The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

I am so very sad for you all - there are no words, really, but I am very sorry

Yes, Doodle she was very helpful. Recommended silicone gloves to handle hot things, as I burn my arm often not knowing where the oven shelf is.

She liked my own innovations, such as my own On/Off/Grill stickers on the cooker and thick lines around sockets so I can judge where to put the pins of the plugs.
So I felt as if I wasn't quite as useless as I'd supposed.

She talked about many other kitchen helps but either I don't need them yet, or they are beyond my budget.
The gloves are only $14 though, so I'll get them fairly soon.

How's your toe?
I loved the flowers from the Dean's garden, haven't been there for some time. Wouldn't it be nice to visit it?

I was reading Jerome K Jerome's Three Men in a Boat which is set on the river all around your way. It's very funny, have you read it?

As the book was written in 1889, I don't suppose you were living there then

Yes, Grace is a good little cleaner and willingly goes to the library to collect my pre-ordered audio books. It's only 2.3 km but I have to pay her petrol costs - she has a scale of charges
At least, unlike Hanna, she comes back quickly. Hanna would stay there until just before she was due to sign out, often wasting 45+ mins of alloted 'housework' time.

The bloke who came to inspect for 'structure and safety' asked why I'd taped up the switch for the bathroom extractor fan.

I explained the cleaning lady often turned it on (I think she believed it dried the floor), and as I wasn't aware of this and can't hear it, it was often left on for days, using electricty to no purpose.

I had pegged him as a dolt from the moment he stepped into the house, so when he left, I went into the bathroom and yes, he'd left it switched on.

Had a little weep for Mamisimo's DD2, when I read the post - poor, poor lassie. The whole family must be beside themselves with grief.

I hope the Panaches are together.

Does anyone have good news?

Stay well dear Gangstars.

Mamissimo I am so so sorry. That is such sad news. Love to all of you x

I am so sorry to hear your news Mamissimo. Please give your DD a giant hug from all of us.

Thank you to all for the birthday wishes - I had a lovely day with friends and family. The fact that the weather was good improved things and we topped it off with Champagne which we had during a Zoom with DD.
Today we are off to a very famous hotel in Stamford for lunch. We are meeting very old friends (in both senses of the word who we haven't seen for 2 years.

Sorry to hear your sad news Mamissimo ?

A meaningful cwtch to you all dear Mamissimo,thinking of you.

Belated Birthday wishes dear Dragonfly

Love to all.

Good morning Gang-stars,
Mammissimo sending good wishes to you and your DD. How heartbreaking. I am so very sorry.
Panache sending all my good thoughts to you and your dear one. I have been following your updates and thinking of you both.
Dragonfly belated happy birthday. I do hope you had a lovely day and wish you lots of good things in this coming year (and a lovely lunch).
All good wishes to Doodle, Kiamoana, Grammaretto, Cherry, Norfolk D, Missedout, Jan and any Gangstar I have missed.
? ? (and love from Missy, who now seems to be as deaf as a post! but who still considers herself a ‘senior Mog-star!)

dragonfly glad you had a nice birthday (where’s our cake ?)
Have a lovely lunch today.
Kaimoana the gloves sound like a good idea. Burns are so painful. I haven’t before thought of all the difficulties your lack of sight brings. You so seldom mention it yet it must cause you no end of problems managing on a day to day basis. Good idea about the cooker and the power sockets.
I would love to visit the Dean’s garden. They way they feature different bits I find it hard to imagine what it’s really like.
Funnily enough the Dean was talking about Three Men in a Boat just the other day. Yes I have read it but many years ago…… no, not when it first came out ?
Toe is still painful but my new toe guard is coming today, whether it will help or not remains to be seen.
Well I’m glad Grace is more of a help than Hanna even if she doesn’t do beds.
I too was really sad to hear Mamissimo’s heartbreaking news. So sad for all of them
Panache hope you are spending time with MrP. Take care x
Nortsat lovely to hear from you. Hope you are feeling a bit better. Little stroke from me to all the Molls.
So hot this morning. Got up early to do my stint at watering the outside plants (myself included) then we went to the Pharmacy to collect DHs meds before coming back for breakfast. Worn out already. ?

