Friday Five!

I started watching baby sitters club this week, it looks cute!

KFDancer, good luck with the allotment! My friend has one of those small outdoor plastic covered greenhouses with many trays that she uses for starting seedling trays. The one thing I learned this year is if you don't move plants into bigger pots quickly enough they get pretty angry, and the instructions on how to sow (on the seed packets) matter. If it says sow into the ground that's definitely what to do! You could also order some second crop potatoes to put in now. If you're on Instagram, I love following the account shegrowsveg for unique heritage varieties of things to try.

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I meant to post Friday Five, but thought yesterday was Thursday. oops!  SO, late....

1) The Daughter wasmaking fun of me for doing the bathroom deep-clean (we're not leaving for over a month, mom!) yesterday.  The grout on the floor was never sealed and gets discolored, and it takes a serious scrubbing to brighten it. So that's done, and when we're leaving all "we'll" need to do is damp mop. I want my £1,100 security deposit back and don't plan to give them any excuse to hold back any of it!

2) If an estimator can come in person to look at our stuff to move, we should have our binding estimate in the next 10 days. Otherwise I have to send photographs of our stuff, with an itemized list, for the estimate. (That was the plan earlier, waiting to hear if it's changed recently.)

3) We have to give two months' notice to our landlord. The removals people are now saying it's going to be from 24 to 45 days door-to-door for our stuff. If it's 24 days, that could be problematic since we have two weeks' quarantine on arriving in the USA before we can house hunt. And we don't want to book our plane tix for right after the anticipated date of move in case there are delays. The removals say we can put stuff in storage here or at the other end, as needed. I'm thinking at the other end would be better as it may turn out to not be needed and we could potentially save the cost of storing everything. And because we don't know if things will grind to a halt here again if Covid flares up we will have our stuff with us much sooner. (Removals in the USA are considered "essential services" so it would be delivered. If it's stuck in Scotland due to a Covid work-stoppage, it could be some time before it ships.) If the container takes 45 days, no problems anticipated. And there's no real way to know, as of now.

4) Logistics: Airfares are insanely volatile. Looking through August and one way is $400. Sept 1 and it doubles. Some airlines it's cheaper to buy a round-trip. I'm thinking we'll probably go with Iceland Air in early September, as we've used them before and they have been really great. Plus they are still flying out of Glasgow a few days a week and are an acceptable fare. We may have to move things up by a week or two, depending on when we can get the move actually scheduled. The landlord said we can put in our two months' notice at any time, so if we can put it in earlier that would save us a little rent money. Once we land we'll have to either take a train or rent a car one-way. I'm leaning towards the latter, as we'll need to get groceries before we go into quarantine and I also want to avoid as much potential exposure to Covid while in-transit as I can manage. If it ends up being a long-connector flight through some other airline, I guess we'll hotel it on arrival and drive the following day. Fortunately, hotels are offering really good rates right now. 

5) My house is looking sad. I found some photos from last summer, when we had everything unpacked and tidy, and it looked really good in here. Now everything is in boxes with stuff strewn around that hasn't made it to the trash or a box yet. I am not happy in a disorderly environment. I never really "got" that as a young person, and was quite a slob. But I really do need to be in an orderly, pleasant environment to be truly happy and relaxed.  It's going to be a while. 

Happy Friday! Hmm, let's see.....

1.) Been volunteering this week at virtual conference for families and individuals impacted by Type 1 diabetes and it's been very interesting. Easier and harder than in person. You can tell all the kids have been on Zoom/Google classroom sessions for the last several months -Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but they all know the etiquette and are all quite used to how it all works. 

2.) Hoping to get out to a few gardens this weekend and the coming weekends, now that things have opened up a bit. 

3.) Got a whole new batch of beer ingredients, so plan to make some this week. 

4.) My chickens are awfully lazy this morning. They're all lying about and chillin like they have all the time in the world.

5.) Need more coffee. 3 cups is apparently not enough this morning.   

Happy Friday everyone!

• Off on annual leave for the next two weeks. It's much needed as work has been manic. Looking forward to unplugging and relaxing (plus hopefully visiting family)!
• My sister was supposed to be arriving today & getting married here in Scotland on Tuesday. They're going ahead with a small ceremony in the US that I won't be at - gutted to miss it but definitely not comfortable traveling to the US right now.
• Ventured out to a beer garden yesterday for the first time to meet up with another couple. It was so nice to do something slightly normal! It's the only public place I've been in other than Boots (once) and Aldi (every other week) since lockdown started in March. Time flies!
• One of my best friends moved to Hong Kong to start a new job last weekend. Been loving the pictures from her hotel room (she has to quarantine for 2 weeks) and I can't wait until it's safe enough to go visit - whenever that may be.
• Ordered some really cute gifts for our niece's 2nd birthday that she'll love. Can't wait to see her when we go visit!!

