🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Hello Lobstars,
I hope Kaimoana skin is clearing up and I hope NotSpag's DD is getting better. I guess she's ok if she's been swimming

I had a very busy day. I talked to U3A about my pottery and took some along.

This afternoon I had visits from DH's cousins and from an estate agent who thinks I need a home report
*as he can't put a price on my
house*

Sorry to hear about your df ixion
I'm very sad about mine too

Ixion I haven’t started the group counselling yet. I have to wait till they get enough spaces free for a new group. It’s a six week session so might be a few more weeks yet.
Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope you get your reading week. I wonder who will do the washing for you……Jeeves!
Notspaghetti I’m glad you heard from your Dd. Hope she gets seen soon. It must be a worry for you
Kaimoana it is good to hear things are a little less painful. Hope the blood tests come up with an answer. I am half way through an audio book. The first I’ve read/ listened to since DH died. I am intrigued to know the outcome so will save it till I do the ironing
Grammaretto I wish I was in your U3A I would have liked to hear your talk. My U3A is where I go for my sit fit class tomorrow morning.
Ah there you are, what we’ve always known. Your house like you is priceless 😊

Hello Lobsters... I'm back home after the work filled travels of last week. There was lots of driving but as we were both accompanying one another to various points in the UK we shared the driving. After driving myself around OZ and NZ I don't get fazed by driving long distances anymore.

My body however is not so keen...I walk like Miss Piggy after driving for 3 hours and my right ankle is another casualty of the hip op gone wrong as it turns inward now and it aches after a relatively short time as a driver or passenger but I am very thankful I can drive. The latest buggeration is I think a reoccurrance of a cracked rib. It initially happened after DH gave me a lush hug and not knowing his own strength popped a rib on my right side....and a similar hug on Saturday like to have popped it again. The pain is radiating from under my arm to my shoulder blade and ooh it B...y hurts.

DH is mortified that he's broken me again.

I'm really sorry to read that there has been lots of sadness in our little group especially for Grammaretto and Ixion. Losing friends that have shared so much of our lives is so hard. My lovely deputy died very suddenly 12 years ago...the same age as me. Her dying made me realise that I couldn't go on living the life that I was and it was time to have the courage to take the huge step of separating after 38 years and accept that however hard I tried I couldn't help someone addicted as my ex was to alcohol. Until I moved away I would visit her grave on her anniversary and birthday and say a prayer of thanks. I miss her still.

Notspag...I hope they get some resolution as to what's causing your daughter's problem...a weird virus maybe? A Mother's love for her children never ends and our capacity to worry about them is eternal I think.

Doodle... I wonder if maybe writing down your feelings may bring you some comfort on the days when you feel there is none. I hope as the weeks go it won't hurt quite so much and that you'll be able to smile at the memories.. Death is just another horizon and a horizon is just the limit of our sight. He will never be far from you. ,♥️

Grief catches you so unawares at times doesn't it. We sang one of my favourite hymns at Mass on Sunday...well I say sang...I started off ok then from nowhere the years rolled back and I was holding my eldest daughter in my arms as I sang and my young self had everything ahead of me...3 more daughters to come and then 10 Grandsons...and the tears flowed...and I choked to get the words out before giving up. Just as I think I've accepted the situation so another knock back comes to remind me of what is missing. I looked a bit of a mess leaving church but it was raining and windy so I used that as an excuse.

Yesterday was the Gynae appointment.... I'll gloss over that...suffice to say...it appears more people will be staring not at my face in the near future. !!!!!

Kaimoana..I really hope that the herbal stuff gets to work properly and soon. You have enough on your plate without this to add to it. You need to be well fit your trip to the bush. Nature is so healing if not always physically...mentally it is balm to the soul.

Love to you all.

Thank you everyone, my daughter has a referral to the TIA clinic but has been experiencing "pins and needles" on one side.

I hope she gets to see someone soon!

Just popped in to read the catchups. And I agree with NN about the horizon being just the limit of our sight. Perfectly put. I know my Best Beloved isn't far away. I might not be able to see him, but I know he's still with me. And I too have found writing down my feelings an enormous help.

I do so much hope your DD sees someone soon, NotSpag. Anyone - just to rule things out and feel progress is being made. After spending all those years trying to sort out children's problems and make everything better, it's second nature to continue it into adulthood. Impossible not to worry when there's nothing we can do. Except worry.

