🦞 Locked down no longer but still firm friends 🦞

Hello good day Lobstars I nearly called you dumplings but we only have one Nfkdumpling here
What exactly is a Norfolk dumpling?

Very happy NotSpag that your being ill meant DS saw his DG for a decent time and that you will be with him too in the fresh air.

It's not too bad here today. I've just lit my gas kiln which will take about 15 hours to fire up. It's in a shed outside.

Bother the "care" services Kaimoana.
I confess I only change my sheets when there's a good drying day - few and far between. 🤣🤣

Interesting about moving back to the UK. Surely as a Native you are always able to return? Like my DB who can live in NZ if he wants to because he was born there but I can't because I was born in England.

My cousin took me out to an Indian restaurant last night. I say night but they were itching to get rid of us so that they could go home by 8.30!

I have to work at the shop today and I've been moved to the midday shift which I'm not pleased about but it's holiday time here and we are short of volunteers.

What news from all of you?

PS - it was cold here yesterday. I put the heating on last night... I would have liked dumplings - yum!

Hello, I'm feeling much better and will see our son for coffee and chat outside today. Either in back garden (which is not good at the moment as patio is full of bricks and the furniture is all trapped behind) or it will have to be in the back yard on kitchen chairs.... If only I hadn't just made it impossible to put some seating out!

The GOOD news is that one day (which I was looking forward to) has instead been given to my 100 year old mother-in-law. He was there all day yesterday and shared a "cook" frozen dinner with her as she didn't want him to take her out for dinner. That time will be really precious to her. Normally in a short visit he would go for afternoon tea or we would be there too.

I am grateful she has had this time with him

He also went to his sister's house and spent more time with her boys, his brother and a friend met him for lunch one day and he met his other sister for an afternoon in the park

Me being ill is a gift for others.
He leaves today. I am reconciled

How blessed I really am. - sorry this is a bit "me me me"

What a day

Shuttle didn't turn up to take me to the doctor. Next soonest is 17th so I've bagged that.

Agency didn't send any homecare in place of Mepa, so if I have to wait until next week (and no one works weekends and Karen can't do it), my bed will have been unchanged for 3 weeks.
Of course they say they'll have many workers off sick but if they were better organised, they'd have emergency fill-in people to step in.

I started a pair of slippers and 20 mins later it all went wrong and I couldn't see to correct it, so had to pull it all out and begin again.

Have been so cold that I had to keep running my hands under warm wayer to de-freeze them.

Made a very delicious stew with gluten free dumpling, the only bright spot of the whole day.

Yes Doodle plans are hurtling along and no, I won't be leaving NZ until I have somewhere to go to and before that, I need to see if I can either transfer my NZ pension, or get a British one, which I signed away when I was 65 in favour of one here. All very worrying at the moment.

Just heard 3 emergency vehicles go haring past - puts my own niggles into perspective.

Doodle don't worry about Bold, I can always cut and paste it into Word and make it Bold that way.

I'm putting together an email with some lovely, English narrators for you. That's my niggle as well, not only the often strient American voices but details and phrases which mean nothing - there culture isn't ours.
I recently borrowed a Jane Austen - American narrator.
One about the people who work underground in London (tube, sewers etc) American voice
And an autobiography by an ex-editor of one of the UK's leading newspapers -again an American voice.

Okay, end of rant
s

Grr 😡 I give up. I forgot to make sure my first post was bold so I tried again now I’ve got two the same and neither is right. Sorry

Notspaghetti how are you feeling today? Have you managed to spend time with your son at a distance?*
ixion. Lovely conversation 🤣
*Kaimoana yes I can get audio books from the library and I have done that before. Trouble is so many I’ve tried are narrated by someone with a strong American accent or strident voice which I don’t like. Yes please give me some book ideas.
I too hope you get your help soon too.*
Are plans moving fast regarding your son’s move. Will you be going at the same time?
Grammaretto do I remember you’ve got a cousin staying with you at the moment. You’ve had a lot of visitors recently. Hope you are enjoying the company

