The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Hello to some pretty wonderful people!

I'm not going to intrude - I'm not shielding - and in spite of lovely Doodle's invitation to take part, I only really started reading your posts from time to time, because it's my way of finding out how the dear Panaches are coping.

But, as I am here, I just wanted to say that apart from making me cry a lot, and laugh out loud at your antics and the fantastically brave and self-effacing way you all deal with far too many trials, tribulations, suffering and loss on here - and still manage to find comedy and hilarity in life - it struck me what a marvellous book this thread would make. A sort of Lockdown Diaries for our Time, if you will.

I am lucky in that I am familiar with lots of names and your "daily doings" from other threads. But even without knowing anything about any of you, I would defy anyone to not be absorbed and entertained following your lives, adventures and wisdom; however humdrum and dull your lives may seem to you at the moment. So, my message is keep going, dear Panache and a curse on all those who dare to get in your way; so pleased about your MIL, Grammaretto - UTI's.... the scourge of the elderly - I must just tell you that I think you are all super heroes, wonderful wise women with so much to offer each other and life. I'd be proud to be called your friends, I'd be ecstatic to have you in my family. Love and hugs to you all and stay safe until we come through all of this. Sorry if that sounds a bit emotional, but well....you started it! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just for the record my first language is now english but welsh and french follow .........sometimes!!!!

How nice just to write something light hearted!!

Hello indomitables,
I heartily agree with kaimoana about not reading back through all the missed posts as long as you read mine
Seriously though. I really do find them very interesting and sad as well.
I don't always pick up on all the points though and our lives tend to be a bit repetitive.
Mine like Midsomer Murders .... the alternative is the news, Missedout
The news from America was such a relief yesterday. Nortsat

It turns out MiL hasn't had a stroke but a UTI which caused similar symptoms. ie Loss of voice, delirium etc. So she may be able to come home quite soon.

Meanwhile I have enlisted a solicitor to help me to sort myself out. She came recommended and sounded like a lovely kind person on the phone.

Counsellor, solicitor, physio, friend - give me any of them.
Thanks for the poem, the music and the pictures.
You look very nice in your shawl and dragonfly brooch Kaimoana

I shall order my seeds now and find someone to remove the fallen tree on my driveway and put off my Gaelic homework
Sorry teacher but I think there may be a good reason not many people choose to speak it.
Do you Welsh all speak Welsh?
Cherry, Panache?

Love to you all. Thinking of you and hoping for the best outcomes.

Good morning Indomitables, I am sitting here with coffee and all three cats (we are all sitting comfortably, thank you Doodle).
Kaimoana what a lovely photograph of you and Anna. Lovely to see you wearing the Dragonfly, too.
I agree with you about only reading one page of posts on this thread, otherwise it becomes too much of a chore and the thread moves quite quickly. As I only post every second or third day, I do that.
I like this thread very much and it would be awful if people were finding it a chore.
Missedout we all understand how easy it is to be dragged down by ongoing medical issues and this wretched lockdown. Lovely to see you, even if, as Doodle says, you just sit in a comfortable chair and rest. ?
Cherry gosh you’ve had a time of it ... hope today is a good one.
Panache having read your latest post, I have nothing to offer but good wishes and virtual flowers ? and I hope today is as comfortable and restful as possible. Although if aids are being delivered, I imagine it’s more upheaval, though hopefully they will make life a little easier, ultimately.
Grammaretto so sorry to hear about your MIL. What a terrible time it’s been for your family. I hope you are managing to sleep and eat and be kind to yourself, in the midst of all this.
Doodle I am sure your lovely GD will have a happy birthday (with or without balloons) happy in the knowledge that she is well loved ... and of course there will be cake ?
Dragonfly how are things with you today? Thank you for asking about my HMRC saga. I was going to post a lengthy, angry rant about them.
However I am not going to and will let go of my frustration and indignation.
Instead I will add a link to the American Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman and her moving poetry The Hill We Climb, from the Inauguration yesterday, incase any of the Indomitables want to read the poem or listen again to her recital.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/amanda-gorman-poem-biden-inauguration-transcript

Have the best day possible Gang-stars ? ???

Good morning ?

