The Lockdown Gang still chatting

What a day. I’ve been on the phone most of the day trying to sort out hospital appointments for DH. Why does no one ever answer the phone these days. We now have appointments every day for the rest of the week. Perhaps I should hire a camper van for the hospital car park 🤣
Jan it must be doubly difficult for you to manage with a cast on. 10 days to go. Bet you can’t wait. Yes I think that’s exactly how DH feels. I gave up chocolate for lent so must confess to indulging too much in the last few days,
Good you had a nice day with friends yesterday. Does you good to have a break and enjoy some company doesn’t it? We had a nice meal on Sunday with my son and family and it was nice to get out somewhere different.
I’ve been thinking of NFK too. Be nice to know how things are.
Grammaretto were you at the paper museum when the filming was being done?
How did the pottery class go? What were they making?
I would love to come and throw some pots ( is that the correct technical term). I often think it’s called that because I can imagine all the clay flying off the turntable thingy . Do you remember (in the olden days) they used to have the interlude on TV with someone making a pot?
Kaimoana I agree, news doesn’t have to be anything special it’s just nice to hear what others are up to.
Yes you’re right, the new meds seem to have kicked a lot of this off. DH is having an endoscopy tomorrow and he certainly isn’t looking forward to that. I did offer to go and spruce up his insides with my spray polish and feather duster just so he’s looking his best on camera but I don’t think he appreciated the thought 🤣
Oh no, not more bad weather. Hope you and yours are safe.
I hope you enjoy your snack lunch and it’s a bit more substantial than last time.

So you have appointments every day Doodle are these for different clinics?
I hope the outcome is good.
It's high time you had a decent night's sleep!

How awful another tornado Kaimoana
I hope this wasn't as destructive as the last.
There's wind and rain here now but today was sunny. My student, it was one man, was a star on the potter's wheel. I suggested he made a porridge bowl and he made 4.

I have finally finished the cardigan so will have to get it to DD sometime.

There's a funeral tomorrow for my dear old friend. She suffered from dementia in recent years but still smiled and was always pleased to see people. Her DS has been her full-time carer - such devotion.

Thinking of you Lobstars. Cherry, Jan, NfkD and ofcourse the dude with such big health worries.
I hope Jeeves has been doing the rounds.
Night night 😴

We were supposed to get up at 6am as DH can’t eat for 8 hours prior to his camera procedure. Of course neither of us can sleep so we’re up since 4.30! May have a nap after breakfast.
Yes Grammaretto we have all sorts to attend. Appointment for blood transfusion, CT scan, the camera thing today and neurology tomorrow. Trying to fit them all in was quite a problem but fortunately the blood transfusion people found us a slot in Friday when the Thursday one clashed with the neurologist.
Your potter sounds accomplished. Was it his first time?
Could we see a photo of your cardi I wonder?
I never know quite what to say when someone goes to a funeral. Hope it goes well doesn’t seem appropriate so I’ll settle for Hope there are memories of happier times to share.

By now, DH will know endoscopy isn't so bad. They gave me something which they said wouldn't put me to sleep but would make me 'unaware'. I felt like telling them I was in a permanent fog anyway. The next thing I knew I was in the recovery room being wrapped in a lovely, warmed blanket.

I hope neuropathy goes well.

I did have a nice snack lunch: Caesar salad with garlic croutons mixed in. It was delicious and we were even able to sit outside on the terrace.
Today though has been one of those sun-rain-sun-rain days.

Tomorrow is the Sallies Elder lunch; I am thoroughly enjoying these.
I am a little worried about a lady I met there, very frail and tiny, in her 80s. Her 6ft son has bi-polar and is violent. She's scared of him and called the polis last time he attacked her. They referred a social worker. She said, 'Just kick him out.' Useless.

Now that Gubbins is older, I think I can share a photo with you. Taken on her 1st birthday, it shows her delight in anything written, which inspired me to write the duck book for her.

