I haven't written on here for a while. Mainly because hardly anything has changed, so I don't have much to say. We are still in lockdown, probably for at least another three weeks. I totally understand why, and I believe it is the safest way to deal with things right now. But it is hard. I shouldn't complain, really. Other people are in more difficult situations than I am, and at least everyone in my house is healthy. I thought I would find this relatively easy to deal with...but occasionally, it seems hard.
There is still pressure (or at least, percieved pressure) on people to be productive in this time. I still need to keep on top of housework, cleaning, shopping, trying (and failing) to write, homeschooling etc. All while there is a constant, nagging panic about the virus in the back of my mind. As well as the worry of what will happen when lockdown is lifted. I doubt we will be able to just go back to the way things were. And what if there is a second wave?
I don't know when I will next see any of my friends, my sister and other family members. I don't know when (or if) my son will get to see his school friends again. If we end up having to move as soon as lockdown restrictions are eased, we may not get the chance to see anyone before we go.
I suppose, in reality, none of this really matters. What matters is staying safe. If that means that we don't go further than the garden for the next month or so, then so be it. There is not much point in worrying about the things beyond our control (that's what I keep telling myself).
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Monday, 13 April 2020
What is 'normal' now?
Lockdown looks like it will continue for a while, but what will happen after that? I've read various things saying that it won't be a straight forward 'get back to normal', it will be a sort of gradual process, possibly with future lockdowns if necessary. The old 'normal' way of life seems to be gone.
I suppose there could be some positives, people will hopefully be more considerate and appreciate others more, be kinder. Maybe more people will try to grow their own food, rather than buying vegetables in plastic packaging, or cook more rather than buying ready-made meals. The NHS and key workers will be valued a lot more than they were before, and hopefully paid more!
But there is so much uncertainty. Will we still rely on schools so much, or will some people carry on homeschooling? Is the National Curriculum as important, or is it worth teaching more life-skills like cooking, nutrition, gardening etc.? I know some schools already do those things....but will we focus on them more? Will more people carry on working from home? So many questions.
This all feels a bit unreal...like it's not really happening, it's all in a film or a book or something. I suppose that's because most people, myself included, have never had to deal with anything like this. We've only ever seen it in fiction. Now it's a sad reality and we all have to try to adjust to a different way of life. As time goes on, there will probably be a new kind of 'normal'.
I suppose there could be some positives, people will hopefully be more considerate and appreciate others more, be kinder. Maybe more people will try to grow their own food, rather than buying vegetables in plastic packaging, or cook more rather than buying ready-made meals. The NHS and key workers will be valued a lot more than they were before, and hopefully paid more!
But there is so much uncertainty. Will we still rely on schools so much, or will some people carry on homeschooling? Is the National Curriculum as important, or is it worth teaching more life-skills like cooking, nutrition, gardening etc.? I know some schools already do those things....but will we focus on them more? Will more people carry on working from home? So many questions.
This all feels a bit unreal...like it's not really happening, it's all in a film or a book or something. I suppose that's because most people, myself included, have never had to deal with anything like this. We've only ever seen it in fiction. Now it's a sad reality and we all have to try to adjust to a different way of life. As time goes on, there will probably be a new kind of 'normal'.
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Just some thoughts
I wonder if anything will change, long-term, after the pandemic is over. I keep thinking about things I will possibly continue, ar at least try to continue, after all this is over. Or even new things I will start to do. For a start, I am going to start doing some gardening. I'm also going to make an effort to go outside every day, even if the weather is horrible. Being outside was something I took for granted before all this, I am going to make an effort to appreciate the outside world a bit more. Maybe I'll start going running again (I am a terrible runner!), or just do yoga in the garden.
I'm not sure about the homeschooling. It might be something we can continue, but it depends on a lot of things. I don't even know when schools will be open again at the moment, or if I will be able to get my son into a school once we've moved. It's something to think about, though.
My sister is going to be moving away . She's going much further north, which will be lovely and I totally understand why she wants to do this, but it will be strange not seeing her (or my nephews) regularly. Still, it will be nice to do short (or longer) holidays to visit her!
I'm not sure about the homeschooling. It might be something we can continue, but it depends on a lot of things. I don't even know when schools will be open again at the moment, or if I will be able to get my son into a school once we've moved. It's something to think about, though.
My sister is going to be moving away . She's going much further north, which will be lovely and I totally understand why she wants to do this, but it will be strange not seeing her (or my nephews) regularly. Still, it will be nice to do short (or longer) holidays to visit her!
Thursday, 26 March 2020
Lockdown, delays and having time for things.
Due to the current pandemic, our move has been delayed. Well, paused really. Obviously because everywhere is shut, various things cannot be done. It's fine, gives us a bit more time to pack and get ourselves generally sorted out.
What I am hoping is that in a few weeks, things will be a bit better and certain restrictions will be lifted. Then, we can actually move and get the more urgent bits of work done on the house. There is always the possibility of another lockdown in few months time, so probably best we sort the urgent bits first, then keep working on the other (less urgent) bits if we have time.
If there is another lockdown in the future, I'm hoping that we will be able to grow some of our own vegetables in the new garden. That might make things a little easier. Also, we'll hopefully be able to do some of the work on the new house ourselves...like re-decorating etc. It would be a good way to fill time!
