The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Good morning you gang of lobsters, I have coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle).
Cherry I am sorry to read that you are a disillusioned with GN. I agree it seems to go through cycles of unpleasantness, particularly generated by a small handful of the same posters. I ignore them, don’t read the threads and don’t comment. I love politics but avoid the political threads for the same reason.
If you’ve unwittingly upset someone, you can’t do anything about it, unless they tell you. Don’t let it get you down. Stay with Doodles lovely thread and the others where you know people are kind and enjoy it. Farview has put up a nice thread today, about why she values GN and I fully agree with her.
Incidentally I once joined a thread in defence of a lovely GN, whom a poster had said something unpleasant about. Myself and a couple of other ‘defenders’ were then described as ‘the nasty girls’. Really ... life’s to short and precious to get involved in such nonsense.
Doodle I am so glad the Pain Team were able to sort MrD’s pain control out. Then you couldn’t visit, what a blow! I am sure the increased pain relief will begin to restore him, a little. Try not to worry and a large glass of wine sounds like the correct medicine for you.
I agree about the number of things we rely on our partner’s for, almost without noticing. There’s a lesson there.
Dragonfly congratulations on your anniversary. That’s a lifetime together, isn’t it. I hope you both had a lovely day. ?
Mamissimo loved your ‘knob on the handbrake’ story. Made me laugh out loud.
Panache so pleased to hear you are enjoying a warm, restful day at home. The menus sound lovely.
Grammaretto, glad you enjoyed your walk. How did the dentist appointment go? Hope things are under control in that department.
Bradfordlass the treasure hunt sounds like it was a joyful experience for your DGS. Well done.
What beautiful flowers for Dragonfly.

Here’s my funny story of the day. A friend kindly sent us an Afternoon Tea Box, as a Christmas present. You know the type of thing, with cake, mince pies, scones, jam, clotted cream etc. Well this was unexpected and very amusing. It included white bread and cold meat to make those little triangular ‘afternoon tea’ type dainty sandwiches. We never eat white bread, but as we were unpacking it, Missy (our 16 year old,self opinionated cat) suddenly went bonkers and began attacking and biting at the bread. She has no top teeth so she didn’t make much of an impression but she gave it a darned good go. I had to shoo her away three times and we couldn’t stop laughing, she wasn’t interested in the cold meats or the clotted cream ... it was the white bread.
I don’t know if you can make this out in my photo ...

Have a good day, gang of lobsters ...

Bradfordlass those flowers are lovely.
Hope you enjoy your Skype call with your friend. Nice to have a catch up.
Grammaretto I remember the days when hospital wards had a sister in charge who you could talk to . These days it’s almost impossible to know who’s who. They have all been very nice to DH but not necessarily taking the care of him I would wish. Speaking quietly now ......he’s a little bit better tonight. I will say no more.
Sleep tight all. A peaceful night I hope.

Happy anniversary Panaches !
Were you were able to do something special?
.
I hope you aren't psychic Bradfordlass How do you know the Dentist will extract my tooth tomorrow? I phoned to ask for a prescription for antibiotics but was told he (the Iraqi dentist, trained in Sweden) wants to see me.... I'm worried now.

DD keeps sending photos of the bright Star and a barn owl which keeps swooping down in front of the moon. They must have a clear sky in the Highlands tonight.

I am feeling for you Doodle but after 3 glasses of wine, you may be asleep
You have reminded me of how helpless I felt when I rang the ward and didn't know who I was speaking to.

Thanks for the photos BL the flowers are gorgeous and the vases. It sounds as though your special Sunday before Christmas was very special.

I am so pleased to hear that the Panaches are at least promised a nice menu for Christmas and New Year - if it doesn't eventuate, I vote we all march down there (masked, gowned and with flaming swords) and speak to Management.

Is it really your anniversary Panache? Here are some flowers for you and your darling. You must have so many happy memories, how very lucky you are.

dragonfly so sad for you and your Mum but at least you know she's looked after, that must be a comfort.

