It's March!! Can you believe we are already one quarter into the year? It's gone by so fast! I looked up when Spring officially begins and it just so happens to start on mine and Rose's wedding anniversary! This year Rose and I celebrate 8 years of marriage on the 20th March and 12 years of being together in October. Crazy! 😆 

 

 

It's also Lent and then next month, Easter. Lent started in February and it's one of my favourite things to celebrate, which might sound strange as giving something up isn't usually considered fun. I worried I'd missed it and hadn't given anything up, but instead I've decided to 'give up' and let go of any old grudges I have. Which is hard for me as I hold a lot of grudges! I've also given up going on Reddit, Mumsnet, news sites and anything online that isn't positive! I've replaced going on those sites by reading on my Kindle app! Finally, I've also donated some of our old baby items to some new parents who were in need.😊

 

 

/ 1. A barista in the making! / 2. Our frog family 🥰 featuring a proud Linda Blacker. 

/ 3. Having fun with his fairy frog father! / 4. Waiting for our Drs appointment!

 / 5. Lads being lads / 6. After picture of our guestroom being whitewashed.

/ 7. Fed up! / 8. Cheeky Chappie! / 9. My precious! / 10. Rose's latest handy work! 

/ 11. I've never been prouder! / 12. Exploring nature!

Last month was an enormous one for Rose and I in terms of getting our lives sorted! 

 

I hired a sleep expert, at the recommendation of a friend, and while I was chatting with her I had an enormous epiphany! She was asking me questions like "How much does Ziggy eat? Does he get three good carbs a day?" as she was trying to assess whether or not he was waking in the night due to hunger. Then she asked me several questions about the way Ziggy sleeps, does he snore etc. 

 

She then suggested that she believes Ziggy may have an obstructive blockage in his throat that is affecting his eating and his sleeping! This was mind-blowing, because as parents you always immediately think when things aren't going to plan that is your fault! She also suggested Ziggy may not be eating due to a condition called ARFID. 

So, we went to the Doctors who looked down Ziggy's throat and confirmed he has massive tonsils, and that could definitely be affecting his eating and sleeping and causing a blockage. Ziggy is going to get monitored and may need an operation to take them out. 

 

We didn't realize until we spoke to the sleep expert how much these issues were affecting our entire lifestyle, and Ziggy! It means all of us have been extremely tired and poor Ziggy must be very hungry. It also means that as his main source of food is breast milk (due to him not eating), it's making him extremely attached to me, which makes it difficult for me to leave him with anyone else. I feel so happy that we now have experts involved getting this sorted. All we want as parents is for Ziggy to thrive! I can't wait for him to be able to enjoy food and become a little more independent. I wanted to breastfeed until he is 2, but now I just want him to be able to eat food and feel full, and I'm actually excited to be able to wean. I want my boobs back! 

In the mean time, talking to a non biased third party (the sleep expert) really helped Rose and I realize what was going right and wrong in our routine, so we have changed things up again! Ziggy is now in a much better routine and goes to bed between 7 and 8 and we are getting the best sleep we've had in years! And now we wake up really early too, (before 7!) which is great! I'm feeling much more on top of things. I really feel like things are moving forward and the ball is rolling as opposed to the stale standstill energy of last year! 

 

Next, we both had an amazing time with our friends! I went on a much needed spa day with my BFF Sarah. Sarah and I met in year 8 in secondary school, when she moved schools due to bullying (she was bullied, she wasn't the bully!) Sarah and I immediately became best friends, we used to dress in matching clothes and tell everyone we were sisters. We had an amazing time catching up, and as I mentioned in the last newsletter, it's SO important to have good friends! 

We also had Linda and Sammy come and stay with us, to celebrate Sammy's birthday! We had such an incredible time. What I love about Sammy and Linda is that we can have such silly fun together but also they are fantastic listeners and have such good advice. We stayed up late playing games with them and we did an escape room! Rose and I have done one before in London and that time we didn't escape! We managed to escape this one with just seconds to spare, and I was really proud of myself as I solved lots of the riddles! 

