The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Evening Indomitables.

Kaimoana coochie coo (other spelling are available) has its origins in German I believe, from the German word for tickle.
I've just remembered that one of the gang, was it you Grammaretto(?) asked how cwtch is pronounced. It's pronounced with an ou vowel sound in words such as could and would, not as in sound incidentally ?.

It's so good to hear that yesterday was a good day for you Grammaretto ?. I'm pleased that you got out and saw a friend and solved the mystery of the brownies to boot ?. What a kind friend to come and cut your tree into logs for your fire, I hope you are warm and cosy this evening with all that snow outside.

I hope your vaccination went well today Missedout and you don't have any side effects.
I started to worry yesterday when I went onto my GP practice website and saw a statement saying that all patients between the age of 70 to 79, and therefore all shielders too, would be vaccinated at one of the mass centres but the Health Trust website states those aged 75 to 79 will be vaccinated at a mass centre and those aged 70 to 74 and shielders by their practice . I was still worried this morning. Late morning the phone range but I couldn't answer it but amessage was left. I checked the message and it was from my practice nurse, only by then the practice was shut for lunch ?. Straight after lunch I rang and was given a vaccine appointment for Friday afternoon ?. It may or may not happen then though as I told the receptionist I wasn't feeling well and what some of my symptoms are, which include swollen glands, so I have a telephone consultation with the GP tomorrow and my having the vaccine on Friday depends on the upshot of that ?

Kaimoana I wish the planting of the snowdrops was that simple.....oh how I wish....in the autumn I planted hundreds of crocus bulbs in a big swoosh. I left a space behind them for an artistic swoosh of snowdrops. Now the crocus are coming through so densely that I can't find space for my feet, let alone a board to stand in to protect the squidgy lawn. I've been a 'nana and given myself a daft problem.

Mr M has successfully been done ? He's teaching himself sourdough this week and didn't realise his recipe made 2 big round loaves. They'll be ready for lunch tomorrow but I don't think I'll manage a whole one!

In other news, I did ten bits of ?

Thinking of Panache and all who are pushing back against illness and the buggerations and injustices of life.

Hope Mr M's vaccine went well Mamissimo and he doesn't have any side effects.
Freeze one loaf of sourdough, I would ?

Sorry about the abrupt end to my post earlier, blasted headache ?.
I'll catch up with you all when I feel better, tomorrow hopefully.

Mamissimo your drift of flowers sounds utterly wonderful. When they are all in bloom please post some pictures.

Sourdough, though delicious was banned from my list of edibles until a local firm brought out a gluten free potato sourdough and I can eat that without ill effects... apart from cringing at the £7 it costs for a v. small loaf.

Fascinating origin of 'coochie-coo' Cherry; if you're interested in phrases and saying, this is an excellent site.
www.worldwidewords.org/genindex.htm
Hope the headache's gone.

Morning all.
I had a PM from our dear friend Nortsat this morning saying that she is taking a break for a while as she has not been feeling to well. She sends her best wishes to everyone and is especially thinking of you Panache.

I have replied that we will miss her and hope she feels able to pop in anytime she wishes.
Kaimoana I hope little Gubbins settles with the Goats milk. Upset tummies can be miserable for all of us.
Hope you keep warm with your electricity off. It’s really cold here today.
Your story of gusto made me laugh. Mums often say things on the spur of the moment to quiet a questioning child. Sometimes it comes back to bite them ?
Cherry thank you for the pronunciation of cwtch. It is not a word I use out loud, just as well because I was thinking it rhymed with witch ?
I do hope you’re well enough for you vaccination Friday. I’m glad you don’t have to go to a mass vaccination centre.
Are you still feeling poorly today? My DH used to maintain I was the only person he’d ever come across who had swollen glands. I used to have that a lot in my neck as I had quite a lot of throat problems in my younger years. I don’t know why but it seems to have worn off and I don’t get it so much now.
P.s. sorry about the headache, hope you feel better soon.
Mamissimo I do love the sound of your garden. A swoosh of crocuses sounds wonderful. Are they in bloom yet. I see your problem with the snowdrops.
Glad MrM has been done. Hope he’s feeling ok. The bread sounds lovely. You can send the other loaf here if you like ?
10 bits of puzzle well done.
Just as a matter of interest, do you ever do jigsaws on your iPad or whatever. I often see apps advertised and wonder how you could do one on such a small space.

