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

Pleased you still enjoying your wanderings Whiff, you and i were estranged around the same time, i recently realised that those i miss were from a different time in my life, we have all moved on, so much has happened to all of us in those estranged years, ive changed, and they will have to, my feelings for them are based on memories.
I still miss them so much, but cant imagine how we would interact if reconciled.

Glad Poppy has a new fur cut. There is a lady I see regularly on her way to the park she has a lovely little terrier. When it was at its hottest didn't take her out for 3 days just riggered up a shelter in the garden for her. She did make me smile when out walking always takes a bowl and water for the dog. Even when she is panting she wouldn't drink out of the bowl only at home. So ends up pouring the water over her back and rubbing some into her face. Like one of my neighbours dog they had her from a puppy and lived 12 years but she was funny she would never turn left to got too the park so always had to walk further to get her get there. If they picked her up to turn left she fought them 🤣. Dogs are so funny . Be seeing Aggie next week she never forgets me and gets excited that's why I have to greet her on the drive and she lies on her back for a tummy rub and always wees on my hand. I think is she is marking me as hers.

Yogin glad your daughter hasn't any broken bones . Hopefully no muscle,ligament or tendon damage as they can take longer to heal than a break. The antibiotics while dealing with the infection depending how long the course is can make some people feel low . Problem with anything to do with feet and legs its not as if you can rest them for long.

Will see my friend on Friday the concert starts at 1pm. She is still in pain but walking further. Says she will stick to walking and swimming .

My friend who I meet at sit fit when I first joined the class 3.5 years ago said they raised over £800 in donations from the Palestinian embroidery afternoon and talk on the evening. Saw her on Monday but wouldn't see her until August as she is off on her travels. She is an amazing woman you think she is like an absent minded professor if you saw her. But she is highly intelligent never blows her own trumpet just a joy to be with . Mr W dieing when he did never did all the things we wanted so I love hearing all about the places people go and their adventures. Places I can never go to. But I still have my adventures.

Last choir for me this week as they break up until September next week. Still practicing every day while using my static pedals. Should have 2 lessons in September before we record the songs . Already told them I need to be on the end of a row and need a chair incase I can't stand up the whole time .

Smiles can understand why singing brought you so much joy . I am not a good singer but think I am getting better.

Get my case packed today as I always have to get it done long before I go.

Had a lovely walk on the beach with my daughter Monday morning. Beach here are sandy but the one nearest to us there are patches of quick sand even though marked people still get stuck.

Sand is hard packed so easy to walk on . By the sea wall the sand is loose. Saw lot of dead jellyfish some had beautiful patterns . It was lovely just the 2 of us. They have a new car on order . Its electric had the charger fitted . But she said I will need a step to get into it. But I have a spare toddler step which will do the job. At least my son in law won't be squashed driving in future. They have had the VW Golf since their oldest was a baby . Both my grandsons are tall. Finally told my daughter I don't want to see her brother evet again as we are strangers and I can never forgive him and that I decided that 3 years ago. We never talk about him as the boys are with us. She said she is glad as he has hurt me to much.

Thinking him about I loved the son I had for 32 years but now not sure I love him this last 6 years . Do others feel like this. We are now strangers and I am not the same mom he knew have no tolerance for bad behaviour.

not allow an hour and 45 minutes to get there; an hour and 15 minutes

I can't remember the last time we had such a stressful day .

It should take about 50 minutes to get to the groomers so we always allow an hour and 45 minutes, just in case and it took an hour and a half!!!

First set of roadworks; not too bad but then a second and third set only about 200 meters apart so there was total grid lock as the traffic on both sides couldn't move.

Then stuck behind an idiot doing 30 in a 50 and we couldn't get past him for ages grrrr.

Got to R 15 minutes late and as we'd both forgotten our 'phones we couldn't call to say we were on our way but she knows we have further to travel, and I'd have let her know if we couldn't make it.

On our way back from lunch to get Poppy, there was a van parked up on a footpath who decided to pull onto the road just as we were passing him. I put my hands over my face and thanks to what Mr. S. calls his 'cat like reflexes', which makes me laugh as bless him he's 73 in November, we got past safely.

R did as requested and gave Poppy a closer cut and she looks beautiful and will hopefully be able to be a bit cooler if it gets hot again.

I'm not nearly as addicted to Wimbledon as I used to be because most of the players I loved to watch over the years, no longer play but I will be glued to the tv when Serena makes her come back on Centre Court and just hope she doesn't go out in the first round.

Morning everyone.