It was a beautiful sunny day here in Norfolk and I went to a u3a talk. Indoors. (I should have been sorting out the wilderness 'garden'.) It was about a very interesting lady, but for the life of me I can't remember her name! And tomorrow, when I have nothing on the calendar, rain is forecast!

Sending a virtual group hug to all, as it seems we all need it. (A very gentle one for NN)

I would have loved to have been part of your audience, Grammaretto. Do you give your talks and demos regularly?How is your friend? So difficult🥀.

NN - what a hugger your chap must be😳. No problem, then, carrying you over the threshold on your Special Day! You're right about grief hitting you unexpectedly. I also find that, when I'm down, the most innocuous things on radio or tv can set me off, not just hymns with associations. (Here's looking at you, Psalm 23 ver. Crimond). Not difficult to be overwhelmed by current affairs, is it?

Hoping your DD's appointment arrives smartish, NS. Was she able to swim OK?

And Kaimoana, how is the skin? Are you able to get into the bush yet, or us it early days?

Audiobooks, Doodle? This is surely progress, isn't it? 🏆 Not such baby steps now? Great to hear.

I am tentatively making plans to send my DF's telescope to my DGSs assuming they want it. No app, my local DS points out . I have found a modern telescope carrying case (who knew?) but the box is in pretty bad condition. Great to keep if you are collector (learnt that from Antiques Roadshow) but not so impressive if you are a streetwise 10 year old.
Biggest issue has been to source a box which is long - 90cm x 20 x 20. And then to find a suitable carrier, it being too big for Royal Mail.

Today, a knock at the door and a courier asking if we would take in a parcel for an absent neighbour. As soon as the door was closed, a rush to a tape measure.
And yes, the tripod, telescope and attendant bits would fit like a dream.

Here's hoping!

Hello Nfk
Crossed posts - nice to hear from you!
When do you enlist help for the garden - assuming you are opening again for Charity in the summer?

Me again🤦‍♀️.
Look after yourself, Grandmafrench. Praying for you all🕯️.

Naughtyneine youll have to get your Dh to stop the bear hugs. He doesn’t know his own strength. Nice to get hugs though.
I do keep both a dietary and a written note a bit like a journal. I haven’t had the courage to read any of it yet I just keep writing. I love what you wrote about the horizon thank you
The emotions that one song or tune can bring are amazing aren’t they. Tears when they come just keep flowing. I’m so sorry. Sending you a very gentle hug. No bears involved
im sorry to hear about your gynae appointment. Hope things will be ok
Notspaghett I do hope your daughter gets seen soon. Have they given her any medication to take to prevent further episodes?
NFK it’s always so helpful to read comments like yours. I sometimes wonder if I’m alone in holding thoughts of my DH so close to me. I look at photos of him and videos every day. Sometimes I cry but mostly I smile at his lovely face as he smiles back at me.
Funny enough I too went to a U3A talk today. I have no idea how good it was as I slept through most of it 🤣
Ixion I am still persevering with the audio book. Not sitting and listening but listening while I’m doing something else. It’s an intriguing story and I’m hooked
I do hope you can get your suitable container for the telescope.
Grammaretto have you any more exhibitions planned I. The near future? What will you do about your pottery if you move I wonder
Kaimoana I hope the spots have improved greatly with your herbal treatment. I have hay fever at the moment. So a bit sneezy . I’m allergic to tree pollen.

So lovely, "death being just another horizon" Naughtyneine

You are another with a way with words. Sorry to hear about the gynae appointment
Worrying about your cracked ribs too. Your beloved must be strong or you are very fragile

I seem to have no time for anything apart from just the practical boring stuff

I was looking for replacement glass for my greenhouse today, without success. It's all toughened and comes from somewhere else at great expense
A couple of panes broke in the last storm

Tonight was my Gaelic class There's a new man joined. *He's
Hungarian!*

He doesn't find Gaelic too hard because he already speaks German and French and knows grammar!!

