What is my 10 out of 10? I ask this question because this is what Lisa has asked of us this week for her Bite Size Memoir challenge. In celebration of her tenth ‘bite’ prompt (somehow I’ve manage eight of them!), Lisa has asked us to share something, anything, be it something special we’ve achieved, a special trait we might excel at, even some sort of trivia.
Finding it hard to come up with something, I went back to my school days for inspiration and remembered the tiny village school in Suffolk that I attended after my parents split up.
Once the old headmistress left (and yes, I did feel the whack of her ruler on my knuckles once or twice), a new, young headmaster took over. He transformed the place, lifting us fun-starved kids out of the Victorian age and into the modern 1970’s: we had guitar lessons, gymnastics, country dancing, art, drama and field trips to France. I thrived there and amazingly, passed my 11-plus.
Then I thought of many years later when I was ready to re-enter the workforce after being a full-time mum for twelve years (meaning: I was employed but not getting paid, at least not in dollars).
We had already owned a computer for a few years by that time, and of course the kids had taken to it like a dog with a bone. Although I had one up on them by being able to touch type (and I did know how to turn the thing on), I struggled with a lot of the applications.
So, I did what any mother would: I asked the kids for help. Big mistake that. Their response was to grab the mouse out of my hand with more than a hint of impatience and after whizzing it around the desk at light speed, a few taps on the keyboard and a couple of clicks later, job done. Sorted. Leaving me utterly confused.
“Errr…thanks….but what did you just do? Exactly? Can you do that again please, this time slowly and show me step by step?”
Sighs, huffs and puffs. “No time, sorry Mom, gotta dash! Just click on that tab I showed you, you’ll get it!”
And then those famous, parting words:
“It’s easy!”
So, I took matters into my own hands and signed up to a computer course at our local community college for Word 2000 & Desktop Publishing. I was really nervous the first day, going back to ‘school’, but I had so much fun and learnt all I needed to help give me the step-up to start job-hunting.
The biggest challenge for me though was to come: about half way through the course, our tutor announced that our final examination would be a PowerPoint presentation of something we had learnt and then present it to the entire class.
When I heard that, my blood turned to ice in my veins. What? Stand up in front of the class and speak? Surely not. I hadn’t heard right. And anyway, I knew absolutely nothing about PowerPoint. When I had a private word with the tutor after class she must have noticed that all the blood had drained out of my face as she offered me a chair to sit on while calmly explaining that it would be fine, not to worry. After all, and those words, again, it would be easy!
I worried right up until the end of term. I chose ‘How to Make a Table of Contents‘ for my presentation and sure enough, the day came. With racing heart and hands shaking, I found, to my utter amazement, that as I began my PowerPoint slide show, my nerves calmed down and by the time I had finished it I realised that I had actually really enjoyed it. A lot. Even better, I got an A.
But what I learnt that day about myself and facing up to our fears (and public speaking is a huge one my friends!) was that I had created something all on my own and then got to share it. Sound familiar?
Years later I made slide shows on my laptop using Windows Media for each of my children for their special birthdays, putting photographs to music. When I was in the midst of creating these slide shows, they took me hours and hours, stretched out over days, weeks, and a lot of other things went by the wayside. A precursor for blogging I would say!
My three kids with our Lab puppy Monty 1990s California
(c) Sherri Matthews
But I was in my stride, in my element. I was creating, and then I was sharing what I had created with those I love, something personal, something durable, a part of me.
Which brings me to this ‘bite’. This isn’t strictly a memoir about something I’ve achieved in that this is a little story about my middle boy Nicky. One or two of you already ‘know’ him, but for my new blogging friends, I first introduced him last autumn, with his full permission, when I wrote about his comeback from a horrendous break up from his girlfriend and posted a clip of his music in, ‘Smoke and Mirrors’: My Son’s Way Back.’
My finest achievements are my children so I share this story in their honour as my 10 out of 10, although the ‘prize’ actually belongs to my son. Bear in mind, Nicky was only four when this happened and he has no idea why he said what he did, but we think he got it from watching an episode of Top Cat. We laugh about it to this day.
