Mancunian

Aloha Albert, I hope your weekend is off to a good start.

See below 👇 ✍️ notes are being made for possible future stories. 😀

✍️ notes are being made for possible future stories. 😀

Homelessness is a social disease that has many root causes and needs to be tackled on two fronts. One is to treat the root causes, the other is to provide more social housing at affordable rents. Then we can reduce it, I'm not sure that we can eliminate it but that must be the goal. The Boot World stories mainly show what can happen when help and support is given to those who need it, this is another of those stories. There are stories of homelessness that are much darker, some of those stories will also be told in time. We can all help by supporting organisations that are local to us and trying to help those in need. Your story reminds us that this is a problem that can, and does, affect anyone. You have a good positive attitude that I am sure has helped and kept you going in the darkest of times. I hope you are getting the help and support that you need and your situation improves in the coming year. Your partner and your positivity will be of immense help to you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you @Freemantleman for leaving your valuable comments, they are welcome and appreciated.

Very often those who help and/or support others don't see themselves as anything other than ordinary, doing the right thing comes naturally to them. That is what makes them special. The Baxter boys don't see the good they doing, they only see what is being done for them and do not believe they have done anything to deserve it. To me, that is the definition of a good heart. Charlie is eager to restore the Mini, he has a lot of knowledge but little experience so still has a lot to learn. Joe is a classic car buff who is thorough and methodical, an ideal mentor for Charlie. He should have the knowledge to source and use only OEM parts in all, or most, of the restoration. He will probably instruct Charlie to place the documentation in one or more protective folders to maintain them due to their value and the value they add to the car. I think Charlie and Joe will make a good team in restoring Harry's Mini. The car has more than a monetary value to Harry, I'm sure he will keep it. Thank you @drsawzall for your valuable comments, I appreciate them.

Spoken like a true friend. I agree with you, but I have to convince Charlie and Michael of that. Thank you @Cane23 for your valuable comment.

Damn, you found my weak spot.

It's great that you have been able to catch up with the rest of us. I hope you enjoyed the party and managed to get a slice of cake before @Albert1434 and @raven1 ate it all, lol. Thank you for your support Gary, I do appreciate it.

Everybody is in agreement, Max did nothing, maybe out of character, but not wrong. I wanted everyone to see that the gentle giant is just as capable of being angry as anyone, in this case, it was justifiable as it was in defence of someone who needed defending. Everybody put that earlier blip behind them and enjoyed their night out, but then, who doesn't like a fair/carnival and an expertly choreographed fireworks display? Thank you for your support and commenting my friend.

Thank you Bill for the valued comments. When Michael met his new colleagues he also made at least one new friend. Hopefully, this new friendship will help Michael to socialise more. Charlie is very happy to be able to restore the Mini, it will be a good experience for him. Just as the lads were starting to feel a bit down Stacy performed his magic (has he had lessons from Aunt May?) and put smiles on faces, but more than that he lifted the feeling in the lads hearts.

Thank you @Jkeeletupelo the boys sure are working hard, looking after Harry and having Jobs. I think it's safe to say this is the happiest they have been since their mum passed away, I'm sure she will be looking down smiling, happy that her boys have found good friends.

I'll never be able to listen to this track again without picturing Michael and Stacy wearing a permed wig, lol.

Thank you @akascrubber, it was hard work keeping the party a secret, but it was worth it and enjoyed by all. Did you get a slice of cake or did @raven1 polish it off?

Thank you @Albert1434, I hoped you would like the party. BTW, was that you I saw sat in the corner eating sweet and crispy chicken drumsticks with a large slice of each cake on a plate, lol.

You have to be gentle with me, no rough stuff. I'm off out now, my usual Friday appointment is a little later than usual due to the holidays. I'll catch up with you all later.

I love the musical references, Shy Boy would be a perfect fit for Brad and Charlie.

Thank you @chris191070, I wanted Charlie and Michael to celebrate their birthdays and I'm happy I could do that for them. I don't know about you, but I was there in spirit.

Thank you @Anton_Cloche for your wonderful comments, they are a pleasure to read. I'm so happy that you enjoyed the party, I felt that their birthdays should be remembered, especially as it is Charlie's twenty-first, it's a special birthday. Thanks to their new friends and new extended family their lives are 'back on track' and full of opportunities. Thank you for your good wishes, I wish you only the best of luck for 2024.

Project 'Restoration Mini Cooper S' will bring a lot of joy to Joe, Charlie and most of all Harry. I think Harry will be inclined to keep it when it is completed, he may look at the possibility of having a garage built to keep it in to protect it from the weather. There was no way Missy could be left out, with her intelligence and temperament she was only going to be hit at the party. As a result of his heart attack, Harry has gained more than a new lease of life, he has gained friends who are more like family. I did consider the Altered Images song but felt Stevie Wonder's song is a better fit, and it got Missy dancing too! Thank you for your comments, I love reading them.

I never did sports or Physical Education in school, I was never allowed. Rugby was my dad's sport in his youth but I don't have any photos of it. Some still don't look human after the second or third cup

I hope you find the bargains you are looking for. Remember some of the best can be found on markets and in second-hand stores, especially if you are buying jewellery.

Thank you @Gary L your comments and support are really appreciated.

Thank you, Terry, all reactions, comments and recommendations are welcome and appreciated. I do acknowledge and reply to all comments as my readers are important to me and deserve that respect. I'll take this opportunity to say that I hope you have all had a good Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year celebrations. May you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Thank you @Gary L for your welcome and encouraging comment.

Psst, it's that time again. Another chapter has been posted.