🦞🦂 Lobstars 🌟 still shining bright 🦞🦂

Thank you NFK I confess I am exhausted.

We have won the battle for the car though.. as they have just agreed to allow us to just get the repair done up to £2000.
I will have to take it elsewhere for a quotes now though!

Well done NotSpag! A bit of a backhanded triumph, but a triumph nontheless!

Thank you for the hugs and kind thoughts.
I truly felt I needed them today.
❤️

...and there's a warm cwtch from me NotSpaghetti.

I hope the cast coming off has given your hand a big of relief Doodle and 🤞 they sort it out for you on Wednesday x

There's so much more I want to say but typing on ,y phone is a bit of a 'mare. From what I've read I think most of the lobStars need a hug so 🤗 to you all.*

Thank you all for such interesting and enjoyable posts. Ionky wish I could reply to all but I amreading. My left shoulder is playing up having been asked to shoulder (!) the burden of everything I am trying to do. Hence I can’t write much.
My hand and arm are nowalovelypurple and lack but not so painful.
Good news about the car Notspaghetti
Y
Take care all and much love

Sorry about the spelling 😱

Good to hear you have less pain Doodle nothing more debilitating than not being able to use a hand properly. Rest and TLC is what you need, so I'm glad to know your family are so good to you.

I had a delivery of an orchid for Mothers Day from my beloved son in London. A happy thing of course but it made me cry, I miss him dreadfully.

I tried to add a photo but GN wouldn't let me Is this fall-out from when someone on Mumsnet disgraced themselves and GN suspended photos??

Hello Lobstar Ladies. Wow I'm tired this evening and have just promised myself an early night.

So sorry to hear about your poor MIL, NotSpag. Dreadful things do happen when frail or unwell people are caught out and maybe just don't take enough care at a given moment. We can all do it. Most live in fear of falling or accidents in the home, but the last couple of days' events on here and amongst a small and capable group of people just show how careful we all need to be. And not tired, and not stressed or worried, and watching our feet. Things have a habit of happening when we're simply not prepared - ain't that the truth.

And the work that you were involved in when all you wanted to do was enjoy your Son's arrival and company. Such a shame. Still, because you care you won't have resented being so able to help and I bet your DH's Mum will be so appreciative. May she recover quickly and be free of hospital treatment very soon.

Totally bizarre experience on your 'foreign beach', NFK. That'll teach you to put your pretty dog into the car and sneak away from Shed Stuff!! I always think that if we can't opt for some fresh air, sunshine and fun on a lovely day, then when can we? I'm sure too much importance is placed on getting all the dull jobs done. It'll all get done eventually, won't it. Of course, you should know that this is my best advice so others don't miss out on a good time. Very rarely do I follow my own advice, although I can see the sense in it!

Cahors and the countryside was truly wonderful, but slightly marred by a bad experience when our dog was attacked by no fewer than 3 dogs, trailing leads and who charged hysterically out of nowhere (and all mad as a box of frogs). Ludo was bitten and terrified but thankfully no wound to show on his back, and my poor DH was powerless to do anything. He was concerned that if he let our dog free, he would run away and into the traffic. The lunatic woman in the very far distance who was shouting to no avail was careful to stay away, and when her dogs returned, she was last seen being towed across the park as out of control as the animals she was with! They were huge: two very big Alsatians and a Cane Corso.

We were both very shaken by the experience and it was one of the few times that I wished I had a gun......or a taser. All illegal of course, so I've made up my mind that I will now carry a pepper spray, just in case.

I am so thrilled that you have finally got some justice for your car 'incident', NotSpag. Let's not call it an accident - he tried to prevent you from being compensated...and failed, and I'm sure you found it hard going but well done for not giving up and for getting a good result.

Some small but super things have happened here today. My scan was 100% ok and I trotted home with the images and the report which was duplicated to my Gastroenterologist. When I see him next, I shall no longer be a'feared !🤣

My Husband's Podologue is arranging for him to have some bespoke insoles for his shoes which all the images and tests today show that he needs. He has promised to be well behaved and use them all of the time. This will hopefully put an end to intermittent foot pain which has been driving him bonkers.

All was well chez Swallows when we returned home this afternoon. One Swallow was in a nest re-arranging her bedding, her mate was sitting on the edge feeding her delicious garden insects, and in the adjoining apartment another Swallow (of more artistic bent?) was daubing the edge of the nest with mud and generally being creative. Quite a calm domestic scene, for a change.

Step away from the keyboard now, Doodle, you do need to rest and recuperate. An uncomplicated recovery is the least that we all wish for you!

