Friendship,advice and support if estrangement has affected your life.

Oh and I have been bitten by a mozzie. ?

Oh, they're horrible. I keep Savlon insect bite gel in the cabinet, and that does reduce the itchiness a bit.?

What the Queen is doing, will not result in any happy endings I’m afraid, there has been too much which can’t be undone. It’s just managing civilly a situation to which there is no resolution now.
The only alternative is nil contact, which would be total alienation as with Wallis. We have to way up what we can cope with. So your way DSL does allow contact and you get to see your son.
I hate movie bites, the always get infected. Have you got water in your garden DSL which attracts them?. I’m usually only bothered in Scotland or abroad.
This weather is awful, your poor legs Whiff, hope you’re keeping cool.

Allsorts. I agree I think what the queen is doing is, as you say, managing a situation, which is unsolvable. And I think the queen is fully aware of that and is doing her utmost best to stave off just the kind of disastrous scenario they experienced with Wallis Simpson. She is handling the situation with kid gloves. Once she dies I think neither Charles nor William will be able to emulate her light touch. And then we might well see eruptions.

I can really relate with what is happening in the royal family because it mirrors my own situation. Like Megan, my DIL is a narc. She will never change, she can't. Yes I could easily go no contact and put an end to all the nonsense for once and for all. I would be free of her for good. I wouldn't miss her one jot. My life would be peaceful and joyous.

I am not the primary source, my son is. I am only a secondary and of little importance. It is only in DILs mind that I am an enemy who must be crushed. That is purely her skewed thinking. Like many disaffected, insecure jealous DILs she hasn't the wit or emotional intelligence to realise that a MIL can be a wife's greatest ally, that a fully paid up MIL on their side can be their greatest cheerleader and supporter.

But like Megan my DIL is eaten up by jealousy so, like a toddler smashing up a favourite toy in a fit of jealous rage so their sibling cant play with it, she lashes out and tries to destroy a family which could, if she gave it a chance, be one of her greatest assets.

Her family does not live in the U.K. we are all she has here. It beggars belief that a supposedly intelligent woman can be so shortsighted. But her narcissism is twisting her perception, everything is viewed through the lens of narcissistic thinking and the need for control. Like all grandiose narcs, she thinks she's invincible. She will find out one day.

Yes I could walk away from DIL tomorrow without a backward glance but that would leave my grandchildren and son isolated. If I cut her off I would be cutting them off too. That's what I'm trying to avoid.

The queens approach is all about damage limitation. So is mine.

Lordy but it's like a furnace out there. I'm hungry but have no idea what to eat.

I'm sick of cold food but don't fancy cooking. ?.

Sorry no, no water to attract mozzies. Unfortunately they love me. I usually use citronella patches if I'm in the garden after the sun goes down but I forgot.

I'm with you on the boiled alive front DSL. Had enough now, and it's supposed to be the hottest night tonight. Can't wait for it to break. Your Queen's Gambit seems to be just the trick. I agree about something snapping. It's a while since I got the last letter from ES and I'm taking my time about replying. As and when it feels right for me, however long that takes. My head is full of house-moving stuff so it might be a while till I've got the proper headspace to deal with it properly.
I need to lose weight too but really don't feel like tackling it until the house thing is sorted one way or another. I'm at least keeping it from creeping further up for now.
Good idea with the shading NormandyG We've a few plants looking scorched.
Hope your knee's better soon MadG
Hot flushes in this heat sound no fun at all DL
Thanks for the word of caution Whiff. They seemed to be measuring up to see where certain furniture would fit and for a rug and asked us what we thought were reasonable questions. They were very polite and still seemed keen but who knows. I did say just give the EA a ring if you have any more questions and they'll pass the queries on. (hint) I don't mind them visiting but it's rather tying and too hot to tidy atm lol. I'm not dead messy but I do like to leave my craft projects and writing projects out.

Hope you all have a good evening and night. Bring on the rain soon!

I'm hungry but have no idea what to eat. I'm sick of cold food but don't fancy cooking.

Ditto!

We’ve had yet another salad...I’m beginning to feel like a radish. I vary the salads, but it gets a bit same ol’ same ol’...?

Hopefully, it’ll be cooking weather again next week. I can’t face a cooker at the moment.?

