The Lockdown Gang still chatting

Oh Doodle, that is cute beyond words. Did you go and buy them or is DH lending them to you?
I think you are safe, posting a personal photo on a public forum in this instance. I know that GNers can feel very strongly about this😉. Keep working those balls ...

Pleased that Grammaretto is having a good time with her American cousin. It's so much easier to entertain when you are hosting an amenable guest, isn't it?

Hope Cherry is getting to grips with her change in meds dosage - it's good to have such a supportive group of friends when you are yomping rambling.

Good luck with the hol on the 14th, Jan, hope all is lovely for you both.

Looking forward to heating updates from Kaimona and Mamissimo - especially if there's any news of Spud.

Your description of getting into the big yellow taxi made me laugh Doodle. What with that and your efforts to get up Giraffe Style made me wonder whether there is scope for a handy publication on Manoeuvring for Seniors - can you get an illustrator?😂

Mr.I would have a similar problem, as I keep pointing out, in getting into a low slung vehicle. He keeps looking longingly at features on sports cars, trying, I guess, to relive those halcyon days when he wooed me in his E-type.

Mind you, I think it is the car, not the wooing, that he looks fondly back on.

Evening all. Day full of washing and ironing for me today but I did have another chance to soak my wrist with the Epsom salts and included some friends who like a little swim 😊
Grammaretto sounds like you are having a good time with your cousin. Do you know each other well?
Hope she enjoys the paper museum.

Dear Lobstars,

I watched Andy's agony on centre court and I am rather relieved he was beaten. The agony is hard to watch
I went out to the garden and violently pruned the roses!.

Tonight, American cousin plus me and df went for an Italian meal. It was fun.
She is good company.
I have enlisted her help tomorrow at the paper museum where I volunteer.

The Norfolk Broads sounds perfect Jan the very sound of it is healing.

I'm glad Jeeves turned up.

Cherry I expect the miserable weather had an impact on our enjoyment of the cruise but also the fact that we’re not as fit as we were. Both glad to be home I think.
Ok……keep the secret going. So is it your birthday today? Tomorrow? I’ve got the cake 🎂 and balloons 🎈 and party hats 🥳 all lined up. Hope it’s soon so the balloons don’t deflate or I give into temptation and eat the cake 🤣
Sorry you’ve had dizzy spells. DH has been trying to cut down on one of his drugs. The consultant said at the low dose DH got down to he should be able to stop taking it without a problem. He tried and it didn’t work so in the end he cut the tablets in half for a week or so, then in thirds, now he’s taking a third every three days so should be able to stop it soon. So it’s likely that increasing a med can have the same impact. Maybe most get used to it in a couple of weeks but perhaps with others it takes longer, Hope you feel better soon.
Glad your walkie talkie group looked after you.
Grammaretto I’m always envious of your walks you go to such lovely places. Has American cousin arrived. Is she/ he staying for long? I’ve got Jeeves doing hanging up the washing at last. He’s moaning though he might be coming to you for sympathy soon.
Yes our lovely Kaimoana is always looking out for us. Her own problems put aside to provide helpful suggestions for all of us. Never fails to come up with a good idea. I’m on the Epsom Salt baths using the squeeze balls that Kaimoana suggested I buy, it does help.
Jan my dear SIL used to love Wimbledon. I used to phone her every day but during the tennis season I had to time my calls between matches. Going abroad is great but we will think carefully what we do from now on. We do have another cruise booked in September but it’s round the UK so we won’t be far from home at any time.
Norfolk Broads sounds great. I’m sure it will do you good. Hopefully the weather will be just right.

