The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Morning - well Afternoon actually! I’ve only just discovered this lovely group. May I join please?
Always think the gap between Christmas and New Year is depressing. No idea why but always pleased when the New Year begins.
We have decided to stay safe indoors till we’ve had our jabs now. DH has had his first and second due on Jan 5th. I’m next in line on the age group so waiting impatiently for a phone call!
Love the sound of your hot tub. Sadly have never used one so will be joining the queue when we are all free!!

Hello again gang-stars,

I really think you are all stars, superstars.
I am not entirely sure about the total shielding until a vaccine Dragonfly
It rather depends how long.
If we had been as strict as we perhaps should have been this past year, we would never have had those wonderful times like the trips to Perthshire and to DH's favourite castle and the long weekend at Berriedale.
I would have felt sad and resentful instead of just sad.

DH's dad was shielding the whole time and yet he got infected with covid in hospital. Unavoidable.

You are so right Nortsat about the "Firsts" and unfortunately if you let yourself think too much you can get very maudlin.

I wish I could get excited about cooking. I am still living on ready-meals which are awful as I know I should eat something but have zilch interest in cooking. I have wilting veg and fruit staring at me too.

I'm off for another walk soon so at least I'm getting fresh air.
The acorns I planted from the ancient oak are beginning to take root! I am guilty of poking about in the soil to check! so that's good news.

Any more good news?
Please. I am all ears.

Grammaretto I spent over two hours in the b***dy puzzle today and put at least ten pieces in place.....? I have never had a jigsaw like it - it winds me up and makes me drink eat chocolates. Jigsaws are bad for you. Fact!

In other good news, we've finished the Turkey! Tonight we've got......drumroll.......chicken! ? how I wish my DMiL had insisted on Mr M eating his greens...and all other veg except beans. He only eats all sorts of beans, peas, carrots and sweetcorn....and swears he's not picky because there are lots of beans! If I ever meet a new fiancée I always caution them to check whether he takes his socks off first or is he bearable with a cold whether he eats a complete rainbow of veg!

I sympathise with The Dude - I have been catheterised many times and whilst they make some things easier they do tend to require attention when all you want to do is sleep! Mine (speaking as a lady) were always known as Percival.....

DD1 FaceTimed this afternoon with the DGC but it struck me that we both had very little say.....we are all tier 4 and we are shielding again...but I do have a phone call with a GP tomorrow and my six weekly appointment in the chemo unit on Wednesday then it's downhill all the way till the next Sainsbugs delivery on Saturday. We will survive!

I would have liked to make a snowman but we just got the sleet...but I did find some snow drops thrusting through the grass. Spring is coming!

Good evening lobster gangsters.
Nortsat good to hear you had a nice Christmas. I too am a zoomer now ?. New experience for us. We zoomed with one son and FaceTimed with another.
I am amazed at the improvement in DH since he’s been home. He aged a lot in hospital and despite eating hardly anything at all had put on loads of weight which was excess fluid. His walking was very slow and unsteady and he was crouched over the walking frame. 3 days on and the fluid in his legs has gone. He is more upright and getting about quite well with the walker. The stubble beard has gone and he is clean shaven and looks like my DH again. ?
dragonfly like you, DH wants to keep safe until the vaccine arrives (the unexpected trip to hospital was an unfortunate blip in his plans).
Ah I should have PMd you about my catheter problems. I am quite a dab hand at things now I have finally figured out how it works.
I hope when this vaccine does come you then get to spend some precious time with your DS and his family. How is your DD’s lovely Dexter doing? Do you miss having him around?
Jan16 you are welcome. I hope your DH doesn’t have any side effects from the jab. It’s a shame they didn’t do you both at the same time.
Grammaretto I’m glad you got to spend some quality time with MrG. Some good memories to hang on to.
We can only do what we can to stay safe. Unavoidable trips to hospital is something we can’t plan for.
Do you attend your Quaker meeting often? I was a regular church goer prior to lockdown. I haven’t been since (although I watch services online). I miss the quiet time.
I have never planted an acorn. How long ago did you plant them? Can you see anything coming up yet ?
Hope you had a good walk.
Mamissimo good to hear the jigsaw’s going well then ?
In view of MrM’s bean fetish have you thought of writing Mr Bean’s recipe book - 101 ways to serve beans. ?
Hmm DH hasn’t come up with a name for his catheter yet although I did hear him call it bl**dy thing yesterday when the end got caught on the toilet seat ?
Fanny hope your DH is feeling better now.
Missedout any news on your hand? How did you manage the Christmas dinner?
Panache Nfk cherry hope you are all relaxing. You too Bradfordlass .

