The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Goodness you lot have been busy.
Grammaretto my hair has grown so much since I last had it cut, that photo isn’t as far fetched as you may think ?
None of my family watch or play cricket or football. I’ve never had an interest in either. My mum used to like watching the Rugby though.
I’m pleased to hear your friend with COVID seems to be feeling ok. That is good news.
2 of my neighbours have had their jabs this week and 2 more due next week so they are getting done which is good.
Your house must be fascinating place to live. Do you ever wonder if there’s something hidden you haven’t found yet?
kaimoana I think I’d have reason for a headache if I had hair like that ?. Your Hanna does come up with some strange ideas, doesn’t she? Decaf coffee for your head. Now the question is, does it work? Does she have youthful looking hair? ?
Interesting story about Waitangi Day. Shame there can’t be any celebrations due to COVID.
Mythos! Uranos! Oooh now you made my head hurt Kaimoana I shall have to consult mr Google,
Missedout I see I’m not the only one who has been poorly with the vaccine. I’m still sleepy (or am I using it as an excuse to be lazy ?) . I too wonder if we will go back to shopping like we used to. I expect we might because I do miss picking my fruit and veg rather than having to take what comes.
My first son screamed for his first few weeks too until I gave him a rusk to suck (against advice). He then became the most contented baby on the planet.
Mamissimo why have I got a vision of you in a peaked cap, puffing at a pipe with a magnifying glass in your hand? ?.
An interesting link, thank you for sharing. I don’t know much about this DNA testing. How do you use the information to find out who you are related to?
Panache I’m sorry you are still not managing to have much conversation with MrP . It’s hard being the one at home not knowing what’s going on. I do hope he’s back with you soon. Sorry to hear you are parting with your car that must be another sad event for you. I’m glad your friends are still supporting you. Please don’t overdo things. Take care.
Nfk we’ve had internet trouble over the past few days too. Have you been sending the planes in our direction? ?
You made me laugh saying you thought your plants would like a change of scene. I can just imagine them like Bill and Ben the flowerpot men....” oh no here comes the Missus with her trowel again .... join roots everyone, hold tight....we shall not, we shall not be moved ......weeeeed. ?
Jan sorry to hear your DH has yet another trip to hospital lined up. Hope all goes well for him.
We have had a lot of rain here too and many of the roads are flooded. Please will you ask DH to make an ark for us too while he’s at it. With an en suite please ?
cherry hmm I wonder what sort of books you have been reading that prompt your predictive text to suggest afterglow ?
Yes I’m feeling better today too thank you. Glad your Tigger tail is nicely attached. Not sure I’m as clever or as tidy as the poodle you mention Cherry but DH seems to like my company (not that he’s got any choice) so that’s ok.
When I was young, my friend’s mother had two Pekingese dogs. I hated going to their house as the dogs would always nip my ankles. ?
Funny you mention about Hermes. I’ve had problems with parcels delivered by them being damaged too.
Sorry to hear the road closure was because someone died.
Years ago our next door neighbour died on his way home in a similar accident. He died just a couple of hundred yards from his front door after suffering a heart attack and driving off the road into a low wall. I wonder if something similar happened in this case.

We went to deliver presents to our DGD for her birthday today. Had to go a very long winded route to avoid flooded roads. Just as well we went today as the weather forecast for the next few days is dreadful.
Hope Jeeves Is looking after you all. He’s not still watching the tele is he ?

Baby rusks, Doodle!
I went through a phase of loving them with hot milk when I was a student.
My dear mother said it raised a few eyebrows in the village shop when she went to buy them!

Trust you. ?. Probably just as filling now as they were for babies then.

Oooh Doodle you are awful - but I like you.
www.weatherscapes.com/album.php?cat=optics&subcat=afterglow

Well that’s one explanation Kaimoana ?

Grammaretto Greek myths on fire backs were very popular at one time and are now sold as ornaments at fiery prices
That Gaia was a nasty piece of work.
I'd love to wander round your fascinating house - do you have ghosts?

Doodle Hanna's hair is certainly dark; she told me she mixed the decaf with henna. I still don't know why it has to be decaf, maybe she believes she'll have a caffeine rush via her follicles?
Were you allowed to see your DGS after your long trek?

Nfk nice to see you back on board. Like you, I moved plants in my Cornish garden but later regretted it as the glorious Peony likes to stay where it is and was very sad after I'd transplanted it.

