The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Good morning gangsters, I hope everyone had a decent night. I am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle) and am ready to catch up.

Panache, I am putting you at the top of my post, so you don’t have to read the whole thing, but may see my good wishes. How are you this morning? I have been thinking of you both.
I wondered if the addition of a steroid to your dear ones meds had made a bit of a difference. I have had a huge number of steroids during the last two years and I always find they give an initial boost. Of course I know MrP’s circumstances are very different but I wonder if the steroids might help a little?
I hope you both have a decent day.
Dragonfly, so glad you have your last treatment on Monday. Well done for managing things so positively and keeping your spirits up. ?
Izabella good morning.
Bradfordlass Wonderful photographs of the bush outside your window ... you must have a wonderful seat for the birds dawn chorus.
The issue with the food and your helper seems to be getting somewhat out of kilter. Is she spending time on unnecessary food for you, when you would like her to be carrying out other tasks? Do you need a gentle word with the agency/organisation which allocates her to you?
Hope baby Gubbins is thriving.
Cherry the busking Soprano must have been lovely. So many of our musician friends are in quite dire straits. My partner has had no gig or events work for months, thank goodness for his teaching on Zoom.
I hope you had a decent nights rest and are feeling well today.
Doodle pleased to hear you went for a walk and then did a bit of housework but I am worried about the ‘hour of paining’ to wind down. I realise it a typing error but I can’t think what you were doing? Please put my mind at rest...
Good morning Grammaretto, Lovely photo. I hope MrG’s meds can be successfully adjusted, to allow him to get some rest. Are you looking after yourself too? It’s important that you keep a little bit of space to think about you too. I know it’s easy to become completely absorbed by caring for a loved one.
Mammissimo I am glad to learn that you are recovering and your spirits are lifting ... perhaps a contingency supply of Maltesers should be stored in the bedside cabinet?
Good morning Missedout, I hope you are both well and your hand is comfortable.

Well gangsters I had better stir myself and have a walk to the park before lunch. Hoping we all have a good day. ?

Cherry I spend ages just sitting looking at the sky, watching the birds flying, the geese, the ducks and an occasional swan. Housework beckons but the view from the window is hard to leave ? DH, a keen photographer, often takes photos of the sky. When we were in Norway and finally got to see the Northern Lights I think I actually enjoyed looking at the stars more. I have never seen so many.
Hope you slept well and your head is feeling better.
Bradfordlass that’s an interesting thought about the mattress. A sort of extension of the memory foam ones which mould to your body.
I am getting past the point of thinking your homecare lady is just trying to look after you to the point where I feel she is totally disregarding your wishes and is intent on forcing her will on you. Is it part of her job to feed you or is she just supposed to help round the house?
I would not be opposed to a picture of the lovely Gubbins ?
Izabella you are certainly in the right place and I’m sure Panache will read your post. Lovely to hear from you.
Dragonfly you must be so pleased your treatment is nearly over. Hope things still going well.
We too have had long waits to see consultants but in the end it is worth it if it helps. Nice to hear you are pleased with how things are going. Hope you have a restful weekend.
Take care all. Back to catch up later.

Crossed posts Nortsat. You crept in while I was typing.
I too have my coffee. ?
Nortsat my painting is often paining when I go over the lines but I suffered no injury yesterday.
Today is more housework and then accounts training with DH.
The computer is to be turned on and I am being instructed in the art of transferring funds and paying bills. Oh the joy ? I would much rather be sewing (or painting) ?
Any new purchases being considered in the auction?
Have a nice walk in the park ?

Hello again,

What is it with some people Bradfordlass! . Once I'd have loved nothing better than a fish supper, followed by icecream after a day at the seaside but now even a taste gives me heartburn aka indigestion.
Trying to feed MrG is harder and harder. He's off his food. He still manages some tinned grapefruit and a spoonful of porridge but he makes a face if I mention soup or toast or fresh fruit. I recommend pulling a face when homecare girl delivers something you don't like the look of

After complaining that covid is still about so DS couldn't look up his old friends, I pointed out that they are allowed to go for a walk so he has!
Meanwhile doc and nurses are setting up a care package which i think we are all dreading but as doc says, better to have something in place now before we really need it.

I wonder how the Panaches are getting on.

I love your chatty posts Cherry keep them coming. Hope you are all getting through the day.