I can't bring you any spectacularly good news Grammaretto but I can tell you that nothing can stop nature and joy, being reborn.
It just takes time...and maybe a little time-lapse photography to reassure us.

And Mammisimo to prove it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJqA02a_g-Y

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Uw2DJ9Md8

Hello lobster gangsters, I am sitting drowsily by the fire with a small glass of wine and wondering what I am going to do with the remaining ¾ of a large Christmas cake, originally bought for 6 pretty greedy people (I didn't have time to make one this year although I made time to ice it). We've already given a large chunk to my BIL for him and his 'bubbly' friends.

I enjoyed our quiet Christmas day for three but have struggled to get things done since. We've seen quite a bit of the family using the webcam apps but it has gone quiet again.

I'm just starting to feel better, I'm about to take my last antibiotic and I'm getting more use of my hand. I've even managed to clean out the fridge today. It was looking a bit depleted (so I could see how grubby it was ) but, 2 weeks ago, I managed to book an online delivery for today, so it is well stocked again.

I wish the supermarkets would stop putting fruit and vegetables in plastic netting. The fridge trays were littered by tiny bits of brightly coloured plastic, they must be so bad for the environment.

Grammaretto, I don't know if it is the antibiotics, the uti taking its time to go or sheer lack of exercise but I have a very poor appetite. DH is eating on his own as I write this (a home-made frozen meal for one). I had a vision of having a stuffed savoury pancake earlier. I even have some decent filling ingredients - brie, mushrooms and garlic. But think I will end up with cheese and biscuits - I just cba.

Dragonfly, I understand your decision to stay locked down until you are vaccinated. But, since it is unlikely I will respond to a vaccine, I don't know what I will do, I can't wait up to another year to hug family. We are all in different circumstances. I'm glad that your treatment is over. I hope you feel well. I will be as sensible as I can be.

I'm so glad Mr Doodle is home and evidently improving.
I love Doodle's wry remarks. You would think the hospital would give you/MrD a 'Notes for catheterised patients' guide (a bit like flat pack instructions from Ikea).

Mamissimo, for Christmas 2019, DS2 presented DH and I with the jigsaw puzzle pictured above. It took us 5 weeks. I haven't touched a jigsaw since.

Bradfordlass, what lovely thoughts from your DGD.

I hope everyone else is OK. I hope the Panaches have some comfort.

Cheese and biscuits it is!

Those videos are lovely Bradfordlass ?
Missedout good to hear you had a nice Christmas and managed to cope ok. Glad your hand is starting to feel better. I don’t have to clean my fridge yet, it is still full ?
It could well be the antibiotics that affect your appetite. Hopefully, now you finished them you can look on that Christmas cake with more interest.
That is some jigsaw. I have never seen one like it before. I wouldn’t have even attempted it. Well done ?
I’m off to bed soon. DH and I both nodding off in our chairs. I think the lack of sleep recently has caught up with me.
Sleep peacefully dear gangsters. ?

As you all slumber, I read your sometimes hilarious posts.

Doodle such a wonderful cheering update on your DH, long may it continue - but not with the intimate ministrations of Cath Eter for long I hope .

Cherry please may we see examples of your artwork (whatever your opinion of it because artists are never happy with their work) when it's done?

Nortsat I am indeed lucky with my dgd, She's been a help and comfort to me all her life.

dragonfly complete lockdown sort of grows on you (like fungi ) and is bearable when you have good company.

Welcome Jan16 and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Fanny Hope your DH is doing a little better

Missedout that jigsaw and Mammisimo's experience, are two of the many reasons I cba with them...even when I could see.
Glad to hear the hand may be a bit better - is it a glad hand?

