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19 July 2008
Subject: Anniversary!!!!
Time: 00:03:13 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
Yes, today, the 19th July, is the fourth anniversary of my journal. It seems incredible that so much time has passed. What is even more incredible is that I have been able to keep it going so long.
Admittedly, I do not post as often these days. That is to be expected. I posted so much in the first couple of years and as time passes memories get used up and you find yourself with less to say.
To think I started the journal as a little something different, never expecting it to last more than a couple of months, if that. I just happened to see “blogs” listed on the main page and after having read an example, thought I would give it a go myself.
I never dreamed that four years down the line I would still be writing, nor did I dream of the friends I would make or the lovely people that I would come to know.
So much has happened over these last years. Our first Grandson was less than three weeks old when my journal was born.
The first photo I ever posted.
You shared his babyhood with me and also the birth of our second Grandson. Now Nathan starts school in September and Daniel will be three next month. You have watched them grow.
You learned of my Grandmother, her house and her friends, how my parents met, my feelings on my late brother, my schooldays, some of my working life, ghost stories and historical tales and some of my adventures in tracing my family tree. You have read some of my poetry, shared our photographs and so much more.
On a larger scale we are experiencing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and have shared together the loss of our troops, the tragedy of the London bombings. We have seen the departure of Tony Blair and now rocketing food and fuel prices. Earthquakes, fires, the dreadful Tsunami, the flooding in New Orleans. So much has happened in the world that it is impossible to name everything.
You shared with us the loss of our beloved Pip and our joy in the arrival of Jack and then Leo.
More recently you walked with me through my diagnosis and treatment and shared our joy that I have been given my first year all-clear. Also Daniel’s treatment and operation.
During the last four years I have seen many good journals disappear. Some without apparent reason and with no word of goodbye. Some regular readers have come and gone also. We have lost dear friends whose journals still remain as a testament to their friendship and their bravery.
We have shared together joys and sadness, worries and hope, faith and despair, we have lifted each other, supported each other, cared for each other.
So, I wish my own journal a happy fourth birthday. I shall continue to write, when I have something to write about or an idea springs to mind. I hope to still be part of our wonderful J-Land community in another four years time.
Finally, I could not have done it without you, my dear friends and readers. No matter how much effort you put into a journal it means little unless you get comments, unless you get people who like to read what you have to say, unless you get regular followers. I have been so lucky in having quite a few people who have stuck with me since the very beginning and many more have joined in along the way.
So my heartfelt thanks and love to you all. You have made “Jeannette’s Jottings” something I can be proud of. God bless you all now and always.
Many thanks to Sugar and Donna for the beautiful graphics both in this entry and on my sidebar.
Written by jeanno43
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11 July 2008
Subject: Photos etc.
Time: 12:58:54 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
Well, to be honest, more like summer monsoon here. A couple of days ago we had a month's rain fall in one day, it just never stopped for over twenty four hours. Yesterday was showery and today is very windy. The forecast is supposed to be a little better for the weekend before..............more rain next week. So far I have not been able to enjoy the garden much at all. Some of the plants have been flattened and the ground is like a marsh.
The family have headed off on a ten day holiday to the British seaside and we can only hope that the above graphic will not apply to Nathan and Daniel. They will all make the best of it I know, whatever the weather and there are some exciting things to do where they are going. We will miss not having them here next week but they will have so much to chatter about when they return.
Nathan had his last day at pre-school yesterday. He starts full-time school in Septemer. He has already paid a couple of visits there, knows the name of his teacher etc. so we do hope he settles in quickly. Going to be a bit of a shock to him realizing he is going to be there all day every day and not just mornings. I just cannot believe he is starting school already.
I did promise to post some pictures of Nathan's birthday which was on the 29th June and I have at last managed to sort out a few. He had a lovely time. I lost count of how many times we had to sing Happy Birthday.
His parents got him a child's digital camera and he just loves it, wants to take it everywhere with him and no doubt he will be snapping away on holiday. It does all sorts of fun things which make him laugh.
He loves to cook both in real life and pretend. We have a toy cooker for him here and lots of plastic vegetables and fruit, burgers and ham etc. etc. not to mention plates and cups and eating utensils. He spends hours playing with that each time he visits. It must run in the blood as his Daddy was a Chef many years ago. So, what else could we buy him except a Chef's outfit:-
We did give him some other gifts but he could not wait to get into this.