Doodle and BradfordLass the lady who had a seizure and was then fined etc was arrested for intoxication/drunk and disorderly but wasn't. The police obviously didn't see her seizure, just the after effects. They didn't breathalyse her or do any testing for illegal substances. There was no proof that she had consumed alcohol (and like me doesn't) etc, just their statement against hers. She had just had a seizure in the wrong place at the wrong time, was disorientated, confused and incoherent in speech. Fait accompli as far as the police were concerned.

I laughed my head off ? ? listening to that song BradfordLass. Yes it's misogynistic, but it is oh so funny too. My WP did raise his eyebrows at the misogyny but he also stifled a laugh and a little nod in my direction ?. To be fair, he also said it did stretch well beyond what I'm like ?, aww he loves me anyway.

People who know me know that I'm chatty but warm and friendly too. At least that's what they say. People do seem to open up to me I'm pleased to say and I've also been told that I'm a good listener. Yes I'm chatty but it's not because I like the sound of my own voice but because I love people.

I'd love a picture of baby Gubbins BradfordLass if I may ?
If your homecare girl is not receiving heeding the message could you not raise the matter with the agency? Her job is to help you and whilst she is employed by the agency she is in essence working for you. You may not feel that you can do that or want to do that but.... Alternatively you could present her with a written reminder of your priorities, a helpful list if you like. I'm sure you could write (type) something that's diplomatic without being vague. Her behaviour is clearly upsetting you, she shouldn't be doing that.

Nortsat I hadn't thought about that being the case for your partner but of course he wouldn't have had events or gigs. I'm glad he's got his zoom teaching but it must be hard, not just to be missing out on that income but also missing performing. This dratted virus!!
I hope you enjoyed your walk ?

Doodle I'm a teeny bit that you've seen the northern lights but still pleased that you've got to see this spectacular sight. My WP has but I haven't. There's nothing like a truly dark sky is there. Thankfully some areas now have protected "dark sky" status, including in Wales (and other parts of this isle).

And it's good evening from me.....

It strikes me that as we mature our tastes become simpler.....I no longer enjoy stinky crisps, I like my lobsters simply boiled.....I look for fresh food in good condition and preferably not deep fried. ?

Mr M had his annual grapefruit this week- statins preclude grapefruit so he stops taking them for a couple of days if he desperately wants grapefruit. He only does it very rarely and it is always very much enjoyed.

Today I have shopped almost all day but Christmas is almost done and through resident DS I have 20% off at his supermarket for the weekend. A lorry will bring it all tomorrow but I do rather dread lugging it in and stowing it. Mr M is known as Tetris Man for his spatial skills so i will leave it to him. If I do it I will do it wrong. Panache I salute your endeavours to get your provisions safely indoors!

We thought of you this afternoon Bradfordlass as we tried to explain to our cleaner that as we paid her for three hours cleaning, turning up five minutes early, taking three long phone calls and leaving 45 minutes early doesn't strike us as a bargain! She said she didn't realise it was early........I will have to start 'managing her performance' as they say these days.

Hope everyone manages some restorative rest ?

Grammaretto good idea to get your son to go for a walk with his friends. It will do him good to catch up with others.
It must be upsetting to have to make plans for MrG’s care. Hope all the medical team are supporting you both.
Hello chirpy Cherry. Have you got your Tigger tail back on now?
How sad for the poor lady who got fined. Quite wrong.
I agree with you about Bradforlass homecare lady. She may be trying to help but she’s causing distress by her persistence.
Cherry I could entertain you for hours with the saga of our trials and tribulations in our efforts to see the Northern Lights over a period of 3 different visits to Norway. The predicaments we have been in you would not believe. Our third (and final, we had already decided) trip we thought was another failed visit until at last we got to see them. We don’t intend venturing to Norway in winter again we are too old ?
Mamissimo my tastes have changed too. I think we prefer lighter food as we get older (well at least my stomach does ?)
We used to love grapefruit too but have stopped it, like your DH because it doesn’t go with meds.
I have hardly done any shopping up till now but today bought 5 gifts including one for DH who ‘didn’t want anything’ until he saw a new camera bag he was after.
My SIL used to have a gardener for 3 hours a week and she would always comment to him that his phone calls were not allowed in ‘her time’ . ?
Dragonfly I hope you have a restful weekend. Is it just one more session next week?
Panache is there news of when MrP is having his scan?
I hope you’re doing as well as you can under the circumstances and perhaps having a little walk.
Take care all.

