The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

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Good afternoon gangsters ... it’s been a little while since we received Grammaretto’s news ... so I feel a bit more like posting on the thread.

Panache how are you and your dear one today? Are you sleeping any better? Have you managed a walk? Mind you it’s cold today. I went for a walk and I was well wrapped up but my cheeks were cold.
Mamissimo it’s your birthday tomorrow? Anything nice planned?
Blackberry and apple sponge pudding sounds utterly lovely. It’s funny I don’t particularly think about food, then someone mentions it on GN and I instantly want it, irrespective of its appropriateness to the time of day. So a bowl of your sponge pudding would be perfect ... now.
You have no hope of Fergal the cat doing ‘bean watch’. You know he will only go where he wants to go and where you don’t want him to.
Bradfordlass I loved your image of the tree of life. I find the concept of the tree of life very appealing. I have a small gold pendant shaped as a tree of life, which my partner bought me for my birthday after my cancer treatment ended.
Glad to hear your regular home care helper has returned from sick leave and hope she is fully recovered.
Doodle your Yggrassil is a beautiful piece of glass, so skilfully created, too. Here’s the glass we bought, in Norway and also the candle holder shaped as the store in Bergen, which you will have seen.
Cherry how are you today, hope you had a good night. I think I saw your post on Mick’s Good Morning thread, so I take that as a good sign.
Nfkdumpling did you get your Vitamin D supplement? My consultant at Barts Hospital put me on Vit D last year, as part of a nutritionally based approach to my condition. Who knew there were special diets for people with lung issues? I don’t know whether they have made much difference but I still take them every day.
I was sorry to read you’ve been a bit in the doldrums... I hope today is better.
Missedout, I hope you’re having a good day and that your thumb is loosening up a bit. What is the news on your credit card?
Dragonfly your time is your own now that your treatment is finished. How are you feeling ...I hope all is well.

Well gangsters I am sure Grammaretto and her family are still very much in our thoughts. Wishing everyone a peaceful and pleasant evening.

Good afternoon carry on gang.

I'm okay Doodle but .... in shock after my visit to the optician's earlier. I need new glasses and I think I
need to take out a mortgage or rob a bank ? to pay for them. It's not as if I chose expensive frames but the price of varifocal lenses is ridiculous ?. I know I could take my prescription elsewhere but having already done some research it's not going to make much difference and some places charge even more! Oh well, I can class them as an early Christmas present to myself ?.

I love the picture of the tree of life BradfordLass. My WP has a silver one on a leather string he occasionally wears.
You are spot on, everybody's life is interesting. Everyone has a story to tell, no two are the same. The lives of ordinary people contain extraordinary things; events and experiences. This has been understood, although not explored as comprehensively as it ought to be, for centuries. Archaeology is interesting, why - because it reveals glimpses of how ordinary people lived their lives centuries ago. Artists like Ford Maddox Brown captured elements of the lives of ordinary men and women. The diary of Anne Frank is an extraordinary story of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time. I could go on and on couldn't I? I'm a ordinary person with an ordinary life but there is an interesting tale to tell - how on earth can someone go through life, school, university, work and live to the age of 40 (the age I was) without anyone, including that person (me) knowing s/he (me) was born with quite extensive brain damage. I know that each of us here has an interesting story to tell, each of us have related at least one. We are not unique in this but we are all unique.
I'm pleased that you've got your regular homecare lady back, now you won't be whisked off forced to eateries to eat unpalatable Vietnamese food (amongst other things) ?

I had to completely redress my WP's hand as it was bandaged in such a way that the very bit that needed to be secure was gaping (the rest was "super glued" in place). It looks a bit ? and the area is still very tender. I think it'll be another week, or more, before it's significantly improved.

