Happy New Year

Shirley's Tribe would like to wish everyone a spiritually enriching, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year

Shirley's Tribe New Year's Honours List

We at Shirley's Tribe would like to honour the following people / orgnisations who have supported us in 2008. Credit given where credit due.
Paul NBCA for encouragement Shirley, Janine, Julian, Charmaine, Doreen
Paul NBCA for biscuits and not shouting at us whilst we gave him a headache and ran wildly round the room- Capreece and Leila
Munchies in the Bull Ring Markets for providing drinks, meals and smiles
Stall Holders Bull Ring Markets for providing clothes, ornaments
John and staff at Spotted Dog for encouragement, smiles, venue
Adrian and Staff, Big Bull's Head for encouragement
Staff at Kerryman for encourgement
Barabara Crosland for always being there, encouraging and financial help
Hilton for lifts, always responding speedily, encouraging, coming out in the cold to take us to and from places and home
Staff at Dubliner for food every Monday evening and encouragement
Sunday / Monday Club for understanding , Des Ryan for his wonderful live music, Christie for his unique MCing style
Staff at Bull Ring Tavern for encouragement
Staff at Devonshire Arms for encouragemnt.
Viv Allen for Karaoke and hot food once a month
Big Bren for his unique Mcing and encouragement at Sunday express
Staff at Adam and Eve for allowing our craziness, bringing our roast potatoes and decorating the pub at Sunday Express
Tessa Lowe for coming out of exile and lighting a creative sparkle for mental health.
Philip Oakley for support on Blogs Day.
Erma for contributions and invitations to her events
Mike, Dave and all at Brainstorm. Long may it run.
Djs at Bull Ring Tavern, Big Bull's Head for understnding craziness
Odeon Cinema Staff especially when we meet up and have count out our pennies, turn up without disability cinema cards and take ages deciding what to watch from Cinema Queen and the Wednesday Club
Barry the disposal man round Edgbaston St who tells us where there's secret hoard of stuff.
The greasy spoon staff who gives us the leftovers every night
The Inspector, Steel House Lane who came to meet us after getting a complaint about the way some of us were treated in the Bull Ring
All at Fireside from those who go there
Mr Feeney who provided our transport for St Patrick Day Parade.
All at Firebird pub, Justice not Crises etc who supported our Christmas Opening
Carol and Steve who took home and cooked our turkey and veg for Christmas Day
Jeannette who provide decorations and food for our Christmas Opening at Firebird
Uncle George who provided sprouts for Christmas Opening
InterVarsity Club who advertised the Christmas Opening
The Coventry, Queen Elizabeth and Selly Oak hospital staff who helped Andrew nearly all year after his helicopter lift to hospital.
The hospital staff who helped Mary when she got ill and we thought we'd lost her.
Hope Family Church for support and encouragement
World Family of God Church who astounded someone when she realised that there could be so many black professionasl in one party.
Joanne for being there, encouragement and contribution to our Christmas opening
BCIL staff for help and advice and support
Shirley's Tribe for surviving the craziness, illness, bereavement, loneliness, homelessness, bad housing, prejudice, discrimination and having the tenacity to carry on.

And the winner is everyone mentioned for loving, sharing, caring. Happy New Year. Shirley

Disability Cooper-Dog Creates Ecobone Chair

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Hear My Cry Oh Lord

A few years ago I decided to sing at Pastor George's 40th Birthday Party. I practised Nearer My God to Thee and Rock of Ages with a Steel Band which I used to managed years before. After one rehearsal someone asked if I knew this song and started to humming "Hear My Cry Oh Lord" I said I knew it very well as I sang it every night as I prepared my meal and before I every morning before I left the house. I even used the mop or broom as a microphone. I practised it and went home totally confused. Please God, I prayed the pastor wants one song and now I have three. What do I do? I went home and opened my Bible. It opened at Psalm 61 - Hear My Cry Oh Lord. So the decision was made. I'd sing this one. Every rehearsal I did all three songs. Someone complained that I sounded as if I was rehearsing for a funeral not a birthday party. The first two songs, though widely sung at funerals were not written specifically for tha occasion and in any case we celebrate life at both occasions. As I was very ill at the time I asked my cousins to practise a dance to accompany the song just in case I couldn't do it.
The day finally came. I got there early and made some melon baskets. It took me a while but I managed it. Whilst we waited for the pastor and his guests to arrive we sang all three songs and my cousins danced. In fact we did the lot twice over. I forgot about Zimbabwean time.
So I went home, completely exhausted yet please that I had performed as promised. A few days later I had a calle. "You know that song you did at the minister's birthday party? Yes. Can you sing it at a funeral? When? 2 days later! So I did. Then I did it at Mark Maynards, an expupil's Birthday Party. I'm glad I did. I had less that 2 hours notice. He died a few months later. I then did Taka's engagement and wedding party, various karaokes, Jackie's grand daughter's christening, Free and Easy at the Kerryman and Katie's and Tafara's wedding reception,, Loice's Graduation Party and in her church. So hear's the original and my version: I read Psalm 61 and rap.
Hear My Cry Oh Lord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTjltdzN_gM

I went to a business meeting and lunch today. It was cancelled but I took some lovely photos.