Of course, Daniel had to get in on the act and try it on but the trousers were far too big so he just had the top and the hat. Never mind, he will get his own one day.
Daddy made Nathan a lovely cake:-
Daniel could not get the cake inside fast enough!
I mentioned that Nathan was given a camera by his parents. Of course it does not take the quality pictures you would expect of a normal digital but as I stated it can do little tricks.
You remember the Elvis song - Devil In Disguise?
You'r the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise.
So now you know and you thought I was such a quiet person didn't you? I shall be giving you all a prod with my pitchfork later on so look out lol.
Lastly, a photo of Mike and myself
I really do not have much else to write about at the moment. I have had a bad back for a few days after pulling it just bending over to get something out of a drawer, so I am not spending as much time on the computer.
I am hoping to be able to sit in the garden for a while over the next couple of days. Fingers crossed.
Wishing you all , dear friends and readers, a very happy weekend 
Written by jeanno43
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04 July 2008
Subject: Happy 4th
Time: 13:58:16 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
Wishing all my American friends and their familes a very Happy 4th July.
I know many of you will be spending it with loved ones, some will have "cook-outs", some may go out to dinner. You will all celebrate in your own way. I wish you all happiness and long may the bonds between our two countries continue to grow stronger and stronger.
On a more sombre note, I was very sad to hear of the passing of Clive Hornby who played Jack Sugden in "Emmerdale" for 28 years. I had watched this programme when it was first called "Emmerdale Farm" and the stories then very much revolved around Jack, his younger brother Joe and their Mother and Grandfather.
Over the years the soap evolved and there have been very many explosive story lines. In February, the last time Clive appeared as Jack, he had recently split from his on-screen wife, Diane.
It was announced at the beginning of the year that he would be taking a break from the soap because of health problems but he expected to be back as soon as he could.
Sadly, he died last night at the age of 63.
I know he will be greatly missed by the whole cast and crew. He brought pleasure to so many viewers over the years. Mike and I have been just two of them. May he rest in peace.
Written by jeanno43
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03 July 2008
Subject: Two Things
Time: 11:03:04 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
Firstly, I want to thank all those of you who added a hug to my doll (previous entry). It was so lovely to see all the names and read all the messages.
However, I do want to make it clear that I did not put my link on in order to induce people to go there. I was using my link purely as an example of what these dolls look like and what can be done with them. You make the doll yourself and there are many different phrases which you can add.
I wanted to feature the site because I think it is a brilliant idea, that you can create something special for a loved one, friend or neighbour whilst also donating to charity through the sponsor of the site.
Anyway, I was touched by all those of you who went to my doll and left a message. I do hope that those of you who know someone who has had bc or has been diagnosed will use the site to make them something special.
Secondly, I would like to point out an important change. Many of you will know that Chuck passed away - he wrote in J-Land for four years and was very popular. Because of this I contacted our dear friend Sugar and asked if his name could be added to the J-Land Remembers graphic that she created for me just last week. Sugar had to change the colour slightly and then added Chuck's name.
So I deleted the old graphic from my sidebar and put on the new one which now bears Chuck's name.
Please feel free to snag this new, updated tribute from my sidebar or, if you prefer, I can send it to you. Do not forget to save it to your computer as a gif file so that the animation is not lost.
I have also added a posting on J-Land Angels (link on my sidebar under favourite sites).
Thank you.
P.S. If any of you have not been getting alerts for my postings please let me know. I have already taken the matter up with journals editor and the team have checked and said alerts are working on my journal yet I am still getting people telling me they did not receive an alert. If you are not getting them please let me know and I can forward this information on.
Written by jeanno43
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02 July 2008
Subject: Celebration Chain
Time: 11:51:45 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
Mood: Wanted
Have you heard of the Celebration Chain? No? Neither had I until yesterday when I received an e-mail informing me that Michael had made a "celebration" of me!
I went to the link and was so touched and very happy to see that my lovely Mike had created something special for me, my own celebration doll. I sent the link to a couple of friends so that they could see and to my surprise, I found later last night that Sandra of Sandra's Scribbles had added a hug to it and then, this morning, that Jean had done the same thing. My friends, that means a lot to me. There is nothing like a hug and the good wishes of your friends.
