The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Thank you for your kind wishes fellow gangsters —lobsters—. I am feeling much better today.
Grammaretto I wrote to my consultant thanking her for her care during my cancer journey and she replied telling me how much my kind words meant to her especially at the moment.

I realised you were teasing Cherry . After not much sleep for a few days and a large (!) glass of wine, it all makes perfect sense to me, rats and all ?
That is so kind of your WP to ask after DH. Yes I hope he comes home soon too.
How is your WP’s hand doing now?
I hope you have a good night tonight too.
Sleep well

dragonfly good to hear you are feeling a bit brighter. I think doctors appreciate getting letters from patients like that.
Hope you sleep well too. I’m yawning so going to bed myself now,

Night night all

Cherry I'm sure you were teasing again but just in case - it would have been 'going rate' and that wretched predictive text gremlinised it.

Doodle Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for your DH to be home this weekend. If not, we'll send and Escape Crew. You’ve seen pictures of my son, who would dare argue with him?

Mamissimo and Missedout, Nfk and Nortsat and Fanny too - are you flat out with preparations or just quiet?

I'll be able to take it easy after Sunday as Christmas will be over for me, at least as far as catering goes. I like to sing a carol or two on The Day, in private of course.

I have worked almost to a standstill today and it's not even 2pm.
There will be seven of us for breakfast and a late, buffet lunch and some of us have special dietary needs but I was determined no one would feel deprived, so quite a lot of jiggling gluten free, dairy-free and sugar-free.

Many things to do at the last minute - before the hordes arrive at 8am - but my son's a wizard in the kitchen so I can get him to share the load for lunch prep at least.

Off now to do garlicy feta dressing for the tiny baby potatoes - and drizzle honey on the freshly washed berries and decant pickles from jars into pretty dishes.

What do you say to a man carrying a big, sharp knife?
‘Yes. chef’

Here's to a good day for everyone and freedom for MrD

Gluten free, dairy free, 99% sugar free cornflake wreath.

Good morning Lockdown Lobsters, I am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle) and have a coffee so am ready to catch up with all the doings ...
Bradfordlass, Baby Gubbins is a picture ... what joy in your life. She looks v alert and engaged. Thank you for sharing her photograph.
You don’t need me to remind you to take care in the kitchen. The everyday frustrations related to your condition must be hard to deal with. You have an indomitable spirit.
Panache, how are you both this morning? Are you managing to sleep all right, I see you’re feeling very tired. I hope Mr P has a comfortable day. My partner and I are both thinking of you both. ?
Grammaretto did you have a lovely cuddle with your DGC? What a comfort that would be.
Dragonfly how are you feeling now? I couldn’t watch Vicky McClure and the dementia choir, I didn’t feel emotionally up to it. I was in bed yesterday so I watched two films to keep my mind occupied... one about the early reign of Queen Victoria (which I would rate 6/10). The other was a remake of the old classic ‘Whisky Galore, starring Eddie Izzard as the pompous Captain of the Home Guard in 1942, which was amusing.
We didn’t watch the news yesterday either, too grim!
By the way Dragonfly forgot to say how lovely your wreath was. Really festive.
Cherry hope you had a peaceful night and have a good day today.
Mamissimo how is MrM this morning? Hope you both have a good day, too.
Missedout how are things with you and yours?
Doodle any news on MrD coming home this weekend. I smiled at the thought that he is in his hospital bed and he’s thinking of your well-being and encouraging you to deal with the white wine that was in the fridge. It was probably good medicine...
The last time I was in hospital, my partner made a right mess of cooking for himself. One night he left a pan on the hob and burned it, though mercifully didn’t set fire to the kitchen. Quite a lot of our late night calls and texts, whilst I was in my hospital bed, were about what he was eating and how he was cooking it. I often reminded him to have a glass of wine with his food, as it seemed like good medicine then, too.

Have a lovely weekend lobsters.

Good morning.....I only had to thwack Mr M with the leg of lamb exercise verbal coercion a few times before he began to improve. He is back to loitering in front of the fridge and generally getting under my feet but still protests that he is in need of tender ministrations. I have mysteriously gone deaf to that tone of voice!

DS and I spent yesterday afternoon turning the kitchen into Hogwarts. It had its challenges but as you can see from the photo it does look pretty! I think I may leave it there all year ?

Today I shall play hunt the hidden presents and do the wrapping. I've lost a few things that I bought earlier in the year and I don't really want to start panic buying on Amazon! What's the betting I get distracted?

