ShirW And A Lensography

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Shirl Turns 50.... Well No, Shirl Creates 50 Lenses

To celebrate the creation of my 50th Lens (finally!), it seemed fitting to create a Lensography for this occasion. I featured my lenses created to date as well as revealed a little bit about myself, some of my favorite things, likes, even dislikes!

I hope you enjoy spending a little time with me as much as I've enjoyed having you here.

So Who Is Shirl?

Who is Shirl? Well, in a nutshell I am a wife to one and a mom to three. I try not to let that define me entirely, even though those are the two most important elements of my life.

I am a child of God, but His family is a family I came into later in my life, actually within the past few years. That's a good thing, because my world-parents disowned me about four years ago, not for the first time by any means, but it sure was the last.

That is actually what brought me here to Squidoo, I wanted to tell my story. The first lens I created here was Shades Of Black And White and it tells a story about a significant part of my life. I wanted to make a difference in how people think about racism, interracial relationships, and most importantly, conditional love.

If you haven't read it, I would be honored if you did. Perhaps it will make a difference in some small way in your life.

Shades Of Black And White

Lens Of The Day And A Purple Star

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End Racism - One Heart At A TIme

A Purple Star

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Red Eyed Tree Frog Facts

A Purple Star!

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What Else Make Shirl Tick?

Well, I discovered when you go from managing a fast-paced career and the hectic schedule of a single mom to becoming a stay at home mom who becomes a little sedentary while spinning words on the Internet, oh and not to mention entering into a decade beginning with the number "five". All of these factors made me suddenly realiz one day I was a little bigger than I used to be. ;)

That led me to: A) start walking for exercise, which caused me to realize how much I loved to hike in the woods and; B) write lenses about finding the right clothes after you have transitioned into a curvy woman....or something like that.

I am slowly walking my way across America in hopes of shedding these added pounds and have discovered a new spiritual connection with nature in the process.

I also have issue with society and it's fixation on things young, thin and superficial so I decided to create some lenses for real life women who want to look good.

Connecting With Nature Lenses

A Niche I'm really Looking Forward To See Grow

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Bathing Suits & Blue Jeans

What More Do We Need To Be In Style?

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What Inspires Me

Well, The Word inspires me.

A good conversation with my husband about most anything never fails to inspire me.

Reading inspires me. I've read countless lenses here on Squidoo, perhaps too many as I tend to get caught up in others words instead of creating more lenses, but I can't help myself. There is just too much good stuff out there!

Quotes inspire me. There are direct, to the point and have a way of staying with me to help me on my way when life want to knock me around a little.

My Quotes Lenses

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A Book I Would Love To Have

The Wise and Witty Quote Book: More than 2000 Quotes to Enlighten, Encourage, and Enjoy

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Every Quotes junkie would love to have a book with an unlimited supply of quotes and I'm no exception. I can see this little gem added to my collection.

Stuff I Struggle With

I've been on a forgiveness journey for a few years now. It's the longest trip I've ever taken and the road is rutted, bumpy and quite twisted.

The good news is that I've finally acquired some direction the past couple of years with the help of my new amazing friend, Jesus Christ.

Here are some books I've read that have helped me navigate the road to forgiveness.

The Shack

I Can Read This Over & Over Again

The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition)

Amazon Price: $9.82 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Each time I read this powerful and moving book, I take away something new. If you have never read it, I highly recommend you do. In some way,it will change your life.

Dying To Live

By Clayton King

Dying to Live: Abandoning Yourself to God's Bold Paradox

Amazon Price: $3.97 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

I've had the privilege of hearing Clayton King speak several times at my church. In addition to delivering a powerful message in person, he is also a gifted writer. This book, Dying To Live, was an important element to discovering how to leave "stuff" behind. I'm still a WIP, but I'm pointed the right direction!

Fearless

By Max Lucado

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

Amazon Price: $6.57 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Reading anything written by Max Lucado is always a positive, uplifting experience. I have learned much in my walk with Christ because of the clarity delivered in this book about losing fear through submitting to Christ.

The Answer To Forgiveness

And A Whole Lot More

NLT Study Bible (Bible Nlt)

Amazon Price: $23.75 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Meet The Family

We are a blended family for sure, I have one son and my husband has two daughters. We are white, black and brown. How cool is that?

Our kids are all successful in their own rights, they play sports, are active in church and do well in school. The oldest plays drums and guitar, the middle child plays drums and the keyboard and the youngest is gifted in gymnastics and is always upside down in some fashion. They also leave their rooms a mess, forget to do their chores and never put water in the dog's dish. But I digress.

My husband is the best man ever. Wise, fair, a hard worker, a best friend, deeply spiritual, possesses a crazy, contagious laugh and deeply loves his family. I am so blessed.

Want to see a family portrait? We don't usually put pictures of our family on the Internet, but since this is a special event, we decided it we would make an exception this time. What do you think?

