The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Good morning Gangster Lobsters, I have coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle) accompanied by Missy and Ollie.
These are the slippers my partner bought me for Christmas, I thought they might make you all smile.
Panache so glad to hear you and your dear one are working on keeping your spirits up. Hope the morphine makes for a more comfortable day. Sending all good thoughts to you. ?
Doodle how are you both today?
Grammaretto I see from the GM thread, it’s still icy in the Borders. Take care on your walk.
I think a daily walk is restorative. I can’t go much more than a mile or two (on a good day) but I persevere with my trusty stick. Your views will be infinitely more restorative than mine in east London ...
Missedout glad to know you’re feeling better and had a nice walk too. Gosh the Mystery Puzzle is certainly a challenge, I had no idea that extra pieces could be added to a puzzle, to make it even more fiendish.
We’ll look forward to your updates ...
Bradfordlass I too think the Dragonfly brooch is lovely. Would it work on a hat?
Yes, I agree with Francis Tipene about the hole left in our lives by the loss of our loved ones, even decades and decades later.
Cherry, I love the lobster and the accompanying advice about life ... which we should all follow ... let’s try not to get into hot water!
Mammissimo thank you for sharing the photograph of your ‘happy, naked, mature fairy’. Can I add that I think she looks like she’s ‘three sheets to the wind’, which may account for her happiness at dangling naked from your tree for at least two weeks in December!

Have a pleasant, easy day gang-star lobsters ⭐️

Morning All. Having been woken up at 6.03am by a furry paw on my face and a pitiful meow by our cat who apparantly was desparate to go out it already seems a very long morning!
Weather is cold and damp and as Grammaretto said January is a very long month. Is is my birthday this month but as we won’t be able to go out for a meal or visit DD2 or anyone else I’m beginning to feel really fed up.
DH should get his second Covid jab tomorrow but who knows?
I too love Mamissimos fairy. We’ve been to Sweden but unlikely to go again.
Hope all the poorly people had a good nights sleep and are feeling better today

I love the Lobster poster Cherry

The whatsapp group has been a good thing in our family too. It's just me and our DC . DH used to post a photo of our garden view each day but I haven't kept that up. I send photos of my walks and always comment on the videos of happy DGC posted daily.

Perhaps some of you could post photos from the Summer remember that! when you were in your boats and there was sunshine and real dragonflies. before the accidents

I do worry about how the DC are coping with working from home and school from home. A primary 1 with a little sister. How does that work? and as for the poor teachers, I can't begin to wonder about them.

I looked up the working hours of the council and see Jan 1 - 4 = closed.

January is by far the longest month of the year so there should be plenty of time to get anything done that needs doing.

My potato was excellent and of course the skin is the best bit. I have a Rayburn but even so I have left things for days Doodle. It's things like a croissant I put in to warm up and then forget.
So nice that you planted the holiday seeds, and they came up. I checked on my oak forest but the soil was too frozen to poke.

I agree with your funeral director friend Bradfordlass. How well put.

I'm glad your thumb is alright BradfordLass. Using knives, scissors etc. must be tricky for you. I quite like the dragonfly brooch, it is very pretty. I don't think it's too blingy, I think it's a matter or what you wear it on. Wearing it on something of similar colour/s would tone it down a bit if you think it's too blingy for you. It's not easy (for me anyway) to judge the size of it but it doesn't look huge.

Baby slings weren't "a thing" in Wales until the 1980s, at least not with the vast majority of mothers. Women used to nurse, or attach their babies to them, Welsh fashion using a blanket (a Welsh one of course) wrapped around the waist and shoulders creating a cradle for their babies to lay in whilst ensuring their own arms were free to get on with other things. It's something you don't tend to see much anymore, a tradition almost died out. Having said that, a few months before this dratted virus we did see a young woman in the village nursing her baby Welsh fashion. It put many a smile on the faces of older women who walked by, including me ?