(Incidentally, this little story was my first ever published piece in a magazine!)
Here then is my bite size memoir, in 150 words, no more, no less! (I love saying that!):
Welcome To Kindergarten
When my middle boy Nicky was due to start Kindergarten, he had to attend a brief assessment with his teacher.
I sat a little way behind him so as not to distract them and all went well. When it finished and before we left, the teacher then asked:
“Now Nicholas, I notice that your mom calls you Nicky. This year, we will have two Nicholas’s in your class, so what would you like to be called? Nicky or Nick?”
I watched my son as he fidgeted and then looked up at the ceiling as if for inspiration.
Silence.
After a few moments, with me wondering what he was doing, he obviously had the answer he was looking for. With a flourish of determination, he looked straight at the teacher and without batting an eyelid answered:
“Just call me boss!”
I don’t know who was more shocked – me or the teacher.
A View From My Summerhouse 
10/10 for giving that boy fantastic self-esteem Mum! Oh I love this! I love the way kids surprise us all – what wonderful things must go round their heads that go un-captured, so thank you Sherri for capturing this lovely little episode for all of us to share! And also the post on Smoke and Mirrors – What timing! You’ll see from my comments there. Thanks hun. Loving your bites 🙂 Lisa xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know Lisa, we have no idea why he said that! He doesn’t either (he’s 25 now) but what a great response! Can you imagine the teacher’s face? I bet she thought ‘oh no, we’ve got a live wire here!’. I’ll never forget that day and the way my boy surprised us both that day! I’m so glad you enjoyed it (and I’ve replied to your ‘spooky’ comment on Smoke and Mirrors) and thanks again for another great prompt. I’m always amazed at what I end up writing about thanks to you 🙂 A fanatastic challenge 😀 xx
LikeLike
Your story put a smile on my face! What an unexpected thing for Nicky to come out with!
Well done with your presentation. It amazes me that people get nervous about their presentations – because I am so at sea with public speaking that I assume that all other people must be better at it and less nervous than me. I agree that the best thing to do is practise and overcome your fears by facing up to them, and you’ve come miles from where you began, with your pictures and slides and everything, which really shows that it pays off.
________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can you believe it? I’m glad this little story made you smile Denise, I know I do every time I think of it! I think that public speaking is one of the things people fear most! I certainly was way out of my comfort zone but it did me so much good. Do you have to do it often? I thought I was going to be one of the oldest there (I was barley 40!) but I was one of the youngest and we all wanted to learn about computers. I enjoyed it so much and thank you for your thoughts as yes, I can see that what I did then was practice for what I’m doing today. I didn’t know it then though, having absolutely no idea of the path I would eventually end up taking. So even more I feel that writing these memoir posts opens up much more than I expected them to 🙂
LikeLike
DEEEE-light-FUL!
Kids say the darnedest things and that’s why we love them. ❤ ❤
LikeLike
Ahh… don’t they just? I just couldn’t believe it when he said that! He’s 25 now and you can tell that it’s as fresh in my mind as it was then! Thank you so Tess….so glad you enjoyed it 😀 ❤ 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always do. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that makes me so very happy 😀 ❤ 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect. So how did he end up? Chairman of the Board or a Don? Great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Good question! Actually neither of those…but there’s still time! He is a humble lad really and has heard this story so many times that he sort of groans now when I say…”remember when you told that teacher…” You get the drift. Thanks Geoff, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved reading this. Haha, what a thing Nicky came out with!! Aren’t children just marvellous for that? I hear my fair share at school 😉 So priceless.
And, may I just say: Get you passing your 11-plus, you clever thing 😉 I remember my mother wanted me to do the 11-plus, and I used to study at my desk, but then one day while I was studying I just threw the practice books out the window…. while it was pouring down with rain. I really, really wish I could remember what made me do that, but, alas, I cannot. But yeah, that was the end of that, anyway! Ended up going to a normal comprehensive.
