I remember many years ago I worked with a lovely Australian lady, like many Australians she had the travel bug. She'd work all hours to make some money, then take a weekend off and travel Europe. I'm still in touch with her all these years later (not as much as I'd like - we're both rubbish with facebook). Aaaanyway.....
One day on about September 4th, during a particularly wonderful British summer she said 'I don't know why you all complain about the weather so much, it's really lovely and summer goes on and on!'. I replied 'Just wait, one morning you'll wake up and it will be winter'. Sure enough 2 days later we woke up, it was raining and the temperature had dropped 15 degrees - winter had started. She was used to a much more gentle change in season, it came as a huge shock and I'm pleased to say she then moaned her way through our British winter - just like a local.
Having said that it always comes as a massive shock to me. It honestly feels like only a week ago I was enjoying watching the buds on the trees bursting into leaf. Admittedly I didn't enjoy it as much as normal this year because of the flipping pandemic, but back then we all though it would be done and dusted in 6 weeks. (Oh foolish us).
I immediately felt the impact - what to do on a windy, cold, grey Sunday when you've been in the house all week and you can't go anywhere. In the end I went to the supermarket - turns out everybody else had the same idea - I'll not do that again. Ended up queuing for 40 minutes to pay for 3 items.
One of the items was a fake flower in a vase (I'm rubbish with real plants). It was the main reason I went in. I'm really pleased with it. It's gone in my new office - it's in the corner I've created for video conferences. The one special corner of the room that's all clear and uncluttered so people can be in awe of how clean and tidy I am. The rest of the room that can't be picked up by the camera is a complete state, and that's an understatement.
Thing is until now I've worked at the dining table with my 'instant party' cupboard behind me. Now I'm essentially going to be a company director (that would sound a lot posher if I actually had a client!) I thought it best not to have 50 assorted wine/brandy/champagne glasses behind me during video conferences. It may not give the image I'd hope, although if one of the major wine producers or brewery's become a client I may well move back to my old spot.
Son is now well settled into Senior school, although he doesn't seem to spend much time with the newer kids - he still spends time with his best mate from juniors. Not that I'm complaining - one thing I'll say about son is that he has really great taste in friends.
There's only one that I've not been terribly keen on and that wasn't so much about the kid, but the fact that I felt when the two of them were together there relationship was toxic. A real shame actually as I'm particularly fond of that kid's parents. Going back to his current friends I really like the parents there as well. It's such a relief when you do get on with your kids friends parents isn't it? Makes life so much easier.
So with one of the current best friends we started this thing on Friday (last Friday of month) where the kids get given some cash to go and buy themselves supper at a fish and chip shop near the school. Then with parents at a discreet distance the kids take themselves off to a hidey-hole to have their supper. Another good friend from their school is joining next month - my fault they didn't join this month I forgot to mention to his mum until about 30 minutes beforehand.
One thing that did make me laugh though was that the entertainment they enjoyed was their phones - they sat in together on a bench looking at phones - occasionally sharing what they were watching. Still it's what they wanted to do and all a part of the growing up processes.
Even better, when I went to pick son up at school a car went past me and stopped. It was the mother of son's first best friend - from 2 schools ago. We only had seconds to catch up so I shouted 'last friday of month, fish and chips, meet in the high street'. So this group of independent kids may be even bigger next month. Which will be nice (as long as it's not snowing!).
I'm actually totally stressed out at the moment. I think today I'll get my official notice of redundancy, the clock is officially ticking. From Thursday I'm on 50% hours and 50% furlough. It's going to be so strange doing my real job again. Also I've still got so much to set up with my business - I'm going to be back to the world of juggling, but in a different way.
On top of that COVID rates are rising the in the UK again. Why oh why are we dealing with this so much worse than the rest of the world. There are already local lockdowns (I'll get back to this) as well as another potential national lockdown. I literally couldn't bear another national lockdown. When we did it first time round the thinking was that if we were good in the short term we could get rid of COVID and get on with our lives. That's clearly not the case.
After 6 months of just seeing my son and husband I'm going totally doodally - I've seen a few other people in that time, but probably about 10 other meetings in 6 months. On top of that I haven't been on my own for 6 months - I suppose I should feel lucky - but I'm desperate to have a silent house - if only for a few hours.
House is falling apart after so much life going on in it. Bathroom tap is leaking and you can only get hot water from the bath tap if you attach hot tap to the centre 'bit' (don't know posh term) with a rubber band. We definitely need a new bathroom, but funds are tight now I'm out of work and it's not like we can get hold of anybody to do the work anyway. On top of that back door isn't shutting properly any more because mechanism has broken, our cream carpets are beyond disgusting as we normally get them cleaned in March, but couldn't this year - then there didn't seem to be any point as we were tromping over them 24x7.
I was reasonably calm about this during the summer, but now winter has set in and the windows are closed it's getting to me (oh yes, son's bedroom window isn't shutting properly now either). To make matters worse all my neighbours seem to have spent the whole summer doing up their houses - which just makes mine look even more run down. Suddenly I'm 'that' neighbour that shows up the neighbourhood....... again!
Just going back to the whole COVID thing - terrible thing happened this weekend. At a University about 100 students tested positive with COVID and the University sent in security guards who locked the doors of the student accommodation. They're not letting the students out and there are guards at the doors of the accommodation. What the ()*¬ is that all about. I'm absolutely terrified about what's going on. I hope it sorts out soon. Then the Government are encouraging people to 'snitch' on neighbours and friends who are not sticking by the random rules they come up with.
On top of this they've launched an App that is essential for us to track and trace - which I do believe we need to get to the other side of this, but this App tracks where you are and where you have been.
Now normally I'm the first person to roll my eyes at trolls and people who have conspiracy theories etc. But this is all beginning to sound very Orwellian to me - it's scaring me to death. Hopefully the British stroppy nature will get things back to normal soon - gosh I hope so. It's all too scary for words.
Anyway, I must stop procrastinating - lots to do - hopefully the world is less frantic next time I post.
Comments
Post a Comment