The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Hello gangsters,
I hope your treatment went well Dragonfly. I'm impressed that you drive yourself.
No outing today. We think Sunday for a trip to see DD's new house.
I went for a walk.
No word from the outside roofer.

I'm also hoping Panache is alright.
DH is no worse today. Just very tired.
Welcome home baby gubbins!!

See you later.

I popped in to see how Panache got on yesterday. I hope the news was good.

I hope little Gubbins is home (sorry Mia). My DS is also a very practical hands on Dad.

Cherry hope you are feeling better today.

I am sitting at the hospital waiting for my 7th treatment. So far so good. I had a review yesterday and they were pleased with. Fortunately I can drive myself in - I like to be independent.

Panache I am wondering how things went at your hospital visit yesterday. I hope the news wasn’t upsetting, you have enough to deal with at the moment. You are in our thoughts.

Bradfordlass I’m glad you like snakes. Living in NZ that is probably a good thing. My DGS likes them too but like many I can’t bear to look at them. It’s not that I think they’re slimy it’s the movement I hate. 3 venomous spiders. DH and I would be out of there like a shot.?
Two Christmas parties. Wow that sounds like fun. Are these local events that people are invited to or more intimate gatherings?
Welcome home little Gubbins ?. Now they can really start being a family. I hope you get to see her soon ?
Grammaretto hope MrG is up to a small trip today.
Take care all ?

Gubbins is home

Grammaretto I feel I should call you Henny Penny/Chicken Little/Chicken Licken. These stories go back to ancient times but the cry is the same and that's how it must feel to you at the moment .

Wonderful to hear MrG is up to another little outing though, Best to take advantage before the weather deteriorates.
I don't know if you can still get it but a feel-good film I enjoyed was the Award-winning, "Ushpizin-the guests" -very funny.

Gosh, I too may have bitten someone if they knelt on me.

How can anyone not like snakes? They're amazing, whereas the Marmite (but as a Kiwi it would have to be Vegemite) sausage rolls are quite definitely not.
Sorry Mamissimo.
I also apologise for the spiders; I cast a spell, forgetting it was Autumn up there; a time spiders love to get out and about to make whoopee.

Nortsat The Cat-in-the-box is very sweet. We had a cat who adopted us too and was feral before she got to us but never with us, although it took 3 vet staff to subdue her for essential treatments.

dragonfly Panache how are you? Peaceful thoughts to all dealing with burdens which are hard to carry.

Yes Doodle we are in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges, so a lot of bush (a huge swathe of it right next to my house which means I often have to put White-tails outside).
Katipo, Redback and Whitetail are the only venomous ones which bite humans but when you think there are 2,500 types of spider in NZ, we're lucky it's only 3.

Cherry oh dear, another earthquake night, NOT what you needed. Feel better soon xxxx

Nortsat My appetite is not that bad, as long as I stay off carbs - certainly better than it was.

Next week I have two big Christmas parties: all the trimmings of traditional Northern Hemisphere Xmas feasts. but I can choose what to eat and at one of them at least, there'll be lots of seafood.

The weather is still cool enough for heavier foods to be acceptable but by December 25th no one will want anything other than salads and BBQ and with any luck I'll be fairly safe from a certain marauding small person.

Bradford Gubbins and Mama were hoping to go home today if dil was up to it. Haha, then the fun will really start
It's a good job my son is a very competent Dad who absolutely loves doing everything for his girl.

Has anyone heard how poor Panache is bearing up?

Much love to all of you.

Cherry please lay down on the chaise lounge. Jeeves has placed a pile of soft cushions on it for you and is ready attend your every wish. Sorry you’ve had a bad night. I hope you’re not badly hurt.
Well we have more in common than I thought. Twenty years between you and your brother and twenty three between my dear brother and me (sadly lost a couple of years ago due to dementia) . Was is just the two of you?
Yes I have started my wall art project. This one is a “tester” piece. Trying various options to see what they look like. I will post a photo when done. As for the painting, I have been neglecting it to concentrate on the sewing but did some yesterday. How about you, don’t suppose you feel up to your non art craft at the moment?
Mamissimo I would have been out of there like a shot. Snakes and spiders (and creepy crawlies) ugh!
Wish you had told me sooner, I could have sent my ironing to you ?
Nortsat I don’t believe it. That gorgeous little thing couldn’t be a minx. Butter wouldn’t melt, ?
Do they get on with each other?
Grammaretto good to hear your DIL is feeling better. That will put your son’s mind at rest.
Sorry to hear about the roofing timbers. That’s the last thing you need at the moment. Hope the roofer can fix it without too much upheaval,
So pleased to hear MrG had a reasonable night. Please send him best wishes from all of us.
Nice for your son to cook. I wonder what you’ll have .
Hoping you all have a decent night and perhaps a little jaunt tomorrow.
dragonfly hope the treatment still going well.
Panache hope you both are ok. We are thinking of you x

