Day 34

Day 34...

First job of the day was to dig out my slow cooker from the back of the cupboard and figure out how to work it. Ashamed to say after initially using it quite a bit it got pushed to the back of the cupboard and forgotten about. But after asking for some input on meal suggestions this week and Molly repeatedly asking for Beef Bourguinon 'like you used to do' I thought I'd better make the effort.

So with that all set up and filling the kitchen with yummy smells I got on with some pre-school work. A few emails to chase and information to get out to parents along with some other admin bits and pieces.

We took another walk out at lunchtime, this time just under 2 miles in about 39 minutes. It was another bright sunny day but still battling against the wind for most of the walk and today we took a hillier route!

I made some more progress reading Dr Shawn Baker's book The Carnivore Diet while I sat outside with a coffee soaking up some more vitamin D. Definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting to improve their health, speaks so much sense and is delivered in a very easy to read and easy to understand way. I've got two more books lined up after this one; Dr Paul Saladino's Carnivore Code and Ted Naiman's The P:E Diet. I figure at this point in time anything I can glean from these books that help to keep us healthy and bolster immune systems is a good thing!

A little at home workout later this afternoon while Molly and Simon went 'down the gym' preceded the eating of the beef bourguinon which I have to say was rather yummy and a success all round...will have to see what other dishes I can cook up.

A short post today as we become used to this new way of life; I started writing these posts to document the 'lockdown', to be a reminder of what we endured and how we got through it. We can do no more than just get on with and accept the situation that we are in. We can but hope that those in charge can come up with sensible plans to get us through this and out the other side. That they hopefully recognise that this is a marathon and not a sprint and that perhaps just taking things at a cautious speed may stop us from being in a cycle of repeated lockdowns. There is so much information flying around out there, so many different points of view that it's difficult to know how to react to it all. All I know is that the sacrifices we are making now by staying home must be worth something, they cannot be in vain.

xx

Day 33

Day 33...

Today would have been the start of our Summer term at pre-school but instead we remain closed and are doing our part by staying home. We know the lockdown is in place for at least another three weeks, and I would guess probably longer, and when it does get lifted we have no idea yet how that is going to take place. Lots of unknowns and all we can really do at the moment is keep on keeping on.

The day started with a very productive morning of collecting the shopping, wiping it all down and packing it all away and that always takes way longer than you think it should. Although me and Molly are getting it down to a fine art...bit of Disney music blasting out and we just knuckle down and get it sorted!

It was another beautiful day so that meant another walk out in the sunshine with another 2 miles completed in 39 minutes; although it felt like it took us longer as we were walking into a very strong headwind on the way back which really took it out of us!

The afternoon turned out to be a very relaxed affair. We had coffee sat out in the garden and did some reading; I'm still digesting Shawn Baker's The Carnivore Code and Simon has just started reading Ted Naiman's The P:E Diet. Anyone would think we are interested in living the healthiest life that we can. Decided to take a few photos...

 I then received a delivery...

...so two new jigsaws to do, just got to decide which one to do first!

I also had another go at doing some drawing...decided to take a couple of 'toys' and use them as reference...

 ...the Donald Duck toy was from Disneyland Paris and was a special gift left in our hotel room the year we celebrated Ethan's birthday there...so this must be about 16 or 17 years old now!

Don't think I did too bad...Mickey probably came out the better, but at least I had a go!

So another day done in this bizarre situation that we all find ourselves in, but one that I think we are adapting to as the days go on, settling into a routine and accepting that this is just the way things are for the time being. It is going to be really interesting moving forward to see how this all unfolds, how it leaves us all feeling once we get to the other side and whether we ever truly return to life as it was before or whether we learn to live in a new evolved world...only time will tell.

xx

Day 29

Day 29 and I could get used to this blue sky and sunshine filled start to the day.

The morning consisted of getting a few mundane around the house jobs done like the ironing! Followed by a little admin work for pre-school; we received some more information today about our governments 'job retention scheme' which meant an email to my wages person along with some calculated figures so that we can move forward as and when the scheme goes live later this month.

We had our usual lunchtime walk and managed another couple of miles in just 40 minutes and only saw one other couple walking; the same couple we had seen a few days back with their dog in a pushchair!

This afternoon I should have been at Derby hospital having my first annual mammogram since my lumpectomy last year but due to the current situation this had been cancelled. So instead I thought I would make the best of such a lovely day and top up my vitamin D supply by sitting outside in the sunshine enjoying a book.

Sun's out so legs are out!

I am currently reading The Carnivore Diet by Dr Shawn Baker and it's absolutely fascinating and a great read. I'd started it a little while ago so it's been great to pick it up again and read a good chunk of it. I've also got The Carnivore Code by Dr Paul Saladino to read as well - anyone would think I'm interested in all this eating the right stuff and staying healthy malarkey. I listened to a great podcast today by Ivor Cummins talking about our immune system and how the standard western diet is leading to all sorts of problems with insulin resistance which in turn is affecting the ability of our immune systems to work as effectively as they should; which seems very pertinent at the moment.

I also had another go at drawing today with an attempt at a landscape...

This evening I became slightly distracted by watching Harry from White Lies live on YouTube as he hosted a session about playing guitar...no idea what he was chatting about but he was very nice to sit and watch for a while! I think Molly needs to sit and watch it now as she is a budding guitar player and as the supportive parent that I am I would be happy to sit and watch it with her!! Have I ever mentioned that I love White Lies...

That's Harry in the middle, next to me!!!!

It's times like this that being a bit daft and holding onto memories becomes all the more special. As the UK government announced at least another three weeks of lockdown being able to reminisce and enjoy those moments as well as being a bit silly at times is, I think, what will help see us through all of this.

xx