The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Doodle you know I was pulling your/BradfordLass' leg about your growing rat predictive text hiccup don't you? I knew that gremlins had taken over your post but the text was so far out there I really couldn't decipher what you had meant. I can be an unconscionable tease sometimes ?

Now let me get this straight ... there's some kind of growing rat lurking somewhere, there's a witch amongst us, there's a Tigger and now we're all lobsters anyway ? Have I missed anything out, apart from the fact that each one of us is unique, you're all very special peoploids and we're a unique gang?

I'm pleased that Mr D is no longer on oxygen and they've removed the morphine drip (as long as that means he's not in pain) and that he's much more himself. My WP asked how he's doing and said that he hopes he can go home this weekend. I hope he can too Doodle ?
I'm glad that the wine didn't go to waste ? and that it has made you mellow and relaxed. Sleep well tonight ?

That goes for all the gangster lobsters, sleep well, nighty night ?

Good evening all.
Bradfordlass thank you for the info about the lidocaine cream. DH actually has no problem with needles and over the years has had so many injections in and blood tests out that they don’t bother him at all. Due to his blood cancer and all the meds he takes he does bruise easily. The slightest touch and he turns purple ?. The problem with getting blood out of him the other night was that he was shaking so much with the rigours they couldn’t hold him still enough to get the needle in.
He is much better today and I am pleased to report more like his usual self. He is no longer on the morphine drip and they have taken him off oxygen. If he continues to be ok he may come home over the weekend. We will have to wait and see.
I have told him that you have been asking after him and he says to say thank you for your kind thoughts and good wishes.
He hopes you are all keeping safe and well.
Cherry hope you are doing ok. Fancy you not getting your tooth back. You’ve been robbed.?. Yes sorry about the rat business. I have no idea where that came from. I’m sure the inside of your mouth is super hygienic ?
dragonfly thank you. We are hoping he gets home soon too.
I hope you get to cuddle your DGC soon. It is really hard isn’t it.
Bradfordlass I am pleased my growing rat amused you. Made me laugh when I realised how it turned out.
Oh my goodness. I have just read about your melting moments. That must have been very frightening.
I’m glad you managed to catch it before anything worse happened. I hope your burn doesn’t hurt too much.
The lick it airs (autocorrect ?) look lovely . I am sure your DGS will love them. Your little trees are nice too.
So pleased you are allowed to share a photo of lovely Mila. Cant believe she’s holding her head up so well already and what a lovely smile. I bet you can’t wait for a cuddle.
grammaretto I think we should be the lobsters from now on. A unique name for a unique group I think ?
I think your idea of writing to the doctor is lovely. I know in your circumstances I would want my DH to be at home with me and not in hospital and I am so pleased you had that precious time together as a family.
Have a lovely cuddle with your DGC. Something that will warm your heart.
Panache take care. Lovely to hear from you even if you do only ‘pop your head round the door’. We like to hear from you.

Lobsters I have had a rather large glass of wine tonight. DH (from his hospital bed) reminded me I had half a bottle of white wine open in the fridge and it would go off if I didn’t drink it .............so I did ?. I am now very mellow and may well head off to bed in a while.
Please take care of yourselves. You are very special peoples. ?

Cheery There's merely a red mark now. No blisters, nothing. There never is with honey. I'll PM you a story about this. xxxx

Hope the honey does the trick BradfordLass, just stay away from ? s ?. In all seriousness, I know you will but I'll say it anyway - keep an eye on it as I'm sure you know burns can become easily infected and we'd all hate that to happen.

Aww BradfordLass ?. Thank you daddy son of BradfordLass ?.
What an engaged and engaging 5 week old Gubbins is. Absolutely adorable.
Thank you BradfordLass

dragonfly Sending you virtual hugs and many warm thoughts that you'll feel better soon.

Hello dear crayfish (sorry, can't afford lobster)

Grammaretto I think that wool bowl is for just the one ball one is currently working with. I agree, wood is probably lighter than clay - and I should have guessed you'd have already made some.

Gosh, if I had a receptacle to carry all my wool it'd be the size of a small fridge
So glad you're getting a cuddle - I'm looking forward to mine tomorrow.

Yes, Cherry I was burned but I scraped it off my skin, then the instant I'd cleaned the stove top I smeared honey on it (my skin, not the stove top ).
In my experience that works better than any ice pack or commercial cream.