Jan Hope all goes as well for your DH as it did for Grammaretto, nice to have some reassurance from Scotland isn't it?

Cheery you sound it too. though not such a cheering story about the poor man in the car crash.

Oh ixion you exposed my guilty secret - Farley's rusks in hot milk just before bed 40 years ago of course, not now. I went cold turkey

Mamissimo you haven't sounded quite like your usual confident and witty self lately, I do hope all is well and the sourdough hasn't soured things.

dragonfly I'm hoping the family issues are smoothing out a bit; families are never easy, are they?

and Missedout - what's wrong with sleeping for England? Both you and England need the rest.

I can certainly relate to the sad loss of your car Panache but it's so heartening to learn your good friends are right beside you can continue to support. Hope MrP is home soon.

The book club went exceptionally well; it's amazing what different things we take from the same text, isn't it? I hope it's going to be a regular thing because I can't discuss literature with anyone else.

My son is interested in all the same subjects as his Mum (science, history, literature, technology etc) and he's been my sole conversationalist for many years. He's now so very busy, we seldom get the chance.

Thinking of Nortsat and hoping she's feeling better; Fanny too.

Just finished my teaching session with James, the little chap in Seoul.
He's less nervous now we're 6 weeks into it and was telling me about his new Lego Ninjago anniversary figures, some of which are golden.
As we were about to sign off, his brother came bounding into the room and the opening door knocked James off his chair. There was such a commotion but he promised he was all right.

I'm not staying up for Superbowl this year I don't think but my DS and DGS will enjoy it I'm sure - they usually have a Superbowl Party with traditional foods.

Okay, I'm outta here - love to all...

Wakey wakey! Lobstars,

I know Missed out is sleeping for England but I often seem to be first up apart from the wonderful Kaimoana who keeps us entertained and included.
In answer to Do I have ghosts? I don't know, probably. How would I know? I haven't seen apparitions but often hear noises.
DD once was terrified when in the house alone, a strange animal the size of a cat streaked past her and disappeared up the stairs towards the attic. We looked and found nothing. A few days later someone from the neighbourhood asked if anyone had seen her cat who was a rare breed and never left the house but must have run away escaped. Very slowly I put 2 and 2 together and searched the attic again and left food and water out. Still nothing.
Several days again and the apparition was seen, by me this time. I shut all doors to the attic and called the cat lady who came and collected it. We saw it for the first time. It was one of those odd looking creatures, huge eyes, almost hairless with long pointy ears and tiger markings.

The fireback is still here. I could take a photo of it and you could then tell me who she is and why she's there.

See you all later and hope the day goes well.

Good morning ?

I think M Towers has morphed into a twilight home for blobs. Mr M and I are sinking into slothdom and the ennui is all over everything like thick dust. I will break out of it by doing the ironing mountain tomorrow.

It feels as if we need the Consultant to do her ward rounds and say that we can go home. We have become institutionalised in our own sitting room.

Today I will avoid the ironing do at least one bit of ? and chastise DS for leaving his clean laundry on the floor for Fergal to sleep in. I'll enjoy that ?

Morning all. I’m just managing to scrape in before it becomes afternoon.
Mamissimo your description about a twilight room for blobs could be us too. Our way of life has changed since DH broke his ribs. Although much better his back is still to painful to walk far so apart from a trip to hospital and two birthday visits to our DGDs we haven’t been out at all. DH has lost a lot of weight which we think must be muscle. We need to get out walking again but I fear the weather this week won’t encourage it. We don’t have a garden to work in and I have become very lazy about housework as we don’t have any visitors either.
We are staying awake later at night and getting up later in the morning. We really do need to buck our ideas up and be more energetic.
I too need to do my ironing but if you’re not doing yours then I’m showing solidarity with you and not doing mine either ?
Grammaretto you could certainly write stories. You had me holding my breath whilst reading of your ghostly cat like creature hiding in the attic.
Kaimoana it was my DGDs who we went to see and yes we did see them . DH stayed in the car and talked with his mask on through the open window. All of them came outside to talk to us even the dog. We didn’t stay long. Just to wish birthday girl happy birthday and give her presents and have a quick catch up.

