I thought I'd occupy myself this morning by going and queuing for prescriptions* for an elderly/disabled couple, neighbours of ours. Took me all of 20 minutes - hats off to our small local B**ts store, which is well-organised and helpful <notworthy>
* I had heard horror stories from other people, going with camping chairs and crochet to occupy themselves during a 3-hour wait!
It's almost embarrassing, how little inconvenienced we are
I made a necklace from buttons and silk string yesterday, which used up the cream of the button box.
Slightly melancholy occupation, since I inherited it from my MiL, so I was snipping out fragments of thread from garments that may have been new for Coronation year.
I was tidying up a bit, and found a box of books I'd slid into a cupboard when I moved into the flat 6 years ago ... so I've now been re-arranging bookshelves to accommodate them. I'm still a firm believer in the axiom that you can't have too many books, though you can have too few bookshelves. I've a length of contiboard left over from something, I foresee some DIY in the near future (using whatever else I've kept hold of "because it may be useful someday").
I chopped some ice beside the house with an axe yesterday. Making a drainage channel there wasn't one and actually no need for one. They suggested spring weather, but it is still -3°C today. Which is warmer than the -17 last week.
Stressful early-morning wrangle with the Asda groceries delivery. Booked it more than a week ago, due on Friday, but updates only allowed in the preceding 48 hrs. What with trying to remember what I'd originally ordered and what I subsequently needed cross indexed with items that had now changed price or gone out of stock, via one of the less-friendly interfaces - all before First Coffee - has drained my intellectual batteries for the day.
Trying that Before First Coffee, was your first mistake. Trying it Before Second Coffee would also probably be a battery draining experience as well. I struggle to do anything Before Second Coffee.
Mr F is Kaffeemeister (skilled job - online bean sourcing, grinding, brewing). It's usually one pot in the morning, but if we are both up horribly early, he'll do individual Americanos.
I'm feeling rather guilty about my regular Ocado order. I've been using them for twenty odd years so am a 'privileged' customer. Most of the stuff I order arrives or is sensibly substituted, unlike when I used to use Sainsburys who also had the annoying habit of giving you everything with a very short use by date. Having looked at the Daily Ma*l today (I know I know) there are lots of complaints about vulnerable people not getting slots. Well I'm not vulnerable in that I am fit and healthy but I am in my mid sixties and don't have a car. If I didn't have a slot I'd be visiting the supermarket every other day which is definitely not a good idea.
It shows how life has changed that getting my order delivered is a highlight of the week. @Firenze, my husband is the barista round here, espresso machine, professional grinder, roasts his own beans. I'm more of a tea person but his caffelattes are wonderful.
We have a decent espresso maker and I have a cafe latte for breakfast every day. I don’t often drink any more coffee as I have mania and it tends to give me a bit of a buzz if I have too much but, oddly, I’m also one whose sleep is unaffected by caffeine. We are currently drinking Kimbo Espresso Extra Cream as my husband’s Italian colleague recommended it to us.
I make a jug of coffee when I get up. One mug drunk with breakfast, a second immediately after with the rest in a flask to finish off later in the morning. That's four mugs in the morning, or with the last at lunch. Afternoon coffee usually requires instant.
One small coffee between 11 and 12 is my lot, I'm afraid.
Sarasa, I do understand about slots. I've been using Tesco delivery for years, but still can't get a slot, unless I keep looking, and lo and behold! yesterday there was a list of slots looking at me, for the week I wanted. I've given up trying to understand, just accept great mercies!
I have a cup-at-a-time coffee-maker. It works very well for me. When I used a pot I would keep drinking until the pot was empty, whether I really wanted it or not. Now when I want coffee, I make it.
Another advantage is that I can choose what type I want--regular or flavored.
I did a slightly different shop this morning - plants. Got into a friendly exchange of emails with a nursery in Glasgow. The gardening business is struggling of course, so I've promised to write to my MP and MSP in support of early re-opening (up there with food and booze IMO).
With luck tomorrow should see 3 Heuchera delivered. Including a variety 'Marmelade' - I mean, how could you not?
