🦞 The Lockdown Gang still chatting 🦞

I was lucky that mine foot wasn't bad enough to require an orthotic - but my physiotherapist (also private) said I need to get the back of my calves working and pumping blood better again and the movement back into my foot. This has definitely helped with the swelling. It was quite "plonky" initially as the minor movements in my foot weren't being used . I didn't feel safe on uneven ground - still don'tbut am definitely improving... Bear in mind it's been 3 years since my stroke now.

I'm also still using a mat that's a sort of dense foam. I stand on the edge of it with my heels hanging off and try to balance (next to something to hold on to).
I can feel the "foot and calf workout" (and don't really enjoy it!!) but can tell when I need to do more of it
😕

Small wins.

So pleased you are getting someone to help who knows what they are doing. I was left with almost nothing help-wise as I'd made a "good recovery" but last spring the stolen foot drove me to distraction and so I felt I needed to sort something out

Good luck to you Jan. It's miserable putting work in to just get back to square one - but keep at it and I'm sure you will find improvement- and at least you feel you are doing something !

Hi NotSpaghetti
Thanks for your tip. Will try that later. My foot feels quite steady walking around the house but Im very wary about it going over and me ending up on the floor!
Ive got a neurophysio +oming to the house ar great cost! She works in our local hospital and was my community physio when I first left hospital. Shes very good and when she is here next week will ask her opinion. We are out to friends this afternoon but wont risk going without it as obviously I will have to walk outside. Do you still wear your Orthotic? No one has given me any advice on not wearing it. This is what I find annoying in that once you leave hospital you are on your own. I’ve spent loads of money trying to find help which is ok we are lucky we can afford it but goodness knows what happens to those who cant.
Enough of me. Stay safe in this horrible heat everyone and everyone enjoy the Bank Holiday

Jan16 - do you have any control over your awkward foot? I find my affected foot to be a disappointment in that it's still not great at helping me balance. Not dreadful - just still not great.
I have a massage ball that's firm and spikey and about 3½ or 4 inches in diameter. My neurological physiotherapist suggested I practice rolling it about (quite hard) if I can - keeping it under the ball of my foot.

I use it when I'm watching television (if I'm in the higher chair) and find this movement, and stretching and relaxing my calf muscle seems to help with my puffy foot.
I don't know if this might be possible - or if it would help.

Thinking of you

Jan I bet it’s hot wearing your foot contraption in this weather. Been so hot here today, I’ve got the balcony doors wide open and the tI Dow at the back. Fan on and I’m still hot.
Grammaretto lovely to have a surprise meal invitation. I love Italian food.
ixion I only have a small freezer so I have to limit my ice cream choice but I do love M***ums raspberries and chocolate one.
Kaimoana like the others I hope family can help sort something suitable out for you.

What a beautiful cat. Hopefully he/she has a home nearby. I am really fed up with this weather. I know Im a miserable old so and so but its really just impossible to do anything except sit and grumble both of which Im very good at! Theo is definitely not impressed and wanders from one shady spot to the next.
The real trouble with my foot is that after I had the stroke my stroked foot kept turning over onto its side so I was given an Orthotic which is basically a contraption of velcro that goes onto the whole of my lower leg to keep the ankle from turning. Its very difficult to put on simply because there is a fastening at the back which I cant reach so its yet another job for DH. I think its this that is making my foot swell. Ive been walking around the house without it today. Certainly wouldn’t go outside without it but so far its been ok although it feels slightly scary! Oh well as I said yet another problem!

He really doesn't look lean or hungry and wears a collar. He seems to come from the gardens of the flats on the east side. This is supported housing for special needs adults. It used to be a manse . I hardly ever see anyone outside apart from occasional carers having a fag.
The flats on the other side don't have any gardens, just a carpark. They aren't supposed to keep pets as the flats are rented.
I am not going to start feeding him.

I've been gardening. Trying to get all the veg in before I go away.

Even if someone wants to buy the house, it won't be quick.

I really hope you have a good transition to the new place Kaimoana.
Will there be any advantages to living in a more urban environment?
Not so many barking dogs?
Nearer shops?
Easier for carers to come?
Nearer to family?

He doesn't really have a lean and hungry look, Grammaretto, does he?
Perhaps he comes for a bit of peace and quiet.

Sorry the heat affects your foot so badly, Jan. Does elevating it help?

