Wankerbastards standing together. Moderatin' may take a hit while around us things are shit. But we stand arm in arm, heart to heart but a respectable 2 meters apart.

[Frouby]

Thread 10 for the tryers.

All welcome for support and tips and chat about controlling our relationship with alcohol.

Previous threads knocking around.

No rules except we don't do politics about the C word. And because there is so many other C word chats we ask that we limit mention of it once a day for things that are worrying, followed up by a positively Pollyanna point about something nice about the situation.

Oh god Frouby I’m so sorry to hear this. These over 70s are a curmudgeonly lot aren’t they?
Really hoping for a good outcome for you all but completely understand your concern. Probably wise to stay within driving limits.

Oh no Frouby, I’m sorry.

Managed to speak to A and E they waiting for a bed to come from on a ward for him. Got to have some tests but has signs of a severe chest infection, they querying sepsis and the obvious.

I feel more cross than anxious tbh. We shouldn't even have to question Corona because he should have been in lockdown for the last 2 weeks. We've offered to take shopping etc and he knew he shouldn't be out. Apparently been home for a week but his 'friend' called round Thursday or Friday for a cuppa and a chat. Who the fuck goes visiting a pair of 70+ year olds in a lockdown?

Have just spent 10 minutes on the phone explaining to his girlfriend why she shouldn't be going anywhere at all and that she is to phone me if she needs anything at all. Apparently it's fairly quiet in the little co op so she can nip there instead of big tescos. Fml. Told her she can't because fil may have Corona and she's like 'well I'm not ill'. Have told her to ring her son and tell him what's going off, he's about an hour away so not local but maybe he will listen to her.

God knows what I will do with her if anything happens to fil. She doesn't officially live there as it's a council bungalow. Her own house is uninhabitable because she's a hoarder, she's junked fils bungalow up to the rafters and has a panic attack if you touch anything. She could be infectious for up to 2 weeks and you only usually have 2 weeks to hand keys back in to council.

Just very big hugs to you, Frouby. I can't comment sensibly because I have given up all hope of AF thanks to everything that's going on. But still reading, through a haze of unspeakable awfulness. I wake up every morning, then remember about the lockdown. It's not good.

Sorry to hear this Frouby. Hope he rallies ok.

And sorry to hear you're still struggling Dion.

I am doing much better but still enduring it rather than relishing it like lots of people seem to be. Park is really busy so worried it will shut soon. Work has been ok actually. Working on coronavirus things but more the practical logistical stuff thrown up by social distancing, rather than the harrowing end of the scale. Kids have been better behaved the past couple of days but imagine they'll be up and down.

AF. Dh has declared he's going to be dry for a bit to decide once and for all if this new diet is duff so i don't really have a drinking buddy unless you count zoom. Which i might when I get more desperate.

Bought a robot hoover off eBay!

Oh Frouby!! You poor things. How frustrating. To know how poorly he is, but to be frustrated also that he hasn’t followed advice. And mjl is still burying her head!! How’s dh feeling?? Thinking of you all.

Dion - sending you a whopping hug darling. Life seems dark right now, but I think it can only go up from here, surely. If something has come out of all this shit, it’s that society has come together. I really hope things look up for you soon and you get support. It must be hideous to have constant pain also. Are dc helping you around the house, in light of your mobility issues??

Longest - you’re still incredible!! With dh’a health, plus two young dc at home..and still holding all the shit together. Think of you too tho x

All ok here I think. Always easier home with dd2 as can manage her condition a little more seamlessly. Dh home too but working all day in the office so that’s fine.
Both dd’s arguing on and off which pisses me off. But next minute they’ve got music on and plastering each other in make up and doing each other’s hair!! 🙈

I’m staying sane with running and yoga. Although my sister keeps telling me off saying I can’t go out to run. But I keep reminding her....it’s exercise!! And that’s allowed!!
There is absolutely no way I will even attempt to be AF, or even moderate during all this upheaval!!

Oh my god, I just rode 26 miles on my bike!! I didn't mean to. It's a circular cycling route round my city past the docks, nature reserve, parks and river. I thought I was about half way, so I kept going, but it was much further than I thought
I'm proud of myself, but my arse hurts!

