The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

Hello gang-sters.
I do wish you wouldn't go on about the hot weather..... It isn't here. It's raining which the garden loves but nobody can sit outside.
I had invited a couple of people round for tea in the garden but they won't come. One is my knitting guru and I want her to explain this pattern to me. Then there's a family conference to discuss the APs. aged parents One of their daily helps has returned but not the other so DSiL cannot escape yet. What to do? I don't honestly want to be the evening carer for my in-laws. It's too personal and neither of us would be happy. However if it was a choice between that and them going to a care-home, I would do it.

Seeing all those people on the News so cross that their holidays are spoiled. I can't help thinking that learning about disappointment should be an exam subject!!

We were thrilled with ourselves this morning. Together we managed to change a light-bulb! It has been flickering for weeks but the business of finding and climbing a long ladder, holding it steady and removing the dud, having with difficulty, located a replacement. Hooray we now have a light which we sadly need as the room is dark.

It is nearly as exciting as your "intelligent waste disposal unit" Doodle I may want one of those.

Sorry about your gallstone flareup Mamissimo
Glad you had a haircut NfkD. No-one has noticed mine but I like it. He didn't take much off maybe he wants me to make another appointment soon

Have the best day you can everyone. I shall make a coffee for me and him and never mind the missing visitors.

Hello panache you sneaked in whilst I was typing.?
I see the fighting spirit is going strong here today. That’s good. We want you all with us for a long time to come.
Be careful if you go out for a walk today. As you say it’s going to be very hot. Do you have a sheltered seat to rest on?
Yes my new bin is now in situ (we haven’t used it yet, it’s too clean and shiny ?) . All we have to do now is dispose of the huge cardboard boxes is came in.

bradfordlass yes, Lavender is sweet isn’t she. I was trying to think what I could use as a trial run and raided the grandchildren’s craft box for a clue.?
Call centres that run like the one you mentioned must be difficult to work for if you care about people.
My DIL once had a job for 24 hours visiting people in their homes to check they’d taken their meds and see if they were ok. She was allocated less than 5 minutes per person. She said by the third time she’d had to say no to a cup of tea and seen the disappointment in their faces when she had to leave, she knew the job wasn’t for her.
Where do you go for your waiata? Is it part of your elders group or is it individual singing? Enjoy your Falco. Not heard of that one. Thank you for your nighttime watch and the breakfast ?
nfk dogs (and cats) have an amazing capacity for taking over others beds don’t they. ? How long are your DGS and DGDog staying with you?
Sounds as though your hairdresser is taking good care to follow guidelines and keep you safe. I bet you feel better now. I would love to have mine cut. I can’t do it myself as it is quite long now and I can’t reach behind my head that far.
Nice to have a chat with a friend. My DGS used to love mine craft too.
mamissimo what a shame about the gallstones. You’ve got enough with the cellulitis. Hope you get that operation soon.
A positive attitude, that’s it. Hope you feel better soon.

I took some pork out of the freezer yesterday, with the intention of slow cooking it today. Then I remembered early this morning that we are going to Cliveden (NT) this afternoon for a booked time slot so I had to get started on that before breakfast so it would be finished before we go. Nice to start the day with lots of washing up ?
Looks like we’re on for a hot spell. DH and I don’t cope to well with the heat but there are lots of trees at Cliveden so we should be able to walk in the shade. We can peek through the windows of the hotel and watch, with envy, all those having high tea in the posh dining room. ?
Hope all the missing gang are doing ok. Have a good day all ?

You are not wrong Mamissimo I have it on good authority today is going to be a scorcher and a good one for us all,especially banishing those gallstone attacks ....the vicious blighters!!!!!

We are determined to make it through and one way or another are travelling down the road to victory............so hang on in there.

Methinks you have taken possession of the bin I am in sore need of Doodle..........althugh it sounds a bitlike me........battered and bruised!

Have a good one gang.

ThisM is down but unbowed.....gallstone attack yesterday to add to my joys, probably triggered in reaction to strong antibiotics for the cellulitis. Today WILL be better!

Morning All

Another early start for me due to visiting DGDog insisting on sliding onto our bed where there really isn't room and making life so difficult for me I end up getting up. He spends most of the night obediently in his bed but at around 5.30, I think, he sneaks onto the bed and between us. And we don't notice - until a limb or two falls off the side of the bed. Generally a bit of me. I don't know how a very small spaniel can move a rather-too-large woman.

