The Lockdown Gang - not setting foot outside!

dragonfly what a situation you are in. Poor Dexter. He is certainly an unusual casualty of this lockdown. Hope he is more restful tonight so that you too can have some sleep and be ready for potting and planting tomorrow ?
mamissimo what a lovely picture to cheer us all us. Such a happy little face ?
grammaretto no rain here today but been a bit chilly. I’ve been indoors sewing all day trying to finish a card I am making for a friend.
cherry hope you are ok. I’m glad you have your WP with you. I hope you can avoid hospital again for a while. Stay safe and sleep well.
panache I think gramaretto was hoping you had a more exciting reason for the name change. Perhaps a cat burglar or a Russian spy or someone who needed a secret identity. ?
Reading your post reminded me of that time when you were trying to move and so many of us in soop’s kitchen were rooting for you to make the move to your flat. When you were unable to post for a few weeks we were all so worried. A huge cheer went up in the kitchen when you came back to us. ? Chocolate waiting for all in the kitchen.
lemon feel free to leave your lovely pudding in the kitchen. We’ll take good care of it ?
callistemon lovely to see you too. Busy place tonight.
Sleep well all x

Oh my, you have been through such a lot Dreamkeeper!
and cherry isn't exactly having an easy time.
Here's to us all and may we survive the incarceration for as long as it lasts but I wish we had some way of knowing when it will end.
My in-laws have at last had their shielding letter but how they will be able to manage when Sis-in-L has to return home, I do not know.

All I know is they do not want to go into a care home.

We had leek and tattie soup and rhubarb crumble tonight. Comfort food. Now for hot choccie! Thanks Doodle!
.

Mmmmmm
I've noticed the repetition of 'WP' on this thread but it's not in the aconyms list.

I Googled it and it seems it has multiple meanings, so taking one sentence from Cherry, I've been experimenting.

... fortunately my Well Played loves gardening too....
It has certain possibilities but brings to mind a rather elderly Bassoon.

... fortunately my White People loves gardening too....
Have I stumbed across a case of horticultural slavery here?
Should I be having a discreet word with Alan Tichmarsh?

... fortunately my Word Processor loves gardening too....

Now that makes a lot more sense but has Artificial Intelligence come that far? If I could send my keyboard and monitor out to prune the roses, I'd be a HB**

I also found out it could mean, weather permitting; wild pitch and wired payment but none of those made any sense at all.

So I'm settling for Wild Partner.

I can see them in the garden, brandishing secateurs, dancing round the bonfires sans cullotte and shouting gleefully at the first darling buds of May.
t
**Happy Bunny

bradfordlass I love your humour ?. I too wondered about cherry’s WP but I believe on another thread I read it meant wonderful partner which I think is rather nice. Although I quite like your idea of the wild partner and the cavorting in the garden. ?. Have a good day.

Dear Boris....you need to have a big think about the shielded ones as you plan to release the rest to preserve our dignity.....
We will need....

A system for getting a hair cut
A system for seeing a podiatrist
Someone to tow the trailer to the dump so that we don’t attract rats to the green waste mountain
Someone to take the car out every few months so that the tyres and battery don’t die........

Any more?

Mamissimo....I will maybe go for a plait, hair wise ? although him indoors wouldn’t suit one.

Ask your council about a brown bin, it does cost ( about 45 per annum) but is worth it, with collections every two weeks.

Take your car for a quick run out now and then, just to keep it ticking over and park in a different place on your drive so that the tyres are changing positions.

Podiatrist.....hmmmm, a bit tricky!

Cherry....is WP a wilful person??

I do need to see the podiatrist.
My hair is still recovering.

As for brown bins (in our case bags) we have paid for the privilege of having our garden waste collected (summer service only) but they have cancelled the collections with no hint of a refund.

I think WP means Wilful Parent.

I quite like the idea of being a Wilful Parent.
We have been checked on again today by one DC - "You haven't been out, have you?"

They're getting their own back.

Keep up your sense of humour inmates all,it along with a generous helping of love certainly makes the world go round.

Amazing how folk with differing back grounds end up being the person they now are.In our case ill health doggedly following me virtually all my life whilst the aftermath of being kicked out of the comfy family home at the raw age of just 10 weeks had its own devastating period, then a first husband whom gambled and lost us all our savings and home in those younger years,eventually made a very marked determination in me to be the best I could be ......without the support of a husband or family.
Having said that my biggest health scares came in the mid 80`s when I had to deal with 4 cancers,2 which were life saving leaving very huge changes in my thinking, but this time backed by what Cherry might describe as a WP...... (wonderful person) ........my dear husband.
We now fight on as a team,we have no family and no significant "others," and quite frankly for most of the time there has been no great need for any one.
Although a totally different story since hearing his life is very much on the line ,a petrifying thought.

