Has It Really Been a Year?!

I started this blog just over a year ago.  As you can see, I've moved into a new home and given the place a paint job!  

Elaine at XOMISSE did the paint job and relocation for me as I'm a complete techno-numpty.  If you like simple, minimalist templates and / or web design work done quickly and efficiently and not too expensively, then Elaine is well worth a look.  I can't recommend her highly enough and couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

The domain name was purchased from IWantMyName.  The whole process couldn't have been simpler and it cost less than a tenner.  If you just want a domain name for blogger or the other hosted blog platforms, then I recommend them too.  They don't try and up sell loads of add-ons.  They also Tweet you back when you ask them things.  However stupid!  Excellent service.  I know that the sky's the limit feature-wise with self-hosted WordPress but ... I'm a skinflint as well as a techno-numpty.  

Thank you so much to everyone who's read, commented, introduced me to other blogs and Linkys, Twitter chats etc over the last year.  Much appreciated.  And thank you to my long suffering family.  

Got lots of blog related plans that I hope you will enjoy!  Looking forward to the next year and hope you are too!  Thank you again.  

Go home trolley. You're drunk

You were supposed to get a picture of Rev T going up for his Right Hand of Ministry at the Baptist Union (BU) Conference on Saturday.  In previous years, all the newly accredited Ministers have trooped up on stage, got a handshake from the good and great, then trooped off again.

A public recognition of a pit-stop on a more private, lengthier journey.  This year, they did it a little differently.

The new minister's names were displayed on a screen during the worship service.  The young people built a wall of boxes with their names at the same time.  

The times were a little unclear so, when his name came up, we were having coffee and bun.  Putting the world to rights with some other conference attendees.

They prayed for the newly accredited ministers later, but it wasn't really a moment to whip out my phone for a picture.  Thank you to the couple who decided Rev T was well served so prayed for me instead.  And to everyone else who made our first BU conference such a good day.  

I liked the way they did the ceremony.  Next year, explain where people have to be and when!  

Instead, here's Urban Grime, Village Style:

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Thanks to HedgeyPig for the excellent photo title!  

After the General Election Result, What Next ...

Anyone who knows me knows I wasn't a big fan of the last government.  But at least they had the "big yellow albatross around their neck" to put a stop to their worst excesses.  Now there's nothing. Last Thursday's result was not what I hoped for.

Can anyone recommend a left-wing, English speaking country somewhere warm?

I don't buy the Daily Mash's theory that on polling day, voters surrendered to their inner bast*rd.  I believe that people on both sides of the debate want the same thing.  They disagree on how to get it.

Some think if you invest in people - education, care, housing, lives etc - it creates a workforce that makes businesses strong and successful.

Others think if you make business strong, it invests in people in the aforementioned ways, and you get the same outcome.

This time around, the Conservatives manged to convince enough people that the second idea might be true.  And if it turns out not to be, it might not impact them directly.

What can't be cured must be endured.  There are only so many Epic Acts of Cake that can be committed whilst downing a bucket of coffee and wailing: "What were you thinking, Britain?"

Here are some ways to make a difference:

Write to your MP.  

Let them know the issues that you're concerned about and the actions you'd like them to take.  Check who your MP is and find out how to contact them on TheyWorkForYou.

Discuss politics!  

The revolution will not be hashtaged.  Sharing a political meme on social media changes little as social media is self selecting.  People gravitate towards groups that reinforce what they already think.  Finding that the rest of the world thinks differently can come as a shock.

Encourage your friends to vote, be informed and engaged.  Talking in a constructive way about issues and listening to what others have to say accomplishes far more.  Whilst you may not change opinions, you'll exchange ideas, gain new perspectives and learn a few things!

As always with these things, be respectful of other's opinions and know when to STFU.  Expect the same in return.  I was confused when some friends were told off by others for commenting negatively on the election results on their own social media feed.  Don't want to read it, then scroll on by!

If you don't want to read about politics occasionally, then this may not be the blog for you.  Which is fine.  Other blogs are available.  On the other hand, if you run a Linky and comment on all the posts, my apologies.  And thanks for all your hard work!

Donate.  

Donate to charities or organisations that try to limit the impact of government policies on the vulnerable.  Donations take many forms - time, money, skills, space on your blog etc.  Give what you can.

Food banks are an obvious one.  Trussell Trust has the biggest network, but Google.  Some of the church based ones are independent.

Campaign.  