Good news that your DD hasn't broken anything Yogin but I'm sorry that her feet are still sore; pass these on from me.

When we were moving here, we did get rid of quite a few LP's but I'm so glad that we kept the ones we did. When we moved originally, we treated ourselves to a music system with a turn table and CD player as a house warming pressie and I kept a small sideboard to bring here, so we had somewhere to put the sound system and store our CD's and records.

I 'up cycled' it when we moved here by painting it blue. It looks great but was one of those jobs that you wish you'd never started but was definitely worth it.

Sounds like you had a fabulous day at Ascot; a day to remember .

There was a second hand music shop where we were living before Allsorts and we got a few £'s for the LP's we didn't want to keep and bought a couple that we spotted before we left.

The Palestinian embroidery sounds interesting Whiff and what a compliment to be asked to teach others how to cross stitch. I hope your friend is recovering. My electric bike is one that folds so is quite light, but Mr. S.'s weighs a ton and I struggle to move it!!!

We're also going away on the 6th, back to Alnwick for 4 nights where we went last year but I'm a bit worried about Poppy settling there without Pip when we want to go out for a few hours to do things she can't join in with.

If it's an issue we'll cut it short. She's still up and down and there was just something about her Sunday morning, more clingy than usual and literally following me every where so I decided to stay with her rather than going to church.

Must get ready to go out now as she's being groomed today and I'll ask R to keep her head, face and tail the same length but shorter on her body as I think it's set to get hotter again next week.

Have a good day everyone xx

Morning all, thank goodness it's cooler today.

Thanks for asking Whiff DD's feet are much better, Xray came back; no broken bones' she is having another week off work as cannot do her job with sore feet. Hope you enjoy your concert on Friday and wish your friend better.

Thank you Allsorts I have a case of LP...somewhere. So many things I don't know where they are stored since I moved .

Yoga, glad your daughters feet are now on the mend, thank goodness for NHS. Your Pink Floyd concert sounds good. Don'
I gave about 100 different LP's away, one of them Hole In The Wall and I do miss them, I was trying to downsize.
Whiff glad it wasn't last week you were on your travels in all that heat. I was knocked off my feet by it. You will enjoy your walk on the beach tomorrow with your daughter. Also your concert on Fruday, your life is certainly full.

Yogin glad you enjoyed the concert . Pink Floyd was one of our favourite bands. Until I moved had all the albums but sent them to charity shop. We had a lot of various artists including some old 78's . But no record dealer would come to the house to look if any where worth anything .

Poor Joey . Notice lot of walks out 5-6am and dogs not normally who had fur cuts had them. Hope people with white dogs remember to put sunscreen on the their ears and and any thin patches of skin. My brother with his 2nd wife had a white terrier who was deaf from a pup had to apply it. They had a German Shepherd to act as hearing dog for the white one.I promise you that's true.

How is your daughter hope the antibiotics are working ?

'Ain't it hot' in the words of nan ( Catherine Tate) while sitting in a woolen cardi . Just like my nan cardi all year round and in the winter a hat on indoors . Hanky under her watch wrist band and man's hanky up the leg of her everyday bloomers. Don't know why I am thinking of my nan this morning. She had everyday bloomers and going out ones closer fit with lace round the leg holes. Didn't have a hanky up those.

Go to visit my brother and sister in law on the 6th. Staying in Travellodge they don't have AC so asked for a fan in my room. Don't have meals at the hotel as they feed me.

Then Lewes in August and Dundee in September. Both staying in Primier Inn's .

My friend who had the accident on her bike weeks ago says she is still coming on Friday lunchtime with me to see the Harmony orchestra which is the youth orchestra at the Phil. Good job we are in a box as she still hasn't healed and in pain. But having a 20kg electric bike fall on your leg would . She fell down some stone steps late last year ,of course it would be the same leg.

Was out tending my tomatoes in the greenhouse at 7 yesterday morning before the heat got worse hit 33° yesterday . Going to hot this week and next week in Lincolnshire 🥵 .

Last choir for me this week until September as they finish on the 8th July. But will practice the 4 songs everyday like I have been doing since I started . Makes my pedalling easier but yesterday ended up doing 1,000 rotations no wonder I fell asleep after my breakfast.

My daughters birthday day today seeing her tomorrow for an early morning walk on the beach.

Keep cool everyone 😎 .

Morning all

Hot,hot,hot again. Poor Joey hasn't had his walkies, I really needed to shower & so hot once I was out.

