The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Good evening! Mr M has had a shower......but no MRI! They are going to try again tomorrow and once he has had it I'm to collect him. Seems they can't do the op while he has inflammation......which is what happened in December. They say it will be done very soon.....so he didn't dodge the milk diet?

I'm pooped tonight so I'll wish you all a goodnight.

Doodle you sneaked in before me earlier. You wracked up the tension there with your story of helping your heavily pregnant neighbour. I thought you were going to say you arrived to discover she was having her baby ?. It was good of you to go to her rescue - and help her wash her dog ?
Sorry to hear you're still suffering the effects of tree pollen. Sorry but I did have a titter when you answered my question about having an eye bath but it's a shame you can't get my whole head in it. For some reason (that only my brain knows) I had visions of you giving up with the eye bath and plunging your head in a large bucket of water instead ?.
I'm glad you don't need a gumshield ?. The first one I had was very soft and easy to wear but it didn't last long because I chomped right through it ?. Since then I've had more gumshields than I can count and they've always been more rigid and hard. It took me a good while to get used to sleeping with one in. Sometimes I'll have a glitch with one and it'll need shaving ? but I'm used to wearing one now.

I'd have been hurt if my "hard work", something I had been proud of or made especially for someone had been disposed of so casually Grammaretto. I was a sensitive child and would have felt slighted. Some things we "lose" other people throw out along the way feel important to us. I'm not precious about most "stuff" now but somethings will always have meaning even if they have no "worth" or merit".

My mouth is no longer numb, took hours ?. The abscess, well I've got the robotics and have taken the first dose ? I'm going to get something to eat now ?

Mamissino
I turned DS2's band t-shirts into cushions when he left home.
Straight up the sides and across below the round neck, result- one square cushion (cover) front and back, just the lower edge to close!

Sorry Mamissimo I had to chuckle at you making a quilt from his T-shirt bands. I would love to see it!
I say sorry because it is a serious business this moving out from the family home. I don't think ours ever have completely. My fault because I still refer to their rooms as theirs. I remember being quite hurt that all my "school artwork" which I had stashed in the attic of the family home was either disposed of or left for the new owners to find.

I'm glad you survived the dentist Cherry and hope the abscess clears up soon.
I shall be interested to see if I get any offers on Helpx. Since everyone is currently locked down and no travelling is allowed, maybe no-one will apply.

I hope MrM is soon on the mend Mamissimo.
Is the move tomorrow?

Oo Doodle you are a heroine, responding to a wailing pregnant neighbour and helping to clean up her dog.
Our Labrador, when he sloped off, would return in the early hours, woofing loudly outside so we'd have to I'd let him back in , He would be stinking from rolling in fox poo and we suspect he raided the dustbins of the Chinese restaurant next door.
I was able to answer honestly in Gaelic today "Chan eil peata agam" meaning I do not have a pet.

I'm a terrible tease remember Grammaretto. I won't tell Nicola anything about your jaunt over the boarder . Mum's the word ?. I'm just pleased you enjoyed it ?
I think that's a great idea to get your volunteer schemr up and running again. You don't have to be sociable, though I think you are a much more sociable person than you think. Yes whoever suitable who takes up the offer will be helping you but I think the fact that they receive board and lodging in return means they have the better end of the bargain. You don't have to be all "buddy buddy" too!

You could write a children's book about the exploits Honey Beagle gets up to Mamissimo. She seems to have a penchant for mucky things ?. Forget about being or not being able to lift her into the bath, covered in all that poo why would you want to! Much better a specialist takes care of it ?. Besides, if she needs her claws cutting a groomer might as well go the whole hog and give her a good shampoo and polish.
You're almost done with the cat herding now. That'll be one phew out of the way. I think your idea to make your DS a quilt out of his old t-shirts is a great idea ?. Aren't you lovely.
Mr M's condition doesn't sound too good. I can well imagine him not being a happy bunny, I wouldn't be either. I'll keep my fingers crossed ? he can have his MRI asap!! Yes I think you're right, his being in hospital is the best place for the both of you him to be at the moment. I know you're worried about him but keep your sanity ?