Valiant Doodle I'm glad you got better news from the hospital. At least if DH sleeps, he's healing. He would probably be too restless at home to sleep all day and yet that's probably what he needs.

Does anyone remember that story in the James Herriot books when he inadvertently dosed a sheep with a too-heavy tranquiliser and thus discovered how healing sleep was to animals as well as humans?

That must have been back in the 1930's, long before the value of therapeutic tranquilising and induced coma were known.

But Doodle has it taped - a 2nd, or even 3rd glass of wine is just the ticket

I bought some non-alcoholic rosé so that breast feeding dil and dgs could all join in the Christmas toast. It didn't happen

Cherry Haha! I too feared the sliding of the mirror to smithereens on the car park and was so relieved when it didn't - but what suspense! That lady should be writing mystery stories
Hope your team pulls off a victory tonight.

A neighbour just came to my door with 2 little cupcake Christmas presents - isn't that nice (and highly unusual round here!)

The lady who booked an appointment with me (to fill in essential forms) at 9am hasn't turned up but offered no explanation.
I never mind if someone fails to keep an appointment if they let me know why; just good manners really - or am I being an old fuddy-duddy?

I have a Skype call at 10am; my old friend in New Jersey (ex-NY) so that will be fun.

Then I may go back to bed..... love to all.

Panache is it your anniversary too. Many congratulations ???
Cherry your lovely cwtchs (cwtches?) are always welcome.
Good luck with the match tonight. I will keep alert to hear if you are cheering or not, ?
dragonfly I am sorry about the visit with your mum. The masks and everything are no good with people who can’t understand what is going on. I can remember visiting my brother in the care home at Christmas one year and all the lovely decorations and singing the staff had put on. It was so jolly. I doubt they can do that now.
Glad your mum is being well cared for. That must be a comfort.

That sounds promising Panache I do hope your meals live up to expectations.

Oh Doodle you should not have to fight to get decent treatment for your DH. I do hope he feels better tomorrow and you both have a good night.

Sorry to hear about your tooth Grammaretto that is so painful.

I went to see my mum today. She has dementia, is deaf and almost blind. I had to sit 2 metres away in a mask so the visit was not very successful. I could see, however, that she is being well cared for and she seems happy. It is just so sad!

Xed posts ... just read that they've adjusted Mr D's painkillers but it seems that they have quite a sedating effect. Terrible c**k up on the weekend too! Not right, not good enough. Relax and breathe Doodle, go on have that second glass ?

Evening gang.

Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs dragonfly and if I'm not mistaken Happy Anniversary to Mr & Mrs Panache too! ? ?
What a wonderful anniversary card to receive from your DD dragonfly ?. What a lovely DD you have; owed to her brilliant parents clearly.
Panache, a peaceful day filled with precious memories shared with love enduring is the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary I think ?

I'm pleased that your menus have improved and I hope it means the cooking of will too. Your New Year's Day menu sounds good to me. I'd be plumping for the lamb and I know my WP would be too, he does tend to enjoy a bit of lamb on his birthday ?

Well, as you say Grammaretto, it's the shortest day and the neverending longest night and the "star of Bethlehem" is somewhere out there in the murk. I looked, I sought, I failed to see it ☹️. It's so horrid out there (has been all day) that I can't even see the moon ?!

I'm sure your DS's result will come back clear Grammaretto and he can go home to the safe haven and loving arms of his family.
Did you do the drive to the other side of Edinburgh? If so, I hope you had a lovely walk with your DS and if you did go, that the weather has been a lot better where you are that the blurgh that's been served up in the Gower.
Sounds like your tooth is giving you similar grief to the one I've just had wrenched out extracted. If I'd had to tolerate it much longer (it had niggled and nagged for weeks) I might have got a pair of pliers out ?. Maybe I shouldn't have said that, I don't want to be giving you any ideas!
? are you saying that my posts have the habit of disappearing or something else ... ?
Modern day problem, spam emails, phishing calls etc. Horrible things! They can make you doubt, double check with the real service etc. Grr! Some are increasingly sophisticated.