Having shared and built some great changes here in our county, firstly building the first Cancer Support Group system followed by the most wonderful Cancer Care Centre offering remarkable hope to so many has been a very proud legacy.
Sadly all those days are now past and I am merely just another inmate!!!
Mind you knowing the calibre and caring that goes on in this humble community is second to none,you created a winner with your headline post Doodlebringing us all together under this one same roof.
We each have various experiences, some are younger than others so perhaps more able,but we each somehow have so much to give and to share.That builds a sound community and we are all stronger for it.

Indeed Doodle that was quite a time when we found ourselves sort of "saddled" with this lovely home we had both worked hard in producing over many years,yet there came that point when it was obviously such a yoke around our necks when with a very damning prognoses on my man`s part,our ages and my continuing poor health and no family back up to support or turn to,times were repeatedly extremely desperate.
My friends here were simply rocks of solid gold helping,advising,suggesting,always there with an uplifting word...........simply always being there meant so much,
We kept vanishing because one or the other was in Hospital or out of the picture,and I still cannot manage a darn tablet would you believe??!
So there were worrying gaps.

I bow my head in humble shame at still not bveing able to manage that tablet!

But when I decided that there was but one way to go,I worked alone towards making miracles come true!!
There were heart breaking moments as there was nothing for it but send so much belonging to home and garden to the Auction house,whilst the final part was having firstly 2 Garage sales hoping to sell off the remainder and eventionally having in a firm to take all and sundry off our hands.
15 years of belongings had to go!
What relief and joy to see the property safely into new hands.............and us into this little flat which has turned out to be our little haven.
Indeed Doodle up to a point "All`s well that ends well!!!"

Always a real pleasure to share with like minded people.

Having settled in and then further disasters of sorts followed by this Corona virus makes the whole story one of almost real disbelief!
I wonder what the next chapter has up its sleeve?!

Time I stopped all this reminiscing and started watching the inmates in the garden breaking the rules,another story in itself!!!

Keep Safe dear inmates,may there be showers of blessings in your lives.

Callistemon aren't they just!

DD was quite cross when I told her my delivery girl and I had sat in the garden several metres apart drinking tea.

I won't mention it again I shall be a Wilful Parent too.
Thanks for the fun Bradfordlass

Some people are rightfully indignant about the possibility of us SOs (shielded ones) being left to languish long after everyone else has been let out.

Italians are going to be allowed to see their families which is great.
Germans are getting their hair cut.

I am busy making face masks from linen tea towels

Lockdown easing in Australia too, I hope they don't get a second wave.

lemongrove we’re not allowed out so we can’t take the car anywhere. Personally I am thinking of a turban to deal with the hair then it doesn’t matter what it’s like underneath.
We don’t need a podiatrist as we can manage our own feet and DH has so little hair he won’t need much in the way of a haircut. Would be nice to go for a walk though. Wish that would be allowed. We so miss our walk.
Peanuts. I miss peanuts. The only shop who will deliver to us doesn’t have any. It’s just not on. Boris hasn’t thought this through. Can’t a person have a peanut for goodness sake ?

panache what a story. How interesting. I had no idea of the things you had been through. I did know, from what you said in the kitchen, that you and MrP had no other family. I also remember how warmly you spoke of your foster parent (I believe that was the person you looked after in the end). I had no idea your early life was so traumatic, I am so glad you finally met MrP. It is obvious you are a lovely and loving couple. I am interested in what you mention as being involved in Cancer care groups. Can you tell me more (only if you wish).
All I can say is that you made such an impact in soop’s kitchen in a short time, that when you went missing for a while, everyone, and I do mean everyone, was asking if anyone had heard from you every day. You were so missed.
I’m glad you are in your new home. I’m sorry that some treasured possessions had to be disposed of. It is often that way when we have to downsize, but memories hold a place in our hearts and you have your dear man with you which is the most important thing. Take care of you both. x

I would love to go out for a walk. I can really as I am not the shielded one but if I go out I put DH at risk so I will not do that. We are getting used to the idea that this might be a long term thing and are disappointed that so many plans we had for this, a special year for us, will have to be given up. It’s a bit sad but not for long as other things are so much more important. I would be happy seeing the youngsters allowed to go out and socialise again. If we can’t so be it.

I think there is a vast difference of feeling between those who are over 70 and well and fit and those over 70 who are on the shielded list for a more serious problem. I think if DH was not on the list we would be more keen to get out and get on with our lives, as it is we have to stay out.

Hope everyone is ok. Try not to let this get to you. Between us there seems to be some great support and humour on this thread and others. Together we can keep each other going ?

? BradfordLass, I wonder what does WP mean? ?

cherry our bradfordlass has a wonderful sense of humour doesn’t she. ?. Hope you are ok today. Thinking of you too dragonfly and Dexter and everyone else.?

Today I commissioned a portrait of our beagle from a young tattoo designer.....odd I know but she has a great sense of humour and does amazing line drawings. The side of the beagle will be ‘Removed’ to show the wealth of items she has stolen and eaten over the years.....it will be interesting to see this project come to fruition.

