The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Am I glad Mark 3 is more straightforward Doodle

Hans woke feeling poorly and has gone back to bed. I left him a test kit but I hope I don't have to stay home and look after him!
Sorry you missed the party Kaimoana but glad you had such a nice day with Anna.
I am also glad that you don't suffer from asthma as badly now Doodle

Off to pack for my weekend away.
They said no presents but do they mean it?

I'm relieved to hear you don't suffer so badly with your asthma now Doodle it sounds to have been very bad in your younger days.

No, I've heard nothing about the tenancy and of course the long holiday weekend has meant it won't be next week either

Didn't get to the 60th Wedding anniversary either as transport was pulled and although it's less than 2km up the road, I can't walk that for. But at least when Mepa was here yesterday we were able to drive up to the Marae to hand in the gift I bought them.

A lovely day with dear Anna too. You may remember she's had several jobs since leaving uni but each time comes across a horrible person in the team which causes her to leave.

She's now working for a major bank and the same has happened . At least this time she's reported it as the bully has cause 10 of 14 staff members to leave. Apparently it has racist origins.

Anna is giving it one more try and moving to a different department. One of the Managers noted her efficient work and asked for her.

She brought me flowers and a lovely, warm shawl.
I cooked her a delicious meal, something she always enjoys and gave her a pair of long, rainbow socks identical to mine

Her legs are long and slender ...mine...er...aren't.
Hee hee.

Grammaretto my cat is now in Mark 3. I did about 14 rows and found out I had lost a stitch somewhere. Unlike knitting which I can follow I find it hard to count stitches in crochet.
I have decided instead of trying to crochet the **dy cat in the round I am now going to crochet it flat and join it together after. I’ve done the first five rows and it’s much easier.
I hope you are getting on ok with Hans. What’s he going to do with all your redundant garden tools?
Yes people with asthma can get better. I didn’t have it as a child it came on when I was about 23. I am much better now than I used to be. I used to have to go and pick DH up from the station at night when he came home from work. Going out in the night air would make me cough and I was physically sick many nights a week from the constant coughing. Don’t have anything like that now just a bit of shortness of breath.
Glad your son is not needing his inhaler now.
Any plans for the weekend.?
Kaimoana I’m hoping you’ve heard positive things about your house, any news?

My knitting hasn't started yet. I'm finishing off some pottery. Hans is also a procrastinator but he's been clearing and sorting my walk-in "tool" cupboard come bike and lawnmower store and so far has found 2 blunt axes, 3 electric drills, 2 electric saws and lots of rusty garden tools.
He is sawing wood while I procrastinate
He has an essay to write.
I have heard of asthma getting betterDoodle and Jan and that there are different drugs now.
DS3 had an inhaler (ventolin) as a boy but he doesn't need it anymore and he is the sporty one..

Kaimoana I was hoping you had good news today. Hope things work out ok. The Doctors surgery is just round the corner from us so the nurse phones me an asks me to inhale and breathe out quickly and she sees how long it takes for me to knock her over. ?. No not really. The asthma review is over the phone and basically a set of questions. I assume if your answers indicate you have a problem then they invite you in. As I seem to tick over quite well they assume I’m ok. Having said that they are changing my inhaler for a different style. I did say I felt I needed a bit more of a boost sometimes when out walking or doing housework so they are changing my inhaler to one that is part reliever and part preventer. I will see how I get on.
Wow I now see another role opening up for Grubbins jockey. Is she down for the first sofa race at Epsom. ?
Grammaretto yes waiting lists have gone up so much haven’t they. I hope you’re not in pain while you are waiting for your appointment. Glad Hans the hatchet is making himself useful
Hope you get on well.
The pussycat is “easy for beginners” it’s just me that’s making it difficult. I am now on row 8 and wait for it ….drumroll….am changing colour for the first stripe.?
Nothing wrong with plain and simple. What colour will yours be?
Marks can keep their Christmas food till nearer the time. I’m not thinking about it yet,
.

Hi All. I too used to do an asthma test where you blow into a tube! I was never very good at it! Since Covid it’s just a chat with a Nurse Practitioner to ask about your asthma and if it’s under control. With me that’s fine because the last asthma attack I had was when I was about 22 - and that’s very many years ago!

Such a happy Gubbins! What a joy she is .

I wondered about the asthma test too Doodle please explain.
I have only had a hip consultation over the phone too so not much different. I demanded an x-ray and had to attend the hospital for that. I am now on a waiting list for an orthopedic appt. A year? if I'm lucky

Hans seems nice and will chop wood today. I offered to take him to folk night at a local pub last night but he was tired after travelling and speaking English.