What a tale and what an experience Mamissimo. Not funny really but it's the way you tell um, it did make me laugh ? I never have to be concerned about things like that because of course I'm prohibited from driving.

On the other hand*Doodle*I am a little more familiar with the trials of collapsing back seats. When you were recounting your story I must say my heart was in my mouth! I was on tenterhooks thinking no don't tell me that the mirror fell and ? . Thank heavens it didn't! Please don't do that again to me ?
It's upsetting to think that Mr D isn't doing too well. It's so wrong that consultants and pain management are nowhere to be found in a hospital on a weekend. Illness doesn't obey a Monday to Friday rule! I hope he's received the appropriate attention today and is much better this evening. It's not fair on either of you that you are unable to see hi. Sending you a gentle cwtch x

Love your birthday card to Missedout BradfordLass ? Shame that you didn't see the "star of bethlehem* either.

I'm off now, not long before kick off! Nervous about this match tonight ...

Panache I do so hope your food improves. Eating food we enjoy is one of the pleasures in life apart from being needed for nourishment. Your tea sounds nice. Let’s hope it all works out.
Grammaretto I am glad to see your sense of humour is intact ?. I hope your tooth pain is dealt with soon. That jaw sounds painful. I’m glad you enjoyed your walk and time spent with the tiny pooch.
Bradfordlass glad your family day went well. Lego was always a firm favourite of my DGS too. That paper yo yo looks like fun.
Well lobster gangsters I think I might be in for an early night tonight, I seem to have been on the go all day.
I decided today I was going to do my best find out what they are doing with DH. Normally, I would be in the hospital and find the sister to chat wish. Very difficult to do this on the phone as you could be talking to anyone, cleaner upwards. I managed in the end to talk to the pain management lady. A wonderfully kind and sensible lady who told me exactly how DH was and what was going on. I also had the opportunity to explain to her that over the weekend absolutely nothing was done to help DH despite the fact he told everyone he was in pain. Apparently, the pain lady had left several requests for the weekend doctor and team to action, none of which happened. ?. She has made up for it tonight and got some action. DH is a bit better on his new dose although finding it hard to stay awake. Fingers crossed things will improve.
Everyone at the hospital has been kind and nice to DH but there doesn’t seem to be any joined up thinking.
I have had a large glass of wine (I may well have another) and am slowly calming down and relaxing.
It is a sad thing that there are so many out there who don’t have anyone on their side, or anyone to fight their battles for them.
Tomorrow (when I have the energy) I will show you a picture of my family heirloom. And tell you the story behind it. Bradfordlass’ picture of those pots made me think of it.
Hope you are all ok gang. Take care of yourselves.

My heart aches for you and your DH Doodle; I wish there was more compassion and good sense in these situations.
So many hospital people visit your dh during the day and then go home at night, why can't you be similarly togged up and sanitised to sit with him? Let's hope they find the right pain meds and send him home... soon

Yes, my dgs loved the Treasure Hunt.
I had purchased several small novelties from Wah Lee, such as glasses which make lights look like rainbows and a paper yo-yo which turned out to be his favourite and played with all day.
A paper spiral shoot out from around a stick when thrown forward, then jumps back to the stick. Have you ever seen them?
They are a popular Chinese toy and easy enough to make, if anyone cares to try: www.instructables.com/Paper-YoYo.

I also gave him 2 Lego kits he'd been craving.

Grammaretto look after yourself post-extraction; this cold weather can make things even more painful.

We're not quite Midsummer here as it only began on December 1st and doesn't end until 20th March. Then it's another 2-3 months before the cold weather begins (although earlier in the South Island). I have friends in Te Anau who sometimes go skiing whilst Aucklanders are still in shorts & t-shirts

The menu sounds great Panache let's hope it is as good as it sounds.
So sorry DH is no better Doodle and that you can't be with him.

What awful stories of being helpless in a car. We have had our share of them too. Mamissimo I am so relieved that the macho man couldn't fix it either!