It wouldn't be so bad but he didn't particularly want to go outside, has turned his nose up to his breakfast and is now laying in the sun. He could have done that without waking me. DH is slumbering on. I get up as I never know what sort of night he's had as I'm afraid I now sleep through his nocturnal wanderings.

We had a lovely day yesterday. I had a haircut! What a palava it was too. There's three hairdressers where I go, but now they're taking it in turns so only one is there at a time. One solitary chair in the room. Temperature taken and hand sanitiser before entry and a box to put everything in so clothes/bags are kept separate. He's able to change it all at the end of this month and two of them will be able to work together. I'm all neat and tidy again now and he didn't say I'd hacked the back of my hair too badly. Mind you, he didn't say I'd made a good job of it either.

Then old friends came for lunch. The weather was just good enough to sit outside and we had the afternoon to put the world to rights. It was lovely. Really lovely. DGS enjoyed it too as he was able to slip away and play Minecraft without our noticing how long he was on it!

It has never occurred to me Bradford that I may have ADHD. But you may well be right. Of course, it never existed when we were young. I can't think when or where I caught it. ?

I do hope Marydoll that your horrible side effects aren't as bad as last time. It really is a balance between which is worst, the illness or the cure. Will you have to keep on with the treatments or will they eventually provide a 'cure'?

I love Lavender and her outfit. If it didn't mean having to sew I might be tempted to have a go at making something like it for my DDs. It wouldn't be any good for me I think as my wrap over dressing gown doesn't stay wrapped for more than a couple of minutes. I'd need zips. Perhaps Velcro would work?

Our three M's, dragonfly and panache are bravely battling on against illness and side effects. Stay with us as much as you can. You’re much valued.

I well know how side-effects can debilitate, having been almost carried off by one drug early last year and then seriously affected by its replacement (from which I'm still recovering).

Doodle I'm so pleased the CuddleUp works. Lavender is very cute.

Cherry I hope you can see how it could be accomplished with the very minimum sewing, or none if you use those press-in studs or some other no-sew fastenings.

I wondered about adapting a duvet in your case. Would that work for you? I suggest no longer than ankle length at the front to avoid tripping.

I used to work in a Council Call Centre with strict time limits on call length and how to bring conversations to an end.
I was in endless trouble for this because if I got a distressed elder on the phone, I was damned if I'd cut them off just to obey the clock.

They brought in the long, recorded messages (lights flashed when this began) to give us enough time to get rid of people finish off a call and that’s usually what’s happening when you’re listening to “music”, information or on hold.

If in that time, we hadn't managed to stop our previous caller, the call-waiting was cut off after a minute. So now you know. Inhumane and money-orientated.

Oh yes, I too heard, ‘if it itches, it’s getting better’ and Mum was usually right.

Had a good morning at waiata (singing) and my afternoon will be spent knitting and listening to ‘Falco’ on audio.

But first a patrol of the corridors and grounds and then I'll set up the breakfasts.

Here's to a much better day for everyone.

Time for bed I think. Hope everyone has a good night. ?

grammaretto I’m glad you like my model friend Lavender. ?. Good to have a natter with your yarn group. Yes, sorry, it was lovely here today, very warm tonight too.
Every group has the one who knows everything that’s going on. Hope you had a good catchup. .
Good your DH has his appointment come through. Nice to know people are getting treatment again.
panache thanks for popping in again to let us know you are ok and things getting back to normal. Naughty, us lot ? what can you mean ?. Take care of yourself and MrP

My new kitchen bin finally arrived at 7pm tonight. 3 days late. I don’t know where it’s been but the box it arrived in was wet and battered and held together with Hermes tape. It was practically falling apart. I said to the driver, what on earth has happened to it. All I got was a blank look and a shrug. We took lots of pictures before we opened it but it appears the contents were ok. The bin was in its own box which didn’t appear to have been damaged. I am now the proud owner of an “intelligent waste disposal unit” .....rubbish bin in other words. ?
Hope marydoll, cherry and dragonfly are all ok and keeping well.

Just to say life is sort of getting back to some near normality here at the mo,I hope we are on level ground up ahead .

However taking things slow but surely,sending best wishes to you all,and what ever naughtiness you have in mind...........please stay safe!!

I like Lavender! She can join our gang. I love how she managed to lie flat and yet show off her very fetching outfit!

I hosted the yarn group who arrived with goodies. I reminded them that Boris & co says we should all be dieting (spoilsport that I am)
I relented and said there has to be a happy balance so one lady replied "I'll be happy, you can be balance!" and we all tucked in.
It was quite cold in the garden. I hear you Southerners are having a mini heatwave. S'not fair!

