Monthly newsletter from Rose and Rosie
 
Happy almost October everybody!
 
I'm not going to lie, I'm absolutely loving this change of seasons. FINALLY it feels like autumn is here and I am READY for it! ๐Ÿ‚ I think it's really important to make the most of celebrating each season and also each LIFE season as well. Maybe it's the retrograde that we're just coming out of but these last few months Rose and I have really worked on assessing our life and what is and isn't working. The first step is knowing what works and what doesn't!
 
Here's this last month in pictures!
 
Did you miss our August newsletter? You can check it out here.
 
In this newsletter:
  • September in pictures: our favourite moments ๐Ÿ“ท
  • What we did last month โœŒ๏ธ
  • Monthly positive LGBTQIA+ news ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ
  • Things we liked
  • Frog of the month ๐Ÿธ๐Ÿ‘‘
  • The Cozy Coven ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™€๏ธ
  • Friendship & Shoutouts Noticeboard
  • Pet of the month ๐Ÿˆ
  • Get involved in our newsletter!

 
September in pictures
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/ 1. Happy with his egg! / 2. LOVE ME / 3. The gorgeous Kate! / 4. Zig singing instead of eating his breakfast! / 5. My baby Flynnie! / 6. New craft space! / 7. The lovely Laura Dix and Wilma / 8. Yeah, we can still see you / 9. We're ALL Custard / 10. Rose trying her hardest to get a chicken selfie
 

 
What we did last monthโ€ฆ
 
Rose and I went a little mad decorating our house for autumn (like I said, weโ€™re big on celebrating the seasons) and came home from Hobbycraft with a bag full of pumpkins! I've got to say, I think autumn is my favourite season now and I used to be a summer girlie. 
I absolutely love being warm inside when it's raining outside and I LOVE kicking the leaves with Ziggy when we walk. Rose and I always watch the same films in Autumn; You've Got Mail, Step Mom and One Fine Day. But maybe I've been living under a rock but WHERE are our seasonal queer films?! I literally can't think of any! Carol is soooo good it's literally something I look forward to watching every Xmas but where is our Autumn lesbian love interest?!!! Tell me if I'm missing something!
 
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Forest cuddles!
The first thing we have changed up this month is Ziggy no longer breastfeeds to sleep! Now Rose baths him and puts him to bed every night, whilst I sort out the chickens and the dogs and tidy up! It might seem like a small change, but I used to be the only person who could get Ziggy to sleep. It now makes it a lot easier if I ever want to go out with my friends or go to the gym or do something in the evening! I am extremely excited! Rose is loving this bonding time with Ziggy, as usually she is working in the day so this evening time between them is so special. It's a win win situation! I'm also back in bed with Rose!
 
At the moment Ziggy still does wake at least once in the night BUT so far heโ€™s done TWO WHOLE nights where he didnโ€™t wake up!! Cross your fingers for us frogs! We are just planning on keeping on doing what weโ€™re doing and hoping for the best. Itโ€™s fantastic that weโ€™re doing this now, because as you now knowโ€ฆ.
 
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The don't tell me what to do face!
Weโ€™ve been doing IVF!!! Itโ€™s been a wild few months! Rose and I went down the IVF route this time around because we are running low on sperm. Unfortunately our donor is no longer active, meaning the only sperm we have is what we have already bought. Itโ€™s not the END of the world if Ziggy and our future new baby arenโ€™t related, but it would be nice if they were and we really love our donor and we chose him for a reason. But, what will be will be. Itโ€™s so funny because Iโ€™ve been telling Rose I would like another baby, but as soon as she started the IVF I suddenly didnโ€™t feel that way anymore. Because I knew she was working on another baby, I didnโ€™t feel that longing anymore! I canโ€™t tell if I will want another one AFTER Rose has her babyโ€ฆ we shall just have to wait and see! Nothing is guaranteed so we are just crossing our fingers and toes and sending up prayers. We arenโ€™t going to rush this and there have been no pregnancy attempts so far, we have just made some little embryos and popped them in there freezer. Well done to Rose for doing such an amazing job, going through tablets, injections, hormonal changes, body changesโ€ฆ it all fell on the months we had no editor to help us, so Rose was also bossing her work too! Iโ€™m soooo proud of her and I think sheโ€™s doing amazing!
 
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Post harvest!
As soon as I knew Rose was doing IVF itโ€™s what kicked started me into sorting out Ziggyโ€™s nighttimes, and now I have given myself a personal timeline of when Iโ€™d like to fully stop breastfeeding. I feel like itโ€™s time to stop, which I didnโ€™t fully feel before. Iโ€™ve got a few things to do before I can fully stop, but Iโ€™m excited I have given myself a target date to work towards!
Another thing we've done is changed up the energy in our office and we have BIG PLANS. We wanted to get a large meeting table, because we were currently using two small tables pushed together which we used when we were livestreaming and gaming in our garage. Anyway, I was like: โ€œRose, why don't we just use the table tennis table? We weren't using it so we might as well!โ€ I think it looks SO cool on there as it's blue and pink the same colour as our office. Then I had the AWESOME idea to use the cricut to decorate it! When we were at a recent Cricut event we made friends with a lady called Kate who came around and helped us! Itโ€™s not finished yet, and we have plenty of time to keep adding to it, but itโ€™s looking good so far!
 
