What Makes A House a Home

Morgan over at Morgan's Milieu tagged me for What Home Means to Me recently.  I know I have other tags to do and am way behind, but this seemed a nice post in the lead up to Christmas.  

There are Things That Bring Me Joy In My Home, but the two people in the picture are the ones who give home meaning.  Rev T and the Tubblet.  Not the greatest picture in the world, but that's okay. It captures who they are.  And no family is Pinterest perfect!

Home is really about people.  These two bring the real joy and laughter.  As long as these two are happy, healthy and safe things are okay.  These two make home equal home.  

We know each other inside out.  And love each other anyway.  

Home.

I should really tag people, but as it's Christmas I shall give anyone who reads this a gift.  An idea for a post sometime in the new year. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Blogging On a Budget

According to popular belief, blogging requires a lot of cash, self hosting and the ability to obtain freebies.  That's not true.  

All Past Midnight has some great ideas about how to obtain free products and, apart from a custom theme and a domain name, I haven't spent any money on Someplace Strange.  And I'm still not self hosted.  I don't think that's hindered me at all in my blogging journey.  (My laziness on the other hand ...!)  

Having talked about things to think about before setting up your blog, I wanted to talk about blogging when you don't have - or don't want - to spend much money.

Equipment

You probably already have an Internet connection, a laptop/computer and a phone.  Most phones have a good quality camera with lots of features.  Add to that a desire to make your voice heard, some enthusiasm and a thick skin and you have all you need.  There's no point buying a load of equipment when you start.  Many bloggers give up in the first year or so.  If you're still keen a few years later and it's going well, then invest in a DSLR and upgrade the PC if you have the money. 

Template and Platform

My domain name cost me a tenner whilst the custom theme I bought cost a little more.  I'm not technically minded, so even after watching and reading numerous HTML and CSS tutorials I was as clueless at the end as I was when I started.  But, although other people may have my theme, no one has my content and it won't look identical.  I've still managed to create something that's completely mine.  I love my beautiful space on the Internet and I'm thrilled that others love it too!  You may be more technically minded and may enjoy learning about HTML and CSS.  Have fun!  The blogging platform you use comes down to personal preference.  I'm using Blogger as it's free, does everything I need and is simple to use.   Other platforms are available.  Do some research and choose the best one for you.  

Products

I've never purchased anything just to blog about it.  I really do drink that much coffee and eat this much cake.  The only difference that having a blog has made is I take more photos of it!  There are lots of things you can write about without spending anything.  Use your ingenuity and resourcefulness to come up with ways of looking at products, services and life in a different way.  It'll make your blog more creative and unusual.  

The takeaway ...

Ultimately, it's up to you how much or little money you spend on your blog.  But the wonderful thing about blogging is that there are no rules.  You definitely don't need to spend money to have an excellent blog.  Don't get distracted or discouraged when you see posts on what people use to blog. These aren't necessities, just a personal preference or opinion. The most important thing is having a passion for what you're writing about, letting your personality shine though and making the best of the resources you have.  In other words, having fun!

So, what are you waiting for ...!

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Things I Love About Christmas

It's officially Christmas in our house.  The tree is up, the presents are being purchased and the cards written.  Rev T is planning the Christmas service, the Carol Service, the Toddlers Christmas Party, the Food Hampers for the people who come to the food bank ... See, told you he was busy!   Ministry isn't all about Sundays.  Having talked about giving back at this time of year, I'm going to share with you what I love about Christmas.

• Church and God and Stuff.  Other people can write about this more eloquently, but ultimately this is what Christmas is about.  Emmanuel, God with us.  

• Family.  Spending time with the Tubblet and Rev T and going to see our families to celebrate Christmas is the best.  It'll be a bit weird as mum won't be there.  I keep thinking she's in another room or in the garden.  She wasn't there last year, but we were all in such a daze it didn't seem real.