On the mattress idea ... It's an interesting one ?. I've asked several times, and have been told categorically that it's a no no, whether I might be able to have "cot sides" like hospital beds do because it would be dangerous. I'm not sure whether a mattress with a dip would be safe or not. The dip would need to be relatively deep I think and if so that could present issues depending on body position; stifling airways ?. Not sure one way or the other. Falling out of bed is not an issue for a large percentage of people with epilepsy so I guess not a lot of research into solutions has been done. Doctors normally advise people who do fall out of bed when they have a seizure to sleep on the floor. Safer yes but a long term solution ? Not the most positive prospect. Similarly, Drs often advise people with epilepsy to use a microwave rather than a cooker or kettle and not to use a toaster. They suggest avoiding stairs/steps, escalators and revolving doors etc etc but it's not always practical. The Drs I've said that to ... ? It's okay then, I'll sleep on the floor downstairs, walk the long (much longer) way round to leave my home to get in the car outside the house and when I return and when I fancy a boiled egg I'll make sure I have plenty of eggs because when I pierce an egg to cook it in the microwave the shell usually cracks (rather than is just pierced) and the egg explodes in the microwave ? It's just too silly to contemplate ?

Grammaretto is there nothing else you can tempt Mr M to eat? You say he'll eat a spoonful of porridge, would he eat a little bit of rice pudding? Do you think he might eat a citrus yoghurt or something even lighter a mousse?

The dread behind thinking of setting up a care package may be worse than the actual doing Grammaretto. I appreciate it will be hard but I think the Dr is right and it's another difficult thing done, as the Dr says, before it's needed.
I'll try to keep the chatty posts coming but don't be afraid to tell me to shut up ?

One treatment left now dragonfly, I hope you have a relaxing weekend.
Hope the Panaches are as okay as can be.
Nice to have you pop in Izabella

Hello all, I just want to say that I read through all your posts every day but there isn't much going on here and your posts are far more interesting than anything I am doing.

DH is getting better, he is going out for a daily walk (as prescribed) and takes me with him. We seem to wait for the rain before leaving the house. I'm still using my exercise bike every day. There seem to be several prescriptions to be filled too so I also walk to the chemist. Prescriptions are handed in through an outside window so I don't have to go inside at all. My last visit to have my hand dressed resulted in more prescriptions for various medically impregnated dressings and plasters. I have been taking antibiotics but, apart from upsetting my stomach a bit, I don't think they helped much. It is six weeks since I injured my hand. The wounds are healing but I can't bend my thumb at all although it is not quite so painful.

I'm worried how I am going to sort out family presents for Christmas. I think I will put together a couple of Christmas packages containing cards and presents (selected with postage costs/volume in mind) for early delivery to AC and their families. I need to pull myself together and get on with it.

I wish I could help Panache and Grammaretto, but others on here write far more eloquently than I ever could. All I can do is express my sadness and sympathy for them and hope that their DHs are comfortable.

Dragonfly, I'm glad your treatment is nearly over. It must be a lovely thought that your next checkup will not be until June.

Cherry, I've had a miserable migraine over the last few days too - flashing lights, jagged lines and a thundering headache haven't helped my mood. Poor DH, I wouldn't want to live with me!

Mamissimo, I'm glad you are feeling better too. With me it is Peanut M&Ms that I turn to when needing a 'little treat' so I completely get the need for Maltesers!

Everyone, please stay safe and thank you for being here.

As always, thank you Doodle.

Nortsat I did think, at first, Hanna the homecare lady was getting out of hand but the more I recover my own health, the easier it is to deal with her. I'm reluctant to tell the agency as I believe she has my best interests at heart.
And she's a very good worker, which not all of them are.

Gubbins is being loved to pieces and seems to be thriving on it

Doodle Hanna is not supposed to feed me at all, just do housework and take me shopping as required.
Her bringing food to the house was generous rather than imposing but I still fail to grasp why, when her English is pretty good, she doesn't understand or take heed of my requests.
However I Have a Plan
You'll remember I have a Korean girl, Anna, who adopted me as her Kiwi Grandma years ago?
I've asked to write a note, in Korean, saying I appreciate the care she is taking but work must come first, as that's something I cannot do for myself.
It's all very polite and explains in detail what needs doing here, so I'm hoping that may work.
As Anna's mother is also a Bossy Boots, we had a bit of a giggle about it.

