Dad and Hilda

Dad’s Passing Made Me Aware of the Importance of Ritual

It is five weeks since my dear Dad (James Davis Stanley, known as Jim) died and it is only really hitting me that I won’t see him again. The visits to see my Mum are strange now and his presence is sadly lacking. Always a larger-than life-figure, Dad was the king of practical jokes and
Graham and Hilda 1994

Love is not only for Valentine’s Day

THE BEGINNING Graham and I started our journey in love on Valentine’s Day 40 years ago. It all began on a hockey tour with our club Lorraine H.C. which was based in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Both of us were single since the previous December and we had already been flirting a bit in the clubhouse
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October Highlights and Christmas is on the Way

Where has October gone? The older I get, the faster time goes. It is not a myth. I can’t believe that it is November and that now Halloween is over, we are officially into Christmas countdown time! October went by in a blur. We had our usual Mondays with Logan that included his first trip
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Ireland’s First Menopause Summit is a Huge Successs

‘The M Word Dublin’, Ireland’s first Menopause Summit which I attended 10 days ago, was an outstanding success. Hosted by Aisling Grimley (below right) of My Second Spring and Catherine O’Keeffe (below left) of The Wellness Warrior, (pictured with Dr Mary Ryan below), the energy generated by over 350 women and one man gathered in
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‘How to Live Better for Longer’

Tonight I will be making my television debut on ‘How to Live Better for Longer’ on RTE1 at 9.35pm! Having told everyone who listened that I probably would end up on the cutting room floor, I saw and heard myself on the preview, so I know I will feature, however briefly. Below you can see
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Hilda and instagram husband

Beside the Hilda – confessions of an Instagram Husband!

This post – confessions of an Instagram Husband – first appeared two years ago and I thought it time to give it a second airing. I asked Graham if he had any changes to make to the original. You can read his answer at the end of this post.   My husband Graham (a.k.a. GG)
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The Revamped Morgan Hotel Perfect for Exploring Dublin

The newly revamped Morgan Hotel in the heart of Dublin is more than just the ideal location for exploring Dublin. It is the perfect hotel for a get-away with your loved one. With Valentine’s Day coming up, it might just be the perfect present. You know what I am talking about: cocktails in The Morgan,
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‘The Secret Lives of Adults’ by Allison Keating – Review

‘The Secret Lives of Adults’ by Allison Keating is an absolute necessity in every house, whether you are single, in a relationship, or have a family. I have read a few self-help books, which have bored me and definitely not helped me. I am not sure whether the author Allison Keating would call this a
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Ambulance Emergency

Call an Ambulance when there is Loss of Consciousness

A week ago, last Sunday evening, I dialled 999 in a panic looking for an ambulance. (I was watching television when I heard a thud as Graham hit the ground) Luckily, the person at the other end of the phone was very calm and talked me through what to do as he was regaining consciousness:
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5 Irish Women share what it means to be Fierce in Midlife

A year ago, I was one of fifty over-50 bloggers (and the only Irish one) to launch The Fierce 50 Movement worldwide. This has now evolved into Forever Fierce: The Midlife Revolution, embracing all women at that empowering stage of their lives and has now grown to almost 5,000 members around the globe. I’m delighted that
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Millennial bridges Gap with midlifer Mum

Today marks the launch of an unprecedented campaign called ‘Bridging the Gap’ where 100 Millennials and 100 Midlifers are coming together to blur boundaries and put an end to stereotypes.  This campaign is inclusive as we  believe we are stronger together and divisions such as Age are unimportant. I did not travel far to find
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Bridging the gap – Millennials and Midlifers in unique campaign

Bridging the GAP…What am I on about? What gap? The aim of this unique campaign is to bridge the gap between ‘old’ midlifers like me and millennials (young people in the prime of their lives) and in doing so to learn from each other. Today, 100 midlifers and 100 millennials are posting on the same
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Today’s Mum-Happier than Yesterday’s Mum?

I could not believe my ears. Nothing had changed in the 33 years since I had my firstborn. In a survey entitled ‘Today’s Mum’, sponsored by iconic Irish brand Sudocrem (who have just launched a new barrier ointment called ‘Care and Protect’) I learned that only 14% of partners share the housework equally and 19%
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Wedded Bliss – a male perspective

Some weeks ago, I wrote a blog post with some hints for a happy marriage. Now, in his second ‘Beside the Hilda’ contribution to overthehilda, GG has offered to put a male slant on the married union! Not sure I agree with everything he wrote, but I have let him have his say without amendment!!!  When
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wedding vow on tray

Marriage is not for the faint-hearted- How to Stay Married for 35 Years and Not Kill your Husband

 MARRIAGE VOWS Disclosure! I have not kept all my marriage vows. Those who know me well will not be surprised and probably know which one I have broken already. In my defence, I tried my best to get out of it the night before the wedding, but our minister said it would require a special
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Cancer survivor donates book proceeds to Irish Cancer Society

I would probably have urged you to buy Des Allen’s book ‘Wanderings & Ponderings’ because the proceeds are going to benefit the Irish Cancer Society. Having read the contents, I can also recommend that you buy it because Des is a fine writer and his collection of writings – recollections, musings and even some stories
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Introducing an unsung creative writer

In a departure from my usual post, I’d like to use the platform of my blog to introduce you to an inspiring woman I encountered recently – another ‘Fierce 50’ woman. Deborah Blacoe, however, is not a blogger but rather a writer who until now has only shared her musings and jottings with her friends.
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The Sleep Obsession

Apparently, we sleep for about one-third of our lives, or we spend it in bed trying to sleep. We are obsessed with sleep and how well we sleep. When my children were small, I never got enough of it; my first-born was not a sleeper and GG and I took it in turns to get
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Valentine’s Day…what we do for love!

History lesson. Where did Valentine’s Day originate? Who was this St. Valentine fellow? Seemingly, Emperor Claudius made it illegal for young Roman men to marry, because he felt that single men made better soldiers. But a priest named Valentine continued to secretly marry young lovers. Of course, he was found out and sentenced to death.
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‘Then Comes Marriage’ RTE 2 -my take!

‘Then Comes Marriage’ I don’t know if many of you have been watching this programme on RTE 2. Three couples are brought together over a weekend and their relationships are analysed by psychologist Allison Keating and psychoanalyst Dr Ray O’Neill. It is a pre-marriage course of sorts. I have watched three episodes at this stage
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Tired of your ‘old man’? Get a new one!

  GG has been given a make-over by the stylist daughter. She went through his wardrobe like a dervish and threw out (the local charity shop benefited) anything she thought was old, old-fashioned, dated, or a crime against fashion. Gone are the old man sweaters (her words!) and tailored slacks. Several shirts also hit the
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A special love affair like no other-becoming a granny

  I never thought I would be a besotted granny! I like babies (well, I had two of my own) but I was not the type that stops stranger mums with prams and gushes about the baby. I have a friend who does that and who ruins many a good power walk with her antics.
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