Good night to you all. May tomorrow's news be free of any worrying events. Sleep well. x

NfkDumpling

I've just had an interesting experience. It being a beautiful morning, I decided to blow everything and take Kira for a short walk on the beach. It's only ten miles or so away. It was sunny and lovely. I even risked a freezing paddle before climbing back up the cliff to the car. And my phone pinged. EE was welcoming me back to the UK - and there was a previous text which I'd missed welcoming me to EE Maritime and call rates of £3.35 per minute! It seemed the beach was abroad! Safely back home I rang EE and thankfully it appeared my phone had picked up the wi-fi from a ship two miles out to sea and I hadn't had my memory wiped after being abducted by aliens or entered a time-slip travel zone. A rather more boring explanation but at least I hadn't been cloned!

I have wonderful memories of holidays in and around Cahors, Grandmafrench. I'd love to go back but fear it will have changed and new days of heat and buzzing bees and flowers won't be the same as then when we were so much younger.

And I'd like to send an empathic hug to you NotSpaghetti for an awful time. You must be so exhausted, not to mention the shock and trial of having that dentistry. You are truly a woman of courage. I do hope your DMiL is recovering well. It often seems as hard for the loved ones looking on as it is for the loved one in the bed (or trolley in a corridor).

What a to-do for you Doodles! A ballooning poorly hand must have been really scary as well as painful. I do hope the operation isn't necessary and it can be set without. Virtual hugs heading your way too.

Good to see you Jan . I'm so pleased you're up to posting again after all your trials. And did I glimpse Cherry on my rushed way through all the posts?

How's your DGGS today Crossstitch? I hope he continues to recover.

AND .... one shed is Cuprinoled on three sides (the fourth has too much stuff leaning against it), and the big work shed has been done at the front (the rest has too many climbers over it. Of course, if I'd started when I should have done they wouldn't be in leaf!)

Thank you for asking about my DGGS, it was kind of you.
The consultant has today said she can at last see an improvement and he seems to be responding to the antibiotics. They still have no idea what caused the temperature spikes.
We are all keeping our fingers crossed that it is the start of a proper recovery. He is so precious and so very cute.

Good news about the little one.
Thinking of you.

That's better news crosstitchfan. Let's hope he recovers quickly now.

So funny Nfk, your picking up a ship's signal!

Happy mothers day for you Kaimoana,

Sorry you are struggling Doodle.
It will be so frustrating for you, and sore.

Jeeves is on his way. 👋

NotSpaghetti

Good news about the little one.
Thinking of you.

Thank you NotSpaghetti and Grammaretto. Your good wishes help at this time. We are cautiously optimistic. 🤞

Gosh, Grandmafrench, your poor doggy! Why people have dogs which they must know they can't handle is a mystery to me. I hope Ludo is ok after such a shock and it hasn't made him nervous of all other dogs. Kira is always very careful to keep me between herself and any loose dogs we meet. I think she must have had a bad experience at some time.
It's good to hear that your scan is clear and now you can relax. Good news indeed!

Happy Mother's day Kaimoana. Not any easy day, but it's lovely that you DS, so far away, still remembered to send the Orchid. He must miss you terribly too.

Oh my goodness...I step out of class for a wee while and all hell breaks loose...Poor Doodle breaks her arm...NFK is nearly beamed up by aliens...and Grandma french's little dog has been traumatised by a French pack of out of control chiens. ( See what I did there, bilingual moi).

Happy Mother's Day Kaimoana... You are obviously a very much loved Mum and the miles mean nothing to your son or dims his love for you...as it should be.

Notspag....a grotty few days for you...I hope your MIL is improving...if slowly now. Prayers will be said. ♥️ I hope the car repairs are done soon too.

Doodle I do feel for you...I chipped a bone in my elbow navy years ago and the panic that set in when I realised I couldn't move my arm to put my eye make up on...( The vanity stool continues...last year they wanted to admit me to give me intravenous antibiotics after DDog 2 accidently bit me...I told them it was no way possible and when pushed for an answer as to why I told them I didn't have my make up bag with me!!!!!!!!). I got round the problem of the elbow by holding the eye pencil in my right ( injured side) hand and moved my eye along the pencil. Simples. I hope they are able to reconstruct your arm without surgery or a too tight cast.

Hello to Jan and Cherry....

I'm off to Mass now armed with quiches for the bring and share afterwards. I spent all morning at a Governance training course , my first since being appointed Governor at the local primary school. My head has just about stopped spinning and my brain is still scrambled, thankfully nobody tested me on anything....especially the 4 pages of acronyms

Love to you all.

Evening all. Had a nice day assisted by friends who gave me a lift to church.
Naughtyneine I’m afraid my right arm is so swollen it won’t bend enough for me to put en
Yeliner on. At the moment I’m not bothered. Without my dear man Theresa lot of things I’m not bothered about anymore.
Hope you’re doing ok when is the wedding sorry I’ve forgotten
Kaimoana what a lovely Mother’s Day surprise. I hope your young man is doing well.
Granmarettoany news of the house sale
Crossstitch fan good news of your little grandson
grandmafrench oh poor Ludo. That’s awful
Sorry all as you can see I’m not much good with my left hand sorry for not writing more. Love to all

Lots of interesting things going on amongst the Gang at the moment - how lovely to receive the gift from your DS, Kaimoana, showing you are still very much in his mind despite the distance.