This is such a wonderful idea that I decided to give it publicity.
Some of you will have been touched by bc yourselves and many of you will have a relative or friend who has. I thought maybe you would like to create a "doll" for them. You see, for every doll created money is donated to charity and the person concerned gets something very personal by way of their own celebration.
So far over 8,700 women have had dolls created for them.
So you can see exactly what I am talking about, here is the link to my doll:-
Celebration Chain
If you would like to create a doll for someone that you know and care about then go to this next link, scan right down to the bottom of the page and there it is - the celebration chain. Just follow the instructions which are very easy. Here is the link:-
BC site
It is such a great idea that I felt prompted to write about it for all those of you who, like me, did not know that this existed. Remember, you will also be donating to charity.
Love, 
Written by jeanno43
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30 June 2008
Subject: Thank You From Nathan
Time: 16:52:22 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
We saw the boys again today. Nathan was full of what happened at pre-school this morning. They had a cake and all the other children and staff sang Happy Birthday to him so he told me he has two birthdays now!
His mother read him all the messages that you left yesterday and Nathan has asked me to thank you for them, so that is exactly what I am doing. Big hugs from him to you.
We did take quite a few pictures yesterday and I shall be showing some on my journal when I have had a chance to sort them all out.
In the meantime, a couple of entries ago I did mention that I had some new photographs of the boys to show you, they are really great and we have them framed and hanging on our wall.
Firstly, both of them together
Now Daniel on his own
Lastly, Nathan
I think we have two very handsome Grandsons, but I know we are biased.
It was too hot to sit in the garden today but we enjoyed all being together and just talking and laughing. I just cannot believe where today has gone, it has just flown past and I have got nothing done. Never mind, it will still be there tomorrow. Family is more important.
P.S. Rosemary of Inspiration needs help from anyone who has ever received or given a Nice Matters award. Many of you have. She has requested that the link be passed on. I am happy to do so. You can find out more by visiting her journal. Thank you.
AOL Journals: Magic Smoke#Entry3328#Entry3328
Written by jeanno43
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29 June 2008
Subject: Happy Birthday To A Handsome Young Man
Time: 00:34:44 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
A very Happy Birthday to our wonderful eldest Grandson Nathan who is four years old today. - Sunday 29th June.
Nathan, you were was just under three weeks old when I started my journal and it is amazing how quickly time has gone. You have grown into a very loving and handsome little boy and my online friends have watched your progress through my entries.
You have brought so much joy into our lives, so much fun, so much happiness and your smile lights up any room.
We love you very very much. We are so proud of you. Wishing you a truly Happy Fourth Birthday with lots of presents and lots of fun. We know you will be looking at this message and you will be excited to see yourself on here.
God bless you now and always
Your loving Nanjay and Grandy xxxx
Our thanks to Donna for the moving train graphic and to Sugar for the Teddy Bear and blue car.
Written by jeanno43
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28 June 2008
Subject: Sorting Out Confusion
Time: 10:26:24 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
It seems there was some confusion yesterday when I put at the bottom of my last entry (since amended) that if you wanted to use the graphic on your own journal then please ask Sugar or myself.
The graphic I was referring to was the tribute one to our departed friends and not the signature graphic.
So if you would like the J-Land Remembers graphic for your own journal - the one on my sidebar that lists names, then please let me know and I will send it to you.
If you prefer to just *snag* then please add a little note saying that you have done which is the polite thing to do.
It would be nice to know that this will be showing on a lot of journals.
Hope this clarifies things.
Written by jeanno43
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27 June 2008
Subject: For Sugar
Time: 16:05:33 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
This is for you, Sugar my friend
My special thanks go to Sugar. I asked if she would kindly make a new graphic for me. I know Sugar suffers with her health and has been under the weather recently so I told her I perfectly understood if she felt unable to take it on.
I told her the colours I would like, the wording I required and also the little extras.
A very short time later Sugar wrote to me sending me the graphic she had made. Just perfect. Exactly as I had imagined it.
It is now sitting proudly on my sidebar.
As I said in a previous entry, I realise I am lucky and hope that luck will continue. Very brave and inspiring friends of ours were not so lucky and I will never forget them. Several of them uplifted me, helped me, gave me courage and I know they inspired many others.