We are learning the genitive case

I bought my get active card for the gym and pool today
I must start using it 🤣😂😅

I hope Jeeves is around to bring us all soothing drinks
Did I tell you my hot water bottle leaked? Someone told me you should replace them every year! I didn't know that. I've just thrown mine out

I wrote a long post and "lost it" but thank you all for your very kind thoughts and good wishes for my daughter

She is still waiting for further tests/checks at the TIA clinic. She says it's still tingly - but has been given an appointment in TWO weeks 😬 she is on anticoagulants till then. I feel disappointed that it wasn't "within the week" as promised

I am sorry your DD isn't being treated quickly NotSpag
It sounds serious
All the very best to her

Naughtyneine and NfkDumpling, we always worry about our offspring even as adults. We want a resolution so that we know what's likely to be ahead...

NaughtyTaid ... that is definitely not what should be happening when you give someone a loving hug!

You are right about current affairs ixion. The world is in such a mess.
I had a catch up with a friend I made at the swimming pool who came here from Ukraine. We helped her at the beginning of the war. She went back about ten months ago and now has no electricity for several days as her local power station was bombed. Every day there is shooting. She says they are trying not to complain as she knows how terrible things are for others. Her parents are in the Russian controlled area (also daily shooting) and so she can't even speak to them. No phone and no Internet. She has a daughter (13) who is studying but cannot always get to school. She says "well, at least her English is good".
...it puts our worries in perspective

Just as an aside, what started out as a terrible day (with my son in law being rushed to hospital in an ambulance) has turned out OK after all. It wasn't a stroke it was something I'd never heard of which is actually a no-headache migraine! It's called Migraine with Aura! He is home and safe. 😍
I never heard of this before - but very relieved for him, my eldest and their little family!

Thinking of you Doodle looking at your photos.
🙏
And here's another gentle hug for you all
🤗

Grammaretto I bet your Hungarian is good at languages. Is there a reason he’s picked Gaelic?
So you’re about to be dressing in Lycra with sweatbands and doing a gym workout are you. Good for you. I, enjoying my sit fit class but that’s about all I can manage at the moment.
Notspaghetti the anticoagulant should be of help. Yes it is a shame she can’t be seen sooner.
Oh my goodness now your SIl in hospital too. How worrying for you. Glad to hear he’s ok.
Kaimoana hope the itching and spots are better
*sorry for such a short post, I didn’t sleep much last night and am struggling to stay awake.
*Take care all x

Ah no Doodle I hope I can join one of the classes but the membership means I can go any time for the pool and the gym. But will I!! I think I'll need to find a friend to make me go. I am too lazy.

Anyone who can speak Hungarian would find any language easy 😂
I asked him why Gaelic and he said because he lives in Scotland.
He also mentioned understanding the place names.

I hope there's better news from our Kiwi

It's my DGS birthday today in NZ
He's become a teenager!

Any news about your DD NotSpag?

I am going to visit my very poorly friend tomorrow

Night night Lobstars. Sleep well

Hello all.. my son-in-law slept yesterday till mid afternoon so obviously his body has taken a beating... my daughter is still getting pins and needles and waiting for her appointment.

My shed, however, is finished, (hooray) and the door lock fitted. I forgot to say anything about it ..so now I'm just waiting for a run of a few good days to paint the window frame
So nice to see a bit of sun today. It does lift the spirits
🌻🌻🌻

Grammaretto I have a gym/pool membership and try to make myself go 3 times a week - otherwise I'm not really getting "value" out of it.

It's usually OK once I get there!

Gym/Pool Membership, eh?.

Tell me - do you

A. Work harder/smarter/faster to fit it all in?, OR
B. S-d the jobs and get out there?

Just asking for a friend.

I'm a "B" person I'm afraid .
I hate housework so even the pool is maybe better than washing up!

But basically, membership is more expensive than the council pool/gym so the idea of "wasting" it by not going does keep me on my toes a bit.
I say, you must go or it's wasted
😬
It is closer to us (and in beautiful grounds)... by way of mitigation - and we have towels included too which is great - especially in the winter... And i don't have to drive through town to get there and struggle to park

It's a pool gym and spa attached to a hotel so it does vary a lot as to how busy it is and it doesn't have many "classes" like lots of pools/gyms do - but as I usually only swim I'm not looking for that. The showers are terrific and it has a sauna/steam room and jacuzzi
It also has a coffee/juice bar with free drinks and comfy chairs where you help yourself. No fruit though (since covid) but if I'm desperate for an apple I've been known to pinch one from the hotel "welcome" desk!