Went to a 'Pink Floyd concert in Chelmsford yesterday, it was great. We decided to get a bus there, first time for me since getting my pass. Waited just 5mins, but bus stopped just round the corner as traffic light malfunction up ahead, waited 20mins, melting without aircon, and finally left, once on the rd it was fast as a special service bus. Whilst waiting my friend said, 'let's have our drink to cool off', I said 'we can't do that, their alcohol' [the little G&T cans] She opened them and put one in my hand...lovely , we then started on our nibbles .

Coming back we had to wait 35mins, so not sure the bus was such a good idea. .

Yogin hope your daughter is feeling bit better today. 32° in my living room curtains shut and fan on. Left my bedroom curtains shut yesterday and am today.

Went to learn Palestinian embroidery turned out to be cross stitch but was interesting to learn what the different patterns meant and how each area has different pattern for the same meaning. I ended up teaching others to cross stitch . Felt flattered they asked me. Only 2 Wombles they avoided me . Spoke to the vicar abd asked why had she been dragged into this. She said some of the Wombles not the admin lot . But others who attend the church asked if I was ok as they missed me. The vicar hadn't been given the facts of what happened she knows now . Said she was sorry but I pointed out I left 14th May its the leader and admin team who can't let it go. I am just angry they treatment me this way. She said you help people. But she will tell people I am fine but left the Wombles. Some have my number if they want to know why then they can get in touch if they want to. Hopefully this is the end of it.

Hope you are taking care in this heat 🥵

Morning all

Whiff thanks for asking about my DD. Her feet are better today, on antibiotics, had an Xray this morning, results in 2 days. My DD same age as yours! and yes, you still worry even with them in their 40s.

Out early, early again, really alters the day. Got some washing in and get on the line soon, be dry in an hour I think.

Take care, stay cool all.

Yogin hope your daughter is feeling bit better .If its an infection then she will need antibiotics. Hopefully they rule out cellulitis. Had that twice very painful and first time I didn't realise it was dangerous until it spread round my leg ..At least the second time I knew what it was and got the antibiotics quickly.
Had a mysterious infection early this year back of my leg so had antibiotics to clear it up. Mind you it was fun trying to photo the back of my leg mainly took pictures of my bum. I wanted to know if it was spreading .

No matter how old our children get we never stop worrying about them . And its worse if they have an accident or illness . They are still our babies. My daughter will be 43 on Sunday . We are going for a walk on the beach early Monday morning. Will take a bag incase we find any sea glass.

You must have looked beautiful and glad we had a good day and singing with celebs what an ending to the day.

Hi Smiles

Nice to read you had a lovely BBQ with lots of Prosecco, naughty but nice.

I wore the dress & jacket I wore for my DD wedding, so only second time of wearing it, I bought a new fascinator which was quite big, between a small hat and fascinator. My new shoes I ordered online still haven't arrived, even though they were promised to be delivered before the big day. We had our picnic once we got off the coach with some prosecco and finished it off before we left for home. We sang at the bandstand at the end with all the celebs. It was a great day.

Whiff & Allsorts I had a lovely time at The Royal Ascot, we were in the Queen Ann enclosure [I thought it Princess].
I was picked up at 8.30 and didn't get dropped off until 11.30pm, so very long, but great day out. We had a couple of bets, my DD won, I didn't . So expensive; 1 glass of Pimms was £15, small portion of chips £10 .

My DD txt me the night before, saying she had fallen down the stairs, hurt her foot but was OK, only couldn't wear her new shoes as could only get on a flat pair. When I saw her the next day, on the coach, her foot was so bad! the other not as much, but by the end of the day both were worst. I got her a seat on the terrace and did all the running around. Midway we went to the medical tent, useless!

Next day my DD sent me a pic; both her feet had gone black with blood blisters, her ankles too. She didn't want to sit in A&E for 11hrs on a Sunday, so waited & saw the doctor Monday. He said she had an infection in her feet, booked her for an Xay at the hospital [still waiting but at home]. She ordered a foot & ankle support and some special cream & tabs to help with the bruising & swelling. She just sent me another pic and they still look very bad! I'm very worried and feel very sorry for her, being a mum she finds it hard to stay off her feet.

Very hot morning all

Whiff how awful for your neighbour to be treated so abominable by her Ds, shocking! I would do the same as your neighbour re; stopping treatment and just enjoying what's left of her life. How can her Ds be so heartless at such a bad time in their mum's life.

Good luck with your choir recordings, I could do with some singing lessons, when I sing along with Sunday's 'Songs of Praise', it's not good

Morning everyone. I hope you're all prepared for the very hot weather we'll be having and stay safe.

