Grannymar

Alexia Golez posted about a Qik video that Jason Roe prepared in advance of the Moviestar.ie Irish Web Awards Ceremony in the Radisson SAS Hotel on Golden Lane behind Dublin Castle last night. I watched it at lunch time and it was fine. Later in the afternoon I went for a walk. Well I knew I would be glued to my chair and computer screen to follow the events in Dublin as they happened. There would be at least three people live streaming the event on Qik. I bumped into a friend and she suggested we go for something to eat, it suited us both as she had places to go later on and I had people to see (on the net)!

When I returned home it was time for lights on and the action to start. Steph was online so I IM’d her and asked if the show had started. She sent me a link, but it was the one I had seen earlier in the day. I Twhirl’d my pals in Dublin for an up to date link. By return I had several replies, but alas each worked for a couple of seconds and then stalled. It was becoming very frustrating. Steph was wetting her britches! Well who could blame her, son and heir Robin was a finalist in three categories.

So there we were, Steph in Dublin and yours truly in Norn Iron, twiddling and clicking for all our worth and getting nowhere. Our know-all tekki offspring’s were at the event and unable to come to our aid. Then my darling Darragh came to the rescue! He was live twittering the event from his N95 Mobile. As each result came through I copied and pasted it into the IM conversation for Steph! At one stage there were more bells and clangers going off here than at a Campanologist Festival. I had Twhirl pings, IM rings and email buzzes! I was still hearing them in my sleep.

Somewhere I still had a Qik running and every now and then a loud cheering could be heard, it only lasted a few seconds each time but it added to the excitement. The whole thing had a Keystone Cops effect at this end but the excitement was mighty. I even had Davy Mac congratulating me because Elly got an award. I put him straight, she was only collecting it on behalf of some non-attendee.

To all those who now have an award to polish I say hearty congratulations! I won’t list you now as I am sure to leave someone out and that would not do. To Damien for the inspiration, the Sponsors for the means and to all those who gave of their time to work in the background I say thank you. No doubt this event will become part of the annual Irish Awards Calendar.

A very special thanks go to Darragh Doyle for keeping us all up to date on Twitter/Twhirl and it is to be hoped that you were presented with the Anti RSI Thumb Award and didn’t have to put your hand in your pocket all night at the bar!

Today I sent special good wishes to Mothers in America and Australia as they celebrate Mothers Day. Not to be left out may all mothers around the globe feel the touch of love today!

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My mother taught me RELIGION.
“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
“If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”

My mother taught me LOGIC.
“Because I said so, that’s why.”

My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”

My mother taught me IRONY.
“Keep crying and I’ll give you some thing to cry about.”

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM
“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
“Just wait until we get home.”

My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
“You are going to get it when you get home!”

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

My mother taught me GENETICS.
“You’re just like your father.”

My mother taught me WISDOM.
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

I am home once more the case is unpacked, washing done, emails read and a good nights sleep later it is time to tell the ‘true’ story…..

Do you really want to know what happened in the week? But I told you already>

1. Finally after 30 years in Northern Ireland I became an Orange woman!

2. I was given a red carpet welcome to Dublin.

3. I was dipped, stripped and went a step further than Cleopatra!

4. I had a Toyboy for dinner.

5. I shared a stage with Grandad.

6. I had Toyboys falling to their knees and shared a couch with Twenty Major!

7. I won an arrangement of beautiful flowers

8. My computer doubled in size.

Now if it is details you want….. well, you have behaved well in my absence and I heard not one raised voice!

The VODKA can wait for the moment and I will begin at the end.

You will notice a new Irish Blog Awards logo over on the left. Thanks for it are due to Robin from ByteSurgery, a worthy winner of the Best Technology Award. Robin’s mum Steph from The Biopsy Report also a finalist for Best Personal Blog, was a real kindred spirit and we had a ball on the big night. A mention is also due to Robin’s sister who sat patiently while I introduced Steph to all my Toyboys!

