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

My precious son has a birthday this week he will be 55 and I can remember every minute of his birth including stitches. Sadly there will not be cards or presents from me, his brother and sister or any of his extended family as he has nothing to do with any of us, he has cut himself of completely for 4 years now, and I have no idea why but I love him and miss him so much.
He totally ignored me at his Dads funeral two years ago and so did my daughter in law and two of his three children. The youngest acted as a coffin bearer and he spoke to me, asked me how I was, and hugged me with tears streaming both our faces but that was it.
I don’t know how I’ve coped and unfortunately I’ve been very ill, I was in hospital for 13 weeks and when my daughter contacted him to tell him I was not expected to recover his only comment was ‘shame what you telling me for’
I’m not sending a card this year I can’t do it any more because he will return to sender on it and I’m too old and too ill to bother.
I have carers and one bought me some beautiful tulips today to cheer me up, such a kind thought and very much appreciated but I still hurt and it’s a pain I can’t explain to anyone.

Morning everyone.

Congratulations on becoming a Great Aunt Whiff which of course you will be in every sense of the word . Your brother and s.i.l. must be delighted to be GP's for the first time.

I bet you look better than OK DL which is why your ex made that nasty comment. Laughing at him is definitely the right response.

Our little family is once again complete now Mr. S. has returned. I don't mind some 'alone time' Yogin I just worry about anything happening to him. It's a fear we both share about one of us being left alone which essentially we would be with DS in Aus.

I did have a little cry yesterday afternoon, wondering how on earth we came to this and what could we have possibly done to make our ES treat us this way.

It's not because you expect your children to look after you when you're old, it's knowing that you have a son who doesn't care if you live or die when the other one's on the other side of the world.

Enough of that. It's a lovely day here and we're going out for lunch and getting plants so Mr. S. can work his magic with our hanging baskets.

Last night we were entertained by a hedge hog right outside the front of our lodge. So sweet and I'm hoping s/he will make use of our hedge hog house and move in.

Have a good day everyone.

....HEART....

Congratulations on your Grt. niece Whiff , so lovely to get some hurt warming news. Good to hear you enjoyed your concert and got good seats.

Rotton comments from your ex DL, I hope you've come out the other side of your grief and feeling better & stronger, perhaps a little yoga or Pilates, to tighten things up after your big weight loss, would help.

Morning all

Smiles hope you enjoy a little bit of alone time, sometimes it can be enjoyable. Some C can be just like their granddad or uncle, like the genes have skipped a generation.

Must tell you I am a great auntie now . My great nephew was born on Monday 6th. 7lb 14oz has lovely names. My niece sent me pics in the early hours must have been feeding time. I have got his presents and card already to send . My brother and sister in law's first grandchild.

I know he will grow up with lots of love and attention. Unfortunately my ex sister law will try and take over but my niece won't stand for it .

I will probably never meet him in person but I will have plenty of pics .

I have friends who have ex's some remarry some that don't . I know my ex sister in law hates the fact my brother remarried and he is happy . She remarried before my brother .
I never loved his first 2 wives but I love my sister in law very much . What my ex sister in law hates is my brother's children love their wouldn't call her stepmom as they love her more than their own mom and see how much their dad loves her and how happy they are .

My brother had only been going out with her for 2 weeks when he brought her to see me and told me he now knows what I had with Mr W . Told him it was about time he found someone for me to love . Remember on their wedding day mom said finally he has someone who deserves him . It will be their 10 th wedding anniversary this year but been together 12 years. As an added bonus I have adopted her dad as mine . He laughed when I told him I had adopted him . He even has the same name as our dad.

When his wife died we talked a lot because I understood exactly how he felt and he could say all the things he needed to that he couldn't to anyone else . And could cry with me holding him ,as like all parents no matter how old our children get we still want to protect them . He didn't want to upset his daughter more than she was .

DiamondLily so glad you found a man who truly loved you and you him. And I know when he died you lost half of yourself as he was your other half and you his and you made a whole . Others here know that feeling only to well.

Like all the people with ex's I know they are jealous when they find their true love . And try to tear them down . I lose weight when Mr W died but unfortunately put it and more on but I was 45 . Mom lost 3 st and never put it on again but she was 80 same aged as dad when he died.

