Pass the mince pies- Christmas Chat Thread Part Deux

DvB · 26-03-2020 2:07pm

One thing I have to mention, drove in to the office yesterday (we're down to the bare minimum coming in with 90% WFH) and couldnt get over the traffic on the way home. It was almost normal rush hour levels along the south Circular road from Ballsbridge around to Islandbridge. Every other day its been a 20-25 minute drive but yesterday it took me over an hour. My Mrs rang me earlier & said the train this morning was a lot busier too... with so many places closed why are the numbers travelling increasing now after a week of empty roads, buses & trains? Just thought it odd.

OUTDOORLASS · 26-03-2020 5:47pm

Just listening to RedFM. They said some radio channels in US have started playing Cheistmas songs to raise spirits. Wonder will it catch on here. I have to admit to turning on my Christmas FM app..in effort to escape the constant bad news.

TRS30 · 26-03-2020 6:12pm

DvB wrote: »

One thing I have to mention, drove in to the office yesterday (we're down to the bare minimum coming in with 90% WFH) and couldnt get over the traffic on the way home. It was almost normal rush hour levels along the south Circular road from Ballsbridge around to Islandbridge. Every other day its been a 20-25 minute drive but yesterday it took me over an hour. My Mrs rang me earlier & said the train this morning was a lot busier too... with so many places closed why are the numbers travelling increasing now after a week of empty roads, buses & trains? Just thought it odd.

That's a bit worrying to hear DvB. Hopefully people are not taking their foot off the peddle so to speak and heading out and about more

CheerLouth · 28-03-2020 4:09pm

Hope everyone is doing ok in this new normal. I'm struggling to be honest. I'm finding it very difficult to be out of our routine. I'm trying to distance myself from everything really - the news, social media etc. I struggle with anxiety at the best of times but it is through the roof now. I'm just trying to keep a positive spin on everything - having a baby in the middle of a pandemic was not part of the plan & I'm finding dealing with the hospital and everything that goes with that extremely stressful. I'm missing my parents & siblings a lot as well. Video calls are all well and good but they are no replacement for physical contact

So today, I've made a massive chocolate biscuit cake (the kids can't believe their luck), I've given the house a good scrub (because a good clean house makes me happy), I've had a nap (sort of...mostly listened to the kids murder each other) & now I'm going out for a walk to try and clear my head.

Hope everyone is doing ok. It's not easy but we have to persevere for the sake of everyone else - good luck

DenMan · 28-03-2020 4:16pm

Hope everyone is doing fine and staying safe. Having the internet is a godsend. If anybody is interested Udemy and Coursera are doing special offers on online courses for hobbies, self improvement. Please take care of yourselves. Stay safe!

jellybear · 28-03-2020 5:58pm

Oh CheerLouth, most of what you wrote resonated with me. I miss my family terribly. They're only 10 minutes down the road so it makes it so tough not just popping down at the drop of a hat like I usually do. You're right, video calls just aren't the same but they do help. I do them with my 6 month old so they can see him. They really miss him

I am getting better/more used to it as the days go by but it does hit me hard sometimes. Mind yourself and enjoy that chocolate biscuit cake

Cork Lass · 28-03-2020 9:18pm

I’m struggling big time CheerLouth. I’m normally very strong but this whole thing is really getting to me. Only started working from home yesterday and was happy to be going into the office as I felt it was a bit of normality in what are crazy times. I suppose we just have to keep our spirits up as much as we can and hope that things will improve sooner rather than later. I hope you and everyone on here keeps safe.

Jude13 · 29-03-2020 10:57am

CheerLouth wrote: »

Hope everyone is doing ok in this new normal. I'm struggling to be honest. I'm finding it very difficult to be out of our routine. I'm trying to distance myself from everything really - the news, social media etc. I struggle with anxiety at the best of times but it is through the roof now. I'm just trying to keep a positive spin on everything - having a baby in the middle of a pandemic was not part of the plan & I'm finding dealing with the hospital and everything that goes with that extremely stressful. I'm missing my parents & siblings a lot as well. Video calls are all well and good but they are no replacement for physical contact

So today, I've made a massive chocolate biscuit cake (the kids can't believe their luck), I've given the house a good scrub (because a good clean house makes me happy), I've had a nap (sort of...mostly listened to the kids murder each other) & now I'm going out for a walk to try and clear my head.

