THE LUST FOR LIFE

This little story belongs to the last picture I posted to the blog.


Yesterday Merlot came to me in a right state barking and the like she wanted me to go out side into the garden. So I could hardly not. I then realised the two parent Robins were putting up very agitated noises and putting up alarm calls. Merlot was trying to push at the huge flower tub that we use to protect the patio drain. I said to Mick that I thought something might be in the drain. We discovered one of the Robin chicks had fledged and somehow fell into the drain - don't ask us how. Mick gently picked it out the poor tiny little thing was barely alive. She was cold and wet, Mick held her in cupped hands. We took her inside (I decided she was a she) and gently blew on her to dry her wings....The parents were desperate and looking for the chick. We took her out and placed her in a flowerpot with light cover. Immediately the parents fed her.


We panicked when Wisp Jnr. the baby fox appeared on the shed. Merlot went mad. We kept watch and feeding continued.


Later in the evening the baby had gone. We believe that she is ok. Merlot would have warned me if cats, fox or magpies had come into the garden.

In the morning I watched from my usual spot to watch the Robins and they both appeared to struggle trying to pull pieces of the red tree in the garden - they fluttered, they pulled at leaves and twigs. They flew off.


This afternoon, the Robins are back in the garden normality resumed.

Lots of Love to ALL GrannyXXXX

SPLENDID

Mick took me to Whistable today, I have never been before. What a lovely place, THE PLACE for fish, great shops and restaurants. It has a beach, not sand but a great place to walk. Becoming very trendy.

We also saw James and Shannon, who are due to start school in September, can you believe it. They were so pleased to see Grandad!!!! we have new pictures soon to be posted.

My heart is still with all those who are in the flood area. But who is caring for all the animals?

I must again say the Paul Potts is superb, I lay in bed the other night listening to the album - I was in heaven. I will play it at work tomorrow.

We believe the robin chicks are due to fledge soon. Yesterday Mick, Jon and I heard them when they were being fed. The poor robin parents have been working so hard. I saw one of them fly into the Fence, totally disoriented but not knocked out. The weather has not helped. Sadly we will not see them go, they will use the times when we are not in. What have we learnt.... to love our Robins. We have had the priviledge of watching nature close to. Who could ask for better.

My brother celebrated his 47th Birthday on 20th July, congratulations for that.


Let us pray for peace for all.

Love Grannyxxxxx

STILL HAVING ISSUES

Clearly I have not done to well with labelling my pictures on the blog, sorry.

I have to tell you I have just made a big discovery - Paul Potts, a fabulous voice, he made me go goose pimply. I have the album and it is on my walkman.

THREE CHEERS

I saw my consultant last Friday and was given another cancer free six months. YIPEE, I am now full hours but restricted duties.

Sadly Mandy has had good news, her tumour had grown back and she must start the last of her three sessions of Chemo. My heart is with her as ever.

This morning I watched a tabby cat being defeated by two robins defending their nests, amasing. they pushed her higher into the tree in our nighbours garden. Their tales were up, and the alarm call was going full on. Tabby then made it down, but made for the fish pond to look at the gold fish. the along came a white and ginger cat and off sent tabby!!!!! better than Eastenders this.

I had a training day today and it went well. So after a year I am back at full potential.

Mum is so much better as well.

I HAVE BEEN TARDY

Due to problems with my server and things I have not been able to edit my blogg. So a big sorry to colleagues and friends.



I have continued at work, happily enjoying the company of my friends. Sadly Kelly's mum died after a short battle with stomach cancer. It has been hard for Kelly and we all are trying to help.



I am so grateful that the NHS have given me a second chance. I will make the most of it.



Mick and I have had a wonderful holiday in Skopelos, it remains our dream to live there. We enjoy the Greek life style and people. Our villa was at the top of over 130 steep steps - heavy going so not for those with difficulty in breathing or walking. We met a lovely people, a british family with a son and Marion at the internet cafe. I loved it there because I could keep in contact with home over fresh juice and coffee. I liked to sit out on the patio garden in the warm afternoon sun. We found some lovely restaurants and had some excellent meals. I discoverd 'Greek Beans' with garlic and tomato and sausage devine with a glass of wine. I hope to manage to publish some pictures.





Mum had shingles while we were away and we have been worried about her health for over 12 weeks as she recovers. She seems a little bit better, she is at last eating and going e out. I have made contact with Rags to Bitches a company I saw on the ONE PROGRAMME that deal in vintage clothes. We need to give Mum a positive focus on the task of down sizing.





