The Lockdown Gang - not setting foot outside!

cherry pillows arrived at 5pm. Not out usual ones. lemon mentioned them the other day. Emma pillows. Not cheap but I have problems with my neck so thought it was worth a try. I will let you know how I get on. The class sleepover is going well. It’s a bit scary though. pantglas is reading ghost stories.?. How was your quiz group today?
rufus no skirts in my wardrobe any more. Joggers only. I’m all for comfort these days. ?
grammaretto all you people with gardens seem to have been so busy. This spell of good weather is certainly making things bloom here. We don’t do the garden though, we have a man who comes. One of the benefits of living in a flat. ?
panache how are you both. Your sheltered spot in the garden sounds lovely. We have a couple of large trees outside our lounge doors and we enjoy listening to the birdsong too,
Your evening beverages being delivered right away.
Sleep well all. x

Hello mamissimo you slipped in while I was typing.
Hope your son does well with his report. I think it would go right over my head so I’ll pass on reading it thanks. ?. Night night

A bit late in tonight (internet challenges again ?).
Don't let pantglas' ghost stories scare you Doodle. Hope you enjoy the pillows, yes please let me know as I remember lemongrove mentioning them and I am intrigued. Oooh, the hot chocolate is still lovely and hot ?.
Night inmates.

Doodle I'm not allowed to the sleepover because that Mark Drakeford man said I have to still stay at home. He looks nice but he's a bit of a meanie.
So you can eat my share of the midnight feast.

How did pantglas sneak out?

Got to jump in here and add to your posting Callistemon following your mention of our First Minister Mark Drayford........I wondered how he had chosen to open up Garden Centres when there was nothing else included other than some extra exercising.The penny dropped when on another programme he mentioned his travelling by bicycle to his allotment!!!!
He was obviously thinking and planning for his own enjoyments!!!
Therefore a greedy meanie in my book!!

Well no longer do we have a daisy filled lawn to enjoy as our wild flower meadow..........the mowers made short work of that yesterday,followed by the strimming and trimming of hedges today!!!
However our little "patch" hopefully will be peaceful and allowing us some undisturbed time this afternoon,we need this for our mental state I feel.
Trees are such glorious treasures in our country and town areas Doodle and so pleasing to the eye.

Liking the sound.....and comfort...obtained from these Emma pillows.Perhaps worth investing in?
Trouble with a flat is one must not get anything that might become redundant as there just are no extra corners to deposit them!!

Cannot recall wearing skirts in many a year.When clearing out our wardrobes prior to this move our Hospice at Home service were very fortunate, because I off loaded so many,several unworn,and I doubt whether I shall renew them!

Sad to say though ........and you heard it here first!!!.......I guess soon there will be drought notices!!! Cannot recall when last we had rain.Yet not that long ago areas were severly flooded.The world is going mad!

A coastal path programme this evening spotlight Pembrokeshire, and so for anyone as mesmerised as I am by the sights and sounds of our glorious sea,scenery and clifftops, this might be well worth following.... if on your T.V.
Got to have my fix somehow!

So little excitement here these days and I guess I am beginning to get a right old saddo!.........and don`t everyone shout encore!

Be back for my evening tipple,meanwhile dear cell mates make good work of your day but do remain safe.

cherry and panache first night with my new pillow. I usually sleep with one medium and one soft that I sort of cuddle. This new one feels like a ton of bricks ( according to DH) . It is quite solid.
3 layers, one soft, a middle layer of foam and then one firm. You an remove any of the layers or sleep on the soft or firm side. I was not expecting to get on well as if my pillows aren’t right I don’t sleep well. However I did get on ok. I kept all three layers in but only used that one pillow. I found it was soft enough to lay on but although my head sunk into it a bit for comfort, it retained its support under my head and I slept well. I would think, as it is an unusual sort of pillow, that it’s a matter of each individual as to whether they get on with it or not. I will report back in a few days. I know what you mean about space panache like you, living in a flat everything needs a home. My two old pillows spent the night at the foot of my bed. Time will tell if they stay there or not ?
Thanks for the heads up about the coastal programme panache I spent some holidays in Pembrokeshire when young with relatives who lived there. I will enjoy catching up
callistemon sorry you didn’t get to the sleepover. We had fun but ate too much and had too much ginger pop.?
pantglas managed to sneak away and told us some scary stories. We took our teddies with us so we weren’t scared.?

