Ireland's Calling for Normal Life to Return, thread number 5

[eggandonion]

Unlinked because I can't remember how to do it, and can't find Help thing.

Finally some news, two bits, excellent.
I need to go to Boots, I will go some time soon. I don't think I have been out in the car after 5PM since August.

I'm catching up on Operation Transformation. Andrew's husband isn't very nice is he?

He wasn't very nice in last night's episode, JaneJeffer. He was cranky, not supportive at all.

galavanting I have not heard that word in years it was a constant during my teenage years. 🤣
The death rate has been horrendous over January with infection rates rising despite no close contact testing assuming everyone infects one other.
The brighter weather is uplifting it is a nightmare with the kids out again it'll be much harder to keep DS on lockdown this Spring.

I would kill for a supervalu shop, it's my favourite supermarket but alas they haven't reached the UK market yet . I do an online supervalu shop for DD who's in college in Dublin but the online shopping portal is a bit rubbish.
A SIL nominated for a golden globe is massive news ! And an EP from your DS - you're like a Kardasian

I have notions of an uncluttered under the stairs like this, mine is like a war zone

@Carriemac what's the appeal of SuperValu ?
I was phoning a localish one the other evening for ages - I'd hang up and ring again but no one answered the phone.
I was in there yesterday and mentioned it to the duty manager and he said that they're not answering the phone at the customer service desk now because of Covid19 as too many people would be touching the phone
Anyone else find this odd ?

I'd love a Waitrose in Ireland.

anomlette that's fantastic news about your DS and your SIL. Congratulations to them!

@IsFuzzyBeagMise I think their own brand stuff is very good quality , ie their tea is Made by Barrys and the big one near our holiday home in west cork is my favourite supermarket ever.
However , a petroleum station Waitrose has just opened a few miles from my village here and it makes me happy now to top up my petrol so
I can go there

@anomletteandaglassofwine that's great news, huge congratulations to your DS and Sil. Cant believe you went to two shops.
Not a fan of Supervalu, find them expensive. I have also stopped shopping in Aldi, queues are too big at checkouts I like Tesco with shop and scan and self check out. Also their traffic light system seems to work.
I have serious questions about the Aldi one that always seems to be green.

I watch operation transformation on a Saturday or Sunday. There's a lot of changes going on in Andrew's house. A real switch of roles. Last week they were working on him being more independent. Remember though, they do cut it to suit then so we are only getting a small bit of the story.

Congratulations @anomelletteandaglassofwine to your ds and sil

ooh anomlette that is indeed exciting news, times two.

I really like our local SuperValu. We have a Tesco beside us that I was using more during first lockdown, as they have a bigger range of non-food stuff (e.g. DVDs, before films stopped being released), but in last 3 weeks their stock levels of fresh food have been really poor. There is an Aldi and Lidl I go to sometimes, but overall I'd pick Supervalu for fully stocked fruit/veg and they are hot on the Covid cleaning too- you almost risk getting sprayed with sanitiser if you stand too long.

Re OT - I understood why his husband was pissed off (I'd be the same if I found out at short notice I had to be somewhere) but his reaction was very cross. Agree we only see a snapshot, but my first thought was that he is not liking the shift in dynamic. Which to be fair, would take an adjustment in any household, so I wouldn't say he is unreasonable for finding it tough.

Great news @anomletteandaglassofwine ! Now, you'll need to do something to celebrate...

I am spoiled for choice in my town, which isn't acually a very big town but we now have a Tesco, SuperValu, Lidl and Aldi! I never go to the SuperValu as it's very old and I hate the parking there, plus I always find it much more expensive. I love the shop & scan at Tesco - but has anyone bought the bags?? I thought it was a great idea, 3 big bags including a freezer one, that fit onto the trolley etc. but my God once you've filled them they are impossible to lift out!! I did something to my back the last time trying to get it into the boot and had to get DH to lift it out for me when I got home.

I've noticed some things are hard to get lately (in all the shops) and in particular I noticed just yesterday that some of the fruit & veg looks a bit worse for wear - I wonder has it been held up in a port for too long?

Do we think the Beast from the East is really going to visit us again next week?? My kids would be delighted, we only had the lightest smattering of snow last month and they'd love the novelty of a good dumping of snow. But I think now that they've forecast it, it probably won't happen Still, I'm going to fill the freezer with bread and milk today just in case!!

A bit of snow for a day is nice. I'd like Waitrose too.
I was trying to get flowers delivered to my dd last summer, but none of the florists near her could do it on a specific day. I rang her local super valu, very near her work, and they obliged.
When I was at work I spent hours disinfecting the phone, keyboards,stapler, calculator. Especially the phone, it's very close contact.