Kaimoana Gubbins is gorgeous love her outfit. She must bring you so much joy.
Hope you enjoy your lunch but how scary for the little lady with the bipolar son. Not much help from the social worker poor lady. Hope she gets some help soon.

Thanks Kaimoana yes it all went fine. No bad news but still no reason for anaemia so 3 more scans and tests booked.
Forgive flying visit tonight but I didn’t sleep last night and we were eating breakfast at 6 am and didn’t get back from hospital till 6pm. So tired. Be back for catch up tomorrow. Take care all x
PS Jeeves put me to bed please yawn 🥱 😴

Gubbins is too adorable for words!
😍♥️

I've arranged to take one of my DGD on a birdwatching boat trip next month. I don't think I have ever taken her out by myself before.

The funeral was really nice - small and friendly. Mostly her family who are all a credit to their parents.
The celebrant spoke very clearly and told the story of her life with some anecdotes and great songs Vera Lynn and Leonard Cohen. Her DD read a great poem
"She's gone" by

You asked if the student had done any pottery before, Doodle not since he was 8 and he's nearly 50.

The cardi isn't wonderful but at least it's finished. I'm beginning something for me now using a hank of the softest alpaca and silk. There's not much so it will have to be a small scarf or cowl

Your trawl of the hospital sounds very tiring. Let's hope the outcome means the end to his discomfort.

Sorry to hear about the little lady with the violent son Kaimoana what can anyone do?

I'm off to my bed soon.

"She is gone" by David Harkins. Don't know what happened there. It went!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202304/medium-532481-blue-footed-booby-dance.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202304/medium-326452-gannet-2.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202304/medium-707685-puffins-coloring-page-to-print.jpg

The birdwatching boat sounds lovely Gram, can I come along? If she’s still at colouring age, here are some templates to print. Gannet, Puffin and Blue Footed Booby.
I wish I could do this sort of thing with Gubbins.

Jan I liked that suit she's wearing too, it was one of 8 I bought, all different, from Bonds Australia. She's grown out of them now of course.

I'm told our frail lelderly friend is not coming to the SA lunches any more.
It was a huge meal today, very filling. I bought a gorgeous, new patchwork quilt from the trading table, double bed size, for $5.

I didn't know the size as it was all wrapped up, so it's too large for my K-single bed but I shall spread it across the big chaise.

Full day tomorrow: me ol’ feets done in the morning; shopping to stock up on weekend veg; library to get the audio books then in the afternoon, one of my sweetest friends visits from Tauranga.

No work done on the book today and none tomorrow but if DGS doesn’t come at the weekend I can possibly work on it then.

The crickets are chirping outside which means at least one will manage to get into the house, they always do – then try to share my pillow, silly things.

Another busy hospital day for us and again up early for another appointment tomorrow..DH and I went out for a meal on our own tonight just to have something nice to do for a change. Now we are both full and sleepy.
Kaimoana lovely photo of Gubbins. Love the expression on her face. Smashing outfit,
Hopenyou had a good time at the SA meal, your quilt sounds like a bargain.
You’ve got a busy day tomorrow too. Hope you have a nice visit with your friend.
Hope your cricket lodgers pay rent especially if they get to share your bed.
Grammaretto how old is the DGD you’re planning on taking birdwatching?
Sounds like a fun thing to do together.
You student must have retained some skill if he managed 4 bowls. I bet he really enjoyed himself.
Silk and alpaca sounds a lovely mixture. Should be very soft.
So tired I think I will be in bed before Jeeves even boils the milk for the hot chocolate. 🥱. Night night all.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202304/medium-727166-img-20230413-154458511.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202304/medium-120973-img-20230413-153247526.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202304/medium-994053-img-20230413-153231416.jpg

Hello Lobstars,

Everyone is really busy by the sounds of it. Busy buzzy bees!
Your meal out together must have been welcome Doodle

.I planted the tatties which have been chitting in the sitting room . Pink fir apple and Casablanca are this year's varieties..
The birdwatching DGD has just turned 13. I have 5 lovely DGDs.

