🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Well, DS and co are back home.
I'm not sure how this fits in with another message saying we have had 421mm (16") of rain in 24 hours. Who is we, I wonder🤔.
But they are safe, which is, of course, all we want.

Any improvements, Kaimoana?

Pleased to note you are staggering less, Doodle. 😉

Just back from the match, where, despite the extensive waving of pompoms and hefty slugs from Cherry's trusty hip flask, we lost🥱.

A message from 🍒 -

Please send my regards to the Gang, tell them that I'm thinking of them and I'm hoping Kaimoana gets well soon.

*Ixion I hope your family and assorted chickens and garden furniture are all in tact and they can return home soon.
Do they get flooded a lot? *
Sneezing been better today thank goodness.. Ladies of a certain age have to be careful when they have an attack of violent sneezing
i hope you and Cherry can get together for the match. It would be nice to know how Cherry is too
Kaimoana I hope you’re improving. Are the spots healing? I do hope so. Are you able to get out at all?
Grammaretto are you going to join the class? I go to one on a Tuesday morning and I think it’s doing me good. I am managing to exit the building now in a reasonably dignified manner and not with my knees buckled and staggering as I used too

I am glad your family are safe ixion
You can relax a bit now and watch the footie

*I discovered there's a free gentle
exercise class every Monday*
*morning in the church hall across the
road from me!

Why did nobody tell me?
I only heard about it from the physio after my hip operation
I knew several people there too
They said they had told me about it
Am I completely losing my marbles

Thank you to everyone who sent their best wishes for a safe outcome for our Oz family.
According to DS, the cyclone was, apparently, a 'non event', the picture he sent showed 3 plastic garden chairs, one of which had blown over🤷‍♀️.
He does tend to underplay events that would instill fear into his mother..
Was that it, I asked? What about the trampoline, chickens, barbecue and other paraphernalia? I haven't heard back, but I knew that flooding was to be the main problem. I expect they are still evacuees with their friends further up the hill.🤞

I am sorry to read that you are suffering, Doodle. Hope it doesn't get too much in the way of your luncheon dates! It was good to hear that you have lots going on.

Any news on the planning committee decision-making, Grammaretto? What was the projected timescale for a reply??

Kaimoana, I hope you are managing to eat better and that folk are looking in on you. Hope your skin is improving. Are the medics still researching your problem, even tho' you're now home? I sincerely hope you won't be forgotten.

I'm hoping Cherry will be meeting up for our cheerleading tomorrow evening⚽️, then I can report back.

I really hope we meet up - I need her trusty hip flask.

Kaimoana I am still red eyed and snuffly nosed. The pollen count is high I think. Our elder son is suffering too though not as badly as me. I think if I keep taking the antihistamine it will calm down soon. My eyes are still sore which makes them feel tired so I’m off to bed soon.
I do hope you are getting a bit better day by day. Hope you are managing to eat some filling food not just the vegetable juice. You need something of substance inside you.
Grammaretto fortunately my hayfever seems worse in the morning and night. During the middle of the day it seems better so I’ve been able to be ok in church today. I will go to bed soon as the tablets make me tired.
What a fun idea for a birthday party. Was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the candlestick 🤣
Ixion and Cherry hope you’re both ok

The sun's coming over the hill
Yes the songs are full of hope despite the horrors in the world

The album the 3 women launched is called "looking for the threads" 😄

I'm so sorry you have hay-fever Doodle
It spoils everything 😌

I'm glad Jeeves has a better report from you Kaimoana

My DGS is having his birthday party today. It's a murder mystery designed by him and his dad. It sounds fun.
*He got 2 identical cards from me and from his other grandma which caused some
hilarity* we live at least 500 miles apart too

I had better go to bed. Another busy day tomorrow

I hope, by the time you read this Doodle that your symptoms have gone or are lessened. It's mierable to have hayfever.

Karin Polwart's The Sun;s coming Over the Hill' is such a hopeful song in dark times.

Jeeves will deliver a more hopeful bulletin on me. I am able to eat a little better (I bought a BIG bottle of V8 vegetable juice) and slowly but surely I shall pull round. The sun's coming over the hill Grandma French .

Glad you had a lovely time Grammaretto
Sorry not posting much tonight, I have dreadful hayfever and can hardly see out of my eyes. My nose is constantly running and I, off to bed with antihistamine and nose spray and hoping to sleep it off.

ixion how are your family doing - with the Alfred cyclone?
Thinking about them and others. I know you will be - so thinking of you too ,(as you will be worried about them).

I hope your family are safe ixion
It must be terrifying
Sorry you have hay-fever Doodle

Yes I have a few vegan friends and my DSiL and her DH.

I had a wonderful surprise tonight
A friend had a spare ticket for a sold out concert and gave it to me

It was excellent
*Mary Chapin Carpenter, Karine
Polwart and Julie Fowlis with a fab backing group*. One chap playing 2 pianos.