My son has given me permission to share a photo of young Gubbins and I'm spoiled for choice as I have been getting several each day from the proud parents.

But here she is in her '5 weeks old' photo. The hairy legs are, of course, Daddy's.

A big warm thank you dear ganster friends for your messages of support,what a difference they make..........and Norstat I was truly delighted with your lovely caring thought.

Bless each one of you.

Whilst I send my sincere best wishes to those many suffering in their various ways,I am truly so very tired these days I can but pop my head around the door.

Take great care.

Hello gangsters ?
That didn't change to lobsters today, so what did I do yesterday ?

Eek BradfordLass, dripping plastic on your hand, sounds nasty ?. I can't believe you've more or less brushed it off! Are you burnt, I can't believe you wouldn't be. Please don't do that again! It doesn't sound as if your new job is proving very safe, perhaps a rethink (safer replacement) is needed.
When I read Doodle's little gem I was perplexed and thought that she might have meant that I was gnawing through my own teeth or had some sort of lurgy lurking in my mouth ? ?. I was too polite to comment ?
The green licitars look lovely and of course it would be remiss of me not to comment on the delicious looking cherries ? ?
I'm pleased for mummy and daddy that Gubbins has come through the screaming phase but we all know what other pleasures are to come ?

If you were carrying around a large wooden wool bowl wound be a nightmare Grammaretto but it would look lovely in a "work" room.
What a lovely thing to do to write to your Dr, it will be appreciated I'm sure ☺️
Oh enjoy your cuddles with your DGC today ?

I hope you are okay dragonfly, you still seem a bit down if you don't mind me saying so ?

Hope Mr D is feeling as okay as he can be today ?

Back laters lobsters ?

Bradfordlass what a shock for you - please please be careful. We are too far away unfortunately to come and help although I am sorely tempted by your spare room!

How lovely - a hug from your DGC Grammaretto. I am feeling in need of that at the moment but no chance until this wretched virus has 'done one' as Vicky McClure said last night. I watched her dementia choir and it was so moving.

Thinking of Mr Doodle this morning and all the gangsters who are suffering one way or another. These dark days seem to make everything more of a struggle.

Hi Lobsters,

(now why didn't that change to gangsters?)
I love the bowl of cherries BL .
I wish we'd known about the pre-needle anaesthetic cream.

I love the wooden wool bowl. I have made a few in pottery but I think they are more practical in wood. They also need to be quite big to contain the amount of wool I carry around.

I am about to write to our lovely Doctor. The more I think about it, the more grateful I am to her for helping DH to come home escape to his family which was so special and perhaps rare. One of our DC was born at home and the difference between that and the hospital experience was chalk and cheese. Hospitals have their place but when they have played their part, they must learn to trust others to care for their own loved ones.

Please don't set fire to your dear self Bradfordlass. Think of little Gubbins. She needs a cuddle from her gran much more than she needs the licitars, however pretty.
I'm off to cuddle my DGC today.
See you all later I hope.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-700999-img-1080.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-466880-img-1082.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-549768-img-1086-001.jpg

Our Doodle said to Cherry: The growing rat must be quite a lot now Eeeeek! Better get Nortsat's felines on the case.

You didn't really expect me to whizz by that little gem without comment did you?

dragonfly That wreath is truly gorgeous; will it be going on your front door, or is is a table centrepiece?

Mamissimo I think you played a wise game not feeding your impatient patient. Nothing like hunger to stop a man feeling sorry for himself and head for the fridge.

I suppose the DS and partner who live with you are the First Act entertainment, wowing startled visitors with shenanigans from their super-king bed lodged in your hall? I bet you have people queuing down the street.

Don't pour scorn on (on into) your lovely pottery. In 2,000 years some digital archaeologist will do a remote geo-phys and write erudite papers on 'native primitive art forms left behind by 20th century potters'.

Thank you all for the enquiries about Gubbins, the little minx has moved from her screaming phase, so the parents are not quite in ribbons. Next it'll be teething. This is parenthood, as we all know.

Today's treat is the knowledge that I almost burned the house down last night.

I've just had a new stovetop fitted. The previous one had LED read-outs which necessitated a press-press-press, beep-beep action to raise or lower heat. (I did the pressing the stove did the beeping, just in case that wasn't quite clear)

As I can no longer see LED, it was changed to one with knobs on which have long tails so one can feel, if not see, the positions.

