Well as this day draws to a close, my thoughts are on tomorrow – ANZAC Day!

As many of you are aware, my Dad has been very ill, and during this time I have spent many quiet moments in thought.   One thing that I have thought about is ANZAC Day and what it meant to me as a little girl, in a very small village in NSW, Australia.

My Grandma had seven boys, and hanging in her lounge room were large framed certificates from the Council for each of the boys that served -the three oldest boys.  Grandma’s favourite song was Danny Boy and she couldn’t hear it without crying, right up till she passed away. Before all the conflicts were finished, Grandma had 5 of her 7 boys in the forces and thankfully, they all returned safely to her.

ANZAC Day brought a sense of anticipation – it was the one day in the year that I saw my Dad get ‘dressed up’ in a suit and tie – we knew that it was a ‘special’ day!  I can remember Dad showing me the way to polish my black shoes while he was preparing his for the march – you don’t have to brush them hard, just keep brushing and keep brushing until they are sooo shiny!  This is also when I learnt to tie a tie!!

We would get dressed in our school uniform and walk across to the Community Hall with Dad and I would watch with pride as my Dad took his place among the other men, all similarly attired, and watched as they came to attention.  We would all have to line up and the march would start – Left, left, left,right, left…….down through the avenue of trees that had been planted, one for each of the sons who didn’t return from The Great War.

I was saddened recently to hear that the trees had been removed – after all we all know what pests camphor laurel trees are!!! – Wouldn’t you think Council could have made an exception for this little row??

The marchers turned and continued up ‘the main street’ to the Memorial Gates at the local oval/football field/cricket ground where we heard someone important tell us something about the day, we would join in prayer and sing the ANZAC Day songs – They  always stirred in me a sense of pride in my country and in the many brave soldiers who fought to keep us safe and free.

How many of you still know the words to The Recessional? Still moves me to tears….

Then the formalities were over and the bugle would sound The Last Post

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

LWe will remember them.

Then it would be off to the oval for an afternoon of sports with all of the men acting as stewards and they would give us all an iceblock – what a day!!  A day of remembrance, respect, thanks and celebration!

Now, even though the sound of those shoes on the  bitumen is fading, as the men and women, age and pass  the lessons they have taught us remain.  As we prepare for another ANZAC Day, let us pray for the safety of all of our troops serving in many areas of conflict and for their safe return to their loved ones…..

Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling……

Well I’m just going to say it – Fibromyalgia is a bitch!!   Add to it chronic pain from MVA injury and its a super bitch!!
A couple of years ago now, I was involved in a “Living with Quality program” run by Rehab staff. I met an amazing bunch of people who had found the quality of their life ‘changed’ by stroke, MS, accident. Together we faced the onslaught of able bodied people telling us what we needed to do to improve the quality of our lives.  After hearing everyone’s story,  I shared this with them:

I have just had a wonderful weekend!  I have shared a celebration of our youngest grandchildren’s birthday – our twins are 2!!  I cant believe the time has gone so fast and they are simply gorgeous!!!
Let me tell you about the twins and what their birth meant for me, their Nanny …..
Their birth provided us with a unique opportunity as grandparents – we moved in with our daughter, husband and 2 little girls 1 and 3 and spent the next 8 months with them most every day – and loved it!!
I hear people say how incredible we were to ‘give up’ our life for that time to help them out, how amazing it was that they could stand having us around for sooo long etc etc  They have no idea!  Not once was there any sign of anger or disharmony between us and Yes- I am very proud of that fact!
I have wondered what it is about our relationship that is ‘special’ and I believe it comes down to three vital things LOVE, TRUST and RESPECT.
We moved in to their family – we respected their family unit, their family routine and their family discipline and we loved them unconditionally.
They in turn, accepted us into their family, not just as grandparents – they trusted us to take on more of  a ‘parenting’ role as complications at birth meant our daughter needed time to regain her health and time to be with the babies – feeding, changing etc but at no time did we usurp her place in her home and at no time did she resent our involvement!
I got to: cuddle my grandchildren every day and have lots of Nanny nurses; witness first hand 3yr old starting ‘Kindy’;  be involved in the toilet training of 1yr old, celebrate her second birthday, enjoy walks in the park, play in the playground, swim at Coolum, read bedtime stories and share in their love.
Now, does that sound too good to be true??  Oh did I mention all of the lovely muffins cooked by miss 2 in her kitchen – fresh every day??
Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I have been so truly blessed!
This weekend they chose to come and share with us so that we could be a part of the 2nd birthday celebrations and like I tell my grandchildren “they make my heart sing” – watching the twins look around at us singing Happy Birthday, watching them blow out the candles ,watching them eat their birthday cake, watching their big sisters helping them and their mum and Dad beaming with joy – and watching them all  interact with my Mum and Dad .  I thought to myself: ” and so it goes on – Love, Trust and Respect!”
Worth thinking about……….

Until next time
Nanny xx

I have been asking myself this all morning – Why would I think I have anything interesting to say? Why would anyone else want to read my ‘Nanny’ thoughts?
Honestly now, have you ever made a decision and then wondered why?  I’m sure we all have at some time or other but then I ask why am I doing this now?
Well the answer is probably easy to work out – I have recently joined an incredible group of women in The Sewing Library – mind you, not many of them are grandmothers!!  but they have welcomed me and made me feel ‘incredible’ too!!
The Sewing Library is like a big umbrella with each spoke leading us out to another area of learning and wonder!!
I have always loved the way that women can give so much to each other – sure you will get the odd bitch – we have all met them  but, generally I have found women to be very generous in spirit, and this is demonstrated each and every day in TSL.  Just like an umbrella protects us from the rain or sun,  TSL gives us a ‘protected’ place to share our crafting efforts : problems, solutions, and creations safe in the knowledge that like-minded women are sharing the brolly space.
Many of these women are busy young Mums who just happen to be running successful businesses from home, and they have inspired me to try my own venture: Nannycraft4u.
These ventures are life changing and challenging to me – I have been out of the workforce for about 18 years (medically retired following a MVA but that is another story…) and hence I have lost contact with technology, suffered a loss of confidence and a battering of my self worth.  ‘Meeting’ the girls at TSL has given me a real boost and with their encouragement and support, I am becoming a hip,trendy,techno head Nanny!!   :/  well would you believe, I ‘m in a state of metamorphosis?? – will I emerge as a beautiful butterfly or fly at the light as a big old moth??
Time will tell!!!  But one thing will always remain constant – I am a Nanny to 6 beautiful grandchildren – anything else is a bonus!!

Until next time
Nanny x

Well we are up,up and away!  Welcome!  Nannynotes2u will be a place for me (Nanny) to continue on my journey of learning ( this blogging stuff might take me a while to get my head around :/ ) and sharing while making a note of things about my life and loves!
I will be making notes about things that I enjoy like: 
Crafts – quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, papercraft, painting; 
Foods – gluten free, low GI;
Family and maybe even a little
Poetry.


I had best go and try to learn how to make this page look ‘better – I am sure I will make lots of mistakes but I will enjoy the ‘challenge’  🙂


Until next time
Nanny x