How are we all, then? I woke up pretty depressed, I don’t mind confessing. Even though all things considered I have it incredibly easy. I’ve only got two children at home, we’ve got a garden, the sun in shining, we are still in employment. But I woke up this morning and for the first time since the children were really small I thought “God, I just don’t want to get out of bed.”
But then I did and the day was fine. My “homeschooling” goals are only to schedule screen time and that’s it. We do drawing and counting a bit but basically that’s just for show. As long as the kids are noodling around the house and not actively having their tiny brains fried by YouTube, (except after bath time, bien sur), I feel like I’m winning.
But it’s only day two of god knows how long. And I just look around me and think, this is it, it’s going to be like this forever. The viruses and infections are the thing that’s going to get us, this might end now for a bit but there will be something else and there’s going to be bodies on the street and, and, and…
Anyway never mind! Forgot it! Don’t listen to my mad inner voice. Mustn’t grumble.
I’m partly here to help out my friend Jane who runs that London boutique I’m always banging on about, KJ’s Laundry. Obviously all retail and particularly fashion is in the utter total swamp right now as who is thinking about buying clothes? But like I said Jane is my friend and KJs is run by two mums just like us and they are at home with their kids just like us but are also surrounded by boxes and boxes of brand new stock.
If you are still in gainful employment and want to pick up a bargain, there is 25% off KJ’s new stuff, which is not to be sniffed at. I like this scarf and this t-shirt, both by Soeur. Although rather than saying “yes” the t-shirt ought to really say AAAAUUUUUUGHHHHHHHH.
I want to point out here that I will get no commission off any sales from KJs.
What else? Tell me how you are. What, if anything, is going well for you? What is going badly?
Who was canny enough to have a regular Ocado slot before the shit hit the fan? (Answer: not me) and those of us without access to a supermarket delivery, how are you coping? What clever alternatives have you found that don’t already have a 3 month waiting list? I’m pretty dismayed by the number of food places that pledged to stay open working on a takeaway business principle only to give up after only a few days.
Also, are there any good YouTube workout classes that work? Without too much jumping around. And not Tracey Anderson or that infuriating sweat with Kayla girl.
FitOn is ok for workouts if you choose carefully. They’re all a bit rapid for someone as uncoordinated as me but it’s something.
Hi Esther, as always a finger on the pulse column, thank you. I will take a look at KJs, but the reality is who cares what I’m wearing when they only see me from the neck upwards in a video call? Otherwise I am smugly enjoying using my at-home spin bike with a subscription to Cyclemasters (not the ridiculously expensive Pelaton), and also doing alternate day body conditioning workouts with dumbells and or kettle bells by someone called Amy on Youtube. They are called bodyfit by Amy and she’s not too sick making and the workouts are hard but not too hard that I want to vomit. There are also some good pilates ones from ten pilates studios here in London with a lovely very beardy man.
Take care HL
Just been into my local store for cornflakes “just so you know my favorite cereal is cornflakes” said HUSBAND! and owner assured me he was getting daily deliveries in. I’m not queuing along the rd to get into Waitrose. So that’s a relief. Online wholesale fruit n veg is a bargain. 30 eggs! £3.91 but as you say. It’s only day 3.
Take care all
Which wholesaler are you using, if you don’t mind me asking?
In return I can tell you the Ethical Butcher is doing good though pricey home deliveries of meat boxes. All the butchers/distributors that supply to posh restaurants have lost their custom so some are working out ways to sell direct to consumers if you have a good restaurant near you that’s doing takeout only, it’s worth phoning to see if their butchers can sell you anything. I am doing this with Swaledale foods though who knows how long it will be allowed.
I was also annoyed that I didn’t have a regular Ocado slot but was told today that they didn’t let people who had these keep them – which meanly made me feel better!
really??? my sister seems to have kept hers! I am now suspicious of EVERYTHING
I’ve kept mine too so far, even if there is sometimes a 4 hour wait to get on website!
If you can wake yourself up at 3am you can get straight on(I’m up feeding my baby, you might prefer some sleep) xx
I’ve kept mine!
Okay, well now I just feel pissed off again!
I do like the Body Coach stuff – aside from his slightly it eating accent (sorry sorry I know it shouldn’t matter)
First world problems but annoyed that I’m a regular Tesco delivery customer and have paid for delivery all year round and now can’t get a slot (live rural) no loyalty by that form who is now raking it in
*annoying accent
Jamie Oliver’s 5.30 C4 is good. He knows what we need right now
Well you did ask… bloody awful, actually. Discovered on Monday that half of my 3/4 time job has been ‘furloughed’. I didn’t even know what that meant until this week. The other half is project funded and that may be suspended on Friday. Joy, all the time in the world and nowhere to go. We live in deepest darkest Devon so we can at least wander the empty lanes in the sunshine amidst beautiful countryside on our one permitted walk per day. We have a good local shop that sells those half-decent Cook ready meals and an excellent farm shop up the road, plus a wood fired pizza van, a fish and chip van and a Thai takeaway van that visit the village weekly. I’m feeling pretty unwell today, quite virusy. How far away from A&E are we?… Yes, I know it could be worse but we’re British and moaning is what we do best. Am also concerned about son and heir who resides in Chiswick. In fact I’m just exhausted with all the worrying generally.
