The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

The sun is shining! After a ten hour snooze Mr M and I are both on fine form this morning so today I plan to tackle the Himalaya mountains- the Everest of Ironing and the K2 of gardening jobs. Then while the hotpot is cooking I will start the decorations.

At this time of the year I particularly miss having the DDs at home because they were so good at fighting over decorating the tree. All I ever had to do was rearrange it after they went to bed ?

Im off to get stuck in!

Hello gangsters. Good job we’re not Face Timing as I have washed my hair and am sitting down with a massive towel, turban style on my head. It keeps slipping over my eyes so I can’t see properly.?
Bradfordlass your recipe for your pie made me hungry. I bet it will be delicious when cooked.
Hmmm? why do you want mistletoe? Are you expecting company??
Hope you enjoy a nice lunch next week with Kathy. I expect a certain Baby Gubbins might come into the conversation quite a bit. ?
Oops, sorry about Jeeves. He has been indulging a bit. I’ll tell him to keep it quiet.
Panache how lovely to hear that the steroids have improved MrP’s appetite and you are still managing your little walks. Don’t stay out too long, it’s very cold outside.
I do hope someone reasonable comes in to do the cooking soon. It’s disgusting that you are not all being served something nutritious.
I would gladly share our wine if we were closer.
Take care of yourselves and stay warm

Mamissimo good that both of you have recovered well from the events of yesterday.
DH has decided we will stay in today as it’s very cold out and his circulation isn’t what it used to be. He gets very cold quite quickly and takes ages to warm up. In view of that, when I have dried my hair, I intend to have a play day with my sewing. Will the bin be full tonight I wonder ......?
Have a good day all

well hello lovely gangsters,

I have had a quick read through the recent posts and there's nothing too bad after so many scares and disappointments.
I have poured myself a large G&T (mostly T, I promise) and am waiting for my meal to cook.
I am seriously hopeless at knowing how much a person eats but I suppose I can keep leftovers.
I shopped at the Storehouse so bought sensible organic veg and choccy biscuits.
I am definitely craving carbs. It must be the weather

After my yoga on zoom I joined the heritage craft group (in RL) they meet in the town hall, - just 6 tables really well spaced, and tackle a different craft each week. Today it was printing cards with stamps. So that was perfect as I need cards. I asked if they cut their own but although some had made their own designs the teacher had brought some beautiful readymade ones!
noolibird.com/

It is so nice to be able to talk to people again. Let's all hope we don't have to be separated for too long.

I spoke to MiL on the phone and that was good and important.

I must check if my meal for one is cooked. See you later.

Well this is strange.... ?.... I've got no problem seeing but I'm not really getting on with reading and typing . These all singing, all dancing, fandango varifocal lenses are a bit too various for my brain cell to cope with. I'm not sure I'll get used to them ?.....

Eek Mamissimo what a scare you and Mr M had yesterday. I'm pleased it was nothing more than a nasty case of indigestion, phew! Severe indigestion/heartbeat can be very scary though, I know as I ended up being taken to hospital several years ago. Eventually I was put on daily medication for acid reflux. It helped, but not completely at first as another of my medications was affecting its efficacy. My GP decided to take me off that medication (which was unfortunately the only one I could be prescribed for my neuropathic issues) and now the medication works very well.
Did you reach the summit of your ambitious climbs today? I need to bore a hole into the centre of the earth tomorrow I think or I'll never successfully reach the cleaning jobs that need to be dug into.

It's great to hear that the steroids are helping Mr P with his appetite Panache and it's good to know that both of you have managed a walk too. I hope you wrapped up nice and cosy.

Glad you didn't have any slip ups cutting that pork off the bone BradfordLass. My WP's hand is still very sore, I wouldn't want you to be in the same boat. It is healing now though and he has an appointment to have his stitches removed tomorrow.
I hope you get the mildew on your other rose bush sorted out. Shouldn't be too difficult to sort ?. I take it that the photo of the berries is the New Zealand native of mistletoe, it's a lovely looking plant. When we were out for a wander today we saw a fabulous pecan tree but, drat and double drat, didn't have a means of taking a photo ?. It was a massive tree and we must go back and take a picture as it's a beautiful tree.

Back in a bit...

Grammaretto lovely to hear from you. It means a lot.
I would have more G than T if I were you ?
Your heritage craft group sounds fun. I like the idea of a different craft each week. It would be nice to be able to be more sociable again. Apart from anything else it gives us something to talk about.
Have done yoga on zoom I think you are entitled to enjoy some choccy biscuits.
Any news on your FIL?