Devastating news for NS's family and her mother in law, but her recovery will be much aided by the excellent physical (and mental) status she demonstrated.
Don't let this spirit be broken!

And poor Ludo, so unfair. I guess this will take a time to restore his trust and confidence when out.

Doodle, here's hoping that your # review will be positive next week and not involve surgery. NN will have plenty of tips, should you need them, I'm sure!

I have decided to take a teensy Sabbatical from Gransnet, but will be looking in on you all frequently. I'm finding certain areas of Gransnet more combative and snippy than in the past and I want to take a step back before I, too, start suffering from either an empathy- or a SOH- bypass ...

I hope you understand.

If not before, I will be back for my bridesmaid's dress fitting, NN.
Never fear.

Ixion I hope you don't disappear for long. We will miss you.

What colour have you decided on for your outfit to the wedding of the year? I cannot make up my mind ☺️

Housewise Doodle I still have no idea though I have been brutally chucking out everything in expectation of moving. I just imagine having to unpack the lot at the other end and it never fails

Naughty if you want to show the educational establishment you are up with the play, you might tell them that acronyms (especially 4 pages of them) are only those you can say as a word, such as NASA or scuba.

Otherwise they are Initialisations.

Of course they may accuse you of being as pedantic as me but then I was a teacher for decades

Doodle has someone given you anything so you can (sort-of) hang your arm up in a high arm sling when you're resting (for example)?
I know this sounds ridiculous.

...I can't even find a photo.
Too tired to think.
I hope it's getting better anyway
💪

My mother-in-law is a bit better today, thank you...
She is doing OK, all things considered but needs a lot of help - a speech therapist will see her next week too as they don't come on a Sunday and neither does the physio!
Why I do not know.
She is having to have liquids bulked out to drink anything much but her swallowing is a bit better too.
Thank you all.
🙏

She is still herself.
She is making tiny jokes. 😍

Bless her, it must be hard.

What a wonder she is! NotSpag.

I hope you are getting some help Doodle.
Perhaps you are going to be with one of your DS today?

Did you enjoy Mother's day Kaimoana? I hope you saw Gubbins or at least spoke to her.

I have booked a boat trip for Fifi's last day, Wednesday. I can't promise we'll see puffins but we could.

Today will be a big clearout of the pottery. I can't say I am looking forward to it at all.

Cherry and Kaimoana2* (and everyone) thank you fir hugs, prayers and support.

And Kaimoana I'd not commented on your orchid... the nice thing about the orchid is that it will live for ages - plenty of opportunities then for more happy thoughts (and weeping)!
💖

My mother-in-law is resigned to being in hospital for now and aware she will need help in due course.
If you concentrate you can chat to her.
She is still herself.
She said "Whoever needs to be 101?" - I said "Well you were enjoying life before..".
"Yes, true she said - it's not so good today".

She reminded me there was a half bottle of Grenache in the fridge which was going to go off!

Good news about your scan - and at least your furry friend, Ludo, isn't hurt, Grandmafrench.
What a lovely quiet domestic scene with the swallows.

Naughtyneine how generous of you to help the school this way. I think it's difficult for schools to get enough support.

You are determined to be glamorous it seems with your eye-pencil technique! I'm sure I'd look like a panda!

Ixion, I too have landed on snippy threads. I don't always agree with people but hope someone would pint it out if I :sounded" snippy.
It makes no sense to be horrible to people we don't know.
I hope a little break rejuvenate you and that the snippy threads are quickly buried in time.

I hope today is a happy day for everyone.
X

Ixion don’t stray too far. You can be safe here with us. Hope you and MrI are ok.
Kaimoana I’m hoping you get to see the lovely Gubbins again soon
Grammaretto you sound as though you’re having a goo clear out. If you’re anything like me you will find yourself looking for the things you’ve got rid of and wondering where they are.
Cherry still thinking of you dear friend
Notspagetti glad your MIL is feeling better. No apart from avery heavy cast I haven’t been given anything.
NN my make up skills are sadly lacking. Fortunately as it’s sunny I resolve to wear dark glasses thus removing the need for eye makeup.
Thinking of you all xx

I had a quiet Mothers Day, knitting and occasionally looking at my beautiful orchid.

No visitors, that's not what DiL does unless specifically asked by DS2, so no expectations dashed and I was (as usual) happy enough in my solitude.

Aw Kaimoana a lovely, quiet day for you.

I had a call from my NZ clan, as they have adopted your customs, wishing me a happy mother's day. Then I realised it had been DDiL s birthday and I completely forgot. I have never forgotten her before and feel dreadful.
DS said her own family hadn't sent her anything either!
I only hope he makes it up to her with lots of treats.

Hope the Lobstars have a better week. I really do.