The Lockdown Gang still chatting

That's very nice Doodle that the nurse is so helpful and approachable. He needs support like this. I hope whatever the shock is, it works.
I could think of some shocks but it might kill him


I'm baking a cake for the café tomorrow. I usually get up early on Saturday morning to do it but I don't trust myself to wake up.

Oh dear it has sunk in the middle again just when I thought I had got the hang of it
This baking lark is harder than it looks

It was perhaps the work which tired her, the Chinese girl, out Cherry but I think the story of Chinese porcelain wasn't quite as fascinating for them as it is for me.

I took them to the ceilidh dancing class and they loved it. They are out in Edinburgh today . I gave them the day off
I hope all Lobstars are still around and just too busy to post.
Can you send Jeeves to round them up please Doodle

Had a long chat with one of the heart nurses today. She has discussed DHs case with two Cardiology consultants and they both agreed to the same treatment plan for him. Apparently his heart needs to be shocked back into rhythm. I had thought of creeping up behind him and shouting BOO! but something a little more sophisticated is required. That will take place in about 4 weeks and then a few months later they will do some electronic wizardry in his heart which should solve the problem. They seem very matter of fact about it and have gone to endless lengths with testing and scans so hopefully they know what’s going on and can make things better.
Poor DH is suffering tonight with terrible aches in his legs probably due to all the diuretic treatment. He’s gone to bed. I may join him soon as I’m quite tired although we both had an excellent night last night.
I hope all the gang are ok in whatever is going on in their lives.
Come back soon……..

Grammaretto hmm yes I am another who forgets what I’m looking in the fridge for or why I went into the bedroom.
So pleased your helpers are getting on with things. “She wanted to try haggis” 😱……….(did she know what it is?). Di she enjoy it?
Good they’re hardworking. Do they fancy a trip down south…..I’ve got some jobs.
Cherry I am beginning to understand what impact you’re sleepless nights have on you. Ours have been very disturbed recently. DH talks a lot of rubbish gets a bit confused in the early hours. It think it’s the medication he’s on. By morning he’s back with it again. As far as I know he has never taken his pillow for a walk. I hope you’re safe when you’re walking about. Wouldn’t like you to be hurt.
DH had very bad cramp last night so his legs have been really painful today. Probably muscle ache. Poor man is black and blue with all the holes they made in him yesterday for the canulars and blood tests.
I hope you are ok Kaimoana. Hope we all have a good night’s sleep and no nocturnal walking for you or DH Cherry

As you all might have guessed I didn't get my good night's sleep on Sunday night after all, nor on Monday or Tuesday either. Last night was a lot better as I think I got about 5 hours sleep but this week has been pretty hard going. I've been up to some old tricks in the night too but fortunately haven't fallen out of bed 😁 On Tuesday morning though I woke up or more likely 'came to' without a pillow and I couldn't find it. It wasn't on the bed nor on the floor beside the bed. I found it, eventually, on the other side of the bedroom by the chest of drawers. I must have been on one of my zombie strolls again 🤷

I see that your DH has been receiving treatment in a diuretic lounge Doodle. It sounds like he's received a stellar service from the specialist nurses. I hope the Drs solve the mystery on their Space Oddity and identify his heart problem, I really do. I hope too that you both slept well last night and your DH's ankles are much better today.

It sounds like you've got a good couple of helpers being very helpful this time Grammaretto 😁. I wonder why the girl fell asleep during the documentary, is the history of Chinese porcelain quite dull or could moving heavy furniture and piles of wood have something to do with it 🤔

I've got a vague memory of my father reciting that poem to me Kaimoana. I was so young when he died it was a special memory to recall, thank you for posting the poem ☺️. I hope your difficult week is picking up and improving for you x

Hello Lobstars,

I so hope the dear dude has a proper night's sleep Doodle . It must be so hard for you seeing his discomfort and him being a medical mystery.
The nurses do sound patient and kind the care they showed to the poor confused woman.
It's good to hear.
A poem last night was the one about the man who can't remember why he'd gone upstairs. Too near the bone!

The Helpers worked very hard today . They moved a mountain of compost. Moved piles of wood and moved the heavy filing cabinet.
She wanted to taste haggis so I managed to buy a couple of haggis dinners for one! I gave them a dram for added Scottishness.
Tonight I showed them a documentary about the history of Chinese porcelain. She fell asleep.