This morning whilst making our breakfast I spotted two geese slowly walking one behind the other along the bank of the stream behind our flat. They walked along until the bank sloped down a bit and they walked down to the waters edge. One (he I think) went in and swam a short distance then turned and waited for the other to take the plunge. She (I believe) eventually followed and they glided gently across to our side and into the backwater where they usually live when waiting for the arrival of goslings. I have seen one lone goose several times recently walking up and down the bank as though checking its suitability. I think they are set for home making now. Despite having many geese on the main river we only have one pair a year who nest in the backwater. I wonder if it’s the same ones.
Making scones this afternoon as a treat for DH. He loves hot scones with plenty of jam and cream....I’m not as keen but I will have to try one, just for quality testing purposes you understand. ?

Mamissimo and Doodle, how right you both are. Not usually a bundle of energy, even I have managed to reach new lows in slothdom.

Although each day feels the same (except dustbin day), yesterday, I felt a modicum of energy creaking through me and started a bit of housework. The ennui that is over everything in this house is also thick dust. I managed to clean the upstairs bathrooms, dust/polish appropriate surfaces in the bedrooms and around the stairs and DH followed up with the vacuum and washed tiled floors. Then, because DH gave me that hangdog look because we'd run out of cake, I psyched myself up further and made him a coffee and pecan sponge cake.

By then I was so tired that I was bad tempered and the evening meal came from the freezer. Was it worth it? I don't know. Now downstairs needs bringing to a similar standard to upstairs. I have cooked a 'proper' Sunday lunch today (heaven only knows why - long held tradition has a lot to answer for) and snoozed the afternoon away. Downstairs cleaning will have to wait but not too long otherwise upstairs will catch up on the 'dust' building stakes again.

I really, honestly don't do ironing. I can't remember the last time I ironed although we have an iron somewhere. When he was still living at home, DS sometimes ironed for DH. DH insists on using cloth hankies but says he is hopeless at ironing them. As he also seems to use them as additional 'grease rags' in the garage, I maintain that he should iron them himself - so stalemate, for years and years!

I promise myself that I will try and rouse myself again tomorrow and at least do something useful. I have stopped knitting because of my hand but now really ought to finish off the sweater that is on the needles, that is if I don't rearrange the dust in our living room!

I’ve eaten too much ?. Eyes bigger than my tummy as my mum used to say.
I am just going to sit for the rest of the evening and relax with a cup of coffee........and some chocolate.
Grammaretto remind me never to join a quiz with you and your DGC. I was reading on the GM thread about some of your questions and answers. Your DGC are very clever.
Have you chosen your knitting wool yet.
Missedout my DH likes to wear a clean shirt every day. He doesn’t like polo shirts or T shirts so I do end up ironing several shirts a week. I give my tops a quick once over. Iron the bedsheets and pillowcases. I also iron pyjamas and underwear.........I think I might be doing too much ironing.
Living in a flat, housework is easier. No stairs and everything on one level. I try and keep on top of housework because I dislike it so much. More interesting things (like sitting and reading) always beckon.
I did spend the afternoon painting though. Like jigsaws, it takes a long time. My hands shake too much so I’ve gone over the lines a bit but if the worst comes to the worst I will say it’s an abstract ?

Evening LobStars ?

I think I spoke too soon yesterday. Yep, I ended up having a seizure in the night and fell out of bed, again ?. My postictal confusion is getting more and more bizarre ?. Last night, not really aware of what I was doing, or knowing that I was on the floor, I pulled the leads of the bedside lamp and clock and unplugged them both. After wandering around the room I got back into bed only to discover there was no bedding on the bed (yes Cherry it's on the floor) but the lamp and clock were on the bed instead . I'm starting to think about setting up a video camera to record my antics ?

For the gangsters pondering over or fretting about housework and can'tbear*edery may I ask if you've ever read John Ruskin's 1866 work Ethics of the Dust? If you haven't, basically his message is that the modern women can do more and better than focus concerns on housekeeping, ergo dust. Dust will eventually crystalize ? ?. Note, gangsters, Ruskin wrote it over 150 years ago! I'm not trying to encourage you to all be slobs, you understand ?

Sorry this is short and sweet this evening, #unfocused ?. Nighty night all ? ?

Mamissimo the answer to your problem.'
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQfGI0dv5ic

I love ironing but never do it because all my manchester is crease-free.
Manchester? I hear you ask.
My eyes may be koretake but my ears, like those of a whale, can hear cries 13,000 miles away.