Mamissimo I think I'm going to have to rename you Beansmore ?. First running beans now bored beans, what's next kids knees beans? I'm willing to join Doodle and stand in your garden to scare the birds and I was meant to have my hair cut the day we went off to A&E and it's enough to scare many a predator ?. My only request is a slice of sponge pudding in exchange of my services.
Welcome junk mail - Not! It's not unlike like those that come through the post when you're about to turn 50, those life insurance ones, leaving a gift for loved ones and equity release etc. Reaching the age of 65 is still a considered a milestone by some ?. I don't get it with these "age band" thingys anymore though, the retirement age is going up and the "brackets" don't really mean that much. Happy Birthday for tomorrow though, in case I miss posting , well you never know with me do you ?

Nflk, that sounds like a good idea to protect against those pesky pigeons.
Sorry to hear that you're in the doldrums. Every thing seems to be at sea at the moment for everyone, it doesn't help. Do you suffer ever from s.a.d? These short days and prolonged darkness hours "can get to a girl" as an old neighbour of mine used to say. I hope you find your way out.

I love the glass you bought in Norway Nortsat ?. You say that food doesn't interest you until someone mentioned it ... I think I've found that glass sculptures don't interest me until I see them ?. Now I want one! We do have some beautiful crystals (I haven't got any photos - must get round to that) but not beautiful glass, except for our stained glass window that is.
Yes, Grammaretto and her family are very much in all of our thoughts I think. In mine a lot.

Nortsat I do indeed remember the Bergen candle holders. Your glass bird is really lovely. Norway is such a lovely place to visit isn’t it.
Cherry oh dear yes varifocals do cost a lot. I have only ever had one pair because I couldn’t really get on with them but DH wears them. I must admit I watch TV with my broken glasses with only one arm (I don’t watch much TV ?) because I haven’t got to the opticians yet. It’s on my to do list.
I am really surprised, I didn’t know you were 40 before you found out about your bran damage. That must have been such a shock. You certainly deal with it well.
You are right about all our lives being unique. But then I’ve always known that the gangsters are all special people ?
Mamissimo remember I said I’d be your scarecrow first so if Cherry’s having sponge pudding I want some too please...may I have custard on mine ?
Cherry I hope your WPs hand improves soon. I’m sure it will with your gentle care.
dragonfly hope you are ok. x
Panache hope you get somewhere with getting those steroids for MrP soon.
Take care all.
Grammaretto if you are reading, we are all thinking of you

I bought the vitamin D tablets this morning and despite the expense (99p for a two month supply) lashed out another 99p for multi vitamin B tablets too. I took my first dose at lunchtime and feel better already. Doldrums debunked!

It seems we missed out on our Norway trip as we didn't buy anything at all, not even a troll! We didn't even manage to go inside a shop! Whenever we stopped at a town or village and went ashore, everything was shut up tight. But it was mid-January, so we came to the conclusion the Norwegians either fly south for the winter or were all hidden away snug in front of a cosy fire. There were very few folk about at all, but those that were were often pushing what looked like push-chairs on skis. Much better than my sticks for keeping balance and useful for carrying bags or babies. I'd like to have gone back in the summer to see the country in daylight! (And buy some glassware!)

Re junk mail. Does anyone else get horrible adverts for ear wax removal? I don't ever recall researching it on the internet but somewhere, somehow The System has decided I need my ears syringed out!

Cherry, have you written your history? With the start to life you had and with and the challenges it brought I bet you had a very interesting life.

I too have copied Maws poem. I've heard it before and liked it, but had lost track of it. It's lovely. I'm sitting in the warmth of the fire glow and sending huggy vibes to all of you in need this evening. Especially Grammaretto

Just read Doodle's post. Have you still not got those steroids Panache? That is sooooooooo bad. It really isn't right when you're not exactly well yourself, that you have the stress of fighting for much needed medication. GGGGGrrrrrrr!

My word Nfk you certainly know how to splash out. With all those vitamins inside you you’ll be jumping about.
Hope they work.
Yes we’ve been to Norway twice in winter and not seen much to buy.
Those earwax ads are awful. I get them too sometimes. Like you I don’t know why.
Do you know I really like the sound of a huggy vibe ?
I read Maw’s poem when she’s posted it before. It is really lovely I think.
Yes I had a PM from Panache earlier in response to one I had sent her. Poor Panache is pulling her hair out trying to get those steroids having contacted everyone she can think of.

