The Lockdown Gang - not setting foot outside!

Good Morning cellmates

Callistemon well done!!

My friend brought me new specs from Boots yesterday. I could get used to someone doing my shopping for me - not just food.

DD phoned today to share some of her troubles DGC squealing in the background and to lecture me about DH.
I have taken a photo of his feet to offer to send to his doctor. He himself was shocked to see the photo!

Their dog is so much happier and was out for a walk for the first time. DD lives in a Scottish beauty spot and is very annoyed by all the cars parked up outside her house. I suggested she put notices on them but she doesn't want to be the one to do it.

Good morning fellow shielders, I posted on this thread earlier but not since ...
You all seem to be cheerful and keeping one another’s spirits up.

My spirits have slipped a bit over the past few days, not least because I had another NHS letter reminding me I can’t go out until 30th June. I was also advised that I can open a window!

I am trying to stay positive.
Hope everyone has a good day and those with sunshine enjoy it. ?

Nortsat sorry you are feeling low. It's not surprising especially with the letter arriving. It seems like everyone else is talking about getting out more, seeing their families, going to garden centres and then there's us - the forgotten ones - shut up in house arrest.

Personally I think going back to work and school too soon is a bad idea, while the virus is still about, but I hope my fears are not realised.

Actually Norstat's post has cheered me up. Some time ago (pre Covid-19) I joined a closed FaceBook group for people with similar medical problems. Recently, one or two from the group have posted that they have received letters extending their shielding to the end of July. I don't know where the FB posters live and don't want to ask.

I have been dreading receiving letters lately. If some are still being reminded to stay in until the end of June, I feel more hopeful.

My husband wants to take the car for a run, just to keep it from giving problems owing to lack of use. I think I may go with him. I can’t really see why I shouldn't, I won’t get out. We don't have public transport where I live so are dependent on our cars anyway.

Well done Callistemon your perseverance paid off.
I had two boxes from the government delivered before I managed to stop them and I was very impressed by what was in them. I gave them to the local food bank but if I could have used everything there. One even had a mango!

I am sorry to hear you have had another letter Nortsat. I am hoping to be allowed out for my birthday in the middle of June. As I finished chemo at the end of February I am hoping my immune system has built up again by now. Got to wait and see I suppose - my surname is at the end of the alphabet so I am always last!

Little (big) doggy is finding it too warm especially with his collar on. I am going to take it off tomorrow as I am sure his eye has healed and he has stopped trying to paw it. I have bruises all over my legs where he keeps bumping into me.

I hope you are all having a lovely day.

I too get anxious now when I see official letters. I have resigned myself to be stuck in until at least the end of July.

Listening today to the Scottish health minister at lunchtime, she stated that all hospital staff parking will continue to be free to the end of September. Doesn't bode well for the shielders! .

Today, I ordered a batch of washable face masks. It's better than nothing, in case I have to attend a medical appointment.
My new treatment was postponed in March to at least until September, as it's too risky for me to visit hospital. This isn't a good omen either.

I'm in quite good spirtits, especially as a neighbour left a tin of condensed milk on my doorstep, the only one left in the shop! .
I'n now agonising whether to make tablet or chocolate macaroon bars or Bounties. ? Such a difficult decision.

Nothing else to do, but accept it. Stay safe and keep well, everyone.

Good morning cum lunchtime gang.

Every time I arrive and have a read through I find yet new inmates,so welcome all.
Commiserations Norstat for indeed we are living in the most confusing times and without a doubt it is he or she whom shouts the loudest will survive.Whilst conflicting messages helps no one.

Our day of freedom will surely come! In our case sooner than later it may be because my dear man`s toothache is only worsening, despite back to back paracetamol.With his poor prognoses of course he has been the strongest voice staying he will stay put for as long as it takes.
So perhaps best I dare say is.......watch this space

I know Doodle I am forever entering saying I have little to share with you all,and yet once I poke my head outside my cell I seem to find liberation in thoughts!!
Methinks you add something special to our night night chocolate!!
Truly speaking though life remains much the same in this establishment as yet.The same gent has been noted encircling our garden on his mobility scooter yet again this morning!!He is obvious enjoying his attempt at freedom!