Lovely to see some old friends back in the Gang

Sometimes, when life gives you lemons, it also provides the sugar for the lemonade .

The 'lost' parcel turned up at last and contained these pretty brooches from my friend in the USA.

Grace arrived, a day early, to ask if she could do the work today and I agreed.
I step-by-stepped her, yet again, through making my bed correctly and we laughed over her past mistakes.

Tomorrow, after 3 failed attempts, I am finally having my Covid jab.
I was supposed to go swimming but heard at today's elders meeting that the pool is closed for the next 4 months.
So St John is taking me to be stabbed injected instead. All good.

This evening, my student arrived with her grandmother who passed on the message from parents that I've made a huge difference to the lassie's progress and she is now getting excellent marks.

My son's best friend who normally lives in Atlanta has flown in and will spend 2 weeks in
luxury quarantine but then 6 weeks in Auckland. We are all hoping to get together for a ceilidh and craic.

Doodle did the toe collar work? I do hope so.


Wishing all our Gangstars a little sweetness in their lives.

I'm glad that when life gives you lemons you also get sugar
Do you have to wait until something awful happens before the sweetener arrives?
I agree it is lovely to see some familiar faces.
Df who was, and perhaps is, coming to stay next week has heard that her DS has covid. He's been quite ill and is alone in his flat.
The painter has begun and he is really nice. He keeps seeing other things he can help with.

I'm taking MiL & SisiL to the churchyard where DH wants to be remembered. He only asked for a couple of things and we failed with the first one: A special piece of music at his funeral which we couldn't find and then to have an inscription on a family stone.

Grace does seem to be a great improvement Kaikmoana
No more apple-pie beds.
I was at boarding school and the other girls in my dorm made one for me - once!

What a joy to be so appreciated by your student's parents.

Good luck with the jag and according to DS the quarantine hotel is no picnic but it was midsummer and he was desperate to get out and home.

I hope your poor sore toe is better Doodle

I went on a 4am stroll into my garden/woodland to see if there were badgers to be seen as my CCTV hasn't arrived. Nothing apart from some early birds.
It hardly gets dark now and I sleep intermittently.
My neighbour has a visiting fox cub which she is trying not to encourage as he/they trample her vegetables.

Kaimoana glad your package turned up. I bet I know a certain young lady who will love the mouse ballerina ?
Well I hope Grace took notes in your bed making session so she can do it next time. At least she sounds a willing pair of hands and doesn’t take advantage like Hanna,
Hope your COVID jab is ok and you don’t suffer any side effects.
How lovely that you have been able to help a young person. That is such a special achievement. I’m pleased the family thought to tell you so.
Hope you have a good time with your friend and her son……when you eventually get to meet.
The toe collar is partially successful. If only the dratted thing would stay on my toe. What is it about this silly little pinky that rejects all comfort. ?
grammaretto yes it is nice to hear from our old friends from the lockdown gang.
I’m sorry your friends son is so ill with COVID. Because of all the vaccinations given we tend to think the problem has gone away to a certain extent. Hope he feels better soon and your friend can still come to see you.
We have a chap who came to do our bathrooms years ago. The firm he worked for said he was ‘a bit of an old woman’. He was perfect for us. He listened. Suggested changes which improved what his bosses (at the time) had come up with and was always pleasant, a fantastic worker and such quality in all he did. He has worked for us on many other projects because we like his way of working. A good trades person is worth their weight in gold if you can find one that suits your needs.
I love churchyards. The quietness and serenity (and for those of us who believe an extra sense of peace). Is there a family plot for your DH. Will it be somewhere you will be with him at some point (sorry if that’s a personal (and somewhat premature) question)
You could meet up for a chat with my DH and my DIL at night. Sleep is a problem for them both. My poor DIL functions on little sleep she has been like this for years, DH also for many years although has some meds from GP for RLS now which help.
Thank you for asking, my little toe is still painful (not when I’m not walking on it).
We are waiting to hear if we will be able to go in our cruise. I hope we do as I know how much DH wants to. Wr both love cruising. Not the big ships with thousands, the entertainment, the crowds. We go on small ships with old people who chat enjoy the scenery and quiet of the seas (except when it’s choppy) and of course…….the food.
Cherry not sure if you are reading but just want to say we miss you so much. I hope your troubles are improving and that you are keeping well. Please take care our dear friend. Cwtch and x
Panache you too are in my thoughts. I hope you are spending more time with MrP now and the hospital are being more helpful.
To all our lockdown gang. Take care and keep safe. Sandwiches for all.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-562641-lonely-kiwi.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-737410-lisas-hummus-pumpkin.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-352242-on-this-day-she-1.jpg