It's sunny ? so I'm jolly today and looking forwards to having my wisteria pruned by -- young people-- someone who doesn't fall off ladders.......and a visit from a cooker repair man. We haven't had anybody inside the house for so long that I'll probably bore him to death.

We spent yesterday morning going through legal paperwork with DS and his partner who are buying their first home. It struck me anew how daft our house buying process is. His poor puzzled face as he read the inch thick pile of papers said it all.....as did his comment..."Ma...I've got umpteen ologies but no one taught me this c**p"

I think I'm going to accident.y knock the jigsaw off the kitchen table.....it's been there so long, like a relic of Christmas, that it needs dusting.

Look after yourselves!

Dearest Cheery Cherry - is this the answer to your bedtime falls from grace ???

Might need a reinforced roof beam.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202101/medium-490231-with-anna-rest.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202101/medium-533147-panda-cushion.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202101/medium-439832-img-1151.jpg

I'm going to suggest something: if you've been away from the thread a while, read only one full page, maximum.

It seems some of us are stressing at not being able to catch up but truly, we move on so quickly, by the time we get to Page 8, Page 6 is old news .
Most of us have enough stress to fill 6 buckets, we hardly need to fill another here
Of course this is only a suggestion.

Thanks Doodle we did have a nice lunch and came back to my place for a chat and low-fat-sugar ice cream and sensible cake.
Mamissimo you crossed my mind, desserts at the restaurant were made with beans and yams.

Anna is working in one of the quarantine hotels, so her behind-the-scenes stories were very interesting.

The picture of us with our unspectacular food seems to indicate I have either lost my marbles completely and gone a bit simple, or had a great deal to drink.

The restaurant didn't even serve tea or coffee, let alone booze. I could have done with a glass of something warming too, it was so cold in there. I kept my shawl round my neck. See the dragonfly?

Anna gave me a lovely cup as a belated Xmas gift. I gave her a Panda cushion for her birthday. She loves cutesy things.

Later, for reasons I won't bother you with, I needed a little cheering up and found this YouTube concert, over an hour long but very merry if you like Irish music and a well-crafted performance.

It certainly did the trick for me but at the end, a wonderful pipe band came on and I lost my dignity completely. Good job I live alone.

To anyone else feeling sorry for themselves:

Who says it's a bad thing? Usually only people who don't want to deal with our unhappiness.

I think it does one good to have a bit of a sob and poor me moment - it gets rid of it and enables us to gird up our loins and get back into the fray.

Maybe I have lost my marbles?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PahsHxIeyc

Missedout you are always welcome even if you only want to sit in a comfy chair and listen in as others natter.
You are right, this weather brings us down and I too find this lockdown more difficult to cope with than the first one. It seems to be going on such a long time. This long period without close contact with family or friends seems to be dragging on. Your fluctuating temperature won’t be doing anything to make you feel better either. Hope it returns to normal soon.
I’m pleased to hear the physio session went well and hopefully that means with exercise you will get proper use back of your hand.
Take care and I hope you sleep well tonight.
Goodnight dear gangsters (and molls) sleep well.

Hello indomitables

I haven't deserted you but am struggling a bit. I'm not sure if it the dreariness of the weather in lockdown, just feeling that I will never leave this house again or ever complete the ***** jigsaw!

I have a fluctuating temperature, I just have to sit it out until I get better. I sleep a lot and get reduced to tears very easily. My mood and energy levels are very low- poor DH. I made him some rock cakes this afternoon to cheer him up. There were a dozen, there are now just 5 left.?????

I had an online video session yesterday with a physiotherapist (a very nice young man). I have exercises for my hand and a better understanding of what I have done to it. I don't really think a face to face session could have been much better. I have another session in 4 weeks.

Grammaretto, you and your family are having such dreadful time. It just goes on and on for you, I am so sorry. I'm not sure a comparison with Midsummer Murders is quite apt though - all those summer fetes on the sunny village green. I don't think many characters are very likeable.

Likewise, Panache, having to fight so hard for comfort for Mr P when you have your own, severe health issues.

I think you are all remarkable though. I'm getting maudlin again, time for me to take myself to bed. I hope everyone manages a peaceful night.

Doodle, you are right about how Cherry keeps cheerful but surely there should be some limit to bouncey-ness!

