The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Crossed posts Grammaretto. I'm glad that you enjoyed your, steep, walk. I hope you're warm, dry and cosy now and enjoying your nightcap. I can't make out what Jeeves has served you but it looks like it qualifies for the de pre scription of a nightcap ?

A truly terrifying experience panache. I’m so sorry you have both had to go through such trauma. I’m pleased there is good communication, it makes such a difference. My love to you both.

Kaimoana, now I've got images of the Chelsea players running around on a paper pitch ?. Don't think I want our players playing them on a paper pitch though ?. Just as well we don't get to play them again this season ?
I didn't know there was a blue dandelion either. I'm another who loves blue flowers. There is something magical about blue plants. The bluebells in our garden have been coming out in force over the last few days but I haven't had the opportunity to take any photos of them yet.
What a beautiful picture of your elder DS and his golden curls. My nephew's were more like ringlets.
Aww Gubbins, I can't resist saying - bless her cotton socks ?. Lovely that your family are coming over to you on Mother's day and I hope you get a beautiful smile from Gubbins.
Shame you missed communicare because you had a bad night. I know what you mean about bad nights, they make me feel more reclusive too. I'm glad you slept better the night after.

ixion I've nearly always lived north of Watford but I've never actually lived north of Watford ?.

Nanna8 you are definitely not butting in. This thread is the sum of its parts and you are more than welcome. I hope enjoyed your beach walk and I hope tell us all your catch up with your family on Mother's day ?

Lucky you escaping away when you had your kitchen done and wise choice I must say! Don't get me thinking too far ahead now about putting all the kitchen stuff back ?. We've got the dining room stuff to put back too (gulp).
I hope*Mr J's* hospital procedure went well ?

Hurrah Doodle's lighter and the salon has benefitted from a mattress manufacturer ?. I wonder if it was the same manufacturer who benefitted from mine ?. Perhaps neither of us need our broomsticks anymore Doodle as we're not really in my case light enough to float now ?.
You're doing zumba now I see too Doodle. Good for you, even if you think you've got two left feet?. As for aches and pains from doing it, just go at your own pace I say. Don't go trying to do everything as instructed if you are suffering afterwards. Do what you can do and try to do a little more bit by bit, slow and steady and all that.

Is Mr M still in the attic or has he escaped to go cycling off into the distance exploring some wilderness .... Have you seen any sign of him now Mamissimo or perhaps some strange whimpering noises emanating from somewhere ?. The tomatoes will be starting to feel sorry for themselves cooped up and will be whimpering themselves if this topsy turvy weather continues. The last time I remember such a poor start to May was 1983 when there was a couple of feet (or more) of snow here!

Talking of snow I see that you've actually had some Grammaretto.
I hope you got on well walking those snowy hills. ?. More importantly that you enjoyed be with your walking group friends ?
Sounds like there's a lot of work going on all around you. If you're just off the map to qualify for the partnership funds they can't expect you to pay anything can they, that would defy all logic.
I'm glad that little boy was found ?

The kitchen work is going well so far although the plasterer was hoping to do all his work today but couldn't as he was on his own (he usually has someone else with him but couldn't). I don't mind, I just want a good job done. I've waited so long anyway it only means (barring any other possible hiccups) an extra day.

Tired after a long day now so night night gang ?

I forgot to ask Jeeves for a night cap. What will it be?
Mamissimo have you seen MrM recently? Maybe he was the cyclist who passed me?
I can't imagine planting out anything this week. Next week we are promised double figures temperature but more rain

The walk was enjoyable but strenuous. There were few breaks in the rain and I had to wring out my jacket when I got home.
I am not fit at all and at one point, walking up a very steep hill, a cyclist passed me. How do they do that!