Hi All. We are watching Murray! Not a great tennis fan but like watching the British! However we will not be staying up until the bitter end!
Doodle good to hear you are safely home. Im always pleased to get home if we have been abroad which probably isnt going to happen anymore but thats fine. Im quite happy holidaying in this country! Grammaretto hadnt heard of storms in Denmark. Hope everyone is safe. Cherry your walkie talkie group sounds great. Sorry you haven’t been too well and hope you are feeling better now. We are off to the Norfolk Broads again on 14th. Its just a relaxing food/alcohol fuelled break!!! Honestly though we really enjoy it and am hoping I will be a bit more agile than last time!

Your walkie talkie group sound lovely Cherry I am glad .
I went on my U3A walk today the first in ages and it was nice and flat.

Welcome home from the cruise Doodle East west home's best.

My DD seems to have been hit by dreadful storms in Denmark.

I wish those trolls would go back under their stones.
You will be tired and still so uncomfortable I imagine.

I don't have anyone at present but American cousin arrives tomorrow.
Has Jeeves helped unpack ?

How are you Jan ?

Kaimoana has so many brilliant ideas and tips. We are lucky to have her in board
Any news from the Mamissimos?

Here's a view from my flat walk today. I could just see the sea

Good evening to you too Doodle,and to all the gang.

Sorry to hear that your holiday wasn't quite all you hoped it would be Doodle. As June became July the weather changed in the UK too, at least in my neck of the woods. This cruise probably didn't come at quite the right time for being as active as you've been in the past activity is overrated anyway but as you say you enjoyed the cruising part 😁
Yes, of course you can send your good wishes for my birthday, it's not too late I haven't had it yet, and don't think I've got cake 😁
Last time I saw Jeeves I sent him to Jan's, I'll text him and tell him you need help. I hope he responds!

Talking of activity ... I went on my walkie talkie today but boy was it hard work . I'm not feeling quite myself, I had a bad seizure yesterday and for the last couple of days I've been having giddy spells, which I think is a side effect of my new meds. Apparently it's quite common as the dose incrementally increases but for most people it subsides within a week or two at most🤞. The group were great though, very understanding and accommodating and looked after me 😁

Evening all. Well, nighttime for me as we were up at 5am.
Pleased to be home. Loved the cruise but the weather was not great and we are happy to be back.
We are both exhausted. I think with DHs medical problems and my broken wrist we haven’t been as active as usual and found the cruise tough going in places. Must do more exercise.
I couldn’t get in the car on the way home. 😳. It was a 7 seater plus driver and I found it almost impossible to climb up into. In the end I had to hike myself up to sit on one of the seats and then throw myself across to the back seats. Only having one usable arm makes manoeuvring much more difficult.
Kiamoana I knew you’d have a useful tip for me. I have Epsom salts and tomorrow will put some in a bowl of warm water to exercise my wrist. It is very stiff and painful still. I can save my posts on my iPad by tapping and doing select all then copy. I can then either paste it into notepad or just use the copy itself.
You really are working hard on the fundraising. Are you enjoying it?
Cherry I really must have some of those Epsom salts. I don’t want slugs and I could do with a good dose of fertiliser to make me grow. 🤣 have I missed your birthday cake ? I do Hope not. Can I send good wishes now or is it too late.
I wonder what your present is. I do Hope you tell us. Sorry your day hasn’t been too good. Hope you feel better tomorrow
Grammaretto I came across lots of Trolls on the cruise but not the Aldi one. It sounds a troublesome one to me.
Apparently if you ring a church bell near it it will run away. Sorry you’ve had some dodgy chocs. Hope you feel better now.
I’ve forgotten, do you have anyone staying at the moment?
ixion how are your bruised and broken bits now?
My dad used to take salts for his ……digestion too. He took Andrews Liver Salts.
Oh yes I used to roll up my waistbands too. These days my waist doesn’t exist so not sure what I’d do.
I know what you mean about alterations. Some fabrics are just too difficult to handle.
Jan have only ever sailed with Saga. They suit us and the crew are so lovely and kind. Wonderful sense of humour too.
Ah mealtimes, yes interesting. I can get the fork into the meat enough to hold it to cut it with the knife. As for keeping it on the fork long enough to get it in my mouth, that’s a bit more complicated. Hope you’ve had a good time meeting up with your friends. Oh and cheers 🍷. I’ve got one too.
Mamissimo how are things with you and the family. Eagerly awaiting news now I think.
Anyone seen Jeeves? I want him to help me with the unpacking but I can’t find him anywhere 🤔

