Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

themadvix said:

Congratulations on your win Fortune!

You sound like you're really enjoying this new way of life, which is good to hear. I, too, have no desire for everyone to start rushing about again. A simpler way of life is good (albeit with a bit more socialising!).

beanielou said:

Lovely news on your win 

VintageHistorian said:

Congratulations on the win Fortune!

Last month I calculated our extra food spends and realised that most of it was simply a transfer of food from work (me once a week, DH twice a week, plus occasional snacks) to the supermarket. There was a bit extra on top, but it wasn't as bad as I had thought, we'd spend most of the money anyway but wouldn't notice as much as it would come out in dribs and drabs during the month.

Thank you all.  The best bit about the win was that I'd completely forgotten about entering the competition.  So it was a wonderful surprise.

We usually do one weekly shop on line VH.  We are very rural here and I didn't pass any shops most days even before lockdown.  Good for the budget 😀

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Blue Skies

Isn't the sunshine glorious.  I love being able to sit outside with Mr F for lunch and supper.  FDawg loves it too as he is able to roam around a lot more when the weather's good.

I didn't get a great deal done yesterday.  There doesn't seem to be much time left over after I've done the daily chores.  The garden is taking up a lot of my time at the moment.  I did get the plants that my friend brought over into a bed.  They have filled some little gaps.  Also had a general tidy of the house.

Lunch was tuna mayonnaise in pitta with salad (including some of the perpetual spinach from the garden).  Supper was Linguine with Avocado, Tomato & Lime... only it was spaghetti 😂  It was ok but not a recipe I'll cook again.  It might work better as a salad as they suggest.

I had a wonderful catch up with a friend by video call last night.  She is a member of my writing group but hasn't been joining the Z00m calls.  She has an underlying health condition and takes medication which means, should she get the virus, she only has a 10% chance of surviving it 😮  She and her husband haven't left the house once in all this time and are reliant on deliveries and help from friends.  Fortunately they have some fields so plenty of outdoor space.  However, they won't be able to go back out into the world until a vaccine is available.  She is so positive and cheerful and a pleasure to speak to always.  I don't know how she is keeping her spirits up but she is.  We are planning to keep in touch so that's something to look forward to.

We were due to go to the Zoo next Friday to feed giraffes but, of course, that's been cancelled now.  It was our Christmas present to each other 😞  I wanted to postpone the date until this time next year but they won't do that and are giving me a refund instead.  So.... we have bought a fire pit instead 😮  Not a necessary spend of course but something that's been on Mr F's 'Wanted' list for ages.  A local attraction is selling off it's demonstration stock and we got the fire pit for quarter of the normal price.  It may need a bit of spray paint to bring it back to new but it's still a good, quality buy.

Having said I wasn't keen to go back out in the world, we will have to today.  The fire pit will need collecting, FDawgs flea and worming treatments are due and we'll need to pick those up, I have an prescription waiting at the pharmacy and we need fuel for the mower.  Mr F has also ordered some beer from our local brewery so we'll have to pick that up as well.  We have lots of hand sanitiser now and some medical grade masks.  It will feel odd going out - it will be the second time in 10 weeks 😮  I would rather stay home but needs must.

It looks set to be another glorious day today.  Hope you all get a chance to enjoy it.

Fortune x

teapot2

Morning Fortune, I hear your reluctance to venture into the World and can totally get that.  Apart from the medical centre twice, I've not been in a building other than home since lockdown started.  I had the opportunity this week to pop into a couple of shops when I was out but couldn't bring myself to!!  That is hard on your Zoom friend having to wait for a vaccine, I guess that's life for a lot of people now and of course there are those who were unable to leave home for a number of health reasons [physical and mental] before lockdown.  
Have a good weekend, hope your shopping trip goes smoothly and well done on your win especially as it was a surprise

Fortune_Smiles

teapot2 said:

Morning Fortune, I hear your reluctance to venture into the World and can totally get that.  Apart from the medical centre twice, I've not been in a building other than home since lockdown started.  I had the opportunity this week to pop into a couple of shops when I was out but couldn't bring myself to!!  That is hard on your Zoom friend having to wait for a vaccine, I guess that's life for a lot of people now and of course there are those who were unable to leave home for a number of health reasons [physical and mental] before lockdown.  
Have a good weekend, hope your shopping trip goes smoothly and well done on your win especially as it was a surprise

Morning Teapot.  I think I'm going to find it difficult to get back out there.  Nothing much in life frightens me but I am risk averse and that is what is holding me back at the moment.  My confidence may return in a couple of weeks time if numbers are still reducing at that stage.  Or if the antibody tests become available.  After seeing so many people flouting the restrictions over the bank holidays I'm not convinced the numbers won't come back up again.  Time will tell.

