I have been thinking a great deal today of my Mother and Father as 31st May was their Wedding Anniversary. They had a long and happy marriage of over 40 years before my Mother died suddenly in 1979 in her early seventies. They never had much money but were never in debt. They lived within their limited means. They never owned their own home but always rented. But one thing my sister and I never lacked was their love and support. They always made time to help with our education - we both could read before we started Infant School [who taught us Mum and Dad], they encouraged us to work hard and value education. Those were very different times when children were allowed to play outside, travel to school by London Transport [what not chauffeured door to door!!]and if you needed to make a telephone call you used a public telephone box. But, believe me, we did not feel deprived.
What children suffer from now is a far more worrying deprivation - their parents' time and attention. Children are not only starting school unable to read but leaving primary school still unable to read. Of course the teachers should be able to achieve success in school classes but nothing substitutes the benefit of encouraging reading at home. Without the ability to read a whole world of knowledge is shut away and as I tell my grandchildren "Knowledge is Power".
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
The Best Laid Plans
The best laid plans of mice and men...............
I had my next couple of months organised workwise, or so I thought. One of my major projects was due to complete by 1st June - now, through no fault of mine, it will be postpone until June 27th! Worse yet, a project due to commence on site works next week with a completion end of the first week of July has had a legal hitch which, although not a deal breaker, will delay [yes another one] the finish date as far as my work is concerned until late July or possibly early August. Now this is a problem as, in order to get the best possible flight deals and believing [foolishly as it has turned out] that my Spring/early Summer projects would be finalised I booked my outward journey to my place in Spain for 18th July.
It now looks like I will be doing a little extra flying in order to come back to the UK to supervise the final move before returning to continue my annual hols.
This is the first year I have tried to get away for a longer spell and it seems doomed. If I can't even manage to get longer holidays then retirement looks even further away. Still it is nice to be wanted and considered indispensable.
I had my next couple of months organised workwise, or so I thought. One of my major projects was due to complete by 1st June - now, through no fault of mine, it will be postpone until June 27th! Worse yet, a project due to commence on site works next week with a completion end of the first week of July has had a legal hitch which, although not a deal breaker, will delay [yes another one] the finish date as far as my work is concerned until late July or possibly early August. Now this is a problem as, in order to get the best possible flight deals and believing [foolishly as it has turned out] that my Spring/early Summer projects would be finalised I booked my outward journey to my place in Spain for 18th July.
It now looks like I will be doing a little extra flying in order to come back to the UK to supervise the final move before returning to continue my annual hols.
This is the first year I have tried to get away for a longer spell and it seems doomed. If I can't even manage to get longer holidays then retirement looks even further away. Still it is nice to be wanted and considered indispensable.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
WOBS ON THE WEB
Just a quick post to let you know that, after suggestions from friends, I have started a new Blog Wise Old Birds [wiseoldbirds] to channel the gained wisdom of my and my friends and fellow bloggers mature years. Not "Grumpy Old Women" which is not a flattering title but "Wise Old Birds" or for short Wobs on the Web! Why not be the first to visit and add a word of wisdom.
Meanwhile back at the ranch.......Work has been rather busy of late as I am in the process of relocating two major charities and up to my eyes in legals, office fit-outs and furniture sourcing. The current spate of exceedingly good weather has made dashing around London, as I do, very pleasant. I am a train, tube and bus users and a fast walking pedestrian and it is always great not to have to worry about getting drenched by showers in the process.
We had a lovely day yesterday with The Daughter and Grandchildren and my mutual Grandmother [The Daughter's Ma-in-law] who all came over to us for lunch and tea. The children were expecting what they call a "Sleep-over" and got a bit tearful when they had to leave. We saved the day by booking one for next Saturday night when we will try to get the other two Grandchildren over as well - I know you all think we must be certifiable but what the hell!
All of the family have been very affected by a recent very severe accident to our good friend and mutual Grandfather [The Daughter's Pa-in-law] who has been hospitalised with a spinal injury. He is in the best possible hospital [RNOH] and receiving wonderful care but it will be a long haul and all the family can do is visit and try and encourage his fighting spirit. Bad things do seem to happen to good people.
Meanwhile back at the ranch.......Work has been rather busy of late as I am in the process of relocating two major charities and up to my eyes in legals, office fit-outs and furniture sourcing. The current spate of exceedingly good weather has made dashing around London, as I do, very pleasant. I am a train, tube and bus users and a fast walking pedestrian and it is always great not to have to worry about getting drenched by showers in the process.
We had a lovely day yesterday with The Daughter and Grandchildren and my mutual Grandmother [The Daughter's Ma-in-law] who all came over to us for lunch and tea. The children were expecting what they call a "Sleep-over" and got a bit tearful when they had to leave. We saved the day by booking one for next Saturday night when we will try to get the other two Grandchildren over as well - I know you all think we must be certifiable but what the hell!
All of the family have been very affected by a recent very severe accident to our good friend and mutual Grandfather [The Daughter's Pa-in-law] who has been hospitalised with a spinal injury. He is in the best possible hospital [RNOH] and receiving wonderful care but it will be a long haul and all the family can do is visit and try and encourage his fighting spirit. Bad things do seem to happen to good people.
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