🦞 Locked down no longer but still firm friends 🦞

Congratulations to your DD Notspaghetti. She must be thrilled. Well done.

Mamissimo, so excited for you to have your house done for you! What a treat! We did employ someone to do our sitting room after my husband struggled for weeks with our dining room - it was really lovely to just make pots of tea!

Yes Doodle she was. Thank you. She has lived in London for eight or nine years and didn't really need to drive... then she moved to the Midlands and discovered there are almost no sensible public services here (especially on a Sunday when she wants to visit friends and family).

My doctor's appointment was at 8:45 and although the surgery is only 4km away, traffic on the main road between ours and there, is nose to tail at this time and with extensive road works.

When the St John shuttle hadn't arrived at 8:40, I phoned Reception explaining I was going to be late.

'If you're not here in 5 minutes, you forfeit your appontment,' snapped a young voice.
'Surely my appointment lasts 15 minutes so there's a little leeway?'
'If you're not here in 5 minutes, you forfeit your appontment, do you understand that?'
Jawol mein Commandant
But actually I was ruder than that and said, though quietly, 'Yes, I'm old, not stupid. I'll be there as soon as I can.'

We walked in the door at 9.10am and as the shuttle, which looks like an ambulance, and the uniformed driver were both in evidence, I acted as if I had not forfeted my appointment at all, and having paid my fee, was shown to the waiting room.

The lovely doctor gave me the full 15 mins in spite of being late and I was reassured by 2 lower BP readings and that Brooke (doc) would do something about the long-delayed cardiology tests and a new referral to a good podiatrist.

Alas we were not able to talk about what was going on in my brain but I have another interview with her on 26th so perhaps we can discuss it then.

Meanwhile, I declined going to the elders group in favour of looking for the big box of lost treasures but they are definitely not here, nor with my son.

There's nowhere else to look, as having just made a complete inventory of everything in ALL stored boxes, I must accept their loss. Just one more thing to add to the list of awul stuff which has happened over the past few weeks.

Oh, I forgot. You will remember I got funding for a pair of extra x wide shoes?
Funding, applied for 3 weeks ago, hasn't come through as promised.
Everyone concerned in the money side is at a big conference and the retailer is asking me, 'how long will it take?'

"Herring boxes without topses, sandals were for Clementine."

Me too if they're not quick.

Oh and by the way, when the surgery received the X-rays of my hip, knee and foot, there were broken bones but they never bothered to tell me or offer treatment. Kind of them eh?

Oh gosh Kaimoana, where is it you live? This sounds more and more NHS, if not worse!!

I've been AWOL for a while as I've been away in the Camperbubble for with the camping gang. Up to the posh bit of the North Norfolk coast. It was very windy, but it didn't rain and the sun shone sometimes. I couldn't figure out how to make the heater work, but the cooker hob heated the van quickly anyway, the company was excellent and we laughed a lot. It was just what I needed. Kira came too and walked further than she probably has in all her life, wonderful beach and coast path walks, and took to travelling back on the Coast Hopper bus as if she'd done it all her life.

A bit of catching up to do now.

Notspaghetti DH and I gave up decorating when we moved to our flat. Just couldn’t cope with it anymore.
Yes it will be very useful for your DD to have a car if public transports not good.
Kaimoana what a rude receptionist. Sorry you didn’t manage to ask about all the things that were troubling you. Hopefully at the next appointment.
I can only imagine how upset you are about your lost box of treasures and the frustration of searching and not being able to find it. Has anyone been helping you tidy your garage? Could you have put it somewhere indoors for safekeeping.?
Hope you get your shoes soon. Why does everyone always have to go to meetings together and not leave anyone to do the basics? It’s always the case.
Broken bones 😱. Are you ok? Are they just left to heal surely that needs checking out.
Sending big cwtch for the missing treasures. Precious things cannot be replaced 🥲
Nfk how good to hear you’ve been on an adventure. Sounds like a nice group. Glad you and Keira had a good time. She must be good company in the evenings to snuggle up to as well .
We went out twice today. Once to visit birthday son and then to podiatry. Apparently DHs foot is stable (although it looks awful to me) which is good news.
getting us both out twice in one day is quite exhausting so we had early dinner tonight and I’ve already had my first evening nap 🤣🤣

I'm so glad you had a happy visit to your son Doodle - and NFK your jaunt sounds very refreshing and isn't Kira a darling?

