Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 4

Franbern no words just tears.

Difficult day for me today.....18years ago the policeman arrived to tell me that my youngest - 25 yr old son - had been found dead. Usually, my daughter in London would be visiting his memorial bench in Westminster to put on some roses, and then come round to me to ensure I am okay.
I know all my lovely children will contact me today, and I will get through it okay.

When I sorted through this box of knitting yarn last night, discovered this lovely lady had also put in a choc bar and bar of soap - so very kind. I have asked her for her address, so that I can send her something, do hope she will let me.
It is amazing how we can adapt to the new reality. At the beginning of the lock down, I found myself very weepy at the thought of it and in mourning for all my arrangements.
Now, less than two weeks later I have adapted and am finding I am very busy (not sure with what), and have completely put aside all those unhappy feelings.
I do try to get out for a short time most days it is dry, no- where near anyone else. Do still do a Sainsbury shop every so often, but have now found I am somehow filling each daytime. Mind you, I strictly limit how much news I watch or listen to.
Started the first comfort doll last night. Not the knitting that will take the time, but the sewing up etc..
Waiting today for skype from my two daughters and their children on the south coast. The youngest of my g.children is one of these, and will be 8 yrs old later in the month (on the birthday of her mum and her aunt). Did manage to find a small newsagent open yesterday where I was able to get birthday cards. Pressie will be sent, compliments of amazon.
I had plans to be on the South Coast visiting them on Easter Sunday - and would have given each of the three children a nice crisp fiver for this Spring festival. But I have sent that money on line to their parents asking that they give it to them from me.
Assuming we all survive this virus, plenty of time in the future to see them all in person.
On the question of beds, the two that I had in my loft room for visiting g.children were those that had two allen keys fix/take apart all sections. I always placed these into a plastic bag, clearly marked, and then that was tied to the undeside of the bed base.
My small pharmacy is open, I am finding no problems whatsoever in obtaining my usual repeat prescriptions, I order them on-line from GP surgery, and then collect them a couple of days later from this pharmacy. Nobody is now allowed inside this little shop, We wait at the entrance and they bring these meds. to us there. Collected about five this week in one go and told them how thankful I was that they were still working.
Every day in so many ways, not just now, but at all times I give thanks for out NHS system. So sad, that it has been continuing under-funded for so very long. Perhaps some lessons may now have been learnt and proper funding re-established in the future.

Morning all, great to read all your news. My dog woke me up at stupid o clock again, I feel really grumpy.

Have a good day whatever you are doing

Thanks for your concerns. It isn't too bad and I slept fine but l will try to get someone to go to the pharmacy. I don't believe they do deliveries. I tried phoning but no-one answered.

Anyway enough of my miseries. There are more important things to think about like breakfast and wishing my 10yr old DGD a happy birthday.
DS told us that the dad of his dear friend had died of the covid19 yesterday while his wife is on a ventilator. Too dreadful to imagine but a reason to be isolating.

Well done Shandy even attempting to dismantle the bed. DD lost (mislaid) the bits in the move so they are sleeping on a mattress on the floor)

shandy, it might be one of those metal to metal things, you just need to turn a screw a little bit for it to come apart, maybe a 1/4 turn. Or it could be needing an allen key, there are bound to be allen keys in one of the tool boxes. The opening for an allen key is circular shaped but has straight edges. If not then I would saw each side of the connections.

We are having a family online quiz at 10,30 this morning, I am a bit nervous about getting the connection done. Its a birthday and son has baked a cake for his sister and will cut it virtually

My dd dentist is extremely anxious, she has to do her weeks rota in 2 weeks and cannot get a PPE suit anywhere. The gov were supposed to have delivered them but there is no sign. There is a lot of aerosol spray in a dentist surgery, air under pressure, water jets and so on and the viruses can live 5 days on surfaces. They were promised them. Anxious dentists are messaging each other and the pressure is building up.

