The Lockdown Gang still chatting

Ah sorry I thought there might be some deep intrigue. Something sinister happening in the garden perhaps. Think I’ve been spending too much time watching thrillers on the TV.
Could you have a ramp or do you think you’ll mange if there’s a hand rail?
I have a problem getting up from the floor. I kneel down to put ointment on DHs legs. Getting up again is no mean feat. The ointment is greasy so I can’t use my hands. I tend to crawl to the sofa and try and get up from there by going into giraffe stance and gradually bringing my legs together.

Doodle. I can’t get to the summerhouse as there are 2 steps from the patio to the lawn but no handrail and the steps are steep - plus I’m useless with steps. However my physio has referred me to someone- I think the town Council - and they are putting hand rails up.

Kaimoana well it wasn’t in Cherry’s saucepan. Nor the sink. I haven’t thought of my apron I will check there. I am sure it fell on the floor but I cannot find it.
Decided to treat ourselves with lunch out today but the pub had no food 😱. So we came home instead, 😥
I’m sure your writing isn’t rubbish. We always find it interesting and funny.
Must be hard for you to find things you drop. I haven’t done my nighttime test yet. Another trick is to wait until it gets dark then shine a torch over the floor to see if something shiny shows up.
Grammaretto thank you so much for your kind offer 🤣. Fortunately, the pepper mill still works without its little top knot.
I’m glad your lodger acted promptly. Water can cause so much damage. Well I certainly hope your German helpers turn up unlike the last lady. They are not the couple who came before are they?
Jan hello. Such entertainment in your garden. Birds are very crafty when it comes to getting food. We have some very tame squirrels in our local park who come very close looking for food. If you make the mistake of standing still for a second they run up your trouser leg.
I’d go in your trip if I were you, it does us good to have a break.
DH has been saying he thinks I’ve been doing so much looking after him he wants to go to a hotel at the coast for a few days so I can have a rest. It’s a nice idea and I do want to go but I’m worried about how he will cope too. Be the first time we’ve been away since he started having difficulty walking.
We are going towards the end of May. We can compare notes. 😊
There is something about a period of ill health that seems to make people tired. DH is the same. He frequently nods off in the chair after breakfast, after lunch and after dinner.
We (I) will watch the coronation because like your DH I love the pageantry.
Of course now I want to know why you can’t get to the summerhouse. 🤔.
Take care all.

Evening All. We’ve just been watching 6 b….y pigeons and a crow attacking the bird feeders! The pigeons and crow have got very crafty this year and balance precariously on the washing line so they can peck at the feeders. It’s very funny to watch but it’s costing a fortune in bird seed! So much ends up on the ground with more pigeons gobbling it up! Then of course there is Samantha squirrel who despite having her own box of squirrel food has decided that she too prefers bird seed so she hangs upside down by her tail and attacks the seed!
Mamissimo pleased Honry beagle is still enjoying her food! Bless her. Theo cat nearly had my hand off earlier when I gave him a cat stick! He gobbled it so quickly- even quicker than me and chocolate!
Doodle pleased to hear DH is managing to get out for a walk now however short. Good to have some normality.
We have booked a couple of night on the North Norfolk coast next week. That’s about 25 miles from home! Seemed a good idea at the time but now I’m getting cold feet. I’m walking well with stick in the house but my left arm isn’t good due to being in a cast for 6 weeks. It’s very stiff and doesn’t like moving! However as everyone keeps saying it will improve. I hope so 😫Hi Cherry pleased you are feeling better again. Hope it lasts. Sorry you’re not sleeping well. Since this stroke I’m tired all the time. Bed has now become the best bit of the day for me! Usually manage to nod off after lunch too! Never used too.
Nfk My DH should be Englands football Manager. He could a) pick a much better team b) referee much better and c) of course play much better!
To all friends I have missed out I hope you are ok and looking forward to THE CORONATION! Personally I’m not really interested but DH loves the pageantry so will be glued to the tv! I’ve invited a friend for coffee and a gossip obviously in a different room to DH! Would be in the Summerhouse but can’t get there at the moment but I won’t bore you all with that story! Take care All

Hello lovely Lobstar gang,

Has that pesky silver top turned up yet Doodle?

