Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Friends are so important whether online or in person. You have some good friends Doodle and a loving family. ❤️
You are such a good friend to them too, as you are to all of us.

The new Helper is better and better. He removed enough plaster in the attic to expose the rafters so hopefully it's easier to see where the water is getting in.
We took 8 heavy clay sacks full of damp plaster to the tip.
Then he cooked dinner!
He came to the community lunch too and met some of the locals including a woman from Cornwall who was thrilled to meet a fellow countryman.

It rained here all day and my cold is worse.

Thinking of Cherry, Nfk, Mamissimo, Jan, ixion, NotSpag, Kaimoana and Naughtyneine and anybody who could do with a cwych.

Thanks Notspaghetti I just feel I’m moaning all the time.

Grammaretto m amazed at how many lovely kind people I have got to know over the last few months. Church friends and art class friends, all have been so kind.
Went to art today but was dreadful. Everyone found it hard we were doing a portrait picture and mine barely looked human.
*Bereavement group at church this afternoon. It was lovely.
Hope all the lobstars are ok. Jeeves is in the kitchen doing my washing up for me. He’ll be round with the drinks later when he’s done the drying up.

I'm sure your portrait was as good as any Picasso did Doodle.. It's just a case of appreciating your own style! And portraits are the worst things to do.

Your new helper sounds too good to be true Grammaretto. I don't suppose he happens to bear any resemblance to Sean Bean? Harrison Ford? Pierce Brosnan? (I have a wide range of appreciation.) If so, can you send him this way? Only when you've finished with him of course. Finding that damned leak is most important.

It was a glorious day here today. Kira and I did our two miles at Blickling Park and came back hot and tired. I'm a mile and a half behind on my October Two Mile a Day challenge due to Kira refusing to go out in the rain the other day and my not being overly eager to make her! I think I'll have to carry over a day into November. But it does make me feel so much better inside, even if my legs don't appreciate it. I'm looking forward to Jeeves coming with drinks (while I wait for Grammaretto to finish with her wonderful helper). I'm not sure if I need a brandy or a hot chocolate.

Doodle, I'm with NotSpaghetti - don't be so hard on yourself. I don't think any one of us should compare ourselves with others either as it doesn't invalidate how we feel x.
I don't mean to laugh but we were doing a portrait and mine barely looked human 🤣. I'm useless drawing faces, the first time I tried to draw a picture of a cat's face it looked ... vaguely human ... but I haven't met any human cats 😂.
I'm pleased that the bereavement group was good this afternoon and I'm really pleased that you have met and got to know so many lovely people over the last few months. It is a help to you I think 😊.

Wow Grammaretto, your helper has got some energy is really helpful 👍 😊. I hope that by exposing the rafters it reveals exactly where the water is coming in and your roof can then be dealt with once and for all 🤞.

Thanks for sending Jeeves round Doodle, he's just brought me a cup of tea (and a caramel tart 🤫) 😁.

*Actually Nfk my picture is a bit Picasso like in that no one would have any idea what it was.
Cherry church and my family and friends are keeping me going ……….. and copious amounts of red wine 🤣

Leave some for me! 🍫 😋 🍷 🍵 ☕️ 🥗 🎂
I took my helper ceilidh dancing tonight. I will be sending him your way in about 10 days Nfk can you wait?
He'll be apple pressing tomorrow.
He wants the weekend off 😲

There was hunter's moon tonight.