Hello lobStars

Just a quick message from me as I've had a bit of a blugh day 😕

I hope you enjoyed your time with your friends today Jan and are not too shattered this evening. I'll send Jeeves round to see if you are okay, make you a cuppa or pour you a large 🍷

I didn't know ginger cats are prone to yowling ixion . Years ago a relative had a female ginger cat who had no voice at all, quite sad really 😥. Perhaps it's only the makes that yowl 😉

Gosh, what a memory you have Grammaretto or is it the fact that the copper sulphate was so vile you've never forgotten . I have vague memories of tasting stuff in Chemistry class at school too but fortunately not what anything tasted like.
Thanks for the birthday wishes 😁

Hope the sun's still shining for the Doodles on their cruise 😁

Hello Lobstars,

The 2 ladies don't bother me Jan, I just close them with the X in the corner. No the Aldi popup takes over the screen and eats the post , usually when I'm about to send it.

Happy birthday Cherry in advance
The chocs were too many and not all that nice. If dogs and babies shouldn't eat chocolate perhaps I shouldn't either?

I didn't know you could take epsom salts as medicine!! No I won't try that.
I once "tasted" copper sulphate in a chemistry class. Never again.

Is it true that orange cats are always male Ixion ? And tortoiseshell always female?
How are the cruisers?
Love to you all .

ixion I would guess there is nothing un-PC here unless it's naming Saga and P&O ]grin]
For Aldi to pop up, they must have paid GN for the service, so unless you instal a program to prevent it, you'll be plagued by it until they've had their money's worth. The main aim of any advert is to make you remember it. It's obviously working

I can spill the beans on Cherry's birthday, it's on.......aargh, let go.....yikes.....ouch!

The yowling from said 🐈 is, sadly, par for the course, Cherry, according to the vet as he added these pearls of wisdom to the invoice. Ginger cats are particularly prone (as we have met before), plus encroaching old age makes them forgetful and a little hard of hearing. He fits in well here, in that case ... Mind you, he is male so I maintain the hearing loss is selective, but going onto antihypertensive medication means that DS is the only one of the household who isn't!

I am amazed at the varied uses for Epsom salts. I remember now that my father used them as bath salts after his badminton matches and I now recall my grandfather in the 1950s taking a spoonful in water for his indigestion . Have just Googled it and find that it is an aid to the relief of constipation. Tee hee.

Ooh, a birthday girl in our midst! Will someone ask 'when?', then I can ask 'how old?' without seeming too pushy.

Or is that a bit non PC in the Gang m.o.?

Time to try again! Grammaretto don’t think it’s the Aldi troll cause I haven’t had that. I just get random pictures of 2 ladies talking. No idea what they are saying but it’s very annoying. I actually think it happens to me if I leave the post for a few minutes. When I come back to finish it it’s gone!
Kaimoana you are such a clever lady. You seem to know so much about a huge variety of subjects. Wonder if Doodle” has asked her steward on the ship for Epsom salts and a washing up bowl yet?!! *Doodle yes I do know who you are sailing with and have heard they are excellent. I don’t think we will cruise again but if we did we would certainly consider them. We usually cruise with the line that has just2 initials!
Sorry to hear your hand isn’t too good. My fingers are stiff too. I just keep rubbing them and trying to use them as much as possible. How are mealtimes going? Have you managed with your fork to get the food into your mouth and not up your nose?!
We have been to see friends this afternoon and I am shattered! We were talking for 4 hours and I really enjoyed it but I just can’t stand the pace anymore! It’s ridiculous. Tomorrow I have a friend coming in the morning and another in the afternoon. Help!
DH has just brought me a large glass of red wine. Bliss! Night night All!