Night night everyone.

Back at the diuretic clinic today. DH has had his medication changed three times in the last 3 days. It’s a job to keep up with what they want him to take. They are doing all they can to identify his heart problem but he seems to be a bit of an oddity (or what I call special 😊)
Don’t have to go back for a couple of weeks now so can rest tomorrow which is just as well as DH is exhausted. His ankles hurt so much he can hardly walk and he’s so tired.
Care has been s good both by the nurses and our GP.
Grammaretto your new helpers sound like fun. I hope they will be useful. Tell her she needs to work to keep warm 🤣
You must have been proud reading a poem by your DGS.
What a talented family you have so pleased for your other DGS.
Kaimoana that’s a great poem. Yes we have been well looked after. Mind you, DH does look a bit like a pin cushion. He’s had so much blood taken by different people. He has three cotton wool pads stuck to each arm as he bleeds so much after.
I had sympathy for the nurses today who received a patient brought in by ambulance. The poor woman didn’t know where she was or what had happened to her and there was no one with her to help. They were very kind to her though and went to great pains to try and find out what had happened.
We’re off to bed soon ….if we make it before we fall asleep.
Night night all

So much good news today. Well done Grammaretto and your dgs - star performers both.

Especially good to hear you met such kindness at the diuretic cocktaail party Doodle, let's hope the troubled times are over.

And the Award winning Mamissimo!
Gosh, you swept the board after having to sweep the floods from your home. Does one cancel out the other? Hope H.Beagle wasn't washed away.

In honour (late) of International Poetry Day:

The Peddlar Man by W B Rands (1823-1882).

I wish I lived in a caravan,
With a horse to drive, like the pedlar man
Where he comes from nobody knows,
Or where he goes to, but on he goes

His caravan has windows, two,
And a chimney of tin, that the smoke comes through
He has a wife, with a baby brown,
And they go riding from town to town

"Chairs to mend and delf to sell!"
He clashes the basins like a bell;
Tea-trays, baskets, ranged in order,
Plates with the alphabet round the border

The roads are brown and the sea is green,
But his house is just like a bathing machine;
The world is round and he can ride,
Rumble and splash to the other side

With the pedlar-man I should like to roam,
And write a book when I came home;
All the people would read my book,
Just like the Travels of Captain Cook.

Pic is a genuine, 19th century pedlar caravan, quite different to a Roma home.

Disappointing about the lack of cocktails and canapes but great that things are moving in the right direction Doodle.
You must be very tired.

The Helpers arrived in time for tea tonight and then we walked along to the folk club and all 3 of us joined in. The Chinese girl sang Hey Jude . Her bf told a couple of awful jokes and I recited a poem my DGS had written . It's international poetry day.

The other proper performers sang songs, several in Gaelic, and played instruments. I think the couple enjoyed themselves.
She has never been to Scotland.
They are both cold and say it hasn't stopped raining since they arrived in the UK 3 weeks ago.

They don't look like gardeners so I think they can chop wood and paint the bathroom.

My other DGS has just got a distinction in grade 8 clarinet.
#proudgran

Grammaretto we didn’t have canapés and cocktails in the diuretic lounge but we did get two excellent specialist nurses. They were amazing. Spent nearly 2 hours with DH doing tests taking bloods, discussing with us what they thought might be DHs problem. We have to go back tomorrow to see how much weight DH has lost due to the intravenous diuretic and then decide where we go from there.
I’ve been to have my haircut this afternoon so what with that and a trip to the pharmacy for new meds, I’m exhausted.
That’s a couple of sad looking wet horses. I bet they were pleased to see you.
When do your new helpers come? Is it soon now?

I'm glad you had such a good weekend Mamissimo apart from the shower joining the festivities.

I hope your week is not difficult Kaimoana
Thinking of you.

Well Doodle I didn't expect to hear such positive news from you but it sounds really good. Fingers crossed for the Dude.

The gypsy caravan or Roma vardo doesn't belong to me but to a df who , like you, had always fancied one. She has nowhere to keep it so it stays at mine. The DGC have played in it but though we have enquired about having it horse drawn, that has never happened.
I walked around the place where I used to do RDA, today. Lots of wet looking horses.

You are good not eating chocolate for Lent.

