Come and tell me your dull and unexciting news 8: Calmly through the day

[MissConductUS]

I've started a new one. Please join us and share the boring and mundane things happening in your world. It will be calming for all.

Today I made space in the conservatory, which is usually used as our home gym, for our Xmas tree. Hoping to pick one up on Saturday morning and decorate after lunch. One of my favourite jobs of the year.

@Champagneforeveryone

There are some lovely updates on this thread since I was last here.

In optician news, it appears I made an error when ordering new lenses which is why my eyes were struggling I won't bore you with all the details, but I feel the optician is at least partly to blame

After another poster (I think it was spudlet) posted on an earlier thread, I had been toying with buying dog clippers. Poor DDog1 has dreadful fur in his old age, and after a small falling out with our old groomer now looks like a canine Worzel Gummige. In a fit of optimism I have ordered a pair of dog clippers which will be here on Thursday. I shall watch a YouTube video or two and then will doubtless be completely proficient

I bought human clippers during lockdown and have added lady barber to my list of skills. DH and DS2 are still asking me to do their hair. DS1 has sensibly returned the real barber, but 🤫 don’t tell the other two I said that. I didn’t even watch any YouTube videos. You’ll be fine. 😄

Oooh exciting @Champagneforeveryone! It’s pretty easy clippering them, if you can bathe and thoroughly dry and groom them first (they do need to be bone dry) it makes it easier and your clipper blades will last longer.

I am still bumbling along here, pretty stressed about Christmas as ever but making it through. Dh needs a haircut but he will only let me do it outside so we’re waiting for a slightly warmer day. DS did his nativity yesterday, we haven’t seen it yet as it was recorded (apparently they did two takes so are editing it together!) but I hear he was very keen on singing into the microphone DH (a staunch atheist) is mildly perturbed that he keeps quoting ‘Jesus’s name is Christ the Lord!’

Took ddog for a walk in his coat on Sunday when it was so cold in the wind that my face went numb... he was nice and warm and much less muddy than usual when he got back. So I’m pretty pleased with it.

Two days of school left so my jobs for today are finish an application form, finish knitting DS’s present, and do a workout. Though I will do the workout first or it won’t get done.

Got dc haircut after school yesterday followed by fish and chips as end of term treat (or bribe for DS1 to even set foot in the barbers).

Tired after my stressful day yesterday but I'm dressed, I've done my depressing physio exercises, taken my tablets. My husband made me breakfast in bed to apologise for accidentally elbowing me in the face while turning over in bed.

Kids break up today.

Good luck with the dog clippers Champagne. Watching YouTube worked pretty well for cutting DH's hair with clippers.

I'm in a dilemma here, I was expecting my COVID test results through by now but they haven't come and I have appointments this afternoon?

Children are in to Friday midday here covid isolations permitting.

The silkie chicken's perch and chicken woodchip and powder we have been given 3 arrival times for 12.25 to 1.25, 1.17 to 2.17 and 1.19 to 2.19.

Both children are at school. Have onion bhajis and samosa in the oven so that we keep lunch free for silkie chicken activities.

Trying to arrange a meetup with DH's friend to witness the transfer deed, quite difficult with all the rules and the weather though weather is better this week. Hoping for this weekend.

I am annoyed at Co-op - our local one doesn't stock the fudge I like best.

Just heard a crashing sound. I said to DH what was that? He said post. I said I'm not sure but that sounds like a clumsy kitten knocking something over to me. He went down to look, no post and cat had shut herself in kitchen by crashing the door shut.

Rescheduled today's appointments just in case my test result is positive.

Saw a friend earlier and he said you really don't seem like you have it.

I said looks can be deceiving!

@Frownette

Rescheduled today's appointments just in case my test result is positive.

Saw a friend earlier and he said you really don't seem like you have it.

I said looks can be deceiving!

Frownette, why were you tested? Not because you're symptomatic I hope.

Finished! Meet Supertato and his arch-nemesis, the Evil Pea. (They are from a book, one of DS’s current favourites)

I LOVE them Spudlet!

I've just picked DS up from college as his guitar teacher has tested positive - DS now enters his third period of isolation since September. He's not a happy chap!

Thanks 😊

@MissConductUS no no, just because I had throat/nose and people on here said they had those symptoms and tested positive.

I don't have the main 3 (cough, temperature, smell/taste) but thought it best to get tested just in case, as I'm around elderly relatives and friend with cancer.

Is it the same in US that you should watch out for the main three?

Is it the same in US that you should watch out for the main three?

Yes, but there are others that are concerning as well, like diarrhea. The virus lodges in the GI tract. That's why they do wastewater testing for surveillance.

Please let us know when you get your test results.

@Spudlet

Finished! Meet Supertato and his arch-nemesis, the Evil Pea. (They are from a book, one of DS’s current favourites)

@Spudlet, these are adorable! I went for a walk after work and failed to find the M&S plant based marshmallows that someone mentioned on another thread a while ago. I did, however buy some choc chips from Aldi for more brownies a la @MissConductUS and some Aldi halloumi fries. I got wet in the rain. Rain can do that.

@Nydj yes rain can be pesky like that. You'd think it would have better things to do.

[quote Frownette]@Nydj yes rain can be pesky like that. You'd think it would have better things to do.[/quote]

@Nydj What brands of chocolate chips are common in the shops in the UK? Nestle is big here, but also some posh American brands like Ghiradelli's.

[quote MissConductUS]@Nydj What brands of chocolate chips are common in the shops in the UK? Nestle is big here, but also some posh American brands like Ghiradelli's.[/quote]
I am not the best person to ask as I just get the supermarket’s own brand. The ones I bought today from Aldi were 45p for 100g while the ones from Morrison’s are 85p for 100g and Morrison’s is usually at the cheaper end of the supermarkets here in the UK. I have just done price comparison and here are my findings - all prices are per 100g:

Sainsburys taste the difference range*: £1.33
Waitrose ‘cooks ingredients’ brand: £1.20
Morrison’s own brand: 85p
Tesco own brand: 80p
Asda own brand: 50p
Aldi own brand: 45p

• a more upmarket own brand.

I am sure that that are plenty more brands available with a much higher price tag for people with a more discerning palate than mine.

@spudlet at the evil pea
I read all your updates and feel calmed now (all the best to those not feeling well).
I am still waiting for DC's presents - DS gets a 7 shaped -side sleeper cushion and DD a sweater (merch - so coming from who knows where).
About 80% of the cookies I baked are already gone

@Nydj You can get Dr Oetker ones, they are the only brand I ever notice in the supermarket apart from the own brand ones (I always get the own brand!).

Thank you all for your kind words about the Evil Pea, they are really such funny books DS’s teacher read the first one out over Teams when the school was closed and DS liked it so much we bought it, and now Santa (via great-Grandma) has provided the rest of them - the next one is called Veggies Assemble and is also very funny as DS brought that one back from the school library.

One of DS’s favourite scenes is when The Evil Pea menaces Supertato with the potato masher...!

@MissConductUS thank you for the welcome.

Today I finally swept the kitchen floor. The Hello Fresh box came and I unpacked it but I had to sort the fridge out first to fit everything in.

DCs now finished school so gave them a very lazy pizza and some ice cream for dinner (Co-op have a good offer - 2 thin based pizza and a pot of Ben and Jerrys for £4) Me and DP had lovely bean chilli.

I have a chilblain on the little toe on my right foot. Its really really itchy and it hurts :(

Its rained all day long.

Now I'm watching the news - its depressing.