Tolerence

[weeder]

As some of you will recall, I was on the " Maiden Voyage to England" Along with Minks.. we represented the US and Canada at the first FG get together.

It is an experience I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. I have not been able to fully reflect and enjoy my experience there, as lifes trials and tribulations have presented themselves fast and furious for the last several months. I couldnt talk about this for a long time, ( Koan was the only one who knew) but last June on top of everything else... I experienced date rape. I love the way I say that so matter of factly now, Like " I experienced excema,,,,,, While mentally trying to recover from that fun evening.. I received a PM from a member that not only upset me, it totally drove me over the edge. I couldnt handle any more. I cannott deny my affection for this place, or the people in it. I have been very sad about BRs accident, and the loss of CC ( who I did not know) It has been difficult being on the outside looking in. But I no longer felt worthy to contribute. Or willing to make myself vulnerable to any kind of attack. One of my faults not only here, but in life as well... has been expecting people to live up to my standards. I am back presenting myself to you not only as a long standing member.. But as someone who has been striving to become more tolerant, open minded, and generous. Please bear in mind I do not mention the horiffic tangle with angry genitals for sympathy. So please do not send any condolences my way. I mention it as yet another learning experience that will enable me to perhaps offer insight to someone suffering. And as an explanation for my temporarily falling apart. I am pleased to see the garden flourishing and I look forward to banging heads with you and sharing heart with you. Weeder

[DesignerGal]

Welcome back Weeder. Be strong.

[cherandbuster]

Weeder

Thank you for your lovely post.

I look forward to becoming friends :-6

[Peg]

It's good to see you back here Weeder. :-4

[Rapunzel]

Oh Laura, my love, BIG Jumbo hug for you sweetheart!



I knew you were having problems but thought they were all family problems.

Have you been to a Counsellor? You need to talk this through with someone as you are feeling unworthy and you're SO NOT! That scumbag bast%rd is!!!

Sweetheart, you know FG raises people's spirits, so come back and talk to us as much as you need or send me a pm and talk to me. Or talk to Abbey. You know we're both here for you!

You've been so brave to open your heart to us and now you can let the healing begin. Talk to us all again and make good plans. PM me your address and lets plan your next trip here.

All my love to you,

Melanie. XXXXX

[Lulu2]

Waving to Weeder!

[Mystery]

Hi We've never met, but I look forward to reading you

[cars]

It's great to see you're back weeder! Bad things happen to good people! So now as time goes bye, you can/are slowly getting back on the mend. Good on you! Best wishes!!:-6

[weeder]

Thank you everyone. I was at work today feeling so happy.... realizing how much a part of my life you all were, and how I missed you. Now I can get my FG T- shirt. Ill be looking forward to spending the winter with all of you, and then perhaps a trip " Over Again this spring. Melanie, I still want to go to the Isle of White.... with you " Fred" and the kids.

[Rapunzel]

weeder wrote: Thank you everyone. I was at work today feeling so happy.... realizing how much a part of my life you all were, and how I missed you. Now I can get my FG T- shirt. Ill be looking forward to spending the winter with all of you, and then perhaps a trip " Over Again this spring. Melanie, I still want to go to the Isle of White.... with you " Fred" and the kids.


Oh Laura hunny, it's great to know you're feeling happy again!

The Isle of Wight is still there and waiting for you - of course it's eroding gradually but will take a few more thousand years before it totally disappears into the sea!




I thought perhaps we could make it an FG meetup - you can get a coach tour around the island in one day. We could go to Blackgang Chine (named after the Black gang of Smugglers who used to live there!)

http://www.blackgangchine.com/index.asp





Also at Blackgang there's the Old Wild West Town, the Pirate Ship, the Haunted House and Fairy Castle, the dinosaur museum, Dinosaurland, Nurseryland, a HUGE Maze, ride and tons of other things - really you need at least a whole day to see it all!

[Rapunzel]

Then there's Shankln Chine, where we used to live.

http://www.shanklinchine.co.uk/

and the Old Village - the Crab Inn is great for a pint!

http://www.isleofwightattractions.co.uk ... llage1.htm

There's also Osborne House at Cowes, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (circa 1845) used to sty for their holidays and which still retains many of the royal couple's possessions, art work and photographs.



After her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840, Queen Victoria felt the need for a family residence in the country. To use her words, 'a place of one's own - quiet and retired'.

Queen Victoria knew and liked the Isle of Wight after visiting as a child, and she and the Prince Consort were both determined to buy a property there.

'It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot,' wrote the Queen after a visit to Osborne House. In 1845 the royal couple purchased the property with an estate of 342 acres, plus the adjacent Barton Manor to house equerries and grooms and to serve as the home farm.

Before the deeds had even changed hands, architect Thomas Cubitt had been approached - firstly to build a new wing and then to demolish the old house and add further wings. Once all the work was complete, an exquisite pair of Italianate towers dominated the landscape and looked out over passing ships in the nearby Solent.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/serv ... operty.205

There's also Carisbrooke Castle, A Historic Norman castle where Charles I was imprisoned



Carisbrooke Castle is an 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by William fitz Osbern. In the 12th century, the de Redvers family founded the stone castle, which is visible today. Built on top of Wihtgarsburh Saxon Burh, George Carey, second Lord Hunsden, surrounded the castle with Elizabethan defenses designed to withstand artillery. 10 miles west is Yarmouth Castle.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/serv ... nImageId/1

http://www.shalfleet.net/newport_and_ca ... castle.htm

Then there are the Needles. The Isle of Wight Needles are one of the island's most spectacular natural landmarks and consist of three huge towers of chalky rock jutting out from the sea, close to Alum Bay, on the western side of the Isle of Wight. A fourth rock tower collapsed in 1764 and the third rock is now the base for an automatic lighthouse. You can go on boat trips to the Needles and Alum Bay. Alum Bay has cliffs made of many different colours of sand. There's a chairlift down to the beach, although erosion has made it far too dangerous to collect your own sand now, but there is a shop where you can buy the sands and decorate bottles with them.

http://www.theneedles.co.uk/



There's also the Isle of Wight zoo to visit in Sandown.

http://www.amazonworld.co.uk/

There's the IOW Pearl Factory where they have 2 necklaces framed and ask you to guess which is the fake and which is real pearls - it's incredibly hard to choose!

http://www.isleofwightattractions.co.uk/

So - lots to do and well worth a meet-up trip too! :-6

[Bill Sikes]

weeder wrote: One of my faults not only here, but in life as well... has been expecting people to live up to my standards.


You set your own standards. If you are able to compromise a little, you'll know.

To try and lower your standards (or "lower your standard", if you understand

my bearing) unreasonably won't work, IMO. Well done! Nice to see you here.

[weeder]

Mel, I cant wait for all of this!!! And Thank You Bill.