Journal Entries
1962 and all that
Posted Mar 22, 2004
We had a death in the family recently – no one close, and on my ex-husband’s side, but a family I have kept in touch with, nonetheless. The recent widow phoned me to tell of her husband’s passing, and I e-mailed my ex and his brother and sister with the news.
My ex got back to me and said he would be attending the funeral, and commented that the deceased was, actually, only 10 years older than himself, adding lightheartedly, “so I’ve probably only got 10 years to go”.
But it set me thinking. I could, obviously, pop off tomorrow, or be run over by a bus next Thursday, but by the law of averages, I probably only have another, say, 10 years to go.
And now to my point, which is not in the least morbid, WHY THE H**L AM I STILL KEEPING MY PAYSLIPS/BANK STATEMENTS/GAS BILLS FROM AS FAR BACK AS 1962!!!
Far from making me morbid, this tiny little comment has spurred me on to clear out all but the most recent paperwork, get rid of all those things that involve a round tuit, and stop keeping things “in case they come in handy”.
At last, I think I’m free!! Just wish the body would catch up a bit!
to all, Universal Granny
Discuss this Journal entry [19]
Latest reply: Mar 22, 2004
Seconds out! Round two!
Posted Jan 7, 2004
Well, I've done it. I've taken the tag off that says I am out for the count and hope to be back soon. It's got to be my first step to "thinking" myself better.
I don't feel that much better, but I am coming to the conclusion that there is not much that can be done medically, or if there is it is a well-guarded secret!
So I am going to try a bit of "mind over matter" and see what that does. I've been very straight with my bosses and offered to go back to work on a "suck it and see" basis. I really don't know if I will be able to step straight back in to it, but they are not willing to let me back on "light duties". In their words "You're either fit for the job, or you're not". So I am either at work at full strength or still off sick - my choice.
They were kindly, but did not waver from the fact that they had a business to run.
To be honest, I sleep so poorly at night now that I might as well be up and doing.
So, as promised, I am coming out fighting - well, sparring lightly anyway.
You'll probably see me around a bit more on hootoo now - sorry to shatter your peace!
Take care UG
Discuss this Journal entry [75]
Latest reply: Jan 7, 2004
And in the red corner..........
Posted Dec 25, 2003
Merry Christmas to everybody, sorry I've not been about so much recently, however in 2004 I am going to come out fighting!! This will not beat me!
So I wish you all a good Christmas and a very peaceful New Year
Take care Universal Granny
Discuss this Journal entry [11]
Latest reply: Dec 25, 2003
Determination
Posted Oct 2, 2003
I’m fifty-six and rising, my pension is in view
Retirement is looming, and then what shall I do?
The house is nearly ready, I’ve been working on it hard
But life deals out some awkward hands, so who holds the trump card?
I have the usual aches and pains that go with being fifty
I like to feel I move the same, but I know I’m not as nifty.
My girls made me a Granny, (grandchildren number three)
And they know I can’t get on the floor, because of gammy knee
They sit me down with books and toys and wriggle on my lap
I read to them and play with them, then they let me have a nap.
I rise to make my way back home, and straighten out the knees
But have to wait for bones to “crack” before I can move with ease.
I do not smoke or drink or snort, I live a healthy life
But healthy’s what my body ain’t , there’s always the constant strife
Of stiffened joints and failing teeth, and glasses for my reading
A deafness is a-setting in, do you see where this is leading?
It strikes me that as time moves on, and the older I am getting
More bits fall off, or seize or fail, and do you know, I’m betting
That before I get to sixty I shall fail my MOT
But does that mean the scrap heap? Oh, no, not that for me!
I shall make my world a little smaller so that I can surely cope
And expand my mind, and look around with excitement and with hope
Because this Universal Granny won’t be done for by a mile
Not while there is hootoo, good books, and a 
Discuss this Journal entry [21]
Latest reply: Oct 2, 2003
Okay, what do I do now
Posted Sep 22, 2003
I have been contacted by my first boyfriend with a request to meet up with him to "talk about old times". Let me share a few facts first.
We only went out for 3 months
It was 40 years ago
He dumped me - on my birthday!
I have never heard from him since, until now
What worries me is that there is an urgency, insistence almost, that we should meet. I ask him "what's the hurry" but he won't explain. I have asked him to just fill me in a bit on his life now, and why he is contacting me now, but he skirts around the questions.
He keeps apologising for his "bad attitude in those days". It wasn't that bad. It was just boy meets girl, boy gets to know girl, boy decides he doesn't fancy what he sees, boy dumps girl. It was life, and still is, I hold no grudges, and certainly don't expect him to still be nursing guilt. His marriage broke up in 1999 after quite a long time, so it is not a rebound thing.
I am confused. There seem to be a lot of alarm signals, but have I been reading too much fiction? If I decided to meet up with him, where would be a safe place? I don't want to let him know where I live, but I don't want to meet way out in the sticks where no one knows me.
I am not romantically drawn to this meeting. It would be for old times sake only, and only the once. I do not want to progress the relationship beyond a "Do you remember..?" session.
Advice to a confused old Granny please!
Discuss this Journal entry [202]
Latest reply: Sep 22, 2003
Universal Granny
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