Oh Panache what a time you have had to endure.
I am very glad that you are feeling supported and included. I am also happy to hear you can at least speak to MrP
I hope he is comfortable.
I know all your friends on here are thinking of you. xxx

Oh heck, Panache. All I want to do at this moment in time is wrap you in my arms but if I did I fear I would be crying. Your post has had me in tears. Your anguish and fear is so strongly and understandably exposed.
As Doodle says I have had great fears myself, but I'm not in your situation facing the enormity of the all too real.
I truly hope that you find some moments of rest whilst the doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to provide those moments for Mr P. I hope ?
Know this, I send you both my love and warm gentle cwtches x

Kaimoana I think you and Grammaretto together would be a force to be reckoned with ?
Glad you had a good night. DH is sleeping better with his new tablets but also having some weird dreams.
No not beautiful but certainly less like and old witch and more like myself......a slightly younger witch ?
Grammaretto not being much of a gardener, I didn’t mention that I hadn’t ever heard of a blue dandelion. I thought perhaps that was only me but obviously it is not common. Sounds lovely.
Are the hills still snowy where you are. I wish I could join you on your walk. I do so love the open spaces.
I’m not sure if the Zumba is helping me or not, I think it is in that I am getting much more exercise and limbering up but I have aches in places I didn’t know existed ?
Nanna8 hope you enjoyed your beach walk, It sounds lovely as does your weather. Still blustery today but a bit warmer here.
I love Norway. One of my favourite places to visit. Where did you visit when you were there?
Mamissimo what have you done with MrM ?. The pipes banging more than usual indeed ?
Poor MrM still looking for his table. Good job you’ve persuaded everyone to keep quiet ?
I hope the mountain bike treck doesn’t end up with him falling off. Yes it’s so lovely to be able to have a twirl without my hair getting stuck to my face.
Ah I see the tomatoes are back in force again.
You sound very busy decorating. It will take some coats to cover the dark blue, what colour are you going for now?
dragonfly hope you and Dexter are ok and resting together.
Cherry hope the kitchen is going well.
Missedout I can’t remember if you are off on your boat again. Hope everything is going well.

I keep looking in the mirror and thinking ah that’s me back again. So much easier to do my hair now it’s shorter.
I ordered two more pairs of trousers last night from Cotton Traders, they are described as straight leg with a half elastic aged waist. I ordered one pair navy and one light blue. Will they fit I wonder.
Have a good evening all.

Panache what a heartfelt post. Such anguish. I can only imagine what the last 24 hours have been for you.
I’m pleased at last the NHS is communicating better and that the hospital doctors are talking to you and taking good care of your man. It may not be the best of news but at least being put in the picture, you know what’s going on.
I am so pleased MrP was able to phone you. I know how much that must have meant to you,
How can any of us imaging how we will come when the time comes. I have had great fears myself. For now, rest your mind and body and try and sleep. I hope your dear man will be home with you soon, much love and of course my prayers x

Oh Panache I cried as I read your post. You do seem to be both going through the mill. The good thing is they are keeping you informed and it sounds like they are doing the best they can.
My thoughts are with you and I am sending you and your DH much love. I wish I could do more.

A warm welsh greeting to you my friends.

No sooner do I have something slightly upbeat to report than it is followed by a great downer.
Indeed my dear man thoroughly enjoyed several days of snooker but on the final day he seemingly failed to find it of any further interest,in fact I had put it down to a build up of extreme tiredness.
We had noted a very large bruise to one kidney area but this was not painful.
However from 2 am next morning utter chaos ruled,he had a massive bleed,this time from the stomach / chest.
I had a real battle on my hands until time to phone the surgery.After three quarters of an hour with no reply I rang 999.
In 10 minutes 2 young female para medics were here wanting to take him to hospital.
Having had a very negative response to the Hospital visit previously after bleeding, he refused.
It took them 88 times before they got through to the Surgery, but eventually a GP was sent here.
He spoke very strongly about the pros and cons,also noting how terrified the thought of more bleeding was doing to me, so reluctantly my man agreed.
By this time ALL of our counties ambulances were parked outside A & E, complete with patients waiting for treatment,so there was none available and he was now top priority.
A specialist para medic was dispatched here,staying until eventually an ambulance arrived to take him into the oncology ward where a bed was waiting him.
I was advised to set up transport that evening, so that I could rush to the Hospital if there was that urgent call
Although I had not slept since 2am that was still one of my worst nightmares............all alone with my dreadful thoughts.
My dear man left here very tiny,so white,frail and very near to tears.

However this time there has been great communication between the Hospital and myself,not only hearing via our Palliative care nurse but by 2 doctors actively treating my dearest.
He has again recieved another blood transfusion with another one due today.The bleeding has stopped.
However his platelets are extremely low.
His condition is very serious we know only to well,and yet the team within the Cancer Ward are pulling outr every stop they can to give him every chance.
His main doctor had pulled up a chair at his bedside yesterday,talking with him for well over an hour,being perfectly frank, but very kind.............later `phoning me and putting me completely in the picture,it really has helped at a very bleak time.
He is being kept in to try take the transfusion slowly,whilst monitoring the results.
Sadly though I have repeatedly requested a visit, thus far it has not been granted.