I said to Mr. S. at the weekend isn't it lovely when you don't have to work anymore, especially when the weather's like this Allsorts.

We had friends over for a BBQ Saturday evening and really enjoyed making the most of the weather by sitting outside. Our neighbours A & L popped over Sunday afternoon and we enjoyed several bottles of Prosecco between the four of us.

They're off work this week but their plans have been scuppered because A managed to break a toe on Sunday and is hobbling around with one of her mum's walking sticks. We're going over there later this afternoon for something to eat and might stay on to watch England play.

They have been very foolish Whiff, we should always be careful about what we put in writing and have laid themselves wide open to a perfectly valid claim of discrimination.

Tell us all about Ascot Yogin, what your dress was like and of course your hat, assuming you wore one.

Please take care in this heat everyone xx

Allsorts I will not write to the Wombles but if they don't leave me alone . I will get the Brain Charity in on the act. They came to my home 10th May I officially left the Wombles on the 14th May. What they did on the 10th I have been told by an expert its called passive bullying .
They have shot themselves in the foot delivering the letter on Tuesday. They can't gag me as I decide what is private in my own home not them. What made me so mad was suggesting I need a carer or support buddy. How dare they .

Plus they said a member had dementia which in telling a non Womble her private information is a big no no . Don't think if she is able to understand she and her relatives won't be happy telling me.

The letter is harassment. The other 3 groups I am a member of checked with the leaders of the groups and they where appalled. Plus same people sit by me every week . And I have been asked how to get the card and lanyard not just for them but those who have disabled children or grandchildren.

Aren't having my cleaner on Thursday a friend of mine is an active member of the church where my groups are held they hire a room ,and asked me I wanted to go its for 3 hours a talk about Palestine embroidery and the teacher is bring everything and teaching us. But I know some of the members of the Wombles will be there as they attend that church. If they say hello I will reply. I am always early so will sit down and see if any of them sit by me . But my friend and other non Wombles will there. Knowing me if a Womble sits by me I will ask if they aren't afraid of getting into trouble. Evil laugh 😂.

My disability only effects me I am no danger to anyone . They are making it out to be a problem. Which makes me laugh as they where other people with disabilities which could be a danger to others .

But I am no push over and sending that letter have written proof . For so called intelligent people they have been very stupid. Enough about them .

Yogin how was Ascot ? I have an imagine of you in a beautiful dress sipping champagne and having canapés. Hope you won on some of the races.

Try and keep cool . 😎 27° in my living room with my fan on and curtains shut. 🥵 🥵.

Whiff, been reading about the upsetting contents of the letter you received from Wombles. Can understand how gutting it must have been for you after that dreadful conversation. I do think that they felt they couldn't handle responsibility should something have happened to you. Whilst you know what you feel comfortable with within the group, they didn't and could and should should have handled it better in a caring and friendly way, they were confrontational and it was harrassment. . I would write a letter back, saying that and legally they have no right to object to you wearing the Lanyard, that you wouldn't be joining any groups if you didn't feel up to it, that you have a mind of your own and didn't ask for their assessment of what you can or cannot do or say. No one knows what people have to cope with, many confusions are visibly hidden. That their actions have caused hurt at the injustice of it all and you deserve an apology. Then I would leave it at that. You are outgoing and friendly and will soon find another group you feel at home with. You have two nice holidays not far away to look forward to. The choir too.
Yoga it is my idea of heaven living by the sea, plus you have family and friends near bye. I like being where I am because I am near my family and friends but miss the sea so much, it's my happy place. If I win a lot of cash I will buy a little flat overlooking the sea. Just a dream.
I don't know about all of you but I am all ready for the heatwave , will be in side catching up on my reading, eating my favourite things and no doubt putting on the weight I have lost a lot quicker than I lost it. Glad I don't have to work anymore. So take care all of you and stay safe.

Allsorts my neighbour is getting very good heathcare. But has decided no more operations ,chemo or radiotherapy. She wants to spend whatever time she has left at home and she has someone doing her shopping and cleaning and will pay for carers . I will visit her . She was the first person who welcomed me here . I have the time as no more Wombles. She's like me a chatterbox . Her daughters are both healthy and don't work and drive . Both husbands have very good jobs. Her eldest daughter has just moved into a massive house in a very up market area. But told her mom she will never set foot in it.

My daughter said about the letter its called harassment. I said I know but they had better leave it there. I am no push over my tolerance for shit is zero.

