Week 17 of Lockdown

Here's to my 17th week of lockdown!

Saturday 18th July

When I got up, I decided to catch up on the latest 2 episodes of Roswell, I love this show, I thought I loved the original, but this revival is blowing that version out of the water, it is brilliant.

After I finished watching Roswell, I came downstairs to sit with Barlow for a bit as mum and dad had gone shopping, and as I was waiting for them to come back i read a bit more of The Boundless.

It's taking me a while to read this, not because I'm not enjoying it, I am its soo good, but because reading in general isnt holding my attention.

I mentioned yesterday that I was supposed to be going to my sisters for tea, but as Cooper wasn't behaving, my sister and brother in law didnt want to reward him, by me going over, which I understand, as I always tell both kids, if they dont behave, I wont go and see them.

So I decided to start a new show on Netflix; Cursed. It's based around Arthurian legend, and although I'm only half an episode in, I'm really enjoying it!

When it was nearly tea time, I came down to set up a new printer for mum, as the other one was having issues with the ink.

After that I decided to have tea, some left over pizza and made a chicken and bacon salad.

It was really nice!

i then refereed a game of Scrabble between mum and dad. When they finished that game, I played a few games of Scrabble with mum and dad.

When I went to bed, I read a lot more of The Boundless.

Sunday 19th July

I had a reasonable lie in this morning till about 9, but didnt get up till about half 11 as I got distracted by watching Cursed, it is a really good show!

As the parents went to the shops, I sat in the conservatory with Barlow and spent an hour or so writing up last weeks, weekly lockdown blog post.

Bu the time I'd gotten that uploaded I decided to get some lunch, just as I was about to start eating, my sister and the kids turned up.

Whilst Natalie was helping mum and dad with some of the gardening, I played a game of Monopoly with Cooper and Lola.

It was a really fun game, and Cooper won this game!

After wed played that game we decided to play Ludo.

But Cooper decided that after he started losing, he didnt want to play anymore! So it was just me and Lola playing, and I did win this game!

After Nat and the kids went home, it was tea time! So I read some of The Boundless whilst I was eating.

At bed time I watched some more of Cursed.

Monday 20th July

Today has been a studying day and completing my assignment day. I'm 3 assignments in, and I really wanted it finished by today as I've got a busy week coming up. 

Whilst I've been writing, I watched the final few episodes of Cursed and started a new series, Chasing Life, which is very emotional, but well written and acted, and I'm really enjoying it.

Unfortunately I didnt get my assignment finished, so I'll have to get it done tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday 21st July

As it's a Tuesday, you know by now that it's the day I do my Nanas shopping! 

I am beginning to hate shopping though, as all social distancing measures have gone out the window, and it doesn't make me want to go out at all!

When I got home, I knuckled down with my assignment, and managed to get a lot done.

At tea time I read a bit more of The Boundless, before I finished my assignment ans also got it sent off, so that I dont have to worry about it. I wont be starting assignment no. 4 until next week, as I'm spending some time with my sister and the kids over the next couple of days.

Wednesday 22nd July

At the weekend, I arranged with my sister to take a walk with her and the kids, whilst shes on annual leave up to Congleton Edge, as shes never been.

It was a beautiful day, and the walk was just as challenging as the last time, but the views at the top made up for it!

We all really enjoyed it. After the walk we nipped to my nanas to have the picnic we had made, and had it on her lounge floor!

When we got home we were shattered and I continued watching Chasing Life.

I also got an email from work to advise that I won't be going back to work until the end of September at the earliest, which is incredibly frustrating.

Thursday 23rd July

After looking after Coope and Lola last week, I offered to look after them again, so that my brother in law could get some work done.

Whilst there, we decided to have a bit of a film day.

Firstly we watched Nativity 2, a Christmas film, as you do in July!

I then played a game of Monopoly Jr with Lola, which I won!

After this, we put on another film, Monsters University which the kids loved.

After that, they watched some of their own TV programs whilst i read some more of The Boundless.

When Natalie and Wayne came home, I stayed for tea, which Nat made, a chicken carbonara, which was very good.