But of course since the place was left as if a bomb had gone off here,with even blood on our newish cream carpet...............I have had more than enough to do to stop me fretting too much.
Whilst yes,I am hoping to catch up on some much needed sleep.
The icing on my cake was a short but lovely phone call from my dear man himself just a little while ago.
I am walking on air!!!

My emotions are being played like a violin,I really am up and down within the same hour,I know only too well that time is running out, and I am still no where nearer to knowing how on earth I can cope.

It does help off loading all this, and hopefully getting it out there instead of building up within.

Thank you for listening and I am sending you all a very big welsh cwtch.........or two!
You are the best.

Good morning ?

I'm having trouble concentrating because the pipes in the roof seem to be banging far more than usual. Haven't seen Mr M for a bit and he must have come to bed before me and got up early...come to think of it he didn't appear for his roast lam dinner either. Wherever can he be?

Gentle reader, Mr M was perplexed to find no trace of the dumped misplaced bedside table....he rang the DCs to see if they had it but I'd sworn them to keep stum but they sensibly denied all knowledge. The poor dears are fed up with taking gifts from our attic to put straight in their own. When DS moved into his new house we offered to buy him a loft ladder and Mr M couldn't understand why DS declined. ?

Doodle isn't it lovely to loose the mop?

Today we are going to collect Mr M's mountain bike which he has had repaired under the government scheme. He had riden it once hadn't ridden it for some years and everything seized up. This afternoon he can go out on it and I can follow behind with the ambulance ?

We had huge hail yesterday but the garden seems to have survived. I need the random frosts to stop because the tomatoes (remember them?) are going to push the roof off the greenhouse soon....

I'm decorating DS old bedroom this week and today will be sanding down all the filler I've had to put in all the wee holes and chips from DS teen years. Then it will be umpteen coats of paint to cover his dark blue walls. I get to use power tools.....

Sending best wishes to Panache and Mr P

Back later

Kaimana and Jan16- yes I am in Australia. Back now from the brief beach sojourn. Answered about half the emails and then got fed up and had a coffee. How lovely to walk snowy hills Grammaretto - is it slippery though ? I haven’t seen snow since we were in Norway before the pandemic. We do get snow here but only in the high country June, July, August.

I have never heard of a blue dandelion before now.
It has been snowing today and the hills are white.
I have just cast my vote. I saw that the son of my artist acquaintance has his name on one of the ballot papers so I voted for him. Our standing MSP has done a great job but I think it's time for her to retire now. get me!!
Now I am off to walk the snowy hills with the U3A walking group. The first time since 2019.

I hope we are not paying for the improvements to our town centre. It is a partnership between Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore town conservation areas. C.A.R.S is the acronym. The council will be paying something no doubt.
Unfortunately our house is just off the map so I can't apply.

I love the new hair Doodle. Enjoy the zumba.

Grammaretto's Dream of Paradise
The sun is shining here.. I love to enjoy the garden..it is full of men in high vis jackets
♬ Nymphs and Shepherds come away...♪ ♫

Is the Town Hall paying for all these necessary changes? When our local Council demanded essential changes to drainage, we had to pay and it meant losing my Mum's house
I do hope you find a suitable wee granny for your flat; what a pity relief for you I don't live 17,837 km nearer

Jan16 "nothing north of Watford" is an old phrase. I tried to find the origins but Martin Wainwright quoted it in his 2009 book, True North- In Praise of England's Better Half, so it's was mispoken well before then.
Ashes? I hope you're not planning to spontaneously combust in Buckden!

I had a better night and feel chirpy today - but experienced some very, very weird dreams

Doodle you look BEAUTIFUL!
I'll watch out for that baggae Alexa, she is deceptively soft spoken.

Is Mammisimo still locked in the attic?

MrM has a rather smug smile and seems to be cooking lamb for dinner.

