The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Glad the pirate Dude has had his op Doodle and is ok
I had my nap and will probably be awake half the night!
The Franglais bought a picture frame and a clothes airer. No flat pack 🤣

I have big plans for them:. Dismantling a huge shed and rebuilding it on the new community garden site. They are keen but it will be a logistical nightmare difficulty.
Night night gang xxxxx

Best wishes to The Pirate for clear sight soon. Let me know if you need a parrot, we have lots round here.

Thanks for all the cwtches; I'm sure I am recovering faster as a result

Jan don't give up, just go from day to day getting better bit by bit. We're all on your side. Be kind to yourself.

Sending HUGE waves of love and support also to Mamissimo's DD2, the bravest of the brave.
If she is, as we are told, the devil's child, then I wonder what that says about the parent

I'm so glad to hear several good things happened to you Grammaretto and that the Franglais are proving worth their weight in òr and you have the beannachd of an excellent tenant for your flat.
Fings is lookin' up.
(I just read a mystery set in the Highlands and with lots of the Gaelic in it. )

I discovered a comical thing. I was looking (in vain as it happens) for artificial mistletoe as I miss it very much and discovered its botanical name is Viscum album from the family Santales.

At the moment we are in the grip of a very noisy pre-game support of Samoa who are playing a rugby game somewhere against someone.
Every few seconds there are whoops, car horns, chants and reckless bike riders revving, with sirens, up the road.
(Cherry you know the form ) so I'm hoping they win.

Remember Billy Graham? His son has taken over the business and the 'God Loves You' tour is in full swing here too. Te Ropu kaumatua are going, so I shall drug myself to the eyelids as I'll be sitting on the van 2 hours, as we collect people, then sitting in the Stadium another 4. Blimey!

DS and Gubbins popped in unexpectedly for lunch and that wee lassie is talking all the time now.
She liked Hawoleen and is looking forward to JingleDo.

She had a jolly time at the sink with warm soapy water and various receptacles plus my geological specimens, some of which change colour when wet.


Thinking of Nfk, Missedout, ixion and muse love to you all.

Good morning 🙂

Jan try not to despair - you're in the tough bit of healing at the moment where the forwards part seems to be missing. You're mourning what's gone and so much new is coming your way that your poor mind won't know what to tackle first.

I've always found that when I have settled back in at home my thoughts begin to settle and I can begin to claw my way forwards again towards a new normal.

Whilst you're in hospital it's too hard to process everything so try to milk the professionals for every bit of advice and help and then wait till you're home and let the peace help you to process it.

You'll find a way through and as your emotions settle you'll look back and wonder at how strong you've been and how far you've come.

Maybe start a thread on here because there will be others who have faced your battles and will have proper support and advice for you.

💐

Wise, wise words Mamissimo

Jan , *Cherry’s put it well. There is still time for things to improve. Feel so much for your worry and the shock this has been for you. Maybe when you get home you will start to improve. Most people feel better at home. Big cwtch from me too.

Grammaretto the Franglaise seem keen to tackle anything. They may well just decide to pick up the shed and March it off down the road. They sound a good couple to have around.
My pirate is doing well today, he has found that if he makes the print bigger on his iPad he can read it which is a relief for me as it keeps him quiet it gives him something to do. 🤣
Kaimoana I think we’ll give the parrot a miss. He’s allergic to budgies so hate to think what a parrot might do to him.
Hmm now I wonder what plans our Kaimoana has for some mistletoe 🤔
I know how much you are looking forward to seeing the tour so I hope you are able to go without too much discomfort. Fingers crossed your pain eases and you are able to enjoy it.
What a lovely surprise visit. I used to make little paper sailing boats for mine to play with in the sink. All kids love playing with water……washing not so much 😊
Mamissimo very thoughtful and so true. Coming to terms with things is difficult but being home is a good place to start to heal. Hope you are limbering up for your holiday.

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Hello Gang,

Mamissimo 's advice to Jan sounds so wise and sensible. I hope she takes her own advice
Being home you will have more distractions too. Are you allowed visitors in hospital Jan?

The shed removal is a step too far I fear but they have cleaned my pug mill and removed an enormous lump of clay elephant turd? which was blocking the machine.
I may decide to sell it now it's so clean. The machine not the lump of clay .

Lovely image of Gubbins with her hands in the water. They love that don't they.

I'm glad your pirate is able to see better now Doodle .We all like to play on our devices!!

I hope you are both well enough to travel to Iceland Mamissimo
I have yet another pottery session this morning so had better think about getting up.