Interesting pillow Doodle . I am glad you slept well.
Space is a relative thing isn't it? We have lots but it is packed full to the gunnels. I disposed of 50 flower pots at the weekend and there are at least the same again.

If I lived in a smaller space, surely I wouldn't keep things.
I've been making more masks today. I think people are wearing them shopping now. These have a pocket for a filter. But I have no more twist! (from the Tailor of Gloucester)

I managed, with some difficulty, to get through to the doctor who then called DH and both our minds were put at rest. His feet are still screaming agony but it is a side effect of the cancer treatment and isn't life threatening. I had imagined amputation. etc

Another zoom quiz tonight but I am already looking forward to my hot chocolate.

I had one more glass of wine this evening as I found the news so upsetting.

Perhaps a hot chocolate would have been more comforting.

Oh grammaretto what a relief if that’s what you were worried about. Doesn’t make his pain any less but must be of some comfort.
We downsized twice to get to this flat. It’s amazing how inventive you can be if you don’t have much storage space. Drawers under the bed. Replace the hot and cold water tank with a combi condensing boiler to create large cupboard in hall. I am a master of making the most of each nook and cranny. ?
Hope the rest of the gang ok today.

I'm glad to hear your husband is not facing amputation, Gramamretto. We always think of the worst case scenario in the early hours. Yesterday I was sure I was on my way to coronary care again, due to all the family stress and a bad angina attack. I was quite scared, which of course made it worse. I never learn!

I have been remiss in not visiting my fellow gang members, but my sister in law's mess and my health problems have left me with little energy and no desire to socialise!

However, my spirit was lifted tonight when the doorbell went. There stood a nervous wee boy and his dad, who had kicked his ball into the garden from the field beside our house. I had seen them about, but never spoken to them before, as they always always seemed reluctant to pass the time of day.
What a lovely wee boy and dad. I realised how much I miss social interaction.

Sleep well my friends.

Grammaretto that must be a tremendous relief.

Sometimes these treatments create other problems which are not always anticipated but are worth it for the final result.

Good to see you back Marydoll
I read about the awful mess you have had to unravel over the scam which your SiL fell for.

Our Irish friend said that we probably invoked the fairies' wrath when we chopped down an elm tree at the weekend. It was a self seeded sapling but elms are the gateway to the underworld in Irish mythology. We decided not to tell the doctor.

Oh I do like that notion, Grammaretto!

DH often says that I'm away with the fairies!. ?

Evening inmates. Problems with my internet signal nearly all day, again. The internet can be great but it's a pain when it keeps going down. I'm finding that one minute it's fine, I go to use it, get online and bang it's gone again.

I've had a little "tip off" from my daily group quiz that there are three of us in the lead, a hint that I am one of the three ? ?. I'm destined for a fall now ?. To be perfectly honest I hope one of the other two "win" ?

I'm not sure I like the sound of those Emma pillows after all Doodle. For years I've needed quite a flat pillow to be able to be comfortable to sleep, I recently changed to a "springy" deeper pillow and I have been surprised how well I've got on with it. Think I may stick rather than twist iykwim ?

Grammaretto, sorry to hear your DH's feet are still causing him such pain but it's good to know where the root of the issue lays. Was the doctor able to prescribe or recommend something to ease things for him?

If I was a cynic Dreamkeeper I'd agree about Drakeford's decision re. garden centres, the question is - am I a cynic ? ?

I don't have angina Marydoll but I know getting scared about these type of issues make things worse. For years I was on a daily medication for neuropathic pain ( still have the pain) but every time I had to take my additional (as required) epilepsy medication I experienced a strange reaction - stabbing pains in my chest. It used to scare me and then I'd make it worse by panicking. Now I'm unable to take any medication for the neuropathy as all other drug choices contraindicate with what I'm already on. It's natural to panic isn't it. I must say though Marydoll the strain your SiL has been putting you through really has to stop now and her son really does need to take care of things for her. You need to look after you.