I found your explanation of your children helping you with the computer amusing. So true of children with their parents, right? Apart from I never really had that.. My mum was a manager for an IT company, and so it was actually ME going to her like…. “Muuuuuuuuumm, I don’t know how t make it work.” How backwards is that? Very, yes. Although, when I was in middle school, everyone didn’t know what to do and I had learnt from my mother so I was all, “I’LL SHOW YOU”, and everyone thought I was amazing. My moment of school fame, right there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, of course, you must hear all kinds of wonderful things at school from the kids! I remember quite a few from mine, but this one from Nicky was just priceless, haha
Well Jenny Jen Jen, I did pass but still had to go to a comprehensive, but they had ‘streaming’. All because of where I lived, it being rural Suffolk and all. So don’t feel bad…but I bet I wouldn’t pass it today!!
So it was opposite with you and your mum? Interesting! And look at all that street cred when you got to show all the other kids your amazing computer knowledge! Wonderful school fame that, nothing better!!! I hope you milked it for all it was worth 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, would I ever ‘milk’ anything, Sherri? Why of course not 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah….not in a million years Jenny Jen Jen 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh. my. gosh. That was hilarious! What a punch line! What a kid! Hah. Well, I think your 10 out of 10 is how you mastered the computer and it gave you an outlet for your creativity!!! Good job sticking with it and doing what had to be done! By the way, Sherri, do you still call him Boss? hahahahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Glad you enjoyed this little ‘Nicky’ story Luanne. I have a few here to share but this one is classic. He has no idea why he said that to this day!! That’s so sweet of you, thank you. I really struggled what to come up with for a 10 out of 10 so naturally it had to go to the kids!!! And no, we don’t call him Boss…big brother put paid to that, hahahah 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would have gone to his head anyway!
LikeLike
….so it was for the best, haha 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you for taking a computer course! I sort of learn computer skills as I go along but it seems that as soon as I master something at work, they upgrade the system and I have to learn it all again (sigh). the photo of Monty the dog is so cute by the way….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Letizia, and thank you for that! Oh I know just what you mean about upgrades, so annoying. I get that on my mobile phone too, and then I have to re-learn how to use the thing. I wish they would just leave things well alone!
Ahh…thanks, yes, Monty was adorable. He lived to 14 but I didn’t get to see him for the last 4 after my ex and I split up. I moved back to the UK with our cats and my ex kept Monty. But the kids got to see him on their visits back home and he always remembered them with huge excitement… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a delightful story, Sherri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed it Amy, many thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are multi talented my friend! I was smiling throughout this post/blog but then the end-what a Climax!! Way to go Nicky aka Boss. LOVE IT!!! And the photo, just precious of those beautiful children of yours!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well you know this story my friend!!! That was in Shandon. You should have seen the teacher’s face, it was priceless! I almost fell off my chair, hahahaha!!! And of course you will know all about that photo…thank you so much as always for the read and the smiles you give to me 🙂 ❤ xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Just call me Boss!”
I love it, Sherri, and this is coming from a retired teacher. And I think the picture of your three beautiful children is precious. My daughter had a black lab named Monty and a red Irish setter (at the same time) named Magic. So much energy, and when we went to visit they nearly knocked us down with “loves.”
So much about this post made me smile, and woven through it all was your special way with words that kept it all real and vivid.
LikeLike
I know…can you believe that Nicky said that? You must have heard plenty of great lines, not just from your own kids but from your school kids. They are priceless aren’t they? Where does the time go? When I look at this photo and of our puppy Monty I just can’t believe it. He lived to 14 but my ex kept him when we split so I didn’t see him for the last 4 years but of course the kids did when they visited. Monty was over the moon with excitement every time they went over. I missed him terribly. We kept the cats as you know. What a small world! I know what you mean about your daughter’s Monty and Red Setter almost knocking you down with ‘loves’! They are so exuberant and loving.
Thank you so much as always Marylin for your share and also for the way you always make me feel so good about sharing a story. Means a lot that 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
And was he? 🙂 What a sweetheart!
