The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Evening all.
Firstly another update from Panache.
Panache wants me to thank all those who are thinking of them and praying for them and to say how much that means to them both.
Panache is allowed to visit for only 3 / 4 of an hour daily. MrP sadly now has no hearing and very poor sight but still tries his best to smile.
I have told her how much they are in the thoughts of all the gangsters

dragonfly hope you are keeping well.
Kaimoana that sounds an interesting meeting. Not quite what I thought.
I’m not aware that we have frozen pea pods. I don’t think I have ever seen them.
I thought your photo was of some sort of sweet cake but now I see it’s brawn. I’m not sure I’ve ever tried brawn. Don’t think I will now reading your description ?. It doesn’t look half as nice now I realise the photo is not an iced cake of some sort.
Hope you enjoyed the singing if not the brawn.
Grammaretto sounds as though you had a lovely day out and enjoyed finger food. It’s difficult isn’t it when you get presented with something to eat that oozes out of the sides and bottom. Hope you enjoyed it anyway, ?
Do you have plans to rent out your flat? Have you chosen any colours yet? My BIL and SIL were talking recently about choosing paint for their bungalow. They were saying how there are many lovely darker shades available now but only really suitable for places with high ceilings.
I’m sad to say we are magnolia. I would love to go for something more vibrant but it wouldn’t go with our furniture.
Grammaretto I suffered from (and still do) claustrophobia for as long as I can remember. I didn’t go in a lift or a train for over 40 years. When my DGC came along, I was so afraid of passing my phobias onto them I decided the time had come to tackle the issue.
I had assumed (in my innocence) that I would go to CBT classes, they would wave a magic wand and my problems would disappear. Obviously, that didn’t happen and basically what I discovered was that if I wanted to fix the problem I was going to have to do it myself. I read many books on the subject and then started to make myself go into situations I found difficult. (I could not go into a public toilet and lock the door without having a panic attack)
Fortunately, my dear DH never pushed or put me in a situation I couldn’t cope with. He just was there to support me in my efforts. He talked to me quietly about my fears and explained that I really wasn’t going to suffocate in a train or lift and gradually helped me to build my confidence until one day I went up 1 floor in a lift with him. That progressed to 1 floor in a lift in my own and then over the last 15 or so years I have gradually become more confident. I have been in tube trains in London, I use the lift in our apartment block. Flying is no problem. The only obstacle I cannot overcome is being restrained in any way (like going on a ride at a fairground or as it turns out the Norvic centre in York where I had to be led out through the emergency exit due to a panic attack .)

Sorry I’ve been rambling on in a not very interesting story. A long answer to your question ?. The short answer is I’m much better. Thank you.

A little funny I forgot to mention. I read in the paper today that the President of the Royal Horticultural Society is a Mr Weed!! Do you think he’s related to little Weed in Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men ? ?

Oh well done Doodle, that's one hell of a phobia to overcome on your own. My phobia is fear of dead things. Not death, just dead bodies. I cross the road rather than walk past a road kill rabbit! And my fear is that they'll move - how daft is that! I'm better than I used to be and can now pick up a dead spider, but haven't yet progressed to dead mice.

Yes Jan. 'My' stately pile is Blickling. I love it. I dithered and dallied with Felbrigg briefly, but Blickling has my heart!

I love the sound of freeze dried peas pods. Something which may be rather too easy to overdose on and get undesired results. And flat bread with roasted veg sounds mouthwatering but I have problems with vegan and vegetarian food in that it all seems to have garlic about it somewhere and I can't eat it. Strangely wild garlic leaves and flowers are fine so I suspect its some chemical in the bulbs.

Do try a good reflexologist Doodle. I find my feet feel wonderful for days afterwards and strangely, bits of me which had hurt, don't as much.

Nothing wrong with magnolia paint either. It goes with everything - and is cheap.

Who won Mamissimo? The chipped screen or your haircut?

