Grannymar

October 3rd is a special day for someone

The Birthday Boy in all his Glory!

So sing along as we say…

Today I am thinking of Bikehikebabe a very humorous lady who comments regularly on my blog.

Bikehikebabe will undergo surgery on her shoulder only a couple of months after a hip replacement.

I will keep a candle burning for you girl!

Today I reach Post No. 1,000.

I have been plodding away at this blogging lark for almost three years now. On two occasions during that time I almost stopped, like the grandfather clock, never to go again.  Once, not that long ago, I had even written a final closing post.  I saved it in draft form and slept on it for a night, knowing that if I had hit the publish button, the stubborn mule in me would not let me change my mind.  Two days later I deleted it.

Some days it is a struggle to find a crumb of inspiration, yet on others, ideas come tumbling forth as quickly as the weeds grow.  It is a rare day that there are no comments, a fact that constantly amazes me.

A question hangs over my head like a migraine.  How and why?  Maybe there are actually two questions and not one, so I will ask them again.

HOW and WHY did you find or manage to end up here in the land of Grannymar?

I know that at the very beginning Elly did plenty of plugging and pushing to get me the sympathy visitors.  Some were weaned off, but most lurk about in the background adding their tuppenceworth when the mood or topic catches their interest.  It is the people who have since trundled along from places far and wide that I am curious about.

Please don’t misunderstand me.  I am not looking for platitudes of praise.  I don’t want them!  I am actually trying to understand ME - myself, and what works and what doesn’t.  When I set days for particular topics it was great, I only needed to dip inside my head and pull out a recipe or a handful of handy hints that I learned at my mother’s side.  The barrel of tips and hints is almost empty and my days of entertaining seem few and far between so the experimenting with recipes somehow lost its gloss when cooking for one.  No need to worry, I do cook everyday and eat a good mixed diet.  Dishes for two, four or indeed six are still made at times, a plateful eaten when freshly cooked and the remainder portioned for the freezer.  That way I usually have a decent easy meal for days when the energy is low.  I never understood people who do not cook because they live alone.  It is the shortest road to depression and ill health.

So without further ado, let the singing begin, after all you can’t have a party without a song in your heart. While writing these words I heard ‘Jewellio the Glazier’ singing his little heart out about ‘all the girls he loved before’ (the greedy so-and-so!), and it inspired me to pen these words….

To All the friends I’ve made this way,
Who travelled here, I hope you’ll stay
I’m glad you came along
I dedicate this song
To All the friends I’ve met each day!

To all the friends I have addressed
And may I say you are the best
For helping me to grow
I owe a lot I know
To All the friends I’ve made this way

The winds of change are always blowing
And every time I try to stray
The comment box continues filling
Then I know I want to stay

To all of you who share my life
You keep me cool and save me strife
I’m glad you came along
I dedicate this song
To All the friends I’ve made each day

To all of you who cared for me
Who comment here so free-el-y
You live within my heart
I’ll always make you part
Of all the fun you share with me

The winds of change are always blowing
And every time I try to stray
The comment box continues filling
Then I know I want to stay

To All my friends you’ve made my day,
You travelled here, I hope you’ll stay
I’m glad you came along
I dedicate this song
To All the friends I’ve met each day!

To All my friends you’ve made my day,
You travelled here, I hope you’ll stay
I’m glad you came along
I dedicate this song
To All the friends I’ve met today!

Thank you, everyone!

I went out to lunch with Chris last week.  It turned out to be a bright dry day and we headed for Carrickfergus.

We were standing in County Antrim, looking across Belfast Lough to Co Down, with the Titanic Quarter over on the right with The cranes Samson & Goliath marking the spot of the old Belfast Shipyard.  Following the path to the right we passed along the recently built apartments.

One floor up would be nice, just high enough to see the view.

We eat at The Windrose Bistro in the centre of the photo below.

The food was good but the service let them down BIG TIME.  We sat outside on the deck enjoying the sights, sounds and fresh air. When our coffee cups were drained we wandered in the direction of the courtyard at Scotch Quarter and that is where I met Roger….

Roger!  Did I not mention Roger?

Well I am tired typing so Roger will have to wait for another day…..

