🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Hello All....I was full of good intentions to post yesterday but after posting in Soops Kitchen about my daughters I was teary so went and lost myself in the garden... Walked the two smallest dogs then went to the gym

I felt better after that but utterly pooped and my hamstring problem was in overdrive grrrrr.

We went on a road trip on Saturday up to Wimbledon for DH to take part in something car based. I had the chance to have a quick meet up with the friend who was bereaved recently.

We planned our trip to Spain in June...a 60th bday ( neither of us) and a sort of hen do combined). She is going to come down here and travel from Bristol with me as opposed to from Gatwick. It was cheaper ( not that that is a concern for her) but it means she is more occupied for longer if that makes sense.

Grammaretto..I hope today goes well for you and your friend family too....I hope it's the happy memories that are the overriding emotion for you. I so hope too that the house situation resolves itself soon too. Without having to get over ops etc the stress of a move especially after many years in a home is immense.
Ixion.... Did you have to mention chocolate.... I've given it up for Lent and still have 5 days to go. A very large bar of Cadburys Dairy Milk had my name on it and probably will be decimated at 12.01 on Sunday morning.

Doodle you are as bad with your talk of cake.... I am trying very hard to lose a few pounds ( lots actually) before going on the wedding dress tour so cake is out. I can almost see a cheekbone appearing. Mind you I've given up bread for Lent too and there is going to be a newly baked sour dough loaf ready to be picked up on Saturday morning which will be slathered in butter on Sunday. All hope is lost I feel.

NFK....a new campervan ...I wish I felt the same about Henrietta...It really is just having three 'children' that changes the whole dynamics. DH can't see it and is sure I'm going to fall in love with the whole concept of motorhoming very soon. Methinks he has a long wait. He was very shocked at my excitement of going to a 5 star hotel for 5 days two weeks before the wedding. In the end I toned it down a bit and tried very hard not to jump up and down shouting Thelma (friend) and Louise (me) are going intercontinental .

Kaimoana...I hope your son has been in contact now. Maybe tell him a little of what's been going on with you health-wise if you don't want to tell him the full story and then maybe as the conversations go on you'll be about to fill him in bit by bit. I'm very new on the block but it's obvious that you are an amazing person whose resilience in the face of so many adversities is incredible and inspiring. I hope life gives you a break very soon and you are able to enjoy the things that make you happy once more.

Love to everyone... It's raining so I'm going to have to go to the gym again and sulk that I can't be in the garden in the sun.

Hello Lobstars 👋

Could I resist the chocolate, I ask myself ixion? Probably. But only because there's none in the house.

I bought some cheapandnasty
Easter bunnies for the not so littlies which are probably 0.1% cocoa. Their DM will not thank me.
I also sent them home with a box of ready potted sweetpeas and kept some for myself. We can have a contest. Deer eat everything here and she has chickens free ranging. 😂🤣

How is progress on the home front? you ask. Well music man was round yesterday, supercharged with enthusiasm as ever. He showed me the drone photos and a 3D walk through of my house as it will be.
He's serious alright.

The planning consultant is going to be on a zoom call this afternoon. I don't expect to hear from the council as we have an extension to make changes to address their objections.

Meanwhile I have to wave farewell to the Aussies as they go onto their next adventure. They are going to Durham and London before Holland and through Denmark and to Norway before home. We drank the last drops of my whisky which I've had since I bought it at the new distillery on Skye in 2023. I bought them instant haggis suppers while I had veggie sausage 😋

He did a lot more clearing in the biggest room yesterday. You can now see the far wall from the door! We took a carload of stuff to the tip and found treasures..... photos of DH when a lad

Today I must take my car to a garage miles away who will take a look at it

I hope I can get home as I don't think it's on a bus route.

The funeral is tomorrow for my df.
One of her friends has cancelled her holiday to be there. She was such a good friend to so many of us.

My Dsister is planning to come to stay next week. Always have something to look forward to!

I love that you buy your clothes at the garden centre Doodle.
It's the same here. You can buy most things, even plants!

Wishing all the best to the Lob-
stars whether posting or not. You are in my heart.

Like Doodle, I can't see you in an upstairs flat, Grammaretto. And then, if you're on the ground floor, you're never too sure if any one is going to clomp about over your head. Any news from the Planning Committee yet? And how did your prospective buyer and his support team get on with their visit?