Glad you're coping Flossie. My boys are being at least 90% ace, but there is the odd sly dig when they think I'm not listening. Generally though - all cool. I think they like having me around

Thanks flossie and dion. It's a shitty time, think we will feel better once we know whether he has it or not. He's on oxygen now and admitted to a ward. Phoned this lunchtime and was told about oxygen (dh phoned) then phoned about an hour ago. Still on oxygen, asked about his kidneys as was told 'there is only so much we can discuss over the phone'. Not sure it's because I phoned as DIL or because there is something more serious happening but am going with me phoning rather than DH as DH will be next of kin.

But despite all this or maybe because of, have had a really productive day. Have completely repainted ds bedroom apart from ceiling. Pulled everything out this morning, prepper everything then just did a wall at a time, emulsion then woodwork. Am absolutely fucking knackered now though and bet have spongled my back again shoving his wardrobe around but at least I have got that done.

Only another 6 rooms to do now 😂😂😂

Not dry cos fil and decorating but not completely pissed either. 3 cans I think since 5.30pm.

Must say despite more beer we should lose weight during lockdown. Not had takeaway for 2 weeks, tonight would have been guaranteed chippy tea if not a chinese.

Well his test came back positive.

Fuck sake. Also lost my temper with his partner who is still dithering about why he has it. She's been nipping out as well. Have told them both we would shop for them and that they should be self isolating. She needs an electric top up but told her she needs to call her daughter to sort it out as we can't go anywhere near her as she possibly has it and is infectious and we are both in vulnerable group.

Am fucking raging.

Oh FFS I’m not surprised you’re raging Frouby. It sounds like they have been pretty irresponsible. And of course you have to take care of your own family.
I really hope he’s ok though.
I heard someone on TV earlier this week saying if you’re on a leccy card you can ring the supplier and they will either increase the emergency credit or take a payment over the phone.

Of course you’re raging Frouby. Bloody hell. I’d be furious too.

Nc4 that’s a lot of cycling, bet you’re aching.

I was AF last night and may be tonight, probably will be. Was pissed on Tuesday though, pretty much lost it. Had a row with dh, a rant at dd, not good. I’m calmer now and had a nice walk with ds earlier. So if I’m AF tonight that’ll be 3 days this week.

Dh and I are going to tell the kids to leave us alone tomorrow night as we’re going to have date night. So definitely will drink.

I was going to be AF tonight but I nipped you the shop for some milk and the landlord of my local was outside clearing all the booze out, so he gave me four bottles of beer as I was passing 😃
I love my little community. I have disinfected the bottles, just to be safe.

Good to see the Water love nest still thriving. Well, possibly not on Tuesday but we all have off days.

NC have phoned her dd and discharged responsibility to her. She was as annoying as her mother and dithered and skirted around the issues just as much. Apparently she met her mum 2 weeks ago for lunch ffs. So have told her me and dh are in the vulnerable group, have got dcs so won't be going near her dm so she needs to shop and provide essentials etc. Also said I was very annoyed that no one had phoned us when he was first ill, hes been in bed 5 days, defecated and urinated himself twice. And that whatever else he may be he wouldn't do that unless he was seriously ill and obviously having had 2 strokes that would be the first concern.

So feel a bit better and less stressed.

Frouby what a crap situation. Hoping for a good outcome.
Dion good to see you back.
Really struggling. Think I need to stay off the booze. It gives a very short term relief but then is helping ramp up my anxiety.

Glad you got that off your chest to her Frouby. I sounds like her DD needs to step up. I think the problem with being pragmatic and resourceful (as you are) is that everyone just expects you to do it. But it's time for them to roll their sleeves up too.

Accidental I can definitely relate to that. Alcohol is the biggest anxiety trigger I have. I'm actually feeling pretty calm about this whole thing - probably because I am not working as much so don't feel as thinly pread as usual, but I very much count my blessings that I have a nice warm home, relatively healthy family and all the means to self isolate in comfort. Not everyone does.