I did the same sort of computer course because I was clueless too. No presentation, though. Phew!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah! No, he wasn’t Jo! Big brother put paid to that idea! Actually, Nicky had no idea why he said it, but it was just so hilarious. Mind you, he always did think outside the box! As for the presentation, yes, it was nerve-wracking but I’m really glad I did it in the end. Hope I won’t have to do it ever again though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire your courage to go back to school after many years of being out of it. That sounds a little intimidating.
I agree with you when you say that your finest achievements are your children. You spent and still spend your life loving and nurturing them. They are who they are now because of your care and affection. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Imelda! It wasn’t so hard after I got used to it but yes, at first, it was very intimidating!
You have really touched me with your lovely words about my children and my love for them…thank you so much, really blesses me that… ❤
LikeLike
What a reply! Out of the mouth of babes and all that, you couldn’t make these moments up could you? Would love to know what the teacher eventually said to that one.
I also did a computer course at our local library years ago – I think it was government funded, can you believe – getting everyone savvy. It worked quite well to a point, but anything complicated, like you, ask a child. Mine was also very good at programming the video recorder …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Out of the mouths of babes indeed! Haha, can you just imagine the teacher’s face? I remember her looking a little flustered and then muttering something like, “Well, I think we’ll just call you Nicky for now”!!!!
Wow, a government funded computer course? That’s nice! I definitely had to pay for mine and it wasn’t cheap.
The kids are good now at helping me with things. I feel bad when my eldest comes home (which he is today, yay!) as I always end up hitting him up with some kind of techy problem. Got the list ready…and yes, as for that video recorder…ha!! Nicky used to like to help by putting chalk inside ours…but that’s another story 😉
Thanks for reading Jenny, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Just call me the boss!” I actually laughed out loud at that. What a wonderful story.
So you’re a PowerPoint queen on the quiet? It is a bit surreal going back into that learning environment again. I had to do a course in 2000 which worked with several design programmes (including PowerPoint!) and it did feel strange.
Oh, how I hate standing up in front of people and talking. I have had to do it so many times, and it often goes well, but it never seems to get any easier… get you though, with your A grades!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still laugh about it now JG!! It’s priceless isn’t it? I was absolutely stunned when he said that, haha! That’s my boy…but actually, he is a very humble lad, not like that at all!! He didn’t even know what a ‘boss’ was!!!
Well, I am definitely not a PowerPoint queen…in fact I do hope not to do another presentation again, but I did really enjoy the experience in the end and for all it taught me. Yes, it was very surreal going back into that kind of learning environment and I can well imagine how strange it must have been for you too. I did it once before when I went back to college full time when I was 19 after being out of school for 3 years and working full time. I did it for a year and I was utterly skint the whole time!
It’s not easy though is it, getting up there in front of people? I’m glad I only had to do it the once….
and as for the A grades, well, you know I had to JG. All for the Summerhouse of Secrets. There is a plan for everything…she says laughing crazilly….*yes, it’s Friday afternoon and I think I’ve lost the plot*…… haha 😉
LikeLike
The heat must be getting to you, Sherri P! It’s certainly doing a number on me. Too hot. TOO HOT.
Oh, and I like the new look by the way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
WAY TOO HOT for the Summerhouse of Secrets that’s for sure. Having to use my magical brolly as a fan and it ‘ain’t pretty…your mind is boggling, I know…
Well, back to blogging (had eldest son over for the weekend which was lovely, and hope you had a good weekend too and keeping cool!) and I notice your very nice compliment there JG, so I thank you very much for that. I get bored easily and got sick of seeing my mug staring at me a zillion times a day. Besides, this one is more recent…I’m trying to look more ‘author-ish’, haha 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderfully written and totally engaging Bite Size Memoir Sherri!
We’ve been trying to teach our grandson, Peanut, how to spell his real name, Robert, in preparation for kindergarten. Peanut just keeps telling us, “I’m Peanut… not Robert!” Oh well, at least Peanut knows how to spell Peanut. He just passed his kindergarten assessment test and starts this fall. I have a feeling that the first time someone makes fun of his nickname, Peanut will learn how to spell Robert rather quickly. Kids… just can’t help loving them to bits!