Oooh Cherrry creeping up behind me again.
Are your frames very narrow? DH, who has worn varifocals for years had a pair last year that he couldn’t get on with. Turns out the new smaller frames use a closer range of varifocal than he was used to and they didn’t work for him.
He went back to the optician and said he couldn’t use them for reading. Hope you get used to yours but if not, go back.
Sorry to hear your WP’s hand is still painful. Hopefully once the stitches are out it will heal more quickly.
I too will be back in a bit ?

Grammaretto, I was about to ask you the very same question as Doodle, how is your FiL, in fact how are they both?
I really like the sound of the heritage craft group you have joined. Even though I'm useless at crafts, though the stamping I might be just about able to do (I do have a sense of rhythm ?)', I d like something like that near me but there isn't. I'm really pleased that you are getting out and, like you say, talking to people.
I've never been good at judging how much (or little) people will eat. My mother had it down to a fine art. I always seem to have leftovers, perhaps my eyes are actually bigger than my belly after all - which is a pretty amazing discovery ?. The freezer gets fed though and that's no bad thing as it means there's usually something easy in there for when I have an off day.

Yes Doodle my frames are narrow, quite fine and very light. I will get used to them, it's only the first day. The optician said for me to give it a week or so but if I couldn't cope with them to go back and they'd change them back to single lens. I've got a calendar month to do that and they're guaranteed for 2 years on top of that so... I'll see... if I can see ?. There we are then, see ?
How did the sewing go today? Have you got a full or empty bin ?

My left shoulder is playing up a bit this evening so I'm off to rest my arm now. Catch yous all laters (tomorrow) ?

I spoke too soon this morning - poor Mr M is not well at all. Although they ruled out heart they the numpties didn't ask themselves what they thought might be causing the pain. It came back today with force so I asked for the GP to call him. By early afternoon he brought up blood and I demanded very politely but firmly requested a face to face consultation.

He's now knocked out with co-codamol and has blood tests and an ultrsound tomorrow. GP thinks acute pancreatitis caused by gall stones.

I wish he was in hospital! I'm petrified I'll miss something important. He's also understandably very grumpy and poorly and I'm not a natural carer. I like my patients smiley, tidy and compliant.....this has not been a good day!

Oh no Mamissimo
That does sound very worrying.
I do feel for you. I've got DH slowly recovering from you know what and pneumonia, and I know what it's like to be on constant high alert.
Hope that you both have an ok night, and all the best for tomorrow x

I think varifocals take a bit of getting used to Cherry. I sincerely hope you do or you may fall over your feet/nose/tail.
Your WP's hand sounds very sore.

I asked after FiL Doodle. Not much to tell except that the nurses on the desk say he's sitting up and looking fine but when she speaks to him, MiL just hears him desperate to get home. He is very deaf so conversations aren't easy.

My meal wasn't too bad and about the right amount.
It was tofu, kumara, pink fir apple potatoes and baked tomato.
I had a call from one of my DGDs too to check I was alright.

I was told a parcel was arriving from a nursery and since I had ordered roses for DD (housewarming and birthday) I thought it would be that coming to my address instead of to hers. In-fact it was a rose bush for me!! from a dear potter friend. Goes to show we give people the very things we ourselves want.

Mamissimo oh dear I’m so sorry. You must have had a worrying day. I hope MrM gets seen soon tomorrow and he’s ok tonight. If he does get worse or you are really worried I’d phone 999. I’m surprised the Gp didn’t have him admitted this afternoon. Hope you both manage some sleep tonight but I expect you will be keeping watch.
Fanny I’m so sorry I had no idea your DH was so poorly. Is he at home with you? Hope he is feeling better soon.
Cherry I didn’t actually get round to sewing today. I was trying to sketch my ideas (well actually someone else’s that I’m trying to copy ) onto a piece of paper so I can trace it onto my fabric. I spent most of the afternoon trying to draw an arc sort of shape but couldn’t get it right. Having used saucers, plates and saucepan lids to try and get the arc I want without success, DH bought me a flexible curve thingy that’s coming from Amazon tomorrow. The sketches have been binned (recycling) and I will try again with my new gadget.
Sorry your shoulder’s been playing up. You haven’t walked into anything with your new glasses on have you?
Hope you manage to sleep ok.
Grammaretto hope your FIL makes it home soon. Difficult to talk on the phone when someone is deaf or hard of hearing.
Your meal sounds interesting. I am off to look up Kumara, I don’t know what that is.
How lovely of someone to send you a rose. Do you know what colour it will be. Good to hear your DGD is checking up on you ?. Hope you sleep well too.

Thank you Doodle
Yes, he's been home for nearly three weeks. He was in hospital for a week, came out and then briefly went back in.
He's making a very slow recovery, but I can definitely see a difference.
Thank you again.