Love like grief never dies. But those of us lucky enough to find the other half of ourselves and we where there other half. It is something to cherish. I never wanted anyone else but I didn't have an ex so my situation is different.

Took my long enough to train Mr W hadn't got the patience to do that again . 🤣.

Had a brilliant night at the cathedral and we had good seats because I explained what I needed we had reserved on our seats. My friend loved it . Took her to the train station by me as the city was very busy with grand nation and the football had just let out . It was easier for her to catch the train and shorter journey her husband picked her up . She thrust £10 into my hand as she got out . But she will be getting it back as we have to go past the station on my way home . The taxi firm I use the driver's are lovely only 2 that aren't but I don't have them . Driver last night wanted to walk me to my door but told him I was find. I had fitted battery operated sensor lights to my ramp plus the light comes on over my door and light on the garage and had left my hall light on .

Busy week ahead again but love it.

Well, my ex has never really forgiven me for leaving him, and not looking back. He hasn’t forgiven me for remarrying to my DH. 🙄

When DH died, ex used to look for me presenting as grief stricken (which I was). But I used to plaster on a happy smile and never let him see that.

After DH died, I started losing weight - stress vomiting and a complete loss of appetite. I’ve shed virtually half my body weight, and I’m now smaller than I was at 16. 🙄. I still struggle with it, because it’s cost me a fortune in clothes. 😳

But, losing weight has had its benefits. I’m physically fitter, and actually, look fairly ok.

Every time he sees me, he has to say something along the lines of “you're looking a bit scraggy nowadays” - I just laugh at him.😂 😂

He’ll never change. 🙄

Morning all.

We enjoyed our game of golf Whiff. It was a lovely sunny day and we were all rather hot by the time we'd finished. I did well enough keeping my shots straight and on the fareway but find it frustrating that I can't hit the ball very far.

L is good, D is like me and then of course there's Mr. S. who always makes that lovely 'thwack' sound when he strikes the ball which travels so far, it's out of sight!!!

So pleased your lunch went well and you enjoyed your Greek meal; I love Greek food . Singing is a great form of speech therapy and good fun too. Clear diction is so important and it's amazing how many 'professional' singers haven't mastered it so you can't understand what they're singing about.

Enjoy your trip to the Cathedral today.

Looks as if you dodged a bullet by not going to that family 'do' Yogin; thank goodness you didn't. Goodness me, how some people manage to hold on to anger and bitterness for so long is astounding isn't it.

It says a lot about him that your kind and loving DD has blocked him, it must have been upsetting and embarrassing for her to witness his behaviour.

It's not healthy for your ED if she has a vendetta against you and is in league with her dad who from what you've said has never been there for her. Why can't some of these EAC be satisfied with the choice they've made and get on with their lives as we get on with ours?

Same goes for exes yours and DiamondLily's, it has to be jealousy of the lives you've made for yourselves perhaps it's a case of this is how their lives could have been.

It was lovely to see Mr. S.'s brother. It's weird just how much DS is like him. Same 'voice' and mannerisms; honestly they're so alike I could understand why someone maybe suspicious, if you know what I mean.

Strange weekend for me as Mr. S. went away yesterday and wont to back until tomorrow. He's gone to a conference held by the 'Shroud of Turin' organisation he helps to run. Just not used to him not being here with me as it's so rare, the last time was when he was in hospital just before the Covid lockdown.

The dogs don't like it either. They're following me around everywhere and our Cockapoo keeps going into the bedroom that overlooks the drive and looking out of the window .

Whiff so nice to hear you are happy in life after all the upset and trauma of losing your S&GSs. Good luck with your singing lessons, I certainly need some and enjoy your concert tonight, you could practice your singing skills, quietly mind .

DL Well done you, with handling your ex. My ex was nice as pie when I last saw him a year ago. But he is big trouble, so much so my DD has left the family group, telling them why and saying she will not join any family gatherings with him there. Her uncle backed her up and said his brother is a dickhead and he has told him so .

Putting my car in for re-gasing at 9am, have a memorial birthday gathering at 12noon so hope it's back in time. I asked the garage when I had my mot and major service just a few weeks ago that the aircon needed looking at; they didn't, also they didn't inflate my tyres, my son did it and said they all needed doing So seems they are good at ticking boxes but not on the work. I will 'pull' them about it and say I hope you have refilled all the fluids and not just ticked the box because that would be dangerous!

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