I licked Trev's clipboard and I liked it

[PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock]

Thread number who knows , because I've lost count. We're adapting to normal 1.0 and lost our status as murderers. The grass is not off limits anymore and we can eat a bag of crisps outside with being accused of "premeditated picnics". Not a pan or pot in sight.

Oh well, there's still the second wave.

I read that (allegedly) the R is 1.1 in London, if that's the case then why is it only the north under stricter lockdown again? Ours is only 'approaching 1' so I'm not getting it really.

It's all getting a bit silly.

If I'm being cynical... because London makes money?

I'm sure. But so does the north. That's why the only places we're allowed to meet indoors has to have a card reader to take our cash.

I would add 'and West Yorkshire' but my brain is on a go slow today.

Operation Empty Nest Phase 1 (garage door) is now complete. DH does get a wiggle on when it comes to DIY. It's the first time he has cut a door into an existing wall and he has made a good job of it. He even made the door himself.

DDog was very excited by the new door. He did a kind of run up at it to go through the doorway like he was going through a portal to get to another dimension.

Operation Empty Nest Phase 2 (the wedding) starts today when I book the various train tickets to get everyone to the right places at the right time. Just a bit nervous that I am going to buy the train tickets and then find that the various places go into local lockdown. Hey well, it's only money.

Operation Empty Nest Phase 3 (she's leaving home) has also started with DD going through all her stuff in the garage to see what the mice hadnt eated (mice eat silicon, who knew?).

Oh wow Gnome looks like it's all engines go at your house. Good luck with everything and hopefully everything for the wedding goes smoothly and your DD will have a lively day .

In other news... FLAMINGOES!!!

OH is shaking his head, DD loves it and I'm just giggling to myself. I probably lost it a long time ago.

Fingers crossed for a hassle free wedding gnome, I hope it's your DD (and your) have a lovely day!

Loving those flamingoes, come on, I showed that to my DD and she thinks it's brill

Train tickets are now booked. Judging by the cost I thought I must have accidently clicked the 'purchase the entire carriage' button but no, it is just one seat for one journey.

DD2 & DFiance are coming down this weekend so that DD1 can help DD2 colour her hair and they can discuss make up. Make up and masks is going to be a challenge. Masks for bride and groom are finished. They do look good.

I am going to send a picture of the bride's mask to the florist to give inspiration for colours. Slightly surreal!

The smize(smile with your eyes) is going to be back in fashion!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day, even if it's going to be very different and as you say, surreal!

I have a friend coming over with her kids and staying the night. Fitting 6 of us in a one bedroom flat is going to be fun!

She's had an awful time though, and I haven't seen her since March and the kids since last summer. DD is so excited she's literally climbing the walls(or door frames more accurately)!

Hope everyone has a lovely time despite all the madness Gnome a bit of sunshine in all the doom will do everyone good. Sounds like a nice of activity in your house can you send your dh riund here please? I got a hammer drill yesterday so i can finally put the damm bathroom cabinet back up but am not looking forward to it there's always something doesnt work perfectly!😄

Talking of sunshine there is precious little of that here. Pouring bloody rain all my gardening plans out the window. Trying to get haur appoint for ds2 with no success. Its weird but even after all this time school starting has crept up on me as every year and can't quite believe it's next week!
The our high school seems very undementory compared to what I have bern reading in us4them Scotland. All kids are going back. No masks unless you want to, staggered breaks and lunch, attempting to have classes near each other so less walking from one end of school to other during sessions and general sense re hand washing and sanitizing etc. Transport is fully on and college is opening too. It may not be perfect but a damm sight better than some areas thank goodness.
Fingers crossed it stays open and no idiots act up to jeopardise it.

The good weather has deserted us! So seeing as its back to quarantine for us I'm baking loaves and making soup and I've dusted off my workout clothes 😂

Thoroughly gutted that my plans to meet up with prospective long distance beau have been put on hold. It's not the end of the world like, but I'd just geared my confidence up - and had my nails done. It was something to look forward to. Anyway. Maybe next month.

Weather is pretty rubbish, I'm going to write a stiff letter to the manufacturer.

So far we havent been locked back up again but the county town is under scrutiny as cases have been rising.

The news from Beirut saddens me so much. Once more Beirut is being battered, this time by the result, seemingly, of systemic government incompetence. Nobody wanted to deal with a relatively small matter. Now it is a huge matter with hundreds dead, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands homeless.

It's so sad gnome. 2020 is the gift that keeps on giving.

What a week!

