2015-06-16T19:43:11+01:00

Author: Judy E Martin

Hello, and thanks for stopping by. I am Judy, in my (very) early fifties and decided that life definitely gets more interesting as it goes on! I am a wife and a mum and have just finished University as a Registered Nurse, after having worked as an Associate Practitioner in the NHS. I am also a poet and the author of my debut book, 'Rhymes of the Times.' I love to laugh, and I love rhyming words too, so I joined the two together, and my book was born. I am currently working on another book in the series also. I am a prolific blogger and enjoy writing funny stories, anecdotes, and anything really that takes my fancy.

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Episode 376: In Sickness and In Health

June 16, 2015/Judy E Martin/23 Comments

Today I was looking after a new patient that had arrived on the ward last night. She was very friendly and chatty, and despite having a few medical problems seemed to be in good spirits. She was pretty much bed bound due to severe lower back pain, especially on movement, and also had a long-term catheter in situ.

I had received a call regarding a PET scan that was being arranged for this patient at a nearby hospital for tomorrow, and was making the necessary arrangements for her transportation there, plus staff to escort her.

When I went into the bay, she proudly introduced me to her husband. I informed them both about the scan, and asked her whether or not she was claustrophobic, if she could lay down for 30 mins reasonably still, and did she mind needles. Her husband looked at me and whilst stroking her arm told me that she will have any test or procedure necessary in order that she would be well enough to go home with him.

He then told me that he looks after her, washing, dressing and emptying the catheter bags, explaining that he does not want any carers going in, as he will always be there. He then said that he would ‘do anything and everything, whatever it takes, just as long as it keeps her with him, and he doesn’t lose her.’

She looked at him lovingly, and I have to say, I was trying to swallow the lump in my throat, Yes, I know we marry ‘for better or worse’ and ‘in sickness and in health.’ However, the reality of it for some people, though not romantic is true love!

Episode 375: Ronovan’s Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge #49 Lock & Gab

June 15, 2015/Judy E Martin/16 Comments

Oooh that naughty Ronovan has given us some tough words to use in his weekly haiku challenge this week. We have got ‘lock’ and ‘gab’ to make something out of!

Here is my take on it

The gift of the gab;

flattery and promises.

Put a lock on it!

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Episode : 374: Reasons I am So Untrendy…….

June 14, 2015/Judy E Martin/37 Comments

I like to know what is going on in the world, and to keep up-to-date with the latest trends. Having a young daughter also keeps me in the loop of what is happening (mainly because she keeps telling me that I haven’t got a clue)! Here’s why…

I hate ‘Game of Thrones!’ I just don’t get it at all; from what I have seen of it so far (and I usually put my headphones on and blog when Mr Grump has it on) everyone is a Prince or Queen or something. Not only that, there seems to be a hell of a lot of gory endings, people getting bumped off every five minutes! Add to that a load of sex, and some of that incestous! It is, in a nutshell, a bunch of royals, having it off with everyone, then plotting their most savage and brutal demise!
There is no way on earth I can do this new ‘belly button challenge!’ It involves wrapping one of your arms around your back and touching your belly button to prove what a fit body you have! Hmmmm, I don’t need to become a contortionist to know that I might not be quite as fit as I should be! If I tried to do that, I would no doubt pull or tear something, rendering myself even more unfit!
As much as I like to watch a Disney film, there is no way I would want to get married in a Disney princess inspired wedding dress! I mean the Little Mermaid was lovely, but who would want to totter down the aisle wearing a bloody great fishtail?!
I could not be trusted with a ‘selfie stick! Now I know these are very popular at the moment and help get a much better photo, but I am not keen. Not only would I feel ridiculous waving it around in the air trying to get the right spot, but knowing me I would end up poking someone in the eye, or giving someone an unexpected clout whilst trying to concentrate on capturing the perfect shot!
I don’t want to ‘Keep up with the Kardashians!’ For a start there are far too many of them and I don’t know who they all are! Kim and Kanye being forever in the news is starting to get boring! Now that she is having another baby (will it be called South)? we will be bombarded with every last detail. Kylie and her pouty lips has already annoyed me, as Miss Hap tried to copy her as you can see here.

What makes matters worse is that Mr Grump is much more trendy than I am!

Episode 373: It Runs In The Family!

June 13, 2015/Judy E Martin/34 Comments

One of the things I like about my family is that we all have the same warped sense of humour, even if others don’t quite see the joke!

I remember going to our local cinema (or the ‘fleapit’ as it was unaffectionately known) with my older sister to watch ‘Fright Night’ years ago. It was pretty busy and we settled ourselves in for a good scaring, the only problem was that it was not in the least bit frightening (that is saying something coming from me as I am a huge wimp)! In fact, it was funny. We kept giggling at first, then finding it more and more ridiculous ended up rocking in our seats roaring with laughter, especially as no-one else seemed to be laughing.