As a devoted dog lover I can well imagine how Dexter has endeared himself to you Dragonfly and having diligently cared for him when he seemed to be in such real trouble,of course now he is well,he is almost yours!! Although I doubt your daughter would agree!
Dogs have that endearing ability to become so attached to the one that cares for them.
I totally agree about owning a dog giving daily life such structure and a great quality of life.

Although not affecting us in any way I too am against this great desire to bring young children back to the class room.I have my own theory!!
Why not leave them at home as present say for another 6 weeks, when hopefully the state of this pandemic maybe better assessed.Then instead of following the norm and having the long period of summer holidays,why not then return the children to school for that period, with just one week`s break around the August Bank holiday, going straight back in to school during September to start the new academic year.Having a 5/6 week summer break now after the children have lostout so much on schooling seems idiotic to me.Using up the long summer break seems far more sensible.
I shall seek cover if there are any bric bats coming my way!!!!

Surely I have over stayed my welcome pass gang members so I "will wind my neck in!!" and saunter along,not sure about taking time outside as our morning walk found that coolness in the air.Pleasant for a stroll, but less so for a half hour sitting outside.It looks as if we have a heatwave on Wednesday.

Have a pleasant time all,and above all,keep positive and stay safe.

That does sound a better idea Dreamkeeper about leaving the return to school until everyone or at least more people are happy about it.

Here in Scotland our terms are different anyway so there would be no point in starting school now just to have the last few weeks before they break up at the end of June.
The Autumn term starts in mid August so that would suit better. Perhaps the North and South could agree on something at last?
But wait, we don't get asked for our opinion.

Meanwhile DGD is dressed in her new school uniform. She can't wait to begin.

DGS in NZ had his first day back today and loved it!
He sang all the way home in high spirits seeing his friends again at a safe distance

You never outstay your welcome Dreamkeeper - I love reading your posts.

I hope your DH is feeling better Grammaretto and the doctor could offer some help.

bradfordlass I love your stories. I am still giggling about your birthday party in Vietnam and the chair seat. I can just picture it. Wonderful ? How lovely they put on a birthday party for you. We’re you in Vietnam for a long time? Nice looking couple in the photo.
Glad you found a website that will help you. Sounds as though you are keeping busy, which is good.?

Glad you got a Tesco slot carillion. That’s something. You could try Iceland around 11 ish daily to see how you get on.
We have at last heard from Waitrose that they acknowledge DH is on the list and say that in the next 10 days they will contact us with a delivery slot. Good job we are doing ok with Sainsburys.
grammaretto your DHs foot sounds quite bad. I do think it would be a good idea to get in touch with the GP. You don’t want any infection to set in. Glad you’ve got some new specs. Do they suit you? Better than broken ones I’ll bet ? Unfortunately, mine are prescription specs so I’ll have to wait until I can go in myself to get a new pair. Good news about your DDs dog. That must be a relief.
Nortsat join us whenever you like. This lockdown isn’t easy is it? However, things are beginning to loosen up for some so there is hope for us yet. Have you any hobbies or gardening to be interested in?
missedout a nice run in the car would be a treat indeed. See a bit of the outside world again. I have been out and started the car up a few times to make sure it’s running but we haven’t been anywhere and won’t be for a while yet. At least another 4 weeks or more. At that point I think we might then start going out for walks at night when there aren’t many people around. Doing something to get some exercise anyway.
dragonfly I’m sure Dexter would be more than happy to have that collar off. With all that fur he probably does get quite warm. I too hope you get out in time for your birthday. That would be a nice way to celebrate. ?
marydoll I thought the face masks you mentioned were beautifying ones and had visions of you covered in green mud until I realised what you were talking about.?. Will you have to spend time in hospital for your new treatment or is it in and out on the say day sort of thing? Hopefully, they will keep you somewhere safe away from others.
panache so sorry MrP’s tooth is playing up and the painkillers aren’t helping. Toothache is miserable but sometimes it just stops after a while. Hopefully, his will improve otherwise a trip to the dentist is likely.
As if I would add something to our bedtime drinks ?.....well you never know ?. That chap on the motor scooter sounds as though he is enjoying himself. I wonder if he’s going to start a taxi service. You could sit in his basket if he has one. That just got me thinking about the old cars. Do you remember when men (mostly men anyway) used to stand on the running boards at the side of the cars and hang on to the window and hitch a lift ?
Quite differing views around about children and schools. My DGC are all older so not due to go back anyway. I think many will be for return and many against. It’s a bit of a worry either way. It might warm up this afternoon a bit panache so you could try a walk then. We are planning to be on our balcony at 5 with our ?. It’s become quite a habit now.
I have the delights of housework this afternoon. Bathroom and kitchen await me ?. Have a good day all.

