Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Just a brief one today as I'm shattered! It's been a good day inthat I've got a lot done, had my daughter over this evening and done shopping, framed a photo, been to the tip with all those fiddly things you collect in separate containers and bags - light bulbs, batteries, broken mobiles, bits of metal and old screws, half empty paint tins I won't use again, box of cables and some "dead" technology, a totally defunct iron and a s.all carrier bag of printer cartridges ... you name it

Yesterday went through a tough patch as the boiler gave up. It's the thermostat we think (after long wait on the phone) and the engineer is due any time from 7am (6½ hours from now)!

Bed is calling
If you're still awake, "sweet dreams". If not, good morning!
😁 ((if you see what I mean)...

It's good evening here NotS and I too have had a busy day.

Hot and sunny, so the laundry dried in about 10 minutes but, coming out in sympathy with your boiler no doubt, my w/machine stopped before all the water has been pumped out. I rebooted it and put it on SPIN and it worked but clearly I'm going to have to look for a new one soon.

I have a gorgeous early-flowering old rose with that deep, warm fragrance so prized by perfumiers.
It doesn't bloom long so I often pick one to enjoy the aroma in the living room.
As I cut the final one today, Thomas Moore’s poem, 'The Last Rose of Summer' (now an emotional song) came into my head. It's always made me cry - and did again.

Letter from the District Health Board says my appointment with Orthopaedic has been channel into the private sector as Dr Zarah (heaven bless her) stressed urgency since this fall. So I may even be seen before Xmas.

Mepa is off all December and from the looks of her today she really needs it. VW hasn't done too badly finding Monday cover for Karen's month long absence but it's always been last minute and at different times. They seem to have no concept of thinking/planning ahead.

I've done another weird thing.
Prior to changing my bed, Mepa went to the cupboard where sheets and towels are kept and said, 'Did you know your underwear is in here'? And produced a pile of laundered, folded knickers.
No, I didn’t and have no recollection of putting them there.

Maybe one of your carers folded the knickers Kaimoana?
It reminds me of a similar story.
My df has a cleaner whose English is not perfect. As she left one day she said to my friend "I have bent your clothes"
Friend rushed upstairs to see the damage to find, to her embarrassment, that the cleaner had picked up the clothes from the floor and neatly folded them.
🤣😂

Quite a cathartic tip trip for you NotSpag
I should do the same.
I have a carton of unused but slightly bendy candles to dispose of. Any takers?

That rose is so beautiful Kaimoana
I can sense its perfume from here.

Better get going. I managed to pack the kiln, meet my friend for a drink and ceilidh dance last night. The shells were collected at last. All quite satisfactory.

Grammaretto - if you won't use your bent candles you could melt and reshape them... my children always loved making sand candles. Do you need an activity for your grandchildren maybe?

You sound to have had a productive and happy day Grzmmaretto [smile
The bent clothes made me smile.
No, t'was me wot did it. I try to still do as much as I can for myself, despite having the wonderful homecare ladies. Washing and hanging of clothing, folding and putting away, are still my jobs.
Along with anything else I can get away with

English is not Mepa's first language and when she sank in exhaustion to drink a glass of water yesterday, I asked if there wasn't a better job than this, which is hard, physical slog sometimes.
'No, I like this one and I'm very interesting to have many homes and peoples.'
She becomes lovingly cross when she sees I've cleaned the bathroom. 'I do it darling.'

Friday was the anniversary of my DH's passing, although I did most of my grieving when we parted so unwillingly. His death was the end to what had been a deeply unhappy life, so mostly, my thought were for his being free at last.

Candles can be gently warmed in water then straightened.

I used buy the packs ordinary white ones, then melt old stubs and after position a flower, fern or autumn leaf on the new candles, paint a layer of wax over it to seal it on.

They looked very effective stuck to those tiny foiled boards one uses for posh cakes. Sometimes I put small shells or pretty pebbles around the base to give it stability.

They went well at Christmas Fayres.

Evening lobStars

I had an unexpected surprise when we were heading to the hospital yesterday. We got onto the main road near the beginning of our journey when Jeeves, driving a taxi with his personal number plate JE$§EVS, pulled in front of us to escort me. I couldn't believe it, did he think he'd better turn up and lead the way in case I chickened out. 🤨 🤣
We did manage to ditch him when we got about half way but perhaps he should have taken us because parking was a nightmare. Sorry Jeeves, and thank you for the soup when we got home. 😀

Thanks Doodle, it did go well ... but I could smell burning flesh shortly before the surgeon has finished. 😳 The stitches have already fallen out but everything seems okay.