Grammaretto I have no idea what a pug mill is but I’m glad yours is clean. Are there any small dog breeders nearby who would want to buy it? I would try selling the lump of clay too. It’s a work of art.
Any idea when your new tenant is due? Be nice to have some good company over winter. Hope the pottery session went well.
We’ve not been doing much today. DH isn’t feeling well. For some reason he has a pain in his back and across his shoulders which has been there all day. He was too tired for a walk and couldn’t get comfy sitting so we had an early dinner and he’s taken himself off to bed. Hopefully he’ll feel better in the morning.
Cherry Ixion any football this weekend. Jeeves will come and coach them if they are not up to par.
Thinking of all the gang. Sleep well all

Ah so sorry the dude isn't feeling great.
I blame the weather and time of year. I hope he is better tomorrow.

My new tenant called today to collect a key and to have a proper look around. She will move in at the weekend and the Franglais will help her as I'll be with DS and family in Englandshire.

We saw Elvis the movie tonight. I don't think they had really heard of Elvis they are very young but he can still draw a crowd. Our hall was full!

Sadly one of the old stagers in our community has died so another family in mourning.

When you aren't coaching football Jeeves, can you make me some herbal tea?

So sorry Mr D isn't feeling well. Give him a rub down with an oily rag
What am I going to do about the faux mistletoe? Nothing I can do.
I look every year hoping some enterprising person will remember NZ has many UK migrants, but alas, the English version isn't grown or sold here in any form, not even artificial.
I should have made some while I had the chance.

We have native mistletoe; totally different.

I think we will draw a veil over "the crusade" except to say we elders left an hour early to protect ourselves (and my increasing temper.)

Grammaretto You will have them beating a path for your cosy "Man Shed" it looks wonderful. Just as long as 'the man' doesn't decide to move in before shifting it.
The Franglais and new tenant (do we give her a name? I like Dorcas) sound to be just what you needed.

The first Christmas Party of the season on Thursday: the Sallies Old Codgers' lunch. Meanwhile, I am pleasurably wrapping gifts for friends and family. I like to have it all done early.

Valiant Samoa lost their game but have been widely praised for their courage. I hope our team do as well. No doubt Cherry & ixion will keep us posted.


Hope all is improving for Nfk & DH and all our poorly friends.

Good morning 🙂

Kaimoana 👀
www.etsy.com/nz/listing/1293761462/large-mistletoe-bunches

I think there may be some artificial too! Is $26 a lot?

Yesterday Mr M didn't have his hearing aids in heard the Physio refer to me as being a bit tart this morning an old tarte this morning! He was up and fencing before you could say "put your ears in"! I almost felt sorry for the guy who had already felt my displeasure grumpiness and was now faced with a pugilistic Mr M 🙂

Christmas shopping from my armchair for me today - must remember to rotate my ankles and swing my arms a bit too!

Hello, this is, sadly, the cub reporter only, logging in in response to the progress, or otherwise, of Our Team.
Well, we have won four don't ask about the other 9😢 .
Really, this has been a performance nothing short of disastrous . This hasn't stopped me and my Match Buddy stuffing our faces sampling the local delicacies. Or lubricating our vocal chords for the exhortations.
(🤫This is the reason we haven't travelled to Qatar, hip flasks and all that being verboten ).
Our boys are having a well-earned rest before training hard again to avoid the training intentions of Jeeves.
I hear he is a ladies' man ...

That's a kind thought Mamissimo.

The cost, had it been local would not have been too much but this fresh mistletoe comes from Poland (17, 465 km away) and the postage alone to this tail-end of the world, would be in excess of $100.
Much as I'd love the fresh stuff, I would have settled for an artificial version even devil plastic (sigh).

ixion Four wins, that's magnificent! Well done Our Team.

Doodle 👀 you can make some mistletoes for Kaimoana when you've finished all the legs of lambs 🙂

Kaimoana oh dear. Things didn’t go well on your outing. I’m so sorry. Not sure if I should ask what went wrong.
Hope your old codgers party on Thursday will lift the spirits.
If I could send you some mistletoe I would. I could knit some as Mamissimo kindly suggested 🤣 but if my sheep are anything to go by the mistletoe would look more like a thorn bush I think.
Grammaretto I am excited about your new tenant. With the Franglais to help her move in she will be lucky to get well settled. I hope she provides some good company too.
Well you could have given me more warning. I’ve been hoovering the red carpet all day. I’ve dusted and polished and got out the best china just to welcome you. England awaits….😊
Oh Mamissimo you made me laugh. Poor MrM ready to leap to your defence. Your hero against the physio enemy.
DH was feeling better today so I took him Christmas shopping. He always loves going shopping with me 😩😡😖. Managed to get a few presents but I bought him some chocolates eclairs for tea which cheered him up.
Hello ixion nice to hear from you. Oh dear. Our team don’t seem to be in top form though I’m sure it’s not due to lack of support from its two most staunch supporters. I gather the next match is against Cambridge. I’m sure our team will be on its best behaviour. I’m really up on this football stuff now. Will the cox be with them in the boat?