Hope everyone is doing ok. It's not easy but we have to persevere for the sake of everyone else - good luck

Cheerlouth I hope this thread is a some benefit to you, anxiety is nasty. Just remember in the not to distant future we will look back at this time and admire that we got through it. The elves here, I am sure, will perk you up when you need it.

CheerLouth · 29-03-2020 7:20pm

Thanks all - can always rely on the elves for a bit of a lift

I'm glad that I'm not the only one struggling. Fingers crossed that sometime in the next two weeks, I'll be cuddling my new baby and not too worried about anything else!

Mind yourselves!

freshpopcorn · 29-03-2020 9:26pm

We normally go Cork or Limerick to get a big shop in for Easter, etc. Never in my wildest dream did I imagine that this wouldn't be possible this year.

Loughc · 29-03-2020 9:45pm

Not long back from the new weekly shop day.

It say it’s eerie is to say the least. The roads were quiet the shop was sad an old lady passed me in the aisle and said who would have thought it’d come to this wearing gloves while shopping.

And it hit me just how quickly the world has gone off course.

I really hope this lockdown works quickly. The number of daily deaths is getting hard to bear.

freshpopcorn · 29-03-2020 10:12pm

Loughc wrote: »

Not long back from the new weekly shop day.

It say it’s eerie is to say the least. The roads were quiet the shop was sad an old lady passed me in the aisle and said who would have thought it’d come to this wearing gloves while shopping.

And it hit me just how quickly the world has gone off course.

I really hope this lockdown works quickly. The number of daily deaths is getting hard to bear.

Everything changed so fast.

If I'm being honest I think we will see a good few more deaths because of those clusters that are out there.

Cork Lass · 29-03-2020 10:30pm

Loughc wrote: »

Not long back from the new weekly shop day.

It say it’s eerie is to say the least. The roads were quiet the shop was sad an old lady passed me in the aisle and said who would have thought it’d come to this wearing gloves while shopping.

And it hit me just how quickly the world has gone off course.

I really hope this lockdown works quickly. The number of daily deaths is getting hard to bear.

This day 4 weeks ago I flew to Boston for 6 days and when I got back the place was gone mad with panic buying etc. That now seems an eternity ago and like a completely different world. Never in my wildest dreams did I envisage living like this - it’s weird but it’s also sad beyond belief.

DvB · 30-03-2020 8:17am

Simon Harris said when pushed that he didnt see how this level of lockdown could carry on for much longer than the 2 weeks stated, though I suspect it'll go on longer myself as people become used to the new restrictions. A friend of mine's wife is a teacher & she was told that the dept. of Education has informed schools to prepare to finish out the current school year via the internet as the schools are expected to stay closed until September... we already got information from the school telling us to start accessing via the apps they use already from this morning as there'll be more work put up for them at 9.00am today & would be every school day going forward.

I did a shop for my in-laws yesterday in Blanch & drove across to Baldoyle to deliver them, never before have I seen the roads so empty & so few people around. Did see garda challenging some people at bus stops as well and was told by one of my colleagues who drove in to the office yesterday to grab a monitor that he was stopped by the garda on both the drive in & back.

Todays my first day of WFH with no trips in to the office planned until the restrictions lift... its a very weird feeling.

Anyway, lets try & keep each other company & keep our spirits up (I'll definitely be needing some positivity anyway) as theres no better place in the whole internet IMO!!

Stay safe guys n gals!

TRS30 · 30-03-2020 9:56am

DvB wrote: »

Simon Harris said when pushed that he didnt see how this level of lockdown could carry on for much longer than the 2 weeks stated, though I suspect it'll go on longer myself as people become used to the new restrictions. A friend of mine's wife is a teacher & she was told that the dept. of Education has informed schools to prepare to finish out the current school year via the internet as the schools are expected to stay closed until September... we already got information from the school telling us to start accessing via the apps they use already from this morning as there'll be more work put up for them at 9.00am today & would be every school day going forward.

I did a shop for my in-laws yesterday in Blanch & drove across to Baldoyle to deliver them, never before have I seen the roads so empty & so few people around. Did see garda challenging some people at bus stops as well and was told by one of my colleagues who drove in to the office yesterday to grab a monitor that he was stopped by the garda on both the drive in & back.

Todays my first day of WFH with no trips in to the office planned until the restrictions lift... its a very weird feeling.