I don't honestly think they do much to broken bones in the foot, except strap it up, so although I would have liked to know, it doesn't matter now.

Good things today: I got my broken tooth fixed, thank goodness and Waipareira will pay. Phew, I've only just finished paying off the last bill and although I hate accepting hand outs, I'm eligible so why not?

I was going to say I'll grit my teeth and bear it but I bought a mouth guard to try and lessen the effects of the Bruxism. It's one of those "Boil and Bite" things and actually quite comfortable but bright red so if I smile, people will get a shock

The huge gash on my arm was passed as "healing well'' by the doctor and despite the fact I didn't go to have it stitched and dressed, she wasn't cross.
It's just not that easy when you have no transport and can't use public but I'm tired of explaining all the drawbacks and just treated it myself.

Was due to have lunch with two old friends tomorrow. Our date has been postponed 6 times for various reasons but we thought we'd cracked it this time. But no - they both have Covid.

Beautifully sunny here today but cold (at least to me) I didn't get warm until nearly lunchtime.

Next Wednesday will be jolly - it's Whanau Day, where all the stalls serving food and drinks, hairrcuts and more are all free and the kaumatua tent will look like a Kings Feast.

My replacement, temporary I hope, was a very pushy person who, within 30 mins of meeting me and confirming Karen would be away some time, rang the agency and said, 'I'm with Lynda and she loves me very much and wants me to be her permanent worker."

Oh glory, no I don't on either count. So I had to make a difficult phone call to them later, explaining she wouldn't be my first choice.

Hello lovely Lobstars 😍
Kaimoana I am sorry you've had to put up with so much rubbishy treatment. The thought of you trying to hobble on broken feet is bad enough but now your meet up with friends is kyboshed by covid and Karen's replacement is a nightmare!

Doodle, at least there's nicer news from you today.
I hope you can enjoy plenty more days like that.

Nfk you sound positive and refreshed after your bracing seaside break.

Well done to your DD NotSpag 👏

I have been busy with my Canadians - more decluttering emotional
They've cleaned the greenhouse too and we have been for a couple of drives.
I showed them where JK Rowling lives and we walked along the prom at Cramond.

They cook for me. I came home quite late from Gaelic class to delicious smells 😋

They are now planning their next placement. They're keen to work in an hotel on Guernsey.

I've been awake for hours so will get up and make a cup of tea.

Lovely to hear of glimpses of silver linings in the heavy clouds that many here are under.

I expect that the Doodles are having a well earned recuperation day, but good that at least one trip out was social, not business

Kaimoana, you, too, a day out to look forward to next week - how quickly and efficiently can a decent replacement for Karen be found?

Grammaretto, you sound the perfect host. Mind you, I think your girls are excellent too. Do you get to see any feedback from previous hosts so you know a little about guests in advance? Who chooses whom? Still no deeds?

Nfk, I hope you and Keira have had a good break. I can imagine her tearing up and down the beach - were there any other dogs in your group?

Early start today, dropping Mr.I off for day case abdominal surgery. (It's not cancer and that's all we are prepared to say🤣). I would like to think that he will be able to walk about soon so we can go to a farm shop or similar. Insisted on taking his wallet (it's all free, y'know), but omitted to take his phone🤷‍♀️.
What is it with men and wallets? Do they feel undressed without it?