Evening all. What a day. DH and I are shattered.
Up early for GP appointment. She was really nice and very helpful. DH is going to a diuretic lounge (!) for treatment for the next few days. I’m hoping they serve canapés and cocktails.
Also has an appointment with a cardiac Dr first to record how he is before treatment starts. Two new medications one to slow the heart rate and one to stop clots (I hope they don’t mean me 🤔) it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.
We must have an early night as it will be a very early start tomorrow. I hope it helps as his legs are so painful.
Grammaretto I loved gypsy caravans when I was young. Always thought they looked like tiny houses on wheels. I liked the thought of travelling by horse. I doubt the reality was that much fun.
Nice you met up with family at your DMILs and had a good journey home.
That’s a new film I think. Was it any good?
I’d love a hot chocolate but it’s lent 😥 and I’m being good..ish.
Mamissimo well done on the show results, you did well.
Shame about the cup. Maybe next time.
Oh no, a water leak is the last thing you need when having Christmas dinner. Glad it got sorted quickly and Hope you all enjoyed your lovely meal. I’m quite jealous.
Sorry about your carpet,
Kaimoana I’m sorry things are not going to well for you.
No they didn’t put him back on the old stuff, we wouldn’t have accepted that,
I hope your week isn’t as bad as you fear. Sending love and a hug.x

Love to all those having a hard and sometimes dangerous time.
I do wish, hope, pray the doctors would get their acts together to make DH comfortable - they didn't put him back on the old stuff did they Doodle?

It seems this week too may be a difficult for me; Monday hasn't been the best - but not the worst either.

Gramaretto "Roma Vardo"

The daffodils are beautiful.

Good evening 🙂

Good plan to get straight on to the GP Doodle. Getting answers and help is needed if you are to be able to rest - and that is essential.

We returned from the village show yesterday with a first, a second and three thirds - not too shabby but not cup winning either. We will try harder next time 🙂

Today all the family came for Christmas II to celebrate Mr M's big birthday. All was going very well until the shower in the bathroom above the front door went wrong/died/did something awful and water started pouring out of the CO2 alarm in the hall.......from then on everything went manic.....

We had to turn the power off......turn the water off.....--pour more fizz down my throat-- and try to conserve lunch. Luckily it took DSiL2 and Mr M a mere 30 minutes to fix so we all got lunch by 2.30. Tomorrow I have to shampoo and dry the hall carpet but that's a minor inconvenience. We both also have to go to the dentist......😢

Sending hugs to the Doodle abode.
Swollen legs are not at all good. I hope the GP helps.

We had a yurt in the garden for a while. There was an arts festival in the town and the yurt was a venue for a story teller.
There's a gypsy caravan too. are you allowed to call them that?

I saw DMiL and took chocolates. DS was there and DGD and dog we did a crossword together.

A much nicer bus journey. The driver chatted to me and told me all about his life. He used to be a graphic designer and cycled everywhere. Now he tries not to run down cyclists.

The film tonight was about Whitney Houston. I want to dance with somebody

Sorry you've been having a rough time Cherry
Sleep well gang. Try the hot chocolate.

Grammaretto perhaps you could build a couple of yurts and rent them out. I gather they are all the rage these days. 😊
Sorry you had such an unpleasant journey home. Must have been a bit upsetting. Glad you got home safely. Those are lovely flowers.
Kaimoana those dogs sound very much at home with you. I’m sure you enjoy their company.
They are very sweet.
Cherry sorry you’ve not been too good again. I would think the lure of moving is quite strong after you’ve experienced a few disturbed night with your neighbour.
I will be phoning GP first thing. I am very worried about DHs legs they seem to be getting bigger every day.
Sleep well all

Hello lobStars

Brief visit from me as I've not had the best couple of days - those inevitable dratted seizures 🙄 and the antics of 'er nextdoor have worn me out. Hoping for a peaceful night tonight!

Sorry to hear that your DH's legs are still sore and swollen Doodle but I'm glad that you're both having more sleep and I'm pleased you had a lovely time with your DS' for his birthday.

Charming fellow (not) you and your dear friend met on the bus Grammaretto, what is it about these people - totally unnecessary and our of order. Yes, I feel sad for that poor mother and child too.

I'm not a dog person Kaimoana but even I have to admit that those spaniels are very cute. They are obviously very comfortable and at home with you.

I hope all the lobStars are having a good mother's day and have been treated in one way of another 💐

Mother nature's bounty

What adorable little spaniels Kaimoana almost too cute 🥰
I hope the arrangement works for all of you.

