Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

I've googled for further details on the flour shortage and the gist of what I've described above is right but the detail's wrong. There are (from memory) 50 flour mills and only 12 of them are geared to domestic flour bags. They are working round the clock as there is plenty of flour but they can't get it out fast enough now everyone's baking.

People seem to be buying online to get round the shortage in shops so perhaps flour grabbing is going to come alongside bagging supermarket slot as a popular pastime for insomniacs?

Sun_Addict

Hope DD's friend gets well soon, it's very worrying wondering who will get it next.  There are a few people I work with who have succumbed. 

At least we know why there's a flour shortage so thanks for the info.  A friend was told in Aldi to go back after 4pm when they restock the shelves and she managed to get a packet. I rarely bake so a small bag of flour lasts me ages.

Cherryfudge

Thanks SA.  

Another quiet day today, surprise, surprise. J and L asked if they could borrow the garden so I did more ivy clearance till they turned up but I'm working on a tricky patch at the moment so there's not a lot to show for it. I spent the afternoon at the other side of the house sorting plant pots: things are weeded and some are potted on although there are still plenty I haven't tackled. I did discover a couple of nice pots I'd forgotten and generally the front of the house looks more intentional now. I must have spent four or five hours out there in the sun. I also saw a pair of sparrows making  their home in a gap between two brick above DS2's window. I've called them Jack and Jill and sent DS2 a photo. They're a rowdy pair.

Tea was sausage and mash and this evening I've caught up on the ironing. I've already started on the next shopping list but the last one was a bit hit and miss so this needs to focus and make sure we have meat and plenty of bread as well as fresh veg and anything unusual we run out of. Yes, the last shopping list was definitely a half-hearted affair. Perhaps I'm getting settled in my ways (which is just as well as the lockdown is continuing).

So there's nothing financial to report and decluttering is mostly ivy. I had all these ideas about redecorating but while I have the chance to be out in the sun I'm going to do the garden. I didn't go for a run either: am not getting to sleep too well at nights and so am sleeping longer in the mornings which means I'm not ready to run till the lunchtime 'rush', which is clearly not the optimum time.

Tonight I'm thankful I can still have face to face chats with J and L (though from a distance) and that work isn't stretched so there's no point me even checking for extra shifts.

in_need_of_direction

Ivy is the absolute scourge of my hedges.  I keep promising to tackle it but never getting there.

Cherryfudge

No battles with the ivy today: I went for a run instead and this time a hare appeared right in my path! It stood there for what seemed quite a while (a few seconds) before charging off into a nearby field where it joined another one. There were very few people: a dog walker early on, two solitary men coming down the hill and an older couple as I came back into town. I didn't really get anything else done before work, and work was quiet. I've even spoken to my manager to suggest that four of us in face masks for one resident is excessive and perhaps two of us should be put on standby in the adjoining building and given some computer work to do. We could still be on call but could be doing something practical and self-distancing at the same time.

I came home to find DH has ordered a light bulb and a blood pressure monitor so we can use the standard lamp again and he can keep an eye on his BP as the doctor advised while he can't have regular appointments.

That's it really as we enter the extension of the lockdown. I haven't looked at the statistics closely today. I've been getting my head round the ever-changing PPE guidelines and printed out a poster to remind me of how not to bring contamination home. I've also run a hot wash for my new uniform and pinned it on the line overnight so I can wear it again tomorrow! Hopefully we will have another delivery soon so I can do a batch after a few days.

Tomorrow looks like being a shopping day: I might see if I can go instead of DH. He does a good job but he's at higher risk than me so it makes sense for me to take more of the public side of things if I can. This time there will be a more thoughtful shopping list...

Spending
Medical £20.37
Household £2.60

This evening I'm thankful that things have stayed quiet at work and for seeing the hares out in the spring sunshine.

Cherryfudge

We managed to get away without shopping which is great. It will be needed to morrow but my lovely neighbour has again offered to get us some groceries as she has a supermarket delivery booked. I'm thinking about heavy and bulky things which will make it easier to do a non-delivered shop.

It's been too cold to do gardening (or I've been too nesh) but it brightened up later in the day. Work was quiet though a colleague dissolved into tears while we were talking. She's normally a no-nonsense person and she bounced back quickly but I think the stress gets to people.

Tonight I'm thankful DS2 put something up on Inst agram: he's smiling broadly and has obviously just been for a run so I know he's not succumbed to the virus. I'm also thankful that J and L and no longer bike-less. Hers had been in a work lock-up as she uses it for work and didn't expect it would suddenly be locked away for weeks. His had gone for repairs. I don't expect they will visit our garden so much now they can go further, but I know they will have a great time now they are more mobile.

Seasidegal58

It's nice that you have good neighbours who will include your things on their online shop - but I know you would do the same. 😀

How lovely that you have been seeing hares when out and about. There always seems to be something special about them. These are April not March versions obviously!  Like inod I don't think I've ever seen a live hare either but I've never lived in a rural area. 

Sorry to hear your colleague was so upset. It's a tough time for you and your other co-workers. ☹️

Hope you get to do some gardening. 

Cherryfudge

I'm out of the tunnel called work for a few days. I'm tired and feel over-washed but I those four days are past and I have the next few to look forward to.

DH did the shopping yesterday and said it was about £40.

His blood pressure monitor has arrived and his blood pressure is high which may indicate his kidneys are struggling. This is what we've been told to look out for but right now hospital appointments aren't likely and anyway he needs to take a number of readings to get a more accurate picture.

I'm so tired tonight! I got woken at work last night and couldn't get back to sleep for a while but it's a reminder that other people have much worse problems than I do. I'm thankful for a glorious weather forecast over the next few days, the chance to do some gardening at work (the usual gardener hasn't been this year) and a family video call planned for tomorrow.

in_need_of_direction

Love that you have something to look forward to

Cherryfudge

A lovely sunny day and DH's blood pressure reading this morning was much better.  
I slept quite well but I'm still tired so it's been a lazy morning. I see some parts of Europe are easing their lockdown! That feels surreal: interesting that in what's really a short time, we've become so immersed in this corvid-dominated life that a return to normality wasn't looming at all on my calendar. Perhaps it's because I'm dealing with it by trying to live in the present.
I will be working in the front garden today as L and J are taking possession of the other side.