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.

Glad you've finally seen your parents Picadilly . I know how much you've missed them and how long you've been waiting for this.

We have some lockdown babies too. Stick insect babies 😂😂

I could shuffle on screen left in my allotment clothes, mumble 'you do you' then shuffle off screen right.

On no, that just wouldn't do. How can people get all hysterical, accusing eachother of being murderers and police others with that approach?
How can they show how much better they are than others?

It would be a riot!

Piccadilly I'm so glad you've seen your parents! That must have felt so nice!

I took DD2 over to see DS and his DP and my baby grandson this afternoon. He's buzzing about opening up shop again tomorrow. I've had ALL the cuddles today so feeling very happy with my Sunday afternoon.

Aside from being able to properly see my DM (which is entirely her call as I'd happily go for a visit), pretty much normal service has resumed for my little family unit.

Well I've been well and truly told on a thread about Eastern Europeans. I'm a bully, I'm silencing people and I'm full of disdain for England and it's people so what am I even doing here?

Why do I do this to myself?😂😂🙈🙈

Aww Dark baby cuddles are the best. Can't wait for toddler cuddles soon with best friend's DD.

ComeOn what on Earth??

Dark if you can find it, maybe you can tell me if it's me.

Feeling quite flat, so actually it would be better if it IS me.

I'm so sorry come on, that's horrible. Hugs to you x

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble a lot of people have never had the experience of living somewhere else. If they have no imagination then they live in their small lives and assume that that is all there is.

We lived abroad for about five years in another western european country. I would never criticise someone for not being all happy clappy about where they are living. When you have come from somewhere else you do experience wrinkles (sometimes quite big ones) that someone born in that country wont experience.

When we moved abroad we had to register with the (disappointingly normal looking) alien police. We then needed to register as resident so that we could buy a car. Dutifully I presented myself with my bonafides at the City Hall. 'No'. The form got thrown back. I take it home find more bonafides and present myself again at the City Hall. Still 'No' (and no explanation).

We were getting very frustrated. DH was at home caring for three DCs two of whom were still in nappies. So he was having to take them shopping every day on a push bike. One panier for food, the other for a pack of nappies. We couldnt buy a car unless we were resident.

One day he was out for a walk with DCs and finds himself in the parish council offices (they had a big diorama of the small town we were living in). Someone in the office hears him speaking to the DCs and they get talking. Turns out that we should be registering with the parish council as resident. Forms filled over a cup of coffee. Bonafides handed over and checked. We are resident and can now buy a car!

But nobody had told us because if you had been born in that country none of this would be a problem.

If I'm entirely honest I still don't really get how the tax system works. No idea how SE people do it.

Nobody totally understands tax systems. It's a conspiracy to keep tax accountants in gainful employment

I've been SE and the thing that puts me off going back is the tax return! I didn't even earn enough to pay tax. But of course you still have to do the forms.

I'm SE and I dreaded doing the first self assessment tax return! That was 5 years ago now and I'm still not a fan! In fact I haven't even got round to doing it yet this year, so I probably should get on with it. Am I the only one who suddenly finds a hundred small (unimportant) tasks that need immediate attention when there's one big unpalatable job that needs doing?

Am I the only one who suddenly finds a hundred small (unimportant) tasks that need immediate attention when there's one big unpalatable job that needs doing?

Definitely not.

Or worse I just flop and do nothing and pretend it isn't happening.

My house suddenly gets very clean and tidy when I have paperwork to do!

Sorting and rearranging the suitcases/handbags/backpacks is always such an essential job.

Weirdos!

I hate spring cleaning, I would rather do tax returns - but I am an accountant!

Left to me the DCs would have been raised by the dog and the cat!

Cleaning the grouting with a toothbrush becomes an essential task when I have admin looming 😂

I hate paperwork. One of the many reasons I'm a TA and will never become a teacher.

I've been known to give even the dolls house a good sort out and clean.

Another bit of good news from the Gnome household: DD1 exchanged contracts on her house purchase. Completion date the middle of next month - there's a new build in the chain hence the long period between exchange and completion.

Operation Empty Nest is go!

How many kids will you have left in the house after that Gnome?

Just DS will be left in the house. He is waiting for armed forces recruitment to restart but in the mean time is working in a supermarket.

If he does get in then I expect he will be back for periods of time between deployments etc. He isnt a bad lad to have around, doesnt really drink, can be convinced to clean the family bathroom!

Gnome your house will need a shuffle after that then? We went down from there being 6 of us to 4 and then just me and DD2 - in the space of 3 months. It was a huge disruption of dynamic and has really taken some getting used to!

Wow Gnome i bet that will feel really weird after all being chucked in during lockdown.