I've put my excuse note on teachers desk...we are back at our cottage and the middle 'child' has been returned from doggy 5 day daycare. She has been quite subdued...not sure if that is because she missed us or the new 'rules' ( their words) that she had to follow were a bit harsher than the soft life she has with us. She does weigh 45kg and if she wants to sit on the sofa/lap it does take some persuasion and strengthen to change her mind.
I went to aqua aerobics yesterday for the first time. We used to have a GP referral one that was for people with a variety of medical conditions but that seems to have gone by the board now so I opted to try the very over subscribed one instead. I was very relieved to see I wasn't the oldest and that I managed to keep up. There was a dodgy moment when we were jumping forward for 4 and then back for 4 and I jumped back and found myself about to slip down the slope that separates the shallow end from the deep end. I like to think there was only a moment of looking like a salmon leaping upstream followed by a quick rearrangement to get my 34g's back inside my swimsuit. Such fun. 😂
Grammaretto...if he looks like Hugh Jackman could he stop off on his way back to Cornwall. We've got a leak somewhere too ...but as are bedroom is in the
attic we can't take the plaster off and I think a new roof might be on the horizon. Grrrr
Doodle.... sometimes just writing feelings/ thoughts down ( posting) ease a little of the pain they are causing at that moment. Memories of love will always catch our hearts...sometimes they will make us smile and at other times that memory will slip out of the corner of our eyes and roll down our cheeks. Go with both...and share with us. Wine is good too x
Nfk...Kira sounds a bit like me ..full of energy and hope when the sun is out and hedgehog mode when it's dark wet and gloomy. I hate the clocks going back and the thought of short daylight days. I drove myself round parts of Oz and NZ one year leaving in November and back in
February....it was brilliant.
Cherry....I have long given up trying to draw or paint anything...I have the spacial awareness of an amoeba and even abstract wouldn't come close to my efforts. Wishing you all the best day possible...

That's a lovely description of a lost love Naughty. Perfect in fact.

I had to give up aqua aerobics when Igot Kira as I can't leave her long enough. That's my excuse anyway. It didn't make any difference to my shape or weight as it wa in the morning and i always came away ravenous.

Ten days will be perfect Grammaretto. I may have cleared all the carefully arranged heaps on the spare bed by then .... charity shop pile, auction pile, tip pile, pass back to offspring heap.

Evening all. Had a lovely day out today. Went with two friends to a beautiful garden and sculpture exhibition. Had a nice lunch, long chat and a browse round the shop. So nice out in the sunshine. I felt a bit sad because DH would have been in his element taking pictures of the lovely autumn colours.
Grammmaretto this current helper sounds most useful and talented. Can’t you lock him in the closet and keep him a bit longer 🤣
Can you not make cider with the apples?
Naughtyneine that was lovely thank you. I will remember that. What sort of doggy is your middle child? Have you had the look that is reserved for “you went away and left me” .
NFk I find that with exercise too (not that I do any) it makes me so faint with hunger I eat twice as much.
Cherry, Ixion and Mr I, do hope you’re all ok

".....I just feel I’m moaning all the time."

But isn't that what our thread is all about, what it was created for?

We all felt isolated and helpless during Covid and you, Doodle and Cherry knew we needed a safe place to rant and cry and moan.

Since then, we few, we happy few, this band of friends, have helped one another through good times and bad.

So go ahead, dear Doodle moan all you want - it gives us all permission to do the same

That's is true Kaimoana.
Can I have a moan please?
I took my little old car to the repair shop and when I drove home, with new tyres, new alignment and new brakes it felt like a new car! Why can't we humans have a new lease of life?

I could find somewhere to lock my Cornishman but then what?
Yesterday after apple picking, and some gardening he fixed the broken lock on my back door, went for a long cycle ride, shopped and cooked a delicious meal I was commis chef
and entertained me and my random friends and lodgers until almost midnight.
His girlfriend is joining him here today. I wonder what she will make of it all!! 🤔

I am glad you had such a good uplifting day Doodle. I feel sure DH was with you.

What a beautiful way to put it Naughtyneine that love, those memories ❤️

That 2 miles a day sounds good Nfk and I don't think being behind for the month by a mile and a half is bad at all. I'm with you, a good walk makes me feel good.
What did you opt for from Jeeves' trolley in the end, hot chocolate or brandy 😉.

It would be nice if a few repairs (like your car had) could make us as good as new Grammaretto 😄. Which reminds me, have you heard any more about your operation?
Your helper hasn't run out of steam at all, has he. It would gre5if he was one of your returnees.
Btw, I love the moody photo of the hunter's moon, very atmospheric.

Naughtyneine, you're not wrong aqua aerobics is great fun isn't it. I had mine through GP referral twice but I think ours via referral has gone now too. When I enquired about the private class a while ago it was suggested I was implicitly denied access that it was unsuitable because I have epilepsy 😕. I do get it, no life guard etc.
So, so true about memories love and going with both when they catch us.

