Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Crikey, Jan. What upsetting news, let's hope for a speedy recovery from Covid so that surgery can go ahead.

It's been a glorious day here, tempered only by the fact that the day itself was all too short. Attempts to explain to Barney the change from BST to GMT as the reason for his non-forthcoming meals failed abysmally.

Excellent Team news for you all - we actually won a match, but only just. Doodle certainly has her own special way of rallying the troops . And all with a couple of empty Pringles tins🤷‍♀️.

Sorry to hear that your DD is so very poorly Jan 😟. If any where in the hospital can look after her and treat her covid as speedily as possible it's where she is. One of my aunts had a goitre operation and had excellent care, I hope your DD is able to have her operation soon. Sending you a gentle cwtch X.

I'm pleased that Mr Spaghetti is home now, NotSpaghetti. I hope he's recovering well.

Aww, Kaimoana, that's so lovely. I remember Gubbins being a little shy of you when she was younger, she really loves her Grandma now 😊.

I'm pleased that your DGD has recovered from her sickness, Grammaretto, children are so resilient. Your DS' dog doesn't sound quite so resilient, poor thing 🙁 but good to hear he's improving. I'm glad you had a good day at your DS'.

Doodle, I hope you've had an equally lovely day at your DS' today and your DGS enjoyed the brownies 😁.
You nevervtold us you were having x-rays on your knee and shoulder, I hope they come back okay. It'll be a out 10 days before my WP has his x-ray results back.

ixion, that's so annoying. Dentists/hygienists are meant to look after teeth not ruin fillings 😤.
Good win today by our team today wasn't it 😁

The clock going back has made me feel quite discombobulated 🤣. I woke up too late, ate too late I'd forgotten to reset the time and of course it got dark too soon. Now it feels incredibly late but it isn't 🤔 😂.

Welcome to the Vomitarium.

I've told this story before but I'll regurgitate it, just to be part of the crowd you understand..

DS1 used to get very sick on our regular coach journeys between Bournemouth and London. He usually travelled on empty with only water. However, on one occasion was given a small bottle of raspberry fizz. He managed to keep it down until we were at the exit turnstile on the Tube and then, le déluge.
It was so positioned that those behind us had no way of avoiding it. yuk.

On the way back to the coast, we were the only passengers not opening our lunch and in the silence brought about by sandwiches, DS (then about 8) piped up, ‘Wasn’t it funny when everyone had to walk in my pink sick?’

ixion What that lady can do with a couple of Pringle cans and a ra-ra skirt has to be seen to be believed eh?
Go Team!

Jan She's in the right place for fast, expert help, please try not to worry too much.

A younger couple from my kaumatua group are coming today to measure my bedroom window for a new mosquito net. They'll then go buy it and fit it. Such a relief as the warmer nights come in.

I shall have to be careful not to take advantage of their willingness as there are so many little tasks which need doing but are outside the remit of the Sallies official handyman.

Yes Cherry it took almost 3 years (asDoodle predicted it would) before Gubbins was truly at ease with me but she's right as rain now.

Kaimoana I’m like you. Never seen Watership down but cannot listen to bright eyes without crying. At the moment I have lots of trigger songs. I’m a bit worried about what effect Christmas carols are going to have on me this year.
Do hope you have some lovely carers. You deserve to be well looked after
i bet that video of Gubbins is being played over and over. How lovely 😊
Grammaretto your poor DGd. How lucky you had bags to hand. I once was on a coach for 2 hours it’s a lady who was being sick all the time. Firstly in her handbag then in anything else we could find to give her. Poor woman it was so distressing. When we eventually arrived back at the ship the driver asked if she was ok and her husband said yes she’ll be fine to which his wife replied I’m not f***ing fine I’m bl**dy dying.
Er what are you doing at the cinema tonight? Nos feras-tu, is it a film or and exotic ice cream? (That was spell check spelling)
Ixion, glad I was able to help spur us on to victory. Never underestimate the power of a gallon of wine and 2 Pringles cartons.
Notspaghetti, how is Mr Spaghetti today.
Dear Jan I’m so sorry about your DD. I pray she will recover from all this soon. I thought the main problems with Covid were over but obviously not in the case of people with other health issues. Do hope she’s ok. What a worry for you all.
Cherry thank you yes I had a lovely time with our son and family and lovely roast dinner. Came home to message from DGD and long phone call with other son.
Little bit sad today as yet another reminder DH isn’t here. The first time I have ever put back the clocks. Had to get the stool out to stand on for the lounge clock 😢

Just looked it up Grammaretto. 😱👻☠️. You’re braver than me!

