Friendship, advice and support if estrangement has affected your life.

Afternoon everyone. We woke up to a beautiful sunny and frosty morning here .

You've been so busy sorting out your new home hugs I'm not surprised you're feeling tired, maybe a day or two of taking things easy is just what you need.

How annoying Yogin. Maybe there was a small crack you hadn't been aware of which may have been aggravated by the cold weather.

So pleased it didn't stop you from meeting up with your sister after such a long time, and that you had a lovely lunch. It's great when you can meet up after such a long time and it feels as if only a few months have past.

Started this post this morning and was interrupted with a surprise face time with DS and then we went out for lunch and a mooch around a garden centre, so if I've missed any posts I'll find out when I post this.

Lovely to hear about your kittens Sparkly it's so nice to have a fur baby to love and cuddle isn't it.

Thanks Hilltop it's a bit of a bind getting it up and running on the laptop as opposed to just switching on the TV.

Whiff I was surprised when I went on the X-trainer how hard I found the first 5mins, I was fine after that though, but showed me I was not as fit as I thought I was, so going to keep it in my fitness routine from now on. Well done with yours Smiles

Got a huge crack in my windscreen, was there Sunday morning out of the blue, booked for a windscreen replacement, have to wait 12days!! Had already made arrangement to meet my sister in Lakeside yesterday for lunch, wondered whether to cancel but had been told I'm ok to drive my car with the crack being on the passenger's side. I hadn't seen my sister for 3.5yrs, due to covid, we had a lovely lunch and it felt like I'd only seen her a few months back not 3.5yrs!

Hello Hugs Must dash, love to all xx

Hope your back is improving Whiff.
Nice to see you sparkly and Hilltop

Having a really tired spell so just popping in for a quick wave. Catch up properly soon. x

Good news about your friend Whiff, I hope she fully recovers soon.

Oh I've told him .

Yogin using a cross trainer must take good co ordination glad you enjoyed doing it. Because of my back I didn't go to my sit fit class yesterday and missed going . It's funny how you soon get into the habit and look forward to weekly exercise class and meeting my friends.

I brought a heated pad off Amazon doing my back the world of good. Got 6 heat settings and 4 times to set .

My friend came through her lumpectomy fine yesterday and doing her exercises and just resting . Her son lives with her so he is taking good care of his mom. And the dog doesn't leave her side.

Hilltop glad to hear from you . I never forget the date I last saw my son nor the date of his email and letter. As with all of us we will never know why they decided parents become disposable. At least people can talk about it now. But the shame is on their heads not ours. They think they are the perfect parents one day they will realise they aren't especially when our grandchildren get their own partners.

Sparkly Glad you have your cats bet they keep you on your toes. Most of my craft group friends have either cats or dogs or both. They make me laugh what they get up to. Bet your cats had a ball with the Christmas tree. One of my craft friends read if you put foil round the tree the cats don't like it. Hers did and rolled it into balls .

Smiles my parents never had well paid jobs so they became inventive when it can to doing things. My nan taught my dad to cook like she did my mom . Dad went to a talk about homemade wines and took to it. He taught my husband how to make wines from fruit and veg. But always used the peelings so nothing was wasted. Mom learnt to knit when she was 6 a neighbour taught her.

I find exercises has improved my strength and mobility well mobility as long as my body behaves. Our instructor had us sit down marching using legs and arms together the other week to Queen's another one bites the dust didn't realise how long that song was or how fast a beat but we did it .
Mr S not remembering why he gave up with the TV tell him it's a sign of old age . 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

We had all weather's today sun,hail ,snow ,rain and sun again.

Enjoy your evenings x

Oh dear Whiff, I hope your back is feeling better.

Your GS's sound adorable, especially the youngest understanding nannie couldn't play with him; so sweet.

You came from a gifted family, what with your dad's wine making and your mum's knitting. I can see where you've got your skills from, not to mention your success as a gardener despite your DH saying you had a black thumb.

Hope you enjoy the Brain Charity event tomorrow. Just love your positive 'go getting' attitude to whatever life throws your way x.

Good for you Yogin. I've started my exercise routine again a couple of days ago and was surprised just how much I felt it the next day, so must keep it going.

Lovely to see you Sparkly. You are a mum again. We're mums to our fur babies and they bring so much joy and unconditional love to our lives don't they. I don't think we could ever be without them in our lives.

I still miss my beautiful boy but have resisted the temptation to get another cat as it's more practical with the amount we go away.

Hello Hilltop. I sometimes have to think about how long it's been for us too. There are times when it feels like only yesterday and other times when I can scarcely believe how long it has been.