We have broken with decades years of tradition and have a decorator in for one of the bedrooms. High ceilings and cornices make decorating well nigh impossible these days, unless one comes out with arms like a gorilla and neck fused in star gazing mode. Another suggestion, to 'get a man in' , like being asked to relinquish one's wallet, which seems to be construed as an assault on masculinity.

And we know that, at the end of the day, the finished result will not be perfect ....

My Forever Dad.

*Ixion are you married to Mr M as well? 💡 it has taken me many moons and much subterfuge to get him to agree to have the ladies in to decorate. They understand that he will hover while they're working and ask many questions about their working methods......He thinks it won't be as good as his work but I reckon it will see him us out! I told him that if he wanted to get good value from a decorator he needed to get it done soon!

It's his birthday today and I have commissioned a weather vane for him for the end of the house....I've had it done in the shape of his last boat. I'll post a picture for you once it's up....but first I have to persuade him to get a man in to fix it to the apex of the kitchen roof!

Today is also the only day of the year that I cook him breakfast so I must away and prepare the full Irish for him....yuk!

ixion I love that photo.
It is SO full of love. ❤️

Mr M insisted on doing it himself no surprises there and is a very happy chap. It was the result of one of those rare occasions when a man says "I've thought I'd like..." I was on it like an Exocet!

Really lovely Mamissimo - and well done, Mr Mamissimo!

Beautiful picture of Puss & Poppa.

What a thoughtful, wonderful gift - a weathervane.

ixion who knows how long a replacement will take? I may have to suffer see Mrs Pushy again.

No day out for me but I realise I need an antidote to all the nasties so I have decided to try and go back to the book.

Several splendid reviews of Trevor still coming in - and this 'readers opinion' one if you can access it.

www.kiwireviews.nz/review/9179-trevor-daring-duck

Glimpses of silver linings indeed hope it continues for the dear Doodles as well.

Kaimoana accept what you can. You struggle on taking the best care of yourself you can and being as independent as you can but sometimes it’s good to accept help when offered.
Shame about your cancelled lunch. There seems to be a lot of covid about. Hope you can get together soon
Crumbs what a pushy replacement. What a thing to do. Hope you don’t have to put up with her long.
Grammaretto the Canadians sound a big help. Anyone who cleans a greenhouse has my respect, awful job.
Im glad they’re cooking and giving you a break too.
Hope todays been a good day too
ixion we had a lovely day today. Our neighbour came round for a chat and we spent a very happy couple of ‘normal’ hours talking about anything other than illness and hospitals. We both enjoyed it so much and are hoping to get out a bit more and do some more pleasant activities
Well I hope MrI doesn’t have the press hounding him. Hope all went well and he’s recovering nicely and getting about well soon
Aw someone’s got a friend and he’s not letting go 😊
Happy Birthday Mr M! 🎂🎂. Hope the breakfast was well received. Really like the weather vane. Looks very good and MrM’s pride restored by doing it himself 🤣
Cherry had my Welsh friend round today. Made me think of you x

Kaimoana what a great and true review
i showed your book to my friend today (“I know the author you know”…..smug expression 😌).
We then sat and looked up the story of Trevor on the internet. What a wonderful idea for a book
love the dedication to a certain young lady

It appears there are glimpses of the buds of spring in our little Gang's lives after such difficult time - so good to hear ❣️

It also seems that it's decorating time of year or decade 😸 amongst the gang then. Today my WP has been prepping, as first area of concentration, the hall, progressing to the stairs and landing. We have a split staircase and the ceiling on the mid' landing is so high up 😱. I don't really think he should be doing it and that we should get someone in - but no he won't listen he's intent on doing it himself.

I went out to lunch with my epilepsy support group yesterday - well at least that was what was meant to happen. Unfortunately one lady in the group started to have a seizure and did my back in trying to help her whilst we were stood in the carpark waiting for another lady to pay. Thankfully she's okay, which is the main thing. We didn't get to have lunch, but we did manage to have afternoon tea ☕🍰, 😊. We've rescheduled lunch for next week.