Well I had my dentist appointment and my mouth is very numb now and I've been put on robotics for the abscess. I've got to back a week today to pick up my gumshield. I can't wait for a new one to chew through. I'm off to indulge myself in my non art, well I can hardly indulge myself with cake can I ? ?

Mamissimo you won’t know what to do with all the free space when your son has moved out.
Will you really make him a quilt? That would be a lovely idea.
Sorry to hear MrM is still feeling poorly. My SIL used to suffer from labyrinthitis and was always very unwell with it and nausea too.
Oh dear, your family are certainly giving you the run round at the moment. Naughty smelly Honey beagle.
That reminds me of a night many years ago when I went out to put the rubbish in the bin about 10 pm and heard wailing and moaning coming from the house next door. I knew the wife was close to having a baby and her husband, a cabin steward, was away on a flight. Being concerned I went and knocked on her door. It appears the wailing and moaning was because their little terrier had rolled in something very smelly and she (8+ months pregnant and at the end of her tether) was trying to bath the dog in the kitchen sink. I went into help and we managed to sort it out. Before you ask, much as I like you mamissimo I am not coming to sort out Honey beagle ?
Grammaretto are you not allowed to cross from one county to another? That would be difficult for us as we walk across the bridge from one to the other every time we go for a walk. oops.
I’m sure it did you good to see the birds and escape for a while.
I remember when you used to mention having people to stay and help in the garden etc. What a lovely idea. I hope you are successful.
I am still having a lot of problem with my eyes. Really painful at the moment so not doing much. Lazy day for me just listening to an audio book really......of course I would love to be doing the ironing ?
Cherry thanks for your concern. Yes I do have an eye bath. Shame I can’t get my whole head in it ?
I’m pleased you neighbours children seem happy. The swearing is worrying if it’s directed at them. So difficult to know what the right thing is to do.
Hope the trip to the dentist goes well. I was going to have a gum shield once when the doctor thought I might grind my teeth at night which could be a cause of my jaw pain and tinnitus but the dentist said there were no signs I did that so I never got one.
I hope everyone has a peaceful day today.
Both my sons texted to say they had got appointments for their jabs. Amazing.

Good morning!
I'm still functional ? The cat herding went quite well yesterday and DS is almost ready for the big move tomorrow....how does one man-child boy accumulate so many treasures much c**p? I don't think he's ever thrown away a pair of shoes or a T shirt since he went to university ten years ago!

I'm going to make him a quilt from all the band T shirts I rescued from the recycling because he was brave and threw them out. Complicated thing mother and son relationships!

Mr M is still unwell. He is still waiting for the MRI but as he's been on fluids only since Monday his system has gone a bit awry. He's developed labrynthitis and coupled with the nausea he's not a happy bunny at all. I think hospital is the perfect place for him right now!

I've managed to get a welfare groom for Honey Beagle because she found some badger poo I can't lift her into the bath and her dew claws need cutting. She stinks!

And now to the ironing......

Tell Nicola that I broke the lockdown rules. Cherry I did feel ridiculously guilty driving out of my county for no essential reason. It was such a tonic.
I hope the Mamissimos and the Panaches are all keeping their heads above water.

Up until early last year, DH and I hosted international volunteers who help in exchange for board and lodging and today I decided to get that going again. I had to update my profile on the site and specify lone females or couples only.
It need only be for a week or two but baby steps and all that and I really need help planting up the garden, decorating, cleaning etc. I am not DH though. He was sociable and interested in so many things and loved people. I am happy to sit and knit and daydream.

What are the lobstars up to today?

Tell Nicola what *Grammaretto? ?. I love Oystercatchers, they're particularly fond of the Links not far from us. Sounds like you had a much needed and enjoyed escape outing ?. I meant to watch that programme too but there never seems to be enough hours in the day for me to watch much tv . It's not as if I've got loads and loads of stuff to do ?

Sleep well gangStars

Good to see you again Nortsat and I love the daffs.

Beautiful rose too Kaikmoana

So many people are struggling just now. I decided to escape today and crossed the border. Please don't tell Nicola. I needed to give the car an outing.
I saw curlews and oystercatchers on a school playing field.

