The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

Doodle I'm not shober and it's not my fault! I came to check in and Jeeves had opened several bottles of fizz and polished the helter skelter. It was my duty to help him out by drinking as much as I could.

I can't find the others so I'm presuming they're all blotto in their beds.

I can hear myself talking to myself so I'll bid you all a peaceful Goodnight

Hello mamissimo. I was getting lonely. Glad you’ve found me.
I hope you don’t have a hangover in the morning. ?
Hope the other gangsters find their way.
Sleep well all ?

I just thought I'd check GN before bed and you're all moved in and comfortable already! Off to bed now with a mug of cocoa and a choccie biscuit - Jeeves obviously likes the new place and is out to impress!

Night, night.

I found my way Doodle, I followed the crumbs ?

I gave up on that series by the way Doodle and tonight watched the series "Harlots" instead ?. It was exceedingly shocking ?. I couldn't believe my eyes so I'll have to keep watching the series to check to see if my eyes were deceiving me.

I hope you'll be alright in the morning Mamissimo, fizz is notorious for hangovers ?.

Sleep well everyone ?

nfk and cherry nice to see you too. Oh I might need to look out for Harlots cherry. Just to make sure it’s suitable for you to watch you understand. ?

Ooh, am I the first here? I'm christening the thread with a glass of bubbly, thanks Jeeves.

Long may oor lum reek and as my friend in Gisborne says as she raises her glass, 'Up yer kilt!' !

Doodle and Grammaretto - your poor men, it's such a shame. They say men are poor patients but yours sound stoic and brave....like our other GNers here, battling on against dreadful odds.

No, Doodle there's nothing can be done about my eyes and I'm not always in pain by any means. I'm actually very lucky indeed that experimental treatments, as it was 12 years ago, was available free to me, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see at all.

I have what the opthalmologist calls "some functioning sight" similar to this picture.

Megs your other half sounds to be getting his intrepid self back! Good luck with the haircut

CherryCezzy I wish I knew why I suddenly had these strange fuzzy, disconnected days which are a mixture of the physical and emotional but I don't. Long ago I tried to explain it to my very sympathetic doctor but she couldn't grasp what I meant.

Dil emailed me to ask if I'd have my DGS overnight at the end of the month, as she'd like to suprise my son with a posh night away. It's a good idea, though they actually need more than one night as they work so very hard.
Once the baby comes, there'll be no romantic getaways for a while.

I wish everyone a happy day, even if the health isn't up to much.

Carry on London!
Anyone remember that from In Town Tonight?
As a child, I used to shout "STOP!" along with the BBC voice

I followed the crumbs too...
Have you left me any fizz?
I switched over when I saw Harlots coming on
Night night gang. Sleep well

Haha, when I began writing, I was the first but it took me so long and with so many interruptions, I ended up well down the list.

Mamissimo you are so funny, bless your heart.

Harlots!!?
Ah, I see it's based on The Covent Garden Ladies, a true story by historian Hallie Rubenhold.
I may see if our library has an audio book version.
I was once invited into this profession years ago.

Nice to see us all reunited and Jeeves really looking after us.

Are we gangsters or harlots now? Perhaps both.

I'm not doing well today. Definitely didnt sign up to be a Carer. Does anyone?
I told DH to imagine it was me who was sick and what would he do?
Anyhow we are off to the docs in an hour.
It is a horrid dilemma in these covid times. No-one wants to go to hospital do they.
On a sunnier note: our DS2 has been offered the job he applied for and is now deciding whether or not he wants it! That's quite a nice dilemma.


Hoping today goes well for you all. Xxx and virtual hugs.

Hi, I'm back from my 'Northern branch'. (Living where I do, there is lot of North!) DH and I have been cuddled and cosseted. Now readjusting to just the two of us again in a tidy, toy free house.

I'm glad you're all carrying on. Will pop back in again later.

Shouldn't have drunk all the fizz last night....I'm off to hospital for my pre op assessment....if the sample I've provided shows that I don't live a chaste life of abstinence will they swallow the fact that it's virtual indulgence....or will that make me appear slightly more unhinged.....and the damp has made my hair frizzy....

I am defo not a carer! Too much illness has made me totally "no body likes whinger and if you want to be treated nicely put your smile on and twinkle!" I have total admiration for all who care for me other people. I like a bit of stoical......and I married the man who takes to his bed as soon he sneezes. He takes with him books, assorted drinks, his iPad, the cat....and a bell! I. Often surprised he's alive still.

