The Time Travelers Wife

Have you seen it?  I  watched "The Time Travellers Wife" again today, Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams, are both, brilliant.  I've watched this film before but I forgot how wonderful it is.  The performances are so subtle and real, it makes a seemingly preposterous subject, 100% believable.

Watching the film again, got me thinking.  If I could time travel anywhere, within my life span, just like Eric's character, where would I go to?

Can I cheat?  I'm going to bend the rules, as they are my rules after all.  I won't interfere, I'll just drop in and observe, I promise.

The first thing I would do?  I would strike up a conversation with my Nanna and Grandad.  I arrived long after they departed and so there is no way I'd be able to introduce myself, plus, it's against my rules, but I could be just anyone right?  And start up a conversation? 

You know those photo booth photographs?  They come in fours?  I have one set, actually, I have 3/4 of a set, of me.  I'm guessing that I'm about six years old.  I can't help but like this kid.  She looks awkward and shy and like she is about to be interrogated, then like someone is urging her to smile, then she just, smiles.  I so wish that I could take that kid under my wing and protect her from some of the things that are going to happen.

I think I'd visit myself every now and then, a bit like a Fairy Godmother, to impart crucial pep talks at strategic moments, aged 10, body starts to develop, unknown age, teeth start having a plan of their own, teenage years... hot head, aged 20, too old to call that "puppy fat".

I'd like to listen in to my Mum hearing the news that she was expecting me (and not in the grips of the menopause,) and then sharing that news with the family, the news, did not go down well.

I would try to get back to 25th October 2003.  I would get up early and I would not go out that morning.

This is why I love the magic of film and story telling, it ignites the imagination, keeps those brain cells sparking and gives you a great big illuminated sign spelling out; "what if?"

N&G4EVA

Every now and then, I catch a glimpse of my Nanna and Grandad, they're looking at my while they sit on the steps of a hotel on the Isle of Jersey.  The black and white photograph perches on a wicker basket to the right of my fireplace.  Did I tell you that I never met them?  They were long gone before I even arrived, you probably know that. 

I have no real idea of either of them, I only have what I have conjured in my head, never bothering to check facts or to see if I'm hot or cold.  Remember that game?

OK, so Grandad.  He was wonderful.  He was a handsome teenager and he only grew more handsome with age.  I'm not biased, trust me, he was a handsome man, with a fabulous head of hair.  He was a war hero, he went to France in WWI, got blown up, spent a year in hospital then returned home to his family.  My Mum was the favourite, she was 'Babs', the baby.  She was a Daddy's girl and my mum had excellent taste, so my Grandad must have been wonderful. 

Nanna was a force to be reckoned with, from what I can gather.  Mum and Nanna didn't always see eye to eye.  I secretly think that it's because they were very alike.  They may have butted heads but I adore my Mum, and if they're so alike, how can I not adore my Nanna? 

My Nanna was an entrepreneur in the early 1900's, she owned her own fruit and veg shop.  Isn't that amazing?  Long before women's rights, long before equality, there was my Nanna, can't tell you how proud I am. 

So I am totally enamoured with the two of them and I love them even though I've never met them.  I do know that I'll eventually meet them though.  They may not think much of me so far but trust me, I make a better impression in person, they'll love me... eventually.

I need to show you a pic of when they were younger too, they are amazing x

11/11

Today is Sunday, my friend Carol texted last night to ask if I'd be at Starbucks this morning and so we arranged to meet.  Carol is a tall, pretty, whirlwind who manages to speed up time.  Any time you're with her, it just whisks by.  We chatted at breakneck speed to cram everything in, in the little time we had.  It was lovely to catch up. 

After a brief shopping expedition, (French Connection... no purchases.) I observed the two minutes silence for armistice day in my car, listening to sounds from the Cenotaph at 11am from BBC Radio2 and largely thinking of my Grandad who was severely wounded in WWI.

My Grandad was in the Home Guard in WWII, due to age and disability.  Have you ever seen "Dad's Army?"  It was a show from the 1970's, it's a classic which sadly isn't shown much any more.  The comedy is based on the Home Guard of the Second World War, one of the character's was "Jones," played by Clive Dunn. Clive Dunn played old codgers for the best part of this life, he played old even when he was far from old, but this week, at the age of 92, he passed away in Portugal.  I have very fond memories of this actor and all of the kids TV programmes he was in, I think it's quite fitting for him to leave us this week.  A former serviceman himself, he will be remembered.

In the wake of Doctor-gate and the Manuka Honey debacle, I'm wondering what else can I do to help myself, I have a week and a half before I head down to Southampton for a catch up with friends.  I'm thinking I'm going to factor in oily fish and leafy greens, as that's all that's missing from my usual, pretty healthy diet.  My doctor really can't say that I'm not trying.