Dreamkeeper I do think that most teachers have been doing their best to produce online lessons for their pupils or sending out work packs for younger ones.

My DGC seem to have full timetables, giving themselves breaks for PE, play-time etc. I phoned one day during school hours to speak to DGD2, DGD1 answered and said 'I'll just see if she's on her break yet'
I realise it's not the same for all children whose parents may not be bothering to help them or who may not have access to a laptop.

Some teachers have been in school as well, teaching those children who are essential workers and ensuring safe conditions for them.

I do agree that it is too soon for younger pupils to go back, it's very worrying for teachers how to keep them safe.
I'm sure they are all longing to be back and see their friends and it will be difficult to stop them getting too close to each other or to staff.

Is oil of cloves recommended for toothache?

Oil of cloves or toothache tincture both relieve the pain.

The day has gone far too quickly. I managed to have a videocall with the doctor so she could see the feet and he's to go in tomorrow to have them dressed. It's a relief for me. I am not a trained nurse.

Have you all had some sunshine?

You can always open a window!! Nortsat

grammaretto I am so glad that someone is going to treat your DHs feet. That is good news. We have to be so careful with feet and legs. Hopefully it will make them less painful.
callistemon your DGC made me laugh. Glad they are taking it seriously ?
Yes oil of cloves is for toothache. Goodness knows where you’d get it though. I have resorted to brandy before now,?

Thank you for your words of encouragement ‘lockdown team’ ( Grammaretto, Doodle, Dreamkeeper, Missedout).
I spent the afternoon in the garden, whilst my partner wrestled with the watering system. I worked on my tapestry, which is a cushion cover based on the design of a 18thc piece of damask.
Feeling quite a bit brighter... and I can always open a window!!

Marydoll I think it would be only reasonable if you made tablet and chocolate macaroon bars for your sisters in the Lockdown Gang ... for some of us, they may be the only answer... ??

Nortsat, the problem is my confectionary is in such high demand!
It will be like the loaves and fishes, how to stretch one tin of condensed milk.
Glad you feel a wee bit brighter. ?

Goodnight, Lockdown Sisters, I have to think up a devlish maths teaser for tomorrow! ??

Another day done with some gentle successes - spinach thinned, french beans topped up with the spares from the greenhouse- and all my runner beans have come up! I’m using the gardening to make sure my vitamin D level is as high as possible just in case!

I’m now finding lots of interesting things to do so that I don’t reach cleaning the grout on my list....why do today what I can easily carry over onto the next list.... I think tomorrow I will spray paint the legs of our BBQ black....they are a revolting bright blue. That will save me from cleaning the grout.

It’s interesting that Dreamkeeper thinks Doodle puts something in the hot chocolate too. Hope it’s more interesting than Bromide! Last night I dreamed that my son had a baby and left it on the table in the hall with a post it note requesting that if I had time could I show it to his fiancé.....who turned out to be our aged cleaner!

