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Original poster

The Breakfast Club

999 replies

LilyLangtrey · 11/10/2020 12:44

Good afternoon, Clunkers!

Welcome to the Breakfast Club where the kettle is permanently on, the drinks flow and the snacks are both self-replenishing and calorie-free.

We start each day with a look at history and a tribute to a brave or inspiring woman. Mostly though, we just chat randomly about current affairs, recipes, life in lockdown, literature, music and anything else that comes into our heads.

Veteran Clunkers welcome. Anyone else who wants to join in the chat - sense of humour essential! - welcome.

Kettle's on Brew

OP posts:
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thegcatsmother · 13/10/2020 20:36

We are lucky as we've paid off the mortgage, no debt, dh has retired early and we have more than enough to live on and support ds. If all the security checks, DBS and referencing are OK, then hopefully I will start work in November. We have plenty to keep us occupied and lockdown wasn't too difficult for us.

It will hit Mum hard if it happens again, so I might have to sweet talk dh into her coming to stay for a week or so for company. She is in pain and needs a steroid injection, and was in tears today. I'm not sure how long she will last if she has shield again.

ZombieFan · 13/10/2020 20:39

I tried to go into a coffee shop yesterday but was turned away as my phone was to old to have an app.

I went into another where you had to order your food from a website, unfortunately my phone was to old to process the payment transaction.

So I left and went home. I dont see how locking down tighter will make any difference, we need to ride this out and/or enforce the current laws and stop 'protesters', 'ravers' etc gathering in groups.

OVienna · 13/10/2020 20:49

This reply has been deleted

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Nelllyyy · 13/10/2020 21:02

@ZombieFan

I tried to go into a coffee shop yesterday but was turned away as my phone was to old to have an app. I went into another where you had to order your food from a website, unfortunately my phone was to old to process the payment transaction.

So I left and went home. I dont see how locking down tighter will make any difference, we need to ride this out and/or enforce the current laws and stop 'protesters', 'ravers' etc gathering in groups.

That is horrible Zombie, you wasn’t asking for anything special, just a coffee.
ZombieFan · 13/10/2020 21:13

OVienna
Unfortunately we cant talk about those things as we become a TAAT and could get banned.

OVienna · 13/10/2020 21:17

Oh I know. I won't go into specifics...

Ilovellamasandpenguins · 13/10/2020 21:46

That’s shocking zombie - it’s like everyone assumes people have smart phones.

Hope you had a lovely coffee when you got home.

blossomsinmay · 13/10/2020 21:54

@OVienna

Gordon Bennett there are some assholes on this site. I can now see how people get banned. (Another thread I stumbled upon.)
@ClareBearstare21 I'm so sorry to hear of your sad loss. Flowers
blossomsinmay · 13/10/2020 22:07

Oh. Don't know how I ended up quoting something when I didn't mean to there. Sorry about that.

MoreHippoThanPenguin · 13/10/2020 22:07

I don’t want to watch the news tonight. And I don’t want to step outside my two little places on this site. I cannot believe how horrid everything is.

If the butlers still are working, I would like to have a big espresso martini.

I am looking forward to the OTD tomorrow. I loved the one today. I am not English, so don’t have the same memories of MT. I remember that my grandmother (big feminist) loved the fact that she was a female leader. I do remember Lord Tebbit’s speech where he lamented having left her at the mercy of her friends. My husband said that there was some urgent re-marking of speeches by conservatives who probably had intended to talk about her as “their friend”.

TheFleegleHasLanded · 13/10/2020 22:16

We have 24 hour butlering MoreHippo just press the discreet bell on the side of your chair.

Big unmumsnetty hugs Clare, safe haven here.

blossomsinmay · 13/10/2020 22:21

@ZombieFan

I tried to go into a coffee shop yesterday but was turned away as my phone was to old to have an app. I went into another where you had to order your food from a website, unfortunately my phone was to old to process the payment transaction.

So I left and went home. I dont see how locking down tighter will make any difference, we need to ride this out and/or enforce the current laws and stop 'protesters', 'ravers' etc gathering in groups.

We were talking about just this sort of thing as we waited at the Covid drive-in test centre on Friday for a family job-lot. You have to book online and either show them the code on your phone when you arrive, or print it out and take it with you. Then they hold a card up with a phone number printed on it. You have to ring the number, and they stand outside the car window talking to you. When the results come, they arrive by text and email. How do people manage if they don't have access to that sort of technology? Loads of people are on really low incomes and can't afford tech or broadband, and many people of a more senior generation might not know how to operate the thing anyway. We are becoming a very divisive society altogether.

All the family's test results came back negative yesterday, so I was allowed to go back to work today - the VAT return was calling. So most of today I haven't been around. I've either been at work or spending hours on ebay indulging my vintage brooch habit. I've stayed off here as much as I can, it's all too frustratingly depressing and the brick wall now has an imprint of my forehead on it..

