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Are any Grans like me?

(62 Posts)
Nannyd0g Mon 15-Jun-26 08:01:05

Hello, I'm new to Gransnet (didn't even know it existed until I came upon it by accident!). I had a 19 year old Facebook account where I kept up with friends and family, shared pics, was part of many communities etc. Then found myself an innocent victim of Meta's AI ban and suddenly lost my account which left me feeling little like I'd been bereaved! Nothing else is really like it and stumbled upon this site while trawling the net.
Anyway I'm 68 and have always been on the active side, and probably wouldn't describe myself as a 'normal' Nan (whatever that is 🤣). I love animals and have had many in my life - I used to have dogs, horses, pigs, sheep and still have a couple of dogs and small flock of sheep (most of them are aged - I'm the only mad person around here who keeps livestock as pets). I've always done the DIY at home, maintained the fields, cut hedges and still do even though it's getting a lot harder now I have arthritic hands and hips are a bit creaky.
I learned to ride a motorbike at 53, can drive a tractor, digger, lorry, shear my own sheep. I go camping with my dog and made a wooden bed for my car. I do have a hubby but he likes to stay at home while I go off adventuring!
Oh and I have six grandkids. My twin grandsons say that when they tell their schoolfriend what I do, no-one believes them lol. That's me in a nutshell

MayBee70 Tue 16-Jun-26 14:12:13

I lost my Facebook account after forgetting my password one night when I was tired and, having put the wrong one in several times was banned. Have tried several times to be reinstated without success. I felt bereaved at the time, especially as it means I’ve lost messenger, too, which was my main way of contacting friends and family. But my daughter suggested Instagram which I love and find it much gentler and more informative than Facebook. I always dreamed of having a small holding with lots of animals and being self sufficient ( I read lots of books about it at one time) which was totally unrealistic as everything I try to grow in my garden dies ( I even killed an ivy that was growing in the house recently). I’d love to hear about your menagerie.

Labradora Tue 16-Jun-26 14:13:34

Welcome Nannyd'Og.
Yours sounds like a fascinating life and I'm particularly impressed by your learning to ride a motorbike at 53 as I am 73 and still don't have a driving licence despite many lessons and one unsuccessful bash at the test.
There's a good mixture of people and views on Gnsnet ( some occasionally robustly expressed 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣).
Enjoy💐

crazyH Tue 16-Jun-26 14:21:13

Welcome NannyOdog - what an active lady - good for you !

Celieanne86 Tue 16-Jun-26 14:25:23

I think of Gransnet as my comfort blanket as it has seen me through thick and thin. It makes me laugh, yes sometimes I cry, I was told off once by another Gransnetter and it upset me for a while, I got over it ! It has made me realise I am not the only person in the world who has suffered. I have had hugs and love given to me freely and I thank all the other Gransnetters for being there. I could not imagine my life without it now.

Rocketstop2 Tue 16-Jun-26 14:29:18

Hello NannydOg ,Welcome to gransnet.
I'm younger than you but I felt tired just reading about all that you do.Long may it continue.
Hope you enjoy being a member !

LauraNorderr Tue 16-Jun-26 14:41:19

Welcome to you Nannyd0g, you sound as though you’ll be a fun contributor, I look forward to meeting you on lots of other threads.

DamaskRose Tue 16-Jun-26 15:18:53

Welcome to GN Nannyd0g, I hope you find a home here after the Facebook experience. Most of us are fine but I wouldn’t say there many “normal” Grans!! 🤣🤣🤣

Juicylucy Tue 16-Jun-26 16:10:24

Welcome to gransnet. I’m 70 and also very active and huge animal lover, dogs are my weakness though.
Never did Facebook but I’m very active on instagram and Tik Tok. I make sure I keep my finger on the pulse of how technology progresses. I love going out dancing and by that I mean disco dancing I’m still the one on the floor at 1am. I do various volunteering jobs all active based. I go away for weekends on my own and live every day to the max. Luckily my health is good other than few aches and pains. I was told by my Dr don’t let the old lady in…. Meaning keep your mind set young otherwise the old lady creeps in and it turns to doom and gloom. It’s a nice bunch on here but we all one thing in common grandkids. 🌸

Indiebee Tue 16-Jun-26 16:14:07

Actually JuicyLucy we don’t all have grandkids…

tabbie Tue 16-Jun-26 16:41:37

I wish that I could introduce myself with such energy @Nannydog.
I am like my name, a lazy old cat.

Jess20 Tue 16-Jun-26 17:12:32

Welcome, and wow! 😊

Lemonred Tue 16-Jun-26 17:21:18

Welcome! Mostly lovely folks here on GN, many opinions, but very little nastiness, unlike some other platforms.
Love the name, another fan of ‘PTerry’ I see.
My family think I’m bonkers, I prefer eccentric old hippy, but there you go!
I do a lot of the typical 70+ activities NT, garden centres, eating out etc. But I am a massive computer gamer, I can be an Assassin one minute, and fighting The Hoard in Warcraft the next, often a shock to the 15 year olds I might be playing against. I’m a hobby water-colour artist. And although a retired nurse, my granddaughters tell everyone I’m a Doctor. 🤣

Redhead56 Tue 16-Jun-26 17:29:46

NannydOg you do sound busy and young at heart enjoy gransnet.

valdali Tue 16-Jun-26 18:56:19

I too love animals, although my tractor-driving days were long ago in my youth & I've only ever rode pillion on a bike.