I think these are Doodle Dope dreams so I’ll have a nice straight Horlick s tonight please!

Sleep tight ?

nortsat that’s good to hear. I think having something to do to occupy the mind and take it away from lockdown is a good idea. You tapestry sounds very interesting. I am painting and sewing (not quite at the same time but I am using the same table for both so only time will tell if I end up painting my quilt?).
Oh oh. Marydoll sounds like its going to be a tough day at school tomorrow. I better get a good nights sleep ?
Goodness mamissimo that’s some dream ? What with tsunamis and babies, I wonder what tonight’s dream will be.
Glad to hear you haven’t resorted to cleaning the grout yet.
Has the cat been let off too ?
Sleep well all. My usual beverages in the kitchen. Choose what you will. panache I wish I could make up some concoction that would give Mr P a good night’s sleep without pain from his tooth.
Take care all and sleep well.

Yes your tapestry does sound interesting Nortsat It reminds me of a wonderful exhibition of samplers at the Museum in Edinburgh a couple of years ago.. Exquisite stitching by very young girls.
www.nms.ac.uk/about-us/press-office/scottish-samplers/

I'm glad you managed to avoid the cleaning of the grout Mamissimo. That is a true prison activity. Poor inmates at Wandsworth jail haven't been out of their cells for weeks.

As for Marydoll's confectionery: I can vouch for her tablet having sampled it at a gransnet meetup. It is world class!

Remind me, if we are ever allowed out, to buy myself a new side lamp, a new washing up bowl and a watch - not necessarily in that order..

Good night all and thanks for the hot chocolate Doodle

Mamissimo if you have an old paintbrush or even cotton bud, dipping that in bleach and painting the grout, works well. Especially if you visualise doing the Sistine Chapel as you paint.
Then just wipe with a damp cloth, or what my little son thought was a 'damned cloth'.

These letters you're all getting, they aren't law are they? Do you really have to wait until some letter says you can open a window? That's crazy - we're surely old enough to decide on our own health risks?

Doodle I sent you a PM about Vietnam. The photo is my son, about 2 at that time, with the daughter of the couple you saw yesterday. She now has 5 children of her own.

The Ugly Shakespeare Company, who travel round NZ schools popularising The Bard and sending up his plays, are coming to play at my home .
How great is that?
I can't wait but of course we'll be maintaining our "social distance".

'Ho I say! Let there be space betwixt thee and me, lest some foul miasma infect the air.'

Grammaretto, thank you for the link about the lovely samplers.
I find embroidery, tapestry and stitch work very interesting.

Then I had a happy time looking through the National Museum of Scotland’s website ... lovely. ?

Morning all!
This is turning into a busy day. But still no time for jobs I don't want to do. I will accompany MrG to the surgery in an hour. I've done a yoga class on zoom and had a long chat with my DSis. She is also shielding but is in England where the rules are different. Rules? not really Bradfordlass I think we could go out but as a young man said at the start of lockdown when asked why he was sunbathing and could pass on the virus, selfishly, to the old people. He said "The old people should stay at home then if they don't want to catch it"

How exciting to have the theatre group come to you! Please tell us all about it.

I hope you are all:
A) well rested
B) pain free
C) occupied happily
D) well fed

I was excited today to find that after the rain, the little wildflower seeds have germinated and are starting to push through the bare earth.

I love that museum Nortsat and it is one of the delights, in different times, to get on the bus (free) and wander around the museum (free) at least once a month.

`Morning my fellow in mates all.

Disappointingly the weather forecast appears to be kinder than reality with the weather these latter days,today including.Still no rain but decidedly grey with a bite to the breeze,so more time indoors for sure.

I endorse every word you say about these rather vivid dreams Mammissimo and should any one wonder no I am not really a dream maker,just simply a keeper!! Although judging by your dream I think mine might be rather more timid!!