I have purchased a lovely garden furniture set to remember my much loved Auntie Vicki, so when we sit out I know she is with us. It is so her. Mind you with all the rain some hopes.





What rain, my heart goes out to those who's homes have been destroyed. But it does show how important insurance is - crisis happen.



I support the search for Maddy - missing, taken from her room in Portugal. I am on her side,not necessarily on her families side. I am afraid that I would not left three such small children on their own in a room, even if I was in the restaurant a few floors below. They will have to pay for this error in judgement for the rest of their lives.

My heart goes to the family of Beverly Samuels, Kesha Wizzart 18 and her brother Fred age 13. This is an unimaginable tragedy and these beautiful people have been bludgeoned to death lost to wider society and that is our loss. Know one has the right to take life in this way, and should not be mollie coddled.


Equally the rich like Conrad Black should expect to be found out for their crimes and we should no pity him and his family. It is pay back time.


Every child killed is a loss to wider society and those who deal with potential abuse should not be made fearful by 'pressure groups' one life saved is one life saved for the good.

I have also been away to Goring, a place to recoup from my cancer, but excercise, treatments and structure in a restful environment. To all those I met there, thanks for your friendship.

My garden has remained a peaceful haven for birds and animals. Wisp is now a regular visitor and sits among the trees (literally on the branches) and watches the world ( and wood pigeons)

We have a Robins nest and we get an unrivalled view of their behaviour. Is this normal in July?



Merlot remains my faith companion and is daft as ever.


More later, bye for now. Love Granny xxxx

I AM STILL HERE

I have been less than active on my blog as you can see. However what with work and getting back to my research there is less time to work. I have started to walk to the station, to reduce my carbon footprint - I started on Monday. However it seems that I tried a step to far to quickly because I am exhausted to day and can barely move or think.


Mick and I have been worried about his Dad who has been ill, but now thankfully on the mend. My Mum also is unwell which is a worry. I went to see her the other weekend and of course I speak daily. We had a great visit actually, we went on mass to my brothers house and met up with his step children etc. Monty and Eddie the dogs had us in hysterics.

The weather has been great this week, but the worry is about our rainful which is well down for the time of year.


I have become addicted to Oranutangs following a BBC series with Steve Leonard and Michella Strachan. Could some one tell me why we have Palm Oil!!!!!!! for which rainforest habitats are being destroyed.


My heart is with the families of the soldiers killed by a road side bomb in Iraq recently including a Female 2nd lt and a nurse from my town Southampton. Yes1 Faye Turney was wrong to sell her story but I understand why she did. She was wrongly advised. Arthur, well he is just a child really and should have not been there anyway.

My heart is with the families of those killed and injured at Virginia Tech. Go Hoggies!


The world is a sad place.

Back soon, Love Granny.

ITS BEEN A WHILE

Here I am back again.

I have been working and presenting sessions, yes I am feeling tired especially today. At least the sun is out and the garden is full of birds.

A couple of days ago I saw two coal tits, blue tits, ring dove, robin and wren. Super Squirell has not appeared since our neighbours took down the peanut feeder he could get to.

WISP has been about in the Cemetary, Mick and I watched for ages as she strolled back and forth.


FEMALE SECTION

I would like to pay tribute to two women

My thoughts are with Leading Seaman Faye Turney who was taken with 14 other sailors in an aggresive act by Iran. She is a married woman with a three year old called Molly. I am thinking also of her husband and parents. She was the pilot of one of the boats taken. She chooses not to be defined by her femininity alone. She wants her daughter to grow up reliable, independent and a strong young woman - much like her mother.

I also acknowledge Pte Michelle Norris aged 19 whose life saving action won her he Military Cross. This medical orderly was acting in the best tradition a standard set in world war one by Noel Chervaise double VC winner.


Proving that what ever people might say women have earned the right for their place in the front in, actions speak louder than words. These women are moving the goal posts on behalf of other women.


I am proud of all our soldiers, sailors and airman. I am not so proud of the government nor the war which I have always considered wrong. The two points of view are not incompatible.

FOOTBALL

England had better play more imaginatively tonight than they did the other day in Isreal. Dear god these guys are high paid professionals apparently and Rooney showed neither professionalism nor coolness of head required to keep himself out of trouble. They really need to play as a team.



FASHION

H and M have some lovely linen skirts, trousers and jackets. They also do great tights and accesories. I particularly liked a twisted bead necklace, I have it in black and brown. It is made with small beads and makes a tight, rope effect. The necklace is long and can be worn doubled up or knotted. Plain simple effective.