Have kind days

Bradfordlass you certainly have been busy in the kitchen. That cornflake wreath looks lovely.
Hope you have a wonderful day and all goes well. You have obviously taken care to consider all your guests needs. Have a great time.
Nortsat from the fact you mention you were in bed yesterday, I take it that you weren’t feeling too great. Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for asking after DH. I’m afraid he is in pain again. He had such a good day yesterday but cam off the morphine pump. He is having painkilling tablets but his back is painful again. Being the weekend I’m not sure if any of the surgical team will visit him but I’m hoping they can sort his meds out to make it less painful.
Mamissimo your kitchen looks lovely. Are those candles suspended in mid air or is that my imagination?
Hope MrM behaves himself.
I am on present wrapping today too. Won’t be long before I get myself tied up in sellotape ?
Panache hope you and MrP had a good night.
Grammaretto hope you got some big cuddles.
Take care all.

Doodle it's magic ! The candles are on very fine transparent fishing line and they are suspended from the glass lantern roof over the kitchen table....at night it looks like they're floating. I absolutely love them!

Hi All

I've just been quiet Bradford. And, once again, when I have ventured onto GN I've been sidetracked by other threads - and then have to read pages to catch up with all of you.

It looks as if Mamissimo is a witch too judging by her power of levitating candles. They look brilliant and should definitely be a permanent fixture. Too good just for Christmas. My Scrooge DH couldn't see the point of any decorations so we only have a little tree - and my greenery - which is flagging a bit. I couldn't get any fresh Oasis so turned some used stuff upside down. It hasn't worked!

My wrist/thumb/shoulder is on the mend I think. The fingers are all working again and I can generally lift that arm now, and generally without wincing! Goodness only knows what I did to it! I hope all the other hand injuries are healing nicely too. At least it's three damaged hand injuries between us (isn't it?) so hands should be safe for a while.

Thursday we took the Camperbubble to Holkham Beach as it was such a lovely day and walked a direction we haven't been for a very long time. And got ourselves on the wrong side of a channel. Eventually we found somewhere to cross which wasn't too deep and got back. But had gone miles (or it felt like it) so neither of us moved much yesterday. In fact, I don't actually know what happened to yesterday. It seems to have just evaporated!

I keep thinking you Panache and getting angry that the desperately needed support isn't forthcoming. I hope you're managing to get decent rest. Have you managed to get a repeat prescription for the steroids?

Sorry to hear that Mr D came off the morphine pump too soon. I know they have to keep trying as it's not something to be on for too long. Better he's in hospital with the pain relief rather than being sent home too soon without it I suppose, but ...

It's four o'clock. Off to switch on the telly and hear what our beloved leader has to say.

Nfkdumpling ... ‘beloved leader’ ... really?

6am.
Absolutely LOVE the kitchen, especially the floating candles, Mammissimo but had to look up horrible word 'Hogwarts'.
Now it's clear. Harry Potter and his ilk is verboten in the home of dgs, hence my ignorance.

Doodle so very sorry to hear about MrD, hope they can sort him out soon.
That cornflake wreath was all done by feel so to speak. I had a bowl of hot, soapy water to hand and bacterial wipes but I still looked as if I'd been playing in the mud!

Off now to do the clues for the Treasure Hunt and last minute breakfast prep - probably won't be back today (were those sighs of relief I heard then?)

Love to all

Mamissimo I’ve never seen anything like that before. Did you make them yourselves? They look wonderful.
NFK I’m glad to hear your hand is feeling better.
Oh I am so jealous. I would love a beach walk.
Thank you for your comments about MrD he has managed to eat some lunch and a sandwich but says he keeps falling asleep. Meanwhile, I have been at home wrapping all the Christmas presents including his to me (and the ones he doesn’t know he’s bought me yet ?)
Bradfordlass you must be worn out with all your preparations. And now a treasure hunt. I hope you all have a wonderful time and enjoy yourselves.

Doodle I wish I had designed them! I bought them from my local garden centre but I'm lucky enough to have a magical place to use them.

I'm sorry that the Dude Mr Dood is in need of the morphine pump - I can't have that any more because it causes my blood pressure to plummet. It gives you very wired dreams. I spent two days picking broccoli when I had my colon shortened ?

It's all a bit sad here tonight. DS has driven to the Kent border a hundred miles away, to give sad DD her Christmas presents. We were going there for Christmas and my other DD and the DgC were joining us on Boxing Day. Not to be, but because of this there will be other times.

See you all tomorrow

I'm pleased that you felt better yesterday dragonfly, I hope that has continued into today. Today's news for England about the changes for over Christmas will have left many feeling far from happy. I hope that the news hasn't upset you or brought you back down again. I know you've been very wary of seeing your family but if I remember correctly (could be wrong knowing my brain cell) in the end you did plan to spend some time with them. I hope you can still see some of them if that is what you intend.