I too keep thinking of Panache and the agonies they are both having to endure. So bad. So very, very bad. And no one can make it better. God give them strength.

Nfk I’m not too good with dead things either.
I’ve not heard of Blickling, I’m off to look it up now.
Our local NT is Cliveden home of the Astor family. Every time I go there I am amazed at the thought of one family owning so much.
I’ve never had reflexology. I must admit it sounds tempting.
I did have head massage once. That was very relaxing.

Doodle how brave you are! It's not foolish to have a phobia, it's not a choice either and by posting your experience, you may well comfort others.

I have often wondered if it's something 'left over' from a previous life, as Prof. Ian Stevenson believed.
His incredible research seemed to point to many unexplained human traits.

Did I mention the emergency services hurtled down our street on Sunday morning?
Yesterday, I found out why. One of our residents, already terminally ill, stopped breathing.
He was resusitated and taken to hospital only to be sent home to die 2 days later.

I walked down to pay my respects yesterday, taking a posy of roses from my garden.
He was a good man and I liked him.
He and his wife are keen gardeners which is just as well as their plot is huge but beautifully kept.

They'd been married 58 years.

Printer repair man called, he can't work out what's wrong.

Still haven't had my chipped tooth fixed or a date for the extraction. I may get the pliers from the toolbox.....

I've been waiting 8 weeks for this book. [grin

Hello Lobstars,

Sorry you are still printerless Kaimoana
Sad about your nice neighbour. I'm sure the flowers will be appreciated.
Interesting worm book.

I currently have a gas engineer looking for a leak. My friend who came to have a cuppa, smelled gas so I called the emergency number this morning and a man came, found one leak (from the Rayburn) and switched everything off and left. Now the engineer has been testing the whole system and found another leak which he says could be anywhere!! The pressure drops so it must be escaping, but where?
If I didn't have a headache before, I do now.

I read your story of overcoming the phobia, Doodle. What a brave woman you are!. Very well done. Thank goodness you have the dude for a DH who has helped you too and been sympathetic when many wouldn't be. He is kind and patient, just like you!.

Mr Weed of the RHS.. What about that. I didn't even know that was a name.
I'll be back later when I hope this latest saga is resolved.

Kaimoana I am sorry about your neighbour. I’m sure the posy will be appreciated.
Sorry your printer is even baffling the experts. How annoying.
Oh please no pliers. ?. How long have you been waiting for a dental appointment now?
Beautiful picture on the outside of that book but not sure I would like the contents. I’m a bit squeamish of worms and snakes.
Grammaretto I hope you’ve got your windows open. Does that mean you have no heating or hot water? Hope you get it repaired soon.
Ah, thank you for your kind words from both you and Kaimoana. I never thought that was a phobia I could overcome. We have a lift in our apartment block and I use it most days (since DH fell down the stairs we have used it as a safer option) on my own or with others.
I wouldn’t say I have completely over come my fears but I am so much better.

Doodle I don't suppose you ever completely overcome fears but you achieve coping strategies or something like that and you learn what to avoid and discover about yourself on the way.
Work/play to your strengths. That's a sound saying.
I know in tennis you should play to the opponent's weaknesses.
if they have any
This reminds me I am supposed to be playing badminton next week. I am terrified.

This house is very draughty so I'm sure I won't be gassed but I am excited by the prospect of the engineer finding escaping gas. He didn't manage today but is coming next week to spray all the gas pipes with something to detect leaks. I told him I'll bet he has easier jobs.
Meanwhile I am glad I have my electric ring, kettle, microwave and wood fire.

At least G&T doesn't need cooking .

I must check that supper is cooking on my ring. Do any of you remember "Cooking in a Bedsitter", by Katherine Whitehorn?

I am sending love and cwtches to the Panaches and to Cherry who hasn't been posting for a while.

