Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Hi All

I've just called by to let you know I am still in the land of the living but rather hectic. I have a lovely lady decorator painting the dining room (now done) and the living room (empty and waiting). DS and family came on Saturday to work through much of my list of jobs needing doing by people who don't get dizzy when looking upwards, can kneel, and still have strength in their hands and wrists. DD2 and family came on Sunday to finish the list - including moving furniture out of living room.

They all also helped me empty the rotting shed and sort the contents (the skip pile is quite huge). It has to be done now as the walnut tree growing next to it, and which I am quite stupidly fond of, has a small dead branch over next door's green house. This has pushed the tree up my long list of things to be done, over-lapping the decorating. Namely, get the tree taken down. It is a poorly tree. The tree surgeon who came on Saturday said it could be pruned and may live but as the good bits are over next door's garden (and green house) it would be silly. Sadly the tree must go.

The house is a grubby mess and the garden is out of control, so I took myself and Kira for a long walk this morning and enjoyed the autumn sun (we found shaggy ink-caps too). Now, I shall garden!

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re news.. my grandson (now 10) had his first football game against another club. He was SO excited as he scored 2 goals and was given a dear little trophy "cup" to hold till the next match.

He's a competitive swimmer which takes up a lot of time (far too much i think) and has lots of awards for that but has been wanting to start football for ages

My mother-in-law's trees are heavy with fruit.
We have been picking as they ripen mainly - but now she's getting twitchy that the wind will blow the apples off.

For the first time since she was a child she has apples and pears in the garden (and plums but they are over now). She moved into the house just before covid and the fruit trees (already there) have given her so much joy

My family have always had fruit trees so it seems strange to get to 96 without growing them - especially as she used to have a massive soft fruit cage for berries!

Kaimoana2 - I confess I have been sitting at the back as my youngest son passed out at work last week and I've been worried about him as he has a genetic condition and a pacemaker nearly due for renewal

I promise I wasn't passing notes to Cherry- and if I was, I wouldn't admit to it (as she ate them anyway)

Pay attention, it's time for Roll Call.

Doodle present but can I remind you about our dress code? Thank you.

Cherry present - have you been fighting in the playground again?

ixion present but please remember to hand in your essay on King of the Lapiths before Thursday.

Grammaretto present - I'm not sure that attending Quaker meeting exempts you from PE, so singlet and navy knickers at the read by Friday please.

NotSpaghetti if you think that by sitting at the back I won't see you passing notes to Cherry you're wrong. See me after class.

NfkDumpling, Jan16, Mamissimo absent without official leave it seems and no notes from doctors as far as I can see.

Yes Doodle we are all concerned. Perhaps you'd like to knit them Get Well Cards in case they are under the weather?

No Cherry & ixion I don't think it would cheer them up to stand for hours at a soccer match, even with Pringles, but kind of you to suggest fresh air. Gold stars for you two.

I think we'll just have to wait but if anyone sees them, please remind them if they are not back next week, it may jeopardise their place on the coach for our day trip to Grimsby (fish paste sandwiches and pop provided).

I hope you sleep better tonight Cherry
I shall send you juice via Jeeves.
I hope your hospital appointment goes well.

I'm glad you enjoyed the harvest service and lunch Doodle

I cooked soup for after the Quaker meeting. It was sweet potato and coconut and was very popular

My car is going to the menders tomorrow. It's a new garage since my nice man retired! how dare he
I hope the noise can be fixed as I sound like a boyracer.
🏎 🏁

Shame that you'll be losing such a good lodger Grammaretto but with you considering selling up it's understandable and as you say probably for the best.
Those bottles of apple juice look nice, if I ask nicely (please) and send Jeeves to collect may I have a bottle?
I hope your early night did the trick 🤞.

I'm not laughing Doodle, I've got a couple of long sleeved thermal tops, well they were described as tops and they aren't traditional white , they're great in the winter
The harvest festival at your church sounds lovely, I'm pleased you had a good day.

I like the sound of your lunch apart from the sunflower seeds, I don't get on with them, Kaimoana. I might make a note of it for future reference.

I hardly slept last night and have got an early start for a hospital appointment in the morning so night night all.

Oops my finger slipped and I seem to have posted my half finished text.
Have you been on any trips yet?
Grammaretto hope you’ve had a good weekend. The Apple juice looks good. Is it a communal I seem to remember?