Hope the gangsters have a good day. Take care all

Dear friends of those down on their knees how I could do with an outsize cwtch this very moment.

With no visitors allowed on the ward the trusted phone has been my one little connection with my dearest,whilst there were 3..... what I can but call "connections" on monday,due of course to my man`s hearing difficulties.
On my phoning the ward yesterday, I was given rather a cold reception and little news.A friend tried later and reported back it was much the same.

My man himself phoned prior to lunch yesterday,I gather he has had some kind of hearing aid but he was still having obvious difficulties.
I learnt he was now in isolation.
No further phone calls though,so very unusual for him.
However knowing he is on new medication,so much pain relief and in a peaceful setting (isolation) I assume,rightly or wrongly these maybe the reasons for no call.
Hopefully he was having a long undisturbed and much needed sleep.

This morning,try as I have done,I cannot even get connected to his ward......................now approaching noon and I have no news whatsoever.
A friend is again trying for me, and as yet he has not got through either.

I am now at breaking point.
We know and have witnessed lack of care throughout.............and now this.
So very upsetting............and apologies for saying it just as it is.

Oh dear Panache I can understand your frustration and fear.
May I suggest that instead of phoning the ward you try phoning the hospital and ask to speak to the Patient Liaison people or the Matron. Someone in charge. Explain your problem and get them to find out how MrP is.

Unfortunately, some staff are less than helpful but hopefully they are in the minority. I would keep ringing if I were you.
When my DH was in hospital before Christmas, the situation was similar and I just had to keep going. I’m pleased you have a friend who is trying to help. Wish we could do more.
There have been many posters in soop’s kitchen who are sending loving thoughts your way and good wishes to MrP
In my thoughts and prayers x

Hallo Lobstars,

May all your headaches, both real and metaphorical, fade away and the sight of glorious crocus, snowdrop and daffodils replace them. magic wand at the ready

I have been enjoying that words site Kaimoana
Although I am disappointed that the word Smashing is not derived from the Gaelic math sin which translates as that's good and is pronounced like smashing.
You see I can waste spend many a happy hour online when there are terribly important things I could be doing,
such as trying to decipher my letter from HMRC.

I had a lovely long video call this morning from DS in NZ and heard that they had spent 5 hours on the beach for the last day of the Summer holidays. Living vicariously is the best way for me. the only way
I'm also planning a new knitting project.

Panache. So sorry to hear your news. When my husband was in hospital we kept in touch by texting each other on our mobiles. Obviously you both need a mobile phone each but it worked really well. Didn’t disturb the rest of the ward and had conversations at all times. Thinking of you both

Good evening gangstas

Panache do try ringing the hospital switchboard during office hours and ask for PALS.....they will be able to establish some communication for you. Alternatively ask for his consultant's secretary and demand a call to you. I had to do that when Mr M was in hospital and no one knew what ward he was on. ?

Been a funny old day with macaroni cheese to come.....yuk Mr M's choice and I can't be bothered to cook two meals. Definitely a Blughday!

I will give myself a talking too and come back sunny side up tomorrow.

Evening all.
I wish we could see your lovely crocuses Mamissimo .
DH and I had our jabs today. Last minute booking but well organised.
Your post about being sunny side up made me remember my dear Dad who loved a cooked breakfast. He did no other cooking but always cooked breakfast for anyone who was around. He made lovely bacon sarnies too. ?
I’m not a great fan of macaroni cheese to be honest. We had chicken filled with butter and basil and grated cheese on top tonight.......or at least we would have had if I hadn’t forgotten the cheese bit. ?
Jan DH and I texted a lot when he was in hospital too. Due to his hand tremor DH’s texts can be a little hit and Miss if you see my point. Sometimes they were hilarious.
Panache I do hope you have managed to make contact with MrP today and feel better tonight.
grammaretto lovely to have had a video call from your son. I bet you wish you could have been there with them on the beach. Ooh summer, do you remember that,?
What is it that you are planning to knit, if you don’t mind me asking?
I hope Nortsat is ok. Out of sight is not out of mind and I hope she’s feeling a bit better.
Cherry I hope your swollen bits have gone down now.

