I just wanted to write a quick post to thank everyone who is following my blog! I am so pleased and excited that I have now got 102 followers. Glad you are enjoying it, and I hope to keep it up!
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.
I received a phone call from Miss Hap today during her lunch break at school to let me know that there is a Craft Fair on Friday at school and “you have got to make some gingerbread men biscuits”. Oh great! Well I have to give her credit for telling me a little in advance, normally it is at bedtime the night before she has to take something home-made into school. (I know some supermarkets do a lovely range of ‘home-made’ cakes etc but it does seem a bit naughty to do that; However needs must, and I have done it in the past)!
Anyway, as it is my day off today, and not only have I got the ingredients (and more importantly the recipe) for the gingers, but I actually enjoy making them (along with mince pies, that is about my festive repartee). I have already made the dough, and whilst that is ‘chilling’ in the fridge, I get a bit of time to myself to reflect on how different I am from my mum in the kitchen, I was thinking about Mum and what a fantastic cook she is, although nowadays she doesn’t bake so much. However, in her baking heyday some of her practices in the kitchen left a little to be desired…..
Two funny stories come to mind. the first one was when mum was making her famous ‘rock cakes’. Now, they were not ALWAYS as hard as rock as the name implies, and she put currants or something in them as well, so they were quite tasty for a Sunday afternoon tea. This particular day she made the cakes with her usual method, chucking a bit of this in, sprinkling in a pinch of that, then a dollop of something else for good measure. Once cooked they looked lovely and golden brown and she turned them out onto the wire rack to cool for a bit.
My younger sister and I were there when she decided to have a little ‘taster’ and she bit off a huge chunk from a cake.
“Mmmm these are lovely” (Self-recommendation is no praise, but Mum was proud of her cooking). As I looked up at Mum I was horrified; there were loads of ants crawling around her mouth, my sister had noticed as well. We were screeching and pointing but Mum had realised something was not right, and she rushed over to the sink to spit out the cake, and brush away the ants that she had not ingested! It transpired that Mum’s wire rack was kept in the little alcove under the kitchen sink, and she had not washed it (how the hell she didn’t notice the ants all over it is anybody’s guess)! Well needless to say we went cakeless, and had something else!
The other occasion, was a dinner Mum was cooking for the family. She had made a gorgeous stew, and was preparing the dumplings to go with it, which she cooked in the pot with the stew. She went to one of the cupboards and got out her little box where she kept, her margarine, butter and lard. Anyway, she made the dumplings, but as I watched her , I said that they didn’t look right (Mrs Expert Chef poking her nose in)! Needless to say she took no notice of me, and half an hour later we all sat down for our lovely dinner. I took one mouthful of dumpling, and the rank taste hit me; the dumpling was expelled straight away.as I retched and heaved. Some of the others followed suit but the slow starters sat there stunned; dinner was ruined. That fat she used had been sitting opened in the packet for God knows how long, and was well and truly off! Mum told us to eat the stew anyway just leave the dumplings, but everyone’s appetite had suddenly disappeared!
I remember those two occasions so well, as my Mum never understood why we all made such a fuss about everything being clean, or that food was not past it’s ‘sell-by date’! Myself, plus some of my brothers and sisters used to go through the fridge and cupboards and sure enough there were tins there from 5 years previously (“tins last forever”), bottles where the date had rubbed off, or perhaps even before they dated foods, unwrapped food in the fridge, cooked and raw meat stored in close proximity, and condiments from the ark! Anything that was in the fridge was edible according to mum regardless of how long it had been in there!
I suppose growing up when food was rationed, they were not so picky about what they ate, being grateful to have anything. Also I have seen her trying to sneak an errant spud in the roasting tin that had fallen on the floor when she strained them in the pan. Again, anything that went on the floor got either rinsed or brushed off and put on the plate! After all, “A little bit of dirt never killed anyone” and me, and my siblings have the cast iron stomachs to prove it!
What is it with men and the TV remote control? I am sure they think it is an extension of themselves, another appendage or something, because trying to separate the two is nigh on bloody impossible!….
When I was growing up, we only had 4 channels on the TV. In order to turn it over, you had to actually get up off the settee, go over to the TV and push in the knob or button to turn it over. Seeing as there was such little choice in TV and no-one could be bothered to keep getting up, it normally stayed mostly on one favourite channel. My step-dad was the one who always chose that channel as well, my mum was not really that bothered as she liked similar things anyway.We watched what he wanted and that was the end of it!
