🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

It's tricky because they aren't around much live or work far away and if they are it's aways a flying visit.
I may try DS#3 who is coming up from England later this week. He at least is less likely to fly into a rage 😃

I feel so sad for you grammaretto. Just when you need their support after so many recent challenges, no one seems to understand or care.

Could you not call a Family Council meeting with them all together on FT, WhatsApp, Zoom whatever, Grammaretto?
All sitting round the proverbial table to exchange views, fears, worries, hopes, aspirations etc.

Better than a what seems to be a gradual erosion of your plans and wellbeing.

I would ask if they can be in on a zoom call
I expect they can all use it (and probably do) andyou can have your one son there with the architect presenting his/her suggestions.

Sorry all been out at an AGM. Got to have a quick dinner then go to bed as up early tomorrow. Catch up then xx

Hope it goes well today Doodle. I'll be thinking of you.

I had my first bus trip yesterday since the op. It was to a little fabric shop where the owner is very skilled at finding the exact thing. She's also had both her hips replaced and was quite bossy with her advice to me! She then directed me to an excellent Sicilian/Greek café where I made my coffee and sweetmeat last an hour while I waited for my bus home!

I felt so upbeat that I even went to Gaelic class in the evening. Our teacher had been knocked off her bicycle the week before and is still bruised poor lass.

As for my family: I do listen to your advice and appreciate it but I don't think a zoom call would work. Think herding cats!
I'm relying on DS3, who is the peacemaker, bringing some rational sense to the situation this weekend.

Good Luck today Doodle.... If it's not for you at least you've given it a go.

Just popping in to say :
I hope the counselling went well today Doodle

Back later, hopefully

Well done on making your first post-op bus trip yesterday, Grammaretto. I hope you didn't overdo it like I think I did yesterday. The shop you went to sounds great, there's one like that tucked away from the two main shopping streets in the village, a hidden gem for crafts of all sorts but especially needlecrafts. May we know what you bought and how you plan to use it 🤔. The cafe you were directed to sounds like a gem too..
Your poor Gaelic teacher 😬, cyclists are so vulnerable sometimes. How are you getting on with the class?
I think your own idea to use the peacemaker amongst your DCs is a good one and 🤞 helps all of you.

Kaimoana, my WP was prescribed melatonin to help him and it has for the last couple of years. Recently his GP decided to review his medication and it was out with the melatonin 🙄. I hope it works as well for you 🤞 as I know how reluctant you are to take other, synthetic, sedatives.

Doodle, may I ask what the AGM you attended yesterday was for?

I had a lovely day catching up with a group of friends yesterday, first time to catch up since I came out of hospital. I was so tired when I got home, I went to bed two hours earlier than normal and woke up later this morning 🤣.
I saw the nurse at my GP practice today about my knee problem. She reckons the same as I've suspected since I broke my hip - that at the same time I injured my cruciate ligament. Why the physio who was helping me with my hip didn't realise I don't know 🤷. Now I have to refer myself for physio for my knee 🤦.

Hi all. The AGM was about the management of our flats. We all own them but have a management group we employ to look after the upkeep. We have a meeting once a year to discuss what has been done and what needs to be done……..and how much more money they need!
I went to my first face to face counselling session today. Very nice lady but with a slight Eastern European accent and what with me being a little hard of hearing I had to keep asking her to repeat things. She gave me some helpful information and printouts. I had a good cry. She then asked me about his care in hospital and I’m afraid I let rip about the negligence and shortage of staff. Good to let it out I think. She was very supportive.
Art class tomorrow morning then knitting in the afternoon. I’m the evening I’m taking my friend out for her birthday
Grammaretto I hope something can be sorted out with your family. You need their support.
So pleased you got out on the bus. That’s good to hear. Love the sound of your fabric shop and the cafe. Gaelic class in the evening too. Hopefully that means you’re feeling better.
Cherry sorry to hear you have a problem with your knee now too. Strange the physio didn’t spot it. Glad you had a good time with friends. Worth getting a bit tired for.
Kaimoana I hope you are ok. You too need support for all that’s going on recently. I hope you son manages to get to see you soon.

Thank you Doodle so do I.

Good to let rip at the way DH was (un)treated in hospital. I know they did their best but the under funded, exhaustedstaff can only do so much, poor things.

Cherry I was told Melatonin is for a limited time as the idea is to reprogramme the brain, after which sleep patterns are supposedly established.
I've been given 90 days supply but only taken two so far with very little results but then (unrelated, who know?) I developed the most awful stomach cramps, nausea, migrain (again!) and all the stuff which goes with it. ]hmm]

So it has literally been water only for 2 days (not that I felt like eating) but today I risked a bit of poached fish for lunch.