The Family Portrait 

Shirl Loves Frogs

And Doesn't Even Know Why

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I Love Jewelry..

But Only Cool Jewelry....IMHO

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Jewelry I Love

I'm so easy to please. Forget the bling and the price. I want it to mean something. If there is anyone out there who is looking for ideas for, I don't know, my birthday, Christmas or just because, this pendant will keep me very happy.

It's The Little Things That Bring Me Joy

India.Arie - Little Things
by IndiaArieVEVO | video info

3,636 ratings | 1,680,632 views
curated content from YouTube

About Me And Squidoo

I joined Squidoo in August of 2009. Well as ShirlW I did anyway. I joined a year or so before at the recommendation of someone to promote my blog and began to make a lens. I have to confess it was probably the worst lens ever. I just didn't "get" the whole concept of what I was supposed to be doing. I told myself I would never try THAT again, but one thing I've learned in life is to never say never. So anyway, I joined in 2009 and it's taken me over a year and a half to create 50 lenses.

I tend to procrastinate a little.

OK, a lot.

I always get side tracked and Squidoo, as you may or may not know, is a real easy place to get side tracked.

I spend a tremendous amount of time reading, liking and commenting on lenses. The up side to this is I've learned a lot from so many wonderful people. This downside is that it makes me a little unproductive when it comes to creating lenses of my own.

I've had the pleasure of serving as a Squid Angel twice, the first time in October 2010, and currently as a Culture & Society Angel. Here are my Angel lenses and my Squidoo lenses.

My Squid Angel Lenses

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The Best Free Internet Job?

Why Squidoo, Of Course

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Add This To My Wish List

If you really loved me, you would buy me this ;)

Aeron Chair by Herman Miller - Home Office Desk Task Chair Fully Loaded Highly Adjustable Medium Size (B) - Posture Fit Lumbar Back Support Cushion Titanium Smoke Frame Classic Zinc Pellicle

Amazon Price: $869.00 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Last year I hurt my back and it is still taking it's time getting back to 100%. I know if I owned a good desk chair to sit in during those long hours spent on Squidoo, my back would appreciate it! Perhaps this one is a bit much, but it IS for my health..............

Random Stuff You Probably Don't Even Care About

But I'm Gonna Tell You Anyway

I'm 5; 9". I have been this tall since I was 11 years old. Those were some painful years.

I'm left handed. Oh, except when I throw, bat, play pool and just about anything else sports-ish. Except throwing a Frisbee, I do that left handed.

I quit smoking on May 5, 1997, a huge accomplishment as I was a chain smoker of more than two packs per day.

I used to be a car saleswoman. A long time ago, when women weren't supposed to sell cars. And I was an honest car saleswoman. Really, I was.

My elbows are double jointed and I can kind of swing them around 180 degrees. My kids and husband think that is really gross, but I don't. I think it makes me kind of special.

Shirl isn't my real name, I kind of keep my identity a secret because of my family situation. One day I will gather up enough courage to not care and "come out", but there is a season for everything

I really don't like inconsiderate people. Why do they think they are better than the rest of us? I'm trying to learn to like them anyway, but it's a struggle.

My favorite foods are cheesecake, chocolate, butter, fried potatoes and biscuits. But not necessarily in that order. I really do try to eat healthy, but these are my favorite foods, I just don't eat them all the time.

For some unknown reason I think frogs are cute. But I despise snakes and all other things that crawl.....well except for babies.

Hey Monkeybrain!

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A Few Odd Lenses

No Particular Niche For These....At Least For Now

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Gift Basket & Housewarming Lenses

My Niche That Needs A Lot Of TLC

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Lenses About Places

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Holiday Lenses

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A Thumbs Up Is Forever Appreciated

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my life as well as the lenses I've created. Please stop by from time to time to check out new stuff that is added. Oh and give someone a smile and a hug today, it will make a huge difference in their life and yours too!

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Who Is Shirl?

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Please Feel Free To Say Hi!

  • dellgirl Jul 25, 2011 @ 3:05 pm | delete
    I’m just dropping by to say hello. I hope you are doing okay and everything is fine. Hope you have a super Week!
  • Philippians468 Jun 7, 2011 @ 10:30 pm | delete
    thank you for sharing this lovely lensography! cheers
  • Ruthi May 20, 2011 @ 7:21 am | delete
    Fantastic Squidoo lensography! Lensrolled to Number 21. I know all about that forgiveness journey; I've taken it a time or two in my life journey.
  • PipPipHooray May 14, 2011 @ 1:15 am | delete
    congratulations. I'm hoping to get there ... one day! :)
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 May 9, 2011 @ 9:58 pm | delete
    This is a really great lensography. Wow... 50 lenses. Very nicely done!
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ShirlW

Hi - I'm Shirl. Proud to be blessed with a beautiful family that consists of one white woman, one black man, one white son and two brown daughters. We... more »

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