Short and sweet message this afternoon Nortsat ?. If there is going to be politics on this thread may I apologise in advance if I offend any of you (*Nflk*?). Here goes .... if you ask me despite the fact that the Prime Minister is supposedlyapparently highly intelligent I suspect that if he was asked the question "how far can a fox go into a wood?" he wouldn't be able to give the answer but he would be able to translate the question into latin "quam longe vulpes in silvam". Shall I fetch my coat?

Yes BradfordLass I was teasing again, I told you I'm incorrigible . I'm a very norty girl ?
Wow, you have been busy. What love, care and consideration you have put in too,not only making delicious food but catering for individual requirements. Having said that, given what I've learnt about you I'm not surprised. The potato dish sounds yummy and the wreath looks delicious ?
I hope you have a wonderful time. Enjoy! ?

Oh Nortsat I so hope you are feeling better today. You seem to be having quite a rough time at the moment ?
I slept brilliantly last night ... too well maybe considering the very late (I'm not telling) time I woke up this morning ?

Mamissimo your levitating decorations are fab' ?. Your kitchen looks great, lovely kitchen too.
You know what they say about the ability to detect certain tones and pitches when you get older don't you?
It can't be helped if you can't hear particular whinges tones ?. If Mr M is getting under your feet loitering around the fridge then it seems he's getting better, very unwell men don't tend to loiter. I'm pleased he's getting better though ?

I'm glad that your arm and hand is getting better Nflk ? You might have done something seemingly innocuous or something in your sleep ?. I hope you recover fully now. My WP's hand is virtually healed now but the area is still a bit swollen and tender. I, unfortunately, have two bad hands ? but the right hand isn't painful (occasional neuropathic issues), just a little limited in movements. I really can't grumble about it though, the burns unit did a magnificent job ?
I'm pleased that you had a lovely, if exhausting, day on Thursday. I'm glad you didn't get stuck!

Doodle, so sorry to hear that Mr D is in pain again after coming off the morphine drip. They probably have taken him off it a bit too soon but considering that it is morphine that is what they tend to do. It's possible that the tablets they have put him on need a bit of time to "build up" to the required level in his system or that it's simply not the correct painkiller for him. If they think it's the latter they'll try something else. There are so many types of painkillers that sometimes it's a case of trying different ones to suit different people with exactly the same symptoms. I hope he's more comfortable now than he was earlier.
Yes, unfortunately, being the weekend , goodness knows what Drs will be available to the wards but there will be one, usually with some appropriate link to a patient's medical team. Try not to worry too much, easier said than done I know but you need to look after you in order to be able to look after him when he does come home ?

Hope you are okay Missedout and as well and rested as you can be Panache.

I hope you had a good day yesterday Grammaretto and got some lovely cuddles. Hope today is a gentle, soft, day for you.

See you laters (tomorrow) lobsters, I've got hand washing to do and it's rather late in the day ?

Mamissimo I don’t think Mr D is going back on the pump (that doesn’t sound too good but you know what I mean ?)
I think they are trying to find a combination of tablets that will work for him at home. Unfortunately, they don’t work as well as the morphine. He’s on tramadol and paracetamol. He is very tired though and thinks he’s slept most of the day.
If you were going to have weird dreams, could you not come up with something better than picking broccoli ?
It is sad about not being with family. So many plans gone awry. We just have to hope that sometime soon we can get together again.
Cherry how’s our Tigger today?
Glad you had a good night’s sleep. I hardly slept at all. Daft really as I was so tired. In the end I got up and wrapped some presents then went back to bed,
I feel really stupid. All this time I’ve been posting to Nfk and it never occurred to me it meant Norfolk. Only when your wrote Nflk Cherry did the penny drop. ?
Glad your WP’s hand is feeling better. I feel so sorry about your burns Cherry. What a dreadful thing to happen.
Thank you for the talk about the painkillers. I think he was feeling a little better this afternoon so perhaps they are starting to work a bit better.
We are in tier 4. It says all non essential shops will be closed. Bit concerned as I am supposed to be collecting a mirror from Homebase for DGD. I wonder if they will be open ?
Sleep well lobsters.

Hallo Lobsters Boris cancelled our Christmas so have just spent a fortune arranging for presents to be sent. Fortunately I could cancel the turkey etc.
2020 began with chemo and ended with lockdown! Roll on 2021. Will I ever see my family again I wonder?

Do you think if I asked nicely GNHQ could think up a heavy sarcasm symbol? I think I need one!!