Sleep well all ?

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It's St Andrew's Day

Mamissimo I laughed all though your hilarious post. I can just imagine the consequences to anyone trying to pack you off to a home Happy 65th.

Apart from at the Xmas do last week, it must be 30 years since I last had a steamed pud; steak and kidney (or maybe Cheery would say 'Kate & Sidney' with Kid's knees beans? ) Mum used to wrap the basin tightly across the top in greaseproof paper, with a pleat so it could expand, then stand it in a pan of simmering water for hours. My mouf's watering.

An unsightly, but I'm told, effective, way of keeping birds off fruit is to hang old CDs around the place. Their glitter and twirl does the trick.
Cat or hawk silhouettes, the latter with wings outstretched, hanging from a tree also works. Here's one I made earlier.
Mind you, there is the risk of finding 123 voles expiring from myocardial infarction - that'll stop the beans being bored.

Nfk I hope the Vitamin D helps you. I find it's iron and B Complex which picks me up. You'll remember blood tests said I didn't need iron but I bought some in defiance of the professionals and the effect was astonishing. Bouncing all over the place almost immediately. no it was NOT hot air

Doodle It was good to have my regular homecare lady back but it was clear she's not up to it. Hanna will continue to come Fridays to change my bedding. Haven't yet chatted live to her nephew, just swapped emails. We'll begin Skype lessons after Xmas.

Cherry Was it the shock of finding you needed new glasses, or the prospective cost which had you reeling? I would guess the major cost is in the custom preparation of lenses; the plastic or metal frames cost about 50pence.

I recently read there are firms online who, if you send them your optician's prescription, will do specs much cheaper.
I'd want a lot of reassurance and possibly a local company
whom I could visit and bash if things went wrong before I'd try that...but you never know they may well be good.

Nortsat Is that wee house a candle holder? It's very cute. The bird in your glass is gorgeous too, can it be a black-eared cuckoo?

Marydoll; dragonfly (sorry to your DH - Happy Belated Birthday) Panache Missedout Grammaretto and family - only a loving thought away.

Take care all and may you have a calm and peaceful day.

Just popped in to wish Mamissimo a very Happy Birthday for tomorrow.

I got an email another email from Matt Hancock tonight telling me how to behave. He told me that although I am allowed to see people over Christmas he doesn’t think I should! Fortunately my DD has offered to self isolate before she comes. He also offered me a free 3 month supply of vitamin D but as I already have a massive dose on prescription I won’t be taking him up on it.

A young friend is having a major op for a large tumour on her spine tomorrow so it will be an anxious day.

Grammaretto is still constantly in my thoughts.

Bradfordlass what a shame your homecare lady isn’t up to helping you. I know you’d like her to come back.
I wish you wouldn’t talk of steamed puddings, I’m supposed to be going to bed soon and now I’m hungry, my mum used to make steamed puddings like yours too. ?
I’m not sure I would trust an online optician. I have had to take my glasses back to the optician twice to have them adjusted and they changed the little feet ? for something softer. Do they call those squidgy things feet ?
How is little Gubbins getting on? Is proud dad still sending photos? ?
Dragonfly DH got the same email as you I think. Very much a “you can if you want to but on your head be it”. Not quite sure what we will do at Christmas yet.
Sorry to hear about your young friend. I hope the operation is successful.

Take care lovely gangsters and I hope you all have a peaceful night.

Doodle those thingies on specs are called 'nose pads'. I much prefer 'squidgy feet'

My son tells me Gubbins has a will of iron and: "she fights sleep, fights her Mum and even fights Dad when she's tired."

She's growing so quickly that despite abundant natural resources, she's having a supplementary bottle. As she was only 2.7kg at birth, this is probably the wee lassie catching up.
Every time I get more photos I wish I could share

Hello everyone and Happy Birthday Mamissimo

I also laughed through your post from bored beans to grab rails!!
Really!
When I tried to reply just now I had to log in!! Whats that about? Am I forgotten already?

