The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Happy New Year to you all from me too. I have stayed up but off to bed now.
I think Missedout put it well good health and better times, comfort and peace. x

Happy New Year! Chin chin gangsters?

Speaking of 'chin chin' (did you know that's actually Chinese?) I've just poured myself a glass or Prosecco and there will be a 2nd.

Then I made myself a pizza from a wholemeal pita with tomatoes, onion, courgette, lots of garlic plus Italian sausage an cheese. I'm not supposed to have either the wine or the wheat but I reckon it was the best start to the New Year I've had for a long time.

Cheers!

Happy New Year gangsters.
Wishing everyone peace, happiness and better times in 2021.

Thanking each of you for your kindness, support, humour and friendship during this trying year, Doodle, Panache, Grammaretto, Mamissimo, Missedout, CheeryCherry, Nfkdumpling, Dragonfly, Bradfordlass, FannyCornforth and anyone I have missed x

Happy New Year everyone!

Mr M and I retired early last night because we couldn't wait to see the back of 2020. In time I'm sure we will see some good in the year but I think we need some distance to see the whole picture!

May this year bring a return to family, friends and simple lives, to travel and small spontaneous pleasures for us all....and may our gardens grow and our weight become healthy without effort. ?

Wishing my gangster friends all the best of the very best for this New Year.

I shall briefly put you in the rather grim new picture, but it does not make pleasant reading,so apologies indeed.
With our Palliative care nurse calling yesterday we were given the stark results from the bone scan.
Cancer throughout most bones,especially involving both femurs and tibia (hips and legs) also showing signs of skull involvement .
Pain relief now is morphine only.
Oncology are being requested for radiotherapy to the extremely painful leg,although this could mean several trips.......alone......to the Hospital, meaning a round trip of some 170 miles each time.
Also a chemo is being considered by injection 3 monthly at the more local Hospital..........but before this is considered, he has to have a clean Dental record (this means a tooth extraction for certain)
No more driving.
Furthermore much consideration is now given to my own sleepless nights,a Hospice Nurse could provide cover for at least a few nights per week...............however a small flat with just 1 double bed makes that very awkward.

The pain remains as bad as ever thus far,my darling man looks so exhausted and spent.Yet determined to go these extra miles, hopefully, to gain a little more time.
We shall wait and see for that final verdict.
Nothing will happen in a hurry.

We were also advised that even though we may get the vaccine fairly soon, it would be extremely wise to remain more or less shielding for a good long period yet.
Advice I think worth passing on to you dear friends.

Have also enjoyed our New Year`s Day lunch and despite no homemade sherry trifle served ........as per menu.......no real complaints.
We simply hope this improved service continues from the kitchen!!

A beautifully sunshine outside after a frosty morning,with a wintery forecast to follow.

Just hoping most sincerely you all can enjoy at least some of your hopes and plans for this New Year.
Thank you all for such caring.

Just a very quick visit from me today since it is my WP's birthday and I want to make it the best one it can be ?

Panache ???

Have a good New Year's Day gangsters ?

Panache these are dark days indeed for you both and I can only send you a virtual hug, but that I do with all my heart.

Panache I hope that changes in your dear ones meds bring some relief. Also that you manage to work out a way to have some support from a Palliative Care Nurse.

Try to take things a step at a time and be gentle with yourself.

All good thoughts to both of you.??

Dear Panache. Your message, the first of the New Year does make hard reading. I am glad you are still able to enjoy some small pleasures.

Please find a way to have the nurse stay over. We were going to do that except my DH didn't survive long enough in the end.

Happy birthday to your WP, Cherry I am quite sure you will be having a nice day.

I had a very pleasant evening apart from almost poisoning myself with some bad fish. it could have worse than your wine and wheat Bradfordlass
I lit the fire, poured a dram, sliced the black bun and joined a zoom meetup/quiz with family near and far.

DGS playing Auld Lang Syne on piano brought tears to my eyes.