I am finding the Merchant Gourmet or similar microwave grains packs useful. Heated up in 2 minutes, chuck on a plate and eat with fish - cold or hot salmon, pan fried sea bass type stuff. If feeling a bit more energetic chopping up and steaming some vegs, to stir through the grains works too. They are keeping me going when the thought of the oven or hob on for too long is just too much! I am also sick of cold food which is why I have got into the grains!

And I am still wandering around with a knee ice pack strapped round my midriff!!

Those grains are good aren't they. I had some last night. Well in the end I did a Chicken Caesar salad. I diced the chicken so it would cook quickly, pan fried on the hob. So not too bad.

They are so easy Derbyshire Lass

I'm hoping to cook tomorrow, as the temp is forecast to drop.?

DD and family invited us out to lunch yesterday, as it's birthday weekend for both of us, but I declined.

The thought of putting "proper" clothes on, getting in the car, and going to a carvery, where they are cooking, then eating a roast, was a step too far yesterday.?

Still, they have now had storms, in some areas last night, so, hopefully, it'll move South.

All have a nice day. ?

Happy Burthday DL???.

I think we all need to do a Rain Dance.!!

Happy birthday DiamondLily ??.

It was like a furnace all day yesterday and last night it was hotter. My legs are swollen and hands plus hot flushes and night and day sweats due to still having menopause symptoms . I wouldn't mind but had total hysterectomy when I was 38 and after 16 years on HRT was told to come off it. I am now 64 . Problem is there is only so much clothing you can take off during the day. It is now already 28° degrees here and the sun isn't shining yet. I made a batch of Easiyo yogurt at 5 the cold tap water was 20.5 degrees .

Hugs hope all goes quickly now for your move.

Because I can't do a fresh meal every day as never know how I am going to be each day still been eating my normal way. Porridge for breakfast, homemade soup lunch and some sort of stew for dinner . To hot I know.

Need to tidy the bungalow and finish my packing today. And then off to Digby tomorrow. Hope the trains air con is working. But can't wait to see my brother and sister in law.

Problem is when the rain does come it will make the humidity worse. And if course there will be flooding in parts of the country.

Well better get into the shower and get on with the day so I can wilt this afternoon.

See you all next weekend . ??

Whiff - I had a hysterectomy at 30, and have been on HRT for 37 years, with no problems at all.

I'm a bit addicted to it lol ?. I did try coming off of it briefly but got more joint pain, so they put me back on it.

But, I'm wondering whether the additional hormones are actually causing my body temp to keep rocketing and the constant hot flush.

GP is running different tests, because it's a real problem.

Hope they sort it before winter - I'm going to look very silly, walking through snow, sweating in a sundress lol ?

Keep well everyone ?

DSL I do understand why you are doing what you are. Your dil like Megan are completely self absorbed. I couldn’t cope with the stress and uncertainties, but you can and that’s what matters.
Whiff, thank goodness it’s cooler for you to travel, have a wonderful time.
Happy Birthday DL, have a good day.

Happy Birthday DL
Hope the drs get to the bottom of what's going on and help with it.

Ooh, I used to make those yoghurts Whiff I'm sorry the heat is so being unkind to you. You have such a lot on your plate with your health problems. Hope your trip isn't too stressful and you have a wonderful time.

Bit cooler here and we've had a few spots of rain. Had a productive morning writing and a nice stroll this afternoon. Ready for a wallow in the bath to ease out the aches.

Good evening everyone. I have a pounding headache which is probably because thunderstorms have been forecast for this evening and I always get a bad one, before they arrive.

Just started spitting with rain here so no doubt the storm is on its way and when it arrives, my headache should leave. Just hoping Mr. S.'s bowls match doesn't get rained off. The season has finished apart from a week's tournament at the beginning of September, so tonight's match is a 'catch up', not because of bad weather which is the usual reason, but because matches were cancelled due to Covid.

Hope your journey goes OK tomorrow Whiff, sounds as if you're well prepared and I wouldn't expect anything less.

I'm jealous Normandygirl. Never have been able to adorn my head with a turban style towel. My mum was good at those too but if I ever try, they just collapse.