Panache it's clear that Mr P is a good natured man, holding on to both hope and humour under almost impossible circumstances. I am pleased that there is a small chink of light in that the painkillers do seem to be moderating his pain a little. I wish I knew more about that accommodation in the grounds of Morriston Hospital but I don't. I have no idea if, because of covid, it is currently open. There is also a place near Bridgend where people can stay whilst having treatment in Cardiff but I can't seem to remember what it's called. I'm sure the Macmillan nurses would know and probably those working at Maggie's too. It's worth asking, don't you think?

I love a baked potato Grammaretto, preferably with the skin crisped up a bit. I hope you eat the skin, I'm always amazed by people who say they like jacket potatoes but don't eat the skin. It may be a bit odd to some but I like one with chilli con carne and cream cheese ?. Do you like chilli?

In answer to your question Doodle - how did you guess that my WP's sister rang whilst we were eating ?. She often does! She always manages to judge that just right ?. My WP sussed her out long ago and has been known pick the phone up then play a recording down the phone .....
Oh the card faux pas, it'll become a standing joke ?. I think it's kind of sweet that you and Mr D once bought each other the same Christmas card for each other ?
No snow here Doodle, there hasn't been a single flake.
How is Mr D doing now, better I hope ?

Mamissimo when I showed my WP the picture of the fairy he thought he was looking at a lion ? until he put his glasses on ?.
Why oh why is there so much bureaucratic stuff involved in doing what should be something straightforward and why do these companies try it on? I'm glad you got it sorted and got a better deal. I hope the darkened room helped your recovery.

We don't get sent emails and texts in Wales about shielding Missedout, it all gets sent by snail mail. I received my letter yesterday and it's a tad confusing. On the one hand it says it's not asking anyone who shielded previously to shield but then gives advice for shielders ?. The letter gives the impression that anyone shielding should do so until they receive the vaccine but it doesn't say that directly and there is definitely no end date to the advice ?.
It sounds like that jigsaw would be easier to do if you threw the pieces up in the air and connected them to one another where they end up lying ?

Off to watch the serpent series now. Night all ?

Grammaretto I hope you enjoy your baked potato. I did some once for dinner and put them on the top shelf of the oven for an hour or so. I completely forgot them, made something else for dinner. Turned the oven off and later went to bed.
Two days later I opened the oven door and wondered what on Earth those huge solid black lumps of coal were doing in my oven
On holiday in Switzerland one year I bought two packets of summer flower seeds. Came home and promptly forgot all about them ( there is a theme developing here......I have a bad memory?). When I came across them by accident I decided to just put them all into an old garden pot with some soil, not expecting anything to happen. We had a wonderful tub all summer of all sorts of colours and variety of flowers. It was such fun waiting to see what was coming up next.
Do you have any grips for your shoes in the icy weather? We had some in Norway and they worked quite well. Stretchy rubber things with studs that fit over your ordinary shoes.
Missedout if I take up jigsaws I think I will start with a children’s one.....a very small children’s one
Sorry about the infections. Hope you are feeling better now.
Whatever did you do to your son to make him buy you such a puzzle? ?
DH is on the mend thank you. Your hand still sounds painful. But at least you feel it is mending now.
I’ve never been in a gang before either. It’s nice when those around you are as caring and supportive as the lobsters ?
Cherry I love your little lobster poster.
Bradfordlass how has your day been ?
That’s a nice quote.
Sleep well dear gangsters.

Mamissimo do insurance brokers charge the insured in UK? I've had a broker for years and he charged the insurance companies and has always found me the best deals and saved me thousands.
LOVE the fair fairy! Is she fresh from the sauna?

Missedout I have many fat fairy Xmas ornaments for my tree. Some were bought in UK, other in USA or here. They're not rare.

I'm keeping this post short, for a change but I do want to share something else.
I'm listening to an excellent book by a local man who is a funeral director and he's just said something very wise.

"I dislike that word 'closure'. The bereaved never have closure. There is always a piece missing, a hole when the beloved person was in their life. All we can do is get used to having that hole there and remember them with love."
Francis Tipene: 'My Life as a Casketeer'.