I've had some very horrible homecare ladies; one who arrived drunk at 8am and slept for the first hour on my couch.
One demanded money for a sick father (clearly she knew nothing about Yorkshire women!) and one who did no work at all but spent her time chatting on the phone or playing games. So I'm giving Hanna a bit of leeway.

Grammaretto You recommend pulling a face - don't you think my usual one is bad enough?
As your DH seems to love grapefruit, add multi-vitamin drops to it. You probably already have

CheeryCherry it's SO good to read your posts, knowing this must mean you're doing fairly well at the moment. I'll gladly send a picture of Gubbins but you'll have to give me your email address via PM here.
I shall never ask you to stop posting or chatting

dragonfly glad you're on the last leg. Hoping all goes well.

Mamissimo It's a comfort to know I am not alone with recalcitrant domestic help.
Yes, I think as we get older, we all change our tastes.
I've recently been looking for Stewart Island scallops, which used to be in every NZ seafood shop. Now they are all vacuum packed from China or Peru.

I am hearted by your news Missedout, at least you are getting good care. The stiffness in the thumb is a worry and I wonder if it would respond to a little self-physio after a soak in warm water and Epsom Salts?
I've just begun using "Relief FX" and it's the best thing for pain I've ever tried.
It's a NZ product and all natural, korunutrition.org but if anyone wanted to try it, I'm sure we could work out a plan to get it to you.
Glad to hear your DH is much better. Did you ever hear any more about the man he rescued from the canal?

My family often get vouchers: dil asked for a session with her favourite Thai massage team this year and my DGD wants a goat (on paper) for the Third World.
Last year I gave cooking class vouchers from the Seafood School and DGS got a voucher to spend at a climbing school. All these were e-vouchers which could just be forwarded to the recipients.

As always, and like all of you, I am thinking about those who are too weary, sad or sick to post. We send you our love and strengthening thoughts in the hope they help.

And yes indeed, thank you Doodle

My dear gangster friends;

Popping by just to find out how each one of you are coping, as well as simply giving you a little up date of life here within our residence.

Again on reading through, lots of little notes of uplifts tinged with echoes of trials and hardships,yet every one determined to press on with hope.

At the moment life has settled down a tad,however after two whole days of many phone calls both from myself and the hospice nurse, these have simply not brought any answers.
Although promised a certain reply from the main hospital in question, this did not materialise either.
Most unsatisfactory and has caused me extra stress.
We still await both the bone scan and the steroids.

My dear man has lost his appetite,but actually is sleeping well and is in quite good spirits,I really wonder at him and how he manages to cope with all this.......and yet has a ready smile.

Perhaps he will have even more reason to smile once the steroid treatment begins Norstat.
How I appreciate your kind,understanding post........obviously always good when coming from someone whom has been down that very road.

Always thinking of you Grammaretto

Dear Isabella,how good of you to search for me. I will indeed contact you by PM

Also MawB whom I know only too well knows exactly what these horrid and less hopeful days truly mean,every caring word is a great help ,thank you.

Sadly to those following our situation here, the chef in training is now resigning....................and not a day too soon.
We are fed up of being treated more like pigs.

Yesterday I had my all clear from all the skin cancer surgery I underwent recently, so that is another tick!

Gloomy grey clouds overhead and signs that winter is upon us as the temperatures take a tumble,nice and warm indoors though.
Sadly not many outside walks these days.

Sending loving blessings to you all,ever hopeful that those still struggling find that inner peace and much better days ahead.
Keep safe my friends.

Good to hear from you Panache even when the news you bring is not the best.
Grammaretto I can well understand that getting the care package in place is a hard thing to do.
You are both in my thoughts.

It is a funny thing about grapefruit. I am not allowed it as it makes my medication work overtime. Apparently pomegranate has the same effect.

It was lovely waking up this morning knowing that I did not have to visit the hospital. It is amazing the strain it gives but on Monday it will be over. I sent my surgeon/consultant a thank you card and she sent me a letter today thanking me. She really did go above and beyond.

I love your accounts of your helps Bradfordlass. I expect they are underpaid as they are here. My dad used to love them though as they kept him up to date on their love lives!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Good afternoon gang, well it would be if it wasn't so grey and drizzly drizzly ?