Grammaretto so pleased MrG had a better night.
Also glad you’re not cooking ... hope you enjoy your supper tonight. ?

Hello lovely gang,

Not sure about black cats, broomsticks and Welsh hats but I like a wise woman's words so maybe that will do?
We had a lovely little cat for nearly 20 years. She was a tortoiseshell and white (from a black mother and an orange dad) She was previously owned by a vet student who it turned out, lived in a rented flat and wasn't allowed pets.

The spider wasn't poisonous but some people get allergic reactions and DiL did. She's much better now.
She thinks she knelt on it while gardening.

The ceiling is worse than we thought. There are far more rotten timbers than we could see before he pulled more down so I've had to call the roofer back to do some more work.
It never rains but it pours and I hope he can fix the holes before it pours.

DH had a much better night and is almost up for another outing. Perhaps tomorrow. We've been watching some feel-good films DS recommends.

It's good hearing your news, whether babies, dogs, cats, projects, outings, and even how the food is!

We've had several takeaways but I think DS has offered to cook tonight.

Doodle, ‘Minnie’ is so named because she was the most gregarious in her litter. She is ‘Minnie the Minx’.

‘Missy came from a stray cat colony and was a a self opinionated little miss, from day one.

‘Ollie’ turned up in our garden as a stray and just stayed. Being an ex-stray has left him extremely food-oriented, so we named him after Oliver Twist ... because he always wants some more ... ?

Bradfordlass stop sending your spiders to live in my greenhouse! This morning I set to and cleared out under the staging so that I could clean down with Jeeves Jeyes fluid. The spiders were so big I could see their eyeliner! It was a good job done....

And now I must iron...

Morning gang ?

I hope you don't mind if I just sit quietly in a comfy chair today. I had a "shake, rattle and roll" out of bed night. I'm a bit battered and bruised and my mind is a bit mushy ?.

Your new homecare lady sounds like she's a force all of her own, but in a nice way ?. A twenty year wait! Same gap as my wonderful brother and me ? ?

Three cat Nortsat, I hope they get on with one another. My dear SiL had 2, a brother and sister, they fought like cat and dog cat ?. Minnie is adorable.

Thanks for the recipe Mamissimo. My WP and me both love marmite, I will give them ago but I'll probably buy sausage meat rather than squeeze sausages out of their skins.

Doodle, have you started your new project and how is the latest painting coming on? I hope Mr D is okay.

Thinking of the rest of the gang and hoping you all have a reasonable day ?

Morning all.
How is MBG’s grandma this morning? ?
Reading your comment about being fast tracked for spider bites in Waitakere Bradfordlass, makes me think that you live somewhere where there are poisonous spiders. It makes me shudder to think about it.
Hope little Mila and her mummy slept well.
Your new homecare lady sounds a force to be reckoned with.?. She obviously has your best interests at heart.
Nortsat I love that photo of Minnie. She is so tiny (hence the name I suppose) . Ah your mother’s birthday was at halloweeen......... I will keep my eye out for you and Minnie on your broomstick next year ?
Mamissimo that is so unfair. I don’t have any sausages and my next food delivery isn’t until Friday. My mouth is watering. Thank you for taking the time to write your recipe down. I will try it. ?
Back later to catch up. ?

Good morning......today I think I should encourage you all to make the marmite sausage rolls and change your lives forever

1 ready rolled sheet of puff pastry
2 tablespoons of marmite
About 70 gm grated cheddar - or the bit that's about to go mouldy
I pkt ordinary bangers - whatever flavour you like
1 egg

Oven to 180 - but not yet!

Roll the pastry sheet a very little to make the rectangle big enough to be cut in half horizontally and the width of the two resulting strips to be wide enough to wrap round the bangers

BEFORE you cut the rectangle in half spread or dollop the marmite all over it. I tend to Jackson Pollock it as it's sticky stuff.