Doodle, your day yesterday sounded lovely, the visit to the garden and sculpture sounds just up my street. I'm Plymouth had such a good day 😊.

Spot on Kaimoana, I think we have and continue to and sharing and caring now with more lobStars 😁.

Grammaretto I wonder where your helper is from in Kernow? Tell him I'm from St Columb Major. If he were older, we might know people in common.

Grammaretto I could certainly do with an MOT and my spare tyres could do with an overhaul too. 🤣
Your Cornish helper sounds amazing. Very versatile and talented. I’m wondering what his girlfriend is like. What a nice dinner party you had
Cherry yes a lovely day yesterday. Not bad today either. Had two friends round for coffee this afternoon chatting arts and crafts. Nice (cake too of course). Not looking forward to tomorrow. Driving to somewhere new to meet my cousin for lunch. This will be my first time going somewhere alone that I have no idea how to get to and will have to rely on the sat nav. I’m very nervous but it has to be done.
Did you say you were in Plymouth? I’ve been there too. Nice place. Are you there long?
Kaimoana thank you for being so kind. Certainly a lovely band of friends as you say.
Take care all and Ixion thinking of you both x

He's from Helston Kaimoana that's not near your part of Kerno is it.
His gf is equally delightful. They are the sweetest couple.
She arrived by bus, carrying a cake she'd just baked plus his guitar. yes they both sing

They will be living in Edinburgh so I
hope to see them again.

I'm having a sleepless night though which is annoying. I'll try reading my book.......

I hope Cherry that you are OK? You asked about my hip operation. I have a consultation in 10 days and then a few months wait probably.

Pleased to announce that Mr.I is a lot better, which is a big relief. Now just a case of trying to maintain the status quo for a couple of weeks til Op Day, on the premise that this is as good as it gets!
Your helper and GF sound a delightful pair, Grammaretto. Lovely that they will be around long term. Is your roof holding up? ☔️
Good to see Kaimoana popping by - I was beginning to get quite concerned by her seeming absence.
Pleased you are having some decent days, Doodle, or at least part days. Not one to celebrate yesterday in terms of Our Teams embarrassing performance. Say no more.

Stay safe from the storms, anyone who might be in the firing line.

A bientôt.

Grammaretto what a lovely pair they are. Will they be living permanently in Edinburgh or just for a few weeks. Be nice if you could keep in touch. Hope you got to sleep in the end
Ixion, good news about Mr I. Wrap him in bubble wrap till op day. Hope all goes well.
Today I drove myself to my cousins for the first time. I was very nervous but made it there and back ok with only one wrong turn.
Hope everyone has had a good weekend.

Nowhere if far from anywhere in Kernow Grammaretto especially if you don't stay where you're put! Helston to St Columb a mere 35 miles. Less than from your place to Airdrie.

That's very good news ixion and I've been concerned for you and MrI too. "As good as it gets" can be fine, if it stays that way.

My abscence was due to eyes which refused to see for quite a while I'm afraid but I gave them a talking to (well, the one eye which still works - when it feels like it) and they've cleared just a little. for the time being.

Was supposed to see Gubbins last Tuesday but that was postponed to this week, then, with apologies to Thursday 24th but I'm not holding my breath.

^You asked Doodle did you say you were in Plymouth - Me? . You must mean to ask someone else, I thought. Who's in Plymouth then 🤔. I scrolled back to see who was - but couldn't find out who it was 🤷‍♀️. Then I saw it - 'twas me after all - sent there by autocorrect that'll teach me to preview 🤣 😂. I was definitely not in Plymouth yesterday, I was in Penmaen, only a handful of miles from where I live. I did have a lovely day though 😁.
How did you get on driving to meet up with your cousin? I think most people get nervous at the thought of driving to somewhere they've never been before, my WP does. I hope it wasn't half as bad in reality and that you had a loveliness with your cousin.

Ah, so finally it's not long before the consultation then Grammaretto. You never know you probably do, the wait for the operation after that might not be as long as you think 🤞.
Sorry to hear that you're not sleeping well, I go through periods having nights like that, it's the pits 💐.

