JessandCos

One of the walks we hae done regularly here and before we moved is a place called Bartley Woods. It is very much off the beaten track and is very secluded, thereare anumber of routes you can take and you can walk for miles. Up until September we always did the same sort of walk, same sort of route. When the young teenager was found hanging there,we did not go there for a weeks. Our first walk when we returned, we decided to take a different route. Cosmo was fne up until we walked through a clearing, then he kept stopping, looking behind him all the time, refused to move, sat in front of us. Me and my daughter both noticed the atmosphere changed, there was no-one else around and it felt very very eerie. Cosmo very tetchy an clearly not happy. When we walked for 10 minutes further on he was still staring behind us as if he was looking at something, watching. We have been back numerous times since mde a point of walking past the same place, and Cosmo has been fine, and there was no sense of heaviness or sadness in the atmosphere. It was a one off but I had shivers down my spine

We have thunder, lightening, very strong winds and rain - I have a corner plot so we get the worse of it anyway -

to Elaine and anyone else who needs one Just come back from a two hourwalk in the forest, saw lots of deer which I am in awe of when I see them in the wild. Cosmo behaved and has learnt a new command very quickly - QUIET. I had my neighbours arund this morning complainin about his barking at 6am when I go to work in the shop - strangely enough my kids don't hear a thing and they are inside the house On Monday night I am off to Brighton for The Edge christmas party - free coach, free food and drink

for everyone who needs it This weekend has been one of the strangest in a very long time. About 10 years my first ever cat Spooky disappeared, she had been ill for a very long time and was about 13. She was the prettiest cat, a black and white one, and she was bought at that time for a fiver from a pet shop in Camden Town, with my then boyfriend. Fast forward 10 years, moved away from Finchley, with my two GSD x's and kids who have fond memories of Spooky, we have a picture of her on the fireplace. Got home yesterday afternoon, to find a cat sitting on our wall, my first words were to Gemma "It's Spooky". We went up to the cat, no collar, loving frinedly, identical markings down to a scratch on her nose. In 7 months I have never seen this cat before. We both take pictures and the dogs get excited in the boot of the car, but for them are fairly quiet. On the news last night - the fire in Camden Town Went for a walk with the dogs again today, came back to see the same cat sitting on our wall again, the dogs were silent in the boot of the car this time. Gave the cat a cuddle, same mannerisms etc cuddly, not timid at all, not frightened of dogs (Spooky was brought up with another cat and two dogs) Just been a very weird weekend really

Reading everything makes me think about my parents, my father always has been a total control freak, whatever I achieved was never good enough, even when I was IT Manager for a blue chip company, he could never mutter the words well done, and always turned positives into negatives. With my kids he keeps on telling them that they are not clever enough to get into university - because I didn't go and the goes on and on. My mum with regards to my brother thinks he is a blonde, blue eyed god - he can never do any wrong, he is wonderful and deserves no criticism from anyone. The fact he has not worked in 20 years, runs up debts of 30k regualrly, deals in illicit substances is irrelevant. He is seen as a wonderful uncle by my mum - he has seen the kids twice in a year and never phones - says it all. I stood up to my father as I just snapped one day, I sold my house and moved 100 miles away. I have no-one controlling my life, and have no contact with my brother. My parents see the kids at half term if they want to go to London, and I decide when and how long for to see my own parents. I wish I had a better relationship with my family but I know that will never be, my kids are the most important things in my life, and their happiness again is first. They are aware of how differently me and my brother have been treated and they are appalled they have seen it first hand. My life is mine now and I have never been happier

When I lived in London, I used to walk on Hampstead Heath up until a few years ago, when I got told by some woman who was completely up herself , that her pedigree dog was at risk as she was playing with two cross breeds , and that her dog was far superior to mine as she had a 5 generation pedigree and payed £1k. She soon got a piece of my mind. I then started walking my dogs elsewhere, and was generally avoided as Cosmo is a GSD sized jet black dog, and a few occasions got told that black dogs are dangerous, more agressive etc etc . Cosmo is the biggest baby you can find and wants to love everyone - but unfortunately not everyone wants to love him Now in the New Forest, no-one gives two hoots about his boisterousness, size, colour, cross breed or not, much better place to be

A few years ago, whilst out walking with my dogs, another dog ran full speed into me and broke four out of five fingers on my left hand. I knew her she knew me, it was understood it was an accident. My boss at the time - I was an IT Manager, and use of both hands is essential to do my job, was less than impressed as I was signed off for two months, and then had intensive physio for another two at once a week intervals. My boss wanted me to go and find the owner of the dog, so the company could sue her as I was unable to work and she was liable for it. Needless to say I claimed no knowledge of her or her dog. Since then my own dog has broekn the same four fingers as well, I had left the company second time around - just as well Different people have different ideas - easy way to get money etc etc and will try it on if they can

