The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Cherry thank you for your concern about DH. He landed on his poor bottom again!! Hit his head on the wall and grazed his elbow on the shower frame. He seems ok today. His elbow seems to be the most painful. Says his head doesn’t hurt so I’m hoping he’s ok. I need to wrap him up in bubble wrap I think. He needs to be so careful moving. The slightest thing can knock him off balance. We’re going to get a rail fitted in the bathroom after Christmas.
At last it sounds as though you might be feeling a little better. Do hope so.
Mamissimo glad you are starting to feel better too.
Goodness you were lucky not to be seriously hurt in your bathroom faint. Must have been a big shock for MrM
Kaimoanna glad you are taking things more slowly although it still sounds as though you are doing quite a lot.
Your oxygen levels sound ok so that’s good news. I too would love to see Mamissimo coming to sort you out with her broomstick. 😊
I love the idea of your treasure hunt for your two grandchildren. What fun they will have following the clues.
Love that photo. What a sweetie.
Grammaretto oh dear another extraction. Hope you can eat your Christmas dinner. Your lunch sounds fun. I hope your carols with alternative words weren’t on the naughty side 🤣
Sleep well all. Jeeves is practicing his singing in the cellar. He may be lubricating his vocal cords a little too much.

Mamisimo it’s almost worth not checking my Oxymeter just to have you visit on your broomstick Rest assured, I am 98% and 75 rpr fairly consistently despite the breathlessness.

You're absolutely right Grammaretto I don't feel ill at all, just incredibly tired in a way which stops me in my tracks - but I'm allowing myself to be stopped. Don’t want 'long Covid'.

So that list is only what was planned, not what I shall be up to doing.

The truffles are a gift though, not simply an indulgence for my dDil, so that's next on the list.
Then if I run completely out of steam before the 24th, I'm 'appy.

I may have to give up the over-energetic task of writing here though!

DS sent me a very sweet video of Gubbins singing ‘Jingle Bells’ (while reading a book – a true multi-tasker!).

You may recall I always do a Treasure Hunt with cryptic rhyming clues for 6 or so tiny gifts: pack of seaweed snacks, a small toy etc.

Dgs insists he’s still not too old so his clues are all done but how to include Gubbins in her own treasure hunt this year?
She knows some words and can recognise her name but can’t really read yet.
Brainwave! (even with Covi-fog) I shall hide her TH gifts, then photograph them in situ. With any luck she’ll recognise the place and go speeding to it. This is a small house so it should work.

Stay warm, stay well, stay cheerful xxx

You do make me laugh Mamissimo thanks
Yes I have no intention of getting implants. I'm not that vain or rich
I have an early appointment tomorrow for yet another extraction. the domino effect

Oh dear Doodle poor Mr Dood. There's a book called Mr Bump which you could pop in his stocking.
I've had a fun day today singing carols, some with alternative words, and having a delicious lunch.with some very nice people.

How is the coughing orchestra? Or should that be cacophony.
It's supposed to be a tropical 12°C tomorrow. I can't wait

I don't think Kaimoana is all that poorly if she can even think of cooking all those goodies. But I hope she doesn't have to use her buzzer.

Good morning 🙂

Kaimoana Hmmmmm! I think you're one of those women who always answer "fine" when asked how they are! Get your blood oxygen levels checked or I'll get on my broomstick and come down there to sort you out!

Mr M and I are fine still coughing but very gently returning to normal. we never take our own advice 🙂

Grammaretto get a denture! I've had a partial one for about six years since poor health played havoc with my gums. I honestly didn't notice it after the first few days and it does the job. I no longer eat toffees .

Showers are one of life's great trip hazards Doodle and always seem to pop up and surprise us when we least expect them to. Mr M found me unconscious in the bath one night after I passed out, crashed into the shower screen and fell into the bath. It panicked him rather but I was fine merely surprised to find him looking down on me. Night visits to the bathroom in this house are now always done with the door open in case we faint!

Enjoy your Sunday and take care!

Oh poor MrDoodle I do hope everything is all right and the banged head doesn't spoil your celebrations. Seeing stars may be acceptable at Christmas but preferably not as a result of a bashed bonce.

As for me. Thanks for your concern, it is very sweet of you but rest assured, my emergency bracelet connects to a central St. John's office 24 hours a day. If I need help, I shall press that and an ambulance will be on the way.

The breathlessness is an offshoot of Covid, as is this enervating fatigue.

Believe me, I'm not doing much at all, I'm just not up to it and I know my family wouldn't mind at all if I served just peanut butter sammies .