• Putting the decorations up.  Rev T and the Tubblet do this.   They are tasteful and know when to put the babbles and tinsel down.  I am not tasteful and want to put up everything. Everywhere.  There is something about a bare Christmas tree though.  The creative possibilities! 

• The Radio Times and Christmas TV. Sitting down circling all the programmes you want to watch and then negotiating with the rest of the family so everyone gets a turn.  As long as I get to watch Christmas Who and Strictly I'll be pleased.  (There will be Who.  Even if it's Who on iPlayer).  

• Traditions.  Every family has them - from the time the presents are opened; what you have for dinner or whether you go for an after dinner walk.  All of them are different.  All of them are the right way to do Christmas.  One of the more challenging aspects of getting married that's rarely mentioned is working out which family traditions to keep and which to abandon in favour of new ones that you create yourselves.  

• Food.  Christmas dinner, mince pies, cake and pud. Love it! Just not all at once.  Rev T loves mince pies and has started stockpiling a stash to take him all the way to January!

• Films.  We love Christmas films.  Rev T insists on watching It's A Wonderful Life whilst I prefer A Nightmare Before Christmas.  Rev T is also very excited about Star Wars.  Very excited. When it comes to fandoms the Tubbs household is a house divided.  Rev T loves Star Wars whilst I love Who. Both of us are convinced we're right.

• Presents.  I love getting presents, but love giving them more.  It's great seeing people's faces light up when you've got them something they really wanted.  Not so keen in wrapping them.  I always end up covered in sticky tape!

• Music.  This is only in because Rev T loves Christmas music.  Once the decorations are up, the Christmas iTunes playlist comes on.  I hate it.  Bah humbug!  However through he is deselecting the Christmas songs afterwards, he always misses one or two. Slade are often telling us "It's Christmas!" in the middle of August.  

• Christmas on Someplace Strange.  There will be some posts.  Less than usual as there will also be spending time with family in places where the Internet connection is rubbish.  I will be reading and commenting as much as I can.  

If I don't see you before Christmas, have a wonderful time with you and yours.   

Well, that's what I love, but what do you love about Christmas? What Christmas traditions do you have?  Let me know in the comments.

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Giving at Christmas

I won't be doing wish lists and the like as my Christmas posts on Someplace Strange.  Nothing wrong with them if they're your thing, but they're not mine.  I do believe Christmas is about giving though. As well as a religious festival celebrating Jesus' birth and one of Rev T's busiest times of the year.

Here are some ways to give at Christmas that don't involve spending much or any money:

• Donate.  Go round the house, fill a bag or two and take it to the charity shop of your choice. Books, toys, clothing and household items are always be appreciated.  Check if your local children's and family centre is collecting toys to give to poor families in your area. Donate food and other items to the food bank.  Many people who are alright throughout the year find Christmas a struggle so demand for their services increases this time of year so extra donations will be gratefully received. 

• Christmas cards.  Purchase charity cards and someone benefits.  Even if you purchase them in January in the sales and store them for next year.  (Now, if only I could find mine!)

• Go shopping.  Your local charity shop has toys, clothes, books, donated gifts and new items that may be cheaper than elsewhere.  All the money spent supports their work.

• Volunteer.  Helpers at fund-raising events, food banks and other things are always wanted.  If you've got time to give, then give that.  

• Welcome.  If you know others who will be lonely during this time or may find Christmas a struggle for whatever reason, and you're able to do so, then invite them round. Include their children on an outing or invite them on a play date.  

Whatever you give, don't feel guilty, because it may not seem much.  It all helps.  Don't worry that others may be able to give more, just give what you can.  Giving isn't about how much you've given, it's about the attitude behind it.

Any other suggestions for ways to give at Christmas?

[ETA: #blogitforward.  Read more about it here.  Tagging Franca at A Moment with Franca and  Morgan at Morgan's Milieu.  Thank you Debbie! ]

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Dear Mr Cameron ..

ISIS/Daesh's actions are terrible.  The situation in the Middle East is complicated.   I don't believe dropping bombs in Syria will change hearts and minds; stop terrorism or make people safer; lead to a lasting peace or create stable countries.  Past evidence shows the exact opposite. 