It's nice to be called cheery again BradfordLass ?; usually it's our Grammaretto who calls me Cheery.

Mamissimo and Doodle I can't eat grapefruit either, because it can be a seizure trigger (for many with epilepsy) and it reduces the efficacy of my medication. I too love grapefruit and it was my go to juice ? but sadly no more ?. Oh well, I love apple juice too ?

I'm with you on tastes changing as you get older Mamissimo. When I was a child I was a finicky eater, which thankfully I grew out of, but I was still loath to try some things and whilst I ate most vegetables I never stacked my plate with them until I started the menopause. Fresh good quality vegetables are what I look forward to the most in my meals now. I ought to eat more fruit in the winter though .
Wow, you've been organised and busy re. Christmas! I haven't so much a bought a card yet ?. I also need to think about and actually buy a couple of birthday cards (and presents) too before all the decent ones disappear in the shops, as they always make way for Christmas ones.

Doodle there does appear to be quite a long story attached to your endeavours, and eventual success, to see the northern lights.
How are the accountancy lessons coming along? I hope you are "let out" of skool for the weekend ?

I'm glad that your DH is very much improved but I am concerned about the fact that you are unable to move your thumb. Is there a way you could have a physio' look at it without being put on a waiting list? Our nearest hospital has a physio' drop in that runs for two hours each morning. At the moment it is still open but you do have to ring ahead on any given day.
Sorry to hear that you too have been suffering horrible migraines ?. I'm sure your DH wouldn't want to live with anyone else! ?

I think your plan to write a note to Hanna is a great one BradfordLass, exactly what I was thinking - although not in Korean. I'm pleased Anna can help you to do that. I think Hanna will appreciate the "trouble" you have gone through to make it clearer for her ?
I like the sound of the vouchers you've bought in the past and are buying this time round for family members. We all accumulate too much stuff that can be wasted. It's nice, don't get me wrong, to buy children toys etc that they will enjoy, treasure and hold lovely memories of later in life but many older family members don't always need stuff.

I'm pleased things have settled down a bit Panache, although it is unsatisfactory (I can think of other words) that you are not getting answers from the hospice nurse and that *Mr P's steroids have yet to materialise!
I'm really happy that you've had the all clear from the skin cancer surgery ?. That, indeed, is welcome news.
Sorry to hear that your very dear man is not eating. I think the fact that Mr P can still raise a "ready smile" is testament to what a lovely character he has and person he must be. Enjoy all the gentle moments you have together ?

An apology: I re-watched 'Little Voice' and although there are spectacular performances from Brenda Blethyn and Jane Horrocks - there's a huge amount of foul language, which for me, puts it outside the 'feel good' category. Sorry.

Good evening gangsters.
Cherry I think I need to make for you the garment I made for my first son when he was a few months old. At the time, the general opinion was that it was dangerous for babies to sleep on their stomachs and they should sleep on their backs.
Mine constantly turned over. I found a pair of knitted leggins and made ‘braces for them to go over his shoulders and then tied tape to the waistband. The tape was then attached to the bars of his cot thus preventing him from turning over.
If you have an old pair of tights to hand I could see if I could make you a pair for your bed ?
I guess life with epilepsy can be dangerous but there is only so much you can do to protect yourself and at the same time have your freedom and quality of life.
My accountancy lessons are stalled until tomorrow. Today has been a busy day. Nothing in particular but lots of looking up stuff on the internet and a nice walk by the river.
Tomorrow is time to enter all my recent purchases onto the accounting system. (Wish I hadn’t bought so much )
We will follow that up with a roast lamb dinner to cheer me up.
You sound much more yourself these days. I think the Tigger tail is attached at the moment which is good news ?
Missedout I know what you mean. Not much going on here either. Glad your DH is feeling better.
Your walks with DH sound like mine. He goes and I trail along. Again like you, usually in the rain ?
Your thumb sounds as though the wounds are healing but it is still painful. Perhaps when it is fully healed you might need to have some exercises to strengthen it again.
I too feel I don’t have the right words to comfort people but that does not mean we don’t care. I think all of us on this thread have got to know and care for each other.
Hope your migraine improves soon.
Bradfordlass that beautiful rose keeps catching my eye as I scroll up and down. It is exquisite.
What a brilliant plan for your homecare lady. I think a letter in her own language is an excellent idea. I understand her trying to be helpful but you do need her to do the work you want done and be a help to you.
Gracious some of your homecare ladies are less than reliable. I can see why you are trying to get on with Hanna.
I am not surprised little Miss Gubbins is being adored. At that age they are so cuddly and lovely. Glad they are getting on well.
Panache lovely to hear from you again.
I am sorry you have the stress of no answers from the hospital and even sorrier that the steroids haven’t been started yet.
I’m not surprised MrP still manages a smile. After all he has you looking after him and caring for him. I bet you are the light of his life. ?. Good that he is sleeping better. Hope the scan date and the steroids arrive soon.
Good news on your all clear results.
It is not so much the weather for walking at the moment. You are better off keeping cosy inside. I just wish the food was better. I hope the new chef is a vast improvement on the old one.
Dragonfly it’s amazing the number of people who can’t eat grapefruit. Something in it obviously reacts with quit a lot of meds.
One more treatment to go. Fantastic! I bet you’ve been a star patient. Enjoy your lie ins. ?