Epsom salts are great aren't they Kaimoana. They're great for muscle pain and great for bringing splinters to the surface too. As you say tomatoes and roses tend to love them too, they make a really good fertiliser, are good for greening up lawns and deterring slugs too.
Really interesting that they're good for stopping your glazes settling in the bottom of a bucket Grammaretto. That must be so handy.

I haven't got a way of saving my posts on my tablet Kaimoana, it would be handy. I don't have, though there might be an app no idea if I can download one, word or similar on my tablet either so I can't write a message there and copy it to GN.
You're really enjoying giving your all for this fundraiser aren't you 😊. It's made me happy to know that you've found ways of doing things you didn't think you could, well done you 👍
I hope the dog is alright after eating all that butter, shame you and Karen missed out on the buttered toast.

Your poor cat ixion, and poor you too 🙁. Is s/he really senile do you think, not unwell in any other way I hope.
Birds are curious creatures. Yesterday three starling fledglings threw themselves at our living room window! If we've got one of our windows open the adults will come and sit on the edge to keep a watch on the fledglings fighting over the bird feeder we have in the hedge. Curious indeed.
I'm glad your toes are improving enough to go to the hairdresser's but not walk up the aisles .

🤔 did you feel sick because the chocolates were out of date or because you are a few too many Grammaretto. Seriously, I hope you are okay!
That Aldi popup is still giving you grief I understand. When I had the same issue (just different ad') 2/3 years ago it lasted a couple of weeks, I'm fairly sure it was GNHQ that dealt with the issue - but I can't remember for certain. I wish I had an answer to help you.

We've been out today buying me a birthday present, no it's not my birthday today 😁 It's something that will come in handy when I go on my walkie talkies. I won't be allowed to have it for my walk on Thursday though as I can't have it until my actual birthday. A little bird tells me 🤫 I've got more treats in the pipeline for my birthday not sure I'm meant to know 😁

I have forgotten why I chose Gaelic Ixion.
It was mostly because the teacher is a df and neighbour and partly because my DGC are learning at school in the Highlands where there has been a revival. Native speakers are confined to the western isles and the north west although there are several who live locally who've moved here.

.I came across a box of chocolates past their sell by date which I've been eating up so now feel rather sick.😥

Was it the Aldi troll I wonder Jan? I'm still being plagued by that one.

I've recently discovered epsom salts Kaimoana. I needed something to stop my glazes settling on the bottom of the bucket. Magnesium sulphate is the answer! Just a spoon or so per bucket.
It will be relaxing the glaze
I also use the salts in my bath. Very relaxing. I've not tried it in the garden yet.

Funny you should say 'the dog ate my homework' ixion. Yesterday Karen and I, ploughing through wind and rain, spoke longingly of hot toast and butter. She went home to satisfy the craving, couldn't find the butter, then saw the paper in her dog's bed.
He'd eaten a whole 500g pack.

I think there may be a little mental instability in him (much like your elderly cat) as left in the car, even for 2 minutes as she dashes into a shop, he will eat the door trimmings, paper bags and any clothing she may leave on the seat.

High winds not in Jamaica closed the Harbour Bridge yesterday. Most inconvenient for commuters living on the North Shore. The Bridge connects the CBD with the Shore.

I wonder if Mammisimo has stopped spinning yet? I felt breathless just reading of her antics.

I’VE JUST LOST MY POST! Grrrrrrrrr. Sorry ladies I’m like Ixion and can’t bear to type it all again yet. Next chapter tomorrow!

Back now, refreshed for a second attempt. Honest, Miss, the dog ate my homework.

