Rouky, you are welcome any time. Dawn, I agree it is important to invest in the R and Esame, thanks for your support..

SS and I had a lovely visit. He scraped though his exams and was disappointed in his grades. But they were good enough for him to take his next planned step. They are important exams, but he hasn't actually told his Dad his grades, just given him a general....I got 8 qualifications grade A-C. He said he didn't want to have to deal with a lecture from his Dad just now.

I was pleased with myself because I managed to ask nothing about XH. I made my guiding principle to put SS first and really start to see our R as separate to the M. I told SS about our good friend who starts chemotherapy this week. He didn't know (XH doesn't keep in touch with her) and was upset - said he'll contact her direct to wish her well. He and his Mum still plan to move to the US in a couple of years and he said he'll be sad to move so far from me, but whether he'll feel the same about his Dad is debatable. It's sad and he seems pretty negative about XH just now. Seems to know that XH just isn't really there for him and doesn't have much to offer him...

Otherwise, I'm doing okay. A bit of a mixed time as I have a sore back and want to do some house stuff but don't want to push it and feeling a little frustrated. Plus I had an exchange with a new (bossy) neighbour who collared me and wanted me to take on a job in our communal courtyard. We have a gardener and there's no real need to take on jobs, but some people choose to. But the interaction has led me to withdraw a little and not meet new neighbours as readily as I normally would. I know I need to overcome that and establish myself more here.

Hope everyone is having a good long weekend. Xx

T 13 M 7
Me 48 H 46
SS 15
BD 7.14 PA
D final 5.16 (H filed)

We receive & we lose, and must try to achieve gratitude & embrace with whole hearts whatever of life that remains after the losses - Dubus