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

Smiles love hearing about Ziggy and you could never be boring . If you think that is boring just look at my rambles. As a non pet owner love hearing and seeing pictures of friends on here cats and dogs. They have become the support group mascots . It has been proven by the Brain Charity how important pets are for people's physical and mental health. Children who are non verbal will talk to assistance dogs but won't talk to their own families. And it has been reported that they eat and sleep better especially if they have an assistance dog at home. Helps them learn. Know several who's children learnt to read but will only read to their dogs and one said one can count as he sends his dog to get the dog toys and counts them when he gets them.
The Brain Charity has several owners who have assistance dogs that do activities with adults and children at the centre. And know of other owners who take dogs into nursing homes and local hospices.

I love seeing people by me with their dogs. I always ask if I can pet them funny enough the regular ones drag their owners when they see me.

Aggie never forgets me and I only see her once a year . She always knows when my sister in law is going to have a MS episode so she knows she must sit or lie down. Aggie has only had normal dog training since a pup. She always knows when I need am in more pain or my HPX is on the fitz as she jumps on my lap for some cuddles and doggy massage well that's what I call it. As she she turns where she needs stroking.

Yogin I know how much Babs misses seeing you and Joey. Before she left she wanted a dog when she moved to the bungalow. But with all that's going on and Mr B's health its not possible.

Anyway exciting day we are making our CD today and with be with the other 2 choirs . Even brought the official tee shirt to wear as we are going to be videoed and it will be on Facebook. Then some from our choir going to a Nepalese restaurant for a meal . But those who can't make the meal we have decided to meet up another time. I have missed singing with them but others have said the same thing . Still have to laugh me in a choir Mr W would laugh his socks off.

Went out for an Italian restaurant last evening with one of the GN friends who lives near me. It was delicious. Have to give her a review of tonight's meal as we will probably go there next month. Unfortunately our 3rd musketeer is still not well enough to be with us yet but hopefully we will see her before Christmas even if its only over a cuppa.

To excited to write more you will be glad to know . 🤣.

Whiff, Have a wonderful day, looking forward to hearing all about it.
I too love hearing about people's animal friends, been reading about the people that foster guide dogs from 8 week puppies until 14 months, socialising using them prior to training, what wonderful people they are, it transforms lives.
Feels chilly in the evenings now but still not putting heating on, trying to wait until 01 October but don't know if I will.

Just wanted to wish you luck (not that you'll need it) with today's recording Whiff.

We're really looking forward to going out for a couple of hours this evening to a lovely Italian restaurant.

Ziggy met our neighbours dog Banjo yesterday. He's a little sweetie but barks a lot which Ziggy didn't like but they charged around together and Mr. S. got some great video footage.

Poppy was quite content to be out of the fray, just sat and watched while enjoying her chew.

It's so true what you say about the benefit of pets Whiff. Even though we still had Poppy, we felt completely lost when we had to say goodbye to Pip who as you know, came into our lives at the very worse time and almost instantly made us feel so much better.

Just seen your post Allsorts. Guide dog foster parents are amazing aren't they. Not something we could do because we'd fall in love with them and not want to give them back even though that's the arrangement.

Morning all

Nice and sunny but not too hot, great having some rain over night & Tuesday all day though.

I think the same Whiff re our feet being so important not to injure or get something wrong with them. My DD fell down the stairs again, only the last 2 thankfully, hurt them a bit but not too bad. She has physio once a week, from her work health plan, she would still be waiting for her 1st app if she'd waited for the NHS.

I have a problem with my toe curling over the big toe, bought some toe separator's which do help, but it's compromising my balance for my yoga teaching, which is not good. Having an Xray on the 28th at a private hospital but through the NHS. I was offered an op by the consultant, but that would put me out of action for 2 weeks, so hoping for the procedure were they just snipe the back of your toe and cut the tendon, afterwards you are good to go.

Lovely to hear about Ziggy's progress Smiles, take it Poppy is enjoying the new member of the family as much as you are. Enjoy your meal tonight.

Whiff best of luck with your choir recording today . You'll have to give us the link to it.

Yes, dogs are very intelligent as well as very loving and loyal, couldn't be without my little Joey. Gave him a good bath and full groom yesterday and I must say he looks smashing, saved me £50 as well

Have a nice day all.

Allsorts yes, those folk that train the guide dogs are very special people, I couldn't do it as I wouldn't want to give them up after the 6mnths training. I'm on a new tariff with E-On were deferent times have deferent rates, only costing about £2 per day if I avoid the top rate between 4-7pm, in fact even if I don't. So, when I put my heating on, I'll be sure to turn off at peak time.

Yoga, cannot believe how cheap your heating is, I panicked and signed up to FR for 12 months, already without any heating on its more than yours but tied in. Next time i will shop around instead if staying where I am,
Hope your day went well Whiff.

