Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Sorry you have limited visibility, Grammaretto, (is it a haar?🤔) on what should be a glorious outlook. Are there lots of tourists around?

Have you had your dodgy carpet sorted, Kaimoana?Enjoy your meal.

How did your Arching friend/rellie get on at the Olympics, Mamissimo? I wasn't absolutely certain who exactly I was rooting for, I have to admit, so willed them all on. My brother used to enjoy Archery to quite an advanced level, both at school and University. Being 6'7" and a lean streak of misery willowy, he did OK. He much preferred that to being channelled into contact sports as a boy.

I too have smocked garments, inherited Christening gowns (spurned by DC for GDC), my grandmother and her mother smocked for me as a baby and my mother did the same for my DD. She did try for the boys, too, in the form of romper suits, but never quite accepted the fact that Osh Kosh dungarees were the go-to toddler attire in the 1980s❤️.

Here is a feature on someone who has truly found a job/career she loved.
Her pride and passion come across loud and clear and, my golly, what marvellous opportunities it has afforded her over the years.
(I was a Freed baby, too, 😳. Happy days).
I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
spitalfieldslife.com/2024/08/03/michelle-attfield-pointe-shoe-fitter-i/

Kaimoana2 Yes, hand smocking is slow. I suppose not many people can afford all that time and so if you want to buy smocking then you ard paying for the time/workman(woman)ship. Of course it uses up acres of fabric too.

$520 for a hairdo sounds a lot to me - but then I only have my hair "done" about 3 times a year and the same person always does it.

I'm sorry to hear your beautiful view is obscured Grammaretto. Not a lot you can do about it - though it will surrly fade away with a bit more sunshine... I've just had a short video from my son in the Philippines. It seems to be pretty much fog fog fog there. Obviously warm but the fog is there whenever it's not actually raining apparently!

Ixion - my children had Osh Kosh (by gosh!) too. They were expensive here in the UK but we brought them back from America with us and had several gifts of them from there when the children were small. I loved them so much that when we went to America last we brought all the young ones a couple of pairs.... Sadly I don't think any of them were ever worn. 😕 Obviously I'm not going to ask but the t-shirts (both long and short sleeves) have definitely been worn. I've seen those on several times.
Maybe dungarees are too difficult now that everything is stretchy?
I also bought Osh Kosh dungaree tupe pinafore dresses... haven't seen those either.

Kaimoana so pleased your son has family to stay with. That will make your mind easier. Hope he gets lucky on the job front.
Notspaghetti how lovely you have been able to keep all these clothes. Your parents were obviously into fashion. I hope your mum liked her wedding dress, 😊
Hope your DH’s pre op goes well and he get a slot soon
Oh Kaimoana I’m sorry you’ve had such an awful day. Hope things are ok and tomorrow is better.
Well tomorrow will definitely be better with a visit from your Ds and Gubbins. Dinner sounds lovely
Stay snug and keep warm
Grammaretto glad you got there safely. Hope the weather improves and you get to see some of the surrounding area.
DH and I once went to a beauty spot in Switzerland high up in the mountains. We went by bus and were the only people on it. The locally obviously knew that the day we went wasn’t a good one. We couldn’t see anything. Complete mist descended and we could hardly see more than 12 inches in front of us.
We got back on the bus and straight back down again 🤣

Evening lobStars

What a lovely chatty lot you are 😊, I can't even attempt to catch up 🤭. Yet another seizure put a spanner in the works of my posting yesterday 🙄. Talking of spanners, well things that need tools - has anyone seen how huge instruction manuals are these days? The one we opened today for our new cooker hood/extractor fan was 73 pages long, instructions in every language, except English! To be fair there were two drawings to illustrate how to construct the damn thing it 😒. Said on the inside of the box "20 minutes and you'll be up and running", ahem. We had fish and chips for tea.

I hope you had a lovely lunch with your DS and Gubbins Kaimoana, I've got my fingers well and truly crossed 🤞for better weather for you tomorrow Grammaretto, I hope goes well for your DH's pre-op NotSpaghetti and Doodle, I'm sending you these 💐.

Worry not, Cherry.
Our new washing machine proudly displays SUOMI in the display window - we haven't as yet managed to move on to the next stage.😡

Good Evening 🙂

Much busyness here......!

We all survived Spudfest and had a great family glomerate. The birthday boy received his first Lamborghini - photo is him on his way to the barbers. I gave him an Osh Kosh denim jacket as part of his present as he's already inherited my DS's dungarees and genes jeans.

I have a stash of hand smocked Viyella dresses from the 1950's which my DM preserved for my children.....As I had tiny twins and no time I never put them in my old dresses because I was terrified of laundering them. If it couldn't go in the tumbler it didn't go on the baby!

DD1 declined to have them for my DGDs for the same reason - maybe I should sell them?

Ixion my Archer is Penny Healey of the pink hair. She was World Champion last year and is the British no.1. She'sonly 19. She had bad luck in her draw - in the individual she was up against the eventual gold medalist. We think the pressure got to her, poor girl. She was DD1's bridesmaid but didn't have the pink hair.

and I'd better get back to my dusty docs - I've been commissioned to work on tracing some long lost relatives for the next few weeks so I may be a bit distracted - but I'll be thinking of you all.