Elly my beautiful one and only daughter who almost stayed in her top on Saturday night, entered a competition sponsored by Eamonn from Flowers Made Easy with a post entitled ‘My Mum’. Whether you believe the rubbish she wrote about me is your choice, I did not recognise ‘little old me’ in there at all! She has three mothers you know, so maybe it was about one of them! I’m keeping the Flowers!

The Flowers were beautiful and to prove it we have a picture taken by Elly with my camera. Since she is packing in readiness to move house it was difficult to find a space among the boxes to display them properly. She won the arrangement for blogging about her blogging mother so I thought on top of my computer hard drive would be ideal. Thank you George for the new thingy-whatsits you found time to add into it for me. The innards are now double the size they were before I went to Dublin. The only trouble now is, the ‘puter is working faster and I have no excuse for not doing things on it.

The Grand Reserve Brut, by Bubble Brothers and sponsored by Hosting 365 in the picture, was part of every Award Winners booty on the night, it is the only part of my prize that I have home with me. Every winner in each category received a Crystal Glass Award, the Bubbly and a DVD Player, the latter sponsored by moviestar.ie.

Since I was a joint winner with Grandad from Head Rambles for the Best Personal Blog sponsored by Microsoft and presented by Martha Rotter there was only one award and he has that, well he needed a paperweight for his bills! I have no TV (by choice) so I passed on the DVD to someone who did Trojan work on the day. That is why I am unable to show pictures. The recognition of my peers is more than enough for me. Trophies need cleaning and dusting and that might take me away from blogging, we wouldn’t want that now would we?

The photo with Martha is from Rymus the official photographer on the night and there are plenty more if you click on his name.

Now that is Nos 5, 7 & 8 covered, so the rest will have to wait until tomorrow.

As the year draws slowly to its close, we all regardless of age seem to look back over the events of the past year, remembering lost loved ones, re-live our celebrations, rejoicing over achievements, tiptoe past disasters and move on to plan for the year ahead.

At first glance sewing seemed to overtake if not punctuate my year at every available space. In fact it was actually a year of great variety. In March I attended the Irish Blog Awards in Dublin, where I had the opportunity to meet with other Bloggers with amazing talent. A week later I turned sixty and officially become a senior citizen.

Over the months many hours were spent talking to Elly simultaneously on the phone and internet working through suggestions, ideas and plans for the wedding.

Moving forward to May I was approached on Skype and asked to help a young man in Italy to improve his English. I almost said no, but now we talk regularly and I think at this stage he can be counted as a friend.

The Wedding in June brought family and friends from across the globe to help celebrate and witness Elly & George’s Special day.

The weather was kind and Elly looked happy and glowing in her outfit. She said that it was very comfortable to wear and gave her the freedom she wanted.

The train of her outfit was detachable and was removed for dancing.

The end of May was rather scary with an emergency trip to hospital but thankfully I have recovered, and learned yet again to listen to my body! By the end of September I had sufficient energy to attend Podcamp in Kilkenny. It gave me the opportunity to learn and share, while renewing old friendships and making new ones.

November saw the passing of Cherry the mother of my new Son-in-Law George. I know that with Elly by his side, and the love of his father and siblings to share the great loss, George will feel the smile of sunshine on his face once more and hear and enjoy the birds singing.

Back in July I quietly marked the 30^th anniversary of the day I married. Sadly, and not by choice, I have been alone for a third of that time. When Jack was alive our world was wonderful and I am thankful for warm loving memories.

The mention of marriage reminds me of a radio interview I smiled at over the holiday, an 80-year-old lady was the focus, because she had just remarried — for the fourth time.

The male interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband’s occupation.

He’s a funeral director,’ she answered.

Interesting, the young man thought. He then asked her if she wouldn’t mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years.

After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she’d first married a banker when she was in her early 20’s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40’s, later on a preacher when in her 60’s, and now in her 80’s, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained, ‘I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go.’

Warm thoughts and love to all

A few quick thoughts before I tackle the cooking sherry hang my stocking…

Remember when you write your note to Santa be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it!

Christmas is the time when you exchange hellos with strangers and good buys with friends.

