It is very sad when the only option, for whatever reason, is to spend what is supposed to be a special day alone.

I'm facing the prospect this year, partly due to lockdown, but also the attitude of family. The reason is well documented on this forum. Don't want to spend time with hypocrites, especially when it's obvious my mother doesn't rate me as a daughter. Then there's my aunt's idea of having my birthday lunch at a shop in a local retail outlet because my mother needs to shop there. Cheap food and drink; thanks but no thanks!

Would be far happier going to local quality food store (M&S) and picking up my favourite things like prawns, calamari, chicken wings. Can then do exactly what I want. Even better that I won't be spending too much as have a shopping survey reward to use there!!

Happy birthday to me