Heather's place

Choose and cherish all things good...

2011-06-21T22:47:00.004+01:00

I can't remember why, but a line from a song has been floating round in my head for a day or so

"And with words that help and heal..."

I suspect it's because I'd encountered too many unhelpful words and wanted to counteract some of the negativity with some healing words.

It took me while, but eventually I found the whole song via the magic that is Mr Google.

Today I am still struggling with negative words that have been directed at me but I must choose to put them aside and cherish the good things I've seen and heard today.

Easier said than done. But I'm learning that it can be a choice.

And talking of Cherish, maybe I'll save my thoughts for another day. In the meantime, here's the whole song.

Gracious Spirit, dwell with me!

I myself would gracious be;

And with words that help and heal

Would Thy life in mine reveal;

And with actions bold and meek

Would for Christ my Saviour speak.

Truthful Spirit, dwell with me!

I myself would truthful be;

And with wisdom kind and clear

Let Thy life in mine appear;

And with actions brotherly

Speak my Lord’s sincerity.

Tender Spirit, dwell with me!

I myself would tender be;

Shut my heart up like a flower

In temptation’s darksome hour,

Open it when shines the sun,

And his love by fragrance own.

Mighty Spirit, dwell with me!

I myself would mighty be;

Mighty so as to prevail,

Where unaided man must fail;

Ever, by a mighty hope,

Pressing on and bearing up.

Holy Spirit, dwell with me!

I myself would holy be;

Separate from sin, I would

Choose and cherish all things good,

And whatever I can be

Give to Him Who gave me Thee!

More chairs please

2011-01-23T22:19:00.004Z

Well Christmas and New Year have been and gone. And, apart from a horrible, horrible cold which started about a week before Christmas, all went well.

We've had some good times at Church recently so before I forget I need to record some thoughts. I like looking back over my blog and seeing how things have progressed for me, my family and my Church.

We have a small but growing number of new people joining the congregation. Looking round the hall it's good to see an increasingly diverse bunch gathering on a Sunday. And yet, with that diversity we also seem to have growing sense of community. By no means perfect - but a good place to be.

We should put out more chairs next week.

Dancing feet

2010-12-04T23:58:00.000Z

Today I have mostly been dancing and Christmas shopping.

Christmas Tat

2010-12-03T23:30:00.007Z

Tat- cheapness: tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar.

There's a whole lot of stuff that gets rolled into December and given the label 'Christmas'. Lots of has nothing to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus - some of it's good anyway, and some of it's a pile of tat!

I'm not averse to a little tat every now and then.

At work today we got the Christmas decorations out - mostly a pile of old tat. All very cheap and cheerful. More cheerful than cheap - so the office will be a nicer place to be for a few weeks.

Not that it's not a nice - but the world's a better place with tinsel round the edges.

Of course it's not as much fun since the accommodation police stopped us sticking things on the walls and the health and safety people stopped us dangling things from the ceiling. Climbing onto the desk via a chair on wheels can't be that dangerous - surely?

Anyway - this is me a couple of weeks ago when the Liverpool Christmas Lights were switched on. I'm standing with the Christmas Yak! Rather over sized, but realistic enough to make Matthew too scared to stand next to it.

Imperfect Christmas - updated

2010-12-02T23:47:00.006Z

I do love a nice Christmas magazine - inspiration and escapism in an Ideal Home or House Beautiful.

But I do sneer a little at the suggestion that they can provide me with a 'perfect' Christmas.

On Thursday last week I went along with our Church Choir to Ann Fowler House in Liverpool - it's a ladies hostel - or as they're now branded, a LifeHouse. I went along to help intorduce some of the carols and to chat to the girls.

As I walked across town on the way there I wondered what sort of Christmas the girls at the LifeHouse were expecting. Probably not perfect - at least not the perfection that we see in the M&S TV ads, shop windows or the Ideal Home Christmas edition.

But then who does have a perfect Christmas? - maybe the girls assume everyone else has it sorted. But we don't, do we? None of us live in an M&S TV ad? Well I don't.

A couple of days later I came across this in my Christmas poetry book

A Christmas Poem

At Christmas little children sing and merry bells jingle,
The cold winter air makes our hands and faces tingle
And happy families go to church and cheerily they mingle
And the whole business is unbelievably dreadful, if you're single.

Wendy Cope

I heard this for the first time years ago - but each Christmas,when I flick thought my Christmas poems, it's like reading it for the first time and I'm taken aback by the last line.

When I spoke to the girls last Thursday I talked about a perfect Christmas. I told them that no one has a perfect Christmas - and no one has a perfect life.

Reminds me of some of my favourite Christmas Bible verses from John 1 -

¹⁰ He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.

Sounds far from perfect to me.

It's not that far...

2010-12-01T23:56:00.005Z

It's almost a year since I last posted (that's facebook for you I guess).

Maybe I'll get back into the swing of it for Advent.

So here's my thought for today.

Christmas is a time when tradition becomes very important - it's important to do the right things in the right way at the right time. But it struck me the other day when thinking about Christmas, how surprising and different were the events that surrounded the birth of Jesus.

I'm wondering what surprising and unexpected things will break into my traditions this year.

Christmas

is never where you expect it.

Not in the big house

with the fire lit and the presents rsutling,

nor when the lights awaken

the tree and you should feel something and don't.

Christmas happens in an unimaginable

place - in a city store with canned music -

in the street with a stranger

and a white cyclamen,

or when the silence tightens

the cry in your throat.

Then Christmas comes,

never when you expect it

and always in Bethlehem.

Diana Hendry

Avatar

2010-01-30T23:44:00.004Z

Went to the pictures this afternoon to see Avatar.

We've been waiting for a chance to go ever since Al came home seriouly hyped-up after seeing it in 3D at the IMAX.

The story is simple and fairly predictable which is a good thing. It's so lovely to watch, and there is so much to look it's nice just to concentrate on watching. And to be honest, I'm not that keen on entertainment that makes my head hurt. Well not all the time.

It's a family tradition to talk about the best and worst bits on the way home so I might as well share them with you.

We loved the larger than life colours and strong images and the blend of CGI and 'real' stuff.

The sad bits were not too sad and the violent bits were not too gory. We took our nine year old with us and only winced a couple of times at the swearing and mild snogging (he closed his eyes for that bit).

The characters are a bit cliched and caricatured but it's comic book stuff really.

There are plenty of spiritual and moral issues touched on in the film - good for discussion starters if you like. Some ideas here http://www.damaris.org/con

tent/culturewatcharticles/content.php?type=1&id=452

Overall I loved the mix of skill and creativity that produced a very enjoyable couple of hours of entertainment. I find it really joyful to experience the results of creative genius and I guess, lots of sheer hard work too.

I couldn't help but think that if people are that creative and clever - how much more is the God who created them.

It's not often I prefer the old- fashiondy version of the Bible, but today I was couldn't help thinking of this verse.

The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof;

the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 24.

January

2010-01-23T00:06:00.000Z

Christmas catch-up

2010-01-06T00:00:00.006Z

Carol Singing for some of the old folk from Church - it was freezing.

Matthew and school friend making a snowman on Christmas Eve.

Out for a walk with Dad in Southport the day after Boxing Day - it was freezing again.

I started December with the intention of blogging through Advent as I had done in previous years. Week one went OK. Week two was dull with nothing of interest to blog about - and I was still feeling poorly (pause for reader to say "ahh").

By Week three I was so far behind with Christmas prep (due to general apathy caused by poorlyness) that I gave up the idea of blogging and tried to focus my creative thinking on the tricky business of buying lovely presents for my friends and family.

Christmas day was fairly quiet for us with only six at our house for Christmas Dinner. But from then on increasing numbers of family and friends gathered on various occasions. Each of which required mopping of the white kitchen floor which I don't enjoy, and food prep which I do enjoy.

All of Matthew and Al's cousins were up north between Christmas and New Year so I bit the bullet and had six of them round for a sleep-over one night. It went remarkably well - the Cookie and Elliott kids are fairly good at entertaining each other these days.

I have to admit to falling asleep during the family trip out to Alvin and the Chipmunks - the sqeakquel. I woke up thinking I was back in bed and the sleep-over was getting out of hand. If the Cinema hadn't been so cold think I would have slept right to the end.

We had a pleasant New Year's Eve with family and a few friends - but I did miss being at Church with a bigger bunch of folks.

A grown ups only trip to see Sherlock Holmes on New Years day compensated for the Chipmunk experience.

Thankfully, Everton managed to beat Carlisle in the FA cup on Jan 2nd, so Kev, his Dad and brothers had a great time on one of their rare trips to Goodison. The ladies had a good time out grabbing bargains from the the Charity Shops of Woolton. And because "the toffees" did so well, we all had a pleasant eve re-living the highs of both the match and the retail therapy.

Of course if Everton hadn't won it wouldn't have mattered - it's only a game. Isn't it?

7 Dec 2009 - The Christmas Tuba

2009-12-07T23:02:00.006Z

This is the space in our hall where the Christmas Tuba used to live.

One of the joys of being married to the Bandmaster is the chance to share your house with the Christmas Tuba. The poor tuba gets passed from player to player - depending on who's available for each gig - but generally ends up going home with the Bandmaster.

Of course the privilege of housing the tuba is no longer mine - but I'm glad to tell you that my sister-in-law Mary is enjoying that role now.

6 Dec 2009

2009-12-07T21:31:00.005Z

Think I need to adjust the settings on my camera as everything has a bluish tone.