*Notspaghetti how are you feeling today? Have you managed to spend time with your son at a distance?
ixion. Lovely conversation 🤣
*Kaimoana yes I can get audio books from the library and I have done that before. Trouble is so many I’ve tried are narrated by someone with a strong American accent or strident voice which I don’t like. Yes please give me some book ideas.
I too hope you get your help soon too.
Are plans moving fast regarding your son’s move. Will you be going at the same time?
*Grammaretto do I remember you’ve got a cousin staying with you at the moment. You’ve had a lot of visitors recently. Hope you are enjoying the company

As you know Doodle I listen to audio books in the night as I am a long-term insomniac.
Our library allows us to borrow or download them free - perhaps yours does too?
It's lovely having someone reading a story when you are lying wakeful.

If you fancy setting this up in due course and speak to your library, I can recommend suitable books for nightime reading.

Haha NotS your son certainly suffers from the same thing as my eldest grand-daughter. Affectionate Anxiety.

If she emails me, as she often does, asking how I am, I tell her I'm fine but of course she doesn't believe me, so I too get the Third Degree when she visits and she can watch my reaction.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

She then sets about telling me how to solve my problems (yes, she takes after her Grandma!! ) as if I've never heard of the Total Mobility cards, or Arnica for bruises.

It's all done from love.
She's been very shocked to hear her Uncle's plans to move to the UK are now being fast-tracked and asked me, 'But why do you have to go?'

Interesting time yesterday with Andy our new Chaplain. If he's not careful he will duplicate my own experience of burnout working with a huge social welfare organisation whichworks with the the vulnerable - not realising or caring sometimes their staff need nurturing too.

I'm hoping the homecare agency find a replacement for Mepa who is sick again.
If they don't, I'll have to go for a third week without having my bed changed.

Glad you have found sleep jar, Doodle - and hope you have a nice "ordinary" lunch tomorrow

Oh Grammaretto and Doodle
Here's a 🍸🍹

I could do with a 🍷 - but not a good idea at the moment whilst recovering 😕

Interesting conversation in the hairdresser's this morning

Elderly gentleman but sprightly, nattily dressed, came in and approached the reception desk with a note.

She's asked me to get two of these, please.

Ah. One is a heat treatment, the other is a conditioner. Which would you like?

* Rising panic detected, followed by an uncomfortable silence. *

OK. How long is she in the bathroom for when she washes her hair?

Not very long.

Ah, that'll be the conditioner you want, then.

🤭

i have found something to take away the quietness in the house. Can’t listen to music as it upsets me. The Tv annoys me and I can’t have that on so I have turned to Alexa who has various relaxing sounds in a thing called sleep jar. Earlier I had birds but now I’ve found one called café which is just muted hubub of chatter. Suits me so I’ll stick with that

oh Notspaghetti what a terrible disappointment. I’m so sorry. You must long to hug him again how awful you have covid. I would test again just in case. I do hope you get to spend time together even if at a distance.
Grammaretto I agree about cutting out patterns being back breaking. Hope you enjoy the class and end up with a lovely outfit.
Grammaretto I thought alcohol too. Just shows what were like 🤣
ixion you made me laugh with your plackards
Kaimoana I too have clothing under my pillow. I have put a teddy bear on Ken’s chair as it looked so empty without him
Ive been to the local library today for yet another knit and natter. Nice people. Going for lunch with friend tomorrow

Aw! NotSpag, I am sorry 😞
When he asked how much you were drinking I automatically thought he meant gin!
Oh dear. This is how my mind works.
I have had a G&T. purely medicinal
Cheers.

ixion thank you.
And thank you too Grammaretto

He popped over before lunch and just cross-questioned me on medications, food, how much I'm drinking, oxygen levels etc!

.....not a bundle of fun!

Feeling more resigned to it now.
hurumph!