Scatter over the cheese and cut the pastry in half to make 2 strips

Skin the sausages and lay end to end along the strips...squidgy them together to make one long sausage. Brush edge with beaten egg

Roll up, cut to preferred size, three slits in the top, brush with beaten egg.....

Into fridge while waiting for oven to heat up

Cook 20-30 minutes --depending on your chosen size and patience levels. I like them brown rather than golden.

Cool a little or blow on them ?

You'll never look back!

Good morning Gangsters, I hope everyone had a decent night. I have got my coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle).
Bradfordlass I hope Mila is settling and your DIL is recovering well. This must be a happy time.
I am sorry to read that eating is a difficulty. Your sushi sounds wonderful and well done for managing to eat it all. I can imagine the moral imperative, if it was being paid for by someone else.
Grammaretto is the ceiling progressing appropriately? Hope your DIL is feeling better and has had some treatment.
Mammissimo, I second the suggestion of EBay for Hyram Wild, there’s lots of it.
Marmite sausage rolls ... oh how delicious. I have just discovered marmite houmous and marmite flat breads (not to be eaten together ... that would be too much). But your sausage rolls sound lovely.
Dragonfly week two, day two. It must be an extra nuisance that your appointments are at different times of day, each time. Are you managing to drive yourself to and from your sessions? Good work... just keep ticking off the days ?
Nfk hope the bland diet is bearable, as you say it’s a short term sacrifice. MrND is probably planning some future nice meals, perhaps a Norfolk Dumpling?
Cherry, hoping the number of seizure free days continues to increase.
Good morning Panache and Missedout.
Doodle we are now a three cat household, having taken in a stray (Ollie) in December last year. Ollie is black and white, so would be safe from the fires of the Witchfinder General. Missy is black with a white patch on her chest (she’s safe too). Minnie has no white fur at all, so she would be quickly identified as a witch’s cat. However, she is very clever and can secrete herself into the smallest space ... thus she would never give me away.
(I will only add that my dear mother’s birthday was 31st October...)
Have a pleasant day, all. ?‍♀️

Grammaretto If your dil is still worried, 0800 764 766 for advice on treatment of bites. Not sure why there'd be a long wait at A&E under those circumstance - does she live near a very busy city hospital?
Bear in mind I live in Waitakere where spider bites would be fast-tracked.

I wonder why the hairdresser asked that totally irrelevant question - I hope not to justify her own lax attitude to PPE.
I sometimes want to give out Typhoid Mary leaflets to thought less people.

Isn't it funny how you never hear about a witch with a dog?
Can you imagine a Bloodhound on a broomstick?

dragonfly all the very best with the continuing treatment - how long does it go on?

Has anyone heard how the Panaches are? I worry about them.

Mamissimo There's quite a lot of Hyram Wilde on eBay but I 'spect you've found that by now.

When I first knew Bradford Gubbins was on the way, I very much wanted to shout and dance tell long-time friends, as I did when my first grand-daughter was born - an event I didn't even know was imminent until she was actuallt here.

People close to us knew Mila was the culmination of a 20 year wait - but I had to keep it secret.
This somehow lessened the initial joy for me because things seem much more real if you can bubble over and share.

So it was not so much that I was/am a doting grandma which made me want to share photos...I was just so effervescent that she was finally here, safe and well and wanted to share all that.
Especially here where there are so many struggles - and some of the pictures my son took are quite comical and might have lightened someone's day as they did mine.
But I can't trust GN and that's that.

I have to tell you Cherry, she's much more a Bradford Gubbins than she is a Mila (Meela) at the moment.
Mila reflects dil's Croatian heritage: her ancestors came here to dig kauri gum in the 19th century. see pic.

Nfk I sympathise 100% with your Dh as a diminutive tryant is forcing diet changes on me too - 'for my own good'.

Wishing peaceful, happier days to everyone xxx

My new homecare lady swept me off to her favourite Japanese restaurant yesterday and despite knowing I don't eat carbs (she's seen me enjoying my yummy poached fish and silver beet lunches) physically and forcefully propellled me to a table -she's half my size - then brought me a plate filled with sushi.