My friend posted this infographic earlier, which I found interesting.

Frouby. What a story. And you still manage to do domestic stuff. Here we all are, completely devoid of human contact in the hope that this will all be over more quickly, and other people are still doing stuff which puts them and other people at risk.

Flossie, the days (and nights) are so dark that they defy words.

I went to Morrisons with DS this afternoon. I was shocked by how many exciting things it's possible to buy. Extension flexes! Trowels!

Plus someone spoke to me in the cheese aisle (as he overheard a conversation between DS and me, and informed us that there are tinned tomatoes available in Aldi). A real, live conversation with a real, live person. I almost asked him to come home with us.

DS had to calm me down.

I am sorry to say I think I will never have a dry day again. I intended to today, but the lockdown is fucking unbearable any other way.

All that said, Accidental is right about alcohol being a trigger. I'm not anxious about CV (if I catch it and die, it would solve many problems), but I'm in a right state about the necessary lack of social interaction.

Not AF so need to unclaim my teacup. Talked to family on Zoom and am convinced was wanker. FML

Morning all
Frouby I'm so sorry about your FIL and his GF. I hope he is OK (and her too if she has caught it) but they didn't really help themselves. There are still too many people not taking things seriously.

NC4 That was a great cycle ride you did! I'm very as we aren't allowed to cycle here in France. I really miss my bike rides particularly as the weather has been so nice.

Dion It sounds like you are getting through your confinement. At least you can share the burden of shopping - again, here, only one person is allowed to do the family shopping and sadly that is me, but at least I've got it down to once a week. Not a nice experience.

Water you've done brilliantly on being AF so far this year so don't beat yourself up.

Longest how are you? Is the homeschooling still going well?

Day 18 of confinement here, I'm actually enjoying it but then I'm a bit of a homebody. I have a good routine, up at 7, cup of tea, dog run, homeschooling, my teaching by videoconference/baking (if I can get hold of flour) in the morning, painting and decorating or garden (the DC help) until 7pm, dog run, dinner then a film, documentary Netflix WITH THE DC!! They don't disappear into their rooms. I'm so enjoying this family time, so are they, even DD who can't see her BF. Or any other friends. Just as well as I think we have at least another month of it. And most talk is that children won't go back to school until September now.
One good thing, there should be a phone app available soon instead of having to fill in a form every time we leave the house. But having to self certify does make you think twice about going out. And police aren't shy about handing out fines if you don't comply.

Amazingly have had 4 nights AF this week. Am not going to use confiinement as a reason to drink because there is nothing difficult about it for me (except not cycling or swimming). It's different for families stuck in small apartments with no garden. About time I did a dry stretch, it was easier because DH was also AF. Feel (and look) so much better. Much more productive too. Hopefully will keep it up although planning to have a well earned drink tonight.

Frouby - I’m so sorry. You must be beyond frustrated by their lack of awareness. And now have this huge worry also. Sending much love.

Dion - darling, hold your head high. Maybe try and venture out for a walk each day, pain permitting. Sounds like ds is being supportive. Sending a hug

NC4 - that’s the kind of pub I’d like to walk past!! Handing out free beer!! Yum

Water - well done on recent dryness. Don’t worry about having the odd drink. Overall you’ve done great. What happened on zoom to make you feel shit?

Longest - how you doing?

Madame. Seems like you’re making the very best of a crappy situation right now. And cut down on wine too. That’s amazing!!

I’m drinking like a fish currently. Well, not heaps each night. Between half and one bottle. So 2-3 glasses. But not having any dry nights.
Ds is stuck at uni 7hrs away. I’m worried about his loneliness tbh. He’s struggling. Both dd’s are doing ok I think. Dh is wfh which is annoying but I think I need to wind my neck in and bite my tongue a bit more. Just getting pissed off that I’m slave all day, then he eats and falls asleep on sofa. So I’m then alone all evening!!
We have the shielding text and letter for dd2. So no chance of going anywhere even to shop occasionally. Relying on others to deliver food to our gate. I do sneak out for the odd run every other day. But we live in middle of nowhere so it’s very isolated.
This is shit. And I’m terrified of one of us catching covid. To the point, I can’t imagine ever wanting to leave my house again!’