I could make you a pestle and mortar for grinding the pepper if it doesn't show up

I also smiled to hear of HBeagle's stunts.
I knew labradors were greedy we had one but thought beagles more refined. 😂
Exciting but anxious times for DD2 "Mamissimo*

The tale of your DS disaster is so much worse than my flood Doodle .
Thank goodness for my lodger who heard water running. The damage is minimal but a nuisance as I'm expecting German helpers early next week and I doubt a replacement tank can be fitted before that. No water for the Helpers/potters/ spare shower room.
first world problems

I'm very glad you and the dude are getting out for walks Doodle and that the sun is shining. occasionally

NZ son is texting me so I had better see what that's about

I'm relieved the silver top couldn't have gone down he sink - that's hopeful. Did you have pockets it could have jumped into? Did you hear it drop to the floor?

These are all question I ask myself almost every day, because I drop so much. Especially annoying is, for reasons I don't understand, one of my earrings will fall out of my ear.

I sometimes see them roll to the floor but they are never, never nearby...in fact they can drop and roll to place I probably couldn't thrown them if I tried.

If I'm wearing an apron, occasionally I've found something I drop has sneaked into a pocket.

Yes, I've been working on the book but it's a load of rubbish so I'll go back to it eventually and see if I can improve.
Professional advice on this is 'look at it with new eyes'

If only...

Glad to hear H.Beagle is still feisty enough to get her own takeaways!

Evening all.
Grammaretto oh no 😱. A flood is the last thing you need.
Good thing your lodger phoned you and you managed to get someone there promptly.
The water tank burst in my sons house when they were away in holiday once. By the time they got home the ceiling had come down in my DGDs bedroom and all her precious little possessions were ruined. The water had seeped through to the kitchen too so family arrived home at 10.30 pm then had to spend the next 6 weeks or more living in a hotel while repairs were being done.
I hope their wasn’t much damage to you home.
I should think you both needed that glass of wine.
Kaimoana thanks for the tip but I don’t it could have gone in the sink. We have one of those drainer things in the sink so it couldn’t have gone down the plug hole. I actually saw the peppercorn pot knock the silver knob off the worktop.
I’m amazed I can’t find it. I’ve given the kitchen floor a good clean today (it needed it ) and found a few peas, peppercorns, dust and half a carrot but no silver knob,
Looked in the hall but no sign there either. A mystery.
Hope the storm didn’t cause too much damage.
Have you been writing this weekend?
Mamissimo glad Honey beagle is enjoying herself still. So pleased she can still be naughty 🤣. The meatballs were obviously tasty.
Lovely to be buying things for the baby. An exciting time.
Not surprised you are not making Coronation quiche. It doesn’t appeal to me much.
Nfk dogs are very cunning and skilful where food is concerned. Hope you had a nice lunch with the family. I’m sure it did you good to have a break.
You must have been worried about your DHs reaction to his jab. My DH had one Saturday too and ended up with a high temperature and flu like symptoms for 24 hours. Hopefully your DH is better now if he’s giving snooker coaching to the TV?
Cherry as soon as I’ve finished typing, I’m off to check the contents of my saucepans 🤣
How are our team doing? Haven’t heard any cheering recently or seen you and ixion out and about shaking your Pom Poms,
We had another little walk today. Aching more than yesterday as I suppose muscles are letting us know we haven’t walked for a while. Another free day tomorrow before we start the next lot of visits with a Doppler scan on Wednesday.
Sleep well all.