Grammaretto I hope your leaks are detected soon. I wonder how they do it? ?
What are you cooking tonight on your electric ring?
I don’t remember that. Was it a book or TV programme?
Sadly, cherry may not be posting for a while Grammaretto
but I’m sure she knows we are thinking of her and missing her.
We are having an ‘at home’ weekend and I intend to tackle our outside cupboard. Some how I need to find a place for the toilet seat and back frame I bought when DH came out of hospital with his broken ribs. He doesn’t need them now but I am keeping them. I’m hoping the walking frame he came home with can go back to the hospital but we are finding it difficult to find somewhere to take it.
Have you any plans for the weekend…….apart from leak searching? ?

Hi All. 9 down 6 to go! Yay! Trips for radiotherapy in case anyone is wondering!
Have eldest daughters and her husband here for the weekend. They live in Nottingham. Have just been over to eat at my younger daughters and her partners. Such joy to have them all together. And yes I have had far too much wine but I don’t care! Doesn’t happen very often.
My thoughts are with the Panaches- what a terrible and sad situation for them both. Really hope they find some time together.
Tomorrow we are off for coffee in town. Could be interesting as haven’t been into town for over a year. So many shops have shut apparantly which is very sad but happening all over the country I’m afraid. Then tomorrow evening we are out for an Indian meal before all meeting up Sunday morning for coffee at our favourite tea shop before eldest daughter and husband go back to Nottingham. Hope everyone else has a great weekend too

Jan that is good to hear. Past the half way mark. You certainly deserve a glass or two. Sounds like you have had a lovely family get together and more to come.
Hope you have a good time over the weekend and can relax a bit.

Jan16 You're a real gad-about at the moment, isn't it marvellous after months of enforced isolateon? No such thing as too much wine!

I'm convinced Hanna (remember her?) has sent Grace as an under-cover agent to gaslight me.

Not to be confused with gas-leaking Grammaretto

Yesterday, despite seeing exactly how my bed was made previously, she placed the top sheet loosely over the mattress cover and rolled the fitted, bottom sheet into a tight ball and placed it decoratively on top of my pillows.

Try as I might I cannot see any logic in this.

She changes beds every day and I have shown her several times, what's needed at my place.

Every week, no variations: One fitted sheet over the mattress cover, which stays intact; one top sheet, blanket and coverlet, all tucked in please. I always leave the clean bedding out beside the bed.

It's rocket science, obviously.

Earthworms are fighting for their existence and whilst not exactly endangered yet, modern farming and gardening methods, predators and astonishly the use of micro-fibre fabrics, has massively reduced numbers and is pushing them towards a danger zone.

We can help them by putting aside our mania for tidy lawns.
*Leave the leaves*; not only do they enrich the soil, they encourage good health in worms, who need them over winter.

Of course, bio, organic and no-dig gardening helps too.

Use gloves to pick up worms if you see them on the surface as sunlight and warm human skin are bad for them. Put the wormies in the shade.

Kaimoana, Warrior for Worms

Hello again Lobstars,

I really find the bedmaking saga unbelievable Kaimoana
What's not to understand. I think they must confuse bottom sheet and mattress cover and are left with this spare sheet so fold it as an extra pillow.
Not very bright as Marilyn Munroe says in Some like it Hot. or is it a cultural difference?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=F34Dhzluf4M

You sound so happy Jan, and relieved. Just a few more long drives.

I agree about earthworms and want to show you my no-dig plot which is doing well so far.
If successful I may extend the plot next year - if I am still here. in this house

Sending loving thoughts and prayers to the Panaches and to Cherry and any other missing Lobstars.

Good morning ?

Ah Kaimoana the joys of cleaners and bed changing......the first time we ever asked our first cleaner to change the bed we had a big 'do' to attend in London. We arrived home very late and sozzled tired to find....the entire king sized mattress stuffed into the clean floral duvet cover....and curling up on itself.....the clean bottom sheet tucked in over the top and then the naked duvet.....covered with the used duvet cover laid over the top. It took the two of us about an hour to get the mattress out of the duvet cover. Happy days ?