From Healthline
Crying for long periods of time releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, otherwise known as endorphins.
These feel-good chemicals can help ease both physical and emotional pain. Oxytocin can give you a sense of calm or well-being.

www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-crying#pain-relief

Psalm 139: We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Nosferatu is a truly beautifully made (1920s?) film. It was obviously very scary in it's day but both my daughter and I studied it at art school (obviously not well enough to know the date!). I think lots of the 'horror genre" films will be out of the woodwork again this next week or so.

I tried to watch Beetlejuice last night with Mr Spaghetti. It was surprisingly dull. We managed about an hour of it but voted to go to bed instead of finishing it! There was just no jeopardy!

MrSpaghetti is doing well. He went for a little walk yesterday. We had visits from three of our adult children eager to "help" - each bringing one of their children to see him.


Jan, my heart is still with you. I do hope there is a little improvement

Doodle, surely this emotional turmoil is simply a manifestation of love, and being loved.
I am a weeper anyway but I think it would be a small price to pay for years of love ❤️. I'm sure your faith is a great comfort. Please don't hold back your healing tears.
🌹

Kaimoana thank you I have just followed the link. Maybe I shouldn’t fight the tears so much. I have given up wearing eye makeup as it ends up all over my face. The bags under my eyes aren’t the most attractive either. I might have to wear sunglasses in the winter.
Notspaghetti good to hear Mr Spaghetti is improving and being supported by family visits. I’m a bit of a coward and don’t watch anything scary even Beetlejuice
You’re right. It’s better to have had that love than not. I’m so lucky I had my husband for so many years considering his many health problems.
Jan, I too hope your DD is improving. Have you any more news?
Grammaretto how did you find the film, did you enjoy it?
Is your Cornish man still with you?
I spent 10 minutes today, wandering round a local shop looking for some acrylic paint. They had moved all their stock around and seemed to be selling a variety of things that I hadn’t seen before. It took me 10 minutes to realise I had walked into the Pet shop rather than the Art shop 🤣

Ha ha Doodle I have days like that too!
I once walked into our local hardware store wanting to look at toasters and was faced with shelves of trinkets and other glittery gee-gaws.
The hardware shop which had been there well over 20 years had changed overnight it seemed, to a $2 shop. Put out of business by the opening of an Australian DIY mega-store called Bunnings.

I was sad to lose the old place and the lovely, helpful men who ran it.

"Maybe I shouldn’t fight the tears so much."

Don't fight them at all, if you can't cry copiously for someone you dearly love, when can you?

Nor does it matter one jot what people think about your appearance.
Those who love you understand, those who don't - don't matter.

"I might have to wear sunglasses in the winter."

My mother used to be very scornful when I wore them in winter, despite my weak eyes.
I couldn't understand her reasoning.

We don't wear sunglasses because it's warm but to protect our eyes from brightness
How does cold temperatures come into it? It's often sunny in winter.
Even in Bradford

She never understood, perhaps because she never wore sunglasses so the penny hadn't quite dropped and she just thought they were a summer accessory!!

My 2 angel who came to fit the mozzie screen yesterday had to delay as they locked car and house keys inside as they slammed the house door It took the locksmith a long time and I'm supposing a very big bill as it was a Public Holiday.

We're going to try again later this week.

Meanwhile my house was a veritable Picadilly Circus
(complete with statue of Anteros!) as two people came for free specs vouchers; Karen came from the goodness of her heart as she wasn't supposed to work.

A girl I'm going to be tutoring arrived with grandparents and small, quiet sibling. We arranged for her to come for her first lesson on Thursday.

Then eventually, my window angels with their lively little one.
Phew!

I don't mind company but I prefer visits when we can be calm and concentrate on what we're doing, rather than have a revolving door of distractions which puts me off my stride.

Is this a sign I may be getting old or just curmudgeonly?

Probably both.


Chicken, feta, tomato, spring onion and curly pasta salad to my kaumatua group this morning.

