General Chat

Sorry, Ann and I seem to have hijacked this thread with our photography chat! Ann, I am a nanny and up until a year ago, I looked after 3 boys aged from 6 to 12. I taught them all photography from an early age, and some of our nicest times were going out with my cameras. I would give them one each, and we would see what each of us would find to photograph. They were very good, and the two eldest soon learnt the basics of SLR photography. When I left, I gave my biggest boy my old Minolta SLR as he was always so careful with it. Actually, this takes me back to the original reason for this thread! I am proud to say I raised 3 gorgeous young men! During my career, I have taught 5 children to swim, four children to read and write, and potty trained five! And I still have a wonderful relationship with the boys, with my current family, and with my first charge--who goes to university next month! When I first started nannying I read a motto--'In one hundred year's time it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, what kind of car I drove, or how much I had in my bank account, but the world may be better because I was important in the life of a child'. I have carried that with me throughout my career, and hope I've lived up to it!

Sal, had a good day today, was out and about in Gloucester with the 3 grandsons, 12,14 and 16 all with their fairly new digital cameras. Showing them what they could take - buildings etc. Mind you they are better at editing them on the computer than I am, the oldest is very good with Photo Shop, so i look forward to th results. Ann Glos

Hi Ann, I have a very good Canon SLR, but have hardly touched it since I got my gorgeously fabulous digital fuji S602!! Digital has transformed my photography--I love it! Great zoom, fab quality! It was fantastic in New York--I took about 40 shots of the Statue of Liberty, then quickly edited them down to my favourite 15 or so, so I still had plenty of space on my card and hadn't wasted money getting below standard prints developed! I still prefer my Canon for portraits and macro though!

Sal. Is this digital photography or film? On holiday in the lake district we used up some 35mm film we had in the cupboard, i had forgotten how expensive it is to have developed. No wonder photography took off with digital. sounds like a good selection of photos. Ann glos

Hi Ann, Thanks for the interest in my exhibition! It's nowhere posh, just a nice little cafe in St Albans. They feature work of local artists and asked me to exhibit. My photos are a mix of landscapes, flowers, abstracts, nudes and child portraits. The exhibition has my fave shots of New York, my best flower photos, a shot of St Albans Abbey, and a shot of a wheatfield. I am going to change a few things around in the next week or so, and going to add some shots from my homeland of Tyneside. Thank you for asking. I think we are all a pretty special bunch of people, and have achieved a lot just by the support we all give each other here! Sal.x

I put my cousin in touch with her father's biological family. After she spent ten years searching. Her link with Longmans drew my attention and in a matter of months I found her uncle and she is very happy. "My biggest Fan" apparently.

Isn't it good to think of the positive things in our lives rather than the negatives? I am most impressed. Lorr, that Navy diver wouldn't be here now if it was not for you. You should meet up with her - she probably feel the need to ay thank you for her life, so please meet her if the opportunity arises again. Sally I am very interested in your photography exhibition - want to tell us about it? That is one of my other hobbies. I forgot in my initial message, I too left school with only 2 O levels. After i was married and had the kids i achieved another 3 O levels, (Sociology, Accounts and Law) 2 A levels (Law and English) and an economics GCSE. As part of my job in the MOD I also passed a Service training course which was equivalent to a teaching qualification. The idea for this question comes from courses done as part of my job. Often a first introductory question would be the one I asked on this thread.

I gave up smoking after 20 years. Debbi xxxx

hi ann i left school with no qualifications as i was pregnant, but at 30 i passed city & guilds in pub management and went on to be a head office interviewer and trainer. at 36 yrs i went to college and trained as a hairdresser and won a competition, and completed a 2 yr course in a year. Now i'm medically retired and i'm a good listener. lol sandra

Thanks for the pat Helen

Gerry Listening is a very underestimated skill - people with problems always appreciate it. Give yourself a pat on the back! Helen

Gerry Listening is a very underestimated skill - people with problems always appreciate it. Helen

Not a lot to shout about but I am well known for being a very good listener and totally cofidential. I am, therefore, proud to have helped a number of people just by "being there" for them and listening.

I. like many other women, brought my two girls up alone from the ages of 3 and 6. They are now 21 and 24. and are honest, kind and considerate. Do my own DIY (no major mistakes yet!!) Protested about the destruction of Twyford Down (M3). Got a degree in 1999.:0))) Made redundant last Friday!!!! :0(((( I regard it as a new start, after a couple of weeks holiday, I'll be raring to go!! (G'is a job!!)

What a brill idea for a thread! Lovely to hear everyone's achievements! As for me, this year started so crappy, and now I feel I'm on the up! I have finally got control over my illness, instead of it controlling me. I have achieved loads in my job. For the first time, I have had my photography exhibited. I have just signed up with Open University to fulfill a longheld dream to study American Studies, leading to a degree. I have lost weight--at last! My sister and I have worked together to support my dad through a really tough time, and we are all still smiling! Gosh, I suddenly feel dead pleased with myself! Thanks Ann!x PS. also flew in a Tiger Moth--loved it!!!!

I've been a scout leader/commissioner for over 10 years and have volunteered for several years with our day camp. It's fun to see the boys mature over the years -- one of our staff members this June remembered me when he was little (he's now over 6'). Also, my older son just earned his Eagle rank (not my achievement, but we helped). Also, I tutor at our grade school. Even though we've lived here for decades I still have my Canadian accent and a couple of years ago I was helping a boy to read, something like "Have you been here long?" Americans say "bin" rather than "bean", so after I read the sentence to him I chuckled when he repeated "Have you BEAN here long?" I'm not only teaching children to read, I'm teaching them to read with a Canadian accent. :~)

Oh dear ... have not done anything normal ie had children ... and cannot think of anything unusual I've achieved! How depressing! Joy

David, I should say that was an achievement. great, I am sure you are thrilled to be out of pain, long may it continue. Ann Glos

Hi Ann Not sure it's an achievement, But starting april 1999 i have had both knees,( total replacements ) and both hips replaced, now for the first time for about ten years i am able to walk unaided with little or no pain, only take mild pain killers once in a while, i have a great surgeon Mr Pryor from Edith Cavell Hospital Peterborough, I have always been very positive which make a lot of Difference David

Lynne, what a pity your achievement earnt you a job you dislike - you will have to train at something else now to get your job changed.LOL Sue that was a great achievement, giving up smoking, hopefully your health will be better for it. Donna, I am sure that you will be able to return to swimming, even if it is gently at first, then working up to more. Not 3 miles straight off. i wish you all the best with it and with your future health. Ann Glos