Friyay!

1.  I found out why my new company brought me on board yesterday.  We announed yesterday that we are buying our largest competitor in the USA which will triple our annual revenue.  And it helps that they have an office less than 4 miles from my parents house.     So while I'm on a 12 month FTC, they hope to convert me to permanent.  We will see how it all plays out.

2.  Hoping to buy our daughter a bike tomorrow off of FB marketplace.  Her UK grandparents wanted to get her one for her birthday (April 1st) but summer is practically over.  We go on holiday in 4 weeks with a massive campervan and plan to cycle a lot.  We need to get her comfortable on a bike.  Time's up.  We are buying one this weekend.

3.  Sobe had a checkup at the vet this week.  First blood work in 2 years.  His kidney disease has advanced to Stage 3.  His number was 220 two years ago and he is now at 280.  The range for Stage 3 is 250 to 440.  He's doing great!  Vet told him to have lots of fun on holiday. 

4.  Two kids at home until September 1st.  I know we did this for a long time before, but it's been soooo nice having my daughter back at school.  Just 4 weeks until holiday.  We can do it for 4 weeks, right?  The boy starts back at nursery when we return and the girl back to school.

5.  Trying to decide if we include Scotland in our trip or not.  We WANT to, but Nicola is "not ruling out saying the English cannot travel" due to our virus numbers.  I get it.  Just makes us hesitant to book anything in Scotland....

Friyay!

1.  I found out why my new company brought me on board yesterday.  We announed yesterday that we are buying our largest competitor in the USA which will triple our annual revenue.  And it helps that they have an office less than 4 miles from my parents house.     So while I'm on a 12 month FTC, they hope to convert me to permanent.  We will see how it all plays out.

That's exciting. They needed you to translate 

I am so mixed up... Friday again, is it?  Okay.

1.  A few days ago, my husband and I were talking about Presidential candidates who dropped out of past races before the respective conventions.  We first discussed "four years ago", and that was relatively easy.  But then we got to "eight years ago", and I found myself saying, "wait... I don't know when eight years ago was.  What year is it?!"  Am I old, or is this just a very strange year for keeping track of time?

2.  Last week, I was so excited to announce that we had accepted a quote to get a new roof on our workshop. This week, the roof man phoned to apologize, but the guys he usually hires to work with him on larger jobs have both quit.  So the roofer has no crew, and cannot do the job.  So, back to square one.

3.  The day after that bombshell, the tree people phoned to say that due to the recent heavy rains and flooding, they had a lot of work to catch up on, so they've had to postpone our little job.  Fotunately, that's only delayed by a week.  But it is starting to get frustrating.  Imagine the struggle we're going to have when we finally get around to having the render done!

4.  Because I'm not spending £7k on a new roof for the workshop, my husband bought another guitar.  It will be delivered Tuesday.  Next time we have sunny garden time, we can play acoustic guitars together in the garden! 

5.  I need to get better at guitar.  He's had a lot of free time to practice and get better, but I've had to keep up with the washing up and the cooking, and, basically, all the things.  Plus, I'm lazy and just want to sit when I'm not doing housework or cooking.

Bonus:  We had Tex-Mexican Potato Salad for breakfast!  First time in months!  We'd quit buying avocados for a bit because we were having trouble with timing the ripeness with when we were ready for guacamole.  But my husband put together our (rather hit-and-miss) shopping order last week, and he bought avocados!  Nom!

Friyay!

1.  I found out why my new company brought me on board yesterday.  We announed yesterday that we are buying our largest competitor in the USA which will triple our annual revenue.  And it helps that they have an office less than 4 miles from my parents house.     So while I'm on a 12 month FTC, they hope to convert me to permanent.  We will see how it all plays out.

2.  Hoping to buy our daughter a bike tomorrow off of FB marketplace.  Her UK grandparents wanted to get her one for her birthday (April 1st) but summer is practically over.  We go on holiday in 4 weeks with a massive campervan and plan to cycle a lot.  We need to get her comfortable on a bike.  Time's up.  We are buying one this weekend.