I'm so sorry your Christmas has been B****red up Dragonfly. And all of you with family plans. Bloody awful times.

My teasing ways are going to get me on here one of these days (if they haven't already). I'm so sorry if I've upset you Nfl. Please forgive me. Words on a page don't always come across the way someone intends. I reread what I wrote and can see how it could have been interpreted. I agree with you that we could do with a sarcasm symbol but I also think I've overdone the sarcasm at the moment ?

No, of course you haven't! It was Nortsat's "Really?" which made me realise that my sarcasm didn't show and I was concerned I was being taken seriously. No one was upsetting me. Quite the reverse. I am prone to sarcasm I'm afraid. As my DM was so fond of telling me, it's the lowest form of wit. I actually don't think it matters two hoots who's in charge at the moment. It's an unenviable job with no right way of doing it.

Hello gangsters (not sure about calling you all lobsters - it conjures up images of 'nippy' creatures with eyes on stalks and hard shells).

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a while. I have been following your posts and thinking what a lovely group you are.

I haven't been too great. Physically I have had an infection and, although antibiotics work, they upset me. On top of that, I have been feeling, to be honest, depressed. We had been due to visit DS2 and his family 200+ miles away for Christmas. I know I posted that I was torn between taking such a risk with Covid infections on the rise, seeing my DS, lovely DIL and the DGC, my DH wanting to see them too and leaving my youngest AC to a Christmas on his own. However, with my youngest AC's blessing we decided to go, enjoy ourselves and put our plans in place.

We heard today's government announcement after we had returned from our Click and Collect Christmas shop ready for bolstering food and goodies supplies for a family of six over 4 days. Of course we have no Christmas food but lots of drinks and treats, especially for a young family.

We will have to post our presents to the children. Father Christmas will look like a postman and be a bit late. I think we may have fish pie for Christmas dinner. But, we are all well and more likely to stay that way.

I had just 2 cards on my actual birthday, from DH and my youngest DS (they also gave me presents). It would have been 3 cards, my BIL posted one through our letter-box a couple of days early, so DH hid it until 'the day'. The trouble is, DH can't remember where he hid it! The reason we now have a safe is that DH has a history of doing this. DH didn't want to leave valuable documents and credit cards around in the house when we went abroad one year so he put them somewhere safe. It took 6 months to find them. It also took him 4 weeks to find my birthday present one year. My cards gradually trickle in with the Christmas ones - sometimes in the same envelope. I have had two lovely cards from my DGDs this year and one sang Happy Birthday to me on Facetime, so perhaps I appreciated my birthday a bit more this year. Close family remember but there is no reliable method of delivery!

Poor Mr Doodle and Doodle, I hope things get better for both of you soon. I laughed about you wrapping up presents from Mr D that he didn't know he'd bought you. Do any gangsters have partners/husbands who manage to give them wonderful surprise presents? My DH starts looking shifty and hangdog two or three weeks before Christmas. He drops 'hints'. In normal times he will look in shop windows and casually ask if I like something. I haven't the heart to keep him in suspense for long so put him out of his misery by leaving out a written list of suggestions.

There has been a silver lining from today's announcement cancelling Christmas. DH and I have been tackling the housework (delayed a bit by being one-handed). I couldn't stand the thought of going away, then coming back to a very dusty and slightly grubby house. Most of the house feels clean again and this time, I get to live in it. I'll finish it off tomorrow then enjoy it. I like a clean house - I just don't like cleaning.

I'm just about to go and make some white bread, so I have breadcrumbs to make a Christmas pudding.

Thinking of all of you, and hoping you stay as well as possible.

P.S. BradfordLass I think Miss Gubbins has a very knowing, mischievous twinkle in her eyes!

Oh, Missedout, I'm so sorry you've been unwell. Your damaged hand must be enough of a worry without an infection dragging you down further. Is it the antibiotics making you depressed? There's one which makes me feel almost suicidal - but I can never remember which one until I'm taking it, and then I feel so much better when its worked I forget to write down which one it is!
And you've joined the ranks of those for whom Christmas is on hold. It's not good. I was feeling sorry for the Europeans who've also already had Christmas 'cancelled' and was a bit surprised that we hadn't done anything similar so I suppose I wasn't surprised when it happened, I just hoped we could have held on a bit longer. I've just been reading a FB post from a friend in Canada. All the main towns/cities around where she lives are in full lockdown and her little town is feeling besieged. We can only hope this vaccine works.

I had added belated birthday greetings on my post Missedout, but they seem to have vanished. Lost in the post?

A quick visit to wish Missedout a (belated I think) very Happy Birthday and lots of good things in the coming year x