I have a dental appointment tomorrow at tooth hurtie or is it 3.30. My jaw has swollen up so I am living on paracetamol gin

I had a nice walk along the promenade at Cramond. It was like Hairy Maclary with all sizes of dogs. "Ours" was by far the tiniest.

I hope you enjoyed/are enjoying your wedding anniversary Dragonfly. What a beautiful card to receive.

A rather wet and bleak day outside,the shortest day,and I was most surprised to read that you are also celebrating 52 years of marriage Dragonfly.........I wish you both every happiness.

We are simply enjoying a peaceful day reliving precious memories in our warmly decorated "palatial" home.

Pleased to add the kitchen has certainly improved its menus,hopefully the cooking will be equally of a good standard.
New Year`s Day menu consists of Roast leg of lamb with all the trimmings or Poached fillet of salmon etc,dessert is homemade sherry trifle or fresh fruit with cream.
A tea is also being delivered.....mixed sandwiches,sausage rolls,mince pies,christmas cake and a small bottle of wine per person........a Thank You from the management.

Thinking of you one and all,hopefully lots of uplifting times despite the many restrictions and our health issues,we refuse to get beaten!!!!!!

Hello all.
Bradfordlass what a lovely photo of all those pots. So colourful. Sorry your DILs gift didn’t arrive, I’m sure the massage will be appreciated.
Hope your meal went well and everyone enjoyed it. Did your DGS enjoy his treats?
grammaretto do hope your DSs test is ok and he’s home with his family soon. Those spam calls are such a nuisance. They frighten so many people.
Sorry to hear about your toothache.
I think a walk with your DS will do you good despite the drive.
Yes cars are a complete mystery to me. However, DGDs mirror is here, all I have to do is wrap it now. It will probably take a whole roll.
DH isn’t too good today. He hasn’t had a good weekend with no consultant or pain management visits. Pain team been round this morning and apologetic about taking him off morphine too soon. They are going to try some higher dose pain killer in the hope that will allow him to be more mobile. Consultant wants him walking but he can’t because of the pain. He’s not eating either. If I could go in I could cheer him up but it is not to be.
Have a lovely walk. Hope your missing present turns up.
Dragonfly how lovely. Many, many congratulations. What a lovely card. Hope you have a good day.
mamissimo what a funny story. Not funny at the time I expect. I can imagine how flustered and embarrassed you were when you couldn’t get the handbrake off.
I don’t like driving but obviously have to at the moment. I get flustered if things go wrong.
Have a good day all. Hope the Panaches are ok

MawB and Grammaretto know anything about this?

Someone in NZ just received it from Scottish family and posted it on Facebook.

Oh dragonfly how wonderful to get such a lovely card - my eyes filled up too in sympathy. Many congratulations on your 52nd; enjoy the chocolates and knowing the sweet joy of being so loved and appreciated.

Yes Grammaretto it's our longest day and I'm only at my computer now because I wanted to see Jupiter-Saturn conjunction.

Despite going out when the planetarium advised (8:52) and numerous times since and looking where they suggested, all I could see were trees and streetlights.
The stars were quite near the horizon it seems, so I didn't really stand a chance.
Hope all goes well for your DS.

I read an article about how things were normal in NZ and everyone is allowed to see family and celebrate. Whoever wrote it cannot possibly live here; that's far from being the truth.

Good morning gang
Dragonfly congratulations on your Wedding Anniversary and that card with such a lovely message. If your children are happy you know you've done a great job. I would have cried too! I think in Russia that would entitle you to the 'Motherhood 1st Class' medal. ?

*Grammaretto' driving with the handbrake on reminded me of a horror story.....I had just taken delivery of a brand new car and Mr M insisted on taking me through the manual and showing me everything while I watched the clouds go by and finished with...'Don't forget to always use the knob on the end of the handbrake to fully engage and release the brake' - it is one of his fuddy duddy sayings mantras.