Morning fellow campers.
It was on the radio today that people who have cats as pets are less likely to have a heart attack.

Looking forward to this week, as the weather cools down, I can relax more.

Have a great week everyone. And if not a great week, a comfortable one.

There are a number of people here that train guide dogs and assistance dogs. Where we had our first house a couple trained guide dogs. In those days once trained the blind person had the dog for 7 years before they were retired. This couple got very fond of one dog so when he was retired they had him back as a pet ,they trained guide dogs for 20 years . But blind people now have the dogs for longer only found that out couple of months ago . I helped a blind lady with a white stick sit down on the bus. And she told me she had recently had to have her dog put down he was 13 and had him from once they finished their training . Guide dog owners have to be trained for 8 weeks with their dog. Said she couldn't have another dog as she couldn't go through the heart ache of losing one again. I said do you mind me asking a question she said anything. How do you collect the dogs poo. She laughed and said only her family ever asked and glad I had asked as people assume they leave it. Once the dog has been they stand still and with double thickness bags over their hand run their hand along the dogs back and down and feel the warmth and bag it turning the bags round the back and tie it . They do it twice to make sure they collect everything.

Wish some sighted dog owners took their own dog poo home as they have no excuse. Not like the xxxx who let their dog who had diarrhoea do it on bottom of my drive . Took me 45 mins to clean the mess using bleach ,cardboard and buckets of boiling water . I was exhausted and put me out of action for the rest of the day. We had local Facebook groups for different areas so posted about . Out rage from responsible dog owners who said they should have come back and cleaned up the mess . But one just said nothing you can do with softies so I assume he was the xxxx who's dog it was .

As always at the Quaker meeting place we where going to record our CD. And as you might guess talked to lot of people attending other groups . Huge building and hired out rooms for different groups. It was very interesting to read about Quakers and people of all religions and atheists welcome to come to come to their meetings as they believe all are equal and offer help to anyone who needs it . Reading it was refreshing that they don't to para phrase pushing their religious believes down peoples throats .

I know someone on a different forum and thread has been helped by Quakers and now see why . They have helped her through some very difficult times and you can see through her posts how much confidence she has now . Taken years but she is a different person now. It was heartbreaking reading her earlier posts but now a different person thanks to the Quakers.

There where about 30 of us. Only 6 Altos and I was the only one from our choir . But we only 3 Altos. Sounds posh but I am not a good singer but been told by the choir director I have improved 🤣. It was lovely talking to members of the other 2 choirs. A few had come from Manchester to make up numbers in the tenor section. We rehearsed each song 3 times and recorded each of the 4 songs 3 times. I stood for the recordings which took over 2 hours. But it didn't seem that long as I was having fun . During the short break was talking to the man who was videoing it . Me talk to people shock horror . 😂.
One of the founders did say we may do a Christmas concert, but our big one will be in April and in the city with tickets being sold. By then we will have 12 songs. But I will do it and hopefully family and friends will come.

Meet at a Nepalese restaurant near our local train station including me 6 from our choir . Meal was delicious but it was lovely getting to know people better . One offered me a lift home her car was parked at the next train station. The one we where by opens out onto the main road . Next stop has a large car park . She lives by me and goes to move it or lose it class. Sunday I crashed and hit by chronic fatigue which I haven't had for years not since before I moved here . But it was worth it,back to my usual self last night .

Yogin glad your daughters feet getting treatment..Fingers crossed for your appointment on the 28th that your toes are a simple fix. My daughter's father in law had an operation on his foot few years ago on NHS but done at private hospital. But he couldn't drive for 6 weeks as his car was manual. But he is glad he had it done. He is plays golf couple of times a week and playing better since having it done.

Off to Dundee next week my last hol this year. So not going mad this week. Will miss our first choir meeting but won't be missing anyothers.

Glad my gardener came yesterday as pouring with rain today.

Take care everyone .

Morning all

Well done Whiff on your choir recording and nice to hear you enjoyed your meal after. Thanks, re toe, I can't be out of action for 6 weeks, so fingers crossed for the simpler option.

Cooler this morning, but quite humid yesterday. I changed all my bedding Sunday, from 2tog duvet to 7tog, was boiling last night!

Take care all.

Morning all.

Glad the recording went well Whiff and you enjoyed the meal afterwards.

Hope you can get your toe sorted sooner rather than later Yogin.

Not a lot to say but I wanted to 'bump' this thread as I think the 'support for estranged parents' thread which essentially is advertising a new online forum may be confusing.

