🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

www.stuff.co.nz/

DS in Wellington is glad he nailed the roof well as they are experiencing the worst storms in over 10 years.
12 metre waves in the bay.
Power lines are coming down and the weather station behind their own hill has blown away! 😳

I know! They are truly stunning - and new taller ones are now rising up above them.

Unfortunately our squirrel (we think squirrel) has had the head off another one and nipped a chunk from a tall stem.

I forgot to say those tulips are truly gorgeous NotSpag. No wonder the Dutch became obsessed by them.

Grmmaretto the woods look beautiful. Where are you going walking tomorrow? Is it with a new group?
Is that a second Gaelic class or something else you’ve signed up for.?
A Chinese helper. That could be interesting. Hope she proves useful.
Notspaghetti I’m sorry your car troubles haven’t been sorted yet. Good luck tomorrow and hope all goes well with the anaesthetist. Sorry your hip is so painful. I hope they give you a date for the operation soon. Your DH’s tulips sound lovely. They make such a pretty display.
ixion only you could be trying to sell snow gear on the hottest day so far 🤣. A new settee sounds exciting. Also very big. I bet it’s not as big as the one our son bought. It could easily seat 8 people but works well with 3 adults, two very large dogs and a cat.
I’ve had a better day today. I’ve been quite miserable recently. I’ve gone back to the one day at a time mode. I find thoughts of the future frightening. Been such a beautiful day, art class tomorrow followed by lunch out.
Cherry hope you’re around somewhere and if you’re reading, we miss you. Lots of love xx
Kaimoana hope today has been a better one for you too. Xx

As usual it's warmer outside than in my big cold house. I have at last turned the heating off!

Very impressed that you're managing to let things go and that big settees go on Freecycle! Ixion

I have had a Chinese helper before and also from Taiwan and HongKong. Now the weekend is going to be busier than ever. My sister is coming to stay on Saturday for a few days. They are squeezing in a visit between all their activities. I was going to them for New Year but had to cancel when the hip replacement was offered.

How is your hip NotSpag and today's appointment? I hope you have a decent sleep tonight.

Sorry about the car saga too. These things are sent to try us as my DM would say. Her Catholic upbringing never entirely left her despite her becoming agnostic at age 11.

She did this because the priest told her that unless she converted to Christianity her best friend who was Hindi (I think) would not be going to heaven with her.

This afternoon I took a big pile of flowerpots, the glazed kind that gifts come in, to Oxfam. It was most satisfying.

This morning I cheekily took my sewing to the knitting group so that I'd get help to adapt my pattern which I had mistakenly bought in a size too small. Fancy that! 🤣
It was too hot to knit anyway and I had the best help.

Enough decluttering for today.
In fact, it was enough after Mr.I had informed me that he had brought down stuff from the eaves of the garage for me.

It is the hottest day of the year in a mini heatwave.
He has produced for me to Freecycle 2 sledges and a two-man toboggan.

Ah, NS, I am the complete antidote to Someone Else's inertia.
😉

Thank you ixion
... you are doing so well with your stuff.
I'm really impressed how you are keeping going.
I do a few things and am pleased with myself and then relapse into inertia.

He said he would note the date and ensure he was on holiday.


I hope it's him!
🤞

Good luck today with your Anaesthetist visit, NS.
Thinking of you.

Have you had helpers from China before, Grammaretto? Interesting!

More garage decluttering and collections🤞 of yesterday's list of Freecycled offers, all of which were readily seized upon wait til they see them in the flesh.

Items today include two deckchair-type sun loungers, a sad nod to the fact that even if Mr.I and I could get down into them, we certainly wouldn't be able to get back up😢.

Yay, our final (large) settee is finally arriving on Sunday🥳.
I need to tell the chaps that the old one most certainly came out OK so there should be no problem in bringing theirs in.

I mentioned to the guys who brought the previous 2 seaters in that there would be a 'biggie' to follow.

He said he would note the date and ensure he was on holiday.

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I have been absent for many days I'm afraid. I think thst talking about this week has been a bit overwhelming to be honest - but first must say I'm pleased your heart is holding up Kaimoana, that things may be happening (albeit very slowly) re the housing Grammaretto and that the exercise and artwork continues, Doodle.

I think I lost the plot somewhere - did you sort out the filing cabinet Ixion? And the trellis issue NFK?
Has anyone heard how Cherry is doing?
And I've been thinking about Naughtyneine and hoping she is reading but not writing.
Sometimes it's easier to talk about (say) language use, places to visit or TV chefs than ourselves. Sending a hug.

So here I go-
The car is still not resolved inspite of lots of to-ing and fro-ing with the repair garage, the insurance company and the breakers. I hope it's sorted in the next few days, whatever happens, as the insurance is due in about 5 days!

Today I woke at 2, 4, 6 and 8 as I have a hospital appointment with the anesthetist to see if they can operate on my hip. I'm stupidly anxious whenever I have to go to hospital for any reason - and I know they will discuss my blood pressure which is the last straw.
🙁
Anyway my hip is really sore now and I'm extremely wobbly when I walk.
I have to suck it up this time.

I'm going to finish on something joyful - the way my husband's choice of tulips have changed colour and each day seem to be bolder and brighter...
I will try to think on this today.

🌞
They went from a greeny creamy white through blush to a blousy pink.
They are quite spectacular.

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I love wisteria Doodle but have never been successful at growing it. I had a healthy looking plant for years which didn't flower 😒

My exercise class sounds very like yours.
I have booked to go on my first long walk tomorrow so decided to have some practice yesterday. It was nice walking through the woods but then I took a wrong turn and got lost. I found myself in a maze of a housing estate. How hopeless am I? I have lived in this town for 45 years and had to ask the school lollipop man for directions.

