbecue on our new patio went down extremely well even though some of our guests had to back out because of other pressing matters. One friend, who was supposed to be bringing his mate, turned up with his daughter and her husband and two (grown-up) children instead assuming we wouldn’t mind! Well, as he is a friend and we did have the space and food we didn’t mind. As it turned out they were very good company and were the last to depart. It seems they enjoyed it that much they didn’t want to leave.
By the time this photo was taken three of our guests had gone home. Peter, the friend I refer to is being his usual self by giving my camera the sly fingers! He is a real character and once he starts to tell stories about his life we end up in stitches with laughter. A real life-and-soul of the party type is Peter. We put away some wine between us all and the beer was hardly touched. You can just about make out the little drinks fridge on the left of the picture which had been stacked with different beers but only four bottles got drank! There was plenty more in the cellar which didn’t see the light of day. It is handy being able to use the fridge outdoors, it saves having to dash indoors every time you want a drink! The red wine didn’t need refrigerating of course and the white wine wasn’t on the table long enough for it to warm up! We did have to make a couple of trips indoors to replenish the white wine which is kept in the kitchen fridge. Anyway a splendid time was had by all.
Yesterday I went to do a job in a house some eighteen miles away where I had been asked to disconnect the wiring to a large garden shed and to trace the fault that had cut off the supply to the power outlets in the kitchen. The strange thing was the power was leaving the distribution point but not arriving at the kitchen! Obviously a break in the cable somewhere along the way. This meant a physical trace on the cable, lifting boards and such to find perhaps a broken connection in a junction box. Unfortunately, having determined that the fault probably lay beneath the bedroom floor, the client was reluctant to allow lifting the boards until she had spoken with her husband who was at that time in work. The problem is the large amount of furniture in that room which makes lifting floorboards extremely difficult. It appears they will clear the room themselves and decide on any further action later. I was able to locate were the supply to the shed was connected within the kitchen and I disconnected it. So the job has been left only half done! The circuit itself requires altering in any case, even after the fault has been located and rectified. It is one single cable presently supplying about eight power points! The limit for that size cable is two and they have to be in the same area! Converting it to a ring circuit is relatively easy though but requires an extra cable be run under that same bedroom floor!
Shirley Anne
Posted in Enjoyment, Family, Food, Friendship, Leisure, Work | Tagged: Food, Home and Garden, Kitchen and Dining, Recreation, Wine | Leave a Comment »