A poignant picture of a Kiwi in quarantine (my son's best friend). He'll be coming to me in 13 days for 'Ma's home cooking' and that always puts him right.

No, Grammaretto you don't have to wait, sweetness is always there but alas, I don't see or appreciate it the way I should.

I've had me jab the doctor was a lovely Welsh lady and very kindly took my arm to escort me to the wait area.
She nearly stopped in her tracks when I thanked her, 'for the cwtch'.

You lot have educated me.

Doodle your old bathroom chap sounds to have been a very nice and efficient guy.
I imagine the boss who used that derogatory sexist remark was cross because your man liked to do everything right and boss was content with, good enough is good enough
Sour grapes.

How about fashioning a little cover from a finger of a disposable glove to go over your toe collar, a bit of tape, bandage or a band-aid should keep it in place, especially it bound to your next toe..

I'm about to enjoy a mixed platter of fresh, roasted vegetables (carrot, pumpkin, potato, parsnip, beetroot) with the hummus you see pictured. Who could dine better than that?

The 'Lisa' on the label was/is a real person and I wanted to feature her produce in one of my books.
She said 'only if every recipe is vegetarian.' which was not what my publisher wanted.
I've never really understood that stipulation; hummus is popular with everyone.

A visit to a peaceful churchyard sounds just the ticket Grammaretto.

Like Doodle I've found them wonderful places, especially in the old days when much of it was undisturbed and therefore an ideal habitat for flora and fauna.

I should like to highly recommend an excellent book which I truly believe every thinking woman should read.
I intend to buy a copy to put away as part of my legacy to Gubbins and even her brother.

Stay well and at peace everyone.

Hello Lobstars,

A successful road trip taking MiL to see a/the family grave where DH will have an inscription, I hope. That part achieved I then tried to find the farm where her DM had been born but between us, she, me, the map and the satnav we failed but the countryside was looking particularly lovely.
As we passed Cockpen church, MiL sang word perfect all verses of the Laird o' Cockpen
www.rampantscotland.com/songs/blsongs_laird.htm

The painter is cracking on with brightening the little flat which I shall let out to help pay for all the expenses He has got the sash windows working with new cords and WD40.
I need some of that on my joints

I have successfully printed off a returns label for a dress I bought online. It doesn't fit and I don't like it. I know why I hate buying online now. All the faff of returning.

Dentist later today and then perhaps a fish supper with a df whose birthday it is. I am a pescatarian although apparently if I want to be put off eating fish ever again I should watch Seaspiracy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q5CXN7soQg

Your picture is poignant of the Kiwi in quarantine. Kaimoana I am pleased you have been vaccinated and hope you have no ill effects.

Is it less painful if you wear open toe'd sandals Doodle or is the pain underneath? I have never tried a cruise butI think I can see the attraction if you don't get seasick I do

Sending loving cwtches to the Panaches, to Cherry and ofcourse to the Mamissimo clan.