Indeed oil of cloves is a well known remedy to ease toothache but the question one askd when in a shielded position,how does one get it?
My poor man is living on pain killers and even though taking this shielding business very keenly,he is now considering getting in touch with our Dental Surgery as this seems to be the order of things during this pandemic.Although the next big question will be..........how does he get there......and back?

Norstat your tapestry work is very interesting and nicely time consuming.I only wish I loved such craft work but anything other than a pen leaves me out of my depth.Nowadays even a pen is hard work since my vision is certainly getting much worse.

Sadly I think Callistemon that teachers in some areas have produced far better work loads for our children than others
however overall they do seem to have well and truly stepped up to do a good job in difficult circumstances.
Interesting hearing this morning how one group of people have been collecting older,unused P.c`s so as to clean them up and hand them to those children whom are lacking the equipment,a good idea for sure.Obviously there will be a portion of children lacking in the necessary kit for home schooling.

By the way Doodle we need to send out a search party for our gent whom normally takes "the morning air" here via a very big mobility scooter,he has noit been seen!!
He is one of these flamboyant folks,yes we even have them in this establishment!!! We know he has been seeking a lady companion,several times he has asked me if I have a sister !!
Wherever anything is happening you can bet your life HE is not far away!! Quite a colourful character whom tries to impress with his having been here,there and everywhere whilst holding down a multitude of top notch jobs etc............I am sure by now you have the picture!

Two bits of troubling news.A very good friend whom in rather poor health has been taking care of her husband with Altzeimers for a long while.Last week she herself has suffered a "meltdown" and the dear man was placed in respite care for the first time.Of course being devoted to him my friend is totally torn to shreds but admits that she now agrees this is probably the best place for him,after all he has not known her for ages.Such a sad disease.
Then a newly made friend here,a widow of 2 years and whom has also been in the shielded group,started having what seemed to be panic attacks.
However the last one meant she was hospitalised where upon she had another attack.Result being she has now been told she has a blocked artery and needs a stent fitted.
Not quite so easy as though now in one Hospital (and yes complete with covid-19 patients) she has to await a space and bed in another Hospital some 60 miles away so that the operation can be carried out.
She has been very carefully taking every step to keep virus free so of course,this is extremely worrying times for her.
Made worse because her few family members and us her friends cannot visit.

Life is certainly wrapped up with problems.Just as well we are rather a determined group and we shall survive!!

Time for the Lunch time bell,highlight of the day (or not) as one`s stomach dictates!!

Thanks for the chocolate as always Doodle,hoping for a vivid dream when I may take my afternoon nap!!

Stay Safe inmates all.

Morning all.
grammaretto we too are compiling a list of things to buy. Top on my list is a new pair of slippers. The current ones have decided to part company with the soles in some places.
Hope MrGs foot gets better after treatment at the surgery. So glad you are getting it seen to,
bradfordlass thank you for your PM and the interesting story. Lovely picture of your son and little friend. So you are going to have a the Bard in your home. That sounds fun. Let us know how it goes.
panache I will have to send you some of our sunshine. It’s glorious here and more to come during the week.
You paint a very clear picture of the gentleman on the motor scooter. I think I understand his personality well ?. I wonder where he has scooted off to. Gone out in search of romance perhaps.?
Sorry about your friend and her husband. It is so difficult not to feel guilty when a loved one goes into care but sometimes, particularly in the case of Alzheimer’s I think, it becomes impossible to continue to care at home.
I hope your new friend gets her stent done without picking up any infections. It’s worrying about having to go into hospital but sometimes leaving things causes more damage so Hope she get treated soon then back home as soon as possible.
Poor MrP’s tooth. I think some dental treatment may well be required. I would think the dentist would be reasonably safe. They tend to use masks all the time anyway. Is there someone from your place who would be able to drive you there and back?
Hope everyone has a good day. Take care