What is Gransnet to you?

??? Oh you are awful Wobbly!

I found GN when I was searching for porn sites, saw Gransnet and thought, granny porn, WOW.

Only joking -- honest, not sure how I stumbled on GN.

Just to add to my previous post on here. I recently started a thread on a legal issue that was bothering me and got informative, wise and supportive replies. I feel so much better about the situation now. The only place I have been able to get help. Thank you to those who posted.

GN has been a life-saver to me. I could not have got through the last year without the kindness of Gnetters and their supportive messages. I thought, five years ago, I was just joining a forum but it is much more than that

Mostly, it's a place to chat with the many friends I have made through gransnet over the years.

It's a place to post on controversial subjects and to get a range of views from other people. It's a place where, because of that, I get to put my own views to the test or to establish what my own views are by listening to others.

It's the place that got me active on Twitter when we wanted to extend the search for Greatnan after she disappeared in France. That and facebook got local people in the Haute Savoie region out looking for her.

It's a good place.

I've no idea what my phone wanted to say!!

What everyone else has said!

I've been here since early on, having heard about gn on Breakfast. I have had loads of support for my issues with my mum and the Idiot, hope I have been able to help support people with their problems and I've laughed a lot.
We

I found gransnet via a link that popped up when I googled information for issues I had regarding my mother's care. It was also the time of the Queen's diamond jubilee so I found myself contributing to a fun and games thread as well as a more serious thread on care for the elderly.

That's what's good about gransnet....You never know what's going to crop up on the 'active' list. There's something for everyone.

Welcome, Mistyville, and I hope you stay with us! I registered when my pregnant DDIL said she supposed I'd be signing up. I'd never even heard of GN, but did so out of curiosity and have never for one minute regretted it. There are some lovely people on here as well as some awkward so-and-sos, who are actually the ones who keep us on our toes and make things interesting! I always regret any quick foray into the political and religious threads, but sometimes can't resist, against my better judgement. The Kitchen's not my sort of thing, but suits a lot of people. Some of the fun threads are just great, like the recent GN Olympics one. And there's all sorts of support and friendship to be found here. I wouldn't be without it

Deedaa, ditto

And Gransnet wouldn't be the same without phoenix 's posts

So many different reasons and experiences, all positive so I will definitely stick around. Looking forward to the virtual parties

I like the variety of subjects discussed (I don`t join in all of them, avoid the ones that arouse contention), and also love the way Gransnetters rally round with support at times of need.

GN has meant more to me than I can actually put on here!

I have had help with re-writing my CV, untold support with my job hunting after redundancy, advice on cooking the swede that wouldn't die been positively "nagged" to go to the docs, given other sorts of help when it was so badly needed, (still in awe of those that gave it) loads of laughs, insight into others lives, stimulating conversation/debate, and more!

I think I initially joined out of curiosity, having heard about this new grandparents' forum, perhaps on Woman's Hour (?). The early days were a 'getting to know you' experience and many of us are still around. I've made a number of good friends including one dear friend whom we sadly lost several years ago. We celebrate each others' big events - so many new grandchildren - except for me - my youngest pre-dates Gransnet. I used to relish political discussion but it has become repetitive and, having stated my case, I don't stay to debate it. Same goes for religion - or non-religion in my case. I have given and received advice, most recently on a health issue. We've had a number of 'virtual' parties, but none quite rivalled the very first Halloween one after which at least one member ended up spending the night in a 'virtual' cell. Still have the broomstick. So to sum up, I've had fun and friendship as well as advice from Gransnet and long may it continue.

I saw Gransnet mentioned in DH's computer magazine and thought it looked interesting (Boy! Has he regretted it since!) I like having a group of people to chat to. Something crops up on the news and my first thought is "I wonder what Gransnet will say?" And it can be very useful for problem solving because there's usually someone who's got the answer.

I joined GN at my dd's sugestion after the birth of dgd1
I had only just acquired a tablet and getting to grips with the tinternet
My husband had died some years before and I was rather isolated and lonely.
It has given me loads of new friends

I joined Gransnet after a series of terrifying and life changing events, which have left me with generalised anxiety.

My fears are worst in the morning so I Log On to Gransnet to see who is up and about. It makes me feel connected to the outside world and not so alone.

I've had wonderful advice and given advice when I think I'm qualified. I find it calming, caring and stablising as well as a lot of fun. I enjoy reading the political debates but don't join in.

I have recently joined as a dil who was desperate to resolve mil issues (they aren't) but it was so great to get advice from the mil perspective. It helps a lot reading posts and seeing what part I have played in my rubbish relationship- I have confidence were making headway so I can only thank you all for that

I come onto Gransnet for so many reasons. For distraction, GN is the most effective and interesting reason for procrastination I know of.

The variety of people on GN; most of us mix in everyday life with people much like us. On GN you meet people from completely different different backgrounds and lifestyles and I value this contact with other lives and reading their opinions.

I do enjoy the political ding-dongs that arise now and again, but do find they go on, and on, and on, and on, and on................ so usually drop out after a few pages as the same things are said for the third time.

Conversations almost always stay courteous and impersonal, no matter how much we disagree. Yes, there are occasional spats, but compared with the abuse etc I read on other forums just does not appear on Gransnet. Gransnetters also write clearly and correctly and spell well, I know we all have moments, my proof readingis atrocious.

And at times the sheer silliness of some threads keeps me in a bubble of giggles.

I also the meet-ups and have made new friends that way.

Gransnet gives me someone to talk to, much as I love my OH we spend too long together and he is not very good at listening. I like the links to various topics that are posted which I might not have read otherwise though I don't often join in the resulting discussion. I also enjoy the and that soop provides

Welcome Mistyville. I hope you will get to enjoy all the threads as much as I do. I'm not very good at keeping in touch and making friends etc. However In the three years I've been looking at gransnet each day, I feel that all the familiar names have become friends.
They have helped me from the early days of coping with my daughters death on the Bereavement thread to making me smile every day at some of the funny things that happen to us all.
Hope you enjoy Gransnet.

Welcome Misty. I have enjoyed meetups with GNs who live locally and 4 of us have been meeting monthly for 2 years now for a coffee or two. We are each totally different, would possibly not meet up normally but we get on like a house in fire.

I also like the vast range of expertise around and where I can I have used my professional experience to help out.

On the whole people are friendly and hospitable- I also stay away from certain threads unless like the one today riled me so much that I put my pennyworth in if only to stick up for another GN who I have never met and only know her from her comments on line.

Enjoy!

Hi Mistyville! I love going onto gransnet -especially the fun threads such as choosing a sport for the gransnet olympics or planning the C***** pantomime. I NEVER get involved in anything shouty, I'm too much of a coward. I really love it when I have posted something and next time I check someone says I 100% agree with DanniRae. That's a real boost for me!!

So welcome and I hope you get to love it as much as I do.

I just love the company. The longer I have been on, the more I can relate to certain regular posters. Enjoy many of the threads. Love the way I can cherrypick the conversations to get involved in. Yes, there is occasionally some contentiousness but I tend to lurk around these and rarely express my opinion, except for the one that GN has just deleted. It was becoming rather unpleasant, unnecessarily so IMO.

I have learnt a lot from wise souls, enjoyed the banter, received some TLC when in crisis and I hope given some to those who needed it. Some people complain that they don't always get their posts acknowledged but that doesn't bother me. It just means I get extra pleasure when they are.

Welcome Misty. I hope you enjoy being a GN member.