5 years of GransRus

[Gemini]

Our baby GransRus is 5 today!

Most of us have known each other longer, but this forum began 5 years ago.

Over the last 5 years Daisy and I have learned a lot. We have a lot to learn still , but we are proud of everything we have learned.
We have managed with the invaluable help of our mods, Oma, Nan2 and Plant, to keep a lively forum running.
We have improved things as we have gone along, and improved the security. We have plans do do more.

We have lost members who have drifted away, and saddest of all, lost a member who passed away last summer.
We have gained two lovely and active members, who enhance the forum by their presence.
We hope to gain a few more members. We always aim to remain small, but a few more people added to the mix make it interesting.
Thinking about everything which has enabled us remain active and still here after 5 years, we have to thank you, our members.
Everyone who calls in and posts, even if it's not often and even if it's not much, keep this forum alive. You are the forum. No posts no forum!
I want to say a huge thank you to you all for your support and friendship, and especially to the core of members who are always here, week after week. posting, and keeping this forum alive.

For me personally the last 5 years have sent a 3rd grandchild and 2nd grandson, breast cancer, the loss of 2 beloved and elderly cats, and more good times than bad.
I have to say I value the strong friendships I have made here, with those I have met and those I haven't. You are all a big part of my life.
To have this community where we share the common bond of grandchildren, and support each other through whatever life throws at us, is so important to me.

And finally, even if it makes her blush, I have to say that Daisy is a wonderful person to co-admin a forum with. We have not had one disagreement in the 5 years, and we listen to each other's ideas, and both just get on and do what is to be done. We make a good team. I just wish we didn't live so far apart!

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY GransRus, long may you live!






Feel free to add your own thoughts on the last 5 years

[Daisy]

Like Gem, I am immensely proud of GransRus. It was never in my life plan (not that I had one) to Admin a forum, but, oh boy, I'm so glad the opportunity came my way. I couldn't have wished to meet a nicer bunch of people. Everything Gem has said about GransRus and the Grannies who make it, is true. You're a great bunch and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship.

I think the last five years have been a relatively calm period in my life - and I probably shouldn't say that in case it's tempting fate! I'm lucky and privileged to spend two days a week with our two little GDs, and even though I see our GSs less, when I do it's wonderful. After sadly losing two elderly dogs, Eva arrived in our lives with waggy tail and an uncontrollable urge to play with every dog she sees. She is the main reason we acquired a touring caravan about 3 years ago and this has changed the shape of our holidays, and somewhat to our surprise it suits us and we're enjoying it. You never know, you may find it drawing up in your street one day!

Please share our birthday with some of your own thoughts, reminisces, and perhaps some suggestions for the next five years.

Gem - yes, I am blushing, but it's a two way thing and as you say we make a good team. You're a joy to work with. xx

[Grauntie Mag]

Well done ladies. I am applauding you loudly. 👏🏻
I am shocked to learn it’s five years since you threw out the life belt to those on the sinking ship! You have made a great place to be. Long may it last.

[Gemini]

Thank you Grauntie

[Nanto2girls]

A huge thank you to Gem and Daisy.

[Plantaholic]

A huge thank-you from me you two lovely ladies. In those five years, my GS1 got married and he and his wife presented me with two lovely GGC. I am feeling very sad that some long standing members have decided not to continue as members and still feeling very sad that we lost, very suddenly, our lovely friend Tizzy.

[Oma]

Well where do I start ,

I have made the most amazing friends who I can not and will not do without ,

Gem my dear dear Gem not only have you came into our lives but you brought S into it to , You organise all sorts of things and myself and B( who adores you & S by the way ) love our meet ups for lunch,

Daisy the wonderful so welcoming Daisy and J another couple who came into our lives gave us a bed for the night and we value there friendship so much

You gave us a life line when the other site closed and have worked your socks off keeping it safe for us too ,
We as mods have had some laughs when we had 100's of rogue posters in one day , do you remember as fast as we blocked them they came back it was chaos that day but we managed to smile through it hahaha

As you all know the past 7 years have brought myself and B some hard times , Cancer , DIL being nasty etc but some very good times too , Through all of these events you have all been there to support us , cry with us and laugh with us
Without this site I think at times I could have folded and been in a dark place but I knew even in the wee dark hours of the night there would be someone to talk to me . slap me around a bit and pull me back on my feet

Losing our Tizzy hit me harder than I thought it would , it was such a shock but we all rallied around and didn't forget to take her to Brum with us ,

Some members thought it was strange keep going back to Brum but its central for a lot of members to get too and those weekends are filled with lets face it chat and eating hahaha we don't need entertainment we make our own , its like you never quite finish a conversation you just carry it on the next time we meet like true friends do.

I love this site its the first place I come onto when I open my lap top and even if we haven't heard from someone in a while its like a light goes on when one of our flock returns , long may we continue with the help of our amazing Duo GEM & DAISY xxxxxx

[Gemini]

Aww, Oma, lovely We really value your friendship too .
Yes, I remember that awfully stressful day, but we all rallied round to beat them, changed our settings and carried on!
I agree about Brum. It's central, and it's not holiday its a get together, the place is unimportant really.

[Daisy]

Ladies, what lovely comments and memories. Oma, I don't think I'll ever forget that day of the invasion, every time we went into the back office there were more rogue posts piling up. I think it's the only time we've shut the site down for a short while, other than routine updates.

I love our meet ups in Brum, and it's probably the best balance of distance and ease of transport for most of us. I was telling someone the other day about Plant's adventure on the open topped bus with those very handsome young Dutch men.

It makes me really sad when people do leave, but of course, that is their choice, and Tizzy is ever present. She was such a vibrant, larger-than life, generous lady, and I think we'll always miss her.

We're very, very lucky with our wonderful Mods and I can't thank them enough. They've stuck with us right from Day 1, and it's a comfort to know you're there, popping in and out and keeping an eye on things and supporting me and Gem in every way.

[Nanto2girls]

I can remember the day when we had the invasion,but we all pulled together when it was needed.
Over the past 5 years, i have spoken on here about things i've never spoken about with friends.
Fortunately, i haven't had any really problems, but some members have had really difficult times.
I'd like to think that with other members i have helped in some way.
Here's to the next 5 years ladies. X

[Daisy]

I was talking to my DS2 late last night and he sends his congratulations on our 5th birthday.

I told him how many threads and comments we had had over the 5 years and he said most Forums collapse within a few months - lasting one year is good! So well done to all of us.

[Gemini]

Oh how nice of your son Daisy

[Enfys]

I can’t believe it’s been five years! Many, many thanks to Gem and Daisy and also our lovely mods for keeping us going. I have received so much love and support of the past few years for which I thank you all so much. I’ve also been lucky enough to join in one of the meet ups which was great fun and we’ve enjoyed meeting Daisy and J for lunch (must do that again soon Daisy).

So long may we continue, and I raise a virtual glass to you all 🍷🌺💖

[Daisy]

Enfys - thank you.

Yes, lunch would be great. xx

[Nanto2girls]

Daisy, kind words from your son.