As for that Christmas cake, they say it keeps well so it may survive a 12,000mile journey to a starving old lady in Waitakere.

Grammaretto I once planted an acorn in a place I felt was ideal. The Council ripped it out when it was about a year old because it wasn't a native plant. "Pommies Go Home!"

I hope the Panaches were not so shocked by their unaccustomed good food they've forgotten us. Hope all is well in Wales.

Nfk Have you survived Storm Bella?

Despite it being Summer here, many parts of NZ had a white Christmas with resulting damage to already struggling businesses and burgeoning crops.

It's been a day of kept promises for me. Things I've been meaning to do have actually been accomplished - don't cheer, it's taken me months to get round to it all.

I await "Mr Bean's Recipe Book" with eagerness. Brilliant suggestion Doodle.

Meanwhile, lacking any other inspiration I'm going to have a sweetcorn cob and broccoli for my tea.

The wind from Antarctica is whistling round the house and I needed the electric blanket on for a while last night.
Despite the Met Office telling lies saying it's 20 degrees (68), I'm a staunch Yorkshire lass.

Just one more day of 2020 to go and 42 of the well-named Year of the Rat. Maybe the Ox will bring us strength?

Love to all.

Hello Gangsters,

And a welcome to Jan and to Fanny and Mary and Maw who I know pop by when they have a minute

Are the snowy pictures for real Bradfordlass ? I am now getting worried about my DS and family who are camping in the South Island and kayaking.... away from wifi.

Sorry your oak tree was removed.
I once I was a child planted acorns just below the front room window and when the hedge was about 2 ft high my DM asked me what they were. They all had to be removed.

We had a snowfall in the night. I wonder if I'll see the deer again.

I made a Christmas cake and a Black Bun. I left the cake with DD but I have been doling out fat slices from the black bun to unsuspecting callers.

I am very glad that DH is safely home with you Doodle and hope he continues to thrive. I also became an expert at managing a catheter. Not my favourite job and I had to buy emergency trousers for DH. Ladies' pyjama bottoms from Lidl had the deepest pockets although joggers from Sainsbury's were warmer.

I am useless at jigsaws. My DB used to do them upside down! I am glad you are at last feeling a bit better Missedout and may that continue .
The year of the OX sounds far nicer to me than the RAT.

How is your artwork going Cherry?
I intend to get into my studio when I've finished with the horrible document I have to fill in and return.

Morning. Yet another grey morning and yet another grey day to fill. Think Christmas has well and truly finished so have had enough of the decorations. They will all be packed away till hopefully next year!
DH is off to the surgery today again. He had a cancerous “thingy” taken off leg and he’s been having it dressed three times a week. Luckily it’s healing well but it’s been a long job. Apart from that it’s the sort of day that is becoming the norm! Maybe a walk although think rain is forecast.
Hope everyone has the best day possible in these scary times

Bradfordlass we have just heard from the hospital they want DH in at 8.30 tomorrow to have his cath eater out (just when I was getting used to its little nuances ?).
It seems to take us ages to get us both up washed and dressed in the mornings. We did think we had a reasonable sized bathroom but no longer. Our morning ablutions are like an upright version of the game Twister.. You put your foot there then I can get my elbow past you to open the cupboard .....can you just put your hand on the sink so I can lean under you to get the soap... , we will have to make an early start ......perhaps this evening ?
Do you feel happy having ‘accomplished’ stuff? I always get a sense of satisfaction when I have sorted some things out.
Grammaretto seems you’ve been planting acorns much of your life. I bet your mum got a shock when you told her what you’d planted. Not surprised they were taken out quickly.
I love snow. We have been to Switzerland and Norway in winter several times. Not skiing just walking about and looking at the mountains. Having said that I realise it causes difficulties for so many. I hope your roads are ok.
Hmm....Black Bun....I’m off to google in a minute.
Yes the workings of a catheter have changed somewhat since I last had occasion to dabble with them. They are much more streamlined ( no pun intended ?) than they used to be.
Have you thought about what sort of pot you are going to make for the rose that you were given?
I must have missed your post about the deer. Do you often get them in your garden? We had a muntjac deer in our garden once. Poor think was terrified. It must have got in somewhere from the local woodland but couldn’t find its way back. We lived on the side of a hill and had a wooden fence round the garden to keep the DGC from running out into the road. The deer panicked and ran straight through the fence and took a section of it out in its eagerness to get away. I don’t think it was badly hurt because we spent some time looking for it but never saw it again.

