Date

Joanne Wallen

Breast Cancer Ribbon

Archive for the ‘Birthdays’ Category

19
Jan

Eve becomes a teenager!!

posted by:

From the first time we set eyes on that tiny babe, we knew
We would love that child forever, no matter how she grew
A perfect little bundle, so pretty and fall of charm
She fell asleep contentedly on her granddad’s arm
The bond was set, we both were hooked and totally beguiled
Our lives would be transformed by the birth of our first grandchild
She had such a sunny nature, always had a smile
From a very early age, she developed her own style
Before she could talk, you’d always hear her chatter
Before she could walk, you’d hear the pitter patter
As she crawled around our flat, along the wooden floor
This certainly was a child that you could not ignore
She had me round her finger before she’d yet turned two
She’d tell me where to sit and tell me what to do
We’d play lots of games that her little mind invented
Just being with little Eve made you feel so contended
A little girl who loved to dance, had an early sense of fashion
Matching clothes and pretty shoes were an early passion
And it didn’t take her long to start giving me advice
On what I should wear with what and whether I looked nice
Every minute that we’ve spent with her has always been a joy
She’s beautiful and loving, and yet she’s very coy
She doesn’t know how lovely she is, which is why we want to say
That she just gets even lovelier, every single day
But suddenly that little babe’s a little girl no more
Today she turns a page, opens a brand new door
It was thirteen years ago that Eve came into the world
And the story of her life began to be unfurled
Now she is a teenager, it’s hard to believe
On her way to adulthood, but still our lovely Eve
Happy birthday to you darling, may this be the start
Of another chapter in your life in which we’ll play our part
Have fun, have a ball, hope you never have a care
But know that when you need us we will always be there!

Nanny Jo and Granddad
19th January 2012

TAGS: , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays, Congratulations

COMMENTS: No Comments »

12
Dec

It’s all about me, but……….

posted by:

The past couple of weeks and the next six months can feel like everything centres around me, me. me. After all, it’s my cancer, me who’s having to go through all the tests and treatment, me who might feel rubbish some days and hopefully high as a kite on others.

But spare a thought for everyone else affected by my illness. Not least, of course, my husband, my elderly parents, my younger sister and her partner and indeed all my relatives and friends.

Let’s start with my husband Martin. We’ve been together for more than 28 years and married for 15 of those. I was 24 when we met and he was 33. Like any couple together for that length of time we’ve had our ups and downs. Something very strong has kept us together through all that but it’s easy to take each other for granted. Until one of you is diagnosed with cancer, that is.

Martin came with me to the first consultation with the breast surgeon but was unable to park his taxi around Harley Street. So he sat outside. The doc was delayed for about 45 minutes and I was in with him for 15 to 20 mins. In that time he left me in little doubt that he thought it was cancer. He was not sitting in his usual consulting rooms so he sent me across the road to see his secretary and get all of the tests lined up for early the following week (it was late Friday afternoon by now). So I had to leave the consultation rooms and stick my head through the taxi window and tell Martin: “It doesn’t look good, he’s seems pretty certain it’s the big C,” and then disappear over the road to sit waiting for the secretary while she dealt with a previous patient and numerous phone calls. I was probably there for at least 40 minutes in total, leaving Martin alone in his cab to take in the devastating news I’d just given him. By the time I joined him again he’d gone into overdrive. Did I still want to go away at the weekend (we’d planned to go down to Ramsgate?, our usual weekend retreat, where we had a party to go to on Saturday evening and the grandchildren and friends to see). “You bet I do,” I said. I couldn’t bear the idea of sitting around moping about my situation. A party would be the very best thing to do. Was I ok to pop into the supermarket on the way home? (Martin does all the cooking and his daily routine is to pop into Waitrose and choose something lovely for dinner. Maybe because I have been through this before to an extent (Hodgkins’ Disease when I was 17), I instinctively knew that the only way to cope with this was to carry on as normally as possible until something actually prevented you from doing that.

So we went to the supermarket. And as luck would have it, there was a pop up frock shop right next door! Ok, when I said carry on as normal I didn’t mean that you can’t milk the situation just a tad!! “I’ll just have a browse in this shop while you go to the supermarket dear,” I said angelically. But he knew. Twenty minutes later, I’m in the fitting room with a fab frock on and I hear the door open. “Is my wife here?” a slightly concerned voice says. “Ah, just in time,” I shout, and emerge in said dress. Well he’s hardly going to refuse me, is he?