Refreshed on second thoughts might be a tad excessive. DS2 has decided that senile elderly cat resident here must now be 'demand fed'' in an effort to stem the incessant yowling overnight. Added to which, the otherwise endearing fluffy bundle of baby jackdaw parks himself outside the kitchen window squawking furiously at first light waiting the arrival of food. Sad thing is, he has problems identifying who, exactly, Mum is and struts around bleating unsuccessfully at any old jackdaw who happens to be around. Short shrift there ...

I always enjoy reading of the doings of the gang.
I wonder whether, Grammaretto , you are learning Gaelic because you need to in the community (I know you are in Scotland but don't know whether it's a strong Gaelic speaking area?) or if it just took your fancy as opposed to Mandarin or Yoruba? And was Kaimona adding a Gaelic footnote earlier?🤷‍♀️.

My poorly toes are still making their presence felt, but less so, thank you. Whereas I struggle to go to the supermarket unassisted, I bravely took myself to the hairdressers unescorted. Hmmm, funny that .....🤔
Thinking of Jan and her mission to live acceptably with her dreaded leg brace, I have decided that, what with a dodgy (L) ankle and. equally dodgy (R) toes, I am safer, when out and about, being able to see my feet. A long time long skirt wearer (harking back to them magic hippy days🥲), I decided to get some shortened to mid calf length. Normally I am still pretty good with my hands under a sewing machine, but these maxi skirts were new (sale or Ebay!) Seasalt ones in that slightly stretchy Tencel so I took them to our local alterations shop.
£51.30 later (for 3😱), I have decided next time just to roll the top over. Did anyone else do that to their school skirts?

Hoping everyone is OK, I wonder if the cruise company would bat an eyelid at a request from Doodle for a packet of Epsom salts and a washing up bowl. Probably not. Sounds a good plan when you return to terra firma.

Here’s a plan Doodle. Get some Epsom Salts, put half a cup into a big bowl with a cup of boiling water, swish with a spoon until crystals dissolve then add enough warm/hot water to immerse your hand comfortably. After about a 3-5 mins soak to loosen up the muscles, do your exercises under the water. Add more hot water if necessary.

And then in the spirit of recycling add this and more hot water to a bigger bowl or foot spa and soak your feet.
I can guarantee this works. Epsom Salts are hydrated magnesium sulphate a known muscle relaxant.

But wait, there's more.....

Both tomatoes and roses love Epsom Salts so after soaking, pour that water onto either.

On these modern devices, iPads etc., is there no way of automatically saving your posts in the device itself so that if it's lost online, you have a copy?

As you know, I only use a PC which makes all that easy. Or I write it all in Word first which is easier to see - then transfer to GN.

This fundraising has given me a new lease of life . Instead of thinking gloomily how many things I now cannot do, it’s forced me to consider those I can.
Trouble is, now there are not enough hours in the day to get in all the baking, knitting and downloading/printing of craft resources. After the Festival, it’ll slow down a bit but it’s taught me a lesson pull yourself together and stop moping

The fierce wind has just blown my full recycling wheelie bin over - paper and plastic to all points of the compass

Crossed posts againDoodle 😁
It isn't/wasn't me with the Aldi popup problem it is/was Grammaretto, though I have had the same type of issue in the past.
I'm so pleased that the sun reached you and that you've been having a wonderful time 😊. The trip on the gondola sounds amazing.
It's understandable that you've neglected your exercises whilst on holiday. Your poor hand sounds really bad though, perhaps when you're back home you should get back in touch with the physio. In the meantime my suggestion is .... more 🍷 😁

ixion it's so exasperating isn't it 😤. I've never worked out exactly why posts get eaten, what mechanism causes it to happen. Can anyone can enlighten me? It seems to happen to everyone at some point or other but surely there is a specific error each of us at some point makes that causes it to happen 🤔. What is it though?!
I hope that by now all your bruises have faded and your toes are healing.