I set off from work at the peak of the rush hour to head out of the city. The road out town was stop go with traffic lights and I was getting frustrated. Four sets of lights in quick succession were on the brow of hills. Only one was not on dual carriageway.....as I crawled to the light it went orange....and as it was a sharp little hill I actually uses the magic button as instructed.

Lights changed.....couldn't release the button....furious tooting...getting flustered.....very furious tooting as lights went red. I kept trying. No one could get round me....I rang Volkswagen Assist.....within the hour they said. Men started getting out of their cars....one of them yelled at me to get out and let him have a go.....-he was bigger than me-- so I complied.

He couldn't release it either ......after about twenty minutes the police came nee naaing up the hill and one started organising the traffic at the cross roads so that some cars could leave the city. The other one thought he could release the hand break. He couldn't.

An hour later the Volkswagen man arrived. He approached the car with a screw driver...and gave one screw a half turn. Job done....he turned to me and said....

"Read the manual.....you will see that you shouldnt use the knob in stop go traffic......"

And that my lovely readers is why I rarely take on board the advice of Mr M ?

Have a good day!

Good morning.
Today is my 52nd Wedding Anniversary and we got a card and chocolates from my DD saying ‘ Happiness is having brilliant parents’ it made me cry.

I hope Mr Doodle feels better today.

Hello Lobsters,

At last it is the shortest day here. Does that mean for you it's Midsummer Bradfordlass?
DS had his covid test yesterday and will get the result today. If all is well (and he has hardly been out of his room for 2 weeks) he can catch a small plane back home and see his family again after such a huge trip both physically and emotionally.

I have been annoyed by several spam calls (I owe Amazon $1000 apparently) and what I think may be a spam email from BT. I may call BT to find out.

I have a nagging toothache. I may have to call the dentist who may want to remove the tooth....

DS has invited me for a walk today which involves a long tedious drive to the other side of Edinburgh but it would be good to deliver these gifts for the DGC, except I'm still waiting for one to arrive. (perhaps if I pay Amazon the $$$$?.....)

This is turning into a depressing post. Perhaps it will vanish like yours are prone to do Cherry

I laughed too at your story of the car seat Doodle
I would have been the same only DH wouldn't have known either.
We sold our old Maestro a million years ago and the guy who came to buy it, showed us how the seats folded completely flat - turning it into a really useful space. How long had we had that car!!

I keep the manual handy at all times. A light and an alarm came on while I was driving home from my daily trip to the hospital. I carefully parked up and took a few deep breaths. I looked in the handbook and there I had driven off with the handbrake on.

Best to MrD I hope he is better today.
Missedout too. You need plenty of hugs. and Dragonfly not being able to see your family for so long is cruel.

Well Doodle you're a tryer, I'll say that! Your DH is going to have to give a series of tutorials when he recovers, no stone unturned, just in case he makes a habit of falling up and down places. I hope they've got his pain meds sorted now, it's so miserable when everything hurts.

Like you Grammaretto I ordered a gift for my dil which didn't arrive and that was not because we brought Christmas forwards 5 days. They couldn't supply it until 2021, so I cancelled and got a refund. Sad but I bought her a $100 voucher for her favourite massage salon instead.

Nfk when I used to study on the marae, lunch-making was by rota and one winter's day I decided to make stew and Yorkshire dumplings, which are light as feathers, like the best Norfolk Dumplings. Maori love 'sinkers' referred to as doughboys and very heavy, so the Yorkshire variety were quite a revelation. .

Quite a lot of present swappings in UK carparks "I'll swap you my toaster for your 50 inch TV." ?

It seems so many people will be having a miserable Christmas and it's always worse when the plans are thwarted at the last minute; all happy hopes come crashing down.

Only yesterday I was reminded of the Samuel Beckett quote: 'I can't go on. I will go on.' What else can we all do?
So make the best of these days - and hope for better - just as our parents did in wartime. Time heals everything.