Prior to the conflagration, I had been icing green shortcake trees on a red plastic board on this stove top, which has bright lights above it, aiding my sight.
I turned from it to the sink to wash my hands and in those few seconds the kitchen was dense with smoke because I'd inadvertently knocked one of these tails to 'Maximum' under the plastic board.
As I snatched it up, the plastic dripped onto my hand (ouch) but that had to wait as I quickly scraped the molten polymer from the brand new surface before it did any more damage.
Two smoke alarms were screeching at 60 decibels and making me demented.
My neighbour came out, having seen the thick, black smoke billowing from the extractor and windows, to ask if I needed the emergency services.

I felt like saying I needed the men in white coats suggested by Panache!

And here are the cack-handed Licitars. I have a very understanding dgs who'll love them.

Above the Licitars is some thing that Life is definitely not at the moment.

Wishing you all cosy and peaceful days.
Nga tauahi nui ki a koutou katoa.

Pleased to hear Mr D was feeling better this afternoon Doodle. Let’s hope he can come home before Sunday.

Xed posts Doodle.
To be honest I hadn't quite finished my post but thought I'd stop there for a bit as I didn't want to lose another one. I think your ending for my post sounds good ?
I'm pleased that you got to see Mr D but eek I don't like the sound of his bruises. You're right BradfordLass they could use lidocaine cream but they certainly don't advertise that they could! It's really good news that Mr D's temperature and blood pressure has come down and that his pain is better controlled. I'm pleased he's looking better too ?. I hope you both get some rest and sleep well tonight. You're bound to be worried Doodle but I hope you are looking after yourself too.
I won't get any money from the tooth fairy, they stole my tooth. They obviously realise that inflation has meant that the tooth fairy leaves a tidy sum and are benefitting from it on the side ?
In my earlier, unfinished post, I didn't give myself the opportunity to say that it's good to hear that Mr M is recovering Mamissimo ?. Did you enjoy playing in with the compost today?

Oh Panache, what can I say? Things are so hard for you, both of you. You shouldn't have to be battling, you should be supported. You have your own health concerns, you should both be receiving the best of services and help. A cwtch is wending its way to you x

dragonfly, now that's my kind of wreath. Less conventional, more modern and quite funky. It's great ?

I hope you have got through today softly Grammaretto and the robotics are working Missedout and the pain in your arm has eased Nflk

Take care gang, you lobsters really are the best ?

Briefly.
If you or a loved one is destined to have injections or, like dear Mr Doodle canula inserted, you can insist the patient is rubbed with EMLA or Lidocaine cream at the site of the needle 30 mins before the procedure unless it's an emergency of course.

This is an analgesic which, when someone is already distressed and shocked, minimises the continuing trauma of hospital staff trying multiple times to find a vein.

It can also be purchased online, as it's widely used prior to tattooing.
If you know in advance you're going to be jabbed, you can apply it yourself.
All hospitals carry it but don't tell you this because it's an expense they've been told to avoid. tktxukcream.com

Grr autocorrect. Going rate not growing rat ?!!

Cherry glad you are ok even if your post got lost.
Perhaps the last line of my post should read You lobsters are the best ?
Sorry about your poor tooth. Did you bring it home to put under the pillow for the tooth fairy? The growing rat must be quite a lot now.
Hope your mouth isn’t too sore.
I am waiting for Sainsbury’s . I hope they come soon as I’m starting to doze off. ?

Evening gang. I just finished my message -was about to post and ... you've guessed it, off it went into the ether ?

I'd had problems with it from the off, when I wrote the word gangsters (changed that this time round) as the predictive text changed it to lobsters ?. I ought to have known it would go to pot. Maybe my message was meant to disappear.

Me and my WP had our long awaited dental appointments today; six weeks in the waiting. I've been struggling with a problem tooth for a couple of months since I fell out of bed and banged my jaw causing one of my teeth to become loose. It has meant, however, that today I lost a friend molar and have ended up having cold soup for dinner ?.

I'm not generally one for cutesy pictures/photos either BradfordLass but only when they are a bit kitschy too. I don't think the one you posted can be classed as kitsch.
I love the yarn bowls, not only are they a clever idea but the wood is beautiful. I love treen objects.