The shops
Red berries
Holly. I used to live on Holly Rd and really had holly in the garden. It's all gone now for car-parking space. I read somewhere about streets where they pulled down the buildings eg school and retained the name for the rd.
Halesowen Golf Course
Plaque for William Shenstone not Shelley as thought. I got off the bus at Shenstone Lane so that should have been a clue shouldn't it.
The Course
Evidence

Leaving home. My neighbours insist on parking on my drive.

Grans in playground getting ready for party

Big teddy bear on New St

Party table at NBCA. Preparing for next week Christams Opening.

Close up of napkins, cup etc for Party.

We then went to the Crown and Cushion for a drink - or two.

South Yardley Housing Liaison Board Party

Steve,
Would you believe
That he could leave
After 9 years
Bringing some to tears
Some stayed months
3 0r 4
Then they were out the door
Moving on to pastures green
To new opportunites they'd seen
So Steve we'll all miss you
The Residents - the whole Board too
Wishing you all the best
You deserve the rest
No more exciting meetings
Wishing you Season's Greetings

From all at South Yardley Housing Liaison Board

You are editing a new magazine. Choose 8 people to interview.

They need to be alive, the interviews can be anything, I guess, but for my magazine I am interested in the interviewees thoughts on how their experiences and influences have shaded their thoughts and actions. What their politics are, how they relate to people and visa versa. What drives them in their life, business etc.

Happy Birthday

Christy (made up of songs he loves to sing)

C is for Charming - you show a little kindness
H is for Helpful and cheerful
You've got everything a man can ever need
R is for rare - loving indeed
I is for Intuitive - you plead "come back to stay"
S is for Sharing you like to play
T is for Tenacious - you sing "I can't stop loving you" and "The Gold and Silver Years"
Y is for you - truly inspirational
Your renditions traditonal and sensational

c. Shirley P Cooper 15/12/08

Mary

Much loved. So
Attractive, unique
Greets everyone you meet
On every street
Rare, such beauty
Intuitive too
You are so loving
So caring, that's true.
Sharing your love
That's what you do

This poem comes with love and kisses
And very Happy Birthday wishes

c. Shirley P Cooper 15/12/08

Last Night

Tiny cards distributed at Dubliners. Comments: Q. Why didn't you go to Poundland and buy some big cards? A. Cos everyone else does. My mum says this about strangers. It was quite moving whilst he told me about strangers doing unexpected things. More than one told me about receiving their first Christmas Card. Appparently you always remember the first. I met 2 lovely guys who are going to help with the Christmas Opening. Why do I do it? Because I know some people will only get 1 card. Because it's Christmas and we've got to make the effort to be extra nice to people. Because I know what it's like to be lonely, fed up, depressed especially when the media tells you that everyone's with a loving caring family at this time of year. Because I remember being in hospital for 3 months 28 years ago. Most importantly because it is the Christian thing to do.

After leaving the squat I went to look at some kids pyjamas and underwear at a friend's house. He lived 'across the road.' 10 minutes later we got there. He has some beautiful items. All kids presents problems solved. We then went on the quest for food, ending up in Ladywood! I was on the way to Digbeth. I had soup and 2 bakes, or fried dumplings. They were more like doughnuts. Done properly; flat not round. I then got a lift back to the dubliners where I distributed tiny cards to everyone who came in.

Driver using a mobile on the bus.

Yesterday at around 3pm I got on a 57a bus at the Swan, Yardley. The driver was speaking on his mobile. I told him he shouldn't be doing that he replied: "don't talk too much". I then said rather loudly, "He's speaking on his mobile." No one said a word. I sat down and after 2 stops decided to get off. I don't like people messing with my life! When I got to the front he was now texting. I said nothing to him but took the photo instead. The bus number was 4552. A few months ago I had a similar experience with another driver. He was terribly abusive to me. I phoned 999. Took a photo when I was getting off. A few weeks later he was still driving buses.

Christmas Party

We had our Christmas party at Ladywood Health and CommunityCCentre on Friday. There was a pantomine and karaoke competition. I never got to sing cos they couldn't find any of my songs. This is a photo from the pantomine performed by Piece of Mind - exMadcaps.

Birthday Week

Is it Art? Or artistic Rubbish? After my Birthday Party. What's in a name?

I like this.

Lost Glove

Seasoned! Doreen with her sash. Well done Dor.

Getting Ready for Christmas Opening.

we had a lovely (riotous) time decorating the room. Thanks to Jeannette, who I only met on Wednesday who visited and left some lovely decorations at the Firebird

Dinner at the Firebird. A lot of hard work went into this meal. Thanks to Doreen's Daughter. Her boyfriend had to go home to get the seaoning. We'e run out of Reggae Reggae Sauce too. Help!

more evidence of illegal parking

Everyone's parking on the pavement and even on my drive now! I came out with a trolley full of donated items to take to the Firebird and couldn't use the dropped kerbs because of parked cars.

