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[nettypetty]

My Christmas Musings...

A wise old man once said: "it would be a boring kind of world if we were all the same". Actually it was #HimIndoors who said it🤭 and it's so true!

As much as we think we're different...yes, there are the obvious differences...we also have a lot in common and we want the usual things, including happy and healthy life, job, money and good friends.

I've met some lovely in my life, some of whom are now part of my friends circle and it's funny really cos I try my best not to make friends. Cos you all know that i struggle to find things to talk about until..., then i'd have to go out, which isn't the problem, making small talk is tedious 🤦🏽‍♀️. Anyway, i'm known to get better with time and then you can't shut me up😁. Some of you have known me for years or since i was a child (you're stuck with me 😁) but it's interesting, though, how we're all so different in our interests, backgrounds, ages or personalities yet none of that really matters when we get together🤣.

It's also not lost on me just how fortunate i am to have people in my life - family life, work life, social life - who all play different roles but whom are equally important to my well-being.

It's been a challenging year dealing with personal issues as well as my (younger) ride-and-die partner leaving home. Though we'd quite often lock horns and fall out, she was my training partner, spa buddy, shopping partner, physiotherapist, you name it 😄. But this feeling of emptiness is nothing compared to what millions of people face everyday in the UK.

Loneliness. We often hear about the elderly who can go weeks without speaking to another person. But loneliness doesn't discriminate and can affect young people, the disabled or those from any sector of life.

Would you believe that somewhere in the Netherlands, a woman was dead in her house for 10 years and no one knew😥. The situation is so serious here in UK that ex-PM May a couple years back appointed a minister to look into ways of overcoming the problem.

This made me think of other challenges that people face on a daily basis here in UK eg poverty and starvation, even moreso over Christmas. And i thought of the food bank charity zumba session 🕺🏽 i did a couple weeks ago. And, yes, you read right...i said zumba! Been doing zumba for months now...fun, fun, fun. I've taken a break from running cos these ole bones can no longer handle being outdoors in this weather 🥶.

But let me not digress...we collected a substantial amount of food on the day and though the event was planned with good intention, food bank isn't the answer, in my opinion, but that topic is for another time. The good thing, however, is that those who are disadvantaged will, once again, be able to eat for another week.

I will always remember to give thanks for my life because i have all i need and more and am fortunate enough that my life affords me choices eg whether to have cake and latte for breakfast instead of boring porridge on Christmas day 🤭🤭. That's why i workout, though, in my tshirt that says: i have to workout because i love cake, lots of cake😄.

I can choose whether to go out or stay home in the warmth. Another reason to be thankful.

I will always be thankful for the special people who choose to still be in my life (you don't have a choice really 😏) and accept me as i am. You accept me even if i can sometimes be a little prickly (y'kno like a rose with thorns) or sometimes intolerant (it's my age 😉). Thank you🥰

You teach me everyday to be more accepting of our similarities and not to focus on our differences. Thank you🥰.

This Christmas season, how ever you choose to spend it, i wish for you and family a time filled with love, peace and happiness.

I'll see you next year. Now time for chocolates😋.

Carlene

[nettypetty]

Happy Paddy's Day to me🍀

[nettypetty]

What's in a dream?

Had a dream last night that scared the bejeezus outta me😨. Forced myself awake. Needed to pee but was so scared, I woke #HimIndoors and made him promise to stay awake. Ran to bathroom and to my horror, it was as if someone turned on a tap...probably cos I had too much to drink before bed. Ran back to bed and #HI was fast asleep😤.

And to think I saved him in the dream😏.

There were people in the dream that didn't belong and people who should have been there but weren't🤔. It seemed we were on a bus but there was a kitchen area, so we probably were in a building🙄.

The evil forces (couldn't see them, only saw a little girl who seemed to play mind games) targetted the leader of pack, #HI, and gave him tea😕 (told him he drinks too much tea). Then they started to close in and things started to happen to the group but #AlphaFemale, that's me, wasn't going out that way!

I sent them off in pairs to check the place out and report back. Then when it was clear, we formed a circle around the children...where did they come from, none in my family😵, and we got off the bus/ building.

It was terrifying and took a while for me to settle😴.

Nooo, I don't need a dream analyst; it's just me😉.

Another beautiful, sunny day people...don't care that it's 3°😁

[nettypetty]

🎤...he knows if you've been bad or good... Hey guys n dolls, it's almost here and I've been really, really good😇...I can't wait!

But do you know what will make me extra happy? Not to be asked if I'm ready for Christmas😕 Ready? For what? It's no wonder some get stressed about it. It's just another day but with decorations or brightly lit houses, when we don't feel guilty about having that extra piece of cake😃.

So I'm thinking, forget the witches n evil of halloween, and start putting up our lights and decorations by end of October. YESSS! Oh I wish it could be Christmas everyday😁.

O-k, moving on...

So am I ready? Of course, I'm ready for the nice chocolates I know I'll get...didn't see them go in town yet, have they🤔. I'm ready for large, cold glasses of sorrell. I'm ready for the games with yours truly as games mistress hehee. I'm ready for long hours under my blanket, wearing woolley socks and warm, comfy clothes, in front of my tv catching up on my recordings with loads of tasty treats to eat (🙊 am going to complain in new year that my training programme isn't working and that my bodycon dress doesn't fit very well hehee).

