Yes I am an old biddy; very few out there would disagree.

Although I am now officially a pensioner, I have had several years to become used to this situation due to ill health. I miss the work place and the camaraderie of work colleagues. I always liked routine and as a morning person I never had difficulty getting up early.

I was a committed worker and treated those around me with respect and always felt I was fairly paid for the work I did. I came across folk who were expert at playing shuffle the paperwork as well as the system. There were those who spent the day on the phone and we learned without eavesdropping what empty lives they had. Some had a phobia about work and others used every excuse under the sun to take time off. There were those like myself who worked to their full potential and grew with the experience.

Most of my working years were before ‘equal pay for work of equal value’. Men were always paid more than the women and we accepted this or were told to move on as there were plenty other folk out there just waiting for our jobs.

In fact in my early days women in the Civil Service and the teaching profession had to resign when they got married. They only returned if they were widowed. There were no allowances for unmarried mothers, and no young mothers jumping the queue to grab the pick of the holidays.

You might think I sound critical or bitchy about working mothers. The reverse is the case – if they pulled their weight. I know of one individual who had the excuse of leaving her children off to school or the child minder and arrived 30 minutes after everyone else. Her first task was to charge her mobile phone on company time and electricity. Somehow she never managed to stay until official finishing time or to cover lunchtime. Magically her name was always first on the holiday list when it was produced. Women like her spoil matters for all women.

Now I like to see all workers fairly treated; the women as well as the men. This was brought home to be a short while ago while reading a post on Old Dog New Trick. Betty has some very interesting thoughts, so head on over there girls and have a read.

I am heading south for a few days so hope, pray and rattle the rosaries that ‘The Outfit’ fits my Elly.

There’s always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it.

Today I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don’t hurt…

Dario asked if I listened to a Podcast he takes part in. It is the ‘Jefferson Davis & Friends Podcast’. The other participants are Brianf and Grandad. Dario is a first year University student at UCD in Dublin. Like all eighteen year-olds he is in a hurry to experience NOW all that the life of an adult holds. Dario hand on heart I can tell you that no adult has been able to do so. If it were possible to learn all there is to learn in your short life so far, think how boring the next 80 years might prove.

Yes, I have listened to your Podcast and did understand what you were saying. I have the patience to let my ears acclimatise to the sound of the various accents in a Podcast. Did you ever wonder why I spoke so slowly when making a Podcast? It is to allow folk who are unused to the sound of my voice to hear each word. If you speak at normal conversation speed it may not come over, across the airwaves.

Conn Ó Muíneacháin of Edgecast media:> was the official Pod-caster at the IrishBusinessWomen.com conference last weekend in Westport, Ireland. Terry Prone of Carr Communications was a speaker and she gives food for thought to all of us who seek to communicate. Terry is my vintage and she believes in what she does, and this means she gives a convincing message without us realising. You can link to it at (24MB, 41:14, MP3),

I have to admit that I was dependant on my voice to communicate all my working life. Folk heard me speak and sometimes never met me.

On one occasion a gentleman came into the office and I happened to be the first person he spoke to. I asked if I could help him. He said that he had an appointment with one of our director’s. I addressed him by name and said that he was expected, and to take a seat while I informed the director of his arrival. He called me back and said “I have never met you before; in fact I have never visited this office. How did you know my name?” I smiled and again addressed him by name saying “I speak to you on a regular basis by phone”.

At times I have difficulty putting a name to a person’s face. If I close my eyes and listen to them the name usually comes to me.

By the way Grandad’s voice was not how I imagined it at all. He sounds far to young to be a Grandad!

I suppose one of these days I will have to think of a subject to Podcast about.

I’m going to a Party. I was going to bring my friends. They might have fun. I know they want to go away for a few days.

Granny, Grandad & Sandy

I know Grandad has Whiskey I heard him boasting about it on a Podcast. If we are nice he might bring some. He makes some wild cocktails

Now for the cake:

Conortje have a good one!

With the Olympic Games coming to the UK in 2012 a new area of competition for Granddads has been announced. Admission will be by Bus Pass.

The following are some of the suggestions for the events:

1. Sag, You’re it.

2. Pin the Toupee on the Bald Guy.

3. 20 questions shouted into your good ear.

4. Kick the bucket.

5. Red Rover, Red Rover, the nurse says Bend Over.

6. Doc, Doc, Goose.

7. Simon says something incoherent.

8. Hide and go pee.

9. Spin the Bottle of Bisodol.

10. Musical recliners.

The following might prove helpful.

Whatever you do, HIDE the last one from George.

DORMITORY ~ DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN ~ PRESBYTERIAN

ASTRONOMER ~ MOON STARER

DESPERATION ~ A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES ~ THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH ~ HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE ~ HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES ~ CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY ~ IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS ~ LIES – LET’S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS ~ ALAS! NO MORE Z ‘S

A DECIMAL POINT ~ IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES ~ THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO ~ TWELVE PLUS ONE

MOTHER-IN-LAW ~ WOMAN HITLER

Relax I have not received, or for that matter am not likely to receive, an invitation to join those on the Birthday Honours list. So a future of snoozing of an afternoon on the leather benches in the House of Lords is not for me.

I am referring to a different type of bench.

According to an article in the Daily Mail today mobile phone users in a remote Devon village have literally worn-out a wooden bench on the village green because standing on it is the only way they can get a signal.

Now parish chiefs are building a special “phone throne” for villagers to climb onto so they can make mobile telephone calls.

Now that might be the place to set up residence.

• Peaceful shops and restaurants….

• Drivers with both hands on the steering wheel and full concentration on driving…

• A perfect excuse not to answer my mobile.

This afternoon I met an acquaintance that I had not seen for months. His greeting was “I thought you had moved” The tone was almost as if he had said “Why are you still here”!

As I went on my way I tossed this over in my mind.

Was it time to really think of starting over somewhere else? If I did move where would I think of moving to? Dublin is not the place I left 30 years ago. I still have family and friends there but they, like me have moved on and have their own commitments and interests to fill their time. Would I see them any more than I do while living here in Northern Ireland?

It is not something to be hasty about so I will sleep on the matter and perhaps some suggestions from my blogging friends might throw some light on this situation.

This is in reply to the comments on my last post.

Dario please hurry up and sort the world out.

Betty we need a licence for a TV and another one if we have a dog, but none for a cat, a rabbit or a baby! The world is crazy…

We have no cable TV where I live and would need something like this on the roof.

I know that in Dublin where Elly lives they have a provider of cable that covers the phone, internet and TV connection. Mind you the phone line is dreadful in my opinion. That is unless they jink it on purpose to get me off the line quickly. 😉

Nancy that pilot sounds like a guy I knew in the USAF.