Welcome to Gransnet

Hi. I'm 64 and retired a couple of months ago after having too long off sick with depression. I'm so happy not to have to get up in the mornings, but so far I'm struggling to make ends meet as my occupational pension hasn't been sorted out yet. I'm finding things to do, and like many "retired" people before me, I don't know how I fitted work in! I live on my own as my husband's in a care home, so that's a struggle too. Never mind, eh. Mustn't grumble.

Welcome carolyn12.
Hope it's not too long before they sort out your pension. Sorry to hear you've been ill with depression and do hope you are on the mend now. It's a horrible thing to suffer from. Is your husbands care home nearby?

Thank you, mapleleaf. My husband's care home's about an hour away. He's got a form of dementia and moved to a new home a week ago. He's not settled in yet and is quite confused as to where he is. We're in the middle of a divorce as well, and have been for about a year. I think it would have been easier not to bother, and it doesn't always feel like the right thing to do, but I'd been thinking about it for years and it's now or never.

Hello everyone. I found gransnet casually while looking at Tricia Cusden's press writeups (Look Fabulous Forever). I was very intrigued by some of the "threads" (this is a new word to me as I have been living out of UK for the past 45 years and am a bit out of touch). I was also flummoxed by all the acronyms until I found the explanations. I was enjoying one post about expressions our parents used but somehow lost it and can't find. I am also interested in reading people of my age's opinions about current British political problems. My husband and I want to move back to England (Worthing area) in 3 years time, hopefully to a retirement flat. I have a daughter married in the UK. She would like us closer to her. However, until Brexit is sorted, moving back could be very difficult. Have been teaching English as a foreign Language for the past 40 years so will have to find some new activity in England. Thinking of becoming a makeup artist for people of my generation (in their seventies +) . Could this be a good idea?

Hello everyone. I found gransnet casually while looking at Tricia Cusden's press writeups (Look Fabulous Forever). I was very intrigued by some of the "threads" (this is a new word to me as I have been living out of UK for the past 45 years and am a bit out of touch). I was also flummoxed by all the acronyms until I found the explanations. I was enjoying one post about expressions our parents used but somehow lost it and can't find. I am also interested in reading people of my age's opinions about current British political problems. My husband and I want to move back to England (Worthing area) in 3 years time, hopefully to a retirement flat. I have a daughter married in the UK. She would like us closer to her. However, until Brexit is sorted, moving back could be very difficult. Have been teaching English as a foreign Language for the past 40 years so will have to find some new activity in England. Thinking of becoming a makeup artist for people of my generation (in their seventies +) . Could this be a good idea?

Welcome Carolyn . Sorry to hear about your depression and circumstances. I think you will find Gransnet interesting and supportive.

Welcome also to giulia , sorry you had no response until now, despite knocking twice (that is something I often manage to do)! I wish you luck for your move back to the UK when it happens. You are braver than I, wanting to join the political discussions! They can become 'lively' to say the least.

Thank you Shysal. I shall just absorb the political discussions and meditate!

Hi to all you ladies... And gentlemen.
I'm a youngish!!!gran to 6 and mum to 6....I work full time and try to offer help with grandchildren etc when I can.. One of my daughters parents alone, one does not have her children with her and one daughter recently had her first baby and is happily planning a wedding and house purchase in 2018...My husband is self employed and does more babysitting than I ;)

Hi there,

I am youngish (53) nanny to two beautiful girls of almost 2 and 6. I have recently taken early retirement and look after my granddaughters one day a week and help out with babysitting when I can.

I heard Gransnet mentioned in the radio and the forums look really interesting, I am an avid reader so looking forward to reading the book thread.

Welcome, MaryJ68 and Bedders24. Hope you will enjoy being a part of GN. ?

Welcome Maryj68. I hope you will enjoy all that GN ha to offer.
Hello also to Bedders 24. If you go to the competition page you could enter to receive a free copy of the next Book of the Month. I haven't requested one for a while, but in the past I was usually successful. All they ask is that you make a comment on the relevant thread when you have read it.

Bedders on closer inspection the Book Club is now under 'Books', since the re-organization of the site, which makes more sense.!

Thanks Shysal, I will look at this.

Hi I joined last week while browsing the net for things to do when I retire early next year (early in age too) hope I might find some ideas here and some girls in the same situation. Retirement looks scary and bleak from here, so here's hoping that reading Gransnet might take some of the fear out of it.

Hi nearlyreturedgirl. Welcome aboard. Have a look at the retirement thread - you'll find lots if interesting bits there.

Sorry, fat finger syndrome. Should have said nearlyretiredgirl not nearlyreturedgirl. Sorry!

Hello nearlyretiredgirl, welcome. I hope you will love retirement as much as I do. If you become addicted to GN, you won't have time to do all that you have planned! As many others say, I don't know how I used to find time to work!

Hello everyone.
I have just joined after enjoying reading the forums for some time. I was initially wary of joining because of a thread I saw a while ago where a few people said they couldn't understand why people who weren't Grans would bother. I do though find a lot of the threads interesting and informative. I am happily married and have a large extended lovely family although I do not have children myself.
I am 61 and retired last year after 43 years full time work. I was absolutely ready to retire so was surprised to find myself a bit depressed and lonely at first and felt strangely guilty at having so much time on my hands. Now though I love it and really enjoy the freedom and the absence of work related stress. I have more time for family and often look after my niece's little girl if she needs help.
I still miss my colleagues though and need to give myself a kick up the bum and get out more and meet new people. I don't find this easy. Having said that I wouldn't now go back to paid work for anything although the money would be handy until the state pension kicks in in 5 years! I know I am lucky though to be able to retire at 61 and live by the philosophy "If I don't spend it I don't have to earn it."

Welcome*Cheesy*. It really doesn't matter that you aren't a Gran. Neither am I, but it's not a problem, as there are topics which are relevant for anyone. Just enjoy the site, and post about anything that is of interest to you - you will get a response from someone, I'm sure. ?

Thank you Mapleleaf.

Hi I'm sitting at home hubby went to work 5,30 this morning to do a delivery to Enfield just got a call saying he ain't passed Birmingham which means he still hours away I'm in Chester do you think he lying I don't trust him

Hi my husband left at 5,30 to go to Enfield to do a delivery he has just rang and said he ain't passed Birmingham do you think he lying I have never trusted him

Welcome to Gransnet, MargR3t. Traffic on a Friday can be a nightmare, but only you know whether to trust him. Does this happen often?

Yes every time he goes out he says he'll be back as quickly as possible but deep down I feel it's always excuses then I convince myself well maybe he is quite a violent man turns on me quick when I cry out for his comfort he gives only why don't I believe him

Hi everyone. Delighted to take part in this discussion. Am a widow of 65, with one daughter, married, and two grandchildren. They live a fair distance away from me so spend a lot of time on my own. Have a few friends I meet up with but am seeking more ways to use my time productively. Think being on here will prove a challenge! Looking forward to getting to know people and sharing ideas!