You are so right Cherry . There are signs of Spring at last.
A shame about the poor lady in your group. I hope you manage better next week.

Doodle is right. as always the reviews of Trevor are really good Kaimoana. I am so glad for you.

I wrote a review of our community store yesterday on trip advisor after yet another excellent community lunch!

The film maker called yesterday, she who is going to use my house to set her film. She took photos and tells me how beautiful the aging crumbling building is and to please leave the ivy growing inside the room as it's so picturesque.

What a terrific present Mamissimo. Happy birthday MrM. Still nimble!

Fantastic reviews, Kaimoana. You should be very proud!

Lovely weathervane, Mamissimo. To strangers - You can't miss us. We're the house with the weathervane. 😁.

Mr.I didn't have his surgery yesterday, brought down at the first fence by the gasman. That's my silent fiver bet with myself all for me.
Somehow, when you live every waking hour (and/or night) with someone, you get to be as decent a judge of wellness as the nurse who pre-ops him for 20 minutes or the surgeon who lists him after a cursory site inspection , as 'twere, in 15 minutes.
They want more in depth tests, so I went back, we went home to await the next letter, only to be called back for the first of these diagnostic jobbies at 15.40.

Everybody back in the car ...

Cherry oh I do hope your WP is careful. Hall and staircase painting is difficult. Hope he’s got the right equipment……for the decorating that is . 😮
My dad was decorating the high lounge ceiling once in my childhood home. He had two ladders one each end of the room with a plank between them for him to walk on. All went well until (and I was watching this) one of the ladders started to slip and slide down the wall. The plank started to dip but just before disaster struck, the downward slide of the ladder was halted by one of those little round brass doorknobs on the cupboard door. Phew!
I’m glad your friend from the support group is ok. At least she had some sympathetic people round her.
Grammaretto, with all that been going on I think I have missed the story of the film maker. What is it about, do you know? How exciting. When we moved to a bungalow, we had ivy growing through the bedroom window. The trunk was so thick we couldn’t shut it.
Sorry Mr I didn’t get to have his op. It’s best to be as well as possible for these things. Hope all the tests go well and it can go ahead soon

We were very late for dinner tonight. Waitrose was due to deliver between 4 and 5 but actually turned up just before 8.pm.
Dinner was in the delivery so by the time I’d put all the shopping away it was nearly 9.pm. Thank goodness dinner was a quick microwave job.
DH had his foot dressed to day and the nurse said she thought it was looking a little better. Nearly 5 months now. It’s a long job.
Hope all are safe and well and I will catch up tomorrow. Sleep tight.😴

Has it really been 5 months Doodle? Time flies.

The picture of your dad balancing on the plank reminded me of a scene from Some mothers do 'ave 'em.
I'm glad he survived!

The Canadian girls left today. I miss them but it's also nice to be able to please myself.

The film is to be about the paper mills in the area and the people who worked in them. This house was used as laboratories for about 30 years for experiments on paper and printing until about 1975. Some of the people who worked here are still alive.

haven't I made it sound riveting

Oh but it IS interesting, Grammaretto. I guess I missed you telling us about the filming. Will it go nationwide, or just for local transmission?

Yesterday was a glorious day. Time for gardening and releasing Barney on to an unsuspecting world😫. We worked companionably on the herbaceous borders, me weeding, himself chewing his way systematically through the foliage from one end to the other. It was interesting to hear how Cheryl and Russell Crow have widened their vocal repertoire. There is a new introduction of more staccato calls in a sort of Morse code fashion. An I spy strangers call to their mates.

Today found me caught in a mix of sunshine and serious showers as I headed to the village for even more Easter cards and stamps. Blustery winds and hailstorms saw me, and plenty of others, sheltering from the elements in shops while pretending to show an interest in what was on offer.
When I got home, my hessian shopping bag was clearly not fit for purpose as the books of stamps were not only soaked but had lost their stickability as well.

Bit like me tonight.
Enjoy your evenings 😊