Very hot here this morning but clouded over now Yogin . Royal Ascot in the Princess Ann enclosure very posh. Hope you have a bet and your horse wins. Enjoy people watching and see if you spot any one famous.

Joey will be feeling lot better after his hair cut.

Don't know if I said the 4 contemporary choirs will be going into a recording studio either 12th or 19th September they are Saturday's so I will beable to go. Its going to be fun . Be great meeting the other choirs. I have to laugh me in a choir . Our choir director was lovely and told me my singing is getting better. But my daughter does ask how many stray cats follow me home. Cheeky kid 😜

Morning all

Sizzler today! I was on the beach with Joey by 7am, walking in the just departing shoreline waters, it was heaven. In all day now. Will give Joey a haircut so he keeps cool. Bought one of those bladeless fans, so that will be on all day, good it's silent.

Need to shower after cutting Joey's hair and do my nails, ready for tomorrows day at the Royal Ascot, we are in the Princess Ann enclosure, leaving at 8.15am so need to get everything ready to go today. Bought some beautiful but comfortably shoes, 2 pairs, to where at Ascot, but don't think they will get here in time now .

Welcome Jduffy. It's so sad isn't it. I've missed my precious GD growing up, we were so close, she and her mum lived with me, I chose her name, there-after she had my full name/surname, taken from her by her stepdad. I have the original birth certificate, which one day she will get to see.
Missed my little GS too growing up, who wasn't born whilst living with me though.

Whiff best of luck with the Wombles group. How sad for your neighbour, nice of you to sit and chat with her for 2.5hrs, sure she felt better afterwards. I hope Karma does some payback to all our heartless AC.

Keep cool Smiles & Allsorts xxx

I found Whiff comment funny too Smiles .

Whiff, I feel so sorry for your neighbour, how can two daughters pull away from her when she is so ill? It is beyond me. I do hope she is getting all the help she can, you often say how good the Health Care is where you live and surely they won’t leave her stranded. If her daughters have distanced now she is so vulnerable and ill I can understand her not wanting to go on, I really can. Physically they may be unable to help as but a visit and talking to her or a trip out would help so much and its just time.

Allsorts she has know the leader of the Wombles since the children were small and she is going through a hard time at the moment. Pointed out.most people are me included had another diagnosis but its treatable but like my HPX and heart lifelong treatment.

Also what makes me laugh is they are committed Christians as if that makes the 3 who started all this good people. If that's their form of Christianity glad I am an atheist at least I am not a hypocrite.

Jduffy we understand what you are going through. Seems like its a sport our estranged kids love kicking the boot in. They know the best way to hurt you. The longevity of this thread shows how much it is need and always will be . Two years everything is still very raw and hard to bare. I gave my son 3 years then decided enough . Its been 6 years and I never want to see him again. But that's me once I decide to do something I do. My 3 grandsons are strangers and probably been told I don't want them or I am dead.

I have my daughter ,son in law and 2 grandsons. We see each other once a fortnight they live 10 mins away but like my daughter says the boys and me have a better social life than she does. She always checks if I going to be in or not. But does check I am ok daily.

One of my neighbours who I spent 2.5 hours with yesterday didn't intend to but I can't not talk to someone if they need it. Since her cancer and shes going blind her 2 daughters both have pulled away from her saying don't expect us to look after you. She's 89. She told me she has had enough and doesn't see the point of living. Hence my staying and talking her she needed someone who understood.

This thread is like that . Talk about what ever you want this is a safe place . Just a group of friend chatting . Especially the one who rambles 🤪 . Yeah mean me.
You are not alone nor is estrangement the taboo subject it once was.

Celieanne, I echo what Smileless has said. Please do not be hurt if your nephew wants to meet your son, why shouldn't he? It is not his problem so welcome him and do not mention your son,. No one knows why your son has done what he has. You have enough coping with your health limitations and at your age looking after your terminally ill husband. I do not think anyone can understand the betrayal of your own child turning on you. It's a lonely place to be with your thoughts and it affected my self worth and confidence. All my friends have children that bother with them so I often think why me.
Whiff, why did your friend support them, did she give reasons?

Hello Jduffy. It's surprising how comforting it can be to know that you're not the only one and I'm glad that simply reading these threads have provided some support .

wish my ticks had the swear words and inappropriate language oh Whiff that did make me . You are naughty which is why we love you.

Thank you all - you’ve given me support and it’s helped to proportion how being barred from seeing my grandchildren- 2 years now - for no reason I can see, is sadly not uncommon and suffered by many others too - with thanks and feeling for all those in my same situation