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

DiamondLily sorry you still have an ex who tries to cause trouble . Good for you laughing in his face .

Because I am open about my estrangement by my son when I am with the Wombles we mix so sit by different people and recently twice been told by friends about their estrangements . They haven't been able to tell people before, one it's been decades . But I am a good listener and keep people's confidence.

My friend is well enough to hobble to the cathedral tonight . Very glad as she has been looking forward to it .

Smiles I took a leaf out of your book and sing and that has helped me get my speech back . And am going on the 22 nd to try out a choir of singers of all abilities. Told the organiser if I sound like a foghorn they must tell me as I value honesty and won't be offended. First session is free.

More people are noticing I am still and my speech is back . But like my daughter say the same thing my face looks different just thought I look the same but apparently the last 14 months I have looked different. Phoned my GP practice Tuesday for some 500 micrograms tablets as they only need to be cut in half instead of cutting 1mg tablet into 4. The pharmacy driver delivered them yesterday even he commented how different I look and pleased I was still.

That's what I love about moving here people care and really mean it . Yes I lost my son and grandsons but I have gained so much more . Doing things and joining groups never thought I would . I am happy . The last 14 months still did things I wanted but it's been harder . But thanks to my neurologist I am me again . And going to do things I haven't been able to do like go to the valley near me . It's within walking distance.

Anyway got the concert tonight and one next week week infact doing something everyday next week.
My daughter laughs when she looks at my calendar as it's getting fuller . But being back to me again have things I want to do this year and already have couple of ideas what I want to do next year.

Thank you all for being here for me .you will never know how much you mean to me . 💕

Yoginimeisje

Have an unpleasant situation here. My ex always manages to cause trouble when he's over on a visit. But now he's living here, whilst he gets his health sorted, it's got bad.

Family Easter 'do' last Monday, which normally I would go to, but have told everyone; best I don't go with ex there. All kicked off at the party with ex [no doubt worst for drink] going off on one that it was me that started the divorce, not true, and that he didn't leave for another women. I never said he did but he told me all the girls were after him at work and he soon had a girlfriend living with him. This is all 30yrs ago!

I knew nothing of all this till yesterday when my DD forwarded on the never-ending messages from her dad. I was getting ready to leave for my Yoga, so didn't read till this morning. My DD has now blocked him. My DD told me he has seen estD a few times now and she thinks it's the two putting their heads together to wage a vedette against me .

My ex (from 25 years ago) still tries to wind me up and cause trouble.

Luckily, my ACs don’t listen, and when he starts with me, I just sit and laugh in his face. That really upsets him.

His days of stressing me out are well gone. 👍

Morning all

Whiff your dead right about my ex, he was saying if we had stayed together, we would be well off and with a lovely home. So, as he has nothing and I own my own property outright and have monies in the bank, he is jealous.

So funny you calling the parents out, loud and clear, in the supermarket, that told them . Lovely re the birds.

Enjoy your trip to the Cathedral today and nice to hear you enjoyed your Greek meal yesterday.

Yogin I am sorry your ex is still a pain in the arse after all these years . Think deep down he is jealous you have made a life for yourself without him in it . Well they do say birds of a feather flock together so that makes sense if he is plotting with your estranged daughter. But he has already lost your darling daughter and imagine your son.

Seems he can't let go of the past but I hear that from friends who have ex's . And they make out they are the innocent party . I know with my brother his first ex once they spilt as he found her in bed with his best friend they didn't see eachother again and the divorce went through but they had only been married couple of years.

His second wife married 22 years but she decided twice before they finally spilt she didn't want to be married to him . Mr W hated her but never treated her badly, I didn't like her but she was family and treated as such. But she hated it when my brother especially when the children came along spent time with our parents and us .

Don't know if I have told this before. After Mr W died they broke up for the final time and my nephew and eldest niece where adults and went with my brother but his youngest daughter was 8. There 14 years between my nephew and his youngest sister and 10 years between the sisters .

I was in Wilko's and her patents saw me and told me in no uncertain terms how it was all my brother's fault and slagged him off. So in my loudest voice I informed then that their daughter choose to end the marriage plus she was shagging a 19 year old and she was in her 40's old enough to be his mother. Never seen 2 people go red so quickly or move faster than they had done for years.
If they saw me after that they avoided me .