Ziggy has learned so many new words including saying Woody and Wilma, saying quack, counting to THREE saying cup, walk, wash and night night! He's also started calling Rose 'Mum' which is interesting as we always taught him that Rose was 'Mumma' and I am 'Mummy' but it looks like he has decided that Rose is Mum and I am Mumma! 

 

He still speaks in his cute little chicken babble but he is saying and understanding so much more now that I know soon we will be able to have full blown conversations! He is really growing up and I am starting to plan his 2nd birthday party... Any ideas on what we should do? 🥳🤔

 

The house is coming along, and we are slowly managing to paint lots of rooms with the help of Rose's parents! We've got new curtains in the bedroom and have ordered a new carpet for a cozier feel! When we moved in I told Rose I wanted the bedroom to be our 'safe space' and I love how cozy and calm it is becoming! 

Finally, I have started gardening! In our old house, Rose absolutely adored gardening but I was too busy playing Fortnite! But now I have really gotten into it, and I have bought and planted some foxgloves for my wild flower bank! AND the biggest news of all frogs... I FINALLY got Rose to agree to rescue some chickens!!! 🐔🐣🎉

1. Theatre company Breach are making a musical about Section 28, the 1988 piece of legislation that banned local authorities from “intentionally promoting homosexuality”

 

2. Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel are going to play girlfriends in Mother Mary, an upcoming film about a pop star’s relationship with her fashion designer. 🔥

 

3. Jon Stewart absolutely destroyed Republican lawmaker in a debate about gun control and drag shows. 

 

4. The first openly lesbian Miss Great Britain finalist, Emma-Jay Webber, has promised to use her platform to spread awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues. 

 

5. Drag Race legends are uniting against drag bans and launching the Drag Isn’t Dangerous campaign, which includes a one-night-only telethon with proceeds divided among charities that support LGBTQ+ causes and drag performers in need. The event will be live-streamed on 7 May. 

 

I've been loving this free App called Moonly. It tells you about the daily moon phases, sends you an affirmation of the day, you can do Tarot and learn about rituals, healing practices etc. It's awesome! 

 

I also downloaded an app called Wicca. When I was at school I had lots of books about Wicca and called myself a Wiccan. I wish I'd had access to YouTube and TikTok back then because there are loads of Wiccans out there now but I was just alone in my room with my book! Anyway, this app is also free and tells you all sorts of stuff about herbology and how to create spells etc. It's fun! 
 

I make this Easter egg tart every year as Rose absolutely loves it!! I made it this year for Mother's Day, and a sponge cake! Both delicious! 

 

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay - this book is pretty 'woo woo' but I love it for doing the shadow work. Louise Hay has some pretty radical beliefs so this isn't for everyone. But this is actually an exercise book on how to rid yourself of unhelpful thoughts and beliefs. For example, she asks you to write down a word like 'men' and then all your toxic beliefs about that word I really believe that going through life people project things onto you that you then accept as fact (especially when we are children) and sometimes you need to let go of those limiting beliefs. I've started doing this book and some weird things have started to happen!

 

These were our favourite TikToks this month. Here and here. 

 

Pot Gang! I got Rose a subscription to Pot Gang for her wedding anniversary present but honestly it's just as much a present for me! Pot Gang is a subscription that gives you everything you need to grow your own plants - even if you don't have a garden! They started it in lockdown to make growing your own food accessible, it comes with instructions and they even support you via WhatsApp! This month we will be growing tomatoes, lemon chillies and basil!

If you are a member of our Frog Royale community, The Frog Club, or Baby Frogs, you've been asked to fill out our Lily Pad survey where we asked you to share your opinions on controversial relationship questions, and random shower thoughts.

⭐ Here are the results! ⭐

 

Wow, you were so divided on this question but it's pretty clear 

that you won't stand for this behavior!