I am sure my regular visitors miss the daily comments from Steph.  Some of you read her blog The Biopsy Report and know that she is travelling a rather difficult road right now.  Following extensive and difficult surgery in Nottingham a few weeks ago she returned home to Dublin and her family.

Unfortunately severe pain continues to be a problem and during the week she had a setback.  In consultation with the medical proffessionals both at home and in Nottingham it was agreed that she should be admitted to hospital in Dublin for further treatment.

I spoke to her hubby on Friday evening and she had returned to hospital that afternoon.  I sent her hugs and good wishes from all who visit Grannymar Gables.

In true Steph style I had a text from the drip her on Saturday to say she was still in A&E with drips going full belt with medication and pain relief.  She was allowed texts but no calls.

Lo and behold; on Sunday afternoon my IM pinged, and it was my brave wired up soldier friend still in A&E longing for a chat with the outside world.  Thoughtful hubby had brought in the laptop for her to play awhile.  I passed on your good wishes and she asked me to thank anyone who had emailed or made contact.

Alas, Steph faces yet another visit to theatre today and I know you will all take time out to think and pray for her as you go about your normal day.

Feel free to leave your messages and wishes here for her, and hubby and I will pass them on.  I will keep you updated as I get news.

Steph, we are all thinking of you and the family at this time.

Big hugs & love xoxoxox

(I have Steph’s permission to publish this information)

Thankfully I woke in my own bed on Friday morning! It was a lovely feeling to know there was somebody else in the house and a morning hug was waiting for me.  Elly, who had brought me home from the hospital on Thursday, was staying to keep an eye on me and watch for the hazards that might disrupt progress and also to make sure I behaved myself!

A good internet signal meant that she was able to work for a couple of hours while I pottered about at my leisure.  At one stage I heard her talking to somebody and thinking we had a guest I went to investigate.  It was a delivery of parcel post.  One package for her and one for me.  I had ordered nothing so I was like a child at Christmas all fingers and thumbs while I undid the tape and wrapping.  It was a wonderful unexpected surprise.  Thank you Fran!

Elly cleared her virtual desk and said she would take me out for a couple of hours.  I did want to call to Tools for Living in Ballymena, to see their sock and stocking aids.  I want to see which one is best and start practising now so that when I have the hip replaced I will be able to put my own socks on.  Alas the place closed early on a Friday so we picked up Hails from Coffee Helps and went for a girly giggle and cup of coffee at Junction One.

Ordering coffee

Thats not me in the middle!

I didn’t realise that Elly & Hails were meeting for the first time, they were like kindred spirits and we managed to catch up on all our news as well as all going home with little treats.  We left Hails back to where we found her as she had another appointment and we headed for home.

“Are you hungry Mum?” asked Elly.  “Do you fancy eating out, that way we have no dishes to wash” she added.  We discussed where to go and we decided on a Chinese restaurant.  The food was good and I eat well.  By the time we reached home I was ready for my bed.

That night I would not be lonely…..

My Toyboys come from Hollywood!

That is Made In Hollywood

The other day I was awarded a little surprise.

It arrived all the way from India.  Ramana from Ramana’s Musings, who you all know from his visits here sent it to me.  He in turn received it from Square Peg Guy who lives in Northeastern USA with a wife, daughter, dog and three cats.

Here are the award rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I have been the recipient of many awards in the past few years, so many that I must be on the way round for the second time.  Some of them I remembered to put here.

Thank you Ramana for including me on your list.  Now in the spirit of fairness and not wanting to leave people out, I present this award to the regular followers who contribute daily to the fun here, in particular those who do not have a blog of their own.  Their contribution and comments are no less worthy and indeed some of the funniest bringing many a smile to my face and laughter to my heart.

Thank you all.

My Toyboy did well!

He jumped for a Granny & Carelocal.ie

Before:

Darragh in the centre geared up and ready to go, photo by Niamh

During:

Photo taken and tweeted from his mobile phone from the air as the parachute opened by Darragh .

Back on the ground shortly after 2pm:

Not sure he can believe he did it.  Photo by Niamh.

Congratulations Darragh!  You have put smiles on many faces today.

A wonderfully high note to end a very low week!

Wise Web Woman should be packing her case in readiness for her forthcoming trip to Ireland.  She arrives in on 30th May and next day she will be up bright and early to take part in the Flora Ladies Mini Marathon in Dublin City.  Oh for the energy!   So, if you are going along to watch the Girls strut their stuff you need two placards, one with ‘Wise Web Woman on it and the other for Patricia Anglican!

