Hi guys! How's it going? Can you believe it's almost May? Sooo much has happened and we can't wait to share it with you all.

 

As I'm writing this we've just got back from our holiday in Barcelona! As you frogs already know I'm a huge believer in energy and I really, truly believe that going away on holiday massively shifted our energy UP HIGH. I'll get into that a bit more, but first, here's March and April in Pictures.

 

P.S.: Did you miss our March newsletter? You can check it out here.

/ 1. Our little postman! / 2. Laura May Coope / 3. He’s just like his mum / 4. Pure joy! 

/ 5. Excellent breakfast choice / 6. Catching up on current affairs / 7. Beach boy! / 8. Loving his new house! / 9. My lemon chillies!  / 10. Snuggles with Grandad / 11. My new fringe! 

/ 12. Ziggy loves water / 13. Rose sleeping on the plane on the way back from Barcelona 

/ 14. At breakfast

So, as predicted, Rose and I have caught the TRAVEL BUG from going away to Barcelona! 

Summer is on its way and we really want to make the most of it! When I used to work at Vue cinema there were really long, slow periods where the movies had all started so there wasn't much to do, and no customers to serve. I remember my friend was writing something down and I asked him what he was doing and he said he was making a summer bucket list. Not huge life goals, just things that he definitely wanted to do this summer. I thought it was the most awesome idea! I can definitely think of a few already, but please feel free to share yours!! Let's all have the most amazing summer!

I really feel like these past months have brought in even more fresh energy. Here's some things we've done to switch things up and keep things fresh:

 

I've finally ordered some new glasses! And I LOVE THEM. They're a bit 'out there' but as you guys know, I don't give a single fuck what anyone else thinks! If I like them, I like them and that's all I care about! New fringe, new glasses, new me! I highly suggest trying something new with your appearance or personal style every now and then, it's amazing what a difference it can make to how you feel! 

I also had an idea for an incredible new PROJECT and I'm REALLY excited to bring it to life. 

I definitely feel more motivated and creative after having a holiday - we should take them more often so I hope you guys are feeling excited! It's something I hope you'll all really enjoy...

 

Talking about new, Ziggy has suddenly grown up so much! He has ditched his highchair now and eats at a table, has a new best friend and got invited to a birthday party which was soooo sweet. His talking has come on so much and in Barcelona he actually picked up full on phrases rather than just random words. I would say "let's go over there" and he'd point and say "over there!" His new thing is pointing at things and saying "that?" Which means what's that? And I tell him the name, then he points at the next thing. It gets a little old after a while We are trying to involve him in helping around the house, and give him more independence! He can sweep leaves, help me empty the dishwasher and 'help' paint the walls. 

Now we've pulled him out of nursery Rose and I are getting to witness so many firsts with him and it's been so special. It's amazing seeing Rose play with him and she really is favourite face mummy!! She makes him laugh so hard! 

 

As well as being an ANGEL on the flight to Barcelona, we took him down to Portsmouth and he was such a good boy! I took him swimming at the hotel and he is ALMOST THERE with the swimming! We're starting more lessons in May! Then he sat down at the meal so well! We're thinking about booking another trip soon! Where is good in the UK for a weekend away? I was thinking Brighton or Cornwall, but I'm always open to suggestions!

 

We feel really surrounded by friends and family, even though Linda and Sammy travelled all the way to our house and we had to immediately send them home because we both pooped ourselves. Then we had a spa day with Laura Dix and Babe-rah and a family meal! Then of course visiting our friends in Barcelona! 

When we went to Portsmouth I got asked to talk on a live webinar about working with brands as an influencer. I was so proud of myself, because I normally get really nervous before these things but it wasn't so bad this time around! Maybe because I couldn't see the amount of people attending as it was online? Either way, Rose and I are continuing to challenge and push ourselves to do things outside of our comfort zone, and I cannot stress enough how much amazing confidence this gives you after you've done it! 

1. A plan to ban gay conversion therapy will be brought back by the UK government and will include the outlawing of trans conversion therapy. Fingers crossed! 🤞

 

2. The cast of L Word went to the White House to celebrate 

Lesbian Visibility Week! 

 

3. Kwagala, a queer Ugandan photographer and LGBTQ rights activist living in South Africa is working with friends to raise and distribute money to LGBTQ Ugandans. Kwagala have previously been jailed and evicted but they continue to fight for LGBTQ rights. A true hero! ❤️

 

 

4. The screening of a controversial film ‘Adult Human Female’ about transgender issues has been cancelled for a second time by the University of Edinburgh after student protests. 👏

 

5. The Last of Us’ star and non-binary icon Bella Ramsey is set to star in Netflix’s sequel to the classic Chicken Run.

The way you are there for each other is honestly so inspiring and it makes us so happy. Every time someone shares something deeply personal on one of our live streams you all give them so much love and support. It's incredible! Also, so many of you messaged us about Jac's book being nominated for a prize. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO AMAZING! 🐸
 

 

It's cherry blossom season here in the UK and it's so beautiful. It only lasts about 10-14 days so don't miss it! 🌸

We are loving Firefly Lane on Netflix. We are obsessed with the actresses, we love the aesthetic, we love the FRINGES and we just love female led programmes in general. 