Have a lovely weekend Sherri! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh…so glad to know you enjoyed this little ‘Nicky story’ so much Theresa, many thanks! I absolutely love your ‘Peanut story’ too! Oh I can just imagine him being adamant about being called Peanut…just so adorable. I hope his transition into Kindergarten goes smoothly and he isn’t given too much trouble over his nickname…you never know, the class might think it’s the coolest ever!!!
Thank you Theresa, you have a super weekend too – I’ve got my eldest son home for the weekend, can’t wait 🙂
LikeLike
What a cutie — or should I say — ‘boss’?
LikeLike
Hahaha! Thanks Renee…I’ll be sure to pass the message on 😀
LikeLike
Nicky is a chip off the ole block! That story is priceless, Sherri. I can certainly see why it was published. I hope you’ll tell that story at his wedding. 🙂
My hands were sweaty reading about your computer class and the dreaded presentation. I still have a major fear of public speaking. I don’t enjoy being the center of attention. Perhaps one day, I’ll overcome that fear, but for now, I’d rather stay off the stage.
Thank you for this wonderful post, Sherri! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, that’s funny!!! Oh Jill, can you believe that Nicky said that? You know, he didn’t even know what ‘boss’ meant! I certainly plan to tell a whole load of ‘Nicky stories’ at his wedding and this will be the topper 🙂
Oh Jill, it was so nerve-wracking that’s for sure. I was absolutely terrified and feel sweaty just thinking about it! I had to get up in front of a load of people before when I had to run Nicky’s Cub Scout Arrow of Light ceremony and I think I actually found that even worse!! Hope not to do anything like that again, much rather be off stage…
So glad you enjoyed this Jill, thank you so much. Have a super weekend my friend 🙂 xoxoxox
LikeLiked by 1 person
By the way, I love your new photo! It is so Diane Sawyer-ish! xoxoxo Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!! Thanks Jill! I’ve had it on my ‘About’ page for a few weeks and thought I’d change it over, since it’s more recent. I got bored of the other one, as I do, ha! You’ll be calling me Diane soon.. 😉 You have a great weekend too, you and DFD… voila!!!! xoxoxox
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sherri, I loved your bite-size piece about your son. I used to work in an elementary school, and what I miss the most is the priceless things the little kids would say. Their honesty is refreshing and at times hilarious.
I also giggled reading how your kids would show you to do something on the computer – that was all too familiar. I, like you, had to take matters into my own hands as they had no patience to show me slowly or teach me step-by-step. You did very well. I have not yet attempted a power-point, but I really should.
This was lots of fun to read!
P.S. I have 3 “kids” (all adults now) too, and we used to breed / raise Labrador Retrievers. I think “Monty” is a wonderful name!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Suzanne! Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this ‘Nicky story’, thank you very much! I can well imagine all the wonderful things you heard at school. Kids really do come out with the most amazing things at times don’t they? Utterly priceless!
The kids don’t seem to realise that we need them to actually explain what they just did and not assume it comes as naturally to us as to them!!! Mine are better now although I do feel bad whenever my eldest son comes home as I nearly always end up hitting him up for some kind of help with techy stuff! He doesn’t mind though and is much more patient (he is 31!).
Oh how wonderful that you used to breed and raise Labs – they are the most wonderful dogs aren’t they? Do you still have a Lab? We got Monty from a breeder down in Pasadena (we lived on the central coast of California and we heard about the breeder from friends). He was adorable if not extremely excitable at times, but so loveable! His long name was short for his pedigree name but the only part I remember is Montague!! So of course we called him Monty! We had a mix lab/collie too called Bonnie. She was so cute and as smart as a whip. Both lived to 14 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sherri, so many great parts to this post! Thank goodness for your new hip headmaster! Alleluia! Imagine all you would have missed had the headmistress stayed! AY!
Good for you for taking that computer class and for killing it on the presentation! I had to give a speech to 200+ people when I worked and once I got going, I loved it. I didn’t want it to end. It’s an addictive rush and leaves you wanting more. I can see why performers get hooked.
