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

Treasurequeen

have you tried your local Asian supermarkets/ eco shops. my local two shops sell it worth a look

redredrobin 

chanie

ive been climbing the walls being stuck at home.  It’s soo difficult trying to work from home whilst seeing to two primary school aged children.  

I have had no motivation to plan ahead for Christmas/birthdays/Easter, due to the current situation.  I did manage to buy one present before we went into lockdown, as I had some vouchers that were due to expire at the end of the month.  Luckily, I am ahead of the game anyway so a break won’t matter.  I am trying to force myself to get back into it as a way to have things to look forward to.  I guess I can start by planning DS birthday next month.  We should still be in lockdown, so his birthday is going to be a rather quiet affair for him.  He really wanted a birthday party and i said we would give him a party once we were allowed out, but he is still disappointed.

Misslayed

@chanie I don't know if this idea is any use to you, it depends on your circumstances, I saw a video on Twitter, from Eire, a 12 year old girl's birthday party had to be cancelled, her parents arranged for her friends to drive past honking their car horns while she just happened to be in the garden. If you're on twitter search for Happy Birthday Katie. 

Redredrobin

How I how is everyone doing ? Work yesterday was different but worked well , it looks like from April 1st some staff will be furloughed to be honest I’m hoping I’m one of them ! We could really get cracking with the decorating.

Thinking ahead I have posted all birthday cards for the next four months because I think at some point Royal Mail may stop delivering temporarily. My postie said there’s less staff each day and various options are being considered.

princesskitty29

Hi all, I hope you are all safe and well. I’m generally doing ok but having moments of feeling overwhelmed by it all, especially with a 5 year old and 2 year old to keep entertained constantly with nothing to break it up like a playdate or visiting family. The boys have overall been fairly well behaved the past week and we’re in a good routine but it’s just the relentlessness of it that’s a bit overwhelming. One of them always comes to find me even if I’ve just popped to the loo! But I know I’m lucky in so many ways and still count my blessings.

 

I’m not normally an anxious person but I’m feeling anxious this morning over food shopping. DH has mild asthma, but he had a bad virus at Christmas and has had a cough ever since that he can’t shake. He did go to the doctors once in February and they gave him antibiotics but they didn’t work, then he had a phone call with a doctor a few weeks ago who just prescribed more inhalers. He has tried to speak to them since as it’s just not subsiding but no one is available for obvious reasons. We have online food shops booked until the 17th April, I booked these a while ago but I know that they now want slots for the elderly and vulnerable which is only right, but I worry so much about having to go out around people because of DH’s chest, there is so much more risk involved. DH’s asthma has never really been a problem, he tends to get a cough for a week or two in the winter but ironically at this time it’s the worst it’s ever been. Then my mind starts wandering and thinking what if something else is going on but we don’t know as no one is available to check him over?? Anyway sorry to go on, I’m just getting everything out on here as it helps! I know we’re all in the same boat and other people are much worse off.

 

I’ve really been enjoying my cross stitch lately, I’m actually finishing off a project I started in 2015 and had forgotten about, it’s a ‘My First Calendar’ which I originally started stitching for my nephew but he’s too old now so it’ll be for my boys. It’ll have lots of magnetic pieces and they’ll be able to put the date on and what the weather is like. I’ve also just bought the bits I need to stitch a beautiful picture of some daffodils that I saw in my magazine, I’m hoping to stitch it for my MiL for her birthday in November.

 

I hope you are all doing ok, thinking of you all.

Peppapig

PRINCESSKITTY I’m the same, I’m usually someone who just deals with things but I’m finding myself having periods of anxiety over this current situation, usually when I’m trying to get to sleep. I felt an actual physical feeling of relief when my shopping came last week but then a couple of days later I started worrying about this week. I’ve got deliveries booked this week and next because I have a delivery plan in place and always have my shopping delivered but after that who knows. I daren’t go to the shops because of DH’s heart failure. Add to that the stress of not being able to see mum in the nursing home when we normally go every day and I’m finding it a bit hard to stay upbeat, even though I know it will all pass and we’re not exactly starving. It doesn’t help that I’ve misplaced my crafting mojo so I’m spending a lot of time playing games on the iPad and spending money on QVC instead so I’m very impressed with the progress you’ve made with your cross stitch projects, you’re putting me to shame lol.  