Martha SURELY if you are somewhere remote you’re allowed out more than once a day???
You’d think so, but the village is watching you…
I’m in same predicament- rural village and boyfriend lives 11 miles away. Thank god for my kitty cat!
Joe Wicks
I’m still working as I manage a pharmacy and I’m ready to drop. It’s extremely stressful and challenging at the moment.
You have my total respect and admiration. At the moment this is just like one long, although worrying, weekend for me. At some point I’m going to have to pick up my meds, absolutely nothing remotely life-threatening but still … I don’t want to survive this only to have all my bones crumble. So thank you for being there for us.
Thank you so much for your reply. It honestly means so much to feel something positive amongst the the negativity and abuse that I’m on the receiving end of right now x
I feel exactly the same. I’m still working as a teacher looking after key workers’ children. Initially had mouthfuls of abuse from those trying to ‘wangle’ a space in free childcare. Then parents telling their kids we were shutting to enjoy a long ‘holiday’ (reality= teaching online +key worker babysitter +homeschooling 2 boys). Not much in the press to counter this negative view.
Put it down to them being scared and confused and hitting out at those they can still have contact with.
You are SO important to this whole effort and appreciated. All this will pass!
Lovely clothes but I’m being a bit cautious at the mo, just in case.
I haven’t tried the Joe Wicks PE sessions. My teens don’t get up in time and I find his voice nauseating. I might try the Davina classes – she’s given everyone a free month with no catch so might give those a try. If I can be arsed….
My latest discoveries are my local milk delivery service, a local farm who does weekly veggie deliveries, and phoning up local shops to see if they will deliver. Most do. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how lovely most people have been, esp when I explain that I can’t leave the house even for shopping.
I’m finding Calm and Headspace very useful and reassuring. I’m now listening each night before I go to sleep, regardless of how I’m feeling. And CBD oil under the tongue too. And my audible book for when I’m tidying/pissing about/trying not to overthink.
Love your posts, they do make me laugh. Keep yer shit together, it’ll be all ok.
Jx
Milk and More have been great, if it hadn’t been for them we would have had no milk at all.
I’m also very lucky in terms of employment, garden, parents who seem to have come through the virus ok etc. But I was already on the edge with an almost 3 year old boy at nursery in the mornings, and my 4.5 month old who thinks sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time is for losers. Having to divide attention between the two of them all day (and attempt not to resort to TV for hours on end) is just so overwhelming. I’ve cried a lot today (watching Moana didn’t help). Anyone else struggling with very young ones?
P.S. Yoga with Adriene is a great free youtube channel; she is slightly annoying but really does great videos (her 20 minute stretch video has done more for my screwed up body than an osteopath ever could).
Ooh what is the name of that one? She has a few 20 min ones but I definitely need something for my weird back. Thank you!
It’s called Yoga Stretch and is around 21 mins. Hope it helps!
God yes! I have two year old and a 7 month old. They don’t go to childcare usually but we spend most of our days out and about. I’m struggling with just being stuck in with them. My two year old prefers the TV to every game/ activity I set up and I’m resorting to a HUGE glass of wine each evening. I have lots to be grateful for, I have them and a garden and my husband is working from home but it is still such a slog!!
I like Joe Wicks but he’s quite jumpy so if you don’t want to be bouncing about the living room like a tit then he’s probably not for you. Popsugar have loads of pilates/barre type stuff. I really like Les Mills On Demand – £11 a month but so completely worth it in my opinion. BodyCombat, BodyBalance, spin stuff if you have a bike, BodyPump if you’re into weights. As you asked, doing alright all things considered. Had to have surgery on an ectopic 2 weeks ago (thank god it was then and not now!) and going insane from not being able to do aforementioned workouts and the kids being home.
All our neighbours seem very into Joe Wicks and are all out there in their gardens in the mornings, it looks terrifying. A friend of a friend does brilliant (and short – key) workout videos online. She’s on Instagram under bumpsandburpees. Don’t be put off – you don’t have to have a bump and there aren’t actually that many burpees. It’s such a bizarre time isn’t it, like Groundhog Day crossed with some sci-fi end of the world film. And I’ve never put on the dishwasher so many times or had to think of so many meals as no one is EVER out. Relishing the excuse to never get out of my leggings / trakkies though especially as I’ve just had a baby. It would just be so much more enjoyable if there was an end in sight. Esther – I went to university with you btw. Love your stuff.