I had to put off my Friday- night -fish and -chips friend who usually comes round but he was very sweet and said "there'll be other Fridays"

Hot chocolate for me Jeeves, if you're offering.
Check up on that Kaimoana while you're at it ...please

Kaimoana I wish we could magic you here and look after you. I’m glad your hands are better but I wish the dermatology people could have seen you. I understand about not wanting to wait for them in hospital. You could b there for ages waiting to see them. I really hope you feel better soon
i don’t eat fish at all unless is battered fish and and chips. No shrimps, prawns of other fish of any kind.
I will happily eat oats cold but not hot. Oats soaked in water with fruit would be fine but I usually mix mine with yoghurt.
Naughtyneine no butter or brown sugar. That wouldn’t do for me either. I’m not a porridge eater.
Grammaretto your lunch sounds lovely
Was it all vegan? My cousin and her husband are strict vegan but they serve up a delicious vegan chocolate cake
Ixion hope your family are safe from the cyclone
Sorry it’s a short post tonight. I have dreadful hayfever and sniffling and snuffling with bouts of sneezing. Early dinner then bed I think. Take care all

I'll pop round, NN. Never knew there was any other way to eat it,, apart from in flapjacks😉.
Fear not.

We must stick together.
#culinaryheathens

Just off to share the onslaught of Cyclone Alfred with DS and family.
Talk about feeling helpless this end ...

My recipe is slightly salted water, oats, absolutely No sugar as I'm diabetic and the carbs are bad enough then I might cool it with a little milk once cooked.
I can't imagine adding all that extra stuff or, like my friend in Gisborne, covering milk oats with Horlicks or Milo. Sorry NN I would't be one of your converts I love the taste of oats too much.

I do mash a banana with raw oats and bake it as sugar free biscuits.

Flames it is Naughtyneine!
You can't possibly make porridge with milk.

How can dermatology be so near and not come near you Kaimoana.?

I hope you get properly seen soon

My lunch today was amazing. Like masterchef. She had begun several days ago. All home made and wonderful. I took the recipe for the pudding. It was lush served with cashew cream.

Isn't it good to be able to post photos again

I'll be shot down in flames by Grammaretto but I make my porridge with milk...it has to be thick then when it's ready I add a little more milk...brown sugar and a large knob of unsalted butter...swirl until it's melted and ap it up. I can hear the squeals of horror...but give it a go...you will never go back. I told a group of people I was on a retreat with on Caldey Island a monastic island off the coast of Tenby about my recipe...by the end of the weekend everyone was eating their porridge my way. I'll don my flak jacket without delay😳

Yes indeed NotS I'm a true Lobste(a)r and love all seafood except Kina, which is very popular here. (see pic)

Like Gramaretto I'm a Piscatarian but as fish can be literally more expensive ounce for ounce than best steak, it's not often on my menu these days.


Gramaretto they did offer to keep me in until Dermatology came up with a solution but the fact is, over those 6 days, we tried every cream available and nothing made any difference. Dermatology had photos and medical details from my GP 3 weeks before I was admitted and still hadn't got round to seeing me, even when I was but a few yards away in the same building - so why stay there?
I could be 90 before they got round to strolling by and saying, 'We've no idea what it is'
If I'm to suffer, at least I'm suffering at home

My hands are a lot better but today the rest of me is, if anything, worse. I don't care, I'm just grateful I'm not an exotic dancer

Naughtyneine those magnifying mirrors are frightening. A large hairy monstrous face of lines and wrinkles appears in mine whenever I look in it.
So sorry about your friend. It sounds as though you’re doing all you can to support her
Nfk I agree with you. I too wish we could transport Kaimoana here and pamper her.
Kaimoana I accept that the Asian porridge is delicious but no m way could I eat that for breakfast. Glad you were fed well but I wish they’d done more to help with your back and fix those spots. Have you seen the Doc about your back? You put up with so much I just wish they’d all take better care of you.
I too wish we could magic your dear son and Gubbins over to see you
Is your son still in touch with you regularly? What does he think of your stay in hospital?
*Notspaghetti for me it’s a full English or cereal for breakfast. I don’t like porridge but will happily eat oats in yogurt cold.
Sounds like a big family party for your MILs birthday. And why not, it’s an amazing age to get to. *
ive been out for lunch today as well. I’m getting to be one of those “ladies who lunch”. Friday will be lunch at the hospice, Sunday I will be having Lent lunch at church. Monday lunch with friends. Wednesday lunch with our DIL and her mum and so on. I will forget how to cook.
Hope all have a peaceful night

Hello Lobstars,

I am not a proper vegetarian as I eat fish occasionally. I couldn't be a vegan. I love eggs and dairy too much

I braved the gym for the first time since getting my membership. It was OK. I asked our trainer what exercises were best for someone with a new hip and he showed me. Then he asked me what I hoped to achieve, and I boldly suggested better upper body strength to which he replied "diet!!" along with weights and rowing

Today I'm having lunch with a vegan who has not eaten sugar for the past 20 years

I like the idea of NotSpag taking the boxes of memories to the party and having a game with the family. One of the rules would be that the winner takes all

I can't believe you were discharged like that Kaimoana with no diagnosis and no remedy. Is the skin any better?