Thanks for the info about ITVx, I think as Whiff's said it depends on the age of your tv. It's an option on our tv here at the lodge and the one in our flat and kitchen/diner at home,but the home tv in the lounge.

I asked Mr. S. why he'd 'given up' trying to get on and he said he couldn't remember!!!!

No surprise there.

Hello everyone, l lurk on here and enjoy seeing your news. I'm still estranged, 3 years now or I'm surprised to say I'm not sure if it's 4. How can l not know? Must check.
Anyway, l came on to say that although l have TV 's that can't get ITVx , l have recently found that l can get it on my tablet. I have signed up and it is free if you don't mind adverts. You can pay something a month if you want to get rid of them. Hope this helps someone.

Morning Smileless and others here this morning. I haven’t been here for a while and thought I would come and say hello, how are you managing?

I adopted 2 kittens last year, they are gorgeous, and I feel almost like a mother again. My fur babies are so glad to see me every morning, it is a lovely soothing thing.

The estrangement trundles on.

Wishing everyone a sunny Spring day, which it is here. Some of my daffs are out!

Sorry you hurt your back Whiff hope it's feeling better today.

Smiles didn't watch crufts, watched last year and really enjoyed it.

I arrived a bit too early for my Sunday yoga class, so had a go on the cross-trainer, 15mins, I'm surprised I can feel it on my arms and legs, so intend to do at least 2-3 sessions a week from now on.

Hand did its own thing and hit the post button. Going to Brain Charity open event on Wednesday. Been looking forward to it for a month. There will be talks by neurologists ,stalls and looking forward to meeting the lady who has helped me . Plus meeting new people and treating myself to lunch there.

Will still go to craft group but won't be able to help set up. But they are a great bunch so will understand not that they expect me to help set the room up. Once of our crazy lot is have a lumpectomy today so my thoughts are all about her.

Hope you all have a good day.

Glad you enjoyed Crufts Smiles . Many moons ago there used to be a huge summer fair at Himley Hall. Huge tents with veg, craft,wine, preserve,floral and children's competitions. There was a dog show and one of the best events was for the friendliest dog . My dad always won with his homemade wine. Until one year and he didn't get placed was not happy until the judges told him his wine was to alcoholic that year. He won the following year and from then one until the council stopped putting the show on. Mom won with her knitting and me with my baking .
Happy memories.

My daughter tried to get ITVX on my TV that's how she found out it was to old to get it on. I expect ITV want people to have to buy something so they can get it. I only use the free things on my smart TV. The license fee is high enough without paying more out when there is a wide choice on the other companies free sites especially All 4.

I hurt my back on Thursday on the bus . I was sitting on a side seat and fell back down . Didn't realise I had hurt myself as it was so cold. So pulled the tables out ready for our group. Was fine until I got home and warmed up then the pain hit . So went to bed at 8. Friday was very careful what I did and it was feeling better. No idea what I did on Saturday but I made it worse. I can only shower once a week as it exhausts me so do it on Sunday. Quickest shower I have ever took.

My daughter and youngest grandson came oldest had gone on a bike ride with his dad. Little one is talking more. But understood nannie couldn't play. So with my legs up on the settee he lined all the animals up and told me what they where and the sound they made. Then played with the Duplo with his mom. After they went as it was a flying visit as I needed my green bin putting out and some idiot must have backed into the end of my wall and dislodged to large top end stone. So my daughter put it right. Hope it damaged their car. I never heard a thing. So no exercise class for me today just resting as I am going to the Bra

Will do Yogin.

Did anyone watch Crufts? I really enjoyed it, disappointed that the Doberman didn't get best in show as I thought he was fabulous. Got really excited when I saw the pekingese as we used to have one, well two because we took my mum's and step dad's in when they couldn't cope.

I really love the breed but Mr. S. is resolute in being against ever having one again.

Mild and sunny here this morning but very windy which always makes our little poodle skittish. I pointed out the immaculately groomed poodles to him and he was suitably unimpressed and I don't blame him.

He'd definitely win the cutest toy poodle category if there was one.

Yes, I can't get ITVX either, didn't know you have to sign up for it. Let us know if Mr.S manage it, so he can pass the know how onto us.

Got it sorted, will watch Crufts and then Endeavour on ITV+1 then catch up with Dancing on Ice tomorrow; phew.

A new Indian restaurant has opened just up the road from where we're staying so we went last night and as we walked in I say someone who used to work at an Indian we used to go to before we moved.

He'd left sometime before that so it must be 10 years since we've seen him but even so, he recognised us straight away which made us feel rather good as we obviously haven't changed that much.

It was lovely to see him and to discover that he owns this restaurant, the food was lovely so we had a good evening.