After yoga and coffee/lunch at a df, I caught a bus into town to take back shoes I bought a month ago, but changed my mind. They took them but it was too late to get my money so I had to make do with a voucher.
Then I went to a beautiful patchwork exhibition of Kaffe Fasset and others.. Gorgeous.

Here are a couple of them.

Sleep well all of you.

Oh dear DMiL is in hospital. The doctor said that's the best place to be assessed and she's in a lot of pain but she's been kept safely out of hospital for all this time.

Grammaretto sorry to hear about your Dmil. Not nice for her to be in pain. Have you been to visit yet?
Love that quilt. Kaffe Fasset is so talented I love his fabrics and patterns. His use of colours is amazing.
Glad your chap enjoyed his pottery class.
Hope your tatties don’t feel the cold after being cosy in your sitting room.
Had another full on day at hospital so despite the fact it’s early we’re off to bed. We both felll asleep in the waiting room today 🤣. Take care all

Doodle and dude hugs for both of you.

DMiL has had an x-ray after 6 hours but still no results or information. They haven't been told if she's to stay or go home with them
If her DC hadn't been there she'd have had nothing to drink for 6 hours.

I hope your hospital is better run than ours.
I will try to see her at the weekend.

Sorry to hear about your dear MiL Grammaretto and I guess she is in the right place - but the lapse of the water carrier wasn't good.

Do you think all these hospital appointments will resolve things Doodle. To me it seems so simple (I know it isn't) just take him off the meds which caused the issues in the first place.

I've not looked at Horoscopes for over 25+ years but one popped up for Aquarius yesterday which says I'm on the brink of a new venture which will bring wealth . A bit late in the day for me but as DS is also an Aquarian, for his sake I hope it works.

Very busy day yesterday but good to see my friend Annie. She's a talented writer with many short story awards to her credit but so far, no one has taken her book, 'The Sea Glass Box'. But she tells me Bateman, my first publisher, like the 1st 3 chapters and want to see more - fingers crossed.

I'm hoping Dgs can visit or stay; this coming week is the last of the holidays.

Almost the whole of my life, the 6th June has been Queen's Birthday, a Public Holiday.

This year not only has it been Mondayised but is now King's Birthday. It sounds odd but likely to remain a king's birthday for many moons.

Originally, this mock birthday was to make sure there was a greater chance of fine weather in UK for the celebrations.

NZ as part of the Commonwealth had to go along with it despite our June being cold, wet & windy!

I actually had a good night's sleep for a change, so today I am hoping for a full day of productive writing. Better get to it

Good afternoon 🙂

Internet ate my post yesterday so a slightly shorter version..

Hone again after our Cornwall family fest....no fights, no arguments...bliss! We had sun, storm and everything in between. Mr M managed to get food poisoning on the way home from a dodgy slightly warm club sandwich in a pub it was a bit of a dive. He had the galloping gourmets all night on Thursday and most of yesterday - so I was able to tackle the laundry mountain in peace.

H Beagle loved her holiday and has a real steroid appetite. She cruised the Cornish harbours nicking low hanging pasties and sandwiches and generally caused havoc. She's still very thin but seems happy when she's awake.

This week I have to empty the small greenhouse so that Mr M can install my new potting bench - it's currently residing in the study- and replace a couple of panes of glass which have cracked. Then it's full ahead with the veg and salads. Only problem is we are off to Norway in a few weeks and DS has musical fingers rather than green ones, and he'll be in charge.

So many Lobstars having health management problems - hugs to you all.