I watched a TV programme (Omnibus) about Keats last night. The poet Andrew Motion was retracing Keats's final journey to Naples and Rome 200 yrs after his death aged just 25.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000t0ht

I wish all Lobstars a very good night.

It's understandable that you're a bit absent at the moment Mamissimo. If I was in your shoes I'd be vague and elsewhere too. Joking aside, I hope Mr M is comfortable. Has he had his MRI? A cwtch is wending it's way to you.

? Doodle, rest your eyes. Tree pollen allergy is a nasty business. Have you got an eye bath? Very soothing. I used to suffer with hay fever in my teens but grew out of it, thank goodness. I'm glad you found a har clip you like, I hope it arrives soon, you don't need your hair in your eyes to add to the irritation you've already got! By the way, your hair sounds very much like mine. I wear it just below chin length, it's very think and wavy and incredibly unruly. If I have it cut any shorter it just looks like a mop head ?. I can't wait for my hairdresser's to open again so she can cut it and importantly thin it out!
Yes, Doodle I do worry about my neighbour's daughters. I always have. I have intervened in the past and I wasn't the only one to do so. It's so difficult to know what to do. The girls seem happy enough when we see them out playing and they're always clean and tidy (though it's obvious one of them doesn't like her hair brushed). It's also clear that they love their mummy. I can't but help worrying about the impact her behaviour has on then, especially at night when she's banging about, shouting and swearing and saying things like "f* off" and "get out of my f*****g house". Is she talking to her "other self", is she saying it to them or if she is saying these things to her "other self" do the girls realise that and that she's not saying it to them? Sometimes I know that they are in the direct line of fire, other times it's not so clear.

The bees do clearly love your roses Kaimoana, they're not the only one/s - they're gorgeous. We have plenty of plants the bees love in our garden, I just think my WP has got it in his head to do this 'project' ?. They especially love the flowers on our dwarf heeby. Shame about your wildflowers, it can happen sometimes. We've had successes and failures in the past. Sometimes certain flowers in the mix haven't come up or few in total have failed but sometimes they have come up in abundance. If anyone knows why this happens I have theories answers on a postcard please ?
I hope your dear friend Mata was sent off in style and is resting in peace ?️ now ?

It's a shame that you missed out on your physio with the rather nice looking young physiotherapist Missedout. Have you got another appointment date? Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your hand. My hand took what felt like an age to recover reasonable function after my burns, especially the first time I burnt it. You say it is improving though which is good. You had a very nasty injury. You will get there!
I think Kaimoana's idea about what to do with the t-shirts, or something similar, is a good idea.

Nortsat it's wonderful to see you posting. Not wonderful to hear why you haven't been ?. Look after yourself and post when you are feeling up to it. As Doodle says you are one of the gang. We miss you when you don't post but it's important to us that you look after you ???

Our kitchen contractors were meant to come here today to collect the last piece of signed paperwork but couldn't come ?. Just when I thought that's it now the work will be starting soon. Now they're meant to be coming Friday afternoon. They'd better! It's the useless OT's fault really, or is it the fact that they tried to ignore her at first ?. I think the workmen themselves will be fine and so will the kitchen be when it's done. It's those 'paper men' that are a pain in the wotsit ?
Dentist tomorrow for me. Part two of my deep clean and I woke up this morning with toothache so the booking has come at the right time! I hope she remembers that she's also meant to be taking an impression so I can have a new gumshield ? The one I've got at the moment has holes in it ?. Yep, I've been eating plastic in my sleep ? ?.

Mamissimo sorry MrM isn’t feeling well.
You’ve got a lot on with your son moving out. Hope you and MrM get a good night’s sleep and things look brighter tomorrow.

Good evening......?

I'm a bit absent at the moment with the DS house move and poor Mr M who is really rather unwell. I took the beagle out this afternoon and DS came to find me.....I need some solitude to get my thoughts in order!

My sincerest best wishes and thoughts to all.....my stresses are small and I will be rid of them soon!

