Originally when I started this self isolation lark, I really did think that the end day would be reason to celebrate but back then (you know, all those 14 days ago) things were different out there. Kids were still in schools, people were still in work and Maccies was still open! Little did I know how different things would be whilst I was locked away.

The cough I had is slowly starting to disappear. I feel drained still and I have a blocked ear but I am starting to feel better in myself. I’m not going to hot tail it out of here tomorrow just because I can. I know that these symptoms are still with me, so until anything else changes then I won’t be venturing outside just yet. I am hoping that a few more days and I will be back to 100%, meaning that I can be the person to do grocery runs, and help others out.

The boys have had a very productive day of learning and play today. Times tables, art, writing and creating. Ethan has been tasked with keeping a diary of how lockdown is for him, we were a bit late with starting it, but he has successfully wrote a few pages today about how he feels about it all and how much he is missing school. Oliver has been reading well and has been working hard on his times tables. After all there hard work they were out in the garden where they let off some steam.

Meal times are always stressful at the minute. Always having to be one step ahead of meal planning just in case I need to defrost something. Today we had cereal for breakfast, followed by sausage baps for lunch and a fruit smoothie, and jacket potatoes and salad for tea. Boys never complained with their meals, and both gave their appreciation in words as to how much they enjoyed what I had done for them. I think they were creeping so they could get a treat afterwards but I will take the sucking up! 😀

The boys are now safely tucked up in bed, Ethan has started building his Lego City set which he had 3 Christmas’s ago….and he has made steady progress on it. This is now in parts around the living room and it is taking all my will power not to tidy it away. He is still working on it and looking forward to continuing tomorrow….it’s just, it’s everywhere!

Every night before bed, I read to the boys. I have been doing it since Ethan was a few weeks old, then Oliver came along and we carried it on. Just one book, every night….Pip and Posy, Gruffalo, Roald Dahl books – Harry Potter – we are now on Grandpa’s Great Escape which I think I have mentioned in previous posts. To be fair to David Walliams, he knows how to create a story that intrigues and pulls a child in. Both of my boys are riveted and can’t wait to listen as I read a couple more chapters to them before they go to sleep. It’s one of my favourite times that I have with them. Lying on my bed, cuddled up, I read the pages and they hang onto every word. Ethan is eager to finish this book quickly so that we can start on the next Harry Potter book. We have been reading the illustrated books by Jim Kay, and have read Phillosophers Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. After each book is read, we watch the film….and both are eager to see what happens next. (spoilers) Neither of them know (spoilers) that Dobby, Dumbledore or one of the Weasley Twins die. I am loving how excited they are about each book that we get to read. I remember being that excited as each instalment was released (all those years ago) and waiting for J k Rowling launch dates to come around. I remember the late night queuing to get the book before anyone else and lapping up each page greedily. I am so glad that they have got the bug too.

I am now settled happily on the sofa, glass of water in hand, blankets, snacks and watching Stranger Things. All this lockdown is a new ‘routine’ to get used to, but I am enjoying it so far

I missed yesterday thrilling instalment of my isolation journey! I am still coughing and yesterday I woke up with a strained voice – it never feels like it’s leaving me. I have stuffy nose, my head aches and I have some aching in my chest from all the coughing…but otherwise I’m not too bad. I am still feeling drained from it though.

Boys had a nice day of learning and they did well with the things that I asked them to do. Oliver has been quite good at his times tables actually. I was surprised at how well he can do them! Ethan is reading a chapter of a book each day and reciting it back to me afterwards (just so I know he’s actually reading it and not just skimming)

Afterwards they enjoyed some of the sun that we are having, running around on their bikes, playing with Ethans action cam and playing football – both boys are taking this isolation remarkably well. Neither are complaining about the lack of activities. In fact, I think they quite enjoy being at home. Myself and my husband are struggling with it just a little bit. We have always been home birds anyway, much preferring to be in together than out, but we like taking the boys different places…and knowing that those options aren’t available sucks just a teeny weeny bit. I know that in the grand scheme of things then it’s not important, but it still bugs me. Our whole life has been changed, and it is only a minor interruption for us…I think of all those people whose lives have been permanently changed or scarred by this virus. I look forward to when life can return back to normal a bit.

The highlight of the day yesterday was most definitely the applause the nation gave to the NHS staff. I had seen posts for it days in advance and had thought that just a few might carry it out, but I was brought to tears by how many stood on their doorsteps and clapped for the staff who are working around the clock on the frontline. My Street was full! And it was heartwarming! I felt ready and although I’ve only been locked inside for over a week, it felt nice seeing neighbours for the first time In what feels like forever. We pass each other everyday and go about our lives with greetings but yesterday we all came together. I was teary then and even more teary when I looked on social media and saw how many joined in with this appreciation display! It was amazing! And definitely something I think we should all do again! I saw people saying that we should mark the day and I for one would be okay with that!

Another day in isolation. I am kind of getting used to not going out. Sure, eventually I will need to do a major shop and not just rely on small supply drops from family and friends, but at the moment I am pretty content in my mini bubble.

The sun was shining again today, and we spent some much needed time outside in the sun, whilst the boys had a kick around. We have had a day of learning too. Speed words, times tables (which Oliver is very good at) and reading, followed by a question and answer session.

