I don’t own an all singing dancing phone and have no desire to, just like I have no desire to be uploading posts to social media  about my every bowel movement over the day from different parts of the country just because technology dictates I can. At the end of the day it’s about choice. Is it the phone that’s the problem or the person using it?   Just because it’s called a Smartphone doesn’t necessarily mean it’s owner can boast the same pedigree? ……& before you go combustingly red and start spitting weetabix at the screen please note I said necessarily, meaning this may not apply to you…….necessarily?

It seems we now have the option to do everything via our phones, shopping, banking, Texting, Sexting ( Not that I’ll be sending photos of my bits through the airwaves anytime soon you’ll be pleased to know) and a whole heap of other stuff.

This means that people often spend a large part of the day with their heads down engrossed in their phones, even whilst driving so it seems. Bad?  Mad?  Downright rude? Or just a part of the multi-tasking generation we should accept? &  how long before there’s a medical condition being banded around known as  Smartitis?  On a serious note It’s already widely known that there is a real problem with addiction that will have a long lasting effect on the attitude and mental health of future generations.

                      Watford Observer:

In fact Its already started, in global studies from psychologists, scientists, & health experts alike, its been noted that more women seem to get addicted than men, and that being separated from their mobiles for lengthy periods produced anxious behaviour, panic attacks, sleep disturbance & depression, especially in younger people

I won’t be smartphoning any time soon. This is a picture of my last phone and my current phone, apart from having a penchant for small flip phones I go for that Old School basic vibe. I want to receive calls/texts and send them if needed and that’s it, …….see what I mean when I say I’m so easy to please for a woman?

                                Watford Observer:

Another reason why I’m rather pleased this week is that  the lovely people at Shopmobility Watford have come out in  support of  raising awareness of ME and the charity Invest In ME. As a registered charity themselves I was really touched by their selfless generosity. It all started when regular reader of this column and shopmobility volunteer Maureen Titchener got in contact to ask me where she could purchase some of the t-shirts I’d designed, she also told her assistant manager  Marilyn Carvell about them and the reason behind it all. Next thing they’d ordered some t-shirts where all profit goes to charity: http://runninonempty.dizzyjam.com/  and posted links to Lets Do It For ME  http://ldifme.org/ Invest In ME http://www.investinme.org/ on their own shopmobilty Facebook wall along with a photo of Maureen wearing one of the designs “Hope For ME” so big shout out of thanks to them.

                          Watford Observer:

If you’ve ever been in town and seen people whizzing around on mobility scooters or battery powered wheelchairs,  chances are they’ve been loaned by Shopmobility

http://www.shopmobilitywatford.org/ . It’s a national scheme and they  loan them to anyone with mobility problems whether temporary or permanent . This allows people some independence http://www.shopmobility.org.uk/ It’s an important service because it means they can do their own shopping, or  join in social activities,  it allows people with mobility problems to still have some freedom. It’s a free service so they rely on donations .  The Watford shopmobility is situated , Church Car Park, Exchange Road,Watford, Herts. WD18 0BU Tel: 01923 211020

For other areas, just google in shopmobility followed by your town name.

I also have to give a shout out of thanks to  Shiraz of Euro Refrigeration Harrow Middx who offers a 24 hour service so was able to come out Wednesday evening and save our fridge and freezer full of food when it completely conked out on us.   I’m not a fridge techie but I am a food lover, so his explanation that the panel across the top that regulates things needed replacing went straight over my head and was met with the response “ But will it save the food?” Sure enough half an hour later the fridge/freezer was back up and running and no food was lost hurrah!

On a final note , on behalf of myself and my family I couldn’t end this week without thanking those of you who have been in contact over my brothers death. Your messages, prayers  & cards of support and kind words about my brother have been extremely appreciated, as too, the donations many of you have made on the Just Giving site set up in his memory that is going to the Samaritans. This is an awful time and we are all struggling but the love you have shown us has meant a lot and certainly something that won’t be forgotten, so bless you & thanks once again,

                                   Til next week, Stay blessed

                                       Back Before Elvis XXX

https://www.facebook.com/RunninOnEmptee1

https://twitter.com/RunninOnEmptee

http://ldifme.org/

http://www.investinme.org/