Often when we get together, we reminisce about the good old days. Unlike other families though, we like to rake up stories about each other’s misfortunes. Things like my mum falling up the stairs in a furniture store whilst carrying some shopping. The shop assistant was appalled that my sister was creased up laughing instead of helping my poor spread-eagled mum up!

My mum is just as bad though as she was helpless with laughter when my little sister ran straight into a glass door whilst chasing after my niece who had toddled off ahead. Mum took great delight in telling us that my sister’s eyes were rolling around in her head, and that her shoe had come off!

When we were young, my mum and step-dad owned a static caravan near Blackpool and we used to go there a lot for weekends and holidays, as we only lived about an hour away then. As was the design then, the living room area used to have a kind of bench style sofa arrangement which could be transformed into a bed if you inserted a large wooden board. Well one of my brothers went to sit down to eat his meal, but misjudged it as the cushion wasn’t put back properly so it was over-hanging the seat. This meant as soon as my brother lowered himself down there was nothing there to support him, and he did a lovely backwards roll out of the open door behind him landing with a nice thud on the grass. What fantastic entertainment for the family that was. Even more so because he got told off for mucking about as if it were his fault!

Oh yes, you don’t get any sympathy in our family if you hurt yourself; in fact it’s laugh first then check for broken bones. As you can imagine, I have had more than my fair share of teasing from the family!

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Episode 372: No-one Said Life Was ‘E’ asy!

June 13, 2015/Judy E Martin/13 Comments

You know, I was thinking that trying to write a paragraph without using an ‘e’ as I did for a challenge yesterday, is a lot like trying to get through life!

We each start with a blank screen, and it is up to us to decide what we are going to do with it. Will we be able to write a paragraph, a few lines, or stumble after a couple of words as we don’t have a vital ingredient needed to come up with a best-selling novel?

Some people will use the lack of this vital ingredient for an excuse as to why they cannot do a good job; perhaps blaming a lack of education to know how to do it differently, or maybe a shortage of funds to be able to buy the relevant missing piece needed. It could be that they do not feel they have enough support motivate them to even try.

Others however, will just get on with it! They might try to make something that, although not perfect, fits well enough that they still have done a wonderful job. It could be that they go as far as they can with the materials they have, in complete contentment with what they have achieved. Certain people might decide to go out and learn how to do things for themselves in order to get that novel finished, or work together in a group supporting each other’s attempts to get through.

I know when originally faced with the challenge I thought it would be too difficult, but I wanted to at least have a go. After all, we all have certain resources available to us, it just depends on whether or not we choose to use them.

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Episode 371: Allergic to ‘e’ Challenge.

June 12, 2015/Judy E Martin/26 Comments

I have been nominated by the lovely Ritu to take part in the latest crazy challenge which was originally started by Asil. I have seen what a good job others have made of it and I thought it might be too much like hard work, but I do love a challenge so I will of course have a go.

1) Write a whole paragraph ( a paragraph sounds easy right?) without any word containing the letter “e” (still easy for ya?)
2) By reading this you are already signed up.
3) Challenge at least five bloggers to do the challenge. They must do it within 24 hours or it is considered as failure.
4) If you fail or pass, suffer in the Page of Lame.
5) If you win, wallow in the Page of Fame.
6) You can check your standings on my menu Your Standings.

Here is my stab at it!

This is not actually my kind of thing, how can I just omit such a popular part of a word? Nothing looks right with a paragraph that is missing such a vital symbol. Sod this for a laugh, I am off to boil my brain!

I would like to nominate anyone who fancies having a go at it! 🙂

Friday Free-For-All #14.

June 12, 2015/Judy E Martin/17 Comments

It’s Friday, we are going to have a beautiful day again today, and I have got a BBQ to look forward to after work tonight, so in my world, all is good! I have rounded up some more brilliant blog posts a well for your enjoyment. Please go and visit them as of course, they are all well worth it (as are all the blogs I follow actually)! I have included all sorts of posts for your enjoyment as usual.

TanGental. I have recently started following this blog, and have already read some wonderful posts. This one in particular, made me think about things in a different way and was very insightful.

Ronovan’s Writes. There is so much to say about this blog! not only does he help and support other bloggers, and authors, he organises a weekly haiku challenge (which I am now hooked on), and a positive ‘Be Wonderful On Wednesday’ post. However, he is very wise as well, and I thought this post gave some great advice.

A Momma’s View. Momma’s blog has all sorts on it, from homeschooling, to helping others and everything else in-between! This post is a cold, hard look at something that many of us take for granted, and a good reminder of why we shouldn’t!