The Casketeers was a TV programme about what funeral directors do. Francis and Kaiora Tipene run a Maori-based business.

Not entirely sure about all of this but it appealed to me anyway lobster gangsters.

Hello lobster gangsters, I'm sorry that I also have been missing in inaction. I sometimes get infections that come and go, it's par for the course. Today, I have been feeling better again and went for a local walk.

Doodle, if you take up jigsawing, make sure you start with a straightforward one! I am as close as I have ever been to giving up on a challenge. The 'Impossible Mystery Puzzle' is living up to its name. It is supposed to be a 330 piece puzzle but there are actually 335 transparent pieces. DH and I always start with the outside, joining up the straight edges and corners. We haven't even been able to complete this yet. Counting the number of pieces to make the outside edges, we think 70 pieces are needed, we have 72. When I deigned to speak to DS2 about this, I asked him outright if he'd opted for extra pieces to make it even harder. His reply was, "I might have done."! I don't think I was a particularly bad mother.

I've had my email letter and texts about shielding again until at least 1st February. (Hair appointment next week cancelled). The family WhatsApp groups and video calls have been keeping DH and I going but like everyone else, I struggle at times. I can't see an end to it, even though my DIL has just been vaccinated the rest of her/our family have not.

Dragonfly, I'm a bit like you, not wanting to intrude on my family's busy lives with phone calls. I suddenly find I'm worried about one of them if I don't hear anything and start wondering if I have said something wrong or there has been some sort of 'squabble' between the AC (it happens). DH gets impatient with me and tells me to phone them. The family WhatsApp group is a great help, I can see that they are chatting, exchanging photos and videos and including DH and me.

I hope Mr Doodle, is getting better now.

BradfordLass, I bet you don't have a glad hand either!
My hand is definitely on the mend although there is still some more healing to go. My hair feels like wire wool when I rub in shampoo using my bad thumb, it feels normal to touch with my other fingers. I suppose the nerves are very close to the surface under the new skin. I'm still clumsy and get jolts of pain if I'm not careful.

NfkDumpling, I hope your wrist is getting better? Just stick with ordinary jigsaws and you'll be fine.

Panache, I don't know what to say to you but think about what you and Mr Panache are going through. I echo Doodle's post today at 15:03.

Thank you to everyone posting on here. I have never been in a gang before, I didn't know what I had been missing until now.

P.S. I'm also envious of Mamissimo's mature fairy. Anyone planning to visit Sweden when we are 'let out' again?

Panache keep on keeping on. It is the only way. I admire your tenacity and I am glad that MrP is able to keep his sense of humour!

I will also be hoping and praying that radiotherapy can happen some time soon and that the journey is not as arduous as it sounds.

I've put a potato in the oven to bake. That with butter and grated cheese should do me for supper.

I enjoyed the music, apart from the loud drums. Thanks gang.

Mamissimo I haven't ordered seeds yet. I am relying on friends over ordering .
Your Swedish fairy is a happy soul.

I'll pass on the jigsaws. I love the thought of your parents either side of the table BL.
I did a little more of my patio pot while listening to the Archers. I'm not a regular listener but it's easy to get into the story lines.

I am happy that your team won Cherry and that WP enjoyed his birthday.

I have had enough of this icy weather. I did go for a walk but had to watch my feet the whole time so missed looking at the beautiful views.

Panache I hope under the circumstances you will be able to have someone in to help care for MrP . The Foundation you mention sounds just the thing.
The period around Christmas, when you were left to tend for MrP without any backup from the Palliative care or GP must have been traumatic to go through and so painful for your DH.
I can see that the hospital trip may well seem out of the question but perhaps if the pain relief works better it may be a consideration.
I’m glad there has been a little improvement with the morphine. Hopefully the ongoing morphine administration will build up in MrP’s system and provide better relief.
I will add my hopes and prayers to yours that there is greater relief from the pain. It is wonderful he can keep his humour and hope. I expect you bring him more comfort than the painkillers.
Know that we are all thinking of you both. Take care God bless.