My proposed morning tea with a friend yesterday was once more postponed. Twice now, she'll think I'm trying to avoid her but we might try for next Thursday.

My back is significantly better but still fragile and when I am sitting, it's with a hottie to my back which helps.

My son seems cheerful and says he's enjoying the course. He speaks to Gubbins every day/night but she wants him home as he's the one who's always bathed her

My kaumatua group reconvenes on 4th. Waitangi Day on 6th when the huge outdoor concert, food and crafts festival is held about 1/4 mile away.
Stan Walker is top of the bill Nfk.

I've had to email a health and disability advocate about the continued hospital appointment which come in asking me to confirm by phone.
There's NO provision whatsoever for people with no phone and/or sight problems.
There was an email address on the letter but it bounced twice to that's defunct.

It's about time these government departments got their acts together.

It's been warmer today - 24 degrees - sunny but still windy and wet which means the humidity make the place like a steam room. yuk.

I have the strongest feeling that things are on the up and up and all the plaguey stuff of the past year is behind me.

Lovely, happy video from DS of Gubbins at home in an apron (and little else) cooking a stir fry. Not sure there was any heat under the pan but she was singing 'a cooking song' and very merry.

Everything seems to be settling down and now I can get back to regular probiotics, everything else will heal as well. Those fierce anti-biotics the doctor gave me have taught me a lesson - never again.

At 9pm last night and in pitch dark, my doorbell rang. As you know my door is open 24 hours but with the locked security door denying intruders.

It was a couple whose child I taught 11 years ago and with no clear idea of exactly where I lived (they live miles away) had spent hours knocking on doors asking for "The English lady who's a teacher". What a mission.

I explained my sight problems but they insisted they could work round that if only I'll teach their son again who is "failing" the Cambridge IELTS (he only got 76% in a mock exam)

They want no one else. I shall be taking a bigger size in hats if I'm not careful.
So I agreed and they practically danced.

It'll all be done remotely, on something like FB Messenger or Skype.

The boy, Daniel, wants to be a doctor, so my smattering of Greek and Latin might help as one of the things he needs to do is increase his vocabulary, so a knowldge of prefixes is always a good start to give clues to a word's meanings.

Although we have 2 very good medical schools (Auckland and Otago Universities) here, he wants to study in UK or USA. Good to have dreams.
So maybe I need to swat up on 'Whazzup bro?' and 'MAGA to the Max'!

*Kaimoana I do hope you’re right and things are getting better. I’m so pleased you are getting to talk to your son and all is going well. Also a lovely video of Gubbins. I can just imagine her in her apron 🤣
I’m sorry your back is so bad and you had to cancel your friend again. I do hope this is a better year for you.*
I’ve been to art today and wasn’t overly impressed with my contribution. Had a lovely afternoon knitting in the vicarage with out little group. My friend and I were going out for dinner but the weather is so awful we cancelled. Too cold to go out at night
Got a friend coming over tomorrow afternoon which will be nice.
Grammaretto hoping all is well with you and the rest of the gang.
Sleep well all

Just popped in to read all your posts.... very envious Kaimoana that you'll have that festival and concert so close by - with Sexy Stan! Will you be able to go? I do hope so, even if for a short visit.

I think it's time for bed, I'll pop back tomorrow. Night, night everyone.

Nfk the concert will be live streamed if you are interested in loud music and hysterical female screaming for Sexy Stan

I can send the link but of course it's our time - 10am onwards. Stan (that has got to be the most UNsexy name ever) is top of the bill so likely to be in the early hours of your morning.

Afternoon 🦞s

Infuriating well, annoying anyway yesterday. For some reason unbeknownst to me as I hadn't done it I was logged out of GN. Typically, I couldn't remember my password to log back in as I'd changed it about a year ago when the same thing happened but GN wouldn't accept my old password and it's not as easy to remember 🤦. I knew I'd written it down somewhere yes, I know the advice is not to but I couldn't find it. I really didn't want to have to change it again. Lo and behold, today I found it ... in a book I'd looked in yesterday 😂. You can't get rid of me neither can GN that easily 😁.

Ah, Doodle, it was one of those AGMs you went to the to ones that try to exhort money for upkeep and work (at inflated prices). I hope the management group's costs to you for the next year are reasonable 🤞.
You needed to let rip at your counselling session, I think. It is good to let it out, it's cathartic. I'm pleased that the counsellor was supportive and that she gave you some helpful printouts and information. I hope you find the future sessions helpful.
Despite the fact that you had to cancel your meal out with your friend yesterday your day sounds lovely even if you weren't impressed with your own artwork at your art class, which was probably better than you think, we all tend to be out own worse critics. I hope you're having an equally lovely afternoon with your friend this afternoon 😊.