Sounds like you spent a lovely evening with your df Grammaretto 😊 Cycling to the Netherlands doable you say 😬. I was never much of a cyclist, I didn't have a bike when I was young so only really learnt when I became an adult. Not what anyone would call competent. I hope your dGf enjoys her holiday 😁
I'm glad you're enjoying the am dram. It's quite a new group then? I'm sure the acting will improve as the players become more experienced. I think it's great that there is a theatre group and that it's well supported. We need more of this type of thing I think.
Sorry for teasing - I know it's the thought of speaking Gaelic for a week that's the scary bit. As I said yesterday, I've got every confidence that you'll be fine 😁

I really did get confused about the flapjacks Kaimoana as you said you'd also made shortbread that wasn't for the fundraiser so I assumed that all the flapjacks were for the fundraiser and all the shortbread was for your guests. You've probably noticed by now that it doesn't take much for me to get confused 🤫 😅
I know how good Artoa is to you, and Karen for that matter and how much you value them both. I think they both think a lot of you too. It was lovely of you to give Artoa the flapjacks to take home to her family to enjoy 😊

We've been watching the airshow over the bay today. We're fortunate here in that we don't have to pay for a ticket but can just watch them fly over our home and see them do their tricks from our garden 😁.

ixion I hate losing posts too. Nearly lost this one a minute ago. Hope you and yours are keeping ok.
Cherry hope your Aldi problem is fixed.
Thank you for sending the sun. We’ve had. Fabulous day today. We were doing our own thing and decided to take a gondola (not the water type) up to the top of the nearest mountain. What a wonderful view. Looking out over lakes and mountains. It was so beautiful. Back on board for lunch and wine 🍷 and an afternoon nap. Lovely day.
Jan we are sailing with S**a which you might have guessed. We haven’t found them that expensive as although others charge less for the cruise by the time you’ve added on all the extras it amounts to more. Not come across anyone who has taken advantage of the included booze. Probably because we’re all to old to drink much before we fall asleep 🤣
Oh Jan I’m sorry about your fall. Nothing stupid about it but upsetting. What a shame about your hearing aid. It could have travelled quite a distance when you fell. When I broke my wrist I didn’t actually feel stupid at all. I just wanted to stay where I was. Didn’t want anyone to touch me. Glad you weren’t hurt.
Kaimoana flapjacks wouldn’t be safe near me either. Love them. Artoa and her family must love your baking.
You’ve been busy knitting socks . God to have audio books so you can listen at the same time.
Grammarerto you are busy too. Baking. Visitors. Chauffeur and your own trip coming up. Hope it all goes well.
Mammisimo I am lost for words except Wow! 😲. You have been so busy. Bet you are looking forward to seeing Spud for the first time. In the meantime all the family and friends are keeping you busy.
Sorry not to type more. I’ve been neglecting my exercises on board and my fingers have stiffened up. Two fingers don’t do much at all and are very painful when bending my knuckles.
I either need more 🍷 or an exercise ball. Kaimoana I did buy the ones you suggested and they will be of help but I’m not able to grip even the softest one yet. Must get onto it when I get home.

Oh, I am heartily sick of losing posts. 26 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
But there again, maybe you are fortunate.
Back when I have the strength to tackle it all again.
X

Hello lovely Lobstar pals.
I used to have a top of the fridge icebox only Kaimoana with 6 of us the food got eaten and not frozen but now I'm on my own I use the freezer far more and not just for keeping clothes safe from moths
Agus tapadh leat.

My df, who keeps her caravan here, came round last night and we blethered until 11pm. It was still light. She's about to cycle in the Netherlands for her hols.
That sounds almost doable to me. 😊
DBiL is cycling out here today. I haven't seen him since the funeral and wonder how he's faring.

I quite enjoyed the am dram Cherry . It was funny, if a bit long. The acting was patchy but it's great to have a theatre group again and a packed hall which will encourage them..

It's not the travel that scares me. It's the thought of speaking Gaelic for a week.
Mo chreach.