Have a good day everyone xx

Smiles must admit I don't like that person advertising about a site for estranged parents. I did post my concerns . As I suspect it is advertising or just a hate site for attacking estranged parents but that is just my opinion. But no answered. It will stick to the support thread. I do pop on others then I always end up with hate posts . I did report and get one poster banned. Like you suspect it was a previously banned posters getting back on as the thread attracted lot of new names and when I did a search their names didn't appear anywhere.
But as we all know as soon as a new thread appears on the estrangement forum the OP does get support then hatred and then suspicion its not a genuine poster . They usually appear in the very early hours of the morning .

To me this is the only safe site for new and old estranged parents. As we know how to get rid of the trolls and haters.

Can't remember if I said my brother and sister in law renewed their marriage vows last Saturday. They have been married 10 years. Originally it was going to be a big event so changed my holiday date for this month. Then changed their mind as lot of people couldn't make. Then they where just going to Gretna green just the 2 of them . But my nieces and nephew said they wanted to be there . But I told them I was not changing my plans again. At least they understand how my life works. That had given me months about the original change. But they know I don't change it twice. I can do emergencies but won't change things because of a whim.

It went well just his children and his daughters husband and their baby ,younger daughter and boyfriend. My nephew is on his own after a series of awful dates decided he would rather stay single rest of his life he's 38. Has lots of friends if both sexes and works hard and does have an active social life . He does have some physical and mental health problems but gets on enjoying his life.
Few friends who live close by and of course her dad or as I call him my adopted dad.

My brother as I have said is cheeky he brought his wife a beautiful trophy but he had the plaque say here name and shit wife of 10 years. My daughter said it should have said shit hot wife for ten years . I did tell my sister in law I hope she thumped him and to give him one for me. Her son's weren't invited. We don't talk about them . They don't bother with their mom they never text her and sometimes remember to send mother's day ,birthday and Christmas cards . If she does text them can take weeks for them to reply. They never thank her for cards and money she sends for birthdays or Christmas. I hate the fact they don't make it a clean break instead of giving her glimmers of hope.

Glad my son is out of the picture at least I know where I stand. As I have said before never want to see him or hear his voice again. My life is full and we are strangers. Glad I made that decision 3 years ago. And once I decide on something thats it done.

Funny enough met a Womble yesterday and had a nice chat. Have nothing against the members . But if it was one of the 3 head ones I would have ignored them but if they spoke to me then they would have wished they had kept their mouths shut.

Off to Dundee on Monday for 5 days . Taking warmer clothes with me as temps are low. Had my heating on for few hours yesterday.

The photo is of me in my official choir tee shirt. Starts again Wednesday will miss it but won't be missing other ones .
Hope no one is to much pain with various health problems.

Will be checking I am all packed just odd things to go in a bag Monday morning. Taxi coming at 6am so up at 4.

Take care of yourselves.

Read through this twice still typos . Doh!

Thanks for pic Whiff, enjoy your trip to Dundee.

Hope little Ziggy is behaving himself and getting on with Poppy. Like you Smiles nothing much to say today, so just checking in.

Have a nice day all xx

Whiff - Wimbledon Common - that reminded me of us going with my son’s furry stuffed Womble, up to Wimbledon Common, hiding the Womble behind a nearby tree and gently letting him find it.
He would be surprised, even though it was his furry Womble.

Remembered moments are sweetly poignant and stings the eye, of one’s little one, now estranged.

Sparkly, it is poignant remembering those special moments with grandchildren, it’s very hard not having any more. However, it wasn't your decision and nothing can be done.
Whiff, you look very professional in your Tee. Have a wonderful time in Dundee, as usual I have warned them you are coming.😂
Yoga i exchanged my Duvet too, from 4.5 to 10, I am baking under it but the other is cleaned and put away so its not coming out again.
Started to watch Strictly again, though every year I say I won’t because of a couple of squealing judges.

Thank you I am looking forward to Dundee up at 4 in the morning . Taxi isn't coming until 6 but takes time for my body to work plus my thrice checking my luggage. Drive myself mad but its part of my routine.
Allsorts should have warned those on the trains 🤣. I have meet the most interesting people on trains . I have found people who use trains are very helpful even in London.

Yesterday booked my week in Oban in September next year. Only had 3 accessible rooms left so glad its all booked. Always pay more for Flexi rate as you can cancel up to 1pm the day you arrive and get a full refund. Have the meal deal and early check in.

Sunflower ,Sparkly is beautiful my daughters has just come into bloom . Still lots of flowers of all sorts open. I have a poppy about to bloom. Wood pigeons have eaten all the berries some of my plants produce.

Sparkly lovely memory to have. What our estranged children don't realise is they have lost family history. My 2 grandsons love hearing stories of their great great and great grandparents and other family members. But more importantly they have lost history of family health problems. My dad after his 2 heart attacks in 1995 medication helped but last 2 years of his life his heart was failing and died while mom slept beside him of massive heart attack. But dad had wanted to die he hated he became this weak frail man . He used to hit his chest and say this is not me.
There is a history of heart problems my brother has permanent atrial fibrillation, had angina and 2 TIAs.