My DS1 says his 50th birthday was greeted by ads for bowel cancer screening and saga holidays.

Thanks for all the lovely thoughts, poems and PMs which have cheered me up. Another day of funeral planning ahead.
Who knew there were so many coffin choices!
I have just deleted part of this post as I thought the black humour might offend. Or worse still might be removed.

I will return to happy thoughts immediately.
Love to baby Gubbins. She sounds like a real character already.

Grammaretto, so lovely to hear from you.
I don't know why I was surprised to read your son was 51. I had visualised a young man in a backpack, travelling home from NZ. ?
Take care!

I was visualising a young man in a backpack......
The son from NZ is not 50 yet. He's #2 son.
My DD is 16 yrs younger again. What is age. I never thought I'd be organising a funeral at all let alone in covid times and with his mum in attendance and possibly his dad with several DGC too.
I've just advertised it on Facebook as DS says if it had been a normal funeral you wouldn't stop people coming, so why not post a link to the online version? I hope I don't regret it.

Grammaretto, online funerals have become the norm here. A fair number of our parishioners have died and normally the church would have been full, so we have watched online.

At the beginning of Lockdown, my friend's son died, but I couldn't go to the funeral, as I was shielding. Unfortunately the live stream hadn't been set up at that point. I was so upset at not going.
I don't think you will regret it.

Grammaretto you most certainly are not forgotten. You have been on all our minds. Lovely to hear from you.

DH and I have “attended” a streamed video of a neighbours funeral. We sat side by side and watched on our computer screen. Although there were few people at the service we felt as though we were there and found it very moving and lovely.

It won’t be an easy day for you but I hope with the support of your loving family and friends you will somehow get through.

Take care.x

Bradfordlass I laughed at your post. Who does baby Gubbins take after I wonder ........? ?

Mamissimo Happy Birthday. ? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (65, you can count them ?) Hope you have an enjoyable day. Doing anything nice ?

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Happy Birthday Mamissimo - wishing you a lovely day - and hopefully a better year than 2020 to come!
BradfordLass your picture of the Tree of Life (I had missed Ygdrassil’s post) reminded me of my very favourite brooch. Sadly with jackets and smart coats languishing in the wardrobe it hasn’t had many outings this year but remains one of Paw’s best choices. Thank you for making me think of it.

Good morning! ......and thank you Doodle for the candle salute!

We are making the most of today because the sun is shining ? I think Mr M will whisk me off to the seaside for a bag of chips and a brisk walk.

My DDs clubbed together and bought me a complete set of matching wash bag, travel wash bag and makeup bag in blush pink with rose gold zips.....it's the most glamorous set and totally over the top! Mr M seems to think that it will all need its own suitcase and luggage allowance.....

Grammaretto seeing you post brought the sunshine. Personally I welcome black humour because being able to see the funny side of awful things is a wonderful pressure valve. I'd have made a lousy Victorian! My children have a way of saying "Mummy!" that lets me know that I'm awful. ?

My DGDs thoughtfully popped a mini packet of chocolate buttons into the make up bag so I had chocolate for breakfast. They will go far!

Wishing you all a kind day

A very quick post from me as I am about to leave the house to actually brave the supermarket ?

Grammaretto, wonderful to see you posting with us your lockdown friends. I agree with Mamissimo, nothing wrong with black humour as it often helps. I've not been averse to a bit of black humour myself from time to time.

? Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mamissimo, happy birthday to you ?. Hope your ears withstood that ? as I can't sing a note but if I do it's purely by accident!
Hope you have a wonderful birthday ? ????

Mamissimo

Happy birthday to you,
Squashed tomatoes and poo,
Bread and butter in the gutter,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

( Only kidding no poo for you on your birthday unless you are on nappy changing duty...)

Have a lovely day and let’s hope the coming year is better than the current one. X

Wishing our Mamissimo a very happy birthday,filled with peace,contentment but of course always still keeping your great sense of humour.