Passing through again, Gang...sorry. Horrible. awful weather here...rain, thunder, gales...so my flight to Auckland this morning to see cardiologist thwarted. So much been happening, specially MrJ's incandescent epistles to Jacinda, Minister of Health and useless MP. Long story. Anyway, should the flight depart tomorrow, getting me there just in time to see doc, I shall be eternally grateful.
Kia kaha, everyone, keep strong, keep smiling. I do hope all those suffering ill-health are on the path to recovery. Thinking of you all. Sending arohanui.xxx

Poor wet chickies...so wanting to come indoors...

Hello Boadicea it's good to see you, if only briefly.
Our weather is awful too. by way of consolation
I followed a gritting lorry this afternoon. Snow and ice is forecast.
I hope you make it to your appointment.

My Kiwis have been unwell since returning. I heard nothing for a week but today DS told me they are slowly recovering.
My lodger is moving in - gradually.

I worked in the community shop this afternoon. There were no eggs. What with bird flu and fewer people keeping hens due to the cost of feed and the bird flu . The hens go off the lay about now too, don't they.
And who can blame them.
I'm delighted about the red carpet welcome Doodle for Friday. What's for dinner?

I fear 😨 I'll be forced to watch football the whole weekend.

Nice to see you BJ but it doesn't surprise me your flight was cancelled. It's tornado season and the winds would have blown you to the Chatham Islands

I anchored all my pots but the tomato still blew over in the howling winds.

Now there's an idea Grammaretto you could keep hens in your shed!
We used to have them when I lived in the country and nipping out to get a fresh egg is beyond wonderful. No taste can compare.

They only go off lay because light levels drop. Commercial egg producers use day-lights to slow or prevent that. Better that they have a rest though.

I know a number of people who recently completed long flights and then got sick. Airlines need much better filter systems.

We have a new driver for the kaumatua and he is not doing his job properly.

We always attend the AGM at our local marae but he reckoned no one was interested. Phooey!

I told Derek (the driver who recently lost his wife) and in less than an hour, he had a full van of kaumatua wanting to go .

Subversive, moi?

Hello Boadicea lovely to hear from you. I do hope the weather improves and you get to your appointment safely. Hope things go well for you. Hope the mean girls are being well behaved despite getting a little damp.
Grammaretto come to England, the weather is lovely. 🤣 well not actually lovely but we have had a sunny day. Bit chilly but dry. Snow and ice, oh dear. Just the thought makes me shiver.
Hope things settle down for your NZ family. I’m sure Christmas plans will take their minds off things.
Yes eggs are in short supply. I just hope I can get some for DGSs Christmas brownies.
Hope your journey south goes well and you enjoy your stay.
Whats for dinner……cockles, whelks with jellied eels for starters, pie and mash for main and Sherry trifle for pudding. How does that sound. 😊
Oh by the way I promised you a photo of my flock. They are leaving tomorrow going on their travels as part of the Knitivity.

Mark went on his travels last night too. Without our knowledge he leapt onto DHs slipper and hung on whilst DH went to the bedroom trailing 3 different balls of wool behind him. He was rescued only when DH found he was unable to move for some reason. The whole experience caused Mark to become a bit unravelled but he seems to have recovered now.

I love those sheep 🐑🐏 Doodle. You are very clever.

We used to keep hens years ago, and ducks and geese but now I prefer a garden and I couldn't manage both. X 🐔

Yesterday, expecting to be collected for a hui which began at 6pm, a phone call from our driver at 3:30 said, 'Put the kettle on Lynda'.

Minutes later my little home was bursting at the seams with ten laughing chatting elders - it was just like old times... wonderful.

It filled me with such a happy glow that I'm still a bit fizzy round the edges this morning.



I'm off to the Old Codgers Christmas Shindig Lunch today. Don't get too excited, the hosts are the Sallies so it's 'teatotal' but I'm looking forward to it.

Wishing the same happiness to all our lovely Gangstars xxxx

PS: For obvious reasons the driver didn't say, "Put the kettle on, Kaimoana" so if you didn't already know my real name - you do now.

Good evening 🙂

Having been claimed by DS for the evening we are delivered home safe and sound after a scrummy Chinese takeaway. A rare treat.

Mr M and I have our fitness for holiday assessment on Friday so we didn't let Fergal wear the fitness bracelet today and if all is well we will be off next week. Luckily there's no driving at all involved and we can get a cab to the airport so we have our fingers crossed!

DD2 had her procedure yesterday and so now we wait with everything crossed. We will know on Dec 5th whether the first hurdle has been passed successfully and if it has then the nail biting wait until after Christmas when she will be scanned. If they fell at the first hurdle we will all do our best to hold them up while they grieve and begin to adjust their dreams. Either way Mr M and I will be with them for Christmas at their request. I'm anxious.

Peaceful nights to one and all.......