Friend cane over. It was great fun, had loads of toddler cuddles(day two I was "other mummy") and it was great! No one slept though bar OH, so absolutely exhausted(at least me and my friend).

The day they left, DD just crashed. Being sick, feverish and toothache. Booked dentist and the nurse kept flapping because DD's temp was 37. I told her we're there because we suspect infection and it was hot so it would be normal for her temp to be raised. Plus 37 is not a fever. She let us in but told the receptionists, Receptionists told her it was fine. She then told the doctor, and doctor also told her it was fine. She let us in but we were warned not to touch anything.

All good though, as we got painkillers and antibiotics (tooth infection and possible removal referral if it acts up again) and DD is finally coming out the other end after spending two days in bed. The fun of getting her used to eating again is next.

How is everyone doing?

Aw come on it sounds like you had a lovely time! Your poor DD though, I hope she's feeling better and back on track again soon. My DD came off her scooter and sprained her ankle on Friday so she's been confined to the garden for the last couple of days, hobbling around and generally a big miserable.

Local lockdown has closed a few shops in the city centre, not sure why as they're big names in the high street. Slightly concerning! Luckily support bubbles remain in tact so I'll be making the most of that.

How are things going with local lockdowns?

Scottish schools should be back tomorrow. Wonder if the gvmnt will make more last minute decisions based on what happens there.

Poor DD2, hope it heals quickly. Have you had the hot ,muggy weather? Bet that didn't help.

The city centre is a lot quieter, not sure if that's because of people not wanting to wear masks or if they're concerned about the virus.There are signs up everywhere saying it's a high risk area.

Very muggy here, not sunny but so heavy going. Storms forecast for next week which I hope will help. Trying to sleep has been a nightmare!

Comeon Hope ds2 is better soon poor thing. I am amazed at a nurse thinking a temp of 37 was a concern! And not figuring out she had an infection which would be the cause of any raised temp!

Ds2 back to school tomorrow all very sensible measures no fuss or faff. Not quite normal but no hysterics. Whoohoo.😄

Storms forecast here too so hopefully the mugginess will break. I can cope with heat(back home we regularly go into 40s in the summer) but really struggle with .. wet.

Hopefully things improve quickly where you are Dark.

Willow I know. I found it baffling, plus all her faffing and stern warnings scared poorly DD. She didn't even speak, just nodded her head yes or no or did the mhm thing. Oh well, at least we got seen and sorted.

How you feeling about DS going back?

I'm excited about September, but it will be so weird to have a full (and slightly over) class. Took us ages to try and arrange tables so no one is facing each other and still have some room as the head is against rows.

Ds2 is off to school yeah! Very non -hysterical communications from both school and council last couple of werks. It may not be back to normal but seems a whole lot better than many places.
ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble
Maybe you could suspend desks from the ceiling? Your head sounds insane! He cant have it all ways. How we all coped with rows when i was at school I will never know!

I know!

The classrooms aren't that big, we have 33 children and somehow we need to keep them all apart,not facing each other but not rows,never rows!

And still have clear access to things like fire door,cupboard,role play,sink etc.

I'm so jealous of the teacher that only has 20 kids.

'Ouch' to infected tooth, I hope the ABs sort it soon ComeOn.

I hope your DD's ankle gets better quickly DarkHelmet

The plague presents so many opportunities for exam questions:

• arrange desks for 30 students ensuring SD rules are followed
• you are in your garden with your mother, your aunt and your cousins. How many households are involved and how much fine will you have to pay if caught
• write a government announcement of new guidelines, use graphs to illustrate your points. Extra marks will be given for half truths and contradictory instructions
• make a mask out of two paperclips and a milk bottle
• plan a week's worth of healthy, nutritious family meals from your stockpile of dried pasta and toilet roll.

Had DM on the phone worrying about coming to us for DD2's wedding meal. I think she was angling for someone to drive over to her to collect her then take her home again (not happening as this will take over an hour at peak preparation stage). DD1 to call her to explain the drill for going in a taxi. DD1 is the biochemist so same instructions coming from her carry more weight than from me.

DD1's car has been written off. The accident involved a vehicle repair man, a power drill and a supermarket wall. It was one of those 'this could have been so much worse' accidents. Repair company have taken full responsibility.

It doesnt feel real that if all goes to plan then by this time next week DD1 will be in her new home and DD2 will be married.

The lady DD1 is buying the house from has moved out and came round to wish DD1 happiness in her new home. Which was really sweet of her.

DS is clearing his room to get ready to move rooms after DD1 moves out. I have warned the council tip to clear a couple of skips in readiness for the amount of rubbish about to come their way.