Here we can all be heard for a little while

heartbreak_star

Thank you Georgie, and hugs right back to you.

I have cheer practise, so that'll take up a bit of the day, and then I shall release a balloon for Dad and raise a small glass to him

HBS x

Stoodles

Breaking the pattern of parenting is possible - I think I've done it. My priority above everything was that my children should know they were loved, and then to treat them fairly, which meant giving them choices, information and opportunities to be good.

They seem to be OK women, confident, with lots of friends and good relationships, and able to make the career choices that suit them.

It's the most important thing I've done.

codemonkey

Well done Gitdog! Look at him being all cute.

I am back at work after a few days off and dreading it. Please don't make me go!!

Georgiegirl256

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Thank you Georgie, and hugs right back to you.

I have cheer practise, so that'll take up a bit of the day, and then I shall release a balloon for Dad and raise a small glass to him

HBS x

That's sounds lovely!

Georgiegirl256

codemonkey wrote: »

Well done Gitdog! Look at him being all cute.

I am back at work after a few days off and dreading it. Please don't make me go!!

Can you not have a home working day?

Where's the sun gone? Started off really sunny and warm when I got up, and now it's dull and gone cooler.

codemonkey

Not sure about these hallmark holidays. They just make people feel bad. Also, and I'm aware this is a small gripe compared to those who have lost their dads but my dad is freakin impossible to buy for. And my family is so huge that even if you come up with something, at least 2 other people will too.

Waves_and_Smiles

Big hugs to everyone finding the upcoming day difficult, we will all be here for you. I find it a little hard because I do miss my biological dad and I also feel a bit guilty about giving my teacher friend a card, it feels a little like I have replaced him. I could never or would never want to do that but my teacher friend began meeting with me 8 months after my dad died after social services and my psychotherapist agreed to it, they knew I needed a father figure in my dad's place and an influence other than my remaining family. So he became my second dad and all of the feelings I had for my dad I poured into him which wasn't always pleasant as I was pretty angry about my dad leaving me. Then he began taking me out of for the day with his family and would pick me up every morning and drive me to school and take me home at night. His wife totally welcomed me and would take me on girly days shopping, they would invite me to their house for dinner and they basically became my second family.

It did push boundaries totally out of the water but I was so fragile at the time that it took extreme thinking outside of the box by all of the professionals involved. I doubt it would be allowed these days but I have no doubt that it saved my life and my teacher friend will always be dad to me.

Stoodles, I had silver tortie and blue maine coons! They were fully pedigree with papers and how I got them is rather amusing. One of my previous cats had just died leaving me with 2 who missed the other whom they had always babied so I wanted to get them a kitten. WaSp said no more cats! I whined on and he thought he would win by telling me I wasn't allowed any cat other than a pedigree maine coon because he thought I never would have spent that much buying one as my others were strays and rescues. I took all of my saved up wages and had arranged to go and meet my two little girls within a day (there were only two left and I couldn't leave one sister alone). WaSp was speechless but couldn't go back on his word! They eventually became his favourite two cats out of any we had owned so it all worked out.

I am very pleased that I picked them up when I did because the breeder turned out to be very neglectful. She had removed them from their mum too early so they couldn't feed properly and they had cat flu. One almost died within 3 days of me having her and needed a lot of medical treatment for months afterwards. I reported her to the breeders association and that breeder was banned from breeding any more so I am very glad that I picked them up for their sakes and for all of the possible future generations.

Stoodles

I bet your Coonies were beautiful! (once they had got over their start in life) I'd wanted one for years and years, and finally got him three years ago. He's very posh, his father was an International Champion, but we just treat him a pet, and unlike lots of Maine Coons, let him out to play. He's very sociable, and loves to join in with whatever we are doing. Every night he joins OH when he walks the dog round the field, though I think His Gingership sees it as a hunting expedition.


Though my childhood wasn't anything like as bad as yours, I did benefit from a second family, who probably saved me from going down a very destructive route. They were Youth Club leaders with young children, and like you I was incorporated into their lives. I'm so grateful that when I was very vulnerable, I met kind, honourable people. It could so easily have been different - I was so ripe for the sort of grooming we see reported all the time now.

calleyw

Afternoon My lovelies,

I have been lurking not much to say. As everything is on a even keel.

Mothers/fathers/valentines day and xmas are all hard when you have no family or a partner.

Due to family issues I have spent the last 2 xmas pretty much on my own. Actually I stayed in bed as I could not face getting up and bothering to be truthful!!!! Did not bother with decorations. All I had was a advent calendar up at home. Did an advent calendar and stocking for my husband. And ended up buying what I wanted for my husband to give me

And lets not mention the bag of sweetner I got two xmas ago from husband. I gave it to him for him to use. But he wrapped it up and gave it to me as an xmas present. God knows what was going on in his mind at that time!!!

Any hoooooooooo been stuck indoors all day due to a delivery. I ordered on the 7th of june which was a sunday. And it said 5 days not working days but days. Called friday and was told it had not even left the warehouse and it would be express delivery today!!!! Just rang them and they said oh no leaving today for delivery in the next 48 hrs!!! I said cancel it then. They have refunded my money and are still sending me the goods :eek: I would have been happy with a refund so I could go and buy else where as found another source of the product.

Cooking a chicken in the slow cooker for tea. Yum with steamed veg and gravy and mint sauce. Oh so lush :rotfl:

Hugs and duvet forts if any one needs them. I will bring the jaffa cakes but not sure I am going to share LOL!!!

I was once told that by an ex. He's a big lad 6ft 1 and about 19 stone. He said he does not share his food. I am no skinny minny. But what I would do not just for calorie reasons but money reasons as takeout is so expensive. I would be large cod and chips and share them with my husband.

Yours

Calley

Pyxis

Calley, after two miserable Christmases on my own, I decided enough was enough, so for the last four years I have booked a holiday at Christmas, three times abroad, and once at an adult college in this country.
They weren't "Christmassy" holidays, as that would have highlighted the problem for me; they were just holidays that happened to be at Christmas. The only concession to the season was a special gala dinner and some entertainment, and obviously the hotels all had Xmas trees, etc. Two of the holidays were cultural holidays, so we had visits to historical sites, etc, (in Italy), and one laid on interesting talks and a film show.

They weren't all full of 'sad singles' either! There were several couples who, for whatever reason, were escaping family Christmases, or maybe didn't have any family!

Not a cheap option, I know, but an option!