Hope you don't hear from your ex . He is your past you have a bright present and future. And family that loves you very much .

Talking about birds opened my bedroom curtains the other morning and 5 male chaffinches where in my from garden in the lavender bushes .

Had lovely meal at the Greek restaurant and it's always great to be with the Wombles . Didn't have any pud as its was as it was our famous TV stars dad's birthday and she had made him a cake so we all had some it was delicious. I well I call her famous but she says not . Funny how much being part of Wombles has enriched my life . It's a real old fashioned community spirit. But have found northerners are so different to black country people . It right across the north into Wales and Scotland. But people in Lincolnshire are the same where my brother and sister are in law live .

Only gone and booked another concert at the Phil . Because I am a bronze member I get advance warning of concerts You would enjoy this Smiles it's Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong sing a long 10th December. I managed to get my ticket and my free companion ticket via booking on my phone as seats where going fast but got one that is suitable for me and next to me. Normally like to book talking to people but if I had waited might have missed out . But I managed to do it correctly.

Looking forward to going to the cathedral tomorrow hopefully my friend will be able to walk after her fall down since stone steps. As she has been looking forward to going .

Take care everyone.

Have an unpleasant situation here. My ex always manages to cause trouble when he's over on a visit. But now he's living here, whilst he gets his health sorted, it's got bad.

Family Easter 'do' last Monday, which normally I would go to, but have told everyone; best I don't go with ex there. All kicked off at the party with ex [no doubt worst for drink] going off on one that it was me that started the divorce, not true, and that he didn't leave for another women. I never said he did but he told me all the girls were after him at work and he soon had a girlfriend living with him. This is all 30yrs ago!

I knew nothing of all this till yesterday when my DD forwarded on the never-ending messages from her dad. I was getting ready to leave for my Yoga, so didn't read till this morning. My DD has now blocked him. My DD told me he has seen estD a few times now and she thinks it's the two putting their heads together to wage a vedette against me .

Whiff your GS must be cute to get all those little gifts. I saw that about Hadrian's Wall, disgusting! Enjoy your Greek meal, tasty food. I lived in Athens for 2yrs and put on some weight

Smiles how did it go with MrS brother? It sounds so lovely where you live. I've managed to attract some nice little birds into my garden now; robins, bluetits and blackbirds, love watching and hearing them.

Yogin glad you had a good time with your friend and your bang bang fish.

Hope Mr S got his brother ok and he loves where you live . Hopefully it will be dry for your golf game Smiles. My dad always said golf was a good walk spoilt . But he used to say it to wind our neighbour up. When Mr W had his vasectomy the surgeon said he would be able to play golf the next day . My idiot said that's good as I don't know how to play golf 🤣🤣.

Lunch was a hit with my friends on Monday as usual stayed 7 hours . We always have lot to talk about. They always take the leftovers with them out of temptation for me .

Cuppa and chat was a hit with my grandson. He had some toast and a biscuit as he doesn't like cake . He was made a fuss off and everyone thought he was older as he's tall. We had been shopping before hand and he wanted to buy his mom a card but in the end got a heart shaped mug mat it was only £1.99 from card factory. On the way saw the window cleaner which does all the shops and he talked to him as we where walking off gave my grandson 50p for his savings . Which was kind. When we went to get on the bus told my grandson what to ask for but the bus driver just said by a single on the way back and didn't take the money . I brought 4 cookies for him to take home from the bakery and a loaf as we where having baked beans on toast for lunch .

If anyone watched BBC breakfast new near 9am yesterday there was a topic about poo bags being stuffed into Hadrian's wall. Think I had said there was a good feel piece about the Wombles on BBC morning news in January about their litter picking but also about other things Wombles do .
The BBC had phoned our leader on Tuesday would she talk about it yesterday. So she did while the news presenters where getting annoyed about it she was calm when she talked. She's on iPlayer near 9am her name is Dawn . If anyone wants to watch it plus they showed part of the Wombles that was shown in January. I am proud to be a Womble but I do the craft group which I bake for ,cuppa and chat and part of the social side . Cinema outings I can't do . But a group went to see the Far away tree on Monday . Think that's the 4 th cinema outings . But tonight going to a Greek restaurant we have booked out the whole restaurant.