Have a nice weekend, a day at a time everyone

Grammaretto hope you managed a good night's sleep with your poor mouth. Glad your granddaughter is settling in their new home.

Had to have a repeat prescription filled this week my daughter said she would pick it up for me as they will be busy. The pharmacy I use always delivers. Thought it would help them out. When I rang on Thursday to say she would pick it up said ok. Later on the afternoon it was delivered by one of the usual guys. He told me that they are continuing doing all deliveries as usual to stop long queues at the pharmacy especially as it's on a main road. They didn't want what was happening at a revival business . The queue was the full length of the road and only letting one person in a time. I was the 70th delivery so far that day.
When I moved there was a wide choice of doctors practices to choice from pleased to say I picked the right on. Simple reason it was on the main road and the bus stopped opposite. Surgery on one corner the independent pharmacy on the other. Funny how things work out.

My friend sent me a link to Joe Wicks workout for seniors. I will be sticking to my sit fit instructors routine. She always insists we slowly stretch our necks first as they are the easiest muscles to hurt.

Waffling on as usual. Housework today.

Shandy57 be careful taking that bed apart don't hit yourself with the hammer.

Have a good day everyone.

Shandy could you google how to undo your bed? You might have to listen to a great deal of waffle but get an answer. You might need to keep rephrasing your question too now I think about it!

Franbern that was so kind of someone on gransnet to send you the knitting yarns.

I hope you get your prescription tomorrow Grammaretto. I will need to pick up my pills next week so will dash in and out of the pharmacy at our health centre.

It's going to be sunny tomorrow so I think I will make an effort to take the dog out early to avoid other walkers later on.

I'm glad the Queen will speak at the weekend, it might help the mounting tension. I read Eugenie's father in law is quite ill in hospital.

So sorry you have to suffer another night with it Grammaretto, I thought someone was going to drop it off for you today. Fingers crossed someone gets it for you early in the morning, my husband had several abcesses before he had his teeth removed, very nasty.

So glad to hear a five minute drive is now allowed, pushing my dog the whole way to the beach and back was too much.

You are making me envious with your talk of going for walks. I realise that is what I am missing . I am self isolating/shielding because of DH's condition but I was sorely tempted to go out today to collect the prescription.
It didn't come but I think I'll survive the night and can ask someone tomorrow if they could pick it up. The queues are not quite as long now, I'm told.

I missed your post craftyone, good you got your car booked in. I wouldn't want to go too long over for my MOT, my car is now 9 years old and I always seem to have brake pad/handbrake problems. It's a worry that there could be cars on the road with bad brakes for six months.

Evening all, how nice you got more wool Franbern. I looked at the comfort doll link and there wasn't a photo, but I loved the tiny dolls underneath, magical.

Home made tomato sauce Whiff, marvellous, I'd never think of making that in a million years

I got a nice surprise today, a huge bottle of Daisy perfume from my best friend in London.

I did my shopping and Sainsbury's now have a one way system, I was told to be as quick as I could and not to double back. He said if I'd missed something, I could go round again, but to consider that people were waiting outside in the cold for their turn. I was really irritated by a woman I know from the beach, she was in front of me but kept coming back towards me and got far too close. I didn't say anything, I just backed off and waited. She seemed very distracted.

I've just come on because I'm cross with myself, I could not work out how to ger the sides of the bed off. I unscrewed all the slats and 'folded' them up, but couldn't figure out the screw/nut connection in an indented circle on the sides - of the sides! Tried every spanner in my kit and none fit. Will go back up and try again tomorrow. Will give it half an hour and if I can't do it will just use the club hammer No time to mess about, I have a huge amount to do.

Cemeteries closed in our county today with huge uproar - they have reconsidered and will be reopening them. I am glad as I go to the cemetery a lot - plus it's my secret hiding place for my car. I listened to question time last night and Matt Hancock said it is OK to drive short distances.