Anyway, lets try & keep each other company & keep our spirits up (I'll definitely be needing some positivity anyway) as theres no better place in the whole internet IMO!!

Stay safe guys n gals!

Sorry to hear a few elves are struggling and hopefully you can find a way to get through this and try to keep in a good place mentally as well as physically. As others have said, the rest of us are here to help in anyway we can.

DvB, I agree. I unfortunately think it will be longer than two weeks. I guess it's easier to say it is for two weeks and then we'll reassess and go another two weeks, then to say straight out it's for a month. As tough as it is, if that is what is required to limit the number of infections and deaths then I guess it's for the best.

Not sure if anyone has used Zoom, however I had a video call with my sister and brother yesterday to arrange a rota for dropping the paper and food to our parents. It was great as turned into a catch up session and various members of the different households wander over to say Hi at various times.

Is my nephews birthday today so we are going to have one big Zoom video meeting, including my parents, so all 4 households can sing him happy birthday. Really looking forward to it.

Stay safe everyone, both physically and mentally.

Jude13 · 30-03-2020 11:26am

We planned that the family would go home to Ireland in the summer for 4-6 weeks, I use this time to fly to our other offices in less desirable countries. The plan was to see all the family then and spend Christmas in our home not in Ireland. However, we are now thinking the soonest we may be able to get home is around Christmas I can't see this being over in June/July.

Posy · 30-03-2020 12:08pm

Sadly I don't think so, either, Jude.

This is all just surreal right now. I'd say there are very few people who aren't struggling with this. It's the uncertainty that I'm finding hard. Not knowing when this will be over. If the lockdown ends, will there be thousands more cases?

I'm not really a new year person, but already looking forward to 'ringing out' 2020!

DvB · 30-03-2020 2:39pm

Added to the struggle of staying indoors & staying healthy, there's the added financial worry too. So many have already lost jobs & so many more will in the next 3 or 4 weeks or god forbid even longer period it takes to get a grip of this. How many will be wiped out by this? It could make the 2008 recession look like a picnic, I just hope it doesn't come to that but have genuine concerns it will.

DvB · 30-03-2020 2:40pm

Posy wrote: »

I'm not really a new year person, but already looking forward to 'ringing out' 2020!

I'm with you on that Posy!

kitten_k · 30-03-2020 6:29pm

We have holidays booked for July and August but doubt we be going on either

Posy · 30-03-2020 6:44pm

I booked flights for my July holiday to Spain at the end of Feb. (clever me)
Even if they go ahead with them, I am not planning to leave the country this year now. Or at least not going anywhere this summer. It's just too risky.

People have bigger problems right now, of course, but it is few hundred down the drain, to add insult to injury. :rolleyes:

DvB · 30-03-2020 7:44pm

Posy wrote: »

I booked flights for my July holiday to Spain at the end of Feb. (clever me)
Even if they go ahead with them, I am not planning to leave the country this year now. Or at least not going anywhere this summer. It's just too risky.

People have bigger problems right now, of course, but it is few hundred down the drain, to add insult to injury. :rolleyes:

We're due to head to Lanzarote in July, theres not a chance those flights will go ahead given Spain's struggles, I'd be amazed if you dont get a refund. I fully expect to get my €3k back. Just csnt see tourism being anything like settling down in 3 months.

Posy · 30-03-2020 7:48pm

A month ago, I was very optimistic this would all be over and done with by the summer.

February Posy was an idiot. :pac:

Loughc · 30-03-2020 8:22pm

Posy wrote: »

A month ago, I was very optimistic this would all be over and done with by the summer.

February Posy was an idiot. :pac:

We were all February Posys :pac:

Cork Lass · 30-03-2020 8:42pm

Posy wrote: »

A month ago, I was very optimistic this would all be over and done with by the summer.

February Posy was an idiot. :pac:

To be fair I’d say most of us thought the same. We normally go to portugal for a week every September - was saying to my husband earlier that I doubt very much we’ll get there this year. Initially I thought everything would blow over in a couple of months. Hopefully though, with the current figures lower than anticipated we might get back to semi normal in the not too distant future.

DvB · 30-03-2020 9:11pm

Posy wrote: »

A month ago, I was very optimistic this would all be over and done with by the summer.

February Posy was an idiot. :pac:

So was I, until about 3weeks ago, but a lot has happened in that time.