I have hole in the side of my heart and paroxymal atrial fibrillation and my cardiologist and neurologist both said I had a TIA January last year . Stroke neurologist the idiot said was a migraine. My son knew when he sent the email I was waiting for tests on my heart as they found a problem after an echocardigram. So when asked if there is any heart problems he will either say no or don't know. Which could put his health and my 3 grandsons at risk. Plus his dads health problems. He knows about my HPX as I text time when I had my diagnosis in 2022 and told him I had sent a copy letter from my neurologist and how to get tested if he wanted. Told him do not send it back unopened. Luckily the gene mutation I have means I am have it but not a carrier but didn't know that at the time I sent him the letter . If I had I wouldn't have told him.

Our children think by estranging us they are free from us . But they forget what our grandchildren have lost . And if they develop heath problems as they get older they have no frame of reference where they came from . In my family there is a history of various health problems which has skipped some generations. Plus his dad's side of the family both my husbands parents had heart problems and other problems.

Estrangement isn't just getting rid of us and other family members but so much more they never even consider.

Logo on front of my tee shirt. Can't help it love singing . We have a what's app group and its busy . Like here strangers that became friends. Just we see eachother.

Morning friends, I have a glut of courgettes. I’ve made courgettes and pasta, courgette curry, ratatouille, etc. Has anyone frozen courgettes before? Maybe slices frozen first on a big tray then when frozen, store them in a container in the freezer?

Autumn is really kicking in here, the cooler air making itself felt at the beginning and end of the day. My roses cosmos and pelargoniums are putting on a show, as if the summers drought and heat was like a winter and they think it’s spring?

My little apple tree gave me 41 gorgeous apples this month. Another 8 were too blemished to eat and are now in the long grass for the bees and wasps to feast on.

I gave some away to neighbours for them to make crumbles.

My tree is a James Grieve on dwarf stock. Only tiny but in its third year a good producer.

My cats are putting on their winter fur now, eating a bit more as a result. Their fur is shiny and new.

Cleaned house from top to bottom, tweaked it with a few Autumn touches and today the outside gets tidied. Because of the excessive heat this year have not done any of the usual maintenance do as it needs a lick of paints in places etc but it will have to wait. Getting car serviced Tuesday ready for Autumn and winter. Don't know where this sudden burts of energy has come from. decided I am getting train somewhere interesting tomorrow and treat myself. Have good day everyone and safe journey home Whiff.

Morning everyone.

Hope you enjoyed your time in Dundee Whiff.

I could do with a sudden burst of energy Allsorts. If you've any going spare perhaps you could pass some on.

Literally slept Monday and Tuesday away this week as I had a horrible head cold. Feeling much better now but still not a 100% but it's been a while since I was TBH.

A lot of our garden plants seem to have a new lease of life Sparkly. The sun daisies are the best they've been all year and one of our hanging baskets with petunias that Mr. S. did in the spring, is still in full bloom and our rose bush is flowering again.

Going to our flat today to collect any post and then do some shopping in town. Really need to give it a freshen up as we've not used it yet this year. We're thinking of going for a couple of nights in November now little Ziggy's toilet training is under control.

Have a good day everyone.

Afternoon all, hope you've all had a good week.

Ziggy had his second groom on Wednesday and I asked her to clip him the way she used to do Pip. I think she was a bit surprised as his puppy coat was so lovely, but it was too long and thick, and he looked more like a teddy bear than a poodle.

When we went to collect them both she asked if we were ready for a complete transformation and she wasn't wrong; he looks fabulous and as we suspected, tiny without all that fur.

He has the most adorable little face which was hard to see with all that fur. I'll get Mr. S. to put on a pic so you can see how much he's changed.

A friend has collected her 12 week Chihuahua puppy today and at 2.6 kg he's actually bigger than Ziggy!!!

We had our flu jabs this morning and so far so good. We've never had a reaction to them before so fingers crossed we wont this time either. Mr. S. was rather pleased that this time he's not old enough for the Covid vaccine; bless.

Have a good weekend everyone; I hope the weather is as lovely for you as it is for us today.

Morning all

Ziggy sounds adorable Smiles, I see many puppies in the park with their big fluffy new coats. Hope you and Mr.S continue to feel well after your jabs.

I remember when I first got Joey and put him in for his first haircut. I couldn't believe it was Joey when I picked him up after his groom, he looked so different and gorgeous. I bathed and cut Joey's hair myself this last week; head and tail first, next day body and legs, yet to do his toenails. Must say he is looking really good.

Went to the Colchester Abortorium on Tuesday with my son Glenn, had such a good day out.

Need to get out earlier today as having my waterpipes changed to copper.

Take care all