Today I managed a short, treacherous icy walk and a few more rounds on my planter. I am doing a combination of throwing and coiling so I don't have to centre a giant lump of clay. Something like this: I wish
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJmqYaffblY

Evening All

Oh, Panache what trials you're both having to face. You do need to look after yourself too - there must be some way for the nurse to stay over. Is it possible to fit a day bed into your sitting room? I know someone who had a hospital bed on loan in her sitting room, but it didn't leave much room for anything else! I believe radiotherapy does give some relief, but that trip... oh my goodness. How would he get there? Could you take him? Its such a very long way.

I've just spent a whole day fiddling around with that damned jigsaw Best Beloved bought me for Christmas. But it did mean my wrist got plenty of rest.

I just watched your YouTube link Grammaretto. I did wonder what you were sharing when this dishy well built young man appeared, not wearing a lot and carrying a salad and large pizza! Quite relieved that it was the advert! Is your pot as big as the one the chap is making? ( I loved the other one at the back of his studio.) I think you're brilliant if you can make something like that. Even if I could 'pot', there's no way the long snake would be the same all the way along - and would probably be an inch too short when I got to the end.

I shall now load up the family tree and try to do something vaguely constructive with my day before it's completely over.

Panache

Oh, sorry, forgot to send best birthday wishes to Cherry's WP. And a nephew? I got rather confused as to exactly how many birthdays you're celebrating!!

And stop falling out of bed.

Panache you are both in my prayers and thoughts.

I hope your WP had a lovely birthday Cherry. It must be nice to have been born at the beginning of a new year!

I am having a down day today. I am so tired of not seeing the family. They don't seem to realise how lonely this shielding is. I have not heard from either of them today although I know they care they don't consider the same things important that I do.

Do you phone often Dragonfly? I am sure you do but I spoke to DD today, who is also down and says nobody (meaning her friends) phones her. I suggested they could be scared that by calling her they would make her feel worse and that she should phone them.

Ha Ha! NfkD I didn't send a photo of my pot, just the American youtuber. I will send one when it's finished.

cherry many happy returns to WP hope he has a good day. ?
Bradfordlass glad you’ve had a tipple or two to see in the New Year ?
Nortsat happy new year to you too and thank you for your company, humour and support.

Grammaretto no I don’t phone the DC. I find with mobile phones I am frightened of intruding. My DS said only the other day that if I phone him he worries.
In the end today I texted both of them and they replied immediately. So stupid.

Panache I am sorry to hear the results of MrP’s scan. It must have upset you both. It is not surprising the poor man is in such pain. I hope now action will be taken to relieve it as much as possible and some of the options help.
170 mile round trip seems a long way to go for treatment.
I am glad your needs are being considered too. I hope you can take up the offer of help during the week. Is it possible for you to squeeze a single bed in your sitting room for you while your DH has this care?
I think it’s is obvious your dear man wants to spend as much time with you as he can and will do all it takes to make that happen.
Good to hear the food has improved. Let’s hope it continues in this way.
I pray for some peaceful quality time for you both. Take care x
Mamissimo it has indeed been a year to forget. I stayed up but DH went to bed early. I think his back is less painful in bed.
Grammaretto sorry your fish wasn’t too good. Hope you enjoyed your family zoom and quiz. How lovely to hear your DGS playing on the piano.
Wow that video was amazing. I would love to see your planter when you’ve finished. I may try something similar myself .....maybe with a Yorkshire pudding and a jumbo sausage. ?.
Nfk I imagine it will be a while before you jigsaw is completed then. ?. Hope the wrist is ok.
dragonfly I eventually heard from one son after I sent him a message. I’m not sure the younger ones think about sending messages or being in touch as much as we used to before the use of mobile phones. Happy New Year from me anyway. ?

Ah dragonfly just seen your second message. You sound just like me. I don’t like to bother them either with their busy lives. Glad you got texts back hope that lifts your spirits ?

Thank you Nortsat for your New Year wishes. I've very much enjoyed your posts during 2020

Nfk That jigsaw will drive you crazy! My parents (both mad as a box of frogs) loved jigsaws and as someone mentioned, Dad liked to do them upside down - the jigsaws, not Dad.
They sat at either side of the card table and spent hours in companionable concentration.