Doodle I’m nowhere near 70 yet but I have survived over 80 operations since I was 8. I’ve spent over a week ‘asleep’ on the operating table and I’ve spent nearly three years in hospital. I am a member of a parliamentary advisory group and write patient information for NHS and pharmaceutical companies.

Fifteen years ago, when I was desperately ill, I was offered the chance to try an unlicensed drug. It worked and I have been in remission from my primary condition ever since. Unfortunately the drug works by suppressing my over active immune system so I now find myself well....and shielded.

This is much better than the alternative but it does make me one of the mightily frustrated! So far I’ve had an amazing life and I won’t do anything to jeopardise my health - but I’ve fought the NHS and the govt drug licensing system on behalf of other sufferers for so long that I find compliance very difficult!

It is my fervent wish that we take this opportunity to rework the NHS and social care into something fit for the future. It needs so much more money and a very different management culture. I think this epidemic has thrown into sharp relief what need to be addressed and I hope Boris has the courage to sort it out!

Sorry - rant over. Mrs P will tell you I’m a pussy cat really!

Sleep tight everyone - it’s a red sky tonight so I’m looking forward to some delighted shepherds tomorrow ?

I'm okay Doodle thanks for asking ?

BradfordLass You're right to rule out the translations for WP that you've ruled out. Now let me see.... Your last translation... has a certain appeal but..... doesn't sound like the laid back guy I live with so ... also wrong ?

lemongrove, nope, you're wrong too ?, he's far too easy going to be wilful.

Calistemon nope, again like I said to lemongrove wilful doesn't fit with his nature. As for parent ?, what are you suggesting ? ? Nope, wrong again ?

That, I think ?, just leaves Doodle's translation ....?

My WP and me have been together 33 years. We didn't want to marry. He is not my OH as he is neither my "other" (I don't like othering) and he is a whole person and so am I so I find the half thing insulting. He is not my SO either, again the othering is there and also what on Earth does significant mean exactly? Doesn't work for me. I couldn't find a suitable acronym so I created my own. As we say in Wales - "there we go then, see" ?

mamissimo another compelling tale. You must have been very ill and to spend such a long time in hospital couldn’t have been much fun. I am so glad that a treatment was found that has kept you in remission for so long. Your job in life sounds interesting too. I would not describe your post as a rant just a point of view from someone with experience who can see a better way of doing things.
I had no idea when I started this thread that I would be surrounded by such interesting people, all with a story to tell.
I am enjoying being with all you amazing people.
Take care all and sleep well. The usual night time beverage will be ready whenever you want it. ?

Bravo Cherry ! I don't like those twee names for husbands or partners (two words I'm happy with) either.

...doesn't sound like the laid back guy I live with so... also wrong ?

Ah, now we have it. Hee hee

He lies back and you.......??

Willing Partner - got it at last

What a post Dreamkeeper. Thank you for sharing so much of your life journey with us. You've had a lot of adversity in life but it sounds like it has made you a stronger and wiser person and one with a deep compassion too. It takes strength and determination to have done what you have done, building the cancer support group and the cancer care centre. I take my hat off to you, I think you're amazing.

Mamissimo, I can say the same thing about you. What stamina you've needed in your life. I also think that the things you are involved with, the PAG and writing patient information is a fantastic service you provide.

Like you Mamissimo I'm nowhere near 70 yet either, I say that some days I feel as if I am but I have no idea what it feels like because I'm not there yet. If how I can feel at my age is anything to go by then being 70 is going to be hard for me ?. Not there yet though so am not going to worry about it ?

We will all gain our freedom eventually Doodle, it must be hard for you as you live in a flat (you do don't you?) and you are shielding in a different circumstances - because of your DH. My WP is never one to moan but he hasn't got to shield for himself but does because I have to, I feel a little guilty (even though he tells me that's stupid).

Gosh, I can't believe where the time has gone today! 10pm already! Where's the hot chocolate please gov'nr Doodle and can we all sneak some chocolate liquor into it? ?

Naughty, naughty BradfordLass! Sounds interesting but now now! ?

Yes cherry we live in a flat but we love it (well until lockdown anyway ?) due to DH’s medical problems we couldn’t manage the garden or outside work so we decided to sell up and buy a flat. We are lucky in that we have some really nice neighbours and a lovely outlook. Although there is a small communal garden we haven’t been out to walk in it yet.
Don’t feel guilty about your partner. He may well think the same way I do. My poor DH had many health problems over the years. I consider myself lucky to still have him with me. He has a lot to put up with but doesn’t complain. I am happy to stay in with him but we both miss our walks. I’ve no desire to go out without him so that’s fine. If we had our own garden we would go out but that’s long gone now.
Hope all of you keep well. Your hot chocolate awaits. ?

Morning all. Late start for me today. I was up till gone midnight last night and yippee my persistence paid off and I got a Waitrose delivery slot for Friday. ?. That was a bit of a relief as there were things we were running out of.
Sunny day here again. Bit of housework to start the day then hopefully some time for sewing. Hope you all have a good day.