Christmas Opening and other events

Tessa, reading her poems at Adam and Eve, Digbeth.

My new man. Made from string.

My new man, seen in a different light

Between Wednesday 24th December and Saturday 27th December we will be having a long Christams party at the Firebird, Belle Vue Rd, Edgbaston (off Pershore and Bristol Rd) Do come and socialize, entertain, be creative, cool out. All contributions can be left at the venue at anytime as there is always someone there. God Bless. Shirley

http://www.en-gb.pledgebank.com/Christmaspening/announce

http://www.africabags.com

www.hawkins.com

This Week

more mint.

someone else's bombe showing mint.

Attacking the bombe

The Star on our table cloth. I sent this picture to our friendly dj who loves to dress up Daniel our 'cos his mum was buried on Friday. Condolences from the tribe.

Chocolate Mint Bombe. Where is the mint?

Guest and Barbara our ever faithful friend.

love the bubbly jumper

Roger and Dave (exec comt UIP)

Dunch (late lunch, early dinner) after UIP meeting in Briar Rose

Social Conscience at work. I collected all the newspapers and put them in the basket so passengers could read today's news.

Well it's been as stressful as usual. Preparing for Birthday Parties and Christmas is hard work. Because my daughter was born a week before Christmas, (and two months premature) and because eeryone says: "I can't afford 2 presents at this time of year", I've always concentrated and giving her a special birthday. Only parties before her birthday are thought of. I used to hire a hall and invite every child I knew, to her birthday parties. That way they got a good time, away from nagging anxious mothers who had to do their shopping on the last saturday before Christmas. Then the shops strated opening on Sundays so more kids turned up. My daughter went to stay with a friend when she found 21 children having breakfast the day after her birthday party. But it's always been fun. Since she 'grew up' I still treat myself to a box of chocolate, bottle of wine, and party food in memories of my 3 months in hospital trying to save her. We used to have a photo extravanganza every year where we took lots of photos on New St. When she was 16 she declared UDI. This was childish. She wanted a party with her friendss things with 'her friends' no mums allowed.

This year we are going to have breakfast today as she is too busy for the lunch with the Housing Liaison Board and dinner with Free and Easy Sunday / Monday Club at the Dubliners. Guess who's babysitting that evening. The rest of this week. I visited the squat. Took some clothes for Car Boot Sale tomorrow. Tuesay I went to the SY Local History Group Party. Took some of the food to the squat. Wednesday - quick visit to Hope Church. Had a mince pie. Thursday went to Users in Partnership Reference Group meeting then had a lovely dunch (too late for lunch, too early for dinner). Visited squat with things retrieved from lunch for recycling. Then to Doreens cos she's ill. Get well soon Dor. Friday Went to Senior Citizens' (South Yardley) Coffee Morning Christmas Party. Gave everyone some sweeties and those around me a card. Then wrote out 200 cards for Karaoke Pantomine and Competition across town. Lovely meal. Rachel and Community Vibes did a lovely job on the pantomine. The competition was great. Some lovely performers but I don't like competitions like that. I think everyone deserves a prize for effort. Last year I gave prizes to the 'losers' but haven't got my act together this year. As I didn't get to sing at Karaoke, I nearly froze to death to waiting for a bus to go to Deveonshire Arms to sing. Janine left early cos she's getting a cold too. It was lovely. My lift had put on his pyjamas and gone to bed so I had to catch the bus. It was crazy. The driver scrutinised every ticket and stopped every few minutes to smoke and have a drink from a sus[icion looking bottle. I prayed for the duration of the journey. And all the way home after. I was glad to get home.

Thanks Rachel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsXpZ-WweAY

Happy Birthday John Simmit

It's Mrs Simmit's son John's Birthday today so I wrote him a poem

J for Jokes, you tell them well
O for outrageous, you do that as well
H for hilarious, we all know that's true
N for Nice - this is about you

Two Pins The Incapacity Dog Starts A Social Doggerprise

Cartoonery By KAKATOO

In an effort to copy James Poodell's bottom scent from the Dept Of Woof And Pensions - Incapacity Dog AKA "Two Pins" set up his bone-stall today and we at UserWatch interviewed him.

"Innovation is the key" Says Two Pins

"Bones that light up and show other dogs how to collect bones are my invention . I have not sold many because I can hardly get around and have to eat most of the bones I find ...."

"Now there's a credit squeeze, dogs everywhere are going into the local dustbins with torches too"

James Poodell is well fed though " ... Two Pins Snarled.

"To be honest most of the bones I have here are from dead dog friends killed or starved by the UK Fat National Health Dog Services that made them even more mental than they were - some used to see scratchy cats everywhere - even in their baskets ..

I hate selling my dead friends out - but what's an Incapacity dog to do ... ? "

Take Away, thrown Away

A redberry tree

Is this a face I see before me.

Janines feet. I was hurrying to get on bus. Please buy her some more socks for Christmas

A better view at our bus stop on way home after a fragrant evening.