Your day yesterday sounded lovely Doodle, I'm pleased that you're enjoying your art class too.

*You had a productive day yesterday Grammaretto. I'm pleased that the man came and collected his shells. I hope the pottery sales pick up.*🤞

It sounds like you, too, had a productive day yesterday, NotSpaghetti. Well done taking all that stuff to the tip. Those bits always accumulate don't they. We took quite a lot of stuff to the tip in the summer but we've still got the same type of bits to get rid off.

Kaimoana, I can almost smell those roses, they look beautiful. We've got one bloom left one we have in a pot by our back door, that smells heavenly too. We've often had roses in November but never this late in the month before.
The letter concerning your Orthopaedic appointment sounds very promising. I hope you do have it before xmas. I had a phone call this morning concerning the colonoscopy that the A&E Dr referred me for and have an appointment for the middle of next month so I've got my fingers crossed 🤞 for your appointment coming through soon.

Ive been on a marathon shopping trip, 9 till 5 and managed to buy two jumpers for DGDs , a large stuffed gingerbread man (don’t ask) a present for a friend and some stamps.
So tired not and my back aches, good day though.
Grammaretto sounds like you had a good day yesterday too. Mince pies, dancing and a night out sounds good
Notspaghetti oh dear I hope you get your boiler fixed soon. This is not the weather to be without heating and hot water,
Kaimoana that rose is beautiful. Wish I could smell it. The colour is lovely.
Wow wouldn’t it be great if you could be seen before Christmas.. Hope things work out well
I think your knicker folder could have been Jeeves. I caught him the other day looking quite embarrassed coming from your direction. He was muttering about ladies undergarments and a mix up with the washing.

Goodness Cherry, burning flesh, whatever was he doing. Glad as far as you’re concerned all went well.
Hope you have a relaxing evening now
My DIL was in hospital today for an operation on her throat. Back home now so hope all is well

So it was Jeeves was it? Probably still a bit flustered after helpin g*Cherry*. He was actually supposed to be giving a hand to clean my windows, so may have been looking for a cloth and though my kick filled the bill.

I'm posting a picture, not, hasten to add, for sympaty because it doesn't hurt at all but because I've never, ever seen a bruis so black.

We only have 14 posts to go, so in case I don't catch the end of our marathon 1,000 posts - here's the new link.

www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1342831--Lockdown-friends-still-together

Doodle it seems you had to do it after all, so sorry.

And as have just seen numerosu, ridiculous typos in my previous post, for what it's worth (not much I suspect) here is what it should have said.


So it was Jeeves was it?
Probably still a bit flustered after helping Cherry.

He was actually supposed to be giving me a hand to wash windows, so may have been looking for a cleaning cloth and thought my knicks fit the bill.

I'm posting a picture, not, I hasten to add, for sympaty because it doesn't hurt at all but because I've never, ever seen a bruise so black

<sigh>

And I STILL got it wrong

What a bruise Kaimoana ! I hope it heals soon and isn't too painful. Sending cwtches xx

The craft fair yesterday was very nice, small and friendly with the best mince pies I've ever tasted even better than DMiL's
I sold most of my pots including 2 miniature teapots which I'd made as a bit of fun!
But I have lost my purse and it hasn't turned up.
I have frozen both bank cards but loads of other cards were inside. Very little cash, but my driving licence etc.
Ugh! Why am I so careless 🙃

I've been lying awake worrying 😟

Poor Cherry. You have real worries.
I hope , despite burning flesh, the op was successful and you will be all better soon.
Fancy Jeeves being out there too!

Glad your day went well Doodle and hope your DDiL is OK.
You are enjoying your art classes which must be so nice.

What a pest about the boiler NotSpag this time of year too.
I must say I am very pleased with my newish boiler famous last words
I eventually got an interest free loan from the energy savings trust to help pay for it.

I don't suppose Jeeves has my purse?

Update: my purse has turned up 🙂
A great relief as I had been picturing it in all kinds of unlikely places. It was here in a jacket pocket which I hadn't worn for days.