Oh Mammissimo that is not good. I do hope it isn’t pancreatitis. My son had that caused by gall stones in his early 30’s. He was in absolute agony. Painkillers didn’t touch it, that had to give him morphine. Mr M definitely needs to be seen. If it happens again I would call 999 as Doodle suggested.

Good to hear from you Grammaretto. I am useless at portion sizes too and always make too much. How lovely to receive the rose.
I too don’t know what kumara is.

I have just done an NWR quiz on Zoom so I am buzzing. There were 500 of us and our team came 2nd!

Oh heck Mamissimo. Coughing up blood doesn't sound good at all and he's obviously in a lot of pain.
I'd feel exactly the same way about wishing my WP was in hospital if he was in Mr M's shoes but I'm sure you won't miss anything important. Since you know him so well it'll be instinctive. If you do feel really uneasy ring 111, if they think he needs to be in hospital before his ultrasound and blood tests tomorrow they'll arrange it. I hope he (and you) settle tonight but if not you know what to do. A cwtch is winding its way to you.

I haven't fallen over my feet yet Grammaretto but as you know that can happen anytime anyway and have nothing to do with glasses ? ?
Thanks for letting us know how your FiL is, sounds like he's not doing too badly ?
That's nice of your friend and even nicer that one of your DGDs rang you ?. Pleased that your meal worked out. I hope you have a gentle night's sleep.

Night all ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-151436-turban.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-417837-cat-in-curtain.jpg

Poor MrM that is dire and, like everyone else, I urge you to ring for an ambulance mamissimo if you think he needs it.
Is this shilly-shallying about admittance because they now feel it's not safe in hospitals due to Covid?

Doodle Please thank your photographer DH for the picture of you in the turban, captured just as you were writing to this thread.

Fanny as I've recently discovered, we recover far less quickly when we are older than we've been used to all our lives. Slow but steady is probably best.

Grammaretto How sweet of your grand-daughter to check up on you, bless her heart.
Will you make a pot for your rose?

Cherry it sounds as if your new specs are making you wonder if you're on this earth or Fuller's - please mind how you go.

Having finished assembling and baking my pies (and quite a lot more) I was looking forward to a fairly early settle down tonight with an audio book.

Then, a phone call reminded me it was the AGM at the marae and as I have voting rights, I'm being rounded up at 4pm to do my duty.
I hope it doesn't go on too long but there's always a cuppa afterwards...if my driver will allow me to stay. Last time he left early, so therefore so did I, missing a rather nice supper and all the lovely socialising.

It's been a "two shower day" - the number can rise as high as 6 depending on the temperature and humidity. My dream would be to have a shower outside so I can just walk under its refreshing coldness every hour or so {smile]

Hope all goes well for everyone.

I hope MrM is okay Mamissimo . Did you get him to hospital?
I had to call an ambulance for MrG in October but at least i could visit him later. Such a scary time.

DS arrived safely in NZ a few hours ago. He showed me round his quarantine hotel. Not too bad.
A knock on the door with food left outside. Access to an outdoor area as long as masks are worn and views of the Port Hills. He should be able to work from there.
I shall make a pot for the rose Bradfordlass It's called loving memories a red hybrid tea suitable for a patio pot.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-764005-love-and-peace-rose.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-280116-port-hills.jpg

My dgs has just won the school's Board of Trustees Award (certificate and medal) for his excellence in writing.
Grammaretto it seems we are similarly blessed with talented, literary grandsons.

Glad your boy is home safe - that 2 weeks quarantine will drag when he's desperate to see his family. At least he has a nice view.

BradfordLass73 well done your DGS. Perhaps they will meet some day?
Our DGS has also won another award for his writing.
Thanks for the photos of your rose and the Port Hills.
and for Doodle in her glamourous turban.

Morning friends
I did call 111 last night and Mr M is now safely tucked up in hospital. I've already found out where he is and it give me some clues.....he's in the acute gastric unit. Poor man! How I wish humans had a viewing window like the screen on the front of the Tellytubbies so that you could switch it on and see what's wrong!

I'm just glad he's back inside. The paramedics dosed him up with morphine before they took him in so I'm hopeful that he might have got some sleep.

I'm going to walk the beagle up the hill at the back of beyond to stretch me out and get some air.

I hope your days are kindly.

Oh gosh Mamissimo, indigestion? I suppose, to give the hospital it's due, it must be difficult to judge how serious a pain is when you don't know the patient or their pain threshold. I hope they find out what the problem is quickly, then you'll have something to fight against.