Doodle. The Pussycat sounds very difficult.
Well done on the new Mark.
I have to knit a square for a contribution to a wall hanging by next Wednesday. The others have done theirs which are fabulous - fairisle, cabled, appliqued etc. I hope a plain simple one will be just what's needed.

Christmas food shopping already!

No news on the house Doodle, the Chaplain had to cancel our meeting as she was overbooked. I don't wonder, she's a kind and helpful person and obviously in demand.

How on earth do you do an Asthma test by remote control ? I used to have to blow into a long tube. Do you blow down the phone?

Astonishing that Germany boys' names are no longer German Grammaretto. In fact one of the top 10 is Croatian, another Italian.

I used to have a German Auntie Vilma who liked eating bacon raw. Her son was called Detlef...which as a child I thought was Deck-cliffe.
She was once highly embarrassed when her little boy saw his Dad from the window of the bus they were in and shouted 'Farter, Farter.' (Vater = father)


Gubbins in "Amma's" sun glasses.

Just had an email from M&S saying Start your Christmas shopping now ?. Haven’t got enough room in my fridge for this week let alone Christmas.
Grammaretto this cat is driving me mad. I am obviously not made to crochet. The piece is round and I had to start with 15 stitches crocheting into the back stitch and increase one then the front stitch of the same row and increase on so I ended up with 32 stitches. 30, 33, 31 but not 32. I have done this same thing about 10 times and am finally there. Only by pinning the last few stitches each side could I finally make it 32. I have now done 4 rows and am exhausted. Enough for tonight.
So Hans is with you. I hope he’s nice. I wouldn’t agree to an extra week till you get to know him better.
Oh lovely, a red head. DH had red hair when he was born. Will you get to see the baby, are they nearby?
I had Asthma checkup on phone today with Nurse and at the same time DH was having his consultant review on his phone. Gone are the days when you had to attend in person.
How is everyone? Any news on the housing front Kaimoana
Take care all

Hello Lobstars,

My young man has arrived. I have given him a part tour of the house and garden and so far he thinks it very big but has also asked if he can stay an extra week! Hang on now, he's only just got here!
I told him I don't know as I have others coming
What will he be known as? Hans? Apparently Hans is hardly ever used as a boy's name these days. It's old-fashioned. Hans, Fritz, Wilhelm, Kurt are old mens' names
Paul, Marc, Tobias and Alexander are popular now.

The new baby has arrived. It is a red headed girl and quite tiny. My DGD will be pleased.

I've been let off volunteering today because I am still recovering from covid.
Off to show Hans around the rest of the policies

How are all of you?

Grammaretto you made me laugh. Mark the cat expecting kittens. ?. My new pins for row counting have arrived so tonight I will start the cats body and this time I’ll try and read the pattern better and make it the right size but if not you’ve given me a new idea ……..teacosy. ?
Glad you enjoyed your walk. Is it one you would do again?
Always nice to welcome a new baby into the extended family. I wonder what it will be.
A new helper, Hope it’s someone nice that you get on with. Hans perhaps or Wilhelm.
Sorry Jeeves was in demand at Windsor helping out but he’s back now ready and waiting.
Boadicea it was a wonderful send off wasn’t it.
Kaimoana not stupid at all just someone who hasn’t had the easiest of lives and not been looked after by them properly in the past. I’m so sorry you were worried though.
I am hoping and praying you get to stay in your home.
Nice you’ve got some things to look forward too with the support group and Anna. Is the support group a new thing for you?
Ooh and lots of other events to look forward to as well. That should lift the spirits. Hope you have a lovely time.

Aw sunset hill! A lovely image.
You have a very exciting weekend ahead Kaimoana I hope it's enjoyable.
I have a new Helper arriving tomorrow. I am a little anxious about it as I haven't hosted a new person for ages.
He says he eats anything and that he has a green thumb. I'll believe that when I see it!
cynical moi?

He's German so he'll need a name.

I am still suffering from the remnants of covid which is boring. I'm tired and going through boxes of tissues.
How's the pussy cat Doodle?
My lodgers gave me a knitted teddy teacosy or perhaps it's a dog ....

Fried of mine in Korea sent an email about his health, "We must be careful at our age as both of us are sitting on Sunset Hill." Cute.

BJ Blimey, if you drank all that I don't wonder you were in tears!!
Obviously you and the CPO are feeling heaps better - glad to hear it.