Fortune x

beanielou

Not convinced on the numbers either.
Time will tell & so hope that I am wrong x

rtandon27

Fortune - totally understand how you feel!  We are erring on the side of caution and staying at home for as long as possible!  Luckily I can do 90% of my work from home as OH needs to be shielding for the full 12 weeks.  At some point next month I'll have to go back to work & use public transport as well - frustratingly scary to say the least!  For now we are enjoying our lovely house in the middle of nowhereville & are thankful to be able to get groceries delivered in!  I'll join you in the group of risk adverse!!! 😘 - RT

Fortune_Smiles

beanielou said:

Not convinced on the numbers either.
Time will tell & so hope that I am wrong x

rtandon27 said:

Fortune - totally understand how you feel!  We are erring on the side of caution and staying at home for as long as possible!  Luckily I can do 90% of my work from home as OH needs to be shielding for the full 12 weeks.  At some point next month I'll have to go back to work & use public transport as well - frustratingly scary to say the least!  For now we are enjoying our lovely house in the middle of nowhereville & are thankful to be able to get groceries delivered in!  I'll join you in the group of risk adverse!!! 😘 - RT

It's good to know there are sensible people in the world 😀  You are restoring my faith.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Adventures & Indulgences

We have had a little change of scene and a few treats today.

This morning I made some tart cases with some leftover pastry.  Once cooled, I filled them with a teaspoon of strawberry jam and some clotted cream, popped half a strawberry on top and glazed them with a bit of apricot jam.  We ate them outside on the patio with a coffee - delicious!  Such a treat... except the guys arrived to empty our septic tank before we were quite finished 😬  Mr F hadn't realised that I'd left the front gates open for them either and FDawg took the opportunity to take himself off for a walk down the lane.  Cue a mad search and rescue scramble.  Mr F grabbed his bike and set off in one direction.  I jumped into the car and realised I'd forgotten how to drive it!  Seriously!  It took me a few minutes to remember where the start button was.  Anyhoo, I'd only got a few yards down the lane when Mr F called to say he'd found him.  He hadn't gone far and was very excited to find we had come out to join him 🤨

Lunch was baked potatos and fromage frais with chives and fried mushrooms.  Followed by some Caramel & Pecan Crunch Ice Cream I made earlier in the week.  Just the job on a day like today.

Then we ventured out into the wilderness:

• 1st Stop - pick up the fire pit.  The attraction was very quiet and there was no one at all in their clearance area outside so we had a very quick look round for bargains.  Nothing caught our eye though.  There were a couple of people at the entrance desk but our fire pit had been left outside so we just called across to say we were taking it and left with out booty.  We'd paid over the 'phone beforehand.  The staff were all wearing masks.
• 2nd Stop - pick up beer.  Quiet again.  The beer had been left just inside the door so Mr F went in and picked up the boxes.  A guy had followed us in but they had a 'one in, one out' system so he loitered on the doorstep.  Made it difficult for Mr F to get out 😒
• 3rd Stop - pick up FDawgs meds.  Quiet again.  You didn't have to go in as they had the reception window open.  The receptionist was wearing gloves but was touching her face all the time.  She wasn't wearing a mask and I had to take the bag from her hand through the window.  I stood as far back as I could but wished I'd put my mask on
• 4th Stop - pick up my prescription and some fuel.  The petrol station and the pharmacy are on the same site.  Mr F filled up the jerry cans whilst I called the pharmacist.  He came over to the petrol station to give me the bag.  He was wearing a visor and I had my mask on by that stage.  I went in to pay for the fuel.  I was the only customer and paid by contactless.  The sales guy stood well back whilst I was tapping my card.

I found it really interesting how different shops were dealing with the restrictions.  FDawg is due his booster shots and a health check but I know I can delay this for up to 3 months and I think I will.  I wasn't that impressed by arrangements at the vets.  The pharmacy have been brilliant though.  They delivered my previous prescription to the house and would have done so again if I hadn't had to pass by today.  I noticed a lot more traffic on the roads this trip compared to our last.

I also managed to fit in a little gardening here and there.  Where do the weeds come from?

DS2 is coming down to visit with Mr F tomorrow so I shall catch up on some chores in the house.  I think I might need an early night tonight - going out into the world is exhausting 😆

Happy Friday all

Fortune x

rtandon27

Fortune_Smiles said:

...I think I might need an early night tonight - going out into the world is exhausting 😆...

Sleep tight hunny - you have had quite enough adventure for one day, nay, make that one week!

Cheery_Daff

Gosh that is an adventure indeed Fortune! 

I'm about to venture out on one myself - just to the supermarket, but I've not actually been in a big one since lockdown started - I've always sat in the car while Mr Cheery went in. I've been in the garage, and the village shop a couple of times, but not the big proper supermarket. Feels weird. 

Our vets have been good (but then we've not had to actually buy anything). They chat over the phone, and if you need to take your pet, you ring when you get outside, and the vet comes out, and you leave your pet carrier on the pavement and step back and they pick it up, then take pet inside etc. Seems to work well (and frustratingly we've been to the vet more times during lockdown than ever before I think!)

Enjoyed hearing about your little tasty treat sat outside. I've just rejoined Slimming World so I'm going to try not to think too much about cakes! 😕😂