Since that day he’s been absolutely wonderful. Loving, caring, strong. He took me away for a lovely weekend to Brighton this weekend before the treatment starts. He’s staying positive with me. But underneath all that is a man who is hurting beyond belief. He knows how tough it’s going to be for us both to accept the changes to my body that will come about after the surgery. Neither of us will entertain the idea that I won’t get through all of this. But that doesn’t mean that at the back of his mind the whole time is the nagging fear that maybe his mate, his friend, his “secretary” (well we’re all good at some things and poor at others), might not always be with him.

Luckily, this is the modern world. No longer is the male partner ignored in all of this. Everyone has asked after Martin too. Our male friends, far from running a mile at the thought of having to talk about this, have all hugged me and been there for Martin. People are at least aware that men have feelings, very strong ones at that. But for all that, much of what is to come is going to be all about ME. And that won’t be easy on those I love.

TAGS: , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: 1 Comment »

24
Oct

For Fay on her 6th birthday

posted by:

We love our little Fay
She really makes our day
She is so sweet and funny
With her it’s always sunny
You cannot fool her ever
Because she is so clever (more…)

TAGS: ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: No Comments »

29
Sep

What can I do for you?

posted by:

Has a best man’s speech really got you perspiring?
Do you need to bid farewell to a colleague who’s retiring?
Are you struggling with the words for that special birthday?
Would you like to find something witty to say?
You want something different for a friend’s Silver Wedding
But composing the lines is something you’re dreading?
Look no further, help’s here, you’re in the right place
Leave it to me; I’ll put a smile on your face
Just give me some details, some useful information
Then relax, I’ll do the writing, your own bespoke creation
I’ll return a unique poem, you can read it or present it
You can claim it is all yours, they’ll never know I sent it
It will make them laugh, it will show that you care
And you’ll know there’s not another like it anywhere!
Request a poem

TAGS: , , , , , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

23
May

Pedro’s 55 and Stu is 60!!!

posted by:

I have a difficult task tonight
It won’t be easy to get right
Tonight I have to talk to you
Not about one birthday boy, but two
Following in a great tradition
These two have formed a coalition
Pedro Lewis and Big Stu
United to put on a bit of a do
Achieving consensus was no mean feat
There was less disagreement in Downing Street
But there’s real unity now, it is no sham
Our own TweedleCleg and TweedleCam
Ped and Stu have been friends for years
They’ve shared good times and downed some beers
Could they know their friendship would survive
‘Till young Pedro reached fifty-five?
My how fast those years did go
Now Big Stu hits the big Six-O
Wither those young and feisty men
Who got together way back then?
In Rotherhithe, where they formed the hub
Of the South Dock Yacht Club
Pedro knew his place for sure
Coz Big Stu was the Commodore
Of an elite club, he was the boss
With members such as….Martin Ross?
Their clubhouse was as smart as can be
On the good ship Wibbly Wobbely
They sure knew how to have some fun
Long days drinking in the sun
Or sailing in a happy fleet
Or partying, where they would meet
Great friends, and I have to say
Many of them are here today
And some of course are absent friends
The memory of whom never ends
Yes these two, they have no airs and graces
They’ve been through crazy dinghy races
And sailed their yachts with all their might
In the Salmon Leap and the Frostbite
There’s a healthy does of rivalry
Between them both, as you can see
And sometimes, ‘specially late at night
To each other they’re not always polite
Though together they often like to dine
And quaff a generous slug of wine
They’ll frequently have a little tiff
And at each other both will sniff
But once there is more wine to sup
They will just kiss and make it up
‘Till the next time Pedro does berate
His poor, defenceless, little mate
As the years have passed, their tastes have changed
Pedro’s life is now arranged
Around the ever-lovely Sarah
Who, it has to be said, is somewhat fairer
Than Stu, when all’s said and done
Then there’s Tom, Pedro’s dear surrogate son

Ped’s weekends can be quite exciting
He’s turned from sailing to land-yacht kiting
For holidays, he loves to pamper
Sarah, by taking her in his camper
I’m not talking Winnebago here
No an old VW he holds dear
So that Sarah and he will not feel loners
He’s joined the VW camper owners’
Club, here’s something you may not know
Young Pedro really likes to row
And every year he sets the pace
On the Thames in the Great River Race
Co-opting in a willing crew
But for some reason, ‘not Big Stu!
Rumours that Pedro is now posh
He’ll surely find difficult to quash
The chattering classes are all a-chatter
About his appearances at Henley regatta
In blazer and boater, one of the toffs
At we poorer mortals he simply scoffs
Meanwhile, much to his chagrin
Stuart’s one-time cunning plan
To sell his boat and move ashore
And venture out to sea no more
Came badly unstuck four years ago