Kaimoana I want to know what that Jester has seen out of the corner of his eye that he finds so amusing ?
Hope you had a nice lunch with your friend and your new broach has an outing.
Cherry you’re back ? lovely to having you bouncing around again (mind the vases ?)
Sorry about all the seizures and falling out of bed. We need to have some sort of bouncy trampoline mattress on the floor so that if you fall out of bed it bounces you back in again...........mind you, I suppose you could keep going like that all night.
cherry you have obviously had a lot to deal with in your life. How you manage to keep so cheerful I don’t know.
I think Winnie the Pooh was very profound.
Hope tonight is not so bouncy ?

Hello LobStars ?

I've got my tablet back and it's working; bouncy bouncy bounce ?. It's been soooooooo annoying. I thought I could fix it, I couldn't ?. My WP failed too ?. In the end we had to admit defeat and rang a neighbour (son of my WP'S friend who died last year) who, if he can't do it himself will always know someone who can. Upshot = result! He did leave a note when he returned it though saying there was an outstanding issue but most functions/apps should work one way or another ?.

I haven't managed to catch up with any of the gang's individual doings even though I had the tablet back yesterday evening. Sorry . In my defence ... yep I've had dratted seizures again (several ?) and yep I fell out of bed again, grr! I had one in the night last night and woke up early (^for me^), 6am, and felt fine for three hours then ... I fell back to sleep ? and woke up at 11:45am ?. Almost lunchtime!! Good grief, I thought I'd turned into a teenager again had I? ?. Eek ?

Like I said I haven't caught up yet but I did notice that your DMiL had had a TIA and had ended up in hospital Grammaretto. I see you have said that the prognosis doesn't look too good. I hope that is not the case and she makes a good recover ?
It has often been said of me that I don't do things by halves because I don't just have epilepsy, no I have to have an inoperable brain malformation too and Drs prescribe me medication to control my epilepsy but the medication/s give me liver impairment or kidney stones, da da da. Some have said it doesn't rain but it pours with me ?. No, it doesn't, no it hasn't. I've loved and lost and that is so much harder, but there has been time to emotionally regroup between each loss. It must be so hard for your DMiL to have lost both her DS and her DH in such quick succession, it must be hard for you and now she is I'll in hospital too. It must feel like that rain will never stop. You know what Winnie the Pooh said - "when life throws you a rainy day, play in the puddles". You have had many rainy days over a short period of time Grammaretto, the rain will stop. Sending you a gentle cwtch x

Love and hugs to all the gang, I will catch up ? ... night night ?

dragonfly I hope the counselling gave you some foundation on which to build. I've learned, over the years, that there are so many different kinds of depression and they all need different types of care and support. 'Situational Depression' is rife at the moment as we all know.
You'll be pleased to know I may be wearing my dragonfly brooch today. It's turned very cold here thanks to La Niña but I'm going to lunch with a friend and will wear the heavy woollen shawl she bought me. I'll ask for photos

Oh, Panache another setback but I know by now that you never give up. however much you may want to.

Are you also battling on FannyCornforth?

Cherry another fall my friend? I hope you're not too badly hurt. Thinking of you, as always.

As I do for all.
Haere tonu, haere tonu, (keep going) as they say in Maori kia kaha (be strong).

To delight the eye and lift the heart:
Jester with a Lute by Franz Hals

Good evening all.
mamissimo I think you should produce our first lockdown gang movie. What a cast of characters you have to pick from. ?. If there’s anyone like Mr Darcy involved I would put myself forward for playing his female love interest. ?

Grammaretto sorry your MiL had to go into hospital. I doubt that is what she or the family want but I hope she will be more comfortable with the treatment available there. No visiting is a particular hardship in current times. Family want to be together. As usual, Kaimoana has put my thoughts into words. Grammaretto you and your family have been through so much I can understand how your MIL might just want to say enough is enough at this point.

