Jesus In The Midst Of The Storm

In the early hours of Monday morning Dave fell on his way to the bathroom and sprained his wrist.  Thankfully his arm was not broken but with one upper limb out of action moving around using the walker was an impossible task.  Dave's mobility scooter is a compact piece of kit and since the layout of this house is more user friendly than the old place he was able to access the lounge, downstairs bathroom and kitchen from this machine.

Last night however proved to be far more tricky and my help was needed on four separate occasions throughout the night.  On most days I wake feeling as if I have been hit by a truck, well this morning I'm convined it was an express train that had mowed me down!!  I am 5ft 2 and Dave is 5ft 10, and so attempting to help him into bed was a tricky challenge for sure.  We have a cunning plan for this night and so I'm hoping that it will work.

Dave is used to waking several times in the night and so settled fairly quickly but I struggled to settle having been disturbed so many times.  It was then that my anxiety initially kicked in and I was worrying about Dave and my friend's parents who have both been hit by Covid-19.  In the past I might have rumenated for quite some time but very quickly I realised what was going on, reflected on Jesus calming the boat in the storm and offered the whole situation to God and peace ensued.

As a result of all the shenanigans I halted our original home school plans and the kids had fun finishing the painting snd building of the compost bin and set up the fire pit.  As I look back on the day "God has worked all things for the good of those that love him," Romans 8v28

 Root vegetable soup courtesy of Ben.

 Cooking bacon on the fire pit, Ben is one happy chap :-)

Working on a plan of action. 

Q.  Why is Pip hammering a cold chisel into the mulch? 
A.  To puncture the cardboard sheets beneath to improve drainage and give a better route for worms to get the feast!

Ta-dah, a lovely second compost bin, this one is situated in the backgarden not far from the kitchen door.  We are determined to 'turn' this heap to ensure a farly quick turn around in the compost.  We also had a phone call from the supplier of the raised beds which are due to be delivered on Friday, yay!  Plenty to keep the kids busy :-)

Our Daily Bread

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to join in with an online service courtesy of my friend Pen Wilcock and her Methodist community.  The reading from scripture was the Israelites wandering in the desert and God providing Manna for them to eat.  There was a condition attached and that was they should only take enough for each day.  Naturally some folk decided to flout the rules and they learned a valuable lesson, the  stuff they attempted to hoard was crawling with all sorts of creepy crawlies!!  It is a big lesson in recognising and appreciating that He gives us grace just for the day in hand.  The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow for today has enough cares of its own, sage advice in these uncertain times.  In between praying for those on the front line and friends who are so very poorly at the moment I've been trying to focus on the job list, the home school lessons and keeping us sane!  Here are some pictures from the weekend:

 Signs of Spring from the village play area.

I spent all day Saturday cutting and arranging the squares for the first of the memory quilts.  I used a plain blue and a checked shirt with an assortment of colours courtesy of mum and from my fabric pile.  The check shirt forms a cross shape on the quilt with one exception, a cross made of cute mopeds as a nod to Dad's motorbike days :-)  Hoping to start the sewing tomorrow. 

And the now regular guest appearance from Ollie, waving at you from the kitchen window xx 

Did You Clap?

Last night at 8pm people were being encouraged to stand at their doors and clap for the front line workers dealing with this current pandemic.  I wasn't sure if the folk in my neighbourhood would get involved but they did and it was quite moving to all join forces and show our appreciation at this difficult time.  I must admit I was sad when the street was quiet this evening, it was almost a case of 'job done' whereas  the folk in Italy are clapping and banging night after night, maybe the enormity of the approaching tsunami is yet to hit home in the UK.  The current lockdown is an attempt at flattening the curve but the predicted peak is in early June, so we have a long wait ahead of us for sure.

I am so grateful for the current warm spell, we have made the most of it and taken our lessons into the garden.  In between the home schooling I have managed to keep up with household tasks and done my absolute best to tackle a job and then have at least a twenty minute  sit down in between.  It has been great to peg the washing on the line, you cannot beat the smell of line dried laundry :-)

Our Sainsbury's click and collect order was arranged for just after 8:00am this morning and this meant leaving the house just after half seven.  In normal circumstances you would avoid travelling into the city at that time of the morning due to schools traffic and those on the daily commute.  It was quite surreal to be sailing through the city centre and even the pedestrians were thin on the ground.  Sadly the homeless folk are still on the streets but the latest news is that councils have to organise hotel accomodation for them all by the end of the weekend.  Without a doubt we have a duty of care to those less fortunate but when all this blows over, I hope and pray that they won't just be turfed out onto the streets once more.  Can you imagine how awful it would be to be given the luxury of a roof over your head, clean sheets and the luxury of running water only for it to be taken away as quickly as it was given?

