I’ve often thought how good it would be to talk to someone who have been through similar experiences, just to get their take on it….

You often get a better understanding of some things by opening up to another points of view, see what others are doing, observations of life around us, support and learn from each other.

Who Am I?

I am a mother of 2 wonderful daughters, grandmother to 7 (2 of whom are step grandchildren) and 2 step great-grand children. They are my Joy and Blessings, and having them have taught me many things.

My girls were brought up in a single parent household, which was a struggle in itself. I had to learn to be resilient; strong and focussed if I were to instruct, inform, guide, motivate and encourage them into being the best that they could be.
Whilst at the same time working full time, sometimes studying at the same time, and ensuring that I was on top of what was going on with their education and development.

During this period I was also active in my local community, sitting on various management committees; involved in fund raising to set up a nursery so that single women could have their children cared for whilst they studied; and later became Chairperson of the nursery. Much later I was active in my church, became a deacon and involved with a group delivering Awareness Training on a regional basis.

I have worked all my life, in various capacities including nurse training, working in a toothpaste factory, cleaning, secretary, Employment Advisor, Employment Development Trainer, Literacy and Numeracy Teacher, and finally teaching English to Speakers of Language.

I am now retired and spend my time trying to maintain good health, physically, mentally emotionally and spiritually.

I am a volunteer doula for my local NHS Trust and I am enjoying this immensely.
This is what I planned to do for my retirement and it has fallen into place perfectly.
Some other things which interest me are gardening, reading, travelling, socialising, yoga, meditation,  learning -a language, how to ride a bicycle, how to make fermented vegetables – and I’m still learning.

Why This Blog?

I was born well before the age of this world wide technology usage – when we only had manual typewriters in our school –  and I must admit that I am more comfortable using pen and paper to communicate than the computer and all its related forms.

I had to use the computer on a limited basis at work; but in this computer age one is left behind unless you try to improve your knowledge and use of this tool.

I am fortunate that my children ‘make’ me learn to do some of these things instead of doing it for me; and they only help once they see that I’ve already tried and my brain is ‘frying’ from the effort; which is getting me nowhere, except increased frustration and blood pressure.

Put bluntly, I’m a real technophobe; but I understand the benefit of being able to use it in a productive manner. I have really benefitted by learning to use Facebook, for example, which enabled me to reconnect with family and friends worldwide.

I am still trying to find my way around Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and many of the other Social Media platforms around.

I sometimes find that that I start something which I’m really interested in, then something happens and I have to stop (for a short time); somehow in that short time I lose the momentum and motivation and I find it quite difficult to start up again.
Wouldn’t it be great to be encouraged by someone with similar experience and be motivated to get going again. Or even to get suggestions on other ways to get motivated.
I know that I’m not the only person who finds themselves in this dilemma, so I believe this blog will appeal to many.

They say great minds think alike, and I’d like to draw in some of these great minds.

Areas I consider covering are those which we can all relate to including:-

• Planning your retirement – how I made mine seamless
• Continuation of learning – in its many forms
• Parenting & Motherhood
• Insights as a grand-parent
• Community involvement
• Blended families
• Volunteering
• Keeping fit
• Gardening
• Cooking
• Reading
• Health activities – yoga, meditation etc – if we’ve started something and struggling to continue – support each other

Then let’s start communicating.
Your positive input will always be welcome.
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