I've checked the weight of my clothes so that we can have an accurate discussion of my BMI, cut my finger nails to shave off a few grams......been to the loo....I'll be back ?

Lots of lovely gangsters posting. Hope Jeeves is looking after everyone.
bradfordlass glad you’re not in pain with your eyes all the time but if that picture represents your field of vision it must be very frustrating and debilitating. However, it is good you got the treatment you did because some sight is certainly much better than none.
That will be nice to have your DGS overnight and lovely for your son and DIL to have a night out. Do you have certain games you play with him when he comes?
? you can’t just say you were once invited into this profession and stop there. I’m agog. How did this come about ?
grammaretto glad you are getting DH to the doctor. Some men will never agree to going willingly. Hope he gets something that helps.
Good news of you son being offered a job. Glad to know there are jobs out there.
Hello lady from the north. missedout glad you had a good time with the family. It’s funny isn’t it how quiet the house feels without the children in it. Start looking forward to next time now.
mamissimo, oh dear, I do hope the virtual bubbly doesn’t affect your pre op assessment ?. .
I love your description of your DHs collection of goodies when he takes to his bed. I bet the cat enjoys a ‘sick’ day too.
Ah the dreaded bell. At least living in a flat I don’t have stairs to climb.
Hope the assessment goes well and you pass.
marydoll, panache, dragonfly we miss you. Hope you are ok.
I’m off to sort out my Waitrose delivery. They are not supplying my chocolate ?. Back later.

I've finally got an appointment for my follow up scan etc at the breast clinic ☺️. It's for the day after the bank holiday, I just have to wait for the letter to come through.
I was beginning to think I'd be left until next year at this rate ?.

I'm quite concerned that you don't know why you keep having these bouts BradfordLass. You have spoken to a different GP more recently haven't you? I really think you should. It may be that there is no explicable reason or it may not. It could be a blood sugar or blood pressure issue (or not). Don't let it ride, speak to your GP.
It appears that you have the opposite problem to what my mother had. She had central (tunnel) vision but not peripheral. More difficult for you I think ?. I'm pleased that some of your eyesight has been preserved though.
It would be lovely for your son and DiL to be able to have more than one night away, I agree, but perhaps they think (and could be right) it would be unfair to ask you to look after your DGS for more than one night considering the amount of chaos work a child can create.
I've never heard of the programme you mention. It may not have been shown in Wales? In Wales we used to have three channels (after bbc3 was got rid of in the 1970s) in Wales, bbc1 Wales, bbc2 Wales and Itv Wales ?.

Grammaretto, you may be a gangster and a harlot, I don't know - do you frequent the Argy or is that only Doodle ? ?.
Sorry that your DH is still unwell, I hope the GP manages to give him something he can keep down and he improves quickly. No you are right we don't sign up to be carers though I believe there's a clause in the marriage vows about sickness and health ? ?. I'm exempt from that though as I never married my WP ?.
It's a case of care and care alike though.
Brilliant news that your DS2 has been offered the job he applied for, even if he is equivocating. The jobs market is hard at the moment so if it's something he'll enjoy ... ah the joys of dilemmas ?

It sounds like you had a wonderful time with the northern branch of your family Missedout. I'm ? of the cuddles but pleased for you ?. I know my time will come ?.

I hope everything goes well at your pre-op Mamissimo ?. Gosh, what due diligence you gave to making sure that the hospital gets your BMI correct ?. Very helpful of you.
No wonder you are not a carer - your DH sounds like a prima donna when he's unwell ? ?. I'd be taking the ringer out of the bell! ?

Doodle thank you for this first rate establishment, I love the new jacuzzi that Jeeves seems to have used his own initiative to have installed ?.
What have you been up to today?

I'm off to check whether the washing has dried now before I try to catch up with the snooker - if I haven't missed it all.

I hope that we'll hear from Marydoll, Panache and dragonfly in this new establishment and ? everyone of you are alright.

Hi cherry glad you’ve got your breast scan organised. Doesn’t do to let these things slip.
I’ve had a busy morning cleaning and tidying. Then a Waitrose delivery so the usual job of washing the shopping!
Sat out in the garden for a natter with my neighbour this afternoon. It was lovely. We sat in the shade but it was warm and peaceful.
Came in and had a cocktail on the balcony (how posh are we ?) then dinner. I had chicken madras (from Waitrose) it was delicious. I really enjoyed it.
Having trouble staying awake at the moment (nothing to do with the booze of course ?)
Hope everyone is ok.