After tea, we played a game of Knowledge is Power on their PS4, which I won.

After that, we played a game of Monopoly Empire, which Lola won.

When I got home, I went to bed and finished The Boundless.

Friday 24th July 

In the morning I popped to tesco to do a little bit of shopping for my mum. When I got back i caught up on some of this weeks Roswell, as i hadn't watched any of the episodes.

Had we not been in lockdown, I would have been down in London going to YALC and LFCC.

Here's a collage of previous years.

In the afternoon I looked after Lola and Cooper whilst dad and wayne built his shed and mum worked.

Cooper watched some cartoons and Lola watched some baking videos.

Then we did a picnic for tea when Nat came over, we had pizza, chips, and more stuff. It was very nice!

After Nat, Wayne and the kids went home, i finished off the last few episodes of this weeks Roswell.

So that is the end if 17 weeks in lockdown. I'm fed up, and I'm starting to feel more anxious about going out in public now, than when lockdown first started, I like my walks more than going to places like shops.

I'm hoping that's a phase, and it'll pass.

I hope you're all well and keeping safe.

Vanessa 😊

Week 16 of Lockdown

16 Weeks of Lockdown!

Saturday 11th July

I slept awfully last night, I think it was about 3am that I finally dropped off, so I had a slight lie in till about 10ish.

I got up, went and had some breakfast.

When the parents went to see Nana, I watched the latest episode of Roswell.

I then continued reading The Boundless, whilst I was waiting for them to come home.

When the parents came home, they told me that we were having Nana over for tea, so I went to pick nana up.

We had a lovely afternoon/evening with nana, and my mum knows how to make a lovely tea!

At bed time I continued reading The Boundless.

Sunday 12th July

Getting to sleep last night was also an issue, again I think it was about 3am when I dropped off.

I did get up a bit earlier than yesterday and got up about 9.

As it was a Sunday, there is nearly one constant and that is my need to make pancakes for brunch!

I changed up my recipe by halfing the ingredients and only made a half batch! But they were still just as good!

After lunch I had a visit from Nay, as she wanted to drop off my belated birthday present.

Whilst Nay was here, we looked through some more photos, I've included a few from Singapore below.

At bedtime I watched the newest episode of season 2 FBI, as I loved season 1, and Missy Peregrym is one of my favourite actresses.

Monday 13th July

When my Nana was at our house on saturday, she asked me if I could take her to Asda tomorrow, as she needed some new clothes.

As I've only been to Tesco, I decided to do a trial run st Asda to see what their set up is like and what to look out for tomorrow.

I can honestly say I hated it! It was basically a free for all. There were arrows and Do Not Enter signs on the floor, and absolutely no one took any notice of it, and walked wherever they wanted and social distancing has definitely gone out the window!

After the train wreck of Asda I went to see my brother in law and Cooper and Lola, which was a nice way to start the week!

When I got home I watched and finished the remaining episodes of Lucifer that I'd started last year!

After I finished watching Lucifer, I continued on with my read of The Boundless.

Tuesday 14th July

As I mentioned yesterday, today was the day I was taking Nana shopping to Asda, and she also wanted to nip into Matalan, which was so much nicer than Asda.

Asda was still as much of a shambles as yesterday, as much as I like Asda, I think I'll be giving it a miss for a good long while!

When I was taking Nana home, we nipped into home, so she could see mum and have a coffee. Once she was ready, I took her home.

When I got home, I did some reading for my course, seeing as I've barely touched anything for over a week.

Later on in the evening, my sister and the kids came over, which was nice to see them.

After they went home, as my parents had gone out for a meal with some friends and I had the house to myself, I attempted to make rocky road and cookies, failed at cookies and made a blondie instead. I've realised now that the reason my cookie mix turns out like cake mix is the butter I was using is actually margarine, so if I want to make cake, I'll use margarine and for cookies I'll use salted butter!

Will find out tomorrow how the rocky road turns out, as I think I over melted and stirred the chocolate!