Saturday it was adult book or should I say books for adults and games swap . I took some books and cake for the workers . Books etc left over went to various charity shops. Month before was children's book and game swap which was a hit .

No sure if my friend will beable to go with my to the cathedral on Saturday as she feel down some stones steps. Hurt her foot and ankle and cut here shin twice . But I am looking forward to it as it's pop goes classical by candlelight. It's in the Anglian cathedral not Gods wigwam which the Catholic one is called .

Busy next week got something on everyday . Anyway take care everyone.

Morning everyone. It's lovely here too Yogin, the fresh smell of country side and the bird song makes it a pleasure to get up in the morning.

'Songs of Praise' is a good substitute and must be a comfort to anyone house bound who can no longer get to church. Doesn't matter what you sound like and I don't believe you're that bad anyway. Singing is good for the soul, so just let rip.

I haven't joined another choir as yet Hilltop but exercise my lungs at church and am often complemented which is nice. Mr. S. keeps asking because he says I'm wasting my talent but I just don't feel like making any kind of a commitment atm.

First game of golf this afternoon . Only played a few times last year and it's been so long I've forgotten what I'm supposed to do!!!

Morning all, another sunny bright day.

Smiles my church service is 'Songs of Praise' on TV . I really enjoy it though, sing along, but my voice isn't good, so good job no one can hear me! I teach a class Sunday morning, then no church services in the afternoon or Easter Monday, so TV has to suffice.

Smileless, do you still sing? Have you found another choir since moving?

Morning everyone.

We had a good weekend too Yogin, a meal out with friends on Saturday and a lovely church service on Sunday. The church was packed as all three morning service congregations attended the one service at 10.30. I always find taking communion on Easter Sunday particularly moving.

Oooh that 'Bang bang haddock' sounds yummy. I do salmon with a little sweet chilli sauce on the top and spaghetti tossed in sweet chilli sauce.

Mr. S. has gone to the train station to pick up his brother whose coming here for the first time. It's a beautiful day which shows the site at its best and we'll be going to the '10th Hole' on site cafe for lunch where I think I'll treat myself to a glass of Prosecco .

Hope you all had a good Easter, weather was good, albeit cold wind.

Good Friday I went for lunch with a friend, Saturday had DD&GDs for an Easter egg hunt then dinner. Sunday was to go out with my son, but he didn't feel well with a bad cold, so I called my friend with no answer . So went out on my own and got a call from said friend as I got to the park. We ended up having a really lovely lunch right on the seafront, actually on the beach in a lovely tapas bar. Had 'Bang bang haddock' [sweet chili sauce] with chunky chips and a glass of wine; Heaven .

Happy Easter everyone day late.🐰🐣.
It is such a relief to be in control of my body again thank you all for good wishes. I had 5 years after 32 years of not being able to control my limbs to being able to control them and not them me . So the last 14 months has been a mix of upset and mainly anger over the loss of control but at least it was just my arms.

Because of being near the sea it's the gulls of all types that are the main predators of eggs and chicks . Until I moved here didn't realise just how huge herring and black backed gulls are they land on my fence with a thud. Crows fly off. But Magpies attack them in a gang they are a sixth of the size of them but vicious when guarding their territory.

Hopefully now I am feeling myself I will beable to go too a valley which is walking distance from me . There is a friend's group for it and a talented photographer has taken pictures there .

Taking my youngest grandson with me to cuppa and chat tomorrow. My daughter text yesterday if I could have him and checked with the Wombles it's ok to bring him but I will pay for what he has. Funny kid doesn't like cake . So will buy some of the delicious cookies for him and the family . Must remember to ask my daughter if he can have a juice box or just water. They mainly have water and milk of course . I know the hi light of our outing with be going on the bus . I have already been told by my daughter she is giving me the money for his bus fare and no arguing.

Yogin you mention teaching tennis that's where his brother is going to tennis camp . My daughter will drop them off before work . Both boys had tennis rackets for Christmas. The eldest has been playing a couple of years and his brother plays at after school club.