Heck Grammaretto what a nightmare! That's not the first time you've had a leak either is it its doesn't rain but it pours. I bet your lodger was well and truly shocked, you too for that matter. Thank goodness for your plumber's mate. I hope there's not too much damage 🤞

I'm pleased that Rolly had an outing Doodle 😊
I'm afraid that Kaimoana and Nfl could be right about the top from the pepper grinder. Having said that something remarkably similar happened to me once. We both looked everywhere we could possibly conceive it to be. I did find it but how it got where I found it is anybody's guess. A couple of days later it turned up in a saucepan that was in a cupboard under the worktop. Weird or what 🤔

I'm glad that the tropical storm has blown itself out Kaimoana, goodness knows you don't need any more floods and destruction.

I'm glad your DH has recovered well from his bad reaction to his jab Nfk and I'm sure he enjoyed the family lunch. Ah, another snooker fan. My WP has one eye on the snooker and another on the footie, if he could watch both properly at the same time he would.

It's no good getting old if you don't get crafty Mamissimo. Aging DGDog was left with DH on Saturday while the rest of the family went down the road for lunch at the pub, DH being poorly and in bed. I left a chew on the bedside table in case he kicked up a fuss about being left (DGDog not DH) and DH said it was comical to watch how quietly and gently the chew slid off the table and down the doggy throat as soon as we had all left.

And 26 weeks and 4 days means the baby is viable now doesn't it? Nurses I know don't seem to think much of BP machines, they don't give the whole story. Fingers crossed.

We had our Covid jabs on Saturday and DH had a really bad reaction. He ended up in a similar predicament to Mr Doodle in the middle of Saturday night only fortunately didn't hit the floor. That trip to the bathroom took rather longer than it should have, especially with the top of the stairs looming so close as we have a very small landing. Thankfully he's better now - as better as he gets. He wouldn't let me cancel the family lunch - I think as it got me out of what remains of his hair and left him in peace! Plus it was so good to see them all.

He's now happily telling those snooker chaps how they should be playing as I type. Bodies are annoying things as we get older. No one would think he had anything wrong while he's just sat chatting.

Thank goodness you found the plumber's mate's number Grammaretto! And that he was within reach and came so quickly. Houses are such contrary awkward things, always looking for a way to challenge their inhabitants.

I think Kaimoana is right Doodle, that little silver top went down the sink!

And, after a few challenges to freeze the film, I found you on the video clip, Kaimoana. Such lovely warm sunshine, it looked a moving and lovely day.

Good mid day 🙂

All is going well at Mamissimo Mansion 🤞

H Beagle's gentle decline continues but she is still up to her normal tricks in good spirits and pain free. On Friday we were preparing supper with DS and his partner. I was making some tiny meatballs from sausage meat and while we were chatting H was busy snaffling them from the board I was putting them on......we were too busy chatting to notice the stealthy burglar!

Mr M went to France for the day on Saturday for the first time in several years. He enjoyed himself and I had a lovely home alone day with sunshine and sewing. He bought good red wine and Livarot cheese and rather more curiously.....a box of Golden Grahams. No accounting is there?

DD2 is now 26 weeks and 4 days - we have bought her the furniture for the nursery on EBay - and a new mattress for the cot. She has been receiving extra monitoring because her blood pressure was high - much too high! Last week a different midwife told her that some expectant mums throw strange results when they use the digital machines. She took DD's manually and it was 124/95.......completely normal. The machine said 160/97......😮 we feel better about it now!!

I have decided to make a raised chicken, bacon and egg pie for the coronation gathering - and a trifle. Then no cooking for me on the day. 🥂

Hugs to all

Poor Grammaretto if it's not one thing, it's another

Tropical storm hit us this weekend. Seems to have blown itse;f out now.

Doodle could that pepper grinder top have gone down the drain? I have one just like it; it sparks when it grinds the corns.
I had two but a temporary homecare lady stole the other.

How's Honey Beagle Mamissimo ?

It's night time again.
Keeps coming round.