The picture of the kids and Monty is adorable! And that Nicky sure is the BOSS! You must be so proud. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Maria, and yes, hip hip hooray for the new hip headmaster! He was really rocking, we all loved him! Hahah…Alleluia is right! Just goes to show what power the right teacher can have and how he/she can impact a child’s life for the better if a good one.
Wow, that’s a lot of people but you go girl! I know what you mean about the rush as you get going and get into the swing of it! I felt like that once I got going with my presentation. Of course, that’s nothing like making a speech to over 200 people but I can fully understand what you mean! Although, I’m glad I’m not going to be doing that anytime soon, lol…
Ahh…thank you Maria, I do love this pic of the kids and Monty. Oh where do the years go? I’m getting all sentimental now…!
As for the Boss…yep, I am one very proud mum…!!! That’s my boy 😀
LikeLike
Out of the mouths of babes…
My first job after I got my degree was training women to return to work – kind of ironic as I was one of them – and teaching computer skills. Standing up in front of people was terrifying so I know how you must have felt, and I still don’t understand how I did it as I always want to be the person no-one notices in a room! Delivering presentations to consultants and directors in the NHS was a dry mouth experience too, and I’m afraid I loathed Powerpoint in the end. But seeing people ‘get it’ when using an application always gave me a buzz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, I can’t say I blame you for not wanting anything more to do with PowerPoint…I do understand what you mean about the buzz of helping other people ‘get’ it though. I had a taste of that when I was able to show those in my class how to do something and the positive feedback was really encouraging. I bet you are glad to be out of all that now but I’m sure you helped many people and they were very thankful to you for all you helped them with…you should be proud Jude of what you accomplished 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Nicky story 🙂 and good for you for going back to school – and look at you now! I dread public speaking, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. I remember when I started as a librarian and had to do user education with classes of children – I worried about it for weeks before I did it, but a few years later it was like water off a duck’s back. Then, I hadn’t done it for quite a lot of years and had to start giving presentations to the senior managers team – I was so terrified I considered resigning! But actually, once I do it, I think I’m actually quite good at doing presentations, it’s just the thought of them….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another Nicky story there Andrea, you will be getting used to these by now I expect, haha! Ahh…well, that ‘s very kind of you, thank you, but I never thought in a million years that one day I would be blogging and writing and well, doing all this! Did we even know what a blog was back then?
Oh you were a librarian? How wonderful. My one remaining friend from my school days who I’m still in touch with has been a librarian all her life and I always really fancied that job! I’m sure you were/are excellent at presentations Andrea. Apparently, as part of marketing our books (when they are published, I’m being very positive here!) we will have to do the rounds of public speaking. I didn’t know that until recently. I’m not even published and I’m terrified at the thought, how ridiculous is that?
You’ve got a lot of great experience for that though… 🙂
LikeLike
Priceless! I mean she did ask him 🙂
I can soooo relate to your fear of public speaking. I’m a bit better at it now but you won’t likely find me volunteering to do so. I also took a “class” to learn Word (I think) back in the day. Showing how you took on something new and now seeing how you “own it” to create your work and sharing with others is indeed a blessing and inspiration. We’re not don learning yet, Sherri 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! How right you are, she did ask and he certainly answered!!!
It was empowering to take that ‘Word’ class and it wasn’t until I related this story here (wouldn’t have even thought about doing so before, see what blogging brings out?!) that I realised just what that sense of ‘owing’ my work after creating it and then sharing it with others really meant to me. I feel complete when I’m doing that, as I know all us writers/artists do, and it’s a wonderful feeling isn’t it? 🙂
Thanks Lilka…hope you have a great week, it’s so hot here…and humid…!
PS We are DEFINITELY not done learning yet girl…soooo much more to come 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 I certainly hope so! Peace to you Sherri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless you Lilka 😀
LikeLike
What a lovely snapshot of various points in your life, I love it! Computers are one of those things i never mastr but nibble away at the edges of. The last time I went to get a new mobile I showed the girl my phone, she laughed then called her colleagues over so they could have a laugh as well. Presentations are the worst, all those people taking an interest, it’s just not on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’m so glad to read this, thank you very much Ste! It’s funny because I would never think of writing about such things, thinking them as boring trivia that nobody else is going to be the slightest bit interested in, but then being able to tell the story and share these little ‘bites’ is such a great way to get us all remembering isn’t it?