Allsorts all year round hay fever must be annoying. Funny enough my husband got hay fever and eczema when he was in his early 30's started the same time . But it was summer hay fever. My son in law has the late summer sort and unfortunately my eldest grandson has it as well.

Seems strange putting eldest grandson but he is their eldest not my eldest grandson as I have no idea about him or his brother's. Glad to say still have silence from my son .

The dog walkers here Smiles still have the coats on their dogs as the sun is lovely but the wind biting . A friend in Fort William said yesterday they have snow .

Did all the prep work for my friends coming for lunch today yesterday. I always choice something that doesn't keep me in the kitchen long while they are here .

A friend has gone on a 5 day cruise with Saga they picked her up from home yesterday. Had text 9.40pm she had arrived on the ship. Here they do have big ships ,but mainly the smaller ones that have 1,300-1500 passengers . Not far to travel to get too the docking port. Those I know who cruise like the smaller ships .

Had my copy of the letter my neurologist sent my GP yesterday via NHS app he had put my new dosage but he also said I can up my dosage from the new 1.25mg 3 times a day to 1.5mg 3 times a day if I need to . That's what I love about my neurologist he listens and gives me a choice as I know my own body . But then again my GPs and cardiologist also listen and give me choices . Healthcare really is a postcode lottery.

Have a good day everyone.

HAPPY EASTER ALL

Good morning and 'Happy Easter' to you all.

Not the best of forecasts but it is sunny here if rather chilly. I hope you all have a good weekend xx

Brilliant news Whiff about your medication working.
Smiles, how horrible about the duck, I cannot see how it can manage without a beak, nature can be so cruel.
Debbie, my hay fever lasts all year round. Permanently on Cetrizine but when its really bad only a nose spray stops my eyes itching, I keep trying to stop the tablets but within 24 hours my eyes are itching and I continuously sneeze.
Yoga, I am always pleased to be on summertime as my body suits it better for some reason.

Afternoon everyone.

So pleased the medication is working well Whiff .

I do find altering the clocks is annoying Yogin and wish they were just left as they are. As you say, seeing nature at work is a draw back so I try to focus on the rabbits chasing one another around just outside the front of our lodge.

It's lovely and sunny here today but that wind is biting so the dogs will be wearing jumpers when I take them out later.

Morning all

Yes, I remembered the clocks Smiles. It was also my first day teaching in the Tennis courts at my club, it was actually ok and not cold, so all's good there. I was supposed to go to a friend's afternoon gig: 'Waves of Malibu' sounded lovely, but after the early start, losing an hour, shop in Lidl on way back, then lunch, I couldn't muster the energy to go .

Same happens in my park too Smiles really sad. I have some black birds nesting in my garden & have bluetits every day too, unfortunately 2 magpies, that are nesting in the tree in the garden at the back, they eat baby birds, the black birds chase them off, so hope they stay safe.

Well done Whiff with your recovery, your GC can see in your face how much better you are feeling. Good to hear about your opera, I'm not a fan but did really enjoy 'Madam Butterly'.

So pleased you decided to sort your medication to your advantage Whiff, with excellent results, you are in control again...
Busy lady, enjoy your events and take care.

Hope everyone remembered to change the clocks . I managed to change the timer on my oven without looking at the manual . That's a first.

My neurologist increased my Clonazepam by 250 micrograms 3 times a day . I know it will take at least a month before my GP gets the prescription increase. I am so tired of not controlling my arms and my speech coming and going. I fill my pill box of a Saturday so I had a good look at the 1mg tablet and it had a grooved cross so I decided to see if I could cut it into 4 using my pill cutter box. I destroyed 2 tablets before I could cut it into 4. So Sunday started taking the increased dose . By the time I went to my sit fit class I had taken 5 doses and my arms where under my control . I could do all the exercises without my arms doing there own thing . Our instructor said she couldn't get over the difference and others said the same thing plus my speech was normal.

Tuesday went to move it or lose it class . I kept hold of all the things we used and did the opposite arm and leg movement . Our instructor told me I was moving faster and did things I couldn't for a year . I can clap again . Others noticed as well and said so.