My favorite animals are cattle, I think, but at present I have a dog - & horse ride when I can afford it- but I relate to the hedge-trimming & DIY & leaving DH at home while I go off for a (not -so-far-from home) explore.I'm younger than you by a whole year & have one 6 month grandchild.

Gransnet is fun, I like the anonymity as I don't like being judged & I took a few hits when I first started going on forums 40 years ago...

MT62 Tue 16-Jun-26 19:08:00

Hello & welcome NannydOg. You sound like you have lived a full, varied life. We might learn a thing or two 😊

MollyNew Tue 16-Jun-26 19:15:23

Welcome to GN, NannydOg. I hope you have time in your busy life for us! The views on here are many and varied so you should find something to interest you.

NannaFirework Tue 16-Jun-26 20:51:30

Welcome 🤗

lizzypopbottle Tue 16-Jun-26 22:13:46

Hello Nannyd0g I'm 74. I only have four grandchildren but I am a 5th dan (5th level black belt) in Shotokan karate and will try for 6th dan next year. I teach and train five times a week.

Nanacool Wed 17-Jun-26 06:29:37

I am much the same as you, just a bit older am in my 81st year, but without so many animals, just two horses I share with my daughter and granddaughter. My hips prevent me from riding, but I do all the yard/field work, as they work full time. This week I have patched the poly tunnel ready for straw with tarpaulines, cleared the field shelter ready for the winter hay delivery, trimmed all the long grass and and am painting the stables and fencing. This year I have built 4 new cross country jumps, I enjoy the challenge of carpentry. My DD and GD event so walk round the xc courses at the weekends, keeps me fit. I also contribute on the money side as horses have always been a big part of my life, and having rubbish eyes have never been able to drive which has limited my life choices. Keep going, the doctor double checked my age last week!

posset Wed 17-Jun-26 11:51:01

I don't think I can quite match you NannydOg, but have had a fairly active life, had hoses, dogs, cats, hens, and for a short while, bullocks! I'm 77 and still wrestle with a huge garden and veggie patch, go walking and cycling all over the country in our campervan. I've also done scuba diving, a lot of dingy sailing and racing, and huge amounts of house renovating (too mean to pay a builder). I feel I'm slowing down now, and chronic backache gets in the way which is really frustrating, but, hey ho, gotta keep going!

Shel1951 Wed 17-Jun-26 12:33:03

Welcome, hope you will be happy heresmile
Im a mum to 6, nan to 6 and a great nan to one with another on the way, we live in rural Ireland about 15 minutes from the Atlantic with our 5 cats and 2 dogs I am originally from Camden town London,2 very different contrasts but loved London and love Ireland

Kriz Wed 17-Jun-26 12:38:19

I know exactly how you feel about losing your Facebook account, it must have been such a wrench, especially with Messenger gone too. I’m glad Instagram has given you a softer space; it really does feel calmer and more inspiring.

As for my own little menagerie, it’s not a farmyard but it brings me joy: I have a dog named Morty, who keeps life lively with his antics, and a small garden that I tend with mixed success. Some plants thrive, others don’t, but I love the process of trying. Even the smallest green shoots feel like a victory.

I think your dream of a smallholding is beautiful, sometimes it’s not about achieving the whole vision but cherishing the little pieces of it, whether that’s a loyal dog or a single flower that decides to bloom.

Kriz Wed 17-Jun-26 12:40:44

My little garden 🪴

MayBee70 Wed 17-Jun-26 13:37:47

Lemonred

Welcome! Mostly lovely folks here on GN, many opinions, but very little nastiness, unlike some other platforms.
Love the name, another fan of ‘PTerry’ I see.
My family think I’m bonkers, I prefer eccentric old hippy, but there you go!
I do a lot of the typical 70+ activities NT, garden centres, eating out etc. But I am a massive computer gamer, I can be an Assassin one minute, and fighting The Hoard in Warcraft the next, often a shock to the 15 year olds I might be playing against. I’m a hobby water-colour artist. And although a retired nurse, my granddaughters tell everyone I’m a Doctor. 🤣

I want to try doing a computer game, something I’ve never done. I think it’s from watching The Last of Us and wondering what the game is like. I was hoping my grandson would show me one but he’s got a girlfriend now and has lost interest in them.

ClicketyClick Wed 17-Jun-26 13:57:27

Welcome nanny dog. You sound such a busy, interesting and inspiring lady.

Kriz - is that your DH or gardener? Either way looks a fish and a resemblance to Ray in the Dallas TV program.