Panache I hope you have made contact with DH now. What a worry for you. When FiL was in hospital, contact was made via the ward but it was often engaged.
Great you've had your jabs Doodle
Mine is booked for next Monday but so is more snow.
MiL phoned me today so she must be feeling better.
My knitting project is going to be a sweater for the friend who has been chopping wood for the fire. He refuses to be paid. His DW says he would appreciate a sweater and specified the colour! Trouble is i am not a fast knitter. One year l gift wrapped a sleeve for a DS for under the Christmas tree.
I've heard that the df who broke his hip has now tested positive for covid in hospital. He feels ok for now. When is it going to end?

Evening gang.

Must type fast so there may be many errors, why must I do that ... footie match takes up too my attention and angst ?

I didn't have a telephone consultation with my GP, he never rang ?. What's more, I usually put my prescription in today but thought I'd just order it from the GP when he rang so now that's not been done either ?. Still got swollen glands, and I woke up this morning with a stuffy nose and a crusty mouth ? ?. I'm wondering if it's a side effect of the medication I've been prescribed for my coad ?. I've had swollen glands a few times since it was prescribed but they usually settle down over 24 hours. Maybe I've got a fungal infection which is a common side effect, maybe just maybe the doctor will ring in the morning ....

I'm glad that DS's test came back negative Grammaretto and that you had a lovely video call with your DS in New Zealand ?

Thanks for telling us that Nortsat is taking a break from GN Doodle. I'm sorry that you are not feeling well though Nortsat, sending you a gentle cwtch.

I am interested in phrases, idioms and the like Kaimoana. I have a pocket sized dictionary of phrase and fable, sometimes it can come in handy. Thanks for the link that website is fascinating.
I must also thank you Grammaretto for the link to the naked raku, it was fascinating and wonderful.

Hope the goat's milk is working well for Gubbins and she's more settled Kaimoana, some gentle music for her???

I'm not fond of macaroni cheese either Mamissimo. I'd rather cauliflower if something is going to be cheesed ?. Sorry you've had a blughday, I hope tomorrow is a brighter day for you and you bounce up just like spring flowers.

Panache, a fulsome cwtch is heading your way. Hospital staff can be so rude sometimes, result of a hard shift usually. I you managed to speak to someone properly and know that Mr P is okay. Look after You too!! ?

Drat!! Ran out of time ... ⚒️ time ?

Grammaretto hope the snow doesn’t prevent you from getting your vaccination. I’m still feeling ok. No sore arm or anything so far.
Glad your MIL sounds a bit better.
I love the thought that you wrapped a sleeve for your DS one Christmas. Did he ever get the rest? ?
I’m sure your wood chopper will love his sweater when he gets it. Hope it’s not summer by then.
So sorry your friend in hospital has tested positive for COVID.
I hope he is not badly affected.
cherry I’m sorry your Gp didn’t ring. Now you haven’t ordered your meds either.
You don’t sound too well. I hope the swollen glands go down soon and you start to feel better.
I feel a bit like naked raku tonight so I’m going to find the link and watch it an also Kaimoana’s link. I hope I don’t get over excited
Hope your footie team wins. Don’t shout too loudly you might hurt your throat.

Panache I do so hope you have managed to speak to MrP and he is ok. You must be so worried about him but hopefully they are taking good care of him.

Nortsat if you look in I hope you sleep well and hope we hear from you again sometime. Take care of those lovely molls. ?

Oh, Doodle, I forget to say that I'm pleased that you and MrD have both had your vaccines. Glad you haven't got any side effects, so far so good ?

My team won again ?

Grammaretto, I hope the snow doesn't interfere on Monday. Sorry to hear that your friend in hospital has covid, caught it there do you think ?. I am pleased that your MiL rang you, such a difficult time still for both of you.

Jan, that's exactly what me and my WP did when I was in hospital in London a good few years ago and he was here in the Gower. We had two mobile phones then, we don't have two now. It made a lot of sense because then it wasn't as cheap to phone but free to text.

Hope the rest of the gang are okay and have had a reasonable day.
Off to find Jeeves so he can prepare some lovely hot chocolate.
Group cwtch, nighty night ?

Grammaretto It's good to hear your Mil is bright enough to chat, very hopeful sign.

The boy doing the naked raku works hard, doesn't he? I'm amazed he doesn't have shoulders like a Linebacker, which reminds me, is anyone watching Superbowl at the weekend?