He couldn’t believe his luck as TVs became more sophisticated, and there was a remote control to play with (or ‘clicker’ as he liked to call it). When cable TV was introduced and there were extra channels to watch, it was dream come true for a ‘Telly Addict’ like my step-dad. He LOVED nearly all sports, had a fondness for a Spaghetti Western, became hooked on one or two soaps, and finally vociferously joined in with the quiz shows. Oh god, he would berate the hapless contestants (Family Fortunes being his favourite) for their stupidity; he would SCREAM the answers out to the dunces that couldn’t answer, repeating them louder and louder as if they could hear him, it used to drive me mad! However, I always laughed when he said “goodnight” to the newscaster before he went to bed.
The thing that was most annoying though is if, by chance one of us kids managed to actually get hold of the clicker and put Top Of The Pops or something on before he settled down for the evening, we would be halfway through only for him to come in, pick up the clicker and turn it over! He did not care if we were in the middle of something, he would just flick it over. I know we tried to hide the sodding clicker on occasion, but he would go ballistic turfing everything out until it was found!
I have found that Mr Grump is also a remote control hogger! (I think it has something to do with middle age, but I wouldn’t know as I am not there yet)! I’ll be watching something and when the adverts come on he starts flicking about through the channels; I ask him to turn it back but by the time he does it has already started and I have missed the first 2 minutes! He also loves to mess about with the menus, so you end up watching a 2×2 inch square for 20 minutes or until he has figured out how to do whatever it is he wants to do!
I can actually see the similarities in Mr Grump and how my step-dad was; armchair (no-one else is allowed to sit in it as it is in the best spot for seeing the TV): handy table nearby on which to rest obligatory cup of tea; slippers. The only difference is my step-dad had an astray on the table, and Mr Grump has a pouffe for his legs. Other than that two peas in a pod, just 20 years apart!
Some things will never change I guess!
Today was pretty good at work. We were extremely busy as usual, but it was a good atmosphere and we had plenty of staff, so everyone was happy. For some of us the day was about to get even better…..
I was just returning to the ward, when I saw a youngish man with an assortment of bags waiting outside, unable to get in (we have a security code outside the door). I assumed he was a visitor and asked if I could help him, but it transpired that he was there to give staff training on some pressure relieving equipment. I informed the Ward Manager who he was,and invited him into our handover room where he could give his training.
There were already a couple of nurses in there writing notes, and I briefly told them about the training. Meanwhile the Trainer was unloading some of his bags. Out came a huge box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts; I saw a couple of the young nurses’ faces light up, next came huge cartons of fruit juice, paper plates and cups with balloons on. He still hadn’t finished and a large tub of chocolates were put on the side, along with some grapes (just in case anyone was on a diet)!
I was commandeered to round-up some troops who would be available to come to the training. I actually got quite a few takers when I mentioned cakes were on offer. The Trainer certainly knew the way to get people to his sessions. He told us he is married to a nurse so he came prepared! He also tipped a load of pens onto the table and a massive stack of post- it notes.Not only do nurses love sweet things, they are rather partial to a freebie as well, so we all listened intently to his spiel!! I sat there sour-faced with my grapes looking longingly at the doughnuts and chocolates.
The training actually went on for quite a bit, and people kept having to get up, leave to answer a buzzer,or deal with something, then come back in again. I was called out to help a patient so I went into my Bay to see her. She had some visitors, her daughter and son-in-law who I had met on Friday, in a two-hour meeting to discuss her mother’s discharge plans. She was happy with the outcome and had brought in a home-made cake for us,to show her appreciation. This was the second one she had made, as she had wanted to try to cater for as many of the staff as she could.
She had made a massive Victoria sponge, and it was in a large square box. I gratefully accepted the cake, thanked her for her thoughtfulness and went to put it in the Handover room. As I walked back in, there were still a lot of people in there as the training was just finishing,and a couple of doctors and therapy staff had gone in to use the computer and write notes. One of the nurses caught my eye and asked what I had in my hands.
” We’ve been given more cake, from ‘Mrs Sweetie’s’ daughter”. I took two steps in the room, tripped over something and hurtled forward, the cake wobbled dangerously in my hands, rattling inside the box. It was surprising how many pairs of hands reached out to steady me, rather than let the precious cake fall to the ground (they were not concerned about me at all, in fact once it was established that the cake was still intact, they laughed their heads off at my undignified entrance into the room, doctors and all)!
It is surprising how easily pleased us nurses are, and the good mood that started the day, was ramped up a couple of notches by everyone being hyper on a sugar overload!