Kaimoana2 - I really love the sound of your dear Mepa. She "feels" like such a kind and giving sort of person... 🥰 and how lucky for you to have her in your life

My boiler was fixed! Hooray. The lovely engineer (who we have had before) came out. I suppose I had "sort of" said I'd like him to come and I'd praised him after his visit 2 months ago him - but Worcester Bosch is a massive company and I really didn't think they'deven pick upon it

Many years ago we had this young man out when he had completed his training and then a few years later when he was fed up and thinking of setting up his own company and then he came a couple of years later and was recently married and expecting a baby and then in September when we booked a service he came - he said he was "helping out" the engineers as it was very busy but he's in a supervisory and inspection role now with his own team. I really feel surprisingly invested in him. 🙄

I was so pleased to see him at the door!
Some people are just naturally warm and helpful
He said he'd been on a training course at work recently that was the "best thing ever". He said it was technically about dealing with difficult customers but he'd been trying to carry it into his life as it's about trying to see things from the other person's perspective and about reframing what you are thinking so that the other person understands and can engage with the issues more easily. He said it's helped him at home even with his children.

Anyway, ashe left he said "I like coming here, I always go away with something to think about"... yesterday that was a kind and friendly remark as we had been talking about all sorts of things as he worked. - Today I wonder what he was thinking about!
🤔💭

Kaimoana that is an amazing bruise. No I’ve never seen one so black either and goodness knows DH had hundreds of them.
Jeeves has been suitably chastised. He will leave ladies lingerie alone from now on
Not to worry. You did a good job with the thread I just got GNHQ to put the lobsters in. At lease we’ve got one ready
Grammaretto the craft fair and sales seemed to go well, what a shame a good day was spoilt by the loss of your purse. I can easily understand how worried you are. It’s not the money it’s all the hassle. Hope it all gets sorted out ok.
Hurrah! Just read your next post and the purse has been found. What a relief. 😅 you can relax a bit now
Thank you our DIL is doing fine
*Notspaghetti isn’t it nice when you follow a young man’s career and see how he’s come on. No wonder you were pleased to see who’d come to fix your boiler.
Ixion and Cherry hope you’re ok
Tomorrow it’s church in the morning then Hospice in the afternoon for light up memorial service. Friend and I going for a meal after,

Wow, Doodle, that was a marathon shopping trip yesterday. A productive one though. I hope your back is okay today.
I hope your DIL is feeling alright after her operation..

Bloody Norah Kaimoana, that's one very nasty bruise. It looks worse that the one I had a few weeks ago when I fell out of bed smashing the bedside unit in the process and that was a nasty one. You may not be looking for sympathy but I empathise X

Phew, I'm pleased that you didn't lose your purse after all, Grammaretto. It must have beens much a worry when it was cards and ID that you thought you'd lost. What a relief to find it.
The craft fair does sound nice - I prefer them small. Well done on selling most of your pots.👍 I must admit I do like the sound of your miniature teapots.

You got your boiler fixed, NotSpaghetti. 👍 Sounds like you've made a friend of the engineer over time and that he's more than happy to be the one to come out when you need it. Your story is not dissimilar to our experience, we've watched one engineer develop from apprentice to senior position as he's usually been the one to repair or service our boiler when we need it, indeed he was the one fitted our existing boiler. It's always good to see him.

I hope Jeeves has been behaving himself today, not stealing purses or using knickers to clean windows! I couldn't believe it when I saw him moonlighting -- still can't get over seeing that numberplate--. I hope he's around to bring me a cup of something soothing after the battering our ⚒️ took this evening. 🙄

Sorry about the ⚒️ Cherry
Happy about your boiler NotSpag
It's rare to find anyone who can fix things, let alone someone who you know and trust.

Thanks for the advice about the candles. I think I've found a home for them now. A df works at a primary school doing all kinds of crafts. She'll also take the mysterious box of plastic aprons and boxes of brown paper and scraps of fabric.

The music school man is coming tomorrow with his friend/Financial advisor to take a look at the house.
My house plans have been updated and enlarged but now I am not sure if I really like them. 🤔

Oh dear. Why is life so complicated!!

The tiny teapots disappeared before I had time to photograph them but here's one I gave to the Kiwi girl for her new flat.

Good morning!
Free of the vice-like grip around my back and leg, I can now communicate relatively painlessly with the outside world. I feel it's time for a replacement settee and a turn and rotate of the mattress. Our last set of settees was purchased only? about 10 years ago not cheaply, I might add. Comment from DD,
^Why get the long one if you are going to downsize in the future?^ Am I?🤔Actually, the long one enables Mr.I to sprawl inelegantly full length for Match of the Day - or Snooker, which bangs on interminably every so often. He has the same ability as my father had - I wasn't asleep, just resting my eyes. Yeah, right.

Folk seem to be having better days recently? I am so pleased about your purse re emerging, Grammaretto and that house plans are moving apace - or maybe too swiftly for comfort? It is such a busy time of year anyway and you have so much on your plate! I had kept my mother's housekeeping purse for sentimental reasons and, for some reason, was minded to look at it again the other day. Imagine my surprise when I found £150 in notes in it, which I am sure were never there previously. I would have known.
I have kept the money safe until I can find something special to buy - it will need to be something really special entre nous👍.