I’m miserable. I’m isolated because of a chest infection and for someone who loves hiding in their bedroom and isn’t a hugger I’m not having as much fun as you might expect. I sort of feel like I’ve fallen at the first hurdle. And also a bit freaked out at managing to catch *anything* when I’ve been washing my hands like James Herriot about to enter a cow shed. We are fortunate to all be together and we are doing ok for food. It is quite the assault on mental resilience though, in any case, for everyone. I can’t seem to lose myself in reading anything without feeling the ongoing pangs of reality jolting me out of it. I’ve kept the children busy for a couple of days setting them school type stuff to do as they seemed to need something to hang their hats on. They watched a Live Q&A with Steve Backshall this morning which they enjoyed and did some story writing, but we’d all had enough by this afternoon and homeschooling looked like them watching Jurassic Park while I read Michael Rosen’s Good Ideas, feeling a bit sad and out of good ideas. So hard to find a good workout video – when you said without too much jumping around I got the irresistible image of Victoria Wood as a step class instructor/surgeon.
Downward Dog are giving free access to their app until the end of the month and beyond for health workers. They do a 7 minute cardio workout and 7 minutes is about all I can cope with right now.
I know it’s tough now but think of all the great stories you’ll have to tell your grandkids. Like when your nan used to tell you about rationing…..
My Nan came back from evacuation early because the countryside was boring and she thought if she was going to go she wanted to go at home. She took all the sterner stuff with her and left none for me!
That comment was by me, I didn’t mean to make it look like you were talking to yourself
Constantly feeling like I’m ‘coming down with something’ whilst taking all the vitamins and immune boosters I can get my grubby mitts on, petrified my asthmatic husband is going to get it, along with my parents/siblings/extended family/friends etc etc. Mentally zapped from the worry – and the constant ‘houseparties’ and WhatsApp’s from anyone and everyone. Trying to entertain a 3 yr old all day with my face glued to my phone without succumbing to the telly…but mostly I’m disturbed by the fact I’m warming to BoJo, who knew!
Frame online launched today. Their in person classes are fab, so am hopeful for their online ones. Peloton is also giving people 90 day free trials and they have HIIY, yoga, as well as guided outdoor runs. Exercise & sunshine key to sanity!
I haven’t read this – just thought of you when I saw the headline.
https://www.facebook.com/9258148868/posts/10157309088723869/?d=n
A vote for Sarah Beth yoga for helping stretch out when you’ve spent too long on the laptop. Haven’t sorted out how to work from home in an ergonomically sound way yet – nothing is quite the right height!
Thanks for this suggestion I did her 15 minute morning yoga in the garden – I like her!
Hi Esther, You should take a look at Yoga with Adriene, she is amazing and uplifting. I’m not a yoga fanatic but Adriene pays as much attention to your mental health as the physical effects of her workouts. My daughter Claire got me interested when I went from full time to part time work and I loved being able to pick and choose the length and intensity
(or relaxation) of the workout In my own living room. Look her up on YouTube and try a short taster session. It’s like giving yourself a special treat. Good luck
Well I have the bloody thing and it’s shaken me out of my first week working from home low – 38 degrees for three days, knackered, and now chest is tight. Am a bit scared although healthy and run up and down the stairs a lot. Anyway am taking notes for when this is done! Our local very good health centre has shut and offered Lee Mills for a tenner a month so will see what that’s like. X
Crouch End based group workout – usually out of doors which is lovely and kids come and beetle around while we workout but now group workout online. Really good laugh (strangely) and Andy does training for post birth mums. Only thing which has made me lose baby weight (baby is about to turn 9 – it’s not good to rush it I understand).
https://intelligentexercise.co.uk/virtual-fitness-training/
I do all my exercise online at the best of times!
Barrecore is excellent and has a library of existing classes and also doing live streaming.
Doyogawithme.com has an amazing library of yoga classes. I love Fiji McAlpine’s classes (often in beautiful locations, which cheer me up)
Down to Earth is doing live yoga classes as well.
I had a moment when a swimwear catalogue came (unsolicited) through my door. Who will buy swimwear this year? Will anyone swim?
I think these feelings come in waves. I feel better that I have for the last couple of weeks. My scientific brother kept sending me scary emails with graphs of curves telling me people didn’t appreciate the effects of geometric growth and explaining that the Government actions needed to happen at least a week before it actually felt appropriate. I felt anxious when my husband took the train into London and my daughter went off to school. Then pictures of everyone socialising to gather in parks etc just made me anxious and angry.