We asked you: If you could go back in time and give your parents/care givers advice before you were born, what advice would you give them? 🤔

 

We loved reading your answers. The overwhelming majority would have told your parents to go to therapy. Oh boy, we totally get it! ❤️ There were too many answers to write down but here are some interesting ones: use condoms, don't bother, get rich, go to the cinema instead, choose a better name for me, sometimes a little grounding wouldn't hurt nobody, prepare for 18 years of hell. You all are too funny! 😂

 

They were some very sweet answers too. Some of you were very happy with your childhood and your parents. Make sure to tell them! ❤️

Apparently it's recommended to go to the military checkpoints! 

Well, let's see what happens! 😂

When it came to perhaps the most important and most controversial question of all times - Which makes a better pet? Cats or dogs? you simply couldn't decide and it turns out that most of you think that both dogs and cats amazing. Agreed!

 

When asked about what you consider cheating, plenty of you can tolerate flirting but you draw the line at kissing and anything physical! 

 

..and when it comes to winning lottery, the first thing that you would do is to go on holiday. Lesbos island perhaps? 😌 

This community is basically a homebody club. We love it!!! 😂

We also wanted to know which superpower you would choose and 

58% would choose to be able to teleport/apparate!

 

And your biggest pet peeve is people who only talk about themselves and also 

those who are always late! Most of you seem to be cool with knucle crucking and nose picking. 😂

I have decided I want to be a Green Witch - which basically is just a label for all the things I'm already doing, like loving animals and trying to grow stuff in my garden! I've always had a huge love of the spiritual so thought I'd dedicate a little part of the newsletter to this. I've always wanted to be part of a coven, so feel free to join me! 

 

 

March’s birthstones are Aquamarine and Bloodstone, both of which are said to protect your wellbeing! Aquamarine symbolises purity of the spirit and soul, and sailors used to wear them as it is said to calm waves and keep sailors safe. Bloodstone brings health and strength to the wearer!

 

 

For the month of March we are assisted by Angel Machidiel who asks us to speak our truth and push our ambitions. He also works with the fiery side of Aries and invokes in us the rays of the sun, to light a spark within. Showing us purpose, opportunities and determination to get things done.

 

Machidiel brings through new life in March and you feel suddenly able to start a new project or tackle a problem you've been putting off. Call on him if you need more physical energy and courage as he will no doubt put a spark within you! Let go of any stubbornness or hesitation as March is a time of creation and honesty.

 

Looking for any GAP/Freen & Becky fans out there who are 30 and above! :) 

Hey, frogs I'm MJ, 31 from the UK keen to find some queer friends/elders/guides to connect with it's all very new and exciting and scary. I am new to the queer life/space and would love to connect with some folks to play some video games and have chats with. I have a Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Meta VR and a PC - plenty of play options. I am looking for a group to embrace the chaos that Mario Kart and Overcooked 2 provide or any other coop games to complete.

I’ve had a really rough time the last few months and wanted to thank all the lovely frogs who checked in on me, or sent me some kind words, or amazing advice. This community made me feel like I could be sad, frustrated, angry and scared and yet feel safe, heard and supported.  Special thanks to JK and Gaynor for being the best frogs ever and to Rose and Rosie for the distracting livestreams and videos. Much love to all frogs 🐸

Looking for any GAP/Freen & Becky fans out there who are 30 and above! :) 

ISO frogs who would like to participate in the second annual membership gifting exchange. We would like to hear from:

You do not need to be on the planning committee to sign up to sponsor another frog.

For those interested in working on the committee we will be meeting on Instagram and occasionally on zoom (no video). Most work will be done asynchronously, any zoom meetings would be held around 5am BST Sat/Sun, depending on who joins. You do not need to be available for the meetings to join the committee. Time zone does not matter, we are looking for frogs with a commitment to stay updated on a rolling 24hr basis. 

The Fwog book club is open to anyone wanting to read and chat about books, other BFFs or bookish frog friends. We read about a book a month, and we vote for our reads. You are free to skip reads and just join in when you feel comfortable. We read mostly les fic, but the master list is open to all genres. Minimum age 18. If interested, reply through Rose and Rosie or message me on Twitter.

Best news from me I just got top surgery yesterday. I came out over a year ago I first started testosterone February 5 2022 it was the best day so far. I am still trying to get my mom fully on board with it she is helping me with the recovery which I am grateful for. I have found the best support system for my friends from work. 