Do you know I’m seriously considering thinking about jigsaw puzzles. I can’t let you lot have all the fun ?
cherry I am so glad your WP enjoyed his birthday. I love lamb.....you could have invited me ?
I hope his sister phoning didn’t interrupt your lovely meal.
Hurrah. Your team won again. I bet that brought a smile.
I am sure that DH and I have bought the same cards again. We once both sent each other the same Christmas card.?
Hope the day ended with a good night’s sleep.
Nortstat and Bradfordlass glad you liked the video link. I thought it was a lovely idea.
Bradfordlass I hope that thumb is getting better.
That was certainly a scary start to your new life in NZ. How ever did you cope?
Thank you for the video clips. I particularly enjoyed John Joe Kelly.
Your broach looks very pretty. Are you sure you can’t wear it?
I will go and look at those coordinates and see if I can find you?
Mamissimo your naked angel made me really laugh. How wonderful ?
Oh you’ve had a trying time with NS&I. DH had the same problem before Christmas. Glad you got a good deal on your car insurance. It pays to persevere.
Hope all the other gangsters are ok. Anyone snowed in?
It’s sunny here with a lovely blue sky. Looks really nice. DH is warm (probably all the painkillers) so we have the patio doors open a little. It is freezing outside. I am sitting snuggly wrapped in my lovely Christmas present.

Dear gangsters all,how I wish I had the luxury of time to sit awhile,read thoroughly through each posting which offers up so much good advice,humour and just about everything under the sun!
Talking of sun,a rather lovely sunny day here although I suspect it is much nicer gazing out on it than actually being out there.
There is no one testing the temperature out there for sure!!

Thank you very much for your varied suggestions, all offering up differing possabilities for us as we approach this deeper,far more difficult period.
I hope to make things a little clearer so you may understand our situation...........which is and will continue to change.

Sadly there is no Hospital at Home service,although Paul Sartori Foundation is rather similar in many ways.
It offers differing caring and nursing facilities (all duly trained)it offers respite care in the home,plus all manner of medical equipment to loan.
(We lready have a wheelchair,commode,urinal and bed support)
This is where we shall have help when we can find answers as to accomodating the service in this flat.
We actually have a spare room,complete with bed and en suite on this landing which is entirely used for carers etc............. but since the covid restrictions this has been closed.
But it is an avenue we are exploring.

All pain relief is now morphine based twice daily,it has needed time to "bed into the system" ...........and I can then administer oral morphine at my discretion..........all has to be carefully recorded.

There are no nurses visting daily so all the vast giving of medication is down to me.

Sadly for radiotherapy the nearest Hospital is that distance away..........which makes it extremely difficult for extremely frail and poorly folk.
A Hospital car/ambulance will bring the patient to and fro.............again covid restrictions stop any one accompaning
Because there is a long waiting list our application may not bear fruition until February or even March........and quite frankly, I cannot see my dearest going.
He is far too pain ful and very frail.
At the moment it is only an option.

It has been extremely harrowing since the evening following Christmas Day,but (fingers tightly crossed)........there does seem to be some improvement,hopefully each day will bring more relief from deep pain
We can but hope.

I could sleep for a month,but although cannot cat nap or sleep out of normal bedtime,I do take time out to rest...........knowing this could be a small marathon!!

My dear man may be looking much peekier, but he still has not lost his humour or hope in his heart............and neither have I.

With a band of such caring understanding friends I truly must just keep on keeping on............and so do each one of you.
Stay safe.

Good morning gangsters - I seem to have been missing in action and I have absolutely no excuse except that at this time of year the seed catalogues are in and I've been lost in doing--the darned jigsaw-- important stuff like renewing the insurance on the cars and trying to liberate some money from NS &I.

