Support and friendship for those whose lives have been affected by estrangement.

Sorry to hear about your GD's worries DL, glad it's all good now.

I was really, really worried about my son last night. I left for work at 5pm, back at 9.30pm and he still wasn't back after leaving for work at 4.45am. He had to go on his motorbike [he's car wouldn't start], all the way to Graves End in that pouring rain, which is a long way off from us. I texted him and left a voicemail with no reply, I was sure he'd had an accident, I didn't even take my coat off. He finally got in about 9.45pm, I was so relieved, but it really shook me, being on a motorbike is so dangerous!

The medics on the ship told all the passengers to go back to their cabins - then they gave them all a green apple and a can of fizzy drink.

Apparently, that stops/cures seasickness, And, it seemed to work.

Who knew? 🤷‍♀️

I watched the first episode of 'Wolf Hall' how awful; he cut off the head of his young bride, it was grisly to watch, didn't watch the second one, but have it recorded.

I think I did need a stitch Smiles, but didn't fancy waiting 6 hours to get one . Nice to hear you had an enjoyable visit from your friend.

Well, it's 12yrs this month [&Smiles]. Next weekend is my estranged D birthday. I can't believe [on writing this] that the actually day, 16th Nov.' has been and gone without me realising it. I was having lunch with a friend that day and never gave it a thought. Just goes to show time heals all wounds. The first years after it happened, I would be lighting candles & praying for a reconciliation.

I would have been terrified Allsorts. We've been on a few cruises and only once had bad weather which apparently wasn't really that bad, but it was bad enough for me .

One of the crew told us that the best way to walk around was to imagine we were drunk; relax and wander from side to side. He was right!!!

A few years ago I was on a ship that went through a hurricane, battened the hatches,, the staff were sick many of them, the waves were stupendous and there was talk that it was off the Beaufort scale but I don't know if it was. I photographed from my cabin the force of nature, the waves that reached the top of the ship, I did feel safe though. Luckily I had met some lovely dinner companions and they all were fine to, so I had company and we had a good time. We missed 2 ports of call which was a shame as I won't be going back.
If I were younger I would work on a cruise ship, the staff become a family and you meet lovely people plus a few not so nice I expect.

I think, at the point of the piano sliding gracefully across the floor, I would have queried it a bit and not just applauded lol 🙄

Still, seriously, I am glad the stress is over - it got a bit manic for a couple of days.😉

That made me laugh DL, you couldn't make it up could you, a cruise ship veering to one side to the sound of 'My Heart Will Go On' .

I tend to have an over active imagination Sparkly. We watched the first Alien film when it came on tv. We were at my mums and Mr. S. told me sit with her because I was jumping when there was nothing to jump about!!! .

DL sounds a lovely adventure for your DD - the Caribbean after the Bay of Biscay…😳.

We’ve missed a few of you Smileless DL.

I agree about not liking watching things with violence in them Allsorts I chose to stop watching CSI, SVU and never watch horror films.
I have a good imagination and can frighten myself enough if something taps a window in a storm.

Evening estrangees.

Yes, she’s loving it. A wonderful experience for a 20 year old.

She found the whole thing amusing. The night this happened, they were doing a Celine Dion tribute thing.

Her biggest hit was from Titanic - half the passengers just thought this was a really clever immersive experience laid on for them. 🙄

Until everything started flying off of the bar and shelves 😉😂

That must have been extremely worrying until you knew all was well DL. What a fabulous career for your GD, seeing the world by travelling around on a cruise ship.

I bet it's hard work but a lot of fun too.

Good afternoon everyone.

It was an eventful week for me last week, in real life - my granddaughter is part of the entertainment team on that ship that ran into that huge storm near the Bay of Biscay. 😳

According to the Daily Mail, it tilted at 45 degrees. It didn’t lol 🙄- but even tilting at 14.5 degrees, there was some internal damage, and 2 people needed hospital treatment.

But, it all involved a lot of phone calls/texts and contact.

All good now - they hit Miami yesterday and are on their way to the Caribbean now. 🍾

Jeez, I don’t know what I’d do for stress if it wasn’t for my family lol 😉

Hope everyone is well

💐x

Evening everyone.

It's been a busy few days. Had a great time with S when she came to stay. Bought two fab Christmas pressies for Mr. S., I know he'll love them and can hardly wait for him to open them on Christmas day .

I'm getting used to my new car, managing to park without 'bunny hopping' into the space .