Dragonfly I hope the fact that you don’t need counselling means you are feeling ok in yourself.
I’m so sorry about your son. I had no idea. That must have been an awful time for your family. He must have been very ill. I hope he is now fully recovered. Does the half a pancreas cause health problems ? (Im not even sure I know what function it performs to be honest but I have heard others say it is extremely painful)
Panache I have found looking after my DH takes quite a lot of time out of my day and bless him, he doesn’t require much help. How you manage to keep looking after you both when you are so poorly I don’t know.
I am glad the pain relief for MrP is better. I hope that means better nights for you both. The constant battle for medication would exhaust many. I wish the GPS were more proactive in their help of those who are so poorly.
Goodness how surprising the author of that book is your aunt.
It must make very interesting reading.
Take care and much love to you and MrP
Jan good to hear you are still feeling ok after your jab.
I have had a very busy day today.
It is my DGD’s birthday at the weekend and neither of the two presents we have ordered for her have arrived yet ?
I spent hours last night searching the internet for someone who would deliver some birthday balloons to her. Plus ordering of chocolates and cakes on our delivery due tomorrow. It’s bad enough not having the presents but it’s her 18th so should be a special day but with lockdown no party or get togethers. She is such a lovely girl. So kind and caring of others.
cherry I gather you’ve had another fall. I do hope you are ok. We miss you. Come back soon our bouncy Tigger.
Take care all

Dragonfly46. My daughter had gallstones a the age of 35. Had her gall bladder out and is fine now.
Panache. Pleased your DH is getting some relief. Take care of yourself too although I know it’s not easy. My cousin lives in Wales and he says the health service there is not good and very slow. I had my first jab yesterday and all ok. Obviously I was one of the lucky ones.

Good to hear from you Panache and to hear your DH's pain is slightly eased. Appalling that you are having to chase everything and I know how stressful that can be.

Doodle my DS was extremely ill with pancreatitis 10 years ago. He had to have 7 months off work. It was caused by gall stones which are unusual in one of 30 years. For a lot of that time he was in hospital (the Royal London, which is in the news at the moment). They were amazing. He now only has half a pancreas.

Having managed to scout through at a rate of knots, I still hear tales of woe,but surely dear Grammaretto...... your`s must take centre stage,the very last place you would wish to be.
Such a load of things to try to get your head around,and so soon after your own dear loss.

Dear Dragonfly you are very much in my thoughts.
Watching a dear one suffering is indeed deeply painful.

Whilst Cherry so sorry hearing you too have yet had another fall.Wish I had some real answers,but please know you are loved.

Indeed yes, we have the misfortune of having a very poor Health service here in Wales,it is adding such high levels of added,un necessary stresses.
Almost everything I need I have to check,recheck and still check again...........and quite frankly with the way my dear man is rapidly going,I will be following fast......... because of such an overload.
Not only the daily caring of two people and a home,now no transport,I have practically all the nursing duties,and even handling the meds alone,one`s head needs to be fully on the job.
Then there are the foodstuffs,the caring, and although having tried and tried,I still cannot find a cleaner.

On the brighter side,yes we are over our "jab setbacks",my dear man is having better nights since pain management has improved.
However it takes a full week to get drugs delivered and we were fast running out of pain relief.........and so the stress goes on.
A Physio visited and has been very helpful with many aids being delivered tomorrow (where to put everything is my next dilemna!!)
He has had his x rays,now awaiting his MRI scan next.

Our meals are again on the poor side,very hit and miss,with another chef........probably the best of the bunch.....given "the push"

Yes the book........the author Florence Coombs is my real aunt......sister of my biological mother.The family she describes are my grandparents on my mother`s side......so very interesting reading.
Although no more than that.

Wish I could share more time with you all, but please know no one is forgotten,you are my uplift ............although sadly it is very much a case of "Here Today but gone tomorrow"
Sending loving thoughts to you all.
Stay Safe.

Grammaretto

Thankyou dear Gangsters,

So you don't need counselling Dragonfly? I hope that's because you are neither depressed, anxious or stressed?

No news yet on MiL but I tend to agree Kaimoana. It is too much for one small body to take. DSisiL says she accepts that her DM has not much longer to live but wanted her to, like DH, die peacefully at home instead it's all so stressful with no visiting allowed and the risk of covid.

I am sorry you had a bad night again Cherry...just when your last bruises were healing.

We need our cheery Cherry in one piece.

I'm just feeling blurgh today. A bit sorry for myself... and it's snowing.

Love to you all.