Sunday was a busy day with a Toy service in the morning, lunch at the hall, more Christmas prep and a Fanfara rehearsal. Fanfara: the band formerly know as Neil's Band or Friday Band.

This is them rehearsing for an NSPCC Carol Service in Southport next week.

The toys collected at the toy service have been given to the local Action for Children (formerly) NCH) centre in Walton. More about them here.

As I'm in the mood, here's another bonus picture. Not very Christmassy on the face of it - but part of the stuff I've been helping prepare for the Carol Service.

If trouble finds you,

this is my prayer -

may peace guard your hearts and make you strong.

And I wish you love

the kind to last all year long.

I guess you need to hear the music too.

Maybe - or maybe you just need to know that I prayed this for you.

5 Dec 2009 - Saturday

2009-12-07T20:47:00.002Z

Another trip out today - all the excitement of Tesco today. Can tell I'm still feeling under the weather as I couldn't be bothered to mooch around for Christmas presents and stuff. Didn't even buy any additional Christmas decs or lights.

Bumped into Dad at the till so popped into the local garden centre for coffee and a chat.

Just to be clear, that's Dad in the centre of the picture and a giant, inflatable, waving Santa to the right.

4 Dec 2009

2009-12-07T20:38:00.005Z

When you're stuck at home with a bad chest a hot bath is probably the highlight of the day.

However, I ventured out this evening to visit friends and to get some prep done for the Carol Service. An evening with friends, chinese food, three well behaved kids and Christmas prep done - now that is a highlight.

Feeling more Christmas now - so you get a bonus picture today.

3 Dec 2009

2009-12-07T20:29:00.002Z

Christmas cards and news letters are arriving now.

Haven't decided yet how many we'll send. I am generally hopeless with cards so we'll probably send most of our greetings electronically. With of course, a note pointing to the blog!

Starting to feel a bit Christmassy now.

2 Dec 2009

2009-12-07T20:25:00.002Z

Feeling a bit better today.

Up long enought to make homemade soup. That is cabbage - not a sea monster.

Sorry not very Christmassy yet.

1 Dec 2009

2009-12-07T20:13:00.003Z

Having started the half term holiday with a bad cold and asthma I thought it would have gone away by December. Sadly not.

The cold having progressed via a throat infection to a chest infection meant the first few days of Dec in bed with daytime TV.

Advent blogging 2009

2009-12-07T19:37:00.005Z

This year will be the fourth year I've set out to blog regularly throughout Advent.

As it's now Dec 6 I have a bit of catching up to do.

In case your interested you can review my December writing for 2006, 07 and 08 by following the links on the right hand bar. (Sorry can't make the hyper links work.)

I'll post most of my Christmas pictures on Facebook but will share one a day here.

I've started with our Christmas theme picture for 2009.

Remembrance

2009-11-09T21:22:00.011Z

It's ages and ages since I've blogged - for a few reasons - but that's for another day.

Thought you might like to see some of the pictures I took today.

You can see them all on Facebook here.

I happened to be in London for a work meeting just up the road from the Cenotaph. So I made a minor detour to take some pictures.

It was a lovely autumn day - cloudy but with occasional bursts of warm sunshine.

I don't know why, but I slightly surprised to see so many people and a couple of TV cameras.

I was struck by how the The London buses and poppy wreaths made great splashes of colour in the otherwise grey tones of Whithall.

I noticed the chalk marks on the floor. Circles, numbers and straight lines that I guessed, were there to tell people where to stand and where to lay the wreaths - nothing left to chance. No room for confusion or disorder here.

I took a few pictures and then I looked around at the other people I was standing with, catching snippets of conversation. Some were taking pictures, some wandering around observing what was going on, and some looking out for wreaths laid by specific organisations.

Being a people watcher I stood for a while and wondered who they were - curious passers by, or people who had made specify journeys to be there. I noticd how the cameramen were clearly focused on doing their jobs and saw how the tourists in silly hats looked ridiculously out of place.

And then I spotted the men who were clearly moved to be there - maybe thinking of family or friends or paying their respects to old comrades. Who knows.

It was interesting to see the range of organisations who leave the wreaths - obviously military and voluntary groups connected with supporting troops, but Govt departments and bizarrely (I thought) The Amalgamation of Racing Pigeons.

I didn't expect to see so many hand written notes and was really moved to read the dedications to soldiers who had died so recently.

I'm grateful for the chance to remember those who gave so much to allow us to live in freedom.

I'm grateful too for the reminder to pray for peace.

Family friendly thoughts

2009-06-13T10:13:00.004+01:00

I been thinking (you know I do it too much) about family friendly Church. As always my thoughts go off in all directions and I've ended up thinking more about families than Church.

At the moment my latest 'obsesion' is a Facebook group I've created for 'The Cook Family' - that's the relatives of my Granny and Granpa.

This is them with their eight children. My Dad is the youngest - sitting down at the front.

Their children, grandchildren and great grandchild live round the world - USA, Austraila, New Zealand, England and of course Scotland.

It's been faciating to 'meet' cousins on Facebook and share family photos - getting to know people who are part of my family even tho we've never met.

This is one of my favourites from the early 70s - it's my Grandpa arriving in New Zealand as he sees one of his sons for the first time in 20 years.

I found it really moving to see this for the first time - there's such a lovely look on his face.

And as Kev pointed out - how amazing to capture that precise moment on camera.

Blog hopping

2009-05-29T23:41:00.003+01:00

Had a good evening evening wandering around blogland in a deliberate attempt to find something new and interesting.

This is my find of the night. http://www.beyondrelevance.com/

I'll be visiting again to have a good look round.

Still waters

2009-05-29T00:09:00.006+01:00

A couple of months ago Kev and I took the plunge and joined the gym.

We'd looked at a few places and in end the end picked the nicest (and most expensive) one. It's a bit of an extravagance but, as we have a cheap holiday lined up for this year, we decided the money would come from the holiday budget. We have friends who were already members and they'd convinced us it was like being on holiday all year.

There were two things in particular that 'sold' it to us

- the facilities and activities for kids - it really is 'family friendly' and

- the heated indoor and outdoor pools.

We've had plenty of use from the outdoor pool these last few weeks. And when the sun shines, the water looks like this.

It's warm enough to use even when it's not very sunny and you get the best of both worlds. Outside, at one with nature - grass and trees, blue sky, birds and a gentle breeze. And crystal-clear, warm water that comes from an artificial (but highly efficient) filtration, heating and chlorination system.

And I'm 'blessed' every time I swim - thanking God for the beauty of the sun on the water and the efficiency of the water heater.

It's rare to have more than a couple of people in at once and several times I've had the whole pool to myself.

But not so this Bank Holiday Monday.

The club had a 'free' weekend. People brought friends and family along to enjoy the freebie - and we did too.

So the pool and patio area were very busy. It was noisy, the adult-only Jacuzzi was full of kids and the clear water was looking more opaque than crystal .

On Tuesday, as I was on my own again in the pool enjoying the peace and the somewhat clearer water, I decided that I prefer ed the exclusivity.

But that's a bit selfish really - I don't need a whole pool to myself.

And there's something a bit sad about a pool designed for lots of people to enjoy having only one person in it. On Monday there were lots of people there - having lots of fun.

Of course the whole purpose of the 'free' weekend is to get new people to pay to join the gym. And no matter how much I like swimming on my own, the gym will not be viable if there are not enough people 'investing' in keeping it open.

Have you worked out where I'm going with this?

Do we want to keep our Church 'clean and tidy' - untroubled by people who don't know the rules?

Or are we willing to throw open the doors and learn to live with the literal and metaphorical mess?

I have to admit that sometimes I just want the exclusivity - but I know that's not what we were designed for and ultimatly, it's not a viable strategy.

New Brighton Carnival

2009-05-23T22:16:00.006+01:00

Matthew - number one old fan and would be heckler. He didn't get that when Dan spoke to the audience he wasn't speaking directly to him - and he wasn't inviting feedback.

Can you see the extra 1.8 mega pixals in first shot?

No? They are just to to the left of the ice cream van.

Tennis - anyone else?

2009-05-22T21:54:00.003+01:00

Tennis Girl Uploaded on May 2, 2008 by Balakov http://www.flickr.com/photos/71447254@N00/2460255572

One: It's not funny to make funn of my speeling.

Two: Maybe.

Three: I've been busy facebooking with your meat-eating teenager.

I'll ring you.

Love H

Messy Church - reply to Johnny

2009-05-20T23:30:00.002+01:00

Johnny said "Looks like Walton's had quite a journey!"

Indeed we have.

I've been thinking about a response to this comment. Something along the lines that we are still on the journey. (And that's part of the messyness I guess.)

The phrase 'Becoming the kind of Church (Corps) God wants us to be', has cropped up along the way.

And it that context, I was wondering today when we will reach our destination. And how we we know when we have arrived.

Of course we will never get to the end of that journey because there will always something more or something better that God wants from us - or for us.

A bit like a treasure hunt really - once you get to a particular point there is another clue to be revealed - and that sets you off in a slightly different direction.

I like working out the clues :-)

But I know some people would prefer to go straight to the end.

But where's the fun in that?

The future's bright

2009-05-18T23:56:00.003+01:00

I picked up our new phones today.

I am already slightly confused but looking forward to the 5 megapixels - that's 1.8 more than I have now!

1.8! - I know, it's a lot isn't it.

Tennis anyone?

2009-05-18T23:37:00.002+01:00

Kev and I are having lessons!