(This email may have been cut short: there is more below here. 
Click โ€˜view entire messageโ€™ if this newsletter suddenly stops.)
 
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Let's pimp this bitch!
Another update is our chickens are settling in NOICELY! The only worry I have now the weather has turned cooler is that they will feel cold. I'm going to have to do some research to see what I can do! I know they can huddle up in their coop but surely they will want to get out and stretch their legs. Other than the miserable weather, the girls are doing AMAZING. They are completely un-phased by Ziggy and the dogs and love getting spoiled with treats. Most of them will eat out of my hand now, and I chase them around trying to get cuddles! I adore them and I'm SO happy we got them!! Ziggy asks to look for eggs every single day! As soon as he wakes up or is back from nursery he says: โ€œSee if chicken laid an egg?โ€ And we go and look! It truly is magical to see him growing up with such excitement and nature and animals all around him. It makes us so happy! Iโ€™m not going to lie though guys our new friend Kate kept showing me pictures of her rabbit and now Iโ€™m REALLY tempted to get one!!
 
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Our first egg!
Another temptation thatโ€™s been on my mind is cutting my hair short! Here are some pictures of what I've been thinking about... what are your thoughts? No one will ever look at good as when Kristen Stewart shaved her head. I can't tell what to do and I don't want to regret it! But sometimes you just have to be bold! Let me know your thoughts!
 
 
Soooo I hate to say the "C" word but... is it just me or are we not that far away from Christmas? 
 
 I'm REALLY excited as Ziggy is at a perfect age for Christmas now! Last year he was a bit too young to understand PLUS WE ALL HAD NOROVIRUS so our Xmas was ruined!!!! This year we've decided to take it chill. We aren't hosting anyone, we are just going to hang out as a family, me, Rose and Zig, and I'm not eating Christmas dinner, I hate it and it's over rated! Seeing as I'm not being fed by someone else I don't have to feel forced to eat their food! 
I think I'm going to have an Indian or a Chinese. HELP ME DECIDE WHICH. 
 
Thinking about how close we are to the end of the year has got me checking in and assessing everything. You know I realised I never really think of my long term goals, but maybe now is the time! My short term goals are very Ziggy related, I'd love to get him in a better routine and stop breastfeeding and then Iโ€™d like to start potty training, although I am in no way rushing this, and will take it at his own pace. For long term goalsโ€ฆ Iโ€™m thinking about what our lives will look like in 5, or maybe 10 years down the line, and how many kids we want to have! Itโ€™s hard to picture a future that doesnโ€™t exist yet but I definitely have ideas of how Iโ€™d like it to go. 
 
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I invite you all to think about your short and long term goals, and if I create a survey, I'd love you to share them (only if you feel comfortable doing so.) I never ask myself these questions because I find it weird to think about life like it's a business meeting. But actually, some goals and a little bit of structure goes a long way. And let me share a small thing that has helped me so much this year and I will continue on next year... a physical diary. Not a diary you write down your feelings in, but a calendar diary where you schedule things in. It is SO nice to keep a physical one. I highly recommend getting one in for the new year.
 
I have literally got myself excited about Xmas writing this haha! Guys when is it too early to put up Xmas decorations? Due to normally filming vlogmas, Rose and I have a bit of a tradition where we put them up on the 1st November... but I'm like, is the end of October too early??
 
Also are you guys doing anything for Halloween? Other than chickens can you think of what characters we could be? I'd love to do a family Halloween costume but I have literally no idea what we could wear! 
 
Thatโ€™s all from me for nowโ€ฆ I hope youโ€™re all doing ok in this crazy weather (we have a storm right now as Iโ€™m writing this) and I hope youโ€™re all tucked up in fluffy blankets and relaxing! Love you lots and canโ€™t wait to chat soon! Xxxx Rosie 
 

 
Monthly positive LGBTQIA+ news ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ
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1. Stefanos Kasselakis, the leader of Greeceโ€™s opposition left-wing party, wants to become Greeceโ€™s first openly LGBTQ+ prime minister and legalise same-sex marriage.Last year, Greece passed  legislation to outlaw conversion therapy, beating the UKโ€ฆ
 
2. Duncan Shrewsbury, a GP in Brighton, is a doctor by day and a drag queen by night! How cool is that. Now that's a doctor we would feel safe with! 
 
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3. Clinical trials of HIV vaccine begin in United States and South Africa!
 
4. Canada's Danielle McGahey is set to become the first transgender cricketer to play in an official international match. 
 
