Introduction Thread

[Kaz]

This was mooted as a good idea, as we have quite a few newish posters, and come from various 'backgrounds' online

I'm Karen, I'm 55 years old. I live in Gloucester with my third husband Mick (Gripsky who hosts VV) and one of my three children Becky (18). The two boys (Chris and Harry) don't live here, the eldest is 35 and has his own flat, job and life over in Surrey and the youngest (14) lives with his dad (also in Surrey) and goes to a special school there....He has minor learning difficulties but these days is doing very well and is going to do GCSE and BTech subjects starting next year, including Duke of Edinburgh

I have a diploma in hypnotherapy and work when I can get clients, not much doing lately in the recession but I live in hope Mick works in IT security for BT but works from home. Becks is doing a degree in Integrated Wildlife Conservation at uni in Bristol, which is a really interesting course, attached to Bristol Zoo, and she hopes to work with big mammals - preferably lions or wolves - in the future.....

We have two small dogs with big voices LOL - Pepper is almost 6, a Miniature Schnauzer - we have had her from a puppy, and Fraggle is the new addition - a Shi Tzu X Cairn Terrier that we 'rescued' last October.......

\I did post for a while, quite a while ago, on Femail but not really on Café as it was mainly on the Relationship boards

[Kaz]

I won't 'sticky' this thread yet, but will do so once most have posted on it, so that it will be a permanent fixture for any future new posters

[Paddypix]

Hi everyone. I've been a member here for quite a while but haven't been posting much. That will change now as I'm going to meet some of you at the VV Brum meet in June.

I'm Liz, aged 68, and I live in Northern Ireland with my husband George. We have two sons, Andrew 46 and Peter 44. Andrew lives just round the corner with his second wife Fiona and two step-daughters Alana and Rebekah. Peter lives in Washington, Tyne and Wear with his wife Sandra and son Patrick aged 12. Patrick is my only natural grandchild, but Peter also has three step-daughters so I'm well supplied with step-granddaughters, although the three in England are all in their mid 20s and don't live at home.

In my working life I was a secretary in the local university but I retired early and have spent my time since doing nothing much. At first we had frequent holidays but that palls after a few years (and lump sums don't last forever ) so now we just go twice a year. The rest of the time I spend some time at the gym, trying and failing to lose a bit of weight.

Recently we added two kittens to our family and they have more or less stolen our hearts. They are British Shorthair litter mates, a girl called Bluebell and her brother Henry.

[Lozzles]

Well I'm Louise and in my very, very, very early 50's
Married to the lovely Mr Loz and we have 2 growed up sons
We spent 9 years in Switzerland when the boys were young and came back to the UK in '98
I was on DM for a number of years and was a mod for a little while, but when it all went downhill I came here to lovely VV
Lost 50% of my hearing last year, so please speak up
Hobbies include dancing the Argentine Tango with Mr Loz and when not dancing I'm sewing quilts and haunting fabric shops

[meriad]

I'm Ria, 46 years old and happily single - I live in a village called Send which is between Guildford and Woking and share my flat and life with 6 cats. I work as a PA / secretary / coffee girl / you-name-it-I-do-it for a small finance company in London.

I was born in Germany, grew up in South Africa but moved to the UK in 1997 and have been here ever since.

I used to be on the DM board, and then moved here to VV with everyone else when VV started up

I really enjoy pottering in my garden (and do actually have a basic certificate in Horticulture); absolutely adore my cats and am very (OK well make that VERY VERY ) partial to a nice glass of wine

[Kaz]

Ria I never knew that about your cert in horticulture

I knew this thread would be interesting

[debih]

I'm Debbie, 46 and live on the edge of the Peak District, in the Derbyshire Dales.

Am married to Mick (will be 20 years next March) and have two girls - S aged 13 and L aged 11 (I never put their names on here in the same thread as one has an unusual name and as they are both adopted I am paranoid that someone could google their names and find me on here!!!). We also have Millie the mad lurcher who is 6 this year (the miracle dog after an awful accident a couple of years ago).

I work part time for a housing association. I am also chair of governors at our local primary school but as mine are now no longer at the school (and after 18 months of hassle) I am standing down in June (hurrah). I have also stood down from organising our allotment show so I should have plenty of time for me stuff. I am also a panel member for our local authority adoption panel - generally a once a month thing. (I'm not giving that one up as I love doing it too much).

I enjoy being on the allotment, horse riding and cooking (baking and jam making mainly) and of course flavoured vodka making!!!! (I have a new one people - Parma Violet vodka ). We also keep pigs now and again for meat.

[meriad]

Ria I never knew that about your cert in horticulture

trust me; there is a reason it's called the BASIC certificate I sadly failed the advanced certificate

[jenniren]

I'm Sally, 68 and married to Ed a very young 6I........I do like a toy boy We live in Wiltshire and have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. We're both retired now YEAH and I guess most people would say our hobby is packing in as many holibobs as possible......well while funds allow that is.

Like a lot of people here I started on the DM way back when it was Charlotte Street, remember going to my first meet in Birmingham feeling a tad anxious and worried I'd find a lot of axe murderer's such was the novelty of internet forums for me then. I've since met lots of really lovely people, some who are now very special friends

[Gal]

Well now I have a bit of spare time after a busy afternoon at work and whilst partaking of a slice of home made lemon meringue pie with a cuppa......

I'm Lynne and I am 53. I live in a small village near Durham City with my fiance Tom who is 56, and my 25 year old daughter Jennifer from my first (and so far, only ) marriage. I work p/t as an optical assistant in my village, been there 20 years this year! I need a gold clock.....or something Tom has two daughters, Donna and Amy - Donna is 28 and a nurse and mum to our gorgeous 5 year old g/son Lewis, she is expecting again and we know she's having a little girl this time Amy is 22 and lives in Tom's old house, she's going through a bad time atm emotionally/mentally, so it's a big strain but hopefully she will emerge better and stronger for it.

We have a cat, Smudge (mine and Jen's baby ) and two black greyhounds, Tip and Tegan - one of each sex - they are so gentle and well behaved

I was never on the DM site which is why I don't know many of you that were, but our Kaz and I go back a loooong way