Opposing a "bomb now, think later" strategy in Syria does not a "terrorist sympathiser" make. (Morgan over at Morgan's Milieu unpacks this more here).  This disrespectful remark and refusal to apologise reduces discussion to the level of "that's you, that is".  All you needed was a "Your mum ..." joke to seal the deal.  Newman and Baddiel doing "History Today" circa 1990.   

The claims that there are 70,000 troops willing to fight ISIS/Daesh on the ground can probably be filed alongside "There are weapons of mass destruction" and "It'll be all over by Christmas".  There weren't.  It wasn't.  Besides, I thought the UK was broke.  There's no money for the NHS, welfare, education or ... But we've got money for bombs?!

There are other reasons I disagree with dropping bombs as well. In the words of Joe H, one of Rev T's friends:

"In complex times such as this we need to develop robust and imaginative diplomatic, economic and international solutions to what we all agree to be incredibly painful and challenging times. As such then we need to be a people of extravagant love, unbounded imagination and fearless creativity. We need to foster this, not only within ourselves, but in our children and future generations. Dropping bombs on other countries where their own future generations are killed creates the fear and hatred we all so desperately want to eradicate.

As Christians we follow the One who is called the Prince of Peace. At this time of Advent we are reminded that at the birth of Jesus some of the first words spoken were, ‘Peace on earth’. Indeed, at the resurrection of Jesus some of his first words to his disciples were, ‘Peace be with you.’ We believe then, that peace cannot be achieved through war but, following the example of Jesus, in radical enemy love and subversive acts of nonviolence; not fight or flight, not inaction, but, as Martin Luther King Jr said, through nonviolent actions that strip the oppressor of their power".

There is a Facebook petition you can sign if you oppose bombing Syria and you're a Christian attending a Baptist Church. 

Let me know what you think about this issue the comments.  I appreciate not everyone reading this agrees with me.  Many think the four just war criteria have been met and that bombing is the right thing to do:  

1. Is a legitimate authority taking the decision?. 
2. Is there a just cause for entering war? 
3. Does war offer the prospect of a better state of affairs for the oppressed? 
4. Is it a last resort? 

I don't believe the third or fourth criteria for a just war have been met.  I don't believe bombing will make things better or that we've tried everything.  We've not made a concerted effort to cut off their money supply or asked any ackward questions about where some of their funds come from.  Please note, if you've stumbled across this post and you're military, I do not hold you responsible for this situation in any way.  Once the orders are given, they have to be carried out.  That's how it works.  I hope if you've read this far, whatever you take away from this post, you take that.  This situation is completely the responsibility of politicians.

But, hopefully we can have a better standard of discussion than the one set by Cameron with no trolling.  Thank you for reading and have a great week.

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Should I Stop Dying My Hair?

Mary Angelini Dove @ Pinterest

Of course she does!  It's a hair dye ad!  In the words of that song by Odyssey, "Zippin' up my boots, goin' back to my roots, yeah", I was thinking of stopping dying my hair.  My natural colour was last seen in my early 20's when greys started appearing.  (Thank you genes!)  Every four to six weeks, my hair would become darker and browner again.  As if by magic.  I remember when I started applying the magic hair colour muttering something about stopping doing this when I was 50.  Because that was ages away. And now it isn't.  

I am bored with the whole process so am considering stopping and embracing the grey.  I should document this in some way, although for someone as photo adverse as me that could be a challenge.   I'll give it a go though.  

Rev T and the Tubblet are unsure about this decision.  Rev T is threatening to shave his beard off if the hair doesn't get dyed.   I have never seen Rev T without his beard.  This could be weird.  The Tubblet is conducting some kind of stealth brain washing exercise.  She sneaks up behind me and whispers, "Dye your hair ..."

So, um, what do you think?  Madness, bravery or no big deal?  (And before anyone says anything ... First world problem.  I know!)

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