While I was visiting DMiL who seemed pleased to see me, my phone rang and a very fraught lodger was telling me that water was bucketing through the ceiling of the downstairs bedroom and shower room.
Where should she turn off the water?
I suggested the attic tanks but called the plumber who said he couldn't come today as his mother had died this morning.
I was about to try a 24hour plumber when I saw that the plumber had given me his mate's number. I rang him and he was round in minutes and stopped the floods
A water tank had burst. I have no idea why.
Poor lodger was mopping the floor. She had emptied 3 swing binfuls of water, used every possible container and towel mopping.
But what a relief!

We both had a glass of wine. Tomorrow I shall borrow back my dehumidifier which is on loan to the art centre after their New Year floods.

So that's my drama for today. I really would prefer no dramas. My house may be cool but not flooded please.

I also hope your blood tests went ok Kaimoana

How are you Doodle? And Cherry?
Are you recovering better yet Jan? Nfk, Mamissimo, muse, Missedout and all Lobstars.

grammaretto I expect there are quite a few people who would find your house cool! It sounds a fascinating place of nooks and crannies. Talking of which we now have another missing item. Not as important as your deeds but equally difficult to find. We were just about to tuck into a meal of steak and chips when DH said the pepper mill was out of peppercorns. I took it into the kitchen, unscrewed the little silver knob on top, took our the container of peppercorns and poured some into the pepper mill. All would have been ok if I hadn’t decided to be clever and put the lid of the peppercorn container back on using only one hand whilst the other held the pepper mill. The peppercorn container suddenly flipped sideways and spewed it’s entire contents all over the kitchen worktop and floor (I won’t tell you what I said ) and knocked the little silver knob from the pepper mill off the worktop.
So I set too and cleaned up all the loose peppercorns but couldn’t find the little silver knob for the pepper mill. I know it’s in the kitchen. It can’t be anywhere else, I have moved the kitchen mat, the bin, looked under the fridge behind the door along the skirting and in the sink. It’s vanished. No trace. Any ideas?
We went for a walk this afternoon with Rolly for the first time in ages. So nice to do something normal again.
So pleased your DMIL is feeling better. No place like home when you feel ill. Glad your DD liked her cardi. What’s next on the knitting agenda?
Kaimoana I love people watching. Been doing a lot of it recently sitting in hospital waiting rooms.
What a lovely story about your record collecting friend. I’m sure he’s right and it adds to the appeal having known them personally.
Your Ee by gum translation sounds fun 😊
Hope all the blood tests go ok and the results are fine.
Cherry to be honest I’m surprised DH stays awake as long as he does. The amount of medication he takes would knock out an elephant. Hairdresser is Thursday so hoping that will be ok as so far we have hospital visits Tuesday and Thursday morning.
Funny Kaimoana brought up the subject of vinyls but I read in the paper today that HMV are re opening a store in London with all the old music which has become popular again and youngsters are going there to check out what their parents (or grandparents) were in to.

I'm really pleased that you and your DH had such a lovely time people watching in the sunshine yesterday Doodle ☺️ A much needed and deserved bit of respite. I'm not really surprised your DH fell asleep in the chair, he must be worn out after the multitude of hospital tests and scans and the time spent in the sunshine obviously helped relax him and it is good that he has that snooze. I hope that that meant you too had time to relax yourself x
You've got a point about old records. To have value they do need to be in good condition, not necessarily mint but with no discernable scratches and with their original covers.
I hope you manage to fit in your visit to the hairdressers. I still need mine cutting 🙈

I think the 5 year old is probably right Grammaretto, obviously I haven't seen your house but I've long thought that it sounds pretty 🆒. She clearly enjoyed her visit. Sounds like your DD appreciated and is pleased with her cardigan.
I'm glad that your DMiL is much better now she's home.