My colour pallet this season in black, grey, brown. Outfits are matched top to toe in toning colours and highlighte with white. I have five or six outfits for work. Three trouser outfits and two skirt outfits. For the summer I will add in cream linen long line skirts with two blouses one red and cream, one brown and cream with matching vest underneath.

Keeping to the same colours my everyday or evening outfits are more edgy.


I have been building my holiday wardrobe from the archive of items that I have, adding some cheaper new items to freshen up the look. Packing an issue of course so I have found some reusable bags that compress clothes reducing the space they take up - good value from ASDA.


I am not wild about the current trend of 70's 'Pop' pattern look. It has to be worn carefully not too many combos as these designs can overwhelm. I am much more a 'hippy' ethnic person.


TELEVISION


I have really love 'Dancing on Ice' I am a big Andrei fan. I have also enjoyed very much 'Primeval' but I remain a huge Dr Who Fan.

We watched 'March of the Penquins' the other day - superb. I do recommend this film, so much so I went and bought it.

LOTS OF LOVE TO EVERYBODY. Granny xxxxx

MAX AS A PUPPY WITH ME.

TRUELY AWFUL

For a policeman to be convicted of child porn offences on the internet is beyond belief. Found Guilty - good. Love Granny XXX

POOR FATHER

I was so sad to hear about the poor father who having just walked his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, collapsed and died at the reception. What a tragic thing to happen. He did die happy that can be the only concellation. My thoughts are with his family at this awful time. Love Granny XXX

ONE UP FOR THE NAVY

Well at last some commonsense. A petty officer has been convicted of Rape on board ship the victim had had a vast amount to drink, she could barely remember what happened. Now listen CONSENT means informed CONSENT, not drink induced consent. I will keep pressing this message. Men if you are even thinking of having sex with a woman who is drunk, under the influence - whatever - don't. Love Granny XXX

FOXED AGAIN

Wisp paid a visit during the week, sitting on the shed looking down at Merlot, who when called came in. I stood outside and called Wisp by name, she and I looked at each other for ages - she showed no fear at all.

Super squirrel has been around, he is so funny because the neighbours, now wise to his peanut trick are not putting them out in a simple hanging system - now he can't get at them. I saw him and this is true, thrust out his big furry white chest, hands on hips as much as to say "What's going on here then" We have come to his rescue putting out nuts ourselves in the hope he will pay a visit.


The garden is alive with things you should not see yet, huge bumble bees, butterflies, lady birds and of course all the little birds. I love it. Love Granny XXX

CAPITALWOMAN

I attended the Capitalwoman conference in London last weekend. It was interesting, but really Ken Livingstone and his bunch seem to take credit for everything. Politically it was boring. The best bit was the only female bespoke taylor in London, great suits. Love Granny

I COULD HAVE SWORN IT WAS A FEATHER

I was so sure that it was a feather that floated in the wind, a small feather - but in fact it was one of the smalles moths I have ever seen. I also have to mention that the garden has been alive with Blue tits and Finches and not to mention the little Wren. Today we are watching Super Squirrel on the feeder, he is simply huge and in tip top condition, no surprise there then. He is so much fun to watch. Blossom is coming out everywhere, form the widow I can see the prettiest pink. Nature is a wonderful thing.


Yesterday evening I did a private talk to a Lions Club and it went really well. Mick helped me with the technical stuff running around getting leads and things for me.

We are booked on a holiday to Skopelos our favourite Greek Island, If anybody reads this and lives in Skopelos, do get in touch. I can't wait to go, I am so excited.

I can not believe Italy scored 3 tries in 6 minutes against Scotland. I am looking for ward to watching Ireland v England at Croke Park. Later Mick is taking me out for a meal, as a reward for my talk yesterday.

I shall be going back to work three days a week until end of March building up to full time. Fantastic. The Oncologist has discharged me from the clinic, so I really am on the way to full recovery.

Love granny xx

WHY DON'T THEY TELL US

Being a woman is 's---' First it is your periods, a pain in the arse from 13 ish to 48 ish. Messy and disgusting despite all the recent developments in personal sanitary ware. The periods are also uncomfortable and often very painful. Then there is PMT which causes all sorts of problems over which you have no control, some women are lucky and sail through, for others - ITS HELL. I stopped taking the pill in around 1983 because it made me ill, and if I was going to have sex then I felt - no condom no sex. Thereafter my periods were 28 days on the dot.

Then there is child birth, not that I've been there but I was with Debs when she had the twins, oh my God - how brave is that, giving birth is not easy!!!!!!