Who knows where it will end.
I am almost completly hopless - but it's great fun.

Messy Church again

2009-05-16T09:47:00.006+01:00

Or Blue serge II

It's a long time since I wrote about messy church here.

As per my comment on Blue serge, some more thoughts and a picture on what it means to be a Salvation Army Church (Corps) in 21st C.

I've looked through my pictures to find one that illustrates where we're at - or where I think we're up to. (As I said before, these are my personal views only - who knows what everyone else thinks. ) There is a 30+ piece Brass Band in the middle of our hall.
It is not a Salvation Sally Army band. No-one is wearing uniform.
The band is playing Sally Army music, conducted by a Sally Army BM.
Some of the players are active members of a Sally Army Band.
Some of the players are active members of the Sally Army but not a Sally Army Band.
Some of the players occasionally go to the Sally Army.
Some of the players haven't been to the Sally Army for a long time.
The Euph player is a confirmed Anglican.
The band has no name and no formal membership rules.

Bit messy really.

To the right of the drummers head you can see the traditional Sally Army crest. When we re-furbished this room a couple of years ago we didn't have a crest on the wall. Some people were very unhappy about this - so now we have one.

The lights are Ikea style standard lamp - frequently used for the 'soft lighting' effect we need for social events . They work OK but we could do with a few more as it's its a bit too dark - and the extension cables have to be taped to the carpet. Not very state of the art - bit messy really.

Just above the base drum you might be able to see people are sitting round cafe style tables - and just to the right people are sitting on the comfy sofa's from the lounge. It's great to have the informal seating - but a pain to move all the chairs and carry the sofas in and out again.

The picture was taken during an informal evening we had last week. Drink and snacks - coffee and cake. Informal - but with a full-on brass band! But it worked surprisingly well. The Bandos enjoyed the refreshments and the chatting. The people who thought they didn't like brass bands had a great time and loved the live music.

No-one paid a penny to get in - all that for free!

I'll leave you to get your head round all of that - but I think it's a parable for where we're currently at.

Thanks Dad for the pictures.

Messy Church 2007 - an update

2009-05-15T23:52:00.002+01:00

Back in 2007 I posted here about a Sunday night meeting I'd organised.

Re-reading this led me to some comments I made in response to Andrews's blog here.

It's been interesting to re-read my thinking from about 18 months ago as I'm preparing a post on where I see we're up to now - or where I think we're up to.

You have to remember these are my personal views only - who knows what everyone else thinks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andrew Thanks for this.

It really strikes a cord with me. I blogged here about our Sunday night meeting.

It was fun and noisy. It took a fair deal of prep in terms of putting together pictures and film clips etc and cost a quite bit of money to do free supper and fireworks. Uniform was optional - all bar two opted out and couple of us wore jeans and informal logo stuff.

This was the second year we’d done fireworks and like last year there were lots of people there who wouldn’t normally come to an Army meeting. Over the past few years we’ve become a Corps that can do special events like this (both Sunday meetings or Sat/Friday nights) quite well. We generally provide free or reasonably priced refreshments, good live music (Band, Songsters or informal groups) and a friendly welcome, sometimes with designated hosts.

Our informal mission statement could be “Any excuse for a party”.

But after the special events are over we go back to the (hopefully) beautiful but probably inaccessible services you describe, fully (well almost fully) kitted out in our uniforms.

I’ve a feeling that as a corps we’re on a journey towards a more relevant meetings for both new and old and non members of our corps. This has been going on for several years but I sense the pace is quickening. We’re certainly in a period of transition and uncertainty. I’m hoping we can work out how we provide regular “church” for Dads who don’t know they’re expected to take their hats off and Mums who don’t know their expected to keep their toddlers quiet.

But we also need to provide the in-depth teaching and space for reflection, decision making and public commitment (at the mercy seat?) for our existing folk.

And for me this raises loads of questions about what that is, and how we get there. I wonder if, as a corps, we are willing to give up what we like for the sake of those who are currently excluded from Church in the way you describe?

But I’m also concerned about those corps members (not just the older ones), who grieve the loss of the traditional Army meeting (whatever that is).

I’ve long been a fan of all-inclusive worship - difficult but not impossible to do. But some of our recent events have left me wondering about its limitations. So I’ve been thinking about the ideas behind Holiness and Salvation meetings - different meetings for different purposes and different people. I’m drawn to the idea of regular meetings aimed at and designed for people who don’t usually come to Church - not for the committed members of the corps but planned and delivered by them. With meetings for the committed members of the corps, allowing them to worship and be discipled in a way that makes sense to them. But this raises more issues.

The tastes and needs of everyone within a group won’t be the same - and either group could be segmented into further sub-groups. Even within the people who already regularly our corps there is range of preferences. So do we need to provide a whole range of meetings?

But to return to the point you make, maybe our priority needs to be the “ordinary people” first.

Thanks for helping my thinking.

Blue serge

2009-05-13T00:12:00.006+01:00

Or grey serge part II.

I put some thoughts together on Sally Army Uniform wearing back in 2007. I’ve changed my views slightly since then – so I’m updating my notes and sharing them with you.

I was brought up in an Army family and have been a uniform-wearing Salvationist for 37 years (30 of those as a senior soldier).

(No, not my family - well not all of them.)

When I say uniform-wearing I mean I am a Salvation Army Soldier who owns and occasionally wears a traditional navy serge uniform and a few SA branded T-shirt.

Over the past few years, like Johnny, I’ve “becoming increasingly troubled by our excessive use of Christianese and the tendency to retreat into our Salvationist culture bubble” I too struggled with the “weekly donning of the blue serge”. So I gave in. Well - to the weekly struggle anyway.

As I don’t have a specific Sally Army role there is no requirement for me to wear uniform for Sunday worship – but there is an expectation. I came to realized that the only reason I was wearing uniform on a Sunday was so I wouldn’t upset the people who thought I should.

Initially I moved onto T-shirt plus smart trousers, then T-shirt with jeans. But I realized that if my only reason for wearing the T-shirt was to keep the trads happy, then I was probably wasting my time - I suspected that for some of them it would be the full hit or nothing. (I occasional lead meetings so I think it’s appropriate to wear the trad stuff then. But I do get comments about how nice I look when I’m wearing the full regalia.)

I am no more or less committed to my Soldier’s Covenant – whatever I’m wearing. And I’m no more or less committed to my local Sally Army Church than I was a few years ago.

So here are three incidents that have prompted me to opt for denim over serge.

Our community centre manager Gill runs a busy mid-week programme from our Church building. A key part of her job is building relationships with people who use our building during the week. And she’s very good at it.

Gill was at the Hall in uniform one day (for a funeral I think). A lady, who she‘d got to know quite well was looking for her to ask some specific questions about the Army. But, instead of seeking her out she spoke to one of our non-uniformed friends instead. The lady explained to our friend that she wanted to speak to Gill but didn’t feel she could because Gill was in uniform.

I found this quite ironic as the SA UK website says -

“The intention of Salvation Army uniform is not to isolate its wearer from other people but to give a visible sign that he or she is available to serve others."

In this case it had exactly the opposite effect.

The second incident happened almost two years ago at the Vocational Day at the training college.
Kev and I arrived, slightly late but with a message from our friends that everyone was in the dining room having coffee.

We walked in to find we and about six other people were the only ones not in uniform. As we crossed the dining room we felt all eyes were on us. It was like a scene from a Western Saloon bar! We couldn’t believe how uncomfortable we felt. We’re Salvationists! We wear uniform! But we felt SO out of place.

In an instant I understand what our children’s workers had been telling us a few weeks earlier – people are intimidated by our uniform. It’s not that I didn’t believe them – I've heard lots of people say this over the years - I just didn’t grasp just how uncomfortable it could make people feel.

(I have to say that our feeling of discomfort probably had a lot to do with he fact that there was no one there to welcome us or tell us where to go and what to do. )

And thirdly.

Several months ago I went to visit a couple of new Christians who had linked up with our Church. We had a great chat about how they had become Christians and the things God was doing in their life – really inspiring stuff. Towards the end of the evening I asked them if they had any previous experience of the Army and whether they found it strange at all. Guess what? That's right - he ONLY weird thing for them was seeing so many people in uniform.

So in all those situations the uniform did the opposite of what the official statement says, And I think in many cases it also fails to “tells the onlooker that the person wearing uniform is a professing Christian and that he or she is available to give practical or spiritual help..”

I’m all for being visible – in fact when I’m out and about I’m happy to wear the logo stuff. But we must stop assuming that most people know who we are, what we do and what our quirky traditions stand for.

And finally my selfish reasons.

It’s just not me. It’s a pain to have to get everything ready at least the night before (tights without holes, shinny shoes, clean ironed shirt). And I feel like I’m in fancy dress. It inhibits my freedom in worship.

It’s not that I’m particularly fashionable - but who would chose to wear an outfit like this?
Maybe someone so wrapped up in a sub-culture that they can’t see how sitting firmly within thier own comfort zone means pushing someone else out of theirs.

If our priority is to be smart and maintain a tradition then I think we’ve missed the point.

Haven’t we?

Grey serge

2009-05-12T20:25:00.006+01:00

Warning – Sally Army post.

A while ago I had a brief Facebook conversation with Bill Davidson of Joystrings fame. Bill is now a Pastor in America but I met him a couple of times in Liverpool – it’s where he grew up and his sister is still one of the key people at our Church (Sally Army Liverpool Walton).