Cherry - thinking of you putting things together. It's always so difficult (even if quite straightforward) as you always have to do several things at once.

I've discovered that if I blu-tac screws to the screwdriver I can often manage with just 2 hands!

I put an electric standing-desk together last month in a couple of hours from only drawings so good luck with the cooker hood!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202408/medium-587362-1-vacano-bubbling.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202408/medium-868093-1-mila-pukeko-ducks.jpg

Osh Kosh and Clothkits both featured in my life 30+ years ago. My American friend Gina's little boy, Zac was in OKs and I sewed many a Clothkit. Zac and my DS were about the same age and grew up to look like one another which always amused me and Gina.

Thank you Cherry the weather gods made it a little warmer today - and very sunny which makes all the difference
.
I snuggled down last night thinking how lucky I was to have a comfy bed, warm sheets and an audio book to enjoy.

Today there was a bit of sadness as DS and I talked about the potential changes for all the family. Tears on both sides.
Strong support and encouragement from me, saying how proud I am he's prepared to take such a giant step.

Already he's had job offers but needs to be there.

Gubbins met the ducks and a Pukeko and we did more Kitchen Chemistry making volcanoes. She suggested adding glitter which made it very beautiful.

ixion Carpet person says she's obtained the floor plans so didn't need to visit after all. Does that mean I'm getting new rather than just a repair?
Did you get my PM explanation btw?

For reasons I won't dwell on (incredible inefficiency) no cardio appointment. They say they are sorry and will send another.

I was initially referred in early November 2022, got an appointment in February 23 and have been waiting ever since for more tests.
So I shan't 'old me breaf.

Oh dear Cherry I hope you’ve got your extractor fitted now.
Thank you for my flowers. I’ve had such a busy day today. Out at the crack of dawn for haircut then shopping for 21st present for DGS. Back home then out again for some more bits and pieces and petrol. Come home thinking I’d had a good day then burst into tears.
i know it’s only natural but it’s so exhausting. I’m trying to do a jigsaw but my eyes are so puffy I can’t see what I’m doing. It will take me forever at this rate.

Not sure where your washing machine comes from ixion but I think Suomi means Finland! Not sure that’s of any help mind you 🤣
Like Spuds new wheels Mamissimo 😊. He really looks the business in his glasses
Good luck with the long lost relatives
Kaimoana hope you had a lovely day with DS and the delightful Gubbins
Glittering volcanoes sounds brilliant.
Good your son has people interested in him already. Hope all goes well for you all
Cant believe you’re still waiting for that cardio appointment
Notspaghetti what a brilliant idea with the blue tac. I have trouble keeping the screws in place. My son is looking for a standing desk. Does yours go up and down …… if you pardon the question ?

Dear Doodle you are progressing as you should. It was always going to be two steps forward, one step back. It is for everyone. DH would want you to be busy and happy and one day you'll do it without tears. Much love xxx

Yes ixion 'where there's a will' certainly used to be true (or I'd still be in "mucky Bradford") but here's the thing, I'm not sure the will is there any more.

Just look at that suave racing child! Another Fangio

Gubbins and I are now "fully interactive" (which being translated means we have a good relationship and she's happy to instigate conversations with me now; play ball and loves the chemistry experiments. She's still shy for the first minute or so though.

We have a "travelling treat" (aka shameless bribery) a miniature bag of crisps to consume on the way home.

When DS goes (11 days), I'm unlikely to see her more than once every 3 weeks (if then) so I'm making the most of it now

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202408/medium-232634-1000016374.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202408/medium-548815-1000016369.jpg

I still get teary Doodle. Tonight was one such occasion. A beautiful fiddle concert with lovely people enjoying themselves but it can be lonely in a crowd.
I lost my last post so I'll keep this short.
Just to say I read and enjoy all your doings and photos of the DGC.

It's my DGD 18th birthday tomorrow. She's in America.

The island weather is so changeable.
Yesterday it was like the Riviera. This afternoon it rained so hard, like a tropical storm without the heat.

Doodle,
^Come home thinking I’d had a good day then burst into tears.^

This really seems to be a normal response when you love someone and then they are no longer there to share the joys of the "special" and the everyday warmth of the "ordinary".

My lovely friend calls me when she comes home and feels like this. I just sit on the phone and listen to her weeping. After a few minutes she generally feels more herself. Do you have someone who quietly can acknowledge your sense of emptiness? She says just having someone to "hold" her in these moments is very helpful

❤️

This is the desk we bought. It was on offer at £79 but is still a decent desk at this price I think.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BK99TTNG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?th=1&tag=gransnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

Someone on YouTube puts either it or a "sister desk" together so you can get a good look at it.
Yes it has simple up/down buttons and a preprogrammed setting. We bought some wheels from Screwfix which does mean that it's maybe 2 inches higher at it's lowest but as it goes pretty low it's not a problem for us.
We wanted one that could go up and down with an electric motor and was strong but not too big. We have both used it and my daughter is now thinking about one

My husband had a very expensive electric standing-desk when he was lecturing and said this does everything the other did. There must be some differences I'm sure but I'm impressed.