Yes Doodle that is one perfect rose, it keeps catching my eye too. Thank you BradfordLass ?

For some reason ? .... Probably because I got distracted whilst writing my post earlier .... I missed your post dragonfly.
I bet it was nice waking up knowing you didn't have a hospital appointment today. I well know what you mean about the strain it puts on a person. It's a combination of things I think, well it was for me. Only one more ?
It was lovely of you to send a thank you card to your consultant/surgeon and lovely of her to respond ?. Is that the same one that you said on the morning thread you don't have to see until 2022 now? You also said a few days ago that the radiotherapists (et al) have been lovely. Mine were too ?. When I finished I gave the ones that treated me a box of truffles and a card. As I had hospital volunteer transport I also dropped a card and chocs to their office, they were all but one genuinely lovely people. It's heartwarming to know that these people do what they do because they genuinely care and want to make a positive difference to people's lives.

BradfordLass, Little Voice is not a film I've seen, though I've always meant to. One of my friends loved the film when she saw it, despite the language, and said it's a feel good, heartwarming story. Foul language is not always an obstacle for me, in small doses, but foul language for it's own sake is. My friend doesn't like to hear swearing/obscenities but enjoyed the film. I don't think you need to apologise to us for "recommending" the film but thank you for the heads up about the foul language ?

Doodle your idea made me splutter with laughter. I have visions of me springing about on the end of elastic whilst having a seizure (not that I can ever see myself when I have a seizure of course) ?. A sort of horizontal bungie jump ?. Ooh you are awful .... but I like you you are one in a million ❣️
I'm glad you've been let off skool today but tomorrow's Sunday... surely it's a day of rest ?. Roast lamb for dinner you say ?, what time shall I come round ?

Night gang ?

I had a very unexpected visit from my son, dgs and Gubbins this morning.
They could stay only 45 mins as they were due to pick up Mama from her appointment but I treasured every moment.

For the first time ever, Gubbins was offered a bottle but she took to it like a trencher-woman, which was a relief to Dad who plans to do some night feeds now so dil can rest more.

My dgs is growing so tall but when I was telling his sister how I used to kissy-kissy his ears when he was five but now he was too old for that, he said, 'No I'm not - only outside school with Mum!'

Sadly he has conjunctivitis at the moment, so we couldn't put it into practice but we had a hug or two and I was so heartened to know this big laddie still likes cuddles and kisses from his Gramlyn.

Someone in our street has arranged a community gathering on the lawn in front of my house.
It's drizzling slightly but by 3pm, when the hooley is due to begin, the sun should be out.

That rose is called "Peace and Love" - gorgeous isn't it?
My own roses are doing well: 'Nahema' has buds. The unnamed rose I bought from a local lady is flowering pink but doesn't seem to have a fragrance. Nahema is very fragrant.

CheeryCherry I only felt the film couldn't be called feel good after all because for so many people, bad language spoils it.
I don't use foul language in my own daily life, nor have my
sons ever done so in my hearing.
The people in the groups I belong to don't either, so maybe it jars more when I do hear it.
'Little Voice' ends well but I did find the swearing wearing
It's worth watching despite that. Jane Horrocks said, on Desert Island Discs, that she can't sing a note unless, like Little Voice' she's playing a part. Amazing that she did all her own singing.