How is your impressive bruise, Kaimoana? Are you on blood thinners to make it worse? So very sorry.

Pleased, Cherry, that your procedure went well. Jeeves must have taken a shine to you. Perhaps it's the frequency with which you call upon his drinks trolley. Mind you, we needed him yesterday in our ritual ⚽️ slaughter. A scenario from which not even Doodle's Pringles' routine would have lifted us.
I hope all goes well for your next poking and prodding- not the sort of experience to add to your Christmas to-do list, is it? Will be thinking of you.💐

Jeeves and his predilection to for underwear reminds of the time DS1 - always the most unflappable and grounded of them all, luckily, - took his games bag into the changing room and, in front of a class load of nine year old boys, shook out his rugby top. Lo and behold, what should drop out but, trapped by static from the tumble dryer, my pink bra😧. Bless him, he didn't bat an eyelid. Always one, I found, in the brood, who was totally unfazed by anything. Did others find that too?

Final thought for the day-
You know you're getting old when -
You have to find your glasses to locate the numbers on the Advent calendar doors😡

Abject apologies, Grammaretto, for omitting to get back to you regarding your query about Scottish ancestry (Wednesday).
Sorry to say I have no 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 forebears at all, so am unable to take up your kind offer of research credits. But many thanks for thinking of me.
(We did have someone who hailed from York. Most exotic for 'us'🤣)

Ixion. Thanks for letting ne know. I've used them, the remaining Scotlandspeople credits, now for 2 friends who are very pleased. Good deed for the day?
A bit more decluttering has revealed
a newspaper from 1980, announcing the death of John Lennon.
I was about to use it to light the fire.

Whatever the perceived pressure from various quarters Grammaretto I am sure you already know that taking a house decision with which you are not entirely happy, may lead to endless regret. Bon chance.

No ixion not on blood thinners althought they were tried a long time ago but made me very ill. I actually have a very short bleeding time when I cut myself, which is often.

Hope Doodle, Cherry, Nfk, NotS and indeed all our gang who are glum, begin an uplifting time soon.

Ooh, that is a tiny teapot Grammaretto, so cute.
^Why is life so complicated?^ 🤔 It couldn't be because there's nearly always more than two options, could it? What I will say though if you don't like the updated plans for the house don't go with them, but I'm sure you wouldn't anyway.
Gosh, you've kept that newspaper for 44 years! I take it you didn't light the fire with it but .. sorry to ask why not? Do you want to keep it, find a collector?

I'm glad the pain in your back and leg has eased ixion I think you have passed the backache to me 🙄.
Good fortune too! Always nice to find money forgot you had. Will you just treat yourself, I hope so. I wonder what you'll buy.🤔 A new sofa too don't spend it on that? Mind you buy a nice long one. 😂
Funny, my WP was only saying earlier that the mattress needs turning. Since the bedding needs changing that's a little job to add tomorrow.

I'm not glum, Kaimoana. Fed up with spending time at hospitals atm only because I could be doing other things and because every visit takes so long but otherwise my Tigger tail is still attached. 😁

Doodle, I hope today was a good day and you enjoyed your meal with your friend too.

Cherrythe service at the hospice was lovely. I was ok till they sang Silent Night with us all holding candles. I just looked at the candle and thought my darling man should be here with me. Fortunately our son and grandson were with me and we had enough tissues.
I can remember turning the mattress. The one on our bed now doesn’t need turning (just as well as there’s no chance of me doing it)
You are an amazing lady to stay so positive and I’m so pleased to hear your tigger tail is still attached.
Grammaretto I love the tiny teapot.
if you’re not happy with the plans can they not be amended to suit your requirements,
I hope the music man is still interested, I expect you’d like to know his plans too
Ixion you made me laugh twice. Once with the story of your son and the pink bra and the second with needing your glasses for the advent calendar.🤣
Sorry about the team. I’d forgotten my Pringles so couldn’t make it
Ds2 is getting a new sofa soon too. The current one is not that old but with two huge dogs and an energetic grandson it is looking a bit worse for wear. The new one apparently has heated seats (for the dogs no doubt)
Kaimoana I hope your bruise is on the mend. I’ve had a good day in church this morning then the service this afternoon. It’s left me feeling a bit sad and emotional.
I can only imaging how you are feeling at the thought of not having your son around for a while. I hope his trip is successful and he’s back with you soon