Now since having Chemo, periods are no more and the Tamoxifen has railroaded me into the menopause - oh my God, what 'S---' is this? I am flushed hot all the time and can't sleep, facial hair (yuk) is there a cure for this except shaving, am I going to be the bearded lady? I have no energy, no zip I can hardly bring myself to get dressed. I'm moody and I do try not to be. I have lost absolute control over my body and I hate it.


And Men get absolutely non of this 'S---' they complain about our moods, the lack of sex etc etc etc. Ladies tell them to take a hike, come back in two years. Is it any wonder men go off and look for younger women. Something tells me the odds are staked against us. If men had periods and the menopause something tells me would all so know about it and the space race would be replaced to find a high tech answer.

So what about the positive, no periods great.

I would rather sit and watch the birds in my garden - so I will. My God it's 1pm and I'm not dressed - so what!

Love Granny

WRAP IT UP

I know I have mentioned WRAP before as a fashion bible. Well the new catalogue came through for Summer very nice but too too expensive. If you dont believe me then look at www.wraponline.co.uk I like the 'preppy' look, I love the long skirts, I can get the look cheaper. I also like the sophisticated colours that they use, I need to get out there and shop.

Love Granny xxx

LONDON FASHION WEEK.

Boring, to closed to cliquey. Do we want Zero sized models - of course not, very few if any normal women can possibly want to look like a skeleton, let alone be able to achieve it. Dangerous for physical health. I would like to see some size 14s on the cat work. We are the sizes we are, how we dress ourselves is key to feeling good about ourselves. I like the older women that Dove have used. Very good looking.

If I am pushed I would say that I still like Paul Costello I have a jacket of his in black linen which I love. I like his use of fabrics. Marc Jacobs is ok (although his cat walk videos on his web site are full of very thin models who are so scarry) I am keen to try his new fragrances which are fresh a floral I would especially like to try 'Violet'.

Having said that I am very keen to try the revamped channel perfume line, a reworking of 4 orignal fragrances and six new ones. Get the Magazine Happy and on page 61 there is a good detailed guide to these new scents. I am keen to try '28 La Pausa' 'Gardenia' ' No 22' and 'Eau de Cologne' Expensive and only sold in Chanel shops! Could a nice rich sugar daddy buy me these please? only joking.


I am also a very keen supporter of Jasmine as a fragrance, very summer very fresh. I do like to shop in L'Occitane in Bluewater and they have some new fragrances, including Rose and Reine Eau de Toilet which at £22 I could probably afford and would wear all summer.


NEXT is very much a shop I have been re drawn to, I had a great pair of Black trousers from there but I have noticed in their recent adds a wonderfull Black and White small check suit at £90 with nice pocket details, 3 snappy buttons and a really cute collar, for the business woman with 'X' factor. Still to expensive for me, but the look is great.


A key fashion item, If your doing anything at all you can hardly go wrong with the white shirt, which I have always loved. Go For it there are loads about. Also this year the Tunic dress is really rather smart in my view.


A big plea please don't do sheer/see through it is so cheap to show off all your underware. Pretty bras do it for me.


I a not a Coleen Mcloughlin fan (not that she will care) I just think she has more money than sense. She is rather boring, lets face it with Wayne as her boyfriend!!!! what else can one say. I rather prefer Kelly Osbourn and Amy Winehouse looks, off the wall they key is looking different. With Winehouse, you really have to look passed her past with the drink and drugs thing to the voice which is fab and her look. She is not however a good role model - but hey. GET HER MUSIC, IT IS FAB. Britney Spears has been a big hitter this week with her bald look, hey work with it, it looked call. I do worry about her though, but more for her childrens sake than hers.

I still refer extensively to 'IN STYLE' 'YOU' magazine from the Sunday mail and GLAMOUR for my fashion information. and HAPPY is also excellent. Rather taken with two looks from Happy one by BIBA - an old favourite and DKNY who both have the MAXI dress (page 78) I love the 1970's hippy look which is very much back. Beads and Bangles are a must. Vest T shirts are fab, there are so many great styles and colours, get loads they are cheap and you can double them up. I like a slouch look and they work perfectly. Keep them long and lean. Shabby Chic thats me.


SHOES, plenty of great looks, and I love platforms (I did the first time round as well) but please no ties up the legs - be selective as platforms can really do your legs in. There is no glamour if your feet are killing you. I like the new pumps that are about, look great with a maxi skirt. Wear with opaque tights and short skirt, colour toned and matched in for length and layer tops.

My key pieces this year will be my late aunts fan which I shall use for my hot flushes, and her black beads, very fine and delicate. I am on the hunt for very comfortable baggy cargo pants, lots about but I haven't found the one for me yet.


Fashion rules OK Love Granny XXX