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.

Oh I don't mind one4alls when you can spend them in person. These are ecards though, so they've a €50 spending limit on every transaction online - but when all we can buy is online atm that's such a pain. You can't even put €50 of the voucher towards something and then pay what's left with your own card. Very irritating.

I'm Team Physical Shopping though, I like to have a feel of things before I buy. Too many crappy textures out there!

And don't get me started on online returns! I've to buy jeans now and I'm dreading it.

I've given up clothes shopping- the joy just isn't in it.
We did a run to Dundrum SC in the Autumn for one of my DD's birthdays. We had a lovely day out; shopping and lunch and coffees.

I go online and fill a basket in Arnotts or Littlewoods or Dunnes...then dont bother going any further.
No-one will see me; and I'm tired of looking at myself .

If When we get out of lockdown I will gladly buy something new to fit around my Covid stone to celebrate.

Until then, my clothes shopping budget is going on nicer food than I might normally spring for; the nice Sunday lunch, the nice dessert, getting takeaway Friday night pizzas instead of home made etc.

I didn't see all of Micheál's speech- did I miss anything important other than the extension of lockdown again? :-/

I agree with the last post about shopping in the olden days and getting a nice meal/coffee out. I remember my friend and I going to town X or y or even going for the odd day out in Dublin. I have not bought any new clothes in so long so after Christmas I decided to buy a few summer things online from shein.com. Its a cheap Chinese website. I got the stuff in less than 3weeks and was happy with it.
I will buy a few more things from Irish sites around Easter.
I know so many people that are just fed up with this lockdown and would like to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Even been able to meet a friend for a chat or go further than 5 km would be a help.
One of my friends rang me a few days ago. We were making plans for the late summer and being honest I needed something to look forward to.
I think many of us will remember the people and friends who made the effort to keep in contact with us even though we are going no where or doing anything interesting.

@Joolsin

I quite liked MM's address. No grandstanding or excess waffle - hit the right note of acknowledging how fed up we all are. And those vaccination projection stats are encouraging. I hope the supplies keep matching up.

I agree Jools. Gave a bit of hope.

I have family members in a couple of different countries whose leaders are constantly promising the moon and then pulling back, over and over again. It's driving the people there spare. I absolutely prefer the cautious approach of not making promises until something is definitely happening, being upfront about when there isn't enough data to map out a schedule months in advance, etc. It's more honest.

I watched a bit of Prime Time last night and they did a segment where there were Irish living in other countries and they all did a VT about the covid situation where they are. It was really interesting. Sweden, Spain, Germany etc. they are all in the same boat - people are fed up with restrictions, the numbers don't appear to be coming down, the vaccines are being rolled out too slowly etc. it was depressing but at the same time it made me feel a bit better that it's not just us!! DH insisted we turn it over though, he said he had reached peak covid discussions!! Clearly we are in this for the long haul. So I'm just going to try to not look too far ahead and really hope that the weather will improve (mostly so that I might be more inclined to eat healthier food!!)

I am in two minds about Boris and his dates. I'd love to be able to plan, but I'd hate it all to go wrong again.
I'm bored stiff though.

For a bit of escapism I watched Home of the Year on RTE.
Did anyone else watch it ?
I started a thread on it in Craicnet but it looks like no one else is interested.

No I didn't I dont need any more ideas for my house, already spending a fortune on fixing little things.

We watched it, I loved the tiny Dublin house. I always want to know how people can afford the property they have!

Already confusing messages coming in about schools. It's not much but they are now saying that classrooms that have 2and and 3rd together then 3rd class can go back in.
It's only a small detail but still.
Teachers already on about wanting up the vaccine list and wanting weekly testing. Childcare staff already forgotten. Again it's because people wont join the union. So frustrating.

I love it @LadyEloise! Though I miss the good looking architect from a few years ago
I have it on record, I'll watch it this afternoon and share my thoughts with you!

They've also said that SET (which used to be called Resource and Learning Support teachers) all have to come in on the 1st, even if they only work with 3rd - 6th class. Nonsense.

Love this clip about parents' reactions to the phased reintroduction of back to school lol

🤣🤣 great video that!

@MarDhea

🤣🤣 great video that!

I suspect it's truer than you'd think!!! Parents are mithered.

Yes, I have primary-age kids and can indeed relate

I love Rory, he's gotten me through lockdown. Love the videos with his kids too, hilarious

By passing me, not even vaguely funny. I mean I can see the joke, but no.

Oh dear.

It's gas how different people find different things funny isnt it. Still, the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. I love comedy I can relate to. Poor kids are dying to get back to school.

@LadyEloise

For a bit of escapism I watched Home of the Year on RTE. Did anyone else watch it ? I started a thread on it in Craicnet but it looks like no one else is interested.

Bloody love a bit of Home of the Year but I liked Deirdre and she’s gone.

Last night - what was the net about? Like a landing net?

I liked Deirdre too. I prefer her to the two new judges.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel

I don't want to out myself so won't give too much detail but I received information at work that originated from Government office and said that current restrictions will be in place until the end of March. I then immediately received notification to ignore the typo about the end of March and that it should have just said that we are currently in lockdown So, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that we'll be locked down until end of March and schools (apart from special needs) will be shut until then as well. I could be wrong (about the schools) of couse. But I can't see them allowing a 'normal' St. Patrick's Day this year, I think it makes sense to keep the restrictions in place until after that.

Hi LifeInAHamsterWheel, I stumbled across this post of yours on the first page of the thread. You weren't too far off the mark there!

God yes @IsFuzzyBeagMise I'd forgotten about that it seems so long ago - I have lost all sense of time lately!

I don't want to sound bitchy but I don't really like either of the new judges on Home of the Year. I loved Deirdre. I've already given my detailed opinion on the other thread so I'll just say here that I'm absolutely smitten with the Dublin cottage and wouldn't be at all surprised if it wins. It is (in my opinion) perfect.

Imagine you, DH, your angsty teen and a few smallies all cooped up in the tiny house. Admiring the view from what was once the chimney pot.