When his old mates, Martin and Jo
Bought Magnum, and started to race
Stuart thought it a disgrace
That in his old and fragile state
He was asked to navigate
“I don’t do cold, I don’t do rain!”
Poor Stuart’s protests were in vain
Come rain or shine we’ve dragged him out
He’s one of Magnum’s most devout
And loyal crew and I’m not joking
He recently had such a soaking
The rain came down at such a pelt
That even Big Stu began to melt
For a man, who I must confess
Could bankrupt the NHS
With the amount of medical intervention
And tests too intimate here to mention
With which he seems to fill his time
He gets on with it and does just fine
By now I think you’ll plainly see
That Ped and Stu have some history
Like Batman and Robin, Morecombe and Wise
Laurel and Hardy and all that implies
About each other, deep down they care
And there are lots of friends they share

Hence why they’ve shared this do tonight
It’s not because they were too tight
To have two parties, no siree
They simply wanted to share my fee!
So to our two dear good friends
We hope your friendship never ends
And remains forever well intact
You are the perfect double act
Happy 55th Ped and 60th Stu
We hope we’ll be here to share with you
And have a drink and a bit of a jive
When Stu hits 100 and Ped’s 95!

©Joanne Ross
March 2010

TAGS: , , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

22
Sep

Tony Smythe is 70!

posted by:

Wow! Exactly where d’you start, this task is surely great
To paint in merely minutes such a complex portrait?

Of a man who is much loved, who is a special one
Who has a serious side but a wicked sense of fun

Who attracts into his life a most eclectic bunch of friends
To whom he is so loyal that the friendship never ends

He shared his life for many years, with his one great love
Who sadly, was called from him to that resting place above

And ‘though Tony still misses him every single day
He has never let self-pity, stand in his way

He pursues his life with gusto, confronts all that it throws him
Yet always finds the time to help, anyone who knows him

At an age when many people would be curled up by the fire
Tony has so many things, to which he’ll still aspire

At work, his retirement plans, if I may be so bold
Seem to be, I have to say, permanently on hold!

That his expertise and knowledge, are still in such demand
Is testament to just how much respect he can command

For without him, many a surgeon would be caught on the hop
They can’t do without his steady hand to help them make the chop

Though he has been known, some afternoons, to enjoy a good siesta
It’s only to recharge himself for another night’s fiesta

Those half his age would find it hard, at night, to keep up
With this drinking, partying, night-clubbing, fun-loving young pup

Though he loves his life and all his friends he likes to get away
And likes nothing better than, a foreign holiday

His travel tales are legendary and always most amusing
You’ll not believe the sights he’s seen while on the high seas cruising!

Not for him the country pile, the acreage and the aga
He far prefers to sail the seas accompanied by Saga

Yes he has his favourite haunts, to which he’s really loyal
Like Booty’s in Limehouse and Ramsgate Yacht Club, which is royal

And fit for a queen, so no wonder he’s deserved
At RTYC to have his own room reserved

Of course boating is his love, in his eye it puts a gleam
And his home and pride and joy is his own boat, Eagle’s Dream

It’s not always been plain sailing, things sometimes ran amok
And the air turned very blue with him and Trevor in a lock!

He took Eagle’s Dream to Calais, how he got there no one knows
For his compass was a long way out nothing like the compass rose

The trip back it was lumpy and the boat rolled to and fro
Poor Tony spent the crossing with palpitations down below

Until that is the vessel reached the Thames’ own estuary
The waters calmed, the sun came out and Tony rose with glee

To sit upon the poop deck like a passenger on a ferry
Sun on his face and glass in hand, with his favourite tipple, sherry

He thought he’d try the east coast, with his friend, Stuart Carter
But they misjudged the depths, and Stu became a martyr

As the boat tipped slowly over, these two, not the most slender
Had to spend the night, cuddled up in Tony’s tender>

One holiday, he left the sea, for a hotel with a pool
But as he dozed he became the victim of a crime quite cruel

Someone had seized his handbag and without a second thought
Tony leapt up and did give chase, determined the bugger be caught

He fell and copped a bruising but some young firemen gave chase
They returned the bag but more than that, put a smile on Tony’s face

Yes he’s a party boy, a smarty boy, who likes to get about
But be careful not to cross him or you’ll get the Tony pout!