Our main tv at home is about 10 years old Whiff so we can't get ITVX but we can in the kitchen diner, here and at the flat but still haven't got around to signing up for it.

Mr. S. started a few weeks ago but lost patience and gave up. I don't understand why you have to jump through hoops and sign up for something that's free. Think I'll get him to give it another go while we're here.

Have a good day everyone.

Smiles I was 25 when I had my daughter and 29 when I had my son. That's what smart TVs are for that way you get to watch everything.

I binge watch series. Hinterland was very good . Now watching Shetland from the start.

Can't get ITVX on my TV as it's 8 years old. But get all other free channels . And I refuse to pay for TV progs.

Enjoy your time at the lodge .

I only think about how old I am when I think about how old DS is. Glad we're not the only ones with a 40 year old 'child' Whiff and Yogin and I do remind myself that I was still 21 when he was born.

So pleased we came yesterday as it's lovely here today. Sunny and feeling quite spring like and set to be even milder tomorrow.

I've been enjoying Crufts and so far have picked the ones who are through to the best in show but what a dilemma for tomorrow evening's tv viewing; final of Dancing on Ice, last ever Endeavour and final of crufts; what to do!!!!

Well, I braved it out yesterday, waited for the snow to stop, about 11am. Got to the park it was sunny & dry! but sooo cold. Got back home and it snowed all afternoon and into the evening, I covered some of my plants that are in bloom.

My DD is 40yrs this coming August too. I think the same how can I have a 40yr old child She's arranging a big party, so something to look forward to.

Wish the weather would improve, middle of March and -2 last night!

Have a lovely time at the lodge Smiles . My daughter will be 40 this year how time flies by. Doesn't seem five minutes since she was born.

Snows all gone but at least my daughter's boys made a snowman yesterday before school and nursery and imagine my son's 3 did as well.

Not doing much today ,but talking to a friend from the Midlands so that will kill 2 hours we never run out of things to talk about.

Have a good day everyone.

Snow here too and brr it's cold.
Have a lovely time at the lodge, smiles.

We're here arrived about 6.00pm; decided we couldn't wait until tomorrow.

Morning everyone. Hope you're all managing to stay warm, no snow here thank goodness and looks as if we'll miss it altogether.

You're right Allsorts and Yogin, once my beautiful shoe collection's gone it's gone so I'm definitely wavering. My friend asked when/if we were sending the pics and when she got them she said she understood my dilemma.

Mr. S. has likened it to Whoopi Goldberg in the film 'Ghost' when she's struggling to hand over that cheque to the nuns.

We went out for lunch on Wednesday and I wore my cowgirl boots that I bought in Florida. Wasn't intending to get rid but hadn't worn them for ages. It felt really good wearing them again; funny how a really good pair of shoes/boots makes you feel dressed up.

What a strange and unsettling experience Whiff. Not what anyone expects when workmen are coming to their home and even more unsettling for a woman on her own. You're certainly having a run of bad luck with things breaking down, but it's good that you're fully covered and get things sorted quickly.

Great cake, looks good enough to eat. Do take care if you have to go out today and if you don't, stay in and keep warm.

I think you're right hugs, appliances aren't built to last are they. I sound like my gran but it's true. When our fridge freezer broke down just before Christmas, if not for having repair or replace cover, we'd have bought another one, especially as it didn't get repaired until the new year.

Well at least your little fur baby will go out when the weather's horrible Yogin. Our little poodle hates it and his sister cockapoo, even though she's not bothered about the weather, doesn't like to go without him.

It was our DS's 40th birthday this week. How can he be middle aged. I told him, if he thinks it's bad being 40 to imagine what it's like when your son is.

Hoping that we continue to keep clear of the snow as we're going to our lodge tomorrow. We always take both cars and I hate driving in it, so fingers crossed.

Spoke too soon; it's just started to snow.

Cake looks lovely Whiff What terrible weather we are having! Normally take my dog out every day but last 2 got my son to take him out, they both came back soaked! I aim to brave it today but it's still raining!

Glad to say the cake went down well. It was delicious. I hadn't made it since my husband died it was his favourite.

Woke to this and it's still snowing apparently it's a rare sight in my part of the country . Winds are usually to high for it to settle. Be the first time a lot of children have seen snow this deep.

Already got the heating on. Blow the cost I need it today. Normally only have it max of 4 hours a day.

Keep warm everyone and be careful if you have the snow and have to go out. 🥶❄️

Looks delicious whiff

Snowing here but still going to craft group going early as library has warm hub . Save using my heating. Made this cake as a friend from group has her lumpectomy on Monday. Not pretty like your cake Hugs but there is total 400g of chocolate in it and icing plus 300ml double cream plus usual cake ingredients.