Your Stories

My hopes are for good health and happiness. My fears are for the current economic and employment situation.

Being self employed means I can quite often fit my work around the family and their needs.

No guaranteed income, long hours and, because Phil and I work from home, never being away from "the job".

Selfish, rude and inconsiderate people who have no respect for others or their property. People who constantly take from society and offer nothing in return. 

I love my friends and neighbours. Being surrounded by trees and wooded areas and the wildlife it attracts. The closeness to the motorway means it is easy to get to most places.

Hardworking, loyal, friendly.

Newspapers -  local and national. Pictures of special moments in family life. A Newcastle United shirt. A copy of Bobby Robson's book: Newcastle My Kind of Toon. A selection of books.

I never thought I would say this but my mobile phone. It took years for my children to convince me they should have mobiles and I always had what I thought was all the right reasons for not getting them a mobile.

A police woman. The careers officers told me I was too small and pointed me in the direction of office/shop work - not what I wanted to hear.

My family are the most important thing in my life. They give me so much pleasure and so much to be proud of. It has not always been easy and, like all families, we have had our problems, but we have worked hard together to help each other.

My first part-time job was a "Saturday girl" at Woolworths.

Having four children I was always so tired when I went to bed I would sleep well, for what little time I could. I feel as I am getting older I do not sleep as well, aches and pains, but if any of my family are unhappy or have problems it does keep me awake.

When I was younger I would have gone for someone really good looking. But my choice now would be Stephen Fry. I find him fascinating, his ability to talk on so many subjects and not only make the conversation interesting but also humorous.

I bite my nails.

I am organised (sometimes, I am told, too organised).

Loyalty. That shows how I have changed with age. When I was younger I would have said my hair. It was my crowning glory.

It has to be our four children; it has been a lot of hard work, but worth every minute.

My father not living long enough to see my children, he would have loved them all. I also feel cheated, not being able to enjoy being an adult with him.

Our garden, surrounded by trees, plants and the birds. When I was younger I would go to the beach and sit on the sand and look out to sea. I could resolve most issues or problems there.

To find a job that I enjoy doing. To move house. To be a grandma (but not for a few years yet).

My father dying when I was only twenty. Although he had been in hospital ill for a few weeks I did not expect him to die. It was such a shock.

Giving birth - each time was so different but each birth was such an unforgettable and emotional experience.

Resolving my health problems and driving again. My unresolved health problems and not driving has stopped me doing so many things I have wanted to do.

The throw away society we have become. The world is becoming "one large dust bin".