Jan pretty gloomy weather here too. Good to hear your DHs leg is healing. Hope you enjoy your walk.

Doodle. Hope your husband gets on ok having Cath Eater out. My husband has a permanent one in now after an op in the summer. I am now a Cath Eater specialist!

Fleeting visit to share a photo of Ollie, the ex-stray who turned up in our garden and (eventually) stayed.

A friend gave us a basket of sweets and treats for Christmas and we unpacked it yesterday. As soon as we emptied the basket, Ollie climbed in and stayed there. He is a big, muscular, heavy cat and he looked hilarious squashed in the small basket, with its floral arrangement around the handle.
We couldn’t stop laughing.

Doodle it will be good to get the catheter out. Hope the hospital appointment goes well.
Jan welcome. I hope your DH is making good progress.
Grammaretto two generous pieces of Black Bun for my partner and me please. That will do very nicely with a cup of tea about 4.00pm.
Mamissimo how is the bl**dy puzzle going? And what about Missedout’s plain beige puzzle ... that was an extraordinary one.
Missedout sorry to hear it is taking some time for you to get over the wretched UTI. I am sure your appetite will pick up ... but actually cheese and biscuits sounds like a nice supper.
Bradfordlass 20 degrees sounds lovely, though snow in parts of NZ! All four seasons in one country at the same time.

Hope all is well with the Panache’s, Cherry, NfkDumpling, Fanny and MrFC.
Well Gang-stars I am off to make something ingenious and delicious with a turkey leg...

Black bun on its way Nortsat. It's disappearing fast.
I laughed to see Ollie in his new basket. Perhaps he thinks of himself as a sweet little kitten. He is a handsome chap.

I thought your puzzle Missedout was upside down!
Where's the picture gone!

I am pleased MrDood will be getting rid of his annoying sidekick. tomorrow Doodle
I may have posted about the deer on another thread, GM probably.
We always have deer in our garden, especially in winter. The garden joins onto the woods which lead down to the river and deer can probably go for miles without going near a road.
I have been planting oak forests all my life. I love oak trees. I was in NZ and visited my DF's old school in Christchurch (ChCh is quite an English city) in Autumn and collected acorns and brought them home. However nothing came up perhaps because it was springtime here and they were confused.

Which reminds me of the quotation from Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind":

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"

here they are again

Good evening gang - in jigsaw news I spent a couple of hours placing about ten pieces. I am sensing a daily photo to DD to make her share my pain. ?

No beans have been eaten......no dog walked....I've got an eye infection and because of Christmas couldn't get a Drs chat until today. Maybe when the drops and tablets kick in I'll be able to see the darned jigsaw and discover it's easy!

My DSiL has her second vaccination jab next week. She said it was absolutely nothing to worry about and she feels reassured.

Panache is quiet - I do hope you're bearing up.

Regards to The Dude who deserves a mention - as do all of you.

Mamissimo I feel your pain. An eye infection sounds very sore.

Grammaretto gosh now that would be a challenge to have a picture-less jigsaw where you couldn't tell the back of pieces from their fronts...... no - that way lies madness!

Sorry to hear about the eye infection, Mamissimo. It's another of those infections that I get pretty often, I keep spare drops in my fridge for emergencies. I don't know if the 'rules' have changed but Pharmacists were/are allowed to sell you antibiotic eye drops over the counter. But I wouldn't blame you for staying away from the chemist at the moment.

I hope you get help with the eye infection soon.

Wot-ho All

I'm having problems with my Sky WiFi, but it seems I'm not alone which is reassuring as I was afraid it was the dodgy wire coming to the house. So I'm here one minute and frozen out the next and posts keep vanishing.