Join a campaigning organisation relating to the issue(s) that you feel most strongly about.  If you don't like austerity, there's  UK Uncut or the People's Assembly.

Join a political party.  

Political parties are how things get done in the UK.  Being a member gives you a say in their policies, who leads them etc.  You could also join a Union.

Register to vote. 

Just because you missed the last election, there's no reason to be late for the next one!

Look after yourself and your family.  

Have a look at your own circumstances as the social security net now has a big hole in it.  Whilst bad times may come, it's worth ensuring you're in the best possible shape should they arrive:

• Update your CV and get yourself on LinkedIn
• Look at other ways of making money, like taking a lodger
• Get your finances in order and start building a "fire, famine and pestilence" fund.

And, to cheer you up after all this doom and gloom ... @50shadesofTory ... And a lovely picture of some flowers ... 

As always, I hope everyone is well.

The Tubblet has just completed SATS week.  According to friends who are teachers, this year's exams were the hardest ever.  Sometimes there are no words ... Well there are, but ...

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50 Things That Make Me Happy ...

This tag has been floating around for a while.  I'm never quite sure about tags.  Do you hang around, waiting for someone to tag you, which brings back memories of waiting to be picked for school sports teams.  As I was completely unsporty, I'd be waiting for a long time ...

Or do you sneak in and hope no one's noticed your name's on the list ... I'm going for the latter. Particularly after Thursday, when cheering myself up is the order of the day!

If you've also been hanging round, waiting for someone to tag you, then consider yourself tagged!

My family, the wonderful Rev T and the Tubblet.

My job.  It may stress me out sometimes, but the people are great and the work is interesting.

Friends.  Fabulous, funny, supportive ... Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

Coffee.  The magic liquid that helps keep me going and going ...

Faith.  Life's got to have foundations and this, and my family, are mine.

Clean bed sheets.  There's nothing like a freshly made bed ...

Ship of Fools, the website I help run.  Hard work, sometimes thankless, but it makes me happy.

Wine.  The occasional glass of wine is a lovely thing.  Even when it's better when shared with good company.

Cooking.  I love the alchemy of putting stuff in a pan, mixing it all together and seeing what comes out.  (Hopefully something delicious!)

Doctor Who.  Classic, reboot.  Love it!

Reading.  A free ticket to anywhere.

The whole family loves listening to all kinds of music.  Isn't it great when your favourite song comes on the radio?

A clean and tidy house.  Not so keen on how you get that!

TV.  Curling up on the sofa with Rev T and watching something good ... Marvellous!

A bargain.  Although I'm trying to minimize clutter and spending, I still love to get a bargain when I buy something.

Chocolate.

Walking.  I love going for walks.  It's great to be outside when the weather is just right.

A night out with Rev T.  When the Tubblet goes to guides and he doesn't have Deacons, we sneak off to the pub until it's time to collect her.  Date night!

A good night's sleep for everyone.

Knowing my friends and family are doing well and are happy.

Having enough money to keep us warm, feed and have the occasional treat without having to scrimp and save.

Holidays future that we're looking forward too, as well as happy memories of holidays past.

Watching our gerbils play in their cage and seeing how far they can flick sawdust.

Seasons.  The first day of spring, when you don't need a jacket.  The first beach day of summer.  The first golden leaf and flake of snow.

Finding a forgotten fiver in your purse or pocket.

The complete works of Firmin and Postgate.  So looking forward to the new Clangers!

The bus arriving when it's supposed too.

Getting comments on my blog, retweets or likes. (Oh social media!)

A bath.  A bath ..!

A good hair day.

Our home.

A to do list where everything is crossed through!  Jobs done well.

Waking up and realising that I don't have to get up yet ...

Family outings or staying ins.

Getting and giving presents.

Discovering a new place.

Making new friends.

Learning a new skill.

Make-up.  I love reading beauty blogs, looking at make-up counters and working out to recreate a look with what I already have.

Jeans that fit.

Sunsets.  I'm rarely up early enough for sunrises, but I'm sure they're beautiful too.

Crumpets and butter.  Lots and lots of butter.

Dancing when nobody's watching.  Even in the house.

Slippers.  Warm feet are happy feet.

Moomins!

A cuddle from Rev T or the Tubblet.

A seat on the train.

De-cluttering.  I love going through things, creating space and giving stuff away.  (I just need to stop buying more stuff!)

Wales winning the rugby.

Strictly Come Dancing

Have fun posting!


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