Cherry Please give Happy Birthday wishes to your WP - hope it was Well Played .

dragonfly I know that down feeling only too well and all I can do is wait for it to pass.
Your son probably worries when you ring him because that's usually only when you ring him!

Texting is a good alternative but please be honest with your family and tell them you're not simply lonely but lonely for them and any contact brightens your day.
I'm sure they care, otherwise your son wouldn't worry, would he?
Believe me, many sons - and daughters - don't.

By the way, I got my dragonfly brooch and it's larger and gaudier than I expected. Maybe I'll give it to someone who likes bling.

Panache I am so very sorry to hear of your continued troubles. Is hospice care out of the question? I know they specialise in constant pain control as well as kindness and dignity.

Grammaretto Your pot will be grand I'm sure. Is it possible to make slab pots that size?
I was reading the history of 'Auld Lang Syne' the other day and learned you're only supposed to link hands or arms during the last verse.
I am sure everyone listening to your darling gs play, had tears in their eyes - who wouldn't?

My New Year got off to an anxious start. First I cut my thumb to the bone with a dratted sharp knife and a moments inattention.

Then a midnight date to see the NY in with an elderly friend in Leicester got me worrying when he didn't respond.

I tried for an hour and decided to email his daughter asking if he'd changed plans and was spending New Year with her.
No reply.

He'd been having trouble with a druggie woman knocking on his doors and windows asking for money and he'd threatened to call the police - so all sorts of dire scenarios were going through my head.

In the end and just after 2:30 he contacted me to say he'd had computer trouble and he and his daughter (by remote) had been sorting it out.
As usual, as so often happens, I worried for nowt.

Gubbins is still not sleeping but now there's a name for it "8 week sleepless phase" Obviously a new invention for modern babies.

I think she's hungry but what do I know?
Only that her Dad was exactly the same and the 'problem' was solved by a half-teaspoon of Farley's rusk melted with breast milk for the night feeds.
Doesn't everyone know carbohydrates help humans sleep? But I'm keeping my waha nui shut.

Heavy rain here at the moment - I long to go out and dance in it, as I used to - but won't.

All good wishes to _every gangster_ on this thread.

Just over the fence you can see in the Rain Photo, is a very keen, young Samoan drummer. He practises every day, in the evenings after work and for hours and hours at weekends. So I'm entertained by this sort of thing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=315Qp7e1Zik

Hello lobsters,

I hope you are all ok today?
Doodle you always ask about others but rarely mention how you are coping. Your good humour keeps you going I imagine.
Dragonfly I also wish that families could be together and support each other. Phoning, texting and zooming are poor substitutes.
I sometimes think of my gt grandmother who sailed to NZ from London in 1866 to a new life out there and never saw her family again. When she died in 1938, among her things an unposted letter to her brother was found, reminding us that she never forgot the old life but had no choice but to get on with her new one. You see I am in sombre mood today.

On a happier note baby Gubbins is just wanting company and food all the time like the rest of us.
I seem to remember as a parent the first couple of months was dominated by the digestive system. 3 month colic or hunger bursts as they have a growth spurt. Apparently babies in cultures where they are permanently tied to mama, never cry. not sure I believe that

Was that rain called for by the drumming?
I have just received a photo of DGS on golden bay in the Abel Tasman. I sometimes wonder why I live in this cold dark country....

Panache is Hospital at Home something you have considered? Maybe it isn't available where you are. The round trip to the hospital especially in January sounds a nightmare,
www.hospitalathome.org.uk/
Nurses come each day to administer drugs and look after you both.
Social services provided us with a hospital bed and various aids and were quick and efficient. The rapid response team. We asked about the Hospice but there was a long waiting list apart from someone to sleep over for a few nights. DH didn't need it as it happened.

Thanks for the New Year wishes Nortsat it means a lot.