Nice day for you, Doodle. More cake?🤭
I started a diet last week. Very filling meals but excruciatingly boring after the first a day or two.
Mr.I finally started to tackle the garage clear out and several bags of pebbles, gravel, grit etc were readily snapped up in Freecycle.
On collection, the lovely lady brought 2 bars of Biscoff chocolate as a 'thank you' and four😳 cones of Quality Street 'for Easter'.

Currently untouched by Yours Truly 🥇.
Four hours and counting

Well I’ve had a busy day. Went for coffee at the Christian Fellowship hall. A lot of our older church regulars go there to meet up for coffee so my friend and I go to keep them company (nothing to do with the delicious cake honestly)
Come home after and spent a very productive (I hope) hour on the phone with HMRC. Poor man was trying to explain my tax code to me he was very patient and eventually decided to go through it in detail at which point he decided it was wrong and changed it for me. I have no idea whether that will make me better or worse off 🤣
Then I went for a walk and coffee with a new friend and her new puppy. Went to the garden centre to collect some clothes I ordered and then to the chemist for my covid jab. Just got home in time for dinner.
Hope everyone is ok.

Grammaretto we used wadding. Brasso. You rub it on then polish off. It comes as liquid too but that gets in the nooks and crevices if you’re not careful. Yes I’m afraid there’s a lot of elbow grease needed too.
I bet your grandchildren had a lovely visit. So much to do when they come to visit you.
I live in a flat but your DD is right . I’m not sure it’s for you either especially one that doesn’t have its own garden on the ground floor.
I am lucky. I have wonderful neighbours and a lovely view. It’s a purpose built flat so very quiet.
Flats in converted houses (I.e. they weren’t built as flats originally) often have sound issues as the insulation isn’t as good as purpose built. Your comfort to a certain extend depends on your neighbours. If there are less than about 20 flats in the premises then the maintenance can be a bit hit and miss.
I think the company might be nice for you but having lived for so long in a big house with large grounds I’m not sure a smaller flat with no garden would suit, I wish you well though, whatever you choose.
Is there still a chance of you having a home in your garden built?
Kaimoana I hope you’re ok. I’m worried that you’re not in touch even though I know it’s hard for you. Sending love and hugs.

So you have a new camperbubble Nfk? Was the other one letting you down?

Your trips always sound such fun.

I hope you hear from your DS soon Kaimoana and I hope you are having a nice weekend. 😊

How do you polish the brass Doodle? what do you use besides elbow grease?
I'm asking because I have a brass fire surround which is rather dull so could probably do with getting a bit of TLC.

I did have the girls here for a few hours. They kept very busy first in the pottery, painting some bird houses which their cousin made ages ago but has never come back to decorate, then using a mold to make things which could resemble eggs! then in the garden. The 10yr old has sown at least 6 trays with veg seeds. The 7yr old decided my hedges needed clipping, urgently.

After I had dropped them back at the other DGP, I took the other DGM to see round a first floor, victorian flat. It is very nice though I am still not 100% sure what I want. It's very spacious and even has a sunny garden but not one you can easily walk out to. Perfect for someone but my DGD said she couldn't imagine me living in a flat.

I am sure you've had a nice day finishing by tea with friends.

Tomorrow the potters are coming to help me move the pottery or at least clear out things I won't need.

The Aussies have spent the afternoon and evening in Edinburgh. I think I have just heard them come in.

Grammaretto. Gather you’ve got your DGD with you today, hope you’ve had a lovely time. Did you make anything for Easter.?
Kaimoana how are you? Have you been out at all recently? Have you visited your neighbour Ray again?
Ive been busy today polishing the church silver and brass as part of the big clean. Never realised what hard work it was but very satisfying when you see it all come up nice and shiny.
This afternoon was at the hospice. Nice afternoon tea with friends

*Nfk nice to hear from you. Does that mean you’ve bought a new camper bubble? If so, what’s the new one like. Has Kira been out and about with you?
You’ve been busy with your garden. Hope the little black fish survive.

I'm there!

All caught up and its been like reading a novel I've been AWOL for so long.