Special picture for Missedout

Hello lobsters. What a day.
I think I’ve been on the phone or texting all day long.
Let’s see what you’ve been up to.
Dragonfly luckily for us our family live close by so although we cannot spend Christmas with them we can throw their presents to them from a distance. Unfortunately, we are in tier 4 and although we weren’t going to be with family for Christmas I forgot to change my Waitrose order and DH and I will be living in turkey and stuffing sandwiches for the best part of next year. ?
Nfk and Cherry I never assume someone is being unkind and don’t worry about teasing or sarcasm if it comes from someone I know isn’t mean spirited. I like a witty comment and find that all the lobsters have a fine sense of humour but more importantly kindness and caring for others.
You are the best lobster gangsters I know ?
Missedout firstly I am sorry I missed your birthday. Belated greetings. Hope you had a good day.
I am so sorry you haven’t been too well. Antibiotics often upset DH’s stomach too. Doesn’t help you get better does it.
I am glad you feel able to share with us how you are feeling. I am not surprised you are feeling low. To have the opportunity of a lovely Christmas with your family snatched away at the last minute would make any of us sad, especially when they are so far away and you haven’t seen them for a long time.
Glad you finally got cards from the family. DH and I ‘lost’ our passports 2 days before we were due to go on a cruise. DH had put them somewhere safe (a shoebox under the study table ?)
Thanks for asking after MrD and your kind wishes. He isn’t doing as well at the moment. He has been in a lot of pain over the weekend and as a result his Bp has gone up. Hopefully the pain team will be back in tomorrow and they can find some method of stabilising things. We are very disappointed too. Due to being in tier 4 my hospital visit to DH was cancelled today.
Funnily enough I have a clean house too. Due to DH being away I haven’t felt much like crafting so have packed all my bits away and had a good tidy for when he comes home.
Mamissimo your description of your son and DD exchanging presents in a car park with others doing the same made me laugh. I wonder what Santa would think ?
Hope you get your order sorted.
Nfk what were/are you doing for Christmas?
Grammaretto your comment about online gifts not arriving suddenly brought back to me Christmas about 10 years ago when our 4 year old DGD had asked for a ballerina doll. It was all she talked about. It got lost in transit and after days of frantic phone calls it arrived at 11pm Christmas Eve phew!
Good to hear your son in NZ will be home with his family for Christmas. Nice for you to be with your DD and family.
Hello Cherry please stay with us in the lobster gangsters. We need you and your Tigger tail. I have heard many people getting put off GN. Apart from this thread and Soop’s kitchen and the BDG i don’t post much.
Sorry you didn’t sleep. I was the same a couple of nights ago. I really needed my sleep but just couldn’t drop off.
I am beginning to realise I rely on DH for many things that he does I don’t get involved in. Today’s problem stemmed from a last minute Christmas idea for DGD. A full length mirror.
I managed to order it online and arranged click and collect. I arrived at the outlet parked, went in and picked up a mirror that was about the same height as me. It wasn’t heavy just big.
Got back to the car and thought it won’t fit. I will have to drop down the back seats to accommodate it. DH has put down the back seats on numerous occasions. How difficult could it be.
I balanced the mirror carefully on the side of the car while I crawled in and felt all round the seats for a catch. I pushed and pulled but nothing. Just as I was getting to the point of phoning my son to come and pick it up I noticed a small tag at the bottom of the seats and with a lot of pulling finally the seats flipped forward and I was able to get the mirror in and get home. Chatting to DH later I was telling him about the performance about having to pull the little tabs and how hard it was to tug it enough to get the seats to drop and he said... why didn’t you just push the button in the boot that drops them automatically.....?
Bradfordlass hope you had a lovely day today. Look forward to hearing all about it.
Panache hope you and MrP are ok.
Take care and sleep well all.

Missedout belated birthday wishes , a belated birthday ((hug)) and a gentle cwtch to soothe your heart and mind. It could be the antibiotics, the fact you have had a bad infection, a touch of S.A.D, this dreaded virus disrupting plans and life in general and of course missing loved ones or all of these making you feel depressed. Please be gentle on yourself x
I am glad you got to see your youngest DS today, even if distanced. I'm pleased that you've got a Christmas dinner to enjoy now too (instead of fish pie, as lovely as that is) ?