Ice creams are always good, aren't they? I put umpteem boxes of Ma**ums, of assorted flavours, on my Sainsbury's delivery list today, assuming that they would be at a premium in such hot weather. Unfortunately no, all were available.
Lots of boxes now in the freezer🙄

Like everyone else, Kaimoana, I can't get over how truly shabbily you have been treated. Are they moving you all together (I guess not) or scattering you about town? I am so very sorry.

I know you say your family are busy, but I do hope everyone can rally together to come up with help and a suitable game plan for the best ❤️.

Lovely Doodle ice cream will keep you cool.
The cat probably belongs to someone in the flats. There are flats on 2 sides, not near but the cats wander free.

I had a last minute invitation for an Italian meal tonight from the lady I drove to hospital a few weeks ago.
It was very good.

I had been doing more room clearance so had to shower and change.

I saw round the bungalow earlier with a friend. It would be good for someone but not for me. It was immaculate but the decor wasn't to my taste. I know these things can be changed but I think I would rather pay less for a do-er upper. The busy road is a drawback too as is living next to the school.

What have you decided to do about summer shoes Jan? Crocs? Berkies?

Kaimoana i don’t like the idea of you being uprooted to a city centre. Is there no alternative? Could your son or granddaughter help you find somewhere better. Do the Sallie’s have any other places more suitable for your needs? Dear lady you never complain but I’m stamping my feet on your behalf and shouting this isn’t fair. Do hope something better comes your way.
Grammaretto do you think it’s a feral cat. I like the sound of two good strong helpers. Hope you manage to find both a buyer and the right place for you.
Jan this hot weather doesn’t help does it. Could you buy some flip flops or some crocs or something so you can get round outside.?
I spent a pleasant afternoon at the hospice then on my friends balcony eating an ice cream.

Kaimoana That is so unfair. So much for kindness and thought from the Sallies. Surely they can understand the stress for all of you who are being forced to move. Hopefully your son can come to help. DH and I had thought of moving as both house and garden although not enormous are far to big for us now but we decided we just could face all the upheaval.
And you Grammaretto what a nightmare. Its so difficult to find the perfect bungalow as we have found. Near a school means more traffic, cars parked everywhere etc etc.
we are definitely enduring the heatwave certainly not enjoying it. Just went to put my trainers on to find one wouldn’t go onto the foot that has been affected by the stroke as my foot is massively swollen. No shoes fine in the house but outside??? Yet another problem but a minor one compared too Kaimoana and Grammaretto. Good luck to you both and everyone else with problems and worries

Oh Kaimoana - I'm amazed that they can move you out. What a mess! Are they finding the new home for you? Are they continuing with the same tenancy elsewhere?

I do hope so!

Oh gosh Kaimoana. Is there no alternative?

Hadn't there been a plan to live near your DGD at one time?
I guess plans change.

I asked the estate agent what will happen if my house doesn't sell. He suggested it comes off the market for the Summer months and try again in the late Autumn!

That puts paid to plans to buy another.
However, what's the use of worrying - it never was worthwhile 🎶 🎶 🎵

I will look round another bungalow today but I am minded not to be too keen. Main road, overlooked by neighbours, overlooks a very busy car repair garage....near a school.
Not things on my wish list. 😂

I was fighting my way through the undergrowth behind my house yesterday to reach a shed where I found the same cat who had previously flattened my seedlings, looking very comfortable in a cardboard box lined with shredded paper. It jumped out and ran past me but it must have got in somehow. A mystery.
There's a cat sized hole in the shed methinks.

Never mind. I'm expecting some strong helpers in June who will be more than able to deal with any problems around here, I hope.

Are most of you either enjoying or enduring a heatwave?

It hasn't reached us yet though I may take my cardigan off.

Did I tell I must move house as the Sallies are selling the se 14 properties? A challenge at any age but in ones 80s even more so.

So much for the "Tenancy for Life" we were promised.

They have said they will help with packing but the unpacking at the other end is up to me.

So in January I shall be moving from a quiet, semi-rural area (albeit on a main road, I dont hear the traffic as I as so far back) to right in the middle of a crowded city suburb, not a speck of greenery to be see.

But as always, with the many upheavals Ive had to cope wioth, 'what cant be cured, must be endured;
At least I have a home, so many do not.

NN it’s hard isn’t it when our beloved animals get older. It’s good you’re staying home to take care of her. Lucky dog to be so loved.
Oh Grammaretto that’s so annoying isn’t it. I don’t blame you for not wanting to type it again
Did your house go on the market today? I hope you get someone interested.
I went out with the walking group this morning though we only did a short walk as it was quite hot. Back to base for a long chat and coffee.

