the lockdown diaries

[theneedforpositivity]

Saturday 22nd August 2020

Been busy busy busy. 

We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. I can’t really believe it is 20 years since we got married. We had a take away and watched a movie.

Last night we attended the presentation of strikers football trophies, The final one as William has decided to give up playing football.

Isobel finally got back to her driving lessons again today.

I joined in with a village yard sale this morning and made £50 which is wonderful. I still have a lot to get rid of though.

I have been having trouble sleeping and really need to be more disciplined about going to bed earlier.

[theneedforpositivity]

Saturday 8th August 2020

My gosh how is it a week into August already. The weather has been very warm on and off over the last week and the temperatures have reached 30°

Me and the kids went to Hunstanton last Friday. It was wonderful to escape lockdown at last. We ate fish and chips and the kids enjoyed a swim in the sea. We toasted marshmallows over a fire and didn't leave until 10.30.

I've been working hard in the garden still and now I have also finally started repainting the kitchen with grey paint as I hated the red paint from the moment I finished applying it.

[theneedforpositivity]

Wednesday 29th July 2020

Another week has gone by. School has broken up for summer. I got a pay rise. Issy had her first driving lesson booked but then felt too poorly to be able to go.

Myself and Issy went back to the scrap store by making an appointment wearing our masks of course. I brought lots of paint for various rooms.

Sunday all 20 teams in the league played their final games and it was a very interesting end to the longest Premier League season ever.

Issy and I enjoyed a second session of football practice on Monday. We need to get fitter though.

The weather has been a rainy and windy this week and its been payroll time at work which was very tricky this month but we got there in the end.

The weather is set to improve tomorrow and Friday and we might get to the beach at the weekend.

[theneedforpositivity]

Wednesday 22nd July 2020

Day 121

Went to work today. Tracy was in so we ate lunch together. She’s so fabulous. There weren’t many people in today and it was a good day. 

I left work late and stopped for food at Jacks and bought home pizza AGAIN. It is becoming a Wednesday thing. 

This evening I did some weeding of my lovely flower bed and added a few extra things from pots including a lovely poppy that I grew from seed. I listened to gardeners question time and women’s hour while I weeded.

I have decided that I won’t write this lockdown diary every day from now on as I am struggling to find the time. In theory we aren’t really in lockdown anymore anyway although we still aren’t going anywhere. Issy goes to cleaning and went to school a day a week for a few weeks. William went for jabs and a walk to the park with Ella. I have been to work and food shopping and Stuart has been to work as usual through the whole of lockdown. We are still social distancing and washing our hands lots to stay safe but we need to venture out and about a bit especially as the summer holidays are here now. Hopefully we will see family again soon and the beach is calling us!!

[theneedforpositivity]

Tuesday 21st July 2020

Day 120

This morning I had an appointment to have injections in my fingers again like February last year. I have trigger finger in a couple of my fingers and it is uncomfortable and makes it hard to grip. The injections were VERY painful and I nearly said I didn’t want the second injection but I was brave and pushed through the pain. 

On the way home Issy sent a picture of a giant cookie that Beth had dropped round with some bits she had borrowed. That was a nice surprise. I ate 3 big pieces today. I worked from home this afternoon, my hands were sore and I felt a bit sorry for myself.

I finished watching Gardeners World while I cooked dinner.

Arsenal had a match against Aston Villa tonight and they only went and bloody well lost. We need all the points we can get right now, Aston Villa may avoid relegation now.

[theneedforpositivity]

Monday 20th July 2020

Day 119

Sorted out some Helpful at Home billing.

Used the electric scarifier on Jessie's lawn. It was amazing. I can't believe how much thatch and moss it pulls out. I had a little go on my garden and it pulled out lots and I could have played all day. I took it back and looked into buying one of my own. I used the marvellous hose to water the plants in the greenhouse.

I pruned the cherry tree at last. I've been itching to do it since spring. Hopefully it will have a wonderful growth spurt now.

Had lunch and then cleaned for Norman.

Next I was supposed to put Issy's shelves up but instead I FINALLY sorted the two buckets of smelly gravel that has needed dealing with for ever. At last!!

Cooked dinner and then me and Issy went to football training that is finally back. It was fun to get back but the match was hard. I need to get stronger on the ball and be more determined. AND need to get much fitter!

Came home and watched more football. We needed Crystal Palace to win but they were useless as usual and Wolves beat them.

[theneedforpositivity]

Sunday 19th July 2020

Day 118

Okay so needed to achieve stuff today after a very lazy day yesterday.

Unpacked and had a play with the new and amazing extendable hose. It's fantastic 😍

William's door wouldn't shut so me and stu rehung it only to find a piece of wood had to be removed and moved over a bit.

Did some measuring up for Issy's new shelves and fitted the new ones on the twin slot shelving.

Cut my grass and did some more raking to remove the thatch and moss.

Cooked roast chicken for tea.

Cut Jessie's grass.

Did some paperwork tonight while watching the second semi final. Chelsea beat Manchester United. So it's going to be Arsenal v Chelsea in the Final in a few weeks.

[theneedforpositivity]

Saturday 18th July 2020

Day 117

Woke with a hangover surprise surprise!