Posy · 30-03-2020 9:35pm

I feel better now!

freshpopcorn · 31-03-2020 1:32am

We're into the 260's and the last day of March!

Jude13 · 31-03-2020 5:52am

Emirates are not giving refund they are giving vouchers to the value you paid to use within the next 12 months. Not much chance that the flights will be the same when this opens up so we will lose quite a bit. However, as everyone says there are a lot worse out there. We let some people go, we spent the weekend on calls trying to save as many as possible and we are taking it month by month for our jobs.

It got announced yesterday evening that the schools will not be back until September here. I have been spending ever other minute I am not working helping the OH make things or film things for her teaching app. The parents are understanding but will go spare today when they see the news. As they are all private school here they air their grievances openly.

I am defo having a Christmas movie this Friday night, something to look forward to. Suggestions welcome.

leahyl · 31-03-2020 9:06am

Hi guys, haven't posted here in a long time. How is everyone doing? Everything that's going on at the moment is so bizarre and very difficult for everyone I'm sure. It's the uncertainty is the worst. Of course, I want things to get back to normal but I'm nervous that when restrictions are eventually lifted that there'll be another surge....until we get a vaccine, that will always be the fear. I live with my parents too, who are both over 70, so I'm terrified of them getting it....even though they are generally in good health but that doesn't mean anything to this virus!

New Home · 31-03-2020 9:18am

Jude, how about The Nightmare Before Christmas?

The title is quite fitting.

Loughc · 31-03-2020 9:45am

New Home wrote: »

Jude, how about The Nightmare Before Christmas?

The title is quite fitting.

I lol’d. I shouldn’t have but I did. :pac:

DvB · 31-03-2020 10:06am

leahyl wrote: »

Hi guys, haven't posted here in a long time. How is everyone doing? Everything that's going on at the moment is so bizarre and very difficult for everyone I'm sure. It's the uncertainty is the worst. Of course, I want things to get back to normal but I'm nervous that when restrictions are eventually lifted that there'll be another surge....until we get a vaccine, that will always be the fear. I live with my parents too, who are both over 70, so I'm terrified of them getting it....even though they are generally in good health but that doesn't mean anything to this virus!

I think your right, there'll inevitably be a surge of cases when restrictions are lifted, its unsustainable to keep them in place in a western democracy for too long, and I suspect it'll end up with the old & vulnerable being told to stay in lockdown with the rest going back to normal little by little.

Both my parents are in the high risk category so it scares me greatly that they could get through this initial phase and still get undone by a relative or a grandchild potentially passing it on or suchlike at a later date when restrictions are lifted. But thats the world we live in now unfortunately, & once pandora's box has been opened it cant be unopened...

TRS30 · 31-03-2020 11:18am

Like many the uncertainty is hard to deal with at times. Luckily we hadn't any holidays or anything booked so no issue there however my wife is due back to work from extended maternity leave in mid April. Still no word from her company on where she is to start back or not. Technically she could work from home however has no laptop and the office is now closed to non essential staff (is not essential) so she is getting a bit worry about it. I told her to try not to think about it as is still a couple of weeks away and the onus is on them to contact her.

On a personal positive note, I have dusted the bike off and am cycling to the shops in the morning to drop the paper and milk etc to my folks. Is great been back on the bike and the fresh air first thing in the morning is a nice way to start the day.

DvB · 31-03-2020 11:41am

TRS30 wrote: »

On a personal positive note, I have dusted the bike off and am cycling to the shops in the morning to drop the paper and milk etc to my folks. Is great been back on the bike and the fresh air first thing in the morning is a nice way to start the day.

I'm using the lack of a commute to get back into my running. I had a bout of sciatica that stopped me running a while back & I'd realised i'd gone nearly 3 months without a run, so got out the gear & went for a run last night. Was fully expecting to struggle having done so little for so long but managed 5k in 27 minutes, so happy enough with that. Not gonna lie, it was tough (I'm not getting any younger, thats for sure) but it was a great head clearer & helped lift the anxiety a bit meaning I had a good nights sleep last night too... little victories!!