Oh I don't doubt your record collector friend knows his stuff Kaimoana. Anyone who can make the sort of money he did from an LP obviously knows his stuff!
The Blood Donor is my favourite Hancock's Half Hour 🤣. When I was a child I had regular visits to the Cottage Hospital to have blood samples taken, I was so used to it happening it never bothered me. I used to feel for other children who'd be scared and crying before they went in. I used to sit there happily reading whilst I waited my turn. I'd love it if I could be a blood donor but wouldn't go as far as Hancock went in that sketch but I can't be. I hope your visit to the vampire phlebotomist went okay and the results come back good.

Glad your MiL is home Grammareto, I agree - hospital is no place for older people.

Cherry sorry you're still not feeling bright. Take care dear girl.

No, nothing special planned for my weekend.

Doodle that was a lovelye break you had, watching people over coffee, a nice changed from being poked and prodded.

My record collector friend grew up in Liverpool and new 3 of the original Beatles and others of that musical ilk.
If he says his vinyls are valuable, then he'll be right.

Actually Cherry 450 isn't bad either

I don't have any music to sell because I've never owned any but if anyone is interested, I have a tape and accompanying (translation ) booklet of a Yorkshire dialect version of the Gospels, 'Ee, by gum, Lord'. Priceless.

www.amazon.com/Ee-Gum-Lord-Gospels-Yorkshire/dp/185825065X?tag=gransnetforum-21

Back to the lab tomorrow to give yet another blood sample. As Tony Hancock said, I'll have an empty arm soon

How nice to sit in the sun people watching Doodle 😎
You are so good at lifting DHs spirits.
You always know what to do.
.
DD and her family called briefly before their visit to gt grandma.
5 yr old told me that my house is cool!
This was while she was painting a piece of pottery having been playing the piano and trying to fit into a toy car made for toddlers.
DD has at last got the cardigan I've been knitting her and she appreciated its warmth. It's still winter here.

DMiL is certainly better now that she's home.

Grammaretto I think DH is keeping the NHS busy all by himself. We had a nice day today. Went out for the first time in weeks and not to hospital. Went to a pub by the river and had a coffee and sat in the sunshine people watching. So nice to relax.
Well done the family for bringing MiL home. I’m sure she’ll be happier there with family to look after her.
Cherry I’m beginning to wish we’d kept our old records. Don’t think they were in mint condition though.
Not nice to have your things stolen. Some people don’t respect others property.
Sorry your worbles are causing you problems. Nice to see you posting.
Only 3 hospital visits planned for next week as far as we know so things are slowing down. I might even fit in a trip to the hairdresser if I’m lucky.
One will be an ENT visit which will be a new venture for us.
Kaimoana I hope you are ok and you are having a pleasant weekend.
The excitement of a trip out has been too much for DH he is asleep in his chair, his coffee going cold beside him but I won’t wake him up. It’s good he’s having a snooze.

Hello lobStars

I'm having trouble with my worbles and am finding it difficult to post but I'm giving it a go 🙂

Here I was hoping you were on the home run with all the hospital appointments Doodle, but it appears not. It doesn't sound quite so gruelling a prospect this week though, which hopefully gives you and your DH a bit of relief from it all.

Kaimoana that's interesting about your friend and the Sgt Pepper's album. I had a little look after I read that and did discover that one signed first press Sgt Pepper's sold for that amount. Other Sgt Pepper's have sold for near half as much, we were offered £450 for our copy and we had it valued (without revealing that sum) and we're told £299 - 500 max. It is true that some LPs can command huge prices!. Having said that some 45s can also command large prices. I've got one rare 45 worth a bit (not £191.000), I've had some rare ones stolen over the years too 😠
Vinyl has increased in popularity in recent years and modern copies/new presses of highly sought after LPs can cost £60.
It's definitely worth getting your vinyl records valued Grammaretto.

I thought I'd read on the morning thread that your DMIL is back home (again) Grammaretto, and I see that that's the case. This time with a care package in place, which is brilliant news. I hope her UTI is being treated now.