Bill with Cliff Richard 1967 http://www.joystrings.co.uk/Images/cliff-richards.jpg

Looking at some of his Facebook pictures from the 60s (him and Cliff, him and Tom Jones etc ) it struck me how ‘trendy’ he looked in his grey serge uniform. I wondered if that was how it felt at the time and whether the group had ever considered not wearing uniform. (Bill is happy for me to share his views with you.)

“Actually our Victorian "stand-up" collars were very 60s. After The Beatles filmed HELP in similar uniforms, we were very cool. Grey was chosen because navy serge was so dull on TV. Grey was the official color for summer uniforms. But yes, they all came from SP&S. I think the only time I felt really stupid was the earliest time on TV when we boys were expected to wear our caps. It looked really foolish, to my eyes... and even more so now... playing a guitar with a cap on! … I was a bit astounded to get back with the group at The Albert Hall a couple of years back and see everyone in their little short sleeve shirts and ties... which to my "non Army" eyes now looks far more old fashioned than our Joystring uniforms.”

Ahh, the bus driver look! Not so much old-fashioned - just plan out-of-fashion.

Johnny has made his own observations on being a uniform wearer – I tend to agree and made the decision some time ago that, on most occasions,formal Sally Army uniform was not the thing for me to wear. I'll explain later.

In the meantime, trendy or not?

Top Ten Club, Paris http://www.joystrings.co.uk/Photopage7.html

What do you think?

On one hand...

2009-04-26T23:00:00.003+01:00

Recently I've been thinking about contrast and conficts - the juxtaposition of things that don't appear to sit well together. I'm interested in the creativity that comes from the tention between two apparently opposite ideas.

I brought some of this thinking into evening prayers over the weekend - but more of that another time.

In the meantime, I am amused by the creative tention that Facebook has produced tonight.

Here is a picture of four members of our Church leadership team.

It has just appeared in my photo applications alongside the picture you can see here

Discuss.

Fab weekend - part I

2009-04-26T20:20:00.008+01:00

Just home from a fab weekend and taking time to record some the the highlights and some lessons learned.

It was our Church retreat (holiday?) weekend at a college in Nantwich here .

David and Jane Alton from the Sally Army at Aberdeen did the teaching for the weekend.

This is a picture of them and two other people.

I know Jane from quite a while ago so it was good to catch up and great to meet David.

Highlights first -

Great company.
- A really good mix of ages and experiences from a cross-section of the folk who go to our Church.

- Seeing everyone getting along and getting to know each other.

- Watching folk caring for each other and making sure everyone was included.

- Spending time with some of my best friends and remembering why I love 'em so much.

- Getting to know some of my other friends a bit better.

- The kids having fun together and helping us feel like a great big family.

Good coffee and plenty of it.

Nice cake.

Teaching from David and Jane - more to follow.

A comfy bed.

70s party
- (Nearly) everyone dressing up
- Gill's shoes and Pam's boots.
- Ray's suit and Cassie's dress
- Mark looking strangely at ease in the wig and hippy shades
- Margaret looking 30 in the long brown wig
- Samuel doing "I'll be there"
- The Grannies doing "We will Rock you"
- The Afros doing "YMCA"
- Jeanette doing a 'God bit' at the end of the party and making it sound like the only possible way to end the night.

Thanks Jeanette, Lynsey, Neil and Glyn for a such a good time.

If you're facebook friends with Steph you can see further incriminating evidence here - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=502420001&ref=nf

Teenage song

2009-03-24T22:28:00.002Z

Found it here.

Very funny - have a look.

Lent - pancake day

2009-02-24T22:15:00.002Z

I have no plans for Lent.

I shall wander along and see what happens.

This was the top hit on Google for 'Lent'.

Bishops of Liverpool and London call for "carbon fast" during Lent

I shall now go an turn a few lights off.

Maybe I'll nip into the kitchen and see if there is any pancake batter left.

Sign of the times III

2009-02-23T22:49:00.003Z

We love signs in Churches.

It's quite entertaining to try and work out what prompted the sign to be written and posted in the first place.

In case it's too small to read it says

Beware of this cable
We don't want you to trip

We looked very hard but couldn't find a cable.

We wondered if the subtitle was a friendly warning - or just a bit menacing. What do you think?

It's hard to get our messages just right - isn't it?

When I think of one, I'll give this post a title

2009-02-22T22:42:00.007Z

We've just come home from a lovely weekend in the Lake District. Grange-Over-Sands to be exact.

Very relaxing. And the best fish and chips since The Flying Fish in Camberwell.

No profound thoughts - except 'why is washing up less tedious in someone else's kitchen?'

This is Kev - showing Matt no mercy at table soccer.

This is Matthew - making friends with the ducks, geese and swans on the edge of Windermere.

And this is me - enjoying the view of Coniston Water, blissfully unaware that there's not much beneath me to hold that wall up.

Thanks M&L.

Oh it's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with you...

2009-02-15T23:10:00.005Z

Cafe Church Feb 09

2009-02-03T19:55:00.009Z

(Warning - Sally Army post)

Photos from the latest Cafe Church.

A bit like Starbucks - you had to get there early you get the comfy sofas.

As informal evenings go - this was quite formal.

The singers (Songsters) stood together in a group because that's what was needed for the song.

We had some great live music - both the rehearsed stuff and the 'singing from the heart' when everyone joined in. We had a rather splendid version of 'amazing grace' that Dan rustled up over lunch and the musicians picked up first time through.

We are blessed by some very talented musicians. But that's a topic for another day.

This is the junior band playing a rather fab version of Our God is a great big God - again thanks to Dan.

There was a sermon - although it was broken down into chunks.

The dress code for the Sallys was "wear whatever you feel comfortable in". This is a fair representation of what people chose - mix of formal uniform, informal T shirts etc and 'Oh good, I don't have to'.

That's me with my back to the camera. Although I don't often wear my uniform I felt I should wear something with a Sally Army logo because I was leading the meeting.

But that's a topic for another day.

Instead I'll leave you with a taste of what we thought about -

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

Psalm 103

I felt you and knew you loved me

2009-01-26T22:50:00.008Z

For you is a piece by Tracey Emin in Liverpool Cathedral.

This is the picture we took when we went to see it on my Birthday last year.
Without the aid of a tripod - this is how we took this picture.

Without the aid of a Cathedral guide - this is where we spotted Tracey.
And without the aid of weight watchers points tracker - this is what was left of the fab chocolate cake we shared. And the deep and meaningful point of this post is...

Sorry there isn't one. Just wanted to post some nice pictures.

Maybe deep and meaningful next time.

(Tracey is the one with beige coat, black boots and shopping bags.)

An almost perfect Saturday

2009-01-25T16:05:00.014Z

Saturday morning, inspired by all the hints and tips on TV about how to beat the credit crunch and save the planet at the same time - I decide to walk to one of our local farm shops. It's one of those places I drive past all the time. I know which road it's on - but not how far down the road it is. But it was a lovely day for a walk in the country...
Anyway, 35 min later I realised it was probably slightly further round the corner than I expected.

But once inside, I was pleasantly surprised and decided it was worth the effort.
Unfortunately the planned lift home didn't work out so, with the addition of 9kg of veg, the walk back was not quite as much fun.

(Yesterday, after making lovely soup with the veg, I thought the walk back was probably worth it. Today with the achy shoulders, I'm not so sure...)
Then we had a lovely afternoon in Ormskirk -

- Coffee with Peter, Mary and the kids in Costa Coffee,
- food shopping in M&S - just to balance out all the farm shop bargains
- and the best bargain of the day, an Episode jacket from the Cancer Research charity shop.

Cancer Research charity shop Birmingham Guardian.co.uk

Then back home to make homemade burgers, Sunday lunch and get sorted for the week ahead.

All in all, an almost perfect Saturday.

But one Saturday I'm going to do all this and go to bed before midnight, leaving the kitchen clean and ALL the clothes ready for the morning.

Maybe next week eh?

Photos appear to be working again

2009-01-16T00:05:00.001Z

So another one to be going on with...

Matthew and Grandad having fun opening presents.

Interesting article

2009-01-10T22:45:00.003Z

It's usually Johhny who spots this sort of thing.

But I came across this article in the Guardian when looking for stuff on Army uniform.

The idea was that I get togged up in the uniform and join one of its brass bands for the day, to get the inside track. I haven't worn a uniform with a vaguely Christian philosophical underpinning since I was in the cubs, so surely the army would allow me to fulfil my manifest destiny. I could even bring my clarinet and/or guitar, not to mention my throaty baritone.

"Stuart, that's not going to happen," says Veron Graham, the army's press officer. He explains that I am not an army member and only members get to wear the uniform. He doesn't want me degrading the organisation and, frankly, nor do I. He's not keen on the Guardian portraying his organisation as one that is all about uniforms. He will allow me to shake a collection tin and hold a copy of the War Cry for the photographer, but ultimately that isn't really what we had in mind.

Quote of the week III and IV

2009-01-09T21:57:00.004Z

Quotable quotes are like buses.

You don't hear a good one for ages then two come along in the same day.

I couldn't chose between those two so you can pick your own favorite.

"Oh, no! I've just broken the leg off my plastic scorpion."

OR

"Muuumm! He's got cheese in his hair again."

To make it a little more interesting you can work out who said what and when. Answers on a postcard.

Free photos for websites - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Look to the future now - it's only just begun.

2009-01-07T22:08:00.008Z

(Christmas waiting to go back in the loft.)

It's been a funny old Christmas this year.