That pout could launch a thousand ships, wither the toughest of men
But it’s always done with tongue in cheek and soon he’ll smile again

So no wonder he’s attracted, so many here today
To help Tony celebrate a very special day

Friends and colleagues, raise your glasses, join me in saying cheers
Good luck, God bless, keep having fun, for another 70 years!!

©Joanne Ross

19th September 2009

TAGS: , , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

17
Jul

Jo @ 50 – by Jackie and Geoff Benton

posted by:


On Monday Martin asked us
When we were feeling squiffy
To write a little poem
About Joanne reaching 50

With just two days to write it
It needs to be quite short
Coz after two or three more beers
We can’t tell starboard from port

Martin and Jo met in Ramsgate
At least that’s what we think
Did he propose? Did she propose?
Or was it fuelled by drink?

Their early days at South Dock
Was a wibbly wobbly phase
Then moving on to Limehouse
CA parties just a haze

In latter years she’s joined the gym
With the aim of getting fitter
While Martin’s often to be found
In the Grapes drinking pints of bitter

More recently with Magnum
Their life has changed again
Winning races and gaining cups
A flotilla feels quite tame

With fitness now so clear to see
A life jacket is debatable
She has a home grown life vest
Two very nice inflatables!

She’s always there to help or listen
When one of her friends is low
She finds the words to help them through
In ways that we all know

So now she’s got to 50
With very few wrinkles to show
Let’s raise a glass to our dear friend
Happy Birthday Jo!!

24th June 2009

TAGS: , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

17
Jul

Fab 50 Flotilla -June 2009

posted by:

I was drifting, contentedly in the Ionian last year
When everything suddenly became very clear
In 12 months I’d reach my half century
I knew just where I would want to be
It just didn’t get any better than this
Deep blue sea, blue skies, it was simply pure bliss
So right then I began to hatch a plan
To return next year with my man
And perhaps some friends would come and play
And help me celebrate by big day

To begin with the response was a little bit slow
But then the idea began to grow
A little email from Tommy and Sue
Saying sure, we’d like to come with you
And the flotilla ball began to roll
This lone little fish became a whole shoal
Once a couple of us had actually booked
Others one by one were eventually hooked
Till six boats and twelve very willing crew
Were ready to have a bit of a do

Experience levels they did vary
Take that of Pat and Graham Werry
Boats they love, but poor Pat pales
When she learns that this one has two great sails!
Jackie’s a pro and Geoff couldn’t be keener
But then I get a call from Dena
My old school friend, who’s so demure
Is thinking of coming, but she’s not sure
She’s never spent more than a day on a boat
The chances of loving it are remote
But we do go back a very long way
And in the end loyalty wins the day
Thus twelve motley crew all up for some sport
All wend their way to Gatwick airport
The start of our holiday’s frightfully early
It makes the crew fractious, a little bit surly
Then once the aircraft’s safely down
We make our way to Levkas Town
Which from Preveza is not very far
They drop us off outside a bar

And the thought of an ice-cold Mythos beer
Definitely brings a little cheer
One by one we’re introduced to our yacht
For some, 36ft is a lot
But not for Pat, who’s used to Spruce Goose
She saw Patmos and wanted a noose
For the neck of whoever’d persuaded her to roam
She wanted to turn and flee back home
I though I may too have heard some sobbing
From the yacht of Trish and Robin

He might have been a yacht promoter
If Lonaki had had a second motor!
Though Dena’s Kalamos was no liner
Its stripy fabric suited our designer
Pleasing Tommy and Sue was a breeze
They just asked for the same boat as last year, please
Which left yacht Seafarer for Martin and me
We pretended we owned the whole company
Next morning, we’re off to our very first briefing
We learn about safety and roller reefing

And then we’re let loose, off to Little Vathi
Us six, Lady Dafne and Peter and Kathy
Whose boat name we never did get to hear
But we heard her transmissions loud and clear
Three other boats we hadn’t yet met
And of course our dear lead boat with John and Colette
Stern to mooring, lines ready, now let down the anchor
Left a bit right, John yells without rancour
A group meal and to bed, that’s quite enough fun
The night it is stormy, so much for Greek sun

Tuesday’s forecast, Force 4, or maybe less
From the North, East or West, it’s anyone’s guess
Then we’re off once again, this time to Sivota
We get the sails out coz there’s quite a lotta
Breeze, and our Graham uses winds prevailing
To eschew the old engine and get stuck into sailing
There’s nothing like punch to break the ice
And Colette’s rum concoction was awfully nice
We all start to relax, we’re really quite chilled
By the time all our glasses are refilled

On Wednesday morning I awoke
And a thought dawned that made me choke
When I went to bed I was feeling fine
And I swear I was only forty-nine
But overnight something happened to me
When I opened m eyes I had turned fifty!
A more special day I could not have had
I cannot tell you all just how glad
I was that you all came all this way
To help make so memorable my special day!