Both of those activities took over half a day each and required a lie down in a darkened room afterwards. The frankly gobsmacking thing is that I've ended up being insured by the same underwriter, on a better policy, despite them insisting that they couldn't possibly do it any cheaper......for nearly £120 less. I check every renewal that comes up and I shop around carefully because I hate paying good money for something that I only might possibly need when I could spend it on cashmere and beans that I do need. Insurers are charlatans.

Having got that off my chest I feel better! Thank you for listening.....I won't bore you with the amazing story of the NS&I computer glitch that led to me being endlessly trapped in answering security questions. Their customer care guy didn't believe me....he does now!

We are going to take down the decorations today but I thought I'd share a photo of my amazing thing of joy.....the happy naked mature fairy that I bought in a tourist office in Sweden...couldn't have been anywhere else really ?

Calm days to all....

Thank you for your concern about my thumb. It’s fine. Fortunately the knife hit the knuckle so the cut’s not too deep. Holding it above my head until it clotted did the trick then a protective plaster. All good.

Missedout and Nfk how're your hands?

I did once think scissors might be safer Grammaretto but they just make wider cuts.

Baby slings and sleeping
Because I was working every day with Viet-namese refugees when my son was born, he lived in a sling around my neck as I walked from house to house. Never stopped him crying and wanting to play and feed all night! I think Gubbins is very like him.

I did a similar trip to your g-Grandma when I came back to NZ with just 2 small sons, one suitcase and less than $200 (£100 most of which was stolen within days) to find all my carefully laid plans were in shreds.

Doodle Mum and Dad always worked on the same jigsaw and there was one permanently set up on the green baize card table. Dad looked at it upside down; he said the picture distracted him and he could certainly move along faster than Mum.

Yes, Doodle sometimes if I’m in a scratchy mood and the young drummer is practising outside and hot weather means my door has to be open, I can’t hear my audio book and get a wee bit irritated but what choice does he have? He’s young and enthusiastic and wants to be the best - can’t fault that.

I’ve had this experience before. When I lived on the farm, if the wind was in the right direction, I could hear my best friend’s son, Hikurangi practising. I used to babysit him from when he was tiny.
He’s now well regarded as one of NZs top jazz drummers. I see from this video he’s living in Jane’s old house (she died 2 years ago) bitter sweet memories of staying with her in the house she designed.
www.facebook.com/ignarukih/videos/10154265234261987

I used to play a Bodhran so I do like drumming although it’s not as noisy as either of these drums.
You will need only 6 seconds of this to see what I mean.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMI4X8OOMOg

If anyone’s interested, here are the co-ordinates for where I used to live in those days:
-36.862319,174.538869
Just pop them into Google and go to the satellite view.

And here’s where I live exist now. -36.91052,174.63203

Sometimes I wonder how I stand it but I have no choice. And it’s a nice wee house and unlike the private accommodation I rented before, I can stay here for life.

I heard on Radio 4 recently that surveys have shown hospital patients who can look out onto nature (gardens, fields) recover more quickly than when the outlook is buildings.
I dreaded coming here from a rural area and don’t think I’ll ever really settle but I have that bit of bush and lawn to comfort me…and sometimes it does.

Nortsat and Doodle dragonfly brooch.
It’s very pretty.

Wow! Doodle I got goosebumps all over my scalp at that video; what an incredible achievement.
I’ve sung this many times when I was in the choir.

At the moment, I can hardly hear myself think for drumming but it's rain on the roof in such torrents I know there'll be flooding. Maybe it's La Niña?

Gave my first lesson to "the genius boy" this afternoon. He's tiny, soft-spoken and ver shy. The theme for next Sunday is soccer.

Ah well me hearties, I hope you all rest easy. I know it's hard for so many. My thoughts are with you. xxxxx

*Bonus extra*(is that tautology?) The wonderful John Joe Kelly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9HyB5yNS1A

He makes it look so easy

Doodle what a beautiful rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. Thank you, a prefect end to the day.