Such a disappointment NotSpag
so close yet not able to hug. It's just like a Greek myth/tragedy.
I hope you have another opportunity to see your DS properly.

I survived my sewing class but my back is now rather sore. There's a lot of bending involved in sewing.

I didn't get as far as actual sewing. It was enough to lay out and cut the pattern pieces.

Our tutor was at the Palace garden party yesterday wearing a fabulous outfit she had made.

I can hardly believe how cold it is here. I must find out if the roofers have finished or have gone awal again.

Polling day tomorrow. I must remember to vote. My lodger hasn't a vote for some reason. She's not registered and yet DS and DP who've lived in NZ for over 15 years, can vote in our election. A weird anomaly. 😕

NotSpaghetti - you must be gutted. As one who has two DC on different continents, I know how you must feel😢.

You need to start preparing cue cards, think Bob Dylan or Love Actually. 😉

thank you Kaimoana2
I think my lovely kind husband is actually trying to protect me from my own upset!

upset sheesh !!

Imagine my stern face. not being kind in the sightest.

Of course you're upey NotS and I bet DH is too but you know men, they try not to show it.

You are doing the right thing - even though it hurts.

Nothing wrong with feeling sorry for yourself, it's a normal reaction to disappointment.
People who say you shouldn't are trying to save themselves the embarrassment of your upset; (heaven forbid they might have to actually help or comfort you in some way

Your son understands that you are doing this to protect him and all whom he comes into contact with.
He'll be proud of you.

A conversation outside will be great and better than nothing.

Your son will be upset too.

There WILL be other times but that doesn't help right now.

What a shame this happened; Bl**dy Covid.

Plan for another visit.

I'm sorry so much has been spoiled for you, your son and DH.

Not being kind, not for a minute.

maybe I'll check again tomorrow??

I have just lost a long post too - it said something like "snap"???

I was just having a bit of a chat really - but having lost it I give up.

I feel I must just share my disappointment with someone as my husband is quite stoic and says "there will be other times" but my heart is bursting... so, my oldest son arrived today for three days only from America. My husband and I were not very well since Saturday and (foolishly??) we tested for covid today as we didn't want him to get it as he has underlying health issues
So... yes, we have it
He's travelling on from us to a stag do and then on to his wife in the Philippines. - I cant be responsible for him catching it
I just feel so sorry for myself 😭
I have done up the bedroom so beautifully for him, bought a new fan in case it was hot and stocked up on some treats.

He is staying in a hotel
😭
He says he will come and have a chat outside at a distance 😭

Please don't say anything too kind or I'll just weep again!

I do know that in the scheme of things this is not a big deal but I was just very excited to have three days with him
Ironically I've been OK today and feel well again!

Doodle said: I keep thinking about other people who’ve managed to keep going

But they ALL felt like you do in private, they just tried not to show it in company, if they could. As I know from experience, many cannot.

It wasn't until many years after my father's sudden death at 54, that I realised just what devastation Mum had suffered.
She didn't talk about it ever but I saw one of Dad's old cardigans tucked under her pillow. She said she couldn't sleep without the scent of him but now, it smelled of her so she might give it up.
I learned later that many widows do this, it's a wonderful comfort, if heartbreaking.

You are not alone.

Keep holding on to the surety that one day, it really will be more manageable
That's what gets most bereaved people through these dark times.

That is very true ixion and Cherry. Please let yourself grieve Doodle. It's natural.
I worry that I am not able to cry.

I am alarmed at the growing number of broken toilet seats! What is going on.

I too would be interested in how the Ancestry testing goes, Mamissimo.

The house we saw round today is lovely. Much nicer inside than out and immaculate.
I think someone will snap it up. It can't be me as I would have to sell mine first.

I've signed up for sewing classes beginning tomorrow. I'm going to try to make myself a Summer dress. I am the eternal optimist.

When American cousin left Boston it was 87°F, here it is 52°F. She sat with her coat on in my kitchen. 😔 🥶

Night night Lobstars xxx