Well that’s it, I did it! I managed to post every day throughout November. I have to admit that I have struggled at times. The delirium-induced posts written whilst in the throes of a raging fever; the frantic whizzing of ideas going round in my brain, refusing to be caught and plucked out for the next post; Oh yes, it has been pretty tough at times, but I am nothing if not determined, and I did not want to be beaten…
This last month has not only been demanding, but it has been very rewarding as well. I have encountered new people whose blogs have been a wonderful inspiration; I have had lots of support from others in the blogging community, and I’m starting to feel pretty comfy in the big wide blogosphere (I haven’t quite got my feet under the table yet, but hopefully that will come).
The fact that just over two months ago, I decided to take the plunge and start a blog, with no real clue of what the hell I was doing, (I am still only one step up from that actually) to getting a Liebster award and 94 followers, is nothing short of amazing to me. Thank you so much everyone, it’s fantastic to know that people are enjoying my blog.
I had already decided that I would post pretty regularly, but trying to produce something everyday was pretty hard work; however, somehow me and my fellow NaBloPoMoers pulled it off, and now, if we choose to, we can rest up, and recharge. I have found it daunting to write 30 posts that are entertaining (at least mildly), tell a story (even if written in rhyme), and are over a paragraph long!
At the very start of NaBloPoMo, I wrote a post describing what my blog was about and what to expect, which you can see here. I think I have stuck mostly to this theme of cringeworthy embarrassing moments, random silliness, dragging my poor family into my stories, and showing them up, as well as giving you some extra random facts about me that you’d probably rather not know!
All in all, it has been a really wonderful experience. The best thing of all to come out of it is definitely discovering the sense of community amongst bloggers. The support and encouragement they give to each other; gaining confidence, building a rapport, discovering new concepts. This applies not just to NaBloPoMo but blogging in general. Being such a novice at all this, I am still barging about, trying to get my bearings (as well as understand some of the jargon)!
Well, I braced myself and have dipped my (funny) toe into the shallow end of blogging, then doggy paddled into the deep waters of NaBloPoMo, and although I flailed around a bit, out of my depth, I stayed afloat, bobbing about of the surface. I did not drown!
I am thrilled and flattered to have been nominated for a Liebster award, by Wendy of the Rock. As a fairly new blogger, it came as a lovely surprise and i am very proud to accept.. Wendy herself was nominated by Mary-Anne of Breathing Life. All three of us set out on the NaBloPoMo journey together, and have supported each other throughout the month, commenting on each other’s posts and sharing ideas. I am particularly proud to be in the good company of these two intelligent, funny and clever ladies, and pleased that we have crossed paths.
I have gleaned from various sources (Google being the winner) certain rules associated with the Liebster Award, and although they do differ slightly, the main points that I am going with are these:
1: Acknowledge and accept the Liebster Award by leaving a comment on the blog where you were nominated.
2: Copy and paste the Liebster logo onto your own blog.
3: Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
4: Answer the 11 questions put to you by the person who nominated you.
5: List 11 random facts about yourself.
6: Nominate and link to 3—11 other blogs you enjoy that have less than 3000 followers
7: List 11 questions for your Liebster Award nominees on your blog.
8: Inform your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog.
So here are the 11 questions I was asked:
Why did you start to blog?
My sister suggested it actually. She has mentioned many times that she thinks I have a way with words and can tell a good story. I was reluctant to do it as I am not a writer, and had only previously written poems (or ditties) for families on special occasions, However, one day I sat down and typed, loved it, and have become a little addicted to it !!
How did you decide upon your blog’s name?
Well I wanted to be anonymous, as I didn’t know what to expect, and I’m quite a shy person really so I used Edwina which is my middle name. I wanted something to go with it, that I liked the sound of, and would describe little snippets of my life, so I chose Episodes; it not only suggests a sequence of events, but regular instalments, which is what I wanted to convey.
What other talent/s do you have apart from blogging?
God, this is a tricky question as most things I have a go at fail miserably: The only thing I can think of is the poems!
Which three words best describe you?
Caring, clumsy,kind.
Where is your happy place?
By the sea somewhere, preferably on the beach with a load of my family, and a huge picnic! Chilling out, swimming, having a laugh, running around.
What movies have you watched over and over?
I am pretty rubbish with Movies, as I tend to nod off halfway through! I do love ‘Grease’ though, I’ve seen it so many times, singing along to all the songs. It just cheers me up and lifts my mood.
Who is your favourite fictional character? Why?
I think it is Bridget Jones. It is so refreshing to have a clumsy, awkward, chunky, gauche character being the heroine for once! Someone who I can definitely identify with!