I hope, Doodle, that NotS's kind words may be of help to you. Remember that some people can feel helpless in the face of a dear one's grief and are more than happy to offer a listening ear, if that is what is needed. Simple proposals can mean a lot.

Clothkits - did anyone make up the two rag dollies? The boy was, as I recall, particularly nifty with his messenger bag and Chairman Mao cap. The little girls' knitted dresses were lovely. DD had a long sleeved pink and pale blue one with matching pink woolly tights for 'best'. AKA visiting the in-laws.

Strong support and encouragement from me, saying how proud I am he's prepared to take such a giant step.

That filled me with joy, Kaimoana. My dear Aunt and Uncle and (first two toddlers) went out to Australia in the 50s as Ten Pound Poms. Their life there looked idyllic tho' tough on the farm they were sent to and I once asked her why they had come back if it was that good. Transpires that her MIL would not accept that her (only) son had gone so far away and made his life a misery til he gave in and brought them all back. Mind you, communications took so long then, she must have felt it keenly.
We looked up their old stomping ground when we were there - back of beyond in the north of inland Queensland. What was magical was that the sleepy town had a visitor centre and I asked about the farm and family for whom they worked.
Lo and behold, they asked us to come back later and duly presented us with the grandson, photo album and family updates. I phoned my Aunt in Surrey and we were all weeping buckets! They gave us a souvenir handbook and we gave them Aunty's address 😄

I hope your cooker hood is now in situ, Cherry and functioning well.
Mr.I has a screwdriver with a magnetic tip (titter ye not) so it picks up and hangs on to the screw as you screw them in - or so he tells me.

DS has an uppy-downy desk too, also purchased from Amazon but with a separately chosen top. He is very pleased with it too - but watch that mug of coffee!

SMS from me this evening.
Unfortunately I've had too many seizures and insufficient sleep to think straight enough to post much. I am thinking about you all.

Doodle, I'm sending my heartfelt cwtches, I wish I could be there in person to deliver them myself. ❤️

Kaimoana I knew you and Gubbins would make a good team eventually. She’s too much like you for you not to get on.
Two steps forward and one back is a good way of describing it. I am making progress in that I can go out and meet people and chat without feeling as bad as I used to. Somehow feeling better some of the time makes the times when I feel sad worse than they were. I’m a right misery some days.
Grammaretto I’m sending you a hug. The missing that special person will never go away.
Lovely photos. Hope you’re enjoying yourself. Hopemyour DGd has a happy 18th
Notspaghetti how wonderful you are such a comfort to your friend. A good friend at times like this are so important. I do have such a friend and she has been such a help. Don’t know how I’d manage without her. I have sat on her sofa and cried before but mostly I try to get through on my own. At the end of the day the loss is something we all have to cope with.
Good your desk is working well. Our elder son has one as does oir grandson. Our other son is looking to get one for working at home
ixion I have been so lucky with the support I have had both from church, art class and neighbours as well as lots of lovely people on GN. I realise it’s hard for people as I have often struggled to know what to say to someone who has lost their loved one. Good to know Mr I has a magnetic tip but he can’t come near me as my pacemaker can’t be near magnets 🤣

😱DOODLE!😬
😄

Oh Cherry bless you for popping in. Hope you get relief from the seizures and get some rest tonight. Sending you a big cwtch back. ❤️

Thinking positive thoughts to send to all our little GN family here; it seems every one of us needs a little emotional boost right now.

Just been sent a link to a review of the anthology to which I contributed. "Rere Takitahi".
I was itching to edit it Far too long and repetitive but the guy who wrote it is a friend of J C L Purchase, the woman who compiled the book. So no surprises there.

www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/post/rere-takitahi---flying-solo-edited-by-jcl-purchase-aj-woolf

Oh Cherry I feel so sorry for you. What a horrible position to be in. Hopefully the seizures will ease soon. Also Doodle . You too have a hard road to travel. You are doing so well though. Much better than I did when I was in a similar situation to you. Sending you both lots of love.
People often say “oh I know what you are going through “ but the fact is that they don’t. Other people have no idea what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes. No one knows what it’s like to be me since I had my stroke and I have no idea what it’s like to be Cherry. We just try and support each other.
Think I had better stop rambling now! Love to all!

Hello lovely Lobstars,
I'm nearly at the end of my week now. The weather has been pretty awful. But those misty mountains match my mood and are beautiful.
There's a ceilidh tonight where each class sings a song.
Poor Cherry 🍒 sending you a special catch xxx

Grammaretto your week seems to have gone quickly. Such beautiful scenery. Enjoy the ceilidh. Will you be dancing?
Jan it’s true none of us knows how hard it is to walk the same path as someone else but your right about us all supporting each other. Our little gang has been going a long time now
Ive had a really busy day, been out since 10 am . Had lunch out and afternoon tea and didn’t get home till gone 6.
It’s been very pleasant but I’ve not been so good since I came home. Need to calm myself down for bedtime.
I expect you would have made a much better job of it Kaimoana 😊
Hope all the rest of the gang are ok