Do I gather Kaimoana, that bold isn't helping now? what about capital letters? Would that help? God Bless your stubbornness - and your typing ability.

I've been absent due to having been away in one camperbubble and coming home in another one and all the complications of transferring ownership and insurance when Saga refused to cover it as the wrong tracker was fitted, now upgraded. And the exorbitant price they wanted to charge once it was done. Found another with the same cover for half the cost. Plus the necessity of Cuprinol-ing two sheds which suddenly seem to have nearly worn down to bare wood while just sitting there. They had to be done before the roses and other stuff I can't remember the names of which is growing up them came into leaf. I need an outdoor Jeeves.

I hope your car can be fixed Grammaretto without too much expense. I agree with NotSpag that there's always this balancing act as to when to let them go before you end up spending more keeping it running than the car is anywhere near worth. DH insisted that I have one of those PCP agreements so I could have a good reliable car, but it irks that it seems so expensive and having started with one, it's hard to give up. I'd rather give my car up than my camperbubble, but the bus service here isn't as good as it was and my back seizes up standing too long at bus stops.

The fish in my pond were no longer changing colour Ixion, so I left the defensive lines off (it still seems strange to say "my" pond). The larger fish duly vanished. Either evaporation or they flew on their own for I never saw a heron. But more tiny black fishes have appeared this year, so I'm letting nature take its course since they seem to survive regardless. Blanket weed is taking over at present. It's horrible. And it's full of tadpoles. I shall have to treat it with Stuff. It's not supposed to harm wildlife, but the new taddies seem so fragile.

My laptop says it's running out of battery.

Kaimoana I’m so sorry your sight is deteriorating so much.
How long is your son on the course for? I hope you can talk to him soon.
Im glad you’re feeling a bit better. Not surprised you don’t fancy a huge plate of pasta.
Im glad you can still manage some knitting. Thank goodness for your audio books. I hope you have plenty of choice and find some good ones. Much love dear friend.xx
Grammaretto I’m glad you enjoyed the play. Nice to share a meal with your friend too and be chauffeured there too.
Have a nice time with your BIL. Hope the.Aussies did a good job of selling your house
Hope you can get your car repaired enough to keep you going for a few years.
Notspaghetti I’m not good with cars either, luckily our sons help out if I have trouble.
i went to afternoon tea at the church hall today. There are several people there in their late 80s. I love listening to the tales of their childhood or later life. All are great story tellers and have a lovely sense of fun and humour. A very pleasant afternoon.
Sleep well all

I hope some day I will be able to do without a car and I lent mine to my son for a month or two and really didn't miss it. I also have a friend on my insurance so she can use my car when necessary however right now, with daily trips to the tip and wanting to show my Helpers around, the car seems essential.

I have found a repairer who will take a look next week. Hoping I can get it fixed.

Can you actually manage without a car Grammaretto? I'm not sure where you live in relation to shops and busses?

I hate car decisions. We run our cars as long as we can but the "final" decision is always the worst.

We have had 2 quite expensive repairs on our car...
The costs of replacing a vehicle are astronomical it seems to me. Fingers crossed it can survive another few years.

Morning Lobstars,
That's so sad that reading is nigh impossible for you Kaimoana 😢

The play was Wild Rose a Scottish musical. Very high octane. We were upper circle the cheap seats which was just as well because it was very loud. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. My df had a meal ready for us, pre theatre and her DH drove the 4 of us in.
Meanwhile my house was being shown to the prospective buyers by my Aussies. I shall no doubt find how that went.

Hairdresser today, I hope I don't fall asleep 😴 😂🤣
I must make a decision about the car too and
DBiL is coming for tea.

As I have said before, you don't need tto bold anything for me.
As the weeks go by, I can see less and less and now only short posts are readable and even for them I have to copy, move to Word, paste and puzzle out.
Only stubbornnes keeps me persevering

So how about we all mke NN feel more comfortable and lose our boldness?

Yes, I can use a screen reader but tthey read very quickly and if I make notes to help me remember, it has to be in a very thick marker which you can't use for cursive. There isn't an easy way round any of ths.

I'm quickly losing my ability to see anything on websites anyway; I can still see the text portion of FB Mesenger to talk to my son but all the rest (including those sites I use to pay bills) are becoming blurs.
If my son was not overseas, I'd turn it all over to him and transfer $$ into his account - but asyou know, he has his own issues and is currently on a residential course so incommunicado .