Mr. S. was 71 on Saturday, it's hard to believe he's so old; I don't know who finds it harder to believe, me or him. We went to see Gladiator 2 on Saturday; he went for the action and I went for the eye candy, neither of us were disappointed .

I love all things Tudor Allsorts. I had no problem watching the gladiators tearing into one another but had to bury my face into Mr. S. when animals were involved, even though they were computer generated images. Anything like that when we're at home, I don't look and ask him to mute the sound. We had a laugh because I asked him to mute the sound in the cinema, but of course he couldn't.

As we say time and time again on here Allsorts one size doesn't fit all when it comes to estrangement, and that goes for reconciliation too. What works for some, doesn't work for others and regardless of what may or may not do, both sides need to be willing to try.

I love 'I'm a Celebrity', it's the eating trials I literally can't stomach oh, and anything to do with rats and spiders; snakes are fine, my brother used to keep them.

Do let us know what you think of 'Abandoned' Sparkly. It isn't an easy read but is one of the best books I've read on the subject. Her other two 'Healing Beyond Understanding' and 'Scapegoating and A Strategy for Reconciliation' are equally as good.

I know Sharon, she sent me a draft of her last book before publication and last week sent me the first two pages of the one she's currently working on, which will be her last.

This one will be only about her own thoughts and feelings, without the psychological research undertaken in her other three. It looks very promising and I'm looking forward to the finished work.

Good grief Yogin you need to be more careful; are you sure you don't need stitches? Joey bless him obviously knew there was something wrong and just wanted to make it better. What would we do without our little dogs .

Yoga,,I cannot read anything about torture or cruelty, that why I cant watch Wolf Hall. Love History but the Tudor period was always difficult for me, it still makes me feel physically sick. I skip whole passages in books, which means I miss a lot. I watch the chat etc on the Jungle as different aspects of peoples character emerge but hate seeing insects and snakes in the trials, think the drinks are just stupid, but enjoy the rest. When young I wouldn't go to zoos and see big creatures in cages, that's thankfully changed, its conservation now. Hated the Circus where they made animals do tricks.
Sparkles, I read Joshua Coleman, he make up with his daughter so got something right. I tried his method, I was rebuffed.

Aw Yogi I love when they wash your hands…your little dog knows you are hurt?

Funny maybe isn’t it? I can’t watch cockroach eating or jungle rat xxxxxxxxs eating? But I can watch (fictional) beheadings and Henry VIII’s violence?

I found a Guardian article about Estrangement and books are recommended such as this one. It’s American as is his website but after I have finished reading Abandoned I may well buy;

No not watching Sparkly I'm watching Strictly, Country file & Antiques road show. Watched the beginning of I'm a Celebrity, will have to watch the rest at lunch time [out in evening from 5pm], hope I've finished my lunch before the grisly bits come on .

Stabbed my hand really badly cooking Sunday dinner yesterday, only a small entry point but really deep, wouldn't stop bleeding and painful, still so when I went to bed. Ok this morning, but big lump and scab, can't touch it as still painful.

Funny how my little dog was so drawn to my wound, obviously I didn't let him touch it, so he concentrated on the other hand, giving it a good wash

Afternoon Allsorts and Yogi and others we keep in mind…

Christmas present buying, what to give neighbours and others - box of chocolates.

Have you ladies been watching The Mirror and the Light? For a few weeks Sunday nights are marvellous - the Antiques Roadshow then The Mirror and the Light.

With a pack of chocolate biscuits…

Started my Xmas shopping yesterday, on-line, just some nice little presents to go with the main big one, will do some more when I've time, so probably Tuesday now. Not looking forward to this cold snap predicted. Winter draws on ladies

Ive out on weight I look like a jam role poly..I have been stopping in more so I eat. I need to not buy bread and make puddings as think I'm addicted to carbs.
Today I've decided to do Christmas shopping, mainly gift vouchers as don't know what anyone wants anymore. I ask but they don't know so how can I?
Love to those absent from the thread.

It’s getting really cold this coming week Allsorts I can hear a pudding with custard coming my way xx

Im afraid I've eaten too much already Sparkly. I blane the weather.

Thank you Allsorts and Yogi yes, both of you have a nice Sunday ☕️🍰

Thank you Sparkly It's not till February though, but needed to book now to get the dates I wanted.

Hope all of my Estrangement Buddies, have a good day.

Allsorts sorry to hear that. It’s the same everywhere sadly.