Iso

How's iso going for you?

As someone who has worked at home for a few years, to begin with, it was pretty much business as usual - but it is rapidly becoming a bit like Ground Hog Day. Is it Monday; is it Friday? Who would know. And does it even matter?

However, there has been some unexpected tolls  - namely my nails.  Pre-iso, I had them done every 2-3 weeks for that 'polished professional' look, but look at them now! Chipped, peeling, uneven - and nude!!

Today :(

Early in iso   

That, my friends, is not only the result of scraping off your own shellac but also:

• Excessive hand washing
• Cleaning windows - inside and out
• Gardening - mowing, weeding, whipper-snippering
• Ironing (an activity I've not partaken in for literally years - I'd forgotten how perversely satisfying it is to have ironed tea towels in the drawer - although when I noticed I was ironing a running T-shirt, I knew it was time to unplug...)
• Cleaning out and rearranging cupboards
• Bathroom scrubbing (I even RainX-ed the shower screen)
• Hand-washing dishes - including many that could legitimately go in the dishwasher
• Peeling, chopping, cooking
• Laundry of all and every description
• Vacuuming and mopping (these are perpetual now the girls are home)
• Wiping down everything, using my nail to scrape off every little mark

I suspect I'm not alone.

Cleaning aside, we've also played UNO, Cat Bingo and Cluedo and I've completed a 1000 piece jigsaw.

My outings have pretty much been for a run, a walk or a coffee - but, when the girls and I decided a trip to the supermarket was required, I seized the occasion. I had been concerned that I might forget how to put makeup on and walk in heels - so 'dressed' for the occasion.

I'm pretty sure the guy at the Aldi checkout appreciated the effort; he said 'Have a nice day' and normally all he says is 'Would you like a catalogue?'

The Price of Dodgy Oysters

It was a Saturday and we weren't going out. So while I was at the supermarket late that afternoon, I thought, what the heck, and bought a dozen oysters.

I've only been eating oysters for a few years, having been patiently talked through the process on a small specimen, doused in fresh lime at the races one year. I wouldn't say I'm hooked, but I do enjoy one or three and Geoff and the kids are also quite fond of them so I lashed out.

It was about wine o'clock and I retrieved said oysters from the fridge and took off the plastic wrap and.... ewwww!! The smell was disgusting. And they were slimy. YUK!!

I'd only bought them less an hour ago, so I headed straight back. To dispose of the little blighters as much as anything - but also to let them know their oysters were less than fresh and to get my money back. The experience had left all our nasal passages emotionally scarred, so oysters were definitely off the menu for the night.

I arrived at the service desk, oysters in hand, and explained the situation to the lady in charge. She was extremely empathetic and we consumers LOVE it when people agree with us when we're complaining.

Oh that's terrible! she gasped. And whisked the nasty molluscs away - I assume to march them down to the fresh seafood counter for a word.... actually, they could probably have marched down there and spoken for themselves they were so ripe!

Anyway, customer service lady is still apologising profusely, and of course she'll refund my money. I had handed her the receipt, indicating the time of purchase being a mere 57 minutes prior. In fact, she says, it's so bad, she's also going to give me a store voucher.

Now that, I wasn't expecting.

That's very kind of you, I said, politely. (In fact, I was polite the whole time just FYI! Except that I was probably wearing ugg boots....) She went over to her register area and prepared the voucher. I waited in anticipation. She handed it over suggesting I use it next time I was there shopping. I thanked her again and glanced down.... $2. That's right, two bucks.

Now I know in a pinch, 7 Eleven does $1 coffee, but around these parts $2 is half a large latte. 

So, the price of a dozen dodgy oysters? Half a latte.

Leading By Example

Driving home in the 5.30pm crush from the supermarket, a car up ahead was unnecessarily holding up the crowd.

MWW: Oh come on! Just move - drive aroooooound the corner!
Sass (from up the back): Yeah! Get out of the way you silly cheese platter!!
MWW: Cheese platter??? Where did you get that from?
Sass: Because that's what you called the guy in car park at the supermarket
MWW: No I didn't! I said get out of the way you silly P-Plater!

But I don't know, maybe Cheese Platter will catch on??