I must away now but I shall be back after lunch!

Just realised that rice cooked in stock... basically that's a risotto or paella!

Kaimoana - I've just accidentally translated your name! I had no idea I could tranate like that (by "holding" it with my finger and just selecting "translate") I don't think I realised it meant Seafood... is that correct?
🌊 🐟 🦐 🦀

Regarding your Asian Porridge - my son sent me "breakfast photos" of his unusual breakfasts in the Philippines when he first moved there. I think they were usually savory and included rice and chicken or pork

When we visited him in America there were lots of savory breakfasts at hotels which were basically versions of Mexican breakfasts involving corn, chilli, tomato, cheese, cream and egg
I suppose that's because he was living in Arizona and Southern California - both relatively close to the border. I didn't notice this when we were further north in Chicago, for example.

I like savory breakfasts too (close your ears Grammaretto) - even porridgey ones. I quite often have miso on my porridge.

Nfk You are right but it's unlikely to happen so I grit my teeth and say 'them's the breaks'. I wish you could bundle me up too

NotS I do hope there is good news soon about your daughter. ♥ ♥ ♥
How exciting to have boxes from the past to open - what memories they'll bring back.

Perhaps you should have an after-birthday-meal game "Open the Box"!
Quite right about limited birthdays.

It must be very upsetting for you Grammaretto that your old friend is failing. I'm glad she has a caring friend like you .
Not long since, someone said, 'Family have a duty to care but when friends do it is special' Not sure if that is accurate or just cynical.

In hospital breakfast choices included Chicken Congee (Asian Porridge) which I've often seen but never tasted. It is delicious and generous with chook too.

However, I have often cooked rice in tomato juice, vegetable or chicken stock - and this last is Congee.
Fancy that!

Grammaretto I know how sad you are with this situation with your friend but you are right to worry about over taxing and exhausting them. But how lovely is it that her son can work from his sister's house to be close (and on tea duty). I'm sure that must give a lot of comfort.

Kaimoana. How very frustrating your hospital stay was. I suppose the silver lining is that they have ruled some things out
Mmmn. Maybe that's a silver lining?

Yes Doodle - spirometry... at least initially.
No news re my daughter yet 🙁

Yesterday we brought back a car full of boxes of stuff from my mother-in-law's garage. They have been there since my husband retired and had to clear his study at the university. 😩 I think there's two more loads there... as if we don't have enough stuff here already!
🤐

There will be 17 of us at the birthday meal and if her nieces want to come then there'll be more. However they all made a big effort last year and we had a huge "do" then. This was really just going to be a closer family event - just my husband, me, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren (but as one of my "girls" said - we may not have very many more opportunities to celebrate her birthday.

Oh, Kaimoana, I do so wish we could just bundle you up and whisk you over here so we can pamper you. And kidnap your DS and Gubbins and bring them to you. Seeing them would be the best medicine I think.

I do hope they come back with a cure very soon - although I fear they're just hoping if they ignore you and wait long enough, it'll all come right on its own.

An attempt at a Normal Post

ixion some years ago, our local Mayor arranged for everyone in Waitakere City to get free Fibre.
Workperson drilled a hole in my kitchen wall and positioned the boxes as you describe.

Then my son set about finding a land line phone compatible with the new technology. $200 later he brought one exactly like the smallest cellphone and quite impossible for me to see. My heart sank but I said nothing.

The phone wouldn't ‘shake hands' with the (another $250) router which had been necessary with this "free" fibre.

'Shake hands'? I felt like slapping its silly face.
So a brand new, unused phone now sits gathering dust on my book case.

The normal old phones went off to Hospice Shop and I told everyone I no longer had a phone.

This only makes it awkward when some representative of officialdom, insists they must have a contact number. I used to feel like giving a random string of numbers just to shut them up. Now I just stare until they give up.

By the time we get to next of kin and I explain I have no one here, they are reaching for the nerve tablets.

I am not being wilfully awkward. When I DID have a landline, my son told me his "emergency only" number was being used for mundane questions - usually when he was in a meeting.

Grammaretto they have ruled out the things they’ve tested for. No attempt to see if my sudden back pain has anything to do with it – because “that’s not what you were admitted with”.
I don’t know about First Do No Harm – it should be First Have a Grain of Sense. But I was well looked after so what’s the point of complaining?

Fish & Chips, ice cream and wine eh Doodle? sounds delicious; I’m so glad you had a good time.

Thank you Lobstars, you are a caring lot and I love you all.