Hello friends
How are we all doing in these very strange times?
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you may have
seen my lighthouse keepers post, my own little analogy.
If not, here it is:
I woke up this morning and it struck me that we are all now lighthouse keepers.
It takes a special person to be a lighthouse keeper and we
now need to step up to that job.
Isolation is hard but we need to be committed to the task,
understand the importance and recognise the position as a service to mankind.
Our dedication will accomplish the goal and save lives.
Shine bright fellow lighthouse keepers
I wrote this before the lockdown, it is even more pertinent now.
So, I'm imagining us all in our own lighthouses, finding ways
to get through this and if I can help in a tiny tiny way each week
with my chatty post then I am very happy to do so.
Pop the kettle on, I've got quite a bit of natter this week.
What to do with all this time at home?
Being told to stay home is very different to choosing to be at home.
I initially found this to be a mental obstacle but I think I've overcome this
with the help of a routine and lists.
When I say routine, I'm not up at the crack of dawn and going for
a run as my one form of exercise, lord no!
It's a flexible routine - keeping active in the mornings,
housework, bit of gardening, tackling a job from the list,
walking Bella and then later sitting down, crochet and telly.
Good time to mention crochet...
Very pleased to be pattern testing - woohoo!
I'm surprised to be doing this as it is less than a year ago that
I started crocheting but I have dedicated quite a bit of time to it!
A lady on Instagram Libbycraft was asking for testers,
I applied and she said yes.
It is a nice easy pattern and here it, part way through and
modelled by Bella, of course.
The List!
I'm an avid list maker, I gain so much satisfaction from ticking
off items so I have a daily list, a weekly list and a general
household to-do list and a set of highlighter pens -
I take list making very seriously!
The downside of a household to-do list is that
we are all pretty useless at DIY!
I love my boys dearly and if you want a computer built,
anything techy then no problem.
If you want your larder door lock fixed this is the result...
The door does now shut, sort of!
With all this extra time indoors the temptation to eat is pretty strong!
Are you dipping into the biscuits more often?
Our one form of exercise per day has involved walking Bella,
she's doing quite well out of this lockdown and is already
demanding walks with either me or the boys.
On those walks I've noticed how quiet it is apart from the occasional
hum of lawn mowers and hedge trimmers.
Gardens are going to be beautiful this year.
There are no vapour trails in the azure blue sky.
People are keeping their distance, crossing the street
but calling out good morning.
In spite of what is happening it is actually really beautiful.
And then there's things like this too ...
Back at home (and resisting those biscuits) I am still working for my city job
on Thursdays and Fridays. Our London office is closed and we all
have virtual offices, mine is in the corner of my bedroom.
My colleagues are Bella and the cats, totally useless at making tea.
Elliott is also able to work from home, his job is in IT software
and he supports US callers so works from
2pm -10pm - from his bedroom.
Mitchell not quite so fortunate in that he works in retail at Bluewater,
so he is at home for the foreseeable future working through a list!
This week's purchase to help smaller businesses is
an Easter card from Top Its Cards on Etsy.
I've framed it because I like it so much.
Lisa is the artist and also the lady that designed this print
based on Bella - blimey that dog gets exposure!
This week's telly roundup:
Moving On available on BBCiPlayer
Created by Jimmy McGovern, each episode is a stand-alone story
involving people facing life-changing circumstances.
I've watched every episode over the years and we are now on Season 11.
Thought provoking and look out for lots of famous faces.
Midsomer Murders available on ITV3
If this pandemic lasts a year I still don't think we would have
time to watch every episode!
Whether you prefer John Nettles or Neil Dudgeon in the role
of DCI Barnaby there is something quite comforting about MM.
Perhaps it is the idyllic scenery and the overall politeness of the show.
There's even humour in the somewhat far fetched murders;
flattened by a wheel of cheese or thrown in an
industrial washing machine, to cite a couple.
It is certainly a nice way to wile away a few hours.
So that sums up my first full lockdown week.
Before I go I must say a big thank you to those who donated through Ko-fi
It has enabled me to buy all the envelopes and paper bag
packaging for the forthcoming charity kit which is going ahead
and will be available on Sunday 5 April.
I have 5 kits left from last month in case you missed it/fancy making another,
please click here.
Take care friends - fellow lighthouse keepers,
keep washing those hands before you dive into the biscuits!