Bradfordlass ouch ?. Your poor thumb. I winced when I read that. I hope you are getting it treated properly.
How lovely your mum and dad like doing jigsaws together. Did they work on the same jigsaw at opposite ends of the table or did they have one each?
I agree with you about the rusk and milk. I certainly did that with both of mine or I would have gone mad with lack of sleep. It worked a treat ?
Sorry your broach didn’t turn out as expected. It’s difficult buying on the internet. I’m sure someone will be pleased with it. Glad you finally got to speak to your friend and he was ok.
I watched the clip. Those drummers certainly have skill and stamina. Does the noise bother you or do you like hearing him drumming?
Grammaretto kind of you to ask after me. I am a simple soul, I think the quote about only being as happy as your least happy child sums me up completely. Last year had some serious worries and low times (nothing to do with COVID or lockdown) but I just keep hoping and praying and that way get through somehow.
I think humour helps in many things. No one would describe me as the life and soul of the party ? but I do care about people and the companionship I have had from you lovely lobster gangsters has made such a difference to me.
Your Great grandmother must have been made of sturdy stuff to sail off to a new life leaving family behind. It’s a shame she didn’t get to see her family again.
Nice of your DGS to send you a photo. This time of year when it’s cold and bleak, the summer seems far away. Your views from the nearby Pentland Hills are as beautiful in summer as winter I would imagine. I would rather look at a landscape of hills and valleys than a busy town centre any day but others are more drawn to a more lively and busy environment.
We once went on a river cruise visiting towns along the Rhine. My DB and SIL loved it and we all had a good time but DH and I missed our mountains and scenery.
How is the planter coming? If you work with that giant sausage like thing, how do you roll it out evenly, do you have a long work table to roll it on? (Could you make us some sausage rolls while you’re at it please? ?)
Hope all the other gangsters are ok. Have a good day all.

Good morning gang-stars, I am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle).
My iPad battery is at 14% so I hope I finish my post before it dies.
Grammaretto I guess somber moods are par for the course. Grief and loss are a complex journey of light and shade. I hope you find some light today ...
Bradfordlass gosh a moments inattention is to be avoided when you have a kitchen knife in your hand. Is all okay now? I imagine it’s very sore.
Sorry the Dragonfly brooch is not quite as you’d hoped. I would love to see a photograph.
Dragonfly lovely that you received rapid replies to your texts and that put your mind at rest.
Nfkdumpling jigsaw progress update?
Cheery hope your WP had a lovely birthday... and I am sure you made it special.
Panache I hope the adjustments to your dear ones meds happen quickly and he derives benefit. You must both be exhausted. Try to rest, when you can and take naps if possible. Wishing you both a gentle day.
Mammissimo hope you had a nice New Years Day.
Missedout hope all is well with you.

We so enjoyed the Vienna Philharmonic New Years Day Concert 2021 yesterday. m.youtube.com/watch?v=r63bSZIhIHg I hope this link works and takes you to a taster of the concert. The whole thing is available on YouTube and well worth listening to, if some beautiful, uplifting music would help anyone’s mood.

Have a good day gang-stars.

Bradfordlass I forgot to ask about your poor thumb cut to the bone yikes. Although it is said that a sharp knife is safer than a blunt one, maybe no knife is best still? Is it healing and/or well bandaged?

I will add a couple of sausages today to my big rose patio pot, It is for me and the rose so I am not too worried about perfection. It is however frrreezing in the studio. Yes Doodle I have a wonderful mahogany table which was once a lab bench when the house was laboratories. In fact the large table, and central drain were reasons I wanted the house.

I was inspired by tales of gt grandma to study her family history which I began about 50 years ago -truly. Back in those days it meant traipsing to Somerset House and turning the pages of old register indexes (sic) to find a trace. I found her marriage shortly before she left England but alas the poor man drowned in NZ after a couple of years leaving her with a small child. She very quickly married my gt grandfather and had another 6 children! Then he also drowned (he was a sailor) and she had an illegitimate child 3 years later. She was made of strong stuff.

Thanks for the concert Nortsat I shall enjoy that.

NfkD and Missedout how are your jigsaws?
Jan how is your sunny beach?

and Mamissimo are you still finding beans enough for MrM?