Hi Carol. 

Like you were still plodding on as good as can be.

I only take Bella 1/2 hour always make sure brens been before i go, and make her promise to stay in her chair nomatter what happens till i got get back. Its not perfect but it works. (up to now.

Hope the hospital get it right next time.

Keep well and keep going Carol us carers have to show the others how to do it... Love... Billy xxx 

Hello Everyone,

Carol, I would think that your cleaner coming to you would count as caring for someone in need and therefore allowed. Perhaps she's just worried about going out. My hospital appointment this week for an ultrasound scan has been cancelled and my next physio appointment will be by video or telephone. I don't know what will happen about my six month cancer follow up from surgery on April 8. My children didn't want me to go to the hospital anyway!

The good weather since lockdown has been double edged. It makes life a bit easier for those of us who have gardens and somewhere close by to walk safely, but I feel for those cooped up in small homes with no outside access. It has also made too many people ignore the lockdown and go about their social activities as normal.  

Shopping has been a joke! I received an email telling me I was a priority customer of Sainsbury's and I would get a delivery slot if I booked it on Monday. I got another on Monday morning with a link to book it.  It took half a day to even get on the site and when I did there was not one slot available up to April 12!  Just out of curiosity I logged in on Tuesday evening and couldn't believe my eyes that there were slots available the next morning.  A quick phone call to see what my daughter needed and only an hour to confirm the delivery meant I didn't order everything I needed, but my dogs and budgie and the local goldfinches who rely on me for sunflower hearts are now well catered for! Nothing I ordered was unavailable but there were a few substitutions- my large bottle of cheap,shampoo was out and a travel sized branded one replaced it, and my skimmed milk came in the form of powder!  However, I did get fresh salad and chocolate which were my essentials!

It is hard for everyone, these days, but harder for people caring for loved ones but you must look after yourselves - that's you Billy and Carol. If you are able to get help with shopping, please do so as the shops are the now almost the only places where  people mix, despite the distancing regulations, therefore the most risky!  This really bugs me because I can get things on line, if I'm lucky, but I love Lidl's espresso coffee and their decaf instant is the best tasting one I've ever tried, and their fresh petit pois and ham soup with fresh pretzels are now just a memory as my daughter has forbidden/begged me not to go and they don't deliver :(

Ah well, it could be worse, we are at war but there's no one dropping bombs and shooting at us, so we'll manage!

Take care, all you contributors to this thread, no matter how spasmodic, and you people, like me, who catch up every few days but don't have much worth saying most of the time. You are all important and we don't want to hear anyone has tested positive for the vile little enemy!

Christine xxx

Dear friends, it would seem the less you have to do the less time you have!  I normally write every day and have enjoyed doing so but the motivation is not strong at the moment.  I am struggling to keep Norman under control as he thinks we are becoming a Stasi State and the police are loving having the power to shout and scream at people who are doing no harm but following guidelines, he's right I've seen some of the photos in the paper, one poor lady had walked her dog, sat on a bench for five minutes and was promptly moved on.  My cousin is panic stricken as her brother has it, he's in Austria and because he has diabetes its affected him badly due to lack of being able to eat.  I think we're more fatalistic and are of the opinion that what will be will be.  My daughters are the same, kept ringing me and worrying us and nagging us about it all, we need happy talk and in the end when they have face timed we have left it because it's truly depressing!  I get the feeling that they are more scared about me going down as they would be left with Dad and have admitted they wouldn't know what to do.  My two Chrissies have been having such a hard time the pair of you.  I expect the funeral was extremely hard as I know how it is here a friends Uncle died and she said it was all very upsetting, no contact, no hugs, we're human beings who need hugs and contact this social distancing is not our way.  All my friends are sending silly videos and little messages with flowers and verses, it's lovely but all the pinging is driving hubby mad and I keep showing him them.  One very funny one had a lady showing how she had turned a lacy g string from M & S into a face mask, then she scanned to her husband and he had one on, then Grandma whose was her own knickers and too big, don't think Mum's quite got the hang of it she says Po faced!!  Billy and Sue keep posting as it's lovely to have this thread going, I look forward to hearing from you all and reading about Australia and other parts of the country.  Food is not too bad here as we have Sainsbury as well, one in the shop at a time so no danger of contact and only one till open.  I made spag bol last night, is there any left hubby asks, yes but it's now Sunday's tea, it's like being in the bloody war he moans, you're still not having it now I tell him, we both laughed, his sense of humour is returning and it makes life so much easier, I have no idea how high my blood pressure is as I can't get a doctors appointment, if I go missing I've exploded! So I'm now going to try and get some newspapers and milk, let's hope the police don't get me!  Love to you all.  Carol xx 