I hope someone brings cake

Kaimoana you have another student. How lovely. I’m sure the young lady will benefit from your expert tutoring.
My eyes are very susceptible to the light so I wear sunglasses most of the year.
Ive not had the best of days today. I am very out of sorts. It might be a stomach upset that’s just adding to my distress but I’m not in a good way. I’m hoping a sleep and a new day tomorrow will bring me back in a more positive frame of mind
Hope all the gang are ok

Up and down Doodle. I think that sounds normal but when you are down it is not nice at all.
I am also a bit down a bit after all the busyness. The wonderful helper has left on his bicycle.

I helped my df get all her ceramics fired this afternoon. Another df is here with me from the far north.

The other wee DGD is now sick but when I offered to go to help out, DD rejected my offer saying looking after me would just add to her load!
😒😮‍💨

Tomorrow is an early start to get myself to the far side of Glasgow for my hospital appointment. This for a new hip eventually but tomorrow will just be a consultation.

I know how you feel Kaimoana when your house is like Piccadilly Circus! It's fine for a while but peace and quiet is a relief when it comes.

I'm going to have an early night too.

Oh dear, that wasn’t nice of your DD. I doubt she meant it like that,
Your Cornishman was such a good helper. Not surprised you’ll miss him. Glad you’ve got a friend to keep you company for a bit.
Sounds as though you’ll be doing quite a lot in the studio
I hope your hospital appointment goes well and you soon have a date for the procedure.
These early dark nights don’t help. Hope tomorrow is a better day for us all x

Sorry to hear that youve got a stomach upset Doodle, feeling a bit under the weather when you're struggling emotionally doesn't help. The time of year probably doesn't help either, the days feel too short and the evenings too long. Do you have church tomorrow, I know how that's a source of comfort and companionship for. Your bereavement session too?
I hope tomorrow is a better day for you 💐

Good to hear that MrSpaghetti is doing well 👍 despite the 'help' on offer 😬 😁, NotSpaghetti.

I hope you had a lovely time at your kaumatua group, Kaimoana. Your pasta dish sounds yummy. I only really like maybe four types of pasta, the spiral pasta, especially if it's tricolour, being one of them.

How's Mr I, ixion? I hope everything went to plan and he's okay 🤞.

It's not been the easiest day for me, dratted seizures 🙄. No injuries though 😁.
I hope the rest of the lobStars are okay.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow, Grammaretto.

Cherry thank you for reminding me. I was too busy caught up in my own troubles I’d forgotten today was the day Mr I was having his procedure, do hope all went well Ixion
Sorry Cherry you’re day hasn’t been too good, hope you’re ok

I also hope Mr I is OK after his operation.
Sorry you've had more seizures Cherry but very glad no more injuries.

Good night dear friends.

Nope.
Second post lost.

We are home after what appears to be a successful operation.
Tired and weary and that's just me, I will return tomorrow. In the meantime, very many thanks for your kind thoughts and best wishes.

Thanks for letting us know ixion. I'm glad it went so well 😊. Sleep tight.

Nothing new here - but do hope Mr I is doing well. Mr S is lots better. Hooray! No doubt you will sleep better now too Ixion!

Hope your appointment goes well today Grammaretto and that your stomach, Doodle is settling down by now!

Kaimoana2 - my mother-in-law is 100 now and wears her sunglasses in bright weather in winter. She had cataracts done some time ago and finds too much dazzle hard to deal with.
She says she is rocking her "glam" look ... maybe you can think of it like that!

Thinking of you all - I have woken up too early this morning and now can't get back to sleep. Sorry you had another tough day CherryCezzy - but hope got a decent sleep to rejuvinate a bit - 🤞

Thinking especially of you Jan and your lovely daughter

I've just spent an age reading all your posts and getting muddled. I hope Mr I's op went well and Mr S is still recovering. And, Jan, I really hope your DD gets over her dose of Covid BDQ so they can sort her out too. And don't forget to emphasise that your hip gives way sometimes Grammaretto, even if it doesn't! And Doodle dear, the others are right. Relish the tears, they are a sign that you loved and are loved. How lucky we have been. It doesn't stop the physical missing, or the ache, but strangely, it seems to help. (Kira still looks at his chair when she comes in the room and sits and stares there. I hope he approves of her. It's strange, but that's the room where I feel his presence too.)

