March 2020 Update – read and then Wash your Hands!

Well hello there! Sorry for the lack of posts. Here is my March 2020 update post. As many of you might know, we are in the midst of a global pandemic and crisis. I never thought I would be writing those words on this blog. It all seems very surreal to be honest.

I don’t want to go on too much about it, but equally, as this is an online log of my life, it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t talk about it. I am sure that in the future we will look back on this time (hopefully) as it will be looking back on a huge piece of history.

This week I was supposed to write a big post on the 3rd anniversary of this blog and do a giveaway. I have decided to postpone the giveaway to a later date, as I think I would struggle with prize distribution at the moment. I may still do a post on how the last three years have gone and what I have learned along the way.

Life in Isolation

So we were told last week on Monday, that we were going to all work from home as things were not looking good. Both me and Eddie had already spoken to my boss the week before and had decided we were going to do it as Ewan’s school had some suspected cases, and Toms girlfriend’s mum was in isolation and Tom had been round to the house and spent time with her before they realised what it was.

For a lot of people, its been a time for anxiety and change. I work from home 2 days per week so for me, I already had the desk and set up and was used to working from home. Last week (or maybe it was the week before!) I wrote a post about tips for working from home here so if you missed it and are struggling have a read! Anyway, I have come to the conclusion that I must be an anti-social person as not going out and seeing people really doesn’t bother me. I don’t know if its because we have Luna and the kids, so it’s a busy household. Or if its because I am not sure I really like many people (lol).

So what has changed

Well, there is no commute – I have actually been better dressed etc since the lockdown. I get up to do my hair and makeup and have been wearing dresses and all the things I do not have the confidence to wear IRL.

I have got up earlier or at least at the same time and have been cleaning my kitchen etc, making a coffee and still been logged on between 7-7.30am.

The main change for me is normally my work from home days are the days I actually get work done. Apart from my boss, I don’t really hear from anyone so I get my head down to work. Now though we have regular video calls with different members of the team so its definitely less productive, which is leading to longer days.

Things I love about it

Well what I have put above, the extra time to chill and get ready. More time for housework.

I have been going out for my once a day exercise, which has been a walk with Luna and Eddie or a run with them both. The weather has been so nice! Some days we have gone out during the morning when the focus isn’t there. I love that we have the flexibility to do that.

I may change my opinion on the lockdown if we are eventually stopped from going out to exercise. We still see a lot of people out. They are not living by the current rules. Ultimately, they may ruin it for all of us, with their selfish actions.

What don’t I love about it

That I find it difficult to switch off. I do have a defined work area, but I am so busy right now it’s easy to do extra hours.

Extra cleaning. With all of us at home and the kids not doing many chores; it just feels like a constant clean up.

Trying to make sure Ewan is doing school work. It’s easier in someways with little ones as I think they take a bribe better lol.

What we have been Watching – March 2020 update edition!

Plenty to write about here – I will keep it brief as I may do a separate weekly post about what we are watching whilst in isolation as there is more of it!

We have been watching a Youtube series about converting two storage containers into a tiny house. So addictive (so don’t knock it until you have watched it) and it’s inspiring for me to want to do a renovation project in the future. Its called Life Uncontained – such an entertaining couple, and they have no prior knowledge of building a home.

Next, we are trying to watch Peaky Blinders – this time around we are on episode 4 – I am still not sure what the hype is about but Tom says I need to keep watching, so I am giving it to the end of Season 1 and if I haven’t changed my mind by then I am giving up.

Eddie has rewatched Game of Thrones from start to finish.

I am thinking about starting Supernatural on Prime and watching from Season 1 again, but then I was almost so tempted to start on the American version of The Office again as its always the one I can watch over and over again!

Eddies Birthday and Mothers day

Luckily we celebrated Eddies birthday before the lockdown. We had a lovely breakfast out at Bistro Pierre in Nottingham and dinner out at The Cock Inn at Muggington. You can see some pics below. It was a lovely day!

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There was a long wait, but it was really busy and the food was delicious so was worth the wait. I am so glad we went out as it may be some time before we get to do this again 🙁

Diet and things

So I am still doing Slimming World. There are no groups at the moment but I think we are starting virtual groups soon.

I am now making What I Eat in a day video and uploading them on Youtube! It’s helping to keep me on track and accountable as I am including my weigh-ins and showing everything I eat. I am doing this even if I go wrong so other people can see that everyone has bad days!. Take a look if you are interested – at the time of posting this, this is the most recent video.

I may put some vlogs etc on there too – maybe not today, but when the situation changes! I have posted a charity haul video too. This was stuff that I had bought in the run-up to the current lockdown.

Think thats all for this Mach 2020 update post. See you soon for the next one.

Take care

Julie x