I feel horribly ungrateful even telling you this but though I love sushi, I may eat it once a year and then no more than 3 pieces, after which I feel as if I've eaten an 8 course banquet.

Her good-heartedness, not to mention the fact she'd also insisted on paying, meant I ate it.
She has plans to build me up to my former robust self by kidnapping taking me out on Friday too.


She wants to know how to make quiche, so perhaps I'll divert her attention by having all the ingredients ready and the oven warmed up.

I say this with a confidence I do not feel as I know from years of experience that small Korean women are a force of nature - much like an avalanche.

Good evening all and welcome to the world little Mila Bradford Gubbins. ?
What a lovely name. Hope she is doing well Bradfordlass .
Nfk my DH has been on the bland no roughage diet too. Not much fun. Food is one of the pleasures in life for many.
Hmm. I used to have a black cat many years ago. I’m note sure I saw white fur on her. I will have to look at old photos.
We will have to ask Nortsat if her Minnie has any white fur.
Do you have any pets NFk?
Gramaretto I trust the builder came back after his breakfast. We once had a tiler come to tile our bathroom. He looked at the tiles we wanted installed (mosaics on a net backing) said he’d need some other tools, disappeared and never came back again.
That’s a bit worrying about your DIL. Hope she gets over it ok. Hope MrG is comfortable and not in pain.
Did you get your walk today?
Mamissimo that’s a lot of toes. Good job he has some white fur otherwise one of our Welsh ladies might have him up on a broomstick. ?
We had a canteen of cutlery for a wedding present. We were allowed to choose ourselves and picked something modern that we liked. My parents had the family ‘silver’ bone handles, silver plate and engraved with great grandads initials. I still have the fish knives and forks. I don’t think we’ve ever used them. Well I love marmite and I love sausage rolls but I have never heard of marmite sausage rolls. Do you spread marmite on the pastry before putting in the sausage meat?
Dragonfly what a coincidence, my DGC are stunning too ?
I hope the radiotherapy is going well without any unpleasant side effects. Free parking, now that’s a first. ?
Cherry like you, little Mila will always be Mila Bradford Gubbins. ?. A special name for a social little girl.
So Cherry how do you make booked potatoes? Do you have to order them by appointment or do you have to read them a story before you cook them ?
You are all very kind about my bag organisers and I would willingly make one for you if it wasn’t for the fact that mine was sort of cobbled together and a bit messy. It was sewn and unpicked so many times DH had to hide in the study away from the swearing ?
Panache I hope you and MrP are ok and still getting out for a little stroll each day,

BradfordLass, so Mila your DGD is then ?. Are you sure she is no longer Bradford Gubbins as well though... she might be to me (in my mind anyway) ?. I hope your DiL is healing nicely and you get the opportunity to see little Mila (and her big brother) soon ?
I could wear something like ear buds if I could tolerate them but I can't stand anything in my ears, I hope I never need a hearing aid.

That's a great bag tidy Doodle. Goodness knows why you don't think you are talented because you are! You could set up your own cottage industry, I'd love one ?

Whoa Mamissimo ?. I'm clearly not Welsh after all ? ?. Mind you, that could be because I don't like wearing hats as much as anything else. I don't like how they feel on my head. I don't even like putting my hood up when it's raining and I loathe umbrellas.
Is there any way you can still get the cutlery from Hyram Wild? Have they gone out of business? If not surely there's a way to contact them... a phone number even. I don't think you are tragic, there's a lovely sentiment behind your idea.
"The Donald" has to leave the White House, even if he won't admit it. Quick, where's the blimp ? What will your first tweet be to fill the void deconstruct the experts ?

Nflk I hate that "diet" in prep for a colonoscopy. I don't eat white bread, dislike bland booked potatoes and broths and I'm not keen on jelly so that just leaves white fish really ?. It just feels like hard work, but it's a small sacrifice for a few days. When I think of the food that the Panaches are being served up I'd happily make the sacrifice for a few days and I love my food ?. Your DH just needs to plan for all the lovely stuff he can cook and eat when the investigation is done and dusted ?
No I didn't know that about black cats, but come to think of it their whiskers would be ... so I ought to have known.

Grammaretto, I hope the workmen don't cause too much noise and disruption, though I realise there will be a bit. Not the easiest of times for the upheaval, I hope Mr G (and you of course) isn't disturbed by it.
That sounds nasty for your DiL. I hope she starts to feel better very soon or that your DS can persuade her to go to A&E.