That's good to hear, ixion 😊. I'll keep my fingers crossed 🤞 that Mr I stays that lot better right up until his operation. Take care of yourself too.

Kaimoana, I'm embarrassed to that I'd never heard of St Columb Major even though at one time I almost moved to St Austell, which I believe is less than half hour away by car. In the end it wasn't meant to be.

I'm finding chatting about me a bit difficult just now as am trying to keep my mind off my family a bit.

Lots of things all at once - am taking new medication I don't want, husband has suddenly been offered his operation in 3 days (!!), also my son (who passed out) is still not "right" and I feel a bit stressed and panicky so am waking up very early

So many good things in my life so I am trying to focus on that if I can!

Just not very chirpy
If nobody minds I'll just sit in the corner for a bit.

Thinking of you all though and wishing you well

Hello All.
NotSpaghetti. I know just how you are feeling. My daughter is off to Papworth tomorrow to sort her sleep apnea out. Could be there a couple of days. Silly real to get so panicky about our adult children but suppose they are still our babies. Hope your son improves soon.
Doodle Hope your drive went well and you enjoyed your lunch. Well done on driving somewhere new on your own. I haven’t done that since my stroke in fact I must start driving on my own more. So silly I used to drive any car anywhere but since the stroke all my confidence has gone. Takes me all my courage to drive locally with DH beside me.
Ixion so pleased Mr I is feeling better. Hope he’s soon fully recovered.
We are off for flu jabs this afternoon. People keep telling me they were ill afterwards! Watch this space folks!
NotSpaghetti. Meant to say I too am taking pills I’m not happy about but will carry on with them for a bit and see if they work as my GP says!
Hope all goes well for your husband. Must admit if you have told us what’s wrong I have completely forgotten! Sorry.
Must go now and get a needle stuck in ly arm! Love to all

Thank you to everyone who sent their best wishes for Mr.I., who is now duly ensconced in bubble wrap until Op Day, as per Doodle's instructions.

Sending equally kind vibes to Jan and NotS, who are worrying about the health of nearest and dearest. Sometimes I think that it is this which saps the energy, this feeling of helplessness, of 'distance worrying' when one has absolutely no control over their journeys. So sayeth the pragmatist. When in doubt, start a list 🤭.

I sense you are grieving too, Kaimoana, for the absence of more regular contact with Gubbins. It is a fine line we draw between explaining what the presence of these little ones mean to us and not coming across as overly dependent. Well that's the conundrum I have.

Bravo to Doodle for her one small step in her solo Big Adventure. I am mighty impressed that you saw out your drive. I hope any worrying (?) about the return journey didn't spoil your time together.💐
I hope the counselling sessions remain helpful.

Lovely to read your messages, NaughtyN. I hope you stay with us. What sort of hound do you have? Are you back to spoiling him, or have you retained the new discipline routine?
I think I can guess the answer😉.

Up in my sewing room eyrie this afternoon. All round views from on high, people coming and going but, more importantly, a gorgeous view of the varied autumn foliage that you just don't get at ground level.

ixion you hit the nail on the head there hope your DH continues stable until the op.

Brave Doodle One ♪ more step along the world I go, ♫ one more step along the world I know ♬ from the old things to the new, keep me traveling along with You ♪
♥

It seems as if we ALL have worries about our adult children and I've had to tell myself very severely that they are old enough to sort out their own lives - but I'm here if they want to talk it over.

That has helped a little because my DS is a very capable person.

What's making us all non-sleeping nail biters is this recession and rising prices- all out of our control.

The government has just cut my pension by $20 (in addition to the $10pw winter heating supplement just finished), the Sallies have upped my rent by $30 and food/utility prices still continue to rise alarmingly.

Yes, there are heaps of good things in my life, I accept that but somehow it still feels as if I, and thousands of others, are being dragged towards the edge of a cliff. So the fact we are clutching a bunch of flowers doesn't really make much difference.

I'm seeing the doctor again on Thursday but only to get a prescription and discuss the recent blood test.

I've made a savoury quiche for our Kaumatua group today, so at least if it's cancelled at the last minute again, I can eat my contribution.