Manchester is the Kiwi word for bedding, tablecloths et cetera. I'm sure it originally applied to cotton goods from that great city.

Karen (doing a lot better) is due any minute but rest assured I'll be back to
shake the spit out of you write more later.

Cherry sorry you had another seizure. Do you only have these post seizure happenings at night or do you do similar things if you have a seizure during the day? You, in your lovely Cherry way make light of it but I do hope you keep safe. I hope your fall out of bed wasn’t a painful one and you haven’t added more bruises.
Ah cherry now I’m sitting here with the perfect excuse, I’m watching my dust to see if it turns into crystals ?
I hope you have a peaceful night tonight without re arranging the bedroom furniture.
Kaimoana I have never heard Manchester being a term for bedding. How funny it should be a kiwi word. Obviously bedding was made from cotton not nylon because where I lived nylon goods were Brentford. ?
Good to hear Karen is feeling better. Have a good day.

Kaimoana I’ve just watched your video link. I thought the first ironing thingy was amazing. If I had the money I would buy one of those. Big big to store though.
I actually have an iron similar to the second one. No heat dial, can leave it on the ironing board without scorching and irons silk and denim without changing any settings. I love it (but still hate ironing ?) the steam press thing and the inflatable jacket one strike me as far too fiddly. Couldn’t be bothered with either or them. Fun to watch though. ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-350381-quentin.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-813380-mocha.jpg

Doodle When I watched it, my first thought was, for that price I could pay someone to do my ironing!

Yes, I remember you have a posh iron - can you train it to fold things and put them away?

My son used to send his office shirts out to a local laundry, it was excellent value at £2 a shirt (same as in UK) and if he sent 6, the first was free This included collection and delivery to his apartment in posh cellophane bags (that's the shirts not the delivery man).

Oh Cherry I'm so sad for you, especially as the confusion seems to be getting worse. Take care dear friend.

I've had a lovely morning.
As it's a holiday here, Karen and I decided to spoil ourselves (to Hades with the housework! I'm wish Quentin Crisp).

After collecting my pre-order from the supermarket, including £27 worth of goat's milk formula for Gubbins the Ever Hungry, we decided on a cuppa tea at a local cafe.
I needed it to assuage the shock of paying that price for 900g of milk powder!

They do the lightest, tastiest orange and date scones - only there were none left (holidays, more people free to indulge) so I chose cinnamon - diiiiiiii-vine!

Karen and the local sparrows (we sat on the terrace) had a Mocha Muffin and as they are freshly made, they were still warm and soft, spread with butter.

This isn't part of K's official duties and her employers would be cross if they knew but we're not going to mention it and she knows I'd not be able to do anything like this otherwise.
She's a very good friend and I'm glad to see her coming back to her old self.

After lots of good conversation we came home as happy as a box o' birds.

Grammaretto loved the story of the manifesting moggie.

As you're a rose fan, here's Nahema from my garden for you. Just one blossom fills the whole area with the most gorgeous fragrance.
There are currently 4 flowers on the bush. I wish I could also send the wonderfully heady perfume.

Thank you for the rose Kaimoana I can almost smell it and it has certainly made my day.
Can I share it with all you wonderful Lobstars please?

I have glazed my first big planter ready for its final firing. I sprayed it with a paint sprayer outdoors in the icy cold.

I get my vaccination later today. Hippee! DS will come out and taxi me to the hospital.

I was sorry to hear you had such a bad night/time again Cherry and wish there was a magic cure.
Here are some snowdrops for you.

Missedout was feeling low too. I hardly iron at all and can vouch for Quentin Crisp's philosophy. I think he wrote that you never see dust more than an inch deep or words to that effect. I apply the science.
I must go and check on my mouse traps. Sorry Doodle

Good morning ?

It's snowing garden dandruff this morning so another day in for me.

I have been researching Kaimoana's steam ironing cupboards and I bring great news.....AO stock the LG clothes cupboard that you can have built into your utility room for a bargain £1749! It can be delivered tomorrow......anybody? It's even got WiFi connectivity ?

I let the side down yesterday and actually did the ironing with my fancy pants steam generator iron. I think it's the effort of getting it out of the cupboard that exhausts me these days.
What I need is a conveyor belt that runs in front of my recliner and which brings me things to do......like veg to prepare.....the odd kerchief to iron.....--a bar of chocolate-- a jigsaw with only one piece left to do....some flowers to arrange...--a large gin-- . With a gizmo like that life would be a piece of cake!