Doodle you had me laughing with the braces tied to the bed idea too. Maybe Cherry needs a zip-up hammock?

Set another place for me - it's ages since I had roast lamb.

It brought a tear to my eye reading about MrPanache smiling, despite all he's going through. It's no wonder Panache calls him her dear man. I hope the steroid help and the new chef can actually cook.

You're right dragonfly the home help are only just a click or two above minimum wage and once tax is paid on that, they're working for even less. In addition, as contractors (these agencies know every trick to minimise their own expenses) they don't have the same benefits as salaried workers.
And some of the stories I've heard about abusive, rude and racist clients make me wonder why they do it at all.

It's quite cool outside with a sneaky wind; maybe I should make hot soup rather than sandwiches.

Love and Peace to you all.

Update: the gazebo on the lawn was blown down and almost away, so they moved the party to a garage.

Almost everyone in the street was there and as they don't see much of me, I was warmly welcomed and invited to an Open Home on Christmas Day. Most other people will be away it seems.

Lots of laughter over wine, juice, tea and masses of delicious food - so much that we were all pressed to take some home.
I don't see my neighbours often, just in passing as they drive to work, so this was a really pleasant afternoon, despite the cold, windy weather.

Hello gang,
I've been enjoying or sympathising with your posts.
DH now has 2 bells to ring. He rang the gentler one and I woke. The other one rings downstairs so would wake DS .
Beautiful rose BL and I shared your baby joy.
Yes the carers. I must admit to being a little afraid when we start to have visits. It's supposed to be to help with washing and bathing and I can refuse but the DC say it's essential.
We watched Little Women yesterday, which we all enjoyed.
We had a surprise visit too from DS1 bringing a curry he had cooked for us, 2 DGC and the puppy!!! The puppy pee'd several times on the carpet and it looked a little frightened.
Your baby braces Doodle how inventive you are. The whole business of telling parents what's best reminded me of some awful times with DS1 and colic.
A beatiful French film with few words but amazing images called Babies should be compulsory viewing in my opinion. It follows 4 babies from birth to a year in 4 countries. Only one household has babycare manuals. The USA, whereas in outer Mongolia the baby is having to share its quarters with goats and chickens. The babes all survive their first year despite the best efforts of the parents.

m.imdb.com/title/tt1020938/

Good morning gangsters, I am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle) with coffee, watching the day light spread across the sky.
Panache I am so glad to hear you have had the ‘all clear’. Your posts focus so much on your dear one and it’s almost easy to overlook the huge personal burden you have been carrying. You are a woman of great resolve. But I am so pleased that particular burden has been lifted.
I am sorry MrP has lost his appetite... I always found steroids improved mine. I hope they arrive soon and he experiences a bit of a boost.
Have a gentle, easy day together.
Gammaretto, what sort of a night have you both had? I understand your trepidation about the care visits ... my dear sister was the same, but she came to value them.
The surprise visit from your DS1 plus DGC and puppy sounds lovely (apart from the pee on the carpet of course). Wishing you both a comfortable, relaxing Sunday.
Bradfordlass a lovely surprise visit from your DS, DGS and Baby Gubbins. Lovely that she has taken a bottle and that you know your ‘big laddie’ still likes cuddles and kisses from his Gramlyn.
What a lovely community gathering ... I can’t imagine that happening in my street in east London.
I love the Peace and Love rose too (thank you).
Cherry, lovely to hear you sounding bright and well. It’s amusing that the gangsters call you Cheery Cherry, because for the longest time, I used to mis-type Cherry and put Cheery, then I would preview my post and go back and correct all the Cheerys. If I make that mistake henceforth I shall leave it in place ... ?
Dragonfly a precious rest day and then one more treatment. Haven’t you done well, managing your treatments, staying positive and being thoughtful to those who have helped you? You must have a considerable well of inner strength.
Missedout your poor hand (I know I keep saying that) but it’s been a long, drawn out process for you. Do you think you might need some gentle physiotherapy? My partner had an operation on his hand in January this year (an anxious experience for a musician, whose skills and livelihood lie in his hands). The op was partially successful but what has really helped him is the daily gentle exercises and wearing a special splint for some time each day.
6 weeks seems a long time to have a largely immobile thumb. Perhaps worth considering asking for a physio referral?
Mammissimo a day of Christmas shopping ... you must feel a sense of achievement. You must also be feeling more robust to have managed that. Hurrah.
Doodle I am looking forward to hearing more about your accounting adventures. Are you using Excel? As I said I never thought I would get to grips with my budget at work (annually £2.6 million) and all the performance data but it ended up being one of my favourite meeting cycles.
We had a lovely holiday in Norway last year but certainly didn’t see the Aurora Borealis. I would love to hear more about your Norwegian adventures too.