But now we are in lockdown I feel calmer. No need to debate over whether we should go somewhere or visit someone, just stay home. I know I am lucky. My main task is just to make sure we eat enough. I feel gratitude towards all the people having to work so hard at the moment (tragic that it’s taken this for “unskilled” workers to be renamed the essential ones). Perhaps my current feeling of inner-calm has been helped by the fact I managed to get a supermarket delivery slot for today by hanging in a virtual queue for ever yesterday.
On the food front I can only suggest having a look at the websites of your local independent businesses. Many places found their initial plans to do takeaways impossible with the 2m rule but there are still some one man teams offering delivery. Where I live there’s a butcher doing this and a pub delivering fruit and veg (a bit odd that one). I’ve just seen on Instagram that a local cafe is delivering cheese, wine and chocolate, so that’s three of the basic food groups covered.
Yes we are lucky to have a farm shop locally that will deliver and I’m trying to sort out a local dairy delivery for my parents. They’ve never shopped online and now need to, but can’t register anywhere and it’s been hugely stressful long distance to organise. The independents are really coming through and I hope people remember that, wherever we end up after this.
Hi everyone, I’m sure he’s lovely but I too find Joe Wickes annoying. Quite like Julia Buckley, she’s very good at explaining correct form and currently doing Chloe Madeley 4 week thing which is on Amazon Prime if you have it. Stay safe and sane.
I’m starting to feel softer towards Joe Wicks now I know everyone finds him irritating. But then I quite like his accent. I’ve never done his workouts but the children like the PE because they know all their friends are doing the same one and it’s nice for them to have that bit of shared experience still while all suddenly kept apart.
Me too. We’re doing the Joe Wicks daily session and I’m not finding him as annoying as I thought I would. When he accidentally hit himself on the chin today and said he was a silly sausage I found it rather endearing which isn’t like me at all. Perhaps I’m coming down with something…
I’m finding two things rather stressful –
1) the need to get fresh fruit and veg. I may look at the delivery scheme before we all get scurvy
2) organising something reasonably learning oriented for the kids. I’ll have to set up the printer (horror!) and/ or look each night to figure out what activity the school has set or the kids can do. Give them credit, they’re up for it. It’s just me who’s feeling overwhelmed about a crash course of TA prep :-/
Go Noodle for kids fitness – there are some dance type ones, but they prefer the ones where you run and dodge things (one of them is called Red Carpet Run or something like that). I’m all about the Peloton but I’ve had it for 2 years and am addicted – they are doing a free trial for 90 days of the app which I recommend, but also have seen loads of local studios and gyms doing online workouts and I’m sure they’re great too.
Wish it wasn’t happening – I’m so grateful to all the key workers, and feel terrible for people struggling – but I’m getting a silver lining. I didn’t pause as much as I should have done when I had a baby (my first, now 5 months). It’s taken global crisis to get me to slow down, find some peace and enjoy the new pace of life.
Oh bugger that was meant to be a general comment not a reply
Prodigy Maths was recommended to me by a schoolteacher friend and since I have the maths capability of a very stupid snail, I’ve been letting my kids play it AS A TREAT. BWA HA HA, THE FOOLS.
Anyway, I have three primary-school kids. Two have autism, one has ?autism/adhd and if I don’t schedule them proper schoolwork, they run around screaming like demented hens. They need the routine, and so do I. Dare I say, it is WORKING?!
We’re on 14 day total lockdown because I appear to have contracted corona. Three people in my small city died of it last night, so it’s Definitely Here, not that you can get a test until the moment of your demise. Anyway, after five days of feeling dreadful and breathless, I’m getting better and I am really fretting about food. I had a tesco delivery this week and the SHITS take stuff OUT OF YOUR BASKET if it goes off the shelf. No replacements, no notification. So I have now given up on delivery and am getting family to drop stuff on my doorstep. Thank god for family.
Hope you feel better soon Dex, how absolutely horrible x
Esther can you post where you got your new stationery? Thanks!
Hey. I feel your pain. I keep waking in the night at 3am/4am etc crippled with anxiety. The actual days go quite quickly – but I am fecked if I know how to do my work (which has all hit at once now of course) and home school. I do a bit of White Rose maths with my 9 year old, some Mathletics, reading and some coding stuff – but mainly they work until 12 and then play football in the garden and sack off work. I’m drinking like a fish but pretending that doing Joe Wicks every morning is cancelling the extra calories out. I live right on the edge of a market town, near the canal and beside a forest so I get to walk in peace and that truly saves my head. Waitrose letting folk in, in staggered numbers… I can’t even try for delivery. But its ok if you wear gloves and keep your distance. I long for the cinema, coffees, cold water swimming and PEOPLE. But hey, just 8 weeks more to go or so….