My grandmother of 96 years passed away yesterday lunchtime after being in a coma.
As an advertisement for a tee total, vegetarian life style, she was second to none.
I remember about 6 years ago after her husband died she took on all the household bills and financial side of things for the first time in her life.
She thought the bank were under paying interest to her by 0.5%, convinced my father to drive her down to the bank to see the manager.
He checked, and she was right.

So, I'd rather not have the usual 'Condolences' and other platitudes, though if you feel the need it's appreciated.

I'd much rather you all told me something that made you smile today, no matter how small. Life is for celebrating. Get on with it.

My gran was in a similar situation about 6 years ago, but totally failed to get on top of the financial situation, my uncle ended up taking power of attorney over her affairs. She died back at the beginning of the year.

So a big well done to your gran, if posthumously.

Roll on 2010, its got to be better than 2009!

My mum and I went for a walk today to town. We went to check out the new Lidl.

Smiley thing: They've got most of my favourite German foods (esp. sausages) in stock.

Well done to your Gran Alex.
My Nan is around 80, having lost my Grampy around four years ago now. She's showing some signs of "losing it" (she'll tell the same story a few times and ask the same questions every week (only to be told the same answer)), but she is still largely independent, she has always done all the financial stuff, so it wasn't a sudden shock to her.

What made me smile today? As I looked around the flat I saw I was surrounded by my things, and mingled in was things owned by the purple one. It made me think that on the one had, I might be feeling hopelessly depressed about my course, but on the other hand, I'm the happiest person in the world, living with the person I love.

something nice that happened today...
I took a nice cup of tea and a hot water bottle to my wife this morning and got a big hug and kiss

My youngest son (4 years old) got his first pair of specs today. While its a shame that he needs to wear them - he is short-sighted - it gave me a real buzz to see the wonder on his face, now that he can see detail at a distance.

My son and myself (he doesn't have a mother) read Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, well a few chapters anyway, we are about half way through, best thing was its a proper paperback book but it was free with some breakfast cereal.

Here's one for you Alex:

I took the kids shopping today as the wife was feeling under the weather and we ended up at the cafe. This old woman came and sat down with us and said "This is not my table". The boys told her it was just behind ours but she was not for moving. A young chap from an adjacent table then brought her bag and shopping to her whilst she sipped her tea.

A rather bizarre situation but what surprised me was the interaction between this old lady and my boys - it was if she was part of the family.

Made me smile.

Al

Made me smile today:

Since the nephew's three and a messy wee bugger, we've got him into the habit of handing him a baby wipe and having him clean his hands with it, just as good practice in general. Thing is, we've never been able to get him to stop throwing things, and a chocolate-covered baby wipe landed on the newspaper I was reading as he ran by...

I got on the bus today, I was very tired and missing home a bit, so not looking my happiest.

A lovely looking girl gets on, and is forced to stand near where I'm sitting as there is no spare seats. (I would usually offer up my seat, but the bus' are so busy it would've been to much hassle to move around)

She clocks me and gives me a little smile, I return the same. Then she smiles again, so do I, then again. Then the bus empties heavily and she gets a seat, she turns 'round and gives me a "I know you're looking, you know I'm looking" cheeky smile, I do my best to return one, but probably look a bit odd.

My stop comes, I exit the bus. We smile.

I'll probably never see her again, and she'll be remembered as the smiley hot bus girl, but moments like this are always good to just smile about.


(Turns out I just had sauce on my face, I wiped it off when I got home to the mirror)

my youngest, aged 13, joined the Guides several weeks ago and on Friday received her first merit badge and troop scarf after taking her oath
also being the newest member of the troop she will be carrying the flag at the remembrance parade today which the whole family will attend …

We've got really nice neighbours. You couldn't wish for better.

^^ This made me smile today.

I have asked my 100year old Gran to keep an eye out for her and make her welcome where ever they all are.

I found out that my daughter is receiving the star of the week award at school tomorrow.