Angelina

you did most of it, so well done you! It is hard - you have to find something to fill the time - it's better though. It's so easy to just drink to fill the time/ evenings. You're going to have to be creative as you will have hours to yourself you didn't have before. Is there anything you dream about doing? Well, now's the time to think about it even more. As you've suggested, find a friend and do a shared activity. Do you know, the gym on Crystal Palace Rd is free for Southwark residents? you could try that! It may not be easy and you may have to force yourself at first, but get a good playlist and some headphones and you'll be fine. The change in lifestyle is surmountable and you will feel fab :-)

thanks Natty. I wish. Making people happy is a life goal I have. Life is hard and we're not kind enough to ourselves or each other. I'm not kind enough to myself. Maybe that should be my resolution this year.

That's not nice to hear JohnL - you've had a pretty rough time - hope you're ok? I suppose, if I'm completely honest - I love my family but the schedule - do this, then and this next and then this and this and this. ...I would love to just go away for Christmas and New Year - just away completely - and take everyone with me. A nice ten star hotel on an island somewhere hot (but not too hot, my nan won't like it). The pressure to make sure everyone is happy is unbelievable. It's like we all have a schedule to follow and can't just do our own thing. My sister cooks for around 15 people and does so well, I would love her to just chill. Maybe I should hire a chef one year, and waiters. I do - however - absolutely LOVE the week between Christmas and New Years Eve. It's as if time stops and anything goes. Can't quite get my head around the fact I've got a 9am meeting with the boss tomorrow. but he's super fab, maybe we'll get coffee and it will be ok Happy 2018 everyone... and you Natty xx

Free festivals are completely different - everyone is welcome - the petition is about the ticketed events in the park because they change the nature of the access to the park and the dynamics completely. I would love (more than pretty much anything) the summer to be filled with the free festivals we used to have. Maybe I'm getting old, but I love festivals and the randomness of all sorts of people being together. It's changed now it's all ticketed - not that it's not good, it still is, it's just different. And it has an impact that we want to be considered. I mean, who does NOT love Brockwell Park? It's super special and needs to be thought about when events are planned - no one is saying don't have parties, just beware of the impact. That's all.

Swear

Write

Natty, it will all be good. Have a good evening. Angie

Not everyone likes the things children like. Pets are great for kids. Hubby should realise that. My hubby doesn't particularly like the cats and dragons. Let alone My Little Pony. But we compromise - he gets things we don't particularly like (like Sky Sports)

I love Voodoo Ray pizza, can't decide on my favourite

that's no longer the case with events TE44 - they are ticketed and fenced - hence the concerns

I found this petition about the events in Brockwell. https://www.change.org/p/lambeth-council-pledge-to-keep-brockwell-park-events-sustainable-and-proportionate

you can give your delivery bags back the next time the delivery arrives.

Desire

priss

Sounds like a lovely idea - why not get in touch with them and see exactly what they would need? I'm sure you;d get wool donations from EDF! I probably have some :-)

Does it matter if hubby is not pro-pets? Is this not for the children? Guinea pigs live happily inside.

I'm not sure I like the way they're being marked. Is this like Britain's Got Talent for ED Resolutions? Not telling you mine as I feel like I'm involved in some odd advertising too. Angelina - Life Coach, Consultant and Judge.

Ours was good with family but so happy to be home. Natty - what happened? Merry Christmas Sue - glad you've got Netflix! Now you have to learn how to not be so absorbed by box sets you forget to live ;-)

I bf both of my daughters, frequently while we were out, as we usually were. If people watched it didn't bother me at all as they were just not on my radar. If I did notice, I'd just smile as I don't ever think I had any hostility. Some of my gay friends were really curious (as they were at all stages of my pregnancies), but I can assure you that that was not oggling, just a really beautiful curiosity. If anyone were abusive to a woman feeding a baby, I would hope that anyone nearby would step in and say something. And if anyone is uncomfortable around it, then they have every right to walk away and not be chastised for it. They don't have the right to complain though.

have you been drinking the Christmas stash? pleased you have good news :-0

you're missing the point

I can only think they didn't see her - or worse didn't realize they had hit a person, especially if the car in front had done the same and just driven away normally. It's unbelievable to conceive someone would do this, know they've done it and carry on as normal. SOMEONE must have noticed odd behavior at home. I would be beside myself.

?80 is a day's wages for many people. Sweepers clean the streets, so let's get some perspective... Why are the authorities not chasing motorists who use mobile phones, drive without insurance, fail to stop at crossings etc. (as a start)

Things will get better in time, but she is lucky to have a good friend who cares. There is lots of support available but knowing you need help and asking for it are very difficult steps to make. The first steps are easier when someone is guiding you.

Saffron, you are absolutely right to be worried about your friend. Her drinking could well be her way of coping with it. I would strongly suggest you do not raise this as a group thing - that could completely overwhelm her. Instead, make sure that she KNOWS you know. And make sure that you are there for her. Tell her that you have noticed her bruises and tell her that you are worried about her safety. Come on to her drinking later. While being a friend is the best thing in the world, what is more likely to help your friend is if she has someone impartial she can talk to and who will recognize the terrible abuse she is suffering. Could she talk to her doctor? If it ever comes to her needing evidence, this is a good place to start. He partner sounds like someone I know.... very good at hiding that part of his personality to anyone else - manipulative, abusive, a true narsissist. It may well be that your friend believes she deserves what is happening to her and that she causes him to behave like that. It is likely she thinks she is responsible. That type of abuser can make a victim feel like that. You can give her information to read - there are lots of articles on the internet from abused partners and maybe your friend will be able to realise for herself that she is not alone and is in real danger. Don't ever walk away from someone who you know is going through this. And I hope to God there are no children involved because that would mean a completely different approach as the risks become much more serious.