Thank you all. As you can tell, my knowledge of football is limited. Well done our team for winning.
You may laugh about the thermal vests but I have been and purchased to sleeveless ones and two with long sleeves today. Plus thermal tights and 4 pairs of long socks. I’m getting ready for winter 🥶. Now it’s just me I don’t want to have the heating on so much so thought I would invest in some exotic underwear (well at least I didn’t buy the ones with little holes in and lace round the top). Mine look like ordinary tops so hope it works out.
Been to church for harvest festival today. We all had lunch together after and the food was delicious. No need to cook tonight.
*Tomorrow I’m having my flu and covid jabs. Hope they don’t put me out of action. One in each arm I suppose.
* Hope the new car is going well Cherry*
*Have

Doodle I loved your commentary too! Thank you!*

Doodle I don't know when I've laughed so much! Masterful commentary and the idea of you wearing a black lace whatsit over your thermals was the coup de gras. Perfect.

Is it warmer here yet?
Some days yes, some no.
I get up at first light, 6am-ish and it's certaily cold then. Unfortunately no one make thermals my size, so 6 layers it is.


Cherry so sorry you have a poorly eye - I know how that feels. Hope it recovers soon.

Despite the cold wind and rain, I had a lovely lunch: lettuce, spring onion, black beans, feta, sunflower seeds and boiled egg, all tossed together. Very yummy indeed. So you see, I am eating well

Grammaretto sorry you’ll be losing your lodger but if you are thinking of selling then it might be easier. You’ve certainly had a full house recently and they’re coming back again. Hope they’re helping with the cooking and cleaning.
Not surprised you’re tired with all you’ve been doing. Sleep well

So that's where you've all been!! 🤣😂⚽️
I should have guessed. Hot toddies all round.

I've gone to bed early. So tired. My temporary lodgers have left tonight . They'll be back tomorrow probably for another week or two.
My lodger has announced that she will definitely leave in the Spring. She was quite unsettled with all my talk of selling up and has found another flat.
She is a perfect lodger but it's probably for the best.

I made more apple juice today. the machine did

Just got to adjust the straps of my lacy low cut black leotard. It won’t sit straight over my thermal vest!
You should have kept your thermal vest on Doodle, really.
St.John's Ambulance were kept busy at half time with men who should know better getting fits of the vapours.

I'm sorry it had to end this way😟

Fantastic commentary Doodle 😂. I love it. Perfect depiction of the referee, so true 🤣. Brilliant that everyone's up on their feet cheering, we haven't had enough of that recently. Oh dear 😉, their fans have their heads in their hands. Great win today, we need you with us for more matches I think you're our lucky mascot 😊.
Great idea about the legwarmers 👍 not sure they'd be allowed bobble hats. What about some gloves next time, some players do wear them in the winter, our main striker often does.
Lovely cuppa after all that 🍷😉.

Doodle
🫣

Kaimoana 🤣
Hope you’re having a good weekend. Is it warmer there now?
Ixion be careful with my supplies please. It’s nearly half time so I’m going out to entertain the troops with my new routine. Just got to adjust the straps of my lacy low cut black leotard. It won’t sit straight over my thermal vest!

Ooh Cherry poor you. Hope your eye settles down soon. Of course I’ll do commentary for you. Just budge up and when I’ve had some Pringles I’ll tell you all about it.
Now there’s lots of men in shorts running around on a grass field. They’ve got a ball but it keeps going over the white line and some funny chap keeps blowing a whistle.
I think perhaps he works for the railway and usually sends the trains off. Don’t know what he’s doing here.
Now there’s a chap at the bottom end who’s standing in front of the net thingy. He keeps running up and down. Probably to keep himself warm. Ooh I say, that’s unkind. Someone has just kicked a ball at him and it seems to have struck him in the middle. He’s very cross and now he’s kicked the ball far away so the others are having to run after it to catch it
I’m just popping out to the car to get my knitting. Those boys shouldn’t be running around in this weather in those skimpy shorts and t shirts, they’ll catch cold. I’m going to knit them some leg warmers. And bobble hats.
Ooh. Someone’s kicked the ball thing into the net thingy and everyone’s up on their feet cheering. Well not everyone, some people are clutching their heads and groaning. Noise has given them a headache I suppose. Shall I pop the kettle on and we can have a cuppa.