I can still see a semblance of the bank website, beig familiar with it over the yeas but those who seek to "improve" things by changing format, are lost to me.

I have a special 'KeysUsee" keboards but that will soon be "KeysUdon't see" but I hope to have a few more months before giving everything up completely.

This recent illness did more damage than I realised and severely reduced my sight, seemingly overnight

But having gone through what I sometimes felt were going to be my last days, I DO feel a little progress and I apologise to Floradix as, at the end of the bottle, I was eating a bit better - whick had its knock-on effect.

I declined the Sallies lunch today. Last time it was a huge plate of pasta -not gluten free, so after picking a few bits of veg out, it went back intact. Not risking that wastage again.

I've written all this without being able to see what I've produced, so I do apologise to you, dear friends, if I made a pigs ear of it.

On the positive side, I can still knit a little and fingers crossed my ears don't go the same way as my eyes, so I can listen to audio books. Curently "Wives and Daughters" by Mrs Gaskell. 25 hours of gossip and life stories from 1840-1866.

Not unlike Jane Austen in style.

No more bold eh?

Kaimoana no matter what life throws at you, you retain your sense of humour. 🤣
My hairdresser also said lots of people fall asleep when they’re having their hair done but I never have before. We are always busy chatting about this and that. I’ve never done that before and was so embarrassed. He was nice about it though.
Oh Grammaretto what a shame about your car, with everything else you’ve got going on that’s the last thing you need.
I wonder how tonight has gone with your buyer. Hope there is a positive outcome.
Please let us know what you went to see and where you sat with your secret ticket.
Well done Naughtyneine. Not easy to get the hang of it is it?
Ixion Cherry Notspaghetti Hope you’re all ok. Enjoying some sunshine I hope. *

🥂 Yes, excellent!
The asterisk needs to be right up next to the text.

Unfortunately you have to do it for each new paragraph!

🙄

oh that last one looks different so maybe it's worked

this

* and i

Naughtyneine

* is this working in bold*

NN - you've got a space between and i(s)*.
That's why it didn't work.

Ah Doodle. You must be so relaxed to fall asleep at your hairdressers.
I shared a flat above a hairdressers once. It was a terraced house but to access our kitchen and bathroom we had to go through the back room which was filled with seats with hooded dryers.
We weren't supposed to but it was so tempting on a cold evening to sit under a drier and read or write letters! * sorry Rita *

*My little car has badly failed its
MOT yesterday* Now I have to think about doing without a car, paying huge sums for welding etc, or buying another

Too many decisions, as usual 🙄

Tonight the prospective buyer is bringing his "backers" to view my house. I'll be out so they can be brutally honest with just the nice Aussies

I had already arranged to go to the theatre tonight with a secret ticket
I won't know where I'll be sitting until I get there!

I was confused about the surgery 😳
So it's Naughtyneine who's getting that and getting married? 🤔 Not at the same time I hope?

I think it's time to get started on a rather busy day!

* is this working in bold*

One of my best friends had her own hairdressing salon and told me the soothing treatment and warmth from the hairdryer used to make most people (of any age) drowsy and even fall asleep.
She said it was a compliment to her that they were able to relax and she encouraged them, knowing that most of the time they needed that nap.
There was alway a cup of tea or coffee waiting to perk them up when they worke.

I would guess most hairdressers could say the same.

I've just seen the sidebar here on GN. "How to get glowing skin"

I suspect the only way I'd achieve that is by setting myself on fire.

Kaimoana that little dish is lovely. So pretty. I hope Gubbins gets it I’m sure she’ll love it.
Grammaretto it’s not me having surgery it’s Naughtyneine. I copied her post and made it bold in the hope that Kaimoana could read it. That’s why my names at the top. Sorry to confuse you.
What a beautiful place you went to for lunch. Such lovely surroundings and sunshine too. Looks beautiful.
Glad the Aussies are looking after you well.
Notspaghetti your garden looks lovely. What great pictures. Is it a big garden? Do you have any help.?
I went to the hairdresser today and fell asleep. I was so embarrassed I’ve never done that before. He had to wake me up😱