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

The new thread is ready and waiting.

Yes I noticed yesterday that this one has almost maxed out Whiff, despite this brain fog which I can't shift so I'll start another so we're ready to carry on.

We have some friends coming for lunch today; I wish we hadn't. They're on holiday not far from here and had unbeknown to me, asked Mr. S. if we wanted to cancel due to Pip, but he said 'no', it's OK if they come .

I think to say I'll be 'a hostess without the mostest' would be an understatement.

Just noticed Smiles soon need to start a new thread as we are nearly at the end of this one .

Ive given up Yoga, so I leave it to nature to sort it all out. Pigeons seem to have taken my garden over I now hardly see a squirrel now, I preferred the squirrel.. I have got a very healthy fox though.

Blooming Squirrels, that I feed every day, are eating my rosebuds , tried protecting them, with spraying the buds with garlic slug repellant and putting some spiky cotton bush strips along the fence, but keeping a constant look out. When the buds open, I hope they will leave them alone.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMILES"

Sounds like you got some lovely gifts, sure Pipin is looking down from doggie heaven and wishing you a HB.

I had a knitted rag doll made of my estGC, I commissioned 2 sets, one I imagined giving to them at some point, not sure that will happen now. My set sits in my bedroom. My GDs in my life, when I said they were not to be played with, made them the only thing they wanted to play with , even though they had lots of toys, dolls and tons of Lego at mine. But they have lost interested in them now and thankfully they are still looking good.

Happy belated birthday from me too Smiles. Great birthday presents, and lovely your birthday was remembered by folk in your new community. You and Mr S do seem to have the ability to make friends easily.

Happy Birthday Smileless, know its a bit late. Your gifts sound lovely, so soon after losing your little friend so know uts different. Didn't realise I had joined so many years ago just shortly after Gransnet started 15 years ago, was on here as I couldn't figure out how to react to daughters indifference, soon found out though but it was a shameful secret back then, not openly talked about so all the more puzzling.
Whiff your daughter is so thoughtful.

Happy Birthday Smileless and belated birthday wishes to Whiff, hope you both have a lovely day🎂🍷

Happy birthday Smiles although it's bitter sweet . But you gave you Pippin a wonderful life and he gave you and Mr S what you needed . And that's the best relationship. He like his sister is family . Family doesn't have to be human . Infact I think pets are better than lot of family . They give and give and don't criticise or blame you . That's why guide and assistant dogs are so vital to people's well being . Have friends with physical and or mental health problems and their assistance dogs have improved the quality of their lives.

Saw my daughter and grandsons yesterday. When to garden centre as the tide was in . Going to take me to the beach the weekend. I didn't the £50 gift voucher they gave me for mother's day and only had to add £2 for the 6 plants I had. They had sent me some flowers on my birthday but knew I would have more.

They had brought me a new phone a Samsung galaxy,case and charger . Unfortunately the phone isn't working and won't charge so she taking it back to get it replaced. I do worry about what they spend on me .

Love your birthday presents. Things that mean a lot to you are the best sort of presents.

Have the best day you can.

Didn't know GN was 15 today . You must have joined few years after it started. I joined in March 2019.

🍾🥂🎂💝

Morning everyone.

It's a morning of mixed emotions for me as I have my first birthday without my little man and have been moved by such thoughtful and lovely gifts and cards from the friends we've made here, and of course from Mr. S.

Not the gifts one usually associates with a 65 year old!!! A beautiful rag doll I spotted last week which reminded me of one my dear gran made for me when I was a child and a Dumbo ornament from A & L which was such a surprise, that I cried.

I'd already had my pressie from Mr. S. when I fell in love with a large and beautiful ornament of Tinker Bell in March which he bought for me there and then. I don't think I will ever grow out of my love for all things Disney .

Apparently it's also Gransnet's birthday today. Had no idea that it was launched on the same day as my birthday, 15 years ago.

Thank you all for your kind and supportive messages. I started a thread in 'Pets' for Pipin and the many kind responses really have been a comfort for us both.

It's lovely to know that your busy enjoying your new GC Spring

Estrangement is just so common now, its come out of the woodwork and is talked about. It comes at a terrible price, there's no short cut or easy way through it, it is just comforting to know you are not alone but it leaves scars, hidden mainly. Eventually you live a different life to the one you thought was for you.

Morning all

Happy Monday Bank Holiday, no work for me or my son.

Good to hear how much joy your newborn GC is giving you Spring. Yes, seems to be the thing to do now; cut out those who love you most.

Spring. I keep going on my legs as I know I will end up in a wheelchair hopefully not for 15+ provided I live that long 🤣🤣🤣.