Meanwhile procrastinating instead of packing, WWW is gazing at the award she received from Gossamer Woman.

Now I like the sound of that…. reaching out and building bridges!

In the true spirit of blogging she passed the baton on and shared some bloggy goodness to people who in her own words:-

I admire and who reach out across boundaries with their sparkling honesty and truth:

Her list of nominees are:

• Tessa at Nuts and Mutton.
  Twilight at Twilight Starsong.
  Verna at Out of the Cube.
  Nick at Nickhereandnow.
  Grannymar at Grannymar.
  and
  Conor at Conorjte.

I think she made a mistake…. ’cause my name appears on that list among some wonderful people whose blogs I enjoy.  Thank you Wise Web Woman for the honour.

Sitting with thinking cap in place I scroll through my list of virtual friends to choose a half dozen deserving of this accolade…. It is so difficult as so many of you reach out and build bridges…

My choice this time are:-

Damien Mulley the father figure of blogging in Ireland, who shares time, information and link luv on a daily basis.  He is the brains behind the Irish Blog Awards and the Irish Web Awards, events that don’t just happen over night, but take months of planning and preparation to bring so many together for a fun filled evening in recognition of their peers.

Darragh Doyle alright so I am biased!  Darragh had the ‘Obama’ spirit long before we heard of Obama.  I sometimes wonder if he was born saying “Yes we can!  Yes I will!”  There are no doors in Darragh’s lexicon, if he wants to meet someone he walks right up there and says hello.  He meets people.  He introduces people and most of all he enjoys sharing people with all of us through his blog.

Lily’s Blog makes a refreshing read on a wide variety of topics and it is difficult to believe it only arrived on the scene in the last twelve months.  Lily, a busy wife & mother to the Collison Clan was the last member of the family to join the blogging world.  The boys keep her on her toes baking, blogging, twittering and following their escapades across the globe.

From the Magpie’s nest proves that nagging works. :roll:  Magpie11 has been a regular visitor here for a long time now, and from his observations and comments I felt he had what it took to feed a blog of his own.  Thankfully for once I was listened to and proved correct.  I particularly enjoy his cookery hints they are always tasty and tempting.

Stretching my long arms wide I will pick one blog from and easterly direction and one from the west to comple my half dozen.

Ramana’s Musings reach us all the way from Pune in India.  Ramana is an avid reader of everything from heavy tomes to the frivilous fripperance of Grannymar.  His blogroll stretches across the globe and he acknowledges every comment that he receives.  He has brought many visitors here to join in the fun and I have discovered many new blogs.

Leveraged Intelligence with Conrad (who hails from Kansas and now lives in California) at the helm is a fun place to play.  He introduces the subject and we are all invited to join the conversation, at times the visitors take over and Conrad can hardly get a look in.

Now it is your turn… go reach out and build six bridges!

You all know I like Toyboys.

I will admit to being biased about one of them.  The trouble is that he has flipped….

Well soon he will have flipped BIG TIME!

He never stops moving, working or thinking.  Finally Mulley found a deceleration device to really slow him down, once and for all.

Mediacontact.ie are organising a MediaDive. They’re getting brave souls to go up in a plane and do a tandem skydive from 13,000 feet. That’s just off four kilometers.

So the brave Darragh will be scared stiff, have fun and help others all in one go.

Darragh has agreed to jump out of a plane for a Granny.  No!  I did not say for Grannymar, but he will do it for people like me who live alone, are perhaps frail and in need of visitors, treats and the odd outing.  Living alone is fine when you are fit and healthy, have family nearby and are able to get about and see friends.  It is totally different when you are unwell.  Not being able to get about, you are very soon out of the loop and forgotten.  Intentions are good but people are busy and they become friends with the phrase “I/we must invite/visit/phone (insert name)”.

You may be kind to your Granny, you may not have one, but one thing sure before you realise it, you will be that old person wishing for a visitor.  Today you can do something to show you care - visit here and donate the price of a couple of drinks or that packet of fags that are bad for you.  I guarantee you will feel good if you do.

In anticipation, (as they used to say at the end of letters)

On behalf of all the Grannies out there I say thank you!