Nortsat lovely to hear from you again. You are in our thoughts even if you are not up to posting. You are one of the gang ?
I hope you are feeling a bit better. Please take care of yourself

Kaimoana not very hot here. Quite windy in fact.
I am laid low tonight with very sore eyes.
Short post in fact as reading is giving me a headache. I am allergic to tree pollen and always have a problem at this time of year.
Hope everyone is ok. Take care all.

Hello Gangstars, I have been reading but not feeling great, so haven’t been posting.
Panache, I am so sorry to read that things are so challenging for you and your dear one. I am pleased to learn that his pain is being managed.
I am sure you will find some times of peace and calm together.

I can’t imagine your pain and can only send you my good thoughts and good wishes (and daffodils for you ...)

All good wishes to everyone else, Doodle, Grammaretto, Mammissimo, Cherry, Kaimoana, Missedout xx

Sorry, forgot the link:
healthcareworkersfoundation.org/

Missedout as I'm still deep in the book about the chaos of Covid, I've come to the part which talks about the wonderful charities which support NHS workers with all manner of comforts and treats.
That may be an outlet for your 4 spare t-shirts?
Why on earth do they think people want 5 of the same?

Very hot and enervating here; the cicadas are in full throat and I should like to lie on my back in a Yorkshire meadow and listen to Skylarks.

Cherry yes I’ve found a clip I like. My hair is thick and wavy and quite unruly. Normally I have it cut in a bob just under my chin but now it has grown past my shoulders. It annoys me when I’m doing anything as it keeps falling in my face so hope the new clip works.
Sainsbugs been and put away. Rest and read now before bed.
Hope you have a quiet night.
Kaimoana what a lovely rose. A quiet time to reflect on your friend. That’s nice. The day my brother died (New Year’s Day) I sat up all night just thinking about him. I put out of my mind the years of dementia and at last just concentrated on remembering the good times.
Missedout oh dear, shame you missed your appointment. Do I take it from your comments that your physio is a young man. ?. Glad to hear your hand is improving, it was a really nasty accident. How long ago was it now, I can’t remember? . Lucky you having a hairdressing appointment. I can’t wait to have mine cut.
5 burgundy T shirts. Do you know any football teams ?

Hello lobstars, just a a short visit from me tonight but I wanted to say that I feel so sad for Panache and Mr Panache. I hope you have some peace together and Mr Panache stays pain free. You have shown such courage but now is the time to be gentle with yourselves.

Please add me to the sending of the enfolding cwtches from the Lobstars.

Not much is going on in The Redoubt at the moment except my hairdresser phoned today to book my appointment for April and the rather nice looking young physiotherapist phoned me about my missed appointment! I was horrified, I wouldn't miss any medical appointments intentionally. It was in my calendar, right time, right day, wrong month. My hand is still not working properly, although improving.

I'm not so sure about my brain, though.

I am also trying to decide what to do with 4 of the 5 identical burgundy red T-shirts I apparently ordered by mistake (I thought I had ordered just one but they must have come in packs of 5). I'm a size 12, any GN takers?

I also send my best wishes to Mamissimo and Mr Mamissimo too.

Kaimoana I hope your serious medication is effective and keeps you well.

Stay as well as you can, Lobstars.

Sometimes I come here and laugh, sometimes I come here and cry.
All part of life's rich pattern, as the wonderful Arthur Marshall said.

Poor MrM and Mammisimo you must both be feeling absolutely wretched despite the diversionary tactics in the greenhouse
Glad the staff are communicative though.

Cherry at the beginning of Summer, I planted a packet of wildflower seeds in a large pot, hoping to help bees and butterflies.
Lots of greenery but no flowers at all
However, the bees do love the roses as you can see.
We usually have a lot of Monarch butterflies too but I haven't see one this season.

I got a good crop from my seed potatoes - almost as much as it would have cost me to buy them in the first place

I am reading an absolutely stunning book (stunning in the sense that one reels back, finding it hard to believe) by Dr Dominic Pimenta.

It's 'Duty of Care' and it documents the way Covid crept across the world and how it was obvious from the outset the UK, as a result of constant financial starvation of the NHS over decades, would never cope. And how politicians, knowing this, said it would - and did nothing.