What would you tell your 10-year-old self?
This really is a cliche,but to make the most of the opportunities given to me at school, as it is so much easier getting it right first time around!
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose? Why?
It has to be Florence Nightingale! I would love to have a chat with her about how nursing has changed so much over the years, and to get her thoughts on how she perceives modern nursing to be.
What is your most cherished possession?
My wedding rings! For what they symbolise, and what they mean to me.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by so many people, those living in appalling conditions, those living with serious illness/disease but still keep positive, people that go out of their way to help others,inventors, artists, writers,crafters, triers,and entertainers to name but a few!
11 Random Facts About me!
- I have funny toes! The shape of my foot is pointed at the front due to this, and I sometimes have a job finding shoes that fit properly.
- I am terrified of heights. I hate even standing on chairs!
- I HATE driving. To me it is a means to an end, and that is it! I’m pleased I passed my test finally, but now I have, I have discovered that I don’t like it!
- I am a real early bird! I can’t seem to stop myself getting up between 5 and 6am!
- I love 1950’s style dresses, They are so beautiful and flattering, as well as being feminine and girly.
- Yellow roses are my favourite flowers, especially if they are scented. Gorgeous.
- I can’t sing a note but I love karaoke, especially when it is just family who have to endure my croaking!
- I love my goggly-eyed fish! They are very pretty, and it cheers me up seeing them swimming about in their fish tank.
- I love walking along the beach when there is a brisk wind, invigorating!
- I am a useless dancer! I have 2 left feet (as well as the funny toes)!
- My birthday is on the same day as my sister (she is 2 years younger).
Now this is the bit where I nominate some blogs that I enjoy. Although I have only been blogging for 2 months, I do have a few favourites already (Most are listed on my blog). However, It has been very difficult nominating due to the fact that some have only recently been nominated themselves, some have way too many followers. and others would not want to participate. The following blogs are some of the ones that have made an impact on me in one way or another:
These Are Your 11 Questions:
- Why did you start blogging?
- When do you produce your best work?
- Name something that annoys you
- What makes you happy?
- If you could live in a different era, which one would you choose and why?
- What is your biggest regret?
- What other talents do you have?
- What is your biggest achievement?
- Sunshine or snow?
- What is your biggest vice?
- What song sums you up?
Thanks again Wendy!
The end is getting so near now
I’m starting to see through the fog
Only 3 more days of this pressure
In daily posting my blog!
So many subjects I’ve covered
My brain has been stretched to the max
Thoughts and ideas that are spinning
Oh how I need to relax!
I’ve ranted, I’ve rhymed and I’ve ruminated
On different parts of my life
I’ve aired, I’ve bared and I’ve shared
My tribulations, troubles and strife!
My tank is now running on empty
I’ve hardly got anything left
But I know that once this is over
I’m going to feel so bereft!
For how I have loved being part of
This challenge I set out to do
For not only was it great posting
I read some fantastic blogs too!
Isn’t it strange how very often a person is judged on the job that they do, or profession they choose. It even categorizes what ‘class’ you belong to.Very often, even now,when participating in any sort of consumer study or market research, the question is always asked as to, either the occupation of the ‘head of house’ (at least it is not assumed now that will automatically be a male) or the income of the main breadwinner, in order to determine which socio-economic group or class to slot people into.
People can be so snobby and superior if they don’t consider your job to be worthwhile or, if it required little or no qualifications, they assume that perhaps you must be a cretin and therefore unworthy of their attention. Mr Grump used to clean toilets a couple of years ago before his current job as a driver. (I may have mentioned before, but he is a trained and qualified chef, but after many years of stress and shift work, decided he wanted to do something different). I am an Associate Nurse (not a Registered Nurse, I studied for 2 years not 3 as they do).
Anyway, the reason I mention it , is when we have met people and told them what we did for a living, we could see the disdain, and desire in them for a quick getaway to move on to someone else more interesting. (After all, we can’t be very clever if one of us cleans toilets and the other isn’t even a proper nurse)! Next time we got asked what we did for a living, we rather truthfully, but bluntly replied, “clean up other people’s shit”! If you are going to get a reaction, make it a good one!
I feel sorry for the stay-at-home-mums as well. Regardless of their skills, experience, knowledge and training, they have somehow, turned into an empty-headed, muzzy brained, frazzled mum, who does nothing all day but play with their kids and watch trash TV! Oh wouldn’t that be lovely if only it were true! What a bloody insult to be written off, as a non-entity who has nothing to talk about other than how well little Johnny is doing with his potty training, or how to treat cracked nipples when breastfeeding!