I'm not going to tempt fate inmates so it's lights out for me now, night all

marydoll I too have been reading about your problems with your SIL and certainly her son should take over. The last thing you need is more stress at the moment. Sounds as though the young lad with the football cheered you up though ?
cherry we are so used to being on the internet now it is a real pain when it plays up so much. I know what you mean about pillows. Everyone has their own preference and what makes them feel comfy. I am having another go with my new one tonight to see if last nights success was a fluke.?
panache if you’re last in tonight, please lock the door. We don’t want anyone stealing our hot chocolate.?
Sleep well all.

Humph! So you’re calling me a chocolate thief! I have locked the door and put the cat out.....don’t think I’ll sleep so well tonight because there are inmates sleep talking about sisters in law, feet and pillows and broadband....you’re obviously all stressed so I’ll put on My Hummy and sooth us all.
Sleep tight

Mamisimo mail it to me - that was, still is, my job, getting my students through their projects, correcting dissertations etc.

Glad to hear Dexter and his foster mother are taking a well deserved break.

Callistemon lovely to hear of another Mila.

The masks were made by a local funeral home. That sounds odd but it's a family business and extremely community minded: they have free food stands for the needy too.
They made and posted out or delivery 2,000 masks since lockdown.
It's how they use their profits.

No, the nurse can't come out until Friday but after a few failed 'inventions' I finally hit on the idea of sticking a panty-liner in my slipper and smearing it with antiseptic cream.
After a soak in Epsom salts, I applied this.
The foot is still sore but, I think, a little better.

Yours,
Hopalong Cassidy

Oh dear Hopalong! I am happy to hear you are getting some relief. DH is not and is increasingly disabled . He reminded me that a few days ago he was running in the garden without pain so I reckon if it came on quickly it can go just as quickly. Am I right?
I've been slaistering udder cream on the soles of his feet.
However the fairies are still wreaking havoc and now my specs are snapped in half. They were already mended with tape but they are now kaput. I am wearing some awful spares I found while looking for something else.

I attempted the National Theatre quiz today and got such a low score I daren't admit it. It is fun though.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJQ160k_VN4

I hope by now your internet is working Cherry?
I also hope Marydoll has extricated herself from her SiL's problems or solved them and is able to tend to her own occasions.

I have missed the good morning thread and others I enjoy as there is just too much going on! I nearly finished a mask yesterday but ran out of white thread and as I am making them for other people it's added pressure to have them look half decent.

Am most impressed by our mask makers,what an inventive bunch you really are.

Great news regarding your dear man Grammaretto a relief knowing the worst possible scenario is not to be,though with cancer and its treatment all manner of things do run through one`s mind.
I too had a disaster when I had a nasty fall just prior to this Lockdown meaning my specs were smashed to smithereens!
Mine were beyond using anything constructive!! At long last I have had a replacement.........but at a cost that I am thinking of taking out a mortgage!!

Rather liking your home made bandaging for your ailing foot Bradfordlass,hopefully you will not be a hopalong for too long!

Losing one`s internet is so very frustrating Cherry and as one whom seems to be losing it more than surely I should,I totally sympathise.
Indeed I have been known to be a cynic hence my thoughts about our Mark Drayford!

Always good to have you with us Marydoll by all accounts you have again had your hands more than well filled.

Interesting following your description of your Emma pillow Doodle and I shall look forward to your future verdicts,though the fact you slept well is good testament already.
Space and now the lack of it in a flat is quite a subject.
We moved from a 4 bedder,3 baths house,double garage with a loft to this 2 bedded flat,since it was all done in 6 weeks it meant for once in my life I dare not be sentimental and horde any more!! For a hoarder this could have proved a nightmare for sure, but in my circumstances I just went on and cleared out the majority of our very many belongings.I was completely ruthless without a doubt.
I simply had no choice.
Even so, and I was very careful in the move to only take what I knew would have a place and be really needed,mind you almost daily there are things we sadly regret and could do with!
But in the main we are very comfortable,have all we really need, and quite frankly are just thankful we managed it all.
Oh! dear I do apologise for saying about our Pembrokeshire coastal programme last evenin g,seems I had the wrong date and now am still waiting!
At the moment of course we are all "closed down" and it is very strange to see pictures of our resorts all empty!!