Or as John Lennon said

So this is Christmas and what have you done?
Another year over, a new one just begun.

Some ups and some downs, lots of good time and not much blogging from me.

I'll add some pics later - blogger is not playing at the mo.

Kev and I both had a lovely break from work but it's been hard to get back to normal.

This week I've had half a day back in the office and then a couple of days away. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow and facing all the things that will have piled up while I've been away.

It's such a downside of having a break - that can't be right can it?

But back to Christmas for a minute - well advent really.

Throughout December I dipped in and out of Luke. And I think I'll probably keep coming back to it over the next few weeks.

The concept of prophesy caught my attention, right from the first few verses -

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

I'll get back to you on this one.

Just some pictures

2008-12-13T23:11:00.004Z

Mark promised me a 'life size' nativity in the foyer - I guess people were shorter 2,000 years ago.

And sheep.

The sheep is my fav.

These things always look better in real life.

Are we nearly there yet?

2008-12-04T23:18:00.007Z

Last year I decided to post everyday in December - this is what I said

"I going to try and post every day in December - sort of personal advent calendar."

You can re-visit my 2007 Advent thoughts here.

In the end, I didn't manage to post everyday but I enjoyed the 'journey'.

When I started my advent journey last year and in 2006 I had some clear thoughts about signifiant Christmas themes - partly because I was involved in preparing a Christmas theme for my Church (Sally Army, Liverpool Walton).

In 2006 I found Advent a significant spiritual time. As I said then

"I’ve always said “I don’t need Christmas to thank God for Jesus - I can do that any time”. But this year as I’ve prepared for our Carol Service I’ve have been struck by the significance of celebrating Jesus as a baby."

Last year my advent thoughts were about God being with us. Christmas present - Emmanuel.

This year, I'm not sure.

Which is quite exciting really.

I couple of days ago I started my Advent blogging with a bit of Charles Dickens. I've never read "A Christmas Carol" all the way through but I have seen the Muppet version several times.

According to my brother Hamish, who is a big fan of original, the Muppets give a fairly accurate version. No, honestly. And I know they're puppets - but it gets me every time.

I've picked this quote because it sums up some of my thoughts about Christmas quite nicely. It's a sacred time - and people are general kinder than usual. Not always, but generally.

So I've started my journey but I'm not sure where it will take me.

I expect it will take me to

some busy times,
some fun with friends and family,
some joy and finding just the right presents,
some relief when it get to my last day at work
some messing about with holly and ivy from the garden
some pretend rows with Kevin about whether or not to buy more lights!

And, I hope, some thoughtful times.

But I still don't know where I'm going to end up. Maybe I should take the advice of the Shepherds

“Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
(Luke 2:15 NLT)

Right, who's coming with me?

Advent caption competition

2008-12-04T00:15:00.002Z

Advent journey 2008

2008-12-02T21:13:00.003Z

"But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time:

the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.

And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!'"
Bob Cratchit , A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens.

Set in Stone II

2008-11-18T22:51:00.003Z

Cafe Church, Sunday Night a few months ago.

When we start chipping away at the traditions, some of the people who usually feel comfortable within the boundaries suddenly feel excluded. Strangers in their own Church?

How do we break down one barrier without, unintentionally building another in it's place?

He's back

2008-11-18T21:44:00.002Z

Matthew has been asking me for ages if he can blog again.

So I've posted one of his poems here.

It's a fair reflection of life at the Elliott's I'd say.

Set in Stone

2008-11-11T23:15:00.006Z

Mel asked me if the photo in the previous post is our Church.

It is. Here's another view of the same room.

I was going to post this picture just to answer Mel's question.

But decided to include this one too and tell you about the stone in the wall. (Underneath the coffee cup pictures.)

It's a funny old thing to have in a lounge.

The stone is a bit of memorabilia from our old building - we brought it with us when we moved about 20 years ago.

It says

The face of this stone
denotes the boundary
between The Salvation Army Premises
and the Picture Theatre.

You can see a picture of it here in it's original place - and you can see the whole wall and our old building here.

Like I say - it's a funny old thing to keep in a lounge.

But then it's a funny old thing to have in the first place.

I can only imagine the disputes with the cinema manager that prompted the Salvationists to stake their claim on the land in this way. Probably something to do with rowdy behaviour on the street outside. Looking back almost a 100 years, it seems a rather petty thing to do. But who knows, maybe at the time it was a good thing.

These days we probably (and I hope unintentionally) have other ways of keeping people away.

Anyway, the lounge where the stone now lives is well used by a range of Church and Community Groups (Alpha, ladies groups, adult education classes, antenatal etc). And it's a good place for just general chillin'.

If we ever decide to invest in a new stone, I hope it says

Come in
- you're welcome.

Quote of the week II

2008-11-07T23:58:00.005Z

It wasn't my intention to have another one but...

I'll get to that in a minute.

We had our second week of journeys this week which is really Week One 'cos we had a bit of a false start (again) last week. Perhaps we'll do that on purpose next time.

Anyway, there were seven of us this week. All of us attend the Church already and would probably call ourselves Christians. (The course is really designed for non Church goers.) So far, it seams like getting to know each other better, is going to be a feature of the course - and I'm enjoying that.

I was asking one lady how she started coming to our Church and we all ended up talking about it being a friendly place. And we talked about how we do like a good sing (more of that another day).

She looked at her friend and said -

"You agree, don't you, when you come here it's like coming into your own place."

"only tidier!" someone added.

So, after some slight amendment this weeks quote is...

"... like your own home - but tidier!"

Mmm, wonder if we can use it on the next lot of Church publicity?

We also have better coffee tables at Church!

What do you think?

Hope Street

2008-11-05T21:17:00.002Z

In the summer we went to an outdoor festival on Hope Street in Liverpool. Well I say summer, it was late September and almost autumn. But it was the most beautiful day and the and sunniest weather we'd had for ages.

There are some pictures from the local paper here.

Half way down the street this guy was painting the boarding surrounding a building site.

Matthew and Rosie were happy to suggest ideas for his cartoons - that's their bit he's painting now.

Quote of the week

2008-11-05T00:42:00.003Z

We started a new Journeys course this week.

Not many of us there and no one we didn't know already but we had a good time getting to know each other a little better.

There were three highlights for me

- a lady who didn't want to share her story telling us about herself and admitting it wasn't to bad to do so.

- others in the group who being amazed at how she had changed since coming to Church several years ago.

- another lady who started coming to church only a few weeks ago talking about her recent experience of God.

"I thought I was going to come to Church for an hour a week - I didn't know it would change my life!"

Love it!

Writter's block

2008-10-26T23:18:00.007Z

It's been ages since I've written anything. I keep starting posts but then...

Anyway, here's a Picture Al and I created today.

I've very pleased with it and it's going to be part of the design/artwork for our Church Christmas Publicity.
In case you're not sure, it's Rosie as Mary, Matt as Joseph and a doll from the storeroom as baby Jesus.

What do you think?

Loved with everlasting love

2008-09-22T22:43:00.010+01:00

Someone relatively new to our Church commented that she likes the mix of old and new we have - both in our musical style and the age of our congregation.

I like it too.

Here's a verse from one of the 'oldies' I like. (I mean it's an old song - not that it's from one of our old people.)

I like the tune.

I like the concept that sometimes things happen and we see the world differently.

(If I think about it too long I start to question some of the lyrics - but my friends tell me I think too much).

So here's verse with some pictures that remind me that I'm loved.

Heaven above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue,
Christless eyes have never seen;
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow,
Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am his and he is mine.

23rd Wedding Anniversay Aug 2008 Outside St Michael-le-Belfry, York. Kevin is not the 'he' refered to in the song (just in case you were wondering).

Like Christmas - in the summer.

Lovely Lavinder in our garden.

Antony Gormley's Another Place

Footprints in the Sand (or messy Church II)

2008-09-09T21:52:00.012+01:00

Sorry it's been sooo long. (I need help - I've been seduced by facebook and I feel so cheap.)

I promised a bit more about Nunhead Sally Army. My nieces go there and as far as I can tell they generally have a fab time.

The Sunday we were there was at the end of their "community week".

As usual, Matthew was the first to volunteer to 'help' - and not at all phased by this not being his church. I guess he sensed that he was welcome and included.

This is him in the Orange T.

Some of the things I enjoyed about the morning -

- Joining a fairly diverse mix of people and having a sence of community and unity.

- The informal approach.

- The singing.

- knowing their youth group has a mix of youngsters - some brought up in the Church and some who live localy and like to be part of what's going on.

- Seeing young people in leaderships roles.

- Hearing my lovely niece Tilly speak with confidence and clarity about her role in the community week (Reading and craft club in the library across the road from the hall.)

- Knowing that a whole bunch of youngsters had spent a week together - having fun while they made a significant impact on local people - both members and non-members of the Church.

- Hearing about their fair trade chocolate campaign (the kids bought only fair trade choc during community week and saved all the wrappers. They plan to return to the local shops and say 'hey look at all the chocolate we didn't buy from you!')

- The fact that the simple but challenging sermon had a an impact on Matthew. (He's going to give away all the money in his money box to help poor people.)

- The messy response time. (There was a patch of sand where we could make a footprint).

The sand.

The kids checking out the Sand.

The Youth Worker cleaning up the sand.

I also enjoyed the cup of coffee and people who recognised that I was a visitor and made sure I felt welcome.

Thanks Nunhead Sally Army. Hope I'm back soon.

London Town

2008-08-24T22:53:00.003+01:00

Well here we are again, happy as can be...