Hi everyone. Sorry to hear about fil, frouby, and that things are tough again Flossie and others.

I'm doing better. Have managed all my hours at work (6 per day) which actually helps the time to pass. Kids have been better behaved overall though a bit up and down. Sun is currently shining. Can't quite fathom how to keep this up for months and the news is getting more and more harrowing but i can manage one foot in front of the other.

Home schooling is going all right really. Not as good as free beer but dh and dd1 discovered some workbooks being doorstep recycled this morning and they are merrily working through those, plus attempting craft projects and cooking and so on. Imposition of chores less successful but they tidied up out of respect for the robot hoover.

Interview is on Monday. Need somehow to find time to fit some prep in.

Not AF last night. Had zoom chat with old pals over wine. Similar planned for next two nights really though will attempt not to go mad. Miss dsis and DNs. Was supposed to be having treaty weekend away this weekend but obviously could be a lot worse off.

TLDR: Am ok. Bit flat, could be worse, thinking of you all.

Evening all

Spoke to fil earlier. He's OK says he's off oxygen but still sounds wobbly. Admitted to me that he has Corona but not dh so I think he knows he's been a dick. Sounded quite panicked when I said we would drop some stuff off for him and said we mustn't come. Felt sorry for him actually.

But had a nice enough day regardless. Pottered this morning, then an hour on allotment. Have a poorly chicken though my little knobhead cockerel. He got stuck under a perch earlier this week and has gone into shock. Which they find very hard to get out of. Am giving him a couple more days then dh will dispatch. Have been syringing honey water and anti inflammatory into him but he still struggling. He eats and can crow and can walk with support but other than that he struggles. 😪😪😪

But planted some seeds, pottered around and had a nice afternoon regardless.

Had a lovely long bath, watched a film with the dcs and dh and had hotdogs for tea 😀. Tomorrow am going to paint the decking and go for a nice walk, probably same on sunday. Not been dry tonight, had 2 beera and a glass of wine which I think is fairly moderate for a Friday.

I hope everyone is coping OK. It's all very scary and very upsetting. Me and the dcs are fine but dh not coping well, he's used to being much busier. And I have sacked homeschool until after Easter. Ds is not enjoying it at all and I can't get into it yet.

That sounds a bit better re FIL Frouby. I hope your cock improves 😂

Longest, good luck for Monday. I think keeping in touch on Zoom is good - I’m meeting a friend for wine at 5.30 tonight, she’s in Spain where they’ve just been told another four weeks lockdown. Being on Zoom means I have to put some makeup on which I think is good for my morale

Flossie my ds is home from uni but some of his friends stayed in their house. Is your ds with anyone else? It’s hard not knowing how long this will be.

Madame I’m glad you’re having a nice time with your dc. Well done on being AF.

Dionysa ha ha at nearly bringing him home. I’m not AF either.

NC4 woo hoo at free beer.

It’s the weekend so drank last night, will drink tonight but then I NEED a good AF stint, I really do so that’s my mission for next week.

These pics made me laugh yesterday

Water - I LOVE those pics!!!!’ 🤣🤣

Good to read news, Frouby, Flossie, Water, Longest and Madame.

I am not coping at all well with this lockdown. I can now barely see how to get from one minute to the next. It feels like being in a tunnel with every exit route blocked.

Given that every single thing I like doing or need to do has been taken away, along with my entire livelihood, I am finding it all just too hard.

Sorry to hear it Dion. Could you offer any online tuition or anything to make a few quid? Or are you entitled to any government help? Are you well enough to do any volunteering to have an excuse to get out of the house? I hear you, i am finding it hard too. Have been out for a family walk today but there is literally no where to go. Ended up buying chips and sitting on a log in a car park for a closed tennis club.

Took my giant curtains down as read dry cleaners could open but they're all shut round here so may have to stick in washing machine. They need sewing too though and i am shit at anything like that and don't own a machine.

Glad to heae slightly better news re fil frouby and pleased to read your update water.