Good morning ?
It's raining and pouring and Mr M's been snoring.....do they still teach Nursery Rhymes?

Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes.....all medical stuff has now been dealt with and the stoic DD2 is beginning the journey back to the future. We discovered that the IVF process is amazing when it's working but they almost dump you when it fails until it's time for the next round. She's adamant they'll have another attempt - she's entitled to 4- but she's a braver man than me gungadin!

Nothing else exceptional has happened here this week but once I've checked the beans I'm sure there'll be news ?

Morning here from a wet dark day. No going out today so it’s housework day. These days I have to do a job, sit, do a job, sit.
This is my sit after changing the bed sheets (wonder if Grace could come over and help me Kaimoana.??)
I bet that young man can’t wait to get to see you. Will he be able to see Gubbins and her family? (Is he your younger son’s friend?)
You are right about our plumber, he was perfect for us and did a good job. Although self employed he did contract work for the company we bought our bathroom from. Soon after he stopped working for them and I’m pleased to say has been working full time since then only by word of mouth recommendations. He has never advertised his services.
Funny you should mention finger from a glove for my toe. The same thing occurred to me last night. I have tried taping the thing on but although the tape stayed firmly attached to the front and back of my foot, my little toe still managed to shrug off its cover and it ended up under the toe instead of on it. I have now named my little toe Houdini ?
I had veg for dinner last night. Peas, beans cauliflower rice, sweet corn, broccoli, kale, carrots and potatoes. Love to say it was all homegrown but it came in a bag from Waitrose
That’s an interesting book. Thanks for the recommendation.
Grammaretto you and your MIL obviously enjoyed the trip and the lovely countryside.
Good the painter is making progress. If the WD40 works on you, let me know…my knees need oiling ?
Hope you get on ok at the dentist and have a nice time with your friend (I am now off to look something up in the dictionary ?)
Unfortunately, little toe slides under the one next to it no matter what shoes I wear. It’s been like this for years but just become more painful recently due to the hot weather. I will preserve until I’ve made it comfy.
I get sea sick too so I take tablets before we start off. I’m usually fine after the first 24 hours.
Hello Mamissimo . I’m sorry your DD doesn’t seem to have had much support from the IVF team. That’s not such good care. I admire her determination to try again. Does she have to go through the whole process or are there eggs saved from the first time? I hope a cuddle from her mum managed to cheer her a bit. It’s a big disappointment for you all.
Hope the beans have some juicy gossip for you. ?

I’ve been to the dictionary and discovered that DH is a non-pescatarian. ?

Dear all, I have received another message from Panache .

The following text is copied from Panache’s message to me

Although I have little time I wanted to let you know what’s happening so you can pass it on to others.

Because someone did not adhere to his semi-liquid diet, two days ago the nurses found MrP unconscious, ashen white and gasping for breath. They had to use a rather painful manoeuvre to assist him and found it was a small morsel of chicken.
He fortunately seems to have recovered with only nasty bruising but it was indeed a close call. So of course, I no longer trust the hospital.

They now say he cannot come home because of his too many complex needs and he needs to be transferred to a nursing home because of course, once again, the very sad point, we have no hospice.

They admit he has been on the end of life pathway since February but because of his fighting back, they have no real idea of what happens next.
What a predicament. An animal would never be left in such a suffering state.
Needless to say I am now totally left voiceless. This is cruelty in its worst form.

I have replied to Panache sending love and best wishes from us all.

Doodle, I can’t find any words to express my sadness, frustration and anger at reading Panache’s message.
I cannot imagine how she must be feeling.

Sending all good wishes to the Gangstars and thank you Doodle for keeping us updated on MrP. ?

Oh, poor, poor Panaches. I do hope Mr P gets into a nursing home close by soon and that they have the facilities to allow Panache to stay longer. They should be together as much as possible for both their sakes.