We're grateful to the lovely Cookies who let us stay with them while we do all the cheap and cheerful bits of London for a week.

Matthew is generally happy with whatever's going on - as long as there are cousins to do it with.

I was very pleased with myself for walking from Denmark Hill down to Tower Bridge Mel and a gang of her friends - but it was down hill all the way and it was less then three miles according to my pedometer.

We had a lovely coffee to reward ourselves for the hard work and then a mooch around Borough Market. Sadly no celebs were spotted - although we think we saw Elton John on a scooter doing the knowledge .

We joined the rest of the family at the Southbank and the kids had fun in the water - I'll put a picture in here when I've worked out where they all are on Kev's laptop.

Being a devoted husband, Kev followed me round Oxford Street and being a devoted Mum/Auntie, Mel took all the kids home on the bus.

I'm smiling 'cos we're just about to hit the shops.

Today most of us went to Church - the popular choice was Nunhead Sally Army
who were celebrating their community week. I was really impressed with what they're doing there both on a regular basis and what they've acheived in the last week.

There were lots of things that struck me about the morning - I'll post some more on this later.

Time for lunch and more cousins so we headed for Bromely.

The boy done good

2008-08-02T10:58:00.005+01:00

Matthew is back home after a week at camp (if sleeping indoors at a boarding school counts as 'camp'?)

He's had a fab time and as one of the youngest there appears to have been well loved for his general cuteness. As his Mum I'm entirly unsurprised by this - who couldn't love my blond little boy.

One the eay back to the car I asked him if he'd had a good time.

"It was the BEST week of my life! ....so far."

Before all the kids go home there's a 'Celebration' in the school for Mums, Dads, friends and family. We see some of the stuff they've done and get a feel for what's gone on during the week.

Kev and I have been going to these events nearly every year for for over twenty years! (agh - how old are we?) Firstly as staff ourselves, as parents of number one son, as kids' workers to support kids for church and now as parents to number two son.

The events have varied over the years with good and bad points each time. Generally they're a tad too long and probably don't fully represent what a great time everyone has had.

Some of my highlights from last night were -

Watching Matthew carry the 'torch' accompanied by his good mate Dan as they led the 'procession' of the kids at the start of the evening. There were flags and all was accompanied by the 1984 Olympic theme tune - stirring stuff.

Seeing the Kids rather than the staff featured the most.

Hearing the Kids read their prayers all the way through the evening.

Finding out that doing 'sport' was much more than playing games - it was about being a team and working together.

Watching Matthew looking a bit like a Muppet but singing is heart out.

Getting a sense that God had been around with the kids and staff all week.

Anyway - the boy's back now and we're glad about that.

Big THANKS to all the team.

New Shoes!

2008-07-29T22:38:00.002+01:00

Weird!

Apparently they will help me to loose weight as I'll be working hard not to fall over.

Camp cottage

2008-07-27T14:48:00.002+01:00

My lad is at Junior Summer Camp.

I hope he's having a fab time.

I'm sure he is.

And when we arrive at the end of our journey

2008-07-27T00:00:00.003+01:00

In case you're not interested in tales of domestic chores (below), let me tell you a bit more about Journeys.

Like I said, there weren't many of us but we had a good time.

Kev was in charge. I helped Mark in the kitchen and tried not to chip in too often. Probably failed on that one but I now know how the coffee machine works.

It's been interesting to see different reactions to the stories and good to get to know a few people a little better.

From a personal point of view I've found the practicalities a bit of a distraction. It's a rush to get there on time and I can't help but notice all the other people coming in and out of the building. Friday is a busy night with loads of kids actives going on.

We plan to run another course in the autumn and we're hoping all the people who attended this time will go on the do the Alpha course that starts in September.

Despite the detractions, I' ve enjoyed the laid back style of the presentation and the admission that Christians don't have all the answers.

Last night the video presented to us the option of what it called 'crossing the line'. In other words , making the decision to become a Christian. I liked the low-key and un-pressured way this was presented. One of the presenters (a Pastor and former atheist) suggested we could treat it as an experiment. He advised viewers -

just pray, ask God in to your life and see what happens next.

I like that - I'm always waiting to see what happens next.

On holiday?

2008-07-26T23:46:00.002+01:00

School's out for summer.

Matt had been off school for two days and kev and I have had two days off with him too.

Thursday was house cleaning in between trips to Southport to visit the London Town cousins who are "up north". Mel will tell you more here .

The cleaning was in preparation for a handful of guests and their assorted kids.

Much of the housecleaning revolved round getting, and keeping, the white kitchen floor (who's stupid idea was that?) clean. As usual it was a complete waste of time. Because, as usual, the assorted kids had a water fight which strayed into the house.

I guess when your eight years old and the proud owner of a large green SuperSoaker, the last thing on your mind is white floor tiles.

You'd think that whoever chose the floor would've remembered -

1) we hate cleaning
2) we have messy kids round to play
3) kids having fun is more important than having a clean floor.

Superlambanana Day

2008-07-16T19:37:00.009+01:00

Talking of journeys, this Kev and I on Superlambanana Day. You can check his blog for his perspective. He made a witty remark about this one on his blog - well it made me laugh.

I'm not sure which one it like best - but I've not seen them all yet.

I've blogged about the SLBs (as I see other bloggers are calling them) before here.

Now these mini designer ones are flocking to the city centre.

We had a lovely morning on Saturday, wandering round with a local history guide telling us snippets of history along the way.

We found out how Paradise street got it's name - and it's nothing do do with being at the crossroad with Lord St, Church St and Whitechaple. It was a nickname given by the American Sailors who arrived in Liverpool after about a month at sea.

At one time the river Mersey and the Docks went all the way up to Paradise St and this was the place for the sailors to do business with the local 'ladies' and visit the taverns. Here is one of the SLBs looking across from the Albert Dock to the new Paradise St developement. A shoppers paradise?

Like many journeys there we took an unexpected detour into the Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas - the Parish Church of Liverpool.

There was a display of quilting and ecclesiastical robes in the Church. We took 10 min out of our tour and had a wander round. Sometimes I wish we had more art and beauty on display in our church. This might sound a bit daft but I'm often moved when I get up close to works of art like this.

When I say moved, I mean I cry - not realy, I do. I'm not even sure why - maybe it's because I get a sense of the passion that the artist has poured into their creation. And I guess that whether or not the artist had any understanding of God, I get a tiny glimpse of his creativity and generosity giving such wonderful gifts to us.

Back on track

2008-07-14T23:44:00.002+01:00

One of my friends wanted to know what was happening to my journey.

Well after the false start we had another go and the "Journeys Course" is going well.

One lady joined us by chance as she'd brought her daughter to Brownies for the first time. She loved it and has been every week since. She's also come along to other events during the week.

Not many of us attending but the people who come say they enjoy it.

I will write more about the "Journeys Course" when I have a few things clearer in my own mind.

I'm often thinking about my Church - what we do, why we do it, how it's going.

The thought that are playing round in my head at the moment mostly relate to our music - how it inspires and supports our worship. We had some good times recently when the singing and playing has come from the heart of man and has taken us closer to the heart of God.

It's late now - so I'll tell you more next time.

Cooking for one

2008-07-11T22:05:00.002+01:00

I cut the brown bits of the last wedge of lettuce, sliced and fried the slightly damp mushrooms, cut the soggy end off the cucumber and ignored the sell by date on the cooked roast beef. Fried up with the soggy mushrooms and served in a slighly dry bread roll with it was delicious.

Gordon would have been proud.

However, he would have been very disappointed with the moldy cottage cheese, shriveled grapes and very old salsa that I put straight in the bin.

Trouble is there is still a bit of a whiff in the fridge. I think when I find the origin of the whiff I shall wrap it up and post it straight to Downing st.

Waste not, want not, eh?

False start

2008-06-23T20:18:00.005+01:00

False Start - Jasper Johns.

_____________________________________________

Well, we didn't get very far on the journey.

We bought cake, we made coffee, we had our tea before everyone came.

Our lovely friends were there.

But that was it.

So we sat and chatted about what to do and we're going to start again this week.

We've done a bit more publicity - invited a few more people in person and planned to invite a few more.

We talked about how difficult it is to get people to come along to things - even fun social things like the Fathers Day picnic.

People are keen to know more, interested in what goes on, say they'll come along...

and then they don't.

Anyway, some leassons learned and some more plans made.

I'll let you know how it goes.

On a journey

2008-06-11T23:38:00.003+01:00

Have I told you this already? Stop me if I have.

One of my favorite bits of the Bible is the Walk to Emmaus (or as my spell checker would like me to say, The Walk to Emma's).

I love that the two people walking along with Jesus had no idea who he was until just before he left them.

Or to look at it another way. At one of the saddest, most difficult times in their lives, the thing they wanted most, the person they missed the most was right there with them all along - they just didn't realise it.

It's reassuring to know that the people who were so close to Jesus missed the point so often.

I think I miss the point all the time.

And while I'm not in a particularly sad or difficult time in my life, I'm certainly not as aware of the presence of Jesus as I have been.

So this incident tells me that God is with us - even tho we don't see him.

I was walking home from town the other day and for the first time in a while had a greater sense of Jesus just being there. Walking along, saying nothing, keeping pace with me stride for stride.

In an idea formed in my mind that he would stay there, keeping pace, saying nothing and patiently waiting for me to really recognise him, and like the guys on the Emmaus Road, to work out the significance "from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself".