And my wrist is swelling up again so I'm typing with one finger. So I shall return in the morning when, hopefully, things will be better!!

Frustrated Dumpling

Jane sorry to hear your DH has a permanent Cath Eater. I hope he is well in himself.
There appear to be a number of Cath eater specialists on this thread. I suppose I am an apprentice.
Nortsat that picture made me laugh. The expression on Ollies face and his flower adornment. ?
Hope you enjoy your meal tonight. Turkey leg risotto, turkey leg and chips, turkey leg surprise ?
Grammaretto I now know what Black Bun is. May I have a piece too, it sounds tasty.
What a lovely thing to be able to say about planting trees. Do you find they actually grow well from the acorns?
Lovely photo of the deer. I imagine the caption is “Bottoms up” ?
Mamissimo that jigsaw must have been a good buy. At 10 pieces a day it will probably last you till next Christmas ?
Sorry about the eye infection. You are in the wars these days. Hope the drops work quickly,
Good news about the vaccine. Hope it works.

DH and I have been entertaining ourselves with party games. Not content with playing Twister in the bathroom, this afternoon we decided to play Hide and Seek.

DH normally takes 10 different tablets a day but has added 3 more to the list with those the hospital gave him on discharge.
When I went to give him his afternoon meds, I couldn’t find the strip of Tramadol. I remembered taking a new strip out of the box to give him but I couldn’t find it. DH remembered having the tablets but couldn’t remember what happened to the strip after. Hence the afternoon game of hide and seek.

Was it in the armchair, no. Had it dropped on the floor anywhere, no. Had we got it mixed up with his day to day tablets (check the contents of his medicine bag twice) no. Had I picked it up by accident when clearing up and dropped it in the bin (rummaging about in the bin to check) no. Had I thrown it in the recycling bin by mistake ( undo the recycling bag and empty on kitchen floor) no. Had I dropped it in the main rubbish bag I was getting ready to take out ( open big rubbish bag on kitchen floor. Rummage around in the waste whilst trying not to breathe too deeply (wish I’d emptied it last night) ) no trace. Had I for some reason put it in the fridge, no. Bathroom cabinet, no. On the dressing tables, no. In the study (?) no. At this point, I gave up. DH was still sitting in the lounge. It’s no good I said, I can’t find it. Hmm says DH, I did have a packet of Omeprazole on the table.....I suppose I might have put the Tramadol in there by mistake.........who’s got the frozen leg of lamb? ?

Nfk sorry you’ve got wi if troubles and a painful wrist. Hope both are better by the morning. Take care.

Oh Doodle, you had me in stitches with the Mystery of the Lost Tramadol. I often think GN should compile a book of all these lovely posts.

My dgs has just recovered from conjunctivitis, poor lad. His Mum explained that transferring mucus from his nose to his eye with a recently poking finger is wot does it! I'm sure neither Mamissimo nor Missedout contracted their infection that way.

Nfk Hope by the time you read this, your poor wrist has de-swelled.

Grammaretto how lovely to have deer in your garden. My friend in NJ gets them around her property too.

Here are a couple practising for Hogmanay. I cannot imagine for one moment they're Scottish - just look at those faces "I say Camilla, take your hand from my sporran at once ."

Took the Christmas tree down today. Did a load of laundry, ate fish in parsley sauce, with carrots for breakfast.
I sometimes wonder how I stand the sheer tumultuous frenzy of my life.



But can there be anything nicer than sitting in the sunshine, eating fresh raspberries with a dollop of cream?

All good wishes to everyone - try to keep warm and cosy.

Hello gangster folks,

Doodle First Twister, now Hide and Seek. What next?
So long as it isn't Pin the tail on the donkey or What's the time Mr Wolf? .
You be careful. We need you!

Sorry your wrist is playing up again NfkD and you have trouble with WiFi.

I can believe anything Missedout If people are clever enough to do huge beige jigsaws, they could probably do them upside down. I struggle with the DGC 20 piece ones.

Lovely image of you in the sunshine Bradfordlass Perhaps we should post some jolly holiday snaps from happier times.