Hope today's radiotherapy goes well dragonfly. It's a nuisance having the treatment at different times each day, why do they do that ?. Second week, it'll soon slip, even if it doesn't seem that way ?

Mila is such a pretty name. I also never post pictures of the grandchildren on here. I would hate for them to turn up in the newspapers! I can assure you though that they are the best looking children ever .

Second week of radiotherapy starting today. It is still and uphill climb not made easier by the fact it is at a different time every day. 2pm today and 9am tomorrow. Still hospital parking is free and it is marginally quieter on the roads. I washed the car inside and out at the weekend so it will be a pleasure to drive!

I hope your ceiling is mended without mishap Grammaretto. I expect this upheaval is the last thing you want.

We have been out for our constitutional this morning but it was very damp and murky.

NFK our Fergal has a white hair on his side.....and he's polydactyl - he has 27 toes and the biggest front feet I've ever seen on a cat. Our vet said that cats with lots of toes are descended from a welsh variant......and we all know that Welsh ladies wear tall black hats every day!

As you will see, now that we have no Trump to mis-speak re-interpret what the experts say, I will do my best to fill the gap. ?

I am trying to buy cutlery for my DS as a housewarming present and it's driving me nuts! I used to go to Hyram Wild in Sheffield and buy direct from the manufacturer. It was a small medieval place but I could get everything from them...grape scissors, sundae spoons, fruit servers....the lot. We were given a canteen of silver cutlery when we got married and over the years have built it up to cope with every eventuality. When the DDs got married we bought them the same so now if we have a big party we borrow each other's and everything matches.

I know, I know.....I'm tragic ?

It's damp and bleh here today so I will play genealogy do the laundry. I had a baking blitz yesterday and made some marmite sausage rolls.....and when I went to scrump one last night the whole lot had gone. I guess I'll miss the thieving boy when he moves out in a few weeks.

Have a comfortable day...

Doodle your bag tidy is both beautiful and useful so would pass the William Morris test with flying colours....and yes may I have one please

The builder arrived at first light, took a look at the ceiling and went away again. to fetch scaffolding and dustsheets ostensibly and to have breakfast, probably.

I wore my mask when I opened the door so then he went to his van to collect his. This seems to be the way it's done here. I did explain my DH was seriously ill.
DD had a haircut and the hairdresser was very covid-relaxed. She asked if DD knew anyone with the virus. DD didn't.

I didn't manage a walk yesterday. It rained all day so I'm determined to get outside today.

Hoping Dragonfly's treatment goes as smoothly today as last week.

DiL in NZ was bitten by a spider and has a nasty allergic reaction. (Swelling, pain, fever) She could not get a doctor's appointment. She could go to A&E but there would be a long wait. She's not doing anything.
No wonder DS is fretting.

I hope the little baby is letting her parents sleep BL I'll bet you are longing to meet her.
Sending love to you all.

Is that Myla or Meela *Bradford? It's a pretty name either way - much more feminine that Bradford Gubbins (I suppose I shouldn't say that in these days of equality).

It was good to read that Mr G felt well enough to join the quiz and able to share the toast. If he feels better, I hope you feel better too even though still wobbling underneath.

DH's hospital visit isn't until Thursday but he has to eat a very bland, no roughage diet and I think that's upsetting him as much as the prospect of the examination. Food is very important in his life - which I think is why he took over the cooking. He'd have taken legal advise before now if he was in the Panache establishment!

Good luck with The Treatment Dragonfly. Is this the last week? I can't remember when you started it.

I like your bits bags Doodle. My DM gave me one which had a weighted strap to hang over the arm of the chair, but I always filled it too full and it slipped off into a heap on the floor. Its got my knitting in at the moment and keeps sneaking off behind the sofa.

By the way, for those witches with black cats. Did you know that all black cats have white hair somewhere on them? Even if just a whisker? Only a true, fully functioning witch's cat has no white hair.

Bradford Gubbins no longer.

They're going to call her Mila - no word yet on other names.

I do wish I could share some of these photos, she has a most distinctive, un-baby-like face.

Thank you for your comments about my bag tidy. It’s a bit messy but holds all I need, ?

Bradfordlass sorry I missed your post. I have emailed you. The answer to your questions are yes please and no you haven’t. ?