Wednesday 15th July

Yesterday the ink in mums printer gave up, so I said I'd go up to Currys to go and get her a new set of inks, seeing as she needs the printer for work.

Currys was ok, you queued up outside and they had a store employee asking you what you were looking for, so that they can direct you, so you're not spending unnecessary time trying to find what you're looking for.

As I was in the queue, my mum text me, to say she also needs some staples as well.

As there is a Morrisons across the road, I thought I'd nip in and see what they had in their stationary section.

Morrisons was a similar chaos to Asda, they have you queuing to get in, but the door you go in is very small and it's also the door people are coming out of.

There is no one way system, it's basically another free for all, and no one was thinking of social distancing at all!

Having braved Morrisons, I found that they had no staples, so I decided to go the nearest B and M.

B and M, was quiet, thank goodness, so I managed to get in and get the staples in less than 15 minutes.

By the time I got home, it was lunch time so I had some lunch with mum, and watched Barlow sitting on mums seat!

went and did some studying.

When it was tea time, I came down to fit mums new ink Into her printer.

I also checked my rocky road, it turned out really well actually! The only thing it was missing was some raisins to add a different texture.

Thursday 16th July 

As I got up a bit earlier than I'd anticipated, I decided to start watching the first episode of season 4 if Veronica Mars, I loved the first 3 seasons that were first shown around 2004! So I was very excited to see this revival season.

After watching the 1st episode I got up and went over to my sisters house.

From seeing my brother in law on Monday, I had offered to look after Cooper and Lola, if he wanted to go and do some work at his unit.

He took me up on the offer. 

For the first hour, the kids completed their homework.

Then we had lunch, after that we then played some games.

We played Monopoly electronic for Kids, which I'd bought them for Christmas, it was so fun!

We then played a Monopoly Kung Fu Panda edition.

Then Cooper wanted to play on the Playstation, 

so me and Lola had a one on one game of Monopoly.

I don't want to brag, but i won all the games i played with them!

Natalie and Wayne came home to pick the kids up, as they were going to Nanas as Wayne was helping dad to take down a shed.

I headed home, but I also had to go to Nanas as mum hadn't told me she was going and I didnt have my house keys to get in.

So I went to Nanas as well. We ordered a Chinese, which was lovely, it was so well cooked.

I think I eventually got home at about 11/12, needless to say I think I fell asleep quite well!

Friday 17th July

In the morning I continued watching Veronica Mars, as it getting very good!

After lunch I went on a walk to congleton edge with a friend.

I loved the walk, it was lovely and tranquil and the views were absolutely amazing again!

When I got home, I decided to make some more rocky road, a chocolate version and a biscoff version. As Im going to Natalie's tomorrow for tea, so I said I'd take dessert.

They came out really well and I'm very impressed with myself for trying something new!

As mum and dad were going out to their friends again tonight, I decided to continue watching Veronica Mars and I managed to finish the series, and it ended in a way that made me tear up!

I then went to bed and decided to start watching Pride and Prejudice, the 2005 film, but I only managed to get half way through, as I was falling asleep!

So that's my 16th week of lockdown over and done with...here's hoping theres not too many more.

I hope you're all having a good week and staying safe.

Vanessa 😊

Week 15 of Lockdown

15 weeeeekkkkkssssss

Saturday 4th July 

Saturday once again! Today was a quiet day. I read a bit, whilst the parents went out shopping.

When mum came home, she wanted to make a cake, so I helped her to make a black forest gateaux, it was quite nice!

In the evening, the parents went out to a friends house for tea, so I was looking after Barlow, who ha developed a habit of getting on to the wall behind the BBQ, and then cant get down, so I was leeping an eye on him.

I decided that as the parents were out, I would order a takeaway and have a TV filled evening!

Sunday 5th July 

Sunday was a nice day. I had a lovely little lie in till half 9.

The parents are organising the loft, as it is filled with stuff we've kept for years and years, but dont actually need, so whilst they are in the loft, I Sat and kept Barlow company and occupied!

Just after lunch I took Barlow for a walk to Astbuty Mere.