Kaimoana how beautifully you describe the coming of night.
So your Alexa has given you access to lots of audio books that’s brilliant. Be careful of her though. We have found her to be a sassy minx at times. Sometimes for no apparent reason she launches into some dialogue about not being able to find the bookcase. Sometimes at night she entered into an argument with DH about whether or not it’s the right time to turn the lights off but on the whole she provides useful information and helps me with my spelling, timing the cooking and telling me the weather.
Sorry to hear you had a bad night and as such will miss Communicare. I hope you have a happy visit with the lovely Miss Gubbins and her family.
What a lovely idea to suggest online snooker to Panache. You are always so thoughtful of others.
Thank you for the lovely photos. Wow what a lovely mop of curly hair your young son had, mine has lost his now too.
Hello nanna8 what a friendly and nice message from you. Where are you in the world that Mother’s Day is in Sunday. Here in the UK it’s a different time of year.
Grammaretto visitors on our thread! You most certainly not. It is your thread and all who post here. Starting it was the easy part, it is all you lovely ladies who have made this thread what it is and don’t you forget it. It is most certainly our thread and I suppose Jeeves has a say somewhere along the line ?
I wonder if tales of MrM’s exploits will grow to be like the Archers.
Are the men from the town hall in your garden Grammaretto or is it a joint garden. Sounds like a lot of work. It would be nice to rent out your granny flat so someone else could be around but not in your space so to speak.
Jan the thought of Mother’s Day on Sunday had me in a panic for a moment until I realised it was a different day in other parts of the world. (I’ve only just finished my chocolates ?)
Hope DH’s hospital appointment goes well. Does it cause him any pain? Hope you had a good time with your friend and it wasn’t too cold. 3 weeks till Yorkshire, that’s come round quickly, bet you are so looking forward to it.

Guess what gang.......I’m me again. I’ve had my hair cut (enough to stuff a mattress). I feel so light headed and young again. I’m quite frisky ?
Lovely to see my dear hairdresser again. Been really hard for them.
Had a glass of ? to celebrate.
Visited DS to drop off something for my DGD tonight and made them laugh by saying I had started online Zumba class for senior citizens. They laughed because they know I have two left feet and am the least coordinated person. By the time the instructor has completed the whole thing I have just done the first move ?
Panache hope you and MrP enjoyed the snooker final.
Cherry hope the kitchen is going well and you are ok.
Dragonfly I picked up somewhere that Dexter’s op didn’t quite do what was intended, Hope he is ok and Hope you are feeling better soon.
Happy evening all ?

Nanna8. Got very confused by the mention of Mother’s Day on Sunday! Well it is quite early here and then when Kaimoana joined in I thought I’d totally lost the plot!
Cherry Remember when we had our kitchen gutted a few years ago. Must admit we escaped for a few days and left them to it. And then when it’s all finished you have all that “stuff” to put back and can’t remember what’s in what cupboard! Love the word “stuff” - we’ve got too much of it!
Taking DH to hospital later to have a nasty removed from his face. Then meeting a friend for coffee this afternoon. As we will be outside just hoping the wind drops and the sun keeps shinning!
“Kaimoana*. What do you mean there’s nothing north of Watford? ?! You’re talking about my “happy place”! Will be there in just under 3 weeks. Love the Yorkshire Dales so much. Did like New Zealand too when we were there several years ago but nothing beats my happy place. Might get my ashes sprinkled there!! ?
Wonder how Mr P is - missing the snooker I expect. Hope everyone has a good day

My DS greeted me with this story from NZ. There will be a very happy mummy there on Sunday
www.stuff.co.nz/national/300300306/the-hunt-for-axle-searchers-never-lost-hope-theyd-find-missing-boy-3-alive

Before that I was giggling at the thought of Chelsea playing on paper Kaimoana you do know how to make me laugh.
nanna8 you are most welcome though I guess we are mostly visitors here on Doodle and Cherry's thread
and we haven't been thrown out yet

I shall be interested to hear the next installment of MrM in the attic, Mamissimo

The sun is shining here after days of torrential rain and I would love to enjoy the garden but it is full of men in high vis jackets throwing bits of pizza from scaffolding
I am sure the result will be an improvement for someone. It's the Town Hall and they are repointing the stonework, new roof, new heating system, solar panels . I am also quite jealous.

I hope your kitchen is coming along nicely Cherry and life will be quieter soon.
I have booked a quote for painting a couple more rooms to upgrade the wee granny flat so I can think about letting it.