I always get my kids to help now with computer stuff and I can happily say they are much more patient!!
Oh dear….I wonder what kind of phone it was? I’m assuming that it was the type that did phone calls and not much else??? I loved my old Motorola flip phone and still don’t like my ‘SMART’ phone….ha….smart??? I can barely text on the darn thing. I think that everyone thinks I’m drunk when I text now because of all the mistakes 😉
Haha…just not on at all 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was the same with my writing, who would be interested in my bits of life or thoughts, it is great how receptive people are and how fascinating people are as well…it’s very eye opening.
I keep my phones until they break, so they get old very quickly…I don’t need them much although having the internet to satisfy me when I wonder about obscure facts is always handy.
LikeLike
Yes, I agree, really is an eye-opener isn’t it to the way we respond to one another here and share our stories to such interest for those reading. And I agree about the internet bit…that, I concede, is very handy indeed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh…so fear of public speaking is yet another thing we have in common, Sherri! Love your story! Out of the mouths of babes, for sure. I used to give disability awareness talks to elementary school children and I learned quickly how asking if anyone has any questions brings about funny and embarrassing comments about their families. So funny! All the best! ~Karen~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not pleasant is it? What an interesting job you had there, I can well imagine some of the classics that you heard! Kids don’t hold back do they, bless ’em!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, thanks so much Karen and all the best to you too, with plenty of smiles 🙂
LikeLike
Great story but what really struck me was your writing about facing the computer for the first time. I seriously could have written exactly the same thing but with different words. Thankfully there was no presentation at the end of my computer course though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Marie and what a small world it continues to be. It seems a lot of us of a certain generation certainly faced so many of the same challenges. I would never have thought to write about such things until blogging because I just considered them a boring part of life that nobody would be interested in, but the world is changing so rapidly that I see how we can all share our experiences in this way and so remember how far we’ve all come!! When you think what we didn’t have growing up…we’ve come a long way baby 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved this post Sherri. Out of the mouths of babes – priceless and such a beautiful memory for you (I guess an embarrassment for him). Well done enrolling for the computer course. So difficult for children to teach us in a way we understand but you overcame this and even went on to present. I joined toastmasters to try to overcome this fear so I understand what a big hurdle that was to get through and then find yourself enjoying it. As always Sherri I love your memoirs. Cheers Irene 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Out of the mouths of babes indeed Irene! Haha…well, I do think poor Nicky does get fed up listening to the same story but he doesn’t mind me sharing them here. I asked him and said ‘Are you absolutely sure?’ and he said no problem!!! So of course I can’t resist! I’ll never forget that day, absolutely priceless how he came out with it, but he didn’t have a clue what it meant. He said he remembers just liking the sound of the word!!! He is actually a very humble chap 🙂
Oh yes, I remember you sharing about going to Toastmasters and being in awe of you about that. Now THAT is inspirational my friend!
Ahh…thanks so much Irene, so glad you enjoyed these memoirs, as I do yours very much, and will be over shortly to catch up with you as always. Here’s to a great week ahead (it’s sweltering and so humid here!) and some good walks too…hugs 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you, Mama! I STILL don’t know how to PowerPt! It seemed too overwhelming to learn when it came on the scene back then. And….BOSS, huh?
Gee wiz.
LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL … all of it true, every single word! Thanks for the read Diana 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate speaking in public. All throughout college I refused to raise my hand to speak. Then in grad school I received a scholarship. Yeah! But teaching was part of the deal. As it turned out, I loved teaching and never felt nervous, but when I was back in my grad classes I clammed up again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny how that happens isn’t it? I guess you felt much more comfortable in front of a classroom but back in class your nerves kicked in again. Congrats on the scholarship, that’s quite an accomplishment 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person