North East thread 4: Fingers crossed we catch the Angel bus!

[Someaddedsugar]

Just thought I'd start a new thread for the north east lot as number 3 is getting pretty full!

@PennyDreadfuI hope you're ok and hope you don't mind me picking the thread up!

I've been playing with a new sewing machine, today. It'll keep me out of trouble but I'll end up having to make everything a size bigger, at this rate.

@MissEWeatherwax

I’m crying, I’m staying in my pjs again tomorrow. I have spent today watching Netflix. Rubbish like The Princess Switch both one and two.( I enjoyed actually that’s how sad I am).😭😭

Hope you're ok @MissEWeatherwax

Does anyone know when/if the tiers will be reviewed? Or is this us until the April date BJ mentioned?

I can imagine the Arnison Centre being chaos @PickAChew, and the Metro Centre.

We're not really doing anything for NYE this year. Might have a walk with the dog and then play some board games but it'll be very quiet. Having said that we don't usually go out but we do pop to see family for food.

It'll be the first year DPIL haven't hosted a dinner for New Year's Day and I could sense they were down about it when I gave them a call today.

@Plussizejumpsuit I know what you mean about monotonous - it's as if we're going round in circles isn't it!

We're not sure about @PennyDreadfuI - I keep tagging her but no response. I know she said her daughter was ill so fingers crossed she's recovered well, and she's just name changed or is taking a break from social media or something.

@gingercat02 hope you're ok too!

@Someaddedsugar, thank you, I’m fine, just very depressed. I have anxiety and being locked in house is stressing me out. All of my coping strategies involve me getting out and about.
Hope everyone is okay.

@MissEWeatherwax hopefully the ice will go soon so more time for walks etc. I think well-being should be a top priority this time as January is usually hard enough without the restrictions that are now in place!

If anyone needs a distraction the Durham City Escape Room have put two free virtual escape rooms online. They take up to an hour but a good distraction. All you need is internet access and could do them alone or as a small group over Zoom.

That sounds fun, but we don’t have anyone to zoom with, plus I hate my camera on FaceTime and Teams. Plus with my teenagers they would just fight. We can’t even play monopoly without world three.
I like wondering around the shops, stopping for a cappuccino. I am fed up of walking. It will have to Chester park. I am going to live dangerously and take oats and bread for the swans, sorry I mean seagulls.

@Someaddedsugar yes I'm ok just fed up! We actually had a lovely night out at Gibside and fish and chips on the way home. Currently watching the Toon not being beaten by Liverpool so far

The ice is being a pain here. DC loved playing in the 'snow' when it first appeared but it's turned deadly now & no sign of it melting either.

I'm not really sure what to say about tier 4 other than it sucks.

Thanks for the escape room tip off @Someaddedsugar

@gingercat02 we played well, Darlow was fab! Going to matches is one of the things I miss the most. Can't wait for the first game back!
I'll brave the dark at St James' Park at the Gallowgate End in the rain

@NoseringGirl DS would give his right arm to be back at SJP, DH has a mixed relationship with his love of the club and his hatred of Cashley.
Just for interest I'm getting my first dose of the vaccine at work on Tuesday. That has made my day/year. Happy and healthy 2021 to you all xx

@gingercat02 I think most of us have a complicated relationship thanks to Ashley! How exciting that you're getting vaccinated, can't wait for my turn even though it'll be quite a while away and I'm even more excited for when my parents can go get theirs!

How are you doing, today, @MissEWeatherwax?

@PickAChew, fine thank for asking. I even got dressed and we have had a Domino’s for tea. Happy new year. We will be going to bed before midnight and no drinking.
Happy new year to everyone on this thread and I hope we leave tier 4 as soon as possible.

Happy new year!

Dominoes definitely a good move. DH, Ds2 and I have had party food. I couldn't do that too often🤢 Ds2 didn't appreciate all of it, either - he's peeled his mini kievs and thrown the chicken in the bin!

Got an sms from Ds2 'a school confirming it's fully open, next week, so hopefully that will be an end to the constant growling.

We were going to have party food, but I couldn’t be bothered. We need to go shopping soon, we are onto the UHT milk. But I can’t face it, freezing cold, queuing.
That must be a relief, that his school is open.

If you have a sparks card, you can book a shopping spot at markses. www.marksandspencer.com/c/book-and-shop
You might not get everything you need there but it's a lot less stressful than some places.

Thank you, I have bookmarked. Will definitely use.

Happy New Year everyone!

Good call on the pizza and the party food!

DS has started asking when he can see his friends again and is very excited to be able to see them at nursery next week. I just wish I was seeing mine too!

Here’s to 2021 being a brighter year for us all 🥂

The weather was better today, was feeling a little bit more positive today. Especially as first time I noticed the sunset after 4.00pm.

Pleased you're feeling a bit more positive @MissEWeatherwax

I need to go to do our food shop today and debating whether to leave it until DS is in bed to avoid any possible queues. The diet starts on Monday as I've eaten anything and everything since the start of the first lockdown.

Thanks @Someaddedsugar. Not so positive today.
I’m going to risk Arnison Centre because it should be quiet, half the shops will be closed.
I’m going wrap up and brave the possible queues. My healthy eating will have to start later as we still have loads of treat food left. But I have bought myself an exercise bike.

I'm just writing our list for our shopping and then will try and get some motivation to actually leave the house!

The diet starts Monday so we're planning to eat all of our festive treats this weekend. Possibly not the most sensible idea but will cheer up the weekend!

I've also ordered a Gousto box as a one off for the 11th just to try some new recipes for the new year.

I'm trying to plan my weeks at work so that I can either go for a run (well a jog) or a Peloton class (we have the app and a non-Peloton bike) three lunchtimes a week as when DS and DP are at home I feel like I don't have 5 minutes to myself. I'm hoping with that and the diet I'll lose some of the lockdown padding. I appreciate this will be slow progress as it's not the best in terms of exercise but combined with daily dog walks and whatever weekend walks we go on I'm hoping it'll be enough to get started!

Does anyone know if there's anywhere I can take charity donations too while the shops are closed?

I'm guessing they're overrun with donations but didn't know if there was somewhere that accepted donations of clothes elsewhere?