I'm not very fit (and on the fatter side) but swim 3 times a week (4 if I can make myself go again). I force myself to swim 40 lengths as a "minimum", 50 as a "usual" and 60 is a "bonus". Maybe a handful of times I've swum 70... It's not a long pool (18 metres I think) and was told that 90 lengths is a mile. I'm very, very, very, very s..l..o..w.. 🙄

What!!! NotSpag! Are you in training for the Olympics?

I'm not anywhere near your league. My card is for the council gym and pool plus various classes. But I've not started yet. I visited my df today. It was lovely to see her and neither of us can believe she's dying.

Her room was like a florist shop. She is so well loved

I am glad your SiL is in recovery and hope your DD has her appointment soon

Night night Lobstars

Grammaretto going swimming is so good for you (says she who swims like a stone). I hope you can find someone else who goes there to keep you company
many happy returns to your DGS. A teenager at last. Always makes them feel grown up doesn’t it.
Glad you’re going to visit your friend. Is she still with her sister? . I’m sure it will cheer her to have a visit.
Notspaghetti glad your SIL is ok. Not surprised he’s so tired. Sorry I might have missed it but is this SIL your daughter’s husband? I do hope your daughter gets seen soon
Kaimoana I’m wondering how those spots are and if your herbal remedy is working?
Cherry dear friend I’m hoping you’re doing ok and enjoying a bit of sunshine. It was almost warm here today
Art for me today then knitting in the vicarage. Tomorrow a friend and I are going to try a new local walking group. I’m hoping they don’t go too fast,
Sleep well all

Hello Doodle - the son-in-law who was rushed to hospital is married to our oldest daughter. Their home is about 40 minutes away so we just hopped straight in the car as her three boys were obviously anxious.
The youngest daughter is the one with the tingling down one side - she has had an appointment come through so I hope something will come of it.
Our middle daughter hasn't needed to use the NHS (to my knowledge) this week!

Ha ha Grammaretto - no, not at all I have been creeping my lengths up after having a stroke 3 years ago. I used to just swim for an hour and have no idea about lengths but after the stroke, every length was one more than nothing and I felt I had something to "hang on to" if I counted.
It felt like a dark time - even though I was very lucky and made a good recovery (new people probably can't "see" it) but I know I'm still a bit wonky and I need to try to be a bit fitter. My daughter-in-law thinks I should really be doing weight-bearing exercises but I do get pretty bored in the gym.
People say "yes but when you've done it don't you feel great"!!! - and basically, no, I'm not flooded with the happy chemicals that they are I'm just happy to be done!

Some of the children have inherited their dad's love of exercise and say they feel rejuvenated after 🙄 - but that's not me.

If you are at all like me about "pointless" exercise I wouldn't recommend taking up Doodle's idea of swimming with a friend! It may encourage you to get there but it won't encourage you to actually swim.
I can spend a long time in the pool when I'm chatting

I'm so sorry that your dear friend is dying, Grammaretto. I know that's easy to say and hard to endure.
Thinking of you

On a (silly) note..
I've just flicked back over the last couple of days and found this question about your Hungarian friend: Is there a reason he’s picked Gaelic?
I read it (twice) as "is there a reason he's pickled garlic"
I think I'm not really focusing!
Either that or I need reading glasses now

Cherry has asked me to say hello to you all and to say she is thinking of you and hopes to be back as soon as she feels a bit brighter.

I have had an interesting day.
DGS (9) is renowned for changing his username frequently in our online Scrabble-type games. We just go with the flow.

Today I accepted an invitation to play, doing my usual simple two and three letter words so as not to overly dishearten him.
After a few turns, I found that I was dealing with a vastly improved, nay mature, opponent.
I won by the skin of my teeth, so challenged him to a rematch.
This went on all afternoon and into the evening.

It then struck me that either DGS was up all night, in the southern hemisphere, or that I was, somehow, playing a total stranger😱.

Oh Ixion that made me laugh. I wonder who you were playing with 🤣🤣
Thank you for letting us know about Cherry. Sending much love back to her and hoping all is well
Grammaretto that must have been a difficult visit to your friend. Have you known each other long? I bet she was pleased to see you
Notspaghetti hope all the family are doing ok and your daughter’s appointment isn’t too far away. I went for a walk today with a new group. Nice walk and even nicer chat and coffee after
Kaimoana I’m wondering how you are and if your skin is improving. I was talking to a lady on the walk who had a rash on her back and she was saying how hard it was to out cream on it now she’s on her own.