I'm ploughing on with the cardigan.
The group have all the gossip especially one who is a dog walker and knows everything.

DH has an appointment for his hearing (loss of) at another hospital so it seems things are returning to near normal.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202007/medium-306350-3974083d-5ad7-452d-a696-5c566f8ad8af.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202007/medium-182124-49ad230f-1216-40a4-bb9e-e3226aaf646a.jpeg

Please meet my friend Lavender. Lavender is modelling my cuddle up ( rough version only ?) . I think this is what you meant by your instructions bradfordlass. It seems to work. Wrapped round legs like a sarong and with a flap to wrap round shoulders. Lavender likes it anyway ?. You can see what I’ve been doing today.

bradfordlass I know it’s mean but I hate anyone other than family and friends using my bathroom.
I think I’ll give the dead rat photos a miss if you don’t mind. I’m eating my breakfast ?
Knitted muesli isn’t for me ...but a knitted cupcake to go with my would be more to my liking ?
missedout glad you’re still with us.
Your story of the shed building made me laugh. Fancy them all getting stuck inside ?. Glad you’ve got your new one done.
DH has a couple of scabs on his knees from his fall. Not big ones but they itch. We’re you ever told as a child that if they itch it’s a sign they’re getting better ?
Nothing wrong with knee pads. We need to look after ourselves as we get older. I have often thought of buying some to use whilst cleaning. My knees are bad and have been for many years. They creak and groan and object violently to being asked to carry me up the two flights of stairs to our flat. They want to use the lift but I won’t let them ?
Hope you get to visit your DS.
Yes sometimes the side effects from treatment can be pretty bad. It is good to hear, that apart from a rocky start, yours are working well for you now.
We won’t be having trouble from Jeeves. He chose to go down the helter skelter without using the safety equipment (soft downy pillow) so only has himself to blame. ?
grammaretto lovely flowers. What a kind thought. I bet your MIL was pleased with them and I’m sure grandpa enjoyed your visit - until he fell asleep ?
mamissimo so glad you’re feeling better and are with your DD. Relax and enjoy being looked after. How often do you have your treatment? Will it cause problems if you don’t have it for a few weeks?
Love your toilet story ? I can imagine you had some puzzled visitors at your front door, complete with sound effects. . Have fun with your daughter.

We had bathroom in our bungalow with the toilet right next to the front door . I always had to wait for the postman to visit in the morning before I felt comfortable using the loo ?
Our kitchen bin is finally due to arrive today. Oh the excitement you can get from such a thing during lockdown is amazing. Have a good day all.

Good morning - I'm feeling like a human today. ? The cellulitis is now being attacked by the antibiotics and I dragged myself for my haircut.....and I made it to my daughters. Now I get three days of change of scene and spoiling. Lovely!

The only fly in my ointment yesterday was the news that I can't have my treatment until 5 days after the antibiotics finish so it's the 9th Aug. That seems a long time ☹️

Missedout I loved your shed story - it's the kind of thing that happens here! When we moved into our current home some 35 years ago, we demolished the outside loo to prepare for a kitchen extension and then realised that the order of building work had the creation of an upstairs facility in six months time.....the builder put in the floor and plumbing for the loo upstairs in record quick time but it didn't have walls for six months. This 'platform' was directly over the front door and led to some interesting moments. Happy days.

Have good days ?

Here is the photo I took of the basket of flowers and veg I took to the in-laws. MiL is still waiting for a haircut but she looked lovely. Her memory is better than mine and she is always interested in the outside world. He, grandpa dozed in his chair.

Missedout how exciting to be planning the long and longed- for trip. Can we see the new shed? Actually the old one sounds interesting too. I'm glad your knees are healing.

I don't like the sound smell of your Mr Dolt Bradfordlass or the dead rat.

I don't know why I'm awake so early. I'll come back later.

Hi all, I'm still here but didn't think I had much to say. We now have a smart, new shed. Our tent acted as a temporary but effective shelter for the shed contents and we will take it down tomorrow. I think back to the days when the whole family (all the tall ones anyway) put the old shed up. I watched them fix the shed walls up from within while manoeuvring the roof on - the only trouble is that no-one checked that the door hadn't been nailed closed for transport, they were all trapped inside. It was a bit like a Laurel and Hardy sketch!

My knee is healing (big scab now) and I've gone back to using my exercise bike but am not ready for the road bike yet. At the risk of looking ridiculous (no change there), I have bought some protective knee pads but my bruises are too recent to put them on over my sore knees. Pilates was uncomfortable yesterday.