Good morning - any news on your MiL Grammaretto? As Kaimoana says it is so sad.

I was sorry to hear you had fallen out of bed again last night Cherry. I hope you are not feeling too bad today.

Nortsat hope you sort HMRC out this morning - I have the same to do.

I had a counselling session yesterday but I think the outcome was that I don't need counselling. I will have one more session but then let it go to someone who needs it more.

My thoughts are with the Panaches and I hope things are easing for them.

Grammaretto Your poor MiL, what she's had to bear recently would have felled a woman 50 years younger.

Covid and all its nasty restriction plus the knowledge that across the world, millions are dying.
Something none of us ever believed we'd see.

The passing of her beloved son, something I am sure she never wanted to see.

Then her beloved is taken so suddenly with no chance to say 'goodbye' or hold his dear hand as he left her.

Like you Grammaretto she has to contemplate life alone and however sweetly supportive and kind relatives are, they are not a spouse.

I would not blame her if she folded her hands, closed her eyes and said, 'My time here is done.'

My heart breaks for her, as it does for you. These are dreadful, dark days for so many.

Thankyou kind lobstars,
MiL was taken into hospital but at least DiL arrived in time to see her.

Funny Mamissimo you may be onto something. I was slumped in a chair having called off my walk today and flicking the channels I found myself watching Midsomer Murders. Just how many sudden deaths can you get in one wee village!

I was impressed by your cat too Nfk that's a serious predator.
Years ago when we kept hens we had to go to a grain store to buy hen food and there were feral cats about the place.
A farmer was in looking for a kitten. He was shown one which immediately ripped his hand. "I'll take that one" he said without flinching.
Nature red in tooth and claw.
Now for a G&T...

Grammaretto your life has the makings of a best seller at the moment! .....here's the blurb from which we could sell it to a film producer....

At the centre of a small Scottish community an enigmatic potter is coiling pots and sowing acorns whilst around her people are dying like flies randomly experiencing medical emergencies. Enter a young Antipodean son who is determined to get to the bottom of things - and a wyllie band of virtual grannies who appear to have an answer for everything mysterious talents. What spirit is guiding the potter? (Well it's gin obv) ?

Nicole Kidman can play you......and I think I'd better go and cook supper......

Grammaretto just been reading through the posts and see the news about your MIL. Oh dear, that’s a nasty shock.
You are certainly all having a very hard time. It is easy to blame yourself when someone is ill. I blamed myself for DH when he had a stroke so it’s a common reaction I think.
Like dragonfly I too think you’re having more than your fair share. Your trip out was eventful. I bet your friend was shocked when she realised your DH had died and not retired.
Kaimoana I wouldn’t imagine you telling me a fib either.....but pulling my leg I can imagine ?
Nfk gracious, how big was your cat ?. A squirrel and rabbit. Are you sure it was a cat you had and not a leopard?
My cat never brought anything home but I suppose we didn’t live in a very rural areal so there wasn’t much around for her to find. Even the birds were too quick for her.
dragonfly I’m sorry I didn’t realise your son had been so ill (if I’ve missed something along the way I’m so sorry, my memory isn’t too good)
As you say, it is hard to watch someone you love suffer.
Well we will be a multi lingual bunch with you learning Welsh and Grammaretto Gaelic. ?
I hope you found your counselling session helpful.
Does your DD like her names? I often wished I had more than one so I could choose which I wanted to be called.
Jan good to hear you’ve had your jab. Did they give you any idea when the second one would be?
Hope you are feeling ok.
Panache and Cherry hope you are feeling ok too.

Grammaretto. Sorry to hear you and your family are having such a bad time. Thinking of you

I just heard that the GP came and they are doing hospital at home and MiL is sleeping now.
The prognosis is not good but Sis in L is on her way to help BiL who thinks it's all his fault because she had a TIA (ministroke) in the night and he didn't call an ambulance because she seemed OK.
Ofcourse it isn't his fault but he is hyper anxious.

We are all dropping like flies around here. black humour
I went out for some milk and discovered my nearish neighbour tripped over in his house and broke his leg yesterday. He is in the hospital.....

I met a woman I half recognised/not seen for years/ behind masks and told her that DH had died. "Oh that's good" she said She had heard "retired"