The Birth of the Giggly Grannies

The other day, my Giggly Granny friend, Julie Jordan and I were reminiscing and trying to work out when we met each other. We were introduced by a mutual friend and fellow church goer, Helen WIlks and am I glad she made that introduction. I have shared so many giggles with Julie since and been very proud to be her friend. She is a total inspiration to me and although her health is not the best, she continually puts others first and sticks by her motto of “Leave them laughing”

 

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She certainly leaves me laughing often so much so that sometimes I nearly have to stop the car.

One of those early memories of giggling with Julie was at Ryde Methodist Church when Julie and I attended one of the international evenings put on by Ruth Realey and her team of helpers (all church members) . They always provide a magnificent spread and suitable entertainment. This time it was a night at the Oscars and Julie and I went complete with feather bowers and tiaras. We won the quiz (you would expect nothing else with Julie, the quiz queen as a member of our team) My lovely friend, Paula Pomeroy was over from Kent and was enchanted to meet Julie.

How honoured I am...

How honoured I am…

Julie made an brilliant Oscar winning speech. She really stepped up to the part and from then on we have giggled all the way!

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We have dressed up and probably dressed down., We have supported each other through some tough times but most of all we have giggled. We now have a facebook page and a twitter feed (@gigglygrannies)  and we have many giggly granny you tube clips. (found on the Lyn Blackledge Channel) Unfortunately the camera froze as Julie was making her acceptance speech but she has made up for it since.

This is part one of our story – there is much more to tell but this is just the beginning so watch this space…………..part two is coming tomorrow.

 

Wightbuzz does Cowes Week

Wightbuzz does Cowes week

Wightbuzz does Cowes week

When the opportunity presented itself, for me to represent my Wightbuzz members at Cowes Week, it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. So here is my report on Wightbuzz does Cowes week.

I saw this as such a fantastic opportunity and offered it to my members for just £10 each. It was a no brainier really. Which members could refuse the option of such a fantastic baron – the chance for their businesses to be represented to a massive crowd for such a small fee. There was, not surprisingly, a high take up and all members had to do was to get their literature or goodie bag items to me in time for the set up. The goodie bags has been supplied by Beta pak and I was lucky enough to have wifi sponsored by Wightfibre. This meant I was able to promote the sponsors and members all week on social media live from the sea front! Members dropped in to see me and pictures were taken. It was a long and tiring but fun week. It was made so much easier when Chris Cardy of Staddlestones garage offered me the Nissan Leaf, ( an electric car ) for the week. Having no vehicle at the moment, this proved to be a godsend. Not only did  I drive it, but as the networking guru, I also heavily promoted it and have raised a lot of interest in the Nissan leaf, a perfect car for driving in the Isle of Wight.

The week was very successful. We have many potential new Wightbuzz members as well as many members of the public who would like to receive a Wightbuzz customer newsletter. It was tiring but fun land Soo worthwhile. I’m grateful for all support but especially to pin cola Broadsmith , Charlotte Smith and Debbie Frost for helping me man the stand and to Sean of A1 garage doors who helped me break down the stand at the end of a very tiring but productive week.

Coffee and Shop at Ryde Methodist Church March 2nd

On Saturday 2nd March, I will be running another Coffee and Shop event at Ryde Methdist Church. We have many talented local crafts people and some of these  have booked a stall at this event. We also have people running local businesses so this is a great chance to pop in and support the shop local campaign.

 

See you there.

Ryde Methodist Church, Garfield Road, 10 am – 12 noon

Half Term activities -Visitor Attractions on the Isle of Wight

It’s half term and the grandchildren have been to stay. There are many Visitor Attractions on the Isle of Wight and we decided to visit Carisbrooke Castle , part of English heritage where we enjoyed seeing the donkeys. We followed the donkey trail and were awarded a prize. We learned how the donkeys worked the water wheel and found out how deep the well was.

 

 

 

The following day, as we had bought English Heritage membership tickets, my daughter and I decided to take my grandchildren to Osborne House, the country home of Queen Victoria and another Visitor Attraction on the Isle of Wight.

The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day and the we enjoyed a walk in the grounds. We will go back and visit the house another day for no extra harge – one of the benefits of being English Heritage members .

 

The Isle of Wight really is a great place to take your holiday and there are so many `Visitor attractions that there is no shortage of things to do here. The grandchildren’s time was all too short here but they will return and there will be plenty more for them to do.

 

4 home based businesses – who said it couldn’t be done?

Once upon a time – a business was for life – not so anymore!. Having worked hard in my 30 year teaching career – during which I ran my own nursery for 21 years – I turned to becoming a book lady – selling children’s books via stalls at local events and book parties. When the book company moved the goal posts after I had built my business for 7 years, I decided to leave and then at the age of 58 I had to look for new ways of earning an income. I found other home based businesses and set up several. I decided to spread my eggs into several baskets. There was criticism but at the end of the day – it’s my life and I have to do what’s right for me. What is right for me is not necessarily right for others.

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Putting your best foot forward.

I would love to put my best foot forward! Now let me see! What do you think this means? Well I decided to look up the meaning and found the following meaning:-

Embark on a journey or task with purpose and gusto.I took this from The Phrase Finder and it suggest it would mean there would be at least 3 or more. I only have two feet – would that I had more!!

You see I have had an epic NHS fail – see for yourself!

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Coffee and cake

Coffee and cake

I love coffee and cake. Anyone following me on facebook will see that most of my business is done over coffee and cake. Why should that be a problem? Well to me it isn’t. However, there is someone who has a problem with it. That someone , I think, believes I should go suited and booted, clipboard in hand to meet my prospective clients. The truth is, my clients love doing business over coffee and cake. If I were to follow this gentleman’s advice, I wouldn’t be finding my target audience. Read more

A Picture of a Poem – a Poetry and Photography exhibition with a difference.

Last night, I was delighted to be invited to attend The Picture of a Poem, an exhibition out on at Dimbola lodge, which is part of my Wightbuzz network. What a treat we had in store. We met two very talented young men who presented their poetry and photography.

I would like to introduce you to Sam Scadgell & Harrison Wavell

 

It was an absolute delight to be part of this preview evening.

Do you have an achilles heel?

I hate paperwork – It is my achilles heel or should I say it was!! That is until I discovered Liz McIntyre.

 

I am so glad that I followed my own top tip for networking. If I hadn’t given Liz McIntyre that business card that day many months ago, she would not now be taking on my paperwork! She would not now be helping me move my network group, Wightbuzz to a new level. Paperwork – sorted!!