Whilst the news from Panache is indeed upsetting, I'm hoping that once the transfer to the nursing home is accomplished, she'll be able to visit, or even stay with her beloved.

If ever there was a campaign waiting to be launched, it's for a hospice in their area.

Houdini sounds quite a character Doodle

Grammaretto the idea of your Mil singing away is very cheering, bless her heart.

Brave girl - Mamissimo. I have a friend in the same (sort of) position. They live in Thailand and her IVF has recently come to nouht too. Sadly, they are only allowed that one go.

For people who need knees oiling, I can recommend Fish Oil for pescaterians; MSM and Flax oil for vegetarians and knee operations for those who think health supplement don't work

Since refusing to re-take the medication which made me so ill, I substituted natural blood thinners...which are kind to eyes.
However, I did have that little niggle that "doctor knows best" and I may be leading myself into a stroke or heart attack.

The podiatrist did an ultra-sound on my feet to check circulation and it was absolutely fine.

Yes, Doodle Mike will get the chance to see Gubbins. He and my son are like brothers and it was very sad for us all when he had to go to the USA.
I'm hoping my family and Mike will come for a meal soon. Currently they are all in Christchurch.

Very rainy here.
Love to all

Good morning.......?????????
The long read.......
Today...DD2 is expecting.......first the science....

On Tuesday her viability scan at the ivf clinic showed no real growth and no heart beat. She grieved.

On Wednesday the clinic told her, amongst other things that she should stop her drugs and wait to miscarry naturally within the next two weeks.

She, we think, quite reasonably, felt she didn't want to wait so asked for a hospital referral. Hospital agreed that they could help her and were brilliant....offered a counselling, a follow up and to do it on Friday. They would check everything before the procedure.

Yesterday morning we hugged them both massively and came home. They went to the hospital.

At lunchtime she phoned....."Mum, I'm so confused.......they've just told me I'm about 7 weeks pregnant, there is an embryo, a placenta and a heartbeat.....they showed us."

The hospital got a second sonographer to check.....and a consultant to check both scans.

They all confirmed that DD2 is currently carrying a viable baby.

told you this was long

They drove to the ivf clinic because they needed the drugs that she has to take for the first trimester.....and they were too busy to see her! The receptionist wouldn't let them in....she said they were too busy that afternoon and they could come back next week. ........and this is a clinic providing fertility services to the NHS!

I made one call to a dear friend who is a respected journalist...and one to the clinic........and they opened the door.

Dear reader......the clinic said that they want to check the hospital's scans and the consultant's views. The hospital says.....DD2 is expecting and that they will take it from here......

This has been the most roller coaster week of our lives.

Are there any sandwiches?

Hello Lobstars,

I love MrPanache's zest for life and for you Panache your love for eachother is tangible. Please can he be nursed somewhere where you can be together.

Hospice is a name. What we had at home was hospice care and that will be available at a good nursing home.
I'll bet you are not the first person who has noticed the lack of a hospice.
Fingers xed, prayers and anything I can do to help.

Happy housework Doodle in the rain. It is just a bit cold here, not raining. Or maybe I am wearing the wrong clothes. I keep putting on my short trousers and summer tops in the eternal hope that Scotland will become the riviera because it's called Summer holidays. A bit like the football dream that Scotland can win the cup.
I can still remember 1978 my 6yr old DS had tears streaming down his face as Scotland were put out of the world cup final. He had believed the song - Ally's tartan army.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOPMddwg6RQ

I can't imagine what your DD is going through Mamissimo
She sounds like a strong person a chip off the old block.