I've just had a busy weekend as DD1 and family arrived on Saturday evening for a couple of nights and only left late yesterday evening. I've got used to having a tidy house where things stay where they're put and don't get buried by random clothes. It was wonderful! While they were here they put a load of paintings into the attic and did a few other jobs I find difficult. Best Beloved liked auctions and collected paintings in particular, so I've thinned them out and rearranged a bit. I had intended to put the ones I'm not so keen on back into an art auction but have to admit I was pleased when the auction chap said the market is terrible just now and to stack them in the attic for better times. So I have. I know I shall have to look to move into a bungalow at some time, but getting rid of Stuff is hard. Everything has a memory attached. And each memory has to be taken out and dusted off. I'm not sure I'm ready to dispose of them yet.

I've been up since just after five this morning. It was still dark. By six, proper time, it was getting light. I hate the change in the hour. Being in the far east of England we get light earlier - and dark earlier too. I run on BST. And so does Kira whose nose stirred me into getting up. At least we're in sync!

Nfk there is a very strong Maori belief, shared by me, that we will know when the right time comes -for anythig.
So one day, you'll think I'll sort the painting out now

Glad to hear more settled news from Castle ixion Look after each other

I hope you limped and moaned when you saw the surgeon Grammaretto, it doesn't do to be a stoic or you might be in your dotage before you get a new hip.

Yes NotS I cannot do without my glasses whatever the weather but 'glam' on me only looks foolish I'm afraid. Fortunately maternal scorn was ignored. I do what's best for me (something Mum ( "but what will people say?) could never do.

I am not too well at the moment so intend to dose myself with parcetamol and have an early night, if 9pm can be called early.


I've been insomniac too for a few weeks now, 3am and I'm wide awake and worrying, so I thinks that's resulted in this current lurgy.

Po marie katoa

I hope I am at last ready to dispose Nfk hence the sorting out when helpers are around to carry stuff downstairs and some to the tip.
It will be 4 yrs next month since DH died.

My Kiwi girl is coming back on Monday . She who sold things on Facebook marketplace.

This bus is like the Black Hole of Calcutta . The windows are steaming up and I asked the man at the window to open it. He couldn't hear due to earpods. But I insisted using hand gestures until someone in front reached up.

I'm so glad I don't commute.

I hope the DHs are recovering well and Jan's DD.

I crept into class last night but there was lots of talk of sick....I can deal with major motorway accidents but not puke. I am very ashamed( not) to say that if any of the daughters sicked up I would totally ignore the prescribed....scrape solids off and then place in washing machine.....the whole caboodle went straight in... I'm feeling slightly queasy just writing this...🤢
Jan...I do hope your daughter starts to improve soon and the goitre can be removed safely and speedily. That would surely help her breathing? .
I'm glad to read that poorly husbands are improving too...ably assisted by the best nurses ever ( long suffering ones too). Cherry ...seizures sound no fun at all...I hope today is a better one for you.
Grammaretto...yes do lay it on with a trowel as sure as eggs are eggs if you don't the moment you get home it will start to hurt like hell!!! Safe journey too.
Kaimoana... The 3am wake ups and worries are so debilitating...heart thumping through chest feeling that come 10am seems irrational but in the dark of the night are so real. I hope that you feel better soon.
Nfk... That's so lovely that you feel his presence... I firmly believe those we love are always close ...just out of sight.
Doodle.... You are in my prayers..(like you my faith is a constant in my life).
I'm still trying to remember who sits where in class...and all the names and backgrounds too so don't give me detention just yet if I haven't mentioned you. I'm off to the gym this morning .... I did aqua aerobics yesterday..as per the ex army instructor I lunged...I sttetched...I lurched ? I jumped ( small tsunami started and a very real threat of black eyes) and by the time I got out of the pool I could hardly stand and my arms were giving a good impression of a performing seal. I'm hoping that a walk on the treadmill will loosen me up and I won't look so much like Spot the Dog from the Woodentops ( some of you.may have to Google it).

I'm tired just reading about your aqua and aerobics Naughtyneine
You sound very fit.

The train was cancelled engine trouble so I'm now waiting for the next one. Is it just me who's jinxed?

Luckily I left loads of time but I think I'll need a taxi at the other end. I'm already half way through my meal deal lunch. 😩

We are a motley crew this gang. We started chatting to keep ourselves relatively sane during Lockdown and have just continued. We have had plenty of life events on the way. Haven't we just!