So instead of making truffles, Melting Moments (for my dgs) Delia Smith's Wholemeal Oat Mince slice and an Xmas pudding, I have worked like a snail doing just one thing.

After which I went to lie down.

Fortunately I’d made the mincemeat weeks ago and left it to mingle its orangey, appley, spicey flavours.
That made the whole process much easier.

I probably won’t be able to manage much tomorrow as Karen and I have to collect pre-ordered shopping and get fresh vegetables and fruit and library books and milk. After which I shall probably have to sleep.

I may feel up to doing the boozy truffles for DiL on Tuesday. The sultanas are plumping up nicely in the brandy, so it’s an easy job but if not, there are still four days to get my act together.
Putting the Black Forest Gateau together won't happen until just before they arrive on 24th.

It’s the Sallies BBQ on Tuesday afternoon. I’m looking forward to hearing the band playing carols on my lawn.

All good here - promise.

Kaimoana, if you count me, and I am, that's four of us now really concerned about your breathlessness. I've had long coughing bouts with this infection to the point that I'm breathless by the end of one but the breathlessness hasn't stayed. If you're breathless at rest than that is something that really ought to be checked out. Please get it checked out.

Doodle really sorry to hear your DH has had another fall. I hope that he truly is okay and that when any bruises do come out that they are minor. I am concerned about where he fell and the way you describe it, he didn't hit his head did he? Sounds like he's clear headed though so he's probably fine. It just sounds so nasty.

I'm still coughing but it hasn't been quite so bad today so 🤞 the 'biotics are working. Not halfway through the course yet so as I think there are signs they could be working I hope I'll be fine before xmas 🙂.

Sleep well all 😴

Kaimoana I agree with the others the breathlessness is worrying. Have you got any inhalers or medication that will help? I’m glad you’ve got lights up. That is cheering.
I realise it’s a busy time of year and you’ve got a lot on but I’m sure your family and friends would want you to take it easy and not overdo it. So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Her husband will find it hard to cope after all those years together. Horses teeth…..yep I think I have a couple of those at the front. I like the idea of pottery ones. Perhaps I could persuade Grammaretto to make me some delicate ones. 😊
Mamissimo sorry the coughing is still continuing. It’s awful when you start coughing and can’t stop. You need more gin obviously. There are so many Christmas films on at the moment. Lots of romantic snowy scenes. Hope you had a relaxing afternoon.
Grammaretto implants are horrendously expensive. Is the missing tooth anywhere obvious like at the front? DH and I have opted to have a couple taken out rather than have implants. There are at the back though, so apart from not being able to chew tough meat I haven’t missed them.
DH has had another fall in the bathroom. Tripped over his own feet and did a backward flip into the shower banging his head in the process. He says he’s ok and it doesn’t hurt much but I await the arrival of the bruises so I can see how bad it is.
We were going for a walk today but it was so cold we just went and walked round Waitrose instead. 🤣

The breathlessness sounds worrying Kaimoana . I agree with Mamissimo that you should get help.
The escape committee! That's funny Doodle

I am no longer coughing but I am still toothless.
I had a chat today with a woman who paid for private implants. She paid with equity release on her house. It was ££££ or maybe £££££.
I don't know if I want to do that. She said it was worth it but still......

Good morning 🙂

cough cough splutter so all the gang par Doodle are coughing and we seem to be moving onto the next leveller.....are my teeth going to fall out too? not the I've got too many anyway.

Kaimoana I don't like the breathlessness you are mentioning in your health bulletin! Promise you'll get medical assistance if it persists?

Mr M and I are just pootling around and achieving little.....I went into our nearest town to get more gin complete essential errands yesterday and all you could hear was people coughing. I got one of those coughing bouts where you can't stop until it's over and everyone made for the exit! No more outings for me 🙂

Christmas movies for me today I think 🙂

Not a good day today; weary, not breathing well and irritated because I seem to have such a lot to do and I'm not up to it.

Ah yes, my old doctor used to go overboard with care at the least little thing, so eventually I ignored her, but kindly.
Not something either Cherry or Doodle can afford to do under the circs.

I managed to get the Christmas lights up today, so there are multi-coloured twinklings all round the room.
Can't be bothered with the tree this year but got out a couple of gorgeously plump angels to hang on the wall.

It's rained most of the day and is dull and dark but that makes the lights more twinkly.

Heard yesterday that one of the dear little ladies at Te Ropu died. She and her husband, with multi-health problems, decided not to be vaxxed.
She died of Covid.
He will be devastated, they were so close even after 53 year married.
Naturally, we can't go to the funeral, far too risky.