Thanks for the oiling advice Kaimoana. When I suggested WD40 to my yoga teacher she said that yoga was the WD40.
But a little help is never a bad thing.
I am pleased with the painting except he didn't paint the ceilings I hadn't realised it was a separate thing but all the windows open and shut now without the guillotine effect.
He charges £20 per hour which is affordable and he is quick and efficient.
My df is not coming to stay but my old HelpX is. He's arriving at the end of next week. He is German but at uni in England. He adored DH so it will be sad. The phone rang yesterday with a man asking to speak to DH. He hadn't heard. He didn't know him well but he wanted to meet him again on his next trip to Scotland.

Nortsat and Nfk nice to hear from you both. Hope you and yours are ok.
missedout not heard from you for a while too. I hope things are ok with you and you are enjoying more boating adventures.
Cherry we of course miss you too.
Kaimoana Houdini might have met it’s match in me. I don’t give up easily. If the little gel toe condom keeps sliding off and the toe bunion protected stays on but doesn’t cover the right spot, then the answer is………put the gel condom on first then wedge the bunion protector over the top….success ?
My knees make a dreadful noise when I move. A crackling crunchy noise but I’m told it’s normal wear and tear.
I think if you make an informed decision about your health then that’s the best way forward. Only you know what’s most important in your life. You try and look after your health and if natural blood thinners are the way for you and they help save your sight then that’s your choice.
It will be lovely for your son to be reunited with his old friend and be able to show off the delightful Gubbins. I hope you get to have them all over together.
Mamissimo you can have the biggest triple decker sandwich in the world from me. What an upheaval. Your poor DD what a time she has been through. I am disgusted with the after care of the IVF clinic. How dare they not open the doors to her.
I am keeping everything crossed that things are ok. I hope the hospital take good care of her. Really hope things go well.
Grammaretto I find it hard to think that Panache is not getting the help she needs to look after MrP. No joined up thinking. There are no football fans in our family. Don’t know why really. I suppose DH wasn’t interested and so neither were our sons. DGS hates football (source of much of his misery as a child at school) so it’s never been a thing for us. I can understand however if you are a fan it can be quite traumatic.
£20 an hour is a good rate for someone who does a good job.
Sorry your friend is t coming but sounds as though you will have a lovely reunion with a young man. How nice he wants to see you.
We went for a meal last night with DS2 and family. It was lovely.
Managed to talk the restaurant into giving us a round table with chairs rather than one of those booth type things that are so popular now. Meant we could all chat nicely together.

Hi, I appear to have been AWOL although I have been following your posts.

I've had infection after infection with the result that I'm beginning to feel this is my new normal. I guess that I'm worrying that my underlying condition is worsening.

Happily, my family are all doing well although I am able to see very little of them. I have no antibodies against Covid and, with case numbers rising again, I am continuing to more or less shield. I'm hardly going anywhere and if I do, I pay for it in terms of lack of energy afterwards. I'm hoping that this gloom is temporary and I get back on track soon (DH taking me 'walkies', exercise bike, Pilates as before - I'm doing none of this).

I've also wasted nearly £300 on trying to get a built-in Combi microwave fixed, now am faced with still having to replace it.

Doodle, a bunionette/Taylor's bunion has recently appeared on my foot. No help to be had, I have been told to find a Podiatrist for myself.

On a brighter note - I have a cleaner, thanks to a local Facebook group!

I've been upset for Mamissimo's DD, then delighted by today's post.
As for Panache, words fail me. I just hope against all hope that Panache and Mr Panache get to spend time together for as long as possible.

I wonder if Cherry is enjoying the football.

Oh missedout how nice of you to post. We do miss you.
So sorry you are feeling poorly .
When you have one infection after another it’s not surprising you feel run down. It must be hard still not going out or meeting up with people.
That’s annoying about your combi microwave. The built in ones are quite expensive aren’t they. We have one too and I know how much they were when we were looking.
I bought a gel thingy for my toe and it certainly helps.
Glad you’ve got a cleaner. That should help a bit if you don’t have to worry about the housework on top of everything else.
Good to hear your family are doing well.
Hope things improve for you health wise. Nice to hear from you ?