Original poster
LilyLangtrey · 13/10/2020 22:21

Welcome to Lostatsea (got the clue, thanks Wink)

Any new joiners, please give me a clue - obviously not obligatory, of course - but it helps me in my search for waifs and strays who are feeling a bit shell shocked by the last few days. If you don't feel able to give a hint openly, I quite understand; by all means PM me.

I realise this is really hard but as FionaMumsnet points out, it's really important we stay within the rules, chat just as we used to, and keep the BC going in the spirit it is intended. Current affairs, recipes, weather, life in lockdown, cats, dogs, mutual support, some feeling of familiarity and normality - all good. That's the whole purpose of the BC. A place of calm, chat and mutual support.

I do realise that some of you are very anxious about things. Please try not to be. Just use the haven of the BC to catch your breath and try to relax. All will be well.

OP posts:
thefatladyscreams · 13/10/2020 22:33

Thanks Lily and so sorry Clare. I know how hard it is losing a parent.

thegcatsmother · 13/10/2020 22:38

Mum had a letter for a random COVID test today, a finger prick one. There is thankfully a freephone number, as her iPad is failing, and we have yet to set up her Fire.

She is also upset that HSBC are taking away the machine in the branch that she used to use to do transfers. She was told quite brusquely that she would have to do it by phone bank (she is quite deaf, even with hearing aids), or online (and she refuses to bank online), or pay to use the counter staff. I told her to change bank!

MoreHippoThanPenguin · 13/10/2020 22:47

If someone is feeling a bit low, I can recommend watching some of the questions Amy Coney Barret was asked... I watched this clip were a senator asked her if she ever had sexually harassed anyone or settled a claim for sexual harassment. Of all the questions to ask....of her... Shock Grin

Thank you TheFleegle, I have managed to discretely call a lovely butler to bring me my drink.

Original poster
LilyLangtrey · 13/10/2020 22:49

Thanks I have advanced search and cant find anything close to me saying that, but I knew that

I know that too, Zombie. I've known you on here and off-board for years and it just isn't something you would ever do. It is so upsetting when that happens, but we know you and we know better.

We are all feeling a bit raw.

Blossoms, that business about using your phone to scan a code is driving me mad. I went to the hairdressers the other day and the Q scan code or whatever the thing is called was by the door. My phone is a dumb phone!!! I only use it in emergencies. In fact, it's PAYG - I put £30 on it last year and I've still got £19.87 left. That's how often I use it.

Gcat, I've just seen your post about your mother's bank. It's ageism and disability discrimination.

OP posts:
Original poster
LilyLangtrey · 13/10/2020 22:50

Drinks? Hippo, a butler has just set these by my chair. I can't drink all of them! Grin

Help me out here.

The Breakfast Club
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Autumngoldleaf · 13/10/2020 22:52

Both dd year groups have positive cases today. The noose is tightening. The little one has to isolate now.
In some ways I'm pleased that she can stay at home, now for 3 weeks including half term.
She's had a really fabulous time back at school, she was safe as cases were low, they could eat outside and have extra play outside etc, tons of pe along with English and maths.

She's re connected with friends too and had a social whirl.
But it's just not safe for her now.
Older dd doesn't have to isolate but I'm wondering about how long her bubble will last for.

Dh is already working from home.

Autumngoldleaf · 13/10/2020 22:53

Lily I'm on sober October, so if one is pure tonic, I'll have it.

ZombieFan · 13/10/2020 22:53

it’s like everyone assumes people have smart phones.

I actually have a 4th gen android (sorry if that not the right terminology). But you need at least the 6th gen version to get the app. Google have even stopped supporting email on it, its that old. Blimey I only bought it 2 years ago.

My dad had to get a test yesterday, he didn't want to tell my mum so he phoned me with the news. What the heck am I supposed to do, I live in a different country!!!

MoreHippoThanPenguin · 13/10/2020 22:55

Oooh, thank you Lily, I don’t mind if I do Smile

NessalovesSmithy · 13/10/2020 23:03

Not for me thank you Lily, the dishy doctor (yes he is!) wouldn't like it.

I collected my parcel from M&S earlier, let me tell you Clunkers, when I started whipping out my knickers for all and sundry in a state of distress last week I was inspired to order new ones 😂😂😂.

Keeping up appearances is increasingly important as one ages. I was wafting about the wards once I ceased to be horizontal. Ive got shares in CyberJammies at the minute, sadly let down in the knicker department.

MT wouldn't have been impressed.

meercat23 · 13/10/2020 23:05

@Autumngoldleaf

Lily I'm on sober October, so if one is pure tonic, I'll have it.
Autumn you are brave doing sober October this yearSmile everything feels tough enough as it is.
NessalovesSmithy · 13/10/2020 23:09

I saw a very angry post on a local fb site from a pub landlord berating someone for mentioning sober October. Pubs are really going to struggle this winter, people have realised how cheap it is to drink at home and COVID restrictions have sucked quite a bit of the fun out of the pub experience.

I met a friend in a pub thats owned by another friend a few weeks ago, hugely COVID safe, but at some point drinking in a virtually empty pub which lacks any atmosphere (because its virtually empty) isn't going to appeal.