I have to confess I'm an idiot, something most of you have deduced before this declaration.

When one is told, "Of course, we could re-house you, perhaps in a one-bedroom flat in one of our new buildings."
There are two ways of taking that.

If you are sensible you see it only as an offer.

If you are anxious, being give the runaround and have a touch of the stupids, you take it as threatened eviction. Which is what I did. and I think I was wrong.

I have not yet been told (for sure) I can stay but I'm seeing things a little more clearly, calming down and hoping.

Quite a social weekend coming up.

Blind Support Group tomorrow and my friend Anna coming to spend the day here Friday.
That'll be lovely after two postponements.

Digital theatre on Friday night; really looking forward to that because the first was spectacular.

60th wedding anniversary bash on Saturday and another theatre performance, this time live in a city theatre, on Sunday.

Feast after famine.

Not celebrating Grammaretto - it sums up the feelings and emotions of the night (we went to bed at 4 am). Tears and a tot to wish a gracious lady godspeed.

Have you been celebrating Boadicea?

Was it a good party? Was it for the Queen's funeral?

Doodle I read Mark1 as Mark and thought you had named the cat ball of wool already.

I wondered how you knew it was male especially as a minute ago he was having kittens!
Perhaps I am also dyslexic. It would explain much.
I did the walk today. It was lovely but very tiring what with still getting over covid. Another place not very far away where I had never been before.
My DGD are expecting a new cousin. Due date today. They are getting excited.

Is Jeeves about? I have already gone to bed but you can bring me some herbal tea - thanks.

The morning after

Thanks Grammaretto we did have a nice day. Crochet cat is still a ball of wool at the moment. I have difficulty in counting the rows so I have unravelled what I have done and have ordered some coloured pins that I will use to count my rows. They are due to arrive Wednesday so I will start in earnest then.
Hope your DGD had a nice birthday. Shame your present didn’t arrive but that will give her something nice to look forward to another day.
Missedout how lovely to hear from you. I was only thinking of you recently. Of course you are missed you are one of our gang (you can’t escape that easily ?)
Glad you're had some nice trips and days out. Glad you are making progress with your DGD but very sorry two of your children have fallen out. That must be so upsetting for you.
I hope they will work things out between themselves soon. You don’t need that upset.
I think even if I follow the pattern very well my cat may well end up looking more like a cow.
Your healthy walking sounds a good thing to be involved in especially the bit at the end in the pub ?
Yes lots going on for all of us. Please keep in touch we do miss you. x
Kaimoanathanks for letting us know how things are going. I’m so glad you are having some support. I hope and pray you get to stay in your home.
Hope your DS and Mepa and family are all on the mend soon. Those bugs are nasty things.
I like starfish too but I am persevering with the cat as DGD loves them. ?
Grammaretto I’m glad it’s not just me who struggles with patterns. Having dyslexia I have to be careful I don’t put my own interpretation on what I’m reading too. Little cat Mark 1 started off a very strange shape as I misread crochet 14 inc 1 in next stitch as increase one in the next 14 stitches. Couldn’t figure out why I had twice as many stitches as I was supposed to have. Good to hear your son is feeling better.
Hope everyone has a good night’s sleep.

www.alicestarmore.com/

Hello all Gangstars!
Thanks Missedout for your advice re internet banking too. I was given incorrect details so that is happily sorted.

What a very busy time you have had and what lovely times

DS was robbed at an ATM. I hope he reported it but think he maybe didn't. He seems ok now.

Kaimoana I am glad to hear you aren't to be evicted.
Doodle even I have fallen foul of those American knitting instructions.
Binding off and not casting off.
Short rows.
I use Ravelry patterns too often.
One of our brilliant knitters at the yarn group has made up a garment for Alice Starmore's latest book.
She had problems with it and had to make corrections.
How's the starfish today?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202209/medium-482257-star2.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202209/medium-698805-star31.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202209/medium-101862-star6.jpeg

Welcome back Missedout whatever made you think you wouldn't be missed - of course you were, lovely to see you posting again.

You seem to have had a summer full of family and fun and a bit of friction.
In my opinion, all walks should end up in either a pub or cafe, preferably with good scones.

I apologise Grammaretto somehow the news your DS was robbed got by me. Was it a mugging? Was he hurt? Poor lad. I'm glad he's recovering but what a shock.

I think I may be making progress by dint (that word is over 1,000 years old -amazing) of Perseverance, prayer, patience and persistence.

First a glossary
SA: Sallies. SW: the people who pay my pension.
SH: the people who helped me change my status so my rent is linked to my income.