They were all so very special in their own way and each one contributed to our great community, some a little and some a very great deal. Many showed such humour, such determination, nothing seemed to get them down. I know that so many of us still miss them.
I know we have the J-Land Angels site and memorial quilts have been made in their honour but I wanted something a little different.
I could have asked for the wording "Jeannette Remembers" but they belonged to all of us, they were friends to so many, it was far more appropriate to use J-Land.
So, once again, Sugar - thank you so very much. I am very grateful. I know they would be as well and that those named will be smiling on you today.
If anyone would like this tribute graphic to add to their journal I will gladly send it to you or please snag and let me know you have. Thank you.
Written by jeanno43
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25 June 2008
Subject: Emotions
Time: 20:51:58 o'clock BST
Author: jeanno43
Mood: Pensive
Firstly, I would like to thank you so much for all the wonderful comments that you left under my last entry. Each and every one touched me and it is wonderful to know that so many care.
Secondly, yes I did get flowers from Mike
I also received some from Becky and family
Here they are en masse. The lilies have opened now and are filling the room with perfume.
So, why have I titled this entry - Emotions? Because mine are shot to pieces at the moment.
Some of you might think that is a very strange thing to say. When something wonderful happens to you as it did to me last Friday, you would expect to be on a high, you would expect to be dancing for joy. I was - for one day and then I disappeared into a black hole from which I have yet to emerge.
There may be some of you who can identify with this and that is the reason I decided to write about it.
As human beings we have great adaptability, we have great strength at times when it is called for. You will all have heard stories of people being able to lift a car off somebody single-handed in an emergency, of people rushing into burning buildings with no thought for themselves. There are many examples of what the human body and mind can do when the circumstances call for it.
However, at the end of the day we are not machines. For all things there is a reaction. The mind is a strange thing and can cope with so much. Take someone who has ever nursed and cared for elderly or sick loved ones. The long hours, the same grind day after day, the endless worry. I know I went through that with my Father. I was exhausted, the family were exhausted but we carried on because we had to. We never thought of the pressure, maybe because we did not dare think of it. We just did what we had to do.
Anyone living under any type of stress for a long while has to. It might be financial worries, an abusive relationship or, as mentioned, a sick loved one. We cope, we manage, we get through each day at a time.
That is how it was with my Dad. Then, one day he was gone. No more daily washing of soiled sheets, no more preparing meals, no more wondering if he wandered off somewhere or set fire to the house. Then we had his loss to mourn and the arrangements to make. It was only after all that was done that I shattered. I did not have a break-down. I just felt physically and mentally empty, worn down, worn out. It took me some time to recover.
I am experiencing that again right now. After living for fifteen months under intense strain, after seeing J-Land friends lose their battles, after losing two very close non-journal friends very suddenly and all whilst battling on myself. Not being able to make long term plans for the future because I did not know if I had one. Living constantly with fear, tension, worry. It was always there at the back of my mind no matter what I was doing.
At first I could not understand it myself. Why could I have not kept that feeling of elation? I have done a lot of thinking and realise now that is it because of all of the above. As I said, we are not machines. My cancer counsellor once told me - and I remembered her words today, that often people face their diagnosis and treatment with great bravery and courage, many even managing to retain a great sense of humour and being good examples to others. She told me that often, only when the pressure is lifted, that is when they fall apart. She said she has had people come back to her as much as two years later in pieces when the reaction has suddenly hit them.
Well, it has hit me much sooner. That does not make it any easier to bear and certainly does not detract from the good news of last Friday. However, my family are finding it hard to understand why I have shed more tears in the last few days than I have in months.
My emotions are a mixture of relief, guilt, exhaustion, emptiness. As if I am not capable of anything right now. I suppose I am lucky it has hit me now rather than much later down the line.
I hope these feelings do not last too long, I am trying to deal with them as best I can. I take each day as it comes and hope that each day sees an improvement. If not, then I will contact the counsellor again and talk things through with her.
I hope you have been able to understand what I have tried to say. Some things are very hard to put into words but I have done my best.
I have a feeling that some of you who will read this can identify and have been through similar things yourself.
Anyway, thanks again for all the wonderful words of congratulation, they mean the world to me.
We have a little man's Birthday coming up soon and I am going to try and concentrate on that.
Love 
Written by jeanno43
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