After a yummy beakfast of porridge, cream and chocolate pieces Pip set too with her English work, I tackled the bedrooms and Ben organised the lunch and put away the shopping.  Our afternoon was equally productive, Pip had her first Skype session with her maths tutor and Ben began painting our new compost bin.  I kept him company in the sunshine and we prayed The Divine Mercy Chaplet for some dear friends that are poorly with the virus.  I also decided to lay aside my current crochet blanket and instead work on some rainbow coloured bunting for the dining room window.  I don't know how it started but kids around the UK are colouring rainbows and hanging them in their windows as a sign of hope to the world.  As a result I have joined forces with the yarn community to spread some yarny cheer as folk pass by on their daily walk. 

Here are some pictures from our days:

 Even Poppy is enjoying the sunshine.

 Gathering the necessary sheets for the maths session.

 Garden maths from yesterday.

Really tasty Lasagne courtesy of Ben.

This lad always loves to help and really enjoys practical based activities.

One of the "Good Morning" WhatsApp family photos courtesy of Sara and Tom, that smile says, 'Isn't life great!'  xx

That's Better

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being horrendous and 10 being fabulous here are the following results for today:

Pain Levels 3      Happiness Levels 8 -)  

The trick was to get down to the playground first thing, we arrived just after nine and left just before ten.  Ironically I have met and spoke to more folk since social distancing, which sounds crazy but is true.  Everyday we are at the play park, the chidren's play zone has been cordoned off but we have access to the basketball/football court and we can walk around the track in the grounds.  We are the only family during our 'slot' but we wave to the two dog walkers and watched a chap clocking up laps whilst pushing his baby daughter in the pram.  Pip was itching for me to join in so knowing full well that there would be a pay back (increase in pain) I had a go in goals followed by shooting some hoops:

 I had to hitch up my skirt to play,lol!

 Once home Pip tackled her morning maths, Dave caught up with necessary admin and I had a facetime conversation with our family herbalist followed by a much needed lie down.  After lunch Pip enjoyed a Whatsapp chat with her best friend Beth and we have already devised a way for them to play snakes and ladders via the next video chat.  Whilst Pip was chatting, Dave, Ben and I sat in the front garden and cheered when Uncle Andrew appeared :-)  He was on his way South after having supported Mum H through cataract day surgery on Monday.  We practised social distancing and chatted over the garden wall and before waving goodbye he emptied his car full of goodies from Mum.

It was like Christmas!  Four bags of material for me for patchwork and dressmaking, a puzzle for the kids, a beautiful lap quilt, wrapping paper and items for making decorations, family memorabilia including birth cards celebrating Dave's birth, his first pair of shoes and a very scruffy much loved cuddly dog!  There was also four jars of yummy stewed apple and a bag of Tortilla chips. Little wonder there were smiles all round!

 This was only half the amount of fabric and Mum told me that she still has cupboards and drawers full of the stuff!!

How are you all doing?  I'm thinking and praying in particular for my very dear friends in New York.  I had a lovely Whatsapp chat with Dorina on last Friday and even got to say "Hi" and wave to her husband Greg, who like many is now working from home.  Speaking of Whatsapp our daughter Kathryn set up a family group chat and we have shared photos, thoughts and in Sara and Ben's case whacky videos; those two might be fourteen years apart but they share the same bonkers sense of humour!  There videos have kept Kath entertained and my Mum utterly confused :-) 

 

Stressed Moi??

In short yes!  We kind of made it through our plan of work but there was a lot of bickering, moaning and me hiding in my bedroom for an hour after lunch, with the caveat ' only disturb me if it is a real emergency :-)  I am so glad it is the end of the day and the house is almost quiet, save from Ben raiding the kitchen due to a hypo!  Julian of Norwich definitely knew a thing or to with her arrow prayer, 'all will be well' I think it will fast become an ear worm in my head.  Here are some happy moments from our day:

 We always remember to say 'Grace' but today I was really grateful for the food in our cupboards, freezer and fridge.  Dave spent best part of the morning trying to link in with the vulnerable shoppers list courtesy of Sainsburys but to no avail.  We have an ASDA delivery on Monday but after that there are no delivery slots available in any of the supermarkets.  Thankfully our local farm shop uploaded a produce list on their facebook page and we were able to email a list of requirements including much needed compost and seeds!

