A Mother's Ramblings

I honestly think it is amazing how everyone in their own respective local areas is pulling together to help those in need in their communities. I've volunteered to help with a local group that has been set up through the local COE Church, I've put notes in the doors of the people I believe to be vulnerable in our street offering phone calls, chats through the window or collecting of shopping. My Mum has had neighbours do the same, even notes offering her toilet roll if she needs it! Then of course, there was the clap that was heard all across the UK on Thursday night. It was so emotional hearing the love from all over the country. Thank you Britain, for showing the community spirit that I always knew was there.

As it was such lovely weather last weekend, Flyfour and I thought we should get up and going on the garden as we had a few chores we would like to do. We had originally said that we would do these plans if we were thrown into lockdown by the Government and so were prepared, plus our plans were super simple, wash and varnish the deck, give all the planters a paint, mow the lawn, sand and paint the garden furniture and if we had the energy get to weeding in preparation for the topsoil we were having delivered. Little did we know that a little over 48 hours later, we would actually be on a lockdown ordered by the government, but it has been lovely this last week to be out in the garden when we've not been working that is, as we are both in positions where we count as key workers even though we're not very sure that is correct!

On Friday, one of the Teachers from the school I work at as a Receptionist came to find me at the Reception desk. She was unsure if I was in, or if like many of our colleagues I had needed to socially distance myself (because of Dan Jon) or go into self-isolation because of that thing-that-everyone-is-talking-about-at-the-moment-that-I'm-not-sure-I-want-to-actually-mention-again-because-I'm-so-over-it... The reason she had wanted to find me was, as the Government had said what many of us had thought, that Schools should be closed she wasn't sure when she'd see me again and before we possibly went our separate ways for a while, she had got me a gift as a "small token of her appreciation". Well, at least that was how she put it.

So, our meal plans this week are based on what we have in the cupboard, freezer and fridge. As I'm sure you are finding the shops are empty and so it's getting harder to buy, well anything! Thankfully, we practice Food Storage in our home and so have ingredients that will make meals that whilst may not be our favourites, but also are food which I've mentioned a few times to the children that they are going to have to get used to eating, as it's what we'll be living on until the UK gets itself back on track and lets the Supermarkets have some blinking food in!

I cried at school yesterday. I was sat at the Reception desk, doing my job, wondering how the school was going to look on Monday, when the majority of the children were no longer going to be attending each day, and an English teacher who taught Top Ender walked past. I was on the phone, but he caught my eye and gave me a grin and mouthed "Is Top Ender okay after the news last night?" I nodded that she was and mouthed "She's fine" giving a big grin back. He wasn't the first teacher to ask me that morning, several of Top Ender's teachers (and some of my favourites) had already popped by to see me, to talk about the news from the night before and just check-in. That simple gesture from that English teacher, however, made me cry. Just asking after my daughter suddenly overwhelmed me with the understanding of how much these people love my daughter. How well they know her and how they want what is best for her, just like me and her Dad.

Is it just me who has found this last week to be super busy? Although saying that I was talking with a friend at work the other day and she asked when I planned to sleep, because of all the extra-curricular activities that I do! Well, with Church meetings being cancelled for a period of time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I guess I'll have a few hours of travel time each week back so maybe I can use that to wrestle through the shops attempting to buy some pasta or kitchen cleaner! Well, here is what we are eating this week.

Eating Gluten and Dairy-free is a little annoying if I'm honest. There are so many meals that we'd like to eat, but well the ingredients don't lend themselves too well to it. Gluten-free pasta fro a Lasagne is all well and good if covered with a creamy white sauce and plenty of cheese, but dairy-free/vegan alternatives? Not so great, as in my personal opinion they smell almost as bad as they taste! On top of this, this week we are eating carb free for a few meals, I mean just four  times, and all in an effort to test Dan Jon's Basal rates as something always goes to pot when we've just the one meal that is carb-free. So, here is the plan for this week.

For me, prayer is an integral part of my life. I pray every morning as soon as I wake up, every night before I go to bed, before every meal, with my family each morning and evening and when they go to bed. I pray when I'm feeling sad, when I'm feeling happy, when I'm worried, when I'm sitting in traffic or when I'm at work... basically I am constantly praying and sharing with my Heavenly Father all my joys, woes, thoughts, hopes, desires and requests for help or guidance. Like most Christians, I'm used to getting answers to my prayers and when I don't? Well, let's just say I don't take it too well.