Sleep well gang-stars ...⭐️

Night night Cherry and all the lovely gangsters. Sleep well or at least as well as possible.

Good evening gang.

My WP enjoyed his birthday, although it was just the two of us. I cooked him his favourite meal, a lamb recipe my mother handed down to me from her grandmother #familysecret ?. He had three phone calls from the birthday girl, his sister, which was overkill lovely. I think the icing on the cake (his birthday cake was very nice) was our footie team winning as that got the biggest smile of the day ?. I was in the doghouse though, I chose him a lovely card ... so lovely it was exactly the same one I bought him last year! ? ? I wasn't really in the doghouse but I was teased, a lot.
He has asked me to thank you for the birthday wishes you have sent him and said that it's lovely of you all, that you are kind people ?

Great videos, thanks for the links Grammaretto and BradfordLass, That potter makes it all look soooo easy Grammaretto, which of course it's not. I love the drumming BradfordLass but I wouldn't like to have someone drumming nearby without due notice and agreement ?. My nephew1 plays the drums and his youngest, the one who's birthday was on new year's eve seems to have taken to it like a duck to water. I haven't quite got round to the other two videos yet but I will.

It's been an odd sort of day for the two of us at Cherry Cove, I was astonished ? at the time we woke up today and I don't think I've got over it yet ?. Anyway .... that being said I hope you excuse me as I say goodnight; I am thinking of you all.

Evening all.
The attached video from Barcelona was played as part of the morning service at Canterbury cathedral today. Have a look if you wish, the children’s expressions are lovely. It gets better after the first 10 seconds or so. I really enjoyed it.

fundacionlacaixa.org/en/ising-hallelujah

The jigsaw is just the perfect distraction for a bad wrist, although it's much better today. The jigsaw cure is working.

Dragonfly do you and your family use WhatsApp? It's made a big change to our lot. One liners and photos fired off in our little family group happen most days. People pop in and out of the conversation when they pick their phones up. It's like a slow motion conversation. Sometimes when I'm busy I'll hear the phone pinging away to itself and know they're chatting. And then join in with my two penneth worth. Just a sentence or two now and again. It's very comforting when you don't see them.

Doodle. I love reading so I’m quite happy for Eric to be doing jigsaws!

Jan another with a jigsaw fan in the family. Do you have any hobbies to keep you occupied too?
Sorry you have such unreasonable neighbours Moggie is there no one you can complain to?
Panache has MrPstarted on stronger painkillers yet? Did you manage any sleep last night?

Nortsat where are your accomplices? Are they too full of Christmas dinner and snoozing in front of the fire?
Good you enjoyed the orchestra. I will have a look at your link in a minute.
Grammaretto your house sounds so interesting. A laboratory and now a pottery.
Your Gt Grandma certainly was quite a gal. I wonder what her life was like in her new homeland,

moggie57. That’s dreadful and must be scary for you too. So sorry you’re living in these conditions. No chance of moving I suppose? Have you complained to the Council?

welcome to my flat and the noisy neighbours from hell.....i wouldnt mind if they were noisy during the day but its the early hours of the morning 1am -4am . 12 yr old boy on mobile/ipad screeching at top of his voice and his mother on her mobile i can hear every word....i put cotton wool in my ears ,but can still hear them. maybe i should move my bed into the living room..helpppppppppppppppppppppppp

Hi All on a grey day although this morning it was quite sunny. NfkD my husband is a great jigsaw fan and is shut away doing a new one he had for Christmas. I’m afraid I haven’t got enough patience! By the way NfkD whereabouts in Norfolk are you? I’m in North Wootton near Kings Lynn.
Sorry to hear so many people poorly or with poorly husbands especially Panache. My mother died many years ago with bone cancer so I sympathise with you.
And so Covid rages on in a very scary way with no visible ending. Who would have thought that at the beginning of 2020 we could be in this situation? Anyway it’s no good worrying about it - let’s hope the vaccine will work and allow us all to meet up with our families and friends in the not to distant future