Ah thanks everyone for the good wishes! I've probably made it sound way more glamorous than it really is, but I am incredibly proud of DS. I can't tell you what a terrible experience he had at school, it was awful. He is super bright, but severely dyslexic. Our education system is not built for kids like him. Years and years of knowing that no matter how hard you try, your efforts are never going to be reflected in your LC results. In the end our aim was just to 'survive' school with his self esteem intact. He has absolutely flourished since he left, in a way that his teachers would never have predicted. Our exam system needs a huge shake up, but given how long it took to implement the changes to the JC, it's probably safe to say our grandchildren will still be sitting the same style of LC that we did.

I totally agree with you @Iblinkedandiamold, the Tesco scan thing is brilliant for limiting your contact, not to mention getting in and out quickly, that's the main reason I shop at Tesco, I feel much safer there.
The Aldi and Lidl near us are way too busy for my liking and they don't seen to regulate numbers. At the opposite end, you can book a shopping slot in M&S, I did it before Christmas for treats, it was brilliant, they let in very few at a time. The problem is now that they have empty shelves due to Brexit.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel I got those bags a few weeks ago, seemed like such a good idea, and I had exactly the same experience, they are too heavy to lift into the car, so annoying. I had it take half the stuff out of the bag to be able to lift up! I'm going to go back to my old ones.

I love the food at Supervalu, but it is much more expensive for a big shop. I know they're franchises, so they'll all do things differently, but ds got a job in our local SV during the summer and he said they treated the staff, particularly the younger ones really badly, he started looking for another job after a few weeks. That has really put me off shopping there.

God, isn't it a sad state of affairs when we all think so much about the relative merits of the various supermarkets! I used to have an interesting life, I swear...

I hate to say this, it sounds so miserable, but I have really mixed feelings about us having snow. On the one hand I'd love it, the dc would have so much fun, which God knows they need, but on the other hand everybody would be out circulating. The variant that we have now seems so contagious that it would surely lead to an increase in cases.

Anyone else found Tesco has got dearer during the pandemic. I think they've used it to disguise price increases. Blueberries up 15cent per 250 ml pack.

I've started using Aldi and Lidl a bit more than before. I hate the queues and lack of staff on the ground, so soulless.

Snow would be welcomed as a new topic of convo now Mum's hotpress has been fixed.

And... to sound even more like a 70 year old ... would a good hard frost kill off some of those bugs?

I agree though, everyone would be out in it - we are close to Marlay Park and at the weekends it is hopping. Snow would bring out more people I think.

I fully realise we are adding to the crowd by being there, while complaining about the crowd. Luckily our dog is so annoying people tend to stay away from us.

I seem to remember there being some research about Covid actually liking cold temps, hence it spreading in meat plants and food factories?? That could be wrong though. At least if we wear our masks when out in the snow it will keep us warm! My brother is in Perth and they are currently in a lockdown - because they had ONE case! They have to wear their masks the second they leave their house, not just in shops etc. like we do. It's summer there and very hot, walking the dog with a mask on is apparently quite uncomfortable. I still think I'd prefer that though.

I've worn my mask walking the dog a few times if the park is busy, and it does feel a bit stuffy at times, but like you say it is not that warm here. I imagine the heat would really add to that feeling. For now, I like that it keeps my nose warm.

I'd forgotten about Covid possibly liking the cold.
Scratch my idea about a good frost.

Love the discussion about supermarkets!
I'm v lucky- we are within walking distance of S'valu, Dunnes, Aldi and Lidl, with a small Centra open all hours. S'valu own label Gold Blend T-bags are the best own brand option.

Our big treat is to drive down to Waterford for Ardkeen Stores (pre-lockdown). I love going in there to find new brands, or a variety of spuds I'd never heard of before and the Mella's Fudge. Looking forward to being able to get back there when things ease up.

Anyone else a fan of the O'Donnell's crisps? Nectar of the gods.

What I miss is a trip to a big Dealz. I was in a smaller Dealz in September. It is very sad that I remember that as a highlight of the past few months.

Wow ! That's handy being beside so many supermarkets.
I haven't much choice nearby - have to drive for choice.
Funny how Aldi and Lidl seem to open up so near to each other

Dh gets some crisps in Dealz, McCoy's? Like Hunky Dory but tastier.

I'm near Marley too. Wasn't impressed last time I was there at the amount of people (obviously my being there was totally acceptable 😄).

On our exciting topic of supermarkets. I like thirr produce but I just can't get on with how they are organised. I get all confused at the layout and can never find anything!! Go occasionally for decent breads, cheeses and the like.

Other than that big Tesco nearby (which I've always found questionable with their pricing honesty). Then there's Aldi and Lidl, I tend to mix and match between these two. However I can't help thinking their trollies are designed for a taller person than me. They are mad deep and I risk falling in when unloading off the bottom of it 😄