Spring is definitely here.
Lovely photo of your boy Kaimoana

nanna8 Not butting in because you're welcome. and lovely to hear you'll be walking on the beach too.

As your Mothers Day coincides with mine, it's obvious you're not in the UK so I wonder if you are in NZ, Australia or Canada?

I hope you have a wonderful time with your family, I'm really looking forward to a day with mine

Cherry Your talking about a boy with blond curls, now bald, reminded me of my elder son for whom that is also a precise description.

I won't trouble you with the baldie version

Sorry to but in but this looks like such a lovely thread I just had to say Hello! It is bright and sunny here this morning which is good after a couple of gloomy days. I am having a break from all the work I have to do at home on the computer, not looking at emails or stressing about things . Later I will go for a walk on the beach. Looking forward to catching up with most of my family on Mother’s Day this Sunday, it will be good to see the young ones especially as well as most of my daughters.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202105/medium-535058-blue-dandelion-puffball-iris-richardson.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202105/medium-22167-cichorium-intybus-alvesgaspar1.jpg

North of Watfor ixion ? There's nowt up there but moors, Yorkshire pudding and barbarians

MrDoodle made me laugh with his AC12 joke - excellent. It’s always good to start the day with humour.

I have a suspicion MrMammisimo may well be tempted to leave his spouse in that attic as payback for all her tricks.
'What's that frantic knocking? Only the wind in the eaves, children, never fear.' Hee hee.

Yes, Grammaretto the night and early hours of the morning are when my mind, what's left of it, is preyed upon. I habitually wake about 3am and it's the luck of the draw if I sleep again. Audio books help.
I stood at my window yesterday and watched the day retreat with a flawlessly pale larkspur sky, fading to the most delicate of rose, lilac and ivory, reminding me of sugared almonds. It’s amazing to see how the night creeps along bringing stars.

Glad to see Cheery, Ixion and Doodle’s team won and if Chelsea find it tough to run on paper, you’ll have them beaten easily on a pitch.

Mehul, a friendly technician, set up the Alexa system yesterday which means I now have two Artificial Intelligences and one slightly used and battered natural one. Alexa has a direct route into the NZBlind Foundation library of 36,000 audio books. Bliss.

Google is sulking in my bedroom now and wouldn't play the Archer's Omnibus for me so I listened to The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon. Fascinating musing from a lady of the Imperial Japanese court in the 10th century.
Only 7 pages on this .pdf if you're interested to read.
faculty.sgc.edu/rkelley/the%20pillow.pdf
There is, I believe, a rather crass film of the same name, which bears no resemblance to Shonagon's poetic and beautiful writings.

I intended socialising at Communicare this morning but had a bad night and that always makes me more reclusive, so I shall make myself domestically useful instead.

Mothers’ Day on Sunday and the family are coming over. I shall hope anew for calmness and a smile from Gubbins, the latest video of whom shows her repeatedly pulling off her socks as fast as Maman can put them on – and giggling at this game.

Thinking about the Panaches (go to YouTube and search “snooker” so much to keep him happy), Nortsat, Nfk, Missedout and all the other flowers temporarily missing from our lovely lockdown bouquet.

Stay well nga putiputi katoa xxx

I never knew there was a blue dandelion but indeed there is.

Well, I do get a lot of stick from family cherry.
That's the trouble with now living north of Watford.
I remember my dear Pa taking me, on the top of a bus, to a West Ham match when I was 5 or 6. I had a new red windcheater and a guy behind me in the stands asked my dad if I could have a piece of proffered chewing gum!
And there was a military band playing at half-time.

It's certainly possible ixion, Chelsea have a tougher "run in" on paper and two more games than we have. As long as Spurs don't nick it ? I'll be happy! I'm not certain that we're ready for fourth ... I'd feel more comfortable with fifth in some respects. We need a bigger squad. I'd still be over the moon if we get that fourth spot though. Who'd be an Irons fan eh ?

Cherry hello again.
I remember well what it’s like when your kitchen is gutted. We’ve had it done twice. It’s really lovely though when you see things start taking shape when the new units go in.
Sorry about your back. Jeeves has offered a massage.
Trousers seem to be going well. Now I’m trying to figure out how I can make the waist bigger ☹️
We won. Hurrah. Well done ?. (Wonder if they’re any good at carpentry) .
ixion 4th position. Isn’t that something to do with ballet ??
Sandwiches all round. ?