By the same token, people very often respect others with nice,trustworthy. middle class jobs, like doctors for example. (Ever heard of Dr Harold Shipman, one of Britain’s, if not the world’s, most prolific serial killers?) Oh yes, lovely man to have at a party. Just don’t introduce him to your wealthy elderly aunty, or you might find that she meets an untimely demise under his expert ministrations! (Yes I know he killed himself now,but you get the point)!
So many swindlers, con men and fraudsters have supposedly ‘good’ jobs or are in respectable professions, just as there have been some awful abusive, spiteful and cruel people in ‘caring’ roles.Look at the dishonest Politicians,and their fake expenses claims,not to mention the philandering that goes on(and ends up in the Sunday Tabloids), What about the fat cat bosses and their huge pay rises? It is not necessarily a safe assumption to base a person’s character on the nature of their work.
What do you think? Are you happy being judged on what you do, as opposed to who you are?
There’s only 4 weeks until Christmas
And I’ve not even started my shop
No presents, no food, and no booze yet
I don’t even have any pop!
The town is all lit up and sparkling
Santa’s grotto has also arrived
The shops are blaring out music
The old Christmas favourites revived!
All the heart-warming adverts on TV
They are sure to bring a tear to the eye
But my festive spirit is lacking
And I’ve not even made a mince pie!
I really need to get started
There are so many things still to get
I will make more of an effort
But it’s still not December yet!
I’ve often wished that I was more of a practical person. I am absolutely blown away by some of the talented bloggers around, and quite envious of their abilities. Take Heels and a Toolbox for example (http://www.heelsandatoolbox.com/). She takes on all sorts of DIY tasks, and gives others tips on how to save money by fixing things yourself! What a great idea and if I had a modicum of ability, I would definitely give it a go. My problem is not only being heavy-handed and a little accident prone,but also having a husband who is good at DIY,so I don’t HAVE to do it!
It was mentioned on the same website that some women never have to fill up their own cars with petrol, nor do they know how to! Well that got me thinking actually,as I AM one of those women! I do know how to fill up my car, but I don’t like doing it; the same as I don’t like putting the rubbish out, decorating, mowing the lawn, and other chores that long ago were associated more with the ‘man of the house’.I don’t like anything that is going to break my nails off (even though I must have them reasonably short for work), I don’t want to go grubbing about in the dirt (well not if it means digging the garden anyway, or weeding the flowers).I certainly don’t want to have to climb ladders to do ANY job (that is twofold; one I don’t like heights, two, it is safer for me, and everyone else) if I stay on the ground!
The thing with me is, I am also not that great at things normally associated with the ‘lady of the house’ either. My Mum, sisters and nieces are all really wonderful cooks, and not only can make something out of nothing, but most of them never measure out an ingredient or follow a recipe,unlike me.(I can cook a mean roast dinner though). I am lucky that Mr Grump does all the cooking at home unless I have some mad urge to do it!
I do get involved with housework though, I will clean, dust plump cushions up, iron clothes, and do the washing. However I only vacuum if I have to, I hate it and it puts me in a bad mood, so good old Mr Grump gets that chore!
I do not get on very well with crafts either,but I am a glutton for punishment and I do constantly try to make things, sometimes I even make a reasonable job of it, (See Episode 21). I do attempt a bit of dressmaking (I use that term very loosely in my case) but apart from one dress that I can actually wear, have been mostly unsuccessful. I will not give in with it though, just keep trying easier patterns. I can knit though, but all the best stuff I have ever made I have done for others so I actually don’t have anything good myself that I have made!
I am absolutely rubbish with hair, make-up and other things associated with ‘beauty’. I can put a bit of slap on when the occasion merits it, but it is a tried and tested method I have used for years, and it serves me well . My hair is long; that is it, pony tail, plait (not a French plait or a fishtail plait mind) or up in a clip..maybe bunches if I am feeling quirky, Oh and for going out, it gets straightened….job done!
I know that when I was on my own, I did have to mow the lawn (how I raged whilst doing it, getting all hot and bothered), I did put the stinky rubbish out, and I even put petrol in my car. Just as I also cooked every meal for me and Miss Hap (luckily she turned out all right), and pushed the vacuum around (bashing into everything as I went). So although I do envy other people’s creativity, talent and practicality, I am just going to have to accept that I missed out when they were handed out, and I must have other ‘hidden’ talents instead. Meanwhile, dear old Mr Grump cracks on with keeping the house in order!
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