As we have a bit of time at the moment, and can't really go out, I thought I'd spend a bit more time trying to do things with Alexander that are more like 'life-skills'. So today, we made jam tarts together. I think it's a good idea for him to learn a bit about baking and cooking. He likes to join in with gardening anyway, so he can help with planting and growing vegetables in the new garden.
What I am hoping is that in a few weeks, things will be a bit better and certain restrictions will be lifted. Then, we can actually move and get the more urgent bits of work done on the house. There is always the possibility of another lockdown in few months time, so probably best we sort the urgent bits first, then keep working on the other (less urgent) bits if we have time.
If there is another lockdown in the future, I'm hoping that we will be able to grow some of our own vegetables in the new garden. That might make things a little easier. Also, we'll hopefully be able to do some of the work on the new house ourselves...like re-decorating etc. It would be a good way to fill time!
As we have a bit of time at the moment, and can't really go out, I thought I'd spend a bit more time trying to do things with Alexander that are more like 'life-skills'. So today, we made jam tarts together. I think it's a good idea for him to learn a bit about baking and cooking. He likes to join in with gardening anyway, so he can help with planting and growing vegetables in the new garden.
Monday, 23 March 2020
Making Plans
The world is a strange (and slightly scary) place at the moment. So, to try to stay positive, I am making some plans for when we move to our new house. Obviously, the repairs to the house will have to be our first priority. Other than that, I'm thinking about what we could do in the garden. As we will be in a more rural area, I want to make the most of it. (I have lived in a town all my life, so I'm really looking forward to being somewhere more rural!)
Firstly, we will have to leave a relatively large area as lawn, so my son can run around, ride his scooter etc. and generally have space to play. The garden is a fair size, so this shouldn't be a problem. We will also need to remove the bath/pond!
Secondly, I'd like to plant some trees (and shrubs). Trees are massively important! They are good for the environment, will provide some shade, good for wildlife and I really like them. I might order some from the Woodland Trust shop. So far, I'd like:
I feel I should point out, I'm not really a gardener. In fact, it's only in the last couple of years I've started to appreciate having a garden. The only bit of gardening I have done is cut a few branches off of a hugely overgrown Budlia and planted a small tree.
This will be a learning curve.
Firstly, we will have to leave a relatively large area as lawn, so my son can run around, ride his scooter etc. and generally have space to play. The garden is a fair size, so this shouldn't be a problem. We will also need to remove the bath/pond!
Secondly, I'd like to plant some trees (and shrubs). Trees are massively important! They are good for the environment, will provide some shade, good for wildlife and I really like them. I might order some from the Woodland Trust shop. So far, I'd like:
- Holly (really pretty and reminds me of Christmas)
- Fruit trees (so we can grow our own fruit) - probably apple, pear, maybe plum, blueberry bushes and raspberries.
- Hawthorn and maybe Rowan (pretty and good for wildlife)
I feel I should point out, I'm not really a gardener. In fact, it's only in the last couple of years I've started to appreciate having a garden. The only bit of gardening I have done is cut a few branches off of a hugely overgrown Budlia and planted a small tree.
This will be a learning curve.
Friday, 20 March 2020
Big Changes
Sometimes in life, things happen, and you think to yourself 'this will change everything'. Well, several of those things are happening to me (and my family) right now.
Firstly, we are in the process of buying a new house, which is lovely, but also a little stressful. The house is in a much more rural area and quite far away from where we currently live. The new house also needs a fair amount of work done on it. It has a lovely garden....which has a bath in it (hence the name of this blog). The previous owner has put a bath in the garden to make a 'pond'. When I found this out I was fairly surprised, but both my husband and my son found it hilarious. We will not be keeping the bath in the garden!
To make things slightly more stressful, we will probably be moving in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Obviously, this is not ideal. We are all supposed to be keeping our distance from other people, not going out unless absolutely necessary etc. I don't really know how this is going to work....we'll see, I suppose.
Due to the current pandemic, I have had to start homeschooling my son. I have no problem doing this, I have been a Teaching Assistant for several years, and to be perfectly honest, I've always wanted to give homeschooling a try. I'm fully aware that not everyone sees homeschooling in a positive way, but given the current situation, there wasn't really any choice. It's going quite well, so far, but we have only been doing it for a week. I'm not really sure how long this will continue for.
Firstly, we are in the process of buying a new house, which is lovely, but also a little stressful. The house is in a much more rural area and quite far away from where we currently live. The new house also needs a fair amount of work done on it. It has a lovely garden....which has a bath in it (hence the name of this blog). The previous owner has put a bath in the garden to make a 'pond'. When I found this out I was fairly surprised, but both my husband and my son found it hilarious. We will not be keeping the bath in the garden!
To make things slightly more stressful, we will probably be moving in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Obviously, this is not ideal. We are all supposed to be keeping our distance from other people, not going out unless absolutely necessary etc. I don't really know how this is going to work....we'll see, I suppose.
Due to the current pandemic, I have had to start homeschooling my son. I have no problem doing this, I have been a Teaching Assistant for several years, and to be perfectly honest, I've always wanted to give homeschooling a try. I'm fully aware that not everyone sees homeschooling in a positive way, but given the current situation, there wasn't really any choice. It's going quite well, so far, but we have only been doing it for a week. I'm not really sure how long this will continue for.
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