* Step into Christmas * & 2020 - It's the 2020 Christmas Chatter Thread

kerri_gt

Treasurequeen I don't know what their deliveries are like atm but have you looked at Able & Cole for a milk delivery? Their milk isn't actually that expansive overall and perhaps you could get some to freeze too, or even keep a regular slot while you can't get out as easily. Failing that, are there any other milkmen in your area? 

nic2075

I have a local farm shop that delivers milk, eggs, Juice and a veg box. All local produce, either grown/produced by them, or local farms. It’s a bit more expensive than the supermarket. But it’s a lot tastier and lasts way longer. And tastes great. At the moment it means I don’t need to worry about fresh food as they have no plans of stopping. Worth looking at if you can. I suppose it may depend where you live. 

Redredrobin

Has everyone’s Drs gone to telephone appointments? I rang to get meds for vertigo and was told the Dr would call back but never got the call just one from the pharmacy saying my meds were ready to collect !

Dd has been asked not to attend her social group until at least after Easter because she has multiple health issues , she is annoyed but will have to suck it up !

I think once this is over I’m going to get serious about growing more of my own food , in a weird way it’s making me think a lot about how I do things .

keep safe xxx

vulpix

Hi,hope everyone is ok if not a bit bored because of having to stay in.
I haven't had any great trouble buying food here in the High peak but if we had to I have enough in the freezer and stores to last a couple of weeks.There would have to be some" interesting"meals though.
I think the veg boxes are a very good idea.It would certainly make us eat it all so as not to waste it.A good way of getting some variety.We tend to stick to the same old favourites.
I have tried veg growing a couple of times and in the end gave up.There was just not the quantity or quality for me.EG tomatoes,I would have to grow far more than a couple of plants to have enough ripen at the same time for a family meal,then we would be sick of tomatoes as there would be hundreds.I do grow garlic which is successful.I also grow strawberries which I never have enough for a meal but I freeze them as they ripen and make jam at the end of the season.Same for cherries,blackberries,goseberries and redcurrants.I give the jam away because we don't eat it much ! I have had success with onions in the past too.
My Nephews wedding is cancelled.Not surprising. Mr V has lost one of his jobs.The other will be closing but he is being kept on in the office to answer the phones and keep the place ticking over which is good for us.A lot of work here is reliant on tourists.
I think this experience will change a lot of things for everybody.
I think it's a great idea to chat on here to help with social isolation,it has been important to me for years for that reason when I have been recovering from many and various ailments!
Take care Vx

kerri_gt

Sorry to hear about your nephews wedding Vulpix. We were supposed to be going to my BIL in a couple of weeks but obviously that's been postponed now. Hotel and flights cancelled but still need to speak to the cattery that Mog was booked into. As they're a small family business they're sticking to their 30 day cancellation policy - we had her booked in for a week and I don't want to be shelling out £100+ if I don't have to. Not sure my travel insurance will cover it so need to see if I can negotiate something for rebooking dates. Still at least both myself and OH currently have jobs such that we can pay for it if needs be.

princesskitty29

What a strange and surreal time we are all living in. DH has an ongoing asthma issue so when the government announced on Wednesday that the schools were shutting Friday we decided to keep Wiggle at home immediately. I’ve had a knot in my tummy for a while and being at home with the boys the last two days I’ve had a feeling of grieving, grieving for life as it was! I know it all sounds very dramatic but that’s the only way I can describe it. We are all ok though and I know that we can only do everything in our power to stop ourselves getting the virus and passing it on. I hope you are all keeping well and doing ok and I really feel for a lot of your situations, it’s tough on everyone but more so on some than others. I think one of the hardest things for everyone is not knowing how it is going to play out and when it’s going to end, knowing that we have to live this way indefinitely.

 

For some months now I have had much more of a ‘make do and mend’ attitude and I wanted to simplify my life which is coming in very useful now! For a long time now I’ve also been very careful with food waste and using up everything I possibly can. For example I had some jam sandwiches in the freezer leftover from a birthday party a few months ago, I got them out on Sunday and made bread and butter pudding. I’ve also been saving all of my veg peelings and spinach/broccoli stalks to make soup with. I think this situation will probably change how a lot of people think about things and could do some good as we will appreciate things all the more.

 

I’m thinking of you all and wishing you and your families good health.

 

squishylove your plans for presents sound lovely. I am going to cross stitch my friend tree decorations this year - so I’m going to stitch a small Christmas motif, sew material onto the back and stuff it so it’s a padded decoration. I’m also going to stitch my auntie a bookmark as she loves reading. In terms of stocking fillers, some things I’ve bought in the past are hand cream, a pen, candles, small crossword/puzzle book (depending on what they’re interested in), scratchcards, lip balm, small screen cleaner pad for laptops, ipads etc, socks, tree decoration, shopping list pad, golf balls, tees – I could go on!

 

Peppa I can only imagine how you are feeling about your mum, I’m so sorry. It is hard to get our heads around how we can actually be banned from seeing loved ones, who could ever imagine that happening? Sending lots of love and hugs. x

Redredrobin

For those with little ones I saw a news program highlighting a nursery that has been forced to go on YouTube it’s called rag dolly Anna , it looks like it might burn a bit of energy off .

I don’t know about social distancing but my work has been heaving today , I think a lot of people are expecting to have to isolate themselves and are getting their stuff in to get some diy done .

A side effect of this situation is my little local high street is busier than I have ever seen it .

kerri_gt

redredrobin I noticed a lot of plant buying going on when I've been out too, i was starting to wonder if its a cross between people suddenly thinking they'll have more time (as a wfh worker anyway i can assure people that's not the case) or running out of things to stockpile! 

I saw loads of people out enjoying the sunshine today...from a safe social distance of course. Aside from looking a bit like they'd all had a barney with each other, it really was a fabulous site and i do hope we hold on to the positives that are coming out of this. 

peppa I have some slices of cheesecake in the freezer from Christmas 

Treasurequeen

Hi everyone, very difficult times for us all. I’ve found my cross stitch stuff and I’ve got two Christmas project ones to do. A cross stitch design stocking, and a Christmas snow scene picture. should keep me busy. I’ve got plenty of books to get through even a few Christmas ones. 

I must admit I have bought some garden plants last week before it was all announced. A few grow your own seeds and herbs as I drink a lot of herbal teas so I can make my own. 

Redredrobin

Just been out to get the last of my shopping Whatever I don’t have now is tough luck basically, the only thing I’m struggling to get is yeast .

My work isn’t closing but is going to click and collect only which will be interesting to say the least !A lot of our older customers only use cash so we are effectively refusing their business which can’t be good for any business but needs must I guess .

stay safe xxx