It does seem to be an issue with vulnerable people not able to get delivery slots. And the school meal vouchers thing seems difficult for some too - a friend gets those vouchers for her kids but couldn't use them, because you either have to go in person to the supermarkets, which she can't as she's in the shielded group, or order online only from a select few, which were booked up. The vouchers couldn't be used in the supermarket which was able to give her a slot. We solved it by my buying the vouchers from her, so I used them for myself, as I can go to the supermarket, and she used the money to do her order. But even then she didn't get most of the items she had ordered.
I'm getting a delivery of fruit and veg, as plenty of new fruit and veg box companies are opening, and anyone can order. Mine is local, but I've seen ads for ones that deliver throughout the UK. If this is helpful to anyone, here is a link to a food box with essentials. A bit pricy, but I imagine many of us are spending more on food than usual, and their profits go to the NHS. I haven't used it myself, so can't recommend from personal experience, but I can't recommend the one I use as it is only really local to where I live.
I'm also going to Asda, but it's nice to have a fruit and veg box too, as I walk a mile to Asda, and it's quite hilly, so don't want my bags to be too heavy to carry home. I usually go there several times a week, but now once or twice a week.
I'm more a tea drinker than a coffee drinker. I love coffee, but can't drink much of it. I recently got some lovely tea leaves delivered from Approved Food - they do bulk bags at significantly reduced prices. I got a strawberry pepper tea - black tea with strawberry and pink peppercorns. Sounds odd, but is in fact very nice. I do always drink tea without milk though - not sure what it would be like with milk in!
In the days when our local Community Centre was open (please God, it won't be a victim of the emergency), I was accustomed to drink 2 double espressos in succession, following Morning Prayer in church.
I think the dents in the walls of the Centre - where I bounced off them - are still to be seen.
No coffee these days, though. WINE is a poor, but adequate, substitute...
I rarely drank coffee at all until I moved to Canada, where I quickly became quite addicted to Tim Horton's (two cream, no sugar). Since I came back to Scotland, I've obviously been deprived, but I've got the hang of my sister's Nespresso machine, and usually have some sort of milky coffee in the morning, and occasionally a decaff one in the evening.
I am starting to look like an aging hippy Janis Joplin, with now long wavy hair, no lipstick as you can not see it behind a mask anyway, and short nails with no polish for good hand washing. So I am saving money on hair cuts, and make up but perhaps scaring the dog, hubby, and neighbors when I take out the trash.
There's a Tim Horton's in the shopping centre here. Once we're out of this pandemic situation and they re-open should this be a venue for a Shipmeet?
Excellent idea! [wipes away a tear]
I understand the nearest one to Embra is in Dunfermline - why it's there is beyond me!
@Graven Image - preach it, sister! My hair is getting greyer by the minute, and will very soon stop behaving completely. As for nails, they're having a bit of a rest, which may well do them some good!
How many coffees do you guys have? My 11am coffee charges me up for hours, and another one would stop me sleeping.
My regular coffee cup is a 'Massimo' from Costa Coffee (no, I didn't steal it) which holds a pint or 568 ml. My coffee is Lidl's French Blend filter of which two very heaped teaspoons are sufficient for a 'cup', which I take black, no sugar. I usually consume two or three of those a day. Luckily, coffee has no apparent effects on me and I can drink a cup at midnight and be asleep by two*, though my bladder might wake me up sooner rather than later.
I'm a tea based life form. I had tried coffee, but even asking for it weak still affected my blood pressure, then a friendly barista suggested I buy a bowl of steamed milk and a shot of coffee in a tiny jug. This allowed me to have control over the amount of coffee I had. A coffee drinking friend who was with me was appalled.
I've said before that I consider myself very lucky to work where I do. As an essential worker I get to go to work five days a week, and I haven't missed even an hour.
Even better is that I get to help people who are really grateful that we're there.
And this morning I got to do something special. A customer came in with a guide dog. I was working the line, so I said "right this way" and took her to the front. "Oh, no. They might be angry."