Thinking very much of you too Gramaretto

Have been at my wits end worrying and trying to locate that right person whom could actually allow us these steroids for my dear man.
I have been literally sent from pillar to post,lost count of the times folk would promise to come back to me,.........and never did.
A truly dreadful time of stress.
However our Palliative Nurse `phoned this morning to say they should be here soon.......today or tomorrow.
I await with bated breath.
Surely this is all so wrong,we do not need this added aggro.

Have yourselves a pleasant and peaceful day dear friends.

Mamissimo hope you’ve had a good birthday.
Your bag sets sound really nice. I like Mr M’s idea of them having their own suitcase.
Did you get your chips at the seaside? It’s been really bright today but very cold.
Cherry you be careful in the supermarket. We don’t want your Tigger tail getting caught in the cash till. ?

Nortsat I always sang squashed tomatoes and stew...where did you pick up the poo version ?
That is a lovely bunch of flowers. You always have such nice flowers. Do you buy them or pick them?
Panache I do so hope those steroids come soon. I can’t believe how long you’ve had to wait for them. Take care of yourself and Mr P.

Have a peaceful evening all.

Evening ?

Panache, it really is completely unacceptable the way *Mr P*has been left hanging. It sounds to me that your palliative nurse is trying to elicit some action with regards to the steroids but it appears that there is a circumlocution office/r to contend with. I've no doubt it's adding stress to the already stressful situation you are in.
I hope that you both are getting some rest and sleep. How is the new chef shaping up?

Doodle, didn't your glasses fall apart even before mine did ?? Mind you that was only one reason I made an appointment, the main reason really is because I had an inkling that I needed a stronger prescription for my short sightedness (and I was overdue a test).
I can't say I was shocked by the discovery that I have brain damage, there had to be something awry. I'm only surprised that I reached the age of forty before it was uncovered. I prefer knowing than not knowing. It's never upset or bothered me. In fact I can honestly say I'm pleased that the reason for my having epilepsy was uncovered since prior to proof (of damage) the consultants misdiagnosed me! I knew their diagnosis was wrong, those around me knew it was wrong but of course they were right - according to them, even when there was some evidence that contradicted their diagnosis.

Nflk, no I haven't written my own history . I don't know if you remember me saying that someone did their PhD on me and that my social history is being written (lockdown etc has stilted it's progress) to go in a book produced by an epilepsy charity. The thing is Nflk I haven't had epilepsy all my life, it started in adulthood.
No I haven't received anything about ear wax removal but my WP has, having said that he has had to have his ears syringed ?. I have had mail about facial hair removal though ?. No comment.
Now you be careful with those vitamins or you'll be dancing on tables and that's only allowed in the argy these days ?

My mother used to do that for her steamed puddings too BradfordLass. I have a confession, I've never eaten Kate and Sidney pudding, I'm not a fan of Sidneys ?
Yes, I've read about the cd thing to protect crops from predators. I'd completely forgotten about that. Thank you for reminding as it's a trick we could use in our garden ? ☺️
It was definitely the cost of the glasses that was shocking. I looked online, independent opticians and chains. Some of the ones online looked distinctly dodgy, better prices but highly suspect. Lots of ones to send your prescription and existing glasses in the post to foreign shores. No chance! I didn't have to have varifocal lenses and therefore pay as much but I know it'll be more practical and therefore I just have to soak up the shock.

So your all back to receiving advisory emails in England then dragonfly. They've been by letter in Wales. I've had three (or is it four ?) so far and I expect another will be sent when yet another set of changes come in in Wales on Friday.
I hope your young friend's operation goes well tomorrow and is a success. Let us know how she's got on won't you.

I like your brooch Maw, a lovely gift from Paw to cherish. You will get an opportunity to eat your smart jackets or coats at some point. I know that if I see a coat with a brooch like that on it hanging on the back of a chair I won't have to say "who's coat is that jacket" because I will know it's yours ?

I like the sound of your birthday pressies Mamissimo. Perhaps it does need it's own matching luggage, if Mr M is offering it ?

Grammaretto I agreed with Marydoll about the funeral online, it makes perfect sense. I hope today has brought moments of peace for you and for the rest of your family ?