3.  Sobe had a checkup at the vet this week.  First blood work in 2 years.  His kidney disease has advanced to Stage 3.  His number was 220 two years ago and he is now at 280.  The range for Stage 3 is 250 to 440.  He's doing great!  Vet told him to have lots of fun on holiday. 

4.  Two kids at home until September 1st.  I know we did this for a long time before, but it's been soooo nice having my daughter back at school.  Just 4 weeks until holiday.  We can do it for 4 weeks, right?  The boy starts back at nursery when we return and the girl back to school.

5.  Trying to decide if we include Scotland in our trip or not.  We WANT to, but Nicola is "not ruling out saying the English cannot travel" due to our virus numbers.  I get it.  Just makes us hesitant to book anything in Scotland....

Kf.......come to Fort William! You will be seriously welcomed here by us an by all of the locals. We’ve talked to so many people in the last few days from all over, it’s busy but everyone is loving it. Most things are open, the Harry Potter train is chugging along, no time like the present!


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Kf.......come to Fort William! You will be seriously welcomed here by us an by all of the locals. We’ve talked to so many people in the last few days from all over, it’s busy but everyone is loving it. Most things are open, the Harry Potter train is chugging along, no time like the present!


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Ooooo I’ll look into that!

Highlands are HEAVING with caravans and campervans at the moment

Highlands are HEAVING with caravans and campervans at the moment

Ruh roh. I don’t think we will go further north than Stirling, if we go to Scotland. But I’m pretty sure we aren’t the only ones with this idea!

Friday! Oooh, Friday again!

1.)  Redundancies at my company. Uggggh.  I'm okay, for now, but ugggh.   

2.) Going and visiting some gardens this weekend. I like castle and estate house gardens. Very fun. Went to Inverewe last week and that was lovely and quiet.   

3.) Meeting some friends for a walk and a picnic on Sunday, socially distanced of course! 

4.) Garden needs weeding.  Been slow to grow this year as July has been so cold! 

5.) Making jambalaya for dinner. Yum!   

Friyay!

1.  My claim has hit my former company.  They are shitting themselves (as it's a VERY valid, strong case) and making former colleagues who are friends lives miserable.  They are horrible people.  I HATE it for my friends.  But this shows what a toxic environment that place is in.

2.  Three more weeks of kids home, working from home.  Then holiday.  Then everyone goes back to school and nursery.  We can do 3 weeks!

3.  Updating my home office and hoping to get it to come together this weekend and final bits next week

4.  Daughter got a bike last Saturday and she simply climbed on and RODE it.  Balance bikes for the win.  No stabalizers/training wheels.  Just hoped on and rode.  She's loving it and wants to ride all the time.  Hard to figure out how appropriate it is to let a 6 year old go out on her own.  LOL.  Okay, not hard.  Just hard for her to have to wait for us.

5.  I spent last weekend, and Monday and Tuesday suffering from one hell of a migraine.  Been fine since Wednesday.  I would love a good healthy weekend!

I'm sorry to hear about the redundancies PB, I hope it doesn't increase your workload too much and your job remains safe!

1. My mental health has really been suffering the past few weeks, I finally spoke to my husband about it and he's been very supportive since. My world really shrunk with this lockdown, it was small to start with, but I don't know if I'll be able to recover from this. The increased use of disinfectant everywhere means I can't go in shops/restaurants/everywhere even though people are now finally wearing masks. And my foot is still too injured to walk outdoors, and losing job meant not being able to get wheelchair to enable that. Feels pretty hopeless atm, but at least we still have a roof over our heads and food.

2. It's been migraine hell for me the last week too KFDancer. Not sure if it's the weather or increase in pollution or both, but ow. Today hasn't been quite as bad.

3. Grocery stores are sneaky. I put in an order for Monday a few days ago and realised I forgot something. Now they have raised the prices on a number things I ordered, and to amend the order it would've increased the cost of the shop by £7 so I'm going without. At least they warn you, but that's crappy when relying on deliveries.

4. My sungold cherry tomato plants I grew from seed are now about 7ft tall (in 35L pots). And all the peppers are growing fruit. Now patiently waiting for some of them to start ripening. Tried potatoes for the first time too and they're flowering as well, potato blooms are pretty!

5. Since I'm fairly confident I won't have a job interview for a while I decided to have fun hair one last time. It's now a lovely shade of blue and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

What were the results of the MRI?