The cards and presents began to arrive
Oh, it felt good to be alive
A beautiful necklace from my friend Sue
A wonderful necklace from Dena too
From Pat, a necklace a wonderful surprise
My neck was filling before our eyes
A necklace from Myra, another from Martin
By now my neck muscles are really smarting
Martin’s bought me two more and there’s two from my mum
I’ve a neck full of bling, Ali G and then some

We’re going nowhere as the wind is too high
But the day was a dream, I could almost cry
Breakfast and lunch, cocktails and a dinner
My 50th birthday was such a winner
Then off to Fiskardo, we’re making a raft
And head into town in our own little craft
A first for Sue Foster, not her favourite pursuit
But the photos in the dinghy are cute
On Friday, John tells us the sailing is free
But alone is a scary place to be

He’s let us off our little tether
But we all got to Spartahori together
And arrive almost one and all
Just as there hits an almighty squall
A frantic half hour then ensued
We hoped Seafarer would not get sued
For damage, but happily in spite of the swell
All came in safely and all were well
Well apart from Geoff’s back, Trevor’s toe and Sue’s head
And Graham’s finger, which kind of bled

Safely round in Vathi were Robin and Trish
So they missed the saga of Martin’s fish
In vain he’d tried to bag a catch
But still he’d had not a snatch
The taverna owner in front of his eyes
Had speared a snapper you could hear Martin’s cries
When Geoff called him a loser and offered a sardine
Martin’s bottom lip trembled, they were all so mean
He’d show them, and went to get his rod
He returned with a fish, the silly…..cod!

Now the week is nigh over, the fleet has returned
I’m sure there’ve been loads of lessons learned
We’ve all had so much fun but excuse my cheek
Think this next one will be a quieter week!
If you hated it sorry, but if you had fun
P’raps we’ll do it again when I’m fifty-one!!

©Jo Ross

June 2009

TAGS: , , ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

23
Mar

A memorable weekend in Bath

posted by:

To Dena, Diana, Franny and Gilly – love Jo

Privileged, is a word that springs to mind to describe how I feel today
In the after-glow of what has been the most wonderful weekend away

Privileged to have found in life some truly wonderful friends
Who’ve remained a constant strength in life through all its twists and bends

Content, is another feeling seeping over me
These last few days have made me feel I am where I want to be

Unusual, for I’m sure it doesn’t happen as a rule
That five grown women have kept in touch since their early days at school

Amused, it has to be said that we really laughed out loud
Our fun-filled sunny weekend did not have a single cloud

Lucky, that all went to plan without a single hitch
But then with women of our calibre, why would there be a glitch?

Memorable, it surely was in our life a special page
A fitting and a worthy way to mark a very special age

So I’m thankful for your still being there, it’s really good to know
That I have four such fabulous friends as we all hit the big Five-o!!



©Joanne Ross
March 2009

TAGS: ,

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

18
Jan

For Eve on her 10th Birthday

posted by:

You’re elegant and so pretty
Funny and very witty

Have a really artistic eye
Can sometime’s be quite shy

You’re very good at dance
I can tell that at a glance

At singing you’re a star
I think you could go far

You’ve fantastic fashion sense
Your charms they are immense

In exams you might not get top pass
But to me you’re the top of the class

A great daughter and sister and friend
Granddaughter I love to spend

Time in your company
You’re oh so special to me

I think of you every day
And miss you when we’re away

I remember the lovely baby
It seems like that was maybe

Only like yesterday
But now it’s your tenth birthday!

It seems so hard to believe
That lovely little Eve

Is a fab young lady of ten
But as lovely now as then

Happy birthday Eve, have such fun
You are loved by everyone

As you travel life’s tricky roads
Just remember I love you loads!!

Nanny Jo
19th January 2009

TAGS:

CATEGORIES: Birthdays

COMMENTS: Comments Off

« Older Entries