SA wanted a cent by cent budget. I disagreed; no landlord is entitled to this.

They insisted SW & SH needed one. I said 'Fine, I'll send it to them'.
It was indicated (but obliquely) that SA have the right to move me anywhere.
Then the Chaplain and another lassie saw sense, and agreed with me and offered help.

SW & SH contacted me. I said, 'Do you need a budget? SH/SW No.
Could you give me a letter for the SA to that effect?
'As we never asked for a budget in the first place, we can't send a letter saying we don't.'

Makes sense - then a wee miracle, ^they ^rang the SA and told them No budget needed.

Today I had a phone call which seems to indicate the papers are being drawn up to offer me THIS house after all. Phew - dare I be confident?

Dog lady postponed as the weather is wild and wet. Gives me a few more day for the abscess to heal.

I have had so many positive vibes, good thoughts and prayers coming my way during this hugely anxious time - and I am deeply appreciative of it all
Thank you my lovely, supportive Gang Stars.

I think DS is a little better doodle- it seems to be the same bug as 'bit' Mepa's boy and now Mepa herself.
A nasty pukey thing which leaves you weak.

Doodle I think you suggested your cat may end up a starfish - I have always liked starfish.

Almost as good at Lobstars

Hi Lobstars, I'm trying to tiptoe quietly in. I've been AWOL for some time but, having replied to Grammaretto posting about her bank app earlier today, I thought I'd read some of your latest posts, only to see my name - I feel quite humble because I didn't expect to be missed.

I'm OK and have been going through an exceptionally busy period. This summer DH and I have been camping in Norfolk, spent 2 weeks on the narrowboat, had two visits in close succession to our family 'up north', managed to spend a little time with our nearest DGD and had several outings in the vintage cars.

DH and I have also joined a 'Health Walking Group' which we enjoy twice a month - it always ends up at a pub!

Healthwise, I'm struggling a bit. I've just had Covid vaccination number 6 (Spikevax) but after 2 years of not having much in the way of input from the medical profession, I've had a succession of hospital tests. I know I should be grateful but the administration leaves a lot to be desired. I've made several complaints to PALS. Most recently, I had a (DNA -Did Not Attend) letter saying that as I missed my last appointment I was no longer on their patient list and I should contact my GP if I wanted to be referred again. However, at the time of the missed appointment I was sitting at home waiting for a telephone appointment that never rang.

I've been making progress to try and get closer to my ND/Autistic DGD, her parents are so protective but we have managed to see a bit more of them all and feel that our visits are less stressful to them. But we have had a big family fallout too, two of my adult children have fallen out badly and I don't know what I can do.

I'm concerned about Kaimaoana, I hope you are not to be made homeless. It must be a terrible worry. I can see that you have the joy of friends and family to help you.

I think I am still suffering a bit from long covid Grammaretto and hope that you have had the milder Omicrom.

I've also fallen foul of American pattern differences Doodle. I still join Pilates classes and my instructress calls one of the moves the CAT/COW (arching back both ways while on the knees). I hope your crochet doesn't turn out to be a cat/cow!

Regards to The Dude, I hope Mr Dumpling's top up helps and BJ's pacemaker gets fitted soon and so sorry about your bereavements Mamissimo. It sounds as if all the lobstars are not having a smooth exit from lockdown.

I'll be back!

I hope you had a nice day Doodle
How's crochet cat? Had kittens yet?
I did enjoy the garden. We picked bagfuls of apples from the ground.
The artwork was good but the artists were so absorbed in conversation with eachother we were ignored so if they wanted to sell anything, it wasn't a good technique.
Not my df. She wasn't there having spent Saturday there.
It was DGD birthday today. She showed me her presents on video phone. Unicorns seemed to be this year's theme.
My parcel hadn't arrived which made me a little sad. I gave it to a friend to post. I hope she posted it.

I hope your DS has recovered Kaimoana

Just had a look at your link. What a lovely garden. Hope you had a good time

Kaimoana what a lovely surprise to have a visit from your DIL and grandchildren. That must have lifted your spirits a bit.
Oh I’m sorry I didn’t know your son wasn’t well. Good idea for him to have some peace at home to work. Do hope he feels much better soon. You remind me very much of my mum. She could feed an army at the drop of a hat. Always had things on standby.
Grammaretto I’m glad your son is getting over his shock. What a nasty experience. I hope your walk goes well and you have a nice day for it. Hope you enjoyed this afternoon. We’re there some good paintings there?