This will be my next stage in the journey "to introduce interested ‘spectators’ to Christianity."

I wonder what they'll see?

I wonder what I'll see?

What do you see?

"Oh No! I deleted myself"

2008-05-27T20:13:00.005+01:00

This "quote of the day" comes to us today from Matthew.

We have finally spent our Christmas money on a Wii for the family.

Matt's had nearly as much fun designing his Mii as he's had playing the games. And of course he managed to press the wrong button...

I think I'm going to get tired of the Muzak very soon.

Ray, I'm afraid, only gets second place in todays "quote of the day" with a rather corny

"Matthew, Gill told me you had a wee in Woolworths today!"

Coffee anyone?

2008-05-22T00:31:00.002+01:00

I'm lacking creative thought at the moment.

Here's the picture - you'll have to work out the words yourself.

Our Monica

2008-05-07T23:06:00.003+01:00

It was Kevin's Grandma's funeral yesterday. She was 101 so we weren't too sad and it was good to meet up with friends and family.

It was lovely to celebrate a life well lived, to hear her three daughters speak warm and loving tributes and to listen to them sing a 'golden oldie, Army barmy song that she loved.

Five men, two master keys and couple of crow bars...

2008-04-19T22:18:00.008+01:00

...is what it took to open my locker at the swimming baths.

First my Dad, then the young pool attendant in flip flops, then the management man in a shirt and tie, then another slightly older pool attendant (can't remember his footwear) and then Mr maintenance man.

They all tried banging it with their fist - several times throughout the following procedure.

The young pool attendant went to get the manager while my Dad carried on banging on the door - he'd seen this before and knew what to do. The manager came and banged on the door and then sent the young pool attendant for the master key. The young pool attendant returned with the master key which didn't work. The manager sent him to 'Splash World' for their master key. The second pool attendant arrived with the 'Splash World' key (red instead of blue?) which didn't work either. He tried banging on the door.

The manager went away to get 'tools'. The pool attendants had a chat. The manager man returned with special stuck-locker-opening-tool - but it didn't fit.

The manager man went away to look for more tools. (I have forgotten now whether one or both of the attendants were still there). He came back without tools - banged locker, tried master key again and went away. He came back with a maintenance man - neither of them had any tools. The maintenance man went away.

Of course all these men were very nice and laughed and joked about my dilemma in a helpful and not at all smug sort of way. No, really they did. It was all very friendly. The banging and small crowd around my locker was nice too, and drew the attention of passing bathers on their way to the pool.

And as I stood, trying to look relaxed and like I was having fun, in my cold, wet swimsuit - I wondered why I didn't go to the baths more often.

Mr maintenance man came back with two large crowbars. The other men gathered round, ready for the kill. And with encouraging words and helpful pointing they watched in awe as he burst the locker door open.

Hap-py Birth-day to yooou!

2008-04-09T23:51:00.007+01:00

Al is 18 on Friday.

Which is a bit weird 'cos that means he will be a grown up. He will be able to vote and when we change our mortgage in a few days time we have to have some sort of letter of authority from him! Honestly - just because he loads the dishwasher every now and then...

Of course it's not true that he will be a grown up. These days that doesn't happen 'til you're in your thirties.

On Saturday we had a surprise party for him.

Which truly was a surprise as Kev mentions here.

We had a great night and Al loved the fact that most of the evening he was playing the gig with his friends (Dan, Andy and Shelle). You can hear them on You tube or on myspace

They were very good (I am biased) but people who's opinion I value said so too.

Not only did he get to play but he got to listen to his Dad and Uncles playing the Monty Python theme tune (the Sousa Liberty Bell March). Truly bazaar. But what else would a lad want for his 18th Birthday party.

In the end, I was very please with myself - not just for giving him a lovely surprise but also for having balloons in his fav colours (purple, green and sliver) and then subtly steering him into those colours in top shop that afternoon!

Kids and Church

2008-04-01T23:52:00.003+01:00

Mel reminded me of a conversation Matthew and I had the other day.

He was asking why we had to go to Church on Good Friday and what we would do. I gave what I thought was an appropriate response which include a suggestion that it would be a lot like a Sunday.

He was quite disappointed when I said he shouldn't play on any sort of hand-held game device - his or anyone else's. Not even the games on my phone. I suggested that it was such an important day that he should pay a bit more attention and think about Jesus.

"But Mum", he complained "It's supposed to be 'good' Friday - not 'dull' Friday."

Mmm.

Roots again

2008-03-29T21:56:00.006Z

No, not another reference to my hair.

But ROOTS.

Today Kev and I have been thinking and planning for some stewarding stuff. Then we went over to Southport today for shopping and tea in Nandoes.

This is the Sunset over the Marine Lake from the back of the Theatre complex.

We're starting to get excited - what about you?

New hair

2008-03-26T20:48:00.003Z

For Mel

2008-03-26T20:40:00.004Z

Fairtrade Fortnight

2008-03-16T16:32:00.004Z

I've just found the cable for the camera so this is a little out of date as Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK finished last week.

Still, it's always a good time to remind my friends that there are lots of fairtrade products to try.

Some people say the quality isn't as good and in some cases I agree. But there are so many brands to chose from you can keep trying them 'til you find your favourite.

My latest find is the ASDA organic instant coffee - we really like it.

Some people say it's too expensive but I find loads on special offer and buy the bargains. M&S have been doing ground coffee - buy one, get one half price.

All Sainsbury's bananas are fairtrade.

But to be honest, these products cost us very little when you think of how wealthy we are compared to the people who produce them for us.

Some people say fairtrade does more harm that good - particularly to other farmers who are not part of the initiative. But I don't know of a better way to let the manufacturers know that I don't want to exploit the people who work hard to produce these goods.

Do you?

Give peace a chance

2008-03-16T15:48:00.008Z

This is John Lennon in front of the Statue of Liberty.

This is Matthew in front of the dining room table - dressed as John Lennon, for world book day.

The theme of the day was Liverpool. Not sure that this has much to do with books. But if you're interested you can find out more - check out school video on Echo TV. About a couple of minutes in you can see the headmaster. I'm not sure what his is dressed as - but it looks like one of the Diddy Men.

I did want Matthew to go as one of Sgt Pepper's lonely hearts but he thought "everyone would laugh". I guess I should have asked him before I bought the gold braid for the outfit. At least I hadn't got round to sewing it on. In fact, I'm not sure what I was going to sew it on to.

Anyone need a couple of metres of gold braid and ribbon?

Hair today

2008-03-12T21:54:00.008Z

Heather: Kev... can I spend a lot of money on an expersive hair do?

Kevin: [literally on the edge of his seat watching Everton in extra time needing one more goal to avoid penalties] Yes, of course.

Oo, we did laugh.

UPDATE - oh no! It's gone to penalties.

UPDATE II - Oh dear!

Making up for the lack of posts...

2008-03-10T23:53:00.003Z

...with a few lame ones like this.

I have lost the cable that connects the camera to the computer which is annoying as I have some lovely pictures I want to share with you.

It's funny...

2008-03-10T23:48:00.003Z

...but what seems like a good idea for a post turns out to be not worth the effort a few days later.

(If I had waited a few days I wouldn't have bothered with this!)

Storm damage

2008-03-10T23:43:00.002Z

Our compost bin blew over.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ukweather/warnings.shtml

Strangely, the recycling box which distributes it's contents round the lawn at the slightest breeze stayed put by the back door. This happens so often it's now Matthew's job to collect the recycling and put it back in the box.

Sorry if the weather is not funny for you. Hope you're all safe from the wind and rain.

Not sure what to call this post

2008-02-24T22:49:00.005Z

This is the Church (Trent Vineyard) I visited yesterday with a gang of friends from my Church. We were there for the Christians Against Poverty conference "Passion". It was a good day - everything that happened was really high quality - great hospitality, good music and inspiring speakers. Thanks Gemma for the invite.

But I was interested to see that the worship group kept their drummer in a cage.

Culture or what?

2008-02-23T21:21:00.008Z

Matthew and I had a day out in 'Liverpool Capital of Culture' yesterday.

Some of you will recognise the Super Lamb Banana as one of the modern iconic images of Liverpool.

According to the Banana's web site, it "was the original work of Japanese-based artist Taro Chiezo...Standing an impressive seventeen feet tall and comprised of concrete and steel, the ...unusual artwork was created to warn of the dangers of genetically modified food, whilst being appropriate to the city of Liverpool due to the port's rich history in the trade of lambs and the import of bananas."

Obviously.

It used to sit on the pavement about half a mile from my city centre office and cheered me up just before getting to work. I was also amused that my boss frequently expressed his outraged at the cost of this public art. (£35,000 - I think?)

Anyway, it moves around the city and I've not seen in real life for some time.

But I think it's paying it's way - there are miniature versions on sale all over city. Wealthy visitors can take home tastefull ceramic versions for £25.

Nice, but not nice enough for 25 of my pounds.

A couple of weeks ago I saw a woman getting off the train with a 2ft, grey plastic version under her arm - reminded me of people carrying straw donkeys home from spain in the 70s.

So here's Matthew looking at the one's for sale in St Georges Hall ...

... and in the Tourist Information Office with a dinkey version of what he calls the 'Banana Dog'.

Jay says

2008-02-17T22:17:00.003Z

My freind Jason says

"I've just set up a blog at:http://jaysmarathonblog.blogspot.com/

Will you add it to your list on your blog?"

Jay is running the London Marathon and raising money to support Banardo's.