--That's okay, Come ahead anyway. Do you need help with your shopping?
Yes, she did, and I wish all shoppers were as decisive. She knew just what she wanted (and we had all of it!) A short list and we filled it in about 15 minutes. I walked her to the corner and she was off on her way.
I may have made a couple of new friends. E. and Vixen. I told Vixen that I wanted to grab her ears and say hello, but I knew that was a no go.
I don't get a chance like that very often. Feels really good.
I am starting to look like an aging hippy Janis Joplin, with now long wavy hair, no lipstick as you can not see it behind a mask anyway, and short nails with no polish for good hand washing. So I am saving money on hair cuts, and make up but perhaps scaring the dog, hubby, and neighbors when I take out the trash.
My post-chemo hair is still very fine and fairly thin, which means that it looks even worse when it gets too long. My dear friends L and her husband B were even more seriously in need of haircuts than I. So I texted the hairdresser that L and I regularly patronize; he was more than agreeable to coming out to tend to the three of us, all masked and scrubbed.
We went out on my deck, one at a time, and got our hairs cut; not only is human hair eminently biodegradable, but birds use it in their nests, so we felt absolutely guiltless in sweeping it all off afterward. We all tipped handsomely; he objected, but this is a man who drove out here to shave my head and refused to let me pay anything when my chemo'd hair was coming out in clumps 16 months ago, and who furthermore refused to let me pay anything when I had enough to need a trim in February. Now it was our turn to help him out a little. Mutual win!
ION, I dragged myself out of my Pit this morning, and went off to Tesco at about 10am. I was delighted to find NO QUEUE, and obtained everything I wanted, including some RADISHES...
My window boxes on my balcony usually have soft fruit growing in them. Without access to a garden centre to buy strawberry plants, I found some seeds at the supermarket. I now have carrots and radishes growing. Though, both seem plentiful on the shelves at the moment.
I was grateful to spot that our local garden centre was open just for one morning. I swooped in and bought six strawberry plants, and some random plants . My balcony now has a bit of colour...Huzzah.
For colour I have a load of daff's still in bloom. Plus a couple of the plants I put in last spring survived the winter and are in bloom. A miniature shrubbery includes a red leafed acer. I've noticed a couple of neighbours have put flowers in over the last week or so, so I guess that means there's a garden centre open somewhere locally.
I've said before that I consider myself very lucky to work where I do. As an essential worker I get to go to work five days a week, and I haven't missed even an hour.
Even better is that I get to help people who are really grateful that we're there.
And this morning I got to do something special. A customer came in with a guide dog. I was working the line, so I said "right this way" and took her to the front. "Oh, no. They might be angry."
--That's okay, Come ahead anyway. Do you need help with your shopping?
Yes, she did, and I wish all shoppers were as decisive. She knew just what she wanted (and we had all of it!) A short list and we filled it in about 15 minutes. I walked her to the corner and she was off on her way.
I may have made a couple of new friends. E. and Vixen. I told Vixen that I wanted to grab her ears and say hello, but I knew that was a no go.
I don't get a chance like that very often. Feels really good.
Just the right approach. The Guide Dog Owner will remember you. 👏🏼🐾
For colour I have a load of daff's still in bloom. Plus a couple of the plants I put in last spring survived the winter and are in bloom. A miniature shrubbery includes a red leafed acer. I've noticed a couple of neighbours have put flowers in over the last week or so, so I guess that means there's a garden centre open somewhere locally.
You can get plug plants online from various places.
I’m about to search some out myself. I’ll let you know if I’m successful.
I'm also not buying non-essentials online - I don't see any need to have people going into work to ship things to me (and hence, put themselves at risk) if I don't actually need something. At the moment, I'm happy with the daffs on my balcony, and looking forward to my own carrots later in the year (I planted radishes but don't eat many of them myself, my daughter on the other hand will eat the lot).
Another successful trip to Tesco this morning, with only a 5-minute wait in the queue to get in. Having completed my totter around the store (carefully observing the one-way system, and the social distancing), I arrived at the place where you wait for a check-out, and was directed immediately to an empty till.