Luckily it was dry for most of it  so it was a nice relaxing walk.

When I got back, nat and the kids were over, so that was a nice afternoon visit.

It was hilarious as the kids and Barlow were jumping all over her!

At bed time, I started reading Well Met, which is really good so far!

Monday 6th July

As I mentioned yesterday, the parents were going through the loft, and as they're on holiday this week, we're all having a clear out week. 

So I've been going through bags and boxes and getting rid of things we dont need.

I also had a message from work, to essentially say nothing has changed and we're still off for the foreseeable.

I really want to go back to work, the sooner the better for me, just to keep me a little bit more sane!

At bed time again, I continued my read of Well Met.

Tuesday 7th July

As you all know by now, Tuesdays are shopping days for Nana! May have taken a little longer with Nanas shopping, as the house clearout is still a thing!

When  I got home, there was a lot more clearing out, but we did find loads of old photos from when I was younger, in Saudi Arabia and on various holidays.

I'll pop some of the pictures below.

At bedtime I continued on with my read of Well Met and managed to finish it, and I love it, it was brilliant!

Wednesday 8th July

Wednesday was another day of clearing out the loft and going through more old photos and finding loads of old school reports etc!

Some reports from high school in Saudi Arabia.

My old school tie from Congleton High School!

At bed time I decided to read a Mills and Boon book, which was a nice read after Well Met.

Thursday 9th July

Thursday was my day to clear out my room, and move things around.

I found some more photos from holding a koala in Australia,

to stroking a pink dolphin in Singapore.

Whilst it's been a lot of work, it's been quite cathartic going through things!

Friday 10th July

Friday was a bit of a more chilled day, I managed to do some reading for my course in the morning.

In the evening my sister and the kids came over to look through some of her stuff, which we got distracted my playing a game of Battleships with the kids and ordering a takeaway!

We did look at some more photos from Saudi and Dubai.

Lola with a photo of her mum! Spitting image!

After they went home, I watched a new episode of Roswell before I started to read The Boundless, which I've been looking forward to since I read the first book last year.

So that is week 15 of lockdown! I hope you're all well and keeping safe.

Vanessa 😊

Week 14 of Lockdown

14 weeks....its beginning to feel like it will never end!

Saturday 27th June

We had a bit of an issue with our washing machine so whilst we were waiting for my brother in law to have a look at it, we didnt have a washer, so we asked my nan if she wouldn't mind doing our washing. She didnt so I took our washing to nanas along with some of my birthday cakes.

After that I went across to my Nannie Ps with some birthday cake and whilst I was there I video called my sister who had gone to ours to fix the washer, and I got some good shots of her with the dog!

After I'd finished at nannies, I went back to nanas to pick up our washing.

When I got home, we put the washing on to the clothes horse to dry.

I then helped the parents to set up a new indoor security camera.

After that we ordered a family takeaway from my favourite takeaway and it was yummy!

I then went to bed and watched some more Wynonna Earp.

Sunday 28th June

Today was my belated lie in day! It was lovely. As with most weekends nowadays when I got up I decided to have the pancakes I wanted for my birthday! And they were lovely!

During the day, because our washing machine was out of action, my dad wanted to clean out the laundry room, so whilst dad was doing that I sat with mum whilst she was rewatching the Vampire Diaries. It's been ages since I watched the last episode, and it was nice just sitting and watching it with mum.

After tea, I went and watched the final few episodes of season 2 of Wynonna Earp. I really want to watch the the 3rd season, but it isn't being streamed on Netflix yet, so may have to order the DVD!

Whilst I was watching tv I also started making a list of all the photos I want to take for bookstagram.

Monday 29th June

Today was reasonably busy. I started the morning off by checking to seeing if i had gotten my results from my assignment that I uploaded last week.

It showed that I had gotten my results back and I PASSED my first assignment, I dont know the exact mark, but it was in the top 90%, which is definitely a good start!

Considering I had gotten my results back, I figured I had better make a start on assignment 2, so I spent the morning reading up the course material for unit 2.

I had lunch with mum, and then I did some more unit 2 reading.