Happy to oblige Jay. You're half way down the list.

Al says

2008-02-17T21:17:00.005Z

I usually limit the posting of "humorous or profound things my children say" to Matthew (7). However, Al (17) has come up with a couple of corkers recently.

As I've been short of blog inspiration recently I shall break my own un-written rule. Here goes...

Al was on half-term last week while the rest of us were at school or work. So I paid him to do some extra house work. One evening as Kev and I were sitting in the lounge, Al appeared and looked round the room in disgust -

"What the point of me spending two hours cleaning this place up - if everyone just messes it up when they get in?"

I think the irony was wasted on him.

The best was today - while examining his Dad's birthday present...

“I thought this had two blades...“Ow!”

Matthew says...

2008-02-04T23:55:00.000Z

...after bedtime prayers tonight.

Mum, when you say prayers I usualy listen to what you what you say. But tonight I thought about God.

I'm not sure, but I think that was a good thing.

Ancient and modern?

2008-01-29T22:37:00.000Z

Every now and then someone I know says "I was reading your blog and..."

I suspect most of you know me through Church (The Sally Army) and it's easy to write about that all the time as it occupies so much of my time and thinking .

But for at least two of you here is a little explanation of what's to follow.

In the early days of The Sally Army and for a long time after that, we used to be a bit like McDonald's - where ever you went in the world it was pretty much the same.

In the beginning this made lots of sense. New “Corps” (centers) were opening up all over the place - much easier to replicate something than create something from scratch. And, as they say - if it ain’t broke - don’t fix it.

So how did they maintain this standardisation?

Well one of the reasons was that everything you had to do was written in a little book called “Orders and Regulations” (O&R) - quite appropriate for an Army.

(I’ve posted on this subject before here)

As you can imagine, there are O&R for marching -

“Soldiers should be encouraged to help the effectiveness of the march by well-ordered marching. They should …Hold themselves erect and march evenly, those in each rank keeping in line with the comrade to the left, those in each file exactly behind the comrade in front…. Keep in step - left foot down with the heavy beat of the music. To make this possible the men in front (who are probably tall) should take steps of a length suited to the women and others of shorter stature behind.”

I can’t remember the last time I “marched” but I guess this would still work.

There are even O&R for sitting down -

“People should be seated as comfortably as possible, and in a way likely to help the influence of the meeting. Front seats should usually be filled first; those farther back left for late-comers….People liable to faints, mothers with young children, and persons needing to leave early, should be tactfully induced to sit where they can get to an exit without disturbing others”

As you can probably tell, I find this all rather “ancient” and mildly amusing - particularly in an age when most of us resent being given health and safely instructions - never mind being told how to sit down in Church. But for generations of Salvationists I guess they made perfect sense - particularly for those brought up in the war, or living through National Service.

Reading on I found this gem.

“All who assist the maintenance of order in Army meetings need to be good-natured steady soldiers who love the most troublesome. While firm and bold when occasion so demands, they should be able to put up with chaff and annoyance without manifesting irritation.”

I wonder if I change a few words this is something I could live up to?

All who want to call themselves Christians need to be good-natured steady people who love the most troublesome.

Mmm, now who am I finding troublesome?

Ancient and modern

2008-01-27T23:32:00.000Z

This is me and Sarah last Sunday.

This is Granny - Dad's Mum, Bella.

I don't know how you find the time

2008-01-26T10:50:00.000Z

During my advent blog journey, a few people commented to me "I don't know how you find the time".

Well generally because the view over the top of the laptop was something like this.

Any bloggers out there that are on top of the housework?

Kevin cooks

2008-01-13T23:18:00.000Z

Inspired by Saturday Kitchen and Master Chef, Kev likes to take his turn in the kitchen.

Those who know the "Grove Park, Elliotts" , will know that we don't do tidy very well.

This is the aftermath of the cooking.

However, I've no idea how the batter spread this far - up the kettle, across the stereo and over the grill.

I'm not sure, but I think Kev may have stood on the other side of the kitchen and thrown the chicken pieces into the batter.

Where next?

2008-01-13T22:59:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't posted for ages. Think I could be all blogged out after Christmas. And I have been busy on other things too.

I've had a change of job. So far I'm enjoying it but it's very busy. I've agreed to work full-time on a temporary basis but I'm a bit nervous about that. I havn't worked full-time since I went on maternity leave before Al was born - about 18 years ago.

My commute to work is a good bit shorter so that should help with the longer hours.

I'm wondering what sort of journey I'm on now.

And when we arrive at the end of our journey...

2007-12-26T18:39:00.000Z

At the beginning of December I started blogging about my personal advent journey here.

You can decide for yourself if I delivered what I promised almost a month ago.

Interestingly the journey started after a night out with Dad and ended after a morning at Church with Dad.

This is our first Christmas without Mum, and Dad wanted to spend most of the day on his own. So my youngest brother and I decided to meet him at his Church (Sally Army Southport). This is Dad playing in the band.

It was a good Christmas Day service - some fun and nonsense, a carol with about 20 verses and something significant to think about. I arrived after the start but I think the theme was "Carols, Children and Candy".

It ended up with the congregation eating M&Ms (choc covered peanuts) and thinking of words to describe Christmas beginning with "M". I can't remember all the details of the sermon but one of my words was "memories" - because I knew I would be thinking about Mum - some sad thoughts, some happy ones.

Another word was "manic" because later that day our house would be full of fun and messiness.

As I listened to the preacher describing the "indescribable" - God become a man, a third word popped into my head.

"Me."

God became like me! Wow!

Last Christmas I wrote about the significance of celebrating Jesus as a baby - of God giving the gift of a baby.

But this year my advent thoughts have been about God being with us. Christmas present - Emmanuel.

But he wasn't just with us, he was like us! Like me! Amazing.

Christmas morning was one of those moments when something I've known for a long time, felt more real than it has done for a long time.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell.
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.

At the end of the service the preacher shared some verses that have been with me throughout Advent. So I'll end as I started this journey with a few verses from John Chapter 1 - this time from "The message" as that's what he read.

He was in the world,
the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn't even notice.

He came to his own people,
but they didn't want him.

But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.

The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.

So that's it. The end of my journey?

Probably not.

Hopes and fears - advent 19

2007-12-23T22:22:00.000Z

We sang my favourite carol three times today. Once this morning in Church and twice while we were out singing for the old people. There is something significant for me in each verse.

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

You only have to Google "Bethlehem" to see that "stillness" is not the first choice for describing the town these days. But it's certainly a place of hopes and fears.

But I wonder what was in Philip Brooks' mind in 1868 when he wrote these words - apparently inspired by a visit to Bethlehem a few years earlier. I wonder what "hopes and fears" he was thinking of.

Shelf of Snowmen - Advent 18

2007-12-21T22:06:00.000Z

From their shelf, they can see all the Santas - that's why they're smiling.

Stairway to Santa - advent 17

2007-12-21T21:35:00.000Z

Kev pinched my idea and posted his own picture here.

So I shall introduce you to a few of my favourites.

This is Santa from Florida.

Americans do that Christmas-shopping-all-year-round-thing. I liked the look of this tea-light holder so we brought him home.

This is Boing Santa.

I bought a few of these for silly Christmas presents one year and kept a couple too. He has elastic comming from the top of his head and when he bounces up and down he goes "Bo-iiing!" and sings something I can't remeber because his battery went flat a few years ago. When he was new and young and his battery was full he was very sensitive and went "Bo-iing!" at the slightest nudge.

Kev's uncle kindly acted as postman for us and distributed the other stantas to freinds and family in London. I wish I could have seen him , in full Sally Army uniform, taking our bulging bag of presents home on the tube. At the slightes jolt of the carrage one or more of the Santas would start. He was Boinging all the way home. I wonder what Christmas wishes he had for us?

This is Kev's favourite.

He shouts "Ho! Ho! Ho! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" and then sings and dances to "Santa Clause is comming to town". I don't switch him on very often or Kev get's grumpy.

To horrible for words - advent 16

2007-12-21T21:15:00.000Z

Kev found this really scary Christmas decoration - have a look at what he says here.

Look! I found one too.

I think mine is more tastefully displayed - but you have to agree - it's not right, is it?

Christmas cards - advent 15

2007-12-21T20:44:00.000Z

I'm hopeless with Christmas cards. There's just so much involved -

Step one - choose cards

charity - which one,

picture - secular or sacred

how many do I need? (always get this wrong. Either have too many left or have to buy more. Last year bought too many, lost some, bought more, then found the ones I'd lost!)

Step two - find addresses
address book is falling apart. A few years ago did fab database which printed labels - hurrah! Shortly after the pc crashed - all data lost.

Step three - write cards (generally Kev's job)

Step four - leave cards lying around for ages while I buy stamps.

Step five - find I've missed last posting for second class and have to buy first class stamps.

Step six - take cards from house to post box - realise I've now missed last posting day for first class too .

There are so many points at which the whole process can go horribly wrong - and I've not even mentioned giving cards to work and church friends. (As I said to my sister-in-law last weekend after a particularly dizzy day "I bet you can't believe I hold down a responsible job - I can't")

So this year I decided that if my family and friends have email they won't be getting a card.

Matthew however, has thoroughly enjoyed the whole giving and receiving cards thing. He even drew a picture in every card - but only for the boys!

Subliminal TV appearance - advent 14

2007-12-16T23:39:00.000Z

Just in case you missed them!

Al is right in the middle at the back - behind the balaclava man.

And Kev is the ghost in the machine - top right.