I'm proud of myself for finally having the guts to explore the real me by dating women amd finding my girlfriend at the ripe old age of 40 ... we have now been together for a year and I'm very happy   I have also gone back to work in the job I love working with special needs kids after taking 2 years out with my mental health. 

This is the first time I say what I am proud of myself. I have always been a giver and I was raised to always give back and be nice no matter what. And lately since my dad's passing. I have been more mindful in giving back to not only charities, but tipping more money that I should and i have been once a month paying it forward. (Paying groceries for the person in line at the store. Paying for a dinner for someone in need) little things like that. Life is to short to worry and not be happy. Words I love by.

I wanted to share that I met Fletcher in Rotterdam! 

I mean it was awkward cause I was shaking and I ended up looking ugly in the picture but who careees it's Fletcher ! Her songs helped me with the hardest heartbreak of my life, I've been a huge fan for a very long time and it meant the world to me! Kudos to my gf for encouraging me to wait for her outise the concert venue ( proof attached ) Fun fact : Fletcher was opening for Panic At The Disco but I only went for her so I left when their concert started and the people working there at the venue were looking at me like I was crazy haha.

I finally left a very toxic relationship. Everytime i tried to break things off they threatened to do bad things to themself so i just felt trapped but i realised that i HAD to put myself first. We are no longer in contact at all. I’ve started working on myself and focusing on my work and I’m starting to feel a little bit better within myself. She was putting me down and making me feel so small but now i realise i deserve so much more. 

Three years ago I lost both of my parents to cancer. My dad passed in March of 2020. His siblings were present when he went through hospice and once he passed they haven't spoke to me since. Covid hit and the world went on lock down. Life got weird so I've tried my best to be empathetic to all the factors going on. Haha. In November of 2020 I married the love of my life. We are in a same sex marriage so I assumed that purhaps that's why that part of my family hasn't reached out to me. Their religion doesn't agree with my life choices. Which does hurt but we can agree to disagree and carry on. Two weeks ago I found out my dad's youngest sister had cancer and she passed on March 13th. Tomorrow is her funeral. Unfortunately I have to attend alone because my wife has to work. I'm beyond nervous to see these people/family who I haven't talked to in so long. But, I am proud of myself for showing support to them despite not receiving it myself. I've been reaching out because losing a loved one is one of the hardest seasons of life. Just because someone hurt you doesn't mean you have to do the same in return. Give love to others but set personal boundaries for protection. Healing by example. I still have so far to go but I'm very proud of where I'm at. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

 

‘'I would like to submit my beefy boy Teddy Ed as pet of the month. Sadly Teddy died very suddenly at the end of January (he was old and had some health problems) but he has an amazing story.He began coming around to our garden about a year and a half ago looking very underweight and had a few injuries, he was so timid and scared of humans. It took months of hard work and gaining his trust but eventually, he was confident to be near the house and our family and lived peacefully in his hut out the garden.

 

 Then all of a sudden he started wandering into the house and within the last few months essentially became a house cat. He took over all the usual sleeping spots of our other four cats but they didn't mind because he was an old boy with a good reputation. He put all the weight back on and was finally able to live his authentic self as a big sleepy boy getting all the love he deserved. Apparently, he had been in the area for years but no one paid attention to him so even though we only had a short time with him he changed our lives and I'm so proud and grateful for him. The first picture is what he looked like the first time we saw him and the other two are him within the last year - he was such a beautiful boy.''

 

Meeka is a 9 year old Tabby, she is a big Rose and Rosie fan! When I moved out at 19, I came across this darling. She has been my support and rock through all the ups and downs.She is a huge comfort, and recently has come out of a tough time, but is doing much better now!

Did you enjoy the newsletter? Let us know, we would love to hear from you.

Don't forget to email us if you want to be our next ‘Frog of the month’, have your pet featured as a 'Pet of the month' or if you want to have an ad on the Friendship noticeboard. We also welcome any other ideas that you might have. After all, we do this newsletter for you and we want you to enjoy it.