Yes, I'm ready cos I went to The Mall (or mal as they say but shopping centre to us clever folks) recently to pick up a few things. I paid for parking when I was done and got chip coin to use at exit barrier. Fast forward...in that split second when the barrier didn't lift, I found and tried to press an imaginary button😯, I thought of the hassle to reverse with the line of traffic behind me and at that same time, I realised that I hadn't inserted the chip coin cos it was still in my pocket 🙈 .

That made me chuckle all the way home and I imagined my daughter shaking her head and laughing at me, something my family does all the time and I have no choice but to join in!

So, yes, I'm ready... ready for laughter and more family time.

And that's what Christmas means to me (I feel a song coming on😀). It's not about the decorations (that only creates atmosphere/ ambience) or gifts, it's about another chance to spend time with people I care about, the family and friends with whom I sometimes disagree, my cheerleaders who accept the difficult and stubborn me, the irrational me with all my quirks and moods, people who accept me in spite of and are always there for me.

Of course, I recognise that I'm among the fortunate to have such support because I read recently that loneliness is deadlier than obesity😱 This actually makes me think of a young woman whom I see from time to time if I pop into one of the 'uppity' supermarkets/food shops. She also makes me wonder why people should try to talk to me when I think I'm so busy!

After my first encounter, I decided to give her some space. Uh oh, here I am, again, at her til a couple trips after...that wouldn't have happened if I was paying attention!

I responded "hi" to her "hi" but why didn't I stop there and put a scowl on my face! Nooo, not little Miss Chatterbox! I had to ask, not one but, two questions and off she went😰. And even with my shopping paid for and packed, I didn't know how to cut her short😢.

Her voice is so lonely, she seems sad and appears to not have any personality at all.

I left feeling thankful but couldn't help but wonder about her circumstances and if she were truly lonely. And I thought of others in similar situations for whatever reason at this time of year.

I think that while this time of year can be festive and full of merriment, it can sometimes be anxious and stressful with all its obligations, a horrible and lonely time for others.

Christmas can also be a time to heal rifts, mend fences, reunite us with those we care about or a time to find or rekindle your Christmas spirit.

How ever you choose to spend it, I wish for you a season filled with peace and lots of happiness.

🎤....the little gift you give on Christmas day will not bring back the ones you've turned away...the secret of Christmas is not the things you do at Christmastime but the Christmas things you do all year through.

[nettypetty]

Before n after #NakedWeddingCake for a friend by yours truly #RumCake #JamaianBlackCake #Chocolate #SpicedButternut #GlutenFree #Guinness/Chocolate #TastyMuffins

[nettypetty]

My Christmas Thought...In Memoriam

Hello guys n dolls, Ho Ho Ho! I'm so excited!! Never mind that I'll look like Scarface this Christmas...only cos I hit myself in the face 😣when I was shutting the boot (UK)/ trunk (rest of world). Don't panic! I'm all right and No No No-thing's gonna spoil my joy. Y'all probably know that my tree was up and garden decorated from late November 😆. So now you know that I'm ok, let's move on cos I want to talk about my first. The first time for anything ...first day your child goes to school, first day on the job, first kiss, first date, first car or house, whatever the first ...is often met with delight, excitement, euphoria, indifference anxiety or trepidation. Nine months on will be my first Christmas without my dad...a husband, a grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, a friend...but I know he'll be there in spirit and as always, he's gonna love it! So this Christmas, I'll remember my dad, gramps, granddad, dadda, Vincent, Little John, Scorcher. Normally, he'd be the last one downstairs when we open the presents and in recent years as he got slower and slower, he still made it down, made himself comfortable and reluctantly drank a cup of tea that my mother made, even though he'd have preferred to drink an irish coffee and eat chocolates and nuts (I am my father's child😋). Then after opening his presents, he'd go back to sleep for a couple of hours and be surprised to see preparations were so far along when he woke up. Although our celebration will be a bit low-key this year, I know he'll be down before the rest of us. He'll be pleased with the decorations on the tree and be excited about the new ones outside, especially the evergreen that I planted in his memory. His self-appointed job was to peel the sprouts and other vegetables and taste the ham to see if it was cooked and, as always, he'll eat too much 😃. When it's time for riddles and games (of which I'm the official games mistress😉), I know, he's going to enjoy peering over my shoulders to see the answers and will get such a kick out of moving the markers on the board just to confuse us. I'm remembering my dad this Christmas and my thoughts go out to those whose loved ones have died and they're trying to make sense of and cope with the loss. Although generally a joyous time of year, it is also often a difficult and lonely time for some who may be estranged from and are missing their loved ones. Which brings me to one of last year's Christmas advert when an elderly man appeared sad presumably because his children rang with excuses why they won't make it home that Christmas. So he faked his own death. The next scene showed them all arriving at his house, looking sombre and dressed in black but they were confused to see him alive and the dinner table laden with food! His response was: how else would I have brought you all together? I guess the moral of the story is to reach out to those you care about before it's too late. So I'm remembering my dad and the lovely memories we shared as a family - whether on holidays or just because. I'll remember that wise old head or when he gets annoyed (which I put down to shortmanitis hehee)or when he rescues my plants cos as greenfingered as he was, I was not! I value and will remember the times we all spent together and we have lots of pictures and videos to remind us lest we forget. And although he is missing from our family, I have no regrets. When I remember my dad, a quote from the 70s comes to mind: remember me with smiles and laughter as I will always remember you. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all - Laura Ingels Wilder Little House on the Prairie. I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas however you choose to spend it. 😘

[nettypetty]

...my manicurist in training...