Last night at about 4.00am, my partner got up to go to the loo and heard an unearthly howling. He hurried downstairs to find Ollie (our recently adopted stray male cat) on guard duty by the cat flap, growling like a lion. Our two female cats were up on dining chairs, looking very worried and staring into the garden.
There was a large, long haired black cat trying to get in our cat flap! Poor Ollie (who is really rather timid) was guarding ‘his kitchen and his girls’ with his life.
Because Ollie is a recent addition to our household our female cats tolerate him, but nothing more than that. However, I think he has gone up a notch or two in their estimation now...

Wishing us all a pleasant, relaxing Sunday. ?

Aww BradfordLassthat was a wonderful surprise ?. It's good that little Gubbins has taken to a bottle well, or as you say like a trencher-woman (which tickled me) ?, gives mummy an opportunity for a break and some rest ☺️.
Your big laddie may be a fast growing DGS and says he's too old for kisses and cuddles but obviously not too old to be adverse to hugs from his clearly loved Gramlyn ?. My nephew was a grown man by the time my mother died but wasn't adverse to a warm embrace from his nana ?.

It does sound like there's rather a lot of swearing in Little Voice. A bit I don't mind but it sounds like there was a lot of unnecessary swearing. I was brought up not to use "bad language", having said that I do on occasion, usually when exasperated, and usually the words b....r or bl...y h... ?

Care work is notoriously badly paid BradfordLass. It's such vital work, it can be hard and emotionally difficult work. It's highly undervalued. Not everyone has the right qualities to be a care worker and yet it's work paid as if it's menial work. Not right is it?

My footie match starting...

sorry that sounded so bad and rude of me! I will return...

Morning all.
Cherry no I don’t think elasticated leggings would be a good idea if you’re going to bungee around in them. They worked well with my son though (his daughters laugh at that story too at the thought of their dad being tied to his cot)
Bradfordlass what a lovely surprise, a visit from your son and family. Sounds like little Gubbins is doing well. Lovely when our DGC still like hugs.
Seems like you had a really nice afternoon with your neighbours despite the winds. An invitation to Christmas open home sound good too.
Grammaretto you were awake early. Was that due to the bell ringing? My SIL was concerned when my brother started having careers in. Some were much better than others but in general they helped and allowed her some breathing space. Hopefully they will be kind and gentle,
I’m very good at ‘inventing’ things ?. Queen of the sticky back plastic if you know what I mean.
Sounds a fun visit from your other son with the DGC and the DGP (Hope you got the carpet dried ?)
Nortsat I have my coffe too.? (but I wasn’t up as early as you ?)
What a lovely post to all the gangsters and helpful advice for Missedout. I can well see why you were concerned about your partner’s hand op, with him being a musician. Does he normally (out of lockdown) play on his own or with others or does he mainly teach? Either way life must be difficult for him at the moment.
We certainly like having our Cheery Cherry with a Tigger tail attached.
Yes our accounts are on Excel. I am ok with that as I did quite a lot of work on Spreadsheets in my job. The difference being that I was using spreadsheets for data information rather than accounts. DH thinks in figures like most people do with words. He looks at numbers and can see instant connections between them. I look at numbers and ........get bored ?. However, I must learn because when he was taken off to A&E with sepsis part of me was thinking I wish we’d sorted out the accounts ?
My Norway adventures are a bit of a saga but if you are interested I will write it as a separate post during the week (I told you it was a saga ?) then only those who want to bother need read it.
Oh your brave little Ollie. Defending the house and his girls from intruders. Have we had a picture of Ollie?
All would be welcome to join us in our Sunday roast but as it’s just a small boneless piece for two it would have to be eked out. Enjoy the rest of the weekend all ?

Cherry you made me laugh. ?. We don’t mind you watching the footie. Only question now is will we have Cheery Cherry on the winning side or gloomy Cherry on the losing side ?