I said to the cheerful lady marshalling the line (which actually consisted only of Me) that I thought they'd got it pretty well sorted - they seem to be very capable at regulating the number of people in the store at any one time.
Yes indeed - and isn't it lovely to hear such Good News™ stories?
God knows we could do with some. I heard yesterday that two of my former ambulance crewmates had both had The Plague, but were recovering well. One is back at work (the shifts I worked with her were always enjoyable, no matter how dire the cases we came across, IYSWIM), and the other is still enjoying her retirement (she's a bit older than me).
I'd normally have got my plants from B&Q, but that's also closed.
And, just got the FB feed from the local paper to say that they've now re-opened. It seems buying a few screws is considered essential. I'm not so sure about that, unless they're for the UK government who seem to have a few loose.
My hair is getting greyer by the minute, and will very soon stop behaving completely.
Mine too. I cut my own fringe this week, and having watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to do it I'm reasonably pleased with the result. But the rest of my hair goes wayward if it gets too long so it's going to start looking permanently messy soon.
I'm wondering how many of us will decide to embrace Nature's Platinum Highlights when all this is over, rather than spend a small fortune on colours and highlights. I might, for one.
Our local garden shop remains open because it also sells pet supplies, and the owner told me last week they've never been so busy.
Actually, given the amount of time people are spending at home, and the number of DIY jobs that could be done - in the house, or in the garden - ISTM that re-opening B & Q is not such a Bad Idea.
Alas, the paint I need for the deck of the Ark (which is sadly in need of attention ) is only obtainable from a specialist Paint Emporium, which, I noticed this morning, is still closed.
I'd normally have got my plants from B&Q, but that's also closed.
And, just got the FB feed from the local paper to say that they've now re-opened. It seems buying a few screws is considered essential. I'm not so sure about that, unless they're for the UK government who seem to have a few loose.
Hardware and home improvement stores are considered essential here, presumably because if people have to stay home and can’t get out, they’ll need things yo do, and very well may want to spend some of their time doing projects around the house and in the yard. We have been.
Comments
I killed the fatted potato pie. It was very much enjoyed.
Amen to that!
I thought I'd occupy myself this morning by going and queuing for prescriptions* for an elderly/disabled couple, neighbours of ours. Took me all of 20 minutes - hats off to our small local B**ts store, which is well-organised and helpful <notworthy>
* I had heard horror stories from other people, going with camping chairs and crochet to occupy themselves during a 3-hour wait!
It's almost embarrassing, how little inconvenienced we are
Mrs. S, still booooored
Slightly melancholy occupation, since I inherited it from my MiL, so I was snipping out fragments of thread from garments that may have been new for Coronation year.
Back to knitting today.
It shows how life has changed that getting my order delivered is a highlight of the week.
@Firenze, my husband is the barista round here, espresso machine, professional grinder, roasts his own beans. I'm more of a tea person but his caffelattes are wonderful.
I seem to be one of the lucky ones who's sleep is not affected by caffeine. So, more than one a day is my working day answer.
However, now I'm currently home all the time apart from going out for essentials, I am having a bit less as other options are more readily available.
Sarasa, I do understand about slots. I've been using Tesco delivery for years, but still can't get a slot, unless I keep looking, and lo and behold! yesterday there was a list of slots looking at me, for the week I wanted. I've given up trying to understand, just accept great mercies!
Another advantage is that I can choose what type I want--regular or flavored.
With luck tomorrow should see 3 Heuchera delivered. Including a variety 'Marmelade' - I mean, how could you not?
I'm getting a delivery of fruit and veg, as plenty of new fruit and veg box companies are opening, and anyone can order. Mine is local, but I've seen ads for ones that deliver throughout the UK. If this is helpful to anyone, here is a link to a food box with essentials. A bit pricy, but I imagine many of us are spending more on food than usual, and their profits go to the NHS. I haven't used it myself, so can't recommend from personal experience, but I can't recommend the one I use as it is only really local to where I live.