[nettypetty]

🎄MY CHRISTMAS MESSAGE🎄 Hello boys n girls: There's no escaping so I hope you're in a festive mood by now! It will be Christmas day when you wake up on Friday morning! I can hear some of you saying, and I'm not even ready'. Ready for what though? The celebration? The gifts? House hopping and mountains of food? Getting together with family and friends? Well I'm as ready as I'll ever be to spend it with my family because that's what Christmas means to me...hmmm I feel a Jackson5 song coming on. Moving swiftly along before I start singing. I tried hard to get my family to agree for us to eat out this Christmas (after all, we'd still be enjoying the day together) but this was met with strong resistance. I'm getting used to their obstreperous behaviour anyway and even last Christmas, they started a petition to oust me from my position as quizmaster...as if I have control over the questions or answers hehehee! I digress. Their reluctance to have dinner in a restaurant this Christmas made me feel good to know that our family's tradition of coming together over the Season is still treasured in spite of leading different lives throughout the year. Christmas is seen as a time for loving and giving but it means different things to all of us. Although, traditionally, we all spend time with family and friends, remember good times and reminisce about childhood memories, I am mindful that Christmas and what it represents - the getting together, its commercialisation, decorations and the financial pressures - fill some of us with dread and the thought of family squabbles are no more appealing. I am mindful, too, that many do not have families with whom to spend the time. Many won't know the sunshine of a loved one's gaze, won't hear their children and/or grandchildren's laughter and their 'phones will remain silent. As we enjoy the festivities, let us give thanks for our many blessings, our families and friends, remember those who are no longer with us while remembering those who will be on their own, for whatever reason, over the Christmas period. And as it's the season to be jolly, it certainly won't hurt to open our hearts and share a smile (I don't mean to walk around with a smile plastered permanently on your face; nooo, you'll only get suspicious looks). Smile at the person walking past you in the street or the person sitting next to you on the bus or train, another driver in the car park or another shopper in the supermarket. We're all going through some kind of struggle, some more than others. You may be the only sunlight that person sees for the whole day and your smile may be that small kindness that reassures the lonely heart. Have a wonderful Christmas Season all of ye, however you choose to spend it, and my very best wishes for the new year.

[nettypetty]

My Thought For Christmas-No 102

Hello guys and dolls, if I ever tell you I'm busy, feel free to laugh at me like he indoors when he asked recently my plans for the day. Of course, being so 'busy' and full of self-importance I told him I had lots to do. "What stuff", he asked. In my mind, I had a long list of things but in reality, I only came up with one thing that I had to do! He shook his head and walked away laughing. Such is the extent of my busyness. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it seems to be happening at once but I guess that's life (hmm I feel a song coming on). Anyway, I went shopping (fun stuff) the other day. I passed a man when I went into the shops and he was still there when I returned to off load the bags. I saw him coming out of the corner of my eye, and the devil on my left shoulder said: not today, mister, I haven't got the time. The angel on the right said: but you might be the only person he talks to today. Devil: he can find someone else cos he doesn't have to talk to me. Well the man reached me while they were arguing about what i should do. I was glad I took the time to talk because he had a story to tell. I also bought one of his books for my daughter (I checked and found it on Amazon and a couple bookshops here). The 15 minutes that I stood chatting with this stranger didn't delay me at all but it got me thinking that sometimes we're so consumed with our own busyness that we can't find time for others. Throughout the Season while we're having fun, food, company and feeling the festive cheer, let us bear in mind that it can be a distressing and lonely time for others and loneliness makes it hard for people to reach out. Let us be generous with our time, a kind word or a smile to help to lift someone's spirit because a simple act of caring can create an endless ripple that can last a lifetime. To those of you in the tropics, have a warm and merry Christmas. And to those in the icebox like me, we goin' have a blast anyway. Have a pleasant and enjoyable Christmas y'all.

[nettypetty]

Mona Lisa and me in -3 degrees

[nettypetty]

#21 #amazingyoungmen

[nettypetty]

Everywhere is war...war in the east, war in the west, war up north, war down south...everywhere is war

🎧….until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior….until there are no longer 1st class and 2nd class citizens of any nation…until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour if his eyes…until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard or race….until that day….🎧

[nettypetty]

I'm with u on that...

My thinking exactly….but that’s just me 😳🙏

[nettypetty]

#raceforlife #stockwoodpark #ohsofabulous #prettyinpink