Nòooooo!
Poor Cherry, or should it be Susan?
I maybe a bit late - having a few issues unhitching Doodle's food supplies - and the footstool.
Xx

🤣 ixion, we don't have a tow bar but we do have a roof rack? Will it carry the load for Doodle's requests do you think 😉? I'll give it a go 😄.

At least the witness didn't point his finger Kaimoana 🤣 and by the way I love your hearing aid 😂.

That teddy fleece top does sound 👍 nice and cosy Doodle, I've got a similar top for the winter but it doesn't have a zip.
I think you're amongst the many in regard to curtains, not many people change them seasonally anymore. We don't always but I do find they help to keep the heat in better where we live as the wind can whip around our house because we live on a corner.

I hope I can follow the action of the match shortly as I'll be watching out of one 👁️. I fell in the shower yesterday dratted seizures so one's a bit swollen, #fedupagain. Perhaps you and ixion can give me a running commentary Doodle 😬😆.

Hilarious ixion

The police officer showed the witness into the viewing room, where a one-way window allowed him to see the line-up of men, one of whom may prove to be the thief the witness thought he’d seen fleeing from the store.
‘Take your time sir,’ advised the officer.
The witness looked carefully at the line of men and then again but apart from one who seemed to be wearing some sort of green loin cloth and had a scar below his ribcage, all looked alike.
Finally, the witness shook his head, ‘Sorry officer,’ he said, ‘I wouldn’t know him from Adam.’

Cherry - does your new car have a tow bar?

Have you seen the size of Doodle's food requirements for the match tomorrow?
😱

Kaimoana 🤣🤣. You look very fetching in your nightcap.
Ive just bought myself a lovely teddy fleece nighttime top. It has a zip at the front that does up to the neck and is so warm and cosy. In fact I’ve had to open the door as I’m too hot now 🤣. It will be really good this winter
Ixion glad you’ve checked up on *Grammaretto’s hospital.
Grammaretto is very precious to us so we need to make sure she’s well taken care of
Yes Pringles are fine thank you. I wouldn’t mind some cheese and pickles too. A nice wine, perhaps a pork pie or sausage roll. ….. maybe some chocolate for later in case I need more energy for the cheering. Oh and plump up the cushions for me please and don’t forget the footstool. 🤣

Cherry hope the new car is going well and you are pleased with it.
🤣 Cherry! Yes I’m waiting for another year for my hearing aids. My normal hearing is ok but slightly more difficult in noisy places. I don’t tend to go anywhere noisy much these days so thought I would wait a bit and see how I get on.
Ooh winter curtains. Do they help? I have the same ones all year round. They are unlined and I rarely close them. Our lounge windows are over 12’ wide and anything too heavy would need a very strong rail.

Aha, NotS, your kind of trip too! The biggest challenge is trying to fit an ambitious time table into a limited visit, hence no art galleries currently being thrown in.

Yes, Cherry, it is one of the tallest of Wren's churches.
www.stmargaretpattens.org/the-building

Enjoy Newcastle, Grammaretto, hope you meet up with DGD. Is she studying there or is it 'home'? Such good news about your impending surgery, I'm really pleased for you. I thought initially that you had been offered NHS space in a private hospital, the name intrigued me. On reading it up, it seems very innovative- and modern, which is good news, with research, hotel and all sorts of facilities. You'll have to excuse me, I'm a bit nerdy about hospitals and set ups, they played a big part in my professional life, all shapes and sizes!

My DM had her cataracts done in the local private hospital which was acting as an 'overflow' to make inroads into the NHS waiting lists. She thought it was marvellous, lots of carpets, glossy mags and, pièce de résistance, chef coming to her bedside to take her luncheon choices. I wasn't in long enough to drink my cup of tea and eat my biccie.

What a wonderful way to chat and craft across the miles, NotS. I would never have thought of that, super.

Any news of the family, Kaimoana? Is the new job still ^the best?^

I must away to check Cherry hasn't made last minute changes to our match routine tomorrow. Are you still OK with the Pringles, Doodle?

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Cherry

Doodle whenever there's sporting event, cars sprout window flags and you can have them custome made

Me and my hearing aid.