That is so funny Mamissimo, a carpark full of present swappers ?. Very sad too but ... you know what they say - better off laughing than crying. I hope that doesn't sound unfeeling since obviously Mr M went to play santa because you are another gangster who's family Christmas gathering has been hit.

Pleased that your DS' quarantine is almost done and he will be able to leave the hotel behind him and be home with his family for Christmas Grammaretto. I'm happy that you will be going to your Dad's for Christmas day ?

I hope you had a wonderful early Christmas day with your family BradfordLass, though I'm sure you did ?

How is Mr D doing Doodle. I hope his pain is better managed and that he is comfortable. You are looking after yourself too aren't you?!

How are you both doing Panache? I hope your weekend has been as comfortable as can be x

Nortsat, Nfk you two and me will just have to call ourselves the three sarcastic amigos. Isn't there a saying - "lowest form of wit, highest form of intelligence"? We just have to believe the second part of that saying I think ?

I've not had a great day because I didn't have a great night ?. No, not ?"seizures in the night"? , I just couldn't sleep, grr! I'm also having a bit of a wobble I think, nothing to do with RL but, apart from this thread and all the gang and one or two other GNs, I'm feeling disillusioned with GN. I'm thinking that somewhere along the way that by act or omission I have unwittingly upset or offended someone. I'm only staying on GN because of you all (and one or two others).
Anyway....

Off to watch some TV

Thank you for your birthday wishes for me Nfk, Grammaretto and for the flowers Norstat.

I too am envious of Mamissimo's kitchen and suspended candles.

My youngest AC drove here this morning with a turkey crown and trimmings for Friday's Christmas dinner for the 3 of us (all well before 'use by' date). He stayed outside and kept his distance.

He also brought his presents for our northern family branch and we packed them in a box with ours. I've paid online for delivery, printed off a label and taken it to a pick up point at the local garage.
The parcel should arrive on Wednesday.

Apart from icing the cake (that will be interesting) we are on track for a quiet Christmas at home with DS. Last year was mad as the DGC were here. They weren't due to come to us in 2020 anyway, so we are back where we were. We would have seen them fairly regularly during the year though. I just hope that all families will be able to get together soon.

Panache, I hope you and Mr P have some comfort. Will you have a Christmas dinner?

Please Doodle send my best wishes to Mr D, you must both be very tired.

Stay as well as you can gangsters.

Happy Belated Birthday Missedout
I am glad you had a nice clean house to enjoy it in but sorry you feel so wretched.

Oh Dragonfly you have said how so many must be feeling right now.

I am going to visit DD for Christmas day if we are all well. I can get there in a couple of hours and don't stop. It is weird though Apparently police are stopping people at the railway station and at the retail park.

The gifts I ordered online haven't arrived and the birthday card for DD I sent 1st class came 6 days late.

My NZ son is almost out of quarantine and will be able to join his family for Christmas. His friends took a photo of him at the 4th floor window of the prison hotel where he has been incarcerated enjoying 5star accommodation
There are no cases of the covid in the country so it does work.

I will see you lobsters later!

I know where Father Christmas was last night! Cobham services on the M25!

DS decided that to save Christmas he would meet our Kent DD in the car park there to exchange bags of presents and Christmas cheer as we could no longer bubble with them. It had to be done before midnight before they enter tier 4....

He arrived after experiencing heavy traffic to find the car park full of families swapping carrier bags and eating festive KFC together......

Today I will be changing gear and rewriting my Sainsbugs order for tomorrow as I now have to do Christmas for the 4 of us. Don't really know why I'm surprised!

Try to be good today!

Nfkdumpling I need a ‘heavy sarcasm’ symbol too.
I realised your tongue was planted firmly in your cheek, when you mentioned our ‘beloved leader’.
I was responding in kind!

Your sarcasm is in tact and fully operational. ?