Hope your knee's feeling better Madgran and the picture I had in my mind of you going around with an ice pack wrapped around your middle, did make me .

Mozzie bites are horrible aren't they DSL. Just the noise they make id bad enough, as you wait to be bitten. 'The Queen's Gambit' not easy to pull off but if anyone can, you can.

You'll be relieved that the weather is breaking DL. I'm sorry that the hat has exacerbated yours and your H's health issues . The worse seems to be behind us now so at last you;ll both get some respite.

Love the 'smiling assassin' approach by the way.

You're doing the right thing hugs and not replying until you're ready. With so much on your mind with the house sale and purchase, you've enough to think about.

The first time I saw Meghan she reminded me of ES's wife Allsorts so I can't say I was surprised to see how things unfolded.

We've had a productive if rather expensive day. Ordered the bed and mattress for our flat and I just happened to spot a tv unit which was exactly the right colour so we've had that put aside too.

Chosen the carpets for the living room, stairs and bedroom. Managed to get some roll ends which will be cut down to a more manageable size and Mr. S. will fit them.

He's done a brilliant job fitting the laminate in the bathroom. Not an easy job fitting round the sink pedestal and toilet but it looks great. First time he's ever worked with laminate do I'm really proud of him, and he should find the entrance easier now he's managed to do the bathroom.

Went for lunch in the pub where we first met nearly 46 years ago. Hadn't been there for years. The bar was exactly the same and all the music being played was from mid to late 70's so it was a real taste of nostalgia.

seems to have stopped raining now so not sure if the storm's on its way or not. If not, it'll be a couple of paracetamol to get rid of this headache.

Oops nearly forgot 'Happy Birthday' DL x

Thanks for all your birthday wishes - didn't do anything, as it was too hot and humid again. We did get one clap of thunder, but that was it. Still hot and humid overnight.?

Saw the family over the weekend, which was nice, but noisy. Everyone talks over each other. lol

DD and GD (17), popped around yesterday with a beautiful "cake of rose cupcakes" which GD had ordered and bought for me. ?

She attends a drama/acting school, full time, and is currently practicing her role, for a show, as one of the Von Trapp girls in the SOM.

She's got to do a solo of "I am 16, going on 17" for it, and decided to give us a rendition.

It was very good, but my DH randomly came out with a comment that summed up how life has been lately:

"Being with your family is like appearing in the musical version of Psycho" lol - it was so unexpected from him, I had to laugh.?

Ah well, on with another day - and hoping for a storm.?

All have a nice day. ?

The cake sounds lovely DL I hope you took a photo of it before you dived in. Love the musical version of Psycho comment; brilliant and fits in nicely with you being a smiling assassin.

It's been a long time since I sang a solo, a nerve wracking experience but once you get started it's fine. Wish her good luck from me, or as they say in the theatre 'break a leg'.

We didn't have a storm either, but the humidity lifted and so did my headache. Mr. S.'s match was completed and they won.

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/202208/medium-449328-06cdcbba-5e2b-4e92-9d00-b87cd4f90ff6.jpeg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/202208/medium-240445-c0ddc85b-9764-4ab5-91b7-9c8c1e20df3b.jpeg%3C/span%3E

Still no storm here. GD always singing - she appears in a lot of shows, both in London and the provinces. She loves it at the school, and was lucky to get a scholarship.

Glad your headache's gone, that sort of "heavy weather" headache is really tedious.

DHs family (the non estranged half), didn't acknowledge my birthday, but no surprise as they didn't acknowledge our anniversary, DHs birthday, or Fathers Day.?

The only Father's Day cards he got was from my kids - lovely but not quite the same.?

Have uploaded (I think!) 2 pics of the cake.?

Oh that's beautiful DL it looks like a real bouquet. Did it taste as good as it looks?

Smileless2012

Oh that's beautiful DL it looks like a real bouquet. Did it taste as good as it looks?

Yes, although I can feel my bum getting larger by the minute lol

Am dreading this afternoon. DH (as he hasn't heard anything from them, despite our health and the heat), is going to ring his non-estranged son. It never ends well. Son can't be bothered to talk to DH, and DH gets cross about the lack of consideration they show us.

I've told him to leave it, but he won't. ?

Men....?

Oh well, on we go. Have a nice day.?