I rang my aunt this afternoon - her next door neighbour did her shopping in the end. I'm not sure my aunt did ask her other friend, she does seem to be relying very heavily on this neighbour who also has her elderly parents to look after.

I've just had a piece of shop bought angel cake for the first time in twenty years - not that nice really, is it.

See you tomorrow x

That was a lovely surprise Franbern. There are a lot of lovely people in the world.

After my walk decided against reading and cross stitch. 2 months ago I brought the ingredients to make tomato ketchup. So made that instead. Wanted to have a go for years. I don't like Tom k. The brought stuff is to sweet and gloopy . So devised my own recipe. Hopefully the children will like it. I'll taste it tomorrow.

What a lovely surprise Franbern

Sue it is very early days yet, remember just having a baby the natural way takes a year to recover, the heart is a musclee and has been cut and muscle takes a long time to heal and rgain strength

So I have booked my car in for service and mot the end of july, I had to ring the central garage as everyone has disappeared for now but I feel better having done it. There will be a huge backlog, my garage is always busy. It is a main dealership. I have my fingers crossed that we will all be released by then.

Whiff, we are settling in well. While the house is not what I would want to be my permanent home it is comfortable and has been renovated very well.

Hubby is doing OK but not as big an improvement as we expected. The problem is he only has about 30% heart function and the bypass was not going improve that. What it has done, we hope is to eliminate or at least reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Each State here has it’s own government introducing rules but most are similar and I think similar to yours. We are required to stay at home unless we are out for medical reasons, exercising, essential food shopping or work if still working. We had our flu shots on Wednesday as per our doctor’s strong suggestion. Went to the clinic and rang them to say we were there. The doctor rang us when she was ready, asked why we were there and then told us to go in a side door and straight into the consulting room. The Government is saying we will be in this situation at the very least until the end of June and possibly until September. This was not in our plans - or anyone else’s - for the year. We have money we want to spend!!! Hubby did get in just before the lockdown and bought a new car which now sits in the garage looking very smart.

Craftyone there were 11 cruise ships sitting of the coast of Australia wanting to off load passengers. Over 2000 on one in Sydney were allowed to disembark and disperse without any testing. No wonder there is much angst over them.

I think we will be stir crazy by the end of June.

That's lovely Franbern!
I am miserable today as I woke up with an gum abscess and a swollen face. I have phoned the Dentist who has prescribed penicillin to be delivered by our local chemist.
When she heard, my friend says she will leave a packet on my doorstep. I could have a roaring drugs trade going!

I have offered spare seeds to our community gardeners so I have making up seed parcels. I am also leaving potted up herbs (which I overwintered in the green house)

Before you know, the day will be gone and I will have achieved very little. I may begin a new knitting project. A baby sweater for our pregnant ex tenant.
I'm glad your DD is happy where she is Shandy.

I asked DGD if she liked the new house. She said "I love it" so they are settling in.

I so hope all this lock down will be a distant dream nightmare soon.

Postman rang this morning. We have phones in our flats that answer and then open main front door in foyer. Told him just to put parcel on floor inside that door and I would collect it later. Could not think of what it could be as I had not got anything coming.
When I finally got dressed and ready to go down, someone had kindly brought this box up and left it outside my own front door. Opened it - and there was a large number of knitting yarns sent to me by a member of GNet, who saw my post saying I was having to ration how much knitting I was doing due to shortage. It was like Christmas, so exciting looking at all of these, and will keep me happily busy for a long time to come. So very grateful to this lady

Went for a walk this morning for 1.5 hours very cold but feel better for going out. Talked to a few neighbours at a distance. It was lovely in the park lots of birds and couple of squirrels. All the trees coming to life and lots of blooms. Recharged my batteries. Having a day of reading and cross stitching.

Shandy57 be careful carrying heavy items.

Have a good day .