Nortsat I think that "angel of friendship" is great - it's the idea behind it that makes it a special ornament.

I might join you with the tattoo Mamissimo if it will make a difference ? The list would be as long as my arm so it would be one heck of a tattoo.

Good evening gangsters. I am pleased to report that DH was looking better than I thought he would after last nights battles with the rigours. At one point he had three nurses and a doctor trying to get blood out of him. His arms have huge bruises all over them and he looks like a Christmas decoration with all the cannulas hanging from him.
At last his temperature is down, his blood pressure is down and the pain is much better controlled. It was lovely to see him.
I am like hub central at the moment with all the messages coming back and forth but it’s nice that people are asking after him.
He was asking after all of you today too and I was telling him how kind everyone was.
Nortsat poor Missy and Minnie. I’m not surprised they don’t like the noise of the boiler fitting but I bet they will enjoy the warmth when it’s in action.
Dragonfly I am very impressed with your wreath. It is bright and cheerful. Are you going to hang it on your door?
Mamissimo what a sensible idea about your allergies.
I expect you can probably imagine how Mr Dood was last night with his shakes.
I am glad the poorly Mr M has improved enough to leave his sick bed in search of sustenance. That’s positive news.
Your Christmas get together sounds nice. Hope you all enjoy it.
Dear Panache I don’t know what to say. MrP is certainly going through it. I cannot understand why (apart from you) none of the medical team are being more proactive in helping him. Having seen my DH in such pain for a few days, I can only imagine what it must be like for you taking care of MrP and dealing with your own illness at the same time.
I hope tonight proves more restful and both of you get a good night sleep. You are, as always, in my thoughts and prayers x
Nortsat I think that’s the loveliest sentiment. What a kind and gentle post.
You gangsters are the best x

Hello gangsters I popped back having read Panache’s post.
Unfortunately I have no words that could comfort you, dear lady. So I have attached ‘the Angel of Friendship’, which my cousin made for me.
The Angel will throw the arms of friendship around you, because that is all I can offer.
You and your dear one are often in my thoughts.

I hope you don’t find my post too sentimental Panache it is sincerely meant.

So hard to hear your news Panache I hope you can get something sorted out soon. How hard it must be watching a loved one suffer so. I am sending your hugs.

Here is a picture of the wreath I made on last night's NWR Zoom meeting.

Hello dear friends.

Having read back I realise I must be going around the bend,writing almost 2 identical posts..........the men in the white coats are on their way!!!

Since the bone scan involving 2 trips into Hospital my dear man has been well and truly knocked for six,even I had not appreciated just how deeply ill he really is.
It has proved very traumatic,I cannot sleep........so am certainly far from being right on the case these days.
With out any due back up,fighting all the way at every turn is surely not the way it should be.?

However I came in to check on your man Doodle and yourself,that fall was certainly dramatic and you too must be shaken up.
Also all those others that have their differing issues,thinking of you and wishing you well..

A big thank you Mamissimo for the information which I shall attend to and see if the system will work for us in our area,you certainly sounded positive.

Have to dash, but please know I am wishing you all better health and every blessing.

Good Morning....the sun is shining!

Doodle having the rigours with broken ribs must have hell for Mr Dood - I am thinking of having the names of my drug sensitivities tattooed on my arm because these days they don't always have time to make sure that you're fully wIth it before they start treatment. You will breathe easier once he's out!

My irrascible husband patient seems to be showing signs of improvement. We dare not comment on it or he will regress. He's currently making his own breakfast.......?

Grammaretto you are a very very polite lady! My pottery is the standing joke in our family and because of their rudeness I insist on it being on display. I like to think it provides a counterpoint to the rather more artistic things around it.

My family are all now isolating to make sure that Christmas is as safe as possible for us. Luckily, with DS and his partner living with us, we count as one household so we can all enjoy Boxing Day together at DDs house. It will be the first time in a year that we will all be together.

I'm going to play with some compost as the sun is here.

So pleased you had a lovely day yesterday Grammaretto you certainly deserve it.

I love the yarn bowl Bradfordlass what a great idea.

I had fun last night making a wreath on Zoom. If I finish it I may post a picture.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Bradfordlass popped back because Doodle enquiring about BabyGubbins (in the midst of what she is dealing with) made me realise I hadn’t enquired after the baby. I hope she’s thriving.?