I haven’t been as strict about school work today as I have other days because I am conscious of how much the boys lives have been disrupted. Oliver has had a few days when he has been ready about dying…and I am under no illusion that it’s all of this stuff going on around us that has helped fuel his fears. At 5 years old, he shouldn’t have to worry about catching a virus and going into hospital. As a family, we try to shield them both from the trauma that this illness is causing but we can’t hide them away from all of it. They are aware that things are different – they know that we don’t go outside at the moment, or that there favourite places to visit are inaccessible – so keeping them relaxed and not stressing them out too much is a priority. I do want to keep a routine that is as normal as possible, especially when it comes to schooling but I don’t want to put any added pressure on them.

They finished there day with computer games, and a movie before bed. We are currently reading David Williams Grandpa’s Great Escape and we read a chapter or two each night before they get tucked up for the night. I love cuddling up with them on my bed, under the covers as I read a chapter to them. They are always engrossed and I love how they love books and stories just as much as I do! 🙂

Today has been pretty chilled. I still have a cough and my breathlessness is still there but I can get around better without feeling like I am gasping for breathe or feeling like I am going to pass out. The stuffiness is still there but better than it was – I am hoping that by the end of my 2 week lockdown (31st March) then I can at least venture out to the shop for 10 minutes on my own.

Here’s to the next 6 days!

Another day in isolation, another day away from the madness of outside. I woke today feeling less stuffy and chesty as I have other days. The cough has still been evident and I have coughed my way through the day, but I have felt a bit better.

One thing I noticed when I came downstairs was how quiet it was outside – the sun was shining, and their were less people around. There were still the odd sounds of cars mulling around but not as much as usual. I opened the windows, did a bit of cleaning, prepared breakfast for the boys and felt like I had a bit more energy. A lot of my previous days have had me gasping for breathe with any exertion, as this cold or virus 🦠 penetrated my chest. But today, the feeling that I am out of puff has been less. I have moved around quite easily, and have done more around the house than I have managed to do the past week.

It is now Day 7, I have been holed up in here for an entire week and I have to say the days have milled along quite quickly. I was bored in the beginning and I felt trapped but that feeling disappeared. It probably helped that I did feel miserable because I didn’t want to do anything at all. Today, with the sun shining, I took the boys into the garden with Harry Pugger and we made shadow drawings, played football and swingball. I sat on the chair and let the sun tickle my skin and it was wonderful. Being outside after a week felt brilliant.

Once we were back safely inside, I proceeded to do some home schooling with them. Speed words, times tables, geography, science and then a bit of reading. Following on from Boris Johnson’s announcement yesterday, I have looked out at the world outside and noticed how many sounds I can hear, which would usually be masked by cars, etc. Yeah, I know there are still areas where people are congregating when they shouldn’t, and I know not everyone believes in what is happening, but it sounded so different outside.

I am half way through my isolation, from next week I should be able to at least pop to the shop to grab a few things. I will avoid people, I won’t queue to closely and I will make sure I go and come quickly. But it will be nice to pick up my own groceries rather than relying on others. It’s always difficult knowing how many things you can request before you sound cheeky….I generally just request the essentials but I am starting to run low on freezer stuff and cupboard stuff, but I should be able to stretch it all out until next week! I just hope I can get out briefly then!

La la la! I am in surprisingly happy spirits today! There is a lot of heartache and stress and worry that comes from this global panademic, but I am currently in my own little bubble. We are caved in, we have food, we have ‘toilet rolls’ (shhhh, don’t tell everyone) and we have one another….me, my husband, our two boys and Pug, Harry. It is Day 6 and the feeling of cooped up has dwindled. I am quite comfy sitting here doing my own thing, slowing down, and watching the world from the window.

Whatever virus or cold I had is starting to ease off. Breathing is still difficult and I can’t stop coughing. The symptoms are worse if I lie down, so often sleep in a very uncomfortable sitting up position. Last night, I actually got to sleep flat…I still feel chesty, still felt stuffy but it was easier. The one that’s really gets on my nerves is when you have that horrible rattly chest when you breathe. That hasn’t gone. It’s still there. My head was swimming for a few days but that’s got less. And I do have some pains in my sides from all the coughing but otherwise I don’t feel too bad. Drained is probably a word I could use…but not as bad as Day 1 and 2.

Like most people in the UK, I am currently waiting to see what our Boris has to say. I read that he is in a urgent meeting, and the update will be later than usual. I, along with most people, think that it won’t be long before adapts the same rules or similar as other countries before us….and implements a ‘lockdown’ to stop those people who aren’t taking the virus seriously enough.

Today, I got to experience the life of a teacher. I got my boys up, dressed, washed, groomed…. and then set them to work. Maths, speed words, question and answer sessions, spelling, and reading. Followed by a workout with Joe Wicks. They did fantastic considering they weren’t overly motivated to begin with. They are now outside taking the chance to play in the sun whilst we have it. And I am on Uber Eats, ordering our last McDonald’s for god knows when!

I can only hope that if the county pulls together then we will be able to come out of this quickly and without many more deaths.

My thoughts are constantly with those who are dealing with this directly. The wonderful NHS staff, our government, and those whose family or friends have been tragically affected by this dreadful virus.