I also had e mail cancellations for the local theatre, I had two functions booked, I did tick the box to say I would not want a refund. It is only a small theatre and many of the workers there are volunteers, they are struggling

My car battery is on charge!! The small charger is working a treat and is even telling me battery status. Yes I had to look up how to open the bonnet and prop it open, last did that a year ago. The battery was 80% full and that was after a 40 mile round trip a few days ago. I will need to trickle charge every month, around the 3rd

What else have I done? oh yes sorted my trousers and put a couple of pairs out plus a thick acrylic (waste of money) jumper that went shabby all too quickly. I meant it when I said a bit of this and a bit of that. At least I have made my bed and the kitchen is tidy

Lunch is sorted and a whole fridge drawer ready for my riverford delivery. I very much want to do some knitting and reading later and less time on the internet, browsing makes me very sleepy

Shandy, interesting about the furlough and the theatre. Good your daughter has that bit of security.
Not sure what is happening at theatres at present. My daughter and I had tickets for The King and I in Bristol one matinee performance last month. As it was booked under my daughters name (me paying), it was she who got the emails saying the theatres was closed. Then they asked if she would be willing NOT to ask for return of money, and they were hoping to run the cancelled programme when they re-opened. We have agreed, no idea when this will ever take place, but do understand how they must be struggling.
Equally, I have tickets for a performance at Stratford on Avon at the end of July. Supposed to be part of a coach outing with U3A. When I received these, I rang the organiser, to ask what was happening and was told that no cancellation has been made at present by the theatre.
Now, it would be great if this did go ahead - but I do wonder.

Franbern, our posts crossed - my daughter didn't move back on Mother's Day as I'd supposed, as she'd heard the theatre would furlough her. She's having a nice time with her flat mates, they're all employed and working from home

Morning all, lovely and sunny today.

I hope your sister finds they have enough PPE when she returns to work craftyone, I still cannot understand the continued shortage, it's appalling. I've just seen an American nurse bewailing the fact people are trying to help by making masks etc for them, she said would a soldier be sent to war with a plastic gun.

I'm going to drive my dog to the beach today and leave my car in the cemetery car park, Matt Hardy said short journeys are OK.

The cupboard is bare so I have to go shopping later. I will have a list and get out as quickly as possible with the news constantly saying 'the weeks to come'.

When I get back I'll be dismantling the double bed and carrying it downstairs ready to dispose of.

Have a good day everyone.

I use few tablecloths, but I did keep a beautifully crocheted in a silky cotton round one that my mother made before she lost her sight. Has never, ever been used. It does fit my new round dining table, so, sometime in future, will get a plain coloured cloth to go under it and then place this on top - NOT when we are eating on that table though.
As time went on, before I moved, I was just about putting everything that I was not using daily into that days charity shop box,etc. So, got rid of all duvets except one single and my own one. Also, carefully folded into sets the duvet covers and pillow cases, labelled and gave away.
So, when I purchased my new sofa bed after I moved, discovered I had to purchase new double duvet and bedding set for it!!!!!!
Shandy, do be careful moving that heavy stuff. surely your daughter can help you.
I stood on my balcony last night, with an old saucepan and a wooden spoon, making as much noise as I could. Do hope that our debt to all these people will be remembered when this current crisis is past. I still have that video of Government members clapping - yes, clapping - when the proposed salary increases for NHS staff was defeated!!!
My SiL, who, on hospital advice, has been in total own room isolation for the past two weeks, has to leave that sanctuary to go to doctors this morning for a blood test. If he does not have these regularly, then some of his important medication cannot be prescribed. Seems daft really, GP has said they will make every effort to get him in before any other patients, do this and get him out again. He is quite nervous at leaving his room and house.

my sister in WA sees bits from uk news and was concerned about us having over 500 deaths yesterday. They are 3 weeks behind us and many still have that gung ho attitude of mixing together etc She still has a week of holiday and then will be back to nursing. She says that they are all very anti the cruise ships.

Sue yes I do remember giving away to a charity shop, the hand made tablecloths. Its hard but commonsense has to come first and yes very true, guilt and sentiment do become a mixed bundle