Dear Carol and Friends,

I agree the more time we have, the less we somehow manage to do.  I haven't done a lot today,  I did telephone a couple of friends and chatted for quite a while.  It's good to have some interaction with friends even if it's only over the phone or video chat.  Deana and Nick spent a few hours in the garage trying to get that sorted.  It's still full, with things Neil and I never unpacked and then lots of boxes of Deana's and Nick's.  I can actually see some progress.  Deana did food shopping yesterday and most things seem to be available, she even managed to get some tissues, so that does seems to be improving.  We have pretty much decided that as Deana and Nick are both still working they will do our shopping.  I'm loving some of the funny videos and pics that are popping up telling us to stay at home, or keep our distance.  We had a lovely lamb roast for tea tonight. 
Still getting used to not being able to go where I want, when I want, but if it helps get rid of this virus, it's worth it.  Most of our smaller shops that are still open, is one customer in store at a time.  Even some of the bigger chains have limits.  We can still go for a walk (2 people only, unless you're from the same household), I must try and get motivated to do that.  We have a blood pressure monitor here, mine is good, took it today.  I don't know how people are coping if there is a funeral within the family.  Here no more than 10 can attend a funeral and have to keep their distance.  Deana is going to the flower market in the morning to get flowers for a funeral on Tuesday.  It must be terrible for families in that situation.

Stay safe everyone.  Lots of Love, Sue xx

Hi sue, and all you  ladies on this string and Carol of course.

Just a little rant, I've had a cold for over five weeks now phoned up Dr twice told carry on I'm doing right thing with what I'm taking and it'll go off. Last week phoned specialist incase he's any better idea. He hasn't been in work for a few weeks.. 

My immune system doesn't work properly so hoping it doesn't get worse.,. "Rant over "

Hope everyone managing OK the way things are. 

Carol glad Norman feeling a bit better. Hopefully the shaking will go.

Love to all.... Billy, afraid no kisses now. Maybe later. 

That's so funny Billy, the kissing not the cold!  Sue you're having as tough a time as us it's just weird and I wonder if we will be back to normal life as we know it sooner than six months, we'll have all killed each other by then, probem over!  So today I have had to do my own housework, I'd forgotten how hard it is scrubbing baths and toilets, the sweat was pouring off me, I had to use glass cleaner for everything as I have no polish or bath cleaner, let's wait for the whinging tonight when he smells something different!!  Yesterday he said he thought we would be fine, as I'm so funny, today I got yelled at for wiping the tea off the rug that he spilt walking from one side of the kitchen to the other!  He stated he hadn't made that much of a mess, from my position of being on my hands a knees I retorted that as he wasn't the one cleaning up he should keep his mouth shut, he did.  So then it was, do you want a coffee, are you going to have some lunch as it was only 11am I said no.  Anyway we're back to a happy equilibrium because he's asleep!!  I ate four donuts in one sitting yesterday so I have just had a hike through the woods, a man was holding a dog lead but had no dog, have you seen a crocker spaniel he asks, no I haven't, I've lost him my daughter will go mad, he's probably self isolating I say, he actually laughed but on my way back he still hadn't found him, he's very obedient then, he's like the wife he takes no notice of me he laments.  Faye has been contacted by John Lewis and asked to work in Waitrose although she is self isolating due to asthma they've decided that's not bad enough to stop working so are not paying her and making her take holiday, she only works one day a week!  I said I would rather pay her than put herself at risk, she was so ill when she was little with asthma and allergies, her blood test aged three was. 1,200 and fifty was a definite allergy, she was nearly sent to a school in the Alps to keep her alive but ventolin had just come into practice and she was a child Guinea pig to see if it helped, this kept her at home as long as we kept everything dust free.  A hard and scary time as she was severely restricted in her breathing and now they want her in a supermarket, it's not going to happen.  Mary rang me she's going for a.walk with Joe, I nearly fell off my sofa, Mary doesn't do walking, let's hope Joe doesn't have to carry her home.  Managed to get another bottle of gin yesterday so replenished stocks, only one glass a day but my goodness I look forward to it.  Don't laugh but hubby had indigestion this morning after scoffing all the left over spagh bol, I'll freeze it next time.  I see Stephen Kinnock decided the rules didn't apply to him and visited his Father Neil Kinnock for his birthday and posted it on face book, what an idiot, should rename him Stephen Pillock, it's things like that that give others the urge to go out because someone in the public eye thinks the rules don't apply to them.  Well friends, hanging on by our finger nails, take care, love Carol x 