Aww, the video of Gubbins that your DS sent you sounds delightful, Kaimoana, there's nothing quite like a child happily singing (or dancing, or both) 😊.
Ridiculous administration with regard to your hospital appointment, surely there"s a breach of disability rights 😡. 🤞 you get it sorted out in the end.
You're right that melatonin is only meant to be prescribed for a short time if it's prescribed to aid sleep as it is, as you say, used to reset the brain to establish a new, healthier, pattern. It can be prescribed longer term (though not indefinitely) for other reasons, which is why my WP was prescribed it, the effect on his sleep was a byproduct. It's very early days for you, I really hope that in the end it helps you.
And why not take a bigger size in hats, to be thought of so well that nobody else will do to teach that couple's child says a lot doesn't it 😊. I hope it works out, as long as you're happy doing it.
I hope you manage to attend Waitangi Day and enjoy the concert, food, crafts and all it entails.

I hope the rest of the lobStars are okay.

Just making sure everyone is safe and has survived the Storm. 🤔

Thanks Naughtyneine. It has been quite dramatic. The wind is still roaring but the trees I can see are still standing.

DD has a power cut. DS1 had 2
windows blow in but didn't break.

The painter turned up about 7 30 this morning and had done 3 coats on my new ceiling by 3pm. He refused a fry-up for lunch and existed on tea and biscuits.

I opened the door to him and the wind was so strong he and I had to close it together.
I haven't checked for fallen slates yet but it seems the worst is over.

I am very relieved DS3 decided not to travel.

I'm so glad some good things have been happening Kaimoana About time 😃

And this wasn't even a power cut!!!!
It came up on my memories and seemed appropriate today...sadly little cat isn't with us anymore

Honestly... You couldn't make it up. I've just spent the last 40 minutes (in increasing darkness as I've signed up to the energy saving 90 minutes)... Trying to find out which of the animals (3 dogs and 1 very old ((22)) cat) was wheezing really badly.

It was everywhere I went which is not surprising as I can't even go to the toilet without all 3 dogs following me. Ned was not impressed with me pressing my head into his chest to confirm it wasn't him.

Luna whose bowels at the best of times have a mind of their own and such it was when I bent down to listen to her breathing... they decided make their presence known by letting rip a guff that had me reeling across the room adding to the ever increasing wheezing sound

. The cat bless her looked mildly alarmed when I stuck my head in her basket and licked my hair whilst I
ascertained that her breathing was better than mine after Luna's 'gift'.

The wheezing sound was getting louder the more I tried to find out who was about to expire and I began to panic.. and thought an emergency trip to the vet was imminent and thought best to have a quick wee in case there was any kind of delay.

Having left all animals dozing in front of the fire with one eye on me in case I decided to try and get down and perform some other inspection on them ...I ran to the loo...and the wheeze came too and it was at my heels....

It was then that I realised that my bloody sketcher slider footwear things had developed some sort of malfunction and had been wheezing like an iron lung for the last hour. Gggrrrrr. Still only 18 minutes to go and the lights can go back on and I can have wine.

*Naughtyneine , thank you that really made me laugh. 🤣🤣
Glad none of your pets are in need of veterinary care only your shoes. *
Granmaretto your painter made an early start. 3 costs on the ceiling is no mean feat. Is that done for now?
im sorry the wind is causing so many problems for some. It’s not been too bad here although my plants (not real) on the balcony are getting a real battering.
Cherry we all own our apartments and we run the management company so the costs are decided by the owners on the board. We are suffering from having too many years at low cost and they are making up for it now with a 10% increase every year. The painting costs and scaffolding costs have risen so much it’s not surprising they need more money in the bank but it’s a lot.
My friend is a truly lovely person. I honestly don’t know how I would have got through the last 8 months without her. Well actually I do, I’d be a complete mess and in a state of severe depression. Her company and that of our family are what keeps me going. She’s the kindest person.
How are you getting on now. Can you do stairs? I hope you’re not still in pain. I’m glad you’ve got WP keeping an eye on you
Ixion, I often wonder how MrI is doing. I hope you’re both ok and keeping safe from all the flying trampolines and things in this stormy weather.
Kaimoana every time you write something about Gubbins I think how much like you she sounds. Delightful, cheeky, full on fun, bright and clever.
Nfk and Jan hope you’re both not being blown away with these high winds,
Mamissimo it’s about time we had another Spud fix I think

Morning All

Naughtyneine, I've just read your post and the tears are running down my cheeks! I'm so pleased I'm not the only one who can't pin down worrying noises. Spent ages a few days ago in the middle of the night trying to trace what I thought was rain water dripping through on the inside of the bedroom somewhere before it dawned on me it was a radiator heating up as I hadn't turned the heating down. (I've decided to let my gas and electric usage get a bit higher so that when I trot round turning everything off for Mr Octopus' saving sessions, it'll actually make a noticeable difference.)