It's lovely to hear your DS and family had a good day at the beach. We're having a splendid summer (when El Nina isn't messing us about) and it looks as if the sun will shine for the next month or so.


I'm glad you enjoyed the phrases website; I've been a fan of his for years. He retired in 2017 so no updates but still a fascinating place to explore and waste time

Doodle I wish I could make a great bacon sammie like your Dad.
If I could eat wheat and get a teacake (not sold here) I'd try. It's funny the talk should turn to glands because the only time I have trouble with my neck glands swelling, is when I eat white bread, which these days is very, very rare indeed.
As they are part of the endocrine system, I have to wonder what hormone is found in bread.

Cherry I can understand why you wrote your post in such haste but it's beyond me why I felt compelled to read it very quickly as well!

Doodle Thanks for passing on the news about Nortsat I'm exceedingly sorry to hear she's not well and hope that passes soon. Sending love and best wishes for renewed good health Nortsat

I've had more happy photos of Gubbins today, so I trust she's sleeping better.
It looks is if she's going to be a high-maintenance young lady as the goat's milk formula is £24 for less than a kilo. It's only a supplement to breast milk though, so might last a wee while.

Well, what can I say Panache?
Don't give up, you and MrP are worth the fight.
PALS is the answer as advised here. Gird up your loins fy ffrind and get their help. Sending love and a thousand cwtches.

I went to Google translate to hear what I hoped would be a Welsh speaker saying "cwtch" (long before Cherry explained. )
I clicked on 'translate to English' but it didn't.
However there was a speaker symbol, so I clicked on that......ye gods and little fishes!

translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=en&text=cwtch&op=translate

I was so longing to see Mamissimo's swathe of lovely crocuses that I Springed ahead and found this.

It's too warm for crocus and snowdrop in Waitakere, though I believe they have them in the South Island.

Wishing everyone a better day...

Hello all Lobstars,

This is to those who chat and to those who are quieter. I think of you all.
I listened to the pronunciation of cwtch and realise I could never speak Welsh.

The naked raku video is someone I know who is always generous with showing his technical skills. oh dear Doodle I may have to stop here

The friend must have contracted covid in hospital. I haven't spoken to him myself but hear he has no symptoms yet. He had to have that conversation about resuscitation which we also had to have, twice.

Gubbins and her goat milk supplements. Well I never!
DH, who was always an advocate of organic growing from before we even met, thought that many allergies were to the pesticides and additives rather than to the actual product. Though I once met a woman who claimed her babies were allergic to breast milk which I found hard to believe.

I must venture out in the snow to replenish the bare cupboards and to discuss knitting patterns with my pal at the community shop - at a distance, through our masks.

I must have missed the news from Nortsat I hope she is feeling better and Cheery Cherry please get back to your normal bouncy self. PDQ

Good morning gangstas ?

Hope your headache was transient Doodle and that you had a restorative night. Mr M was vibrating madly and randomly last night instead of his normal dumper dumper dumper rhythm so I had to pull his hair to get him to roll over. Random snoring rhythms make for tetchy wives!

Following the ruck on other threads yesterday was dispiriting and a touch hysterical - enough to give anyone a headache. I never realised before how many ex school prefects there must be on GN!

So today I will only engage in the big debate inside my brain...what to eat next week? It's Sainsbugs order day again and already I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for Mr M to ask whether we can have liver and beans .

It's strange how living quietly makes everything more extreme- I'm sure it's wetter/journalists are annoyinger/ politicians stupider/families lovelier.....we lack everyday contrast!

Hope Panache has made contact with Mr P, that Cherry gets her drugs, Grammaretto her wool and that we all find some peace in our day.

OMG - I sound like a vicar ? Bless you all!

