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

Hilltop big }}}Hugs{{{ it's like they can't leave you be, they must stick the knife in from time to time, just to make sure you're still hurting from them. You've done the best thing in not replying, take care.

Nice post Allsorts

Well, I'm off to Lakeside to meet our London family for Xmas lunch and present giving. I've heard the roads are really bad, so best set off extra early. Lakeside is about in the middle of us all and does have some nice restaurants.

My blooming nails that I had done for Xmas, just 9 days ago, costing £48, are already peeling off! One completely off, two half off, so sitting here doing a repair job

Yesterday I met a friend for a drink in a pub and someone stole my purse out of my bag. I had five bank cards in it and they immediately started spending my money. Grrr. I realised after an hour and froze my cards but now have to go through the fraud process with all the banks.
I should never have taken out all my cards together, so have learnt my lesson.
So please don't let this happen to you. There are some really horrible people out there who only care about themselves.
The pub incidentally got it on CCTV and I have reported it to the police. So I hope they get their comeuppance!
And it has all just added to my stress levels this Christmas!

Debbie a few years ago my purse was stolen when l was in the local town. It taught me a lesson, my life was all in there. Credit and debit cards, library, tesco, sparks cards, bus pass, everything. I now have it all spread around and protected.
But l will never forget the kindness of a stranger who drove me home.
I'm sorry this happened to you. Fortunately my thief hardly spent anything before the cards were stopped.
I had a visit from a nice policeman afterwards.
It will get sorted out for you, please don't get too stressed .

It happened to me as well and everything did get sorted, I now only carry one credit card, maximum £50 in cash and just the store cards for the stores I will be shopping at. I don't shop or bank on line. The one be thing I dread losing is my I phone everything is on it, wish it wasn't but that's modern life now.

That's not good Yogin and if I were you I'd complain. I used to do my own nail extensions and they would last for a lot longer than that; Gel ones should too.

What a rotten thing to have happened Debbie. I hope you've managed to get everything sorted and whoever stole your purse has a really rotten Christmas.

I don't bank or shop on line and don't have anything on my mobile 'phone Allsorts. Not that anyone would bother stealing it anyway as it's a little Doro and I only use it to make and receive calls and send and receive texts.

Well this is my favourite time at Christmas. Dental and hygiene appointments done this morning and the last food shop put away.

It was heaving in Tesco's and I picked up the last bag of sprouts, so pleased we didn't have to wait while they restocked. Appointments and shopping completed with just 5 minutes of the 2 hours time allowed in the car park to spare .

Haven't forgotten you all. Been caught up with going out and going in other forums not just on GN . But on BHF forum ,my HPX Face group and other local groups I am part of.

As usual spread myself thin. Woke at 4 in tears but they where for my husband not my son . I allow tears for my husband on Christmas eve but never Christmas day made that pact with myself in 2004 and stuck to it. Christmas was his favourite time of the year.

Hopefully be back later. If not all have the best Christmas you can and know our kids made their choices not us .

Wishing you all Merry Christmas and hope 2026 you do everything you want . 🎄🥂💞

Wishing all fellow estrangees a peaceful, holy and gentle Christmas. We carry a sadness but this doesn’t erase the many kindnesses and things that we’re thankful for. It’s not a perfect world, but there are still people/things to celebrate and enjoy. Love to all x

Had strange day today, felt as if I was outside looking in which is weird. Typing this a gardening post appeared so I had to delete it. Have a good Christmas to all my friends on here, we didn't want to be in this club but we are and things seem better for it.

Happy Christmas to you all. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. X

Merry Christmas to you all. Have the best Christmas day you can . 🎄🥂🎁💞

Merry Christmas to you all, thank you all for your constant support, heres to a peaceful coming year.🎅🎄

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas Day and Best wishes for 2026

Happy Christmas to all.

Off to meet my park friends for a little tipple & nibbles before going on to my DD&GC for Xmas dinner so should be a good day, wish you all the same. God Bless xxx

Read yesterday that the Beckhams have been estranged from their eldest son for a year now! It looks like it is the new d.i.l, so more of the same; jealousy of a once close birth family!

Bah humbug lost my post 🤬no idea which finger hit some thing.
Wealth and power can't protect you from estrangement just look at the King.

My sister in law made these as part of my Christmas present.

Big Christmas hug to you all. I would have been lost without you all the last 5 years . 💞

'Merry Christmas' my dear friends.

For almost 13 years I have found friendship and support that saved me.

Love to you all xx

Article in The Times newspaper on Christmas Eve about estrangement - calling out online chat forums that encourage people to go no contact when they haven’t a clue about the reality or complexity of situations. Referenced it being ‘cult like’. Overall message was that people need their families (unless of course are serious abuse issues). We know this but is a relief when mainstream media begin noticing and commenting. Hope today has passed peacefully for all.

Morning everyone, hope you all had a good day yesterday.

That is good Spring. Encouraging estrangement as a 'go too' solution regardless of the situation is reckless and often with little or no thought for the consequences of those estranging, as well as those being estranged.

Totally agree Smileless.
Here is photo of the article - it has balance in it but is worth reading.

Morning all

Hope you all had a Brillant Xmas day.

Lovely 'door wreath' Whiff. I reckon your post dropped down onto your tool bar, if you look for a hi-lighted box, click on and it's your post hopefully!

I bought a lovely door wreath when I went to the Germany Xmas market with my DD before her C were born, all natural with acorns cinnamon sticks etc. carried all the way home, along with a giant beer keg for my son with inscription for him on it. Every year put my door wreath from Germany on the door but repairing a little each time, this year thought I needed to buy new, but the only ones I liked were the same as I had costing more than £25, so did another repair job and still looks good today .

Smiles love and }}}hugs{{{ to you too.

Spring So true; the article in The Times, and as you say; good to read.

Hope you all enjoyed your Xmas day as much as my Joey did .

Thanks for the article Spring.

Isn't Joey simply adorable Yogin. Mr. S. got some video of our two playing with their pressies in amongst the discarded wrapping paper.

We had a lovely day in fact, this has been the best run up too Christmas, and Christmas day we've had since our estrangement .

Strange as I thought that message from my cousin would derail me, but it seems to have had the opposite affect. Being confronted with someone who estranged me wanting to resume contact, and allowing my head to rule my heart has strengthened me in my resolve to put us first.

It's the life we've built for ourselves that matters now, and we mustn't allow anyone or anything to undermine it.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. Enjoy the rest of the holidays.
Atm everything is fairly ok with the AC. but believe me, the eggshells are always there….
Thanks to Smileless and everyone else, who have over the years, given me advice on one thing or another.
Hope 2026 will be a better year for everyone.

Yoga what a great photo. At my sons tge cars were centre stage with theur antics, i think if i am temoed to have anitger cat I would get two as they are such good playmates, apart from the odd hiss if a favourite toy us threatened,
Smileless, you are much stronger now and followed your instincts, well done. You should be called Smiler now.
Whiff, Caroline is so talented, you lose yourself in your craft son no wonder you both get on creating beautiful work.
CrazyH, walking in eggshell is exhausting, I cannot do it any more, however now I don't have the need,