 To add to Pip's aboriginal map she made her own hama bead  aboriginal man.

If you follow The Organised Mum Method then today is bedrooms and clean sheet Tuesday.  Whilst I was remaking Pip's bed I noticed this box on her book case and then the penny dropped, SEEDS!!!!!  This was a Christmas gift from Mum and Dad Wesley and I was truly happy to find them.  Growing a garden not only provides food and colourful cheer but is always a sign of hope and right now that is much appreciated xx 

Not Quite The Crack Of Dawn

Despite distinctly feeling like I had been hit by a truck in the middle of the night, I managed to sort of leap out of bed and by 8:30 am we were at the play park.  Once again not a soul in sight so Pip charged around the football area whilst Dave and I had our breakfast and a cup of tea :-)

Even though the sun was shining it was bitterly cold so an hour was more than enough!  We also needed to be home in time for an online science class scheduled for 10:00 am.  During the science session, Ben and I prepped the lunch, homity pies and joy of joy we found a jar of mincemeat, so mince pies for dessert :-)

After lunch Dave and I had a much needed quiet time and the kids worked on a joint project, making God's Eye weavings and an Aboriginal map.  Pip is currently working on the 'Around the Globe' pawprint badge, hence the craft activities.  Ben also had enormous fun trying out the portable camping stove and made tea for him and Pip, good old beans on toast.

We are living in unprecedented times and this evening the Prime Minister gave an announcement:

Only going out to exercise once a day for either a walk, run or cycle ride.

Only shop when you have to and only for essentials such as food or pharmacy items.

Stay Home ,only travelling to work if it is absolutely necessary

All weddings, baptisms and church services to be cancelled.

Police have been given the powers to disperse gatherings of people, to shut businesses that are not on the exemption list.

Human beings are an inventive lot and there are moments of joy to be found, Joe Wicks is offering a PE session at 9:00 am Monday - Friday.  A children's entertainer organised an  online birthday party and local radio are running an initiative called "Make A Difference."

I am grateful for my faith at this time and for God's words written in the bible:

"So do not fear for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41 v 10

Week-ending

This lovely lad has kept the kitchen running this week whilst Dave chased an online delivery slot and I attempted to keep the home fires burning.  On Friday evening we had a dance party in the kitchen followed by 'The Proms' re-run celebrating the music of John Williams from Jaws to Star Wars and everything in between :-)

We have managed two trips to the village playing fields and on both occasions the park has been empty, phew!

 A precious card from a friend who left some school supplies for Pip as well as some hama beads to play with.

 So grateful for the local farm shop making home deliveries:  a large veg box, a big sack of potatoes and two big bags of mulch for the back garden.

 Mother's Day tulips and an easter bunny plus other goodies from St Thomas' church.

Pip's granny stripe blanket is finally finished, I just have a few ends to weave in.

A well deserved sit down in the sunshine after working on the front garden with Ben.  I tackled the weeds and he neatened the edges of the small lawn.  It was also nice to chat (at some distance!) with a lady walking her dog.  We commented on the stupidity of some folk, apparantly the beaches and the lake district have been heaving with tourists :-(  It will only be a matter of time before the army are deployed and folk are forced to stay within the boundaries of their own home.

It it wasn't so crazy it looks to be quite idyllic and dare I say 'normal.' Thankfully I have finally ceased waking and thinking that it was all some terrible nightmare but most days I still feel like I am wading through  treacle.  It's the Christmas disorientation without the fun of seeing family or watching an inordinate amount of Television!  My to-do list seems to be ever growing and as fast as I tick off one job another appears.  I'll admit tempers have been frayed, tears of frustration have been shed (not mine, I hasten to add) and I have awful contact dermititis on my hands/wrists and an allergy to my current shampoo!  Given time things will pass and whilst I'm waiting I hold on to St Julian of Norwich's words:

" All will be well, all will be well, all manner of things shall be well."

Stay safe, stay well, hang in there :-)