Absolutely adored this. What a wonderful woman. My Mum's mum loved liquorice allsorts too. This reminds me so much of her. How I wish she'd kept a diary. Thank You 🙏😊
Thank you so much for leaving a comment Tracey and I'm glad it brought back happy memories of your nan too. Funnily, I never liked liquorice all sorts! I used to think it was too late to start a diary at my age but I think differently now, I might start jotting things down!
I don't think I will ever be a nan, Felice, (unless my son surprises me one day) but I hope I have half her energy when I'm 80. Somehow I am doubtful, maybe I should start drinking Advocaat! x
What a wonderful story. I love reading old diaries. They reveal so much.
I used to love dancing, and I still dance to the old tunes of the 1960s and '70s when at home. My children, who never fancied moving their bodies to music, look at me as some sort of eccentric throwback. I do not care.
One rule to a good and long life (I am 66) is to not seek the approval of others.
I love that last sentence, Perry, how true that is. I've never really followed the crowd but feel as though I am rebelling more and more as I age. I bought three CD's today from a charity shop - Jim Croce, The Animals and Mamas and Papas - I had a fun time while cooking dinner!
I like to think so David, I don't think we'll ever know until we get there. I've been complaining about my aching knees all day so I think I need to channel my Nan a bit tomorrow! Thank you so much for commenting. Have a lovely weekend. x
Thanks for this lovely post. It reminded me of my English nan. I was born in England to an English mom and American dad. We moved to the States in 1958 when I was just a few months old, which broke my nan’s heart (or so she always said)- she was still talking about it the last time I saw her when I was almost 40🤗. I had very little time with her over the years because we were so far apart and I cherish all of my wonderful memories of her and my Granddad- the smell of Lifebouy soap always reminds me of their house! She was a wonderful gardener (fresh raspberries are another strong memory) and cook and was full of fun and energy up until the day she died.
Oh I can imagine that your move to the States did break your Nan's heart! I am glad you still have such fond memories of your Grandparents even though they weren't around as you grew up, I am sure they thought about you all of the time. That smell of Lifebuoy soap is unforgettable! I find it fascinating that is often the simplest of things that we remember, the soap, the raspberries and the gardening. Happy memories indeed. Thank you for your lovely comment, Lorraine. x
What a fabulous person your Nan sounds. I can see why she was such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing a little bit of her life with us; her diary entries are both wonderful 😊xx
The diaries are so interesting and do make me laugh Annie, she seems to have gone to the cinema every single week and some of the films she saw for an eighty year old were hilarious. I live in hope! Thank you for commenting, Annie. x
Ah Nelly sounds like such a wonderful character, all the enthusiasm for life - good for her! Im sure it wasnt lost on her that she was setting an example for her daughters/granddaughters.
I had the chance to read some of my Nan's diaries when she passed, much like your Nan's just simple details of day to day living...reading an entry she wrote on one of my birthdays was such a gift. Grandparents have played such a huge part of my life, the importance of that relationship can never be overstated in my opinion and those of us that have had it are incredibly lucky.
There's still a Darby and Joan club in our village...I hope it carries on long enpugh for me to join in!
Oh how fabulous Vicky. I was wondering what happed to my Nan’s clubs so I googled them, just one is till going. I’m very pleased to hear there is one nearby to you. I googled Age Uk as they list clubs and the nearest one to me is 24 miles away. The bus service here is awful too so anyone here who doesn’t drive is at a terrible disadvantage. One of my grandads died before I was born and I have often wondered what I missed with him. The good ones are certainly to be treasured and appreciated too. Hopefully it will be a good few years before you need the Darby and Joan although it’s nice to know it’s there if you need it. 😘
Such a lovely read Lindsay - it must be so lovely to have your Nan's diaries and have an insight into her day to day life and what mattered to her. She sounds like she had a real zest for life, very inspiring. Your words made me think of my Grannie, she passed away when I was 9 but the memories of her cheekiness, incredible cooking and her love have stayed with me. ❤️
Such a lovely read Lindsay - it must be so lovely to have your Nan's diaries and have an insight into her day to day life and what mattered to her. She sounds like she had a real zest for life, very inspiring. Your words made me think of my Grannie, she passed away when I was 9 but the memories of her cheekiness, incredible cooking and her love have stayed with me. ❤️
Thank you so much Jenna, she certainly was a little whirlwind and I can only hope a few of those genes have been passed down to me! Grandparents are often so important in the lives of children and can be such fabulous role models, I am eternally grateful I had such a lovely Nan and I am glad you can remember your Grannie with such fondness. x Thank you for such a kind comment. x
Absolutely adored this. What a wonderful woman. My Mum's mum loved liquorice allsorts too. This reminds me so much of her. How I wish she'd kept a diary. Thank You 🙏😊
Thank you so much for leaving a comment Tracey and I'm glad it brought back happy memories of your nan too. Funnily, I never liked liquorice all sorts! I used to think it was too late to start a diary at my age but I think differently now, I might start jotting things down!
inspiring nan...whether one is a nan or not...she was a remarkable woman and a role model for ageing with energy! thanks.