Your poor MIl Grammaretto . That’s awful. Dh and I have no complaints about ours they have been very good and kind. It’s so easy for people to become dehydrated. Good thing family were there keeping a check on her. Hope they find out what’s wrong soon.
Kaimoana they are trying to find out why DH has anaemia and are looking for any blood loss internally hence all the investigations. He has stopped the tablets we think could be the cause but they need to check to make sure it isn’t anything else.
Ooh just remember who your friends are when the money starts pouring in 🤣. I never read my horoscope.
Sounds promising for your friends book.
Glad you had a good night. Hope the writing goes well and hope your DGS gets to come and stay too.
Mamissimo not the GN post monster again. So annoying when you’ve typed something to see it’s vanished.
Sorry MrM’s holiday had such an upsetting end. Hope he’s feeling a bit better now. Glad you all had a good time.
Good Honey beagle had a chance to enjoy her kleptomaniac tendencies.
For a minute when you said potting shed, I had visions of you joining Grammaretto producing tea pots and various items. 😊

Hello Lobstars,
I was reassured after visiting DMiL. She was in an assessment ward, in a proper bed and looked fairly comfortable. I sat with her while she slept and eventually she stirred enough for the nurses to busy themselves with propping her up. They do like tidiness!
I managed to get some water, soup, tinned pear not cut up so impossible to eat by herself, and custard. Not necessarily in that order
My DS was in later and she'll have visitors today as well as doctor's rounds.

I am glad your holiday was a successMamissimo --apart from DHs tum.

I may be getting a French Helper tomorrow though she hasn't confirmed. I will have to change the beds.

Doodle I hope you are doing something nice today.

Kaimoana I am glad you had such a good time with Annie

I'd better get up and begin the day

I met The Galloping Gourmet several times Mamisimo but thankfully not MrM's version.
Graham Kerr and my boss were friends.

Doodle how could I ever forget you? . On my world book tour I'll come and visit in my chauffeur-driven car

Good news about your Mil Gram, are they keeping her a bit active to ward off pneumonia?

It's been a productive writing day with only 3 interruptions. I was at the computer by 8am; spoke to my US friend Jayne in Pine Barrens. She told me a forest fire was only 30 mins away but they were hoping for rain.

I've always wondered why those fire-fighting helicopters don't drop ice rather than water; it's lighter. They wouldn't lose a lot to evaporation as they do with water, even before it hits the ground.

The second break came when I realised my brain had stopped functioning other than to tell me to go to bed at 2:30pm. I had to give in.

Annie came back just as I'd staggered from my nap, to give me a pack of Dandelion Tea she recommends.
What a sweatheart she is. She's off to see a Led Zeppelin cover band tonight, fronted by the son of LZep's drummer.

It's now 8:15pm and I'm flagging again; my shoulders hurt and my situpon too, but I'm happy with what I've achieved today (except there's still washing up to do).

Let it wait!

Washing up can wait!

Kaimoana
You get on with the writing.

How would the ice be acquired by the fire fighters?

Now that MiL is being taken care of, I have a new worry.
DS good friend is due to have heart surgery tomorrow after becoming very ill.
Apparently turning 50 is a dangerous age and known as sniper's alley

I have decided to make a puffin in clay.
But meanwhile I have tickets to a harp concert this afternoon. Very soothing I imagine.

Spent today sorting out all DHs hospital letters and future appointments. So much paperwork. Also trying to remember what he’s allowed and not allowed to eat and drink this week prior to tests. Had to go and buy some things we don’t normally eat like white bread.
Grammaretto glad your were able to visit your MiL and see that she was being looked after properly. I always think it’s good for patients to have family visit to check up on things. I hope your MIL is feeling more comfortable.
Ooh you didn’t mention whether your French helper was make or female. I wonder if they can cook?
Sorry to hear about your sons friend. Hope his op goes well. My son just turned 50. Scary isn’t it.
Hope you enjoyed your harp concert. Please May we see the puffin when it’s finished?
Kaimoana I always liked the Galloping Gourmet. I loved the way he splashed wine in everything 😊 fancy you knowing him. You do get around.
I often wonder how people cope when there’s a forest fire close by. The wind can change direction anytime. It would make me quite nervous. Hope your friend is ok.
You sound as though your day has been quite productive. Hope you haven’t overdone it. Yes leave the washing up, I’ll send Jeeves over with his marigolds.