My DH will go and get his newly re-upholstered car back (on a trailer) from the workshop tomorrow. He is looking forward to it. I promised myself I would do some pink stuff today but sat and contemplated my dusty living room and fell asleep ?. Oh well, there is always tomorrow while DH gets his car back.

My hair appointment is getting close and then we will be travelling to stay with DS and family. It's a long journey and I'm worried that I am doing the right thing but it could be months before another opportunity. Shielding for me ends this weekend. I've got my masks, gloves, hand gel and emergency 'unisex travelling urinals' at the ready.

It's so worrying when you are told that treatment that can improve your quality of life seems worse than the illness. The first time I went to hospital to have new treatment (to me) administered via a cannula in my wrist, my blood pressure crashed. It was terrifying, I couldn't stop shaking and I passed out. I remember feeling so cold. I was poorly anyway, suffering from one of my continuous infections. Things have moved on since then and a simple, self-administered daily injection is a matter of routine for me now and keeps me pretty well. I'm hoping it will be the same for those of you who are undergoing what seems brutal treatment. I am thinking if you all.

Doodle, have health and safety inspected the helter skelter for splinters? It would be awful if Jeeves sued for loss of ....dignity?

I hope those with drips in toilets..... are now sorted.

Grammaretto you reminded me of something which recently made me cross.

We have a contracted handyman whom privately and unkindly I call, 'The Dolt'.
He once refused to accept I had a dead rat in the roof space until the smell became so unbearable I had to move out of my bedroom.

Eventually I asked the landlord to please do something and within hours The Dolt had removed a decomposing rat. I have photos if anyone's interested

He's not a nasty person, just not the sharpest knife in the drawer and his body odour is so bad, I have to spray the house if he's been working here.

He knocked on my door unexpectedly the other day and asked if he could use the bathroom.

Well, it wasn't just BO he left behind and I had to get my rubber gloves on to clean the bathroom, open all the doors and spray lavishly.
So yes indeed, a Drip in my toilet!

Mamissimo That's awful; one step forward and two back. I do hope it all works out and you get your family visit and haircut.

Yes, Grammaretto it puzzles me too, those people who want to fly off, especially as they are often the very same ones who talk about reducing carbon footprints and saving the environment.

As for Perfect Ol' Me - I'll be staying home, possibly planting 300 trees and knitting myself some home-grown muesli.

Hmm ? hadn’t thought of that grammaretto ?
I suppose Winglish would be my first thought ?
Shame we missed your photo. Can we see it tomorrow? What was it of? I have lost posts before too. It is so annoying especially if it was a long one.
Off to bed soon for a read then sleep I think.
Hope all the gang are doing well. Sleep well.
bradfordlass on night duty and Jeeves will be keeping her company. ?

How do you pronounce Wenglish?
Is it Wìnglish or Wenglish?

I wrote a long post but it vanished when I tried to add a photo.
I hope those of you/us who are struggling have a good night.
I shall have cocoa and think of you.

cherry I am quite happy to be Wenglish ?. (Both parents Welsh so I must have picked up some traits from them ?)
Oh I’d forgotten about the weird neighbour. Have there been anymore sightings of her checking on you?
Well I finally got through to someone at the so called help centre ( having gone through all the automated messages and mind numbing music again). She said I expect your parcel will be with you tomorrow or the day after. I told her the confirming email said it would arrive within 5 day and the 5 days was yesterday. She then said weekends don’t count. I politely (well perhaps not so politely ?) informed her it did not say that on the email. It did not say 5 working days or 5 days not including the weekend, it said within 5 days. At which point she mumbled something and put me back on hold.
I them got a chap who explained my parcel was in the delivery hub Saturday afternoon and would be sent on from there in 24 hours. When I explained that message was over 80 hours old he said I expect there’s been some sort of holdup. You should get it sometime this week. I gave up at that point.
I then sat quietly and calmly, waiting patiently for my parcel............. whilst completing their customer service satisfaction survey..........oh the joy of letting rip ?

Message continuation ... knock on the door ?. No I'm not taking in a parcel for my weird neighbour (didn't say that to him) - not after her shenanigans (didn't tell him that either).

Thanks BradfordLass, I hope it does work for Doddle as I'd be sorely tempted to have a go. I can sew, though I have to be careful, I'm just not that good at darning and at the moment my sewing machine is in the loft ?.
Shame all the places you went to to have some food were closed but it sounds like you had a good time. Fish and chips out of the wrapping can't be beat though anyway can they?