Grammaretto, I read "Will you make a pot for your rose?" on Bradford's post as "Will you make a pot for your nose?" Its one of the problems with varifocals Cherry. If you don't pay attention to which bit of the lens you're looking through! I have to slide my new ones down my nose a bit when I'm driving too, but its easier than fighting the optician I got these ones from. I just won't go back to them again. They're a bloomin' expensive optician anyway. Specsavers for me next time.

I'm putting off finishing writing my Christmas cards. I type much faster and better than I write and my handwriting has gone completely to pot! I will away and get on.

Well done Mamissimo and good to know you did the right thing.
I hope it turns out to be something easily treatable and MrM is back with you very soon.
Is your hospital quite near?
I've just had a visit from the district nurse. She came to see how I was getting on. I told you they were lovely didn't I. She said she was going to stand and watch the hearse go past last Friday but the snow was so deep they had to visit their patients on foot.

Hello all. I’m very late in today. Got off to a late start then we had a Waitrose delivery. Went to Sainsbury’s for a click and collect. Then for a long walk and chat with some neighbours.
Back home put some washing on, start dinner then my son phoned. So phew I’m worn out.
Fanny good to hear you think your DH is getting better. Pneumonia takes a lot out of you.
Dragonfly wow you’ve done well in your quiz. Your team must have been really good. I expect you were the star player though ?
Cherry hope you are keeping well . Are you getting on better with the new fandangoes yet?
Bradfordlass I wish I did look that glamorous with my turban towel on. ?
How did your pies turn out? Are you pleased with them?
Hope your meeting goes well and you get your cuppa ☕️
Grammaretto glad your son got back to NZ safely. Silly me didn’t think about him having to go into quarantine I thought he’d just be going straight home. I am glad that at least the accommodation is up to scratch.
You must have quite a big kiln if you are making a garden pot for your rose. It must be nice to be able to do it yourself . Kind of the District Nurse to pop in and see how you are doing. You must have had quite a lot of snow. Wouldn’t be much fun doing their visits on foot I would think.
Bradfordlass I am so pleased to hear about your DGS. You must be delighted. That rose is so beautiful .
Mamissimo I am pleased your DH went back to hospital last night. I am really surprised the GP didn’t arrange it when he visited. I hope they are giving him adequate pain relief and get to the source of the problem soon.
Hope you and beagle enjoyed your walk. Please let us know how MrM is when you get some news.
Nfk I was saying the same thing about Christmas cards to my DH earlier. DH can’t write at all because of his hand tremor so I have to do them all (he prints the labels) I have never had good handwriting but it has got much worse with age. I’m fine for the first two or three then each successive one gets more and more of a scribble. Not wishing to gloat..I have actually finished all mine ?
Take care all. Back to check up on you all later with Jeeves. We may do a spot check to make sure you’re all behaving ?

I'm glad that you rang 111 Mamissimo, you went with your instincts and now Mr M is safely ensconced in hospital. I hope he did get some sleep, the morphine would have helped. He will have had his bloods taken etc today so they'll get to the root of it properly. I'm a very huggy person so another cwtch is wending its way to you.

That was really good of the district nurse Grammaretto; faith in humanity is intact.
I'm pleased that your DS has a decent hotel in which to quarantine, it wouldn't feel comfortable in a dismal place. He's got his own Jeeves service and a little outdoor "play" area too ?

Nflk I'm getting more skillful with my new glasses but yes I did have the urge to slide them down a bit at first and move my head rather than my eyes ?. I'm not doing either and I reckon ? a few more days and they will be doing the fandango after all ?. They should be even easier to cope with tomorrow after my visit to the hairdresser as at the moment I keep having to push my fringe out of the way.

BradfordLass, where did you get that picture of Doodle ?
I hope you didn't miss out on the essential best bits of the AGM and the company and food was excellent.

So you've done your bit for the planet Doodle, recycling paper is a valuable contribution ?. I hope your flexi curvy thing arrived.

My WP had his stitches out but he does have quite a significant wound left and it has been a bit bloody ☹️. He has lots of iodine dressings but the "bandage" that was put on was more like a elongated sanitary towel than a bandage ?.

I finally got my OT assessment done this evening, if I wasn't already worn out before (I'm tired again ?) I'm done in now! She wittered on and on, yes alright I know I do ?, asking all sorts of immaterial stuff, obviously a standard checklist and it took ages to get to the part relevant to me. Upshot... we speak again on Friday (?). I do know she thinks I ought to have an induction hob but that would mean getting rid of my existing cooker , ulterior motive ... ups the cost ??

Hope the rest of the gang are okay this evening, I'm off to unwind for an hour and an early night.

PS: No wonder you're worn out too Doodle! Sleep well tonight. I hope the rest of the gang does too.