Madmeanderingme This is another blog that I have only recently started following, Ruth had a really lovely, colourful blog. I thought this post was great as it was a light-hearted way of remembering things!

How The Cookie Crumbles I really love the way Tess tells a story, She always has you gripped throughout and then leaves you dangling, wanting more.

Listful Thinking This blog is always funny, and this post is no exception, although I don’t think it was supposed to be!

Have a happy Friday!

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Episode 370: The Purpose of My Life!

June 11, 2015/Judy E Martin/46 Comments

A Momma’s View has set a challenge and prompt that she had nominated me, and a few others for. In it, she asks for us to say what we think our purpose in life is and what we’ll take home when we leave.

It’s funny but this is something I rarely think about when I am feeling all happy and bright! It is more something I ponder when I am feeling down and grotty, However, this is going to be a positive post so any negative vibes can bugger off and leave me to my happy thoughts!

I always thought when I was younger that my purpose in life was going to be something to do with children. When I was growing up I always wanted to be a Nanny looking after other people’s children before settling down and having my own family with quite a few children of my own. After all, I was one of six myself.

Becoming an aunty when I was 15 years old only reinforced this wish, to nurture and look after children, and I used to get up in the night with my niece to give her bottles, and babysit as often as I could.

Well, for a number of reasons, it was not meant to be that I had lots of children (Although I do have some waiting for me in heaven), or even fulfil my wish to work with children as I went off and joined the Army instead!

Fast forward a couple of decades, a couple of ex-husbands and a fair few jobs, ranging from working for the Department of Work and Pensions to working in a kebab shop. plus a few more in-between! Then I got a job in nursing!

I loved it. My daughter was very young then (about 2) and I was on my own, but I managed to get this job as a Healthcare Assistant at the Day Hospital, working mainly with the elderly who came in for a number of therapies and meetings, as well as to attend clinics. This seemed like the job I had been looking to do all this time.

However. my hours got changed after 18 months, and as my daughter was just starting school at 4 years old, and no longer attended nursery I had to look for something else! Funnily enough, it turned out to be in the local secondary school on the ‘Student Desk.’ What an eye-opener. I have never been sworn at so much in my life! Suffice it to say it wasn’t what I had expected it to be (huge respect to you teachers)!

Anyway, I got back together with Mr Grump at this time after 25 years apart and we got married. I managed to get back into nursing and go to University for 2 years to train for a higher position as I wanted to learn more. Again, by choice, I work with the elderly.

I feel perhaps my purpose in life was not to work with children (although I am truly blessed to have my daughter), but rather to try to help look after elderly people. To offer them a friendly face and cheery disposition, and have a few laughs with them as well.

As for what I will take home with me. I think it will be the knowledge that I have tried really hard. I have tried to instill in my daughter old-fashioned manners and consideration, and despite the challenges we have both faced, I do know that she can be compassionate and kind to others when needed. I have tried to be a good friend, a good mum (not always easy), a good wife (3rd time lucky! The other 2 husbands were not exactly the best either) and a good worker (I know at least I got that bit right)!

I would like to nominate the following, should they wish to participate:

Episode 369: One-liner Wednesday: Roses

June 10, 2015/Judy E Martin/21 Comments

This is my One-Liner Wednesday post inspired by LindaGHill,

Happiness is…admiring my roses. The ones that were bought for me in my favourite colours, and the ones in my garden that, despite being a bit bedraggled, are still managing to look beautiful!

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Episode 368: 3 Day Quote Challenge: Day 3

June 10, 2015/Judy E Martin/33 Comments

This is the last day of the quote challenge that I was nominated for by the lovely Erika whose blog, if you haven’t already visited, you should go and have a look around. There is lots there to inspire and delight you.

The rules of the challenge:

Post your favorite quotes or your own quotes for 3 days in a row.
Thank the person who nominated you
Pass it on to 3 other bloggers.

Being a person that loves their food, I thought this quote was particularly apt for me:

‘One cannot think well, love well. sleep well, if one has not dined well.’ Virginia Woolf

Here are my nominees for the challenge. I would love it if you want to participate but you are under no obligation to.

The Storyteller

Vanbytheriver

La Sabrosona

Rhyme and No Reason!

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

Author: Judy E Martin

Episode 376: In Sickness and In Health

Episode 375: Ronovan’s Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge #49 Lock & Gab

Episode : 374: Reasons I am So Untrendy…….

Episode 373: It Runs In The Family!

Episode 372: No-one Said Life Was ‘E’ asy!

Episode 371: Allergic to ‘e’ Challenge.

Friday Free-For-All #14.

Episode 370: The Purpose of My Life!

Episode 369: One-liner Wednesday: Roses

Episode 368: 3 Day Quote Challenge: Day 3

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