Aren't we lucky Doodle, to have those wonderful friends who rally round to support and just quietly be there for us. I don't know how I'd have managed without them.

I'm sorry Grammaretto, that your DS very wisely cancelled his visit, but it means you've had no chance to get to the bottom of your offspring's concerns. It must prey on your mind even when you think it isn't.

You're sounding more upbeat Kaimoana. It's nice to hear. The sun is shining here this morning. We were lucky in our little bit of Britain, the storm missed us, just very high wind with nasty gusts. The wind has dropped away this morning and the world is looking a better place after a couple of weeks of dark and greyness. It's just very cold! Your family should have come here a bit earlier, DiL missed the full benefit of the dark, drear days!

With so many people Up North still being without power, it does make me wonder about our governments decision that we should all rely on electricity for everything. I was brought up in the habit of always having candles and a second source of cooking and heating, 'just in case.'

Me too Nfk. I have a gas hob and a fire.
DS is coming tonight I hope though we are in the midst of a snowstorm and I will worry about him driving.

DD is without power and both roads from hers are blocked by fallen trees.
They have a woodburner and I hope will be cheerful enough. They have youth on their side.

I agree with you Doodle that Gubbins is a chip off the old block 😂🤣
I am glad your df is such a support to you. Nothing better than dear friends..

I'm expecting a visit from the man who wants to buy my house followed by the Gaelic café. Robbie Burns wasn't a Gaelic speaker but I'm sure he'd have no objection to being commemorated in any language on earth.

DS in NZ who always celebrates Burns Night tells me he can no longer buy haggis in Wellington!! What's the world coming to.

Tuesday is the day when the plasterer and the tree surgeon are going to start. Luckily no trees fell over yesterday. The plasterer is patching various holes in walls around the house but this sitting room is finished for now.

Naughtyneine your noisy shoes following you around the house caused me much amusement. 😂

I hope that Grammaretto's DS arrives safely and that you have a constructive dialogue about the move. Well, is it a move in principle or the fact that you have decided to build your own which is upsetting them?

Doodle, will you continue with the Hospice counselling sessions? Will you be pursuing formally now the lack of care that continues to upset you - rightly - so much, or does sharing it with a seasoned listener help ,come to terms with the pain? What a marvellous friend you have.

Kaimoana, you sound as if you are beginning to turn the proverbial corner both in body and soul. A tutor again - great news - and to have been sought out in such a fashion!
Hoping it all goes well.

We are keeping well, thank you Doodle. Mr.I is being put through his paces with prolonged Repair Shop sessions. Yesterday was the water tank container from the door of the tumble dryer which I dropped onto the laundry floor whilst attempting to fit it. Damn silly design, as supported by the reviews left by others of the replacement purchases.
So much easier - and quicker - to buy a new one, but one has to be careful not to be seen questioning the 'handyman' persona!

Thank you to NN for a delightful tale of rogue noises and to NfkD for giving an uplifting weather report! It is always interesting to read about your little corner of eastern England.

Hopefully I shall meet Cherry this afternoon for our virtual match - hopefully with a stick with an 'orse's 'ead on it with her concealed flask within.
My father used to have one, but the capacity was limited to a quick snifter. Not much good for two chilly Lobstars and their carefully choreographed dance routine.

Stay safe and have a good day.

Oh dear. So many of us with various problems at the moment. But as usual Naughtyneine made us all - well the 2 Norfolk ladies - giggle hysterically! Similar thing happened to me. I kept waking up in the night hearing this strange wheezing noise and thought it must be Theo in the bedroom somewhere. Went on for several nights until I realised it was in fact me wheezing! I am asthmatic but nothing really bad so being me I decided I didn’t need to use my preventative inhaler anymore. Mmm - on second thoughts maybe I should. Result - peaceful nights again!!
Oh dear Cherry passwords are the bane of my life! Luckily I don’t need to use them much as a lot of my groups on FB accept face recognition or fingerprint to open them.
Grammaretto. So sorry to hear of your problems. So sad when families can’t agree, A Zoom get together sounds a good idea as long as they all agree to discuss everything calmly but really it is your decision and you must do what is right for you.
Kaimoana24 degrees?! Think we are all jealous! It’s been freezing here not to mention the gales. Some people have had so many problems but as usual - touch wood - Norfolk has escaped the worst.
Doodle so pleased you are getting out and about. I know the horrible feeling when you come back to an empty house and really I don’t think that ever goes away although it will get easier. When I was on my own I had dogs to come back to and they were so pleased to see me!
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend and it will soon be Spring!

Happy Burn's Night Grammaretto

It's probably a bit late now, it being the 26th here but I found several artisan retailers in the Wtgn area with haggis for sale.
And frozen ones at Woolworths