I hope you have managed to go and see your DH'S parents and that the weather has been fair for it Grammaretto. I think, although of course I'm not there, the date in Scotland has remained 1st August, not far off now. If the guidance is that you can go indoors from then.... well it's only a few days away ... ?

Doodle, what is it about these helpful call centres? We've all had that horrible experience from one or other of them. My beef, besides ending up cut off before you get through, is waiting an absolute cage to get through and then speaking to some useless numskull less than helpful person on the other end ?. It really is a bugbear of mine.

I hope the cardigan fits too Grammaretto. I can't knit . My mother tried to teach me and so did my very skilled SiL. I do think it was difficult for both of them as I am left-handed and neither of them were. I'd like to be able to but even watching left-handers demonstrating online how to knit doesn't work for me as that too seems to be back to front ?.

Hello gang, only me ?

Doodle you've become Wenglish ?, love it. When is a coat a jacket? When it's a coat it's a jacket and when it's a jacket it's a coat ? ?

Ouch Mamissimo, I hope the cellulitis clears up soon. It can be a nasty little bugger affair. Glad you've got antibiotics to treat it; keep an eye on your temperature. Sorry that you didn't receive your treatment ?

Oh Marydoll, sorry to hear that your cough has flared up again. For your sake I really hope the treatment works and they don't have to stop it due to the side effects. My epilepsy medication I'm on is the only he suitable for me on a low dose because the other medications have produced serious side effects. I am willing this to work for you and I have my ?that the side effects dissipate ?

marydoll I do so hope the treatment works for you and the side effects are not so bad this time.
I’m sure you’ve been inundated with advice on how to treat your cough so I might as well give you mine as well ? have you tried codeine tablets? My DH went through months of coughing with GP giving all sorts of antibiotics and stuff, in the end he went to a chest specialist who gave him codeine tablets. They worked a treat (made him sleep at night too). He always has some on standby now in case it starts up again.

Hope the mouth isn’t too painful and the steroid pellets work.
I think you sound a lovely MIL and I bet your DIL is grateful. Sewing all those name tags on is so time consuming.

Have a good day all.

You’ve been a busy lot today.
I’m late in. I’ve been on the phone for ages trying to get delivery information about my new kitchen bin. Went through 20 minutes of ‘how we treat customer details’, ‘your custom is important to us’, ‘all our operators are busy’ and some awful music before getting cut off ?
brafordlass butterfly brain. That’s a lovely description. I think it probably fits me too. Same thing here with the shopping list. Only difference is I put the list in my jacket pocket .....and then wear a different coat
Thanks for the PM . I have replied and will give it a go.
Sounds like a fun time with your friends. Shame about the cafes but the fish and chips sound lovely ?
Ok I may miss the sunrise - I’m a late starter
Lovely photo by the way
mamissimo that’s a shame about your treatment. I don’t know much about cellulitis but it sounds unpleasant. Hope you are feeling better now and manage the hairdressers. Will you be able to have your treatment as soon as you finish the antibiotics? Be a shame if you miss the visit to your DD.
grammaretto I’m puzzled by those who want to fly anywhere too. That said, I feel so sorry for all those who’ve had their plans ruined especially those with young children. Safer to stay in this country I think.
With regards to the round elastic, I’ve been using it for face masks so I’ve just tied the ends together in a knot. You can sew the ends together as it squashes flat. It’s the same sort of elastic that they use in bought face masks. Round, soft and stretchy.
Hope the cardigan fits well. When I used to do knitting (very inexpertly) it was always the button hole bands down the front that got me. Too short so it bunched in the middle or too long so it hung down.
Have a good day visiting and showing of your new hair.?

Massissimo, I'm so sorry to hear that your treatment was postponed due to cellulitis. How disappointing for you.

I was due to have a much needed invasive angiogram last year and it was postponed at the last minute due to a severe attack of cellulitis, which started on holiday abroad.
I went straight to my GP from the airport and was told that if I had left it any later I would have been in hospital.
I hope it settles quickly, the itch drove me mad.

My hospital visit went smoothly yesterday, but the dreaded cough has flared up again!
I was advised that if the severity of the side effects doesn't ease, I will need to stop the medication. Unfortunately this is last chance saloon for me, so I'm praying it eventually settles down. I have been given steroid pellets for my mouth, so hopefully I will find some relief.

Not much planned today, apart from finishing sewing name tags on my tiny granddaughter's school shirts. It's such a fiddly job, but DIL has been procrastinating, so I have taken charge!
# Interfering MIL!

Take care everyone.