It’s Lesbian Visibility Week! And my top inspiration is my very good friend Laura May Coope Back in the day, as a BBC Radio 1 and 1 Xtra producer, Laura-May’s innovative social media strategies and content collabs with world-famous celebs helped grow the audience from thousands to millions!

 

In 2014 she drew on her industry knowledge and insights to co-found the Social Life agency. She is BADASS. And even though I’m ANGRY at her for moving away, Barcelona-based Laura-May is now Chief Solutions Officer at Jellyfish, working creatively with clients including Netflix, Google UK, and Sky. 

 

She’s the biggest advocate for social justice and one of the kindest girls I know! In 2019 Laura was diagnosed with a brain tumour and kicked it right in the face. She’s since made a full recovery, her cancer never defined her, and her attitude towards it was the bravest and most inspirational thing I could have witnessed as a friend. I am, and will always be, her BIGGEST fan. 

 

My book, "The Seductress Trap", is a Finalist in the Golden Crown Literary Society's (GCLS) 2023 awards competition ("The Goldies"). It has been nominated in two categories, best Debut Novel and best Contemporary Romance - Short Novel. 

 

GCLS is the premier U.S. organization for the promotion of sapphic and women-loving-women literature. Award winners will be announced at the 2023 GCLS Conference in Denver at the end of June. (I'm going. I'm SO excited!!)

 

My book is about what happens when Chris Karner's business partner and best friend, Mike, loses his fiancée to the incredibly hot Angel Lux. Mike and Chris hatch a plan to make Chris Angel's new conquest. Can Chris seduce Angel but avoid falling in love? The book a hilarious romp with sentimental turns all the while poking fun at the old "predatory lesbian" trope. (Nobody "converts" anybody in this book!) Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other purveyors of fine books, or direct from the publisher.

Fasten your broomsticks, it's mercury retrograde!! If you aren't aware of what that is, it's when Mercury appears to be moving backwards when you look at it in the sky - it's not, it just appears that way. Mercury is the ruling planet of communication (it also rules Gemini, mine and Rose's starsign!) And when in retrograde it tends to seriously mess with you. Rose and I always feel it extra hard. It's meant to cause delays, miscommunications, technical breakdowns and general chaos. It's also supposed to illuminate the problems and areas in your life that need a freshen up or a change. Ever since giving birth during a retrograde, having a massive third degree tear then falling out with my Mum (sorry to retell the famous story AGAIN) but I'm just not afraid of Mercury retrograde anymore. I've been there, done that. 😂 I'm just going to go with the flow. The retrograde lasts from April 21st - 14th May and then after that there is a 'shadow period' where things are still a bit messy...
 

My professional (lol) opinion? Who gives a fuck! Fuck mercury retrograde! Life is full of ups and downs, let's just ride this one out together froggies!

 

Crystal of the month: Diamond/ Crystal Quartz
 

The diamond is the traditional birthstone of April and holds significant meaning for those born in that month, thought to provide the wearer with better relationships and an increase in inner strength. Wearing diamonds is purported to bring other benefits such as balance, clarity and abundance.

 

Quartz enhances spiritual growth, spirituality and wisdom. Because it clarifies thought processes and emotions, it can increase inspiration and creativity. It can also help with concentration, studying and retaining what one learns.

Hello frogs! It’s Joy from Taiwan which is a small but beautiful and friendly country! 

I will be 29 years old in this May, and want to make various friends who are also in love with Rose/Rosie/Ziggy around the world <3 If you plan to travel Taiwan in the future, please contact me, I can be your tour guide! Or if you are not, we can also start from pen pals! I have plan to travel other countries as well~🌎

Besides, I also want to know if there’s any other Taiwanese frog, please contact me! 🐸 

We can meet in person or maybe do RnR YouTube videos marathon together…there are almost 1000 videos in the three channels, so crazy. lol

My name is Sofia, I’m 24, bisexual and brazilian. I just moved back home after a year living in the United States and I’m struggling to readapt. My old friends think I’m too serious now because I’m sober and not into partying as much lately. I also moved to a different city, where I have no friends yet. It would be super nice if I could meet someone from our Frog community, maybe make new friends, have people to talk to. 

Hello, are there any other frogs who use wheelchairs? I don't know many other wheelchair users and I would really love to be able to talk to someone else and vent about stairs! I do para-karate but if anyone knows of other London-based wheelchair sports clubs then please let me know, specifically anywhere that does WCMX as that's my favourite to do!

I became really unwell at the beginning of 2022 and had to be cared for by my parents etc and couldn’t do anything alone. I was immobile and in constant severe pain for almost a year. If you’ve heard of / seen topical steroid withdrawal on tiktok, that’s what I’ve got (feel free to check out my videos there if you fancy @wavesandhaught). 

Recently, I‘ve not only managed to travel alone to London from where I live in Leicestershire, but I also managed to get by on my own in my flat whilst my parents went on their well-deserved cruise. I couldn’t even imagine going one day alone back for the majority of last year due to my physical health and now I’ve started to heal, I was able to overcome the immense anxiety it left me with (I had it before but it quadrupled) and gained back some independence and I’m super proud of myself for it.

I made the decision to tell my Pain Doctor that I want to come off my daily nerve pain medication after being on it since 2020. I had 3 wrist surgeries and have been dealing with lots of pain since then. My wrist has not recovered fully and my depression and anxiety kicked in shortly after the 1st surgery. 

 

I had to be on the nerve pain medication to be able to live a little more normally as the pain was affecting my daily life and career a lot. 

 

I am a music teacher who needs my hands to teach. I still am teaching now and have been going for therapy since then, learning coping mechanisms to manage my pain better. None of the doctors can help me any further with the pain and I did not want to take the nerve pain medication for life. Hence, I made the hard decision to come off it. But it’s not a medication that I can just stop taking all of a sudden, so I was given a 6 months plan to slowly taper it all off. I have managed to cut the dosage for 3 times now, and hopefully by end June I would be able to stop taking it completely. 

 

I am still dealing with lots of pain, but I am getting used to it and managing it to the best of my abilities. 

I got my distinction in my MSc Psychology degree!! I honestly couldn’t have done it you both, the community and the lessons I learnt during this journey. Thank you for providing the most entertaining livestreams while I was stuck sobbing and stuck on my assignments / work. This community, for sharing positive messages, positive vibes and inspirational stories to keep me going. Finally, the lesson I learnt that paved way to this achievement is to not fear making mistakes. If we fail, we learn about who we are at that exact moment. We can learn from these lessons and pave way to a better future. I know I have. If you are reading this and are reeling over a mistakes, it’s okay. Cut yourself a break. Learn from it what you can and keep moving forward, trust me, it gets better

Just reaching out about my achievement I’ve been proud of. Starting in January I got a trainer and go to the gym 3 times a week. I have not stopped and I’ve stayed motivated. I even fractured my foot 2 weeks ago while hiking but still go to the gym 3 times a week and work on upper body to stay motivated. I feel accomplished and excited to keep going!

On 17th June 2023, I will be hosting a fundraiser for the Primrose Hospice (Registered Charity Number: 700272). The event is being held at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre and we will be holding a raffle.

 

I have chosen to raise money for the Primrose Hospice as my mother passed away unexpectedly on 12th November 2022. It has been a difficult time for me, so I wanted to do something in her memory and she was always grateful to the charity due to the support she received from them when she was caring for my Grandparents. 

 

I am writing to see if you could ask in the newsletter if anyone would be willing to make a donation or a contribution to the raffle, the letter from my contact at the Primrose Hospice is attached and the Just Giving page can be found at this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/bevandhannah

 

Please let me know if you require any further information, you contact me via email (hannah_aryee@outlook.com).

I finally qualified as a nursery practitioner at the beginning of this month which was a huge achievement for me as I dropped out of school and college due to mental health issues but I’ve finally completed a qualification and I got offered a job at the place I’m already working at which they very rarely do for apprentices so that was amazing.

I’m lucky enough to work for a company and with an amazing group people that share in my passion to help the community and organizations close to my heart. Every year we put our noggins together to seek out opportunities to raise funds for worthy causes. Whether it be for animals or human beings, we’re down.

Every February for the last five years, I’ve participated in the Penguin Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics New Hampshire. This involves throwing my body into the frigid Atlantic Ocean for donations. The ocean temp is an average of 39 degrees Fahrenheit in winter so it’s quite refreshing (actually, it’s not that bad if you start your day with a hot toddy).

I’m all the way to the right (it was a 1950’s theme, hence the “cigarettes” rolled in my sleeve like I’m friggin’ James Dean)

This is Angira's pet  Aador who recently celebrated his 8th birthay. He is an amiable cocker spaniel who loves Vanilla icecream! 

Carol is a one-year-old mixed breed treasure that belongs to Erin! Erin and her wife took her in as a foster in May 2022 through a rescue she volunteers for. Erin says: ''Clearly we foster failed because we adopted her one month later when the thought of losing her was too much. She was born in a barn in Texas to a stray mum, though she never picked up a southern accent unfortunately..''

Below are a few of her likes and interests: doing laundry (stealing and destroying all socks, gloves, and hats.. clean or dirty), landscaping (digging unwanted and unnecessary holes in the yard and removing wanted branches from Hemlock trees), home security (barking at Amazon, UPS, USPS and FedEx drivers, as well as the propane delivery man)

Lastly, she enjoys long walks on the beach, frolicking in the snow like a baby deer, and car rides.

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.