Cherry hurrah for your team again, you must be bringing them good luck.
Hope you had a good night last night.
Kaimoana I could do with some sunshine here. I am so cold. I’m wrapped up with my blanket and a cup of hot coffee but I keep getting the shivers. I think it could be a reaction to the vaccine but DH seems fine.
You’ve been doing speed reading of Cherry’s post I see. Do you remember when that was a thing. ?
Glad little Gubbins is full of smiles again.
Well of course I couldn’t resist clicking on your translation link.............it doesn’t sound anything like Cherry’s pronunciation . ?
That’s a beautiful picture. Such colour.
Grammaretto I watched your naked raku link. Wow!! I don’t think I will ever look at pottery the same way again. All that effort and skill it was amazing to watch.
Hope your shopping trip goes well. Be careful in the snow.
I mentioned yesterday that Nortsat PMd me to say she’s taking a break for a while. She hasn’t been feeling well.
Like you, I hope she feels better soon.
I was supposed to take our car in for MOT today but in talking to the garage I mentioned that I wasn’t feeling 100%. after my vaccination yesterday and they very kindly said they would send someone to collect the car and drop it back when it’s finished. I am very grateful. I don’t feel that bad but I do have an underlying headache and my joints are a bit achy so I won’t miss sitting in the garage for an hour or two.
I am going to pamper myself today and not do much (pretty much like every day really ?)
Hope you all have a good day ?

Mamissimo DH hasn’t much hair, I usually resort to a dig in the ribs. ? we have Waitrose coming today and another order next week. I find it difficult to remember what I have planned for dinner and what I need to order from one week to the next. So much easier when I could go myself and see what took my fancy. Our local restaurant has started doing take away again. We have booked a valentines meal of cheese soufflé, beef Wellington, dauphinois potato and for pud chocolate fondant and honeycomb ice cream ?.

Panache I do hope you made contact with MrP. Hope there is good news.

I know what you mean about seeing it yourself Doodle
I stood watching the girl tot up my order and noticed bread behind her which reminded me to buy vegetarian pate to have on mine.
I suppose it is much more sensible to make a list but an old dog/new tricks springs to mind.

I am still awaiting an online order -over-trousers as mine are in shreds. Hermes courier can't find the house. and of course there is no way to contact them DS has suggested I write the directions as part of the address. Next time...

The endocrine system is a very finely balanced arrangement. I looked into it when I had trouble with my parathyroid gland and marvelled at nature's incredible attention to detail. Whoever designed us.....

I love the river of crocuses Kaimoana

What would I do without such deeply caring and ever helpful friends,you truly are making my heavy burden ever lighter, I thank each one of you for your contributions.
Also you dear Doodle for thinking of mentioning our issues in Soop`s kitchen which brought in yet more uplifting friends.

A friend found a direct line to the ward and actually although it means a long wait sometmes,it does get me talking to Nursing staff directly caring for my dear man.
This was before learnin about PALS.

However the better news is my man was transported to the Cancer Hospital by ambulance yesterday,leaving at 8.15am and after some further examinations ETC, plus a mega dose of radiotherapy,he returned to the ward locally just before 6pm..................extremely tired,sore from the bumpy ride but highly delighted that the mission had happened.
Another early morning call from him today, and at last he sounded my dear man again.
He had had a good night,but after a few minutes he got so breathless and over tired.
He is not allowed out of bed at all.
Practically no real news from the ward however,and of course I badly need advice in preparing for this very ill man of mine.

I have been putting out some "feelers" and it looks as if a dear friend (A carer herself in the past) will be able to help,starting off gently initially.
Her husband is equally caring and helpful, so indeed I feel blessed these lovely people are taking over the role of supportive family.

Thinking of you all and sending heartfelt cwtches all around,with special ones for Norstat and Cherry
Perhaps one sunny day I shall again be joining in with all the lovely banter.
You will never know how much you all mean to me,helping me keep my head above this overwhelming tide.

Take great care.

Good morning - well nearly afternoon!- from a sunny and even a bit warm West Norfolk.
What great news Panache. So pleased you got through to the hospital and also managed to speak to your poorly man. Hope he is home with you soon and comes home with a good care package to help you both cope.
Doodle sorry to hear you’re not feeling good. Hate headaches. Just make you feel so yuck. Must admit neither I nor my DH had any reaction to the jab but as DH is so fond of saying “where there’s no sense there’s no feeling!”
It’s such a glorious day here we had a ride to see what was happening on our river. It was high tide and we watched several fishing boats coming in and a few going out. Hope they had a good catch.
Hope all poorly Lobsters improve soon. Nights are pulling out and the mornings getting lighter. Spring is on its way!

Panache I am so glad you spoke to him, he has had his radiotherapy and that some help is finally falling into place.
Sending cwtches to enclose you both.
?‍❤️‍? (that's supposed to be a couple with a heart)