Ha Cherry I'm not impressively prepared at all! It's all about being forwarned. As the NHS starts up surgery gain some people are being told that they are too overweight to have surgery because if they caught Covid ......curtains!! A dear friend of ours has been told to cut her BMI from 40 to 36 by the end of September. Unfortunately they didn't tell her how to achieve this or offer support and she's picked an extreme diet that she'll never keep up! She's from Yorkshire up North and won't be helped.

I worked out my BMI in a panic as I wanted to maintain my smile....and it's fine. All was tickety boo and we're on for the 24th. I have to stay one night and they've given me a room with en-suite in their private wing because I was shielded. They didn't think it would be appropriate to let Jeevesmy DH accompany me or visit....he has to eject me from the car and drive off.

It's 28 in my kitchen tonight and there's not a breath of wind....can't say I'm looking forward to tomorrow! It will be a case of getting the day done before 11 and then an afternoon of slicing beans in the shade.

I do hope everyone sleeps like a baby

This is the third time I have started this post. My iPad is playing up tonight. Probable the heat. It is really hot isn’t it mamissimo.
Sounds as though your pre op went well. I bet you can’t wait for the operation to be over and done with now. Your private room and en suite sounds nice.
Tomorrow promises to be a scorcher. It’s hot enough for me tonight. I am spitting here with the patio door wide open and hoping in vain for a breeze.
Hope all the missing gangsters are ok. Sleep well all.?

Please excuse me, I am sitting not spitting .... ?

I don't want to put a damper on the high spirits in here but I will anyway
DH is in hospital awaiting an operation about midnight. I have come home to try to get some rest.
I have every faith, as he has, that the surgeons will do their best. It is scary though. DD and DS came in with us but only I was allowed into his room.
On the plus side the roads through Edinburgh were very quiet because the festival has been cancelled.
If you don't hear from me it doesn't mean anything awful has happened.
I am so glad your op is going ahead Mamissimo
xxx

Oh Grammaretto I'm so sorry to hear that your DH has ended up in hospital and has to have an operation. I thought he was ill with something the GP could sort out. It must be really scary, for him and for you. Your virtual gang members will be thinking of you both. Yes, the surgeons will do their very utmost and I have faith they will sort him out.
Sending you ((hugs)).

Mamissimo I hope you don't think I was making light of your pre-op and the operation you are facing. I know that in my pre-op last year stats were taken for my BMI but it was explained to be that it was required to give me the precise dose of anesthesia, nothing more - certainly not to rule the surgery in or out. Clearly covid has added a concern that they want to be vigilant about. I don't know why that didn't occur to me but it didn't.
I'm so glad that you are "good to go" and that rightly you will be put in an en suite bed.

Doodle technology is wonderful when it works and a huge frustration when it doesn't. It annoys me no end when it plays up ?.

Unlike some of the gang it barely reached warm here today, it was blanket cloud and drizzly. The washing was almost but not quite dry when we had to retrieve it from the line. I've noticed that the forecasting for where I live is decidedly hit and a lot of miss.
Nevermind, I love the sun but it doesn't reciprocate so it was okay for me ☺️. Tomorrow will probably be weather I love ?

Goodnight everyone, please sleep well ?

grammaretto I was just going to bed when I had a last flick through GN and saw your post. So sorry to hear your DH is in hospital and due an operation tonight. That must be quite a shock. Whatever it is must be quite urgent for them to tackle it so quickly. Good job you went to the GP with him this morning. I’m sure the surgeons will do a good job and hope your DH is back home with you soon safe and well. Try and get some sleep if you can. Take care, we are thinking of you both.
cherry it is so hot here it is quite uncomfortable. I will try and send a little sun your way tomorrow. Hope you have a good night tonight and a restful sleep.
Take care all.

Maybe I'm wasting my time saying this but the BMI is inaccurate and the idea people should lose weight before operations is not only old-fashioned and cruel but belies the highly professional standards of today's medical training.
If a very fat patient had a motor accident, would they be denied treatment? Of course not.

My surgeons went to a lot of trouble to explain all this to me, not knowing I'd spent 10 years researching and writing two books about obesity.

We have a strict Code of Patient Rights in NZ, which prevents such blackmail. I played a very tiny part in its inception, having fought size discrimination for many years.
www.hdc.org.nz/your-rights/the-code-and-your-rights
Good health care should not be based on size, just need.
End of rant.

However, I'm jolly glad those waiting for operations and Grammaretto's DH having his, will get good care.