Having said that, I'm considering, (and I have been for the past 24 months,) going for physio.  I've been for my "angels wings," (that's shoulder blades that stick out to you and me,) but my back and neck are no fun.  It may be the arthritis but if there is anything I can do to aid sleep and lessen pain, then I'm all for it.  I'm very close to booking an appointment.

I've totally lost the plot and so, back to Remembrance Sunday, and after my little bit of shopping, I head to darling nephew CJ's for coffee after my invite arrives via text .  All is not well, Cooke, the cat, seems to have been in a fight with something and is lethargic and craving CJ's bed, so much so that CJ, being the soft touch that he is, when Cooke was sprawled in the middle of CJ's bed last night... darling nephew slept on the sofa, some woman, somewhere, will be extremely lucky to end up with him, I mean CJ, although Cooke is also an asset. 

CJ is obviously worried about Cooke and the pair will pay a visit to the vets tomorrow and I wait with baited breath for an update.

Egg and chips for lunch/tea and then B arrives, very late afternoon as she's been dropping stuff off for the church fair next weekend... she's away all next week.

Bee brings me my annual, single persons Christmas hamper.  Normally, although it's given with love, it's usually pretty depressing, microwave turkey dinner for one etc, I'm exaggerating but everything in that basket is a reminder that I'm on my own, single portion of this and single portion of that.  But no, not this year, due to lack of time, B has several holidays booked, back to back, and the fact that B usually chooses things I would never eat and I usually end up giving them back before they reach their expiry date in January, this year's hamper is a small bottle of Baileys, haven't drunk that in years but sure I can help it down with lots of ice, a bottle of wine and £20 to go shopping with for Christmas food.  Best hamper ever and I'm sure I'll buy lots of consumables with that, so far on my list are cheese, crackers, paxo, cranberry, turkey, bread, crisps, wine.  I know... the high life huh?

Family Photo

It's Wednesday 22nd.  I got up and jogged for 20 minutes, felt great.  B and I head off for Blackpool around 10.30am, roads are clear, it's not sunny, but at least it is dry, so far. 

We arrive in a wet and windy Blackpool, but it looks amazing.  For the last 2 or 3 years, parts of the front have been fenced off while they renovate and rejuvenate, they have done an amazing job and it looks really good.  My favourite part, is the "comedy carpet."  850 comedians and writers are represented in the form of sketches, jokes and one liners. These roads may not be paved with gold, but they are paved with laughter.   http://www.visitblackpool.com/attractions/comedy-carpet-blackpool-p651130  B and I did not read all of it as it was raining, but I dare you to not to stand, point and laugh out loud at the content.  An absolute joy.

B and I wandered around looking for somewhere to eat, eventually settled on Frankie and Benny's, I'm sorry to say that our beloved Harry Ramsden's did not seem inviting at all after queueing in front of the window for 10 minutes.  Seems to really have gone down hill, such a shame.

With the aid of sexy Sean, the Irish Sat Nav King, we arrive at my cousin's L&F.  I haven't seen them since Christmas and feel oh so guilty, but still, it's lovely to see them and just be in their company.  I always feel so relaxed with them and in their home, it's not every house that is a welcoming home. 

We have a lovely catch up and my second cousin PQ and his lovely, already part of the family partner Kate, arrive and we all catch up together.  It was lovely. 

My cousin L is much more into researching the family history than I am.  She showed me a photograph from the archives, (I have no idea how I have escaped this photograph so far.) I have never clapped eyes on it before now.  It's a photo of my Nanna and Grandad, with Auntie Phoebe, (Auntie Phe, she only died about 10 years ago and so I remember her vividly,) Auntie Marie, my namesake and Lyn's Mum who died a few months before I was born, and Auntie Ella, (Eleanor who I do have fuzzy and warm memories of.)  The photograph looks so... Victorian.  Nanna and Grandad look so young, they, if our calculations are correct, are about 26 years old.  L and I laughed our socks off, all of the children, with perhaps the exception of Lyn's Mum, Auntie Marie, (pronounced Marry, okay, there is a tale, she is Christened Mary Alice but around the age of 14, JB Roberts, master butcher and boss of my Grandad declared that my auntie looked French and that Mary Alice did not suit, from that day forth, she would be known as Marie, ((Marry.))   Anyway, Lyn and I agree that the kids look like they are a sandwich short of a picnic, still, they are family and I love them, regardless.

Day's later, I am still in awe of that photograph.  It is so hard to comprehend that I am only 2 generations away from that photograph.  My Mum, Dorothy, is a mere twinkling of an eye, -12 years we think.  It's still a huge leap.

Anyway, back to the visit and we have a lovely time.  I haven't seen them since Christmas, which I do feel bad about.  L and B have a whale of a time reminiscing about being teenagers together, they are around 18 months apart and they grew up together. 

We're late leaving and I can hardly keep my eyes open on the drive home.   Cannot stop thinking about that photograph!