Dear Billy, Carol and Friends,

Despite Billy's lack of affection, I'm still giving kisses at the ens of my messages, might even through in a virtual hug.  There are still some idiots here too, Deana has had people in the shop just browsing.  That will ease though as they won't be open, Deaan and many other smaller shops will only be opening between 10am-1.00pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday's, or by appointment.  She will still be in the shop though all day for the next couple trying to get a website up and running so if anybody is interested they can order online.  But even doing that she isn't expecting many sales.  Who wants pretty clothes when you're not allowed to go out.  It doesn't affect supermarkets/pharmacies, they are still open normal hours, although a couple of hours are dedicated to disabled/elderly or Emergency services and health workers.  Our government is saying in 3 months if 90 percent isolate we could be getting back to normal, but the likely outcome is 6 months or more at least.  By then we'll be used to it.  It is so bizarre though, there is very few out and about.  Carol, you have one up on me, I don't get down on my hands and knees, I can't get up if I get down, it's rather embarrassing have to have help to get up again.
You really don't want Faye working in a supermarket, I would assume nobody would go in if they were sick with this virus but it's contagious before you know you have it, and as an asthmatic she would classed as being vulnerable I would think.
I would almost kill for one of Bree's donuts, (she works in a donut shop, does all the fillings and decorations), they are so good.  That pleasure will have to wait.

Billy, take care when you are out, you can't afford to get any worse.

We are all well, apart from Eli having a bit of a cold, but even that might improve soon, as if Deana isn't working she will cancel daycare for him and the 3 hours 3 times a week I'll watch him.  It works out to what I usually have him for of a Wednesday.

Take care, stay well.  Love to all Sue xx [[]]

Thank you Billy the healthy kisses are most welcome, hubby and I gave up the six foot rule last night and had a comfortable cuddle! I have a noise in my ear today like a thumping, it's very annoying as I can hear my own.heartbeat so I'm staying in for today and giving my walk a miss.  I bought us some chocolates and beer to cheer us up from the garage, Sainsbury had a queue of six outside along the pavement so I gave up.  Sue I hope to God we are not stuck in for six months I really don't think people will take that on board and when the police are dying our blue lakes black to stop people visiting them as they are no longer pretty then it's becoming another matter all together.  How are they dealing with finances in Australia especially when your family are  running their own business?  I tried to buy new slippers on line this morning, what a blooming carry on, every time I found a pair they were sized as 3/4 or 5/6, either you are a four or a five I'm always falling out my slippers anyway so size is important so I've decided to go barefoot.  Billy you're right we have been self isolating as it is so it's not as hard for us.  Faye looked stressed to Hell yesterday and her house looked like a bomb had dropped, she said no one puts anything away and say they forgot where it had come from in the first place, I felt for her, I really did.  So everyone I am going to munch my chocolate raisins, watch a movie and put my bare feet up.  Take care, Carol xx

Dear Carol , Billy and friends,

It sounds like Sainsbury's are limiting the number of customers, which is good really.  You would have probably found it wouldn't take long before you went in if you'd waited, shops are doing that here.  I hope it doesn't take that long either before things get back to normal, so far here we are coping with the changes.  I spend more time on the phone though, I rang another girlfriend today.  Also received a call from solicitor,looks like everything is settled except Neil's tax returns, which I'll not even worry about till we can go about our usual business.  So I've organised with the Solicitor to get my will done, he took all details over the phone, will email me a copy when done and if it's fine, I then have to go in and sign it.  So quite a productive day I felt.
The government has announced it has a $13 billion plan for workers and small business owners, not too sure how it will work yet, but I guess we'll find out more in the coming days.  It won't be too bad for us personally while Nick is working, and at this stage at least his employer is considered essential.
Poor Faye, sounds like most mothers, their work is never done.  And of course the current situation would add to any stress you're under already.
As to the slippers, it is so hard buying shoes online as brands can vary quite a bit anyway and when they cover two sizes, well it's almost impossible to ensure the right fit.  I have lambswool moccasins, at least here they come in each full size (no half sizes, but you buy them firm and the wool, after wearing sort of gets a bit flattened inside, so you end up with a good fit. They are so warm when it's cold.
Tomorrow I have Eli so we'll have fun at least.  Dean is off to the flower market again as she has orders of flowers, she didn't buyt too much on Mon day when she went, she didn't think she would sell many but they are at least ringing with orders.
Enjoy your chocolate raisings and movie.

Take caren and love to all.  Sue xx