Today's challenge is to get through to DWP on the phone. I had to retire early on ill health grounds and I need to pay a small contribution for the years since then or they will knock £15 a week off my pension. Seems like a reasonable deal. My bet is that will take an hour to get though and I'll discover that I've rung the wrong number.

I have grown lockdown hair again and think I'll have to ask the DGC if I can borrow a hair slide. My fringe is getting in my eyes and I can sense my DM is instructing me to get an Alice band or something because hair in your eyes makes you go blind. I don't know about that but it's annoying.

Mr Blobby M has made great progress with the sourdough bread. I need him to stop now......the scales are telling lies and my wardrobe has started that thing it does which shrinks my clothes overnight.

I treated myself to yet another a nice Pearl necklace last night. I found it on the bay and it had its own made to measure fitted box. I know the jeweller it comes from well because my DF used to buy us all gifts from them. DM hid most of her jewellery in the pockets of clothes when she was in the early stages of dementia and she gave a similar double strand to a charity shop in the pocket of a pair of trousers she donated. Very happy to have replaced them.

You can wake up now - I've finished ?

Kaimoana what a beautiful rose. Thank you for letting us share it Grammaretto. Every time you post a picture of one of your roses it makes me think of my dear dad. Roses were his favourite and although a keen vegetable gardener he also loved his flower garden. He worked in London so left home about 5am in the morning but was usually back by about 4.30pm and then he was out in his garden every evening and all weekend. Sometimes, having brushed his lawn with a broom and tidied the edges, he just sat in his deckchair with my mum by his side drinking a cup of tea and telling her all about his flowers and planting plans.
Sorry I went on a mind ramble then. ?
Your coffee break with Karen sounds nice. Just the thing to recover from the cost of the goats milk powder. ?
Grammaretto vaccination day. At last. Nice you will be able to have a catch up with your son on the way.
Cant wait to see your planter. .......mouse traps ...oh dear....something in the woodpile stirring ?

Mamissimo what a wonderful description of snow. I know exactly what you mean.?. None here yet.
Crumbs and I thought my iron was expensive.?. It was an amazing gadget though. I wonder if it actually works.
If only you’d let me know I could have sent my ironing round to you. ?
Good luck with DWP. Try not to fall asleep while you’re on hold.

Mamissimo sorry, I didn’t fall asleep honest ?. I had to go to the front door.
My hair is awful long frizzy and straggly now. I wonder if my hairdresser will still be in business after this lockdown ends.
A Pearl necklace. That sounds a nice buy. I have a necklace which was my grandmothers. A filigree type pendant on a gold chain. I’m saving it for my older DGD. The younger one will have my silver necklace which my mother bought for me.
cherry hope you had a more peaceful night.
Panache hope you have managed to be in contact with MrP
Hope all the lobstars have a good day. ?

P.s. dandruff has just started falling here.

Good Afternoon from a dry,very bright West coast without any signs of the white stuff........as yet!!

A case of "Making hay whilst the sun shines" actually for I have just heard my dear man should be home later today.
Whilst obviously great news I also have to view it with some trepidation.......(in fact a lot of fear)........naturally because of the many dangers.

But having called the Hospital on two differing lines 24 times before 2.30pm yesterday when at last I had a reply.My patience was sorely tested!
This is very frustrating to say the least.
So Doodle..............hopefully no more of this!

When you have this special gizmo/conveyor belt Mamissimo please be sure to send similar my way!

Three cheers for the gift of the vaccine Grammaretto..........whilst how uplifting those dainty snowdrops...........not forgetting your beautiful rose too Kaimoana

In fact I would like to present them as a posy to cheer up our poorly Cherry...........always in my thoughts.

I guess my time will get very limited again........ but please know I shall be remembering each one of you,willing you on to good health and happier days.............with NO restrictions!!

Panache just seen your post. Good news indeed. Let’s hope MrP is more comfortable now and able to be kept pain free at home. Not having news from the hospital and being unable to visit is one of the worst things with this virus.
I hope you will have proper help and support at home from the Palliative care team and others.
Take care of both of you. Hope he’s home soon x

Panache I echo all that Doodle has said. 24 phone calls is 23 too many.