It is also the time when people put so many bulbs on the outside of their houses, you don’t know if they’re celebrating the birth of Jesus or the Electricity Board.

Go gcuire spiorad na Nollag

suaimhneas I do chroi

agus ceol ar do bheola

May the spirit of Christmas bring

peace to your heart and music to your lips.

Today is a special day for a very dear friend. None of you have met her yet you all know her!

I am talking about Nancy Leitz from Philadelphia , a very faithful follower and commenter of many blogs.

Today 2nd December is Nancy’s Birthday.

May I on my own behalf and indeed on behalf of all my fellow bloggers wish Nancy many happy returns of the day. I would like to dedicate the following little piece to Nancy.

‘The Beauty of a Woman’

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears

The figure she carries or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart the place where love resides

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole.

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows,

The beauty of a woman with passing years - only grows.

Nancy, have a wonderful Birthday and I will raise a glass to you later today!

A day without laughter is a day wasted. If that is the case then I have wasted two whole days. Perhaps its the weather and the lack of sunshine. I keep telling myself that it is, but in my heart of hearts I know that it is the approach of the jingly jangle season. No matter where you go you are deafened with ‘Sleigh Bells Ringing’ when in fact the only thing ringing are cash registers.

Everyone suddenly becomes so busy and can be heard chanting ‘I must do….’, ‘I have to do….’ or ‘We were invited to… and can’t get out of it!’ People rush about buying smelly soap for Auntie Jean when what she really needs is a bloody good meal and a couple of hours of attention. Does Uncle Peter have to have socks again for the twentieth time? Have you ever sat and listened to what he would really like? It might surprise you if you did.

Any day now I will be asked a question, well to be truthful I have been asked several times already “I suppose you will be going south for Christmas”? That is the way they ask questions in this town. I have a daughter down there and they assume that I will drive down to annoy her for the festive season. Why would I do that? Elly is newly married and has to be allowed to put her own stamp on how to spend Christmas.

I have had invitations over the years but having listened to various friends moan about having to invite mother, mother-in-law, sister, cousin or aunt when all they want is to be alone with their family, I decided that the best place for me was here in my own little castle. Inviting somebody one year might be wonderful, repeaping it year in and year out can become a drag for all concerned. I will get up when I like, cook the food I like, when I like, light the fire, have a drink and toast all my loved ones and friends, read a book or listen to some nice music and I can always watch a DVD on the computer even if I have no TV.

So if you meet me on the street don’t ask! Just wish me a nice quiet Christmas and you will have a friend for life.

May your Christmas be just the way you like it!

During my days working in Germany many years ago I was introduced to the American Thanksgiving Celebration. I was invited to share in the preparations for, and partake in, the special family meal that was central to the day. All the family members made decorations for the house or the table.

I loved the idea that all were included and encouraged to use their talents. Using talents is an expression of thanks. We all have talents even if they are not clearly visible to us personally.

Why can’t Christmas be more like Thanksgiving? Lose the commercialism and dwell more on the things we have to be grateful for. The best present we can give another human being is Time.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

To one and all I wish a Talent using Thanksgiving!

20th September was a 1st Anniversary for me!

To be truthful it was the first Birthday of my Baby. Now Elly calm down and don’t get all worked up. There is nothing for you to be excited about. Relax and rest up after all that travel round Europe. I will talk to you tomorrow.

The baby I refer to is my blog. The very first post consisted of five lines. Today I could ask the same question “Am I mad or just insane? What would I have to say that would be of interest to other people?”

I suppose I have improved a little and from time to time amused the odd passerby.

There is one thing for sure, it is much more fun that I ever expected. I have made friends across the globe, spoken to a few and physically met several. I hope not to have made any enemies along the road. Granny surely you know I love admire Grandad and his easy way with words.

I am now at the stage of feeling guilty on the days when I fail to find the words for a post. It is now more important to read the work of my new found friends and laugh, learn and sometimes weep at the stories they have to tell. Thank you one and all for help, encouragement and faithfully returning to to leave comments.

I never for one moment thought I would last a month never mind a full year.

Cheers, thanks & hugs!