I was too young/embarrassed to ever ask her again.....

Grammaretto I'm a bit concerned about your fire and a gas leak.....?

The trail camera is still giving me headaches....so far we have pictures of a beagle, a black cat and some old woman who appears regularly and peers right close up.....maybe she's the rat? ? She can't be me because I'm 17 and gorgeous because I don't think I look like that!

Sending big bags of veg to all who can use them....and thoughts to The Ps and to Cherry

kaimoana I cannot believe that Grace still cannot make a bed. That you have two helpers one after the other, and neither can make a bed is unbelievable. Even after you’ve shown them.
Ooh I’m not keen on worms but having said that I would always try and put them back on earth if they got lost. Much as I don’t like them I don’t like to see anything suffer.
Grammaretto glad to hear your no dig plot is working well. It certainly seems to be sprouting something. Is it potatoes?
Any news on your leak?
Mamissimo I see you are having fun with the trail camera. So no intruders apart from you, Fergal and Honey beagle. I await the next instalment with interest. I am sure there must be something unusual lurking. ?
I have been on full tidy up mode today. As I have said before, living in a flat means you have to cram things in every nook and cranny tidily put things away.
First job was to reorganise the outside cupboard to accommodate the toilet seat and bed support I bought when DH cam out of hospital. Next take out all my boxes of fabric, batting, interfacing etc and organise them so they fitted in smaller boxes. Next clean all the skirtings and corners in DH’s study (which haven’t seen the light of day for years). Organise my new desk and stack all my boxes underneath. I am exhausted…???. Still, I am pleased with what I have achieved today. Treated myself to a Magnum after dinner as a reward for all my hard work ?
Hope all the gang members are ok and enjoying the sunshine.
Cwtchs for all, especially Cherry and Panache

I've been on tidy up mode as well Doodle It is quite fun when you get into it.
The flat is now ready for the painter.
I have done some decluttering too chucking out
The quiz tonight was hilarious. The best question was to think of a song with a girl's name in the title and sing it!
After the amount of wine we were all putting away it was really funny,
I should go to beddy byes but am too wide awake. I am drinking rooibos vanilla tea, thanks Jeeves
How is everyone else?

I’m steaming ? and so upset. I have just had a PM from Panache.
I had to read it several times to make sure I hadn’t made a mistake. MrP has been transferred to the new hospital but they have informed Panache they have a strict visiting policy of half an hour a week.
Panache, as you can imagine is beside herself and is thinking of asking for him to be brought home so they can be together.
I can’t believe the hospital will not be more accommodating.
Be back later when I’ve calmed down a bit

Just had an update from Panache. The Family Liaison Officer has taken up their case and has now arranged for Panache to visit for half an hour a day. She will have to be escorted to MrP’s room and back by this officer but I doubt that will trouble her. It’s a big improvement on half an hour a week.
MrP is now in a nice single room.

Doodle. Much better news for the Panaches. So pleased for them that they will be able to have some time together. And that Mr P now has a room to himself but it’s very sad that they had to jump through hoops to get what should be a normal right for people in their position.

I absolutely agree with Jan. What we used to take for granted we now have to beg and pray for.
This was the situation with DH when I was told that no visiting was allowed, having been allowed an hour a day until then,. Luckily our GP intervened and we brought him home for his final weeks.
Half an hour a week is in human.
Sending cwtches xxx

Is there anything else they can do to Mr & Mrs Panache? I've been wondering why he is not having hospice as opposed to hospital care.

Half an our a day is better than nothing but when I think of the absolute agony of parting each time, knowing your darling is alone....it's beyond heartbreaking.
How have we ever come to this?

Kaimoana I asked the same thing. Apparently there are no hospices around where the Panache’s live.
I too find it hard to believe they would limit visiting to half an hour a day under the circumstances.
True Jan you would think someone should have sorted this out for them when MrP was in the previous hospital.
Grammaretto I remember how your GP supported you in bringing your DH home and the family could all visit.