Tommy

This is Tommy our new kitten, Adrian wanted to call him pinball wizard, but I really couldn't see me shouting that from the doorstep. I compromised with Tommy. He's a little sweetie, like all cats he already knows he rules the house. Therefore he's stolen my fleece blanket. That's what he's lying on in the picture. This is the first time we've had a pet without a houseful of children to distract it. We have both been behaving as if we have a new child, fretting over how much he's eaten, has he done a wee etc, etc. Hopefully we'll get over it soon and start treating him like a cat [unlikely]

The meeting

Adrian my first grandchild meets his cousin Jennifer. He came home full of news and emotion. "She's got a lovely little head with a bump in it" he is definitely enraptured. Adrian says he loves her because she looks cute.

Hopefully the admiration will be mutual as she grows up, her mummy and aunty have always been very close, so I think the cousins will be too.

First Grandaughter

Here's my first grandaughter, Jennifer Louise. Born at 14:32 on February 11th 2007. I expected to be happy when I saw her, but I wasn't prepared for the total deja vu experience. She is so much like her mum, my daughter, I was taken back 22 years to the day Claire was born. It was weird, my eldest grandson is very much like his uncle but I didn't get that feeling with him.
Adrian is very close to his grandad, so I must admit I'm hoping Jennifer will become my little sidekick! I sat and cuddled her while Claire went off for a ciggie, time seemed to stand still for me as I watched her face, counted her fingers and breathed in that gorgeous new baby smell.
I'm sure this little girl will have a lot of love around her, I sat and watched mummy and daddy together with her, they looked so full of joy I almost expected to hear angelic music!
Welcome to the world Jennifer, I hope you enjoy it.

Just catching up

The picture's just for fun, since I got back I haven't been able to sort out my internet access till now,and have no new photo's uploaded yet.

One thing I've learnt recently, is how you never appreciate a thing until you lose it. I've lost my independance, my back has given up on me, and I hate not being able to just do what I normally do. I'm so sleep deprived because the pain wakes me up, I can't do the simplest of things like tie my shoelaces, and worst of all, I can't pick up my grandkids if they fall.

Hopefully, Rachel my physiotherapist will be able to sort me out, but it has made me rethink my career options. I may be able to avoid lifting as we're not supposed to anyway, but even standing for periods of time is not an option, I have to keep moving or sit down. What do you do when nursing is all you've known for 30 years? I seriously need to win the lottery or something!

Leaving Gibraltar

I'm flying back to England on November 1st. Will I miss Gib? I think yes and no, I won't miss the weather as I'm not a sun worshipper. It's ok when you're on vacation, but try working!

I'll miss the anarchic Llanito sense of humour,but not the undercurrent of tension that always runs between them and the Spanish.

I'll miss kissing and hugging everyone at the start and end of a workday, but not the constant shouting that is normal conversation for them.

I'll miss Spanish radio, but I'm looking forward to getting BBC radio 2 on any radio in the house instead of having to go via the internet.

Most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing my family whenever the mood takes me, instead of having to apply for leave, and pay airfares. So goodbye Gibraltar, it's been fun, but it's time for my next 'chapter'.

Invisible Women

My eldest daughter commented the other day that she had lots of photos of her siblings,dad,grandparents, etc,but hardly any of me. "I was the photographer" I said, and now I've noticed since she became a mum, the same thing is happening to her. The thing is neither of us likes to be photographed,we hate the result and are too hard on ourselves. It occurred to me that they are not pictures to pander to our egos, they are a record for our family.

I have a photo of my father in law as a baby, identical to my grandson here. A picture of my grandmother at 15, I can see me and my nephew in her face. I never met her, but the picture helps me feel that sense of family. Now we can email photos, friends and family can share these memories easily with each other,and perhaps Helen and I will obtain more pictures of ourselves. I promise I will smile the next time mother in law gets her camera out!

Speilberg watch out!

As a grandma, of course I'm incredibly proud of my grandchildren. This is the eldest grandchild, aged 6 we were in the animal park in Gibraltar's Alameda gardens. Adrian decided I had done enough video and it was his turn,the end result wasn't bad especially considering it was his first time.
It reminded me of the first time my dad trusted me with a camera, it was a box brownie, I was 9 and the end result wasn't great but I've loved photography ever since. At least now with digital cameras you can snap away without worrying about wasting film, as you can delete the mistakes. I hope Adrian gets to enjoy the art as much as my dad and myself.

Mother's little helper

My grandson commented today that my chinese starsign is the same as his mum, we're dogs. This reminded me that 24 years ago, I was getting fairly big and not enjoying the heat of summer. Now her little sister is expecting and keeping a blog on her progress. How times have changed. It is a wonderful way to keep track of all your family and friends.

First blog

An uninspiring title I know, but I really can't think what to write! So, this is me, the picture was taken last August hence the very shiny face. It is HOT in Gibraltar, day and night in summer,so there's not much sleeping going on.
I'm lucky enough this summer to be on 2 months night shift rotation. The beauty of it is, I'm not a morning person and I get my week's hours done in 3 nights. That means 4 days off hurrah!