Christmas countdown 2020: Lockdown edition (thread 4)

[NoWordForFluffy]

Here we go, new thread.

We've been very chatty this month! 😁

I am off to Asda soon, then it's learning for DD2, back to work for me tomorrow, will be nice to have a bit of normality.

Work have just called to say they're putting me on furlough from close of business tomorrow. I'm not surprised, the biggest clients of our department are pub companies, so we obviously don't have much coming in. He was at pains to point out that I cannot do any work once I'm on furlough, otherwise it breaches the scheme.

Unfortunately, when he called, DS and I were in the middle of a science experiment with food colouring, and DS took advantage of me being on the phone to open the green and cover us both. We now have Hulk hands

I'm on Easter holidays from end of day today. Once I'm back I'm being redeployed to the city 20 miles away. The dc will have to go to school

Will you be ok financially fire?

We are watching Beauty and the Beast and I am working on my cross stitch.

Forgot pic!

Firefly, we've all agreed to a contract variation which allows furlough to happen if necessary. Are you bothered or relieved or a mix of the two?

Bloody hell, Wreck. What a pain.

Your house is way neater than ours, Most!

We just made gingerbread men at lunchtime as the weather went wet. Then it brightened too late for us to go to the park. Maybe we will go after dinner, depending on whether it's busy in there.

Looks productive to me, most.

No-one's slick as Gaston...

Thankfully, DH is on a good wage and is NHS so unlikely to be furloughed, and we can manage to live on just that if we need to, so 80% of my wages will be a bonus, for however long it lasts.

Is there any chance it might be put off until the lockdown is lifted, Wreck?

No firefly I'm NHS. We're having to go wherever we're needed. The whole of our current service is being pulled right back to skeleton staff and everyone else being redeployed.

DH is still working and we want to keep it that way as apparently his boss doesn't want to apply for the furlough grant

Mostly relieved, Fluffy. I'm struggling with morning sickness/tiredness, and trying to juggle work and DS while having no energy is not fun.

We made the decision to prioritise DH's work over mine because a) he works with vulnerable kids and b) his take home pay is twice mine, so I've been getting up before DS to do a couple of hours, I squeeze in an hour or so over DH's 'lunch' and then he does tea and bedtime while I do another couple of hours. It's exhausting - I sat and cried on the kitchen floor this morning because DH used the last of the bread for toast for DS's breakfast and I wanted a crisp sandwich So I called my supervisor to discuss options, and she suggested I wait until the end of the day because she thought the firm was planning to furlough my level because she'd been snooping in the senior partners' inboxes.

Sorry to hear that, Wreck. That's rubbish.

I'll keep my fingers crossed your DH's boss sees sense before then!

Firefly I think you're right to be relieved. No one knows how long this will go on for. Your green fingered DS might be at home with you for months, but at least by then he'll know how to wash green food dye off his hands

Wreck That's not great. Have you let the school know today, before they shut for the hols?

Thank you for all so much for the bird help! puss I think your increase on the sides suggestion is a good one! And woolly I hadn't come across that site but looking through it I've found a promising robin pattern that, along with the one you linked may be adaptable to what I need.

Your DH sounds sweet Wreck. It's such a worrying time, especially now you are being moved. Do you have to apply for a school place (that's the system here)?

why DH (boyfriend then) would sometimes bring me posh orange juice and crumpets to cheer me up after a string of night shifts. You should demand presents 😂

Oh dear about the Hulk hands Firefly.
Furlough sounds like it may actually be a good thing for you.
What does your DH do if you don't mind me asking? Mine is a teacher so has been redeployed to a 'hub' school where he was needed for 3 days last week and now isn't needed in person for another week or so but is having to set a lot of work and answer a lot of parents questions.

How is the cross stitch coming along most? Love Beauty and the Beast btw.

I didn't sleep until almost 3 but zonked our completely until just gone 9! Not sure why, I'm not usually that bad a sleeper.
I've had a good walk and the fresh air helped but I feel a bit rubbish today.

Meant to say. We went to Morrisons at 10. Snaked around to get in, but no queue - they clean your trolley handle before you go in too. Plenty of food, they're re-stocking the bread regularly through the day overheard the supervisor, lots of tills open.
Not much frozen meat, but loads of fresh - same with veggies.
Very little loo/kitchen roll, but there was some if you're not fussed about a particular brand.
Not entirely sure most people know how far 2m is though...

Cats are relatively happy as we got both whiskas and litter input and output figures have to balance

boots our school is already closed as no one needed it for childcare. I've emailed to give them the heads up and I know emails will be checked over Easter.

Crazy no applying or anything just need to let them know so they can open

I haven't been sleeping well really. Well I have but I wake up tired and my Fitbit is showing a low sleep score.

Crazy it was an interesting hour especially as i can't crochet.
I think the key will be keeping the tail flat cardboard insert? and then padding them properly to give them some structure.
We obviously need to see the results, so get that hook sparking!

Ah, does that mean they have to open just for your kids? That could be, erm, an interesting conversation.
I know our local primary has about 15 pupils at the mo out of just under 600 NDN is SENCO there. I thought it would be higher as we're very close to a hospital with an A&E dept.
It's just one mixed age small group, and NDN let slip that they're mostly playing and learning as they go - they also have to take packed lunch as the kitchens are closed.

Yep just the two of them that's almost 4% of the schools though hopefully someone will be able to give ds some 1:1 help as he seems to need it....

Have you broken the good/bad news yet?
Even 50-50 share would be a help for him, I hope he gets his favourite teacher

Yes dd cried initially but is ok about it now. Ds doesn't seem fussed. Half of me feels awful for not being able to keep them safe and secure at home during this time but the other half thinks school might be good for them and their teachers are all brilliant.

Wreck it'll be more like your DC being babysat by the teachers. I imagine it'll be much less structured than a normal school day, with more playing.

Crazy it's probably because you're out of your usual routine. Fingers crossed for a better night tonight, because it's no fun for you not sleeping properly! DH is a clinical psychologist working with kids in looked after care. He's been able to keep his appointments by telephone and the kids are all quite happy to be quarantined with their x-boxes for the foreseeable, and catch up on paperwork.

Our school does mindfulness first thing, then Joe Wickes, then art and craft and then a film so childcare not normal school.

Have been cooking 😄👍😋😋😋 must put pic on of my microwave banana cake . It's delish 😄 so easy , 8 mins in the microwave. But anaemic but bit of icing sugar lightly dusted on the top and Bob's your new stepfather 😂

Wedding Cake, then, Mrs???

I would hope they'll do some work otherwise ds will certainly fall behind. Just handwriting some maths on the app they use would be enough.

I just did a thirty minute kettlebell and am now unable to move. Chilli for dinner.