Last night I was back at Gaelic and seem to have signed up for a second class. 😳

My next Helper is arriving tomorrow. All the way from China! I must find suitable jobs for her. I hope her cooking is good.

I am glad you have a home for your peacock Kaimoana but the best news is from your cardiologist- hooray!!

Grammaretto yes still doing my art. The people there are lovely which helps. I’ve done my sit fit today. About half is seated but it’s quite a work out by the end.
Sending Jeeves with an assortment of goodies.
Kaimoana that’s really good news. So pleased for you. Good idea for the sparkly peacock.
Ixion i went for coffee with a friend this morning and we sat under the most amazing wisteria trellis (I don’t mean trellis but I can’t think of the right word. Like a pagoda only different)
It was lovely in the sunshine and so beautiful.
Your sons go carts thing sounds something well loved. Hope it’s gone to a good home.

(Some) Good news on the health front, Kaimoana and a good home planned for Gaudy the Peacock!

You remain busy, Grammaretto, I don't know how you fit it all in. Your friend sounds a positive whirlwind of activity. I trust the architect's conversation has helped you with some potential future planning.

The glorious weather continues- I hope Doodle has been able to get out and enjoy it.

I expect NfkD is busy painting her outbuildings now. Plenty of 'Forest Green' preservative here, if you fancy a run out! Personally, I blame my restricted shoulder movement for inactivity.
I do miss the pong of creosote, I have to say.

Finally took the brave step of putting on Freecycle DCs' battered go-kart and toddler sit-on wheelie thing, both having served them admirably some 30 - 40 years ago.😱.

Youngest DS was sad, but understanding, to see his Smiley Car go. Judging by the state of its wheel arches, he has certainly come a long way in his steering accuracy, thank goodness.

Amazing what you can get away with these days, if you call stuff 'vintage'. 😂

I have plans for the peacock, ixion, one of my homecare ladies loves sparkly stuff and has rooms of them. So come Christmas (or birthday in November) it will flutter off to a new home.

Quick note: cardiologist is pleased with the resultss of the battery of tests I took for him (cholesterol, BP, ECG, Echo, BS etc).
Not seeing him again until October.

All good.

Hello Lobstars,
The Monday exercise class is only 45 minutes and reminds me of drill.
A young man, a physio, stands on the stage and demonstrates to a hall filled with older people who start off sitting and then go through a simple routine. Although easy enough you warm up and get quite tired.

My df came for a cuppa and to help
me to plan the stages of my move.
She even made me call the architect
who was able to explain the
procedures and why it takes so long, if I do get to build.

After lunch I did some pottery and was then so tired, I had a nap. Tonight I was out at a history lecture about coalmining in Scotland. It was good. I hadn't realised that until well into the 19th century many miners were serfs and he showed us the neck collars some had to wear. Girls and boys as young as 10 went down the mines.

I showed my friend the new memorial to the witches. Not all of them were burned, some were pardoned but all were accused and tried. What were their crimes? Usually for putting a curse on someone who then got sick or their
horse did.

Enjoy your class tomorrow Doodle. Are you still doing your art?

I have another funeral to attend on Friday. It's a cousin of DH.

What's Jeeves got on his trolly tonight?

Grammaretto did you go to your exercise class. Mine is tomorrow. Most of it is done sitting down.
Did your friend come and help with the house. Must be a busy time for you. Any more house viewings?

Nfk i can see you and Felicity and Keira having lovely fun together. Felicity sounds just what you need.
My car beeps and shows flashing lights on the screen if I get on close to something but she’s a very pretty car. So nice to drive and small and comfortable.
Kaimoana I ma thrilled to hear you and another visit from Gubbins and mum. How wonderful. Long May it continue.
Grammaretto how do you feel about moving? Would you rather have a build in your garden? What about when the house is sold will you be able to keep part of the garden if you want to, to build a house on?
What a strange day. How were the witches killed do you know? I always thought it was a horrific practice. Hope the rest of your day has been more pleasant.

Kaimoana2 what joy!
And what a fabulous surprise too.
Maybe there's some turning of a corner going on ... 🤞

Happy days Kaimoana! nothing better than a visit from your wee darling. 😀

You have such fun in your camperbubble, Nfk. You make me 😃
You are heading for a heatwave you lucky people in the South. Here it should be pleasantly warm.

I can't get excited about the bungalow. I need to sell my house first. A very good friend of mine is off today to look at a house for sale the far side of Scotland. I shall miss her and her DH if she moves.
All I can do is tell her I'll visit.

I had an unusual day. The Saturday coffee morning, followed by a ceremony to remember the witches who were burned here in the churchyard in the 1600s. Their 11 names were read out slowly. There has been a sculpture made of 11 entwined flowers and afterwards pipers played a lament.

This afternoon there was the Gaelic café where our precentor led us in a Gaelic chant.

Sleep well everyone, especially Doodle who can do with a peaceful night.

How marvellous, Kaimoana!
Let's hope it's the first of many🤞.
Perhaps flying visits are the way forward for your DIL.
Baby steps.

So Gubbins didn't go away with a peacock trinket?😉

As 'Felicity' means happiness, joyfulness, she is well named.

Sybil too lived up to hers

I hope you'll be able to spend those most difficult days with people who love you, Nfk.

Yesterday, my doorbell rang, wildly and continuously so I was prepared to be cross with a prankster when I opened it but it was Gubbins and Mummy again

A flying visit but long enough for Mum to have coffee and Gubbins to make a huge collage of butterfly buttons, googly eyes and pompoms !!
Lovely stuff.

(My car is very bossy. She screams beeps at me if I get too close to something or if I wander towards the middle line, or exceed the speed limit by a mile of too - and even tells me how well I'm driving!)