Cherry I had a full check-up only last week and all my numbers (BP, BS and cholesterol) are good, the doc was delighted with me. Please don't worry. I'm going to try one more thing to beat this and will let you know if it works.

Doodle Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin....

My invitation to become a harlot began with the Dam Busters (shock)
My son had a wonderful cassette tape of one of the DMs talking to him about his experiences in 617 Squadron and needed more info about the operation.
I order a book and man there said he'd deliver it when it arrived.

We lived in a rural area then and from politeness, because it was a longish trek out and also because he'd brought as freebies, several more books on the Dam Busters, I asked if he'd like a coffee.
He accepted and noticed books about massage on my table. I'd just finished a course on How to.

He said he could send people out to me if I liked, it'd be a nice little earner as people charged pretty high prices for a good massage and still do.

I was so naive (and poor) so agreed enthusiastically but I had no massage table and said I'd let him know when I acquired one.

Even when he said, as a parting shot, 'You could always use the bed in the interim,' the penny didn't drop.
I said, 'I'd be too low, I'd get back ache.'
In that profession, as you know, you must look after your back.

When my son, then 17, came home, I gave him the books and cheerily told him about the man who would send clients my way. "He said it would be mostly business men so I could charge quite a good price."

My son, dear soul, didn't laugh or patronise his poor out-of-touch mother, just explained that this was almost certainly nothing to do with massage as I knew it and I should be very careful.

Later, when the bookshop man rang for a progress report, I told him I was taking women exclusively.
He was very cross, 'You missed a chance to make BIG money, ' he snapped and hung up on me.

So there we have it - an opportunity to swan bout all day in a satin peignoir and fluffy mules, quaffing chsmpagne and taking 'big money' from businessmen who wanted rural massages.

Remind me to tell you one day how I was headlined by name in a leading newspaper (and syndicated around the world) as having had "1,000 men" (time frame not stipulated )
I still have that newsaper featuring my physog.

Ah, my life has not been dull.

Just popping in to say DH survived the operation and is trying to eat breakfast with all the tubes and pipes it's hard but such good news. He had a stent put in his remaining kidney.
I shall go in to see him later. I phoned the ward in the night and was told he was "back in his cell" truly, I'm sure she said cell.

Bradfordlass you have me in stitches. I can't believe you didn't twig
I would be interested to read your books about obesity.

I was so taken with your stories of the heat Doodle & co that I put on Summer clothes today. It's supposed to be 21 degrees but does not feel warm.
It's DGD birthday today. She says she's as tall as her mum.

Glad to hear you have an appointment too Cherry
I hope it goes ahead.
Aberdeen is in Lockdown and I think they'll extend to the shire. This wretched virus is still around.
I will see you all later.

Firstly, I must say how pleased I am to hear that MrG’s operation was successful. I expect he is feeling more comfortable now. It must have been a worrying time for you all. Happy birthday to your DGD. Mine are both taller than me now too.
bradfordlass that’s such a good story. I bet that chap couldn’t believe his luck thinking he was onto a good thing.
Good job your son was able to (gently) put you right.
Now you’ve left us with another intrigue. 1000 men ?.
You’ve got to tell ?
Far from being dull, I think you have led a most interesting life. I love your stories.
Going to be very hot here today (sorry grammaretto) so will do some sewing and mask making rather than housework.
Oh. I’ve just remembered I have to cook a beef joint In the slow cooker and roast some chicken in the oven. My kitchen will not be cool today ?

Grammaretto I do hope your DH is more comfortable now and that you can take your nurse's cap off. I'm sending you a virtual bag of beans and spinach to cheer you up ?

Bradfordlass I couldn't agree more about the BMI nonsense. It reminds me of the Bradford Score which employers use to manage absence from work. Your score is higher if you have one day absences or if they are adjacent to a weekend. My hospital treatment was always on a Monday because it was the only day they offered it and it took a whole day.....this gave me the highest score at work and they 'had' to give me an occupational health interview to 'manage' my absence because it was official policy handed down by the Dept for Education. I got a bit antsy.

My poor friend needs her shoulder fixed - she now can't move her arm at all without a lot of pain so it's impacting on her life enormously. Even walking seems to hurt. I believe everyone should be treated by need but I do wonder whether she is high risk for an anaesthetic.

There's no need to cook Doodle. Put your beef on the balcony and it will be done by bed time. When I was growing up our local paper used to picture the editor cracking an egg on the pavement outside the paper's offices. I don't recall it ever cooking though.

Jeeves has brought me an iced coffee.....splendid chap!