My long message vanished !

Sending big Lobstar 🤗 hugs

I've just cancelled the seated aerobics..the sun is out and I'll garden instead. We are not going away in Maevemouse this weekend. Ddog2s treatment is not working as well as it was , she is still happy and eating and we have given up on her but won't put her through any trips just at the moment. We know we heading towards a conversation with the vet but all the time she is not suffering we will continue to bury our heads in the sand. I'm looking forward to the long weekend. Nothing planned ....apart from a BBQ maybe on Sunday. What are your plans for the weekend?

Grammaretto that made me smile too.
You’re lucky if you have an NHs dentist. I haven’t had one for 30 years or more. Dental work is so expensive. Hope you weren’t in too much discomfort.

Yoga must be good for you. I do sit fit and can just about keep up.

Another Gaelic proverb in translation:
Three things come unbidden: age, love and rheumatism.

I am going to try to get to yoga today and hope the road has reopened.

I spent yesterday afternoon in the Dentist's chair having some 'planned' work done to replace a crown and a filling. Neither seemed to want to come out so I was clutching my sweaty hands together tightly as the D and her assistant battled inside my mouth. It took over an hour and there's more in a fortnight. Was it really necessary? I'm an NHS patient but it still costs hundreds of pounds.

I definitely need yoga.

How are you all doing?

Yes I love that saying ixion and it’s so true. Thank you for thinking of me.
Grammaretto i admire your determination with your Gaelic lessons. I find it hard to take things in there days in English let alone in another language.
I do hope you get some good prospective buyers and not time wasters. Years ago people just used to come round to have a look with no real intent. I hope the agents these days do there best to make sure there is real interest.

What a beautiful saying ixion
I hope Doodle is comforted.

We were learning some Gaelic proverbs from someone at class tonight.
One was: "I may be poor but I'm a MacLean"

I misheard and thought he said "I may be poor but I'm on a plane"

I think my version was just as obscure.

Gaelic class was hard. My head was about to explode trying to understand the grammar.

The house is about to be launched. I had to make a couple of changes to the "blurb"
It said there are banks but by next month the last one will be gone.

I can remember when our town had 3 banks and a building society.
There were lots of shops and even a department store.
Now, apart from our wonderful Storehouse, there are charity shops, barbers, nail bars, vape shops, takeaways, 2 pharmacies but very few real shops. I expect most people buy online.

When is the warm weather going to arrive?
It's only just dark here but it's still cold.

Keep cosy everyone.

Doodle -❤️
“We have such a long way to go," sighed the boy.
"Yes, but look how far we've come," said the horse”

(Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse)

Sending love x

Grammaretto i do Hope you have some success with your house sale. Sounds like you’re having a full body MOT before going to visit your friend. Hope you have a good time
Ixion I’m with Barney. Never could resist corned beef hash.
Thank you for thinking of me. I’ve spent a quiet day at the hospice shedding a few tears but also thinking of happy memories too,

Hello. I don't know why I'm awake either. I have been wondering for ten minutes or so

How strange it would be if your house did suddenly sell after all this time!

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Hello Lobstars!
I don't know what I am doing awake at this hour. A seagull has been screeching and I needed the loo.
I can't imagine how you manage with animals inside the house NN and Ixion. I despair at the animals outside namely deer who chomp on my flowers.

The home report arrived yesterday and a questionnaire which was a memory test.
How am I supposed to remember when the work was done on roof, heating or electrics over 46 years?
I guess proper people keep receipts and know where they are.

The walk yesterday was lovely despite heavy showers. It was along the Forth with glimpses of castles and bridges followed by coffee and scone at a garden centre café with half the elderly population of Scotland.

I have appointments this week for feet, hair, teeth etc I have booked to stay with my friend in the north next week.

Perhaps the agent will sell my house while I'm away?

I wonder if the Dogs Trust will take a cat too, NN, as a sort of job lot?
Similar screeching chez Ixion when, returning from the quickest of loo trips, Barney had emerged from nowhere and was caught on the worktop with his head in a pan of corned beef hash ready for the oven.

Looking forward to improving weather as the week progresses. Thinking currently what I could put in my tubs for the summer.

Mr.I has been trying to lasso and capture waving tendrils of the house-wisteria. It has grown apace since flowering, and its fronds have an unnerving habit of tap, tapping on the windows in Triffid fashion. Good news is that it hasn't yet reached the first floor windows, where, at least, he one can hang out of the sash windows to hack away at it.

Thinking of you, Doodle, at this difficult time 🌻