I'm also going to Asda, but it's nice to have a fruit and veg box too, as I walk a mile to Asda, and it's quite hilly, so don't want my bags to be too heavy to carry home. I usually go there several times a week, but now once or twice a week.
I'm more a tea drinker than a coffee drinker. I love coffee, but can't drink much of it. I recently got some lovely tea leaves delivered from Approved Food - they do bulk bags at significantly reduced prices. I got a strawberry pepper tea - black tea with strawberry and pink peppercorns. Sounds odd, but is in fact very nice. I do always drink tea without milk though - not sure what it would be like with milk in!
I think the dents in the walls of the Centre - where I bounced off them - are still to be seen.
No coffee these days, though. WINE is a poor, but adequate, substitute...
It's not quite the same though ...
Excellent idea! [wipes away a tear]
I understand the nearest one to Embra is in Dunfermline - why it's there is beyond me!
@Graven Image - preach it, sister! My hair is getting greyer by the minute, and will very soon stop behaving completely. As for nails, they're having a bit of a rest, which may well do them some good!
My regular coffee cup is a 'Massimo' from Costa Coffee (no, I didn't steal it) which holds a pint or 568 ml. My coffee is Lidl's French Blend filter of which two very heaped teaspoons are sufficient for a 'cup', which I take black, no sugar. I usually consume two or three of those a day. Luckily, coffee has no apparent effects on me and I can drink a cup at midnight and be asleep by two*, though my bladder might wake me up sooner rather than later.
*Two in the morning is about normal for me.
Two, from my marvellous bean-to-cup machine. 11am and 2pm. Highlights of my day.
Even better is that I get to help people who are really grateful that we're there.
And this morning I got to do something special. A customer came in with a guide dog. I was working the line, so I said "right this way" and took her to the front. "Oh, no. They might be angry."
--That's okay, Come ahead anyway. Do you need help with your shopping?
Yes, she did, and I wish all shoppers were as decisive. She knew just what she wanted (and we had all of it!) A short list and we filled it in about 15 minutes. I walked her to the corner and she was off on her way.
I may have made a couple of new friends. E. and Vixen. I told Vixen that I wanted to grab her ears and say hello, but I knew that was a no go.
I don't get a chance like that very often. Feels really good.
We went out on my deck, one at a time, and got our hairs cut; not only is human hair eminently biodegradable, but birds use it in their nests, so we felt absolutely guiltless in sweeping it all off afterward. We all tipped handsomely; he objected, but this is a man who drove out here to shave my head and refused to let me pay anything when my chemo'd hair was coming out in clumps 16 months ago, and who furthermore refused to let me pay anything when I had enough to need a trim in February. Now it was our turn to help him out a little. Mutual win!
Uncle Monty would approve.
I live a very sheltered life...
Just the right approach. The Guide Dog Owner will remember you. 👏🏼🐾
You can get plug plants online from various places.
I’m about to search some out myself. I’ll let you know if I’m successful.
I said to the cheerful lady marshalling the line (which actually consisted only of Me) that I thought they'd got it pretty well sorted - they seem to be very capable at regulating the number of people in the store at any one time.
God knows we could do with some. I heard yesterday that two of my former ambulance crewmates had both had The Plague, but were recovering well. One is back at work (the shifts I worked with her were always enjoyable, no matter how dire the cases we came across, IYSWIM), and the other is still enjoying her retirement (she's a bit older than me).
I was just SO HAPPY for both of them!
Mine too. I cut my own fringe this week, and having watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to do it I'm reasonably pleased with the result. But the rest of my hair goes wayward if it gets too long so it's going to start looking permanently messy soon.
I'm wondering how many of us will decide to embrace Nature's Platinum Highlights when all this is over, rather than spend a small fortune on colours and highlights. I might, for one.
Our local garden shop remains open because it also sells pet supplies, and the owner told me last week they've never been so busy.
Alas, the paint I need for the deck of the Ark (which is sadly in need of attention
Pity, really, as it's good painting weather!