My daughter and grandsons came after school and she said I looked different I asked how she said your body and your face . So no idea how my face looked before. But I do feel different and happy I have control over my arms again .

I will leave it another week to make sure it's still working and email my neurologists secretary what I have done and how I feel.

Since January last year hated the loss of control over my arms and speech . For 5 years I had control after 32 years of my limbs doing what they wanted . It didn't make me depressed just very angry that the stroke neurologist dismissed me with it's a migraine.

My GN friend meet me at the Phil and a stewart took us to the box . My friend doesn't like classical music but has been converted. First was Elgar serenade for strings ,then the composer came out to explain the next piece which he composed to feel like a seance. So there were singers who shouted or sang odd works . The soloist sang part of the work . But it did feel like a seance . After the interval was Sibailius and that's what she enjoyed the most. We are going to pop goes classical by candlelight to the Anglian cathedral next month . But I am going to the Phil to the Mendelssohn concert on my own .

I am a member of their access scheme as I am disabled so I get a free ticket when I buy mine . But gave the Mendelssohn one back so they can re sell it as no one wanted to go .
Have other concerts booked . I do love going there such a beautiful place .

My daughter and family in Rome for the week . Just my usual things this week by next week busy every day and going out with Wombles for a meal to a Greek restaurant love Greek food and I am a veggie now plenty to choose from.

Already booked the restaurant for the meal out with my GN friends . Or Lunch club as our what's app is called.

Unfortunately that's the draw back living close to nature Smiles but that's nature for you survival of the fittest . Glad you have a nice meal with Mr S never tried Thai food or been to a Chinese or Indian restaurant. But then again all the things we had got planned once the kids go older never got to do. But I am loving all the things I am doing . Things I never thought I would . Next craft group one of our members is going to teach us mosaic so looking forward to that . But our cuppa and chat before that . I go to things in order I joined so giving up my move it or lose class for my Wombles cake etc and chat as I joined that first.

Afternoon everyone.

It's another lovely day here today and yesterday's very cold wind has gone but it's still rather chilly.

There's a definite down side to being surrounded by wildlife. One of the ducks was discovered by our neighbour minus its beak!!! .

I'm glad we didn't see the poor thing. A and L managed to catch it and L took it to a local vet to presumably be put down because I can't see how it could have survived. A wildlife sanctuary said it was a possibility if someone could be found to take care of it on a permanent basis.

They do get upset as their lodge looks out onto a pond and they see crows going after ducklings and sparrow hawks after small birds. Last year we were all saddened when the number of little ducklings diminished on a daily basis .

We overlook the golf course so are mostly spared thank goodness.

We're fortunate that we have the same taste in food Madgran apart from olives which I hate but Mr. S. loves. It's good that you can enjoy a Thai meal with your DD.

Hope the work on your garden's going well.

Take care everyone xx

Loving this sunny weather too and making the most of it in the garden too as I think it's cooling down this week. Unfortunately for me, it comes with hay fever - my allergy is to tree pollen. Read somewhere that the pollen counts is raised for Cypress trees. We have a Leylandi hedge all round our garden so I think that's what's causing the problem.
Glad to hear you are all doing nice things and making progress with your doctors! Such hard work here - I tried to get an appointment with a lady doctor and have to wait a month!

We are just back from a few days in Devon. Amazing weather which was a real bonus for a March break.

Tomorrow a load of building work jn the garden is starting to make it more manageable for us. I'm looking forward to when it is finished and I can reorganise all my pots and start planting again.

Glad you had a good neurology appointment Whiff. I love Thai food Smileless but Mr Mgran less keen so my daughter and I treat ourselves occasionally.

Morning all.

It's another lovely morning, I think the weather's going to change next week so we'll make the most of it while we can.

It's great that you have such a good neurologist Whiff and receive good care. Enjoy the Elgar concert on Thursday.

We had a lovely meal last night at the Thai restaurant we like, just the two of us so a nice relaxed evening.

Have a good day everyone and enjoy the .

Good news Whiff about your recent visit to Neurologist. I was told when I had a suspected TIA, brain scan had to be done within 24 hours.
Lovely weather at the moment and love seeing all the Spring flowers.