Oh dear Grammaretto what a scary thing for your DS and friend. I hope all goes well.

In almost every corner shop, supermarkets, fishing tackle, camping and liquor stores, you can buy huge bags of ice, all year round. So I'd guess that have to come from somewhere.

Doodle after all this, you'll be able to get a job as a medical secretary!

I did a black wash yesterday, making sure nothing in the load (white towels f'rinstance) were included. Alas, one small cleaning rag was already in the machine and now all my black clothing looks as if 40 Persian cats rolled about on them.

Another busy day today but very little of it on the book.
Blood tests, library, veg & fruit. And more laundry, bedding this time as its dry and sunny.

Probably an early night too.
One of your hot choc specials with a little 'something extra’ please Jeeves.

Hello Lobstars,

I hope your hospital appointments go well Doodle and your advance paperwork keeps you 👍 right

I'm a crosspatch this morning. I hardly slept last night and the cupboard is bare.

My French Helper has called off. I think she got a better offer but was very rude to cancel at the last minute.

DMiL was visited a lot yesterday and seemed a bit better. She's at last in a proper ward and should begin treatment today.

I'm going on a U3A walk and hope I don't get lost this time.

The harp concert was lovely and she finished with a lullaby. If only it had been later in the day I'd have been asleep in no time.

I'll pop in later to see if there's any news

Good afternoon 🙂

Are we sitting comfortably?

As you know DD2 is expecting the Spud in the summer and she's blooming spherical if I'm honest but don't tell her I said with health.

Last week our youngest DGD, aged three and three quarters, was noticeable curious about the change in her and her bat hearing picked up that her lovely Aunty is growing something interesting....and that Aunty loves her German Shepherd dogs.

This morning the following exchange took place.

"Mummy - is it this week that the puppy comes?"

'DD1 was a bit confused.......

'What puppy sweetheart?"

Aunty and Uncle's new puppy that's in her tummy.....it's why she's fat!......and can I have it please because Granny told her no more....two dogs are enough!"

She's going to be disappointed when a small human arrives.....🤣

Evening lobStars

I've got my 🤞 that this post makes sense as 12 days of seizures has made it difficult to switch between one thought and another its possible that part of my brain has turned into mashed potato, which could I suppose compliment my chipolatas

May I ask our resident medical secretary, Doodle whether you and your DH are rested after your very full week in the hospital. I see your DH has further tests in the pipeline too. Following dietary instructions can be a nightmare can't it. I don't eat white bread either but have had to or starve prior to medical tests or procedures. On more than one occasion I've been given a list by a hospital of what I am allowed to eat prior to a procedure and there's been nothing on there I'd usually have in my diet partly because I don't like some of those foods but mostly because I've been told by other medics to avoid them. I hope your DH's dietary instructions aren't too bad to follow.

Grammaretto I'm pleased that your DMiL seems a bit better and I'm glad she's on a proper ward now and they can start treating her properly and get to the root of matters for her.
I didn't know turning 50 was known as sniper's alley, I wonder if that's why GPs are so keen to give patients MOTs when they turn 50. I hope your DS' friend's surgery went according to plan and he makes a robust recovery.
I'm glad you enjoyed the harp concert I'm a little envious , you've deserved something soothing I think 😊

I'm more than a little envious of your friend Annie Kaimoana, off to see Jason Bonham fronting a tribute act of his father's band. Led Zeppelin will always be my favourite band and, unlike my WP, I never got to see them play live 😢
You've been the victim of the washing intruder I see. Like you I've always tried to be careful but, and I still don't know how, the winter before lockdown I put a cotton wash on but when I took it out amongst the washing was a tiny woollen glove. It wasn't tiny originally 😤
I hope you've managed to have some time to spend on your book today.