After tea, me and mum went to nanas to set up her security camera.

When we came home I went to bed and continued my read of Harry Potter, I'm determined to finish it before the end of tomorrow!

Tuesday 30th June 

In the morning I read some more of the unit 2 course material. I'd already decided that after lunch I would use the time to take some photos for bookstagram as I was running low.

Whilst I was reading, I also made the decision  to buy the 3rd season of Wynonna Earp, I decided to order it through Amazon Prime, as it would be instantaneous rather than waiting for it in the post.

So I started watching it, in the background. I really love this show, its cheesy and doesnt take itself too seriously but has such brilliant characters and I look forward to season 4!

At about 3ish, when I was in the midst of setting up for bookstagram, I got a call from my sister to say that she was nipping to Nannie Ps and did I want to go with her, of course i said yes!

So off we went to nannies, my sister also had an ulterior motive, she also wanted to give me my birthday present, which had arrived.

An Easter egg and the most beautiful and thoughtful bookmark I've ever received.

It is a bookmark that has the first picture of me and my Auntie Lorraine from when I was first born (she passed away over 20 years ago now, so pictures like this are special to me.) The other two pictures are of me Natalie when we were in Dubai and the final picture was when I graduated from uni in liverpool in front of the cathedral.

I absolutely loved it, and it made me cry happy tears!

When we got back home I tidied up my mess from trying to do photos and got into bed and managed to finish Harry Potter, so that it could be included in my June Wrap Up!

Wednesday 1st July

Because I watched so many episodes of season 3 of Wynonna Earp yesterday I managed to finish the final few episodes this morning! 

After dinner I managed to take lots of bookstagram photos and managed to get my June Wrap Up and July To Be Read blog post uploaded.

Whilst I was taking photos, I decided to try watching Alex Rider on Amazon Prime, and it was really good, I loved the books when I was younger and I hope they get chance to film more seasons, and it has a pretty good cast in it as well.

I enjoyed it so much that I finished it later in the evening!

Because I am the unofficial IT at home for mum and dad, mum needed the printer setting up so she could do some printing of orders, so after mum had finished work at 5, I went and got that connected and set up and changed all the ink cartridges.

Thursday 2nd July

I decided that today was going to be my get my assignment written up day, so I could get it uploaded and out of the way so i can start unitn3 next week.

Whilst I was transferring the writing from paper to PC I decided to catch up on Roswell. 

Once i had finished watching the last few episodes of Roswell I watched the last few episodes of The Witcher.

I finally got my assignment uploaded by about 4ish, at which point my sister, brother in law and the kids came round, to look at the washer and the dryer, which then turned into my making a quick picnic tea and them staying. It always makes me happy when they come over.

Barlow loved it, he was having window conversations with Cooper!

When they left and I went to bed, I decided to start the first book on my TBR list, Izzy and Tristan.

Friday 3rd July

This morning started with me watching the latest episodes of Roswell New Mexico as ITV2 are showing them every day rather than weekly.

Towards dinner time, I went to deliver more washing to nanas due to another ssue with our washer, so nana said she would wash and dry our clothes for us!

After that I went for a walk with a friend to Congleton Edge.

I've never been to Congleton Edge, so it was a new walking place for me, but the views at the top were unbelievable!

We went when it was cloudy, over cast and partially raining and we could see so much, like the Welsh mountains, Jodrell Bank and even all the way to Runcorn and Liverpool, which my little adopted scouse heart loved!

After I had finished my walk i went back to Nanas to collect our washing. By the time I got home, I wanted something different for tea, so I made chocolate pancakes with peaches, I love peaches so this was my favourite!

As it was the 3rd of July, Disney plus added Hamilton to their stream. It's been on my list to go to London to see on the stage, so having it on the TV with the original Broadway cast is a win for me!

The below image is one of my favourite songs from the show, its hilarious!

So this was my 14th week of lockdown, hopefully I'll be able to go back to work soon, I'm literally counting down the days!

I hope you're all having a good week and staying safe.

Vanessa 😊