There’s a man in the house today, ladies, and it’s a Sharing a Journey first! I met Hilda’s husband, Graham on line…I know this is sounding bad already…through Hilda herself, of course!…Anyway, Graham wrote this fabulous article about what it’s like to be on the husband side of the Over the Hilda Blog and I just had to share it.
So, without further ado, here is Graham Smith!
‘BESIDE THE HILDA’
– confessions of an Instagram husband!
by Graham Smith (a.k.a. GG)
There was a time when dinner out with my beloved was a quiet, romantic outing over a pleasant meal, when clothes’ purchases were simply to be reviewed and approved (or not) and holidays abroad were just that, trips to foreign places to be enjoyed for their scenic beauty or cultural enlightenment.
But not any more! Well, not since my wife became a blogger! And then became as obsessed with this occupation as she is with playing Bridge and, to a slightly lesser extent, Golf. In fairness, she has come a long way since she started the blog, when she didn’t know how to turn a computer on and was reliant on me to type up her hand-written notes.
Dining Out
Now a meal in a restaurant isn’t quite the same until ‘She’ has taken photographs of every course, just in case she feels the urge to write a blog about the place later and has to have the evidence on show. It doesn’t matter that the rest of the restaurant patrons are giving quizzical looks in our direction.
Here (below) she is caught in the act at Chez Sara on Old Street in Malahide.
The Model Wife
Now, clothes are no longer bought outright, they are just ‘borrowed’ so that I can help in the decision-making process and then I’m obliged to take photographs of her modelling the outfits. My Samsung phone has a brilliant camera but apparently I’m not always good enough with poses, so multiple shots are required to satisfy The Blogger Wife.
We bought her a new blogger-friendly Canon EOS M10 camera last Christmas and we are both learning how to use it to better effect.
In the photo below, where Hilda is ‘lounging casually’ on a chaise longue, is one of several she insisted I take while we were on a mini-break to Harvey’s Point in Donegal (well worth a visit, by the way). After all that, she didn’t even use it in the eventual blog!
Holiday Snaps
On a holiday overseas, the random family snap on a beach or in front of a temple or palace is simply no longer adequate. Now, attention to composition is critical, wearing the right clothes to complement the surroundings or background is advisable and always keeping the look of the blog in mind is absolutely essential!
This photo was taken in front of a graffiti wall beside a canal in East London to highlight the new black raincoat. Does she look OK in the shot, is the angle right, is the colour contrast sufficient? This blogging business is no easy task, believe me.
Mind you, between the Blogger Wife and the stylist daughter, my knowledge of fashion matters has reached new heights in recent times.
Mobile Connection
In tandem with her new occupation, The Blogger Wife is almost permanently attached to her mobile phone. Such was the ever-increasing level of use – all in the interest of research via the Internet, don’t you know! – that the major jump in monthly phone costs necessitated an urgent change in her package with the supplier!
She still spends an inordinate amount of time on the phone but at least it’s cheaper now!
So now, after 35 years with Hilda as my wife, mother of our two daughters and now granny to Logan, I’m coming to terms with my new role as Blogger Assistant!
Providing my editing skills (when required), taking photographs constantly, and acting as chauffeur to the latest ‘assignments’ or to Irish Blogger Agency events are now integral parts of my new life, BESIDE THE HILDA – confessions of an Instagram husband!
If you haven’t yet met Hilda, or visited her blog, you really should! Here’s a little about her:
Hilda is a retired English teacher, mother of two grown-up daughters, granny to 10-month old Logan and happily married to the Gorgeous Graham for 35 years. They live in Malahide, a seaside town north of Dublin city, Ireland.
She decided to start her ‘Over The Hilda’ lifestyle blog two years ago so she could keep the brain cells ticking over in her post-work life and share her own journey into middle age. Using her own experiences and those of close friends and family, she aims to pass on useful tips, advice or just random thoughts on the challenges facing the older woman.
The topics can range from menopause to mascara, from health and wellbeing issues to fashion for the mature woman and from holiday experiences to recipes from her culinary-talented friends.
Hilda turned 60 last December and is a lover of theatre, fine dining, travel, reading and sports. An accomplished Hockey (field hockey, that is!) and Tennis player until back problems forced early retirement from those sports, she is actively playing Golf in her local club and (in the winter months) Bridge. I hope you will stop by and check out Hilda and Graham Here
That was great, Graham. Good to hear from the other end occasionally
I just love Graham’s article–and Hilda is wonderful too! I hope you’ll stop by if you haven’t already–to check out http://www.overthehilda.ie