I don't think I will ever be a nan, Felice, (unless my son surprises me one day) but I hope I have half her energy when I'm 80. Somehow I am doubtful, maybe I should start drinking Advocaat! x
What an inspiring woman!
She was indeed, Juliet. Thank you. She has definitely passed her height and white hair genes on to me but I'm not sure about the energy ones. 🤣
What a wonderful story. I love reading old diaries. They reveal so much.
I used to love dancing, and I still dance to the old tunes of the 1960s and '70s when at home. My children, who never fancied moving their bodies to music, look at me as some sort of eccentric throwback. I do not care.
One rule to a good and long life (I am 66) is to not seek the approval of others.
I love that last sentence, Perry, how true that is. I've never really followed the crowd but feel as though I am rebelling more and more as I age. I bought three CD's today from a charity shop - Jim Croce, The Animals and Mamas and Papas - I had a fun time while cooking dinner!
Such wonderful memories 🙌 I hope we can all retain such a beautiful zest for life in ‘older’ age 🙏
I like to think so David, I don't think we'll ever know until we get there. I've been complaining about my aching knees all day so I think I need to channel my Nan a bit tomorrow! Thank you so much for commenting. Have a lovely weekend. x
Thanks for this lovely post. It reminded me of my English nan. I was born in England to an English mom and American dad. We moved to the States in 1958 when I was just a few months old, which broke my nan’s heart (or so she always said)- she was still talking about it the last time I saw her when I was almost 40🤗. I had very little time with her over the years because we were so far apart and I cherish all of my wonderful memories of her and my Granddad- the smell of Lifebouy soap always reminds me of their house! She was a wonderful gardener (fresh raspberries are another strong memory) and cook and was full of fun and energy up until the day she died.
Oh I can imagine that your move to the States did break your Nan's heart! I am glad you still have such fond memories of your Grandparents even though they weren't around as you grew up, I am sure they thought about you all of the time. That smell of Lifebuoy soap is unforgettable! I find it fascinating that is often the simplest of things that we remember, the soap, the raspberries and the gardening. Happy memories indeed. Thank you for your lovely comment, Lorraine. x
Thank you for sharing your Nan with us. We all need role models, and now I want to be just like her.
I do too, Ilona! With how my knees are aching today I think I’m being a bit too hopeful! 🤣
This is so beautiful and inspiring. Goals! 👵🏼💐
Thank you! Let’s hope we’ll be the same, or even half the same will do!
What a fabulous person your Nan sounds. I can see why she was such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing a little bit of her life with us; her diary entries are both wonderful 😊xx
The diaries are so interesting and do make me laugh Annie, she seems to have gone to the cinema every single week and some of the films she saw for an eighty year old were hilarious. I live in hope! Thank you for commenting, Annie. x
My thoughts exactly re the film choices!
Ah Nelly sounds like such a wonderful character, all the enthusiasm for life - good for her! Im sure it wasnt lost on her that she was setting an example for her daughters/granddaughters.
I had the chance to read some of my Nan's diaries when she passed, much like your Nan's just simple details of day to day living...reading an entry she wrote on one of my birthdays was such a gift. Grandparents have played such a huge part of my life, the importance of that relationship can never be overstated in my opinion and those of us that have had it are incredibly lucky.
There's still a Darby and Joan club in our village...I hope it carries on long enpugh for me to join in!
Oh how fabulous Vicky. I was wondering what happed to my Nan’s clubs so I googled them, just one is till going. I’m very pleased to hear there is one nearby to you. I googled Age Uk as they list clubs and the nearest one to me is 24 miles away. The bus service here is awful too so anyone here who doesn’t drive is at a terrible disadvantage. One of my grandads died before I was born and I have often wondered what I missed with him. The good ones are certainly to be treasured and appreciated too. Hopefully it will be a good few years before you need the Darby and Joan although it’s nice to know it’s there if you need it. 😘
Such a lovely read Lindsay - it must be so lovely to have your Nan's diaries and have an insight into her day to day life and what mattered to her. She sounds like she had a real zest for life, very inspiring. Your words made me think of my Grannie, she passed away when I was 9 but the memories of her cheekiness, incredible cooking and her love have stayed with me. ❤️
Such a lovely read Lindsay - it must be so lovely to have your Nan's diaries and have an insight into her day to day life and what mattered to her. She sounds like she had a real zest for life, very inspiring. Your words made me think of my Grannie, she passed away when I was 9 but the memories of her cheekiness, incredible cooking and her love have stayed with me. ❤️
Thank you so much Jenna, she certainly was a little whirlwind and I can only hope a few of those genes have been passed down to me! Grandparents are often so important in the lives of children and can be such fabulous role models, I am eternally grateful I had such a lovely Nan and I am glad you can remember your Grannie with such fondness. x Thank you for such a kind comment. x