5. A gay couple in Kentucky who was denied a marriage licence by controversial county clerk in 2015 wins $100,000 payout! As they should! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
 

 
Things we liked 
 
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01 / ISABELLA DEMARKO
I have been watching Isabella since about 2014! I've always been a huge fan! I found her when I was searching tips on growing your nails and I just love her content. 
I love her fashion sense and I'm really loving her new insta series where she finds clothes at charity shops and makes the most incredible outfits.  
 
02 / ANXIETY CARE PACKAGES
So I made one of these recently as a gift for a friend and if I do say so myself, they are a fab idea! In mine I put some 'therapy dough' (it's basically nice smelling play dough for adults - I got Lavender scent. But you could always make your own) a paint by numbers picture to relax with. A book on anxiety called "Don't sweat the small stuff" and some Ouai bath 'chill pills'. I'm posting it today and I'm really pleased with what I put together and I hope my friend loves it! I might pop a crystal on there too. I like that it can be customized to whoever you're giving it to. Or maybe you could make one for yourself and keep it nearby to turn to if you ever have a hard time?
 
03 / physical diaries/planners
Guys, itโ€™s time to head out and get a 2024-2025 planner and PLAN YOUR LIVES! Last year Rose and I got our planners from home sense and I love mine so much! I love ticking the days off, and turning the pages looking at my week ahead. I actually feel like it helps me slow time down and appreciate each day more! 
 
04 / APPLE TV
My iPad broke recently so I had to buy a new one, and with it I got a year of apple tv free. As you know Rose and I are obsessed with The Morning Show and we are about to start watching The Bear. Grey's Anatomy has got INTENSE, I donโ€™t want to spoil it for anyone, but itโ€™s really ramped up with the emotional episodes and Iโ€™ve been crying at loads of them!! I highly recommend starting it if you havenโ€™t already! 
 
05 / TIKTOK
Watch this video! We love her. 
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Frog of the month ๐Ÿธ๐Ÿ‘‘
 
 

 
The Cosy Coven
It's Libra season, froggs! 
 
The scales of Libra symbolize desire for balance and fairness. Libras tend to be excellent listeners and communicators, making them wonderful friends and companions! During libra season we should appreciate the beauty around us, both in our relationships and in the world. โค๏ธ This season is all about finding harmony and enjoying life's simple pleasures.
 
Opal is the gemstone associated with libra. Opals are believed to bring harmony and emotional balance to the wearer, and apparently, they can inspire creativity and enhance our ability to express ourselves. 
 
By the way, did you see the supermoon two days ago? It was the last supermoon of the year. According to astrology, Harvest Moon is said to bring turbulence so if you had an argument with someone in the last two days, just blame it on the moon!!! ๐Ÿ˜‚
 
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Friendship & Shoutouts Noticeboard
We are so proud of you all. Send us your achievements and 
friendship ads on lilypadnews@gmail.com. 

For the last 10 years my daughters and I have planned and participated in a summer camp for preteens with ASD (autism spectrum disorders).  My daughters were 11 and 16 when we started and now they are 21 and 26. (This blows my mind).  This year we planned the camp around a medieval theme which involved activities like solving riddles, navigating obstacle courses and doing a scavenger hunt to receive the combination for a lock to unlock treasures. There were also artistic opportunities and a water playground, as it gets hot in July in Texas.  Unfortunately this will be our last camp as the group who hosts the camps are moving out of state and my kids are moving on and away. Iโ€™m constantly surprised by the smiles and laughter of everyone having such a great time doing something we have created.  What an amazing end to a decade of growth for all involved.  Here is a picture of me as the wizard celebrating after the kids solved a riddle to make it rain.
Traumaducks (Loretta)
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I am a straight male looking for new friends to chat with. I am 63 years old and a big fan of
Rose & Rosie. My mental health is not very good after my brother passed away April 20th 2021. Living on my own is so hard and lonely. I try and get out as much as possible it would be lovely to have some friends to chat with.
R.

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. Been a Rose and Rosie fan since the beginning. I'm one of your older frogs.
K. (she/her)
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Pet of the month!
 
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! Weโ€™re really getting to know their little personalities! Rose and I spent a good few hours in the garden the other day as we were cleaning out their run, putting some wood chip down etc while the girls were freee range in the garden. And what I realised is that Custard follows me everywhere! Now we always joke about Custard because she is the most aggressive and is at the top of the pecking order (meaning she literally pecks the other girls and she likes to get to the food first). But sheโ€™s obsessed with me! I love her so much. Whenever we get animals they always love Rose more than me, but Custard is officially mine! They are doing so well, their combs are getting redder each day (which means they are getting healthier) and their egg production has gone up, so I take that as a sign they are lovely and healthy. 
 
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Corn time!
 

Get involved!
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 โ€˜Frog of the monthโ€™, 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. 
 

 
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Rose & Rosie