Doodle those hospitals must love DH. They won't let him be!
What next.
DS and his uncle sprung DMiL from hospital, with the approval of the nurses, so she is home in the flat with a care package beginning today.
I can't help thinking 2 weeks in hospital was unnecessary and not the right place for very old people.

Are any Lobstars doing anything exciting this weekend?

Grammaretto we had almost come to the end of known hospital trips but now have a few more planned. Another iron transufuion. Another blood test next week and just for a complete change at trip to ENT because DH thinks he’s going deaf in one ear……the one closest to me 🤣
Oh your poor MIl. Uti can cause a lot of confusion. Hopefully it will be treated soon and she can get home. Surely a stair lift is a good thing. I’m sure the family will rally and sort things out for her.
I hope you get the eye surgery appointment soon.
Kaimoana I hope your friend is not counting too much on his Lps. I had the original Beatles first LP and Sgt Pepper. They weren’t worth anything although I suppose your fiend may have a special edition copy.
I think you’re right about Jeeves hot chocolate although tonight he is sleeping peacefully in the armchair having had a reasonable day. He was looking forward to a weekend of no medical visits…….till I pointed out he has his 4th Covid jab booked tomorrow 🤣
Have a good weekend all the gang

I hope the hospital trips are done for a while Doodle

There's been a set back with DMiL hospital release today. She was brought home in the wrong transport by people who refused to deliver her saying the house with stair lift and a couple of steps doesn't meet H&S. So they took her back to hospital where she is hallucinating. She has an untreated UTI.
Poor soul. I hope between DS and all the in laws she can get home soon.

St Pepper albums fetching so much Kaimoana ? Are you sure? That would pay for my eye and hip surgery with change!
Are you sure they aren't solid gold?
I spoke to my lovely doctor who is going to see if she can speed up my eye surgery. It's her last day today.

I hope you have a better night tonight Cherry. That neighbour of yours. Grrr.

Poor Jeeves, he does his best. Hope he sings a soothing song to you Cherry.

Those wretched cocktails, Doodle your DH would be better off with J's hot chocolate.

You know the saying, 'six impossible things before breakfast'? It's not even 9:30 and I've had 6 impossible phone calls to ambush my day.

No, Doodle my friend doesn't go to sales, he's disabled and housebound but there's hardly a thing he doesn't know about LPs, EPs, vinyls etc and trading them.

He has two Sgt Pepper albums as his retirement fund. Another recently sold at auction for £191,000.

The old fashioned, brittle LPs from early pressings are particularly valuable he tells me.

The only 2 LPs I've ever owned were Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and a Dionne Warwick album.
I am not a music fan in any way.

Better go and sort out the muddle of the morning

Have a good weekend everyone.

Hello Cherry you must have sneaked in behind my back while I was typing. Sorry to hear you’re not sleeping well.
Makes you out of sorts for the day doesn’t it.
I have asked Jeeves to make you some hot chocolate which he’s bringing up to you. He says he’s going to sing you a lullaby to send you to sleep………. I recommend ear plugs. 😩

Grammaretto I bet when the man (I somehow think it will be a man) gets home with all those boxes of records, he will be met by a woman with a rolling pin saying you’re not bringing that lot in here 🤣.
Hope you’re not going down with something. There’s a few with flu like symptoms and others with stomach bugs.
Kaimoana I’m sure those LPs will come back into fashion one day. Does your friend tour sales looking for old records?
Quick hospital visit today, just a blood test. Diuretic lounge tomorrow for a couple of Fuosemide cocktails. 😊

I'm so tired, two nights of very little sleep and I can't even blame my neighbour unless her antics have screwed up my sleeping pattern. Consequentially I'm just posting to say I'm thinking of you all (and to ask Jeeves to make me some of his very special hot chocolate).
Night night 😴 (🤞).