You must have made that lady feel better knowing she isn't the only one estranged . That's why I talk to others being a chatterbox. It's amazing how many people are estranged from family members especially children and grandchildren.

Glad you grandchild has brought you so much joy .I know I love being a great auntie may never see him in the flesh but my niece will send me pictures and videos as he grows up.

Sending love Smiles. Hope you can take comfort in the love and comfort your Poodle brought you and Mr S - in bucket loads!

Happy belated birthday Whiff. As ever you continue to inspire us with your active and full life.
Not posted much since our gc was born as life inevitably has been busier. Has brought us so much joy….but also sharp stabs of pain as we relive and remember the love we had for our EC growing up. Was chatting with a stranger the other day who was with a small child. I asked if she was her first gc. She replied she had 2 gc…..then corrected herself and said she had 3 but was estranged from the other family and had never seen the other gc. At least I could empathise with her!!

Thank you for your birthday wishes. Had a lovely day. My brother and sister in law have the ashes of their last dog and will be scattered with their's. Their jack Russel only sees once a year for 5 days but she never forgets me that's why we had to meet on the drive as she lies on her back and wees on my hand. Unquie way of saying hello .

Lot of the Wombles have dogs . Yesterday it was lovely at the plant swap with dogs coming for strokes .

Hopefully this might make you smile Smiles and Mr S. One has a lovely dog when she finds litter wees on it . I think it is her way of making easier to pick up without it flying away 😁

Smileless, I'm so sorry you have lost one of your dogs. My sisters always had dogs and l remember how upset they were when that happened. Dogs are such great friends and part of the family. We always had cats, more independent, but more than one got hit by cars on the road, always so sad.

Had a new carton of 12 protein balls outside [the good ones] ready to refill the bird container, forgot to bring them in and this morning they are gone! So, either a cheeky fox has carried the whole carton off or my cheeky GDs have hidden them.

Booked a little holiday with my friend yesterday, a week in St.Osyth, can take Joey, so looking forward to the break in June. Booked it as; last year didn't go with my DD&GDs as we normally do every year, thought maybe now she is working and the girls are bigger that they didn't want to go with me anymore as nothing was mentioned about going away together, but as soon as I mentioned about my booking with my friend my DD said Oh, what about us?. So, looking to book another and hoping to get my son to come along too. Didn't go anywhere last year and now already have two holidays to look forward to.

Have a lovely day everyone; dry & sunny xx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Whiff
Hope you had a lovely day xxx

Oh no Smiles So very sorry to hear that, it's hurts terribly I know. I hope you & Mr.S are ok today and of course his little sister too, hope she coupes with the loss of her brother.

I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved dog Smileless2012 - it is so devastating to lose them, & the hardest part for me is always watching the other one looking for them. I’m sure he had a wonderful life with you and it sounds like the end was as gentle and peaceful for him as possible. That is the best we can all hope for . Best wishes

Smiles and Mr S very sorry about your beloved poodle. But since you moved he has had the time of his life living on one, level lots lovely walks ,new sights and smells . He was your family just like any human and your are both grieving and your other dog will be lost and not understand where he has gone . But know you and Mr S gave him an wonderful life full of love and attention and he gave you that back . Pets are better than many human relations especially dogs and cats. He came into your lives when you most needed him and nothing will fill that void . But he brought you both such love and happiness when you needed it the most . A fitting epitaph.

I did have a lovely birthday went to Arnside on the train with travel assistance as I had 2 changes to make . Lovely journey and a beautiful place it's not far from Grange over Sands . Had lots of naughty treats. You know me found plenty of people to talk to..
Sat on the small pier eating homemade ice watching sand pipers as it's an estuary.

Smileless, I am so sorry your lovely dog has died. I know you both must feel so lost and heartbroken but take comfort his passing was peaceful and quick. He bought you both had much needed comfort and love when you both needed it. He had a wonderful home with you both. 💐

Hope you've had a lovely birthday Whiff xx

Our hearts are breaking as we lost our beloved little Poodle today. He had a stroke yesterday afternoon and lost the use of his back legs.

We had a lovely lady here at lunch time who made his passing the most peaceful I've ever known. His sister made her goodbyes before he was taken away. She knows he's gone because she's sad but not looking for him.

We've always dreaded this day as he came into our lives not long after we'd been estranged and brought us back to life again.

I knew it would be hard but still had no idea how hard it was going to be.

Happy Birthday Whiff.🚉🌝💐enjoy your mysterious day out. Looks as if the sun is out today for you.