In the past Grammaretto, teeth were made of bone, wood, animal's choppers (I wonder who got the horse's gnashers ?) and glazed pottery.

There's a clue there

Look after yourselves; keep warm; keep smiling.

Grammaretto DH refers to me as his escape committee. I have done my best to get him out of hospital and home many times. 😊
Oh dear that’s a shame about your tooth. I’m pleased you sold lots of pots though.
We had lemon pepper chicken, “My potatoes” (potatoes with their skin on sliced thinly and dry roasted in the oven without oil) and veg. DH had a slice of New York cheesecake and I had a mango and passion fruit ice cream which sounds nicer than it was. That’s a nice number to have for Christmas. Enough to be jolly without you having to spend all your time in the kitchen.
Cherry the associate (associate what we didn’t find out) was a very nice young woman but I expect is more used to dealing with coughs and sneezes rather than someone with DHs complicated medical history.
Sorry you are still coughing. I can picture your WPs looks. The same sort I give my DH too when he goes through a particularly bad coughing spell. Have you tried any codeine linctus. That could help suppress the cough a bit.
I love having warm socks. My feet get quite cold and I find the thicker socks keep them snug.
Ooh Cherry your commet to Grammaretto 🤣🤣🤣
You could well be right about teeth. Losing one can make you chew differently and cause problems.
Kaimoana hope you’re ok and feeling a bit better.
Sleep well all .

😬 Grammaretto or should that be 😐 about your teeth. I haven't said until now but I've got another loose one too. I'm starting to think that there's something domino like about teeth, you lose one or one loosens and another one loosens ....
I'm trying to avoid anything crunchy or chewy and surprisingly 🤔 bread can be both.
Xmas lunch for six is quite a nice get-together I think. I'm sure you've got a good thinking cap and it'll be lovely.

How are you Kaimoana? I hope you're feeling much better x

I'd have been 😤 at least if I'd been stuck in A&E like that only to end up going home with antibiotics that the GP could have prescribed if you'd seen him. I'm not surprised that your DH wasn't amused, I'm sure you weren't exactly either. I was a bit concerned that the nurse might have been a bit over officious seems she was 😠. I'd definitely be telling her next time to speak to the GP about her concerns so s/he can see your DH there and then.

Doodle is right Grammaretto your snowy landscape is pretty even if the practicalities of living surrounded by snow isn't. How lovely to invite and have DHs' family with you for xmas. Will you have to actually do much in preparation or can it be made into a shared enterprise? Don't go putting too much on yourself, you deserve to enjoy xmas yourself too.

I'm still hacking/barking away 🤣. It's not funny really, it's making my throat very sore 😕. I'm sick of hearing myself cough and I know despite the concerned looks my WP is giving me I know he's fed up of hearing it too.

Oh, btw Doodle, I haven't looked at those socks but I've been buying some great cabin socks for my WP today from a certain Cornish chain. I know they're good because I've got some myself 🙂

I am glad you got him home Doodle but what a lot of hanging around.

I was on café and shop duty today. I bit into some sourdough bread and another tooth came loose.
I will have to have dentures
But on the bright side I have sold quite a few pots. I've not had time to make the piggy banks yet but I will try.

I'm thinking sloppy food tonight .
What's everyone else having?
I have 5 for Christmas lunch including 2 vegans. I'll get my thinking cap on .

Hello all.
Grammaretto what a lovely picture.
We got home from hospital about 9pm last night. Bit of a waste of time as we were given antibiotics which the Gp could have prescribed. Instead we had to wait hours stuck in corridors surrounded by really sick people. Same thing happened after we saw a nurse practitioner at the surgery last time. In future I will insist on seeing a GP. I think the poor girl was just doing her job but following the letter of the law rather than using judgement based on experience. DH was not amused.
I think you might need snow tyres fitted too if you get much more snow.
How many will you have for Christmas and will your new cooker behave itself?
Dear Cherry you and DH are a pair. He has chest infection and sent home with antibiotics too. DH had a good sleep too after we eventually got home. Hope you start to improve now.
Ooh I love your hot chocolate concoction. I will get Jeeves onto it straight away.
Kaimoana how are you feeling today? You too Mamissimo?

How are the invalids today?
Kaimoana, Doodles, Mamissimos, BJ, Jan, and last but not least Cherry🍒
Who have I missed?

Wishing you all a very speedy recovery.

I must do something to prepare for Christmas.
Especially as I have invited DH's family here.