Issy looked after me. She got me tablets, ice packs, cheese on toast, tea and chocolate.

Stu was a work today even though it was supposed to be his weekend off.

I cooked sausages and chips for tea and we ate loads of sweets and watched football.

Arsenal played Man City in the FA Cup semi final and.....they won!!!!

Went to be early...ish!

[theneedforpositivity]

Friday 17th July 2020

Day 116

Went to work today. Stopped at the shops for supplies and tuckshop grub.

There were lots of people in this afternoon. It was a bit of a day!!

It was hot hot hot today!!

Got home late. Stu had cooked the tea AGAIN!!

Went to Amie's for a drink tonight with the girls. Walked there and got 10k steps. Was fairly good and didn't get home too too late.

[theneedforpositivity]

Thursday 16th July 2020

Day 115

Sleeping quite badly lately and I really could have done with staying in bed this morning but today was a gardening with Tracy day which is always lovely. 

I had a sore back again, I always get a sore back by the end of a gardening day. My knee which was feeling much better started hurting again too. I took photos of some of the gorgeous flowers and Tracy showed me some pigeon nests too.

Stopped at Jacks on the way home and got Pizza for tea. Facemasks are going to be mandatory in shops from 24th July.

Tonight there was MORE football on the TV to watch. We are going to be going back to training with the Sirens next week in groups of 5. Me and Issy need to get fit again. 

[theneedforpositivity]

Wednesday 15th July 2020

Day 114

Took Issy to her last session at school today and took William to get his immunisation. 

Worked from home this afternoon.

Cooked fish and chips for tea. I put some of the weed and feed on my grass which will hopefully make it lovely and lush and green again. I am having some trouble with some horrible thatchy area that come out in huge lumps and make bare patches everywhere, I want a perfect lawn but it’s hard work.

Joined in with watching the last guide/brownie/rainbow session campfire this evening. Me and Isyy made campfire donuts but didn’t manage to do an actual campfire. 

Me and Issy watched football again. 

[theneedforpositivity]

Tuesday 14th July 2020

Day 113

 Went in to the office today. 

Sorted out what I owed Gemma from when we were putting shopping on each others deliveries. 

Cooked a lovely cheesy pasta for tea tonight but left mine to eat after my run.

Went for the run with Angela but my knee wasn’t happy about it afterwards. 

Sat on my bum when I got in and watched football and achieved nothing else for the rest of the evening.

[theneedforpositivity]

Monday 13th July 2020

Day 112

I had a lovely day off today. Pottering around and getting jobs done. 

This morning I did ironing in the garden while watching Stephanie in the Chateau.

Later I sorted through the wood to find some to use to make a new top for my old garden table and it turned out really well. I bought a big box of amazing screws which made all the difference. I need to make planters and a screen for the oil tank too. 

I finally sieved some more of my compost and was able to use my new table. 

I have loads of old bits of wood that I need to get rid of but can’t take it to the skip yet and dare not burn it as people get so annoyed. We’ve had small fire pit fires before without worrying so not sure why i am so worried now. Could post on the discussion page first to warn people and do it in the evening so people’s washing is is taken in.

Cooked tea and got ready for work tomorrow.

[theneedforpositivity]

Sunday 12th July 2020

Day 111

I hung washing out today as was the weather was lovely.

I cut William’s hair.

I cut my grass and Jessie’s grass.

Ella came to visit William and they went for a picnic at the orchard and then came to the garden to hang out. It was the first time they had seen each other since the end of March. They had to keep their distance from each other. Not sure how good they were about this but think they can be trusted.

Isobel worked on her decoupage table.

I took some shelves down in the shed so that I can cut them to make more shelves for Issy and took the brackets to use too.

Watched match of the day with Issy.

[theneedforpositivity]

Saturday 11th July 2020

Day 110

In the hopes that I might track down the pesky mouse I emptied as much of the conservatory into the garden (luckily the weather was nice) as possible and cleaned the shelves. NO sign of the mouse what so ever. I put most of the contents in the shed instead of back into the conservatory.

I dropped Issy off to do her painting job. Picked her up later and dropped of football boots that we had borrowed. 

Cooked a yummy chicken in a mustard sauce and had it with chips. I had a headache and was tired today but felt better after tea.

[theneedforpositivity]

Friday 10th July 2020

Day 109

Went to the office today. Caught up a bit.

Stopped at Jack on the way home for wine!!

Remembered to pick up Williams inhaler before the doctor closed. Went to verify the paperwork of the person who will take over my job as welfare officer. I cannot wait to finally give up that job!!

Stuart cooked the curry that I had left out and even did a great job of the rice.

I drank a couple of glasses of wine and me and Issy watched the programme about the fens.

[theneedforpositivity]

Thursday 9th July 2020

Day 108

I worked from home today. I had loads to get on with. I usually run around getting a few jobs sorted in the house first.

The boiler man was supposed to come to service the boiler this afternoon but he came early.

I am addicted to playing candy crush at the moment. Dinner was noodles with chicken in a black bean sauce and it was delicious. Watched more football.

OMG shock horror. Misty brought a mouse into the conservatory. I messaged Gemma and she came over to try to catch it. She is my hero.

I locked misty in the conservatory with it in the hopes that she would catch it in the night.