As I write this, people will be gathering at Mata's house to sing and pray prior to the funeral.
So I'm going to take a little quiet time to reflect on my sweet friend, my many blessings (which includes you cheeky lot) and say thanks for it all.

Remembering ALL our currently MIA Gangstars.

Thank you Doodle I like my WP's idea too ?. I know what you mean about bees, they sting and so they end up with a bad reputation. Essential pollinators though. I must admit, like Tigger, I'm not a big fan of honey.
I'm glad you enjoyed your walk, you didn't march Mr D today then ?. Did you manage to find a clip for your hair, you didn't say. My fringe was going the same way, 1970s flicks, until yesterday when I couldn't stand it anymore and cut it. I did a pretty good job in my opinion.
I hope nothing's missing in your Sainsbugs delivery.

Sending you a cwtch Panache.

Mamissimo sorry to hear MrM isn’t feeling too good. Hope things can proceed soon. Good job you have found someone you can talk to on the ward.
So you’ve been busy washing the greenhouse. Your plants will be able to see out again.
Grammaretto I’m not surprised you miss your DGC. They change so quickly when they’re young. I hope the cardi is a success. Have you still not found your deeds. I expect in a house like yours there is plenty of room for things to hide. Even in our flat, things go missing.
Hello Tigger Cherry . Your WP’s idea for planting sounds nice. I hope you get lots of butterflies in your garden. Not too sure about the bees. I expect that could be something you want though. Bees equals honey, honey equals happy Winnie the Pooh, Tigger’s best friend ?
It seems so unfair that you have bad nights with seizures and when you don’t you still can’t sleep because of your neighbour. It’s worrying not just for you but her daughters too. I hope they are safe.
We went for a lovely walk this afternoon. So warm and sunny.
Then spent time on the internet looking for a clip to hold my hair up, it’s so long now it’s really annoying me. I have flick ups again like I did in my teens.
Sainsbugs coming late tonight. Hope I stay awake long enough.
Kaimoana a kind and helpful post as usual,
Panache so many loving thoughts coming your way. Hope you have had a calm day,

Ah, Grammaretto you sneaked in whilst I wasn't looking. This document finding business does seem to be eluding you at the moment. Not prying, not asking what documents, but are these the ones you've been trying to find for weeks now? It's curious how a house can eat things, well I find it curious. It happens to me far too often. I think oh I know I'll put that safe here (in such a such place) but I can never find it when I need it. Then again, I do have a bit of a scattergun approach to filing. I do file, it's just inconsistent .
I'm not surprised that you'd love to see your DGC. It's been such a long time because of lockdown, they grow up so fast, you love them and you are grieving your loss of their grandfather (and ggf). I hate this bl***y virus, it's just not fair.

Grr, I was just about to post and the site went Snap!

Quiet here today, Just you and me Mamissimo. I hope the rest of the gang are as well as can be given your individual circumstances.

Sorry to hear Mr M wasn't well enough to have his MRI today Mamissimo. I hope he can have it tomorrow. Yes it does sound, given what you've said, that he'll be in for a few days. It sounds like he'll need feeding up when he comes home too. I'm glad the ward sister was forthcoming and helpful, I hope that continues to be the case for you.
You may have had a strange day but a productive one. The greenhouse is all nice and sparkly ready for all the running beans growing you intend to do. My WP put two large packets of seeds, wildflower mixes, one for butterflies the other for bees, as part of our click & collect order picked up today. He's got plans (he's always got plan for the garden) to create a new boxed area. He's got everything he needs to do it apart from the wood ? ?. I know he'll get it though. Once he's got something in his head he just has to do it, not a bad thing.

I had another bad night, courtesy of my neighbour ?. I don't know if she's getting any input from psychiatric services but if she is it's clearly not enough. It's a sad state of affairs all round. I am worried about her and her very sweet twin girls. Her increasingly bizarre nighttime turmoil is also affecting my sleep and I know that when I don't have enough sleep I have more seizures. It's very frustrating.