Thinking of mothers today as it's mother's day here.

Mine had a hard time as a widow and we knew about it but I am sad to think about struggling mothers everywhere

An incident on the bus last night brought home to me how lucky I have been.
My friend who is in her 80s, and I sat down up in the front but a man, woman plus a big buggy got on . The man said "you'll have to move - this is a buggy space" so my df and I found other seats further back. Our stop was very soon so
I rang the bell to get off but the buggy family were blocking the aisle.
I tried to get past but the man began shouting and cursing me that I was pushing past and he was also getting off.
An elderly man told buggyman to be more respectful to older people so buggyman turned on him calling him many sweary names.
I glanced at the woman who was keeping quiet. I thanked the elderly man and the bus driver as we got off but felt so sad for the poor mother and child having to be with that horrible man and put up with his anger and aggression.
Df and I quickly crossed the road to our next bus stop. More adventures at the 3rd bus stop involving drunks and racism. Saturday night in central Edinburgh is rather too exciting!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202303/medium-206901-dogs-006.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202303/medium-160796-gerbera-009.jpg

My first full day with the dogs. Obviously very happy and relaxed here. Nice owner stayed to chat, so Lily jumped on my knee and had to be persuaded to go home
No, Doodle on the contrary, they asked me what I charged. I said the company of the dogs would be enough.
The owner brought me scarlet Gerbera. They flopped about a bit in the vase, so I inserted a kitchen roll inner to keep them together.

Oh dear, I so hoped that DH was on the mend Doodle.
At least you are both sleeping better.

Several people have suggested building in the garden. I haven't totally dismissed the idea but I can't see it happening.
It would take more energy than I have.

I imagine I will move to something smaller in a couple of years.

I met my lodger's DGC briefly. They are very sweet.

Grammaretto I sincerely hope you are still living in the big house and not some doer upper in the garden. From the way you describe it your ruin needs a lot of work. I wonder who though there was a cottage. Do you have enough space to build a place in your garden and sell your house? There are a few people round here who’ve done that. One moved her son and family into the big house.
Have you been working in the store today?
DH’s legs are still very sore and swollen. He has trouble standing up from sitting so I have to help him. Sometimes he bounces up and down on the sofa before I can get him up. Doesn’t help that I had a fit of the giggles and told him to stop using the sofa as a bouncy castle. 🤣
Hope everyone has a good weekend.

The lodger's DGC are infants. I haven't met them yet but I hope I will.

I was asked yesterday if I'd moved out of my big house and was living in the cottage round the back.
What cottage round the back? I am bemused. I am obviously the subject of some gossip but I am intrigued by what this cottage is.
There is a roofless ruin in the woods which I suppose could be a doer upper for an enthusiast crazy person
Anyway the roofer came this morning and will come back and fix the gutters to keep this house standing.

You've had a nice time Doodle I'm glad to hear that and I hope the Dude continues to improve.
Your flowers and chocs reminds me I should visit DMiL tomorrow.

Good luck at the village show Mamissimo. Seems early in the year to be showing produce but I guess perfect for daffodils and marmite rolls. 😋 💐

Nice photos Grammaretto. You all look as though you had a jolly time. The only other one I recognise is Baggs.

Kaimoana I hope they aren’t charging you for care.
I’ve had a better day today. I hope you have too.
Been a busy one. Chat with DS2 this morning. Waitrose delivery then to Sainsbugs to buy something Waitrose couldn’t deliver then off with party things to my sons for his birthday.
Those coconut buns look delicious and a nice lamb dish to keep you going for a few days,
😲. I thought you were going to say it was a car backfiring. A real robbery and real guns. That’s scary. Glad you got away safely.
Grammaretto I will have a look 🤣. Good for you.
You are right you would have thought the Brazilians would have thought of that before telling you they were coming.
Did the Chinese girl and boyfriend come before? I seem to remember them being very useful.
Your lodger is lucky that you are so accommodating. It will be nice to meet them. How old is the little one?
I got a lovely box of chocs and a beautiful bunch of roses from DS2 . Peach colour with red edges. DH is ok thanks although his legs are still swollen and red. We have been sent an appointment for a phone consultation with the GP Monday. We will ask her about them then.
Mamissimo you will be worn out,
Those marmite rolls sound good, I love marmite.
Fingers crossed for your entry. Hope MrM wins.