Loughc · 31-03-2020 11:54am

DvB wrote: »

I'm using the lack of a commute to get back into my running. I had a bout of sciatica that stopped me running a while back & I'd realised i'd gone nearly 3 months without a run, so got out the gear & went for a run last night. Was fully expecting to struggle having done so little for so long but managed 5k in 27 minutes, so happy enough with that. Not gonna lie, it was tough (I'm not getting any younger, thats for sure) but it was a great head clearer & helped lift the anxiety a bit meaning I had a good nights sleep last night too... little victories!!

Another exercise victory here as well, I'm now walking the dog before and after work and then going back out later on my own to get a couple of laps in.

My fitbit stats last week were 75k steps for the week and I walked 60km for the week. Steps were up 25k on the previous week.

Jude13 · 31-03-2020 11:59am

Thats a serious amount of steps Loughc and fine time for a 5km DvB even with no lay off. I suffer a lot from sciatica, however, it is relieved greatly by running regularly.

DvB · 31-03-2020 12:17pm

Jude13 wrote: »

I suffer a lot from sciatica, however, it is relieved greatly by running regularly.

I find cycling works brilliantly too, that's why I originally got the exercise bike so I could use it indoors in the winter.

That sciatica though.... sweet baby Jesus & the orphans it can be crippling.

Only suffering with it about 2 years or so but it got really bad there last summer & then again just before Christmas... Its a great excuse for staying active though as thats the only thing that really seems to relieve it.

TRS30 · 31-03-2020 1:13pm

DvB wrote: »

I'm using the lack of a commute to get back into my running. I had a bout of sciatica that stopped me running a while back & I'd realised i'd gone nearly 3 months without a run, so got out the gear & went for a run last night. Was fully expecting to struggle having done so little for so long but managed 5k in 27 minutes, so happy enough with that. Not gonna lie, it was tough (I'm not getting any younger, thats for sure) but it was a great head clearer & helped lift the anxiety a bit meaning I had a good nights sleep last night too... little victories!!

Loughc wrote: »

Another exercise victory here as well, I'm now walking the dog before and after work and then going back out later on my own to get a couple of laps in.

My fitbit stats last week were 75k steps for the week and I walked 60km for the week. Steps were up 25k on the previous week.

Great to hear guys

Was saying to my wife when I got back this morning that one positive from all this was the lack of traffic on the roads. Are two primary schools near my folks house and roads would usually be choc a block however saw about 3 cars the whole trip!

Got to take any positive you can these days!

freshpopcorn · 31-03-2020 6:39pm

I just turned on ITV 3 and there was a carrot talking in it. I guess it must be Kevin!

kitten_k · 31-03-2020 9:48pm

We have been driving to the park down the road and going for a walk but they have now closed all the car parks in the parks so we walked down today so at least it will get us out for longer

Posy · 01-04-2020 12:20am

freshpopcorn · 01-04-2020 3:32am

LaFuton · 01-04-2020 3:38am

looking forward to a clean and quiet christmas... finally mouth breathers might have learned to back the feck up or get shtabbed witha pork loin!

Jude13 · 01-04-2020 9:37am

Either my daughters school email got hacked, or it's a bad April fools, or schools are opening tomorrow.

TRS30 · 01-04-2020 10:03am

Jude13 wrote: »

Either my daughters school email got hacked, or it's a bad April fools, or schools are opening tomorrow.

I think I can safely say it's one of the first two!!

DvB · 01-04-2020 10:06am

There's not a school over here opening before September anyway.

Happy April everyone... fingers crossed this month is in better mood than the last one!!

leahyl · 01-04-2020 10:32am

I'm hoping and praying that the curve will be further flattened after this week and that we are closer to a treatment at least for this horrible virus

Happy April guys

Jude13 · 01-04-2020 11:03am

I'm no scrooge and like an April fools joke, I got married on this day, it just rubbed me up the wrong way.

I have never watched the nightmare before Christmas so I will tout it to the OH, whom may have to concur as she did not remember our anniversary.

DvB · 01-04-2020 12:05pm

Jude13 wrote: »

I'm no scrooge and like an April fools joke, I got married on this day, it just rubbed me up the wrong way.

I have never watched the nightmare before Christmas so I will tout it to the OH, whom may have to concur as she did not remember our anniversary.

Happy anniversary!

Never seen the Nightmare before Christmas!!?? Wow... I love that film. Its not everyones cup of tea but its always the first 'Christmas' film of the year we put on being a Halloween/Christmas mash up!

Pass the mince pies- Christmas Chat Thread Part Deux

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens