I am writing to you in the morning whilst sipping on a hot vegan hot chocolate! The weather in England is giving me WHIPLASH, the news predicted a 

40 degree heatwave but instead we've just had torrential rain and thunderstorms! Today was so wintery we felt like a hot choc! (Still going strong with the no caffeine. 🥳) 

 

WHAT'S THE GOSS? I feel like I've had some huge emotional revelations this month, which makes sense as we are still in cancer season. 🦀

 

But before we get into all that, let's look at this month in pictures!!

 

/ 1. Calm before the storm / 2. Birthday boy! / 3. Mr Green Fingers / 4. Solitude / 5. Sunny day out / 6. The best Brio configuration ever! / 7. A model  / 8. Delicious and sticky / 9. Our other children! / 10. Dentist balloon bribery! / 11. Just hatched! / 12. Puddle monster

First of all I wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all of your lovely words and gifts for Ziggy on his birthday. He LOVES all his new toys! And we all thoroughly enjoyed his birthday!! 

Unfortunately now he is 2, the 2 year sleep regression has hit us HARD and one night we didn't go to bed until 1am!! We are trying so hard to keep his routine consistent and wake him up at 7.30am every day but oh my god, that boy is SO HARD TO WAKE UP. He is just like me hahahaha. We are now trying to cap his naps to only one hour because one time he slept for THREE HOURS and I was staring at the baby monitor worried sick haha. But because of his long naps and him refusing to wake up he is going to bed sooo late. If you guys have any tips to wake him up, let me know. I've become the annoying mum I hate lol. I come in his room, open the curtains and shout WAKEY WAKEY and give him a gentle shake, maybe even pick him up but that boy could sleep through an earthquake. I get Rose to come in and help but he still just falls asleep. 😂

Anyway, the gist is WE ARE TIRED but what else is new?

 

I feel like this month Rose and I have been doing a LOT of learning. Remember a while back we said we were going to do more of what scares us? Well we are still doing that, only it doesn't always have to be great big things like flying a plane when you're terrified. 😂

We are continuing to try small things we've never done before and feel a little nervous about - and we are loving it!

We recently decided to paint our kitchen sunshine yellow! Then we had an old dresser that was left here by the previous owners so we decided to upcycle it and paint it. There was no risk as we never spent any money on it! We painted it teal and then we decided to jazz it up by changing the handles. It's only a small thing but Rose had to drill a new hole for the new handles and then use wood filler to fill the old holes. Let me tell you - Rose with a drill = phwoooaarrr! 🔥 It was so cool watching her learn how to do and it looks amazing! Now we are thinking about changing all the handles on our kitchen cabinets to brighten the place up!

 

Then we were on a roll and started looking at stick on tiles! They are cheaper than real tiles and we won't need to pay someone to install them. If it goes REALLY wrong we can always get real tiles but we thought we'd try to DIY it ourselves! I'm so proud of us learning how to rely less on others and how to do these things. The reward is I really really love the kitchen now!  

I'm also getting into the gardening and growing our own veg. When Rose talks about how much she loves gardening I think people assume she/we know what we're doing... We don't! We're just googling and reading up and making it up as we go along! But we REALLY want to make a go of it. At the end of this month our chicken coop arrives and we are having some plant beds put in!! When we went on holiday our villa was surrounded by honeysuckle and it smelled sooo sweet. So I went and planted it! Its so cool to think that in a few years time it might be huge, bushy abd sweet smelling and i'll know i planted it. 

We also bought a ''grow home" they are like a much cheaper tent version of a green house. GUYS. GET YOURSELF A GROW HOME. The vibes in the grow home are SO. HIGH. I go in there every morning and talk to the veggies (it's scientifically proven to help them grow!) And it's always so warm and smells like damp soil - it's definitely my happy place! 

Oh my God you guys, let me tell you about the hog DRAMA. Unfortunately, as Wilma is a Westie, her prey instinct is STRONG and for reason, hedgehogs are the enemy! Since hogs are nocturnal, it’s normally never an issue - but sometimes, when we let Wilma out for her last wee before bed, we have to PROTECT THE HOGS! The other night we heard her barking and went out to investigate. That’s when we met the cutest little hoglet known to man. We named him Freddie! Freddie got stuck under our rose bush and Rose had to cut him out. He was so frightened, he balled up and we weren’t sure if he was injured. We didn’t want to leave him but we had no choice, so we went to bed and PRAYED he’d survive the night and find his mum. The next morning he was still there, but happy and healthy and no longer frozen in fear! We gave him good meal, left him in a protected safe area and watched as he toddled back to the nest. A HAPPY DAY FOR ALL. Except now we miss him and want him to come back! I think Freddie definitely deserves to be one of the pets of the month! 

I know this sounds incredible miniscule but I've finally learned how to make a salad. And for some reason, salads used to really intimidate me! I never really learned how to care for myself when I was younger, I never learned how to cook (although its on my bucket list!) And I've decided now I have Ziggy it's so important to learn so I can teach him how to eat properly and be healthy. I think one of the most important things you can teach your child is how they can take care of themselves. 

 

I'm also driving way more. It's crazy to me how only a year ago I was terrified to drive ANYWHERE and I totally conquered my fear! That's thanks to therapy and I've actually started using Better Help again, to work on a few more things. I think there's ALWAYS room for self improvement!! 

 

Ooh I've got to go - one of our butterflies just hatched!!! 

1. Trans Pride in Brighton attracted over 30,000 people. It was an extremely windy day and the organisers expected there to be only around 5-10k people so it absolutely exceeded everyone's expectations. Brighton Trans Pride celebrated 

its 10th anniversary this year and it is the biggest Trans Pride in Europe. 

2. A Peruvian high court has ordered same-sex unions to be legally registered in public records. Other countries in South America, including Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia, have legalized gay marriage in recent years.

 

3. Rikkie Valerie Kolle became the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands! 👑

 

4. Latvia’s new president, Edgar Rinkēvičs is openly gay. This is a big win for this small country of 1.8million people where gay marriage isn't actually legal at this moment in time…! Hopefully, there are more positive changes coming to Latvia thanks to this move. 

 

5. The Prime Minister of Greece, has promised to legalise same-sex marriage in a huge step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.

…who I now call 'Salad Queen' on TikTok. THIS GIRL SINGLE HANDEDLY TAUGHT ME HOW TO COOK. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJVJPjtg/ 

 

Rose and I are ADDICTED TO THE DRAMA!! Our faves are still Mal and Yoly but NOT TOGETHER. 

 

This is a YT channel of my friend Grace Mandeville! We absolutely love her! She is basically living our dream life and is way ahead of us. She's already got the chickens and grown the veg! I find her content so relaxing and she's also on TikTok! 

 

This kept being shown to me on my TikTok and once I explored it I could see why. 😂 For those that don't know, it's basically astrology but for your body... kind of like how your birth time and placement affects your character, how your life will pan out and how you 'work'. It turns out I am a 4/6 generator which is apparently the best thing an influencer could be. 😂 It was scarily accurate so i recommend people look it up. I need to find out what Rose is so I can compare. 

It's LEO season frogs! A time of fiery passion, confidence, and self-expression! 

 

This season invites you to step into the limelight, showcasing your unique talents and sharing your authentic self with the world. It's a chance to tap into your creative side and embrace your inner child. Find joy in the simple pleasures, indulge in playful activities, and let your imagination run wild. 🦁

 

However, Leo energy can become overwhelming. 

 

No matter your zodiac sign, Leo season invites you to tap into your inner courage, express your truth, and embrace the spotlight of your life. 

 

Ruby is a gemstone associated with Leos and it is thought to strengthen relationships and increase feelings of love and devotion.

This month we asked you in our questionnaire ‘What are you proud of?' and these were some wonderful responses that we received. We wish there was enough space to share all of them. Please know, that we support you all and we are grateful that you're sharing your wins with us!!!

Ladies, hello from New Mexico in the USA. I add that because some people have thought we aren't part of the 50 states. Anyway, my news I celebrated working at my job for 20 years on June 16th! Got a nice bonus check and am going to lunch with our CEO who I have had the biggest crush on! She's a smokin blonde girl. My pronouns are she/her. Been a Rose and Rosie fan since the beginning. I'm one of your older frogs. 

Stopping drinking.

Proud of getting back into teacher training after mental health breakdown.

Finally making my way as a single person after 30+ yrs of a marriage I didnt ever really enjoy. Realizing, at 53 that I actually do and have always liked women better. Essentially coming out to myself and a few friends after a whole life of pretending to be someone I wasnt. Much of this transformation due in part to both of you! You"ve really helped normalize being gay and over the years you've really helped me become more comfortable with myself! Many thanks to you both! 

i’m proud that i’m comfortable with doing things by myself like traveling solo or going to concerts alone and really enjoying my time, making beautiful memories; i’m proud that i’m finally able to call myself a lesbian and i’m proud that i’m trying to communicate my needs and emotions although there’s still a long way ahead of me but i’m getting there haha

Finished building my limestone house on the farm. Taken me six years but now am six bedrooms and 4 bathrooms better off. Just in the final stages of building the drystone wall surrounding it, as well as looking after 150 cows 100 sheep, 2 horses, 20 hens, 4 dogs and 2 kids. The kids are by far the hardest work.

I’m proud of being me!!! I’m proud of my work ethic! I’m proud of all of us! We got this fwogs! 

Reaching 10,000 pushups so far! Starting classes, and so far, rocking anatomy and physiology! Raising a food garden-- I'm enjoying my cucumbers daily! Mutual aid in my community through the tough times and the good times!

I said my first “No” to going to a family wedding. I took some crap and my dad took some crap for me saying no. In the end my dad made his own decision not to go as well, which was a very good thing for his mental health.

I'm really proud of my courage and determination. I've been having quite a rubbish time with health issues and being in hospital, but I've really made a point of taking time for myself when I can, turning up and being brave in my appointments and trying to just keep pushing forward.

Going to couples therapy! I feel more at peace with myself. 

Being able to keep my 93 year old grandmother in her home instead of a facility. 

Looking at your responses to our recent questionnaire we can see that most people do abandon their resolutions or even forget what they are…but isn't it nice to be full of hope at the beggining of each year? 😂 

 

Your responses to: 

Choosing a word for the year or a phrase seems definitely easier than planning a big life change. However, this is a gentle reminder for you all that there are still 5 months left of the year and it's never too late to make some positive changes to your life. We especially urge you honor your resolutions if you chose to be kinder to yourself or set better boundaries with people around you. There was also a frog who said they want to be gayer this year! That one is really important, please do work on that one! 😂

 

There are too many responses to list all of them so here are just a few examples.  

 

-Super impressive, well done!

 

 - There were many similar responses. Well done you all!!!

 

'I'm mostly sticking to them sometimes I'm just lazy and won't do them' 

- We like this one. It's relatable. 😂

 

- It's hard, comfort food is the best! Do you knwo the salad girl on TikTok? 😂 See our ‘What we liked’ section. 

‘…I’ve also been trying to stop ppl pleasing and I think it’s going well.’ 
- We are proud of you!

 

- Very valid! We appreciate this.

 

We also asked you ‘If you had to choose one word for 2023 so far, what would it be?’ and well…😬

It seems like we're all going through it. Most common words were HEARTBREAKING, STRESSFUL, CHAOTIC, CHALLENGING, ROLLERCOASTER, SETBACK. 

 

But there were also a few of you that chose words like HEALING, GAY, EXCITING, WHOLESOME, and STABLE. 

 

But the lesson is…if you ever feel like you're the only one going through it. You're not. You are not alone! Frogs, stay strong! 

 

We hope you can get some time to relax. 

A big shoutout to Luna who’s been the bravest girl this month! We’re all wishing her a speedy recovery and sending her so much love. And huge props to Sarah who’s making sure she’s feeling spoiled! xxx 

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 add a message to our 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.