I bought some fancy wrapping paper but haven't actually opened it yet. at that price it may have to be the present

Hope you are feeling a little better today Kaimoana x

Oh heck Doodle I hope the fact that your DH feels fine is a good sign and the nurse practitioner sent him in is a case of over caution. I also hope he has been seen by now or at least doesn't have to wait much longer. Sending you virtual sanitised because I don't want you to catch anything cwtches.

GP appointment didn't tell me anything I didn't know, I've got a chest infection. Sent home with antibiotics. 🤞They do the trick. Spent most of the afternoon sleeping 😴, good thing 🤔?

What a lovely unexpected surprise from the volunteers Grammaretto. Clearly a heartfelt memorial to your DH. It must have been very emotional for you, but oh, as you say, so lovely.

In theory I am allowed one hot toddy and no more Grammaretto but it's really not worth the risk. I'm told that it's okay for me to have a couple of units of alcohol and I used to now and again in the first couple of years after being diagnosed with epilepsy but I had an adverse side effect which scared me. It's just not worth it.
I'll just stick to hot chocolate Jeeves and don't skimp on cream, chocolate sprinkles and marshmallows. You really need to get your act together start looking after us better 😉

Oh no poor Doodle and poor Dude!
I hope it's warm while you wait.
I also hope he's not kept in.
Our gang is not very healthy are we. I blame Jeeves.
We will have to train him to keep us all in tip top condition in future
My car was dug out this morning and I drove it precariously to the yoga lunch. More snow is forecast tomorrow.
It is pretty but I m pretty much over it now.
My tenant has had snow tyres fitted.

Evening all. I’m in A & E with DH who is feeling absolutely fine. Sent in by Nurse practitioner who thought he had a temperature and needed checking. We have been here hours.
I may not post again till tomorrow…….I may still be here tomorrow 🥱

Good morning 🙂

Still coughing and spluttering and down in the dumps. Otherwise all is ok.....DS has an awful ear infection bit like man flu but novel, DGDs both have the coughs plus one poorly ear, DD1 has a coughing husband.....and we're all sitting on the nest for DD2 who is naturally all over the place.

I need my Mum!

My thermometer gun. So useful.

Kaimoana glad you have heard from BJ . Sorry her travel problems to the hospital are continuing. Last thing you need when you aren’t well is to have to be away from home. We are lucky to live quite near the two main hospitals that deal with DH. Now and again we have to go to London buts that not bad by train.
Sorry to hear you are feeling quite poorly. Bed is the best place for you. Hope you have a good sleep and feel better tomorrow.
Oh Cherry you sound just like DH. Cough, cough. I’m pleased the red patches are fading though. Yes GP for you and DH tomorrow. Hope you start to improve soon. Coughing is exhausting. I’m tempted to rush over and shoot you with my thermometer gun to see if you are ok. I keep taking DHs temperature just to check. Glad Grammaretto has dispatched Jeeves to plump your pillows and soothe your aching brow.
Grammaretto what a lovely and unexpected surprise. It must have been an emotional moment for you when you realised it was a tribute to your DH. What a nice idea.
Hope it’s warm now you’re home. I hope you like the socks. They are thick and cosy.
Jan I am wondering if you are home yet and if there is any improvement in your mobility. Hoping you are ok and all the lobstars.

Jeeves is on his way Cherry with piles of plump pillows.
Poor lass. My cough after covid lasted weeks if not months. It's orrible!
I had buttercup syrup and Covonia (sp?) I thought the name apt.
You just long to be able to sleep without coughing
I had an exciting time tonight. Noone told me that the volunteers' evening was to be a tribute to DH, who was the founder of our fabulous community store.
A book of memories and a photo by DD and poem written by our local poet and friend of DH. So lovely I could forget that I'd left the house freezing cold because my new boiler couldn't cope with the extreme cold
Luckily the plumber came and fixed it while I was out
I still haven't finished paying for it

I'm about to order those socks Doodle thanks for that.
Before you go Jeeves, just make me a hot toddy. Can you have one too Cherry?

Cough, cough, splutter, cough, cough .... it's back with a vengeance 😷, red patches faded, cough came back. It's a gift 🤨that keeps on giving alright. Back to the GP in the morning ... If it does me any good I said call me a cynic and you did Kaimoana and you're right.

Sorry you're feeling washed out Kaimoana, hope the rest has done some good though xx
Belated happy birthday to your DD Grammaretto, sorry I wasn't around on Monday as I would have liked to have wished her happy birthday on the day.
I hope your DH isn't still feeling so cold Doodle

I'll post again when I can think straight ... funny how a cough can do that, perhaps I've got a high temperature too 🙄.
Can you send Jeeves to plump up my pillows please.