I hope all is ok at the vets Ellie Had a pointless discussion with my parenst about Christmas. They would very much like to see us on Boxing Day, but they do not want my dogs in their house. My dogs are well behaved and never any problem, they just don't like them. So as a solution, my mother suggested that as a Christmas present she would pay for the dogs to be in kennels from Christmas Eve until the day after boxing day - so we could go and spend a day in their joyous company. My answer was not the most polite and went along the lines of where they could stick that idea, and the dogs were part of my family and they either liked it or lumped it, and no we would not come to London for a day unless the dogs came too families

Nat Gamble has posted on another forum regarding this whole situation. To summarise, the two women did not formally adopt the child, if they did sperm donor would have not been liable for financial support and it would have fallen on woman B The fatyher did play an active part in the childs life, if he chose to remain anonymous and donate via an organisation he could have remained anonymous. Woman A and woman B were not CP which meant that at any time one could have upped and left without any financial repercussions - hence why woman B is able to get away without paying any financial support for the child. If anyone wants the link to the original post and forum ( you do not need to register to view you can PM me)

*sits on hands*

I was just making an observation re Ian not having children that was my point. My viewpoint of the the Southampton Gay scene is certainl;y not rose tinted either. Yes the kids are well adjusted some have contact with the missing parties some don't, as some have financial input but most don't. I am speaking from my first hand experience, I know homophobia exists, as I have been on the receiving end of it not from a stranger but from someone who was my closeest friend for 10 years, that friendship ended a year ago My own kids have had no contact with their own father as he gave up parental responsibility 7 years ago and also gave up all financial input as well. Do they miss him - no. Do they have any desire to be in contact with him - no. Are they well adjusted - yes very much so, they are both high achievers at school and college and are kids to be proud of.

............................time for a deep breath and think about a nice long walk in the forest

Ian if I remember rightly you have no children of your own - is that correct ? Kids can be cruel about disabilities, looks, whether you wear glasses or not, obese, unable to swim etc etc ride a bike and be bullied for any number of reasons. The reasons why kids become bullied is because of the way they have been brought up and the way parents convey tolerance and intolerance. I work on the Southampton Gay Scene, where the norm is gay and lesbian couples with kids of varying different ages from previous hetro relationships, these kids are the most well adjusted kids, and are brought up in stable loving homes which is what kids need. It is irrelevant whether whether it is a gay or straight home. Society has changed from what is was ten even twenty years ago - it seems as if you have not.

been in controversial and feel like cyber punching someone and walked out again

for Steph It seems as if I have a Facebook date shag must be catching

everyone went to London yesterday. We left at 3.30. Got to the M25 by 4.15. Sat in traffic for two and a quarter hours and reached Hendon at 6.30pm The school did not have Graham's certificate ready either and we could not pick up a year book. WE left at 8.30 and were home by 10.00pm. I have never been so pleased to leave London after such a short time

I have just checked this is about 65 miles away so it is do-able - it all depends on what time I finish work. If you can put me down as a maybe with Jessie as Cosmo is too much of a t*t

to everyone who needs it Graham and I are off to London this afternoon as there is a presentation evening at his old school. Graham only found out when one of his friends sent him a text to ask if he was coming. I gave our new address to the head just before we left and it seems that they still sent it to our old address. Anyway a two hour drive for a two hour presentation then a two hour drive home .

my thoughts are with you Phebe

for everyone who needs it I have been working nights since last Wednesday, finished any time from 1.30 am up until 4.30 on Friday and Saturday. There is nothing like being paid to socialise . I have the next few nights off to catch up on life, housework and sleep and then Graham and I are going to London for his presentation evening at his old school on Wednesday evening.

had a great night last night at The Edge, mets lots of new people. I never thought I would have the courage to walk into an invite only party not knowing more than a handful of people (the staff who work there). There was a free bar all night, not much use really if you drive , and lots of lovely guys and girls who took me under their wing last night. The good news is that I pretty much could have a social life 7 days a week. Life is good

for Ellie I am so sorry

for Wendy and Tracey I did my first shift at The Edge last night. I was the one resposnsible for taking the door money last night. I finished at 1.45 am but did not leave until 2.30am. The journey home was about 15 minutes which was good. There is a VIP night tonight and I have been invited as a guest , free bar etc etc - but as I drive I dont drink I was up at 8.30 this morning and I am already desperate for a sleep

for MelP Tonight is my shift at The Edge - should be fun. Gemma has gone to London with school to the National Theatre and will be back past midnight - lukily it is an inset day tomorrow

It is pizzing down here But I have been offered a part time job at The Edge in Southampton