Long time before our night time drinks so perhaps I might indulge myself in a tipple of the alcoholic kind,the days are sometimes soooooooo very long.

A dose of "Fantasy Homes by the sea" followed by "Escape to the Country"might just about lull me into a false state of being out and about and yes,very nice as the saying goes,a change is as good as a rest!!!

Have a good one inmates all,enjoy your confinement and for those on parole.........keep Safe!

Mamissimo, I don't think Doodle meant you ? stealing the hot chocolate ? ?.

I think I was sleep talking about more than my pathetic internet last night! I woke up yesterday with back pain that got worse as the day went on and woke up this morning in even more pain, back, hip and knee ?. I think it's a delayed effect from falling out of bed two nights in a row. Drat! Not quite a happy ? today, I'll just have to be a bit like a lazy ? instead ?. I had plans to go abseiling or white water rafting but now they're on hold ?.

mamissimo you are part of our gang. You are more than welcome to the chocolate ? cherry is quite right, I didn’t mean you.?
hopalong that funeral home sounds as though they are doing a lot for the community. Hope your homemade remedy for your foot works well and it’s not so painful today.
Your new name takes me back, I used to love Hopalong Cassidy ?
grammaretto sorry your DH is still in such pain. Does it hurt all the time or only when he walks? Hope he gets some relief too. I also have broken my glasses and am wearing them with only one arm. It’s a bit wonky but as one as I don’t move too much they don’t fall off ?
panache I must admit I forgot about watching the coastal path programme last night. We had a Sainsbury’s delivery which arrived earlier than expected and just after we had finished dinner. By the time I’d unpacked it all and washed it and found a home for it all I was nodding off in the chair ?
cherry sorry you’re feeling so sore. It could well be falling out of bed I think. That sort of pain usually comes on over a couple of days. Shame you had to put off your white water rafting but it might have been a bit chilly but perhaps next week. You could throw in a parachute jump for good measure too ?
Take care all

What I say I am going to do in the morning doesn't always happen and I haven't touched those masks though I have found a supply of thread.
I wish now I had not spent money repairing my DM's old sewing machine and bought a new one instead.

I have made rhubarb crumble and a loaf of bread.

Thanks for asking after DH. He is fine if sitting or lying down but as soon as he puts any pressure on them his feet are agony.

Your downsizing story is a great inspiration Dreamkeeper
I wonder if I would be able to cope if I had to. We have so much stuff - the accumulations of a lifetime and yet if I am ever in a holiday home, I can manage with very little.

I shall call in later to see if any choc is going. It may be G&T time.

Grammaretto, there's always tomorrow. It's good of you to be making masks at all. My sewing machine is currently in the loft, not much use there is it. I quite enjoy seeing by hand though.

I've spent most of today beached on the sofa ? but am in less pain. I'll take a couple of painkillers with my other tablets at 10pm and toddle off to bed with a hot chocolate. I might not go straight to sleep but it'll be a different place to beach ?.

Evening all, just checking in on you all, sending virtual hugs.
It's been a particularly difficult day with my sister in law and dealing with the Virgin Media debacle.
My anguish crept into the maths thread and I totally messed up, by posting the answers three times and they disappeared into the ether.
If you see random answers on a thread, you will know I'm the culprit.?

I too am thinking of making masks for my family, Grammaretto. I plan to look for a tutorial on You Tube.
So sorry to hear your DH is still suffering.

Due to my head birling, I can't concentrate on the posts, and I'm afraid I may miss someone out, so hugs for all my fellow lockees. Cherry, sleep safely.
Tomorrow will be another day.