REDREDROBIN I posted my March cards a couple of weeks ago just in case but I definitely ought to sort out April and May this week.  I hope you manage to get your decorating done. Is DD coping ok with the current restrictions? 

Hope everyone is ok xx

vulpix

Hi Folks,Strange times indeed.
PK please get your husband to persevere with the athsma preventative medicine.I have athsma and had a something in January.Can't call it a cold because it was all dry cough.My chest just never bucked up and I felt like I couldn't breathe properly.I finally saw the athsma nurse,got a new inhalier and feel loads better but it has taken a month of fairly intensive treatment.
You sound like you are doing a great job with your boys.Don't feel guilty about having a delivery slot booked.Most places have taken extra staff on to enable more deliveries.Your family is as deserving.You always sound like a lovely person who is very good at looking after others.A little bit of looking after you and yours is deserved.

Peppa,same for you,some encouraging words.I suppose you can take some comfort about your Mum's situation in that she is in a safe place with people around her.Do you phone her? I phone my Mum but she is quite bemused as staying in is her normal.She is badly affected with arthritis.We have never phoned or seen a lot of each other before,we are too much alike! I haven't done much crafting recently either.I made a simple baby hat and have knitted a jumper but not sewn it up.I am spending waaaaaay too much time on the internet.All I have bought though is masses of compost.

 I have taken up some of the patio which bordered next door.We have new neighbours.The old ones never went in the garden but these people do and they have put a lounge set up against the fence.It isn't a solid fence but strips of wood iykwim so the wind can whip through,a solid fence blows down here.I have spent 3 days digging the MOT and rubble out and will fill the hole with compost today to make a new bed along the fence. I will have to use plants I already have to stock it as a trip to the garden centre isn't essential apparently! 

RR you are most organised.I bought wallpaper a couple of weeks ago but moved the furniture about upstairs and thought it looks ok so the paper has gone in the loft!
Sorry to waffle on but I think in these strsnge time we need a nice chat to keep us going.

Vxxx

Redredrobin

Peppapig - Dd is coping well although she is miffed her Butlins trip early June is almost certainly cancelled and keeps saying well at least our trip to Scotland in September is ok ! I haven’t the heart to tell her this might also be cancelled.Thats a discussion for another day .

I believe I’m about to be furloughed this week which I’m ok about . At work this weekend people just don’t get what an essential item is !!! Apparently a roll of black bags , a half inch paint brush and a box of screws are all on the essentials list , now I realise people want to keep busy but seriously people need to get a grip .

Redredrobin

How is everyone coping ? Today was the first time I’ve gone out shopping and I found it very stressful. The customers were keeping apart but Asda staff were having trouble maintaining their distance!

Peppapig

REDREDROBIN I haven’t been to the shops as I’ve been having online deliveries but I walked past our local Tesco this morning and they had tape all over the floor marking out 2metre gaps. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be working because they aren’t controlling how many people are in the shop at any one time. I understand from DD though that it’s working well in the big Tesco near her where they have a controlled entry system in place. Hope you managed to get all you needed.

PRINCESSKITTY I’ve managed to get a delivery slot for 21st April. I use MrT and I think they’re releasing slots at midnight, I managed to get mine at ten past and I checked back at nineteen minutes past and they’d all been taken. Not very good for the vulnerable people who don’t live with a night owl with an iPad addiction though.

Hope everyone is ok.  I’m doing myself an exercise timetable because I’m turning into a complete couch potato. I’ve found a yoga session on line that I’ll try and do three times a week and I’ll go out for a walk twice a week. If I add in a bit of skipping each day hopefully that’ll help me get fitter. As soon as DH sorts the garage out I’ll be able to get my bike out too. Now I know what to do all I’ve got to do is actually do it. Simple!